"It's perfect" Xander said, moving her to sit down. "Quit stressing."
"This is the first time that they will be here" she said, sighing. "I want them to like it."
Xander smiled, kneading the muscles in her neck. They had just moved into the small house a week before. The third step in his plan to grow up. The first being getting a job he planned to keep. Second being signing up for classes that fall at the university. Third, committing to his relationship with Anya. They were now having a house warming party. The gang was supposed to be there at seven. "They'll love it."
"I wish I could be so sure," Anya said, frowning. "They don't like me. Well, Spike and Willow are ok, but Buffy and Riley don't like me."
"You worry too much" Xander said, laughing. "They all like you."
"No, they tolerate me" she said, kissing him lightly. "I love you."
"Love you too sweetie" he said, ruffling her hair as he stood. "What do you have planned for the evening?"
She smiled, "Oh, it should be fun. I have party games."
"Party games?" Xander asked, wondering what her idea of party games would be.
"Don't give me that look," she said, glaring at him. "I have old fashioned games."
"Sounds like fun" he said, putting the chips out on the table. "I wonder if Spike is bringing Willow."
"Duh" she said, laughing, "Like he'd let her out alone. Those two are just so amusing. How long have they been flirting around their attraction?"
"Hmm...he came into the group in November. It's now July. Nine months I'd say. From the start." Xander said, facing her.
"Nine months of foreplay" she said, sighing. "That's just silly. Why won't they make a move? I mean, we all like Spike. Even Slutty has to grudgingly admit he helps us out. Why won't she jump him?"
"Don't ask me, hon. I like Spike much more than I ever liked Angel. He cares about her even he won't admit it." Xander just shook his head. He suddenly smiled, "OK....What are you thinking?"
"Who me?" Anya said, moving into his arms. "Just thinking that one of our party games might just be what they need to break through their platonic act and get some smoochies going."
"Anya" Xander said, "What are you planning?"
"Nothing, sweetie. Don't you worry." She said, kissing him. "Just a good old fashioned game of spin the bottle."
***********************
"Hey Xander. Anya" Buffy smiled as she was let into the house. She looked around, actually impressed. It was a small house that they could afford, but it was nice. "This is nice."
"Hey Riley" Xander greeted, taking the bottle of champagne from the man. "Wow. A house-warming gift."
"Something for all of us" Buffy said, smiling. "And something for you" she handed Anya a small box. "It's a blender."
"Thanks" Anya said, strangely touched that the slayer had bought her a gift. "Come in and sit down."
"We the first ones here" Riley asked, taking a seat.
"Yes. Willow and Spike are still no shows" Xander said.
Buffy snorted, "It just now got dark. She was waiting for him to pick her up."
"How sweet" Anya said, laughing.
"Um, Buff" Xander said, looking at Anya then the slayer. "Would you mind if say Spike and Willow hooked up?"
Buffy's eyes narrowed as she looked at her two friends. "I've been expecting it for months. Why? What do you two have planned?"
Anya smirked at Xander, "See? I told you she'd help. This is what I plan to do...."
***********************
Willow glanced nervously at Spike as she waited for the door to open. Her crush on him had escalated since he had first come back. She knew she was in love with him, but knew he barely tolerated her. He treated her like the kid sister tag along pest. She smiled at Xander as he opened the door. "Hey Xan. Sorry we're late. Sun issues."
"Come on in, guys" Xander said in greeting, letting them pass him. Both had helped him and Anya move the week before so they knew what the house looked like. "Willow, you look pretty tonight."
"Huh?" she said, glancing down. She was wearing a pair of cut off blue jean shorts and a tank top that was a burnt orange. Sandals completed the casual ensemble. "Thanks."
"Can we come in or do we have to stand here?" Spike asked, almost growling at Xander. He didn't like anyone looking at his Willow that way.
"Spike, be nice" Willow said, sighing. All evening he had been grumpy. It had taken them half an hour to walk from her house to Xander's and he had been irritable the entire way. "If it's possible today."
"Uh oh...trouble in paradise" Buffy said, sharing a smile with Riley. They had noticed the sexual tension that seemed to crackle between Willow and Spike and had also noticed that it just seemed to get worse as time passed and they continued to ignore it. Riley kept saying that he honestly thought they might explode if they didn't at least kiss soon.
"Guess today is a good day for games" Anya said, watching them both glare at each other as the energy crackled around them. She stood, smoothly moving between them. "Hi Red, Spike. Why don't you two quit arguing and come inside. We have a lot of fun things planned."
"I somehow doubt that" Spike said dryly.
Anya just smiled at him, not rising to his rude words, "We get to play games. So, hush and sit that cute ass down. Xan, get him some blood to keep him quiet."
"Games?" Willow said, rolling her eyes. "How fun."
Buffy laughed as she winked at Anya, "Oh, they will be. Trust me, Wills. They will be....."
***********************
Willow took another sip of her soda as she watched Riley pin the tail to the top of the donkey's head. Trust Anya to play children's games at her house warming party. She laughed as she watched Buffy head in the complete opposite direction of the donkey and head towards Xander. "Buffy, honey, turn right."
"No helping" Anya hissed, smiling at the redhead.
"Anya, she's going to give Xander another hole in his head. Somehow, I don't think that's good" Riley said, laughing as Buffy turned and removed the blindfold, glaring at them all.
"I don't like this game. I want to start a new one." She said, her lower lip thrusting out.
"Just bloody marvelous" Spike said, glaring at them all. It was getting worse. His attraction to Willow was consuming him. Every time he got around her, he wanted to just pull her into his body and hold on tight. He felt so stupid, falling in love with a human. And not just any human. The slayer's best friend. He must be suicidal.
"New game?" Anya said, nodding. "I like that idea." She stood and stretched, "Bathroom break. Get any food or drinks you want before the next round."
Willow smiled as she got up, laughing at Anya's antics. "Buffy, you want some more soda?"
"That sounds good" Buffy said, starting to stand.
"I'll get it" Willow said, smiling. She went to the kitchen, just wanting to get away from Spike's searching gaze. She heard Anya calling to her and sighed, running a hand over her face. It wouldn't be much longer. She could handle whatever game was next. She walked back into the living room, smiling as she handed Buffy her drink. She sat down on the floor, opposite Spike. She couldn't be beside him without wishing he were inside her. "What are we playing?"
"Spin the bottle" Anya said, placing the bottle on the floor between them.
"No way" Spike said, glaring at them. "I am not kissing any of you idiots."
"Just shut up and play" Anya said, giving him one of her looks that warned him not to make waves or else parts of his anatomy might be missing soon. He nodded reluctantly, knowing not to push Anya when she was in this kind of mood.
"I'll start" Buffy said, spinning the bottle. They watched as it landed on Xander. She leaned over and kissed Xander's cheek. The game continued until it got to Willow. She spun the bottle, not noticing Anya watching it intently. It spun until it slowed to a stop on Spike. She sighed, leaning over and hurriedly kissing his cheek. When Spike's turn came, the bottle did the same thing, landing on Willow. He scowled, wondering if the damn thing could be fixed. He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
Anya rolled her eyes. She had been planning on using magic if the bottle did not land on Spike for Willow or Willow for Spike. So far, the fates were with them. It had happened naturally. One more time, she thought smiling. She watched as Willow spun again, the bottle landing on Xander. She decided to let it slide, not wanting them to get suspicious. Besides, she hadn't even had to use magic. Not bad. She heard Spike growl as Willow brushed her lips against Xander's lightly. Not much longer.
Spike stared at Willow, not believing she had actually placed her lips against Chub's. And she had just kissed his cheek. Did he have a disease or something? Damn silly chit. She'd learn that his mouth was better than Xander's. He took hold of the bottle after Riley had kissed Anya. He spun it as hard as he could, watching it as it spun and landed on Willow. He was about to give her a kiss that would curl her toes when Buffy said, "OOooh. Three times. That's seven minutes in heaven."
He scowled at her, "What?"
"Seven minutes in heaven? With Spike?" Willow squeaked, shaking her head.
"It's the rules, Will" Xander said, shrugging. "You guys can use the hall closet. It's the closest, plus it's pretty empty."
"Closet?" Spike asked, "What are you goofs talking about?"
"Seven minutes in heaven if you land on the same person three times. That means, go to the closet with Willow and you have to stay in there for seven minutes."
He grinned, liking the sound of that. He stood, holding out his hand to Willow. "Come on, sweets. We have a date in heaven."
Anya watched them go into the closet and laughed. "I wager we won't see them for an hour."
"Hmm...just an hour? I'd think at least two" Buffy said, "Thinking of how long they've been ignoring the attraction."
"Who cares? They're in the closet and from the look on his face, he's going to take advantage of it" Xander said, laughing. They put the bottle away, deciding to watch some TV. They settled on the sofa and the floor, listening as voices raised in the hallway.
"Did he just yell that he loved her?" Anya asked lazily, raising an eyebrow.
"Yep" Xander said, munching on the chips.
"Ooooh....silence" Buffy said, laughing as she heard a crash. "And they're down. Let's time it, Anya. I saw two hours, you say one."
"If they start getting loud, I'm leaving" Riley said, laughing.
"If they get too loud, we can toss some water in there." Anya said, looking at Xander. "You know you sent them to the walk in closet?"
Xander just laughed, "You have your matchmaking ways....I have mine."
"Love you honey" Anya said, snuggling closer to him as she heard a low moan coming from the closet.
"Love you too babe" Xander said, kissing the top of her head as they settled to watch TV, the soft moans coming from the closet letting them know their plan had worked.
THE END