Willow finished tucking the forest green turtleneck
into her black jeans and sat down on the bed to pull
on her shoes as the door suddenly flew open.
"We got halfway to the rec hall before I realized I'd
forgotten--" Buffy stopped rambling as her eyes fell
on the redhead. "Woah, I haven't seen that before."
"Well, it's kind of--new--sort of," Willow blushed,
flustered by her friend's unexpected reappearance.
The slayer ran a hand over Willow's shirt sleeve,
"Silk. Very nice. Kind of dressed up, for someone
who's staying in with a good book."
"I was just--trying them on. Yeah," Willow nodded.
"Oh," Buffy smiled. "Too bad. Someone really ought to
see you in that. You look great."
"You think?"
I know," she answered and scooped up her purse from
her bed. "I've got to go. Riley's waiting downstairs."
"Have fun," Willow said.
"You, too--with your book, I mean," the slayer
replied.
Buffy closed the door behind her and laughed softly as
she headed toward the elevator. The door slid open,
and Spike emerged.
"Slayer," he nodded, moving past her.
"Vampire," she returned his nod and stepped through
the door, then peeked back out. "Spike, tell her how
great she looks."
"I will," he agreed. "Don't see us tonight."
"We won't," she grinned and punched the ground floor
button.
***
"Do you see them?" Willow asked nervously as her eyes
traveled over the teeming room.
He squeezed the hand she slipped into his, "All clear,
ducks. I don't think we have to worry, anyway. She's
never going to single us out from this lot."
"I hope you're right."
"I'm always right," he looked down at her with a cocky
grin.
She laughed, and he gently gripped both of her hands
and pulled her with him. The crowd swallowed them up
as he put his arms around her and pulled her close to
him. She dropped her head to his shoulder and relaxed
as he rocked her slowly to the music. She felt his
lips brush over her hair as he gave her a soft kiss.
She looked up at him, "Why did you do that?"
"Because," he answered.
"Because?" she echoed. "Where did that come from?"
"Dru used to say it to the kiddies on the swings, just
before she chewed on them," he teased.
Willow giggled and brought her fingertips to her lips,
realizing she probably shouldn't have found his remark
funny.
"Have I told you how hot you look tonight?"
"Yes," she said uncomfortably.
"Can I tell you again?"
He chuckled as she blushed and lowered her eyes, and
he pulled her back to him and wrapped his arms tightly
around her.
***
Spike stared at Willow with a small smile as she
talked animatedly with one of her fellow students.
Interest turned to curiosity as she suddenly spun
around to him and grabbed his hand.
"Pet, what is it?"
"It's a Buffy--straight ahead," she sputtered. "Come
on."
The vampire allowed her to drag him out of the noisy
rec hall and down the stairs.
"Bloody hell, luv, you can move when you're spooked,"
he grinned as she hauled him away from the building.
She turned around and, apparently satisfied with the
distance between themselves and the rec hall, slowed
to a walk.
"I'm sorry. It's just--can you imagine Buffy's
reaction if she found out we were spending time with
each other?"
"Yeah," he nodded, hiding a smile. "I can."
"Exactly. I mean, I think she likes you. Well, maybe
likes is a bit strong, but she definitely unhates
you--a little--I think. But she'd totally freak if she
knew I was sneaking around with you."
He stepped closer to her side and lowered his voice
seductively, "You make it sound so--sordid."
She squeaked and looked up at him, "Sordid? No! I
don't have a sordid bone in my body!"
"I'll bet you do," he replied. "It's just a matter of
finding it."
Her mouth dropped open, and he winked playfully at
her. She burst out laughing and linked her arm through
his. They walked on in silence for a few minutes
before Willow ventured a look up at him.
"Spike, you really think I have a sordid bone in my
body?" she asked, and the vampire could have sworn he
heard hope in her voice.
He laughed softly and draped his arm over her
shoulder, "Absolutely."
"Thanks!" she smiled brightly.
"My pleasure," he grinned.
End.