Chapter 15:

"Dance with me."

Buffy looked at him in surprise. She really wasn't expecting him to ask her to dance. Her initial response was going to be a definite 'No' but when she looked into his eyes, she realized that she couldn't deny his request. He looked so....so....boyish and shy. It was almost as if Buffy knew that her refusal would break him in some way. She couldn't say no.

*I don't think I could refuse him anything.* Buffy thought as she placed her hand in his and nodded in acceptance of his request because she was too nervous to say anything. Spike smiled widely at her and led her over to the dance floor but not before placing their waters on a near by table.


What day is it
And in what month
This clock never seemed so alive

I can't keep up
And I can't back down
I've been losing so much time

Spike led her over to the middle of the dance floor and immediately wrapped his arms around her petite form. Buffy responded by wrapping her arms around his neck. She felt so right in his arms. He had to hold back a moan when she unknowingly pressed her body closer to his. She was a perfect fit within his arms.

Cause it's you and me
and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose

And it's you and me
and all of the people and I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you

The lyrics of the song spoke to both Buffy and Spike's heart. They couldn't keep up with what this feeling was but they knew that they couldn't back down or walk away from it. They didn't want to.

All of the things
that I want to say
just aren't coming out right

I'm trippin' on words
You got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here.

There couldn't be any more truth to those words when it concerned Buffy and Spike. Neither one of them had ever felt anything like this.They had no idea where these foreign feelings were going to lead them but they both knew that it was going to be real easy to fall for one another.

Something as simple as holding her in his arms made Spike feel closer to her than he ever felt to anyone. It was the same for Buffy as well. She had never felt so at home or at peace. They were drunk off of the closeness of one another. The way his hands moved up and down her back made her tingle. She quivered when she felt his warm breath against her neck.


Cause it's you and me
and all of the people with nothing to do
nothing to prove

And it's you and me
and of the people and I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you

They weren't groping or grinding one another. They were just moving to the beat of each other.The two blonds moved slowly to the music. Nothing else mattered. No one else mattered.They had pushed the outside world away. There was only them and it was perfect.

Buffy didn't know what it was about this guy but she knew that she was dying to find out more. Being with him felt so right. Being in his arms felt so good. She wanted to stay in his arms forever.

There's something about you now
I can't quite figure out

That's exactly what Spike thought about Buffy. There was just something about her that made him melt. He didn't know what it was but he wanted to find out. He wanted to know everything about her-favorite foods, her dislikes and likes, what maked her cry and what maked her laugh. Spike wanted to know it all.

Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right

Buffy wasn't just beautiful. In fact there wasn't a word good enough for her. She was perfection. She was everything that Spike never knew he wanted. He couldn't explain this feeling but he sure as hell wasn't going to run away from it. If Buffy felt at least half of what he was beginning to feel for her, then he could possibly have a chance.

Cause it's you and me
and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove

And it's you and me
and all of the people and I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you.

Cause it's you and me
and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove

And it's you and me
and all of the people and I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you

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The song had ended and still Buffy and Spike stood in the middle of the dance floor in each other's arms. Buffy pulled away slightly to look at Spike's face, terrified of what she would see. She nearly gasped when she saw how intense his gaze was. He stared at her as she was the most precious gift in the world. Buffy had never been looked at in such a way before. Spike's look alone made her feel so special. He looked at her like he loved-

*No! Not love! He can't possibly love me! He doesn't even know me.* Buffy thought the words but she didn't know if she believed them entirely.

Realizing that they were just standing there holding one another while everyone was dancing around them, Buffy moved out of his grasp and stepped back. Both of them felt the loss of contact. It took all of the control that Spike had not to take her in his arms once more. Not knowing what to say or do next, Buffy just smiled shyly and turned to walk back in the direction of her friends. Spike was right on her heels, not wanting her to be out of his sight one bit.

"What's up, guys?" Buffy asked when she reached the table. She tried to ignore the tingles that overcame her entire body when Spike appear next to her.

"Nothing much." Tara answered. "You two looked really good out there."she observed. Buffy blushed prettily and gulped.

"Y-You saw us?" she asked nervously. Tara grinned innocently and nodded. She opened her mouth to say something else but Faith cut her off.

"Yeah. I was really impressed with the way you move, Spike." Faith replied. She moved on the other side of Spike and molded herself to his side as if she was apart of him or something. This did not go unnoticed by Buffy and the others. "How about using some of those moves on me?" she purred. Spike looked really uncomfortable and Buffy looked as if she was going to be sick. Unfortunately, Gunn wasn't around to witness her skankyness. Reality came crashing back to Buffy and suddenly she was having trouble breathing.

"I need some air." she said as she made her way towards the exit of the club. Spike grabbed her arm.

"I'll come with you." her offered. Buffy smiled tightly and shook her head.

"No. Stay." she looked over at Faith and fought back tears. "Dance." and then she was out of his grasp and out the door, not noticing Spike's dejected look.

"You heard Buff, Spikey." Faith said from behind him. "Dance." Then she began a series of 'sexy' dance moves around him. Spike just rolled his eyes and dismissed her without a second thought.

"Not interested." he growled and headed in the direction of the exit to catch up with Buffy. He knew that Faith was most likely glaring big holes in the back of his head but he didn't care. All that matter was Buffy.

It didn't take much to know that Faith was more than a little pissed that Spike blew her off. She was even more fired up about the fact that he blew her off for little miss perfect. She didn't know what was going on with those two but she knew it wouldn't last long. Buffy couldn't possibly know what to do with a man like that.

*He'll be mine soon enough.* Faith thought with an evil grin. Instead of going to look for Gunn, she loured a few guys onto the dance floor and played with them a bit.

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As soon as the night air hit Buffy's face, she expelled a breath that she wasn't aware she was holding. She wanted so badly to cry but she knew she really had no right to. Spike wasn't hers. She wanted badly to fix that but she now she had competition.

Faith.

Faith was everything that Buffy wasn't when it came to guys and although Buffy couldn't stand her whore-ish views of love and relationships, she envied her. Faith knew what she wanted and went for it. Buffy was too frightened by rejection to go for what she desired and she desired Spike. By the looks of it, so did Faith and if Buffy didn't act soon, Faith was going to get what she wanted.

*It's probably better this way. Faith is practically Spike with boobs. They'd fit perfectly together.* she thought sadly. *They dressed the same and had that whole 'punk-rockish' attitude. They were made for one another.*

"There you are!" Spike called from behind her. For the second time that night, Buffy nearly gave herself whiplash when she turned her head around to face him.

"What are you doing out here?" she asked in surprise. *He actually followed me out here. Maybe I have a chance after all.*

"Don't really see the point of being inside when you're out here." Spike answered as he walked up to her. Buffy heated up at his answer but ignore it.

"What about Faith?" Buffy asked almost bitterly. Spike didn't seem to notice and if he did he didn't show it.

"What about her?" he asked with a confused expression.

"I figured the two of you would be bumpin' and grindin' on the dance floor by now." Buffy answered with a pout that she unknowingly produced. Spike had to bite his lip to keep from laughing and kissing her senseless.

*I think someone's jealous.* Spike's mind sang in delight. *That's good, mate. Means she cares.*

"No. No bumpin' and grindin' for me." he chuckled deeply. "I figured I'd come and keep you company." he finished as he moved closer to her. Buffy cheeks reddened a little at this.

"You don't have to do that." she returned softly.

"I want to." he replied just as softly.

"Well, I don't want you to miss all of the fun on account of me." Buffy continued to push.

"What fun could possibly be had if your not apart of it?" Spike asked. Buffy was speechless.

*He's really good with the words.* she thought. Yet, she continued to argue.

"Still, you should head back inside-" Buffy just wouldn't let up. Spike sighed loudly and cut her off.

"Are you always this argumentative?" he asked in exasperation. Buffy looked at him with wide eyes.

"I am not argumentative!" she protested. Spike smirked.

"Yes you are!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not"

"See?! Right there!" Spike pointed accusingly at her. "That's argumentative."

"That's not argumentative." Buffy denied grinned. "That's just me being...well...me." Spike laughed a little and shook his head.

"Whatever, Goldilocks. I'm staying out 'ere with you. Deal with it." Even though Spike's tone was playful, Buffy could tell that he meant what he said. He wasn't going anywhere.

"Okay then." she gave in with a roll of her eyes.

Seconds went by and still the two of them just stood there. Spike realized that this was a great opportunity for them to talk.

"Walk with me?" he asked. Buffy looked up at him.

"Walk where?" she asked nervously.

"Not anywhere far." he assured her. "Just around the lot and back."

There was no hesitation when she answered. "Okay."

The two blonds began walking for a moment or two nothing was said. Spike was the first one to break the silence.

"Great lot of friends you have, luv."

"Thanks." she smiled over at him.

"That bird Faith is really....really-" Spike didn't know what to say without offending Buffy in some way. He wasn't entirely sure what kind of friendship Buffy and Faith had.

"Skanky? Whore-ish?" Buffy supplied. Spike looked a little taken back by her tone and choice of words. Even though that's exactly what he thought of Faith, he wasn't expecting Buffy to actually say it.

"Well, I was going to go with direct." Buffy chuckled at this and so did he. "She really doesn't know when to let up."

"Yeah, she's a real 'go-getter' type of girl." Buffy said sarcastically.

"I'm guessing that you and Faith aren't the best of friends, huh?"

"We're not even acquaintances." Buffy answered. "The only reason why I'm forced to be around her is because of Gunn. He's so convinced that she's the 'perfect girlfriend'." Buffy added the air quotes around 'perfect girlfriend'.

"but you don't think so?" he questioned.

"Hell no!" Buffy exclaimed. "Faith is a slut through and through. I mean, look at the way she practically through herself at you. She didn't even take into consideration that her boyfriend was sitting right next to her or that you were with me-" Buffy cut herself off abruptly, realizing that she had said more than intended. She looked over at Spike and noticed his grin. "Sorry."

"Don't be, luv." Spike waved off. "The chit obviously has no respect for you or for her boyfriend." Buffy looked at him in surprise.

"Wow."

"What?" he wondered.

"I just figured-nevermind."Buffy wasn't ready to open up that can of worms just yet. Unfortunately, Spike was.

"Tell me." Spike purred over at her.

*How can I deny him anything when he uses that voice?* Buffy thought.

"I guess I just figured you liked Faith." Buffy admitted.

"Why would you think that?" Spike asked. He wasn't angry or offended, just curious.

"I don't know." sighs. "Every guy with a pulse likes Faith. I guess I just figured-"

"Well, you figured wrong." Spike cut her off. His tone wasn't harsh, just firm. "I've done the 'bad girl' thing before. It got tired."

"Oh." Buffy replied. She was relieved to know that Spike wasn't interested in Faith.

"I'm setting my sights a little higher this time around." he looked directly into her eyes. Buffy got so nervous that she couldn't hold his gaze.Being around him was nerve-racking enough. It did not help that he was saying all the right things too.

"I just wish Gunn would realize that she's no good for him." Buffy sighed, figuring that resuming their previous conversation was safer.

"Don't worry 'bout it." Spike started. He knew that she was being all avoidy and could understand why. He decided to go at the pace she set.

"I have to worry about it!" Buffy stopped walking and turned to him. "Gunn's my friend!"

"And I'm not dismissing that." Spike defended himself. "I just meant that maybe this is something that he needs to discover on his own, you know? Maybe he has to see it to believe it."

That had been exactly what Buffy was thinking. It was like he read her mind.

"Maybe you're right." Buffy resumed walking once more. She shook her head and sighed. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"No problem, pet." Spike understood. "Let's talk about you."

"About me?" Buffy was thrown by that. Spike smirked and nodded.

"Don't look so surprised, luv."

"I'm not. It's just-Why do you wanna know about me?" Buffy asked. Spike looked at her as if she had grown a second head or something.

"Why wouldn't I?" he countered. Buffy didn't know how to respond to that.

"What do you want to know?" she asked instead.

"Everything." Spike answered without hesitation. Again, Buffy was taken back.

*He wants to know everything about me? What is his deal?* she wondered.

"Got a week?" she joked to cover up how nervous she was becoming. Spike reached for her hand and held it in his as they walked.

"I've got forever."

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Chapter 16:

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"I've got forever."

*He has got to stop saying all the right things!* Buffy thought with a light heart and butterflies in the pit of her stomach. Holding hands with him felt so natural. She didn't have the urge to pull her hand away. If anything, her hold got tighter.

"Okay." she returned. "You'll let me know if I'm boring you?"

"Not possible, luv." he chuckled.

"I'm serious. I mean, I haven't exactly led the most exciting life.There's nothing amazing about little ole' me." she said truthfully.

"I disagree." he returned. Buffy blushed and smiled shyly. Spike loved when she did that, especially when she did it for him. He made a note to get her to do it more often.

"Well," Buffy started, not exactly sure where to start. "I'm originally from LA but after the divorce, me and Angel packed up and followed my mother here to Sunnydale about four years ago."

"You're dad still in LA?" he inquired. Buffy laughed bitterly.

"To be honest, I have no clue where that bastard is. We haven't spoken to him since after the divorce was finalized." she answered.

"Sorry, luv." Spike said sincerely. Buffy squeezed his hand and smiled softly.

"Don't be. It's not like he was much of a father when he and my mom were actually married anyway so it's no big. I'm better off." pause. "Besides, Angel has always been more of a father to me."

"Is that so?" Spike really perked up his ears at this.

"Yep." she answered. "He's always looked out for me and protected me from big baddies of the world. Even though he's proven to be a little too protective, we're really close."

"Well, he loves you." Spike responded. "He just doesn't want anything or anyone hurting his baby sister." he reasoned.

"I guess." pause. "What about you? You got any brothers or sisters back home?"

"Nah." he answered. "I'm enough of a handful for my folks as it is." Buffy giggled and Spike decided right then that it was the sweetest sound in the world.

"I'm sure you weren't that bad as a child." Buffy grinned.

"Actually, I was a complete angel as a child." he returned. "It's actually been the past three years that I've been making trouble."

"Oh." Buffy turned serious. She didn't want to pry but was curious. "Is that why you were sent to live with Giles?" When Spike didn't answer right away, Buffy figured she had overstepped her bounds. "That's none of my business. I'm sor-"

"No. It's okay, luv." Spike interjected her and squeezed her hand to reassure her that that her curiosity was fine. His past wasn't her fault and he wasn't going to start whatever it was between them with lies. "Yeah. That's why they sent me to live with Rupert."

"I'm guessing you weren't too happy about that, huh?" Buffy turned playful again. Spike smiled.

"Well, I wasn't exactly hopping up and down with excitement but I'm quickly becoming keen to the idea of it all." He looked her up and down and Buffy felt heated under his piercing gaze.

"Good." she said. "Sunnydale isn't all that bad of a place. Not too big, not too small, great sights, great food-"

"Great people." Spike finished as he bumped shoulders with her. Buffy giggled once more and nodded in agreement.

"Can't forget that."

They continued to walk hand in hand in silence for a moment until Spike spoke up once more.

"So...'Elizabeth' is you're real name, huh?" Spike abruptly changed the subject. Buffy blinked in surprise.

"Ummm..yeah. 'Elizabeth' is my real name." she answered slowly. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason really. I guess I'm just wondering why you go by 'Buffy' instead of 'Elizabeth'."

"What's wrong with 'Buffy'?" she pouted. Spike nearly groaned. That lip was going to be the death of him. He just wanted to nibble on it for the rest of the night.

"Nothing. It just sounds.....weird." Spike teased and had to bite back a laugh at how angry she looked.

"Weird? My name is weird?" she asked.

"Well, yeah." he said as if it should be obvious to her.

"I really wouldn't throw stones, Spike." Buffy emphasized his name. "Your name doesn't exactly scream grace and elegance." she teased.

"I'm a guy." he argued. "My name isn't supposed to." Buffy rolled her eyes and giggled.

"You know what I mean. Unless you're a three year old's pet dog or an escaped murder convict, Spike isn't your real name."

"You're right. It's not." Spike said after a moment of silence.

"So....what is it?" Buff asked eagerly. "Tell me. Pleeeeease." She begged with a delicious pout that Spike just couldn't ignore.

"Okay okay okay." Spike gave in. "It's William. My real name is William." Spike held his breath, so sure that she would make fun of his given name. He released it when he realized that she wasn't laughing.

"William." Buffy tried the name on her lips and liked it. So did Spike. "Is it alright if I call you 'Will' sometimes?" she asked. Spike hearts almost skipped a beat.

*Maybe 'William' isn't such a poncy name after all.* he thought with a smile.

"Only if I can call you 'Liz' sometimes." he countered. Buffy blushed and nodded.

"Deal." she agreed. They held each other's gazes for a few seconds and immediately got lost in one another's orbs. Spike's eyes were so open and vulnerable. Buffy felt as if she could get lost within them.

*I could get lost in him.* she thought and shook at the intensity of it all. Spike was quickly taking up shop in her heart.

"We umm..better get back inside." Buffy suggested after a while. "I don't want the others to start worrying about us."

"Too late." a very familiar voice said from behind them. Both blonds turn around sharply at the voice.

"Angel." Buffy was a little shocked to see her brother standing there. She didn't know why but he didn't look to happy. The vain in his forehead looked as if it was about to burst. "What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing, sis." Angel returned never taking his eyes off of the male holding hands with his sister.

"We were just getting some air." she answered. "Where's Cordy?"

"Inside." Angel finally turned his gaze to Buffy. "Why don't you go say hi. She was asking about you."he lied but he wanted to get her away from Spike.

"Okay." Buffy found it a little hard to believe that Cordy was asking about her but she complied anyway. She didn't know what the deal was between Spike and Angel but she didn't want to take any part in it. "I'll see you inside, Will."

Spike smiled a little at her nickname for him and how quickly she took to it. "I'll only be a minute, luv." Buffy look between the two of them and then walked off quickly.

*There was definitely something going on with those two.* Buffy thought suspiciously. *Maybe I'll ask Spike about it later.*

"What do you think you're doing, William?" Angel asked as soon as Buffy was out of hearing distance.

"I'm not doing anything, Peaches." Spike said in a dangerously low voice. "Liz and I were just taking a walk and having ourselves a little chat." He hadn't meant to use her nickname. It just rolled off of his tongue. It felt right so he didn't question it.

*Liz? He's calling her by her nickname now?* Angel was a little surprised by this. Only family and friends used Buffy's nickname and Angel didn't consider Spike as neither.

"I don't know what kind of game you're playing, Spike," Angel practically spit the name out of his mouth. "but I want you to know that it's not going to work. Buffy's too smart to get involved with someone like you. You don't deserve her." Spike nodded in agreement and stepped closer to Angel.

"You're right. I don't deserve 'er but don't you think it would be fair for her to make that decision for herself?" Spike didn't wait for Angel to answer. "Now, I'm only gonna say this once: You may think that I'm a worthless piece of shit when it comes to your sister and you're right but I could give a flying fuck about what you think of me. All that matters is Liz and what she thinks. Until she tells me to shove off, you'll just have to get use to me cause I'm not going anywhere."

Spike didn't wait for a response. He walked around Angel and headed back in the direction of the Bronze.

"We'll see, William." Angel replied lowly as he watched Spike enter the Bronze. "We'll see."

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Chapter 17:

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Buffy didn't know why but she felt incomplete without Spike with her. It was strange. She had only know him not even a day and already she was feeling the loss of not being around him. She didn't bother going over to say hi to Cordy. It wasn't as if she and Cordy was the best of friends just because the cheerleader happened to be her brother's girlfriend. Instead, Buffy decided to stand close to the entrance of the Bronze and wait for Spike. She hoped that Angel didn't take too long with whatever he was keeping Spike for. There was definitely some tension between those two.

*I don't get Angel. He's been all wiggy since I mentioned Spike earlier this afternoon. And what was up with the whole 'talk' we had in my room before Spike arrived? Angel was so sure that there was something sinister about Spike.* Buffy thought heavily. Before she could give it anymore thought, a husky British voice began speaking close to her ear, startling her a bit.

"Miss me, kitten?"

*He has got to stop doing that!!!* Buffy thought as she turned around to face him. He was wearing a sexy smirk that made Buffy melt. Her response shocked herself and Spike as well.

"As a matter of fact, I did." Buffy's cheeks reddened but she didn't back down from his gaze.

"Now that I'm here, how about another dance?" Spike asked as his eyes trailed over her body from head to toe. Buffy was just about to respond with a very eager "I'd love to." when she was interrupted.

"Actually, sis, we should probably get going." Angel said from behind Spike. Both blonds turned in Angel's direction. Buffy was wearing a look of confusion while Spike's expression was more of the 'pissed off' variety.

"Get going? Why?" Buffy asked as she took a look at the clock on a near by wall. "It's not even 10 o'clock yet."

"I didn't tell you?" Angel tried to play the innocent role but Spike new better.

"Tell me what?" Buffy questioned, growing more confused and impatient.

"Mom's coming home tonight." Angel wasn't lying. He just chose that exact moment to tell Buffy about it. Their mother had called some time earlier that afternoon to inform Angel of her early return. Luckily for Angel, this news worked in his favor.

"Tonight?" Buffy's brow creased. "I thought she wasn't due back for another day or two."

"Don't ask me." Angel shrugged. "She called right before I left the house." Now he was lying. "I just figured you'd want to be home when she arrived since you haven't seen her in almost a week." he finished. Angel hoped that she would take the bait and want to call it an early night.

"I guess you're right." Buffy decided after a moment of contemplating. "We should probably get home."

Spike stayed quiet throughout all of this. He knew Angel's game and wasn't surprised a bit by it. He knew that his warning wasn't going to scare Angel off that easily. Spike understood Angel's protectiveness. He'd worry if Angel wasn't at all concerned about Buffy or his intentions. It was only natural for him to not trust Spike.

*I don't even trust me.* Spike thought bitterly. It didn't mean that he was going to give up on Liz just because of his past. He'd just have to prove himself.

"Looks like I gotta cut this short, Will." Buffy broke in to Spike's thoughts. He removed his hard gaze from Angel and turned a soft and adoring one on Buffy. The nickname did not go unnoticed by Angel.

"I understand, luv." Spike replied with a small smile. A thought a occurred to him and he had to restrain himself from throwing a smirk in Angel's direction.

*Two can play at this game, Peaches.* Spike thought before adding.

"How 'bout I take drive you back?" Spike offered. He bit his lip to keep from chuckling at Angel's surprised and steamed expression. Buffy didn't seem to notice.

"It's cool. I can catch a ride back with-" Buffy began and Angel almost said "Ha!" when it became apparent that Buffy was refusing Spike's offer.

Spike had always been a persistent bloke.

"Nonsense." Spike cut in. "I picked you up and drove you here. I should be the one to take you back."

"I wouldn't want you cutting your night of fun early because of me." Buffy countered but inside she was doing back flips at the thought of wanting to take her home. "Stay."

"Yeah, Spike.' Angel just had to put his two cents in. "Stay." he finished in a restrained voice.

"I don't see the point in staying if you're not gonna be here, luv." Spike ignored Angel and locked eyes with Buffy. He couldn't help the swell of his heart when Buffy blushed and ducked her head shyly at him. "Let me take you home?"

Angel looked between the two blonds with a hold of his breath. He prayed that Buffy would see right through Spike's act and refuse but he could tell by Buffy's facial expression that his prayers had not been answered. She was going to let him take her home.

"Okay." Buffy agreed finally. "I give in."

"Good." Spike returned with a grin. He reached for her hand and Buffy immediately took of his. Spike looked back over at Angel and said, "Don't worry, Peaches. I'll have her home safely in one piece." Spike's expression was serious and sincere. Angel ignored it with a glare.

"There's always room for you in my car, Buff." Angel decided to push. *Maybe I can get her to change her mind.* he thought hopefully.

"That's okay, Angel." Buffy answered. "I'll just ride with Will."

"Are you sure?" Angel tried once more but Buffy's mind was set.

"I'm positive." she rolled her eyes at his pushiness. "I'll see you at home." Buffy then turned her gaze to Spike and said, "Let me just go say good night to others and I'll meet you outside?"

Spike didn't want to have her out of his sight for one minute. Besides, he wanted to bid a good night to the others as well. All things considered, Spike had actually enjoyed himself.

"How about I just come with you?" Spike suggested. "That way I can say good night as well."

"Okay." Buffy complied. "See ya later, Angel."

Angel watched his baby sister and that menace to society walk off hand in hand. It made his skin boil. In Angel's eyes, that prick wasn't good enough to even lick the dirt off of Buffy's boots. He didn't know what he was going to do to get Spike away from her but it would have to be soon.

*Before she gets too serious with him.* he thought with determination.

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After Buffy and Spike said their goodbyes, Spike led them to the car and headed in the direction of Buffy's house. The ride was made in complete silence. Unlike the last two times that Buffy had been in the car with him, this time was more comfortable and relaxed. She didn't feel like she had to keep a conversation with him in order for it not to be weird. Neither did Spike. He was just content with her being there with him. Throughout the entire ride, their hands never left each other's grasp.

When they finally reached Buffy's house, Spike turned off the car and just sat in the driver's seat staring at her. After a while, Buffy began to fidget under his gaze and spoke up.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Buffy asked nervously, not being able to meet his eyes.

"Memorizing." Spike answered simply, never taking his eyes off of her.

"Memorizing?" Buffy's brow creased in confusion as she finally looked over at him. Spike loved it when she did that. She looked so adorable.

"My dreams need detail." he replied. Buffy blushed for the hundredth time that night as she turned away from him.

*Is it hot in here or is it just him?* Buffy wondered, resisting the urge to fan herself.

"You're very beautiful, you know that?" Buffy's expression was one of surprise. Spike had said that about her earlier but just later decided that he was just being nice.

"Now I do." was what Buffy wanted to say but went with a negative shake of her head instead.

"Well, now you know." Spike returned sweetly. "You're very beautiful, Elizabeth."

"T-Thank you." she responded softly.

"You're welcome." Spike replied. His eyes moved to her full lips and nearly groaned. He wanted to kiss her so bad. He needed to taste her.

Buffy noticed that his eyes had seemed to take on a glazed over type quality. He looked as if he wanted to devour her whole. She didn't know why but it all suddenly became too much for her and before Spike knew what was happening, Buffy was out of the car.

*Well, that was a hell of a thing.* he thought with a frown. He hurriedly got out of the car and followed her up the path.

"Thanks for the ride back." Buffy said as she reached her front door. She chose to ignore what happened in the car. "You really didn't have-"

"Stop right there, pet." Spike held up his hand in protest. "I know I didn't have to. I wanted to. I was happy to." Buffy smiled softly at him and didn't push it further.

"Well, thanks." she repeated. Buffy then looked anywhere but him and said, "I guess I'll see you at school?"

"That you will, luv." Spike answered as he took a stepped closer until he could practically feel her warm breath on his face. "That you will." Spike began to lean in towards her lips and go in for the kill. That's when Buffy got really nervous.

"I-I better go in-inside. Goodnight." Before Spike could protest, Buffy had managed to slip inside the house and close the door in his face.

Spike stood on the front porch with a very bewildered expression on his face. He had no clue what just went on but he didn't like it.

*Why wouldn't she let me kiss her?* Spike wondered sadly. He wanted so badly to kiss her. He began to question if she was really interested in him like he was in her. Not knowing what else to do, Spike turned walked back to his car, got in and headed home. He'd figure it out tomorrow. He wasn't giving up on her yet.

************************************************************************************************************

Buffy release a long breath when she heard Spike's car pull off. She hadn't meant to be all avoidy gal and leave him hangin' on the front porch but what else was she supposed to do? No guy had ever taken this much interest in her before. She didn't have much experience when it came to guys so she didn't know how to take all of this in. By the look on Spike's face, Buffy could tell that he was going to kiss her and as thrilled as she was about that, she was also terrified. She had never been kissed before.

*What if he kissed me and I did it wrong? What if i had bad breath or something?* Buffy thought as she removed her jacket. This thing with Spike was going to be a lot more difficult than Buffy thought it would be. *What if Spike finds out about my inexperience with guys and decides that he doesn't want me? Most girls my age have been in lots of relationships. I haven't even been in one.*

"Mom?! Are you here? Angel?!"" Buffy yelled and awaited an answer.When she didn't get one, she headed over to the phone and checked to see if there were any messages. There was only one. Buffy hit the play button and listened, already knowing that it was her mother.

"Hey, kids!!" Joyce's voice filled the living room." My flight just landed. It's about 9:15 now. I should be home within the hour. See you soon." The message ended and Buffy headed up to her room.

Buffy flopped down face first on her bed and screamed into her pillow. She now knew that Spike was interested in her but she didn't know what to do next. Maybe Spike wouldn't be able to handle that she had never been in relationship before. Maybe he'd think she was a freak of nature or something.

*What am I gonna do?* Buffy thought heavily. She then realized that Willow would know more about this type of stuff than she would and decided to talk to her best friend in the morning.

"Willow will know what to do." Buffy assured herself as she prepared herself for bed.

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Chapter 18:

********************************************************************************

Sleep had not come easily for Buffy the night before. Her thoughts were filled with everything Spike and when she finally did get around to closing her eyes, it was time for her to get up for school. Buffy had never been a morning person, especially on school days. Today, however, Buffy was very eager to get to Sunnydale High. She wasn't even gonna pretend to not know why.

Spike.

It was because of Spike that Buffy rushed through all of her morning preparations. It was because of Spike that Buffy made sure to pay better attention to what she was wearing. It was because of Spike that Buffy practically inhaled her breakfast.

"Whoa, there." Joyce commented on her daughter's eating habits that morning. "What's the rush, sweetie?"

Buffy looked up at her mother with wide and embarrassed eyes. She chewed and swallowed the last of the waffles that she had shoved down her throat down before she answered.

"There's no rush." Buffy lied as she put her plate in the sink. "I just don't want to be late. I wanna get an early start this morning."

"Since when?" Joyce joked. Buffy pouted and asked,

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, I was just teasing, honey." Joyce laughed. "It's just that you've never been a morning person. It usually takes me or Angel or even both of us just to get you out of bed."

"That is so not true." Buffy protested with a scowl. At her mother's raised brow, she gave in."Okay. Maybe it is true but I got up all by myself this morning, didn't I?" Buffy poured herself a glass of Apple Juice and drink it down in one gulp.

Joyce chuckled lightly before responding, "Yes you did." pause. "I guess I'm just wondering why?"

Buffy blushed a pretty pink and said, "No reason, mom. It's nothing." Another lie. "Like I said, I just want to get an early start."

"Riiiight." Joyce didn't believe her daughter one bit but she knew that whatever it was that was making Buffy act this way would come out eventually. She watched as Buffy grabbed her book bag and jacket.

"I better get going." Buffy said as she put on her jacket and headed for the front door.

"Get going?" Joyce asked with a confused expression on her face. "You never walk to school."

"First time for everything." Buffy said off-handedly. Joyce didn't let up though.

"What about your brother? He always gives you a ride to school." she reminded.

"Not today. Later, mom." was all that Buffy said before she practically ran out of the house.

*There is definitely something going on with that child.* Joyce thought with a grin. She shook her head and returned her attention back to the newspaper in front of her.

********************************************************************************

Buffy practically ran the entire way to school. It didn't take a genius to figure out that she was excited about seeing Spike again. It didn't take a genius to figure out that she was nervous as well. What exactly was she supposed to say to him? The fact that she hadn't gotten any sleep the night before gave Buffy an opportunity to really think about her actions. She had wondered if her rejection of Spike's kiss was the best idea.

*What if he's not interested anymore? What I offended him or something?*

These were just some of the pessimistic thoughts going through Buffy's mind as she speed-walked through the halls to her locker. She was rounding the corner at a very fast pace when she collided with something hard. Luckily, she wasn't the only one who went crashing to the floor.

"Okay....ouch!" Buffy whimpered.

"My thoughts exactly, kitten." A familiar voice responded across from her. Buffy looked over in the voice's direction and had to hold back a laugh at the appearance she was met with.

Sprawled out on the floor with books and papers everywhere was Spike. He was dressed in black jeans and a blue buttoned down shirt. He wasn't wearing his duster and his hair was left in a mess of sexy curls that made Buffy want to run her fingers through them repeatedly. His pout was what got her though. He looked so adorable that Buffy couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips.

"Are you laughing at me?" Spike looked a through narrow-slit eyes. Buffy immediately pursed her lips together in order to hold her laughter in.
It didn't work.

Buffy let out a full-blown laugh and Spike rolled his eyes.

"I'm so glad that I could amuse you, sweetheart." he replied sarcastically as he got his papers back in order. Buffy seemed to calm down a little.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." she said with a small giggle.

" 's not funny!" He exclaimed with another pout as he back to his feet and mock-glared down at her. Buffy picked her book bag off the floor and joined him in standing.

"Don't be such a baby, Will!" she laughed. "You haven't even been here a full week yet and already you've managed to knock me on my ass twice. Now you know what it feels like." She laughed once more and this time, Spike decided to join in with her. When they calmed, Spike tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ears and said,

"Hi."

"Hi." Buffy answered with a small smile and a blush. She got so caught up in the look that he was giving her that she hadn't heard anything that he had said after his greeting. Snapping out her trance, Buffy said, "Huh?"

With a deep chuckle, Spike repeated what his question, "Why are you in such a rush this morning?"

"Rush? I'm not in a rush. Nope. No rush." Buffy rambled nervously. *Could I be more of a loser.* she thought. Spike didn't seem to notice as he smiled softly at her.

"The pain in my ass says differently, luv." he teased.

"Sorry about that." she responded sheepishly. "I guess I don't know my own strength." she finished as she began walking in the direction of her locker.

"Don't worry about it, pet." Spike followed her to her locker and watched as she opened it and got her stuff out for the first classes of the day. "So...about last night," he began. Buffy tensed a little and hoped he wasn't referring to the kiss that almost happened. "I had a really great time."

Buffy let out a small breath Spike's words. Not only had he not brought up their 'almost kiss' but he inadvertently told her that he wasn't mad or offended because she rejected it.....or so she thought he had done it inadvertently.

Spike had decided that morning that he was going to be more direct with his feelings toward her. Not in the way that she would feel uncomfortable or pressured but in the way that she would know exactly what he wanted. He wasn't upset at the 'almost kiss' thing either. It was dumb of him to try and put the moves on her when she didn't even know that he liked her. He decided not to bring it up. Surely, it embarrassed her as much as it had him so he kept quiet.

*Maybe she was just nervous. Maybe I scared her.* Spike thought as he laid wide awake in his bed the night before. Spike had realized that he had probably made her uncomfortable with his wanting to kiss her so soon. He would just have to prove to her that he could be patient. He wasn't gonna treat her like the other women in his past. Buffy was different and she deserved respect. He was gonna do this right. Spike figured he'd start off a conversation about last night to get the ball rolling. Then, he'd pop the question and hope that she wouldn't laugh in his face.

"It was really cool of you and your friends to welcome me like that an' all." Spike continued. Buffy smiled over at him.

"Well, I glad you had fun." she commented as cool as possible as she removed her Math and English book out of her locker. "The gang seemed to really take to you." *Some more than others.* Buffy thought bitterly when she remembered the way Faith drooled over him.

"I'm glad." he replied with a grin. *It's now or never, mate.* Spike thought as he prepared himself the question he was about to ask. "Maybe we could do it again sometime."

"Yeah, that would be great. I'm sure everyone would like that." Buffy said while closing her locker and bending down to place her books in the bag at her feet.

"No." Buffy looked up at him. "I meant 'we' as in me an' you, luv." Spike explained. Buffy body seemed to heat up at his words.

Me and you.

Did that mean that he was contemplating the start of a relationship with her?

*Not so fast, girly! You're not even sure what he's asking. Just....slow...down.* Buffy warned herself.

"Oh." was all that Buffy said as she stood up once again.

"Not that I 'ave a problem with your friends or anything." Spike backtracked, not really sure if he had offended her or not. "There a great lot. Real nice mates you have. I just meant-"

"I know what you meant, Will." *I think.* Buffy smiled shyly at him and waited for him to continue.

"Good." nervous pause. "So what do you say? Me and you?" Spike asked, noticing that his heart was beating widely in his chest. He was sure that he'd crumble if she rejected him.

"Like a date?" Buffy was sure that her face was the color of a tomato but she didn't dare break away from Spike's intense gaze.

Spike deny the 'date' thing but went against it. He wanted to be with her. There would be no going half way. He was gonna do this.

"Yeah, Liz. Like a date." Spike held his breath once more, thinking that this was the moment
when she would laugh in his face.

"Okay."

"Okay?" Spike blinked at her in surprise. *She said yes?!*

"Yeah." Buffy looked him in the eye and continued. "I'd umm...I'd love to."

"Great!" Spike returned, not bothering to hold in his excitement. "Is this Saturday good for you?"

"Yeah." she answered. "Saturday's good. Saturday's perfect."

"Perfect." Spike returned and laughed nervously. Buffy joined him. They were interrupted when the bell rang, signaling the start of the first hour class.

"Well, I better go." Buffy said as she picked her bag up off the ground. "I don't wanna be late."

"Right. Of course." Spike moved aside to let her pass, but not before he asked, "I'll see you at lunch?"

"Count on it." Buffy answered back with a wide grin. Then, she was down the hall. Spike didn't stop his staring until he couldn't see her anymore more.

Spike could already tell that the day was going to be perfect.

*Absolutely perfect.*

********************************************************************************

"Willow, I need your help?" Buffy exclaimed as she made her way to her seat next to the redhead.

"What's up, Buff?" Willow asked.

"Well, you're never gonna-Wait! Where's Xander?" Buffy looked around nervously. She loved Xander but this was a girl thing and he'd just butt in where he wasn't needed.

"He's running a little late this morning." Willow answered slowly, wondering why Buffy was acting so strange. "What's going on?"

"Will asked me out." Buffy didn't see the point in beating around the bush about it.

"Will? Who's Will?" Willow asked. Buffy rolled her eyes. She forgot that Willow didn't know Spike's real name and her nickname for him.

"Spike." Buffy returned. Willow's face lit up with recognition. "Spike's real name is William. I shortened it to Will." she explained.

"Awww! That's so cute!" Willow gushed. Again, Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Willow! I need help here!" Buffy exclaimed, causing the other students in the class to look at her strangely. Buffy laughed nervously and lowered a voice, "He asked me out! What am I supposed to do?"

"Spike asked you out?" Willow beamed excitedly, ignoring Buffy's question. "That's great! I knew the two of you would-Wait a minute! I'm not seeing why this is a problem. Why do you need my help?"

"Come on, Will. You of all people know that me and dating aren't exactly friends. Hell, we're not even acquaintances." Buffy complained. "I proved that much when Will tried to kiss me-"

"He tried to kiss you?" Willow asked wide-eyed. "That's great-"

"Key word: TRIED!" Buffy stopped her before she went any further.

"What happened." Willow questioned but she had a feeling she already knew.

"I froze up, said 'goodnight' and slammed the door in his face." Buffy admitted. At Willow's horrified look, she explained her reasoning. "I've never kissed a guy before, Willow. What if I sucked?" Willow gave her another look and Buffy shook her head. "Never mind! Don't answer that!"

"but he asked you out though!" Willow reminded. "He must still be interested then."

"but I've never been on a date before." Buffy whined a little and it took everything that Willow had not to groan at her friend's stubbornness.

"Elizabeth, you're not the only girl who's never dated before." Willow used Buffy's real name to emphasized her point. "Stop trying to find the bad and be happy that he asked you out, woman!" Willow exclaimed, this time causing the class' attention to be on her. She blushed as red as her hair.

"I just..." sighs. "I just don't want to embarrass myself, you know?" pause. "I like him, Willow. I really like him." she finished quietly. Willow look at her friend, already knowing how she felt for the new guy. Last night at the Bronze was a dead give away."

"You won't embarrass yourself." Willow assured. "Just be yourself."

"Being myself usually means telling the truth." Buffy pouted. Willow's nose scrunched up in confusion.

"I'm not finding the wrong in that."

"Sp-Will doesn't know about my lack of experience with guys, Willow." Buffy explained.

"How am I gonna be able to tell him about it? And more importantly, how is he gonna react? I mean, what if he freaks out?"

"Buffy-" Willow tried but Buffy wasn't hearing her.

"What if he thinks there's something wrong with me?" Buffy asked with a whimper.

"Buffy!" Willow waited until she got her friend's attention. "There is nothing wrong with you and if Spike thinks otherwise, which I highly doubt he will, then he's just a big poop-head."

"but-" Buffy tried. This time, Willow wasn't hearing it.

"No butts, Missy." Willow had on her resolve face now, which meant "No arguments!"."Everything is gonna be fine. You are gonna go on that date and you are gonna have fun. Understand?"

"Understood." Buffy answered. *Gee, she's scary!*

"Good." Willow nodded in approval.

"I'm guessing this means that I have to tell him about my past with guys or lack there of." Buffy replied.

"It won't be that bad. I'm sure he'll understand." Willow assured once more.

"And if he doesn't?" Buffy questioned with a frown.

"Then it's his loss."

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Chapter 19: - Interlude

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Back at the Summer's residence....

"Mornin', Liam." Joyce greeted her son as she poured herself another cup of coffee. Angel was making his way over to the container of orange juice

"Mornin', mom." Angel returned. "Sorry for not waiting up for you last night. I was kinda beat."

"No worries." she dismissed as she returned to the paper that she had been reading. "I was so exhausted that I head straight for bed myself."

"Well, I'm glad you're back." Angel smiled softly before he kissed his mother on the cheek. "Is Buffy up yet? We're gonna be late."

"Buffy left a half an hour ago." Joyce answered never looking up from the paper in her hands.

"She what?" Angel blinked in surprise. He took a look at the clock on the wall. IT was only half past seven. Buffy never got up that early. It practically took a bowl of ice cold water to get her out of bed.

"I know. It was a surprise to me too." Joyce replied, finally looking up. "She was up way earlier that she usually is. She downed her entire breakfast in one gulp. I mean, she practically ran out of the house like Satan himself was on her heals. I've never seen her so anxious to get to school." she finished with a chuckle.

"So.....she just walked to school?" Angel couldn't seem to wrap his mind around the whole thing. Buffy hated walking to school. She hated walking anywhere. It became Angel's brotherly duty to drive her wherever she wanted to go since he got his license.

Something wasn't right and Angel was almost certain that his sister's new friend had something to do with it.

"Yep." returned his mom. Joyce obviously wasn't noticing the weirdness in this like Angel was.

"How much of a head start does she have?" he questioned as he made his way to the back door. "Maybe I can catch her."

"I wouldn't count on that, dear." Joyce cut in. "She's been gone for about half an hour. She was in such a hurry." pause. "I think it's because of a boy." In the time that Buffy had been gone, Joyce had realized that her daughter's flustered behavior could only be because of a guy. Joyce was just surprised that she hadn't realized it right off.

"You know, mom, I was thinking the exact same thing." Angel replied with a scowl that Joyce didn't notice.

"Oooh, goody." Joyce joked. "You'll be sure to give me all the gushy details?" She knew how Buffy had prayed for someone special in her life and it made Joyce happy to know that her prayers were possibly being answered.

"Mom!" Angel whined. "I'm not even comfortable telling you about my love life. What makes you think I'd actually give up info about Buffy's?" He thought about what he had just said and backtracked. "I mean, not that she has one or anything. Buff is still 'love life' free." Angel wasn't sure if he was trying to assure himself or his mother. He just didn't want to believe that his baby sister was falling in love, especially wth someone like Spike.

"It's only be a matter of time, honey." Joyce grinned. She knew how protective her son could be over those he loved. That's how she had raised him but sometimes his overprotectiveness made him a little....scary. Joyce pitied that guy that Buffy would fall in love with. Angel was sure to give him hell.

"Not if I can help it." he muttered but Joyce heard him loud and clear. However, she chose to ignore it. Joyce understood that Angel would always see Buffy as his little sister and not a maturing young woman. Heck, she still saw her as her little girl. They'd just have to break that habit.

"Well, you better get going before you're late." Joyce warned while getting up from her stool to drain her coffee mug. There was no use arguing with him. This was just something that he'd have to learn on his own.

Angel walked over to give her one more kiss on the cheek."I'm going. Later, mom." Angel grabbed his car keys and exited the house with a look of determination on his face.

Angel had a sister to confront.

*************************************************************************************************

Angel seethed the entire ride to school. He knew that Spike was already having some sort of influence on his sister. Sure, the rational part of his brain was trying to tell him that Buffy was just walking to school. There was no harm in that but the protective side of his brain was certain that Spike had something to do with it. He had gotten to her some how. Buffy had to know the truth about Spike before things got out of hand. There was no way in hell Angel would allow Spike to hurt his sister. He'd kill the prick before he'd let that happen. He had to figure out some way to get the bleached freak away from Buffy without attracting too much attention.

Angel knew that he was being obsessive and a little to overprotecting but this was Buffy!! He'd do anything to keep her safe. Even if Buffy ended up hating him for whatever it was he was thinking about doing in order to keep Spike away from her, Angel didn't care. This was for Buffy's own good. Spike was no where near good enough for the likes of Buffy. The guy wasn't good enough to lick the dirt off of his sister's boots. Spike would just use her and brag about it all over town afterwards. Angel knew that Spike only wanted Buffy for the sake of saying that he sullied her innocent vertue. He didn't care about her. Angel had to make her see Spike for who he really was.

Spike was beneath her.

And Angel was going to prove that to Buffy.

One way or another, Buffy was going to know the truth about William 'Spike' Adams.

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Chapter 20:

******************************************************************************************************

The second Angel stepped into the school building, his eyes immediately began scanning the area for Buffy. It was a little past eight now which meant that Buffy was just getting to her first period math class. He contemplated heading in that direction so he could talk to her but decided against it. Most likely, she'd just tell him to get lost and then he'd be right back where he started from.

*Maybe I can catch her during lunch.* he thought hopefully. *The sooner she the truth about Spike, the sooner that loser is out of our lives for good.*

Since Angel had the first two periods free, he decided to wonder around the school for a bit.

*With any luck, I'll run into Spike.* Angel hoped with a evil grin. He had a few more words for the blond punk.

**********************************************************************************************

Spike carried on throughout his morning classes bored as hell. The only thing that kept him from screaming his bloody lungs out was knowing that he'd be seeing Buffy at lunch. He just couldn't stop thinking about her. He hadn't really expected her to accept his date offer. He was so sure that she'd just laugh in his face and turn him down.

But she hadn't.

She said yes.

Buffy had said yes.

And from what Spike could read, Buffy looked rather excited about their date. Despite his manliness, Spike was excited about the date as well. He knew that he had to make it perfect for her. He couldn't make it the typical date that he usually took his 'conquests' on because Buffy wasn't a 'conquest'. She was something special and Spike was going to make sure she knew it come Saturday.

Now, he just had to figure out how he was going to make it special.

It had been a long while since Spike had been on a 'real' date with anyone. Usually, his 'dates' consisted of screwing the bint into the back seat of his car. He didn't even bother to feed them first. He just took what he wanted and left. Spike hadn't felt the need to be romantic since Dru. He didn't feel like those women deserved it. They didn't matter.

Buffy did matter.

She was different.

"Hey, Spike." a familiar voice forced him out of his thoughts.

"Hey, Red." he returned with a friendly smile. "How's it goin' ?

"Not bad." Willow answered as she sat down in the desk next to him. "How's it going with you? Buffy told me you asked her out."

"She told you that?" Spike asked, timidly. He didn't know where this was going but he hoped that Willow wasn't preparing to give him the 'Stay away from Buffy' speech. He'd gotten enough of it from Peaches.

"Yeah. She's really excited about it." Willow replied. *Okay, it's more like terrified but Spike doesn't need to know that.* she thought. Spike looked over at her with wide eyes.

"She is?" he asked.

"Why do you sound so surprised?" she countered with a small laugh. Spike blushed handsomely and shook his head.

"I'm not surprised. It's just...she really said that she was excited about the date?" Spike couldn't help but ask. Just knowing that Buffy had been talking about him with her best friend made his heart swell for some reason.

"I her best friend, Spike." Willow reminded him with a grin. "She didn't have to say anything. It's written all over her face." It was true. Even though Buffy had voiced her nervousness about the date, Willow could tell that Buffy was doing back flips about the situation.

"Oh." he said but inside he was smiling. "Good. That's...good."

Willow saw right through him and she could tell that what she had said had brought him some happiness. She could tell that this guy was a good one. She didn't understand why Buffy was being all worry-gal.

"So what do you have planned for the two of you?" Willow asked him as she took out her Chemistry book and writing materials.

"I have no bloody clue." Spike confessed with a sigh. He hadn't planned on admitting that right away but Willow had an air about her that just made him feel comfortable around her, like he could just be himself. Maybe that was because she reminded him so much of 'William'. She was kind-spirited and gentle much like his old self.

"I'm sure you'll come up with something that the both of you will enjoy." Willow assured him.

"I hope so, Red." he returned. "Liz isn't like the other chits that I've dated before and I'm not going to treat her as such." he finished firmly.

Willow noticed that he had used 'Liz' instead of 'Buffy. She smiled internally at that because Buffy had did the same exact thing an hour earlier. She could tell that the two of them were getting close. Spike seemed really determined to make Buffy's first date a perfect one. The thing was that Spike didn't know that this was Buffy's first date and Willow wasn't going to say a word. Spike was already having a hard enough time. She didn't think he'd break the date off if he knew but he'd probably be more of a nervous wreck then he was now. Besides, Buffy would kill her if she said anything.

"Why don't you just keep it simple?" Willow suggested. "Buffy's not a high maintenance type of girl. I'm sure she'll be satisfied with dinner and a walk on the beach."

"You really think so?" he asked. He couldn't help but think that it wasn't good enough.

"I really think so." she answered with a sincere smile that Spike returned.

***************************************************************************************************

 

Chapter 21:

The afternoon passed just as uneventful as the morning did. It wasn't until lunch that Spike's interests perked up. Having not seen Buffy since their talk in the hall that morning, Spike missed her. Sure, it had only been a couple of hours but it still was longer that Spike liked. If it was up to him, Buffy wouldn't be away from him at all.

"How'd all your morning classes go, luv?" Spike asked conversationally. He watched, almost mesmerized when Buffy picked up a grape from her lunch tray and popped in her mouth. Boy, did Spike want to be that grape. The way her lips and tongue just took the delicious fruit in so sensually just made Spike's lower regions twitch.

"They were a complete drag." Buffy answered with a roll of her eyes. She hadn't seemed to noticed the glossed over look Spike had in his eyes. "Remind me again why I shouldn't become a high school drop out."

"Ten years from now, you'll still be slingin' burgers at the Double Meat Palace, trying to make ends meat so you can stay in your roach infested apartment." Willow answered without looking up from the book she was reading.

"Not to mention all the hell your mother would give you if you didn't finish high school." Xander added as he munched on his bag of cookies.

"Well, of course dropping out looses all of it's appeal when you put it like that." Buffy pouted and Spike chuckled. "I just" sighs. "I just want out of this place."

"I'm sure it can't be that bad, Liz." Spike tried to soothe her by running his hand up and down her back. This gesture didn't go unnoticed by Xander. A nudge from him cause Willow to notice as well.

The skin on Buffy's back was singing. His touch was so comforting. It took everything she had not to shiver. It appeared to be safer to just continue on with the conversation.

"No. It's worse. I mean, if I have to listen to another one of Anya or Harmony's "Guess Who I Screwed Last Night" tales, my whole head will explode."

"Anya and Harmony?" Spike asked with a raised brow. Buffy subtly nodded in the direction of the girls at the table not too far from their own. Spike looked over and remembered that he had saw the blond one yesterday.

"Two of the many sluts at Sunnydale High." Xander cut in. "I'd watch out if I were you Spike." he warned. Spike turned in his direction. "You're exactly the type of guy those two tend to infect. I wouldn't be surprised if they made you there next target."

"Well, they're gonna be more than a little disappointed." Spike replied as he looked back over at them. He then focused all of his attention on the beautiful blond sitting next to him. "I'm far from interested."

Buffy blushed under his gaze and continued to eat her lunch.

**********************************************************************************************

Angel couldn't have been more wrong when he thought he would be able get Buffy alone in order to talk to her. He hadn't seen her all morning. When lunch rolled around and he finally spotted her, Spike just had to be sitting at the same table with her. Angel wasn't as cruel to reveal all of Spike's dirty secrets in front of everyone, though he really wanted too. Instead he settled for occasional glares in Spike's direction throughout lunch. He wasn't at all surprised or phased when Spike noticed the glares but purposely ignored them.

************************************************************************************************

"I'm gonna go get a soda." Buffy announced after she finished her chips. She hadn't even made it half way out of her seat when Spike grabbed her arm.

"I'll go, pet." he offered. "Just tell me what you want."

*Wouldn't you like to know.* was Buffy's immediate thought. Instead, she tried to deny his offer.

"That's okay. I can get it."

"No, really. It's fine." Spike countered as he got up from his seat. "I need to stretch anyway. What would you like?"

"Ummm...a diet coke would be fine." Buffy gave in. She was starting to see that when Spike put his mind to something, there was no arguing with him. She reached in her purse to get some money when he stopped her again.

"No need for that, luv. It's on me."

"Oh, no. You don't have to do-" Buffy tried arguing with him. As expected, Spike wasn't having it.

"I want to. Please let me." Spike looked down at her with such a innocent and adorable expression that Buffy knew she'd be crazy to refuse him.

"Okay." she nodded. "Try not to get lost." she joked.

"I'll find my way back to you, kitten." Spike promised with a wink. "Don't worry."

Spike made sure to stick around long enough to witness the blush that he had inspired and then he was off the fetch her soda. Buffy watched him until he was out of the cafeteria. As soon as Spike was out of sight and hearing range, Willow and Xander voiced their opinion of what just happened with just a sound.

"Awwwe." they cooed together. Buffy rolled her eyes and turned back to her not so funny friends.

"Shut it." she pointed at them both, trying hard not to let a smile escape her lips.

"but it's so cute." Willow pressed on. "Isn't it cute, Xander?"

"It's a Kodak moment, babe." Xander joined in. Buffy just reacted by throwing some of her left over grapes at them. They stopped their teasing after that.

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Spike was trying to get the damn soda machine to take his dollar when he suddenly felt a presence behind him. On instinct, he turned around and jumped a little with who he was faced with.

"Faith."

"Hey, Blondie." Faith purred, trying to act all seductive. To Spike, she just looked ridiculous. "How's it goin' ?"

"It's going good." he answered, turning back to the soda machine, trying to seem disinterested as possible. "Everything good with you?"

"Oh, yeah." she answered as she moved closer to stand next to him. "I'm very good."
Faith's double meaning wasn't at all lost to him.

"Good." Spike was inwardly cursing the soda machine, for the thing still hadn't accepted his money yet. He wanted nothing more to be back in the cafeteria with Buffy, instead of uncomfortably standing in the hall with Faith.

Faith, on the other hand was loving that she had gotten the hot Brit all alone. She had been watching him all day but couldn't get him to notice her. When she saw him leave the lunch room, she figured it was the perfect opportunity to do her thing. What she didn't know was that Spike was immune to her so called 'charms'.

"I looked for you last night." Faith continued. Spike spared her a glance of confusion. "At the Bronze last night, I looked for you. I thought we would've had that dance."

"I took Buffy home." Spike answered and didn't say more than that.

"Oh, Buffy's a big girl." Faith resisted the urge to spit out her rival's name. She couldn't stand the holier than thou bitch. "I'm sure she could've taken care of herself."

"Wasn't willing to take that chance." Spike returned, finally managing to get his dollar into the machine. With a firm push of a button, Buffy's diet coke tumbled down into the machine's opening. Spike quickly grabbed it and headed for the direction of the cafeteria. He groaned internally when Faith followed not too far behind.

*Can't this cow take a hint?* Spike thought as he walked swiftly back to the entrance of the lunch room. He just had one more corner to round before he reached it.

"So, Blondie, how's about a rain check on that dance?" Faith asked. She didn't seem to have a problem with keeping up with him.

"How about not?" Spike shot back. His patience was starting to wear thin. Faith didn't seem to notice. With speed that he didn't think she had, Faith cut in front of him and blocked the path that would've let him round that last corner.

"Oh, come on." Faith practically began to mold herself to his front. It took everything Spike had not to gag. "I'm sure we'd have a hell of a time....dancing."

Spike took a deep breath and firmly grabbed a hold of her upper arms. It took a little effort to get her to give him his personal space back but when he finally got it, he decided that it was time to make a few things clear.

"Look, Faith," he began. "I'm sure you're a......real interestin' girl but you're not my type." Spike chose to ignore the look of fire that overtook her eyes. "Why don't you be a doll and shove off." He nudged her out of his way so he could get by. He didn't even make it three paces before he heard her voice again.

"And Miss "Experienced" is?" Faith made sure to air quote the word experienced, knowing all about Buffy and her lack of it when it came to guys. "Please. Buffy wouldn't even come close to knowing how to handle a hottie like you."

Spike knew he was going to regret this but he turned around to face her asking, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, that's right." Faith remembered with a snap of her fingers. "You're new here. You don't know."

"Know what?" he barked. "What the hell are you talkin' about?" *Why are you even taking to this bint, mate? She's nothing but trouble.* Spike's brain was trying to tell him.

"You'll find out soon enough." Faith assured with a wicked grin. "And when you realize just how unsatisfying Buffy's innocence is," she walked over til she was practically breathing the same air he was. "I'll be waiting." she finished with a small peck to his cheek.

Spike didn't even watch her walk away. That didn't mean that he wasn't thinking about what the crazy bint had just said. Of course, Faith could just be telling lies because of her dislike for Buffy. Even if Faith's words did hold some truth, Spike had no idea what they meant.

But he had a good idea of who did.

Xander.

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Chapter 22:

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After Spike's little run-in with Faith, he returned to Buffy and her friends with a heavy mind. He didn't want to alert Buffy or the others that something was wrong but he couldn't get the girl's words out of his head. His need for information began to weigh down on him but there was nothing he could do about it now. He decided to play it cool for the rest of the lunch hour.

Spike succeeded.

Lunch proceeded as if nothing had happened out in that hallway, but once lunch was over, Faith's words came rushing back to him.

He needed to talk to Xander,

*****************************************************************

Xander and Spike were lucky enough to be in the same gym class. Spike had realized the benefits of being in the same class of his girl's best friend. He would be able to find out all he wanted from the guy.

*My girl?* Spike thought. *Is that who she is?* Spike sure did think of her as his. Maybe Buffy didn't see it that way....yet but he was almost certain that she would soon enough.

Spike didn't know how he was going to approach the subject of Buffy and Faith without making Xander think that something was off. This was all new territory for him. In the past, he never had to worry about things like this. Spike never stuck around or cared enough to get info about the girls that he had 'dated' before. He knew that he could easily ask Buffy but somehow he guessed that the conversation would just make her uncomfortable and closed off. Sure, going behind her back and asking one of her best friends didn't seem all that smart either but he had to find out some way.

Luckily, Xander broke the ice for him.

"Buffy tells me an' Willow that you had a good time last night." Xander started conversationally as he put on his gym clothes.

"Yeah." Spike agreed. Since he was already dressed for class, Spike sat down on the bench across from Xander. "Surprisingly, I did. You lot really know how to show a bloke a good time."

"We aim to please." Xander grinned goofishly. "Everyone seemed to be really taken with you...." pause. "Especially Faith."

Spike looked up at Xander with a bit of a glint in his eyes.

Bingo!

*Looks like this is gonna be easier than I thought.* Spike concluded to himself.

"You noticed that too, huh?" Spike asked acting sheepish. He watched as Xander rolled his eyes in response.

"Man, a deaf mute would've noticed the way she was panting all over you." he answered. Spike chuckled in response

"The chit is really..." Spike trailed off pretending to not how how to describe her. In reality, Spike could think of a few dozen words to describe the bint and none of them put her in a good light. He just wanted to find out if Xander would take the bait or not.

"Skany? Whore-ish?" Xander offered a little too helpfully while sitting down to put on his shoes.

"Wow." Spike returned. "Some fan club." he stated sarcastically.

"What do ya mean?" Xander asked.

"Well, it just that Liz used the exact same words last night." he answered, finally easing his way into the matter at hand. "I kinda got the feeling that the two of them weren't exactly the best of friends."

"You're not wrong." Xander replied. "There isn't anyone more on board with the 'We hate Faith' parade than Buffy. It's been that way since like....ever." he said. "It's like this unspoken hatred between them."

"Why?" Spike asked curiously.

"Simple: Faith's a cheating, backstabbing whore and Buffy isn't." Xander answered with a straight and serous face.

""So, they have sort of a bad history then?" Spike asked.

"I guess you could say that." he answered while standing up to put his regular clothes in the gym locker. "It's always been a competition for Faith. She's jealous of Buffy. Always has been. Everything Buffy has, Faith wants and everything Faith wants, she whores her way around to get. Faith'll do anything to prove that she's better than Buff, even if that means taking something from her and that just doesn't sit too well with Buffy."

Spike was now understanding Buffy's dislike for the brunette. It seemed that Faith viewed Spike as Buffy's and naturally, she would try and do everything in her power to take him take him from her. She would do her worst to break them apart because she was jealous. She wanted to get to him first.

*Fat chance.* Spike thought with determination. He did belong to Elizabeth and there was no way anyone was going to get between that.

Not Angel.

And certainly not some filthy harlot like Faith.

"It doesn't help that Faith just so happens to be screwing around on one of Buffy's good friends." Xander continued.

"What's that rot all about anyway?" Spike wondered. "I mean, can't the bloke see that the bint is being...well...unfaithful." Apart of Spike could empathize with Gunn. He too knew what it was like to be blinded by love. His relationship with Dru proved that.

"Gunn is what I like to call stubborn." Xander answered with a roll of his eyes. He headed for the locker room door and Spike got up to follow him. "He won't believe it until he sees it."

"Well, hasn't anybody said anything to him? Surely, he'd believe his friends." Spike assumed as they exited the locker room.

"Buffy tried to tell him about Faith's....unfaithfulness. Once." Xander started. "He wouldn't believe her. He said that Faith was just misunderstood and that being with him had changed her. Buffy didn't want to create a rift between them so she backed off. If it wasn't for Gunn though, Faith and Buffy would have had it out a long time ago. Buffy just cares about Gunn too much to start anything."

Spike nodded in understanding. His respect for Buffy seemed to multiply at hearing how she had decided to deal with Gunn's relationship with Faith. Despite her own problems with the troublesome bint, Buffy was willing to push it aside for her friend.

"Can't say the same about Faith though. She has no respect for the guy what so ever. I mean, look at the way she was panting over you last night." Xander shook his head in disgust."It was if Gunn wasn't even in the room. She wants you. A lot." The two of them gradually made their way to the gym room with the rest of the guys.

"Too bad." Spike said without hesitation. "Faith'll just have to get her kicks elsewhere. I'm not interested." pause "I...uh...sorta got someone else in mind." he finished with reddened cheeks. It didn't take much for Xander to realize who he was talking about. With a knowing smirk, Xander asked what he already knew the answer to.

"This 'someone' wouldn't happen to be average height, blond, petite, and uh..oh! one of my best friends, now would it?"

Spike shook his head and grinned as he entered the gym, shaking his head slowly.

"Wow, Whelp. Nothing gets past you, does it?"

"So I'm right?" he questioned with an eagerness that made Spike laugh. "It's Buffy?"

"Yeah, mate." Spike replied with a soft smile. "It's Buffy."

Spike waited for Xander to turn him. He waited for Xander's glares and threats, knowing that the 'best friend' role was about to come into play. Surely Xander would want to protect Buffy from the likes of him. Surely, Xander would want to keep him from making anything happen with Buffy.

Not so much...

"I knew it!" Xander pointed triumphantly with a big smile. "I knew you liked her!"

Spike looked at the practically giddy boy with a confused expression. This was a reaction that he was not expecting. There were no glares or threats of violence if he didn't stay away from Buffy.

Could it be that Xander approved?

"Huh?" was the only thing that Spike could manage.

"This is so great! I knew the two of you would hit it off." Xander continued as he made he way over to the rack of basketballs in the corner. He grabbed one and tossed it at Spike.

"Wait a minute...you're okay with this?" inquired Spike when he caught it. "No death threats? No "Stay the hell away from Buffy" ? You're not mad?"

"Of course not." Xander said in confusion of his own. "This is great!" he exclaimed as he motioned for him to pass the ball back.

"Peaches seemed to think anything but." Spike grumbled with a pout as he tossed back the ball. Xander's expression just got more confused.

"Who?" he asked.

"Angel."

"Ah. Him." Xander now understood why Spike expected him to go off the handle about his feeling for Buffy. *Angle must have given him a hard time.*

"Yeah. Him."

"I'm guessing that it didn't go over well. You meeting him, I mean." Xander concluded. He started bouncing the ball around, circling half of the court. He then made a free throw at the basket. Spike shook his head and sighed.

"Not even close, mate." he answered as he retrieved the ball when Xander missed said basket and tossed it back. "The bloke really doesn't like me." Spike emphasized the word 'really'. Xander laughed humorlessly.

"Please. That big lug doesn't like any guy, especially those who've taken an interest to Buffy." Xander finished with a roll of eyes. Spike chuckled a little at Xander's 'big lug' comment.

"I'm guessing you and Angel aren't very close."

"Close?" Xander looked almost pale with disgust. "God, no!" Spike resumed his chuckling at this. "The guy's a egomaniac, way too judgmental for my tastes and doesn't know when to mind his own business."

"Some big brother." Spike tone just dripped with sarcasm.

"Actually," Xander paused to take another shot at the basket. "he is."

"Say what?" he drawled as he caught the ball once more and passed it back. Spike was confused. Didn't Xander's little personal description of Angel prove that he didn't like him?

A sigh. "Okay, just let it be known that if you ever mention this to anyone, I'll deny everything." Xander vowed as he tucked the ball under his arm.

"Duly noted." Spike agreed with a roll of his eyes.

"Angel may be a lot of things," Xander started. "but a crappy brother isn't one of them."

"Is that so?" Spike was surprised. He just assumed that Angel was the type of guy that walked all over everyone, family included. Angel just seemed like the type of guy that didn't care about others feelings and did anything to get his way.

"Oh, yeah." answered Xander. "He loves Buffy. He'd do anything for her. Always has. Always will." small chuckle. "The guy would probably take on the entire world one handed to ensure her happiness." he finished with another shot at the basket, cursing when his missed for the third time.

*Looks like Peaches and I have something in common then.* Spike thought. Even though Spike hadn't known Buffy long, he had the burning desire to want to please her, make her happy. He wanted to protect her from all the baddies of the world, including himself He wanted to put a smile on her face and rejoice in the fact that he was the one to put it there but with big brother Angel hanging around, that was going to be easier said than done.

"Well, the bloke's pretty sure that protecting Elizabeth from me is what's gonna make her happy." Spike replied. Xander just waved it off.

"Don't worry about it, man." another missed shot. This time he retrieved the ball himself. "Just focus on winning over Buffy for right now. Ask her out."

A deep chuckle as Spike took the ball away from Xander. "Way ahead of you, mate." he returned as he made a shot for the basket himself. He wasn't the least bit surprised when it met the net with a swoosh. "We're going out this weekend."

"Hold it." Xander demanded as he he got the ball and passed it back to Spike. "You asked Buffy out and she said yes?"

"Yeah." Spike said slowly, as if he were speaking to a five year old. "I thought I covered that with the "We're out this weekend" comment."

"Wow. That's surprising." he watched as Spike prepared to take another free throw.

"How so?" Spike lifted the ball and was ready to throw......

"I just figured she'd be a little hesitant about going out with you considering that it'd be her first date and all."

......and ending up tossing the ball half way across the court, missing the net completely and nearly hitting another student.

"What?"

"What 'what'?" Xander eyed him with a crease in his brow.

"Buffy's never been on a date before?" Spike asked. Didn't take much to know that he was more than a little surprised at this bit of news.

"Oh. That. No." Xander answered, not realizing that his mouth had said too much just yet. "Buffy's never even had a boyfriend before. She's convinced that no guy could ever be interested in her." At Spike's look of shock, Xander realized his mistake. "And I've just realized that I've said too much because you don't know this, did you?"

Spike just shook his head, too speechless to form words. Spike's mind, however, was on overload. There were a dozen thoughts swimming around in his head at this information. It was one thing to know that Buffy had never been on a date. Spike could handle that. There were lots of teens who started late in the 'dating' game but Buffy had never even had a boyfriend. She had never been in a relationship. Buffy really did bring a whole new meaning to the word 'innocent'. He finally understood where Faith's words were coming from. There were so many thoughts in Spike's mind but there was only one that he could make out clearly.

*Bloody Hell!*

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