Chapter Fifteen: Morning Plans

A/N: After a long hiatus, a new chapter. Hope you enjoy. Thanks once again for the wonderful feedback and encouragement to continue and the many incredible ideas on how to give Angel his just desserts. You guys are the best!

Thanks yous: A very special thank you to Spike's Harley Babe for the nomination for Awakenings at Nikita's cool new award site, Spuffy Awards. And as always, many, many thanks to Flames for the great beta.

When Buffy awoke the next morning, the apartment was quiet. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and glanced at the clock. 7:00AM. Spike would probably be back from practice in a few minutes. She shuddered at the thought of swimming at 5AM. She had no idea how he did that. Buffy tossed back the covers, sighed and dragged out a T-shirt and boxer shorts from his dresser to put on. She couldn't stalk around naked in his place all the time after all. She stretched, realizing the bath last night must've helped quite a bit - she wasn't all that sore, just a little tired.

She puttered into the kitchen, looking through the shelves for the pancake mix and measuring out enough for the two of them. She had just poured the first batter into the heated pan when she heard the key in the lock and looked up to see a smiling Spike come through the door, carrying the newspaper he'd grabbed off the steps on his way in. "Morning sweetheart, you sleep alright?" She nodded and he came round the counter to kiss her on the cheek. She turned to meet his lips and the greeting lengthened until the smell of burning pancakes caused Buffy to break away with a yelp.

"Oh no, I've burned it!"

Spike laughed and took the spatula away from her as he pried the incinerated flapjack from the pan. "My fault luv, I distracted you." He threw another pat of butter in and poured a dollop of batter into the pan as she set the small table and poured juice for both of them. Soon they settled down to eat.

"Want to help me with the puzzle, sweetheart?"

Buffy watched as Spike unfolded the Sunnydale Times to the crossword puzzle and laid it out before pouring syrup from its bottle and cutting his pancakes. She was suddenly struck by the utter domestication of the scene, it felt as comfortable as if they did this everyday. She pondered for a moment as she watched him put the first bite in his mouth, and realized he'd caught her staring.

"Something the matter?"

She smiled back at him. "Not at all… I was just thinking about how much I like this." She motioned back and forth across the table between them with her fork. "It's….homey, I guess. I don't really know the word for it, but it makes me happy."

He smiled at her. "So, you're saying you like having breakfast with me?"

"More that I just like being here with you, breakfast is just a bonus. Sharing the paper, doing the puzzle," she gestured to the pages that were spread out between them, "and playing footsie under the table." She smirked as she ran her foot up his leg and rested it in his lap.

He reached under the table and caught her foot in his hand, tickling it unmercifully until Buffy was in hysterics. "Spike! Stop it, stop….honey, stop!" He winked at her and released her foot with a pat.

"Teach you to ambush me under the table, luv."

She recovered from her giggles and sobered up. "Do you like it? Us, together like this?"

Spike nodded, pondering whether to continue or just agree with her. He didn't want to frighten her with just how serious his feelings were, after all, last night had been their first together, and they hadn't even been on a real date yet. On the other hand, he doubted two people could know each other better then they did, it wasn't as though they were strangers after a one-night stand. He decided to speak his heart. "Buffy, if I could have you here every single morning, I would." His eyes met and held hers. "I'm not just saying that, sweetheart. As far as I'm concerned, I'd be in heaven if you wanted to become a permanent resident."

Buffy's eyes grew wide as what he'd just said sank in. Had Spike just invited her to move in with him? She felt her breath catch. That was big and something she didn't think she was quite ready for, at least not right this minute. She sat frozen like a deer in headlights, unsure of what to say, but before she could utter a word, Spike continued.

"I know we're not at that point yet, sweetheart, don't panic. I just want you to know that's an open option if you ever want to exercise it. You can come and go as you please, just like you have before." He smiled. "Though I am hoping you'll be a little more inclined to overnight visits from now on."

She nodded. "Absolutely. And thank you for the other…offer. I like knowing that you want that with me."

He leaned across the table for a syrup-tinged kiss and the moment passed as they resumed their breakfast in quiet conversation as they worked the crossword together.

*********

After they finished and tossed the dishes in the sink, Buffy pulled him over to the couch. "Spike, there is one thing I still need to talk to you about." Her serious expression made his stomach flip, despite all of the reassurances of last night and the coziness of the morning. He took a deep breath to steady himself and pulled her onto his lap, wanting the closeness of contact to reassure him.

"Alright pet, what is it?"

She kissed him, ruffling his hair with her fingertips as she snuggled further onto his lap, feeling his reaction to the friction she was causing. He'd distracted her last night, but the next time she had him alone - without a class coming up in, she glanced at the clock, not much more than a hour - she was going to tie him to the bed and explore to her heart's content. She was tempted to start right then, but figured they'd never make it out of the apartment if she did.

He stared back at her, wondering what was going on in her head as she eyed him with a speculative gaze. "Buffy? He waved a hand in front of her face. "Luv, what's going on in there?"

She sighed. "I was just trying to decide if I had enough time to tie you up and have my wicked way with you before class."

He swallowed hard. Not what he'd been expecting. "Yes?" he ventured and she laughed at the hopeful look in his eyes.

"No. I need more time than we have and I still have to shower and get ready for class." He pouted and she soothed him with a slow kiss that quickly began to race out of control, until she pulled back. "Alright, mister, you've got to stop that, I really need to tell you something."

Spike mock muttered under his breath about bossy females and she tucked her head back under his chin as she curled back against him.

"Spike, first you have to promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise you'll listen and not interrupt until I'm completely finished, and then that you'll discuss this with me and not run off like a crazy man."

"I'm not going to like this, am I pet?"

"Well, I think ultimately you might, but not initially. Just promise?"

He grudgingly gave his word.

"Okay. When Willow and I went to LA, I found out some things about Angel. Let me start by saying that none of them had any influence whatsoever on my decision regarding our relationship. You can ask Willow if you want, I poured my heart out to her about you before he ever came up, okay?"

He nodded but maintained his silence.

"So, long story short, Angel was apparently sleeping with some other girls while we were dating. We know of at least one person he was with, Willow heard them though the door at the frat house the other night, and we think there might have been others."

He started to speak and felt her hand softly cover his mouth. "No, you promised to hear everything first."

He nodded and she continued. "So anyway, I was ill when Willow told me, but to be honest, I was a little relieved. I had felt so guilty about falling for you and somehow hurting him and that simplified matters greatly, you know? I didn't have to worry anymore. But then it got worse. It turns out Angel was just interested in dating me because he thought I'd be a source of cash for him."

This time she couldn't stop his exclamation. "That wanker! He cheated on you and he was using you for your trust fund?!"

She effectively stopped his by kissing him. "Shhhh…you promised to just listen until I was done." He stopped talking, but she could tell he was going to have some choice things to say when she was done.

"I totally agree with your sentiments, Spike. I could have dealt with him sleeping around, because we never really became intimate and I didn't think our relationship was that serious. And I was looking for a way to nicely tell him I was interested in you. But knowing he was just using me because he thought he could get money from me, that he didn't care about me as a person as all, just infuriated me. So Willow and I came up with a plan to get back at him."

Spike raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued at this.

"What do you think would embarrass Angel the most?"

Spike thought for a moment. "Publicly humiliate him. That poofter loves being number one no matter what, and being shown up or knocked down off his high horse a notch or two is the thing he hates most. I remember he got benched some his first year, and he was furious, a real asshole to the coach and his teammates, because he was so used to being the star in high school. He almost got kicked off the team. If it hadn't been for the senior in his position getting injured and Angel being the only decent replacement, I think they would've booted him after that season. Course, he turned his act around after he was playing again and managed to win everybody back over, but he was more furious then than I've ever seen him."

"Exactly! That was the conclusion we came to. So here's what we want to do, Angel thinks he's Mr. Stud Puppy and he's all convinced he's going to win me over by his prowess in bed. So we decided that the best revenge would be to make him work for that, then use it against him."

Spike pulled back, eyes expressing his concern. "Buffy, you are not going to sleep with that wanker!"

She reached for him to soothe him, but he eluded her, catching her hands and holding them in his. "Luv, listen to me. Please. Don't do this."

She took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Spike, listen until I tell you everything and don't jump to conclusions, okay?" He loosened his grip on her hands and she pulled one free to force him to look into her eyes. "I have no intention of sleeping with Angel. I love you, Spike. I just want to lead Angel on a little bit longer so we can embarrass him and then hasta la vista Angel. And I promise, we've thought this through."

Spike rested his forehead against hers, staring into her hazel depths as he tried to stay in control of his emotions. He understood her need for some payback, Angel had been a bastard in trying to use her, but he felt decidedly uncomfortable with her using sex for revenge, even just as a teaser. But trust was part of the whole relationship gig, so he'd give her the benefit of the doubt - at least until she unfolded the entire plan.

"Alright, give me the details, and don't leave me with any surprises."

She beamed at him and he realized once again how much of a grip she had on his heart as he felt himself begin to melt under the glow that was Buffy.

"Okay. Willow and I brainstormed for hours on the way back from L.A., about how to pay him back. Well, Xander got in on the action via cell phone and happened to mention that he had a list of all the e-mails addresses for your frat."

Spike stopped her as the mention of Xander suddenly brought a realization.

"Goldilocks…did you and Red set Xander up to pump me for information the other night at the Bronze?"

Buffy giggled and nodded.

"So does this mean that I might be seeing you in a sexy little black teddy in the near future?"

Buffy blushed and nodded again.

Spike grinned. "Well I gotta admit, I though Xan was on something that night, the way he was rambling on about lingerie, but I'll have to thank him I do believe." He leaned in for a kiss that managed to divert both of them from the topic at hand for several minutes. When they finally came up for air, Buffy glanced over at the clock. "Spike, look at the time, I have to get ready!"

"C'mon sweetheart, you can finish telling me while you shower." She eyed him suspiciously as he pulled her towards the bathroom. "Spike, I really do have to get ready and I don't think us showering together will promote that."

He nodded. "I'll be a perfect gentleman - well, aside from leering at you. I already took a shower after practice. I'm just going to watch." He gave her his wicked little grin and she raced for the shower, discarding the borrowed clothes as she went.

As soon as she was safely in the shower and away from his groping hands - which had been more than happy to help her in disrobing- she continued with her story as he leaned against the vanity and listened.

"So here's the plan. Cordy's putting out the bait. She's getting together with Angel tonight to really push the money thing, how much I have and how I'll have total access to it all in a just a few years, whet his appetite, so to speak. She's also feeding him a poor little Buffy line, about how what happened with my parents really screwed with my head and that I've had to see a therapist because I got issues about sex and relationships."

She popped her head out of the shower to look at him. "I kinda do you know, have some trust issues, but not quite that serious."

He nodded, "I know luv. But you know I'm never going to do that to you."

She smiled at him. "I know." She returned to her showering and the plan.

"So, Angel's all primed, here's crazy Buffy, ready for the formal. You guys have that block of rooms at the hotel, in fact it turns out the senior guys have the place nearly booked solid. So we figure it'll be the place everyone moves to after the formal gets under way. I'm going to be coming on to him at the dance, really getting him worked up for afterwards, which you are going to have to be cool about for this to work."

Her head popped out again. "Can you do that?"

Spike had that concerned, hurt look again. "I'd really rather not. Buffy, I don't like this. Are you saying you still plan to go to the formal with that prat and that you're going back to the hotel with him? I think that's a bad idea." He looked away again. "I was hoping you'd be going with me now. I think Faith would understand. I told her about you, you know, well not who you were, but that I had someone I loved, but couldn't be with."

Buffy sighed. She had been pretty sure Spike wasn't going to be on board with this part of the plan. "I know… Cordy talked to Faith and she mentioned what you said. Faith's actually much nicer than I originally thought; she's turned out to be pretty decent about all of this. And the plan was for her to keep you reined in at the formal. She was also going to get Angel alone and come on to him as well, and then plant some lacy underwear in the pocket of his jacket for me to "find" later on in the evening when I go all irrational on his ass."

She popped her head back behind the curtain to finish shampooing her hair.

Spike's eyes widened. He was beginning to suspect that Buffy, Faith, Willow, Cordy, and who knew how many other birds were involved, were all crazy. "Um, Buffy…what are you planning to do to him when you get him alone?"

"Oh, that's the best part. We get back to the hotel, I'm going to go into this whole routine about how much I want to be with a man but I've always been afraid to go all the way. Then I'm going to explain my 'therapist's' solution to my control issues and see if he'll go for it."

"And what would that be?"

"That I need my lover to let me be in control and to be non-threatening. So I'll need for him to wear…" Spike heard her start to snicker, "…some women's…'underthings'…for me."

"You're going to ask Angel to wear ladies' knickers?"

"Oh yeah, and then I'm going to blindfold him and handcuff him to the bed. And then I'm going to take pictures."

"Buffy, there's no way in hell he'll go for that."

Buffy turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. "Maybe. Maybe not. But if it works, as soon as I'm done, I'm going to find those planted underwear, pitch a fit and march off and leave him for his frat buddies to find. And the next day, every member of KET is going to have a charming e-mail inviting them to check out Angel's ad for a special someone to play dress up with him, complete with pictures at this website Willow found called alt.com."

Spike was waiting with a towel and began to leisurely dry her off. "Buffy, he'll go postal on you when he finds out. I really think this is a bad idea."

She shook her head. "I don't think so. He can't afford to do anything too crazy, 'cause he'll get kicked off the team. But I'm thinking he'll think twice the next time, once he knows what it feels like to get played by someone."

He finished drying her and was starting to caress her curves that were now glowing from the hot shower. She arched against him for a moment, before pulling away despite his pout, to finish getting dressed. "So, what do you think?"

"Buffy, if I asked you not to do this, would you?"

Startled, she turned around and stared at him. "Would it really mean that much to you? I mean, does it really bother you that much?" He nodded slowly. She paused for a minute then replied, "If you asked, I would forget the whole thing. You're way more important than he is and if it means that much to you, then I won't."

He looked at her, his eyes glowing as he realized she was serious, and in two steps had crossed to take her in his arms, and grip her in a shattering hug. "Thank you sweetheart, you have no idea how much that means to me. But, how about if we just modify your plan a little?"

Buffy looked up him, amazed at the twinkle in his eye. "Are you serious?"

"Oh yeah…Angel's going to pay. But I think we can set this up so he comes out as the total bad guy and is even more embarrassed. It will mean speeding up this little plan to tonight though."

Buffy's brow puckered as she tried to figure out what he wanted to do. "Ok, honey, fill in the blanks for me here."

He picked up her comb and began to run it through her hair as she finished fastening her bra and buttoning her shirt. "Alright, the way I see it, if you get Angel in that room and leave him for the brothers to find there, those little pictures on the net won't impress anyone. They'll know where they came from and they'll just think it was you, getting revenge, right?"

Buffy nodded, realizing she hadn't thought about it that way. Spike picked up the blow dryer and began to dry her golden locks, raising his voice so she could still hear him.

"So, what I'm thinking is that you give Angel a ring this morning, and tell him you want to come see him tonight. That way, if you're at the frat, Xander and I can be within calling distance and there's a master key to all the rooms, so we can get to you if we need to - in case anything goes wrong and he doesn't play ball. I'd be more comfortable with that."

She watched him in the mirror as he ran his fingers through her damp hair and lifted it to dry, enjoying the attention as he aided in her grooming.

"You get him in his room. Talk him into the knickers, get him all chained up, take your shots and then freak out. We'll plant some underwear in his room while he's not there today, you can do the same little routine."

She nodded. "But won't there be the same problem? If everyone finds him, they still will think the ads a prank."

"Nope…You leave in a fluster and Xan and I will happen along very shortly after to 'find' him to play a game of hoops. We'll be all discreet and unlock him, chastise him for his cheating and tell him to write you off. You and Red get you little ad up and we'll send out the link to just a few select people on Friday morning…let the news spread through them. They're a gossipy bunch, it won't take long to get around and then it's not such a public announcement, it looks like someone stumbled across it.

He reached for her brush and smoothed the ends of her hair as he completed the drying process.

"If I know Angel, he'll have a date, whatever bint he was shagging likely, before the day's out, and then the games can begin when he walks in the door that night. He'll be a total laughingstock. No one will know that it's you who took those pictures but Angel and it'll be his word against yours. He may deny it, but he's going to have rumors flying about him for months. And the best part is, I bet he won't even see it coming."

Spike chortled at the thought of Angel's face when he found out he'd gained a reputation as a closet transvestite…This was going to be good.

"So pet, can you deal with that? Satisfy your need for revenge?" She nodded. "Excellent. Then that means you can be my date for the dance."

Buffy gasped. "But Spike, what about Faith?"

"I think Faith will understand. 'Sides, if she just wants to go to get dressy and such, Jonathan still doesn't have a date and would be head over heels to take a babe like Faith. If she's willing…"

Buffy arched an eyebrow as she stared at his reflection in the mirror. "Babe? I may yet revise my opinion of her."

He backpedaled as he rubbed his cheek against her now dry hair. "Nothing compared to you Goldilocks - she doesn't even hold a candle."

She grinned and turned in his arms. "Well, you call her and Xander and run this by them and I'll call Willow and Cordy. Then, if everything works out, I'll make the date with Angel."

Spike paused for a moment. "Sweetheart, you're not going to actually do anything to convince him to cooperate…right?"

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as she began applying her makeup. "Well, my goal is to do as little as possible and just talk a lot. I'm hoping he'll be convinced that I can't go through with the deed otherwise. From what Cordy's told him and what he's seen, I think he might think I'm a little frigid. We've never done more than kiss a little and she told him I was a virgin first off.

Spike watched as she applied her lipstick, fascinated at the process of her preparations for the day. He couldn't remember the last time he watched a woman apply her makeup, probably his Aunt Jenny when he was much younger. "Frigid, hmmm. Guess I was right about that passion thing after all."

She smiled at him in the mirror. "You knew you were right. So can you deal? I was hoping I could run my little seduction routine by you and see if you think it's effective, only maybe with a different outcome..."

He quirked an eyebrow at her. "You already have the 'cuffs?" She nodded. "Well, alright then." He stopped. "I don't actually have to wear the knickers do I?"

She laughed. "No, we can skip that bit if you want. How about at lunch today?"

"Definitely a date, luv."

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

Spike daydreamed through most of his class, as he found his thoughts drifting back to the night before with Buffy and the promise of their lunch time tryst. He was fairly certain he had a goofy grin on his face, but he simply couldn't help himself. She loved him; she'd really said she loved him. Waking up next to her had been incredible this morning and he wondered what it would take to convince her to make it a regular habit. She'd looked more than a little spooked by his comments this morning. He had to remember to pace himself, new relationship, couldn't expect everything to happen at once.

"Mr. Calandar? Could I speak with you for a moment at the end of class?"

Spike gulped as he realized he must have missed a question on something while he was zoned out in Buffyland. And to make it worse, Professor Link was not only his Advance Bio professor, he was his landlord as well - and good friends with Giles. He cleared his throat. "Yes, Professor Link."

He focused on the lecture for the remainder of class, then gathered his books before making his way to wait by the lectern in the small seminar room, while Link expounded on a point to another student. He then turned to Spike as the other student exited the room.

"Well William, you appear to be quite cheerful this morning."

Spike was a little baffled at this intro, but he nodded. "I am. Sorry sir, about being less than attentive today, I'm afraid I had a lot on my mind."

"Yes, I suspected you might. Now, William, you are a top-notch student, today notwithstanding and an excellent renter, really one of the finest students I've ever had stay in my apartment, but I have to say there were some highly irregular noises coming from up there last night, some squeaks and moans if my ears heard correctly."

Spike swallowed. Link had heard them last night? Had he seen Buffy? Did he know she was related to Giles? The consideration of what Giles might say in response to learning Spike was shagging what was, in effect, his only daughter, had not even crossed his mind.

"Um, yes, about that. A…. uh….a friend of mine, she saw a mouse, which of course made her squeak and then we had to chase it and kill it and she was very upset, hence the moans."

"So, killing mice is what young people are calling it these days?"

Spike realized he was busted. "Yes, I suppose you could say that. I'm very sorry sir, about the noise. I… well, she's very special and I don't want you to think…"

Link patted him on the shoulder. "I'm not criticizing you, William. I was going to offer my congratulations. It's the little blond girl who's been coming and going the last few months, right? She's a pretty little thing, and you've been by yourself too long, if the lack of mice killing noises coming from your apartment is any indication. Glad to see you've found someone special."

Spike realized the beaming grin was back on his face. "Thank you sir…And we'll try to keep the, er, extermination sounds down in the future."

He sauntered out of the classroom. Now to find Buffy…He was supposed to meet her outside her class building, but his chat with Link had put him a little behind. He hurried across the quad.

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

"Buffy!"

She turned quickly at the sound of her name, and felt her face fall when she realized it was Angel, not Spike, who was hailing her. She realized this was the perfect opportunity however. She'd confirmed the change in plans with Willow and Cordelia, so now she just had to lay the trap for Angel.

"Angel, hey, how are you?" She tried to inject sincere enthusiasm into her tone, knowing she needed to work on her little act if she was going to pull this off. She faked a smile as she peered up at him and batted her eyes.

"Good Buff. I've been wondering where you were, I haven't seen you since we got back from break. How'd that shopping trip go with Willow?"

"Oh, it was great. I found a gorgeous dress, way expensive but hey, it's only money right?" She thought she might be laying it on a little thick, so she switched gears. "And we also found some pretty things for," she reverted to the eye flutter again, sure he'd get her drift, "after."

It worked. Angel smirked and slung an arm around her. "Well, that certainly sounds like something I want to see. I will get to see it, right?" Buffy nodded, trying to look eager and uncertain at the same time. "I hope so." She looked down, going for shy. "It's just…I've never exactly…."

He squeezed her tightly. "I know Buff, but don't you worry your pretty little head. Angel will make everything good for you."

She rolled her eyes and fought to control her laughter. This was going to be so good. "Actually, about that…I was wondering if you had any plans for, say, tonight?" She tilted her head to the side and looked up at him, trying for her most come-hither expression. "I was hoping I could maybe come over to your place and show you a few special things I picked up while we were in L.A."

She could almost see the wheels turning in his head, knowing he must be thinking she'd finally succumbed to his irresistible charms.

"Well, you're a lucky lady," he winked at her, "I had some plans, but they got rescheduled this morning. Did you want me to come get you?"

"Sure, that'd be great. I just thought it'd be nice for us to have some alone time, just you and me. I don't think I've ever spent much time in your room before. It seems so….private."

"Oh it is. We'll be all alone…About 7 ok with you?"

"That's sounds wonderful, I can't wait," Buffy breathed in relief. She felt like she was channeling a porn star the way she was getting all husky, but it seemed to be having the desired effect, judging by the tightness she was observing in Angel's trousers. Perfect.

Suddenly her eyes fell on the toes of a pair of dark boots that she instantly recognized and she looked up swiftly into Spike's stormy blue eyes.

"Well, if it isn't Spike. Long time no see, man. How's that thing going with Faith? Quite the hottie, eh?"

Spike nodded, continuing to stare at Buffy for a moment, before raising his eyes to Angel's. "That she is mate…Took her out last week, had quite a time. Should be a memorable night for us all; big formal, senior year…one for the yearbooks."

Angel smiled. "Yep, I think we'll all be making some special memories." He gazed down at Buffy, "Won't we, babe?"

She smiled sweetly. "Oh yes, we really will. Angel, I'm sorry to have to run, but I actually was supposed to meet with Spike at lunch today, you know to tutor me for that math class? We missed a night and I'm a little behind, so Spike was going to give me a little extra practice during lunch. Thanks for coming and finding me Spike, I almost forgot."

Spike tried to control his laughter as he watched her neatly extradite herself from under Angel's arm and move towards him. He resisted the urge to grab her to him and away from the hulking sod who wouldn't know a good think if it hit him in the face. Angel seemed a little taken aback at her abrupt dismissal, but she gave him one of her charming full-blast smiles and a little wave as she pulled Spike away and he seemed mollified.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Buffy blew out her breath. "You think he bought it?"

"Yeah love, think so. I'll be glad when you're done with him, Buffy, I don't like to see him pawing you."

"Spike, he wasn't pawing me. He just had his arm around my shoulder, that's all. And we're all set for tonight. Now, how about we head back to my dorm room so I can get that practice in, hmmm?"

He allowed himself to be convinced as she dragged him along and made it to her room. She locked the door and gently pushed him over to the bed. "Did it make you jealous to see me with Angel?"

He nodded. "A little."

She began to unbutton her shirt. "So, can I make it up to you?"

He smirked. "You can try, luv."

Buffy harrumphed at that. "You'll be begging me before this is over, mister. Remember, I have the handcuffs."

Spike felt his libido begin a steady climb. The combination of the increasingly naked Buffy, the prospect of her dominatrix side coming out to play a little, and the sheer amazement he still felt at the realization that the object of his affections returned his love, were serving to make him perpetually horny.

"I'm all yours, luv." He held out his hands. "Cuff me."

Buffy turned to her desk and rummaged around for the handcuffs she and Willow had found at the novelty store they'd visited. She found them and turned, shedding her bra as she crossed to him. She pulled his shirt off, then urged him to stand so she could undo his pants, and slide them to his ankles. She marveled again at how incredibly hot he was. And he was all hers to play with. She was a very lucky girl she decided, as she tentatively began to lick his chest, experimenting with little swirls around his nipple. She mentally catalogued each little moan and jerk as he reacted to her touch, relishing the power she had to make him respond. She ran her hands slowly down his arms, exploring the lean muscles until she reached his wrists.

"You sure you want the handcuffs? We don't have to use them."

He looked down into her open face. "Totally up to you, sweetheart."

Buffy tossed them over her shoulder. "Maybe later…I think I'd like you to be able to fully participate."

He smiled as her mouth met his and he fell back on the bed, pulling her on top of him as their tongues danced together. As they broke apart, he felt her begin to kiss her way down his body again. He wove his hands through her hair, loving the way the silky strands fell across his chest. She continued to descend and Spike groaned as her mouth suddenly encased his rigid member.

"Buffy luv, you're so good, so hot, such a sweet little mouth."

Buffy hummed her response to his ramblings as she continued to lick and suck her way as far down as she was able to comfortably go. She wrapped her hand at the base of his cock and massaged him as she focused her attention on the sensitive area behind the head. She peered up at him, meeting his eyes as he watched enraptured at the sight of her red lips sliding over him.

She continued to work him for a few more minutes then slowly slid up until her breasts were surrounding his now glistening hardness. She cupped herself and began to slowly slide up and down, licking the tip as it emerged every so often from between her breasts. She stifled a groan at the friction his skin created against her skin and realized she probably should have finished undressing, because she knew her panties were totally soaked by now.

Spike had managed to lift his head when he felt her shift position and he almost came from the gorgeous view of her sweet little mounds around his cock. He groaned as he felt her tongue caress him again.

"Fuck, Buffy, luv, you are so good….sweetheart, ughh…I'm going to come." She felt him stiffen and she swooped down to suck him back into her mouth. She hadn't really thought about the whole spit or swallow issue until the split second when it became a necessity and she instinctively swallowed, realizing after a moment that it wasn't that bad. She continued to lick him softly until he was clean, then kicked off her jeans and slid back up on the bed to lie beside him.

"Did you like that?"

Spike emerged from the post-orgasmic haze she had put him in to grin at her sleepily. "Buffy, that was incredibly, mind-blowingly good and I'm so afraid to ask if you've had much practice."

"Not really, just many discussions on what makes a good blow job. Girls, and guys, do talk you know." She snuggled closer, relishing the feel of his skin against hers.

"Well, you're an amazing listener then, luv. Now come up here."

"Spike, we have class in just a few minutes."

"I can do fast. Now come here. You wanted me to participate, didn't you?"

He tugged her up on her knees and pulled her forward until she was straddling his chest. She looked at him, slightly confused. "No luv, up here." He urged her further until she was straddling his face. Buffy blushed slightly, feeling incredible exposed as she gripped the headboard of her bed for balance. Her thoughts fled as she felt his talented tongue begin to explore her soft flesh and she realized he was right, he could be very fast, as an orgasm ripped through her in only a few minutes. He refused to let her go and continued to toy with her until she felt a second quake ripple through her, then he released her as she fell backwards on her now quivering legs.

"Spike, I don't think I can walk anymore."

He laughed and pulled her back to him. "Give it a minute luv, then we've got to find a way to sneak me into the showers. I'm thinking we both might need to freshen up a bit before we make our afternoon classes." Buffy laughed and snuggled close for a few minutes before the rest of the world intruded again.

tbc...

Chapter 16

Buffy drifted through her remaining classes, her emotions soaring at the remembrance of the past 24 hours with Spike and the trepidation of the upcoming evening with Angel. She was going to be glad when this was over and she could put it behind her, but she wanted Angel to learn that he couldn’t just toy with women and expect no consequences.

She hurried back to Stevenson as her last class finished and wasn’t surprised to find Willow waiting when she unlocked the door.

“Buffy!” Willow bounced up from her desk where she had been unsuccessfully studying for the past 30 minutes as she waited for her friend to return and dish. “How are things? I’m assuming the plan worked?”

Buffy dropped her bag beside her desk and flopped back on her bed. “Oh yeah, it worked.” She rolled to her side to face Willow. “It was absolutely the best night of my life. Willow, it was so incredible. Spike was, well, he was perfect. And then,” Buffy blushed slightly, “we met back here at lunch again today.”

“You did not? Buffy, you aren’t wasting any time, girl! You two are going to be like rabbits for the next few months.” Willow laughed as Buffy nodded, then ducked under her pillow.

She reemerged after a moment. “Okay, no more kiss and tell here. I don’t make you tell me all the details about Xaaander, now do I?” Willow laughed again and nodded.

“Alright, so what’s the new plan? I got your message this morning - Spike wants to make some changes, do it tonight?”

“Yeah, he made some good points, but…it may require some creative computer stuff on your part.”

“Like what?” Willow inquired.

“Is there any way, once we set up a profile for Angel at that website, that you can send an e-mail to this guy named Lorne’s account so that it looks like spam, but contains a link he’ll be sure to investigate? Spike says he the biggest busybody in the frat, always knows and tells everyone’s business. There’s no way he’ll be able to resist telling about this one. So, can you do it?”

Willow stared at Buffy for a long minute before cackling gleefully. “That is classic. It’ll be a total whisper campaign and no one’s going to believe that Angel’s not a closet transvestite this way. I can so do that, I’ll set up a dummy account and send the e-mail to Lorne that way. So are you ready for tonight?”

“I guess so. I can tell Spike’s kinda nervous, he’s worried about how, well persuasive, I’ll have to be with Angel. He’s going to hang out in Xander’s room tonight until it’s over. You want to come?”

“Sure, why not. What are you going to wear?”

“Well, I was thinking that I’d wear just a nice skirt and top, datish, you know. But I’m packing a bag, and I’m going to take that long white negligee. It’s pretty covering, but virginal, I think it will fit the image Angel’s got. I’m going to ask if I can change after we get there, let him know I’m wanting to do the deed, but then get all weepy and nervous and give him the psycho-babble line to get him ready for the shots. If all goes well, I’ll be in and out of there in 30 minutes or so.”

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, startling Buffy from her plans. She hurried over and peered through the peephole, spying Spike in the hallway. She quickly wrenched open the door.

“Spike, come in.” She dragged him in, and shut the door behind him. She leaned up to kiss him lightly, but found herself getting a little more involved than she’d planned with the simple peck. Willow’s wolf whistle caused the two to break apart.

“Well, so much for the floor show. Hey Spike, I hear you had a nice night.” Willow winked as both of the pair blushed slightly.

“Yeah, I did. And thanks Red, I hear you assisted in that little scheme.”

“No problem, you two were meant to be together.”

Willow couldn’t help but smile as she caught the looks of utter adoration passing between the couple at her last comment. Yep, those two were definitely meant to be. She really was happy to see Buffy find someone who made her happy.

Buffy pulled Spike over to sit by her on the bed. “So, you just drop by to say hey?”

He smiled, “Well, I actually brought you a present.”

Buffy realized he had been carrying a bag when he entered. He reached inside and pulled out a small black device.

“A walkie-talkie? Spike, why do I need a walkie-talkie?”

“Well, pet, I want you to take this with you tonight. See,” he put the small device in her hand and showed her the proper buttons, “you can set it to an open-channel and then I can hear what’s going on in the room.”

Buffy stared at him. “You want to mic me tonight?”

Spike beamed. “Well, I guess you can look at it that way, yeah.”

Buffy glared at him. “Spike, this is going to be hard enough to pull off without an outside audience. Don’t you trust me?”

Willow jumped up. Clearly this was headed towards a serious ‘talk’ and much as she’d like to observe, she was pretty sure they needed some privacy for this. “Hey guys, I’m going down to the snack machine, see you later.” She hastily exited, realizing that the pair had barely acknowledged her leaving.

Spike jumped up as Willow pulled the door shut and began to pace up and down in front of the bed. “Buffy, I just thought it would be better for you to be able to alert us if something happened, or Angel got too pushy or tried to force you or something.”

“So you don’t think I can handle this? Spike, I know what I’m doing. You said you were cool with this. Don’t get all super-possessive on me now.”

Spike stopped and stared at her. “Super-possessive? Bloody hell, woman, if I were super-possessive you wouldn’t be setting foot in Angel’s room. Do you think I like the fact that you are being picked up for a date in a few hours by another man who plans to try to sleep with you tonight? Do you think it makes me happy to know you’re probably going to be kissing and touching him soon? I don’t care if it is an act Buffy, it doesn’t make me leap for joy to think about it.”

He held up his hand to shush her as she started to protest.

“I know why you’re doing this sweetheart. I understand the reasons and I agreed to it this morning.” Spike stopped and dropped to his knees in front of her on the bed. He took her hand in his. “All I’m saying is that I want this to be over and you to be safe, okay? So will you do this, for me?”

Buffy looked down at Spike and breathed deeply. “So you trust me? And you aren’t going to be weird afterwards about what I may say to him, or what it may sound like? Cause you know this is all gonna be an act tonight Spike. It’s not real.”

He nodded. “Promise Buffy. It’s not that I don’t trust you. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be helping. I just want you to be safe.” He paused and look down for a moment. “And I don’t like that wanker touching you.” He looked back up at her. “Buffy, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so possessive, I know we’re just getting started, but, well I’ve spent the last few months thinking he was the man you wanted. I just haven’t quite moved past that yet.” He dropped a kiss on her hand that he held still. “I’m trying, pet, I really am. Just bear with me?”

Buffy looked into his eyes, darkened now with his emotions, and realized he was sincere. She thought she could understand where he was coming from. She knew he’d been burned badly with the whole Drusilla thing, and in some ways, he was probably more sensitive about the thought of her with another man than she had been when she learned of Angel’s infidelities. As hard as it had been to experience her parents’ problems second-hand, it was nothing compared to walking in on the woman you loved in your bed with someone else, as he had. Angel’s little flings hadn’t really touched her the same way, other than some righteous indignation that he wanted to use her like that. She nodded. “Okay. I’ll take the walkie-talkie. Show me how it works?”

He smiled up at her and pulled out the matching device so they could coordinate the channels. Once they had everything set up and the walkie-talkie safely stored in her bag, Spike prepared to leave so she could finish getting ready.

“Buffy, would you like to come by tonight after this is all done? Maybe we could catch up on our Passions?” He tried to be nonchalant with the invitation, tried not to seem pushy. Just because he wanted to spend every minute with her didn’t mean she was ready for constant companionship.

“Yeah, actually, we were thinking Willow could set up her laptop there and we could all see the final product when she’s done.”

“Oh, so you and Willow will come by then?”

“Uh-huh, and Xander, if that’s okay?”

Buffy had to suppress a laugh at his thinly disguised disappointment as Spike nodded, “That’s great. The whole gang, well some of the gang.”

“And then they thought they’d take advantage of the empty dorm room.”

She did giggle then as Spike perked up suddenly. “This empty dorm room? As in a Buffyless dorm room?”

“Yep, I thought I’d take advantage of your open offer of hospitality this morning, I’m thinking I’ll need someone to erase the images I’m going to be getting of Angel in red satin panties. Hmmm, you think you can help me out with that, big boy?” Buffy batted her eyes as she sashayed over to where he stood by the door. After all, he did look like he needed a little reassurance.

Spike snorted, both at her over-the-top antics and the thought of Angel’ s attire. “Oh I can definitely help you out. Red satin? Luv, let me take a look at them.”

Buffy giggled and ran over to her dresser drawer, where she pulled out a pair of large women’s underwear in a shocking red lace and silk combination. Spike doubled over in laughter. “Sweetheart, I’m gonna need copies of those pictures for long-term blackmail. You really think you’re going to get Angel to put those on?”

“He’s a greedy bastard, if he thinks that’s the only way he’s gonna get me, I think he will.”

Spike peered past Buffy into the overflowing lingerie drawer. “Um pet, is there any lingerie in there that’s say, more your size? Like, I don’t know, a black teddy? Or maybe,” he tried to scoot past her to explore further, “something in a leopard print?”

Buffy slammed the drawer shut before he could explore. “Yeah, Xander mentioned your Tarzan/Jane fantasy. Guess you’ll just have to wait and see, now won’t you dear?” She kissed him lightly, resisting the urge to run her fingers down his toned chest and explore him further. Their little nooner had left her hungry for more and she definitely couldn’t wait to be in his bed tonight. Hopefully he catch on that she was really, really enthusiastic about being with him, while the thought of Angel simply left her cold. Now, the only question was what to wear, since he was so excited about seeing some of the lingerie she’d bought. She broke her train of thought as she realized she was leaning in for more Spike touchage and firmly anchored her hands behind her back.

“Go, shoo, I have to get ready and it’ll totally give stuff away if you’re here. I’ll turn the walkie-talkie on after we get to Angel’s room, ‘kay?”

Spike gave her one last kiss and moved to leave just as Willow reentered the room, carrying a bag of chips.

“Later Red, you want me to pick you up to take you over to Xander’s for the Buffy and Angel theater?”

“Sure, but how about I come over to your place as soon as Angel picks her up?”

“It’s a plan, see ya.”

As the door shut behind him, Willow dropped to the bed beside Buffy. “So, first fight? How’d it go?”

Buffy grabbed for a chip. “I don’t think it would qualify as a fight. More a light tussle? He’s just worried and he wants me to carry this walkie-talkie thingie so you guys can hear what’s going on.”

“That should be entertaining. It’s probably not a bad idea.”

“I know, that’s why I agreed,” replied Buffy. “It’ll just be weird to have to be all sex kittenish with you guys sitting there listening.”

“Hey, just forget about us. You got everything together?”

“Almost. I’ve got the negligee, the handcuffs, the underwear, the digital camera, the blindfold and the massage oil. Wasn’t that everything? Oh, and I thought I’d try to find something special to wear for Spike later - he’s all excited about that.”

Willow snorted as she crunched another chip. “I love that men are so easy. Wear the little black number, ohhh and take those killer heels too - he should like that.”

Buffy giggled as she pulled out the second outfit, some clothes for the next day and her makeup bag. “I’m going to have to get two sets of everything if I keep going over there so much. This lugging stuff around is a pain.” She packed the second bag. “Will you drop this off at Spike’s for me Will?”

“No prob.”

Preparations completed, Buffy sighed and pulled out her Calc textbook. Not the best way to soothe her nerves, but she had a while before Angel showed up.

*****

Xander looked furtively up and down the hall as he used the master key to unlock Angel’s door. He knew the big guy was at practice, but it wouldn’t do for any of his brothers to see him slipping into the room. Most people were out at this time of day, so he made it in safely.

Xander pulled the lacy thong Cordelia had passed along to him earlier in the day out of his pocket and looked around the room. He needed to plant it somewhere Buffy could easily “stumble” over it, but not somewhere too obvious that Angel would notice. He snapped his fingers, “Under the bed.”

Mentally patting himself on the back, he pulled the comforter back slightly and laughed out loud. There, two inches under the bed where he’d planned to plant the evidence, lay a lacy black thong next to a crumpled empty condom wrapper. Xander dropped the comforter, made his way back to the door and after listening for sounds of anyone in the hall, made his way back out, carefully relocking the door. He hurried back down to his room three doors down and grabbed the phone.

“Hey Will?”

“Hey, sweetie! Did you get it done?”

Xander starting laughing again. “Didn’t have to. I was going to put them under the bed, and low and behold, there lay a pair already, next to a empty Trojan wrapper.”

“No way! Well, I’m thinking this was meant to be then. I’ll pass the word on. Spike’s going to bring me when he comes. We’ll be over just a few minutes after Angel picks up Buffy.” Willow paused. “Thanks, Xander, for doing this. I know Angel’s been your friend for a long time.”

“It’s okay, Will. We haven’t been close for a while now. I’m glad I can help. I’ll see you soon babe, love you.”

“You to.”

Willow hung up and turned to the waiting Buffy. “So? What happened?”

Willow rolled her eyes. “You are not going to believe what 00 Xander found.”

*****

Buffy slammed her book shut, satisfied no further school work was going to get accomplished at this point. She glanced at the clock, realizing she’d managed to kill a few hours. It was now after 5. She should probably start getting ready. Willow glanced up as Buffy started to gather her shower stuff and changed into her robe.

“You getting ready?”

“Yeah, thought I’d shower, then get prettied up. Kinda Angel’s thing you know. He likes the eye candy.”

Willow nodded and turned back to her book as Buffy left the room and entered the hall bathroom, deserted at this time of day. She hung her robe on the hook, turned on the shower and stepped inside, letting the warm water soothe away the tension from the study and the nagging thoughts that had been whirling through her head as she’d pondered things since Spike had left.

Why was she doing this again? It made her nervous. She wasn’t all that comfortable with the plan they’d devised. It was clearly bothering her boyfriend. It might backfire and make them look stupid and vengeful.

She shook her head as she picked up her razor and began to shave her legs. Angel was wrong, clearly. But was what she planned to do right? Spreading lies about him behind his back? She was pretty sure Angel wasn’t a closet transvestite, he was just a blatant womanizer who gave little thought to anyone’s feelings and emotions other than his own. From what she’d heard, he rarely went after girls who didn’t want him, he just never made emotional commitments, took what was offered and moved on when he was no longer satisfied. She suspected his little scheme with her was a first for him, a new low. Cordelia’s comments really made it sound like he’d been serious, he’d actually thought he could make her fall in love with him, get married, do the whole white picket fence thing, except with her money he was probably planning on a lot more than a picket fence.

Buffy felt her anger start to rise again as she began to shampoo her hair. That had been pretty low. Angel just had no conception of what a supremely unhappy marriage would be like, she supposed. Clearly, if he had been so cavalier at the prospect of marrying her, he just didn’t have a clue.

Her thoughts jumped back to the night’s plan. Would this really teach him a lesson? He’d probably just get mad and put it down to her hurt feelings that she hadn’t been his one and only, that he hadn’t been all about Buffy from the start. She doubted it’d slow him down that much, other than the rumors.

Her thoughts flipped to the other man this affected as she opened a bottle of her body wash and squirted some out, remembering how he’d gone and tracked down this scent for her, just because he knew she liked it. Spike was clearly not okay with tonight’s events, even though he was trying very hard to be supportive. She wished the timeline had been different, that this hadn’t all crashed down at once. It did seem a little cruel to show up, declare her love for him, sleep with him, then drop the bomb on him the next morning that she wanted to plan a seduction of her ex to get revenge. She doubted she’d have been so understanding if the events had been reversed. And the fact that it was Angel just made things so much worse. They had always been a little competitive. Angel always needed to one-up Spike in stuff and that just made things a little worse here. Was she asking too much of Spike to just blindly trust her after all that had happened, the mix-ups, the jealousy, the confusion between them?

Buffy stared at the shower wall, watching the drops of water as they splashed and slowly slid down the tiles. Somehow, it just wasn’t clear. She wished she knew what she should do.

****

Angel knocked on Buffy’s door a few minutes after 7. He’d rushed home after practice, set up some candles, picked out some mood music, and generally straightened up. So the little vixen just couldn’t wait. If he’d been reading her right this afternoon, Buffy was very much ready to fall into his arms. He whistled as he waited for her to unlock the door. Cordelia had warned him today that Buffy was seeing a therapist and had really been working through her childhood issues. He could deal with that. He’d lay on the tenderness and understanding, be gentle with her, lots of hearts and flowers. He’d even picked up a bottle of champagne, he figured a little alcohol might help loosen her up. In some ways, this might be better, get past the first time tonight, really lay on the romance the next night.

Buffy opened the door. “Hi Angel, how are you?”

He smiled. “Good.” He produced a single red rose from behind his back. “A rose for the rose.”

Buffy smiled politely as she took the flower. “Thanks, Angel, that’s very sweet.” She laid the rose on her desk as she gathered her bag to take with her.

“Do you mind if we stop by the lounge, I just need to tell Will something before we leave.”

“Sure, no problem. Are her and Xander going out tonight?”

Buffy nodded. “Later I think. They have plans.”

Angel waited as she ducked through the door into the lounge.

****

“Hey Willow, I’m leaving.”

Willow looked up from the sitcom rerun she was idely watching.

“Angel’s here?”

Buffy nodded. “Yeah.” She dropped her voice. “Hey Willow, can you do something else for me?”

Willow quirked an eyebrow. “Sure, what?”

“If the walkie-talkie gets cut off, don’t let Spike coming charging in, okay? I’ll scream if I need some help.”

Willow looked at her for a minute, then slowly nodded. “You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Alright then, see you after. You’ll come to Xander’s room?”

“Yeah. Wish me luck.”

Willow gave her a quick hug and Buffy exited the lounge to rejoin Angel.

****

Angel looked up as Buffy reentered the hallway.

“Girl talk?”

“Something like that.”

They made idle chitchat as he drove them back to the frat, and Buffy realized that, had this not all occurred, she would liked to have been friends with Angel. He definitely had his downsides, but they’d had some decent times when they were just hanging out. There just had never been the spark, well it was a lot more than a spark really, that she’d found with Spike.

They entered the frat at the rear and took the back stairs up to Angel’s room, entering only moments before a agitated Spike and slightly flustered Willow came up the front to Xander’s room.

They knocked on Xander’s door and entered.

“Xander, tell Spike to calm down. He’s been pondering all these doomsday scenarios all the way here and getting all worked up over nothing. Spike, she’ll be fine. Buffy’s not stupid, she’s had self-defense classes.”

Xander patted Spike on the back. “Calm down man. It’s cool. She took the walkie-talkie, right? I’ve still got the master key. Buffy’s fine.”

Spike quickly switched on his receiver to pick up what was happening a few rooms down.

****

Angel watched as Buffy moved around his room, checking out the layout, taking in the candles, etc. She’d be a little distant since he’d picked her up, refusing to meet his eyes. He decided she must be feeling a little shy, now that they were here.

“Can I take your sweater, Buff? It’s a little warm in here.”

Buffy nodded and shrugged out of the light sweater she’d worn over a sleeveless top, silently handing it to him. Her mind was racing as she tried to decide what she needed to do. She’d continued her internal dialogue on the pros and cons of this plan as she gotten ready for Angel’s arrival, but had yet to reach a conclusion.

“Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight Buffy? I love your hair when it’s curled and falls down your back like that.”

Angel stepped closer to where Buffy was somewhat nervously picking up various objects on his desk and drew her over to sit on the bed, still clutching the bag she’d brought with her. “You know, I’d love to see what you looked like with all that hair spread out on my pillows. I bet you’d be even more gorgeous then.” He ran his hand down her bare arm that was now exposed. “You have such soft, smooth skin.” Buffy looked away, and he caught her chin in his hand and slowly turned her to him. “Buffy, it’s okay, you don’t have to be nervous.” He gazed at her with his soulful brown eyes. “I think I’m falling in love with you. I want to be with you, baby. I promise I’ll make this good for you.” Buffy stared at him wordlessly as he leaned in closer, his lips skimming along her jawline as he crooned into her ear, “Don’t you want to be with me?”

Buffy suddenly pulled back from Angel and he jerked his head up, surprised by her sudden skittishness. Buffy grabbed the bag she’d been clutching and began pawing around until she apparently found what she was looking for. She straightened up, moved away from Angel, and seated herself in his desk chair.

“Angel, I think we need to talk.”

*****

“Don’t you want to be with me?”

The words hung in the air as the walkie-talkie suddenly went dead, the sound no longer carrying. Spike grabbed the small device and began frantically pushing the buttons, to no avail. The other walkie-talkie had clearly been cut off.

The other couple watched as Spike leapt up and made for the door, grabbing the key off Xander’s desk. Willow made a small eep as she realized that Spike was headed to Angel’s room. She jumped up and threw herself in front of the door to bar the determined man from his mission.

“Xander, stop him.”

Spike stopped. “Willow, get out of my way, I have to get to Buffy.”

Willow shook her head vigorously. “Spike, no. Buffy asked me to not let you come in there if she cut it off. She, she was nervous, Spike. She didn’t need an audience. She told me she’d scream if there was a problem, but she was pretty specific.”

Spike stared at Willow, then slowly sat back down in the desk chair as Willow moved away from the door and back to sit beside Xander on the bed. She turned to see Spike make a second dash for the door. Just as he reached for the knob, Willow’s words made him pause.

“If you go in there, she’s never going to forgive you for not trusting her Spike.”

He stopped, his hand poised as her words sank in. He knew in the back of his mind she was right. This was all a setup. No matter how seductive Angel’s little play, she wasn’t in there to cheat on him. He closed his eyes as the image of Drusilla smirking at him flashed through his mind for the hundredth time that day, almost gleeful that he’d walking in to find her being fucked by another man in his bed. Buffy wasn’t like that. She’d told him she loved him just last night. She wasn’t Dru, she didn’t want to hurt him. He owed her this, to show her his trust in her and what they could have. Slowly he turned around and plodded back to the chair, sighing heavily as he dropped his face into his hands.

“Spike, you okay?” Xander looked worriedly at Willow as he watched his friend run his fingers though his bleached hair.

Slowly, Spike lifted his head. “Yeah. Willow’s right. I have to let it go. She’ll let us know if she needs help.” He sighed. “It’s just so bloody hard.”

Willow jumped up and walked over to give him a hug. He gingerly returned it as she squeezed harder. Willow pulled back. “Spike, Buffy’ll probably kill me for this, but how about I tell you all the ways I knew Buffy was in love with you from way back when?”

His face softened as Willow began to tell him about how Buffy used to react when she’d get news from him and the way she describe her “friend” William to the girls in the hall they’d lived in during boarding school. He slowly began to lose some of the tension that had been gripping him since Buffy had told him of this little plan this morning.

*****

“Angel, I think we need to talk.”

Angel looked at Buffy in surprise. The shy, unfocused girl who’d entered the room and had barely met his eyes suddenly was looking at him directly, with a grave expression on her face. He was confused, this wasn’t the normal reaction to his seductions.

“Angel, can we just cut the bull and be honest here?”

“What bull? Buffy, I thought….”

“Angel, you thought wrong. I’m sorry. I have some things to say to you, so please listen, because I don’t want to go through this twice.”

Angel stared. Was this some weird technique that the therapist had suggested? Whatever, he’d play along. “Sure, Buff, go right ahead. I’ll be happy to listen.”

Buffy sighed. Clearly Angel still hadn’t caught on, but he was about to.

“Angel, we haven’t been entirely honest with each other. Let me tell you some things that I haven’t been honest about. Aside from a stupid schoolgirl crush, I don’t think I’ve really ever felt anything for you, other than maybe as a friend, and I really don’t even feel that for you now. I don’t want to see you anymore and I’m not going to the formal with you. I mistakenly thought I was shielding your feelings to not tell you this a few weeks ago, and I regret that now. Angel, I’m in love with someone else and they love me as well.”

Angel jumped up and stalked over to where she was sitting, towering over her. “What are you talking about? You’ve been cheating on me? How dare you? It’s Spike, isn’t it? I always knew that brother-sister routine was a load of crap. What, have you been doing him since high school, Buff? Playing the little innocent virgin routine while you screw your big brother?”

Buffy marched over to his bed and reached under to where Xander had indicated the underwear was. She found the wrapper and thong and pulled them out. “For your information, Angel, I am in love with Spike, who’s a better man than you’ll ever be. And, no, I was not screwing him in high school. I came back here and started dating you because I really thought we might have something. If I’d had a clue what a prick you were in high school, I might have realized what I was missing with Spike a long time ago.”

She waved the items she’d retrieved from under the bed in his face. “Angel, I know all about you. I know about you and Darla.” She almost laughed as his startled look. “I also know about you and Cordy.” Bull’s eye. She’d been right, Cordelia had been sleeping with him too. “And I know about your sad little plan to make me your cash cow. Angel, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you are so self-centered that would think up such a plan. I’m sorry you are so conceited that you’d think you could pull it off. But you know what I’m the sorriest about? I’m sorry that you are so clueless that you have no idea what love is about, and I’m not sure you ever will.”

She stepped away from as she saw the rage growing on his face. “Angel, I came here tonight because I wanted to get revenge on you. I wanted to do something really mean and nasty and embarrass you. But you know what? I don’t need to do that because you are enough of an embarrassment to yourself.” She tossed the underwear and condom wrapper at him and reached for her bag.

“Little Miss High and Mighty. You think you can just tell me off and walk out? Oh, it’s not that easy, sweetheart. I’m going to tell everyone what a frigid little loony bitch you really are, with all your therapists and psycho problems. Spike deserves what he gets with you. Hope he has better luck prying apart the thighs of an ice princess like you.”

Buffy turned at the door. “Whatever, Angel. I don’t see a therapist and I’m not a ‘frigid loony bitch’. I can only hope you’ll get what you deserve. I had hoped we could be civilized here, but I guess not. Have a nice life.”

She walked out the door, not surprised when she heard something crash against it as she pulled it shut. She refused to look back as she walked the short distance to Xander’s room and knocked softly. The door opened and there stood Spike, apprehension and love written across his face. He smiled as he saw her.

“Honey, will you take me home now?”

Spike nodded as he pulled her into the room and guided her to a chair. He didn’t think she realized it, but she was white as a sheet and shaking like a leaf now that this was through. He sat down and pulled her into his lap as she held onto him tightly.

“Buffy, you okay?” Willow was relieved when Buffy slowly raised her head, looking tired but oddly content as she curled against Spike.

“Yeah. I didn’t do it Will. I just couldn’t. I mean, I thought about it a lot this afternoon, and really, it just makes me as scummy as him to start that kind of rumor. So I told him the truth. I tried to break it gently, but well, apparently Angel doesn’t take rejection well. He got pretty nasty, then we screamed at each other some. I told him I knew all about him. It was kind of cathartic. I don’t think we’re going to be friends anymore.”

She turned to Spike, kissing him softly on the cheek. “Oh, honey, I think you better be prepared. Angel intends to tell everyone what a frigid bitch your new girlfriend is.”

Spike turned red until he realized that she had calmed considerably. He nuzzled against her neck. “Well, I think I could dispel that notion pretty quickly, luv, but I’m a gentleman.”

She laughed softly and looped her arms around his neck. “How about we call it a night then?”

He nodded and stood up, carrying Buffy in his arms. “Right then, we’re off. Xander, thanks for your hospitality. Willow, thanks for the advice.” He nodded in her direction. “We will see you both tomorrow. Xander, we’re picking the ladies up at 7:30 for dinner, right?”

Xander nodded. “Yeah. I guess we should just consider Angel out of the dinner group. Did you say Faith was going with Jonathan now? How ‘bout I give him a buzz, see if they want to fill in?”

Spike nodded, slightly distracted by the warm bundle snuggled in his arms.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Willow, thanks guys,” Buffy called as they exited the room.

She laughed as Spike continued to carry her as he made his way down the stairs and out the main exit of the KET house to his car. They passed several of the brothers on their way out and Spike called greetings and smiled, but kept on going.

Penn watched as the blonde couple exited the front door, watching as the girl began nibbling on Spike’s ear as he hurried to his car.

“Damn, she’s a hottie. Lucky man.” He looked again, faintly puzzled. “Wonder who she is? She looked familiar.”

Lorne stared at Peen as though he were nuts. “Man, don’t you know who that was? The little chickie Spike just strolled out of here with was Angel’s girlfriend, well, I’d say ex-girlfriend now. Whew, we should see some fireworks tomorrow night.”

******

Angel stared at the shards of glass that now littered his floor from the remains of the shattered paperweight he’d thrown as she’d walked out. He could not believe this. She’d dumped him. He’d never been dumped in his life. He let girls know when things were done. Aside from Cordelia walking away, of course, but they’d had an agreement. Suddenly his eyes narrowed. Cordelia. She’d ratted him out, she must have. There was no way that Buffy could have known otherwise. Well, she’d pay too. But first, he needed a date for tomorrow night. His eyes fell on the lace thong still lying at his feet. Darla, she’d do, even if she was a little slut.

He reached for the phone and grabbed his little black book, flipping though until he found her number.

“Darla, hey baby, it’s me, Angel. How are you?”

Darla bit her lip and struggled to regained her composure as she steadied the tremor in her voice. “Angel, hey, I’m good.” There was a pause before she continued, “I didn’t really expect to hear from you. I thought you said you were trying to work things out with Buffy again?”

“Yeah, that really didn’t work out. I finally realized there’s no point fooling with a little girl like her. What I need is a real woman, like you, Darla. I’m sorry about giving you the brush-off, baby. That was so stupid. I just needed a few days to come to my senses, you know? So I was wondering, would you be my date to the formal tomorrow night?”

Darla gasped. She hadn’t seem that coming. He actually wanted to go out with her? Not just screw her? Maybe her luck had changed. And she hadn’t gotten those test results back yet. The doctor could be wrong. They were probably negative. “Angel, I’d be delighted,” she purred. “When will you pick me up?”

“About 7:30?” How about I take you to that little French place in town, very quaint, for dinner.”

“Sounds wonderful. See you them.” Darla hung up, smiling and humming. Angel had asked her out. Now, if those syphilis tests just came back negative, everything would be great.

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