"Spike, we are very disappointed in you," Cordelia scolded at lunch, the following afternoon.

"Yeah, Spikey. You traitor, you!" Harmony piped in.

"You two chits are disappointed in me? Gee, I'm afraid suicide is my only option..."

"Don't mock this, buddy. We've seen you with... her," Cordy continued.

"Summers? What of it?" Spike shrugged, dipping his fries in her ketchup.

"Are you crazy? How can you associate with that geek?"

"She's not a geek," he immediately corrected. "You don't know anything 'bout her."

"And like you do? Oh, wait! I forgot. You two used to be bestest friends!"

Harmony laughed.

"Yeah, what was that all about. She's not even cute!"

"I think she's cute," Angel added, eyeing the blonde across the cafeteria. Cordelia kicked him. "Ow!"

Spike just rolled his eyes, wondering why he still sat with these people.

"So, Angel," Harmony began. "Are you still having your 18th birthday party this Friday? If so, I need to go tanning like asap."

"Absolutely. You all better be there."

"Who's going?" Spike wondered, thinking a night of drunken festivities would be a nice change of pace.

"Like, everybody. Track team, football team, cheerleaders..."

"Football? Finn gonna be there?"

"Yeah. Says he's bringing this new chick he's been seeing," Angel shrugged.

"Buffy."

"Buffy?!" Cordy whined. "Why the hell does she get to go? Angel, make her not go!"

"Sorry, baby. Riley brings whoever he wants."

"Are you going, Spike?" Harmony asked, batting her spider eyes at him.

He glanced across the room at Buffy. She caught his gaze and gave him a warm smile.

"I'll be there."

~~~

"So, what's the deal, Buff? You and the bleached wonder over there make up?" Xander asked, chugging down his third milk. Noticing the expiration date was two weeks ago, he made a few gurgling noises and tossed the empy container into a nearby trash can.

"I guess," she replied, glancing up at said bleached wonder.

"I think that's great," Tara told her, giving her a crooked, yet endearing smile.

"Yeah, he's really not so bad. I - I mean aside from the mocking and the teasing and the overall ruining my life for the past four years."

"Aside from that," Willow chirped. "But if he ever does the life ruining thing again, let me know. I'll be sure to give him my mean face! It's kinda like my scowl, but my nose doesn't get as scrunchy."

"Right. I'll keep that in mind," Buffy smiled. "But do you guys think I'm letting him off too easy? I mean, four years of pony tail pulling torment does something to a girl."

"It depends," the red head explained. "Ten years of best friendy-ness also does something. I guess you just gotta weigh the good and the bad and see what's more important. Besides, it is your last year... you may never see him again after high school."

Buffy took this into consideration. Was she willing to look past all the torture she endured and forgive him? He seemed sorry enough. And they were getting along so well lately...

But damnit, it took hours to finally get that gum out of her hair.

"Hey, Buffy," a voice suddenly greeted to her right.

"Riley! Hey!" she enthusiastically replied.

"Listen, I know I said dinner and a movie Friday night, but Angel's having this big party. So I was wondering, would you wanna crash there instead?"

Buffy's eyes widened a bit. A party? Those things that encourage underage drinking and seriously lack in parental supervision?

"Sure!" she exclaimed. "I - I've never been to one."

"Dude, you'll love it. Angel's stocking up on the kegs."

"Kegs? Aren't those weight units for nails or something?"

Riley frowned.

"Um, kegs are beer, Buffy..." Willow quickly informed.

She reddened.

"Right. I knew that."

"Anyway," he continued. "Still picking you up at seven then?"

"I'll be ready," she smiled brightly.

"Great."

And with a wink, he was gone.

"A drunken Buffster... I'd pay to see that," Xander noted happily, exciting images floating around his adolescant brain.

Buffy rolled her eyes.

"No," she insisted. "I will not be hanging out with any sort of adult beverages. An intoxicated Buffy can only lead to bad... bad things."

"I don't tend to mix very well with parties in general," Willow added, solemnly. "Ever since I pinned the tail on Cordelia in second grade, I've pretty much steered clear of them. I think she still has a scar..."

"But - but it could be fun... right? I - I mean, parties. Woo. Ya know?" Buffy tried.

"Not really," Tara replied. "I've been to some and it basically revolves around kids passing out or having sex."

"Ugh, so not my kinda scene."

"Aw, c'mon, Buff," Xander chided. "A little drinky here, a little nakedness there... no harm done!"

"Thanks, Xander, but that's just not me."

After a few more moments of discussing the goods and bads of party doings passed, the bell finally rang.

"Well, I'm off. Catch ya laters?"

The three friends nodded and took off in opposite directions. Buffy sighed and gathered her books. As she rounded the corner to her next class, Spike suddenly stopped her, a huge grin on his handsome face.

"Got a surprise, love," he told her, fishing around his coat pockets for said surprise.

"Is it chocolate? Please be chocolate. I've been craving it in a major way."

But chocolate it wasn't. Two tickets suddenly appeared in his hand, and were being flaunted proudly in front of her face. She snatched them, eyes wide, and let out an excited little gasp when she read them allowed.

"Dingoes Ate My Baby!" she screeched, practically jumping in place. "Oh, my god! I love Dingoes!"

"I remember. Cordelia got in a bit of a tiff with the lead singer, so she gave them away," he explained, pleased with her reaction.

"Cordelia was dating Devon?!"

"So she says."

Buffy continued to stare at the two treasures, almost unbelievingly. She had been in love with the band since junior high. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to have a chance to see them live.

"It's actually this Thrusday," he continued. "I'll try to talk your mum into letting you go. I was thinking we could go together, but, uh, you're welcome to take Red or that whelp if you'd like."

"Of course I'll go with you! This is amazing!" She then threw her arms around his neck, embracing him tightly. "Thank you so much."

Spike swallowed, lightly holding her to him. When she finally pulled back, her face was practically glowing.

"Well, uh, I better get to class," he told her. "Don't wanna be late."

"Right. I'll see you in computers then?"

"Yeah, see you then. Later, Summers."

He then turned and walked off, leaving a giddy Buffy behind.

~~~

"Ahhh! Wills! I can't believe it!" Buffy squealed into the telephone receiver that evening.

"It is pretty awesome! I've always wanted to meet that Oz guy..."

"I just can't believe it!" she repeated. "A Dingoes concert!"

"Is your mom really gonna let you go?"

"Oh, she better. Spike's on his way for tutoring and he says he's gonna talk to her. And Mom loves Spike, so she's sure to give."

"Wow, Buffy. This is like your best day ever! Riley invited you to a cool party, you totally aced your chem exam, and now the Dingoes. Would you be mad if I said I was a little jealous?"

"Aww, don't be jealous, Willow! I promise to take pics. And buy you a t-shirt!"

"Yay!"

Just then the doorbell rang and Buffy leaped off her bed.

"He's here! I'll call you back!" the blonde exclaimed.

"Good luck!"

"Thanks! Bye!"

She then hung up and raced down her staircase. When she whipped open the front door, Spike was standing there soaking wet. She didn't even realize it was raining out.

"Yikes. Poor soggy Spike..."

The leather clad teen sulked inside, taking off his boots and tossing his backback to the side. He then shook his head, sending water droplets every which way.

"Hey! Watch it!" Buffy cried, taking a step back from the human sprinkler.

"Honey? Is that Spike?" she heard her mother ask from the kitchen.

"Yeah, Mom. He's here."

"Wonderful! Dinner's almost ready."

Buffy sighed and hung up Spike's duster on the nearby coat rack.

"I'm stayin' for supper?" he wondered.

"Guess so. Mom's making her infamous lasagna surprise. It's pretty gross, so if she asks how it is, just smile and nod."

He chuckled and followed the young girl up the stairs and into her room to study. After about a half an hour passed, Joyce finally called them down for supper.

"Ooh, cookies," Buffy smiled, reaching for the chocolately morsels.

Joyce slapped her hand away.

"For dessert. Now go wash up."

It wasn't long before they were situated at the dining room table, and Spike was staring at his plate with a doubtful expression. He didn't remember lasagna looking like that. Nevertheless, he took a hesitant bite anyway. And immediately regretted it.

"So, how do you like it?" the eldest Summers asked.

"Oh, it's..." He glanced over at Buffy to see her over enthusiastically smiling and nodding. "Very good," he finally choked out.

Joyce beamed.

"So, Buffy tells me you wanted to talk to me about something," she continued, taking a sip of her iced tea.

"Uh, right."

He set his fork down, thankful for the excuse to not eat.

"Well, you see... there's this concert," he explained. "Buffy's always taken an interest in the band and I thought it would be good for her to get out."

"What band would this be?"

"Dingoes Ate My Baby," Buffy piped in, with a hopeful smile.

"Oh, Buffy, I don't know. That sounds a bit... canibalistic."

"It's so not!" she insisted.

"Well, when is it? And who's going?"

"I'll be takin' her, Ms. Summers, if you don't mind," Spike told her. "And the concert's Thursday evening."

"A school night!"

"Mom!"

"Buffy, you know better than to stay out late on a school night," Joyce reprimanded.

"But it won't be that late! Only midnight or so..."

"Buffy!"

"Mom, please!"

Joyce sighed. Buffy stared at her, eyes wide with fear, and Spike began to force down fork fulls of the dreadful Italian mush. It was practically dead silent for a few more moments, until Joyce finally spoke.

"Alright, Buffy. If you stay with Spike at all times and are home by 11:30, you can go."

Buffy jumped out of her chair so fast, it fell backwards.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she squealed in delight, kissing her mom on the cheek. "We'll totally be home by 11:30. You're the best!"

"I try..."

Buffy flashed Spike a contagious grin, eventually sitting herself back down at the table across from him.

Spike smiled back, unnerved by how relieved Joyce's verdict made him. He knew he was developing some sort of feelings for the impossible blonde, but he still wasn't sure what they were. Friendship? Respect?

His tongue darted out to lick his lips when she leaned over to take a sip of her milk, and the swells of her breasts peeked out above her tank top.

Lust?

He sighed and tried to force back the disconcerting thoughts. Just because he wanted her, it didn't mean anything. She was attractive. He was a guy. Enough said. And the fact that her smile was enough to turn him into a puddle was completely beside the point.

Besides, she would never return his feelings. She was too wrapped up in the thought of being Riley Finn's girl of the week. And he did spend a good portion of his life making her miserable. Hell, he didn't deserve anything from her.

So it was settled. He didn't like her, she didn't like him. Nothing other than friendship would ever develop between them.

He glanced up at her and she smiled at him.

"Bloody hell," he cursed under his breath, and stood up to put his dishes in the sink.

It seemed as if the days passed by like millenniums and the hours like centuries, but finally, Thursday evening came. It was a happy time for Buffy Summers, as she skipped down the stairs, her extra short leather skirt leaving little to the imagination. She opened the front door, glowing from head to toe, and smiled vivaciously at the blonde on the other side.

Spike practically choked on his own words when he saw her. Was she trying to kill him?!

"Bleeding hell, Summers! Put on some sodding clothes, will you?" he chided, unable to will his eyes to look away from her appealing form.

She pouted, jutting out her lower lip in the way that drove him crazy. Her outfit merely consisted of a little black skirt and a sparkly midnight blue tube top. She had on some chunky heels and her golden waves of hair graced down her back.

"Spike! It took me hours to get ready. And now you're making me change!" she sulked.

"How did your mother even let you out of your room like that?"

"She's not home," she smiled.

Spike just sighed and grabbed her by the arm.

"Sod it then. We're gonna be late. But if you get attacked by numerous horny men, I'm not comin' to your rescue."

Actually, he'd drive a railroad spike through anyone that so much as looked at her, but that bit was irrevelant.

Buffy slid into the passenger's seat of his black Mustang, her little skirt inching it's way up her tanned legs. Spike held back a groan, as he got in next to her. As soon as they were buckled up, he took off down the quiet street.

It didn't take long before the horrific sounds of Justin Timberlake filled his ears.

"So cry me a river! Cry me a riiiiiiver!" came Buffy's equally horrific karaoke version of it.

"Bloody hell," Spike mumbled, quickly turning the channel. He smiled proudly when Rob Zombie's, "Living Dead Girl" blasted through the speakers.

"Hey! I was listening to that!" she cried, immediately changing it back to the fuzzy haired pop star.

"No way in hell am I infecting myself with that garbage!"

"Cry me a river!!" she continued.

He sighed in defeat when he realized how cute she looked while attempting to sing. The sacrifices he made...

As the trip progressed, it wasn't long before Buffy grew bored of the bubblegum music and switched the radio off. She laid her head against the seat, watching the many cars pass them by.

"Oh! Let's play a game," she suggested, turning to face him, her eyes wide with child-like delight.

"Game? Such as?"

"Ummm... I Spy?"

Spike grumbled.

"Truth or Dare?"

He raised an eyebrow at her, letting a grin form on his features.

"Alright then," he replied. "I'll start."

"No fair! It was my idea," she protested. "I'll start. Truth or dare?"

Spike sighed.

"Dare."

"Ooh, my personal favorite. Let's see... oh! I dare you to say the alphabet backwards."

He just stared at her, wondering if she was truly serious. But then he remembered that this was sheltered little Buffy Summers sitting next to him.

"Love, no offense, but Truth or Dare is supposed to be a bit more... well, daring."

"Hey! Not many people have the mental coordination to say the alphabet backwards. I thought it was clever."

"Clever, maybe, but fun and exciting? Not quite."

"Fine, fine. I'll think of something else... hummm, okay! I dare you to run the next red light we come up to."

"And put my baby's life in danger? Not likely!"

"I - I'm your baby?" she blushed.

"I meant the car."

"Oh. Oh, well... well, fine. You're just scared. Understandable."

"Scared? Hardly, Summers. I'm just not stupid."

"You're the one who said it was supposed to be fun and exciting!" she complained.

"Which is not the same thing as dangerous and life-threatening."

"Fine then! Be that way. Chicken."

Spike scowled.

"I said I'm not scared."

"Are too."

"Are not."

"Are too."

"Bloody hell!"

Suddenly, Buffy felt herself being practically expelled from her seat, as Spike slammed down on the gas.

"Whoa, jeez! I - I was just kidding, you know!" she shouted, watching the speedometer rise to unspeakable heights.

Spike just grinned, and stepped down harder. It wasn't long before a stop light came into view, conveniently shining its bright red rays.

"Oh... oh, god," she whimpered, holding onto her seat for dear life. She spared a glance at Spike, who looked to be concentrating deeply. Hopefully, concentrating on how to move his foot over to the brake before she kicked his ass!

"Hold on now, pet," he warned, closing in on the red light.

"Spike! Stop!"

She closed her eyes, her entire life flashing before her.

"One thing you should know about me," he continued, only a few feet away from being pulverised by an incoming truck. "I never back down from a dare."

"Ahhhhhhh!" she screamed, as they flew through the light, narrowly missing the truck.

Buffy's head was in her lap, currently in the fetal position. When she heard Spike start to laugh, she slowly raised her head, eyes wide with paralyzing fear. Realizing she was still alive, she began to breathe again.

"Spike! You JERK!!" she screamed, pounding on his arm with her small fists. "We could have been killed!"

He gave her a grin.

"Not my fault, love. You dared me."

"Yeah, but... arrrrgh!" she growled, turning back in her seat, crossing her arms over her heaving chest.

"So, truth or dare?"

She gaped at him.

"I don't think so! I'm all dared out, thank you very much."

"C'mon, Buffy. You're not playing by the rules."

"So what! Death is just not on my list of fun. It's a stupid game, anyway..."

"Hey, you're the one who almost got us killed. The least you could do is take your turn. Then we'll stop."

Buffy sighed, rolling her eyes in exasperration.

"Fine! Dare. But nothing crazy!"

"Right. Of course. Nothing crazy." He paused. "Flash the next car that passes us."

"What?!" she demanded, incredulously.

"You heard me."

"Are you insane? I'll do nothing of the sort!"

"Scared?" he smiled, mischeviously.

"Ugh! Really not! I'm just... not like that."

"Flashing a bloke during a game of Truth or Dare doesn't define you as a person, love. It's just for fun."

"Not my kinda fun."

He sighed.

"Fine then. Do what you like."

Buffy leaned farther into her seat, contemplating her options. She could either stay in that position for the rest of the trip and initiate an uncomfortable silence between them, or she could just let go of her damned inhibitions for a minute and go through with her dare.

"Alright. I'll do it," she blurted, not really giving her mind time to think. "Just... no peeking!"

"Promise," he smirked, having no intention of keeping said promise.

"Oh god, oh god, oh god..." she groaned, shifting in her seat so she was facing the passenger's window.

She watched nervously as a car began to approach them. It was packed with a bunch of male teenagers, probably going to the same concert. Just her luck. Before she changed her mind, which she was seriously thinking about doing, she squeezed her eyes shut in humiliation and pulled down her tube top to reveal her bra-less breasts.

Spike twisted in his seat, trying to get a glimpse. He smiled approvingly, when he caught their reflection in the glass window.

The boys in the adjacent car immediately began rolling down their windows, hooting and hollering. They wagged their tongues in appreciation, and Buffy sunk down low, her pretty face practically purple from embarrassment.

"I'm ruined," she whined, as Spike gunned the car forward, in attempt to lose the vehicle full of horny kids.

"Don't be so dramatic. It's good to let go sometimes," he responded, the grin never leaving his face.

Buffy sensed his giddiness, and her eyes grew wide.

"You looked!" she accused, face aghast.

His grin grew wider.

"Oh, my god. I've never been so humiliated in my entire life! No more Truth or Dare. This game sucks!"

~~~

"So, how many?"

"Bloody hell. I thought you didn't want to play anymore, love," Spike sighed, checking his map for the millionth time.

"Well, there's nothing else to do. We're still like an hour away, it's dark but I'm so not tired, and no harm can be done if we only choose truth," Buffy reasoned, munching on a bag of Doritos she brought with her from home.

"Plenty harm can be done," he corrected.

"Like what? I find out your deep, dark, childhood secrets? Please. Like I don't know them all as it is..."

"Fine. If I answer, will it stop your incessant yammering? I'm trying to read directions 'ere."

"For the time being," she smiled.

Spike sighed.

"Alright. Four. Happy now?"

"Four different girls or four different times?" she wondered.

"Girls."

"Oh."

"Why so interested, anyway?" he asked, giving her a look.

"I'm not! I - I mean, not really. It's just... I dunno. Here you are having all kinds of sex, and then there's me... who pathetically hasn't even kissed a guy yet."

"And that makes you pathetic?"

"Well, duh! And the whole school pride thing doesn't help either. I'm such a loser!"

"Will you stop that? You're far from being a loser."

"Look who's talking, Mr. Let's See How Many Spit Balls We Can Put In Buffy's Hair Before She Notices."

"That was years ago!" he protested.

"Try weeks."

"Alright... but I'm reformed now! I've seen the light and so forth."

Buffy laughed.

"I see. And what prompted you to make such a life altering decision?"

Um.

But before he could answer, he felt the steering wheel suddenly jerk.

"Damnit all to hell," he grumbled, pulling off to the side of the road, and turning on the interior lights.

"What? What is it?" Buffy asked, worry furrowing her brow.

"Flat tire."

"Oh. That's... bad. You have a spare, right?"

"I should. Unless my dad took it when he drove to New York the other day."

"Oh god..."

Spike finally got out of the car, and went around to the trunk. Buffy knew by the look on his face when he opened it, that his dad had indeed taken it. Her heart started to pound furiously against her chest. The car shook, as Spike slammed the trunk down and Buffy jumped in her seat. He finally came back around and slammed the side door as equally hard.

"Fuck!" he shouted, pounding his fist against the steering wheel. The horn went off, making Buffy jump again.

"Um, I - I'm guessing it's not there?"

"You think?" he snapped. "Bleeding, sodding, buggering..."

"Oh! But you have a cell phone, right? Because then we could call someone. Like... a tire place! And they would, you know, tire us all up!"

He gave her a look.

"No such luck, pet. Left my phone at home."

"So, what? We're just stuck here then? In the middle of nowhere until some escaped mental patient with a hook for a hand just happens to drive by and give us a lift?"

"Pretty much," came his half hearted reply.

Buffy gulped.

"Yay."

"God! We're stuck in the middle of nowhere, twenty-six miles from a town consisting of things made out of the human variety, no phones, no cars driving by to save us, I'm gonna be late for curfew... and this damn skirt is driving me crazy!" Buffy complained, trying to pull down the scrap of clothing that kept inching it's way up her thighs.

Me too, Spike thought, glancing down at her generously exposed legs. If he didn't get them out of there fast, he was sure to do something he'd regret.

"Well, uh, we could always walk to town."

"Sure! Why didn't I think of that? Because, you know, walking twenty-six miles in a strange town, in the middle of the night, wearing shoes really not made for walking, is always the first thing that crosses my mind in compromising situtations."

"Very funny, love. 'Sides, I don't see you coming up with a better idea," he grumbled, pulling out a cigarette.

"Oh! Great! You forget our only means of communication to the outside world, but gosh! Don't wanna forget our cancer causing friends!"

Spike just rolled his eyes and lit up, rolling down his window in the process.

"You can cut the sarcasm at anytime, cutie."

"Nah, think I'll pass. Besides, nothing else is keeping this non-road trip of boredom from being... well, boring."

"Can't say I disagree with you there."

They sat in silence then for a few moments, before Spike got out of the car and leaned against the side of the trunk. Buffy thought about leaving him there to smoke in peace, but she decided to get out anyway, and mimicked his position against the car.

"It's nice out," she commented, gazing up at the stars and basking in the feel of the warm spring breeze against her face. "Kinda reminds me of when we camped out in my backyard that one time."

Spike chuckled.

"Right. A cat ran by and you got so scared you hurled all over my sleeping bag."

She blushed.

"Well, I was more referring to the everything but that little incident, but I guess I can't keep those not-so-fun memories repressed for too long," she said with an embarrassed smile.

Spike glanced over at her, in awe of how perfect she looked beneath the starlight.

"Do you realize how beautiful you are?" he spoke suddenly, his own eyes going wide in realization of what he just said.

Buffy's head immediately turned in his direction. She just stared at him in shock, not completely sure of what to say. She was torn between "no, but thanks!" and "what drugs are you on?" Eventually opting for none of the above, she just continued to silently stare at him. Although, the way he looked at her made her insides start doing a funny sort of dance. What kind of look was that? She thought she knew them all by name and category, but this one was new... and unnerving, but strangely in a not-so-bad kinda way.

"Well, uhh..." Spike stuttered, deciding to break the uncomfortable silence that was bordering on intimate. "Nice bit of road we're on, innit? Long and... uh, winding. I mean, it doesn't beat the Dingoes concert, but--"

"You think I'm beautiful?" she finally replied, unable to look away from him.

Spike swallowed down a growing lump in the back of his throat. He really really didn't mean to say that... not that it was a lie or anything--but, he really really didn't mean to say that...

"Well, yeah, I 'spose. In a completely platonic, sisterly sort of way..." he lied. Was wanting to shove her up against the side of the car and have his wicked way with her part of the whole sister thing? He shook the disturbing images from him head.

"Oh," she said, unable to stop the hint of disappointment from creeping into that single word. Wait, disappointment? She shook her head and stood up tall. "Well, that's good."

"It is?" he wondered, curiously.

"Yeah. I - I mean, there was sort of this thing I've been meaning to ask you. More like a favor, really. And now that I know your perverted, guy-like mind won't get any crazy ideas, then..." She stopped, suddenly aware of the favor she was about to ask.

"Out with, Summers. The suspense is killing me."

"Right. I... I, um, well..."

He waited.

"Ineedyoutokissme," finally came the sloppy reply.

Spike's eyes practically bulged out of his head. Definitely not what he was expecting.

"Come again?"

Buffy's heart-shaped mouth opened and closed a few times, before she got up and headed back towards the car.

"Bad idea," she decided. "Bad, bad idea..."

Spike was immediately on his feet.

"Hold on a second! You just asked me to kiss you! Don't I get an explanation?" He grabbed her forearm and swung her around to face him.

"I - I..." she stuttered. "I didn't say kiss. I said "miss". I need you to miss me! Because I'm leaving. See? Bye!"

He stopped her again, giving her a threatening look. Buffy sighed.

"Fine. I did say kiss. Because... because I've never kissed a guy before and I don't want Riley to think I'm a bad kisser," she admitted.

Spike's heart sunk at this, but he didn't show it. Instead he gave her one of his infamous grins and stepped in closer to her.

"Hey! Personal space becoming an issue here."

"Love, I know you're knew at the whole dating game, but kissing is a personal act."

"Well... well, I just thought that since you feel all brotherly towards me, you wouldn't mind as much, you know? I mean, there would be no feelings... so there wouldn't be a "thing". A-And it wouldn't be as wiggy because we both know it didn't mean anything. A-And --"

But she was cut off as Spike's mouth suddenly descended upon hers, and she was being crushed between the frame of the car and his hard body. She let out a tiny squeak of surprise, holding onto his forearms for dear life.

Spike lifted his hands to entangle in her loose hair, while continuing his ministrations against her lush lips. It wasn't long before an unconscious moan escaped from her mouth, giving Spike the opportunity to slip his tongue inside of her welcoming inferno. He revelled in her body's reaction to his manuevers, as she held him tighter and instinctively meshed her body against his.

Buffy didn't know what was happening. She had never felt anything like this before; the way his tongue tantalizingly glided against her own, the feel of his warm body pressing intimately against hers. It was as if the whole world had disappeared, leaving only her and this man, who woke up a new and delicious feeling inside of her.

But it all ended before it even began, and Spike suddenly pulled his mouth away from hers. Buffy's eyes fluttered open, wondering why he stopped. In answer, he just leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead. She frowned, confusion and self-consciousness taking over the warm, tingling sensation she had just felt.

"You... you kissed me," she finally whispered between swollen lips.

"Glad you noticed. And for the record, you did ask me to," he reminded her, his voice deep and ragged.

"I... but you... I mean... why did you stop?"

Spike grinned, taking a step back to give her some space.

"Because I'm not here to take advantage of you, pet. You asked me to teach you, so I obliged. Nothing more."

"Oh. Right. N-Nothing more... of course."

"I figure, you can teach me in the book studies, while I teach you in the more finer aspects of life," he reasoned, pulling out another cigarette and situating himself next to her like he previously had.

"Finer aspects?"

"You know, dating, sex, and so forth."

"Sex? You - you mean like a demonstration?"

He chuckled, blowing a plume of smoke into the night sky.

"Not unless you want one, love."

"No! I - I mean, no... thank you."

It was then silent for a while, as the two blondes took in what just happened. Spike decided at that moment, that no matter how attracted he was to Buffy or how much he cared about her, he wouldn't let it go any farther that friendship. She deserved far better than anything he had to offer her. She was smart, beautiful, talented; hell, she was practically perfect. He just wished he had noticed sooner...

He then glanced over at Buffy, and noticed her smiling.

"Penny for your thoughts, pet?" he asked, tossing his cigarette to the pavement and grounding it out with the toe of his boot.

"That was amazing!" she blurted, the huge grin still on her glowing face. "Heck, if every guy I kiss is that good, I could make career out of it!"

Spike couldn't surpress a proud smile.

"Yeah, they got a name for that. Prostitution. Really not your type of business, if you ask me..."

She laughed.

"No, probably not. But, uhh..."

"What?"

"Well... was I, you know, good?" she blushed, her insecurities rising.

Hell yes!

"Oh, uh, I 'spose. Could use a bit more practice though..."

Buffy's face fell, but then she noticed the evil glint in his bright blue eyes, and she smacked him in the chest.

"You're funny," she lied. "But really, Spike. Did I suck?"

"Not enough."

"Spike!"

"Alright, fine! You were bloody fantastic, love."

A purely feminine smile washed over her lovely features.

"You mean it? You're not just saying that so I won't smack again?"

"Oh, so if I insult you again you'll smack me? 'Cause, you know, I was just kidding about the fantastic part..."

She rolled her eyes.

"Jeez, and you say I'm sarcastic?"

"Well, you are!"

Buffy sighed, and was about to get back in the car when she saw a pair of headlights out of the corner of her eyes.

"Spike! Look!"

He immediately turned his head in the direction she was pointing. Sure enough, two bright lights were coming towards them.

"It's about bloody time," he grumbled, relief washing over him.

"Want me to go wave them down?" she asked, starting to skip down the street.

He grabbed her by the arm, and walked in front of her.

"Not in that skirt you're not."

She just huffed and leaned back against the car. She then watched intently as the car began to slow down and the driver rolled down his window. Noticing Spike's brief look of recognition, she frowned and made her way over to stopped vehicle. Only she began blushing furiously when she too recognized the passengers from within.

"Hummm, hi guys," she said, giving a little wave, face burning.

"Hey, baby. Mind pulling down your top for us again?" the driver asked.

"Ugh..."

Just her luck. The stupid boys she flashed would be the ones to come rescue them.

"That's enough," Spike warned. "Look, we've got a flat tire and was wondering if you could give us a hand."

"I got a hand of she does..." he grinned, gawking and the partially dressed Buffy.

"I said watch it, mate! Will you help us or not?" he snapped.

The driver sighed, and turned around in his seat to "discuss" it with his buddies. After a moment of conversing passed, and Buffy did all she could to cover herself up, he gave them his verdict.

"Alright. A hundred bucks and a lap dance from the lady, you got yourself a deal."

Buffy's eyes grew wide.

"How 'bout two hundred bucks, minus the lap dance," Spike reasoned, willing to give up all his money so Buffy's virtue didn't have to be tainted anymore than it already had.

The driver took a moment to think about the new offer. He finally nodded.

"Deal."

The two blondes sighed in relief and headed back to their car, as the teenager went to his trunk to fetch them his extra spare.

"Thanks, Spike," Buffy said, her heart beat finally slowing down.

He just shrugged.

"No problem. But next time you decide to wear that skirt you're on your own."

"Well?! How was it??" an excited Willow asked that evening.

Buffy lay in bed, phone in hand, as she stared sadly up at her ceiling.

"We didn't go," came the solemn reply.

"What? Why? You were so excited!"

"I know, I know. Spike got a flat tire or something. By the time we got "rescued" it was almost 10, and I just barely made it home by curfew."

"I'm so sorry! That's awful!"

"Tell me about it," she sighed. "But if I wasn't home on time, Mom never would have let me go to the party tomorrow night. She was waiting up for me as it was."

"Aww, jeez. I'm really sorry, Buffy. But just think happy thoughts! Like possible Riley smoochies!" Willow tried.

Buffy's stomach did a few flip-flops, remembering the brief smoochy session she had earlier. With Spike of all people! Sure it was just practice, but it felt so real...

"Are you there?"

"What? Oh! Yeah, sorry, Will. I spaced."

"It's alright. Thoughts of Riley lips can do that to a girl."

"It's not that. It's..." Buffy paused, wondering if she should inform Willow of what happened.

"It's what? Are you hiding something?"

"No!"

"Oh, my god! You are! What happened, Buffy?? Tell! Tell!"

"Calm down, Wills, it's nothing. I - I mean, there is no "it", because nothing happened!"

"Liar! I can tell you're hiding something from me. With the stuttering and denying!"

"Ugh. You know me too well."

"I so do! Now spill!"

"Fine," the blonde relented, turning to lay on her stomach. "I kissed Spike. I mean! Spike kissed me... no, I don't mean that either. We both kinda... well, we did the lip thing. Where they connect and stuff..."

"Oh, my god!! You kissed Spike!"

"No! We kissed each other! Big difference there!"

"Oh, my god!"

"Stop saying that!"

"I - I'm sorry, it's just... oh, my god!"

Buffy groaned and dug her face deep into her fluffy pillow.

"Don't get any ideas, Will. He was just showing me how. It's totally wiggy to think of him as anything but a friend."

"How come? Spike's a hottie!"

"We bathed together!"

Silence.

"I've seen his undeveloped anatomy!"

"I see your point..."

"Good. Because, ew?"

"Oh, well... I hear it's not so undeveloped anymore..." Willow murmured.

"Excuse me?!" Buffy asked, incredulously.

"I - I mean, Cecily talks, you know. Kinda a lot, actually. I overheard her in trig, and she was... well, you know..."

"Talking about Spike's..." She lowered her voice. "Thingy?!"

"They dated for over a year, Buffy. I guess she'd know first hand... no pun intended."

"Gross much?!"

"Not the way she tells it..."

"Willow! Stop!"

The red head laughed.

"Alright! I'm done. Promise. No more talk of Spike and his... thingy."

"Good, because the images in my head are not of the pretty right now."

"Sorry if I've scarred you..."

"Forgiven. Think I'm gonna crash now though. Long day and all."

"Right. What with the Spike kissage..."

"Willow!"

"Night!"

"Good night," Buffy smiled, and hung up the phone.

She sighed to herself and pulled the blankets up over her nighty-clad form, preparing herself for another night of non-sleep.

~~~

"Lunch... my favorite subject," Xander mused, taking his place at the table the next day.

"What about history?" Buffy wondered. "It's filled with fun facts about our nation's past and late ancestors."

Willow nodded in agreement.

"You know, that's a good point," he admitted. "I mean, besides the fact that it's painfully boring, my seventy year old teacher has a crush on me, and that it's painfully boring, I suppose it's chock full of learn-worthy entertainment."

The girls just smiled and rolled their eyes.

"Hello, Buffy," came a high-pitched-I'm-better-than-you type voice.

The blonde turned in her seat to see Cordelia standing over her. Her grin faded.

"Um, hi, Cordelia... did - did you want something?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'd like to smoosh that pasty face of yours into Xander's half-eaten spaghetti, but that's beside the point," she quipped.

"She knows my name!" Xander piped up, then cowered as Willow and Tara glared at him.

Buffy just sat still in her seat, scolding herself for not being able to come up with a witty retort.

"Okay..." came her meek reply.

"Anyways," the brunette continued. "I'm only in your pathetic presence to warn you to stay away from Spike."

"What?"

"You heard me. Stay away from him. Do you know where he is right now?" she asked, arms folded across her ample chest.

"No?"

"The library! Studying!"

She couldn't help but let a proud smile light up her face.

"You think this is funny? Well, news flash, sweetie. It's really not. So stay away from him, or I'll --"

Buffy felt a surge of strength come over her and she stood up in her seat, standing face to face with her high school enemy.

"Or you'll what?" she questioned, placing her hands firmly on her hips.

Cordelia flinched slightly, taken aback by the sudden personality transplant.

"I'll... I'll do something you'll really regret!"

Buffy raised an eyebrow at her, before reaching over to the table and picking up Tara's milk carton. Before the cheerleader new what hit her, the slimy liquid was being poured all over her recently permed hair.

"Oh, my god! My hair! You stupid geek!" Cordy screeched, mouth wide in horror.

The milk immediately soaked into her perfect locks, and dribbled it's way over her painted face and down her low-cut blouse. Buffy set the container down and gave her a smug smirk.

"Oh, don't worry, Cordelia. It's non-fat."

And with that, she sat herself back down in her seat, revelling in the fact that the entire cafeteria was in an uproar of laughter.

~~~

"You should have seen her face!" Buffy squealed in delight, searching through her closet after school that day. "It was like: "Perm... $50. Carton of milk... .25. Realizing that Buffy Summers just poured that milk all over your stupid fried head... priceless!"

Spike laughed at the mental image, wishing he could have been there. He didn't think he would ever get sick of that story... no matter how many hundreds of times Buffy reminded him of it.

"I'm sure she was a picture, love," he replied, also on the hunt for Buffy's outfit that evening.

"Oh, she really was. At first she was all "ahh!" and then she was like "you geek!" and then everyone started pointing and laughing! It was beautiful. Too bad I have detention on Monday... but it was so worth it!"

"I'd imagine."

She sighed, happily.

"Any luck?" she wondered, deciding to change the subject after a few moments passed.

"How 'bout this little ensemble? Sexy, yet conservative," Spike reasoned, holding out his choice of party attire.

"Spike, that's a snowsuit."

"So? It's pink..."

Buffy grumbled and snatched the poofy suit from Spike's hands. She stuffed it back in her closet and pulled out a silky, pale pink slip dress. Her aunt had given it to her on her sixteenth birthday, but she'd never had an opportunity to wear it.

"What about this?" she asked, displaying the dress before her.

Spike eyed it, distastefully.

"It's all wrong, Summers. But this on the other hand..."

"Spike! No! Will you stop pulling out my winter apparel? I really don't think Riley will appreciate me looking like an eskimo, thank you very much."

"Why not? It's what's inside that counts, afterall."

"He'll never be able to find me in that!" she exclaimed, putting the bulky overcoat back on its hanger.

"Fine. Wear the "seduce me" dress if you like," he muttered.

"It's not a "seduce me" dress. It's just a dress. A very pretty, party type of dress."

"That just happens to scream, "seduce me"."

"God! You're impossible, you know that?"

"Well, yeah, considering you do your best to remind me of that fact every chance you get."

"Whatever. Just... turn around, will you?" she told him, unbuttoning the cardigan she wore to school that day.

"Uh, right..."

Buffy sighed, and began slipping off her current clothes, as soon Spike faced the opposite way. She stepped into the pink dress, and reached her hand around to zip it up. When she finished, she looked into the mirror and smiled in satisfaction at her reflection.

"See? It's not so bad," she decided, flattening down the soft material.

Spike turned around.

"Yeah, that's the problem," he replied, noting the way it clung suggestively to her curves.

"Oh well. No one asked you to like it."

Spike shrugged and sat down on her neatly made bed, watching intently as she combed her hair.

"So, what are Angel's parties usually like?" Buffy wondered, looking at him through the mirror.

"Crazy. It's like alcohol heaven," he explained.

"Oh. A-Are you gonna drink?" she asked.

"Depends on if you do."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, Finn as sure as hell will be drinking. And if you drink too, I'll have to drive you home."

"Well, I'm not going to. A sip of wine every Christmas is enough for me..."

Spike smiled, touched by her innocence.

"What do you plan on doing then?"

"Well, what else is there to do?"

"Not much."

She sighed.

"Maybe I shouldn't go then. I'll probably just get bored, right? And everyone will just stare at me awkwardly. And then I'll get all embarrassed and have to bail on my date... who will also probably stare at me awkwardly. Wanna just go to a movie or something?"

Spike watched as she nervously began to fidget with the hem of her dress.

"You really don't want to go?" he wondered.

"No... well, yeah, I do. But still! What I want isn't always best..."

Got that right.

"You'll never know until you try," he told her.

Buffy was about to argue, and insist they go to a movie instead, but she was interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing.

"Hello?" she answered. "Hi, Riley!"

Spike rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm still going," she continued. "Uh-huh. Right. No problem. Okay, I'll be ready. And yeah, that was great! Thanks! Did you see her face? Priceless! Sure, that's fine. Alright. Bye!"

She hung up.

"Well? What did that wanker want?"

"He's not a wanker, whatever that means. And he was just calling to make sure I was still going," she told him. "And to congratulate me on a job well done this afternoon."

"I reckon you deserve it. And are you still going?"

"Guess so. Besides, you can always take me home if I wanna leave early, can't you?"

"I suppose..." he shrugged.

"Good! So I'll just hang out for a little while, talk to some people, dance with Riley, and then leave. Sounds like a plan," she nodded. Then her eyes lit up. "Ooh! Cordy's gonna be there, right? Oh, my god! I can't wait to see her face!"

Spike just sighed, re-thinking his "never get sick of that story" idea. He feared it was going to be a long night.

"You ready to have some fun?" Riley asked, as he took Buffy's hand and led her up the sidewalk to Angel's modern style mansion.

"Plenty," she smiled, her heart a flutter of nerves.

Just looking at the three story home made her feel so small. All the lights were on in the house and loud music made it's way to her delicate ears. She felt a bit sick, wondering what the night held in store for her. Luckily, Spike's car was already parked on the opposite side of the road, so she didn't feel as nervous.

Well, that was a lie. She didn't think it was possible to feel anymore nervous than she already was. What if someone slipped something in her purely non-alcoholic drink? What if she was raped and murdered by some psychotic, intoxicated teen? What if...

Oh, god. The door was opening. People were there. Many, many people. They were all staring at her. Oh, god.

"Time to party!" Riley shouted, as he walked into the crowded house.

Buffy gulped, forcing a smile onto her face. She glanced around the room, looking for a familiar friend. She recognized a lot of people from school--mostly ones that made fun of her on a daily basis--but nobody she could walk up to and chat with. Spike was her only safe haven, while Riley was drinking himself into oblivion. She sighed.

"So, Buffy, want me to get you a drink?" he asked, leading her further into the house.

"Sure!" she chirped, thankful for something to do. But as she began to follow him towards the kitchen, he stopped her.

"Don't worry, I'll get it," he smiled and disappeared into the mass of bodies.

Buffy shifted uncomfortably on her feet, searching the room for Spike. He had to be somewhere...

"Here you go," Riley appeared a few moments later.

She took the tall glass from him, and immediately took a large gulp. But as the burning liquid made it's way down her esophogus, she began choking and spitting, her throat on fire.

"What is this?!" she demanded, wiping stray tears from her eyes.

"Just some Bicardi and lime. Good, huh?"

"Not really, no!"

"You don't like it?" he frowned, disappointed that he might not be able to get her as drunk as he'd hoped.

"Again with the no!" she repeated, unconsciously scratching at her neck, willing the burning sensation to disappear. It soon did, but then made it's way down her chest and into the pit of her stomach. "Oh, my god! This stuff is terrible!"

"You get used to it."

"Not in this lifetime. Or any of them to be exact."

Riley rolled his eyes, making Buffy frown. Was he trying to get her drunk so he could take advantage of her?

"Anyway, Buffy, I'm gonna go hang out with the guys over there... you okay by yourself for a little while?" he wondered, looking just over her shoulder.

"Uh, yeah. I'll be fine," she replied, sighing sadly.

"Great! We'll catch up later," he smiled.

Buffy groaned and watched as he high-fived some of his buddies. Now she was all alone for a portion of the night, without a date and unsure of where Spike was. She should have stuck with the movie idea. As she made her way through the enormous house, she finally spotted the unruly bleached curls of one Spike McAlister. Smiling in relief, she marched over to him, setting the grotesque glass of liquid down in the process.

"Spike!" she called out, giving him a wave.

He turned in her direction and smiled back, raising his bottle of beer to her in a mock salute.

"I thought you weren't drinking tonight," she remembered, glancing at the curly haired brunette he had been talking to.

"Just havin' one. It'll wear off by the time I leave anyway," he replied. "This is Cecily, by the way."

Buffy flushed, remembering the conversation she and Willow had the night before.

"Um, hi," she greeted, smiling softly.

The girl just glared at her, raising an eyebrow in scrutiny. Buffy frowned.

"Uh, right. Hey, Cecily, do you mind if I talk to Buffy for a minute?" Spike asked, taking Buffy by the arm and leading her a few feet away.

"Whatever," came the offhanded retort.

When they had successfully removed themselves from her presence, Buffy made a few dramatic gagging noises.

"Jeez, bitch much? I can't believe you dated her," she scuffed.

"Whatch your mouth, Summers. If all goes well tonight, she may be coming home with me."

Buffy paled and her eyes went wide.

"What?! You're actually getting back together with that ho?"

Anger flashed across his face, making Buffy flinch. She decided his precious Cecily was a touchy subject.

"She's not a ho," he defended. "So you better watch what you say about her."

"Oh, so sorry, Spike. I forgot that it was alright for people to treat me like a pile of dog crap, but when it comes to me badmouthing someone else, I get sent to my room with no supper."

"Don't get your knickers twisted, love. You can badmouth whoever you'd like... except Cecily."

"Why? What's so special about her?" she questioned, wondering why she was getting so worked up.

"None of your business."

Buffy sighed.

"Fine. Go knock up the queen of bitchdom all you like. I'll find my own way home."

Spike watched as she turned on her heal and headed back towards the kitchen. When he heard that Cecily Price still had lingering feelings for him, he jumped at the chance to get back together with her. Sure he still had a bit of a soft spot for the girl, but his main priority was to get Buffy Summers out of his head. He didn't mean to upset her in the process, but he felt like it was his only way. He had loved Cecily once, so it wasn't too crazy of an idea. Maybe the more time he spent with her, the more his feelings for Buffy would become entirely platonic. That was the plan anyway.

He sighed, and made his way back to his date for the evening.

~~~

Buffy was livid. She didn't know exactly why, but she was. What did Spike see in that skanky, stuck up snob, anyway? Arrrgh...

"Hey, Riley," she said, tapping him on the shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"That stuff you gave me earlier... can I have some more?"

"The Bicardi?"

"Yeah, I changed my mind about the ick factor. It's not so bad," she lied.

Riley grinned, and stood up on wobbly legs.

"Sure, baby. Right this way," he told her.

Buffy followed him through the living room, her heart racing once more. What was she getting herself into? A drunken stooper, that's what. And a possibly very dangerous situation, considering the house was filled with hundreds of inebriated teenaged boys. She had no idea what she was capable when not in her right state of mind.

"You sure you can handle this?" he asked, handing her the clear fluid.

Buffy gulped, and took the glass with shaking hands. "Of course. I do it all the time... well, in the whole sense of not doing it. But you know, first time for everything!" she quipped, bringing the substance to her lips.

"That there is," he smiled, suggestively.

Before she let herself think, she tilted the glass and let the heat pour down her sensitive throat. It felt like it was burning her from the inside out, but she just squeezed her eyes shut and kept swallowing the overpowering liquid. Her senses were on fire. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her head felt light. But she kept on drinking, determinition etched within her mind. She didn't know what she was trying to accomplish, but whatever it was, it was the only thing that mattered right now.

Riley just watched in awe, as she downed the hard liquor. He had never seen a chick go at it like that... especially one like Buffy Summers. Soon a large crowd gathered around the tiny blonde, cheering her on. This only heightened Buffy's determination and she continued to force the alcohol down her throat. She concentrated on anything but the poison invading her body.

Boy bands. Mr. Gordo. History class. Chocolate chip cookies. Willow. Sleeping in.

It wasn't long before she was holding an empty glass, and sounds of clapping and shouting echoing in her ears. She felt like she was going to pass out right then, but she quickly latched on to the closest thing, which just happened to be Riley's arm. He held her upright, grinning from ear to ear.

"That was quite a show," he complimented. "Wanna another go at it?"

"Huh? Go where?"

"Dude, she's already hammered!" someone yelled out from the crowd.

Buffy felt like the world was spinning around her and that her stomach was about to drop out of her body. An overwhelming sense of dizziness and nausea took her over and she fought to keep her vision straight. She had no idea the affects would kick in so quickly. She steadied herself against Riley's frame and tried her hardest to keep her balance and maintain all of her motor functions. It wasn't easy.

"You look like you need to lay down, Buffy," Riley commented. "There's, uh, a few spare bedrooms upstairs. I can take you up if you'd like..."

"No... no," she refused. "I - I'm perfectly good."

With a deep breath, she let go of his arm and stood herself up the best she could. Although the dizzying side affects were still making themselves known, she felt a bit more aggressive; like she had no inhibitions. Although the feeling was a bit mind numbing, it also felt wonderful. It was as if she finally crawled out from under the rock she hid herself under for all these years.

"Are you sure?" he tried again. "You look a bit --"

"Drunk!" she finished for him, hiccuping in the process. "I'm a drunken, drunken Buffy!"

She smiled happily and leaned against him for support.

"I can see that," he agreed, glancing down her low-cut dress. "Do you wanna dance?"

"Sure! Dancing is a fun and exiblerating experience!" she informed him, a cooky grin on her face. She then frowned. "Ex-hill-her-ate-ing..."

"Exhilarating?" he offered.

"Yes! Yes, that's it!"

"Good then. Let's go."

But before he could take her hand, she grabbed him by the wrist and stumbled over to the nearest open space, dragging him along. As soon as they reached their destination, Buffy immediately ground her small body up against his. The crowd of rowdy boys followed, and before Buffy knew what hit her, she was being tossed around between them. First she was dancing with Riley, then with a sandy blonde haired boy, then Angel appeared out of nowhere, then a red head, then...

Spike?

"Bleeding hell," he grumbled, pulling Buffy away from the dancing group. "You said you weren't going to drink!"

"You! You... just lemme go right now, mister!" she threatened, her eyes glazed over.

She yanked herself free from his protective grasp, and ended up losing her balance and dropping to her bottom.

"Ow! Look what you made me do, you stupid... stupid guy!"

Spike rolled his eyes, and reached down to pick her up.

"No! No touching of any kind with me!"

"Love, I'm just trying to help you up," he sighed.

"I can do it myself."

She tried. She failed. He reached down again, but she squirmed away.

"Stop being so difficult, will you!" he demanded.

"I will not!"

"Sod it then."

He then walked off, leaving Buffy a crumpled mess on the floor.

"Spike!" she called out.

He ignored her and kept on walking. Buffy huffed and grabbed hold of a table to help pick herself up. She almost succeeded, but her knees gave out at the last second and she was once again reaquainted with Angel's living room carpet.

"Bloody hell," she cursed, feeling more helpless than ever. Why didn't she just let Spike help her up?

"There you are. Thought you ran off on me," Riley's voice made its way to her ears.

She turned her head lazily in his direction.

"I fell down," she sniffed.

"Aww, can't have that now, can we?"

She shook her head.

"It's alright. I'm here," he comforted, helping her to her feet.

Buffy wobbled a bit, but finally regained her footing. Well, most of it, anyway. She was about to walk over to the nearby couch, but was suddenly pulled in the opposite direction.

"Where're we going?" she asked, her words still a bit slurred.

Riley said nothing. Instead, he just gave her a grin and picked her up, carrying her all the way to the top of the staircase. They entered an empty bedroom, and Buffy's eyes grew wide in realization when the door slammed shut behind them.

Uh-oh, she thought, right before she felt her body come in contact with the large, firm mattress.