Chapter 13

The Bronze-After Game Party

The Bronze was the place to be. Everyone who was anyone was there to help celebrate in the victory of the UC Sunnydale’s Varsity Football Team. The final score had been 31-24, Sunnydale winning by one touchdown from the 30 yard line with less than a minute on the clock. If the football players weren’t already thought as gods, they were now.

Riley and Angel seemed to have the attention of every female in the club, boyfriends or not.

Throughout the club people were laughing, dancing, and just having a good time. With the exception of one girl.

Buffy stood in the corner of the club waiting for the band on stage to go backstage. From her spot in the corner she could see everyone in their different groups.

At the tables in the middle of the seating area set the Varsity Football players and the Varsity Cheerleaders.

As the tables went out so did the popularity of the groups sitting at them.

For the first time in her life Buffy felt left out. And having this feeling made her wonder how people who felt that way all the time made it through each and every day.

*****

Buffy watched from her spot as Faith walked through the door with her own group of friends, better known at Sunnydale High and now UC Sunnydale for their sexual talents more than anything else.

Faith and Buffy hadn’t gotten along from the first time that Buffy and her family arrived in Sunnydale, and it only got worse as the summer came to an end. Faith blamed Buffy for everything that went wrong since the first moment Buffy and her family moved to Sunnydale. Buffy took Faith’s spot on the UC Sunnydale Varsity Cheerleading Squad. And this only got worse when Buffy took Faith’s spot in her ex-boyfriend Riley Finn’s heart.

`And I helped apply Faith with the ammunition to destroy me.’ Buffy thought as she watched Faith, Darla, and Amy make their way to the middle tables.

Buffy looked back up to the stage as the band finished their latest set, deciding it was time to see some old friends.

*****

Backstage-Dressing Room

“Spike I thought Dru was coming out tonight.” Deacon stated from his spot by the mini-bar.

“She was, but she changed her mind. Didn’t want to be in a smoky club, what with being pregnant and all. She’s spending the night at her Pop’s, then the two of them goin’ have breakfast in the morning’.”

“How’s Dru’s Father doing anyways?” Carter questioned.

“Has his share of good and bad days. Dru’s kinda worried about the cancer comin’ back. She’s taking him to the doctors next week for his check-up.”

As Carter was getting ready to continue his questioning when there was a light knocking at the door.

“I got it . . .” Spike said as he walked towards the door.

“Buffy!?”

Buffy walked into the dressing room closing the door behind her.

“We need to talk.”

*****

[L.A. Last May-Spike’s Apartment

“What do you want to talk about?”

Buffy took a seat on Spike’s couch in the apartment that he shared with the other band members.

“Are Carter and Deacon here?”

“No, Luv. Carte left town for the weekend, and Deacon and Alyson made plans to spend the weekend in her Father’s beach house.”

“Oh . . .”

“So, what do you want to talk `bout?”

Buffy took a deep breath and locked eyes with Spike who was now sitting in the armchair across from her.

“Us.”]

*****

Backstage- Dressing Room

“Who knows about us?” Spike asked Buffy with a puzzled look on his face.

“Faith”

“Who?”

“Faith . . .Faith Wilkins. The Mayor’s daughter. Sluttish brunette; hangs all over Riley Finn in your English class.”

“Bloody Hell! How’s she know?” Spike locked eyes with Buffy. “Did you tell her?” The last question came out in an angry tone.

Buffy looked shocked and hurt that he would even think that. “What!?”

“While, you did tell your cheerleader friend.”

“How could you think I would just go around telling everyone what happened between us? I would never tell Faith anything, except what cave to go live in for the rest of her life. Faith hates the fact that Riley likes me more than just a friend, and that I took her spot on the squad this year. From what everyone has told me Faith was the girl that other girls wanted to be, and all the boys wanted to date.”

“So, is that your place now?”

“You could say that.”

“Fine, you didn’t tell her. That doesn’t tell me how she found out.”

Buffy turned away from Spikes questioning eyes, and in a low voice responded “She saw us kissing.”

“What?”

“She. Saw. Us. Kissing. Or rather me kissing you.”

“How could you let this happen?”

“Me!? Oh no Mr. You are not blaming this all on me.”

“You kissed me, how is that my fault.”

“You said you were going to leave your wife for me. What did you think I was going to do? And you kissed me back.”

“Fine. What do we do now? What does she want?”

“I have no clue. But whatever she wants is going to involve me.”
---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 14

Next Day-The Magic Box

“Thank you for calling `The Magic Box’. Ethan Rayne speaking, how may I help you?”

Ethan Rayne had been the owner of `The Magic Box’ for the past 9 months, taking over after the last owner was killed.

“You should be getting a package in the mail within the next few days.”

“. . .”

“Thank You. Have a nice day.”

“I take it business is going well.” Dru stated from her seat at the table found in the middle of the shop.

“Yes Drusilla, business is going well. You’re here almost everyday, you know how business is.”

“I know. I was just checking.”

“You worry to much my darling.”

“I’ll have you know it’s a daughters job to worry about their Fathers.”

“I thought it was the other way around.”

“Not anymore. You’ve been ill, so I get to worry about you from now on.”

Ethan walked with his daughter to the back room that he had turned into his offices.

“And what about your troubles?”

“I’ve got everything under control.”

“Please let me know how you have everything under control Drusilla.”

“Everything will be fine, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Dru, please tell what you are planning on doing in five months when it’s time for you to give birth, and there’s no baby to be born. You‘ve taken this lie to far.”

“Everything is under control!” Dru yelled to her father. “In five months I will have a baby, and Spike will never think of leaving me again.”

Ethan wrapped his arms around his now crying daughter. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. I know how upset you were when you found out Spike was having an affair. Dru, I helped you come up with how to keep him from leaving you. All I am saying is, if Spike finds out that you were never pregnant, he will leave you for good this time.”

“I won’t lose him . . .I can’t” Dru whispered into her father’s chest.

*****

Loft Apartment-Living Room

Ring, Ring, Ring

Buffy rushed to reach the phone before it woke up any of the other girls who were taking full advantage of their first weekend off after a long week of classes.

“Hello; Buffy speaking.”

“Elizabeth, Hello.”

“Hi Daddy. How are things in New York?”

“Good, things are good. How are things in Sunnydale?”

“Things are going good here. Sunnydale won the big game on Friday. Dawns been going to school everyday and doing her homework. I promise you everything is fine.”

“Good, Listen I called to let you know that your mother and I are going to be in New York for two more weeks, and then your Mother wants to stop in Chicago for another few weeks to see the new art display that they have and to also check in with some of her family members.”

“But Daddy, You’ll miss my first college Homecoming. Not to mention the fact that Dawnie has her first middle school dance coming up in a few weeks.

“Elizabeth I know, and your mother and I are very sorry. We have business that still needs to be taken care of here. You will make sure that one of the staff members takes lots of pictures of Dawnie in her dress and you‘ll make sure she has everything she need to make her first dance memorable, right?”

“yes, daddy.” Buffy replied in a low whisper.

“Look, sweetie I have to go now. Your mother will call later this week. Tell Dawn we love her.”

“I will.”

“We love you too. Bye.”

Before Buffy could get out her goodbyes the phone was already dead.

“Who was that on the phone?” Cordelia asked as she wrapped her robe tighter around her.

“My Father. He called to let me know that he and me Mother won’t be home for another four weeks now.”

“Buffy I’m sorry.”

“It doesn’t bother me that they won’t be here for me, they never really were. I just didn’t want Dawnie to have to deal with our parents never being there for her too.”
----------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 15

Summers’ Mansion

“Dawnie are you here?” Buffy asked as she walked into her families new mansion.

“Ms. Summers I thought I heard you.”
Buffy turned around to face the person that was speaking to her. “Maria, Hello. I just came by to check on Dawnie and. . .”

“And have your laundry done?”

Buffy looked down at the bag of clothes she was holding. “You know me to well.”

“I’ve been around you for the past eighteen years, it’s my job to know you.”

“Buffy!” Dawn yelled as she ran down the stairs and engulfed her older sister in a long hug. “I’ve missed you. It’s so quite around here with you gone and mom and dad away on business.”

Maria walked over and took Buffy’s bag of dirty clothes. “I’ll give these to one of the maids to do for you. Why don’t the two of you go out by the pool and I’ll bring you something to drink.”

“Thank you Maria.”

*****

Summers’ Mansion- Poolside

“. . .That is so unfair.” Dawn whined after hearing about her patents being gone for another four weeks.

“Dawnie I’m sorry. You and I both know that their work is very important to them.”

“Yeah, more important then their own children.”

“Dawn you know that’s not true. Mother and Father love us very much, they just have a lot to get back in order after the move.”

“Which I blame on you.”

“What!? Why?”

“Buffy our parents were fine in L.A. The only reason we had to move was because of you. Daddy didn’t want you to be in a new town without him around.”

“That’s not true. They decided to move here so Mom could open her own Art Gallery.”

“We lived in Los Angeles. Do you really think that mom couldn’t have opened her own gallery there? Why on earth would she pick a town that isn’t even on any maps if she really wanted her business to go places.”

“That’s not the point.”

“It is so the point. They took me away from my friends so that they could be close to their precious Elizabeth. What would they think of you if they knew that you had an affair with a married man?”

“Dawn. We are not talking about this any longer, do you understand?” Buffy said as she moved from her seat and walked towards the door.

“Mom would be discussed with you. And Daddy, he would never look at you the same way again. I mean he can barely look at you now after what happened with Parker.”

“You don’t know what your talking about.”

“Don’t I? I know exactly what you let Parker do to you.”

Buffy turned back towards Dawn. “You know nothing.”

“Really? I’m not so stupid thirteen year old Buffy. I know what happened for the three years you were with him. What I don’t know or understand is why? Why would you let him treat you that way?”

“Your just a child, you don’t know anything.”

“He was your first. You slept with him for the first time on your seventeenth birthday your Junior year of High School after going out with him for a year an a half. You would always go with him to any fart party that was going on and stay out all night when Mom and Dad were out of town. Most of the time when you came home in the morning Maria would draw you a warm bath and you would stay locked in your room until it was time for school on Mondays.”

“Dawn please stop.”

“And every now and then I would see you trying to cover up bruises that you had. Buffy it doesn’t take a genus to figure out what was going on.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Your right I don’t. I don’t understand why you would stay with someone who treated you that way. I was eleven and I knew what he was doing to you wasn’t right.”

“I thought he loved me.” Buffy replied as a tear ran down her face.

“The only think Parker loved about you was the sex and you know it. When Daddy found out just how far your relationship was with Parker it made him sick. Your suppose to be my role model. The only thing I’ve learned from you is how not to be a slut by doing everything that you didn’t do.”

Before Buffy knew what was going on her hand came in contact with Dawn’s left cheek.

Dawn brought her face back towards Buffy as she placed her right hand over her stinging cheek. “You hit me.”

“Dawnie I’m so sorry.”

“You hit me.”

Buffy reached for Dawn.

“Stay away from me. I hate you.” Dawn yelled as she ran past Maria and up to her room.

Buffy crumbled to the ground in a fit of tears as Maria walked over and wrapped her arms around the petite blondes shacking body.

“Shh. . .”
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Chapter 16

Loft Apartment

“Willow have you seen my text book for American Politics anywhere?” Tara asked as she made her way through the different books that were scattered around the dinning room table.

Willow looked up from her laptop. “I think Anya was reading it. Something about learning about the people she would one day be taking money from.”

“She does know that most of the people in that particular book are dead by now doesn’t she?”

“I tried to explain that to her but she was having none of it.”

“I guess I could work on my government instead. . .Do you know where that book might be?”

“Anya tool them both.”

“Alright. American History it is. Do you mind if I join you.”

“Of course not. The more brains the merrier.”

*****

“Buffy what are your plans for tonight?” Cordelia asked as she ran her hands over the clothing in Buffy’s walk-in closet.

“I have major plans that consist of studying for my Economics’ test that I have tomorrow. Why?”

“I was just wondering.”

“Cordelia you don’t ask questions dealing with plans unless you already have them. So spill.”

“I was kinda thinking we could go hang over at Angel’s tonight.”

“Why does it have to be ‘we’? Why can’t it just be ‘you’?”

“Because Riley will be there, and no fun can be had with Angel if Riley is in the next bed.”

“So. Just have Angel come over here then. You have your own room, with a door that locks none the less. Anya has Xander over here almost every night.”

“That’s Anya, and Xander is friends with both Willow and Tara. I don’t want them to feel weird with Angel around.”

“Since when do you care about people feeling weird about anything.”

“I don’t.”

“Then why are we having this conversation?”

“Can we just change the subject now.”

“No. I want to know why you don’t want Angel to come over here?”

“So, what were you saying about your sister earlier?”

“Cordelia.”

“Please just drop it Buffy.”

“Fine. Dawn and I had a fight about why our parents moved to Sunnydale. She started talking about how it was my fault that she had to move and leave behind all her friends. Then she went into how our parents would react if they found out about what happened over the summer, and how discussed Mother would be and the way Father would react to everything. Then she went in about my ex-boyfriend Parker.”

“The one that. . .”

“That same one.”

“What happened after that.”

“She just kept talking about it, and how our Father had reacted after finding out how far Parker’s and my relationship had gone.”

“He knows about it all?”

“He doesn’t know how offend certain things happened but he knows that they happened.”

“Wow. My Father would probably ship me off somewhere while he hired people to take out the guy who did those things to me.”

“Parker comes from an equally powerful family as me. If we had gone public with any of it Parker would have come out as the victim do sole to the fact that his Father is a Judge in the courts in L.A.”

“It’s times like that you wish you’d dated someone with less money. But only times like that. What else happened with you and your sister?”

“She kept talking, and I’d finally had enough. I slapped her.”

“Buffy. . .”

“She still won’t talk to me. It’s been four days. Maria says that she doesn’t talk to any of them, and the only time she leaves her room is to go to school or to get something to eat.”

“Doesn’t she have a dance coming up next week?”

“Yeah?”

“I think I have a plan to get you and your sister talking again.”
----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 17

Dress Shopping

“Buffy, what color should do you think Dawn’s dress should be?” Cordelia asked as she ran her hand over the different colors and styles of semi-formula dresses as Dawn tried on the first five she had picked out.

“Huh?”

“Buffy, I asked you what color your sister’s dress should be.”

“I’m sorry Cordy. I really appreciate you getting Dawn to talk with me again, but I’m not much for shopping right now. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“Faith?”

“Did you see the way she was looking at me in class on Wednesday? I have no idea what she has planned.”

“Buffy don’t worry about it now. There’s nothing you can do about it right now.”

Buffy sighed. “I guess you right. God, how could I have been so stupid? It’s bad enough I kissed my English Professor, but not as bad as the fact that he’s married.”

“Buffy your not stupid. I would have never made out with my Professor in school with the door cracked open for anyone who stop in front of it to see. But that’s not the point. You have some unresolved feelings, you both still do. Now, if you don’t start helping me pick out your sister’s dress I’ll never speak to you again.”

Buffy let a small smile play across her face. “I wouldn’t want that, now would I?”

“Hey!”

“Dawn lets get this fashion show on the road.”

*****

Two Hours Later

“What do you think about this one?” Dawn asked as she walked out of the dressing room.

“That’s the one.” Cordelia stated as she saw her friend standing in front of her.

“Are you sure?” Dawn questioned as she looked at her reflection in every possible angle.

“Yes! It’s prefect.”

“It doesn’t make me look fat does it?”

“No!”

“But. . .”

“Dawn you weigh less then your sister over here, if that’s possible.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll get this one.”

“Great. Cordelia and I will be by the cashier when your ready.”

“Okay. Then we get food, right?”

“Food is a defendant must after hours of you trying on almost every dress in the shop.”

“Your just as bad when it comes to your own dress shopping.”

“Go now, or you pay for it with your own money.”

“I’m gone.” Dawn said as she walked back into the dressing room.

“Cordy thanks for doing this for us. It was really nice of you.”

“I have my moments. But you are so going to owe me in the future.”

*****

Food Court

Riley and Angel seat at a table with their drinks, relieving the past game, while they waited for Angel’s younger brother it get his food.

“Did you see how I made that last touchdown? It was amazing!”

“I swear Angel, the way you talk people are going to think football is the only thing your good at.” Cordelia said with a grin on her face as she and Buffy took seats next to their dates for Homecoming.

Angel pulled Cordelia down onto his lap. “I’ll have you know I’m good at many things.” Cordelia took her own seat next to Angel as Buffy took one next to Riley.

“Um. Lets keep this PG. My little sister is with us.” Buffy said motioning towards Dawn who was walking back to the table with Connor.

“Sorry kido.” Riley replied as he made room for the younger teens to sit.

“So, what brings you lovely ladies to the mall this afternoon?“ Angel asked as he placed his hand on Cordelia’s uncovered knee.

“We’re helping Buffy’s little sister pick out her dress for her first middle school dance next weekend.”

“Oh, Connor your going to that right?”

“Yeah.” Connor looked at his brother with a worried look in his eyes. ‘Please don’t do what you are about to do. Please. Please. Please.’

“Why don’t you take Buffy’s lil sis as your date.” Angel replied knowing just how much Connor would hate him for it.

Dawn just sat there as all the older teens turned to face the younger couple.

“That is if Dawn doesn’t already have a date.”

“No.” Dawn answered as her face reddened.

“Alright then. Connor ask Dawn to the dance.”

Connor shot glares at his older brother before turning towards Dawn. “Um. . .Would you. . .Would you like to go with me?”

“Sure.”

“Really?”

“Pick me up at 7:30?”

“Okay.”

“Isn’t young love so adorable?” Angel asked in a mocking tone.

“Dawn here’s some money, why don’t you and Connor go walk around the mall and I’ll have Harry pick you up in the front and drive you both home around seven.” Buffy said as she put her wallet back into her purse.

“What about my dress?”

“I’ll drop it off at the house when I tell Harry what time to get you and before I head back to campus.”

“Okay.”

Once the younger teens were out of sight the older one returned to talking about their own lives.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 18

10:43am-Professor Winthrop’s Lecture Hall

“That concludes class for today. Don’t forget that your papers are do next week, and I will not except anything late.”

The lecture hall was filled with the noises of student shuffling papers and pick up their belongings. And the sound of their shoes going down the steps and out into the hallway.

“Ms. Summers I’d like to speak with you for a moment alone.”

“Sure. Cordelia why don’t you go ahead and I’ll meet you in the front quad.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“Alright. Don‘t forget to close the door this time.”

“Goodbye Ms. Chase.” Spike said as he closed and locked the door behind her.

“So, what would you like to speak with me about?” Buffy asked as Spike walked back over to his desk where she was standing.

“The final project for this class.” Spike said as he pulled out a set of paper from his briefcase.

“What about it?”

“I think it might be harder for you then it will be for the rest of the class.”

“Why is that?”

Spike handed Buffy the papers he was holding. “This is a outline I made for the final project.”

Buffy read over the paper before looking back up towards Spike. “You want us to write about life changing events that happened to us to make us who we are?”

“Yes. I feel as a teacher that people write with more feeling when the assignment is based on their real lives.”

“Let me get this right. You as the teacher feel that your students write with ‘more feeling’ when they have to most likely relive extremely painful moments, all for a grade.”

“Buffy I knew that this project would be hard for you, that’s why I decided to tell you about this months before its actually due.”

“How sweet of you to be thinking of others.”

“Buffy . . .” Spike whispered in a low voice as he reached his hand out towards her.

“I have to go, I suppose to be having lunch with my friends right now.”

Spike stood in silence as Buffy stumbled around gathering her books and bag.

“I’ll see you in class next week?”

Buffy just nodded her head and walked out the door.

*****

Loft Apartment

“At least he told you about it.”

“Cordelia I don’t think I will be able to do this.”

“Why not?”

“I slapped my sister all because she was talking about it.”

“I see your point.”

“He knew I would react this way.”

“Maybe if you talk with him, he can give you a different assignment for the final project.”

“No. I’ll do the paper. I’m tried of running from my past.”

“You’re not really running from it if it’s right in front of you.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 19

Buffy’s Bedroom

{The bedroom was lit with dozens of candles, and rose petals covered both the path way to the bed and the bed itself.

“Is all this for me?” Buffy asked as her eyes began to tear up from the beauty of the room.

“Of course Luv. Who else would it be for?” Spike asked as he wrapped his arms around Buffy’s small waist.

“It’s beautiful.” Buffy said as she turned to face Spike, still wrapped in his arms. What’s the reason behind it?”

“Don’t always need a reason.” He said as he lead her further into the room. “But since you asked I’ll tell you, after you open your gift.”

“I get a gift?” Buffy asked with a large smile on her face.

Spike nodded. “More than one, Pet. That is, of course if you’re a very good girl.”

“What if I don’t want to be a good girl?” Buffy teased with a pout on her face.

Spike grinned at Buffy’s pout before leaning down and nipping at her lower lip. “You’ll want to be.”

They both locked eyes for a moment. Both seeing how much the other loved and wanted them.

“You’d better sit down or we’ll miss the whole purpose of this evening.”

Buffy took a seat in a chair in the corner of the room. “You mean this night isn’t just `bout sex?” She asked with a grin on her face.

“No, this night is about much more than just sex.” Spike answered in a rather serious tone as he pulled out a small ring box and kneeled in front of Buffy.

Buffy’s eyes widened as she watched Spike’s movements.

“In this box is a symbol of my love for you.” Spike opened the box to reveal a large emerald cut ruby set on a platinum band. “The jeweler at the shop said it was the deepest red ruby he had ever seen, and coming from a man who has been doing this for the past 45 years, you tend to believe him.”

Buffy raised a shacking hand to the ring. “Spike, its beautiful.”

“The color represents how deeply my love for you goes.” Spike pulled the ring out of the box. “I wanted you to have something that every time you saw it you would think of me, and know how much I truly love you.” Spike then placed the ruby on Buffy’s ring finger.

“I’ll never take it off. I. . .”}

“. . .love you. . .”Buffy muttered while she turned her head in her sleep.

Willow closed the door of her sleeping roommate’s room and went back to the phone that was waiting down stairs.

“I’m sorry she’ll still asleep at the moment. Can I take a message?”

“. . .”

“I’ll be sure she gets the message.”

“Who was that?” Tara asked as she walked over to where Willow was standing.

“An old friend of Buffy’s from L.A. He said his name was Parker.” Willow answered as she wrote down the message for Buffy.

“Oh. I was planning on making pancakes. Do you want?”

“With funny shapes?” Willow asked as a large grin formed on her face, jumping up and down slightly.

“Of Course.”

“Lets go.” Willow interlocked her arm with Tara’s never noticing the message fall behind the cabinet the phone rested on.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 20

Summers’ Mansion

It was a little after six and Buffy and Cordelia were trying their best to get Dawn to claim down so they could finish getting her ready for her first middle school dance.

“My hair is all wrong, and this dress really does make me look fat. Connor going to be here soon and nothing is going right.” Dawn yelled at the older teens as she paced her room.

Cordelia was just about to say to hell with the whole thing and leave Buffy to deal with her annoying sister all by herself. “Buffy I can’t take it anymore. Your sister is driving me crazy. I could be out parting right now with Angel, but instead I’m here helping you get your sister to forgive you for slapping her when after thinking about I think you were in the right with the whole thing.”

“Cordelia I know, and I’m really sorry. I will make this up to you, I promise.”

“Yeah well you’d better make it up to me. Thank god Mother and Father stopped have children after me.”

“Hello. This is my night and the two of you aren’t helping.”

Cordelia was heading towards Dawn when Buffy stopped her. “Why don’t you go get some air and I’ll finish up here.”

“Fine.”

Buffy turned to Dawn once Cordelia left the room. “Alright. Your hair looks great. The dress does not make you look fat. And Connor won’t be here for another hour. You need to claim down. Cordelia went through a lot of trouble to help you out tonight and I think it’s best if you thank her for it before you leave.”

“But. . .”

“I also think that if your smart you will sit your little ass down before you really do ruin all the work Cordy and I have gone through over the past two hours.”

“I. . .”

“Do it.”

“Your worse than Maria.” Dawn said as she sat down in the chair in front of her vanity.

“I’ll take that as a complement. Now, I’m going to go find Cordy and I’ll come get you when Connor shows up.”

Buffy was opening the door when she heard her name called.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“What are big sis’s for? I’ll be back soon.”

*****

The Bronze

“It was a complete nightmare.” Cordelia said from her seat next to Angel.

“It wasn’t that bad.” Buffy added.

“Buffy please, we did your sisters hair and makeup like a thousand times.”

“Okay, your right. It was a nightmare. But it was wroth it. Did you see her face light up when she saw Connor at the foot of the stairs? It was so sweet.”

“I take it my little brother might get lucky tonight?”

“Um. Hello her older sister is sitting right in front of you. If any part of your brother even come close to getting lucky tonight, lets just say he won’t be much of a man when I’m done with him.”

“Can we change the subject now? I really don’t want to spend the rest of my night talking about thirteen and fourteen years olds when I could be dancing with a certain varsity football player.”

“I guess you could dance with Riley. I’ve been wanting to take Buffy for a spin. Ow! I was just joking.”

“Keep it up mister and you’ll be going home alone.” Cordelia said as she took Angel’s offered hand and headed to the dance floor.

*****

An Hour Later

“Tell me again why I had to come with the two of you?” Spike asked as he entered The Bronze.

“You came with us because Dru is helping her father at the shop again, and we need you here in order to get chicks.” Deacon stated as he surveyed the club for his next conquest.

“And you need me here for that because?”

“It simple. More girls come around us when you’re here. Your married so the girls who wanted you turn to us in their time of need.”

“So, let me get this straight. The girls want me. But upon my not being available they turn to you.”

“Right.”

“You need some serious help Deacon. And what about you Carter?”

“I’m just along for the ride like you are.”

“Ah.”

“Besides, I more of a long term kinda guy. Unlike Deacon, who’s trying to get over the love of his adult life by making it all about his next lay.“ `I’d actually like a girl like Buffy.’ Carter thought to himself, knowing how Spike would react if he ever learned the fact about his feelings for the girl Spike was ready to leave his wife for. Carter had been there for Buffy when she had found out about Drusilla. Carter knew how much pain she was in, and in that moment he knew he never wanted to see her hurt that way again. Carter knew that Buffy was aware of his feelings for her, and he knew that she would never feel the same way. Clearing his head of all thoughts he joined the others in looking around the club.

Spike was looking around the club; it was different being on the floor instead of on the stage. When he was on the stage he got a rush. He knew everyone was there to see the band, and he always felt good about being able to get audiences full attention with the sound of his voice. As he looked further through the club his eyes came to rest on a petite blonde who was dancing dangerously close to a much taller man.

“Spike, whose Buffy’s new man?” Deacon asked as he watched the way Buffy was moving her hips.

Spike turn to face Deacon. “What!?”

Deacon pointed out onto the dance floor. “Over there.”

Spike looked back on the dance floor, only this time he could see Buffy’s face just before Riley leaned down and captured her lips.

“How come you didn’t tell us she could move like that?” Deacon asked still in shock by how much he was being turned on by just watching Buffy move her hips.

Carter punched Deacon in the arm.

“OW! What was that for?”

Carter nodded his head towards Spike was now looking at the opposite side of the club.

“Oh. . .”

Spike never knew anything could hurt more than the day Buffy found out the truth. But now, seeing Buffy making-out with another man felt like his world was falling apart all over again. He knew he had no right to feel this way. Buffy was free to be with anyone she wanted. But he still couldn’t help but feel a touch of jealousy.

*****

On the dance floor Buffy was having a hard time keeping up this act. She liked Riley, and at any other time in her life she would have been head over heels for him. But right now her mind was screaming for Spike. To have Spike’ hands and lips running all over her body. To have him whisper loving words into her ear after hours of making love. To just be with him. After a few moments Buffy pulled away from Riley and took his hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

Riley nodded his head and retrieved their belonging and took Buffy’s offered hand once more.

Buffy cast one last look towards Spike before she headed home, with Riley.
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Chapter 21

[Sunnydale- Over The Summer

Drusilla knew something was going on with her husband. He was almost never home, and when he did stop by it was only to drop off his dirty clothes in exchange for clean ones. They hadn’t even had sex since the end of May.

She had called the apartment that he spent so much time at, with his band members but got no answers. He even had his own room there, and paid for his own share of the rent. It was as if they weren’t married anymore.

At first it was nice to have the house to herself. She had her own time, and didn’t always have to worry about her husband walking in on her with one of her many lovers. But now she was starting to miss Her Spike. And she also had to know if the rumors were true.

One night Dru has gone out to see Spike’s band playing at The Bronze and overheard some teenage girls going on about how lucky that blonde girl was to be dating the lead singer.

Dru didn’t think anything of it at first, until she was Spike with his arm wrapped around some blonde’s waist. She went over to confront them, but by the time she made it across the club they were gone.

She was now in her car driving to her husband’s apartment in order to find out what was going on once and for all. Her and her father had even come up with a plan in order to keep Spike from leaving if that was his intentions.

Dru knew that the most important thing to Spike was family, ever since both his parents had died when he was young he had known that no matter what he would always be around for his children. Dru was planning on using his need to be a good father for her own gain. The truth was that Dru didn’t want children, they were loud and always needed to be looked after. For as long as Dru had been with Spike he had asked her to go off the pill so they could start a family. She agreed to go off the pill for him, and started to get the shot every three months. There were no pills in the house and she didn’t have to worry about getting pregnant. For the most part Spike just thought that they weren’t having any luck yet.

As Dru parked the car in front of the apartment she prepared herself for the best dramatic performance of a lifetime.]

*****

“Your wearing the ring I gave you.” It wasn’t a question as much as it was a statement.

Buffy looked up from her notes. “What?”

Spike took hold of Buffy’s left hand. “The ring, your wearing it.”

Buffy pulled her hand free. “Don’t read to much into it. I’m only wearing it because it goes with the outfit I picked out today.”

“Right, the outfit.”

Buffy stood and walked away from the table. “What are you doing here anyways? And why are you questioning my accessories?”

Spike walked over towards Buffy. “You’ve had the ring on everyday that I’ve seen you.”

“I never took it off.” Buffy responded to low for Spike to hear.

“What was that?”

Buffy turned to face Spike. “I said. . .I never took it off. . .It’s been on my finger ever since the night you gave it to me.”

Spike took Buffy’s hand again and placed a soft kiss over the ring.

After a moment Buffy pulled her hand away again. “Don’t.”

Spike stepped closer “Don’t what?”

“Spike we’re in a library full of college students and other professors.”

“Then come back to my office.”

“What!? Why are you acting this way?”

“I saw you at The Bronze over the weekend leaving with ‘Captain America’.”

“And because of that you want to get all touchy feely in a public place filled with people?”

“Come back to my office and it won’t be so public.” Spike said as he ran a hand up Buffy’s arm.

Buffy walked back over to the table and gathered her things. “I’m only going with you so we can talk. Do you understand?”

“Talk. Understood.”

“Good. Lets go.”

*****

The moment the door to Spike’s office was closed he had Buffy pinned against a wall with his right leg positioned between both of hers.

“We can’t do this. . .”

“Tell me that you don’t want this.”

Spike placed his hand on the inside of Buffy’s uncovered thigh, moving north until he reached the outside of her now damp panties. Buffy moaned when he pushed the fabric aside.

“I don’t. . .”

“Did your farm boy make you feel this way?” Spike asked in a low whisper as he slide one of his long index fingers inside.

Buffy pushed Spike away from her and fixed her skirt. “Your willing to take the chances of someone see us together in the library all because you’re jealous of Riley?”

“I’m not jealous of that wanker.”

“Yes you are. It’s driving you crazy just thinking of Riley touching me the way you use to. Of me screaming his name instead of yours.”

“No! Yes. I just didn’t like seeing you with him.”

“How do you think I feel when I see you and Drusilla walking around campus together.”

“I know I have no right to be jealous of who you’re with.”

“Your right you don’t, but nether do I. And just so you know, I didn‘t sleep with Riley.”

A wave of relief washed over Spike. “So what do we do?”

“I tell you the truth.”

“And what’s that?”

“Its over. . .It has to be.” Buffy said as she gathered her bag and headed towards the door. Turning to face Spike one more time. “I’m sorry, William.” And with that she was gone.
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Chapter 22

Two Weeks Later

The last two weeks had been uneventful. Riley and Buffy were now an official couple. The only time Buffy and Spike interacted with each other in any way was during English Class. Buffy had even returned the ring he have given her over the summer.

Buffy’s parents wouldn’t be home for another week, and this weekend was the big Homecoming Dance. Dawn had even started to date Angel’s younger brother Connor. All and Buffy’s life had gone back to normal.

*****

The plan was for all the girls to come over to the Summers’ Mansion to get ready. Cordelia, Anya, Willow and even Tara were suppose to show up at 4pm, giving them plenty of time to get ready before their dates showed up.

Cordelia was going with Angel. Anya was of course going with Xander, and Willow and Tara were going stag because Oz was out of town with his band. Oz. And last but not least, Buffy was being taken by Riley.

Angel’s Father was letting them use his stretch limo for the night. The dance itself was being held at The Bronze, with an after party at the Loft Apartment.

*****

Right now Buffy was at The Bronze making sure that all the decorations were put up and that the lighting was just right. Buffy was the only one in the club other than the owner do to the fact it was eight in the morning and none of the other people who helped earlier wanted to crawl out of bed that early on a Saturday. Buffy made one final check of the club before heading out to her car.

*****

“It looks great in there. You did a good job.”

Buffy turned around to face Spike. “Thanks. How are you doing?”

“Now there’s a loaded question.”

“I just meant. . .”

“I know what you meant pet. I’m alright.”

“I’m glad.”

“How `bout you?”

“I doing better. How’s Drusilla?”

“You don’t have to stick around and make small talk with me luv. If you want to leave just say so.”

“I wouldn’t ask a question if I didn’t want the answer to it.”

“Dru’s good. Found out she’s having a baby boy.”

“Congratulations. You’ll make a great Father.” Buffy said while trying to fight back tears.

Spike took a step forward. “Buffy. . .”

“I’m sorry, I have to go now.”

And before Spike could say another thing Buffy was already half-way out of the parking lot.

*****

2:30pm

“Dawn, Janice’s Mother is here.” Buffy yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

A moment later the young teen came racing down the stairs, over-night bag in hand.

“Bye Buffy. I’ll see you after school on Monday.” Dawn yelled as she ran past her sister and out the door.

“bye. . .” Buffy whispered after hearing the door slam shut.

*****

4:10pm

“Okay, everyone’s here. It’s time to put project Homecoming Dance in motion.” Buffy said as she lead the girls up to the stairs.

*****

7:30pm

“Come on Buffy the guys will be here any minute.” Cordelia yelled from the other side of Buffy’s bedroom door.

“I’m not going!” Buffy yelled back through the door.

“WHAT!? WHY?”

“I can not wear this dress, it shows way to much skin.”

“Buffy if you don’t open this door right now then I’m going to have three varsity football players break it down when they get here.”

Buffy took a deep breath before finally opening her door.

The other four girls gasped as they saw the petite blonde walk out of the room. Buffy stood in front of the group in a long black silk dress. The front of the dress dipped down showing the modest amount of cleavage, and had a long slit running up the middle. If standing in the right position a pair of matching black high-heels were visible, the left ankle had a black butterfly in the strap. The dress had straps that wrapped around Buffy’s shoulders and attached back to the front of the dress. The back of the dress started just beneath her dragon flies tattoo, and cascaded to the ground with a small train.

“To much skin?” Buffy asked in a nervous voice.

“Buffy you look amazing.”

“Thanks Will’s, so do you.”

*****

Five minutes later the boys had shown up, and now the couples were in the limo on their way to a night they would never forget.
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Chapter 23

The Magic Box

Ethan walked out if the back room after hearing the bell in his shop ring when the door opened.

“Drusilla, what are you doing here? And why are you so dressed up? I thought you had plans with Spike tonight.”

Dru twirled around the room. “Do you like?”

“Darling of course. It’s a lovely shade of red.”

“Thank you. Spike’s band is playing a couple of sets for UC Sunnydale’s Homecoming Dance so I decided I would join him there. That way when he’s not playing we can spend some time together.”

“That’s very good thinking.”

“Yes it is.”

*****

The Bronze

“I don’t think this was such a good idea.” Spike said as he looked out into the club that was rapidly filling with high school students from his spot backstage with Carter and Deacon.

“Man, the club is paying us extra for playing a couple of sets tonight. What’s not a good about that?” Deacon said as he patted Spike on the back.

“Deacon, the not good that Spike is referring to is the fact that Dru will be in the club tonight.”

“So?”

Spike turned to face Deacon. “So? Dru will be here tonight. Buffy will be here tonight.”

“What Spike is trying to say is, even though Dru and Buffy have been around each other for almost two months, they’ve never really been in a situation like this. Something bad could happen here.”

“Like what?”

“Bloody Hell! What if Dru recognizes Buffy in some way? What if I make a mistake when I’m around either of them? What if. . .”

“What if you don’t like the way her date is looking at her?” Deacon stated as he watched Buffy walk into the club with her dates arms wrapped protectively around her waist, along with the rest of her friends.

Spike looked out into the club. “Exactly.”

*****

“Wow! Buffy you did an amazing job with this place.”

“Thank you Riley. I had a lot of help from the JV Cheerleader Squad.”

“Don’t forget me!”

“Oh! Right, and Anya helped handle the money.”

“Well, you all did an great job. Now, lets go find our table before some other people get the wrong idea and try to take it.” Angel said as he placed a hand on the small of Cordelia’s back and lead the group through the other students to the middle of the seating area.

*****

“Alright ladies and gentlemen, it a few minutes the band ‘Loves Bitch’ will be taking over in the entertainment department, but first two of UC Sunnydale’s Professors who like to take this time to show the appreciation of the entire school. Ladies and gentlemen lets put our hands together for Mr. and Mrs. Winthrop.”

All the students clapped as the couple made their ways onto the stage.

“Thank you. . .Now, it is our pleasure to introduce the young woman who helped put this evening together for the rest of you. Would Ms. Summers please join us on the stage?”

Clapping rang throughout the club once again as Buffy slowly made her way to the stage the same way the two Professors had done before her.

Buffy slowly walked up the steps to the stage area and stopped in front of Spike, with her back facing Drusilla.

“On behalf of the students and faculty of UC Sunnydale we would like to take this moment to show our thanks to you for doing such a great job.”

As Dru watched Spike hand Buffy the bouquet of flowers she noticed the gentle way he ran his hand down her arm, never breaking eye contact. It was when he moved his hand away that Dru notice the tattoo in the middle of Buffy’s lower back.

‘It’s her. . .’
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