Buffy heads to the library for some light reading. She sees and talks to Spike, right before they get 'physical'.

LIBRARY


It had been a warm day so far. She was bored. She couldn't find anything good on TV and she had read all the books lying around her room at least twice. She wanted something new. Something exciting. Something...naughty. She knew that the library didn't carry anything sexually explicit, but the romances they had would do. So, she got her keys, her wallet and walked out the door. The drive wasn't a long one, considering the library was only about five blocks away. She probably could have walked it, but it was just too damn hot. As it was, she started sweating the instant she stopped her car. She was greeted with a gush of cold air as she opened the door to the building that housed the library. She walked in and smiled at the librarian. She knew what she wanted and knew where they were, so she headed to the back. She browsed the selection they had and chose a book with a beefy looking blonde guy staring off into the distance and an amply endowed brunette with pouty lips hanging onto his leg, looking up at him with a look of seduction in her eyes. She sat in one of the chairs, tucked her legs under her, and began to read.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but when she looked up, it was a bit darker than when she came in. She looked around and realized that other than the people working the library, she was nearly alone. There was one other person there. Funny she hadn't noticed him before. Oh well. She noticed him now. He was average build from what she could tell with short, bleach blonde hair and a nice ass as he was bending over at the time she saw him. She couldn't stop herself from staring and only realized she was doing it when he stood up and looked over at her. She gasped when she saw blue eyes look back at her. He smiled and her eyes widened before she looked away. He walked past her humming a little tune and she blushed, her ears burning so hot she was sure he could tell. But he didn't seem to as he kept walking past her. She looked up in time to see him take a seat at one of the tables at the other end of the room. She looked away before he realized she was staring at him. She picked up her book to try and finish reading. Every so often, she would sneak glances at him over the top of her book. During one of these glances, he just so happened to look up and their eyes met. She blushed and he smiled.

She glanced at her watch and was shocked to see that it was just past eight. She had been there for three hours. She stood up and walked back to the romance section to get another book to take home with her. She snuck a peek at the gorgeous blonde, seeing that he was totally engrossed in whatever he was writing, before picking a book by the same author of the one she was reading. Taking both books up to the front desk, she pulled out her wallet to get her library card. She had just placed the card and books on the counter when she felt a presence behind her. Before she could register anything else, she felt warm breath on her neck as someone whispered in her ear,"Excuse me, luv, but are these yours?" The raspiness of the voice as well as the British accent sent a shiver down her spine and caused her eyes to close momentarily. She turned to see those same blue eyes she had seen earlier staring at her. 'Oh my God,' was all she could think. He smirked at her then, drawing her eyes to his lips. And what fine lips they were. Not too thin, but not too full either. Definitely good kissing lips. She felt drawn to those lips as she unconsciously leaned forward. The only thing that stopped her from actually kissing him right then and there was a cough from behind.

*Ahem*

She turned to see the librarian, Mr. Giles, looking at her with an expectant look on his face. "Miss? Are you ready to check out these books?"

She blushed and nodded her head, embarrassed that he had almost seen her jump on the stranger behind her. Mr. Giles, or just Giles as he liked to be called, swiped her card and stamped the back of the books with the return date. "Here you go Miss Summers. I hope you enjoy the read." She smiled and walked out the door after grabbing her books and slipping her card into her wallet. She didn't notice the stranger had followed her outside. She reached in her pocket to get her keys when she realized that they weren't there. She must have left them inside. She was about to walk back in when she noticed that he had followed her out.

He walked up to her and asked,” forget something pet?"

She simply nodded and looked down at her feet. "I think I left my keys inside," she said without looking up at him.

"Oh? You mean these keys?", he asked and held up her keys with the little 'Dracula' keychain.

She looked at the keys, then at him and back to the keys before nodding her head again. She reached out for them, mumbling "thanks", but he pulled them out of her reach. She looked confused at first, but then angry as she crossed her arms and tapped her foot.

"Can I have them now?"

"What will I get if I give them to you?", he asked.

"Excuse me?!"

"You heard me. What will I get? I think something this important to you would at least get me a kiss," he smirked.

She stared at him wide eyed for a second before scowling. "Are you serious?", she asked him.

“Completely.”

"Well,” she said, seeming to give it some serious thought, “I think you'd be lucky if you walk away with your manhood in tact." Without warning, she had him by the shoulders and was jamming her knee up into his groin. He hit the ground with a thud, letting go of her keys so he could grab is aching body part.

"Bloody hell woman! I was only playing,” he yelled at her.

She bent over to pick up her keys and smiled sweetly down at him, the venomous look in her eyes the only thing betraying the anger she felt.

"I don't play well with others," she said as she turned back to her car.

He got up and slowly limped over to her just as she was about the close the door. "Hey, you crazy chit, I-", but before he could say anything else, she raised her hand to stop whatever else he was going to say. "First of all," she said, "I'm not crazy. And secondly, I'm not a 'chit' whatever the hell that is."

"Fine, you're not a chit, but I'm not too sure about the crazy part. I mean, how many other sane women would knee a guy in his most intimate of intimates for returning her keys?"

"Well," she said," I didn't like the way you were approaching me and I felt threatened. So I reacted. You're as much to blame as I am. I mean, c'mon, a kiss? Isn't that how all those stalker type stories start out or something? For all I knew, you were some psycho looking for his next victim."

He looked at her and noticed that she was completely serious. 'This girl's got some spunk to her. I like it,' he thought, 'she's not so bad either,' taking a moment to check her out. "You know what? You're right. I find that your reaction was totally justified so I forgive you."

"Forgive me?" She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine, you forgive me. Can I go now?"

"Not so fast,luv. I do have one favor to ask you and please, don't do anymore damage than you already have."

She eyed him suspiciously before slowly nodding her head, thinking she didn't know who was crazier, him for still talking to her or her for listening to him.

"Your name."

"Huh?" She gave him a confused look.

"I want your name. First only is fine," he added quickly when he noticed the slightly panicked look in her eye. There was no way he could let her get away from him without at least learning her name.

"Buffy,” she said after a moments hesitation.

"Interesting name, pet. Suits you though." He held out his hand and she tentatively took it. "Names Spike." He shook her hand.

"Spike? Is that really your name?"

"Of course it is. Think I'd lie to you?"

She rolled her eyes again thinking, 'and he had issues with my name'. "Fine. Spike. Can I go now or do I have to hurt you again?" She said the last part with a glint of amusement in her green eyes.

"No!" he said a little too loudly and quickly. She couldn't help but smile. "Feel free to leave. Don't want to feel your wrath anymore tonight. See you around Goldilocks," he added with a smirk and turned to go back into the library. She rolled her eyes again and let go of the breath she didn't realize she was holding. She drove home with a thoughtful look on her face, not realizing that he was watching her from the door of the building. When she was out of sight, Spike turned around and went to get his stuff from where he had left it. He was just about to walk out when Giles called out to him.

"William. Can I have a word with you?"

"Da, I told you, I don't go by 'William' anymore. Please call me 'Spike'."

"Bah. 'William' is what your mother and I named you and 'William' is what you will always be to us. No matter how many people call you that other name"

Spike rolled his eyes and gave up. "Fine. What's up? Did you want something?"

Giles smiled as he remembered the way his son had eyed the young woman who was in front of him in line. "Did you give that nice young lady back her keys?"

"Yeah, and got knee for my trouble," Spike grumbled.

His dad looked at him with a confused look on his face before shaking his head. "Miss Summers really is a nice young lady. I don't think I know anyone that young who enjoys to read as much as she does. Well," he added, with a knowing glance at his son, "except maybe for you." He noticed the slight blush to Spike's face before continuing. "I told your mother that I would invite you to supper at the house later this week. Interested?"

Spike smiled and nodded his head. "Of course. Sorry I haven't been by to see you or mum as much lately. Work and school," he said with a shrug. "You know how it is."

Giles nodded and sighed. "You know how proud you mother and I are right? Working and going to school. We understand how stressful it can be, which is why your mum wants you to come for dinner. Something about a home-cooked meal or whatnot. So, Friday at eight then?"

Spike nodded and seemed to think something over before speaking again. "Can I bring someone?"

Giles seemed taken aback before he recovered. "Of course you can William. But, wait, it's not that Drusilla person is it?" He said her name as if it left an awful taste in his mouth. "You know your mother can't stand her. All her talk about the stars and such. Makes your mum uncomfortable it does, what with her having gypsy blood and all."

"No Da, not Drusilla. I told you, we haven't seen each other since I caught her with her professor last year. I can forgive a lot of things, but cheating isn't one of them," he said with a hint of pain and anger in his voice. Giles knew better then to push for a conversation on feelings so he just let it drop.

"Okay then, Friday at eight plus one. Sounds like a plan. See you then. And do be careful on the way home."

Spike chuckled and waved at his dad before walking out of the building. Giles sighed and began to close the library, thinking about his son and the way he seemed around Buffy Summers. She was an exceptional young woman. Tragic about her mother though. He sighed again and was about to shut off his computer when he noticed something on the counter. He picked it up and saw that it was a driver's license. Turning it over, he smiled when he saw that it belonged to the young woman he was just thinking about. Holding her license in his hand, he picked up the phone and dialed his son's cell phone.

"Spike here."

"William, it's your dad. Mind if I stop by real quick? I need a favor."

THE FAVOR

Spike looked up and down the street before looking back at the house. Somehow, he hadn't pictured his little minx living in this family oriented home. He wondered belatedly if maybe she was a mom or someone's wife. He hadn't noticed a ring on her finger the other day, but then again, he wasn't exactly looking at her hands when he did look at her.

Sighing, he put his hands in his pockets and walked up the walkway to the front door. He rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer, praying that it wouldn't be some big, jealous husband type. He was about to ring again when he heard footsteps coming to the door. He smiled when the door opened and there stood his blonde beauty with flour on her face and her hair up in a messy bun. She looked confused at first, then stunned, followed closely by anger and finally wariness.

"Spike?"

"Made an impression the other day did I pet," he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"What are you doing here? Did you follow me home the other day? Are you stalking me? I know tae kwon do so don't try anything. If I hurt you it's considered self defense. I'll scream and my neighbors will hear and call the cops and then-" Spike stopped her mid-rant.

"Buffy, take a breath. You're turning blue, luv" he said with chuckle. Buffy stared at him open mouthed for a second, closed her mouth, took a deep breath and composed herself. She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes to look at him.

"Spike, what are you doing here and how did you know where I lived?"

She noticed his hands were in his pockets only after he took out his left hand to get something from his back pocket. Her eyes went wide when she noticed it was her driver's license. Before he could say anything, she ran upstairs to her room to get her wallet, forgetting that he was there or that the door was wide open. She quickly went through it only to see that her license was, in fact, missing. She hadn't even realized it. Talk about not paying attention. She just thanked God that she hadn't been stopped by the police in the last two days.


She suddenly remembered the blonde hair, blue eyed guy standing in her doorway. Smacking her hand against her head, she went back downstairs. Spike was still standing where she left him, looking down at his shoes for lack of anything better to do. He looked up when he heard the stairs creak announcing her way down. Buffy smiled sheepishly and blushed. Spike just stood there and smirked, holding out her license.

"Thanks," she said, taking it from his hand and putting it on the table by her keys. "You didn't have to bring it you know. I'm sure the library would've called if...wait, if I left it at the library, why do you have it?"

"Mind if I come in luv? I promise to keep my hands to myself. I have a favor to ask you too. Nothing bad," he added when he saw the look on her face. She thought about it for a second then moved aside to allow him access to her house.

"Coffee?" she asked.

"Sure pet. Lead the way." Spike followed Buffy into the kitchen and chuckled when he saw that she was in the process of making a cake when he had come calling. She indicated for him to sit at the table as she went about making the coffee and trying to tidy her attempt at baking mess.

When the coffee was done, she poured them each a cup and placed his in front of him. She then got the sugar and creamer, along with a couple of spoons, and put them on the table also. She sat down and put just enough creamer and sugar in her coffee to take away the bitter taste. She watched in awe as he put spoonful after spoonful of sugar in his cup. He looked up at her and she raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Like a little coffee with your sugar I see. Explains a lot I guess."

"What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?" She smiled and shook her head.

"So, tell me, Spike, how did you get my license and what favor can I do you for...I mean...can I do for you? Oh, shut up," she said when he laughed at what had just come out of her mouth.

"So pet, wanna do me huh? Can't say I blame you." Buffy rolled her eyes.

"I so didn't mean it like that. That's just what I say to my friends. Ego much? If all you're gonna do is laugh at me, in my house, then I have to ask you to get out."

Spike stopped laughing, but couldn't keep the smile from his lips. "Okay, I'll behave...for now." Buffy rolled her eyes. "Anyway, my Da saw your license the other day and asked if I could return it to you. Didn't have anything to do, so I said yeah."

"Wait, your what?"

"Da? Sorry..." he rolled his eyes, "American women", he grumbled with a shake of his head, "my dad. Mr. Giles. The librarian. You know?"

"Wait, Giles is your dad? But he's so nice and refined and gentlemanly and you're so...not."

"Gee, thanks so much for the vote of confidence pet," he said with a roll of his eyes.

"Why did it take you so long to bring it by? I was at the library on Saturday and it's Monday. What possibly could have happened on Sunday to keep you from...wait, you know what? I don't want to know. Thank you for bringing it by. I don't know where my mind was when I left it. Or rather, when I didn't notice it was gone. Thank God I didn't speed or write a check or..what?" she asked when she noted his smile.

"Anyone ever tell you that your bloody adorable when you ramble?"

"I wasn't rambling," she said stubbornly. When she saw his smile get bigger, she blushed and looked down sheepishly. "Was I?"

He nodded. "Yeah, but I don't mind. You scrunch up your nose when you're thinking really hard. Like I said, adorable."

"Whatever. Anyway, did you say something about a favor too?" She noticed that he suddenly became shy and blushing. She couldn't help but smile when she saw this cocky, egotistical guy acting shy around her. His question, though, about knocked her out of her chair.

"My parents invited me for dinner on Friday and I wanted to know if you wanted to go," he said without looking at her and studying his cup of coffee. When she didn't answer right away or hit him with anything, he looked up at her and saw her just staring at him, in a trance almost. He waved his hand in front of her face. "Pet? You still there?"

"S-sorry. You just kinda...threw me for a loop is all. Dinner? With your parents? Why?" She couldn't keep the shock from her voice as she tried to think why this guy, whom she had just met, was inviting her to dinner with his parents.

"Well, to be honest, if I don't have someone in my life, my mum sees fit to invite a lady friend for these dinners. Kinda like a blind date. You know? And I just kinda want to avoid it this time. Besides, I kinda like you and wouldn't mind getting to know you better."

"Did that knee to the groin do some kind of permanent damage to your brain or something?" she asked half seriously, though she was thinking about saying yes.

"Thanks for bringing up a sore, and I do mean sore, subject pet," he winced at the memory. "So, what do you say? Be my Friday night dinner buddy? I'll pay you back anyway you can think of." He curled his tongue behind his teeth, letting her guess just how he would like to pay her back.

"Eww. Gross much." she said when it became obvious how he wanted to pay her back. "Fine, but only as. ..friends. Deal?"

"Deal. Wanna shake on it?" He held out his hand. She looked at it like it was going to attack her, then rolled her eyes and took his hand in a shake.

"Well," he said, standing up," I better get. Thanks for the coffee and the favor. You know what? Here's my number in case you change your mind." He quickly wrote his number on the pad that was next to the phone. "Mind giving me yours just in case they cancel?" She quickly did the same thing he did and tore off the page, handing it to him.

"So, who's the cake for pet? Kid? Hubby? Boyfriend? Lesbian lover?" he asked as she walked him to the door. "What?" he said when he noticed the amused look on her face. "I just don't want to get beat up for asking you to dinner with the 'rents you know?"

"Subtle much," she asked him. He blushed and looked away. "It's for my sister Dawn. Thursday is her birthday and I wanted to make is special since. . .never mind," she shook her head and tried to fight back the tears. Spike noticed that she was close to crying and decided to drop the subject.

"Okay, well, I guess I'll see you on Friday. I'll pick you up at seven thirty okay?" he asked her. She nodded.

"Sounds fine. Wait, how should I dress? Jeans and blouse or dressy type?" She'd never had dinner with any of her boyfriend's, or friend's for that matter, parents before so she didn't know how to dress.

"Dress should be fine if you don't mind." She shook her head. "Well, then it's settled. See you Friday and tell the nibblet 'happy birthday' for me." With that, he walked down the steps and back to his car. She stood in the doorway watching him drive away, unsure of what the think of the gorgeous blonde that had essentially asked her out on a date. Sighing, she went back inside and closed the door, making sure it was locked. 'It's going to be a long week,' she thought.

BIRTHDAY MORNING VISITOR


Tuesday and Wednesday came and went without a call from Spike and Buffy didn't know if she was happy or not about that. On one hand, if he didn't call, then she would still be seeing him on Friday, which she had to admit she wanted to, in some small way. But on the other, if he called, then not only would she not see him, but she wouldn't have to meet his parents. She really didn't know what she wanted. Spike brought out these feelings in her that Buffy just wasn't used to dealing with. At least, not over someone she had just met. The last time she had felt anything remotely similar to this, was with Riley before he joined the army and left without a word. He had broken her heart, but then again, so had every other man in her life.

First, her dad had left her mom, her and her sister to go play house with his secretary. Then there was Angel in high school. He broke up with her after three years because, in his words, she wouldn't put out for him and was just a cock tease. Imagine her surprise when he came out as being gay in their first year at college. She still laughed when she thought about that. Then, just so she wouldn't be a virgin for the rest of her life, there had been Parker.

She had met him in college. He was nice and trying to help her adjust to the life. He said all the right things and made her feel special. So, after knowing him for a couple of weeks, she gave in to her body and need to be special to someone. He didn't call her the way he said he would. When she confronted him about it, he just smiled, shook his head and told her it had been fun, but nothing more. He then turned his attention back to the other girl he had been talking to, immediately forgetting about Buffy. She had cried to her best friend Willow for about week about how stupid she was for letting Parker use her that way. Willow had just patted her back, gave her tissues and offered ice creamy goodness. Then, she had met Riley.

Riley was from Iowa and seemed to really take an interest in her. They talked for hours. Could sit or walk and not have to say anything and still be comfortable. He didn't push her to be intimate. And when they finally were, it was. . .nice. They didn't have sex too often, but when they did, she felt safe. She thought maybe she might marry Riley, but then he had just left and she was alone again. That was three years ago. So now, here she was.

Last night she had gone to bed with thoughts of Dawn and how it was her birthday the next day. She wanted to make it special for her, considering the year she'd had. She had tried making a cake from scratch, sort of. Well, okay, from a box, but with the best intentions. It just didn't work out that way. Unless it was microwavable or already mixed together and just needed to be popped in the oven, Buffy didn't try to cook. Her and cooking were very unmixy.

She had every intention of waking up and, after dropping Dawn off at school, going to go and get a cake from the store. But, after the dreams she had last night, she didn't want to get out of bed. The memory of the dreams, and the man in the dreams, were fresh in her mind and she didn't want to ruin any sensation by getting out of bed. She sighed when she remembered the way he was kissing her and how she wanted to throw the alarm out the window when it starting blaring right as he was poised at the opening of her warm channel, seconds away from thrusting into her.

Looking at the clock, she knew that if she didn't get up right now, Dawn would be late for school. Taking a deep breath, she threw back her covers back and went to the bathroom to shower. The warm water felt good on her body and woke her up completely, only momentarily forgetting the yummy dreams of Spike she had the night before.

After getting dressed and stopping at Dawn's room to make sure she was awake and getting ready for school, Buffy headed downstairs to make cereal for her sister. 'Okay,' she thought to herself with a chuckle,' you can't actually make cereal, but it's better than burning the house to the ground.' She had just set the bowl down on the counter when Dawn came bounding into the kitchen with a smile on her face. Buffy couldn't hide her smile as she took her into a bear hug, a very sisterly bear hug that is.

"Happy Birthday Dawnie! Wow, sixteen. Who would've thunk you'd live this long?" she said with a smile as she pulled back.

"Hardy har har," Dawn said rolling her eyes but returning the smile. She couldn't believe it. She was sixteen today. She could start to think about becoming one of the driving population. Seeing the look on her sister's face, Buffy spoke up.

"So, I was thinking that tomorrow, when you get home from school, we could talk about maybe teaching you to drive. You know, the legal way and all."

"Really?! You really mean that Buffy? That would be so cool. Wait, why tomorrow? Why can't we do it today? Right now?"

Buffy couldn't help but smile at herself hearing her sister rant and ramble like a certain blonde someone had told her she did just the other day. Shaking her head to get her brain back to the newly able to drive teen, she held up her hand to cut Dawn off at the pass.

"I say tomorrow because today is about celebrating and not learning. Well, never mind that cuz you still have to go to school. Okay, let's try this again. Tonight, we party. Tomorrow, we talk drive. Okay?"

Dawn nodded her head. She may only be sixteen, but she knew when to keep her mouth shut. She went to sit down to eat her oh so nutritious Lucky Charms, watching as Buffy sat across from her and read the newspaper. She couldn't help but think about how they came to be here now.

Her mom had died about seven months ago from an aneurysm. The doctors said it was sudden and that she didn't feel any pain. All Dawn could do was hope that was true. She remembered how she cried herself to sleep every night for almost two months. She couldn't remember though ever seeing Buffy cry. 'I mean yeah, she cried at the funeral. But I don't think I've ever seen her cry other than that,' Dawn thought to herself. 'Maybe she didn't love mom that much. Now wait a minute there brain of mine. How can Buffy not love mom? That's just stupid. She's just being strong. For me.'

Buffy saw the look of concentration on Dawn's face as she watched her absently eating her cereal. She could tell by the look of pain in her eyes that she was thinking about their mom. But then a look of shock, then anger, then embarrassment followed by a look of understanding flashed so quickly she wasn't sure she had seen any of them.

She was about the ask Dawn about it when there was a knock at the door. Dawn jumped up yelling, "I'll get it!" before Buffy knew what was happening. She stood up and started clearing the counter, putting Dawn's bowl and her coffee cup in the sink for washing later. She was about the gather up the newspaper when she heard Dawn yelling at her from the front door.

"Buffy! It's for you!"

Buffy rolled her eyes trying to figure out where her baby sister had ever learned her manners from. She walked out of the kitchen and stopped in her tracks when she saw who was at the front door.

"Hey Buffy. Good to see you again. You look good."

"Riley?"

TALKING WITH HER PAST


Riley and Buffy were sitting at her kitchen table drinking coffee and doing anything but looking at each other. It had been about an hour since he had shown up at her front door. Dawn knew the history between the two so she decided to call Xander and ask him for a ride. She waited for him outside on the porch as Buffy and Riley went into the house. The look on her face told Xander not to ask any questions. Having been friends with Buffy for quite a few years now, he knew better than to ask a Summers woman what was bothering her. The house was quiet expect for the sound of the clock in living room. Buffy looked up and saw that Riley was looking at her. She tried to smile at him, but knew it came out looking like a grimace. Riley noticed the strained smile and not for the first time since he'd gotten out of the military, he began to second-guess his idea to come see her.

"So, Dawn looks good. She was all excited when she answered the door. Something good happen?"

"Yeah. Today's her birthday and -"

"Oh my God! That's right. I completely forgot. So what is she now, fourteen or so?” Riley rushed without hearing what Buffy was about to say.

"Close. She's sixteen today. So, of course, being a Summers girl, the first thing that came to her mind were thoughts of the driving variety," Buffy said with a small smile.

Riley cringed, "Hmm, Buffy Summers' little sister driving. Now there is scary thought," he said with a little chuckle.

"I will have you know sir, that I am not a bad driver," Buffy said in mock offense. "I have never been in an accident or gotten a speeding ticket so there," she said sticking out her tongue.

Riley chuckled, wondering out loud when she became so responsible." Geez, the Buffy I knew could barely stay in her lane on the road. When did you become so grown up?"

He noticed the far away look and pain in her eyes. He didn't know what had caused it though.
"My mom died about seven months ago. So now it's just Dawn and me. Kinda have to be the grown up you know?" she said quietly.

"Buffy. I'm sorry. I didn't know. God I'm an idiot," Riley said trying to take Buffy's hand in his. He tried not to look so hurt when she pulled her hand out of his reach and stood up to lean against the counter.

"How could you know Riley? It's not like you stayed in touch or as if I knew how to reach you. You just left and didn't look back. You didn't give a damn!"

"That's not true. I had to leave. I left to make something of myself. To be worthy of you," he said in a whisper.

Buffy looked at him stunned, as if he had grown two heads. She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again as her mind failed her. She looked away, trying to think of something to say.

"Where did you ever get the idea that you weren't good enough for me? And what in the world made you think that just leaving me high and dry without a fair thee well or a second thought would make you better in my eyes? If anything, it made you seem so much less." She couldn't hide the hurt and contempt in her voice. His leaving her really had her thinking that there was something wrong with her and she just couldn't deal with that. Not after all that had happened in her life. "You know what? It doesn't matter Riley. You left. Yeah, it hurt but I got over it. You don't have a place here anymore. Not in my life. Not in my heart. Not with me." She was close to tears, but she didn't care.

Riley saw that she was about to cry and that was the only thing stopping him from walking up to her and kissing her good and proper. He just sat there, watching her try to keep her cool, not knowing what to say. Finally, he stood up and walked to stand in front of her. She just watched him walk up to her, unsure of what he was going to do.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you. That was never my intention. I knew I wanted to be in your life when I first met you. Obviously I wanted you in my life; so much, in fact, that I wanted to be with you forever. But I knew what kind of life you had with your parents and I felt that if I was going to give you something better, I had to be a better person. That's when I decided to join the army. And I just left. I knew that if I told you you'd think, Riley paused, “I don't know what you would've thought. I just wanted something more to offer you than what I was then. I am different now. I'm older, wiser and better suited to take care of you," he said taking her hands and looking deep in her eyes," and that's what I want to do. I want to take care of you. Please let me?"

Buffy didn't know what to say or do. He wanted to take care of her. God, she so wanted someone else to be responsible for a while. But, there was something nagging at the back of her mind, she just couldn't put her finger on it. When he stepped forward to hug her, that's when she realized what was bothering her. She didn't want Riley to take care of her. Yeah, she wanted to be taken care of, just not by him. She didn't want someone with farm boy accent. No, she wanted someone with a British accent, and blue eyes and almost white blonde hair. She smiled when she thought of Spike. *Whoa. When did Spike become the hero in my future? I barely even know him!* a voice in her mind said. She shook her head and filed that thought for later analysis.

"Riley," she said stopping him from hugging her, "I'm sorry you thought you had to better yourself for me. I loved you just the way you were. But what you did, hurt me beyond words. It made me think that there was something wrong with me. That maybe, there was something about me that made me unlovable."

"Buffy, I-"

"Please, let me finish." She waited for him to close his mouth and nod for her to continue. "Yeah, I thought I was unlovable. I mean, first my dad left, and even though I know that wasn't about me, I still kinda took it personally. Then there was Angel." At Riley's confused look, Buffy began to explain. "He wasn't always gay Riley. We dated in high school. He was a prick when we broke up though. I wouldn't sleep with him and he called me a cock tease. I forgave him when it turned out he was gay. Now, he's like my best shopping buddy. Anyway, before you, there was one other person. Parker Abrahms. He said all the right things and made me feel. . .special. But I guess my special-ness went away once we slept together. He treated me like I was from another planet. Willow was there for me because I thought it was something about me. She told me he was poophead and a jerk and I was better off without him. I didn't believe it at first, but then I met you. You were nice, sweet and kind to me. You never had anything bad to say about me or to me or my friends, or hell, about my life. You were safe. I'll be honest; I gave some serious thought to marrying you. But then you just left me and I was . . .I don't even know. I think broken is too dramatic. Maybe I was just hollow after that. Now, after three years, you come to tell me that you want to take care of me and that you left because you thought you weren't good enough for me? Well, I'm sorry Riley. I'm not here to help your ego. I'm not here to make you feel better. There are only two people in this world that matter right now, Dawn and me. Anyone else just kinda has to take a backseat to us. Get it?"

She asked this last question without any emotion other than wanting to be understood. Riley stared at her for a second, seemingly thinking things over. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and took a step back.

"I'm sorry. I didn't even think. I just thought that I wasn't good enough. I don't know why. Maybe I wanted to give you what my parents had and still have. I loved you Buffy. Hell, I still love you. You're the only thing that kept me going when I was at basic training. I didn't push me for myself. I pushed me for you." Riley stopped, trying to find the words for what he was going to say. "I get it. Maybe. . .I don't know. But I get it. I'm sorry I came here after hurting you three years ago expecting something. I was stupid. I-" He raised his hands, not knowing what else to say.

"Riley, it's okay. At least you know now that I can't give you what you want. And you accept that. Right?"

He smiled and nodded his head. "Yeah, I get it."

They stood there just looking at each other, neither knowing what to say to the other.

“Listen, the gang and I are going to give Dawn a little bash tonight here at the house. Why don’t you come by later at about seven? It’s nothing big, just some food, presents and dancing in our little bit of a living room. What do you say? Come by? I’m sure Dawn wouldn’t mind one more body, especially if that extra body brought her a present.”
Riley stood there thinking about it. He nodded his head and smiled then, walking towards the front door.

“Okay then. Sounds like a plan. Tonight it is. Sure you don’t mind?”

“I’m sure. We can start the whole ‘friends’ thing again. Yes?” she said following him to the door.

“Yeah. That sounds like a plan. Something I can definitely do. The ‘friends’ thing.”
They were standing at the front door now, with Buffy just on the inside and Riley just over the threshold.

“So, seven then?” He continued after she nodded her head. “Is there anything in particular that I should get her? Clothes? CD? Sharp weapons?”

“Do I need to tell you how funny that’s not? She has more than enough clothes.” She chuckled as he smiled knowingly. “How about a gift certificate to . . .I don’t know… Barnes & Noble? Maybe just cash; all teenage girls . . .okay, all females in general tend to like the green stuff.” Riley chuckled. “Okay then, so seven. See you tonight then.”

“See you Buffy. And thanks for not hating me, or very much anyway. And thanks for giving the ‘us’ issue a try.”

“Yeah, I think we can definitely do the ‘us’ as friends. I guess I’ll see you later tonight. Thanks for stopping by.”

“Sure thing Buffy. See you later. Bye for now.”

He leaned forward to give her a hug and Buffy thought about accepting it, believing that if they were going to start to be friends, they had to start somewhere, but decided a handshake would be a better fresh start. Riley was taken aback at first, then accepted her hand, thinking he didn’t want to push, especially if he still had a chance with her.

Neither of them noticed the black Desoto parked a couple of houses down. Or the blonde sitting in the front seat, giving them the once over and glaring daggers at Riley as he walked away. *The guy had tried to kiss her,* Spike thought, *Buffy refused but the guy had tried.*

SURPRISE


Buffy had just gotten back from the store after buying Dawn’s cake and decorations for the house. She was about to walk up the steps to the front door when movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She turned to see Spike, ‘yummy goodness’ she thought, walking up behind her. She turned to smile at him, but noticed he looked upset. She frowned then, thinking that she wasn’t going to get to have her ‘date’ with the British hottie after all.

“Hey Spike. Dinner get cancelled tomorrow?” Buffy hoped she could hide her disappointment if this was why he was here.

“Uh. . .no. Just thought about something you said.”

“Okay. Can you be more specific? I’m pretty sure I said a lot of stuff the last time we talked,” Buffy said with a look of amused confusion.

“Oh, um, about the Niblet’s birthday. That’s today right?”

“Yeah. She’s sixteen today. Can you believe it? Oh wait, you haven’t even met Dawn so it’s not like it’s big shock to you. Sorry. Brain went away this morning and still hasn’t come back yet.”*Yeah, thanks for that Riley,* Buffy thought to herself.

Spike chuckled. “I sort of got the impression when you left your license at the library that that happens a lot. And your keys; can’t forget you forgetting those too. But hey, if you hadn’t been so forgetful then I wouldn’t be here talking to you now would I?”

“Speaking of, why are you here?” She noticed a look of apprehension settle on his oh so gorgeous face. “You said it’s not to cancel our da- I mean, dinner so what’s up?” She blushed at her almost mention of dinner with his parents as a date. She prayed he didn’t notice.

Spike smirked at her slipup of calling dinner with his parents a date. *If only,* he thought. “Well, I was thinking about the whole dinner thing these last couple of days and I realized something.”

Buffy arched an eyebrow at him. “Oh? And what would that be?”

“I don’t know a bloody thing about you other than your name is Buffy Summers, you have a younger sister named ‘Dawnie’ and you have a habit of forgetting important things and then hurting someone who tries to return them to you; other than that, not a thing. Care to remedy that?”

“And how would I do that?”

“Well, for starters, let me help you carry this stuff inside. And, if you don’t mind, maybe I could help you decorate for your sister’s birthday,” he said motioning to the bags of party paraphernalia.

Buffy seemed to think about it, though at the mention of him staying and talking to her, she had already made up her mind to accept his offer. Spike looked at her, hoping she wouldn’t tell him to get lost.

“Well, if you’re going to help me decorate, then you have to agree to stay for the festivities tonight. Deal?”

Spike couldn’t help the smile he had on his face. “Deal. Oh, and I hope you don’t mind, but I got the lil’ bit a present. Nothing too big; I just hope you won’t kill me when you see it.”

“Spike, you didn’t have to do that. Really. I mean, you don’t even know Dawn so-“

“Nonsense. If my parents taught me anything, it was to always be prepared. And my mum went so far as to teach me to always have a present for a lady on any special occasion. And it doesn’t get more special than a birthday right? So, I have a present. Deal with it yeah?” he added with a smirk.

Buffy felt warm all over. Here was this guy, a very hot guy, who had not only offered to help her decorate for Dawn’s birthday, but also got her a present. And he had never even met her. *Oh yeah, this one’s a keeper,* she thought. Her eyes went wide when that thought crossed her mind.*Whoa! What the hell was that?* Her inner voice seemed to scream.

Spike noticed the wide-eyed look on her face and instantly became worried that maybe he had over stepped his boundaries. *Stupid git. She agrees to go with you to your parents and then you just stop by and force presents on her sister that she hasn’t even bothered to offer to introduce you to. You scared her away. God, how stupid could you be?*

“Pet? You okay? You look like you seen a ghost?”

Spike’s voice broke into Buffy’s inner thoughts and she blushed when she thought about how she must look. She nodded her head.

“Yeah, sorry. Bags are heavy. And all the stuff that I need to do before Dawn gets home. Just kinda overwhelmed me you know?”

Spike relaxed a bit, glad he wasn’t the reason for her sudden *deer in headlights* look. He took the bags from her arms and motioned for her to walk ahead of him.

“Lead the way luv.”

Buffy blushed and walked up the steps and opened the front door. Spike followed her in the house and into the kitchen. He placed the bags on the table and looked at her.

“So, what first?”

JOYS OF A LITTLE SISTER


Buffy and Spike plopped down on the sofa with a sigh. It had been just over two hours since he had first walked up to her outside and offered to help her decorate. They had managed to turn the living room and dining room into a somewhat party-like atmosphere. They had talked while they were decorating and definitely knew more about each other than they had when they had first started. Some things surprised her about him.

Like the fact that he not only had a degree in education, but was also going back to school to get one in business so he could start his own preschool/daycare. She hadn’t really thought of him as a kid person. And yes, she had very obviously been thinking about him. He learned that she had a degree in photography but only took pictures for the newspaper to pay the bills. Her dream job would be to snap photos of models and landscapes. There were a few other things that they learned, but chose not dwell too much on. Their past loves for example.

All Spike found out about Buffy’s past was that she wasn’t easy or trusting and the one time she didn’t play hard to get, she ended up getting burned. Buffy learned that Spike was faithful, having been with one woman for four years. When she asked why he wasn’t with her anymore, all Spike said was she had done the one thing he could never forgive. Buffy noticed the pained look in his eye, so she decided to let the subject drop.

They were chatting about the party when Buffy asked Spike if he was thirsty. He nodded his head and she went to get them some sodas from the fridge. She came back and noticed that he was standing up and looking at the family photos on the mantle. He was currently looking at a picture of her, her mom and Dawn. She smiled sadly when she thought about those happy times.

“That’s my mom. And there’s Dawnie. I think we took that picture about two years ago,” she told Spike handing him his drink.

He smiled at the picture. She looked happy then. They all did. He could see how her sister resembled her and how they both looked so much like their mom.

“So, where is your mum? I figured she’d be here helping you with the Bit’s party?”

Spike noticed the sad and faraway look on her face. Buffy looked at the picture then looked away as she felt tears come to eyes.

“She um, she died a few months ago,” Buffy managed to choke out in a whisper.

“Pet, I’m sorry. I didn’t think,” Spike tried to backpedal his foot out of his mouth.

Buffy shook her head. “It’s okay. It’s not like you knew. How could you have? I mean, we barely met over the weekend. Although, now you know pretty much all about me so. . .”

“Pretty much? Can’t I know everything?” Spike asked with an impish laugh , trying to lighten the dark mood.

Buffy rolled her eyes at him, but smiled softly. “Maybe. Depends I guess.”

“On?”

“I’ll tell you if you tell me,” she said with a impish look of her own as she noticed the surprised look on his face.

“What makes you think I haven’t already told you everything?”

“Call it female intuition, but I know you still have a few secrets. That’s okay though. Just gives me something to worm out of you later,” she said with a shrug.

Spike’s eyes widened and Buffy gasped and blushed as she realized what she had just said.

“Who knew?” Spike said shaking his head.

“Huh?” Buffy said, giving Spike a confused look.

“I said, ‘who knew’”

“Who knew what?”

“Who knew that your blushing could be even more adorable than your rambling.” Spike smiled wide as he noticed her cheeks deepen an even darker shade of red.

Buffy was about to open her mouth and say something when she heard keys in the lock and the front door open. She looked over her shoulder to see Dawn stumble in the house, arms laden with flowers, balloons and a couple of gifts and her backpack slung on her shoulder. She glanced into the living room and gave Buffy a smile before she noticed the oh so gorgeous blond guy standing with her sister. She looked from Buffy to Spike and back to Buffy.

“Oh, Dawn, you’re home,” Buffy said nervously, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

Dawn walked into the living room and put the flowers and gift in the table, let the balloons drift up towards the ceiling and dumped her backpack on the sofa. She looked Spike up and down before looking back at her sister and giving her a smile.

“Where else would I go Buffy? I do live here you know?”

“I know that Dawnie. I just didn’t realize it was so late in the day,” Buffy said with a little agitation. She looked at all the stuff Dawn had barged through the door carrying. “What’s all this?”

“Oh, well, the flowers and that present there are from Conner. The balloons are from Angel and that other present is from Fred and Wesley,” Dawn said pointing each item out.

“Angel sent you balloons? How sweet. And Conner? I thought you guys had broken up,” she asked with a frown of confusion.

“Well yeah, but we’re still friends. Although, I think he may want to get back together. I’m thinking about it, but I don’t know.” She glanced at Spike and nodded in his direction. “Whose this?”

“Oh, sorry. Dawn, this is Spike. Spike, this is my sister Dawn.”

Spike stepped forward and offered his hand to the smaller version of Buffy. Dawn looked at him like he was going to attack her before tentatively shaking it. Spike chuckled lightly. ’Just like big sis,’ he thought.

“So, you’re Spike,” Dawn asked. Not waiting for an answer, she turned to Buffy and said, “You’re right. He is hot.”

SMALL CONFESSIONS

*Why couldn’t I have been an only child,* thought Buffy. Dawn had dropped that little bomb of Buffy thinking Spike was hot and then went up to her room to do homework before the party. Buffy had stared opened mouthed after her, until she heard a chuckle next to her. She turned to see Spike with an amused look on his face. *Oh yeah, I’m so gonna kill her and bury her body in the backyard.*

“So, not only did you tell little sis about me, but also that you think I’m hot? I’m flattered Summers.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and tried not to blush any more than she already was. She crossed her arms and glared at Spike.

“It so wasn’t like that. Besides, I was talking about when I first saw you. I didn’t think anything of you after you started talking.”

Spike clutched at his heart in mock exasperation. “That hurts pet. And to think, I thought you were hot before and after the whole physical injury incident.”

Buffy stared at Spike in disbelief. She shook her head, and then cocked it to one side, studying his face.

“Are you serious? Wait, what am I saying. You can’t be serious,” she mumbled to herself, shaking her head.

Spike decided to leave the situation alone for the time being. He looked at the clock on the wall and noticed it was close to four. He did want to be around her, but felt that considering what was just said, that they needed some time apart. He would still see her at the party later that night.

“Well pet, as much fun as this has been,” he said, breaking into her train of thought, “I’d better get going.” He walked to the front door.

“But you’re still coming tonight right? I mean,” Buffy added at the look on Spike’s face, “if you still want to of course.” She had followed him to the front door and was holding it open for him.

“Yeah, I still want to. What time should I be here?”

“Seven.”

Spike nodded and walked outside. “See you tonight then, Buffy Summers.”

Buffy watched him walk outside and get into a black car. She stood there watching until he drove away. Taking a deep breath, she closed the door, leaning against it.

*Spike thinks I’m hot,* she thought. *No he doesn’t,* the voice in her head that sounded suspiciously like Parker told her. *He was just playing around. How can anyone think you’re hot?* Buffy frowned at this voice. *He must think it if he’s willing to be here tonight and was here today even after what I did to him when we met,* she argued back. *He just wants one thing. And being the person you are, you’ll give it to him.* She shook her head, as an answer to the voice and to clear her mind.

Standing up straight, she went to the base of the stairs and called up to the second floor, “Dawn, can you get down here so I can yell at you now?”

_________________________________________

PARTY TIME

It was seven forty-five and Spike still wasn’t there. Buffy went back and forth between her friends in the living room and the food in the dining room. She knew she had to keep busy or she would start to over analyze why he wasn’t there. She was sitting at the dining room table, just staring off into space, when her friend Willow came up to her.

“Hey Buffy. You okay? Why are you sitting alone in here when the party’s out there,” Willow asked, pointing to the living room.

“Hey Will. Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired I guess.” Willow nodded her head.

“Yeah, I saw what you did to the place. Nice. Who knew you’re festive?” Buffy blushed.

“Oh, yeah. Nice huh? Honestly though, I didn’t do it all by myself. A friend helped me out.” Willow looked at Buffy and noticed her flushed appearance.

“A friend? Anyone I know?”

Buffy shook her head. “No, just someone I met recently.” Willow was about to say something when Buffy stood up. “I’m gonna go out back and get some air. It’s kinda stuffy in here. Mind watching things?” Willow nodded and Buffy headed out the back door.
She was sitting on the steps when she heard the doorbell ring inside. Knowing someone else would answer it; she didn’t bother to get up. She was looking up at the stars and barely noticed when someone sat down beside her.

“Hey pet, what are you doing out here?”

“You’re late,” Buffy told him.

Spike just smiled and shrugged. “Sorry. I had to get a new outfit for this little shindig you know? Wanted to look my best.”

Buffy chuckled. “Right. Like it’s so hard for you to look good. Oh my God. I can’t believe I just said that!” Buffy buried her face in her hands.

“Thanks for the compliment. You don’t look so bad yourself,” Spike said, appraising her tight jeans and green vest.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t say stuff like that to me.”

Spike looked at her confused. “Why not? Can’t I compliment you?”

Buffy shook her head and stood up. “Let’s go inside and make the introductions shall we?”

Spike studied her face in the moonlight and stood up. “Let’s then. Lead the way,” he followed Buffy inside and smiled as she introduced him to her friends.

“Spike,” she said motioned towards a tall, dark haired man, “this is Xander and this,” her attention shifted to the petite blonde next to the young man, “is his girlfriend Anya.”

“So, are you Buffy’s new orgasm buddy?” Anya asked Spike as he shook Xander’s hand and then hers.

“Ahn, remember that conversation we had, about what not to say in front of people?” Xander asked Anya when he noticed the amused look on Spike’s face and embarrassed look on Buffy’s face. Buffy turned to Spike with a slightly uncomfortable look on her face.

“You have to forgive Anya, I think she was absent the day they taught us about tact in school.”

“No worries, luv, I fancy a bird that speaks her mind. Cuts through all the crap of the world.”

“See, he doesn’t mind what I say,” Anya looked at Xander. “I don’t know why it’s such a big deal. Tact is just everyone’s way of not saying what needs to be said.”

Xander and Buffy just rolled their eyes. Buffy continued with the introductions, pointing next to a shy looking red head. “That’s Willow and that’s her boyfriend Oz,” Buffy said pointing to the short man with orange hair next to Willow.

“Hey Red. Nice to meet you,” Spike shook Willow’s hand then turned to Oz. “Hey mate. Don’t I know you?”

Oz looked at him and shrugged, a look of nonchalance on his face. Willow spoke up.

“He’s in a band. They play at The Bronze sometimes,” she said with an obvious look of satisfaction. Spike smiled at her, which caused her to blush almost as red as her hair.

“Is that right? Maybe that’s where I’ve seen you. What’s the band called?”

Oz spoke up, attempting to keep Willow from turning any redder. “Dingoes Ate My Baby.”

Spike snapped his fingers. “That’s right. Okay. Yeah, I’ve seen you guys play; you’re pretty good.”

Oz just shrugged his shoulders.

Spikes eyes were drawn to a tall, broody looking fellow with a large forehead that was standing next to Buffy. She had turned to talk to him while Oz and Spike had been talking. The first thought that Spike had was *poofter*. There was something about the way Buffy and this guy were around each other that didn’t sit well with him. *Maybe that’s her boyfriend, * Spike thought as he saw the man lean down and whisper something in Buffy’s ear bringing a slight blush to her face. Spike cleared his throat, getting Buffy’s attention.

“Hey pet, who’s this?”

“Oh Spike. This is my friend Angel. Angel, this is Spike. He’s the one that returned my license and helped me decorate.”

Angel looked Spike over and noticed the way he was staring at him with narrowed eyes. He stuck out his hand in an offered shake and suppressed a chuckle when Spike shook it, giving it an extra tight squeeze. Angel cocked an eyebrow at this, realizing that this Spike character was jealous of him. *Why not play around with him, * Angel thought as he put his arm around Buffy’s shoulders.

“Hey man, nice to meet you. Thanks for taking care of my girl here. And for helping her out with Dawn’s party.”

“No worries mate. I see a pretty lady in trouble and I try to help. I’m sure you know how it is.”

“Yeah, I know how it is.” Angel saw Cordelia coming towards them from the other side of the room, giving him a knowing smile.

“Hey Buffy. Angel. Who’s this?”

Buffy noticed the way Cordelia was looking at Spike and it unnerved her for some reason. She stopped in front of Spike, giving him the once over.

“Oh, um, Cordelia, this is Spike. Spike, this is Angel’s sister Cordelia.”

Spike saw the way Cordelia was looking at him and felt suddenly uncomfortable, though he didn’t show it. He offered her his hand. “Hey. Nice to meet you.”

Cordelia shook his hand, not letting it go right away. Spike tried to pull his hand away from her. She really made him uncomfortable.

Buffy was about to say something when the doorbell rang. She excused herself and went to answer the door. She glanced back at Spike and Cordelia and noticed that she had her hand on his arm and he was smiling at something that had been said. Buffy rolled her eyes as she opened the door. Standing there, with a present in his hands, was Riley.

“Hey Riley. You made it,” Buffy said with a smile. “I didn’t think you’d show up.”

“Hey Buffy,” Riley said, returning her smile. “Yeah, of course I did. I told you I would.”

Riley followed Buffy into the house, taking off his coat and hanging it on the rack by the door. He smiled at the group of people in the living room as he glanced at them. He leaned in to kiss Buffy on the cheek and she was so dazed by it, she didn’t stop him. She looked up at him and then shot a quick peek around to see where Spike was. She was surprised to see an angry look cross his face, but it was there and gone so quickly that she wasn’t sure she had seen it at all. Buffy lead Riley over to where Spike, Cordelia and Angel were standing around talking.

“Angel, Cordelia, you remember Riley,” the two people Buffy addressed looked at Riley with ill hidden contempt, both knowing how he had left Buffy for no reason.

Riley took in the scornful looks, but chose to ignore them. He offered a smile to the trio along with his hand to the two men of the group.
“Hey Angel. Long time no see.”

Angel shook his hand, not bothering to return the smile. “Yeah, that tends to happen when you just take off and not leave a forwarding address.”

Buffy gasped and shot Angel a hateful glare. “Angel. Stop it.” Buffy hissed and then turned to Spike. “Anyway, Riley, this is Spike. Spike, this is my friend Riley.”

Spike looked the other man up and down before settling on his face. Smiling, he pulled back and hit Riley square in the jaw, causing him to crumble to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

“Spike!”

FIRST KISS


“Spike? Spike!” Buffy almost yelled, trying to get the other blonde’s attention.

Spike shook his head and sheepishly smiled at Buffy.
“Sorry pet. Must have dazed a bit.”

“It’s okay. Anyway, I was just saying that this is my friend Riley.”

Spike gave Riley a tight lipped smile and shook his hand, trying to make it as brief as possible. He excused himself and went into the kitchen and out the back door. He pulled his cigarettes out of his pocket and shook one into his hand, stuck it into his mouth, pulled out his Zippo and lit up. He took a deep drag and blew a cloud of smoke into the night sky.

*Bloody wanker,* Spike thought . *How can that nancy boy Angel just let some other guy come in and kiss his girl like that?* Spike couldn’t help but smile when he thought that that was exactly what he wanted to do. *But still, I would have enough respect for another man to not do so in front of him. God, what does she see in him anyway? Damn Captain Cardboard.*

Spike was so caught up in his mental tirade of Riley that he hadn’t noticed when Buffy came out and stood next to him. And somehow, Buffy knew that there was some sort of internal monologue going on with Spike, so she just stood by him and let him finish his thoughts.

Spike glanced to the side and was pleasantly surprised to see Buffy standing there, in close proximity and comfortable silence. She sensed that he was looking at her and turned to face him with a smile.

“Hey pet. Sorry to just walk out like that. Needed the nicotine, you know?” Buffy smiled again and nodded her head.

“It’s okay, Spike. I get it. Caffeine junky here so yeah, I totally understand.” Spike beamed at the way she smiled and chuckled at her comparison of his nicotine to her caffeine.

“So, how do you know Captain Cardboard?” Spike tried to ask the question in a nonchalant way. Buffy looked at him with a confused expression on her face.

“Who?”

“Riley.” Spike motioned to the house behind them.

“Oh.” Buffy decided to let Spike’s nickname for Riley pass. “Riley and I met in college. We dated. It ended. He left. Nothing much really.”

“Was just wondering,” Spike said with a shrug. When Buffy kept giving him a questioning look, he continued, “It’s just that you two seemed pretty cozy in there and in the whole time we talked earlier, you never mentioned you were dating anyone.” Spike shrugged again, trying to make it seem like he didn’t really care as he stubbed out his cigarette. Buffy looked at Spike and noticed he was avoiding looking at her.

“Wait. Are you jealous?”

Spike scoffed, though still avoided looking at her. Buffy laughed slightly.

“You are aren’t you?”

Spike shrugged and turned to look at her fully.

“So what if I am? Have you seen you? You’re gorgeous. Any man with eyes and a brain and a pulse would be jealous to see you with any other man.”

Buffy blushed, though she wasn’t sure if it was because of the things he had said, or the way he was looking at her.

“Spike, don’t worry. I’m currently a resident of Single-Ville. Though, Riley did want to get back together with me. Maybe I should give him a shot.” Buffy tried not to laugh at the look on Spike’s face.

“I don’t bloody think so, Summers.” Spike took a step closer to Buffy and leaned down until he lips were so close to hers, their breath was intermingled. “Don’t forget, you’re taken already. At least until after tomorrow night.”

Buffy looked into Spike’s eyes and felt her breath catch in her throat as she noticed how close he was to her. All she had to do was slightly move forward and their lips would be touching. She closed her eyes with anticipation and waited for a kiss that never came.

“Buffy! Dawn’s ready to do the whole cake and present thing if you’re ready. Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt.” Willow came to the back door to get Buffy, blushing slightly when she noticed how close the two blondes were.

“Okay Willow. Thanks. We’ll be right there.” Buffy said with a sigh and nervous glance at Spike as she stepped back. “We, uh, better get back inside.”

“Um, right. Let’s get inside then.”

Spike followed her into the house and leaned against the entrance to the dining room. He couldn’t help but smile at the woman who stood next to her sister as she opened her presents. It was obvious to anyone who bothered to look how much Buffy loved her sister. There was a smile on both their faces that wasn’t forced or held back in any way.

*I could get used to that kind of thing. They’re both gorgeous when they smile* Spike thought to himself.

Fifteen minutes later, there was a pile of clothes, CDs, personal girly items and money on the dining room table and an equally, if not more so, larger pile of wrapping paper on the floor. Dawn had moved to the other side of the table where the cake was located. After the candles were lit, everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to a very blushing, but obviously happy teenager.

The rest of the party went on without incident. Spike and Buffy had been throwing glances at each other the rest of the night, though when they’re eyes would meet, they would quickly look away. Neither noticed that they were being watched by Angel and Cordelia. Nor did they see the knowing glances the brother and sister were sharing.

Around ten, the party guests started to leave, knowing the teen did still have school the next day. As Buffy and Dawn were saying their goodbyes, Spike was lurking in the hallway by the steps, just watching the attractive blonde smiling and hugging her friends. He noticed the wanker Riley was standing next to Buffy with a shit eating grin on his face. Knowing that if he saw the git try anything with his Buffy, he’d put him in the hospital, Spike made his way to the kitchen.

*Wait,* Spike thought, *did I just refer to her as my Buffy? What’s that about?*

He shook his head and decided to over-analyze his thoughts later, when he was alone. Not knowing why, Spike walked into the kitchen and stopped short when he saw Angel talking with a guy he hadn’t met earlier.

*Great. That’s just what I need. Another bloody wanker who’s after Buffy’s affection. I wonder how many of us there are.* Spike thought as he rolled his eyes.

Angel and the other man stopped talking and turned, smiling at Spike.

“Hey. Spike right?” Angel asked.

Spike nodded his head. “Yeah mate. That’d be me.” He glanced at the third man in the room.

“Oh. I’m sorry. This is Lorne. He’s my. . .uh, friend,” Angel motioned to Lorne with a smile, which was returned by the other man.

“Hey sweet cheeks. Nice to make your acquaintance,” the green-eyed, brown-haired Lorne said to Spike as he extended his hand.

“Yeah. Nice to meet you,” Spike said as he shook his hand.

“Well, you two chat and I’m gonna head out. Great to meet you Spike. I’ll call you tomorrow Angel-cakes.” With smiles and good-byes, Lorne walked out of the kitchen.

An uncomfortable silence settled between Spike and Angel, neither knowing what to say.

“So. . .” said Angel.

“Yeah,” said Spike.

“How’d you meet Buffy?”

Spike stared at Angel, the only thing he could think to say being, “Huh?”

Angel gestured towards to living room. “Buffy. How did you guys meet?”

“Oh, well, we met at the library. She left her keys behind.”

Angel chuckled. “Yeah, that sounds like Buffy.” He looked like he was thinking about something else. “But what was this I heard about her license?”

Spike smiled warmly. “Well, as if leaving her keys behind wasn’t bad enough. When she pulled out her library card her license must have slipped out. The librarian, Mr. Giles, is my dad. He found it and asked me to return it.”

“And by the looks of things, you did.”

Spike nodded. “Was the decent thing to do yeah?”

Angel considered Spike for a second. He nodded his head and went to get a soda from the fridge. “And the fact that you like Buffy had nothing to do with it right?”

Spike stood there dumbfounded, the question sitting between the two like a pink elephant. Before he could say anything, Angel issued a warning that was just as shocking as the question.

“You know if you hurt her I’ll make you regret it right?”

“Wait,” Spike said, shaking his head. “Are you giving me your. . .blessing to pursue something with Buffy?”

Angel just stood there, looking like he was talking about the weather instead of the girl in question. “Well, yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Didn’t you have your arm around her and weren’t you all like ‘my girl’ this and ‘my girl’ that?”

“And your point is?”

Spike stared at Angel as if he had sprouted horns and a tail. Angel saw the look on Spike’s face and laughed. He leaned against the island in the middle of the kitchen.

“Look, yeah, I was all possessive like over Buffy with the arm and the ‘my girl’. Truth be told, she’s like a sister to me. Her and Dawnie both. I would give them the shirt off my back if they asked for it and pretty much maim anyone who even thought about hurting them. I had my shot in high school with Buffy and I blew it. I was damn lucky she let me back in her life, even as a friend, and I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize that. Besides, she’s really not my type. I tend to go for the more muscular, manly kind.” Angel finished with a slight smile.

“Well, okay then. So, you wouldn’t. . .” Spike registered the last thing Angel had said. “Wait. What?” Are you saying that you’re. . .?That you like. . .?” At Angel’s nod, Spike gulped.

Angel laughed. “Don’t worry Spike. You’re not really my type either. I don’t go for the bad boys. And anyway, I’m already involved with someone.”

Spike thought back to the evening, trying to remember if he saw Angel with anyone. He couldn’t think of anyone except. . . “Lorne?”

Angel smiled at the thought of his boyfriend. “Yeah, Lorne. We’ve been together for a few months now. So, you see, it’s purely a brother/sister kind of thing with Buffy.”

Spike studied the man in front of him in a new light. *This guy ain’t so bad. He could be a good friend. The fact that he’s not interested in Buffy really helps too.* His eyes widened when he realized how he must have sounded when he found out about Angel. “Hey mate, about earlier when I, um, freaked. That wasn’t directed towards you or the fact that you like guys. You just caught me by surprise is all.”

Angel waved dismissively. “It’s fine. Most people see me and their first thought isn’t usually ‘gay’. I’m used to it. You’re not the first and I’m sure you won’t be the last either.”

Before Spike could say anything, Buffy walked into the kitchen.

“Here you two are. Angel, you’re not spreading rumors or starting trouble are you?” Buffy asked with a teasing grin.

Angel glared at her and placed a hand on his chest in mock annoyance. “Me? Spreading rumors and starting trouble?! I would never dream of such things!”

Buffy and Angel laughed. She turned to Spike and rolled her eyes as she flicked her thumb at Angel. “He’s such a drama queen.”

Spike smiled amusingly at the pair. “Too right. Had him pegged as one minute I met him.”

Spike and Buffy burst out laughing while Angel shouted, “Hey, I resemble that remark!” which had all three sharing in the laughter.

Angel gathered his composure and cleared his throat. “Okay you two. As much as I love being the center of attention, I gotta go.” He headed towards the front door, with Buffy following close behind. He turned toward her with a serious look on his face. “So, you really like him huh?” he asked, nodding towards the kitchen.

Buffy blushed and looked down, shrugging her shoulders.

Angel smiled knowingly. “That much huh?” He chuckled as Buffy’s head shot up, her eyes wide with shock. “Don’t worry. It’s not that obvious. I just know you pretty well.”

Buffy let out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Oh thank God! I know I didn’t tell you about him and I should have but I just only met him this past weekend and then Riley showed up and there was Dawnie’s birthday and then—“

Angel stopped Buffy, knowing that if he didn’t stop her, she’d talk herself blue. “It’s okay. I understand. Besides, if I met someone that yummy I wouldn’t have wanted to share him either,” he said with a smile.

Buffy playfully smacked his arm. “Hey now. I saw him first. You keep your hands to yourself, or I may be forced to tell Lorne that your eyes are wandering,” she said smiling back at him.

“Okay, fine. I won’t touch, but that doesn’t mean I won’t look cuz, hello, major hottie.”

Buffy’s eyes widened as she realized what she had said about Angel in the kitchen in front of Spike. “Oh God Angel! I am so sorry. I didn’t mean, I mean, I did mean but. . .I’m so, so sorry.”

Angel gave Buffy a confused look. “What are you talking about?”

Buffy looked like she was going to be sick. “I made that comment about you being a drama queen. And in front of Spike too. He doesn’t know that you’re gay. Well, of course he doesn’t know. It’s not like there’s a big neon sign over your head.”

“Yeah. And I even left my ‘I’m gay. Ask me how’ pin at home.”

“Angel! I’m serious. What’s Spike gonna think? I called you a drama queen. Yeah, he went along with it, but what was he supposed to say? Oh God! I can’t even tell you how sorry I am.”

“Buffy, it’s okay. He knows.”

“He does?” Buffy asked cautiously and surprisingly.

“Yeah. We talked.”

Buffy looked at Angel suspiciously. “What and you just volunteered the fact that you’re gay?”

“No, we just talked and it happened to come up.”

“You talked?” When Angel nodded his head she asked, “About what?”

Angel smiled. “Nothing in particular. Just, guy talk.” Seeing Buffy was getting ready to comment, he continued. “Look, I need to leave. It’s getting late and you have a hunk in your kitchen waiting for you.”

“But Angel—“

Angel walked to the dining room and, as if Buffy hadn’t said anything, said towards the kitchen, “See you later Spike. Nice meeting you.”

“Yeah Peaches. Good meeting you too. See you around,” Spike could be heard saying from the kitchen.

Angel walked back to Buffy and gave her a hug and kissed the top of her head. “Look, it’s late. I’m tired and you’ve still got Spike here. Call me tomorrow night and we’ll talk then. Okay?”

Buffy nodded, then slapped her forehead with her hand. “Wait. I can’t. I have a. . .thing.”

Angel raised his eyebrows. “A thing?”

“Yeah. Spike— he asked me to do a favor for him. And I couldn’t say ‘no’. Not after he returned my license and helped me decorate for the party.”

“Hey, have a blast. Who am I to be judgmental? I’m dating a guy.”

Buffy smiled and hugged Angel again. Saying goodbye, she closed the door and headed towards the kitchen. She walked in on Spike emptying plates into the trash and then putting them in the dishwasher.

“You don’t have to do that you know. I can do it tomorrow. Or get Dawn to do it.”

Spike looked up from the plate he was currently emptying. Seeing Buffy watching him, he smiled.

“It’s okay pet. I don’t mind. Have a look at the mess around here?”

Buffy looked around, noticing for the first time how messy everything was.

“God, you’re right. It’s horrible.”

“So, want me to stay and help?”

“Oh no! I couldn’t ask you to do that. You helped decorate. I can’t let you help with the clean up too.”

“You didn’t ask. I offered. Just like I offered to help decorate. C’mon, it’ll give me an excuse to spend extra time with you.”

Buffy rolled her eyes but couldn’t keep the slight blush that came to her cheeks. She walked over to the counter, took a plate, emptied its contents into the garbage, and handed it to Spike who, in turn, placed it in the dishwasher. They went on like this for about five minutes, both noticing, though neither saying anything, how domestic they appeared to be. Once the dishes were done, they went on to gather the trash from the dining room, living room and kitchen. Three trips later, all the trash bags were tucked into the curbside trash can. The couple was silently drinking bottled water, enjoying each other’s company.

“Spike?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“You know, everything. From the moment I met you, you’ve been. . .great. So, thank you.”

Spike, not used to women thanking him, blushed slightly. Buffy noticed the blush and smiled. *Wow,* she thought, *I just made Spike blush. How cool is that? God, he’s cute when he’s red like that.*

Spike stood up. “Well luv, I better get. It’s pretty late,” he said, as he looked at his watch.

Buffy stood also, surprised to find that it was a quarter to twelve. “Oh my God! It’s almost midnight. I guess it’s true what they say.”

“What’s that pet?”

“Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Spike chuckled as they walked to the door. “Well Goldilocks, thanks for inviting me. I had a good time.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” She opened the door and Spike walked through, turning at the sound of her voice. “See you tomorrow night?”

“Yeah. Seven-thirty still okay?”

“Seven-thirty’s fine.”

“See you tomorrow then.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow. Goodnight Spike.”

Spike smiled before leaning down and pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “Goodnight Buffy.” With that, he turned and walked to his car.

Buffy stayed in the doorway and watched as he drove away. She closed and locked the door, then went through the bottom floor making sure all the doors were locked and all the lights turned off. She made her way upstairs and changed for bed. Her last thought before sleep overtook her was *mmm, Spike lips. Lips of Spike.* A huge smile grew on her face as her dreams were full of Spike and said lips.

I know the title is kind of sexist, but I couldn’t help it. I thought of bringing home the bacon and had to substitute Buffy for bacon. But, being that I am a woman and I am being sexist towards women (sort of) I figure it’s okay. So, go me. If you don’t like it, then simply don’t read it. Now, having said that, I also want to say that this chapter really kicked my behind. As you read it, you’ll see that most of it involves thoughts and inner arguments. I really didn’t have issues with Buffy’s mind, but Spike’s on the other hand, well, that was a different story. Also, right before I wrote most of this, I moved from Oregon to Texas to Arizona. Yeah, not only was the chapter a p.i.t.a (pain in the ass), but so was real life. Anyway, just thought I would explain some things. And there you have it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BRINGING HOME the BUFFY

Chapter 10

The day seemed to pass too quickly for Buffy. She could have sworn that just a couple hours ago she had woken up and yet, here she was getting ready for her date with Spike.

*No, not a date. It’s a favor. Nothing more. Just a favor.*

*Then why are you putting so much effort into looking good for ‘just a favor’?* a voice in her head calmly asked.

*I’m not putting that much effort into it,* she argued with herself.

*Right, you keep telling yourself that denial girl*

*Oh, who asked you anyway. God, what am I doing? Why am I meeting his parents? I don’t even know him!*

*But you’d like to know him wouldn’t you?*

*No, I wouldn’t.*

*C’mon. You know you do. Remember what it felt like when he kissed you last night? Remember wanting more than just that simple goodnight kiss?*

Buffy closed her eyes and ran her fingers softly across her lips as she remembered how tenderly Spike had kissed her. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she rolled her eyes and dropped her hand.

*What am I doing? * she asked herself again, smoothing out her skirt. She stood and looked at herself in the mirror. She had decided to wear a red gypsy skirt with a white tank made of the same flowing material. She had done her makeup light and worked her hair loosely in a clip.

Staring at her reflection, she continued her mental conversation with herself.

*Who am I kidding? It was just a kiss. I’ve kissed and been kissed before. God, I’m acting like this is the first guy I’ve ever had a crush on. . .*

Her eyes went wide as she realized what she had just thought.

*Oh God! That explains so much. No wonder I’m going through with this. I like him. I mean, I really like him. Wow.*

Buffy sat down on her bed, fiddling with the hem of her shirt, though she hardly seemed to be aware she was doing it as she thought about what she had just realized.

*This is just great. How am I supposed to act around him now? It’s not like I can be all ‘hey Spike. How are you? I like you by the way.’ Oh god, I’m going to make a total fool of myself and he’s gonna regret asking me to this dinner. I should call him up and just cancel. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do.*

Buffy got up and went downstairs to get Spike’s number from the kitchen. She had just passed the front door when the doorbell rang. Glancing at the clock on the wall, she noticed it was seven twenty-five.

*Oh God,* she thought as the doorbell rang again. *He’s here. He’s here, I’m ready (physically anyway) and I can’t cancel. I just can’t. I just. . .*

“Buffy,” Dawn interrupted her thoughts as she called from upstairs. “Are you gonna answer that?” she asked as the doorbell rang a third time.

Buffy took a deep breath and shouted towards her younger sister upstairs, “yeah, I got it.” She turned towards the door and reached for the doorknob. Closing her eyes she tried to calm her suddenly racing heart. Opening her eyes, she smiled and opened the door.



The day couldn’t have gone slower for Spike. Of course, waking up at dawn didn’t seem to help this situation. His night had been filled with dreams of Buffy and more than just the simple kiss he had given her just last night. All day, no matter what he was doing, his thoughts always drifted back to his girl.

*cuz that’s what she is, even if she doesn’t realize it.*

*Great,* Spike thought with a grimace, *I’m starting to sound like a bleedin’ stalker. Well I’ll have none of that. Can’t go scaring the girl before I have a chance to sweep her off her feet.*

*Oh yeah mate. You got it bad.*

Spike smiled as he realized he did, indeed, have it bad. He truly liked the girl, even if he hardly knew her. And never mind that they had just barely met not even a week ago.

*Da always said he knew right away when he met mum that he was gonna marry her. Said you always know. Called it. . .what was it? Right. Love at first sight. Is that what this is? Maybe I should ask mum. Get the female perspective and all.*

Realizing that he was having a conversation with himself, Spike chuckled and shook his head.

*First, I go all stalker on the poor girl. Then I start talking to myself like a flippin’ looney. Lord, I think I hung around Dru too much*

Groaning at the thought of his ex, Spike shook his head.

*Now’s no time to be thinking about her. She’s part of my past. Not looking to open up those wounds. Not when I’m about to go see my Goldilocks.*

“Speaking of seeing my Goldilocks, I better go,” Spike said aloud, glancing at the clock and noting it was six forty-five. Looking at his outfit, which consisted of black jeans and a red dress shirt, one last time and making sure he had his wallet, he grabbed his keys and left his apartment to meet the girl in question.

Spike pulled up to her house at fifteen after seven and took a deep breath before he turned off his car.

*K mate, let’s try not to scare the girl tonight. Yeah, you like the chit, but it’s not a date. It’s just a favor.*

*yeah right. ‘just a favor.’ Who are you kidding anyway? You know you want this to be more than ‘just a favor.’*

*Well, yeah, but I’m not gonna push for anything more. Quickest way to guarantee I never see her again is to push for something she doesn’t want. So, I’m just gonna take things slow. Yeah. Slow*

Nodding his head in agreement with himself, Spike got out of his car and made his way up the walk to the front door. Adjusting his top button, he put his hand out to ring the bell.

*Guess this is it. No turning back now. Not that I want to of course, just, if I wanted to I couldn’t. I mean, I could but that would be rude and I don’t want to be a bad, rude man. Yeah, so no cuttin’ out tonight. Yeah. Not gonna happen.*

Smiling after yet another self to self conversation, Spike pressed the doorbell and waited.

And waited.

He pressed it again, getting a bit nervous. He looked at his watch. Okay, so he was a bit early, but only a few minutes. Buffy hadn’t called him or anything to tell him she had changed her mind. Glancing through the window on the door, he could see the shadow of a person standing just a few feet away.

*Okay, * he thought as he rang the bell a third time, * one more ring then I’ll just go. *

He waited a beat, then turned to leave. Just as he was about to step off the porch, the front door opened, revealing the woman who had been in his thoughts for the past week. And she was smiling.



Opening her eyes, she smiled and opened the door. And felt her heart skip a beat.

*God he looks good. Real good,* she thought at the same time he was thinking, *wow, she looks. . .wow.*

“Um, hey Spike. You’re gorgeous. I mean, early. Yeah, you’re early. God, I didn’t just say that.”

Spike chuckled, though he blushed at the faux pas compliment.

“Yeah, hope that’s okay. The early thing, not the, um, gorgeous thing. Uh, yeah. Can I come in?”

“Oh god. Yeah. Please do,” Buffy said while stepping back and opening the door wider. Spike stepped passed Buffy, smiling as their eyes met for a split second, then she blushed and looked down.

Not knowing what to say to each other the couple stood there in silence, occasionally glancing at each other. Just as the situation was promising to get even more awkward, Dawn came down the steps carrying her overnight bag. Both were too busy actively not looking at each other that neither noticed the pointed looks the teenager was giving them. Stopping three steps from the bottom, she dropped her bag and smiled at Spike.

“Hey Spike. How you doing?”

“Hey Bit,” Spike said, smiling at the younger Summers. “I’m good. And you? Feeling any older?”

Dawn smiled and rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah. So much so that I’m ready to start talking about driving. And take the tests. And the classes. And start driving. And all that driving goodness.”

“Dawn,” Buffy sighed, “I said we’d talk about it. Just didn’t happen today. But we will get to it. I promise.”

Dawn rolled her eyes again and sighed. “Anyways, I’m off. Janice’s mom should be here any minute. I just wanted to say ‘hi’ and ‘bye’. Oh, and to say ‘thank you’ to Spike.”

Spike started a bit at the mention of his name. “Me? For what?”

“Well, two things actually. First of all, thank you for my present. I can buy so much at the mall with fifty bucks.”

“What!?! Spike, you didn’t!”

Spike looked down sheepishly. “Yeah, I did. It’s just, how in the world do you shop for a teenage girl?”

Buffy sighed and crossed her arms. “We are so gonna talk about this later mister.”

“Whatever Buffy. Just deal with it. I mean, it was my birthday after all. And just think, Spike giving me fifty bucks just means that’s fifty you yourself don’t have to give me.”

Thinking about what Dawn had said, Buffy threw her hands up in the air and shook her head. “Fine. Whatever. But that doesn’t mean that I’m okay with it. And it really doesn’t mean you aren’t in the doghouse Spike cuz you so are.”

Spike and Dawn glanced at each other, both trying to hide a smile, understanding that Buffy meant to have Spike in her life. At least for a while.

“Okay. He’s in trouble. Can I finish my thanks now?” Dawn asked with exasperation only a teenager can have.

“Yes Dawnie,” Buffy said, stressing her sister’s name.

“So, like I said,” Dawn continued, turning back to Spike, “thank you for the fifty. And thank you for my sister.”

Buffy and Spike both gave Dawn a questioning look. Before Buffy could ask her what she meant, Spike beat her to the punch.

“Bit? What do you mean for your sister?”

“Well see, if she wasn’t going out with you tonight, like a normal woman her age should, she’d stay at home like the old maid she was quickly becoming. So, like I said, thank you.” She looked out the window and picked up her stuff when she heard a car horn honk. “Anyway, there’s Janice and her mom. I’ll see you tomorrow night.” She gave Buffy a hug. “I love you. Have fun. Bye Spike. Be good to my sister or I’ll hunt you down and make you regret ever hurting her.” She waved good-bye and walked out the door, leaving two very stunned people in her wake.

Buffy was the first one to break the silence. “I swear, she’s not gonna live to see her next birthday.” She shook her head, then turned to look at Spike. “What are you laughing at?”

“She called you an ‘old maid’.”

“Oh, shut up. I wouldn’t laugh Spike. At least she didn’t threaten me. You, Spike Giles, are a marked mad.”

“Yeah, speaking of that, has your sis always been that scary or is it something that just happened when she turned sixteen?”

“Actually, little bit of both. We Summers women are not to be messed with.”

“Well, I think I’m up to the challenge.”

“Good to know.”

“So,” Spike said, getting uncharacteristically nervous, “you ‘bout ready to head out?”

“Um, yeah, just about. Let me grab my purse and I’ll be good to go.” Buffy quickly climbed the stairs to her room.

Spike waited at the base of the stairs and felt his breath catch when he looked up at the sound of Buffy coming downstairs.

“Ready.”

“Uh. . .”

“Spike? You okay?”

“Hmm? Oh yeah. Just. . .you look bloody amazing.”

Buffy blushed at the compliment. “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

Spike mentally shook himself and smiled up at Buffy as she descended the stairs. “Yes. Gorgeous wasn’t it?”

Buffy’s blush deepened. Spike smiled, knowing he would never get tired of seeing that.

“Something like that,” Buffy mumbled to herself. She walked passed Spike and picked up her keys from the table. She waited for him to pass her and go outside before following him out, locking and closing the door behind them.

Spike gently put his hand on the base of her back as he led her to his car. They were both silent as he opened her door and waited for her to settle herself in before closing it and then going around to his side and getting in.

The day seemed to really be against the occupants of the black Desoto. For Buffy the half hour ride seemed to take only minutes. One instant she was sitting in Spike’s car in front of her house. The next thing she knew, they were pulling up to a modest single story house.

For Spike, it was as if thirty minutes had turned into an eternity; it was the longest drive of his life. Not to mention the quietist. That’s what really bothered him. He had never been at a loss for words in his life; yet, with this woman, he could barely collect his thoughts enough to say two words to her, let alone have an entire intelligent conversation.

Pulling up to his parents’ house, Spike sighed in relief that they were finally at their destination. Though, looking over at the woman who had occupied his thoughts so often quite recently, he wasn’t sure if he was glad or not. On one hand, he wouldn’t have to worry about thinking up something to say. On the other, not only would he not have Buffy to himself, but she was going to be subjected to his mother.

*Oh well mate. You’re here now. Best just get it over with,* he thought while turning off his car.

Getting out and going around to open Buffy’s door, Spike held out his hand to help her out. Smiling up at him gratefully, she mentally shook herself and took his hand. As they walked up the path to the house, she felt the slight pressure of his hand on the small of her back and she smiled.

Stopping at the front door, Buffy felt the butterflies that had been with her all day turn into bats.

*Well, this is it,* she thought, mirroring Spike’s thoughts from earlier. *No turning back now.*

“You ready for this Goldilocks?” Spike asked Buffy, startling her out of her thoughts. Seeing the nod of her head, Spike pressed the doorbell.

*Oh my God! What am I doing?* Buffy thought for the third time as the front door opened.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

I have to take a moment to thank my husband because I had a hard time figuring out what Spike had gotten Dawn for her birthday. And, seeing that not only is he a guy, but also that I do have a younger sister myself, I figured who better to give me the input in trying to get in good with big sis through little sis.