Chapter 1: Welcome

Tiny.

That was the first word that flitted through Buffy Summers’s mind as she watched the scenery out the car window. She was catching her first glimpse of Sunnydale, her future home.

“So,” her mother, Joyce Summers, spoke as her voice broke through the silence, “what do you think?”

Buffy’s gaze never left the window. “It’s nice,” she answered noncommittally.

Joyce sighed, completely at lost at how to break through her daughter’s distance.

Ever since her and Hank’s divorce, Buffy had detached herself from both parents. When Joyce had announced she was moving to the small town of Sunnydale a few hours south of LA, Buffy chose to remain with her father. That choice had hurt Joyce deeply, but, in respect for her daughter’s wishes, she never vocalized her pain.

Then a month ago, Joyce received a call from her ex-husband saying Buffy had become unstable and he wanted her out of LA. Her destructive behavior had thrown Hank and he had no idea of what to do with his delinquent daughter.

Joyce went to pick Buffy up from the bus station and expected to see her bubbly, if angry, daughter with long blonde hair and clothed in the latest fashions. But when Buffy stepped off the bus, Joyce was astonished at the drastic difference.

Gone was the long hair. Instead it was messily cut short and with fading streaks of red and black. Her clothes were darker as well as her makeup. Buffy was clearly a different girl and Joyce had no idea how to relate to her, talk to her, and for the most part, Buffy was resisting any small talk Joyce attempted.

“Over there is the high school. We’ll get you registered tomorrow and hopefully by Monday you can start,” Joyce explained, trying to sound cheerful.

Buffy pushed her oversized sunglasses further up and continued to study her surroundings as her mother babbled on about the high school. She watched as the scenery changed from shops to homes and soon Joyce pulled up into the driveway of a modest but homey house.

Buffy grabbed her backpack and hoisted herself out of the Jeep, eyeing the house in front of her. There was another car, older than the Jeep, in the garage that Buffy assumed was her mother’s boyfriend’s car, Randal Giles or something like that.

“Oh,” Joyce said sounding surprised, “Rupert’s home.” She walked around to the trunk and popped it open, pulling out one of Buffy’s many suitcases.

Right, Buffy thought absently, Rupert not Randal. She started up the walkway when Joyce called, “Buffy, come through the garage door, it is open.”

Buffy made her way over to the garage door, waiting patiently for Joyce to it. However, a man opened it instead.

“Hello Joyce,” the older man placed a kiss on Joyce’s cheek and then turned to Buffy.

“You must be Buffy. I’m, erm, Rupert Giles, or Giles as many of the students call me,” Giles introduced himself, holding out his hand.

Buffy hesitantly shook the man’s hand before dropping it. “Cool,” she said flatly. Her gaze swept over the foyer, taking in the decor. It was homey and quaint, nothing like her home in LA.

Giles studied the young woman before him. Her face was expressionless; her motions slow and detached. Most girls her age, Giles surmised, would be outwardly insolent about changing schools and moving away from home but Buffy didn’t seem to care either way.

“Rupert is the high school librarian.” Joyce supplied, “If you need any help, he’d be happy to show you around.”

“Or William will,” Giles added with a genial smile.

Buffy frowned, “William?” She vaguely remembered hearing the name, but couldn’t place it.

“My son,” Giles clarified, frowning slightly. “Didn’t Joyce tell you? He’s a senior at Sunnydale High.”

“Yeah,” Buffy glanced at her mother, “Mom told me, I guess I just forgot.”

“Understandable,” Giles said kindly and motioned out the door, “Shall we get the rest of your luggage?”

Buffy nodded, trying to relax despite the foreign surroundings. Her mother, however, stopped her. “Buffy why don’t you go lay down? You look exhausted. Rupert and I will bring the bags in and we’ll bring them up later. It’s the room on the right at the top of the stairs.”

Surprised at how tired she really was, Buffy nodded in agreement and mumbled a ‘thanks' before trudging up the stairs. She yawned loudly, trying to remember which room was hers. Was it the room on the left or right? Buffy bit her lip and chose the room to her left.

Her eyelids felt heavy and Buffy stumbled onto the bed, not even removing her shoes or snuggling under the covers before drifting off into a deep sleep.

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

Something was poking her, was Buffy’s first coherent thought.

She frowned and shifted away from the poking-thing, but it kept prodding her. Annoyed, Buffy’s eyes snapped open and met a pair of deep azure eyes staring down at her. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, feeling disoriented. Right, she recalled, she was at her new house in Sunnydale.

Her gaze drifted back up to the eyes staring down at her. They belonged to one of the most interesting faces Buffy had ever seen and the face was decidedly not unattractive.

Until he opened his mouth.

“Do I know you?” Mr. Blue Eyes drawled.

Buffy blinked and sat up slowly, wiping away any sleep-drool from her mouth.
“I’m Buffy. Buffy Summers, Joyce’s daughter and you’re,” she paused, realization dawning on her. “You’re William, Mr.-uh-Giles’s son.”

The icy eyes remained passive. “Spike,” he said shortly.

Buffy looked up at him in confusion, “Huh?”

“Name is Spike and the bed you’re sleeping on is mine. In fact, Sleeping Beauty, the whole room is mine so why don’t you toddle off elsewhere.”

Buffy hated the way he talked to her as if she was an inferior, making her feel small and stupid with his rude comments. She stood up, her chin titled defiantly. “Well Spike, you’re in my way.”

Spike moved aside and mockingly gestured with both hands to the door. With a huff, Buffy stalked out the door, being sure to close the door of her actual room with a hard slam.

Spike stayed rooted in his spot and tilted his head, watching the tiny girl stomp out of his room. Well, he thought with a touch of amusement, that was interesting.

Chapter 2: Dinner Awkwardness

Inside her new room, Buffy was stretched out on her bed, headphones on, listening to her music at full blast. She was still seething from Spike’s rudeness. And now she’d be living with him, indefinitely.

She sighed loudly and flipped onto her back, staring up at the white ceiling. A part of her wanted this move. She was so tired of LA, of all the bad memories, but another part of her was annoyed and hurt that her father wanted nothing to do with her.

And then there was her mother. Buffy hadn’t spoken to her, except for brief phone conversations less than once a month, since the divorce. Joyce had quickly moved to Sunnydale within a couple months of the divorce. She’d offered a place there for Buffy, but at the time Buffy didn’t want to leave her life in LA. Now she had no idea what to say to her mother, in just a year they were both very different people than before.

There was a timid knock on the door. “Buffy?”

Buffy sat up, pushing her headphones off. “Yeah?”

Joyce opened the door a crack. “We’re having dinner now, but if you’re still tired…”

“No,” Buffy stood up and set her CD player on her bed. “Actually, I’m kinda hungry.”

Joyce gave her a brief smile and led her daughter down the stairs, seating herself in her usual spot.

Buffy immediately sat down in the empty seat across from Spike, making sure she didn’t make any eye contact with him. His words were still freshly imprinted in her mind.

Several dishes were passed around and Buffy took a little of each. Giles and her mother were talking about something, Buffy wasn’t quite sure what. Now she wasn’t hungry any more. Just listening to the couple talking animatedly about their day with Spike’s occasional comments made her feel so removed from them. They’d grown together as a family and Buffy hadn’t been there to be a part of it.

She quietly pushed her food around her plate, feeling awkward. She took a small bit of her peas before glancing up at Spike, surprised to see he was staring at her. Startled, her eyes widened and then she gave him a glare, annoyed.

Spike just smirked at her look, taking the opportunity to study the girl before him. Her hair, which was relatively short, the ends grazing her collarbone, was dyed black and red. Ironically enough, his two favorite colors.

Her eyes were dark and sparked with anger, her nose quirky, and her lips red and shiny. The kind of lips that he liked to kiss. The thought entered Spike’s mind, unbidden, and he pushed it away.

With a glance at the clock, he grimaced, realizing he had to pick his girlfriend up in ten minutes. Spike wolfed down his food and gulped his water and stood up, setting his napkin on his plate.

“Good food Joyce,” he complimented then snuck another glance at the clock. “Gotta go, I promised Harm I’d pick her up at 7:00; we’re going to Cordy’s party.”

Joyce and his father exchanged a look and then glanced Buffy’s way. “Why don’t you take Buffy with you?” Giles suggested. “I’m sure she’d love to meet her fellow classmates before she starts school.”

Buffy winced at the pity offer and her eyes reluctantly slid to Spike who looked like he was trying to keep his face neutral.

Not wanting to be humiliated, Buffy yawned loudly. “Oh, no that’s okay I’m kinda tired anyway.”

A look of relief flickered across Spike’s features and without another word to Buffy; he swept out of the house, the door slamming hard rattling the house.

Joyce studied her daughter as she continued to push her uneaten food around. “Are you sure you don’t want to go?”

Buffy nodded quickly. “Yeah, I’m still tired. Where do I put this?” She motioned to her plate.

Joyce shook her head. “Nonsense, it’s your first night here. Watch some TV or something. I’ll get the dishes.” She moved to collect the dishes, Giles following suit.

“Are you sure?” Buffy asked, shoving her hands in her jean pockets.

Joyce waved her off. “I’m positive, go relax.”

Buffy hesitantly walked into the living room and spotted the TV. It wasn’t particularly big, unlike her TV in LA, but it did have cable.

She tried to relax, leaning back on the couch, and focus on the show. Her interest only lasted for an hour before she just left the TV for noise. She watched the screen blankly, her mind millions of miles away. Soon, her eyes felt heavy and she closed them, just for a second…


“Come on, B. I have it on good authority that there’re going to be some smokin’ hot guys at the party tonight.”

“I don’t know…”

“Trust me, B. Have I ever let you down?”


“Buffy? Buffy, wake up,” Joyce shook her sleeping daughter gently on the shoulder.

The dark-haired teen blinked and sat up slowly, looking confused.

Joyce gave her a small smile. “You fell asleep on the couch. I wasn’t going to wake you but then I remembered the comfy couch isn’t exactly…comfy.”

Buffy gave her mother a weak smile. “Thanks. I’ll just head upstairs.” She quickly maneuvered around Joyce, avoiding her quizzical look.

At the top of the stairs, Buffy looked down at her hands to see them trembling slightly. She hurriedly entered her room, shutting the door and collapsing on her bed.

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the lingering memories. It had felt so real, like she was back there at the party meeting the man of her dreams. She inhaled deeply, ignoring the way her eyes were burning with unshed tears. They were pointless, she told herself, crawling back into bed. He was gone and…it, he or she, was gone too.

Hours later, Buffy woke, her eyelashes stuck together by her dried traitorous tears, as her bladder urged her to get up and use the bathroom. With a grumble, she jammed her feet into her fluffy black slippers and opened her bedroom door.

As soon as she reached for the bathroom door, it swung open revealing a very wet Spike.

Buffy winced as the bright light hit her eyes. “Ugh,” she mumbled, stumbling backwards.

“Watch it,” Spike snarled, his voice sounding nasally. She glanced up to see his eye was swollen shut and the cartilage of his nose severely bruised.

“What happened to you?” Buffy blurted out, frowning at his marred face.

“What’s it look like?” he snapped. “Got in a fight.”

“Oh,” was all Buffy said in response. Her gaze drifted downward to his bare chest; the defined lines of his abs, watching the droplets of water trickle down, down to what was covered up by the towel.

When she finally managed to drag her eyes back up to his face, his eyes were a stormy dark blue, his jaw set. She could feel her own face growing warm and she prayed it wasn’t turning bright red.

“You gonna move?” Spike finally asked, his eyebrow cocked questioningly.

“Uh,” Buffy stuttered, feeling ridiculous. “I need to use the bathroom.”

Spike just moved out of her way and headed into his room, slamming the door with no care of time.

Buffy quickly did her business and went back into her room but not without glancing at Spike’s closed door.

Chapter 3: Understanding


“Class cutting, fights in school…” the weasel-like principal slammed Buffy’s file shut, “Tell me again why I should allow a delinquent like Ms. Summers into our fine institution?”

Buffy inwardly grimaced as Principal Snyder read off her permanent record. God, had she really done all of that?

“Mr. Snyder,” Joyce began in a crisp tone, “I believe a large part of an educator’s responsibility is to provide second chances for students, obviously you disagree; however, I’m fully prepared to take this to the school board.”

Snyder’s beady eyes narrowed and after a pause he said reluctantly, “I’ll consider it.”

Joyce stood up, grabbing her purse and gave him a terse, “Thank you” and exited the office, her head high.

Buffy followed, moving slowly and avoided meeting her mother’s eye. The hallways were nearly empty and for that Buffy was thankful.

They walked out to the car and Joyce unlocked the door, sliding into the driver’s seat. Buffy sat in the passenger seat, tugging on the long sleeve of her black shirt.

Joyce exhaled loudly and slumped in her seat. “God, that man is a rat. You wouldn’t believe how many times he’s tried to fire Rupert for defending a student. He’s just awful.”

Buffy didn’t reply, staring out the window. Her mind was stuck on what Snyder had said. Delinquent. Buffy had never really thought of it that way until her father had point-blank told her he couldn’t have her in his house.

At first it’d been about being free. Her cousin Faith had moved in with the Summers’ shortly after the divorce and Buffy had been reeling from the separation. At the time, Faith’s suggestion of partying and letting loose seemed like a good idea. She’d changed from the peppy cheerleader to a Faith look-a-like; anything to escape from the life that was spinning out of her control.

Joyce mistook Buffy’s silence for concern. “Don’t worry,” she reassured her daughter. “Even if we can’t get you into Sunnydale High we can look at St. Anne’s or another private school near by.”

Buffy nodded absently. “Good.”

Joyce studied her for a second before pulling out of the parking lot and driving home.
As soon as she walked into the house, Joyce went upstairs to change for work. Buffy sat on the couch and flipped on the TV for something to focus on.

Fifteen minutes later, Joyce came down while putting her gold earrings on. “There’s food in the fridge if you get hungry. Spike should be home around 3:00. Rupert and I have are going out to dinner tonight with some friends. Will you and Spike be okay here?”

Buffy nodded. “Yeah, no problem.” So long as she avoided the annoying pest, she mentally added.

“Good,” Joyce replied, grabbing her purse. She was almost out the door when Buffy called out, “Mom, wait.”

Joyce turned around, walking back into the living room. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry,” Buffy said, looking down at her hands. “About the whole school thing.”

Joyce let out a small sigh and sat down next to Buffy. “I won’t lie to you Buffy, this does complicate things but we’ll find a school for you.”

“Okay,” Buffy replied quietly.

Joyce continued, “I know the last year has been hard on you and that you fell into a bad patch. But we’ll work through this, okay?”

A small dam broke inside Buffy. “I just want to start over,” her voice wavered slightly.

For the first time since her daughter had arrived, Joyce enfolded her into a hug. “I know. I want that for you too.”

They sat there for a minute, just holding on, and Buffy thought maybe she really could start over. Sunnydale was her chance to shake off the past year and move forward.

Joyce pulled back reluctantly. “I wish I could stay but I have to go to the gallery.”

“No problem,” Buffy answered easily as her mother stood up and headed out the door.

Buffy turned around, watching her mother open the door. “And mom,” she paused, “Thanks.”

Joyce gave her a warm smile. “I’ll see you later.”

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

Buffy sighed loudly and glared at the clock. The day seemed to be moving at an impossibly slow rate. She might not like school but having absolutely nothing to do except watch TV wasn’t exactly high on her fun list.

And it wasn’t like she where anything about Sunnydale so she couldn’t go out. That left watching another episode of Jerry Springer.

After the show ended Buffy finally clicked the TV off. There were only so many fistfights between the slutty daughter and angry mother she could take. She trudged upstairs and inched into bed and rested her eyes.

Crash

Buffy eye’s snapped open and she sat up quickly. Oh my god, she thought frantically, there was someone in the house. Hesitantly, she opened her bedroom door, peering through the crack.

She could hear faint noises, almost like…moans. What the…? Buffy edged out of her room, her steps wary.

Then she heard another muffled moan and someone bumped into the wall. Suddenly, Buffy’s stomach turned. If it wasn’t a thief, which she now doubted thanks to the noises, then maybe it was…ugh, the concept was too horrible to think about.

She tip-toed down the stairs and entered the living room slowly. The sight that greeted her almost made her gag. Two bodies were on the couch, making out. And one of them had almost white blonde hair. Spike.

Buffy cleared her throat loudly and the pair sprang apart as if they’d been burned.

Spike took one look at the girl standing in front of him and swore, “Bloody hell.”

Spike’s make-out partner scrunched her face. “Spikey, who’s this?”

Buffy gave the blonde girl a disdainful look. She reminded Buffy of herself two years ago only ten times stupider.

“I’m Buffy and you must be Spike’s girlfriend,” Buffy said sarcastically.

“This is Harmony,” Spike interjected, rubbing a hand over his face. “Bloody hell I didn’t know anyone was home.”

“Apparently not,” Buffy replied, casting Harmony another look as the blonde began tugging on her disheveled barely-there skirt.

Spike turned to his girlfriend and sighed. “Harm, I’ll call you later.”

The blonde girl gave Buffy a glare as if it were all her fault. “Fine,” she huffed grabbing her bag and exiting the house, slamming the door.

Spike and Buffy stood there awkwardly. “Well,” Buffy ventured, “she sure seems…nice.”

Spike slumped back into the couch. “Yeah, she’s a bloody saint,” he muttered.

Buffy raised her eyebrows. “Not exactly the reaction most people have at the thought of their significant other.”

Spike scoffed. “Harmony? Significant? Maybe to half the football team.”

“And you’re dating her?” Buffy asked incredulously.

Spike shrugged. “Not exactly datin’, more like…hanging out.”

Buffy laughed, crossing her arms and giving him a knowing look. “Ah, got it.”

“What?” Spike snapped, glaring at Buffy as she sat down next to him.

“She’s convenient, right?” Buffy asked rhetorically. “All the fun of dating but no strings attached.”

Spike’s glare turned deadly. “I never said that.”

“You didn’t have to,” was Buffy’s simple reply.

Spike stood up, seething. “Who the hell are you to judge me? You come here after getting kicked out of daddy’s house and mope around like it’s the bleedin’ end of the world. Why the fuck should I listen to you?”

Buffy jumped to her feet, her face inches from his. “Don’t,” she hissed, “talk about things you won’t ever understand.”

Spike tilted his head, his clenching and unclenching his jaw. “You’re a spoiled brat, you know that? Joyce would have done anything for you and instead you decided to stay with cheatin’ father.”

Buffy met his gaze squarely, “Get out of my face.”

“Gladly,” Spike retorted and raced out the door, shutting it so hard the whole house rattled.

Buffy stood, rooted in her spot and inhaled deeply. His words had cut her deeply, even if he didn’t know it. It was true, she’d been so mad at her mother for leaving her all alone she selfishly turned down the offer to live with Joyce just to get back at her. Buffy had pretended that her friends and cheerleading were too important for her to leave but in reality they didn’t matter.

She ran her hand through her dark shorn locks, trying not to feel bad about what she’d said to Spike. He’d been an asshole but whom he dated wasn’t really her business.
Right, a tiny voice piped up, and you weren’t jealous at all.

Chapter 4: Newly Blonde

Who does the bint think she is? Spike thought angrily as he pulled out of driveway, speeding down Revello drive.

She was infuriating, judgmental, bitchy, bratty, intriguing, sexy—no not sexy, he reprimanded himself.

This was ridiculous, Spike thought with a bitter laugh. Why was he getting all worked up over some bint in his house who seemed to spend all of her time locked away in her room?

Spike dug around for his cell phone, the dreaded contraption his dad insisted on him having in the car, and clumsily dialed his friend’s number.

“Hello?”

“Gunn, you doin’ anything?” Spike asked.

“No, why?”

“Meet me at the gym, I need to blow of some steam,” Spike replied.

“Sure, man,” Gunn paused, “What about Harmony? I thought you two were hangin’ out at your house.”

“Change of plans,” Spike answered shortly.

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

“Wait, so who is she?” Gunn asked as Spike pummeled the punching bag he was holding.

“Joyce’s daughter, Buffy. She moved here a couple days ago,” Spike answered between punches.

“And I take it you don’t like her,” Gunn deduced.

“God no,” Spike answered with a punch. “She’s an infuriating bitch.”

“Uh-huh,” Gunn replied, unconvinced.

“What?” Spike demanded.

“Nothin’. You just seem awfully mad about one girl.”

“Yeah, well, she pissed me off,” Spike snapped and Gunn studied his friend for a moment before breaking out in a smirk.

“She’s hot isn’t she?” Gunn asked knowingly.

“What the bleedin’ hell does that have to do with anything?” Spike exclaimed.

Gunn shrugged, trying to hide his smile. “Absolutely nothing.”

“She’s not hot,” Spike told him and then added. “And even if she is she’s still the most annoying, bratty bitch I’ve ever had the displeasure to meet.”

“Of course,” Gunn said with a mock-serious face.

Spike gave him a look. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” Gunn asked as he moved to take his turn punching.

“Give me that look that means you don’t believe me,” Spike replied.

“I’m not,” Gunn protested, still half smirking.

“Shut up.”

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

He wasn’t back. Buffy snuck another glance at her clock, 5:54. Only ten minutes since she last looked. Stop it, she told herself, he’s 18 friggin’ years old and she was not his keeper. Who cared if Giles or her mom called? Not her.

Buffy now stood in front of her full-length mirror, inspecting her hair. The color was fading, especially at the roots and bottoms, and she considered trying to dye it over her natural color of honey blonde.

If she really wanted to start over in Sunnydale, the dark hair would have to go. It was so Faith-esque, wild and sexy. Now she just wanted pretty and normal. Girl next door.

Buffy had cleaned her face of the dark make-up and now her only resemblance of make-up was a coat of cherry lip balm. Her skin wasn’t as golden as it used to be but that was easy enough to fix.

She fished through her clothes, finding her least ripped jeans and put on a soft gray tank top. She abandoned her thick necklaces and bracelets for a simple sliver chain.

Just the minuscule changes made a difference in her appearance. She broke out into a small bittersweet smile at her reflection. Goodbye LA Buffy, hello Sunnydale Buffy.

Just then, the door opened and shut loudly, alerting her that Spike was indeed home.
Buffy trotted down the stairs and into the kitchen where Spike sat at the counter, his hair damp, drinking water.

“You,” Spike mumbled, glancing up as she walked into the room.

“Me,” Buffy responded, leaning against the island across from him. “So, where’d you go?”

“Gym,” was Spike’s one word answer and he took a gulp from his glass.

That perked up Buffy’s interest. She always did like to exercise. Before it had been cheerleading but later she’d taken up running and some karate. “Really, where is it?”

“Why?” Spike asked suspiciously, eyeing the small girl. She didn’t have the typical build of a serious athlete.

Buffy shrugged. “I like running, boxing and I’m big with karate.” This wasn’t so bad, she thought. They were having a civilized conversation that, hopefully, wouldn’t end in a heated argument.

“They have classes,” Spike offered, almost hesitantly, “for karate.”

“Cool,” Buffy replied, unable to think of any other response. There was a pause, not necessarily awkward but still there. She wondered if he’d forgotten their argument only a few hours ago, he was so calm.

The phone on the table rang suddenly jarring Buffy and she lunged for it. “This is B-uh the Giles-Summers’ residence.” A piece of paper sat in front of her and she started doodling on it with a nearby pen.

“Buffy, it’s me.”

Buffy relaxed marginally. “Oh, hey mom.”

“Listen, are you sitting down?” Joyce asked eagerly

Buffy glanced up from her drawing to see Spike had disappeared, presumably to his room. She mentally sighed as she sat down in one of the stools.

“I am now,” she replied, brushing off the strange, sinking feeling she felt when she realized Spike had left.

“I got a call from Mr. Snyder,” Joyce began excitedly, “he said as long as you participated in an extra-curricular or two, you can go to Sunnydale High.”

Buffy straightened, feeling lighter than she had in weeks, months probably. “Seriously?”

She could almost see her mother nodding. “Yep, you’ll start Wednesday. You’ve missed a couple weeks of school but since it’s only a month into the school year, you should get caught up in no time.”

A serene smile slipped onto her face. School would be good. It was normalcy. Something she missed a lot.

“Good. I’m glad we didn’t have to take this to the school board,” Buffy said, her tone light.

“Thank god,” Joyce replied with a small laugh. “Do you know what a hassle that would have been? Half of the board spends most of their time on the golf course.”

Buffy let out a small laugh as well at the comment and picked up the pen again. “Um, I know I said it before but, uh, thanks.”

“Of course, sweetheart,” Joyce replied and Buffy took comfort in that small endearment.

“Tomorrow, I’ll take off work early to get you your school supplies and I believe it is tradition to spend an enormous amount of time in stores finding new clothes for the year,” Joyce commented. If there was one thing she knew about her daughter, it was her love for shopping.

Buffy smiled even though her mother couldn’t see her. “That sounds good.”

“I’ll see you soon,” Joyce promised and they hung up.

Buffy put the phone back and stared down at her drawing, her face blanched as the features slid into place. She tore the paper off the pad and crumpled in her hand. She swallowed uneasily, closing her eyes.

Quickly, she tossed the sheet away, making sure it was buried under a few other pieces of trash. She hadn’t drawn him in a few weeks. Mostly her mind pushed him away, just leaving her with glimpses of his eyes or the profile of his face.

Buffy settled herself on the couch, pulling the blanket around her despite the warm weather. Don’t, she told herself, don’t think about him. Not now.

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

“So which store do you want to start with?” Joyce asked, studying the map of the mall.

“Um,” Buffy scanned the list of stores. “I guess we could start with school supplies first.”

It was relatively early in the afternoon, but the mall was buzzing with people most likely taking advantage of the rare cloudy day.

“The Office Max is just around the corner. We could start there and then work our way down,” Joyce suggested and Buffy nodded in agreement.

An hour later, the pair had stopped for coffee and had made their way to the clothing stores. Buffy leafed through the racks, looking for new clothes.

Joyce walked over, holding Buffy’s previous purchases. “So, finding anything?”

Buffy held up a cute top, eyeing it critically. “I like this but I’m not sure if I really want to get it.”

Joyce plucked it out of her hands and placed it in the basket. “Yes you do.”

Buffy opened her mouth to protest but then shut it. If her mom was willing to buy all this for her, she probably shouldn’t disagree. Buffy passed a mirror and with one glance, she remembered her other change. Her hair.

“Um, mom,” Buffy began nervously. “I was wondering if you’d help me dye my hair.”

Joyce gaze flickered to the red and black and down to her daughter’s face. “What color?”

“Uh, blonde, back to my normal color,” Buffy answered. “I’m getting kinda bored of the black and red.”

Relief flickered in Joyce’s eyes and she nodded. “Sure, we can stop by the hair salon and buy some hair dye. I’d offer to schedule an appointment but if you want it blonde for tomorrow…”

Buffy nodded quickly. “Uh-huh. No problem.”

Joyce gave her a brief smile. “Good.”

They went to pay for the rest of Buffy’s new clothes and headed out with bags dangling from their arms.

At the hair salon, Buffy picked out a honey blonde, a shade darker than her real color and handed it over to her mother. “This is pretty close.”

Joyce nodded. “I like it.”

“Thank you,” Buffy said as they exited the salon.

“I’ve told you Buffy, I don’t mind doing this. I swear. I want this year to be great for you, a step forward,” Joyce replied and squeezed her daughter’s hand lightly.

Buffy flashed her a quick smile. “Me too.”

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

“So,” Buffy asked, shifting nervously, “how does it look?”

Joyce smiled happily. “I could almost say I never knew it was dyed.”

“Really?” Buffy spun around to face the mirror and smiled her first real smile in ages. “Wow, it does look good!”

Buffy tilted her head, trying to view all of her hair. It was a shiny, silky blonde that went well with her new tan from being out all day.

“What’s going on in here?” Giles’s accented voice drifted from outside of the bathroom.

“Oh, Rupert, come on in and see Buffy’s new hair,” Joyce called out and Buffy could feel her face heating up.

Giles stepped in, taking in the newly blonde girl. She looked so different from only the day before. Her face was bright with a small smile on her lips, her hair blonde and her clothes lighter. “You look lovely, Buffy,” he said honestly.

“Uh, thanks,” she mumbled shyly.

Giles glanced down at his watch. “Joyce, are you ready? The gallery showing starts at seven, correct?”

Joyce slapped her head. “God, I can’t believe I almost forgot!” She turned to her daughter, “We’ll be back around 10:00, okay?”

Buffy nodded, still entranced by her reflection and the older pair left, closing the door behind them.

Spike trudged up the stairs, his heavy boots clunking against the wood. He passed the bathroom and stopped as a flash of golden hair caught his eye.

He peered into the bathroom to see Buffy, well, blonde. “Uh,” he stuttered slightly, “you dyed your hair.”

Buffy nodded, feeling a little self-conscious and patted her head. “Uh, yeah, back to its normal color.”

“Oh,” Spike paused, regarding her silently before adding, “It looks nice.” His voice was casual but his eyes stayed locked on Buffy. He found himself staring at her body, newly revealed by the tighter jeans and top.

Buffy edged away from the door a little, wondering why Spike was looking at her so strangely. He wasn’t…checking her out was he?

“Uh, Spike?” she called hesitantly, “Did you need something?”

Spike cleared his throat, shaking his head. “I’m goin’ out. I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Okay,” Buffy said and watched as Spike went back down the stairs and out the door. Was he just nice to her? And was she nice back?

Buffy shook her head at the strange encounter and went into her room, pulling out all her new purchases. The clothes were spread out on her bed, mostly jeans, a few skirts and nice tops.

She put them away and pushed her old clothes further back in the closet. She couldn’t get rid of them; something in her wouldn’t let her but her new clothes now hung neatly in the front.

Here’s to a new look, Buffy thought and glanced at her mirror. And to a new life.


A/N: Despite Buffy’s happier mood and ‘moving forward’ strategy, it isn’t all going to be as easy as this chapter. There will be angst and conflict-just so you know. And the Spuffy will take a little bit but it’ll start soon.

Chapter 5: School Day Part I

“Buffy! Breakfast! You don’t wanna miss your first day of school!”

Disoriented, Buffy sat up and rubbed her eyes. Oh yeah, she remembered, school today. Her nervousness came back to her and she jumped out of bed, searching through her new clothes for an outfit.

After a few minutes, she settled on a jean miniskirt with green tank top, a gray sweater tied around her waist. Buffy carefully applied her make-up, keeping it light and brushed her hair. She put the silver chain back on her neck, fingering the little heart lightly.

With a sigh, Buffy slipped her feet into her shoes and headed downstairs.

“Buffy,” Joyce looked up as her daughter walked into the kitchen, “you look lovely.”

Spike merely glanced up from his Lucky Charms, not saying a word.

A bowl had already been set for Buffy and she poured her cereal in it, taking small bites.

“You looking forward to starting today?” Joyce asked, breaking the silence.

Buffy nodded. “Yeah, I am.” Her anxiety had only increased as each minute passed but it seemed safest to stick with yes.

Spike shoveled the last of his cereal into his mouth and stood up, his chair squeaking against the linoleum and went up stairs.

Buffy watched as he exited, feeling confused. One minute she could have sworn Spike was checking her out and the next he was ignoring her.

“You better get going,” Joyce told the blonde. “School starts in a half hour and Spike’s probably leaving in about five-ten minutes.”

Buffy stood up and placed her dish by the sink, frowning. “Spike?”

Joyce nodded, taking the dirty dish. “He’ll drive you. Thankfully he got a parking space this year.”

Buffy swallowed. “As in ‘taking me to school with him,’ kind of driving?”

Joyce gave her daughter a weird look. “Is there another kind?”

Buffy let a small, forced laugh. “No, I was just…being spacey. I’m gonna finish getting ready.”

She ran up the stairs, grabbing her new black backpack and slipped her gray sweater on. While it was usually warm in Sunnydale, the sun was just peeking over the horizon this early in the morning and it was a little chillier.

As Buffy exited her room, she bumped into Spike who had his own beat-up bag slung over one shoulder.

“There you are,” he muttered. “Come on, we’re gonna be late.”

Buffy followed Spike out to his car, a big black thing that would terrify small children, and slipped into the front seat.

“This is your car?” Buffy couldn’t keep all the disdain out of her voice and earned herself a glare for it.

“Yeah,” Spike snapped defensively. “What of it?”

“It’s just so…” Buffy trailed off as she picked up an empty bag of chips off the ground, “old.”

“It’s vintage,” Spike corrected her as they pulled out of the driveway and onto Revello Drive.

Buffy resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Vintage implies it has actually been in style and still looks good.”

Spike gritted his teeth and took a sharp turn onto Main Street. “It’s vintage and stop insulting my car or you might just find yourself walking to school.”

Buffy pursed her lips but didn’t vocalize her protests. She had a feeling Spike wasn’t kidding about actually kicking her out of the car.

They drove the rest of the way in silence; the Sex Pistols, which Buffy would never admit to Spike, were not that bad, playing low.

Spike maneuvered through the busy parking lot and parked into a spot near the tennis courts. He climbed out and without another look behind him, headed towards a clump of students near the track.

Buffy stood there, annoyed and not a little angry and embarrassed, watching him start shaking hands with a dark-haired boy, laughing.

“Don’t bother,” a voice came from behind her.

Buffy jumped, clearly startled and spun around to face a redhead girl wearing a fuzzy pink sweater, a black skirt and Keds.

“Oh!” The girl gasped, looking upset. “I didn’t mean to scare you!”

“No problem,” Buffy managed with a brief smile and then frowned slightly. “Bother with what?”

“Him,” the redhead gestured to Spike off in the distance. “Don’t bother making with the lusties. He has two types: the crazy or the dumb,” she paused, “or the really easy. But you didn’t hear that one from me.”

“You don’t say,” Buffy said dryly, still watching Spike.

The girl nodded. “Yep. That’s Spike Giles. BMOC.”

“Huh?” Buffy asked, turning to the redhead.

“Big Man On Campus,” she explained and the two naturally started walking towards the school building.

“Ah. Got it,” Buffy replied with a small laugh. “I’m Buffy.”

“Willow,” the girl replied, sticking out her hand to shake.

Buffy complied with a little grin. “Nice to meet you. So, I was wondering…do you think you could show me around a bit? I have,” she glanced down at her badly written schedule, “English in room 805 with Mr. Minton first hour.”

“Sure! No problem!” Willow exclaimed happily and at Buffy taken back look, she clarified, “I’m the girl who actually likes school.”

At that comment Buffy let out a laugh and Willow joined in.

“So,” she began, “when did you move here?”

“Um,” Buffy shifted her gaze slightly, watching the students pour in to the building. “Just a few days ago.”

“Really? Where from?”

“LA,” Buffy answered. “My mom was already living here.”

“Wow,” Willow looked at her, shocked. “I can’t believe you left such a big city to come to…well, such a small one. I mean, we literally only have one Starbucks.”

Buffy shrugged. “I needed a change of scenery,” she half-lied. The last thing she wanted to do was ramble on about her sob story and freak out her new potential friend.

The two walked through the hallway and into the 800 wing. People were just starting to trickle into classrooms, cramming for their tests but most students were hanging out in bunches in the halls.

“Can I see your schedule for a second?” Willow asked and Buffy handed it to her.

The redhead scanned the sheet, looking confused. “Not that I wouldn’t be happy to show you to all your classes, but the office usually assigns a person to show you around.”

“Oh,” Buffy shifted and took her schedule back. “I did, have one I mean,” she admitted, “but, uh, he kinda…ditched me.”

It took a moment for the blonde’s words to register. “Oh, you mean Spike Giles was your tour guide?” Willow asked, her eyes wide.

“Yeah,” Buffy grumbled, “lucky me.”

Willow glanced down at her shoes. “Some people would think so.”

Buffy stared at the girl for a moment, watching the faint blush work its way up her face. “You like him?” At the sound of her voice, Buffy winced. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it to sound like that. It’s not that-“

She was interrupted as a brown-haired boy with a goofy smile slung his arm around Willow’s shoulder. “Hey Wills.” The boy’s gaze was trained on Buffy. “Introduce me to your new friend here.”

Buffy couldn’t help but giggle a little at the guy’s attempt to sound suggestive. He seemed sweet and obviously a good friend of Willow’s. “I’m Buffy and I’m new.”

“New is good,” the boy confirmed. “I’m Xander.”

“Well,” Buffy said with nod, “nice to meet you. Willow here was just showing me to my first class.”

“Ah! Fear not, we’re here to save your day, Ms…” Xander trailed off, looking at her expectantly.

“Summers,” Buffy filled in, a grin playing on her lips. “And thank you.”

“Her guide is Spike but he ditched her,” Willow informed her best friend and he sighed, shaking his head.

“And we’re surprised? He’s not exactly known for his winning personality. Don’t get me wrong, we’re sorta friends but he’s been like this since Drusilla dumped him. Man, she really did a number on him.”

Buffy looked at Xander, confused. “Who’s Drusilla?”

“Spike’s ex. They’d been going out since, like, sixth grade. She’s kinda…different,” Willow said hesitantly.

“In other words, a total wacko,” Xander corrected for Buffy as they led her into her class room.

Willow rolled her eyes. “Anyway, they were like the Bonnie and Clyde of Sunnydale High only goth. Then at the end of school year, Dru dumped him for some college guy. He was a wreck.”

Xander nodded sympathetically. “Spike was one sad drunk.”

“Xander!” Willow scolded her friend and turned to Buffy. “Like Xander said, we’re kinda friends with Spike; at least we used to be until he got into Harmony.”

“Who’s into half the football team,” Buffy added, remembering what Spike’d told her.

Willow nodded, a little surprised at Buffy’s accurate comment. “Yep. She puts the ditz in ditzy blonde.”

Just then a girl walked up to the three and turned to Xander, tapping him on the shoulder. “I thought you were meeting me in the supply closet? You know how I get without my morning-“ the girl stopped and gave Buffy a bright smile. “Hello, you must be new. I’m Anya.”

Xander’s face was beet red as he gently tugged Anya closer. “Ahn, remember that discussion about how I like our private times…private?”

Anya pouted, crossing her arms. “Well I wouldn’t have to mention it if you’d been in the closet like you promised.”

Xander rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry; I’ll make it up to you.”

Anya glanced at the clock impatiently and dragged Xander with her. “Let’s go then, we still have fifteen minutes. If we work really fast, we might get one orgasm in.”

Buffy watched as the pair left, her mouth hanging open. She’d known some of the tactless girls out there, but that girl…well she one-upped them all.

Willow smirked at Buffy’s expression. “That was Anya. She can be a little intense. She and Xander have been hooking up since summer but neither of them will say anything about dating. It’s weird.”

Buffy nodded slowly. “No kidding.”

“So,” Willow smiled brightly, “how about I show you to the rest of your classes?”

“Sounds good.”

Chapter 5: School Day Part II

“Summers, Buffy?”

“Here,” Buffy answered promptly, pulling out a new notebook and pen. It was time to be super student Buffy.

The teacher glanced up, looking a little surprised. “Well, it’s always nice to have new students in my class. Why don’t you come up here and introduce yourself.”

Buffy swallowed uneasily and slowly stood up, making her way to the front of the class. With a deep sigh, she turned to face the unfamiliar faces.

“Um, I’m Buffy and, uh, I’m from LA,” she turned to the teacher. “Anything else?”

The woman shook her head and motioned for Buffy to sit down. “Welcome to Computer Class. Now, everyone turn to page 20 in your textbooks…”

The teacher prattled on about how computers worked and Buffy tuned her out a little, letting her mind wander.

Her classes had been okay and despite the fact she was a couple weeks behind, most teachers had been accommodating, giving her time to make up the work.

The door opened and everyone glanced up and the teacher trailed off with a frown at the newcomer.

“Well, Spike I’m glad you could make it to class,” the teacher crossed her arms with a raised brow.

Spike gave her a deceptively charming grin. “Sorry Ms. Calendar, got held up by Snyder.”

“That’s Principal Snyder,” Ms. Calendar corrected and pointed Spike to the empty seat, of course, next to Buffy. “Sit down, Giles.”

Spike grudgingly complied, slumping into the desk, his legs sprawled outward and knocked Buffy’s knee.

“Sorry,” he mumbled before resting his head on the desk.

“It’s fine,” Buffy mumbled back, wishing she didn’t have a class with Spike Giles. She already saw him at home, why did she need to see him at school?


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

“Ah…fine American cuisine,” Xander commented as the three new friends sat down at an empty table, trays in hand.

Buffy made a face at her mushy meat. “What is this supposed to be?”

“I think meatloaf,” Willow said, poking her own blob with her fork.

“Whatever it is, it’s definitely not real meat,” Xander announced, taking a bite of the ‘meatloaf.’

Both girls stared at him in horror. “Did you just eat it?” Willow asked, shocked.

“What?” Xander said through a mouthful. “I’m hungry!”

Buffy grinned despite her dismay and took a sip of her juice. She was amazed at how close she was to the Willow and Xander after only knowing them for less than a day. They were kind, sweet and welcoming and Buffy could feel her nervousness about being the new girl melting away.

“…tonight?” Willow asked Buffy and she shook her attention back to the redhead.

“Sorry, what was that?”

“Do you wanna come with us to the Bronze tonight? It’s the basically the only club here in Sunnydale,” Willow repeated.

“Oh,” Buffy paused, twirling her fork, “maybe. I don’t know. I still have some unpacking I have to finish.” Okay, it was a partial lie but there was a difference between hanging out with people in school and out of school.

“You have to come,” Xander wheedled, “We’ll throw you a welcome party.”

Suddenly, three trays plopped down next to Buffy, temporarily ending Xander’s attempt at persuading Buffy to go out with them.

“Hey,” Willow greeted the newcomers with a smile.

“Hey Wills,” a thin brunette with a Texan twang replied and then gave Buffy a smile. “Hi, I’m Fred, you must be Buffy.”

Buffy nodded, feeling a little awkward. “Yep, I’m Buffy. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Wesley,” the dark-haired, apparently British guy besides Fred piped up.

“A-and I’m Tara,” the second girl with dark blonde hair and a shy smile added.

As soon as they sat down and started eating, the conversation started up again about the Bronze.

“You have to come tonight. It’s ‘stomp a cockroach, get a free drink’ night,” Fred gushed, popping a grape in her mouth.

“Cockroach?” Buffy asked dubiously.

“Yep,” Willow nodded for confirmation. “It’s a nice deal though. After all, who can resist the allure of free drinks?”

“You’re just saying that because you’re the best foot-stomper,” Xander muttered darkly.

Fred and Wes snickered at Xander’s sullen expression and Buffy tried to suppress her own laughter.

“Okay, okay,” Buffy relented with a little grin. “I’ll come tonight.”

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

Buffy had to admit her new friends weren’t the most popular people around and were a far cry from Faith’s so-called friends Buffy’d hung out with in the last year.

But they were the kind of people Buffy actually wanted hang out with and be friends with. They were genuine and didn’t pull off some act, trying to be someone they weren’t.

“Here,” Willow handed Buffy a slip of paper with a phone number on it. “This is my phone number. Call me and I’ll give you directions to the Bronze.”

The two girls were slowly walking out of the building, relishing the warm afternoon sun. School had ended only a few minutes before and Willow was walking Buffy out before the Computer Club’s meeting.

“Hey,” Buffy asked suddenly, turning to face the redhead. “Do you guys have a cross country team?”

Willow nodded. “Yeah, Fred’s on the team. Do you do long distance running?”

Buffy shrugged, her eyes drifting to the track where she could see clumps of people standing. “A little. I’ve never been on a school team though.”

“Maybe you could ask Fred to ask the coach to let you try out,” Willow suggested.

Buffy nodded absently, still watching the runners in the distance. “Maybe I will.”
Her newfound love for running had helped her clear her mind and work through her frustrations. And it helped her forget…for a little while; letting her focus on her breathing, her pace and that burn in her muscles.

“Hey,” Willow began with a little frown. “Where’s your ride?”

Buffy shifted in her spot, reaching up to tug on a strand of her hair. “Actually-“

She was cut off as Spike, in a swirl of black leather and faint smell of smoke, brushed past her, bumping her shoulder. “Come on, Summers,” he muttered.

Willow watch with wide eyes as Buffy moved towards Spike’s car. “Spike’s your ride?”

“Um…” Buffy fished for some kind of explanation but the only one that made sense was the truth. “I’m sorta…living with him.” Or maybe that didn’t really explain much.

“Let’s go!” Spike snapped, leaning out of his open window.

“I’ll call you later,” Buffy promised as she slid into the car.

“You better,” Willow warned, still watching the blonde with a confused look.

Spike pulled out the parking spot with a squeal and sped off, leaving skid marks on the asphalt.

“That,” Willow said out loud, “was really weird.”

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

Buffy’s arms were crossed over her chest, wary as Spike violently turned out of the parking lot. “You know,” she began, “you could have been a little nicer.”

“To who?” Spike asked, his eyes still fixated on the road.

“Willow,” Buffy answered.

Spike rolled his eyes. “You’re point?”

Buffy shot him a confused look. “I thought you guys were friends.”

Spike shrugged. “We are, I guess.” His tone was casual, as if there wasn’t anything wrong.

“You’re an idiot,” Buffy told him with a glare.

Spike jerked the car to a stop and turned to face the blonde girl beside him, his eyes sparked with anger, his jaw set. “What the hell is your problem, Summers?”

“You!” She shot back. “Does it kill to be nice to your friends? I get it, I really do. You’re mad because your ho of a girlfriend broke up with you after, what, seven years? But you can’t just be an asshole to everyone forever!”

There was a deadly silence in the car as both blondes stared at each other, waiting.

Finally Spike spoke, his voice tight, filled with barely controlled anger. “Get out of my car.”

Buffy blinked. “What? No!”

“Get the fuck out or I’ll throw you out,” Spike told her. His expression was so serious, Buffy, feeling humiliated, slowly opened the door and stepped out.

Spike reached over to shut her door and then pulled away from the curb without a second glance behind him.

Buffy watched him drive off in shock. “Well,” she said out loud, “How the hell am I gonna get home?”

She stood there for a few minutes, hoping maybe god would listen to her for once but no such luck.

With a sigh, Buffy put her backpack on and started the three-mile walk to the Summers-Giles house.


A/N: I know what you’re thinking: Spike is such an asshole! Why??? Here’s the answer I can give you: both Buffy and Spike have their problems they have/are dealing with and they will work through them but be patient, it takes time.
Also, don’t worry Spike’s behavior will change a little soon. Thanks!

Chapter 6: Tell Me

Sweat trickled down Buffy’s back, her shirt sticking to her skin. For the umpteenth time, she hoisted her backpack on to her shoulder as it kept slipping.

The hot afternoon sun was beating down on her as she made her way back to her house. Buffy was only about a mile away but it seemed like forever in the heat.

“Isn’t it supposed to be crisp outside in September?” Buffy grumbled, pushing a strand of hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear.

“Of course not!” She responded out loud to her question, “It’s southern California! God, I’m an idiot. Why did I have to say something to the bleached wonder any way?”

Buffy continued to ramble on, “I couldn’t have just ignored him? Noooo! I had to be Big-Mouth Buffy.”

She kicked a stone out her way and frowned. “Stupid me,” she muttered.

Eventually, Buffy managed to make it on to Revello Drive and walked in the shade to her house. As soon as she walked in, she dropped her bag and stumbled over to the couch, sinking into the cool cushions.

“Thank god for air-conditioning,” Buffy breathed and closed her eyes.

“Buffy?”

She immediately sat up at the sound of her name and saw Giles standing there. He still had his briefcase in hand and was suspiciously not sweaty despite the full-on tweed suit.

“Did you just get home?” He asked setting down his briefcase.

Buffy nodded, flopping back on the couch. “Uh, yeah.”

Giles’s frown deepened. “Didn’t Will-er-Spike drive you?”

For about a block, Buffy thought sarcastically but didn’t say it out loud.

“Um…” she shrugged. “I decided to walk. It’s nice out.”

Giles eyed her flushed cheeks and damp shirt doubtfully. “Weren’t you a little…warm?”

Buffy shrugged again even though it had to be obvious she was sweltering and not at all comfortable.

“Right,” Giles responded slowly, unsure. He glanced out the window at the driveway. “Where is Spike?”

“Uh,” Buffy stalled, “I guess he went to the gym.” That seemed like the safest answer and Giles nodded, indicating he believed her.

“Well,” Giles began, “I have a staff meeting in an hour but I can fix you something to eat if you want. I was about to make myself a sandwich.”

Buffy opened her mouth to refuse but then realized this was a good time to get to know her mother’s live-in boyfriend a little better. “Sure,” she said with a smile. “I’d love one.”

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

Much to Buffy’s immense surprise, Giles was actually kinda cool, in a fatherly way, but way nicer than her dad had ever been. And more interested in getting to know her too.

“Well,” Giles said, standing up to put their dishes away. “It was nice talking to you, Buffy. I know we really haven’t gotten a chance to get to know each other yet.”

“Well I did just kinda barge into your house,” Buffy admitted.

“Nonsense,” Giles shook his head. “We’re thrilled to have you here.”

He paused for a moment, watching her carefully. “You know,” he began, “Joyce is especially glad you’re here. But I think…I think she’s worried about you. Moving can be very stressful on young adults. You had to leave all your friends and-“

“Giles,” Buffy cut him off gently. “I’m fine, really.” She glanced down at her hands. “My mom probably told you why my dad sent me here, but it’s nice, having a chance to start over.”

Giles smiled with understanding at the young woman sitting in front of him. She was so vastly different from the dark-haired girl who’d arrived a few days ago. “I’m glad you think so.”

He glanced down at his watch and sighed. “Well, I’m off to a riveting meeting about the newest input on exam exceptions. I’ll see you later.”

Buffy grinned a little at his comment. “Yep, see ya.”

Once Giles had pulled out of the driveway, Buffy took the phone and dialed the number Willow had given her.

On the second ring, Willow picked it up. “Hello?”

“Hey Willow, it’s Buffy.”

“Oh, hey!” Willow sounded genuinely happy to hear from her. “You need directions to the Bronze, right?”

“Yep,” Buffy responded, sitting down on one of stools, swing slightly. She reached over for a pen and paper and prepared to write Willow’s instructions.

“Okay, go down Revello and take a right on Cherry. Take Cherry north till you hit Bonniwell and then turn on Ash, the Bronze is right there.”

Buffy finished writing the directions down, scribbling furiously. “Thanks,” she said, setting the pen down.

“No problem. If you need more info, call my cell,” Willow told her and proceeded to give her the number.

“So,” the redhead began hesitantly, “how exactly are you living with Spike?”

“My mom is dating Spike’s dad, he’s the school librarian,” Buffy explained.

“Oh! Right, Mr. Giles is Spike’s dad,” Willow remembered. “Giles is nice. When I was at his house, he offered me tea.”

Buffy had to smile at her new friend’s comment. “Yeah, he is nice. Spike though? Not so much.”

“Sometimes,” Willow conceded. “But he isn’t bad all the time.”

“I guess,” Buffy replied doubtfully. “It’s just so far he really hasn’t been all that friendly. I mean, he’s not exactly my favorite person, but…” she trailed off, hoping Willow understood what she meant.

“I know,” she said sympathetically. “But, hey, who knows? Maybe it’ll get better,” Willow suggested optimistically.

“Maybe,” And maybe pigs will fly too, Buffy mentally added. “Anyway,” she said, changing the topic. “What are you wearing tonight?”

“Um…my clothes?” Willow said meekly and then let out a sigh. “I’m hopeless,” she declared dejectedly.

“No, you’re not,” Buffy corrected her gently. “I’ll help you.”

“By phone?” Willow asked incredulously and Buffy laughed, feeling happy despite the disastrous car incident with Spike.

“Trust me,” she told her new friend, “I’m an expert at this.”

The next twenty minutes were spent dissecting Willow’s closet, picking out the perfect outfit. So far Willow had been skeptical and wary of Buffy’s choices which usually included a short skirt or tank top.

“Willow,” Buffy advised kindly, “sometimes being noticed means wearing something that’s not you.”

“Yeah but ‘not me’ equals ‘spazzy me,’” Willow protested, nervously eyeing her prospects.

Buffy bit her lip, thinking intensely. “I know!” she said suddenly. “Wear that floaty black skirt and last year’s Homecoming shoes you were telling me about, and I’ll bring you a top.”

“You’d do that for me?” Willow asked, sounding touched.

“Of course,” Buffy told her firmly. “You’re helping me fit in; I’m helping you pick out an outfit to stun the guys with.”

“Okay,” Willow giggled a little and then stopped. “Hey, what are you gonna wear?”

Buffy shrugged even though Willow couldn’t see her. “I’ll probably wear a skirt or jeans and—“ she stopped mid sentence as the door opened and then slammed shut. Spike.

“Willow, I’ll call you as soon as I’m leaving, ‘kay?” Buffy said quickly and waited for Willow’s puzzled “okay” before hanging up. She quickly grabbed the pen again, trying to look busy.

With an uneasy swallow, she started drawing on the sheet of paper, keeping her eyes down as Spike walked into the kitchen.

The silence was filled with tension and Buffy could see Spike standing in the middle of the kitchen out of the corner of her eye.

He moved hesitantly so he was in front of her and Buffy had no choice but to look up at him.

“Did you need something?” She asked coolly.

Spike continued to stand there, his jaw clenched tightly. Then he met her gaze squarely and Buffy felt her heart flip a little at the sight of his cerulean eyes.

“He was my best friend,” Spike said suddenly, shifting his gaze a little.

Buffy blinked. “Huh?” She asked oh-so-eloquently.

Spike’s eyes never wavered from the spot above her shoulder. “Dru cheated on me with my best friend. We’d been together since the sixth grade and I’d been friends with him longer than that. One day I cut school early and went to visit her at her dorm where she said she’d be all day and they were in there…together.” Spike’s jaw flexed and then he met her hazel eyes again, waiting for her reaction.

“Oh,” Buffy responded simply, still reeling from what he’d just told her. She wondered what had prompted Spike to confess to her what had transpired between him and his ex-girlfriend.

“So next time try and avoid talking about things you don’t know about,” he told her.

Buffy’s annoyance returned and she stood up, a glare firmly planted on her face. “Funny, I’m having this weird sense of déjà vu. I talk about things I don’t know about? What was that you told me the other day? Something along the lines of being a spoiled brat and moping around? You sure as hell have no clue what the fuck you’re talking about,” she spat at him. “You’re such a hypocrite.”

“Fine,” Spike shot back, “Tell me!”

Buffy stopped and stared at him. “W-what?”

Spike took a step forward, deliberately invading her personal space. “What’s the soddin’ truth then? If I’m being such a hypocrite as you put it, why don’t you tell me what the bleedin’ hell you’re really doing here?”

In that moment Buffy lost all her bravo. “I-I can’t,” she said, her voice nearly inaudible.

Spike regarded her for a moment, tilting his head slightly. “Figures,” he muttered and stormed out the room and up the stairs.

Buffy stood there in the kitchen still staring at the empty space where Spike had been standing. She swallowed as tears threatened to spill over. No, she thought firmly, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

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

A few hours later, Buffy was putting the finishing touches on her outfit for the Bronze. After the blowout with Spike, she’d been reluctantly to go out but she’d promised Willow and her friends she would and, dammit, she would.

Running the brush through her hair one last time, Buffy eyed herself in the mirror. She’d chosen to wear a black leather skirt, her black high heels and a dark blue iridescent tank top that clung to her curves.

Her body was thrumming with energy and she found herself eagerly anticipating the night out. Her clothes were more Faith-like than she probably should have worn but just for tonight she wanted to look dangerously sexy.

With her black leather jacket on and Willow’s shirt in hand, Buffy crept down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. Her mom and Giles were upstairs in their room and had okayed her going to the Bronze but currently she was avoiding Spike at all costs.

Buffy turned, peering around the corner into the living room to see it was empty. Buffy let out a sigh of relief before a voice from behind her made her jump.

“Where’re you goin’?”

She turned around to see Spike standing there, arms crossed. Buffy straightened, defiantly tilting her chin upwards. “Out,” she responded shortly.

“Yeah,” Spike drawled, his gaze sweeping over her outfit. “Where?”

Buffy could feel his lingering look on her skin and felt exposed. “To the Bronze,” she said and pushed passed him to the door.

Spike reached out, his hand holding the door shut and scoffed. “Like you’re going out like that.”

Buffy bristled, her frown deepening. “What’s wrong with my outfit?” She demanded, glancing down at her top.

What outfit? Spike wanted to say but wisely kept the thought to himself. “Nothing,” he said, “but you’re not walking looking like that.”

Buffy threw a glare at him as she tried to open the door. “You’re not my mother,” she said between pulls.

“Well,” Spike smirked. “Let’s see what Joyce would have to say about your…adorable attire.”

Buffy turned around, her back resting against the wooden door. “Let go,” she said her voice eerily calm.

Spike opened his mouth to protest and then shut it, pressing his lips together. “Fine,” he said and pulled his hand away from the door.

With a huff, Buffy swung open the door and walked out into the twilight, not once looking back at the infuriating bleached blonde behind her.

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

Why was he even bothering? Spike questioned as he wandered back over to his seat in the kitchen. The bint had made it clear she didn’t like him earlier this afternoon, twice.

Not that, he admitted, he’d been all that accepting either. Her careless comment about Drusilla in the car had topped off his bad day and just the camel with one more straw, he’d collapsed, exploding at her.

Exhaling sharply, Spike yanked open the refrigerator door, looking for something to eat as his mind circled around the blonde girl currently living in his house.

She was obviously hiding something, that much was evident when he’d point-blank asked her why she’d come to live with them. But he didn’t know what and it was bothering him more than he’d like.

Chapter 7: The Bronze

“Buffy, you made it!” Willow exclaimed as she spotted the blonde walking towards the table Xander had secured.

“Yep,” Buffy said with a nod and then discreetly tugged on Willow’s sweater. “Here’s the shirt,” she whispered, pushing the item into Willow’s hands.

The redhead’s face brightened. “Oh, thanks! I’m gonna go put it on, I’ll be right back.” And with that, she ran off to the bathroom.

Buffy sat down in Willow’s seat, surveying the Bronze. It was rather small compared to the clubs she’d been to in LA but it was well suited for a place like Sunnydale. A live band was playing and Buffy tapped her foot and bobbed her head to the beat, trying to look occupied.

“Hey Buffy!” She turned to see the thin brunette, Fred, that she’d been introduced to earlier.

“Hi Fred,” Buffy replied with a smile as the brunette sat down in the seat opposite her and took a sip of the drink in front of her.

“Where’d Willow go?” Fred asked, searching around her.

Buffy jerked her thumb into the direction where she’d seen Willow go. “Bathroom.”

“Ah,” Fred nodded, taking another sip of her drink. “So, Willow told me you’re a long distance runner.”

Buffy shrugged. “More like interested in being a long distance runner, I’m not that good,” she confessed.

“Me neither,” Fred told her in a low voice, “but it’s a lot of fun and the coach isn’t picky about tryouts. You could come to practice tomorrow, I’m sure Coach Adler wouldn’t mind.”

Buffy nodded, a slow smile gracing her face. “Sure, I’d like that.”

Fred grinned. “It’d be so cool if you made the team. Sometimes I get so bored ‘cause none of my friends are on the team.”

“No one?” Buffy asked, leaning forward to hear better.

Fred started to shake her head but then stopped. “Well, Spike, Wes and Gunn are on the boy’s team but we only do a few co-ed practices.”

“Spike’s on the cross-country team?” Buffy asked, unable to conceal her surprise.

Fred nodded. “He’s pretty good but Wes is the best runner for the boys. Spike and Gunn are both the top soccer players anyway. Wes runs 4 minute miles and mostly does the 5k runs…”

Buffy raised her eyebrows slightly as she listened to Fred gush about Wes’s statistics. “Do you like him?” she asked, interrupting Fred’s praises.

A deep red blush colored the brunette’s face and she ducked her head. “I don’t think he likes me that way,” she murmured.

Buffy shrugged. “Never know till you ask.”

Fred continued to stare down at her drink as if contemplating Buffy’s words when a handsome black man walked up to their table and tugged on Fred’s hand. “Hey Fred,” he greeted her.

Fred broke out into a sweet smile. “Hey, Gunn. Ready to dance?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Gunn’s gaze shifted to Buffy and he gave her a nod. “Hey.”

“Oh!” Fred pointed to Gunn, “Buffy this is Charles Gunn, Gunn this is Buffy Summers.”

A look of recognition flashed in Gunn’s eyes. “Hey, are you the girl livin’ with Spike?”

Buffy nodded reluctantly. “Yeah, I moved in a few days ago.” She wondered how he knew and before she could voice her question, he answered it for her.

“Me and Spike were hangin’ out at the gym over the weekend and he told me about you.” It wasn’t Buffy’s imagination when she noticed a smirk on Gunn’s face as he spoke.

“I can’t imagine what he said about me,” Buffy said wryly.

Gunn laughed. “Well, I completely disregard everything he said, you seem pretty cool.” His gaze drifted over her revealing attire and Buffy blushed a little at his look.

Fred watched the exchange between the two before interjecting, “I can’t believe your living with Spike.” She lowered her voice, “Have you met Harmony yet?”

Buffy rolled her eyes at the mention of the girl’s name. “Unfortunately, yes.”

Gunn shook his head. “Man, that girl is terrifying. I don’t know how Spike can stand to be around her.”

Buffy nodded in agreement. Boy could she agree with that statement. Suddenly Fred gripped Gunn’s arm. “This is my favorite song!” The pair headed towards the dance floor and Fred twisted to face Buffy. “Dance with us?”

She shook her head indicating no and Gunn gave her a wave before moving through the crowd on the dance floor.

Buffy looked towards the bathroom to see Willow returning with the red halter top on, looking a little nervous.

“Willow, you look great,” Buffy reassured her.

“I don’t know,” Willow mumbled, tugging at the top. “It’s tight.”

“And it looks good,” Buffy added and then pointed to Fred and her dancing partner.

“Are they going out?” Buffy asked, watching them dance.

“They did, a while ago but their really good friends,” Willow explained, “And,” she added giving Buffy a look, “Gunn and Spike are best friends.”

“So I heard,” Buffy replied, still watching the dance floor before she glanced at the seat beside her and frowned. “Where’s Xander? I thought you said he was here.”

Willow rolled her eyes and pointed behind her to a small hallway. “With Anya.”

Even after knowing the pair for less than a day, Buffy needed no further explanation. “Ah,” she said with an understanding nod.

“Yep,” Willow responded with a sigh. “Those two really can’t go without…you know, for more than an hour.”

Buffy laughed and returned to surveying the crowd. She spotted a few people she recognized from her classes and one of them waved, prompting Buffy to wave back. He was kinda cute and had a sweet smile.

“Are you waving at Parker Abrams?” Willow asked, nudging Buffy in the side.

“Is that his name?” Buffy asked, watching as the guy moved towards her.

Willow elbowed Buffy harder. “Wait, Buffy he-“ She didn’t get to finish her sentence before Parker was standing at their table with a smile.

“Hi, I’m Parker. I think I recognize you from French,” he greeted, sticking out his hand for her to shake.

Charmed by his manners, Buffy accepted his handshake. “I’m Buffy. I just started Sunnydale High today.”

Parker grinned. “Well then, it’s nice to meet you. I was wondering, if it wasn’t too imposing, do you want to dance?”

Buffy nodded, giving him a half-smile and stood up. “Sure,” she replied, following him out to the dance floor.

Parker wrapped his arms loosely around her waist and Buffy moved her hands up to his shoulders.

“So,” he began, swaying her slightly to music, “what do think of Sunnydale so far?”

Buffy shrugged. “It’s not so bad. The people are nice, well some of them.”

Parker nodded. “That’s good. So are you a junior?”

“Yep, are you a junior too?” Buffy inquired as the song slowly drew to an end.

“No, senior,” Parker responded, “Next year I’ll be going to UCLA on a football scholarship.”

“Wow,” Buffy commented, “impressive. I live, well lived, in LA with my dad before I moved here. I’ll probably end up moving back after I graduate.”

Parker flashed her a grin. “Well, maybe you can show me all the sights,” he teased.

“Maybe I will.” Buffy gave him a flirty smile and pulled away, drifting back over to her seat next to Willow.

The redhead tugged on Buffy’s arm, pulling her closer to whisper into the blonde’s ear. “Parker has a girlfriend.”

Buffy reared back in shock, her mouth dropping open. “What?” she said loudly.

Willow shushed her, motioning for Buffy to lean closer again. “He’s been going out with Cordelia Chase for three months. And Cordelia…well let’s just put it this way, you don’t want to get on her bad side.”

Buffy made a face and glared at Parker’s back. “Lovely,” she said sarcastically. Why did she always attract sucky men? Buffy wondered, frowning as she watched a pretty brunette with excellent clothes walk up to Parker and kiss him full on the mouth.

“That’s her,” Willow said unnecessarily.

Following Cordelia was a familiar blonde girl, Harmony. She was eagerly hovering over Cordelia’s shoulder, awaiting her instructions like the sheep she was.

“Does he make a habit of that?” Buffy asked Willow, redirecting her gaze elsewhere, “Asking other girls to dance?”

Willow nodded. “Yeah, he’s not exactly monogamous. But he’s the captain of the football team; he gets away with just about everything. Even Snyder likes him.”

Buffy’s eyes widened. “Snyder likes him? Are you sure Parker’s not the devil?”

“Hey, Buff! You’re here!” Xander’s booming voice greeted Buffy as he and Anya made their way across the Bronze.

Anya instantly sat down in the last available seat and took a big gulp of a fruity drink with an umbrella in it. “This stuff is amazing!” she said loudly with a grin. “You can’t even taste the alcohol in it!”

“Ahn,” Xander hissed, “not so loud, we’ll get in trouble.” He turned to Buffy and grinned. “So what do think of the Bronze?”

Buffy pretended to think hard. “Nice music, yummy drinks, lack of tables…I give it a 7.”

“Buffy, my friend, you are far too gracious with the numbers. But this place is really the only club to go to.” Xander said with a shake of his head.

The four continued to talk and shortly after Fred returned and managed to find an extra seat to pull up. Buffy found herself relaxing a little, enjoying her new friends. They were quirky, but nice and she actually fit in. She could be herself around them.

“…so then I grabbed her Barbie doll and ran like hell.” Xander finished with a smirk as Willow good-naturedly swatted him.

“We were five,” Willow informed Buffy.

Xander had been recounting the story of how he and Willow had ended their semblance of a romantic relationship of only two days. Buffy had been sneaking glances at Willow, trying to judge her feelings about Xander. She seemed almost reserved and not her bubbly self as Xander began telling the story for Buffy’s benefit but quickly got involved; adding little comments.

Buffy wondered if Willow was still interested in Xander but where did that leave her reaction to Spike this morning?

Buffy’s gaze drifted to her watch and she let out a reluctant sigh and stood up. “Sorry, guys I gotta go.”

Everyone groaned and encouraged her to stay but she shook her head. Getting on her mother’s and Giles’s bad side only after a few days of living with them was definitely not of the good.

Grabbing her jacket, Buffy headed out the door, breathing in the semi-fresh air outside. The noise, as opposed to bordering on deafening was now muffled. She started walking back towards the house, keeping to the sidewalks and streetlights.

She was just exiting the ‘bad neighborhood’ which was located right next to the ‘good neighborhood’ when she heard a crack.

Thinking it was her imagination, Buffy shook her head briefly and kept walking, her pace quickening.

Crunch

Buffy froze, her hand gripping her purse tighter. That was definitely not her imagination. The hair on her neck prickled and she continued to walk, warily eyeing the shadows.

Everything seemed more ominous; the way the trees swayed, the little crevices between buildings and the shadows.

Now she knew she could hear footsteps behind her. Swallowing hard, Buffy didn’t pick up her pace, she knew well enough that if she moved any faster now, who ever was behind her would come running.

The sound of footsteps matched her own but were louder, as if the person was bigger or had chunkier boots. For a moment Buffy entertained the thought that it was Spike trying to scare the shit out of her because she’d ignored his comments about not walking.

When the noised didn’t lessen, Buffy turned around, trying to look annoyed. “Spike if that’s you I’m so kicking your ass.” The threat sounded strained to even her ears.

Whoever was following her stopped, as if waiting for something. Exhaling loudly, Buffy turned around only to walk straight into someone.

“Oof,” Buffy mumbled, stumbling backwards. She glanced up to see a hard faced man leering down at her. He had a scruffy beard and beady green eyes.

“Baby,” the man drawled, “where do think you’re going?”

Buffy straightened, looking at him calmly in the eye while internally she was screaming. “Just heading home,” she said brightly.

“Aw,” the man said again in his drawl, “don’t do that. Stick with us…you’ll have fun, guaranteed.”

Us? Buffy thought and then remembered the footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw an equally scruffy looking man, a little younger, step out of the shadows where he’d been hiding.

“Yeah sweet thing,” he said with smirk, “stick around.”

Buffy shook her head. “Sorry, I have to go home now, maybe some other time.” She tried to step around the man in front of her but he moved to stop her.

Any sort of playfulness had vanished from his craggy face and he glared down at her. “I don’t think so.”

The younger man walked up so he was blocking her from the back. “I think,” He added, “you should stay with us.”

It was then Buffy knew she was trapped. With quick precision, her hand flew out and slammed into the older man’s face, smashing his nose. He howled in pain and clutched at his bruised nose, whining pitifully.

The man behind her made a grab for her but she sidestepped him, using her height as an advantage. As soon as she was ducked away, she started running as fast as the stupid heels would take her, which wasn’t far.

The first man with his broken nose, leaped out and grabbed her around her waist, pulling her back. “Oh no you don’t girly,” he growled nasally, the blood dripping onto her shoulder.

Buffy yelled, any noise to alert someone near by but she knew it had to be fruitless. She’d been walking alone and hadn’t seen anyone since she left the Bronze.

“Help!” She screeched before the man covered her mouth. She kept yelling but her words were muffled. Buffy kicked up, trying to make the man lose his balance but the second man took the opportunity to seize her ankles.

Panicked, Buffy began squirming and wiggling out their grasps and bit down on the hand over her mouth.

“Ow you fuckin’ bitch!” The first man yelled, his hand falling away. Buffy yanked her ankles, trying to pull away but his grip was like iron. The first man retaliated, smacking her on head, momentarily stunning her.

“Hey!”

Buffy turned her head, still wiggling away from the hands on her arms and ankles, to see a guy near her age running up to them.

“Hey,” the guy cried indignantly, “let go of her!”

The younger man glanced up with a glare. “Fuck off!” He yelled at the dark-haired guy but he didn’t. Instead he walked up to them and calm but firmly spoke. “Let go of her, now.”

“Really?” The green, beady-eyed man asked. “What are you gonna do about it?”

“Well,” the guy responded, holding up his cell phone. “I think I’ll call the police. I’m sure they’ll have something to say to you.”

The two men froze and let go of Buffy, pushing her aside. “Let’s go, Frank,” the first guy mumbled, “this ain’t worth it.”

As soon as the men had walked off, the guy knelt down next to Buffy. “Are you okay?”

Buffy nodded, unable to speak. She was shaking and she was so cold. She pulled her jacket tighter around her body and glanced down at her bare legs, feeling ashamed. Spike had been right, it was stupid, even in small-town Sunnydale, to wear clothes like this and walk around late at night.

No wonder they’d grabbed her, Buffy thought, she looked like the perfect victim.

“Hey,” the guy said, his voice soothing, as he reached out to touch her arm. “It’s okay, those assholes are gone now.”

Buffy nodded again and slowly started to stand up. The guy offered her help up and Buffy accepted it gratefully. “I’m Riley,” he announced as they started walking.

“Buffy,” she responded, tilting her head up to meet his face. “Thank you,” she said softly, still feeling humiliated. This sweet, nice guy had seen her being held down by two guys and she couldn’t help but feel extremely embarrassed. He must think I’m a slut, she thought miserably.

Riley must have noticed the expression on her face because he stopped her and said clearly, “Those guys were jerks. Don’t let them make you feel embarrassed, what they did was wrong.”

Buffy nodded reluctantly. “Thanks,” she said again and Riley smiled back. “You’re welcome.”

He kindly walked her all the way back to her house. On the way, Riley introduced himself, saying he was a freshman at the local college, UC Sunnydale.

Buffy explained she was new and was a junior at Sunnydale High and that she was now living with her mom while her dad was in LA.

“Wow, LA, huh?” Riley commented with a laugh. “I’m from Iowa, not exactly the most exciting place on Earth.”

“Iowa,” Buffy said slowly and bit her lip. “Is that one of the states in the middle?”

Riley laughed again and Buffy decided she liked his laugh; it was wholesome and nice to hear. “Yeah, it is. I even lived on a farm.”

“A farm?” Buffy pretended to sound appalled. “You mean with real live cows and...horses?”

The pair laughed at her mock-reaction.

“Yeah, that’s pretty much what it’s like,” Riley confirmed as they slowed down in front of her house. There was a light on in the living room but otherwise it was dark.

“Well,” Buffy began, “Thanks again, for rescuing me.”

Riley smiled. “Of course,” he paused for a moment, looking a little nervous. “I was wondering if I could give you my number. In case you’d ever want to see me under a non-dangerous situation.”

Buffy felt a smile spread across her face. “I’d like that.”

Riley sighed in relief. “Oh good.” He quickly jotted his number on her hand with a pen from her purse.

“Just ask for Riley Finn, they’ll know who you’re looking for,” Riley added before shaking her hand politely. “Goodnight, Buffy.”

“’Night,” she responded and walked into her house, giving him a final wave.

She shut the door softly, trying not to make noise.

“Did you have a nice time?”

Buffy turned to see her mother standing there, awaiting her answer with a smile.

“Yeah,” Buffy said slowly, “ I guess I did.”

Chapter 8: Race You

The sun was mercifully not beating down as Buffy stood next to Fred clad in shorts, a shirt and running shoes along with every other girl standing on the track.

The cross-country head coach was a younger woman with California surfer girl looks. Her nearly platinum hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and a baseball cap on top. She was currently talking to a small girl with curly carrot-color hair, her face contorted in displeasure.

Fred tugged on Buffy arm, motioning for the blonde to follow her. They walked up to the coach and waited till the petite girl stomped off, looking angry.

“Coach Adler?” Fred said hesitantly.

The woman shook her head, watching the redhead go. “Kerry’s quitting.”

Fred’s face fell and a frown appeared. “Oh,” she said, “is everything okay?”

“Fall play,” was the coach’s response before she turned to face the two girls. At the sight of the unfamiliar blonde in front of her, the woman frowned. “Are you on the team?”

“Actually,” Buffy began, “I just moved here a few days ago and was wondering if I could still join the team.”

Coach Adler shrugged. “Sure. I don’t see why not. We’re starting out on the track with warm-up and then doing a four-mile loop. Let’s see how you do.”

With that, the woman stepped forward and whistled loudly, alerting the rest of the girls. “All right everybody, stretches!”

Buffy and Fred complied, sitting down with their legs stretched out and reached forward. Buffy watched as the fairly large group of runners imitated the stretch. A couple of girls were eyeing Buffy, looking a little confused.

“Okay everyone, we’re going up Wilson, across Appleton, down Bridge and then back here,” Adler explained and led the group with an easy pace till they were a block from the school. Then everyone took off on their own pace, some running ahead while others lagged behind.

Buffy and Fred kept up near the front, keeping their pace even while the brunette was telling Buffy about the previous year’s meets.

“We did pretty well at the Lodger Meet but we didn’t make it to State,” Fred told her as they turned up on Wilson.

“Really? How come?” Buffy asked, increasing her pace slightly.

“Remember Kerry?”

Buffy nodded, easily recalling the girl who’d stormed off. “Yeah.”

“She’s one of the really good runners but she couldn’t go because she had an audition in LA.”

Buffy’s eyebrows rose. “Not exactly the most reliable teammate, is she?”

Fred shook her head. “Nope.”

The pair kept running and Buffy found herself watching the houses, their perfectly manicured lawns with sprinklers running. It wasn’t quite hot enough outside to actually run underneath the spray to cool off, so she skirted the droplets that strayed out onto the sidewalk.

“Hey,” Fred said suddenly, nudging Buffy lightly. “It’s Gunn and Spike.”

Buffy looked up to see a mass of runners heading towards them, obviously all guys. Gunn and Spike, however, had broken off from the group slightly and were running along the grass to avoid the girls coming at them.

“Hey Fred!” Gunn called out and then added, “Hey Buffy.”

Briefly, a look of surprise flitted across Spike’s face. “I didn’t know you were on the team,” he mumbled, his voice echoing his surprise. Earlier when Buffy had told him she was staying after school, he’d blindly assumed it was to hang out with Willow. Now that he knew she was on the cross-country team, a distinct recollection of her mentioning running came back to him.

“You didn’t ask,” Buffy replied simply as the four began running in a line.

“Did you have fun at the Bronze last night?” Gunn asked, “I didn’t see you later. Wills said you left kinda early.”

At the mention of her previous night, Buffy winced a little, remembering the run-in she’d had with those two creeps.

“Um, it was pretty good,” Buffy allowed, giving him all-too-brief smile.

Spike, noting the nervousness on her face, cocked a single brow. “Just pretty good? You came home late, figured you must have had a bloody good time.”

Buffy shot him a glare. “Yes. My night was pretty good. Great even.” She turned to the brunette by her side with a grin. “I even met a really cute guy.”

Fred giggled. “Really, where?”

“Outside of the Bronze. He walked me home,” Buffy said, her voice slightly smug as she shot Spike another look. So there, she thought with triumph.

“Are you gonna see him again?” Fred asked eagerly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“I guess. He gave me his dorm number. Maybe I’ll call some time.” Buffy couldn’t keep her own excitement out of her voice. She was kinda looking forward to seeing Riley again. He’d been so nice and sweet and funny…he was just what she needed.

“Dorm?” Fred repeated. “He’s in college?”

Buffy nodded. “Freshman at UC Sunnydale. Speaking of which, how does a small town like this have a university?”

“Mayor wanted it,” Gunn replied, “It was a big thing a few years ago. Somehow the Mayor got approval and a lot of donations. It’s small but nice. They have professors from UCLA and other smaller colleges near by who come to teach.”

“Cool,” Buffy responded though she was wondering why a guy from Iowa would want to go to a local college like UC Sunnydale.

Soon, Buffy was picking up her pace while both Gunn and Fred hung behind. Spike was still keeping his pace, just up ahead of Buffy.

She sprinted up to him and started running besides him. He turned, giving her a look. “What?” he demanded.

“Computer class project,” Buffy responded, “do you have a partner?”

“Why?” Spike asked.

“Well I thought it would be easier if we were partners. We live in the same house and it’s easier for us to get together and work on it,” Buffy explained, waiting for his answer.

Spike didn’t reply right away and instead picked up his pace a little. Buffy just kept moving beside him. “If you don’t want to just say so,” she snapped, “I thought it would be easier since it’s a long-term project.”

Spike rolled his eyes. “Fine.”

“Good,” she shot back and they lapsed into silence once more.

After a minute, Spike let his gaze rove over her, watching her run. She had a good form and had obviously not been lying when she said she ran a lot.

Now it was Buffy’s turn to demand, “What?”

“Nothing,” Spike said defensively before reluctantly admitting, “you’re a good runner. Nice form.”

“Thanks,” Buffy responded warily, watching him with narrowed eyes.

Spike rolled his eyes. “Oh come on, I was just…” he trailed off and muttered, “Giving you a compliment.”

“Right,” Buffy said sarcastically, “because you’re so nice.”

“No,” he said slowly, “because it’s true. You know what? Never mind.” He instantly picked up his pace.

Buffy just ran faster, keeping up with him. “Are you saying I’m a better runner than you?” she asked slyly.

Spike scoffed. “No! I’m saying you have a nice form. Not, ‘you’re the best runner here’.”

She knew she was goading him but she couldn’t help it. “So,” she began, drawing the word out, “let’s prove it.”

“By doing what?” Spike asked as the turned the corner.

“A race,” Buffy replied, a smirk tugging at her lips. Her eyes glittered with excitement at the very prospect. She was always competitive and stubborn and Spike was exactly the same.

Spike eyed her. “Are you serious?”

“What? Afraid you’ll lose?” Buffy provoked, picking up her pace once more. Spike immediately started running faster, making Buffy struggle to keep up with him.

“Deal,” he said with a smirk of his own and took off.

Buffy put almost all her energy into her legs, listening to the steady pound of her feet hitting the cement. Faster, faster, faster, the mantra repeated itself in her head. They were nearly head-to-head, moving past the other runners and the coach.

Gunn’s eyes narrowed as he watched two distinct figures sprint ahead. “Hey,” he said, interrupting Fred, “isn’t that Buffy and Spike?”

Fred squinted at the sprinters. “Omigod,” her eyes widened in surprise, “it is. What are they…” she trailed off, watching them disappear down a hill.

Gunn chuckled and started running faster. “They’re racing. I gotta see this.” Fred quickly followed and they ducked the thoroughly confused runners, trying to follow the two blondes.

Spike could see Buffy out of the corner of his eye. Her face was red and sweaty, her short ponytail gone, strands of hair sticking to her face. Her eyes were narrowed and focused and she was drawing up on him. Damn.

The only sound they could hear was their labored breath and the sound of their shoes hitting the sidewalk.

Buffy pushed herself harder, briefly wishing she’d recently bought a new pair of running shoes. Her skin was hot and flushed and her shirt and shorts were uncomfortably sticking to her sweaty skin. Not that Spike looked that much better. His hair was now in curls, the gel gone and his shirt damp and clinging to his abs.

Oh, who was she kidding? Buffy broke down, confessing to herself the one thing she’d been avoiding. He looked hot. Sweaty Spike was far more attractive than he should be.

Buffy could see the school about a half-mile away and took as deep a breath as she could and started full out sprinting. Spike, seeing the change in her stride, followed suit as the final stretch lay ahead of them.

Her legs felt like lead, perspiration was running down her face, back and pooling in her bra, which was really gross, but dammit, she was going to win. The school was only a few blocks ahead of her now, and she pushed herself to her top speed, ignoring her body which was screaming ‘Stop! Stop!’

She was nearly at the school when Spike, with one final burst of speed, brushed past her. Oh no you don’t, she thought, glaring at his back. With all the strength she could muster, Buffy let herself practically fly past him, and on to the school grass where she collapsed by the track.

Not even a second later, Spike collapsed next to her. For a moment they laid there, both breathing too hard to speak.

“That…” Buffy managed between pants, “was awesome.” She sat up a little, resting back on her elbows, tipping her head back as a small smile tugged on her lips.

She turned to see, with much surprise, Spike had a small grin of his own on his lips. “Yeah,” he admitted, “it was.”

“And I,” Buffy felt the need to point out, “won.”

Spike didn’t respond for a moment as he sat up, copying Buffy’s pose. “Fine,” he grumbled, “you did. But only by a half-second.”

Another silence settled between them before Buffy fell back down and let out a groan. “Oh god I’m never getting up again.”

Spike let out a weak chuckle as they lay there, waiting for the rest of the group.

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

“Welcome to the team, Buffy,” Coach Adler congratulated her after practice. At first the woman seemed angry but she reluctantly grinned a little when she found out Buffy won.

“You have the kind of determination I need on this team,” she told the blonde and handed her the required paperwork.

“Thanks,” Buffy said gratefully and slowly made her way to the locker room to shower and change.

Fred was waiting there for her. “Don’t tell me,” she said with a grin, “you’re on the team! And on varsity!”

Buffy nodded, breaking out into a wide smile. “Yep!”

Fred impulsively leaned forward to hug her new friend. “This is so exciting! I can’t believe you beat Spike though. But he didn’t seem all that upset.”

Buffy shrugged. She’d been wondering about Spike’s reaction as well. When the rest of team had showed up, they’d both pried themselves off the field and stumbled over to their respective teams.

She’d barely said two words after their brief discussion immediately after they’d finished. Which also begged the question, where was her ride home? She’d be assuming a lot to think Spike would have waited for her.

Once Buffy had showered and put on her clothes, she walked out of the locker room, shielding her eyes from the sun, looking around half-heartedly to see if Spike was there.

“Summers!” She knew that voice. Buffy turned to see Spike standing by his car. “Come on,” he urged and Buffy followed, dazed.

The drive home was fairly quiet, but Spike hadn’t been rude, just civilly polite. He’d asked whether she’d made the team or not and Buffy had responded equally polite.

At the house, Buffy went up to her room and quickly changed into a pair of light-weight gray sweatpants and a simple light blue T-shirt. Leaving her hair up and damp, Buffy trudged back down stairs where Spike was standing by the counter, holding up his keys and money.

“My dad and your mum are still at the gallery,” he informed her and then gestured to the money. “They left it for us. Hungry?”

Surprised at his offer, she found herself nodding. “Yeah,” she paused as she slipped into her flip-flops and followed him out the door, “where’re we going?”

He smirked at her. “Don’t worry, you’ll like it.”

Chapter 9: Agreement

“Oh my god,” Buffy groaned as the heavy, greasy smell assaulted her nose. “What is that?”

“Bacon,” Spike said proudly as if he’d just found a goldmine.

Buffy stared at the small white building dubiously. The place was nothing spectacular or even remotely appealing and the smell…good god the smell was overwhelming. She glanced at Spike who was happily walking into the diner.

She followed him reluctantly as he sat down in a red plastic booth and took two menus from between the salt and pepper and the napkin dispenser. Spike handed her a menu and Buffy opened it, looking at all the greasy choices.

A waitress dressed a white apron with orthopedic shoes walked over to them and gave Spike a smile, revealing crooked teeth. “Hey, darlin’. Ready to order?”

“Hey Doris,” Spike replied with a smile, “I’ll have my usual.”

Doris turned to Buffy, with an expectant look on her cake-frosting face.

“Um…” Buffy glanced at the menu again, “I’ll have scrambled eggs and toast with some water.”

Doris nodded and turned back to Spike with another smile. “You’re food’ll be out in a few.”

As soon as the waitress disappeared into the back, Buffy turned to Spike. “I can’t believe you’re known here,” she hissed.

“I’ve been going here since dad moved us to Sunnyhell. They serve breakfast all day,” Spike shrugged, “I like it.”

Buffy leaned back in her seat. “Doris seems to really like you,” she teased, watching Spike’s face as he smirked a little.

“Well I’m just a likeable bloke,” he replied easily.

Buffy snorted. “Yeah right.” She took the straw wrapper on the table and started fiddling with it.

“Hey!” Spike protested, but his still had a grin on his face. “You don’t think I’m…likeable?” his tone was slightly suggestive and Buffy made a face.

“I don’t think you’re anything,” she responded, emphasizing her double meaning.

Spike just cocked his scarred brow. “Really?”

“Really,” Buffy confirmed. She silently marveled at their harmless banter that was starting to border on flirting. How exactly had that happened? Gotta change the topic, she decided.

“So, Giles said you guys moved here from England. What was it like?”

“Moving?” Spike asked, knowing what she really meant.

“No,” Buffy rolled her eyes. “England.”

Spike shrugged. “Rainy. We lived just outside of London in a nice house that my mum had inherited.”

Was it her imagination or did Spike tense up a little? Buffy wondered. “Where is she, your mom?”

Spike’s gaze drifted down to the table. “She died when I was ten.”

Buffy blinked, embarrassed. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t…sorry,” she stuttered.

“It happened along time ago,” was Spike’s response. There was a brief silence before Spike questioned her. “You were living in LA, right?”

Buffy nodded with a slight frown. “Yeah?”

“So, tell me about it,” Spike said, crossing his arms. He was looking at her, waiting for…what exactly?

Buffy tapped her fingers on the table. “Um…”

“Here’s your food,” Doris announced, setting down two steaming plates in front of them with two glasses of water. “Anything else?”

Buffy shook her head and Spike added, “No thanks.” Doris nodded and walked off to the next table.

Stalling, Buffy took several bites of her eggs, which weren’t that bad. “Mmm…these are good,” she said, sounding surprised.

Spike nodded in agreement, shoveling his pancakes into his mouth. “Yeah,” he swallowed, “they’ve always had good food. The head cook, Melinda, has been working here for over fifty years.”

“You know the cook?” Buffy asked incredulously.

“I told you I come here a lot,” Spike reminded her. “Now, come on tell me, what’s it like living in LA?”

Buffy shrugged, hesitant. “You know, busy, lots of people. It’s LA. Best thing is being near all the awesome shoes.”

Spike grimaced at her shoes comment. “That’s it? Shoes? What the bleedin’ hell did you do all the time, shop?”

“Um…yeah kinda,” Buffy admitted, taking a sip of her water and glared at him suspiciously. “Why are you asking, anyway?”

Spike feigned innocence. “It’s customary when two people live together to know about each other.”

Buffy rolled her eyes as she took another bite of toast. “Yeah right. Seriously, why are you asking?”

Spike’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying I can’t ask? What if I just wanna know?”

“That’s a stupid answer,” Buffy snapped quickly. She jabbed at her eggs, no longer hungry.

Spike snorted. “No it’s not. But what you just said was a stupid retort.”

Buffy shook her head at him. “Why do you keep pressing this?” she asked.

For a second Spike faltered. “Maybe…I may have judged you a little…harshly,” he shrugged, “or not.”

“Wow, charming,” she said sarcastically, finishing her water.

“Hey, I’ve known you for, what, less than a week?” Spike reminded her, “I don’t really know you and it’s not like you’re all that forthcoming with the details.”

“Fine,” Buffy replied, tilting her chin defiantly. “Let’s get to know each other. Let’s be the bestest of buds.” She gave him a mock-saccharine grin and then glared at him.

“See, that’s not really all that encouraging,” Spike said in response, pointing at her with his fork.

Buffy rolled her eyes. “Do you really care that much?”

“Well…” Spike began, “no.” He sighed. “But your mum and my dad like each other a lot, and I know somewhere inside of you, you want is best for your mum,” he paused, adding quietly, “especially with everything that happened with your dad. So I figure, we try to make nice and make them believe in their happy family.”

There was a moment before Buffy responded. “Okay,” she stopped and then added, “but that doesn’t mean I particularly like you very much.”

Spike couldn’t help but grin a little and cocked his head. “Mutual.”

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

After the two blondes finished their early dinner, Spike drove Buffy back and dropped her off, claiming he had something to do.

With the house to herself, Buffy decided to indulge in her favorite activity, sketching. It’d been a while since she’d really worked on a drawing with her full set of pencils and was eager to use the lushness of the backyard with its massive trees as her subject.

She was looking through her drawing materials when she realized the last sketchbook she’d brought still had all the pictures of him in it. Buffy set the book back into the box. She definitely didn’t want to look at those today.

Instead, Buffy settled for some unlined paper from the computer room. It was far from the best paper to use and she didn’t know where her mother stored her own sketching materials so this would have to do.

Buffy wandered out to the back porch and sat down on the swing, ready to draw. Her hand easily moved across the paper by instinct, catching with broad strokes the trunk and branches of the trees. She worked on the finer details, smudging the charcoal and drawing with short little flicks of her pencil.

She was so immersed into her drawing; she missed the ringing of her cell phone beside her until the fourth ring. Picking it up, Buffy brought it up to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Buffy?” She knew that voice- it was Willow.

“Hey! What’s up?” Buffy greeted warmly, setting her papers aside and curling up on the bench.

“Nothing really. So, how did cross-country go?” Willow asked, sounding eager.

“What? Fred didn’t tell you?” Buffy responded, knowing the brunette must have said something.

“Okay,” Willow admitted, “she did but I wanna hear it again.”

Buffy laughed. “Okay, well first we…”

******

Willow had laughed when she heard that Buffy had actually beaten Spike in the impromptu race.

“Was he super mad?” Willow asked after another burst of laughter.

“Actually, not really. We went out to eat,” Buffy responded thoughtfully.

Willow was silent for a moment and Buffy thought maybe she’d hung up.

“Willow?” Buffy asked cautiously, “You there?”

“Yeah,” the redhead responded, clearing her throat. “Was it a…date?” The last word was almost whispered but Buffy heard it clearly.

“No Way!” Buffy said firmly. “It was the furthest thing from a date. We just went to get something to eat,” she paused, unsure how to ask her next question. “Willow, you never really told me earlier, do you…like Spike? As in romantically?”

“Well…” Willow halted briefly, “it’s more of an ‘I used to’ thing. I don’t know. Besides, he’d never really like a girl like me.”

Buffy frowned. “A girl like what? Smart, funny and pretty?”

“Buffy, come on, I’m a total nerd,” Willow said dejectedly.

“No you’re not!” Buffy instantly responded, feeling bad for her friend. “Nerds don’t go to the Bronze or have friends. They stay at home and stare at the computer for hours.”

“I’m on the chess team and the mathalete program,” Willow reminded the blonde.

“So?” Buffy shot back, “It means you’re smart not a nerd.”

“I don’t know…” Willow trailed off.

“Listen, you don’t have to answer this, but do you also like…Xander?” Buffy asked, hoping she was prying.

“No!” Willow said immediately. “Well, I did up until freshman year. Then it sort of disappeared; I guess it was kinda stupid to hold on. He only ever thought of me as friend, nothing more.”

“Willow, you need to stop thinking guys won’t like you,” Buffy reprimanded. “Now you’ve officially given me a job. I’m going to get you a boyfriend.”

“No, no, no,” Willow protested. “That’s a bad idea.”

“Why?” Buffy asked. “Come on, you’ve gotta have your eye on someone.”

She could almost see Willow biting her lip.

“Well,” she began, “there’s this guy, Oz. He’s a senior and plays for The Dingoes Ate My Baby.” The excitement in Willow’s voice picked up. “He’s playing tonight at the Bronze!”

Buffy nodded, satisfied. “Good. That’s where we’re going tonight and you’re gonna talk to Mr. Hottie. Now, all we have to do is find something fabulous for you to wear.”

Chapter 10: Say it


“Do you want me to pick you up? My mom gave me the car tonight.” Willow’s voice crackled a little over the cell phone.

Buffy continued her inspection of her closet while feeling relieved her friend could drive her. After the incident a couple of nights ago, Buffy was reluctant to be walking alone. Hell, she’d almost resorted to asking her mother if she’d drive her to the Bronze to avoid walking.

“Yeah, that’d be great,” Buffy said, hoping Willow could hear the gratefulness in her voice.

“Cool!” Willow’s voice was gleeful. “I’ll pick you up in an hour!”

They both said their mutual goodbyes then Buffy clicked her phone off, shaking her head a little with a smile on her lips. She loved Willow’s infectious enthusiasm for life, something Buffy couldn’t help but want a piece of.

While leafing through her clothes, Buffy’s mind wandered back to the events of the afternoon from the race and the unexpected semi-…what was it anyway? A truce? Buffy mused, trying to find the right word to describe her odd deal with Spike.

He seemed to volley between hating her and grudgingly accepting her and Buffy couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated. Then again, she pointed out to herself, she’d only been there for a week, it’s not like she should expect him to sort out his feelings for the virtual stranger in his house in seven days.

Feelings. That word stuck in Buffy’s head like gum. Not that there were any feelings of the non-hatey variety. Okay, maybe hatey was harsh, they more resembled dislike. But still, dislike was a far cry from those kinds of feelings. The ones that made your stomach flutter and pulse quicken. The kind that made you want to be close, just to brush your arm against theirs.

With a sigh, Buffy finally decided on a simple pair of jeans and deep green tank top embellished on the V of the neck line and on the bottom. Her shoes consisted kitten heeled flip-flops.

She left her hair down, though there wasn’t much. Definitely growing her hair out, she determined.

And as for Spike? Spike who? Tonight, Buffy thought firmly, was about helping Willow with the band guy and having fun with friends.

The doorbell rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She paused, listening for the tell-tale signs of a door being open and her mother greeting the newcomer warmly. “Hello, Willow. Are you here to see Spike?”

Buffy flew down the stairs at the mention of the redhead’s name, nearly colliding into Joyce.

“Hey Buffy,” Willow greeted, looking rather nervous. “Ready?”

“Oh!” Joyce glanced between the two girls. “I didn’t know you were friends with Willow, Buffy.”

The blonde nodded. “Yep. I’ll be back around…” she glanced at Willow who filled in, “nine-thirty.”

Joyce nodded in conformation. “Have fun,” she said, “see you later, Buffy. Nice to see you again, Willow. Tell your mother I said hello.”

“Will do,” Willow replied before being ushered out the door by Buffy.

After clicking the door shut, Buffy exhaled, partly out of relief and partly out of anticipation. “Sorry. Parent integrations are weird.”

Willow shrugged gamely. “I don’t mind. I like Joyce.”

“Hey Buff!” Xander yelled from the backseat, waving an arm out the window, Anya by his side.

“Hi!” Anya called out as well as Buffy slid into the front seat. “You look very nice today.” Before Buffy could thank her, she added, “But I really liked that leather skirt you wore the other night. Do you think I could borrow it sometime?”

“Sure,” Buffy replied easily and buckled her seatbelt. She’d sat with all three of them everyday at lunch along with Wes, Tara and Fred and enjoyed the group immensely. They were funny and sweet, each with their own quirks. Fitting in had never been so simple for her before. It was a nice feeling.

Willow was an extremely cautious driver, one who paused at old railroad crossings, religious with her speed and exaggeratedly glanced around her at any given time. This of course meant a three minute drive turned into a seven minute one.

“Hallelujah!” Xander cried out, bowing to the ground as Willow pulled her keys out of ignition.

“I was not that bad,” she huffed.

“No,” Anya corrected, her voice oddly chipper. “You were much worse.”

Even Buffy had to snicker, though quickly stopped at Willow’s sullen face. “Well,” Buffy commented lamely, “at least we know we won’t get into any accidents.”

Anya and Xander chortled and finally Willow relented, a reluctant smile on her lips. “Fine,” she mock-pouted, “make fun of the driver. Just wait till you don’t have a ride home.”

Buffy giggled a little as they stood in line, money in hand. The cover wasn’t particularly expensive or anything. In fact it was more of an annoyance since there wasn’t a special list.

The four paid their dues and went inside and headed straight for the nearest available chairs over in the back. Instantly the chatter resumed, mostly Anya telling stories about her job at the Magic Box, a funky shop on Main Street, and some sex-related topic.

“All I’m saying is blow jobs are hard and guys should be more thankful,” Anya insisted while the others looked away, embarrassed.

“Ahn, come on,” Xander said gently, trying to persuade his sorta-girlfreind from the sensitive topic.

“Well you are thankful,” Anya corrected herself, blithely ignoring Xander’s not-so-subtle hints. “But I’m saying there are other men out there who think women actually enjoying going down on them, like they receive some kind of pleasure from it. Are they insane?”

Buffy stifled her giggles at Anya’s rant. Though, she had to admit, Anya made a point. While her own experience wasn’t a considerable amount, Buffy knew guys who didn’t believe in reciprocity. The only man who had ever…Buffy stopped her train of thought stone cold. She instantaneously tuned into the conversation once again.

“…he is!” Willow was hissing in her ear. Following the redhead’s gaze, Buffy immediately understood her whispered words. On stage there was a shortish, spiky haired, serious looking guy on stage, guitar in hand. His concentration was on his fingers moving over the strings while the lead singer, a guy Buffy didn’t recognize, was singing into the microphone, watching the crowd.

“He’s cute,” Buffy replied, her gaze returning to the shorter man, presumably Oz.

Willow let a little sigh. “I like his hands,” she whispered, her eyes still on Oz. “And his cool hair. It changes, you know. Sometimes it’s blue or brown or-or even blonde!”

Buffy smiled at her friend. “You’ve got it bad,” she half-teased, making Willow’s face match her hair.

“No,” Willow replied indignantly, “I just like his hands.” Her smile betrayed her protest and Buffy nudged her playfully.

Anya noticed their whispered conversation and leaned forward. “What are we looking at?” She asked, surveying the mass.

“Willow’s lover,” Buffy replied with a straight face and Willow let out a choked sound of objection, her face purple.

Anya’s own face brightened. “Willow has a lover? Who?” She demanded.

“Will-huh? Love-huh?” Xander said confused, his brow furrowed.

“Willow. Lover,” Anya filled him in as she half-stood, peering over heads to find Willow’s supposed beau.

The redhead was still opening and closing her mouth, unable to form words as her face darkened further.

“Relax,” Buffy said, patting the redhead’s arm. “I’m just joking. Willow, take a deep breath before your heart stops.”

Willow complied and finally managed to say her words. “He’s not my lover! He’s just…” her face went dreamy, “Oz.”

“Oz?” Xander interjected, his gaze flickering upstage. “As in Oz the cool, calm, one-worded senior who is currently on stage?”

Involuntary, all eight eyes stared up at said guy. “Yep,” Buffy confirmed for Willow while she kept her gaze on the band.

“Well,” Anya began, taking a sip of her drink. “I think that’s great. Now Xander and I have someone to go on double…” Anya cut herself off, turning uncharacteristically quiet.

Xander cleared his throat nervously as Anya fiddled with her straw. The table plunged into silence.

“Well, um, I’m gonna go dance,” Willow said loudly and glanced at Buffy, who stood up.

“Yep,” Buffy said cheerfully, “dancing is me.”

The two girls left the couple behind and merged onto the dance floor with the hundreds of other bodies.

“Wow,” Buffy said into Willow’s ear, “that wasn’t totally awkward.”

Willow nodded sympathetically. “Sometimes that happens. One of them will mention something of the dating variety and…”

“Awkwardness ensues,” Buffy finished with a nod of understanding.

Instead of mulling over the antics of Xander and Anya’s relationship, the pair started dancing, Willow mostly keeping her eyes on the band and shuffling her feet nervously.

“Hey,” Buffy said suddenly. “Where are Fred, Wes and Tara?”

“Oh, Fred has family in town, Wes is stuck with homework and Tara…” Willow trailed off, frowning. “I’m not sure where she is. Maybe with her aunt or something.”

For a moment a brief look of guilt flashed across the redhead’s face before morphing into confusion. “She didn’t call me after school.”

From what Buffy gathered, Tara had lived with her aunt for nearly six months now after moving away from her overbearing family after her mother had died. Buffy couldn’t comprehend the pain Tara must have gone through considering how close the mother and daughter were. For a relatively shy girl, she was strong, Buffy noted.

As the song came to an end, Buffy and Willow slowed down their dancing, watching as the lead singer Devon said goodbye for the night.

“We’re The Dingoes Ate My Baby and we’re here every Thursday night,” he intoned and with a wink, jumped off the stage.

They continued to watch as the band packed up their equipment and the DJ started up the music again. The band was nearly off stage when, much to Buffy’s surprise, Gunn and Spike appeared, taking some of the heavier items.

“What’s Spike doing here?” Buffy wondered out loud.

“Oh, sometimes they help with loading and unloading the van. Didn’t you know he was going to be here?” Willow asked.

Then something occurred to the blonde. “That’s it!” she exclaimed. “That’s your in!”

Willow gave her a confused look. “Huh? My in to what?”

“To Oz,” Buffy explained eagerly. “You’re friends with Spike and Gunn, right? So, talk to them and then you’ll be talking to Oz.”

Willow visibly shrank back. “I don’t know. I mean, it’s not like Spike or Gunn and I are best buddies. We’re more friends indirectly.”

Buffy grabbed Willow by the arm. “Trust me. This will help.” When she still looked doubtful, Buffy added, “I’ll come with you, I promise.”

“Okay,” Willow allowed, fidgeting with the black top Buffy had insisted she wear. Her other hand went up to fiddle with a strand of her fiery hair.

With not-so-gentle tugs, the blonde managed to drag Willow with her to the back and then pushed her in front despite her protest.

“Hey guys,” Buffy greeted brightly and all heads turned to her. “What’s up?”

Willow added her own meek wave as the band continued to dumbly stare at them. Only Oz’s eye seemed to spark with intelligence.

“Hey Summers,” Spike drawled and Buffy reluctantly dragged her eyes to him.

“Hey Spike,” she replied tightly then remembered their…alliance. “Um…how are you?”

“Good,” Spike responded, shifting a little as he remembered their deal as well. “You?”

“Great,” Buffy said with a flash of a smile. Willow stood by her side anxiously as Oz walked over.

“Hey, Willow right?” His voice was low and gravely and had Willow swooning.

“Yep!” Willow responded with a jerk of her head. “A-And you’re Oz?” Her words were more of a question than statement.

“Yeah,” Oz replied and a smile tugged on the corner of his mouth. “What did you think?”

The creases in Willow’s brow deepened for a moment. “You mean about the music?”

Buffy watched the exchange happily, noting how Willow’s body was relaxing, her smiles easier.

“So, Buffy,” Gunn began as the band went out to start loading. “How’s Sunnydale treating you?”

She smiled. “It’s good. I’ve mostly…” Her words were cut off by a horrible shrill voice squealing Spike’s name.

“Spikey!” Harmony cried again joyously and jumped into her “boyfriend’s” arms.

“Er, Harmony,” Spike looked less than thrilled to see the ditzy blonde. “What are doing back here?” He asked, his voice harsh.

“To see you, silly.” Harmony replied, obliviously to Spike’s annoyance.

He ran his hand through his bleached locks. “Right. Um, I just gotta load this stuff up.”

The tension in Spike’s body was palpable as he picked up the amp and walked out to the car, Harmony on his heels. The blonde threw Buffy a death-glare, as if she’d done something wrong.

“That is my cue to leave,” Buffy mumbled after the blonde disappeared.

“Ditto,” Gunn said under his breath. “I’ll see ya later,” he said to Buffy before grabbing a box and taking out to the van.

Her gaze flickered to Willow and Oz who was both happily discussing some smarty-pants thing. She was fairly certain she heard the word ‘modem’ in there.

“Hey Wills, I’m gonna go back out,” she informed the redhead, who just nodded in acknowledgment.

As she left the room, Buffy could hear Spike’s solemn voice, low against Harmony’s prattle. “We need to talk.”

Gee, Buffy thought sarcastically, wonder what that’s all about. Without another glance behind her, Buffy made her way back to the table where Anya and Xander were sitting, no longer distant but cuddled together.

“Hey,” Xander said in surprise, untangling himself from Anya a bit. “You’re back,” he paused, “without Willow.”

Buffy smiled happily. “She’s talking to Oz,” she informed the pair.

“Good,” Anya said firmly and then turned to Xander, tugging on his shirtfront. “You promised me we would dance now.”

Xander stood up immediately, holding his hand out for Anya, who took it graciously. “Wanna come?” He offered but Buffy declined, not wanting to intrude.

“I’m kinda thirsty right now,” Buffy excused herself, pointing to the water in front of her.

Watching Xander and Anya dance, was an interesting sight. Anya pulled off her dance moves gracefully, her body wriggling to the beat. Xander, on the other hand, was a floppy, loosed-armed dancer who kept bumping into nearby groups.

“Hey,” A voice said, sounding pleasantly surprised, behind her and Buffy spun around to see Riley of all people standing there, a cup in hand.

“Fancy seeing you here,” Riley remarked than his face went blank. “Sorry, corny line.”

Buffy couldn’t help but smile. “You’re forgiven.” Glancing around him, Buffy questioned, “Who’re you here with?”

“Oh,” Riley looked behind him at a table of guys. “Some buddies of mine. But,” he paused almost shyly, “I don’t think they’ll notice if I’m not there for a minute.”

They shared a smile before Buffy motioned to an empty seat. “You’re welcome to sit down, you know.”

“Oh, thanks,” Riley sat down opposite her, placing his drink down on the table. “So how are you?” His words were clearly beyond just a casual inquiry.

“I’m okay,” Buffy said, her voice soft as her gaze remained trained on her water. “I got a ride here from a friend.”

“That’s good,” Riley acknowledged with a nod. “Let me know if you need a ride home though, I don’t mind.”

“Thanks,” Buffy said, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. “For the offer.” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, want to dance?”

Riley’s eyes shifted nervously. “Actually,” he paused, “I’m not that good at dancing.”

Buffy shrugged. “Nobody is, that’s the best part.” She flashed him another warm smile, hoping he’d take the hint.

“Okay then,” Riley said with a sharp exhale. “Let’s go!”

*****

“I don’t get why you want to see other people,” Harmony questioned, her face puzzled.

“Harm,” Spike stopped, “Bloody hell, we’re over.” Simple and direct seemed to work best with her.

“Over?” Harmony’s puzzled expression stayed in her blue eyes.

Or not, Spike thought grimly. “Harm, it’s been fun and you’re a wonderful bird…it’s just…” Spike shrugged, “I think we’d be better off-…”

“Are you breaking up with me?” Harmony cried, her voice jumping several octaves.

Now she gets it? Spike thought incredulously. “Well to be fair we were never really going out in the first place.”

Harmony’s mouth dropped open, her eyes wide in shock. “What?” She screeched unattractively. “How can you do this to me? I gave you the best bunch of,” she faltered for a moment, “w-weeks of my life!”

By now, Spike was officially ready to stop the ‘relationship’ they’d been having. He’d been conflicted, trying to determine if he was breaking up with Harmony because he really wanted to or because of someone else.


“Harm,” Spike said firmly but not meanly, “we’re over.”

The blonde’s eyes narrowed. “Ugh! You’re so….” Harmony let out a sound of frustration and spun on her high heel and huffed out of the back room.

Spike watched as she left the room and let out a small sigh of relief. He finally felt like he’d done something right since the last few months with Dru dumping him.

Harmony had been originally a distraction and, he was slightly ashamed to admit, a nice ‘pick-me-up fuck’. But somehow a day turned into a week and a week turned into a few weeks. Using people, women in particular, wasn’t something Spike prided himself to do but he had with Harmony and even if she didn’t object, a part of him did.

“Hey man, how’d it go?” Gunn asked, stepping into the room. When he immediately noticed the lack of Harmony’s babbling voice, he knew his friend had dumped her.

“My ears are still ringing,” Spike said dryly.

Gunn laughed and slugged Spike playfully. “You ready to head out?”

Spike nodded and motioned for Oz, who was still with Willow across the room. Spike could see him telling Willow to hold on before he walked over.

“What’s up?” Oz asked, looking between Gunn and Spike.

“Band left,” Gunn informed his friend but Oz just shrugged.

“Maybe Willow can give me a ride home,” Oz suggested, looking over at the redhead leaning against the wall. There was a glint of hopefulness in his eye and Spike nodded.

“Right then,” Spike replied, “Later.”

Oz nodded absently, already walking back over to Willow. Both Gunn and Spike headed out of the backroom and out into the main area, past the dance floor. As they walked by, Spike swore he caught a glimpse of who he thought was Buffy dancing with some tall, slightly older guy.

Mentally shrugging, Spike sat down at the table where Xander and Anya were sitting, sipping large gulps of their drinks, looking a little sweaty.

“Hey man,” Xander greeted. “What’s up?”

“You’ve seen Buffy?” Spike asked, looking around.

Xander pointed to a spot over Spike’s shoulder. “She’s there, dancing with some guy she met last time.”

Spike turned to see that the girl he’d thought was Buffy was indeed her and that she had her arms wrapped around some hulking git.

Standing up, Spike pushed his chair aside and walked over the couple, tapping Buffy on the shoulder.

“Time to go,” he informed her.

Buffy glared at him around Riley’s shoulder. “Willow’s taking me home.”

“Not if you’re gonna make curfew, Summers. Our house is on the opposite side of Oz’s.” Spike replied, casting a raised brow in the direction of the tall man she was dancing with. His arms were still loosely wrapped around Buffy but his face was contorted into confusion.

“Oz?” Buffy frowned for a moment then brightened. “Willow’s taking Oz home?”

Spike nodded. “Now, come on Goldilocks, say goodnight to,” he appraised Riley for a moment, “soldier boy here.”

“Buffy?” Riley said hesitantly, pulling back a little. He couldn’t quite figure out how Buffy knew the rude, shorter guy next to her.

Buffy turned to him with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Riley. I gotta go. I’ll call you later, I promise.” And with that, she let go and went over to grab her jacket and purse.

Spike followed, waiting for Buffy to say her goodbyes and then led her out to his car.

“God,” Buffy said as she sat into the bucket seat, sounding annoyed. “Did you have to be so rude?”

Spike shrugged, flashing her a smirk. “Sorry luv.”

Buffy huffed, turning her head away from him as he pulled out into the street.

“So,” Spike began, “where do you know him from?”

Buffy’s face stayed turned. “None of your business.”

“All I’m saying,” Spike continued, ignoring her comment. “Is that you could do better than some soldier boy who can’t dress without being told to do so.”

Buffy finally faced him, eyes narrowed. “Oh, you mean like how you did better with Harmony?” she sneered.

Spike fell silent and his eyes stayed trained on the road. “I broke up with her,” Spike said after a moment.

“Oh,” Buffy instantly felt guilty. “I didn’t mean to, uh, say it like that.”

“Yeah you did,” Spike corrected her.

“Well, it’s just, she’s so…” Buffy trailed off, trying to find a less harsh word than stupid or dumb but Spike beat her to it.

“I’m not under any delusions Harmony would be winning a Nobel Prize anytime soon, but she isn’t all bad,” Spike defended.

“Right,” Buffy said softly, watching as Spike pulled into the driveway. As soon as he turned the engine off, Buffy stepped out. They went inside, her steps quiet and each headed into their respective rooms.

“Hey Summers,” Spike stage-whispered, causing Buffy to stop and turn around.

“Yeah?” she responded, holding on to the doorknob.

Spike smirked. “Tomorrow. Practice. Race.”

Buffy could feel a smirk of her own gracing her lips. “You’re on,” she promised.


A/N: harmony's line about the 'whole bunch of weeks' is taken from her actual line 'whole bunch of months'

Chapter 11: Hidden


There were many things in life that had surprised Buffy over time. But this was absolutely shocking.

“Y-you beat me!” She cried incredulously between heaving breaths.

A tired smirk flittered across Spike’s face as he flopped back on to the grass. “Yeah, I did.”

“But…” Buffy half-protested. She still couldn’t fathom what had happened in the last few minutes. Somehow, just as Buffy was nearly at the end, Spike had stolen her move from the day before and leaped ahead, landing in front of her.

Buffy, at first, had been livid but then she’d fallen to the ground, too exhausted to object. Till now.

“Summers, face it. I beat you, fair and square,” Spike added at her look.

“Ugh,” Buffy grumbled, struggling to sit up again. “I don’t get it! I mean, I so beat you yesterday…why…” her eyes narrowed, “what did you do?”

Spike scoffed, looking at the blonde like she’d just suggested he should stand on his head and count to twenty in Swedish. “I know you’re pissed about this, but now you’re just grasping for straws, luv. What could I possibly do?”

Buffy could feel her face reddening a little. Spike made a very good point, what could he do? She was mad and was saying stupid things. And did he just call her ‘luv’?

“Fine,” she mumbled out loud. “You beat me.” She quickly stood up and stalked off as fast as she could on her shaky, achy legs.

Spike watched Buffy leave, looking almost amused. Then, just to provoke her a little more, he called out, “Summers!”

Buffy half-turned around, her hand shielding her eyes as she waited for whatever Spike was going to say.

“Ten bucks says I beat you tomorrow!”

Buffy snorted and even from a distance she could see the smug smirk on Spike’s face. “You wish!” She called back, trying to sound indignant, but secretly she couldn’t wait for 3:30 the next afternoon.

******
“Poor Buffy,” Willow said sympathetically, watching as the blonde dropped her head on the table.

The pair was sitting at a booth in at the Espresso Pump, the local coffee place, and Willow was buying Buffy a ‘sorry you lost’ drink. Her theory was that given enough sugar, Buffy would be too hyper to fret over Spike’s victory.

“He beat me,” Buffy repeated, her voice muffled by the table.

Willow nodded, taking a gulp of her mocha. She’d seen the end of the race and Fred and Wesley had filled her in on the middle of it, adding their commentary. Willow had wisely decided not to mention any of the things said, especially Fred’s “they were so cute!” No need to further upset Buffy, she reasoned.

With a sigh, Buffy slurped her own mocha. She looked so dejected and Willow felt she had to say something helpful.

“Well, there’s the Central Invitational coming up this weekend,” Willow said cheerfully, “you’ll kick ass there.”

Buffy let out a loud groan at the reminder and Willow winced. Maybe that wasn’t the best thing to mention.

“O-oh!” Willow added, “Don’t forget you’re still racing Spike tomorrow. You’ll win then for sure.” She punctuated her words with a nod.

Then a small grin grew on her lips. “I’ll win and he’ll pay me ten bucks,” she said firmly.

“Sucker,” Willow said, a smile on her face now and the two girls giggled.

“Watcha laughing at?” The pair turned to see Xander with, as usual, Anya by his side as well as Tara.

“How I’m gonna kick Spike’s shiny white ass,” Buffy announced, earning a laugh from Xander.

“That I gotta see,” he said, sitting next to Willow. He instantly grabbed her mocha and took a sip only to make a face.

“Blech. Coffee,” he said, disgusted. Anya sat down next to him, her shoulder bumping his.

“That’s stupid,” she commented, “drinking that is like eating coffee ice-cream. It’s 99% sugar and 1% coffee flavor.”

“I-I can never drink the mochas here,” Tara added shyly as she sat down next to Buffy. “They make me too jumpy.”

“Ditto,” Willow said, her knee jiggling. She’d barely drunk any of the liquid but already she was restless.

Buffy took another sip of her coffee and then looked down at her watch and her face fell. It was just after 5:00 and she’d promised to be home before dinner.

Giles was cooking something, presumably British, and her mother had insisted that everyone would help out in the kitchen. Buffy had a feeling this was for her mother’s benefit, this way she could supervise the cooking. Her mother had always been very protective of her kitchen.

“So Buff, you haven’t told us what it’s like living with Spike Giles.” Xander’s words brought her back to attention.

“Oh, you know,” she began, feeling a little awkward, “It’s Spike. I mean, it’s not like I see him that much. Mostly at dinner or in the morning.”

“Does he sleep naked?” Anya asked suddenly, leaning in eagerly. “Harmony told me he sleeps in the buff.”

Buffy could feel the beet red blush staining her face. “Uh…” she was at a complete lost for words. “I don’t really-“

“Anya! Come on!” Willow admonished, her face slightly pink as well. “They’re practically step-siblings.”

“Well, we’re not really step…” Buffy’s correction was cut off by Anya.

“What? I was just wondering, god!” She huffed. “You’d think I was asking her what his penis looked like,” she muttered, sitting back in her seat.

Xander was shaking his head, glad Anya was pursuing the question. He also couldn’t help feel a little hurt. She was, after all, commenting about another guy’s personal habits and nakedness. But, he reminded himself, it wasn’t like they were exclusive, at least not purposefully. They weren’t together as boyfriend and girlfriend. Sometimes Xander wondered why. It wasn’t like Anya was bad in anyway she was just…Anya.

“Maybe we should talk about something else,” Tara suggested, glancing at Willow who nodded in agreement.

“Yep! New topic time! One that avoids mentioning Spike’s anything,” Buffy quickly added.

“Like say, what is going on between Fred and Wes?” Willow lowered her voice conspiratorially.

“Oh my god, did you see them leaving after school? Total sexual tension,” Anya confirmed.

“Okay! That’s it!” Xander said loudly, standing up. “I’m going to find my male friends and do something…manly.” With that, he maneuvered around Anya and walked out the door, leaving the girls giggling at his dramatic exit.

***********

“Buffy could you pass the salt and the-err-pepper,” Giles said hurriedly.

She complied and watched as Giles dumped some of each in the pot and stirred. Spike was currently juggling the extra potatoes while Joyce hovered of Giles’s shoulder, watching the bubbling mixture.

“William, please,” Giles turned to his son, sounding exasperated, “Leave the potatoes alone.”

Spike caught them both in one hand and tossed them on the table. He flashed Buffy a smirk and she rolled her eyes.

“You still sore about this afternoon?” Spike asked innocently as he sat down in a chair, propping his feet up.

Buffy shot him a death glare. “No,” she answered defiantly, “I’ll beat you tomorrow, big deal.”

Joyce, hearing their conversation, frowned. “What is this about beating?”

Buffy opened her mouth to mutter ‘nothing’ but Spike spoke first. “Just a race we did this afternoon. Buffy here is brassed off because I won and she didn’t.”

Joyce turned to her daughter, eyebrows raised. “Is that right?”

She was so going to kill Spike, Buffy thought fervently. “Not exactly,” she said hesitantly, “I beat him yesterday.”

“Oh?” Joyce crossed her arms. “And what started this…competition?”

Buffy shrugged under the scrutiny of her mother’s eyes. “We were just having fun, right Spike?” Her voice was falsely cheerful.

“Right!” Spike said brightly, his voice equally fake. “For fun.”

“Well, I for one am excited about this meet of yours on Saturday, Buffy,” Giles interjected.

“Me too,” Buffy half-lied. She was excited but also nervous. It was her first big, official meet ever. Fred had assured Buffy multiple times that it wasn’t a big deal, but for her it was.

“William do you have a meet as well?” Giles questioned as he added some more spices to the pot.

“It’s Spike, dad,” he responded automatically. No matter how many times he insisted on his nickname, his father stubbornly refused to call him anything but his full name. “And no, we don’t,” Spike added.

Joyce once again leaned over her boyfriend’s shoulder, eyeing the nearly done stew. “When’s your meet?”

Spike shrugged. Since cross country wasn’t his main sport like football, or as the Americans called it soccer, was; Spike didn’t pay much attention to the meets. He either found out through Gunn or Wes.

Giles turned off the stove and clapped his hands. “Dinner is officially ready.”

*********

Feeling stuffed from the unexpectedly delicious stew, Buffy slumped on the couch watching some reality show.

Her feet were bare and she wore a pair of casual pants paired with a simple T-shirt. Her hair was still slightly damp and pulled up in a half ponytail.

She was currently inspecting her nails which were ragged, bare and in desperate need of a good manicure. Not that she’d had one of those in a long while, Buffy thought. Her gaze returned to the TV after the commercials ended only to have her vision obscured by Spike walking past.

He sat down next to her and resumed his favorite position, his feet propped up by the low coffee table. Annoyed, Buffy scowled at him but he wasn’t paying any attention whatsoever.

“Look at the bloke, he’s about to puke his guts out. His face is practically green,” Spike commented, watching the TV with intensity.

“What are you doing?” Buffy demanded, momentarily catching Spike off guard.

“What?” He asked, sounding truly confused.

“You. Sitting here,” Buffy motioned to him and the couch.

Spike looked around, puzzled. “’m sorry, am I not allowed to sit here?” His voice was tinged with sarcasm.

“No. Yes.” Buffy stopped and took a breath. “Why are sitting here with me?”

Spike rolled his eyes at her and turned back to the TV. “It’s called being civil. Look into it, luv.”

That was the second time he’d called her that, Buffy instantly noticed but didn’t comment on it.

She finally relented and they sat in silence watching the show. Well, not quite silence. Spike, Buffy was discovering, was an avid talker while watching TV. Not exactly directly talking to her but adding comments to just about everything.

“Nasty tasting buggers,” Spike said after a truly disgusting display of a contestant eating a thick earthworm.

Buffy’s faced scrunched up. “Ew,” she paused for a moment, giving Spike a suspicious look. “Are you implying that you’ve actually eaten a worm before?”

“Once,” he answered casually as if she’d asked if he’d ever gone to the grocery store. “On a dare.”

At Buffy’s horrified expression, he elaborated. “I was very pissed. Drunk of my ass and Harris decides it would be amusing to see what I would and wouldn’t do…” he trailed off. “Turns out, there isn’t much I won’t do.”

“Oh god, that is nasty,” Buffy replied, making a ‘blech’ noise. “I can’t believe Xander made you do that.”

“Yeah, well, that wasn’t the worst of it,” Spike muttered under his breath but unfortunately, Buffy didn’t miss it.

She scooted closer to Spike and nudged him with her foot. “Tell me,” she demanded, “what’d he make you do?”

“No,” Spike replied firmly, pushing her with a light shove.

“Yes,” she countered, poking him with her finger now. “You have to.” Buffy wasn’t sure why she was pushing this but it was funny to see Spike so closed-lipped about the dares. Maybe if she didn’t get them out of Spike, Xander would tell her.

“No,” Spike repeated, louder and much firmer than before. “Not if you paid me all the money in the world, Summers. No bloody way.”

Finally, Buffy crossed her arms and with a huff, resumed watching the end of the show. “Meanie,” she muttered but it was almost playful.

“Annoying bint,” Spike rejoined.

“Asshole.”

“Brat.”

“Worm-eater.”

“Hey!”

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

After another couple hours of mindless reality shows with Spike, Buffy nearly crawled upstairs, exhausted. She wasn’t sure why she was so tired, but she caved into the temptation of a nice, comfy, warm bed.

Buffy stripped off her clothes and slipped on a pair of silky shorts and tank top and slipped into bed. Just moments after turning her bedside lamp off, she was drifting off to sleep.

The sound of thunder cracking in sky was deafening and followed by a blinding strike of lightning. Rain was falling heavily now, in big sticky blobs at a rapid pace.

She could feel the car slipping a little as they made a sharp left turn. “I hate you! How could you do this to me?”

“Dammit Buffy, please you have to understand-“

“Understand what?!” The rain was falling almost in sheets now, a relentless cascade of water blurring the windshield.

“I love you, Buffy!”

“You lied! You lied to me!” Tears were pouring down her face, matching the flow outside.

“I was going to tell you, I swear Buffy. I was going to tell you.”

“When? When it suited you? When you had no other choice? All this time…”

“It’s over, I promise Buffy. We’re over, almost officially. There are a few papers I still need to sign. I’ve already moved out months ago. Please, Buffy believe me.”

“Then why do you still have it?” She pointed to the incriminating piece of metal.

Silence.

“This is over. I’m done. I…loved you, I really thought I did.”

“No, Buffy, god no.” He turned to face her, just for a moment. A car honked, loud and he gripped the steering wheel, jerking hard. The car swerved, making her stomach lurch painfully. They were going fast, forty-five, fifty miles in hour.

Too fast.

“Oh god!”


Buffy jolted awake, her breath coming in hard pants, her face and body covered in sweat. Bile rose to her throat as the memories flashed into her mind. She could remember with bone-chilling details everything…

Buffy stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom, shutting the door quickly. She leaned over the toilet just as the contents of her stomach spewed out of her mouth.

Sagging against the porcelain, she closed her eyes. They burned and she swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. She tried to take a deep breath and exhale but it came out a strangled gasp.

Unable to hold back any longer, Buffy’s tears spilled over, faster and faster until she was full-out sobbing, her whole body trembling.

Slowly, the memories faded a little, becoming less harsh now that she was awake. Her stomach even felt marginally better.

Buffy pulled herself up from the cool surface and flushed the toilet and washed her face and hands, hoping no one had heard her.

Chapter 12: Celebration

“Pay up.”

Spike glared down at Buffy’s outstretched hand before sighing loudly and reaching into his deep pockets for money. When he drew up an empty fist, Spike practically snarled. “Bloody hell.”

Buffy smirked at him, crossing her arms. “Guess you owe me now. With interest.”

“You’re vicious, you know that?” Spike’s rhetorical question was loud as he stomped off in the direction of his car, Buffy on his heels. Right, he remembered, he was giving her a ride since Willow was at some math thing.

“We made a bet,” Buffy corrected him, “I’m just honoring that.”

Spike just rolled his eyes as he unlocked the car. “Get in.”

Buffy obeyed, slipping into the deep seat and buckled herself in. Her damp hair clung to her neck as she leaned back against the headrest. “Funny, I remember when you told me to get out of the car.” She looked up at him with wide-eyed innocence and he shot her a look that clearly said ‘don’t push it.’

It was then Buffy noticed how much more…well, if not comfortable, then civil they were to each other. She wasn’t sure but she swore something had changed…shifted. Maybe it was their banter the evening before or…she froze. Had Spike heard her last night?

As the thought ran through her mind, Buffy glanced at him quickly as if the answer was written on him somewhere. He didn’t seem different and he wasn’t acting drastically different so everything must be fine, she decided. Absolutely fine.

**********

Faster.Faster.Faster.

The words fell in rhythm of the steady pound of her feet moving. Buffy breezed past another girl.

Stray pieces of hair were sticking to her face and neck, she was sweating profusely in her tank top and shorts, but it felt great.

Buffy turned the corner and ran up the hill, which was mercifully shady. When she emerged from the shadows, the sun was hot against her skin again. Up ahead, Buffy could see a girl with a long brown ponytail swinging. She was really good, Buffy noticed even from a distance.

Buffy pushed herself a little more. She could handle it; they were at least past the halfway mark, and closing up on three-quarters into the race. She focused on using the muscles in her thighs, her legs going up and down at a quicker pace.

Slowly and almost cautiously, Buffy began to catch up the girl ahead. She was most likely the one in the lead and that meant she didn’t have to push herself to extremes…yet.

The girl glanced behind her, hearing Buffy’s footsteps increasing and frowned. She picked up her own pace a little. It was a subtle move, but clearly implicated the brunette’s challenge.

Buffy wasn’t stupid. This girl knew what she was doing; she was good at running and obviously felt confident enough to begin an unspoken race between them.

Not that Buffy didn’t want to take her down a peg or two.

They kept at it, trying to one-up each other in speed and stride. Currently, they were head-to-head, but with the end coming up, Buffy knew that wasn’t going to last.

She had a vague memory of how the route was set and Fred had told her that they would have hit the ‘one-fourth of a mile left’ mark when the passed an old, worn stone barn foundation, which was incidentally, just up and to the left between two large oak trees.

The brunette obviously knew this and gave Buffy a quick glance as they ran along a curve, revealing the ruins in full view.

Then, almost simultaneously, both Buffy and the girl shot off, using everything in them. Buffy could feel her breath coming in quick spurts, trying to keep up with her sprinting pace.

The girl was edged just a bit further and Buffy kept it that way, but never let it the distance increase by more than a couple of feet. It would keep the brunette nervous, Buffy reasoned, if she kept herself near, but not ahead.

A rather steep hill loomed before them and Buffy groaned internally. Of course there would be a hill at the end, she thought sarcastically. What better place was there?

At the top of the hill, Buffy’s legs felt like lead and burned, but she could see the crowd not too far away. The most beautiful red line was drawn across the path and Buffy knew she was going to make it.

With one last final spurt of energy, Buffy pushed herself to her maximum speed, her legs moving automatically. She pushed aside the voice in her mind screaming to stop and kept going.

They were now running alongside of each other and the brunette looked pissed. She couldn’t run faster, she didn’t have the energy for that and the rest of the length.

Buffy was surging ahead, if only by an inch or two, which seemed to further enrage the brunette. She forced her stride to widen, taking fewer steps and covering more space.

The line was a mere ten feet away and the brunette was leading. Damn, Buffy thought, thoroughly annoyed.

Then, with an involuntary grin, Buffy leaped forward, using the trick both she and Spike had used on each other, and practically flew across the finish line, a full foot and half before the other girl.

In the instant her foot touched the other side of the red line everything sped up, as if someone had pressed the fast forward button.

Several people accosted her, pressing around her on all sides. Coach Adler rushed forward, a bright smile on her otherwise hard face.

Cheers from her non-running friends erupted from the other side of her and Buffy turned, a wide grin on her face. Willow squeezed Buffy extra-tight, and the two girls engaged in the atypical jumping a squealing ritual.

A tap on Buffy’s shoulder alerted her that her mother and Giles were standing behind her, their own smiles gracing their faces.

“We’re so proud of you,” Joyce announced, “Winning on your first meet and everything.”

Buffy just kept grinning. “Thanks!” She knew it was a little stupid, being so excited when it wasn’t a major meet but winning made it seem like the biggest deal in the world.

“Well, pet, aren’t you glad you trained with me? Otherwise the brunette would have left you in the dust.”

Buffy turned to face Spike and gave him a look. “Please, training? Our races were brutal. And,” she tilted her chin up, “I could so have beaten her without any ‘training’.” A bluff for sure, but she was pretty certain he wouldn’t call her on it.

“Right,” Spike replied, drawing out the word. “Well, congratulations anyway.”

The words brought a smile back on Buffy’s face and in the strangest impulse ever, she wrapped her arms around him. It lasted for a second, brief, but just the single embrace sent her stomach all…fluttery.

She yanked her arms away, resting them awkwardly at her side. Buffy knew there was some attraction she felt for Spike, but that wasn’t inherently bad. But what she knew was bad was the weird fluttery feelings and unnecessary touching.

“Um thanks,” Buffy mumbled, “in case I needed a little tuning.”

Spike shifted a little, looking over her shoulder. “Right. Yeah, um, Gunn’s over there, he’s giving me a ride.” And with that, he almost ran away.

Stupid, Summers, Buffy scolded herself. Did she not understand the concept of parents are dating, ergo almost-step-brother?

Buffy shook her head briefly and then turned to Xander, the driver of the day. “Hey, give me a ride?” Her smile was back. An awkward moment was not going to ruin her happy.

*********

“So Bronze tonight?” Buffy asked Willow, cradling the phone between her ear and shoulder. They’d agreed to do a little impromptu celebration after Buffy had won the race.

“Yep. Unless you want to see a movie with Wes and Fred,” Willow offered.

Buffy’s nose scrunched up. “Aren’t they on a date?” She asked, confused.

Willow sighed and Buffy could almost see her rolling her eyes. “It’s a non-date.”

“Ahh.” Buffy knew exactly what that meant: they both liked each other but were too shy to actually say the words out loud.

“Right,” Willow confirmed, “so the rest of us are going the Bronze. Oz is playing tonight and he asked me to come watch him.” Buffy smiled at how Willow’s voice picked up at the very mention of Oz’s name.

Yep, Buffy thought, there’s no doubt about it, Willow’s smitten. And, if she wasn’t mistaken, Oz was pretty smitten back. It was a smit-fest.

“I’ll pick you up in an hour or so.”

“Good,” Buffy replied, already pulling out her party-clothes. “I’ll see you then.”

It took her a good fifteen to settle on an outfit consisting of a swishy skirt with high heels and a shimmery silver top with thin straps crisscrossing on the back. Far more fancy than usual but she and Willow decide to go all out.

Her make-up was light, and her lips coated a shiny pink. She wore her hair straight, the blonde tresses glinting in the light thanks to a shine spray. Buffy smiled, pleased with her reflection.

The phone rang, jarring her out of her appraisal and she picked it up. “Hello?”

“Buffy?” It was a male voice, familiar yet not.

“Yes,” she replied warily, waiting for an introduction.

“Hi, it’s, uh, Riley. Riley Finn. Sorry to impose and all-“ Buffy cut him off with a question.

“How did you get my number?” She asked, suspiciously. While she would have given it to him, the opportunity hadn’t arisen and him calling was definitely odd.

“Well,” Riley began sounding sheepish, “I have a pretty good memory and I remembered your address, from when I walked you home. So, I looked it up in the phone book, pretty stupid huh?” He let out a small, nervous laugh.

Buffy relaxed a little at his explanation. “I’ll admit it’s a little…” she paused, unsure how to say it out loud.

“Creepy,” Riley finished. “I normally never go to such extremes, but, uh, I really wanted to ask you out tonight and I didn’t want to go to your house, so this seemed better.”

“This is better,” Buffy confirmed. “And I completely erase any creepy-related judgments of you.”

Riley let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, good ‘cause I was wondering if you’d like to go out tonight, or another time.”

“Um…” Buffy bit her lip. “We’re having a sort of celebration thing for my meet today, but you’re welcome to join us.”

“A meet?” Riley questioned, “You a runner?”

“Yeah,” Buffy responded, feeling a little silly. “Yeah, I am.”

“Well, I’d love to join the celebration, if your friends wouldn’t mind,” Riley added quickly.

“No, I’m sure they won’t. So, I’ll meet you at the Bronze? My friend Willow reserved a big table and booth in the back.”

“I’ll look for you,” Riley replied.

“Cool,” Buffy said and then wished she hadn’t, it sounded so weird. They said their quick goodbyes and she hung up the phone.

Once last glance in the mirror confirmed she was ready to go out and celebrate. And have an actual date. With a guy. A nice guy. This, Buffy told herself, is what you deserve.


A/N: Buffy's future meets and practices-unless super important-will not be as detailed as they have been. And all of you, don't worry, more Spuffy soon! Understand, I don't want to rush it and make it fake-it's gonna be a process. Thanks to all of you readers!!