The Feelings of ‘Once More, With Feeling’


Disclaimer: Has anyone seen ‘Dogma’? That’s what this is, a statement made to save my @$$. I don’t own anything, except my Buffy DVD’s and CD. That, and my [vivid] imagination. It’s all yours, Joss!

Rating: PG-13, for naughty words (and feelings)

Summary: The title’s pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it? This is basically my take of everyone’s emotions during OMWF. Random POV’s, but always Spuffy. Chapters go according to each song, though some may be combined (i.e., ‘Mustard’ is in Ch. 2, instead of having it’s own...) Unless otherwise stated, the lyrics are being sung by the song’s lead singer. For the medley songs, I’ll just put who’s singing what, even though I’m sure everyone knows who sings what.

A/N: Yep. It’s another OMWF fic. I promise this one’ll be good! I just thought that everyone’s thoughts on everything would be pretty funny. And besides, everyone needs an excuse to listen to the soundtrack, right? Right? No? Eh, me neither. I listen to it all the time. And no, I’m not [completely] psycho, but thanks for asking.

Feedback: Oopy. Almost forgot...PLEASE!!! Reviews are like prezzies! And you don’t wanna mess with the evil eyes. O_o

Special Thanks: By brand new beta, Chantel


Ch. 1: Going Through The Motions

~Buffy POV~

Okay, is there supposed to be music in a cemetery at night? Seriously, I hear flutie things. Or is it a piano? Oh well. Whatever it is, it’s probably not of the good. And....why do I feel a song coming on? Uh oh.....

♪Every single night
♪The same arrangement
♪I go out and fight the fight

Why am I singing? And why is it when I’m slaying? And why is this so Disney-esque? I mean, yeah, it’s true, but do I have to SING?

♪Still I always feel this strange estrangement
♪Nothing here is real, nothing here is right

This is Sunnydale. Of course nothing’s right. And...oh, great. Just peachy. After all, why wouldn’t there be vampires and a demon making a ritual sacrifice during my big number? That’s so mean!

♪I’ve been making shows of trading blows
♪Just hoping no one knows
♪That I’ve been going through the motions
♪Walking through the part
♪Nothing seems to penetrate my heart

Ugh. Stupid Vamps. How come when they’re dusted they’re so...dusty? I mean, do you have any idea how annoying vamp dust is to wash out? It isn’t normal dust. It’s breeding dust. Stupid vampires.

♪I was always brave
♪And kind of righteous
♪Now I find I’m wavering

Hey! Stupid song! I’m SO not wavering. Well, maybe a little. Ugh! Gimme a break, I was dead for 147 days! I deserve a little...leniency? Stupid Glory.

♪Crawl out of your grave
♪You find this fight just
♪Doesn’t mean a thing
♪(Vamp) She ain’t got that swing
♪Thanks for noticing

Um, first thought, completely random–OW! I may be a slayer, but getting knocked down still hurts. Oh well. Now their sword is right by me. Hehe. Shiny.

♪(Demon&Vamps) She does pretty well with fiends from hell
♪But lately we can tell
♪That she’s just
♪Going through the motions
♪Faking it somehow

I’m not faking! And seriously, what kind of dance was that? Nobody walks around like that. Unless that Jonathan kid from high school got drunk. I can imagine that would be pretty funny. I mean, he’s so tiny! Hmmm....sword, demon, sword, demon. I think stabbage is in order. Hehe.

♪(Demon) She’s not even half the girl she–ow!

Ha! Hasn’t anyone told the demons that ritual sacrifices in Sunnydale are a bad idea? What a mook.

♪Will I stay this way forever
♪Sleepwalk through my life’s endeavor
♪(man) How can I repay...

Ooh! Cute guys that aren’t dead do exist in Sunny-D! Oops. I did NOT just say that. Bad brain. Bad, bad, bad brain

♪-Whatever
♪I don’t wanna be
♪Going through the motions
♪Losing all my drive
♪I can’t even see if this is really me
♪And I just want to be
♪Alive

Yeah. Alive. Because being dead sucked so much, being in heaven and all. Not that anyone knows that besides Spike. Really, though. Would it be too much to ask of the PTB’s to let me feel something-anything-again? Honestly. The savior of the world, and I don’t get anything in return. And...again with the singing! Why? Gotta talk to Giles. But Buffy and mornings are unmixy things. Maybe I’ll wait till after I get a good night’s sleep. And after I stand in the shower for two hours trying to get off the vamp dust. Note to self: Don’t wear new clothes when patrolling. Ugh. Stupid vampires.



A/N2: So...whaddya think? Hmmm? Good, not good, terrible, boring? It’ll get better (I hope)! But no reviews = no updates. Dun Dun Dun.

Ch. 2: I’ve Got a Theory

~Buffy POV~


Hey, wait a minute. Why is everybody already here? Seriously, I hate being last. Buffy is never last, because Buffy always wins, and...... Did Willow just say something?

“Wha-um, yeah. So, uh, last night. Did-did anyone else, uh, burst into song?”

I am going to feel so stupid if I am alone in this.

“Merciful Zeus!”

Yay! Xander said so! It wasn’t just me, it was Xander, too!

“We thought it was just us!”

And Willow.

“Well, I sang, but I had my guitar...”

And Giles. Well, that takes care of that, and- Holy crap! Does everyone have to talk at once, I mean, geez!

~Xander POV~


Is it just me, or is Buffy really....spacy? She didn’t even laugh at my donut joke. And hey, brownie points for Xander. Something actually went right! I guess singing just comes with the happy. But I won’t tell them that.

“...and do you think it will happen again, because I for one...” See? And...uh oh. Giles is singing, and...no fair! G-man has pipes!

♪(Giles) I’ve got a theory
♪That it’s a demon
♪A dancing demon-no, something isn’t right there

Umm...gulp! Lucky a dancing demon isn’t right in Giles’ mind. I mean, they don’t know that it really is a demon, right? This could get really-oh! Hey! Willow has a theory, too!

♪(Willow) I’ve got a theory
♪Some kid is dreamin’
♪And we’re all stuck inside his wacky Broadway nightmare

Hmm. Wacky Broadway nightmare doesn’t exactly seem that far off, does it? I mean, we have lived nightmares, AND turned into our Halloween costumes. I guess anything really is possible at Hellmouth Central.

♪(Xander) I’ve got a theory we should work this out

Ooh. Ouch. At least I sang after Willow and not Giles. And at least my mouth knew enough not to say that I summoned a Lord of the Dance demon. Oh! But not a scary one. Just a demon.

~Willow POV~


Now we have to get rid of whatever this is. Because Willow and singing? Not of the good. Am I the only one who remembers the ‘live your nightmares’ incident? I was dressed up like a geisha and forced to sing! How cruel is that?

♪(Willow/Anya/Tara) It’s getting eerie
♪What’s this cheery singing all about?

See? There we go again. At least Tara and Anya sang, too. And why the heck is Xander suddenly standing up?

♪(Xander) It could be witches
♪Some evil witches
♪Which is ridiculous ‘cause witches they were
♪Persecuted wicca good and love the earth
♪And women power
♪And I’ll be over here

Oh, smart move, Xander. Take a crack at witches when you have two standing right in front of you. Honestly. Witches? It’s more likely Oz did it than witches! Well, at least the non-ratty witches I know. Oh, great. Anya’s turn.

♪(Anya) I’ve got a theory
♪It could be bunnies

Of course. Bunnies. Because this is Anya. What else could it be? I guess the bunny-phobia is yet another thing I’ll never understand.

♪(Tara) I’ve got a-
♪(Anya) Bunnies aren’t just cute like everybody supposes

Aww, and it was Tara’s turn to sing. Oh well. Sit tight and enjoy the ride, everybody.

♪(Anya) They’ve got them hoppy legs and twitchy little noses
♪And what’s with all the carrots
♪What do they need such good eyesight for anyway
♪Bunnies, bunnies
♪It must be bunnies!

Umm. I really have no words to describe this. Neither does anybody else, apparently. Ladies and Gentlemen, this random rock moment is brought to you by Anya.

♪(Anya) Or maybe midgets

Hee. Okay, probably not valid, but come on! Midgets- little people- are adorable!

♪(Willow) I’ve got a theory we should work this fast
♪(Willow/Giles) Because it clearly could get serious before it’s passed

NOOO! Stupid...thing. I just sang again. I bet it’s some pathetic nerds trying to have a good time by messing with power beyond their comprehension. After all, someone was messing with Buffy earlier this year. Whatever. Speaking of Buffy, she decided to join our group sing. Yay!

~Buffy POV~


Okay guys. Seriously. People are singing. What’s the big deal? It’s kinda like a Disney movie, except without flying carpets and enchanted roses...y’know stuff like that. Instead we have witches, and vampires, and demons, and the annual apocalypse.

♪I’ve got a theory
♪It doesn’t matter

Nyah nyah! Buffy wins. They can’t argue with the slayer...a slayer...whatever. I’m the active one, so I’m the one that counts at this point.

♪What can’t we face if we’re together
♪What’s in this place that we can’t weather

Everything we’ve faced in the past has been all of us. The Scoobies. We’re like...well, I don’t really know what we’re like. But whatever it is, we’re INVINCIBLE! Wow. That was lame. Good thing it wasn’t out loud.

♪Apocalypse
♪We’ve all been there
♪The same old trips
♪Why should we care

Huh. Never really thought I’d say this about a demon or whatever’s causing this. For all we know it’s a spell. Anyway, getting back on track, it’s kinda nice. Saying, or singing, as it happens to be, what I think like this. It’s kinda liberating. Because if I offend someone, then, hey! I can always blame it on this.

♪(Group) What can’t we do if we get in it
♪We’ll work it through within a minute
♪We have to try
♪We’ll pay the price
♪It’s do or die

Hehe. Joke time. Buffy needs to have a little fun.

♪(Buffy) Hey I’ve died twice

See?! I win. I got a smile out of Giles. Too bad they still think I was in Hell. And what gave them that idea anyway? Am I that bad of a person that I deserve to be punished for all eternity? They didn’t think that by saving the world on countless occasions that it would qualify me to get into Heaven?!

♪(Group) What can’t we face if we’re together
♪(Giles) -What can’t we face

Aww. Giles has a really good voice! Why hasn’t he sung more?

♪(Group) What’s in this place that we can’t weather
♪(Giles) -If we’re together

Stupid pretty-sounding Giles. And Tara. Now I’m all self conscious.

♪(Group) There’s nothing we can’t face
♪(Anya) Except for bunnies

She just can’t let the bunny thing go, can she?

“See, okay, that was disturbing.”

Ha! Xander is such a liar. He was having fun and he knows it. Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt, people.

“I thought it was neat.”

Willow, of course, the optimistic one. Gotta love her. Although I have to ask...

“So why is it happening? What’s causing it?”

Uh oh. Giles is giving me ‘the look.’

“I thought it didn’t matter.”

Of course it matters! It was the song’s fault! See? It does work for an excuse.

“Well, I’m not exactly quaking in my stylish-yet-affordable boots, but there’s definitely something unnatural going on here. And that doesn’t usually lead to hugs and puppies.”

Besides, this is a whole lot better than when the Gentlemen came to town. Eek.

“Well, is it just us? If it’s just us that probably means a spell, or...”

Hm. Anya has a point. I have the strange sinking feeling that it isn’t. Step 1: Deep breath. Step 2: Open the door. Step 3: Wonder what was possessing Giles when he decided to put up that stupid bell. Step 4: Shake head at the singing guy in the street.

♪(Man) They got the mustard out
♪(Chorus) They got the mustard out

Okay, Buffy. Shut. The. Door.

“It’s not just us.”






A/N: I know, I know. There’s no Spuffiness yet. I’m sorry. But Spike hasn’t even been in the eppie yet, so....yeah. I hope I’m doing alright with the POV’s. Please R&R! Reviews make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside–you can’t honestly deny me of that, can you?

Ch. 3: Under Your Spell

~Tara POV~


“Do we HAVE any books on this?”

“Well who wants to be cooped up on a day like this? The sun is shining, birds are singing, those guys are checking you out...”

Did Willow just say what I think she did? About the guys, I mean. It is a nice day, therefore it is nice to get away from the Magic Box drama. And again with the checking out! That never happens.

“What?! What are they looking at?”

“The hottness of you, doofus.”

Willow just said I’m hot. And that in itself means more to me than if every guy in the world checked me out. But hey, it never hurts to have a little fun.

“That’s it! I’m cured! I want the boys!”

The look on Willow’s face as she pulls me back is just too priceless. I am completely in love with this woman.

“Do I have to fight to keep you? ‘Cause I’m not large with the butch.”

“I’m just not used to it, that’s all. Those guys really thought I was hot?”

It’s amazing how Willow can melt me with one teeny smile. I don’t know how she does it, but I can never get enough.

“And you can’t imagine what they see in you.”

I think I can imagine. And I think I am.

“I know exactly what they see in me. You.”

~Willow POV~


I so badly want to cry for joy or kiss Tara right now. Maybe both. Either way, it doesn’t matter. My angel is singing.

♪I lived my life in shadow
♪Never the sun on my face
♪It didn’t seem so sad, though
♪I figured that was my place

I remember when Tara’s family came to town for her birthday last year. How scared she was. Not of them, exactly, but of the vicious lie they led her to believe. If her family knew her half as well as I do, they would know that there is no possible way for there to be anything demon-y inside her. And to think, she didn’t even know any better.

♪Now I’m bathed in light
♪Something just isn’t right

Wait...Something isn’t right? Oh, goddess. She didn’t recognize the Lethe’s Bramble, did she? Oh...wait...she’s smiling. Whew. I can’t bear to imagine what would happen if she found out.

♪I’m under your spell
♪How else could it be
♪Anyone would notice me
♪It’s magic I can tell
♪How you set me free
♪Brought me out so easily

Oh, honey. The spell you’re under isn’t the one you think it is. Sure, love is a spell, too....sorta. I mean, this isn’t like in High School when Xander had Amy try and put a love spell on Cordy for him. I still can’t believe I went after him with an axe.

♪I saw a world enchanted
♪Spirits and charms in the air
♪But your power shone
♪Brighter than any I’ve known

Hee. I love fireworks, big or small, rockets or magic. Fireworks are just great. No matter what. Does Tara really think I have that much power, though? I mean, sure, I brought Buffy back, but I had help. Lots of it, even. I was just the one who went through the tests.

~Tara POV~


Who knew that singing could be this relaxing? I feel really...confident right now for some reason. Which leads me to the chorus of my song and an impromptu ballet. Joy.

♪I’m under your spell
♪Nothing I can do
♪You just took my soul with you
♪You worked your charm so well
♪Finally I knew
♪Everything I dreamed was true
♪You make me believe

I don’t know how it happened. One minute Willow and I are dancing in the park, and the next, we’re in our room! It must be our combined magics. After all, we have floated at the Bronze.

~Willow POV~


Okay, that was neat. Mental note: figure out how to teleport like that!

Tara looks at me through hooded eyes, and image of beauty, as she continues singing.

♪The moon to the tide
♪I can feel you inside
♪Surging like the sea
♪Pulled to you so helplessly

Oh. My. Goddess. She’s floating. Tara is floating three feet above the bed. This is so cool!

♪I break with every swell
♪Lost in ecstasy
♪Spread beneath my willow tree

Lost in ecstasy....spread beneath my...Wow. Those are quite the double entendres that she came up with, aren’t they? Kinda sounds like Tara’s ‘spicy talk’ is making a comeback.

♪You make me complete
♪You make me complete
♪You make me complete

Ditto, babe. Ditto. I’ll never sing it, especially during her big number, but in all reality, she completes me.




A/N: So? How was it? I know this one was sappier than the others, but whaddya expect–it’s a ballad. I hope I did OK with the characterizations. I doubt that this would do it justice if we had been enlightened to the actual thoughts, but I do what I can. Spuffy soon! I promise! The next chapter is gonna be ‘I’ll Never Tell’ but I’m throwing in the parking ticket song, cuz it’s funny. After that, we get the long-awaited ‘Rest In Peace.’ Although, I’m getting worried about Dawn’s Lament & Dawn’s Ballet. Should I just skip ‘em and go right to ‘What you Feel’ or not? Tell me what you think! R&R!

Ch. 4: I’ll Never Tell

A/N: Because this song goes back and forth so much, the (X) is for Xander, the (A) is for Anya, and the (B) is for both. I’m sure you could’ve figured out on your own, but hey, better safe than sorry.



~Anya POV~

“Will you still make me waffles when we’re married?”

“No, I’ll only make them for myself, but by California law you will own half of them.”

Yes, it is true, half of the waffles will be mine, along with other possessions and money. After all, ownership is nine-tenths of the law. And my God! Is he STILL talking about breakfast? Oh well. Perhaps when he’s sated he can give me many orgasms.

♪(A) This is the man that I plan to entangle–isn’t he fine
♪My claim to fame was to maim
♪And to mangle–vengeance was mine

What, no coconuts this time? And no singing in my wedding dress on the balcony? What kind of crap song is this anyway?!

♪But I’m out of the biz
♪The name I’ve made I’ll trade for his

Well, maybe not trade. More like...accommodate. Mrs. Anya Christina Emanuella Jenkins-Harris. I like it, it has a nice ring to it.

♪The only trouble is...
♪I’ll never tell

Nope. Never telling. Not even for large sums of money. Well.....maybe.

~Xander POV~

Wow, this really is a musical extravaganza, isn’t it? At least there’s no coconuts this time. That was disturbing.

♪(X) She is the one, she’s such wonderful fun
♪Such passion and grace
♪Warm in the night when I’m right in her tight–embrace, tight embrace

Whew. That was close. A nice save, if I do say so myself. I mean, Anya had no idea that I was going to say...never mind. Not gonna go there.

♪I’ll never let her go
♪The love we’ve known can only grow
♪There’s just one thing that–no
♪I’ll never tell

Wait a minute. Aren’t secrets supposed to be a bad thing in a relationship? Secrets like, oh say, summoning a singing demon. But hey, I’ve got three things to say about that. 1) Don’t ask, don’t tell. 2) What you don’t know can’t hurt you. 3) Don’t ask me no questions, and I won’t tell you no lies. Which is kinda like number one, actually.

♪(B) ‘Cause there’s nothing to tell

~Both POV~

Pfft. Yeah, right.

~Anya POV~

♪(A) He snores

God, does he snore. The construction site during the day is probably quieter than Xander’s snoring. In all literal meaning of the cliche, he could wake the dead. Or, undead, as the situation may be.

♪(X) She wheezes

Oh no he didn’t. I do NOT wheeze. Well, unless I’ve been running from forces of evil. Or other such exhausting activities.

♪(A) Say ‘housework’ and he freezes

As is continually proven. Men are slobs. But hey, at least he’s not as bad as Olaf. It’s been about 1,000 years since I’ve had to clean up after a man!

~Xander POV~

Hey! I work construction all day! I’m not about to endanger my testosterone-ridden macho-manliness that I’ve worked so hard to gain when I get home. Granted, no one is around to see the lack of manliness besides Anya, but I can’t constantly have other people inflating my ego, can I? I’ve got to inflate it myself sometimes, too. And that REALLY didn’t sound how it was intended. Oh well. Y’know, I should probably get to work on breakfast.

♪(X) She eats these skeazy cheeses that I can’t describe

Oh. My. God. That is just so wrong on so many levels. Cheese should be yellow, white, or both. Not green. Never green. Green cheese is definitely of the bad. But don’t tell Anya that.

♪(A) I talk, he breezes


I breeze? What is that supposed to mean?

~Anya POV~

♪(X) She doesn’t know what ‘please’ is

Liar! I know what ‘please’ is! It’s a word meant to represent politeness. Like, “Please give me more money,” or, “Oh, God, please stop hitting me with my own rib bones!” That one never got old.

♪(A) His penis got diseases from a chumash tribe

~Xander POV~

Aww, now that was a low blow. Why would she bring up the funny syphilis? Didn’t I say last year that I was done being everybody’s butt monkey? So not fair. I mean, it’s not like I wanted it. I just...fell through the wrong hole, I guess.

♪(B) The vibe
♪Gets kind of scary

Kind of? There is no ‘kind of’ at all! She’s an ex-demon, and I’m...me. I’d be relieved if it was only kind of scary. Unfortunately for me, it’s downright terrifying.

♪(X) Like she thinks I’m ordinary

~Anya POV~

What? Just because his two best friends are incredibly powerful...I mean, slayer on one arm, and an incredibly powerful Wicca on the other. The man comes from Sunnydale–home of the Hellmouth! How could anything about him be ordinary?

♪(A) Like it’s all just temporary

~Xander POV~

Whoa, where did she get the temporary from? What’s temporary beside the life span of the windows in Buffy’s house? Or Drusilla’s moments of sanity? Or Harmony’s moments of intelligence. All of those are very temporary. But Anya...I love her.

♪(X) Like her toes are kind of hairy

Not a lot of hair. Just a little bit on the knuckles. They are called knuckles on the feet, right? I dunno. I was to busy saving the world in High School to pay attention in class.

~Anya POV~

Hairy toes? I think not. Xander’s toes on the other hand...

♪(A) When things get rough he
♪Just hides behind his Buffy

Or whoever is closest. But generally Buffy. After all, she is the strongest out of all of us. Except for maybe Spike. But Xander doesn’t like Spike. Although I do find him very aesthetically appealing.

~Xander POV~

I don’t hide behind Buffy...long. After all, I managed to survive the summer without her. But you have to admit, if you’re going to hide someone, Buffy is definitely your best bet.

♪(A) Now look he’s getting huffy
♪’Cause he knows that I know

Know what? What’s with the knowing? Yes, I admit, I’ve hidden behind Buffy. But what does she know? That I had a crush on Buffy in High School? Big deal.

~Anya POV~

♪(X) She clings–she’s needy
♪She’s also really greedy

I am so not needy. Sure, sometimes I find the need for orgasms or money, but I am not needy. Now that bimbo Harmony on the other hand...

♪(X) She never–
♪(A) His eyes are beady!

Well, they are! That and they’re kind of overshadowed by his huge eyebrows. If I could just convince him to get the occasional wax...

♪(X) This is my verse, hello
♪She–

~Xander POV~

I wonder if there’s any way to work ‘freakishly blunt’ in. I doubt it though.

♪(A) Look at me! I’m dancing crazy!

Hey, now, what’s with all the interrupting? It’s not fair. And, wow. She is dancing crazy. Oh well. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!

♪(B) You know
♪(X) You’re quite the charmer
♪(A) My knight in armor

Yay! We sounded pretty! Brownie points for everyone!

♪(X) You’re the cutest of the scoobies
♪With your lips as red as rubies
♪And your firm yet supple–tight embrace

I have got to stop doing that.

~Anya POV~

Why do we call ourselves the Scoobies anyway? I mean, it’s not like we have a talking Great Dane as part of our group. Although, I guess if Buffy was a redhead she’d resemble Daphne. The devil dogs from prom really don’t count, do they?

♪(A) He’s swell
♪(X) She’s sweller
♪(A) He’ll always be my feller
♪(X) That’s why I’ll never tell her that I’m petrified

Um, Harris? A little late, dontcha think?

♪(A) I’ve read this tale
♪There’s wedding then betrayal
♪I know that come the day I’ll want to run and hide

It’s like the merry-go-round of rotating knives. Everyone gets ripped to shreds whether they want to or not.

~Xander POV~

♪(B) I lied
♪I said it’s easy
♪I’ve tried
♪But there’s these fears I can’t quell

Commitment–my arch nemesis. But Anya...she’s special. Just as long as we don’t turn into my parents, we’ll be okay.

♪(X) Is she looking for a pot of gold
♪(A) Will I look good when I’ve gotten old
♪(X) Will our lives become too stressful
♪If I’m never that successful

The glorified bricklayer is worried about his career. Go figure.

♪(A) When I get so worn and wrinkly
♪That I look like David Brinkley

~Both POV~

Eww. David Brinkley.

~Anya POV~

♪(X) Am I crazy

Look where you live, Xander! Of course you’re crazy.

♪(A) Am I dreamin’
♪(X) Am I marrying a demon

Hey! No, you’re not. An ex-demon, yes. But I’ve reformed!

♪(B) We could really raise the beam in
♪Making marriage a hell
♪So thank God I’ll never tell
♪I swear that I’ll never tell

Broken record...broken record...broken record...

♪(X) My lips are sealed
♪(A) I take the fifth
♪(X) Nothing to see
♪Move it along

Yay! It’s ending!

~Both POV~

♪(B) I’ll never tell

Whew. It’s over.


TBC in Ch. 5: Rest in Peace

A/N: Yeah, I know, I said I’d do the Parking Ticket song, but it’s not vital. So, now that I finally have this up, I expect lots of reviews. Next chapter: SPUFFY! Woot.

Ch. 5: Rest In Peace

~Spike POV~

She’s here again. For hating me as much as she claims, she sure seems to be at my crypt an awful lot. Not that I mind, especially.

“Sun sets and she appears.” As I reach the upper floor I see her. And I see the haunted look that hasn’t left her eyes since she....since she returned. “Come to serenade me?”

“So, you know what’s going on.”

Bloody hell. I’m not completely daft. “Well, I’ve seen some damn funny things the past two days. A 600-pound Chirago demon makin’ like Yma Sumac. That one’ll stay with you. I remain immune, happy to say.” As I feel the weight of the liquor bottle in my hand, I can’t help but wonder... “Drink?” I ask, proffering the bottle.

Her eyes widen, green orbs permanently etching their vivid color into my mind. “A world of no. So, any idea what’s causing this?”

“Oh. So that’s all. You’ve just come to pump me for information.”

Her brows knit, and her nose scrunches as she looks at me, and I can’t help but wonder what’s going on in that pretty little head of hers.

“What else would I want to pump you for... I really just said that, didn’t I?” Her eyes widen, and a slightly panicked look crosses her face. I honestly can’t help but chuckle. But only a little. Little bint thinks she’s better than me.

“Yeah, well...don’t want to bore you with the small talk. Don’t know a thing.”

I can’t handle this anymore. She doesn’t want to be here. Better to have her go before I begin to enjoy this too much. Or, the more likely scenario, I make a fool of myself and get a punch to the sodding nose.

“What’s up? You’re all bad moody.”

“It’s nothing. Glad you could stop by.” Bleeding hell. She can see right through me. I can tell. She can’t hide anything in her eyes. “It’s nothing.”

“What?”

Oh, balls. I don’t think I’m as immune to this musical as I thought.

♪I died
♪So many years ago
♪But you can make me feel
♪Like it isn’t so
♪And why you’ve come to be with me
♪I think I finally know
♪Mmmm

~Buffy Pov~

Oh my God. He’s singing. William the Bloody is singing. And he’s incredible. I think this song as definite potential to be one of the best impromptu numbers that this...whatever...has brought about. And there’s also a definite yumminess factor. Oh no. I so did not say-think- that. Bad Buffy brain.

♪You’re scared
♪Ashamed of what you feel
♪But you can’t tell the ones you love
♪You know they couldn’t deal

Wait...What’s he...There are no feelings! Maybe. Okay, I’ll admit, the British-punk-vampire thing is kinda hot. Like his singing voice. But there are absolutely no...neutral feelings. Gah! I have a crush on Spike!

♪Whisper in a dead man’s ear
♪That doesn’t make it real

Wow. He’s right. Since I...died...Spike is the only one who truly understands me. Because, well quite frankly, he’s dead too. But not. Kind of like me. But not.

♪That’s great
♪But I don’t wanna play
♪’Cause being with you touches me
♪More than I can say
♪But since I’m only dead to you
♪I’m saying stay away

Have I really been that harsh to him? Is that really what he thinks? Didn’t I say last year that I saw the man and not the monster? Whoa. Slow down, Inquisitive Buffy. Too many questions. But, why...oh. Wait. It’s because of Xander and the others. I’ve been keeping up appearances for them.

♪So let me rest in peace
♪Let me rest in peace
♪Let me get some sleep
♪Let me take my love and bury it
♪In a hole six foot deep
♪I could lay my body down
♪But I can’t find my sweet release
♪So let me rest in peace

Um...I can’t help but wonder. Do I detect a double entendre in the ‘sweet release’ line?

~Spike POV~

How can she sit there with no emotion? Here I am, opening my sodding heart up to her-while singing, I might add-and she’s completely ignoring me. Bloody hell! That little bint is trying to leave. Well bugger that. She’s not going anywhere till she hears me out.

♪You know
♪You’ve got a willing slave
♪And you just love to play the thought
♪That you might misbehave
♪But till you do, I’m telling you
♪Stop visiting my grave
♪And let me rest in peace

Sod it all. If she wants to go...But I’ll be damned if I don’t walk with her.

~Buffy POV~

♪I know
♪I should go
♪But I follow you like a man possessed
♪There’s a traitor here
♪Beneath my breast
♪And it hurts me more
♪Than you’ve ever guessed
♪If my heart could beat
♪It would break my chest
♪But I can see
♪You’re unimpressed
♪So leave me be

How can he say that? Can he not see that right now I’m sad, vulnerable, lonely, slightly scared Buffy? Every time one of my friends, one of the Scoobies, insults him, can’t he tell that it cuts me, too? That every time he throws a not so friendly jab my way that it feels like another little part of me dies? For a creature with no soul, sometimes he shows more true emotion than the humans I know.

~Spike POV~

Bloody buggering hell. I can’t believe that after all of this she can look completely unfazed. Bloody woman.

♪And let me rest in peace
♪Let me rest in peace
♪Let me get some sleep
♪Let me take my love and bury it
♪In a hole six foot deep
♪I can lay my body down
♪But I can’t find my sweet release
♪So let me rest in peace
♪Why won’t you
♪Let me rest in peace

~Buffy POV~

Oh, god. How did this happen? I’m laying on top of Spike. So many naughty thoughts. So many naughty feelings. There’s only one choice in a situation like this-run like hell. Damn sexy voiced sexy vampire.

~Spike POV~

“So, you’re not staying, then?” Bloody hell. Could I sound like more of a ponce? She’ll be the end of me, that one. Someday, though, she’ll learn. Someday.