Since you asked so nicely... :)

Chapter Nine ~ Love is in the Air

“ Love is in the air, everywhere I look around.
Love is in the air, every sight and every sound.
And I don’t know if I’m being foolish,
I don’t know if I’m being wise –
But it’s something I must believe in.
And it’s there when I look in your eyes. ”

~ Paul Young


Buffy was immensely relieved to see that Spike was not among the Scoobies assembled at the back of the magic shop.

*Thank God for small favors!*

She thought grumpily. All the Spike-ness permeating her brain was making her cranky. Why wouldn’t he just go away? She seated herself next to Willow, frowning. Well at least he wasn’t here – that was something. She could pretend he didn’t exist for a little while. And hey, if she avoided his cemetery she might not see him all night. That thought cheered her right up and she turned smiling to her friends.

Xander plopped himself down at the large, round table and leaned back casually in his chair.

“ Has anyone else had a brain-full of schlock rock lately? ‘Cause I can’t seem to get this one song outta my noggin – and it’s really, REALLY bad.”

Willow looked up at him from the hefty leather tome in front of her.

“ How bad, Xand? Like Journey bad or like Air Supply bad?”

She made the universal gesture for gagging.

“ More like Bad Company bad – so not that bad I guess.”

He winked back at Willow, and she smiled at him mischievously.

“ Yeah – could be worse…”

He raised an eyebrow at her.

“ Wait a minute, what’s worse than Air Supply?”

She grinned.

“ I’m talking ‘Afternoon Delight’ bad.”

Tara moved to stand by Willow’s chair, giggling.

“Or If-you-like-pina-coladas bad.” She added with a sweet smile.

Buffy laughed up at Tara.

“Hey, I like that song. My parents used to listen to it all the time when I was a kid. I think my mom still has it on original vinyl.”

Xander chuckled at Buffy over the enormous pile of books in the center of the table.

“ That’s probably a collector’s item by now, Buff. You should get it from her. We could sell it on E-Bay and make a killing.”

They were all giggling when Anya came out from behind the counter carrying a small portable radio.

“ This is clearly your problem.”

She set the radio down on the table and cranked a small silver dial on its face. A deep, melodious man’s voice filled the air.

“ You’re listening to K-LUV Radio, Sunnydale’s all love songs, all the time station.
Stay tuned for another all-request hour. We’ve got Barry White on the way…”

Anya turned the volume down again then stood up and putting her hands on her hips.

“ See? It’s been happening to me for the past two days. One schmaltzy song after another has been wedged in my brain, driving me batty. I finally realized it was this ridiculous station.”

Xander eyed his fiancée quizzically.

“I didn’t know you had a radio back there, An.”

“ I like to listen to the stock reports when I count out the register.”

They all nodded in unison, a silent “Oh” of agreement.

“Mood music to fondle money by, got it.”

He quipped, nodding in understanding.

“ And then sometimes I like to play to music while I clean.”

She shrugged.

“ It makes it …nicer.” Tara said smiling at Anya.

“Yes, exactly – nicer. But then this horrible new station came to town, and now my brain is ‘all love songs all the time.’ I should’ve stuck with my stock reports…”

She frowned petulantly, prompting Xander to pull her down into his lap and give her a squeeze.

“ It’s okay, Baby.” He whispered into her ear. “ I’ll show you what love songs make nicer later.”

Anya smiled brightly, instantly perking up. Nothing put her in a better mood than the promise of orgasms. Except perhaps the orgasms themselves...


Unseen, Eros chuckled to himself. He’d forgotten how his presence could affect the mortal world. Love was literally in the air now, working its magic on everything around it. Not bad as far as side effects go. But what he was really amazed at were the people in front of him. It was wonderful to find so much Love in one place. There was clearly a sense of community here. The witches made a beautiful couple, and their heartfires burned so brightly for one another. He was deeply touched by their tender feelings, so readily apparent in everything they did. He wasn’t as sure about the boy and the ex-demoness, but it wasn’t his concern at the moment. They would just have to work it out on their own, as mortals usually did.

He had more pressing matters to attend to. The Slayer was still resistant. If she didn’t come around soon, he’d have to pull out the arrows. And he was loathe to do it. It was always the last resort. Or the first one, if he wanted to make mischief. There was the time he’d made Zeus fall in love with a cow…He chortled to himself remembering. He’d only escaped the god’s wrath by the grace of his Aunt Hera, Zeus’ wife. Tired of all his infidelities she’d been vastly amused at the young god’s prank. She’d told Zeus it was her doing, and if he didn’t like it he’d best keep his “mighty thunderbolt” to himself. Chastened, Zeus had relented. Hera was the only one he was actually afraid of.

In a true Love match, it was best to coax things along naturally. He only used the arrows when manipulation was needed. The Powers did have their plans, didn’t they? There were great lineages to found, heroes to birth. And sometimes that required two people who had never met to fall in love. Such had been the fate of the Lady Igraine and Uther Pendragon. They were mated to bear the hero King Arthur, though Igraine was married to another at the time. That had certainly caused its share of devastation. He hoped to avoid any such calamities with this pairing. Eros sighed and ran a hand through the golden waves of his hair.

He could feel the girl’s desire for the vampire. Why was she so damnably resistant?! The boy was quite handsome and certainly charming – if a tad rough around the edges.

*But then again some girls seem to enjoy the whole bad boy thing. *

He mused, pacing. His wings fluttered irritably as he walked. Well, he’d wanted a challenge – looks like he got one. He was just going to have to go on the offensive here. It appeared that this was to be an uphill battle. Ah well, nothing worth having was easily won. The vampire would have to do his share as well. Eros wondered if he should appear to the boy. Also something he reserved for special circumstances. He preferred to guide rather than push. But this young lady might require some severe prodding. He scowled, thinking.

*Looks like it’s time for Plan B.*

He reached into the fall of his ivory robes and pulled out a drawstring bag made of heavy gold satin. Walking widdershins he paced out the diameter of the sacred circle three times, then moved to stand within it. He closed his clear blue eyes and raised his hands in supplicant prayer, holding the bag between them.

“Mother, I call on thee. I call on Aphrodite, on Venus. I call on the force of Love itself. On all the Powers That Be.”

He raised his hands to the Heavens, opening his eyes which now glowed with a radiant golden-white light. His melodious voice flowed;

“ See here these lovers. See them well.”

The light covered him now, flowing from the drapes of his heavy robes, from the waves of his flaxen hair, from every feather of his wings. He became an encapsulated sun as the power of the ritual overtook him. He lowered his hands and reached into the pouch casting a shower of glittering granules into the circle. The image of Buffy and Spike appeared superimposed on the cascading sparkles for a moment.

“ They know not their hearts. They know not their true desires. I call upon thee to assist them to their destiny. Find them their path and plant their feet firmly. Open their eyes and unlock their hearts.”

He shut his eyes once more, and felt the Powers flow through him. The benediction of his mother was sweet and strong; he felt her blessing like a kiss upon his brow. Then finally the eternal, infinite power that was Love itself possessed him. If he’d had a doubt about the nature of this union, it was erased in that moment. There was no question now - fate was at hand.

Eros opened his sea-blue eyes and reached into the satin bag, gathering a small handful of glittering particles. He turned toward Buffy, laughing all unawares with her friends. Gazing at her intently he whispered;

“ Know thy heart.”

And then blew the dazzling grains into a cloud swirling in her direction. As it left the circle it became a whirl of glowing pink and red smoke, dancing and curling around her until her body seemed to absorb it – soaking it in like a sponge. She sat up in her chair suddenly, as a warm tingling shiver went through her like a shock wave.

*Whoa! What the hell was that?*

She thought, looking around to see if anyone else noticed. No one else seemed affected, all busy reading or talking just as before. Buffy shrugged figuring it was just her. Whatever it was, it left her with a deliciously sensual feeling. Her skin felt sensitive to everything suddenly. She was all too aware how the lycra-silk blend of her camisole felt against her breasts, and the seam of her jeans seemed to be rubbing up against a very naughty place. She fidgeted in her seat uncomfortably.

*Jeeze – get a grip, Summers!*

She scolded herself. Buffy shook it off and diligently returned to her research.

Eros smiled radiantly;

“ So mote it be.”





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