As both blonds settled behind their desks and opened their laptops, they were equally shocked to see they had absolutely nothing on their agenda. Buffy looked dumbfounded while Spike just lifted an eyebrow and shrugged before offering his thoughts.
“Guess Cordelia didn’ expect us to come in today either and cleared our schedule completely.” He quickly glanced back at the calendar to see if she’d moved any of their workload forward to Monday, relieved when he saw nothing more than Buffy’s weekly department report to go over. It was a habit of his not to schedule meetings at the beginning of the week. It was the worst day to try and sell anybody anything in his opinion.
“I guess I can go into research mode, start checking out some new leads. Then maybe do some follow up phone calls from our previous meetings to see where we stand?” she suggested.
“Can if you want, pet. But tha’s not gonna take you an entire day.” The second she appeared disappointed he felt awful. She’d insisted on coming to work as a distraction rather than stay at home, which got him to thinking. If all she needed was a diversion, perhaps one of a different nature was in order, one that didn’t involve work.
“Are you ready for the ball tomorrow night?” he asked, thinking maybe a little shopping right now would lift her spirits and he’d stay here and cover for her.
“Unfortunately, yes. I so hate going to those things.”
Well, that bollocksed that idea up.
“Same here,” he admitted. “Can’ stand watchin’ people go to these parties and instead of jus’ enjoyin’ themselves, use it as an opportunity for brown nosin’ the higher ups.” That made her start chuckling.
“Like you for instance?”
Reclining back in his chair, he let out an irritated sigh. “Regrettably, yes. Feel like a bloody broken record when tellin’ them I don’ talk business at social functions. `Course I don’ plan on stayin’ long. Two, maybe three hours at the most.”
“Ditto. Less if I can get away with it.”
“Oi! You’re not plannin’ to ditch me are you, li’l girl?” Waggling his brows at her, he teased, “That wouldn’ be very nice to do to your boss, now would it?”
“Oh really?” Deciding to play wicked, she gave him a saccharin smile while lacing her fingers beneath her chin, elbows resting on the desk. “And here I distinctly remember you said you thought of me as your partner. Just for that, Mr. Giles-” she winked at him. “-need I remind you that I can fake womanly problems like cramps whereas you can’t? Which I just might do anyway and leave you stranded if you don’t take that back right now.”
Matching her pose and equally barbed grin, he took it back, but not without getting another jab in. “Right then. I take it back. Though as your partner, I should point out that if we’re both gonna stick together, concoct a plan to cut out early, you should know you’re not completely ready for this ball… as a woman.”
“Excuse me?” Wondering what he was playing at, she informed him, “I have the gown, shoes, jewelry and purse. I’d say I pretty much got all my bases covered.”
Boy did she fall right into his trap. “`Cept your roots.”
“Huh?”
He wanted to laugh when her cute little nose scrunched up in confusion. Pointing at her head, he explained, “Your roots are showin’. Need to go get a touch up.”
Ohhhh, evil man. She held her sweet smile steady however when telling him, “So are yours.” He may be right, but she wasn’t about to let him get the last word in. Blinking several times at him with an innocent face, she asked, “Want me to pick up some bleach on the way home for you? We could make a night of it. Do each other’s nails, dye our hair, make smoothies.”
“Saucy bint.” Shaking his head with a small chuckle, he had to admit he loved how she always managed to cut him down. “Got a proposal for you.” Their banter had given him another idea, something he thought she’d enjoy more than just sitting here in the office all day.
“Do tell.” She feigned interest while watching him stand up and reach into his back pocket to produce his wallet.
Pulling out a few bills, he walked over to sit on the corner of her desk with one leg and placed the money in front of her. “Need you to go to an appointment for me.”
“One that requires five hundred dollars?” Now she was confused as she looked down at the spread of Ben Franklins.
“You’re right. You’ll need more since you’ll be gone for quite awhile.” He pulled out five more and slapped them down on top of the pile.
“Where exactly am I going?”
“To see that Lorne bloke.” After shoving the money closer to her, he leaned in to kiss her forehead. “Want you to get your hair done, nails, massage… the works. Get all prettied up for tomorrow night.”
“Spike-” she rolled her eyes. “-I appreciate what you’re trying to do but-”
“Then do jus’ that. Appreciate it. And jus’ so you know, `m not tryin’ to buy you. There’s nothin’ here to do today and you said you wanted to stay occupied, right?”
“Yes, but that’s not what I meant.” Oh no, not that! As soon as he got down on one knee in front of her and pouted, she knew she wasn’t going to win this argument.
Turning her chair towards him, he took her hands in his. “As far as anyone knows, I sent you on an appointment. You deserve to be pampered, luv. Go. Enjoy yourself. Do it for me.”
Damnit, he did the head tilt thing and started rubbing the tops of her hands with his thumbs. “Alright. I’ll call and see if I can get in today but they might be booked solid. Fridays usually are.”
“Tell him you’ll pay triple the goin’ rate then.” His girl was going if he had to pay ten times the amount.
“If I didn’t think you were trying to be selfless here…” she trailed off, giving him a pointed look.
“Oh, but `m not, kitten,” he said with a lascivious smirk. “Not entirely anyway.”
“What’s the catch?” If she truly didn’t believe he was being altruistic, if this were any other man, she’d have laid him out flat.
“We sort `f… represent each other, you see? So havin’ you all gussied up and lookin’ sexy `s to my benefit.”
“So I’m being reduced to arm candy now?” She posed the question as a fact. And again he waggled his brows at her suggestively. Taking her hands back from his, she folded her arms over her chest and tried to look cross with him, failing miserably. “You are such a pig, Spike.”
At her traitorous smile, he provoked her some more. “Not true, luv. If I were, I’d be askin’ you to get that pretty li’l arse `f yours waxed, too.”
Shoot! That was definitely on her list of things to get done anyway, though he wouldn’t be privy to that information. She learned her lesson the first time around. Quick as lightening, she pushed his shoulder with her palm, knocking him off balance so he landed on his ass. And just for good measure, she stood up to plant her size six Jimmy Choo on him to keep him down. “Do you want me to go or not?”
“`M jus’ kiddin’, honest. You know that, right, pet?” he asked timidly. At least he hoped so even if secretly, he wanted her to get it done just so he could use the imagery when he was alone in the shower.
“You’re lucky that I do.” And the smirk returns.
“Have to admit though… I kinda like this position. You. Grindin’ your heel into my chest. Kinky an-OUCH-okay-alright, I’ll stop.” Minx started doing just that and bloody hell if those heels weren’t as sharp as her tongue. “Buffy, I swear `m only jokin’.”
“I’ll just bet,” she accused lightly. Removing her foot and holding out a hand, she helped him up.
“Sorry. Couldn’ help teasin’ you a bit.”
With her hands on her hips she sighed as those wintry blue eyes captured hers, asking him somewhat seriously, “What am I going to do with you?”
Love me, be mine forever. “S’pose `m young enough that you can train me to your likin’.” She cracked a huge smile at that while looking down at her feet, trying to hide it. “Knew I could get a grin.” Reaching out, he tilted her chin up with a fingertip so he could see her.
“I just might take you up on that offer, Mr. Giles.” Shit! I cannot believe I actually just said that. He was going to be the death of her, making her think out loud like that.
Hearing her say those words made hope flutter in his chest and the adorable flush in her cheeks that followed after only encouraged him to let her know, “`M all yours.” Because it was true. He was already her slave, she already owned him… she just didn’t know it.
“Guess I-I better… call for that appointment now.” His response to her slip of honesty and the way he was staring at her so intensely made her want to kiss him, really kiss him. Yeah, he definitely had thrall. Good thing they were here at work where that so couldn’t happen. If they were home and she acted on that impulse, she wasn’t so sure she’d want to stop whatever happened next.
“You do that, pet.” Nodding as she sat back down, he could tell what he’d said made her nervous. Unfortunately, that was one bad habit she’d never break him of. And that was his tendency to be blunt, especially when it had anything to do with her.
~~~*~~~
Once Buffy’d left the office to go to the salon, Spike pulled out the tiny picture of them from the photo booth at the airport. He sat there running his finger over it with a smile on his face when someone appeared in the doorway and cleared their throat.
“Why did I just see Buffy leave saying she was going on an appointment? Alone? That you sent her on?”
Looking up to find Cordelia glaring at him, all he could manage was, “Huh?”
“Buffy? Here today? At work?”
“Oh, right. She refused to stay home. Said she’d rather be distracted by comin’ in.” And as her friend raised an accusatory eyebrow, all he could do was shrug. “Look, I told her she should take today off, but `m sure you know when Buffy has her mind made up `bout somethin’, there’s nothin’ anyone can do to change it.”
“Point taken,” she agreed. “But do you really think she should be meeting with any clients by herself? Unless they’re of the young and rich variety in which my question would be, do you think she should be meeting them without your presence?”
He motioned for her to step inside his office and close the door. As soon as she did, he told her the truth. “I didn’ send her out to work, I sent her to the salon with `nough money to spend a few hours and jus’ relax.”
She stomped her foot and stared at the ceiling to ask herself, “Why does she get all the luck when it comes to men?” Hearing him chuckle, she focused her attention back to him. “Well, at least that means I won’t have to break a nail while smacking you for being insensitive.”
“`M tryin’ to do the right thing by her, I promise.”
“Yes-” she stalked towards him in full protective-friend mode. “-I can see that. And speaking of… exactly what are your intentions towards her?”
“Don’ pull any punches, do you?” Bloody hell she was a downright scary woman. So was Buffy. But Cordelia had a worldly air about her that said she saw things for exactly what they were while Buffy seemed more innocent. He respected that. “They’re honest, I swear it.”
“I don’t doubt they are. But you and I both know what you were like when you first got here and how you treated her. So again… what are your intentions?”
She planted her hands on the desk in front of him, trapping him in. He couldn’t get out of this without giving her a straight answer and because she and Buffy were friends, perhaps it would help if he explained his attraction to Buffy as well as his motives.
He never got the chance.
Glancing down at the small set of pictures of the two blonds, her eyes snapped back to his and widened. “Oh my, God. You’re in love with her!”
Spike paled. Apparently he’d grossly underestimated this woman’s power of perception. “H-how did you, I mean… no, `f course not.” Loosening his tie, he began squirming under her scrutiny. He wasn’t going to tell her that. She might share it with Buffy and ruin his chances.
She made sure to give him her best ‘you don’t fool me look’ then turned around to leave, stopping before she opened the door to say, “Number one, tell her… don’t wait. Number two, you better treat her right. And number three, take that picture to a Kinko’s because I know you’re not going to try and touch it up yourself.”
Amazing. She may as well be a bloody mind reader, he thought, his mouth still agape as she walked out the door.
~~~*~~~
Using scissors, Spike carefully cut his favorite photo away from the rest to scan then save it on a memory stick before leaving to take Cordelia’s advice. He was glad he did. After seeing all the options he could use to enhance it, he had to ask a clerk to help him out. Then he got carried away, not only enlarging it but using a decorative border, adding in squares with their initials on it and had it changed to sepia tone. When he was satisfied with the results, he bought a simple frame for it and left for Fifth Avenue to get a gift card for Cordelia as a thank you for everything she’d done.
Turned out the best stores didn’t do gift cards so he went the extra mile… with one goal in mind.
“Ms. Chase, can I see you for a moment?” he asked as soon as he returned to work. She followed him into the break room where he held up a small envelope in his hand. “I figured you for a Prada girl, am I right?”
She nodded while inspecting her nails as if bored. “Stereotypes are so unfair.”
“Good. My next question-” he waved it in front of her face to get her to look at it. “-is how would you feel if I told you, you have to be there tomorrow mornin’ when they open `cause you have a personal shopping assistant waiting for you?” She perked up immediately.
“You now have my full attention. Please… do go on.”
Opening the envelope, he showed her a card that read ‘10:00 AM, Linda’ and just beneath it the sizeable dollar amount he’d decided on as a spending limit. When her eyes grew large and she tried to grab it out of his hand, missing when he pulled it away, he knew he had her right where he wanted her.
“This `s to thank you for takin’ care `f everythin’ for Buffy and I the other day, but…” he paused for emphasis.
“Are you trying to blackmail me with a but? Oh, you’re good, reeeeeeal good.” Cocking her head to one side, she asked, “Shall I take a guess?” But she didn’t give him an opportunity to answer before holding a hand up while telling him, “Never mind.” She smiled brightly after snatching the card out of his fingers before he could react. “Nothing comes between me and a spending spree, especially when I’m not the one paying for it. Besides, men are so transparent.”
“So you won’ say anythin’ to her?” By this time he was a little less shocked that she knew what he was going to ask her.
“Your memory bank is in desperate need of a deposit. I said this morning you need to tell her and hello… it’s your job, not mine.”
“Thanks, pet, really I-”
“Please don’t grovel, no one likes a groveler, plus there’s no need to thank me. My role as Buffy’s friend is to sit and listen to denial girl whine and pine.”
“Pine?”
“It’s in her voice. Not to mention you always hog the top spot of our discussions.”
“Really?” This definitely boosted his confidence and when she confirmed it with a ‘yes’, inflated his ego as well.
“Just don’t take too long. A girl likes to be pursued but she also needs reassurance. Take too long and she’ll start finding excuses not to give you a chance.” That being said, she left the room, hoping he took what she said to heart.
~~~*~~~
Buffy didn’t come back until almost two o’clock. She had that same placid look on her face as before when she’d gone to see Lorne only to a greater degree this time, since she stayed there for nearly five hours.
Spike leaned back in his chair, inspecting her with a smile on his face when she waltzed around his desk to hand his change back to him. “You like?” she asked as she flipped her hair over her shoulder then brought his attention to her French manicure.
“You look gorgeous, luv. How do you feel?”
“Hmmmm,” she sighed with her eyes closed. “Spoiled.”
“Good.” What he wouldn’t give to spoil her absolutely rotten… everyday. Hell, he planned on it. He’d dote on her with all of his money, time, love and affection, whatever he had or could do just to see her smile the way she was right now.
Leaning down, she gave him a brief kiss close to his ear, whispered her thanks then twirled around to head to her chair. As she opened her laptop, he wondered what work she thought there was left to do. “I already took care `f those follow up calls and even did some research. Landed us two appointments for next week.”
“That’s great. I’m just going to write up my weekly report. It shouldn’t take me more than a couple of hours and then I’ll probably head over to Willy’s.”
“Before you start…” Picking the bag up with the Kinko’s logo emblazoned on it, he stood and stretched his arm out to place it on her desk. “Wanna show you somethin’.” He sat back down and tried acting as casual as he could while watching her take it out. Inside, he was downright scared she might think he was being a presumptuous arse for presenting her with something that was generally considered, well, couple-y.
As she pulled out the eight by ten frame, all she could think was, wow. Oh… oh, wow! The image beneath the glass looked so vastly different from its original mini black and white form that she could scarcely believe it was the same photograph. It was positively stunning, almost antique like in appearance. And even though she wasn’t looking her best when this was taken, she had to admit… they made an attractive pair.
With this, with everything he’d done for her lately whether big or small, he was making it increasingly difficult for her to cling to her rational side that’d neatly filed him under W for ‘wait’. It scared her how fast and hard she’d fallen for him already, but what really freaked her out was that she found herself wanting him… just a little bit more every day.
When her eyes first landed on the photo, her sharp intake of breath had him holding his. Her nonverbal reaction was supposed to help him gauge how he’d explain why he did what he did. But other than her small gasp her expression was blank, forcing him to ask, “What do you think?”
“I don't like it.” Pausing for a moment to study it some more, she missed the way his face fell at her reply. “I love it,” she gushed, bringing it to her chest in a hugging gesture as she looked at him and smiled.
Bloody hell, he closed his eyes briefly, thank God! He didn’t even bother concealing his sigh of relief. She’d instantly crushed him with her first comment then turned around a second later and made his heart soar. “Was hopin’ you’d approve.”
The shy, boyish look on his face spoke volumes. The Big Bad was actually worried over how she’d react to something as thoughtful and beautiful as this? Well, she’d have to show him just how unfounded his fears were. Grateful the door to their office was closed; she laid the picture down and crooked her finger to beckon him to her. When he finally stood in front of her, she wrapped her fingers around his tie and gradually tugged it until they were face to face.
“Thank you.” She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” She kissed the other cheek. “Thank you.” Pressing her mouth firmly against his, she let herself enjoy the thrilling feel of his soft lips on hers, her affection swelling warm within her chest as she gently kissed him for a brief moment then pulled away, releasing his tie. “For everything.”
He seemed to be in a daze, just staring at her while remaining bent at the waist. “Did I break you?” she asked with a giggle.
Shaking his head to pull himself out of his stupor, he replied, “N-no.”
Once he’d straightened to his full height, he slowly tilted his head to one side and smiled at her in a way she’d never witnessed before. When he told her ‘thank you’, she became confused.
“For what? I didn’t do anything.”
“Jus’ for bein’ you.” For makin’ me feel more like a man than any other woman ever has.
She blushed slightly, nodded then turned her attention back to her computer, trying to conceal the happiness she felt at his words.
They didn’t talk much for the remainder of the day, but every now and then they’d throw each other longing glances when they thought the other wasn’t looking. And later that evening when they were home, it was as if they’d reached an unspoken agreement not to break their newfound ritual of cuddling up together on the couch. Whatever played on the television made no difference to them; all they cared about was the shared sense of closeness that physical contact brought about, their bodies curled around one another in quiet comfort.
When it came time for bed, however, they went their separate ways.
Buffy didn’t want to, but she’d run out of excuses. Spike had done too good a job at keeping her happy all day, so she couldn’t in good faith claim she needed him with her in order to sleep… even if it was the truth.
And Spike… well, Spike didn’t want to push her, or his luck, terrified she’d say no if he asked her to stay with him. If he only knew she was suffering as much as he was, he might have gathered the courage to go to her.
So they were both left to toss and turn in their beds, sleep eluding them as they thought about one another being just down the hall, only a few steps away, their fear of the other’s reaction to do anything about their loneliness keeping them apart.
~~~*~~~
The next morning………
Buffy woke up way too early for a Saturday, and though she felt tired from lack of a good night’s rest she decided to go to the gym anyways… before Spike awoke.
They were together nearly twenty four seven and even if she enjoyed it, she felt she needed some alone time. Things Cordy had said to her last night at Willy’s, before she’d gone home, were now running through her mind and she seriously needed to contemplate the conversation while on the stair-master, rowing machine or something. So she left a note on the kitchen table for Spike to let him know where she was and when she’d be back, laughing at herself after she’d written it. That was something married couples did, not roommates. Though she had to admit even if they weren’t officially ‘together’, they were definitely more than just roommates.
Once she was jogging at a good pace on the treadmill, she recalled everything she could from the time she and Cordy arrived at the bar.
They’d sat together having a glass of wine and it didn’t take long before they started talking about Spike. Or rather it was Cordy who piped up and asked when she was going to finally end the poor guy’s misery and tell him she wanted him.
Buffy was appalled after hearing her say that and naturally denied it before her friend pinned her with a knowing stare.
She sighed in defeat. “Is it that obvious?”
“You’re both way more obvious than the redhead-” she pointed a long fingernail to the other side of the bar. “-over there wearing that knock-off Vera Wang dress.”
“Oh-my-God! Have you actually ever heard of tact?”
“Tact is just not saying true stuff.” She shrugged. “I'll pass. Besides, you can’t tell me you haven’t seen the changes in him.”
“I can see he’s changed, Cordy, it’s… that’s not the problem. He’s still young, barely twenty three. You remember what it was like at that age, making a-a-a rash decision only to turn around and find it was the wrong choice. He could change his mind about me so easily and then where would that leave me?”
“True, but I think there’s every chance that won’t happen judging by the obvious turn around he’s made. I mean, wake up and smell the vanilla bean latte, no foam, extra shot of espresso. Do you want to wind up a wrinkled old prude with nothing more than a measly retirement check and half a dozen cats for company?”
“No,” she replied sheepishly. But if she were honest with herself, she knew she was headed in that direction. “But it was like what, nearly two weeks ago that he was trailing after anything that moved and now he says I'm his someone special, all what he wants? That’s a lot to take on faith.”
“Look, you didn’t hear the worry in his voice over you when he called me to help make trip arrangements for California. He knew you needed him and he went with you… not out of obligation or to get you in bed. No man goes to those lengths just for a quickie. Not only that, but after you got back he sent you to the spa and had a picture blown up of the two of you!!!” she stated incredulously. “That’s validation of how much he cares for you.”
“I guess, but I’m just not sure if I can… hold onto him, live up to whatever his expectations are.”
“You still don’t get it, do you? I may not be a relationship expert, but I know you’re all he wants, as in the only one he wants.”
“How?”
“He’s already committed to you, for who you are. Not someone he expects to change in the future.”
“I know it’s not my place to interrupt,” Willy suddenly appeared out of nowhere. “But I think Cordelia’s right. I admit I didn’t like the guy when I first met him, but I think you should give him a chance.”
“Really?” That was interesting, considering he offered more than once to ‘do something’ to Spike so he’d quit harassing her. “Why’s that?”
“From everything you’ve ever told me, and what I’m hearing now, it doesn’t take a genius to know he’s head over heels. And in all the time I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you this emotionally hung up over any man.”
“That’s, that’s really not a reason.” she countered him politely.
So he tried again. "Look, the truth is that playboy got handed a brand new set of rules when you came along. He's had to play it by ear cuz he’s never seen anything like you. And I should know. I’ve seen it all! No way he wouldn't be in it for the long term, gunning for you the way that he has. He wouldn't have wasted this much time. Capiche?”
“Huh. When you put it like that…” It did make sense.
“You deserve to be happy, Buffy. So take a chance. After all… he is, too.”
Maybe it was time for them to have a talk, or… the talk. The idea scared the bejesus out of her but she needed to know what Spike thought about them, beyond the here and now.
Later, she decided as she walked into the locker room to ready herself to go home. If the opportunity even presents itself.
It did present itself, all day long matter of fact.
Spike was awake and already had breakfast on the table by the time she returned along with a soft kiss to her cheek when she sat down. Aside from showering and a few household chores, there was nothing but time - hence opportunity - until she had to get ready for the ball.
And it took her that long to dredge up the courage to broach the subject.
Dressed in loose fitting flannel PJs, her fingers worried a few loose fibers of her top that were fraying worse by the minute as she paced the floor of her bedroom. After wearing a visible path in the over-plush white carpet, she knew she couldn’t put this off any longer even if she still had no idea how to start this conversation with him.
Walking into the living room, it was no surprise to find him with his nose buried in a book wearing casual, lounging clothes. She felt a clear case of penis envy coming on. Here she’d spent ten minutes on her makeup, nearly twenty on her hair, and still had yet to style her tresses once the curlers did their job before she could even get dressed for the white tie affair. All he had to do was put on a tux and slick back his curls with some gel… so not fair.
Plopping down on the couch next to him with her hair wound up in white, hot rollers, Spike thought she never looked more adorable. When she drew her heels up to balance on the edge of the couch after grabbing an issue of Vogue, he stole a quick glance to admire her tiny toes painted in the same French manicure as her fingernails.
His eyes went straight back to his tome afterwards, so he didn’t notice how fidgety she really was until a few seconds later when she took a deep breath and blew it out slowly before speaking.
"Um, Spike? Can I, can I talk to you?"
He immediately laid his book in his lap after looking up to see her face was a mask of apprehensive curiosity. “Wha’s on your mind?”
“I need to… to-to ask you something.”
“You know you can ask me anythin’, pet,” he said in what he hoped was a soothing tone. It mystified him to see her like this… stuttering, body movements riddled with anxiety, her eyes darting around to land everywhere but on him.
“Uhmm… if we ever became a, a couple. You know… me, you, no one else… like-like exclusive or… committed o-or-” His chuckle interrupted her.
“Jus’ because I’ve never practiced it, doesn’ mean I don’ know what monogamy is, pet,” he joked. But she didn’t laugh and his body tensed as he leaned forward, wondering, is she askin’ what I think she's askin’?
“Right.” Her cheeks turned red at his playful wink, more out of her own unease than embarrassment. Just get it over with, she told herself because if she didn’t, she probably never would. “What I want to ask is if we ever… no, wait. God! I’m not saying it right.”
As she took another deep, steadying breath, he was on full alert. This was something big, something he had a niggling feeling he’d been waiting to hear.
“Would you ever… want that? Wait! M-maybe what I should ask… is what do you think of-of us? If there was to be an… us?
Trying to lift the palpable tension off her shoulders and his despite the seriousness of her question, he waggled his eyebrows while answering, “We’d be bloody amazin’ together, luv.”
God, he’s such an ass! But she found herself giggling regardless, knowing full well he was trying to diffuse her nervousness. “That’s not what I-”
“Meant. I know.” Laying his book aside, he scooted closer to her, took her magazine from her hands and flung it so she had nothing to focus on but him. “Before I answer, I have to ask... `S this the part where I get to have my say?” Her brows furrowed with confusion.
“I, I… don’t understand.”
“As to whether or not you ever have to find out what you’d do without me? Because if it is…”
“It is.” She understood instantly, remembered that conversation… vividly. And she meant what she said. She didn’t know what she’d do without him.
“Well, then.” This wasn’t something big. It was momentous. As surely as his heart was thundering in his chest, he knew any future he might have with her hung on the crucial thread of his answer.
“Everythin’ that’s happened from the moment we met, everythin’ tha’s ever gone wrong, I…” He hesitated when seeing the doubt that clouded her emerald depths from speaking of the past. “All ‘f it served a purpose, all the cruel jokes and impossible situations Murphy’s Law has thrown our way proves we were destined to be sittin’ here. Right now. Havin’ this conversation.” Taking her hand in his, he stroked her knuckles with his thumb, speaking softly as he tilted his head to the side. “I may be new to this, Buffy, but I know what I feel is real. All I can see is you and me.” Together forever, whispered through his mind but he didn't say it. He swallowed hard before asking, “Does that answer your question?”
“Y-yes… it does.”
She certainly didn’t sound convinced, and in a panic, he was quick to inquire, “Did-I-say-somethin’-wrong?”
"No.” She shook her head and smiled. “You said something right."
He didn’t know what to expect after she replied, but it definitely wasn’t for her to excuse herself from the room to finish getting ready.
Did she say that just to appease him since she didn’t expound upon anything of what he’d told her? Had he actually said the wrong things? Not possible, I told her the truth. Her words, her actions, however, left him with even more unanswered questions.
And then Cordelia’s voice floated through his head like a ghost to remind him he’d left out the most important part... “Tell her… don’t wait. Take too long and she’ll start finding excuses not to give you a chance.”
Running a frustrated hand over his face, he cursed himself for mucking up the moment. It wouldn’t deter him, though, nothing would. He knew what he had to do. Whatever patience he’d exercised with Buffy would be cast aside. Well, as soon as he knew when the time was right, that is. Tonight. `S gotta be tonight. They’d danced the dance for over a month now… and he’d waited long enough.
tbc………
