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Chapter 4


The following night, Buffy and Willow were laughing at something Xander
had said when the doorbell rang. Buffy jumped up to answer it, swinging
it open to reveal Spike holding a box of microwaveable popcorn. Buffy
smiled as she opened the door wider in invitation. “I was beginning to worry
you weren’t going to make it.”

“Are you kidding? This was my bloody idea- I wouldn’t have missed it
for the world, Goldilocks,” Spike replied, tugging on a strand of blonde
hair.

Buffy giggled at the nickname before leading him into the living room.
She noticed the glare Xander had on his face and turned to see a matching
one on Spike’s. “Guys, this is Spike. Spike, this is Xander, and I think you may
have met Willow at the Magic Box.”

Spike snapped his eyes away from the younger man to give a brief smile
and nod to Willow. “Yeah, we’ve seen each other around. How are you, Red?”

Willow smiled. “Oh, I’m great.”

Buffy turned as the doorbell rang again and went to answer it. She
greeted Oz and Cordelia who had arrived at the same time and let them in.
Buffy and Cordy initially hadn’t hit it off when Buffy had moved to Sunnydale,
but the more they talked to each other, the friendlier they got. Buffy knew
that Xander had a crush on Cordy and felt a little bad at her ulterior motive of
having Cordelia there to distract her friend. Buffy finished the introductions and headed into the kitchen with the popcorn.

“Need any help, luv?” Buffy turned at the voice behind her and saw
Spike leaning in the doorway.

“With microwave popcorn?” Buffy asked with a smile. “Nah, I think I got it.”

Spike smiled and walked over to sit down at the island as he watched
Buffy.

Buffy smiled nervously as she felt his eyes on her before looking up
and meeting his gaze. “What?”

“You’re just cute,” Spike said, gesturing to her pale pink cotton pants
and matching zip-up sweatshirt with a white tank top underneath. She
looked so young and sweet that Spike couldn’t help but smile.

Buffy blushed at his compliment and turned away from him, busying
herself with getting the snacks ready.

“Didn’t mean to embarrass you, luv,” he said softly.

Buffy turned and looked at Spike, his head tilted slightly to gauge her
reaction. “I’m fine, “ Buffy said with a soft smile.

Spike nodded as Buffy picked up the tray of food. He quickly jumped to
his feet and intercepted her. “I got it, Goldilocks. You just lead the way.”

Buffy gave him a bright smile of thanks and headed to the living room.

* * * * *

After the first two movies, Spike leaned against the back of the couch
and closed his eyes. They must be having a chick flick marathon. He could
have easily dealt with that, and Buffy’s friends were, for the most part,
pretty cool. He found that he and Oz had a lot more in common than someone
might have thought. However, the fact that Buffy had situated herself next
to Spike when they sat down a few hours ago had not gone unnoticed by
Xander, whose angry looks were not overlooked by Spike. Especially when he had
put his arm on the back of the couch, and he thought the boy was going to
say something to him.

‘Bloody hell,’ he thought. ‘I’m not even touching her, and he’s acting
like I’m trying to get her to shag me on the couch.’ Spike let out a sigh
and excused himself from the room.

Buffy frowned when she heard the back door close. “I’ll be right back,
guys. I’m gonna make sure Spike’s okay. Start the next one without us.”
The group nodded as Buffy made her way to the back of the house. When she
opened the back door, she saw Spike turn to face her slightly and give her a
small smile from his position on the top step. Buffy could see the lit
cigarette burning in his hand and went to sit down on the step next to him.

“You okay?” she asked quietly.

“Fine, luv. I just needed a break, is all,” Spike said, gesturing to the cigarette.

“You know, those things will kill you,” Buffy said with a smile.

Spike scoffed. “So I’ve heard.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes as Spike finished the smoke.
Smashing it under his heel, Buffy watched him as he clasped his hands together,
resting his elbows on his knees.

“I’m sorry if I’m not being much fun in there, luv.”

Buffy frowned. “Spike, we’re just watching movies. It’s not like we’re
having a party.”

“Yeah,” he agreed halfheartedly.

“Besides, I’ve noticed the looks Xander’s been throwing your way.”

“What’s going on between you two?” Spike asked, looking at her to see
her reaction.

Buffy shrugged. “We’re friends. He had a little crush on me when I
moved here, but I turned him down. Nothing really came of it.”

“So, that date the other night-“

“Was our first and only,” Buffy replied. “Willow tried to talk me into
giving him a second chance, but there’s just no romantic feelings from
my side.”

Spike nodded, obviously relieved, as he stared out into the dark backyard.
“I’ve never done this before, Buffy,” he said quietly.

“Done what?”

“Try to be friends with a girl. It’s all a little new to me.”

”Let me guess- every girl has been a conquest to you.” Spike looked at
her with hurt in his eyes. “Oh, Spike, I didn’t mean it like that. I just
meant you knew what to expect, and now a friendship is a new set of
rules.”

“That about sums it up. And you were probably right the first time.
Every girl was just a way to get instant gratification- I never thought of
much beyond that. There was always some kind of ulterior motive.”

“And it’s not like that with me?” Buffy asked with a playful pout
before she broke out in a smile.

Spike looked at her with a smile on his face. “I reserve the right not to
answer that question.”

Buffy looked down at her hands as she flushed at his comment. After a
few moments, she decided she better change the subject. “So, do you work at
the Magic Box?”

“Help my dad out once in a while. I’m not on schedule, but he’s been
trying to talk me into it.”

“You should do it. It’ll help your dad, and I’d get to see you more, as
a friend,” she added quickly as he looked over at her.

Spike smiled and nodded. “I might. Got a lot on my plate this semester,
with school and all.”

Buffy was about to reply when the back door opened. Both turned to see
Xander standing there. “You’re missing the movie.” Spike noticed he
was talking to Buffy but stood up anyway. Offering his hand to Buffy, he
shot Xander a glare of his own as Buffy took hold of it and stood. Spike
smiled down at Buffy as she held his hand longer than necessary, gently
reaching up to tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear. Both felt the
tingling sensations go through them as they touched, but each ignored the
feeling.

‘We’re friends,’ they both thought at the same time.

As they walked back into the house, Buffy couldn’t help but be slightly
disappointed that they were just friends. Nevertheless, they’d only
known each other for a few days. Who knew what the future held.





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