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Home is Where the Heart Is, Part 7



Home is Where the Heart Is, Part 7
By *~Rachel*~

For disclaimers, summary, notes, etc. please see the first chapter. Also, the song, "Chances Are" doesn't belong to me either!

Chapters are still coming along slowly b/c of my hectic schedule -- sorry!

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Spike walked up to Buffy's front porch, nervously fiddling with his tie that suddenly felt as if it were tied too tightly. This is it, mate, he told himself. This is the night where you finally get your chance. Now just don't bugger it all up! He knocked on the door and stepped back as he continued to re-adjust his tie.

"William!" Joyce greeted as she opened the door. "Well, don't you look handsome tonight."

"Thank you," Spike answered her.

"How are you, William?" She motioned Spike inside before closing the door behind him.

"I'm fine, Mrs. Summers," Spike replied. Joyce reminded of his mother who died several years ago; hence, she was the one person that Spike let use his first name. "Is Buffy ready?"

"Oh, you know my daughter. She's still panicking and running around her room deciding what rings and bracelets go best with her dress," Joyce teased, smiling at the man standing opposite her. "Oh, I better go grab the camera!"

"I don't panic," Buffy called from the top of the stairs, having overheard her mother’s words. Buffy entered the bathroom, checking her hair and makeup for the last time. She brushed a few loose strands of hair out of her face and gave her reflection a nervous smile. What do I have to be anxious about? she asked herself. This is *Spike* of all people. But for some reason that she couldn't explain, Buffy was apprehensive about her upcoming evening.

Finally feeling as though she had applied her makeup to the best of her ability, Buffy spun on her heels and headed towards the stairs. "Okay, I'm coming down," she announced as she neared the foyer.

Spike slowly strolled to the end of the stairway, his mouth slightly falling open when he saw the blonde beauty positioned before him. Buffy was dressed in a long, strapless, pink dress that trailed for several inches on the floor behind her. Her hair was pulled back out of her face but fell loosely against her shoulders. Bloody hell, Spike thought in awe as he stared at her.

"Hello? Earth to Spike," Buffy joked, smiling up at him as she shook his arm lightly.

"Wow, love...you look smashing," Spike complimented her.

"Thanks. You do, too," she agreed, eyeing her date in his black tuxedo.

Spike cleared his throat, pushing back his emotions for Buffy. "Well, I guess we'd better shove off then...Got places to be and all that."

"Oh, wait..." Joyce began, journeying back into the foyer and gazing at the beautiful couple, "I have to take some pictures of the two of you on your big night."

"MO -- om," Buffy groaned, rolling her eyes. She sent an apologetic look towards Spike before adding, "OK, but just a few, all right?"

Ten minutes and almost fifty camera clicks later, Spike escorted Buffy out to his DeSoto with her arm linked around his. "I'm sorry it's no limo, love...It's not going to be like what Sc--"

"Don't say that name tonight," Buffy ordered. "Just...just show me a good time, Spike, but do *not* say the 'S' word tonight."

"You got it, pet," Spike promised, opening the passenger door for her before she quickly climbed in.

 
~~~

 
Buffy and Spike promenaded through the high school gymnasium doors a few hours later. Immediately, Buffy was awestruck from the decorations hung all around the gymnasium walls. "It doesn't even look like the boring, old gym tonight," she noticed.

"Buffy!" Willow's voice cried out as she ran up to her best friend with Oz trailing behind her. "Oh my god, you look awesome!" She wrapped her arms around her friend and tightly hugged her before moving back and scanning over the dress with a nod of approval.

"So do you," Buffy replied, smiling at the red head. Buffy absolutely loved Willow's dress and the shade of red that she had chosen. "How's the prom?"

"Strangely affecting," Oz replied in an unusually emotional tone. "I got all teared up when they played 'We Are Family'."

"Everything's perfect," Willow commented dreamily, gazing around the room. "Why were you late?"

"Oh my god," Buffy gasped, thinking back to earlier that night. "Will, Spike fixed us the *best* dinner I've ever had. This guy has seriously been hiding his culinary skills from us!"

Because Spike couldn't exactly afford eating at an expensive restaurant like "The Melting Pot" at the moment, he decided to test out his culinary skills for Buffy, preparing their meal at his father's home.

"It wasn't anything special," Spike scoffed while inwardly beaming with joy that he had impressed Buffy so much. Honestly, Spike had always possessed a hidden love to cook; the necessary skills simply came naturally to him. He had dreams of owning and running his own restaurant but figured that they would never come true. "I've just picked up a thing or two over in the mother country."

"Spike, c'mon, you could probably make a living by cooking for people," Buffy insisted. "Or, at least, me."

Spike smirked. "You think so?"

"I *know* so," Buffy insisted forcefully. She turned back to Willow and Oz and smiled at the two of them. "Have we missed much?"

"No...just a few songs, that's all," Willow assured her. "They're going to have the class awards sometime soon, and Xander is really polling for the Class Clown award."

Buffy chuckled and quickly glanced across the gym, searching for her friend. "Who did Xander come with tonight?"

Willow's eyes bulged. "Oh god, Buffy...you'll never guess who he showed up with."

 
~~~

 
Xander entered the senior prom with his date's arm tucked against him. He stifled a groan and a frown as he tried to tune out his date's endless babbling.

"So...then Harmony said, 'No, how can that be Armani?' So I responded with a quick 'Hell no, Harm, I know Armani when I see it, and that--"

"Anya," Xander interrupted. "Am I going to hear about your little circle of friends all night long?"

"You're the one who asked *me* to the prom, Xander Harris," Anya replied bluntly. "So you're just going to have to deal with it." She tugged on his arm and started leading him over to the dance floor. "So then Cordelia said that--"

"Buffy! Spike!" Xander shouted in pure desperation to have someone else to talk to. "My god in heaven, it's good to see you. How are you both? And details, please." he added with a shaky smile.

"We're doing fine, Xander," Buffy responded. She noticed how nervous Xander was while standing next to Anya, one of the main Cordettes, and quickly stifled a laugh. When Willow had told her that Xander had asked Anya to the prom and that Anya had actually agreed, Buffy thought that Willow was out of her mind. Who would have thought? Xander and Anya? Like *that* would last.

"How are you, Harris?" Spike asked his friend.

"Oh, you know..." Xander started. I'm just barely hanging in there, pal, he wanted to complain, but he knew he would have to face the wrath of Anya if he spoke.

"Spike, why don't you stay with Anya and Xander for a second," Buffy suggested. "I'm going to go grab us some punch."

Spike nodded and pushed a strand of hair that had fallen loose from the clip behind her ear. "I'll be over here, love."

Buffy swallowed with difficulty, her knees suddenly feeling very weak and shaky. Okay, maybe punch isn't the best idea, she thought to herself. However, she managed to turn around and head to the back of the gym where a table was set up with punch, crackers, and other snacks. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mr. Giles walking around the back table, a cup of punch in one hand and a cracker in the other. She smiled and waved at him, and Giles quickly returned the friendly gesture.

Buffy reached down and picked up a small glass, filling it to the brim with punch. "This isn't so bad," she murmured to herself, now glad that she had decided to come to prom.

"Buffy! I can't believe you actually came to the prom!" a loud voice rang out from behind her. "I mean, going stag is *so* last year, but I really do commend you for showing up."

Great...I had to open my big mouth, Buffy fussed at herself. "Isn't this getting old by now?" Buffy griped, facing Cordelia. She raised herself to her full height and looked the brunette straight in the eye. "You'd think that after a while, you'd find someone else to release your venom on."

"Oh, but Buffy...you're just so easy to talk to," Cordelia said, faking her politeness. "Isn't that right, Scott?"

Scott came up from behind Cordelia, with a grin on his face. He wrapped his arms around the May Queen's waist and pulled her tightly against his body. "Of course," he agreed.

"So, was there something you two wanted?" Buffy asked impatiently. "Because if not, I'd really like to get back to the dance and actually have some fun while I'm here."

"So, c'mon Buffy...who did you come with? Did your mommy pick out some nice prep for you to come to your prom with?" Cordelia teased ruthlessly, a cold smile on her features.

"Actually, Cordelia..." Buffy stated slowly, her joy of telling Cordelia who her date becoming obvious. "Actually, I'm here with--"

"Are you all right, love?" Spike called out from nearby. Buffy glanced behind her and smiled as Spike quickly approached her. "I was wondering what was taking you so bloody long."

"Sorry, Spike," Buffy replied, her tone full of tenderness and caring. "I was getting us some punch...until someone rudely interrupted us." As she said the last part, Buffy's narrowed eyes met Cordelia's with a cold glare.

"Wait..." Cordelia said. Buffy bit her lip to keep herself from laughing as Cordelia realized who her date was. "Your date is Spike?!" I don't get this...I chase after him for months and *Buffy* *Summers* grabs him in under a week?! she thought wildly to herself.

"You can keep Scott for all I care," Buffy began, taking a step closer to Spike and encircling his waist with her arms. "I've got the perfect date right here."

Cordelia's eyes tightened, the anger and confusion clear in her features and posture. "Whatever," she grumbled, storming away from the blonde couple.

"Cordy!" Scott called out, chasing after her and hoping that their plans for later that night weren't now ruined.

Buffy and Spike broke out into laughter as the two hurriedly rushed out of the gymnasium. "Thank you," Buffy said between gasps for air. "I really needed that tonight...to laugh at those two."

Spike's laughter died down as he looked at Buffy, completely serious now. I'm her "perfect date"? He wondered, her spoken words finally sinking in. "Love?"

Buffy's laugh quieted. "What?"

"Am I really? Really your perfect date?" Spike asked, hope clear in his tone.

Buffy grinned up at him and drew him onto the dance floor. "Yes," she softly answered him.

 
 
~~~

 
The night had flown by for the class of 1999, and before long, their prom was slowly winding down with only minutes left in the evening. After their run-in with Cordelia and Scott, Buffy and Spike spent the better half of their time with Willow, Oz, Xander, and Anya on the dance floor, goofing off and generally having a good time.

"Okay...class of 99! How is everyone doing?!" the DJ yelled into the microphone. "It's the last slow song of the night, so grab your honey and get out there on the floor!"

Buffy and Spike were sitting at their table taking a break from all the dancing they had just done. Buffy surveyed the room, glad that she had not missed out on her last high school dance. Tonight was fun...good friends, good date, she mentally listed. When she heard that the last song was playing, Buffy hopped up and held her hand out to Spike.

"Dance with me?" she requested.

Spike gave her a look that said she didn't even need to ask him, and he rose to his feet, grabbing her hand and slowly leading her to the dance floor. He slid his arms around her waist as she placed her hands on his shoulders, both feeling comfortable with each other. "Are you having fun tonight, pet?"

Buffy sighed happily. "Yes," she immediately replied. "Thank you for this, Spike."

"What?"

Buffy moved her head to the side and placed her cheek against Spike's shoulder. "For asking me to prom...I know you just did it as a favor to get back at Scott and Cordy for me, but--"

"Hey, I didn't ask you *just* because of that," Spike insisted. "I would have asked you regardless of that."

Buffy raised her head, her eyes looking into his and questioning what he had said. "Really?" Buffy studied him carefully, never realizing how deep his feelings went for her.

"Really," Spike echoed, smiling down at her. "Now c'mon, love. It's the last dance...let's enjoy it while we still can." Spike held her firmly to his body as they circled the dance floor.

Chances are I'll see you
somewhere in my dreams tonight.
You'll be smiling, like the night we met.
Chances are I'll hold you,
and I'll offer all I have.
You're the only one I can't forget.
Baby you're the best, I've ever met.

And I'll be dreaming of the future.
And hoping you'll be by my side.
And in the morning
I'll be longing for the night,
for the night.

 
Buffy fully relaxed and rested her cheek against Spike's shoulder, noticing for the first time just truly how *right* this felt. She didn’t know that Spike was thinking the exact same thing about being with her.

I want more than one bloody night holding her, dancing with her, laughing with her... Spike thought. God, I want more of this.

Could there be more to this? Buffy questioned to herself, sighing loudly in pure enjoyment as she repositioned her hands lower on Spike's back. *Do* I want more? She exhaled in contentment once more as she felt Spike tighten his grip on her waist before thinking a definite yes.

Can there be more than this one night between us? Spike speculated, and without a doubt, Spike knew that his answer was: yes.

 
~~~

 
Buffy trudged up the steps of Spike's doorstep, nervously wringing her hands together. A day had passed since she last talked to Spike outside the school, and she was still nowhere closer to getting those divorce papers back in her hands. He always has to be so pig-headed, Buffy swore to herself as she rang the doorbell, a frown appearing on her face.

Spike swung the door open, smirking when he saw who was standing on the other side. "Well, well...look what we have here?"

"Save it, Spike," Buffy spat out. "Look, I'm here for my papers."

"Now, pet-"

"I don't care if you're holding onto them for a lawyer to look over them or just trying to keep me from getting them," Buffy argued. "I just want them today. Signed."

All morning, Spike had been thinking about how he was going to keep Buffy in Sunnydale. Finally, he had come up with a foolproof plan - hit Buffy where she was weakest. "I'll tell you what, love," Spike suggested, taking a few steps out onto the porch and pausing in front of her. "How about I give those papers back to you in one week--"

"One week?" Buffy protested. "Spike--"

"*If* you still need them by then."

"What?!" Buffy groaned. "Spike, what the hell are you talking about now?"

"I think that I can talk you into coming back to Sunnyhell," Spike explained. "Give me a week, and I'll make you remember all the good times we had together, and you'll be dying to move back home to me."

Buffy let out an un-ladylike snort. "Spike, the only thing I'd be dying from in one week is your uncontrollable temper."

Spike gave her a quick, twisted smile before continuing, "Face it love. What have you been thinking about for the past four days now?"

"You!" she replied forcefully. "And your stubbornness," she quickly added.

"You haven't changed a bit," Spike remarked, rolling his eyes and getting some space from the blonde woman. "Always feel like you've got to have yourself a man, even if he may be the biggest poofter on the planet."

Buffy was hurt. "That's not true," she insisted.

"Need I bring up Captain Cardboard? Mr. White Bread, himself?"

"How about we *not* go there, Spike," Buffy coldly suggested, crossing her arms and glaring at him.

"Admit it, pet...you only dated Finn because of those bloody fears about not having a man in your life," Spike swore. "And now you're getting ready to marry this other poofer, when *I'm* still here."

"Spike, I love Angel now," Buffy firmly declared, hoping that Spike missed the slight hesitation in her tone.

"Yeah, tell me that again like *you* believe it this time," Spike retorted sarcastically. "Tell me, love, does he know that you're still a married woman?" He threw his hands up into the air, saying, "Bloody hell! You're wearing my...*our* ring! I *know* that I can convince you that you belong with me!"

Buffy quickly glanced down at her right hand, cursing herself for being so forgetful as to leave the ring on her hand. Then, her face grew red with anger. How dare he? she screaming in her mind, wanting to shout at him. Before she could control her emotions, words came flying out of her mouth. "Fine! You've got *one* week, William! One week, starting yesterday, to remind me exactly how stubborn you are!"

"Oh, I'll do more than that, love," Spike taunted. "You won't even be needing those papers in one week. I assure you."

"I wouldn't hold my breath on that one," Buffy muttered, turning on her heel. "I'll talk to you later, Spike," she called over her shoulder.

"What? You don't want to come in for a spell?" Spike asked, opening the door in front of him.

Buffy slowly turned back around and gazed into Spike's apartment, remembering all the good times as well as the few bad times that they had had together. Too many memories, she told herself, not emotionally prepared to enter his home. "No, I'm just going to go grab a cup of coffee at the Expresso Pump," Buffy explained.

"Then, I'll see you tomorrow," Spike told her before he closed the door behind him.

"I can hardly wait," Buffy grumbled under her breath as she strolled down the sidewalk heading into town.

Damn Spike and his stubbornness, Buffy thought to herself, trying to forget the conversation with him. But Spike's words echoed in her mind, "Always feel like you've got to have yourself a man."

He just *had* to bring up Riley, didn't he? Buffy asked herself. The other failed romance. Truthfully, she had only taken Spike up on that bet to see what he had up his sleeve. And now I get to spend some more time in Sunnydale, Buffy realized, partly glad that she would be able to spend some more time in her hometown.

Buffy stopped her furious pace and pulled out her cell phone, quickly punching in a number. "Hi, Willow?" she asked when her friend picked up on the opposite end. "Yeah...it looks as if I'm going to be staying in Sunnydale longer than I thought..."

 
~~~

 
TBC...

Once again, I am very sorry for this delay. Hopefully things will calm down in a couple of weeks. Please let me know what you thought of this part!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 





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