~*~*~*~
Xander stormed into his apartment angrily. Spike glanced up from the couch. "How's the witch?" he asked conversationally.
"Shut the hell up, Spike," Xander growled.
A dark eyebrow shot up in surprise. "What the hell happened, mate?"
"Fucking life happened!" Xander yelled, turning his murderous gaze on Spike. The vampire sat back, crossing his arms. He motioned with his head, telling Xander to go on. "It was perfect, we would have been together forever. Then stupid vampires had to show up, Buffy came to town, and I pushed her away. We could have had everything. But I wanted Buffy. And Cordelia. And Faith, and Anya. She ended up with Oz, and Tara. And now, finally, both of us are single, and she doesn't want to be with me." He sat down heavily, the anger replaced by sadness. "She says I'll hurt her."
"And you probably will," Melynda, Spike's girlfriend, said. She was a beautiful woman, ridges between her eyes like a vampire's, deep purple hair and striking violet eyes. Other than that, she looked human. "It's the nature of life. But if you two are meant to be together, then the hurt will fade."
"She won't even give me a chance, though, Lyn."
"So we'll force her to," Spike said with a shrug.
"You can't force Willow to do anything," Xander said sullenly.
"She doesn't know me, I'll just hang on you at the Bronze," Melynda shrugged.
"No, cause that will hurt her. I'm choosing someone over her," Xander shook his head.
Melynda stood up. "Come on, Xander, we will just go get you dressed for Bronzing tonight and we'll play it by ear."
Spike grinned at Xander. "You want the girl. We will get you the girl."
*~*~*~*
"I don't want to be here," Willow said sullenly, looking down. Suddenly, the short green silk dress she'd chosen felt too revealing. It was short, the flared skirt stopping three inches above her knee. The dress was almost backless, and the spaghetti straps barely kept her breasts in the skimpy material. "Buffy, I need to change. . ."
Buffy looked back at Willow. Her hair was piled on top of her head, beads interwoven through the locks. "You look awesome, Wills. Better than me." She grabbed Willow's hand. "Come on."
The two of them walked to Riley and Graham, who were standing there talking. "Ladies," Riley said. "Damn, Wills, summer did you good."
Willow blushed. "Thanks."
"You do look beautiful," Graham said, his blue eyes twinkling. "Trying to get someone's attention?"
Willow's face flamed. "No! Of course not! I would never ever do that!" < Yea, right. >
"No such luck then, all the men are watching you," Graham leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
Willow glanced behind her and caught a few open mouth stares. "Uh, Buffy. . .I think I should go home. . ."
"Nonsense. Come on, I see Spike and Melynda." Buffy grabbed Willow's hand and they began to weave through the crowd. Riley and Graham were following behind the two women.
"No Xander," Willow said softly. Suddenly, she felt stifled. What she said to him came crashing back and tears filled her eyes. "I fucked up bad," she whispered softly. "I shouldn't have said all those things. . ." Her heart ached. < Your own fault this time, Rosenberg. >
They settled at the table. "Willow, this is Melynda," Spike said. "Melynda, Willow."
Melynda shook Willow's hand. Willow relaxed. There was something comforting about this woman. "Nice to meet you," Willow murmured.
"Likewise. I've heard a lot about you all summer, from both my Spikey and Xander." She glanced around. "Where is that boy, anyway?"
Willow noticeably perked up. "He's here?"
"Yep," Spike said. "Went to go get our drinks."
Xander chose that moment to reappear with drinks for he, Spike and Melynda. He barely noticed Buffy and gang had joined them. "Spike, man! There's a chick here that's *gorgeous*! I overheard them talking about her at the bar, they actually have a bet going on about her! Who will she dance with first."
Tears filled Willow's eyes and she crossed her arms. Buffy patted her back.
"She's got dark hair and this green silk dress on. I saw the back of her a while ago, deep plunging back line. I haven't seen her face yet, but the ones who did. . . said she was absolutely beautiful." He glanced around to see if he could find her. "I just can't seem to find her anymore. . .I wanted to see her face. . ."
Willow cleared her throat. Xander turned, eyes wide. "Willow. . .uh, hi?" < Oh, shit, I've so fucked up any chance I. . . > He watched as she stood up and turned around. < Oh, god, it's her. > His member jumped to attention, becoming rock hard. "Willow," his voice cracked.
"Do you want to dance?" she asked softly.
"Me?" he said softly.
"You," she whispered. She took his hand and led him to the floor. He took her in his arms and they swayed together.
"I like your outfit," she said softly. He was wearing leather pants and a blue silk button up shirt. "You look kinda evil. Kinda. . .sexy."
"This is my 'I'm seducing Willow' outfit," he replied seriously.
She looked up at him, meeting his eye. She gulped. "Really?" she whispered softly.
"Really. I plan to, you know. Seduce you, take you back to your place. . ." He ran his tongue along her ear. "Make your body quiver underneath mine. . ."
She pulled away from him quickly. "Xander. . ."
"No," he said, his eyes begging. "Please, don't deny me. Give me one night. You can break my heart tomorrow, but please. . .let me be perfect for you tonight."
"I have to go," she said coyly.
He didn't notice the shift in her emotions. His heart tightened in his chest, tears filling his eyes. "Ok," he whispered. "Fine. It's fine, I'll let you go. . ."
She ran her fingers along his arm. "Give me about twenty minutes. I need to clean up real quick."
His head snapped to look her in the eye. "You mean. . ."
She pulled away, curtseying him. "Prince Xander. I will await your presence." She walked back towards the table. "Everyone," she yawned, "I'm tired. It's been a long day, long flight. I'm sorry that I didn't stay longer."
Buffy pouted. "Wills. . .please don't let Xander ruin your night."
Willow patted Buffy's hand. "I'm ok, Buffy," she said softly. "I'll call you sometime tomorrow." She turned to Spike. "Spike, can you walk me home, please?"
Spike narrowed his eyes. He could smell the faint scent of arousal. His face broke into a grin. "Sure," he purred. "I'd be glad to. Lyn, I'll be back. She doesn't live far." He kissed her cheek.
Melynda smiled, knowing that Willow and Xander were meeting later. "Hurry, love, I'll miss you."
Spike and Willow walked out. They were quiet, until: "Are you nervous?" Spike asked.
"Nervous?" Willow's voice cracked. She cleared her throat. "Why should I be nervous?"
"I know you and Xander are meeting up at your house."
"You do?" Willow looked horrified. "Spike, I'm not that kind of girl, I mean, I don't just go around sleeping with everyone. . ." All her words ran together in a rush.
"Luv," he said, turning to her. "I know you aren't. I wouldn't think that you were. I know you are the most moral of all of the Scooby Gang. You've loved Xander for a long time, and he's loved you probably as long."
"He. . .loves me?"
"Didn't stop bloody talking about you all summer," Spike grumbled. "Willow this, Willow that. I almost told him to just erect a bloody shrine in your honor, but I knew he would."
Willow smiled softly. "That's so sweet."
Spike stiffened. "Come on, pet. Vamps in the area," he whispered. He took her hand and they started walking faster.
They never saw the vampires ambush them.
*~*~*~*
Continue