*I've seen suckers loose themselves in the games,
They learn to play,
Children love to sing but then their voices,
Slowly fade away.
People always take a step away from what is true,
That's why I like you around.*

We walked in to the party. Spike had his arm wrapped around my waist. I can only imagined what we looked like. A bad boy and the little geeky mouse that only got invited because the hostess happened to be in philosophy class with her. I had become sort of a recluse since I entered college. I had my friends -- Amy went to UCLA and was even in a few of my classes -- but the extrovert personality I had began to develop was gone... Moving away from all my close friends did that to me.

I looked around at all the people...drinking. It was supposed to be this small party... Only a few people. Right. More like half the population of LA. Oh well. That's college parties for you. They always have too many people and too much alcohol. Sigh.

"Pet," Spike whined softly into my ear. "Do we have to be here?"

"Yes," I answered. I scanned the crowd. I suddenly wished I had brought a camera. Getting pictures of some of the athletes getting plastered could be valuable black mail material. "I can't wait to see the looks on some people's faces when they see us together."

*I want you.
Yeah you do,
you make me want you.
An open invitation to the dance,
Happenstance set the vibe that we are in,
No apology because my urge is genuine,
And the mystery of your rhythm is so feminine.
Here I am and I want to take a hit,
Of your sent and it bit,
So deep into my soul.*

Spike pulled back to look at me. "Why's that, ducks?"

Under his analyzing glare, I could feel the blood rush to my face. I knew I was blushing and that only made me blush harder. "I'm not really the kind of girl you would expect to be seen with someone like you."

"Meaning, pet?" Spike asked.

Damn. He was going to make me say it. I took a deep breath. "You'rereallygood-lookingandmostpeopledon'tthinkI'mthatpretty," I mumbled, my words running together.

*I want you.
You do you do,
you make me want you.
Send me all your vampires,
And I can't get enough,
And I can't get enough.*

Spike pulled back and looked at me. "I think they've got it confused then, luv. Either that or they're blind." He brought and hand up and started to play with a lock of my hair that had escaped its confines. "You are a pretty little thing. All fire and spirit. You might not see it and those idiot college wankers you surround yourself with, but some of us do."

I hugged him burying my face in his coat to hide my flushed face. He was very sweet.

Spike pulled back and held out his hand to me. "Dance with me?"

I nodded and let him pull me into the thrall of dancers.

*The village church yard is filled with,
Bones weeping in the grave,
The silver lining of clouds shines,
On people Jesus couldn't save,
You want to know how deeply my soul goes,
Deeper than bones,
I want you,
And I can't get enough.*

As he pulled me on to the dance floor I was glad a slow song was on. Not only was it a great excuse to be close to Spike, well, to be honest, I dance like Xander. I swear. I'm like a fish out of water.

It was heaven being pressed up that close to Spike. I inhaled his cologne, enjoying his scent. I never wanted to be separated from him again. It was like we were meant to be like that. Together... Like one.

During the middle of the song, Spike swooped down and captured my lips in a kiss. The kiss was in turns soft and rough, tender and demanding. I swear I was on cloud nine. There was nothing like the feel of his cold lips against my hot ones.

Too soon it was the end of the song. Spike pulled away from me and looked around the crowded room. "Let's get out of here, luv."

*After we did it by the window sill,
Smoke rings drift into the midnight sky,
presently in the quilt that your mother made,
And a candle burns to fight off the gloom,
I said to live in this way is not for the meek,
but you talk real soft and kiss me on the cheek.
And like a jazz DJ you talk me into sleep,
There will be no regrets when the worms come,
And they will surely come*

On the way out, I accidentally bumped into one of the really popular cheerleaders. "Ugh, get off me geek," she shrieked Cordelia-esque before I could apologize. She looked over at Spike. "And who's this? You're cousin that felt sorry for you?"

Spike gave her an acid look. "No, you stupid bitch. Obviously, unlike your parents, we don't inbreed." Spike grabbed my hand yet again. "Let's go, luv."

"Well," the cheerleader huffed as she watched us disappear.

*You do you do,
I want you,
Send me all your vampires,
I want you.*

I cracked up as soon as we got outside. "What's so funny?" Spike asked me with a knowing grin on his face.

I answered his grin with one of me own. "The look on her face," I told him. "And the fact that I've wanted to say those things since I first met her."

"Well, thank God I don't have a social grace, like you do," Spike said mockingly. "I think it would have hindered the beauty of that moment.

I started giggling yet again. "Thank you," I whispered, looking up at him.

"What for, pet?"

"For making this the best night that I've had in a long time." I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck and brought his mouth down to mine. I let the kiss linger for a minute and then pulled back. "So what do we do now?"

Spike flashed me his famous grin -- the one that makes his gorgeous cheekbones stand out and makes you want to melt. "How about we raise some Hell?"

"Sounds good to me," I answered and then hesitated. "As long as you don't mean that literally."