Growing Up

Chapter 13

Buffy was out at the Bronze with her friends later that night. They were shocked with her news. “You mean to tell me that you have been dating Spike?” Willow asked and Buffy nodded. Willow still couldn’t believe it.

“I so knew you liked him. How do you do it? You get like all the hot guys. What’s your secret and can I have it?” Jessica said and Buffy laughed.

“There’s no secret, things just happen. I thought you were with Xander now? You don’t think he’s hot?” Buffy wondered and Jessica nodded.

“Of course I think Xander’s hot. He’s quite the amazing kisser, too. I’m just saying that you always seem to get the guys that all the girls go crazy over. Now you’re dating your step-brother. I so envy you right now.” Buffy smiled and took a sip of her diet coke, when Spike then walked over to them.

“Hello, ladies.” He said with a smile as he gave Buffy a kiss on the lips. Willow and Jessica smiled at them and realized how cute they looked together. “Would you care to dance?” Spike asked and Buffy was surprised that he would want to dance. She only smiled and he took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Spike pulled her close to him and she wrapped her arms around his neck, while he wrapped his arms around her waist. They moved to the music.

“See, you’re not so bad.” She told him.

“It helps that it’s a slow song.” He replied and Buffy nodded as she placed her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head and they continued their dance. “I’ve dreamt about this for so long.” He whispered to her and Buffy looked up at him. “Having you in my arms like this. I never knew it could happen.” Buffy felt touched and gave him a kiss on the lips.

“Sometimes dreams come true.” She replied and he held her closer as she rested her head back on his chest.


* * * * *


Buffy and Spike were sitting at a table by themselves after they were done dancing. They were talking when Buffy looked out on the dance floor and noticed a familiar dark haired woman dancing very seductively with another woman. “Wow, is that Faith?” Buffy wondered and Spike turned to see what she was staring at and he also saw Faith dancing with the woman.

“Yeah, that would be her.” He said with hardly any interest.

“It’s like they’re having sex instead of dancing. You think that’s the girl she dumped you for?” She felt bad when she noticed the look on his face. “Sorry, but I think she had a lot more fun with you. If that helps. I remember that one time I walked in on you guys. Really wish I didn’t.” Spike smiled and looked back on the dance floor, where Faith was now making out with the girl. “They seem really happy.” She said and Spike nodded in agreement.

“Well, that’s good for her.” He said as he took a sip of his drink. Faith then noticed them sitting there and pulled the other girl over. Buffy got Spike’s attention and he looked up and noticed them also. Faith smiled when she reached their table.

“Hey, guys. Feel like I haven’t seen you in a while.” She said to make conversation.

“Yeah, think we saw quite a bit of you out there.” Spike replied and Buffy kicked his leg under the table.

“How have you been?” Buffy asked and Faith shrugged.

“Things are good. This is my girlfriend, Kennedy.” She said as she introduced the girl she was dancing with. Buffy nodded and smiled at the other girl.

“It’s nice to meet you.” She said and Kennedy nodded also as she then looked at Spike.

“It’s nice to see you again, Spike.” She said and Buffy wondered how she knew him. He only nodded and lifted his glass.

“Likewise,” he stated as he took a long drink. Faith noticed the tension between them and grabbed Kennedy’s hand.

“We’re gonna go. It was nice to see you guys again.” She said as she pulled Kennedy away. Buffy looked at Spike, who seemed to be avoiding her gaze.

“So, how do you know her?” Spike took a deep breath before he looked back at her.

“She was the girl that Faith brought over one night. I didn’t know that she was the one that Faith broke up with me for though.” Buffy took in what he was saying and really didn’t want to ask her next question.

“You slept with her? You actually had a threesome.” The last part wasn’t a question and Spike nodded.

“It was only that one time and I hated it. We’re okay, right?” He asked with fear in his voice and Buffy gave him a small smile.

“It was in the past. We both did things that we’re not proud of. We’re together now and that’s all that matters.” Spike was relieved as he kissed her.

“Things are going to be different from now on, Buffy. I’m not the same man I used to be. You’ve changed me for the better, you know that?” Buffy nodded.

“I could say the same about you.” They both sat in silence after that, when Buffy then looked over to the bar and noticed Angel there with another young girl. Spike noticed also and saw that they seemed to be having an argument. “That can’t be his fiancée. She looks like she’s 15.” Buffy wondered and Spike shrugged his shoulders as they continued to watch the couple. The girl then tried to walk away and Angel grabbed her arm to try and stop her from leaving. Buffy grew concerned and looked at Spike. “I’m gonna see what’s going on. I’ll be right back.” She said as she gave him a kiss and then headed over to where Angel was. She heard some of the conversation when she got closer.

“I’m not going to tell you again, Dawn. You can’t just walk away every time we have a fight.” The girl rolled her eyes and Buffy then cleared her throat. Angel turned to look at her.

“Hey, just wanted to see if everything was okay over here.” She said and Angel sighed as he nodded.

“Yeah, nothing I haven’t handled before. This is my sister, Dawn. I wasn’t exactly happy to find her here when she said she would be at a friend’s house.” He said as he looked at Dawn, who rolled her eyes again.

“I’m sick of you treating me like a kid all the time. I’m 16-years-old. I wasn’t even drinking or anything.” Angel shook his head and looked like he was about to lose it.

“That’s not the point. You lied to me and you came here without permission. Now, go outside and get in the car. We’re going home.” He told her and Dawn glared at him.

“Stop trying to act like my father.” She stated as she ran by him and out of the Bronze. Angel sighed as he watched her go.

“Sorry about that. She’s a handful.” Buffy nodded and really felt for him.

“Where are your parents? If you don’t mind me asking.” Angel felt saddened at the thought of his parents.

“They died a few years ago. She’s been acting up ever since it happened. I’ve had to take care of her on my own and it hasn’t been easy.” Angel explained and Buffy felt even worse for him.

“I’m sorry, but I’m sure things will get easier. She’s just at a hard age right now.” Angel nodded and gave her a small smile.

“I guess I should get going now. I’ll see you in class, Buffy.” He was about to walk away, when Buffy stopped him.

“Angel, why don’t you come over to my house on Saturday?” Angel raised his eyebrows at that and she knew she would have to say more. “You should come over for dinner and bring Dawn with you. Maybe I could talk to her or something. Unless you think it would be too weird because I’m your student.” Angel smiled as he shook his head.

“No, that actually sounds good. We’ve had take out every night this week, so something different might help.” He told her and Buffy gave him a smile also.

“Great, I’m sure my parents won’t mind. You can even bring your fiancée.” Buffy explained.

“It’s nice of you to offer, but Cordy’s going out of town this weekend. So, it would just be me and Dawn.” He said and Buffy nodded.

“That’s fine; I guess I’ll give you the address in class.” She told him.

“Thanks, I’ll see you later.” Buffy nodded again as she watched him walk away. She then turned around and headed back to Spike.