A Touch of Jealousy (COMPLETE)

*~*A Touch of Jealousy*~* By Echidna

Chapter 36

Author's Note: Thanks to the wonderful Ali for betaing this so quickly! You're the best BETA mom!

He let his head fall to the crook of her neck, lightly nibbling his way down to her collarbone when the sound of footsteps just outside, in the hall, snapped the two teens back to reality. Panic filled them as they heard the doorknob turn.

“Oh, my-“ Buffy wasn’t even able to finish her sentence as Spike grabbed her by her arm and pushed her down to the floor while he stood up and watched the door open.

“Spike, have you seen-“ It was Mrs. Summers’ turn to be cut off as the door opened to reveal a stark naked Spike standing behind his bed. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very tall, reaching only up to his knees and thus failing to conceal any of the important body parts that he would have preferred to have remained hidden from his father’s girlfriend.

“Oh, god!”

“Bloody hell!” The two shouted in unison.

One of Joyce’s hands immediately flew to cover her face, the other clumsily reaching for the door in a desperate attempt to grab the handle while the bleached teen, equally surprised, fumbled with the sheets, pulling them against his abdomen, frantically trying to cover himself. After a few very awkward and disturbing seconds, the older woman managed to close the door.

“Bloody hell, you’re mom just saw me naked.” Spike hissed at the girl lying at his feet.

She was about to answer when a faltering voice carried through the bedroom door.

“Um… Spike… Um… I-I’m sorry. I-I didn’t…

“It’s ok Mrs. Summers.” He said, frowning when he suddenly realised he had reverted back to calling her Mrs. Summers.

“Well... H-have you seen Buffy?”

The lines over his eyebrows grew deeper as he and Buffy exchanged looks.

“Um… No, not really. Isn’t she in her bedroom?” That earned him a swat across his calf. “What?” He whispered to the girl sitting at his feet.

“She’s gonna go and check now.” She explained.

“Or maybe she’s-“

“I’ve already been to her room. She’s not there.”

“… already checked.” Spike finished his sentenced with a look that screamed ‘duh!’, then, turning to stare at the closed door, continued: “Maybe she went out for a walk.” Another smack. “Bloody hell will you stop doing that!” he hissed at Buffy.

“What am I supposed to do now?” She asked, despair evident in her wide eyes.

“Go to your room and get dressed.”

“But I’m all yucky and sticky! I need to take a shower!” She protested in a babyish tone.

At her frown he ordered: “Now!”

As silently as she could she opened the connecting door and started looking for clothes.

“…going out?”

The sight of Buffy, bare naked, squirming her way to her room caused Spike’s brain to short circuit and by the time he had all the wiring reconnected he had only managed to hear the last few words of the sentence.

“Sorry, Mrs. Summers I didn’t hear what you said.” He tried to control the hoarseness in voice as he watched Buffy frantically go about her room, urgently looking for something to wear. God, she was beautiful!

“I asked if she told you anything about going out.” Joyce repeated, the awkwardness of what had happened just seconds before still evident in her tone.

“Um… I… Um…” ‘Naked Buffy! Naked Buffy! Naked Buffy!’ His brain insisted on chanting as he watched her putting on her jeans. “I think she said something… um…” Finally, as she slipped her thick sweater on, he was able to finish: “… something about going out for a walk. Um… Enjoy the clean air of Nature.”

A deep frown settled on Buffy’s eyebrows as entered the room mouthing: “Clean air of Nature?”

At that Spike simply shrugged, lifting both his eyebrows apologetically.

“Buffy woke up early? For a walk?” Joyce wondered out loud.

“Yeah, go figure, huh?”

“Well, did she tell you when she was coming back?” Joyce continued to question on the other side of the door.

“Around eight or something.” Spike blurted out.

“Oh, okay. Well, Rupert and I are downstairs. Breakfast is almost ready and just as soon as Buffy comes home we’ll start opening the presents, ok?”

“Ok, Mrs. Summers.” Spike shouted back. He was about to say something to Buffy when Joyce’s voice reached them again:

“Oh, Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“M-merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Summer!”

The two teens waited a few moments in complete silence. Suddenly, Buffy’s hand flew towards Spike, smacking him across his arm.

“Bloody hell Summers, Will, you stop hitting me?” Spike hissed rubbing his arm.

“I’m sorry, that’s what I do when I get nervous.” She said apologetically.

“You hit people?” He asked cocking up a scarred eyebrow.

She simply shrugged as she questioned:

“What now, Einstein? Our parents are downstairs, how am I supposed to leave the house without them seeing me, huh?”

“Through the window.” He replied matter-of-factly.

“The window? Are you insane?! We’re on the second floor!” She noted.

“Actually, we’re on the first floor.” Spike corrected.

“First floor? What are you talking about? We’re on the second floor. Or do you think the kitchen and the living room are underground?” Buffy quipped rolling her eyes.

“Depends on your point of view, I’m English; therefore *I’m* on the first floor.” Spike replied haughtily, while Buffy simply stared wide eyed at him. He let out a long sigh and explained: “The floor underneath us is the ground floor; the floor above it, the one we’re on, is the first floor, the one after that is the second and so on and so on.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, Forget it.” He gave up. “You Yanks have it your way. It’s the second floor.”

“Huh…?” She repeated before shaking her head and adding: “Whatever… Stdoesdoesn’t explain how you’re planning on getting me out of the house without our parents noticing.”

“I’ll lower you down.” He explained.

“Ok, I’ll repeat this. It’s seven thirty in the morning, your brain is probably not able to catch all these little subtleties this early in the day but – We’re on the *second* floor.” She spoke as if she was talking to an eight year old.

His response was a forced smile which crumbled in seconds: “Do you have any other ideas? Sarcasm not included?”

She narrowed her eyes and made her way to the window with Spike trailing right behind her.

“See, there are bushes there to soften your fall and everything.” Spike pointed out.

“Yeah, rose bushes!” She stared up at him.

“What? I’ll swing you.”

“Oh, not only do I have to jump off the second floor but I’m gonna be swung over a rose bush while I’m doing it?” She asked incredulous.

“Oh, Come on Buffy!”

Once again she dangerously narrowed her eyes at him as she swung one leg over the window ledge.

“This is all you’re fault.” She grumbled.

“My fault? You’re the one who came into my bed in the middle of the night.” Spike replied, but seeing the murderous look she was giving him decided to change strategies: “Ready?” He questioned grabbing a hold of her wrists.

“Yes!”

He was about to push her out when she grabbed his arms.

“Wait!”

“What?”

“What about our parents? They’re downstairs, they are gonna see me fall if they look through the window.” She noted.

After a moment of thought he said:

“I’ll swing you diagonally so you’ll be able to jump over the bushes and fall where there is no window.”

“Are you sure?” She questioned doubtful.

“Seems pretty simple.”

“Yeah, cause you’re not the one doing the jumping.” She grumbled.

“Just relax. Take deep, long breaths.”

She closed her eyes and inhaled.

“That’s it. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, inha-“

“Ok, I’m getting kinda dizzy here. I don’t think it’s working.” She mumbled.

“Sorry.”

“You better be.” She pressed her lips together, inhaling one last time.

“Ready?”

She nodded and pushed herself off the window ledge as he held her by her arms.

“Ok, I’m gonna swing you over now.” He announced as he began to move his arms. After a few long motions he let go of her and she went flying over the brush, landing on the grass with a loud thud.

“Ouch!” She protested as she rolled off the ground and clumsily stumbled onto her feet.

“Are you ok?”

Buffy wasn’t able to answer as Giles came rushing around the corner.

“Buffy?”

“Hey, Giles!” She greeted weakly. “Merry Christmas!”

“Um… Merry Christmas! A-are you ok? What happened?” He asked helping her as she limped her way to the front door.

“I kinda tripped.” She lied and threw an evil glance at Spike. The teen stood at the window, watching as his father and Buffy rounded the corner, trying hard to keep from laughing.

~+~

The rest of the day went by uneventfully and mostly centred on the gift exchanging. They sat around the fireplace, each making their way through the wrappings of their respective presents.

“Oh! It’s beautiful!” Joyce exclaimed gazing at the twin sapphire earrings. “Thank you so much!” She breathed still overwhelmed, leaning in to give Giles a kiss when she thought the ‘kids’ weren’t looking.

Buffy and Spike merely decided to ignore the sight, focussing on their own presents.

“Bridget Jones’ Diary?” Buffy asked inspecting the cover of the book she held in her hands.

“It’s a real grabber according to a friend of mine back in London.” Giles explained.

The petite blonde smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

“Thanks, Giles!”

“It was actually William’s idea.” The older man corrected adjusting his glasses.

Buffy tried to suppress a chuckle at the sound of Spike’s real name, but said nothing about it, merely nodded and replied: “Thanks, William.” This earned her a glare from the bleached teen but it soon faded away when he glanced at his gift, finally unwrapped.

“Oh, cool!” Spike piped up as he turned the CD to see its cover. “The greatest hits of the Sex Pistols!”

“You’re father told me you liked them. I don’t really know much about the punk movement. Is it any good?” Joyce questioned a bit worried. “You can exchange it for something else if you like.” She quickly added.

“No, no! It’s perfect! Thanks Mrs. Summers.”

“Spike, we’ve been over this. Call me Joyce.”

“Right… Joyce. Sorry.” He apologized. Somehow, after the ‘incident’ that very morning, calling her by her first name just seemed… wrong.

“Oh, my God! A Kattar dagger. Where did you find this?” Giles asked, gawking at the watered steel curved blade he held in his hands.

“I pulled a few strings.” Joyce answered smiling at him.

“T-this is unbelievable. I-I’ve been looking for this since… forever.” He stuttered, his eyes never leaving the dagger as he occasionally fumbled with his glasses, nervously trying to adjust them.

“I know.”

“Thank you, thank you so much.” He said, bringing one arm around her waist and pulling her close for a long kiss.

“Yew! Can you guys get a room or something? Minors present, remember?” Buffy protested giving them a disgusted look, quickly seconds by Spike:

“Yeah! Please don’t scar us for life.”

At this, the couple pulled away, rolling their eyes at each other.

“Well, I guess we should get working on the Christmas lunch, huh?” Joyce suggested clapping her hands together.

“We’re gonna cook? All of us together? Again? I don’t think that’s such a hot idea, mom.” Buffy said pulling her eyebrows together for a doubtful frown.

“No, we are going to cook.” Her mother corrected pointing at herself and Buffy.

“What? And what are they going to do? Lie around, belly up, picking their teeth? ” Buffy asked outraged while Spike and Giles spread out on the couch.

“No. They are going out to chop some wood.” Joyce explained.

“What? We already have wood.” Giles said sitting up straight.

“The logs we have down in the basement are too big. We ran out of the small ones and the ones left don’t fit in the fireplace. You guys are going to have to chop them in half.”

“We’re leaving today anyway. Why chop all the wood?” Spike asked.

“But it’s so cold.” Buffy pouted, batting her eyes at Spike

“Yes, you don’t want us helpless little women catching a cold, do you?” Joyce added, mimicking her daughter’s actions as she eyed Giles.

“But…” Spike tried to protest as he watched the women stand up and head for the kitchenette.

“No buts. Go. Be manly!” Joyce shushed them.

~+~

Buffy mewled letting herself drop on the bed with a loud thud.

“I don’t feel so good.” She grumbled holding her stomach as she stared up at the ceiling.

“No wonder. With the amount of food you gobble up.” Mrs. Summers said shaking her head disapprovingly. “I told you not to eat that third slice of pie.”

“Erg! Don’t mention food. Pleeease!” The teen begged, rolling onto her side, her hands still resting protectively over her swollen stomach.

“That’s what you get for being a glutton.” Joyce continued.

“It’s Christmas Day. There is no such thing as gluttony.” Buffy countered barely able to speak.

“Come, get off the bed and help me pack.” Mrs. Summers replied ignoring her daughter’s ‘suffering’.

“I still don’t understand why we have to go home so soon. I mean, it’s Christmas Day!” Buffy noted closing her eyes as she felt another strong spasm lurking.

“I told you, I have to go back to the gallery and Rupert wants to have the bookshop open tomorrow.”

“Who buys art or books the day after Christmas?” Buffy inquired holding up her hands and frowning.

“For someone who didn’t even want to come here in the first place you’re not too keen on leaving, are you?”

“Oh, my God! You said ‘keen’. Maybe we have spent too much time with the Giles family.” Buffy grumbled, forcing herself into the sitting position.

“Lets see.” Joyce took in a deep breath and opened her daughter’s wardrobe.

“Can’t we just wait a couple of hours?” Buffy asked dragging her feet on her way over to where her mother stood.

“It’s four o’clock. By the time you’ve packed it’ll be six. I don’t want to be driving down the mountain at night. That road is really tricky, especially if it rains.” Joyce explained as she began taking the clothes from the wardrobe and putting them into the luggage.

~+~

Within an hour they were all packed, the truck of the car was already full and the four prepared to leave.

“Are you certain you didn’t leave anything behind?” Joyce asked for the fourth time.

“I’m positive mom.” Buffy mumbled as she entered the vehicle.

“Just making sure.” Mrs. Summers said buckling her seatbelt.

“Even if you’ve forgotten something, it’s just a half an hour’s drive away. We can always come back and get it.” Giles explained as he turned the keys and the engine roared.

Slowly and evenly the small car set to the road, taking each tortuous curve at a time. In the backseat, Buffy swung her legs over Spike’s, their hands secretly intinedined.

Joyce’s gaze glided over the landscape and finally fixed, for a few seconds, on the man driving the car. An unconscious smile settled over her lips when she glanced over her shoulders to find Buffy slowly drifting into slumber, her head resting over Spike’s shoulder as he looked out the window. As her returned to the road, she let out a content sigh and she let her mind drift over the events of the last few days spent up at the cabin.

~+~

“Well, this is our stop, I guess.” Joyce announced as the car pulled up to the familiar driveway. Turning to face Giles she smiled: “Thanks again for a wonderful holiday. It was one of the best Christmas by far.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. We should go up there during the summer. It’s actually warm enough to swim in the lake.” Giles said as he opened the car door for Joyce.

“We’ll think about it.”

In the meantime, the two teens stood on the other side of the car staring at each other, silently saying their goodbyes.

“Buffy, are you coming?”

Her mother’s voice seemed to snap her out of her daze.

“Coming.” She shouted back before turning to Spike and saying: “I’ll see you later.” She was about to leave when she felt him grab her hand.

“I’ll call you tonight.” He whispered.

“I’ll be waiting.” She flashed him a quick smile before running up to the house. “Thanks again, Giles.” She shouted waving her hand as she watched the car drive off.

~+~

“Well, I better go now Willow. He said he’d call me tonight.” She announced twirling her finger around the plastic cord. “Ok, bye then.” She said before putting down the receiver.

She let out a deep sigh, staring up at the ceiling and letting her eyes drift close for a second. She had just finished an hour-long telephone conversation with Willow, detailing everything that had gone on up in the cabin. Actually, it had been more of a monologue with occasional interrupting ‘uh’s and ‘ah’s coming from the other side of the line.

She felt her limbs get number and number, her eyelids heavier and her breathing slower as she drifted into sleep. Suddenly, the sharp sound of a phone ringing snapped her out of her thoughts. She was about to grumbled something when she realised who it was. Quickly, she rolled onto her side and reached for the receiver.

“Hey! I thought you’d never c- Giles? Is that you? Oh, sorry, thought it was… someone else.” She couldn’t help the disappointment evident in her voice. “Yeah, I’ll call my mom. Mom!” She shouted, but there was no answer. Reluctantly, she stood up and made her way to the hall and down the stairs. “Mom?”

“Yes, honey?”

“Phone. It’s for you. Giles.” Buffy grumbled stomping her way upstairs and putting the receiver back into place before coming back down the stairs. Since she was up, she might as well have something to drink. Drink, no eating. Eating was definitely out of the question for the next two days.

She walked about the kitchen getting a glass and pouring herself some orange juice when she heard her mother come in.

“That was Rupert.”

“I know mom, I picked up the phone, remember?” Buffy mumbled taking a sip of her drink.

“You’re in a good mood.” Joyce noted.

“I’m just tired.” She excused herself as she sat on a nearby stool.

“Well, he wanted to know if we were going to the Chase’s this year, for New Year’s Eve.”

“Isn’t that what we always do?”

“Yes, it is. I was trying to get him to go.” Joyce said leaning on the counter as she sipped from her own glass. “He never goes. Thinks it’s too official.”

“Can you blame him?”

“I guess not.”

“It’s just so dull and boring. All of Sunnydale is there. Plus it’s a black tie event,”

“Exactly!” At her daughter’s frown, Mrs. Summers elaborated. “Black tie means Rupert in a tuxedo.”

‘Which means Spike in a tuxedo.’ Buffy realised. Suddenly, the thought of going to the Chase’s New Year’s Even party was actually *very* appealing.

Chapter 37

Buffy sighed in frustration as she nervously twd hed her hair in front of the mirror. She eyed the clock for the fifth time in the last half hour.

“Buffy, you better hurry! They’ll be here any minute.” She heard her mother shout from the hall.

“I’ll be there in a sec.” She yelled back as she turned in front of the mirror. “Oh, I give up.” She hissed at the white walls, stopping to check the way she looked one more time before leaving.

She nearly bumped into her mother as she exited the bathroom.

“Wow! You look amazing!” Buffy breathed.

“You don’t think the red lipstick is a little too much?” Mrs. Summers asked a bit doubtful.

“You look great, mom. Giles will be left picking his chin up off the floor.” She reassured her with a smile.

“Speaking of which…” Joyce trailed off when she heard the doorbell ring.

The two quickly made their way down the stairs and Mrs. Summers inhaled deeply before opening the door to reveal Giles and Spike, both wearing black tuxedos.

“Happy New Year’s E-“ Giles stopped in mid sentence when he saw the woman holding the door open for him. He stared blindly at her, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

“Wow!” Spike finally said, raising an eyebrow and giving his father a light push.

“Oh, s-sorry! You just look… um… beautiful!” He finally managed to say.

She wore a long black evening gown which crossed over her left shoulder leaving her right one exposed.

“Thank you.” Joyce replied blushing furiously. “You two look quite handsome yourselves. Come in.”

Spike rubbed his hands together as the two men walked in from the cold.

“Where’s Buffy?” He asked trying to mask the anxiety in his voice.

He hadn’t seen her since they had come home from the cabin. The last week had been extremely hectic, with him helping his father at the bookstore and Buffy at the gallery, there hadn’t been any time to spare.

“She was right behind me.” Joyce frowned looking around as she walked into the kitchen. “That’s odd.” She noted when she failed to find her there.

“Maybe-“

“Hey, guys.”

The three turned to see Buffy coming down the stairs. She wore a simple light blue dress which fitted tightly around her breasts and drift freely around the rest of her body. Twin strings travelled over each exposed collarbone to reach the back of the dress, while a long scarf was wrapped around her thin neck to complete the outfit. Her blonde locks tumbled over her bare shoulders, floating lightly as she took each step at a time.

It was Spike’s turn to gawk. He stood at the end of the staircase looking up at her, his mouth partially open.

“Buffy, you look beautiful.” Giles complimented with a smile as he adjusted his glasses once more.

“Thank you.” She replied, a light flush taking over her cheeks when she realised how intensely Spike was staring at her.

“Where did you go?” Joyce asked when the young girl finally reached the hall.

“I forgot my bag.” She answered, waving the small item she held in her hands, her eyes never leaving the bleached teen standing next to her.

“Shall we then?” Giles asked offering his right arm to Joyce, who gladly accepted, worming her hands around it.

It took a while but, eventually, as the older couple exited the house, Spike seemed to snap out of his daze.

“God, you are so beautiful.” He managed to gasp in her ear as she locked the front door.

The feel of his breath on her neck sent shivers down her spine and she had to shut her eyes tightly for a second before turning to face him with a smile:

“Thanks.” She tried to look as nonchalant as possible and not sound like a giddy teenager with a crush as she continued: “That tux really looks good on you.”

“It’s the same from Homecoming.” He replied, his eyes still fixed on her.

“What?” She questioned as they made their way to the car.

“You look…” He struggled with the words. “God, I missed you so much.” Without thinking, he suddenly moved closer to her, preparing to wrap his arms around her, his mouth dangerously close to hers.

“What are you doing?” She hissed, pressing her hand against his chest.

He shook his head slightly, closing and opening his eyes a couple of times before uttering:

“What?”

“Our parents.” She whispered as they came closer to the vehicles.

“Oh, right.” He grumbled as he opened the car door for her.

~+~

Giles stepped out and handed the key to one of the young men dressed in a black uniform who stood in front of the house. In all farness, it resembled more a mansion than anything else.

“Ready?” He asked with a plastic smile, offering his arm to Joyce as he held the car door for her.

“You really hate this, don’t you?” She questioned, trying to stop from chuckling.

“With every fibre in my body.” He replied as they stepped into the majestic hallway where a few other couples gathered to greet the hostess.

“Come on. Be nice.” She whispered just as a woman in a flaming red dress approached them.

“Oh, Joyce, you made it!” Mrs. Chase shouted gleefully as she crossed the hall towards them, a huge grin on and arms wide open to embrace Joyce.

“Joanne, it’s good to see you. Happy New Year’s Eve!” Joyce greeted, wrapping her arms around the tall brunette.

“Happy New Year’s Eve!” She replied gingerly. “Oh, Mr. Giles, you finally came! I’ve been trying to get you to come to our party for years now!” She continued as she turned her attentions to the shopkeeper.

“It’s nice to be here. And please, it’s just Giles.” Rupert replied putting on his most cordial smile as he took the hostess’ hand and lightly brushed his lips over it.

“Oh, you Brits are *such* gentlemen!” Mrs. Chase gushed bringing her free hand to cover her mouth.

In the meantime, the younger couple stood behind them, exchanging looks of longing when suddenly...

“Oh! William! You’re here too.” Joanne shouted coming to hug him. “Look at you! You look so handsome.” She continued giddily.

“Hey, Mrs. Chase.” Spike mumbled lowering his head slightly embarrassed.

“And Buffyyy!”

The blonde teen flinched at the piercing shriek the older woman let out.

“Oh, are you two a couple? You look so cute! So sweeet!”

The two teens felt their hearts stop for a second, their eyes going wide as they searched for an answer.

“Well, we…” Buffy started.

“We’re… um…” Spike tried.

Thankfully, Mrs. Summers came to their rescue:

“Where’s Michael?” Joyce cut in a bit abruptly, but still with a wide smile on.

“He’s probably by the pool area.” Mrs. Chase replied, her eyes quickly returning to land on the tall shopkeeper now standing in front of her. “It’s so nice to have you here Giles.” She said eyeing the Englishman from head to toe and back up again.

Aresuresult, Giles nervously fidgeted with his glasses, adjusting them for the millionth time as he was about to say something.

“Well, we’ll just go over to say hi then.” Mrs. Summers interrupted, wrapping her arm around Giles’ and practically dragging him away.

As soon as they were out of earshot she tugged at his sleeve:

“No need to be *that* nice.” She mumbled with a frown.

“Oh, Willow’s over there.” Buffy noted and the two teens slipped away from the overly peppy hostess before she had a chance to make any more awkward questions. “Mom!” She shouted after her mother. “We’re going to go over to talk to Willow, ok?”

Mrs. Summers nodded and turned towards the pool area.

“Hey, Wills!” Buffy greeted as she moved through the crowd, Spike trailing behind her.

“Buffy! Hey!” Willow replied when the couple reached her. “Spike.”

“Red.” He said with a slight nod. “Where’s the whelp and Oz?”

Before Willow could answer, Spike felt someone pat him on the shoulder.

“Spike, long time no see.” Oz spoke as he handed Willow a glass of soda while taking a sip from his own.

“Haven’t seen Xander yet. He’s probably in full make out mode with Cordy.” Willow answered Spike’s question.

“I don’t think so.” Buffy chuckled, spotting Xander across the room.

The teen stood next to Mr. Chase, looking terrified; a plastic grin plastered on his face as he pretended to be listening to the tall man ramble on about something apparently very dull.

“I think Mr. Chase caught him.” Buffy continued as the four now leaned back and watched the sad spectacle.

“Oh, poor thing! Mr. Chase is probably giving him the famous ‘kill or be killed’ speech.” Willow lamented.

“Kill or be killed?” Buffy asked with a frown, looking around and feeling very much out of the loop when she saw Spike shake his head and throw a pity glance in Xander’s direction.

“Yep. Mr. Chase’s theory. According to it, the law in the world today is kill or be killed. It’s a battle for survival in which we all have to choose if we’re gonna be hunters or… lunch.” Willow summed up.

There was silence once again as the four observed the brunette be mercilessly tormented with the older man’s gruesome perspective on life. Xander fidgeted nervously, widening his silly grin and nodding enthusiastically every time Mr. Chase’s eyes fell on him.

“He’s doomed.” Spike piped up. “That speech could take hours.”

“How do you know?” Buffy glanced at him.

“Um... I… um… I” The stuttered as she struggled to find and answer.

“It’s common knowledge.” Oz stepped in.

“Then why don’t I know about ‘the speech’.” She asked still looking up at Spike.

“Cause you’re not common, luv.” The Brit whispered in her ear.

The feel of his strong body pressing against her side seemed to fog her mind and she soon forgot about the subject as she stared back at the Xander.

~+~

A glimpse of hope seemed to flash in the teen’s eyes when he saw the small group gathered across the room from him.

“Help me.” He mouthed while Mr. Chase wasn’t looking.

“So, you see, in the corporate world we live today young people like you have to fend for themselves. It’s a jungle out there.” The older man paused bringing the cigar back to his lips for a few seconds before recommencing: “I’m telling you it’s kill or…” He turned to look at the teen standing next to him who immediately stood up straight.

“Or be killed.” Xander completed the sentence with false enthusiasm.

“Exactly!” Mr. Chase practically shouted as he patted the teen’s back nearly causing him to choke on his own saliva. “You’re a bright young man! I knew my Cordy-poo knew how to pick them.”

Xander grinned weakly at the plump man, praying to all gods to be saved when Mr. Chase continued:

“Have I told you about that one time my company took over…”

‘Oh, God, not again! Please! Not again!’ He begged in his mind.

“Oh, honey! There you are!” A high pitched voice came out of nowhere. “I’ve been looking all over for you. Hello, Xander!”

“Hi, Mrs. Chase.” Xander greeted with a hint of hope.

“You don’t mind if I borrow my husband, do you?”

“Not at all!” He replied a little too enthusiastically.

“Joanne, does it have to be now? I was just about to tell him about the McKinley take over.” The cigar-smoking man protested.

“Well, you’ll have to save that for later. I need you now. The mayor just got here.” Mrs. Chase explained as she guided her husband into the crowd.

Xander let out a long sigh of relief and quickly made his way across the room to meet up with the rest of the gang.

“Hey!” He said meekly.

“Hey. How was the torture?” Oz asked.

“Torturous.” Xander quipped.

“My sentiments.” Willow said giving him a friendly pat on his shoulder.

“Where’s Cordy?” Buffy questioned.

“Probably still upstairs getting dressed.” Xander answered shrugging. “Wants to make a big entrance, as always.”

“What’s with the jazz fad?” Spike asked, his index finger pointing upwards as another Billy Holiday song came on.

“It’s Mrs. Chase’s thing.” Buffy explained, casually leaning against Spike when the room scan for their parents came out negative. “Every year she picks a decade and only plays music from that period. This year’s the 30’s.”

“No New Year songs?” Spike frowned.

“Nope.” Willow replied, popping the ‘p’.

“That’s odd.”

“Better odd than painful.” Xander intervened.

At Spike’s confused look Willow stepped in:

“Last year’s decade was the 70’s.”

“Very, very 70’s.” Buffy added.

“There are only so many times you can hear ‘Staying Alive’ before the inevitable urge to kill the DJ take over you.” Willow cringed at the memory.

“Hey, the 70’s weren’t all disco, you know? Remember punk?” Spike argued.

“Believe me, for Mrs. Chase, it was disco all the way.” Xander retorted.

“I can’t believe I was actually sighing in relief every time they played Elvis.” Willow noted as Oz wrapped his arm around her.

Buffy eyed the couple and felt a knot start to form in her stomach. She wanted to be able to do that with her boyfriend and not worry if her mother caught them. She gulped when she felt Spike secretly caress her back, their bodies ‘casually’ pressed against each other as the two hungrily grasped any opportunity to touch each other. Buffy shook her head slightly, trying to concentrate on the conversation. What was the subject again? Oh, right - Disco’s the devil’s music. ‘God, we really have to tell our parents the truth!’ Buffy thought when Spike’s hand drifted south brushing over the soft curve of her buttocks.

“I mean, the Bee Gee’s were…” Xander trailed off when he realised the sudden silence that invaded the room.

He turned around to see Cordelia entering; every single person in the room went silent and stared at the red-clad brunette. With extreme elegance and poise, apparently oblivious to the effect she had on the crowd, she crossed the great hall heading towards the familiar group. Slowly, the background murmur returned to normal as she reached the gang.

“Hey!” She greeted.

“Cordelia, you look amazing!” Willow complimented.

“I know.” She simply replied eyeing her boyfriend who was still picking up his jaw off the floor.

Buffy smirked at her smug attitude. It was just so Cordy-like. Her smile soon faded as she looked over her shoulder to find Spike staring at the brunette, his eyes slightly widened. Something in her stomach twisted painfully but she didn’t say anything, simply continued to listen to the conversation.

Spike frowned when he felt her step away from him. He moved closer and once again she inched away.

“Something wrong, luv?” He leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“Parents.” She replied calmly.

“They’re outside.” He frowned, trying to wrap his arms around her but she pulled away discreetly.

“Don’t want to risk it.” She said, her eyes never meeting his as she looked on.

“You were fine about it a minute ago.” He pressed on.

“Well, I changed my mind.” She continued nonchalantly.

She smiled and turned to say something to Willow when she suddenly felt his hand around her arm.

“Excuse us.” He said to the group with a forced smile and, before she knew it, Buffy was beinaggeagged through the crowd and soon found herself in a fairly secluded hall.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, letting go of her arm after he had turned her around to face him.

“Nothing’s wrong.” She insisted, letting out a long sigh as she leaned on the wall with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Buffy…” He tilted his head sideways, waiting for an explanation.

“It’s nothing.”

He looked at her from under a furrowed brow, clearly not convinced.

Buffy pouted as she slowly realised how ridiculous she was being.

“It’s just… the way you looked at Cordy back there.”

“What?”

“You were all…” She widened her eyes trying to imitate his look. “…salivaty.”

“Salivaty?” He frowned.

“Yeah. Salivating a lot… salivaty.” She explained awkwardly.

“I don’t think that word exists, pet.” He smirked at her as she fidgeted nervously with the strings of her bag.

“Fine. It doesn’t exist.” She murmured. “Can we go now? I don’t wanna get caught back here.”

He said nothing, simply continued to smile as he leaned closer to her. She moved backwards and felt the cold wall against her back.

“What are you doing? Someone might walk by.” She whispered when he coned ted to inch closer to her.

“Do you have any idea just how cute you look when you’re jealous?” He asked ignoring her questions as his lips brushed over hers, his hands travelling over her hips.

“I wasn’t jealous!” She piped up a little too loudly. Hers eyes widened and she scanned their surrounding. “I wasn’t jealous.” She repeated, this time a mere whisper. “I was just-“

She was cut off as he suddenly attacked her mouth, his hand grasping her neck below her ear to cup her cheek and bring her closer to him.

Buffy moaned into his mouth, eagerly responding to the kiss, her arms worming between their bodies to pull him by the lapels of his tux.

They battled furiously, their hips crushed against each other in a desperate attempt to be closer, hands erratically gliding over their bodies, trying to touch every single inch of the other at once.

“God, I missed you…” He managed to breathe between urgent kisses.

“Missed… hum…” His mouth covehershers, preventing her from completing her sentence.

Spike pressed his body against hers, crushing her against the wall as the kisses grew hungrier and more desperate.

“Are you sure you left it in your room, Maria?”

Mrs. Chase’s high-pitched voice snapped them out of their daze.

“Oh, my God!” Buffy whispered breathless as she heard the sound of footsteps coming closer.

Without a word, Spike grabbed her hand and once again they were racing down the hall.

“Here.” Buffy hissed pointing at a nearby door.

“No, that’s the housekeeper’s room. Here’s better.” He said opening the nearby plantation shutter to reveal a small storage room.

The moment the door closer behind them, Mrs. Chase and Maria rounded the corner to find the hall empty.

The two teens stood quietly in the closet, holding their breaths until they were sure the women were gone.

“That was close.” Spike breathed taking a step closer to Buffy and wrapping his arms around her waist. “Now, where were we?”

He frowned when she pulled away from him.

“How did you know?” She asked.

“What?” He questioned.

“How did you know it was the housekeeper’s room?” She repeated.

“Well, um…” He paused for a second then blurted out. “Mrs. Chase asked about something being in ‘Maria’s’ room. I assumed Maria was the housekeeper a-and that they were going to her room.”

“There are at least three other door’s in this hall. How’d you know *that* one was the room?”

“I… Um… I-it was during Homecoming while I was looking for you and…”

“Spike, you were here before, weren’t you? Before homecoming?” Buffy questioned.

“No… I just-“

“Don’t lie to me.” She narrowed her eyes at him in the shadows of the room.

He let out a long sigh in defeat.

“Fine! Yes, I’ve been here before. Lots of times actually.” He mumbled as she stared wide eyed at him.

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