Growing Up

Chapter 15

Buffy found herself back at the Bronze a few nights later, feeling better than she has in a while. She loved that her family and friends knew about her relationship with Spike and that they were all okay with it. She felt better knowing that she didn’t have to hide her relationship anymore. She was out with Jessica having the time of her life on the dance floor. She wished Willow and Tara could have been there, but they decided to stay in and study instead. Buffy and Jessica were in their own little world, when someone came up behind Jessica and wrapped their arms around her waist. She turned around and saw that it was a man she didn’t recognize. He was big and looked to be in his 30’s. She moved away from him and he gave her a twisted smirk. “Come on, baby. I was just about to have some fun.” He said and she took another step away from him.

“Sorry, I don’t really feel like dancing with anyone right now.” She stated and the man didn’t seem to take the hint as he moved closer to her.

“Where’s the fun in that? I wanna finish that dance. You feel so good.” He said as he ran his fingers down her arm and she felt a chill at his touch. She moved away again. Buffy stood next to her when she saw what was happening.

“She said she didn’t want to dance. Why don’t you just get out of here?” The man then turned cold eyes on Buffy.

“I don’t remember asking you, blondie. You’ll have your turn.” He stated as he turned back to Jessica. He grabbed both of her arms and pulled her toward him. “Come on, sweetheart. I’ll show you a night you’ll never forget.” Jessica was trying to pull her arms out of his grasp, but he was stronger than her and it was starting to hurt. Buffy had enough and she pushed the guy away from her friend, causing him to lose his grasp.

“Leave her alone!” Buffy spat at him and he glared at her.

“You annoying little bitch!” He yelled as he walked over to Buffy and looked like he was about to hit her.

“Hey, I really hope we don’t have a problem here.” Another voice said and Buffy smiled when she saw Xander. “I think you need to leave the ladies alone.” He said and the man didn’t look happy that he interfered.

“Who the hell are you? This doesn’t concern you, buddy.” Xander stepped up to him.

“It does when it involves my friends.” Xander replied and was surprised at the confidence in his voice.

“I only wanted to dance with the bitch.” He spat as he pointed at Jessica. “I don’t see the problem in that.” Xander felt like pounding him in the face, but he kept his cool.

“That’s my girl you’re talking about and I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t call her that. You need to leave if you’re gonna cause trouble.” The man stood in Xander’s face.

“Yeah, what are you gonna do if I don’t?” Xander clenched his fists at his side. He had to deal with bullies like this in high school all of the time and he would always take their crap. Well, he wasn’t in high school anymore.

“If you refuse to leave, then I’m just gonna have to get physical.” The man laughed this time.

“You and what army?” He said and Xander didn’t know what to say to that, when someone else then stood next to him.

“That would be me. We don’t have a problem here, do we?” Xander turned to see that Spike showed up and was glaring at the man before him. He then turned back to the man and was surprised to see a scared look on his face all of a sudden.

“Sorry, Spike. I didn’t realize you knew them.” The man said in a shaky voice and Spike nodded.

“Caught the whole show, Tom. I must say that I’m not amused.” He said as he found Buffy and grabbed her hand, pulling her next to him. “I could be wrong here, but did I hear you call my girl an annoying bitch?” Tom’s eyes grew big at that.

“I didn’t know she was your girl.” Spike gave him a look that could kill.

“I think you need to treat ladies with a little more respect or we could have a problem. I want you to apologize to her.” He said and Tom seemed like he had a hard time saying that, but the look on Spike’s face convinced him.

“Right, I’m sorry.” He said and Spike nodded, even though it was a weak apology.

“Now, I want you to apologize to Jessica for being too rough with her.” Tom looked at Jessica and sighed.

“I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have grabbed you like that.” He said and Spike nodded again.

“See, that wasn’t so hard. Now we’re communicating. I want you to get out of here and don’t show your face again, unless you plan on behaving yourself. Do I make myself clear?” Tom nodded and ran out of the club, without saying anything else. Spike smiled as he watched him go and Xander hit him on the back.

“That was awesome, Spike. He seemed to be really scared of you. How do you even know that guy?” Xander wondered.

“It’s a long story; just know that he won’t be messing with any of you again.” Xander nodded and looked at Jessica, who still seemed to be shaken up.

“You okay?” He asked her and she looked at him and gave him a smile.

“Yeah, I am now. Thanks for sticking up for me.” Xander smiled and put his arm around her.

“It was nothing, no one hurts my girl.” He said as he gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Why don’t we go somewhere a little more private?” He asked and she gave him a big smile that time.

“Yeah, good idea.” She said as she pulled him out of there. Buffy smiled as she watched them go and then looked at Spike.

“You just keep on surprising me.” She said and he smiled at her.

“There is much you don’t know about me.” He told her with a wink as he walked away. Buffy watched him go and realized that he was right.