Choices

No soul issues for Angel in this one! Might reference that he had one once upon a time...not sure yet...kind of do what the characters tell me to do :) Enjoy and keep reviewing! Wanted to say thank you to Charlie for understanding what I'm doing:) And to Karbear, because I'm a fan of her work as well :)

Chapter Nine

Meeting at the lobby to the theater at the college, Buffy received her first flower from a boy. Wait, no, man. She received her first flower from a man. Angel and Spike had given her flowers before, but this was from someone who was NOT them. It was from Xander, who was smiling so goofily, she had to giggle and seemed so nervous she wanted to calm him. She wanted to ask if this was his first date, but then she realized that it probably wasn't. He was normal, he got to do those normal things. Well, better late than never, right? Smiling at him as he cracked a joke, Buffy boldly took his hand to walk into the theater with him. She thought it might comfort him. It seemed to work because in an instant, his whole body relaxed and he smiled sweetly. His shoulders straightened and he led her to their seats. Willow gave Buffy a thumbs up and she and her date, Oz, followed them.

Of course her mind couldn't help but wander to Spike and Angel and what they were doing. If they were all right, if they had run into some baddies...she was going to have to get on Angel about those cell phones. She would feel much better knowing she could just call them and check. Then, as the play intensified, she couldn't help but think that Spike would have really enjoyed it. He would have been rattling off comments right and left, maybe even reciting the lines--ok, she had to stop. This was HER time with HER date. This was not think about Spike time. She settled into the seat, adjusting her position to get more comfortable when she felt Xander's arm tentatively wrap around her shoulders. She grinned to herself and looked at him from the corner of her eye. He was trying to appear casual, but she could see the fear written all over his face. Giving him the added encouragement, she nestled closer to him and she felt him relax.

During Intermission, Buffy excused herself from the group to take a trip to the Ladies. As she was walking down the empty corridor, she felt someone grab her arm. Before she could react, she was snatched inside a classroom and a hand was placed over her mouth. Without thinking, she bit it.

"What did you bloody do that for!?"

She spun around, ready to attack when she realized it was Spike. She punched him anyway. "What the hell are you doing?" She hissed.

He grabbed his nose, "ow! Dammit, Buffy, stop hitting me!"

"What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were out patrolling with Angel!"

"I...was."

She looked at him sternly, hands on her hips, eyes imploring.

"Okay I lied. What are you doing here with that ponce? Why are his hands all over you? Isn't it past his bedtime? He looks about ready to wet himself."

She glared am. \m. "His name is Xander and he's my age. Are you spying on me?"

"Well...yeah."

She cocked her head to the side and crossed her arms across her chest. "Because you're worried about vampires or because you're overprotective?"

Now he glared at her."Apparently your choice in boys leaves a lot to be desired."

"Man. He's a man."

Spike laughed, mockingly. "Please!"

"And you're acting so much better now by the way. Really mature Spike, following me. What happened to trusting me?"

"I don't trust anyone who could take advantage of you."

"Xander wouldn't hurt a fly!"

"Probably more afraid the fly would hurt him," Spike mumbled, looking down at the ground.

"Go home, Spike."

He looked up at her like a petulant child, "don't want to. I paid for a ticket, I plan on seeing it through."

She rolled her eyes, "finhatehatever. Just don't come near me!" Then she stomped out of the room and practically ran back to her friends. She decided to forfeit the bathroom trip. It would just be embarrassing if they thought she had been in there this whole time.

She kept her eyes glued as they made their way back to their seats to see where Spike was sitting. He sat all the way in the back. Good, now she just had to find a way to lose him after the show.

*********

"Hey Buffy, isn't that your brother?" Willow asked, pointing across the crowded bar room.

The only thoughts in Buffy's head as she looked to where her friend was pointing was 'I am going to kill him.' Although, it wasn't Spike. It was Angel. He was staring straight at her, and he didn't look pleased. Great, just what she needed. Another ridiculing session with her other overprotective vampire.

"Yeah, it's him. I'm going to go say hi."

"Why don't you invite him over?" Willow asked.

"No!" Buffy said forcefully.

Off Willow's strange look, Buffy just shook her head. "I mean, I'll ask him, but he's too cool for us, he wouldn't want--"

"Hey Buffy. Willow." And suddenly there was Angel. "Mind if I join you?" His gaze settled on Xander and Buffy closed her eyes in frustration.

"Sure, join us!" Willow said, smiling and pulling out a chair.

"Yes. Please. Join us." Buffy said dryly and slumped in her chair next to Xander.

"Would you like a drink, Buffster? You're kind of on the dry side." Xander said as hood,ood, gesturing to her empty drink.

"Yeah, that' gre great, thanks Xand!" She smiled brightly at him.

"Hey Buffy, could I talk to you for a minute?" Angel asked, his eyes boring into her.

"We just sat, Angel. Can it wait?"

He pursed his lips together. 'Good, sulk.'

"Well, well, well. How are you kiddies doing tonight?"

As if the night couldn't get any worse.

Spike.

She looked up at him and glared daggers as Willow asked him if he wanted to join them. Spike happily agreed, smiling cheekily at Buffy. They were so dead.

Xander came back with their drinks and looked even more nervous to see Spike, 'the other brother', had joined them. He actually did look as if he were going to wet himself. And who could blame him with Angel and Spike studying him so intently. She looked at them and mouthed 'stop'. Angel looked away and Spike had the audacity to look innocent.

"How's the nose, Spike?" She asked pointedly. He glared at her and Angel chuckled.

"So, what do you guys, you know, do?" Willow asked them.

"I run Buffy's mother's gallery," Angel replied.

"I teach self-defense," Spike lied. Well, sort of. "I've taught Buffy all about it." Spike said pointedly, looking at Xander who gulped.

"Yeah, I got him in the nose earlier. That fun.fun." Buffy said cheerfully. "Would you like to dance Xand?"

Xander looked relieved. "Yes, please." And he stood up, practically darting to the floor and leaving Buffy behind. A fast song was playing and she had a grand old time bouncing to the music as Xander made her laugh with his 'dancing'. At least she could rely on Xander for comic relief.

Making their way back to the table after a few rounds, Spike and Angel were sitting with heads bent while Oz and Willow were on the floor. They perked up when they saw the pair approaching. They looked innocent. A little too innocent.

"What are you ladies talking about?" Buffy asked, slightly annoyed.

They gave her a small glare and then focused right in on Xander.

"We haven't been properly introduced. Seems our Buffy has no manners," Spike began. "I'm Spike, well, actually that's my nickname. Know how I got it? I have this special affinity to railroad spike's--"

"He was pinned to the ground by his shirt and panten hen he was a kid by railroad spike's. Couldn't move to get out of it. I had to come and rescue my poor, big brother. It's kind of a touchy subject really, I'm surprised he's bringing it up. After that incident, the neighborhood kids started calling him Spike, you know, making fun of him." Buffy rushed out, congratulating herself on her quick thinking. 'Ha! That'll teach ya.' She smiled brightly at Spike who looked about ready to tear her apart limb from limb.

"And this is my other brother Angel. He's gay." Buffy was trying not to laugh at her outrageous comments. Oh boy, was she gonna be in for it later. It was totally worth it though. If they thought they could follow her, then try and scare Xander away, well, they were in for a surprise. Two could play this game...or was it three?

"Aren't you guys missing an episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy tonight?" She asked innocently.

If looks could kill...

"Hey! I love that show!" Xander jumped in excitedly. "Which one's your favorite?"

Buffy burst out laughing with glee.