Spike broke the intense moment and tried to sound casual, flipping the atmosphere of the serious Dru story, “Anyway, I should get going. I’m meeting up the gang at the Bronze tonight.”


“Oh, you guys are going to the Bronze?” Buffy’s voice slightly wavered with a hint of desperation. Being reminded that everyone was Spike’s friend instead of HERS distressed her still. Plus, it actually sounded like fun – she needed a break.


Spike suddenly felt like he should invite her to come along, though he would have never given her a rat’s ass a couple days ago. They DID call a truce, and he felt an odd nagging emotion that told him he actually wanted her to be there. “Why…Why don’t you come?” Spike hesitated.


Buffy was happy that her desperate signal got through to him, but a thought crossed her mind. ‘If everything is reverse, do vamps go to the Bronze or humans?’ She couldn’t go to the Bronze with a bunch of vamps and her stupid chip…could she? “Won’t the vampires think I’m evil and get all fang-y on me?” Buffy said quizzically.


Spike chuckled at the stupid little words she always came up with. Leave it to Buffy to ruin the English language. “No, they know who you are, and know you’re harmless. You’ve been there before, you know.”


“I’m not harmless!! I’m just…chipped! I can be dangerous in other ways! I…” Buffy realized she was working against herself here.


Spike raised his eyebrows waiting for her to finish her sentence and reveal her ‘dangerous’ tactics.


“…Ok fine!…I’m harmless! Are you happy!?” Buffy yelled exasperated, ending with her arms crossed and a pout on her lip. ‘I hate being harmless! This sucks.’


The lip did not go unnoticed to Spike. He quickly darted his eyes away, and tried to put on his annoyed voice, “Are you coming or not?” But he made sure it was in an annoyed tone that showed he was just pushing her buttons.


Buffy reluctantly snapped out of her pouting and was about to agree when she realized she was wearing a sweater and long black skirt. She wanted to be more ‘Bronze-appropriate’ a.k.a. wear something hotter. “Yea…maybe later. I have to go back to my hou-, my crypt first.”


“Alright then,” Spike replied, before giving her a last look and turning away, heading for the Bronze.


--------------------------------------------------------------------


Buffy was walking back to her crypt, nervously thinking about whether she should go to the Bronze or not. She would be in a room full of vampires that thought she was their worst enemy, and Spike was right – she was totally harmless. Not able to hit any vampire…


‘I would give up all my clothes if I could use Leanna’s face for a punching bag!’ Buffy suddenly thought with contempt. Leanna was annoying - and worst, annoyingly gorgeous. Buffy felt really plain around her, and she wasn’t about to show up to the Bronze with some school-marm outfit. She could play “Who’s-the-Hooch?” too.




*********The Bronze**********


As the band finished up the fast-paced rock song and started playing some dark and mellow music, the vampires swarmed slowly off the dance floor to get drinks while only a few couples remained embraced in a slow dance.


“So when’s Spike and Leanna getting here?” Willow asked the rest of the gang – Xander, Tara, and Anya.


“Well, I think Spike should be here soon, which means Leanna will come promptly attached to his ass,” Xander answered cynically.


Tara smirked at that, but quickly wiped away her expression when Willow looked at her. “Oh c’mon guys…we’re supposed to be supportive scoobies…and…she’s not THAT bad…everyday,” Willow finished lamely. She agreed with the rest of them – Leanna was beyond irritation – the only reason she tried to keep her mouth shut was because of Spike’s tirade not too long ago when they had confronted him, where he angrily made them feel guilty for forgetting all the times she helped them out in a fight.


“Yea we know. She helped us in the big fight, big whoop. She’s like this leech! Stuck there, but never shutting up. When I can’t decide who to hate more – Buffy or Leanna – you know that’s just wrong,” Xander finished.


“What’s wrong?” Spike asked, as he approached the gang.


“Oh…uhh…nothing…,” Willow stammered quickly.


Fortunately for them, the ‘leech’ was making her way over to distract Spike.


“Your girlfriend’s here, joy.” Xander commented dryly, as Spike turned to look.


Leanna looked piercingly mischievous. She looked like she had some sort of agenda and Spike didn’t think it looked like just her usual overly flirty self. He really wasn’t in the mood to deal with more jealousy and accusations.


To his relief and surprise, all Leanna did was plant herself against Spike’s shoulder and pull herself closer against his body. “Ready to have fun?” Leanna whispered seductively in Spike’s ear, as the rest of the gang tried not to grimace.


“Bloody hell, are you gonna make me dance again?” Spike said with a defeated voice. Except this time, he really didn’t feel like doing anything with Leanna, not just the dancing.


“C’mon Spikeee…” Leanna whined as she lured him out to the dance floor – more like practically dragging him.


The slow music played seductively, as Leanna tried to press herself against Spike and rub her hips against his, knowing what always worked on him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and began to nibble at his ear playfully. But Spike was hardly paying attention to her ministrations, not like he usually did. Instead he was scanning the crowd, as if looking for someone. But couples began to wander out onto the dance floor, effectively blocking his view in all directions.


Tara had seen the wandering look on Spike’s face. He didn’t seem very interested at Leanna’s usual advances. Turning back to the table and the rest of her friends, she asked, “Do you guys know if Buffy is showing up tonight?”


Surprised at the random question, Xander replied with a roll of the eyes, “She’s always here as long as Spike is.”


“Oh honey, don’t be jealous. I’d much rather sleep with you than Spike,” Anya finished in patronizing comfort.


“What? I’m not jealous of Spike! I’m just saying that those two never quit,” Xander replied in his defense.


“Well, at least Buffy is less slutty than Leanna is,” Anya jumped in.


Xander’s eyes widened, his gaze directed past his friends, “Whoa…maybe you spoke too fast…”


Everyone at the table turned in the direction of Xander’s gaze. Buffy had just walked in the entrance, wearing a very short red halter dress that plunged down in between her breasts and ended slightly below her ass, leaving her tan legs in full view. Her exposed skin was shimmering and her hair fell softly against her shoulders, teasing her bare back. Lips glossy and looking ready to kill, her entrance had all the guys drooling over the sight.


“Wow. Buffy looks great tonight. She must be declaring war,” Anya commented to Tara, Willow and Xander.


“Uh…guys…I don’t think this is going to end very well,” Willow said nervously.


At that moment, the crowd had parted slightly for Spike, and who he saw at the entrance made his jaw drop. Buffy looked absolutely gorgeous – he was lucky Leanna’s head was resting on his shoulder and facing the other way, because that sight would infuriate her. Thinking quick, he knew he had to try and keep Leanna facing the other way, even if he had to dance with her the entire time.


Buffy felt multiple eyes on her, actually hoping that they were just leering and not looking hungry. She quickly made her way over to the gang, spotting them almost immediately.


“Um…hi guys,” Buffy uttered awkwardly, not knowing if they would appreciate her presence.


“Hi Buffy,” Tara said as she smiled warmly, forgetting she was suppose to act annoyed.


“Whoa, Buff, what’s the deal? Are you and Leanna battling it out for Sluttiest Blonde?” Xander asked.


“Hey! I’m blonde now too! And I think she looks very nice. Good job Buffy, I think you might win today,” Anya commented.


“Win? What do you mean?” Buffy said in a pretend innocent voice, but she couldn’t help smirking at Anya’s comment.


“Where’s Spike?” Buffy asked, trying very hard to sound casual, but knowing that everyone knew her purpose behind the question.


“Um…dancing…” Willow gave her a sort of sympathetic look, before gazing over at Spike and Leanna. Buffy’s eyes followed Willow’s, and her happy mood over her outfit choice quickly disseminated, replaced by a disappointed pout. Her eyes met Spike’s for a brief moment as their gazes seemed to freeze time, but trying to quickly mask her disappoint, she turned back to the gang with a non-chalant expression.


“Do you guys want something to drink? I’m gonna head over to the bar,” Buffy asked, trying to ignore the blonde couple and the way Leanna was moving against Spike.


“No, we’re good,” Willow commented with a smile, feeling bad for Buffy. She was supposed to hate her, but whenever Buffy was around, she easily slipped into the habit of thinking of Buffy as one of her friends.


Buffy walked towards the bar, trying to occupy her mind with the task of getting a drink, instead of thinking about what the heck she was doing here dressed in one of her most killer dresses, hoping Spike would notice her like some desperate little girl. Her insecurities began to flood back into her as she leaned against the bar, waiting for the bartender.


The bartender came to take her order. “Hey Slayer, what will it be? the usual?”


“Uhhh…sure…” Buffy replied hesitantly, not knowing what her ‘usual’ was.


A few minutes later he plopped down a strawberry looking drink with an umbrella in it. “oOoOo pretty,” Buffy replied happily as she sipped her drink.


“You sure are,” replied a voice, as a guy came up next to her with a flirtatious smile.


Buffy was about to become defensive and deem him a creep, but she changed her mind as she examined the guy. He was tall with a medium build, brown hair and a slightly pale complexion (he IS a vampire). He had a great smile, and actually didn’t seem like a creep at all. ‘Kinda cute,’ Buffy thought, her mood a little cheered up.


“How are you doing today, Buffy? You look amazing by the way,” he finished with a warm smile.


“I’m doing ok…and thanks, …uh…thanks,…” Buffy squinted at him, trying to figure out his name and hoping for a little help.


He looked at her with a funny expression. “Mike. You know - the guy who asks you to dance every time you come here? Did you forget me already?” his voice showed a bit of sad disappointment that Buffy was pretending to not know him.


“I’m just kidding Mike!” Buffy laughed, hoping to play it off as a joke. “Of course I remember you!”


His disappointment quickly disappeared and turned into a smile. “Well how about a dance now?” Mike asked hopefully, as he offered his hand to her.


Buffy starred at his hand for a brief second, wondering if she wanted to dance with this guy who was basically a complete stranger to her. She didn’t know what to think, considering she was sure he was a vampire and he knew she was human, since he could hear her heartbeat and all. But he seemed genuinely very nice, and Buffy liked the attention. Smiling back, she took his hand as he led her to the dance floor.


Spike was scanning the crowd, hoping to catch where Buffy had gone. He kept Leanna turned away from the tables and bar at all times, hoping he could avoid an outburst for as long as possible. And then he saw them – his stomach clenched, and sudden jealousy coursed through his body.


Mike was a regular at the bronze, and started taking a liking to Buffy a while ago, even though he knew she was the Slayer and human. Mike was obviously smitten, and started asking Buffy to dance, since she often hung out at the bar alone, not really invited to join the rest of the gang. Spike never cared about the two of them before, glad that Mike kept Buffy away and out of Leanna’s proximity, but this time, it was different.


Spike had an overwhelming feeling – one where he felt like he wanted to go over there and tear Mike’s head off. As Mike’s hands came in contact with Buffy’s bare back, Spike had to keep himself under control from growling out loud. He was trying not to tense up too much, or Leanna might snap out of her advances and notice what was wrong.


Buffy was enjoying the dance. It was nice, but it wasn’t great. She rested her head on Mike’s shoulders, not wanting to hold his gaze. Exhaling, she scanned the crowd of couples and her eyes met with blue ones.


Their eyes locked with one another, as the rest of the room seemed to float away from their reality. Swaying to the slow music in different people’s arms, they could not look away from each other, secretly knowing that they wished to be in each other’s arms, but not admitting it out loud. Spike needed to look away, but he couldn’t – he was transfixed on Buffy. The sparks flew between their eyes, never breaking contact, and it was as if they WERE dancing with each other and no one else mattered.


Spike was snapped out of the trance with Buffy by Leanna.


“Spike, let’s go back to my place and have some real fun,” Leanna whispered seductively in his ear.


“Leanna…” Spike said in an exasperated tone, “We just got here.”


“Whaaaat, we’ve been here for a few minutes! They understand. They’re probably too busy talking about books or tv show characters – they won’t miss us…” Leanna tried to convince him. Before he could answer, she began pulling him towards the back entrance.


“Leanna…c’mon now pet…slow down…” Spike was trying to reason calmly, as she pulled him past Buffy and Mike, past the gang, out of the Bronze into the alley. She began kissing him fervidly as he struggled to maintain control of the situation.


“Leanna! Will you bloody stop!?!” Spike roared, pushing her off of him.


She was struck with shock, eyes wide, starring at him for a second. “WHAAAAT!?!!? DID YOU JUST PUSH ME OFF OF YOU???” Leanna screamed furiously, flailing her arms as her grey eyes penetrated Spike’s.


Spike took a deep breath. He wasn’t going to avoid outbursts tonight after all. “Calm down, Leanna. I just didn’t feel like leaving yet.”


“You have NEVER pushed me off of you. I seem to remember plenty of times where we ditched out on the Bronze to go have some fun. You weren’t struggling then! What the hell is going on?” Leanna was still seething, but at a less high-pitched nature.


“Nothing, I just…” Spike ran his hands through his hair, his mind sifting through what he was trying to say. And he realized what he had to do. Looking back up to meet her impatiently waiting gaze, he said, “I think we should take a break.”


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