Well, Xander and Anya’s big day had finally arrived and after Buffy had dispatched with a demon gatecrasher, the whole thing went swimmingly- despite Spike’s earlier prediction. The happy couple were glowing and Buffy watched with a small smile as Xander danced with his new wife, spinning her under his arm.

Her eyes slid over to Willow and Tara and she gave another small smile- their relationship had been close to falling apart, but now things were back on track again after Willow had made a big change of her own.

Her eyes moved over the crowd again and she almost broke into a laugh when she spotted Spike and her sister. Dawn had obviously forced the vampire to dance with her and he was trying his best to still look cool, even as the teenager kept spinning him around with her.

Suddenly feeling inexplicably left out, she slowly got to her feet and made her way out onto the small veranda, enjoying the cool night air on her skin. She leaned against the railing, looking out over Sunnydale.

“Wow, that thing even glows in the dark!”

She jumped at Spike’s voice and whirled round, laughing at his comment about her radioactive-green dress.

“I think Anya just wanted to make sure no-one would even think about looking at the bridesmaids.”

“Didn’t work,” he murmured, leaning against the doorframe, “I was still watching one of the bridesmaids.”

“Yeah, well…you would,” she answered with a soft smile, “Not even radioactive dresses can put you off.”

“Nope. Sorry.”

They shared a smile and she turned back to look out over the town, feeling him come to stand beside her.


“You alright?”

She raised her eyes to his and smiled wryly.

“Guess I’m just feeling…I don’t know.”

“Sorry for yourself?”

“Something like that,” she replied, giving a tiny smile, “Just kinda reminds me of the normal life I won’t ever have as a Slayer.”

“Now, I’m sure it’s not allowed to be down at a wedding,” he commented and she met his bright gaze.

“Guess not. I’m supposed to stop this moping thing.”

“That was your plan.”

She smiled again and leaned back on the railing, arms crossed lightly in front of her.

“Come on, Slayer, what’s brought this on?”
Spike asked softly.

“Guess I’m just kinda…lonely. Xander and Anya have got each other…and Willow and Tara…”

“You know you’re never alone, Slayer,” he murmured, his hand just resting on her arm, drawing her eyes to his.


There was a long moment of silence, both lost in each other’s eyes, until she shook her head, looking down at her feet.

“I should probably get back in.”

“Not ‘til I’ve cheered you up,” Spike commented and she laughed, “Come on, dance with me.”

Her eyes flew to his and she raised an eyebrow.

“Dance with you?”

“Yeah, Slayer, see it’s this thing where two people move to the music.”

She laughed, shaking her head slightly.

“You’re crazy.”

“Least it got you cheered up.”

She laughed lightly again and met his bright gaze, deciding to call his bluff.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Let’s dance.”

“Right now?”

“Can’t get out of it now.”

“Wasn’t planning to,” he answered lowly, taking a step forward and holding out his hand.


Just at that moment, the music blaring from the hall changed to a slower song and their eyes met, hers widening slightly as she placed her hand in his. He said nothing and tugged her towards him, his other arm winding round her waist as his fingers wrapped round hers, holding her hand to his chest.

For a second, she froze, but then she let her head loll forward against his chest, looping one arm round him. He began to move slowly to the music, moving her with him, and she closed her eyes, breathing in his familiar scent.

“Didn’t know you could dance,” she murmured, more for something to say than anything else.

“Not exactly rocket science,” he answered, his fingers twitching against her lower back and sending a tingle straight up her spine.

And even though this was dangerous territory, she couldn’t bring herself to pull away- she was enjoying his closeness too much. She felt his cheek move to rest against her hair and moved unconsciously into his touch, her fingers tightening around his.

She did not know what prompted her to speak the next words, but they were out before she could stop them.

“Do you still love me?” she whispered.

He pulled back and she raised her gaze to his.

“Always,” he murmured, his free hand rising to brush an escaped strand of hair back into place.


Before she could process what she was doing, she leant into him, rising up on her tiptoes as she pressed her lips to his. His arm tightened around her as his lips moved softly against hers. Their hands were still linked on his chest but she ran her free hand up his chest, resting it at his neck, her fingers just stroking the soft hair on the nape of his neck. It was the gentlest kiss they had ever shared and she was lost in the tenderness of it all- until with a start, she realised just what she had done.

She quickly pulled away, her contrite gaze lifting to his.

“I…I’m sorry, Spike. I shouldn’t have…”

“It’s okay,” he got out in a husky voice, releasing her hand as she took a step backward.

“I should…go back…”

She trailed off helplessly as he turned his face from her, nodding ever so slightly. Normally, she would have left it at that but something kept her in her place- and even drove her to take a step towards him again, her hand coming to rest on his arm. He turned to her in surprise, his bright eyes burning into her.

“I…I don’t want to hurt you.”

His eyes widened even more and she tore her gaze from his, turning back to the door.

“I’m sorry.”

She fled back into the hall, her lips still tingling from his kiss.