Prologue

A/N: This is just a prologue that I wrote at the prompting of a friend. I was going to wait and post it once the whole story was finished, then I decided what the heck.


He stood in the shadow of the bleacher like seats in the arena staring out onto the ice at the figure skaters whirling around. This was her morning practice, the one where it was all about her skating, not about the students she taught, or the other skaters around her, this one was all about her. The strength and passion she exhibited when she skated fascinated him. It always had. When he had first seen her he knew there was something special about her, something that made her stand out from those around her. She was a mixture of passion and innocence and he loved it. He loved her. He silently applauded her in his mind when he saw her land a difficult combination. She was practicing her newest program. The one he was sure would have her back on top this fall. Nothing kept his girl down.

He tore his eyes away from her for a moment to look down at the rose he held carefully in his hand. His fingers softly caressed the velvet petals, thoughts traveling to whether or not her skin would feel just as soft and velvety. Carefully he looked around, making sure that no one would see him. He didn't often come to the rink like this, not because he didn't belong there. He was often there, and people knew who he was. But he was afraid someone would see him at the wrong time. See him when he was watching her.

He wasn't ready for that yet.

She wasn't ready for that yet.

He walked down the hallway that led to the locker room she used, keeping a careful eye out for other skaters, not wanting to be caught. He slipped into the room quietly, grateful that no one else was there, and headed for her locker. He knew it was hers by the contents and the fun way her name had been painted on the door. He lifted the rose to his nose and inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet scent of the flower.

"For you, my love," he whispered as he carefully slid the stem into the slats of the locker, making sure the note he had attached was still secure.

With one last look at the flower he slipped out of the room and back out to arena making sure to avoid the places he knew people would be. He took another glimpse at her out on the ice, noticing she was talking to her friend, and apparently about done with her practice session. It wouldn't do for them to see him there, so with one last glance he carefully made his way out of the building.

It was only a matter of time until she was his. He just needed to be patient, and let her come to him. The rose was just the beginning.

Soon…

soon, Buffy Summers would belong to him.