Author's Note: I think the reason i've thrown out so many chapter these last few days is because i felt guilty for not updating in so long. also we're hitting a pretty pivotal point of the story, so stay tuned, kiddies!

Buffy made it to the dance and smiled as Xander and Anya immediately took off and began dancing, Willow and Buffy quietly took a seat on the bleachers and watched. After a few moments Tara, one of their classmates came over, "Willow… you want to dance with me?"

Willow blushed for a moment and nodded taking Tara's hand and walked to the dance floor. Buffy sat quietly and watched her friends, she noticed everyone start to turn their attention to something. She turned as well and smiled brightly seeing Spike start to saunter about the gym.

Spike arrived to the dance a bit late, but that's better than standing around and waiting for it to start. As he walked up the stairs to the entrance he realized he must be looking really good tonight, as every person he walked past either, blushed, whispered or giggled.

As he entered the gym, where the dance was held, "I Don't Care" by Fall Out Boy started, and it only seemed to intensify his entrance. Most of the school turned towards him, he raised an eyebrow, "Right…" he said to himself as he turned and went to check in with Robin.

He started scanning the room for Buffy, finally spotting her on the bleachers. Spike's mouth dropped and he stared for a moment. He looked around a bit paranoid and quickly gathered himself. He met Buffy's eyes and smirked as he walked over to her. "Where's your boy toy?"

She smiled, "He didn't want to come, probably at home ironing his Darth Vader cape…"

Spike sat down, "Sounds like my kind of guy…"

Buffy laughed a little and noticed Riley walking her way, "Crap, why is Riley coming over here…"

Spike peered past Buffy and tried to act indifferent about the approaching man, "Hey Buffy…" Riley said as he stopped on front of her.

"Hey… Riley…" she glanced up at him and looked back towards the crowd of dancing people.

"You still going out with that guy?" Riley asked as he noticed Mr. Pratt sitting on the other of Buffy.

"Ummm… yeah… we are, we're pretty serious…" Buffy still didn't want to look at Riley.

"Cool…" Riley trailed off for a moment, "If you two… ever… break up… I'm here, for you… yeah…" he thought he heard Mr. Pratt laugh but it seemed to only be a coughing fit.

"That's nice, Riley… but I don't think we'll be separating anytime soon…" she plastered a smile on her face and watched as he huffed a bit then got up and walked away.

As soon as Riley was gone she turned to Spike and smacked him on the shoulder, "Yeah right, like you were coughing…"

Spike chuckled, "Sorry I started to laugh…"

Mr. Giles wandered by, "Good evening you two… Mr. Pratt you look more like a student than a teacher…"

Spike smiled, "Eh… can't help it, I look young for my age…" he looked over at Buffy.

"Why, Ms. Summer's where would your date be tonight?" Giles asked as he looked at the two.

Buffy shrugged, "He couldn't make it… but that's alright, I'm here with friends."

"You should have a dance with Mr. Harris or something. It wouldn't be a dance unless you dance…" Giles said as they looked to the dance floor to see Anya and Xander pretty wrapped up in each other.

"Oh dear…" Giles took off his glasses and started polishing them and looking around. He looked at Spike, "Mr. Pratt is available, I'm positive Mr. Wood would understand…"

Spike smirked as a slow song came on and Spike held out his hand and took her onto the dance floor. Buffy didn't have to be nervous this time, and she really could care less about what people would say about her. All she knew was that Spike had his hands on her waist and they were slowly swaying to the music.

"You look beautiful tonight…" Spike whispered.

Buffy blushed a bit, "I picked out the dress for you…" she whispered back, neither really paying much attention to the people around them.

Spikes smiled almost uncontrollably, "Well aren't I a lucky man?"

Both went silent and met each other's eyes, it was an accompanied silence and neither was really willing to break it. "My mom's out for valentine's day… but tonight… I'm going to go hang out with Willow and spend the night…" Buffy whispered as she started running her hands through the hair on the back of Spike's neck.

In a corner of the dance Riley had begun seething once more, as he saw his teacher ruin every attempt he had taken to win over Buffy. He had so much planned for the evening, it seemed as though he was failing in every attempt. To Riley though, failure was not an option.

Riley heard none of the ongoing ramblings between Angel and Cordelia, "Riley?" Angel said and Riley turned to him with a frown, "Man what's your problem?"

Riley turned back and noticed Buffy's hand start to wander a bit into Mr. Pratt's hair. His fists clenched and Riley rose from his seat. He reached Mr. Pratt and Buffy just as the song ended.

Spike turned just in time to see Riley's fist collide with his own face. Spike stumbled back and several students gasped as people backed away and a circle formed. Buffy grabbed Riley's arm and told him to stop, but he merely tossed her off. Spike gathered himself, his nose bleeding; luckily none was on the suit.

Mr. Wood came up and tried to grab Riley, but Spike stopped him, "No no… let's give him a lesson in self defence…" Giles had arrived as well and stood beside Mr. Wood as he let go of Riley. Riley looked around, still pumped and ready, but his teacher seemed much to calm for him and it only pushed him further.

Riley let out a hell filled yell and ran at Spike, fists ready. Spike stood quietly until Riley was close enough. Once the young boy was within reach Spike stepped to the side and grabbed one of his arms, swinging Riley passed him and quickly twisted the arm behind the kid's back. The entire school gasped and watched as their English teacher took down one of his students without much effort. This was especially impressive when you took in their size difference, Riley was a hunky muscle filled football player, while Spike... just looked tiny.

Riley let out a strained cry as Spike's held him in a submissive position and slowly lowered him to the ground. Riley struggled against the older man, but only caused himself more pain, "You done?" Spike said as he lowered Riley onto his stomach. Riley was now lying completely flat on his stomach

After few minutes of squirming Riley finally gave in and relaxed as he nodded his head. Spike released him and stood up, taking a handkerchief from Giles as he rose. Buffy was soon at Spike's side, holding his face in her hands as she inspected the nose he was trying to clean up, "Oh my god, are you okay?"

Spike nodded and gave Buffy a small smile, "Fine, just bumped it…" he smirked and sucked some blood back into his nose.

Riley was escorted from the dance, his squirming had ceased and he was obviously tired. Everyone assumed he would get plenty of rest with all the suspended days he'd have for punching a teacher.

"Ms. Summer's, will you take Mr. Pratt and make sure he's taken care of?" Mr. Wood's asked and begun trying to calm some students.

Buffy nodded and took Spike's hand and took him to the girl's bathroom by their music room, it was almost always empty. Lucky for them it was, she sat Spike on the floor next to the sink and started gathering paper towel.

"When do we get to have our Valentine's Day together?" Spike asked as she handed him some damp paper towel.

"You're bleeding from the face and still concerned about us?" She shook her head and helped him tilt his head back, "We can have a day together…" Buffy picked up her purse and started digging through it, "But I can't wait to give you my present…" she found the small jewellery box she had picked out, and handed it to him.

"Ha." He said as he held the box, "Luv… once again I wasn't expecting anything…"

Buffy shrugged, "Too bad because I got you something…"

Spike smiled and opened the box, "Wow…" he said as he held up the silver necklace, "This is splendid…" he unhooked the clasp and slid it on, "Got two thing I wear now that have to do with my girl…" he grabbed Buffy and pulled her down into his lap.

She giggled and gave him a soft kiss, trying to avoid his nose. "I love you honey…"

Spike smiled, "I love you too, and I have your present, just not on me…" he gave Buffy another kiss and wrapped his arms around her as they both deepened it.

After Spike had cleared his nose of any clogged blood, he dipped out of the dance without even telling the principal. He drove home, planning on utilizing his time tonight by getting ready for Valentine's Day.

He pulled up to his house and ran inside flying past everyone, "Sorry guys…" he went up stairs and grabbed a few bags then went back down, "Gotta… go…" with that he left and drove back into town.

Buffy packed a small bag and ran back down to Xander's borrowed car. Smiling as the small group embarked on a small journey to Willow's house.

All through the short stop, Spike sat in his car and watched silently as he waited for them to leave. Once they were gone he grabbed his bags and went around to the back of Buffy's house, using the spare key he had snatched to get in. Once inside he set about setting up his surprise for Buffy.