Chapter 2: Movie Night

A/N: A coupla people said they wanted more, so here goes! But I really don't think there'll be any more after this.

Oh, the ending to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' is kinda mentioned, though I don't really think it gives a whole lot away. Just thought I'd warn ya! (And if you haven't seen that movie yet, you should go see it)

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An hour before sunset, already dressed and ready, Spike started pacing; patience had never really been his forté.

Half an hour before sunset, his phone rang. He leapt for it, stopping it after only a note.





He flopped down into his easy chair. Not the Summers girl he was hoping for, but he was always happy to talk to Dawn.

Hey, Bit, what's up?

Well, see, we're having this movie thing tonight, so I was wondering if you wanted to come? I'm not sure if Buffy will be cool with it, but maybe you could just happen to drop by,' and then it'd be rude to not let you stay....

Spike smiled. Both Summers girls invited him! Now, that was really somethin'.

Actually, Platelet, Buffy told me about that when she came to see me a bit ago, so yeah, I'm plannin' on comin'.

Buffy told you about it? You mean, like, actually invited you??



Dawn squealed. This is so great! I always hoped the two of you-

Don't get carried away now, Nibblet. Doesn't necessarily mean anythin', you know that.

Spike didn't want to get her to get his hopes up any higher than they already were.

Uh-huh, sure Spike. He could almost hear her eye-roll. Whatever you say. I'll see you tonight! Oooh, I'll hafta make sure we have lots of sappy chick flicks, just for you!

Spike groaned. Dawn just laughed and hung up.

Glancing at his watch, Spike was pleased to see that he only had a few minutes to go till sunset.

Opening his door cautiously, he judged that shadows were deep enough for him to be able to leave.

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Arriving at the Summer's house, he dithered, unsure. Should he ring the doorbell? Knock? Stroll in as he often did?

He was saved by Dawn, as usual. She must have been keeping an eye out for him, since she appeared almost as soon as he was within view of the house.

Bouncing out the front door, the long-limbed teen greeted him with an effusive hug. By now, he'd gotten used to her hugs, and immediately hugged her back.

Heya Nibblet, whatsup?

She grinned at him. Well, Willow and Tara are in the living room, Xander and Anya are coming soon, Giles said he'd try to make it but wasn't sure, and - she paused to lean in and lowered her voice, indicating that her next words were big secret news: Buffy's upstairs, changing her clothes.

Spike looked at her rather blankly. Ummm.. ah.

Dawn rolled her eyes at his lack of comprehension. After a muttered curse of ugh, males!! she explained.

A girl changes her clothes a lot if she's worried about how she looks. As in, Buffy wants to impress you!

It took a moment for Spike to understand what she meant; once he had, he wasn't sure whether he was glad to have this information or not. On the one hand, it just got his hopes up even higher; the higher his hopes, the harder his fall, as he knew all too well. On the other hand... Buffy wanted to impress him!!

He grinned at his co-conspirator. Thanks, Bit, what would I do without you?

Perish in agony, she teased, sticking out her tongue at him. Come on, let's go in.

She dragged him inside and pushed him into the living room.

His appearance startled the Wiccas, who were in the middle of a smooch-fest.

Spike felt rather uncomfortable, especially since Dawn had disappeared on him; he was just thankful that it was only the two girls he had to deal with, and not the Whelp or the Watcher.

Spike sat himself down on the sofa near where the girls were, and said, Hey Red, Glinda. How're you?

Both gave him small smiles, and Tara responded, We're doing well, Spike.

Curious, Willow asked, So, did Dawnie invite you?

A new voice rang out from the stairwell. No, I did.

All three in the living room looked up to see Buffy descending. Guess she finally decided on an outfit, Spike thought, definitely approving of her choice. She'd chosen to keep it simple, going with dark, tight blue jeans and a black sweater. She'd left her long hair down, and Spike wondered - did she know that he liked her hair free like that?

Suddenly feeling like William again, Spike stood as she entered the room. Clearing his throat, he greeted her. ello, Goldilocks.

To his surprise, she graced him with a smile. Hey, Spike, glad to see you could make it.

After an awkward pause, she stated, Well, I'm gonna head into the kitchen and get the snacks.

Need help? Spike offered.

Nah, that's ok, you guys stay here.

After watching her leave, Spike sat down again. He turned just in time to see the two lovebirds exchange curious glances before they both shifted their gazes to look at him.

Hey now, what's this about? Spike asked, feeling uncomfortable as the center of their attention.

After another silent glance at one another, Tara spoke up. W-we're just g-glad to see that you're being included.

Seeing Spike's surprised and disbelieving countenance, Willow hastened to add, Yeah, we've, well, we've felt kinda bad about how left out you've been since, well, you know when.

Tara continued, B-but we didn't want to upset Buffy.

Spike was unsure of what to say to this surprising revelation. He'd known the Wiccas were always more decent towards him than most of the other Scoobies, but he wasn't aware they'd noticed how he'd been excluded, and actually cared about it.

Uh... thanks, was all he finally came up with.

You're welcome, Tara said, smiling at him.

Right, so, I'm just gonna go out for a smoke, he said after a minute of silence, rising to leave.

With impeccable timing once again, Dawn walked in just in time to hear this. Oh no you're not! You need to cut back.

Nibblet, s not like I could die of lung cancer or somethin', he pointed out reasonably.

No, but your teeth could still get all icky and yellow! Besides, I don't like the smell.

Knowing better than to argue with a stubborn Dawn, Spike sat back down, grumbling. Thankfully, Dawn decided to stay in the room and the four chatted rather comfortably.

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Over the next half hour, the rest of the gang filtered in. As Spike had expected, Xander was obviously surprised to see him, but merely acknowledged him with a nod and a Dead Boy.

Anya was too wrapped up in some money issue to really notice, and Giles didn't seem to really care.

Buffy wandered in and out while people arrived, bringing snacks. Eventually she settled down on the sofa, not too far from Spike.

Once everyone was there, it was movie time. There was always some squabbling over what movie to see, but they generally ended up watching an action flick with some romance in it, which satisfied pretty much everyone.

Giles left after the first movie, claiming he had work to do. Anya and Xander left after the second movie, going to have sex (as Anya made sure everyone was aware of). Halfway through the third movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' Tara and Willow retired for the night.

That left just Dawn, Spike and Buffy. Somehow during the course of the evening, Spike and Buffy had scooted closer together, eventually ending with her snuggled against him, his arm around her. As the credits appeared, Dawn quietly got up and went to bed.

Looking down at Buffy in the darkness, Spike could make out the tear tracks on her face.

Luv? What's wrong? he asked, concerned.

Buffy sniffled. It's just s-so sad! She knew he loved her, and she loved him back, but she waited until it was too late just cause of what other people might think!

Spike silently noted that what Buffy had said might fit their situation more than that of the characters in the movie - that is, if she really loved him...

Out loud, all he said was, Well, luv, that's the way it is sometimes. Star-crossed lovers and all that. Being such a romantic himself, he was trying hard not to show just how affected he was by the tragic love affair.

But it didn't have to end that way, she whimpered.

No, luv, it didn't, Spike agreed, stroking her hair soothingly. I guess she was too scared to risk it.

Buffy was quiet for a long while. Suddenly, she sat up and turned to Spike, looking resolved.

Well, I think she was stupid. She shoulda just shown him how she felt. It might've been difficult for them to be together, but not impossible! But no, she had to go and be all cowardly when all she would have had to do to show him how she felt was -

Buffy leaned forward and kissed Spike thoroughly.

After a long minute, she pulled back, nearly panting. Despite how obvious she felt she was being, he still looked confused.

While he understood both what she was saying and what he was hoping she meant by her actions, he still wasn't completely certain; after all, Buffy was the master of mixed signals.

Quietly, she asked, Do you think he would've gotten the message if she'd done that? ... Or do you think maybe another kiss would be necessary to convince him that she loves him.

Spike tried (and failed) to contain a broad smile. I think a second kiss might be necessary, luv. Just so he'd be really certain just what exactly she-

As he'd hoped, Buffy shut him up with another kiss.