Status Update

Status Update

"You're patrolling with Buffy again, that's good… Is that good?" Willow asked.

At Buffy's name Spike's eyes filled with something close to awe, but he only shrugged. "I watch her back," he said. "Proud to do it… Sometimes the demon gets too close to the surface and I enjoy the violence too much. That's not so good. I'm always afraid I won't be able to push it back down."

"It isn't because of the demon," Willow replied. "Remember me going General Custard on the vengeance spirits right after you got the chip? Remember what you said, about violence then. It's just adrenaline, and it gets to humans too."

"I don't put much stock in what I thought back then," Spike said. "I was evil."

"You were also right more often than not," Willow replied.

Buffy breezed through the front door. "Hey, Will, there's a new dance club opening tonight, you want to come check it out with me?"

"Sure!" both Spike and Willow replied.

Buffy looked slightly putout. "Uh Willow, of course you and Tara are welcome. Why don't you call Xander and Anya too? We'll make it a Scooby's night," she said.

Willow looked from Buffy to Spike then back to Buffy and suppressed a giggle. "You're sure you want all of us along?" she asked.

"Why wouldn't I?" Buffy replied smiling fakily. "We really sent Deamora reeling last night we need to celebrate that. Will… Meaning Spike, why don't you wear your jeans and a tee, you'll fit in better than if you wear that Giles Jr. stuff."

Looking like he was on the verge of blushing, Spike ducked his head and went to change.

"You like him!" Willow grinned.

"I do not," Buffy protested weakly. "Go call Xander why don't you? Tell them to meet us there; it's a few blocks north of the Bronze. Sort of a grow-up version of our old hang-out and close enough that Dawn could get to me in a few minutes if anything happens, but with the added advantage of her not complaining that I'm keeping tabs on her."

"So Dawn is Bronzing it tonight?" Willow asked. "That brings back memories."

"She's going to study with Marley for a few hours, have dinner with her friend then meet a group at the Bronze. I'm in charge of the ride home for tonight. I've got most of her friends' parents convinced that Sunnydale is not a nice place after dark, so we take turns driving them."

"You're doing a great job as her guardian," Willow assured Buffy quietly.

"Thanks," Buffy said heading for the stairs. "I'm just going to shower and change. Is Tara upstairs? I'll let her in on the plan."

"You're getting dressed up?" Willow asked mischievously. "You really do like Spike."

"Oh put a sock in it!" Buffy muttered.

"It's about time," Willow said to herself as Buffy disappeared upstairs. "It's been better than two years since Riley left, and I'm not even counting the time she was dead. It's been way too long since Buffy's even looked at a guy."