Doublemeat Doubledate
by Colleen Hillerup

Sophie and Clem climbed into the back seat of the Desoto, while Buffy sat beside Spike in front. He started up the car and headed for Beachside Park. "So, you were over at Sophie's then, mate?"

"Yep. Her mom's very nice," the demon answered.

"You met her mom?" Buffy exclaimed.

"I think she really liked him," Sophie replied, resting her hand on his. "She'd pretty much given up on me finding a boyfriend. Um, Buffy?"

"Yeah, Sophie?"

"Do you really think it's safe, leaning on your door that way? You could fall out."

Buffy straightened up in her seat. "I hadn't noticed."

Spike pulled into a parking space and stopped the car. "So, let's get this picnic on the road, then." He exited the car and walked around it, opening the passenger door for Buffy. He leaned in a bit as she walked past him, and she blushed. Clem and Sophie shared a knowing look.

He opened the trunk and pulled out a large picnic basket. "I can carry that," Buffy said.

"No, it's alright, love. I've got it." They each took hold of the handle, while Clem and Sophie walked hand in hand behind them towards the beach.

"Are we going to sit there? It's kind of sandy," Buffy said.

"Not to worry, pet." Spike opened the picnic basket and pulled out the blanket folded on top. He spred it on the sand, and gestured for the others to sit.

"Thanks, Spike," said Clem. "I hate getting sand stuck in my skin."

Buffy peeked into the basket. "So what did you pack, anyway?"

Spike pulled out a foil wrapped package. "Grilled chicken sandwich on gluten-free bread, no mayo, for Sophie."

"Thanks," she said, taking it from his hand. "You must have consulted Clem. There's just so many things I can't eat. But I love this."

"Clem, carton a' raw eggs." He handed it to his friend.

"Yum," said Clem, popping an egg in his mouth, and crunching down on the shell.

"And for Buffy...."

"Yeah," she said suspiciously.

"Your favourite pasta salad. And," pulling out a take out container from the Bronze, "spicy chicken wings, if you don't mind eating them cold."

Buffy took the pasta salad and a wing. "I have to say, Spike, not too shabby."

"Here's some veggie sticks and some cans of soda." He took a thermos out of the basket. "Okay. And blood."

Buffy giggled. "You vampires. So predictable." With that, the four shared a laugh.

"You know, Buffy," Sophie said, "I don't think I've ever heard you laugh like that before."

"Sounds good, don't it pet?" Spike added.

Sophie sat her sandwich on the foil. "I wanted to say, Spike. Thanks for bringing us. It's nice to be out with another couple."

"Oh," Buffy interjected, "We aren't a couple."

"Right." Spike lifted an eyebrow.

"Your eye looks much better," Sophie added. "What happened to you, anyway?" She watched Buffy from the corner of her eye, hoping Clem's suspicions were wrong. Her friend's body stiffened, and she put down her salad.

"Nothing. It was nothing. All better now, really." He looked at Buffy. "No harm done."

"You should have seen him right after it happened," Clem said. "His face was swollen way up, and he couldn't even see out of his eye. I found him lying in an alleyway and took him home. He could barely walk."

"I said," Spike insisted, "No big deal."

Clem pressed on. "But you were in so much pain..."

Buffy burst into tears. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I can't believe I did that." She had forgotten the others, flinging herself into Spike's arms. "I want to say I didn't know what I was doing, but I did. It was so wrong, so horrible. You shouldn't forgive me. I'm so, so sorry."

Spike stroked her hair. "There, there, pet. I know. I let you do it. No harm. Shhh...."

Sophie took Clem by the hand and pulled him up from the blanket. "Let's go for a walk."