Gifts 18/?
Since the Halloween party was being held on campus at the Alpha Delta Fraternity House, everyone had agreed to meet at Willow and Buffy's dorm room. Spike made sure to arrive a little early, thinking to get some alone time with Buffy, but his hopes were dashed when she opened her door and he saw Willow, Xander, and an unfamiliar girl already there, all dressed up.
"Hi, Spike," Buffy greeted him. "We're all comparing costumes and I guess now that you're here we're just waiting for Oz to show up."
Spike examined Buffy's outfit. She was wearing a 1950s-style dress that didn't make any sense to him. What kind of costume was that supposed to be? But she seemed to be waiting for him to comment on it, so he searched his mind for an appropriate compliment that wouldn't get him into trouble. "Very creative costume, there."
Apparently, he'd said the right thing because Buffy smiled. "Thanks, Spike. I had to come up with something at the last minute and then I found this and liked it so it all worked out."
"Well, good, then." Spike continued to hover in the hallway. He didn't have an invitation into this room, the one Buffy had moved into following her previous roommate's death, and he didn't want to push too hard by requesting one. On the other hand, he didn't want to be stuck outside while everyone else was welcomed in.
Fortunately, Buffy seemed to get the hint without him having to say a word. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't even think about.... Come in, Spike."
Buffy stepped back and Spike entered the cramped room. He eyed the other occupants. Xander was wearing a Zorro costume, Willow was dressed up as a robot complete with flashing lights and an artificial hand, and Xander's date was wearing a strange, bulky costume with antennae extending over her head. Spike took a closer look at the girl. Something about her seemed off, even aside from the fact that she was dating Xander. It was like she shouldn't be there, but he couldn't quite place the sensation.
Noticing his intent gaze, Xander introduced them. "Spike, this is Anya. Anya, this is Spike. He's not nice despite whatever outrageous claims he makes so just avoid him."
Ignoring Anya's greeting, Spike pulled Buffy into the hallway, and lowered his voice. "That chit, Anya. How well do you know her?"
Buffy glanced back into the room. "Not all that well, I guess. Why?"
"Something about her isn't right. I can feel it."
Buffy looked startled; then she laughed. "I know what the problem is. Anya used to be a vengeance demon until earlier this year, when her powers were taken away. That must be what's bothering you."
"Sure she's harmless? Those vengeance demons can pull pretty nasty tricks when they want."
"Positive. Anya's okay. She's still getting used to being mortal and she tends to be pretty blunt but there's nothing to worry about with her. She's a friend."
"If you say so." Spike allowed Buffy to lead him back into the room, where Xander stared at him with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Where's your costume, Spike?"
"I'm wearing it." Spike indicated his usual duster and jeans.
"You're going as Billy Idol?"
"No, you idiot. Watch." Spike vamped out and flashed his fangs at Xander.
"A vampire? You're going as a vampire?"
"Sure, why not?" Spike asked, remaining in demon form. "It's convenient, it's quick, and no one'll know the truth. I call that a good costume."
"Or a lazy one," Xander muttered.
"Xander, stop picking on Spike," Buffy ordered. She turned to Willow. "Did Oz say anything about being late?"
"Someone mention my name?" They all turned to see Oz standing in the doorway, dressed in a gladiator outfit.
"Good, you're here, great costume, let's go. We want to get there on time so we don't miss anything." Buffy led the way out the door, with Spike threading past the others to follow on her heels.
They emerged outdoors and joined a steady flow of costumed students all heading the same way, and after a few minutes ended up at the fraternity house, a huge, dark building on the outskirts of campus.
"Hurry up, costume judging's coming up soon," the boy at the door warned them as they filed inside. He glanced at Spike, then did a double take. "Hey, that's a terrific costume. How'd you do the makeup like that? I bet you'll win a prize."
"Trade secret," was all Spike would say as he entered the building. He almost turned around and walked right back out at that moment. A cold chill crept up his spine, for a reason he couldn't name but that was no less disturbing because of that fact. The interior of the building, which was set up to look like a haunted house, contained the typical dark lighting and props such as spider webs and skeletons. All in all, the place seemed awfully amateurish to Spike. But he still had that strange feeling that something was terribly wrong. He pushed his way up beside Buffy and whispered in her ear. "This place isn't right. I think we should leave."
"What do you mean, not right? It's a haunted house. It looks like one, doesn't it?" She waved at the decorations.
Spike persisted. "Can't put my finger on it, but I know I'm right. It isn't safe here."
Buffy turned to face him, her stiff posture screaming annoyance. "Look, Spike, I asked you along because I thought you could behave yourself and fit in with the group. If you can't do that, maybe you should just leave, because the rest of us are staying." She turned her back, signalling that her end of the conversation was over.
If that was how matters stood, Spike wasn't going anywhere. He might not like the vibes in the house, but he had no intention of leaving Buffy to face the danger alone. He moved close to her side, staying alert for any hint of a threat.