Thanks again for the great reviews and unwavering support. You are the best!

Flames, Lady Anne, and Silver rock as usual.

KaCe - Thanks for the feedback, KC. I'm going to respond to some of your comments though. "It seems that there's an awful lot of angst in this story for people who've only known each other for a week." - Willow made a comment to Buffy very early on in the story. Something about how camp time cannot be compared to real time. Those of us who have been to camp know the truth of this statement. Time gets compounded to a point where it seems like one day is a week, one week is a month, and so on. Relationships get serious quickly because, unlike in the real world, you are around each other 24/7, interacting on a very different level than people normally would. "It's a great read and a lot of fun but it also seems like Spike is being a complete and utter cad. Maybe Buffy should just dump him so that he realizes that he's being an utter twat." I'd really like to know which chapter you're on - because, I will admit, at a few points in the story he does behave like a butthead. However, besides his outburst where he thanks her for the ride, and denies his feelings - his actions, in my opinion, are understandable. But I think Angel's behavior proves him to be the real cad, with his sleaze-bag/maniplulative jerkishness during the Camp session.



27. Falling Back on Old Habits

DAY 11

Buffy shuffled into the cafeteria, sleepily. She spotted Spike across the room with his usual cup of coffee. Her first instinct was to run over and yell at him. But as she was gathering the energy to do that she paused and thought, he hadn't really been a jerk the previous night. 'He was right. I worried so much about not worrying that I turned it into a meaningless sex romp. And that's not really what I want, is it?'

"Hey," Buffy said, softly, pulling out a chair at a table. "I'm sorry."

Dawn looked up at her and motioned for Buffy to sit down. "No, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have said some of those things."

Buffy nodded at the teenager, and sighed. "I know, but I think I really over-reacted."

Dawn shook her head. "No . . .it was my fault. I never should have disrespected you like that." Buffy smiled, relieved that they were going to be able to put the whole event behind them. Dawn laughed and grabbed her counselor's arm. "You should have seen Conner yesterday! He was so freaked out!"

"Really?!" Buffy laughed, remembering how he'd run out of Revello, with his tail between his legs. "I wish I'd been here to see that."

"He was so scared that someone was going to tell Joyce that he cleared all of the counselor's trays yesterday - even Angels!" Buffy chuckled, considering how much Conner HATED his old counselor, he must have been really worried. "I guess Spike totally ripped him a new one before you guys left for your day-off yesterday."

Buffy stole a glance over to the near-by table where Spike was sitting. He looked up at her and gave her a sad smile. She nodded at him, and gave him one of her own. Buffy turned back to Dawn, who continued relaying the story.

"Conner said that he let off a whole string of British obscenities like 'bugger,' 'bloody,' and 'bollocks.'" Dawn paused momentarily. "Although, I'm not sure what that one means - do you?"

Buffy blushed, knowing full well it meant a certain part of the male anatomy. Not wanting to explain it, she just shook her head.

Five minutes later, Buffy sat at the table while Dawn and Janice filled her in about all the gossip she had missed. She stole another glance at Spike, only to see Drusilla take a seat beside him. Buffy watched as they laughed and talked happily. Shooting death rays at the couple, she tried sending Dru messages telepathically. 'Back off, Morticia!' She groaned when the girl didn't budge. 'Geez, not even a day back on the market and she's trying to get her claws into him. Then again, I never really established that he was off limits - but still!' She took another bite of her hash- browns and relaxed when Dru stood up to leave the table. She felt her blood begin to boil when she saw the raven-haired girl lean in to whisper something to Spike, who just chuckled at whatever she had said. When Dru finally left, she saw Spike turn his eyes to her table. He gave her a little smile and an eye-roll. Buffy smiled, happy that he wasn't falling for any of the vampiress' tricks. He took a sip of his coffee, shrugged in her direction, and went back to talking with his boys.

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Xander exited the cafeteria after the usual morning announcements. He saw Cordy standing with Harmony and a few of their minions near one of the benches. Xander took a deep breath, and walked towards the group. 'Come on, Cordy. Show me that you're not the soulless bitch that everyone thinks you are.' He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey there."

Cordelia turned to the man behind her with wide eyes. She glanced around at the group of girls who were currently shooting her questioning looks. Swallowing hard in her throat she squeaked out a weak, "Hi."

Harmony glared at Xander, and removed his hand from her friend's shoulder. "Ummm . . . excuse me. Who gave you permission to share our breathing space?"

Xander moved his eyes to Cordy, waiting expectantly for a response. He guessed she was probably going to tell him to get lost, or to find another girl to harass; but what finally came out of her mouth shook him to the core.

"Harmony, shut up!"

The group gasped, including Xander. "What did you just say?" Harmony asked quietly.

Cordelia took another deep breath. "I told you to shut up." The girls looked at each other, not comprehending where this was coming from. Cordelia snicked at them. "You know something. . .you're all sheep."

"Excuse me?" Harmony asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"Sheep . . .? You know, they run around in flocks and say baaaahhh?"

Xander laughed under his breath. He couldn't believe she was doing this; not to mention making animal noises at her friends.

"I'm still not following?" the blonde asked, completely lost.

Cordelia groaned and rolled her eyes. 'Do I have to spell it out for her? Could someone please remind me why I've been friends with her for so long?' She took a deep breath and tried to bring it down to Harmony's level of understanding. "All you ever do is what everyone else does. And here I've been scrambling for your approval for the last few summers, when I'm way cooler than you are because I'm not a sheep! So guess what, I'm going to date whoever I want to date, no matter how lame he is!"

"Thanks honey," Xander said, grabbing her hand.

She turned and pointed a finger at him. "Shut up, Harris. I'm not finished." He back away, holding his arms up protectively. Cordelia turned back to the girls frozen in front of her. "I'm tired of wasting my time having to hide who I really am. Guess what? I like listening to punk rock sometimes. And once in awhile I buy my make-up at Walgreen's instead of the Mac counter." The group of girls gasped at her revelation, covering their mouths with their hands. "But you know something? I don't give a flying fuck what you think. I'm going to walk out of here in my last season Prada shoes, with a gorgeous guy on my arm."

Xander stood proudly behind his girlfriend. This was much better than he could have ever hoped for.

"And so what if he has an ungodly amount of Hawaiian shirts and thinks the Spork is an important component of the silverware family." She took a step towards Harmony. "Cause honey, this summer is all about the real Cordy! So you better, live it, learn it, and love it, or get the hell out of my way." Cordelia spun around and grabbed Xander's hand, pulling him away from the group of shocked young women.

As they walked she muttered, "Oh god, oh God! What have I done? No one's ever gonna speak to me again."

Xander squeezed her hand, showing his support. "Sure they will. If it helps, when we're around them, you and I can fight a lot."

Cordelia froze in her tracks, and turned to her boyfriend. "Actually, I have a better idea." Without warning, she grabbed him by his lapels and pulled him into some nearby bushes for some much needed smoochies.

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"And 5-6-7-8." Buffy directed the dancers in front of her. They were rehearsing 'America' from West Side Story; the group was exhausted from doing the vigorous dance, but the number really needed a lot of work. "That's good Dawn," she said, noticing the girl's precise hip motions. "Everyone, remember this dance needs a lot of spice. Janice keep your arms up and make those movements pop." The girl nodded and tried to keep her body in line. When the last note hit, the girls did a jump and flicked their hands above their heads, shouting a loud 'Ole.'

Buffy and Drusilla clapped for them. "Great job today, ladies. We'll pick it up tomorrow. Then we need to get started on the 'Somewhere Ballet' with the boys." The group nodded and walked to gather their things, some stopping to take large sips from their water bottles.

"It's lookin' much better," Drusilla said as she turned to her co- instructor.

Buffy nodded and went to pick up her things. The 'West Side Story' class was her last of the morning.

Drusilla followed her. "So. . .Spike's very fit isn't he."

Buffy froze and took a deep breath. She lifted her bag and swung it over her shoulder and stood to face Dru. "I guess," she shrugged, not really sure why Drusilla would be commenting on his fitness level.

"I guess?" She chuckled at Buffy's chosen response. "Well, I think he's a right handsome bloke."

Buffy furrowed her brows at Drusilla, and gave her a questioning look. "Empirically speaking. . .I would say so." She paused, and looked at Drusilla, wondering what she was trying to get at. "Why do you ask?"

Dru leaned over to pick up her own things. "I dunno. It just seemed like you two were an item or something."

Buffy crossed her arms under her breasts. "No." She tried to act nonchalant about this line of questioning. "Why? Are you interested in him?"

The two girls walked towards the doors of the dance studio together. "Who wouldn't be? He's bloody gorgeous. And with those pretty lips of his, I'm sure he could keep a girl very happy. Know wha' I mean?" Drusilla shot Buffy a look out of the corner of her eye, and smirked.

Buffy tried desperately to control her anger, and flipped off the light switch. "I wouldn't know."

Drusilla followed her out of the dance studio and into the warm summer day. "Sorry, I just thought that you might be able to spill a li'l about Spike's. . . talents. You know. . .help a girl out."

Buffy sighed. She stopped walking and turned to Drusilla. "Look, Dru. I don't know what you're trying to do here, but Spike and I are NOT together, ok?" She inhaled sharply and glared at the girl. "If you want to know anything, why don't you just ask him yourself?"

Drusilla gave Buffy a wicked smile. "Oh, I plan to, dearie." Buffy rolled her eyes, and walked away from the raven-haired girl. Drusilla shouted after her, "In fact, we're meetin' up later tonight. Got any tips for me?"

Buffy turned around and walked back to Drusilla. "Actually, I do have one. Spike likes his girls of the living-variety." She eyed Dru's choice of dance attire. "And not cheap." Buffy gave her a sympathetic look and patted her on the arm.

Drusilla let out a cold laugh. "Is that right? S'not what I heard."

Buffy dropped her bag to the ground and took another step towards the girl. "I would suggest you back-off Dru, before you take this in a direction that you really can't handle." Buffy's eyes were now flashing angrily.

"Tsk, tsk," Drusilla waved her finger in Buffy's face, and let out a shrill giggle. "Don't try playing with the big girls, lovey. You may get burned." She pushed her way past Buffy. As she walked off, she shouted back to the blonde, "I'll let you know how it goes with William."

"That stupid . . .British . . .tramp!" Buffy shrieked and pick up her bag from the ground. As she swung up she hit someone behind her.

"Hey, watch it with that thing."

Buffy turned around to see Angel standing behind her. She let out a deep breath, knowing that if it had been Dru, she would have wailed on the girl. "I'm sorry Angel. I didn't see you there."

He flashed her a toothy grin and began walking with her towards Revello. "I haven't seen you around lately. You haven't been avoiding me, have you?"

"No." Buffy shook her head. 'Liar,' a little voice said from within her. "I've just been really busy, with the shows and my day-off and everything." She avoided his gaze, not wanting to answer any more questions about her and Spike's relationship.

"That's cool." The two kept walking towards Buffy's cabin. When they reached the back door, he leaned in closer. "So, the big soccer match is comin' up. You gonna come watch me kick some ass?"

Buffy sighed, "Sure, Angel. I never miss the big game." A number of voices ran through her head. 'Spike in little soccer shorts - yummy. Stop it Buffy, you aren't together anymore. And whose fault was that?' She cleared her throat and pointed to the door. "Thanks for walking me back. I should probably get inside."

He nodded, and before she knew what was happening, his lips were on hers. She squealed and pulled away, face full of shock.

"I really did miss you, kid." He laughed and ran off towards his own cabin, leaving a frozen Buffy standing on the steps. She shook her head and groaned. 'Men are such idiots. Why is it that whenever you want a guy he never wants you back? But, the instant you don't want him anymore, he's all about the smoochies.' She opened the door and walked inside, wiping off her lips as the door slammed behind her.

Spike watched the little exchange in the distance. He had walked over to Revello to check on Dawn - and, of course, was trying to bump into Buffy in the process. When he saw Angel and Buffy kiss, he had to use every fiber of his being to not run over and yank them apart; and use even more control not to tear Angel's over-gelled-head right off his shoulders. He couldn't believe it, not a day apart and the poof was moving in again. 'She's not your bird anymore. You're the one who called it off, remember?' "Bugger off!" he yelled at the annoying voice in his head, while he stomped back to The Crypt.

Another blonde head watched in the distance. "That little slut!" Darla said when she saw Buffy kissing her boyfriend. 'And him. . .how the HELL could he do this to me!? After all the years we've spent together!?' She swallowed hard in her throat as the tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Trying to hold her composure, she walked slowly back to her own cabin. When she finally reached her room, she fell down on her bed, sobbing uncontrollably.