Summary/Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

*****

Chapter 8

Buffy looked at the box with apprehension. She was excited about the prospect of a date with Spike, but she had seen the type of dresses that Dru used to wear. What if Spike had bought her one of those? It seamed like a reasonable fear; Spike had spent a century with Dru, how would he know that women didn't dress like that?

Deciding that just staring at the box wouldn't chance the contents she quickly strode up to it and opened the lid.

She was stunned.

The dress was breathtaking; full length, backless with tiny straps to keep it up, it was a shade of purple that was almost black and Buffy knew by the name that it was worth thousands of dollars.

Buffy slipped the dress on and looked at herself in the full length mirror. She had been expecting something out of Pride and Prejudice, what she got looked like it had stepped straight out of a James Bond film.

She managed to slip on the matching high heels and do her make-up in record time. It was when she had finished getting ready that she realised she had no idea where they were going.

She thought back and came to the conclusion that this would be her first proper date, not that Spike had used the word date, but she had no doubt that this was to be a date. The closest Buffy had gotten to a real night out were the two dances she had attended since being Called, one at her old school in LA and one in Sunnydale. She hoped that this evening wouldn't end like those; in LA Lothos had attacked and she had to burn down the gym resulting in her being expelled and in Sunnydale The Master had fed from her and drowned her.

Buffy was now very nervous. What if tonight went like those nights? She really wanted to have a good time with Spike and didn't want any interruptions. 'Of course,' she thought sarcastically, 'those times were ruined when master vampires showed up, tonight the master vampire will be there from the start.' This actually calmed her fears slightly as she thought about the vampire in question and what he must be doing now.

*****

Spike was just as nervous as Buffy, although he didn't show it as he stood on the balcony smoking. After all he was the Big Bad, can't be seen worrying because of a date with an ex Slayer.

He wasn't used to getting dressed up to go out for the night, with Dru a night out was walking into the nearest club and eating the patrons. Actually trying to fit in with them was a new experience.

He fidgeted in his clothes, he hadn't worn a suit since the '40s and it was odd to be out of his jeans. At least it wasn't expected of him to wear one of those bloody hats like it was back then.

He really didn't know what he was going to do when Buffy was finished getting ready, mainly because he didn't know what Buffy was expecting. He thought he made it pretty clear that this was a date, but what if she thought he was showing her round the place? Sure they had made love a few times but they had never gone out anywhere and after the first morning they hadn't really talked about what was going on between them.

'Oh god,' he thought 'what if she doesn't think this is a date? Or what if she doesn't want it to be one? What if she doesn't really want me, perhaps she's just lonely, only been a month since peaches went to hell. Why would she want me? Probably say I'm beneath.' He cut the train of thought off there, those words still carried enough hurt for him from when they were spoken over a hundred years before not to want to think them. He knew that he really needed to calm down but ever since he was turned he hadn't been one for quietly sitting down and waiting.

Deciding there was nothing else he could do, he went and got himself a drink.

*****

Buffy was desperately trying to work up enough courage to open the bedroom door. All her worries about the night being ruined had been put aside to be replaced by new ones abut whether or not Spike would like the way she looked.

'Just go!' her mind screamed at her, 'He's seen you naked and he chose the dress, of course he will like it!' Actually listening to the voice of reason for once, Buffy grabbed the door handle and pulled it open. She stepped out of the bedroom to find Spike stood by the mini bar, bottle of scotch on hand.

Spike quickly put the bottle down and turned to look at Buffy. All coherent thought vanished as he took in the beauty before him. The dress fitted like it was made for her and she had on just the right amount of make up. He had never seen anything so beautiful and if he lived for another hundred years he doubted he would again.

Buffy was growing embarrassed at his obvious appraisal of her.

"What? Do I look OK?" His answer was to give her the most tender but passionate kiss she had ever received. When he pulled back she barely heard the whisper that left his lips.

"God I love you."

TBC

AN: So sorry about the delay! Work has been hell, the next few weeks are the busiest of the year so I'm having to work like mad. Plus it was my birthday yesterday so time was taken up by that.

I know I said the date was this chapter but I changed my mind. Hope you don't mind but it just means that the fic will end up being at lest one chapter longer as it has differed slightly from the original plan. Not to worry, that's not a bad thing, I like it better as it is now!

Want to give me a late birthday present? You can! Review this chapter!