Buffy sat in her quiet house. Not that it had been noisy when Giles had been there, but it was...alone kinda quiet. The kind of quiet where you know no one else is in the house and you could run around naked if you wanted. But she didn't want. Not now any way. She had a date to prepare for.

She had been rather sad putting Giles on the plane. But after reassurances that she would, indeed, be careful patrolling and that he would be back as soon as he could be, both felt a bit better about his departure. Emasculating as his trip would be, it was for a good cause. And Buffy appreciated that more than he would ever know. But the time had come for her to do something she was sure Giles would not approve of. Go on an official date with Spike. The Slayer part of her knew she should consider his opinion in all this, but another part of her, the just-Buffy part, wanted to go out with him. Wanted to get to know him, go out to eat with him, act like a normal couple of adults on a date. She didn't want to have to think about being a vampire or Slayer. Just a guy and a girl.

Willow had called earlier to see if she wanted to go out to the Bronze with the gang. She made the excuse that she was trying to get back into patrolling, and was going to focus on that for tonight. But Willow was contented with the promise of a movie and pizza fest at Buffy's house the next night.

Buffy changed clothes at least 6 times, realizing half way through that she didn't have a clue what kind of date this would be, therefore unsure of what kind of clothes to wear. If Spike were a normal guy, she'd call him up and ask. But he wasn't. He was a vampire. 'No, he's just a guy tonight,' she forced herself to think. 'A guy without a phone. Nothing wrong with that. Plenty of people don't have phones.'

Unsure of what to expect, Buffy decided on brown pants, white tank top and a brown button up shirt. It looked classy, but not too chi-chi. She was sure of what Spike would be wearing, so she didn't think she had to worry about being outdone.

**

Again, Buffy was right on time. Spike thought she looked gorgeous with her hair loose and curly. 'Goddess,' Spike thought. Buffy was right about Spike's attire, but she still noticed her heart skip a beat seeing him waiting for her. He offered her his arm without a word. When she started to ask where they were going, all she got in response was, "Tsk tsk, all in good time, Slayer. Buffy." They walked for a while, Spike steering them quickly out of the graveyard. They ended up in a small forest, one that Buffy had no idea existed.

It was a good thing Spike was leading her, because she couldn't see very well in the dark. His vamp vision made everything perfectly clear, and he smiled every time her grip on his arm tightened. Before long, they came to a clearing. Buffy gasped at the sight. Dozens of little candles nestled in the grass, leading to a large blanket spread out on the ground. Some food had been set out on the blanket, and Buffy giggled. "A picnic? You made a picnic for me? That's so sweet.." Spike grinned at her, clearly enjoying her happiness.

"That's not the best part, though, pet. C'mere." Spike took her arm and led her to the blanket. He sat down and she followed suit. "Lay back." They did so simultaneously and she laid her head on his outstretched arm.

"Oh, Spike. It's so beautiful. I can never see the stars this well from my house."

"City lights and street lights make it kinda hard. Thought you might enjoy seeing the night sky sometime when you're not out looking for demons to slay."

"This is...gorgeous. Not bad for a first date, mister."

Spike chuckled and urged her to sit up. "Ok, come on. Not going to let all this good food go to waste. The sky will still be there when we're done eating."

"Ok, did you actually cook this stuff?"

"Uh well, you will notice it's all finger foods. Hard to keep anything warm out here, especially since I had to set it up in advance. Damned lucky some greedy something didn't come and take it while I was waiting for you. That would have made a splendid first date, huh?"

"Well, then we'd just have to lay here together and look at the stars. Not too bad in my book." Buffy smiled so sweetly, Spike thought he might just skip the food and go straight for dessert.

They both laid on their sides, propped on their elbows, eating the little sandwiches and fruit Spike had prepared. He had wanted to bring a bit of blood for himself, but he decided against it. Didn't want anything to ruin this perfect time. Dunking strawberries in blood would definitely equal ruined date. So instead he brought them champagne, which, amazingly, stayed nicely chilled in the bucket of melting ice. As he was pouring some into a plastic cup he had brought, something occurred to him. "Balls!"

Buffy raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Oh, I knew I forgot something. Flowers. Always supposed to give a girl flowers on a first date. Right? Or am I thinking a bit too old fashioned. Truth be told, I haven't been on a date in...well...ever, really."

"Never? Even when you were a human."

Spike shrugged. "Times where different then. So much bloody pomp and circumstance around everything. Especially getting a date. You had to charm not only the girl, but the girl's family before you could even be invited over to sit with her in the parlour, with all her family watching. Bleedin' inconvenient, if you ask me. And well, Dru...wasn't much for tradition really. So yeah, this is my first date."

"Wow, I feel honored. Being the first date of a man who's over 100 years old. And I gotta tell you," Buffy gestured around, "this definitely ranks as one of the best dates I've had."

Spike raised his eyebrows. "One of, eh? Guess I'll have to try harder next time. And flowers will definitely be involved. And chocolates. Chocolates are customary, aren't they?"

Buffy laughed, "Oh, I don't think I need any chocolates. I have a hard enough time staying away from the ice cream."

"Oh, afraid of getting a few curves, are we? You're a bag o' bones, pet. I think maybe two boxes of chocolates are in order."

"Gee, Spike, you sure know how to charm a girl," she said sarcastically.

"What?"

"Well, in general, girls don't like to hear that they're...unappealing...physically..."

Spike laughed out loud. "That what you think? God, you haven't a clue. Pet, trust me, you're physically appealing. You're so soddin' appealing I'm having a hard time being a gentleman right now. I just meant...you shouldn't worry about a little ice cream now and again. Wouldn't hurt, is all. But as for appealing..God woman, you have no clue, do you?"

Buffy shrugged a little. "I don't know. You think I'm too skinny?"

Spike sighed. "Me and my big mouth. Put it outta yer head, luv. Forget I said it. Sometimes being around you gets me all flustered. Things don't come out how I mean them. Ya know, last year, I brought you chocolates. For your birthday."

"You did? How come I don't remember that?"

"Well, I was standing outside your house for a while, and the longer I stood there, the worse an idea it seemed. You weren't really giving me the time of day back then, so I figured maybe it wouldn't have been smart. Gotta say, the more I think about those times, the stranger these times feel. You and me, on a date. When before, you would have staked me just as soon as looked at me."

Buffy laid back, enjoying the stars. "Yeah, well, things change. A lot of things have changed since we first met. Namely we're not trying to kill each other. And well.."

"Well, what?"

"The smoochies are definitely a new thing."

Spike smiled and laid beside her. "That they are, luv. About those 'smoochies'.."

"Uh huh, I'm enjoying the sky right now. Smoochies later." Buffy elbowed him lightly. She giggled when she heard a small growl rumble in his chest.

"So, how'd your friends take the news? I bet Harris blew a gasket. I'd loved to have seen that."

"Um, take what news?"

"You and me, dating. Musta been dumb struck. As always, I miss the good shows..."

"Oh, well, it, uh....didn't really come up. I mean, they wanted to go out tonight, but I told them I had other plans. Not really any of their business what I do with my time, is it?

Spike frowned at her, though she continued to watch the stars. "No, I guess it's not..." 'Oh, I knew it was too good to be true. Dirty little secret, am I?' Spike pushed back his annoyance. "Enjoying the view, luv?"

Buffy smiled. "Mm hmm, but I think I'd enjoy it more from here." She scooted closer to him and laid her head on his chest. As quickly as it came, all of his aggravation dissipated as he gently stroked her hair. He shook his head how under her spell he was. A word from her could enrage him and a gesture could soothe him. He wondered where the Big Bad went wrong.

**

After some much hearty smooching and fondling, Buffy had insisted that it was time for her to go home. Spike acquiesced with a grudging growl, and Buffy helped him clean up the picnic area. They blew out and collected all the candles, and she again held on to him as they made their way out of the forest. After depositing the date materials back at his crypt, Spike insisted on walking Buffy home. She protested a bit, but with very little power behind it.

Finding themselves again on the porch, with no kitty to interrupt them, Spike and Buffy engaged in a bit more heated kissing. As Spike's hand found it's way to Buffy's butt and other parts of him were making their presence known, Buffy pushed him away gently. "Slowly, slowly, slowly," she repeated as a mantra to herself. Spike grinned at her wavering will. She was slowly letting him in. But Spike knew he might have to force his hand.

"So, any plans for tomorrow night?" He purred as he played with her hair.

Buffy's eyes were closed as she enjoyed his attentions. "Mmm..well, the gang is coming over for movies. But I think I could be persuaded to cut out early. If you had something in mind. Hopefully something that involved more kissing..."

"That could be arranged. What time could you get away, you think?" He was now gently caressing her neck and throat.

"Mmmm..maybe 9? I have to spend time with them too. This whole new 'getting my life back' kick involves much socializing, apparently. Not that I mind...it's nice being with everyone again."

Spike leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss on her neck, right above her jugular. "I'll be here at 9 then. Wear something you can dance in."

Buffy's eyes flew open. "What? Oh, no, I'll meet you. No big deal. You don't have to come all the way out here for me."

"It's no bother, really. It's on the way to where we're going anyway."

"Oh, um, I don't think...well, my friends, they don't know about us. I think maybe we should take this a little slower."

"We *are* taking it slow, luv. I've been the perfect gentleman, haven't I?"

"Oh, that. Yeah, I mean...I don't mean that kind of slow. I mean, with everyone knowing...They wouldn't be able to handle it. It's too much right now."

"Oh? Too much like, 'you yanked me out of heaven' too much? Pet, if they can handle that, I think dating me will be peanuts."

"Well, that's just it. They're still adjusting to *that* news. This might be a bit too much. Besides, I'm an adult, I can do what I want with who I want. They don't have any say in it."

"Yeah, that's all well and good, pet. But I thought you'd have figured it by now. Secrets...not a good thing. They only lead to trouble."

"It's not a secret! It's just...them not knowing. Really, I *will* tell them. I just need some time."

"Fine. You have until 9pm tomorrow. I'll be here to pick you up. And if you're ashamed to be dating me, then maybe you shouldn't be." Spike could feel his dead heart skip a beat as he said that, desperately hoping she wouldn't agree with him.

"Spike, please, don't. I'm not ready."

Spike started off the porch. "9 o' clock, luv. I guess we'll find out then what this all is to you."

As Spike walked away, it took all his will power not to run back to her and swear to be her secret as long as she wanted him. But he wasn't going to do that. He had his pride. Well, he had *some* pride. If he wanted something real with her, it had to start openly and honestly. He walked somberly home to see if he could garner a bit of comfort from his other girl.

**

TBC