TITLE: Deja-vu
AUTHOR: Cheeky Chick
RATING: PG-13
DISCLAIMER: None of this belongs to me it all belongs to Josh! All lyrics are not my property but those of the people who sing them and the people who own the people who sing them
AUTHORS NOTES: Right so this has taken me so long to update and I am sorry but it was my b'day and I went away on holiday! But I will finish it now and I'll finish it soon, I promise. I couldn't squeeze everything into this chapter that I wanted so Buffy and Spike go shopping in the next chapter.
SUMMARY: Buffy and Spike head over to Angel's to explain the 'engagement'
FEEDBACK: You guys have been great so don't hold out on me now! And when reviewing could you please let me know if you think I should make this an A/C fic as well as a B/S
"Spike!" the muffled voice came from under a mountain of quilts, covers and cushions
Buffy quickly sat up in bed pushing all the bed linen off her. Immediately realising it was probably not a good idea due to the dizzy feeling and thumping headache that suddenly came over her, she quickly lay back down and rose again, slowly, a few minutes later
"Oh my head, it hurts! Tell me why my head hurts so bad"
Spike had to laugh, the all-powerful Slayer, once his arch enemy who was now sitting up in her bed wearing her pink and blue piggy pyjamas, holding her Mr Gordo pig in one hand and her head in the other
"You've got a hangover" Spike scoffed
Buffy turned and tried to focus on the vampire who was sitting in the armchair in the corner
"Yes I figured that one out for myself Sherlock!"
Spike laughed
"But why, why do I have a hangover, why were we drinking again, why????" Buffy lay back down and then realisation hit her and she fell out the bed
Spike grinned as he lost sight of her, a moment later her head popped up from the side of the bed, her hair was over her face and she looked at his grinning face and tried to pull her hair back into place
"Angel???"
Spike simply nodded "Yes I vaguely remember bumping into Peaches and I don't pretend to be Sherlock Holmes or anything but I believe that's why you got drunk"
Buffy threw a pillow at Spike "Very funny"
"It was actually, Peaches, the May Queen and Giles Jr think that we're engaged!"
"Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no!" Buffy stood up slowly a horrified expression overcoming her pale features "They saw us… they saw us…" Buffy blushed slightly as she thought of the previous night "… kissing, doing the whole kissing and the… kissing and the couple thing!"
Spike just rolled his eyes, "Don't fret luv we'll sort it all out today, we'll go round there and tell them… well tell them the truth"
Buffy simply nodded "We really have to stop this!"
"Stop what?" Spike was confused
"Stop waking up still half drunk, struggling to remember what's happened the night before I mean that's 2 days in a row! I mean I don't drink… that often… in fact I only drink when I'm with you…"
Spike interupted "Mistake… you only drink when you feel like drowning your sorrows and it just happens I'm always there when you feel like doing it!"
Buffy arched an eyebrow "Coincidence? I think not!"
"Very funny"
Buffy got out of bed and passed by the vampire growling, "Come on get ready it's 12:30 and we've got a lot to do today!"
Spike just pulled his duster over his head "Yeah well just wake me up when you get back"
"I sooo don't think so boyo, you're coming with me!" Buffy yanked the duster off Spike "So get up and get ready! We'll go downstairs and get lunch and then we'll, well we should go see Penny and Michael and try and convince them that we ARE a couple but that we just have some psychotic friends, then I suppose we should go see Angel and tell him…"
Spike gave her one of his classic looks as he arched his eyebrow "Tell him what luv?"
Buffy walked towards the bathroom her arms flaying "I don't know… something… the truth… I don't know!"
Spike sighed exasperated "Whatever"
Buffy stood under the steaming hot shower letting the water run over her, what had she got herself into now?
'What are you playing at Buffy, Angel went AWOL last night'Buffy shuddered at the thought
'I mean I'm sure driving around L.A and seeing me in a passionate clinch with Spike was not something he expected or wanted to see and what the hell am I supposed to tell him now'
Buffy shook her head as she rinsed out her shampoo
'Passionate clinch? Well a kiss a really… bad, bad kiss… lips of Spike… bad! All acting, really good acting, I knew those drama classes would pay off!'
Spike waited until he heard the shower running and began getting up and getting ready
'God damn Slayer thinks I'm her lap dog!'Spike pulled some fresh jeans, some dark blue ones and he put on a pale blue cotton shirt Buffy had bought
'Mind you it was worth it just to see the look on Angel's face – he really thinks we're engaged'
Spike began laughing to himself as he pulled his clothes on
'Must have been convincing though, they were all taken in by it – even that little Italian fella – what a joke – I mean do we look like a couple, sure we're trying but I didn't think they'd believe us – must have been that… that… that kiss, that was really… well weird, not bad weird… not good weird either… just weird!'
Spike just sat down and waited on the Slayer, he lit a cigarette and looked around the room
'Just plain weird'
Buffy emerged from the shower half an hour later, Spike had already been downstairs and sneaked into the kitchen to heat up his liquid lunch and grabbed his car keys from reception
"Well at last!" Spike huffed as she stepped out the bathroom
"Shut up Spike!"
"Touchy!" Spike looked at her, she looked a lot better, she had changed into black trousers and her black boots, a red top and her leather jacket, Spike grinned looking down at his own attire "Your dressed more like a vampire than I am!"
Buffy then noticed what Spike was wearing and smiled
'At least he's making an effort'
"Very funny! Come on let's go – I'm starving" Buffy turned towards the door quickly followed by Spike
They made their way through the hotel, which had a mall, restaurants and other conveniences connected to it
"I better not get fried Slayer!"
"Spike the mall is undercover I already checked it out – no overly large windows and it's connected to the hotel so we don't need to venture too far" Buffy pulled Spike through the foyer of the hotel towards the shops
"What about the DeSoto? I really think I should stay here, you know where it's safe – I mean you can hard to take a pile of dust to the wedding
"Spike!" Buffy growled "Look the parking lot is underneath the hotel and your windows are tinted or painted or whatever it was you done to them so don't try to wriggle out of this! You are coming with me!"
Spike was defeated "Right okay but don't say I didn't warn you!"
Buffy just laughed and then spotted a nice little eatery she liked the look off "Here, we can eat here!" and she dragged the reluctant vampire indoors
"Do they sell Chicken wings – because I'm not really a food kinda person?" Buffy ignored him and continued pulling him inside
She found a secluded table in the corner so they could discuss things, once seated they sat and read their menus in silence "Right" Buffy put her menu down
"Right" Spike did the same
"What we gonna do?"
"What about?"
"Don't act dumb Spike – I mean what we gonna do about Angel"
Spike shrugged "I thought you wanted to tell him the truth"
"Oh I do, I do, but I mean he's either gonna think that I'm really desperate and sad"
Spike looked offended
"No I don't mean it like that, I just mean this whole situation. Anyway he's either gonna think that or he's not gonna believe us, I mean we were pretty… convincing"
"Well all we can do is try"
At this point the waiter came over
"Sir, Madam would you like any drinks? We have a lovely selection of wine, in particular the house white is…"
"No!" Buffy shook her head "No alcohol, just two sodas please"
The waiter looked bewildered
"Okay well are you ready to order your meal?"
They both nodded
"What will you have madam?"
"Umm can I have the steak with the wild mushroom sauce and the dressed potatoes"
"Certainly madam and how would you like your steak cooked?"
"Medium please"
"And sir what would you like?"
"You don't sell chicken wings do you?"
"I'm afraid not sir"
"Okay well I'll have steak too then"
"And what would you like with that?"
"Nothing I just want steak – a big one!"
The waiter looked confused "Okay and how would you like that cooked"
Spike looked up at the waiter smiling "Very rare, I want to be able to still hear it moo-ing!" Spike grinned as he passed his menu to the bewildered waiter "Thanks mate"
Buffy was mortified
The waiter walked away and headed towards the kitchen 'What an odd couple'
They left the restaurant and hour later and headed towards the car, on the way there they passed a jewellers and Spike caught Buffy gawking in the window
"Whatcha doin Slayer?"
Buffy was caught off guard "Nothing!"
Spike grinned "You sure?"
"Yes now get a move on we're going to Angels" Buffy started to quicken her walking pace, the sooner they got this over and done with the better.
"So when do you think they'll come around?" Cordelia was fidgeting with her hair
"I don't know" Angel didn't remove his eyes from the paper he was reading
"They will come though won't they?" she moved towards Angel
"I don't know"
"So do you think they'll…." Cordelia was interupted by the phone ringing on her desk, she huffed and then swirled in her char to answer it "Hi, Angel Investigations, we help the helpless, Cordelia Chase vision girl speaking, how may I help you?"
Angel grinned slightly at his seer; 'she sure has a way with words'
"Oh it's you Lorne" Cordelia sounded disappointed "No I wasn't expecting someone else, I was hoping, not expecting…. Yes he's here…. well not really… just now…. oh not again… I thought we told him!… right now?… but… but we're waiting on visitors… right okay…okay!… see ya soon Lorne"
Cordelia put the phone back on its cradle
Angel looked up "Lorne?"
Cordelia nodded
"What did he want?"
Cordelia picked up her jacket "He wants us to go over to the bar"
Angel put down his paper "What for?"
"You know how Wes went over this morning to go over some sort of transcript with him, well Gunn went with him and after they got the transcripty thing finished they decided to have a drink and then another and now they're both drunk!" Cordelia pulled her jacket on
Angel just shook his head, "Lorne didn't give them Marguerites again did he?"
Cordelia nodded, "I'm afraid so, and it's not even 3 o'clock yet!"
Angel laughed "Right we'll sort it but I'm gonna tell Fred we're going out, I'll take the sewers, you take the convertible"
"Slayer, tell me again why I'm letting you drive my car, my classic car!" Spike peered from under his blanket
Buffy laughed as she pulled up outside the hotel "Because your car windows are needing re-painted and you can't drive if you have a blanket over your head"
"Oh right"
The car came to a halt and Buffy stopped and stared out the window. The hotel was so grand looking; it was very gothic, very much suited to Angel. She opened the door and stepped outside Spike crawled out behind her and gladly noted that the building was providing enough shade to prevent him turning to dust.
"Hey, hey not bad!" Spike nodded in admiration "Well it's better than my crypt"
"A smelly dumpster is better than your crypt Spike" Buffy stared at him as she walked up the stairs, stopping to read the gold plate in the doorway
"Private Investigators, Angel Investigations, We Help The Helpless. Angel, Wesley Wyndham-Pryce, Cordelia Chase and Charles Gunn Associates"
"We help the helpless?" Spike mocked "Oh pul-ease!"
"That had to be Cordelia" Buffy laughed nervously; her stomach was full of butterflies
"Yes it was actually"
Buffy and Spike turned on their heels, the voice from the shadows had caught them of guard. However they relaxed when the speaker stepped out from the doorway; a mousy looking girl, dressed in rather drab clothes, her dark hair was tied up in a messy bun and her glasses slipping down her nose. The young girl who was perhaps in her late teens early twenties, looked at the ground, she seemed very shy
"God if Giles ever had a daughter, she would so be you!" Spike looked at the young girl "Have you ever questioned your parentage?"
Buffy slapped Spike's chest and he muttered an apology under his breath
"Sorry about that" Buffy offered the girl her hand "I'm…"
"You're Buffy" the girl interupted before she turned to Spike "and… and your Spike, you guys are engaged"
"Yeah well that's kinda right" Buffy looked at Spike who shrugged his shoulders "Umm… who are you and how do you know so much about us"
Fred blushed "Oh I'm so sorry I live here, so Wes kinda tells me a lotta stuff, I'm Fred"
Spike just looked at her "As in Flintstone?"
"No, as in Wini-FRED" she looked at the couple she had heard so much about and they weren't quite what she was expecting, her thoughts were interupted by Buffy's voice
"So you live here? Is there anyone at home?"
Fred shook her head, "No they, Cordy and Angel are away over to Caritas to pick up Wes and Gunn"
Buffy and Spike just shared a bewildered look "Caritas?"
"Yeah it's a demon karaoke bar owned by our friend Lorne, I think he's an empath demon or something, anyway we go there and hang out a lot and we sometimes sing"
Buffy and Spike shared a look that didn't go unnoticed by the girl
"We sing because Lorne can tell you things about your future and stuff when he hears you singing - he reads your aura"
"Right" they both nodded and Buffy looked indoors "Umm…can we come in and wait?"
Fred nodded "Sure" and led them into the reception
They walked in through the large entrance and immediately Buffy and Spike stared in awe at the interior of the Hyperion, it was even more impressive from the inside, the bottom floor was offices and desks where it appeared the brunt of the work was done and upstairs seemed to be doors, lot and lots of doors
"Welcome" Fred signalled towards the couch
"Nice place you guys got here" Spike commented as he looked around
"Yeah it is, this is the reception and over there is Wesley's office and there is Angel's and right next door is Cordy's, me and Gunn we just kinda float about but I spend a lot of time in the library and Wes lets me borrow his office if I need to"
Buffy had so many questions she didn't know where to begin and this girl wouldn't shut up
"Cordelia has an office?" Buffy looked around again
"Yeah, I mean she is Angel's Seer and all"
"His Seer?" Buffy was getting more confused by the minute, Spike too
"Yeah she is Angel's connection to the PTB" Fred sat down opposite them "The PTB send Cordy these visions of people in trouble and then she tells Angel and then we go save them, but it's all very painful her head feels like it's gonna explode and she hold her head like this" Fred grabbed the back of her head and screwed up her face "And then she usually falls down?"
"How did… why… when…?"
Spike looked over at the bewildered Slayer and intervened "I think what she's trying to say is when did Cordelia start getting the visions and why is she getting them"
Fred bit her top lip "Oh I really do talk to much sometimes" she looked over and then continued, "Did you know Angel's friend Doyle?"
Buffy nodded "Yeah the Irish guy"
"Yes he passed the visions onto her before he died and she's had them ever since, Angel needs these visions to help him defeat evil and it will lead him to his path of redemption"
Spike simply nodded "Well she's come a long way from head cheerleader"
"Oh yeah she's very dedicated and selfless" Fred continued "Well that's what Angel says anyway, he says she's nothing like the old her and that's she's really grown and changed and is a wonderful person now and he trusts her with his life"
Buffy simply nodded 'Okay that's one question out the way only about another 5 million to go'
Spike seemed to be on the same wavelength as Buffy thankfully "So I heard you say you stay here with Angel are you and him you know…"
Fred looked confused "Are we what?"
"You know… like goin out?" Spike took a cigarette out his pocket
Fred's face dropped "Oh god no"
Spike took a drag of his cigarette and looked at Buffy waiting to see her expression of relief but it never came "So why do you live here then?"
Fred sat up straight "Angel rescued me from Pylea, it's in another dimension – a really horrid place, and he brought me back here and tried to re-adjust me to life here so he let me stay and I guess I kinda work for him now, I'm a scientist"
'Damn this girl is all sorts of weird' Spike just looked at her nodding "Right – so not dating then"
"No I would never date Angel" Fred kind of laughed
Buffy looked at the girl "Why?"
"Well because him and Cordy have Kye-Rumption"
"Kye-what???"
Spike and Buffy shook their heads
"It's a term I learned in Pylea, it's used to describe two great heroes who meet in battle and recognise their mutual fate. And Cordy and Angel are both heroes!"
Buffy shuffled onto the edge of her seat so she was nearer Fred "And when you say mutual fate you mean…"
"I mean they have Moira, it's when two larger than life souls, come together"
"Right and you learned all this is an alternate dimension?" Spike noticed the look on Buffy's face
"Yeah" Fred nodded
"Right"
Spike and Buffy shared a look 'This girl's crazy'
Buffy fiddles with her hair "So are… are Cordelia and Angel like dating?"
Fred just laughed "Oh god no! They don't even know they've got Kye-Rumption yet"
Spike just shook his head, "Look pet enough with the ky... kyrup… bloody hell, whatever it is you call it, it sounds like a bowel disorder"
Buffy laughed, trying to cover the emotions she was feeling, "Yeah Fred we got a lot to do today, so do you know how long they're gonna be?"
Fred shook her head and then a smile spread across her face, "No, but I could take you to them if you want"
Buffy and Spike looked at each other and shrugged there shoulders, "Sure why not, no time like the present"
Fred clapped her hands, she loved Caritas "Okay, wait till I get my jacket"
Fred sprinted from room to room looking for something to put on and left Spike and Buffy in reception; they both sat in silence, trying to process everything they had learned about their comrades and trying to deal with the fact that in 10 minutes they were going to have a BIG confrontation with the same people in of all places a demon karaoke bar!
Spike shifted in his seat and noticed Buffy staring into space "So… erm what you wanna do about Angel?"
Buffy shrugged her shoulders "Dunno" and continued staring
"Look are you okay?" he looked over at he Slayer who stared right back
"About what?"
"Look Buffy you've already went through loosing Michael this week, and now well it seems Angel and cheerleader are set to hook up and you guys had the full on love thing, love of his unlife and all that goin on"
Buffy shrugged again "I know, and the fact Michael's getting married has upset me but for so many different reasons, I mean I hate Penelope and I love Michael, but he was my first love and best friend so I guess I always will. I hate the fact we have drifted apart, and I think I'm on some level, jealous" Buffy looked to the ground "I mean he's achieved a normality in his life that well, I never will. He's gonna get the white picket fence, with the kids and all the trimmings I'm just envious"
Spike nodded in understanding, "But with Angel?"
Buffy looked up at Spike, he understood her when no one else did and he was a whole lot better at the talking and advice thing than she ever gave him credit for
"Well with Angel, it's different, I mean I love him, some part of me will always be in love with Angel, we have such a history together. Difference is I like Cordy, it seems like she's changed, a lot. But I just didn't think he'd ever fall in love with anyone else, especially not one of my friends, mind you, she's far more his friend than she ever was mine – funny how things turn out. I mean the thing is I'm not quite as upset or mad about it as I thought I'd be"
Buffy stared at the walls of the Hyperion trying to imagine the life her ex-lover and his gang of demon hunters, scientists and seers lived
"Do you believe in fate?" Spike broke the silence
"I dunno, never really thought about it"
Spike stood up and walked around "I do"
Buffy looked up at him questioningly
"Think about it luv, if Dru hadn't turned me I would have lived such a drab, boring existence seeing out all my days in that dusty old bookstore pining after Cecily"
Buffy was confused "Yeah and instead you led the life of a murdering fiend"
Spike looked hurt, "Well at least I got to see things, experience things, I got to live even though I was dead, I never would have been able to travel the world or experience the wonder that is the 20th century if that night hadn't happened"
"I think I kinda know what you mean"
"And if that silly Initiative hadn't put that chip in my head, I wouldn't be here with you, or even in L.A, I'd probably be…"
Buffy laughed, "Dust?"
Spike turned and cocked an eyebrow giving her one of his classic grins, "Well not necessarily, I mean you could have dusted me so many times before but didn't and that was before the chip so… look Slayer all I'm trying to say is fate does play a big part in everyone's life, everything happens for a reason and what's meant for you won't go past you"
Buffy nodded, 'Shit – when did Spike start making sense?'
Spike moved and sat back down next to her "You get it?"
She smiled "I get it but I still feel crappy!"
They both laughed, and Spike looked over at the girl next to him "This is one of those times where I gotta give you a hug ain't it?"
Buffy smiled "Well this was a conversation I should have had with a girlfriend, not my vampire ex-enemy or 'fiancé' but if Willow was here she'd hug me"
Spike looked at her, she looked sad "Okay well Willow's in Sunnydale so I guess I'm gonna have to do, but bear with me it's been a while and genuine affection isn't my forte"
Buffy laughed, "Hey" Spike smiled "I got you to grin – wohoo!"
She laughed and just leaned into him and he enveloped her in a comfortable, non-awkward and friendly hug
"Better?" he looked down at her blonde head
"It helps" she smiled into his broad chest
"Well looky what we have here!" the loud voice blasted from behind the oblivious Buffy and Spike, who quickly spun around and found themselves facing a less than amused Angel
"Angel… I… we can explain everything!" Buffy looked at Angel who was standing staring at her with his arms crossed over his chest
"Yes well you both will but will you both please stop groping each other for a second!" Angel nodded towards them
Buffy and Spike looked at each other and noticed neither had let go and they were still in an embrace, they stepped away from one another and shifted from one foot to another awkwardly as Angel started to walk around them
"Hey guys!" Fred ran down the stairwell pulling on her jacket "I'm ready to leave now…" her voice trailed off when she noticed the scene in reception, she looked at Angel who was looking a little angry, "Angel? You're back already? This means we don't get to go to Caritas!"
Angel looked up the stairs "Fred, would you mind giving us a moment, I'll shout on you when Cordy gets back with Gunn and Wes, and I promise I'll take you to Caritas"
Fred smiled satisfied with the agreement and ran back towards her room
"Now where were we?" Angel turned back to his grand-childe and his ex-lover, "I mean as if it isn't bad enough that I catch you two getting all hot and steamy in a street in the middle of L.A but now your doing it in MY home!"
Buffy threw her arms in the air in frustration, "Look Angel if you would sit down for 2 minutes and listen to us you'd be pretty surprised!"
Spike nodded and slipped a cigarette between his lips, "Yeah listen to the Slayer, she knows what she's talking about"
Angel scoffed, took his jacket off, and sat on top of the desk that sat in the reception, "Ok humour me!"
Buffy started to pace the room, "Right well for starters we're not engaged! It's all an act"
Angel unfolded his arms and rested his hands at either side of him and looked at Spike who nodded, "It's all true mate"
"Ok, I don't believe you but what's your reason?"
Buffy began pacing the room, Angel chose not to look at her and stared at the doorway waiting on his friends, however Spikes eyes followed her every move, she was fiddling with her fingers and nodding her head a lot a she explained the situation, she was so nervous
"So I needed a date, a PRETEND date and well Spike obliged, I really didn't want to go alone"
Angel looked at them both confused, "And what exactly did Spike have to gain out of this?"
"Nothing but a headache by the looks of it! Look Peaches, I owed her, I owe her a lot so I'm repaying a debt, ok?"
"Mmm, whatever! But what about all the kissing and the engagement?"
Buffy sighed and sat down, Angel remained on the desk and Spike strolled around the room. Buffy explained how she was somehow pressured into telling them they were engaged and how they had to kiss to keep up the pretence, after she had finished the entire story she looked up
"And that is honestly how it all happened!"
Angel didn't look up "Right"
"Honest!"
"But when I came in and you two were all over one another, and the tension between you two, it's just unbelievable!" Angel stood and looked them both up and down "There is something going on between you two, I can tell, I don't know if I can believe you"
Buffy was exasperated, she was slowly losing patience with the vampire "Look Angel that's the truth Like it or not, I have no reason not to tell you! If I was dating Spike then that's my business, not yours, we finished a long time ago, so if I wanted to date Spike, or kiss Spike or marry Spike and there would be nothing you could do about it, because it has nothing to do with you, just like you and Cordy have nothing to do with me!"
Angel and Spike both looked at Buffy shocked, steam was coming out her ears
"What?" Angle looked at her "How does it not have anything to do with me? Me and you were, I was your first, we were in love and he's like Spike and he's evil… what about me and Cordy, we work together and we're friends – nothing else"
Buffy smiled "Just like me and Spike! And he's not evil, well not the way he used to be he has a chip" Buffy tapped his head "He can't hurt anyone, he drinks pig blood and he helps us, he helps us a lot. I can't count the number of times he's saved my life, my friend's lives, my family's lives, he's an honorary Scooby now and I trust him. Nothing you say will change that – he's changed and if you stopped being so self-obsessed for like 2 seconds you'd see that!"
Spike looked at Buffy, his chin was literally on the floor, he couldn't believed what she had just said if he didn't know better he would swear a tear was threatening to wet his eye. Angel was likewise shocked by this outburst he couldn't believe she was actually saying these things, they had once fought side by side against him and here she was sticking up for him, defending him, basically choosing Spike over him.
All of a sudden Cordelia burst in the door attempting to hold up a rather intoxicated Wesley she was quickly followed by Lorne who was doing the same with Gunn. Wesley and Gunn were both singing Gloria Gaynor. Cordelia and Lorne dragged them into reception and promptly dropped them with a 'thump' on the floor. Lorne looked down at Gunn
"Sweetie you really are gonna have to lose some of that excess weight!"
Cordelia laughed and then noticed they had visitors "Spike, Buffy, how are you both and Angel"
"Hey Cordelia" Buffy smiled at her
"Angel how did you get home so quick?" Cordelia was confused
"Sewers aren't really as busy as the streets of L.A" Lorne grinned
"Yeah true, Cordelia" Angel looked to his Seer and signalled her to come over "Buffy has just told me the most interesting story"
Lorne followed Cordelia over towards the two strangers "Isn't anyone gonna introduce me?"
Cordelia looked at Spike and Buffy who had seated themselves at separate ends of the couch, "Lorne this is Buffy and Spike, Buffy, Spike this is Lorne he owns…"
"Yeah Fred filled us in, a demon karaoke bar – nice concept mate, maybe I'll drop by sometime"
Lorne grinned "Yeah all demons welcome!"
"So" Cordelia looked around
She was interupted by Gunn and Wes who had managed to get up and make there way towards the rest of the group
"So Buffy?" Wes slurred "What does old Rupert say about you and Spikey over there, I mean he can't even walk you down the aisle! I mean a church wedding is a no-no I take, as is a beach wedding, so where you getting married?"
Buffy was getting peeved, as was Spike, she rested her hand on his arm to try and calm him. Cordelia rolled her eyes and excused herself to go get Fred as Gunn and Wes continued their joke
"How about a graveyard!" Gunn burst in and they both laughed and rolled around the floor
Angel growled under his breath "Lorne do you let these two drink" he looked down at his two friend who were now sprawled on the reception floor
"Look can we just gather everyone together so we can explain to everyone at the same time?" Buffy looked at Angel with tired eyes
"Ok" Angel looked upstairs "Cordy? Cordy, come down and bring Fred"
Cordelia returned with Fred and at the sight of the young scientist Gunn and Wesley were instantly silenced and they both stared at her contently, Cordelia grinned to herself,
"Thought that might shut them up!" she then jumped up on the desk next to Angel "So, I don't mean to pry but eh… what's going on?"
"I believe Buffy is about to explain", Angel and Cordy sat on the desk, Lorne leaned against a nearby pillar, Fred, Wes and Gunn all sat on the floor and stared at Buffy and Spike as Buffy began to explain the entire story
"About 2 weeks ago I got an invitation and…."
About 45 minutes, 100 questions, 50 accusations, 3 toilet breaks and 12 cigarettes later Buffy finished the story.
Angel looked at Cordelia who stared straight back at him "Told you there was something weird going on!"
Angel shrugged his shoulders "I don't believe them!"
Cordelia jumped off the desk "Oh Angel don't be so childish, of course they are telling the truth, they have no reason not to!"
Angel turned to Wes and Gunn for support and found them snoozing on the floor, Fred just moaned that she wanted Taco's and Lorne looked in deep thought
"Lorne!" Angel jumped off the desk towards his demonic friend "You can tell me if they're telling the truth!"
Buffy, Spike and Cordelia all looked at Angel as if he were mad "What?"
"Lorne can read people can't he? Well read them and see if they're telling the truth" Angel looked at his friend hopefully
"Hey, hey, hey!" Spike stood up "No fair!"
Buffy stood next to him "Yeah!"
Angel stepped back "If you have nothing to hide then there shouldn't be a problem"
Buffy and Spike looked at each other, they weren't sure if they had something to hide, they had been spending so much time together and had been pretending to be a couple that the line between that and friendship had became blurred
"Well if we're getting read then so are you and the cheerleader!" Spike grinned
Lorne began rubbing his temples in frustration
Cordelia looked confused "Umm… why do me and Angel need to be read?"
Spike laughed "Ha! like you two don't know, sitting there making moon eyes at each other, pretending to be friends when you know there's more, you two are kyr-rupted or kye something or other and…."
Angel stood up "Where did you hear that word? Fred!?"
Fred shrank into a corner "Sorry I just…I didn't mean?"
"Angel what is everyone talking about, me and you, we're just…. Aren't we?" Cordelia began blushing
"STOPPPPP!!!!!!!" Lorne screamed, "Please be quiet!"
Everyone stood up straight and stared at the usually timid demon
"Angel, Cordelia sit here!" he pointed to a couch "Blondie and the Slayer you two sit here" he seated them on the opposite couch "Fred honey, you drag they two into an office" Fred nodded and stared dragging Wes away
Lorne approached the two silent couples
"Buffy and Spike you will sing and then Cordelia and Angel will sing – duets please - and then I will read you both and tell you what I believe to be appropriate"
Spike threw his arms in the air "I ain't singing!"
"Knew you had something to hide!" Angel stood up
"Look we have nothing to hide but I don't see why we have to sing to prove it" Buffy growled at her ex
"It's just that well, before Lorne can read your aura you have to sing", Cordelia stood in between the arguing vampire and Slayer "So before any of us can prove or disprove anything we're gonna have to sing"
"Fine then, we'll sing!" Buffy plopped herself back onto the couch next to Spike who was cringing
Cordelia sat next to Angel on one couch with Spike and Buffy sitting on the opposite side of the coffee table on another. Lorne shook his head and began mumbling to himself something about getting new friends as he walked towards the CD player.
"Buffy I can't sing"
Buffy shook her head "Spike, I may be good at saving the world but when it comes to singing I sound like… well for lack of a better word… shit!"
Spike laughed "Well that has come as little comfort because now it's gonna sound even worse because we both can't sing!"
Lorne came back with a stack of CD's and grin on his face, the two couples were looking rather scared, as was he, he knew what a terrible singer Angel was and really wasn't looking forward to his performance
Angel rubbed his hands together "Right so what we singing?"
"Ahh well I'm afraid you have a very limited CD collection" Lorne looked down "So you won't be singing duets after all, so instead of singing with the person your gonna have to sing to the person"
Angel stood up "Wait can't we just sing a song together"
Lorne shook his head "No, due to your not-so-extensive CD collection you barely have any duet songs so… you'll not be doing one as none of them are suitable, instead you'll be kinda serenading each other"
Angel and Spike buried their heads in their hands and Cordelia and Buffy cringed
"So Cordelia sweetie, your up first" Lorne put his hand out to Cordelia and pulled her up "Angel you sit on the end of the coffee table and Cordelia you can stand anywhere you want in this area here" Lorne motioned to the rest of the reception as Angel sat at the edge of the table "Just as long as you can see Angel and he can see you, also try and maintain eye contact – it really helps"
Cordelia laughed and stood a few feet away from Angel "I don't why I'm doing this I mean we're just friends, so Lorne what am I singing?"
"Well sweetie good news is this, because I don't have my karaoke machine you can sing what you know of the verses but you need to sing the chorus so I can read you properly, but bear in mind the only CD's you had were a couple of your lovey dovey one's and a couple of Wesley's" Lorne shook his head "That boy doesn't have good taste – in anything!"
"Quit stalling what am I singing Lorne!" Cordelia crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Angel who was still sitting on the edge of the coffee table, then to Spike and Buffy who were looking a little pissed off
"Angel"
"What?" the vampire looked at the empath
"No Cordelia is singing the song Angel, I thought it was appropriate!" Lorne gave Cordelia the CD "Do you know the song"
"Yeah it's by Sarah McLaughlin I love it, Wesley bought me it for my Christmas" Cordelia smiled
"Can we hurry it along a little we kinda got places to be!" Spike huffed
Angel growled at Spike who was silenced and then he turned his attention back to his Seer "Okay Cordy on you go"
Cordelia smiled at Angel as Lorne pressed play and she began to sing
Spend all your time waiting, for that second chance
For a break that would make it okayThere's always some reason to feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memory seeps from my veins
Let me be empty, oh and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
Spike and Buffy looked at her stunned, she sung beautifully and the song was lovely, however Angel didn't look surprised in the slightest as the pretty Brunette sung the moving song to him, he knew she was talented, Lorne though looked a little over–emotional as she continued and he began to read her
(Chorus)
In the arms of an AngelFly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the Angel
May you find some comfort here
So tired of the straight line And everywhere you turnThere's vultures and thieves at your back
And then storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference
Escaping one last time
It's easier to believe, in this sweet madness
Oh this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees
Cordelia went on to complete the last chorus and Lorne was wiping his eyes with a blue handkerchief, Angel was looking on at his best friend proudly and she was smiling widely at him as she sung to him
"Well that was just beautiful honey!" Lorne put his arm around her, but Cordelia just got straight to the point
"Did you read me? Cos if you did then I just want to say I told you so!"
Lorne shook his head "I will tell you all together" he sat Cordelia down back on the couch "Okay Angel your turn and you will be singing a little number by Mr Iglesias!"
Angel just looked at Lorne "Who?"
"Enrique Iglesias, son of Julio Iglesias, Latino superstars!" Lorne hit his head on his hand
Angel just shook his head "I dunno"
"Look if I play this song you just sing along to the bits you know, you'll remember some of it I play it in Caritas sometimes"
Cordelia sat in anticipation and Buffy and Spike nearly burst into a fit of giggles as 'Hero' came on, Angel looked bewildered and then began to join in
Lorne smiled at himself satisfied, this song was perfect for they two, maybe Wesley's CD collection wasn't so bad after all
Would you dance, if I asked you to dance? Would you run and never look back?Would you cry, if you saw me cryin?
Would you save my soul, tonight?
They all stared at Angel he wasn't the best of singers but he wasn't doing too badly
Would you tremble if I touched your lips?Would you laugh?
Please tell me this
Now would you die, for the one you loved?
Hold me in your arms, tonight
I can be your hero, baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away
Cordelia couldn't help but laugh, he was mumbling through some of the lines but he was doing okay as he looked over at her he kind of smiled and then continued
Would you swear that you'd always be mine? Or would you lie?Would you run and hide?
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care…
You are here tonight.
I can be your hero, baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away
I can be your hero
Angel suddenly stopped "Look Lorne is that enough because I really don't know any more of the words and…"
"Yes Angel that is quite sufficient" Lorne signalled him back to his seat
"That was great Angel!" Cordelia squeezed his arm "Honest"
Spike scoffed "Yeah it'd be okay if you were deaf but unfortunately, we're not!"
Buffy slapped his chest, "Shut up!"
"Well Spike it's our turn to hear you anyway" Lorne grabbed his arm and dragged him onto the floor "And Buffy you come over here honey and sit down"
"Damn poofy idea anyway, I'm not singing no poofy song though something by the sex pistols or something!"
Buffy put her head in her hands and Lorne shook his head "Something with lyrics would be better perhaps"
Angel and Cordelia sat on the couch together glad that their turn was over with
"So what you want me to sing then?" Spike tucked his hands into his duster pockets
"Well I thought you'd say that so how about something by say the Goo Goo Dolls - Iris?"
Spike just shrugged his shoulders "Sure whatever! But I hope you know I'm only doing this to prove a point and then we're outta here cos I got stuff to… do!"
Angel shook his head "Shut up Spike and sing the song!"
Buffy nodded "Hey you'll know this one I play it on the jukebox in the Bronze all the time"
"You ready?" Lorne went over to the CD player as Spike moved to stand in front of Buffy and began singing
And I'd give up forever to touch youCuz I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now
And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breath is your life
Cuz sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight
Spike was pretty good and seemed to know the song but he couldn't look at Buffy until Lorne made him, Angel and Cordy were pretty impressed. Spike and Buffy looked a little uncomfortable, this strong was striking a chord somewhere
And I don't want the world to see meCuz I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
And you can't fight the tears that ain't cominOr the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
Yeah you'd bleed just to know you're alive
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
Spike stopped and quickly went back to his seat without looking at anyone
"Well Spike that was interesting" Lorne mused at the unhappy vampire "Okay and last but certainly not least – Slayer"
Buffy stood up and went over to the space Spike had just vacated "So what am I singing then?"
"Well the only other song I feel that is appropriate is one of Wesley's" Lorne passed her the CD "Melanie C – she used to be a Spice Girl"
"Yeah I know I heard of her before – what song?"
"Never Be The Same Again, do you know it?" Lorne played the intro
"Yeah I think I recognise it" she stood up straight and cleared her throat "I'll give it a try anyway"
I call you up whenever things go wrongYou're always there; you are my shoulder to cry on
I can't believe it took me quite so long
To take the forbidden step,
Is this something that I might regret?
Nothing ventured, nothing gainedA lonely heart that can't be tamed
I'm hoping that you feel the same
This is something that I can't forget
Buffy had never really noticed the lyrics to this song before but boy was she noticing them now as was everyone else in the room, Spike was cringing as was Angel, Cordelia had noticed the expression on Buffy's face and was thinking the same thing Buffy was and was holding back a grin
I thought that we would just be friends
Things will never be the same again
It's just the beginning; it's not the end
Things will never be the same again
It's not a secret anymore now we've opened up the door
Starting tonight and from now on
We'll never, never be the same again
Now I know that we were close before
I'm glad I realised I need you so much more
And I don't care what anyone will say
It's about you and me
And we will never be the same again
Lorne clapped "Well done – that was great – all of you were fabulous!" Lorne smiled and waited for everyone to return to his or her original seats
"Right so they were lying right, they are engaged aren't they?" Angle pointed a finger to the couch opposite him
"Yeah and he's lying too him and the cheerleader are all kye-somfin, are getting horizontal?" Spike pointed to the couch opposite him
"Spike! You know he can't he goes all grrrr…" Cordelia said in her classic 'duh' tone of voice
"Yeah well they're in love then ain't they?"
"Stop talking about me as if I'm not there" Angel intervened "Anyway I know me and Cordelia aren't well you know, but they are aren't they?"
Buffy and Cordelia just let out a sigh and sat back
"Look guys, I just read you all there and found out some kinda interesting stuff but I'm not about to tell you everything about one another" Lorne sat on the edge of the table "I can't tell you what paths you will all lead that's against the rules. Only you can chose which direction you will take in life and I am not at liberty to influence your judgement by divulging information of this sort. However I will tell you all this much your fates are in your own hands, only you can control them for your lives have not been mapped out in stone yet, you have many decisions to make, decide wisely and from the heart"
They all looked extremely confused
"Cryptic much?!" Cordelia muttered
"So what was the bloody point in that then?" Spike stood up taking out a cigarette
"Well I can tell you on a need to know basis" Lorne looked at the group and turned to Angel "They are not engaged"
Angel's face sagged he had really wanted to be right about that one, Lorne leaned forward "But Angel you wanted them to be engaged for all the wrong reasons – you should know you are no longer tied to this girl things are different now" he whispered
"And Spike Kye-Rumption is a hard process to under-go it's a path that they have not fully treaded yet as for talk of love – they share a very real, very genuine loving bond and whether this is love is for only them to decide"
Cordelia clapped her hands together "I knew all that already! So that's the argument settled then?" everyone nodded their heads in acknowledgement "Good because me and Buffy are going out for coffees – we need out of here!" Cordelia leaped out her seat grabbing Buffy's arm and her handbag as they left the building
Angel and Spike looked at each other and Lorne stood in between them "Now make like good vampires and go shake hands and share a mug of pigs blood" he patted their backs and mumbled something about going to help the traumatised country girl
"Angel, look I don't want to argue with you anymore – it's pointless and it never gets us anywhere!"
Angel nodded as he stuck some blood in the microwave "Well this is true!"
"So can I ask you a favour then?"
"Well I might have known that was coming" Angel shook his head "What is it?"
Spike sat down as Angel brought their blood over "Well you know how back in the old days we stole a lot of jewellery and loads of valuable stuff, well I kinda need some of it, like my share of it"
Angel looked at him suspiciously "Why?"
"Well I need money and it's gotta be worth something" Spike took a sip of his blood "I really need money"
Angel nodded "Okay sounds fair I suppose, wait till we've finished here and I'll get the key and we can sort you out"
After the girls returned, they all sat down and talked, agreeing that they were in some way, all wrong – even Spike, and that they wouldn't argue anymore
"So come back and see us before you go back to Sunnydale" Cordelia hugged Buffy
"Don't worry we will – we have to go shopping before I go!"
Cordelia laughed, "A girl who had her priorities right, I like it!"
As they all stood in the doorway Wesley stumbled out his office still slightly intoxicated "Is everybody leaving already?"
"Yes Wes, but we'll be back" Buffy smiled and walked outside towards the car
"Yeah see you soon Junior! By the way your taste in music sucks!" Spike pulled his blanket over his head and followed Buffy – there wasn't much sunshine left but he'd rather be safe than a pile of dust
Wesley looked confused as he looked at Angel and Cordelia laughing "What? What is he talking about?"
The DeSoto was soon back at the hotel and Buffy and Spike climbed out and headed up the stairs towards the elevator
"That was exhausting!" Buffy mumbled as she leaned against the wall of the lift
"Yeah – he just wouldn't believe us!" Spike moaned, "He's as stubborn as a 250 year old mule!"
Buffy giggled, "Yup you're right there! But so much for the shopping, the wedding is the day after tomorrow and I'm still without an outfit! But I really don't have the energy to go now I just want to collapse into bed!"
Spike shrugged his shoulders "No matter I'm sure we'll get everything sorted in time"
"I hope so! And we should probably go try and clear things up with Penny and Michael tonight, I mean I don't want them thinking we're complete freaks!"
Spike nodded "Sounds like a plan!"
They entered the hotel room and like Buffy had said, she collapsed on the bed and was sleeping within minutes, Spike decided to leave her to it and went out do some shopping of his own.
Buffy was having a great sleep, so content and comfortable but she was suddenly brought out her slumber by thumping on her door, she rolled over in bed and noticed a piece of paper lying next to her
Buffy,
Gone out for a little while, won't be long, see ya later lazy arse!
Spike
She huffed as she rolled off the bed
"Okay, okay stop thumping the door!" Buffy started walking towards the door "Spike what did I tell you about forgetting your key! I mean do you ever listen to a…."
Buffy opened the door but instead of finding herself facing Spike she was looking at Michael, a rather drunk Michael
"Oh Buffy thank god you're here!"
"Michael what's happened? Is everything okay? Is there something wrong?"
Michael strolled in looked around for a momentand sat on the edge of the bed pulling Buffy with him, he turned and looked at her putting the whisky bottle down
"No Buffy everything's right, everything's perfect, everything is clear now!"
"Michael!" Buffy pulled away from his grip, his breath was vile of booze "What are you talking about!"
"I don't want to get married!"
Buffy's face dropped "You what…?"
"I don't want to get married" Michael shook his head "Well not to her anyway!"
Buffy was beginning to panic "What do you mean!"
"Well I love Penny really I do but it's not like me and you we were different, it's you it's always been you!"
Buffy walked as far away from Michael as she could get but the distance just didn't seem to be enough he was right behind her
"Okay well… look Michael it's just the jitters you'll be fine when you've sobered up… honest!" Buffy didn't feel comfortable with this, sure this was her intention when she had headed out to L.A but now it was happening she really wished she'd stayed in Sunnydale.
Michael grabbed her with both hands "No Buffy I don't love her as much as I should, I love you more, Buffy please!"
She struggled out his grip and moved away "Look I really think you should go, we can talk about this when you're sober!"
"No I wanna talk about it now!" Michael crossed his arms
"Michael leave!" Buffy was getting upset, she really didn't want this she felt so torn, sure she loved him but in that way she would always love him, in the way everyone loves their first real boyfriend. But this was painful; she had only wanted to show him she wasn't a loser
"Buffy I am not leaving this hotel room without you!"
"Look you're gonna have to because Spike's gonna be back soon and he won't be happy!"
"I don't care!" he sat back on the bed "I mean what's the deal with that anyway? You didn't even like Billy Idol when we were kids!"
"Look I love Spike, he loves me, I don't love you anymore!"
"No you just think you don't!" Michael stood up shaking his head "But you do, I know you!"
He lunged at Buffy putting his lips to hers but she smacked him away
"No!"
"Look Buffy we are both making mistakes in the relationships we're in so let's not, lets get out will we still can" Michael grabbed his whisky bottle
"Look Michael speak for yourself I'm more than happy in my relationship, and what you're doing isn't fair to me, Spike and especially Penny, now leave!"
"No I'm staying, you and him, you aren't right together, we were"
"Michael we were what 15/16, we were kids, we're adults now relationships change now go home sleep on this and you'll see sense in the morning"
"I'm not going home to listen to Penny go on about floral arrangement and caterers or why I don't treat her the same way Spike treats you, according to her I'm not as spontaneous or romantic or as affection as your British wonder. I mean like getting a tatoo on your butt is romantic!"
Buffy stifled a grin, Penny was jealous of her 'pretend' relationship this was classic
"This is not my problem Michael speak to Penelope about it!"
Still Michael wouldn't budge so Buffy just shrugged her shoulders and grabbed him throwing him out the room and into the hallway, she shut the door and leaned against it, and after only a few moments
You're just to good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
You feel like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And thank god I'm alive
You're just to good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
I love you baby!
And if it's quite alright I'll love you baby
Through all the lonely nights I love you baby
Trust in me when I say
I need you baby
"Michael please shut up!" Buffy groaned as he continued "For God sake Michael why don't you sing a little louder I think someone in Russia didn't hear you!"
After that her hand came back out the room and snatched him back in
"Michael are you a complete moron?!"
"No, I just, Buffy I need you!" Buffy shook her head, "no you don't, you don't need me!"
Suddenly Spike enters impeccably timed as ever, "Buffy what did I tell you about leaving that door open!"
Buffy smiled and ran towards the blonde vampire throwing her arms around his neck, "Thank god you're here, Michaels here and he's drunk and you gotta get rid of him!" she hissed in his ear, Spike looked over Buffy shoulder and noticed the young man. Buffy let go of Spike and gave him a look
"I missed you too honey but I wasn't gone that long!" Spike smiled as he gave Buffy a quick peck, she rolled her eyes
"Yeah well it was long enough!" she hissed
"Ahh, Michael my friend, to what do we owe the honour of this visit?" Spike walked towards him
"Well nothing in particular, I just thought I'd stop by, Buffy said she had wanted me to" he mumbled under his breath, Buffy growled but Spike grabbed her, putting his arm around her waist and kissing her cheek
"Now, now Buffy, Michael is getting married in two days, don't you think it's a little selfish of you to be monopolising his time like this?"
Buffy wanted to laugh but held it in "Sorry Spike"
Michael shook his head "No, no, no I don't mind at all, honest!"
"No I won't hear of it! You must have so much to do, I mean think of all those flowers and place settings!" Spike moved away from Buffy and towards Michael, he put his arm around Michael's shoulder and led him towards the door "So we'll see you soon and good luck!"
And with that he shut the door and brushed his hands together "Idiot!"
Buffy sat on the bed and smiled slightly at her vampire in shining leather
"What happened?"
"He just professed his undying love for me and then done the worst rendition of 'I Love You Baby' that I've ever heard!"
"Wait!" Spike looked at her "He told you he loved you?"
Buffy nodded as her eyes begin to fill up "Yes and he said he didn't want to marry Penny and that he's always loved me!"
"This just isn't your day is it luv? Well if nothing else you are awfully popular with the men nowadays"
"I mean I came hear wanting to hear those words and for a long time I would have loved to have heard them from Ange too but not any more"
Spike nodded in understanding, "Is this another one of those hug moments"
Buffy smiled and Spike opened his arms to her
"You must think I'm an idiot, a selfish idiot who doesn't know what she wants!" Buffy looked up at him
"Well luv I kinda thought that anyway! I mean you are a woman!" Spike grinned as she hit his chest
"Cheeky, arrogant, pig!" Buffy growled at him
"Oh sorry" Spike said mockingly "Does that mean you don't want this then?"
Spike put his hand into the inside pocket of his duster and pulled out a little black box
"What is it?" Buffy looked bewildered as she stared at the little velvet box
"Open it and see you silly bint!" Spike rolled his eyes
She flicked open the lid and her chin hit the floor at the sight of the gorgeous diamond cluster ring that was embedded among crushed red velvet
"Oh Spike it beautiful!" Buffy took the ring out and admired it; it was a gold band, not to thick and not too thin. And it had the most beautiful arrangement of diamonds clustered together, it wasn't too over the top, it was simple and elegant "What's this for?"
Spike smiled 'She likes it!'
"It's your fake engagement ring!"
"My what? You didn't? You did!" Buffy grinned, "Thank you so much but you didn't have to"
"Yeah well I thought I should, it adds to the effect plus it's a little something to remember this trip by, I mean you don't need to wear it when we get home but you can keep it"
Buffy nodded as she slipped the ring on "Thank you"
"Wait read the inside, I got it engraved" Spike turned the ring around so she could read it
"Buffy kicks ass! – Spike" Buffy laughed "Oh god"
"So you like it?"
"I love it, I really do" and Buffy slipped on her fake engagement ring "Well it's better than the last one you gave me, that hideous silver thing with the skulls on it"
Spike looked shocked "You remember that but I thought Willow done a spell… so you wouldn't"
Buffy smiled "Well what she failed to mention was the effect wears off after time, so that's probably why we're so good at this engagement thing we're an old dab hand, plenty of experience!"
They both smiled and cringedas they remembered that night
"Thanks Spike"
"Your welcome Buffy"