A/N: Love the reviews, they make my happy! Also, disclaimer is still in effect.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter12: Porgy and Bess
Willow wasn't too sure of what was going on. When Spike and Oz had picked them up, Spike seemed to be in a really bad mood. He said hi to both girls and introduced them to Oz. Xander, he said, had plans that he couldn't break and wouldn't be joining them. Willow could have cared less. She and Oz immediately clicked. He was so funny and so different from any man she'd ever met before. It had taken her awhile to learn when he was serious and when he was joking, the expressions on his face never changed. He also didn't talk a whole lot, but Willow more than made up for that. He seemed to be content with listening to her tell all about her life, stripping included. That had gotten a response out of him; he raised his eyebrow ever so slightly when she said that she was a stripper. His eyebrow went back down when she explained that she only did it to pay for graduate school. Since she worked only nights, Monday, Wednesday and Friday days were open for class.
Willow wasn't so busy chatting with Oz that she didn't notice the tension emanating from Spike, or Buffy's miserable expression. Willow tried to get Spike to talk, but he only grunted out a few responses or nodded her head. That left the other three to make conversation, and Oz didn't talk a whole lot. That left Willow and Buffy, but Buffy was unhappy, so she didn't say much either. It ended up being Willow talking and Oz listening while the two blondes sat silent. When they finally pulled up to the restaurant where Spike said he worked, Willow pulled Buffy into the woman's room.
"Hey, Buff, you alright?" she asked and pulled out some pressed powder.
"I was, but I don't know what's up with him. I mean, he's obviously pissed off about something, I don't know him well enough to know what to do," Buffy said while Willow fiddled with her makeup.
"You want to go?" Willow looked at Buffy with pleading eyes. Please say no! I still want to talk to Oz.
Buffy sighed. "No, Willow, you can turn off your puppy eyes, I know something's up with you and Oz, besides, we have no way to leave, considering Spike drove us here."
Willow smiled. "Thanks, Buff. Oz is great, isn't he? I have never seen blue hair look so good before, and his eyes are greener than green. And he likes to just listen to me talk!"
Willow's smile widened and Buffy grinned at her exuberance. "Looks like we spent too much time on me and not enough on the girl who may actually end up with a guy." She turned and looked in the mirror over the sinks.
At Willow's insistence that Buffy not dress like an old maid, Buffy wore a red shirt and a black skirt. Her shirt was high in the front and crisscrossed openly in the back. Her skirt went to just above her knees and her strappy black heels tied around her ankles. Willow was wearing black hip hugger slacks and an emerald green halter top. Her black sandals revealed red toes and multiple toe rings. They both wore light makeup little jewelry. Willow grinned at their reflections in the mirror and slung her arm around Buffy's neck.
"We look yummy, now let's go bug Spike until he lightens up," Willow said and they left the bathroom.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
When the girls headed to the bathroom, Oz reached over and punched Spike in the shoulder. "What the hell is up with you?"
Spike was thrown by Oz's uncharacteristic display of emotion. "I don't know what you're talking about, mate."
"First of all, you could have told me we were going out with strippers. Second of all, you've been acting like a jackass, what's going on?" Oz asked as he sat at their table.
Spike rolled his shoulders. He knew he was behaving badly, but his father had put him into a bloody awful mood. "Sorry 'bout that, my dad and I went a round before I left to pick you up,'s all."
Oz rolled his eyes. To him, Edward Giles was a tyrant and should to the world a favor and disappear. "Well snap outta it, you're hurting Buffy's feelings and making it awkward as hell to hold a conversation."
Spike looked at him. "Oz, you don't have conversations."
Oz smiled and nodded. "True, but I could listen to Willow talk all night." After he said this, Spike was treated to another first, Oz blushing.
"You like the bint? That's good, I like Willow. You two'd be perfect, she talks and you listen. As long as dating a stripper doesn't bother you," Spike said. He thought about it for a minute. It did bug him that Buffy stripped and that other men were privy to parts of her body that should be his and his alone. Hold on a minute, mate, when did she become yours?
Oz shrugged at that. "Not much bothers me, I've seen worse."
Spike waited and Oz didn't elaborate. Now, that was like the Oz he was used to. The girls returned to the table, makeup freshened, eyes bright and mouths quirking.
Spike was immediately on edge. Oh hell, something's going on.
Willow sat down next to Oz and Buffy sat across from her, next to Spike, neither saying a word. The waitress showed up and took their orders, pasta for the girls and steak for the boys. Spike also ordered a bottle of wine, and the waitress disappeared.
Willow looked at Buffy, then at Spike and asked bluntly "So, Spike, you gonna tell us what crawled up your ass and died, or do we have to hold polite conversation around you all night?"
Spike's eyes widened and he laughed at her. "Once again, Willow, you manage to put things in perspective. Nothing, as you so delicately put it, crawled up my ass and died. I just had a bit of a run in with my father, 's all. Please, allow me to throw myself at you feet and beg for forgiveness."
Willow grinned. "I didn't think you were the begging kind. I'd be happy for you to prove me wrong, but I'm not the person you need to be begging," she replied.
Spike smirked at her and then turned to Buffy. "I'm sorry, luv, forgive me?" he asked softly, kissing the knuckles on her hand.
Buffy's knees were feeling weak again. How in the hell does he do that? It's like I'm in a trashy romance novel or something. Ok, keep cool, he doesn't need to know that I'm about two seconds away from jumping his bones. "I suppose I could, this time. Try and not let it happen again," she joked and flicked him in the nose with the same hand he kissed.
Spike smiled at her and Buffy's heart did a slow flip in her chest. Ohh, this could be dangerous.
The conversation flowed around them after the initial bump. The girls learned about Oz, including his continental travels and his band. Willow bored everyone to tears with an in depth description of her thesis project for her mathematical honors class. Buffy revealed that she was a psychology major and had two semesters left until her graduation. The only person who didn't contribute a lot of personal information was Spike. He told some stories about him and Xander from high school, as well as his first meeting with Oz. Anything past that, he either deflected the question or altered the truth to fit. Oz's eyebrows rose slightly when he heard some of Spike's answers, but he said nothing. Spike didn't know why, but he still didn't want to come clean about his family and his real job. He knew that, eventually, he would have to tell the truth, especially to Buffy. Hopefully, she wouldn't be too mad at him when he told her.
Their food came and Willow's eyes widened at the vast amount of food. "Holy cow, how am I supposed to eat all this?"
Buffy had no such problem; she grabbed her fork immediately and took a bite. "Oh, wow! This is incredible! Mmmm." She closed her eyes in appreciation.
Spike was sure that his food was delicious, he was sure that he should be eating right about now, but he was transfixed on Buffy and the vision she made. Eyes closed, head tilted back and moaning low in her throat, she looked like an erotic pagan goddess.
Somehow, Spike managed to eat and not choke. After they ate, Spike and Oz decided that desert was necessary, so they ordered brownie sundaes. Neither Buffy, nor Willow wanted a sundae, and conversation around the table resumed. The club was brought up and Buffy blushed while Willow merely arched an eyebrow.
"What do you want to know?" Willow asked.
"How did you end up there?" asked Spike. He already knew Buffy's story and was interested to know Willow's as well. His sundae came and he grinned when he saw how large it was. While Willow talked, Spike grabbed his spoon and ate.
"I needed a job that would be able to pay my school bills. It isn't cheap to go to graduate school, even with loans. I have class three days a week this semester and so working nights fits in perfectly. Its good money and not much skill involved, so why not? I know most people look down on it, but what the hell do I care? It's not like it's going to be my career, so why worry?" Willow eyed Oz's sundae, then just grabbed a spoon and stole some. Oz fended her off with his own spoon, and pretty soon whipped cream and chocolate syrup were flying around the table.
Spike laughed at them, and then offered Buffy some of his. She thanked him and ate the bite off his spoon. Watching her eat the vanilla ice cream was not the wisest thing for Spike to do. She licked the spoon, then her lips and caught some at the corner of her mouth. Spike almost growled as he hardened into steel and again began to contemplate hard surfaces. Does she even realize what's she's doing?
Buffy finished the bite and moaned. That was good, wonder if he'll let me have some more. She turned to ask him but the naked look in his eyes stopped her. It was the same look he'd given her at the club the first time she saw him, lust in it's purest form. Uh-oh! The familiar liquid pulls and urges assailed her system and she swallowed nervously. Unconsciously, she moved closer to Spike until their mouths almost touched.
I think I'm drowning. Spike thought and dropped his eyes to Buffy's lips and back up to her eyes. He almost dove in when a throat cleared. Both blonde's looked up at Willow, who was two seconds away from laughing her ass off. She saw the mutual lust and confusion in both sets of eyes and her own smile widened.
"Um, yeah, Oz and I are going to go for a walk; we'll see you guys later." Willow stood up, pulling Oz with her. She looked at Buffy and almost laughed again. Buffy's eyes were wide with surprise and traces of fear.
Willow's leaving! Oh no, what the hell am I going to do? "You guys sure? I-I-I mean, I thought we were hanging out, and stuff." Buffy couldn't help the panic. She was sure that a few minutes alone with Spike would break down any defenses she had. Actually, she was positive of that, Spike had a way of making her forget anything but him. "What about the movies?" she asked desperately.
"Maybe another time," Willow said. She grabbed Buffy's hand and pulled her up, "Let's go grab my stuff from Spike's car." The girls walked out leaving the men behind wondering why girls always had to do things in groups.
Out at the car, Willow grabbed her stuff and, turning to Buffy, spoke quickly. "You're going to be fine. Just relax and be yourself. Spike digs you, he's not thinking about Priscilla or whatever her name is. I can tell. Every time you smile, so does he. You laugh and his face lights up and when you move, he follows you with his eyes. Don't worry Buffy and don't overanalyze or see hidden motives. Not everybody is as bad as he-who-shall-not-be-named and for once in your life, take something that you want. For you. Not for your mom, your brother or even for me. For you. And enjoy yourself, because I know you like him, respect him, and want him, that's all that matters. Don't let this chance go by." She hugged Buffy and walked back to intercept Oz. They shyly grasped hands and walked away.
Spike sauntered up to the car and smiled at Buffy. "So, luv, what do you want to do tonight?"
Well, here goes nothing. "Anything," Buffy said. "Anything at all."
She reached over pulled Spike down for a soft kiss, pressing her lips against his ever-so-gently, a bare caress. She planted light butterfly kisses at both corners of his mouth and then leaned against him kissing him again, firmer this time. Buffy wound her arms around Spike's neck, and one hand caressed his cheek. Spike banded his arms around her waist and tried to deepen the kiss quickly but Buffy wouldn't let him. She slowly deepened it, letting herself sink down into the kiss, the taste, and the man. When the heat became unbearable, when it threatened to consume and overtake, Buffy broke away and slowly they both rose.
"Well," Spike started and had to clear his voice. Cor, that was bloody amazing. "Well, luv, what now?"
"Now, let's do something fun," she replied to him and leaned into him. He tightened his arms around her, relishing the feel of her in her in arms. They stood like that for a moment, man and woman embracing in silence yet speaking volumes. Spike squeezed and then released her. "I have an idea, luv, get in the car." He unlocked her door and walked to the driver's side.
"Where are we going?" she asked as Spike slid into the car.
"You'll see when we get there," he replied. Spike started his car.
They pulled out of the parking lot and headed across town. Buffy leaned back and watched as the city of Sunnydale flashed by her. It was a unique place. Not small enough to be considered a town, not large enough to be called a city. The street divisions went from lower income at Chestnut Street to middle class at Hazel Street and upper class at Ivy. The highest of the upper class were at the end of Ivy Avenue, bordering it and Cherry Avenue. Buffy's family was a firm middle class, right on Hazel and 4th. She wondered where Spike lived and almost asked him, but noticed that they were almost downtown.
Confused, Buffy asked, "Spike, seriously, where are we going?"
He gave her an evil smirk "Sorry, luv, still not gonna tell you, now relax."
Buffy reached over and turned the radio knob until she found a station playing an old Ella Fitzgerald song. Spike's music was well and good, but how was anybody supposed to relax when listening to battle cries and screeching guitars? Spike frowned at her action, but Buffy ignored him. She sat back into the plush seat of the car, closed her eyes, and let out a little sigh.
Spike looked over at her, saw her smile of contentment, and that made his smile as well. "So, luv, what are your plans for your post-graduate life?"
"Oh, I don't know. I'm a psychology major, I would like to go to graduate school, get my masters. After that, work as a counselor, maybe at a school," she said. "I like kids, and I think I could help."
"Sounds good, ducks. I think you'd make a great counselor," Spike said to her. He reached for her and twined their fingers together. When Buffy looked at him and smiled, his stomach fluttered and dipped. Something was happening to him, something unexpected and slightly nerve-racking. This could be dangerous.
"Spike," Buffy said in a slightly high pitched voice.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Um, are you going to look at the road sometime soon, 'cause you're kinda making me nervous," she replied, darting her eyes between him and the road.
Spike chuckled, "Don't fret, luv, we're there," he said as he pulled up behind a large, gray industrial building. He stopped the car and helped her get out. After locking the door, Spike slipped behind Buffy and put his arms around her, nibbling on her ear.
"Pet," he said against her throat and Buffy shivered.
"Yes?" she asked. Electricity was shooting up and down her spine.
"Do you trust me?" Spike asked and he turned her so that she was facing him.
Buffy looked into his cerulean eyes. "Yes, Spike, I trust you, why?"
Instead of answering her, Spike pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and covered her eyes. Suddenly stuck blind, Buffy flailed her arms until she felt grasp her hand.
"Come with me, luv," he said and gently pulled her forward.
Buffy took a tentative step and then another. When she realized that Spike wasn't going to run her into a wall or anything, she walked in more confident fashion. Spike stopped her for a minute, squeezed her hand and stepped away. He returned and Buffy felt cooler air sweep around her and knew they had stepped inside the building. New odors assailed her system, slightly salty and somewhat fishy.
Spike continued to lead Buffy forward, their footsteps the only sounds echoing in the dark, cavernous hallway. When they reached the end of the hallway, Spike turned Buffy to the right and walked her down another, shorter hallway. When they reached the final destination, Spike turned Buffy toward him and removed her blindfold.
"Look right there, luv," he said pointing ahead of them. "I'll be right back."
Spike disappeared for a minute, and suddenly a light flashed on in front of her and Buffy gasped. Directly in front of her was a gigantic aquarium with two huge killer whales languidly floating in it. They rolled and twisted in the clear water, playfully chased each other to the back and returned to the front.
Spike slipped behind Buffy again and pulled her against him. "The one on the right it Porgy," he said, pointing. "And the one on the left is Bess."
"They're beautiful," Buffy whispered, leaning back against Spike.
"I used to clown around here a lot when I was younger. Finally, one day the manager, Karen, she had enough of me and she put me to work, mopping floor and cleaning aquariums. I loved it; I always used to sit here and just watch Porgy and Bess. Sometimes, I wished I could join them" This was the first real truth Spike had told Buffy all night. He didn't finish the story, however, and tell her that his father found out and forbid him to ever come back and do such "common" work. When Spike disobeyed him, Edward threatened to get Karen fired.
"Thank you for bringing me here, Spike," Buffy said softly and turned so that she was hugging him.
Spike hugged her back, "Your welcome, luv."
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A/N: I know, I know, I stole the aquarium from "Head Over Heels". It's my favorite scene from the movie. Next chapter should be up soon. Until next time, my pretties.
