"So, if I am to understand correctly," Giles said when Faith, Buffy and
Willow explained the situation to him the next day, "you found Spike at the
Summers home, tied him up, made sure he was impotent, then made a truce and
released him?"
They nodded.
"And you did all of this without consulting me?" he asked.
They nodded again.
"Well, I think that's fantastic," he said. "Finally, the youth of this group is showing some initiative. Well done."
They were surprised.
"You mean you're not mad?" Buffy asked.
"Why would I be?" he asked, confused.
"We made a truce with Spike," said Buffy.
"And we did it without telling you!" Willow added.
"I'm still not seeing the problem," said Giles. "Look, while I may not believe. . . I certainly don't believe Spike is the most trustworthy of allies, and I do like to be kept in the loop, it is not actually necessary to run every decision by me. The lot of you made a decision together, for what you thought were good reasons, and then told me about it at the earliest possible convenience. I merely find it a sign that you're growing up."
"Wicked," said Faith, who then got up and flipped the store sign to 'Open.' "That means it's open season on customers."
"You're really not mad?" Willow asked.
Giles smiled warmly. "I really am not, child," he said, before taking a sip of his tea. "Now, what do we know about this 314 thing?"
"A depressingly small amount," Willow said. "It's scary, whatever it is, and it's local."
"Willy?" Giles asked.
"Not much," said Buffy. "Xander dropped by yesterday and came back stinking of blood."
Giles looked up in concern.
"Oh, he's fine," she said. "Willy spilled a glass and it got on Xander's feet."
"He drove home with bloody shoes?" Willow asked.
"Bloody boots. And yes. But he has another pair."
"Did he stain the car?"
"Willy 'gave' him a towel," Buffy said, using air quotes when necessary.
"Xander threatened him until it was his?"
"Exactly," Buffy said.
"So, what 'not much' did Xander get, exactly?" Giles asked, steering the conversation back towards something useful.
"It's not a demon," Buffy said. "Or, it's not just a demon. It's scaring out a lot of night life, but it's also attracting some. Willy said there are demons, ambitious demons, looking for power, and they're coming here."
"Interesting. Anything else?" Giles asked.
"Nope," Buffy said. "Nothing."
"Well, we'll just have to continue searching, then," Giles said. "We're bound to find something sometime."
* * * * *
"I don't get why you're here," Xander said that night at the Magic Box.
"I told you, mate," Spike said. "I don't like apocalypses."
"No, that I get," said Xander. "But your chip. Why were you here to get chipped? Did you hatch some evil plot that would have inevitably ended with Buffy kicking your ass yet again?"
"Well, when you put it that way, no. Wanker."
"So why were you here?" Giles asked.
"Yeah, Spike," Buffy said. "Did Dru kick you to the curb again?"
"No, bitch," he said. "I happened to be here on an archeological dig."
"Archeology? You, Spike?" Giles asked. "What precisely where you after?"
Spike mumbled something.
"What was that?" Giles asked.
"He said the Gem of Amara," Pike said, coming out from the back room with Faith. "He heard from a reputable source that it was here." Pike was holding his shoulder.
"How'd he do?" Xander asked.
"I kicked his ass," Faith said.
"Ah, the teaching style of a Slayer. We say test someone's skills and they beat them up," Xander said, chuckling.
Buffy punched him in the arm, earning a nod of thanks from Faith.
"Heh heh. . . ow," Xander said.
"He did fine," Faith said. "Boy's got a wicked right hook. He'll do."
Giles nodded.
"I'm so glad I met with your approval," Pike said. "Wouldn't want to be left off the team."
"It's not like that," Xander said. "We know you're fine, we just like to have a good idea of everyone's capabilities. You should have seen Riley after Buffy put him through the ringer," Xander said.
"Little Goldilocks beat up the Teutonic Wonder?" Spike asked.
"Hey!" Faith yelled.
"Oh, don't get your panties in a bunch," said Spike.
Faith snorted. "Don't delude yourself to think you have any affect whatsoever on my panties."
"Did you find it?" Giles said, suddenly.
"Faith's panties?" Xander asked, confused.
"The Gem. Did you find it, Spike?" Giles asked. The door jingled.
"No," Spike said. "Tall, blonde and cornfed, along with about six or seven of his boys, interrupted me, captured and implanted this chip in me head."
"It was four," Riley said from the door. "And he went down with two pulse rifle blasts. It was actually one of our easier captures." Riley walked into the store and dropped a file down on the table, then kissed Faith hello.
"Yeah, well, you caught me unawares," Spike muttered.
"What's this?" Buffy asked, indicating the folder.
"The file on Spike's chip," Riley said. "Willow wanted to take a look at it."
Xander picked it up and opened to the first page.
"Negative electrical reinforcement as behavioral modification for sub-human terrestrial species," he read. "Man, can you guys title a paper or what?"
"Actually, that's what I majored in. Lengthy and confusing titles for academic papers on technological suppression in relation to demonology."
"In itself, a lengthy and confusing title," Xander said.
"And thus, an example for all of us," Riley said.
"That whole thing talks about my chip?" Spike asked.
"Yeah," said Riley.
"What it does, how it's powered, how to deactivate it, like that right?"
"Well, yeah," Riley said. "Except for the deactivation and power thing. That would just be dumb. But you can find out which circuits are plugged directly into your temporal lobe."
"Oh, right lot of good that does me, mate," Spike said.
"It's not meant to do you good, Spike," Buffy said. "It's meant to keep you from killing."
"Almost kept me from eating is what that did. Do you know what happens to a vampire who doesn't feed?"
"I've always wondered about that, actually," Giles said.
"Walking skeletons," Spike said. "And not the kind that get up and strut about on runways. It's not pretty."
"Neither are those girls on runways," Pike said. "Not enough meat on the bones."
"I'll second that," Spike said. "Although, you probably don't mean in the literal sense."
"No, I probably don't," Pike said.
"Well, thank you for that. . . fairly disturbing image, Spike," Giles said.
Spike nodded. "No problem, mate."
"Where's Red?" Faith asked.
"We're meeting her and Tara at the Bronze in about a half hour," Buffy said.
"Guess I'll give this to her there," Riley said, moving to pick up the file.
"Oh, leave it here," Giles said. "She'll not want to be carrying it around while she dances and whatnot. She can pick it up later."
"Thanks, Giles," Riley said. "I really didn't want to be carrying government secrets around a night club."
* * * * *
"Hey, Wills, Tara," Xander said. "How's things?"
"Great!" Willow said, sipping her drink.
Xander smiled, and turned deliberately to the blonde Wicca. "Tara? How are you?"
"I'm g-good, thank you," she said, shyly.
"Hey guys," Buffy said, coming up to the table and handing Xander a drink. "Where are Faith and Riley?"
"They hit the dance floor," Xander said, inclining his head toward the couple.
"Has she figured it out yet?" Willow asked.
"I don't think so," Buffy said. "Or, if she has, she hasn't told him or anyone else yet."
"Hey, hey, the gang's all here," Pike said as he approached the table.
"I thought you were going back to your crypt with Spike," Xander said, almost spitting the vampire's name.
"Man, what do you have against him?" Pike asked. "He's not a bad guy."
"He's evil," Xander said. "That's like the definition of a bad guy. He's killed people I knew, people I called friends, or at least acquaintances. He's tried to kill all of us numerous times. He's a monster."
Pike looked around to see the others nodding.
"Look, you don't have to agree with me," Xander said. "Go ahead and be friends with him. Just don't expect me to trust him."
"That's cool," Pike said. "But you also gotta understand that Spike's got my back, and I've got his. Spike's knocked himself out with that chip while keeping a guy from killing me. He knew what it'd do, but he took the hit anyway. That's the kind of thing that counts in my book."
"You make a good point," Xander said, "But until I see some proof of it with my own eyes, I'm gonna keep Spike as far away from the people I care about as possible. But, if you're comfortable with a soulless monster at your back, I've got no problem with it."
"That's a little harsh, Xan," Buffy said. "It's not that we don't care what happens to you, or that we wouldn't help out if Spike's chip stopped working. It's just. . . well, we don't like him."
Xander conceded the point with a nod.
Riley and Faith approached the group.
"What's with the grim?" Faith asked. "We should all be out there, partying!"
"We were just discussing the intelligence of keeping soulless vampires as allies, and how to deal with them if they go badder," Willow said.
"And um, if he does cause trouble, you can learn his source, a-and we'll show him his insect reflection," Tara said.
Blank stares followed.
"Th-that was funny if you've studied Taglarin mythic rites. . . and are a complete dork," Tara said, bowing her head a little, and moving off towards the bar. Willow frowned and quickly followed her.
"How come Xander didn't laugh, then?" Riley asked.
"I don't know that Taglarin stuff," Xander replied.
"Oh," Riley said. "Anyway, you all should stay here for a few minutes, while Xander and I settle our bet."
"What, NOW?" Xander asked, suddenly sweating.
"Yes, now," Riley said. "It's the best time, and I know you know the manager. You can set it up."
"I don't know how fast, though," Xander said worriedly.
"What bet?" Buffy asked.
"About which team would do better this season, the Kings or the Black Hawks," Riley said.
"What sport is this?" Faith asked.
"Hockey," Xander, Riley and Pike said at the same time.
"Oh," Buffy said. "Well, who won?"
"Neither of us," Xander said. "They ended the season with exactly the same record, so we decided we both lost."
"And Riley wants to settle now?" Faith asked.
"Yeah, because he's a lot braver than I am," Xander said.
"Why do you like Chicago?" Pike asked.
"My dad traveled a good amount when I was a kid, but he always tried to take me to Black Hawk games. He grew up in Chicago," Riley said.
Pike nodded as Willow and Tara rejoined the group, drinks in hand and Willow's arm around Tara's waist. Xander sent a sincere smile Willow's way, along with a questioning look, asking if Tara was okay. Willow nodded slightly.
"So what's the bet?" Buffy asked.
"We're not allowed to say, until it happens," Xander said, turning his attention back to glaring at Riley. "You really want to do this now?"
"I surely do," Riley said. "Better to get it over with, I say."
Xander sighed. "Okay, I'll go talk to Mike."
Xander walked off, muttering, and the group re-engaged in small talk.
Five minutes later, Xander came back shaking his head. "It's set up," he said. "They had all the equipment out and ready for tomorrow, it's just a minute's work to plug it in."
The next song ended, and the manager of the club came up onto the stage with two microphones.
"Excuse me, everybody," Mike said. "We've got a special occasion here tonight. Two young men have lost a bet and are settling up. I know karaoke night's tomorrow, but we here at the Bronze feel that a little tonight won't hurt anybody but the participants. So please indulge us as we present the vocal stylings of Xander Harris and Riley Finn."
"Oh God," Buffy and Faith said at the same time. Willow was grinning, and Pike turned his stool around to watch the two men approach the stage, Riley lightheartedly, Xander more trudging than actually walking.
The two men took their positions on stage, each with a microphone, Riley smiling, Xander shaking his head, but unable to keep a wry grin from his face.
Slow, soft music started up from the speakers and the crowd applauded and laughed as Faith and Buffy buried their faces in their hands. Xander whispered something to Mike, who nodded and went backstage. The music continued, and Riley took the first verse, with a somewhat melodic yet obviously untrained voice.
"Close your eyes, make a wish
And blow out the candlelight
For tonight is just your night
We're gonna celebrate, all thru the night
Pour the wine, light the fire
Girl your wish is my command
I submit to your demands
I will do anything, girl you need only ask,"
At this point Xander joined Riley and the crowd cheered even more. A spotlight shot out from back stage and pasted itself onto both Buffy and Faith. The two men sang their hearts out.
"I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to"
Xander then, with his slightly more practice voice, took over the melody with a surprising amount of gusto.
"Girl relax, let's go slow
I ain't got nowhere to go
I'm just gonna concentrate on you
Girl are you ready, it's gonna be a long night
Throw your clothes on the floor
I'm gonna take my clothes off too
I made plans to be with you
Girl whatever you ask me you know I can do"
Riley then re-joined on the chorus, both Faith and Buffy shaking their heads, embarrassed out of their minds. Willow and Pike were laughing raucously, and Tara could be seen chuckling lightly, just outside of the spotlight.
"I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to"
Despite the solo nature of the next verse, Xander and Riley, lacking a third partner, both sang.
"Baby tonight is your night
And I will do you right
Just make a wish on your night
Anything that you ask
I will give you the love of your life Your life Your life,
I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to."
The two men ended with a flourish and bow and jumped off the stage. They jogged over to their respective girlfriends, who were both ashamed of and pleased with their men. They allowed them both quick kisses, before forcing them to sit down. Much congratulations in the form of back slaps were given to the men throughout the night.
Both men made good on the song that night.
----------
End Chapter 8
Music in this chapter by Boyz II Men. No infringement intended.
They nodded.
"And you did all of this without consulting me?" he asked.
They nodded again.
"Well, I think that's fantastic," he said. "Finally, the youth of this group is showing some initiative. Well done."
They were surprised.
"You mean you're not mad?" Buffy asked.
"Why would I be?" he asked, confused.
"We made a truce with Spike," said Buffy.
"And we did it without telling you!" Willow added.
"I'm still not seeing the problem," said Giles. "Look, while I may not believe. . . I certainly don't believe Spike is the most trustworthy of allies, and I do like to be kept in the loop, it is not actually necessary to run every decision by me. The lot of you made a decision together, for what you thought were good reasons, and then told me about it at the earliest possible convenience. I merely find it a sign that you're growing up."
"Wicked," said Faith, who then got up and flipped the store sign to 'Open.' "That means it's open season on customers."
"You're really not mad?" Willow asked.
Giles smiled warmly. "I really am not, child," he said, before taking a sip of his tea. "Now, what do we know about this 314 thing?"
"A depressingly small amount," Willow said. "It's scary, whatever it is, and it's local."
"Willy?" Giles asked.
"Not much," said Buffy. "Xander dropped by yesterday and came back stinking of blood."
Giles looked up in concern.
"Oh, he's fine," she said. "Willy spilled a glass and it got on Xander's feet."
"He drove home with bloody shoes?" Willow asked.
"Bloody boots. And yes. But he has another pair."
"Did he stain the car?"
"Willy 'gave' him a towel," Buffy said, using air quotes when necessary.
"Xander threatened him until it was his?"
"Exactly," Buffy said.
"So, what 'not much' did Xander get, exactly?" Giles asked, steering the conversation back towards something useful.
"It's not a demon," Buffy said. "Or, it's not just a demon. It's scaring out a lot of night life, but it's also attracting some. Willy said there are demons, ambitious demons, looking for power, and they're coming here."
"Interesting. Anything else?" Giles asked.
"Nope," Buffy said. "Nothing."
"Well, we'll just have to continue searching, then," Giles said. "We're bound to find something sometime."
* * * * *
"I don't get why you're here," Xander said that night at the Magic Box.
"I told you, mate," Spike said. "I don't like apocalypses."
"No, that I get," said Xander. "But your chip. Why were you here to get chipped? Did you hatch some evil plot that would have inevitably ended with Buffy kicking your ass yet again?"
"Well, when you put it that way, no. Wanker."
"So why were you here?" Giles asked.
"Yeah, Spike," Buffy said. "Did Dru kick you to the curb again?"
"No, bitch," he said. "I happened to be here on an archeological dig."
"Archeology? You, Spike?" Giles asked. "What precisely where you after?"
Spike mumbled something.
"What was that?" Giles asked.
"He said the Gem of Amara," Pike said, coming out from the back room with Faith. "He heard from a reputable source that it was here." Pike was holding his shoulder.
"How'd he do?" Xander asked.
"I kicked his ass," Faith said.
"Ah, the teaching style of a Slayer. We say test someone's skills and they beat them up," Xander said, chuckling.
Buffy punched him in the arm, earning a nod of thanks from Faith.
"Heh heh. . . ow," Xander said.
"He did fine," Faith said. "Boy's got a wicked right hook. He'll do."
Giles nodded.
"I'm so glad I met with your approval," Pike said. "Wouldn't want to be left off the team."
"It's not like that," Xander said. "We know you're fine, we just like to have a good idea of everyone's capabilities. You should have seen Riley after Buffy put him through the ringer," Xander said.
"Little Goldilocks beat up the Teutonic Wonder?" Spike asked.
"Hey!" Faith yelled.
"Oh, don't get your panties in a bunch," said Spike.
Faith snorted. "Don't delude yourself to think you have any affect whatsoever on my panties."
"Did you find it?" Giles said, suddenly.
"Faith's panties?" Xander asked, confused.
"The Gem. Did you find it, Spike?" Giles asked. The door jingled.
"No," Spike said. "Tall, blonde and cornfed, along with about six or seven of his boys, interrupted me, captured and implanted this chip in me head."
"It was four," Riley said from the door. "And he went down with two pulse rifle blasts. It was actually one of our easier captures." Riley walked into the store and dropped a file down on the table, then kissed Faith hello.
"Yeah, well, you caught me unawares," Spike muttered.
"What's this?" Buffy asked, indicating the folder.
"The file on Spike's chip," Riley said. "Willow wanted to take a look at it."
Xander picked it up and opened to the first page.
"Negative electrical reinforcement as behavioral modification for sub-human terrestrial species," he read. "Man, can you guys title a paper or what?"
"Actually, that's what I majored in. Lengthy and confusing titles for academic papers on technological suppression in relation to demonology."
"In itself, a lengthy and confusing title," Xander said.
"And thus, an example for all of us," Riley said.
"That whole thing talks about my chip?" Spike asked.
"Yeah," said Riley.
"What it does, how it's powered, how to deactivate it, like that right?"
"Well, yeah," Riley said. "Except for the deactivation and power thing. That would just be dumb. But you can find out which circuits are plugged directly into your temporal lobe."
"Oh, right lot of good that does me, mate," Spike said.
"It's not meant to do you good, Spike," Buffy said. "It's meant to keep you from killing."
"Almost kept me from eating is what that did. Do you know what happens to a vampire who doesn't feed?"
"I've always wondered about that, actually," Giles said.
"Walking skeletons," Spike said. "And not the kind that get up and strut about on runways. It's not pretty."
"Neither are those girls on runways," Pike said. "Not enough meat on the bones."
"I'll second that," Spike said. "Although, you probably don't mean in the literal sense."
"No, I probably don't," Pike said.
"Well, thank you for that. . . fairly disturbing image, Spike," Giles said.
Spike nodded. "No problem, mate."
"Where's Red?" Faith asked.
"We're meeting her and Tara at the Bronze in about a half hour," Buffy said.
"Guess I'll give this to her there," Riley said, moving to pick up the file.
"Oh, leave it here," Giles said. "She'll not want to be carrying it around while she dances and whatnot. She can pick it up later."
"Thanks, Giles," Riley said. "I really didn't want to be carrying government secrets around a night club."
* * * * *
"Hey, Wills, Tara," Xander said. "How's things?"
"Great!" Willow said, sipping her drink.
Xander smiled, and turned deliberately to the blonde Wicca. "Tara? How are you?"
"I'm g-good, thank you," she said, shyly.
"Hey guys," Buffy said, coming up to the table and handing Xander a drink. "Where are Faith and Riley?"
"They hit the dance floor," Xander said, inclining his head toward the couple.
"Has she figured it out yet?" Willow asked.
"I don't think so," Buffy said. "Or, if she has, she hasn't told him or anyone else yet."
"Hey, hey, the gang's all here," Pike said as he approached the table.
"I thought you were going back to your crypt with Spike," Xander said, almost spitting the vampire's name.
"Man, what do you have against him?" Pike asked. "He's not a bad guy."
"He's evil," Xander said. "That's like the definition of a bad guy. He's killed people I knew, people I called friends, or at least acquaintances. He's tried to kill all of us numerous times. He's a monster."
Pike looked around to see the others nodding.
"Look, you don't have to agree with me," Xander said. "Go ahead and be friends with him. Just don't expect me to trust him."
"That's cool," Pike said. "But you also gotta understand that Spike's got my back, and I've got his. Spike's knocked himself out with that chip while keeping a guy from killing me. He knew what it'd do, but he took the hit anyway. That's the kind of thing that counts in my book."
"You make a good point," Xander said, "But until I see some proof of it with my own eyes, I'm gonna keep Spike as far away from the people I care about as possible. But, if you're comfortable with a soulless monster at your back, I've got no problem with it."
"That's a little harsh, Xan," Buffy said. "It's not that we don't care what happens to you, or that we wouldn't help out if Spike's chip stopped working. It's just. . . well, we don't like him."
Xander conceded the point with a nod.
Riley and Faith approached the group.
"What's with the grim?" Faith asked. "We should all be out there, partying!"
"We were just discussing the intelligence of keeping soulless vampires as allies, and how to deal with them if they go badder," Willow said.
"And um, if he does cause trouble, you can learn his source, a-and we'll show him his insect reflection," Tara said.
Blank stares followed.
"Th-that was funny if you've studied Taglarin mythic rites. . . and are a complete dork," Tara said, bowing her head a little, and moving off towards the bar. Willow frowned and quickly followed her.
"How come Xander didn't laugh, then?" Riley asked.
"I don't know that Taglarin stuff," Xander replied.
"Oh," Riley said. "Anyway, you all should stay here for a few minutes, while Xander and I settle our bet."
"What, NOW?" Xander asked, suddenly sweating.
"Yes, now," Riley said. "It's the best time, and I know you know the manager. You can set it up."
"I don't know how fast, though," Xander said worriedly.
"What bet?" Buffy asked.
"About which team would do better this season, the Kings or the Black Hawks," Riley said.
"What sport is this?" Faith asked.
"Hockey," Xander, Riley and Pike said at the same time.
"Oh," Buffy said. "Well, who won?"
"Neither of us," Xander said. "They ended the season with exactly the same record, so we decided we both lost."
"And Riley wants to settle now?" Faith asked.
"Yeah, because he's a lot braver than I am," Xander said.
"Why do you like Chicago?" Pike asked.
"My dad traveled a good amount when I was a kid, but he always tried to take me to Black Hawk games. He grew up in Chicago," Riley said.
Pike nodded as Willow and Tara rejoined the group, drinks in hand and Willow's arm around Tara's waist. Xander sent a sincere smile Willow's way, along with a questioning look, asking if Tara was okay. Willow nodded slightly.
"So what's the bet?" Buffy asked.
"We're not allowed to say, until it happens," Xander said, turning his attention back to glaring at Riley. "You really want to do this now?"
"I surely do," Riley said. "Better to get it over with, I say."
Xander sighed. "Okay, I'll go talk to Mike."
Xander walked off, muttering, and the group re-engaged in small talk.
Five minutes later, Xander came back shaking his head. "It's set up," he said. "They had all the equipment out and ready for tomorrow, it's just a minute's work to plug it in."
The next song ended, and the manager of the club came up onto the stage with two microphones.
"Excuse me, everybody," Mike said. "We've got a special occasion here tonight. Two young men have lost a bet and are settling up. I know karaoke night's tomorrow, but we here at the Bronze feel that a little tonight won't hurt anybody but the participants. So please indulge us as we present the vocal stylings of Xander Harris and Riley Finn."
"Oh God," Buffy and Faith said at the same time. Willow was grinning, and Pike turned his stool around to watch the two men approach the stage, Riley lightheartedly, Xander more trudging than actually walking.
The two men took their positions on stage, each with a microphone, Riley smiling, Xander shaking his head, but unable to keep a wry grin from his face.
Slow, soft music started up from the speakers and the crowd applauded and laughed as Faith and Buffy buried their faces in their hands. Xander whispered something to Mike, who nodded and went backstage. The music continued, and Riley took the first verse, with a somewhat melodic yet obviously untrained voice.
"Close your eyes, make a wish
And blow out the candlelight
For tonight is just your night
We're gonna celebrate, all thru the night
Pour the wine, light the fire
Girl your wish is my command
I submit to your demands
I will do anything, girl you need only ask,"
At this point Xander joined Riley and the crowd cheered even more. A spotlight shot out from back stage and pasted itself onto both Buffy and Faith. The two men sang their hearts out.
"I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to"
Xander then, with his slightly more practice voice, took over the melody with a surprising amount of gusto.
"Girl relax, let's go slow
I ain't got nowhere to go
I'm just gonna concentrate on you
Girl are you ready, it's gonna be a long night
Throw your clothes on the floor
I'm gonna take my clothes off too
I made plans to be with you
Girl whatever you ask me you know I can do"
Riley then re-joined on the chorus, both Faith and Buffy shaking their heads, embarrassed out of their minds. Willow and Pike were laughing raucously, and Tara could be seen chuckling lightly, just outside of the spotlight.
"I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to"
Despite the solo nature of the next verse, Xander and Riley, lacking a third partner, both sang.
"Baby tonight is your night
And I will do you right
Just make a wish on your night
Anything that you ask
I will give you the love of your life Your life Your life,
I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to."
The two men ended with a flourish and bow and jumped off the stage. They jogged over to their respective girlfriends, who were both ashamed of and pleased with their men. They allowed them both quick kisses, before forcing them to sit down. Much congratulations in the form of back slaps were given to the men throughout the night.
Both men made good on the song that night.
----------
End Chapter 8
Music in this chapter by Boyz II Men. No infringement intended.
