Like Other Girls
 A Buffy: The Vampire Slayer Series/Movie Short Story
By Teri

Summary: Sometimes the future is found in the past and Buffy's past sneaks up behind her when she least expects it. Could she live happily ever after? (Pike/Buffy Post-Chosen)

Disclaimer: I am not associated with the creators of the Buffy movie or series. No harm is intended to the copyright holders.

He really didn't feel like going to the homecoming dance, but he didn't have much of a choice. He was a student and an employee of the college. He really didn't want to be there – big parties and dances were never his thing. In fact the last dance he attended ended abruptly when – well when a master vampire sent a bunch of goons to kidnap his date. Actually, that was his best experience with such events, which was clearly the reason he avoided these things.

He walked in the room and hoped he could just hang to the side, find someone to distract him, and maybe find some good conversation. He looked around the room, hoping to find someone to save him.

Someone to save him? He looked and saw a petite blonde who looked very familiar. It couldn't be her, could it? It was just because he was thinking of the last dance they attended together and he wanted some one to save him and that was right up her alley. He walked closer until he was sure. She was older, but it was definite. It was Buffy.

He managed to get behind her without him seeing her. He tapped her on her right shoulder. She turned quickly, but didn't see anyone. He then tapped her on her other shoulder, but this time when she turned around she saw a face from the past, a face she had never forgotten.

She smiled widely at him surprised to see him. Before she was able to say anything he stopped her. "I, uh crashed, your party."

She recognized the line from long ago and replied in kind. "How shallow of you."

He smiled pleased that she remembered. "I'm pretty shallow."

"I'm glad you came." Both then and now, she thought to herself.

"You know I was just remembering the last dance I attended. You know the one."

"Yes." She finally couldn't resist any longer and gave him a hug. "What are you doing here Pike?"

"I'm a student here."

"You are?" she asked in surprise.

"Yeah, graduate student." He gave her that little self-deprecationing smile that she remembered so well. "You?"

"I just enrolled. I wanted to finish my degree. It was time."

"You still, uh, you know?" He asked searching to describe her extracurricular activities.

She chuckled for a moment at his expression. "Yes."

"After all this time. . . . and now you are going back to school?"

She nodded.

"You know Buffy, you're not like other girls."

"Yes, I am."

"Uh, would I get my ass kicked if I asked you to dance?"

She smiled at him coyly in the way she had about her. "Maybe. . . "

He held a hand out to her in invitation and she accepted.

"I suppose you want to lead?" He asked her with a teasing smile.

"No." She shared his grin as when she first saw him tonight she recognized that he was once again quoting the lines they had said to each other so long ago.

"Me neither." He whispered.

"This is a good thing."

The two glided on to the dance floor without further discussion. They moved together as if they had been working and dancing together for years, but in truth they had even talked in eight years.

It was unclear by the end of the night if they would live happily ever after, but it was clear that the couple had potential and that they would have fun becoming reacquainted. Who knows they could live happily ever after, because in the world of "Buffy: the Vampire Slayer" magic happens everyday.

Hope someone enjoyed this story. Teri