AN: I promised two, and you shall receive!

Chapter 8

Buffy laughed as she listened to Spike talk about high school. In front of her, a large shake sat half finished. Spike's voice was full of life as he told her all about the day Principle Snyder had tried to stop a food fight, only to be the main object of the corn dogs and macaroni and cheese.

"So, I was sitting there, minding my own business of course, when he ran by, slipped on the mashed potatoes on the ground, and wham! The bloody git went down like a sack of coal!"

"Oh my! Spike! You didn't!" Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she watched Spike try to pull of the innocent routine.

"I did nothing at all, I was a good chap, ate all my greens, did my studies, and made it out on time. Never caused a lick of trouble." Spike beamed at her, his dimples coming out in force. Buffy took in the smile, and felt herself growing flush for a moment.

"Spike, I hardly believe you were innocent." She grinned, none-the-less, however.

"You bout done with that?" He indicated her shake in front of her. Buffy looked down at the melting chocolate shake, and nodded. "Well, then, let's get you back home, should we? The poof is likely worrying about you by now."

Buffy nodded, and slipped from the pink vinyl covered booth, and waited as Spike left a quarter and nickel on the table for a tip. As they left the small nearly empty diner, she couldn't help but study the paradox of a man in front of her. He had changed, but she could still see the shy youth he had once been. It was just different now, was all. 

The walk home as rather quiet, both more aware of the other then they had been earlier. Spike studied her from the corner of his eye, watching how the moonlight slid over her skin like the kiss of a lover. It caused her glorious golden hair to shimmer silver in the night. Without thought, Spike reached his hand out to brush the silver strands from her shoulder, but stopped just before his skin made contact with hers.

Spike flexed his hand, and brought it back, griping his fist again and again to stop the need he felt to touch her. Satin, he thought. She would feel like satin. Instead of reaching to touch her shoulder, he snaked his hand over, and caught her slim fingers in his. Buffy turned to him, surprise evident in her face, but her hand remained in his.

It's there again, she thought, that shy boy. His eyes were almost pleading for acceptance from her, and she nodded shyly. She had never held hands, or walked in the moonlight with a boy before. This was all new to her, though she found that she liked it rather well. The rest of the walk was made in silence, though it was comfortable, and nice. They came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs leading to the apartment, and waited for a short time, both looking at the other for just a brief moment.

Finally, Spike broke the silence. "The party this weekend… I was wondering, pet, if you would be my date?"

Buffy broke into a giddy smile, and nodded. "I think I would like that, Spike."

"Well, that's a relief then, saves the old boy from getting rejected. Well, then, goodnight Buffy." He smiled gently, and before she had a chance to respond, he leaned over, and placed his lips softly on hers. Buffy started in surprise, then leaned more into him, placing a palm on his chest. Spike took the initiative and pulled an arm around her waist, and placed his other hand on the silken strands of hair, weaving his fingers in the soft mass.

Just as Spike ventured to caress her lips with his tongue, Liam poked his head out the door, and hollered down at them. "Spike! I told you to stop drawing on her. Buffy, you ready for bed yet?" Liam had a grin on his face as he looked down on his kid sister and one of his best friends. Spike pulled away with a groan, and Buffy found herself blushing brightly.

"Yes, Lee, I'm coming." With a shy smile, Buffy made her way up the stairs, and went inside. Liam watched Spike for a moment, and disappeared inside as well.

*

Buffy sorted through all the clothes she had bought, and finished bagging up her old clothes. She had found a mission in town that would accept donations, and planned to take the clothing over on Monday morning. Tonight was the big night, and Willow was coming over early to help her get ready, then they were going to make some munchies, as Willow called them. She was off buying groceries, and would be there soon.

Buffy had chosen the long sleeved white peasants top, and the green hot pants. Willow was even going to bring over a tall pair of white vinyl go-go boots for her to borrow. Buffy couldn't wait and had been experimenting with the makeup in her case all day. Thick black mascara went on her eyes, framing them darkly, while she put shimmery powder on her cheeks and eyes, followed up by a sheer strawberry flavored gloss on her lips.

Just as Buffy was pulling out a vanilla body spray, she heard Willow come in, slamming the door loudly in her wake. Buffy came out to help her, and together, they put the groceries away. Buffy had learned early in the week that the only time there was food in the house, was when Willow brought some with her. The guys just couldn't be bothered to bring any with them, and Liam was hardly the type to go buy any himself.

After putting them away, Willow pulled the tall white boots from a bag near the door, and grinned as Buffy held them, her eyes open in awe. She quickly sat down, kicked off the mules on her feet, and pulled the tall boots on. Willow held in a chuckle as Buffy paraded herself around the living room in the tall boots with the thick chunky heals and squared off toes.

"I take it you approve?"

"Jinkies, these are the grooviest!" Buffy giggled, and sat back down to take them off. Buffy finally took in what Willow was wearing, and giggled. A loose jean skirt came to Willow's upper thighs, and she had on a long sleeved wide stripped tan and brown turtleneck, with soft suede boots that laced up her calves. Her long hair was ironed flat again, and she had an orange bandana around her head. Thin wooden beads were wound around her neck, with a big ankh on the end.

"Willow, how short is that skirt?"

"How tall are those boots?" Willow asked, peering at the boots in Buffy's hand. Buffy giggled, and nodded.

They quickly started making some brownies, and a batch of gooey cookies. By the time the girls were done, it was nearly 5, and Liam would be back soon. They hurried into Buffy's room, which was now littered with posters of David Cassidy, and the Brady boys. Willow had brought over several magazine's for Buffy to cut apart for decorating purposes.

Willow turned her back while Buffy got into her outfit, and turned when she heard the zippers on the boots being pulled up. "Buffy, you are gonna knock Spike off his chair tonight."

Buffy looked into the small mirror she had dug up for her room, and grinned. Willow went into the other room, and turned the iron on, while Buffy worked up the nerve to actually iron her hair. Tonight is going to be great, she thought to herself as she waited. Just a perfect night.