A/N: I bet you thought I was giving up on this story. Not true, just needed to find time from school. Anyway, here you go, thank you to those who actually reviewed. Standard disclaimer applies.
Chapter 4
Buffy woke up the next morning with a groan. "Somebody, please stop the ride. I wanna get off."
After returning from the Bronze, the roomies decided to play some drinking games, just to prolong the evening. Quarters turned into asshole which led to horse races and then anchorman. At the end of it all, Buffy was well and truly shitfaced. In fact, she didn't even remember the latter part of the evening.
Buffy stumbled downstairs and was immediately greeted with the aroma of coffee. "I swear to God that I will kiss the feet of whoever made coffee."
Willow laughed, and then winced. "Ow. Stop making me laugh, it aggravates the clog dancers in my head and they speed up."
Buffy smiled at Willow and grabbed a mug from the drying rack. She filled it to the brim with coffee and took a big sip. "Oh, hot!"
Anya breezed into the kitchen. Willow was laughing but trying not to and Buffy was wincing and waving her hands around her face. "Nice to see you girls are feeling okay."
Buffy wanted to roll her eyes, but was afraid it would hurt too much. "Why are you in such good mood?"
Anya shrugged. "I, unlike you two, drank several glasses of water throughout the night as well as aspirin before bed. And I am better at drinking games, so I didn't imbibe as much alcohol as you did. And even though I went to bed alone, I still have several pleasant sex dreams. Some even involved celebrities."
"I hate you," Buffy muttered.
Anya cocked an eyebrow. "Since I know you are just lashing out due to your own pain, I will let that slide. Are we still shopping today?"
Buffy nodded, then groaned and grabbed her head. "Yeah, shopping good. Shower now."
Cave-Buffy headed to the downstairs bathroom. Willow headed upstairs leaving Anya contemplating the value of a bagel or toast. Buffy reappeared ten minutes later in jeans, a tank top, flip-flops and dark sunglasses.
Anya looked at Buffy up and down. "Nice outfit. Trying to imagine life as a fashion victim?"
Buffy flipped Anya the bird and Anya laughed. "And people say you're not a lady. Hard to imagine why."
Willow wandered down dressed in attire similar to Buffy. "Copycat," she said to Buffy.
Buffy shook her head and winced. "Don't make me smack you. And I'm not it for driving either."
Anya breezed by the hung-over girls, keys in hand. "Like I want to risk my life with either of you behind the wheel. You're both scary on a good day. I'm driving."
"Whatever, Anya. Let's go," Willow said, grabbing her purse. They headed out the door and toward the mall.
Spike awoke in about the same condition as Buffy. His head ached and it felt like a furry animal had shit then died in his mouth. The event of the previous night spun in his head and almost gave him motion sickness.
Luckily enough, Spike made it to the toilet before the projectile dynamics began. He splashed some water on his face and brushed his teeth. He told Xander last night that he would go to the mall with him today, something about Xander needing new shirts.
Spike cursed Xander under his breath, blaming him for his previous intoxication. Although Spike knew it really wasn't Xander's fault, it felt nice to lay the blame on somebody.
After 20 or 30 aspirin, Spike's head didn't feel like was about to explode. The light didn't make him feel nauseated and he could basically stand up straight without whimpering too much.
The cheerful honking of Xander's horn had Spike contemplating the California penal code sections pertaining to murder in the first degree. Swearing under his breath, he quickly scribbled a note and quietly let himself out.
Xander's goofy face and grin did nothing to assuage Spike's temper.
"What's got you in such a bleedin' good mood?" Spike grumbled as he stepped into Xander's ancient car.
Xander grinned and a blush stained his face. "Nada. Just, you know, met a girl."
Spike's curiosity was piqued. "Oh yeah? When?"
Xander shrugged. "Last night. Her name's Anya. She goes to school here. Thinks I have 'orgasm potential' and stuff."
Spike coughed and choked. "What?"
Xander's grin widened. "Yeah. That was the first thing she said to me."
Spike laughed. "Quite an up front bird, isn't she?"
Xander nodded. "Refreshing is the word I think."
Spike couldn't disagree with that. The two friends rode in silence until they reached the illustrious Sunnydale Mall. Two whole floors of shopping nirvana.
The first stop the boys made was at Starbucks. Spike got a venti blended vanilla mocha. Xander snickered at Spike's choice and ordered plain coffee. They carried their drinks out to the small tables and sat down.
Spike sipped his drink. "Ahh. Much better." The pounding in his head began to slow and he could open his eyes a little wider.
People streamed around the mall. Women with baby strollers and husbands in tow, single women, single men and clusters of teenagers. Old, young, small and large, people milled from store to store and the cash register chime was palpable even out in the food court.
It was pure happenstance that Spike managed to catch sight of her blonde hair. That or a miracle. Either way, Spike gave thanks as he watched the pretty blonde and her friends from the Bronze walk toward Victoria's Secret.
"Think I may need to do some shopping for frillies," Spike said to Xander.
"Huh?" came Xander's response.
Spike inclined his head toward the store where the girls were holding up various bras and panties to their bodies and giggling.
Xander's eyes widened. "Yeah, frillies. Good call."
The boys gathered up their drinks and headed toward the store.
Buffy held up a pale blue silk bra and panty set. "What do you guys think of this?"
Willow nodded. "Looks good Buff. Complements your skin."
Anya eyed the underwear critically. "It's okay, but you can't rush into these things. Underwear is a key component of a seduction outfit. Good underwear means good orgasms. That's not scientifically proven, just my observation."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Thanks Anya. I'll take that into consideration."
Anya beamed. "Glad to help."
After a few more selections, the girls headed back to the dressing room. Buffy and Anya crammed into one and Willow, who was too modest for the garments, chose to wait outside.
Many minutes and several heated debates later, Buffy decided on a burgundy silk and black lace underwear set and Anya scored two corsets, some garter belts and stockings.
The three girls chatted as they made their way to the counter. "I'm still not sure about this," Buffy said. "I still kinda like the blue."
"Oh I don't know luv, red is my favorite color," a deep British voice purred in her ear.
Shivers raced down Buffy's spine. She spun around and was faced with an amazing pair of cerulean eyes and one of the best bodies she'd seen since, well, since the Bronze.
"Your eyes are blue," she said dazedly.
Spike smiled. "And yours are beautiful, kitten."
It could have been the accent. Or it could have been his eyes or his hard body. Hell, it could have been the scar that Buffy just wanted to stroke with her thumb. In any case, hearing the word kitten from his mouth was an instant aphrodisiac for Buffy. Her breathing increased her nipples tightened and other parts of her body responded accordingly.
Anya coughed pointedly and the moment was broken. Buffy stepped back, stuttering.
"Um, er. So, yeah. 'M just gonna go and pay and stuff," Buffy muttered.
Buffy trotted up to the counter and Spike followed behind her.
"So, pet, do you have a name or shall I just continue making them up?"
A blush stole over Buffy's cheeks. "Um, yeah. Buffy. Well, Elizabeth actually, but all my friends call me Buffy."
Spike leaned close to Buffy's ear. "Is that what we are Buffy? Friends?"
His breath tickled the small hairs of her ears and sent chills all over her body. She placed her garments up on the counter and gave a plastic smile to the woman behind the counter.
Turning to face Spike again, she felt her tummy tighten and butterflies bloom. "You can never have too many friends, right?"
Spike inclined his head, conceding to her. "That's true, luv."
"That'll be $48.50," came a voice behind Buffy.
Buffy spun around and handed the woman her Visa.
Spike walked back toward Xander who was talking animatedly with Willow and Anya.
"And how are you ladies? Not bored to tears yet hopefully?" he asked jokingly.
Xander smacked Spike and Willow and Anya tittered. "So, do you ladies have any big plans today?" Spike asked.
The girls shook their heads and Spike smiled. "Excellent. What do you say that we catch a movie or something?"
"What's that?" Buffy asked as she joined the group.
"Movie, pet?" Spike asked.
Buffy nodded. "Sure, sounds good."
"Looks like we're heading to the movies," Xander said.
