Disclaimer:

Me: (smiles) this is an excellent look for you.

Officer: ooh, nice. (Tries to look in mirror but its not working)

Me: too bad you can't stay.

Officer: Huh?

Me: (stakes vamp)

Officer: Bit… (Turns to dust)

Me: (whips off hands) that was fun can I do it again?

Vamp: (appears from nowhere) you can try

Me: Harmony?

Bronzing

Dawn sat in on the living room couch watching the Lizzie McGuire movie with interest. She had seen it before but that didn't mean that she wasn't enjoying it this time. Spike had called her hopeless when she had asked him to watch with her and Buffy called her pathetic. They seemed to think they were too good to watch "kiddy movies."

The doorbell rang at almost the same second the phone did. By the sound of it, Buffy had picked up the phone leaving her to open the door. With a sigh, she got up and paused the movie. The sound of shuffling feet on the patio was distinct in the sudden silence. The faint mumbles of Buffy upstairs could be heard as well.

Pulling the door open, Dawn smiled. "Hey Xander" she said happily.

"Dawnster" he grinned stepping into the house. Looking around for a quick second, his grin deepened at the sight of the house. Everything was the same, well almost. Willow had informed him of the recent developments in the Buffy realm. "Is big sis home?"

"Yeah. She's upstairs." She hesitated before going forward for a hug. "I missed you."

He hugged her back. "Me too." After a moment, they let go and he began climbing the stairs. Buffy's voice began to get stronger.

"I'll be there in a few Will" she was saying. "No, I won't ditch you." Pause. "Don't worry about it." Pause. "Okay, see you soon. Bye." And then the only thing that was heard was the phone being but back into its cradle.

Xander rounded the corner and almost crashed into Buffy who was exiting the room. She paused, regaining her balance, and then looked at him. "Xander?" she asked astonished.

"What's up Buffy? Miss me?"

"Oh my God! You have no idea how much!" was her response as she threw herself into his arms. "I thought you were coming back tomorrow."

"I was but I was done with the contracting job so I came a little early."

They let go of each other and retreated into Buffy's room. "How was New York? As fun as it's hyped up to be?"

"Funner" he quipped then paused. "Yes, I do know that's not a word."

"Where's Anya? Is she here too?"

"She was too tired to even go to the shop this morning and get this. She didn't mention money the whole way back."

"Is she sick?"

"No, exhausted. Pretty much like me actually."

"Then why are you here? You could've come tomorrow all rested and every thing."

"Actually, I'm here to do you a favor."

"A favor?"

"Yup" he nodded.

"And what would that be?"

"I've come to watch Dawn for you. Willow wanted to make sure that you have no excuse to back out of the 'outing.' "

"Nice" she nodded. "The whole trust between friends."

"It's love sweetie." Buffy shook her head and smiled. She was kind of surprised at how much she'd missed him and this aimless bantering. Her friends were back and she had someone to confide in. Maybe that would make things easier.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Bronze was packed by the time Buffy reached it. Hoards of teens were dancing to the techno music playing. According to the fliers all over town, there would be bands playing later in the evening.

Anyway, Buffy looked around trying to spot one of her friends. "Buffy!" someone called from behind her. Spinning around, she smiled as Willow in her very chipper way bounced towards her. "Hey" she said once she finally reached her.

"You sent Xander?" Buffy responded allowing Willow to drag her across the crowd somewhere.

"It was insurance." Buffy rolled her eyes and came to a stop next to Willow. They were standing before a table, small and round, filled with familiar faces. There was Tara, the angelic motherly figure of the group. Then there was Oz. He rarely hung out with group being that he was always moving from town to town for one reason or another. Andrew was there. What could be said about Andrew? They weren't really sure what was with him actually, he was just there for the occasional comic humor. There was Wesley who could sometimes be way too British for his own good. And lastly, there was Angel and Cordelia. (Me; I really love the together although they were never actually together per say. Damn you Joss Wheddon!) Basically, they were the love-y dove-y couple of the group, besides Anya and Xander that is.

To be honest, Andrew and Wesley weren't really part of their group. They were closer friends with Spike then anyone. Oz just went between groups and Angel was only there because they were sort of friends with Cordelia. All of the guys, minus Andrew which is a debate in and of itself, were in a band with Spike.

"Hi guys' said Buffy while sliding into a seat between Tara and Wesley.

A general round of "heys" and "how are yous" went around the group. "Who wants to dance?" questioned Angel suddenly.

"Let's go shake our shimmiet off" responded Cordy grabbing his arm.

"Anyone else?" Andrew stood followed by Wesley and the four of them went onto the dance floor. Oz made up some excuse to leave and Tara went for drinks. In other words, Willow and Buffy were left alone to talk for a few minutes.

"Okay, I think that was planned" Willow said with a slight frown.

"Ya think?" Buffy answered good-naturedly.

"So, what happened with Spike?"

"I told him that I just wanted to be friends. " She looked down at her hands.

"And?"

"And he took it well. He was all for it."

"You have 'but' face." Buffy looked at her strangely and Willow backtracked. "I meant that you look like you're about to say 'but.' "

"Will, I have bad taste in guys."

"No arguing there."

"So it's only natural to assume that there is something wrong with every guy I like right."

"No."

"No?"

"No. Look Buffy, just because you've had bad luck with guys thus far, doesn't mean that you're never going to fine Mr. Right."

"Mr. Right, what a novel concept."

"I think that everyone has a soul mate. An opposite made just for them. I have Tara and Cordy has Angel." Buffy nodded distractedly.

"Do you hear that?" she asked Willow.

"What?"

"That music? It sounds kinda like…" Buffy trailed off when she spotted him.

There he was, onstage looking cuter than ever. His hands were on the microphone as he swayed to the music leisurely. The words he was singing came out smoothly and completely relaxed. He looked to be completely comfortable with the all those eyes on him, something Buffy was never especially comfortable with. Spike.

Looking back at me, I see that I never really got it right.

I never stopped to think of you.

I'm always wrapped up in things I cannot win.

You are the antidote that gets me by.

Something strong like a drug that gets me high.

What I really meant to say

Is I'm sorry for the way I am.

I never meant to be so cold.

I never meant to be so cold.

What I really meant to say is I'm sorry for the way I am.

I never meant to be so cold.

I never meant to be so cold!

To you, I'm sorry about all the lies.

Buffy watched him intently. All the room, everyone else, seemed to just drop away. It wasn't so much the lyrics that she was listening to, mostly because she knew for a fact that Oz had written this and not Spike. What she was watching was the way he swayed, the way he sang. She was watching the way the words seemed to just pour from his lips. But the thing she was most attracted to was his eyes as they stared at her intently. It was like she was the only one in the room. Buffy smiled.

As the song came to closing, Buffy smiled. That was it; that was all it took for her to figure it out once and for all. She was falling for Spike and, if the look he was giving her was any indication, so was he. Her smile widened.

In her pocket, her cell phone began to vibrate. Picking up and temporarily breaking out of her trance, Buffy said "hello?"

"Buffy?" came the familiar voice.

"Giles? Hey." She couldn't keep the surprise from creeping into her voice. Giles wasn't one for technology and the number on the phone was not his house phone. If it had been, his name would have come up. Basically, it was safe to assume that he was using a cell phone which was a big step up for him. Now all that was needed was some knowledge on how to work a computer and he'd finally exit the Stone Age.

"There's something I must tell you." She could practically hear him cleaning his glasses. "You're mother, she's awake." Buffy went pale and her eyes widened.

"Buffy?" Willow questioned as the Spike's band came to a close. "Are you alright?" When Buffy didn't answer, Willow took the phone away and asked Giles what was going on. After a minute, she hung up just in time to see Tara and Spike approaching.

"What's going on?" Spike asked as soon as he reached the table.

"Mom's awake" replied Buffy as her senses finally caught up to her.

"I'll drive" Spike said simply and with that, the two left wordlessly.

Author's Note-

This whole chapter was leading to that last part really. The song is cold by Crossfade. There's really no point to sticking it in but I like the song and just happened to be listening to it while I was writing that section. I wanted to wake Joyce up, finally, because I wanted to add another twist. Remember in the beginning when the doctors said that someone may have actually done this to Joyce? Let's just say that's gonna be key in the next chapter. Review please because I love hearing from you. If you guys have any suggestions, questions, or comments, don't hesitate to share them with me. Until next time!