Chapter 10. Give Me This Dance. Buffy and Xander are in the World Dance Competition. Yeah, for them.

Xander walks Buffy home. The two walk down the beach to her bedroom, sliding the door open. Buffy takes Xander's hands and looks into his deep, brown eyes.

"I really wish we could celebrate this but…" says Buffy.

"I know," says Xander. "Your parents."

"All I've told them is that I got a summer job and Riley is working in the same place, too."

"You guys should celebrate," says Riley as he walks over to them, with Tara by his side. "It's an honor."

"Yeah, I know."

"But no alcohol or beach involved." They all laugh at that comment Riley made.

"My big brother, always protecting me."

"Maybe we can celebrate tomorrow during our lunch break," says Xander.

"Sounds like a plan," says Riley. Tara nods at the idea.

"Great, then we'll meet tomorrow."

"Okay," replies Buffy as she kisses Xander on the lips. Riley kisses Tara and says his goodbyes and then enters with Buffy into her room. Xander and Tara head to the car to go home.

Riley quietly heads out of Buffy's room and to his room, without waking their parents. Buffy watches him as he enters his room.

"See ya tomorrow," says Buffy as she closes the door.

The next day, Buffy is stretching out on the stage and Ethan comes over. He watches Buffy for a little while, until Buffy notices that he is watching. She stands up and looks at him.

"Can I help you?" asks Buffy.

"You are quite flexible," says Ethan still looking at her up and down.

"We need to be or we'll hurt a muscle," replies Buffy as she covers herself with a towel nearby.

"You are a dance teacher, are you not?" Buffy stares at him for a moment.

"Yes."

"Well, I haven't danced in ages, but I think you can teach an old man new tricks."

"You'll need to make an appointment at the appointment desk. I'm not sure if you'll get a chance. We are pretty full with the classes."

"Oh, but maybe you can make an arrangement for me." Buffy begins to get nervous, until Xander comes over to her.

"Buffy…Hi Mr. Rayne is it?" says Xander.

"Yes."

"Is there something you need?"

"No, thanks. We'll see you tonight at dinner."

"You bet." Ethan walks off and Buffy turns to Xander.

"What's the matter?" Xander asks.

"He makes me feel uncomfortable, Xander." Xander looks at where Ethan exits the room.

"Buffy, did he blackmail you?"

"No, I don't think so. But I think he has intentions of doing so." Xander pulls Buffy close to him and sooths her.

Meanwhile in the hotel owner's office, a woman with dark hair enters the office. Wesley is writing a note on his desk and does not look up at his visitor.

"Mr. Price," says the woman. "I need to talk to you about something."

"Yes," replies Wesley as his eyes finally see the woman in his office. "Jenny."

"Isn't it nice to see me again?" Jenny walks over to his desk and sits on it.

"It's been too long."

"Well, I had things to do, lives to live and you running this hotel. Didn't expect that at all."

"Well, a man can change, can't he?"

"From a book worm to a million dollar man. That's kind of farfetched, don't you think?"

"The way you put it perhaps, a little."

"You look good."

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for Angel."

"The manager. Yes, his office is down the hall."

"Well, if I'm not a distraction I can spend some more time here. You know, catching up."

"Ann, will you cancel all my appointments." Jenny smiles at Wesley as he closes the office door.

Later that day at lunch, Xander and Buffy celebrate with all the dancers. Spike and Faith start to act a little jittery and they keep looking at the exit.

"What's up?" asks Xander. Spike looks over at Xander.

"Nothing," replies Spike.

"You guys seem to have your attention at something," says Buffy.

"Well, when it gets here you'll find out," says Faith with a smile.

"What gets here?" asks Xander.

"You'll find out," says Spike as he pats him on the shoulder.

A couple minutes later, the door to the restaurant opens and in comes a baby carriage and a man and woman. Everyone puts their attention on them as they walk over to Buffy and Xander's table, who are seated with their backs against the entrance.

"Guess who?" asks the woman that entered the restaurant as the woman put her hands over Xander's eyes. Buffy turns around and already knows who it is.

"Hmmm…Cindy Crawford," says Xander with a smile. Buffy slaps him lightly on the arm as the woman takes her hands off his eyes. Xander turns around and sees his best friend Willow. He quickly gets up and gives her a tight hug.

"I'm so excited for you two getting into a dance contest and getting the job at the hotel," says Willow. Xander gives his seat up for Willow and she sits down. He then shakes Oz's hand.

"So, how's the life of a father treating you?" asks Xander.

"It's been pretty smooth," says Oz as he hands over the baby to Willow.

"She is so beautiful," says Buffy as she touches the baby's hand. "Can I hold her?" Willow nods her head and hands Buffy the baby. Buffy holds her and cradles her in her arms.

"We really miss you," says Xander. "The both of you."

"See you found someone for Tara," says Oz as he sees Tara with a tall and handsome guy. "And she's speaking."

"Yeah, who would have thought she'd like Buffy's brother?"

"Is he as good as her?"

"He's good. A football player."

"Right."

"So, what's her name?" asks Buffy to Willow.

"Alyson," says Willow with a smile. "She looks like an Aly."

"You bet, Will," says Xander as he sees Alyson in Buffy's arms. Buffy looks at Xander with a smile.

They all talk about the contest and stuff that has been going on. Xander and Buffy even feed baby Aly. Oz gets along with Riley very well.

"You want one of those?" asks Xander. Buffy's eyes widen.
"Um, not right now," replies Buffy. "Don't you think it's a little too soon to be talking about that? I mean, you haven't even met my parents."

"Yeah, I know, but I guess seeing the baby makes you want to have one of your own."

"It's something to think about for later. Right now, we got to focus on dancing."

Dancing is what they ate, breathed, and slept for six excruciating weeks. The three judges gave them points just like everyone else in the dance competition. As soon as the points are added up to the semifinals dance off, that is when they decide who goes to the championships.

"I can't believe tomorrow is the semifinals," says Buffy as she and Xander walk over to her sliding door. "I wish my parents could go."

"Invite them," says Xander. "Tell them about it."

"I can't. They won't approve. I love dancing. I've danced my whole life, but they don't think that it will get me anywhere."

"That's because they haven't seen you, am I right?"

"They have. They just don't see a future for me in it."

"Well, at least you have your brother."

"And you have your mother."

"I don't think she's coming."

"She's your mother and she's living with you. And she's dating the owner of the hotel."

"What?"

"I saw them get very cozy in the hallway."

"Oh my gosh." Xander passes his hand through his hair. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow. You better get some rest."

"You, too." Buffy pop kisses him and Xander closes the sliding door.

Buffy takes a shower and changes. As she is brushing her teeth, she sees Riley enter the bathroom.

"You came in late," says Buffy with toothpaste in her mouth.

"What?" asks Riley. Buffy spits the toothpaste out.

"I said you came in late."

"Oh, yeah. We weren't far. Took a walk on the beach. Went skinny dipping. You know, stuff like that."

"You, skinny dipping? Why didn't Tara have a camera?"

"Very funny." Riley starts to brush his teeth. "Hey, you look a little pale today."

"I'm fine. Goodnight." Buffy walks out of the bathroom and then starts seeing everything blurry. Before she knew it, she falls to the ground. Riley hears it and comes out of the bathroom.

"Buffy!" says Riley. "Oh my gosh." Their parents heard the fall and Riley yell Buffy's name and came over to where they were.

"What happened?" asks Giles.

"I don't know, she was just heading back to her room and she collapsed," replies Riley.

"Honey, call an ambulance," says Giles.