Chapter 14. Give Me This Dance.

Their dancing set was phenomenal and Buffy's parents are astonished by her incredible skills. As they finish their session, the crowd grows into a roar. They seem to have liked them very much and the judges take that into consideration as well.

Xander and Buffy head off the dance floor. Buffy sits down and begins to take deep breaths. She looks at Xander and then he touches her belly. Xander sits next to her happy that pull off a great perfromance.

A couple minutes later, Buffy's parents appear where they are resting for the next dance. Buffy's eyes widen and she quickly stands up. Her mother walks up to her, with a very upset expression on her face. Buffy stands her ground and looks at her.

"You were incredible out there," says Joyce. Buffy sighs in relief. Joyce then hugs her daughter.

"You weren't so bad yourself," says Giles with a smile to Xander.

"Thanks," says Xander. Willow, Tara, and Cordy walk over to them.

"Hey, you guys did great," says Cordy. "And you looked great too."

"Thanks," says Buffy. "We still got one more set to go."

"I know you will both do great," says Joyce.

"I'm so glad you're not mad."

"I am a little, but it'll pass."

"Well, we better get ready for the next set." Buffy kisses both her parents and walks away with Xander.

Xander and Buffy are called to the next session and as the first time, they became a crowd favorite. Although when Giles sees Buffy come out in a very short little number, he is appalled. He threatens to ground her after the dance competitions are over.

"Dad, I don't see anything wrong with it," says Dawn. "I think it's cute."

"You're grounded, too," says Giles.

"Dad, cool it," says Riley putting his hand on his shoulders. "At least she's wearing underwear." Giles looks at him with a state of shock.

"Riley, I think you went over the line," says Dawn.

"Giles, will you be quiet about the dress?" says Joyce. "It's just a dress. Deal with it, honey."

Soon it is time to tally the total points for their second set and when they announce who will be going to the championships. It's the first five finalists who move on to the next round.

"From a total of 98.7, in first place is Lilah and Lindsey," says the announcer. "In second place scoring 98.4 Alexander and Buffy."

"Oh my gosh," says Joyce as she hears her daughter's name being called and winning second place. The crowd goes wild.

When Buffy and Xander hear it, the two jump for joy and hug each other so tight. They then trip over each other and fall to the ground. They laugh at themselves.

"I love you," says Buffy who is on top of Xander looking straight into his eyes.

"I love you, too," replies Xander with a grin. The two kiss.

The announcer announces all the other winners, who will be going to the championships. After that, Buffy and Xander's cheer squad head over to see the number two spot dancers happy to have made it to the next round. From the other side comes the judges they had met before; Fred, Lorne, and Ethan.

"That is wonderful that you two have made it this far," says Ethan with a smile directed at Buffy. Giles notices this, but ignores it.

"We should celebrate," says Giles.

"That's a great idea," says Joyce. "Invite all your friends." Joyce then keeps talking about the party idea as everyone else congratulates Buffy and Xander for their win. Then the two space out a little as everyone keeps talking about other things and Buffy touches her belly. Xander smiles at her and Buffy hugs him tight.

At the party, everyone is there. All the dancers from the studio, some of Buffy's friends around town, and the judges are invited. Xander even invited his mother, Jenny, who had a date with, Wesley. Angel comes with Cordy.

"Xander, Buffy," calls Ethan as he reaches over to where they are. "I'd like to ask you something." Buffy tries not to look at him.

"What is it?" asks Xander.

"Well, many of these professional dancers have personnel's who take care of the business proposition letting the dancers pay more attention to their dancing. I would gladly offer my services."

"That's really kind of you, Mr. Rayne…"

"Please, call me Ethan."

"Ethan, but we've got it covered. Thanks." Xander and Buffy move over to some new people who come in. Ethan stares at Buffy and Jenny sees that from across the room. She puts a grape in her mouth and turns her attention to Wesley, who has a drink for her.

"I don't like that guy," says Jenny.

"What, the judge for the dance contest?" says Wesley seeing who she is talking about.

"He looks like trouble."

"I thought that was you." Jenny smirks at Wesley.

"Well, I'm good trouble."

"That's good to know." Jenny takes her drink and the two begin to mingle.

Buffy feels a little warm and heads outside to get some air. Ethan notices this and follows her outside. Buffy takes her shoes off and walks on the sand a little. She is pretty far off from her house and someone comes from behind her putting their hands around her waist. Buffy assumes that it is Xander, until she looks down at the hands, which were not Xander's.

"Let go of me," says Buffy as she pushes Ethan away from her.

"I just wanted to congratulate you," says Ethan. "Nothing to get all bent out of shape about."

"A hand shake would be more suitable."

"Boy, you are a feisty one, aren't you?"

"What?"

"I like that." Ethan edges closer to Buffy and pulls her close to him. Then Oz interrupts them.

"Hey," says Oz knowing exactly what is happening and glad that he intervened. "What's going on?" Oz walks over to Buffy.

"I was giving her a congratulated hug," replies Ethan. "Isn't that right, Buffy?" Ethan glares at Buffy with his cold eyes. Buffy nods her head.

"Are you done?"

"Yes."

"Okay, Buffy, your mom's looking for you."

"Thanks." Oz and Buffy walk off. As soon as they are inside the house, Buffy hugs Oz tightly. "Thank you."

"Buffy, was he…"

"Yes."

"Have you told Xander?"

"I did, but he doesn't believe it."

"Want me to escort him out?"

"What are you going to do?"

"A little thing I like to call good cop bad cop." Buffy looks at him strangely.

"Don't you need like another person with you?"

"Yeah, call your brother up."

"Okay." Buffy gets her brother. Oz explains the plan and the two head outside, just as Ethan was about to re-enter the house. Oz and Riley take Ethan and lead him outside.

"Hey, Ethan, I know what you're up to," says Oz.

"I don't know what you are talking about," says Ethan. Oz pushes Ethan back. Ethan begins to get defensive.

"Oh, better not mess with him," says Riley. "He has a bad temper. Actually, he's a little crazy. Forgot to take his pills today." Ethan looks at Riley and then at Oz, who looks like he is going to turn into some ferocious figure. He pulls back as Riley goes over to Oz and tries to stop him from biting Ethan's head off. As Ethan leaves the house, he glares at Buffy.

Later that night, Buffy tells Xander about what happened. Oz confirms that it is true. Xander is in disbelief and wants to punch Ethan.