Chapter 15. Give Me This Dance.

The next day, Buffy and Xander are back at the studio working on their routines and adding a couple turns here and there. Willow pays them a visit and catches the last part of their routine.

"That was awesome," says Willow. "That twirl at the end and high kick. I can't do those anymore."

"I'm sure you can, Willow," says Buffy.

"You can be back in shape in no time, Wills," says Xander. "Everyday stretches."

"I know I could, but I kind of want to be a mom a little more," says Willow with a smile.

"That's cool, Wills. I mean, I think Oz would spoil the kid."

"He's not that bad, Xander. He's really good with the baby. Changing diapers and everything."

"Wow, did ya take a picture?"

"Xander," says Buffy, slapping him lightly on the arm.

Xander laughs and looks at Willow as she takes out her cell phone from her pocket. She smiles at him and shows him the phone.

"Oh, tis true," says Xander. He sees a picture of Oz changing the baby's diaper. "He's really grown up, not in the physical sense."

Willow slaps him on the arm and takes her cell phone away. She nods her head, then smiles at Xander.

"So, you guys been thinking about a manager?" asks Willow. "I heard what happened at the party. I can't believe that, Buffy."

"It's not like it hasn't happened to me before," says Buffy.

"What?" asks Xander, turning to her.

"This wasn't the first time I went against my mom's rules and tried to dance. It was in school and my dance teacher wanted me to get extra training because I was advanced and there were no more advanced classes that I could take." Buffy goes over to a chair nearby.

Willow and Xander walk over to her. "He didn't do anything because the day he decided to make his move was the day my teacher was going to pay a visit to the studio."

"How old were you?"

"Fourteen."

"My gosh," says Willow. "How did you…"

"My teacher told him that she wanted to cut the lesson short that day and she took me home. I usually walked. It wasn't far."

Xander gives her a concerned look. He kneels down to her level and grabs her hand.

"She then told me in the car. I didn't understand then and she told me to never go back there again. After that, I dropped out of her class. She understood. I never danced again, until now."

"I'm an idiot," says Xander.

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am. I didn't believe you at first. If it wasn't for Oz to catch him in the act…"

"Don't. He's not going to bother us anymore. Let's leave it in the past." Buffy grabs hold of his hand and rubs it.

Xander sighs and looks down for a second. He looks back up at Buffy.

"Okay." He leans over and kisses her on the cheek. "Willow, you were saying about a manager?"

"Yeah," says Willow. "Well, I know I said I wanted more time with the baby, but I really need some time for me and I would…"

"Willow, you could be our manager."

"I won't fail you. I'll be the darn best manager you two ever had."

"You're the only manager we've ever had."

"Right, but I'll be the best."

"I know you will." Xander gives her a hug.

"Thank you."

"Welcome aboard, manager," says Buffy as she hugs Willow.

The next day, Buffy had promised her parents that she would bring Xander over, so they could get to know him.

"How do I look?" asks Xander. "Maybe I should have worn the green shirt."

"Relax," says Buffy.

"I'll try."

"Look, you're not the only one that my parents will be watching."

"I'm not? Care to explain?"

"No, I'm not bringing some other guy if that is what you're thinking. It's Riley. He promised to bring Tara, too."

"Oh."

The two enter the house through the front door. They are greeted by Dawn, who totally has a little crush on Xander. She smiles at him.

"Do you have a younger brother?" asks Dawn.

"Dawn," says Buffy.

"No, sorry," says Xander with a smile.

Dawn walks away and they continue to enter the house. They see Joyce and Giles in the kitchen. Buffy and Xander walk over to them.

"Hi," says Xander.

"Welcome," says Joyce. "It's nice to see you again, Xander, and it's nice to know that Buffy is very interested in you."

"Mom," says Buffy feeling a little embarrassed. "I so need to fix this. Where's Riley?"

"He said he was picking up his girlfriend," says Giles. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, there is something I need to tell you guys about me and Riley," says Buffy.

Xander starts to snicker, but stops when Buffy realizes he is laughing behind her back. Giles and Joyce give Buffy concerned looks and the wheels in their heads start to spin, thinking of what Buffy will have to say to them about her and Riley.

"When Riley gets here, we need to talk."

"Okay," both parents say.

Riley arrives with Tara a couple minutes later. Buffy goes over to them and says hi to Tara, then she whispers something into Riley's ear. Their parents are watching the two from afar. Xander stays with Tara and Dawn in the living room, while Buffy and Riley take their parents out to the backyard on the beach to talk.

"What is it, Buffy, that you wanted to tell us?" asks Joyce.

"It's just the last couple of weeks you guys have been seeing Riley and I together a lot," says Buffy. "The reason why we were together a lot was because Riley was covering for me and my dance thing."

"Oh," both her parents say.

"Yeah, so you can get out of your head what you were thinking that we were doing," says Riley.

"What are you talking about?" asks Giles.

"Dad, you guys thought we were having sex."

"Riley, why would you think that?" asks Joyce, looking in shock. She then looks at Giles.

"The look in your eyes," says Buffy. "Face it, Riley and I have never been that close before and you guys thought the worse of us."

"It was your father who thought about it," says Joyce giving him in.

"Joyce," says Giles.

"I know we look cute together, but you guys have to face it, we're not going to get together," says Buffy. She then starts to laugh.

"If you are not, then why were you banging on Riley's door saying 'Not fair, Riley. I want to be with you!'" asks Joyce.

"Oh, well we kind of figured you guys out and…"

"Buffy wanted to make it worse," says Riley.

Buffy gives an innocent smile. Her parents didn't fall for it and glare at her.

After dinner, the couples went their separate ways. Buffy and Xander ended up on the beach. The two sat there, watching the sunset. Buffy leans her head on Xander's shoulder.

"So, how are things with your mom?" asks Buffy out of the blue.

"Oh, they're fine," says Xander. "She's moved out. Been with the owner of the resort, Wesley."

"Oh."

"I finally have the house to myself again."

"That's nice."

"Well, I'm tired. I'm going home to get some sleep." Xander gets up and grabs his shoes.

"You are?" Buffy gets up and is surprised that he is just leaving.

"Just kidding." Xander gives her a grin.

"Well, I am kind of tired, so I'm going to go, too." Buffy goes by Xander and heads up the beach.

"Ah, come on." He follows her.

Buffy laughs as she starts to run to Xander's house. Xander sees this and starts to run after her.