Chapter 24 Dance Magic

When they got to the club Callum was chatting with the bouncer at the door, "Oi, Marcus, there's my Lass and her lot now, want you to meet 'em," Callum looked a little surprised when he noticed the tall dark haired vampire with them, "Oi, Angel, didn't expect you here. Thought Faith said you were more of a quiet night in sort."

"Just being social. Owed Faith a favor."

Callum quickly introduced them all to Marcus, a powerfully built man with a dark complexion, nearly as tall as Callum. "Faith love, this is the friend I mentioned. The one who helped Angus hold me back. He's a good friend."

"I got one of those too," she said, hooking a thumb towards Angel who was making a feeble attempt at looking friendly.

Callum pulled her in for a quick kiss, "What do ya say Marcus?"

"Oh go on then, just because you got a lady with a crew," he winked and waved them through with an easy grin, "Have a good time Ross. Oh, 'fore I forget; We still on for that thing at your brothers place next weekend?"

"Sure thing," Callum answered as he pulled Faith in close to him and through into the club. He bent low to her ear, "That sweet little number for me?" he asked as he took in the strappy backless black dress she had worn with Ursula's boots.

"What do you think?"

"I think I'm going to need you to come back to my flat tonight."

"Already planning on it. No bra."

"I like it," Callum smiled as they made their way to the bar, "Oi, Eddie!" He called to the bartender.

Eddie, as it turned out, was a bombshell with cotton-candy-pink hair that had been pulled back in a curly half ponytail. She wore a shimmering pink contouring dress that matched her hair. A rose vine tattoo ran the length of her right arm and more roses graced her collarbone. Her face split into a sunny smile when she saw him, "Ross! Oh my God Ross! It's been too long! Blimey, I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Been busy, Doll-face. Brought someone here I want you to meet. Eddie, this beautiful woman here is Faith. Faith, this is Eddie. Gemma's other best friend," he said with a grin aimed at Eddie.

Eddie put a hand out to Faith, "Hey there, must be pretty special if he's bringing you in here. Have you met Gemma yet?"

"No, I haven't had a chance to meet her yet. I know her mom. She's sort of dating my eh- Cousin's stepdad."

"Bet that makes for some interesting double dates."

"Don't think that's gonna be a problem," Callum interjected, "we're actually out with her people tonight. Brought her cousin and her bloke and Faith's best-mate," Callum looked around to see where they had gotten to and saw them only a few feet away. Angel sulking with his hands in his pockets watching as Spike pulled Buffy close. She had her back pressed against him as they rocked half-heartedly to the music thumping through the club.

"There they are, Lass. Can you pull 'em over; they can meet Eddie. In my experience it's always good to be friendly with the bartender."

Eddie winked, "Been a sweet talker since we were in nappies."

"Oh go on, Eddie. Five beers," he said as he glanced up at Faith on her way over to the others.

Faith was back in seconds with Buffy pulling Spike along with her with a look of farrell amusement on his face. Angel followed looking like he would rather be anywhere but in a crowd of people.

Faith got close to Buffy so she could talk in her ear, "I'm surprised Tall-dark-and-gloomy even came. What the hell is he doing?"

"Hell if I know. I thought you were going to work on him. Maybe Spike laid into him again or something. I don't know it would be the second time in less than two days. I kind of can't wait until he leaves."

"Damn, B, where was that attitude before you shoved a knife in my gut?"

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Surprises me too."

"Callum has a friend he wants you to meet."

"Bubblegum Barbie?"

"I play nice with your friends."

"I'm nice. And since when did you have friends you haven't tried to kill?"

"Ok so maybe I'm socially challenged. Doesn't mean I can't try."

As they reached the bar Faith sidled up next to Callum letting him wrap a hand around her hip. Spike took a seat on a barstool and pulled Buffy onto his lap. Buffy wrapped her arm around his neck making it a mutually possessive gesture.

Angel accepted a beer from Callum looking and feeling like the very definition of a fifth wheel. It took him a moment to realize Callum had been introducing them all to the perky pink haired woman behind the bar.

"I'm sorry, what did you say your name was?" He pointed to his ear as if he couldn't hear over the noise instead of not paying attention.

It worked because she smiled brightly as she extended her hand to Angel, "I'm Edwina, everyone just calls me 'Eddie'."

"Angel."

"That's an unusual name."

"I get that a lot."

She took her hand back a little reluctantly, "Something wrong with the beer?"

Angel looked at it, "Oh I'm sure it's fine. Beer's not really my thing."

"Pass it here, Peaches," Spike said loudly over the din, he turned towards Eddie, "Two bourbons on the rocks for me and my mate, love. Cal? Faith? Something stronger?"

"I'll stick to beer thanks," Callum replied.

"I'll take one," Faith answered, "B? You drinking more than beer?"

"I'm alright. I really just want to dance."

"Better make mine neat then, Eddie," Spike said.

Eddie poured the drinks. Spike slapped some money on the counter, "Keep the change, love." Spike accepted his drink and downed it in one long pull and patted Buffy on the hip indicating she should get off his lap, "The lady wishes to dance, then dance the lady shall."

Angel watched a moment as Spike led Buffy to the floor and disappeared into the crowd.

"Bloody poet," Callum snorted good-naturedly, "Makes the rest of us look like Neanderthals."

"Never cared for poetry myself," Eddie said, winking at Angel before she left to tend to other customers.

Angel laughed a little bitterly, "I haven't read any of his stuff in years. Didn't think he advertised that about him."

"He doesn't. I guess he started writing again in LA," Faith paused, taking a sip of her drink, "So what really made you come out tonight?" Faith asked.

"Giles sort of kicked me out for the night. I guess he thought things were going to take longer with the Minch thing and he invited his lady-friend over. I ahh didn't really know what else to do. It was just weird, he had on Pink Floyd and everyone is always telling me to lighten up… So… I thought I'd give it a try," he huffed.

Faith raised an eyebrow, "Go, Giles."

Callum finished his drink and squeezed Faith's side, "Care to dance, Lass?"

"What do you say Angel? I can take two on one," she winked.

That actually got a laugh out of Angel, "Yeah, I can give it a try. I'm definitely not much of a dancer."

"Dude, I figured," she turned to Callum, "You mind, Babe?"

"Threesomes on the dance floor are fine, I draw the line at the bedroom," he said as he moved one broad hand to her stomach, pulling her back into him. Then he relaxed his hand back down to her hip.

"Yeah you really don't have to worry about that."

"Spike said you had a thing for blondes," Callum smirked.

"I'm gonna—" Angel grumbled.

Faith gripped Callum's hand where it rested on her hip then extended a hand towards Angel pulling them both to the dance floor. She kept herself pressed against Callum grinding against him while simultaneously trying to get Angel to show a little interest in dancing.

"Oh come on Angel, loosen up. Not like we're asking you to get your happy on, just have some fun," she said as she pulled him up closer and moved her hips against Callum.

Angel smiled a little at his friend. Seeing her this happy and relaxed gave him a sense of pride for not giving up on her. She had really come a long way since prison. With that thought Angel attempted a little more than just simply swaying to the music. Faith concealed a laugh by turning towards Callum a moment before turning back to face Angel. She caught sight of Buffy and Spike just a few feet away behind Angel. They were pressed together tightly, clearly enjoying each other. Faith knew better than to stare so she grabbed Angel's hands, placing them on her waist as she turned to face Callum with a sultry look in her eyes. The message was clear; yes she was letting, or making, Angel touch her but she was saving it all just for him. Callum bent down to kiss Faith. His lips and tongue demanded more of her and she could feel him growing hard under his pants. Angel started to draw away, but Faith clutched at his hand holding it in place while she ran her other hand to the nape of Callum's neck. She was enjoying this.

The music shifted and Spike scoffed, "Damn wankers can't come up with anything original. Have to rehash the oldies."

"What are you talking about?" Buffy felt like she had to practically yell over the music.

Spike tapped his temple with two fingers and Buffy nodded. I knew this would come in handy. Spike grinned.

What were you talking about?

Oh, that. It's just this song. This mix. It's layered on top of another song. Used to be real popular at balls and what not.

Like when you were alive?

Exactly.

Wasn't that all like piano and harpsichord and stuff?

Spike gave her an exasperated look, It's under all the techno drivel. It's there. Just listen. Think I can remember the dance that went along with it too. He thought as he pushed her away slightly and repositioned his hands. He took one of her hands in his and placed his other on her back. Just follow my lead.

Spike started moving Buffy along, guiding her in a waltz. They didn't even notice when people on the dance floor started to part for them. Suddenly Buffy felt herself pulled into their mind-scape. They were in a brightly lit ballroom. Buffy glanced down at herself and noticed she was dressed in an impossibly beautiful green silk gown. It was exactly the same shade as the halter top she had on. She was dancing with Spike. Or rather William. His hair was darker and longer and he was dressed very differently in formal wear. His blue eyes were the same, except they peered out at her from behind a pair of glasses. Despite the changes, she recognised him easily. She knew without having to think about it that this was the man he had been before meeting Drusilla. Buffy felt herself smiling at the man she had fallen in love with.

What are you doing? She asked.

Sharing a memory of sorts, I think. I just sort of cobbled this together. Does it bother you?

Heck no! I sort of love seeing you like this. Is this what you really looked like, before?

A desperate, poncy little dandy, mama's boy? Yes, Love, it is. In all my pathetic glory.

Don't do that. That's so not what I see when I see you like this.

And what exactly do you see?

Sexy, in a bookish kinda way.

Bookish yes, dunno about sexy.

I do. This is definitely hot.

The two of them spun around the dance floor enjoying the subtle erotic push and pull laced through the movements of the dance. After what seemed like a long time, the song within the song ended and the two of them came out of the shared vision and back to the dance floor. They pressed back together, easily moving to the music.

Buffy looked up into Spike's eyes, still the same cool blue. He was watching her as she twisted this way and that, rubbing against him every chance she got. Spike dipped his head while she pressed her back to him firmly, kissing her neck.

I'm loving this, I should have taken you dancing sooner, he thought.

Didn't we dance at The Bronze?

Not sure about dancing, definitely snogged a few times. Fought a lot. There was that time on the balcony, I kinda liked that.

Hummm… not so much, that was demeaning.

I know that now. I am sorry about that bit. But it was also pretty sodding exhilarating wasn't it? If memory serves, you barely objected. Could have objected. Quite strongly in fact. Pretty sure I only had to do a little something like this… In the club Spike's hands never left her waist. However, in her mind, Buffy could suddenly feel the delicious sensation of his hands working up her thighs under her skirt and over to her hot center. She shuddered involuntarily, making him grin. He shifted his gaze to the floor above them and tapped her on the shoulder. Could give it another go, more expeditionary and less demeaning this time?

Buffy shook her head, Not without the duster. Let's save that for later. Like home later. I'm having fun.

Spike just shrugged and leaned down to kiss her. Whatever the lady likes. Noticed you didn't say anything about our little mind game.

Buffy gasped a little as his phantom hands caressed her and slipped inside of her. Pleasuring her. On the dance floor Spike pressed his knee between her thighs, allowing her to grind on him if she wished. She did. Buffy continued to dance, moving her hips and pressing into him. She could feel his erection waiting for her. Then suddenly out of nowhere, any inhibitions they had still been holding on to simply melted away. Like dirt slipping away under a hot shower. Suddenly Buffy couldn't remember why having sex right there on the dance floor was such a bad idea.

Oh God, William, I think…

I feel you, Pet. You're so beautiful when you're all hot for me. I could never get enough of you. Not ever. I need you.

Their lips met, hungry for each other. Their hands suddenly groping feverishly. Just then someone bumped into Buffy pushing her into Spike. They staggered a little and the spell was broken. They both crashed back to reality as they were brought back to their senses and they were on high alert.

Spike ran a hand across the back of his neck in agitation, You feel that, Love?

You mean whatever just made me want to say 'screw it' and do the horizontal tango right here in a crowd of people not caring that you don't even have your long coat on to hide it?

That'd be it. I could have done it too. That was intense. Thought it was just us. This connection thing getting the better of us, you know, but look around. It's definitely not just us.

He was right, everywhere they looked people had started groping and feeling, grinding and rubbing. Way more than usual in a place like this. Buffy looked to see who had bumped into them but only saw another couple that looked totally engrossed in each other.

Give it a little longer and it'll all turn into one big orgy.

Oh God, Angel!

Angelus…

They looked around for their friends, they were only a few feet away and Faith looked like she was having the time of her life pressed between Callum and Angel. She was facing Callum and had one leg wrapped firmly around him. Angel pressed in close behind Faith holding her in place with one hand on her stomach, grinding against her backside, she had no idea where his other hand was. Buffy suddenly realized that Callum's hands mirrored Angel's and she couldn't see his other hand either. However, Faith for her part, was desperately trying to free him from the confines of his pants.

Humm yeah, Babe, I definitely don't want to watch that.

No pet names just now alright?

Ehhh… Why? Are you seriously complaining?

No, trying to keep it in my pants.

I'm more worried about Callum and Angel right now.

Right, you are. Alright, I got this. Spike smirked as he took two long strides towards the trio and punched Angel in the side of the jaw. Angel staggered back from Faith shaking his head with a hand to his jaw.

"What the hell was that, Spike?"

Spike raised his eyebrows and looked around the club exasperated, "You're welcome, you bloody wanker. She's your friend, you great lumbering pillock!"

Angel's eyes flickered and his gaze fell on Faith where she was still fairly engrossed in Callum. The punch had interrupted them enough that she had stopped trying to open his pants. But they were still kissing with both sets of hands now thankfully visible. Angel shot an arm out pulling Faith back towards him forcefully. He vamped and held her in front of him until she snapped out of it and punched him in the face.

Angel let his face melt back into place and felt his jaw on the other side. "What did you do that for, you ass!" She yelled at him over the music.

"There's some kind of a spell or something going on here."

"Oh hell," she grumbled and looked over at Callum who was still staring at Angel. "First vamp face," she explained.

"Seriously? What about Spike?"

"Don't think they took that step in their relationship," Faith scoffed. "Cal! Snap out of it!"

"What just— what was that?"

"Told you he was a vampire, that's what they look like when they're not all human-y."

"Humm… yeah… ok…"

"Looks like we got another mystery, gang," Buffy said in a falsely upbeat tone.

"My money is on the bloody DJ."

Angel turned to Spike, "What makes you say that?"

"That last song or bit of the mix or whatever the bloody hell this rot is. It was built on top of an old ditty."

"How old?"

"A bit older than my corpse."

"We danced to it," Buffy interjected, "There was an old dance that went along with it. Spike and I danced to it."

Angel narrowed his eyes looking at Spike, "How do you remember this stuff?"

Spike shrugged, "I don't know. You got that whole photographic memory thing; I got this recall thing for music and such. I don't tend to question it much."

"Drusilla always loved to dance."

"That she did," Spike agreed.

"You were always the better dancer."

"What happened to you? You used to be able to at least move your feet. I know Darla took you out enough times."

"Ballroom is different than this— whatever this is…"

Buffy rolled her eyes between the two of them "Okay, come on guys can we get back on track? You two can reminisce about the good all days some other time. Look at these people. We don't get something figured out pretty soon, it's going to get super awkward in here. And after Paris I am so not interested in seeing a whole club full of that."

"What the hell happened in Paris?" Angel asked, confused.

"Interrupted that demon while he was getting his rocks off. It sort of left a mark."

"Glad I missed that one."

"I'd take that over the biggest orgy in history," Faith said, raising an eyebrow.

"Not the biggest, might be in the top ten," Angel said absently looking around.

"You know Angel, this sort of reminds me of that time in—" Spike stopped abruptly at the looks Angel and Buffy gave him, "What? We were evil; not like that sort of thing didn't— Oh fine, how do we stop it?"

"Spike, you take out the DJ. Shut down the music. Faith, and I are going rabbit hunting. Angel, you go with Callum, see if Eddie or the bouncer guy know anything that could help. Get people cleared out as best as you can."

Spike didn't wait. He let out a growl and hurled himself up towards the DJ, ripping out cords with a flourish. The lights on the podium died first. Spike pulled out a few more cords and the music stopped.

The DJ, a thin man with a pinched face and shoulder length greasy black hair, snapped his head up to look at Spike, "What's your problem, you nutter!" he yelled.

Spike grabbed the DJ by the front of his shirt and looked out over the dance floor. He could see Buffy and Faith moving on the outer edge of the bewildered crowd. Buffy caught his eye and he shook his head. He hadn't seen anyone trying to bolt.

Spike held onto the DJ, "It was the song wasn't it?"

"I— I—" he sputtered.

"The one with the Victorian Era ditty worked in. Am I right?"

"I— humm, I— yeah! Yeah it was. Don't hurt me man!"

Spike snarled as he threw him down into a chair just as Buffy and Faith joined them. Now it was Buffy's turn, "Alright Mr. DJ, sing. What did you do to these people?"

"I— nothing. Nothing, they didn't really want to do. I just wanted to get the party really pumping and guarantee I'd get a steady gig at the club."

"You did this for a gig?" Faith asked.

"I'm more interested in the how. That song packed a punch," Buffy pointed out towards the crowd of still bewildered people, some had started to leave while others went up to the bar. Several couples didn't seem to realize the music had stopped. More likely they just didn't care. "Look at these people! This wasn't just some gig."

"I'm thinking, some sort of a lust spell. You don't strike me as the mojo sort. Where'd you get it? And what does that song have to do with it?"

"I got it from some chick. I was at the bar and—"

"If you say you made a wish, so help me—"

"How did you know?"

Buffy groaned and turned to Spike, "The only two I knew are gone now. I guess we got a new player."

"Vengeance demons are a dime-a-dozen and they're not the only ones that deal in wishes, Love."

Buffy turned back to the DJ, "What was the wish?"

"I wished I had something to work into the beat that would really let people lose themselves in the music and have a good time. I wanted something to help me book gigs."

"And what you got was something that made everyone forget about their sexual inhibitions… you magically roofied everyone in the club!" Spike snarled, his eyes turning yellow with anger.

Buffy laid a hand gently on Spike's chest, "I got this, Honey", she felt a low rumble tear through his chest, "Spike, Babe, I got this."

Spike took a deep breath, making a show of calming down, "Right, Love, you're right."

"Doesn't sound super vengeance-y does it?" Buffy asked Spike.

"Depends."

She turned back to the DJ, "Were you angry at someone? Maybe an old employer?"

"I'd just lost my last steady gig. They told me my set lacked passion."

"And there it is!" Buffy said.

"I'd like to see someone say my art lacks passion now," he grinned.

"Oh I can! Easy. That little tune you got buried in there isn't anything new. A bit cheeky, by Victorian standards, which don't say much. It was the spell worked into it that did all this," he gestured around the room.

"I don't see what the big deal is, they're all adults they knew what they were doing."

Faith scoffed, "Oh damn Buff, if you don't punch him I will."

Buffy shrugged a shoulder in response and Faith punched him in the mouth, "Pig! That thing made my best friend stick his hand up my dress, you ass!"

"Oww! Look, this lady just gave me the song. I laid it in. I told you everything I know."

Buffy's eyebrows raised but she didn't say anything to Faith. Instead she addressed the sniveling man in front of her, "Where'd you meet this lady?"

"Eh… about two weeks ago when I was down in London. I just came up here to look for work and found this gig."

"So this is the first time you've used it?"

"Yeah, honest."

Buffy nodded, "Faith go see what Callum and Angel turned up. If no one got hurt, and no lasting damage, I think we can let this creep go. There's not much we can do about the demon now if she was in London that long ago," Buffy huffed.

Faith nodded and headed towards the bar. Buffy turned to Spike, "Can you get this guy to give up the song and make sure it won't be used again, Babe?"

Spike gave her a slow grin, "Be my pleasure, Pet. What are you going to do?"

"Take a look around, kick people out. The usual."

"Have fun. Let me know when I can cut this idiot loose."

The DJ leered at Buffy as she walked away and then looked up at Spike, "You always take orders from the little woman?"

Spike slid into his game face and growled, "I do when she's right."

Spike slammed a hand onto the guy's chair. The DJ looked up nervously at Spike, "I ahh, I— it's on there," he pointed to the jump drive sticking out of a laptop with a shaking hand.

"This the only copy?"

He nodded, "H-how'd you pick that out any- anyway?"

"Exceptionally good hearing mate, been around a while and I'm a music lover," he said, taking the jump drive and crushing it under his boot. The DJ squealed in dismay and sat back crestfallen.

Spike let his demon face melt back into his human form and considered the sniveling wimp in front of him, "Word of advice? Find a muse and create your own sodding stuff. Skip all this tweaking crap. And don't make wishes around people you just met!"

"Ehh, sure… I'll just, I'll do that…" he frowned.

Spike waited until Buffy came back from making rounds, "What's the damage, Pet?"

"Doesn't look like anything too serious. Fortunately it looks like our Mix-master here was right about one thing. It was a little more than giving everyone a drink or two but less than drugging them. Even the couple I had to separate upstairs turned out to be newlyweds… that was seriously awkward."

"You monster you," Spike chuckled.

"I couldn't even blame them for being pissed at me."

"What about Bubblegum-Barbie?"

"Ahhh yeah, Callum found her behind the bar with Marcus… he said it was probably better if we just left them," Buffy's cheeks went pink.

"And that would be why exactly?"

"Turns out those two have been trying to get pregnant for a while now… I guess she just started fertility treatments."

"What?"

"According to Callum they've been having trouble conceiving… he ah he thought it might be better to just let them go…"

"They're married?"

"Ehh, I guess," she shrugged.

"Would not have called that one… course I can barely make you out in all this mess."

"Freaking vampires," she grumbled, rolling her eyes.

I had an idea to do a "choose your adventure" kind of thing. Please vote for your choice(s) in the comments. I can post one or all of them but I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Four choices: Two options are smut heavy fun, one smut-lite and one is just a fun little smut-free option.

1. Giles and Zara
2. Angel— A Night Out
3. Spike and Buffy
4. Faith and Callum

I'm going to try making a poll but I've never done one so I'm not sure how it will work out. **Edit** I don't think the poll worked and I am at a loss, I'm afraid you will just have to vote in the comments. Thank you!

Thank you so much for sticking with this story this far! I'm far from done with these two!

Reviews=Love