Chapter 16: Cordelia's Arrow.

Senior year had begun and it had been almost a month since Cordelia had told him he was in love with Buffy and Spike's head was still spinning. He knew after that night in LA that his feelings for his neighbour had changed. He knew she'd become so much more than his best friend but it wasn't until he heard Cordelia say it that he realised it was true. Somewhere along the past year, he'd fallen in love with Buffy and it terrified him.

It frightened him so much he avoided being alone with her and yet he craved it. He bristled every time another male student approached her. He worried every time she flashed them one of her smiles. Watching her now talking to Riley, seeing the sickening way he was looking at her, he felt his temper rise. It would be so easy to walk over and punch the prick. 'God this is torture! Slimy wanker's probably asking her to prom'.

So ensconced was he in the scene, he didn't notice the broom closet open and a dishevelled looking Xander emerge; followed minutes later by his cousin.

"So we're agreed?" Cordelia said as she walked behind Xander.

"Yep," he replied not looking at her, "you choose my date to prom, I choose yours and no-one will ever suspect a thing."

"And neither of us will get jealous." Cordelia finished. The pair shared a brief smile and went their separate ways.

Cordelia surveyed the school yard like a lioness on the hunt. Her eyes passed Willow and Oz sitting nervously on the same bench staring at each other simultaneously. Her gaze continued and settled on Spike and Buffy. 'Busted' she thought as she noticed the two laughing and joking with each other 'come on Spike ask her to the prom' she willed as she made her way over to them. As she got there Buffy stood to leave and head to class, the two shared a smile as they passed but were careful not to exchange too many pleasantries as Cordy had a reputation to uphold.

Cordelia sat on the bench next to Spike, "well?" she demanded.

"Well what?" Spike asked confused and then caught her look, "don't start again Cordy, and anyway her knight in shining cardboard just asked her, not to mention half the soddin' football team!" he finished dejectedly.

"And?" Cordelia pressed, "It doesn't matter who asked her… it matters who she said yes to?"

"Said she'd think about it, keeping her options open, I guess." Spike said sadly, earning him a smack round the head from Cordelia before she marched off.

"Oi!" Spike yelled after her, "Princess of Pissary, what was that for?" he demanded rubbing his head.

"Work it out for yourself Sir Bleach a lot!" she yelled back.

As she flounced through the corridors, she noticed Oz and Willow nervously hovering around each other still not looking or speaking. "Are all men this stupid or just the ones I have the misfortune of knowing!" she muttered under her breath as she deliberately barged into Willow knocking her over into the startled but pleased embrace of a short, stocky and spiky blue haired boy, wearing jeans and a band t-shirt under an open checked shirt.

"Hey," Oz smiled.

"Hey," Willow smiled back.

"So… you want to go to prom?" he asked nervously.

"With you or alone?" Willow asked star struck.

Oz beamed, "with me silly," he replied.

"Oh look!"

The pair looked up to see Cordelia flocked by her cheerleaders, "the nerd and the nerdier!" she chided. As the posy of stretched oranges moved past, Cordelia whispered in Willow's ear and winked, "You're welcome!" Willow received the message loud and clear. In her own way, Cordelia was still keeping an eye out for her.

After school, Spike arrived home to find Dawn sitting on her front porch crying. Automatically he went straight over to her, "Niblet?" he questioned, eyes full of concern.

Dawn looked up at him and blushed red. He was the last person she wanted to see her crying; now he'd think she was just a kid. She hurriedly wiped the tears from her eyes, "it's nothing," she lied.

Spike sat beside her. Dawn noticed his tilted head and raised eyebrow and knew he hadn't brought a word of it, "Sam doesn't want me. Janice told me he liked me and he was going to ask me out and then I found him kissing that skank Debbie!" Dawn explained through her sniffles.

It was then Spike took in her appearance; her face had clearly been caked in make-up, her hair was styled in a ridiculous bun and her outfit was definitely not appropriate for a 15 year old girl, even without the gym sock pocking out over the rim of her low cut top.

Instinctively, he reached in his duster for a tissue and handed it to Dawn. She took it gratefully.

"So, the reason for this?" he asked motioning a circular pattern in her direction.

Dawn looked at the floor ashamed, "I thought this was what he wanted, it's what all boys want right?" she asked timidly. She felt Spike lift her chin up to look at him.

"Listen up Bit," he said sternly, "boys are idiots. Take it from me, I am one. But one day, you'll find one that's not as stupid as the rest and he'll look at you and see you. Just Dawn, not a different version; not taller, prettier, thinner or a smarter version of Dawn. He'll just see Dawn and that will be all he ever wanted."

"You think so?" Dawn asked.

"I know so" Spike nodded.

"Thank you," Dawn said, jumping at him, giving him a bear hug, "Buffy's so lucky to have you," she whispered. Spike felt himself tense. Oh how he wished he was Buffy's. "How is Buffy?" he asked trying to divert attention and calm his thoughts.

"Crying herself to sleep most nights," Dawn said and Spike grew concerned.

"Angel?" he ventured.

"I think it started because of that, now I think she's just upset about the prom. No-one asked her yet and I told her to stop worrying as its still ages away, I mean you'll both be 18 before prom season starts." Dawn replied.

Spike let out an involuntary laugh, dripping with sarcasm, "I was there Bit, plenty of people asked her, she told them she'd think about it, so she's…" Spike was cut off mid-sentence by Dawn's hand smacking him, "why does everyone keep hitting me!" he mused rubbing his head.

"Listen up Spike," Dawn said mimicking his words and actions from before, "I know Buffy, options open? Please, give me a break, if she's told me no-one has asked and she's told you that they have asked but she said she'd think about it, you know what that means?" she paused to look at Spike and saw he still wasn't getting it, "it means, Spike, she told them all no. It means that the right person hasn't asked her… yet." She finished giving him a knowing look and a nudge.

Spike felt his heart skip a beat, "Dawn?" he asked, "Would you help me with something?"