Chapter 18

As always the gang were coming over to his house for their little party. It was not an uncommon occurrence but this time Spike couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that this was different and his stomach just refused to settle down. It was that damn girl. He had no idea why but having her around made his skin kind of itch, but in a good way. If he didn't know better he would swear that there was something chemical in him that was drawing him to her. But even if it were true and he was dim enough to give in to his impulse she was in no fit state to be dating. The whole Angel thing clearly was having an impact and he had a funny feeling that she still had no idea what it was like to be in a real relationship. Not that he was one to talk. He had made a very successful go of only dating women who he couldn't possibly fall in love with. It was hard to admit but intimacy was a scary thing when all the people you love seem to either hurt you or get hurt by someone else.

No there was nothing romantic in his future with Buffy but someone really did need to show her that there was more to love than fancy dinners and empty promises. More importantly someone needed to convince her that there was more to her than popularity and a good body. Ok, fine! A great body. What Buffy really needed right now was a friend.

Spike continued his internal dialogue, telling himself that he had no feelings either way about Buffy and trying unsuccessfully to convince himself she wasn't all that attractive anyway. All the while he was cleaning the kitchen, tidying the sitting room and hiding the more childish or embarrassing evidence, including a well loved copy of the "Lion King", the friends forever photo Buffy had given him for his tenth birthday that he had never had the heart to get rid of and a model of the star ship enterprise from onto of the fridge. Just because he owned them there was no reason to broadcast it.

That reminded him, he would have to find sweat pants and a tee shirt to replace the Elmo boxers he was currently using as pajamas. Garfield was one thing, Sesame Street characters were a whole other ball game and there is only so much a man can take!

Spike jumped at the sound of the doorbell and shook his head. What the hell was happening to him lately? Shaking off the jittery feeling that was creeping in around the edges of his subconscious he dumped the last few items in his room and opened the door to his favorite Friday night activity.

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The night was going surprisingly well. Willow could not have planned it better herself. Buffy was slowly being accepted as a part of their group and she could see a trace of something positively electric running between Spike and the petite blonde. The real trick was going to be getting them together.

Willow glanced over at Anya who was currently otherwise engaged in a deep and passionate kiss with Xander. No help there. She looked over at her own boyfriend who was thumbing through Spike and Joyces CD collection and damn he looked hot tonight! How is a woman supposed to think about her best friends future happiness when Oz is looking so sweet and just plain yummy!

Willow jumped slightly as a cocky British accent whispered in her ear.

"I know what you're thinking and Red, your dad wouldn't like it"

"You don't know me"

Willow pouted and blushed slightly at being caught out.

"Yeah right! So tell me then, if you weren't undressing Oz with your eyes what were you doing?"

"I was…well...and then…..Oh shut up!"

"Very eloquent Red, good cover"

Willow rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling as she realized Spikes attention was now captured by one Buffy Summers as she laughed at one of Xanders silly little skits and Anyas accompanying comments. It was nice to see the girl smile after the last few weeks but what was better still was the slightly glazed look of intrigue that filled Spikes eyes and the small but genuine smile that tugged at his reluctant lips. Oh this was just too good to pass up.

"I know what you're thinking and Spike, her dad wouldn't like it."

"I don't know what you're on about, I was just…well…and then…..Oh shut up!"

"Very eloquent Spike, good cover"

Spike held his palms up in surrender but still denied having any kind affection for Buffy.

Some people just can't seem to see what's right in front of them.

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The night had progressed with a comfortable ease and much to Buffy's surprise she was starting to relax and really enjoy herself again. She wondered around the small but tastefully decorated home remembering all the breakfasts and dinners that she had shared with the Winters family. She could still smell shortbread baking and hear Spike practicing the piano. He had been good too, he was only young then but he had loved music for as long as she could remember. Buffy moved away from the group in the living room and into the small kitchen clearing a few glasses as she went. Not much had changed in the last decade or so, the kitchen was still sunshine yellow with blue curtains, the same happy family of ducks sat on the window sill and if you leaned a little over the sink Buffy could see her back porch. Buffy looked out into the Winters back garden and tried to remember the last time she heard Spike play. It was obvious that the old Piano that was once in the dinning room had been moved out some time ago and something inside her became suddenly very sad.

That was where he found her, standing in the dinning room staring at the empty space against the far wall. He kept forgetting that she hadn't been in here since seventh grade. He spoke softly from the doorway so as not to frighten her. He should have been annoyed at her for snooping around his home but for some reason he was never able to get his feelings about this particular blonde to line up the way they should.

"Hey, there you are, this whole production is to cheer you up you know."

"When did you get rid of it?"

Spike considered pretending he didn't know what she was talking about but they both knew it was obvious.

"We sold it a couple of years after dad left. I didn't play as much as I used to and I was sick of dusting the damn thing"

"Why did you stop playing?"

"I didn't stop altogether but it was just a dumb hobby"

"But you used to be so good"

"Hey, I'm still Good, I'm just good on a keyboard instead of a piano, no big deal."

"I though you said you were going to be a world famous pianist?"

"Yeah well, we both said a lot of stuff back then. I don't see you practicing to be a world class ballerina either."

Buffy smiled at the memory of the two of them, him practicing a new classical piece and her pirouetting around the dinning table while Joyce hummed along. Those were the days before peer pressure and fashion, before secret affairs and shouting matches and divorce.

As if sensing her line of though, one which he was clearly in no mood to engage, Spike tapped his fingers against the door frame.

"Enough of memory lane Goldilocks, time to get back to the party."

"Don't call me Goldilocks"

"Oh sorry, how about Bottle Blonde?…Brunet in disguise?….No?"

Spike couldn't help but smirk as she stamped her foot in outrage, it was the cutest thing he had seen in a long time. Funnily enough this only seemed to irate her further.

"You listen here buddy, I DO NOT dye my hair!"

"Yeah right, my hair is totally natural too and if you believe that I've got this great bridge I'd love to sell you"

"ARHH!" some things never change!