Rated R for the first half.
Some more angst ahead...

Chapter 18

Corinne growled in frustration as she pulled away from Michael. "Give me a minute," she promised him. "Go away!" she yelled at the door.

"Doc? I came over to apologize," Spike called from outside.

Damnit! she cursed. "Could you go in my bedroom for a couple minutes while I get rid of him?" she murmured quietly. He nodded, zipped his pants up over his semi, and went through the door she pointed to. Corinne closed it, smoothed her hair and clothes, then stomped to her door and flung it open.

"What are you doing here? How did you find me?" she said angrily.

"You're in the phone book, luv. I came to apologize for being such a prick," Spike replied.

"Fine. I'm not letting you in. Goodnight." She started to close the door in his face.

"Luv, please! Please don't stay mad at me, I can't bear it. I'm a bad, rude man, and an evil vampire, to boot. I don't know why I said those things, but I didn't mean to hurt you," he pleaded, blue eyes shining.

She sighed. "You didn't hurt me, Spike, you insulted me, and in public, too. And you were mean to an innocent guy who was just trying to defend my honor. It was completely uncalled for. And kissing me like that was a…a violation. I don't what kind of point you were trying to make, but…" She shook her head, not knowing what else to say.

"Corinne, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. You're my best friend," Spike said in earnest.

Corinne leaned on the partially closed door, looking for something she wanted in his face. Finally, she sighed, and muttered, "And that's the problem." And shut the door.

Spike stared at the closed door, confused. What did that mean? Had he just lost her friendship?

"Corinne! I don't understand, pet! Please open the door," he pleaded.

"Just go away, Spike!" she yelled through her tears. She slumped down to the floor, her back against the wall.

He could hear her quiet sobs through the door, and it broke his heart. He'd done this? Reduced her to tears? Somehow, he had to make it right.

"Please, luv, don't cry. Tell me what I can do to make this right."

Michael shouldn't have been eavesdropping, but the voices had been too loud for him to ignore. He quietly came out of the bedroom and approached Corinne, carried her to the sofa, handed her a tissue, and went to the door to tell this guy off for upsetting her.

"Look, buddy, I don't know what your problem is, but you've made her cry and I won't stand for it. Just leave quietly, or I'm calling the cops," he said bravely, though the blond man looked quite intimidating, with his all black and leather.

Spike, too shocked at seeing what might as well have been a modern day William tell him off, nodded, and walked away. It was obvious he'd interrupted a…moment, and that bothered him more than he liked, or understood. He walked back to his crypt, too upset to go back to Revello tonight. The evening had left him…bewildered, to say the least, and he hoped that sleep would magically make it all better. A fool's dream, but the only one he could hold on to at the moment.

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"Corinne," Michael said softly, once the door had been closed and locked. "Are you alright?"

She looked up and wiped the tears from her eyes with a tissue. "I'm sorry. I must look a mess."

"No…you're one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, even now." He knelt in front of her, taking her hands. "Tell me why you are crying?"

She already felt vulnerable enough, but looking at his face, the complete sincerity and wish to help, she caved a bit further. "That…guy…is my best friend, or at least was. We've been through some heavy stuff since we met…I basically saved his life on that night…and…this is kinda complicated…"

"You're in love with him," Michael said simply.

"How…?" Am I that transparent?

"You wouldn't be crying like this if you didn't. He wouldn't be able to wound you so deeply. I am young, but I still know things. Does he feel the same?"

She shook her head. "Spike is in love with someone else. She's not even in the country now, and she's never returned his feelings, but he's still hooked on her," she replied bitterly. "I'm sorry. This is not how you were expecting the night to go," Corinne added, dropping her eyes.

His tentative fingers lifted her chin. "I didn't expect anything, Corinne. I'm still in shock that you spoke to me."

"Your stutter is gone," she said, smiling a little.

It dawned on him, as well. "So, it is. You've given me a great gift already. I wouldn't dare ask more of you now. It's funny…I know nothing about you, but you put me at ease."

She chuckled. "Well, I'm a doctor at the hospital, starting my 2nd year of residency. I've been in Sunnydale a year and a half or so. How old are you, Michael?"

"19," he replied, blushing. "I'm about to start my 2nd year, but I guess I still think of myself as a freshman. I took British Lit over the summer to get some credits out of the way."

"Want to know a secret?" She waited for his hesitant nod. "I was almost 20 before I lost my virginity. True story. There just wasn't time, or a person I trusted, before then. So…no need to be embarrassed with me."

Impulsively, he kissed her. "Thank you. Logically, I know I'm not the only guy in the world with my…situation…but the others make it hard, sometimes. There's so much pressure to bang a cheerleader when you're 16…that never felt right to me. I wanted special…not to make it into some chore. I guess that makes me unrealistic," he sighed.

"No, it makes you a hopeless romantic, and I'm glad guys like you still exist."

"Thanks. So…why me?" he wondered. He really couldn't see what had appealed to her.

"Why did I pick you? Honestly, I was just buzzed enough to approach someone without any fear, and I picked the easiest prospect…you. You looked sweet, and nice, and kinda lonely…so, I figured I could be the girl that asks you to dance. And…I was also kinda mad that Spike was too busy watching over Dawn's teenybopper friends to have one dance with me. I've had these feelings for months, and I just wanted to escape it for a night, you know? Be a little of someone else and have some fun. I haven't gone out, as a woman, since I moved here." God, that must sound horrible.

"Would you have asked me home if he hadn't picked a fight with you?"

Corinne looked away. "I don't know…probably not. I don't do this, just so you know. You're the first guy to ever be in this apartment since the movers brought my furniture in. Anyway, I probably would have spent the night kissing and dancing with you until I was safe to drive home. You, uh, looked like the shy type…and I wanted to boost your confidence. Bookworms, science nerds…we all have to stick together, you know?" she replied shyly.

"Thank you for being honest with me. Well, you probably want to get some sleep, so I'll just go…" He picked up his shirt and kissed her cheek, then started walking to the door.

"Michael…wait." He turned, looking at her expectantly. Corinne went to him and pulled him into a slow, sweet kiss. "Stay," she whispered. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Are you sure? What about how you feel for-?" She cut him off.

"Doesn't matter," she interrupted him. "I'm not asking for anything beyond tonight, but it's been so long since someone made me feel…special. Please…stay. We don't have to do anything more than you're comfortable with."

"You're really sure?" he asked, scanning her face. "I don't want you to feel like you cheated on him later…"

"Michael…I do feel for him, but he has no claim on me. He's never even tried for one. I'm a big girl. Decide whether to stay or not for your own reasons. If you want to save yourself for the girl you'll eventually marry, that's fine with me, too. I'd just like the company."

"We're both probably too honorable for our own good, aren't we?" he joked with a crooked smile. She liked that look on him.

"So?" Please stay.

Michael kissed her, meaning it. "Let's see how it goes." He picked her up, making her squeal and giggle, and carried her to the bedroom. They fell to the bed, laughing.

The kisses were slower, less frantic than when they had first started. The mood had changed to something deeper, more profound, as there was emotional comfort to reach as well a pleasure. For a beginner, he was picking up pretty quickly how to make her hot. He paid the same attention to both sides of her neck that she had done to him, hoping she liked it at least as much. From the gasps and moans escaping her lips, he was doing a pretty good job.

Oh, god…she thought. Michael was quite the natural. He did his best to mimic what she had done for him, then experimented on new areas with only a bit of hesitation to see if she wanted him to stop. The young man skipped over her breasts for now, pushing up her tank to the edge of her bra to kiss her abdomen. She giggled when he nibbled on her sides, so he tickled them again. That area covered with kisses, he moved down to her feet, removing her canvas tennis shoes and ankle socks, kissing the arch. She squeaked again, pulling her foot away.

"Ticklish?" he asked mischievously.

"No! They're just…smelly."

"Hmm, not so much. I think they're ticklish!"

She shook her head frantically. "Please don't."

He smiled shyly. "I like that."

"What? The begging?" Michael nodded, blushing. "You are so cute," she mused.

He smiled and started leaving hot kisses on her legs, discovering the flesh was more tender above her knees. What should he do now, though? He couldn't go anywhere new without removing clothes. Michael looked up to her for guidance.

"What would you like to do?" she asked in reply.

"I…I don't want to go where you aren't comfortable."

Corinne thought for a minute, then removed her tank top, casting it aside. With August being so hot, she usually tried to wear thin layers, and this bra was black lace, the pattern discreet. His eyes darkened with lust again at the sight of her barely hidden curves.

"Beautiful," he murmured reverently. It was her turn to blush, unaccustomed to the praise. "May I?" Michael asked, crawling up her body. He waited for her nod, before lowering his lips to the swell of her breast, kissing and nipping at the exposed cleavage.

She closed her eyes, surrendering to the sensations he was creating. How long had it been since she'd felt this? Sure, she'd been dreaming of Spike practically every night for months, but it was no replacement for actual physical contact. The boy got adventurous, brushing a kiss over a lace-covered peak. Corinne jumped, surprised, and startled him.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"No, it's okay…I was just surprised, that's all."

Michael sighed in relief. "May I touch you?" She smiled, so he tentatively began planting kisses over the lace. The near-teasing touch was driving her insane.

"It's…mmm…awesome that you have – oh! – manners."

"I am at your command, dear lady," he replied with jovial chivalry.

Corinne growled her approval and rolled them over, attacking his mouth. She ground against the mound in his jeans, receiving a pleasured moan in response. So she did it again. The lace rubbing her sensitized breasts as she wriggled on him drove her crazy. His enthusiasm for every new sensation was catching; when he moaned, she did, too.

"Mmm…more skin," he mumbled, undoing the clasp of her bra. His hands slid the straps off her arms as she kissed him. All that was left was to pull it away from in between them. Corinne arched up, giving access, and then they were skin to skin, sighing at the pleasurable warmth.

Michael reversed their position again, so he could see her. Creamy skin over full curves…perfect. He lifted a hand to caress the back of it along the side of her left breast, fascinated when her nipple hardened. He ached to taste it, dipping his head to lave his tongue around the dusky peak. She arched into his touch, craving more, so he added his hand, testing the weight, manipulating the softness with gentility. He would rather touch her too lightly, than cause pain.

"Ohhhh…don't stop," she moaned, as he used both hands. Michael alternated sucking on one, then the other, learning her responses.

Corinne was tingling with a delicious fire, that old familiar ache building in her core. He was rubbing himself against her center, unconsciously, as he attended to her breasts, and it was just enough of a tease to make her body demand more. Michael seemed to sense it, perhaps from the rapidity of her heartbeat, and moved down to slide her skirt off. Matching lace string bikinis were revealed, the boy groaning with delight. He kicked off his shoes and let his pants drop, leaving him in his boxers. He was just about to lie down next to her again, when she remembered something important.

"Crap! Wait there a second." She dashed into the bathroom, giving the young man an appreciative view of bouncing curves. Corinne rooted around in the drawers and under the sink, but couldn't find what she needed. Shit! She poked her head around the corner. "You wouldn't happen to have a condom on you, would you?" she asked sheepishly, looking apologetic.

"Oh! Uh, let me check my wallet…" Please, let me have put one in here! He had a box in his dorm room for that inevitable day, but they wouldn't help him now. Looking through every compartment twice, he came up empty. "Sorry," he genuinely apologized, and he sooo was!

She smiled benevolently. "That's okay, honey. We can do other things." Corinne stopped at the end of the bed and shimmied out of her panties.

Oh, my god…he thought, seeing a naked woman in the flesh for the first time. His eyes raked up and down her body again and again, memorizing every curve. Michael snapped out of it when she started to fidget under his stare and reached for her. He was sitting on the bed, so this put him eye level with her delectable breasts again, which he couldn't help tasting. Her head dropped back as she moaned, threading her fingers through his hair to hold him to her.

Michael could smell her arousal increase and longed to touch her. His fingers slid over her hip to between her silky thighs and lightly started to feel around.

"Mmmm…" she moaned, writhing against his hand.

"Lie down…I want to see you," he stated huskily. Corinne eagerly complied, spreading her legs for his perusal. He traced his index finger along her glistening folds, taking cues from her gasps. Sliding the finger inside had her moaning, and writhing to capture it. "I never knew there were different textures…" he mused.

"Uh-huh…curl your finger along the spongy part on the upper wall." She whimpered as he tried it.

"Like this?"

"Mmm-hmm!"

"Okay…what else?" he asked eagerly.

"Slide your thumb over the part that feels firm underneath when you press on it."

"Along the top edge here?" He circled his thumb over her clit.

"Ah…that's right…but feel free to try any ideas…I'll let you know what's what." He teased her madly as his curiosity led to different speeds. Then, he added a second finger. "Oh, god…"

"Good?"

"Very. Just stay angled along the top and go a little faster," Corinne panted. He paid such rapt attention, that he easily picked up the cues from her hips, and it wasn't long before she was tightening around his fingers. "Kiss me, Michael! But don't stop!"

He quickly obeyed, adding just a little extra speed. She spasm-ed around his fingers as his kisses swallowed her cries. He slowed as she went limp, bringing her down. Corinne gave him a hard kiss, then collapsed on the bed, panting.

"You…are a very fast learner!" she stated giddily. "Oh, wow! Way better than a vibrator." Her hand came over her mouth a second later, mortified she just said that out loud.

Michael laughed, and kissed her again, sweetly. "I take it you are well pleased?"

"Mmm…mmm-hmm. Your turn."

"Y-you don't have to…I've already gone, before…earlier…"

"So? I'd bet anything you're ready to burst again," she said definitively.

"Well…" he muttered, and blushed. Corinne nodded, grinning. She could see the evidence, anyway. He started to get up to go wash his hand, when she stopped him.

"Taste it."

"Beg pardon?"

"Taste your fingers. I bet you'll like it." He looked at her incredulously, but she just arched a brow, challenging him.

Michael rolled his eyes and humored her, taking a little lick and testing it on his tongue. When he sucked a finger clean and looked up at her eyes, he was practically floored by the predatory gleam in them. Okay, then.

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The couple fell asleep a couple hours later after a few more rounds of "Trade the Orgasm" and bouts of chatting while cuddling. In the morning, Corinne made him breakfast, then drove Michael back to the university.

"You won't get in trouble for being out all night, will you?" she asked.

"Nah. They don't check around like that. Thanks for breakfast. You make a really great omelette."

"You're welcome. So…" And this is where it gets awkward.

"Yeah…I'm not going to see you again, am I?"

"Not unless you end up in the emergency room," she quipped, then sobered. "Are you okay with that?" she asked with concern.

"Yeah," he replied, surprising both of them that it was honest. "I think you're amazing, and a part of me wouldn't mind, but I think we both know that it wouldn't last long…and the memory of last night was perfect."

Corinne caressed his cheek. "I'm glad. If I had thought that I would just be using you, we wouldn't have done more than kiss. Take care of yourself, okay, and don't go out alone after dark here. Sunnydale is dangerous at night."

"Yeah, I've heard rumors. Will you be okay…with the Spike thing?"

She nodded. "I'll figure it out, somehow. You helped…really…I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I've been wallowing too much in my own angst." Corinne kissed him one last time. "Thank you."

"Bye, Corinne. Maybe in a few years, if we're free…" Michael suggested, waggling his brows. She laughed, which was what he desired.

"I've created a monster. Go! Before I kick you to class." She waved at him as he stopped at the door to the dorms, then left.

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Having a rare day off (which she needed), Corinne stopped by the preschool Tara worked at for lunch.

"Hey! How was last night?" the witch asked immediately.

Gee, subtle. "He drove me home, I asked him in, we kissed, I gave him a blow job, Spike came by, made me cry, Michael asked him to leave, Michael comforted me, I invited him to stay if he wanted, we did more stuff, didn't have condoms, so did other stuff until we fell asleep sometime in the middle of the night, then I made him breakfast and drove him home this morning, where we said our goodbyes. Detailed enough?"

Tara blushed. "Well…you could have just said 'good', or 'fun'…Spike came by? What happened?" It took a moment for all of it to register, since Corinne had rattled it off so fast.

"He wanted to apologize, I was still pissed off, he apologized more, I tried to get him to leave and closed the door in his face, he still tried to talk to me, saying he didn't understand, I was crying, because he affects me that much, and…Michael did the chivalrous thing and politely asked Spike to leave. He did, without complaint. I think I might have broken up with him as a friend…I don't know. It's a little fuzzy."

"Oh, goddess…you should go see him later, to straighten it out. You two have been through too much to let your friendship die," Tara replied.

"At the expense of my heart? I just don't know anymore, Tara. Michael reminded me, just by being himself last night, that I'm a desirable, passionate woman…not just a buddy with boobs. There were no games, and he put my happiness first. It was so nice to feel…adored. If Spike would look at me with half of that, I'd be in his arms in a second, but…that's just not how it is."

"Well, he did seem jealous last night…" she tried helpfully.

"He's a vampire, Tara. They're naturally possessive, and the boy was treading on his turf by chatting up one of his harem. That's all it was. You should have heard what he said. It was awful, and embarrassing. Spike almost scared poor Michael off! He practically accused me of being some slut that trolls for virgin prey. I really don't want to see him right now," Corinne said firmly.

Tara's expression was sympathetic. "I'm sorry, sweetie…All I can say, is that sooner or later, you're going to miss him too much not to forgive him…so you might as well do it now. That anger will hurt you more than it ever will Spike. Will you come over for dinner tonight? Dawn wants to drive to the restaurant."

"Sure," Corinne sighed. "As long as Spike isn't there. I just can't deal with it right now. I want to hold on to this good feeling."

"The post-orgasmic feeling?" Tara asked slyly.

She grinned. "Yeah, that."

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Corinne dropped by around 7 o'clock. Tara greeted her at the door with soapy hands.

"Would you do me a favor and move the wash load to the dryer? I got sidetracked while I was doing dishes," the Wicca asked.

"Sure, no problem. What setting?"

"Just regular permanent press. Thanks!" Tara smiled as Corinne went down to the basement. Now, for the other guest to arrive…

The door opened and shut with a bit of a bang, as a smoking vampire shed his protective blanket and stomped on it. Spike folded it up as Tara came into the foyer.

"Hey, Spike. Could you do me a favor and move that box down to the basement? It's just a bunch of my old schoolbooks," Tara requested sweetly.

"Sure, luv. No sense in letting the muscle go to waste," he replied.

Once she heard him halfway down the steps, Tara quietly closed the basement door and locked it with a minor incantation. They wouldn't be getting out that way until she let them. She smiled smugly to herself and dried her hands. Dawn came down from her room.

"All set for dinner, Dawn?"

"Yep. Is it just us?"

"Looks like!" She guided the teen out of the house before the banging started.

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"Oh, it's you," Corinne said disdainfully, as Spike came into view.

"I see the bitchy side is still in control. I said I was sorry multiple times, pet. What more do you want?"

"Forget it. Just leave me alone, okay?" She pushed past him to go up the stairs and leave. The knob spun, but the door wouldn't open. "What the hell?"

"Wha's wrong?"

"The door's stuck."

"It does that on humid days. Just put your weight into it a bit," Spike suggested. Corinne tried it, but it still didn't budge.

"It's not working."

Spike rolled his eyes. "Here, step aside. Let me try." He waited for Corinne to come down far enough so he could reach the door. Spike put his full shoulder into it, but it didn't move. That's not right…he thought. He changed into game face and listened. Not another heartbeat in the house. Sniffing at the door revealed traces of magic. "That sneaky witch!"

"What?" Corinne asked, slightly alarmed.

He chuckled. "Didn't know she had it in her," he muttered. "Glinda. She's locked us down here," Spike said so she could here.

"What?! She couldn't…she didn't! TARA!!"

"Not gonna do any good to yell, luv. There's no one else in the house," Spike added, coming back down the stairs.

Corinne looked around the basement. "Help me out of one of those windows, then."

He shook his head. "Can't. They're sealed shut. This is a Slayer's house."

"Wonderful," she replied sarcastically. "I'm going to kill her when she comes back. I'm hungry."

Spike rooted around in his duster pockets. "Want a mint?" he offered.

"Not really going to help," she said snidely. Corinne paced back and forth along the length of the basement, away from him.

Spike looked through the box of stuff he had under the cot. Nothing but a melted chocolate bar. She'll bite my head off if I offer that. Having nothing else to do, he stretched out on the bed to wait. Glinda would only be gone the time it took for her and the Bit to go to dinner. Her conscience wouldn't allow her to do otherwise.

Corinne just kept pacing and muttering to herself unintelligibly, occasionally glaring at Spike like this was all his fault. She couldn't believe Tara had tricked her! And after expressly telling her friend that she did not want to see Spike right now, too! Ooo, there was a blonde witch that was seriously going to pay when they got out of here!

Finally tiring of her glaring at him, Spike decided to talk. "So, how'd it go with Lover Boy?"

"It was a very nice evening, not that it's any of your business," she answered primly. Corinne sat down on a box across the basement and avoided looking at him.

He snorted, and muttered, "Yeah, I could smell that."

"Excuse me?!" she cried, indignant.

"Nothing," he sighed in annoyance.

"No, you clearly said something. What should it matter to you whom I date? It's not like he was a demon!"

"You're dating him now?!"

"No, but I could! Why do you have such a problem with that, Spike? I'm single, free to see whomever I want. If you're going to make a scene every time I'm out with a guy, then you can just take your act elsewhere," she replied, hands on her hips.

Spike opened his mouth to shoot back, but for once, his brain caught up with his mouth, and he wisely closed it. They sat in silence for a while, the atmosphere tense. Not surprisingly, it was Spike that disturbed the quiet.

"Why were you crying last night?"

Corinne sighed. "I'd had alcohol, I'm female, and you upset me by being a real jerk."

His head tilted, considering. "That's never made you cry before." The 'jerk' part.

"You've just never seen it." She was just so tired of pretending everything was fine.

"I have made you cry before?" Spike asked in shock.

"Spike…don't…"

"Kitten…"

"Please don't call me that. I don't need the charm and the pet names." She still wouldn't look at him.

Spike nodded, swallowing the hurt. "Are you done with me, then?" he asked, his voice small.

Why did he have to use that tone? She couldn't love him and cause that tremble in his voice. Why couldn't he still be a jerk and make this easy?

"No, even if I wanted to be," she answered on a mirthless laugh. It was either that, or start crying again. Corinne heard his shoes scuff the dirt as he crossed to where she was sitting. Her eyes were firmly fixed on her hands in her lap. She saw his knees as he crouched before her.

"For what it's worth, Corinne, I am sorry. The thought of you casting me out…well, it hurts more than I'd bloody imagined. Please let me make it up to you. I'll do anything you want!" he said sincerely, his voice gruff with emotion.

"I don't know what…I know you're sorry, Spike. You can't lie for crap, except in poker. I just…don't know what else to tell you right now…"

Spike tilted his head down again, trying to get her to look at him, but he wasn't going to force her. "Last night…you said, when I kissed you…it was a violation. Did you mean that?"

She thought about it, already knowing the truth. She'd thrown the words out in anger and hurt, but that short kiss had been a dream come true, before her brain had caught up. Of course, she wanted his kiss…she loved him. "No," she whispered. He sighed in relief. "Don't pull that possessive crap on me again, though, okay?"

"It wasn't…well, it was, but…" He sputtered over the words, because he didn't really know why he'd done it. "It was a reaction. I didn't think, I just…I'm sorry, it was out of line."

Right, because she was only his friend. "Yeah…let's just forget about it. I was a little drunk, anyway. Words don't count."

Spike tried tilting her chin up and she didn't resist. "Are we good again, then?" he asked hopefully.

"I think you owe me something first."

"Name it," he said with a smile.

"Not yet. I have to think of something good," Corinne replied.

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Tara came back an hour after she'd locked them down there, hoping there hadn't been bloodshed. She gingerly opened the door.

"Both of you still in one piece down there?"

"Yeah, Glinda. Your laundry's done, too."

"Corinne?"

"I'm here. And you're in big trouble." She came up the stairs first, Spike deferring to the lady.

Tara didn't look worried. "You two worked out your differences, then?"

The doctor glanced at Spike. "For now. I have yet to decide on what he owes me."

He rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "I think I'll toddle off like a good little vamp before I get into any more trouble. Ladies." Spike ruffled Dawn's hair, then grabbed his blanket and strolled off into the night. Tara turned back to Corinne.

"So?"

"So, I accepted his apology. If you were hoping to play matchmaker, I've told you. It's not going to happen." Corinne looked in the fridge for a quick snack. "Being with Michael last night, though…I really should start dating again. I've settled in at the hospital, my hours are more stable…it just makes sense."

"What about…you know?"

"I can't sit around waiting, Tara. It isn't healthy. I've been focused enough on my own angst, as it is."

The blonde nodded. "Are you going to see Michael again?"

Corinne shook her head. "We could have some fun, but no. It wouldn't really work, with the age gap. I might set him up with my sister, though. He really was a great guy."

"Who was?" Dawn asked, coming in the room.

"Just a guy I danced with. Did you have fun at the party?"

As Dawn began regaling them with all the birthday talk, Corinne pushed thoughts of Spike firmly from her mind. He'd pop up later in her dreams, anyway.