Title: Best Laid Plans 3/16
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: Spike/Xander
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own none; all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!
Summary: Xander decides he wants to help Spike and Buffy get together. What better way than to pretend they are dating?
Warnings/Spoilers: Season 5
Beta'd by: Whichclothes

Part Three

Spike was having second thoughts about Xander's ridiculous plan the closer they got to the Magic Box. At one point he stopped and called the whole thing off.

"Fine, I guess you're not that interested in Buffy," Xander said with a shrug.

Spike gritted his teeth before grabbing Xander's hand and slamming the door open, gaining everyone's attention.

"What the hell are you doing here, Spike?" Buffy demanded to know. She was up and out of her seat, Mr. Pointy out and ready to be used.

"Calm down, Buff," Xander said with a smile. "We thought it was time you guys knew."

Giles pulled his glasses off to clean them. "Know what exactly?"

"That me and Fangl- Spike are dating," Xander smiled, actually looking happy that the 'secret' came out. Spike thought maybe Xander should go into show business.

"You're whatting with who?" Willow asked confused. She looked at Tara, hoping she could clear up what she thought Xander had just said. There was no way he said what she thought he said.

Buffy's eyes narrowed. "What kind of sick game are you playing, Spike? What have you done to Xander?"

"He hasn't done anything to me, Buff. Well, except steal my heart," Xander said before kissing the side of Spike's mouth. "I know we probably should have told you guys weeks ago but I was afraid you would try staking Spike and I didn't want that to happen."

"You're not dating," Buffy argued.

Xander scratched his head in confusion. "We're not?" He turned to Spike. "We're not?"

Spike knew he had to man up or this plan would flop before it even started. "Of course we are, pet," he crooned. Spike ran a finger over Xander's cheek. "The slayer just needs time to adjust to it is all."

"What kind of sick joke is this, Spike? I can't believe you are using Xander to get to me!" Buffy took a menacing step toward them.

"Using me?" Xander asked with a frown. "What is she talking about, Spike?"

Spike swallowed, looking like he had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "It's nothing, pet."

"Nothing?" Buffy said with disgust. "Two weeks ago you were trying to stuff your tongue down my throat and you're saying that was nothing?"

"Spike?" Xander looked absolutely hurt. "What's going on?"

Spike began to feel so comfortable in his role that he pressed himself against Xander's side. "That was a mistake, luv. I just got so caught up in the moment remembering those other slayers. Frankly I'm glad she stopped me. I never want to hurt you. I'm sorry. I'm a bad rude man."

Xander stomped away from Spike and sat beside Willow. "I can't believe you! You are so making up for this. Trying to kiss my best friend…" He got an elbow to the ribs from Willow. "One of my best friends."

"I will Xan, anything you want. It won't happen again." Spike sat down beside Xander taking his hand and kissing the palm.

"Oh good Lord," Giles muttered and pulled out a bottle of scotch.

Buffy glared at Spike. She couldn't believe he tried kissing her while dating Xander. What kind of sick game was he playing? She couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

"All right, now that's out of the way how about we go on patrol?" Willow suggested. She needed to talk to Xander. Something wasn't right. Why didn't he tell her? They'd been best friends forever!

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Willow," Giles said. He had a headache coming on. How was it that these children who fought and killed vampires on a daily basis continued to date them? "I suppose Spike and Xander would like to patrol together."

Willow shook her head. "I think Xander, Tara and myself should patrol together and Buffy and Spike go together."

Xander and Spike shared a look. Spike having alone time with Buffy was a step in the right direction. "I don't know, Red. I'd feel better having an eye on my boy."

"Xander can take care of himself. Besides he has two wiccans watching his back." Willow dismissed him and his worries.

Spike scowled. Though he was thankful for Willow's stubbornness it meant that he'd have to show his protective side for Xander. "If anything happens to Xander because you thought it was better for him to be with you I swear on everything that is unholy I will find a way to get this chip out and make you wish you went with Buffy instead."

Large green eyes widened in fear. "Nothing's going to happen to him, Spike."

"It's fine, babe. I'll meet you back here in a couple hours and then you can look me over to make sure I'm one hundred percent fine," Xander said before kissing Spike. He waited for Spike to pull away disgusted by the kiss, but instead Spike wrapped his arms around Xander and pulled him in closer. Xander ran his hands through Spike's gelled hair. It was actually a pretty nice kiss.

"Just don't want you hurt, Xan. Not if I could have done something to prevent it," Spike whispered against Xander's lips.

"Now go, we have evil to stop and whatever." Xander kissed Spike once more. Not for show but because it had felt nice. After he was done helping Spike and Buffy he needed to find someone for himself. He had forgotten how much fun making out was.

Spike nodded and left the shop, pretending he didn't care if Buffy followed or not. He smiled to himself when he heard Buffy chasing after him.

"What was that?" Buffy asked when they were a few blocks away from the shop.

"Told you, we didn't want to tell you lot in case you tried to stake me," said Spike. He kept walking and forced himself not to look at Buffy in case he tried to do something stupid again. Xander would be pissed if he ruined the plan this soon.

Buffy scoffed. "And you trying to kiss me was completely accidental?" She didn't sound convinced.

Spike sighed. "Yes! Believe it or not, slayer, not everyone thinks you're as hot as you think you are." He pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "Now move your arse. I've got plans with Xander."

Buffy stared after Spike. He didn't find her hot?

By the time Xander, Willow and Tara took off, Giles was nursing his third glass of Scotch. Xander felt bad. He knew how much Giles distrusted and disliked Spike, but if he could make Spike and Buffy happy in the end Giles would just have to accept it.

"All right, buddy, what's going on?" Willow asked looping her arm with Xander's. She steered them toward the Double Meat Palace. Her stomach was growling and she also knew Xander could never turn down their onion rings. "Why didn't you tell me about you and Spike?"

Xander loved his Willow but he feared she would eventually figure out what he was doing because she loved to pry into his life.

"Leave him be, Willow," Tara said softly. She brushed her hair from her eyes. "All that matters is that he's happy."

Willow pouted. "Yeah, I guess."

Xander shot Tara a grateful look. They walked into the brightly lit burger joint. "Willow, why don't you order for us and Xander and I will find a table."

"Okay," Willow said confused. There were plenty of tables available; it wouldn't take them long to find one. "I'll meet up with you guys in a few."

When Willow wasn't looking Tara dragged Xander over to the furthest table. "I know what you and Spike are doing," she whispered.

Xander's eyes widened but he stuck with deny, deny, deny. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come on, you and Spike are not dating! One of us would have figured it out. You're doing it to make Buffy jealous so she'll decide if she wants Spike or not."

"How the hell did you figure that out?" Xander whispered, his eyes darting to make sure Willow was still in line. If Willow ever found out she would tell Buffy.

Tara huffed. She was always underestimated. "Because I could see the way Spike's been looking at Buffy the last few weeks. Ever since kidnapping the doctor and trying to get the chip out he's been drawn to her." She saw the panicked look on Xander's face. "I'm not going to tell Willow. But just be careful."

"Be careful of what?" Xander asked, suddenly worried.

"That your plan doesn't backfire," Tara replied and slid into the booth.

Xander didn't have a clue as to what she meant.