Title: Best Laid Plans 8/16
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 Eight

Xander was glad of Willow's suggestion. The Bronze was crowded and the music drummed through his body. Also he got to hang off Spike. They had to make it look real after all. And they were pulling it off. Half the crowd was staring at them. If it was because they looked hot or because the onlookers were homophobes Xander didn't know; he also didn't care.

Spike guided Xander to the table Buffy, Willow and Tara were holding before going off to get Xander and himself a drink. He tried to ignore the girls but he couldn't ignore Buffy's sultry look. Not long now before Spike had the slayer for himself.

The night went well. When Spike and Xander danced to slow songs their bodies pressed against each other. It made Xander feel like he was the one that Spike really wanted. Of course the feeling didn't last long when Buffy cut in and Spike didn't even try to resist.

Xander ended up keeping the table safe while Spike danced with Buffy and Willow danced with Tara. He ripped napkins into tiny pieces, waiting for someone to come back and chat with so he would stop feeling sorry for himself.

Buffy and Spike were the first to return both smiling and out of breath. "Sorry Xan, I didn't know how good a dancer Spike was."

"Yeah, no problem. I was having fun sitting here by myself," Xander said sarcastically. He was jealous and he knew he had no right to be but damn it, Spike was supposed to be pretending to be with him.

Both Buffy and Spike frowned. They didn't think it was that big a deal… okay so maybe they had danced a little too long together but they were having fun. Wasn't that the point of coming to the Bronze? Spike took the chair next to Xander and placed his arm around him. "I'm sorry, pet. Time just got away from us. I won't leave you alone again, alright?"

"It's getting late," Xander said and stood, letting Spike's arm fall away. "And I have a headache."

Spike didn't need to be a genius to figure out Xander was upset. He just didn't understand why. Their plan was working perfectly. "Oh…" Spike said disappointedly as he stood as well.

"Don't feel obligated to come," Xander realized his voice was more clipped then he intended.

Oh yeah, if Spike had been in an actual relationship with Xander he'd have been in the dog house. "Don't be silly, pet. If you want to leave then we will leave."

Xander gave a quick goodbye to his friends before all but storming out of the Bronze with a confused Spike hot on his tail.

When they were a couple blocks away Spike grabbed Xander's arm forcing him to stop. "Want to tell me what that was about?"

Xander knew he made a scene. A scene that wasn't needed. A scene that could mess up their plan. "Look, I get that tonight helped you get closer with Buffy but is it really that hard to pretend you want to be seen with me? To not leave me for forty-five minutes stuck watching our table?"

Spike rubbed the back of his neck. He hadn't thought about that. But he was just so excited Buffy wanted to be with him. To have him touch her. But Xander was right, he owed Xander a lot and he ended up being a prick. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just ditched you. It's just the plan is going so well. Moving in with you was genius. I owe you for all of this and you deserve a little more respect from me. Forgive me?"

Of course Xander forgave him. If he didn't it would look suspicious and Spike would end up asking questions. "Yeah, of course I just don't like being left out is all."

"I'm sure you could have found a nice bird to dance with. Maybe a bloke," Spike said.

Xander snorted. "Yeah, right!" He saw Spike's confused look. "Come on, Spike. It's not like I'm hot like you."

"So you think I'm hot do you?" Spike said with a grin.

"Spike, I'm not blind," Xander replied with a blush.

Spike decided to not embarrass Xander further. "You're not bad looking yourself. Anyone in there would have been lucky to dance with you."

"We're supposed to be a couple. If I went asking other people to dance the girls would have become suspicious."

"Oh…" Spike didn't think about that. He just wanted Xander to be happy which was strange because he never wanted anyone to be happy. Except for Spike and Buffy of course. Well Buffy as long as she was with him. It was completely logical. "Well once this is all over you'll find yourself someone that loves you for you. Just like I love Buffy."

Xander's gut twisted painfully. With a strained smile Xander said, "Let's go home."