Sorry for the delay. My computer literally caught fire and i had to buy another. I'm not rich, so it took me a few weeks to put together the money. Then I find out that my old .wps files are just a jumbled mess on stupid Windows 8. I'm having to retype everything out and with work, kids and sleep, it's slow going. :(
Buffy shivered lightly as Ethan drew her a bit closer as they moved around the floor. She drew in a shaky breath and tried to focus on business. "So, tell me more about this information you hinted at."
Ethan smirked and shook his head. "You're like a terrier with a bone, aren't you?" he teased. "Why can't you just relax and enjoy yourself?"
"Maybe because I'm with you?" she bit out. She was surprised by the hurt that flickered in his eyes. She relented a little. "Look, I didn't mean it like that. This whole thing is just weird, okay? I don't get it. Why are you here? What do you want from me? The flowers, the gifts, the whole flirting thing. What are you up to, Ethan?"
He stopped moving and stared down at her. Buffy shivered again at the anger blazing in his eyes. "Is it really so hard to believe..." he stopped talking and ran a hand through his hair. "Fine. I've been hearing stories for months now. The Initiative is capturing and experimenting on demons, creatures and anyone they think has a connection to the supernatural world. Word has it, they're not just trying to document or understand, either. The demons I've talked to say the scientists are trying to imitate."
"Imitate?" she asked hesitantly.
He stared at her for a couple of seconds. "As in trying to create their own little army of supernaturally enhanced soldier boys."
Ice filled her veins. "That's not possible," she whispered.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave her a hard look. "Buffy, if these demons are right, this is bad. Big and very bad."
Riley. Was he part of this? Buffy's mind spun with the implications. "You're wrong," she said shakily. "If they were doing something like that, Riley would have told me."
"Do you really think soldier boy is in the know at that pseudo-army camp?" Ethan growled.
By now they were starting to attract some attention since they were just standing on the edge of the dance floor talking. Buffy blushed and headed back to the table, Ethan following behind. Buffy sat down and reached for he wine glass. She didn't bother mentioning she was only 19. If Ethan could remember her birthday, he knew her age, as well.
"Look, some rumors from a handful of demons isn't exactly proof," she hedged.
"What about your pet vamp?" Ethan asked stiffly. "You said yourself that they stuck a chip in his head." He leaned forward and touched her hand. "Buffy, I wouldn't lie to you about any of this. Something bad is going down. Demons, big bad tough demons, are scared. Many of them are leaving town."
Buffy didn't have an answer for him, so she just looked down at their hands. She couldn't imagine that he was right about this. That would mean that Riley was involved. She might not love him, or agree with him on everything, but she did care for him.
"I want to talk to some of these demons," she said finally.
"No way," Ethan said. "They won't talk to you. They didn't like talking to me. There's no way they'll talk to the Slayer."
"I'm not just going to take your word for it!" Buffy argued.
Ethan stared at Buffy for several seconds before slowly sitting back and pulling his wallet out of his pocket. He pulled a couple of hundreds out of it and tossed them down on the table. "I'm sure Ripper wouldn't mind giving you a ride home," he said stiffly. He stood up and walked a few feet away before turning stomping back to the table. He planted his hands on top and leaned down to look her in the eye.
"You have to be the most infuriating woman I've ever known! I have treated you with nothing but respect since coming back to this damned town! I have never lied to you! Misled? Maybe, but I never lied!" His mouth snapped shut and he stood up. "Why am I even bothering?" he growled before spinning on his heel and walking away quickly.
She watched with shock as he left the restaurant. A few seconds later Giles slid into Ethan's abandoned seat and looked at her worriedly. "Buffy? What happened?"
She looked at her Watcher with wide eyes. "I... I'm not quite sure. I think I might have, um, hurt his feelings."
Giles' expression showed both surprise and suspicion. "What happened?" he repeated.
Buffy sighed and told him everything that had transpired since arriving at the restaurant. She watched his expression grow more and more surprised. When she finished talking she waited for Giles to tell her what he was thinking.
After a long moment he adjusted his glasses and picked up the fork beside the plate. "Eat, Buffy. We'll discuss Ethan's information later. I need to do a bit of research before we decide what to do next."
She wasn't really hungry, but she picked up the fork anyway. She ate the food without really tasting it. Her mind was still focused on Ethan and the confusing feelings he had created in her.