"I want you to want me.

I need you to need me.

I'd love you to love me.

I'm beggin' you to beg me.

I want you to want me.

I need you to need me.

I'd love you to love me.

I'll shine up my old brown shoes.

I'll put on a brand new shirt

I'll get home early from work

If you say that you love me."

~Cheap Trick~

Chapter 13 – I Want You to Want Me

Even though there was a huge crowd packed into the modest sized establishment, Spike had somehow sung it as if it was meant only for her alone. Watching her with that piercing gaze of his, she could feel the need and pain coming from each line of the song and Buffy couldn't deny that the whole performance was giving her tingles of excitement all over.

While it definitely made her feel good, there was also a part of her that hated the notion that he could make her feel this way. And the worse part of it all was that she couldn't blame him for it because tonight had been entirely her suggestion. She was the one who insisted on coming to The Venice Bar, a popular karaoke joint near their college. Thinking at the time that it would be funny, she was also the one who got him to put his name down to sing in front of tonight's crowd.

Although he was vehemently against doing such "tasteless things" at first, she'd eventually managed to goad him into rising to the challenge and even got him to pick out a song of his choice. Not surprisingly, the list of patrons who had signed up to go on stage had been extremely long and by the time it was Spike's turn to sing, they were already at the dessert stage of their dinner, which was, as promised to her, a double scoop of Ben and Jerry's Half Baked ice cream.

With all the confidence of a bona fide rock star, he went up on stage with a cocky swagger and gave her a leer before saying, "This goes out to my beautiful date, the cute little blonde sitting right at the back. Luv, thanks for making this a really fun night even if you did threaten to call me a bloke with no balls if I didn't come up and do this."

There was a roar of laughter from the crowds and Buffy felt herself sinking in her seat when people actually applauded and cheered at her. She made a mental note to strangle Spike later as she awkwardly returned the smiles of the strangers around her.

When he finally started to sing however, all thoughts of murder left her and by the time he was done with his performance, Buffy wanted nothing more than to hustle over to his place so she could do all sorts of forbidden things to him. Shifting about in her seat uncomfortably, she was acutely aware of her growing arousal and tried desperately to distract herself from it.

While she told herself that she was probably taking things too fast, somewhere at the back of her mind, she also had a paralyzing fear that he wasn't going to find her attractive once they got past third base. Based on her experience to date, none of her past relationships lasted long after they went all the way. She wasn't sure if it was her or them, and though Spike had proven to be incredibly different than all the other guys she used to date, there was still the possibility that when it really came down to it, he would end up being just another guy who found her unsatisfactory and then history would just repeat itself yet again with things coming to devastating end for her.

"So now that we've established that I'm a man with balls. Balls of steel, might I add. How about we do something that's my kind of fun after we're done here?" He waggled his eyebrows at her.

"And what exactly is your definition of fun?" Buffy asked, trying not to sound anxious as she imagined his concept of fun was to be strapped to a chair buck naked while she cruelly teased him until he begged for mercy.

"Well, you'll have to stay tuned to find out now, won't you?" He tucked his tongue behind his teeth and grinned evilly.

After driving for an hour, the Sunnydale Martial Arts Academy was the last place on earth Buffy was expecting Spike to take her.

"I didn't even know they were open at this time."

"Normally they don't, but let's just say that I have connections." He winked, while opening the door to the studio for her. To her surprise, he had reserved the entire studio and even got them to leave a set of matching kung fu suits for them to change into.

"Okay, this has got to be the most interesting date I've ever been on." She admitted with a grin as she entered.

Spike watched her look about the studio in wonder. "I heard you took some martial arts classes so I thought this would be rather fun for you."

He was thrilled to see her so excited as she turned to him with those bright eyes sparkling with delight. It seemed like some of the information he'd gotten from Xander was useful after all.

"You can kung fu too?" she asked.

He shrugged, "I was practicing mixed martial arts a couple of years ago, back when I was still livin' in London, so yeah, I guess I can kind of kung fu."

"You're just a box of chocolates, aren't you?"

It was Spike's turn to split into a wide grin at the Forrest Gump reference, "You mean like how I'm full of surprises?"

"Uh huh, I never know what I'm gonna get with you."

"And that's why you're so into me." He leered cheekily.

She quirked one amused eyebrow before answering, "Yeah, you just keep telling yourself that, buddy. Let me know when you're ready to get your butt kicked."

Despite the threat, Spike found her sassiness both attractive and amusing. "Oh ho, isn't someone being rather cocky?"

She shrugged and answered, "It's not cocky if it's true."

After changing into their matching suits with Buffy in white and Spike in black, both wasted no time in sparring each other.

"Are you ready to dance, luv?" Spike grinned while moving in circles, like a shark swimming around its prey.

She grinned back as she moved in a similar rhythm to his movements, making sure her back never faced him, "Anytime, Blondie. I promise this will only hurt a little."

At the beginning, the sparring was reserved and almost playful as they tested the water, each attempting to gauge the strength and skill of the other. But with each passing minute, they found their exchange escalating into a serious battle as both fought with a variety of technique, strength and cunning.

Spike found himself laughing and cheering her on as they exchanged blows. He was amazed at how such a petite little blonde could move so gracefully and deadly at the same time, and he found himself irresistibly loving the way she had this look of determination set in her expression.

As good as she was, she was lacking the one thing that Spike had in spades. And that was the advantage of experience. Having had a few additional years of training and involving himself in more than a few fights over the last few years, it didn't take very long for him to gain the upper hand. Seizing the opportunity as he blocked her high kick with one arm, he swung out a low kick aimed at her other leg to throw her off balance. Buffy yelped in surprise as she landed flat on her back, staring at Spike in astonishment while he swiftly pinned her to the ground with his own weight.

Both were panting in exhaustion and covered in sweat, but while Spike was grinning triumphantly, Buffy's look of surprise had turned into an angry scowl as he hovered above her.

"Wasn't that just barrels of fun?" he asked, just inches away from her.

"Sure but I think it would've been more fun if I won." She jutted her lower lip out in a sulky pout.

In his captivated state, Spike's brain failed to filter his thoughts and the words left him before he could stop himself, "You're so bloody adorable, you know that?"

The storm in her eyes subsided and she blinked in surprise, suddenly feeling both exhilarated and shy at the same time about their current situation.

They stared at each other for a long moment and just when it looked like he was about to kiss her, Spike pulled away and scrambled to his feet.

He rubbed the back of his head and avoided looking directly into her eyes, "Right, well, there's a shower at the back and once we're cleaned up, I'll take you home okay?"

Without waiting for her to respond, he turned and headed for the men's shower room, leaving her staring after him in confusion. Buffy sat in stunned silence as she tried to process what had transpired in those last few minutes, a mess of conflicting emotions and thoughts running through her. While she should've been glad that nothing happened between them, she also couldn't help but feel a crushing sense of disappointment knowing that nothing did.

Buffy stared out the window of Spike's DeSoto and wondered where things were going. After what just happened with that almost-kiss between them, she felt like a walking contradiction. She had made a promise that she would never allow herself to fall for someone again after that last disaster involving Parker, and yet here she was, even with all that internal turmoil, she knew that above all, the strongest feeling going through her now resonated with what he had sung earlier. She wanted Spike to want her.

When he chose to walk away from her at the studio earlier, she wasn't sure if it was because he was being a gentleman, or if he was just not as attracted to her as she'd hoped he would be. Whatever it was, that episode seemed to have put an invisible wall between them and she didn't know what she could possibly do or say to make that awkwardness go away.

Gripping the wheel tightly, Spike was torn between wanting her badly and being afraid of hurting her later if he did act on that desire. He also felt like a complete ponce for telling her she was bloody adorable and then avoiding her like the plague. He knew the mixed signals were probably confusing her silly and he felt guilty about that too.

He had second thoughts about going through with the deal, but then, even if he did choose to break the agreement and continue going out with Buffy, logically speaking, it wouldn't make any difference to the situation. Other than the fact that he'd be the only one on the losing end of all this, he imagined that it would be a crying shame to kiss that brand new guitar goodbye, especially now that he was so close to getting it.

With that final consideration, he decided to continue on with the mission. If he could just take things slow with her until after their third date, then they could really start exploring where this relationship could take them without his bleeding conscience eating at him.

"Hey, Spike?"

Snapping out of his thoughts, he gave her a sideway glace, "What is it, pet?"

"Umm, I think we've gone pass my place."

Cursing out loud as he looked at the houses they were driving past, he was shocked to discover that they had actually passed her house a good while ago.

"Oh bollocks, I'm sorry about that."

"It's okay, really. I didn't realize it myself until five seconds ago. Just try not to drive through someone's lawn or fence."

He shot her a death glare and she giggled in response. And just like that, the awkwardness between them subsided.

"I look that distracted, huh."

"More like deep in thought." She offered, pausing for a moment, before asking him, "Were you thinking about what happened earlier when we went all kung fu fighting on each other?"

He was almost too afraid to ask, but curiosity got the better of him, "What makes you say that?"

"Because that's what I've been thinking about," she confessed. "Particularly that, uh, last part, when you said I was adorable."

She couldn't read the expression in his eyes while they were fixed on the road, but she could tell that he was anxious from the way he clenched his jaw and his grip on the steering wheel stiffened as well.

When he didn't reply, she tried again, "So…in the interest of this conversation, do you really think I'm adorable?"

Having reached her house, the car slowed to a stop. Spike took a deep breath before turning to face her, "Yes, Buffy, I do think you are adorable. And on top of that, I also believe that you're a rather extraordinary girl."

Although Buffy wanted to burst into a cheer at that statement, she kept her cool and asked, "Then why were you in such a hurry to scramble out of there after you said that? I mean, not to sound presumptuous but I kind of got the feeling that you wanted to kiss me. Until, like, two seconds later, when you were practically speeding off in the other direction. So I wasn't sure if it was me or..."

"I just don't want to move things too fast between us, pet."

The sudden declaration stopped Buffy in mid-sentence.

He wasn't sure why she was giving him such a look of disbelief, so he hastily added, "Believe it or not, but I'm not actually very good at this whole dating thing, and I just don't want to screw anything up by doing something stupid."

Seeing the look of pleading sincerity on his face, Buffy blew out a sigh of relief, "Oh thank god, for a moment there I thought it was because I had garlic breath or something."

Spike chuckled, "Even then, I would still be tempted to kiss you."

She raised an eyebrow at that, "Really?"

"Yes, and I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings earlier."

"I was more confused than hurt, but at least I understand where you're coming from now."

"Yeah, what with our track records, we just need to thread with a little caution, you know?"

Buffy narrowed her eyes and frowned, "Actually, no, I don't. I wasn't aware that I had a track record. Care to share where that came from?"

Sensing trouble brewing, Spike answered warily, "It's just a figure of speech, is all, nothing to get upset about."

The warmth faded from her eyes and she said in a serious tone, "I find that hard to believe, Spike."

He rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Believe what you will, but it doesn't mean anything, pet."

"Maybe not, but I'd like to know what it is you've heard about me."

Since it was clear that she wasn't going to let this go, Spike tried to answer as honestly as he could without hurting her feelings, "Mind you, not that I believe any of this shite, but some people have told me that you've got a certain reputation for being difficult. Especially so when it comes to guys who like you."

"What?" She glared at him furiously, "Are you saying that I have a rep for being a bitch?"

"Well, obviously I didn't say that, pet. I wouldn't be here if I…"

Interrupting him, she added tersely, "This isn't a joke, Spike. Don't you dare trivialize this."

Spike sighed in frustration, "Buffy, you can't let yourself get affected by such ridiculous rumors. Do you think I give a bloody rat's arse at what other people talk about?"

"No, but I bet you're just another arrogant prick. And I wouldn't put it pass you to turn this into a little game. Just to prove to your pals how it's done and then toss me aside like used goods once you've had your fun."

For a moment, Spike was dumbfounded by her theory. It took him a few seconds to register what she was saying before he barked, "Bloody hell, woman, what on God's green earth are you talking about? That's absolutely a bucket load of bullocks!"

"Save your breath, Spike. It's a stunning performance but I don't buy a second of it."

Before he could respond, she exited his car and headed back into the house. Spike was left staring at the door in shock, as he tried to fathom how this date could have ended up in such a terrible disaster.

"Fuck!" He shouted out after a stunned moment of silence had passed.

No sooner had the word left him than his cell rang. "What?" He answered irately, without looking at the caller ID.

"Funny, that's exactly what I wanted to ask you too. What the heck happened, Spike?"

He groaned at the sound of her voice. The last thing he needed was another Summers getting mad at him. He peered up from the passenger side window and saw Dawn holding the phone to one side of her head. She was staring down at him from the window of her room on the second floor. Even from such a distance, he could see that she was clearly just as confused and worried as he was.

"Your guess is as good as mine, Nibblet. I'm still trying to sort it all out. We were laughing about garlic breath just a minute ago, and then I don't know what happened, but she suddenly goes nuts and starts accusing me of being an arrogant prick."

Dawn sighed, and Spike watched her slap her free hand on her forehead.

"How is she?" Spike asked.

"I'm not sure. I just saw her storm into her room like the Hulk, if you can imagine that. I thought the hinges were going to rip right off the door!"

"Do you think you could go in and talk to her for me?"

"You might as well be asking me if I want to get my head chopped off."

"I'm sure it's not that bad. I mean, I think everything was okay up until that point where I accidentally mentioned something about her reputation of being difficult."

Spike heard her gasp on the other end, "Oh no you didn't."

"I wasn't expecting that she would react so badly to it."

"Yeah, usually she doesn't give a hoot about what other people might say about her, so I'm guessing she really must like you a lot if this pisses her off that much. I'll try and see if I can talk some sense into her tomorrow but no guarantees, okay? My sister's certainly not the most sensible of people I know."

He was grateful that the other Summers sister was still on his side, "Thanks, Dawn. You don't know how much I appreciate that."

"Don't thank me yet. You can do it after she forgives you and says yes to another date."

"Yeah, let's hope so, eh?"

"You betcha." Dawn replied. "For both of our sakes. Otherwise, no more dates for me either."