I'm not in love, so don't forget it

It's just a silly phase I'm going through

And just because I call you up

Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made

I'm not in love, no-no

(It's because)

I like to see you, but then again

That doesn't mean you mean that much to me

So if I call you, don't make a fuss

Don't tell your friends about the two of us

~ 10CC ~

Chapter 20 – I'm Not in Love

Once the car was parked outside the club, Xander killed the engine, abruptly ending the music that was playing from his car. He turned to Dawn and triumphantly announced, "Here we are!"

He couldn't believe his good fortune, having a girl as beautiful as Dawn sitting beside him as they were about to make their way in for the SSU Ball, which was for this year held at Avon, a new club that was located not too far from the university. He knew that if he were still at his old college, there would've been a much higher likelihood of him still being dateless at the present moment. Xander almost shivered at the image of himself sitting around in his three-day old underwear reading comics in his dorm room.

"I have to admit," Dawn said, as she smoothed the black dress over her lap. "I'm really glad Spike managed to convince Buffy to come to the Ball tonight. I mean, this." She gestured with one hand between the two of them, "Would not have been possible without him."

"Yeah, can't believe Bleach Boy actually came through for us." Xander chuckled.

Dawn gave him a puzzled look, "You know, for someone who claims to dislike Spike as much as you do, you sure seem to rely on him a lot."

Xander panicked for a moment. Although Dawn knew that Spike was helping them both out with her situation, she wasn't supposed to know about the transaction the two had made in exchange for getting her the license to date.

"What do you mean?" He asked, in an innocent tone.

"You two seem to have a distinct and natural dislike for each other, and yet there are often times when I see you guys hanging out together. The oddest thing about it is that you both interact in a manner that suggests that there's an actual friendship there." Dawn shook her head and added, "It's just really bizarre."

Xander would've sighed in relief if he could, thankful that she still wasn't aware of the full plan. They just had to get through tonight in one piece, and the last part of the deal would be sealed for all eternity.

He gave her his most winning smile, "I'd like to think that Spike and I have this love hate relationship going on. It happens sometimes, from time to time, when two alpha males meet and they start off as deadly rivals but then eventually come to a mutual respect for each other. It's a very primal male thing and I wouldn't expect you to understand it."

Dawn sighed, giving him a tormented look, she said, "Sometimes I can't help but think that you're cruelly depriving some village out there of an idiot."

Just as they entered the club, Cordelia approached the couple, mainly to speak with Xander. She greeted them and complimented on how adorable they looked together before asking sweetly, "Hey Xander, you got a moment? There was something I needed to clarify with you. About that new club we thought about forming."

"What?"

She rolled her eyes and attempted again by hinting, "You know, the one with the guitars…?"

Recalling her text about what they had to do tonight, Xander's eyes widened and he laughed in trepidation while attempting to keep his nerves in check, "Oh right! You mean that club!"

The dark haired beauty resisted another eye roll and turned to his date, "Dawn, I'm really sorry but you don't mind, do you?"

Dawn who had been silently watching the exchange between them in mild interest, smiled warmly at Cordelia, "No, no, please, don't you worry about me at all. I need to go look for Buffy and the rest of the gang anyway."

"Great! And I promise I'll send him back to you in a jiffy," Cordelia assured.

"Take your time." Dawn shrugged, and then casually added, "And can I just say that you look really hot in that dress, by the way. Where did you get that from?"

"Dawn!" Xander exclaimed, in both amazement and disapproval. While he was pleasantly surprised by her understanding, he was also a little upset that she didn't seem the least bit jealous of another attractive woman wanting his attention.

Cordelia, who was dressed in low cut, bright blue dress that flaunted her cleavage and hugged her curves, gave a sideways grin and replied, "Why, thank you, Dawn! It's an Alexander McQueen, and for the record, I think you're definitely the nicer of the two Summers."

"I know that's the common perception, but really, Buffy's totally cool as well."

"See? You are so nice! Just like this dress you have on too. I really like how it's so cute with just a hint of naughty."

The younger girl radiated with delight upon hearing the compliment, "Thanks, that's precisely the look I was going for!"

Breaking the brief moment of female bonding, Xander cleared his throat and interrupted, "Cordelia, that thing about the club?"

The girls both turned to stare at him coldly.

"Alright, Mr. Hasty, calm your hooves!" Cordy snapped.

"I'll talk to you later, Cordelia. And Xander, you'd better behave yourself, okay."

"Catch you later, Dawnie. Promise I'll be quick." Xander kissed his date on the cheek before she left the two unlikely associates to their business.

Standing in the corner at the edge of the bar, Buffy slipped an arm around Spike's waist while taking a sip of beer in her other hand.

"Have to admit this is turning out better than I expected."

He scoffed and teased, "Yeah, but that's only 'cause I'm your date tonight."

She raised a skeptical eyebrow, "Is that so?"

"I guess it also helps that there's no silly theme for this event."

"Or those horribly coordinated dance numbers."

Spike picked a canapé from one of the trays nearby on the bar, "And I do find these yummy little duck rice paper rolls absolutely delightful."

"Woo, and these…" She added, picking another canapé from the next tray, she cheerfully popped it into her mouth and said between chews, "Taste like those onion blossom things you like so much."

"That's true, and the best part of it all is that I think I'm in love with you."

Buffy did a double take at the sudden bombshell and they stared into each other's eyes for a while. He couldn't really tell what her reaction to the revelation was and he even though he looked perfectly composed on the outside, he was feeling nervous as hell at her lack of reaction. When it seemed like she wasn't going to reply, he calmly reemphasized, "You heard me."

"Spike, I…"

"Look, you don't have to say anything back, kitten. I just wanted you to know." He bent down to kiss her and to his relief, she pressed herself against him and kissed him back hungrily.

"Hey Dawn!"

She turned to the voice and saw the boy who once broke her sister's heart saunter towards her, all smiles and congeniality. She could also tell that he was already well on his way to Woozy Land from the way he walked.

Folding her arms across her chest, she acknowledged in a frosty tone, "Parker."

Oblivious to her hostility, he gave her a charming smile, "So you turned me down for the same guy that deserted you at Cordy's party, huh. You know, I'm sorry to say it, but I don't think this reflects well on your taste in men."

"Yeah, I'm sorry too Parker, but I just don't think you're my type."

"What do you mean I'm not your type?" Parker frowned, "We're perfect for each other!"

"Well, you might not know this about me, but I tend not to date douche bags who've hurt my sister."

"Oh, that."

She gave him her best death glare, "Yeah, Casanova, you deserve a real beating for that. How could you do that to her or any other girl for that matter?"

Much to her ire, he started to smile again and it took all of her self-control to not wipe the condescension off his face with the use of her fist.

"Dawn, I'm not sure I need to explain my actions here but if that's what you want..."

She raised an expectant eyebrow. What I want is for you to let me hit you repeatedly with a two by four.

"Here's the thing, I don't regret what happened between Buffy and me. But I'm sorry that she got hurt, and if I misled her, then I'm sorry for that too because I didn't mean to. I'm actually impressed that you care so much about her. You're a good sister."

"Thanks, I do try my best. But do you really expect me to just believe all that?"

"You have to understand, I do get to know a lot of women but I just haven't found the one so far. I've yet to find the girl that I can just sit with and be totally at ease to share whatever's on my mind. Or even sit with comfortably in silence."

"Well, that's the ultimate relationship everyone wants."

"That's precisely it. And Dawn, I know how this is going to sound, but I've always enjoyed talking to you, and I can't shake the feeling that you're the one for me."

She gave her most tender and sincere smile, "Awww, Parker, that's so sweet of you to say."

"I just wish you'd give me a chance to prove my feelings for you." Parker smiled back.

"You know, I'd love to give you the opportunity, and I'd be falling head over heels for you right now, except this pile of horse crap you just tried to sell me sounds exactly like something out of those cheap, trashy romance novels my Aunt Mildred loves to read so much."

"What?"

She chuckled, "Seriously, Parker, that whole routine was a truly lame and sad attempt. I'm actually not sure if you were trying to make me gag or laugh from all that saccharine loaded schmaltzy talk."

"But I'm not trying to do…"

The brunette rolled her eyes, "Don't you get it, dude? The jig is up. Just give it a rest already!"

When he grasped that there was no way he could convince her otherwise, Dawn saw that it took all of just five seconds for Parker to transform from pitiful boy next door to egotistical man whore.

"You're going to regret this, Dawn. We could've had so much fun, but then you had to go ruin it with this display of immaturity."

"Hmm, I doubt it, since I certainly won't regret avoiding crabs. That's for sure."

Parker snickered, "If anyone's giving out crabs, it would be your sister."

And before he could even comprehend what transpired the moment those words left him, he was bent over and clutching at his bloody nose with both hands, crying out in pain.

"That's for my sister, you little punk!"

Following that, she swiftly kneed him in the groin, watching in satisfaction as he crumpled to a bawling heap on the floor. Unsurprisingly, none of the other students in the vicinity tried to stop her.

"And that's for me!" She smirked as she dusted off her hands, happy to be clean of him.

"Holy guacamole, are you okay?" Another voice asked, sounding very much like her date.

She turned to find both Xander and Buffy staring at her. While Xander's jaw hung agape in shock, her big sister had the widest grin on hers. Giving them a sassy wink, she replied, "I have never been better."

It didn't take long for the news of Dawn's epic showdown with Parker to spread like wildfire among the students.

"I heard you avenged your sister and taught that jerk a lesson."

Dawn blushed and shrugged her shoulders modestly, "It did feel very gratifying even though my knuckles are kinda sore now."

Spike chuckled, "Well, that's a good sign that it must've hurt a lot more for him so cheers to that. I couldn't be more proud of you, Nibblet."

They clinked their glasses together in a toast before downing their respective beverages. A look of repulsion flashed across his face as he placed the offending glass of barely drunk unidentifiable mocktail back on the table.

"Oh come on," Dawn said, "as far as Shirley Temples go, this is really quite nice."

"I beg to differ. Miss Temple is quite horrid and I'd rather have myself a Mister Jack Daniels, anytime." He scowled irritably, but then quickly added, "Of course, I would never encourage little bits such as yourself to drink booze, but bloody hell, this occasion deserves at least one of us havin' a proper beer to celebrate!"

The younger Summers giggled, "We all make sacrifices for the ones we love, Spike. Sometimes, you'll just have to accept that drinking bad fruit punch is one of them."

Spike scoffed derisively, "But I'm always the soddin' designated driver!"

"Yeah, the things we do for love, huh?"

"Uh huh, big whoop that is."

"In all fairness though, you could ask her to be designated driver every once in a while."

He gave an incredulous look, "Bit, as much as I worship her and the ground she walks on, you know I can't bloody afford to let my car risk being tragically murdered in the hands of your sister."

Dawn nodded and patted him gently on the shoulder, "Well, that's also true and a good point, hence I really can't blame you there."

"Right? I wish I could say otherwise though."

"That's okay, Spike. I've seen the way she drives Mom's unfortunate jeep, so I really get where you're coming from."

Just then, a third voice chimed in, "Where's Spike coming from?"

Both Dawn and Spike swiveled their heads to the side to find Buffy approaching them with Oz and Willow following close behind.

Spike plastered a cheery smile and smoothly replied, "My stand on why black leather dusters are my favorite fashion accessories."

She stared at him blankly for a moment and then shook her head, "Lord, I really need to take you shopping."

While the girls were out on the dance floor, Cordelia approached the guys who were hanging around near the bar.

She flashed a predatory smile at them, white teeth flashing like blinding lights, "Hello boys, well aren't you two looking sharp and dapper tonight."

"Hey Cordy, what's up?" Oz asked.

She eyed her target playfully, "I just need to steal Blondie here for a couple of minutes."

Spike cocked his head to the side, "Well I'm certainly flattered, but what for?"

"Your little friend Xander is already outside and we've got some business to conclude now that you've completed your end of the bargain."

His eyes widened in disbelief, "How do you even know about the…"

"It's a long story," Oz interrupted, "but she'll explain it."

Cordy looped her arm around Spike's and pulled him towards the exit.

"C'mon, Spike, I'll tell you about it along the way."

"I didn't know you were in on this too."

"Xander needed some help procuring your prize, and that's where I come into the whole scheme of things."

"Huh. Well, can't really say that's a surprise I guess, seeing as how helpless that wanker is. But I can't believe he told you the details though."

"Trust me, he didn't want to, but I told him that he had to give me the gist of it if he wanted my help. And based on the bits he provided, I pretty much figured the rest of it out on my own."

"So you're brains and beauty, huh?"

"You said it, mister. I'm the whole freakin' package." She grinned at him, and after a brief pause, added, "You know, I didn't think it was possible, but you actually managed to succeed where all others have previously failed."

"And what would that be?"

"To not just survive a few dates, but actually be in, what appears to be, a happy relationship with Buffy Summers."

Spike barked out a laugh, "Is it really that unbelievable?"

"Let's just say that most of us think you deserve a Medal of Honor for what you've managed to accomplish with her."

"It wasn't that difficult, Cordelia. The girl has plenty of things to like about."

"Right, tell that to R.J. Brooks. You should have seen the guy's face after he asked her out. He looked like a badly bruised tomato, only worse."

"I bet the tosser was probably being a jerk to her though, and I mean, yeah sure, she's a bit of ballbuster sometimes, but bless her, she's got her heart in the right place."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you've fallen completely in love with this girl."

They had arrived at the parking lot and as they made their way past the rows of cars to get to the middle of the lot, Spike soon spotted Xander standing by the side of a red sports car.

"I take it that cute little Corvette's yours?"

She turned to him and grinned, "Yup, but there's something in it that belongs to you."

"Didn't I say that things wouldn't last between you and Spike?"

Buffy almost couldn't recognize the girl without all the eyeliner and black leather on. She had taken a quick time out to head to the little girl's room and had the disastrous luck to run into Spike's batshit clinically insane Goth stalker, the same one who had confronted her at The Bronze, also better known as Psycho Bitch.

"Are you actually a student or did you gatecrash this party in the pathetic hopes of following Spike around? Ugh, why don't you get over yourself already?"

"It doesn't matter, because either way you've already lost."

Buffy scoffed, she didn't understand what this skanky lunatic was saying and nor did she want to, "You know, you almost look like a normal girl without all that crap on your face, except those crazy eyes are a dead giveaway. Now unless you want a repeat of what happened the last time we exchanged words, move out of my way, bitch."

The other girl cackled, "You're just in denial about the whole thing, aren't you? I knew he couldn't be serious about you. The fact is, you're just not his type."

"I have no idea what you're talking about and I don't want to hear it. Now move before I make you."

Not wanting to test Buffy, she gave way, but said with a cruel smile, "Suit yourself. At least this time he's leaving with a girl who actually looks smokin' hot."

"I hate to admit it, but there probably wouldn't be a Dawn and me if it weren't for your efforts, so thanks for that," Xander said.

"Well mate, the irony of it is, is that there probably wouldn't be a Buffy and me if it weren't for your plan as well, so thank you for that."

"Yeah, we got a chicken and egg thing going on, huh?"

Spike stared in wonderment at the shiny and brand new black guitar Cordy was holding out to him. He couldn't believe that it really belonged to him now.

"So why is Cordelia here giving the guitar to me, and not yourself then? Not that I mind receiving it from her though, she is a hell of a lot prettier than you."

"Damn straight I am," Cordy replied on Xander's behalf, "and just to enlighten you, this arrangement came as part of the agreement I made with Xander. I told him that I wanted to present the prize and shake the hand of the man who could survive going out with Buffy."

Grinning, Spike shook his head, "Sweetheart, like I said earlier, it really wasn't that difficult."

"I think you're absolutely lying but either way, congratulations Spike. You totally deserve your well-earned reward. Honestly, I don't think anyone else could've cracked that nut."

He took a moment to take in its magnificence. "Gosh, she's a real beauty, isn't she? Just look at that form."

"So are you gonna use this new guitar at all your future shows?"

"Well, that was the original intention, but I have a better plan for it now."

Just as he was about to take the instrument from her, Xander said in a panicked tone, "Oh, crap! Spike, we have a code red!"

Following where the brunet was staring off, Spike turned to see the back of Buffy, running away from them.

Chapter summary:

Just wanted to add a quick thanks to people who've been following and reading this from like...1-2 years ago...I haven't had time to put this up on FF due to RL stuff, but I'm trying to put the last few remaining chapters up ASAP. As always, love getting those reviews and feedback so do keep em coming!