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Like a Cat in a Bag
Part 6
By Jeconais
Xander walked back into the living room, alone.
"Where's Buffy?" Willow asked.
Xander smiled a little. "She's phoning Giles, bringing him up to date on what's happened."
He sat down on the couch next to Dawn, who beamed up at him happily.
"So, what's the plan for this evening?" he asked.
"I'm going back to LA as soon as it gets dark, no need for me to stay here any longer," Angel offered first.
Xander nodded. "What about you three lovely ladies?"
"No real plans here," Tara said.
"Yeah," Willow agreed, "We're completely planless."
"So, how about a quick patrol, like we used to, then an evening of fun, entertainment and the Xand-man shaking his stuff on the hallowed floors of the Bronze?"
Willow and Tara quickly voiced their agreement, so Xander turned to Dawn.
"What about you? gonna come with us and save me from the embarrassment of dancing badly alone?" He grinned and turned to Tara, explaining. "Dancing badly with someone else is much less embarrassing than doing it alone."
Tara giggled, as Dawn blushed slightly.
"Sure, Xander, I'd love to go."
Xander thought for a second. "I've got to go back to work tomorrow, so why don't we have a meal in a restaurant first, then patrol, then do the Bronze. Angel, if you want to go back home a little later, your more than welcome to join us."
Angel shook his head. "Thanks, Xander, but I want to get back. No telling what trouble Cordelia's been up to," he said with a light smile.
"Ok." Xander looked at his watch. "Why don't we meet back here at seven? I'll go home and get changed, then pick everyone up at 7. "
He winked at the three girls. "Put on your prettiest party dresses, ladies. When I walk in with four beautiful women, I want every other guy there to explode with jealousy." With that fantasy said, Xander exited just in time to avoid the barrage of pillows thrown from Willow and Tara, and surprisingly, Angel.
Giles slowly hung up the phone. He relaxed back into his comfy chair and steepled his hands over his chest. Finally, a small smile appeared on his face, he stood and walked over to his desk. He sat and began a small report for the Watcher's Council.
"Dear Sir,
It has come to my attention that the current Slayer, Buffy Anne Summers, was recently incapacitated with the flu, rendering her unfit to patrol. During this period, regular patrols were carried out by the Vampire, Spike and the Wiccan's, Willow Rosenburg and Tara Maclay.
In the course of one of these patrols, the Vampire was stabbed in the back with a stake by a newly risen Vampire, causing him to disintegrate. This new vampire, was himself killed seconds afterwards by the two witches.
I feel it should be emphasized in official records, that, the famed Master Vampire, Spike, was killed by a fledgling vampire.
Buffy has since recovered from her incapacitation and has renewed regular nightly patrols.
Sincerely,
R Giles Esq."
Giles smirked, an expression that did not really fit his image of a respected and sedate librarian.
"Spike, within a week, the entire world will believe that you were killed by a fledgling vampire less than thirty minutes old. Your legacy of pain and torture will be forgotten. Instead of being regarded as one of the most vicious proponents of impalement, you will be remembered as a joke," Giles said to the empty air in front of him.
He stood and poured himself a small glass of the whisky. Raising it generally in the direction of America, he saluted the glass, and then drank it down.
"Good show, Xander," he whispered to himself. Giles sat back down in his chair and returned to his research, whistling happily under his breath.
"Where's Xander?" Buffy asked as she entered the front room.
"He's gone home to get changed," Angel said. "He's taking all of you out to a restaurant at seven. The others are upstairs getting ready."
Buffy smiled, "Thanks."
She sat down on the chair opposite him. "How are you, Angel?"
"In what way?"
"All of this." Buffy waved her hands to encompass everything.
"Well, I was sent here yesterday by a vision from Cordelia, to find out that my ex-girlfriend was addicted to drugs and sleeping with my childe. Then, after I arrive here, I find my childe being executed by Xander, of all people. Then, to top if all off, I find that I'm actually starting to like him. It's been a fun trip."
Buffy recoiled back, at the bitterness in Angel's words.
"Why couldn't you tell me?" Angel asked sadly, looking at his one-time love.
"I couldn't tell anyone, Angel," Buffy said quietly. "I was in a very bad place; I couldn't see a way out. I couldn't even tell my best friends.
"I don't know what we are these days, Angel. In a way I will always love you. You were my first love, my universe at the time. But those days are gone now; young Buffy has died twice since then. I've been to heaven and I’ve lived in hell. I've tasted darkness to many times. What I crave now is the light."
"Xander," Angel stated.
"Yeah. Strange, huh?"
"Not really. He's always been here. Are you sure you're not just feeling grateful for what he has done this last week?"
"No. You were dark, handsome, mysterious and powerful. You were dangerous and made me feel excited about what I do, about being the Slayer. Xander makes me feel excited about being me, about being Buffy Summers, about being alive. He makes me feel safe and loved. I want that feeling permanently. I think I can give him what he wants: a relationship with a fully committed partner and mate."
Angel stood, he held out a hand to Buffy who took it, standing with him. Angel hugged her, internally saying goodbye to his golden haired goddess. "Good luck, Buffy, I hope you’re happy."
Buffy hugged him back. "Thank you. You need to find someone yourself now."
Angel just smiled crookedly into her hair.
On the stairs behind them, Dawn was stood, watching them. <Cool, she's getting back with Angel, that's one out of the way> she thought to herself with a large happy smile. <You're going to be mine, Xander. I'm going to make sure of that.>
Moving back upstairs, the younger Summers knocked on Willow's door. As the redhead opened it and peered around, Dawn anxiously asked. "Can you help me with my makeup?"
"Sure, Dawn," Willow replied, "Come on in."
One of the things Xander most loved about his job was the clothing that it allowed him to buy. While his dress sense may not have been the best in the world, it had settled down a lot since his teenage years. He stuck with what he now knew looked good on him; a pair of smart black pants, an extremely white shirt and a leather jacket. The jacket had a special lining he had added when he fist purchased it, filled with stakes, holy water, crosses and a small first aid kit. All of it equipment which he knew he would need on patrol. Instead of matching stylish shoes, he put on a pair of black steel toed boots. They added an inch to his height, but more importantly, they did a lot more damage when he kicked anything with them.
Pausing for a final check, he smiled at himself in the mirror, then grabbed his car keys and left to drive back to Buffy's house.
Buffy looked through her wardrobe, Tara had told her the full plans earlier, and she was now freshly showered, her hair neatly blown dry, with her make up painstakingly applied and perfect.
"So, Xander wants us all looking our best," she muttered to herself. After a moments consideration, she removed a dress that was protected by a dry cleaning bag. "This will have him in a puddle on the floor." She smirked to herself as she began to dress.
"Janice, I'm in love with an older guy," Dawn announced, as soon as her friend picked up the phone.
"Hey, Dawn," Janice said. "Who?"
"Xander."
"The beefcake construction guy?"
"Yep."
"He's hot."
"Duh, I already know. You know how I was talking about Buffy, and how she's been really strange recently?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, Xander took Buffy away for a few days, and whatever he said to her, it really straightened her out. She came back like the old Buffy."
"Cool. But doesn't that mean your sister and Xander will be getting together?"
"Nope," Dawn said excitedly, delighted to share what she had seen. "I saw her hugging her old boyfriend earlier."
"I hate to rain on your parade, girl, but what makes you think you've got a chance? He's good looking, drives an expensive car and is a really nice guy."
"We were having a conversation earlier, and I told him that if he was still unattached when I turn 18, he's mine."
"Well, don't keep me waiting, what did he say?" Janice asked, getting excited for her friend.
"He agreed!"
"Really?!! That's so cool, Dawn!"
"I know, but there's a problem."
"What?"
"How do I make sure he'll still be available then?"
"Easy. Make him want to wait," Janice said, with all the experience her 16 years had given her.
"How?"
"Dress to kill. Use what you have, girl, make him want you so bad he's willing to wait."
"I can't do that," Dawn said, blushing at the phone.
"Then your going to lose him to some skank who will," her friend warned her.
"You think Xander would go for me?" Dawn asked, her voice nervous and doubting.
"Sure, men love younger girls, it makes them feel young and powerful or something."
"OK," Dawn almost squeaked, making her decision. "I'm gonna go for it. Thanks, Janice."
"No problem, just let me know how it goes," Janice paused for a second. "Let me know what base you let him get to."
"Janice!" Dawn shouted at her friend.
"What? What?" she asked innocently. Sadly, her giggle spoiled her act.
"OK, I've gotta get ready. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"'k. Dawn?"
"Yeah?"
"Lose the bra." With that last piece of advice, Janice hung the phone up. She smiled to herself, then rolled over on her wide four poster bed and went back to reading her Sweet Valley High book.
"Ok," Dawn mumbled to herself, "What have I got that's going to make it obvious to Xander that it's worth his while waiting for me?"
She flicked through her wardrobe quickly, "Dorky... childish... yuck... what the hell was I thinking?" she commented on each outfit as she sorted through them, before stopping as a particular item caught her eye. She grinned, unconsciously echoing her sister, "hopefully, this will leave him in a puddle on the floor."
Willow whistled as she looked at Tara. "Should I be jealous?" she asked playfully. "You don't dress up like this for me." Tara grinned and bent to kiss her girlfriend.
"Nope, Xander gets to look, but you get to unwrap, later."
Willow laughed softly, "Xander gets to look?" she asked, her eyes lighting up. "What happened to shy Tara?"
Tara blushed a little. "She's still here; she's just becoming a little more secure in herself and her relationships with her lover and her friends."
"Ahhh," said Willow, with a smile of understanding. "And this is all due to Xander?"
Tara nodded, agreeing.
"What?" she asked, as Willow's expression turned to one of Machiavellian glee.
"Wait here for a second." she commanded, disappearing into the closet. It was Tara's turn to whistle as she returned. "You like?"
Tara nodded eagerly. "Absolutely!"
Willow smiled happily, repeating what seemed to be a divinely inspired refrain. "This is going to leave Xander in a wet puddle on the floor."
Xander appeared at the Summers’ residence at exactly seven pm. Dusk had fallen fifteen minutes earlier; Angel's car was already gone.
He let himself in through the front door, and shouted up the stairs. "Our reservations are at 7:45, guys, we need to leave soon."
Four different voices shouted variations of "Coming, Xand."
Willow appeared first, walking downstairs slowly. Xander's eyes opened wide, pleasantly surprised by the vision that greeted him.
"Wow," he said, with great male appreciation.
Willow smiled happily and twirled for him. Her shoulder length hair was centre parted and fell in gentle waves down each side of her face, framing her eyes perfectly. She was wearing an extremely low cut white with embroidered bows on the chest, which stopped at mid thigh, emphasizing her shapely legs. She flashed her brilliant smile at him, and then laughed at his expression.
Xander's attention was drawn from Willow to Tara as she descended the stairs. His eyebrows, already raised from Willow, threatened to recede into his hairline.
Tara had decided to go with traditional, and was wearing her classic 'little black dress'. She looked a bit nervous as she descended the stairs. Despite her earlier bravado, she was very wary about the dress she was wearing; it was totally different than anything she had worn in public before. It had been ordered from a catalogue a few years before, after she had broken up with her previous girlfriend. She had never had the courage to even try it on, let alone wear it in public.
She watched for Xander's reaction carefully. The love of her life's approval had been the first step, and she now wanted the same validation from someone she was coming to love as a brother.
He didn't let her down.
Xander simply wolf whistled appreciatively. Tara grinned, careful not to breathe too deeply as she was scared she might fall out of the dress.
"You look amazing," Xander declared honestly, before turning slightly to Willow. "You are so lucky," he told her simply.
Both Tara and Willow smiled at the compliment, and then smiled at each other. As their eyes met, they walked into each other's arms and hugged. Xander watched them with a smile; he knew he could spontaneously combust without disturbing them. It was so obvious to anyone watching that those two were deeply in love.
Buffy glided down the stairs next - to Xander, this was almost appearing stage managed.
He simply couldn't take his eyes off her, as she appeared to float down the stairs. Despite his intentions not to let her rule his life, there was just too much history of him longing after her for Xander not to be affected by her.
His eyes started at the tips of her red high hells, slid up her delicate ankles and followed the curves of her legs up to her mid-thigh. From there, he took the next part of Buffy in a single look. A vibrant red dress held up by with spaghetti straps covered her like a second skin. It slid smoothly over her body as she moved; giving the impression that she was not wearing anything underneath.
Xander slowly met Buffy's eyes. The admiration visible in his gaze warmed Buffy in a way nothing else could. She smiled at him, her own gaze as appreciative as she looked him over.
Blood that had been happily circulating through his body, was now being diverted into parts of him that he would rather remain hidden, at least while he was in public.
Tara and Willow watched with interest; they could almost see the electricity sparking between their friends.
Xander's brain slowly pried away control from his hormones in a closely fought battle. He moved his head, breaking eye contact, and trying to regain his equilibrium.
Buffy smiled to herself. She had seen the desire in his eyes, now; it was just a case of getting him to act on it now.
<It’s amazing what a bit of flesh and a skin tight dress can accomplish,> she thought to herself.
"Come on, Dawn. It's time to go," Buffy shouted up the stairs. The sound of a bedroom door banging open drew their attention to the top of the stairs, as Dawn bounded down the stairs and dived into Xander's arms, giving him a hug.
Xander's eyes widened considerably as he felt parts of Dawn's anatomy wiggle against his chest.
Dawn blushed as she molded herself against Xander. She could feel him, pressed against the top of her thigh. Not having been present when Buffy had walked downstairs, she believed it was in reaction to her clothing and her hug.
Xander felt trapped, not wanting to push Dawn away, in case she thought it was a personal rejection. He didn't also want to keep holding her, as it was obvious she wasn't wearing a bra, and her hip was pressed against a part of his body he never wanted her to feel. He looked at the others, his eyes silently pleading for help.
Buffy recovered first. "Dawn, what are you wearing?" she asked, in her best Mom voice.
Reluctantly, Dawn removed her hands from around Xander, breathing in his scent as she stepped back and turned to face Buffy. She took a step or two towards her sister, exaggerating the swing of her hips for Xander's benefit.
Xander tried very hard not to look at the incredibly tight leather clad buttocks swaying in front of him.
Dawn looked down at herself, "Pants and a top?" she asked, an innocent expression plastered on her face.
Before the argument could escalate, Xander looked at his watch. "We need to go if we're going to get to the restaurant on time," he warned.
Dawn flashed a triumphant look at her sister, who rolled her eyes.
Xander led the way to the car, Dawn following, walking carefully, as her pants did not leave much room for unimportant features, such as blood circulation. She shivered a little, not having gone outside bra-less since before she was a teenager. Her mind replayed the scene with Xander again and again as she walked to the car. Only in her mind, Xander's hug back had been a lot more enthusiastic, and the warmth against her hip had been a lot more prominent.
Buffy fumed as she walked behind her sister. She appreciated that she they had to leave now, but she was going to have a very long talk with her later. Dressing like a slut and jumping on *her* boyfriend had to be a ground-able offence, and if it wasn't already, she would make it one.
Behind Buffy, Willow and Tara locked the door. They shared a glance.
"Sibling rivalry?" Tara asked.
"Yep," Willow replied.
"Who do we help?"
"Tara!" Willow said, shocked, "What do you mean?"
"Who do we think is going to be best for Xander?" Tara asked patiently.
"But Dawn is only sixteen!"
"She won't be sixteen forever," the blonde reminded her lover. "She's growing up fast."
"I can't see Xander with Dawn yet, she needs to grow up a lot first, hell, and he does as well. I think Buffy has grown up over the last few weeks." Willow answered, humoring her.
Tara smiled, "I agree totally."
Willow looked at her, "I like bold Tara - she’s fun."
Tara just laughed, as they hurried to the car.
---
The drive to the restaurant was uncomfortable. Buffy and Dawn were glaring at each other, while Tara and Willow were trying hard not to laugh. Xander just drove silently, wondering what the hell was going on with Dawn. The tight red leather pants and the small t-shirt reminded him of the outfits Faith used to wear.
They arrived at the restaurant with ten minutes to spare.
As he parked the car in the lot adjacent to the restaurant, Tara leaned toward Xander and whispered. "Give me and Willow ten minutes to sort this out, Xan."
Xander nodded and got out the car. Buffy opened the door and got out, and Willow followed her.
As Dawn tried to exit the vehicle, Tara lightly touched her shoulder. "Wait a minute, please, sweetie?" she asked.
Dawn paused, and turned to face Tara.
"What?" she asked.
Tara patted the seat next to her, "Sit."
Dawn did, watching the amused smile on Tara's face warily.
"Trying out a new look, Dawn?" the blonde Wicca asked.
Dawn blushed slightly, as she answered. "Yes."
"Why?"
Dawn looked away, avoiding the question. "Might it have something to do with the good looking sweetie you pressed yourself against earlier?"
Dawn's face immediately went several shades brighter red.
"Maybe," she whispered under her breath.
"Do you want to explain what is going on, or do you want me to guess?" Tara asked.
She waited a second for Dawn's reply, and when none was forthcoming, she continued. "You're in love with Xander, and think that dressing like that will get his attention."
Dawn looked up at Tara, shocked. "How do you know that?"
"I did it myself once, when I was younger." Tara's smile turned a little sad, as she remembered her own youth. "It didn't work; she was straight and certainly not interested in someone so much younger than herself."
"Xander's not gay," Dawn protested, trying to counter Tara's points.
"I know, honey," Tara replied, "but he is a lot older than you."
"He said that if he was available, when I turned eighteen, I could have him."
"Is that exactly what he said, Dawn?" Tara asked, raising her eyebrows.
"No," Dawn admittedly quietly.
"Xander loves you, Dawn. But not like that," Tara added gently, resting her hand on Dawn's knee.
"But he could!" Dawn exclaimed, trying to move from under Tara's touch.
"Possibly," Tara admitted. "If you were older, or his heart didn't belong to someone else."
"Buffy," Dawn spat. "What does he see in that drug taking, vampire laying skank?"
"Dawn!"
Dawn looked repentant. "Sorry, I didn't really mean that," she apologized. She paused for a second, then blurted out, "but Xander finds me attractive! When I hugged him, I, errr, felt him," she explained, emphasizing the 'him'. "
"Ooo, Dawn" Tara sighed softly, knowing that she was about to break the younger girl's heart. "You didn't see Buffy and Xander a few minutes earlier. They had so much electricity between them; they could have replaced the Hoover dam. What you felt, was the remnants of that.
"Look Dawn," she elaborated. "You've got a choice here. You can fight for Xander, make him extremely uncomfortable that an underage girl is chasing him all the time, and at the same time annoy the hell out of your sister, and possibly ruin her best chance of happiness. Doing that, you might get Xander later, but it's more than likely that you'll drive him off. Or, you can help your sister, make her happy, and use it for emotional blackmail purposes for the next few years."
Dawn looked at Tara, tears slowly sliding down her face, as she struggled with a smile. "You really think I don't have a chance with Xander?"
"Not at the moment, sweetie. You’re a beautiful girl, and if this was a few years in the future, I'd be telling you to go for it. But right now, the best person for Xander is Buffy, and I think that he could be the best person for her. He's loved her for so long, and she's finally seeing him the same way, now."
"You think I can get a car out of this?" Dawn asked, a sad smile still on her face.
Tara smiled, "it certainly wouldn't hurt to ask."
She opened her arms to Dawn, who fell into them, crying.
"It's ok, let it go, honey," Tara whispered softly, as she gently rubbed Dawn's back as the younger girl sobbed her heart out.
Outside the car, Willow turned to Buffy.
"So, why are you mad?" Willow asked Buffy. "You've seen Dawn wear less than that before."
"What do you mean?"
"You've been glaring at her through the entire journey."
"She looks like Faith," Buffy said.
"Uh huh. And?" Willow said.
"She was pressing her boobs against my boyfriend, damn it."
"Your boyfriend?" Willow asked, saccharine curiosity in her voice.
"Well, maybe not officially, but eventually, yes."
"You've had Xander wanting you since you met, why now?"
"I don't understand."
"A week ago, you were fucking Spike," Willow said casually. She was stating a fact, not accusing Buffy. "Suddenly, Xander comes swooping to your rescue, again, and pulls you back out of that pit. And now you want him?"
Buffy just nodded.
"He's going to think the same thing I do. You’re either rewarding him for saving you, or using him to keep in the light. Either way, you're not giving Xan what he deserves; a loving relationship between two equal adults."
Buffy flinched as Willow's words hit her.
Before Buffy could reply, Willow continued. "Tara and I love Xander. He's been the most important person in my life since I was six. Not only has he accepted my partner, he's bolstered her confidence in herself to such a degree that, tonight, she's wearing a dress that exposes more flesh than I've ever seen show in public. And she's wearing it because he asked her, jokingly, to dress up. Tara hasn't done anything like that for a boy since she was thirteen.
"I'm wearing this outfit for the same reason; we wanted Xander to not know what hit him tonight." Willow took a deep breath, before continuing. "Buffy, Xander's happiness is incredibly important to us. If you're not what he needs, we won't let you use him."
Buffy looked into Willow's famous resolve face. "You've never talked to me like that, before," she whispered to Willow, shocked.
"I know, but I'm not a shy, sixteen year old geek anymore, Buffy. I'm an adult in a loving, committed relationship. And a witch."
Buffy found herself staring into Willow's eyes; she couldn't look away, no matter how hard she tried. Willow's voice seemed to seep slowly through her, leaving her no room to turn.
"How do you feel about Xander?" The question could not be ignored.
"I've loved Xander as a friend for all these years," Buffy found herself saying. "He's always been here for me, despite what I put him through. I knew he loved me, and was reassured by it. I even counted on it, when I used it against him at the Bronze, at the beginning of junior year. But things have changed. I've changed. I don't look at him like that anymore. I look at him and want to tear his clothes off, and see which of us can exhaust the other first."
"Willow, I've finally noticed that Xander has grown up. I know it's happened late, almost too late. But I think I'm at a point now where I can give Xander everything I am. I don't just trust him with my life and my heart, I trust him with my soul." Buffy felt a tear slide down one cheek. "But what if he doesn't want me, doesn't trust me anymore?"
Willow smiled gently, pulling Buffy into her arms. As she lost eye contact, the spell broke.
She hugged her and whispered, "We're on your side now - we just had to be sure."
"You used a spell on me?" Buffy asked, shocked.
"A truth spell," Willow admitted. "I wanted to be sure."
Buffy frowned, and then nodded slowly.
"But what about Dawn?" she asked Willow.
"Tara should be taking care of that now." They turned to face the car, as the back door swung open and Dawn climbed out. She looked towards her sister.
Buffy smiled tentatively at her, and Dawn matched her smile. Seconds later, they were hugging each.
"You look good, for teenage jailbait." Buffy told Dawn with a big smile.
"You don't look so bad yourself, for someone over the hill," Dawn teased back.
With that, they walked to the restaurant entrance.
Tara looked at Willow quizzically.
Willow smiled. "Xander's not got a chance."
Xander was sat at the bar, nursing a bottle of coke. His smile lit up his face as he watched 'his' ladies enter together.
He shepherded them to their table, "Order what you like, tonight's the last night I can afford, so let's blow it in style," he said with a cheery grin.
The others smiled, and followed his command,
After a quick patrol of a couple of the infamous Sunnydale cemeteries, they arrived at the Bronze.
Having discussed it earlier, the girls each took position alongside Xander, Willow and Tara in front, Buffy and Dawn flanking him.
The arrival of four beautiful girls, all dressed to the nines, caught everyone's attention.
Xander was the recipient of a large amount of envious stares, not all of them from men.
Tara and Willow stopped first. In the full view of the patrons, Tara walked up to Xander.
"You know, I wouldn't normally do this for anyone, but for saving Buffy, you deserve one fantasy," she smiled. "Not that one, Xan," she added a moment later.
Xander smiled, and nodded. "You look fantastic, Tara."
She smiled, and then, to Xander's surprise, leaned in and kissed him, hard on the lips. Xander's eyes shot open, as he instinctively opened his mouth. Tara kissed him deeper, then released him and strolled away, leaving Xander standing unsteadily.
Before Xander could recover, Willow took Tara's place. She moved her hands up, gently touching his face, looking in his eyes.
"I love you, Xander, I always have," she whispered softly, and then followed her lover in kissing him. Having almost expected this, Xander gently kissed her back, a kiss of love and family, not one of passion.
"I love you, too. You'll always be my Will. Look after Tara and she'll stick by you for life."
Willow grinned, and with her head held high, she followed her partner to a table.
Dawn moved to Xander next. She smiled up at him, "I'm sorry about earlier, Xan."
He smiled back, "There are worse things in life, Dawn, than to be hugged by a beautiful woman."
She lent up, and kissed him gently on the corner of his mouth, before swirling and walking away from him. He watched her go with a smile, sensing the slight sadness she carried as she let him go.
That just left Buffy. She took a step closer to him. She smiled, and simply said, "Thank you," before leaning in and kissing him. She too turned, and walked to their table.
It took Xander a few seconds to remove the stunned smile from his face. As he walked over the dance floor to join them, he couldn't help but strut.
At the table, Willow and Tara looked at each other, and then laughed loudly. Xander's fantasy fulfilled, they reverted to their normal behavior for the rest of the evening, teasing, laughing and joking.
Tara stood. "My turn for drinks. Give me a hand carrying them, Buffy, Dawn?" she asked. Buffy and Dawn nodded and joined Tara, threading their way through the floor.
Willow turned to Xander, "You do know Buffy's in love with you, don't you?" she asked.
"What!" Xander exclaimed.
"Buffy: short girl, bottle blonde, good in a fight?"
Xander rolled his eyes at Willow.
"She's in love with you," Willow repeated.
"No, she's not," Xander said firmly. "She might feel something, but it's just gratitude."
Willow shook her head and smirked. "Not according to the truth spell I put her under earlier," she disagreed.
Xander blinked. "You put Buffy under a truth spell?" he asked, shock evident in his voice.
Willow nodded, and looked innocent.
Xander sat back in his chair. Considering her revelation, "I think I could be in love with her as well," he admitted. "But every time I think of her like that, I can't get the image of Spike's naked press-ups out of my head."
Willow had a questioning look on her face. Xander sighed, "Buffy was invisible at the time."
Willow froze for a moment, processing that piece of information. As everything clicked into place, she growled. Her eyes slowly turned black as she turned, searching for Buffy.
Seeing her at the bar, she started to chant under her breath, only to stop as Xander's hand clamped on her arm and halted her gestures in mid-movement.
She turned, her eyes still flashing.
"Calm down, Willow." Xander told her firmly, looking her directly in the eyes. "You don't have any right to be upset, regardless of what, or who, she was doing."
They stared at each other for a second, before Willow's eyes slowly turned back to normal.
She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, but that was a really bad thing for her to do."
Xander nodded, "I won't disagree with you. Now do you see my problem?"
Willow shifted slightly in her seat. "You can't forget what she did?" Willow half asked, half stated.
"Every time I look at her, I see Spike's smug grin as he looked up at me. I can't move past it."
Author Notes:
Thanks to Randy and John, my brilliant beta readers.