Take a Chance by Witchiepoo

Chapter 12

“Did he sound truly depressed on the phone or was he more like ‘oh, fuck, I won’t get fucked this week’?” Willow asked as they crept down the hall to Lorne’s bedroom.

“Now, that’s a hard question to answer, Will. He sounded happy at first, maybe a little envious that Buffy was getting more action than he was getting, but happy. Then, whammo, out of the blue, bonding time.”

“If you had to guess, which would it be?” They pushed the door open, looking high and low for their devilishly handsome friend.

“I’d say depressed. He said he really liked her.”

“He said that about Ms. English, too. And all he did was screw her for a passing grade in American History.”

“That’s true. But,” Tara said, stopping just inside the room. “Will, he did have his GPA to worry about. He had to prioritize.”

The door to the bathroom was closed, so they knocked. “Go away! I’m drowning in my sorrows!”

They both rolled their eyes, opening the door. “Look you big old Drama Queen, get out of that tub and get dressed. We’re off to the grocery store, and then to Buffy’s. We’ll even let you roll the cart.” Willow told him.

“Don’t want to. She dumped me. ME! I haven’t been dumped since 6th grade.”

Tara went to sit on the edge of the tub, playing idly with the bubbles. “Lorne, honey. It happens. Now, get your ass out of there before your dick shrinks too much.”

Lorne pushed through the bubbles, staring at his baby lovingly. Vixens. There was no shrinkage going on. He made sure to keep the water warm.

“Lorne, will you please get out of the bath, so we can go?”

“If you gals would just step outside, I’d get out. Don’t want you getting a peek at my lovely bod.” He said primly.

Willow stood at the door, her arms crossed over her chest. “Oh, please, like we haven’t seen what you’ve got already. And might I say, in much better condition. We got to it before you decided to dip it in every open space.” She turned on her heel, heading for the kitchen and the box of Reese’s she knew he kept hidden in the freezer.

“I’m hurting and you’re calling me a ho!” He screamed fruitlessly at Willow.

“Yes, I am. Get dressed.” Willow screamed back down the hall.

“Tara, honey. You understand my pain, don’t you?” He said giving her the forlorn look which would have worked if she didn’t know him so well.

“Yes, of course, I do, Lorne.” Tara stroked his cheek, bending down to plant a kiss on top of his head. “I understand that you’re going through a major shock because for the first time, in a long time, your penis wasn’t able to keep a woman till you were ready to dump her.”

“Oh, get out! That’s not the truth and you know it. I really liked Lisa.”

“I know you did, but you’re a creature of habit, Lorne. First step in the Lorne book of love is to dazzle them with your charm. You pull out all the stops till they are panting for more.” She said, holding up one finger. “Two, you screw them on the first date, then stay away from them for 3 days, so they start missing you. Three, you spend the next 4 weeks being the perfect boyfriend. Then, the final step, the distancing step. You get antsy, and start to find things that irritate you, so you can find a reason to dump them.”

Lorne sunk down further in the tub, till the only part of his face seen was the eyes. “Lisa, just beat you to the punch. So, please spare us the ‘poor me, I’ve been dumped’ routine. It doesn’t work with us. Maybe, Dawn or Buffy will fall for it.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darla stood at the doorway, smiling when she saw Heller step out of her car. Liam peered through the curtains at the two women, as they greeted each other. He poured another shot of Scotch, and slammed it back, cursing Dru as he did so. Damn her psychotic ass. If she’d only played her cards right, he would have taken her all the way with him. Now, she was going to have to make an unexpected stop here, without ever seeing the governor’s mansion.

“Heller, you look great.” Darla said, a genuine smile to her face.

“You, too. So why did it take business to get us together?” She admonished.

“I know. I’m an awful friend, but this campaign has left me little free time. You see what I’m doing on a Sunday.” Darla squeezed Heller’s arm. “Thanks for coming on such short notice.”

“No problem. I do have somewhere to be by 5:30, so we’ll have to work fast.”

“Come on in, then, and meet your new client.”

Their heels clicked on the hardwood floors of the 3-story condo. Liam stood up as they entered the office. “Liam Cavanaugh, this is Lee Heller.”

Heller’s eyes flashed with contempt at the man she saw in front of her. She had met Angel a few times before the big blowup, and he’d been a drunken mess both times, which explained why he had no idea who she was.

“Hello, Angel. You don’t remember me, do you?”

At the use of his nickname, Liam came up short. He stared into Heller’s green eyes. Did he sleep with her all those years ago? No, a man didn’t forget a woman like her.

Heller reviewed her options. Tell him the truth that she was a FOS (friend of Spike’s) or the semi-truth that she’d met him at 14Below about 4 years ago. It wasn’t a lie. It wasn’t the entire truth either. She opted on the second choice. No point in tipping her hand too soon.

“We met a few years’ ago at 14Below.” Hello, idiot. Who owns that club? Spike’s best friend. “It was your victory celebration party. For your first election.”

“Oh, yes. Well, back then, I wasn’t as upstanding as I am now. If you know what I mean.”

“Yes, well, we were all young once.” Heller stated flatly. “What can I do for you Mr. Cavanaugh?”

“Please, call me Liam.”

“Liam.” How about dickless wonder? That’s much better.

“Heller, Liam wants to divorce his wife with as little negative publicity on him as possible.”

Oh, this is better than I thought. Heller pulled out her legal pad and tape recorder. “I tape all my sessions, whether I take the case or not. If I don’t take the case, the tape is yours, along with a signed and notarized statement saying this is the only copy.” Heller pushed the record button, and noted the time and date, and the subject.

“Okay, let’s start. Why you want to divorce your wife? Has she cheated or committed any crime which could implicate you?”

Liam sat back, giving thought to his answer. “No, but she’s more than capable. And she has motivation now, William is happy.”

Heller almost blurted out. Yes, he is, and no thanks to you. But she was a professional, and this was her job. Even if Angel was a complete and total bastard, he had come to her for advice.

“Do you really believe your wife is dangerous?” If she was, then she was definitely going to break the house rule and tell Wesley.

Liam stood up abruptly, walking over to the window. “Dru was fine until the book came out. Since then, she’s been out of control.”

“In what sense? Please, I can’t give you my opinion if I don’t know everything.”

Liam lowered his head, defeated. “Her ex wrote a book. Mainly, it’s about him and how he overcame his problems and became a better man.” He said, waving his hand in the air dismissively.

“Why would she be upset about that?” Heller’s brow rose. This was ridiculous. She wasn’t one to bullshit, and tiptoeing around her relationship with Spike was giving her a headache. She pulled her shoulders back, and leveled Angel with a glare. Hell, if Cordy had written it, then Dru would have something to be mad about. And she shuddered to think what Giles would say.

“He made reference to something in my wife’s past that would be embarrassing if it came out.” He was holding something back, but Heller wouldn’t push, not until she was honest with them. She owed Darla that if no one else.

“Look, if you want my help, we need total honesty. I won’t go into a case without all the facts. On that note, I know William. I know all about Druscilla’s relationship with Spike. My fiancée is Wesley Wyndham-Price.”

“Did you know about this?” Liam shouted, spinning around and pinning Darla to her seat.

“No... yes. I didn’t realize Wesley knew William. How would I know, Liam? I was looking for the best attorney for you.” Darla argued. “She’s the best, and at least we know she has no illusions as to who the real Dru is.”

“I didn’t tell you because it was none of your business, but if I decide to take this case, you deserved the truth.

“You’ll go to the press.” Angel gritted out.

“I won’t. I am bound to secrecy. Darla, you know me. I take my job seriously, and to be honest, Angel isn’t worth a disbarment.” Darla would have laughed at the direct insult, if she wasn’t worried Liam would strangle them both and bury their bodies.

“Angel…Liam, if you want to divorce Dru, I will help you, but you have to be totally honest with me or I’ll drop you like a hot potato. No information I learn here will ever be spoken of outside of your presence. I leave the decision up to you.” Heller placed the tape recorder back in her case, along with the notepad, and waited. One way or the other she was going home to a nice surprise from Wesley, which hopefully involved them, naked and a whole lot of screaming.

“Darla, can she be trusted?” Heller heard Liam say.

“Yes.” Darla nodded. “Yes, she can.”

“You can get me out of this marriage without me losing the election?” Liam directed the question to Heller, but he never took his eyes off Darla.

“There are no guarantees in politics unless you’re bribing the voters.” Heller joked. “To answer your question, yes, I can. If we can dig up something incriminating on your wife, then yes, you can walk away free and clear.

Liam paced in front of the window, weighing his options.

“How do I know you won’t share what you learn here with Wes? Pillow talk and all.” Liam sneered.

Heller didn’t feel the need to defend her reputation to a man with the scruples of a turnip. “You’ll just have to trust me. Just as I’ll have to trust that you’re not bullshitting me.”

“Heller will give you 100%, Liam. You can trust her.” Heller smiled tightly at Darla.

“Fine, but if I think you’re betraying me, I’ll report you to the Bar Association.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Heller picked up her briefcase, and extended her hand to Liam. “My office will contact you about setting up another meeting. I trust you don’t want to meet in public?”

“No, I think coming here will be best. We wouldn’t want the press to get wind of anything.” Darla answered, escorting Heller to the door.

“Darla, we’ll talk.” Heller squeezed her hand quickly before taking her leave.

Darla closed the door, softly locking it. She felt Liam’s eyes boring into her back, and she braced herself for the coming storm.

“That was stupid.” Liam said, sitting down on the couch.

“I’m sorry, Liam. I didn’t even think about Wesley and Spike. I’ve only seen Wesley a couple of times in the last few years, and we don’t talk shop.”

Darla sat down next to him on the couch. “She is one of the best. She will do everything in her power to get Dru out of your life.” Darla reached out and took Liam’s hand in hers. “I didn’t work this hard to get you here, to watch it all go down the drain because Dru’s psychotic.”

Liam chuckled. “You got me here. That’s funny. I thought I did all the work.”

Darla stood up. Yeah, you would think that, but we both know the truth. “You may not be the best friend a person could have, Liam, but you have done a great job in office. I believe in you.”

“Thanks, Darla. I guess I should be going.”

“Yes, I suppose so.” Darla clasped her hands behind her back. They walked quietly to the door.

“Have a good day, Darla.” He said, kissing her lightly on the cheek. “I know my behavior with William and Dru wasn’t my finest hour, but I have no quarrel with William. He’s the lucky one. He’s not married to Dru.”

Darla squeezed his arm. “Just concentrate on the election, and leave Dru to me and Heller. Have I ever failed you, Liam?”

“No, you haven’t. That’s why I hired you.”

Darla closed the door, leaning against it. God, she needed a drink.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Druscilla sat in the cramped, dingy office, and wondering what the dry cleaning bill would be for her entire outfit. The place reeked of stale cigarettes and old coffee. The owner/proprietor obviously hadn’t had a client in awhile, which would make him hungry. He’d get the information he needed and quickly if he wanted the sizeable retainer she was offering him.

“What can I do for you, Ms. Ali?” The fat, balding man asked as he eased his body into the chair.

“I’m looking for information on a young woman. She’s in possession of something very important to me, and I need to know everything there is about her. It’ll help in my negotiations with her.”

Phillip Barton was no fool, and he also wasn’t deaf, dumb, and blind. He read the papers, and knew the woman in front of him was none other than State Senator Liam Cavanaugh’s wife, Druscilla. He wondered what game she was playing. Was the senator playing hide the salami with this woman? He’d find out. Then, he’d sell his information to the tabloids, and make a nice profit from this little expenditure.

“What’s the woman’s name?” Phillip searched for a pen through the pile of papers scattered about the desk. He found one, and stood poise to write the particulars of his target.

Druscilla smiled, and Phillip felt as if he were signing a deal with the devil. “Her name is Elizabeth Summers.”

“Elizabeth Summers. What kind of investigation do you want? 24 hour surveillance? Business contacts only? Personal?”

“All of it. I need to know what she eats for breakfast to what type of sheets she has on her bed. I want it all, and I want it soon. There’s a bonus for you if you can finish the job within a week.”

Phillip wiped his mouth, counting the money he could bring in on this job. 24-hour surveillance. Holy shit! He’d be able to pay off Bennie, and maybe take a side trip to Vegas.

“Well, for that type of service, there’s no way I could do it for under $5000.” He said, looking up at her.

Five thousand dollars seemed a small price to pay for achieving her goal. “Fine. Small bills or hundreds?”

Phillip felt a stirring deep in his loins. She was going to give him the money today. He’d be able to go and get him a couple of girls tonight.

Dru’s lip curled into a sneer. She could see the effect her offer was having on him, and she wanted nothing more than to be out of here before it got any more obvious.

“Hundreds. That’ll be fine.”

“I’ll be back in a hour. Meet me outside.”

“Thank you, Ms. Ali. I’ll have that info for you on Friday. You can have my bonus ready and waiting.”

“Good day, Mr. Barton.” Dru stood up and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“So, is Spike staying tonight?” Dawn asked as they walked in with the groceries.

Buffy’s startled look told Dawn she hadn’t thought that far ahead. “Umm, I guess not.”

“Why not? I’m an adult. I do know about the birds and the bees?”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you could teach the birds and the bees, but it’s Mom and Dad’s house. I couldn’t do anything like that here.”

Dawn whistle softly. Guess that made her the bad daughter for skinny dipping with Connor.

“Fine by me. If you’re okay with sleeping alone, then so am I.” Dawn unpacked the groceries silently giggling at the look on Buffy’s face.

Buffy groaned frustrated. No Spike for a week. Yeah, there was time during the day to sneak away for a little, a lot of Spike loving, but what he did to her at night was special, and a great sleep aid. Hours and hours of mind-numbing...

“Gosh, get a room, Buffy!” Dawn nearly shouted in her ear. Buffy opened her eyes, blushing furiously.

“What? I wasn’t thinking about that.” She lied.

“Sure, you weren’t.”

“Dawn, I promised Mom and Dad I’d look after you. We’re adults. We can go without sex. Hell, we did for 3 years.”

“Ahh, not exactly. You had Riley.” Dawn shuddered. Riley. Sex. Therapy. Quick.

“Let’s not conjure him up again. He hasn‘t bothered me in days, and I‘d like to keep it like that. Exes tend to put a damper on everything.”

“Like Spike’s ex showing up at Mom’s party last night.”

Buffy tripped over her feet, and looked up at Dawn, surprised. “Who told you about Dru?”

“Connor. I told him about our illustrious guests last night, and he told me the whole sordid story about Spike, Angel, and Dru.”

“I’m not a violent person, but last night.... I would have gladly spent the night in jail, if I could have had one swipe at her. It was almost as if she wanted to hurt Spike some more.”

“I can’t believe Spike ever dated someone like that. I mean, look at the two of you. Hansel and Greta. Goldilocks and one of the bears. You’re all fairytale sweet together. Gosh, it makes me want to heave.”

“I’m so glad my happiness makes you nauseous.”

Dawn giggled. “Better than being disgusted, which is what I felt for the last 2 years with him around.” Him didn’t need a name. He was the one and only mailroom guy.

“You never seemed to fit.“ She said, demonstrating with her fingers.

“No we didn’t. I knew it, but Spike was gone, and sometimes, you settle for what’s available. And when Spike returned, there was no way I could deny what I felt, what I needed.“

“Daily sex.” Dawn joked. Buffy laughed, and shook her head enthusiastically.

“Basically. I think I’m turning into Tara. Just call me Elizabeth Summers Nymphomaniac Extraordinaire.”

“Nymphomaniac Extraordinaire, hmm, well, at least you aren’t going for the mundane.” Smirked Lorne.

“Lorne, honey. We’re so sorry to hear about Lisa. You okay?” Buffy said, throwing her arms around his neck. She winked at Willow and Tara as they came in. Tara mouthed Drama Queen, and Buffy squeezed her eyes closed so she wouldn’t break out laughing.

“Doll, it’s awful, and my two best friends”, he said accusingly. “Don’t have an ounce of sympathy.”

“I’m here for you, Lorne. Put your pain on my shoulders. I’m taller than Buffy. I can handle it.”

Buffy threw a dishtowel at Dawn. “Brat!”

“Thank you, Dawn. I knew once I got here, I’d be taken care of.” Lorne said, accepting Dawn’s hug.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Spike, dude. It’s going to be all right. Wesley and Heller are as low-key as you can get. Buffy’s already met my family, and they didn’t cause her to run for cover. JW and Andrew can’t make it, so there goes the rowdy bunch, and that leaves Nexie and her sister Nev. The twins are sweet.” Connor explained.

“You’re still jonesing for them, aren’t you?” Connor shrugged nonchalantly. Spike glared at him briefly. “What about Dawn?”

“What about her? We’re friends. That’s all. No bodily fluids have been shared between us, other than a couple of kisses.” Not that I wouldn’t like more. Then, why haven’t you made a move? His mind taunted him.

“Friends? Yeah, sure. Keep on believing that if you want to.” Spike mocked.

“If I wanted to be teased about Dawn, I would have ridden with Cordy and Lindsey.”

“Don‘t you own a car?” Spike asked, but Connor shrugged again, dismissing the subject. He had other things to think about, and explaining why he’d not taken his own car out to the Summers’ place wasn’t up for discussion.

He needed to have an excuse to leave when Cordy and Lindsey left. That way temptation would be removed from his grasp. If he didn’t have a way home on his own, he wouldn’t be tempted to stay and hang out with Dawn. The whole situation was ridiculous. He went without sex last night. On a Saturday night, no less. And this wasn’t the first Saturday since he’d met Ms. Dawn Summers that he’d not taken another woman to bed. And to top it off, he had Dawn in his bed, and he didn’t even touch her. Just let her wrap those long arms and legs around him, and cause him to think of anything that would keep him from getting hard and taking advantage of her.

Spike glanced over at the now-frowning Connor, and thought. Yeah, you’re just friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wesley looked out the bedroom window, watching as Heller backed her car into the garage. He ran to the CD player, and put on some mood music, then dived for the bed. He placed the pillow over his lap, and waited.

Heller ran up the stairs to the bedroom, stopping long enough to run her fingers through her hair, and unbutton her blouse a bit further. Taking a deep breath, she toed open the door. Wesley was laid out on the bed, one of the red throw pillows on his lap. Heller grinned widely, showing off her orthodontist perfected teeth.

Taking a cue from their favorite movie, “Sex, Lies, and Videotape”, she said. “Is that for me?”

Wesley placed his hands behind his head, and looked up at her, with eyes alight with mischief and a fair amount of lust. “Yes, it is, my dear.”

Heller lifted the pillow, and her brow arched. “Looks good. I think it may need some special Heller attention, though.”

“Really.” Wes said earnestly. “Well, if you think so, then by all means.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hi.” Buffy gushed, wrapping her arms around Spike’s neck.

“Hi.“ Spike lifted Buffy off the ground, her legs wrapping around his waist. Connor closed the door as the two lovebirds forgot he was even standing there, and went off in the opposite direction of the crowd gathered in the kitchen.

“Spike,” Buffy giggled, “where are you taking me?”

“I just had a most unpleasant thought, luv.” Spike told her as he nibbled her neck.

“And what was that?” Buffy said, becoming breathless as Spike’s hands began massaging her butt through her shorts.

“Your staying here with Dawn puts a crimp in our nocturnal activities.” Spike took her into her old bedroom, slamming the door with his foot. “I thought I’d start a little early tonight, since it’s a special occasion and all.”

“That’s just an excuse to get in my shorts.” Buffy laughed. Which wasn’t actually a lie, since she could feel Spike’s fingers sliding under her thong. Oh, god, this was wrong. This was her childhood bedroom. She used to play with her... Oh, right there. That’s good. What was I saying? Oh, yeah. Their friends were downstairs, probably discussing what they were doing. Spike laid her down on the bed, unbuttoning her shorts as she continued to discuss the situation with her subconscious.

Spike tapped her thigh, and Buffy lifted her hips, allowing him to pull her shorts and thong off. “Buffy. Condom?”

“Bathroom. First bottom left cabinet. Are we really going to do this?” She said, sitting up on her elbows.

Spike threw one on the dresser, and tore the packet on the other one. “Yes. We were supposed to do this after the airport, remember? I’m the kind of man that always keep his appointments.” Buffy stretched her leg towards the door.

“You’d better lock it or Dawn will bust in and totally embarrass us. There might be pictures.” Buffy giggled uncontrollably.

“Right.”

“Before I met you, I had scruples and morals. Pre-Spike Buffy would never do anything like this.” Hell, Pre-Spike Buffy was a dull girl. Even present day Buffy could admit that now.

Buffy pulled her tank over her head, throwing it on the floor beside Spike’s t-shirt and shorts.

“Aren’t you glad you met me?” Spike said, settling between her parted legs.

“Oh, god, yes.” Buffy said, reaching out and grabbing his arms, pulling him up her body. Her mouth sought his, and they kissed with a slowness that belied the absurdity of what they were doing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hey, Connor.” She said. She looked behind him for Spike. “Where’s Spike?”

Connor blushed. “Ah, he took Buffy upstairs.”

Dawn stared, her eyes big and owlish. “He took her upstairs. Oh, my god, that hussy!”

Connor shrugged, and started laughing.

Tara saw the look of incredulity on Dawn’s face, and tapped her on the shoulder. “Keep your mouth open like that and bugs will take up residence.”

“Buffy is upstairs with Spike.”

“So?”

“Buffy, my sister. My oh, so straight-laced sister took a man upstairs to her room.”

“Well, technically, he carried her up the stairs.” Connor added.

“Who carried who, where?” Cordy asked.

“Spike. Buffy. Bedroom.” Dawn answered.

“Well, that’s pretty damn impressive.” Willow had to give it to Spike. When he wanted something, the man went after it. She didn’t know why any of them were surprised. This wasn’t the first time the two of them had snuck off and had sex with their friends waiting patiently for them.

“Punch anyone?” Lorne asked. Tara doubted the Hawaiian punch taste was even recognizable. Lorne seemed to forget the art of measuring when it came to alcohol. They could probably fuel a car on the fumes alone.

“Why not? We might be here awhile.” Cordy remarked.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Spike. You do.. um.. realize this is… just gratuitous sex…oh god... just to say we had sex.” Buffy clutched at her bedspread.

Spike tried to laugh, but god, she was trying to burn his cock off. Jesus, how could someone so small be so hot on the inside? “Sex is good, whether it is just for the heck of it or for a greater… purpose.”

Buffy grabbed his ears, stroking them, pulling them, anything to stop the ache in her groin. “A greater purpose? What? Oh, god, right there!” She shrieked, her eyes flying open. Was that a giggle?

Spike latched onto her hard little nipple, tugging it between his teeth. With each thrust into Buffy’s warmth, he tugged on the hardened bud. Buffy felt a shock go through her chest down to her clit. Spike stopped moving, causing Buffy to look at him with a look of death.

”Spike. Don’t stop. I’m almost there.” She whined.

“I know. Why don’t you finish for me?” She could see the strain this little game of his was taking on him. His neck muscles stuck out like thick cords, emphasizing his Adam’s apple, which she couldn’t help but lick.

“Fine!” She gritted out. She rotated her hips slowly, alternating the pressure on his cock. Spike buried his head on her shoulder, biting and nipping at the flesh. Buffy increased the rhythm, her ankles locked behind his back, pushing on his ass, forcing him deeper inside her.

“Shit! Omigod, Buffy. You’re the best. Umm.. you’re the … good god woman ease up. Oh, umm, unh.” Spike rose up, bracing his body on his fist. Buffy gripped Spike’s arms tightly. Her eyes sought his. The feel of her muscles rippling on his cock, the warmth radiating off her skin and in her eyes, sent Spike over the edge. His mouth dropped into a soundless ‘oh’ and he collapsed on Buffy’s chest, his eyes tightly closed, his hips twitching as he spent himself.

Buffy stroked Spike’s back, lazily drawing hearts in the sweat. “That was very nice.”

Spike snorted his agreement. He rolled his head to the side, smiling at the sated look on Buffy’s face.

“Not too shabby for a quickie, huh?”

Was he fishing for a compliment? Good god. A phrase she seemed to be saying a lot when it came to Spike and sex. She’d never been this religious in her entire life.

“What I liked the most about that was the amount of goodness you crammed into.. uh 15 minutes.” Buffy told him, looking over his shoulder at the clock.

“Liked that. I can try to stuff,” and with that he wiggled his hips. Buffy’s fingers clenched. I’ve got a man with a great turn around. She wanted to sing. “Even more into the next time.”

The doorbell rang, bringing Buffy back to reality. “I guess we should head back downstairs.” Spike groaned, but he rolled off of her. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at his semi-erect member.

“Ooh, that looks painful, Spike.” Buffy said, kneeling in front of him. “Let me show you want I can stuff into 15 minutes.” No one could say Spike wasn’t one to give a person a fair shake. If she wanted to prove to him she could do it, then he was game.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Is the grill heated?” Lorne asked Connor. “Buffy and Spike are.” He quipped behind Buffy’s back.

Spike merely grinned as Buffy tried to cover her face with her hair.

“What’s that song on the radio?” Dawn asked innocently, passing a tomato to Cordelia. “The one about taking off all your clothes?”

“Oh, I know that one. ‘It’s getting hot in here. So take off all your clothes.’” Tara hugged Buffy from behind, bumping Buffy’s butt with her hips.

“I hate you all.” Buffy moaned, but she was laughing under the veil of hair.

“Thanks for the interesting conversation starter, Spike.” Cordy said, smacking him on the butt. “Hi, Lorne. Where’s Spike? Oh, he’s upstairs having sex with Buffy. Well, we brought cannelloni.”

Spike stuck his tongue out at Cordy, who merely laughed.

“They’re just jealous, sweetie. Just ignore them.” Spike hadn’t expected a crowd to be gathered at the foot of the stairs waiting on them, but there they were, drinks in hand. Spike thought Buffy was going to pass out from shock, but she managed to hold her head up high, even with her knees a bit wobbly.

Buffy looked out from under her hair, and saw them, her friends, his friends, their friends. Well, she supposed it was time to put shy, reserve Buffy to rest, and today seemed like a good day. Tara would be so proud.

“He’s just so delicious. What was I supposed to do? Say no.” Buffy said, taking the burgers out to the grill. Lorne’s mouth dropped opened. Cordy was speechless for once, and Lindsey shrugged as if this type of thing happened to them everyday. Spike could have sworn she sashayed out the door. That’s my woman. He wanted to shout.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Wesley and Heller checked each other for any noticeable hickeys before ringing the doorbell.

“Thanks for the pick-me up, hon.” Heller purred in Wesley’s ear.

“You’re welcome.” He said, pinching her lightly on the ass.

Lindsey peered through the side glass panel, smiling as he opened the door. “Well, it’s about time you two showed up. What held you up?” He asked, though the red staining Wesley’s cheek gave him his answer.

“Must be something in the water.“

“What was that?“ Wesley asked, puzzled.

“Never mind. Come on in. Everyone’s in the kitchen.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn stood on the patio, taking in the competition. Twins! What the fuck? Twins! And Connor was eating them up. She seriously contemplated getting a large can of syrup, pouring it on his body, and waiting for a colony of ants to set up shop on his penis. Ignoring her. Well, she wasn’t the ignoring type. He was just mad about last night. Well, she wasn’t going to sleep with him until he admitted how much he really cared for her.

“Dawn, the evil radiating off you is going to kill Joyce‘s begonias.” Willow commented as she came to stand next to the fuming teen.

“Now, tell Mama Willow what’s the problem?”

“Men. One man in particular. Do you see him? He hasn’t left their sides since they walked in. And who in the hell invited twins?” Dawn asked loudly. Spike raised his hands in supplication.

“I didn’t plan this little get-together. Blame them.” He answered, pointing to Tara and Willow.

“Honey, haven’t we taught you anything?” Tara asked in that caring voice that belied her true devilish nature. “Look, he has a penis. All the blood rushes to it, preventing the brain cells from getting any. He’s afraid, obviously. He thinks you’re going to put a noose on his cock, and he can’t handle that. Typical deer-caught-in-the-headlights reaction.”

“Hey! Guy standing right here.” Spike protested. They ignored him.

“Tara’s right, as usual. Act like you don’t care, and by the end of the night, he’ll be putty in your hands. Also, take that damn t-shirt off. Show off that new bikini we bought yesterday.”

“You guys are better than Dr. Ruth.” Dawn said, embracing both women. “Tantalize and evade. Got it! Hey, where’s Xander tonight?”

“Riley. He called before we could get to Xander to tell him about the cookout. He got suckered into an all-night Scooby film fest and Xbox tourney.”

Dawn snorted. “I doubt either one of them is too upset about that. Thank god, he’s out of Buffy’s life. Well, for the most part.”

“Is he still calling her?” Cordy asked. Dawn shook her head.

“No, we ran into him in the grocery store. You should have seen us trying to get through the line before he could catch up with us.” Dawn picked up a pickle, biting into it hard, while Connor looked on. She thought he might have flinched, so she took another bite and turned away from him.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lindsey handed Cordy their glasses, sliding down to sit next to her. She promptly pushed his leg aside, and leaned against his chest. “Do you see Connor over there making a fool of himself?

“That’s your brother. My future brother-in-law.”

“So, do you see a date when the future may change to the present?” Cordy asked.

Lindsey smiled. He knew Cordy knew about the ring. Knew she had been searching the house for it. He had it all planned, and had no intention of giving himself away. For the first time in this relationship, he was going to have the upper hand.

“Spike looks happy. I was a little worried when he left the house.” Cordy commented, sipping the “fruit punch”.

“He did just have sex. He could still be under its spell.”

Lindsey snickered. “You know what I mean, Cor.” But he also understood the spell very well.

“Lindsey, you know Spike. He worries for nothing. There is no way he’s going to lose Buffy because of us. She loves him. Besides, there isn’t any kind of defect in her makeup. She’s perfectly normal, while Dru was perfectly abnormal.”

Lindsey agreed. Buffy was a far cry from Druscilla. Hell, their dachshund was more human than Dru.

“Spike just needs to get used to being able to associate with his friends and date all at the same time.”

“That’s easier said than done with this group.” Lindsey laughed, watching Dawn and Connor’s futile attempts to ignore each other.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Connor Chase, why are you over here, when you should be over there with your girlfriend?” asked Nexie, the lead singer for Spike’s band.

“That’s the truth, because you know there is no way you’ll ever, ever get us in bed with you.” Nev, her twin commented.

“Girls, I’m hurt. I thought we were all friends. I come over here to spend time with you, and this is the treatment I get.” Connor said, trying to catch a glimpse of Dawn without being obvious about it.

“Please, your game is lame. You’re trying to make her jealous. It’s not going to work.” Nev said, walking off.

Connor grabbed Nexie’s arm. “Nex, come on. I really do want to talk to you.” He looked at her with those big brown eyes, and she almost melted until she realized he wasn’t even looking at her or her boobs. He was looking over her shoulder.

“Why don’t you cool off, Connor?” Nexie pushed him backwards into the pool, laughing. Connor broke the surface, cursing like a sailor. It took all of Dawn’s strength not to rush over to him. She held out her glass, and Lorne refilled it. He wants to play games. She’d show him who was the master.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“You okay, luv?” Spike asked Buffy. She nodded awkwardly, since his head was resting on her shoulder.

“Well, to be honest, my legs haven’t stopped shaking, but that could be a muscle pull since you decided to test my flexibility.” She turned around, placing her hands on his hips. “You are a terrible, terrible influence.” She said, nibbling on his jaw.

“Keep that up, and they’ll get a real porn show.” Buffy rolled her eyes, pulling Spike to her.

“Good god! Did you not come, Buffy? Is that why you’re still so excited? For shame, Spike. I‘m shocked and a little disappointed in you.” Lorne joked, scooting past a scowling Buffy.

He was saved from the pot scrubber by Heller and Wesley’s appearance in the kitchen. “Your mother has amazing taste, Buffy.”

“Thank you. I’ll tell her you said so. She put a good 2 years into this house. I was in grade school when we moved in, and she was constantly dragging me to antique shops and galleries after school.”

“Heller and I wanted to thank you for the invite.”

“You’re welcome. We should have gotten together before now.” Buffy said, watching Connor pull one of the twins into the pool. Good lord, there was either going to be an orgy or a catfight. Guess it would depend on what Lorne had mixed in his punch.

“That’s what I told Cordy when she called. We haven’t gotten together as a group in awhile. Why’s that Spike?”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Yes, that’s what we heard.” Heller said, grinning at the blush on Spike’s face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Lorne, I can’t tell which twin wants you, but she’s been looking you over pretty hard.” Dawn told him, watching the twins on the other side of the pool. She was determined to have a good time, Connor Chase be damned.

“Well, I can help you with that.” Cordy said, sitting down next to Lorne’s lounger. “Nexie is the one in the pool with Connor. Nev is talking to Lindsey.”

“The only way to tell them apart is their tattoos.”

Tattoos. Twins with tattoos. That definitely piqued Lorne’s attention or was it something else? Dawn mused.

“Nexie has a tattoo on her inner thigh. It’s a trinity symbol. Nev has a yellow daisy on her ankle. So the choice is yours as to where you want to look.”

Lorne nodded his head, absently, trying to see if he could see the tattoo from where he sat. “Trinity crotch. Daisy ankle. Got it. See ya ladies later.”

Cordy smiled as Lorne strutted, and that’s the only way she could describe it. It was either that or a slow shuffling of his legs over to the grill. “So, my brother’s being an ass. What are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing. I’ve done about all the chasing I’m going to do. It’s time for him to chase me. It’ll be good for his ego in the end.” Cordy raised her glass, grazing it against Dawn’s.

“I like you. You’ve got spunk.” Connor glared at Cordy, motioning with his head to get away from Dawn. She shook her head, and shot him a bird from behind her glass.

“Thanks. You’re pretty cool yourself, Cordy.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buffy smiled as she looked out at the backyard. Dinner was over, which allowed the conversation to resume. The men had gathered in a small group on one side of the pool, and the women were on the other. Buffy ran her hand down Spike’s back as she walked past, deciding it was high time she joined her sisters.

“Okay, explain to me the dynamics here. Guys on one side, gals on the other.” Buffy asked them.

“Well,” Tara began, “we were discussing tampons and stuff, so Lorne immediately hopped up like someone set fire to his ass. It kinda went from there.”

“You know they are over there wondering what we’re talking about.” Heller stated, staring at Wesley.

“I can tell you. They probably think we are discussing their sexual prowess. Not that I would know about any of that.” Dawn stammered out. I know about Spike’s, but that’s only because Buffy can’t keep the grin off her face every morning.

“I swear men think that’s all we talk about. It’s either sex or our weight. Hello, I like sports.” Nev said.

“I like sports too, but tell that to our boyfriend. He doesn’t like to watch football with us. He thinks we’re amateurs.” Willow said, kissing Tara on the lips. Buffy watched Spike’s friends like a hawk, trying to see which one would show their true colors. None seemed phased by the display of affection.

“Have you guys been to My Sister’s Place? It’s in Santa Monica. Great bar. I know you two are committed, but you should come visit one night. I bartend.” Nev told them excitedly.

“We read about it in the Southern Voice, but we’ve been so busy we haven’t gotten over there yet.” Tara told her.

Buffy glanced over her shoulder and found Spike watching her. She winked at him, and gave serious thought to sneaking away so they could use that other condom. Down girl, you have company. Must play the perfect hostess. Crap! Crap! Crap!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spike let his eyes roam up Buffy’s legs to her cute little butt to the back he loved to kiss at night to the green eyes staring at him.

“Does anyone else here start to worry when there are that many women congregated in one area?” Wesley asked.

“I do. Look at them. You know they are over there discussing us. Critiquing us, and all that crap.” Connor grumbled into his beer. “We’re not together. She shouldn’t be upset because I was talking to some other woman.”

The other men gave Connor looks ranging from pity to amusement.

“Anyway, ignoring the youngin here. He’s in denial. Let’s leave him there.” Lorne suggested, stepping around Connor. “You three are adults. You understand women far better than this one.” Lorne waved coyly to Nexie or was it Nev? I could look at her ankle, but a little higher would be better.

“I understand women, but Dawn is a... girl. She’s only 18.”

Lindsey rolled his eyes. “No wonder Maria has given up on you. Dawn isn’t a child. She’s a woman. We know she’s definitely more mature than you are.”

“Whose side are you on, dear brother-in-law to be?” Connor asked grumpily.

“Cordy’s.” Good answer. Good answer.

“He’s right, Connor.” Spike said, pulling out his cigarettes. He was trying to quit for Buffy, but he was drinking, and social smoking was always acceptable. “You want to think of Dawn as a kid, go ahead, but it’s a huge mistake.”

“Dawn isn’t going to come running after you, Connor. You’re going to have to give a little if you want all of her. I taught her that.” Lorne said proudly.

“Can we get off the Dawn subject? Let’s get on the subject of men who are in committed relationships, but haven’t asked their girlfriends to become their wives yet?”

Ouch! Spike thought, grimacing along with Wesley and Lindsey. Kid knew when to duck and when to jab. Lorne looked a little green in the face.

“At least, we acknowledge we’re pussy-whipped.” Wes quipped back, earning a grin from Spike.

Lorne cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, raise your glasses. Here’s to the ladies, obviously the stronger and more cunning sex. May we forever be in their thrall.”

“Here! Here!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the shit hit the fan, it really hit the fan in Buffy’s opinion. Be it from too much of Lorne’s loco punch or sexual frustration, Buffy didn’t really know, but Dawn and Connor combusted. It had all started off innocently enough. Dawn was talking to Tara and Nev about her last boyfriend, Fred Gunn.

”I guess we’d been dating about 6 months by this time, and we both knew it wasn’t going any further. Well, he’d heard from some friend of his a sure fire way to get me to break up with him was to fart around me.”

Nev giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “Oh, my god, that’s awful.”

“Tell me about it. He didn’t want it to be known around school that he’d dumped me. Hell, people would think he’d lost his mind, especially with prom just around the corner.” Dawn said, laughing because she knew what came next.

“Because breaking up with Dawn Summers is like the worst thing that could happen to some pimply-faced 17 year old.” Connor commented dryly from behind Dawn.

Oh, boy. Tara thought, taking a step back. There was going to be bloodshed, and she wanted a front-row seat for it. Nev recognized the danger in standing too close and went to find Nexie.

“At least, he had the balls to act on what he wanted.” Dawn spat back.

Spike pulled Buffy into his lap, when it appeared she was going to interfere. Lorne sat down next to them. Buffy smacked him on the arm, when she saw him rub his hands together.

“Oh, please, doll. This has been a long time in coming. They’ve both been playing the game too long. You knew someone was going to break.”

Willow handed out beer and punch, and took a seat behind Dawn. Cordy merely shrugged and hauled Lindsey to the side, so they wouldn’t miss a barb. Eventually, a ring formed around the two brunette combatants.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I like that. See how passionate she is. She’s not going to let Connor pull his usual shit.” Heller commented, leaning back into Wesley’s arms.

“Why does Connor have to be the one to give in?” Wesley commented, earning a glare not only from Heller, but from the twins as well.

“Always the lawyer, aren’t you?” Heller said, craning her neck to peck him on the cheek.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Oh, you mean because I’m not following you around like a little lap dog, then I’m less than a man. Then, so be it. I’m not some little lovesick puppy!”

“No, you’re just so goddamn scared of falling for someone, you’d rather keep me at arms’ length. It took dancing all night before you’d let me get close.”

“Hah, that’s a crock. Who put the moves on me with the skinny dipping?”

“Skinny dipping? Where? Here? Ooh, I’m so telling Mom and Dad.” Buffy singsonged.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Willow, when they do finally sleep together, I hope the bed is still standing.” Tara whispered salaciously in her ear. The alcohol, the heat, and Willow was making Tara horny as a toad.

“Do you think Riley’s still at Xander’s?” Willow asked, feeling the same pull in the pit of her stomach for her lovers.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I wish we had a camera. These are the types of moments a sister looks forward to.” Cordy held the tub of melted vanilla ice cream in her lap, sharing a spoon with Lindsey.

“Forget the camera. I wish we had a recorder.” Lindsey put her arm around Cordy’s waist. “I want him to relive this night over and over again. The night he lost the battle. The battle we’ve all lost to our women.”

“Ah, that’s so sweet, Lindsey.” Cordy sighed, offering him the spoon.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I wasn’t trying to seduce you. I was trying to show you I’m not a kid. I’m a woman. You should remember that, you big oaf!

“Oaf. I know damn well you’re a woman. Hell, you were only pressed up against me all night!”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“See what we have here is two people so used to getting what they want with little or no effort, they’re finding it difficult to find a middle ground.” Lorne explained to Buffy and Spike. “I see it all the time in other people’s relationships. Not my own, of course.”

“Maybe, that’s why Lisa dumped your ass, mate.” Spike commented. Lorne spun around, shocked.

“Buffy, you told him.”

“I was under the influence. Orgasmic pleasure and all that.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Nex, do you think Tara and Willow would ever bring another woman into their relationship? I think Tara’s a nice little morsel.”

“Nev, if they’d wanted to make a move on you, they would have. They have what they want. A man. A dick. Move on.” Nexie pulled her sister into a bear hug, trying to take away the sting of her statement.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“You didn’t even try to kiss me or feel me up. How the hell am I supposed to know anything?” Dawn shouted pushing past Connor.

“I’m trying to be your friend.”

“Bullshit! You don’t want to fall for me. Well, guess what? It’s too late. You and I belong together. That’s right! I said it. We belong together.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
”Wesley, I’m getting ready to break the house rules, but it’s important. I need your opinion.”

“What is it, luv?”

“Angel wants me to handle his divorce.”

Wesley nearly choked on his drink. “You’re the best divorce attorney I know. Can’t say I don’t understand why he wouldn’t want to get rid of that horrid woman.”

“You wouldn’t be upset if I took the retainer.”

“Heller, I love you. Not only would this make Dru unhappy, we’d be taking Angel’s money to boot.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I… I’m not in love with you.” All conversation stopped at the declaration uttered from Connor’s lips. His open, vulnerable face reminded Cordy of when they were kids. When their father had died, he’d been so scared and hurt, but determined to take on the mantle of “man of the house”. Now, he looked just as lost. Her heart ached for him, but she knew Dawn would take care of him.

“Fine. I’m not in love with you either, but I know I’ve never felt this way about anybody else. You’re my equal. Don’t you get that?” Dawn took a tentative step in his direction. They all waited with bated breath to see what was going to happen. Would Connor step toward his future or keep on running?

“Go on, boy. It doesn’t hurt.” Spike said softly, sighing when Buffy kissed his forehead.

Connor looked into the blue eyes that had mesmerized him since he first gazed upon them. She was smiling and smirking, like she knew he’d see her way eventually.

“I like your bikini.” Connor whispered, stepping into Dawn’s arms.

“Thanks, I bought it for you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buffy collapsed into Spike’s arms as soon as the door closed on Tara, Lorne, and Willow. “Don’t drop yet, luv.”

“I’m so tired.” Buffy said, turning around and kissing Spike softly on the lips.

“How tired? Too, too tired?” Spike nibbled at her bottom lip.

“Am I that good in bed or are you that insatiable?”

Spike stepped back, looking Buffy over. Her hair was down, falling in waves over her shoulders. Her tank gently cupped her tiny firm breasts, and he could see her body wasn’t as tired as she thought. Her nipples were hardening under his steady gaze. Her shorts rode low on her tiny hips, and his loins remembered their quickie, and how those same hips felt under his.

“Both.”

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