Changing Lives by Mabel Marsters

1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 :: 5 :: 6 :: 7 :: 8 :: 9 :: 10 :: 11 :: 12 :: 13 :: 14 :: 15 :: 16 :: 17 :: 18 :: 19 :: 20 :: 21 :: 22 :: 23 :: 24 :: 25 :: 26 :: 27 :: 28 :: 29 :: 30 :: 31 :: 32 :: 33 :: 34 :: 35 :: 36 :: 37 :: 38 :: 39 :: 40 :: 41 :: 42 :: 43 :: 44 :: 45 :: 46 :: 47 :: 48 :: 49 :: 50 :: 51 :: 52 :: 53 :: 54 :: 55 :: 56 :: 57 :: 58 :: 59 :: 60 ::

Chapter 40

Chapter Forty

“Oh man! You were awesome,” said Oz as the four of them came off the stage.

Spike was about to deny it when he listened some more to the cheers still ringing out in the club and instead agreed with Oz.

“I was pretty good, wasn’t I?” he grinned.

“I’m glad that Devon walked out,” said Pete, “You’re a way better singer than he is. You had them eating out of your hands! Can’t wait for the next gig.”

“No, Pete, you’re forgetting that this was a once only deal, right Spike?” said Oz seriously.

“Crap! Why did I have to say that?” Spike’s face fell, “Um, yeah, I did say that.”

“I’m only joking!” laughed Oz, “How can we not get you to do it again after that?”

Spike punched Oz on his arm. “Hey, yer git, I just bailed you out and you’re riding me - not fair.”

“Come on, let’s go and find the others,” said Oz, “We’ll pack the gear away later.”

As they got into the public area of the club they were jostled by lots of people congratulating them on a great set, telling them how they’d really enjoyed it. Spike blushed bright crimson and kept his head down, just muttering his thanks; his shyness once again kicking in now he was off the stage.

Suddenly he was engulfed in a hug, and a kiss was firmly planted on his cheek. He didn’t need to see who it was, her perfume gave her away. He pulled out of her arms.

“Cordelia.”

“Spike! I never knew you were so cool. That was fantastic,” she gushed, putting her arm around him.

Once again he disentangled himself from her.

“Thanks, but I’m here with Buffy, okay?” he said as firmly as he could.

Her smile didn’t dim at all, “I know that, silly. I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed your singing,” she said, “and wind Angel up some more.” She’d noticed him glaring at Spike all night.

“Oh? And do yer always pounce on people and kiss them when you’ve enjoyed something then? ‘Ow about jumping on Oz, Joey or Pete?”

Cordelia giggled, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?” she asked as they’d arrived at the table.

Spike thought this was a bit odd since everybody knew each other already.

“Um, okay,” he glanced at the others. Buffy wasn’t looking very happy and he could understand why, “er…Cordelia, this is Oz and his girlfriend Willow, that’s Xander and,” he walked to stand behind Buffy, putting his arms around her waist and dropping a kiss on her neck, “this is my girlfriend Buffy.”

Everyone except Cordelia stared at Spike. He glanced at Buffy, hoping she’d meant it when she’d said she wanted him to be her boyfriend. She smiled at him and stood up to kiss him, not on the cheek as Cordelia had but on his lips.

This time Spike didn’t pull away. He kissed her back, all at once not caring that not only were they in a crowded club but also in front of their rather bemused friends. His heart was pounding when they finally parted. When they turned back to face the others Spike blushed again as they were all still staring.

“So you two are together then?” said Xander with a wink.

Everyone laughed.

“Um…looks that way,” said Spike, meeting Buffy’s eyes, still unable to truly believe it.

“We are,” confirmed Buffy.

“Cool,” said Oz, delighted that his friends had gotten together.

Xander glanced at Cordelia and thought ‘what the hell’.

“So, Cordelia, would you like to dance?”

She looked at him for a moment and then, to his utter astonishment, she agreed. He led her away to the dance floor as the DJ started to play some slow songs to end the night with.

His friends watched them walk away with their mouths open. This was turning out to be quite a night of revelations. Spike slightly narrowed his eyes as he remembered Cordelia’s threat to him and hoped she wouldn’t do anything like that with Xander. He thought of going to warn him when he realised that Oz was speaking to him.

“Hey, Spike, look at the time. You’re going to be late for your curfew if you don’t leave now.”

“Shit. I was going to help you with your gear since I…um…was sort of in the band,” said Spike.

“There’s no ‘sort of’ about it – you are in the band,” replied Oz, “Anyway, Xander said he’d help with it in return for a ride home.”

“That’s okay then. Just do me a favour - whatever Xander says, make sure you bring him home. Don’t let Cordelia drive him.”

“Why not?”

“It’s a long story but just promise me, okay? I’ll explain another time,” said Spike.

“Okay, will do.”

Spike nodded his thanks and turned to Buffy.

“Look, I’m sorry, pet, but we better get going. Don’t want to be late.”

“Okay, see you later guys!” said Buffy. She put her hand in Spike’s and started to walk to the exit, “Did you just call me pet?” she teased.

Spike looked embarrassed. “Um…yeah…is that okay?”

“I guess so,” she grinned.

Ooooooo

They walked home slowly, hand in hand, stopping frequently to kiss. Each one was getting a little deeper, a little more passionate, as Spike was getting more confident. It was just after ten-forty when they got in.

“Hi, Mom, sorry we’re a bit late,” called Buffy as they walked through the door.

“That’s okay, honey. Did you have a good time?”

“Yeah, it was great. Spike sang. You should have heard him, Mom, he was amazing!” said Buffy.

Joyce walked into the hallway, smiling as she saw that Spike had blushed to the roots of his white hair.

“I thought you were seeing the Dingoes?”

“We were, but halfway through Devon walked off stage and the next thing we knew Spike was up there taking his place,” said Buffy enthusiastically.

“Did you enjoy singing with the band, Spike?” asked Joyce, wondering how he had ever had the nerve to do it.

“Um…yeah…it was great once I got up there and started to sing. I was terrified before, though. But I ‘ad to help Oz out, he’s been a good mate,” replied Spike, finally meeting her eye.

“He even sang a song that he’d written himself, Mom,” said Buffy with pride.

Joyce hadn’t thought that Spike could have looked any more uncomfortable but he somehow managed it.

“That is so clever. It’s a real talent that you must have,” she said to him.

“I only wrote the words, Oz put the melody to it,” replied Spike.

“Oh, stop with the modesty!” cried Buffy, giving him a friendly push, “You were great, the song was great – just admit it!”

“Buffy, you’re embarrassing the poor boy,” smiled Joyce, “Shall I fix you both some hot chocolate? I’ve got marshmallows.”

“That’d be really nice. Thanks, Mrs. Summers,” said Spike, smiling shyly at her.

Ooooooo

Buffy showed Spike where he’d be sleeping and he pulled out the things he’d packed in his bag. He laid the jeans and t-shirt on a chair ready for the morning and put a pair of pyjamas on the bottom of the bed. He and Buffy sneaked another kiss before she showed him where the bathroom was.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, giving him a final kiss as they stood on the landing.

“You will,” replied Spike, “I really enjoyed tonight, Buffy, but I feel I missed out on being with you a bit, wot with the singing an’ all.”

“I was very proud of you up there, and I liked you saying that you are my boyfriend,” smiled Buffy.

“I want to take you out somewhere though, just the two of us,” said Spike, looking at her in such a way that she thought she’d melt.

“Just say when.”

They jumped apart guiltily as they heard Joyce’s step on the stairs.

“’Night then,” said Spike.

“Goodnight.”

Ooooooo

Spike couldn’t sleep; he was all buzzed up, both from the concert and the close proximity of Buffy. He couldn’t believe that Buffy was officially his girlfriend. He tossed and turned under the covers. He was too hot so he got up and opened the window, enjoying the cool breeze on his naked body. He’d only brought the pyjamas to use for going to the bathroom and such. Ever since he’d been stuck in a stuffy hospital ward for three weeks he couldn’t bear being too hot when he slept and so never used them in bed. When he eventually got to sleep his dreams were full of Buffy.

Ooooooo

Buffy was up early. She hadn’t slept very well and as soon as it was light she gave up and got out of bed. She had a shower and washed her hair. When she was dry she looked at the clothes in her closet trying to decide what to wear. The top she wanted wasn’t there. With a sigh she remembered that she had left it in the guest room, which is where they normally did the ironing.

She put her ‘yummy sushi’ pyjamas back on, tiptoed onto the landing and listened at Spike’s door. There was no sound so she thought she’d risk sneaking in to get it. She opened the door silently and walked in. The blouse was hanging with several others on the door of the closet at the foot of the bed. Buffy glanced at Spike to check that he was still sleeping and gasped. He was certainly still asleep but he was also totally naked and laid flat on his back with the sheets only covering his feet.

He stirred in his sleep, whether as a response to the noise she’d made or not, Buffy wasn’t sure. She froze.

“Buffy,” whispered Spike.

“Oh my God!” thought Buffy, “He’s thinking of me! Well, that explains the…um…er…what’s going on…er…with his…”

She tore her eyes away from his obvious arousal and reached out to grab the blouse. She fumbled and although she got hold of the blouse she wanted, the others fell to the floor with a clatter. Buffy fled.

“Huh?” mumbled Spike, waking up.

He peered around the room and didn’t notice anything amiss. So he leaned down and pulled the bed sheets up until they covered him up to his waist, turned over and went back to sleep.

Buffy leaned on her bedroom door as she closed it and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Okay, so not the best idea I’ve ever had. Thank God he didn’t wake up and see me. What was I thinking? But how was I to know he’d be naked? And his body – wow!”

She went and flopped down on to her bed, blouse temporarily forgotten. She’d never seen a boy completely naked before and especially not when what they kept in their pants was awake! She blushed at the memory, but she knew all she really wanted to do was go back and have another peek!

“Bad thoughts, Buffy!”

Ooooooo

Spike woke when her heard someone go downstairs. He got out of bed and stretched, smiling as he thought of his dream. He looked down at his erection.

“Yep, that was some dream, Spike.”

He went to get his pyjamas so he could go to the bathroom. He hoped they wouldn’t mind if he took a shower, as something needed attention before he’d dare go downstairs.

His pyjamas had fallen from the bed with all the wriggling he’d done before he’d gotten to sleep. As he got them he noticed a pile of blouses and t-shirts on the floor. They were all on hangers so he picked them up and hung them on the handle of the closet door, idly wondering how they had come to fall down. Grabbing his sponge bag he opened the door and almost immediately bumped into Buffy.

“Mornin’,” he said, glad the top of his pyjamas was pretty long as the sight of her caused a new thrill to go through him.

“Morning, Spike,” replied Buffy, blushing bright red.

“Is it okay if I take a shower?”

“Yeah, shower, no problem,” said Buffy, looking into his room; “I’ll just…oh!” she stopped when she saw that the garments were hanging up.

Spike followed her gaze and suddenly he thought he knew how they’d come to be on the floor. Had Buffy been in his room? He remembered thinking he’d heard something.

“Oh, bloody hell!”

“Um…I’ll go get that shower,” he said quickly and gratefully disappeared into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

“Oh my God!" He remembered how he'd pulled the covers back over himself. "She saw me naked.” He looked down. “She saw me…oh Christ!”

He stepped into the shower and put it on cold, letting the water do its work, before turning it back up and washing. Once he was dressed he went downstairs and found Buffy and her mom preparing breakfast.

“Good morning Spike, did you sleep okay?” asked Joyce, “I know I’m terrible at getting to sleep in a strange bed.”

“No, I slept just fine, thank you,” said Spike politely, “Yeah real well, Mrs. Summers. Kept thinking about yer daughter and I’m pretty sure she’s seen me naked – just peachy.”

He avoided Buffy’s eye as he spoke, which was a good thing because if he had glanced at her he would have been left in absolutely no doubt that Buffy had indeed seen him in all his glory.

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