Hello Kittens-
Yes, there really will be an update. I promise!
Pearl- Sorry about the vaporware. Dance of the Salamander is another S-6 story that's just an outline and the first chapter and a half so far. The website keeps getting pushed back do to this stupid real life thing that keeps happening. They will both happen, but I've given up on announced dates. Sigh.
And now....
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Chapter 14
The Wild, Cruel Joy of Being AliveThe sky was just darkening as Spike met the wizard near the Vieux-Port. Marseilles had changed since the vampire had been here last but the hunting was still good, or would be if he could hunt.
“I have a proposition, vampire,” the gaunt man said without preamble.
“I’m listening,” Spike said lighting his smoke.
“You are traveling,” the wizard said quickly. “I will weave a spell to get you where you’re going tonight.”
“What’s the price, magic man?”
“A box with something I want.”
“You get the box, I get the spell. Is that it?”
“Yes.”
“Deal,” Spike said without hesitating.
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The afternoon was waning as the last of the official vehicles left the park. Willow tried to remember how many times she’d been asked the same questions. She let the thought go. It wasn’t important. What was important was Tara’s hand in hers. Willow had never realized how good the feel of skin on skin had been before. It was softer than silk, warmer than sunshine. The mocha she had sipped during the last hour was now cold but it was still the best one she had ever had.
Beside her on the bench Anya sat in Xander’s lap, his arms around her. Both of them had their eyes closed. On the swings Buffy reached out and touched Dawn again. The teen rolled her eyes and gave a short laugh as she grabbed Buffy’s hand.
“I suppose you’ll want to cancel the parties after this,” Giles said as he came up to the group.
“What?” Willow asked with a frown. Then the realization hit her. “Oh my-the bachelor party!”
“And the bachelorette party,” Anya said quickly.
“Do you want me to call the guys?” Xander asked uncertainly.
Willow looked at her friends. Then she met Tara’s eyes.
“Keep yours out of trouble,” Tara said with a grin.
“We’re going,” Willow said suddenly. “That bastard isn’t going to spoil anything more of ours. Come on, Xander, we’re gonna be late.”
Xander kissed Anya quickly and hurried to follow his friend. Giles let out a breath and turned to Buffy and Dawn.
“I’ll get Dawn home,” he said tiredly.
“She’s coming with us,” Buffy said evenly.
“I am?” Dawn asked, amazed.
“You are,” Tara replied.
“Let’s get moving,” Anya said as she stood up and shook her hair out. “I want to see what Tara’s planned for my innocent enjoyment.”
Giles watched them walk off with a sad smile. Hernandez got out of a patrol car and walked up to the Watcher, pausing to look at the girls as they hurried away.
“Will there be problems with your review?” Giles asked.
“No,” Hernandez said stretching his arms. “Armed suspect, innocent bystanders, and the same story from everybody except for the woman who insists an angel saved her child. How did that same story happen, anyway?”
“Willow and Tara together managed to find enough power to do a telepathic briefing,” Giles explained. “Quite remarkable considering how low they drained themselves. Still, together…”
“What’s going on now?” the Chief asked.
“Tonight was going to be Xander and Anya’s respective prenuptial bacchanals,” Giles replied. “They’re going through with it, evidently.”
“That’s one of the responses,” Hernandez sighed.
“You understand this?” Giles asked.
“They’ve come past death’s touch mostly intact,” the Chief said distantly. “Everything’s sweeter right now. It’ll fade.”
“But they’ve faced apocalypses before,” Giles said thoughtfully.
“But not gunfire,” Hernandez said meeting Giles’ eyes. “
That’s real.”
“It will pass quickly?” Giles asked.
“Too quickly,” Hernandez said tightly. “Or not quickly enough.”
“What about you?” Giles asked.
“I’ll be all right,” the cop said. “This time.”
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The vampire could not believe his luck. Not one but two humans approached, a dapper looking male and an old man sucking enthusiastically on a milkshake. The old man’s action made the vampire smile. He understood that wonderful need to get the last drop. He decided to start with the sure thing and leapt for the old man.
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Saunders was expecting the vampire. He hadn’t expected the swift transformation Burns had accomplished or that the demonic incarnation of the old man would be able to tear off the vampire’s head with such ease. The tall demon glared at him before resuming Burns normal shape.
“What the fuck was that?” he snapped. “Some test?”
“Yes,” Saunders replied. “Speed is important. There will be a Slayer in the wedding party.”
“I’ll be alone with Harris,” Burns said testily. “That punk won’t be any problem, one way or the other.”
“Evidently not,” Saunders agreed.
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Willow stared at the private bus in front of the Summers home. Cassandra waved as she came up.
“Is this ours?” Willow asked.
“Part of the package for parties,” the Succubus explained. “I’m very much in favor of a designated driver.”
“And it’s good for business,” Willow nodded.
“Yes, especially repeat business,” Cassandra agreed. “And now you get to enjoy yourself too.”
“Oh, I know, maybe one of those drinks that don’t really taste like alcohol,” Willow said thoughtfully. “I’m kind of a light weight.”
“I know the feeling,” a stunning brunette confessed. “Some cough medicines are enough to get me loopy. I’m Jocasta. I’m driving tonight.”
“I don’t think we’ll have any problem persuading guys to ride with you,” Willow said with a grin.
“Part of the plan,” Cassandra said. “Now I’ve got to hurry. Another client asked for help.”
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Tara looked around nervously as the Summers sisters got ready for the night. There was the faintest feeling of magic and Halfrek appeared. The demon looked tired and Tara thought Halfrek was moving a bit slower. The demon shifted her appearance and the witch saw how tired she looked
“Please, sit down,” Tara said.
“Thanks,” Halfrek replied as she sat. “What’s on the schedule?”
“I’m not exactly sure,” Tara admitted. “I’ve never done this before so I asked for help.”
“Which I think is a very good thing to do under these circumstances,” Cassandra said as she appeared at the door a second after a gentle chime.
“A succubus?” Halfrek asked.
“A friend of Mr. Giles,” Tara explained. “Excuse me, Ms. Cassandra, umm…”
“What is it, dear?” Cassandra asked gently.
“I and Buffy sort of promised Dawn she could go after today and, ah, there are laws about minors and most places, well, you know,” Tara said in a fair approximation of Willow.
“Oh, it’s alright,” Cassandra said. “Actually we’re going to be outside the Sunnydale city limits tonight. There won’t be any problem.”
“Oh, good,” Tara said with relief.
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Willow looked around the bus as the dozen or so males teased Xander. For a second she thought she felt something slip by, but with her depleted power she couldn’t identify it. There was no feel of danger in it so the witch let it pass.
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“This is so cool!” Dawn said for the third time.
This time the teenager had found the remote to the television in the back of the limo. Anya was running her hands over the leather seats and had a decidedly wicked smile on her face. Halfrek had a stiff drink in her hands and was nodding to the music. Buffy watched Dawn sip her Pepsi as the teen tried to take in all the luxury at once and sneak a look at the hunky driver. The Slayer was smiling, almost sadly.
Tara felt something almost otherworldly slip over the limo. She tried to find danger but nothing registered to her weakened senses. Halfrek hadn’t flinched and neither had the Slayer. Tara relaxed a bit.
“We’re coming up on Cassandra’s place,” the driver said in a musical baritone.
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Willow stepped out of the bus and tried to place the large wood and stone building. They were near the ocean, but she couldn’t tell if they were north or south of Sunnydale. The cooking scents that wafted out to the group made her forget her curiosity. A curvaceous dark-skinned girl stepped out of the door. Her walk to the group had unanimous approval.
“Mister Harris?” the girl asked formally.
“Yeah,” Xander said on the second attempt.
“This way please,” she said guiding them inside.
“Yeah,” Tito said blinking. “Right.”
Willow felt the barest touch of magics as she walked into the building. The waitresses were all attractive, the bartender was a woman who was the embodiment of ‘a woman of a certain age’, and the art on the walls said sensuality rather than raw sex. Then the appetizers arrived and everyone found a favorite food placed near them. Willow dipped her favorite potato chip into ranch dressing and then hot salsa.
“You are too California,” Xander laughed as she gulped her Diet 7-Up.
“I’m California?” Willow chortled. “Look at Ollie.”
Xander looked over and saw the big blonde electrician pouring ranchero sauce over his vegetarian sushi and washing it down with a large mug of a pale beer. The man looked up and smiled broadly at Willow.
“You rock, Red!” Ollie called out raising his mug. “I never thought I’d find this beer up here. Last time I had it was in Huntington Beach when I went to the Surfing Museum.”
“What’s it called?” Xander asked.
“Beach Blonde, man!”
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Giles opened the door and felt several years fall away. Cassandra was in summer dress and a light shawl that were tasteful together but hardly hinted at the figure underneath. Her shoes were comfortable and low heeled. She smiled at him gently.
“You still owe me a walk on the beach,” she said.
“Shouldn’t you be with the revelers?” Giles asked with concern.
“My boys and girls can handle that,” Cassandra replied. “The place is safe, and so are your children.”
“Because they’re with yours,” Giles said.
With that Giles turned and picked up his jacket. Then he extended an arm. Cassandra took it and they walked out into the night.
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“Who was the first guy Anya ever kissed?” Dawn read from the card.
“I know!” the other three yelled as Anya rolled her eyes.
“You know?” Halfrek gaped at Buffy and Tara.
“Olaf showed up after Willow screwed up a spell and released him,” Anya said with a huff.
“Oh my stars!” Halfrek giggled.
“He broke my sweetie’s wrist!” Anya scowled.
“Then Buffy punched him until he was flat,” Tara added.
“Exes are like that,” Halfrek said nodding.
“Your steaks, ladies,” the waiter said rolling in the server.
“I can’t believe you’re having a steak,” Buffy teased Tara.
“It’s a small one,” Tara said defensively.
“Of course,” Dawn smirked.
“Your Blue Roses,” another server said placing a delicate looking blue drink in front of Tara and Halfrek.
“You’re trying one of those?” Anya asked with a grin.
“It looked so pretty,” Tara said as she picked it up and admired the color.
“That’s the Blue Curacao,” Anya said as Tara took a drink. The witch’s eyes got wide and she tried not to cough.
“And that’s the tequila,” Halfrek giggled.
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Dessert had arrived and Willow was glad hers was just a small explosion of baked and flaky chocolate. Then the drum started. It was a natural skin drum, played to an exotic rhythm. The lights dimmed slightly as some of the men sipped brandy-laced coffee and smoked cigars. Willow was impressed by the ventilation system since she never caught the scent of tobacco. Now a few more instruments she didn’t quite know started. The room lights dimmed slightly while one light came up slowly. An olive-skinned girl with ebony hair and dark flashing eyes stepped into the luminous cone. Her raiment, and that was the only word that Willow thought fit, was flowing and barely concealed her lean figure.
It was a dance and more. Her movements were suggestive, graceful, and seemed to be aimed at Ollie. The tall blonde man looked poll axed as he watched her with a transfixed stare. Willow had to admit the girl was worth watching. She and the rest of the party caught the rhythm as they started tapping the table.
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“Miss Maclay, Cassandra said you’d find this a bit more interesting,” an extremely attractive young woman said. “Especially since you’re an art major.”
“You’re not going to take away my maid of honor, are you?” Anya asked with a theatrically sad pout. The young woman whispered in Anya’s ear for a moment. Anya’s eyes narrowed and a wicked grin split her face as Anya turned to her friend. “You better go with her, Tara.”
Tara knew something was up when the other girls leaned forward to listen to Anya and started to laugh.
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Tara looked at the garment and started to blush.
“No, that won’t do,” one of the girls said. “Here.”
Tara felt the gauzy veil slip over her head. She looked at the reflection in the mirror. The blonde witch smiled.
“Remember,” another girl said. “The magic is in the music. Just feel it.”
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Buffy looked at Dawn and heard the faint raucous noise from another room with her Slayer hearing. She looked at Dawn and then the tall auburn server who had been their guide. The young man smiled slightly. He produced a small cream-colored envelope from a jacket pocket and gave it to the Slayer.
Dear Miss Summers,
Everyone has a different perfect girls’ night out. I understand your concern for your sister and have made an arrangement for her that will be less adult than the rest of you, but far more grown up. I think she’ll enjoy it immensely. If you have any concerns speak with Dirk.
Cassandra
P.S. Giles is fine too.
“I’ll bet,” the Slayer whispered with a smile.
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The waves were a steady, soft beat that sang a song older than life itself. The breeze on the beach gave Giles an excuse to offer Cassandra and his jacket while it gave her a good reason to accept. Then they walked along under the stars for a bit longer before Cassandra looked at Giles and smiled.
“You’re right, you know,” she said softly.
“Oh?” Giles asked without letting go of her hand.
“They’re my children,” Cassandra sighed. “Do you miss it?”
“I never had it,” Giles replied.
“But you saw them,” Cassandra said almost tiredly. “The ones with the children and the families.”
“I have a family,” Giles said with a smile. “And so do you.”
“No regrets?” Cassandra asked.
“Not telling someone how I felt before it was too late,” Giles said as he stopped and looked out over the ocean. “That came back to me today. I could have lost some of them…”
Cassandra wrapped her arms around Giles and held him until he stopped shaking.
“They’re safe,” she crooned gently. “They’re safe.”
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Willow watched the platinum blonde slip out under the long hiss of some percussion instrument. Tito looked decidedly flushed as the rest of the males clapped and whistled. Willow smirked. She’d felt the basic magic under the music. It was less than a love charm, but old and powerful in it’s own primitive way.
Pity I’m immune, she thought smugly.
The music came up again, slightly different this time, almost feminine. Willow had a brief flash of a walled garden and sunlight. Then the next dancer appeared. She was a little less polished than the others at the start as she slowly approached Willow’s place at the table. Willow noticed how the dancer seemed to become smoother. Like a few of the others this dancer was veiled, but this time the veils weren’t coming off. Instead they were almost a part of the music: hiding, flirting, and all the more intriguing for it. Willow felt her mouth get dry. Then she caught a glimpse of dark blonde hair and flash of blue eyes. Her innermost being confirmed what her mind could not accept.
Then the music changed. Now it was seduction with a beat.
Her hands, Willow thought as she stared. Her hands tell the story-but it’s a story only married hands or hands in a long term committed relationship should tell and then only behind closed and locked doors, not out in the open with people watching!
Then Willow stopped thinking much at all. The music swelled and then faded, teasing and beckoning as the dancer moved lightly away. The lights came up and Willow noticed no one else was making a sound. All of them watched the space where the dancer had slipped behind the curtain hopefully.
“Wowzers,” Xander said finally. “That wasn’t…”
“No!” Willow said quickly. Then the music came up and all of the dancers except the last streamed up to Xander and danced for him as his friends cheered, even Willow though her cheer was a bit shaky.
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“Have a good time?” Anya asked as Tara returned a touch breathless.
“It was very artistic,” Tara said quickly as she drained her water glass.
“Cultural even,” Dawn said with a smothered smile.
“Shouldn’t we be getting on to the rest of the evening?” Tara asked quickly.
“In a hurry to get home?” Buffy asked innocently.
“I think I’ll make a stop first,” Dawn said looking accusingly at the empty glasses in front of her.
“I’ll go with you to freshen up,” Tara added hurriedly.
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Spike handed the scarred metal box to the wizard. That worthy took it with reverence. He muttered an incantation and opened the lock. Spike reached for his cigarette pack and sighed when he saw the bullet hole. Then he frowned worriedly and pulled out his Zippo. He smiled at the sight of his undamaged lighter.
“All right,” the vampire growled lighting his last undamaged smoke, “I’ve got to be moving on.”
“Yes, our bargain,” the mage said closing the box with an acquisitive smile. “Where are you going?”
“The demon in the cave,” Spike said off handedly.
The wizard blinked a couple of times and frowned. Then he shrugged.
“Your funeral,” the man said. “You do know he’s incredibly old, very tricky and probably insane, right?”
“Just my type of bloke, Mandrake,” Spike grinned. “Do the voodoo.”
The mage closed his eyes and made a circle in the air with his arms as he muttered something that sounded like ‘no take-backs’ to Spike. Then the vampire felt something like warm toffee cover him for a moment. Then he was on a darkened beach. Ramshackle buildings with fires in the front loomed on the edge of steep cliff face. Spike could feel the pull of the cave. His face shifted into the hunting visage of the vampire as he walked toward the darkness.
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In Marseilles the wizard hurried home to make sure the nearly pristine copy of Marvel’s Amazing Fantasy #15 was safely stored away.
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Dawn looked a bit nervous to Tara as the teenager scrubbed in front of the mirror.
“What’s wrong?” Tara asked.
“Just wondering about the strippers,” Dawn said quietly. “What’s it like in those places?”
“You’re asking me?” Tara said almost blushing.
“Oh, sorry,” Dawn winced.
“I tell you what,” Tara said gently. “If it’s too much I’ll feign good taste and get you out, okay?”
“Thanks,” Dawn said looking down and smiling.
They left the most luxurious women’s room Tara had ever been in and were making their way back to the others when a handsome man in a tuxedo bumped into Dawn. Dawn looked up into a pair of hazel eyes that seemed to go on forever.
“This girl!” the man said in a perfect tenor. “She’s perfect! Can you dance?”
“Paul, the bet’s over,” his more rugged companion said. “The Marquis is going to take Autumn Storm.”
“I raised her!” Paul said quickly.
“Who’s Autumn Storm?” Dawn asked.
“She’s mine,” Paul said taking out his wallet and showing the two girls a picture. There was a classically proportioned bay Arabian mare. Another picture fell out unnoticed. Dawn reached down for it.
“She’s the Marquis’,” his companion said sadly.
Dawn turned over the picture and saw the same horse, only this time there was no formality. The mare had a battered cowboy hat in her mouth and was staying one step ahead of the handsome young man in front of her. Dawn stood up and handed back the photo.
“I took dance this year for…school,” she said.
“Just what is this bet?” Tara asked with crossed arms.
“It was vain and stupid,” Paul said looking chagrined. “I bet that I could find someone here to come with me to the Grove Ball. Miss Cassandra’s hosting it at her nightclub this year.”
“Here?” Tara asked suspiciously.
“Not in this section,” Paul replied. “It’s behind the roped off doors.”
“What’s all this then?” Buffy asked from behind Tara.
“Buffy, this is Paul,” Dawn said politely. “Paul, this is my older sister, Buffy Summers.”
“Paul?” Buffy asked carefully.
“Paul Armitage,” the young man said. “Like the banking Armitages, only scruffier.”
“And more hot headed and generous too,” his companion interjected.
“And this is Charles Wainwright, who usually has to rescue me,” Paul said.
“Of the cab driving Wainwrights,” Charles explained.
Tara saw Buffy turn to the server who had been with them so far.
“Dirk, is there any way to get Dawn ready for a charity ball on such short notice?” Buffy asked as Dawn’s eyes widened happily.
“I think so, Miss.”
Tara looked at Buffy with a raised eyebrow. Anya pulled the Slayer aside.
“She could be missing an excellent opportunity to compare and contrast future orgasm partners,” Anya pointed out in a loud whisper.
“I hadn’t considered that angle,” Buffy said thoughtfully. “Thanks, Anya.”
“Is this what you want?” Tara asked Dawn.
“Yes,” Dawn said looking at the two young men in tuxedos.
“A real ball,” Halfrek sighed. “Dresses, dancing, music…”
“Yeah,” Dawn nodded.
Halfrek nodded and turned to the young men. She smiled at them. Then she let demonic visage through.
“Be nice,” she said sternly.
“Yes ma’am!” both men said at once.
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Willow followed along with Xander and the others as the dancers escorted them out into the more public part of the club. Willow was relieved to see a few other women in the audience. She watched the reactions of the others in the party as they sat at leather booths around the gleaming brass rail of the stage. Xander seemed particularly impressed and Willow bet herself she knew why. Then a lithe blonde girl swept onto the stage. Willow couldn’t believe physics would allow anyone to defy gravity with a pole and no magic.
A few minutes later Tito tore his eyes of the dancer to ask Willow if she thought this girl might have been the mysterious dancer. He saw the redhead glancing at the dancer, then concentrating on a diagram and calculations on a napkin.
“Shouldn’t she be enjoying herself?” Tito asked Xander.
“She is,” Xander assured him.
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Dawn felt half a dozen pairs of hands smoothing her borrowed dress, applying the lightest of make-ups, and brushing her hair. Around her young women in various stages of dress were bombarding her with advice.
“Don’t let yourself get too warm.”
“Never say ‘yes’ right away to an invitation to dance from anyone but your escort.”
“Stick to water for the first part of the dance.”
“If you need to pee, just take the whole darn thing off here and here.”
“Watch out for young men on slow dances and old men on fast ones.”
“Remember Stone and Daniel are there, just in case.”
Then they stood back and Dawn saw herself in the mirror. Perhaps it was the way the Anya’s jaw dropped, or Halfrek’s sad smile, or Tara and Buffy’s delighted ones but the reflection made her proud. The strapless simple white gown, the lace gloves, and the almost casually pulled back hair all combined to make an image of herself unlike any other she had ever really considered possible.
“All she needs is a carriage,” Buffy said softly.
“Wow,” one of the girls said. “We do good work.”
“Good materials help,” another sighed.
“Have a good time,” Buffy said carefully.
Dawn held her hand up as the other four bachelorettes took a breath.
“But be careful,” Dawn interjected and grinned as they gave her a look.
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Hernandez stepped inside St. Michael’s and felt the tension of the day fade slightly. He saw Father Joseph coming out of the sacristy. The old man smiled gently.
“Hi, Father,” the Chief said tiredly. “Sorry to keep you up.”
“I knew what chaplain meant before I came here,” the priest said with a dismissive wave. “I was at the hospital anyway before the page. Come over to the rectory with me and let me make you a cup of the world’s worst tea.”
“I’d like that,” Hernandez replied.
“Especially after the slop they call coffee at the station,” Father Joseph said with a grin. “Mind you, its not the worst I’ve had. When I was a green, scared Army MP in Korea I thought the brown stuff they called coffee was a plot by the Red Chinese.”
“It’s good to know we’re carrying on a fine tradition,” Hernandez said with a small but real smile.
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Tara understood why Anya had insisted on a ‘no cameras’ clause in her invitation as she watched the bride-to-be join the raucous crowd calling (and reaching) out to the dancer on stage. Tara might have been embarrassed for the man but she saw the prideful look in his eyes as he got close to the audience. Buffy was grinning but something was holding her back. Tara looked for their server. The witch smiled when she realized Dirk was more or less hiding behind her.
“The crowd’s a bit active,” she called out over the din.
“It’s a feeding frenzy!” Dirk replied.
“And you’re one of the tasty tuna?” Tara asked.
“More like a mackerel,” Dirk laughed. “I don’t know what it is about librarians’ conventions.”
“Librarians?” Buffy asked loudly. “Here?”
“Miss Cassandra has a soft spot for them,” Dirk explained at full volume. “It’s how she started out.”
“Casanova was a librarian,” Tara said with a grin. Buffy’s smile was more thoughtful. Tara looked at Dirk and took a deep breath. “How is Dawn doing?”
Dirk pulled out a small flat panel viewer.
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Dawn couldn’t believe how much more exciting the steps she had learned in the cavernous gym of the school were on the polished floor of the ballroom. Paul Armitage was a much better dancer than the football players she usually got paired with, and more muscular in a lean way she’d found out by ‘accidentally’ brushing against him as they danced. She stole a glance at the tables on the side of the dance floor where the scrubbed pink face of the Marquis glared at her and her partner. The music was coming to an end for the set. Paul guided her on a swirl that ended with her in his arms. She smiled as they separated and clapped for the musicians. He led her back to their table.
“Oh dear,” Paul said looking ahead. “Competition.”
Dawn looked at her table and saw a young man who could have modeled for GQ talking with an older, distinguished looking man. She clutched Paul’s hand lightly.
“I think I’m thirsty,” Dawn smiled.
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“She looks like she’s doing okay,” Tara said in a conversational tone, which was a whisper in the club.
“Yeah,” Buffy smiled. “I think it’s time to join the party.”
With that Buffy reached out and dragged Tara into the throng.
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“My dear Colonel,” Dawn said with her best arch voice. “I believe I’m being used.”
“What ever do you mean, Miss Summers?” the older man said with mock indignation.
“I’m bait and stalking horse both,” Dawn said smiling. “Mrs. Gladding’s glances toward me have been most unfriendly.”
“Really?” the Colonel asked innocently. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Of course,” Dawn replied.
The teenager waited until the beautiful older woman was watching over her dance partner’s shoulder. Then Dawn leaned against the Colonel and smiled admiringly up at him.
“Oh my,” the Colonel smiled. “That should do it.”
“Do what?” Dawn asked in her best ingénue tone.
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“Buffy!” Tara yelled. “Put him down!”
“Or share him!” Anya and Halfrek screamed out lustily.
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Dawn felt young Calvin’s fingers drifting again. She used the next few steps to corral his wandering hands. He looked at her with a lazy, insolent smile.
“Should I apologize?” he drawled.
“I’m not asking for an apology,” Dawn said firmly. “Just a bit less exploration.”
“Of virgin territory?” he asked with a predatory grin.
“My dear Calvin,” Dawn said easily, “I have a sister and half a dozen well meaning friends wondering the same thing. If I haven’t told them what makes you think I’ll tell you?”
“Because I’m pretty?” Calvin laughed.
“True enough,” Dawn agreed.
“Paul Armitage is almost flat broke, you know,” Calvin said confidentially.
“He should hire out as a dance partner,” Dawn suggested.
“He spends a lot of time with that Wainwright brute,” the young man continued as they danced. “He’s probably gay.”
“Then he should specialize in happily married women and be a hot walker as well,” Dawn said with a grin.
“Not a chance, huh?”
“Not tonight, I’m afraid.”
“Promise me you’ll call me the day you turn eighteen.”
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“It’s all centripetal force combined with an athletic skill,” Willow said.
“Did you happen to notice anything else?” Xander asked.
“Of course!” Willow snorted. “Those gloves help quite a bit too, I’ll bet. I doubt they’re really lace.”
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Dawn took another sip of champagne. The taste was lighter than she was expecting. She leaned against the railing of the balcony and looked out over the ocean. Paul leaned next to her and gently placed his hand over hers.
“Thank you,” Paul said softly.
“It’s been a wonderful night,” Dawn sighed happily.
“I can think of one more thing that might make it better,” Paul said standing straight.
Dawn let him pull her gently upright and kiss her under the stars as the music started up again inside.
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Willow watched the last of Xander’s friends board the bus. She turned to her friend and smiled.
“Was a good time had by all?” she asked.
“It was great, Will,” Xander said. “Not that I had any doubts.”
“Thank you,” Willow grinned. “Liar.”
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“Did you have a good time?” Tara said loudly as Paul and Charles escorted Dawn to the limo.
“It was wonderful,” Dawn replied turning to Paul. “Thank you.”
“Thank you,” Paul said meeting her eyes. “You should come up to the ranch.”
“Well, what we call a ranch,” Charles interjected. “It beats forty acres of mostly rocks.”
“We’d love to come up,” Buffy said pointedly.
“Do you ride?” Charles asked in a tone Dawn didn’t quite catch.
“Sometimes,” Buffy said meeting his eyes.
Tara, Anya, and Halfrek looked at each other and grinned.
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Giles slipped his arm off Cassandra’s shoulders and took her hand. They stepped through the almost shimmer of a portal and looked up at the Summers house. A petite oriental girl sat on the steps reading a book. Next to her a gargoyle read Wired.
“Any problems?” Cassandra asked.
“Two vampires ma’am,” the gargoyle rumbled.
“And a demon that broke his hands on Timmy’s face,” the girl added.
“Timothy, I wish you wouldn’t try to reason with every aggressor,” Cassandra sighed. “You’re going to get hurt one of these days.”
“There are dangers even a stone constitution can’t overcome,” Giles added.
“Sorry,” Timothy said looking down.
“Go on home you two,” Cassandra said easily. “I’ll be along in a minute or so.”
“Personally, I’m betting on so,” the girl quipped as she skipped by lightly.
Giles waited until they were gone before turning back to Cassandra. The succubus smiled at him. Giles took her hands again.
“I’m going to a wedding this Saturday and I don’t have a date,” he said.
“Don’t forget what I am, Rupert,” Cassandra said sadly.
Her wings appeared as did her tail. Her skin was now alabaster, her hair spun gold and her green eyes seemed to burn with lust. Giles kissed her very gently.
“I do sort of remember,” he said looking into her eyes.
The lusty flame dimmed and the outward signs faded as swiftly as they had come. Cassandra sighed. She touched Giles’ jacket as he put it on.
“I’ll see you then,” she smiled.
===========================================================
Tara watched Halfrek and Anya go into Anya’s apartment. They both waved goodbye. The witch headed back down stairs and climbed into the limo. Buffy yawned and Dawn was mostly asleep.
“Stephenson Hall?” the driver asked.
===========================================================
Willow opened her eyes as the bus came to a stop. She looked at the familiar shape of 1630 Revello and started to stand up. Jocasta waited until she was inside before motoring away. Willow locked the door and headed upstairs. She touched the doorknob of her room and stopped. There was a half forgotten scent in the air. She pushed the door open knowing Tara was there. The blonde witch stood up, still in her jacket. The body language Willow knew so well was conflicted. Silence threatened to move in and stay.
“I didn’t know you could dance like that,” Willow said with a small smile.
“Willow-”
“Look, I know there’s things to work out and-and stuff,” Willow said quickly. “Lots of stuff.”
“Things aren’t just going to get better,” Tara said taking a step forward.
“There’s lots to work through and…and I’d understand…”
“If I went home,” Tara finished.
Willow nodded. Tara took another step and framed Willow’s face gently with her hands. Willow’s eyes revealed the hope she wasn’t allowing herself to feel.
“Understand this,” Tara said softly.
Tara’s hands became stronger as they pulled Willow into a kiss. Willow expressed her understanding with her arms as they closed about Tara.
===========================================================
Elizabeth felt a lurch and saw the second path of causality fall into itself and disappear. There was turbulence as the fall reverberated through the timeline she knew. She headed forward swiftly.
===========================================================
“There is a cure for the chip,” the shadowy figure with flame blue eyes said slowly.
“Give it to me,” Spike said in rough whisper.
“Why?”
“Because I want to be the best killer in the world again!” Spike roared. “Get it out of me or kill me! I don’t care which!”
There was a silence in the cave as the eyes dimmed for a moment. Then they were bright and now there was a dim red light, almost a slash that curved upward underneath their glow.
“You may be the answer I have sought for many a lifetime, vampire,” the demon said. “I can make you one of the best killers in the world. That is all I can do.”
“I’ll just have to rise through the ranks myself, eh?”
“Your fate will be in your hands,” the demon agreed.
“Hang on a minute,” Spike said suspiciously. “You don’t mean a cat, do you?”
“No,” the demon replied testily.
“All right then. When do we start?”
by mollyig » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:08 am 
and co. were finished with them.
.
.
, I liked the idea of Willow being more interested in her calculations than the dancers 
more
Hi. I've been reading this fic for hours trying to catch up so i can leave you some well deserved feedback *takes a deep breath*, where to start?
Alcy 
