Previously on Buffy: Buffy's mom finds out about her daughters relationship; Buffy has dinner with Spike's mother. After cleaning up, things get a little…wet up in Spike's bedroom. Then, Buffy catches a naughty little show to fuel her Spikey fantasies…

A week later Spike presented Buffy with a necklace adorned with three tiny charms. Upon inspection, she saw that they were music-related. A tiny drum stick and clarinet were separated by a miniscule pair of eighth-notes.

Her face brightened at the thoughtfulness of this present and she leapt into his arms and kissed him, joyfully oblivious as to who was watching. Dancing away before he could catch her, she finally stood still so that he could fasten it around her neck.

He fingered it affectionately. "Lovely…"

She blushed and handed him a small envelope. Upon opening it, Spike found two tickets to a rock concert on the edge of town. He looked pleased and when he glanced up at her, he questioned, "Two tickets? Whomever should I take to such an event…? I'll have to think about this one." He looked playfully thoughtful.

She punched his arm.

"Ow!"

"Jerk."

He gathered her up in his arms. "Thanks, pet. Happy one month…"

She smiled. "Happy Anniversary, Spike."

The next month passed quickly, with Spike coming over for Thanksgiving, their Christmas concert going smoothly, the rock concert leading to some steamy making out in the back of the Desoto, Spike lugging armfuls of bags as Buffy Christmas shopped, and Xander's growing ever distant from her.

By then, there were rumors everywhere of Spike and Buffy's togetherness, but they neither confirmed nor denied anything. She found it strange that Xander had yet to ask. There were many times she'd nearly told him, but it was almost as if he didn't want to know. Finally, she resolved to let him know in some roundabout way. Yes, she decided. That would make it much easier.

When school let out for break, Buffy planned a movie night at her house, and when the night rolled around, she was a bit anxious as to what Xander's reaction would be to Spike's presence in her home. As she set out a bowl of popcorn, the doorbell rang with Willow, Tara, and Anya on the other side. The trio rushed past her and all started jabbering at once.

"Is Spike here yet?"

"Buffy don't be nervous because- "

"Xander has no idea Spike is coming."

"It's good Spike's not here yet because- "

"Do you have ice? I wanted to make strawberry daiquiris…"

"Wait!" Buffy cried. Silence fell as everyone gazed at her tense features. "Just sit in the living room and be calm," she instructed. "Spike and Xander could be here any minute. Oh god, I'm nervous. Is Oz coming?"

"Later."

As Buffy ushered them into the living room, the bell rang again. It was Xander. He thrust a tray of brownies at her and said, "Brought some nummy goodness for ya. Anya here?"

"She's in the living room."

He brushed past her and joined his girlfriend. Buffy took the store bought brownies to the counter and turned to see Spike calmly entering her house. He saw her and cornered her against the counter, his hips holding hers in place.

She eyed at the kitchen door nervously and said, "Not now, Xander might- "

"The whelp can sod off. Why haven't you told him, Buffy?" Spike's eyes narrowed as he gazed down at her questioningly. "I've been patient, but I want everyone to know you're mine." He spoke roughly, but there was also a note of pleading underlying his tone.

"That's what tonight is for."

"We said over a month ago that we were going to be open about us!"

Finally, her eyes met his. "We are! Everyone knows."

"Except Xander." There was a sneer in Spike's voice as he said the other young man's name.

"Except him. But after tonight, he will." She gazed up at Spike, willing him to understand. She clutched at his hand, holding it so that he wouldn't back away from her.

"Well, we'll just see how well this goes," Spike said with a sardonic eye roll, tugging his hand from hers.

Buffy glanced around Spike to see Xander standing in the doorway staring at them incredulously. "What is he doing here?" the brunette demanded. "I thought this was our group movie night. No bleached assholes allowed, right?"

Spike stepped away from Buffy and took a menacing step towards her friend. "Keep it up boy, and I'll show you what happens to gits who can't keep their mouths shut."

Buffy hurried forward, grabbing Spike's arm. "Ook, we're all friends here- "

"Friends? Buffy, this is Spike. Or have you forgotten? Please don't tell me those rumors are true…"

In response, Spike stepped back and placed a possessive hand on Buffy's hip, the other coming up to stroke her hair and then rest on her shoulder. Judging by his earlier stiffness, Buffy knew he'd only done it to be antagonizing. Sure enough, Xander glanced between them and wordlessly turned and made his way out the front door. Buffy opened her mouth soundlessly and then rushed after him.

"Xander!" she exclaimed as the door slammed shut behind her. "Xander, please wait…"

He whirled on her. "Why? So I can watch you and that asshole make moon eyes at each other all night? Buffy, how could you not tell me?"

"I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to react like this."

"You think I didn't know? You think I'm stupid?" His voice was filled with pain. "Buffy, I knew, and I spent the last month wondering when I was gonna hear it from you."

She stepped towards him. "I'm sorry. Did Anya tell you?"

"No. No, Anya didn't tell me. It's nice to know you have my own girlfriend keeping secrets from me. I heard it from Jonathan, and had it confirmed by a flag girl." He shook his head. "That's how I found out my best friend was dating her enemy of four years. Well, that and coming to her house to find you groping him in the kitchen."

"I wasn't- "

"Not the point," he interjected.

"Xander I- I just didn't want you to be upset."

He scoffed. "You've got a real funny way of showing it. But then again, it's obvious your judgment's been suffering lately." He paused, glancing up to the porch where Anya had appeared. "When he breaks your heart, don't come crying to me."

"He won't," she said firmly. "Just please try to understand."

"Too late for that." He backed down the sidewalk, nearly bumping into Oz who had just arrived, and called, "Anya, you coming?" The concerned girl hurried down the walk. She cast an apologetic look at Buffy and followed him to his car.

Crestfallen, the blonde traipsed up her steps and pushed her way through the front door. Spike took one look at her and quipped, "Cat's out of the bag, i'nnit now luv?"

She gave him an ugly look at said "Try to be a little more understanding? He's just looking out for me."

"Yeah," he snorted. "If you ask me, the bloke's just jealous. Wants a little bit of Buffy for himself…"

"Don't be stupid!" she snapped. "We're friends alright? I know you can't understand not wanting to do every girl you meet, but that's not how it is."

He raised his eyebrows. "Well in that case, I'm off. Maybe I'll wander about, think about shagging all the pretty little bints I see, but I don't have to stay here, listening to this from you."

Her jaw dropped in surprise. About to ask him to stay, she snapped it shut. If that's how he wanted to be… "Fine, go. I don't care. You've probably been doing it all along anyway. Just get out of my house."

He smirked at her. "Ta, luv." Giving her some British version of the peace sign, he breezed through the front door, sauntered down the steps, greeted his fellow drummer who was waiting patiently at the bottom, and disappeared into the night.

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she sought to compose herself in front of Oz, who gave her a sympathetic nod as he gently closed the door behind him and made his way to the living room. Buffy swallowed the lump in her throat, took a deep breath, and went to rejoin her friends…

Hey guys, I know it's been a really long time, and, truth be told, I kinda gave up on this story, but the fact that I was still getting reviews on it after over 2 years of no updates made me reconsider. I didn't mean to leave you all hanging like that, please don't hate me, but life gets busy, people get writers block…you know. Here's another chapter and if people still seem interested I really will make time to finish it. So please review if you guys are want more. Thanks!!