A/N : Thanx for the latest reviews; Mita247, spikeswife1, Celestria-17, wicked-angel3, i luv spike, Lady Savage, AnitaBlake/BuffyFan, Higgy's Red, Lindsay, Babe in Blue, mistress. Here is the sixteenth and final chapter of this fic. I've really enjoyed writing it, the idea was in my head for months before I actually got around to starting it and now it's all done. Really glad you guys have enjoyed reading, hope you like the ending too! :-)
(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)
Chapter 16 - Prom Night
"Buffy sweetheart, you look beautiful" Joyce Summers grinned from ear to ear as her daughter descended the stairs in her Prom dress. It was a beautiful fabric that shimmered as she walked, apperaring cream at first and then gold when the light caught it. It was off the shoulder and hugged her figure, ending at her knees, with strappy sandals to match and her hair curled and pinned up on her head.
This had all been for Spike's benefit in the first place but even with him gone she knew she had to make an effort. Her parents had been looking forward to her Senior Prom almost as long a she had, as had all her friends. Her night might be ruined, her life in fact may be changed and spoilt, but she wasn't about to wreck the night for everyone else, it meant too much to them.
"Thanks, Mom" she said with a half-hearted smile that lasted just long enough for two photographs before she got to the bottom of the stairs and Dawn took her turn.
"Dawnie, you look so grown up" Hank commented as she posed for a couple of shots and Joyce frowned slightly as she pulled at the front of the dress, attempting to cover more of her younger daughter's skin with the small amount of fabric.
The girl herself was just thrilled to be attending this Prom. Andrew had finally asked her, and tonight was going to be perfect, especially since Spike had planned on a big surprise for Buffy. He was going to show up in his gear, ask her to dance and hold her close whilst she got over her shock that he was still alive. Then he planed to take her up to the bluff on the bike and show her who he really was when they were alone. Dawn only hoped it all went to plan.
"The limo's here girls" Hank interrupted both of his daughters thoughts and they headed outside to the car where the rest of the gang waited.
"Hey Buff, looking good" Xander smiled, still feeling bad about Spike and knowing he'd been a part of the cause of her pain.
Buffy climbed in and sat beside Willow who agreed she looked great. The blonde didn't really answer, just managed a half-smile as Dawnie climbed in behind her and Andrew grinned so wide his face almost split in two.
"Dawnie you look incredible" he told her and she had the good grace to blush.
Angel and Faith seemed to be over any badness in their relationship as they made out in one corner, Xander took full advantage of Cordelia's low cut dress in another, whilst the other two couples chatted animatedly. Buffy stared out of the tinted window and sighed. Tonight should have been so perfect, now it felt as if nothing ever would be again.
- - - - - - -
When the limo pulled up outside Sunnydale High, Dawn and Andrew were first out of the car, with her sister not far behind. The other couples were all so 'busy' they barely noticed the car had stopped moving. Buffy couldn't help the small smile that graced her face as she took in the scene.
Three weeks ago some troublemakers had managed to set part of the school gym on fire and whilst the damage was repairable there was no way of knowing how fast it could be done. Emergency meetings of the Prom committee were held and an idea was soon formed - why not hold the Prom outside? What could make the evening more romantic, special, and memorable, than being out under the stars?
Money for decorations had been spent mostly on fairy lights that hung with vines of fake flowers around white trellis panels, that surrounded a specially built dancefloor and small stage. A marquees to one side held refreshments and there were sections with tables and chairs laid out with white table cloths and ornate centre pieces.
The lights and the music and the atmosphere made it feel like fairyland, though Buffy knew if such a place existed she wouldn't be standing alone in it, magic would bring her love back to her. If only it could be true.
- - - - - - -
"Er, hi" said a small voice from a mini stage that had been constructed next to the dancefloor, "It's time to announce the Prom King and Queen" it was Jonathan who spoke and no-one paid much attention until he said 'Prom King and Queen' then everyone's ears were wide open, wondering who would earn the crowns.
Buffy hid at the back of the crowd, sipping at her punch and thinking about Spike as she had been for the past hour and a half. She couldn't help but wonder how he would look in a tux, what he was really like underneath it all. She loved him as he was, but she would have loved to have known more.
"Prom King for 2004 is...Angel O'Connor" she heard the announcement and rolled her eyes. Like it wasn't obvious he'd get it? She watched Angel dive up onto the stage and accept his crown with a huge grin on his face. Faith was watching too, and Buffy absently thought it was a little unfair that she'd probably get Queen, just because she was dating Angel now...
"And the Sunnydale High Prom Queen of 2004 is...Buffy Summers"
The glass of punch almost slipped from her hands as she heard the words. Angel looked only moderately surprised, whilst Faith looked ready to explode. Buffy shook her head at Jonathan as he urged her onto the stage, the sound of her classmates clapping and cheering re-verberating all around.
With a deep breath she accepted fate and made her way up onto the stage where a tiara type crown was placed upon her head.
"Thankyou" she said into the microphone, just as Angel had done and she vaguely heard Jonathan announce that the Prom King and Queen would now share a dance. She winced at the very idea as Angel silently took her hand and led her back down to the dancefloor. She allowed herself to be pulled into his arms as the music started up again and they moved around the floor without a word. As soon as the other couples filtered in around them and everyone stopped staring, Buffy caught site of a fairly pissed-off looking Faith.
"Hey" she called, waving her over. The brunette sulkily did as she was asked, "I think you should have your boyfriend back now" Buffy said kindly, stepping out of Angel's arms. Faith happily went into them, kissing him soundly as he pulled her close.
Buffy headed towards one of the tables but Dawn quickly intervened.
"Hey Buff, if you wanna dance you could borrow Andrew" her sister told her, "I don't mind, so long as it's just for one song"
"Thanks Dawnie, but I think I'll sit this one out" she smiled at her sisters kind thought and took a seat, watching the younger girl head back to the dancefloor with her date.
Buffy's head soon filled itself with thoughts of Spike again. She just couldn't help but be taken over by memories and dreams of him and all he meant to her. It was all so unfair, to find what you'd been looking for only to have it snatched away just when you were enjoying it so much.
In the distance a motorcycle engine revved and Buffy swivelled in the seat, her rational mind being over-run by her wishes, praying that the sound meant Spike was back somehow. She got the shock of her life when she realised it was the bike beneath Riley Finn that she had heard, riding one side of Adam Walsh's car, containing him and his gang, with Graham Miller riding his motorcycle on the other side. They made a menacing sight, especially since they were driving in a straight line, right towards the dancefloor.
Many a girl screamed in panic, running for their lives as the car pulled up with a bike either side, mere inches from the edge of the dancefloor. Riley and Graham dismounted as Adam and three other large guys climbed out of the car. Angel and his gang were quick to face up to the trouble as all the other students took a step back.
"What are you doin' here Walsh? This ain't your turf" Angel asked the leader of the opposing gang, who smiled evilly.
"You think we care about that, Angel-boy?" he sneered.
"We told you you'd get what was coming to you" Riley reminded them, "Now it's payback time"
With that, the fight began, the girls all shrieking everytime a blow was given and received, whilst a few of the guys decided to get in on the action. They were not happy that their Prom was being ruined, or that their girls had been upset.
Buffy quickly found Dawn and made sure she was safe. Despite the fights they often had, the sisters cared a lot for each other and were soon standing well back from the action, watching in horror as Andrew took a hit and went down.
Dawn yelled and broke free from Buffy's grip as she went running to her fallen dates side. Walsh turned to face the girl, a nasty look in his eye. Her sister opened her mouth to scream Dawn's name when a voice came over the tannoy system making everybody listen.
"Hey, Walsh!" called the voice that grabbed everyone's attention.
"Hey, it's that guy from the Bronze?" one of the gang members frowned and Buffy looked up in utter shock.
"Oh my God!" she gasped.
"No way!" Angel yelled as he tried to pull himself up from the ground where he'd previously fallen.
"Yes way" Dawn smiled as she dragged Andrew off to the side. Okay so this wasn't how Spike had planned the evening, but it was about to get good, she just knew it.
"You want a real fight with a guy who really pissed you off?" Spike challenged an enraged looking Adam Walsh, "Bring it on, Nancy-boy!" he added with a grin, as he leapt from the stage and scrambled onto his bike. He revved the engine before driving full pelt at the shocked looking gang members.
Riley and Graham were the first to take him on but Spike out manoeuvred them at every turn, knocking them off their transport enough times to make them give up. Seeing them go down worried the rest of the gang, all except Adam who stood rooted to the spot, shocked by the turn of events.
"Hey, asshole!" a voice said behind him and he turned around fast, only to receive a severe smack in the face, coupled with a kick in the vitals from one angry brunette in a red dress.
"That's the last time you lay a hand on my guy!" Faith said defiantly as he fell to the ground with a thump, groaning from the pain at either end of his body.
Buffy's eyes were wide as dinner plates as she watched Spike lead Adam's gang a merry dance, til eventually they grabbed up their leader and left at an even higher speed than they'd arrived.
The crowd turned to the hero on the motorcycle as he slowed up next to the stage, abandoning the bike to climb back up onto the podium and grab the mike. He had one final thing to say to this lot before school was permanently out.
"Sunnydale High School, Class of 2004" he yelled, "I came here tonight because I'm in love with Buffy Summers" he told them as she fought threw the crowds to reach the edge of the stage. He spotted her immediately and smiled still as one hand went to his face, "and because there's something I have to tell her..." he added, removing his sunglasses and looking straight at her.
If she was shocked before she was doubly so now as William Spencer jumped down from the stage, landing right beside her. The geek that had asked her out months ago, the guy who helped the guys with their homework and her with her English essay, the guy she had confided in about Spike...all the time he was him, her dream guy. It was too much for her mind to take in.
"What the hell?!" Angel had trouble standing after the fight and the shock of realising that not only was Buffy's mystery man not dead, but that underneath it all he was nothing but a geek.
"You?" Xander gasped as he ran to see what was going on "Homework guy?"
"That's..not what I expected" Oz added as he and Willow stepped forward too.
"No" Angel laughed slightly, looking the boy up and down "seriously, you're not..."
"Yes Angel" the bleached blond cut him off "I am Spike, and William" he explained.
"Gotta hand it to ya English" Faith grinned, slinging an arm around her boyfriends shoulder "you surprised me"
"Surprised myself a bit" Spike smirked, before he turned back to look at Buffy who was still stunned. The look she and Spike shared made Faith realise this was not time for a chat, the needed to be alone.
"I think this'd be a good time to split" she told Angel, dangling his Prom crown on her finger "Okay with you, lover?"
"Yeah, sure" he smiled over at her, turning to leave before changing his mind "Oh, one other thing...here" he said, surprising Spike immensely by taking his crown from Faith and handing it to him.
"But I..." Spike frowned, but Angel shook his head.
"Doesn't go with my outfit" he smiled slightly, slapping him on the back before walking away. In someway that was acceptance, and a huge relief to Spike who didn't really feel up to yet another fight! He placed the crown down on the stage and looked back at Buffy, knowing he owed her a huge explanation.
"Buffy I..."
"Spike! That was amazing!" a young voice yelled, and he was distracted by the young girl that came barrelling towards him, hugging him tight as soon as she reached him.
"You okay, Dawn?" he smiled, hugging her back, loving to see the huge grin on her face when they parted.
"I'm the only Freshman to get invited to the Senior Prom, Spike" she said with a tone of voice that said 'duh!' "I'm having the time of my life!"
"Well, you look the part" he told her, knowing all she wanted was to be a grown up "The dress is stunning" he assured her.
"Thanks" she almost blushed at the comment "not looking so bad yourself" she admitted "but y'know, I kinda got my own man now" she illustrated her point by moving closer to Andrew and taking hold of his hand.
"Finally managed it, eh?" Spike smirked, knowing this was all Dawn had wanted for a long time.
"That thing you did, with the bike, that was incredible!" Andrew enthused, but Spike was getting more and more distracted by the woman still waiting for his explanation.
"Thanks Andrew" he said absently as Dawn nudged her date in the side with her elbow.
"Come on, I think they wanna be alone"
As the crowd dispersed, and calm returned, someone managed to get some quiet music playing and a few couples were soon dancing again whilst some decided they'd had quite enough excitement for one night.
In the middle of it all, Spike, or should it be William?, stood opposite Buffy with an apologetic look on his face.
"I thought you were dead" she told him with tears in her eyes, though he was still unsure as to what she was really feeling right now.
"I'm sorry, luv" he told her, not knowing what else to say. He had whole speeches he'd planned for tonight and now it came to the crunch all his words escaped him. She stepped closer to him and reached out a hand to her face, fingers tracing the scar that ran through his eyebrow, before moving back through his hair.
"I can't believe it was you all along" she whispered, emotion over coming her.
"I wanted to tell you, pet" he told her just as quietly, "really I did..."
"Sshh" she hushed him, so close he felt the sound more than he heard it before she brought her lips to his and initiated a kiss that made his head spin as well as her own. Her arms wound round his neck as his hands went to her waist and pulled her closer.
Moments later, when oxygen became an issue for both of them, they parted but not by much, foreheads still touching as they both smiled.
"Wow" Spike was feeling so many different and wonderful emotions he didn't know where to begin "I never thought you'd kiss me like if you knew I was William" he said honestly and Buffy couldn't help but laugh.
"You are so mentally challenged!" she exclaimed, tears of joy and relief and heaven only knows what rolling down her cheeks "I'm kissing you like this because you are William" she told him solemnly "and because you're Spike, and because you cared enough to be what I wanted" she lowered her eyes to her shoes as she added "I just feel awful for making you change"
"Don't feel so bad about it, luv" he told her, lifting her chin with his fingers until their eyes met again "I happen to kind of like the new me" he told her with a tilt of his head and a smirk.
"Yeah?" Buffy smiled again now "Well, I pretty much love the new you...I love all of you" she said in total seriousness and it was all he ever wanted to hear. He lowered his head and kissed her then as literal fireworks went off overhead.
"I love you too, pet" he whispered, pulling her close as he could get her.
And off to the side some uninformed student squinted her eyes and pointed in the general direction of the couple as she whispered to her friend;
"Who's that guy?"
--The End--
A/N2 : Well, that's it, all over. Please leave a final review and let me know what you think. I'm gonna take a little break from posting fic for a while. I have some ideas I want to work out for new stories and also a lot of other non-fic related stuff that I want to deal with at the moment. Don't worry, I shall return with more Spuffy soon! In the meantime, please let me know what you think of this story, either the whole thing if you didn't review before or the finale if you're one of my regular readers/reviewers. Catch ya later guys! :-)