Title: Humanitis
Author: Saber ShadowKitten

(notes in part one)

Spike pulled at the collar of his starched white shirt, wanting to rip the bow tie off and shove it down someone's throat. Willow and Oz were waiting in the limo along with Xander and his date...Cordelia, believe it or not...while the former vampire stood in the Summers' foyer waiting for Buffy.

The three weeks had passed by rapidly, with Buffy and Spike spending hours on the phone together. Oz had gone down to LA to assist the peroxide blond in getting a tux, corsage and arranging for a second limo to take the former enemies back to Spike's house after the prom. He'd arranged with Joyce for Buffy to spend the weekend again, including Senior Skip day the following Monday, which to his surprise, she readily agreed. This weekend was to be the weekend and everything was going to be perfect. *Unless she never comes down the bloody stairs,* he thought, switching the white corsage to the other hand.

"She'll be down in a minute," Joyce said, coming down the stairs with the overnight bag. "I'll leave this by the door for you to pick up later."

"Thanks, Joyce," Spike replied. "For everything."

"You're welcome, Spike," Joyce said with a smile. She hid the bag in the living room and picked up the camera off the coffee table. "Don't worry. I promised I'd only take a couple."

"Hi," came a soft greeting from the stairs. Spike turned from Joyce and he felt his collar tighten again at the vision before him. Swallowing heavily, he let his eyes travel from her upswept hair, over the scoop-necked, pale yellow dress, which was cinched around her just below her breasts, leaving the rest loose and airy as it fell just below her knees. Her feet were encased in matching, strapped, heeled sandals. Around her neck was a simple, gold cross similar to the one she'd given him and she was carrying a small clutch.

"You look..." Spike was at a loss for words, his heart pounding in his chest. "Bloody fucking hell," he swore quietly as she finished descending the stairs. She walked right up before him and smiled, making him swallow nervously again.

"You look good, too," Buffy said. She saw the camera flash and turned to give her mother a look. "Mom."

"Just a couple," Joyce said, holding up the camera.

Buffy looked back up at Spike and rolled her eyes. "Humor her," she told him, hooking her arm through his and turning them both to her mom. Joyce snapped a few more pictures before Buffy called a halt. "That's enough, mom."

Spike was still stunned in silence as Buffy came back into his line of vision. She was grinning up at him and he couldn't breathe. "Is that for me?" she asked, pointing to the corsage.

"What?" Spike said, coming out of his stupor. "Oh. For you. Yes."

"And to think, you just learned your three letter words today," Buffy joked.

He scowled at her, fully snapping back to reality. "Very funny, Slayer."

"I know," she replied as he opened the box and took the white orchid out. She held out her hand and he slid it over her wrist to the snap of another picture. "Mo-om."

"Sorry, honey," Joyce said, clearly not.

"We'd better go before I go blind from the flash," Buffy said, opening the front door. "I'll see you in the morning mom."

Joyce winked at Spike. "Have fun."

"Goodnight, Joyce," Spike replied, closing the door behind him. He held out his arm to Buffy. "Shall we, milady?"

Buffy giggled. "Let's roll."

"Wow, Buffster, looking good," Xander commented as they joined the group in the limo.

"You can't even tell that you've gained weight," Cordelia added. Xander pinched her arm. "Ow! What was that for?"

He leaned over to whisper in her ear as Oz spoke up, "You do look good, Buffy."

"Thanks, Oz," Buffy said. "It was a pain trying to find a dress."

"But we did," Willow piped in. "And only after twenty-two stores."

Spike looked over at Buffy, wondering about the brunette's comment. She looked the same to him, but he'd never seen her in a dress before. She'd been wearing long, loose T-shirts when she was over three weeks ago. He tugged at the collar again and she swatted his hand away, re- straightening the tie. "So, guys, what is everyone doing tomorrow?"

"Oz and I are going to the Wharf," Willow replied, taking her boyfriends hand. "I've never been there before."

"It's a nice place, Willow," Spike told her, then frowned. "Although I haven't been there in twenty years."

"That's right, you're old," Cordelia said, looking at Spike. "Wait, how old are you? Angel old?"

"Cordy, he can't be that old, seeing as how Deadboy was the one who made him," Xander said. He turned to Buffy. "Speaking of dead things, where is my least favorite person tonight? Usually he's hanging around you like a dog on a bone."

"Angel's patrolling tonight, since Faith is going to the prom, too," Buffy answered, ignoring Spike's sullen look at the mention of his sire. "And he does not hang around me that much."

"Actually, Buffy, he does," Oz said.

"Guys-"

"He doesn't hang around her other than to keep her safe," Willow commented. "It's not like Faith is going to help now that she is pre-"

"Willow!" Buffy interrupted loudly with a glare to her friend. Embarrassed silence filled the limo and Spike wondered what was going on between the friends.

"So, Spike. How old did you say you were?" Cordelia asked, breaking the silence. "And don't you feel kinda weird going to a high school prom?"

The Senior Prom was held in the high school gym, which the cheerleader said was tacky but it was better than the Bronze. Decorations and tables were set up around the large room, almost hiding the fact that it was the gym. A DJ blasted music over several speakers as the group entered. Cordelia immediately pulled Xander to the photographer set up in one corner, wanting to get the picture taken before the night ruined her makeup or hairstyle.

"I can't believe those two are kinda back together again," Buffy commented as they went off.

"Hellmouth," Oz summed it up in one word.

"Hey, B, red, wolf-boy," Faith greeted as she came up to them, punch in hand. She looked Spike over from head to toe in a predatory fashion. "Who's the hottie?"

Buffy moved closer to Spike protectively, staking her claim. "This is Spike, my date."

"Got ya," Faith said. "I'm Faith."

"The other Slayer," Spike said, placing her.

"The same," Faith replied.

"Now that introductions are over," Buffy said, latching onto Spike's arm. "We're going to dance."

"Laters," Faith said as Buffy dragged Spike away.

"I take it you want to dance," Spike chuckled as they joined the throng of students on the floor.

"I didn't like the way she was looking at you," Buffy growled.

"Jealous, pet?"

"No. I don't want you to get rabies," she replied, wrapping her arms around his neck despite that it was a fast song. They danced together for several songs before the Slayer called a break, having to go to the ladies room, which was one of the downfalls of being pregnant - frequent potty breaks.

"Having fun?" Willow asked as she and Oz joined Spike at the table while he waited for Buffy.

"Yes," Spike replied. "Although if any other bloke looks at the Slayer, it might get a bit bloody in here."

"She is sort of glowy tonight," Oz commented thoughtfully.

"Aren't moms-to-be normally glowy?" Willow asked her boyfriend. Her eyes widened when she realized what she said and quickly looked at Spike. To her relief, he wasn't paying attention because Buffy was walking to the table. "That was close," she whispered to Oz.

"Slightly," Oz agreed.

Buffy sat down at the table with a sigh. "Dancing sure makes a Slayer hungry."

"Want me to get you something, pet?" Spike asked, leaning towards her, resting his forearms on his knees.

"Nah, I can wait a little longer," she told him. She looked up in time to see Giles heading for them and groaned. "No saving the world tonight, dad. I've been a good girl."

"Wh-what?" Giles said in confusion as he came up to the table.

"Never mind," Buffy said. "What's up doc?"

"I only came to wish you a pleasant weekend," Giles told her, then looked sheepishly at Willow. "And to ask if you could unfreeze that infernal machine for me."

Willow smiled. "Of course," she said, standing as did Oz. "See ya later, Buffy."

The three left and Buffy sighed in relief. "Good. I don't want to be the Slayer this weekend. I want to be Buffy, normal girl."

"You could never be normal, luv," Spike commented with a grin. He stood and held out his hand. "Dance?"

The hours passed rapidly and before they knew it, students and their dates were slowly heading out to after prom parties or other activities. Spike held Buffy close as they danced to the music, oblivious to those around them.

That's all I wanted
Something special, something sacred
In your eyes.
For just one moment
To be bold and naked
At your side.

Sometimes I think that you'll never
Understand me.
Maybe this time is forever
Say it can be.

That's all you wanted
Something special, someone sacred
In your life.
Just for one moment
To be warm and naked
At my side.

Sometimes I think that you'll never
Understand me.
But something tells me together
We'd be happy.

I will be your father figure
Put your tiny hand in mine
I will be your preacher teacher
Anything you have in mind.
I will be your father figure
I have had enough of crime
I will be the one who loves you
Until the end of time.

"Ready to go, pet?" Spike asked quietly.

"Where?" Buffy asked in reply.

"It's a surprise," he answered with a small smile. She nodded and he led her outside after a quick goodbye to the others to the waiting limo. She looked at him with an arched eyebrow, but got in as he held the door for her. They pulled up in front of her house and he told her to wait as he climbed out. He returned almost immediately, handing the driver the overnight bag before getting back into the limo.

"Where are we going?" Buffy asked again as they pulled away from her house.

"I'm squirreling you away until Monday night," Spike replied. "To have my wicked way with you." Her eyes widened as her heart caught in her throat at his devilish grin. He pulled her into the closer to him, his arm around her waist. "It's a two hour drive, luv. Rest while you can."

"Oh," she said breathlessly.