The beautiful banner made by my friend Harlow Turner. I had told @austennerdita2533 about this fic and gave her a snippet it. This is my first song fic and the song is Pink Champagne by Carrie Underwood.
Buffy comes into her bedroom after a Scooby meeting, mentally and physically exhausted. She wants to go to sleep. She lifted the comforter, saw a piece of parchment with beautiful scripture, and picked it up. Turning on the light on her nightstand, she noticed yellow roses in a gorgeous crystal vase that twinkled in the moonlight.
“Love Buffy, I know how stressful these last few weeks have been for you; the only time you felt content was when you were Joan. I want to show you, sweetheart, that it will not always be this way. Tomorrow I’ll pick you up at 8 p.m. and wear a gorgeous frock and show you how life should be, we’ll even be Joan and Randy if you want. Just give me a chance.
A small part of her is saying throw the letter away but everything else is saying she can’t every word has made her heart race. She looks at the letter again with a huge smile from ear to ear. Spike understood exactly what she needed: a night of freedom—no pretending and no judgment—just Buffy.
The next night, Dawn pokes her head into Buffy’s room, but when she sees her sister looking at herself in the mirror, she stops and comes in.
Buffy jumped and nearly jabbed her mascara brush into her eye. “Dawnie, knock next time you scared me.”
Dawn walks behind Buffy and looks in the mirror at Buffy’s dress and curled hair. “You’re all dressy; what's the occasion?”
Buffy looks at herself for another moment, then looks at Dawn through the mirror. “I’m going out with Spike.” She murmured.
Dawn has a massive smile as she looks at Buffy, fiddling with the bottom of her dress. “Come again; I didn’t quite hear what you said.”
Buffy turned around and looked Dawn in the eyes. “I’m going out with Spike.”
Dawn squeals with excitement and jumps up and down. This is finally happening. The doorbell rings, and Buffy nervously smooths down her dress. “Oh my gosh! I’ll go answer the door. You're going to blow him away. I love you guys!”
Dawn opened the door, and she was stunned. Spike changed his regular clothing for a black dress shirt with a paisley design, black dress trousers, and a leather jacket. Dawn then noticed what was in his hand, and her smile grew. “Buffy will be...“ She stops when she sees Spike's eyes move past her and looks towards the stairs in awe. The room suddenly becomes thick with anticipation.
Buffy comes down the stairs like an angel. She has on a black spaghetti strap cut-out cocktail bandage dress. It’s cut into a v in the front; not only can you see the side of her breasts, but you can see just below her breasts. The sides are cut out so you can see her sun-kissed Californian skin. She also has black heels and a black clutch.
Dawn looks at Buffy and then at Spike. "Spike, are you okay?”
He blinks a couple of times to make sure he’s not dreaming; she looks like a sexy goddess. “You look gorgeous.” He hands her a bouquet of yellow and black roses.
She smiles at the roses, she didn’t expect him to bring her flowers let alone colored roses. “Thank you. You look handsome too.”
She hands them to Dawn as Spike asks if she’s ready to go. She nods.
Buffy stops halfway down the sidewalk when she sees the black Porsche in the driveway. “Spike, where did you get a Porsche?”
“Borrowed it from a friend. I wanted everything to be perfect for our date tonight.” Spike has dreamed of taking Buffy on a real date since he realized he loved her. A date where he asks her out and she accepts, they get dressed up and go to a fancy dinner.
He opens the passenger's side door for her and waits for her to get in. Once they are both in, she looks over at him, her big green eyes full of wonder. “Where are we going on our first date?”
“Third date.” He’s not expecting anything from this date. He just wants her to have fun, smile, and maybe even laugh.
She raises an eyebrow, confused about where she was during their first two dates. “This is the first time we’ve been on a date.”
Spike starts the car and pulls out of the driveway. He places his hand on her bare leg as he drives. “Our first date was when I told you about the past slayers I killed. Our second date was when you got drunk and I took you to kitten poker.”
“That first night ended up with me throwing money at you, saying you're beneath me, resulting in you wanting to kill me but instead comforting me when you saw I was crying. And kitten poker was fun. I still can’t believe you play for kittens, which is still stupid currency.”
His thumb brushes over her thigh, he is smiling and relaxed. This is one of the happiest moments in his life. “Not every love story is smooth sailing, pet.”
“So where are we going for our first or third date?”
“I was thinking about dinner, dancing, and then seeing where the night takes us.”
Buffy looks at him, really looks at him; he has a hand on the wheel, and his other hand is still on her thigh. She can’t help it but when he put his hand on her thigh it calmed any doubt she had about tonight.
Anyone can see that Spike is beyond ecstatic that he is officially going on a date with Buffy, the woman he loves. She actually accepted his offer.
She crooks her head while studying him. He’s told her and shown it in different ways, but it's as if she's looking at him in a new light tonight. Tonight he’s not annoying, always popping up Spike. Tonight he is her date, William.
She is still struggling a bit with coming back from the dead. It’s been better since Giles gave them what the council owed her for all the times she saved the world and for dying twice.
They pass the leaving Sunnydale sign. “Are we not having dinner in town?"
“There are no good restaurants; the only good ones are in LA.”
"Spike, please tell me we are not going to LA.”
He side-eyes her. “What’s the worry, love? Captain forehead is probably off brooding somewhere; he won't even know we are in town.”
Buffy takes a breath, looking down at her hands and his on her thigh, and tells him. “The last time I was in LA was that whole sitch with Faith. I went to save Angel from Faith, but I found out he was protecting her. I was mad. I hit Angel, and he punched me in the face. After Faith turned herself in, Angel told me to get out of his town. He followed me back to Sunnydale to apologize, but still, that’s something you don’t forget. I loved Angel, and he protected the woman who took my body and did things, and he hit me.”
Spike's hand on her thigh tightens; Buffy puts a hand over his instinctively; her touch relaxes him, and his hand loosens up his thumb brushes over hers. He is so mad at Angel for treating Buffy that way. He has only punched Buffy when they were fighting, and that was before he realized he was in love with her. Angel never deserved someone as beautiful and kind hearted as Buffy. “I thought the last time was when he found out you were alive.”
She shakes her head, he adds. “I knew you weren’t you that night. I didn’t know who was driving your body, but I knew it wasn’t you.”
Buffy smiles a little at him; aside from Tara, only Spike knew it wasn’t her. He asks her, “If you want, we can find somewhere else to eat.”
She takes a breath and looks down at their hands. She still has a hand on his, and his thumb is caressing her thumb. “No, you worked so hard to set up this date, I don't want to ruin it.”
Spike brings her hand up to his lips and gently kisses them. “You could never, I promise you good memories of LA tonight.”
Buffy turns the radio on, and they hear.
“I can get intoxicated on you, baby, anytime.
They pull up to a fancy LA restaurant. Spike opens her door and holds his hand out for her. She smiles as she places her hand in his. Amazed at this restaurant and how it fuses both indoors and outdoors perfectly. The doors are open to the outdoor dining area, and there are plants inside.
The host asks them if they have a reservation. Buffy looks up at Spike, and he cheekily says, "Yes, under Randy Giles.”
Buffy tries to hide her smile when she hears that. The host looks at his list and tells them to follow him.
They are seated at a private table for two outside. The entire outdoor seating was reserved for them. Instead of chairs, there is a little loveseat for two with pillows overlooking the patio seating.
“How did you find this place?”
Spike has his arm across the back of the loveseat. “I know the guy who owns the restaurant, he's a friend. His daughter wanted to meet a vampire like the ones from her books. He called me up and I met her, but when she tried to touch me, I told her I was a one-woman kind of man; I’m already taken.”
Buffy raises her eyebrows not expecting that explanation and says, “That was nice of you, but does your girlfriend know you’re on a date with me?”
He chuckles. “The owner told me the next time I’m in town, the meal is on him. The daughter was disappointed I was taken, so I sent her to a broody vampire who is lonely.”
Buffy can’t help but let out a little laugh. “You sent her to Angel?”
“Give the old granddad some fun in his life.” Spike smiles it’s been so long since he’s heard her laugh it’s an angelic melody to his ears.
He had ordered whiskey, and she got a cucumber martini. “So you’re taken?” She takes a sip and scrunches up her face. Buffy and alcohol, no mixy. Spike softly smiles at her, his eyes twinkling.
He nods as he takes a drink. "By a gorgeous woman, she glows; her heart is so big, but it’s taken some beatings in the past, and she has put up some walls because of that. Everyone is always asking her for things and expecting things from her. I don’t want anything from her. I love her; I don't know if she feels something for me. I'm not going to pressure her. She knows she can be alone with me, and I’m there to listen to her or just sit in silence with her.”
Buffy smiles at him and places her hand on his arm. “Who is this woman that has captured your heart?”
He smiles at her tenderly and says, “Buffy.”
She closes her eyes and wills back the tears. She knows Spike loves her but hearing him say this and everything she is going through is a lot for her. She has never had anyone like Spike in her life, he gets her in a way nobody has ever got her. She can never fool him and she doesn’t have to pretend around him or hold back with him. They are always upfront with each other. Her voice is so small, as she says. “Spike, you're going to make me cry here in this beautiful restaurant.”
“I’m sorry, love; I didn’t mean to.” She can hear his worry and regret about saying anything in his voice.
She cups his cheek and looks into his piercing blue eyes. “No, happy tears; that was beautiful; nobody has ever said anything like that to me before.”
He wraps his arms around her, and she snuggles into his embrace as a tear falls down her face.
Angel is hunting a demon when he cuts through a parking lot. He is running past cars. When he stops for a second, looking around, he knows that scent;That’s Buffy. But that can’t be; she would tell him if she were in his town. Before he can go look for her, Wesley and Gunn come running up to him. "Angel, the demon, he’s getting away.”
Buffy had ordered a molten chocolate cake for dessert. The first bite is an explosion of chocolatey oozy goodness and oh it’s melted chocolate in the middle. “Oh my god! This is the best thing I’ve ever had in my mouth.”
She picks up another piece with her fork and offers it to him. He’s not going to deny her. He opens his mouth, and she places the fork in his mouth. She's so adorable and he’s so happy she is enjoying herself. "Mmm, you’re right, that is good.”
He glides his finger through the melted chocolate and holds up his finger. Buffy licks her lips slowly. Glancing between his eyes watching her and his delicious chocolate covered finger. Buffy can not believe that Spike set all of this up just for her. He just wanted to do something nice for her. She has been so lost and everyone has been trying so desperately expecting her to just bounce back from being ripped out of heaven. Except Spike she knows he’s happy she’s back she can see it in his face, but he doesn’t hover over her or want anything from her. Instead he listens to her if she needs someone to lean on. He has become her person, she goes to him when she’s sad he makes life worth living. Buffy is happy right now; this is exactly what she needed.
A low growl emerges from Spike as he watches Buffy lick his chocolate covered finger up and down. Close her lips around his finger and suck. It's one of the most erotic things he’s ever seen. God this woman, he could dust right now a happy man.
They finish the chocolate dessert, and the plate is taken away. Buffy hears the open doors separating the inside from the outside shutting, and soft music can be heard from a speaker.
When she looks over at Spike he is standing next to her with his hand outstretched. “Want to dance, love?”
A small smile spreads across her face as she places her hand in his. Buffy didn’t know what to expect from this date but was blown away by the thoughtfulness.
The room is spinning, making me sway
And I ain’t even had to go
And I open a bottle of wine tonight.”
As they sway, Buffy tells him. “Much better than the last time I was in LA.”
Spike smiles to himself. He is on cloud nine right now. He wants to give Buffy everything; she deserves everything. He wants to be the one she loves, the one she comes home to and snuggles up with. He will be there side by side fighting demons with her.
After killing the demon, Angel went back to that parking lot. Where he smelled Buffy, but her scent was gone. Angel shakes his head. He is losing it.
Spike glances over at Buffy; his hand is on Buffy’s thigh again. they share a smile and he almost hits a tall green demon with red horns in a red suit running out into the street.
“I did not want to kill anything tonight. Demons don’t go poof like vampires.”
Spike glances over at Buffy to see if she’s ok, she nods. The demon knocks on the driver's window. Demons don’t normally knock or wear suits. He rolls down his window, and the demon tells them. “Hi, I’m the host; you can call me Lorne. I can read people's auras, and as you were driving by, I got overwhelmed by you, diamond, and slim. If you may follow me into my club, I can give you a better reading. Help you on your path.”
Spike looks at Buffy; they both know that since she has come back, she has kind of been pathless, just going through the motions. She is trying to be okay so the others don’t worry. The only time she is happy is when she is with Spike. She nods at him.
The blonde couple follows the demon into his club. “How does this work?”
"I can read you the best if you sing.”
“Do you have any relation to a demon named Sweet?” Buffy’s body shakes memories of being in a musical coming back to her.
Lorne shakes his head, and Spike chuckles at the question.
Buffy takes a breath as she begins to sing the song that she heard in the car.
“One more round of you won’t hurt me.
I need you right now in a hurry.
Cause your love (baby) gets me more buzzed than pink champagne.”
Spike smiles at her and sings the last line with her. “Got me addicted, don’t want to fix it.”
Buffy wraps her arms around his waist and he wraps his arms around her. Buffy lets out a breath. She does not want to be hurt anymore and she knows that Spike would never hurt her. It’s the people she calls her friends who hurt her and would never accept her dating Spike. It feels like her friends do not want her to be happy. They pulled her out of heaven, told her she is broke and is expecting her to fix all their problems, but nobody is seeing that she has problems too. Except for Spike all he has done is try to help her with her problems and help take some of the burden off her.
Lorne settles down at the bar and wipes his tears, emotions, feelings and thoughts flood through him. He Abruptly stands up and hurries over to the entrance when he sees who just entered his club.“Not a good time, Angel Cakes.”
"Lorne, you don’t understand...Buffy?”
Lorne puts a hand on his chest to stop him from charging at the couple, “Angel food.”
Lorne turns his attention back to Buffy and Spike.“That was Cher-rific. Your auras are so strong. My Diamond, you are not empty inside; you are filled with love. You closed yourself off after Mr. Tall Dark and Rockin left you, but from what I’ve seen, Spike is not going to leave you. Every moment spent with Spike breaks through the walls of depression. Slim, you love with your whole heart. You are one of a kind; you’re a vampire, but you love so strongly and feel things so deeply. You do have a soul, the demon could never take that away from you. You always knew what you wanted to be and what you didn’t want to be. Stay on this path together; your future is bright for both of you. There will be hardships, but if you’re together, you can overcome anything.”
Buffy and Spike are still holding each other. He has his arms around her, and her hands are on his chest. They are gazing into each other’s eyes and smiling at each other.
Lorne smiles at the happy couple as he claps his hands. “Pink Champagne for Slim and Diamond.”
“Mate, Buffy doesn’t like the taste of alcohol.”
He lowers his voice and leans down to her ear. “You do make the most adorable face when you drink it, though.”
She shyly smiles up at him as she tells Lorne. “Spike isn’t a champagne person; he's more bourbon or whiskey.”
“Everyone loves Pink Champagne.”
As Lorne has his back to everyone, Angel sees his opportunity and huffs over to the couple. “How do you know each other’s drink orders?”
“Angel?” Buffy doesn't leave Spike's embrace, she likes the feeling of Spike's strong arms holding her, she feels safe in his embrace. She didn’t even notice Angel was here; when did he arrive? How long has he been here?
“What are you doing here, you Magnificent Poof?
Angel touches Spike's arm around Buffy’s waist to free Buffy; she clearly needs his help. “Sod off wanker!"
“Stop touching my date!” Buffy pushes Angel’s hand away from Spike. She is the only one who gets to touch Spike.
Angel looks between them and takes in their date night attire. “You’re on a date? Buffy, are you under a spell? This is Spike here.”
Buffy scoffs; of course, she couldn’t go on a date or hang out with Spike unless she was under a spell. It’s not like she could like him on her own. She gets Spike, and he gets her; he doesn’t demand things from her. He’s happy to just sit in silence with her, listen to her, and be there for her when she needs someone. Buffy really likes that she can depend on Spike; he is there for her through thick and thin.
“No, I'm not under a spell. For the first time in a while, I’m having fun. I’ve been so lost and lonely lately, and Spike is the only one who noticed. He’s the only one who has been there for me.”
Spike’s fingers grazed her cheek. “Till the end of the world.” His voice is so soft, and it makes her insides explode with happiness knowing that someone will never leave her.
“Buffy, it’s Spike. Can you trust him? He’s a monster.”
Spike scoffs offended. Not only is Angel interrupting his date with Buffy, but that's rich of Angel to call him a monster. “Listen, you miserable bastard. You tried to make me a monster you failed; you don’t like me because I’m everything you’re not and never can be. I’m not like you, my soul never left when I turned into a vampire. With one without one I’m a good person. Take yours away, and you’re an animal. I was a gentleman when I was human, and I’m still a gentleman. I've just upgraded; you were a ponce, and now you're a gormless tit. I asked Buffy out tonight because I knew she needed to have some fun. She has been through a traumatic event, and nobody is seeing what they’ve done to her. I’ve seen the glimpses she’s let me in. I’m trying to help her. Where were you when the woman you claim you love died? You didn’t check on her family once; I took care of her little sister, made sure she went to school, helped her with her homework, made sure she was eating and not killed by demons. Do you even know how hard it has been for Buffy?”
Buffy looks up at Spike again, like it’s the first time she has seen him. He took care of Dawn when she was dead; he did not have to; she knew he promised, but a lot happened that night. She would not hold it against him if he did not keep his promise. “You looked after Dawn?”
“I made a promise to a lady, a lady that I love. I almost couldn’t. I was so heartbroken and sobbing at seeing you like that. I didn’t realize the sun was coming up so soon. Luckily, Clem was walking home. He got me back to my crypt.”
Buffy cups his cheek wiping a tear sliding down Spike's face, he leans into her soft touch. He cries everytime he thinks of seeing Buffy’s lifeless body laying in front of him. “I’ll have to thank him. Next time you take me to kitten poker.”
Spike raises his eyebrows and smirks down at her, tightening his arms around her. “Next time, pet?”
“I still think it’s stupid currency, but there can be a next time.”
Spike leans his forehead against hers. Their eyes closed. Savoring this moment between them. She has tried on his world, and he’s right, it did feel good. She wants to make a world with him.
Angel begins again. “I didn’t know she didn’t tell me, Buffy. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Buffy glances over at Angel; she just wants to continue her date with Spike. They should have never come into this club; Buffy and LA are not mixy anymore. “You didn’t want to hear it; like everyone else, you just wanted the confirmation that I was alive and that I could continue my fight. Getting ripped out of heaven is not something a person bounces back from easily; it takes time. Spike was the only one who cared to ask what it was like for me. He saw me coming down that staircase. He gently guided me to the living room. I did not want to be touched. Everything was hard, bright, and scary. Nothing felt right, but when Spike held my hands to clean them, it didn’t feel scary anymore. He didn’t attack me with questions like the others. He softly answered my questions, counted the days I was gone, and asked where I was. I told him later, I was in heaven, and now I’m not. It’s hard, but I know Spike is there for me.”
Spike cups Buffy’s cheek, and she softly smiles up at him. She tenderly leans into his touch, and his thumb stops a tear from running down her face. Buffy glances at Angel. “We know each other’s drink orders from a couple of weeks ago.” She looks back at Spike.” We went on a date; I had a hard day. I went to him, we drank whiskey, and we went on his motorcycle, he took me to kitten poker. I drank while he played. He was trying to cheer me up and he did.”
Before, Angel could be even more angry that Buffy was getting drunk in a demon bar. Lorne cuts in. “She is not on your path, my Little Crumb Cake. She never was. Slim and Diamond are on the same path.”
“Angel, I'm going to tell you the same thing I told you about Darla. Let Buffy go; she is happy with Spike. Look at them; have you seen her be that happy with you?”
Angel looks at Buffy; her hands are around Spike's neck; her head is on his chest; he is hugging her tightly; leaving soft kisses in her hair; and he is whispering sweet nothings in her ear to relax her. Spike knows Buffy doesn’t like talking about heaven. It upsets her to think about what she lost.
Angel shakes his head. “She’s happy, my Little Milk Dud.”
“Said with affection, Angel Wings.”
Angel looks at the green demon with three glasses of Pink Champagne. “Lorne, stop calling me pastries.”
Lorne chuckles. As he watches Angel head for the door.
“To the happy couple.” Lorne gives Buffy and Spike a champagne glass, and the three of them cheer. Buffy looks down at the champagne glass of pink bubbly liquid. Spike drinks his and Lorne drinks his. Buffy takes a sip. It’s really good, she can taste the strawberries and the cream. They have found her drink. She is a Pink Champagne girl.
“One last dance for the road.” Lorne announces.
Buffy puts her hand out to Spike. “Want to dance?”
Spike places his hand in hers and smiles, remembering when he asked her earlier.
Angel stops at the door, turns around, and sees them begin to sway to Lorne singing.
“There ain’t no last call, counting down on the clock. (Counting down)
(On the clock) I can have all I want; don’t be cutting me off.
Cause too much of your good love ain’t a bad thing. (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
And your kiss got me wishing, I could bottle it up. (Oh I could)
(Bottle it up) Every sip to my lips is a sweet sugar rush.
Cause your love gets me more buzzed than pink champagne.”
Buffy looks up at Spike. This has been a wonderful and memorable date. Sure, there are things she would rather not happen—the Angel of it all—but she is happy with Spike; just feeling him around her and swaying to the music is all she needs. “I’m sorry.”
“For not seeing sooner that you do love me. I might be falling in love with you too.”
Spike's smile is huge when he looks down at her. This is the best sentence he has ever heard. This has been the best date he has ever had, apart from the Angel of it all. He did appreciate telling Angel off. His fingers slide under her chin, and he kisses her tenderly on the lips.
But you’re what I reach for when I want something stronger.
Never hungover, but I can’t stay sober with you.
Spike pulls into the driveway at 1630 Revello Drive. He opens the door for Buffy and puts his hand out for her to take. When they get to the door, Spike leans in and leaves a soft kiss on her lips. “Goodnight Buffy.”
As he turns to leave Buffy grabs his hand. She doesn’t want the night to end. This night was perfect. She couldn’t have asked for a better date night. Spike is her man and she wants to be with him. She leans in and leaves a small kiss on his lips. She leans her forehead against his.“You can come in if you want. It’s just me; Dawn is at Janice’s, and Willow is out.”
He nods as they get to the threshold. He scoops her up, bridal style, and she squeals. “Spike!”
He kisses her as he carries her inside, as she pushes the door closed behind them.