Xander threw his books on the table and flopped down next to Willow in the lunchroom. She jumped a little and then offered him her bag. He took it and rifled through it, taking out the snack cake she had brought him and a pear. He never seemed to remember a lunch and was always saving his lunch money for the remote chance that Buffy would go out with him. He looked into the distance and then asked, “Where is Buffy?”

“Giles wanted her to whittle stakes and have a talk about Revenants and stuff.” Willow couldn’t help but wish that just once he’d ask about HER! “She’s in the library.”

“GREAT!” Xander took a bite of the pear and then took Willow’s coke. “I don’t want to see her anyway..it pains me to see her..I have..pain.”

“Ohhh...” Willow started to tell him she knew the feeling but she sidetracked and said, “Sooo...are we going to do that thing at the Bronze tonight? A squaredance..yay”

From behind them came Cordelia’s voice. “Willow, Xander...do the world..or at least me a favor and stay away from the Bronze tonight. You seriously bring trouble when you show up and the fact that I go to school with such losers makes me look bad.”

“Gee, Cordy..I would think your choice of clothes would be what makes you look bad.” Xander sipped his Coke and glanced at Willow. His eyes said ‘say something’.

“Yeah..” Willow said. “And...uh..what HE said!”

Cordelia looked from one to the other and then burst out laughing. “See what I mean?”, she said to a pretty blond as they walked off.

“Sometimes I think the biggest monsters in Sunnydale...are our peers.” Willow watched Cordelia priss to her throne in the middle of the cafeteria.

“And vampires..let’s not forget handsome, cursed, fashion conscious vampires who get a big ol yen for Buf....” Xander broke the sentence and then deepened his voice and added. “It’s our peers..definately!”

“So in essence...what you’re saying is...I should not go to the Bronze tonight?” Buffy held her breath hoping Giles wouldn’t be..well..Giles.

“Actually, I think that if and when they attack it will be in force so it may be wise not to be alone.” Giles closed his book. “Or maybe it’s best to be alone so as not to endanger anyone. Or perhaps..”

“GILES!” Buffy held up her stake. “I’m never alone. See? A nice big, pointy stake to hunt with me. I can take care of this.”

“Yes, I have faith that you will...” Giles sat across from Buffy and looked at her. He had come to care a great deal for his Slayer. “But you must never let your guard down.”

“Check...guard is up..and you know what’s great?” she asked with a grin.

“What?” Giles took off his glasses and rubbed them clean.

“My guard being up just happens to go well with the outfit I bought to wear to the Bronze tonight.” Buffy giggled and was out of the library in a flash.

Giles sat and looked at the swinging door for a second and then opened a thick book titled ‘Of Revenants’ and settled down to read. Buffy had pains when the danger was bad and Giles had his own sixth sense. He felt jumpy and nervous and decided that he too would venture to the Bronze that night. He smiled a little as he realized that taking a date may be less obvious so he closed the book and went to find Ms. Calendar.

Buffy caught up with her friends after the final bell rang to end another day at the Sunnydale Hell Factory. (school) She noticed that Xander wasn’t his usual chipper self so she tried to make light of the situation the night before. “You know, Xander..if you HAD become a revenant...you’d still be adorable.”

Willow giggled and nodded in agreement.

That was the last straw. Xander snapped, “I’d still be adorable? I’d be adorable as a zombie but not as a human? You know what they say Buffy, once you’ve dated a vampire...er..they don’t actually say anything but...” He quickly turned away and stormed off.

Buffy watched him go with her mouth slightly agape. She couldn’t believe that he was still jonesing on her. She knew that he had wanted to go out and stuff but he seemed over it. She hated to think of what it was doing to the poor guy. She had jonesed badly for Angel before she finally got him. Buffy glanced at Willow who was still watching Xander stalk out of sight. Willow was doing her own jonesing. How could Xander NOT realize how much Willow wanted him?

“On that sour note..I’m going home.” Buffy walked away..feeling bad yet anxious about the party at the Bronze and a potential date with Angel.

Darkness swept across Sunnydale, eating the sunlight and casting shadows throughout the town. The man in the oversized cowboy hat ambled towards the Bronze. He hoped he’d find this Slayer that everyone was so afraid of because he had some big plans for her. He wanted to take her underground and let everyone watch him kill her. He’d get his place then. He’d be number one and when he was..he’d also get rid of Spike, the big pain in the ass who had moved in on his turf. He’d rule them all. He’d be in charge. He tipped his hat at the bouncer in front of the Bronze and walked in. Loud country music was blaring and he smiled at the crowd. This was going to be a good night.

Buffy put the finishing touches on her outfit and twirled in front of the mirror. She was definately looking good. Her leather pants were red snakeskin print and the tight red shirt had fringe across the front of it. A squaredance wasn’t that great but the Bronze had apparently taken to trying new things to increase business. Last week it had been an Indian theme..next week was togas. It was actually ‘kinda’ fun but Buffy refused to admit it. She smiled at her reflection and then hurried out to meet Willow for the walk.

“Heya Buffy!” Willow called as Buffy locked the door. “Perfect timing!”

“Wow! Willow!!” Buffy looked at Will in amazement. She had definately gone all out for the night. She was wearing a pair of black jeans and a sequined shirt and her hair was completely different. She had curled it in soft ringlets and had it swept away from her face. She was also wearing a lot of makeup.

“I know. My mom is into country and western so she had a field day buying this outfit and making me look like a country singer.” Willow glanced at Buffy. “And you look great!”

“We are gonna have so much fun.” Buffy looped her arm through Willow’s as they headed toward the Bronze.

Xander was about to order a soda when someone tapped him on the back. He suddenly lost any appetitie as he saw who it was...even for a soda. “Hey, Angel.”

“Hey!” Angel gave him a half smile. “I thought maybe Buffy was with you.”

Xander looked from his left to his right. “She isn’t. She may not be coming because she has a duty..what with being chosen and all.” He looked up and down Angel. He was wearing tight blue jeans..which was a first and had on a white shirt with a bolo around his neck. Xander glanced at his own clothes. He had opted for baggy khakis and a shirt with lassos on it and..little cowboys on horses. Someday he’d find a woman who wanted him for something other than his clothes. He looked over Angel’s shoulder as Buffy entered. The someone he wanted had just given leather a wonderful name.

“Hi, guys!” Buffy had a huge grin and eyes that only saw Angel. She walked up and gave Angel a big hug and then noticed Xander. “Xan, you look..cute.”

Xander didn’t say anything. He started to walk away when he saw the back of a girl that piqued his interest. He’d show Buffy. This redhead had curls and a body that was amazing and...he tapped her on the shoulder. “Hey there, lil lady. How would you like to dance with the man of your dreams?”

Willow turned around and looked at him. “Is Christian Slater here?”

“Willow!!” Xander let his gaze drift from her face down her body. “Willow..I’m..wow..I just was..not..Willow?”

“Yes?” Willow laughed. THIS is what it took to get his attention?

“I think I asked you to dance.” Xander straightened his shirt and offered her his arm.

Willow smiled and linked her arm through his. Xander had asked her her to dance. She was giddy. No way was the smile going to leave her face. They danced a clumsy two step and Xander was on her feet more than off but this HAD to be what Heaven was like. He didn’t even try to cut out when a slow song came on. He just grinned at her and pulled her closer to him.

Buffy watched from a table with Angel. She was NOT loving this. Xander was using Willow in an attempt to make her jealous and she could tell by looking at Willow that she didn’t know. She was about to say something to Angel when she realized that he was talking all along and she wasn’t listening. “I’m sorry. What?”,she asked him.

“Welcome back.” Angel said, clearly annoyed.

“I’m sorry.” Buffy reached across the table and played with his fingers. “I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Like..maybe wishing that was you out there instead of Willow?” Angel was still not over the little seductive dance that Buffy had performed with Xander to make him jealous. It had worked.

“What!?” Buffy was shocked. “No. I’m just thinking that maybe he shouldn’t toy with her like that.”

“Willow is a big girl. And maybe he honestly likes her. She looks so..different.” he glanced out on the dancefloor.

Buffy actually felt a ping of jealousy. She excused herself and headed toward the bathroom. Yes, Willow did look different but Xander was only using her to make Buffy jealous. Wait, Buffy thought. Is it working? She shook her head and was about to open the door of the restroom when Giles called to her. She turned around and promptly burst out laughing. He was wearing a straw hat and denim overalls. Ms. Calendar had on the same.

“Any action tonight, Buffy?” Giles glanced around the room self consciously.

For the life of herself, Buffy couldn’t regain her composure. She was laughing hysterically at him. She thought she would asphyxiate before she could breath. She finally composed herself enough to shake her head no.

“Yes, well I am most glad you find me so entertaining.” He looked at her with a stern face and then looked at Ms. Calendar. “Shall we?”

Buffy was still giggling when she opened the door of the bathroom and hit Cordelia with it. “Oh..sorry.”

“You are pathetic and clumsy!” Cordelia pushed her out of the way and left the restroom.

The man set his sights on the pretty little redhead. He watched her from his seat at the bar. She was having so much fun with the clumsy boy she danced with. She didn’t seem to mind that he couldn’t dance. He decided to show her a thing or two about dancing. He set his hat on straighter and walked to where the two danced on the floor. He tapped the boys shirt. “Mind if I cut in?”

Xander turned to look at the man and said in his most authoritative tone. “As a matter of fact....I do mind. We’re dancing here.”

“Miss?” The handsome cowboy looked at Willow.

“Uh..you heard him..we’re dancing here.” She took Xander’s hand and led him further out onto the dance floor.

“I liked the other side better.” he said and pulled her back.

Willow looked confused and then realized that from this side..Buffy could see them and Xander could see Buffy. She felt her bubble burst and she yanked her hand away. “Xander, if you just want to make Buffy jealous then why didn’t you say so?”

“Is it that obvious?” Xander asked her.

“Yes!” she was fuming.

“Then you should have figured it out sooner..shouldn’t you?” Xander stalked off the dance floor.

The cowboy smiled and walked up to Willow. “How about that dance now?”

“Yeah, sure.” Willow watched Xander as he flopped in a corner chair. How could he do that to her?

When Buffy joined Angel again she found that Giles and Ms. Calendar had taken a table next to theirs. She had so wanted to have some alone time with Angel who was laughing at something Giles was saying when she sat down. She grinned a little at them and then glanced back towards the dance floor. Willow was dancing with a really handsome cowboy with a big hat and a nice pair of jeans. Buffy scanned the crowd for Xander and saw him sitting with his back to them. She told Angel she’d be back and walked over to his table.

“Hey..is this seat taken?” she asked and sat down before he could object.

“What do you want Buffy?” Xander sighed and looked at her intently. Why does she have to be so damn beautiful?

“I just wondered what you were doing with Willow?” she said.

“Dancing.” He looked at the way the light played across her skin and wished that just once he could brush his lips across hers. “Why?”

“I was just going to point out that if you are using your best friend ever to make me jealous then she’s the only one that’s going to get hurt.” Buffy hardened her eyes at him. “She deserves more than that.”

“You don’t know everything.” Xander started to stand.

“Xander,” Buffy put her hands on his. “Willow knows more than anyone what it’s like to want to be with someone who doesn’t return those feelings. The way that I make you feel sometimes...she has those same feelings. Don’t toy with her.” She leaned across the table and kissed him lightly on the cheek and then headed back to salvage what she could of her date.

The man told Willow to call him McSchae. He was very handsome and cordial. He treated her like a lady and made her laugh. She was having such a wonderful time that she completely forgot all about Xander. She twirled around and around on the dancefloor and then joined him at the bar. They were laughing when he leaned over and asked her to leave. She smiled.

Angel was gone. Giles looked at Buffy without interest as he told her that Angel had said goodnight. Buffy couldn’t believe he had pulled another disappearing act. She raced out the door just in time to see him rounding the corner. She called after him and trotted to catch up. “Angel, wait! What happened?” she asked when she caught him.

“Buffy,” he said and leaned against the shop that they were standing in front of. “What are we doing?”

“What do you mean?” she wanted to know but she feared the answer. Don’t say good-bye, Angel.

“Us, Buffy. Who are we fooling? I’m not a part of your world.” Angel glanced off into the distance. I want to watch the sun play in your hair.

“You..you are my world. Angel, I love you.” Slowly she moved into his arms...she fit so perfectly there. She rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. “I can’t lose you.”

“I’m sorry.” Angel said.

“Sorry about what?” Buffy heard something and backed away to look down the alley that ran alongside where they were standing. She gasped. “Damn!”

Lurching up the alley were about four revenants. They were grossly deformed and falling apart. Buffy watched them for a second. She figured that the stake in her bag would be enough to do it but she only had one. The rest of her ammo was back at the Bronze. Angel stood beside her and then whispered, “Well, let’s get this done and finish what we were talking about.”

“What were we talking about?” Buffy started down the alley.

“Us.” Angel said and followed. He grabbed a particularly oozing revenant and plunged a piece of a chair leg through it’s chest.

Buffy staked one and then got knocked down by another. Angel helped her to her feet and she snapped the neck of one with an Elvis jumpsuit on. “What about us, Angel?”

“No aspect of our relationship..” Angel grabbed a burly revenant and smashed it into a wall and it rammed the chair leg through it. “is remotely normal.”

“All relationships..” Buffy replied as she kicked the remaining revenant and quickly staked it. “have a million problems, Angel. Ours is just..ours. It’s normal for us.”

Angel was about to agree and pull her into his arms when he was shoved forward right into Buffy. They both fell to the ground. Spike looked at them and laughed as he said, “A courtship in an alley among the dead. How romantic.” Buffy jumped to her feet ready to fight him and hopefully end his pathetic existance but he held up both hands and said, “I just came to give you a fair warning, luv.”

“Aren’t I just a lucky girl?” Buffy narrowed her eyes. “Say it and then I’ll kill you.”

“No no no..it doesn’t work that way. Something’s up... and you better fix it right now.” Spike shoved his hands in his pockets.

“And you are telling me this because...” she hated that vampire with a passion.

“Because I am too bloody lazy to do anything myself. There’s another vampire in Sunnydale that is a bigger wanker than Angel. Apparently wants to be a big man around here. And this town is only big enough for me. He is the source of all your revenants and he has about forty of the damn things ready to set loose. You kill him and they all die. You have to kill their sire to kill all of them. Unless of course you like fighting the damn things.” Spike looked at Angel. “You actually make me sicker than you usually do when I see you so whipped.”

“Hey!” Buffy looked at Spike. “Who is this vampire?”

“He’s a cowpoke. An idiot who talks funny and wears a big hat.” Spike turned back toward the opening of the alley. “I’m off now.” He walked off rather quickly and joined a group of men vampires who had watched.

“Why didn’t you kill her?” asked a very ugly campire with scraggly hair.

“Why didn’t you kill her?” Spike mimicked. “Because you idiot moron..She is going to take care of McSchae and all those revenants who are dripping all over Dru’s dollies and things.”