High School Sweethearts and Second Chances spn/btvs ch 32
Title: High School Sweethearts and Second Chances (SPN/Btvs)
Author: Noturbaby
Fandoms: Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rating: PG-13 - R
Warnings: None (eventual het sex between teens)
Pairings: Dean & Buffy Willow & Oz Most BtVS characters make an appearance.
Summary: Adds the Winchesters to Seasons 2 and 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy's a junior and Dean's a senior at Sunnydale High. At first, Dean doesn't know Buffy's a Slayer. Story deals with dating when part of life is fighting the supernatural.
Based on the Prom episode of season three of Buffy. Some dialogue was lifted from the episode.
Sam burst through the library doors, “You guys still have my laptop? Dean said…” Giles and Wesley barely looked up from the texts they had been studying, but they mumbled something in response.
Buffy hopped off the counter, “Sure, Sam. Wesley has it in his office. I’ll get it for you.” She went into the office and retrieved it. “Here, Wesley wanted to look at your essays or something.”
“Oh, did he get what he needed?” Sam asked as he tucked the laptop under his arm and head back out the doors.
Buffy shrugged, “I don’t know, I guess so.” She began to walk with him down the hall.
“Sorry, we didn’t pick you up this morning, we over slept,” Sam said as he increased his pace.
“No biggie, I got here just the same,” Buffy replied as she hurried to keep up with him. “Sam, slow down, I want to ask you something.”
Sam turned to her, “Okay, but, I have Mr. Hendricks this hour and I’m already late.”
Buffy rolled her eyes, freshman. “Sam, I got that covered. I want to ask you something.”
Sam stopped walking, “Okay.”
“Is something wrong with Dean? I mean is he okay? He’s been acting a little..”
“Stressed out?” Sam laughed. “Yeah, he’s totally stressed out.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, that’s how he gets when he’s worried. It used to be just me that worried him,” Sam added with a smile. “Now it’s you, too.”
Buffy was surprised to hear that. “Why is he worried about me?” She lowered her voice.
“Yeah, well, ever since we learned that…” Sam’s voice trailed off and he just stared a Buffy. He just realized that since slayers die young, Buffy was going to die.
“Sam? What is it? Learned what?”
Sam blinked a couple times. “He’s just worried about you,” Sam mumbled still staring at her.
“Why?” Buffy asked and continued walking towards Sam’s class. She remembered Dean’s thoughts when he was comforting her. He did keep repeating ‘I can’t be losing you already‘. She stopped when she noticed Sam wasn’t hurrying anymore. “Sam, what else?” Sam attempted to look like he didn’t know what she was talking about. “Sam, please, you have a worse poker face than Willow.”
Sam swallowed, “Usual stuff, that’s it, Buffy, I swear. Dean’s just stressed.”
Buffy studied him for a second, but couldn’t determine if he was lying. They had reached the classroom. “Mr. Hendricks? Sam was helping Mr. Giles in the library, so don’t mark him late.”
Mr. Hendricks nodded, Sam and Buffy shared a quick smile. “Where’d you guys move to?” She asked before leaving him.
Dean had only just finished his shower when he heard a banging on the door. It was too early for his dad, and the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign should have stopped housekeeping. He quickly pulled on his jeans and yelled, “Just a sec,” before going to the door. “Buffy, hi,” he said in surprise. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have school?”
Buffy smiled and walked passed him into the room. “Hi, and I’m here to see you. I figured I already got into college and my SAT’s show I pretty much know the basics. So,” she shrugged, “if I want to skip a class or three, I think I can.” She sat on the bed.
“O-kay,” Dean said slowly. He went to his pack to grab a shirt and pulled it on, not noticing Buffy’s look of disappointment when he did. Dean leaned against the dresser. “Sorry, I didn’t pick you up this morning,” he said finally dragging a hand through his still damp hair. “We overslept. I called, but you guys must’ve left by then.”
Buffy moved to the end of the bed so she’d be right in front of him. “It’s okay, my mom dropped me off.”
Dean nodded, “Is something wrong? I mean, is something going on with the Mayor or something?”
‘No,” Buffy shook her head. “I just wanted to see you. We didn’t get much of a chance to talk last night.”
“Oh.” They stared at each other for a minute in silence.
“Dean, are you mad at me? Did I do something?”
“No, why?”
Buffy looked at him and wished she could still hear thoughts, that would be so much easier. She took a deep breath. “Ever since Faith joined team Mayor, you’ve been different.” She added finger quotes to different. “I want to know why.”
Dean shook his head, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Buffy felt like strangling him, but instead, she said, “Even Sam said you’re stressed.”
Dean made a face at her and crossed his arms over his chest. “What else did Sammy say?”
“That you’re worried about me,” Buffy said calmly. “And don’t blame Sam. You said it, too. I mean you thought it. A lot. When I was able to read minds.” Dean didn’t say anything. “I wish I could still read your mind, that’d be much easier.”
Dean smirked a little. “There’s nothing there to read.”
“Dean,” Buffy whined in exasperation, “I’m trying to be serious. Please tell me what’s been bothering you.”
Dean sighed and shook his head, “Buffy,” when he looked at Buffy again, she was still giving him that worried look. “Seriously, you don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine. Everything‘s fine.” Her expressions told him she didn’t believe him. He let out yet another sigh. “Last night? Sammy and the mayor -- I had it handled, Buffy. I don’t need you risking your life over stupid shit like that.”
Buffy was momentarily stunned. “Dean, I love you, and Sam. Don’t you get that? I couldn’t just do nothing.” She stood in front of him and he moved his legs to allow her to stand between them. He put his hands on her hips.
Dean stared at the far wall for a minute and nodded slowly. It felt good to know that she loved him, but it did nothing to ease his concern for her. “You’ve got enough to deal with right now.”
“Dean, you’re the most important thing in my life. If something happened to you, I don’t know what I’d do.” She place her hand on his cheek.
Dean took her hand from his face and looked into her eyes. “Well, if you ever feel the need to save me again. Don’t bring Angel.”
Buffy wasn’t sure if he was joking, but she smiled. “Don’t put yourself in danger again and I won’t.”
Dean didn’t return her smile. He stood up from against the desk, kissed the top of her head, and moved away from her. “You would pick today of all days to skip out.” Buffy watched him move around the room. “Any other day, I’d be making you make good on your promise of staying in bed with me all day.” He winked at Buffy, “but, no, you pick the day my dad is showing up. Awesome timing, Summers.”
She shrugged, “It’s a gift?”
Dean rolled his eyes. “Yeah, keeping me frustrated does seem to be a talent of yours.” Buffy looked at him in shock. “Let’s get you back to school. So my dad doesn’t kick my ass when he finds you here.”
In the library, late that afternoon, Willow, Oz, Buffy, and Xander gathered to help Giles with research.
“So it was blue and sorta short, go on,” Buffy said to Willow as they took seats at the table.
“Not too short, medium. And it had this weird, sorta fringey stuff on its arms,” Willow explained.
“What's that, a demon?” Giles asked as he looked up from his book.
Buffy rolled her eyes. “A prom dress that Will was thinking of getting. Can't you ever get your mind out of the hellmouth?”
“I'd be delighted to,” Giles said with a frustrated sigh. “However, the day of the Mayor's Ascension is fast approaching and we don't know what to expect.”
Dean entered the library, followed closely by his father, John, and Bobby Singer.
“Trouble is, we don't know which demon he is going to become,” Dean finished then nodded a greeting to the gathered group.
“Mr. Giles,” John said holding out his hand
Giles rose, “Mr. Winchester, it’s good to see you.”
“Thanks, you too.” John turned to the man next to him, “This is Bobby Singer. He’s here to offer his assistance.”
“It’s good to meet you, sir. Mr. Winchester speaks very highly of you,” Giles said shaking the man’s hand.
“You, too, Mr. Giles,” Bobby replied.
“I am Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, the watcher,” Wesley said in his most authoritative manner.
Bobby and John looked unimpressed but shook his hand.
“Well, as I was saying, there are thousands of species of demon he could become,” Giles said as they all took seats at the table.
“So, it's safe to say we shouldn't waste any time of such trifling matters as a school dance,” Wesley said.
Buffy whispered to Willow, “We'll get you a dress. You know, we should check April Fools.”
Xander nodded, “I myself am dipping into my road trip fund to procure a shiny new tux, so look for me to dazzle.”
“And I myself will be wearing pink taffeta as chenille would not go with my complexion. Can we *please* talk about the Ascension?” an exasperated Giles demanded.
John and Bobby looked at Dean who smirked and shook his head slightly. The Sunnydale group didn’t seem to be as focused as the hunters would have liked.
Buffy rolled her eyes. “Giles, we get it. Miles to go before we sleep. But, especially if we're all gonna vaporize or something on Graduation Day, we deserve a little prommy fun. One night of glory, not to much to ask.”
“Well, what about the pages that Sam stole from the Mayor's book? Look, he put his life on the line there, pal. Don't tell me they're useless,” Xander interjected.
“On the contrary, no, we, uh,” Giles noted the looks flying between Dean and his father, “we know the Ascension refers to a human transforming into a demon, the living embodiment of an immortal. And Graduation Day, our Mayor Wilkins is scheduled to do just that.”
“Exactly how did Sam get his hands on these books?” John asked his calm voice masking his anger.
Before Dean could answer, Xander did. “He was kidnapped by the mayor and stole them while he was being held there.”
Bobby attempted to break the tension between John and Dean. “Sounds more like something Dean would try.”
Dean smirked at Bobby, “Guess I’m starting to rub off on the kid.”
John was already tired of the kids Buffy surrounded herself with, especially Xander. It really irritated him that they seemed to be rubbing off on Dean. “Bobby, why don’t you tell them about Lohash”
Bobby nodded and squinted at Giles, “About eight hundred years ago in the Kastka Valleys above the Urals, there was a sorcerer there who achieved Ascension. Became the embodiment of the demon Lo-Hash. It decimated the village within hours. Maybe three people got out to record what had happened.”
It was Wesley’s turn to squint, “Ahem, I'm sorry, but Lo-Hash was a four-winged soul killer, am I right?” Bobby nodded. “I was given to understand that they're not that fierce. Of all the demons that we've faced...
Bobby shook his head, “You've never seen a demon.”
Buffy scoffed and raised her hand. “Uh, excuse me? Kind of professionally, four years running.”
“No disrespect, miss, but all the demons that walk the earth are tainted, are human hybrids. The Ascension means that a human becomes pure demon. They're different,” Bobby confirmed.
“Different?” Giles asked.
“How?” Buffy demanded.
Bobby cleared his throat, “Well, for one thing, they're bigger.”
As he left the school that evening, Xander was confronted by Anya. “Xander!”
“Well, hey, it's demon Anya, punisher of evil males. Still haven't got your powers back?” Xander asked, then turned serious. “You haven't, right?”
“No,” she confirmed. “I will, though. It's just a matter of time.”
“So now, how did that work?” Xander asked. “Women would wish horrible things upon their ex-boyfriends. You'd show up and make it happen.”
“That's right,” Anya smiled. “The power of the Wish made me a righteous sword to smite the unfaithful. You know, you can laugh, but I have witnessed a millennium of treachery and oppression from the males of the species and I have nothing but contempt for the whole libidinous lot of them.
“Then why you talking to me?” Xander asked as he attempted to hurry away.
Anya averted her eyes, “I don't have a date for the prom.”
“Well gosh. I wonder why not. It couldn't possibly have anything to do with your sales pitch?”
“Men are evil. Will you go with me?” Anya asked.
Xander wrinkled his brow, “One of us is very confused, and I honestly don't know which.”
“You know, this happens to be all your fault,” Anya pouted.
“My fault?!”
Anya nodded, “You were unfaithful to Cordelia so I took on the guise of a twelfth-grader to tempt her with the Wish. When I lost my powers I got stuck in this persona, and now I have all these feelings. I don't understand it. I don't like it. All I know is I really want to go to this dance and I want someone to go with me.”
“Be still my heart. Oh wait, it is,” Xander continued walking. “How come I got the short straw?”
Anya batted her eyelashes “You're not quite as obnoxious as most of the alpha males around here. Plus I know you don't have a date,” she smiled in victory.
“I haven't settled on anyone yet,” Xander muttered.
“Fine,” Anya huffed. “Look, I know you find me attractive. I've seen you looking at my breasts.”
Xander shook his head. “Nothing personal, but when a guy does that, it just means his eyes are open.”
Anya rolled her eyes, “Whatever. Look, do you wanna go with me or not?”
Faith grinned and clapped her hands excitedly as three hell hounds bounded around her for attention. “This is so great! Thanks, Boss!” she shouted over the barking of her pets.
“Anything for you, sweetie,” the Mayor beamed. “But you haven’t seen their best trick.”
Faith’s attention was drawn from the dogs as one of the Mayor’s men wheeled in large curtain.
The Mayor was rocking back and forth on his heels, nearly giggling in anticipation. “This is going to be great, Faith. Just you watch.”
The man began to cautiously back away from the curtain. On the Mayor’s signal, the man tore the curtain away; behind it were two mannequins in formal wear. The hell hounds began to snarl. One started to crouch, preparing to pounce. The Mayor pressed a button on his remote and More Than Words by Extreme started to play. The dogs went into a frenzy and attacked the mannequins, tearing them apart.
Faith stood with her mouth open in awe. “Cool,” she whispered, then turned to the Mayor. “What’s with the old school ballad?”
“It’s Sunnydale High’s Prom theme,” the Mayor gloated as he watched Faith catch on to his plan.
“Oh, boss, you do know what I like,” Faith grinned mischievously.
“I’m glad you’re pleased with your gift,” he said with his smug smile. “A dog's friendship is stronger than reason, stronger than it's own sense of self-preservation. Buffy's like a dog, and hey, before you can say Jack Robinson, you'll get to see me kill her like one.”
Faith turned to him with a large smile.
“Wait ‘til you see what I have in store for Angel,” the Mayor sneered.
From the lack of conversation during the return to the motel, Sam knew his father was angry. He could tell by the way Dean kept changing his grip on the steering wheel, that Dean was expecting a fight. Sam looked over at Bobby for some kind of clue as to what had put them in their current state, but the man betrayed nothing.
Back at the motel, though, Bobby grabbed Sam’s arm, “Hey, kid, how about you and me grab some dinner?” He looked at John and Dean. “We’ll bring something back for you.”
John and Dean nodded. Dean reached for Sam’s bag. “Sam, I’ll take that for you.”
Sam handed over the bag, studied his family, and realized he should be grateful for the escape Bobby was offering.
“How the hell do you let your brother risk his life like that?” John thundered the moment the door was shut.
“Let him? I didn’t let him do anything,” Dean countered. “I told you the Mayor grabbed him at school. Sam was put in the same room as the books and he took one. It’s what you would have wanted him to do.”
John clenched his jaw. “Does the Mayor know Sam took it?”
“I don’t know,” Dean answered, “Buffy, Angel, and I were in the room, too. For all I know, he thinks it was any one of us.”
John looked up at him, “Angel?”
“Yes, sir. He works with them a lot.”
John rolled his eyes, mirroring his son’s feelings. “Did anything else happen when Sam was with the Mayor?”
Dean wasn’t sure about telling his dad about the Mayor’s threat of sending Sam to the demon, but figured he better be honest about it. “The Mayor threatened to kill me, and he was going to hand Sam over to some other demon.”
John slammed his hand on the table, but didn’t say anything for a moment. Then he stood. “That’s it. You and Sam pack up. You‘re going to Pastor Jim’s.”
“What? No. No, sir. You gotta let me stay, help with this ascension.”
John glared at Dean, “I think it’s more important to get Sam and you out of town, some place safe. Buffy’ll concentrate better knowing you’re safe.”
“You gotta be kidding me,” Dean responded sitting on the bed. “I can help. I’ve been doing a lot of hunting and killing of demons while I’ve been here, Dad. I’m not a kid, anymore.”
“You’re acting like one.”
“Sir,” Dean tried to keep his voice even, “I can’t run away from this.”
John stared at his son coldly. “What’re you saying, Dean? You gonna abandon the hunt for what killed your mother? You just gonna leave me and Sammy so you can shack up with your girlfriend?”
Dean was astounded by his father’s accusation. “No, Dad, you don’t--” Dean began but John held up his hand to stop another argument.
“Dean, you‘re too close to all this to make a clear decision,” John sighed heavily and turned to go.
“Dad,” Dean began again, though his dad kept heading towards the door, “Buffy’s gonna die.”
John stopped, turned to see his son looking more hurt than he had ever seen him. “What do you mean?’
“I don’t know what you know about slayers, but I had Sam look stuff up,” Dean swallowed hard. “He checked out one of that Pryce’s guy’s books. He found out the oldest slayer wasn’t even twenty-five.” Dean took a second to meet his father’s eyes. “I’m not gonna quit the family, but with the Mayor becoming the biggest friggin’ demon any of us has seen, I gotta stay and help. I can‘t let her face this alone.”
John lowered his eyes, “I’ll think it over.”
Late that night, Buffy returned from patrol feeling anxious. Her talk with Dean earlier, replayed in her head. It hadn’t gone the way she had hoped. She changed out of her slaying garb into her pajamas. She sat at her vanity and brushed her hair. Seeing a picture she had of her and Dean from Christmas, she pouted. She hadn’t seen him smile like that in a while, she missed it. Suddenly, she heard something at her window. She nearly giggled with delight when Dean crawled through.
“I was just thinking about you,” she whispered as she approached him.
Dean practically rushed to her. His one hand cradled her head, the other went to her waist. Both hands pulled her tightly to him, allowing him to kiss her deeply.
Buffy became weak in the knees and making Dean support her. His mouth left hers to travel to her neck and Buffy tilted her head lazily. His hands began to roam over her body. “Dean,” she moaned in a whisper.
He pulled back from her and looked in her eyes. He seemed about to say something, but instead he cradled her face and kissed her gently. Then he took her hand and led her to the bed. He toed off his shoes and sat on the bed, he drew her to him, so once again she stood between his legs. “Dean?”
He grinned, “You‘re wearing my favorite shirt.”
She looked down, then quirked her brow at him, “Funny.”
“I’m serious,” he whispered. His eyes going to the word on her chest. “Why do you think I called you Princess?” His finger skimmed across the letters, from P to s, making Buffy‘s heart rate jump. “I nearly died when I saw you in this that morning your mom made breakfast. I‘da been dead if she asked me to stand.” He grinned.
“Dean, stop,” she giggled, blushed and lightly smacked his chest.
“Shh, come here,” he gather her close and kissed her letting his hands go down her thighs and back up to the small of her back.
Buffy practically purred into his mouth and she climbed into his lap straddling his legs. Dean stood keeping her legs wrapped around him. He turned them and crawled onto her bed before he lay her down.
He sighed appreciatively as he looked at her. “You are so frickin’ beautiful, Buffy.” He moved her shirt up and kissed her belly, then smiled up at her. He lay on top of her, then he rolled them over. As he looked up at her, he brushed her hair back. “God, I love you so much. I shoulda told you this morning, I don‘t know why I didn‘t. So, I had to come see you.” He stretched up and kissed her. “Ya know, so I could tell you.”
Buffy was sure she had the dumbest smile on her face, but she was so happy she didn’t care. “I love you, too. So much.” She bent down to kiss him. After a few minutes of kissing, Dean was finding it difficult to control his hands and other extremities. When Buffy shifted over him, a soft groan escaped him. Buffy smiled to herself and moved her hips again.
Dean’s hands held her hips down against him for a minute before he let go and opened his eyes. Buffy smiled and her hands were at the hem of her shirt about to lift if off. “Buffy, uh, don’t. I mean, you don’t have to do that.” He let out a breath, “I really didn’t come here to, uh, I mean we don’t have to. I just wanted to see you.”
Buffy’s smile grew and she moved against him. “What if I want to?” she whispered.
Dean’s upstairs brain took a second to catch up, his downstairs brain, however, totally on board, especially when Buffy slid against him, again. Dean’s eyes focused on her lips and Buffy bent over kiss him. She slipped her hands down his body, eventually grasping the hem of his t-shirt. She pulled it off as she sat up again.
Then she began a trail of kisses down his chest. Dean’s hands were on her sides and his breaths were shallow. Her hands went to the button of his jeans and slowly she undid them, lowered them, and made Dean suck in a breath the moment she touched him.
Their eyes met, and Buffy could see that she was making Dean crazy with lust. She moved further down his body and took him into her mouth, causing Dean to instantly tense, his fingers gripped her shoulders, then the sheets and he rolled his hips up to meet her mouth. Her hand and mouth worked in a slow sensual tandem. Dean was quickly losing the battle of self control and he begged her to stop. She sat back, smiling dreamily at him. Dean panted as he looked up at her, “you still have clothes on.” He tugged her Princess tank off as he sat up. He pulled her to him so that he could cover her breast with his teasing kisses.
Buffy didn’t want him to stop, but she had to move away to take her panties off. Dean couldn’t take his eyes off her. She climbed back onto his lap and ground against him, driving both of them closer to the edge. “Buffy,” Dean panted, “I didn’t bring anything, I didn’t think we’d…”
Buffy cocked her head and winked, “It’s okay, my boyfriend taught me to always be prepared.” She leaned over to her bedside table and pulled a condom from the drawer. She lifted her hips and guided him to her entrance and slowly, so deliciously slowly, she began to move until he was hardly in her. Then she’d lower herself taking every inch of him back inside her.
Dean couldn’t take her slow torture. He tried to flip them over, but Buffy wasn’t having it. “Buffy,” he whined, “please, baby, you’re killing me. I need to -- move more.”
With him completely buried inside, Buffy leaned back and stretched her arms over her head. She slowly rocked her hips back and forth as she brought her arms down to pin him down. “I thought you liked me on top.”
Dean closed his eyes and pressed his head back into the pillow. “God, I do, good god, girl, please,” he begged.
“What, Dean? Faster?” Buffy teased before she quickened her pace. Dean’s grip on her hips tightened the faster she went. Soon, she let out a whimper and Dean opened his eyes to see that she was as gone as he was.
“Buffy,” he moaned as he tried to hold her through his orgasm. Buffy’s eyes shot wide as she felt what was happening, slowing it to send her over the edge.
She slowed her movements and leaned back, smiling lazily at him. “God, you feel so good.”
Dean shared her lazy smile. He was too wiped out to say a smart-alec comment, he couldn’t even smirk. Buffy rested her head on his chest while they caught their breath. She smiled listening to his heart pound. Dean smiled and stroked her hair and wished the morning would never come.
The next morning…………….
Anya left the table, nearly bumping into Dean and Buffy as they approached. Dean moved behind Buffy to ineffectively hide from Anya. Anya arched her brow at the couple, “Buffy, Dirt,” she nodded.
“Hey, she’s the girlfriend I told you I had,” Dean said thinking that would prove something to the former demon.
Anya stopped. “Kinda,” she repeated with finger quotes as she said it. “And don’t think she didn’t, at one time, want to rip your heart out and stomp it into dust.” Anya turned and strutted off.
Dean looked at Buffy in a panic. Buffy shrugged sheepishly, “It was when I heard that girl over the phone.” Dean just nodded, still looking slightly scared.
They sat just as, Oz asked, “ Anya, huh? Interesting choice.”
“Choice for what?” Buffy asked as she and Dean sat with them.
“Prom, and choice is kind of a broad term for my situation,” Xander answered. “See, it's either Anya or the sock puppet of love for this boy.”
Dean looked at Xander in shock. “Seriously? A demon? You’re dating a frickin’ demon?!”
Xander shrugged, “Former demon. And, not really dating, it‘s just prom.”
Willow shook her head, “Well, if Anya tries to get you killed, put me down for a big 'I told you so.' “
Dean nodded enthusiastically and pointed at Willow then at Xander. “Me, too. You’re nuts. Chick’s seriously scary.” Buffy shook her head and chuckled.
Faith skipped through the park with her hounds. The few people in the park scattered when they saw the beasts. “That’s right, run, you little peons. Soon this place, this whole town, will be mine for the taking.” Faith and her dogs approached the strip mall. “Okay, puppies, let’s see what you can do in the real world. No mannequins and no cheesy ballads this time.” She released their leashes and watched in childish glee as they attacked the formal wear store where Cordelia worked.
As evening rolled around, Giles and John Winchester had everyone gathered for research. John agreed with Giles, if they were going to stop the ascension, they better know everything they could about it.
Xander could always rely on Dean for not busting his hump for the heavy research, so he happily followed him to a table away from the main group.
After they sat and had a book cracked open, Dean leaned forward. “Dude, I was kinda hoping you’d take Buffy to the prom,” Dean said in a harsh whisper.
Xander stared at him in disbelief. “Uh, why would I do that? I mean, aren’t you?”
Dean huffed, “I can’t. I know she wants to go. So, I was hoping you could do me a solid and take her.”
Xander bobbed his head up and down. “Kinda going with former vengeance demon, remember? Might not be good to break that date.”
Dean thought a moment. “If I can square things with Anya, then will you take Buffy to the prom?” Dean noted the sudden change in Xander.
“Why would Xander take me to prom?” Buffy asked from behind Dean.
‘Fuck’ Dean mouthed silently.
“Giles, did you call? Sure, I’ll be right there,” Xander rushed to leave Dean alone with Buffy at the table.
“Well? Why are you pimping me out to Xander?” Buffy asked as she crossed her arms and moved in front of Dean.
Dean stayed silent and stared at Xander’s empty chair. Then looking up to meet her glare, he said, “I can’t take you. I thought that if you wanted to go, you should. That’s all.”
“Why can’t you take me?” Buffy asked quietly. “I know you don’t like school dances, but it‘s prom.”
Dean pushed back from the table. “I can’t and even if I could, I don’t have the cash.” He lifted his arms to his sides and let them drop. “I just wanted you to go, if that’s what you wanted.” He said before he started to walk out.
“So, you thought you’d arrange a date for me and I’d just go along with it?” Buffy was feeling something between depression and resentment.
“Go with whoever you want,” Dean said in defeat. “I’m not even going to be here, so I guess it doesn’t matter.”
“What? Where are you going?”
“My dad wants Sam out of here before the ascension,” he sighed, “so I’m on driving duty.” Dean could see the disappointment building in Buffy. “You deserve to have fun and go to your prom, Buffy. I was just trying to help. Sorry.”
Buffy nodded and looked away from him, blinking back tears. She took a few deep breaths, “When are you leaving?”
“In the morning, if my dad doesn’t change his mind,” he looked at her nervously, tentatively reaching a hand out to her. “Buffy, I don’t want to go. I’ll be back.” I hope, he thought to himself.
Buffy tilted her head and stared at a speck on the rug while he spoke. When he finished, she briefly met his eyes before returning to the speck. “You’ll be safer if you stay away,” she mumbled keeping her eyes downcast.
Dean felt a slight pang at her words, but knew she was feeling just as awful as he was. “I’m not staying away. If my dad can’t make me, neither can you,” he said hoping for a smile from his girl.
Buffy pouted before returning her eyes to his. “You’re lucky I love you.”
“I know. I’m damn lucky,” Dean answered as he hugged her.
The next morning brought the Winchesters to the boiling point. “No, you can’t be serious! I’m not going! There’s only a few weeks of school left. I am not transferring again!” Sam shouted at his father.
“Sam, you’re going and that’s final,” John said keeping his voice level.
“What about the ascension? You guys need my help. I got the book and I can do a lot more to help,” Sam pleaded to his father.
John handed Dean another bag. “Sam, I’m ordering you and Dean out of here. Understand? I’m not asking.”
Sam shot Dean an incredulous look. “You’re okay with this?” Sam demanded of Dean grabbing his arm.
Dean shook his arm free. “Come on, we’re burning daylight,” he replied without looking at either his father or his brother as he left the motel room.
Sam grabbed his backpack and followed. Once in the parking lot Sam tore into Dean. “What the hell, Dean? I can’t believe you’d abandon Buffy. You don’t have to follow his orders like some bitch.”
Dean spun instantly and shoved his brother hard to the ground, “And you don’t have to whine like one!” Sam stared up at him with terrified eyes.
“Dean!” Bobby Singer had seen the exchange and was quickly approaching.
Dean shot a look at him then held a hand out to Sam. “C’mon, Sam. Let’s go.”
Ignoring his brother’s hand, Sam pushed himself up. “Jerk,” he muttered.
Dean shoved Sam in the arm, much lighter this time, “Bitch.”
In the library, the Scooby Gang, including Wesley, sat around the table watching a surveillance tape of the attack from the strip mall.
Cordelia looked at everyone there, “See, I mean, that’s some kind of freaky monster, right? You know the part that totally weirded me out? That thing had good taste. It went right for the formal wear.”
Xander rolled his eyes, “That's right. He left behind his copy of Monsters Wear Daily.”
Cordelia was indignant, “I'm serious. Look at the kid that the monster went after. Very smooth lines, 'til he was shredded.”
Buffy turned away, “I don't want to see it again.”
“Buffy, I know it's horrible, but if you're going to hunt this creature, you should study it,” Giles said looking over his glasses at her.
“Think I got it,” Buffy sighed.
Willow looked at her sympathetically, “She's right. I mean, you've seen one big hairy bringer of death, you've seen 'em all.”
Wesley looked at the image on the screen. “If I'm not mistaken, this is a hell hound.”
Giles nodded, “Yes. It's particularly vicious. Trained solely to kill. They feed off the brains of their foes.”
Oz squinted at the screen, “Guys look at that.”
“We’ve seen the footage, Oz,” Xander said dismissively.
“No, look at the reflection in the window,” Oz said quietly pointing at a storefront window.
Everyone paused and looked where Oz pointed. “Faith,” Buffy said bitterly.
Giles looked at Buffy, “So, we have a threat against the students on their big night, a hellhound trained to attack people in formal wear.” He sighed, “Faith is planning to attack the prom tonight.”
Oz shook his head, “Once again, the Hellmouth puts the special in special occasion.” Xander leaned back, “Why do I even buy tickets for these things, I ask you?”
Willow pouted, “Wonder if I can take my dress back?”
Buffy sat up, “Don't you dare.”
Willow looked at her friend in shock, “But Faith is going to…”
“No!” Buffy spoke with authority. “You guys are going to have a prom. The kind of prom that everyone should have. I'm going to give you all a nice, fun, normal evening if I have to kill every single person on the face of the earth to do it.”
Xander winced, “Yea?”
The gang walked out of the library feeling anxious about prom. “The prom is like one of the most important moments in a girl’s life. I cannot believe hell hounds are going to ruin it,” Cordelia complained while Wesley held the door for her.
“Did you just say hell hound?” John Winchester asked quietly as he and Bobby Singer arrived.
Wesley turned to the men. “Yes, unfortunately. It appears our rogue Slayer has hell hounds at her beck and call.” Wesley nodded his good bye to Cordelia and ushered the men into the library. “Even more unbelievable is that she appears to have them trained to attack those in formal wear.”
John and Bobby exchanged disbelieving looks. “Trained hell hounds?!” Bobby shook his head.
John looked over where Buffy was re-watching the surveillance tape with Giles. “Buffy, there appears to be three of them,” Giles noted as they watched. “You’re going to need to be extremely careful. Perhaps, if you can separate them. Use the crossbow.”
Buffy nodded as she listened.
John turned to Bobby, “I’ll be right back.” He stepped into the hall and began to dial his cell phone.
Dean and Sam had barely spoken during the drive. Sam noticed Dean was a powder keg. Sam couldn’t believe his brother would be so willing to leave the fight with the Mayor. Sam felt like he was being treated like a child, but he knew that Dean had to be feeling worse. On top of it all, traffic at that time of day was a near stand still.
The ringing of Dean’s cell phone was barely heard over the blaring radio. Dean checked the caller ID and wasn’t sure if he wanted to answer. At the fourth ring, he relented and pick up, “Yeah.”
“Dean, there’s been a change in plans,” his father began. “You’re gonna meet up with Ryan. He’s gonna take Sam and then, you’re gonna haul ass back here.”
“What? Why?”
“Faith’s found herself some hell hounds, and it looks like she’s attacking the prom.”
Dean rolled his eyes, “You gotta be kidding me!”
That night, outside the prom hall, the three hellhounds loped toward the building doors. Buffy shot the trailing hound with a crossbow bolt, killing it . The creatures turned, snarled, and begin to chase her.
“That's right. Follow Buffy. Good dogs,” she muttered over her shoulder.
They chased her for a few moments, then Buffy heard a whistle and music began to play. The hounds reversed course.
Buffy slowed, “Oh, come on. That song sucks.” She took off around the next corner hoping to cut them off.
Bobby and John were positioned on the roof. Dean paced in the back drive to the building. As soon as he heard the music, he took off in a full sprint, following the path his father had planned out for him.
As the hounds rounded the corner, they saw Dean, dressed in a tuxedo, and focused their attack on him, changing their direction. The change in direction put Buffy and Dean on a collision course. The moment he saw her, Dean realized she was going to be in the line of fire. “C‘mon!” He yelled when he reached her, grabbing her hand, dragging her after him. He led her into a doorway and shielded her as his father and Bobby opened fire, laying waste to the hounds.
“Christ, Buffy, are you okay?” Dean asked, his eyes roamed over her face looking for injuries, when the shots ended.
Blinking was her only response, at first. Then she nodded, “You’re here.”
Dean chuckled, “Yeah.”
“Dean! It’s all clear!” John shouted from his position on the roof.
Dean stepped back from Buffy, “All right, thanks, Dad!”
Buffy stared at him open mouthed. “You’re in a tuxedo,” she gasped.
Dean shrugged, “Bait.” He held his hand out to her.
She took his hand, “It looks good,” she stuttered, still in shock at seeing him.
Dean made a face. “I look stupid.”
“No, you look good.”
He rolled his eyes.
They had made it back to where he had parked the car. John and Bobby were just arriving. “Good job, kid. I didn’t think you could run in those shoes,” Bobby said with a laugh.
“I know,” Dean said looking at the shiny dress shoes. “These things are ridiculous. I feel like an idiot.”
Bobby chuckled as he stowed his gun in the back of John’s truck, “And, Miss, that was some impressive crossbow work.”
“Thanks,” Buffy smiled.
Dean led Buffy to the passenger door of his car. John walk over and tucked an envelope in Dean’s pocket with a smirk. Then he clapped Dean on the shoulder, “See ya later.” Dean nodded. Then John turned to Buffy, “This is for you,” handing her a plastic box.
Once they were alone in the car, Dean turned to her, “So, uh, I can take you to prom, if you want.”
“I want,” nodded Buffy with a smile. “But, I so have to change.” They drove for minute in silence until the questions in Buffy’s head had to be answered. “Where’d you get a tux?”
“It’s Scott’s. Ryan met me and Sam. Took Sam, gave me Scott’s tux.” He looked down at himself. “I’m not sure who got the better deal.”
Buffy laughed, “And tickets? And flowers?”
“Uh, Mr. Giles took care of the tickets. And Bobby said you’re supposed to have flowers, so…” he shrugged.
Dean sat on the couch with his elbows on his knees feeling like an idiot. He tugged at his collar every few minutes as he waited. He twirled the plastic corsage box in his fingers. Just when he thought he couldn’t take the waiting any more, Buffy and Mrs. Summers walked down the stairs.
Dean stood, mouth going dry when he saw her. “Um,” he coughed to clear his throat, “here.” He handed her the plastic box from before.
Buffy smiled, “Thanks. Mom?” She handed the box to her mom.
“Sure, hold on,” Joyce opened the box and pinned the flowers to Buffy’s dress. Standing back to admire her handy work, Joyce smiled at them. “Let me take one picture.”
Buffy groaned, “Mom, c’mon, we’re already late.”
“Just one,” Joyce called from the dining room where she was looking for the camera.
“You look beautiful,” Dean finally said, still taking her in.
Buffy grinned, “Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself.”
“Okay, stand just like that,” Joyce directed before snapping as many pictures as she could.
Buffy and Dean arrived at the dance and were greeted by Giles. “I am very glad to see the two of you,” he said with a small smile.
“Oh please tell me you have something for us to kill so I can get out of here,” Dean pleaded, even though it brought a smack from Buffy.
“Uh, no, sorry, you’re stuck suffering through this with the rest of us,” Giles said with a smirk.
Oz and Willow walked over to see them. her. “Buffy, you look awesome,” Willow gushed.
“So do you,” Buffy replied.
“Everything cool?” Oz asked.
“Coolest. Devil dogs are history. How's the prom?” Buffy asked.
“Strangely affecting,” Oz responded. “I got all teared up when they played 'We Are Family'.”
Dean laughed, “Girl.”
Oz looked at Dean and smirked, “I hear the ‘Electric Slide’ is on the play list.”
“Yes!” Buffy grinned at Dean, “I can’t wait!” Dean shook his head and laughed
Moments later Jonathan was speaking from the stage. “We have one more award to give out. Is Buffy Summers here tonight? Did she, um…”
The crowd turned and found her. She looked nervous at the attention.
Jonathan continued, “This is actually a new category. First time ever. I guess there were a lot of write-in ballots, and, um, the prom committee asked me to read this. "We're not good friends. Most of us never found the time to get to know you, but that doesn't mean we haven't noticed you. We don't talk about it much, but it's no secret that Sunnydale High isn't really like other high schools. A lot of weird stuff happens here."
The crowd laughed and shouted, “Zombies! Hyena people! Snyder!” Even Dean joined in the laughter.
Jonathan read more, "But, whenever there was a problem or something creepy happened, you seemed to show up and stop it. Most of the people here have been saved by you, or helped by you at one time or another. We're proud to say that the Class of '99 has the lowest mortality rate of any graduating class in Sunnydale history." The crowd applauded. "And we know at least part of that is because of you. So the senior class, offers its thanks, and gives you, uh, this."
Jonathan held out a multicolored, glittering, miniature umbrella with a small metal plaque attached to the shaft.
“It's from all of us, and it has written here, ‘Buffy Summers, Class Protector’,” Jonathon read smiling at her.
The crowd broke into sustained applause and cheering, as Buffy walked to the stage and took her award.
“Nice,” Dean said, looking over the award when she returned to him. “Definitely one of the most unbelievable things to happen here.”
“Almost as unbelievable as you in a tux,” Buffy grinned before she kissed him. “Come on, dance with me.” Dean rolled his eyes but let her lead him to the dance floor.
Chapter 33