Going to Graceland (SPN/Btvs) Ch. 9
Title: Going to Graceland (SPN/Btvs)
Author: Noturbaby
Fandoms: Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rating: PG-13 - R
Warnings: none
Disclaimer: Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer do not belong to me. This is for fun not for profit.
Post series for Buffy
Summary: A retelling of end of SPN season 3 -- Dean’s deal with a Buffy twist. Dean uses his best line to get the girl.
a/n: Everytime I try to write Andrew, I get Kurt from Glee, so if you don't like my Andrew, I'm sorry, blame Glee. This chapter has some dialogue from SPN ep. No Rest for the Wicked and three lines from Seinfeld.
"Mommy!" the adorable little girl sang, skipping into the kitchen.
The frazzled mother turned to the creature that wore her daughter's body. "Yes, dear?" However, her mother instinct took over when she saw the child. "What happened to your dress? Is that blood?" the mother asked in a worried yet demanding tone.
The child beamed a wide grin at her, "Oh, this? Freckles wouldn't sit for my tea party."
"Freckles?" the father asked. "What happened?"
"I took his insides out," the little girl said skipping to the family's refrigerator. "Mommy, I'm hungry. I want chocolate ice cream."
The adults had been exchanging terrified looks, but the mother sighed, "Yes, dear, of course."
The father reeled. He stared at his wife and the form that used to be his daughter. "Why?" he whispered.
The child spun to him, eyes turning white. "Are you questioning me?" a voice thundered from within her.
"No," the mother shakily replied for her husband, "no dear, he wasn't." Her eyes pleaded with her husband to remain complacent.
Dean ran through the darkening woods, not caring about the branches that were tearing at his clothes and soon his skin. All he could focus on was escaping the snarling beast that is gaining ground every second. Dean came to a halt as a fallen tree now blocked his path. Turning, his expression was of pure terror as the hell hound bore down.
"Sh, Dean, it's okay, it's just a dream," Buffy gently caressed his face.
He blinked his eyes and controlled his breathing. He reached up to cup Buffy's face, then he pulled her down for a kiss.
Ruby spun her knife in her hand. It dripped blood as it spun. She leered over the teenage boy she had strapped to a chair. "Tell me where Lilith is vacationing or I add holy water to the mix."
The boy's eyes were wide and black with the demon inside him. "I wouldn't tell you anything, Ruby," he hissed. "I'd rather go back to hell than help you."
Ruby rolled her eyes, "That's not what this knife does, boy. This little blade," she held it up to let it gleam in the dim light, "will end your existence." She sneered and used said knife to peel skin off the boy's arm. The demon wailed. Ruby picked up a bottle and poured its contents on the wound causing it to sizzle and the demon to howl. "Oh, sorry, I thought the Holy Water would make sure it didn't get infected," she growled menacingly.
Giles pushed his glasses to his forehead and rubbed his eyes. Muttering a curse at jet lag, he didn't hear Willow enter the room. "You okay, Giles?" she asked.
"Hm?" he looked over at the young witch. "Oh, Willow, I didn't see you. Yes, I'm fine, tired. Jet lag."
Willow nodded, "Any luck? Giles returned his glasses to his eyes. "Yes and no, it seems this Ruby is torturing demons weaker than herself to determine Lilith's location."
"Well, we could have one of the Winchesters tell her where Lilith is, or we could just leave her out of the plan all together," Willow suggested.
Giles shook his head. "No, she would assume the slayers also know if the information comes from one of the brothers. Besides, Dean's idea of getting her knife from her and returning it to the slayers is an excellent one." Willow shrugged. "Willow, we don't know what Ruby's intentions with the Winchesters are, but we know that she's pure evil. Destroying her is a necessity."
Willow mulled that over for a moment. "What if we got that demon to talk?" Giles squinted at her in confusion. "The two of us can possess the possessed person and tell Ruby what we want her to know."
Giles began to smile, "That's ingenious, Willow. I doubt the demon would suspect a thing."
Recreating the scythe, took Dean the rest of the day and most of the night. Even though he knew Ruby had never seen the scythe, he wanted it to be perfect. He was hoping it would also distract Lilith. He sharpened its edge, and attached it to the wooden handle, that ended in a stake, that Buffy had made.
Dean watched Buffy twirl the new scythe as if it were a child's baton. He wondered what his father would think if he knew he was putting his and Sam's life in the hands of a witch and some slayers.
The next step, take it to Willow for her to put a spell on it so that Ruby and maybe even Lilith wouldn't know it was a fake.
As Dean and Buffy entered the room, Dean turned to her, "Babe, could you go find Sam for me? I want to show this to him."
"Sure," she replied smiling sweetly at him as she left.
Faith took the scythe from him and swung it around a few times, testing its heft. "Nice work, Dean."
"Thanks," he muttered. After making sure Buffy had left, he turned to the others. "Uh, I really appreciate what you guys are doing. I mean I know my deal's not really your problem, but I gotta ask for one more thing." He paused as four pair of expectant eyes studied him. Shaking his head, he said, "No plan B. If this doesn't go our way, you guys just do what you can to ice Lilith." He ignored their shocked expressions and focused on Faith. "Faith, I know Sam's gonna try to bring me back. Don't let him."
"Dean - ," Faith began but Dean wouldn't let her continue.
"Look, I'm just trying to… We gotta break the cycle. First my dad, then me. We gotta stop spreading it for these demons," he begged Faith to understand.
"Dean, if Lilith sends you to hell, we have to," Xander replied.
"No," Dean looked from Xander to Willow. As Willow was about to interrupt, Dean held up his hand. "What if, when you pull me from hell, I've become a demon?"
"You won't," Willow said calmly.
Dean raised a brow. "You can't guarantee that. And I don't want Sam to have the same guilt I have if you pull me from heaven. Promise you'll let whatever happens happen?" he pleaded with them.
They solemnly nodded their agreement. "Alright, but Buffy's not gonna like that," Xander warned him.
Dean looked toward the door to see Sam and Buffy entering. "She'll deal just fine." he answered.
Willow watched Buffy's face light up as her eyes met Dean's. Dean looked at Buffy like she was a glass of water and he just crossed the Sahara. "Faith seems to think the scythe's okay," Dean informed them.
Sam took it from Faith, without realizing it was heavier than she made it appear. He nearly let it fall to the floor. "Nice work, bro," he grinned at Dean as he turned the scythe over.
"Yeah, Dean, nice ax," Keisha said just barely preventing herself from giggling.
Dean started to chuckle and Buffy blushed. "Keisha, are you checking out Dean's ax?" Buffy asked while she giggled.
Dean put his arm around Buffy's shoulders. "Well, Willow, it's up to you now. You think you can work some mojo on that thing so Ruby doesn't know it's not the real thing?"
Willow grinned, "She won't know what hit her."
Sam cleared his throat, "Well, now that we have the scythe ready, Andrew wants to talk to everybody about logistics."
Xander watched Faith and Buffy walk ahead of them escorting the Winchesters to the other room. He leaned into Willow's shoulder, "Ya know, about what Dean asked…"
Willow rested her head on his shoulder for a second, "Don't worry," she whispered, "I had my fingers crossed."
Xander chuckled, "Good, me, too."
Ruby flitted into Salem, Indiana. She crept towards the street her victim had told her was Lilith's current resort. The sheer number of demons told her that Lilith was nearby. However, she wanted to find the exact house. Walking into a house, she easily disposed of the humans that lived there. Ruby put her feet up on the table as she took a seat by a window with a view of the entire street. She'd find Lilith, but she had better get the Winchesters on their way.
Sam watched his brother while they sat in a conference style room and went over the duties being assigned to the slayers. Dean mostly looked distracted. Not that Sam blamed him. In less than forty eight hours, Dean would be facing Lilith. Most of the discussion had nothing to do with him or his deal, but was concerning the other demons in Salem and how the slayers were to deal with them. However, Sam nearly laughed out loud when Dean's head snapped to as Buffy began to talk about the role she and Faith were going to play.
Andrew hung pictures of houses on the front wall. "We're pretty sure Lilith is in one of these houses based on the descriptions from the dreams."
"Andy, you got an address?" Dean asked ignoring how Andrew mouthed 'Andrew' every time Dean called him Andy.
"Yes, well, almost. Pretty soon we'll know which house has a family with a little blonde girl," Andrew informed everyone.
As the meeting was wrapping up, Sam felt the need to address a concern that he felt had been over looked. "Buffy, I'm not trying to tell you how to do your job," Sam began and instantly silenced the room. Even Faith gave him an incredulous look. "But, every girl dreamt that Dean was going to be attacked by hell hounds and we haven't even talked about them."
Faith rolled her eyes and Buffy shook her head. But before either of them could answer him, Xander spoke up. "Sam, Buffy took out three hell hounds and still made it to our prom." Both Winchesters' brows shot up. "So, yeah, I don't think you need to worry about some mangy dogs."
Dean leaned over to his brother and spoke quietly, "Dude, my girl is so hot." Sam shook his head but had to admit it was an impressive feat.
Dean's gloat was broken by Sam's cell ringing. He looked at the caller ID and at the others in the room. "Ruby," he announced and the room silenced. "Hello," Sam answered.
"Sammy, can you talk or is your slayer sweetie, near by?" Ruby asked with a sneer. "Cuz if your idiot brother didn't tell you, I won't work with them."
"It's Sam," he reminded her in annoyance, "And yeah, I'm alone, I can talk."
"Good, I've got a solid lead on Lilith," Ruby purred into the phone. "Think you and Tweedle Dum can get to Salem, Indiana by tomorrow?"
"Sure, give us twenty four hours and-"
"Just get here and call me when you get into town. Then, I'll give you the address," the demon disconnected.
Sam grinned as he put away his phone. "Ruby says Lilith's in Salem, Indiana."
As the day dragged on, Dean felt like crawling out of his skin. He needed something to focus on and since his work on the scythe was done, he had nothing. After pacing enough to need new boots, he decided to take action. He had nothing to lose he reminded himself.
"Sam, hey, I need your help with something."
Sam left the table where he'd been studying the map of the neighborhood Lilith was visiting. "Sure, man, what is it?" He followed Dean into the hall.
Dean took a deep breath before beginning, "Uh, when you were with Jess, I'm sure you did all sorts of romantic shit." Sam made a face at him. Dean sighed, "Look, I wanna do something for Buffy and I, um…"
Sam smirked. He was tempted to mock Dean the way Dean would mock him, but instead he said, "So you need my help with 'romantic shit'?"
Dean rolled his eyes, "Yeah, Sam. You're the sister I never had."
Sam gave his brother an annoyed look and began to turn away.
Dean stopped Sam from leaving with a hand on his arm. "All right, come on, man, I'm sorry. I don't want to mess this up. I just want to do something nice for her, like dinner or something. I don't know. This is more your area of expertise." Dean paused before looking up at his brother almost sheepishly, "I think she's pretty much it."
Sam's brows shot up as he caught his brother's intention "So, maybe this should be it. She seems like she could be it."
Dean relaxed as he saw Sam understand his meaning. "She's at it as you get. Imagine bumping into her on the street in five years with a husband. And she tells me he's a doctor or a lawyer, and they live in a mansion by the ocean…"
Sam nodded in mock seriousness, "We'd have to kill him."
"Exactly," Dean chuckled, "We'd get caught, and I'd get the chair."
"Yeah, you would." Sam joined in the laughter. "Okay, what do you want to do? You could take her to a nice restaurant or you could do something at her place," Sam thought out loud.
Dean seemed to think it over, "I'd rather do something at her place."
"What about the fact that Faith and I are staying there?" Sam hoped to get a little help from his brother, too.
"I can get you a room someplace," Dean assured him, "someplace nice, I promise."
Sam smiled. "Well, come on, man, we don't have a lot of time to get you all chick flick appropriate."
They began to walk out when they passed Andrew. Dean stopped. "Hey, Andy, what are you doing?"
Buffy grew anxious as time passed and she hadn't seen or heard from Dean. Her stomach began to churn as she thought that he and Sam may have deserted the plan, and left without them. She quietly approached Faith, "Have you heard from Sam lately? I mean, do you know where he and Dean are?"
Faith gave her a quizzical look, "No, why?"
"I haven't heard from Dean for a while. I tried calling, but, I was wondering," Buffy paused. "You don't think they'd take off without us, do you?"
Faith rolled her eyes, "They better not have. But if we want to know for sure, we should get to your place. I'll drive, you call."
As Faith pulled into Buffy's driveway, the girls' worry was suddenly justified. Sam was carrying a duffel bag and striding to the Impala. When he saw Faith's jeep, he yelled something to the house. Faith turned to Buffy, "I can't believe those assholes! You go tear Dean a new one while I make Sam wish he was facing Lilith instead of me!" She flung herself out her door and stormed over to Sam.
"I thought we decided on the suit," Andrew said with disapproval as he looked at Dean standing there in jeans and a white dress shirt.
"No, you did. Sam brought in the wrong one, anyway," Dean answered trying to allow Andrew to primp him though he found it annoying.
"Dean! So help me, if you and Sam think you can -" she looked around noticing flowers and candles everywhere. "What's going on? What is all this?" Buffy asked on a rushed breath as Dean turned and smiled at her.
"Hey," was all Dean managed to say as he stared at her.
Andrew dusted an imaginary speck off Dean's shoulder and whispered, "Good luck." He turned and smiled at Buffy nodding hello and good bye. He quickly walked toward the kitchen but turned when he got there, "Oh, and that stuff's gonna take another fifteen minutes at least."
Dean's eyes didn't leave Buffy's, but he tilted his head, "Okay, thanks." Then he blinked, and looked over at Andrew, "Hey, Andrew," Andrew turned to look at Dean, "thanks, man."
Andrew practically bowed. "No problem," he smiled as he walked out Buffy's back door.
Buffy's heart was hammering and her eyes were wide. She had gone from being furious to completely overwhelmed in a matter of seconds. "Dean? What is all this?"
Dean smiled bashfully, and ducked his head. He was suddenly feeling plagued with self doubt. He swallowed as he waited for his nerves to settle. "Uh, well, it's my last night on earth and I wanted to make it memorable."
Unfortunately, his words distressed her. She had to press her lips together and looked to the ceiling to keep from crying. Feeling the stress of the last few days, the tears formed anyway and her voice cracked when she said, "Dean, it's not.."
"Buffy, I know, I know it's not," he hurriedly reassured her. "But, that's my best line and I'm trying to get the girl, here," Dean added with a slight smile and a tilt of his head.
Buffy rolled her eyes, though she still fought tears, "Like you really need to try."
"I don't know about that," Dean shrugged and moved closer to her trying to get her to meet his eyes. He reached for her hands, "See, she's this amazing girl and I'm crazy about her."
Buffy looked away, as she felt herself begin to blush. "Dean," she said like she was scolding him.
"And, I'm worried she'll think that," Dean stopped, casting about for the right words, he began again. "For the past few weeks, I've been waiting for that look…"
"Look?"
"Yeah, your 'eat shit and die' look you gave me when you found out about my deal." Buffy bit her lip in embarrassment. "But you didn't do it. You, I don't know, forgave me or understood," he shrugged, "you keep surprising me."
"I surprise you? Hello! All this?" she said with a wave of her hand.
Dean smiled with a small shake of his head, "I want you to know that this," He waved his hand around the room, "has nothing to do with saving my life, it's that my life wasn't - ," he paused again. This wasn't him, he was more direct, he took a deep breath and wet his lips. "Buffy," he made sure she was looking him in the eye, "I'm in love with you."
"Winchester, you better not be cutting out on me," Faith growled as she stormed over to Sam. "We had a plan."
"Faith," Sam smiled as he leaned against the car. "No one's changing the plan." His dopey grin was angering Faith even more. "We're just going to spend the night somewhere else."
Stepping back to stay out of his reach, Faith narrowed her eyes. "Why? so you and Dean can take off without us?"
"No, by we I mean you and me," Sam said with the same overly happy smile on his face. "And then Dean and Buffy can have some 'Happy Grown-up Alone Time'." He watched Faith's expression slowly change to a grin. "Dean got us a suite at the Wyndom so we can give them some privacy and have our own 'happy alone time'."
As this new part of the plan became clear to Faith, she looked toward Buffy's house with a raised brow. "Alright, Dean," she nodded, then turned to Sam. "I don't suppose you remembered to pack for me, did you?" she asked nudging the duffel bag he carried.
Sam slipped his arm around her waist as they made their way to her jeep. He held out a toothbrush, "You won't need anything else. They have room service and a king size Jacuzzi tub." He kissed the top of her head. "We won't be leaving the room."
Faith's grin couldn't get bigger. "I like the way you think, Sam."
"You're in love with me?" Buffy asked hoping the shock she was feeling wasn't heard.
"Yeah." Dean regained his confidence as he had the sudden realization that being dead in twenty four hours might have it's advantages. What was the worst she could do? Already going to hell. Then, he cleared his throat. "In fact," Dean said as he walked to the stereo to start the music. "If it wasn't for this 'appointment' I have, I'd be trying to sneak off to Vegas with you." Buffy's eyes became saucers, he scratched his head, before he continued. "Or Niagara, or any ol' chapel of love that would take my plastic."
"You would?" Buffy asked bewildered and taken completely by surprise.
"Damn straight," he said with a cocky smile on his face. "If you said no, I'd spend every moment I could trying to get you to change your mind." Then he held her face in his hands, wiped her tears away with his thumbs, and kissed her. Slowly, he allowed his hands to move to her back to hold her close to him.
When they broke apart, Buffy's world had stopped spinning and she looked into Dean's eyes. "Careful what you wish for, Dean. When I save you, I just might make you live up to that promise," Buffy teased with a smile.
Dean raised a brow, "You think I won't? Try me."
Buffy smiled as she wiped her eyes then took his hands in hers, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be crying. This is very nice. It's lovely." She looked around the room at the candles and the flowers. "You must have worked very hard at all this."
"No, I mean not really," Dean answered truthfully with a shake of his head. "I told Sam and Andrew that I wanted to give you a romantic night and they pretty much did everything else. Andrew made your favorite meal, something he said you loved. And, Sam went through your CDs." Dean licked his lips. "They sent me to get the flowers," he looked around, "the candles were my idea," he added with a shrug. "Buffy, I just wanted one more perfect night with you," Dean looked into her eyes as he spoke.
Buffy blushed ever so slightly, "I'm gonna go change. I'll be right back."
Dean grabbed her hand, "You don't need to change…"
Buffy smirked at him, "You're trying to make this a memorable night, I don't want you remembering me in this," she pointed at her jeans and t-shirt. She gave him a quick kiss, "It'll be worth the wait, I promise."
Dean gave her a warning look, "You got five minutes and then I'm coming in after you."
Faith never felt petite, she rarely felt feminine. She had never considered herself a 'girlie' girl. But, that's exactly how she felt, riding in the elevator, with her back against Sam's chest and his arms wrapped around her. She knew she was grinning like a love struck teenager, but she didn't care. Sam held her tightly to him, tilting his head to gently kiss her neck as the elevator took them to highest floor.
Sam smiled as Faith made a happy 'mmm' sound as he kissed her neck. He couldn't believe he was lucky enough to be the guy to do that to her.
When they got to their suite, Faith practically skipped to the window, "Wow, check out the view! Sweet."
Sam thought about his brother making sure he and Faith had a nice place for the night. Sometimes his brother was the hard ass he pretended to be. Dean had nearly confessed his feelings for Buffy, it was pretty obvious to Sam even if he hadn't. All of a sudden, Sam realized that after tomorrow, good or bad, everything was going to change.
Sam took a deep breath, "Faith?" She turned to him wearing that smile that made his heart skip. "What do you want to do when this is all over?" He could tell by her expression he needed to be more clear. "I mean, after we destroy Lilith, I don't want to go back to the way things were. I don't think Dean does, either."
"What do you want, Sam?" Faith bit her lip, she hadn't been expecting this conversation, at all.
Sam chuckled at himself, he hadn't let himself feel like this in a long time. "Well," he said clearing his throat, "I'm hoping we can still be together." He looked into her eyes.
"Okay," Faith replied a bit unsure of what Sam meant.
Sam huffed a breath, "I mean, I want you and me to try to make something of this." He pointed between the two of them.
Faith gave him a genuine smile, "I'd like that, Sammy." She walked over, wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled him down for a kiss. "I'd like that a lot," she said against his lips. "I've gotten kinda used to you being around."
Every woman has the one outfit that she owns that makes her feel incredible, beautiful. Usually, it's something purchased on a whim with no occasion in mind. But when she wears it, the woman knows she looks her best. For Buffy, it was an ivory halter dress that she bought when Andrew took her shopping because she was depressed. When Buffy stepped out of her two minute shower, she saw Andrew's note and laughed, "Wear the dress". She knew exactly which dress Andrew meant.
Dean sat in Buffy's living room. Dean stood in Buffy's living room. Dean paced in Buffy's living room. Dean cursed at the sappy chick music playing in Buffy's living room. How could anyone listen to this Norah chick, she was better at putting him to sleep than getting in the mood. He was starving and Buffy was taking far too long. (She was just over the five minute limit.) To help pass the time, Dean looked at some pictures on Buffy's mantle. Most were of people he recognized, but there were a couple with a girl Dean didn't know. "Must be Dawn," he thought to himself. Much to his surprise, he found one of him and Buffy on the steps of Graceland. He smiled remembering how happy they'd been. It seemed like ages ago.
Just then, Buffy appeared in the doorway causing Dean to fumble the return of the picture. Dean's mouth went dry as his eyes took a slow walk over her. When they reached her eyes, they blinked. "Wow," Dean said upon clearing his throat, "Yeah, you are definitely worth the wait."
Buffy smirked as she approached him, "Thanks, though I wouldn't have minded if you had followed me in."
"Now, you tell me," Dean mumbled into their kiss. As his hands caressed her bare back, Dean was consumed with thoughts of how soon he could get her out of the dress. Before he could act on any of his notions, the oven's timer sounded. When Buffy leaned out of their kiss, he sighed, "This meal better be worth it."
Dean watched Buffy pull dinner out of the oven, "What the hell is that? Are those Doritos?"
Buffy giggled as she answered, "Yeah, it's Andrew's junk food surprise. Trust me, Dean, it's delicious." Scooping some onto some plates, she said, "Can you grab us some beers while I take this to the table?" When Dean joined her, Buffy smiled, and toasted her beer with his, "Told ya I was low maintenance."
Dean shook his head as he marveled at her. "You really are something."
Faith laughed until she snorted as she lay in bed and forced Sam to answer the door for room service. She had wanted to answer the door naked, but Sam denied her, so she, in turn, made Sam do it. (Well, he was allowed to hold a pillow in front of himself.)
The room service waiter gaped at both of them. "I know you're hoping for a tip," Faith called from the bed, "but he's got nothing on him." She laughed at her own joke, but Sam just rolled his eyes and made excuses until the man left.
The look Sam gave Faith would have annoyed Dean, but Faith shrugged it off. "Sam," her voice sounded husky, "don't be mad, I promise I'll make it up to you." She joined him at the room service cart, grabbed her order of ice cream, and strolled back to the bed.
Sam slowly followed her. Faith looked up at him as she 'accidentally' dropped a spoonful of ice cream on her chest. She cocked a brow, "Would you look at this mess? Think you can help me clean up, Sam?" She set aside her bowl.
Sam smirked as he crawled into bed next to her. "Let me see what I can do," he replied leaning over her, slowly licking off the ice cream. "Tasty." When he finished, Faith's eyes were dark but she wore a sly grin. She kissed him until she was able to get him to lay back on the bed. She took another spoonful of ice cream and dropped it on Sam's chest. Sam sucked in a harsh breath, "Shesh, Faith, that's cold."
Faith quirked a brow, and licked some of the ice cream off his chest, "Mmm, yum." She dropped another spoonful on him, using her finger she drew designs on his chest in the ice cream, before licking him clean, again.
Sam let out a breathy, "Faith." She sat up straight to give him her full attention, though that only made her grind against him. "You're driving me crazy," he added in a voice just above a whisper.
"Good. I wanna get all crazy and sticky. Then, you an me are gonna check out that tub," Faith grinned at him.
After dinner, Buffy took Dean by the hand and led him into the living room. Spinning to face him, and wrapping her arms around his neck, she asked, "Dance with me?"
Dean answered by placing his hands on her hips and pulling her close. As they moved in a small circle, Dean thought the night was going just as he hoped. Buffy seemed relaxed and happy as she rest her head on his chest. He wasn't going to dwell on tomorrow night's possible outcome. Tonight's possibilities were far more enjoyable.
The song changed, but they kept their movements the same, until they recognized Elvis's voice singing, "Wise men say, Only fools rush in, But I can't help, Falling in love with you…"
For Buffy, time momentarily froze. Lifting her head off Dean's chest she looked him in the eye. "Why couldn't we have fallen in love at any other time?" Her breath stuttered for a second. "Why now? Why when there's a chance you -" Dean cut her off with a kiss.
When he felt Buffy relax in his embrace, he broke the kiss with a smile. "You would never have put up with me before. I was never honest about my life. Well, the one time I was, the girl ripped out my heart, so I wasn't about to let that happen again."
"She was obviously an idiot," Buffy said plainly.
Dean laughed. "I don't know. Even after she learned the truth about what's really out there, she didn't want me. So," he shrugged, "if we had met some other time, I'm sure I would have found a way to screw it up."
Now, Buffy kissed him gently, "No, I wouldn't have let you." She looked away. "I have always sucked at relationships. Always the wrong guy, or the wrong time. And then there's the whole slayer thing, that's kinda hard to explain." She looked at him, "But we've got that part down."
Dean chuckled softly. "Well, I'm glad you suck at relationships, 'cause otherwise I wouldn't be here with you right now." Buffy began to smile. Dean pulled her closer to him, "Why don't we try this for twenty-four hours? If it works, we keep at it?"
Buffy opened her mouth to respond, but Dean silenced her with a kiss. By the end of the song, Buffy was certain that if Dean pulled his hands away, she'd melt into the floor. Dean moved his kisses to her neck making her murmur a pleased little sigh. "Buffy," Dean whispered as he kissed her, "I'm going to spend the rest of the night making love to every inch of you."
Buffy's head swam with that suggestion, her response was a slight nod as her breathing quickened and her fingers moved to the buttons of Dean's shirt.
Chapter 10