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Chapter Twenty-One
Buffy kept pacing her room while she waited for Logan. She would occasionally pause to check her reflection in the mirror, but then would quickly resumed her pacing. Logan had refused to tell her where they were going, just to dress nicely. So here she stood in a simple green, silk dress that Rogue had helped her pick out. She only hoped she was properly attired for the evening’s activities. It had been years since she had technically gone on a real date. She didn’t count dinner with Robin Wood; it had been more of his way of showing her that he knew who she was. She and Spike never really went out, just... well there was no dating involved in what they were doing. Riley had been the last guy to take her out and that seemed like ages before her second death. God, but she was nervous. It wasn’t like she had never been alone with Logan before. They went out slaying every night, trained together, and had even been sleeping in the same bed for nearly two weeks. But this was different. This was them admitting to the sparks that had been flying between them over the past month and a half. This was them taking that first step beyond the boundaries of friendship. This was her stepping out of the nice safe box she had placed herself in since Spike died. This was... frightening. She stopped and stared at herself in the mirror. The big, bad, immortal slayer was afraid of one little date. No, correct that. She was afraid of what the date represented and the consequences. Buffy was moving on and was finally accepting her friends’ deaths. There had been evidence of it before, but this was a declaration of sorts. No longer would she be able to use that pain as an excuse. But what happened if things didn’t work out for her and Logan in a romantic way? She’d be losing a wonderful friend. But what if he’s the one? A voice in the back of her mind asked. What if all your previous relationships were to prepare you for this one? The tiny blonde stopped her nervous thoughts and considered it. It was possible that this man was the one. He was a capable fighter, wasn’t threatened by her strength, didn’t try to protect her, and didn’t try to coddle her. Well, he coddled her in a way, but it was more of a general health way - making sure she ate properly and got enough sleep. But never like she was a precious doll who couldn’t take care of herself. Yes, Logan was definitely different from the others. Her breathing calmed and her heart stopped racing. This could be the right thing to do after all. ********* Logan nervously ran his hand through his hair as he did a final check in the mirror. He couldn’t believe that Rogue had talked him into wearing these clothes. But she had insisted that Buffy would love them, and he wanted everything to be just right that night. Storm had been quite helpful when he had asked for suggestions for the night’s activities. He couldn’t remember ever going on a date, at least, not in the last fifteen years. He must have taken Jennifer, his late wife, out at some point, but it was buried deep under his brainwashing. He was extremely thankful for all of Storm’s suggestions since he knew next to nothing about the surrounding area. She had also been the one to suggest that he kept Buffy in the dark so that each place they went was a pleasant surprise. He hoped they were, anyway. Buffy was just so important to him that he wanted everything to be perfect. She had sacrificed so much over the years that he wanted to show her that the sacrifices were no longer necessary. That he was going to do everything possible to ensure her happiness. Through the wall, he could hear Buffy pacing in the next room. Yet another reason to make sure things went well this evening. She was risking a lot by doing this. If this date fell apart, then she might retreat back behind the walls he had carefully been breaking down. Logan glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He grabbed keys and a small envelope off his dresser and headed out the door. Standing outside of her room, he took a deep breath before knocking. A moment later the door opened to reveal a vision of beauty. Her long, blonde hair was loose and cascaded down her back in huge gentle curls. The green slip dress she wore clung to her curves. He was pleased to see that the weight she had lost while she was recovering had returned to fill out her thin frame. The bottom hem of the dress hung in an asymmetrical line to reveal tanned legs. Buffy’s normal hazel eyes became green with the dress’ influence. He found himself rooted to the spot unable to say or do anything. The world around him faded, leaving only him and Buffy. “What’s wrong?” She asked nervously. “Nothing,” he said softly. “You just look... so beautiful.” She smiled. “Thanks, you’re not looking too bad yourself,” she said as she took in the soft brown polo shirt he was wearing that emphasized his muscular upper body. Someone had talked him out of his normal jeans and into dark brown chinos. Her eyes twinkled as she noticed he was still wearing his cowboy boots. “Rogue helped a little,” he admitted. “I figured. Her and Storm have been awfully nosy about this whole date thing. You’d think they had arranged the whole thing.” “You’d think,” he said with a grin. “Ya ready?” She nodded and slipped her hand into his. As they walked down the hall she asked, “Where are we going?” “Ain’t telling you yet, darlin’.” *********** Buffy looked around the small pub with interest. The lighting was dim, but it was cozy more than suffocating. In fact, the whole atmosphere was comfortable and helped ease her anxiety. It had taken them an hour to get to New York City in Scott’s car. Logan had mumbled something about the boy scout offering it for the night. But she could hardly believe that Logan brought her to the big city for their first date. After parking the car in a garage, they walked through Times Square and she couldn’t help but feel like a tourist as she tried to take in all the sights. He led her onto one of the streets off of the main strip and into one of the small buildings. “What’s this place called again?” She asked. “The Pig ‘N Whistle,” he said as a waitress came over to the table. “What can I get you to drink?” She asked in a slight Irish brogue. “A beer,” Logan said. “Diet coke or pepsi, whichever you have,” Buffy answered. The waitress placed two menus in front of them before leaving to get their drinks. “What’s good here?” She asked as she opened the menu. “Dunno, never been here before,” he answered as he opened his own. She lowered her menu to stare at him. “Then how and why did you choose this place?” “I asked Storm for suggestions since I don’t really know the area,” he answered. “This doesn’t really seem like her kind of place,” Buffy said, looking around. “No, but she said it would fit us. I like it,” he said. “Me too,” Buffy said shyly as she went back to perusing the menu. By the time the waitress returned with their drinks, they were ready to order. She took their menus and the couple was left alone once again. “What else are we doing this evening?” He quirked an eyebrow up. “Dinner not enough?” He asked teasingly. Buffy’s eyes widened in alarm. “Yes, it is. It’s just... I figured there was more since we came all the way here. I mean, we could’ve eaten dinner in Westchester.” “It’s ok, Buffy,” he said with a chuckle. “Yes, there’s more.” “Then what?” She asked in excitement. “I mean, we’re in New York City. There’s so much we could do that I’m not even sure where to start guessing.” “Not telling.” She pouted. “Please tell me.” He refused to look at her. “No fair. That’s cheatin’. It’s supposed to be a surprise.” “Fine, I’ll wait,” she said with a little smile. She was truly touched by his efforts to take her on a true date. Things were definitely looking up. *********** “I’m so stuffed I can barely move,” Buffy said as they walked back onto the street. She slipped her arm around Logan’s waist and he returned the favor. He grinned down at her. “I’m not surprised. You even had dessert.” “They all sounded so scrumptious that I couldn’t help myself,” she said. “The chicken was so good that I figured the desserts would be heavenly if they were even half as good.” They navigated their way down the street enjoying each other’s company and the atmosphere. Buffy was so relaxed and content that she didn’t even think to ask where they were going until they turned down another street and he slowed their pace. Her eyes widened as she read the sign on the building they were approaching. “That’s Studio 54,” she whispered. “Huh?” “It was this huge nightclub in the seventies. All sorts of famous people would go there,” she said in awe. “I didn’t realize it was till open.” “I hate to tell ya, but that ain’t why we’re here,” he said, a little worried now. He steered her into a separate line going into the building. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small envelope. Buffy looked around in confusion. “Cabaret?” “It’s a play or a musical or somethin’,” he said nervously. “A Broadway show,” she said in obvious delight. “I’ve never seen a real play before. This is so cool.” Logan handed their tickets over to an usher, who led them into what looked like a seedy nightclub. Little tables with bentwood chairs covered the area where normal auditorium seats would be. The usher stopped at a table on the center aisle, just behind the main floor. They were only about fifteen feet away from the stage. They had no sooner sat down when a waitress came and took their drink orders. “This is so cool,” Buffy said again as she began looking through the program. “I don’t get why they are selling t-shirts that say ‘life is beautiful’, but it’s still cool.” Logan, for his part, could only sit there and smile goofily at her. He had never seen her this open and happy before. In a space of a few hours she went from breathtakingly beautiful to luminescent. “Oh my god,” she said. “What?” He asked in concern. “Did you see who is in this?” “No,” he admitted. Storm had suggested the show along with a few others. She had given him basic plots to choose from, but other than that, he knew nothing about it. Of all the plays she had given him, this one interested him the most. “Doogie Howser and Debbie Gibson.” “Who?” “Debbie was a pop singer in the eighties. I had all of her tapes. And Doogie, well his real name is Neil Patrick Harris. But there was this show called Doogie Howser that I used to watch as a kid,” she said excitedly. “I can’t believe I’m going to see them live.” She threw her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. “This is wonderful. Thank you.” “You’re welcome,” he said, hugging her back. She released him and sat back in her chair. “You realize this has singing in it?” “I’ll manage,” he said as the waitress brought their drinks. A few minutes later, the lights dimmed to signal the beginning of the show. Buffy’s eyes were riveted to the stage as the Emcee came out to welcome them. It took her a moment to realize that she was seeing Doogie Howser. This made up man with rouged cheeks and darkly outlined eyes was completely removed from the wide-eyed young doctor he had once played. Before long, Buffy and Logan were caught up in 1930’s Berlin and the strange relationship of Cliff and Sally. Most scenes were followed by a song that was almost like a running commentary. Despite the almost dizzyingly switches from scenes in the Kit Kat Club to other places and a slightly disjointed storyline, the story was easy to follow. It was Sally’s wishful thinking in Maybe This Time that pulled at Buffy’s heartstrings. Poor Sally seemed to have almost the same luck with men as she did. The difference being that Sally left herself open to new love, determined to keep searching until she found the one. Whereas Buffy tended to retreat further into herself. Buffy blinked back her tears and looked over at Logan through the corner of her eye. He was definitely a good reason to open her heart. Nothing risked, then nothing gained. She reached out for his hand and turned her attention back to the stage. ************ The end of the night found the couple standing outside of Buffy’s room as they awkwardly tried to end the date. “I had a wonderful time,” Buffy said. “Cabaret was amazing.” “It was, wasn’t it,” he said. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For what?” “A night of normalcy. Showing me it’s ok to move on. Not letting me shut myself in. Pick one, they all apply.” Logan reached out and pulled her close. “You’re worth it.” “Are you sure?” She asked, a little bit of fear creeping into her voice. His head dipped closer to hers. “Positive,” he said as he paused with his lips only inches from her own. He didn’t want to rush her, but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could restrain himself. She was so close and tantalizing. Buffy, however, took the worry out of his hands as she closed the distance herself. Her body tingled as she became attuned to every place on her body that touched Logan. Their first kiss, which had only been a few short weeks before, had been rough and passionate. This one was no less passionate, but was more of a gentle exploration. His hands pulled her tighter to him and the intensity of the kiss increased. His body screamed for more, but he didn’t want to scare her by pressing it. For the moment, he was more than content to bask in the glory that she was. Buffy’s senses were on overload. She had never been affected by one kiss like this before. Her skin felt hot and yearned for more direct contact with his own. Ordinarily it would have scared her, but everything about him felt so right. She didn’t even realize that he had pressed her against the wall until she heard someone clearing their throat. With great effort, she and Logan pulled themselves out of their haze. “You could take that into an actual room,” Scott pointed out. Logan growled softly at the interruption, while Buffy’s already flushed face got redder. “Just saying, a student could walk through here coming to one of us with an emergency,” Scott said innocently. “Ya proved your point, now beat it,” Logan said. Scott grinned and continued down the hall to his room with his glass of milk. “I feel like I just got caught by my mother,” Buffy said with a giggle as she buried her face in Logan’s chest in embarrassment. “He certainly acts like one sometimes,” Logan agreed. She lifted her head up and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “It is kind of late, we should turn in.” “We should,” he said as he kissed her. “I’ll see you in the morning,” she said as she slipped out of his arms and opened her door. “Huh?” “You didn’t think I’d let you sleep in here tonight did you? It’s not proper for a guy to sleep over on the first date.” He could only stare at her in surprise. She went up on her tiptoes to kiss him one more time. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Then she went into her room and softly shut the door. ********** Logan awoke as his senses detected another person in his room. A scent of power and femininity overlaid with strawberry shampoo flooded his nose and he smiled. He pulled back the covers so Buffy, clad in a cami and little shorts, could join him. “I thought this wasn’t proper,” he teased as she snuggled up against him. “Screw that,” she said with a snort. “Couldn’t sleep?” “No. You?” “Barely. I had just fallen asleep when you came in.” “Sorry,” she said. “Don’t be.” After a few moments, she said, “Boxers huh?” “What?” “You normally keep your jeans on when you sleep in my room,” she said as she slipped one of her bare legs in between his. “This is much better.” “I’ll try to remember that,” he said as he slipped one hand under her cami to rest it on the small of her back. She gave him a lingering kiss before settling back down. “Night.” “Night, darlin’.” ********* Author’s Note: I know the date was a little strange for Logan. But hear me out. Storm and Rogue helped for one thing. The other, Cabaret is not a happy go lucky musical. At least, not that version. It’s very dark and carries a lot of deep undertones. The one that was showing in NYC was a gritty version that could shock anyone to their core. My husband, a fullblood redneck loved the show. I figured if he could like it, so could Logan. If you don’t know the show I suggest buying the cd from the Revival. Don’t buy the original or the one from the movie. The movie is absolutely awful. They’ve changed the story and the tone of the show. Plus, when this fic is set, this show would have either been closed already, or the cast I listed was replaced by then. I claim AU. I used the play as a vehicle for certain points, some of which become clearer in the next chapter, and I used the actors cause they were the ones I saw in the show. Really, their performances were mind blowing. Next Chapter |
