Buffy was lying in her bed. She had just gotten home from the Bronze.
One week till the prom. One week till the most important event of my whole social life. One week and I still don't have a date ! I'm pathetic. I still can't believe I don't have a date for the Prom ! Angel's gone to LA, my last boyfriend dumped me and everyone's already taken. Even Yalesg, the foreign exchange student from I-don't-remember-where. I have to find someone. I mean, I've already got my dress. My beautiful dress which costed me something like a whole year's allowence. I'll find someone, I'll *rent* someone if I have to. No wait, I don't have to rent someone. I'm beautiful, I'm young, and I'm a Slayer. I should be able to find a date to the Prom. Unless I'm Buffy, the living version of the word 'pathetic'. Tomorrow I'll act just like Faith. That ought to be enough to find a boyfriend for a night.
After that, Buffy got to her closet to find some cheap outfit for her to wear the next day. When she had finally found it, she went to sleep hoping to find a boyfriend the next day.

Next day at school:

The day was almost over and Buffy still hadn't found a date for the Prom. She had been acting like a slut all day but noone had asked her out for the Prom.
Okay, that's it, it's official : I'm pathetic ! So pathetic I don't have a date for the Prom. I know ! I'll go to Giles, ask him to find me a nice prophecy to prevent from happening on Prom night. That way, noone will know that I have don't have a date.
Buffy started walking towards the library. When she got there, she walked right in asking Giles to find a prophecy for her.
"Giles !" Buffy began, "I need a prophecy. I don't have a date for Saturday and I don't want everybody to know it."
"Um, Buffy." Giles said, "Everybody's already here."
Buffy turned around to see all of her friends sitting around the table looking at her like she had grown an extra ear or something. Cordelia was the first one to make a comment.
"You don't have a date for the Prom ?" She asked, "That's like... Even worse than pathetic. I mean, it's one thing not to have a boyfriend but.."
"Thank you, Cordy," Buffy answered, "I get the point. And anyway, I don't have a date for the Prom, so what ?"
"Hey, you're the one who wanted Giles to make up a prophecy so that we wouldn't know about it !" Xander said, "And how come you don't have date ?"
"What is wrong with you people ?" Buffy asked, "You're acting like not having a date is as serious as death penalty."
"Well, it kinda is these days." Oz commented, "But don't worry, we won't kill you."
"Thank you. Anyway, I bet you 50 box, I'll find a date for the Prom." Buffy said to Cordelia.
"You really think you can afford to throw away 50 box ?" Cordelia answered, " 'Cuz we can bet like, 10 box."
"No, 50 is quite enough. Prepare to lose."

For six days, Buffy looked everywhere to find a date. She even considered renting one. She was now litterally desperate and depressed. The night before the Prom, Buffy went patroling hoping to run into someone.

"Here vampires, here." Buffy said while sitting all alone is a graveyard. "I'm sitting here, I'm alive. I'm all alone !"
"Not anymore, Slayer."
Buffy spun around to see Spike walking towards her.
"Spike. How are you ?"
"Better than you I hope."
"Oh, I'm fine."
"Why do I find that so very hard to believe ?"
" 'Cuz it's not true ?"
"Okay, tell me all about it."
"You sure ?"
"Yeah, and anyway, it can't be more boring that what I was doing now."
"Okay, well, tomorrow's the Prom, and I still don't have a date. But that's not the worst part. I kinda made a bet with Cordelia that I would find a date and I still don't have one yet."
"My God ! And you called *me* pathetic !"
"Hey, it's not like it's my fault !"
"Look Slayer, not having a date for the Prom is kinda pathetic, and losing 50 box on top, isn't that good either, so I'm gonna do you a favor."
"What favor ?"
"I'll be your date."
"You ? As I know you, you'll probably feed on one of friends as soon as I turn my back."
"I probably will, but I never went to the Prom. They didn't have Proms two centuries ago. So, what do you say ?"
"Do I even have a choice ?"
Even though Buffy was acting like going to the Prom with Spike was annoying, she was delighted.
Yes ! I've got a date ! I've got a date ! With Spike ! No wait, why am I happy about that ? I shouldn't be, it's Spike. Not that I never thought about he and I getting together but... I don't know, it's weird. But then, we *do* live in Bizarro Land.
"Slayer ?" Spike said, "Buffy ?"
"Huh ?"
"What should I wear ?"
"When ?"
"At the Prom !"
"Oh, sorry, um, I dunno. Do you own anything else than this ?"
"Of course !"
"Really ?"
"No."
"Then we'll have to go shopping."
"Go shopping ? Are you out of your mind ?"
"No, but you have to look good !"
"Okay, then I'll rent a tux."
"Thank you. I've got this dress that... Do you wanna see it ?"
"What ? Your dress ? Why ?"
"I dunno, just to give an idea of what I'll look like."
"Uh, yeah. Sure."
"Okay, them come with me."

Buffy dragged Spike along as she walked home. When they got there, they had to crawl up the window, as Buffy usually does. Then Buffy tried on her Prom dress for Spike.
"Wow." Spike said.
"What ?" Buffy asked, "Do I look fat ?"
"No, you just look... wow."
"Well thanks. So, when should we go shopping for you ?"
"I thought the Prom was tommorrow night."
"It is. Why ?"
"..."
"Oh, now I get it. Dum question, huh ? Well, then, you'll just have to meet me here right after sunset. We'll hurry to the Mall and rent you a tux."
"Can't you just rent it for me during the day ?"
"I guess I could, but I don't know your size."
"You'll figure it out. So, when should I pick you up ?"
"You're picking me up ? Not in that thing that you call your car I hope."
"No, I'll rent a limo."
"A limo ?! Whoa !"
"Hey, what kind of guy do you think I am ?"

Prom Night :

Buffy was inpatiently waiting for Spike to pick her up. She had her dress on, her hair was perfect, her shoes were too, but the only thing missing was her date. Finally, he arrived. The doorbell rang and Joyce opened.

"Spike !" Joyce said in astonishment. "Buffy, I didn't know Spike was your date."
"Did I forget to tell you ?" Buffy answered, "My bad. Spike, I got the tux. Go put it on."
"Can't I get a 'hello' ?"
"No. Come with me, I'll give you the tux."
"Fine. Nice to see you again, Ms. Summers."
Buffy dragged Spike up the stairs to her room. When they got there, she pulled the tuxedo out of her closet and handed it to Spike.
"Change."
"Here ?" Spike asked Buffy, "In front of you ?"
"I'll turm my back."
"Why can't you just go outside ?"
"Just put the damn thing on !"
"Okay ! God, remind me never to mess with a pissed off Slayer."
"You got that right."
Buffy turned around to let Spike change outfits. When he told her it was okay to look, she had a shock.
"Oh my God !"
"What ? Do I look fat ?"
"No, you look... different. And hot, may I add."
"You think ?"
"Yeah !"
Realizing that she was starting to have NC-17 rated thoughts about Spike, Buffy changed the subject.
"Um, we should be going."
"Are we meeting your friends at the Bronze ?"
"Yes. Um, they don't know we're going together yet. So, they may have some... unusual reactions."
"Oh, that should be a kick."
"You bet. Now, let's go."
"Wait ! I got you a corsage but it's in the limo."
"Oh, thank you. You know, I should've come to you sooner."
"For what ?"
"To ask you to be my date."
"I don't think I would've agreed if you asked me earlier."
"Why ?"
"You weren't pathetic enough for me to feel sorry for you."
"Just shut up and come with me."
Buffy and Spike went downstairs where Joyce took about fourty pictures of them. Poor woman, she didn't even know that Buffy'd appear alone of the pictures. Then, Spike and Buffy finally got into the limo.
"Here's your corsage. I, um, hope you like it."
"Oh, thank you. I love it."
"Glad to hear it."
"Do you dance ? I mean, are you a good dancer ?"
"Me ? Well, I don't like to brag."
"And I'm Jeanne Of Arc."
"You're right, I love to brag. I'm a wonderful dancer."
"You are ? Oh, idea !"
"What ?"
"We two can be best Prom couple ! I mean, the only one I should've been afraid of for competition, would've been Cordelia but since she's going with Xander, she's totally out of the picture."
"I don't think so."
"Please ?"
"Why would I ?"
"To make me happy ?"
"I can find some other way to make you happy if it's why we're going out."
"Hey ! Even though it is an American tradition to sleep with your date on Prom night, don't go thinking it'll work for you."
"You really think I'd try to get you into bed ?"
"Well, you've already killed two Slayers, why not do one ? And haven't you heard, I've got a thing about vampires."
"..."
"Sorry, I know you'd never take advantage of me. You might try to kill me a couple of times, but never take advantage of me."
"It's okay. Hey, we're here. Time to give your friends a heart attack."
"Yeah baby !"

Spike went out and opened the door for Buffy. Then they walked hand in hand into the Bronze. Willow and Oz were already dancing, while Xander and Cordelia were sitting by the bar, trying to get some drinks. Cordelia was the first one to notice Buffy.

"So, that's why I blame you for my failure as being the Prom Queen this year." Cordy explained to Xander. "Hey, isn't that Buffy over there ? Oh, my God ! Check out her date !"
Xander who was drinking his Coke, turned out and saw Buffy holding Spike's hand. His reaction was to spit his Coke out on the floor.
"What the Hell is she doing with *him* ! I gotta tell Oz and Will."
Xander ran towards them and interupted their dance to tell them about Spike and Buffy. Willow was speechless, while Oz just laughed. Then finally, Buffy found them on the dance floor. She came to them, still holding Spike's hand.
"Check out Dead Guy at the Prom." Buffy said pointing at Spike. "Isn't it... neat ?"
"Bringing a vampire to the Prom isn't neat !" Xander almost yelled, "It's crazy !"
"I think it's neat." Oz said, "And kinda odd too."
"Thanks Oz. Hey, Cordy, you owe me fifty box."
"When I meant date, I meant someone who hasn't been dead for over two hundred years !"
"He's still my date, so I won."
"I hate you !"
"And you're gonna hate me even more."
"What for ?"
" 'Cuz Spike and I are running for best Prom couple."
"No you're not. You can't be !"
"We are. And we're gonna win."
"I hate you !"
"You've already said that, Cordy."
After that Spike and Buffy just started dancing. After two hours of that, Buffy was totally out of breath. Fortunately, a slow song came on.
"You still wanna dance ?" Spike asked, " 'Cuz if you're tired, we can go sit with your friends."
"No, it's okay. Here, come closer, I wanna rest my head."
"You mean on me ?"
"What did you think ?"
"No I just... Okay, I'm coming closer."
"Thank you. Oh, I'm exhausted. I really hope that we win, 'cuz if we don't, we did all this for nothing."
"Don't worry, we'll win. You know, you're a really great dancer."
"You're not bad yourself."
"Thank you, I know. Oh, I had a great time 'till now."
"Oh, it's not over. Soon, they'll finally reveal who the winning couple is, and we'll get to go on the stage and wear some of those crowns and everything."
Spike looked at Buffy, resting on his shoulder. He realized that maybe he liked her a bit. Maybe he wanted her to ask him to the Prom. Maybe this was one of the greatest nights of his life. Maybe he had found someone to love.
"Are you even aware of how beautiful you are ?" Spike said to Buffy.
"Stop mocking me, Spike."
"No, I really mean it. You've got the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen."
Buffy looked up to see if Spike was kidding and saw the he was serious.
"Thank you, Spike. Nobody ever said that to me."
"Really ? I always thought you were cute, but now that I've seen you all dressed up, I realized I was wrong. You're simply gorgeous."
"You know, this is kinda hard for me to admit, but the reason I never killed you is because I... kinda, you know, like you."
"Like me ? You mean... ?"
"Yeah. But just a little bit. I think."
"Well, isn't this ironic ?"
"What ?"
"Why do you think I never killed you ?"
"Why didn't you tell me before ?"
"I'm a vampire, I'm not supposed to like the Slayer. And you didn't tell me either."
"I'm the Slayer, I'm not supposed to like a vampire."
"What about Angel ?"
"Oh. Right. Well, I'm not supposed to like a vampire again."
"Does it really matter ?"
"Not when you look at me like that."
Spike and Buffy got closer and almost kissed, but the ending of the song brought them back to reality and made them see what they were about to do. They broke up their dance and started to look around for anything that would clear up their mind. Then, someone annouced that they had chosen the Prom couple.
"Oh, here's the big moment." Buffy began, "When we find out if this was worth while."
"I'm actually anxious to find out." Spike admitted, "I've never done things like that."
"Hey, here it is."
"And the winning couple is," The guy on stage said, "Buffy Summers and her mysterious date."
"We won !" Buffy screamed as she jumped into Spike arms.
"Yeah, I know ! We won ! We should get up on stage."
They got on stage and were handed some crowns and flowers. Buffy was really delighted and kept hugging Spike.
"Well, as the winning couple, you must open the last dance."
Spike took Buffy's hand and headed towards the floor again. 'Will you remember ?' by The Cranberries was playing.

"Will you remember the dress I wore ?
Will you remember my face ?
Will you remember the lipstick I wore ?
This world is a wonderful place.
Will you remember the black limousine ?
Will you remember champagne ?
Will you remember the things that we've seen ?
I will return you again"

"You know," Buffy began, "I've been dreaming about this all my life."
"You have ? I didn't know winning was that important to you."
"Not winning. Going to the Prom with someone I loved."
"Did I hear what I just heard ?"
"God, I hope not."
"Buffy, this is serious. Did you mean that you love me ?"
"I don't know ! I'm sure I was just caught up in the moment."
"Buffy..."
"Okay, I meant it ! Yes, I love you ! Is it really that bad ?"
"No, it's just... shocking, I guess."
"Sorry if I'm totally wigging you out. It just... dropped out of my mouth."
"Don't be sorry. I..."
Spike couldn't find any words to explain how he felt, so he just kissed Buffy passionately. The Scooby Gang had been watching the whole thing, and Xander couldn't believe his own eyes. He was actually close to fainting, and so was Willow. Cordelia was just upset about Buffy winning, nothing more. Oz just found it cute and kinda funny.
Spike and Buffy finally broke the kiss off.
"And how am I supposed to interpret that ?" Buffy asked. " 'Cuz it seems kinda confusing."
"I love you, too."
"Obviously, not *that* confusing."
"Hey, the song's finished. Should we go tell you friends ?"
"They've probably been watching the whole thing."
"Probably."
"Remember the thing about the American Prom tradition ?"
"Yeah, what about it ?"
"Well, maybe it'll work for you anyway."