Summary: "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry..." - Robert Burns
Season 4 AU. Buffy's on a date she shouldn't be on, so what does she do when Willow catches her? Pretend that the first cute guy she sees is her actual date. You can maybe assume what happens ;) Starts off as a date gone wrong and gets busy fast.
What's different:
- Buffy and Spike have never met before now. Other than that, their characters are essentially the same.
- Buffy does not know of the existence of the Initiative nor does she know of Riley's involvement. They dated for a while before he broke up with her for mysterious reasons. She has seen a few soldier guys but doesn't know what's up - yet.
Story is COMPLETE!
Enjoy!

Categories: Season 4, Alternate Reality
Characters: Buffy, Giles, Maggie Walsh, Riley Finn, Spike, Willow, Xander
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Dramedy, Romance
Warnings: Adult Language, Buffy/Other (Temp), Sexual Situations, Torture (Physical)
Completed: Yes Chapters: 83
Word count: 102,693 Hit Count: 80,643 ePub Downloads: 452
Published: January 12, 2018 Updated: February 15, 2018


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1. Meet Cute by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 21 Comments: 13 Word Count: 1,307 Hit Count: 4,722 Published: January 12, 2018

This chapter is sort of unbearably cheesy but trust me, I have big plans. Things start to really pick up soon.

2. Double Date by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 4 Word Count: 448 Hit Count: 1,589 Published: January 14, 2018

Short chapter. Thanks everyone for reading :)

3. Movie Night by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 17 Comments: 6 Word Count: 837 Hit Count: 1,533 Published: January 14, 2018

hmmm... wonder who's gonna show up this chapter?

4. Stood Up by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 17 Comments: 7 Word Count: 833 Hit Count: 1,481 Published: January 16, 2018

Thanks everyone for reading so far, and for reviewing!!

Question: One of you told me that you would prefer the story was in third person rather than first, I didn't even think of that! I just started writing in first, that's how I usually write, but most stories on here are written in third person which is something I didn't consider. Should I go back and change the story to make it third person? It would take a while and would probably change the whole tone of the story, as I already have 15,000 words, but when I think about it, I don't really know how to write a first person sex scene lol (and let's be honest, it's gonna get to that point eventually). Let me know what you think in the reviews.

5. Lovers' Quarrel by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 21 Comments: 10 Word Count: 1,076 Hit Count: 1,570 Published: January 16, 2018

Wanted to update and say I've finally finished mapping out the plot, and it's pretty solid!! I'm excited to see where this story will go :) I am going to stick with first person POV for now. Thanks everyone for your reading and reviews!

Also - I know it's a bit of a stretch that Buffy wouldn't realize he's a vampire right away. But she didn't realize Angel was one at first, either. I hope that this chapter explains a little bit as to why :) hope you enjoy!

6. The Morning After by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 14 Comments: 5 Word Count: 594 Hit Count: 1,487 Published: January 17, 2018

A short one. And, bear with me: I actually did look it up, and texting became popular in '97. Season four is set in '99. So, completely plausible... and not at all used just for a convenient plot point not at all!

thank you all so much for reading and reviewing! i hope you continue to enjoy it!

7. Bad Date by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 15 Comments: 5 Word Count: 752 Hit Count: 1,322 Published: January 18, 2018

Hope you guys are enjoying so far. I'm not as good at this part, the plotting, but it will move the story along to where I want it to go! Thanks for reading and reviewing :)

also, it snowed about 8 inches where I am yesterday. My husband and I are snowed in! Hope everyone stays warm :)

8. Call Me by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 17 Comments: 4 Word Count: 1,742 Hit Count: 1,313 Published: January 18, 2018

Snow days make for good update days :) Hopefully the pace is ok! Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing!! 

9. Keeping Secrets by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 13 Comments: 5 Word Count: 1,256 Hit Count: 1,320 Published: January 19, 2018

thanks for reading & reviewing guys!! 

10. Girl Meets Boy by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 4 Word Count: 984 Hit Count: 1,193 Published: January 19, 2018

YOU GUYS, TODAY IS BUFFY'S BIRTHDAY!! Happy birthday, Buffy! I'm celebrating the best way I know how 

11. Cold Feet by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 16 Comments: 5 Word Count: 807 Hit Count: 1,206 Published: January 19, 2018

And one more, just because it's Buffy's birthday 

12. Get A Room by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 14 Comments: 4 Word Count: 1,356 Hit Count: 1,207 Published: January 21, 2018

sorry for the lack of update yesterday - I was participating in Women's March activities :) Watching Buffy really helped to make me the feminist I am, so I'm glad to be back at it!  hope y'all enjoy!

13. Take Me Out by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 17 Comments: 6 Word Count: 1,769 Hit Count: 1,228 Published: January 21, 2018

14. Pillow Talk by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,444 Hit Count: 1,143 Published: January 22, 2018

15. Lost In Your Eyes by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 1 Word Count: 1,052 Hit Count: 1,112 Published: January 22, 2018

so happy you're all enjoying it :) this is the most fun i've had with writing in a while!! it's all coming out like lightning, and i'm about 20,000 words ahead of what i've posted, and i still have so many plans for this story. can't wait to share the rest with you guys!

16. Nightcap by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 4 Word Count: 2,468 Hit Count: 1,053 Published: January 23, 2018

17. Love Drunk by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 14 Comments: 3 Word Count: 1,077 Hit Count: 1,054 Published: January 23, 2018

18. Long Distance Relationships by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 13 Comments: 5 Word Count: 926 Hit Count: 1,076 Published: January 24, 2018

19. Sneaking Out by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 15 Comments: 3 Word Count: 1,298 Hit Count: 1,041 Published: January 24, 2018

NOTE: I am basing the campus of UC Sunnydale on the small liberal arts college that I went to, because we don't really know a whole lot about the campus and I'm not super interested in keeping to that limited knowledge for this story, lol.

Also, suspension of belief is appreciated for this chapter

20. Jealousy by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 3 Word Count: 1,022 Hit Count: 999 Published: January 25, 2018

thanks everyone for reading & reviewing so far! i'm actually almost at the 60k word mark for this story, which is the most i've ever written for anything! i'm only uploading 2 chapters a day right now, but it'll be going for a while haha

21. Funny Running Into You Here by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 15 Comments: 6 Word Count: 1,775 Hit Count: 1,046 Published: January 25, 2018

22. Dinner and a Show by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,712 Hit Count: 984 Published: January 26, 2018

Super bummed right now because I wrote a chapter last night but for some reason it didn't save and I lost it  but oh well, I guess. I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far :)

23. Booty Call by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 14 Comments: 3 Word Count: 802 Hit Count: 979 Published: January 26, 2018

24. The Invitation by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 17 Comments: 5 Word Count: 924 Hit Count: 948 Published: January 27, 2018

thanks for reading & reviewing everyone!! i loveee reading your reviews, they put a huge smile on my face!

a story note: I'm basing the college buildings on my own experience. I lived in what was technically a suite with three other roommates, and we had a common space like the one described in my story. I know it's just Willow and Buffy, and that it's not entirely realistic or true to canon, but it makes for easier writing than having to write that they went somewhere else to eat or use the restroom every time. So they've got a common space, lol.

anyway, enjoy!!

25. One Night Stand by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 6 Word Count: 949 Hit Count: 928 Published: January 28, 2018

26. Partners in Crime by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 16 Comments: 5 Word Count: 1,086 Hit Count: 909 Published: January 28, 2018

hit the 70k word mark :) and yes, there's some good stuff coming!

27. Whatever You Say, Dear by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 16 Comments: 4 Word Count: 1,999 Hit Count: 901 Published: January 29, 2018

28. Secret's Out by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 14 Comments: 4 Word Count: 1,058 Hit Count: 939 Published: January 29, 2018

29. She Loves Me Not by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 16 Comments: 5 Word Count: 809 Hit Count: 951 Published: January 29, 2018

Because I felt evil about leaving you guys with the cliffhanger, and also because I'm like 40,000 words behind, I thought I'd post another chapter today :)

30. Hugs & Kisses by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 4 Word Count: 894 Hit Count: 992 Published: January 30, 2018

31. Domesticity by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 15 Comments: 4 Word Count: 634 Hit Count: 1,001 Published: January 30, 2018

a short update!

32. White Lies by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 13 Comments: 3 Word Count: 762 Hit Count: 928 Published: January 31, 2018

33. Errand Girl by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 13 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,973 Hit Count: 944 Published: January 31, 2018

i hit the 80k word mark and about to start writing the last part of the story. i hope everyone is enjoying it so far :)

34. Quite A Pair by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 14 Comments: 4 Word Count: 682 Hit Count: 828 Published: February 01, 2018

35. We Go Together by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 4 Word Count: 961 Hit Count: 809 Published: February 01, 2018

36. Let's Run Away by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,289 Hit Count: 810 Published: February 02, 2018

37. You've Captured My Heart by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 14 Comments: 5 Word Count: 1,006 Hit Count: 893 Published: February 02, 2018

38. Old Flame by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 4 Word Count: 666 Hit Count: 857 Published: February 05, 2018

Some notes:

1. sorry for not updating all weekend!! I went to my parents' house for the superbowl and forgot my laptop.

2. i am almost done writing this story - i'm at about 96k words. I want to get to 100k, so i'll add a few fluffy chapters at the end, but the main action has been written. once i finish it officially, i may update with way more frequency to get it all posted. 

3. the next few chapters are a bit weird because the POV changes from 1st person (Buffy) to third person as she is captured. eventually it'll go back to all 1st person. 

thanks for reading everyone :) 

39. Dreaming of You by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 2 Word Count: 342 Hit Count: 877 Published: February 05, 2018

(back in buffy's pov)

40. Love is Pain by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 4 Word Count: 588 Hit Count: 817 Published: February 06, 2018

Good news: I finished my story last night!! it's 101k words. 

Should I keep updating as I'm updating, or should I post more a day, or should I go ahead and post it all? What would you guys prefer?

Anyway, thanks for reading!! This was so much fun to write!! And... just fair warning... the ratings will change ;)

41. The One That Got Away by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 10 Comments: 3 Word Count: 741 Hit Count: 842 Published: February 06, 2018

(next few chapters are not Buffy's POV)

I think I will update with a few more chapters than usual now that my story is completed! :)

42. Gentleman Caller by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 15 Comments: 5 Word Count: 581 Hit Count: 843 Published: February 06, 2018

43. Lovesick by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 9 Comments: 5 Word Count: 693 Hit Count: 798 Published: February 07, 2018

warning for mentions of torture in this chapter!

44. On My Way To You by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 9 Comments: 2 Word Count: 404 Hit Count: 771 Published: February 07, 2018

45. Power Play by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 4 Word Count: 573 Hit Count: 773 Published: February 07, 2018

46. Odd Couple by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 8 Comments: 2 Word Count: 591 Hit Count: 763 Published: February 07, 2018

because I love Riley/Spike dynamics 

47. Caught in the Act by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 10 Comments: 4 Word Count: 491 Hit Count: 817 Published: February 07, 2018

48. Get the Girl by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 15 Comments: 8 Word Count: 894 Hit Count: 910 Published: February 07, 2018

my last update for today! Hope you guys enjoy!

49. Reunited by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 20 Comments: 6 Word Count: 1,803 Hit Count: 962 Published: February 08, 2018

a longer one today! enjoy!

50. One True Love by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,335 Hit Count: 991 Published: February 10, 2018

sorry for not updating yesterday/thursday! i've been extremely busy and this is the first chance i've had to get on my laptop.

also: i am going to be out of the country starting friday, and i won't be bringing my laptop and will have inconsistent internet at best. i still have half the story to upload, so i'm thinking i will finish uploading the story by friday. it'll be like 6-8 chapters a day so buckle up!! :)

thanks for reading everyone!

51. Take Care by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 2 Word Count: 801 Hit Count: 857 Published: February 10, 2018

the last chapter in third person!

52. Will They Or Won't They by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 17 Comments: 5 Word Count: 2,559 Hit Count: 881 Published: February 10, 2018

53. Just Friends by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 17 Comments: 2 Word Count: 2,119 Hit Count: 933 Published: February 10, 2018

some longer updates today :)

54. Finally by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 18 Comments: 6 Word Count: 1,468 Hit Count: 918 Published: February 11, 2018

55. Sitting In A Tree by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 4 Word Count: 1,211 Hit Count: 852 Published: February 12, 2018

56. Let's Get Out Of Here by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 9 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,169 Hit Count: 878 Published: February 12, 2018

57. Love Triangle by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 14 Comments: 4 Word Count: 1,039 Hit Count: 816 Published: February 12, 2018

58. Goodnight by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 17 Comments: 4 Word Count: 1,254 Hit Count: 890 Published: February 12, 2018

59. Good Morning by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 16 Comments: 3 Word Count: 1,568 Hit Count: 846 Published: February 13, 2018

60. Friends with Benefits by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 2 Word Count: 904 Hit Count: 775 Published: February 14, 2018

happy Valentine's Day!!! what better way to celebrate than gratuitous amounts of Spuffy love??? 

thank you all so much for reviewing!! 

61. Tough Love by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,571 Hit Count: 753 Published: February 14, 2018

62. Flowers and Chocolate by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 9 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,727 Hit Count: 710 Published: February 14, 2018

63. Love Language by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 4 Word Count: 1,187 Hit Count: 710 Published: February 14, 2018

64. Sleeping Together by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 10 Comments: 2 Word Count: 2,108 Hit Count: 721 Published: February 14, 2018

65. Care by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 9 Comments: 2 Word Count: 723 Hit Count: 943 Published: February 14, 2018

66. Second Thoughts by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 2 Word Count: 2,083 Hit Count: 761 Published: February 14, 2018

67. Three Little Words by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 13 Comments: 2 Word Count: 3,843 Hit Count: 751 Published: February 15, 2018

ok, I thought I added this chapter but for some reason it didn't upload. So if it uploads twice for some reason, I'm sorry!

Anyway, this is the point where things get ~nsfw~ (you may have noticed the rating change).

enjoy!

68. First Time by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 14 Comments: 6 Word Count: 1,432 Hit Count: 1,078 Published: February 15, 2018

Warning: smut ahead. 

69. Afterglow by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 9 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,498 Hit Count: 686 Published: February 15, 2018

70. You Get In My Head by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 9 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,827 Hit Count: 701 Published: February 15, 2018

71. One Last Kiss by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 9 Comments: 3 Word Count: 1,518 Hit Count: 658 Published: February 15, 2018

72. See You Soon by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 3 Word Count: 726 Hit Count: 647 Published: February 15, 2018

73. All's Fair in Love and War by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 3 Word Count: 1,746 Hit Count: 670 Published: February 15, 2018

things are gonna go by fast now! this will be the last day I update, since I won't have any time tomorrow and will be gone for about two weeks. Sorry for not spacing it out more, but I didn't want to leave you all hanging for that long with no resolution. enjoy these last few chapters!

74. Knight in Shining Armor by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 10 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,016 Hit Count: 680 Published: February 15, 2018

75. Where Were We? by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 3 Word Count: 2,090 Hit Count: 708 Published: February 15, 2018

76. The Only One by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 11 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,431 Hit Count: 694 Published: February 15, 2018

77. Here In Your Arms by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 12 Comments: 2 Word Count: 3,068 Hit Count: 712 Published: February 15, 2018

more smut ahead!

78. Waking Up Together by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 8 Comments: 2 Word Count: 708 Hit Count: 616 Published: February 15, 2018

79. Love Poems by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 9 Comments: 3 Word Count: 2,011 Hit Count: 587 Published: February 15, 2018

major fluff warning

80. Parting Kiss by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 9 Comments: 2 Word Count: 1,399 Hit Count: 623 Published: February 15, 2018

81. Cute Couple by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 7 Comments: 2 Word Count: 723 Hit Count: 637 Published: February 15, 2018

82. Meeting the Parents by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 8 Comments: 3 Word Count: 1,155 Hit Count: 640 Published: February 15, 2018

almost done!!

83. This Is It by Lavender Bixby - Likes: 43 Comments: 11 Word Count: 946 Hit Count: 850 Published: February 15, 2018

well folks this is it, the last chapter. it's been such a blast writing it all, and though i wanted to space it out more for you all to enjoy it, i'm glad it's completed now. i really hope you like the last part of the story. i know it's a bit rushed, but i'm proud of it. :) I am so looking forward to reading & responding to all of your wonderful reviews once i'm back. thanks for being a part of this journey with me, i can't wait to get started on the sequel!