For Want Of A Sheet
Part One
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The first four parts of this fic are largely just a retelling of the episode "Halloween." Some details are changed, but a lot of it is straight from the show. I've tried to only include enough from the show so people who haven't seen the ep in awhile will be able to remember what happened. I might have erred on the side of caution, though, and put in too much from the show. It's a hard balance to achieve.
*****
"Where're you meeting Angel?" Willow called out from
the bathroom.
Buffy smiled into the mirror, admiring her costume. The dress was gorgeous, and the long, black wig fit better than she'd expected. She looked good, if she did say so herself.
"He's coming here," she said to Willow. "After trick or treating. Mom's gonna be out."
"Does he know about your costume?"
"Nope! Call it a blast from the past. I'll show him I can coif with the best of 'em."
Buffy turned to the bathroom door. "Okay, Willow, come out. You can't hide in there all night."
"Okay. But promise you won't laugh?"
Buffy smiled. "I promise."
Willow opened the door and stepped out. She was wearing boots, thigh-high stockings, a short leather skirt and a burgundy top that left far too much of her stomach bare for her liking. She quickly walked over to pick up her ghost costume.
Buffy's smile widened. "Wow! You're a dish!"
Willow started to pull the sheet over her head, but Buffy yanked it out of her hands and tossed it aside.
"I mean, really," she said.
Willow smiled uncertainly and tried to cover herself with her arms.
"This just isn't me," she said shyly.
Buffy nodded. "And that's the point." She walked around to the other side of Willow and pointed her towards the mirror. "Look, Halloween is the night that not you is you, but not you. Y'know?"
"I don't know, Buffy..."
"Well, I do," Buffy assured her. "And you look gorgeous."
"Really?" Willow asked.
"Absolutely. You look better in those clothes than I do."
"Oh, I do not," Willow said, blushing.
"You so do," Buffy insisted. "And I'm telling you, this is perfect for you."
"I don't know. I just don't feel right. I mean, the clothes feel weird enough, but the makeup and choker... I'm not used to wearing stuff like this."
"They're perfect," Buffy said. "They make the look. That guy Ethan was right. They look great on you."
"You're not... You're not just saying that?" Willow asked hopefully.
Buffy sighed and turned Willow until they were facing each other. Putting her hands on the redhead's shoulders, she said, "No, Will, I'm not just saying that. You look great. Beautiful. Sexy."
"I'm not used to looking any of those," Willow said. "I don't know how to do it."
"Well, if you want Xander to notice you, you're going to have to learn. It's okay, though. You're off to a great start. Don't worry about it so much! Just be yourself. Only..."
"Trampy?"
Buffy glared. "I was going to go with sexy again. But hey, if trampy works for you, go for it. It's Halloween, Will! Come as you aren't!"
The doorbell rang.
"That's Xander," Buffy said. "He's going to go insane when he sees you."
"Really?" Willow asked.
"Oh, yeah. Are you ready?"
Willow nodded. "Yeah. Okay," she said nervously. Buffy smiled. "Cool! She walked out the door and down the stairs.
As soon as she left the room, Willow rushed over and grabbed the ghost costume. She started to pull it on, then caught sight of her reflection in the mirror.
She stopped and looked at herself. She had to admit, if it was anyone besides herself, she'd have said they looked good.
"Just be yourself," she whispered, then smirked. "Only trampy."
Before she could lose her nerve, she dropped the ghost costume and walked out of the room.
*****
Xander strutted through the door in his fatigues. He brought
his toy gun up in a salute.
"Private Harris reporting for..." He trailed off as he took in Buffy's costume. "Buffy! Lady of Buffdom, Duchess of Buffonia, I am in awe! I completely renounce Spandex!"
Buffy smiled and curtsied. "Thank you, kind sir! But wait 'til you see..."
"Willow," Xander said, staring up the stairs.
"Willow," Buffy agreed, her smile growing wider. "Good for you," she whispered. She'd more than half expected Willow to chicken out.
Willow gave Buffy a quick, nervous smile, then came to a stop in front of Xander.
"Hey," she said, trying to sound casual. She had a feeling she wasn't successful.
Xander just stared, his eyes bugging out.
Buffy gently elbowed him in the ribs. "The lady said, 'Hey.'"
"Hey!" Xander yelled. "Uh, hey," he said, dialing his voice down to a more reasonable volume. "Wow, Will, you look..."
"Great?" Buffy prompted, when he didn't say anything.
Xander nodded, not taking his eyes off Willow. "I was going to say different. But 'great' definitely applies here."
Willow smiled shyly. "Thank you."
Buffy watched them look at each other for a moment, then said, "Okay! Time to trick or treat!"
"Yeah," Xander said, shaking his head. "Trick or treat."
"Right," Willow said. "Trick or treat."
"Exactly," Buffy said, ushering them out the door.
***
End
***