Title: Excuse Me
Author: Karen U
E-mail: ksu2@juno.com
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, and Fox; song "The
Chair" belongs to the writer and George Strait
Summary: Willow meets someone at the Bronze
Spoilers: General season 4
Notes: I'm indulging my love of early '80s country songs with this one...


Graham approached the redhead cautiously. She was adorable, but she looked
ready to bolt at any second. He’d seen her before - usually with Riley -
but he’d never actually spoken to her. She’d come into the Bronze alone
tonight, so Graham figured it was now or never.

"Hey," he said when he got within earshot.


share

Willow jumped slightly at the unexpected voice, then turned to see an
attractive guy standing at her side. She thought she’d seen him before -
perhaps at a frat party - but she wasn’t sure.

"Hi," she replied nervously, trying not to fidget. He had truly beautiful
eyes, and was really very good looking. Why would he be taking the time to
speak to her? The Bronze was packed with gorgeous girls tonight. He could
be off talking to one of them. Unless...

"Is this, um you’re table?" she asked. "Because if it is, I can leave."



Graham smiled, realizing she had unknowingly left him an opening.
"Actually," he replied smoothly, "it is my table." He reached out to place
his hand on her arm when she started to get up. "But you don’t need to
leave. There are two chairs here, and it is a bit crowded tonight... we can
share the table."



Willow smiled shyly, surprised by his offer. "That... that would be nice.
But only if you’re sure. I don’t want to bother you."

"It’s no bother at all," Graham stated as he scooted the table’s second
stool closer to her before taking his seat. "I’d actually love the
company."

"Then I guess I’ll stay."



Graham nodded to her almost empty drink. "Would you like another?"

"What? Oh, my drink? No, no, I’m fine."

"Well, just tell me if you change your mind." He smiled conspiratorially at
her. "So, are you out for a wild night of partying?"

"Oh, yeah, that’s me," Willow grinned. "Party girl. Witness me going
crazy."


please

"That might be a fun thing to see."

Willow blushed. It had been so long since a guy had looked at her this way.
Since... Oz. Willow pushed the thought of her ex-boyfriend out of her
mind. She wasn’t going to let him ruin her evening, especially when he
wasn’t even there.



"So, do you have a name?" Graham asked, amused when her blush grew even
deeper. She was so adorable. Why wasn’t she with someone? Not that he
wanted her to be with someone. Well, not unless it was him.

"It’s Willow," she told him.

"Pretty name." He looked at her, took in her pale skin and delicate
features. "It fits you somehow. I’m Graham, by the way." He held out his
hand, and she shook it. Graham was amazed by how tiny and fragile her hand
seemed in comparison to his.

"It’s nice to meet you, Graham."


us, glad you came

"So, um, am I keeping you from somewhere?" Graham asked, suddenly insecure.
She really was quite lovely. How could she be here alone?

"No, not at all. I came alone. I just needed to get out is all. What
about you? Were you supposed to meet someone?"

"I’m here alone. I guess I’m a bit like you; I just needed a break."



Graham turned his head as the band started up a new song. He nodded his
head in the direction of the stage. "Do you know who they are?"

"No. They’re new. The Bronze’s usual band, um, lost its lead guitarist, so
they’ve been trying out new bands for the past couple of months. Why? Do
you like them?"



Graham nodded. "Yeah. They’re definitely better than most." He turned
back to face the redhead. Willow. It really was a lovely name. Almost as
pretty as she was. "Would you like to dance?"

"Um, well, I’m not very good..."

"That’s okay," Graham replied, taking her hand. "It’s a slow song."



She was nestled in his arms. He couldn’t believe how small she felt.

Or how right.

Graham looked down, surprised to see Willow looking up at him with a
slightly amused look on her face. "What?" he asked.



"You do realize that we’re probably going to lose our table, don’t you?" she
told him.

Graham smiled and pulled her a little closer in response. "I guess we’ll
just have to keep dancing them, won’t we?"

They did.



Graham, of course, had insisted on walking her home. Well, back to her dorm
room anyway.

There was no way he was going to let her walk home alone; he wouldn’t be
able to stand it if he did and she ended up hurt.



Willow smiled sweetly as they stopped outside of her room.

"It was really nice meeting you. I had fun. More than I’d had in a long
time, actually," she told him, a bit of her shyness returning.

"Does that mean we can do it again sometime?"

"Yeah, I guess it does."



Graham grinned, then leaned in and kissed Willow’s cheek. Her phone number
was tucked safely inside his wallet. There was no way he was going to take
the chance of losing it. "I’ll see you soon, then."

"Good night."

He began to walk away, then turned.

"Oh, and Willow? I just wanted you to know... that wasn’t really my table
tonight. I just wanted to meet you."

Willow watched him go, a smile slowly spreading across her face.


after all...

The End