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It was a stifling hot July night, not even the barest of breezes was blowing. She took a long sip of her iced tea as the sun finally yielded to the night sky. She had been shopping all day, looking in the many antique stores that Memphis had to offer.

"Hello, Luv." came a silky voice as familiar arms wrapped around her waist. She leaned back into the embrace, taking in the scent of the man she loved. He smelled fresh, like soap and shampoo.

He closed his arms around her tightening the embrace as he nibbled at her neck asking, "What did you do all day?"

She turned around, taking his hand.

"Come inside and I'll show you."

Spike willingly followed and smiled as she unwrapped her purchases one by one. For someone who wasn't fond of history, Buffy's home was decorated with antiques, from the beautiful secretary that held her mail and stationary to the wonderful cherry sleigh bed in the master bedroom. And she loved depression glass; she had redone a pie safe and artfully arranged her collection of cups and saucers in it. She was unwrapping a cup and saucer - smiling as if it were a priceless treasure -as she showed it to Spike.

He smiled appreciatively, more at her joy than at the actual purchase. Spike didn't know a hobnail pattern from a cloverleaf pattern, But as long as Buffy was happy, he was happy.

He sat watching her animatedly showing the glass to him and remembered the first time he had seen her in Memphis. He had helped her with her merry band of slayerettes by force for a while after her graduation. When the council had let her go, she had finished school and taken a job in Memphis. Spike had left Sunnydale and tried to adjust to life without her, but it wasn't easy.

He had never admited to having more then a grudging respect for the petite slayer. But once he wans't forced to work with her, he missed her. He missed her alot.

So he stayed gone for awhile, then made a visit to Memphis. He had spotted her at a patio table in one ofthe restaurants on Beale Street. She was with another man - ~That could be remedied,~ he thought to himself, as he watched her excuse herself from the table.

He followed her to the ladies room and waited outside the door. Buffy had been startled to see him, but she had smiled and even given him a hug.

He had returned the hug with sincere affection. So sincere that when he asked Buffy to make an excuse to her date, she ahd willingly done so, explaining that dhe didn't feel well, and was going to make it an early night.

She had driven herself to the restaurant, so Spike followed her to her car and she drove him to the Hard Rock Cafe. It seemed more of a Spike place. They had laughed and talked about old times, old friends, sires...

She had hesitantly asked about Angel; she wrote him occasionally and he always anwswered, but their relationship was strained and would never be the same, though each knew they would lay down their lives for each other.

Spike had run into Angel and assured her he was fine, as broody as ever. The looked around the cafe at all of the displays, Spike looking for anything that represented Billy Idol. He realized as Buffy lifted the last florkfull of cheesecake into her delicate mouth, that this was what was missing - his Slayer.

He loved her. He supposed he had known all along in the back of his head. He should have guessed when he had started protecting her because he wanted to, not because of the blackmail. Now that he had figured out what he wanted, he had to decide how to go about acquiring it, or acquiring her.

He realized this was going to have to go slow. But patience was a virtue, and he had to face it, Spike had never been very virtuous. But for this...for her...he could do anything. So he started a slow, sweet courtship of Buffy. And in a shorter time then thought it would take, she seemed to return his feelings. After a while, a lot of courage and a phone call to Brood Boy (for some silly reason he wanted Angel's blessing. He surprisingly gave it, "You'll take care of her, you' love her with every fiber of your miserable being, right?" Spike had agreed and Angel had softly said "Just don't ever hurt her. Love her like I would have, if I could.") Spike decided to propose.

At an evening picnic on the grounds of the Dixon Art Gallery, Spike on one knee, proposed to a very surprised Buffy. "Aren't you going to bloody answer?" He asked her after Buffy had remained quiet for five minutes, just looking at him with thos big hazel eyes.

She whispered softly "The answer is ye, Lord help us, yes!"

He slipped the engagement ring on her finger and pulled her close to him. He had never been this happy before in his entire life or unlife. After telling several shocked friends, the wedding was planned. A very simple ceremony, with clsoe friends and relatives only. They had moved into this condo and now this was their home. He loved it here, and could not imaging living any differently. Buffy taught school and he had money put away, so they were set.

"See the cloverleafs on the edge of this palte, aren't they pretty? Angel, would like this one, don't you think? Kind of Irish." Buffy was asking Spike as his thoughts returned to the present. At one time he would have been jealous at the mention of his sire, but now he was secure with his relationship with Buffy.

"Yes, love, he would. Why don't we send him one for Christmas?" Spike told her with a smile and a hint of sarcasm.

Buffy lightly punched him in the arm, sitting down beside him as she carefully sat the saucer down. "Be nice...or *you* won't get a Christmas present." She giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and placed gentle kisses all over his face. he returned the favor as they settled back, content eith their life and each other.

The End