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BUFFY: Hello, Spike.

SPIKE: You hear all that noise?

BUFFY: Just enough to make me feel crappy.

SPIKE: You know watcher-boy doesn't mean anything by it.

BUFFY: I guess. Everyone's all ... they all care. They all care so much, it makes it all harder.

SPIKE: Not sure I followed 'round that bend, love.

BUFFY: I don't know. I just feel like, like I'm spending all my time trying to be okay, so no one'll worry. It's exhausting, and then I get all ...(can't find the words)

SPIKE: ... and that makes 'em worry even more. Want me to take 'em out? Give me a hell of a headache, but I could probably thin the herd a little.

He smiles, slyly -- joking. Buffy can't quite suppress a smile of her own.

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

SPIKE (cont'd): Knew I could get a grin.

BUFFY: Why are you always around when I'm miserable?

SPIKE: 'Cause that's when you're alone, I reckon. I'm not much for crowds myself these days.

BUFFY: Me neither.

SPIKE: That works out nicely then.

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