BUFFY: (sleepy) Riley?

SPIKE: It's me.

BUFFY: Every time you show up like this, you risk all of your parts, you know that?

SPIKE: I wouldn't be here if I didn't have a good reason. As usual, I'm here to help you, and I - are you naked under there?

BUFFY: (rolls her eyes) Get out.

SPIKE: No, I'm serious. I mean, not about the naked part, I mean... (cranes his neck trying to see under the blankets)

BUFFY: Get out or I will drop you out head-first.

SPIKE: I wanna show you something.

BUFFY: (realizing he is serious) What?

SPIKE: You need to see this. But we need to move if we wanna get there in time.

Buffy raises her eyebrows to indicate that she can't get dressed with Spike watching. He scoffs.

SPIKE: Oh, please! Like I give a bloody damn.

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

SPIKE: Come on. You're not the long haul guy and you know it.

RILEY: Shut up.

SPIKE: You know it. Or else you wouldn't be getting suck jobs from two-bit vampire trulls.

SPIKE: The girl needs some monster in her man ... and that's not in your nature...no matter how low you try to go.

RILEY: You actually think you've got a shot with her?

SPIKE: No, I don't. Fella's gotta try, though. Gotta do what he can.

RILEY: If you touched her... you know I'd kill you for real.

SPIKE: I had this chip outta my head, I'da killed you long ago. Ain't love grand?

Spike tosses the bottle to Riley, who catches it and removes the cork again. He sits on a nearby coffin and takes a sip.

SPIKE: Sometimes I envy you so much it chokes me. And sometimes I think I got the better deal. To be that close to her and not have her. To be all alone even when you're holding her. Feeling her, feeling her beneath you. Surrounding you. The scent ... No, you got the better deal.

~"Into the Woods"

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

Please see disclaimer for photo credits