When she awoke the next day Buffy felt terrible. Her head was aching and she only had vague notions of what had happened after dinner. She remembered seeing whales on the TV and drinking wine with Spike, then she saw the stockings on the floor and it hit her hard.

"Ohmygod." She breathed into the hand she had clasped around her mouth.

Wrapping herself in a bathrobe she entered the living room. Spike was asleep on the couch, one hand on his stomach and the other grazing the floor with an empty bottle of wine falling from it. Buffy looked at the table, there were three other empty bottles there. She only remembered Spike opening one, he must have drunk the rest after she had come on to him.

"Spike?" She poked at his chest but he just mumbled and rolled his head to face away from her.

"Spike? I'm sorry. Wine and me - very bad combination." She stroked his hair, unsure of whether he was listening to her or not.

Spike sighed and turned his head to face her. "Are you done with the bedroom, can I sleep in it now?" He sat up on the couch and nursed his aching head.

"Done. But can we talk?" Buffy sat down next to him but he stood up in response.

"Yes, but to each other? Not now, too knackered." He shook his head and walked towards the bedroom, peeling his shirt off as he went.

"William?" Buffy tested the water and it was icy cold.

"What do you want me to say? Just tell me Buffy and I'll say whatever you want to hear." Spike snapped at her and remained facing away from where she sat.

"You're mad at me?" She couldn't remember a time he'd been this angry with her.

"Let me sleep pet, then maybe we'll talk." When she didn't make a move to stop him Spike shut the bedroom door.


Buffy sat still in the same spot for rest of the day, she just watched the TV blankly. When Jane had knocked at the door Buffy had remained silent so she would go away. Wrapped up in her bathrobe she listened for signs of Spike in the next room. It was all quiet, not even a sign of his now familiar sleep growling and Buffy felt like he was doing it on purpose to spite her.

Her stomach growled instead, she was starving but too scared to move. He had been so angry at what she had done the night before that he had fallen asleep on the couch, he had passed up the opportunity Buffy had openly presented him with. Why? Because he obviously wasn't the type of man or monster who took advantage of drunken girls. Especially drunken girls he's in love with.

Buffy looked up at the clock, it was nearing six in the afternoon and nothing had stirred in the other room since ten am. She felt sick with hunger and the only time she had moved in the whole of the day was to run to the bathroom upstairs to pee.

"Buffy?" There was a knock at the door and Buffy recognised Dawns voice.

She unlatched the door and let her in. "Hey. Been out somewhere?"

Dawn dumped her bags onto the armchair. "Mall, Jane said she knocked but there was no answer."

"Yeah, not feeling too good." Buffy curled up on the couch again and hugged her knees.

"Wanna talk? You guys aren't trying to kill each other again are you?"

"No, just got a little drunk last night and I think I made a move on Spike."

"Oh pretty bad, where is he now? He all cranky vampire or did you two…"

"No we didn't. He's asleep in the other room, think he's pretty angry at me since he wouldn't talk to me this morning."

"He'll be okay Buffy. Just try and avoid drunken sexcapades and you'll be fine." Dawn smiled and placed a reassuring hand on Buffys knee.

"It's not the point Dawn, I ruined what was a perfect night by being a drunken slut."

"Niblet, can I talk to big sis alone for minute?" Spike was standing in the doorway dressed in just his jeans. His hair was sleep mussed but he looked tired still.

"Sure." Dawn squeezed Buffys shoulder then headed out the door.

Spike came to sit where Dawn had been and looked at Buffy for the longest time without speaking.

"I wanted to say sorry this morning but you wouldn't let me." Buffy hugged her knees tightly.

"Can you remember much?" Spike noted that Buffy had tidied up, all signs of wine removed.

"No, just lots of wine then coming onto you and you undressing me."

"You came onto me, I stopped you crashing through the table and dumped you onto the bed. At which point you asked me to undress you. So I did."

"But you didn't do anything?"

"Buffy, I'm evil but I don't prey on drunken girls."

"I know." Her voice was quiet.

"Tempting as you were laying on the bed playing with yourself I felt no inclination to take advantage of you." Spikes tone was blunt and he took to playing with the remote for the TV.

"I got myself off?" Buffy blushed bright red.

"Think your voyeuristic tendencies have been rubbing off on me." Spike could swear he was blushing too.

"You watched?" Her eyes widened in horror.

"Buffy, you were moaning my name, it was driving me nuts. I'm a man you know."

"Okay, promise me you never let me drink wine again. At least… not in large quantities."

"Promise. You look tired, been sitting here all day?"

Buffy nodded in response and smiled weakly.

"You must be as hungry as I am. What's for dinner honey?" Spike grinned at her but she still looked sick. "We're good Buffy, come here pet." Spike wrapped his arms about her and held her tight.

"Sorry for wrecking a good evening." Buffy pressed her cheek into his chest and smiled as he rubbed her arm, for a moment she felt they were balancing on the brink of becoming a couple.

"S'okay pet, move forward. Grab a shower and we'll see what's for dinner okay?"

"Yeah." Buffy left the room and headed for the shower.

There was a knock at the door and Spike opened it. Buffys stepmother was standing there.

"Hi, we're ordering pizzas and Hank wanted to know what you two wanted. It's been awfully quiet in here today, we've hardly seen you all day." Jane was staring at Spikes torso and he realised he was half naked.

"Sorry bout that, Buffys feeling a little under the weather." Spike turned around and lifted his shirt off the couch.

Jane noted the numerous scars and her eyes were drawn to the tattoo near his hip. He slipped into the shirt quickly and wrapped it around himself in an effort to avoid her questioning eyes.

"Interesting tattoo. 'B' for Buffy?"

"Who else?"

"You know those things can give you blood poisoning."

"Bit late for that. Buffy likes pepperoni."

"Pepperoni?" Janes eyes were roaming his shirt covered torso.

"Pizza. We'll be out in a few minutes, now if you don't mind I really need to get dressed." With that Spike shut the door on her and ran into the bedroom throwing himself onto the bed.

"Buffy."

"Yeah?" She said as she walked out of the bathroom, hair wrapped up in a towel.

"Are you naked under there?" He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Mind in the gutter much? What's up Spike?" She pulled her bathrobe tighter around her.

"Your stepmum saw my tattoo. Wanted to know what pizza we liked and I answered the door half naked."

"Because that is so refined of you." Buffys voice gained a sarcastic edge as she watched him.

"I'm tired what can I say? Told her we'd be out in a few minutes." He lay on the bed buttoning up his shirt.

"So scoot along and I'll get dressed then." Buffy motioned towards the door and Spike obeyed.


When Buffy finally left the safety of the annex she ran into her father in the kitchen.

"There's my Buffy, William said you weren't feeling very perky?"

"Better now, too much wine last night. It made me feel all funny today but William looked after me." In a he hates me and locked the bedroom door to protect himself kind of way.

"Jane says he's got a lot of scars, he doesn't fight much does he? I mean he doesn't look violent but… Buffy?"

Buffy giggled at the sound of her father proclaiming that Spike didn't look violent. He isn't violent dad, he's just killed thousands of people but it's okay now because the government put a chip in his head. So instead of showing on the surface all his evil tendencies bubble up underneath.

"William's fine dad, they're all from sporting injuries when he was younger that's all. Nothing recent." Buffy forced a smile, which turned into a yawn. "Starved." Hunger is always the best excuse.

"Lets get you some food then little missy, before Dawn eats it all."

On entering the living room Buffy was greeted by Spike with a pat on the couch next to him. She looked visibly tired and was soon curled up with her back leaning into Spikes chest, this she was getting used to.

As Buffy was eating he took to rubbing her shoulders and followed up by planting soft little kisses down the line of her neck. She didn't bother stopping him since her father would have thought it odd, but then one side of Buffy didn't want to stop him anyway. It was comforting to know that she hadn't done any permanent damage last night.

Jane put on a romantic comedy and then settled into the other couch with Hank. Dawn lay on the floor swinging her legs like the kid she claimed she wasn't and Buffy was soon starting to doze off in Spikes arms. He closed his eyes and listened to her breathing as it became shallow and soft, heartbeat slowing until her blood barely called to him.

Opening them again he stared blankly at the TV, using it as a mask to cover up his listening to Buffys heartbeat and breathing as she slumbered on. He was enjoying the evening in spite of the sickening happiness propaganda on the TV and when the credits rolled he scooped up the sleeping Buffy in his arms. Perfect.

"Best get sleeping beauty off to bed. It's been a hard day for her."

"William?" Dawn smiled up at him from the floor.

"Yes niblet?"

"I'm glad you managed to cheer her up, even is she is queen dozy head."

"Night niblet, Hank, Jane."

Spike flashed them a brilliant smile then turned and left the room with Buffy held tight in his arms, he could hear Hank turn to Dawn and ask her about the nickname but he didn't stop to hear her answer.

Locking the door behind them Spike walked to the bed and placed Buffy down on it gently. He slipped her jeans and t-shirt off then put the covers over her. After stripping down himself he snuck in next to her.

Leaning on his left side he watched Buffy sleep, after a few moments she rolled over to face him and curled up into his chest. Spike sighed as he wrapped his arms around her tightly; she really was everything he ever wanted.

"Night Buffy." Spike kissed her hair.

"Mmm night William." Buffy kissed his lips softly then returned to sleeping in his arms, Spike fell asleep with a smile on his face.

The next few days passed in much the same way, Buffy insisted they moved the majority of their daytime TV watching to the main living room where people would actually see them. Buffy grew more and more comfortable with leaning against Spike on the couch, even when the parents were absent all day. She didn't leave his side for the next few days, on Thursday Dawn managed to get Buffy to agree that she would go to the mall with her and Jane.

Buffy awoke on Friday morning to an empty bed and felt cold. Yesterday morning had been perfect with both her and Spike waking up at the same time. They had laid in bed next to each other for an hour, just sharing the space in comfortable silence.

She smiled at the memory of the past week thankful that it had passed with only minor imperfections. She was even starting to think that she would miss sleeping next to Spike when they were back in Sunnydale. His cool body next to hers under the sheets was a comfort, whenever she had bad slayer dreams she instantly forgot them in his arms and was asleep again in moments. Damn you Spike.

Buffy grabbed her sweats from the drawer and headed out of the annex, the house was quiet all around her except a distant noise up ahead. She followed the noise as she wrapped her bandages around her fists. Coming to a halt outside the exercise room an array of swearing drifted to her ears, she pushed the door open to reveal Spike hailing down fury on a punch bag.

Spike stopped as she entered the room grabbing hold of the swinging punch bag tightly. He grinned at Buffy, she always looked good in her training outfit. Buffy circled around Spike and looked at what he was wearing, he had cut up the pair of sweats she had bought him into shorts.

"Hey! I paid good money for those." She pointed to the offending garment.

"They're restricting me it makes it hard to fight." Spike rolled his head to either side to relieve tension.

"Spike, you fight in tight jeans and a pair of baggy bottoms are restricting?"

"Go figure."

Buffy laughed at him, it was one phrase that didn't sound right coming from his lips. She continued circling him and narrowed her eyes.

"Wanna train?" Buffy raised her eyebrows at him.

"Chip." Spike needed a good fight, it had been ages since he and Buffy had fought.

"I won't make with the ouch, I can handle it. If I don't register the pain then it won't go off… will it?"

"Don't know pet." Spike smiled wickedly. "Stay put and I'll test it."

Spike threw a punch at Buffys stomach, she dropped to the floor and sucked a breath in sharply, it was enough for the chip to trigger. Spike dropped to his knees and held his skull tightly.

"Mebbe not." He growled as he shook his head. "How about we just take it in turns to hold the punch bag?"

"Damn, really wanted to fight you." Buffy stomped her foot and pouted like a little kid.

"You can hit me but I won't be able to hit you back, all I can do is feign punches." Spike stretched and smiled inwardly as he registered her disappointment.

"So we both feign punches, I don't want to hurt you if you can't do damage in return." Buffy smiled at him and when he smiled back at her she initiated the play fighting.

Swinging her fists as fast as she could Spike dodged every one of them, he had always been her hardest foe and sparring with him always made her feel fulfilled. Spikes fist stopped short of her face and Buffy jumped a little.

"Christ Buffy, pay attention." Spike backed off a foot, limbered up and waited for her to regain composure. There was a time when she could have stopped him before he even got a punch in.

Buffy launched another attack and it was like dancing with him. She remembered back to the night outside the bronze where they had passed feigned punches in an effort for her to understand how he'd killed two Slayers. Spike dodged everything she had and threw some of his own jabs into the fray. They had been going like it for twenty minutes, exchanging ghost punches when Spike caught her off guard again.

"Sorry love." Spike backed off again and watched Buffy panting hard; she looked a little out of shape. He took a step towards her and bent his head lower. "You alright?"

The next thing he knew she had taken out his legs from under him and was straddling him, hand raised in feigned staking.

"Sucker!" Buffy laughed at him.

Spike chuckled then wiggled an eyebrow at her as his hands slid up her thighs. Then there was clapping coming from the doorway, they both turned their heads to face it.

"Well done, that was breathtaking. Do you spar with each other often? I mean I didn't know Buffy was a fighter." It was Buffys dad, Spikes hands fell to the floor beside him and Buffy coloured slightly as she lowered her hand.

"Quite the little fighter aren't you pet." Spike grinned up at her.

Buffy leapt off Spike and offered him a hand up, he took it and hauled himself off the floor.

"Hey dad." She wiped sweat from her face and stretched. "Thought you were working today?"

"Got half a day off, do you two actually hit each other? Because from here it didn't look like it."

"Can't hit your daughter Mr Summers, not nice to hit girls." Spike raised an eyebrow at Buffy and she smiled.

They moved around to the punch bag and Buffy held it for Spike, he looked like he needed to hit something or take her to the bedroom and right now she was opting for hitting something.

"Grrah" Spike punched the bag with all the energy he had left in him, Hank watched from the doorway quite impressed at his speed and strength.

He was trying to make out what level Buffy and Williams relationship was one, obviously they shared several common interests including watching the TV far too much, but it was nice to see Buffy with a man she obviously felt comfortable with. His little girl was all grown up, a strong little woman. He didn't realise how strong until she starting punching the bag that Spike now held for her. Missing it she managed to clock Spike on the jaw and knock him to the floor.

"Are you alright?" Buffy rushed around and helped him up, Spike rubbed his jaw then gave a sideward glance to her father.

"Suckerpuncher." Spike grinned at her and pinched her ass as she walked back towards the punch bag.

"What say I leave you two alone for a while?" Hank turned and left the room, after a few minutes Buffy and Spike followed.

"I'm going to grab a shower honey, I'm off to the mall in an hour with Dawn and Jane." Buffy smiled at the sight of her little hand in his as they walked down the hall towards the annex.

"I'll be fine here there's plenty to eat and they're showing Passions all afternoon." He pushed the door open and came to rest on the couch.

"I can't believe I am actually getting into that. Not only do you corrupt my sister but now you're corrupting me too." Buffy headed straight for the bathroom.

An hour later there was a knock at the door, Spike answered it and let the two ladies in. Dawn immediately started stealing the potato chips on the table and Jane hung around with an air of impatience. Finally Buffy came out of the bedroom, she had slipped on her brown leather trousers and red halter neck top.

"See you later honey." Buffy slipped her arms around Spikes waist and he responded by pulling her closer and breathing in her scent.

"Have fun pet, don't be too late back."

Spike was about to release her when Buffy bought her mouth up to his and placed a kiss onto it that rapidly turned hungry. In response he plundered her mouth with his tongue with little resistance from her and he felt her hands pull him in harder for a deeper kiss. He ran his tongue along the roof of her mouth again and this time Buffy responded by forcing her tongue into his mouth and wriggling it in a little swirling motion that drove him crazy.

Spike felt his knees weaken under her probing tongue, he wanted this to continue but could feel eyes boring into them from their company. He pulled Buffy off him and smiled into her eyes as he licked his lips, she looked a little flushed and wobbled slightly as she headed towards the door.

At the door she turned back to face him with a grin spread across her face.

"Damn I love you Buffy and that evil tongue of yours." Spike grinned back at her.

"Lets go out tonight? Take Dawn into LA." She gave him a smile that shone brighter than the sun and he couldn't say no.

"Okay." He blew her a kiss as she left the room closing the door behind her. That was the ninth time this week he had told her he loved her and she had just smiled at him warmly in response. Spike felt change was a foot.


Jane stepped onto the escalator in the mall and smiled at Buffy as she tucked Dawns hair behind her ear.

"Buffy, I don't think I've ever seen anyone so full of love as you."

"Huh?" Her words came as a shock to Buffy, after all she had gone on a vision quest to find out why she felt she couldn't love and now an almost stranger was telling her she was full of the stuff.

"They way you look after your sister and don't think I haven't noticed you and William together when you think no one is watching."

"Well, you know he is my boyfriend." Together when no one is watching, what's getting into you Buffy? Let's try this again vampire = bad.

"He's very attentive to you both, like you've been through a lot together. If I was a hopeless romantic I would say he'd die before he let anything happen to you."

Buffy swallowed hard and wondered if Jane had been spying on them in Sunnydale too.

"I think you two are very much in love, but he does spend a worrisome amount of time indoors. Is it the skin allergy?"

Dawn snorted into her diet coke. "Sorry. Skin allergies are so not funny, my bad."

"We're going out tonight, promised me and Dawn we could go out in LA." Buffy was still stuck on the fact that her and Spike appeared to be very much in love, she liked him but love? Not love, at least not yet.

"He did? Yay Spike." Dawn covered her mouth quickly and Buffy shot her a dark look.

"Did you just call him Spike?" Jane stepped off the escalator and headed towards the ice cream parlour. Buffy felt panic rise in her gut.

"Yeah, it's a nickname you know. He's in a band back in Sunnydale I don't know where he got the name but he likes it so we usually call him Spike." Or William the bloody, slayer of Slayers and that means me although these days he would rather be staking me, if you know what I mean. Buffy hoped the moment would pass.

"Like when he calls Dawn niblet?" Jane smiled and Buffy looked incredulous. Was everyone slipping up except her?

"I already explained that's because I'm small and the youngest. I prefer niblet more than pint size." Dawn sat down in one of the booths and piled in her shopping bags next to her forcing Buffy to sit next to Jane.

"I know Dawn. You three seem to like your nicknames. He always seems to be calling Buffy pet and love. I think it's sweet of him."

Buffy mentally replied. Yeah, it's better now that he isn't trying to tear our throats open and drink us dry. And who says we're very much in love miss nosey pants. She touched the scar on her neck and visually imagined Spike taking a bite out of her, it sent her nerve endings off in a silent scream.

"Buffy, that's some scar."

"Wild dog attack, years ago now all in the past. I'm hungry, lets get something sweet." Buffy hid behind the menu card.

"LA is so cool. This mall is way better than the one in Sunnyhell." Dawn smiled across at them.

"Dawn!" Buffys eyes widened at the sound of Spikes pet name for her town.

"Sorry, it's a Spike-ism that he uses because he's got that nasty skin allergy."

Buffys face fell into her hands, she spent the rest of the mall trip walking around in a daze and thinking over what was going wrong today.

She had woken up alone which felt wrong, then she had play sparred with Spike which was a high point in the day but that ended up in her dad seeing her straddling Spike and feigning staking him. And the way Spikes hands had made her feel when he had run them up her thighs, very bad. Then there was the holding hands back to their room and that kiss. All very bad and all very wrong of her. To cap it all, the mall trip was turning nasty with Jane playing the Spanish inquisition on both Dawn and Buffy. She just wanted to be home now in front of the TV with Spike and Dawn, watching Passions or whatever crap he was watching.

But Spike wasn't watching the TV, he was sat on the kitchen counter facing the second half of the Spanish inquisition himself. Buffys father had ensnared him when he had headed to the kitchen to fix himself a cup of tea.

"So William I could clearly see this morning you know a variety of combat techniques but are there any sports you're interested in?"

"What like?" Spike wasn't in the mood for answering questions; he had enough of them himself.

Buffy had been sending him stronger and stronger signals all week that she was enjoying his company. It bothered him on the basis that he couldn't act on it; one wrong step and he would have an appointment with Mr Pointy.

"The usual for us Americans. Football? Baseball?"

"Like a good footy match as much as the next man, but American football? I think not. Purely a bastardised version of our rugby." Spike drank down the remnants of his cup of tea and flicked the switch on the kettle again, it wasn't what he was craving but that would have to wait until he escaped.

"Anything else?"

"Like to hunt." Spike was blunt, the shorter the answers he gave the quicker he could get back to watching Passions.

"What kind of hunting?"

"All kinds, mainly mammals at night." Yeah, human shaped mammals.

"Oh, I'm afraid we don't get much hunting around here. I've been on a few hunting trips up in the mountains but nothing recently. What do you like about it?"

Spike looked at the clock and registered that Buffy would be back soon, he hoped she'd had a good time at the mall. Shopping always seemed to put her in the best of moods. On the edge of his hearing he picked up on the front door opening.

"I like the thrill of the hunt, chasing down your prey. The whole build up to the kill." Spike noticed Buffy in the doorway and she was listening intently, his look turned predatory as their eyes met. "Stalking the prey and observing its habits before I move in for the kill, it's all very poetic man against beast."

Buffy felt a primal urge between them and knew what he meant by that, she was thankful that her father seemed none the wiser to Spikes undead status. She felt like she should be telling him off as she looped her arm through his and led him to their quarters but she didn't want to, being next to him again calmed her down and smoothed out the rough patches of the day.

Spike grabbed a bag of blood and emptied it into a mug then came to rest on the couch next to Buffy, frowning at the thought of cold blood.

"Nice shopping trip pet?" He motioned to the bags she had dumped by the bedroom door.

"Terrible. Nice day at home baby?" She looked up at him and he grinned at the word 'baby'.

"Terrible, missed most of Passions. Thought I was never going to escape your pops. Tell me, we are going out as soon as it's dark enough."

"Absolutely. So don't want to be in this house today." Buffy leant into him in her favourite way and Spike allowed his arm to fall over her shoulder. "I bought you something."

"Really?" He wasn't sure if it was all an act until she shuffled across the room and rummaged through the bags, returning to him with a little box in her hands.

Buffy leant back into him and opened up the box on her lap. Taking hold of his wrist she buckled something up around it, then caught his other wrist and did the same to it. Whatever they were she had purposefully put them on tightly.

"Can I see?" Spike queried her.

"I don't know, can you?" Buffy teased him and released his wrists.

Spikes eyes widened when he saw two leather cuffs tied to his wrists. They looked sturdy and there were several metal rings on each one, they were wicked and naughty. Spike loved them.

"Placing a claim on me Buffy?"

"Possession is nine tenths of the law." She turned and grinned at him.

"Didn't think you would be into this kinky stuff."

"What can I say, I saw them and thought of you. Besides it's good to see a smile on your face. Wear them out tonight?"

"Sure thing love." Spike admired his shiny new black leather manacles and grinned. "Kinky Buffy."

"Best get ready, it'll be dark in an hour and I've got some clothes to try on before we go out." She sat up on the couch.

"I get first shower." Spike launched himself towards the bathroom but Buffy knocked him flat onto the bed and bolted into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

"It'll take me the longest to get ready. Fairs fair."

"Hurry up then." Spike sprawled out onto the bed and listened to her in the bathroom.

When Buffy eventually vacated the bathroom Spike grabbed a quick shower and then smiled at the makeshift mirror that Buffy had stuck up. He listened to Buffy singing some pop tune in the other room, then the knock at the door.

"I swear Spike you've been in there longer than I was."

Spike opened the door and was faced with the overwhelming sight of Buffy head to toe in black. She was wearing tight black leather trousers and a little leather and satin bodice with long flared sleeves. On her feet were black leather boots with a good 4 inches of chunky heel and around her neck she had wrapped three black leather strips in a choker, Spike fixed his eyes on it.

"What happened to Buffy?" He grinned.

"This is fun Buffy, you may not have met her before. Spike fun Buffy, fun Buffy Spike." She brushed past him into the bathroom and started fixing up her hair.

On the bed in front of him Spike noted she had been through his things again and laid out his favourite dark red shirt, black t-shirt and jeans combination. Together with his leather duster and boots.

"Missing the old me pet?" Spike hollered towards the bathroom as he dressed, Buffy popped her head around the corner.

"Meh?"

"Just I used to wear this outfit when I was trying to kill you. Made me feel all manly." Spike grinned at her wickedly.

"I like you in it, always looked good on you. There." She walked back into the bedroom, her hair fixed up and make up done.

"Fucking beautiful." Spike breathed at her as he was about to slip his t-shirt on.

"Wait."

Spike froze as Buffy stepped up to him and ran her fingers across his stomach as she rounded him. She came to a halt by his tattoo and bent over to kiss it.

"Um, little round to your left and down a bit pet." He flashed her an evil grin.

"Sorry Spike didn't quite catch that." She cupped her hand on the front of his jeans and felt him shudder under her touch. Buffy squeezed a little and smiled up at him.

"Buffy." Spike choked out.

"Let's go." She trailed her hand off him as she left the room, Spike took a moment to calm down as he finished dressing and then followed.

Buffy allowed herself a wicked grin as they walked down the hall towards Dawn. Spike fidgeted with his cuffs and huffed a little, muttering something under his breath that was beyond her hearing.

"Wow Buffy you look so cool." Dawn practically bounced up and down on the spot.

"Later folks." Buffy yelled up the stairs as she followed Spike and Dawn down to his car.

Dawn kept staring at the stamp on her hand. It was a little 'x' in black ink. They had managed to get some seats around a table in a relatively quiet corner. Buffy was happily drinking down her beer and watching Spike tap his fingers in time with the beat.

"Think I might get this tattooed there." Dawn ran her finger over the little X.

"You bloody well will not." Spike frowned at her and then gave a knowing look to Buffy.

"Dance guys, we've been here like an hour already and everyone else is dancing." Dawn put her diet coke back onto the table and pouted at them.

"And if everyone was jumping off a cliff?" Spike muttered and played with his cuffs absentmindedly, nasty little thoughts running through his mind.

"Point taken but if you don't dance with me I'll find someone who will." She grabbed Spikes hand tight.

"So it's blackmail. You'll be okay?" He turned to Buffy who was watching them.

"Dance with me later?" Buffy pouted and fingered the rings on the cuff around Spikes free hand.

"Yes mistress." He winked as he was dragged onto the dance floor.

Buffy took to playing with her phone. They had only been gone a minute and she was feeling lonely, it was like all the light had gone out of the room. She took another swig of her beer and as the hairs on her neck stood up she made a reach for her bag to grab her stake. Vampire.

The feeling in the pit of her stomach intensified and then she saw him at the bar with some people.

"Angel?" She whispered and he turned towards her as if he'd heard.

Buffy panicked, too late now to make a run for it maybe he would leave her alone. The sight of him just filled her with dread and she closed her eyes to shut it out.

"Buffy?" His voice had an air of disbelief.

Too late, go away Angel. "Have a seat Angel." She found herself smiling up at him, he still looked hot but amazingly it did nothing for her now, her mind raced to thoughts of Spikes sleep talking. Mine, always mine.

As Angel sat down opposite her she shot a look over his shoulder towards the dance floor, she couldn't see them, this was bad.

"What are you doing here?" Angel reached out across the table towards Buffys hands but she busied them with her beer.

"Here with friends and vacationing with my dad, he's back in town and wanted to make sure we were okay. I'll be back off to Sunnyhell next Friday. I didn't know you would be here. I'm babbling aren't I?" She realised she'd said Sunnyhell. Angel seemed to notice it but didn't say anything.

"Willow and Xander are here? Is that why you keep looking at the dance floor?" Angel scanned the room and Buffys stomach tightened up.

"Not Will and Xander, no. I bought Dawn with me and our house guest." No I'm here with Dawn and Spike, you remember Spike he tried to kill me several times but now we just love being together.

"You bought a house guest to LA?"

"Someone had to drive, it's a long story Angel and I don't think you need to know about my every move." She was snappy at him and he looked confused in return. "Sorry, really bad day and it keeps getting worse."

The tune was winding down, any second now a nuclear fuelled fists and fangs match would erupt. She hoped that Dawn would make him dance another song and give her time to wind things up with Angel.

"So you look busy with the gang there, out on a mission?" Buffy pointed to the rest of his friends sitting at the bar, as he turned away from her she slipped a hand under the table and idly played with her stake, it was comforting.

"No, just out for the night. We needed a break from all the fighting. Buffy?"

"Hmm?" She refocused her attention on him.

"You look different tonight. Happy. When I last saw you it was a bad time for you." Angel tried to reach across the table again but Buffy adjusted her position so he couldn't touch her. It was then he noticed her outfit, it was so different to the Buffy he had seen at her mothers funeral. Maybe grief was affecting her.

"I am happy, it's nice being away from the hellmouth." Buffys eyes searched the crowd again and she held her breath. Hang on, I'm happy. He never said I looked happy when I was with him. Happy Buffy is a new concept altogether to Angel.

"So who's the lodger?" Angel gave her a look that said 'if it's a guy kill me now'.

"A guy, pale and somewhat tan resistant. You um, know him. But it's all good, honest Angel. Just my dad thinks he's my boyfriend because of something Dawn said and he had to come with us, not that he wanted to, so it's all good like I said. Nothing bad happening and also very explainable, but such a long story. I'm babbling again aren't I? I seem to be doing that a lot tonight." Buffy furrowed her brow as her stomach twisted and turned upon itself, it was like a warning that he was near by, both of them always made her stomach warm when they were close. Christ Buffy, just say Spike. My house guest is Spike, we like to buy him blood and presents because we aren't sure how we feel about him anymore.

"A little nervous on seeing me I'm guessing. But Buffy your clothes… you look…" Angel stopped as the feeling in his stomach rose up.

"Fucking stunning." Spike had come to stand behind him and raised his eyebrows at Buffy.

Angel turned on hearing Spikes voice and stood up. "Buffy, don't move."

Here we go with the chivalry protect me crap. Buffy stood up and couldn't resist pulling a face at Angels back to make Spike grin. He smirked at her.

"Hello Angel cake. I've come for the Slayer." Spike growled at him, thinking he may as well have some fun, Buffy would expect a fight but he wasn't going to let it happen.

Angel tensed then squared up to Spike grabbing him by the neck. "Back off Spike."

"Sing me another one broody." Spike casually pushed his hand away then swung into his chair and lit up a cigarette.

"Get up you little…" Angel made to seize Spike by the shoulder but he dodged his hand and pushed his chair at him.

"Take a seat or sod off, choice is yours." Circling around to Buffy, Spike rubbed his manacles together at her teasingly.

"Get away from her."

"Make me." Spike growled, eyes flashing yellow.

"Fine." Making a movement towards Spike he started to throw a punch but found Buffy blocking it.

"Will you two both sit down and shut up before I die of testosterone poisoning." Buffy pushed them into seats opposite each other and then sat next to Spike, this caused him to pull a face at Angel, which caused Buffy to slap him.

"Sorry love. Just tall dark and forehead here seems to think he owns you."

"Spike, I lost you in the crowd, you're a bad…" Dawn threw her arms around Spikes neck from behind and then noticed Angel. "Ooh, rumbled."

"Dawn? Buffy? What the hell is going on here?" Angel frowned and Dawn waved in response then sat down on the other side of Spike. He gave Buffy a look that was so pained it was like being stabbed through her heart and for a moment she felt truly sorry for Angel.

Spike blew smoke in the direction of Angel, he was coiled up inside like a snake. Buffy rested her hand on his knee under the table and he slipped his fingers into hers. She could feel anger and fear reverberating through his body, one wrong move on her part and they would fight. Mine, always mine.

Treading the fine line between them Buffy tried hard to keep them both happy. She kept remembering Spikes dream talking about 'peaches' and something being 'always mine' and Buffy knew it was all about her, it was always about her.

"Spike is my house guest back in Sunnydale. He isn't going to kill me or hurt Dawn and me in anyway. He fights along side us now and the showdown between me and Glory trashed his place, I figured he's a good guard dog so I let him stay in the house."

"Are you insane Buffy? I know grief affects people but he tried to kill you." Angel was furious at the suggestion that Spike was welcome not only in her house but her fathers, and that her father thought he was her boyfriend.

"Funny that, seem to recall you trying to kill Buffy after having your wicked way with her." Spike tensed up further and Buffy worked hard to calm him but it wasn't happening, she felt like throwing up.

"That wasn't me." Angel ground out between clenched jaws.

There was only one way to resolve the situation, either Angel had to leave or they did. Buffy wasn't about to leave, Angel would not ruin a perfectly fun night out. Besides, Spike hadn't danced with her yet and she wasn't leaving without that happening. In a bid to relax Spike she slid her hand under his shirt.

"Spike… Angel…" They both turned to look at her with hurt faces but Spike had the distinct advantage of feeling her fingers on his skin tracing the heart of his tattoo. "You boys calm down now. Spike, Angel has every right to be concerned about my welfare. Angel, Spike is more of a man than you will ever know, he's protected me to the brink of a dusty ending and he's good to me. You both have a place in my heart, if you can't live with that then I can dust you now." She waved her stake for emphasis but continued tracing the heart on Spikes hip as she turned and looked to him.

"No problem pet." Spike puffed his chest up at Angel, the feeling of Buffy touching him in front of her previous vampire made him giddy even if Angel couldn't see.

"Fine, but I don't have to like it. See you around." Angel pushed away from the table and Buffys eyes followed him to the bar where he sat down next to Cordelia and leant over to say something into her ear. As he did so she smiled at him and placed her hand on the back of his chair. Buffy frowned then shook her head. Cordelia and Angel?

Angel turned back to look at Buffy just as she planted a thank you kiss on Spikes lips, he saw Spike look into Buffys eyes with such a passion that his feelings for Buffy were pretty clear. Watching them heading onto the dance floor, it occurred to him that Spike seemed more of a slow dancing guy, a little like himself but this song was heavy with a beat. Buffy was soon dancing about him with her hands in the air and her hips wriggling mischievously. Angel was stunned.

Angel thought the song was pretty fitting as Spikes eyes met his.

I can't shake this feeling from my head.
There's a devil sleeping in my bed.
He's watching you from across the way.
I cannot make this feeling go away.

Buffy had grabbed Spike by the belt and was dancing with a new found fire in her, Angel could see the fine sheen of sweat on her skin as she practically ground herself against Spikes thigh, whose attention was now totally hers along with half the dance floors. At least Buffy was smiling.

I know it's not the right thing.
And I know it's not the good thing.
But kinda I want to.

Buffy wriggled down the length of Spikes leg and Angel saw that same fiery passion flare up in his eyes again as he watched her. He knew Buffy was the princess of mixed signals but tonight she was making it all pretty clear. She wanted Spike and Angel's chance with her was history, even if Buffy didn't know it yet.

I'm not sure of what I should do.
When everything I'm thinking of is you.
All of my excuses turn to lies.
Maybe God will cover up his eyes.

Buffy raked her nails down Spikes chest and flinging her head back she caught his eyes and smiled deeply into them. Spike held her by the waist tightly as she ground into him with her hips, growling low in his throat he gave her a toothy grin that was purely predatory and Buffy moaned. She was driving him crazy, partly because she really wanted to and partly to make Angel jealous, but what did he care? Buffy was all over him.

I know it's not the right thing.
And I know it's not the good thing.
But kinda I want to.
Kinda I want to.

Angel saw Buffy smiling into Spikes eyes and realised all was lost, he had once been on the receiving end of that look. She was bubbling over with happiness and energy and it was all directed at Spike, his very own kin and his enemy. Angel was lost in thought as he watched her bouncing around Spike and as a high beam grin spread across Spikes face Angel knew the man was in love. Buffy had come to stop in front of him with a look full of trepidation like she was about to go tumbling over the edge.

Maybe just for tonight.
We can pretend it's alright.
What's the price I pay?
I don't care what they say.
I want to. I want to. I'll take my chance tonight.

Buffy grasped Spikes hand as she fought for air and placed it onto her chest, heartbeat racing. She danced until the last beat of the tune and Spike had his eyes closed, feeling her blood rushing under his palm as it slightly grasped her chest. It was intoxicating. When she looked up he was grinning at her again and she felt her stomach tighten up, at least he was happy now and that's what she was hoping for.

As the song ended she pulled him off the dance floor and stopping short of the table she messed his hair up a little more which got a wide smile out of him. Spike liked the fact that Buffy had grown accustomed to fussing over him, especially when he could feel Angel's eyes boring into his back. He leant down and kissed her cheek as he held her hand a little tighter.

"You're one hell of a woman Buffy Summers. Hell of a lot of energy in there." He ran his free hand across her stomach and felt her quiver under him.

"You're one hell of a man William Thornton, but you're a sucky dancer." She allowed her hand to leave his and trail up his arm to his bicep, cold.

"Slow dance." Spike pulled a cigarette out of the pack as he sat at the table next to Dawn.

"Meh?" Buffy looked scared that his answer was going to be rude.

"Don't dance all bouncy on the spot and grindy like you two. I'm more of a slow dance kind of guy. Maybe it's my age showing." Spike lit his cigarette and took a long pull on it.

"Awww. Keep forgetting you're like a hundred and fifty, we'll slow dance next time we hear a decent tune. Maybe down the bronze, they always have slow tunes." Buffy stopped and realised what she had said as Spike raised a brow at her. "Or maybe not."

"Spikes a hundred and fifty?" Dawn played with the straw in her drink and watched Buffy run her finger along the scar on Spikes eyebrow.

"Twenty eight of them were as a mortal."

"Wow. You don't look a hundred and fifty."

"Don't hit me for this Buffy." He met her eyes as she started running her fingers down his neck, she looked heavy in thought and a little sad. "Buffy?"

"Hmm? Sorry, miles away." Buffy shook her head and then started tracing patterns on Spikes arm where it rested on the table, thoughts returning to their previous course of pondering their relationship and what was going to happen back in Sunnydale.

"Little bit, say I or some other vampire turned you now. You'd be an eternal teenager, just like in the movies. Not grow any older or look any less beautiful than you are now."

"Sounds cool. I'm in." Dawn grinned at Buffy who was suddenly paying attention. "I'm only joking sis."

"You better be or Spike will have to do the whole family unit and then we can just black out all the windows in our house and sleep all day party all night." She noticed Spike had arched his brow at her and she pouted at him.

"Wouldn't turn you pet. I like you full of life, same as I like your sister full of it too. Hence the hero act a few months back."

"Did I say thanks for that?" Buffy moved to playing with his fingers.

"Bout a million times. No big." Spike sucked on his cigarette and watched Buffy with fascination; maybe the song had gone to her head. As his guard went up, he turned towards the bar.

"What do you want?" Spike growled and locked his fingers possessively into Buffys.

Buffy started a little when she noticed Angel standing beside them, she had been so preoccupied with fussing over Spike she hadn't felt him approach.

"Just wanted to offer you all a drink for old times sake." Angel looked visibly hurt at Buffy and she hid her face slightly against Spikes shoulder, the feeling of guilt inside her intensifying.

"How very charming of you, two diet cokes and a beer for the lady." Spike chuckled at the sight of the pained expression on Angels face.

"You don't drink anymore?" Angel teased at Spike.

"Not when I've got to get these lovely ladies home in one piece I don't." Spike didn't rise to the bait.

"There was a time William when you would have drunk anyway." Angel put on an air of Angelus.

"Can't run the risk of hurting them." He looked to Buffy who smiled warmly at him and it was enough to send Angel storming back towards to bar. I win.

"Back in a minute, I'll help with the drinks. Just in case he feels inclined to drop some holy water in them." Buffy touched his hand and followed Angel, Spike looked crestfallen and Dawn reached for his hand.

"Angel?" Buffy caught his arm at the bar.

"Buffy." He sounded miserable. "How long have you loved him?"

"I don't. There's something between us but I'm not sure what it is… yet. It's not love… yet." Buffy stumbled on the words.

"You gave him that Buffy in love smile on the dance floor. He loves you Buffy, he's never had that intensity of passion in his eyes, not even for Drusilla." Angel looked into her eyes and saw he had struck a nerve, she clutched at her stomach in an attempt to ease the tightness.

"Spike was pretty upset when he chained me up and offered to kill Drusilla for me a few months back. I tried to convince myself he couldn't love me without a soul but recently I realised he really does, just like Drusilla had said."

"He offered to kill Dru for you? Jesus Buffy." Angel knew he couldn't top that one.

"I know he loves me, I know he can be a good man if I let him. There isn't anything to worry about Angel, you knew the old Spike the same as I did, only longer. Tell me he's the same Spike you once knew."

"I can't because you know he isn't. We don't have hearts to break, but it would kill him if you were playing him." Angel look defeated.

"I'm sorry Angel. Spike says it's the two people in the workplace theory but I know he came back from Brazil because of me."

"Be careful Buffy."

"I don't want to hurt him, when the government put a chip in his head he went suicidal on us. Kept trying to stake himself, I don't want to see him like that again."

"I missed a lot didn't I?" Angel tried to sound casual as Buffy nodded at him.

"Angel?" Cordelia's sharp tones rang in Buffys ears. "What is the super bitch doing over here and what's with her little puppy dog?"

Buffy swung around to see Spike staring at her intensely, palms splayed out on the table in front of him he looked like he was getting ready to rain fury down on Angel for detaining her so long. Dawn looked uncomfortably at Buffy and she realised it had been a bad decision to up and leave Spike for Angels company even for a minute.

"Cordy, not now and I suggest you don't provoke the vampire." Angel turned to her but it was too late, she was trying to stare down Spike. "Cordelia don't be a fool."

Buffy watched as Spike rose from the table, within seconds he was standing in front of Cordelia and their eyes were locked. Buffys mouth dropped open as Cordelia's balled fists fell limply to her side and she swayed on the spot with hazy eyes.

"Don't like this little missy. Doesn't she know it's rude to stare?" Spike chuckled and poked Cordelia hard enough for her to fall backwards into Angels arms.

Buffy could hear the pain on the edge of Spikes voice, she had grown used to being able to pick up on his emotions even when he was hiding them with so much show.

"Bastard." Angel gritted his teeth and Buffy looked at Spike.

"Just because you were deemed unworthy of learning thrall doesn't mean the rest of us didn't pass the test."

Buffy looked at the prone form of Cordelia in Angel's arms, she had to admit it was an improvement but it was also very wrong. Something bubbled in her stomach, a rising tide of emotion that she pushed down into her feet. There was something between Angel and Cordelia and she knew it. She felt it like Angel had felt that there was going to be a connection between her and Spike before she had even formed a truce with him.

"Spike, unthrall her or something, please!" Buffy was begging him and Spike knew he'd be a fool not to listen to her now.

"Fine." He raised his eyes to heaven and patted Cordelia on the cheek. "Wakey wakey rise and shine."

"Ugh, my head." Cordelia came around to see Spike standing inches from her face, she tried to scramble backwards into Angel.

"It's okay Cordy." Angel held her tightly so she couldn't struggle.

"Who? What did he do to me?"

"I'm the vampire guard dog aren't I? But you can call me William the Bloody, scourge of Europe and slayer of two Slayers. Call Buffy a bitch again and something nastier will happen next time we meet... bitch." Spike spun on his heel and headed back towards the table, grabbing his duster he walked out the door.

"Sorry." Cordelia sobbed out.

"I have to go." Buffy panicked as she looked at Angel and Cordelia. "Will she be okay? I didn't know he could do that."

"Neither did I. It'll pass soon, she's just freaked. Follow your heart Buffy but if he hurts you he's dust."

But she wasn't listening; Buffy was already halfway to the table and only stopped to grab Dawn on the way past. Dawn shot Angel a true Spike patented look of hatred and then followed her sister out of the club.

Angel just held onto Cordelia and wondered when did everything get so confused.


Spike was waiting in his Desoto just down from the club. When Buffy slipped into the passenger seat next to him he just looked at her.

"It was kinda…" Buffy started.

"Wrong?" Spike offered to her as Dawn got in the back of the car.

"I was going to say funny. For a moment there I thought I was going to pee my pants laughing at them. They so can't deny that if they aren't together already they will be. Oh Cordy! Oh Angel!" Buffy let out a giggle and Spike grinned at her.

"We defend the gates of hell to save people like her?" Dawn piped up from the back.

"Guess we do. What's funnier is my thrall has always been a tad pathetic, only works on the weak minded." Spike burst into a fit of giggles and struggled to start the car.

"Lets go my vampire guard dog." Buffy sidled up close to him and pointed the way home and again Spike obeyed, but no matter how much she smiled she couldn't deny the growing tidal wave of emotion inside her.

Laying in bed alone Buffy thought over the night again, it pained her to cause such hurt in Angel of all people. She didn't know what had gotten into her but it seemed to all boil down to fear of not ending up with Spike.

Angel had more than once offered to dust Spike for her but every time she had said no. Why? Angel did terrible things and she sent him to hell. Spike did terrible things and she let him sleep in her bed.

Riley had told her once before leaving that she needed a monster in her man, she knew that was Spike speak and didn't want to believe it. But now she realised it was true, anything with a pulse didn't thrill her in the right ways. Riley wasn't strong enough to love her the way she needed it. Pain and love fuelled the Slayer side of her.

No matter how much she protested and called what she did slaying, she had come to realise that a Slayer was an assassin, an executioner and, as Spike had once told her, a killer. After that night she could deny it all she wanted but to a demon she was a killer, someone who unjustifiably slaughtered their demon friends and family.

She held onto her stomach tightly. It was mid morning and Spike was still watching the TV in the next room, he hadn't come to bed when they had reached home. She realised he was probably asleep or upset. No matter how much he had laughed last night he couldn't hide the pain in his eyes from her in the same way she couldn't hide her pain from him.

He had insisted on staying by his car for a while to smoke a cigarette and although she had tried to convince him otherwise with furtive looks he had remained impassive. Instead she had come to their little home alone and shut herself into the bedroom. At first she had seriously considered a shouting match but things could have been said that would have proved unhealthy to both theirs and her family's relationship, instead she opted for crying a lot. Yeah, shout about the fact that your boyfriend, correction - supposed boyfriend is a soulless killer vampire who loves you in spite of himself and his true nature.

His true nature? She realised it was true. He loved her in spite of himself and his nature. Everything in him screamed for him to kill her but instead he had fallen in love with her. Another vampire falling prey to the Slayer. Maybe it's like the whole hostage thing, where you fall for your captor? Maybe it's a trick, he's pretending to have a chip and to love you so he can have you and kill you, eat you up.

Buffy listened as the fridge opened then closed, something was tossed into the bin with a sigh and the TV flipped over to a music channel. Then she heard him singing along to the song, it wasn't the voice of a man who was pretending to love. No one could fake that much pain.

"Cause there ain't no way I'll ever stop from loving you now.
There ain't no way I'll ever stop from loving you now.
No there ain't no way and I'm gonna try and show you somehow.
Somehow and oh… someday."

Buffy found that she had moved to the door and opened it up enough to watch him in the living room area. He was slouched into the couch in a limp sexy devil may care fashion that only he could manage with a wine glass full of blood and singing his lungs out. She watched his face silently, his eyes were closed and she knew he meant every word.

Spike felt the feeling in his stomach grow and knew there was less wall dividing them than before. When he turned his head to look at her she quickly shut the door. In the split second he saw her Spike recognised that face, red and flushed with tears and confusion. Buffy was hurting again and he felt he had to do something.

She had been in there for 10 hours straight. When he had first come in he had considered a fight, he was royally pissed about her happily conversing with Angel when she was meant to be his. But then he realised she had loved him and possibly still did have feelings for him, and all the anger melted away at what she had said about them both having a place in her heart.

Then he had leant against the doorframe for an hour or two listening to her sobbing and muttering to herself. She seemed conflicted and he had decided it best to let her be for a while. Now 10 hours on he decided she had beaten herself up enough, so slipping his boots on he walked out into the kitchen and found her father standing there.

Buffy heard him leave and curled up into an even tighter ball of pain. She was driving him away because she was scared of opening up those feelings again to a vampire. Something she was meant to hate above all others. After all she wasn't Buffy the demon slayer she was Buffy the vampire slayer, a very underlining job description. She was faltering, on the brink of running away and in danger of falling into his arms all at the same time.

"Hank." Spike took a deep breath as he watched her father making breakfast.

"Yes William? Did you want some breakfast, plenty to go around." He smiled at Dawn who had walked in and affixed herself to Spike with a hug.

"It's about Buffy."

"Oh, nothing wrong is there?"

"Ran into her ex last night, she's a little worse for wear. Bit miserable. I want to cheer her up so I was just wondering… if there was anywhere you and… um, Joyce used to take her as a kid?" Spike tripped and stumbled along his speech.

"There's the amusement park on the pier. She loved it there when she was little. Her and Dawnie as little kids playing around, lots of fun for my little tear aways." Hank was pleased that William was obviously concerned for his daughter's welfare.

"Thanks Mr Summers, I appreciate it." Spike flicked the kettle switch down and grabbed a mug from the cupboard.

"No problem William, didn't actually catch your last name."

Spike realised he was sounding him out, what would Buffy sound like attached to this guys name? "Thornton."

Dawn snorted and then looked apologetic at Spike. He turned his concentration back on the matter at hand, making toast for Buffy. She would be starving by now and he wanted her to feel better.

"Well William, let's make an evening of it. We can all go down. Give you some time to try and cheer her up. You look like you need some fun too, you're a little paler than usual."

"Thanks." Spike actually didn't have a problem thanking him with sincerity, anything to make Buffy happy again.

"It's pier 17 amusement park." Hank smiled and Spike flinched at the number 17, he was never getting over that.

Turning on his heel Spike gathered up the plate of toast and the mug of tea and took it back to the annex. On opening the door he heard small sobs coming from the bedroom, he headed straight for it and pushed the door open. The sight of Buffy curled up into a ball hit Spike hard in the stomach, the woman he knew and loved for being so strong, looked so small and hurt.

She froze on his entering the room and remained curled up as he sat down on her side of the bed and turned the lamp on.

"Buffy." His voice was soft and soothing to her ears, she uncurled slightly so she could see his face. "Got you some tea and toast, make you feel better love. You need to eat something, I can't have you like this it's killing me."

Buffy felt like she was falling, no longer teetering on the edge of something she had dived right into it. On seeing his face so gentle and tender she found herself swearing off everything if he could only remain with her. His words were like needles sticking into her heart and she was choking on the rush of emotion.

Spike ran his fingers through her hair, she looked so pale and worn down.

"Buffy, love. We're going out tonight. Fun at pier number… something. Apparently you used to love going there with your mum." He continued stroking her hair in an effort to soothe her.

"17, it's pier 17." She spoke at last and it made him feel marginally better that she was still on planet earth.

"I know pet but I can't bring myself…"

"I know Spike. Painful memories." She bought her hand to rest on his where it lay on her hair. "I miss her."

"I miss Joyce too Buffy, she was a great woman. Always had a cuppa for me." Spike saw the tide of emotion welling up again in her face.

"Spike, William. She really liked you too. Was concerned I led you on, gave me a big mom lecture about it. Did I mention she liked you?"

"Yeah love, you did." Spike saw that she was justifying something to herself by what she was saying. That her mother liked him, her father liked him and her sister liked him.

"Did I mention I like you?" Her voice was quiet and just on the edge of his hearing.

It was like a bombshell. Spikes head filled with blood and emotion that he struggled hard with to control. This was a frail admission that she liked him, not what he ultimately wanted but it was a grand start.

"Buffy, I…"

"Shh…" She pressed her finger to Spikes lips. "Don't say anything."

All he could do was offer her the food and drink he'd made her. She smiled warmly at the sight of it, and at the thought of him discovering that she liked the pier, he had probably asked Dawn.

"Did Dawn tell you about the pier? You two are thick as thieves." Buffy sat up and smiled weakly at him as she tried to sound like she was back to normal.

"Little bit? No, I asked your old man what he and your mum used to do to cheer you up." Spike answered honestly.

"You asked my dad? God, he'll probably be waiting for wedding bells." Buffy felt intense heat in her stomach at the thought that Spike had actually asked her dad about where they used to go with her mother.

"Well, about that. How's Friday night, before we go back to Sunny-D, I'm not big on churches but anything for daddy's little girl." He pinched her cheek.

Buffys mouth dropped open and she dropped her plate onto the bed, the warmth in her stomach blew up into white-hot flames.

"Joking Buffy. Did ask me my last name though. Got the feeling he was sizing me up for a wedding suit or possibly a coffin." Spike arched a brow at her, she didn't seem that disgusted by it but maybe it was just her tiredness.

"Oh. Okay." She busied herself with her toast and drank her tea down quickly. "Spike?"

"Hmm?" He had been staring at the sheets that covered her apparent lack of clothing, she'd been naked all night, if he'd come to bed she would've been naked.

Spike lifted a brow at the thought. She was waiting here, naked, waiting for me to come to bed?

"Come here." She gave him a flirtatious look and heard him swallow hard as he inched across the bed.

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