Buffy's heart sang as she patrolled. Her mind kept drifting back to her

masked admirer. For the first time in a long time, she felt giddy with

joy. She smiled as she remembered the look of surprise in his eyes when

she'd kissed him on her porch. She shivered a little as she remembered the

way his lips felt on hers, the tenderness of his embrace and the passion in

his eyes. Those beautiful eyes of his that seemed so familiar to her, but

she still couldn't place.

Buffy's heart stopped singing and skipped a beat when she noticed who was

sitting on the park bench ahead of her. It was him. She was shocked to

find him here. He was looking up at the stars and seemed to be deep in

thought. Buffy approached the bench slowly, so wouldn’t startle him.

As if he could sense her presence, he looked up and smiled at her. She

returned the smile. He made a sweeping gesture with his arm inviting her to

sit with him and she obliged.

"Fancy meeting you here" he said with a smile.

"Like wise" she replied "You looked like you were having some deep thoughts"

"I was" he stated, obviously still thinking

"Anything special?" she pressed

Spike looked over at her and sighed. "You" he stated barely above a

whisper.

"Me?" she echoed as a grin spread across her face

He nodded and closed his eyes. His senses were filled once again with the

woman at his side. He knew that he needed to end the masquerade, he needed

to tell her the truth. He had to be honest with her; he needed to reveal

himself to her and hope that she would give him a chance.

With a low groan he reached for her, whispering her name as he pulled her

into his embrace. His lips found hers and he kissed her with all the

longing and desperation that he was feeling. He knew deep in his heart that

this would probably be the last time he kissed her. In a few minutes she

would either run screaming from him or put a stake in his heart.

Buffy pulled back from the kiss, confusion and concern evident in her

expression. "Who are you?"

"Someone who loves you, even though he shouldn't" he replied, unable to meet

her eyes.

"Loves me? You don't even know me."

"Ah, but I do Luv" he replied meeting her gaze this time

Buffy locked eyes with his, confusion turning to recognition, recognition

turning to bewilderment. "No, it can't be. It just can't.” she said shaking

her head slowly.

"I'm sorry, Pet" he said as he removed his hat and mask.

"Spike..." she whispered "Why?"

"I already told you, pet. I love you. I had to see you again."

"No, I don't believe you. You left town with that 'ho girlfriend of yours

and left me for dead at the mansion. You're lying." Anger boiled to the

surface as her masked admirer dissolved into that of her mortal enemy.

She leapt from the bench, pulled a stake from it's sheath and assumed her

fighting stance.

Spike shook his head. "I don't want to fight you, can't you see that. I'm

not trying to trick you and I don't want to hurt you. I just wanted to see

you again."

Buffy's eyes brimmed with tears. "Liar! I bet you're pretty happy with

yourself for fooling me like that huh? I bet you and your vamp buddies are

having a good 'ol laugh at my expense." she ground out before turning

and running away.

Spike closed his eyes and clenched his fits. "Damn it to bloody hell" he

muttered. He'd hurt her, made her cry. He knew he should have never come

back. Anguish overcame him and he screamed into the night to try and ease

the ache in his heart.

============

Buffy lay curled in her bed clutching Mr. Gordo to her chest. Why, why had

he done that to her? And more so than that, why was she so hurt by it? Her

mind kept replaying parts of the night. Their dance, their first kiss, him

walking her home, their kiss goodnight on the porch. He'd been so gentle,

so caring. His kisses seemed genuine. She knew that her feelings towards

him had been. She was attracted to him and wanted him. Hell, she still was

even now that she knew who he was. Maybe he wasn't lying. Maybe he did

really care for her...? <Get a grip, Buff! > She thought to herself. <He's

a vamp, a demon, one of the bad guys...remember? >

She shook her head trying to clear the thoughts from her mind, but her

thoughts kept returning to Spike. Sleep finally came and with it dreams of

him.

============

When Buffy awoke the next morning, the first thing that caught her eye was a

vase of red roses on her dresser. The note simply stated "I'm sorry.

Please forgive me?"

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