Disclaimer:Joss Whedon, the WB and Fox own it all.
Rating: If you watch the show, you can handle it
Summary:Spike has Dru back, but he can't seem to get back her love. Help comes from an unusual source.

"When I tell people to leave town, I don't mean for a month or two!"

The tiny blonde girl placed both hands on her hips and glared.

The object of her attention barely lifted his head; but his voice still retained an edge of the old defiance. "I do as I please."

Somewhat surprisingly, she found herself glad to hear that tone. She hadn't seen her mortal enemy in several months, and he looked...somehow...beaten. Like all the cockiness had been knocked out of him; and she discovered she missed it. Oh, not his homicidal tendencies, especially when they were directed at her- but that insouciant quality, that ability to laugh and quip even when things were deadly serious...how she missed that!

So she frowned at him, and cautiously leaned against a nearby tombstone.

"What happened with Drusilla?" she asked, her voice a fraction less hostile. "You were off to look for her, last time I saw you."

"Yeah. Well, I found her," he said flatly.

She pursed her luscious pink mouth. "No good?"

Spike shrugged impatiently. "I didn't say that."

"Then, you're looking like a sick cat because?" Buffy prompted, wondering why she even cared. "Maybe you need that love spell, after all?"

Spike laughed bitterly. "Why not? I've tried everything else!"

Buffy's eyes widened. "Everything??!" she squeaked.

He had to laugh at that; and after a minute she joined in.

"Dru's still with me, but...it's just...not the same," he admitted despondently. "I don't think she...loves me anymore."

Buffy felt unaccountably sad for him; as well as a bit surprised that he'd confide in her so much.

Spike was still speaking. "If only I knew how to get her back...get everything back...the way we were."

"If Streisand and Redford couldn't do it, what makes you think you can?" Buffy asked absently.

"Are you...laughing at me?" he asked menacingly, getting slowly to his feet.

Buffy shrugged. "Actually, I WAS planning to help you!"

He stood still, his face reflecting his amazement. "Help me...you? Why would you help me?"

Buffy stared straight into the vampire's eyes. "Because. I don't want you, or ANYONE, to be alone."

Spike considered her with a new interest. "Uh, not that I don't appreciate the offer, Slayer, but...HOW will you help me?"

"I'm not sure," she shrugged, "but I figure between the two of us we ought to come up with something better than a love spell!"

Spike was doubtful. "I don't see what! I've tried groveling, and catering to her every whim. I've given her everything she wants, like plenty of torture, and dead animals, and dresses for Miss Edith. Nothing, NOTHING works!"

"That's it! Don't you see?" Buffy bounced over to Spike excitedly. "You're doing everything FOR her, making her the center of your life!"

"She IS the center of my life," Spike pointed out.

"But you don't need to let her know it, do you? Take charge! Play hard to get!"

"You mean...ignore her?" Spike said dubiously.

Buffy's eyes danced. "Better than that...make her jealous! Let her think you're getting interested in somebody else! The Green-eyed Monster will do the rest! "

Spike raised his eyebrows. "That's fine in theory, pet, but...who?"

"What other girls do you know?" Buffy inquired.

Spike refused to meet her eyes. "Uh...well, I don't usually...uh..."

Buffy looked startled. "Why, you don't know any other girls, do you?"

"Not really," he mumbled defensively. "I...was always completely faithful to Dru; never wanted to be with anyone else. I never even thought of anyone else!"

She regarded him for a long moment. "I think that's sweet."

Spike brightened. "You do?"

She nodded. "Any woman would. But, that doesn't help with our problem...finding another girl for you. Preferably, someone that Drusilla absolutely can't stand."

"There isn't anyone," he sighed. "The only one Dru truly despises is you."

His entire body went rigid in shock. "You," he breathed, investing the single word with a wealth of meaning.

"Now, wait just a minute!" Buffy objected, alarmed. "Me Slayer, you vampire. Mortal enemies, remember?"

"I thought you wanted to help me?" he countered.

"Well, sure, but..."

"But, the minute we come up with a feasible plan, you want to back out?"

"I didn't say that! And- did you say a FEASIBLE plan? What makes you think Drusilla will believe you're attracted to me, anyway? You're always trying to kill me!"

"If Angelus can be attracted to you, why not me? Where IS that wanker, anyway?" Spike demanded.

"Gone to L.A.," she confessed. "Things were...getting out of hand, so he left."

There was a flicker of something that might have been sympathy in his eyes; but he said, "And I'll leave too, luv, if you do this. I promise I'll go and take Dru with me."

Buffy sighed. "Well, that would make life simpler, I suppose."

"So, you'll do it?" Spike asked, so enthusiastically she had to laugh.

"Okay," she agreed, "but don't you even think about biting me; or you and I will have a serious falling-out!"

"Don't worry, Slayer," he promised happily. "I'll behave. So, what do we do first?"

Drusilla's face was pinched and tight with jealousy. "My Spike, you're going out again?"

"Just for a little while, pet." The lie came pat to him; he was getting used to it.

"You'll have the minions for company," he suggested, knowing full well that she sometimes took one of them into her bed. That used to be a source of torment to him. Not lately though. Not since he'd begun his deception with the Slayer.

At the Bronze he searched for her avidly, no longer troubling to conceal his purpose. Finally he spotted her, clad in a black silk camisole and matching pants. She was dancing with a dark-haired young man whose eyes were devouring in their intensity.

Almost, Spike went vamp! But he managed to gain control of himself as he seized the Slayer's arm and hauled her roughly away from her partner.

"Dance with me!" he growled.

"Hey!" the boy objected loudly. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Reclaiming my girl, mate." Spike's eyes narrowed dangerously, as his temper flared. He was spoiling for a fight; and he really hoped the whelp would give him an excuse.

Buffy intervened hastily. "It's ok, Scott. I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Scowling, Spike pulled Buffy closer. "Who was that wanker?" he demanded angrily.

She frowned at him. "Just one of the boys at school. We used to date for awhile, but then he dumped me."

"DUMPED you?" Spike's jaw clenched with rage. "Did you sleep with him? Tell me!"

"What? Of course not!" Buffy exclaimed. "We only went out a few times; he said I was very...distracted, so...it was right when Angel returned from hell, and I was trying to keep the others from finding out."

Spike relaxed slightly. "He's not for you," he said flatly. "I suppose now the bloody fool has realized his mistake, and wants you back. Bugger that!"

The Slayer stared at him in astonishment. "Arrogant much?"

Spike forced himself to get a grip; what did he care if other blokes tried to make up to the Slayer? The last thing he wanted was to make her angry with him; and she looked annoyed.

"Sorry," he muttered grudgingly.

Mollified, she slipped her arms around him, molding her body to his. He closed his eyes, enjoying the unaccustomed warmth and the lingering vanilla scent that clung to her skin. He brought his hand up, brushing back her silky hair in a gesture that held a reluctant tenderness.

He sneaked a quick glance at her...her eyes were almost shut, her soft mouth temptingly near... he touched his lips to hers.

He half-expected her to jerk away; instead, her arms tightened around him...and she kissed him back.

Locked together, part fearful and part daring, they deepened the kiss...mouths and hands exporing eagerly.

Buffy pulled away at last, gasping for air; and Spike grinned in triumph. But she didn't return his smile, and her gaze remained steady. "I guess that was phase three," she managed coolly.

Spike's smile faded. "I guess."

Buffy took a single step back. "Let me know how it worked...with Drusilla."

Speechless, he watched her turn and walk away.

There was nothing more for him to do but to return home to Drusilla.

"Spike!" she hissed. "You are like my Angel, both reeking of the Slayer!"

She grasped the lapels of his leather coat. "Tell me, Spike. Miss Edith said the Slayer has won you away...but Miss Edith spoke out of turn! She shall have no cake for tea."

"I'm here, baby," Spike reassured her. He pulled her close, then frowned- her body felt cold and smooth like a snake. Where was the warmth he'd begun to crave?

He gritted his teeth in frustration; of course Drusilla wouldn't be warm, she was a vampire! What was the matter with him?

"My Spike," Dru murmured, pressing against him. "It's been so long; have you missed your princess?"

"Of course I have, my black goddess," Spike responded mechanically. He had; hadn't he?

Drusilla smiled and took his hand, pulling him into the bedroom.

* * * *

Buffy sighed and picked up her jacket; she should never have come to the Bronze tonight.

But she'd been feeling depressed all day long in school, and she'd thought that perhaps it would lift her spirits. Besides, she had to admit, she'd been hoping Spike would show and tell her if the scheme to make Drusilla jealous had been successful.

But there was no sign of him; which might be an answer in itself.

Buffy gave up and made her way home. Her house was dark- her mother was still in L.A. Wearily she climbed the stairs and entered her bedroom, not bothering to turn on the light. She shed her jacket; and kicked off her shoes.

"It's about bloody time!" snapped a familiar voice.

Buffy gasped and whirled. "Spike!"

He was lounging on her bed, as relaxed as a cat. "I hope you weren't out dancing with that wanker!'

She lifted her chin. "So what if I was?"

Spike's face tautened, and he stabbed out his cigarette with a short, vicious jab.

"Hey!" the Slayer noticed. "Who said you could smoke in here?"

He ignored that. "If I ...ever...find you with someone else, luv, you'll wish you'd never been born! Is that clear?"

Buffy's jaw dropped. "What? I thought Drusilla was the one who was supposed to get jealous!"

"Oh, she did." Spike smirked, his anger fading abruptly. "In fact, she was all over me last night."

"Ohhh..." Buffy's eyes widened, "...then...then, you...the two of you probably..."

"Yes, pet?" he asked encouragingly.

She shrugged, stiffly, refusing to look at him. "Well....well, that's good! That's...what you wanted."

"Uh-huh," he agreed. He started to reach for another cigarette, remembered where he was, and stopped.

"Thanks to YOUR idea," he emphasized.

"And it worked." To her horror, Buffy felt her throat tightening and her eyes filling with tears. She would not, WOULD NOT cry in front of him, she vowed.

"Only one problem, luv. Nothing happened."

For a minute she wasn't certain she had heard him correctly; her eyes flew to his smiling face.

"Nothing," he repeated, holding her gaze. "Buffy..."

Somehow her traitorous feet carried her over to him. "You mean, you didn't....?"

One strong arm shot out and closed about her wrist, pulling her forward onto the bed.

"Ooof!" Buffy landed beside him, momentarily breathless.

"No." Spike kissed her, hard. "We..." kiss... "didn't"...kiss..."do"...kiss..."anything!"

She gazed up at him with shining eyes. "I was so jealous," she whispered.

"So who's the green-eyed monster?" he teased, deliberately starting to unbutton her dress.

"Spike! What are you doing?" Buffy cried. But then she lifted her arms to assist him. He grinned happily, then kissed her again.

"You know, kitten, I think we should move on to phase four..."

The End?

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