What was it with this bitch? She was driving him crazy; time and time again she had foiled his plans to kill her. She’d kicked his arse more ways than he cared to admit. It was bloody ridiculous, he was the Slayer of Slayers and yet this infinitely annoying little bint just plain refused to die. It was downright embarrassing, he could hardly show his face at Willy’s without having to kill someone or another for sniggering at him behind his back. Time was he was feared, now thanks to this bitch of a Slayer he was a laughing stock!

Well, he decided, he would just have to do something about that.  It was too late to leave, to find Dru and crawl back into her good graces; if he left before the bint was dead his name was history. He may as well take up saving kitties from trees and walking old ladies across the street. But, oh, how he missed his Dark Princess. How he would love to go crawling back to her and let her punish him for the bad dog that he was. Surely after nearly 3 months her temper would have cooled and she would be over whatever nonsense it was that had made her leave without him after saying those disgusting things to him!
 
 No, he reconfirmed for the thousandth time since her departure, he would NOT go back to his Sire until he could tell her he had done it, that he had killed the fucking Slayer. For her!
 
Maybe it was time to admit that this was a job he was not going to be able to do on his own. After all what was the point of being a Master Vampire if you didn’t use underlings? So that’s what he would do, he’d pick up some minions and the Slayer would be a footnote in history!
 
***** 
 
Spike surveyed the graveyard, from his vantage point he could see clearly the path the Slayer would take. The same one she took every night; through the gravestones, and past the first of the crypts to the grassed area near the remembrance garden. Twenty of his minions lay in wait for her; hidden amongst the bushes and behind walls, when she reached the centre of the garden they would surround her. Then she would die. He would join the fray after they had worn her down, when she was exhausted from fighting off the lesser vampires he would take her down. Not one of his finer moments, he knew that, and certainly not something he would be bragging about, but he didn’t care; the bane of his existence would cease to be and he would be free to leave Sunnyhell and return to his Sire’s side.
 
He didn’t have much longer to wait, as the moon broke through the cloud cover bathing the ground in its brilliant silver light the Slayer wandered into sight. Spike tensed. Would she sense his minions? If so could they still manage to take her down by mere force of numbers?
 
His question was answered as the Slayer stepped unaware into the trap that had been set for her. From his vantage point he watched as she spun, staking, punching and kicking with fluid grace. She took down his minions one by one. God, she was breathtaking when she fought. He didn’t often get to just watch her fight as he was usually on the receiving end of those deadly kicks and punches. No sooner did she dispatch a foe than another took its place, though, and she was starting to wear down. A malicious grin spread across his face as he anticipated her end. He could almost taste her blood pouring down his throat like nectar. The Slayer spun to face a new opponent and as she did so she stumbled, a right hook from the vampire she had just turned to face sent her flying, as she regained her feet the eight remaining minions closed on her.
 
“God, they’re gonna kill her”, Spike muttered to himself. Strangely instead of the immense pleasure that should have accompanied that thought there was a sick dread. Before he could process the thought he reacted; flying down towards the battle. His face changed, his fangs extending as the bumps and ridges of his demonic visage leapt to the fore. A ferocious growl sounded deep in his chest as he joined the fray. Two minions were dust before they even had the chance to realise that they were in danger.
 
Spinning around he took out a beefy, non-too-bright minion even as the former-footballer opened his mouth to question his actions. Spike watched from the corner of his eye as the Slayer staked another of her adversaries. He growled again, and ripped off the head of yet another as Buffy kicked a particularly tatty minion into a branch jutting from a nearby tree. The unfortunate minion exploded into dust, his end disregarded as both vampire and slayer looked around for more. In seconds two more piles of dust littered the ground. The last remaining minion turned to flee and Spike took off after her. After catching up to his fleeing minion he allowed himself the luxury of venting his frustration on her face and body; his fists and feet pounding her to the ground before he finally smashed his fist through her chest removing her heart, golden eyes glowing and a feral grin plastered across his face. Wiping his hands of her dust he turned and made his way back to the Slayer.
 
She was leaning against the wall of one of the gaudier mausoleums, her breath came to her in gasps as her mind reeled—trying to process what had just occurred. Buffy looked up and saw Spike coming towards her; his gameface on, looking every bit as deadly and savage as he had every time they had fought. She drew herself up prepared to fight for her life yet again. Instead she watched in fascination as he tilted his head slightly to the side, annoyance flickering across his features for a second before his face softened; the ridges and fangs melting away to reveal worry in his stunningly blue eyes.  
 
“You ok, Slayer?” his voice was soft and gentle with concern.
 
“I… you…” Giving herself a mental shake the Slayer tried again, “What is going on Spike? Since when do you help me?” She was proud of how firm her voice sounded, well ok maybe there was a slight tremor, but she was sure he hadn’t picked up on that!
 
“Don’t rightly know, pet. Just know that I saw you out numbered like that and before I even knew what I was doing I was helping you. I’m sure it’s not something I’m gonna be making a habit of.” There was slight ripple of laughter in his voice, as he ducked his head to hide his eyes from her.

“You are ok, right?” he asked again.
 
“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks, Spike” she mumbled.
 
“What was that, Slayer?” He was openly laughing at her awkwardness now.
 
“I said thanks, Spike.” Looking him in the eyes she nodded her appreciation. “You probably saved my life!”

“Yeah, well, think nothing of it. And don’t go spreadin’ it around either. Don’t want the world to think I’ve gone soft. It’s unnatural, you know, me savin’ the Slayer. Don’t know what came over me!” There was a slight note of embarrassment in his voice as he spoke, which hardened as he continued, “Mind you, what the hell was that anyway?  I thought you were supposed to be the Slayer. Since when do you go wandering into traps like that without so much as a tingle? Thought you were supposed to know when vampires are around. I’nt that part of the whole slayer package?” He fixed his icy blue stare on her, his jaw working as he clenched and unclenched his teeth. Stupid bint was gonna get herself killed if she didn’t start paying attention.  Never mind that it was his plan and his trap that had almost killed her, that was irrelevant. Something had changed and for reasons he chose not to examine he knew that he no longer wanted her dead. In fact the thought of her not being in this world filled him with an anger and sadness that he could barely comprehend.

“I… Umm… I guess that’s not necessarily my strong point. I mean Giles has tried to teach me, but you know… it’s so boring,” She rolled her eyes to emphasise just how boring those lessons with her watcher were. “I prefer the kicky, punchy side of slayer training.” She found herself answering him before her brain had time to process the fact that telling her mortal enemy, even if he had just saved her life, her weak points wasn’t necessarily a good idea.

“Yeah, well maybe you should reassess that idea love. Could be the difference between life and death, or even undeath.” He fixed his gaze on her intently, one eyebrow raised and his head slightly cocked to one side. “Don’t get me wrong Slayer, you’re good. Damn, you’re the soddin’ best I’ve fought, which is probably the only reason you’re alive for us to be having this conversation. But just ‘cause you’re good doesn’t mean you can’t be better; a lazy slayer is a dead slayer, pet. Remember that! Come on, love, time you should be getting home I recon.”

“Are you offering to walk me home, Spike?” She looked at him in disbelief.

“Yeah, well, not a lot of point saving your life and then letting you waddle off home all on your lonesome when you’re still not quite a hundred percent, is there?” he snarked at her, embarrassment making his voice harsher than he had intended.

“I do not waddle,” Buffy bristled as she turned and started towards home.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get your knickers in a knot, Slayer. Just saying after a fight like that doesn’t hurt for you to have some company on the walk home is all.” Spike fell into step to her left, his eyes and ears peeled for any of the dangers that night-time in Sunnydale invariably brings.

The walk to Revello Drive was uneventful and silent; neither wanting to talk about the night’s events and both lost in their own tumultuous thoughts. When they reached her front yard she turned to face him a slight frown marring her face, “Well thanks again, Spike. I better get in before mom sees me.”

“You’re welcome, Slayer.  Like I said, don’t go making a big deal out of it.  You just take care, and mind your watcher, pet!” He raised his hand to scratch the back of his neck, looking as awkward and keen to get this conversation over as she was.

“Night, Spike.”