Spike nervously clenched the bouquet of daisies in his hand as he knocked on the door. As he anxiously waited, he flashed back to the events that had happened two weeks ago, back to the night that they had finally been able to beat Glory.

It had been a close call. He still got upset just thinking about it. However, it had ended well, and for that Spike was grateful. He had grabbed hold of Doc as he fell from the tower, taking the demon with him. This had given Willow and Tara just enough time to teleport Dawn off the tower and to safety. While Giles had taken care of Ben, Buffy had been able to finish Doc off once and for all. The whole thing was a miracle.

It seemed that it had been a night for miracles. Buffy had been horrified to see the battered condition Spike was in after his fall from the tower. She later admitted to him that it had scared her to realize how close she had come to losing him that night. It was then that she finally understood just how important he was to her. She finally acknowledged what she confessed a small part of her had known since the day that Spike had undergone torture for her: she was in love with him.

Spike knew that it frightened her to realize that she was in love with another vampire. He was just thankful that she was willing to give their love a chance.


Tonight their first date and the one week anniversary of the first time Buffy had him she loved him.


Just then Dawn opened the door, calling him back to the present. "I think Buffy wants me out of the way, so I'm sleeping over at Janice's tonight. You guys will have the whole house to yourself," she said, slurping her slushie.


Spike winked at her, "Thanks Niblet." As much as he liked having Dawn around, he was glad for the privacy.


She appeared at the top of the stairs, a vision in her flimsy blue dress and her golden curls piled on top of her head, held in place with a pair of silver combs.


Spike stared at her as she walked down the stairs toward him. He had always thought her beautiful, but tonight she was breathtaking. She was Venus, emerging from the sea.


His staring unnerved her. "Aren't you gonna say something?" Buffy asked, self-consciously smoothing her dress.

He said the only thing that came to mind. "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate."

Buffy smiled at the rare glimpse of the Victorian poet he once was. She liked it when he let his romantic side show though the tough facade that he normally hid behind.

Dawn cleared her throat, breaking the spell that had had both Slayer and vampire transfixed. "So, are you two just gonna stand there all night, quoting bad poetry?"

"Hey!" Spike was offended at the slur towards the man who had once been his idea. "I'll have you know that was Shakespeare."

"Whatever," Dawn shrugged.

Realizing that all of his plans would go to waste if they lingered much longer, he handed Buffy the bouquet that he still held.

"Thanks." She admired the flowers, touched that he had found out that they were her favorite. She reluctantly relinquished the bouquet for Dawn to put in water.

After numerous warnings to Dawn to behave herself, they left the house.

"So, where are we going?" Buffy asked as Spike opened the car door for her.

"You'll see, pet."

They passed the short ride in comfortable silence, each marveling at the fact that they were in each other's company. Neither one could quite believe that they were actually out on a date; it would have been inconceivable even just a year ago.

"We're here, luv." Spike stopped the car and hurried out of the car in order to open her door.

Buffy was confused as she stepped out of the car and looked around. The sky was almost pitch-black, but the dim light produced by a scattering of stars allowed her to guess at their surroundings.

"Um, Spike... Why are we in the park?"

His only response was a smile, the type of heart-warming smile that never failed to turn her insides into mush and make her knees weak. When he smiled like that, he made her feel as though she was the most important woman in the world. He grabbed hold of her hand, and they started to walk. Buffy still had no idea where they were going, but if he smiled at her like that again, she'd follow him into Hell if he asked.

Spike halted, just as shimmering lights filled the sky, illuminating the spread out blanket and picnic basket on the ground in front of them.

Buffy looked at Spike, wonder in her eyes. He wore a look of uncertainty, waiting to see her reaction.

"Did you... the fireworks... the basket... How?"

"Called in a few favors. Thought it might be nice to be alone for once. But if you don't like it we can go someplace else..."

"No! This has to be the sweetest thing anyone has ever done. Thank you." She brushed a kiss across his lips before settling down on the blanket. She eyed the basket speculatively. "I hope there's food in there, 'cause I'm starved."

Spike chuckled as he sat down next to her. He reached into the basket, pulling out a bottle of champagne, two glasses, and a bowl of strawberries. He uncorked the bottle and filled the glasses.

Handing one glass to Buffy, he picked up a strawberry and held it to her lips. She leaned forward, their eyes locked, and she sunk her small teeth into the dainty flesh. He popped the rest of the strawberry into his mouth, and they both sipped at their champagne.

Spike set his glass down. His attention was drawn to her hair as the soft breeze caressed the tendrils that had worked their way free of her combs. He pulled the combs out, letting her locks spill free.

"I spent over a half an hour on that," she scolded as he ran his fingers through her hair. "I was trying to impress you."

"Believe me, luv, I'm impressed."

He brushed his lips over the back of her hand, the seemingly innocent gesture sending shivers down her spine.

Buffy's stomach chose that moment to gurgle, causing them both to laugh. Spike pulled plates of cold chicken, cheese, and rolls out of the basket. They fed tidbits to each other as they watched the dazzling display of colors in the sky.

After they'd finished eating, Buffy rested her head against Spike's chest as they continued to sip the champagne.

She snuggled further back against him, hardly able to believe just how happy and content she felt at the moment. She was being held by the man she loved, and there was no apocalypse to fun off to prevent, no monsters to fight. Here, there was just the two of them in their own little world. She wished she could freeze time and make the moment last forever.

She watched the sky; the brilliant colors were breathtaking. "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" she asked.

"Never," Spike murmured. But he wasn't looking at the sky. Nothing could ever come close to rivaling the woman who rested so trustingly in his arms. She was just as beautiful in the inside as she was on the outside. He could never grow tired of looking at her, of seeing the many different faces of the woman she was. Slayer, friend, sister, lover.

He knew that he wasn't worthy of her, but he would spend an eternity loving her if she would let him. Even long after she'd been laid to rest, even after his ashes had been scattered to the ends of the Earth, he'd still love her.

Spike gently cupped her face in his hands, drawing her towards him as he bent his head. His lips lightly brushed against hers, once, twice. He pulled away in order to look into her eyes.

"I love you," Buffy whispered, pulling his head back down.

Their mouths met again, and he lightly parted her lips with his tongue. Her fingers tangled in his hair as his tongue ever so slowly entered her mouth. His tongue moved in a slow thrusting motion, the age-old rhythm unmistakable.

Buffy squirmed to get closer to him, straddling his lap as she kissed him back. Their hips ground together, pressing his denim clad erection against the drenched scrap of silk that covered her mound.

Spike was two seconds away from ripping off her thong and burying himself in her wet heat when he felt the first raindrops hit. He reluctantly broke away from their embrace, causing Buffy to emit as small sound of protest.

"It's raining, pet," he explained as she tried to reach for him again.

His words penetrated her passion-addled brain, and she gave a small shriek before running to the dry haven of the car.

Spike started to follow after her, but then remembered the blanket and basket. He went back and quickly gathered up the remains of their picnic before rushing to the car. However, by this time it had started to downpour.

"Bloody hell," he snarled as he got in. He was completely drenched, and his disgruntlement caused him to vamp out.

Buffy took one look at him and started laughing hysterically. "You look like a drowned vamp!" she said between fits of giggles.


"Ha, ha Slayer," he grumbled as they drove, though he did allow his human features to slip back into place.


"Poor baby," she tried for a look of sympathy. "Want me to make it up to you?" she whispered suggestively.


Her words fueled the desire that had almost been squelched by the pouring rain, and Spike drove even faster.


They made it back to Buffy's house in record time. By this time the rain had stopped, but neither one noticed.

Spike scooped Buffy up in his arms and carried her into the empty house, up the stairs and to her room, where he laid her down on the bed. He quickly divested himself of his wet clothes before turning to hers.

Joining Buffy on the bed, Spike had to remind himself to slow down or it would be over too soon. This was their first time together, and he wanted to make love, not just have sex.

Buffy just wanted him in her as soon as possible. The ride back to her house had been torture, and her body demanded release.

However, Spike was not to be detoured from his purpose. He softly kissed her mouth before moving away to trail kisses down her neck. His hands cupped her full breasts, his thumbs moving in circles over her pebbled nipples. He took one of her nipples into his mouth, gently tugging at it with his blunt teeth, and was awarded by her moan of pleasure.

"Please," she whimpered, bucking her hips.

His mouth continued its path down her body, pausing at her swollen clit. He flicked his tongue over the sensitive flesh before further exploring her moist folds. He slid his tongue into her, lapping at her juices. She tasted even better than the sweetest blood he had ever drank.

Wanting her to come for him, he returned to her clit, gently running his tongue over it in quick little motions.

"Spike!" she screamed as she went over the edge.

He gave her a moment to catch her breath before moving to settling between her legs. Teasingly brushing his tip against her clit, he re-ignited her desire before slowly easing into her warmth.

Spike stared into her eyes as he entered her. He saw the love he felt mirrored there. He knew that even if he lived for thousands of years, he would never forget this moment.

Buffy stared into his eyes as he began moving within her. She saw how much he loved her, and she knew that he would never leave her. She had found true love at last.

Years later, both would still swear that they saw fireworks going off in the room that night.


The End


 

CHALLENGE Requirements:
1. romantic date
2. a soft, summer breeze
3. an unexpected shower
4. a frozen treat
5. at least one, spectacular, toe-curling kiss
Incorporate at least three of the following:
1. Hair that has been put up, but somehow comes down
2. Poetry
3. A U2 song
4. An outdoor event
5. Someone who gets wet somehow, or gets something spilled on them
6. Reference to the planet Venus being the "evening star"