Buffy sat on Spikes lap with his arms wrapped tightly around her. Faith

sat beside Zaaron lightly clasping his hand. Giles and Willow sat nearby holding eachother contentedely. Xander was standing and holding Anya from behind her and resting his chin on her shoulder.

The group was silent. None of them uttering a sound. All looking in the same direction.

For Spike and Zaaron, they had just received two gifts. Being outside and watching the sunset for the first time since their turning, and having Buffy and Faith there to share it with.

~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy carressed the back of Spikes neck as his and Zaarons eyes

were riveted on the spot where the sun slipped from the sky leaving darkness in it's wake.

"C'mon Faith lets get them another beer." Buffy said quietly.

Faith nodded as they both got up and headed into the house.

Faith went to the fridge and pulled out a few beers, reached in and grabbed another one and handed it to Buffy.

"Thank you, for everything." Buffy said quietly.

Faith just looked at her as her brow wrinkled. "Sure." she replied a little confused.

"Giles and Willow told me. I already thanked them. They told me it was your idea for the BBQ. That you and Giles came up with the idea and built the shelter so Spike and Zaaron could be part of it. Seeing Spike outside laughing and then so quiet as the two of them watched the sunset. It meant alot to them.....to me. Thank you." Buffy said as she looked out the window. Spike and Zaaron were still watching the horizon in silence.

Faith fidgeted back and forth on her feet, absently peeling the label off of one of the beer bottles.

"It's nothin B. Just an idea to waste some time is all." Faith said quickly taking a drink from the bottle.

"It's something. But you know that don't you." Buffy said smiling as she started for the back door.

"Hey B." Faith said quietly, stopping Buffy from leaving.

Buffy turned around and walked back to Faith.

"Yeah?" Buffy said quietly.

"I.............how do you....." Faith let out a breath and shook her head. "Nothin. I better get these to the guys." Faith said as she grabbed the beers and headed for the door.

"When you're ready to talk I'll be here." Buffy said as she followed Faith out the door.

Buffy went and sat on Spikes lap giving him the beer.

Spike handed a beer to Xander and Anya then handed one to Zaaron as she sat down beside him.

Willow and Anya wrapped up the leftover and started putting them away. Giles and Faith satred picking up all the dishes and taking them into the house. Xander started cleaning the grill when Spike came over and took the steel brush from him.

"I got it. Go to your woman whelp." Spike said as he looked at Xander and smirked.

"I'm capable of cleaning the bbq Spike." Xander spit out heatedly.

"I know." Spike said quietly. "I'm trying to say thank you."

"I did this for Buffy. Not you." Xander replied.

"I know that too. The steak was good. A little to well done for my taste." Spike said as he continued to scrape the grill.

"It was almost raw. It was cooked for maybe 2 minutes." Xander said.

"Bullocks. It was like eating a piece of charcoal." Spike quipped.

"It was not." Xander said getting more angry.

"Go to your woman Harris. She's in there waiting for you." Spike said as he stopped and looked at Xander.

Xander looked toward the house then back to Spike. "It was not charcoal." Xander said as he turned and started walking to the house.

Spike chuckled to himself as Xander walked away.

After Spike finished the grill, he and Zaaron busied themselves taking down the shelter and storing it in the shed.

"I think, when this is all over,that shelter will become a permanent part of the yard." Zaaron said as he locked the shed.

"Yeah. Many a days will be spent out here. You and me watching the sunset everynight. With our women right there with us." Spike said as he ran a hand through his hair and taking a look around making sure nothing was missed.

"Don't know if I'll be here. Might not have a reason to stay." Zaaron said as he slowly sat on the bench.

"You do. Spoke to her. She's just a little skittish when it comes to anything remotely serious. She's never had someone who really cares about her. The blokes she met...." Spike just shook his head. "You make her feel and think things she never has before. Hang in there. She'll come around." Spike finished.

"When did you become so smart?" Zaaron chuckled.

"What can I say, I'm loves bitch. I'm in it for the long haul. She's got me, I'll never leave her." Spike said as they got up and headed for the house.

Spike and Zaaron walked into the kitchen as Buffy was putting the last of the dishes away.

Zaaron nodded to Buffy as he walked through to the livingroom.

Spike came up and hugged Buffy from behind and brushed his lips across the side of her neck.

"Hello cutie." Spike whispered in her ear as he drew circles lightly on her thigh with his finger tips.

"Hey." Buffy breathed as she leaned into him.

Buffy turned around and kissed him hungrily as Spike slowly backed her into the counter.

Spike broke the kiss so Buffy could breathe, reasting his forehead on hers.

"I take it you enjoyed today." Buffy said as she brought her hands up to run through his hair.

"It has to be the fourth best day of my life." Spike replied smiling.

"Only fourth." Buffy pouted.

"My top three are, when you said you loved me is number one, nothing will ever top that. The day you came back from......when you came back is number two. The first time we made love is number three, which also coincided with number one. Then today, because you were there to share it with me. My first sunset in over a century and I got to share it with the woman I love more than anything in this world." Spike whispered as he brushed a stray hair from Buffy face and bringing his finger tips over to carress her bottom lip all the while staring into he eyes. "It's always you Buffy."

Tears slipped from her eyes as he spoke.

When he finished speaking she stood the looking into his eyes at a loss for words. She just smiled as she laid her head on her head on his chest and held on to him tightly.

"I love you. You loving me is the best thing that's ever happened to me." Buffy whispered as the words caught in her throat.

Spike just let out a sigh as his embrace tightened and he rested his face in the crook of her neck.

"Zip it back up fang, scoobie meeting in the livingroom. By the way, scoobie. lame name B." Faith said as she went back to the livingroom.

Spike chuckled against Buffy's neck. "Got you there slayer."

"It's not like I came up with the name." Buffy said gigling too.

"Let's get back to work then." Spike said as he pushed himself off Buffy and slowly started dragging her to the livingroom.

"Was comfortable where I was." Buffy mumbled as she let herself be led by Spike.

"You and me both slayer. Meeting won't last all night." Spike said as he looked back at her and smirked.

Buffy shook her head and smiled as she wrapped her arm around Spikes waist.

Everyone listened intently as Spike, Buffy and Zaaron told them about the battle and the sheer numbers of the deamons. They also told them about Kyle and his veritable army that had came with him.

They told them in detail, the battle, the losses, especailly Melnick and Kyle, then to the trek home through the sewers.

In turn Buff, Spike and Zaaron sat with the others and listened to Willow and Faith tell them of the battle with the Beast and what killed it.

They also told them about Angelus and the spell that returned Angel.

"I still think you should have let me deal with Angelus." Zaaron said looking at Spike as he got up and went over to sit on the stairs.

Willow looked at Spike and Buffy confused.

"It's nothing red." Spike said as he threw a look at Zaaron.

"It's not nothing. They could have been killed." Zaaron said through clenched teeth.

"What? You think we can't handle ourselves. Would step off your pedastal for a minute and get a grip. I've never needed anyone to look after me and I'm not about to start now. You've seen what Red here can do, she doesn't need to be protected anymore than I do." Faith said to Zaaron fuming. "I'll never need you."Faith said as she headed to the front door. "Later. I'm out." Faith said as she slammed the door behind her.

Willow looked at Spike, Buffy and Zaaron confused. "Did I miss something?" Willow asked Buffy.

"Doesn't matter now. I should go after her." Buffy said as she started to get up from Spikes lap.

Spike held her down and shook his head when she looked at him.

"Not you." Spike said softly as he shifted his gaze slightly indicating Zaaron.

Buffy leaned back in to Spike as he tightened his hold on her.

"Go talk to her mate. You'll regret it if you don't." Spike said loud enough for Buffy and Zaaron to hear only.

Zaaron sat there stubbornly for a few more minutes before uttering a few unintelligle curses and getting up and walking to the front door.

Spike shook his head as he heard the door shut.

"Maybe someday they'll get a clue." Buffy said as she watched the door and carressed Spikes neck.

"Oh, how long did it take you?" Spike said smiling.

"Too long." Buffy said as she placed a small and gentle kiss to his lips.

They smiled at one another when they broke apart.

"Let's turn in for the night and continue this in the morning." Giles said as he took Willows hand and led her upstairs.

"My thoughts exactly." Spike said as he stood lifting Buffy with him and carried her upstairs.

"Let's go Ahn, been a long day." Xander said as he grabbed Anyas hand.

Anya nodded and followed Xander downstairs.

"What happened to Derclon?" Anya asked.

"He never came back with them. I don't know. C"mon sweetie let's get some sleep." Xander said as Anya closed the door behind them.

Zaaron didn't have to go far to find Faith. She was sitting on the railing having a smoke.

Faith looked over and rolled her eyes when she saw Zaaron close the door behind him.

"I guess I have some apologizing to do." Zaaron said quietly as ge came over and sat on the railing in front of Faith.

Faith didn't reply she just let let out a plume of smoke.

"I'm sorry. I know you can take care of yourself. Willow too. But hearing how you were thrown around. How badly you were hurt. I didn't like hearing you were in pain. That he was the cause of it. That I wasn't there too help protect you." Zaaron said.

At his last sentence Faith glared at him.

"I know you don't need me to protect you, but I am a man, and whether you like it or not that's how most men think. We protect what's ours." Zaaron said hotly.

"Since when did I become somebodys property. I'm not yours, I belong to no one." Faith said as she got up and started going down the steps.

Zaaron jumped over the railing and went and stood directly in Faiths path.

"Can you feel it." Zaaron said huskily as he slowly inch by inch walked toward her. "The need." He said as he raked his eyes over her tiny frame. "The want." He said as he brought his hand up to lightly carress her bare arm, sending shivers up her spine. "The desire." he said as his hand lightly traced her collar bone. "The attraction. The tension that's always around. The all consuming passion I feel when ever I'm around you. Wanting to feel you in my arms. Touch you. Feel you move beneath me, hear you breath my name when we're joined. Hear your cries of ecstasy when I bring you to the brink." He said as he brought his lips just out of reach of hers.

Faith gasped as she felt his breath carress her face as his hands slid down to wrap around her waist.

"Everything I am...........is yours. I knew it the first moment I saw you." Zaaron whispered moving his lips closer to hers. "Can I keep you." He breathed so lightly she barely heard him.

Zaaron captured her lips in his in a searing, passionate kiss.

Zaaron broke the kiss allowing Faith to breathe.

Faiths hands snaked around his neck and pulled him down for another kiss.

"Take me to the brink." Faith whispered when she pulled away and looked into his eyes.

Zaaron picked her up gently and carried her into the house and up to their room, closing the door toghtly behind them.

Zaaron set Faith gently down on to her feet, keepin his eyes locked on hers.

Slowly he slipped her top off over her head and brought his hands down carressing her back the unclasping her bra. He slowly pushed it down off her shoulders and down her arms to let it land on the floor.

Faith slowly undid his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders letting it pool on the floor around their feet. Faith ran her hands freely over his muscular form until she came to his pants.

They both began undoing each others pants. Zaaron pulled Faiths down first, then picking her up and laying her on the bed pinning her beneath him.

He captured her lips and he was grinding his hardness into her, making her moan as she tried to get closer.

He shifted off of her slightly as he slowly pulled her panties off and removing his jeans.

He settled himself between her legs and captured her lips heatedly.

He started trailing kisses down her neck and chest until he heard her breath hitch when his mouth took hold of her breast. Teasing it with his tongue, before devouring it, sucking hungrily causing Faith to bring her hands up to tangle in his long hair.

His tongue started to wander farther down until his face was nestled at the apex of her thighs.

"No." Faith gasped as she tried to pull him up.

Zaaron looked at her puzzled.

"Just want you." Faith breathed as she pulled him back up and kissed him with a gentleness she had never done before.

When the kiss was broken Zaaron stared into her eyes as he slowly slid into her.

Faith closed her eyes, drowning in the sensations she was feeling.

She opened her eyes and stared deeply into his.

"I can feel it." She whispered as he drew nearer and rested his forehead on hers.

They didn't rush anything. They kept to a painfully slow rythm, each thrust slow and deep, slowly building up until they explode.

When Faith gasped and began to moan, Zaaron started thrusting faster and harder bringing them closer to the edge.

Faiths nails dug into his back as she threw her head back.

"Zaaron." She screamed as she tightened her thighs.

"Faith." Zaaron said through clenched teeth as he felt her inner walls contracting.

Zaaron buried his face in Faiths neck and held her tighter as he moaned her name, spilling his seed inside her womb.

Faith clung to him as her body shook when she had her release.

Zaaron placed a gentle kiss to her lips as he rolled over and scooped her up and laid her on his chest.

They held on to one another until they fell into an exhausted sleep.

Spike rolled over as he opened his eyes. His eyes lingered on the slumbering form that was curled up to his back. Slowly he shifted so she was laying on his chest, hair draped accross his shoulder.

He slowly caressed her arm with the barest touch of his finger tips.

Buffy moaned as she snuggled into him even more.

Spike smiled at the sounds of contentment she made. His smile turned into a frown as he watched her sleep. 'I would give anything to wake up like this every morning for all eternity.' Spike thought as he watched Buffy shift slightly but remain sleeping. Worrying about Buffy was always at the forefront of his mind. Wondering if he could keep her safe from one battle to the next. So far they'd been lucky. But luck won't last forever. He couldn't go on if something happened to Buffy. She was the only thing in his long existence that was true and right and made him want to live. Just too see her smile warmed his unbeating heart more than when he was alive. He has felt more alive with her by his side, then when he still breathed the air that sustained him.

They'd been in battles before, but what was coming, they weren't going to be prepared for. It was gonna hit with a mighty force that is going to touch everyone in one way or another. If luck stayed with them, a few of them may make it out alive. He felt it deep down, there was no way in hell they could possibly do anything to prepare them for what's to come. One way or another, Buffy would survive, he would see to that.

Spike closed his eyes and fell asleep with Buffy nestled in his arms.

~~~***~~~***~~~

Zaaron quietly left his room while Faith slept. He made his way downstairs to the kitchen.

"Shouldn't you be upstairs with your woman?" Zaaron said not turning around as he placed his mug in the microwave and turned it on.

"Shouldn't I be asking you the same thing?" Spike asked raising an eyebrow as Zaaron turned to face him.

"What's on your mind?" Zaaron asked.

"Glad the whelp wasn't around when you asked that." Spike chuckled.

Zaaron smiled.

"You're alot more intelligent than they seem to think you are. How do they not know this?" Zaaron asked as he pulled his mug out and put Spikes in.

Spike shrugged his shoulders. "It was to my advantage to let them think me....shall we say....none too bright. It gave me advantages when I needed them." Spike replied.

"Spike........I haven't been around you for too long, and I can see how smart you are. It's not like it's hidden." Zaaron comented.

"No one really cared enough to look. Other than needing me for muscle, or my nose for tracking, they never paid me any mind." Spike replied honestly.

"Yet you stayed." Zaaron stated.

"Could never leave her." Spike said matter of factly. "No matter what I say about the b.......Xander, Red, Giles and Anya and who could forget the Bit, they're all part of her. I would protect them all, even if it meant my own life." Spike said quietly as he took a drink.

"Do they know this is how you feel?" Zaaron asked.

"No." Spike replied as he walked to the back door. "Not something they need to know. Wouldn't beleive it anyway." Spike said as he opened the door. "I'm going out for a smoke." Spike added as he closed the door behind him.

Zaaron stood there for a minute before speaking.

"I know you're there. You can come out, he's gone." Zaaron said as he moved over to the sink to rinse out his mug.

Xander walked into the kitchen staring at the back door.

"From the look on your face, I know you heard everything." Zaaron said as he sat at the counter.

"Yeah. I heard." Xander replied as he pulled a juice out of the fridge.

"You're suprised to hear him talk like that." Zaaron stated.

"About Buffy no. About the rest of us........little bit." Xander said questioningly.

"You see Spike the way he wanted you too see him. Did you ever try to see him yourself?" Zaaron asked.

"No........I guess I didn't." Xander replied. "Not like he made it easy to do." Xander added.

"When has Spike ever done anything the easy way." Zaaron snickered.

Xander chuckled at Zaarons comment, nodding in agreement.

Xander pulled up a stool and joined Zaaron at the counter.

~~~~****~~~~****~~~~

Spike took a long haul from his smoke as he paced around the yard.

"You know I'm just using you. I'll never really care about you. Your convenient for me. A little cold comfort while I wait for the one I really love."

Spike turned to face the familliar voice. When he turned he saw Buffy standing a few feet in front of him. Smiling, as the words tumble from her lips.

"You know I could never love you. You've always been beneath me."

Spike winced at those words. Knowing what was happening, but still hurt all the same.

"You could die tomorrow and no one would notice. No one would care. They would go on like it was any other day. I know I would. I can find someone else to ........comfort me."

Spike lowered his eyes as his jaw clenched.

"But you'll stay with me anyway. Knowing all this. I could do anything to you and you'd always ask for more. How pathetic is that."

"You're not her. What ever you say means nothing." Spike said quietly.

"You may have been able to get to me once." Spike said as he placed a finger to his temple. "You think I'd let it happen again." Spike looked up through hooded eyes and smirked.

"Buffy will kick you're incorporeal ass, and I'm happy to say, I'll be there to see every little kick. So if you have nothing else to say, not that i'm interested anyway, this is where I walk away." Spike said as he walked back into the house closing the door behind him.

"You speak as though you're sure you're going to win." She said as the door closed. "You won't." She whispered and smiled before disappearing.

Spike closed his eyes as he leaned against the door, taking a calming breath. He knew that wasn't Buffy, but the words she said were something he feared, deep down a part of him beleived.

He slowly opened his eyes to See Zaaron and Xander watching him carefully. A shiver ran up Spikes spine, then he pushed himself of the door and started walking through the kitchen raking his fingers through his hair.

"Night." Was all he muttered as he went straight to his and Buffys room.

Zaaron watched Spike leave the kitchen. Zaaron quickly turned and went to the door and looked out into the yard.

Xander watched him cautiously.

Zaaron started slowly walking back and forth through the length of the kitchen.

"Did you see his face. Have you ever seen him like that? I haven't since I've been around. In all the years I've known him, he's never worn an expression like that." Zaaron said.

"I have." Xander said quietly.

Zaaron turned and stared at Xander waiting for him to finish.

Xander shrugged his shoulders and looked down.

"He was like that for awhile after Buffy saved him when he was being held by the first. When ever Buffy walked into the room, if he woke up and she was standing by him or sitting by the bed. He always had this look of............I don't know.....confusion....acceptance...terror...all mixed into one. He was always like that until he was sure Buffy was real and not the first. I guess that's how it would appear to him. Looking like Buffy. Really did a number on his already fractured mind. But since he got his soul he's alot less zippy with the comments, he's also more withdrawn. " Xander stated.

Zaaron turned his head back to the backyard.

"You think that's what just happened?" Xander asked as he went to the door.

"You see alot more than you let on."Zaaron pointed out.

"Yeah, I guess I do.........should we talk to someone about this?" Xander asked.

"Yeah we should. But not now. We'll talk to Spike tomorrow. No one else will know about this. We'll keep this to ourselves until after we talk to Spike." Zaaron said.

"Fair enough. Okay , we'll talk to Spike tomorrow. I should get back to bed too." Xander said as he bid goodnight to Zaaron and headed to the basement.

Zaaron lingered in the kitchen for a minte longer before retreating to the confines of his and Faiths room.

Zaaron crawled back into bed and hugged Faiths frame to his.

"Hmm. Do we get up now?" Faith mumbles drowsily.

"Shhh. Sleep now." Zaaron said as he kissed her cheek.

Zaaron stayed awake awhile longer listening to Spike pace back and forth in his room.

Later followed by quiet sobs and whispers. Zaaron closed his eyes and fell into a restless sleep.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Zaaron watched as the house came slowly to life. Since leaving their room, Buffy had been almost attached to Spike. Constantly reassuring him. Spike always had his hand on her back,arms around her, holding her hand, the slightest touch made hm feel secure, knowing she was right there.

Zaaron and Xander had decided to talk to Spike in the basement where there was more privacy.

"Spike, we need to talk." Zaaron said so only Spike heard as he made his way to the basement.

Spike nodded and turned to Buffy. He nuzzled her ear and whispered what was happening.

She nodded and followed Spike to the basement closing the door behind her.

"Was it the first?" Xander asked quietly as he rose from the chair when they came into veiw.

Spike took a deep breath before nodding his head while he looked at Xander.

"What did she say?" Zaaron asked as he took a seat.

They all followed suit, grabbing the nearest chair and sitting down.

"Oh she was all full of mirth and sunshine that one." Spike quipped as he lit a smoke. "She said alot of things. Nothing you need to hear." Spike said quietly as a plume of smoke danced around his head.

"Spike. The First made an appearance. It's something we need to know." Xander replied keeping his voice low.

"I would tell you if what it said had any bearing on the upcoming fight but.................what she said wasn't about that." Spike replied as her words played over and over in his mind.

"Spike.......we need......." Xander started.

"NO." Spike yelled back frustrated. "It's nothing you need to know." Spike stated.

Xander shook his head in anger.

Zaaron watched all the emotions playing on Spike and Buffys faces.

"It's trying to drive a wedge between you two. Separate you." Zaaron said so only Spike could hear.

Spike looked at Zaaron, not saying anything, but the look on his face answered Zaarons question.

"There's one small peice to the puzzle solved." Zaaron said louder as he looked around the room.

"What?" Xander asked confusedly.

"There's obviously a reason she wants you too apart." Zaaron said matter of factly. "In fact, the First has only ever shown itself to your group. No other seems to be important enough to bother with. That should tell you something right there." Zaaron said as he leaned back in his chair.

"It's gonna take all of us to defeat it, but we still don't know how." Buffy said quietly.

"No we don't. But we will. The first knows it and is trying to stop that from happening." Spike said as he looked at Zaaron, who nodded his head in agreement.

They all just sat back as they absorbed the new information.

~~**~~*~~**~~

Willow , Giles and Faith sat in the kitchen and quietly watched them retreat to the basement.

Curious as to what was being discussed, but not wanting to pry.

"I'm sure if it's of any signifigance they'll inform us." Giles said as he poured a cup of tea.

"Of course. Buffy wouldn't not tell us anything. Would she?" Willow puzzled.

Faith rolled her eyes as she hopped down from the counter.

"Screw this." Faith said as she moved to the basement door.

Faith opened the door and came down the stairs.

"Hey, don't wanna interrupt, but is this anything we need to know about?" Faith asked as she came to stand in front of the group.

"Nah. The First is just worried we're gonna kick it's ass." Xander piped out.

Faith shrugged. "Oh." Faith said as she sat down. "Wanna tell me what happened." Faith said as she looked around.

Faith sat there looking at the group, crinkling her brow when no one answered.

"Cause you know Giles and Willow are up there, wonderin what's goin on." Faith stated.

Buffy let out a breath and stood from her seat. "I'll go fill them in. Come on Faith, let the boys have their testosterone time." Buffy said as she dragged Faith upstairs behind her.

When the girls were gone Zaaron turned to Spike.

"Are you ready to tell us what it said?" Zaaron asked quietly.

Spike dropped his head and nodded slightly, inhaling deeply before stating.

Spike told them word for word what the First had said to him.

Spike ran his fingers through his hair when he finished.

Zaaron and Xander sat back and listened to every word.

"Harsh." Xander said as he looked at Spike. "At least you knew it wasn't Buffy. She wouldn't talk to you like that." Xander said.

Spike didn't even look at Xander he just kept looking at the floor.

"Why did you let it bother you so much?" Xander asked as he sat forward in his seat studying Spike closely.

"It's done with. I don't want to keep on about it." Spike said as he stood up and went up the stairs.

"Did I miss something?" Xander asked.

"We both did."Zaaron said as he watched Spikes retreating form.

~~**~~**~~

"So...........are we patrolling tonight?" Faith asked as she sat down heavily on the sofa beside Buffy.

"Yeah, I think we should." Buffy said as she looked at Faith.

"Just us or are we bringin the guys?" Faith asked as she took a drink from her pop.

"They'll want ot come with. I think Spike needs to pummel something into oblivion." Buffy said as she chuckled slightly.

"Yeah, kinda feelin the same way." Faith replied as she stood up.

Faith started to leave when she turned around and faced Buffy.

Buffy looked at Faith for a moment.

"Something on your mind?" Buffy asked.

"B........how do you know when........you know." Faith said fidgeting and shuffling her feet.

Buffys brow scrunched as she looked at Faith.

"A little more info please." Buffy replied.

Faith huffed as she came back and sat beside Buffy.

"About men. One in particular actually. How do you know when you......." Faith said picking at the sofa.

"When your in love?" Buffy asked.

"Strong word there B." Faith said quickly.

"Okay when you care about someone." Buffy said as she chuckled quietly.

"Yeah." Faith said quietly.

"Cares about who?" Willow said coming into the room.

"Look forget it." Faith said as she started to get up.

"Faith sit. Willow, get over here." Buffy said patting the couch beside her.

Buffy turned to look at Faith. Faith looked like she was headed for the gallows. Buffy held back a chuckle as she started talking.

~~**~~**~~

Spike stood with his hands splayed on the counter leaning casually when he felt arms slide around his waist and hug him from behind.

"Hey baby. You okay?" Buffy asked quietly.

"M' alright Buffy." Spike said as his hands rested on hers, carressing them gently.

"You up for patrol?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah. Could use a spot of empty violence about now." Spike said quietly.

"I know it's still bothering you. What the First said." Buffy stated.

Spike just leaned into her and closed his eyes.

"When I said those things, I was messed up Spike. I was angry at ......" Buffy started to say but was cut off by Spike.

"You don't get it. This has nothing to do with you Buffy. It has everything to do with me." Spike said as he turned to face her.

"It's the way I feel. Deep down a part of me beleives them. Part of me always will. In my unnaturally long existence, I've never had anyone love me back. Never returned my feelings. Keep wondering how you can love me. Why you love me. It's something I have to work out by myself." Spike said as he placed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Buffy nodded as she laid against his chest.

"If you need me." Buffy said quietly.

"I know." Spike replied in a whisper.

"So." Spike said raising his voice and sounding a little too cheery.

"Shall we shove off. " Spike said as he ran his hands up and down her arms.

"Okay." Buffy said as she moved over to the door calling Faith and Zaaron.

~~**~~**~~

Spike twisted the head off of the last vampire. Watching it turne to dust in his hands. He turned at looked at Buffy, Zaaron and Faith.

"I feel better." Spike said as he pulled out a smoke and lit it, taking a long haul.

"Everyone okay?" Buffy asked as she looked around.

"Five by Five B." Faith said as she looked over the corpses on the ground.

"People are leaving town on a daily basis. Can't say I blame 'em." Faith said.

"Clem left this morning. Humans aren't the only ones leaving." Buffy said.

"Buffy."

Buffy and Spike turned quickly.

Faith and Zaaron turned ready to attack only to stop and stare.

"Angel." Buffy said quietly.

Spike gritted his teeth and looked down.

"Spike." Angel spit out venomously.