"What's your favorite thing to do?"

"Besides this, you mean?" Spike laid his chin on his arms, and thought about that question. What did he like to do? It had been a long time since he'd thought about what he wanted. He wasn't sure if he knew anymore.

"Was that too personal a question?" Buffy asked, kissing the skin between his shoulder blades. He tasted like cigarettes and bourbon and sex. She couldn't forget sex. It was a second skin, something he couldn't shed or wash away.

"No. Not too personal. I just haven't thought about what makes me happy in so long, I'm finding it hard to imagine what would."

"That's depressing." Buffy ran her hands over his arms. She'd never felt closer to someone, and it had nothing to do with the fact, she was stretched out, naked on his back.

"I know it is, but my last relationship was a 4 year study in depression."

"Yours or hers?" She mumbled.

"Ours. It was shared." Spike closed his eyes, concentrating on the feel of her nipples pressing into his skin.

"She hurt you." She stated, not really expecting an answer.

"I let her. But that's not what you wanted to know." Spike didn't want to think about Dru, not here, not with her. She was the antithesis to Dru. She was his golden girl. Dru had been his dark princess. He liked the sun.

Buffy heard the pain he tried to quickly dismiss. She felt an intense desire to smack his ex. She rose, inadvertently grinding her pelvis into his ass.

"Riding my motorcycle," Spike continued, answering her question, "helmet off, wind whipping on my face as I hit 100 miles per hour. And if you don't want me to flip you over and show you some more things a man can do to a woman, I suggest you settle down back there."

"Sorry." She giggled, laying back down.

"No, you're not."

"You're right." She said, nipping his shoulder, and wiggling some more.

He was walking sin, pure and simple. No one should look that sexy in a button-down shirt. How exactly was she supposed to react? What exactly was proper decorum in this situation? They'd been intimate. They'd done things to each other that still made her blush today.

Should he be saying something? Spike saw the questioning look on his Dad's face. He thinks I've lost my mind, and I want to tell him, it's her fault. If she wasn't so goddamn beautiful, so California with her tan and golden hair, I'd be able to think straight.

"Your hair's longer." He simply stated, and she raised her hand self-consciously to touch it. That was brilliant, Spike. That's the first thing that came to your mind? And you call yourself a writer?

"Still battling the curls I see." She said, recalling with glee, running her fingers through said curls.

"I.. I How the hell are we supposed to do this?" He asked, taking a step closer to her.

"I wish I knew. I know we can't do it here, not with an audience." She said, feeling lightheaded.

"Ah, maybe we should take this somewhere else." He agreed, looking up and seeing Dawn, Giles, and Anya staring intently at them.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." Buffy looked down at the cameras in her hands, confused. You take pictures for a living. Her brain reminded her. Damn, if she didn't feel like she was in a post-orgasmic haze.

"I'm supposed to photograph you. Do a short interview." She informed him. Spike didn't care why she was here. Hell, he couldn't remember what he was supposed to be doing. Her presence had blinded him to everything else, but making sure she didn't disappear again.

"Then, we definitely need to go somewhere else. What I have to say might make some of your readers blush." Spike said, leering at her, making her blush.

"We're going to do the interview in the Tea Shoppe. We'll be back." Spike said, grabbing Buffy's arm. They both started at the contact.

Spike led them over to an alcove, out of view of the Magic Box, and the customers milling around outside.

Buffy put her cameras down on the table, glancing around, trying to look anywhere but at him. The Tea Shoppe was an extension of the Magic Box. It reminded her of her grandparents' English-style sitting room. Buffy felt Spike's eyes on her. Her very practical nature called for her to say hello, ask him how he'd been, but the woman, who remembered what it felt like to be with this man, screamed for her to wrap her arms around his neck, and never let go.

Spike couldn't say what he felt at the moment. His golden girl was here, in the flesh. He had dreamt of her, of that night for over 3 years. While writing the book, she'd been there, his muse, his inspiration. She didn't even know what she'd done for him that night. She'd freed him, and he'd never even thanked her.

He laughed softly, drawing her attention. "What?" She asked, liking the way the light twinkled in his eyes.

"Just realized, I still don't know your name."

"Elizabeth, but my friends call me Buffy."

"Are we friends?" He asked, moving closer to her.

"I think so. We're something to each other."

Buffy watched mesmerized as Spike's hand grazed her arm, tickling the skin. Buffy closed her eyes, and sighed as she felt his fingers on her cheek, past her ear, into her hair. She felt his fingers, loosen her ponytail, till her hair fell in waves on her back.

"Beautiful." Spike whispered.

Buffy's lips parted, her body tensed. Spike traced her bottom lip. Amazing, he thought, still as ripe as he remembered. Buffy moaned as his lips descended on hers. Her body arched into his, seeking its warmth. It felt as if her body was unraveling, like it had been wrapped in a tight coil for the last 3 years. The realization that she somehow belonged to him, that her body recognized his as being its shelter, shocked and terrified her. Who was this man to make her want to throw caution to the wind? Again.

He'd missed her. Hadn't realized how much till she was looking at him, with those clear hazel eyes. He'd missed hearing her laugh. He missed watching the way her breath would catch when he touched something sensitive on her body. It wasn't just about sex. They'd touched on something special, and he'd be damned if he'd let her walk out of his life again.

Her hands skimmed his back, moving slowly to clutch his shoulders for support. His teeth nipped her lips, and she gasped. His tongue slid inside, and she pulled him closer. Spike deliberately, and with a slowness that had Buffy whimpering with need, stroked his tongue against hers in a rhythm designed to make her remember what it felt like to be in his bed. It soon became necessary to breath, and they pulled apart with a gasp, each taking deep breaths.

Buffy laid her head against his chest, enjoying the feel of being back in his arms. But having his mouth away from hers, brought reality back into view. Riley. She'd forgotten all about him. He didn't deserve this. Her body protested as she pulled out of his arms, and stepped away.

He felt the change in her immediately.

"I missed you." He reached out for her, but she stepped back.

"Don't do this to me." She begged.

"Don't do what? Don't tell you there hasn't been a day since you left that I haven't looked for you." He said, turning his back, afraid she'd see how much he desired her. She sat down, her knees unable to hold her. He sat across from her at the table. They regarded each other, like hunter to the prey.

"Stop looking at me like that." She warned.

"Like what? Like I want to throw you on this table and bury myself inside you for a very long time."

Buffy's eyes widened. "Yeah, like that." She squeaked.

Spike watched her, studying every inch of her. Not that he needed to. He could trace her body from memory.

"You know all bets are off. I'm not letting you disappear again." He said, rubbing his chin with his thumb.

Buffy's eyebrow rose at that. She couldn't lie to him, give him hope where there wasn't any.

"I have a boyfriend." Buffy admitted. Damnit, why did it hurt to say it? She and Riley had been together for 2 years. And you’ve never said you loved him. Traitor. She screamed to her heart. She glanced up to see his reaction, and was taken aback by the nonchalant air he exuded.

"Sorry to hear that." He stood up, placing his hands on the table, pinning her to her seat. "Guess he'll have to get used to me coming around. It's going to make dating a bitch." He grinned tightly at her, loving the way her eyes turned a deep emerald green. Buffy tried to think of a witty comeback, but words escaped her.

"Excuse me?" Buffy shouted, loud enough for Dawn and Giles to hear. They peeked around the corner to see what was going on. Buffy smiled sweetly and moved her seat out of their line of view.

"I tell you I have a boyfriend, and you tell me you want to date me. You can't do that."

"I'm just letting you know how I feel. You said you had a boyfriend. Happy for you. Glad to see you moved on, but I'm here now, and I want you." Spike wanted to laugh at the wide-eyed look on her face, but didn't think that would earn him any brownie points.

Spike decided he'd let her stew for a moment, and calmly got up and poured two glasses of water. He handed her one before sitting back down. "We should get started." He suggested, pointing to her camera. "Anya's going to be opening the doors soon."

"You are insane. We can't just pick up after 3 years. Too much has happened since then."

"I don't care." He said, studying his nails.

She was becoming frustrated, and it had nothing to do with unfulfilled desire. It was a one-night stand. All right, just because there were times she swore she felt him, that didn't mean a thing. Okay, so she thought about him sometimes when she was with Riley, but that didn't mean that he could come into her well-organized life and blow it up.

"Now, what would you like to know about me?" He said, crossing his arms over his chest. She looked ready to explode. He hadn't felt this good in years.

"You're not listening to me. I am in a relationship. I can't go out with you. I don't cheat."

"I don't cheat either."

I'd kill you if you did cheat on me. Buffy looked around, hoping she hadn't just said that out loud.

"Can you honestly sit there and tell me you haven't wondered what it would have been like if you'd stayed?" He sat up straight and dared her to lie to his face.

She could lie and end this all right now. She could do the right thing by Riley, by William, by herself, but something wouldn't allow her to do that.

"I used to think about nothing else that first year. That night with you was the most amazing night of my life." She said sadly. "Riley makes me happy. He keeps me centered." He doesn't make me want to ride motorcycles without a helmet.

Riley? What kind of poofy name was that? "I understand." He said suddenly, smiling sweetly at her. It immediately put her on guard. What was he up to?

"You have a boyfriend. You care about him. Ok. I missed my chance." He said, throwing his hands up in the air. "But that doesn't mean, we can't be friends, does it?"

"No, it doesn't. I'd like that."

I'm sure you would, Ms. Summers. "So, can a friend take you out for dinner? For old times sakes'? It's the least I can do. The last place I took you to, left a lot to be deserved."

Say yes. Say yes. She could hear Tara and Willow cheerleading from the stands. She could have a mature, adult friendship with him. There were people who'd shared a bed with someone, and they were friends after it ended. Hell, this was California, half the people here had slept with one another, especially in LA and Hollywood.

"What? You didn't enjoy Sparkle's hospitality?" He laughed.

"Sparkle was an interesting woman. I haven't been able to forget her either." He said, looking down at the table. He missed seeing Buffy's reaction.

"I guess we should get to work." Buffy suggested.

"Probably. I don't think Anya would appreciate us ruining her carefully scheduled plans." Spike stood up, pushing his chair back. "Shall we?" He said, extending his hand. Buffy took it, hating how stilted the conversation sounded.

This was the right thing to do. She reminded herself. You can do this, Buffy. You can be friends with him.

Giles, Anya, and Dawn had taken turns walking by the Tea Shoppe, but the area where Buffy and Spike were secreted prevented them from overhearing the conversation. They stopped in their tracks as Spike and Buffy emerged from the room.

"He calls you Spike because of the curls?" Buffy was saying as they approached the trio. "I guess that's better than Curly."

"Did you two have a nice talk?" Giles asked, watching his son carefully. Giles could tell Spike was desperately trying to reign in his emotions, his cheek ticked from the effort.

"Yes, we did, Dad. Thanks for asking." Giles patted Spike on the back, silently giving him his support.

"Well, that's just great." Anya said. "We need to get started. We're supposed to open in 5 minutes.

The next two hours flew by in a blur. After photographing Spike with Giles and Anya, Buffy took some shots of him in front of his book cover. Once the doors were opened and the crowd poured in, Buffy wandered around, taking candid shots. She took the opportunity to study him. He really was a beautiful man, but more than his physical appearance, she could see his strength, his intelligence. He was sure of himself, but he didn't use that to make you feel less. God, she had to stop thinking about him. You would have thought he would have lost some of his mystique, now that they had met again. But he hadn't.

Spike signed the inside cover, and handed the book back to the young woman. Everyone said his book was inspiring, and he hoped it was. But the real inspiration stood off to the side, pretending this thing between them could be dismissed easily. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. He had hoped to find her just as free-spirited as before, but this woman thought too much. Oh, he understood being committed to someone. He'd stayed with Druscilla for 3 years, 6 months longer than he should have. He understood staying with someone because it was the right thing to do. Doing the right thing for the wrong reasons only brought about pain. It had taken seeing Dru in bed with Liam for Spike to realize he'd allowed his love to jerk him around, blind him to Dru's true nature. He'd been so desperate to hold onto Dru, he'd lost himself.

She was scared, and he couldn't really blame her. He was scared too. He didn't know what a healthy relationship was. He thought he'd glimpsed how good one could be that night. But it was one night. He knew Buffy would need more convincing than him just saying it. If that's what he had to do, so be it. She was worth it. Spike would be damned if he'd let love bitch slap him with this woman.

Dawn offered to drive home, mumbling about wanting to get there in one piece. Buffy didn't argue with her, there was no point. She'd just spent 2 hours with a man she'd thought she'd never see again. That's not true. She'd thought they'd meet again, when she was old and married with kids. Not now, when he had the ability to turn her life upside down. He'd done that once already. She hadn't even thanked him.

"What are you going to do?" Dawn asked, concerned by the blank look in Buffy's eyes.

"I don't know. First, I'm going to kill Tara and Willow. After that, who knows?" Buffy looked out the window, thinking how different her life seemed from 3 hours ago. There was that number again. She'd have to ask Tara what it meant in the numerology book.

Dawn laughingly asked her, "Why are you plotting murder against them?"

"They knew. They sent me here, knowing full well Spike was the one." That realization hit Buffy as soon as she saw the book jacket. Tara and Willow saw him that night. They knew what he looked like. They knew Buffy was going to meet him, and they'd let her, not bothering to warn her. Thank god, she wasn't seeing Riley tonight. That would be too much to handle right now.

"I guess that explains the missed calls on your phone." Dawn handed the phone to Buffy, who saw 6 phone calls from the Macay-Rosenberg household.

"They're dead. You don't think they'll say anything to Xander, do you?" Buffy panicked, knowing those two she-devils would love to set Riley up for the big smack-down.

"No, they won't. Buffy, they love you. They wouldn't share something so personal with Xander."

"Oh, god. What am I going to do, Dawnie? He wants me, and not just in his bed. He wants the whole thing." Buffy closed her eyes, feeling his fingers on her back as he escorted them to her car.

"What do you want? Do you want something with him?" Please, oh please, want something with him. Dawn couldn't wait to get home. Mom might have to break out the tequila for this occasion.

"Dawn, I'm dating Riley. I've been with Riley for almost 2 years. You don't just throw a relationship away because of a one-night stand."

"It wasn't just a one-night stand, and you know it. A one-night stand doesn't make you tell Dad to take his job and shove it. Doesn't make you change your major and jump out on faith and start your own business. A one-night stand doesn't dedicate a book to you." Dawn argued.

Oh, yeah, the book. When she'd finally gotten the courage to pick it up, she'd been pleasantly surprised to see the dedication. "To my golden girl, thank you for introducing me to the sun." It was sweet, and she didn't doubt she was the girl, not when she looked up and saw Spike staring intently at her.

"Riley is a sweet enough lug, but he isn't the man for you. I know it. Mom knows it. Tara and Willow know it. And most of all, you know it, Buffy. Why stay with him, when the real thing is standing right in front of you?"

"Riley is the perfect man for me. He's supportive in his own way. He doesn't mind me working late. He accepts me for who I am. He doesn't.."

"Do a damn thing." Dawn slowed for a light. "What do you have in common with Riley? Nothing. He doesn't take you to the theatre. He doesn't go to art shows with you. The only thing you do together is eat, sleep, and fuck."

"Dawn!"

"Sorry, but it rhymed. All I'm saying is don't close the door on Spike. You owe it to yourself to give him a chance. You met him before Riley. So, he was actually here first."

"Your logic is mind-boggling."

"Thank you."

Buffy closed her eyes. "Just let me figure this out on my own, Dawn. Don't push."

"Sure, Buffy. Whatever you say." Dawn turned the radio up, plotting how to get Buffy and Spike together. Mom. Mom would know what to do.

Anya stood off to the side, speaking with one of the remaining customers in the store. She knew the woman was lingering with the hopes of getting a chance to speak to Spike alone. Anya attempted to distract the woman by showing her various pieces in the store, while Spike slipped out the back. Giles closed the door behind him. Spike sat on the sofa in his jeans. He held his t-shirt in his hands, and to Giles' eyes, he looked a little shell-shocked.

Giles sat next to him, slapping Spike on the thigh. "Want to talk about it?"

"I never really thought we'd see each other again. I hoped we would, but in the back of my mind, she was like this dream girl, she wasn't real."

"What are you going to do, Will?" Spike rolled his eyes comically at the use of his real name.

"Good question. She told me she was dating someone."

"Oh. Well, that's unfortunate." And it was, in his opinion. After the damage Drusilla inflicted on Spike, Giles had hopes for a relationship with Buffy. She was a delightful young woman.

"It really is. You know I don't condone cheating, but I have absolutely no intentions of letting her go. I was foolish enough to do it 3 years ago. I'm not making the same mistake again."

"Call me later?" Giles asked as Spike climbed on his bike to leave.

"I'll call before our set. What are your plans for tonight?"

"Oh, Anya and I are going to the movies. She wants to see Gosford Park, so we're off to the Cineplex."

"Well, that does sound exciting." Spike said dryly.

"We can't all be rock stars, son." Giles smirked back. "Just promise me you won't overindulge tonight. I know you've gotten quite a shock, but drinking won't help."

"Yes, Dad. I promise no excessive drinking. Can I have a beer or two, though? It fits the image of the hard rocker. Don't want to disappoint my fans." Spike's blue eyes twinkled with mischief, and Giles was struck by how little his son had changed since he was a child.

"You're incorrigible, you know that, don't you?"

"Yes, I know, but you love me."

"Yes, I do. Very much." Giles cuffed Spike gently by the head as he said this. "Go on. I've got to get back to work."

Spike pulled his helmet on, and revved the engine. He rolled the bike back, and burned rubber as he exited the strip mall.

Elizabeth Summers. Buffy Summers. He liked Buffy a lot better. He liked a lot of things about Buffy Summers.

What did he feel for her? He knew he felt something more than friendship for Buffy, and it had nothing to do with the sex. That had been amazing, inspiring. It wasn't the acrobatic love fest of his dreams. It wasn't sweet either. It fell somewhere in between. It was one of those experiences every person should have at least once in their lives. The bike swerved and he had to remind himself not to think that intensely about the sex.

That's what worried him the most. What if that was all it was to her? A once in a lifetime experience? No, he refused to believe she was that shallow. She didn't just cum. She'd cried. You didn't cry if it didn't touch some part of you that was by and large untouchable.

He knew that was how he'd felt. After Buffy had left, he'd lain in bed, smoking a cigarette, replaying every moment spent with her. Sex with Dru had been a chore, something they did so they could say they were still together. She'd left the relationship long before he'd realized it.

Dru. His dark princess was very pissed with him. What was new? Wesley had laughed when he showed him the letter he'd received from her lawyers. Wes wanted them to sue. Spike could see the dollar signs dancing in his head. Spike had to admit he wanted the chance to expose all of Liam and Dru's secrets. Spike would open a can of worms so big, Dru would only see Sacramento from the air. He'd tell every secret they had. He bring up stuff, he was sure Liam had forgotten. Then, he'd remind Dru that she'd been living with him when she decided to go for the bigger fish.

He didn't hate Dru. He didn't hate Liam. He was actually happier without either of them in his life. They truly deserved each other. Dru got to be with her daddy, and Liam got to have the one woman he couldn't corrupt anymore than she already was.

Angel. Liam was far from an angel. He was more like the devil in disguise. Spike shook his head at the irony that was Liam Cavanaugh's nickname.

Spike slowed to a stop and took a quick glance at his watch. It was a little after 5. Cordy would probably be still at home. He'd stop by and see her. Spike couldn't wait to hear her blunt assessment of this situation. She'd only been pushing him to look for Buffy since day one.

"Buffy, we're home." She said assuming Buffy was asleep.

"I'm awake, Dawn." Buffy gave her a tight-lipped smile before exiting the car.

"Feeling any better about Spike?"

"Um, not really." Buffy grabbed Dawn's arm as they walked into the garage. "Don't say anything to Mom about him. I'll tell her later. I'm not up for 20 questions before dinner."

"Sure, Buff. I won't say a word." Not until you leave. "But you'd better call Willow and Tara before they call here looking for you."

"I'd almost forgotten about those two. I still want to kill them, but not so much anymore." Buffy smirked.

Joyce hung up the phone as Buffy and Dawn came through the door. "Girls. Goodness, Willow and Tara have called here several times for you. Is something going on that I should know about?"

Joyce hugged both girls, reaching around Dawn for the basil and oregano off the spice rack.

"They probably want to know how the book signing went. " Buffy said, swiping a sliced piece of bell pepper off the butcher's block. Joyce glared at her, but her amused grin ruined its effect.

"Was William Giles as handsome in person as he is on the book cover?" Joyce said, wiggling her brows.

Dawn snickered behind Buffy's back. Buffy coughed, trying not to choke. "You've read the book?" She gasped, wondering why she seemed to be the only person who hadn't read it.

"Buffy, I told you I picked it up in the airport last week. It was very interesting. William sounds like a terrific young man. He made a mistake, that's typical for someone his age."

"A mistake?" Buffy croaked. They were a mistake? Her stomach dropped at the thought.

"Yes. His ex-girlfriend was a self-absorbed, spoiled brat. She never really cared for him. He didn't see that until it was too late."

Much like you and Riley, Joyce wanted to add, but kept that to herself.

Dawn hopped up onto the counter, earning a disapproving look from her mother. "What?" She asked innocently. Joyce shook her head at her youngest, and continued on with her review of Spike's book.

"Now, " Joyce said conspiratorially, "the next girl he became involved with, she's the one he should have stayed with. They had a pretty intense time together. I think it could have been more if she hadn't run out on him."

"She didn't run out on him. They had an agreement. She couldn't stay." Buffy said vehemently. Joyce looked up surprised.

"I didn't know you'd read the book, Buffy." Dawn couldn't believe Buffy's reaction. She had to file that away for future reference.

"I didn't, but you're just getting his point of view. You don't know what she was thinking or what she wanted." Buffy said, nibbling on her nail.

"You're right, Buffy. We'll never know what she wanted. As far as I know, he hasn't seen her since that night. That's kinda sad, really."

"I think it's romantic." Dawn quipped. "Two star-crossed lovers, lost to each other, only to meet years later." Buffy glared at Dawn, wishing she were a knife-thrower in the circus. Dawn would be toast.

"Uh, Mom, do you want me to start the grill?" Buffy asked, wanting to do something other than talk about a certain blonde writer.

"That'd be great, Buffy. Dawn, get down off that counter and wash your hands. You can get the salmon prepped while the grill is heating." Buffy pinched Dawn as she passed.

"Mom, Buffy pinched me!"

"Did not!" Buffy said, scooping the cordless out of the cradle, and escaping to the patio.

Outside, Buffy turned on the grill on, listening for the swoosh that signaled it was lit. She curled up in the window seat, and waited for her traitorous best friend to answer her phone.

"Hey, Buff. Don't kill me." Tara said after looking at the caller ID.

"I should kill you. You'd better be glad it was an hour drive back from San Marino. You should have told me."

"Would you have gone if I had?" Tara didn't sound the least bit contrite, which only infuriated Buffy more.

"That wasn't your decision to make. I'm supposed to be your best friend. Best friend's don't set each other up for shocks like that."

"I'm sorry you were shocked, but I stand by what I did." Tara said, sipping a glass of Merlot. "You needed to see him without your defenses in place." Tara said non-plussed by the screech she heard from Buffy.

"So, how did he look? As good as you remembered?"

"Argh!!! I can't believe you."

"But you love me, and I love you. Now, spill. I know you kissed him, but what else happened?"

"You know I kissed him? Well, I didn't." Buffy lifted her chin in the air, determined to get the upper hand even if it was with a lie.

"Hah! Liar, liar. Your nose is going to grow for telling that big one." Buffy strangled the phone, wishing it was Tara's neck.

Buffy sighed hard, conceding defeat. "It was nice. Very nice." She gushed.

Tara squealed. "You didn't, you know, again, did you?"

Buffy stared at the phone, wondering how Tara managed to make it through the day without jumping someone.

"I know you're a nymphomaniac, but not everyone eats, drinks, thinks sex."

"You're just jealous you're not getting as much as me." Tara told her, not the least bit offended by Buffy's comment.

"Well, if I had two lovers, I would be getting as much."

Tara laughed. "Here's your chance. Sounds to me like William Giles is more than willing to pick up where you left off."

"Spike."

"What?"

"He goes by Spike." She said finally, waiting for the joke she knew was coming.

"How appropo." Tara said sarcastically. "Guess he spiked you." She mumbled.

"I heard that." Buffy said, staring into the still water of the pool. "And we're not picking up anything together. I have a boyfriend, if you've forgotten."

"Trying to." Tara snapped back.

"Tara." Buffy groaned, feeling a headache coming on. "I'm with Riley, and that's that." Was that that? Could she live with Riley for the rest of her life? Buffy frowned at the thought.

"So, you're never going to see him again?" Tara asked incredulous. At Buffy's hesitation, Tara crossed her fingers and said a quick prayer.

Buffy debated telling Tara, knowing she would gloat, but she needed the Troika's help.

"We're having dinner tomorrow night." She finally admitted.

"Hot damn! I knew it!" Tara screamed, dancing a jig in the kitchen.

"Whoa, Dale Evans! It's not a date. We're going as friends, so there won't be any after-dinner sex." Buffy said firmly, trying desperately to convince Tara and herself.

"Okay, no after-dinner sex. What about before dinner sex?"

"We're game." Willow announced as she and Xander walked in the door.

"Hey, baby." Tara said, grabbing Willow for a quick kiss. Buffy listened as the kiss deepened, then heard Tara whisper her name.

"Buff, here's Willow. I'm gonna fix us some drinks. Love you. Bye." Tara handed Willow the phone as she drug Xander out to the porch.

"Hey, guess you're ready to kill us, huh?" Willow pulled her jacket off as she headed to her bedroom.

"Nah." Buffy said, lifting the hood on the grill. "I'm all out of righteous indignation."

"Tell me you talked to him, at least."

"Oh, we talked." Buffy said, touching her lips.

"Oh, boy. You didn't fuck him, did you?" Willow's fingers stilled on the buttons of her blouse.

"No, we didn't! When and where would this sex have taken place?" Buffy asked annoyed.

"That's the same thing I asked 3 years ago."

Buffy looked heavenward, her loose hair reminding her whose fingers pulled it apart.

"We're having dinner. I'm definitely going to need the Troika tomorrow." Buffy said as Dawn and Joyce brought the fish and vegetables outside.

"The Troika. Whew! I'll call Lorne, but you know how he is. He might have a date or something. He'll just have to cancel it. You need us." Willow said, balancing on one foot as she pulled a pair of shorts on.

"Thanks, Will. I'll call you later. Is Xander staying tonight?"

"Maybe, Tara looks like she might be ready for an all-nighter. If we don't answer, you know we're busy. Hey, this doesn't have to be the end of the world, Buffy." Willow could tell this unexpected appearance of William Giles in her life was throwing Buffy for a loop. Good, she thought, it was time Buffy had a little excitement in her life. About 3 years to be exact.

"No, it doesn't and it won't. We'll get together, have dinner, and go back to our lives." Buffy said, breaking into Willow's thoughts

"If you say so." Willow said agreeably.

"I do."

"Good."

"It is."

"Talk to you later, then."

"Love you, Will." .

"Love you. Bye."

"Tired?" They were lying on their sides, facing each other.

"A little." Buffy yawned, her hazel eyes disappearing periodically behind her lids.

"I don't want to go to sleep yet. Might miss something important." Spike reached out and flicked her nose, waking her.

She smiled. "Me neither. Sleep means less time..." She looked away bashfully. "With you."

Spike nodded. He didn't want this evening to end, either. "Okay, then, tell me something about yourself." Spike lifted his head and rested it on his hand.

Buffy mimicked his position. "I hate my major." Tara and Willow would be so proud of her. She'd actually admitted she wasn't happy with her choice of career.

"So why don't you change it?"

She laughed, throwing her head back. "Yeah, that's an option." She said bitterly. "My father would only die of heart failure. He's been grooming me since birth to work with him."

"Don't you think your father would rather see you happy?"

"He would. His idea of what makes me happy is very different from mine." Corporate life. Big Business. Hank Summers was nothing if not a Reaganite. "He'd be hurt, and I don't want to do that to him." She pushed her hair over her shoulder, the action causing the sheet to slip, revealing a golden brown treat. Spike couldn't resist touching it.

"Don't you deserve to be happy? Do you think, in the long run, you're doing yourself any favors?" Spike arched his brow, watching Buffy grip the sheets. He watched her, his blue eyes shadowed by desire. Buffy shook her head, as Spike circled her nipple with his fingertip.

"Um.. stop that." She hissed. Spike just grinned, and leaned down to suckle.

Now, I see why babies are so reluctant to give up the breast. Spike thought, swirling his tongue around the brown nub.

"Do they give you Brits Viagra from birth?" Spike felt her fingers in his hair, massaging his scalp.

"Huh? What?" He said dazed, not only by the exquisite feel of her fingers, but the taste of her skin.

"Viagra. Super-penis pill. I'm not complaining. I'm very appreciative. Believe me, I am." She whimpered when his lips left her breast.

"Well, when it's something I like a whole lot. I tend to do it again, and again, and again." She felt his hand sliding along her thigh.

"Oh." Buffy said, swallowing loudly. Her eyes crossed as she felt his fingers twisting the short curls between her legs. "Umm, I thought you wanted to talk?"

"I can multi-task." He said, and laughed when he felt her stomach rumble. Buffy lifted her leg, draping it over his.

"You're very sure of yourself." She said, biting her lip as she felt his fingers slide easily inside her.

His fingers had stilled inside her, not moving, just filling her.

"Must be the company. Because I'm a big geek in bed." He admitted seriously, kissing her.

"Same here. I've.." She gasped as her nerve endings began to hum with excitement. "This is so not me." She groaned, her head dropping forward.

"Is that why you won't change your major? Have to follow the rules, have to do what everyone expects?"

Buffy wanted to rip his hair out. He was driving her crazy. She was out of control. What other explanation was there for her lying in bed with some stranger, his hand inside her, her muscles stroking him, bringing her to an amazing climax? She found his eyes on her, staring at her intently.

"You were saying." Talking to her, like this, with his fingers nestled inside her warmth, struck Spike as being more intimate than the actual sex itself.

"Uh, about what?" She blew her breath out in little puffs, trying to slow down the tingling she felt between her legs.

"School, major." He told her helpfully, knowing he was close to his own release. What she was doing to his fingers, should be outlawed. This had to be the most decadent experience of her life, and she was doing a terrific job of turning him into her little slave.

She was sweating from the effort to control her body. That's right, struggle because I have no control over mine either. She was right. He couldn't believe he was hard again either. He'd never screwed Dru more than 3 times in a night, and Dru was an inventive lover. But she paled in comparison to this woman. She fit him perfectly. The feel of his cock inside her was wonderful, not too snug, not to loose. It was a little bit of heaven.

"Oh, I'm .. um.. in advertising." She finally said, gasping, clenching his fingers tightly as every nerve shook her body like a rag doll. Spike felt her juices flowing over his fingers, and slipped his fingers slowly out of her. Buffy collapsed on the bed, breathing heavily, looking at him like he was an axe murderer.

"What are you doing to me?" She felt wanton, and that wasn't a word usually associated with Elizabeth Anne Summers. She just wasn't this sexual.

"I should ask you." Spike said, gripping his cock and stroking it with her juices. "I want you so badly, it hurts." Spike closed his eyes, the sight of her, lying naked, her breasts jiggling with each breath, was too tempting.

"Then, why don't you take me?" Spike's eyes flew open, and he felt a prickle of fear. She wouldn't. Would she? Oh, god, she would.

Buffy laughed seductively at the look of terror in his eyes. She could see how hard he was, could see the pain on his face, and she only wanted to help. She rolled over, crawling towards him like some temptress out of a bad jungle flick. Spike whimpered as she lifted her leg over his prone body, took his cock and guided it into her warmth.

"Ah, luv, no condom.. You shouldn't.. we shouldn't, ahh." Spike's chest arched as he felt her burning him from the inside out.

"Just pull out, um, when you're, um, ready to come." Buffy said, grinding her hips hard on his.

Spike would have agreed to sell his kidney to keep her on top of him, riding his cock like she wanted to tear it off. He could feel it starting, that sweet sensation pricking his skin like a thousand little needles.

Buffy flung her head back, her thick mane of hair flying like a golden curtain over her head.

"Omigod. Omigod." She screamed, slumping against Spike's chest, her chest heaving from the effort to breathe.

"I'm not going to be able.. to. . god, get off me." Buffy weakly lifted her exhausted body off, watching fascinated as streams of liquid jetted out of his cock. She felt decidedly wicked, and took his softening penis in her mouth. Spike jumped at the contact, willing death to take him, because he couldn't take much more. Buffy licked and sucked, cleaning him of all remnants of their lovemaking.

"You'll be the death of me." Spike coughed, the last little spurt choking him.

"The night's still young." She said, laying her head on his thigh.

"Spike, earth to Spike!" Cordy yelled, grinning at the faraway look on Spike's face.

"Spike to Earth!" Spike wrenched his mind reluctantly from the past.

"Good lord, what were you just thinking about?" Cordy said. Spike rolled his eyes, striding inside the house.

"Ah, you don't want to know. Guess who I saw today?" Spike said, grabbing a bottled water out the fridge.

"Who? Dru?" She said, teasingly. Spike's eyes widened at that comment, and Cordelia pounced. "That bitch did not have the nerve to show up at the book signing!"

"No, the other one."

Cordy's brown eyes stared at Spike, her head nodding slowly. "That one."

"Yep."

"She just showed up at the store?" She asked, disbelieving.

"The Bee sent her to photograph me. She had no idea I was the author." Spike rummaged around in the cabinets till he found the aspirin.

Cordy walked over to him, wrapping Spike in a hug. "Well, tell me about her. Was she the same as you remembered?"

"Even more beautiful than I remembered. And has a boyfriend to boot." He said, burying his head in her neck.

Cordy leaned back, sighing as she did. "Bad timing. So what's the problem?" Spike smirked, loving how easily Cordelia dismissed Buffy's boyfriend. Now, if only Buffy could do that.

"The boyfriend, and the fact she's not as spontaneous as she used to be." Spike opened the fridge, pulling out a container of olives. He popped one in his mouth, while Cordelia stared off into space.

"Now, that's not quite true. If I remember correctly, screwing you was the first impulsive thing she'd ever done. At least, that's what she told you. Did you really think she'd be that same girl? You've changed since that night." She swiped the olive he'd been about to put in his mouth, and threw it in hers.

"Explain this to me. I was the other guy. I've been cheated on. I know how badly it feels, and yet, I can't muster up one ounce of concern for her boyfriend."

"It was a little more complicated with Dru and Angel. They were your friends. You don't even know this guy."

"His name is Riley. Riley? What kind of name is that?"

"Speaking of names, what's hers?"

"Buffy."

"And you're making fun of her boyfriend's name?" Cordelia took the container from him, closed it and placed it back in the fridge.

"It's really Elizabeth, but I like Buffy."

"No, really. That's a shocker."

"Seeing her again. That was the shocker." Spike admitted.

"Do I need to cancel your set tonight? Are you going to be able to function well enough to play?" Cordy placed her hand to Spike's forehead.

"Yes, smart ass. I'm fine. It was just nice seeing her." Nice touching her. Nice feeling those perfect little breasts against my chest again.

"Nice. I don't think I've ever heard you use the word 'nice' when describing Buffy?" Cordelia said, arching a thin brow at him. "Nice would only be used if you were trying not to gush. You don't gush." Cordelia jerked Spike, till they stood nose to nose. At 5'8" naturally and with an extra 2" from the heels she wore, she and Spike were nearly the same height.

"Did you talk to her or jump her?" Cordy asked, watching the telltale blush stain his cheeks. "Are you shitting me? You couldn't keep your hands off of the woman long enough to talk to her?"

"I wasn't the only person kissing. She kissed me back."

"Calm down. Okay, you kissed her. Did she slap you or anything like that?" Cordy wrapped her arms around her waist.

"No," he said. "Why are you asking me stupid questions?" Spike reached in his pocket for his cigarettes.

"Men. How you're able to learn to hold your penises and pee straight is beyond me?" Cordy threw her hands in the air. "Hello, genius. A woman, who isn't interested, would have laid you out with a kick to the groin. She didn't. She kissed you. Now, she's either the nicest person in the world or she's not as committed to her boyfriend as she's pretends."

"That's just wishful thinking on your part." Spike flicked the lighter, watching the plume of smoke as it wafted over his head.

Cordy walked into the living room, opening the door to the back porch. Spike leapt over the side of the couch, landing with a grunt. He quickly slumped down, so as not to lose any cool points. "You want her to be unattached."

"Yes, I do. After the hell Dru put you through, you're damn right, I want you to be with Buffy. I want you to be with anyone who makes you happy. And let me tell you buddy, you were happy. Now, you could have been coming off a sex high, but I don't think so." Cordy plopped down beside Spike on the sofa.

"I'm taking her to dinner tomorrow night. Where should we go since this isn't a "date" so to speak?"

"Ipolitos, of course. That way, Lindsey and I can check her out."

"No way. Having the two of you staring at us all night will give me indigestion." Spike shook his head, vehemently, but Cordy merely smiled.

"You're coming to the restaurant. It's a nice, family place. Not too romantic. Not too commercial. It's perfect. Then, you can take her back to your place and have Mama's tiramisu."

"Are you insane? She won't come back to my apartment."

Cordy gave him a patronizing look. "She will. You just have to ask her the right way. If you say it in a way that suggests sex, then she's going to bolt." Cordy pulled her feet up on the couch, sitting at an angle to Spike. "Invite her in a way that says, 'hey, we're friends. We can have dessert together without it being anything out of the ordinary'."

Spike furrowed his brow. He could be her friend. He wanted to be her friend. This would be the perfect opportunity to get to know her without the sex getting in the way. "You're right." Cordy nodded her head in agreement. "I can do this. I can do dinner. I'm not a walking hormone. I've had dinner with friends before without our clothes coming off."

Cordy continued to smile, squinting her nose at him. "But Spike, I've got to tell you. Having sex with her, no matter how great it would be, would be a big mistake at this point."

"I know that. Do you think I would jeopardize my chances by giving in to my libido?"

Cordy stared at him, watching his cheek tick. "No, I don't think you'd do anything to push her away, but you are a MAN!!!!!"

"Thanks for the support." Spike said, snarkily.

"You're welcome."