Chapter 1

"Slayer...not that I'm not having the very time of m'life here...but couldn't we do something vaguely more spicy than playing rummy on a fresh grave....not even strip poker?" Spike asked as he flashed her a sincerely hopeful smile, then picked up the top card and added it to the array in his hand, discarding the one back on the pile. Buffy picked up a card from the deck, deliberately avoiding looking at his suggestive smile, knowing full well its effect on her resolve. She placed three jacks on the grass and discarded an eight of spades on the deck. She couldn't help but smile anyways, he could be terribly sweet sometimes.

"No, you'd deliberately lose every hand and with only three articles of clothing to your name...."

"Five, pardon me, the boots count. Maybe I might want to win every hand, ever think of that?"

"Well, of course you would....because then I'd be naked....a yes, spring, when a young man's fancy turns lightly to thoughts of love." Spike tossed all four fives to his growing pile of matches, continuing on with their game by picking up another card from the deck and tossing away a seven of hearts.

"You can turn my fancy anytime, baby....infact, just lemme unbuckle m'belt and you can give it a real good turn." Buffy rolled her eyes and picked up one last card, she tossed down her cards and clapped her hands together in celebration,"Bloody hell....I can't believe your streak...." He started mumbling to himself something about losing at cards and not getting lucky tonight.

"Look at you, you're like a little kid being forced to eat his brussle sprouts before he's allowed the chocolate cake!" His mouth gaped open in mock horror, apparently quite offended by the Slayer's slight of his character.

"Me? Don't act all innocent there missy....I wasn't the one who decided to play hide the bloomin' bloody sausage as my late afternoon wake up call!" Buffy gnawed on her bottom lip, shyly darting her eyes away from his seductive scrutiny and hurriedly shuffling the deck, remembering how she'd been quite the naughty Slayer when she came by to see him as the day closed."Hmmmm? I was all content and snuggly in m'bed and then wake up to find I've been straddled by the striking young lovely who sits across from me now, gliding up and down on the hard-on I thought was a mere wet dream."

"Like you didn't looooove it." She'd maneuvered herself on to all fours, leaning across the earth of the grave in order to kiss him.

"Well, of course I loved it, bloody hell woman!" his voice softened,"Just like I love you." He too leaned in, meeting her lips with a dart of his tongue into her mouth, drawing them together, however only briefly,"Buffy, love...do you have that sinking feeling?"

"Oh yes...every time you come near me....right down in my..."

"No...the ground...." He was right, the earth below them was falling into itself. They backed away quickly and got to their feet, each pulling out a stake, ready to dust the vampire they'd been waiting for to rise. Two seconds after he'd clawed out of his grave, said vampire received two rather pointy stakes to the heart and exploded into dust.

"Oh shoot..."

"What?"

"The cards....they fell into the grave again...that's the third deck this week." Spike flung his arm around the shoulders of the disgruntled Slayer and led them from the cemetery.

"I think, pet, we need to find something a little more thrilling to do on patrol than play cards.....we could, just, you know....enjoy each other...."

"Spike, you know that even if we start out with the best of intentions, we'll just end up naked and I'd like to have the respect of the vampires I slay before I kill 'em.....having me straddling you in the middle of the cemetery doesn't exactly inspire that."

"My intentions are entirely selfish, thank you very much....well, not entirely selfish, I do get off on getting you off."

"Lovely....steller use of the vernacular there, sweetie."

"Well, I do work this tongue prettier than a fifty dollar whore.....you know this well enough."

"Again with the sweet talk....maybe you'll get lucky tonight afterall."

"Promises, promises." He kissed her temple and nuzzled his face in her shortly cropped hair. It didn't matter that she'd cut it a couple of months previously, it was still beautiful to him. Everything about Buffy was beautiful, especially her new attitude as far as he was concerned. They'd had a rough going of things at the beginning of their relationship, to say the least, but somewhere along the line he was able to put chinks in her emotional armor and finally she let it fall away. Now they were having honest to badness fun, she didn't pretend any longer that she didn't have genuine feelings for him even though she still hadn't said I love you to him. He didn't entirely mind, he knew she was the type to still need to put up defenses, so de sufficed with being patient. What helped with the patience to a great extent was the fact that she always looked happy to see him; she didn't hide her affection in front of her friends; she wasn't embarrassed to call him her boyfriend; all that and the fact that there was the added bonus of an obscene amount sex being had...just not on fresh graves. Both Spike and Buffy stopped walking and perked their ears to the sound that suddenly sailed through the night air.

"You hear that?"

"Yeah....sounds like someone's cryin'..." He listened more intently as the sorrowful sounds, someone was having themselves a serious conniption fit,"Can't be in trouble...otherwise they'd be screaming for help...either way they're bloody stupid to be out in the cemetery drawing attention to themselves like this."

"You go that way....I'll go around that building...meet back around near your crypt...."

"Right...." They parted ways in opposite directions, following a disembodied voice that continued to come in steady, heaving sobs. Both Spike and Buffy began to feel the weight of the sadness rising up around them, whatever this person was crying over it was certainly having a long and resonating effect. Finding the owner of the voice proved to be difficult, it seemed to be all around them, permeating every molecule in the air, singeing it with every mournful wail. At length Buffy's search slowed, her pace was haphazard and uncertain, every foot step threatened to topple her over. She stopped and looked around her at the many gravestones that surrounded her, all the passed lives, people like her mother. She slumped to the ground and burst into tears.

Spike walked through a gathering of lush cedars, scowling as a branch smacked him in the face, only to almost walk right over the sought after source of the crying. In the clearing a woman of elven beauty lay on the earth, skin as pale as marble, hair white as snow and as long and beautiful as a siren's. Her face was a river of tears, a contorted mask of woe. Spike had never seen anything so pitiable in all his long life. He approached tentatively, carefully, as if she were a wounded animal,"Hey..." he whispered as he crouched down and held out a hand,"Hey, love, what's got you so worked up? Huh?" She looked up at him, for a brief second he saw and recognized her.

"William?" she spoke, clear and definite as the melee of her sadness subsided.

Chapter 2

A twig snapped behind Spike and both he and the woman were startled, causing her to struggle to her feet and bolt like a deer that had been spooked,"Oy! Hold on a second," Spike called out, clamoring to his feet, but she was already gone. However, the utterance of his human name still hung in the air, so did the memory of the woman he prayed he'd never lay eyes on again now that she was gone. He continued back towards where he expected to meet up with Buffy, only to find the area silent and the Slayer no where in sight,"What is it with me n' losin' girls tonight?" he sighed before circling round back to where he'd started from,"Buffy?! Buffy, love.....you out 'ere??!" He called for her a few more times, wondering perhaps if she met a few dustable blokes and had been delayed. Regardless, he was worried, despite the fact she was the Slayer, she was also the woman he loved and that gave him the right to worry all he wanted. He started to quicken his stride, senses flaring as he searched for any inkling of her. The sound of a woman crying smacked into him once again, but this time he knew it wasn't the pale woman, it was Buffy.

He found her moments later, weeping as a huddled mass before a gathering of headstones. He approached slowly, careful not to frighten or surprise her too. Spike eased himself to the dewy grass, close on her, but she still didn't notice him. He lightly touched the back of her head, just enough to jolt her from her state and meet his empathetic blue eyes. A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth before his other hand found its way to her tear stained face to wipe away the moisture. A fresh flood of tears burst forth and she grabbed for him, launching herself into his embrace and nearly crushing his body with the urgency of it. He held fast to her and rocked her, lulling her and simply holding her close in order to remind her that she was safe in his arms."So....up for a game of strip poker?" Spike blurted out stupidly, it was enough to stop her from her crying and question why she was doing it in the first place. She pulled back from him and looked at him like he had multiple heads.

"What?" she replied, her voice hoarse and forced.

"I was wonderin', Slayer, if you wanted to play a game of cards?" She laughed out loud and stopped at the sudden surprise at hearing it come from her when only seconds before she was awash in seemingly insurmountable sorrow."There's my girl....welcome back."

"Where did I go?" She thought for a moment and then noticed how Spike's shirt was soaking wet, as was her face,"Why was I crying? I started and I couldn't stop myself."

"Well, it wasn't your fault, love, that crying from before...well, it seems a banshee has come to Sunnydale."

"A banshee? Okay, what do we know about them...how do we defeat them?"

"Woah...give yourself a moment there, love....I did just find you drowning in your own tears."

"But I'm all better now...."

"You're certain?" Before he had another chance to protest, her lips captured his in a fiery kiss. Pulling away, Buffy prolonged the contact by drawing his bottom lip into her mouth, then slowly releasing it,"Wow....guess you are in the rights then."

"Come on, time to go home, you can tell me all about banshees as we walk." The got to their feet and made their way back to Revello Drive, walking hand in hand. A long silence passed between them, a comfortable silence in which each took time to notice who was they were walking with. Buffy loved how he always had a confidant swagger to his gate; one hand usually resting on his belt buckle, the very semblance of a man. He was strong at her side, her partner in Slaying, in bed, and increasingly in life. One day she'd have to tell him that she loved him, when she had the courage to; but things were near perfect and she didn't want to chance spoiling that. For now she was happy, finally after all this time, post-resurrection, she was truly happy.

Buffy inched in closer to Spike wrapping her arm around the one that she already had linked hands with, resting her head on his shoulder. He chanced looking across at her, petite and seemingly frail, but in actuality one of the deadliest women in history. Moreover she was the Slayer, and he'd fallen in so deep with her he'd never be able to escape, not that he'd ever want to. The realization he had waited over a century for this moment was profound, all the strange twists and turns of his vampire life had led him to this small girl. Though to his mind she wasn't so much the girl he'd come to Sunnydale to kill. She was a remarkable woman now, vibrant and full of life, not like she had been. He'd brought her a long way all by himself, with perseverance, loyalty and love he'd helped her turn a corner and mercifully found that she'd turned to him. "So...you going to tell me about the banshee? Did you see it?"

"Oh, right....yeah, saw her, pretty little thing, but those birds can do a lot of damage."

"How do you know about them?"

"Well, I've seen 'em before...this explanation comes with an Angelus story, if you're up to it."

"Go on, you don't need to worry about Angel, you should know that by now."

"Thing of it is, you know the grandsire's Irish, right? Banshees were common back on the Emerald Isle and one time Angelus n' Darla got hold of one and used her to help them. The girl would do just like she did to you tonight, she'd infect a whole village with her crying and the people would be rendered helpless...leaving 'em as ripe picking for a couple of vamps. Not that I wasn't into it, me n' Dru had the time of our life right long side mum n' da...but you should have seen the poor thing, small n' helpless....just couldn't stop bloody crying...couldn't get away from us either, they kept her chained up sometimes. Banshees like to wander, that's what they do, don't really have much going on upstairs either. They're like despair given form, they're not really evil even though they're a demon of sorts, they're ethereal, ghost like things. They latch on your troubled thoughts, turmoil, wear you down until you're nothing. Most people just died from the pain and sorrow.....sometimes a girl will actually turn into a banshee herself, if another one's close by and brings her into the fold...sad all around."

"It's very sad....so what do we do?"

"Well, love, first things first, we get you some ear plugs...second, what's still inside you that made you vulnerable?"

"It's not like that, really...I was looking at the gravestones and I thought about my mother...and I was alone out there, just came over me all at once. I probably would have been okay if I'd been with you." Her little admission gave him pause, just a few unintentionally honest words made his heart nearly beat again.

"We'll just have to break out the handcuffs again the, right? Lock ourselves together... " She giggled and have his arm a squeeze, just as they came within a few meters of her home.

"You're coming in right? It's barely 1am....still lots of time before the sun comes up....lots of time for handcuffs....among other things."

"That's one thing I love about you Slayer....you are a randy little beast." By the time they reached her front door, Spike was already trying to work her out of her clothes as they fought for dominance with their kiss. Just then, the front door was unceremoniously yarded open, shocking both Slayer and vampire into a temporarily frozen state. Spike's hands dropped from Buffy's sides and her's from his belt, each took a step back from each other.

"Hey there, nibblet...." said Spike, marginally embarrassed.

"Shouldn't you be in bed? You have school tomorrow," Buffy added, noting how Dawn was still in the clothes she'd been wearing all day. Dawn stepped out on the porch with them, ignoring Buffy's accusatory tone.

"I would be," Dawn explained in a angry whisper,"But something came up...."

"What? Are you okay? Where's Willow?"

"She's inside....with dad."

Chapter 3

"Dad's here?!" Buffy virtually shouted,"Why? Oh god...when did he get here?"

"Not too long after you left for patrol...he just showed up....he wanted to see you."

"What did you tell him?"

"Just that you were out.....on a date...now he's grumbly about you being out all hours with some punk."

"Hey!" Spike protested.

"Sorry....I didn't mean you," Dawn apologized,"It wouldn't matter who you were with, Buffy...there's more....he's not alone, we've got a step mommy....oh joy." Buffy matched Dawn's repulsed face. The door was opened behind Dawn and the teenager stumbled back and landed on her rear, leaving Buffy and Spike face to face with Hank Summers.

"Buffy, we've been waiting for you, wondering when you were going to grace us with your presence," he spoke in an even, if not condescending tone.

"Hello, dad," Buffy spoke, somehow at the same time becoming introverted, but also holding in what Spike was detecting to be a colossal amount of animosity. Taking the initiative, Spike placed a hand on her back, reminding her that he was by her side, as well as guiding her inside her home."Are you going to introduce me to your, friend here? Not exactly what I expected when Dawn said you were out on a date."

"Expecting someone a lil' more white bread and khaki's were you then?" Spike asked, fingering the Zippo lighter inside his pocket, contemplating whether or not sucker punching Buffy's deadbeat father was worth the headache. Spike settled for extending his hand,"Mr. Summers......the name's Spike." Hank flinched, obviously put off by both Spike's name and his appearance, nonetheless he took Spike's hand and shook it. Spike grinned as he tightened the grip, just enough to almost break the man's hand and enough to give him and unpleasant buzz from the chip, then he let go.

"Good firm handshake you've got there."

"I work out," Spike reasoned, before adding under his breath just for Buffy to catch,"On your daughter."

"Um....why don't we go into the living room?" Buffy implored. Hank immediately headed in there, followed reluctantly after by Dawn. Buffy held back a moment to make sure Spike got the message in her eyes to behave himself. He stepped back towards the door and pulled Buffy with him into the shadow of the front hall. He took the moment to give her a quick, but firm kiss.

"I won't mess up, promise," he told her,"I'll be a gleaming, shiny, perfectly cardboard boyfriend....manners and everything...well, don't know about manners, but I won't say anything stupid."

"I think the first impression was shot with the physicals there, sweetie, the black leather, bleached hair; black nail polish....but I trust you." Buffy walked with Spike following into the living room only to stop short at the sight of the woman sitting in an armchair next to her father. She was older than Buffy, but much younger than Hank Summers; dressed stylishly in something that might be defined as haute couture. Her hair was shoulder length, blond, and as curly as Shirley Temple's. The woman's face was painted vibrantly, in fact her lipstick matched her fingernails. Buffy felt Spike's entire body shudder behind her, which pleased Buffy to no end.

Making as if he were the man of the house, Spike traipsed over to where Dawn and Willow were and plunked himself down in between them, flinging an arm around their shoulders,"Hey Red, lookin' as fetching as ever."

"Hello, Spike....you're...you're....um, you're doing well?"

"Always....and how's about you sweet bit?" He gave Dawn a wink and somehow put the nervous young lady at ease. Playing along, more than a little sincere about it, she gave Spike a peck on the cheek and pulled her knees up, getting comfortable against her sister's boyfriend.

"Much better, actually." Hank Summers sat stewing in his own juices as it seemed this other man had a significant role in his daughters' lives.

"Uh.....dad...are you going to introduce us?" Buffy asked, sitting on the arm of the couch next to Willow.

"Right....Buffy, er Spike...this is the new Mrs. Summer, Mrs. Gloria Summers." Spike and Buffy's eyes widened and both nearly choked upon hearing the woman's name. Her looks, in addition to her name definitely reminded all of Glory - hellgod, thankfully dead.

"Very nice to meet you both," Gloria spoke up, showing them a row of white teeth that rivaled members of the Osmond family.

"Likewise," Buffy replied, trying to save face.

"What kind of a name is Spike?" Hank suddenly asked, looking the vampire up and down and deciding beyond any shadow of a doubt that he hated him.

"M'parents were hippies....it was either Spike or Moonbeam Laughing Jupiter....mum won out on that score, good ol' mum, had the rocks of a Minotaur." Buffy looked away from the people gathered and bit her lip hard to stop herself from exploding in laughter.

"Really....how interesting....tell me, young man, what have you done with your life? You immigrated from England I take it?"

"Sure....um...long time ago...m'life well..." He looked pleadingly at Buffy.

"Spike's travelled alot, haven't you? Spike's been all over.....like..like England...." Buffy quickly explained.

"Got England covered, love....Ireland, whole Brit stuffs....most of Europe....America...uh....China....good food there." Buffy furrowed her brow at his parting comment, promising to punish him later for that jab.

"What do you do for a living?"

"Dad....why are you giving Spike the third degree?" Buffy interjected, trying to spare her vampire the patented Hank Summer's scrutiny gauntlet, the way she had her entire childhood.

"This man seems to have ingratiated himself into this household and I'm interested to know what sort of man he is to seem so comfortable in this home...you don't live here do you?"

"You say that like some sort of criminal accusation...it's late and Dawn is going to school tomorrow, I think we should wait and talk tomorrow, unless you can explain why you've suddenly come after all this time."

"Alright, if that's the way you're going to insist on behaving....to put it plainly, I've come for Dawn."

Chapter 4

Buffy bolted the front door and gave it another angry shove after her father and Gloria had left. After the elder Summers had spoken his intentions, Buffy erupted with venom and contempt at her father's audacity, but the situation was quickly diffused by Willow who essentially kicked Mr. and Mrs. Summers out of the house. Hank Summers left with his wife, but promised he'd be back first thing in the morning so they could discuss the situation like rational adults. Buffy leaned against the front door, Dawn, Spike and Willow surrounding her.

"How can he do this to us Buffy?" Dawn pleaded. Instantly, Buffy pulled her sister into her arms to comfort her, stroking her hair like she always did.

"He won't...you're not going anywhere, I won't let him separate us."

"He's not even my father! He just thinks he is 'cause of those stupid monks."

"Somehow I don't think telling him you're a magic Key is gonna swing things for us, nibblet," Spike reasoned,"But big sis is right....you're not going anywhere....if worse comes to worse, we'll just move you into m'crypt." As ridiculous as Spike's offer was, it was meant in earnest and both Summers women knew it.

"See...there you go, Dawn....he's even got cable." Buffy's lighthearted manner did alleviate the tension somewhat,"Why don't you go on up to bed....you can miss first class tomorrow."

"Life thrown into turmoil again and I don't even get a day off school." She hugged Buffy again and headed up the stairs, but stopped and looked back down at them, her family,"Goodnight."

"Goodnight Dawn," Buffy replied. Once her sister was gone Buffy looked between Spike and Willow and nearly started to cry. Clenching her fists together Buffy looked like she needed to punch something. Ever being the gentleman as far as she was concerned, Spike stepped in front of her and raised his chin.

"Go on Slayer...give us a fierce upper cut, snap m' neck...." he offered, only to be met with a light slap across his cheek before walking past him and sinking into the couch. Willow patted Spike's shoulder and smiled as she went to join her best friend. The vampire shed his leather duster, intent on staying the night and being present when Hank Summers returned in the morning. Before long Buffy found herself in a support sandwich with Spike and Willow on the couch.

"Willow....what happened tonight?" Buffy asked, already exasperated with the situation.

"It was about 9 o'clock, you'd only just left to meet Spike for patrol. Dawn was finishing her homework and I was tidying the house....knock knock at our door...then it was like.....oh Mr. Summers....I barely remember you...how's abandoning your daughters working out for you lately? Then it was about four and a half hours of uncomfortable silences intermittent with random questions about my character."

"Sorry....he does that...constantly. I can't believe this is happening, I can't believe he'd really do this after all Dawn and I have been through because of him.....What am I saying? Dawn's right, she's not really his anyways...she's mine, she's ours."

"In the old days I could've just turned him into a horn toad," Willow mused.

"Yeah....n' I coulda just had him for dinner!" Spike seconded, which gave Buffy cause to smile, knowing she had such devoted friends.

"I think we'll have to settle for legal wrangling for now....but seriously, if worse comes to worse....the Summers girls are relocating to the crypt."

"I'm gonna hit the hay," said Willow as she got to her feet,"Meeting Tara for breakfast."

"'Night Red..."

"Thanks, Willow....you were a life saver tonight."

"No prob....sure I can't turn him into a toad?"

"I'll keep it in mind." Willow gave a little squeal of excitement before heading upstairs. It gave Buffy great comfort to still have her best friend so involved in her life. Willow had definitely come a very long way, she and Tara were on the mend, although slowly. Furthermore Willow had delved deep into the spiritual and religious side of Wicca, giving her a broader and deeper understanding of everything and she used magic wisely, and only when necessity dictated. The magic was no longer a source of addiction, but rather one of great piety within context. Buffy sighed and caved against Spike, who wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

"Don't fret, love...we'll get on, we always do....I'll even clean the crypt."

"That's kind of you...what about the banshee? We've still got her to deal with."

"I'm hopin' she'll just move on, that's what they do...just go walk about, out of their minds...she's probably already gone."

"I hope so, the last thing I need is to have the whole town in a blubbering mess, myself included.....Spike?"

"Mmm hmmm?"

"Do you remember how you were that night I came to ask for you to forgive me for how I'd been treating you...?"

"I do, why pet?"

"I think I need you to be like that again...I need to lose myself for a little while....tomorrow's going too come to fast."

"I can do that....I can be anything for you..."

"I just need you." Minutes later they stood under a wash of water from the shower, rinsing away the residue of vampire dust and whatever grime they'd gathered on patrol. The water was hot and comforting as it beat around them and heavy steam blanketed them, encompassed them, shut the world out and embraced them. Spike came to the odd realization then that so far the bad times in her life far outweighed the good. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but it was solemn. He took the bar of soap in his hands and made a lather which he then massaged all over her back. He thought he sensed her crying, she cried too easily, there was much pain he still needed to mend in her. He wasn't sure, but nonetheless his arms made their way around her waist and held her so tightly, intending to infuse her with feelings of being secure and being so wanted that she'd realize he was nothing without her."Thank God for you."

"I thank him every day for you, sweetheart." She turned around, this time with a wide smile on her face."Which is kinda funny when you think about....being a souless fiend and everything."

"You're no so bad."

"Either way, I've decided I like living for the here and now....here and now is perfect - you in my arms, your body pressed up against mine. I can feel your heartbeat, your desires...I know what you want....."

"I want you, Spike....." He closed eyes and leaned in.

"You got me, Buffy..." Their lips met, their tongues swirled together and their arms entwined around each other. Just when Buffy began to feel him grow against her, he guided her to turn around. He kissed her shoulders and neck and took her hands and placed them on the tiles in front of her. She looked over her shoulder at him with a wry smile, he returned her look by smilin' back and clicking his tongue in his cheek. He leaned up against her, his muscular chest pressed firmly against her back. She part her legs to give him access and he dipped down to tease the folds of her flesh. The Slayer bit her lip and she flowed with urgent anticipation. He eased in a little ways, knowing he was absolutely torturing her by going so slowly. He wrapped one arm completely around her waist, while the other inched down past her flat stomach in search of the little protrusion he knew would make her succumb to him even more completely. He stroked her with his finger as he glided into her from behind. They settled into a comfortable rhythm, sublime, knowing instinctively how the other wanted it. Spike closed his eyes and lay his head on her shoulder and Buffy held her arm over the one he had around her waist.

"ooooh......sppiiiiike..." she let out, quiet and unintentional as her inner muscles began to clench around him. A few moments later he found his release and held on to her just a little tighter when he came. After they'd slipped apart, Spike turned the water off and opened the shower curtain and they were both hit with an unanticipated blast of cold air. He stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist and quickly helped Buffy into her warming terrycloth robe before he swept her off her feet and took her to bed.

Chapter 5

For a split second that morning Buffy was without fear or woe, she was purely content. She and Spike lay entangled under her quilt, even their heads were covered. She smiled inwardly as she felt his cool face pressed to the flesh of her back, unbreathing, but teeming with life. She rolled over and pressed his face to the pillows of her breasts, running her slender fingers through the unkempt mess of his curly bleached hair. Spike finally started to rouse himself from his sleep, delighted to find a succulent pink nipple within striking distance of his tongue. She moaned heavily as the point of her breast was suckled upon, his hand moving up her lithe frame to gently massage the mound."Mmmm...very nice....good morning..." Buffy purred. Spike release her breast, giving it a wet lick with his tongue before maneuvering himself upwards until they faced each other.

"Mornin' pet...."

"I wish we could spend the day like this, in this little pink universe under the covers."

"Couldn't agree more....the curtains are open, if you toss this quilt off, I'm a crispy critter....then I'm just seasoning. Buffy, love, your dad and Glorificus will be here soon."

"Glorificus? Oh my....you know one of us is going to slip and call her that....it's okay that I already hate my stepmother, isn't it?"

"Absolutely, Glorificus is little more than a tarty trollop who thinks she's landed herself a wealthy whipping boy. Nothing personal, pet, but your dad didn't marry her for her mind.....mind you I've met Fyarl demons I find more attractive than her."

"No kidding....plus, she's going to try and nice her way up to Dawn, take her shopping and buy her things that I can't afford to get her...Dawn doesn't remember how manipulative dad can be too. I could lose her."

"Rot...total and utter pap and you know it....that girl's from your blood and no one else's, no one else could ever love her as much as you do. Besides, the the lil' bit's not that naive or stupid, she knows where she belongs - with the person who jumped off the tower to save her and that's you."

"And you, don't forget....wait here, I'll close the curtains." Buffy slipped away from him and moments later the warm pink glow that shone through the blanket disappeared. He flipped off the covers and drank in the beautiful sight of her nude body as she moved about and began her morning routine. He pulled on the jeans and t-shirt he'd worn the night before and mentally prepared himself from the inevitable confrontation that was sure to come with Buffy's father. He wasn't sure how he was going to swing it, but Spike was determined to cause the man some sort of pain or discomfort from upsetting the girls he loved."I'll go on ahead...curtain detail..."

"Right....I'll....uh..."

"Put the coffee on...there's a couple of pints of blood in the fridge for you...I'm going to spend some time with Dawn before Willow takes her to school. I can do this right?"

"You can do anything, love....you're Buffy."

***

Spike watched with a little too much interest for the seconds to count down on the microwave as his breakfast heated itself up. The coffee was brewing, the birds were singing and the sun was shining, he felt irksome. This wasn't the first morning he'd woken up at the Summers home, but this morning wasn't like the other. For one thing it was early, too early for vampires who should be snug in their cold stony crypts, or at the least under an obscenely pink quilt with a warm bodied Slayer.

Despite his heightened and well honed vampire senses, he didn't know the Slayer was in the room with him until she'd wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed him tightly."You're getting too comfy in this house....I was expecting you to whip around and drop kick me to the floor and straddle me," Buffy chided him.

"Dawn off to school already?"

"Yeah, Willow's taken her....she didn't want to chance running into my father." The microwave dinged, but Buffy still held on to him. Spike took his mug and started to drink, letting the warmth of it roll down his throat like an aphrodisiac. Buffy made a reciprocal sound when his inner demon growled in thanks for the offering of the blood,"Why did he have to come now, Spike? Just when everything's good."

"Love, it's just your dad....he's not a hellgod, a demon, or anything more than a selfish prick.....and you've got witches, a vampire, an ex-demon....and....pains me to say it, Xander.....all on your side."
 

"Yeah, but he's got lawyers n' money n' stuff."

"Lawyers....wow...I don't think we can take him if he's got lawyers, worse than anything the ol' Hell Mouth can cough up."

"Don't make fun."

"I'm not." She let out a serious growl and dug her nails into his abdomen, not meaning to harm him in the least, just showing her mounting frustration."I'll make you a promise, as your self-proclaimed willing slave, after our patrol tonight I'll you do whatever you want to me for as long as you want."

"Spike, you do that anyway...but I appreciate and will take you up on that offer." The doorbell rang and Buffy's arms immediately fell from around his waist.

"Go to it Slayer, get in the ring, I've got your back."

"Put your face away, babe." As Buffy left to answer the door, Spike felt the lumps of his face he didn't know had come to the surface. He shook off the vampire visage and rinsed his mug out in the sink. Vampires, demons and hellgods he could deal with; the Scoobies and their problems, he could work those fine; even Giles' berating over the phone whenever he called Buffy, all those he handled; Buffy and Dawn in turmoil over possibly being separated, that made the blood in his stomach churn.

Chapter 6

"I trust you're in a more receptive mood this morning young lady," Hank Summers spoke with an underlying warning to his eldest daughter, already Spike and Buffy could feel their mutual boiling points being closed in on. Naturally, Gloria accompanied Hank, dressed once again in a perfectly color coordinated and accessorized outfit. After her father and his wife were inside, Buffy made a mocking face of gagging behind their backs."Dawn's was off to school on time?"

"Yes," Buffy replied a little too quickly, calming herself down she decided to at least try to be civil, for her sister's sake,"Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes, thank you, that would be fine."

"I'll be right back then. Please....um...make yourselves at home." Buffy disappeared into the kitchen to find Spike leaning against the counter, arms crossed in front of him."You joining us?"

"Wouldn't miss it, pet, just eavesdropping...I don't think I've told you yet, but I'm feeling inclined to hog tie your father and drag him behind m'car across the bloody Mojave desert."

"I think there's some rope in the weapons chest."

"That's my girl, always prepared. How's Glorificus this morning?" Buffy rolled her eyes and went to task at getting them cups of coffee.

"She looks like she stepped off the pages of a Sears catalogue, it's creepy....she really does remind me of Glory....major wigguns."

"Want me to spook her? When your dad's not looking, vamp out?"

"Tempting....so tempting."

"You're pretty tempting yourself, love." He closed in on her, grabbing on to the waist of her jeans and pulling her to him for a fierce and passionate kiss. The kiss melted into a warm embrace and Buffy found a few seconds of solace before gathering the courage to face her father again.

"You know from about age 11 until my father left when I was 15 all my parents did was fight....at least we get all get along, especially you and Dawn."

"Well, she's my lil' bit...I'd do anything for her."

"I know and it means so much....come on, time to face the music." Buffy picked up the tray and headed back to the living room, Spike in tow. Hank Summers sat looking rather stern and contemplative, while Gloria sat with staunch military posture.

"Spike, I didn't expect to see you this morning, and in the same clothes," Hank spoke with obvious disapproval."Is having a man spend the night really the best thing for your teenaged sister to be exposed to Buffy?"

"Are you making moral judgments there Mr. Summers?" Spike retorted.

"Be careful there dad, your double standards are showing," Buffy added in support to her boyfriend.

"Certainly off to a positive start aren't we Buffy?" Just then Gloria got to her feet and headed to the window.

"Maybe if we brightened up the room it would brighten everyone's mood so we can discuss the situation like adults," she reasoned, and without a second thought she whipped open the drapes and let in a full stream of sunlight right on Spike.

"Aaarrrrrrgghh!' he screamed, maniacally stumbling backwards to find refuge from the searing light of day. With Slayer stealth Buffy closed the curtains again and rushed to Spike's side. He was smoking and the skin on his arms was blistering."Just give me a minute Slayer..." Spike ducked out of the room to let himself cool off and cease the incendiary reaction.

"What was all that about?" Hank inquired.

"He's....he's allergic to the sun...you know...there's people like that, you've heard of them....right?"

"I believe so...let me get this straight, Buffy Anne, the man you've chosen to be in the lives of you and your younger sister dresses like a drugged out punk, has all the manners of a long shoreman, the vernacular of a heathen and he also has severe medical problems....this makes me question both your mental stability."

"Dad....you don't know a thing about Spike or what kind of man he is. You've spent all of what, 30 minutes with him? I've known him for four years. Aside from being my boyfriend, he's also Dawn's best friend...he would do anything for us, anything at all....he also happens to love us and if you want the truth, we like it when he spends the night, we sleep better knowing he's around. None of us has a problem with him....mom adored him even....he was here when she died....where were you?!"

"Is that what this is about? The divorce?"

"What? Oh my god...are you that blind? You're trying to make this about Spike, and now you're trying to make this about mom? It's about me, dad....you have a problem with me and I can't for the life of me imagine why. So, you've come to take my sister away from me, why? We're happy, we have friends, we have a family.....why are you doing this?" Buffy was on the verge of tears again, but by now Spike had come back, bandages wrapped around his arms to conceal the sun damage.

"This isn't about you Buffy, despite what you might think, you're not the center of the universe, this is about Dawn and giving her the opportunity for a real life, a college education, things that you can't provide....Gloria and I want Dawn to come like with us in Geneva, we're relocating at the end of the month."

"Europe? Your taking her all the way to Europe? Figures...."

"Out lawyer is waiting for reports from Social Services, then we can resolve this quickly."

"Nice....I'm your daughter too, when did you forget that?"

"Buffy, you're older now and should be taking care of yourself...Dawn's still young and impressionable, she needs a stable home with two parents who'll love her, provide for her...."

"She's loved here...you have no idea how bloody much!" Spike suddenly snapped. His outburst made them all jump out of their skins. Hank Summers was on his feet, fists clenched.

"This is family business...stay out of it!" he yelled.

"If you think you're going to come in to this house and bully your daughter around, you're sadly mistaken, mate. Dawn's not going anywhere, and I don't care how many bloody lawyers you've got...Dawn has a family that loves her, provides for her...she doesn't need you, she never did. She and Buffy are inseparable and I will not let you do this."

"Spike.....please," Buffy whispered.

"Honey...we should go, I don't think we'll resolve anything today," Gloria spoke up, taking her husband's arm.

"You're right, we'll let the lawyers and authorities rectify this situation," her husband echoed, leading them to the front door.

"Don't come back here again," Spike warned, his blue eyes tinged with the demon's yellow.

"Respect for your elders...it's a lesson that needs to be learned here."

"I was just thinking the same thing." Once Hank and his wife were gone, Buffy turned on Spike, her entire body proned for violence.

"What the hell was that?!"

"What? Defending you and your lil' sis? You were letting him walk all over you, Buffy!"

"You were ruining it! Threatening my father? How's that going to help me with Social Services? How dare you mess this up for us!"

"I did nothing of the sort Slayer....you're not angry with me, you're angry with him because he's brushed you off as worthless, tossed you aside for your sister and it hurts you, hurts deep...." She slapped him across the face, she hated it when he spoke the stone cold truth to her. He stood unwavering as she hit him again. She hated it even more when he let her take out her frustrations on him. She raised her hand a third time and he bore into her soul with those eyes of his, pools of pure loves to reflect only love for her.

Chapter 7

"I hate him," Buffy choked out.

"I know you do, sweetheart...he doesn't deserve your love." Before he had another chance to cajole her with words, she'd thrown herself against him, begging him to take her. Letting his instincts and body take over he began to kiss her, hard and mercilessly. Buffy fought for every breath, but couldn't bear to break contact. She fumbled with trying to undo his belt buckle, grabbing at his crotch, almost tearing his t-shirt. Spike took hold of her hands and put them around his neck so he could complete the task she'd tried in vain to accomplish. Beginning with undressing her, he unzipped her jeans and pushed them off her hips along with her underwear. She struggled her way out of them as he worked to get himself out of his own jeans. Crashing back a ways up the stairs, he pried her legs far apart and easily slid in between them. Buffy reached behind her to grip the bannister, while the other hand grabbed on to his rear and force him deeper inside. She positioned her feet awkwardly on the steps to steady herself as Spike began to thrust fast and brutal, ending each forward jab with a sharp twist of his hips. This was how she wanted him, mad and animalistic, she wanted the pleasure to be heightened by the pain. As their lower bodies slammed together, Spike studied her face; her eyes were shut tight and her teeth gnashed together, her whole visage was all contorted and strained. He couldn't watch her like that, he hated it. Turning away and burying his face at the side of her neck, he concentrated on keeping himself going until she found the release she obviously needed. Her wails and moans soon filled the vacant house. Nothing compared to the moments before she reached orgasm, the ascension towards the moment and then the breaking and the fall. She wanted it to last forever, wanted to lose herself in the vortex of it; but she knew it was a cycle and it was time to go around again. Her lower body trembled and her legs shook and then from deep in her womb, the steady pulse of her inner muscles spread like the heat of a fresh drug through her entire body. The sensation was both countered and heightened by the presence of his cool liquid flooding her. She let out a final, phenomenal groan and her entire body turned to jelly.

Spike slipped out of her and tucked himself back in his pants before turning back to pulled her half naked body into his arms as she burst into tears. Cradling her on his lap, he let her have her cry. Her small fingers curled around the collar of his t-shirt as she calmed down from both the sex and her breakdown. Spike's hand massaging her bare thigh, while the other worked on her neck."You alright, love?"

"I'm sorry...."

"Nothing to be sorry for...did it help? Just now...on the stairs...we could have made it to a bed, at least the couch."

"I needed you sooner...and it helped...but I am sorry..."

"Sorry for what, pet? Way I look at it....you needed comfortin' and I could give it to you."

"I'm sorry I hit you like that....in anger."

"Hardly the first time...I'm pretty used to it, kinda like it sometimes even."

"I made a promise...to you and to myself that day when I came to your crypt and told you I wanted us to start over. I told myself that I'd stop treating you like your were just a thing and not really a man....that I'd never hit you in anger again, that we'd be moving forwards and not backwards. So, I'm sorry I hit you and used you like that."

"You didn't exactly use me, pet....every second joined with you is heavenly....bloody amazing....I'm a damn lucky bloke to get to be with you and I know it." She hugged him, tender and loving, trying to erase all the upsetting emotions that her father had brought out and replacing them with the things that Spike conjured in her. He loved her, he lusted for her, protected her, stood up for her, sacrificed himself for her, gave her strength, he did more for her than any man ever had."What we gonna do with the rest of the day?" Buffy thought for a moment, then pulled off her top and bra.

"Just until Willow gets home....then we're strategizing....we're keeping our family together not matter what."

***

When Willow came back home she found Spike and Buffy waiting for her, sitting across from each other at the dining room table,"Hey guys....how'd it go...." Willow looked at Buffy's sad face and Spike's scowl and received her answer,"That bad huh?"

"Yeah," Spike tossed out bitterly, sitting back in his chair, jaw clenched tight and cheeks sunken.

"Willow, my father's trying to take Dawn and unless we come up with some sort of legal way to do it, we're going to have to resort to drastic measures....but I don't want to reach that last resort."

"Well...I can get on the net and try and dig up some dirt on him, there must be something shady...nothing personal Buffy, but your dad's kinda..."

"A ball-faced, conniving, vindictive, self-serving git," said Spike.

"Yeah...one of those.....I'm sure I can find something we can use against him....we still got Olaf's Troll Hammer?"

"I like the way you think, Red," Spike seconded. Buffy smiled and laughed, but only for a moment.

"My dad has lawyers already, and he's getting all the Social Services reports....Dawn's really turned herself around, but it might be too little, too late. God, he's gonna make Dawn feel terrible for the trouble she went through...damn...."

"It's alright, pet....not the end of the world...and you know living in SunnyHell it very well could have been..."

"Yeah....I know....thank you, both of you....Dawn and I would be lost without you..." Buffy reached out and took both their hands."But I think Anya's got the hammer in the basement at the shop."

Chapter 8

Dawn walked into the house from school and found a gathering that was about as solemn as a funeral. Willow had a frown on her face as she typed away on the computer. She heard the voices of Tara, Anya and Xander in the kitchen, arguing over the correct way to spice up a vindaloo. Spike sat his armchair with Buffy on his lap, nuzzling at her neck while her sister seemed to be lost in him, her eyes closed, her head swooning, her hand stroking his cheek. Dawn's feeling of foreboding faded as she watched them together, so comfortable with each other, so in love. She knew this was her home, these people were her family, she had the only parents she ever need or love, Spike and Buffy. The thought that she might be forced to leave this all behind yanked her from her happy place and the terrible sense of dread set in again."So...should I start packing?" Dawn asked nonchalantly, hoping to make light of their predicament. Upon hearing her voice, the gang rushed around her in what Spike mumbled under his breath before joining as a ,"Soddin' group hug..." Dawn felt the vampires's arms close around the lot of them and he nearly smothered them with his strength.

"Guys....oxygen....needing some..." Dawn forced out. Suddenly embarrassed by how they were each caught up in the moment, the teenager was released and given space."That bad huh?"

"We don't want a spec of frettin' from you, sweet bit...the Scoobies are all on task," Spike spoke up, smirking, playing his part well.

"Buffy?"

"Dad's petitioning for custody of you....he wants to take you to Switzerland...of all places...but we're not going to let him. I don't care if Social Services is on his side, I don't care how many lawyers he's got...you're not going anywhere."

"Okay.....then why are you all acting weird and gathering, n' stuff.....Spike's even broody like Angel used to..."

"Hey!" Spike shot out, before returning to his sulking.

"Sorry....it's just that.....this isn't a Glory-type thing...this is normal life stuff....we never have to deal with normal stuff....do we even know how?"

"Doesn't matter...we'll handle it," Buffy began to explain,"Willow's researching for dirt on dad; Anya's got a summoning in to her demony friend Admonius - he's kinda like a bogeyman for parents, spook 'em all the way to Toblerone country; we've got witches who can do all sorts of stuff...Spike canvamp it up and be real menacing..."

"And I've got a powerful vindaloo that'll...." Xander chimed in.

"That'll send 'em to the nearest restroom with severe intestinal cramps," Spike interrupted. Buffy held up her hands up in warning for the two of them to stop their bickering before it begun.

"Doesn't matter...point is it's not a problem...dad's not taking you anywhere....and as a treat we're all going out after dinner, group patrol..."

"It's really that bad huh? Hey, we still have that Troll Hammer?"

***

After nightfall Spike walked proudly between a Summers sandwich, arms linked with each of his girls. His thumbs hooked over his belt buckle, a cigarette dangling from his lips, Dawn's hand gripping at the leather of his coat and Buffy's in his back pocket giving his rear the occasional squeeze. Hank Summers had nothing on him. So far they'd all covered 4 cemeteries, dusted 12 vampires, and one Locnar demon. They were presently taking a final sweep of what was generally accepted among the Scoobies as Spike's cemetery. It seemed deader than usual, not a soul, or anyone of the undead persuasion about. Spike and Buffy were inclined to let Dawn go home with the others and duck into his crypt for a snog n' shag, but now wasn't for personal time, now was for ensuring that Hank Summers couldn't argue that Dawn wasn't being taken good care of, that meant being unselfish. It didn't precisely matter that he couldn't get the Slayer out of her clothes at the moment, as soon as every one was tucked safe in their beddy-bye he'd have his wicked way with her anyways. For now he'd remain in control of his id, however twitchy it was at the moment.

"You know...I think we've been out long enough...it's almost eleven, we can go home," Buffy announced.

"Yeah....Tara, we can take you to your apartment...." Xander offered. She accepted and gave Willow a kiss goodnight, wishing everyone a goodnight. Spike, Buffy, Dawn and Willow continued on to through the cemetery towards the exit close to Revello Drive.

"Are you staying the night again Spike?" Dawn quipped, expectant and hopeful.

"Well, that depends on if big sis wants...."

"Oh puh-leeze..." Buffy moaned,"If you were anymore welcome you'd be living with us..."

"That an invitation, love?"

"Yeah, Buffy, is that an invitation?" Dawn echoed,"Willow....you don't mind if Spike moves in do you?"

"I can see it now....Social Services stops in for a visit and comes across my herbs and Spike's blood in the fridge...sure, I'm cool," said Willow.

"I think....we'll just play it by ear....." She gave his rear another squeeze, just letting him know that she was opposed to the idea

"For now though, ducks, I need to make a pit stop n' get said blood n' a a few changes of clothes....can't have the SS thinkin' I'm an uncouth slob." Willow and Dawn walked ahead, just out of earshot, while Spike and Buffy hung back at their own pace.

"I'm so relieved that you're with us...like you've always been, I'd never get through this thing with my dad without you," Buffy spoke, hugging him as they walked,"But I think it's a little early to have you move in with us....I only just got over hating your guts...sexy guts that they are."

"Me and my guts thank you for your gracious praise...oh luscious and tightly bodied one....oh what I'd give got a nice sturdy gravestone to bend you over...what am I saying....quick step two feet in any direction and..."

"You're a pig..." Buffy sighed and looked up him, his sharp cheekbones and strong jaw; his water blue eyes, lush hair,"God, I know what you mean....later, later...after we're back home...after they're asleep..."

"Reduced to the level of a libacious toy, such is my life....if I did move in with you I'd be doing laundry and windows within a week."

"You're not a domestic type....I've seen your place...you're also not a toy, you're my boyfriend and that means alot."

"Yes it does, pet." They stopped walking for a moment when a faint sound rolled through the cemetery, someone was crying."Bloody hell....not again..."

Chapter 9

"You didn't happen to get ear plugs like I told you to, huh?" Spike asked, disapprovingly.

"Ooops..." Buffy replied weakly.

"Slayer!"

"I'm sorry.....I'm sooooo sorry," she burst into tears and Spike wondered why the Gods insisted on playing with him like he was their private parts. He held his arms out to her and she fell into him body wracked with aching sobs of remorse for the insignificant thing of forgetting to get earplugs. Instead of comforting her he grabbed her hands and forced them over her ears. She slowed to a sniffle now that the banshee's influence was diminished. He took her chin with his thumb and crooked index finger and raised her head before descending on her mouth with his to press their lips firmly together. Moments later he broke from her and motioned for her to follow as he went to see to Willow and Dawn. He found them almost at his crypt, crumpled to the ground sobbing in each other's arms. Dawn was going on about how she didn't want to be taken from Buffy and Willow was apologizing profusely for her former abuse of magic, about how she'd never be worthy of Tara's love again, and so on and so forth.

"Bloody, bloody, bloody....HELL!" he shouted just a split second before he saw that the figure in white stood at the door to his crypt, tears streaming down her face, looking straight at him. Buffy had taken her hands off her ears and was on the ground with Dawn and Willow; the pitiful sight made his decision for him, he couldn't run and cower from his past. He locked eyes with the banshee and slowly, carefully approached."Polly, love...you remember me? It's William....you remembered me yesterday." She stopped crying and stared at him, beginning to come around to the kind voice she knew all that time ago, the sweet boy she used to love."Polly?"

"William?" she whispered.

"That's right....do you remember me? Us? Under the oak tree on your father's estate...I read Byron, Rosetti and Tennyson to you...." Buffy watched in utter shock as she listened to him talk so softly, she stopped crying the moment the banshee had, only to be confronted with the odd scene before her.

"She walks in beauty, like the night....Of cloudless climes and starry skies..." the banshee spoke, as the paleness of her skin warmed to a rosy pink and her white hair darkened.

"And all that's best of dark and bright....Meet in her aspect and her eyes...Thus mellow'd to that tender light....Which heaven to gaudy day denies....that's right, love, Polly.....is that really you?" She'd changed completely, she was as normal any other human girl....who just happened to also be a banshee and she knew Spike...intimately by all accounts.

"Oh William....my sweet William!!" The girl flew herself at him with such enthusiasm that he nearly fell over. She hugged him tightly, pulling his head to her neck and cradling it as she smiled widely and brightly.

"Sweet William?" Buffy asked herself, getting to her feet and remaining as confused as ever as Spike embraced the girl in his arms back.

"Buffy?" Dawn asked as she too composed herself,"Why is that chick getting her freak on with your vampire?"

"And why was she all white and.....hey a banshee!" Willow realized,"I've always wanted to see one.....waitaminute, why is she hugging Spike?" Spike disentangled himself from the girl and looked upon her, a strange softness in his eyes, the semblance of the mortal he'd once been.

"You haven't changed a bit," he spoke with a smile curling at the edges of his lips.

"William? Where are your spectacles? Not to mention your suit...your hair? William...what is has occurred?"

"Yeah, William...clue us in," Buffy exclaimed, giving this other woman the once over. Spike's attention was returned to Buffy, and her friend and sister. He ground his eyes with the pad of his hand and went into himself for a moment, trying to formulate a course of action.

"Buffy, Dawn, Willow...this Polly, Polly Raintree...yes....um.....Polly.....my...my...Buffy Summers....right..." Spike stuttered in reply, feeling like a bug under a magnifying glass on a very hot day. Buffy took special notice of how Polly had linked her arm with Spike's, a slight bit of jealously twinging inside her.

"Polly...how sweet," Buffy replied, looking squarely at Spike,"And how do you know, uh, William here?"

"Mr. Bainbridge and I have long been acquainted, our mothers belonged to the Wingfield Society and our fathers often spent Guy Fawkes Day on hunt...." the young lady's dialogue began on wild roll,"When William was away at school, Jane and I....oh my, is that you Jane?" Polly looked suddenly to Dawn and her smile spread fully across her face. She left Spike's side and went to Dawn, taking the teenager's hand in her's and holding to her chest."This is wonderful...Jane..."

"I'm Dawn," the Slayer's sister corrected,"I'm Buffy's sister..."

"You're confused, Polly.....Jane's passed on, long ago," Spike informed. Polly gasped and let go of Dawn's hand.

"Not our dear Jane....William, your family must be so heartbroken," Polly continued.

"Love, that was.....do you even know what year this is? Or where you are?" By the look on her face the answer was obvious,"Polly...what do you remember?" She was about to open her mouth when Buffy interrupted.

"We should get home first....there could still be some, uh.....other sun-allergic people out here..."

"Oh right...do you mind a short stroll?" Spike asked of Polly.

"Not at all William....it will be just like that that weekend we all spent at the Fairhaven Estate...out under the moon, do you remember?"

"I remember.....but, you're going to go with Buffy...I have a few things to take care of."

"Walk alone? Without a gentleman to accompany us....that's....that's just..."

"So 19th century.....come on honey...." Buffy cut her off and took her hand to lead her away from Spike, Polly looked back over her shoulder, confused and even a little frightened.

"Go on, Polly, you can trust Buffy....." Spike watched the four women disappear into the night until they were out of his sight. He looked up to the sky and spread his arms out wide."WHY ME?! bloody hell....."

Chapter 10

Spike walked into the Summers home via the back door, careful not to make a sound. He deposited two mason jars of blood in the fridge and planted his duffle bag on the island in the middle. He hung back and piqued his ears to listen to the conversation going on in the living room. He could practically feel Buffy's negative feelings coming through the walls, he knew was in serious trouble with the Slayer. His serious panic began to rise when he thought of all the things Polly could have told Buffy in the time it took him to get what he needed from his crypt.

"So....he was nervous, I can't imagine him being nervous," Dawn laughed,"I sorta figured him for for the toss 'em over his shoulder, slap their ass and run off to Vegas kind...."

"Beg your pardon?" Polly replied, her voice wavering.

"Nevermind....go on...."

"There, in the corner, he got down on bended knee, looked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes and asked me if I'd do him the honor of becoming his wife!"

"Oh fuck!" Spike spat out before sprinting from the kitchen to the living room, where he skidded to a halt at the intense, menacing, I'm so gonna stake you look from Buffy.

"William! You ought not to keep such pleasant ladies waiting, you know better, what would your mother say?" Polly admonished before giggling to herself. Buffy rolled her eyes and suppressed her gag reflex.

"Yeah, William!" Dawn joked.

"Shouldn't you be tucked away in your bed dreaming about sugar plums and fairies?" Spike replied, annoyed at Dawn's teasing of him.

"Nah....Polly was just getting to the good stuff....besides we're having tea...nice Giles-y thing to do..."

"He's right, Dawn, it's almost midnight...I've got class tomorrow too," Willow reasoned.

"Pardon me, and please forgive my ignorance, but am I to remain here tonight? William?" Polly asked.

"I....uh...." Spike was at a loss for words, avoiding looking at the Slayer.

"You can bunk with me....I'll bring out a sleeping bag and crash on the floor...." Dawn volunteered happily, however Polly seemed to not understand,"You can sleep in my bedroom, if that's alright with you."

"That's most kind.....but I haven't any linens...."

"Huh?"

"PJs..." Willow translated.

"Oh....we're cool with that, I've got extras." Polly looked to Spike for confirmation, he nodded his head and let Dawn lead Polly by the hand, Willow following and giving Spike a sympathetic look as she walked by. Spike smiled nervously at the Slayer as he slipped off his coat and tossed it over the bannister of the staircase before approaching.

"Buffy....I...."

"Dainty...charming.....submissive, but peppy...I like her, that fiancé of yours!!" Buffy seethed.

"Buffy, love......I can explain...."

"Not from the couch you can't....I'm going to bed...." She stormed past him, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back into the living room,"Let go of me or I'll...."

"Hit me? Try a new one, Slayer....we're past this, remember this afternoon? On the stairs? Does that at least get me chance to explain?"

"Fine."

"First off, get down off your bloody high horse and stop acting like a jealous wife! That girl's not my bloody fiancé for starters!"

"She seems to think otherwise."

"She thinks otherwise because she doesn't remember much past the 19th century! Look, when Dru changed me, I left London and I never looked back! I left her and my family behind and I never saw them again."

"What about the romantic proposal then...she talks about it like it was the greatest moment of her life!"

"Well....it probably was...but it wasn't my choice. Our parents made a business deal and my father informed me that I had to propose that night...I didn't have a choice."

"Oh please, spare me."

"Can you really imagine William standing up to anyone? Especially his bully of a father? I never loved Polly, she was barely older than Dawn.....just a kid, a wide-eyed and idealistic kid who actually thought we could be happy....I was a total prat, a limp-dicked feathery boy who had Lord Byron aspirations but all the talent and guile of the local undertaker."

"Yeah, well she thinks you hung the moon...she thinks you're still engaged."

"Buffy, I'll set it right, but you've got to let me do it my way.....you think she could handle.....this...." His face changed and the true vampire emerged."She sees the real me and she'll go battier than Drusilla!" He advanced on Buffy, growling deep in his throat,"You think I'd go for a silly, weak, little girl....when I want...when I love....you?" Buffy tried to look away from him, but she couldn't. His game face faded and so did her jealousy and anger.

CONTINUED...