~Part 1~

Willow kept her head down as she watched Spike and Buffy throw looks back and forth. From beneath her lashes she would swear the blonde vampire had a sorrowful look on his face. *Like someone kicked his dog or something,* she thought. The Slayer expressed disgust and loathing, more so than usual, with a scowl at her enemy. *What happened?* Willow wondered.

“I’m going out on patrol,” Buffy announced. She threw Spike a look that screamed “alone”.

Spike’s eyes followed the proud woman as she slammed out of the apartment. He leaned his head back against the couch and closed his eyes. *Why did I have to bloody tell her?* he berated himself. *Idiot!* A low growl echoed in his chest as he pushed away from the couch and stood up. He found his cigarettes in a pocket and headed for the front door.

Willow closed the heavy book. “I’ll see you later, Giles,” she called as she followed the vampire out the door.

The Englishman looked up from his research. “Good night, Willow,” he said to the closed door.

The red head glanced around before she spotted the black duster turning a corner. “Spike!” she called. “Wait up.”

He pretended he didn’t hear the witch calling after him. He sucked on his cigarette as he listened to her sneakers slap against the concrete. *Now what?*

“Spike,” Willow panted as she caught up with him.

“What?” he growled.

“Nothing,” she answered. She kept pace with him, but just barely.

Spike stopped and the red head walked a couple of steps passed him. “What do you want?”

She turned and looked up at him. “I don’t want anything, but you look like you might need someone to talk to,” she said with a grin.

His blue eyes narrowed. “I don’t.” He turned on his heel and walked in the opposite direction. He could hear her following behind him. He increased his pace to escape her persistence.

Willow moved into a slow jog to catch up to the blonde. “You know, I’m a really good listener,” she said. “Ask anybody. You can tell me anything and I won’t tell a soul. Or a demon, either,” she giggled.

Spike continued to ignore the red head and walked down the street. Her constant chatter propelled him along. He didn’t understand why the little witch was following him. *Why doesn’t she just leave me alone?* he asked himself. When his cigarette had burned down to the butt, he tossed it into the gutter.

“...So you see, if you just talk about it, it won’t seem so bad,” she rambled. She wasn’t quite at a job, but she was still walking fast to keep up with him. Her toe caught on a raised section of concrete and she fell. The hard surface cut into the palms of her hands and tore the knees of her jeans open. She sat on the grass and blew on her stinging hands. Tears welled up in her eyes.

He stopped and looked down at the girl. He rolled his eyes as he knelt beside her. “You okay?” he asked.

“Fine,” she muttered. Willow sniffed as she tried to brush some gravel out of her flesh.

Spike glanced around and realized that he had been walking in the direction of Willow’s house. “Come on,” he said.

Willow ignored his out stretched hand and pulled the denim away from her knees. She winced as the material stuck to her skin. With a frustrated growl the blonde vampire got to his feet and lifted the red head with him. He hefted her higher in his arms. She squeaked as she threw an arm around his shoulders.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Taking you home,” he answered. “Unless I’ve been uninvited from your house, too,” he muttered.

“Uninvited?! Buffy uninvited you?” she asked. True the Slayer never cared much for Spike, but Willow never imagined she’d uninvite him from her house.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he grumbled.

“Okay,” the red head relented.

He was surprised she gave up so quickly. “Your parents home?” he asked.

“Do you have a heart beat?”

He chuckled as he as he bound up the steps of the Rosenberg porch. Willow pulled her house key out of her pocket, flinching as her abraded hand rubbed against her jeans. Spike carried her over the threshold and she hummed the Wedding March. “Knock it off.”

“Couldn’t resist. You know you can put me down now,” she said.

“Where’s your bathroom?” he asked, ignoring her statement.

“Upstairs,” she answered pointing the way.

He carried her up the stairs and into her private bathroom. Only then did he set her down. “Take off your pants,” he ordered as he opened her medicine cabinet.

“Excuse me?”

He looked over his shoulder at her. “Got to clean those scrapes. Now take off your pants. You don’t got nothing I never saw before,” he said. He took out some first aid supplies.

*Well, you haven’t seen it on me,* she thought as she unbuttoned her jeans. She wiggled out of them, but she forgot to remove her shoes.

Spike turned around as the red head started to wobble. He reached out and steadied her. “Sit down,” he said. He knelt in front of her and pulled at her laces.

Willow felt slightly embarrassed to be sitting on the closed toilet seat in her underwear while Spike removed her sneakers. He tossed the shoes into her bedroom and tugged the pant legs off her feet. He grabbed the bottle of iodine off the counter and a cotton swab. “So did you finally tell Buffy you loved her?” she asked. He poured some of the liquid on the cotton and swabbed her knee. “Ow!”

Spike glanced up at her and continued to clean her scrapes.

When he had finished with her knees, she leaned forward and blew on the stinging skin gently. She knew that she had struck a cord with her question. Willow didn’t think that any of the others had realized the vampire had a thing for the Slayer. She knew for a fact that Buffy hadn’t known. That was one of the nice things about being the quiet one, people acted like themselves around you.

He took her small hand in his own and brushed off some of the dirt. Brushing the cotton against her palm, he looked up at her. “Was it that obvious?” he asked quietly.

Willow smiled at him. “Let’s just say I recognized the symptoms. I used to have a huge crush on Xander a few years ago. An unrequited crush. It sucks the big one, I know.”

He grunted as he continued to clean her hands. “Xander, huh?”

“Yep. That was a lost cause, let me tell you. I don’t think he even realized I was a girl,” she chuckled.

He gazed into her bright green eyes. “Is he bleedin’ blind?”

She shrugged. “I used to think so. We did end up kissing that night you kidnapped us.”

“Didn’t know I had it in me,” Spike replied proudly.

“Then our significant other’s walked in. Cordelia fell and impaled herself on a piece of rebar,” she said.

“That’s too bad,” he said, sounding as if he didn’t mean it.

She blew on her stinging hand. “Yeah, I can tell you’re all broken up about it.”
 

~Part 2~

Buffy unscrewed the bottom of the porch light and removed the Rosenberg's spare key.  She slid the key into the lock and gave it a twist.  She returned the key to its hiding place before entering the house.  It was nearly noon and Willow hadn't answered her knock so the Slayer was concerned, but only slightly. *Probably stayed up late studying,* she thought as she headed to her friend's bedroom.

The blonde young woman knocked softly on the bedroom door as she pushed it open.  "Willow, get your lazy butt out of bed," she called cheerfully.  Both her jaw and backpack hit the floor when she stepped inside the room.

The red head cracked open her eyes at the thud. "Buffy?" she mumbled.  Willow turned her radio clock towards her.  "I'm sorry, Buff.  I didn't realize it was so late.  Let me get dressed and we'll study."

The shock wore off quickly and the Slayer removed the chop stick holding her hair up.  She clenched it in her hand as she stared passed Willow.  "Spike," she growled quietly.

Willow glanced over her shoulder at the bleach blond head sticking out of the covers.  She returned her attention to her seething friend.  "You do realize that chop stick is plastic, don't you?"

Buffy looked down at the purple hair accessory in her hand.  "It might not dust him, but at least it will hurt a lot."

"Buffy, why don't you go down stairs and make some coffee," Willow yawned as she pushed back the covers. "Go," she said a bit more firmly as she swung her feet to the floor.

The Slayer grabbed her backpack and turned on her heel.

Willow waited until she heard Buffy slamming the cupboards in the kitchen.  "You can come out now."

"How did you know I was awake?" Spike asked as he pushed the covers off his face.

"Usually when someone's asleep they don't tense up when someone else is in the room."  She checked to make sure the blankets were securely fastened over the windows.  "I'd rather not have my parents' house demolished with the two of you fighting, so why don't you stay up here until she leaves," she suggested.

"Yeah, sure," he replied as he pulled the covers back over his head.

****

Buffy stared at the coffee maker as she drummed her fingers against the counter.  *What is he doing here? Why is he in Willow's bed?* she wondered furiously. She turned when she heard Willow enter the kitchen. Buffy watched her friend open the fridge, remove a container of orange juice and drink straight from the spout.  "Well?"

Still gulping the cold liquid she nudged the door closed and moved to the counter. She set the carton down as she looked for something to eat.  "Well, what?" she asked as she located a cranberry bagel.

"Aren't you going to explain?" Buffy asked.

Willow tore off a piece of bagel and popped the chewy bread into her mouth. "Explain what?"   She was deliberately being dense, but the red head figured if she started explaining what Buffy saw upstairs then Willow would be guilty of something.  And she didn't feel she had anything to be guilty about.

"Spike," the blonde said exasperated.

"Who can explain Spike?" she asked with a shrug.  "I doubt Spike can explain Spike."

The Slayer crossed her arms and leaned against the counter.  "Are you going to explain what he's doing here?  In your bed?"

"No."

"No?!" Buffy exclaimed.

Willow blinked at the outraged in her friend's voice. "Did I stutter?"

She pushed away from the counter and began pacing the kitchen.  "I don't want you around him," she snarled.

"Excuse me?"

"I said..."

"I heard what you said.  I just can't believe you said it."  She took a deep breath and tried to control the anger rising inside her.  "Look.  Buffy, you are my best friend and I love you."

"Good, then..."

Willow held up her hand to stop her.  "However, Spike is also my friend."  When Buffy looked as if she was going to interrupt again, Willow continued quickly. "I realize it's a strange sort of friendship, but it doesn't make it less true.  Please, don't make me choose," she said as she stared the Slayer straight in the eye.

Buffy knew making her friend choose between her and Spike would just be heartless of her and put a strain on their relationship.  "It was just a shock seeing him in your bed," she said.  "What were you doing in bed together, anyway?"

"Would you believe hot and wild monkey sex?" Willow asked with a grin.

"No."

"Didn't think so.  Well, since Spike is stuck here all day, why don't you meet me at the library in a couple of hours and we can study there?"

"You don't have to help me study," she replied.

"If your last test was any indication, you need all the help you can get,"  Willow teased as she chewed on her breakfast.

"Thanks a lot."

****

Willow kicked the front door closed behind her. "Honey, I'm home," she called as she dropped her jacket on the bottom step.  The house was quiet, too quiet.  *A quiet Spike is usually a mischievous Spike,* she thought as she climbed the stairs to her room.  "Spike?" she called as she entered her room.

Spike watched her green eyes widen as she saw what he had done to her room.  "I didn't think you'd be home this early," he said.

She stared at the damage the tornado know as Spike had done to her once neat and tidy room.  "Obviously.  Got bored did you?" she asked as she stepped over piles of clothes.

He shrugged as he looked around at the mess he made. "Kind of," he replied.  "Wasn't a whole lot to do all day."

"Looks like you kept yourself busy," she said as she stared at him.  Or more accurately, the top of his head.  "Spike?"

He started to pick up the pile of books he'd been sorting through.  "Yeah?"

"What are you wearing?"  He looked down at his clothes.   "On your head."

He pulled off the headband.  "Found it in the closet," he said.

She looked at the headband.  "I can't believe you found them," she exclaimed.  Quickly, she stood in front of the mirror and put band in her hair.  She fluffed her hair and struck a pose.  "I thought I'd lost them."

"What are they exactly?" he asked.

"Pussycat ears," she said.

"Kay."

"I was Josie for Halloween in the ninth grade.  I wore my ears all the time and finally Mom had to hide them from me.  Did you find the tail?" she asked.

"No.  Who's Josie?"

She turned and looked at him in shock.  "You don't know who Josie and the Pussycats are?"

"Obviously, not."

"Where were you in the seventies?  They were an all girl band."

Spike shrugged.  "I was more into the punk scene then," he explained.

Willow giggled.  "They weren't a real band.  It was a cartoon.  It's on reruns on the Cartoon Network.  I've got all the episodes on tape.  I love the Pussycats." She opened the cabinet under her television and slid a video into the VCR.  Picking up the remote she sat on the floor and turned on the television.

Spike gave her a curious look.  "Don't you want to clean up first?" he asked.

"Like the mess is going anywhere anytime soon," she said as she grabbed his hand and pulled him down beside her.  "Josie and the Pussycats are way more important than cleaning my room.  Come on."
 

~Part 3~

Spike and Willow finished cleaning her room just as the sun was setting.  She peeked around the blanket to check the sun's rays.  "Well, it looks like you'll be free in about ten minutes," she said with a grin.

He shrugged as he toosed a shoe into her closet.  "So what do you want to do tonight?" he asked.

"Huh?"

"Oh," he started.  "You've got plans.  Okay, I'll see you later then."  He picked up his jacket and gave her a jaunty wave.

She had been startled by his question.  Sure she'd kept him entertained for most of the day, but she figured he'd be itching to get out of her house and her presence. She ran after him.  "Hey! Wait a minute," she called.

Spike paused at the bottom of the stairs.  "Yeah?"

Willow leaned against the railing.  "Give a girl a chance to answer before you run off."  She grinned as he took up the same casual pose against the wall.  "As a matter of fact, I don't have plans.  How about the Bronze?"

"Okay."

"I've got to shower and change.  Why don't I meet you there?" she suggested.

"About an hour?" he asked.  She nodded and headed back to her room.  "Wear the ears, Josie," he called up the stairs and let himself out the door.

****

Willow pushed through the crowed and looked for his familiar bleach blonde head.  She finally spotted him leaning against a pillar drinking a beer.  "Hey, Spike.  Long time no see," she greeted him.

When he didn't respond she frowned and tried to see what he was staring at in the distance.  Standing on her tip toes she finally found the object of his affection dancing in a sea of bodies.  *Buffy. Figures,* she thought.  "Spike!" she yelled over the music trying to get his attention, with no results. "I'm gonna go play in traffic now.  Come find me when you're done brooding," she said before she turned towards the bar.

The red head manuvered her way to the bar and waited to catch the bartender's attention.  The third time he walked passed her she jumped up and grabbed his arm. "Hey!  Can I get a coke?" she asked.

He did a double take at the beautiful red head holding on to his arm.  "Nice ears," he said.

She smiled at him.  "Thanks.  Can I get a coke?" she asked again.

"Want anything in that?" he flirted.

"Just ice."

"Coming right up."

Willow released her grip on him, but still leaned on the bar.  Her feet dangled a couple of inches off the floor as she looked around.  She didn't realize the enticing view of her cleavage her possition was giving the bartender or the way her jeans molded to her butt for the rest of the guys around the bar.

He set the drink in front of her and leaned into her ear.  "My name is Tom.  I get off at eleven."

"Good for you," she said as she hopped back onto her feet and handed him some money.

"You gonna be around for  a while?" he asked.

"Maybe," she replied and sipped her coke.

Willow moved away from the bar and tried to find a seat where she could watch Spike stare googily eyed at Buffy.  It was funny in a sad pathetic kind of way. She knew she shouldn't find such amusement in his heartache.  *Goddess knows I've certainly been there and bought the damn tee-shirt,* she reminded herself. Willow felt only mildly irritated that he was ignoring her after he asked her out.  *It's not like it was date or anything, but still.*

She found an empty table on the edge of the dance floor and took a seat.  Absently, she sipped at her coke.

****

Spike followed Buffy with his eyes as she left the Bronze.  He finished his beer and set it down on the ground.  He glanced at his watch.  "Where the bloody hell is she?" he mumbled as he looked around the club.  He spotted a group of guys crowding around a table. A flash of red caught his eye.  Spike began to push through the group and make his way to the front.   His jaw dropped as he saw the spectical everyone was gaping at.

"I don't think they heard you?" Willow said as she pushed on bartender's index finger.

"I'm sorry," Tom cried as pain shot up his arm.

"What are you sorry for?" she asked.

"I'm sorry I pinched your butt," he wimpered.

"And?"

He winced as Willow applied more pressure.  "I'm sorry I grabbed your breast."

She released his finger and watched him scramble away. She bowed to the applauding crowd. Willow spotted Spike staring at her.  "Did Buffy finally leave?" she asked.

He glanced around to avoid her stare.  "Yeah."

"Okay.  I'll see you later," she said as she headed for the door.

He started after her.  "Wait a bloody minute," he called.

"No," she shot back over her shoulder.  She pushed through the doors and began walking towards her house.

Spike jogged after the fiery red head.  "Why won't you wait?"

She stopped short.  "Why should I?"  She crossed her arms acrossed her chest.  "I've got other things to do than wait for you, Spike.  If you want to stand around the Bronze and brood over Buffy, that's fine.  None of my concern."

"It was last night," he mumbled.

"My mistake."  Willow turned on her heel and walked away.

Spike trailed after her slowly.  It hurt that she turned away from him.  He didn't like it.  He didn't want this little girl to affect him like this.  He
raised his eyes from the street to her retreating back.  Willow was completely ignoring him as she walked proudly towards her house.  "I'm sorry," he
said loudly.

Willow stopped and allowed him to catch up with her. "What did you say?"

"I'm sorry."

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.  "What are you sorry for?" she asked.

"Are you going to pull my finger back now?" he asked. When she didn't answer he rolled his eyes before answering.  "I'm sorry for ignoring you."

"Thank you," she replied.  Willow smiled at him and continued her walk to her house.

Her sweet smile lifted the disappointed feeling Spike had weighing him down.  He walked easily beside her. "You wore the ears," he grinned.

"Of course, I did.  You asked me to," she replied.

"So did you have fun beating up the big bad bully?"

She thought about it for a few moments.  "It did have it's moments."

"When did you get so damn sassy?" Spike asked.

Willow shrugged.  "Maybe I've always been sassy," she suggested.  She checked her watch.  "Well, it's late and I have class in the morning.  See ya."

"See ya," he parroted as she walked away.  "Hey!  Wait a minute.  I'll walk you home."
 

~Part 4~

Spike stretched out on his back in the Rosenberg backyard.  Staring up at the stars, he lit a cigarette.  He shifted slightly when Willow joined him.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" she asked as sucked on a grape popsicle.

"After a century of Drusilla, I'm not too impressed with stars anymore?" he laughed.

"That's right.  She used to talk to them, didn't she?"

"Actually, they talked to her.  Damn annoying if you ask me."  He pulled a drag off his cigarette.

She glanced over at Spike from the corner of her eye. "Xander and I used camp out here a lot when we were kids.  Of course, he'd get scared by the shadows on the tent wall and we'd have to move inside.  Now that I think about it, I'm amazed we weren't killed by vampires or a demon or something."

Spike turned his head and looked at the red head. "Chubs was scared, but you weren't?" he asked.

Willow rolled over onto her stomach.  "I was firm believer that there was nothing going bump in the night that wasn't there during the day," she said with a shrug.  "What do you want?  I was eight."  She licked the juice from her melting popsicle from the back of her hand.  "Spike, can I ask you something?"

He returned his gaze to the sky.  "Not like I can stop you."

"Why Buffy?"  she asked quietly.

"Why Buffy what?" he asked.

Biting off the tip of her treat, she tried to think of how to phrase the question.  "Well, I guess, why do you love Buffy?"

He sat up and propped his arms on his knees.  He flicked the ashes off his cigarette.  "Why do you want to know?"

She looked over her shoulder at him.  "I don't know. Maybe it will help me understand."

"What exactly do you want to understand?" he asked looking back at her.

She turned her attention to her hands.  "Why everyone loves Buffy so much?"  Spike leaned back on one arm and stared at her.  "I mean don't get me wrong.  I love Buffy, too, but you guys always seem to fall for her.  Angel, Xander, and even you.  Is it because she's so beautiful?"

He was surprised.  Not so much at her question, but the fact he had to think about it.  "Sure, she's beautiful, but that's not why.  She's strong and
confident.  It's hard to explain.  Buffy just has this spark about her."

"A spark.  Yeah.  Got to get me one of those," she said with a laugh.

"What's this all about, Red?" he asked concerned. This wasn't the sassy girl who had a bartender on his knees apologizing a couple of nights ago.

She bit the last bit of popsicle and tossed the stick aside before rolling over onto her back.  "I don't know.  I guess I'm just feeling lonely.  Yes, I know I'm not alone.   It's just a...I don't know.  I guess, I miss the cuddle factor."

He watched her watch the sky.  "Cuddle factor?" he asked.

"Didn't you and Dru used to cuddle?" she asked.

He thought about it before answering.  "If you want to call it that, yeah."  He crushed his butt out in the ashtray Willow had bought him.  He slipped his arm under her head.  Startled, Willow sat up.  "Don't get any bright ideas.  Just thought we could cuddle while you tell me about the stars."

Relaxing, she settled against his shoulder.  "Thanks, Spike," she whispered.

He pointed to the sky.  "What's that one?" he asked.

She followed his finger towards the sky.  "That one there?" she asked.  "That's an airplane."

His hand dropped to his chest.  "Oh."

"Now that one over there, that's the North Star.  If you follow it along this path," she said as she traced the lines in the sky.  "You can make out the Big Dipper or Ursa Major.  The big bear."
 

~Part 5~

Willow wove her way through the crowded club.  As she searched for her friends, she spotted Tom tending bar.  Noticing his frightened stare she gave him a friendly wave.  When he dropped the drinks he was carrying, Willow laughed.

"Hey, Will," Buffy said as she stepped in front of her.  "What was that abut?" she asked pointing towards the bar.

"Oh, nothing.  Tom and I are old friends," she answered.  "Do we have a table?"

"Sure do.  Anya and Xander are saving it."  Buffy turned and lead the way.  "So where's Spike?"

Willow slid into a seat beside her friends.  "I don't know.  Why?"

The Slayer stirred her drink with a straw.  "Haven't seen him in a couple of days."

The red head watched her carefully.  "Sounds like you miss him," she said.

"What!  Miss Spike?  Please.  I miss Spike like I miss the chicken pox," she scoffed.

Xander draped his arm around his girlfriend.  "Me thinks the lady doth protest too much," he quoted.

"Xander, you quoted," Willow clapped.

"Thank you.  Thank you very much," he said with a head bow.

"I am not protesting too much," Buffy protested. "It's just for the last month anytime we see you, Will, Spike is your shadow."

"It's true," Anya replied.  "Are you two a couple now?"

Willow choked on the soda she sipped.  "Couple?  Oh, yeah.  Me and Spike are up for couple of the year. Please vote for us.  No, we're just friends.  I'm helping him work through some stuff," she answered with a knowing look at Buffy.

The blonde avoided her gaze.  "So, Xander, you were saying something about a party," she said changing the subject.

"Party?  What kind of party, Xan?" Willow asked. While the Slayer said she didn't want Spike's attentions, she sure didn't act like it sometimes.  It
made it difficult for both Spike and Willow to get on with their lives.  *Not that we have a life together. In fact our lives are quite separate.  Yes, indeed.*

Xander shrugged as he played with the wavy strands of Anya's hair.  "It's not like a huge bash or anything. Just a kind of housewarming party for the new apartment.  Just the gang."

"Can I bring someone?" Buffy asked.

"Sure.  You can, too, Willow,"  Anya answered.

"Okay, thanks."

****

Spike leaned his elbows against the balcony's railing and pulled another drag off his cigarette.  The muted sounds of music and laughter carried through the sliding glass door.  He still wasn't sure why he'd come to the party in the first place.  It's not like he belonged there.  He wasn't part of the "gang". *Not that I want to me,* he reminded himself.

The sounds grew louder and clearer as the door opened, but Spike kept his back towards it.  He didn't want company.

"So are you having fun out here by yourself?" Xander asked as he set a couple of beers on the railing.

"I'm a bloody party onto myself," he replied.  He picked up one of the bottles and took a long sip.

Xander rested an arm on the railing and stared at the vampire.  "Are you still hung up on Buffy?" he asked drinking from his bottle.

Spike turned around and stared into the apartment. The Slayer was hanging all over her latest stud.  The rage of jealously he felt should have been raising its ugly head lie dormant.  His eyes wandered until he found the red head.  She talked animatedly with Anya. Her hands dancing in the air as she gave visual emphasis to her words.  He knew if he looked into her eyes they would express the emotions she felt.  She expressed everything openly and freely.  It was a strange trait he admired in her.

While he waited for Spike to answer, he watched him carefully.  He followed the vampire's gaze to his best friend.  *So that's the way it is, huh?* he thought. "I'll give you one warning, Spike.  She's been hurt enough.  If you do anything, and I mean anything, to make her feel bad, I will stake you myself," he said before re-entering the apartment.

****

Willow smiled at Xander as he joined them.  "Hey, Xan.  Great party," she said.

"Thanks.  I'm glad some of the guys from the work site could come.  Makes for a fuller crowd," he said.  He wrapped an arm around Anya and pulled her close.  "I love you," he whispered as he kissed her temple.

"I love you, too," she replied with a smile.

Willow moved away from the couple and stepped out onto the balcony.  "Spike, how are you?" she asked.  She knew he'd spent most of the night out here.

He stared at her for a moment before answering.  "I'm fine."

She slid the door closed as she took one last look at Buffy.  "Are you sure?  I know Buffy's being a little..." she paused to think of the right word.

"Over affectionate?" he suggested.

"Yeah that."

He gave the Slayer only a momentary glance.  "I'm fine.  Honestly," he added when she doubted his word. "I wanted to thank you."

"For what?" she asked, surprised.

He smiled at her.  "For being my friend.  For helping me."  Willow shrugged it off.  He captured the hand she waived in front of him.  "It means a lot to me.  I know I haven't been the friendliest person to be around the last month."

"It's not like hanging out with you is some huge chore, Spike.  I like you.  You're fun."

He stepped closer to her.  "Do you really?"

Surprised at his proximity she froze.  "Like you?  Of course, I do.  I don't normally hang around people I dislike."

The breeze moved her hair into her face and Spike reached up to push it behind her ear.  "A lot of girls don't like bad ass vampires," he reminded her.

*He's flirting with me,* she thought in amazement. "Yeah, well, some girls do."

"And you just happen to be one of those girls?" he asked.  He leaned down slowly, giving her a chance to back away.

Willow smiled up at him as she leaned forward.  "I guess I must be."

He could feel her warm breath against his lips.  "I'm glad," he whispered.  He closed the minute gap between them and kissed her.

****

Anya leaned against her boyfriend and smiled.  "It's about time," she said as she stared at the couple embraced on the balcony.

Xander pulled the cord to close the drapes.  "It only took them a month," he reminded her.

She stared at him in exasperation.  "It took them longer than that.  Do you have any idea how long they've wanted each other?" she asked.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently. "What does it matter?  They're together now."

"And all is right with the world," she replied.

The End

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