Buffy walked into Giles apartment, the scent of gingerbread hitting her senses. "Hey G. Merry Chris...SPIKE!" She froze as she saw the blond vampire look up from the oven.
"Slayer."
"What? How? Huh?" Buffy said.
"Buffy, I've told you before. You need more words for people to understand you." Giles said coming into the room.
"Why is Spike in your kitchen making" she looked "gingerbread men without heads?"
"He can't very well hurt me now can he? Besides, he's actually a great cook. Though a bit macabre with his selections." Giles grabbed on of the finished men.
Spike stared at Slayer enjoying her discomfort. It had been three days since Christmas. Three nights that he laid awake remembering Willow. The taste of her skin....the feel of her body....the sounds she made right before she came...the look of satisfaction in her eyes...No one had been over to see Giles, so the slayer had no idea that he had stayed. He smiled innocently at her.
"Want a cookie?"
She glared at him. "Giles, could you excuse us a moment?" she pushed Spike into the bathroom.
"Make this quick slayer. I have something in the oven."
"Why are you here? I thought you were leaving."
Spike shrugged. "What can I say? I enjoy the company."
"I haven't seen Willow the party. Did you...."
Spike smiled softly, looking beside her. "Yeah. All day, all night....she still thinks I left."
Buffy finally understood. She saw the smile, saw the look in his eyes. "You like her."
Spike just looked at her, not saying anything.
"That's .......weird." Buffy finally said. "If you hurt her, I kill you."
Spike rolled his eyes. "You know, you should get that put on business cards. You say it often enough."
"Shut up and give me a cookie." Buffy said following him into the kitchen.
Giles looked at them, curious as to what Buffy had to discuss with the vampire.
The door opened and Willow came in. She smiled sweetly at Giles. "Merry Chris... Spike!"
Giles groaned. "Where have I heard that before?"
"I thought you left" Willow said, pleasure on her face as she walked towards her lover.
Spike felt a rush of desire at the sight of her. "Had some things to take care of luv."
"You didn't call" Willow said, not sure what their relationship was anymore. First, he had been her enemy. Then, he had been her crush. Then, he was her lover. What was he now?
"Needed to think pet." Spike said, seeing the hurt expression in her eyes.
"I thought you were like Oz.....leaving and not looking back...."
"Why don't you take Willow to pick up that sugar." Buffy said, glancing at her watcher.
"Sugar?" Spike said, confused. Seeing her nod at Giles, he smiled.
"Sugar. Yeah. For the cookies."
"You made cookies?" Willow asked, surprised.
"Let's talk luv. I need to go to the supermarket. You come with me."
"OK." Willow said softly.
She knew they needed to talk. She had hated him leaving, but it had meant that there had been no messy aftermath. He had just done it for his freedom. Now, he was still here. What did that mean?
Buffy watched them go with a smile. She saw how aware of each other they were. She also sensed the uneasiness that follows that turn in a relationship. New lovers. She sat on the couch and smiled at Giles.
"So, how were your holidays?"
He smiled back. "I'd say they weren't as interesting as Willows. Seems that damn vampire finally realized his feelings huh? I always miss the good stuff."
"You knew?"
"Buffy, I watch. Willow has had a crush on him since he came back and listened to her. He has been slowly following that same path just as long. I knew it wouldn't be long before it all erupted."
"You don't mind?" Buffy asked, shocked that Giles had known all along.
"He can't kill her. If he does, he's dust. Besides, Willow deserves happiness, however she can get it. Spike isn't that bad, once you get past the sadistic, murdering bastard image."
"Oh....That's good." Buffy said weakly as he stood to go into his room.
She smiled suddenly. Trust Giles to always know what was happening before anyone else.
* * * * *
"So..." Willow said as she and Spike walked away from Giles' apartment.
"So..." Spike echoed.
"I saw that you were chained in the bathroom."
"Yeah. The watcher decided that I hadn't been too naughty this year and deserved a present.
" "He's actually letting you roam his place?" Willow said avoiding his naughty comment.
"Yes. He uses me for my cooking. What's a guy to do?"
Willow laughed softly. "I didn't know you could cook."
"There are a lot of things you don't know about me luv" he said seriously.
"I'd agree with that" Willow said.
"I don't know what to say." Spike said, sighing.
Willow turned to look at him. "About what?"
"That night." Spike looked at her, his eyes burning with lust. "It made me change my mind about leaving."
"Really?"
"It was amazing. I don't usually talk about this stuff, so forgive me. I want to know you."
"You do know me."
"No, I know the you that you want people to see. I want to know the secrets...the parts of you that no one sees. I've already seen one side of you that people don't."
Willow blushed. She knew what he was referring to. "Well, you're as bad. You have so many faces I never know which one is on."
"Guess we're alike in more ways than we thought, pet."
"Yeah" Willow said smiling at him.
"We have time. We'd better get that sugar and get back. Wouldn't want the slayer after me."
"She already threatened you huh?" "Damn straight" Spike said, leaning over and catching her mouth in a gentle kiss. He felt the same sparks as last time. Pulling away, he ran his hand over her face. "I won't hurt you. Ever."
Willow smiled. "Good. If you do, Buffy will be the least of your worries, mister."
Spike laughed as she leaned against him. His arm went around her shoulders as they walked to the store, their soft words flowing back and forth.
* * * * *
"So, what are you two love birds doing for the new year?" Buffy asked, blowing on her wet nail polish.
"I don't know." Willow said. "Spike just told me it was a surprise."
"Uh oh...knowing Spike it is something weird."
"He's not weird." Willow protested. "Ok, he's a bit odd, but give him a break."
"He makes you happy?"
"Yes Mother." Willow said, rolling her eyes. She laughed softly. "Very happy."
"Too much information." Buffy said. "I just don't get it. I mean, he's a hottie. I'll give you that. But, if it weren't for that implant, he'd still be fighting us. He would have killed you that night. Aren't you worried about what he's really like?"
"I've seen what he's really like. Remember? Bottle in face....he's had me twice and he hasn't killed me yet."
"Well, I'm glad that he can't bite. I have to say that he isn't that bad once you get to know him. When he isn't threatening my life or the lives of my friends, that is."
"I think I love him" Willow said softly. "Or do I just really like him? I mean, I thought I loved Oz. I never imagined getting over him so quickly. I don't know anymore."
"Just go with it. It will all work out. Good God. Listen to me. I'm encouraging my best friend to get involved with an enemy. What I do for you Wills."
"I know. I never did thank you for that Christmas present. It really meant a lot to me."
"I'm sure he did" Buffy said, laughing.
Willow shook her head. "And you say I'm bad?"
"Well, since you brought it up, what was it like? Did it meet your fantasies?"
"Buffy."
"Hey, I'm the one that risked Giles' wrath to get you sex with the dream man. I think I've earned this."
Willow laughed as she began to tell Buffy about that wonderful night and day.
* * * * *
"Where are you taking me?"
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it pet?"
"I can't see anything"
"Quit whining"
"I do not whine"
"Sure thing luv"
"Don't get that condescending tone with me, mr blood sucker"
"Sorry luv"
"You should be...taking advantage of my temporary blindness to rid...."
"........."
"Wow....what was that for?"
"To get you to shut up Red."
"I need to talk more often."
"Rewards for silence are better than the punishments for talking."
"Really? Call me mute girl...."
"You amaze me pet."
" "
"Pet? You can speak."
"I want my reward"
"You'll get it....trust me on that one pet."
"Promise?"
"I swear."
"Shouldn't swear. It's a bad thing. Just say darn and heck."
"I may have to rethink that reward..."
"Damn and hell are good. So is fuck."
"It will be luv.....very good."
"Oooohhh.....are we there yet?"
"Soon Willow. Soon......."
* * * * *
"Ta da" Spike said, removing her blindfold.
"We're in my dorm room." Willow said looking at him.
"Yes" Spike said, smiling.
"You dragged me around Sunnydale blindfolded for hours just to end up where we started....why?"
"Because....what better place to spend the new year than where I fell in love with you that night....then I realized on Christmas that I did love you...all right here. Where else should we start our lives together?"
"You love me?"
"Duh." Spike said, rolling his eyes. "I sure didn't stay in Sunnyhell for the weather."
"This is great" Willow said, looking around.
She saw the wine glasses and the bottle of champagne sitting by her bed. She noticed the burning candles and the flowers spread around the room.
"How did you get this all set up?"
"I had some assistance."
"Buffy" Willow said softly.
"And that demon girl. They both giggled like silly twits when I told them my idea and asked for help. I don't plan on repeating that experience anytime soon."
"I love it" Willow said, smiling at him. "I love you."
"Bout time you said that Red." Spike said, moving towards her. He quickly undressed her, removing his own clothing after she was nude. He laid her on the bed, his lips on hers.
"I'd rather be here with you than anywhere else" Willow said as he entered her deeply.
"Me too."
"We're going to bring in the new year in bed?" Willow asked, not disliking the idea.
"Haven't you heard pet? Where you are at midnight is where you will be for the rest of the year. I want to be in you."
"I thought it was who you were with..." Willow said, arching up to meet his thrusts.
"You have your version. I have mine. I like mine better."
"Me too" Willow said, digging her fingernails into his back.
He glanced at the clock. He wanted her to remember this moment all the next year. He had to make her cum at midnight. She would never forget how she had brought in the new year. He wanted that memory in her mind always. He ran his thumb over her clit, captureing her moan with his mouth. He began to thrust faster, needing his own release.
Willow heard him whisper something right before she came. She screamed out his name as he flooded her with his seed.
"Happy new year pet" Spike said, kissing her.
"A new year...new beginnings..." Willow said, brushing her hand over his face.
He laid beside her, his head by hers on the pillow.
They fell asleep in each other's arms as the new year slowly crept in.