Chapter 15


Buffy breathed a sigh of relief when she walked through the front door of
the Giles home. She wasn’t sure what transpired between Giles and Hank
Summers, but Hank was nowhere to be found when they left.

As soon as the door closed behind them, an emotional Jenny immediately
enveloped Buffy in a hug. The older woman slowly pulled away to gently cup
Buffy’s face and look at the injuries she had. “Honey, are you okay?”

“I am now,” Buffy replied with tears in her eyes as she smiled. “Thank you
so much for doing this.”

“No thanks are needed,” Jenny said with a smile. “Let me get you some ice.
Rupert, why don’t you take her bags up to her room?”

Once the couple was alone in the living room, Spike’s arms immediately found
their way around Buffy’s waist. She leaned back, enjoying the strength and
support he was offering her.

“This is all happening so fast,” Buffy murmured. “I can’t believe your
parents are just letting a virtual stranger come live with them.”

“You’re not a stranger, Buffy,” Spike said softly, turning her around in his
embrace. “They want you here. Not as much as I do,” he added with a smile.
“But they do want you here.”

“I should probably call Fred and Gunn…let them know what happened.”

“Don’t worry about it, luv. I had Mum call Fred.”

“What? How did you get her number, she’s unlisted?”

Spike smiled sheepishly as he pulled Buffy closer. “She was my informant, so to speak.”

“She gave you my cell number,” Buffy replied in understanding as her eyes widened.

“They were worried about you, baby,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck. “They wanted to keep you safe.”

Buffy sighed contentedly as Spike held her firmly in his grasp.

Jenny quietly entered the room, leaving an icepack on the coffee table,
before slipping out to leave the two alone.

“And why do you want me here, Mr. Giles?” she asked with a smile.

Spike’s expression turned serious as he stared into her eyes. “Because…I’m
in love with you.”

Buffy’s eyes widened at the admission, seconds before she found herself
wrapped in strong arms, her lips being devoured in a passionate kiss.
Breaking away after a moment, Buffy let her hands wander up to wrap around
his neck. “I love you, too.”

Spike slowly began kissing along her jaw-line, smiling at the words, before
moving to her ear. “It’s late. Maybe we should head upstairs.”

Buffy gasped slightly, pulling away to look in his eyes. “Are you saying
what I think you’re saying?”

Spike smiled. “What do you think I’m saying, luv?”

Buffy narrowed her eyes slightly before a mischievous smile overtook her
features. “I think you’re saying it’s been a long night, so we need to get
some sleep.”

Turning around, Buffy’s smile broadened when she felt his arms wrap around
her waist, pulling her back to him as he pushed his erection against her.
“Spike…we can’t. Your parents-“

“Won’t know a thing,” he whispered. “They’re already going to sleep for the
night, which leaves you and me all alone in my big, comfortable bed. What
do you say?”

“I say…remind me where your room is again.”

* * * * *

Spike worshiped Buffy’s naked body with his teeth and tongue, kissing and
licking his way down her stomach, lightly nibbling at the soft swell of her
abdomen, moaning when her legs parted for him. He quickly moved lower,
accepting her invitation, as he unhurriedly kissed his way to her dripping
center.

His tongue lightly swept over her opening, bathing her sensitive area before
brushing over the hardened bundle of nerves. Buffy gasped as he latched on,
catapulting her into an instant orgasm, her hands lacing through his hair,
holding him to her as she rode out the effects. She whimpered in need,
trying her hardest not to scream and awaken the adults in the household.

Spike pressed his hand against her stomach, trying to soothe her and draw
out her pleasure at the same time. When Buffy finally went limp, Spike
climbed up her body, licking his lips as he moved above her, slowly bending
forward to claim her lips in a soft kiss.

Buffy moaned, tasting herself on him, as she reached lower, positioning him
at her opening before arching her hips off the bed, letting him enter her
fully. Spike gasped as Buffy wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him
more fully inside of her. He was making a conscious effort not to crush her and irritate any injuries she may have, but she seemed more than content beneath him.

Slowly, he began to regain control of his body as she pulled him closer to
her, letting their bodies fall into perfect movement.

Spike’s eyes squeezed shut as her muscles began to clamp around him, causing them both to shake with the feeling of being a part of the other. Meeting her lips in a soft kiss, Spike pulled away to clamp his hand over Buffy’s mouth as she fell over the edge. Her brow furrowed with pleasure as her
fingernails dug into his back, trying to keep from screaming out her
release.

Letting go of her, Spike brushed a kiss over her forehead, proud of her
holding it in. “That’s my girl,” he whispered.

He watched as Buffy’s eyes widened seconds before she gasped, and a third
more powerful orgasm overtook her. Her inner muscles grasped at his shaft
as he continued moving within her.

“Spike!”

Spike couldn’t help but smile at the explosion, seconds before his own body
peaked, sending him into oblivion as the pleasure coursed through him.

“I love you,” she whispered, kissing his damp forehead.

“I love you, too, baby,” he whispered breathlessly.

* * * * *

Two hours later, Spike slipped into some sweatpants as he heard a knock on
the door. Making sure Buffy was completely covered with the comforter, he
went to answer it and saw his mom standing on the other side.

“Is Buffy okay?” Jenny asked. “I went to check on her, and she wasn’t in her
room. I got worried.”

“She’s fine, Mum,” Spike replied, rubbing his eyes as he opened the door a
little wider, letting a sliver of light fall on Buffy’s peacefully sleeping
face. “First night in a new house. She’s had a rough night.”

“Yeah,” Jenny agreed with a smile as she backed out of the room. Turning
to walk down the hall, Jenny looked back over her shoulder. “William?”

“Yeah, Mum,” Spike replied before closing the door.

“You are using protection?”

Spike felt his face turn about four different shades of red as Jenny smiled
softly. “I wasn’t born in the dark ages, William. I knew what we were
getting into when we asked your girlfriend to come live with us. I just
want to know that you’re being careful.”

Spike scuffed a foot along the floor, trying to avoid his mother’s gaze.
“Yes,” he mumbled, wishing the floor would open up and swallow him so he
could avoid this conversation. “We are.”

“Good,” Jenny replied, turning to walk toward her room.

“Mum?”

“Yes, dear?”

“I love her.”

Jenny gave her son a soft smile as she nodded. “I know. She loves you,
too.”

Spike softly closed the door before crawling back into bed with Buffy.

Immediately sensing the difference, Buffy snuggled closer to him, causing
Spike’s eyes to roll back as her naked body pressed against his. Gently
reaching out to caress the soft skin of her breast, Buffy’s eyes fluttered
open. “You’re ready to go again?” she asked in a teasing tone as she
stretched, arching her back off the bed.

Spike felt his mouth go dry as he stared at her body. “Only if you are.”

Buffy noticed the serious tone and immediately rolled them over, straddling
his waist. “Only if I get to be on top this time,” she said with a smile.

“You can be anywhere you want, baby,” Spike replied, running his hands over
her curves.

“Feel up for pulling an all-nighter?” she asked, biting her lip and giggling
as Spike moaned.

Chapter 16


Buffy woke up the next morning, feeling more content and safe than she had
ever felt. She was on her side, facing Spike’s strong, bare chest, one of
her legs nestled between both of his. Both of his arms were snugly wrapped
around her, not willing to let go. She smiled when she looked up, meeting
Spike’s peaceful face. She wasn’t sure when they had fallen asleep, but she
was still exhausted from their activities the night before.

Buffy looked at Spike for a long moment, enjoying the chance to see all
sides of him as he peacefully slept. His features were boyish, with pouty
lips and long eyelashes, but at the same time, they were rugged. Buffy
smiled when she realized that his toughest features were also ‘manmade.’
The peroxide hair that gave him an edge. The scar that crisscrossed through
his eyebrow.

Buffy lightly traced the scar as she stared at it. It almost looked like it
was put there so he wouldn’t look too perfect, but at the same time, ‘perfect’ was
the only way to describe how he looked.

Spike’s eyes slowly opened, and he smiled when he saw Buffy lying next to
him.

“Good morning,” she whispered.

Spike gently brushed his lips against hers. “That it is, luv. Did you
sleep well?”

Buffy slowly rolled away, stretching and rotating her sore muscles. “Better
than ever.”

Spike suppressed a groan as his hand trailed over her bare stomach, feeling
the tight muscles that lay underneath.

Buffy lay still for a moment as she looked at him.

“What's going on in that head of yours, Goldilocks?” Spike asked, nuzzling her
neck as she laughed.

“How’d you get the scar?” Buffy asked, pulling back to run her fingers over
his eyebrow one more time.

“An accident a few years ago,” Spike explained with a shrug.

Buffy raised her eyebrows, knowing there was clearly more to the story than
Spike was letting on.

“Alright,” he relented. “The football team and I got into a big fight with
an opposing team last season. I was one of the unfortunate ones who got a
bottle to the head as a gift from one of their fans. Shard of glass, a few
stitches, and now I have what you see today,” he explained, gesturing to it.

Buffy nodded slightly. “So…when you say football, I’m guessing you really
mean soccer.”

Spike snorted. “If that’s what you want to call it.”

Buffy smiled before sitting up, with all intentions of going to get a
shower. She giggled when she was pulled back down and pinned with two arms
wrapped around her body.

“Spike, I need to get up.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Spike playfully growled as he nipped the tender
skin of her neck.

Buffy wiggled and squirmed until she was facing him once again and smiled.
Spike, on the other hand, was frowning as he looked at her. Buffy’s lip
wasn’t as bad as the night before, but her cheek was now a vicious shade of
black, blue, and purple.

Buffy’s smile faded as Spike reached up to gently trace her wounded skin.
She tried to flinch away from him, hating herself for what happened the
night before and for not being strong enough to defend herself.

“Why did he do it?” Spike asked softly.

“He got home early…found the condom that we didn’t use, on the floor.”

Spike shut his eyes as guilt seemed to explode in his body. “I’m sorry,
luv,” he whispered. “It’s my fault.”

“No,” Buffy said, shaking her head as she tilted his head down, waiting
until he opened his eyes. “It was his fault, not yours. Spike…you saved
me.”

She snuggled even further into his embrace, resting her head on his chest as
he lovingly stroked her back and ran his fingers through her hair. “I love
you so much,” he whispered, leaving a delicate kiss on her shoulder.

“I know,” Buffy said with a smile.

Spike waited for a moment before pulling back to look at her, scarred
eyebrow raised in question. “Aren’t you going to say it back?”

“I don’t know,” Buffy replied with a playful shrug. “Maybe later, I don’t
really feel like it right now.”

Buffy moved to get out of the bed as she tried to suppress her laughter, but
she was soon giggling as Spike pulled her back to the bed, pinning her
underneath him. She squealed when he soon began mercilessly tickling her.

“Say it,” he said in a warning tone as Buffy laughed and squirmed.

“Later,” Buffy said, gasping for breath and trying to evade his maneuvers.

“Now.”

“Okay, okay,” Buffy replied, panting heavily as Spike stopped in
expectation. Buffy slowly caressed his cheek as she stared into his cobalt
eyes, her smile fading as the mood turned more serious. “I love you,
Spike.”

Spike smiled before catching her lips in a soft kiss. “Just like to hear
you say it now and then,” he said softly.

“I’ll be saying it more than ‘now and then.’”

Spike’s happiness was short-lived as Buffy pulled away from him. He was
soon frowning and making a move to grab her when she rolled out of bed,
grabbing a button-down shirt from his desk chair and slipping it on. “Where
do you think you’re going?” Spike asked before groaning as Buffy turned
around, only two buttons connecting the shirt, leaving him with an excellent
view. “Well, that’s got to be one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen,” he
said, advancing toward her. “Even if I do prefer you with nothing on.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Buffy warned, holding up a hand to keep him at
bay. “I need to get a shower.”

“No problem,” Spike said with a casual shrug. “I’ll join you.”

“You will not!” Buffy cried, staring at him. “Look, Mister. Your parents
might turn a blind eye to us sharing a bed, but I think they might be a
little suspicious if we share the bathroom.”

Buffy smiled as Spike’s bottom lip poked out in an endearing pout. With a
sigh, she walked over, wrapping her arms around his lean waist and planting
soft kisses on his chest.

“Keep doing that, luv, and you won’t be making it to the shower,” Spike
said, his eyes trying to stay open as his hands traveled up to her hair.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” Buffy said softly.

“You know it’s going to kill me, knowing you’re in there and not able to get
to you.”

“I’ll make it up to you.”

“How?” Spike asked with a smile.

“Next time your parents are gone for a while, we can have a shower
together,” she replied with a grin.

Spike raised an eyebrow at the offer as Buffy turned and headed out the
door.

“Promise?” he called after her.

“I promise,” she yelled back before shutting the bathroom door.

Spike waited until the water was running before quickly dressing and
jogging downstairs.

“Mum! Dad!” he called. “How would you two like dinner and a movie tonight?
It’s on me.”

Chapter 17 – Delusions


Spike and Buffy lay curled up on the couch later that night. Buffy had
stayed true to her word and shared a shower with Spike while his parents
were spending the night out. He was contently wrapped around his
girlfriend, sharing a bowl of popcorn and some chick flick that Buffy had
picked out.

Spike frowned when he heard a knock at the door, disentangling himself from
Buffy as he went to answer it. His jaw set on edge when he opened the door
to reveal a very bruised Hank Summers.

“You’re not welcome here, mate,” Spike said with a raised eyebrow, not
intimidated in the slightest by the older man.

“I came to see my daughter.”

“Is that a fact?” Spike asked with a smirk. “Well, I’m sorry, but she
doesn’t want to see you anymore,” he finished, echoing the words Hank had
told him the previous night.

“She’s my daughter, and I’ll…”

Hank trailed off as he looked over Spike's shoulder. Spike turned around to
see Buffy huddled next to the stairs, staring at the two men. Spike wanted
to go to her, but he resisted the urge, not wanting to give Hank the
opportunity to walk in the house uninvited.

“Buffy, talk to me,” Hank said in the soothing tone he used on his clients.

Buffy took a step forward before Spike’s hand blocked the small opening
that led outside. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“Spike.”

Spike turned at the small voice, looking at Buffy in confusion.

“I’ll talk to him,” she whispered.

Spike abandoned the door, not caring if Hank came into the house. He knew
he could deal with him if it came to that. He stared at Buffy for a long
moment. She looked so tiny and frail, wearing a turtleneck that seemed to
swallow her, falling past her waist and almost covering her hands. Her hair
was down and lightly curled from drying after their shower. Her cheekbone
was still several shades of purple and blue, making her look even more
helpless to Spike. “You don’t have to do this, luv,” he said softly.

“Yes, I do,” she whispered, looking at Spike with pleading eyes.

Spike set his jaw, closing his eyes for a moment.

“We can talk outside,” Hank said, causing Spike to whirl around and face
him.

“No, you won’t!”

“Spike,” Buffy said softly. “It’s okay. I need to do this alone.”

Spike took a deep breath. “I’ll go outside,” he said to Buffy before
turning to face her father. “You have five minutes.”

Making sure he had his key in case Hank tried to pull anything over on him,
Spike stepped out on the front porch, lighting a much needed cigarette
before he was even fully out of the house.

Buffy turned to her father as the door shut behind her boyfriend, holding up
her hand. “Do NOT come any closer than that.”

“What are you doing here, Buffy?” Hank asked.

“Staying away from you,” she answered bluntly.

“You think he wants you?” he asked, gesturing to the front door. “You think
he’ll still be here if you weren’t such an easy lay?”

Buffy could feel her resolve crumbling as her father spoke. Tears began
glistening in her eyes as he continued.

“You’re nothing but a charity case to him, Buffy. You’ll have him for a few
months, and then he’ll head off to college, and you’ll go wherever the hell
you’re headed. He’ll forget all about you as soon as some cheerleader gets
him off.”

“What do you want from me?” Buffy asked, still fighting the tears as she
stared at a man who was supposed to be her father. “You don’t want me to
come home. Do you want me attend some fundraiser with you?” she asked
sarcastically. “Pretend to be the perfect family?”

Hank glared at his daughter as she looked down at the floor and continued.

“You’re supposed to love me,” she whispered, hating herself for showing her
weakness but needing him to understand at the same time. Maybe she needed
herself to understand as well. “You’re my only living relative. We share
the same blood, Dad. I never did anything that you said I did. I know you
got that call from Scott, and I don’t know how the rumor spread all over
town, but that’s all it was…a rumor. So, I want to know…why do you hate
me?”

Hank didn’t answer as he looked at his daughter with a strange mixture of disgust
and pity. He took a deep breath as he looked down at the floor. “I’ve
already told you.”

“Because of Mom,” Buffy said with a nod. “So what happens now?” she asked,
knowing that if he really wanted to drag her back to that hellhole, she would
have no choice in the matter.

Hank seemed to think for a moment before answering. “If anyone asks, you’re
only here temporarily.”

“Am I?”

“I don’t know.”

Without another word, Hank turned and left the house, not giving Spike a
second glance as the younger man bolted through the door and slammed it
behind him.

“Are you okay?” Spike asked.

Buffy was visibly shaken up, more from the fact that she confronted her
father, but also for the words that haunted her. What if Spike was only
with her because she was easy? It’s not like she had been before, but they had
only been together for a month and she’d slept with him. She wasn’t even
eighteen. Did she really expect Spike to stay with her for the rest of her
life? Was she that delusional?

“Buffy, are you okay?” Spike asked a little more forcefully as he looked at
her.

“I’m fine,” she replied in an unconvincing voice as she shook her head, as
if trying to clear it.

Spike frowned as he put his arms around her, only to have her flinch and
pull away from him.

“Luv,” Spike said softly. “I know you’re a little shaken up, but everything
will be okay. Why don’t we go upstairs, alright?”

Spike meant it in the most innocent context, but the shocked look Buffy gave
him, made him think he’d asked her to have sex on Principal Snyder’s desk.

“No,” Buffy said, shaking her head. “Y-you stay down here…I’ll be
upstairs.”

Spike watched anxiously as Buffy climbed the stairs, not giving him a second
glance. He heard the soft click of her bedroom door before turning and
facing the door. Hank Summers was gone, but Spike knew he was still with
Buffy in everything that she did.

“What did you say to her, you pillock?”

Chapter 18 - Confrontations


The next day, Spike was more worried than ever. He’d noticed that morning that Buffy was wearing more make-up than usual, to cover the bruising on her face. He had given her a ride
to school, but she had barely said two words to him.

Spike had filled his parents in when they got home the previous night, but
when he went to check on Buffy, she was already asleep. Or at least,
pretending to be asleep.

It was now lunchtime, and Spike could see Buffy sitting with Willow and
Xander on the other side of the cafeteria. Although they had been dating
for over a month, very few people at school knew it. They only had one
class together, and Buffy insisted that he sit with his friends so he
wouldn’t start ignoring them, and she still sat with hers. Today, he headed
over to her table, bending low to whisper in her ear. “I’ve missed you,
luv.”

Buffy seemed to jump as she turned to face him. “What are you doing?” she
asked, looking around the cafeteria.

“Sitting with my girlfriend,” he replied, dropping into a seat as he nodded
a quick hello to her friends.

“Really, Spike…you don’t have to.”

Spike stared at her for a long moment before responding. “Can we talk,
luv?”

Buffy took a deep breath before nodding. Spike stood with her, following
her out into the hallway as she turned to face him. He noticed that she
wasn’t raising her eyes to his. Spike slowly tilted her chin up to look at
her, seeing insecurity written all over her face.

“Buffy, what happened?”

“I’m fine, Spike,” she insisted a little too rapidly.

“Are we fine?” he asked, feeling insecurity begin to creep through him as he
stared at her.

“I don’t know,” she whispered, turning her head away from his.

Spike clenched his jaw as he took her firmly by the shoulders, turning her
to face him. “We were fine until last night, Buffy. What’s going on?”

Buffy took a deep breath, tears shimmering in her eyes as she looked at him.
“I don’t think this is going to work,” she whispered, feeling her heart
breaking.

Spike felt his stomach drop as he stared at her in shock. “What’s not going
to work, baby?” he asked softly.

Buffy swallowed hard before taking a deep breath. “Us.”

“We were working just fine the other night,” Spike replied, feeling his
temper get the best of him. Lowering his voice to a whisper, he bent to
Buffy’s eye level. “And considering we live together, I think it’s going to
be pretty hard getting away from me because I have no intention of letting
you go back to that wanker that you call a father.”

“I need…I need some space,” Buffy said softly.

“We’ve been going out a month, and you need space?” he asked in disbelief.

“Spike, please-“

“No, Buffy! Now, tell me what the hell happened in the last twelve hours
that made you have such a big change of heart.”

“Spike…”

Buffy swallowed a sob as she turned to walk away from him. Spike quickly
caught her arm, bringing her closer to him as he spoke. “You said you loved
me,” his voice taking on a desperate quality.

“I know,” Buffy replied in a quiet voice before pulling free and running
down the hallway.

He watched her go, as his heart shattered.

“So, you got a ride, too, huh, Giles?”

Spike clenched his jaw and turned to face Parker Abrams.

“What do you mean ‘too’?” Spike asked with a raised eyebrow as Parker began
walking toward him.

“She’s a good lay, isn’t she?” Parker asked with a smile as Spike clenched
both of his fists.

“I don’t see how you would know.”

Parker looked at him as if he was the stupidest man on the planet. “I had
her already, remember? That one definitely has stamina.”

Spike couldn’t take anymore as he let his fist fly, connecting to Parker’s
nose with a solid punch.

“What the fuck, man!” Parker yelled as his hand came up to the blood that
was now flowing freely.

“Stop spreading lies, Abrams,” Spike said in a menacing voice. “Buffy would
never touch you, and we both know it.”

Spike was surprised when Parker punched him in the stomach but quickly got
his bearings and retaliated, sending the other man sprawling on the tile.
Spike was on him in an instant, punching and kicking as Parker tried to get
to his feet.

Spike was so consumed by his rage, he barely even registered when he was
pulled away and held back.

“What the hell is going on here?”

Spike and Parker both groaned when they heard Snyder’s voice. Spike was
released and turned around to see Angel standing behind him.

“Sorry, man,” Angel said softly. “I tried to stop you before he saw, but…”

Spike nodded his understanding as the annoying little mad approached them.

“You two, in my office. NOW!”

Both men looked at each other with mutual hatred as they slowly trudged to
the office.

* * * * *

Buffy looked around her English class, feeling more anxious when she still
didn’t see Spike. She hadn’t seen him since the disaster at lunch, and she
was starting to get worried. Her heart felt like it was falling apart, but
deep down, she felt that her father was right. Spike didn’t need her. She
knew that he cared about her, but she probably was just the next best thing
until college.

When the bell signaling the last class was over, finally rang, Buffy quickly
gathered her books and ran out the door. She was in such a hurry, she
almost ran over a very nervous Giles as he stood at the door, apparently
waiting on her.

“Buffy, I’m glad I caught you. I’m afraid I’ll be the one driving you home
today.”

A tiny part of her was relieved that she wouldn’t be in such a confining
space with the man she loved and let go, but a larger part began to grow
very concerned.

“Where’s Spike?”

Giles took a deep breath as he took his glasses off and began cleaning them.
“I’m afraid he’s been suspended.”

Chapter 19 – Boiling Point


Buffy walked into Spike’s bedroom, slamming the door behind her. Spike
looked up in surprise, standing when he saw her walk in.

“You got suspended!” she yelled. “What the hell were you trying to prove?”

Spike raised an eyebrow at Buffy’s outburst. “You know,” he replied. “I
thought you’d be the last one in line. What happened? Did Mum and Dad not
want to yell at me right now?”

“They saw how mad I was and decided to leave for a while,” Buffy replied,
crossing her arms across her chest and raising her own eyebrow, almost in a
challenge. “They were hoping I might be able to talk some sense into you.
What the hell were you thinking, Spike?”

“I was thinking that Parker Abrams was still spreading lies about you, and I
set him straight,” he replied, walking toward her as she backed into the
door.

“It wasn’t worth getting suspended, Spike,” Buffy replied, almost
breathlessly as Spike got closer to her.

“It’s only a few days, luv. I’ll be back at school before you know it. I
wasn’t willing to risk your reputation.”

“Have you listened to the gossip going through that school, Spike!” Buffy
cried. “You said it yourself, my reputation was established before I even
moved into this town! What are you going to do? Beat up everyone who’s
talked about me? You would be first on that list.”

Buffy’s jaw clenched as Spike pinned her to the door, pressing his body
against hers until she couldn’t move.

“You’re right,” he whispered, his lips brushing against hers as he spoke.

Buffy’s breath hitched as her eyes fluttered shut. She tried to resist the
urge to bring her mouth to his.

“What’s the matter, luv?” Spike asked softly, a smirk playing on his lips as
his hands left the door to settle on her waist. “You seem a little short of
breath.”

“We can’t do this, Spike,” Buffy whispered. The words had sounded much more
convincing in her head, but when she actually said them out loud, they
seemed hollow and lacked the conviction she wished for.

“I think we already are,” Spike said, his hands playing with the hem of her
skirt as she gave him a gentle push, not trusting her reaction when he was
so close to her, clouding her judgment.

Spike acted so quickly, Buffy’s eyes widened as she found herself lifted
into his arms, the sound of a zipper filling the quiet room. The noise
seemed to reverberate through the open space, sounding like the loudest thing
she had ever heard, as she was pressed against the door.

Buffy’s eyes closed as her head rolled back against the door. His fingers
brushed her thong aside, but she was surprised when she felt him teasing her
entrance instead of pushing into her. Her thigh muscles were clenching in
anticipation as she gasped for breath.

“I’ll stop if you want me to, Buffy,” Spike said in a low voice. “Just say
the word.”

Buffy opened her eyes, getting lost in his as she tightened her lips. Spike
began breathing heavily at the simple gesture. With aching slowness, he
began to fill her, inch by agonizing inch.

Spike held onto her hips as she tried to arch against him, craving more
friction as he fully sheathed himself inside of her. He buried his head
against her neck before he began thrusting in and out of her tight passage.

Buffy moaned in pleasure as they moved together, fitting each other
perfectly. The euphoric sensations that seemed to be rushing through both
of them was almost too much. Spike wasn’t aware that anything else
existed except for Buffy’s body moving with his.

Spike pressed his forehead to hers as their eyes met, each conveying the
vast emotions and feelings that the other was going through. He plunged
in and out of her at a more rapid pace as her muscles began to tremble
around him.

Spike knew she was close, and Buffy felt his hand dip in between their
bodies, lightly teasing her clit as he helped her to climax.

Buffy clutched at Spike’s body as he sent her over the edge with a scream of
satisfaction.

Spike continued moving against her, feeling his own orgasm approaching as
he, once again, buried his face in her neck. He sped up his thrusts before
spilling himself deep inside of her.

“I love you,” he whispered, their bodies melting together. “I love you, I
love you.”

Buffy pressed her head against his shirt, letting her tears fall as he
whispered to her, wishing for so many things.

“Spike,” she whispered, trying to disentangle herself from his strong grasp.
“Don’t.”

Spike pulled back to look into her eyes, his own filling with anger as he
stared at her. “You love me, I know you do. You’re not going to do this,
Buffy.”

“Spike, let me go,” she said softly, wriggling in his grasp, only to be
pressed more firmly against the door.

“No,” he replied, clenching his teeth.

“Spike, please,” she begged softly, not trusting herself to keep her
resolve, especially since he was still firmly joined with her.

“Tell me,” Spike said, practically yelling at her, the desperation obvious
in his panicked voice.

Buffy managed to push herself away, separating them. Spike took a step
back as they straightened their clothes. She gave Spike a tender,
remorseful look before turning for the door. Spike felt fear grip his
heart before he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“Please, baby,” he whispered, nuzzling her hair before planting gentle
kisses along her neck. “I love you.”

Buffy sniffled, trying to hold back her tears. “I love you, too.”

Spike watched, feeling his heart break as she pulled away from him, walking
out of his room and leaving him alone.

Chapter 20 - Make it Work


Spike waited until he was positive that Buffy was in bed, before slipping on
a pair of sweatpants and leaving his room. He had skipped dinner with his
family, not feeling up to seeing anyone. Especially not up to seeing the
woman he loved, ignoring him through the entire meal.

Slipping quietly down the hall, Spike slowly opened her bedroom door,
careful not to make the hinges squeak as he shut it behind him. He stared
at Buffy for a long moment, feeling his heart swell as he looked at her.

The moonlight spilled throughout the room, bathing it in a soft blue light.
Her hair seemed illuminated, pooled on the pillow as she slept. Spike
noticed it wasn’t a peaceful sleep, however. Her brow was furrowed as she
tossed slightly, obviously troubled by something.

Spike moved quietly across the room, climbing under the covers with her,
before wrapping his body around her smaller one. Buffy seemed to quiet for
a moment before he felt her tense as she entered the first stages of
waking, realizing something was different.

“Shhh, it’s me, luv,” Spike whispered, leaving a soft kiss on the exposed
skin of her shoulder as one hand slipped beneath her camisole to run
soothing circles along her stomach.

Buffy once again seemed to relax before fully waking up and tension filling
her body again. Spike noticed with a slight smile that she wasn’t trying
to pull away from him as she became more aware of her surroundings.

“Spike,” she whispered. “What are you doing?”

“I couldn’t be without you, baby,” he whispered through his soft kisses.

“Spike, we can’t keep doing this.”

“Why not?” Spike asked with a hint of anger as his hold tightened.

“Because it’s over,” she whispered with tears in her eyes, grateful that her
back was to him so he wouldn’t see her cry.

“No, it’s not,” Spike said through gritted teeth before grabbing her more
firmly and rolling her to face him.

Spike could see the tears rolling down her cheeks as he covered her body
with his.

“Spike, what are you doing?” Buffy asked, a tremor of nervousness entering
her voice, causing Spike to tenderly stroke her cheek.

“Nothing, baby,” he whispered. “I just want to talk to you.”

“While you’re on top of me?” Buffy asked with a raised eyebrow as Spike
smiled.

“Well, at least I know you can’t run away.”

Buffy couldn’t help it- the smile slowly overtook her features as she looked
away.

“Knew I could get a grin,” he said with a soft smile as Buffy’s faded. She
looked back at him with sad eyes as he stared at her. “Did I do something,
Buffy?” he asked softly, causing her eyes to widen.

“No,” she said, shaking her head as Spike soothingly ran his hand along her
arm. “No, of course not.”

“What did he say?”

“Wh-who?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Buffy. Your father…what did your father say to
you last night?”

“I-it was nothing,” Buffy replied in a whisper.

“Nothing?” Spike asked disbelievingly. “And yet, you say you still love me,
but you don’t want to be with me anymore?”

Buffy looked away as she tried to control her tears.

“Is it true?” Spike asked. “Do you really want to break up with me?”

Buffy didn’t say anything as Spike’s eyes hardened. Rolling away from her
and standing, Buffy gasped. “Where are you going?” she asked, almost in a
panic, sitting up as she stared after him.

“You don’t want to be with me, Buffy. You don’t expect to stay where I’m
not wanted, do you?” he asked, never looking at her as he walked toward the
door.

“Because you can do better than me,” Buffy said quietly, looking at the
floor.

Spike froze, his hand on the doorknob as he steadied his breathing.

“Because you can do better than some charity case,” Buffy continued.

“Charity case? Where are you getting…I want to kill your father,” Spike spat,
turning around. Walking back to the bed, he dropped down to his knees,
taking Buffy’s hands in his as he looked into her eyes. “I would never
think that, luv,” he said softly. “I’m with you because I want to be, not
because I feel sorry for you or feel like I owe you anything, okay?”

“So you would have stayed with me even if we hadn’t slept together?” Buffy
asked doubtfully.

Spike’s eyes clouded over with anger as he stood up. “Is that the only
reason you did it?” he asked in a low tone. “You thought it was the only
reason to keep me with you?”

“Spike-“

“No,” Spike said angrily. “I would have stayed with you, Buffy. If you had
wanted to wait until marriage, I would have been fine with that. I never
wanted you to feel pressured to do something you weren’t ready for.”

“I was,” Buffy whispered. “I was ready. And I wanted to be with you so
much,” she finished with tears in her eyes.

“I love you,” Spike whispered, taking her face in his hands. “I love you,”
he repeated, looking into her eyes, needing her to understand the extent of
his feelings.

“You love me…but what is that?” Buffy asked. “I know how I feel for you,
but getting this feeling from someone I barely know...”

Spike tried to hide the flash of anger as she spoke. “I know what you’re
scared of, Buffy. Your father was supposed to love you, but he didn’t…not the
way he should, anyway, so how could I? Is that it?”

“You have your whole life ahead of you,” Buffy whispered.

“With you.”

“Spike, I’m not even eighteen. How can you know that you want to spend the
rest of your life with me?”

“I’m not going to rationalize everything I feel, Buffy. I’m not letting you
push me away just because you’re scared. I told you I would be here, and I
intend on keeping that promise.”

Buffy felt her heart swell at his confession before pulling him down for a
soft kiss. Her hands threaded through his hair, pulling him closer as her
tongue slipped into his mouth. Spike felt the situation begin to spiral out
of control as he gently put his hands on her arms, prying them away from him
as he separated their lips.

“What’s wrong?” Buffy asked in concern.

“We’re not doing this tonight,” Spike whispered, tucking a strand of hair
behind her ear.

“You don’t want me?” she asked softly.

“More than anything,” he replied, giving her another gentle kiss. “But I
don’t want you to think this relationship revolves around sex.”

Buffy smiled as Spike pulled her into his arms before lying back on the bed,
holding her firmly against him as he kissed along her shoulder. “Tonight, I
just want to hold you,” he whispered against her skin as he left more
kisses. “And tomorrow.” Another kiss. “And the night after that…and the
night after that.”

Buffy began giggling as his lips attacked her neck, tickling more than
pleasuring. She tried to squirm away from him as his hold tightened on her.
Slowly, they settled down as Buffy rolled over to face him, tracing the scar
in his eyebrow. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I know.”

Chapter 21 – Christmas Surprises


Christmas finally arrived and, miraculously, Buffy and Spike passed their
English project.

Buffy hadn’t heard anything from her father, and she didn’t know whether to
be worried or relieved. She had taken an after school job at the Sun Cinema
to save some money for Christmas presents. The previous night, she and
Spike went to visit Gunn and Fred, who were now dating, and Buffy could not have
been happier for them. They were her family when she had no one, and she was
relieved that they finally realized how much they needed each other. Much
like her and Spike.

Spike had stayed true to his word, and although they did spend every night
together, they hadn’t made love in weeks. Some nights were harder than
others, but slowing down had done wonders for their relationship, bringing
them closer together.

It was now Christmas Eve, and all four members of the household were living
the cliché- watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

Everyone looked up as a loud knock sounded on the door.

“Who could that be?” Giles asked, almost to himself, as he got up to answer
it.

No one could see the front door from their positions in the living room, but
everyone froze when they heard Giles speak. “Hello, Officer, how can I help
you?”

“Sorry, to bother you, Sir, but is Buffy Summers living here?”

Spike’s arms tightened around Buffy’s waist as she sat up a little bit
straighter.

“Buffy,” Giles said from the entranceway. “Could you come here for a
moment?”

Spike and Jenny followed closely behind, both worried about the young girl.

Buffy stepped forward, shaking the officer’s hand before wrapping her arms
around her body.

“Miss Summers, my name is Robin Wood, I’m with the Sunnydale PD. Could I
speak to you in private?”

“It’s okay, Officer,” Buffy said with a nod. “These people are my family,
you can talk to me in front of them.”

She felt Spike’s hand reach for hers and give it a light squeeze.

“Alright then,” Officer Wood continued. “I’m sorry to bother you on
Christmas Eve, but it’s about your father.”

Buffy’s body tensed as she waited.

“He’s been arrested.”

Buffy felt her shoulders sag. She wasn’t sure what her feelings were as she
stared at the floor. A part of her had been scared that her only living
relative was gone. Another part felt that Hank was going to use the police
to get her to come back to the mansion without too much of a fight. Hearing
he was arrested was almost a relief.

“Why?” Buffy asked softly, raising her eyes to the policeman’s.

“Numerous charges,” Officer Wood replied. “Tax evasion, fraud…statutory
rape.”

Buffy’s eyes widened as her mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?”

“Your father was in a relationship with a seventeen year old. He claims he
didn’t know her true age, but her parents found out and are now pressing
charges. We’ve been watching him for a while, and when her parents came
forth, we decided it was time to bring up the charges we already had.”

Buffy concentrated on her breathing as the man began to back to the door.
“I’m sorry, again. But since you’re his daughter, we thought you should know.
Normally, we’d send someone from social services since you’re a minor, but these are…unique
circumstances. Your father said you’ve been staying with friends for a few
months.”

“Buffy’s more than welcome to stay here indefinitely,” Giles spoke up,
deciding to not offer the information that this was already the arrangement.

“I’m almost eighteen,” Buffy said with a hopeful expression. “I’ll be
willing to talk to someone, but they won’t…try and take me away, will they?”

“No,” Wood said with a friendly smile. “You obviously have friends who care
about you a great deal and want to take care of you, so as long as you’re in
a safe place, they’ll probably just do a routine interview.”

“Thank you, Officer,” Jenny said as she and Giles walked him to the door.

“Merry Christmas,” he said with a smile.

“Merry Christmas to you, as well,” Giles replied.

Buffy stood still as Spike gently tugged on her hand. “Do you want to go
get some sleep, luv?” he asked quietly.

Buffy nodded, saying goodnight to Jenny and Giles before slowly walking up
the stairs. Spike followed closely behind her, keeping their hands locked
together as she led him to his room, not even questioning where she was
going anymore.

“Are you going to be okay?” Spike asked, closing the door behind them
before turning to face Buffy as she sat down on the bed.

“I’ll be fine,” Buffy said in a soft voice. “For a second, I…I thought…”

“That something bad had happened?”

Buffy nodded, looking at the floor as Spike moved to sit next to her. “Did
it remind you of your mom?” he asked quietly, watching as Buffy’s eyes
snapped up to his.

“What do you mean?” Buffy asked nervously.

“Well…a cop shows up at your door…I’m just assuming that’s how it happened. Am I wrong?”

“Yeah,” Buffy said softly. “It didn’t exactly happen that way.”

“Do you want to tell me?” he asked quietly.

Buffy took a deep breath, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I was driving,”
she said in a barely audible whisper.

Spike stayed quiet, tilting his head to watch her as she continued. “Mom,
she…she had a headache and wanted me to drive. I never...”

Buffy trailed off with a sob as Spike wrapped his arms around her.

“I never saw the other car,” she said in a choked voice.

“Buffy, it wasn’t your fault,” Spike whispered.

“How do you know that?” Buffy asked, pulling away to look into Spike’s eyes.

“Was it?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Buffy closed her eyes as she shook her head. “It was a drunk driver, but
if…if I had only done something better. If I had just gone around that
curve ten seconds earlier…she would still be here.”

Spike felt the different emotions coursing through him and chose his next
words carefully.

“Buffy…I hate that you had to go through that…that you’re still having to go
through it. But you got one good thing out of it.”

Buffy looked at him as he gave her a lazy smile. “What’s that?”

“Me,” he said, his smile broadening.

Buffy felt her own smile escape as Spike reached over to wipe her tears away.
Still smiling, she looked into his cobalt eyes and felt herself falling even
more in love with him. “Thank you,” she whispered.

* * * * *

Spike pressed his lips to Buffy’s, swallowing her scream as he thrust into
her, letting her muscles contract around him as he fell over the edge with
her.

The two had been talking for hours before Buffy had moved to straddle his
lap, not giving him a chance to protest before he’d been inside of her.

Spike gasped for air as he rolled away, pulling Buffy with him. “I thought
we were going to wait,” he said breathlessly.

“Yeah,” Buffy said, trying to catch her own breath. “It was just too much
tonight. I just had to have you…sorry.”

Holding her close as she ran her hand over his chest, Spike let his own hand
trail along her arm. “Don’t ever apologize after you do that,” Spike said
with a smile, kissing the top of her head. “Feel free to pounce on me any
time you want.”

Epilogue


5 Years Later


Spike held Buffy’s hand as they walked into the crowded country club. It
was their five-year reunion, and both were looking forward to it and dreading
it at the same time.

“You ready for this, luv?” Spike whispered to her.

Buffy looked around the over-decorated room and nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever
be,” she murmured as they walked into the room, hand in hand.

“Buffy!”

Buffy turned and smiled when she saw Willow running toward her, dragging Oz
with her. Buffy gasped when she saw her, quickly wrapping her friend in a
hug before pulling away and holding her at arms length.

“Wills, I haven’t seen you in two months, and you’re already about to pop,”
Buffy said excitedly as she ran her hand over her friend’s swollen stomach.
“There’s still only one in there, right?” she asked as she and Willow
laughed.

“I don’t know. As much as she kicks, I’m thinking there’s three or four,”
Willow replied.

Spike gave Oz a sympathetic look as Buffy came back to his side. He wrapped
an arm around her, pulling her close to him, almost protectively, as they
continued their conversation with their friends.

“Blondie Bear? Oh my God, it is you!”

Spike groaned as Buffy giggled, burying her face in his chest. Slowly
turning, he took a deep breath as he faced the woman running toward him.
“How’ve you been, Harm?” he asked in a bored tone.

“I’m great, I can’t believe you’re here, and…oh, you’re with her,” she
commented, sending a pointed look in Buffy’s direction.

“It’s been a long time, Harmony,” Buffy said with a fake smile, holding out
her left hand, making sure that the other woman saw the huge diamond on her
ring finger as they shook hands.

“So,” Harmony said in a snooty tone. “You two are engaged.”

“Oh no,” Buffy said with a bright smile that only got bigger at Harmony’s
excited look. “We’re married.”

The other woman immediately dropped Buffy’s hand with a huff as Willow spoke
up. “Yeah, they’re still newlyweds. You didn’t know? They got married two
months ago on the beach…it was so romantic.”

Buffy and Spike both got the urge to kiss Willow as Harmony turned and
walked away.

“Thanks, Wills,” Buffy said with a smile.

Spike brushed a kiss along Buffy’s temple, bending low to whisper in her
ear. “I never did thank you for setting me free of that airhead, did I?”

Buffy laughed, pulling her husband onto the dance floor as a slow song
started.

“So,” Spike said, looking down at the woman he loved. “Are you happy?”

Buffy thought of the events that transpired over the past few years. From
her father being arrested to graduating, to Spike’s proposal at their
college graduation. Both had decided on a simple wedding on the beach at
sunset.

Willow, Oz, Angel, Darla, Xander and his wife Anya, newlyweds Gunn and Fred, and of course Jenny and Giles had all attended. Giles had nearly cried when Buffy asked him to give her away.
And he did cry when he walked Buffy down the long white runner and gave her
hand to his son. She had worn a simple, elegant ivory dress with spaghetti
straps, carrying a bouquet of daisies. Spike had gone for comfort, wearing
khakis and a white shirt, grateful that he didn't have to wear a tux like he
did for their prom. The day they got married had been the happiest day of
their lives.

They still lived in Sunnydale, close to his parents, and everyone made an
effort to get together at least once a week. Spike still whined and
complained about having to go home so often, but Buffy knew he secretly
loved spending time with his parents.

Now, as they swayed to the music, Buffy looked into the eyes of the man she
was falling in love with more every day. “Yes,” she finally responded.
“I’m very happy.”



A/N Thank you to everyone who read, e-mailed, reviewed, offered support, and stuck with me! This was a fun story to write and I’m happy so many people enjoyed it. I normally have two WIP’s at once, and with Remember When ending soon, I will only have Desire and Deception. I’m going to focus a lot of my energy on that one for a while, but I should have a new WIP shortly. I actually have three new ones on the horizon, but I need a little time to work on them, so keep an eye out for my next one! And as always, a big thank you to Allison for all of her support and help with this story!