Chapter 12: Short Tempers and Rising Passion

No sooner Spike started yelling, both girls froze. Neither one had heard him like that in a very long time and were both afraid of what could possibly follow.

“See what you did now, Buffy?!!” Dawn accused.

“Me?! How is this my fault?!” Buffy started yelling again.

“Duh, Buffy! Did you not just hear what he just said?!”

“Yeah, I heard him. He swore at me with a couple of Bloody’s and then he called me a Stupid Bint.” Buffy told her sister, tears welling up. “All because I was gonna, and still might, throttle you!!” Buffy yelled, tears running down her face, then realizing what she just said, her eyes widened. “Oh great!!” she exclaimed sarcastically. “Now you’ve got me talking like him!”

Dawn laughed, then told her, “No, between the swears Buffy. Did you actually hear what he said?”

“Yes Dawnie I did!” Buffy stated firmly, her voice rising again.

“Fine then!” Dawn bit back. “If you remember it so freakin well, then please, humor me and remind me! ‘Cause I seem to forget!!” she screamed at her.

Buffy thought for what seemed like centuries, but was merely only about a minute or two. Then his words came floating back to her as she opened her mouth to remind Dawn, as she so blatantly put it. “He said that…” Buffy paused trying to figure out a way to word it, but not succeeding very well, she thought screw it and continued. “He was in the same position as me. Whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean.” she finished, mumbling the last part, but still not quite absorbing the meaning behind those words. Both girls sat in silence for a moment before Dawn spoke up, once again.

“Umm…Buffy?” She asked cautiously and quietly, not really wanting to start another yelling match with her sister, nor disturb her thoughts. But she definitely needed to move them along before Spike left, or had another freak out and did something stupid.

“Hmm?”

“Do you understand what he meant by that?”

“Not exactly…I mean, well…how can he be in the same position as me if he was sitting calmly, maybe a bit paler then usual and I coulda swore his cheeks were a bit pink, but other than that, he was basically the opposite of me. Unless…you don’t think he meant…no…he couldn’t…could he? Does he? Is he?” Buffy rambled, finally coming to the realization of just exactly what Spike meant by those words and why he was so upset. “Dawn?” she asked quietly, not trusting her voice, “Is he?” Buffy asked disbelievingly.

Dawn regarded her sister carefully…thinking at times how much of a blonde she can be, especially when she gets upset, but she also regarded her quickly as well, remembering how short her fuse could be when she needed solid conformation or complete denial over something urgent. She then took a deep breath and decided to just tell her as much truth as possible with out managing to get into another fight with her, especially while Spike was outside somewhere being po’d and sulking. She knew that avoidance of the subject had a very high chance of her getting killed, or at least some major pain inflected onto her. If not by Buffy, then surely by Spike. Once again, she took a deep calming breath and then looked her sister directly in the eye and said just two words, “Yes, exactly.” She then watched the range of emotions play across her sister’s face. Everything from excitement all the way through to complete terror, and then back to relief and excitement again. Then, after all that, Dawn witnessed something scarcely seen with Buffy. Something she hadn’t seen since…god!! Could it really be that long?!…since before she left, possibly even before the whole Glory mess got so out of hand. No…wait…there was that time after she came home from talking to Spike after the whole Glory torture incident. Oh! And then when she came home that very morning. (Not the morning she came back, due to Willow's spell, but the morning of the day they were in now.) What she saw was a genuine smile, the kind that practically lit up her entire face. Just looking at her smile made Dawn smile just as brightly and give Buffy a huge hug. When Dawn finally released her sister, Buffy looked at her completely confused.

Dawn smiled brightly and chirped, “Welcome back!”

“Huh?” Buffy asked, cocking her head slightly.

Geeze, Spike really is rubbing off on her, Dawn thought giddily. “Besides this morning when you walked in the front door, just now was the first time since you’ve come back, that I’ve seen a genuine smile on your face.”

Buffy thought for a moment and had to look in the mirror to confirm it herself. “Yeah, so I am.” Buffy agreed still smiling.

“Do you even realize why you’re so smiley?” Dawn asked. Buffy just shrugged in response. “Cause for the first time in a very, very long time…” Dawn paused for dramatic effect. “…you’re happy!! Not just pretending for everyone else’s sake, but now it’s for real!! So, welcome back!!!”

“Thanks…I think.” Buffy told her…a bit suspicious.

“Yeah. No problem! Now, I highly suggest you go out there and find Spike. Preferably before he has another freak out.”

“Ok…fine. But you’re not off the hook about the CD just yet.”

“Figured as much, but I can explain and you’ll see…I’m more innocent over it than you’re thinking.”

“Whatever.” Buffy sighed. “But we will discuss this later.” “Now…did you happen to notice which way he stormed off to?”

“Umm…I think he wandered off to our right.”

“Ok…I’ll be back soon. STAY HERE and NO EAVESDROPPING!!” Buffy told Dawn as she climbed out of the truck.

“Fine.” Dawn told her with a sigh. Then began the task of retrieving the scattered contents of her backpack from the entire back seat area. She had dumped and scattered everything due to her desperate search for her prized CD. The same one that had just gotten herself in deep trouble, yet finally opened Buffy's eyes to the feelings that she as
The Slayer had been suppressing deep down for so incredibly long.

Just before Buffy shut the door, she told her sister in her most authoritative voice, “I mean it Dawn. NO EAVESDROPPING!”

Dawn sighed exasperatedly and responded, “Just go get your boyfriend so we can get a move on and quit worrying about me. I’ll be fine.” “REALLY!”

When she finally shut the door, Buffy was off to find and retrieve Spike. As she slowly walked down the hill, she desperately attempted to think up a way to apologize to Spike for not thinking before she spoke and for having a blonde moment on top of that as well! But, unfortunately, she reached him before she could come up with anything, so she decided to wing it. As she approached him, she noticed two things…one, that he had his back to her and was seemingly trying to ignore her presence. And two, that he had an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips.

“Thinking of lighting that any time soon?” she asked him.

“I would, but I lost my lighter. I think I left it in the truck.”

Buffy slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out some matches.

“What's that for Slayer? Planning on lighting me on fire?” he asked sarcastically.

“Only in my dreams!!” she laughed. Then she walked over to Spike and lit his cigarette for him. “Spike, I'm sorry I snapped at you.”, she said quietly. “I just hate knowing that Dawn is going through my personal stuff.”

“I know how you feel.” He answered shortly.

“I know. I didn't realize it until you ran out of the car that she didn't only get those song ideas from me.”

“Well if you hadn't totally wigged out, I would have had the chance to tell you that not all those songs came from you, luv.”

“Ok, from now on I promise to try to have a little more patience and to cut down on the wigging.” Buffy said emphasizing the word wigging. “When exactly did you start talking like me anyway?” Buffy asked with a sly grin.

“Dunno.” Spike shrugged & chuckled. “Looks like you're corrupting me. I better stay away from you.” He joked and started to walk away.

“Don't you dare!!" Buffy exclaimed with more emotion than she had intended and proceeded to grab his arm pulling him back, then hung her head in a weak attempt to hide it. "So, do you forgive me now?" she asked, pouting slightly.

“I'll only forgive you on one condition.” he told her holding up one finger as if to demonstrate.

“Oh yeah...what's that?” she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

He then glided toward her till they were only inches apart, then wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned down so his lips were practically touching her ear. “If you tell me how often I'm in your dreams.” He whispered seductively.

“Spike!” she squealed, playfully slapping him & blushing a bright red.

“Come on Buffy, I know you dream about me. I can hear your little whimpers while your sleeping and I just know you're dreaming of me touching you. So, come on, tell me. How often?”

She hesitated at first, Spike taking her completely off guard. She took a step toward him so her face was dangerously close to his. She looked into his eyes and scanned his face until she was seductively staring at his lips. "Every night." she replied breathlessly.

“See, that wasn't so hard now was it?”

“No. But you are!” She told him grinning as she noticed the bulge in his jeans and cupped her hand against it, causing Spike to grown in response.

“You're gonna be the death of me, sweetness.” He growled, cautiously removing her hand and taking a few steps backwards.

“But that‘s one of the reasons you love me, right?” She asked coyly.

“Of many.” He replied with a grin.

“So…do you forgive me now?" she pouted.

“Not quite.” He told her, then grabbed her and kissed her soundly causing her to moan into his mouth. Spike pulled away and looked into the eyes of his breathless slayer. “Ok, now…I forgive you.” he said with a cocky smirk, and walked back to the truck leaving her standing there completely stunned and breathless.

TBC….

Don’t forget to review and let me know how you like it so far.

To those who have cared enough to leave a review and let me know their thoughts on this fic…thank you ever so much, you’re greatly appreciated!!

Chapter 13: Past and Present Collide

As Spike walked back up to the truck he whistled happily, thinking about how for once he actually stunned Buffy speechless and how he took her by complete surprise.

While Buffy, on the other hand, stood dumbstruck exactly where Spike left her after kissing her senseless. After a few moments she was finally coming to and was positive she was imagining things. So, in order to prove it to herself she slowly reached up to her lips expecting to find them covered in lip gloss and definitely not slightly swollen due to a mind numbing kiss. But, instead the were just the opposite. Completely void of gloss and indeed a bit swollen.

Once he finally approached the truck, Dawn stuck her head out the window and informed him that Buffy was still standing dumbstruck, down at the bottom of the hill where he left her moments earlier. “Oi! Slayer! Let’s go!” When she didn’t respond he called again, “Buffy! C’mon goldilocks we’re goin’ now!” Finally she looked up and acknowledged she heard him and then smiling to herself, she climbed back up the hill and into the Jeep. No sooner had she climbed back in, Dawn was already begging for the CD to be put on.

“Fine, fine.” she heard Spike mumble while sliding in the CD.

“Dawn, you still have to explain how you got those lists.” Buffy started, only to be shushed by Dawn as the first few notes of the first track started. “Fine, but you’re so talking’ later.” Buffy grumbled, then sat quietly while listening to the stereo. At first Buffy didn’t remember that Out of this World was on her list, but once the first verse started…
she remembered quite well.

When we die
we go into the arms of those
that remember us

Even now, when she thought of that night, her knuckles rang out in pain, a continual reminder of what she had done to the man next to her. She then stiffened in her seat. An action that didn’t go un-noticed by Spike. Knowing better than to make a smart ass remark, he took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. He then told her in his most soothing and honest voice, “ ‘S ok…relax luv. I remember this song quite well, as well as recognize the situation behind it too. But, we’ve moved past that now luv. There’s no need to be anxious about it anymore. Those guys are over with.”

“Yeah, I know…it’s just that night is still so clear in my mind. I even have scars on my knuckles that remind me of it every day.”

“I’ve noticed.” he told her quietly and then lifted up her hand and kissed her knuckles.

“Would someone please inform me back here. What happened that has to do with this song? Did I make a bad choice to use it?”

“No…that’s ok Dawnie. You couldn’t have known.”

“Well…can one or both of you explain what happened? It must be a big deal if it’s still bringing tears to both your eyes.”

“I’m not exactly sure where to start Dawn. It was a confusing night.” Buffy told her, her voice hitching as she spoke. “Spike, can you start please?”

“I’ll try luv.” He told her kissing her knuckles again. “Ok Nibblet…listen carefully, cause I’m not goin’ though this again.” Spike told her pausing the CD.

Dawn leaned forward in her seat and placed her elbows on the console. “Ok, listening, go on.”

“The night started off well enough, most like a normal night between us. We were even havin’ a right conversation, we were. Anyway, I said some bloody stupid thing and your sis here took off. Can’t really says I blame her though.” he told Dawn and gave Buffy’s hand a little squeeze.

Buffy blushed a little then continued, “Yeah…so anyway. After leaving Spike’s, I came home kinda hoping to get to spend some time with you, but you were already goin to Janice’s.”

“Yeah…sorry ‘bout that. It’s just…well…I never knew if you were gonna be home or not and so I made plans, figuring you were too busy for me.” Dawn confessed.

“Yeah I know. And I’m really sorry about that. But like Spike said to me, that’s in the past now. We’ve all moved on from there.” Buffy told her sister. “Anyway, I wound up goin’ to the Bronze with Xander, Anya and Willow. But that seemed pointless anyway, I still felt detached from them for what they did. I then went up to the balcony to be alone and to watch everyone. Not long after that was when Spike came over and tried to help relieve some of the tension I was having.” Buffy told her, with a mischievous smile and glint in her eye towards Spike.

“Ok…Eww…Soo didn’t need to think about that!” Dawn said making a face.

“I have to admit though…he did help some, but he also made other things more confusing.”

“Like what?” Dawn asked, then clarified…”What did he make more confusing?”

“Yeah luv…you never told me about this part.” Spike informed her.

“I thought you knew, Spike. That’s why I’ve never told you.” Buffy replied sheepishly.

“Prolly do, but just for the sake of the story please go on.”

“Well…at the time, I was trying to convince myself that I was only using Spike to fill the void that I had since I was brought back. But I was seemingly fighting a loosing battle with myself and he just made that more apparent that night. I really didn’t want to admit to myself that what was happening between Spike and I was an actual something, but the way he made me feel….” Buffy said trailing off, smiling…lost in her senses. “It was and still is amazing.” she confessed softly with a tight squeeze of Spike’s hand. “I’ve never felt a connection with anyone like that before him.”

Dawn was slightly grossed out, but was overall impressed with her sister’s admission. “Wow…really?? Not Riley or even Angel?” she asked shocked.

“The connection with Angel was different. He was my first. And then he went all grr afterwards and even after Spike helped me save the world from him, and he came back…our relationship…well…it never went any further than some heavy make-out sessions. Even when he bit me, the feeling was intense, but it was more of a life saving tactic, rather than a relationship moment. Do you understand?” Buffy asked her.

Dawn nodded in conformation. “So what about Riley? I thought you said you loved him?”

“In a way I did, but I think he was more like rebound guy. I had feelings for him, but when we were together I always felt like I had to hold back. Yeah he was strong, but…” Buffy trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

“He wasn’t tough enough for Slayer Strength, so to speak.” Spike finished for her.

“He was a nice guy and all, but he just didn’t get the fact that I didn’t need protecting from my job. Being the Slayer is something I was borne to do and I take pride in doing my job accurately. When I had to take him patrolling with me, he usually got in the way, or just slowed me down.”

“Didn’t he wind up getting you hurt that one time?” Dawn asked.

“Yeah…it was partly his fault. Between mom being sick and me trying to keep him safe, but outa my way at the same time, I had too much on my mind and let my defenses fall. That’s how I wound up hurt.”

“Oh. I see. So back to the song…what does it have to do with you and Spike?”

“Well…it takes place after the gang and I left the Bronze. I went home and changed to more suitable patrolling clothes, since it had gotten colder out.”

“While I went back home myself.”

“What happened after that? Where’s the song fit in?”

“Well…while sis here was out patrolling the other cemeteries, I myself was relaxin’ at my place. I remember turning on the stereo and this song came on while I made myself a nice glass of blood.” He said turning the CD back on, to start the song over.

When we die
we go into the arms of those
that remember us

“I remember pausing, cause I knew I could hear and sense, something. As I looked toward the door, I could tell it was your sis.” he said, smiling at the memory.

Out of our heads

“I guess it was about there that I walked up, hearing the music.”

Out of our minds
Out of this world

“Yeah it was. I could sense you, sweetheart. I even walked over to the door, and put my hands on it and pressed my body against it.” he said, voice thick with emotion.

Out of our time

“I remember standing on the opposite side of the door, right up next to it. I too, could sense him though the door. I lifted my hand to the door, as though I was lifting it to his own.”

“I could tell…I even ran my hand up the door as though it was your arm that I was caressing.” He told Buffy, turning to look her in the eye and unclasped their hands in order to caress her arm the way he was imagining. This sent a shiver though her and Goosebumps along the arm he was gently caressing.

“It was as though I could feel him though the door. Almost as though we were standing there with each other with out the door between us.”

Should we try to get along
Just try to get along

“At this point I was still pressed up against the door, eyes closed, and breathing faster with excitement.” he said, breathing heavily just recalling it.

“Then, I couldn’t stand it any longer and had to have you in my arms myself.” he told Buffy adoringly while squeezing her hand tightly and running his thumb against the back of it. “But, when I pulled the door open and walked out…” he hesitated, trying to get a grasp on his emotions. “There was no sign of you.” he finished, frowning, unable to look at her. “I looked around and even scanned the assortment of gravestones.”

We change by the speed of the choices that we make

“But she was no where to be seen.” Spike told Dawn frowning, then sighed and reclaimed his girlfriend’s hand.

“I was already across the graveyard, walking along under the trees, trying desperately not to think of him. Not that it was working though, I had even resorted to telling myself to think of or focus on anything but him.”

Are you drowning or waving?

I just need you to save me

“It was then that I heard the scream from nearby, so I ran towards it. As I approached I saw a woman running, with two figures chasing her. One appeared to be wearing a robe, the other dressed in regular clothes. Next thing I know I was leaping towards the one in the robe and tackling him, but when we landed…he was gone.”

“Gone? As in escaped?” asked Dawn.

“No…not escaped. Just…gone. Disappeared…poof. No more bad guy. It was really weird. One moment I was chasing them down and tackling one of them, the next moment I was alone on the ground, no one around. Not even any evidence of anyone else being there either.”

Should we try to get along
Just try to get along

“Yeah that is weird.” Dawn confirmed. “So what happened next?” she asked, completely engrossed in the flashback that Buffy and Spike were recalling for her.

“Umm…I’m not sure.” “Spike, do you remember?” Buffy asked him worriedly.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s about the time the Rwasundi demons came out to play.”

“The whosy-what demons?!” Dawn asked confusedly.

“The Rwasundi demons. They make time go all wonky.” Spike explained.

“Oh, ok. Please continue. What happened next?”

“By making time go all wonky they made me, and I think Spike as well, really confused.”

“Actually, pet. It was just you that was confused. I knew full well what was happening.”

I am alive

“Ok…so it was just me. Anyway, I started having hallucinations and nightmare type things, that I’d rather not talk about now. I also wound up punching Spike by accident, and I was pretty sure that I had struck and killed the girl I was trying to save from the demons.” Buffy told her painfully.

“Oh!” was all Dawn could think of to say.

“I got her away from there and tried to explain to her that it was an accident and it wasn’t her fault that the girl was dead, but she didn’t believe me. She just insisted that it was her fault. After that I gave her this big heartfelt speech about how I was gonna get her home and put her in her warm comfy bed and she was to stay there!”

“Then he told me softly that we were gonna sort it out and for me to trust him.” Buffy said, turning so she could look Spike in the eyes.

“But you didn’t.” Dawn recalled. “I remember you coming in my room that night, Buffy. You gave me a speech about how much you loved me and always will.” Dawn said, tearing up at the memory. “You also told me that you were sorry that you couldn’t be like mom was, but you were trying.”

“Yeah. I remember that…you asked me why I was making the confession to you and I told you about how there was an accident. In the woods. A girl...she was hurt. And that it was me who hurt someone. I told you that she wasn’t ok and that I had to go to the police, but I wasn’t sure what would happen.”

There are times when I feel the way we're about to break

“Yeah, that’s about the time that I blew up at you and accused you of not wanting to be here with me. I’m sorry.” Dawn practically bawled.

“Shhh, Dawnie. It’s ok now.” Buffy told her, releasing Spike’s hand and turning to hug her.

When there's too much to say

“Yeah Nibblet. We’re all here now and with the battle scars to prove it!” Spike told her, trying to lighten the mood. It worked, both she and Buffy laughed a little at his last remark. “That’s my girls.” he then stated proudly. Both smiled and Buffy turned back around and rejoined her hand in Spike’s.

We are home now

“So what happened at the police station? What did you tell them?” Dawn asked.

“I never told them anything. When I got there, I ran into Spike…kinda literally.” He told her with a slight laugh.

“What do you mean kinda? I bloody well had to throw you to the ground to stop you from goin’ in there and either makin’ a complete fool of yourself or worse yet, getting yourself thrown in Jail.” Spike complained. “But as usual, you decided to be stubborn and got back up, insisting that you had to tell them that you killed the girl. I told you that they wouldn’t believe your story of how it happened, but you just told me that you’d show her to them.”

“Yeah, that was when you told me that you did what you had to do and that you took care of it.” Buffy replied firmly.

“Very true, pet. Think I also told you that no one would ever find her.”

To this Buffy scoffed a little. “Yeah, that turned out well. Didn’t it?!”

“Like I realized that she was gonna wash up downstream half a mile from the bloody cemetery.” He whined a bit. “Anyway, I also remember telling you that there was nothing to connect you to her, that it wasn't your fault and that it was an accident. It just happened. But being as persistent as you are, you refused to believe me and still insisted that nothing just happens.”

Out of our heads

“It doesn’t.” She replied back. “Anyway, I was insistent on goin’ in and telling them what happened. But, Spike still wouldn’t let me. When I told him to just let me go, he told me that he couldn’t. He loved me.” she recalled to Dawn.

“Still do and always will, sweetness.” Spike told her, leaning over to give her a quick kiss.

“I tried to tell him he didn’t, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Instead, he just told me again that he truly did, and although as much as he’s tried not to he couldn’t help it.”

“It was then that we started throwing punches again. She hit me so hard, I went flying back into a couple of garbage cans, against the wall of the next building.”

“Wow!” Dawn exclaimed, clearly impressed by her sister’s strength.

“He didn’t give up though. By the time I had turned around, he was already there. Right behind me, full vamp face too. He was pretty brassed off and claimed I was throwing my life away over this.”

“Right I was! I wasn’t gonna let you do that, I already told you that.” Spike confirmed.

“I realize that now, Spike.” she told him squeezing his hand some.

Out of this time

“I tried askin’ her why she was doing this to herself. Her only reply was a tearful statement.”

“I told him that a girl was dead because of me. But he turned it right back around and asked me…” Buffy said, pausing to fight back the tears that were threatening to spill.

“And how many people are alive because of you? How many have you saved? One dead girl doesn't tip the scale.” Spike finished for her, releasing her hand to wrap his arm around her comfortingly and giving her a one armed hug. Buffy accepted it gratefully and leaned her head on his shoulder awkwardly, due to the console separating them.

“He did have a point, Buffy. Katrina’s death was an accident. You’ve saved soo many others, just one person that you couldn’t have possibly saved anyway, wouldn’t make that big of a difference to them.” Dawn reasoned, raising her gaze upwards on the last word.

“I know that now Dawnie. Actually I realized it that night, but it wasn’t till after I beat Spike so badly that I wound up hurting myself in the process…both mentally and physically.” she said, mumbling the last part and looking down at her hands.

“It’s over now luv. Those bloody wankers are in jail now, and they aren’t coming out for a long time.” Spike told her soothingly, and lifted her hand to kiss her scared knuckles.

“I don’t remember if I’ve ever told you this, Spike, but…” Buffy started.

“But what, luv? What is it that you want to tell me?” Spike asked in anticipation.

“Just…well…never mind…it’s dumb.” She mumbled, unable to meet his gaze.

“Buffy, sweetheart, look at me please.” Spike stated. When she complied, he told her, “Luv, whatever it is that you need to say regarding that night that you feel is so dumb, please tell me. I promise I won’t think it’s dumb.”

Buffy sighed, but nodded in agreement to tell him. “It’s just…I don’t think I’ve ever actually said thank you for what you did for me that night.” she confessed, teary eyed. “You let me take out all my hatred of myself on you and yet you still loved me and offered to take the wrap for me. I can’t even begin to express how much that means.” she told him, with tears now running freely down her face.

At the sight of her tears, Spike pulled over, in order to console Buffy properly. “Aww, luv. Don’t cry.” He told her, unlatching his belt and hers in order to draw her into a rightful hug. “I knew you were just taking your frustration out on me. I could see it in your face after you realized what you had done. You had fear and regret written all over your face. I finally understand now how scared you must have been. All I wanted to do was help you. All I've ever wanted was to make you happy. I hope you know that I will always love you and no matter what, I will always be by your side.” he told her, leaning back and trying to wipe away the tears from her face.

“Aww…that’s so sweet Spike. I don’t ever think I’ve heard you talk like that.” Dawn cooed from the back.

“There’s a lot you haven’t heard me say. And you’d do best not to repeat any this either, Nibblet.”

“Will do.” she replied firmly, and sat quietly for while longer, just watching as Spike hugged her sister lovingly. A few minutes later, Spike and Buffy finally released each other reluctantly. Dawn took this opportunity to speak again. “Hey guys?” she asked sweetly. Then continued when they turned to look at her, “Would you two kiss already?!”

Both laughed and Spike asked Buffy if she had a problem with her sister’s suggestion. She just shook her head and told him with a smile, “Like Dawn said, would you just kiss me already!” Spike laughed a little but complied then leaned over and kissed her softly letting the passion build between them, till she had to break for air. While she caught her breath, he kissed away her remaining tears and made sure to tell her again how much he loved her. Once she’d caught her breath, she leaned in and gave him a lingering kiss and told him that they’d better get going if they were to make it to the big city at a decent time.

TBC….
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Don’t forget to review and let me know how you like it so far.

To those who have cared enough to leave a review and let me know their thoughts on this fic…thank you ever so much, you’re greatly appreciated!!