Disclaimer: I own nothing (oh, that's depressing).

A/N: This is my first baby (as for fic) so try to be sweethearts :) Thanks Andi and Courtney for beta-ing! Kisses, Ally.

Summary: Buffy Summers is young, beautiful, strong and. blind woman. She lost her eye light three years ago, now she lives with that what she has. One day she meets William 'Spike' Walthrop, only then Buffy starts to understand what she have and what she wants.

Chapter One

Buffy opened her eyes slowly, everything was black, but as usual she knew it was morning already. She yawned and got out of bed wearing a big t-shirt and cotton panties, both of them in a black color or at least she thought they were black. She slowly stepped out from her room and went downstairs to kitchen, where her mother sat. Buffy knew she was there because she wore very specific perfume-she could smell it and the hot coffee too.

"Good morning, Buffy! You want some coffee, dear?" Joyce asked as her eldest sat at the table.

"Yes, with milk please." She smiled in the direction her mother's voice came from. "Oh, what's that?" She asked as she touched a piece of paper that rested on the table.

"It's an advertisement for the gallery."

"The one I ordered?"

"Yes, I think so." Joyce answered and handed a hot cup of coffee to her daughter.

"Did they send one in Braille?" Buffy asked with suspicion.

"No, they didn't and I already called them to remind it." Buffy's younger sister, Dawn, said as she entered kitchen.

"Aren't you one little ball of energy?" Buffy asked sarcastically and looked at sister (Though it was more of looking *through* her sister).

"Hey, I was just trying to help, Miss I-Still-think-my-sister-does-this- just-because-she-pities-me!" Dawn answered and took the half drunk coffee cup from sister's hands.

"That's mine, and I don't think you do this just to pity me, I just don't need a protector." She said and held out a hand so Dawn could give her back her coffee cup. Dawn took a drink and handed the cup back to her blonde sister.

"Whatever. Do I need to take you to the gallery or are you gonna drive by yourself, too?" She looked at her smaller sister who drank the rest of her coffee and stood up.

"I'll walk, little loathsome creature." She said as she walked out of the kitchen.

"Language, Buffy!" Joyce called from kitchen as Buffy started to walk up the stairs.

"Sorry, mum!" Buffy called and entered her room. The doors shut loudly. Joyce turned her attention to her younger daughter.

"Dawn, what's with Miss. I-Still-think-my-sister-does-this-just-because-she- pities-me? You think your sister needed it this morning?"

"What's different this morning from all the others in her bitchy mood?" Dawn asked. Buffy was always bitchy in the mornings, ever since she was born; she really wasn't much of a morning person. At least, not to Dawn.

"Language, firstly. And secondly: look at the calendar." Joyce said as she exited the kitchen. Dawn looked over to the calendar on the wall: May 17.

"Shit!" She said loudly.

"Again with the language, Dawn!" Joyce called from living room.

***

Knock. Knock.

"Come in." Buffy called from the walk-in closet.

"Um, Buffy, I wanted to apologize." Dawn said quietly and leaned over the door.

"Forgot the date?" Buffy asked and slipped into jeans.

"Um. well, yeah. But I wanted apologize anyway, I was rude."

"No, you said what you thought and I always loved that in you, lil' sis." Buffy stepped out of the closet and looked in the direction where her sister stood. "So apology accepted, just one question."

"Spill."

"Is my tank top blue?" Buffy asked smiling. Dawn burst out in laughter.

"Of course not! All your clothes are black, white or red, where the hell do you hope to find a blue tank top?"

"In your closet? Ok, never mind. So it's black?" She asked and looked down as if she could see the colour of her tank top.

"Yeah, it's black and your jeans are blue, the sandals and socks are black too." She said and as she looked over her petit blonde of a sister. Buffy usually dressed in black. Once Dawn asked her why--all Buffy had answered was that all the clothes she had she saw all in black, anyway.

"Good. So, you gonna come to gallery today?" Buffy asked and put her cell phone in her small, black purse.

"Towards the closing time, I'll help you and Willow close and then I'm gonna go to the Bronze. Wanna come?"

"Sure, why not?" Buffy smiled and pushed Dawn away from the door, so she could get out from her room.

"Willow's gonna be in the gallery today, right?" Dawn asked and followed her sister down the stairs. Buffy took her red leather jacket from the hanger beside the door and put it on.

"Yeah, she's gonna help me open it and put up the new collection."

"Why?" Dawn asked. Buffy was blind, yeah, but she could do more than a lot of people who *could* see.

"I want it to be sorted by colors. And I know that you might not have noticed this, but I'm kinda *blind*." Buffy smiled and unlocked doors. "Mom, I'm gone!" She called out.

"Be careful, honey!" Joyce yelled from the living room.

"As always!" Buffy answered and looked in Dawns direction. "So I'll wait for you around six, ok?"

"Yeah. Go. I love you." Dawn kissed sister's cheek.

"Love you, too." Buffy said and let herself out of the house.

Chapter Two

Sixty-three. Sixty-four. Sixty-five.

Today is May 17th. Today is three years since Buffy lost her ability to see.

Seventy. Seventy-one. Seventy-two.

She knew each step from her house to the gallery, from the gallery to the grocery store, from the grocery store to the Magic Box, from the Magic Box to Willow's house, from Willow's house to.

Every step in this city Buffy knew by heart. The first year she used a walking stick, but little by little she had learned to go by herself. Those who didn't know her couldn't even tell she was blind, but there weren't many people in so little a town as Sunnydale, who didn't know about the accident three years ago. Buffy had been walking down the sidewalk when a car on the road that had been carrying acid tried to make a turn too fast, the barrels of acid inside broke open and some of the acid splashed into Buffy's eyes. Doctors said that maybe one day Buffy would see again, but even Buffy didn't believe that. Sure she wanted to see again, but all those words that the doctor had said. She was sure they were said more to restore hope in her mother than for actual fact. Joyce truly believed that Buffy would see again one day. But Buffy. She learned so fast, her experiences as being blind made her learn in only six months. Most of the people who knew her said Buffy was amazing, but she just thought that she needed to learn to live with what she had.

Suddenly Buffy bumped into something, or rather, someone. That happened sometimes, but usually people knew that she couldn't see them. Obviously the person was new in town.

"Bloody hell! Are you blind?" It was the voice of a man with an accent. Nice voice, but too sharp. Oh, maybe she broke something.

"I. I'm s-sorry. Did I break some of your stuff?" Buffy asked and looked down at the guy. He was bending down to get his stuff. She knew this because she could feel it.

"No, thank God you didn't. Can you imagine how much these books cost?" Spike asked angrily as he stood up. The chit looked like your typical Californian babe: blonde hair, small and pretty body, bronze tan, green eyes. Those eyes, they looked so. so. empty.

"I'm really, really sorry." Buffy repeated, but still could feel the guy looking down at her angrily.

"Well you should bloody look where you going!" That voice, mmmm. But why he was so angry? It wasn't her fault she knocked him down. Well, ok, it was, but she truly didn't see him. "Stupid bint!" He cursed quietly more to himself than to Buffy, but she heard it anyway; with the loss of her eyesight she had gotten better hearing (and olfaction, and feel too).

"Hey, I'm not stupid or a 'bint', whatever it is! Ok, maybe I bumped into you and knocked your books down, but that doesn't give you any right to call me stupid!" Now Buffy was angry too. Who the hell did he think he was?! Yeah, she was blind, but not stupid!

"Sure, you just walk down the street not looking around and bump into people who're carrying more than ten books. And no, you aren't stupid, just blind!" Spike wasn't yelling, but his voice was already loud enough to make Buffy take a step back. She hated when people yelled, especially after the accident, because now her hearing was even sharper. She didn't answer, just turned around and walked away. She didn't need to have someone yell at her. Even if she had knocked this someone down.

Spike looked as the blonde girl walked away. Ok, maybe he was too sharp with her, but these books cost more than the chit had ever seen.

"That was very insensitive from your side," said a brown-haired girl, who stepped beside Spike.

"Huh?" Spike looked at her confused.

"The way you spoke to her, or rather the words you said."

"What are you talking about?"

"The blond that you just swore at, you said words that you should keep to yourself." The brunette looked at him seriously.

"Can you bloody tell me what you're babbling about? She knocked me down; if some of these books had been damaged... She behaved like blind insomniac!" Spike said angrily.

"That's because she is," the brunette said calmly.

"What?" Spike looked confused.

"The girl is blind. Not stupid, just blind." With that the brunette turned around and walked away. Spike stood there shocked and then said to himself angrily, "Stupid wanker."

***
 

Chapter three

"So what colour is it?" Buffy asked and looked at the wall where the new painting hung.

"Yellow." Willow answered and she too looked at the painting.

"Yellow? You know I hate yellow!" Buffy yelped.

"Ok, then its red. Better?" Willow said and giggled. She knew Buffy made light of jokes what Willow made of Buffy's blindness. The first year Willow didn't know what to do and how to behave in front of Buffy. It was so hard to get used to the fact that the girl who usually painted Willow's portraits would never see her again. Buffy is an amazingly talented painter, no, Buffy was an amazingly talented painter.

"So at this wall we have yellow," she pointed at the wall in front of her and then turned too the left. "Here blue," she again turned to her left "here green," and again left. "And red. Right?"

"Right. And in the middle we have black and white." Willow commented about the paintings that were exposed in the middle of the gallery.

"Great. Do all of them have Brailleunder the title?"

"Yes, dear boss, all of them do." Willow smiled as Buffy trailed her fingers over the Brailleunder one of the painting's titles.

"'Yellow rain'? What kind of a title is that? Ok, whatever. You should go, it's already," She took a deep breath. "Ten. You have classes."

"Ok, explain to me how can you tell what time is just by inhaling?"

"A talent. So are you gonna go or just continue getting on my nerves?" Buffy asked and looked over at Willow. Well, at least Willow thought that she looked at her; she knew that Buffy couldn't see anything else except darkness.

"I'll go, I'll go. You'll be alright, right?" Willow asked a bit concerned.

"Sure. I'm a smart girl even if some insensitive pricks think I'm not." Buffy answered quietly.

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Go, I'm sure Tara is waiting." Buffy smiled, she knew that Willow was blushing. Tara was her girlfriend, a shy, nice girl. Buffy had never seen her (she had met Tara just two years ago), but she could guarantee that Tara even looked shy and nice.

"Yeah, probably. Um, do you wanna go with us to the Bronze tonight?"

"Dawn already asked me and the answer is still yes."

"Oh, good. Well I'll come around sixish, ok?"

"Sure. And don't worry, Cordy promised to stop by in the afternoon and Anya said something about coming and checking how the money is doing."

"Got that. Ok, then I'll head off. Take care and I love you." Willow said and turned to exit.

"Love you too." Buffy answered and stepped into the back room.

***

Ring.

The door bell rang. It was nearly one o'clock. Around two, Cordy promised to come. Buffy stepped out from the back room where she was organizing some of the gallery's papers. It was good that everything in here was in relief embossing, which made her job easier. Or actually it made her job possible.

"May I help you?" Buffy asked and turned in the direction where she could hear breathing. This being the only reason why Buffy never turned music on in the gallery, if someone entered she could here them breathing.

"Love the picture. Think I want to buy it." Answered a man's voice. Buffy noticed the voice, the same guy who she bumped earlier. Great! If he was gonna start yelling again she would kick him out of here.

Spike turned around and froze. The blond girl, who he had met this morning.

The one, who he had been so rude with. Now that he wasn't angry anymore, he could see how beautiful she actually was. Her blond locks enveloped her small, sculptured face, and brought out her green eyes. Those eyes that had seemed so empty, now he knew why. They didn't see anything. He was interrupted from his thoughts by her question.

"Think or know?"

"Huh?"

"Buying." Buffy explained.

"I'll buy it."

"Ok." Buffy said and took a step toward the painting. She touched the Brailleunder the title. "'Black fantasy'. I've been told it looks amazing." She said quietly, and took the painting off the exposition.

"It does. Look, about this morning," Spike started, but Buffy cut him off.

"Doesn't matter. It will cost you 1200 dollars."

"I wanted to apologize, luv." Spike said and looked at the petite blond girl in front of him.

"Listen Mr.."

"Walthrop. William Walthrop. But everyone calls me Spike."

"Spike? That's a funny name. Anyway Mr. Walthrop I assume someone told you that I'm blind or else I don't think you would apologize, so let's skip the pity and I'll wrap your painting." She looked at him (well through him) and carried the painting into the back room. Spike followed her. Buffy put the painting on the table and started to wrap it. Spike was amazed how the girl could do things like any normal person. Stupid wanker, she is normal, just blind! Spike thought to himself.

"It's not pity, I was a bloody wanker this mornin' and wanted to apologize."

"Apology accepted. How will you be paying?" Buffy asked as she handed Spike the painting.

"Guess you don't accept checks?" Spike asked with a smirk on his face. Buffy smiled back though she didn't see his smile.

"Yeah. I prefer credit card, but cash will do too."

"Credit card." Spike said and handed it to Buffy. She didn't react. Idiot, she can't see! Spike took Buffy's hand; her skin was so soft and warm. Oh, that's a nice touch. Buffy thought to herself. Spike put the credit card in her hand, but didn't remove his hand. He looked into her eyes for a moment as she stared back and then suddenly Buffy took her hand away. Buffy ran the credit card through the machine and then handed it to Spike.

"That's all, the painting is officially yours. Can you carry it by yourself or do you need the gallery to deliver it?"

"I'll take it."

"Ok. Then good day Mr. Walthrop." Buffy said and Spike turned to leave, before exiting the gallery Spike looked over at Buffy one more time.

"Was a pleasure to meet you Miss?"

"Summers. Buffy Summers." Buffy answered and gave a smile in the direction where he stood.

"Well, good day Buffy." Spike said and left the gallery.

***

 

Chapter four

Ring.

Buffy sat at a table near the front door. She turned her head in the direction of the door. She smelled a sweet jasmine aroma and immediately knew who it was.

"Cordy, I expected you around two, now it's nearly four." Cordelia Chase looked to the blonde in the black tank top and smiled. Buffy had been her friend for about seven years. After losing her eye sight she became even friendlier to Cordy. Sometimes Cordy thought that she didn't deserve Buffy's friendship, especially not after Angel.

"Sorry, sweetie, Lorne didn't let me out of the club and I didn't have time to call you. How's work?" Cordy asked as she sat down beside Buffy.

"Um, good. Sold four paintings: 'Circles of blue', 'Electro sky', 'Red raised fall' and 'Black fantasy'."

"You sold 'Black fantasy'? I loved that painting!"

"And if I remember correctly, and we both know I do, you didn't want to buy it."

"Yeah, yeah. Who bought it?" Cordy asked curiously.

"A guy who I bumped into this morning. Remember I told you on the phone?"

"That jerk who yelled at you? Why the fuck did you sell him MY painting?"

"First of all; I own the gallery, I own and work here, so it's MY painting, and second; he apologized, I guess someone told him I'm blind. Besides he has such a sweet voice. Mmmm..."

"But you do understand that he might be 60 years old and 4 feat tall, right?" Cordy asked and Buffy burst out laughing.

"Thank you very much, dear friend!" She still giggled. "Besides Xander has a nice voice too and that doesn't mean I want to get involved with him." Cordy started to laugh too.

"Yeah, I know, sorry. Just you haven't been with anyone since Riley and that's been more than a year already." Riley had been Buffy's boyfriend for about a year, but she couldn't offer him the strong love that he felt for her.

"I'm not half bad on my own, thank you."

"You know what I mean. Every once in awhile a woman needs an orgasm given by a man." Cordy said and then yelped. "Oh God, I sound like Anya now." Buffy giggled.

"True, but let's let this discussion drop. So we're heading to the Bronze tonight, wanna come?" Buffy asked and put some papers in the drawer of the table. Cordy wavered and then looked over at Buffy.

"Um, I can't. Angel is gonna introduce me to his parents tonight." She admitted quietly. Buffy heard uncertainty and fear in her friend's voice.

"Don't worry, Cordy, they're good people, they will love you."

"I hope, cos they always loved you and now me..."

"Cor, you've been with Angel for two years, they don't have a choice, but I'm sure they'll love you." Buffy smiled at her friend.

"And... well... um, you aren't mad?" She asked uncertainly.

"No, Cordy, you know I'm happy for you."

"But not for Angel." Cordy said slowly.

"That's not true; just what I had with Angel, well it's between us and only us." Buffy said painfully, yeah Angel had hurt her badly, but he made Cordy happy and that was the main thing.

"Well I should probably go; I need to find something to wear. I'll call you tomorrow and tell you how everything went, ok?" Cordy said as she stood up from the table. Buffy stood as well.

"Yeah, and wear a dress, Mrs. Ryan loves it when her son's girlfriend wears a dress."

"Thanks, Angel didn't tell me that."

"He doesn't know that." Buffy smiled and walked with Cordy to the gallery door. "Have fun tonight!"

"Very funny. I'll call you, alright?"

"Positively." Buffy smiled and opened the door for her friend.

"Have fun tonight, too." Cordy said as she stepped out the door.

"Will do. Bye."

"Bye."

***

Knock. Knock.

"I said I'll be down just a moment." Buffy called and fasted one of her boot zipper.

"And you said it ten minutes ago. Beside how are you gonna put make up by your self?" Willow asked standing behind the door.

"Ok, ok. Come in!" Buffy yelled and Willow stepped in.

"Wow, Buffy, you look great." Willow gasped as she saw her best friend in black, knee boots, black leather pants and blood red tank top.

"Thanks, interesting why, but my mirror said the same." Buffy smiled and looked at direction where her friend stands. "Gonna help me with hair and make up please?"

"Of curse." Willow said took toothcomb from Buffy's hands. She slowly started let it trough Buffy's hair.

"So what're you wearing?"

"White skirts, red top and red sandals." Willow described her outfit and put clip in Buffy's hair after that she turned Buffy with face to her and started to put make-up on Buffy's face.

"What're Tara and Dawn wearing?" Buffy asked curiously, she liked to know how everyone was dressed even if she didn't see it by her self.

"Tara wears lightly green dress, white jacket and white shoes, and Dawnie wears jeans and white blouse plus black boots." Willow finished Buffy's make-up and stood up.

"Now you ready to party."

"Yay, party!" Buffy exaggerated yell. Willow and Buffy exited Buffy's room and walked down stair where already Tara and Dawn were.

"Finally!" Dawn called happy.

"B-Buffy, you look g-great." Tara said and smiled to her and Willow.

"Thank you, Tara, so do you, green mach with your eyes." She returned smile, even if she couldn't see it. Tara smiled too Buffy, she knew Buffy didn't see her dress, but as well knew that Willow told her in what colour it was. Buffy usually commented clothes or other things that she didn't see, Tara knew that she did it not because it was like joke, but because it made her feel like she could see. When Tara met Buffy first time she didn't knew that Buffy were blind and even now when she knew there was times when she forgot it.

"You know she's right, honey." Willow smiled and kissed Tara on cheek.

"Ok, over with lovey-dovey, lets head to Bronze." Buffy intruded smooching sounds that were coming from the lesbian couple.

"Bronze, here we come!" Dawn said and opened outer doors.

***
 

Chapter Five

Four girls entered The Bronze. Buffy felt people around, dancing. She heard loud music playing.

"Come on, Buffy, I see Xander and Anya." Willow said and took Buffy's hand to direct the way. Xander was their best friend. Buffy met him and Willow when she moved to Sunnydale, at age 15, about eight years ago.

"Hey, Buff, Willow, Tara, Dawnie!" Xander called as the girls sat down at the table.

"Hey!" All four answered.

"So, Buffy how was your day?" Anya, Xander's girlfriend, asked.

"Um, good thanks. How was yours?"

"Good, good. I got a lot of money. After that Xander and I celebrated it with many orgasms and..."

"Ahn, remember what I said about talking about our private time in public."

Xander interrupted his girlfriend. Buffy was used to Anya's sex talk.

"Yeah." She answered.

"What did I said about it?"

"Don't say it out loud."

"And you said?"

"That I will try to, but I tried and wasn't succeeding."

"But you'll try again, right?" Anya nodded her head and Xander kissed her.

"Guess she nodded, I hate nodding." Buffy said and smiled to the direction of the kissing couple.

"Buffy?" Asked a man's voice, with an accent. That same accent!

"Spike!" Buffy smiled at Spike. He smiled back even though he understood that she couldn't see his smile.

"Ahem!" Dawn said loudly.

"Oh, oh, sorry! Spike these are my friends: Willow." she waved at Willow nearly hitting her.

"Buffy!" The redhead yelped.

"Oh, sorry! Let's do it differently. Willow is the girl with the red hair, beside her is Tara, she has blond hair, over there is Xander and Anya," she waved slowly over to the corner where she had heard Xander's and Anya's make out session. "And the girl in the white blouse is my sister Dawn. Guy's meet Spike, he bought a painting in the gallery today."

"Evenin!" Spike greeted and smiled to Buffy's friends.

"Spike? What kind of name is Spike?" The brunette guy, who Buffy introduced as Xander, asked Spike.

"Nickname. Can I bring you something to drink, ladies?" Spike asked to the five girls who sat around the table.

"Coke." Dawn answered with smile.

"Me too." Willow said.

"Water."

"Beer."

"Soda."

"Be right back." Spike smiled and turned to the bar.

"Wow." Dawn said when Spike was far enough away to not hear her.

"I second that." Willow said.

"So good, huh?"

"Are you joking? Hello salty goodness!" Anya said loudly.

"Hey, boyfriend right here." Xander said affronted.

"Oh, baby, no offense, you still give me the best orgasms." Anya said and kissed Xander.

"I already don't like the guy, beside what normal person has white hair?" Xander muttered.

"White?" Buffy asked surprised.

"Yeah, I t-think it's bleached, and all his c-clothes are in black and he has on a long leather d-duster." Tara said with small smile on her lips.

"And all that makes him so damn hot!" Dawn said still fascinated by the bleach blond guy.

"Here you go!" Spike said and handed the girls their drinks. Then he smiled and turned to Buffy. "Wanna dance, luv?"

"It was to you, Buffy." Anya said immediately and then turned to Spike. "You know she's blind, right? If you speak to her, call her name not one of those pet names."

"Oh, thank you, Anya! That was sweet." Buffy said sarcastically and stretched a hand to Spike.

"Lead the way!" Spike smiled and took Buffy's hand. He lead her to the dance floor. A slow song started play. Buffy placed her hands on Spike's shoulders and Spike placed his hands on Buffy's waist.

"Nice to see you again." Spike said quietly.

"Nice to meet you again. So tell me, why is your hair white?" Buffy asked and smiled to Spike. He looked at her a bit of shock on his face, Buffy felt it and let out a little giggle.

"Don't worry, the color doesn't eat through my blindness. My friends described your look."

"Oh, what did they say?" Spike asked pulling Buffy a bit closer. Buffy didn't resist.

"Well basically white hair, black clothes and 'hot, God how hot!' was all."

Buffy said with a small smile on her face. Spike grinned.

"Well they didn't lie." Buffy giggled softly.

"Self-confident much, huh?"

"I just never lie, luv." Spike said with grin on his face. "Um, Buffy I wanted to ask, um, do you want to have dinner with me tomorrow night?" Buffy smiled at the nervous way he asked it.

"I would love to, Spike." He smiled, relieved. They danced and danced, one song flowing into another. Finally they were interrupted by Dawn.

"Buffy we need to go home." She said quietly, she really didn't want to disturb her sister and Spike.

"Ok, we'll go. Can you write down our address for Spike, somewhere?"

"Um, sure." She took a pen and some paper from her purse and wrote their address on it. She handed it to Spike. "Here you go."

"Thank you." He smiled and turned back to Buffy. "I'll be there tomorrow at seven, ok, luv?" Buffy gave him a smile and answered.

"I'll be waiting." She took Spike's face into her hands and gave him a small peck on his cheek.

"Goodnight." She said and gave her hand to Dawn so that she could be lead out of the club.

"Goodnight, Goldilocks." Spike said to himself when both sisters were out of his sight.

***
 

Chapter Six

"Tell, tell, tell!" Dawn said bursting with joy. Obviously Buffy had a date tomorrow night, she hadn't gone on one since Riley and Dawn was truly happy for her sister. Buffy had finally started to open up and to who?! God, that guy was hot!

"What?" Buffy asked playfully as she and Dawn sat on the couch in the Summers living room.

"You know what about. Tell me why did I need to give Spike our address?"

"Cause he's taking me out to dinner tomorrow night?" Buffy asked innocently.

"That's great, Buffy!" Dawn nearly jumped for joy. Buffy smiled.

"Yeah, it is. He seems really nice. And that accent..." She took the remote and turned on the TV. On the screen appeared the latest news.

"What are you gonna wear?"

"Um, I'm not quite sure; you'll help me, right?"

"Sure thing," She yawned. "I'm tired, I need some sleep. You don't need my help to get upstairs, right?" Dawn asked and stood up from couch.

"Of course not, go." Buffy smiled and turned her head to TV. Dawn smiled and leaned in to kiss her sister.

"Night."

"Sweet dreams." Buffy said as Dawn started to walk upstairs. Buffy listened to the news and fifteen minutes later turned off the TV. She stood up and went upstairs. She stepped into her room and started to undress. What to wear tomorrow? Black or white? She asked herself and slid into her sleeping t-shirt. Buffy got in bed. Tomorrow will be a new day, she thought to herself, let's see what happens.

***

"Here you go!" Dawn said as she clasped Buffy's necklace.

"Thank you, so how do I look?"

"Damn good, if he isn't head over heels then he is even blinder than you." Dawn answered smiling. Buffy was wearing a black leather skirt that reached a little over her knees. She also had black sandals and a white blouse, the first three buttons left undone. Around her neck Buffy had a silver necklace with a little cross and on her ears, earrings with little butterflies.

"Well, let's see what this evening brings!" Buffy said with smile on her lips. She was excited, more than she thought she needed to be. The doorbellrang. Dawn looked out of the window.

"Your knight is here!" She said to her eldest sister.

"What's he wearing?" Buffy asked and stood beside her sister as if she could look down on Spike too.

"Black pants, white shirt." She smiled. "You'll match." Buffy giggled. Dawn looked down as Spike disappeared into the Summers' house. She assumed that mom had let him in. Her guess proved true when a few minutes later Joyce called from downstairs.

"Buffy, William is here to pick you up!"

"William!?" Dawn giggled. "I think mom likes him and vice versa." Buffy too giggled and exited her room.

***

Spike stood outside the Summers' house. He waited for someone to let him in. He was excited; he hadn't been on a date since Harmony (God knew he hated even thinking of her), and that was nearly six months ago. And now he was fascinated by the petite blond girl, who he had met only days ago. She wasamazing; she lived with the fact that she was blind, but behaved like she could see. She worked in a gallery although she couldn't even see the paintings. Amazing, strong, beautiful and what do I have to offer her? Nothing. Not a thing. She deserves better, you shouldn't have asked her out, just turn around and go away. At that thought the front door opened. In the doorway stood a blonde woman, around her forties. Spike guessed it was Buffy's mum.

"Hello! You must be Mrs. Summers, I'm Spike. It's a pleasure to meet you!" Joyce smiled at the young man. He obviously was much more gallant than Angel and much more interesting than Riley could even imagine.

"Thank you. Please come in." Joyce said and stepped back so Spike could enter. She gave him a smile and then asked. "So tell me please, dear, were your parents drunk when they give you a name like 'Spike'?" Spike chuckled and then grinned at Joyce.

"My real name is William, if you prefer it better, let it be. But tell me Mrs. Summers-"

"Please call me Joyce." She interrupted. Spike smiled and continued.

"So tell me, please, Joyce were you drunk when you named Buffy?" He asked, grin still on his face. Joyce started to laugh.

"No, I named my baby a normal name, but her friends thought that Elizabeth is too, let me quote 'Too old name for such a young girl', so they started to call her Buffy. But now let me call her." She said and turned her head to stairs. "Buffy, William is here to pick you up!"

"Well let me say Joyce, I think Elizabeth is a marvelous name for such a beautiful woman." Joyce smiled, she already liked this man more then any other who ever dated (or just wanted to date) her daughter.

Buffy's mum was a nice lady; Spike could tell where Buffy got her looks and temper. He heard footsteps and looked up the stairs. There she was: in a black skirt and white blouse, her blonde locks fell over her shoulder, a smile on her face. Spike was sure he never saw such a beauty in all his life.

Buffy felt his stare on her. She smiled even more. "I'm ready to go." She said passing her hand to Spike's direction. He took it and smiled.

"When will you be home, honey?" Joyce asked.

"Not late, not early." Buffy answered as Spike helped her get into her black leather jacket. "Don't worry mom, I see in the dark anyway." She smiled and opened doors.

"Good night, Joyce. Don't worry I'll take care of her." He said letting Buffy outside.

"I believe you will." Joyce whispered when both young people left her house.

"They match, don't you think?" Dawn asked as she stood beside her mother.

"Yes, that they do." Joyce answered and both women went into the living room.

***

 

Chapter Seven

"So where are you taking me tonight?" Buffy asked when Spike got in the car.

"I was thinking about dinner in "Silver Spoons" and after that we could go to the beach, what do you say, luv?" Spike asked and looked at Buffy, she smiled over at him.

"Love to. Thank you."

"For what?"

"For taking me out, I understand it's strange to date a girl who can't even see you." She answered quietly and shyly.

"Hey, I'm the lucky one here, pet. You're amazing, beautiful and strong. I'm the happiest bloke in the world to take you out tonight." Spike said and Buffy blushed.

"So the "Silver Spoons", huh?" Buffy asked. Spike smiled and started to drive.

***

"Wow, this place truly looks great." Spike said as he looked around the restaurant. It was big, with many amazing paintings on the walls.

"Wait till you taste the food." Buffy smiled.

"I see a free table. Come on." Spike took Buffy's hand and leaded her in the table's direction.

"Buffy!" Buffy and Spike turned in the direction of the voice. Spike saw a pretty brunette in a long light pink dress and a guy with her. *Poofter looks like he's just been in a hair gel factory explosion!* Though Spike.

"Cordy!" Buffy said happily. Spike lead her to the woman that Buffy just called 'Cordy'.

"Hey, nice to meet you here!" Cordy smiled to her friend and then turned her attention to Spike. *Wow, he's a hottie!* She thought to herself.

"Me too. You didn't call."

"Yeah, sorry. Angel's mom insisted on us staying there last night and we just got away two hours ago." Cordy said, slowly placing her hand over her boyfriend's, who stood beside her. Buffy knew Angel was there as well, she smelled his cologne.

"Angel." Buffy said polite.

"Buffy." He answered quietly.

"Luv, we're gonna lose our table." Spike broke the unpleasant silent that started to take over.

"Oh, right. Sorry. Um, Spike meet one of my best friends Cordelia Chase and her boyfriend Angel Ryan. Guy's, this is Spike." Spike smiled to Cordy and gave Angel a nonchalant look.

"Spike? What kinda name is that?" Angel asked with disbelief in his voice. Spike shrugged, this was the second time in two days when someone had asked him that.

"It's a nickname; can you say the same *Angel*?"

"Ok, we should go. Call me tomorrow, ok, Cordy?"

"Sure. Have a nice evening. Spike it was nice to meet you." Cordy gave her one-million-dollar-smile to the bleach blond.

"Mutual." Spike responded and guided Buffy to the table. He pulled out a chair for Buffy. She sat and he took a seat across Buffy. "So, tell me, luv, why the hateful look on your face for Peaches?"

"Peaches? Oh, you mean Angel. Um, well we have an unpleasant past." Buffy answered.

"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, pet." Spike said noticing her get uncomfortable.

"No, no, it's ok." Buffy replied. "I dated Angel years ago. He was my first love, my first boyfriend, my first lover. We were together for three years; I gave my virginity to him. One day I came home and caught him in my bed with another woman. I kicked him out of my life. Two years ago Cordy asked me if I'd mind if she dated him. Mind? Hell, yes! But he really makes her happy, I think I was just jealous, that she could make him happy, but I couldn't." Buffy sobbed a little.

"Hey, none of that. This is our evening and you need to feel good." Spike said slowly stroking Buffy's cheek. She gave him a smile.

"Yeah, you're right."

"What can I bring you?" Asked the waitress, who just came to the table where Spike and Buffy sat.

"I'll take rissoles with mashed potatoes and French salad." Buffy answered facing the waitress.

"I'll have soup with meatballs and bring us a bottle of white wine too, pet." He smiled to waitress and turned his attention back to Buffy.

"So you know one of my fiascos in past relationships, gonna tell me some too?" Buffy asked when the waitress was gone.

"Don't have so much drama, but if you really want to know..." Spike started a bit uncomfortably. Buffy, immediately, felt the change in Spike's tone.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry. You don't need to tell me anything." Spike smiled. *She's so fucking perfect!*

"It's ok; I've just never really had serious relationships. Well at least never from both sides."

"How's that?"

"Well, my first love, Cecily, didn't think I was good enough for her, true I was a geek then, but... Well, I wrote poetry to her, awful poetry, but..."

"She should be grateful, if someone wrote to me I would be amazed! I think it's so sweet." Buffy said in a dreamy voice, Spike smiled to himself. *Who knows, luv, maybe I'll write you something.*

"Well anyway, I had an emotional breakdown, when Cecily rejected me. Then my sis came up with the idea that I should change my image completely. With her help I did, bleached my hair, bought black clothes, changed my whole attitude. Become a new person. And to my surprise I like this person much better."

"Wow. Guess your sis knew what she was doing." Buffy said.

"Here you go." The waitress brought their order.

"Thanks." Buffy smiled and slowly placed her plate closer to her. Spike watched as she started to eat, taking small bites of her dinner. "So your sister?" Buffy reminded Spike when he filled her glass with wine.

"Right, um, well, Dru is special."

"How'd you mean?"

"When she was born she had the umbilical cord around her neck, she lost a lot of oxygen and it affected her brain. Some people say she's crazy, I say she's special. You know she speaks with stars and usually know things that she could never know."

"Again with wow. I'd like to meet your sister." Buffy said amazed.

"I'm sure Dru would like to meet you too. I could take you to see her one day." Spike said and took a sip from his glass.

"To see her? Where is she living?" Buffy asked and drank as well.

"In a private cottage about an hour drive from Sunnyhell. She lives with three more girls and personnel that includes a doctor, two nurses and a shrink. Dru loves living there, it's a beautiful place."

"Why isn't she living with you?" Buffy asked and then started speaking before he even could give her an answer. "I-I'm sorry- that was rude, it- it's none of my business why she isn't living with you- I didn't mean it- No, I just-"

"Luv, you're babbling." Spike stopped her and softly put his hand over hers.

"I like that you show interest in my life, I'll be glad to answer any of your questions. If I don't want to I'll tell you, ok?" Buffy smiled and nodded. "So why Dru doesn't live with me, huh? I'd love if she did, but she doesn't like to live with me, she says I'm too crazy for her." He left out a laugh. Buffy smiled as well. "Our parents died when I was fifteen, Dru was twelve. We inherited lot money, well; I inherited a lot money, cos the will said that all Dru's money is in my answerability. I took care of her as much as I could, I still do, but she isn't as crazy as others thinks. She's smart, Buffy, really smart, and how can you convince a smart, 22 year old woman you're true?" Spike smiled. His hand was still on Buffy's. She didn't mind.

"Yeah, you're right. Besides, no one ever listens to older siblings. I should know." Spike smiled.

"How old is Lil' Bit?" Spike asked.

"Ok, that's starting to freak me out; does everybody in your life have a pet name?"

"No, mostly just people I like."

"Oh, so are you sure you're out with the right Summers sister?"

"Yeah, I'm more than sure." Spike smiled and took Buffy's hand to his mouth. He placed a small kiss on it and put it back on the table. Buffy smiled at his action. He was amazing and a real gentleman. Obviously her first impression was wrong.

"So, tell me Spike, what are you doing for a living?"

"Well, I guess I could not do anything, but I write." Spike answered, it was true with so much money he didn't have to ever work, but he loved writing.

"Write? What are you writing?"

"Um, I have a book called "Fool for love", it's about-"

"A guy who thinks that he is beneath the love of his life. Wow. It's really your book? I finished reading it three week ago. Fascinating." Buffy said when she interrupted Spike. He blushed a little.

"Uh, thanks. You read it?"

"Yeah, it's published in Braille. I really liked it. You're talented."

"I didn't even know it was published in Braille." Spike said more to himself than Buffy.

"So are you writing a new book?" Buffy asked interested, "Fool for love" was one of her favorite books, and now she was dining with the author of it. *Yay!*

"Um, yeah. It's almost finished, I just need an epilogue. It will be published the month after the next one. And I already have a few ideas for the next one." It was true; he got an idea for the new book yesterday, after meeting this amazing, young, beautiful and sexy woman. His pants became a little painful. *God, what's this woman doing to me?*

"Oh, that's great." Buffy said with a little sadness in her voice.

"Hey, what's wrong, luv?" Spike asked as he caught her sadness. Buffy smiled.

"Just, well, I'll probably won't get to read your book until next Christmas."

"Why is that?"

"Braille. It'll be published in Braille next year."

"I could read it for you, pet." *Where the fuck did that come from?* Spike asked himself.

"Oh... Um, thanks, but I don't want to bother you." Buffy said shyly.

"You won't, I'd love to do it."

"Ok." Buffy smiled.

"So tell me, luv, what're you doing for a living?"

"I own the gallery. Well actually my mom owns it, but I do everything there. I took care of it while mom was in the hospital, five years ago, she had a tumor in her head, but after the operation it's ok. We decided that she should live at home and you know, help there." Spike nodded. Buffy smiled when she felt him nodding, but still said. "Spike, honey, I understand that you're new with being in a blind person's company, but I'd be really grateful if you didn't nod, but answer my questions."

"Oh, sorry. Forgot." Spike smiled. His pants became even tighter when Buffy called him 'honey'.

"That's ok. So where was I?" Buffy took a deep breath. "Right, I took over the gallery. Um mom came back to it when I lost my eyesight, but a year later I was back in my full ability to do everything there. So in a few months it will be two years since I started fully working there."

"Lost your eyesight? I thought that you were blind from birth." Spike said distracted.

"Cos of my abilities?" Spike nodded and then immediately said.

"Yes, you do everything so- so-" Spike couldn't find the right word.

"Normal?" Buffy offered.

"Easy, luv."

"Well, I'm a fast learner." Spike smiled at that one. "I lost my eyesight in a car accident three years ago. Actually yesterday was exactly three years."

"And I screwed up your day even more." Spike said quietly.

"Well the morning, yeah, but I'm really not the morning person type. But you made my day better in the evening." Buffy said with a smile and Spike blushed again. *Shit, this girl is making me blush even more then I blushed as little William for Cecily.*

"I'm glad."

"Can I take this?" The waitress asked pointing to their empty dishes.

"Sure, pet." Spike answered and again turned to Buffy when the waitress was gone. "So, luv, do you wanna go?"

"To the beach?"

"If you want to."

"Love to." Buffy answered and Spike helped her get up. They both leaf the restaurant.

***
 

Chapter Eight

"You know I love the ocean." Buffy said inhaling the salty ocean air.

"I love it too. It helps me relax." Spike said and looked over at Buffy. Her blond hair fell over her left cheek.

"I used to paint it." Buffy said quietly.

"Ocean paintings are one of my favorites. Ocean and fantasies."

"Where did you hang "Black Fantasy"?"

"Oh, I didn't buy it for me; it's gonna be a gift for Dru. Her birthday is in a couple of days." Spike said as he and Buffy sat on the ground. Buffy's gaze was focused on the ocean, but Spike's was on her. God, she was beautiful.

"I love the color contrast on the skyline. It's the most beautiful thing I ever saw."

"Yeah, it is." Spike said his gaze still on Buffy. "In "Silver Spoons" there were amazing paintings on the walls. The skyline was painted really believably."

"Thank you." Buffy said looking in Spike's direction. "They're mine. I sold them all to "Silver Spoons" when I lost my eyesight. Actually I sold all my paintings. Over a hundred. I think "Silver Spoons" bought around twenty."

"Wow." Buffy let out a little laugh.

"Liked them, huh?"

"They're amazing." Spike smiled. The paintings in the restaurant really were amazing. He had many paintings with the ocean, but none of them had such beautiful contrast as Buffy's.

"Pet, I have a question." He said smoothing back Buffy's hair. She smiled lightly touching Spike's hand that rested on her cheek.

"Ask."

"Um, in the gallery, you took my apology so fast. It just... I dunno... Think it's weird?" Buffy smiled placing Spike's hand beside her on the ground. She again looked at the ocean.

"I never listen to apologies. I hate them. When I lost my eyesight I felt like everyone was pitying me, they all said 'I'm sorry this' and 'I'm sorry that'. Then I started to hate apologies, every time when I hear 'sorry' I like zone out, ya know. I always say it's ok, and mostly I even don't care for what these people are apologizing." Spike looked at her fascinated. *She doesn't even understand that she's telling me her deepest thoughts.*

"Do you miss the ability to see?" Spike asked to the surprise of himself. *What the bloody hell kinda question is that?*

"Sometimes, but mostly..." Buffy looked in Spike's direction. "There are times when I feel like I never could see. I can live not seeing things. Yeah, I'd love to see my mom and my friends, and sis again, but the only thing that I really miss seeing is the sunlight and the rain."

"Rain, luv?"

"I used to sit at the window and watch the rain. For hours. I still do, well not the watching part, now I just listen to it." Spike smiled and then leaned closer to Buffy.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked quietly, like a whisper. Buffy smiled turning her face to Spike's.

"No." She said slowly putting her hands on Spike's face. "I'll kiss you." She said leaning even closer to Spike. She slowly brushed her lips over his. *So soft.* She thought as she deepened the kiss. Her tongue slid into Spike's mouth. His joined hers.

It was the sweetest thing Spike ever tasted. The softest kiss he had ever shared. She was so perfect. This moment was so perfect. They didn't know how long they had been kissing, when Spike's mobile rang.

"Shit." He cursed quietly.

"Answer it." Buffy whispered. She could still feel Spike's taste on her lips.

"Oh, this better be good." Spike said into the phone.

"Oh, come on, I can't be ruining your perfect moment." Said a woman's voice at the other end of the line.

"Actually you did. Do you want anything or I can go back to much more pleasant things than you?" He asked a bit angrily. Buffy giggled.

"Did I heard giggles? Ok, I at least deserve to meet her." The woman said with annoyance in her voice. "When will you come over?"

"Day after tomorrow."

"Ok, I'll wait for you and your *friend*. And don't even dare to not take her with you. Understand?"

"Yeah. Can I go now?" Spike said looking over to Buffy. She was lying in the sand.

"You do understand that you're gonna pay for being so rude with me, right?" Spike snorted. "Ok, call me when you'll be on your way. Love, you. Oh, oh and do NOT forgot to buy me a present!"

"Bye, love you too." Spike said and hung up the phone. His focus still on Buffy. Her eyes were close and she breathed slowly. "Sorry, luv. So where were we?" Buffy giggled again.

"Don't know where you were, but I listened to you, just after kissing me, tell someone on the phone that you love them." Buffy answered opening her eyes.

"I spoke with Dru." Spike said immediately. *Great, now she thinks that you're using her and have someone at home who you love* he thought to himself. But was surprised by Buffy's giggles.

"I kinda understand that part. You couldn't speak with your lover in that tone. That tone is only for younger siblings."

"So you're not mad?"

"Should I be?" Spike smiled.

"No, you shouldn't." He said leaning closer to Buffy. "Besides YOU kissed ME." Buffy smiled.

"Can you change that?" She asked at the same moment Spike was kissing her. This time the kiss was different. This was much more passionate. But exactly the same tenderness. Buffy slowly pushed away. "Not that I want to stop, but it's nearly two in the morning. Mom's never gonna let me out with you again if I don't get home till three o'clock."

Spike smiled and gently fondled Buffy's cheek. "And we surely can't afford that, can we, pet?" He asked and got up. He helped Buffy get up as well.

"Come on lover-boy; lead the way to the car." Buffy said putting her hand in Spike's.

***

"Thank you for this evenin', luv. You made it beautiful." Spike said when he and Buffy reached Buffy's front door.

"Wasn't so bad yourself." She said smiling. Spike leaned closer to her and placed a small kiss on her lips.

"I- um, wanted to ask you- um-"

"Starting with a question would be pretty good." Buffy said with little giggles and slowly stroked Spike's cheek.

"Do you want to go with me to Dru's the day after tomorrow, luv?" Spike asked shyly.

"Do you want to take me?"

"Oh, God yes." It was out of Spike's mouth before he could even think. Buffy let out a little laugh.

"Sounds a bit suggestive, doesn't it?" Buffy asked still laughing. "I'd be honoured to meet your sister."

"That's great." Spike said again kissing her. "So what do we do tomorrow?"

"WE don't do anything. I have work all day long and I truly don't know what you're gonna do."

"I'll write." Spike smiling, but a little sad in the meantime, he really wanted to spend every minute of his life with this woman. *Where the bloody hell did that come from?*

"Well you could take me out to lunch, if you want to." Buffy said and then immediately corrected herself. "But you don't have to, I'll understand."

"I'd love to take you to lunch tomorrow, pet. I'll come around two, ok?" She nodded and grabbed Spike in a deep, passionate kiss.

"Goodnight." She said letting herself in the house.

"Night." Spike said as Buffy closed the door.

***

 

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