Buffy switched the alarm off and lay stretched out across her bed, the thin summer covers barely hiding her nudity. She reached across to press play on a tape in her stereo then lay back on the bed and closed her eyes as the music washed over her.

But under skinned knees and the skid marks
Past the places where you used to learn
You howl and listen
Listen and wait for
The echoes of angels who won't return.

Buffy sighed as she listened to every word, the past year had been hell and all she had to look forward to now was a blistering hot summer with Spike getting under her feet. Willow had gone with Giles to England to study magic, Xander was always busy with Anya which left Buffy with Spike and Dawn. Buffy guessed he wasn't so bad to live with unless he was making a mess or constantly playing about with Dawn or generally in view. He wasn't so bad.

He's everything you want, he's everything you need,
He's everything inside of you that you wish you could be.
He says all the right things at exactly the right time
But he means nothing to you and you don't know why

You're waiting for someone..

The tune changed abruptly and Buffy sat up in bed staring at the stereo incredulously.

Oh you silly thing, you've really gone and done it now.
Oh you silly thing…

Buffy hit the stop button. Punk music on her tape meant one thing.

"Spike!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, when he didn't come straight away she yelled again. "Spike!! Damn you!"

He opened the door and stood there rubbing a towel against his wet hair with one hand and holding another towel around his waist. She sat there in bed, mouth agape at the sight of him dripping wet and leaving little puddles on the carpet. A million nasty things to say buzzed around her head but her throat felt constricted.

"Yell a little louder next time, might actually wake the dead." Spike smirked at her and adjusted his towel, tucking the corner into it around his waist.

"There is lame ass punk all over my tape." Buffy stuck her jaw out defiantly and then quickly adjusted the sheet so it shielded her nudity from him. But the process of concealing herself only bought it to his attention.

"What's that got to do with me? Are you naked?" He narrowed his eyes at her and cocked his head to one side.

"Spike! You're a pig and you are the only one who listens to punk in this house. That reminds me, why are you in my house?"

"Because…"

Dawn was walking up the hall towards them singing. "I wanna be sedated…"

They both turned in unison as she walked past the entrance to Buffys room and looked at them both. Spike chuckled at the look of horror on Buffys face.

"Am I interrupting?"

"Dawn, did you record over my tape?"

"Only to stop you listening to it every morning, it's driving me up the wall!" Dawn folded her arms and stomped off down the hall.

"That's it! I can take you corrupting my sister but her listening to punk is one step too far." Buffy shot Spike a black look.

He just stood there looking at Buffy with a frown on his face and then moved to sit on the bed by her, resting his elbows on his knees he let the hair towel dangle onto the floor. Buffy adjusted the sheet further at his manoeuvre.

"Want to talk about it?" His tone was calm as he looked deeply into her eyes and she played with the sheet wishing he wouldn't do that. It always made Buffy warm inside like a fever and it was gradually getting worse every time.

"Sorry. It was Riley's." Buffy mumbled out and hugged the sheet tighter. Spike handed her the little stuffed pig she always loved and Buffy smiled into his eyes mentally adding a damn you Spike.

"Mr Gordo makes everything better right?" He raised both his eyebrows into a questioning look and Buffy noticed for the first time that when he did that he pouted slightly.

A sudden desire to pull his bottom lip sprang into her and she caught her hand moving, not knowing what to do she placed it on the bed beside her.

"I guess, this years been hell. Everyone I love leaves me."

"I understand how it must make you feel but you need to move on pet, moping isn't going to bring him back. You're young and didn't love him, you admitted that remember? Some things just weren't meant to be. Have some fun Buffy, let go."

"When did you get so insightful?"

"Wouldn't believe me if I told you." Spike touched her hand and left the room.

Amazingly she didn't retract the hand he had touched, she didn't try and rub the sense of his cold skin off hers, she didn't even beat him down with a nasty comment. Buffy felt she had lost the ability to purposefully hurt him. The past month in the house with him had given her an opportunity to observe him closely. About three days ago Buffy had admitted to herself that he was likable, underneath his bravado he was a pretty sensitive guy.

Spike had given her little pep talks about life like no other and he was the undead to be sure, but something about him said he wasn't your usual vampire. Pure evil and soulless yes, but it was like he didn't need it to be a decent man around her and Dawn.

Buffy sighed as she flopped back down onto the bed in a more than confused state. She could hear Spike and Dawn laughing downstairs, she liked that sound and it had been so long since everything had been as balanced as this. Her thoughts turned to wondering when the next apocalypse was going to happen and she secretly hoped it wasn't going to be anytime soon.

"What do you want for breakfast Spike?" Dawn bubbled at him as she danced around the kitchen.

Spike was sitting at the island reading the paper, he looked up at her as she spoke but just smiled in response. Dawn sat down opposite and rummaged through the cereal boxes for the prize, spilling it all over the counter.

"Niblet don't do that you know it drives big sis insane and while we're on the subject you need to help more around the house." He gave her his best 'do as your told' frown, the one he'd been practicing in his room.

Buffy was just about the enter the kitchen when she caught his little speech. It was such a different tack to the one she always took, it was more like placing the idea in Dawns head rather than banging it home with a hammer. She hung back in the living room and listened.

"But she has slayer strength." Dawn whined at him as she repacked the cereal boxes.

"But she isn't a cart horse. You want people to treat you like a grown up then you have to learn to act like one."

"What would you know? You're always acting like a kid." Her tone was sharp and Spike knew she got that from Buffy.

"Platelet I'm not telling you what to do, just a suggestion is all. Think about what Buffy has been through this past year, how much stress on her it's been. Big sis is hurting more than she'll admit, we both know she's stubborn but I can see it when I look at her it's a whole world of hurt. C'mon Dawn." He gave her a soft look and a little smile over the top of the paper, Dawn caved and Buffy sighed.

"Okay, I suppose she always has a lot on her plate and I do want to be treated like the grown up I am." Dawn pouted at him as she rounded the island to where he was now standing and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I'm off to the mall."

"Back before dark okay, lots of nasty things out there that like tasty little women to eat."

Buffy could see Dawn roll her eyes and smile at him as she headed towards the front door. She was about to head back upstairs when she heard him come up behind her.

"Sneak." He grinned wide as she turned to face him.

"Can't be a sneak in your own house." Buffy jumped as the phone rang, she didn't move a muscle towards it because Spike was blocking her path.

"It's probably for me." Dawn had grabbed it.

"Sneak." Spike whispered into Buffys ear as he passed close by her and walked into the living room. Her knees felt weak but she justified it as the phone making her jittery rather than his dulcet tones breathed in her ear.

She watched him flick the TV on and swing his feet up onto the table. One arm behind his head like a pillow he looked so relaxed like he belonged there.

"Buffy its dad. Something about LA." Dawn held the receiver out to her with an impatient look, Buffy returned a look that said 'stay put'.

Dawn gave Spike a worried look that he knew meant 'I'm in so much trouble'. He had perked up at the word LA, there's one place he never wanted to go near again. He could just imagine Angel welcoming him back with open arms, only to stake him in the back.

"Okay dad, Monday sounds fine. Okay. Fine. What? No, it's just... Okay... He'll be there." Buffy shot a look to Spike who looked confused. "Okay, see you then. Bye." She slammed the receiver down on the hook.

"We're going to LA for two weeks starting Monday." Buffy folded her arms looking less than pleased about the situation.

"See you in two weeks then, I'll take care of the place for you. Best go pack niblet." Spike relaxed back into the sofa.

"You misunderstood me. I said we're going to LA."

Spike looked at her with an air of confusion. "Where do I come into this?"

Buffy turned her frown on Dawn who was edging towards the door. In three strides Spike had caught her arm and was hauling her back into the room.

"Niblet?" Spikes voice was deadly; the thought of having to go to LA sickened him.

"Well, remember the time you answered the phone?" Dawn saw Buffy had moved to stand beside Spike with her arms folded, she didn't look like she had understood what her father had just told her.

"Yes. You two had buggered off out and left me here alone." Spike was confused and it showed.

"Well when I spoke to dad the next day he asked me who you were and why you were living in the house."

"Dawn what did you tell him?" Buffy looked furious.

"I may have panicked and told him you two were an, um, you know." Dawn fidgeted with her shirt, Spikes hand was cold on her arm and it was starting to hurt.

"Spit it out Dawn." Spike stared her down angry as hell at her, she could tell by the fact he had called her Dawn and not a pet name.

"Oww." She retaliated at him and it triggered the chip, sending him reeling backwards and falling onto the couch clutching at his skull.

"Dawn!" Buffys look had turned to pure disgust at her sister's action.

"Sorry, I forgot and you were hurting my arm." She had come to kneel beside him.

Spike had his eyes screwed shut and was rubbing his temples, legs dangling over the arm of the couch.

"S'okay niblet. Didn't mean to hurt you."

"I may have told dad you two were an item. He wanted to know who you were so I told him you're William and you've been going out with Buffy for a few months now."

"Dawn! How could you?" Buffy flopped into the chair opposite them, Spike thought she looked exhausted but it was hard to tell through all the pain rocketing around his brain.

"Buffy, better than saying 'He is actually the undead, a vampire and your daughters are the Slayer and a now defunct key.' Isn't it?" Spike tried to smile but it made little stars appear in front of his eyes.

Buffy appreciated that Spike was trying to make light of the situation, Dawn took this opportunity to sneak towards the door.

"Back before dark niblet. Then you are grounded until Monday missy." Spike did his best to sit up but his head was spinning, so he flopped back down again.

Dawn just smiled at him as she shut the door behind her. Buffy moved to sit on the couch next to where Spike lay, his head practically grazing her thigh. She absentmindedly looked down at him and ran her fingers through his hair.

"You okay?" She tried to hide the concern in her voice but knew he had already picked up on it.

"It'll pass." He lay motionless on the couch with his blue eyes upturned to face her.

"Want some aspirin?" Buffys fingers continued to work his hair into intricate little swirls, it was still wet from his shower this morning and she decided it looked better messed up when his roots were showing.

"Doesn't do much for my brain. Besides you'd leave the couch and what you're doing is making the pain go." He liked the way she weaved her fingers into his hair, it felt intimate like they were both on a level footing. Spike closed his eyes and felt his headache subside under her touch.

"Spike?" Buffy smiled at how relaxed he was just because she was playing with his hair, two months ago she wouldn't have sat within ten feet of him, now she was actually enjoying how her presence made him feel.

"Mmm pet?"

"Come to LA. I know you don't want to and I can't make you but…" She had started rubbing his temples in circular patterns with her warm fingers; he was smiling lazily with his eyes firmly shut.

"I'm driving. If it's okay with my girlfriend that is, Buffy?" Spike grinned like a Cheshire cat and Buffy was actually thankful that he would be happy to go along with this ludicrous charade.

"Thanks William." She planted a kiss on his forehead and stood up.

Spike felt a warm feeling in his stomach and opened his eyes, she was standing looking down at him. Buffy felt a weird familiar warmness in her belly, as he caught her eye it flared up into a small volcano of heat.

"Better now?" She said quietly.

"Think I'm going to have a nap. Dawnster gave me a hell of a headache, you know I didn't mean to hurt her." He stood up slowly and headed towards the door with a slight wobble.

"Have you eaten?" Buffy sounded concerned again but this time had a cover up ready. "Just testing out the concerned girlfriend act." Yeah, all an act.

"No, but I'll be fine. We need to go over some stuff later if you're going to convince your dad."

"What do you mean me? What about you?"

"Buffy, be serious, I know everything about you already. Ask yourself what you know about me?" With that he headed up to the master bedroom.

Buffy sat down on the couch where he had been and subconsciously swung her legs up onto the table, mirroring his earlier position. She stared at the TV for a while and then busied herself tidying the mess around the house, occasionally cursing his name. Eventually she ended up back in her room. Taking a pad from her bedside cabinet she started making notes.

Things I know about Spike.
1. He's a vampire.
2. He's old (note: how old?)
3. His name is William (note: William what?)
4. He loves me (okay, I admit it.)
5. He likes to try and kill me (I like trying to kill him.)
6. All his previous girlfriends have been the undead.
7. He likes Dawn.
8. He's killed two Slayers.
9. We were once engaged.
10. He growls in his sleep?


Buffy shot her head up and laughed. She could hear him growling next door, lying still for a moment she listened. Silence. She grabbed her note pad and crept out into the hall, coming to a stop outside his door.

Spike growled again and muttered something about his Desoto, LA and peaches. Buffy held her hand to her mouth to suppress a giggle, then opened the door a crack. As he growled again her giggle turned into a yawn, seeing him asleep made her tired.

Spike was sleeping on his back with one leg splayed out from underneath the covers and she smiled at how comfortable he looked. Buffy presumed he was naked but it didn't stop her sneaking into the room. I've seen naked men before, nothing special here.

It was still her mother's room but since Spike had moved in there had been a few changes. Posters had gone up, the bed linen was now a dark red colour and the curtains had been doubled up so there was no chance of sunlight getting in. She turned her attention to him. He was growling low and scratching his chest, making little smacking noises with his mouth as he opened and closed it rapidly a few times.

"No… Peaches… mine… always mine…" He growled again.

"Who's yours Spike? What has peaches, I mean Angel got that's yours?" Buffy whispered from beside the bed.

"Buffy… no… leave her alone… I'll kill you…" Spike rolled over onto his right side and clawed at the pillow.

"Oh, I see." She smiled.

Buffy crept onto the bed and lay a few feet away from him, scanning her notes. She added 'likes to sleep naked', 'drinks blood and whisky', 'likes chicken wings', 'is almost cute when sleeping'. She watched him for a while as he became still and she dozed off without realising it.


Spike stretched as he woke up, on opening his eyes he saw Buffy curled up at the edge of the bed mouth slightly ajar and a pad falling from her open hand. He started at first but then smiled as he read her notes on him, she made a little grunting noise in her sleep and curled up into a little ball holding onto the pillow tightly. Dreaming of me?

Flicking the light switch on the lamp he hit Buffy on the head with her note pad.

"Hey." She mumbled and waved a sleepy hand around her head like she was fending off a swarm of bee's, then her eyes popped open. "Oh."

"Oh indeed. Take it from this." He waggled the pad at her. "That you've come to realise you don't know much about me. That I get, what I don't get is the whole sneaking into my bed thing, unless you plan on shagging the info out of me?"

"A world of eww. I dozed off, must have been your incessant growling in your sleep it gave me a comforting slayer feeling."

"Do not…" He looked at her list. "Apparently I do. Least I don't talk in my sleep."

"Do I? And uh, you do." She blushed a little.

"Sometimes you do." He didn't tell her all the things he'd heard her say he would save that for another time instead he scanned the list again. "So I'm apparently William, who is old and eats a mixture of blood and chicken wings. Along with that I drink whisky and date the undead, except for the brief period we were engaged." He raised an eyebrow at her for remembering that one and her cheeks coloured a touch. "I kill Slayers, but apparently like Dawn, I also appear to like to sleep naked." He looked under the covers and ticked that one off against the list with his finger. "To top this all off I'm a vampire, who is almost cute when asleep and who you admit is in love with you. That all you got?"

Buffy frowned and rolled onto her stomach next to him, not bothered by the fact he had confirmed his naked status. She did feel comfortable lying there in her mother's room with, bizarrely, a known killer in the bed.

"You want my history? You have to promise not to tell anyone and I mean no one not even Giles. He'd kill for information on me to report back to the precious council of wankers." He lay on his back next to Buffy, propped up on the pillows. She nodded up at him and motioned a cross over her heart.

"Okay, got your pen? Then lets begin."

"The name is William the Bloody or Spike." He grinned at her but could see she wasn't going to let is pass that easily.

"No. I can't go 'Dad this is Mr. The Bloody.' Please?"

He paused with a pensive look on his face and Buffy knew he was weighing up the options.

"Thornton. Don't tell Giles it because within 5 seconds he'd have my entire family tree and be telling me my life story. Okay?"

"It's pretty. William Thornton. Sounds modestly well off. To think I could have been Mrs Buffy Thornton. It's better than Mrs Buffy the Bloody." Buffy smiled encouragingly at him and giggled at the fact that she was probably the only person he had told this to.

Spike smiled back at her, the sound of her name joined with his sent a jolt through him and he thought of when they had been under the spell and she hadn't know what name to put on the wedding invites.

"Modestly is the word. Bought into this world William Thornton, born 1852. Totalling 150 years old, turned in 1880." Spike watched her scribble it all down, he didn't know why he was telling her all this, but it felt nice to have someone know the real him.

"You were 28? You look younger, any girlfriends as a human?" Buffys smiled faded when Spike looked pained. "Bad subject matter."

"Did have designs on one woman, Cecily, it was her rebuff that drove me out into the street to meet my sire. I remember when you came to ask me about the slayers I killed and you echoed her words precisely 'you're beneath me'. But in a way I'm thankful she drove me out into the night."

"Why?" Buffy choked on the fact that she had inadvertently used the same rebuff as the only other human he'd loved.

It made her stomach tight and knotted, it must have been like torture to him. She remembered the shotgun he had shown up with later that night, pained enough to kill me?

"Because I met Drusilla, who gave me eternity to find what mattered to me most." Spike was staring deeply into her eyes as he bought his hand to stroke her hair.

"Me?" Buffy said quietly, astounded at the weight of those words he'd spoken to her. She couldn't stop his fingers from weaving into her hair and no retort came to mind. Must be losing my edge. Slayer vampire, vampire Slayer.

"Moving on, we can say I work in the Magic Box. Obviously from England, just say we met at a party or something, I don't know."

"Spike." She hadn't stopped thinking about what he'd said to her.

"Yes pet?"

"I'm glad you're coming to LA." Buffy gave him a warm smile that made his whole body feel flushed.

"How much boyfriend girlfriend stuff will your pops be expecting?"

"Don't know really, holding hands occasionally, sitting together and going out in the evenings."

"All very innocent pet, but what about kissing and the probability of having to share a room? What if he wants to go play golf with me, how do we explain that I'm sunlight challenged?" Spike grinned as her eyes grew large.

"Hadn't thought about that. I'm hungry." She felt the need for a change of subject. "Let's see if Dawns home I think I heard the TV downstairs." Buffy shuffled into a sitting position

"We'll cross those bridges when we come to them then. Avert your eyes missy." Without warning Spike got out of bed and headed to where his clothes were scattered on the floor.

Buffy felt her cheeks flush as she tried to look away but she was drawn to looking at the little tattoo above his left buttock near the small of his back, she couldn't quite make out what it was.

"I didn't know you had a…" She stopped suddenly, realising that asking that question would mean admitting to watching him naked.

Spike slipped his jeans on and turned to face her as he buttoned them up.

"Had a what?" He frowned at her where she sat on the bed motionless and staring at the sheet. He could see her cheeks almost matching the bed linen. "Oh. Voyeuristic Buffy, now there's a side of you I didn't know existed."

"Am not, just it caught my eye and I wanted to know what it was."

Spike sighed as he walked over to where she sat and pulled the back of his jeans down a little to expose the tattoo to her.

"Happy now?" He grinned at her as she bought her fingers to rest on the inked skin, it was a little flaming heart with a 'B' in the middle. "Was kinda hoping you wouldn't see that, if it's any consolation I was drunk. Was just after Glory had captured me and you kissed me as a reward for taking a giant leap towards becoming dust."

"It's so gorgeous." Buffy raised her eyes to meet his. "No ones ever done anything like that for me. I don't know what to say."

"You're not mad at me?" Spikes eyes smiled as her green orbs twinkled at him as she shook her head in the negative.

"Hungry." With that Buffy hurried from the room and he listened as she headed down the stairs.

Spike chuckled to himself as he walked down the stairs, the next two weeks were going to interesting indeed. He caught sight of Dawn and Buffy sitting on the couch. Buffy managed to avoid his eyes for the rest of the evening, even when she asked him if he wanted any pizza she stared at his feet. Her behaviour only served to amuse him and make him chuckle as he watched Dawn and Buffy eventually head up to bed.

"Goodnight my love." He waved a hand at her and she gave him her patented 'Damn you Spike' look.

The next day was spent in packing up all the stuff they were taking to LA, Buffy had insisted on getting Spike some more shirts and jeans. He had forced a promise out of her that they would be his style and not hers, he was pleasantly surprised when she came back with bags full of dark coloured shirts and some new black jeans.

"Spike, about the car."

He turned to look at her from the suitcase he was packing in his room.

"What about it?"

"I need to clean it, I can't show up in a filthy Desoto. Can I?" Buffy got straight to the point.

"Fine, knock yourself out, so what if I get a little toasty. Happy?" Spike huffed as he threw more clothes into his already overflowing suitcase.

"Yes." She said quietly then noticed his packing. "No. That is so going to ruin all those things I got you, here let me." She pushed him to one side and started repacking his bags.

Dawn laughed from the doorway at the sight of Spike looking bemused on the bed and Buffy folding his clothes.

"This is going to be so cool. LA with you guys, can we go to some clubs? And like the cinema with all the little stars outside?"

"Maybe." Buffy continued packing the bag.

"So have you guys practised the ugly girlfriend boyfriend stuff yet?"

They both looked quizzically at her.

"Dad is so going to know that you've never kissed before if you don't have a test run to get the whole fumbly thing over with."

"Dawn, we've kissed before." Buffy didn't break her stride as she packed the second bag.

"Ooh! When?" Dawns face lit up with interested.

"When we were under a spell." She allowed herself a sideward glance at Spike.

"Spell schmell, how can you remember what it's like, it was over a year ago. C'mon practice it'll be cool. I'll tell you if you're convincing."

"Dawn!" They both shouted at her in unison.

"Voyeuristic tendencies must be a Summers thing." Spike added and Buffy blushed, Dawn looked confused.

"I'm not leaving for LA until you two kiss." She folded her arms and leant against the doorframe resolutely.

"Fine!" Buffy slammed the lid of the suitcase shut and looked at Spike. "Come here then."

Spike stood up in front of her a feeling of nervousness threatening to overwhelm him, Buffy told herself it was just a quick kiss and it meant nothing. She wrapped her arms about Spikes neck and started a little when his hands encircled her waist. Taking a deep breath she moved her lips up to his and tilted her head a little, she closed her eyes as their mouths touched.

Something inside her stomach became tight as he brushed her lips with his, she couldn't resist the excuse to just see what it was really like, after all it had to be convincing.

She parted her lips slightly and allowed her tongue to run along his top lip then brush lightly over his teeth. Spike growled into her mouth and pulled her up flush against him, for once Buffy let go. She sucked his bottom lip into her mouth and then forced her tongue in between his teeth and into his cold mouth. Spike responded instantly by tackling her warm soft tongue with his and then plundering her mouth with it. He licked the roof of her mouth and Buffy let out a small moan, it was then she realised it was getting out of control.

She pulled back and saw Dawn standing at the doorway with her jaw almost touching the floor. Buffy blushed a violent red colour and looked up at Spike who was visibly panting. His eyes burned into hers with such passion that she regretted giving into temptation, but for only a minute. The warmth in her stomach made her forget about the fact it was probably a bad move. They had both visibly and audibly enjoyed it.

"So niblet?" Spike was the first to talk.

"You kiss like that in front of dad you will so have to marry her. Kinda intense looking, I'm so grossed out now I'm actually going to pack." With that she left them standing there alone.

"I got carried away." Buffy fidgeted with the strap of the suitcase and cursed it a few times.

"You and me both pet. You think it was good?" Spike smiled at how embarrassed she was.

"It was damn good. Hot." She fanned herself with her hand.

"I meant, you think it would convince your old man?"

"Oh, yeah. That's so what I meant." Buffy placed her hand over her mouth in humiliation and left the room quickly.

Spike looked at his neatly packed bags and then flopped onto the bed letting his eyes close as he replayed the memory of kissing Buffy over and over again in his head. He heard the shower in the next room come on and a grin spread across his face. Wicked Buffy.

As it grew dark Spike placed all the bags into the back of his car, now parked on the driveway. Dawn was helping him as best she could but for every bag she carried, Spike carried three.

Buffy had spent the afternoon clearing up the mess in his Desoto and he was more than slightly miffed at the fact she had cleaned his windows. This meant that they were going to have to do all the travelling to LA at night, they were to leave in the next half hour so they would arrive at her dads house just before sunrise. Spike felt a little tentative about this arrangement, any misjudgement and he would be dust.

"You're sure about this?" He turned to Buffy as he entered the house one last time.

"If it gets a little bright out then I'll drive as best I can, you can take cover in the back, I won't let you go all dusty on me." She placed her hand on his arm and smiled at him, hoping it was reassuring to him.

"Pretty words Buffy but you are not driving my baby. Just have to put my foot down and we'll be there in no time." Spike grinned at her then with a predatory look switched his attention to the cool box that Dawn was carrying.

"What is in this? Drinks and stuff? Because it isn't that far to LA."

"It's Spikey snacks Dawn, don't open it." Buffy took it off her and placed it in the trunk.

"Ewww blood." Dawn grimaced and backed away from it.

"Something about you Summers women makes you forget I'm a vampire? Can't live for two weeks without the stuff Dawn. Course I could just drink your sister?" He grinned wickedly at Buffy.

"Not even funny Spike, get in the car." Buffy swung the door open and scooted into the passenger seat. "Everything locked and checked, ready to go captain."

Spike started the engine and turned to Dawn. "Buckle up kiddies."

Slamming his foot to the floor they swung out of the driveway at breakneck speed. Spike shoved a tape into the player and Buffy pulled a face at the music that came blaring out. She turned the volume down a fraction but didn't bother protesting about his choice of music. It was only when they had left Sunnydale and Dawn was fast asleep that she started talking.

"Who is this crap?" Buffy amused herself by teasing him, it wasn't as bad as his usual choice.

"Stiff little fingers." Spike answered back without taking his eyes off the road, his cargo was too precious to risk a lengthy look at Buffy.

"So stretch them a little or we could stop at the next gas station."

"Name of the band Buffy." Spike chuckled to himself.

"Oh, I need to get out more. How far left to go? I think Dawns asleep already."

"Could count visiting LA as getting out big time, we've still got bloody ages to go Buffy but we need gas soon."

"Great cause I think I need to pee. You think we should wake Dawn when we stop?"

"Let her sleep, she told me earlier how excited she was about seeing LA for the first time for real, I think it's got to her a little."

"Yeah, must be weird for her to know that this is the first real time she's seen dad." Buffy watched Spike as his fingers tapped on the wheel in time with the music, marvelling at how he even managed to drive his car with attitude.

"Poor little bugger. I remember the last time I saw me mum." He shuddered a little then went quiet, Buffy didn't know why but she scooted a little closer to him so she could be of comfort. It must have been some time ago since he had seen his parents.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just…" Spike growled and put his foot down on the accelerator harder.

"Okay, not asking." Buffy held her arms up and backed away a little but he caught her arm.

"Stay. Last time I saw me mum I was turning her to dust. She wasn't a well woman, thought I was helping but instead I released this terrible demon in her. Looked peaceful when she went though."

"You turned your mother Spike? That's a little sick."

"You telling me Buffy, given the opportunity you wouldn't have done the same for Joyce?"

"No." Buffy looked sickened at herself. "Yes, it crossed my mind but it wasn't the right thing to do."

"I know Buffy, I realise that now. Your mum was great I really liked her. Sorry that I was too much of a day fearing idiot to be there for you at the funeral. Harris wouldn't even let me leave flowers." Spike concentrated on the road allowing no trace of emotion to cross his face, but Buffy could feel it in his voice and she rested her hand on his shoulder.

"I know she liked you too. Angel was there at the grave with me all night but she never liked him, it felt wrong somehow."

"Speaking of baby face, are you going to see him when you're in LA?"

Buffy could see the crest of a tidal wave of emotion cross Spikes face before he buried it deep inside. She knew it must have been playing on his mind this weekend, his supposed girlfriend just nipping out to see her ex.

"No, not a good idea. He'd kill you and strangely I don't want that."

"So I won't go with you, I'll go out with Dawn." Spike couldn't mask the hurt as the thought of her seeing Angel again crossed his mind.

"I said no and I meant it. I don't want to see him without you but if you come with me I know you'll fight each other." Buffys face remained placid and unfazed when Spike looked at her.

"Buffy?" His voice sounded strangled, it was weird recently how much talking they had done rather than spitting jibes at each other.

"I'm over him Spike, I'm over Riley and all the rest. These two weeks I'm putting it all behind me. No slaying unless necessary. You told me to let go, so I am and it feels good."

Spike could only smile in response as he pulled into a gas station and got out to fill the car up. Buffy bounced out of the car and around to where he stood.

"Honey, I have to pee. Don't leave without me." She planted a kiss on his cheek and grinned at him as she walked towards the bathroom.

When he was done with the car Spike leant against the bonnet and lit up a cigarette. He watched Buffy as she walked around the little store looking at the magazines and then pouring herself a coffee to go.

Smiling to himself he watched her hips switch side to side as he walked back towards him. She placed the magazine down on the bonnet and put the coffee on top of it.

"Ready to go Buffy?" Spike went to move but Buffy put her hand on his chest and pushed him back down onto the bonnet.

"What's with all the Buffy? Where did Pet and Love go? All today you've been calling me and Dawn by our proper names." She pouted slightly at him and all he could think about was biting that lip.

"Practising is all. Don't think your old man would like me calling Dawn niblet or platelet or bitesize. Might be hard to explain."

"I can understand that but why no pet and love?" She was still pouting at him and he looked pensive in response.

"Missing my pet names Buffy?" Spike frowned at her as he tried to make out what the problem was, she seemed to like being called pet and love these days.

"I wouldn't say no to them being reinstated." She took the cigarette from his hand and threw it to the floor. "Naughty William. Don't smoke around my dad okay?"

"Why not?" Spike looked the tiniest bit pissed off.

"Because he would kill me. Please William." Buffy looked up at him and he chuckled at her. "What now?"

"Just wondering how often you're going to accidentally call me Spike." He stood up and pulled his keys from his pocket.

"If I do I'll just say it's your name in your band."

"Band?"

"Well I have to explain the way you look somehow. Wait!" She stopped him as he was about the round the car to the drivers side.

Buffy reached up and ruffled his hair lightly causing the waves to come untangled. He looked a little wilder that way and she liked the way it softened the strong contours of his face. She caught his eyes and sighed into them, they were like pools of deep blue water, smooth on the surface belying the terrifying undercurrent.

Running a finger along her lip she found herself beaming up at him like a fool.

"You alright pet?" Spike broke her reverie.

"Sure, now I am." She liked the reinstatement of the pet names he had for her, she always felt uncomfortable when he called her Buffy. Like he was telling her off for something.

"Then get in the car because we're wasting time."

Back on the road again Spike was soon the only one awake. He turned the music down low as Buffy started to snore softly against his shoulder. His thoughts turning to his precious cargo, he looked at the two girls and smiled. As he had told Buffy only a couple of months ago, he would do anything to protect them both, they were dear to him in a way he never thought was possible. If he lost either of them it would be like losing a part of himself.

Spike was soon headed into LA, as he joined the freeway on its outskirts he nudged Buffy.

"Pet, some directions would be nice." He smiled as she just snuggled into his arm, wrapping her arms around it tightly, it felt nice her being by his side like this.

"Buffy, I love you." He whispered into her hair and kissed it lightly.

"Mmm love you." She echoed as she slept on.

Spike took it to mean nothing as it sounded like she was just repeating what he was saying, but it still made a fiery feeling in his abdomen. He sniffed and nudged her again a little harder.

"Spi.." He saw her nose wrinkle up and a little frown cross her face.

"Buffy Anne Summers." He hollered at her and she shot up, eyes still firmly shut in sleep.

"Meh?" She stretched and rubbed her eyes. On opening them she saw LA in the distance. "Oh. How long was I asleep?"

"Ages. You don't half rabbit on when you're sleeping." Spike gave her a cocky little grin and she decided not to ask.

"Take a left up ahead captain."


When they pulled up outside her fathers house it was still over an hour until daylight would break over the hills. Spike looked up at the house he'd come to park outside, it was massive and Buffy's comment about his family being modestly well off came back to him. Summers must be pretty modestly well off too.

"Nice house, daddy got a nice job pet?" Spike grinned at her as she rounded the car.

Dawn stretched and grabbed her bag from the back of the car, she suppressed a yawn as she shut the door.

"Stay." Buffy stopped Spike in his tracks and started fussing over him, straightening his clothes out so he looked more presentable.

"Buffy, love. Do you mind?" Spike gave her a warning glance.

"Okay, remember what we went over. No talk of demons, apocalypses, slaying or anything occult. Okay?"

"Fine, but what if he says to you 'so Buffy what first attracted you to William?' can't I respond with 'I'm a demon in the sack.'" He grinned at her as she slapped him hard on the arm and gave him that look. "Okay, lighten up I was just messing."

Buffy took a deep breath and looked at the house. "Now or never."

"I'm the first one he's met aren't I?" It dawned on Spike as he watched an array of nerves flicker across her looks.

"Yes. Shut up and let's go." She grabbed him by the arm and dragged him up the path behind Dawn, when she looked at him she saw he was grinning like mad and she couldn't help but smile too.


Hank Summers opened the door to find his daughters and a grinning madman stood at his door, in the half dark small hours of the morning.

"Hey." The girls said in unison. Spike hung back a little as they shared a group hug that seemed to make their father uncomfortable.

"Girls, I wasn't expecting you for a while. Nice ride." Hank looked to Spikes Desoto.

"She's a beauty." Spike looked at Buffy and she blushed.

"Ah, you must be William. Dawns told me so much about you." Hank took hold of Spikes hand and shook it vigorously; Spike instinctively took the opportunity to size up his opponent. Buffy noticed what he was up to and interrupted.

"We're absolutely shattered now. William insisted in driving all the way here without a break." She hooked her arm through his and he looked worried as Dawn walked into the house.

Panic crossed Buffys face, she knew her invite wouldn't get him into the house; it had to come from her father. She purposefully hung about on the porch smiling at Spike, she could see the sun starting to turn the horizon purple. Spike smiled back but looked a little pained, he took hold of Buffys hands and held them together encompassed in his like a silent prayer.

"Come on in you two, your stepmother is dying to see you."

A look of relief washed over both their faces as they looked into each other's eyes and then stepped over the threshold into the house.

"Buffy, William." Buffys stepmother grabbed them both in a hug, Spike surmised she must only be just the other side of thirty and that Buffys dad looked to be pushing fifty.

"Hello." Spike gave her his best 'I don't want to eat you' smile.

"Buffy, we're going to put you in the annex we've just built. It's better than the guesthouse as you'll have some privacy but you'll still be able to get into the house at night. Dawn, you can choose a room upstairs." Hank pointed out the way to the annex for Buffy and then took Dawn upstairs.

"Best get the stuff out the car pet, before the sun… um, yeah." Spike walked out the house and down the slope to the car.

"Interesting young man Buffy. Although a little pale." Her stepmother Jane smiled at her.

Buffy was watching him from the window as he took the bags from the trunk. He managed to do everything with such an air of attitude that she started wondering if he could keep it up forever. Can you run out of attitude?

"He's sunlight challenged." Buffy echoed Spikes earlier words about his daylight status.

"Excuse me?" Jane looked confused at her as Buffy turned back into the room and taking her arm Jane led Buffy to the annex.

"Sorry, I meant he has this skin thing, really sensitive to sunlight. Goes crispy critter dead quickly." Buffy closed her eyes and hoped it would pass as an excuse.

"Poor dear. Still, I think his pallor suits him." Jane touched Buffy on the arm. "You both look tired. Hank would like to go out to dinner tonight and we wouldn't want you two falling asleep."

"No danger of me falling asleep at night." Spike dropped the suitcases inside the door of the annex and grinned mischievously at Buffy.

"How did you find us?" Jane stepped up to him where he stood by the door.

"Great sense of smell, Buffys scent is unique in this house. Pretty easy to find her." He raised an eyebrow at Buffy who scowled at him.

"I'll leave you two alone now. Tonight remember. Nice to meet you William." With that she turned and shut the door behind her.

"Spike!" Buffy threw a pillow from the couch at him.

"Bloody hell Buffy." He raised his arm in front of his face to protect himself.

"You couldn't just say that you saw us heading this way?"

"Alright, point noted. You know you aren't meant to beat your love to a pulp." He expected her to retaliate with her usual 'I'm not your love' but she just flopped onto the couch.

"Mini fridge." Spike grabbed his cool box and started stacking his bags of blood into the fridge.

When he was done he walked into the next room and threw himself face down onto the bed. "Bloody knackered."

"Spike."

"Yes pet?"

"Let's talk sleeping arrangements."

He rolled over to see her standing in the doorway, arms folded.

"I'll take the couch then." He sat up but Buffy shook her head.

"Yeah and one of the parental units comes in one morning to find you sleeping there? That won't look good." She didn't look happy.

"Is voyeurism a Summers thing?" Spike grinned at her as he took a boot off and threw it to one side.

"We sleep in the bed… together. On one condition." Buffy had come to stand in front of him and she felt her heart beat quicken at his proximity, her blood screamed vampire.

Spike stopped mid bootlace and looked up at her with a face full of surprise and confusion, his knees felt weak.

"When did you change your mind and what's the condition for sleeping next to you?" His confused look evaporated and was replaced with a wicked one as naughty little thoughts crossed his mind.

"No change of mind, the condition is neither of us will be naked and there will be no hanky panky. Other than that it's all good." Buffy felt like jelly inside as she tried to sound confident, maybe it was a bad idea.

"You're going to sleep next to me, in your skivvies and all I have to do is try not to shag you? Sounds too easy." Spikes eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Buffy pulled a stake out from behind her back. "You try anything and Mr Pointy will be your new best friend."

"Little kinky pet, but I don't sleep well with sharp wooden objects in the room." Spike struggled to hide the fear crossing his features, this was their constant game will she stake him or won't she?

Buffy inched closer to him and ran her finger along his scarred eyebrow. His eyes didn't leave the stake in her hand, she was puzzling him beyond all measure. She could practically feel his unease about the situation reverberate through her body.

"I haven't staked you yet and I'm not about to, but you try anything I don't want and you've asked for it." She threw the stake to the right side of the bed. "And I always sleep on the right."

"Lose the stake. I have a chip that will let me know if you don't like the situation."

Buffy rounded the bed and placed the stake in the drawer of the bedside cabinet, something shrieked in her head that she was on dangerous ground that things were getting too comfortable.

"Spike." She walked back to him.

"Yes love?"

Buffy boxed him on the nose and Spike growled. "Oww. Bloody hell you do that for?"

"Old times sake, just been a while since I hit you. It's my job description remember? Slayer?"

Spike slid into game face, he was pissed that she had suddenly gone back to hitting him for the sake of it. He hit her back, the instant his fist made contact with her cheek pain exploded in his head.

"Arghhhhh." He grabbed the sides of his head as though trying to stop it splitting in two.

Buffy placed a hand over his mouth. "What'd you do that for?"

Spike grinned and licked the palm of her hand in small circles where it rested against his mouth. She was about to pull it away when there was a knock at the door and Buffy decided it best to keep his mouth incapacitated.

"Buffy, are you alright?" It was Hank.

"Fine dad, William just banged his toe that's all." Buffy tried to ignore the fact that Spike now had her index finger in his mouth and was sucking on it.

"Okay, get some rest you two and I'll see you after work." His footsteps receded back into the house.

"Pig." Buffy slapped Spike as she yanked her finger from his mouth.

"Oi! I was enjoying that." Spike feigned anger but the taste of her made it hard to be furious.

Buffy ignored him and took her boots off, followed by her socks. She couldn't deny it was going to be fun to strip down in front of Spike when she knew he couldn't do anything about it. The look on his face was priceless, mouth agape and eyes wide as he watched her unbutton her blouse. He's probably been dreaming about this for months.

Buffy moved across the room within arms reach of him and hung her blouse on a hanger. As she unbuttoned her jeans and started to slide them down over her hips Spike looked like a little kid who had never seen a girl naked before. Buffy couldn't help but giggle at him as she tied her hair up, letting him have the briefest of moments to take in the sight of her in just her underwear before she slipped her night dress on and dived under the covers. She knew it was a wicked evil thing to do to a man, but she couldn't help but feel thrilled by the obvious hunger on his face.

Spike threw his other boot across the room and then stood up to look at Buffy lying in bed. She smiled up at him and looked a little expectant so he frowned at her.

"Strip for me. I am your girlfriend after all."

"A girlfriend who I don't get to shag."

"Strip." Buffy ground the words out hard and grinned.

Spike peeled off his dark red shirt and draped it over a chair. He felt stupid but couldn't deny the girl lying in the bed, the same bed he was about the sleep in. As he lifted his t-shirt slowly revealing his abdomen he caught sight of Buffy smiling.

"This amusing you Slayer? Having a vampire love bitch?"

"Shh! Slowly." Buffy felt a thrill up her legs as Spike inched the shirt over his head, wicked little thoughts surfaced in her mind but she pushed them back down.

Spike slipped the t-shirt off over his head and let it drop to the floor languidly. He ran his hand slowly down his stomach to his belt and unbuckled it. Teasingly he unbuttoned his jeans then let them drop to his knees revealing black silk boxers. He heard a little gasp escape Buffys lips and it made him grin. Slipping the jeans off his feet he left them where they had fallen on the floor then slid under the covers next to Buffy.

He could hear her heartbeat racing but found the will in him to ignore it. Rolling over onto his right he turned his back to her and closed his eyes. The scent of her blood next to him was almost overpowering, he struggled for control as she made a fuss of sorting out her pillows. As her heartbeat slowed and became steady once more Spike relaxed a notch until he felt nimble warm fingers running along his back.

"So many scars. Ooh, I think I did this one." Buffys voice was quiet.

"That you did pet. Never quite healed either, think it was your first." He felt her fingers slide down his back to his tattoo where they stopped.

"Pretty." She murmured then yawned.

When her hand hadn't moved for a few minutes Spike realised she had dozed off. Nothing more for him to do he let himself slip into dreaming.

When he awoke the bed next to him was empty. He lay still for a moment and inhaled. She'd not been gone long by the strength of her scent. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and headed into the bathroom.

Stepping under the cold of the shower he replayed Buffy getting undressed in his head and his body responded.

"Down boy, not now." He stepped out and dried himself down with a towel then wrapped it around his waist.

He held his hand to the mirror on the bathroom cabinet and scowled at it with hatred when he saw nothing in the reflection but the bathroom.

"Monster, nothing close to what she wants or deserves. You're not Angel, there's no good in you, pure evil, killer, murderer. You don't even warrant a reflection, ghost, not bloody here. You're a damn fool man, look at you, can't can you because you're not supposed to be here, it's borrowed time that shouldn't belong to you. You're nothing, you're beneath her and you're dead. Stupid reanimated carcass." He threw a bottle at the mirror and it smashed.

"Spike?" Buffys voice was a whisper from the doorway, she felt sick at the thought that most of his upset was her doing.

He turned to look at her with a face filled with pain and suffering, quickly turning to anger at thought of her witnessing his little tirade.

"What?" Spikes nostrils flared as he shouted her down and she jumped, her face turning fearful. He turned his face away and stood with his back to her, shutting his eyes tight and clenching his jaw.

"Spike." Buffy stepped towards him and wrapped her arms about his waist, resting her head against his back, it was cool against her cheek and she closed her eyes. "Sorry for all I've done to make you feel like this. I've never given you an easy time have I? I realise now that your feelings about me are all true. You don't need a soul to love and you're more than a reanimated corpse. Don't be mad at yourself because of me, please?"

Spike rested a hand on hers where they joined on his stomach then turned around in her arms and forced a smile.

"Sorry. Little wound up." Spikes voice was a whisper and he cupped her cheek in his hand, he was amazed that she didn't pull away from him. "Didn't mean to scare you love. Just a little confused but it'll pass."

"I made you blood. We have to go out soon, I'll put something nice on if it will make you smile." She released her arms and turned towards the door.

Spike followed her and gave a quick look to the broken pieces of mirror on the floor. He wished he knew what he looked like to Buffy, he was after all being treated like her ken doll. She had changed his hair, clothes and even his name. Loves bitch.

He walked into the bedroom and noted that Buffy had laid out clothes on the bed for him. Nice new black jeans and one of his favourite patterned black shirts. At least she wasn't trying to make him too different. He dressed without ceremony and then headed into the little living area. Buffy was curled up on the couch in a bathrobe watching the TV; she still looked a little upset.

"Sorry. Do I look presentable mistress?" Spike grinned at her, he had purposefully slicked back his hair so she would find fault.

"Meh!" She whined and walked over to him, running her fingers up both sides of his hair as she came to a halt. Buffy smiled up at him as she tousled his hair, she knew he had only done it to cheer her up.

The next thing Spike knew was a bright flash that stung his eyes.

"Surprise." Dawn screamed as she snapped off another picture. "Dad gave me this cool digital camera. Ooh that's a good one, I'm keeping that."

Dawn bounced over to Spike and it was like his wish had come true. The first one was a little blurred and Buffy had a shocked look on her face. But in the second one she had moved to Spikes side and he had a frown on his face that made him smile. He had to admit; Buffy was right about the hair it suited him better.

"I'm going to get dressed." Buffy headed into the bedroom and closed the door.

"Snap happy Dawn. Least I get to see what I look like now." Spike slouched into the couch.

"You really can't see yourself? No wonder you dress like that!"

"Hey niblet, watch your mouth. Any idea where were going tonight?" He sipped his mug of blood and watched the TV.

"Nah, just know it's some place not far from here. Probably walkable. Dad seems to like you, Jane says you're pale and handsome."

"She does does she? Well well." Spike finished off his blood and set it onto the table.

"Do you even eat?" Dawn wrinkled her nose at the mug. "I mean real food and not animal by-products."

"I have developed a taste for eating solids if that's what you're asking. Wouldn't say no to a little girl though."

Dawns eyes widened at what he said but before she could answer with an 'ewww' Buffy had opened the door and stepped into the room. Spikes attention was immediately with her, she had tied her hair up and was wearing a strappy little black dress that finished halfway up her thigh. She had red lipstick on and a little cross around her neck. He swallowed hard and couldn't help but smile.

"See. Said I would make you smile." Buffy walked over to where he sat and stood over him. "Come on boyfriend, let's go dine with the parents."


"Ready." Buffy yelled as they made it to the main entrance hall of the house.

"Buffy Summers, I did not raise you to be a screamer." Hank came down the stairs.

Spike raised an eyebrow at Buffy and whispered in her ear. "Bet I could make you scream." He got a slap on the arm as a reward.

"Well let's look at you both. You look adorable together. Just the right height and everything." Jane was mollycoddling Spike and he looked ready to bite at her intruding hands. "Dawn, get a picture of them. They are so cute."

"She calls me cute one more time I'm making a change of the facial type." Spike whispered to Buffy out the corner of his mouth.

"Be quiet and smile for the camera William." Buffy hissed back at him.

The flash went off and then Buffy decided she wanted a picture of Dawn and Spike together. Dawn happily agreed and Spike put his arm around her and smiled for the camera. When he came to see the pictures Buffy slipped her arm around his waist and he noticed her fingers come to rest on his tattoo again.

"They're both good. I think we look good in them." Buffy smiled up at him and Spike couldn't help but agree, these two weeks were going to be fun.

"Come on now or we'll be late." Hank herded them out the door. "It's not far so a stretch of the legs is in order."

The walk to the restaurant was thankfully uneventful. Walking the streets openly made Spikes guard go up but he managed to appear relaxed. The restaurant was down by the seafront and their table was outside on the promenade. Buffy smiled at Spike as he watched the grill nearby, all those lovely slabs of raw meat being thrown onto the fire.

"You've got a little drool." Buffy joked with him as she placed her finger to the corner of his mouth and he pretended to bite at it.

Dawn busied herself with snapping pictures of everyone around the table including herself. When the main courses arrived Spike offered a suggestion of a certain label of wine that went down well with Buffys dad. She gave him a little look that seemed to say 'how do you know about wine?' but Spike just smiled in response and tapped his nose.

"So William, where are you from. With that accent you can't be local?" Hank cut a section of steak and waved it in the air at Spike.

"Hertfordshire, England. Came over here after university." Spike smiled at him and took a sip of the red wine he'd ordered. He noticed that Buffy looked a little nervous at the mention of university she gulped down a mouthful of wine.

"You're a scholar then? Where did you study?" Jane gave him a pleasant smile that he knew meant 'somewhere decent I hope'.

"University of Oxford." Spike didn't feel very forthcoming; Buffy raised an eyebrow at him and gave him her patented look, he was a vampire and still better than her.

"What was your major? I really wish one of my girls would go over to England to study."

"My degree was in literature and philosophy. Very interesting to me, they're a passion of mine. I'm sure Buffy will make it to England one day, she's such a little studier."

Buffy choked on a piece of her salad. She fumbled for some water and Spike couldn't help but allow himself a small chuckle as he handed it to her. Rubbing his hand in circles on her back.

"You alright love?" Spike cocked his head and looked at her, she was red with embarrassment.

"Fine. Evil salad." She stabbed at it with a fork when she had regained her composure and Spike jokingly clutched his chest.

"And what do you do now?" Hank continued his line of questioning, Spike was too concerned with Buffy but once he saw she was going to be okay he answered.

"I work in research over at UC Sunnydale, it's all very boring but it's how I met Buffy." He placed his hand on hers and she smiled at him. She was glad he had avoided his Magic Box idea.

Dawn made a small gagging noise that got her a kick under the table from Buffy. Hank looked as though he was studying Spike hard.

"How old are you William?" It was blunt and to the point.

"28." Spike didn't give an inch.

"Fair few years older than my daughter then."

Spike had to smile at that and mentally replied what's 130 years between lovers?

"And just a couple younger than your lovely wife." Spikes words cut Hank down to size and he felt Buffys hand tense under his. Gonna be in trouble for that one later.

Hank laughed along with his wife. "Yes, I suppose she is my junior somewhat."

"Same here then." Spike looked to Buffy and widened his eyes for a second as if to say 'help?'.

"So dad, how's business?" Buffy diverted the conversation masterfully and it lasted for the rest of the night.

When they were walking home Buffy made Spike drop back with her so they were out of hearing distance of the rest of the party. Buffy slipped her hand into Spikes and he smiled down at them.

"Not mad at me?" He raised his eyes to hers.

"What? For saying what I couldn't, come on she's far too young for him."

"Buffy, you're 130 years my junior. Not that I'm saying we're... you know."

"I know, I forgot. This night was so normal. No slaying, no evil vampires."

"Hey now that hurts!" Spike pouted at her.

"Okay, present company excluded, no evil vampires. You're the evillest." Buffy reached up and pulled on his lip.

"Thanks pet. Wanna watch telly when we get in?"

"Yeah." Buffy looked whimsical and a little tipsy.

"What's that look for pet?" Spike was amused by her broadening smile, he'd watched her drinking wine all night like there was no tomorrow.

"Thinking. This is nice." She swung their hands up into view and wiggled them. "This, the normalness and settling down in front of the TV for the evening. Relaxing."

Spike chuckled and she hit him with her free hand.

"Sorry pet, just one of your happiest moments this year and I'm the instrument of it. Let a bloke enjoy the moment, even if it's make believe."

Buffy gave him a hurt look. "I suppose you're right. You're so different when you're away from the hellmouth."

"Not the hellmouth pet, you're just letting me be, well me, without hitting me or running away. This is me Buffy, no charade."

Buffy sighed as they turned and walked up the path to the house.

"It's still nice."

"Isn't it just. Did I mention you look beautiful?"

"About fifty times. I think I'm tipsy."

They walked in silence the rest of the way to the annex.

Spike locked the door behind them then headed to the fridge.

"Tired?" He found a couple of glasses and some wine and put them on the table.

"No I'm totally wired." She stifled a yawn as she stumbled onto the couch. "Don't know how you do it."

"It's biological. Find it hard to sleep at night but easy to nod off during the dangerous hours." He sat on the couch beside her and filled the glasses with wine.

Buffy settled into Spike, letting him put his arm around her as she leant into him where he sat behind her. She took up her wine glass and sipped it.

"What we watching?" Spike asked as he drank half his glass in one go.

"Something about whales I think. I have to warn you about me and wine, we're not best friends." She watched the images flitting across the screen and drank some of her wine.

"Interesting." Spike refilled his glass and topped up Buffys.

"Here's something interesting. University?"

"Yes Buffy, I did go to university."

"Literature and philosothingy." Buffy gulped more wine down and it made her head spin and her thighs warm.

"Philosophy." Spike corrected her and finished his second glass of wine, eyes not moving from the TV.

"That how come you're so insightful?" Buffy finished her glass and held it up to be refilled, when Spike did as commanded she giggled. "Nice."

"Suppose its part of the reason, the other being 120 years of undead experience." He placed his empty glass on the table and swigged the remainder of the bottle.

"So you're experienced?" Buffy spun around with some effort to face him, she had a glassy look to her eyes.

She was now leaning on all fours on the couch with her face only inches from Spikes, he swallowed hard and finished the bottle off.

"How experienced?" Buffy wiggled her ass and raised an eyebrow at him--it was so wrong but felt so right.

"Buffy." Spike frowned at her and caught hold of her shoulders.

"C'mon Spike." She breathed at him and nodded towards the bedroom. "You know you want to. I know you want to."

"Love, you're pissed and I don't want to wake up tomorrow with a dusty feeling."

"So kiss me, it isn't a crime. You kissed me before." Buffy leant into him, placing her hands either side of his body. "What are you waiting for Spikey?"

"You to sober up a little and really want it."

Buffy pouted at him and tried to stand up on the couch only to fall backwards towards the table, Spike caught her before she hit it. Scooping her up he carried her towards the bedroom.

"Yay." She breathed at him and ran her fingers down his spine as she tried to kiss his neck but he leant back to keep it out of her reach.

"No." He dumped her on the bed. "Get undressed and go to sleep."

"Wine makes me horny." She writhed about.

"I noticed." As enticing as she was and as many times as he'd fantasised about it, he'd never wanted it this way.

"Undress me." She pulled a coy little face at him and sucked on her finger.

"Fine, arms up." He slid the dress off over her head revealing her underwear.

Buffy sprawled out on the bed, Spike couldn't take his eyes off her. She was wearing a little black lace bra and thong along with stockings and suspenders. He turned his concentration to her shoes and tried to ignore her wriggling about on the bed. He threw the first shoe to one side and the instant he turned his attention to the other one she ran her almost naked foot along his shoulder towards his neck.

"Buffy." Spike managed to get the word out, his throat was dry and tight. He threw the other shoe to one side.

Buffys feet clasped around Spikes neck and she pulled him onto the bed. He looked down at her below him, she was tracing a line down her abdomen with her fingers.

"Kitty has an itch she needs to scratch." She purred up at him.

Spike pulled her feet from around his neck and stood back from the bed.

"Tell kitty she has to scratch it without me." He sounded angry as he turned and left the room.

"Mewl!" Buffy whined and pulled her stockings down, throwing them into the room Spike occupied.

Spike took another bottle of wine from the fridge and tried to ignore her. The scent of her arousal was threatening to overpower him, pulling the cork from the bottle he drank a glassful from it to dull his senses. Laying down on the couch he closed his eyes and images of Buffy danced in front of him, in his imagination he pinned her to the bed and kissed her into oblivion.

"Mmmm." Buffy moaned in the other room, Spike raised an eyebrow and turned his heads towards it. Kitty had obviously got bored of waiting.

Spike couldn't stop his feet, they carried him to the doorway of the bedroom and he watched Buffy as she slipped her fingers into her panties. He took another swig of his wine and stood there mesmerized by the sight of her. Damn you Buffy Summers.

Buffy slipped her free hand inside her bra as she arched her back, the hand inside her pants dipped down to her slick opening and bought much need lubricant back up to her swollen nub. Spike just watched, as much as he wanted to join in it wasn't possible, he felt himself rock hard in his jeans.

She plucked and teased at her nipple then arched into her fingers that attended her pussy. She worked them harder and faster to bring herself to the edge.

"Mmm Spike." Buffy moaned out from between gritted teeth and it pushed him over the edge.

Spike bolted for the bathroom and unbuckled himself. Whipping himself out he rubbed his hand down the length of his shaft. He could hear Buffy in the other room moaning and it was driving him crazy.

"Mmmm." Buffy was creeping ever closer to coming, she dipped her fingers again for lubrication and gritted her teeth. The ball of energy growing in her stomach begged for release.

Spike jerked his hand frantically as he strangled his member, leaning one hand on the sink his senses were full of Buffy in the other room.

"Spike!" Buffy howled as she climaxed, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow she let herself be carried along by the wave of pleasure running through her.

Spike growled as he shot his load. Damn you Buffy Summers. He steadied himself and fought for composure.

By the time he had cleaned up and walked into the bedroom, Buffy was sound asleep with a big smile on her face.

Next