A few minutes earlier Dawn had broke away from her parents and walked towards the fence where he stood, leaning on the wooden rails as she came to rest next to him.

"Hey." Dawn looked in the direction his eyes were fixed on.

"Hey." Angel sighed at her.

"Didn't think I'd see you here. Watching my sister and Spike again? It's starting to become a habit." Dawn smiled at the sight of Buffy and Spike walking hand in hand along the beach.

"Just opening my eyes a little." Angel kept them firmly fixed on the couple.

"Angel, I know what you're thinking and he wouldn't hurt her." Dawn watched as Buffy ran off up the beach and then back to Spike again.

"You don't know that Dawn." Angel watched Spike saying something to Buffy and her pulling a face at him.

"Spikes in love with her and besides she wouldn't let him." Dawn smiled as Buffy finished drawing on the beach with a stick.

"She's lost to me isn't she?" He felt sick as Spike grabbed Buffy by the waist and span around on the beach.

"Face it Angel, your relationship was doomed. She can't be with someone that she can't have all of, it would kill her." Dawn watched them with a broad smile on her face.

"Have they?" Angel sighed and turned his back to them to face Dawn, she could see the pain written clearly across his features.

"No, just kissing. Buffy would tell me." Dawn watched Angels face closely.

"Her friends won't like it."

"But her family do, besides they'll come around, I hear they didn't like you either." Dawn saw her parents walking towards them.

"You're very insightful for a teenager Dawn." Angel leant his head back and looked up at the stars.

"I'm thousands of years old Angel." Dawn smiled as he turned to face her with a confused look. "I was mystical energy called the Key, these monks made me human and sent me to Buffy for protection. Everything in your head about me, lies. But I am her sister, you know, and she feels that too. Sisters know each other, I know she loves him even if she doesn't see it yet." Dawn touched his hand and smiled.

"Contact me if she needs anything." Angel handed her a card and then disappeared into the crowd.

"Who was that Dawn?" Hank leant against the rails where Angel had been.

"Buffys ex. Just stopped by to say hey." Dawn turned her attention back to her sister and Spike.

"They certainly are in love." Jane smiled.


"Slayer." Spike breathed as he held her in his arms, her feet dangling a foot off the ground.

"Vampire." Buffy wrapped her arms about his neck and smiled a true Buffy smile.

Spike crushed his mouth against hers hard and she responded immediately, wrapping her legs about him she pulled his head tight to hers and kissed him deeply.

The whole world dropped away as Spikes tongue sought Buffys, she tackled it and let the kisses turn gentle. A feeling in her stomach rose up and she felt warm inside. Spike softly moved his lips against hers, brushing them delicately and quickly as he pulled her closer to him.

"Spike." Buffy caught his eye and he could see that she wanted to say something but looked scared.

"Shh… No need pet." Spike smiled and then silenced her by pressing his mouth back against hers, he saw it in her eyes and that was enough for now, even if she didn't know it was love.

Buffy liked the feeling of his mouth on hers, it was comforting and made her lips tingle in a good way. She was melting inside and felt sure she would slip from his arms into a pool on the floor. Spike held her tighter as though he knew what she was thinking and let his tongue slip into her mouth softly tangling with hers as it went.

She shifted her weight in his arms and Spike fell backwards into the sand, Buffy looked at the ground and saw they had fallen into the middle of the heart. Giggling she leant forward and pressed her mouth back against his, feeling his hands run up her thighs Buffy felt suddenly flushed.

Sitting back she smiled down at him and let her fingers slip into his. Spike grinned at her and wriggled his hips mischievously, at which point Buffy looked up at the promenade and saw Dawn standing there with their parents.

"Not again." Buffy groaned and slumped forward onto Spikes chest.

"What?" Spike sat her up with him and then splayed his hands out behind him for support.

"Summers voyeurism." Buffy giggled and Spike turned his head to see Dawn waving at him with a big grin on her face.

"Maybe we should head back to somewhere a little more private." Spike arched a brow and Buffy slapped his arm as she stood up.

"Come on Spikey, let's face the music." Buffy pulled him up off the sand and stole one more kiss from him before he picked up their stuff.

Slipping her hand back into his she smiled up at him. "Never did thank you that time for forming a truce with me that lead to me sending Angel to hell and running away and you having a whale of a time in Brazil."

"No need to, I'm already thankful inside." Spike kissed her softly on the lips again.

"Me too." Buffy slipped her arm around his waist and let his hand come to rest on her shoulder. "I never should have let you go after you kidnapped Willow for a love spell."

"Why not love?" Spike cast a glance down at her with a look of intrigue on his face.

"Because you would have made one hell of a rebound guy after Angel, but then I think I like it better this way." Buffy smiled up at him. "I like boyfriend you rather than rebound guy you, you don't suit the role of the rebound."

"Think I'm more of a steadily growing love interest personally."

He was dreaming about walking around his crypt with Angel, they were circling each other and looked ready to fight but Buffy was in between them. As he looked at her he thought that Angel should be out of the way forever. The next thing he knew Angel was a pile of dust and Buffy was holding a stake in her hand.

Spike shifted uneasily in his sleep, Buffy watched him and wondered what he was dreaming about then wondered how much she could perverse his dream.

Seconds later in Spikes dream he was chained to the wall and Buffy was running her finger nails down his chest painfully. Then she came to kneel before him and started kissing down his stomach, when she reached his belt Spike woke up and struggled to get into a sitting position. Something was restraining him, his hands wouldn't do as he was telling them and then he felt warm wet kisses on his stomach. Squinting hard as his vampire sight kicked in he saw it was Buffy. His eyes rolled shut and he flopped back onto the bed.

"I'm dreaming. It's all a dream." Spike moaned as Buffy ran her tongue around his belly button.

"If it was a dream I would be peachy nice to you wouldn't I?" Buffy crawled up to near his head.

"Yes pet you would." Spike cocked his head. A small fist connected with his nose and he yelled out in pain.

"Not a dream dummy." Buffy giggled and flicked the lamp on.

"Hey." Spike looked to his wrists now tightly tied to the headboard. "Not fair."

"You'll get your turn wicked evil vampire. After I've had mine." With that Buffy rained kisses down on his neck and nipped at him.

"Grraaaah." Spike pulled at his shackles desperately wanting to feel her soft skin under his hard fingers. "I have to touch you."

"Nu huh." Buffy shook her head and ran her fingers down Spikes stomach and up along his inner thigh.

"Please. To know this is real. I go to sleep on the basis we're dating and it's okay to be naked. Next thing I know I'm waking up to you about to shag me." Spike pulled on the chains in frustration.

"Not going to shag you. Just wanna play. Like I said, you try and shag me and Mr Pointy would have something to say." She giggled at him trying to reach her. "You want to touch me?"

Buffy leant over his face teasing him with her proximity he wriggled his knees to pull her to him. Laughing at his despair she started working down his stomach again, kissing licking and nipping as she went. Spike growled in frustration.

She straddled him so her warm enveloping wetness was pinning him to the bed, her hands splayed out on his chest. She could feel his cock jump up against her and she pinned him down harder, restraining it against his body.

Spike felt how moist she was for him and it was driving him crazy, at least he was getting the wish of touching her in a way. But with the feeling of her hot little body pushing down on him with nothing separating them and nothing to stop him if he wanted to he started feeling thankful he was chained up. Could easily muck this up mate.

Buffy shifted and moved down to straddle his knees; Spike closed his eyes and clenched his jaw as she licked up his length. It was cool under her tongue but not cold since she had warmed it with her body. Buffys mind raced to think of pushing him up inside her right now and taking him on the bed, but she knew it would end worse than the other night.

She settled for working magic on his cock, licking up its length from his balls she cupped them as she ran her tongue around his tip in a swirling motion. Spike growled under her and she felt the vibration through her tongue. It tickled and forced her to giggle.

"Buffy." Spike moaned out and the sound of it drove her on.

As she took the tip of him into her mouth she could taste his pre come, the excitement of all of this must be getting to him badly. Buffy was urged on by how wet he was, she took him into her mouth and sucked her cheeks in on the way back up flicking his tip as she reached the end before parting her lips and going back down again.

"Fuck Buffy Fuck Fuckkk." He didn't want to know where she learnt this from but it was like nothing he'd experienced, the sound of him moaning her name seemed to drive her on so he ran with it. "Damn Buffy suck me harder."

Buffy obeyed, for the first time in her life she actually did what someone else wanted and it felt nice as he moaned her name and spluttered obscenities. Spike arched his back and gritted his teeth hard, hands grasping the headboard. She gave him a tight squeeze of his balls and felt more pre come dribble from his tip. Flicking around it with her tongue she moved forwards and rubbed her breasts against his tip, holding it between them she saw Spike open his eyes and crane his neck to watch.

"Buffy." In response she moaned and swirled her tongue around the tip of his cock. "God Buffy you're so fucking hot."

Buffy smiled then ran her fingers down her stomach, over her pussy and to her wet opening. Spikes eyes widened as she pulled her hand back out all slick and glistening and rubbed it down his length, then leant forwards and smeared the remainder across his bottom lip. Spike licked it eagerly and then grinned as she stuck her index finger into his mouth, her pussy hovering just above his cock. As he sucked on her fingers his cock jumped and struck her nub.

"Spike…" Buffy closed her eyes and moaned. His cock jumped again and again striking the same point. "Mmmm." She bit her lip.

Sucking on her fingers Spike was suddenly fascinated by her reaction to it. He tensed his muscles and hit her harder with the tip of his cock, when she moaned again he couldn't resist rewarding it with another flick from his tip.

"Spike!" Buffy ran her free hand over her breasts and played with a nipple. Spike felt jealously shoot through him and he pushed her forwards with his knees so her breasts came to his mouth, his tongue forced her finger out from between his teeth and he managed to suck in her nipple.

"God!" She moaned into his hair.

You can call me that if you want. Spike thought lazily as he closed his eyes and concentrated his efforts on her nipple. She didn't moan much to start with but as he sucked harder on it she gained tempo and volume. Naughty Buffy likes it a little rough.

"Spike! God yes." Buffy breathed into his ear, he could smell how aroused she was and she was about ready to pop.

"Buffy." Spike smiled up at her and narrowed his eyes, she read his look and nodded.

Moving down towards his feet Buffy pulled him down the bed so his hands were outstretched. Spikes thoughts immediately ran along the lines of 'She's going to queen me'. But instead Buffy crawled back up the bed and straddled his face with her mouth attending his cock. 69, Spike growled low and Buffy giggled as it tickled her nub.

Gently lowering herself onto his mouth, Buffy felt his cool tongue lick her from her nub to her opening and then linger there. He made little swirling patterns around the outside of her opening and lapped up her juices noisily. It was the sexiest thing she had ever heard.

"Oh Spike, more fucking more."

Spike grinned at the fact she was swearing and moved his attention down to her swollen nub, flicking it softly with the point of his tongue he took it into his mouth and sucked it hard. Buffy bubbled over the brink couldn't stop herself from enveloping his cock in her mouth and sucking down hard, moaning as she bought his length in and out of her mouth. She pressed her fingers around his length and gripped it tightly as she felt his cool tongue making circles against her arousal.

Buffy worked her hand in time with her mouth, sucking and pumping him hard she slipped her free hand under his ass and pulled him up to her. The animal possessiveness with which she did it made Spike growl into her pussy and lick harder, he wanted his hand free so he could attend her opening with his fingers but there was no way it was going to happen. He settled for being able to grasp her ankles.

Spike closed his eyes as he felt the build up in his stomach, it was going to be big and he didn't quite know where she was going with what she was doing to him. He nipped at her pussy and sucked her nub back into his mouth, caressing it with his tongue as he suckled it like a nipple.

Buffy moaned into him as she felt him nip at her, it was something that was going to push her over the edge, the sense that he was a vampire loomed up inside her and she felt her blood rushing towards him.

Spike grinned inwardly as he felt her warm tongue flicking his tip, his wicked little Buffy. Just as he thought this she pushed her nub hard into his mouth and wriggled it there with her hips. He could taste metallic mixed in with her lemony juices and he nipped at her again. She came up for air and moaned his name harshly as she pushed into him. Taking the hint he nipped again and sucked on the small red bloom appearing there. Buffy moaned loudly and Spike actually wondered how thick the walls were before all thoughts were sent to oblivion as she took his cock into her mouth again.

Working more furiously than ever it was all too much, the taste of her juices, her blood flowing into him of her own free will and her warm mouth encircling his cock. As she rolled her tongue back up his length he growled her name and shot his entire cool load into her mouth, she grinned as she swallowed it down. Spike froze for a second to judge her reaction and as he sucked one last time Buffy screamed his name and collapsed into him. She felt the head rush and ran her hands up his leg as she fell off him.

"Wow." She whispered as she tried to catch her breath.

"You're telling me." Spike was still stunned that she had let him bite her, there of all places. He considered for a moment what she thought about necks.

"Spike." Buffy sighed out as she sat up and untied his hands.

"Yes pet?" He flexed his fingers and smiled at their freedom.

"Can we do that again, like tomorrow?" She blushed at the way he was looking at her.

"Was thinking about getting a tan but I think I can squeeze it into my schedule." Spike looked hopeful at her and she gave him the best smile he'd ever seen.

"You're mine mister." With that she hopped to the bathroom.

"Always." Spike breathed and closed his eyes.

The next morning Buffy was still asleep as Spike showered, he ran over the night before and smiled at his wrists. Standing in front of the mirror he frowned at it then picked up a toothbrush.

A quiet giggle from the doorway caused Spike to look around. Buffy was leant against the doorframe and she pressed her hand to her mouth as he raised his eyebrow.

"What the bloody hell is it now?"

"Funny, seeing you brushing your teeth." Buffy grinned and pointed to the toothbrush in his hand.

"Why is that so funny?" Spike looked down at the toothbrush.

"Well, you're dead."

"Hey!" Spike looked hurt and Buffy backtracked quickly.

"I meant undead, I didn't really rate brushing teeth as normal vampire activity." She smiled at him and he narrowed his eyes.

"Answered your own question love."

"Okay." Buffy thought hard over what she'd said. "You're not your average vampire, but still."

"You'd rather I tasted like a corpse when I kiss you? Your choice." He went to put the toothbrush down but Buffy caught his hand and put it back to his mouth.

Looking into the mirror she could understand why it had upset him the other day. All she could see was a toothbrush dancing about by itself and her reflection in one corner. She pulled a face at it.

"What's up?" Spike turned to face her and noted her look.

"Stupid mirror." Buffy had felt suddenly cold at Spikes lack of reflection, she pouted and Spike caught her lip in a minty fresh kiss.

She pulled back when she caught sight of herself kissing thin air in the mirror.

Buffy left him standing in the bathroom looking at the mirror. He frowned as he bobbed the toothbrush past it and back again.

"Love." He strode through the bedroom to where she was sitting in the living room. "Buffy?"

She was curled up on the couch looking at the pictures on Dawns digital camera. Buffy showed no signs of hearing him so he sat down next to her on the sofa and smiled as he took the camera from her hands.

Buffy looked at him blankly, locking her fingers in his she stared at them.

"I'm real Buffy, solid and one hundred percent here and not going anywhere." He watched her thumb caressing his hand.

"I know." Her voice was distant.

"Then what's wrong?" Spike cupped her cheek then raised her face so he could see it.

Buffy let a tear slip onto her cheek and Spike furrowed his brow then pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms about her. Kissing her hair he took a deep unneeded breath, she was trembling in his arms and he felt it in every bone of his body.

His Buffy was scared, she could handle all his other traits but not this one. The blood, the demon in him, his adversity to sunlight, fire and most things holy, even the fact that he was room temperature and technically dead. But the possibility that he wasn't totally there with her, that he was a ghost of a man, had her running scared.

"Buffy." He smoothed her hair and let his hand slip to her shoulder.

"Hmm?" Came her quiet reply.

"I'm all here you know, just don't have a reflection. I'm real Buffy." Spike took her little hand in his and pressed it to his cheek, cupping his face in it.

"I know Spike." She looked up at him and smiled weakly. "You're always one hundred percent solid."

"Don't you know it." Spike raised a brow at her and chuckled.

"I didn't feel like this when I saw Angels lack of reflection, guess it was because our relationship was so weird anyway I didn't think about it. But this week with you has been so normal, just freaked me out a little."

"Come on." Spike picked her up and carried her to the bathroom, setting her down by the mirror.

She looked up at her reflection then turned and smiled up at him to check he was really there. Spike turned her head back towards the mirror and pinched her nose then wiggled it.

"Hey!" Buffy groused as she looked in the mirror at her nose moving of its own accord.

Spike stood behind her and slipped his hands down the front of her top and cupped her breasts then made them dance about.

Buffy giggled at the sight in the mirror, she could feel Spikes cool firm hands guiding them but couldn't see them.

"Funny." She couldn't help but smile at her reflection and felt Spike kiss her ear then whisper into it.

"You know." His voice had slipped into bedroom tones and she let her eyes fall shut. "If I pinned you to that wall and shagged your pretty little brains out that would look funnier." Spike grinned at her like a wolf.

"Yeah, only I don't want to get it on with the invisible man Spike, I want… God!" Buffy clasped her hand to her mouth.

"You can call me that if you want but I'm more of a devil, pet." Spike chuckled into her ear then kissed her neck with a little growl.

"Concentrate." She slapped the side of his head playfully. "Mirrors, serious problem. Dining room, Tuesday?"

"Didn't quite follow you round the bend pet." Spike looked confused.

"Dads got a dinner party on Tuesday, have you seen the dining room - we're talking big on the mirrors." Buffy furrowed her brow up at him.

"What's this got to do with us?"

"We're invited, I said yes, I didn't think."

"So go in there and break the bloody things, say it was a poltergeist or Dawn." Spike shrugged it off and continued kissing her neck.

"We'll avoid them, it'll be fine." Buffy struggled against the volcanic feeling in her stomach that his persistent kisses were giving her.

"This is ridiculous." Spike broke away and headed for the door.

Buffy caught his arm and pulled him back to her. "Where are you going?"

"To tell your father that we have other plans or are we going to wait until someone notices my lack of reflective qualities?" Spike looked down at her hand on his wrist and frowned.

"Spike, you're being unreasonable."

Spike caught her wrist and pushed her up against the wall, tilting his head he smiled down at her. Her pulse doubled and she tried desperately to even out her breathing, looking over his shoulder she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Spike chuckled as he lifted her off the ground and wrapped her legs around him, Buffy swallowed hard.

"Okay Buffy. Go and tell your pops that you're dating the undead and you're the Slayer, but most of all tell him that you're horny over the idea that I could fuck you right now and it would look damn kinky in that mirror." Spike pushed her harder against the cold tiles and she bit her lip as her eyes rolled closed.

"Now that you mention it." With a smile she pushed him backwards into the sink and headed for the door, Spike caught her arm and she giggled as he pulled her back to him.

"How about we skip dinner? Just show up when the party moves outside?" Buffy gave him a wide smile.

"I might be hungry pet." Spike arched a brow at her and wiggled it.

"There's plenty of blood in the fridge." She knew that look.

"I need something fresh." Spike let his finger trail down her neck and watched in fascination as a vein pulsed. "I've tasted you and I need more."

"Junkie." Buffy giggled.

"More potent than a drug." He moved his mouth slowly to her neck and kissed it softly, Buffy let her head fall to one side.

"Spike." Her voice was a broken whisper as she struggled inside.

"Mmm?" He licked her neck and focussed on the vein pumping faster.

"Not yet." She closed her eyes and smiled as she felt him freeze.

"Someday?" Pulling back he cocked his head and looked at her curiously.

"Tuesday." She kept her face impassive, hiding how scared she suddenly was by that one little word.

"Blackmail?" He grinned at how wicked she was, he behaves himself and he gets blood.

"Tuesday, after the party." Buffy smiled and walked off into the other room to get ready for the beach.

Spike was lying on the couch when he heard the bedroom door open. Buffy dropped her bags down by the couch then did a twirl so he could appreciate her.

She was wearing a little red bikini and Spike growled in appreciation then pulled her down on top of him. Buffy giggled as he showered her with kisses.

"I'll be late. You sure that you'll be okay here?" She ran her fingers across his brow and smiled when he smiled at her.

"Got passions, dangermouse and the house to myself, what more could I want… except you?" He let his fingers trail down her arm.

"We'll be back by nightfall." Standing up she ruffled his hair.

"Buffy." Spike liked her being concerned with him but after a moment of looking her over it was him who felt concerned.

Buffy looked back at him and read the thoughts crossing his mind, she reached into her bag and wrapped a long black sarong around her waist then fell back into his arms.

"Don't worry, if it isn't blond." She tousled his hair. "Vampiric." She ran her finger across his lower lip and he pretended to bite at it. "And called Spike I'm not interested." She kissed him softly then looked into his eyes.

"Who says I'm worried?" Spike grinned at her foolishly.

"They do Spike." Buffy kissed his eyelids and bounced out of the room.

Spike watched her go then frowned at the TV, no one had ever been able to read his eyes and he couldn't help but wonder what exactly had happened to allow Buffy insight into his thoughts.


When Buffy returned she found Spike still lying sprawled out on the couch.

"Look it! My very own camera." Buffy grinned as she present Spike with it.

"Very shiny pet." Spike kept his eyes firmly fixed on the TV and Buffy pouted.

"Cranky vampire." She groused as she sat in the chair opposite him. "Is this because it's dark out and I was late?"

"Pfft." Spike folded his arms and Buffy giggled.

"You're adorable."

"Take that back." Spike turned his head to look at her and frowned.

"Fine." She widened her eyes. "You're a pig. Better?" She moved to kneel beside him and touched his arm. "You're cute when you're angry."

"Am not." Spike swung his legs around and sat up, casting an angry look down at her where she sat giggling on the floor.

"Okay, it's more of a rugged handsomeness. Want to see why I was so late?" Buffy sat beside him and tried to ignore the fact that he was grinning like a madman.

Spike couldn't help himself - being called handsome by Buffy was melting his undead heart.

"Fine." Spike caved and looked at her with interest, she was holding the little LCD screen of her camera out to him.

"Pictures? Not a modern invention love, we had those when I was a lad." Spike raised a brow at her and she huffed.

"No." Buffy groused at him. "I took pictures of sunshine for you, I was late because I was photographing the sunset."

"I'm a vampire sweetheart, don't particularly like it."

"Spike, I know you like sunsets. I read your poems once." She braced herself for impact.

"You bloody well what?" Spike looked mortified. "That's it Slayer I'm going to throttle you."

Spike went to move but Buffy defended herself by pushing her camera into his face. He was mesmerised as he watched the little video playing in front of him.

"For me?" Spike looked at her, all anger forgotten as she nodded and pressed play on the camera again.

"Dad filmed it."

In front of Spikes face was a video clip of Buffy playing about in the surf with Dawn. Bright sunshine made Buffys wet body glisten and Spike smiled as the video Buffy slicked her wet hair back and walked towards the camera then blew a kiss at it and smiled broadly.

He touched the little screen and looked at her sitting next to him.

"I didn't know they could shoot video, Dawn showed me how to use it."

Skipping forward a few images she pressed play on the sunset image and Spike watched it with interest, Buffy walked into the bedroom.

It was of Buffy sitting on the sand dunes and watching the sunset. He could hear quiet snippets of her and Dawn talking.

"Buffy, you think he'll like it?"

"I know he'll love it Dawn." Buffy grinned at the camera. "Film the sunset."

The image moved to filming the sun going down over the ocean.

"He makes you smile, I've seen you alone together." Dawns voice sounded like her usual mischievous self.

"Angel said I looked happy, have to agree. Seems Spike really knows me like no one else."

"Is that a bad thing?" There was a long pause after Dawn spoke and he wondered what Buffys face had looked like. He imagined her looking pensive.

"Buffy?" Dawns voice was quiet.

"I'm scared he'll hurt me. I'm scared if I open up to another vampire I'll never want anything else."

"He won't hurt you Buffy. He loves you."

"I know but I feel like I'm crazy. He makes me feel so alive, how can he do that? It's twisted, something I'm meant to hate and he's the only one who makes me feel this way."

"What way? Oh, suns almost down. This is so cool."

"Like I'm beautiful Dawn, like I'm loved and maybe I can't live without him."

"Do you love him Buffy?" The sun had disappeared and Spike cursed it.

"I don't know yet…" Buffys voice had sounded subdued as the clip ended.

Spike looked up at Buffy who was stood in the doorway, her hand clasped to her mouth. Swallowing hard he looked at her with a confused face.

"You're scared I'm going to hurt you?" Spikes eyes followed her around the room as she walked towards him and snatched the camera.

Pressing play Buffy heard Dawn speaking and shut her eyes tight.

"You didn't know it had sound did you?" Spike watched as she shook her head in the negative.

"No, Dawn and I were just talking." She sat down on the couch next to him and gave him a look that said 'please drop the subject'.

"Can't live without me?" Spike grinned at her and snatched the camera back. "You were right about one thing Buffy."

"What?"

"I loved it." He grinned at her.

Buffy slipped into his arms and sat on his lap, resting her head by his neck she watched the screen with him. He was flicking through the images she had taken on the beach, she looked so different in daylight and Spike thought she looked like she was made of sunshine.

"Mmm." Buffy closed her eyes and wrapped her arms about his neck as she nuzzled it.

"What's tonight?" Spike slipped his arm about her waist and held the camera out at arms length then snapped a picture.

"Sunday silly." Buffy peered over to look at the picture and smiled, there she was on the little screen with Spike holding her as he kissed her hair.

"I know that. Meant what are we doing?" Spike snapped another picture of them together and smiled at it.

"Family outing to the movies." Buffy curled up into a little ball and cringed, he was going to blow his top.

"Oh." Spike pondered her reaction. "Least I won't have to talk."

"Eat something and I'll get ready. Dawn chose some girly film so I'm expecting to catch up on some sleep." Buffy stifled a yawn at Spike.

"Sleep is good, might make Buffy all bouncy." Spike arched his brow as he bounced her up and down on his knee and she giggled.

"No bouncy Buffy for you." She slid off his lap and shook her finger at him as she backed towards the bedroom, just before she closed the door she smiled at him and added. "Yet."

Buffy looked up at Spike, he pretended to stifle a yawn at her then grinned. She had to agree with him that Dawns choice of movie was poor, just another sacrifice to the gods of love propaganda. She started slightly when Spike leant his head close to hers and licked her earlobe.

Buffy slapped his knee and heard him chuckle. The last thing she needed was her family seeing him trying to get it on with her again, she'd spent most of her time today avoiding conversation about the beach scene the night before.

As Spikes knee touched hers Buffy felt a warmth dance up her leg to her stomach. She inhaled sharply and cursed him, causing him to grin at her. Frowning Buffy bit her lip and thought for a moment as she stared blankly at the screen.

Looking around the cinema she noted it was pretty empty and the seats next to Spike were vacant. Dawn was sat one seat away from her to her right and her parents after that. Buffy looked at Spike who sucked his cheeks into a grin and raised a brow at her and Buffy raised an eyebrow back in response.

Smiling to herself as she stared at the screen Buffy let her left hand slip off the arm of her seat and onto Spikes leg. He looked down at it and frowned as it started to slowly trace up his inner thigh softly towards his groin.

Buffy grinned triumphantly as she heard him swallow hard, her fingers trailed upwards and she let her hand come to rest over his crotch. Turning her face to him she cocked a brow and he swallowed hard again as she rubbed her fingers against him.

Squeezing him slightly Buffy couldn't help but giggle when Spike made a small choking noise. Dawn leant forward and gave Spike a dirty look and he shrugged innocently at her.

Turning to Buffy Spike raised a brow and batted her hand away. As he stood up she thought for a moment he was going to leave but instead he slipped his jacket off and dumped it onto her lap.

"Hold it for me pet?" Spike grinned mischievously and Buffy looked confused.

Sitting back down Spike watched the screen intently as Buffy struggled to neatly fold his duster on her lap. As the screen went dark for a second Buffy felt his cold hand slip up her skirt with lightning speed and she realised why she was holding his jacket. She gave a nervous look around at her sister who seemed oblivious and then looked wide-eyed at Spike.

He raised a brow then let his fingers slowly slide up her leg then down to her inner thigh. Buffy squeezed her thighs together tightly and poked her tongue out at him, but it only served to drive him on. Spike licked his teeth and inched his fingers in between her clenched thighs, impressed at how tight together they were.

When his cold fingers neared her panties Buffy bit her lip and relented. He couldn't do too much with her sister sitting near her or could he? She realised that maybe he could when she felt his fingers rub along the thin material of her thong.

Spike couldn't help but grin, he'd thought this night out was a waste of time but now it was starting to look interesting. Buffys panties felt silky and warm under his fingers, he waited for the next fade to black on the screen then slid his hand into them.

Looking up he absorbed the sight of Buffy wide eyed and pretending to stifle a yawn as she panted over the feeling of cold skin on hot flesh. Teasingly he wound her curly hair around his fingers and then ran them over her softly. Dipping his fingers in near her opening he grinned at how wet she was, he drew lubrication back up to her arousal and circled it softly.

Buffys heart was racing, her sister was smiling at the movie and Buffy felt like she was going to betray what was happening between her and Spike any second now. As his cold fingers started circling her swollen centre she bit her lip and gripped the armrests tight.

Steadying herself Buffy turned to look at Spike, he looked fascinated at her reaction and tilted his head to one side when she bit her lip again. His fingers worked a fixed motion in her panties and Buffys eyes fell to his lips.

Staring at his mouth Buffy couldn't stop herself from panting quietly, his fingers slipped down to her opening for more lubrication and she clenched her thighs together. Spike grinned and slid one finger into her to see her reaction. Buffy bit her lip and moved her hand to cup his crotch again. Raising a brow as she parted her legs again Spike moved his fingers back up to her nub.

It was slick and warm where his finger had been allowed access, but what had got Spike hard was how tight it had been. Slayer muscles must cover all areas of her. Buffy squeezed his cock and he took the hint that he wasn't paying her enough attention.

Circling her swollen nub faster Spike smiled when Buffys free hand gripped the arm tightly again. She felt like she was going to scream, it was insane how much this was getting her off - the sense of being caught at any second thrilled her. She suddenly understood why the back row of the movies was so sexy.

Shuddering under his touch Buffy couldn't stop her eyes closing, his fingers were driving her crazy, softly caressing her and teasing her to a climax. As he moved his fingers down to her opening again she couldn't stop herself from cupping him tighter in her hand, he slid two fingers into her and wriggled them. Buffy caught her mouth in her hand to stop herself from moaning.

She heard Spike chuckle as he drew his fingers out of her and started teasing her nub again. Begging for release Buffy leant over to him and forcibly pulled his mouth to hers. Tensing every muscle in herself she felt it creeping closer, she bit Spikes lower lip and giggled when he growled at her and his fingers picked up tempo.

Kissing him firmly she slipped her tongue into his mouth and wriggled it against his. She shut her eyes tight as Spikes fingers rubbed her harder and couldn't stop herself moaning quietly into his mouth as she climaxed, a soft wave of pleasure washing over her. Her heart raced and she found herself panting into his neck, Spike rained little kisses down on her throat as he slipped his fingers out from under her skirt.

Pulling back Buffy slapped his arm as she watched him stick his fingers into his mouth and suck on them.

"Perve." She whispered as she wriggled in her seat, enjoying the warmth spreading across every inch of her.

"You're one to talk." Spike grinned then continued sucking his fingers.

When she looked back at the screen the movie faded and the end credits started to roll. Buffy felt her heartbeat quicken again at how close they had been to the lights going up on them. Dawn stood up as the lights came on and looked at them both.

"That was terrible." She groused at them as she sipped the last of her soda.

"Thought it was good." Spike grinned at her then looked at Buffy who was flushed.

"It was very good." She smiled back at him coyly then stood up and handed him his duster. "Let's go home."

"Spike?" Buffy tousled his hair where he was laying with his head on her stomach.

"Mmm?" Spike lazily ran his fingers over the sheets that covered her belly, enjoying the feeling of her fingers in his hair and giving a thought to the fact she was naked and he wasn't.

"Switch channels." She pointed to the TV that they had bought into the bedroom.

"No. You switch channels." He stared at the TV trying to make out why she didn't like the current program; it was some late night cop show.

"But I'm comfy." She groused at him and pulled on his ear.

"Hey, not your bloody slave." Spike growled at her and Buffy giggled at how it tickled her stomach.

"If you loved me…" She grinned mischievously as Spike turned to look at her.

"If I loved you what?" Kneeling on the bed Spike straddled her and smiled.

"You'd change the channel?" She grinned up at him.

"Told you to bring the bloody remote in didn't I?" Spike caught her wrists and pinned her to the bed.

"Hey." Buffy pouted at him and wriggled. "Hurts."

"Liar. If I was hurting you the chip would trigger."

"Meh." She pouted even more and Spike tilted his head as he looked at her lower lip.

"Say I get the remote, what's in it for me? Long way to the other room, has to be something worth my going." He grinned like a wolf at her.

"A kiss?" She wriggled but kept eye contact with him.

"Meh." Spike mimicked her.

"Okay, I'll get it." She pushed Spike backwards onto the bed then slipped out from under the covers and padded towards the door.

"Got what I wanted and didn't even have to get the remote." Spike lay on his back on the bed and smiled as he watched Buffy walk back into the room. "You know, you've one hell of a body Buffy Summers."

She paused and looked down at her naked form, pulling a face she crawled back onto the bed and slipped under the covers. Buffy rolled onto her side and frowned at Spike.

"What now?" He gave her a sideward glance.

"I'm naked." She pouted at him and he made to grab her lip.

"I noticed." He pulled on her lip.

"You're not." Buffy frowned at him but he chuckled at the sound of her trying to talk without her bottom lip.

Still frowning at Spikes hold on her lip Buffy reached up and pulled on his. Spikes smile turned to a frown as she tugged on it.

"Hey, easy on the lip Slayer." Spike growled at her then let go of her lip.

"Naked." She grinned and prodded his lip back into place.

Spike sat up and pulled his top off over his head, laying back on the bed he unbuckled his jeans and shimmied them off. Slipping under the covers next to Buffy he deposited the pile of clothing on the floor.

"Better?" He rested his head back on Buffys stomach and stared at the TV, she was flicking channels relentlessly.

"Absolutely." Buffy took to winding his hair in little curls around her fingers. "Looks like some silly horror movie or some love flick."

"No such thing as a silly horror movie." Spike nuzzled her stomach and took a deep breath; he loved being allowed to do this.

Stroking his hair she switched channels to the horror movie. Looking down at him she couldn't help but smile, it was so comfortable. Just lying around together and watching rubbish until the sun came up was her current version of heaven.

"Comfy." Buffy voiced her feeling and smiled when Spike practically purred.

"Could stay here forever." Spike let his fingers trace patterns on her stomach, he smiled at how it warmed one side of his face then wondered what she felt about it. "Buffy?"

"Spike." She was watching the title credits roll.

"Does the coldness bother you? I mean, me being cold?" Spikes fingers paused as he waited for a reply.

"You're not cold, room temperature but not cold. It's comforting." She smiled at the question.

"Because of Angel?" Spike turned to face her and searched for an answer in her eyes.

Buffy sighed when she saw pain dancing in his blue orbs. "No, it was always comforting. Like when you're growling in your sleep it's comforting. It's a Slayer thing, actually it's probably a Buffy thing. Cool flesh on mine feels right somehow. It's hard to explain."

"I understand, I get a comfy feeling when I can feel your blood singing to me." He started tracing patterns around her neck.

"Probably because you're about to kill me when you get that fuzzy feeling." She poked his shoulder and giggled.

Spike shifted position so he was close to her throat, pinning her with his torso he growled down her ear. "Not always about killing."

"Down Spike." Buffy giggled but stopped when she felt him lick her neck, her voice dropped to a whisper. "Spike…"

He pulled back and looked at her, she was chewing on her lower lip with fear and doubt playing on her features. Spike kissed her on the neck and then on the lips and turned away. Resting his head back on her stomach he listened to her heartbeat smashing fast against his ear.

Buffy closed her eyes and focussed on the feeling of a vampire resting on her abdomen, it gave her a heat in her stomach like a volcano. Only Spike and Angel ever did that, it was like a connection to them. Other vampires just made her blood scream but those two seemed to make all the screaming concentrate in one area of her.

When her heartbeat levelled out Buffy ran her fingers over Spikes back, tracing the scars that had formed there over the years. As she bought her fingers back through his hair Spike growled softly and Buffy giggled.

"You know that's practically a purr." She let her fingers caress his cheek and he growled again.

Looking up at the TV Buffy yawned as some mad scientist had made a female Frankenstein's monster. She slipped out from under Spike and he growled angrily as his head hit the mattress. Crawling over him Buffy pushed him towards her side of the bed.

Spike took the hint and leant against the pillows on his back, as he did so Buffy came to rest with her head on his chest and hooked her leg over his. Running her hand over his sternum she rubbed her cheek against it until she was comfortable. Grinning wide Spike watched the movie as he let his fingers softly stroke her hair. After a few minutes Buffys breathing became shallow and he kissed her hair.

"Night sweetheart."

Buffy walked into the living room as she rubbed her wet hair with a towel. No sign of Spike, just two badly wrapped presents on the table. Raising her eyebrows she picked them up and looked at the little tag on the first one.

Knew you liked it, hope you drive little bit up the wall again. Spike x

She smiled and unwrapping it she saw that it was a CD of the tape she'd been listening to, the tape that Dawn had recorded punk music over. Looking at the second one she read the tag.

For when you develop taste in music. Spike x

Buffy giggled as she opened it and discovered the Ramones Anthology staring up at her. Shaking her head she walked over to the stereo and put one of the CDs in. Pressing play she braced herself, she had to admit at a low volume it wasn't too bad.

Heading back into the bedroom Buffy opened her wardrobe and rifled through for something to wear that reflected her mood.

Spike pushed the door to the annex open only to be greeted by the Ramones playing on the stereo. Beaming at it he sprawled himself out on the couch and waited for Buffy to show up. He didn't have to wait long before she appeared.

"Hey." He smiled at her, she was wearing a little baby doll top with a happy looking Japanese cartoon girl on the front and her baggy sweatpants, her hair was tied in bunches with two long strands as a fringe and she reminded him of a little school kid.

"Morning." Buffy slid into his arms and kissed him. "Thanks. Where've you been?"

"Training. How's my wicked little girl today?" Spike smoothed the loose hair from her face and she smiled warmly at him.

"Lethargic is the word, didn't want to wake up this morning." Buffy rested her head against his chest and sighed.

"You and me both. Wanna annoy Dawn by hogging the telly upstairs?" He raised both his eyebrows at her expectantly.

Buffy paused to think for a moment then raised her brows back at him. "Okay."

Turning the stereo off Buffy bounced out of the door and up the hall towards the stairs. Spike smiled at how full of energy the so-called lethargic Buffy was.

Settling on the couch in the upstairs living room Buffy leant into Spikes side and bought her legs up close to her. Dawn was sitting cross-legged on the floor and frowning at the TV, she was playing a game and kept getting killed by the guards.

"Remind me to never let you patrol." Buffy giggled as a guard killed Dawn again and the scene shifted. "What is that anyway, you're blue?"

"It's a vampire, um…" She picked up the box and frowned at it. "Raziel. Apparently I got kicked out of some great gang of vamps for having the cheek to start growing wings."

"Give me that." Spike held his hand out and Dawn put the box into it then turned back to the screen. He arched a brow at the cover. "Soul Reaver? Please spare me."

Buffy snatched it off him and looked pleased. "Ooh, I could easily beat that."

"You're not meant to beat the vampire Buffy, you are the vampire. Although technically I'm sucking souls not blood." Dawn smiled at them both.

"Whoop de doo." Spike groused from the corner and both Buffy and Dawn laughed at him.

"Pretty little blue vampire." Buffy feigned fascination with the cover of the game.

"Hey!" Spike took it off her and threw it onto the other couch. "There's only one good looking vampire in this room."

"Really who is that?" Buffy giggled then turned serious when she saw Jane appear in the doorway, wide eyed she shook her head at Spike but he was already aware of their company.

"Why the man on the telly of course." He huffed at Buffy but she pinched his cheek and mouthed 'you' at him, causing him to grin.

Jane sat down on the other couch and picked up the box, shaking her head at it she sighed. "Dawn, you really shouldn't play such violent games. All this monster fighting won't help you in later life."

Dawn couldn't help but giggle at what she said.

"I think monsters are fascinating. Especially vampires." Spike turned his head to face Jane.

"Do you? You don't think that all these fairy tales corrupt young minds?"

"On the contrary, teaches the kiddies to be wary. Not everything is as it seems." He raised a brow at Jane then kissed Buffys neck causing her to lean her head to one side and giggle.

"I'll never understand the fascination with scary movies and monsters." Jane shook her head as she placed the game box down on the table and looked at Dawn beating up guards.

"I do." Buffy whispered and Spike smirked.

"Really Buffy, I thought you would have known better."

"There are monsters in all walks of life, like William said - teaches people to be wary, monsters are real Jane you just have to know where to look." Buffy smiled at her then leant back into Spikes side, he slipped his arms around her and held her tight to him.

She felt weird, in a way she'd just admitted that she believed in monsters, that she felt they were real. It was strangely liberating, especially when she was being backed up by one of the particular species of demon in question.

"You believe in monsters? In these vampires?" Jane stood and looked down at Buffy then at Spike.

Feeling Spikes grip tighten around her and his lips pressing against her throat Buffy smiled broadly.

"Yep, vampires are definitely real." Buffy tapped Spikes hands where they were clasped on her front.

"Youth, I'll never understand." Jane shook her head and walked out of the room.

"She's one to talk." Spike whispered in Buffys ear and she giggled.

Dawn huffed at the game again as the blue vampire was beaten, Buffy frowned at the TV then decided she could do better and crawled across the floor to her sister. Snatching at the controller she tried to pull it from Dawns hands but failed when she was lifted off the floor by Spike.

"Let niblet play her game pet, you like to play with the vampire not as the vampire." Spike set her down on the couch and watched her pout.

"I can play vampire." Buffys pout turned into a mischievous grin as she looked up at him.

"Say no more." Spike scooped her up in his arms and grinned at her as he carried her towards the door.

"Gross." Dawn rolled her eyes and concentrated on her game as they left, when she heard the door close she couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face.


"So, little miss vamp." Spike looked down at Buffy in his arms as they headed downstairs towards the annex.

"Yes?" She smiled up at him and made little biting motions towards his neck.

"What terrible fate awaits us tonight?" He leant down and bit her neck playfully.

"Dinner." Buffy let her head fall backwards.

"Dinner is good." He nuzzled her neck as he carried her into the living room of the annex and kicked the door shut.

"With family." She added.

"Oh." Spikes face fell a little. "I can work with that."

"Don't let me drink too much wine." Buffy pouted up at him as he placed her down on the bed.

"Somehow I don't think you being horny is an issue anymore." Spike crawled up the bed towards her.

"And on that note." Buffy slipped across the bed and onto her feet.

Spike flopped onto the bed and growled. "What?"

"I'm going to make sure this evening goes perfectly like it should have done last week, no hitches and no drunken passes." Buffy smoothed her clothes down but was quickly accosted by Spike pulling her onto the bed. "Let go."

"Evening doesn't start for a few hours pet." He nibbled her earlobe and she leant into it.

Flipping him onto his back Buffy straddled him with a smile on her face. Leaning forwards she licked up his neck then nipped at him gently. "Just call me Buffy the vampire."

Spike arched a brow at her and grinned. This he could get used to.

Walking a few metres behind Dawn and their parents Buffy locked her fingers into Spikes and smiled up at him. They were on their way home and so far the night had passed with perfection just like she said it would, she allowed herself to slip into a moments complacency walking beside him.

Turning the corner she instantly regretted it, coming out of the shadows was a vampire, armed with a baseball bat. Buffy froze, casting a glance ahead she saw that her parents and Dawn were safely walking on, they would just think that her and Spike were off somewhere together.

The vampire was slowly heading towards them both, Buffy fumbled around in her bag searching for a weapon. Spike arched a brow at her as the vampire drew nearer.

"Big bag like that and you don't have a weapon in it?" Spike shook his head in disbelief.

Buffy whined as scrambled around in her bag faster. "I know I had something in here damn it."

"Bloody women, what's the point of the bag if you don't put useful stuff in it?" Spike sighed then started advancing on the vampire, he could hear Buffy quietly cursing as she dropped her bag on the floor and followed him.

The vampire looked confused for a moment as he tried to figure out what was going on, he'd sensed the Slayer and when he'd found her she was happily holding hands with another, older vampire. Then they had started bickering when he'd expected them to rush him, now they were advancing painfully slowly. Still, he was going to get to kill the Slayer so it wasn't that bad.

"Ladies first." Spike fanned his arm out and bowed at Buffy who cuffed him around the back of the head as she walked past.

Unfortunately Buffys lack of attention towards the other vampire caused a slight hitch in her plan. Turning her head to look from Spike to him all she saw was a large wooden object about to hit her. Buffy started to duck as she watched it coming towards her in slow motion but she wasn't quick enough, it caught her hard across the temple and knocked her to the floor.

Slightly dazed in a small heap on the pavement Buffy saw Spikes face shift into vampire mode and she knew the malevolent glint that surfaced in his yellow eyes well, the other vampire was going to pay.

Spike waited until the vampire approached him before he turned and swung his fist hard into his stomach, following up by punching him in the face with a fist powered by pure undiluted anger.

Buffy shook her head, there were two Spikes and two vampires, this couldn't be good. She felt dazed and her temple was exploding in white-hot pain, touching her fingers to it and bringing them into view she saw blood on them. Looking up at the two fuzzy Spikes she watched as he repeatedly punched the vampire in the face, spitting obscenities and cursing him all the while.

Spike caught the vampire around the face with his elbow then grabbed hold of his wrist and bought his arm down onto his knee with a crunch. Buffy heard the rattle of wooden baseball bat hitting the floor, reaching out for it she broke the end off and offered it up to the two Spikes with a very fuzzy hand. But he just looked at it, nostrils flared and yellow eyes showing no sign of needing her help.

Bringing his knee up into the vampires stomach Spike chuckled as he bent over double in pain. Coming to stand behind him he placed his hands on either side of the vampires head and sneered at him.

"You had to ruin a perfectly good evening." Spike pressed his palms harder against the vampires head.

"She's the Slayer." He was trembling in anticipation of Spikes next move.

"No, this week she's just Buffy and I'm not letting anything change that." Spike twisted the vampires head hard and Buffy heard the sickening snap of his neck followed by the light patter of dust raining down.

Spike slid back into human mode and was by her side in an instant, she was trying to stand with the aid of the remainder of the baseball bat. He wiped the dust from his hands then caught her arm to help.

"Fuzzy." She groused as she took hold of Spikes arm firmly.

"Let me look." Spike raised her head slightly so he could take a look at her injury, she smiled weakly at him, pleased that at least there was only one Spike now in her vision.

"Bad?" She caught his eye and he looked concerned, her sight was clear now but her head still span if she moved too quickly.

"Seen worse." He tried to sound steady, she had blood caked in her hair and he reassured himself it probably looked a lot worse than it really was.

"Feels like someone drove a steamroller over my head." She tried to take a step towards her bag but her knees were like jelly and she almost fell to the floor.

"Don't move a muscle." Spike held her steady as he leant over and picked up her belongings.

Slipping the bag around his neck Spike bent over and scooped Buffy up into his arms, he wasn't about to let her try and walk home, no matter how much she protested he was going to carry her.

But Buffy didn't protest, she merely slipped her arms around Spikes neck and let him carry her. She knew that if she tried to take one step she would fall into a big pile on the pavement, the relationship between her and Spike was such now that she wouldn't protest to any offer of help he gave her. Raising her eyes to his face Buffy watched the look of grim determination that had settled there. She quietly admitted to herself that he was handsome when determined, she'd always recognised that even when it was a look of determination as he tried to kill her.

"Spike?" She watched his features soften as he turned his head to look at her.

"Pet?" He smiled at her, she had more colour now and was looking steadier.

"You mean that back there? The Buffy thing?" She let her hands softly stroke the back of his neck.

"Yeah, this week you're Buffy, no slaying. Just call me Spike the vampire Slayer." He grinned at her cockily and it made her smile as she rested her head against his chest.

As Spike set Buffy down in the bathroom he gave her a soft kiss on the lips. Buffy smiled up at him then ran to the toilet and threw up.

"I taste that bad?" Spike feigned being upset.

"No." She managed to gasp out. "Just felt a little woozy when you set me down."

Spike sighed at her and pulled her hair away from her face. She was promptly sick again and this time he felt concerned, not knowing what else to do he rubbed her back softly in small circles.

"Feel better now." Buffy panted as she sat up a little and touched the cut on the side of her head.

"Lets get you cleaned up pet." Spike hooked his hands under her arms and lifted her to her feet. "You alright?"

"Mmm hmm." Buffy nodded as she wobbled to the sink and ran the tap, swilling her mouth out.

Spike grabbed the cotton wool pads from the bathroom cabinet and held some under the water then pulled her hair to one side and started dabbing at the dried blood.

"You must think I'm so weak." Buffy sighed as she grasped hold of the basin for dear life.

"Yeah, 'Cause I've seen so many girls hit around the head with baseball bats and still be conscious. You're not weak." Spike softly wiped the dried blood off her head and watched with fascination as fresh blood seeped along her wet hair.

Looking up at him Buffy caught the expression on his face and narrowed her eyes. "What are you thinking in there, mister?"

"Blood." Spike grinned and shifted his eyes to hers to read her look. "Not going to."

"Didn't think you were, honest…" Buffy felt slightly relieved, the thought of Spike sucking on a wound of hers was not appealing.

Letting her eyes fall shut Buffy ran her thoughts along a route that was appealing although a little scary, letting Spike get a taste of her from an old fashioned place. She smiled inwardly at the thought of Spike sinking his cold teeth into her neck, her heart picked up pace.

"Something wrong?" Spike looked at her with some concern, her heart was rocketing.

"No." Buffy willed her heart to slow down. Damn vampire senses.

"What you thinking Slayer?" Spike stopped cleaning her cut and watched the blood bloom again.

"Nasty little thoughts." Buffy whispered and raised herself into a standing position, keeping her eyes fixed on the tiled floor.

"Really?" Spike took a step closer to her and inhaled deeply, she knew why.

"Tomorrow, providing you behave." She walked past him and into the living room, her head was still pounding and she needed to sit for a while.

As Spike followed her he sucked on his index finger, it was slightly bloodied from cleaning Buffys head wound and as much as he tried to will himself to just wash it off he hadn't been able to, besides - sucking it clean was a form of washing.

He found Buffy sitting on the couch in the dark, as he approached her she shuffled forwards and Spike knew it was a sign that she wanted to lean into him. He'd grown to love the feeling of Buffy snuggled up against him on the sofa, his arms gently holding her and the feeling of her heartbeat steadily pounding against his side. Pulling a blanket off the armchair he placed it over her legs then sat behind her, she instantly wriggled into what was usually a comfortable position with her back pressed against his side. But tonight it wasn't what she wanted, it wasn't enough, no matter how much she wriggled it didn't feel right.

"Meh!" Buffy groused and turned her head slowly to look at Spike.

"Not comfy?" Spike raised his eyebrows at her and she nodded. "How bout this?"

Smiling he pushed her gently so she leant forwards and then moved his leg so it ran along the couch and Buffy was neatly sat between them. Pulling her back towards him slightly he slipped his arms under hers and wrapped them around her waist, Buffy leant her back against his chest and smiled contentedly.

"Much better." Buffy arranged the blanket so it was covering both of them.

"Feeling any better? Not sleepy or anything?" Spike slipped his hand under her top and rubbed her stomach gently.

"Not sleepy." She leant her head into his chest and started flicking channels on the TV, illuminating the room in varying shades of blue.

"Good, means there's no concussion." He let his hands rest on her belly and focussed on it rising and falling as she breathed.

"And here I was thinking you were being a perve." Buffy giggled at him and Spike realised that his asking her if she was sleepy while he rubbed her stomach probably came across that way.

"Just concerned." He planted a soft kiss on her neck and nuzzled her cheek.

"Just teasing." She leant her cheek against his as she flicked channels. "What do you want to watch?"

"Whatever you're watching, want to keep you awake for a while. Just in case." Pressing his cheek against hers he held her a little tighter and heard Buffy sigh.

"Mmm you're wonderful..." She bit her lip, this was going to warrant an explanation.

"I am?" Spike grinned and could swear his body temperature went up. "Why?"

"Because you treat me like I'm ordinary yet extraordinary."

"Come again?" He frowned at her and Buffy felt it against her temple.

"You just… it's like I'm this normal ordinary girl who's extraordinary in your eyes alone." Buffy sighed as she slipped her fingers into Spikes.

"I see, no wait, I don't see…" He planted little kisses on her neck. "Tell me more…"

"Spike…" Buffy leant her head to one side slightly and thought it over, there was no harm in telling him things that she felt, he wasn't about to stomp all over her feelings. "Okay, I just feel like you aren't making a big deal over the Slayer thing, you treat me like a girl. Like I'm normal, this is hard to put into words…"

"Go on…" Spike nipped at her neck with his blunt teeth.

"You don't treat me with kid gloves like I'm going to have a major Slayer mood swing on you, you're honest with me, treat me like I'm equal, like I don't have super strength and stuff…"

"Because I'm stronger than you…" He grinned and she smacked his hand.

"No… alright, maybe you are… might be. Anyway, you don't act like you have to protect me from the world, but I know that when I get into trouble, like earlier, you're there… ready to fight…" It felt weird talking about herself like this with him, but it felt right at the same time, a new level to their relationship and a further sense of normality.

"Always got your back…" Spike purred into her ear as he held her tight against him.

"That's exactly it, even when you aren't around, I just feel if anything bad happened you'd be there. Somehow you would appear and save… me…" Buffy bit her lip as Spike suddenly stopped kissing her neck.

"Knight in shining armour now am I?" A warm feeling spread through him and he tried to convince himself it was just borrowed heat from her.

"In little ways… and in some big ones too. Thanks for coming to LA." Hoping it would steer the conversation onto safer waters she snuggled up against him and smiled as he sighed.

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world." Closing his eyes he listened to Buffy channel hopping with little snorts when she didn't like the program.

"Ooh, Dirty Dancing." Buffy grinned and put the remote down, from behind her there came a huff.

"Can I retract my last statement?" As Buffy turned her head to look at him Spike pouted at her.

Craning her neck Buffy kissed him softly then returned to watching the movie, Spike tilted his head to watch her as she smiled. No matter what she made him watch, he still wouldn't have missed being with her for the world.

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