Spike craned his neck so he could see Buffys face, she was sound asleep with her lips slightly parted. He chuckled to himself as he manoeuvred her into his arms, carrying her slowly to the bedroom. Buffy had managed to stay awake through the whole of Dirty Dancing and Spike had played the good boyfriend by keeping his comments about her taste in movies to a minimum. Now it was gone 3am, Spike was satisfied that Buffy didn't have a concussion - all she needed now was a good peaceful sleep.

Setting her down on her side of the bed he went about slipping her clothes off, realising that this was starting to become a habit he gave a thought to that illustrious Slayer stamina and her apparent lack of it. As soon as she was stripped down to her underwear she curled up into a little ball facing Spikes side of the bed.

Undressing himself as he made sure everything was turned off in the living room, Spike slowly wound his way back to the bedroom where Buffy was now snoring softly. Narrowing his eyes he couldn't help but smile at how comfortable they were together, sleeping next to her was like a higher state of heaven, feeling her warm soft body pressing gently against his.

Pulling the covers over them both he settled into bed next to Buffy and lay watching her, she looked peaceful enough. As he reached out to stroke her hair she frowned and muttered something, her whole body tensed and Spikes guard went up slightly.

"Don't take him away…" Buffy wrinkled her nose and curled her hands up into little fists and she sounded like a little kid. "…won't let you."

"Shh pet." Spike stroked her hair in an effort to soothe her.

"No… Xander… leave him alone…" She batted Spikes hand away and kicked her legs against the covers, her voice turning desperate. "…please."

Frowning at her Spike couldn't help but wonder what she was dreaming about. "Who's nasty old Xander trying to hurt?"

"Spike…" Buffy whispered as she pouted and her brows furrowed.

"I see." He stroked her hair, waiting to see if she would lash out again.

"Please… Xander… Angel… he can't leave… I need him… everyone… I…" Buffys brows knitted together and Spike watched a tear slip over her nose and onto the sheets.

"Come on pet, wake up." Spike shook her gently, he didn't like the sound of this dream and it was obviously upsetting her.

"Everyone… I… I… love… leaves… me… he can't… leave too… I'd die…" She sounded like she was short of breath or being strangled as she started sobbing hard, he smiled for a moment at what she'd said.

Spike edged closer to her and she flailed her arms and legs about like she was being attacked, grabbing her tightly he pulled her hard against him, wrapping his arms around her in an effective restraint.

"Buffy, I'm here. Not going anywhere." Kissing her forehead he listened to her sobbing start to subside as she pressed her cheek against his chest, as if she'd finally realised it was him holding her tightly.

"Spike…" Buffy whispered as she wrapped her arm about his waist, now half awake and vaguely aware of her dream.

"I'm here baby, just a bad dream." Spike kissed away her tears and then rested his forehead against hers, lips seeking his Buffy kissed him gently and snuggled up against him.

"Thought you were gone, they tried to make you leave." Buffy mumbled in her half asleep state and she made him wrap his arms tighter around her.

"Never going to leave you, I love you, nobody could make me leave, not even you. Now get some sleep, I'll look after you." His voice a whisper Spike held her in his arms and tucked the blanket around her, she was soon dozing again.

"Mmm." Buffy smiled as she dropped back off the sleep, feeling safe all wrapped up in his arms.

Spike watched her as she slept, when he could sense the sun rising outside he let himself drift off. Buffy woke up with a headache an hour or so after Spike fell asleep, looking up at his face it bought a smile to hers. He was still holding onto her tightly, cradling her in his arms and he had a contented smile on his face. She felt a pull inside her that told her to stay in bed but the other half of her said she needed to get up, Spike would sleep okay without her. She planned to grab a shower and then see about doing some training, a good workout might clear her head a little.

Wriggling down the bed and out of his arms Buffy kissed his forehead softly as she stroked his cheek, his smile broadened. Heading into the bathroom she looked in the mirror and inspected the cut on her temple, the size of the patch of crusted blood in her hair had grown and she figured it must have bled again in the night.

Tying her hair up into a ponytail she cleaned the wound gently so she didn't disturb it and cause it to bleed again. When it was moderately clean she couldn't believe how small the actual wound was, in comparison to the mess it had made it was like a tiny cat scratch. The good thing was no one would notice the cut, their attention would be immediately drawn to the massive bruise that surrounded it, she thanked god that she hadn't ended up with a black eye.

Buffy realised she was going to need some major makeup work to pull this off tonight, why couldn't she have just paid attention to the stupid vampire? She had to go paying all her attention to Spike and getting smacked around the head with a baseball bat. She frowned at the mirror then started brushing her teeth.

Sneaking back into the bedroom she quietly slipped her training gear on and pulled her bandages out of her bedside drawer. Shaking her head at the sight of Mr Pointy lying there, a frown crossed her face as she heaved a sigh, picking up the stake she walked over to the wardrobe and stashed it away in her suitcase. Turning back to face the bed she looked at him, Spike wasn't going to try anything she didn't want, because right now she wanted it all.

As she left annex Spikes eyes flicked open and a grin spread across his face, satisfied that she'd finally realised he wasn't out to hurt her. He stretched out on the bed and chuckled to himself, then shot up into a sitting position when he realised she was off to train even after last nights trauma. Scrambling out of bed Spike got his legs caught up in the sheets and fell face first onto the floor, growling as he rolled over he tugged at the sheets to free himself. Running a hand over his hair Spike grabbed his sweats and hopped about as he tried to put them on while slipping his feet into his boots.

Bolting out of the door he just waved hello to Dawn as she watched him pass, he was heading straight for the gym. As he swung the door open he immediately backed out again.

"Bloody hell, you trying to kill me?" Spike growled at the fact that Buffy had the blinds fully open and sunlight was streaming in.

"You were asleep, I didn't think you would show up so soon. Sorry." Hurrying over to the windows Buffy shut the sunlight out and watched as Spike cautiously walked into the room.

"Better." He caught hold of her waist and spun her around to face him. "Don't think you're well enough to train missy."

"It'll clear my head, nothing heavy, just a few punches." Buffy pouted up at him and then smiled as he relented.

"Let me take a look." Spike shook his head at her and she tilted her head to he could inspect the cut, he had to admit that her healing powers were doing a good job.

"Just need to let off steam, work out my kinks." Walking over to the punch bag Buffy regretted her choice of words, she could practically feel Spike grinning.

"Other ways to let off steam love." He rounded the punch bag and stood in front of her, letting his hand trail down her arm. "Ones that'll work out both our kinks."

"Bring it on mister." Buffy hopped back two steps, fists at the ready and a grin on her face.

Spikes look turned predatory, locking the gym door he started circling her. Chuckling to himself as she turned on the spot so he couldn't get the jump on her Spike slid into game face and practically roared at her.

"That meant to scare me? I'm shaking in my little boots." Buffy giggled and gave him her best 'no way you're winning, bitch' look.

Watching him stalk her as he walked in a circle around her Buffy couldn't help slipping into Slayer mode, his vamp face was bringing out the primeval in her. Wind-milling her shoulders to loosen up while she waited for him to make his move she kept herself steady. Spike used to love playing mind games on her and she knew that their relationship wouldn't change that.

As her eyes met his yellow ones something inside her kicked into overdrive and it wasn't the Slayer, heartbeat rocketing she couldn't stop herself from breathing faster. Spike watched in fascination as her lips parted softly and she started panting, lowering her head so she almost had to look up at him. Tilting his head to one side he tried to figure out what was happening to her, as she licked her lips he opened his mouth to say something.

Next thing he knew he was flat on his back on the floor, Buffy had his shoulders pinned and her mouth pressed hard against his. Letting go of his shoulders she wrapped her hands around his head as she kissed him deeper, sharp teeth scratching against her tongue. As she felt his teeth recede and his face change, cold hands grasped her side and pushed her up into a sitting position.

"Bloody hell was that all about?" Spike was visibly panting in time with Buffys heartbeat.

"Don't know." Buffy was wide eyed as she looked down at him, she could taste her own blood and knew her tongue was bleeding.

Scrambling to her feet Buffy sat down on the weights bench, she felt shocked at how Spike had made her feel. Kneeling in front of her he placed his hands on his lap and looked up at her.

"Thought we were sparring?" He tried to figure out from her expression what was happening in her head.

"We were, I was ready. Slayer mode on. Next thing I knew your eyes met mine and it was… deep… primeval…"

"Primeval?" Spike was interested, he turned vampire and it kicked something off in her?

"Something in me had to have you, taste you, touch you…" Buffy looked deep in his eyes then looked away coyly.

"But I wasn't human…" He couldn't believe he was hearing this.

"You never are… I've never thought you were…" She touched his forehead softly. "You've always been a demon, not a monster, but a vampire. I've never once forgotten that really, it's always there at the back of my mind."

"Oh… Slayer?" Spike needed answers.

"No." Buffy shook her head, understanding what he was asking her.

"Buffy?" He frowned up at her and she nodded.

"Couldn't stop myself." She raised her brows in a confused look.

"It's my raw animalistic sex appeal, pulled you in good and proper." Spike grinned at her, hoping that it would lighten the mood.

"Yeah, because so many woman have managed to avoid that." Buffy smiled slightly.

"You're the one who got off on my bumpy face." He poked her shin.

"So much sexier than your human face." She stood up and stretched.

"Watch it." Spike growled and got to his feet.

"Ooh, what you gonna do, bite me?" Buffy poked him in the chest and giggled.

Growling at her Spike caught hold of her and pushed her up against the wall, frowning as he slipped into his game face. He grinned at how Buffy was immediately breathless, licking his teeth he shifted his eyes to her neck.

"Maybe I'll have me a little taste of Buffy." Tightening his grip around her waist he licked her neck.

"Maybe I'll scream." Buffy giggled at him.

"Not going to stop me." Spike kissed up the length of her neck and Buffy wriggled. "Take it back and I'll stop."

"Okay, okay, you're sexier in human form." She smiled and as Spike raised his face to look at her she couldn't stop herself.

Buffy wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard again, Spike slid back into his human face and grasped her body flush against his. Pulling back for a moment he checked to see if the same passion was in her eyes now he was in human form again, on seeing it still burning he crushed his mouth back on hers.

Moaning into his mouth Buffy couldn't help noticing how hungry his kisses were and then it dawned on her, blood, hers and he could taste it. Panting hard she pushed him backwards, Spike cursed himself for his tendency to forget she had to breathe.

"Sorry love, little carried away." Coming back to her Spike cupped her cheek in his hand.

"It's okay, blood see." Buffy poked her tongue out and watched as his head tilted to one side. "Happened when you were in vamp mode and I pounced on you."

"What was that all about?" He looked at her, wondering whether she'd had enough time to figure it out yet.

"I think I either have a major concussion or I need a name tag stating 'I'm Buffy, demons make me horny'."

"Said I was always a demon in your eyes, maybe it's because you accept I'm a demon so no matter what I look like, to you I'm still the same irresistible Spike." He raised his eyebrows and grinned at her, she rolled her eyes then frowned as it hit her.

"It's true, I didn't even register that you'd changed - it was just the look in your eyes, how much you wanted me came through loud and clear. God that's so twisted… but what isn't in my life?" Wrapping her arms around his neck she hopped up and hooked her legs about his waist. "Want to hold the punch bag for a while?"

"That a 'drop the subject'?" Spike held onto her ass firmly and carried her to the punch bag.

"Yep, or I'll kick your butt." She smiled sweetly at him and he rolled his eyes.

"Make it quick, didn't get any sleep." He went to drop her to the floor but she kept hold of him.

"Why?" Buffy frowned at him and he gave her a look that said 'hmm?'. "With the no sleep?"

"Was watching you, bad dreams and all." He face was soft as he touched the cut on her temple and she felt suddenly warm inside.

Resting her head in the nook of his neck she held him tightly and sighed, he'd watched over her all night long, came dashing in this morning to make sure she was okay and now she could feel him holding onto her so tightly. Buffy could almost feel the words forming on the tip of her tongue but she pushed them back down inside, not ready to admit to the possibility of it yet.

Eyes closed firmly she pressed her cheek to his. "Spike."

"Hmm?" He'd closed his eyes too, feeling her warm body in his arms and smiling lazily.

"Lets get you to bed, big night tonight." She giggled as he nipped at her neck with his blunt teeth.

"Coming to bed too?" He walked to the door with her still in his arms and unlocked it, Buffy slipped to the floor.

"Got to get something nice for tonight, something for you too." As they walked down the hall Spike raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't give me that look, I'll stick with black."

Spike slipped his fingers into hers as she pulled him back towards the annex. Safely inside she pushed him into the bedroom and onto the bed. Slipping his boots off, followed by his shorts and then his t-shirt. Buffy made little 'scoot' motions to him as she headed into the bathroom and Spike raised his eyes to heaven.

Stretching out under the covers he watched Buffy in the bathroom, she switched the shower on and poked her tongue out at him as she closed the door. Walking back into the bedroom a few minutes later she started rifling through her wardrobe for something to wear, finally she slipped on a pair of jeans and a white shirt. Turning and smiling at Spike she tied her hair up into a ponytail then sat next to him on the bed.

"Sleep, need you alert later." She kissed his forehead and Spike smiled.

He locked fingers with her and looked down at their hands together. Sapping her warmth even as she withdrew her hand he couldn't help but feel a little nervous about tonight, even though they were going to be showing up after dinner so they avoided the majority of the mirrors. Buffy had promised him the party would move outside in the evening, hopefully he would be able to avoid having to talk to total strangers but something in his gut told him it was going to be a long night. Raising his eyes to Buffys neck he thought the stakes were incredibly high just for a taste of her.

"No matter how tonight goes, it'll happen." Buffy narrowed her eyes as they met his and he looked hungry, a knock at the door caught both their attentions. "That'll be Dawn. Have a good sleep."

Kissing him softly on the lips Buffy tousled his hair up and grinned mischievously. Spikes thoughts ran along biting Buffy and as he fell asleep his thoughts turned into dreams.


Jane dropped Buffy and Dawn off by the mall and threatened to pick them up in four hours time. Buffy was silently thankful that Jane was too busy with the party arrangements to accompany them.

"Thank god she's busy." Dawn stretched as they walked, as though she was a caged bird just set free.

Buffy couldn't help smiling at how her sister expressed herself while she kept it all inside. Entering the mall they headed straight for the fashion stores.

"So what's the story?" Dawn raised her brows expectantly at Buffy.

"Huh?"

"Behind the major bump on your noggin?" Dawn went to poke at Buffys cut but she dodged her.

"Vampire."

"Spike?" Dawn looked suddenly concerned as they walked into a store.

"No, last night after dinner, some vamp got the jump on me and Spike. I got a baseball bat around the head and Spike got the vampire." Buffys voice was a whisper as she looked over the racks of clothes.

"Oh, didn't really think Spike would…" Dawn trailed off. "Perfect."

Pulling down a long black slinky dress from a rack and held it up against Buffy.

"Spike would totally pant over you in that one." She grinned at Buffy who rolled her eyes.

"Do you have to be so disgusting?" Buffy took the dress from her and looked at it. "Looks like a prostitutes funeral dress."

Depositing it back on the rack Buffy walked on, ignoring the huff from Dawn. Spying a dress directly in front of her she speeded towards it and held it up against her. Dawn shook her head and pointed at one across the way. It was dark red with a sheer black over dress.

Dawn handed it to her and Buffy frowned at it. "Just try it on, you don't have to buy it."

Coming out of the changing rooms a few moments later Buffy looked in the mirror. The dress fitted her well, wasn't overly figure hugging and the only worry was she needed a little more in the chest department to fill it up.

Dawn came up behind her. "Push up bra."

Buffy looked at her as though she'd been reading her thoughts, her father was paying anyway, so what if she needed new underwear, shoes and makeup. Dawn smiled mischievously at her and pulled down the black slinky number from earlier.

"For me." She breezed past Buffy into the changing rooms.

Standing in front of the mirror she tried to picture what Spikes reaction would be. The dress was pretty simple, it was tight fitting around her breasts with a little band just under them, the skirt of the dress started there and flared out, nearly brushing the floor with it's length. The straps were flimsy and she definitely needed some padding to pull it off, a pair of dark red heels and she'd look pretty appetising to a vampire.

Dawn came out in her black dress and Buffy couldn't believe how she managed to pull it off, she looked incredible. Pouting at her sister Buffy walked back into the changing rooms and slipped back into her normal clothes. Walking to the sales desk with her and Dawns dresses she handed over her dads credit card with a smile.

An hour later Dawn and Buffy were both struggling with mountains of unwieldy bags.

"Where next?" Dawn tried to rearrange her bags so they were more comfortable to carry.

"Spike clothes, possibly smart and definitely black." Buffy smiled as she spotted a potential store and her stomach growled. "Then pizza."

"Sounds good." Dawn smiled then tripped over a bag and ended up in a pile on the floor, Buffy turned around and tried to stop laughing as she helped her sister up.

"Come on Bambi."

Spike woke up to see a plain black shirt and trousers hanging up on the wardrobe door. Raising a brow at them he stretched out and listened to the TV in the other room. Walking to the bedroom door Spike pulled it open.

"What time is… bloody hell." Spikes hands shot to the front of his boxers in a vain attempt to hide himself, Dawn raised a brow at him.

"Bloody hell yourself." She giggled at him then wriggled an eyebrow. "Nice."

Spike frowned at her in a way that said 'mortified'. Buffy shook her head and pushed him backwards into the bedroom.

"All I can say is thank god you weren't naked." Sitting on the end of the bed she pointed to the clothes hanging on the wardrobe. "They okay?"

Spike sat down next to her and nodded in approval. "Get something nice for yourself?" He narrowed his eyes hungrily and she patted his knee.

"Steady boy, you'll just have to wait and see. Have to make an appearance in about an hour, I'm going with Dawn to help her get ready, you'll be okay?"

"You mean can I dress myself? I've had some experience, go with little bit, expect she's got butterflies."

"Have not." Dawn hollered from the other room.

"Meet us at the bottom of the stairs in an hour, don't be late." Buffy ran her fingers through his hair and smiled. "Look gorgeous for me."

Turning away from him she missed his smile widening into a grin, as the annex door closed signalling Buffy and Dawn were gone Spike sauntered to the bathroom.


An hour later and Spike had been waiting at the bottom of the stairs for at least fifteen minutes. Muttering to himself he smiled politely as a middle-aged woman walked past.

"Bloody buggering hell are you woman?" Spike growled and paced back and forth at the foot of the stairs, itching at his manacles now hidden under his shirt cuffs.

Buffy stopped at the top of the stairs and watched Spike, there was something panther like about the way he was pacing, he was pure predator. As she placed one foot on the stairs he stopped and looked up at her, Buffy walked slowly down the stairs - a feeling of nervousness growing in her stomach with every step.

As she neared the bottom Spike growled softly at her, looking her over he swallowed hard. Her throat was bare tonight, all her hair had been tied up with the exception of her fringe and no choker or necklace adorned her neck.

"You like?" She held her arms out by her side so he could get a good look at her, then spun around on the step and fell backwards into his arms.

Spike scooped her up and bought his cheek to rest against hers as he whispered in her ear. "Very much."

Setting her back on the step he smiled lazily as Buffy played with his hair, loosening up his waves. Spike looked up the stairs and saw Dawn looking tentative.

"My, my, little bits all grown up and beautiful." He watched her tension evaporate as she walked down the stairs, wobbling slightly in her heels.

"Thanks." Dawn smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Glad to see you're not naked anymore."

"Shall we ladies?" Spike held his arms out by his side and Buffy and Dawn slipped their arms through them.

Walking out into the garden Spike looked up at the clear sky, stars were twinkling at him and for a moment everything was perfect.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet my daughters… and William." Hank smiled at them and everyone turned to look at them.

"Bugger." Spike muttered and Buffy squeezed his arm reassuringly.

"Just smile and think about dinner." Slipping her arm free of his Buffy ran her finger down her throat then cupped his ass, Spike instantly smiled.


Half an hour later and Spike looked ready to eat half the room, let alone Buffy. She smiled up at him warmly but all she got in response was a frown, catching hold of his hand she started pulling him towards the bar.

"Buffy?" A dark haired couple stopped them in their tracks. "Don't you remember us? The Parkers? Used to live across the road from you when you were little."

Buffy winced at the word 'Parker' and the frown on Spikes face dissipated as she chafed her hand softly in his, she looked up at him and smiled.

"Of course I do. How's the family?" Smiling warmly she tried to make polite conversation even though she didn't have a clue who they were.

"Good, good. And who's this young man?" Nodding towards Spike they looked expectantly at Buffy, Spike rolled his eyes and huffed at being called 'young man' for the tenth time that night.

"William." Spike held out his hand to them as politely as possible.

"My boyfriend." On hearing Buffy say those words so confidently he turned his face towards her and arched a brow, she blushed.

"English, how charming." Mr Parker shook his hand firmly and Spike tried as hard as he could to crush his hand, smiling all the while.

"The accent gives it away, think I need a drink sweetheart." Letting go of his hand Spike ran his fingers down Buffys arm and she gave him a look that said 'bring the bottle'.

As she watched him saunter off to the bar in the dining room Buffy couldn't help zoning out of the conversation the Parkers were having about her childhood. Sighing to herself as she watched Spike pouring two glasses of champagne, drinking one down and pouring another. He was being incredibly self-controlled tonight, everyone he was introduced to responded with 'English?' and she could see it was starting to bend his restraint. Maybe she would get him in the hot tub later like she'd planned, relax him a little after the ordeal that was fast becoming tonight. Besides he'd look damn hot in the little trunks she'd bought him earlier.

Smiling he drank down another glass of champagne while someone she didn't recognise talked to him, Buffy tried to absorb exactly how gorgeous he looked tonight. Dressed up in his trousers and shirt he looked smart but still very Spike, looking down at his feet she suppressed a giggle at the sight of his boots.

"Not seen that smile in a long time, Buffy." A dark haired guy around her age was smiling at her.

"Sorry?" Buffy did her best to cover up her 'who are you to interrupt my staring' scowl.

"Ryan Parker, used to play in your pool?" As he introduced himself Buffy remembered him, a snotty nerd from across the street who used to try and look up her skirt.

As Ryan looked her over she raised her eyes to heaven, some things never change. Looking over his shoulder she made eye contact with Spike, now trapped by a middle-aged woman and looking like he would actually welcome a good staking.

"Buffy?" Ryan moved into her line of sight.

"Sorry, miles away. You want a drink?" Smiling up at him Buffy waited patiently for an answer.

"Sure, I could use a drink." He smiled back at her then went to touch her arm, as she turned her back on him to walk towards the bar she rolled her eyes.

As she approached him, Ryan in tow, Spike looked up at her and smiled. He'd managed to shake off his company and was finally free to get back to Buffys side, holding a glass out to her as she stopped in front of him he couldn't help but grin as she drank it down fast.

"God I needed that." She whispered just before Ryan caught up with her.

"Man you can walk." Ryan smiled at her warmly then his face dropped as he turned to see Spike staring at him, scarred brow arched.

"I work out." Buffy smiled at him and filled a glass with champagne, handing it to him she filled another one for herself.

"So, I also seem to remember a summer when you were around five. Your back yard, running around your paddling pool naked. Think you were the first naked girl I ever saw." Ryan grinned at her and sipped his drink.

Buffy swallowed her glass down in one and gave him a look that said 'treading on thin ice', Spike gave him a look that said 'dinners here, if only I could kill it'.

Spike narrowed his eyes on Ryan.

"And you are?" Ryan didn't even flinch, he just stared blankly at Spike and waited for the answer.

Buffy realised that with Ryan the whole 'he's my boyfriend' wasn't going to stop him, he was going to start flirting with her and Spike was going to kill something, possibly their relationship.

"My fiancé." Buffy blurted out but Ryan was staring past Spike to a mirror behind them.

"Do you have a reflection?" He craned his neck at different angles and Spike raised a brow defiantly.

"No, I'm a sodding vampire." Fishing a crumpled pack of cigarettes out of his pocket Spike stuck one in his mouth and lit it, keeping his eyes on Ryan the whole time. As he spoke again his cigarette bobbed up and down on his lips. "And if you tell me I'm English I'll tear your bloody throat open."

Sneering at Ryan he grabbed hold of a bottle of champagne and stormed off into the back yard. Buffys shoulders sagged resignedly and she looked at Ryan, who gave her an apologetic look.

"Temperamental isn't he." He smiled at her but Buffy just looked blankly at him.

"Sometimes." Buffy whispered as she stared out of the door trying to see where Spike had gone.

"I don't see a ring."

"Huh?" Turning back to face him Buffy cottoned on to what he was talking about. "Oh, it's a secret, we weren't telling anyone yet."

"I see, you know he could use a lesson in manners, caves a little under pressure doesn't he? Think you need a man who is better behaved…" Ryan smiled at her but Buffy could see he was working out a way of getting her to talk more, even if it was only to abuse him, something snapped in her and she knew it was due to the way he was talking about Spike.

"You always were an interfering little scum bag." With a polite smile Buffy grabbed a half empty bottle of champagne and headed off to find Spike.


Buffy stood at the edge of the pool scanning the dark garden for a sign of Spike, nothing. Closing her eyes she walked out onto the lawn and took a deep breath, she knew he wouldn't have gone far, just far enough out of sight to still keep an eye on her.

Taking small steps Buffy used her instincts to hone in on him, rounding corner she found him sitting on a stone bench and drinking champagne from the bottle.

"Did you have to do that? Didn't you hear the major brush off I gave him?" Buffy sighed and sat down next to Spike.

"Didn't register until I was out of the door." He offered her the bottle but she held her own up as an answer.

"He saw me naked, once, when I was five. Ryan was always a little perve, jumped over the fence one day to 'get his ball back' and I was playing in my pool." Buffy let her hand rest on Spikes knee and watched as he interlocked fingers with her.

"So." Taking another swig of champagne Spike tried to be reasonable, but the guy had blatantly said that in front of him as a challenge.

"Spike, you've seen me naked, lots, done things with me that guy has only fantasised about. And again, didn't you hear the brush off?"

"I know, fiancé, but still its all lies isn't it pet?" He turned his head slightly to watch her face, Buffy sighed.

"I know that, but we have something don't we? I'm not saying we're really engaged just I like what we have." Buffy kissed Spike on the cheek and smiled warmly at him, then narrowed her eyes into a look of curiosity. "Why did you get so pissed off?"

"He's human, I'm a monster, ultimately…" Spike couldn't finish the sentence so instead he dropped his eyes so he was staring at their hands, Buffys thumb was caressing his softly.

"No ultimately. You're not a monster Spike. And why would I want an idiotic perverted human when I could have something better? An idiotic perverted vampire…" Buffy felt slightly relieved when the corners of his mouth twitched into a smile. "This is real Spike, what we have together and I'm not about to run off after the first thing with a pulse that pays me any interest. Okay so we're the ultimate odd couple but we fit so well."

"Just being idiotic I guess, put it down to jealousy." Spike pinned her thumb down against her hand and grinned.

"Jealous vampire." Buffy giggled and wriggled her thumb free then tried to pin his down with little success.

"So, are we officially engaged or is it a secret?" Spike arched a brow at her and pinned her thumb again.

"Secret, I didn't know what else to say to get him to leave me alone. Then I called him an interfering little scum bag, wish I'd thought of that when he first came up to me." Swigging on her bottle Buffy suddenly realised that maybe it wasn't such a good idea to insult a guy you just told a supposed secret to.

Something in her gut twisted as Spike perked his head up like he was listening hard.

"Everyone I've just had some wonderful news…" Narrowing her eyes Buffy could make out her dad on the other side of the pool.

"Bastard." Buffy ground out from between clenched teeth.

"Bugger." Spike chuckled and drank down the rest of his bottle.

"Oh he is so dead." She went to stand but Spike had a firm hold on her wrist.

"Shh pet. Don't let him win."

Drinking a huge mouthful from her bottle of champagne Buffy struggled to swallow it down. Spike was right, she couldn't go out there with guns blazing, she couldn't let him win. Settling back down next to Spike she leant her head on his shoulder.

"Things keep getting crazier don't they?" Slipping her fingers into his Buffy sighed.

"Certainly do, but I like crazy." Spike smiled down at their hands.

"Of course you like crazy, you dated it for a century." Buffy groused as she looked up at him, hoping for the kind of reaction that ended in a reassuring kiss.

"Hey, I like our kind of crazy, I like this…" He squeezed her hand. "I love you."

Tilting his head to one side he kissed Buffy softly on the lips then flicked her nose gently with his index finger. Resting her forehead against his so their noses were touching she wondered how he always knew the exact words to make everything better, they sighed in unison. Buffy giggled then realised someone was watching them.

"Is it true?" Dawn stood there, arms folded and eyebrow raised.

"No." Buffy widened her eyes to hit the answer home in her sister. "That Ryan creep was perving over me and I figured he wouldn't leave me alone unless I had a little more than a boyfriend."

"Oh. Dad thinks it's true. Everyone's looking for you, want to congratulate you before they leave." Dawn let her arms fall to her side and looked a little disappointed.

"Better go do some damage control, you've had enough people for one night, stay here where no one will find you." Buffy touched his knee as she stood.

"Almost had enough people, think I've room for one more." Spike grinned at her and she shook her head then kissed his forehead.

Bringing her cheek to his she whispered. "Soon."

Watching Buffy walking across the lawn Spike heaved a sigh, picked up her almost empty bottle of champagne and looked at Dawn.

"So, reckon she'd marry me?"

"Sure do. For a moment I kinda wished it was true." Dawn sat next to him and tried to take the bottle from his hand but he held it at bay.

"God I love her." Shaking his head he took another swig from the bottle.

"I know you do, I think she loves you too." She smiled as Spike raised a brow at her.

"You see it too?" His eyes were full of hope and it caused Dawn to grin.

"A blind person could see it, Angel saw it." She couldn't stop herself from grinning mischievously as Spike looked stunned. "You two were walking along the beach, Angel was watching you, he knew she was lost to him."

"Was there pain? Please say there was pain." Grinning at her Spike lit up a cigarette and slouched slightly.

"Oh yeah, muchos pain." Dawn giggled at him.

Still grinning to himself he watched Buffy talking to her parents, she didn't look like she was telling them they weren't engaged, judging by the hugs happening Spike figured he was now officially betrothed. She looked stunning in the pale light emanating from the dining room, Buffy turned towards him with a smile and Spike figured maybe he should make an appearance.

"C'mon niblet, seems we aren't getting off the hook that easily." Flicking his cigarette to one side he put the bottle down on the bench.

Dawn grabbed the bottle and drank down the remainder of the champagne, suppressing a burp she hurried to follow Spike.

"Tasty." Spike grinned as he came up behind Buffy and kissed her neck.

"Thought I told you to stay put." Turning around to face him she pouted slightly.

"Couldn't tell them could you?"

"No, seems the fates really want us together, first a spell and now this? Maybe I should just marry you." Giggling she slipped her arm through his.

"Everyone's gone?" Dawn hiccupped as she followed Buffy and Spike into the dining room.

"Yep, dads just seeing off the Parkers now, seems Ryan got a little nosebleed so they had to go too." Buffy grinned up at Spike as he arched a brow at her.

"Spike… silly." Dawn was laughing at something and Spike turned around with a frown, then rolled his eyes when he realised it was his lack of reflection.

Grabbing Dawn by the waist he lifted her off the floor and she squealed then burst into a fit of laughter as she saw her reflection, floating in the air with nothing supporting her.

"Did you let her drink?" Buffy was frowning at him as he put Dawn down and she fell into a heap on the floor, giggling madly.

"No." He frowned back at Buffy then looked down at Dawn. "Little bit, did you finish that bottle I put down?"

"Maybe." She giggled up at him and held her hand out so her could pull her up off the floor.

Hauling her up and over his shoulder Spike walked out into the hallway. Looking at Buffy he grinned and she just smiled warmly at him.

"Take her upstairs, I'll wait for you in our living room." Turning away from him Buffy walked down the hall, he waited until she was out of sight and then poked Dawn in the ribs.

"Hey." She giggled at him. "Everything looks funny."

Carrying her fireman's lift style over his shoulder Spike headed for the stairs, as he passed the open front door he hid his face behind Dawns legs and snuck past. Listening hard he could hear Hank saying goodnight to his friends.

Heading upstairs over Spikes shoulder Dawn started tugging at his shirt and muttering something. As she managed to finally untuck his shirt she lifted it slightly and gasped.

"It's true! Jane said you had a tattoo but I didn't believe her. It's so pretty, wish some guy would do that for me." Dawn groused as Spike rounded the top of the stairs and headed down the hall.

"Get me drunk and maybe I'll get a little 'D' on the other hip." He grinned and smacked her behind. "Pay attention, where's your room?"

"Can't see it." Dawn pushed herself up and looked about. "Turn around dummy."

Rolling his eyes Spike turned on the spot so she could see up the hall.

"Second left." She pointed and fell limp again like a rag doll.

Spike pushed the door in question open and threw her onto the bed. It was definitely the right room, he recognised the mess everywhere and the indescribable scent of Dawn. It was always somewhere in between roses and lavender.

"Get some sleep." He growled at her but she just giggled.

"No. You get some sleep."

"I'm a vampire Dawn, we don't sleep at night. Besides…" He regretted it the instant he said it.

"Eww you and Buffy are going to…" Dawn wrinkled her nose and Spike sighed in frustration.

"We are not going to… you know. Just kissing, that's all." He frowned at himself for saying it, he should just leave right now and not look back.

"Do you neck?" She sat up on the bed and smiled broadly, he knew it was a loaded question.

"Yes, but in the way you mean it, not as yet." Spike sat next to her on the bed. "Not going to hurt your sister niblet."

"If she wanted it?" Dawn smiled at him, she knew that he and Buffy were currently a pretty hot item and if she had a vampire boyfriend necking wouldn't be out of the question. If they didn't go too far, or too deep, or for too long and as long as it didn't hurt.

"Different matter then isn't it. But still I wouldn't hurt her, couldn't hurt her."

"Because of the chip?" Dawn was suddenly serious, her champagne dizziness was fast evaporating.

"No, because I love her." He put his hand on hers and looked into her eyes to show that he meant it.

"Just needed to hear you say it." Dawn stood up and wobbled to the door. "Now get out of my room, before she falls asleep. Night Spike."

"Night little bit." He shook his head as he walked past her, Dawn had become so protective of Buffy that she was starting to rival him.

"Buffy?" Spike pushed the door of the annex open and scanned the living room, no sign of her. "Buff…"

She was stood in the doorway to the bedroom, her dress was gone and had been replaced with a little black bikini. In her hand she held a pair of black trunks, waving them at him she raised a brow.

"Hot tub?" Throwing the shorts at him she grabbed the two bathrobes off the back of the armchair.

"Not really my scene pet." Spike stared at the trunks in his hand and then back at Buffy, she looked serious enough.

"Come on Spike, it's relaxing, we could talk, fool around, dinner would be nice and hot." Grinning at him she could practically see his whole opinion of a hot tub changing as little scenarios ran through his mind.

"Alright." Spike pulled his shirt off over his head and unbuckled his belt, Buffy arched a brow as she watched him get changed.

Dressed in his trunks Spike felt suddenly self conscious, he took one of the bathrobes from her and slipped it on, there was no way he was going to walk about the house in just the little shorts.

As they walked through the dining room they gathered up two champagne flutes and a couple of bottles. Catching hold of his arm Buffy led him to the hot tub, steam was rising off it and Spike raised a brow at her.

"So how long have you had this planned?" He watched her as she stepped over the edge of the round tub and slid into the water.

"Since this morning, had to sneak off halfway through the party to get this thing warmed up. Come in…"

Spike deposited his bathrobe over a chair and dipped his toe into the water, it was hot and instantly warmed his skin. He got the feeling he was going to like this.

Settling into the water Spike grinned at Buffy then ducked her under, coming up and gasping for air she wrestled with him until she managed to get his head under the water. Surfacing Spike ran his hand over his hair and arched a brow at her.

It felt nice, every part of him was warm like his blood was actually carrying heat around his body. Closing his eyes he leant into the side of the hot tub, his arms outstretched so they followed the curve of it.

"How does it feel?" Buffy smiled warmly at him with narrowed eyes, he kept his eyes closed and smiled lazily.

"Like heaven."

Pouring two glasses of champagne she held one out to him, opening his eyes he gave her a warm look that even in the dim light from the remaining candles Buffy could see was full of love.

"Feeling a little more human?" Running her hand over his stomach she smiled at how warm his skin was now.

"Only in the temperature sense of the word." Sipping his glass of champagne he watched Buffys hand making patterns on his skin.

"Mmm this is good, better than good, it's perfect." Closing her eyes she settled opposite him and mirrored his pose, arms stretched out and leaning into the curve of the tub.

"Perfect?" Spike tilted his head back so he could see the stars. "Describe the Buffy version of perfection."

"Buffy version?" She pouted at him and he chuckled at her.

"Yeah, everyone has a different version of what constitutes perfection." He closed his eyes and waited for her answer, there was a long pause.

"Beautiful sky overhead, bright stars shining like they were put there just for this moment, bubbling champagne, relaxing in a hot tub where the hottest thing in it isn't the water, feeling loved, feeling normal. Divine." Buffy opened her eyes to see Spike staring at her, his face softening into a smile.

"Sounds perfect." He grinned at her and she raised her brows expectantly. "My version of perfection?"

Buffy nodded at him as she sipped her drink, making lazy ripples in the water with her fingers.

"The universe smiling down on me, you being near me, feeling warm to the bone, being with the girl I love, being told I'm hot by the girl I love." He stopped and frowned for a moment.

"What?"

"Thinking, my bench mark for perfection is higher than this, it's wonderful, divine but not perfection." Spike sipped his drink and didn't look like he was going to tell her.

"Tell me." She splashed water at his stomach.

"You." His eyes met hers with an expression that was warm yet serious and Buffys mouth formed a silent 'o'.

Wading across the hot tub she sat down on his lap and hooked her arms around his shoulders. His hands automatically slid around her waist and he tilted his head back slightly to look up into her eyes.

"I love you." It was a risky thing to say to her after he'd got her into a position where she made him feel so good, her body resting softly against his.

Pausing for a moment silence descended and Spike could hear everything around them, a dog barked down the street and someone turned the engine of their car off. A window opened over the way, Buffys breathing was soft but laboured, the slow rhythmic pounding of her heart accelerating.

He kept his eyes fixed on hers watching as her pupils dilated and she let her eyelids fall shut, slowly she tilted her head slightly and bought her mouth to his.

Spike pulled her in close to him, with her heart pounding against his chest he almost felt alive. As she deepened the kiss he bought his hands up her back and felt her fingers running through his hair. He changed his mind about perfection, this was it, Buffy kissing him tenderly after he'd told her he loved her.

As she pulled back Spike noticed there was a hint of shyness about her, smiling to himself he really did feel like he was in heaven.

"So, what other things are perfect in Buffys world, little things."

"What like." Curling up in his lap Buffy let her head come to rest against his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Cup of tea, flowering onion, dancing with you, human blood. Little things." He smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, cradling her to him.

"I'll have to think." Kissing him on the tip of his nose she slid off his lap and ducked under the water, coming up again near her glass of champagne.

Buffy thought it over as she refilled her glass and took Spikes off him to be refilled. Her little versions of perfection were probably going to sound silly to him. Staring at the champagne bubbling in the glasses she let her thoughts wander over what had happened a few minutes back. Normally when Spike told her he loved her she panicked, like there needed to be an answer from her, over the past week she'd been increasingly less threatened by those three little words and now the only thing she felt inside when he said them was an incredible warmth. Just now it had felt like they were the only two people on the planet, and when he had told her how he felt she'd reacted on instinct, in a way that felt natural. Deep down inside she'd wanted to hear those words, from the second she had confirmed to her dad that he was her fiancé to the moment she sat on his lap.

"I've thought." She handed him his glass and sat down next to him, Spike slid his arm around her shoulders letting the champagne glass dangle from his hand and rest against her arm.

"Go on." Spike pulled a cigarette out of the pile of bathrobes and popped it into his mouth, then lit it as he waited for her to begin.

"Okay, firstly, night in eating pizza and picking holes in a movie with Dawn." She sipped her champagne and looked to him for a reaction.

"So, girly night in with the little bit." Spike gave her a look that said he was making notes.

"Laying in bed watching TV with you." Buffy shifted her gaze to the water so she didn't feel embarrassed, Spike grinned as he took a drag of his cigarette.

"A patrol on a summers evening when there's nothing to slay."

"Doesn't like her calling." He spoke to himself like he was filing it away in his head somewhere for later.

"I didn't say that, perfection is also a night where I do get to slay, vampires are the most fun." Raising a brow she sunk further into the water so only her head and shoulders were visible.

"Hey." Spike frowned at her as he did his best to look hurt. "Just don't go all Slayer on me if you run out of my friends."

"They're not your friends Spike, you guys are loners and you know it." Smiling to herself she waited for him to press the slaying him issue.

"Oh, I get it, trying to make me feel lonely so you can stick your bit of pointy wood in me." Pouting at her he inwardly chuckled as a thought crossed his mind. "Not gonna let you have your fun. I'll drown myself first."

Spike narrowed his eyes at her before leaping out of the hot tub and running across the lawn towards the pool. Diving into it he couldn't help grinning to himself, surely she had to know that technically he couldn't drown, but things had been so normal recently that it could slip her mind. Perfect way to test out how much she really cared.

Sitting wide eyed in the tub Buffy didn't know what to do, scrambling out of the tub she dashed over to the pool edge and clasped her hand to her mouth. Motionless on the floor of the pool was Spike, he was face down and it made her feel sick. Jumping in she felt all the warmth of the hot tub sucked out of her as the cold water engulfed her body. Kicking hard Buffy made it to the bottom of the pool and slipped her arm around Spikes neck, hauling him to the surface.

After a few moments of struggling she managed to pull him out on the slabs that surrounded the pool, he didn't just feel cold anymore, he felt icy. She felt like her mind had gone numb, fingers working on instinct she knelt beside him then tilted his head back and pinched his nose shut as she breathed into his mouth. Buffy suddenly felt stupid, stopping she rested back on her calves and raised a brow at him.

"You bastard." Buffy frowned at him as he lay unmoving on the floor.

A grin creeping across his face Spike started chuckling at her and she pushed his shoulder roughly.

"It was instinct." She watched as Spike sat up and a pained expression crossed his face. "What's wrong?"

Leaning over onto the grass he coughed up what looked like half the pool, turning back he caught a look of concern on Buffys face.

"Call it instinct." He smiled at her and she slapped his arm.

"Bastard." Standing up Buffy hauled him up off the floor, as she straightened him out a look of deep concern crossed her features.

Biting her lip hard Buffy didn't know what to do, the thought that her instinct had taken over because the shock of the situation had numbed her brain was scaring her. The only other time something like that had happened was when she had found her mother dead on the couch, and then instinct hadn't done what it was supposed to have. But Spike was a vampire, she had known inside he couldn't drown, still he had scared her to the point that her instinct had really taken over, like he was human. She realised she was just staring at him blankly as she thought about it, she treated him like he was human, he acted like he was human, her brain in its panic had registered him as human and capable of drowning. He's more than vampire to me. He's a soulless killer, but he'd only kill if I commanded it. He's a vampire but he tries so hard to change himself that now he's practically human. He loves me, protects me, does anything just to make me happy. What if by going back to Sunnydale I lose the Spike I just discovered?

"Buffy, pet? Didn't mean to scare you… you alright?" Spike shook her by her shoulder and realised her damp skin was freezing cold.

As he moved to pick her up Buffy blocked him by wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging him tightly, pressing her cheek into his chest. She felt hot tears roll down her cheeks and fought hard to suppress her emotions. On feeling them scalding his chest Spike could swear he felt sick, closing his eyes he wrapped his arms around her and held her.

"God I'm an idiot." Cursing himself he let go of Buffy and knelt down in front of her, she looked down at him as she sniffed.

"I'm sure he'd agree." Buffy gave him a half smile and it caused his whole face to soften into a warm look.

"Forgive me pet? It was just meant to be a joke. I'm not the quickest puppy in the litter, I make mistakes, just like everyone, only more often… and generally they're incredibly bad. But I didn't mean to hurt you… would never hurt you."

"I know Spike… I know." Buffy stroked his hair and let her backs of her fingers trail down his cheek, letting go a little more she decided it was best not to dwell on what he'd done, it wasn't the worst mistake he'd made after all.

"You're freezing love, come on." Lifting her up in his arms he carried Buffy towards the hot tub, she was swinging her legs and kept pulling his lip then smiling when he frowned at her playfully.

Walking up the steps of the tub Spike grinned at her as he stepped over the edge into the water. Buffy frantically shook her head but even as she opened her mouth to shout 'no' he was dropping her. Landing with a large splash that knocked the two champagne glasses off he edge of the tub, only to smash on the floor, Buffy spat out every curse word she could think of.

"Mind your tongue pet." Spike smiled at her as he sat down in the spot he occupied before, letting the hot water start to heat him through again.

"Spike?" Buffy sat opposite him and looked remarkably upbeat for a girl that had just got dropped into hot water, Spike arched a brow at her. "You're a pig."

Scooting across the water to where she sat he rested against the side next to her, slipping his arm around her shoulders he looked into her eyes and grinned.

"I know."

Buffy put her legs over his and kissed his shoulder, he still felt cold and she couldn't recall a time she felt this nervous. Soon Spike would weave his way around to their dinner appointment and she was starting to wonder what was going to happen. What if she made with the ouch, would he forgive her or would she crush his feelings by not enjoying what is essentially the most sensual act vampires can perform.

As she was thinking this Spike had turned to face her, coming out of her reverie she found herself looking deep into his eyes, they looked so black in the pale light of the candles that had survived the Buffy tsunami.

Still caught in his gaze she felt his hand cutting through the water as it brushed along her inner thigh and all fear started to drift away. Letting her eyes slip shut she kissed him softly and as she deepened the kiss Spike growled quietly. Catching her around the waist he moved her through the water so she was straddling his lap, Buffy chewed on her lip as she looked at him.

"Not yet pet, just try and relax." Spike ran his hands up her thighs and around her backside, pulling her closer to him. He couldn't get over how nervous she was looking, all of a sudden his brash little girl was shy and scared, he almost felt like calling it off but he needed it, craved it, had to make her his.

Realising that this was a moment he'd dreamt about since he first met her Spike felt his own nerves kick into over time. Here she was in front of him, no longer his mortal enemy and battling against nerves so he could get a taste of her, so he could touch her deep inside and be one with her. Thinking about how close to each other this was going to make them if it went well he conquered his nerves and steadied himself because if he slipped up and hurt her there would be no coming back.

Eyes dancing around on hers he thought about the magnitude of what was about to happen, she was surrendering herself over to him and nothing could have touched him more. To let him do this to her she had to trust him, trust that he wouldn't hurt her, trust him with her life. It was a long way from a few months ago when she'd rejected him, now she accepted everything, she believed in him and he knew she loved him even if she couldn't say the words. Struggling to win over his emotions Spike silently thanked the powers that be that it was dark so she couldn't see the tears that were welling up in his eyes.

Sighing heavily as she watched him in silence Buffy pushed all her fears back down inside her, it wasn't hard to do when Spike finally started kissing her again only this time with a tender passion. Her heart caught in he throat at the warmth of his kisses, she could practically feel him pouring his love for her into each and every one. Sliding her fingers into his wet hair she grasped him tightly to her mouth and ran her tongue over his bottom lip. As Spike moaned lazily into her mouth Buffy couldn't help but smile, this she could handle, just kissing away the hours.

Running her hands down his chest Buffy slipped them around his back and kissed down his neck, nipping at him slightly as she went. Spike closed his eyes as she kissed around from one side of his neck to the other, letting his hands stroke her stomach he worked them up to her chest where his thumbs caressed the front of her bikini.

"Spike…" Buffy arched a brow and pushed his hands back down to her thighs.

Taking her hint that it hadn't been a good move he let his hands slide around to her backside again and pouted at her. Placing her hands on either side of his head she brushed her lips against his, barely letting them touch each other. Spike growled softly at her, letting his mouth move against hers gently.

As she started kissing down his neck again he mirrored her movements, planting soft kisses along the curve of her throat. Occasionally sucking her flesh until it was blushed red, then licking it softly to make it feel better Spike worked slowly to build Buffy up to being bitten.

Leaning her head back she stared at the stars and concentrated on Spike sucking on her neck. As he kissed back up her throat and along her jaw line she felt his hands softly kneading her breasts, this time she didn't stop him she just gave in to the prickling sensation that it caused to run along every nerve ending in her.

"Spike…" Letting her eyelids fall shut Buffy breathed out his name, he was tilting her backwards and kissing down her chest.

Feeling the warmth in her stomach travel down to her thighs Buffy ran her hands around the back of his head, grasping his hair she peeled him off her and pressed her mouth on his in a hungry kiss. Plundering him with her tongue she wriggled it against the roof of his mouth and he grasped her so tight to him that she found it hard to breathe.

Clenching his jaw Spike kissed her harder, crushing her lips under his, as he nipped on her bottom lip she moaned into his mouth and deepened the kiss. Her hands frantically sought out something to do and she grasped his shoulders tightly, fingernails digging in until she swore they would be drawing blood. Spike felt her heartbeat thundering against his chest as she pushed him harder against the wall of the hot tub, one hand leaving his shoulder she wrapped it around the back of his head.

Raining kisses down his neck Buffy took hold of one of his hands and pressed it against her breast, returning her own hand to his shoulder she pulled herself closer to him until there was no space between them. Running her fingers through his hair with the hand that was still wrapped around the back of his head Buffy gave him a brief deep kiss. Tilting her head to one side to expose her throat she swallowed hard before pulling his mouth to her neck, it only took a second for Spike to slide into game face and sink his teeth into her.

Buffy didn't know what she had expected but it certainly hadn't been this. In place of the searing pain and a feeling of dying that Angel had given her was an intense buzzing that arced along every nerve causing her skin to prickle and turn to goose bumps. Biting her lip she closed her eyes as Spike withdrew his cold teeth from her neck and softly whispered in her ear with a voice that was shaking.

"Worst is over love, tell me if it hurts."

Her head was swimming with his words as she felt him move back down and start sucking on her neck, she couldn't stop her fingers from grasping him tighter against her and wanting him closer. Focussing on the feeling of him pulling her blood from her she was no longer sure where she ended and he began, it was like she was drowning in him and she couldn't stop herself from letting him in. With every beat of her heart she let him in a little further until he was at her core and she was powerless to resist him, the only man to have ever really reached her.

The harder he sucked on her neck the stronger the feeling in her abdomen got until it obliterated the fear that had begun to swim there, panic that now someone had reached her they, he, could completely destroy her was rapidly replaced by a warm fiery feeling of passion and lust. Giving in to it she dug her fingernails into his back and scratched deep red lines into his flesh.

"More…" Buffy moaned as she tried to bite at his ear roughly, Spike held her tighter around the waist until she was forced to breathe out in a sigh.

Pressing her body up against him she managed to move her legs so she had them wrapped about his waist, in an instant she felt Spikes hands grab her backside and press her pelvis against his. Buffy frowned as she moaned harshly into his ear, he licked her neck softly in a motion that said he wanted to stop but she pushed his head back down again.

Unable to deny her Spike sucked on the wound in her neck once more, the feeling of her blood running in his veins was intoxicating, the feeling of her legs wrapped around him was incredible and something deep inside him knew that he was there, somehow he had reached out and touched her. Growling low in his throat he sucked harder on her neck and couldn't stop himself from grasping her waist tightly in his fingers as he felt her nails scraping down his back.

"Buffy? William?" It was Jane, Spike reined his demon in and hurriedly licked her neck clean.

Buffy turned her head to face Jane, Spike pressed his mouth back down on her wound again and continued sucking softly, it drove Buffy crazy with how gentle he suddenly was.

"Yes?" Buffy tried to keep her voice even, Spikes tenderness was making her feel flushed all over and she found herself wanting to pull him off her and kiss him softly.

"You two should come in soon, it's gone three am and there's been a lot of wild animal attacks around here recently." Jane smiled warmly at her and Buffy tried not to laugh at what she'd said.

"Okay, we'll come inside in a few minutes."

As soon as Jane was out of sight Buffy pressed her mouth against Spikes, kissing him softly and passionately even though she could taste her own blood. Kissing him was different now; she could feel him deep inside her still causing every emotion to bubble up with each movement he made. When she pulled back she found his eyes searching hers.

"It didn't hurt, honestly." Touching his smooth forehead Buffy smiled when Spike looked relieved, her heart pounded at the sight of him unsure of whether he knew just how deep inside her he'd reached.

"Better get in, wild animals and all." He grinned, trying to lighten the mood before he drowned in her and she frowned at the sight of his crimson stained teeth.

Slipping her bathrobe onto her Spike stopped and licked her neck one last time before wrapping her up tight against the cool night air. Buffy tried to take a few steps across the lawn but her knees felt weak, maybe she should have let him stop when he'd wanted to. Shaking his head Spike scooped her up and carried her into the house, never letting his eyes leave hers. Watching her closely there were a million things dancing on his lips but he couldn't form the words to tell her. Do you know you're an angel inside Buffy and I'm a devil powerless to resist you, you're everything, surrounding me, inviting me in and I never imagined, not once, just how pure you really are in there. I love you, god how I love you.

Setting her down in the living room she stood still until he reappeared with a plaster, firmly affixing it over the wound on her neck. She noticed he looked deep in thought, cupping his cheek she gave him a reassuring smile and dropped her bathrobe to the floor. He smiled at the sight of her in only her bikini and Buffy wiggled her ass as she walked past him to the bedroom.

Turning on his heel Spike made to follow her but as she stopped in the doorway she held her hand up to halt him. Pointing to the TV she grinned mischievously and watched as he rolled his eyes then picked it up.

By the time he'd positioned it on the drawers in the bedroom Buffy was settled in bed. He turned around to find her watching him closely, her fingers picking at the plaster. As he slipped his shorts off Buffy moved to his side of the bed and pulled the covers back to let him in. Sliding under them Spike held his arm out to her and she settled with her head on his chest.

Watching her as she flicked channels Spike wound her hair idly around his fingers and thought over the evening. It had been crazy to say the least, what with her parents now under the impression that they were engaged and Jane catching them in the hot tub together. He chuckled to himself softly and Buffy looked up at him.

"What you thinking?" Staring deep into his eyes she tried to figure out what little thoughts were crossing his mind, her fingers still picking at her plaster.

"Crazy evening." He smiled warmly at her and tapped her hand to stop her from attacking her plaster. "Don't."

"I want to see it." Buffy pouted like a child, she was curious about how deep he'd bitten her.

"No you don't." He wrapped his arm around her and pressed her head back down onto his chest.

"Yes I do…" Buffy wriggled out from under his arm and dashed to the bathroom, Spike heard her whine as plaster tugged her skin as she removed it.

Moving to the doorway he watched her as she inspected herself in the mirror, pulling her neck about so she could see how deep he'd gone.

Buffy felt amazed, on her neck were a perfectly neat set of shallow holes. A feeling of warmth spread over her as she looked at them, he'd tasted her, sucked the life from her body but had done it so gently that she wasn't even bruising. She'd expected deep ragged holes like she'd found after Angel had bitten her, but Spikes teeth marks were barely noticeable.

"I…" Spike started but found Buffy pressing her finger to his lips to silence him, her brows furrowing slightly.

Unable to find words to express how she was feeling inside Buffy brushed her lips softly against his. He could've bitten her deep, left a mark that would've remained bruised for weeks, but he hadn't he'd shown deep affection for her by biting her as shallow as he could.

Letting his eyes languidly close Spike lifted her up and wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing her as he carried her to the bed. Setting her down Buffy looked up at him expectantly but he just turned away and walked back into the bathroom. Returning with a new plaster he leant on the bed beside her and brushed the hair from her neck. Placing a soft kiss on his teeth marks he stuck the plaster over them then lay back on the bed with his arm out to one side in an invite, waiting for Buffy to snuggle up to him.

Pausing for a moment Buffy couldn't believe how Spike was acting, she'd given him an open invite and he'd refused, now all she felt was confusion. Settling her head back down on his chest she felt tense and Spike stroked her hair, sensing that something was wrong.

"Not that I don't want to love, just doesn't feel right, having bitten you and all." He kissed her hair and smiled as she sighed.

Buffy absorbed his words, he really was waiting until it would be perfect, no influences on them other than love. "What if it's never perfect?"

"It will be, I can wait, not like I'm getting any older." Slipping his hand down her side he let it rest on her waist, Buffy picked up the remote and started flicking channels again.

Running his words around her head as she changed channels Buffy started to wonder about his vampiric status. She lay in silence for what seemed like eternity listening to his hollow breathing and absence of heartbeat.

"Do you miss it?" She whispered and waited for a reply.

"Miss what?" Staring blankly at the TV Spike tried to figure out what she was going to say.

"Your heartbeat, being human?" Buffy cursed herself for feeling so shaky about asking him things like this.

"Got over it, moved on, not like my life was going anywhere." Spike watched as Buffy rolled over onto her stomach and stared at him.

"Spike…" She bit her lip as she looked at him. "You really wouldn't turn me?"

"I really wouldn't, like you just the way you are." He ran his fingers through her hair and smiled.

"What if I was dying?"

"You'd have to beg me… pet… can we not talk about this." His jaw tensed and he sat up, Buffy realised she was asking questions that should be left unsaid until a time arose when they were absolutely necessary.

"Sorry." She breathed as her gaze moved to rest on the sheets.

Spike shooed her across to her side of the bed and settled down on his side, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close. Buffy smiled as Spike snuggled up and spooned her, giving up the fight to find something good on the TV she left it on a black and white horror movie. From behind her came an appreciative growl.

"What do you want to do tomorrow?" Buffy murmured as she pushed her backside into him, wriggling until she was wrapped up snugly in his arms.

"Take you shopping." Spike leant his cheek against hers and watched the TV, Buffy turned her head and kissed his cheek.

"Aren't you the best fiancé ever?" She watched how her words made him grin foolishly.

"Sure am." Sighing he rested his head against hers as she turned back towards the TV, he felt her mood change.

"Spike… tomorrows Wednesday…" Her throat felt tight and her stomach turned upon itself at that thought.

"I know pet, don't talk about it." Spike kissed her cheek, understanding what she meant, only 3 more days before they headed back to Sunnydale and it seemed she liked the idea as much as he did.

"Hold me." Buffy mumbled as she tried to snuggle up closer to him, closing her eyes she couldn't help feeling a little sad.

Pulling her flush against him Spike let his eyes close and breathed in her scent, trying to memorise the feeling of her warm skin on his and her laying in his arms.

"How about we make the most of what's left, then see how it goes from there?" He could dream couldn't he? Fool himself into thinking there was a possible future for them back in Sunnydale?

"I'd like that." Buffy wiped the tear from her nose that she hoped he couldn't see, what if back in Sunnydale he didn't want it to continue? What if he moved out again? The thought caused more tears to well to the surface. "Promise me no matter what happens you'll stay in my house?"

He could swear he felt warm inside this time, she wanted him to stay with her and judging by her quiet sniffing the thought of him leaving was getting her upset.

"Just you try and get rid of me." He grinned and Buffy giggled, it was music to his ears, one thing he couldn't stand was Buffy crying - it made him feel wretched if he failed to cheer her up or solve her problems.

As she settled against him Buffy felt overwhelmed with sleep, yawning she closed her eyes and listened to a mixture of Spikes breathing and the TV. She'd been dozing for at least an hour when he shifted position, causing her to wake slightly.

"Mine." Spike breathed out as he kissed the plaster now covering his bite mark on her neck.

In her half awake state it dawned on Buffy that the reason he had wanted to bite her so badly wasn't just the biting itself, or her blood, it had been about marking her. Erasing all the previous vampires that had tasted her and making her his, stamping his name on her skin in a way that never faded, like a tattoo. She smiled, recognising that by choosing to bite her where others had before him he no only obliterated their marks on her but ensured that her friends wouldn't notice. It was his very own way of making what they had together last forever and it made her feel better, knowing he wanted it to continue back home as much as she did.

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