Kissing her softly, Spike kicked the annex door shut and followed her lead as she pulled him towards the bedroom. He couldn't deny he was feeling incredibly nervous now, all the way home unspoken tension had been building between them. Giggling up at him Buffy bounced off and grabbed a CD then came back to him and started kissing him again.

At what point did she become the one in charge? Spike frowned as he was lead towards the bedroom again, all the way home he'd been in control and now suddenly Buffy was--somehow it wasn't right.

Spinning her round by the edge of the bed Spike swiped the CD from her hand and grinned, Buffy pouted as he put it in the stereo. As she watched him she swallowed hard, this was it she realised, no backing out now.

Spike stared at his feet as he walked back towards her, raising his eyes when he came to a stop he smiled slightly at the sight of her still wearing his duster. He cursed his hands for shaking as he slipped the leather coat from her shoulders and watched it pool around her feet.

Buffy stared down at it then up into his eyes, the corners of her mouth twitching into a smile when she saw he looked as nervous as she felt. Catching him around the back of his neck she pulled him down and kissed him softly, lips barely brushing against his, feeling his cool breath in her mouth.

Deepening the kiss, Spike slipped his index fingers through the loops of her trousers and pulled her towards him, Buffy stumbled slightly and giggled. Releasing his fingers he grasped hold of her waist tightly and felt her kisses becoming more urgent, her warm soft mouth beckoning him in for longer more passionate kisses. Spike gave her what she wanted, savouring how she tasted sweet under his lips and stealing the warmth from her mouth with his tongue.

Fingers aching to feel her skin Spike slowly unbuttoned her shirt and spread it open, sliding his hands up over her bra to her shoulders where he pulled her shirt down, letting it drop to the floor with his coat. Running his hands back up he unhooked her bra and smiled when Buffy slipped it off and flung it to one side.

Gasping as his hands cupped her breasts, Buffy let her head fall back, giving in to the cool sensation of his skin against hers. Spike plucked at her nipples as he kissed down her jaw towards her throat, fingers teasing the soft mounds into hard sensitive peaks. Arching her back, Buffy let her fingers seek the buttons of his shirt but as she started to undo them Spike pulled back and tugged the shirt off over his head. She smiled at his impatience and he shrugged before returning to raining soft wet kisses down the curve of her throat.

As his hands found her breasts again, Buffy ran her fingers down his chest, trailing them down to his jeans where she felt the outline of his hard on and her insides heated up to boiling point.

"Buffy…" Spike mumbled from somewhere in her neck.

"Spike…" She softly stroked his jeans and chewed her lip.

Running her fingers back up she swiftly unbuckled his belt, undid the first button of his jeans, and then pulled them apart fast so each button popped in rapid succession. Spike chuckled softly.

Slipping his jeans down Buffy ran her hand along the length of his cock and smiled at how silky and soft it felt under her touch. Licking her lips, she pulled Spike off her neck and kissed him hard.

As Buffy's hot little tongue probed his mouth Spike realised she'd somehow managed to get him totally naked without him really noticing, smiling wickedly he decided to remedy the situation. Sliding his hands off her breasts he ran them roughly down her stomach and unzipped her trousers, slipping his hand into them he ran it over her panties and arched a brow at how warm and wet she was.

Buffy wriggled her trousers off and bought her mouth back up to his. Kissing him softly, she followed his lead as he crawled onto the bed then bit her lip as he laid her down gently with her head resting on the pillows.

Looking up at him as he slipped her panties down her legs Buffy couldn't help wondering what he was feeling. It was monumental for her but what about him? He'd wanted this moment for the past year, built a robot because she wouldn't be with him and now she was finally his and she didn't know how to tell him.

Spike looked back to her and caught the look of concern on her face; he smiled warmly. Leaning against the pillows next to her he pulled her onto her side and flush against him, kissing away all concern she had.

As he started kissing down her collarbone to her breasts, Buffy let herself fall backwards onto the bed again, surrendering herself to him with pleasure and giving in to all her desires with a long sigh.

Spike licked her nipple then sucked it greedily into his mouth, pulling on it hard to make Buffy moan, he grinned as she arched her back. Clawing at the sheets, she let her mouth fall open as she wiggled her leg out from under Spike and gently encouraged him to lie between them.

He shifted his weight so it was resting on his palms and on looking down the length of her body he found himself nestled softly in between Buffy's thighs, suddenly Spike felt sickeningly nervous.

Looking back up at Buffy he met her eyes and smiled crookedly as she tried to smile up at him. When she stroked her fingers through his hair and cupped his cheek he suddenly felt calm inside, he could see it in her eyes, all those beautiful emotions of hers playing out in them and they were all for him.

Buffy felt him nudge against her opening and took a deep breath to steady herself, trying to relax as he pushed his way into her so she could take him all the way in. Widening her eyes up at him, she sighed internally as they both froze and adjusted to the feeling of being as one for the first time.

She smiled at how it felt, perfect somehow, like they were meant for each other. Spike smiled down at her, remembering all the times he'd dreamt about this and it felt so right, they fitted together so well it was like they'd been made for each other and now he didn't ever want to leave.

Feeling her hips buck softly against him, Spike took the hint and started moving his pelvis slowly against hers, smiling at how each gentle thrust made her breasts move gently like waves.

Wrapping her legs around his waist, Buffy let her arms fall over his neck and pulled him down for a kiss, Spike leant down onto his elbows and caught Buffy around the shoulders, it was like heaven--definitely in heaven all wrapped up in Buffy.

Kissing her tenderly he matched the rhythm of his strokes with the slow steady pounding of her heart. Buffy moved her head to one side and breathed in deeply, he felt so good inside her; she could feel every fibre in her being buzzing as he built her up towards what was going to be one hell of a crescendo. Locking her feet tight she caressed the skin of his back under her fingers, feeling his muscles dancing as he moved against her, she didn't want this to end, she was never going to let him go. Lost in her own emotions she barely registered the change in tune on the stereo.

Looking down at her, Spike ran his hand down her hair softly, never breaking the rhythm between them. Buffy locked her eyes with his and felt lost in them, they were narrowed softly on her and full of tenderness, and softening her own eyes she tried to express her own feelings of tenderness towards him.

So dear to me
Always keep me company
Who needs to go outside
I will be your silent bride

Spike kept his eyes fixed on hers as she looked up at him, her face becoming soft and warm, she was amazing and he was lost in her-- drowning just like he'd said he was all those months ago. Buffy caught the look in his eyes and realised she'd made herself loud and clear, she smiled as he slowed down, his hips grazing against her thighs as they rocked.

I can't take my eyes off you

"Buffy." He whispered as he ran his fingers down her hair and searched her eyes still, needing to see what she was thinking.

"Spike." Buffy smiled up at him, the slow rise and fall of his hips was building up a ball of energy in her stomach so tight that her emotions were being sucked into it. Touching his forehead she sighed internally. I love you.

Nothing ever needs to be said
You send your message right into my head
You fill me up when I'm alone
So soothing is your monotone

Spike saw it, caught it and locked it away deep inside him, keeping his eyes fixed on hers he concentrated on the feeling growing inside him, aching for release.

I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off you

Growling softly he picked up the rhythm again and watched Buffy arch her back, mouth parted softly and breasts pressing against his chest. Spike felt her knees tighten against his hips and bent down to kiss her collarbone, sucking softly on her moist and salty flesh.

Sliding his arm under her arched back he pulled her up against him, locking his eyes with hers again. For a moment he couldn't have breathed if he'd wanted to, she was looking up at him with large soft eyes full of tenderness and warmth and he realised that he'd never been looked at so sweetly in all his long un-life or his life before that. Here below him was his everything, his angel, and the way she was looking at him made him feel like he was her everything in return and it burnt into him, he'd never been this loved before.

I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off you

"Mine." He breathed and ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek softly.

"Mine." Buffy whispered in return, gently slipping her fingers through his hair.

As she looked up at him with her warm breath on his face she smiled and as Spike smiled back at her it hit home that she was really in love with him. It wasn't fairytale love like she had with Angel, it was real love, it was the way love was meant to be, it was messy and hard but she felt like she couldn't live without him, needed to be near him always. She burnt inside with the desire to have him but she wanted to cradle him gently in her arms as she did so. She needed him, craved him, and desired to be wrapped up in his arms forever, in sanctuary, safe from harm. But at the same time she wanted to protect him, defend him from the world even as he defended her. She realised that she just wanted to be his as much as he'd always wanted to be hers.

So maybe you're not as real as the others
But I choose you over all my past lovers
For they have come and they have gone
but I can always turn you on

Caught in his eyes still, Buffy felt like she was drowning in them, suffocating on all the love and tenderness he was showing her. Heating up inside she felt her knees trembling, then her thighs and she narrowed her eyes up at him then squeezed him in between her legs. Feeling her thighs quivering against him, Spike sighed out and made his strokes longer and deeper, Buffy's heartbeat accelerated and she tumbled over the edge.

I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off you

Looking up at him she felt suddenly calm for a moment like she was sucked into a void, a white empty space with nothing but him, then there was a rush of deafening noise like the sea crashing in as Spike thrust up inside again and the feeling in her stomach exploded sending out warm waves of ecstasy coursing along every nerve in her body. Giving in to the delicious feeling sweeping through her she smiled lazily as her ears started ringing. She watched Spike through hooded eyes as he carried on thrusting before his face screwed up and he spilled his seed then relaxed into her, eyes still meeting hers.

I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off you

Wrapping her arms around him and running her fingers through his hair she breathed in deep and slow, savouring the feeling of him inside her still and his cold body cooling her baking skin. Mouth capturing his again she kissed him gently, barely brushing his lips with hers. This she could get used to.

Rolling over and stretching her arm out she expected to find Spike but only found pillow. Blinking her eyes open slowly, Buffy stared at the blinds, smiling at the little rays of sunlight peeking through them. They hadn't slept much last night, after the first time they'd dozed off, Buffy with her arms and legs still wrapped around him and Spike still inside her with his head rested on her chest. She'd loved that, sleeping and feeling so close to him at the same time. They had passed the night in a mixture of love making and talking, with what Spike had termed the 'occasional telly break' where he'd rest his head on her stomach as they watched late night TV like they'd done so many nights before.

Buffy sighed and wrapped herself up in the sheets as though trying to protect herself from the thought that today was Friday and things were going to get complicated tonight whether she liked it or not. All she could do for now was to try and make the most of it, listening to Spike in the bathroom she heard the shower switch off and him humming a Ramones tune.

He'd be feeling the same as her, she knew it, only he would try and cover up his emotions with bravado, pulling himself partially back into his neat defensive shell and hiding behind a wall of sarcastic comments that he would be ready to dish out to anyone but her. A small part, no, a huge part of her hoped that he wouldn't go down that route, that he would stay just like he had been for the past two weeks. As the bathroom door swung open, she put on a brave face.

"Spike!" Buffy chirped up at him.

"Yes?" Spike smiled warmly and looked at her, she'd uncurled herself and was stretched out again under the covers, last night he'd changed his mind a million times about perfection before settling on telling himself that perfection was simply Buffy and everything that came along with her.

"You're wearing clothes?" She frowned at him then pouted for good measure.

"That I am, is it a problem?"

"In Buffy world it's illegal to be dressed, you have to be naked or people will laugh at you, I suggest you strip."

"And I will, only I was feeling a little peckish so I thought I'd get a spot of breakfast, don't think Dawn could handle seeing me stark bollock naked."

"Oh okay." Buffy wriggled back down under the covers and peeked out at him.

"You hungry?" He arched a brow at her.

"Ravenous." Rubbing her hand over her belly her thoughts slipped to last night again and she smiled warmly at him.

"How bout I make you something, anything, you name it."

"Pancakes and orange juice?" Buffy raised her brows and gave him her best 'I'm so sweet' look.

"Pancakes it is then my lady." Spike bowed and backed out of the room, grinning as he went.

Not so defensive after all. Buffy smiled as she watched him go but something inside was nagging at her, telling her things were going to get progressively worse throughout the day and if they didn't then arriving in Sunnydale would wreck everything--that or her friends would.


Spike, still humming to himself, was cracking eggs in the kitchen. The only way he knew how to make pancakes was by apprehending Dawn, who was now giving him the twenty-question treatment about last night.

"Why are you so happy? I don't think I've ever seen you this happy before." Dawn handed him flour and leant against the counter on her elbows.

"Don't know why, had a pretty fantastic evening with big sis, maybe that's triggered it."

"Oh." Dawn shrugged and stared at the mixing bowl, and then her eyes widened and she gasped. "You two did it!"

"Dawn! You're not too old to put over my knee." Spike frowned down at her and waved the spoon in a warning.

"Sorry, but I mean, you…this happy…think I wouldn't notice? Plus, making breakfast."

"Well…" Spike rolled his eyes at her and took a deep breath. "Maybe."

"Ha, I knew it." Dawn bounced around the kitchen then paused.

"What?" He turned to face her, watching her look grow pensive.

"Spike? How old are you again?"

"About a hundred and twenty." Spike furrowed his brows and tried to figure out what she was up to.

"No, don't care about vampire years, human years, dummy." She slapped his arm playfully.

"Twenty eight."

"So you're like eight years older than Buffy?"

"In mortal terms, where you going with this, little bit?"

"So I can date someone eight years older than me?" Dawn looked up sheepishly at him and cringed when his face turned black as thunder.

"You certainly bloody well can't, in fact don't think you need to date at all." Spike grinned at her and put a dollop of pancake mixture into the pan.

Dawn pouted and sat at the island watching him cook the pancakes, she was amazed by the number of times he sighed, it was like his happy edge was being drained from him with every passing second.

"You're worried aren't you?" Dawn hopped down from her chair and sat on the counter near him, watching him struggle to keep his expression blank as he poked at the pancakes and made them fizzle in the pan.

"Am not." Spike mumbled and suppressed another sigh, he couldn't get the thought of tonight out of his head, and it was really starting to weigh him down.

"You're worried she won't go on with it back in Sunnydale, you're worried about her friends pressuring her into ending what you have, I can read you like a book Spike."

He gave up the charade and looked up at her, meeting her eyes he watched her triumphant smile fade and be replaced with a look of concern for him. It made him feel marginally better knowing Dawn was on his side.

"She'll be worried too Spike, it will be eating away at her as much as it's eating away at you, you guys shouldn't worry about it, we're still in LA so make the most of being with Buffy without her friends. Even when we go back home you two will still be in love with each other, a change of location can't change that Spike."

"No, but her friends can. You've seen them at work, you must have done, the constant drip drip drip of comments and looks that they'll give her, wearing her down until she does what they think is best for her. I'd kill them all if I had the chance."

"Spike! You don't mean that…you know you don't…you're just saying it because you feel like they're going to wreck everything. Flip 'em."

Spike gave Dawn a quizzical look and she pointed at the pancakes.

"Where was I?" Watching him flip the pancakes she chuckled inwardly at how she seem to be the advice queen for the over hundreds, vampires really did need guidance sometimes.

"Somewhere like, sod them all and just get on with it?" Spike smiled at her and it relieved some of the tension he was feeling--Dawn was right; there was no use in ruining their last day in LA by dwelling on bad thoughts.

Dawn took a carton of orange juice out of the fridge and poured a glass for herself and a glass for Buffy. Suddenly she felt immensely sorry for them both, they'd found such happiness in LA together and now it was under threat. She wanted them to stay together, she didn't want going home to ruin everything, they belonged together and she couldn't remember a time she'd seen her sister so happy. The first chance she got she was going to speak to the gang and set them straight on a few things, no one was ruining what her sister and Spike had, no one, not even them.

On seeing Spike staring at her with a frown etched on his face she realised she had been scowling at the orange juice, what was worse was that she'd practically crushed the empty carton in her other hand.

"Sorry. Don't know my own strength. I'll talk to the gang, nothing is going to ruin what you and Buffy have, and I mean nothing."

"Thanks niblet, remind me about teaching you to fight when we get home, think you're going to need it." Spike flipped the pancakes out onto a plate and put them on the tray next to the orange juice.

Giving him a quick hug Dawn watched him walk off towards the annex, she couldn't help sighing to herself over the sight of him, he looked so weighed down still, like his whole world was about to come tumbling down.

Spike sat down on the bed next to Buffy and looked at her; she was dozing peacefully.

Putting the tray down on the end of the bed, Spike turned back to her and ran his fingers over her hair, making the most of every precious moment that he had left with her in LA. She looked so content, lips parted softly and her face so quiet. Spike wondered what it was going to be like tonight, if he was even going to get to sleep next to her. They were never any good at having to talk to each other under pressure, both of them had a tendency to sweep things under the rug or pretend that someone else could say what they needed to say.

As she stirred slightly, Buffy felt Spike nearby and sighed, it was comforting just lying near him, feeling his fingers running in little sweeps over her hair, smoothing out all of her problems.

Opening her eyes, she caught the saddened expression on Spike's face and it tore into her--they were going back to Sunnydale and her bubble was going to burst the second it made contact with her friends. Buffy looked up at him and met his eyes, holding her arms out to him she beckoned him in for a hug and he came willingly, wrapping his arms around her as she wrapped hers around him tight and sighed. Never letting you go, Spike.

"Buffy?" Spike held her a little closer as he heard her sniff and her arms gripped him tighter. "Don't be sad pet, we'll be fine back in Sunny-D, we'll be fine."

Hushing her, Spike held her flush against him, he couldn't stand the thought of her being upset by all this, they were meant to be happy--what Dawn had said was right, no matter what happened back home they would still be in love with each other.

"I'm scared." Buffy mumbled as she finally found her voice. The force of emotion that swept through her as she pushed those words out amazed her. What amazed her even more was how she felt when Spike responded by holding her tighter and caressing her skin wherever his fingers fell.

"Don't be scared love, nothing to be scared of. We'll be fine, this isn't make believe, it's real Buffy and no one can change it, not even us."

Buffy pulled back and looked up at him, he was right and she knew it, nothing was going to change how they felt about each other, she just had to stand firm and not let her friends interfere. It was her decision, even if it had taken strange circumstances to bring how she felt about him to the surface, it was her decision and she was going to stick to it. The only problem was she couldn't find the words to tell Spike that.

Patting the bed beside her, she smiled weakly as Spike did as instructed and stripped down to his underwear then slid under the covers. Buffy gave him a warm look as he handed her the breakfast he'd made, she never realised he would be the kind of doting lover who would make her breakfast in bed. She'd always pictured him as a 'thanks' as he bolted out the window type.

"So, pancakes?" Buffy grinned and felt warm inside as she raised a brow at him questioningly.

"Niblet helped." Spike flicked the TV on and lay on his side, propping his head up on his hand.

Tousling his hair, Buffy watched him for a moment as he stared at the TV, she didn't want to go home, the thought of Sunnydale kept making her want to cry. She wanted to stay here in LA, no demons to fight and Spike sleeping in her bed, holding her tight and telling her he loved her.

"Eat, or I will." Spike grinned and reached a hand towards one of her pancakes but she slapped it playfully.

Looking over at the clock as Buffy wolfed down her breakfast Spike sighed, it was gone midday already; they were due to leave for Sunnydale in ten hours. Catching his look Buffy put the tray down and pulled him against her, he automatically rested his head on her stomach and smiled as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Lets just lay here for a while, just be close to me."

"Your wish is my command." Spike ran his fingers in circles over the firm skin of her stomach, marvelling at how little goose bumps appeared and disappeared under his touch.

Closing his eyes he listened to her soft breathing and the rumblings of her belly as it digested her food, he smiled as it growled at him then growled back at it.

"Whatcha doing?" Buffy craned her neck to try and make out what he was up to, when he growled again she giggled as it tickled her stomach.

"Chatting up your belly, keeps growling at me, think it likes me." Spike shifted so he could see her face, she was smiling at him with that expression she wore when she was thinking 'silly'.

"Must like you, I like you, it's part of me so it has to like you. Tickles when you growl." Buffy pouted at him and he arched a brow, a panicked look of 'no' crossed her face.

Resting his mouth against her abdomen, Spike growled low and deep in his throat, then chuckled as Buffy wriggled under him as she laughed. Spike always liked that sound, making Buffy laugh was a fine art and he'd recently perfected it.

Growling against her belly again he paused and stared at her stomach with a pensive expression crossing his face. Buffy tilted her head to one side as she looked down at him, unsure of what he was up to.

"You know, there are other places that might tickle if I growl on them." Spike cocked his head and looked at her, Buffy giggled coyly.

"Really…do show…" Laying flat on her back, she chewed her lip as Spike showed her.

By the time they moved again it was gone six pm, Dawn was frantically knocking at the door and Spike was in the shower again, this time with Buffy.

"Hang on a bloody minute." Spike growled as he wrapped a towel around his waist and stomped into the living room, whoever it was better have a damn good reason to disturb him and Buffy.

Ripping the door open Spike frowned at Dawn, giving her a look that made it clear she was disturbing him.

"Sorry…geeze…cranky much?" Dawn backed away slightly and gave him a nervous smile. "Just the parental unit wants to know if you guys are coming up for dinner in an hour? Pizza?"

"Okay…that all?" Spike paused for a second then shut the door in her face.

When he turned to walk back towards the bathroom he found Buffy frowning at him from the bedroom door, he braced himself and waited for her to berate him for being rude to Dawn.

Buffy let her frown melt away when she saw him cringe, he was looking at her edgily still but a little of his confidence returned as she saw a thought cross his mind, wicked enough to cause him to grin.

"What?" Buffy watched as he straightened up and lowered his head slightly so he was looking up at her, he started taking increasingly quicker steps towards her and she raised her arms up by her sides as she giggled. "No…no…no…"

Catching her around the waist, Spike ploughed through the bedroom door and landed on the bed with her. Raining kisses down on her he smiled triumphantly as she wriggled and giggled underneath him, as he paused she made eye contact.

"Rain check?" Buffy looked up at him and he frowned momentarily before remembering what their rain check was about.

"Abso-bloody-lutely." Spike smiled and started raining soft kisses down her throat.

Leaning her head back, Buffy gave in to the delicious feeling that Spike at her neck always gave her. Blood screaming vampire at her and his cold fingers winding their way into her bathrobe, it was enough to set her body on fire.

Spike licked at her neck, inspecting the now fading marks from where he'd last tasted her, he could still see them, taste them on her skin--an eternal mark that made her always his, no matter what. Coming to from his reverie, he nipped at the tender flesh of her throat with his blunt teeth then waited for a reaction.

Buffy arched her back into him and clawed at his shoulders, the anticipation was killing her, every passing moment only made her crave him more. Tugging at his neck she felt him nip at her again with his blunt teeth, teasing her until she couldn't stop herself from begging.

"Bite…"

"Want me to? Want me to take that soft warm skin in my mouth and sink my teeth into it?" Spike was enthralled as she nodded coyly; he craved her reaction to the thought of being bitten as much as she craved being bitten.

Slipping into game face, he moved in for the kill only to be stopped by Buffy's small hand pressed firmly against his chest, a serious look in her eyes.

"Kiss me first."

On seeing her so deadly serious all Spike could do was acquiesce to her command. Shifting his weight he caught her wrists and kissed her, cold incisors scraping against her tongue as she pushed it into his mouth, he rolled his eyes shut and gave in to his desire to taste her. Nipping slightly at her lower lip, he slid back into human form and sucked on it gently, she tasted divine.

Pulling back, Spike frowned at her wrists, now pinned above her head--he could ask couldn't he? It would be a simple answer, yes or no.

Unbuckling his cuffs he waved them at her, watching her face as she remembered that she'd promised he would get his turn, only she knew there was something more to his wanting to tie her up than just his usual kinkiness.

"Do you trust me?" Spike swallowed hard and waited for an answer, his mouth had gone bone dry.

Buffy paused for a moment; she'd known that was going to be the question that would issue from his lips. Now she could show him just how far their relationship had come, if she let him tie her up then she trusted him, she trusted him not to hurt her, not to let his demon go too far.

"I trust you, Spike. Implicitly." She sighed out and marvelled at his reaction, his whole face running through a series of emotions starting with shock and ending with tenderness and affection.

Spike was speechless as he realised that she really trusted him. She trusted him enough to let him tie her up and act out his wicked desires upon her, and not hurt her. He swore he felt like he was burning up inside, to have Buffy trust him was to have it hit home that she must love him, demon as he was, she loved him just like he loved her. Still he paused for a moment and looked pensive, Buffy read it and smiled reassuringly.

"It's not the chip Spike, I know you wouldn't hurt me even if you could." Touching his hand she offered her right wrist to him and he took a deep breath.

Wrapping the cuffs around her wrists with slightly shaky fingers, Spike kept eye contact with her the whole time. He noticed that she didn't look at all frightened by what could possibly happen while she was locked up; she just looked full of passion and quietly awaiting whatever he was going to do to her.

Having secured her bonded wrists to the headboard of the bed, Spike sat back for a moment and took in the sight of a naked Buffy chained up and ready to go. She was magnificent, he'd never realised that she would be able to match his wickedness so well as she had the past day--god he hoped things would turn out good back in Sunnydale.

Letting his dazed smile turn wicked as Buffy gave him her best 'I'm innocent eat me up' look, he let his towel slip away before kneeling on the bed and crawling towards her.

Staring down at Buffy, Spike curled his tongue and ran it down his blunt incisors. She wriggled slightly as she watched him; the anticipation of what he was going to do was killing her.

As she waited for him to make a move, Buffy let her eyes run down his body to his cock. She bit her lip as she took in the sight of it, hard and ready for her. Spike smirked as he saw where Buffy's eyes had stopped; reaching his hand down he ran it over his length and stroked himself, she mewled at him.

Grinning wickedly as he bent low to the bed, Spike coursed up the length of her bronzed legs. Growling softly, he kept his mouth close to her skin as he moved up towards her thighs, his breath teasing her supple flesh. He slipped into game face as he reached her thigh and paused to lick her skin before puncturing it with her teeth.

Buffy mewled again and felt herself grow slick with desire, the sound of Spike suckling her blood caused a heat like wild fire to blow through her veins. Pulling his teeth out of her, Spike moved above her stomach and slipped back into his human guise before parting his lips slowly. Buffy craned her neck to watch as the blood, her blood, came spilling from his mouth like a scarlet waterfall, she felt it trail across her stomach and pool in her navel.

"…God…Spike…" Buffy moaned long and breathily at him.

Spike looked down at her and sucked his cheeks into a wide smile, she looked delicious, her creamy skin tainted with her own blood. Spike felt himself harden further.

Dipping his head he licked the blood off her with long languorous strokes of his tongue, her muscles were tense under her skin, causing her stomach to be rock hard below him. Wanting to feel her belly soften, Spike gave into his desires, licking and sucking hungrily at the blood, his tongue pressuring her flesh.

Feeling his cock against her leg, his tongue hard against her belly and him slipping into game face, Buffy moaned loudly and tugged on her restraints.

Her stomach softened under the pressure of his tongue and Spike listened to the captivating sound of Buffy moaning. Turning up the heat a little, he ran his hand over her thigh and slipped his fingers into her velvet folds, teasing her clit. As he moved down to her navel and sucked it clean, Buffy bucked under him. Spike pushed her thighs back down on the bed and growled.

"Mmm…" Buffy couldn't help herself; his growl had been so commanding it had made her hotter than the sun.

Grinning to himself over her reaction to being told what to do, Spike eased himself downwards until her plush mound was below him. He nipped at her with his sharp teeth before peeling apart her fleshy lips and curling his tongue up the length of her. Wrapping his mouth around her nub, Spike savoured the taste of her blood and honeyed juices mixing in his mouth. He licked and teased her until she bucked again, growling at her he felt empowered when she stopped. Commanding Buffy was fun.

Weaving his way back up her stomach with kisses, Spike slipped back into human guise and kissed her full lips, making her taste herself. Buffy kissed him back slowly at first but as she tasted her blood and juices on his tongue she couldn't stop herself from kissing him harder. Spike gave her what she wanted, forcing his mouth down hard on her and stealing her breath from her with long kisses, smiling inside at how badly she wanted to taste her own essence. Kissing him deeply, Buffy felt driven on by the tang of herself in his mouth, him tasting like that made her want it more, made her want him more.

Moving his kisses along her jaw, he kissed down her throat and Buffy gasped. He closed his eyes as she wriggled and mewled below him, trying to lure him into biting her. Chuckling softly, Spike placed a chaste kiss on his previous bite marks and moved slowly back down her stomach to her thigh.

Shifting form again, he sank his teeth back into her thigh, pulling her blood from her as his fingers teased her nub. Buffy bucked hard under him and he stopped--if she kept doing that, he would wind up hurting her by accident.

Raising his head, he caught her eye and told her with a husky voice. "None of that."

Buffy understood what he was telling her and looked coy. Watching his head dip back down and his mouth wrap around the wound on her leg, she couldn't stop herself from moaning softly again--it was so damn sexy.

Mouth full of blood, Spike positioned himself above her chest and let it ooze from his lips. Smearing it into her chest, he couldn't stop himself from dipping his hips slightly so the tip of his cock rubbed against her wet folds. Bucking her hips up slowly she licked her lips as his cool head slipped into her opening. Spike pulled back and gave her a 'tut'. Buffy pouted and he couldn't resist spreading the blood on his fingertips across her mouth and then kissing her, sucking her lips clean.

Spike lapped the blood off her chest, watching her pale skin appear as he removed all traces of the delicious life essence. Running his tongue around her pert breasts, he licked and teased each one until Buffy arched her back and moaned. He wrapped his mouth around her nipple and suckled it gently, caressing it into a hard peak while his fingers teased her other one.

Feeling like she was getting all the attention, Buffy lifted her leg and bought her foot up under him, running it softly up the length of his shaft and teasing his tip with her toes.

He paused for a moment and closed his eyes in an attempt to absorb the feeling her hot skin against him. Raising his head, Spike bit his lip and heaved a sigh.

Buffy watched as a small bloom of red appeared on his full lower lip, filled with an urgent desire she tried to coax him towards her, wanted him to kiss her, wanted to taste him.

Leaning forwards, Spike was only centimetres from her mouth when he realised what she was after. As he pulled away from her, he shook his head in the negative. Buffy pouted again, but as his face turned serious, she realised why he wouldn't kiss her.

"Drac tasted me, I tasted him…nothing happened." Buffy wished she had her hands free so she could touch his cheek; he was still frowning down at her.

"Not going to happen, love." Spike sucked his lip clean and let his frown melt away as his eyes unfocused, the thought of all that life in her veins going cold made him nauseous.

Buffy just looked up at him, she instinctively knew that he would have to kill her to actually turn her but she understood that he wouldn't risk it, wouldn't risk her. Face softening as she met his eyes, Buffy smiled up at him and he managed a smile in return.

"Some other time?" She watched as a grin spread across his face before he dipped his head back down to her thigh.

Suckling weakly, Spike sated his desire to drink straight from her veins and gave a sideward look to her pussy; it was glistening with her wetness. Moving his mouth to her nub, he licked at it and then teased it with his blunt teeth. Her heat and desire on his lips, Spike slipped two fingers into her heated depths with ease, she was so wet for him it was tempting to just slip himself in there. Spike smiled at the memories of last night.

"Mmm…please…" Buffy moaned softly, giving into her need and begging him for release.

Spike's smile turned into a grin and he suckled her nub before nipping at her, Buffy arched her back and closed her eyes. Sucking her hard, he flattened his fingers and rubbed them inside her, as she moaned breathily he moaned too.

Screwing her eyes shut tight and grasping the headboard as best she could, Buffy panted as she felt her inner walls twitch and tingle with her orgasm, her cum slathering Spike's fingers. Pulling his fingers out of her, Spike sucked them clean before moving down to her opening and lapping up her spending. Buffy moaned at his action and he pushed his tongue up inside her to taste her further, she bucked her hips and felt desire sweep through her again.

Nipping her other thigh, Spike mirrored his other bite mark and sucked her blood.

"Spike…" Buffy moaned long before biting her lip.

Watching and feeling him nip at her again, she tensed the muscles in her pussy and felt herself grow slick with want. Spike took a deep breath, savouring the scent of her arousal and nipped at her thigh again, this time a little nearer her stomach. Buffy moaned again, the more he nipped at her the more her desire for him grew.

Kissing and nipping a path up her stomach, Spike moved to her neck, settling his cheek against hers. He could feel her need of him, her body humming below him as he listened to her heart pounding fast. Nipping at her bottom lip with his blunt teeth as he kissed her hard, Spike slipped his cock into her with ease, watching her eyes roll shut as he buried himself in her.

Last night had been all sweetness, now Buffy craved roughness, craved his wicked side to come out and play. It felt primal, an urgent sense of need on both sides that had to be sated. Buffy moaned and bucked below him as he started thrusting into her, his eyes firmly fixed on her hands as they grasped the headboard.

When Spike looked down at her, he took in the scene, her lips were parted and her breath was hot on his face, her brows wrinkled into a frown of concentration and she was looking back at him with eyes full of lust. Spike grinned and delved into her with longer, harder strokes.

Craning her neck, Buffy captured his lips and kissed him passionately, hungry for his mouth to be on hers. Dipping his head so he could meet her lips, Spike gave in to the desire to have her and kissed her back hard. Their kisses grew messy and urgent, lips smashing against each other and teeth clashing as they both fought for control. Feeling like he was losing command, Spike pinned her roughly into the bed.

"Ungh…Spike…" Buffy got a flashback of the shower and wanted to feel his strength again. "Harder…"

As she grinned wickedly at him, Spike forced her down harder into the bed and moved his hips against her in long penetrating thrusts that caused her breasts to wobble and her breath to become ragged. Spike grunted with exertion as his hips met hers, pounding into her and slaking his desire to have her. Buffy felt a wave of tingles sweep through her as he grunted above her, his muscles tensed and his fingers grasping her arms tightly, bruising her tender flesh. Focusing on his face, she bucked against him and listened to him grunt as he pounded into her with a sneer, seeing all the power he commanded and feeling just how strong he was, sent Buffy over the edge.

Wrapping her legs around him tightly she tensed her muscles up and closed her eyes, mouth forming an 'o' as he struck deep inside her. Spike growled on feeling her tighten around his length, her heat and desire driving him on. Dipping his head again he kissed and licked up her chest, caressing her throat with his tongue and waiting for the moment.

"Oh…ungh…Spike…more…" Buffy bucked hard against him and arched her back so her body was flush with her, their skin sticking together.

Slipping into game face, Spike nipped her throat slightly and listened to her moan again, feeling his head hardening inside her and his balls tighten he thrust into her at the same time as he bit down on her neck.

"SPIKE!" Buffy screamed as he sank his teeth into her and pulled on her blood hard, his cock throbbing inside her as he spilled his seed into her depths.

A riotous combination of colours and stars exploded in front of her eyes as she came, her body trembling and humming below his as he slowed the motion of his hips. Letting her eyes slip shut, she concentrated on the feeling of his drinking from her and smiled, letting herself drift along on the waves of pleasure that were running through her veins.

Lifting his head so he could look at her, Spike sighed, she was sweaty and had just about popped his eardrum, but she was beautiful.

"Love you." Spike murmured at her, settling his cheek against her chest and listening to her heart racing.

Buffy sighed and stroked his hair; kissing his forehead, she rested her cheek there before mouthing silently. "Love you too."

He smiled as he felt her jaw move against his head, stroking her stomach he knew that one day there'd be a voice behind those words.

Settling into Spike's side on the couch in the living room, Buffy let out a long sigh. It was only an hour until they were due to leave for Sunnydale and Buffy couldn't help fearing that everything was going to go horribly wrong.

Spike picked up on her slipping into miserable thoughts and pulling her tighter to him, he took a deep breath and memorised her scent. After their blood play they had showered again, it had been different this time, just softly washing each other and exchanging long slow kisses.

Bending his head a little lower, Spike kissed her neck and then pressed his cheek to hers. Buffy stroked his arm softly and smiled.

"Buffy? Was there an accident?" Hank was looking over at her with some concern and Buffy realised he'd noticed her plaster.

"I slipped, yeah and um…fell awkwardly…"

"Gave herself a nasty knock on the coffee table, didn't want her to get infected." Spike offered and Buffy held her breath as she waited for her father's reaction.

"That's very responsible of you, William." Hank gave them a small smile, not quite believing them but not pressing the subject further.

"Just looking out for Buffy." Spike kissed her cheek and she finally let a smile of relief cross her face.

Letting herself relax back into Spike, Buffy closed her eyes and thought about the journey home. They still had a large amount of packing to do before they could set off and something inside her was thankful for the delay.

Half an hour later, they made their excuses as they left the room. Buffy and Spike headed down the stairs and back into the annex. Buffy looked around the set of rooms, it had been their home for two weeks and there was a feeling in her stomach that said she was going to miss the place.

Spike slipped his arms around her from behind. "Anyone ever tell you thinking is bad for your brain?"

"Nope."

"Well, consider yourself told, love." Spike pecked her cheek and set off towards the bedroom.

"Spike?" Buffy watched as he turned back to face her. "Really gonna miss this place."

"Me too, Buffy. Me too." He gave her a wide smile before finishing his journey to the bedroom.

Hauling their bags up onto the bed, they started repacking their suitcases. Buffy kept giving little glances up at Spike, he seemed to be enjoying the thought of returning to Sunnydale as much as she was.

Buffy made her way slowly around the bed until she was next to him. Spike smiled down at her and pulled her into his arms, bending her over backwards and kissing her gently. Buffy started giggling as he kissed down her throat towards her chest; her phone chirruping caused her to stop.

"Spike…I have to get that." Wrestling free from his arms, she grabbed her phone off the bed.

Flicking it open she saw a message icon flashing at her, opening it up she read it quickly then closed the phone.

"Anyone interesting?" Spike had been watching her; as she'd read the message, her face had grown dark.

"Willow and Giles are back. They were just checking in. It was…never mind. Where were we?"

Slipping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down for a kiss. Spike growled softly as she tousled his hair and weaved her fingers into it--he was definitely getting used to having Buffy all over him.


Walking down to the car, Buffy held Spike's hand tight as though she feared that he was about to slip away from her. Spike smiled down and their hands and then bought his head up and smiled into her eyes.

"So, if you need anything let me know. I've not doubt that Buffy will drive you crazy with the wedding plans, William, so if you need to take a break, come up to LA and we'll go hunting."

Spike nodded and smiled, the thought of going hunting with Buffy's father was quite appealing, something about him made Spike want to compete. Spike looked down at Buffy and realised what the something was, he felt like he was competing for Buffy's affection.

Buffy squeezed his hand before letting it go, picking up her bags she went to place them in the trunk but found them being taken from her by him. She smiled warmly at Spike and turned to her parents.

Giving their father and stepmother long hugs, Buffy and Dawn said their goodbyes. Dawn promised that she would work hard at school and would behave for her sister, Buffy said that if she needed a little help she would ask for it but made sure that she quickly added that she would have a job soon so they should be just fine.

Spike decided to linger by the car, he watched the family unit saying their long goodbyes and hugging each other. Thoughts about weddings and engagements crept into his head and he grinned foolishly, not even noticing Buffy until she tugged on his arm.

"Dad wants a word." Buffy whispered up at him just before Hank walked over.

"I want you two to know, if you need money for the wedding, there's an account set up for Buffy. Just ask and we'll arrange for access to be granted. Be sure to drop by soon, it's been nice having you three around the house. Even nicer having a guy around." Hank slapped Spike's arm playfully and Buffy expected to see a black look on Spike's face but he was just smiling warmly.

"Been a pleasure, Mr. Summers." Spike nodded at him again and pulled his cars keys from his pocket.

"Pleasure was mine, you take care of my daughters now, and quit calling me Mr. Summers. Hank to you, boy."

Spike chuckled at that--who was he calling boy?

"See you soon." Buffy waved slightly and slipped into the passenger seat as Spike got into the car.

Gunning the engine into life, Spike breathed a long sigh of relief and Buffy giggled.

"Shall we go, boy?" Buffy couldn't help herself; her father calling Spike a boy was priceless.

"Watch your mouth, missy." Spike grinned at her before revving the engine and pulling away.

"Bye." Hank and Jane called out in unison as the car disappeared up the street.

"Such a nice boy." Hank smiled at Jane.

"Do you think she'll wear white?" Jane slipped her arm into his as they started up the path towards the house.

"Did you hear them the other day, I think it's a little late for her to be wearing white." Hank laughed heartily as Jane shook her head, stifling her own giggles until they had closed the front door.

By the time they had left the outskirts of LA, Dawn was fast asleep in the back and Buffy had given up finding anything decent on the radio. Sidling a little closer to Spike, she leant her head against his arm and snuggled into it. Spike kept his eyes fixed on the road, concentrating on getting them home in one piece. The weather had turned nasty, torrents of rain were coming down and they could barely see the road.

"Spike." Buffy yawned slightly and watched the headlamps illuminate the rain.

"Yeah, love?" He put one hand on her knee and kept the other tight on the steering wheel.

Struggling with her emotions, Buffy tried to get the words to form on her lips but failed miserably. She was starting to get annoyed at herself now, she wanted more than anything to be able to tell Spike how she felt about him. It was getting to the point now where she felt she would never be able to tell him.

"Do you wanna go down the Bronze tomorrow?" She waited for his answer but there was none. "You know, like a date?"

Spike perked up on hearing those words, they were the second most reassuring thing she could have said to him, a sign that she really wanted this to continue back home as much as he did.

"Sounds divine. Suppose the scoobies will be there?"

"Suppose. Giles won't be there, he complains about what we term music, say's it's nothing more than noise and dancing is frivolous." Buffy smiled at him as he chuckled softly.

"Just keep Harris away from me."

Silence descended in the car and for a few miles Buffy stared out at the rain. Spike kept thinking through what he could say to her, he couldn't quite tell how they were going to work back home, was their relationship going to be public knowledge or was he about to become her little secret.

"Pet?" Spike gave her a quick look, she turned her head towards him and he noticed her eyes were wide with expectation. "In Sunny-D, are we…is this…bugger it, what I'm trying to say is, is what we have going to be public?"

"Spike, after all we've been through…" Buffy put her hand on his knee and looked down at her ring; it was twinkling at her and it made her smile wide. "…We're definitely going public."

As Spike grinned, Buffy felt her insides warm up to boiling point. Making him smile gave her a happy that she couldn't explain, it was like if she managed to make him smile then it made her happy in return.

Slipping under his arm, she settled herself against his chest and watched him driving. Spike looked down at Buffy and then back up at the road, consciously slowing down a notch so he didn't endanger his two girls. Keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead, he dipped his head and kissed her hair, causing Buffy to sigh.


As they passed a sign stating that Sunnydale was now only twenty miles away, Spike looked down at Buffy. Her eyes were closed and her lips were parted slightly, he could hear her soft snoring. Spike couldn't blame her for wanting to sleep, after the days exertions he was tired too. He wondered again whether they would be sleeping together tonight.


Buffy awoke when they entered the boundary of Sunnydale and groaned as they passed familiar landmarks that told her they were back home. Slipping out from under Spike's arm, she leant over the seat and prodded Dawn into life.

Yawning wide, Dawn peered out of the window into the storm cloud filled night that was threatening heavy rain. "Great. Welcome to Sunnydale."

Buffy tried to giggle but the oppressive weight of being home and her longing to be back in LA was getting her down. Noticing that she wasn't faring so well, Spike slowed down a little as he turned the corner and neared the house.

The seconds seemed to be passing like hours to Buffy, she didn't want to be home and all she could hope for now was a quiet night before the storm of telling her friends about Spike and their new relationship.

Staring down at the ring that adorned her finger, Buffy heaved a sigh and didn't notice Spike turning into the driveway.

"Bollocks." Spike growled.

Buffy's head shot up and she whined as she saw Giles' BMW parked in her drive, the lights in the house were all on.

All three of them sat stock still in the car, Dawn heaved the longest sigh of her life and Buffy slipped her fingers into Spike's as she looked up at him, he was staring at the house. Following his gaze, Buffy watched people moving around inside, as far as she could make out the whole gang was there waiting for them. Either they had really missed them or someone had tipped them off about what had happened.

Leaning over to him, Buffy kissed Spike tenderly on his cheek and patted his hand.

"I'll deal with this. Unpack the car with Dawn, okay?"

"Buffy…" Spike went to speak but found her finger pressed to his lips.

"I'm not losing you." As she echoed her nightmare to him, Spike nodded in understanding and thought that prophetic dreams seemed to be more of a nuisance than a help to the Slayer.

"I'm so coming with you." Dawn was out of the car before Buffy could protest.

Watching them walking up the path towards the house, Spike pulled a cigarette from the crushed pack in his back pocket and lit it up. Looking up at the house, he saw Buffy turn before walking through the door, she blew him a little kiss and he smiled over her attempt to reassure him.

As he rested against the wing of his car, Spike leant his head back and took a long steadying drag of his cigarette. Staring at the heavy black rain clouds overhead he sighed out the blue-grey smoke and let his shoulders sag as the first noises from the house drifted to his ears, Buffy had intentionally left the door open.

Walking into the house, Buffy stopped just short of entering the living room, in front of her stood her friends, all lined up and not looking like they were there because they'd missed her.

"Hey guys." Buffy flipped her hair and kept her voice casual, if they were there for an intervention she would know soon enough but she wanted them to be the first to make a move.

Dawn came to stand beside Buffy, her arms folded and face echoing her resolve--no one was parting her sister from Spike.

Buffy stared at them, forcing her body language to look relaxed even though her stomach kept flipping and dancing like there were butterflies in it. Xander, Giles, Willow, Tara and Anya stared back at her.

"Miss me?" Buffy asked nonchalantly, pretending she didn't know why they were there.

"We had a phone call, while we were in England." Giles pulled his glasses off his nose and bought them down to the cleaning cloth her held.

"Angel." Buffy stated it flatly, her arms automatically folding across her chest; she should have guessed it would have been him.

"He sounded concerned, mentioned you and Spike were in LA together along with Dawn."

"We were visiting our father, it was hardly an apocalypse. Spike came along because we asked him to." She decided it was best to avoid the whole thing about Dawn telling her father that she and Spike were romantically involved.

"He said you weren't yourself." Giles placed his glasses back on his nose and gave her a hard look, as though he was scrutinising her.

"I was so myself, I can't believe this. Angel didn't like what he saw, that's all, it has nothing to do with him anyway, he decided that a long time ago." Buffy felt her temperature go up and the volcano in her stomach quashed her butterflies.

"Where is Spike?" Giles carried on, keeping his voice cool in the face of Buffy's growing animosity.

"He's outside, he doesn't have to deal with this." Buffy replied sharply, she was starting to get a little sick of these interventions.

"Buff, it was one thing to let the bleached wonder live with you, but playing boyfriend and girlfriend in LA?" Xander took a step forwards and looked towards Willow for back up, he instantly regretted it when she shook her head in the negative.

"Is Angel here?" Caught off guard by memories of her nightmare, Buffy looked around the room, expecting him to appear. When he didn't she realised everyone was now looking even more confused.

Stepping through the door with their suitcases, Spike paused and looked at the scene before him. The scoobies were in the living room on one side of the line and Buffy was on the other side with Dawn. Spike shook his head and frowned at Giles as he caught his eye.

"I think you should leave." Xander's expression became hard as he looked at Spike, who shrugged at him.

"Listen to the big man, afraid it isn't your place to decide, boy." Spike sucked his cheeks into a cocky smirk before carrying on up the stairs.

As Xander went to open his mouth again Buffy's anger passed it's boiling point, not only were people telling her what to do, but now they thought they ran her house too.

"That's it!" Buffy ground out and let her brows knit into a frown. "I have had it with this crap. It's not your house; it's none of your damn business who stays here. Spike pays rent and I want him here, therefore he is staying."

Dawn took a step closer to her sister and set her jaw tight, eyes narrowing on the scoobies opposite her.

"Who stays here is up to us. Who Buffy chooses to see is up to her. I think you should all back off now, before things get nasty."

Xander looked a little shocked over seeing Dawn on the side of Spike, what was worse was hearing her confirm that Buffy had been going out with Spike. Giles took a step towards Buffy but she held her hand up and stopped him in his tracks.

Spike rounded the bottom of the stairs again and tried to remain impartial, this wasn't his fight but if Buffy needed backup, he was going to be there for her.

Standing there looking at her friends, Buffy felt nauseous with anger, she knew that it was always going to go down like this but she hadn't expected it so soon. Her dream kept coming back to haunt her and it was making her uneasy.

"We just want to see you happy, Buffy." Giles gave her a soft look but the one she returned could've melted ice.

"Happy?" Buffy's voice gained an octave as she waved her arms around. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe I am happy, did you even think to stop and ask? Do I look upset? I'm happy okay, deal with it. H-a-p-p-y!"

The room stared at her; right now, she looked more than upset.

"She's happy okay, I was there in LA and I saw her. For two weeks she was the happiest I've seen her in a long time, all smiling goodness and laughing. Now look at what you've done. Why can't you all just leave her alone?" Dawn frowned at them all, letting them know just how badly they had overstepped the mark.

"Buffy, we only want what's best for you." Giles took another step towards her but stopped when he saw Spike shake his head as he leant against the wall with his arms folded.

"Since when did you get to decide what's best for me? I'm the only one who gets to make that decision, I'm sorry I can't be the perfect little Slayer that you always wanted me to be, I'm sorry I make mistakes and spend time living life, having a life. This is me, guys, this is my life and I'm the only person who has the right to make decisions about it. You think this is making me happy. You think this is what's best for me, trying to separate me from Spike? Try, I dare you to and you'll find out exactly what a Slayer is made of."

"Whatever you think you feel for…" Giles started in earnest but was cut off by Spike.

"Hey!" He pushed off from the wall and set his sights on Giles, his brows knit tightly.

"Spike, back down." Buffy ground out as she turned to face him, her expression sorry for having to tell him to stop.

Spike nodded and half smiled, knowing that she was just exerting her authority for show.

"I can't listen to anymore of this, you all claim to be my friends and then you do something like this? I know what I'm doing."

"You sure of that, because from here Buff…" Xander folded his arms and stared hard at her.

Buffy felt her calm edge leave her again; it was all she could do to keep from hitting them.

"We just want to help." Giles gave her a gentle look and it only made things worse.

"Help?" Buffy looked incredulous. "This is meant to be helping me? Doing this, trying to wreck what I have because it doesn't fit your perfect little vision of what Buffy should be, I'm not a fucking saint, Giles, and I'm certainly not going to let you turn me into some martyr of your own damn cause. You don't like what you see, then shut your fucking eyes because no one, I mean no one, is making Spike leave me. You all stand there telling me what's best for me, look at your own lives for once and get your nose out of mine. You all want me to be happy, how happy will I be when you've forced Spike out of the door, when you take away the one person I need, when you separate me from the man that I love."

Buffy froze, it had come out so easily in the heat of the argument. The room descended into silence as her friends stared at her, shocked over the words that had just escaped her lips, three seconds later they all turned to look at each other and the room was filled with the din of their voices.

Dawn smiled at Buffy as she looked at her and then down at the ring on her finger again, her face colouring slightly with shyness.

Spike blinked in disbelief, his whole body felt flushed and his stomach was flipping so much it made him feel sick. She'd said it, not only had she said it but she'd shouted it at her friends, she really loved him and now everyone knew.

Turning around to face Spike, Buffy found him looking at her with sparkling eyes and she felt like she was his whole world. Taking a deep calming breath, she moved slowly towards him, passing by Dawn and trying to ignore the sound of her friends arguing.

"Shut up!" Dawn ground out from between clenched teeth and the room was quiet once more, she turned with a smile to watch her sister and Spike.

Spike looked down at Buffy as she approached, his face softening into a tender look and his head tilting to one side.

"Say that again." His voice was gentle and coaxing as she reached him.

Buffy slowly slipped her arms around Spike's neck and ran her fingers into the hair on the back of his head. Looking deeply into his eyes, she smiled up at him and felt her nervousness drift away when he smiled warmly in return.

"I love you." Pulling him down to her, Buffy kissed him softly and her stomach flip-flopped as his arms held her tightly against him.

Buffy woke up on the couch the next day and tried to stretch some of her stiffness out of her. Last night had been long, arriving home at the small hours to find her friends confronting her about her relationship with Spike was bad enough, the talking that had gone on for several hours afterwards had drained her.

Looking around the room, she yawned and plodded into the kitchen. There was no sign of Spike, the little clock on the oven told her it was gone two in the afternoon and she surmised he was probably sleeping. There had been a lot of explaining last night, Dawn had put everyone in their place and Spike had sat by her through it all, Buffy smiled at that.

"Hey." Dawn bounced into the kitchen with a wide smile, Buffy was jealous of the sleep she had obviously gotten.

"Hey." Buffy filled the coffee maker and flicked the switch on, yawning again.

"Didn't get much sleep huh? I so couldn't sit there listening to them anymore, forgive me for going to bed?" Dawn pulled her sister into a hug and Buffy nodded.

"It wasn't so bad. Once they realised that they couldn't do anything to stop me they just started giving up. It was my resolve face, always works."

"How's Spike?" Dawn sat by the island and poured some cereal into a bowl, watching her sister closely.

"Good…I think…" She looked awkward as she sat down by Dawn.

"You think?"

"Yeah, I um, fell asleep on the couch." Buffy looked sheepish, she'd meant to go to bed at the same time as Spike last night but Giles had kept her talking until gone seven in the morning, by which time she was too tired to make it up the stairs.

"Oh. Well, he's snoring up a storm in his room so I'm guessing he's good." Dawn touched her sister's hand and smiled at the little ring that still adorned her finger.

"Best let him sleep, hell of a night last night." She yawned again and it turned into a sigh.

"What happened after I left?"

Buffy smiled at her sister, she was leaning forwards slightly with an attentive look on her face, eager to hear the details of her sister's big 'I'm in love with a vampire' night.

"Not much…oh my god, but Xander noticed my plaster, stupid Xander. He was all 'what's wrong with your neck' and bloody Spike flinched, it was like Xander saw it and just swooped down for the kill."

"Jesus, can't he just get over you? It's like, no one but him can have you."

"Nu-huh…" Buffy giggled, suddenly feeling like she was Dawn's age. "Once you like Buffy, there's no going back. He didn't rag on Spike that much, not after I told him I initiated it."

"You never did tell me what happened." Dawn nudged her slightly.

Buffy poured herself a large cup of coffee and topped it up with cold water so she could drink it faster, looking at her sister she decided that she was going to find out eventually so she may as well tell her.

"It was the hot tub. I promised Spike that if he behaved himself at the party dad was having that he would get a taste of me."

"In the hot tub? Wow, that's…hot." Dawn smiled dreamily and Buffy rolled her eyes.

"You are so not going near any vampires." Buffy gave her a look that meant business.

"Hey, was just fantasising, girls allowed a fantasy isn't she?" Dawn pouted at her.

"Not until you're 21." Buffy replied flatly, and then started giggling.

"You sound like Spike, telling me I'm never allowed to date."

"Spike told you that you couldn't date?" Smiling wide at the thought of a combination of her and Spike telling Dawn what to do, Buffy raised her eyebrows at her sister. "Well, he does have a point."

"Hey…you're meant to be on my side."

"Sorry, it's just, when a guy with a hundred and twenty years more experience than you decides that you wanting to date is a bad thing, I think you should listen."

"You're just saying that because he's your boyfriend. Besides, he only said it because I figured I could date someone who was like eight years older than me, since that's the age gap between you two." Dawn grinned and then added. "In mortal years of course or possibly mental age."

Buffy's smile dropped off her face. "You are so not dating guys who are eight years older than you. In fact, I happen to agree with Spike, no dating."

Dawn let her mouth fall open and then closed it into a pout, which rapidly turned into a mischievous look.

"I already have a man in my life." She grinned and watched Buffy frown. "He's sweet, adorable, said he'd get a tattoo of my name if I got him drunk…trouble is…"

"What?"

"He's in love with my sister." Dawn giggled as she saw Buffy roll her eyes.

"He loves you too, just, and may I say thank god, not in the way he loves me."

"Yeah, I've heard the way he loves you…"

"Dawn!" Buffy's eyes widened in shock, her face turning a bright shade of red as she remembered what Spike and her had got up to yesterday and how loud she'd been.

"Sorry…I was in the kitchen fixing a drink. You think I want to hear that? Oh god…you guys are gonna like do it all over the house. Ewww."

"I've had all I can stand. I need to get some sleep, coming to the Bronze later?" Buffy made a fast exit towards the door, her cheeks burning up over the fact she couldn't deny her sister's fear.

"Don't think you can buy me with nights out at the Bronze! Just, please don't do it in the kitchen…and keep away from my room." Dawn hollered after her as she heard her sister running up the stairs, listening to Buffy's door slam shut, she giggled.

Having slept the afternoon away, Buffy showered and was now unpacking all of her suitcases. The sun had just set and the weather was oppressively muggy after last night's storm. Rifling through her bags, she came across the little summer dress that Spike had picked out when they were in the mall in LA.

Holding it against herself and looking in the mirror, she smiled wide. Discarding her bathrobe, she slipped into the flimsy dress and twirled in front of the mirror, Spike had been right after all, it really did show off her ass.

Make up applied and hair tied up so just two long strands framed her face. Buffy smoothed the dress down and did a little hop, tonight was going to be hell but Spike's reaction to her dress would make it all seem a little better.

Bouncing out into the hallway she headed straight for his room, knocking on the door she listened for signs of him being awake. A frowned crossed her face when he didn't answer her.

"Spike?" Buffy rapped her knuckles against the door again and waited.

Pushing the door open she found it empty, a small bubble of panic rose in her stomach and she scoured the room for signs that he was just out.

Dawn found Buffy pulling the drawers open in Spike's room and shook her head.

"He'll kill you if you go through his stuff." Dawn folded her arms and leant against the doorframe. "He told me to tell you that he'll meet you down the Bronze, said he need a few drinks before the festivities kicked off."

"Oh. I knew that, I didn't think he was gone or anything." Buffy pushed the drawer behind her shut and smiled awkwardly.

"Right. Come on or they'll be there before us and I don't think Spike could handle that."

Turning and walking down the stairs, Dawn smiled as her sister came bounding down after her.

"Oh, and just so you know. You look incredible. Don't let them get to you tonight, it's just you and him okay?" Dawned straightened Buffy's hair out and sighed.

Buffy nodded and tried to quell the nerves that had started to settle in her stomach.


Twenty minutes later and they were sitting at a table down the Bronze. It was still early and the room was almost empty, they were playing slow tunes until the evening crowd appeared. Spike seemed to have taken residency at the bar.

Buffy watched him as he sat there; he was knocking back bourbon like tomorrow wasn't coming.

Looking down at the ring on her finger she sighed, hoping that her friends wouldn't cause a scene tonight and that Spike would come over soon. She really wanted to see his reaction to the dress again.

Taking a deep breath she decided she couldn't wait any longer, she reached over and touched Dawn's hand, giving her a warm smile before pushing away from the table. Dawn grinned as she watched her heading straight for Spike.

Spike looked up as she approached, she was wearing the tiny summer dress that he'd chosen and she looked amazing. He could see his bite mark clearly on her neck and it reassured him to know that she wasn't going to try and cover it in anyway, it was there for all to see, human and vampire alike. She was his.

As she slipped her fingers into his, Spike grinned at her and licked his teeth, Buffy flicked her hair slightly and gave him a coy smile.

"Dance?" She looked deep into his eyes as a slow tune came on.

Spike nodded and let her pull him off his stool and walk him over to the dance floor. He was still staring at the dress, the dim blue light of the Bronze accentuated her curves and the little spots of light that arced across the room from the mirror balls kept drawing her attention to her chest.

"Hey, up here?" Buffy raised his chin and he growled softly as he pulled her flush against him, his arm encircling his waist and his hand settling on her backside.

Spike smiled wickedly into her eyes and clasped her hand in his, remembering when they had been down the club in LA and she'd mentioned slow dancing down the Bronze.

Sighing as he pulled her close to him, Buffy kept her eyes locked with his and quietly noted the arrival of her friends, greeting them could come later, right now she needed to be with Spike.

'til my body is dust
'til my soul is no more
I will love you, love you

'til the sun starts to cry
And the moon turns to rust
I will love you, love you

Buffy clasped his hand a little tighter as she pulled him in for a kiss. It was soft and tender. Spike let his lips barely brush against hers as they danced in slow circles around the other couples on the dance floor.

But I need to know - will you stay for all
Time…forever and a day
Then I'll give my heart 'til the end of all
Time…forever and a day

"Forever and a day love. Never letting you go." Spike cupped her cheek gently and sighed when she leant into it.

"You know I tried to tell you so many times, but the words kept getting stuck in my throat."

"I know pet, you did manage to get as far as saying 'Love' and mouthing it those three perfect words." He grinned wide and shook his head; she looked shocked at first but then shook her head too as she giggled at herself.

"Spike?" She took a deep breath and smiled warmly.

"Yes love?" Spike felt giddy over the prospect of hearing her say it again, it was taking a lot of getting used to.

"Spike…I love you, I love being with you, love living with you, love sleeping next to you at night, love how me, you and Dawn are like a family, love how you know all the right things to say, love how you know what to do to make me smile, love everything about you…but…" Buffy paused and listened to the music in the background.

And I need to know - will you stay for all
Time…forever and a day
Then I'll give my heart 'til the end of all
Time…forever and a day

"But?" Spike frowned at her; he'd been enjoying how wonderful he was in her eyes up until that point.

"We have a problem." Buffy sighed up at him and watched his face fall.

"Problem?" Spike swallowed hard, there wasn't meant to be a problem, everything was suddenly perfect and now there was a problem?

"Dad called…wants to know when you're marrying me." Buffy's face cracked into a wide smile and she giggled.

"I told you…said how about Friday, nice little church but no…Buffy doesn't want a shotgun wedding." Spike chuckled at her then turned his look serious and arched a brow. "Lets just say, apocalypses notwithstanding, if you've been a good girl this year maybe Santa will bring you something shiny, gold and eternal."

Buffy felt like she'd just been thrown into a volcano, she was burning up inside, twice he'd joked about marrying her, was he really being serious now? She knew he would love to marry her and something deep inside her was now feeling the same way. But marrying a vampire, a vampire marrying the Slayer, surely there was a prophecy about this kind of thing--end-of-the-world-tastic. Buffy suddenly realised she didn't care, apocalypses came and she defeated them every time, if they caused an apocalypse then they'd avert it, like a bizarre husband and wife team. She shook her head and frowned up at him, she was starting to get a headache.

"Seriously?" She searched his eyes and he didn't falter under scrutiny.

Spike smiled warmly at her, unsure of whether she found the idea acceptable or not.

"Only if you play this little ditty at the reception, better that than 'Wind beneath my wings'." Spike chuckled at her and she boxed his arm playfully.

Buffy pouted up at him. "Dad still thinks we're engaged."

"So let him…I love you, you love me…" Spike paused and grinned foolishly over Buffy loving him, she slapped his arm to bring him back to reality and he rubbed at it. "Certainly feels like I'm engaged, weird thing for a vampire to feel…but feels…nice."

"Doesn't it?" Buffy wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him, she must be mad, what she was about to say was going to prove the theory that love is crazy. "How about we are, it can be our wicked little secret, I'm sure you'd love thinking about it when Xander gets hold of you."

Spike looked over towards the table where her friends were staring at them, Xander still looked shocked, annoyed and sick all rolled into one--it was glorious.

"So, just carry on like we have for the past week, engaged on the sly, I like that…" Spike stared at the ceiling dreamily then grinned. "Can I tell Angel?"

"Spike, the point of being secretly engaged is that it's supposed to be a secret." Buffy groused at him and was thankful he didn't know how to contact Angel, although she wouldn't put it past him to drive all the way to LA just to tell him to his face.

"Right, but if we ever tell people…let me tell him, he's my grandsire after all…" Spike grinned and kissed down her neck to where her scar was; he knew he was pushing his luck.

Buffy caught his cheek and bought her to face him, her anger melting away as he smiled at her warmly, she rolled her eyes then shook her head in resignation.

"Fine, but only when we're telling people and not before then. Don't want another scene like yesterday." Buffy pouted and watched Spike suck his cheeks into a smile, his eyes twinkling at the thought of telling Angel he was engaged to his former girl.

"I love you Buffy, promise I won't tell, however tempting it gets." Spike ran his fingers down her cheek.

"Love you too, now come here and show me how much you love me." Buffy giggled and he growled, his brow arching as he set his sights on her lips.

Kissing her deeply, Spike wrapped his arms tightly around her and lifted her up. Buffy's body hummed at the thought of being held tightly in Spike's strong arms tonight, and tomorrow night and every night after that. She gave Spike a high beam smile as she realised why she felt so good, Spike's arms were home to her now, she was home and she was never going to let him go.

'til the storms fill my eyes
And we touch the last time
I will love you, love you…

~*~ end ~*~