Buffy sipped her icy frappuccino through a straw and readjusted the books she clasped to her chest. Psychology lessons were getting heavy on the literature.

She let her thoughts slip to the long lazy days of summer she had enjoyed back home in LA, now it was nearing the middle of November and Buffy got the feeling this would be the last warm day in a long time. In her first university year with Willow over in England she hadn't been prepared for the long winter that the country suffered. The only time Buffy had known minus figures on the centigrade scale was on skiing trips with Angel and her family, they seemed to be a regular occurrence over here.

Now she made the most of every warm pleasant day that Oxford had to offer, knowing that anytime she could find it raining for weeks on end. Turning to face Willow she watched her friend taking in the view of the open stretch of grass that ran along side the gravel broadwalk of Christchurch park.

"You wanna sit for a while Buffy? We've got the rest of the afternoon free."

"Sure, too nice a day to waste on study." Buffy dropped her books to the grass then pressed her palm to the floor, checking for signs of damp.

When Willow sat down Buffy followed suit and sat Indian style on the floor, taking great pains to avoid getting grass stains on her new jeans.

"I only meant we should sit for a while, not that we shouldn't study. I know mid semester exams are a little way off but we both need to get more study time in." Willow smiled at her and could see that Buffy needed some down time.

"Oh." As she pulled the straw from her mouth a look of disappointment swept across her face. "But it's so nice out today, I just thought we could use the chance to relax like old times."

"This isn't high school Buffy. We really need to… oh my god Buffy is that Oz? It is Oz." An excited edge entered Willows voice as she turned to her friend.

"Who's Oz?" Buffys question was answered when Willow jumped up and pointed.

"Oz!!" She waved her hands frantically and shouted.

The man in question turned to face them, Buffy thought he had a vaguely familiar look about him as he stood there handing out blue flyers.

"You remember him Buffy, he went to our high school. Played down the Bronze with that band." Willow grinned down at her like a giddy schoolgirl and then turned her attention back to waving her hands at him. "Oz!"

He squinted at them both then smiled in recognition and started walking towards them.

"Willow Rosenberg?" Oz tucked his flyers into his bag. "It is you."

"Wow Oz, here. How?" Willow sounded a little breathless as she stood and fidgeted with her bag.

Buffy remained seated on the grass and sipped her drink. It was strange to see Willow so nervous around a guy they hardly knew.

"Yeah it's crazy. Moved here last year, met this guy and started a band." He dug into his bag and pulled out a flyer. "Zodiac, Friday, be there?"

Standing up Buffy took the flyer from him and looked at it. "Zero?"

"It's profound." Oz nodded his head.

"I'm sure it is." She sipped her drink and looked as indifferent as possible.

"Oh Oz, you remember Buffy, Buffy Summers?" Willow had started to pick at the corner of her bag, fraying it even more.

"Sure. You always hung out together with that Xander guy. He here?" Oz wore his usual placid look as he turned back to Willow.

"No! He's um, back in Sunnydale."

"Too bad."

Buffy smiled inwardly, Willow had sounded so defensive. She knew that Willow and Xander had been going through a rough patch, Willow had mentioned how bad the summer had been when they were on the plane. When her friend had told her she had lost faith in long distance relationships ever working out it had got Buffy thinking about Angel. Still, he had promised to be around in LA at Christmas break and that he'd come visit next year. But suddenly she felt a chill run through her.

"Will, I'm going to take a walk, I'm feeling a little off." She smiled and hugged her friend, feeling like the fifth wheel it was better that she left them alone to catch up.

"See you Friday?" Oz smiled at her.

"Sure." Gathering up her books she headed off up the broadwalk.

Buffy took to walking through the park and letting her feet wander wherever her mind lead them. Listening to the gravel scrunching underfoot she did a circuit of the parks perimeter, following the little tributary river that ran under the now barren trees, leading her feet to the Thames.

On reaching the bank of the wide river she found a bench to settle on and watched people walking past, groups of friends laughing in the fading sunshine and couples feeding the ducks. A few swans looked at her with interest before moving on as soon as they realised she had nothing good to offer them.

Losing herself in thought as she watched the university boat teams rowing along the river she stared contemplatively at the still surface of the water, almost feeling the turbulent undercurrent hidden below. The narrow bows of the boats sliced the water, barely making a ripple before the splash of the oars that followed.

When she finally looked up she hadn't realised how dark it had become. Glancing at the bridge off to her right she saw the streetlights flickering on, turning from pink to orange as the bulbs warmed up.

Gathering her books Buffy stood and gave a quick look to the bench she had been resting on, seeing the flyer that Oz had given her sitting there. Picking it up she read it as she walked hurriedly towards the park gates. Willow was bound to want to go to the gig and that mean she would have to go with her, Buffy thought of a million things that she would rather do on a Friday night.


Running always cleared his head; he inhaled sharply as he hit the gravel hard underfoot. The light was fading fast and the air smelt like rain was coming, the comforting scent of damp earth, like after a thunderstorm - he'd always loved that smell.

Slipping on his earphones as he ran it was a race to make a couple of laps of the park before the gates closed and he was trapped. Spike liked that feeling, racing against more than just the clock. He could easily run the streets but it thrilled him to run hard and fast for the sake of freedom.

Levelling out his breathing as his pace quickened he wondered if he could fit three laps in tonight. It was near dark already and at this time of evening it was usually empty, so the paths should be free of obstacles.

He watched the trees that lined the avenue to the river pass him quickly and turned the volume up a notch, nothing like running and punk to make you feel alive.

Rounding the corner he had settled into his stride and was moving swiftly along the path. Struck for a moment at the sight of the moon rising over the river Spike turned blindly onto the broadwalk.


And that's when he hit her, without warning Buffys reverie over a good Friday night in was rudely interrupted by Spike knocking her to the ground.

She landed awkwardly and felt a jolt run up her spine as pain exploded in her ankle. There was damp coming through the backside of her jeans and she struggled to sit up.

"Bloody hell, you alright?" A hand was in her face, offering to help her up. Buffy squinted in the half-light and followed the arm up to its owner but couldn't make anything out. Letting her eyes fall back to the ground she looked at his legs, they were good legs.

Deciding it was best to help herself up Buffy felt pain shoot up her shin as she tried to put weight on her ankle. It was killing her as she hobbled to the nearest bench.

"No thanks to you. That's for sure." She watched him like a hawk as he collected her books off the ground and paused to read the flyer.

"Said I was sorry didn't I?" He placed the books down beside her and watched as she rubbed her ankle, face screwed up in pain and golden hair reflecting the pale moonlight.

Keeping her face hidden from him she was struck by his accented tones, he seemed to manage to put such a force of emotion into every word and something about his accent made her head spin. She told herself it was purely because she so rarely heard it, most of her friends and tutors were American or from other European countries - she hardly knew any English people at all at college.

"Here." Kneeling in front of her Spike slipped her trainer off.

Buffy couldn't bring herself to protest as he seemed genuinely sorry and she felt guilty since she hadn't been looking where she was going either. Feeling like she was in a daze Buffy looked him over.

He was dressed in dark shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt she let her eyes roam over his lean arm muscles. They danced under his tight pale skin as he worked to massage her ankle; whatever he was doing it felt good.

When he looked up at her she took in the angles of his face. His hair looked blond but more so than hers, it was gelled but messy like he had just got out of bed, little waves fell down onto his forehead and she could see dark roots showing. A fine sheen of sweat caused his high sculptured cheekbones to glisten in the moonlight and his whole face softened as he smiled up at her.

"I think you're alright now." Slipping her trainer back on Spike stood up and stretched his legs, all the while keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the girl. Her figure was slim but well toned, she had a pretty face with large eyes and glossy red lips that smiled up at him as he watched her.

"Best be off. They close the gates soon, you'd better hurry unless you want to be stuck in here all night with the nasties." He sniffed as he stretched one last time and then started off at a sprint.

Buffy sat there for a few minutes staring in the direction he had run, then looked at her watch. 7:25pm.

"Willow!" Buffy scrambled her stuff together and started home.

Pushing the door open Buffy threw her books down onto her desk and sighed.

"Buffy what happened?" Willow shot up from her chair with a look of concern.

Looking down at her jeans Buffy sighed again, all up her left leg and across her buttocks was yellow mud. "Just great."

She peeled them off and took up the skirt that had been draped over the back of her chair. Slipping it on she sat down on the edge of her bed.

"You've been gone for ages, I was worried and now you come back all messed up and limpy." Willow sat opposite her and waited for an answer.

"Ran into some guy, actually he ran into me but it was dark and I wasn't looking where I was going. Knocked me flat on my ass." Buffy pulled her muddied trainers off and slung them to one side.

"Are you alright?" Willow watched her friend rubbing her ankle.

"Yeah. Said he was sorry, rubbed my ankle then ran off."

Willow smiled at the dazed look on Buffys face. "Must have been memorable."

"Traumatic. Enough about me, how's Oz?" Changing the subject Buffy listened intently to Willow rambling on about Oz and found herself wondering if her mystery man had made it out of the park before the gates closed.


"Yay weekend." Buffy smiled as she walked out of class and into the hall with Willow.

"We are going tonight?" Willow looked anxious as she asked for the millionth time.

"Yes. It doesn't start for three hours so I'm figuring food, get ready and go." She had actually started looking forward to going out, any excuse for not having to study on a Friday night was like heaven. She giggled and slipped her arm through Willows as they headed to the cafeteria.

Back in their room an hour later and Buffy was dismissing everything she had in her wardrobe.

"What are you wearing Will?" Buffy had on her favourite black leather trousers but couldn't decide on what top to wear.

"Um, this?" Willow held her arms out and Buffy looked her over, she was wearing a long patchy purple skirt and a little black lace up top with long flared sleeves.

"No fair, I have nothing that suits this place. We have to go shopping before we go to see Oz's band again. What about this?" Buffy pulled a pale blue baby doll top out of the wardrobe and held it up to herself.

Willow smiled at the sight of it. "Buffy, it's been ages since you wore your 'kitten' top."

Buffy looked at the writing on the front, it was made up of little diamante studs. "Feeling kitteny tonight I guess." She slipped it on and looked in the mirror.

As she was applying her make up Willow put some music on and Buffy recognised it as Oz's old band. "You sly thing you."

"What?" Willow tried to act the innocent.

"You had that all along. I remember these guys, used to do some great tunes you could dance to." Buffy finished applying her lip-gloss and puckered up her lips. "We better be going soon."


Standing outside the venue Buffy and Willow looked up both directions of the long straight road, it didn't seem to be the friendliest of neighbourhoods and they had to walk at least half a mile to get back to the bus stop after the gig. They headed upstairs and stopped at the doors, they were black with a round blue glass window in each one. As someone walked out the volume of the music hit them like a tidal wave and then faded as the door closed again, Buffy felt like she had stuck her fingers in her ears.

"Ready?" Willow look at Buffy.

"Not like the Bronze is it?" Buffy smiled and peered in the window at the close-knit crowd that was bouncing in time with the music. "Just don't lose me in there."

Grabbing each other's hand they pulled the doors open and looked around, it was dark, loud and disorientating. Willow pointed to a gap and they headed in that direction coming out in a room that was partitioned off from the main floor.

"Ooh bar!" Willow smiled and dragged Buffy towards it. "Drink?"

"Water." Buffy shouted over the noise and it suddenly died down, her face flushed red with embarrassment.

Willow returned with two bottles of water and pulled Buffy to one side. "I'm going to find the little girls room, stay put so I can find you."

"Okay." Buffy smiled and sipped her water.

Looking around she noted that the people occupying the room were a real mixture of all ages and all styles of dress, including some real satanic types that Buffy decided it was best to avoid. Shuffling closer to the bar she found a spot that wasn't as busy and kept her eyes open for a sign of Willow.

Buffy felt like she had been standing there for an eternity and was starting to feel a little edgy, guys kept pushing past her to get to the bar. Her temper was starting to fray and she was feeling like a pinball as she was shunted from side to side.

Just as some girl pushed past in front of her Buffy felt her left arm hit something warm and solid, then it became suddenly cold and damp. She grit her teeth and turned to see her left shoulder stained with beer. Sighing she looked up at the owner of the offending drink and felt exasperated.

"You!" They said in unison, echoing each other's disbelief.

"Can't you find someone else to pick on, you're stalking me! You read the flyer that night and figured I would be here. Pig." Buffy looked up at him with disgust and her blond runner just chuckled in return, it was the most infuriating noise Buffy had ever heard.

"Don't flatter yourself princess. You're the one who doesn't fit in here." Spike snorted and took a drag of his cigarette, frowning and narrowing his eyes as he looked over the crowd towards the stage.

Buffy wondered what happened to the nice guy she had met two nights ago as she looked up at him, head to toe in black and a sardonic look on his face. He was like Billy Idol on steroids.

"Kitten." Spike had turned back to face her and arched a brow as he read her top.

Buffy felt uncomfortable at the seductive tone his voice had gained and the way he had narrowed his eyes as they settled on hers. In blind panic she tipped the contents of her ice-cold water bottle over his head and forced her way through the crowd towards what she hoped was the bathroom. She could hear him swearing loudly as the crowd laughed at him.

Safe in the girls toilet Buffy grabbed a handful of paper towels and wetted them, dabbing at her t-shirt sleeve in an attempt to get the beer out.

"Buffy? What happened?" Willow came rushing up to her. "I was outside and Oz said he saw you coming in here."

Buffy showed her the mess on her top. "I had another run in with the mystery guy that knocked me on my ass, only this time he wasn't so nice. I don't know what came over me, I chucked my water over him."

"Oh Buffy, do you want to go?" Willow had that hopeful look on her face that Buffy couldn't deny.

"No Will, I'll be fine so long as we manage to avoid him." She finished trying to get the beer out of her top and listened to the band gearing up on stage. "We'd better get out there and show support for Oz."

Willow grabbed Buffys arm and bounced towards the door. Pushing through the crowd they settled near the air conditioning outlet, the room was getting stuffy as the band set up in darkness.

"So, you never told me what this mystery guy looks like." Willow tugged on Buffys hand and scoured the crowd.

"Well, he's bleach blond and looks like Billy Idols evil twin." Buffy looked but couldn't see him anywhere in the dark room, suddenly bright white lights lit the stage and she looked up at it.

"I can't see him in the crowd." Willow smiled at Buffy whose jaw was about to drop to the floor.

"That's because he's not in the crowd."

Willow followed Buffys gaze to the man up on stage, black guitar hanging around his shoulders he was looking tentatively at the microphone and grinning.

"If I electrocute myself at least give me an applause. Some pretty little thing decided that I needed a good hosing down, we don't usually do covers but this one's my revenge." Spike smiled in Buffys direction and then looked to Oz.

Willow gave a shocked look to Buffy who responded by shrugging her shoulders. The band started up and she felt her eyes drawn back to him.

He was stood under a white light that made him void of colour, it was like he was in a black and white movie. His hair was dripping as he closed his eyes, Buffy thought he looked absorbed in the music. It was building momentum into a poppy sounding rock tune. She was dreading hearing what he was about to sing and as he opened his mouth she felt her sense of alarm validated.

Drags me round all day just like a ball
on a chain or a tooth pain when I confess...
I'm just a mess.

The crowd starting jumping up and down in time with the music as it exploded into a fast hard noise. She looked at him in disbelief, his face screwed up as he sung his lungs out with such a passion.

Do I have to take this shit from you every time I
look your way or say "HEY! It's about time
you show me yours and I'll show you mine"
and I hope you can keep that turd eating grin of yours
upon your face when you find that you're thrown to one side
'cos no-one likes a rotten roller coaster ride

'cos she's the kind of girl who'll take your heart
and leave you feeling worse than you did at the start
'cos she's a headfuck, my baby is a headfuck

Willow looked at Buffy with caution, she had expected to find her looking furious but Buffy looked like she had just been crushed and thrown to one side like the guy had sung.

Tugging on Buffys arm Willow mouthed at her "We can go if you want." But Buffy just shook her head and patted Willows shoulder.

She looked back up at Spike, he was looking at her with a grin on his face as he sung.

Putting all his effort into looking like he didn't care Spike felt a pang of guilt shoot through him as the pretty kitten he was currently offending actually looked upset. She was chewing on her lip and for a moment he actually felt like stopping the song mid way, instead he looked away from her and concentrated on the crowd.

You can try all week and still keep on waiting
it's a messed up, stressed out, loss situation where pearls
end up changing into headfuck girls

'cos she's the kind of girl who'll steal your smile
and chuck it over there on the rest of the pile
'cos she's a headfuck, my baby is a headfuck
headfuck me!

Playing out the rest of the tune Spike turned away from her and stood next to Oz. Buffy looked to Willow who was smiling at him as the song wound down and her insulter took the microphone up to introduce the next song.

Spike watched his kitten push her way through the crowd to the bar leaving the little red head she was with all alone and looking angrily at him.

Buffy remained seated near the bar for the rest of the set, listening to the lyrics of the tunes they had written themselves she realised their usual style was less insulting more romance and bad days orientated.

She headed back to find Willow as the hum of the last song faded away. She hadn't moved from where Buffy had left her.

"Sorry Will, just didn't want to be in the firing line." Buffy offered a consolatory bottle of water to her friend and she took it with a smile.

"That's okay, he looked pained when you stormed off and I gave him my best scowl." Willow looked triumphant.

"Thanks, I'm sure if he had any emotions he'd be hurt. He was so different the other day."

"Can we stick around for Oz? I know you won't want to go backstage but…" She looked hopeful again.

"Okay, just don't leave me alone." Buffy took a big gulp of water as she watched Oz coming down the steps towards them.

"Oz hey, you were amazing as usual." Willow beamed at him as he slipped his guitar off over his head.

"Thanks." He smiled warmly at her then pointed at Buffys stained shoulder. "What happened?"

"That would be me." Spike stood behind Oz with his guitar hanging limply by his side, smiling as Buffy turned her gaze to the floor.

"Pretty thing?" Oz pointed at Buffy.

"Oz!" Willow pouted at him then turned her attention to her mortified friend, but Spike was already there.

"Sorry about the song, you just royally pissed me off and I had to vent. No hard feelings?" He stuck his hands in his jeans pockets with an air of awkwardness and looked down at her, Buffy showed no signs of hearing him.

"You big jerk." Willow pounded his arm and pushed him backwards into Oz, she was astounded at her own strength.

"Feisty." Spike grinned at her as he bounced back and resumed his position in front of Buffy. "Your mates right, I'm a prick but I'm apologising on a one time basis only. Take it or leave it." He extended his hand to her.

Buffy stared at it for a moment like it was going to bite her and then gripped it tightly in hers, he responded by squeezing it tighter.

"Spike. The names Spike." He waited for a response from her.

"That's a name? I'm Buffy." She shot for sarcastic but didn't quite make it, he was hurting her and his hand was cold.

"You certainly are." Spike smirked at her and let go of her hand, leaving her standing there as he headed through the door that lead backstage.

When they finally left, Buffy was pleased that she had managed to avoid him, or had he skilfully managed to avoid her? He had spent most of the time lounging in an armchair in the corner with his guitar, strumming it and looking more than melancholy. On several occasions Buffy had wanted to go over to him and beat the reason why he was so depressed out of him. It pissed her off that he had the cheek to look so miserable when it had been her that had been insulted in front of everyone.

As Willow and Buffy stepped out into the chill night air Buffy looked up the street. There were drunks trying to stop cars and shouting abuse at them as they screeched past. Not feeling entirely safe Buffy turned to Willow and they headed towards the crossing.

"Wait, it's not safe." Spike caught Buffys arm and she looked at his offending hand.

Raising her face to his she saw real concern in his eyes and for the first time she noticed how blue they were, like clear summer skies.

"I'm sure we'll be fine." She looked defiant but Willow just looked scared.

"Look you can either accept my offer of a lift or try and get past those piss heads." Spike pointed at the guys who were now heckling a group of girls.

"I'd rather walk." Buffy turned away from him and started up the street with Willow.

"Bloody women." Sighing in frustration Spike deposited his guitar in the back of the van and then ran after them, slowing to a walk as he came along side them.

"What are you doing?" Buffy looked up at him and stopped, Willow was starting to think that maybe walking home alone was a bad idea.

"I'm walking." He folded his arms.

"Where?"

"Wherever you're heading." He frowned at her and Willow, noting that her friend looked like she preferred the idea of having him around.

"Fine, just to the bus stop." Buffy started up the road again but Spike decided that the other side of the road was safer and steered her in that direction.

Walking in silence she had to admit it did feel a lot safer with a bodyguard like Spike. As they neared the group of drunks Buffy noticed his fists clench up and his look turn predatory. He was like a coiled spring ready to explode at a moments notice but they managed to get past them without a hitch.

Spike warily strolled along with the girls, he was feeling intensely guilty for his earlier actions and was confused at how pissed off it made him that she thought walking home alone was a safe thing to do.

Nearing the bus stop he paused to look around, there was a bus coming up the road and he turned to the girls.

"See, nice and safe." Buffy smiled at him and he returned it.

"Best be off." He echoed his words from the other night.

"You lecture us and you're walking home?" Buffy looked incredulous as the bus pulled up besides them.

"Pfft. It's only a twenty minute walk, I missed my lift and I can't think how." He sniffed and looked at the bus, Willow was getting on but Buffy was staring blankly at him. "What?"

"You're a pig, but thanks." She gave him a high beam smile and stepped onto the bus.

"Anytime. See you around kitten." Spike turned and headed up the street, Buffy watched him as he adjusted his jacket collar so it protected his neck from the cold.

As the bus pulled past him Spike saw Buffy looking out the back window. He smiled to himself and crossed the road, it was turning out to be one crazy week.

Spike grumbled as he crossed the university quad, it was a week into December and the weather had turned bitter. He pulled his leather duster around him tightly and looked towards the door of the history wing.

Stopping dead in his tracks he was shocked to see Buffy pushing the door open and then looking up at the stars. It had been almost three weeks since he had walked her and the red head to the bus, during which time he had only managed to gleam information on her movements from Oz. Now here she was bouncing along the path towards him.

Buffy looked up to see Spike stood in the middle of the quad, at first thoughts of his stalking her polluted her mind but she quickly dismissed them on the grounds that stalkers didn't usually wait three weeks between watching their victims.

"Hi." She smiled up at him casually. "Been a while."

"Certainly has." He looked her over, she was wearing a thick roll neck sweater that was a slightly too sunny shade of purple and dark jeans. Her hair was up in a ponytail and he smiled at the sight of her eternally glossy red lips.

"How come you're here?" Buffy registered that he was checking her out but didn't bother to check him on it. She used the excuse to look him up and down. He had a long leather duster on and black shirt along with black jeans, a large pair of boots and his face looked softer than she remembered.

"I have a class."

"If you study here how come I don't see you during the day?" Buffy realised it came out sounding like she was a little too interested in him. "What are you, a vampire?"

"Missing me kitten?" Spike chuckled at her and grinned cockily.

"No. Just I've never seen you around campus."

"Looking around during the day you won't see me." He shifted the weight of his bag to his other shoulder as he watched her.

"Why?" She mentally kicked herself for sounding so inquisitive.

"I work pretty long hours, my masters degree is part time." He said it in a matter of fact way that made Buffy start to wonder just how old he was.

"You work?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she arched a brow.

"Such a bizarre concept? Bet you've never had to work, have you princess?"

Buffy decided to ignore his comment and tease him some more. "Do you work in HMV or Virgin?"

"Very funny, if you really want to know." Spike took a piece of paper from his bag and wrote something on it. "This address anytime before six in the pm. If you don't mind kitten, I'm going to be late."

Buffy watched him walk off then headed back to her dorm, she needed Willow.


"Help!" Groused Buffy as she threw her bag onto the bed.

"With what?" Willow looked up from painting her toenails and gave Buffy her best concerned look.

"Spike." She sat on the end of Willows bed and picked up the pot of nail varnish, it was a vivid blue that bought images of his eyes into her head.

"He's cool." Willow took that bottle from Buffys hand and started painting her toenails again.

"Intervene me before it's too late." She spoke hurriedly for fear of stopping halfway through the sentence and not being able to start again.

"Buffy I don't think you need intervention, you're being silly." Willow giggled at how wound up Buffy was.

"I do Willow. I think about him and I shouldn't. You guys gave me an intervention over Angel so why not him? Tell me his name is stupid." Buffy pulled her shoes and socks off and bought her feet up onto the bed, hugging her knees.

"It's not like you're thinking of getting together with him and I wouldn't intervene if you were going to." Willow finished painting her nails and screwed the lid back onto the pot.

"You wouldn't? But you intervened with Angel."

"Angel is a stupid name, but Buffy what's so bad about the name William?" Willow gave her friend a questioning look.

"Huh?" Buffys mouth dropped open.

"William." Willow repeated.

"How?"

"I'm guessing the usual, his mom gave it to him."

"No Will, how did you know?" Buffy took up the nail varnish and played with it as she watched her friend.

"Oh, Oz told me down Borders, you know the bookshop with the café? Spike or William walked past and chatted for a bit then headed off, Oz made a big joke about his two Wills."

"You didn't tell me?" Buffy tried hard to imagine Oz making a joke.

"It's not like you showed any interest in Spike, Buffy." Willows voice gained a hurt edge to it.

"Not that, I meant about Oz and coffee. You two are spending a lot of time together." Buffy was glad of the chance for a momentary diversion from thoughts of Spike, but Willow didn't let it happen.

"It was only today and then I came back here but I guess you were having your run in with the man in question. What did you two talk about anyway?"

"Work, I may have actually sounded like I was looking out for him all the time." Buffy pulled a face that was half disgust and half fear.

"He works? Must be indoors to keep that kind of pallor."

"He said he worked long hours." Buffy looked at the window, watching rain starting to appear on the panes of glass. "Wouldn't you be pale in all this rain? It was so nice out earlier."

"Ooh I bet he works in a slaughter house or somewhere dark." Willow looked at her excitedly.

"He gave me the address he worked at, told me to drop by sometime so I don't think it's a slaughter house Will, sorry to burst your bubble." She dug in her pocket and pulled out the crumpled piece of paper.

Willow took it from her and her eyes lit up. "Even better, somewhere dark."

Buffy looked up from painting her toenails the same colour as Willows and gave her a 'what?' face.

"It's a museum, the paradox that is Spike works in a museum." She beamed as she gave her the address back.

"Wait. His name is William and he works in a museum but by night he's Spike and plays in a band, but sometimes does his masters degree - who is this guy, Clark Kent? Next you'll be telling me he wears glasses."

"You should go tomorrow. It'll be funny, he won't be expecting it, I'd never expect to see you in a museum." Willow giggled and leant back into her pillows.

"Back me up Will, museums make me nervous, he makes me nervous." Buffy pouted at her.

"I love that place but I can't, I have to use our free periods to get some more study materials."

Buffy considered the options. Go to the museum and see him or be subjected to Willows ritual drawing up of their study timetable.

Leaning over the open wooden case of artefacts Spike listened to the sound of footsteps echoing up the stairwell, closing his eyes he breathed in deeply as the person approached.

"Just don't touch anything kitten." He smiled as the person came to a halt next to him.

"How'd you know it was me? And I'll have you know I wasn't going to." Buffy pouted at him and then giggled as she watched him adjust the glasses on his nose.

"The museum's closed and the girls who work here don't smell like you. What's funny?" Spike looked up at her and sighed. "It's the glasses isn't it? I only need them to read the spider scrawl on these bloody cards." He took a label from the case and held it out to her.

"Just I was talking to Willow last night and we were saying how Clark Kent you were, now here you are wearing glasses."

"Really?" Spike took his glasses off and arched a brow at her. "Talking about me with your girly friend?"

Buffy was thankful it was dark in the museum so he couldn't see her blush under his gaze.

"Here's a thought." He placed his glasses on his notepad. "How did you get in?"

"My mom always told me I had a personality that would open doors…" Buffy caved as he arched a brow at her in a look of disbelief. "Okay - I asked this nice lady and she let me in."

"Vera let you in? Without asking what you wanted?" Spike rolled his eyes and sighed.

"No. I said I was looking for William." Buffy grinned mischievously as Spikes face fell.

"Oz." He gritted his teeth and shook his head as he picked up his stuff and walked towards the cases that lined the walls.

"Why's it so dark?" Buffy followed him as he walked.

"Because it's closed. You want light? Stay put and don't touch anything." Spike sauntered towards the stair well and up to the next level.

"Wasn't going to." Buffy whispered and when she could no longer hear him she started feeling a little creeped out in the half-light of the museum.

"Let there be light!" Spike bellowed from up above and flicked the switches.

Buffys eyes widened as section by section of the museum lit up in front of her. Looking about her she saw row upon row of cases full of artefacts from all over the world. She walked towards the intricate black iron railings that formed a balcony overlooking the ground floor.

Below and above her she saw more wooden cases full of a variety of different objects. At eye level there was a boat hanging from the ceiling and she stared past it to the opposite side of the building.

"Thought I told you not to move?" Spike leant on the railings next to her and watched her profile intently, happy that she looked pretty fascinated.

"That's the biggest I've ever seen." Her eyes were transfixed.

"The totem pole?" He raised his eyebrows at her and watched her nodding. "Biggest in Europe."

Spike smiled at the sight of her, she was wearing a zip up black jumper and dark red trousers, her hair was wrapped up tightly and pinned to the back of her head. Much as he wished he could stay there observing her he pushed himself off the railing and walked around the edge of the balcony to the cases that lined the walls.

Buffy watched as he unlocked a case and started scribbling notes into his book. He looked totally different to how he usually dressed; in place of his usual choice of a black top was a deep red shirt, slightly opened so it exposed his collarbones. He still wore black trousers but his feet lacked his trademark boots, instead he was wearing black shoes.

Buffy appeared at his side and peered into the case at the mass of swords.

"What is all this?" She reached her hand out and Spike slapped it.

"Weaponry. About a third of what we have in storage." He continued to make notes.

"Figures." Buffy rubbed her hand and smiled at him.

"What?" He couldn't help but look at her.

"That weapons would be your thing."

"Then you would be wrong." He grinned at her as she pouted her red shiny lips out at him.

"Not your thing?"

"I don't have a thing against weapons, but Mike's off sick. This is his department." Straightening up Spike stepped up to her, close enough that he had to look down at her when she spoke.

"What is your department? Not that I really want to know." She averted her eyes from his and then found the courage to look up at him.

"Ancient artefacts." His voice was a purr that made Buffy wonder how he managed to make everything sound so dirty. "Rituals and magic."

"Rituals and magic?" She swallowed hard and ignored how his dulcet tones made her feel. "What like?"

"Come on." Putting his pad down he was suddenly like an excited kid.

Spike grabbed her hand in his and she didn't protest, leading her down to the ground floor he weaved their way through the cases and came to kneel in front of one. He pulled Buffy down beside him.

"Rituals." Spike caught Buffys eye and pointed to something in the case.

"That's gross." Buffy recoiled slightly as she realised she was kneeling in front of a row of shrunken human heads.

"Really?" Spike pulled a face at her and tried to hide how affronted he was.

"Are they real?" As she peered into the case her tones turned to fascination and a smile spread across Spikes face as he watched her.

"Buffy?" Willow pushed the door open and looked around but Buffy was nowhere to be seen, she dumped her shopping bags then turned back out into the hall and shut the door.

Hurrying along the hall Willow peered around every corner looking for her, spying a girl from their psychology class she headed for her.

"Hi Amy." Willow smiled at her and tried not to appear on edge.

"Willow, hi. You lost something?" Amy shouldered her bag and looked at the red head with wide eyes.

"Buffy. Don't suppose you've seen her?"

"Matter of fact I have. She's in the um, library!" Amy raised her eyebrows at Willow.

"Library?" Willow almost choked on the thought.

"Yeah. Didn't picture her as the book type, see you around." Amy waved as she moved to catch up with her friends.

"Library?" Willow whispered then shook her head in disbelief as she walked up the hall.

Craning her neck as she entered the library Willow spotted Buffy behind a large pile of books, she crossed the room to the table.

"Buffy, what are all these?" Willow sat opposite her but Buffy didn't look up.

"Will, why do people shrink heads?" Buffy frowned at the book then turned the page.

"What?" Willow was incredulous.

"You know." Buffy looked up at her with a frown wrinkling her nose. "Shrunken heads?"

"Because they're trophies Buffy, war trophies? It's for display." Willow had to admit she was starting to wonder who'd switched bodies with her friend.

"Like a show of power? I get it." Buffy smiled triumphantly then frowned at Willow who was looking at her with an air of confusion. "What?"

"Just never seen you so into books." Willow pulled one of them towards her and read the cover 'rituals of south east Asia'.

"It's fascinating. Spike told me all about these people who put little pointy sticks through their skin and hang things off them." Buffy smiled at her friend.

"I see." Willows head suddenly became clear.

"And there's this tribe in Haiti who can actually turn people into zombies, it's been proven." Buffy chatted on animatedly and Willow couldn't help but smile at her friend.

"Don't tell me, Spike told you?"

"Yeah, he's in charge of rituals and magic's over at the museum, but Mikes off sick today so he's pretty much running the place. He'll be in charge one day, he's training to take over acquisitions."

"You like the guy." Willow grinned at her friend.

"No." Buffy pouted at her friend then lowered her head shamefully. "A little."

"Guess that puts us both in the same situation." Willow fidgeted and Buffy raised her head and watched her like a hawk.

"Oz?" She smiled as her friend blushed.

"What am I going to do Buffy? I think I want to be with Oz, but Xander?" Willow frowned then sighed.

"I know and I've got the whole Angel factor. We'll have to stick it out for now Will, when we feel sure about Oz and Spike then we'll think about it."

"Bury our heads in the sand Buffy?" Willow was wide eyed at her friends suggestion.

"Got a better idea? Just until we're sure, no point in ruining a relationship based on a moments fancy." Buffy gathered up her stuff then stood up.

"No, just making sure that's what you meant." Willow slipped her bag over her shoulder then walked around to stand next to her friend.

"We need a soothing cup of tea." Buffy slipped her arm through Willows and walked out of the library.


Sitting around a table in the corner of Borders café Buffy and Willow watched the people bustling around them, they'd already been there for an hour going over their problem.

"Willow?" Buffy ran her finger around the rim of her cup and looked pensive. "What are we going to do?"

"Right now. Ignore all boys and concentrate on exams, we've only a week until they start and you haven't revised anything." Willow took a sip of her lemon tea and sighed.

"Easy for you to say. I can't concentrate on exams Will, my brains all fuzzy." Buffy sighed as she propped her chin up on her hand and looked at her tea as if it held all the answers.

"Listen, we can do this its just a little self-restraint. How hard can it be to ignore a couple of boys for a week or two, I mean… Oz!" Willow waved her hand at him.

Buffy giggled at how restrained Willow was then noticed Spike walking alongside Oz and hurriedly smoothed her hair out then looked herself over.

"Ladies." Spike nodded at them both and Buffy tried to stop herself from blushing.

"Hey." Oz pulled the chair out next to Willow and sat down. "Was looking for you."

"Really?" Willow practically jumped out her chair then checked herself. "I mean that's nice."

"We have a proposition." Spike lounged into a chair next to Buffy and arched a brow at her.

"No!" She was wide eyed. "No propositions, I mean we really don't want to be proposed to… at… um…" Buffy hid her face in her hands as Spike chuckled at how flustered she was.

"Just a gig kitten. Nothing serious." Spike tapped the table in a little rhythm and Buffy bit her lip feeling utterly stupid.

"Gig?" Willow looked at Oz quizzically.

"Lifehouse are playing down Brixton Academy, we've got spares." Oz smiled at her as she sipped her tea to steady herself.

"Want to come, kitten?" Spike purred at Buffy, causing the hand that was holding her teacup and saucer to shake violently and the teaspoon fell off onto the table with a clatter.

"Sure, when?" Buffy sounded like she was being strangled, her face was flushed and hot.

"Saturday, we'll go down by train." Oz smiled at Buffy who smiled weakly back at him.

"Meet us at the station around seven." With a mischievous grin Spike held the teaspoon out to Buffy, she snatched it back.

"We'll meet you at the gig." Buffy stuck her chin out defiantly.

"No. Bad neighbourhood for kittens to go astray in." Spike watched her shiny red lips pout at him and narrowed his eyes.

"Okay. Seven at the station then." Buffy noticed the look of fascination that crossed his face when his eyes rested on her lips, she pouted a little more and Spike raised a brow at them.

"Spikes got your ticket. I've got Willows." Oz looked at Buffy whose face turned to a look of horror.

"I won't forget them don't worry." Spike grinned at her then pushed away from the table.

"Whose worried?" Buffy smiled calmly as her insides screamed at her, they cheated you into a date.

"You are kitten. It's not a date." Spike sauntered off towards the exit and Buffy could only watch with fascination, he could read her like a book.

Spike unlocked the door and pushed it open, smiling as Buffy walked into his flat.

"Well?" Spike stood in the hall and let Buffy look around.

"Well..." She smiled at him and raised her brows.

"Kitchen to your left, closet just to your right. Living room is just the big open space that everything leads on to. Two bedrooms on the left of the hall straight ahead of you, bathroom after that and on the right of the hall is my junk room." He grinned at her and she thought he looked like he wanted her approval of the place.

"It's nice. Very black, like a giant chalkboard, must be your inner five year old." She couldn't help winding him up, every wall in the place was painted black and it matched his chipped nail varnish.

"Hey, it's homely and it's not all black..." Spike dropped his tone and leant close to her ear. "My bedrooms red."

"I so don't want to see that. Just get the tickets already mister 'I won't forget them', we'll miss the train." Buffy walked around the living room, he wasn't wrong about it - it was just a messy space in between every other room in the flat. She had to admit it did look comfy.

"Okay, keep your knickers on." Spike started tossing the cushions on the sofas aside in search of them, pausing only to watch Buffy move to the window.

"Broom." She smiled at something and he frowned.

"No, it's a motorbike." Spike had moved to stand behind her and peered out the window at the street below.

"Yours? And bikes go 'broom'." She pouted at him and watched his eyes dart to her lips, then she smiled.

"Mine and it goes grrrrhhhhmmmmmm." Spike purred into her ear and she let her eyelids fall shut as her insides heated up.

"Nice boys have cars." Buffy whispered as she opened her eyes again and fixed them on the bike.

"Not a nice boy kitten." Spike leant in closer to her and watched her bite her lower lip.

"Really?" Buffy sounded sarcastic as she took control of herself.

"Alright." Spike rolled his eyes and switched back to his normal tone. "My baby is in the garage. But I'm still bad."

"Baby?" Buffy turned to Spike and giggled.

"She's classy - maybe out classes your pretty little face." He pinched her cheek.

"I'm thinking she's a car?" Buffys cheek felt hot where he'd touched her.

"Bollocks. All I need." Spike narrowed his eyes at the street below and Buffy followed his stare.

"You know her?" Buffy felt a little jealous of the reaction this girl was getting from him. She felt that if he labelled herself pretty then this would be beautiful in his eyes, she was the total opposite of Buffy.

"My ex, you may not want to be here when she comes up." Spike caught her arm and started towards the door.

"You're throwing me out?" Buffy looked visibly hurt at the thought of being kicked out of his place.

"Bloody women." He changed direction and pushed her into the bedroom then shut the door on her. "Just be quiet."

Buffy huffed and folded her arms, she opened her mouth to say something but a knock at the front door silenced her. Spike didn't seem to be in a hurry to answer it.

Sitting on the bed Buffy looked at her current environment. He was right, it was a deep shade of red, laying back on the bed she registered that it was a four poster with dark hangings that were a little tattered.

Spreading her arms out she felt soft sheets under her fingers; it was warm and sedating. Looking to the end of the bed she noted that there were three tall mirrors in a row on the wall. As she closed her eyes she heard the front door slam shut, Buffy shot up and listened hard.

"Listen Drusilla, I understand that you're mad - literally - but…" Spikes voice sounded agitated.

"No buts sweet William, you poisoned my mind with your nasty little thoughts. Pounding my skull till it cracked like ice in the sun." Frowning Buffy had to admit that Spike was right, she was mad.

"Dru?"

"No more, I won't be your dark beauty while you bathe in sunlight."

Buffy frowned again she was definitely mad. She looked around the room and saw the tickets on the bedside table.

"Pet, come on now. These years count for nothing?" Spikes voice sounded like it was going to falter, Buffy picked up on a sharp edge to it that sounded like anger barely restrained.

"Their emptiness engulfs me Spike, you're no longer my sweet William. You're poison, bitter and sharp like a knife in my gut. Twisting it twisting it with your cruel words."

There was a pause and Buffy held her breath, when Spike replied his voice was altered. He sounded venomous.

"So why are you here?"

"Because I had something for you, to stop you from bending me to your will, corrupting me, ruiner."

Buffy got off the bed and moved to the door.

"Dru, put it down. You don't want to hurt daddy." Spike sounded like he was trying to calm her down.

Buffys eyes widened in horror and she gasped at the thought that this psycho was trying to hurt him. Everything went silent in the other room.

"Someone here lover?" Drusillas voice dripped with malice and she looked towards the bedrooms.

Spike took the opportunity to grab the wrist Dru held the knife in and her head snapped around to look at him. Pushing forward with all her might she managed to scratch down his shoulder with it before he whipped her arm back and forced her to her knees.

"Daddy hurts me, he doesn't love me anymore - he loves the sunshine."

As Spike took hold of the knife he let her wrist go and she bolted for the door. Standing still for a moment he tried to think over what she had said then remembered Buffy.

As he opened the door Buffy grabbed the tickets from the table.

"The tickets were here all along, can we go… god Spike you're hurt, you're bleeding." Buffy felt sickened by the trail of blood that coursed down his left arm to his fingertips.

"Just a scratch." Spike took the tickets and headed to the bathroom, Buffy followed him edgily.

Struggling to get his t-shirt off over his head Spike winced as he saw Buffy enter the room. She looked genuinely concerned as she walked towards him and Spike watched her golden hair shimmer under the light, like the sun. He smiled in recognition of Drusillas words to him.

"Sit." Her tone was commanding and he obeyed by perching himself on the edge of the bath.

Buffy pulled his uninjured arm out of his t-shirt then manoeuvred it over his head and let it slip gently down his injured arm. Pausing for a moment she looked over his body and raised her brows. Shaking herself back to her senses she walked over to the little mirrored cabinet.

"Got any bandages and stuff?" Buffy turned back to him from the cabinet and he looked shaky. "Spike?"

"Sorry." Spike roused himself and pointed to the little medical box on top of the cabinet.

Tip toeing Buffy bought it down to her and placed it on the toilet next to Spike.

"Have you fixed in no time." Buffy tried to remain upbeat but he was looking so pale and weak, she realised it wasn't all about the cut.

"I know you heard everything. She's a little weird, actually she's totally fucked up but I loved her once." Spike watched Buffy fumbling with a little packet in the medical box.

"Now you apparently love sunshine. She seems very resentful, perfect for you." Buffy opened an antiseptic wipe and grinned at him.

"She's right." Spikes voice lowered as he looked up at Buffy, intent on her work. "I love sunshine."

Buffy frowned at what he said and dabbed at the cut on his arm with the wipe. Spike flinched and gritted his teeth, she couldn't help but smile at how hard he was trying not to swear at her for inflicting pain.

Smiling still she applied little strips of tape across the cut and then placed a long plaster over it, pressing it down firmly so it wouldn't shift.

"All done, you're a brave little boy." She patted his head and then froze as his eyes met hers.

"Less of the little missy." Spike arched a brow at her playfully then rolled his eyes and clenched his jaw. "Bugger, what time is it?"

Buffy looked at her watch and wrinkled her nose. "About twenty minutes after the train left."

"Sorry. All I seem to be doing today is apologising to people." Spike hung his head low and sighed, she was going to leave he knew it.

"You're not fit to go anyway. We could hire a movie?" Buffy smiled at him as he raised his face to look at her with disbelief echoed in his narrowed eyes. She realised it was more like a date than ever but she couldn't leave him here alone, bleeding and miserable.

She soaked some tissue then squeezed out the water, running it over his arm she tried to remove the blood that had started to dry. Spike tilted his head as he watched her, his very own Florence Nightingale. Buffy ran her fingers down his arm and followed them blankly with her eyes, when she raised them to his face she smiled warmly.

"No girly flicks." Spike raised his brows at her and as she turned towards the door he couldn't help but wonder how Drusilla had seen it happening.

Buffy had thought it over a million times on the way to the local Blockbusters. It was a bad idea, it was all very wrong, she knew it was true, the motorcycle helmet was going to mess up her hair. She whined to herself again as she held Spike tighter around the waist, feeling the cold of his leather jacket under her numbed fingers.

He probably shouldn't be riding a bike in his condition, she knew that it had been a stupid idea but she hadn't been able to find the strength to tell him no. He'd said it was a long trip to the nearest video store and she didn't feel like walking all that way in her nice going out boots. If he ruined another article of clothing that she cherished she was going to have to kill him.

Besides, there was something dangerously sexy about the way he threw the bike around corners and roared past the Saturday night traffic in town. Buffy realised she was grinning like a school kid who just got their first crush.

Pulling up outside the video store Spike parked the bike and slipped off it, he pulled his motorcycle helmet off then held his hand out to Buffy. She looked funny in her helmet, a large black blob on top of a small slender body. Spike grinned at her as she took hold of his hand and slid off the seat.

Her knees were shaky as her feet hit the floor, Spike caught her arm and held her firm even though pain shot out in all directions from the cut near his shoulder. She pulled off the helmet and smoothed her hair out, noticing he was steeling himself against obvious pain she touched his hand to let him know she was okay.

"First time on a bike kitten?" Spike let go of her arm as he took the helmet off her and raised his brows.

"No." Buffy pouted at him and he shook his head. "Yeah."

"Fun?" He smirked at her then headed into the store.

"Yeah." Buffy breathed as she steadied herself before she followed him.


He was driving her crazy, everything she suggested he dismissed with a frown. Buffy decided his idea of what constituted a 'girly flick' was very broad. Showing him the cover of yet another movie he shook his head and walked off across the store.

Pouting at it she tried to figure out what was wrong with it. It was a teen comedy that to her sounded quite funny, but the face Spike had pulled at it made out that it was bitter poison to him. Placing it back on the shelf she walked over to where he stood and looked up at him expectantly.

He was scanning the back of a DVD case, his eyes were narrowed and he was wearing an intense look of concentration that reminded her of when he was reading the little note cards in the museum. Watching his brows furrow she noticed the little white lightning of a scar across his left eyebrow. Buffy went to reach up to touch it but Spike turned his head and she quickly pretended to be picking fluff off his jacket.

"This one." Spike handed her the DVD and she flipped it over to read it.

"Pitch black?" Buffy frowned at it, it had all the hallmarks of creepiness. Rolling her eyes she handed it back to him. "Okay, but only because I'm being sympathetic about you being hurt.

"I'll buy you ice cream." Spike grinned as he watched her trying not to smile; instinct always served him well.

Looking demure Buffy walked over to the freezer cabinet and scanned the rows of ice cream. She reached in and pulled out a tub of Ben and Jerry's New York Super Fudge and handed it to Spike. He lifted his brows at it and headed towards the counter.

Waiting patiently next to Spike, Buffy smiled at the guy behind the counter then gave a sideward look to Spike. His eyebrows knitted into a frown as the guy smiled at Buffy in a flirtatious way. Looking down at Buffy he shook his head at the coy look she gave him.

"That's £7.75." The guy slowly turned his attention to Spike and jumped back a little when he slammed a ten down on the counter with a sneer.

Buffy giggled at Spikes side and smiled sweetly at him when he gave her a black look. It was funny winding him up, it wasn't like it was a date they were on but he was so over protective of her. She suddenly realised that he'd been protective of her from the second they'd met.

He'd mollycoddled her over her ankle, walked her to the bus stop to shield her from drunks and she knew now that he had been trying to protect her from his ex girlfriend. It hit Buffy hard that he obviously liked her a lot more than he let on.

Coming out of her world into reality she realised Spike was already halfway to the door. She scurried to catch up with him and as he handed her the helmet she gave him an awkward smile before slipping it on. Holding onto him tightly all the way back to his place Buffy couldn't get the thought out of her head that there was ultimately an emotion behind his over protection of her that was, when it all boiled down, that same way she felt about him.

Pulling up outside his flat she pulled her helmet off and looked up at the windows. She felt frozen to the spot, she couldn't remember if she'd ever mentioned her boyfriend back in LA. She watched him take his helmet off and made her decision.

"Spike." Her voice was shaky, if she mentioned the boyfriend would it be like admitting she liked him? Or just letting him know that she knew he liked her?

"Kitten?" Spike turned the engine off and remained facing away from her, he knew what was coming.

"Did I mention… um… I have a boyfriend." She saw Spikes head lower slightly.

"I know." Spikes tone was downcast.

"Oh." Buffy didn't know what to feel, he'd known all along she wasn't available and he didn't even try to hide how he felt. For some reason it made her smile that he was honest with her.

"Willow told Oz, Oz told me." Spike closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, Buffy telling him didn't change a thing about how he felt. He wondered if she wanted to go home and call the evening off, he wouldn't blame her after everything that had happened.

"Spike?" She slipped off the back of his bike and watched as he pulled it back onto its stand then looked up at her with a sullen expression. "Can we go inside? It's freezing."

His eyes smiled slightly and he nodded at her. Swinging his leg over the bike he handed her his helmet and walked up the stone steps to the entrance. Buffy juggled with the two helmets and the bag with the DVD and ice cream in it, obviously Spike was a believer in equal rights and she was sorely used to people carrying things for her.

Shaking his head as they walked into the entrance hall he turned to watch the comedic sight of Buffy wrestling with the stuff he'd piled on her. Taking pity on her he took the bag from her and put it inside one of the helmets then stacked it on top of the other one, so it was effectively cradled. She looked down at the neat stack in her hands and pouted, she would have thought of that eventually.

Spike held the front door open for her again and Buffy carried the stuff into the kitchen, placing it down on the counter she was taken aback by the sight of the knife his ex had used to stab him. Picking it up by the handle with her fingertips she held it out at arms length as she crossed the little room to the sink. It still had blood on it and it made her feel weird just looking at it.

"Careful kitten." Spike took it from her and placed it in the sink. "Little girls shouldn't play with knives, they might get hurt."

With that he turned and headed back into the living room, she stared at it in the sink as she reached for a spoon on the drainer. It was almost pretty, not an average knife it was highly ornamental and altogether quite evil looking. She watched as the blood mixed with the wet of the sink and made swirling patterns.

Buffy was still staring at it with a morbid fascination when Spike walked back in, wondering what was keeping her. Looking at the knife in the sink and then catching the look on her face Spike took hold of her shoulders firmly and marched her into the living room.

"I was just about to come in." Buffy groused as she sat next to him on the couch.

"Yeah, but were you planning on leaving the knife there?" Spike tapped the remote against his leg and gave her a sideward glance.

Buffy pulled a face at him then took her phone out of her bag. Flicking it open she wrote a hurried text to Willow then shut it again and placed it on the table. Pulling the lid off the ice cream Buffy smiled at it, she was going to have to starve for a few days to pull this one off or maybe she could go running. If Spike could run then she could and they might bump into each other. She shook her head and looked at him, he was trying to reach for the switch on the lamp with little success.

Taking pity on the pained expression he wore Buffy stood up and switched the lamp off, descending the room into darkness. She was amazed that for a guy she hardly knew she felt so comfortable just sitting with him watching a movie. She didn't feel any pressure to be little miss perfect around him, he was honest and seemed to like her for who she really was.

As the film started Buffy craned her neck around to check on his arm, at least it wasn't visibly bleeding anymore. Spike caught her look of concern and tilted his head, he felt warm inside as she raised her eyes to meet his. It was the first time in a long while that anyone had actually been worried about him and it touched him. It was like a new light shone on him when he saw her smiling warmly at him, her shiny lips beaming brightly in the dark room he felt like a doomed man but blessed all the same.

Sighing he turned his attention back to the TV but could still feel her watching him, Buffy closed her eyes and echoed his sigh as she looked up at the screen.

Twenty minutes into the movie and Buffy couldn't concentrate; she took to idly playing with her ice cream and sneaking looks at Spike. He looked engrossed in the film but aware of her presence at the same time.

She gathered up a spoonful of ice cream and shuffled closer to him, dancing the ice cream in front of his mouth. Grinning, Spike opened his mouth and let her put the spoonful in, as he closed his lips around it she pulled the spoon back out then absentmindedly sucked it clean.

Buffys eyes grew wide at the thought of what she'd just done, the grin that spread itself across his face said it all - she might have well just kissed him.

She put the ice cream down on the table and curled back up on the couch, watching the rest of the movie in silence and not moving a muscle for fear of doing something as equally flirtatious.

As the end credits started she looked at the clock, it was nearing midnight and she wondered if Willow would be home yet. Picking up her phone she noted that there were no messages then slipped it back into her bag.

Spike stood with a wobble then stretched to try and cover it up. Buffy smiled at the pathetic attempt to hide the fact he was still a little off colour. She pulled him back down onto the couch and turned to face him.

"So." She raised her eyebrows expectantly.

"So?" He frowned at her hand that was lifting his t-shirt sleeve up allowing her to inspect his plaster.

"Bagzilla?" She kept her face impassive as he smirked at her.

"Drusilla." Spike corrected her and couldn't help but grin.

"What's her story?" Buffy leant back into the cushions and gave him a patient look.

"We split up, just after I knocked you on your arse. Things had been shaky for a while, it's the whole mad issue." Spike rolled his eyes.

"But you were together for a long time?"

"Seems like forever." Spike shifted his gaze to where Buffys hands rested in front of her.

"That the real reason I got insulted at the gig?" She was on to him and he confirmed it by a guilty look.

"Sorry bout that. We spoke a couple of weeks after that but I knew it was really over, she said she wanted to reconcile then a week after that she changed her mind." It clicked in Spike how Drusilla had known about a certain kitten.

At first he'd thought it was the gig but she'd talked about reconciling their differences after that. Now he realised it was when he and Buffy had been in the college quad talking. Drusilla must have seen them together then, sometimes she'd come by before he had a class. She saw scraps of paper and pretty smiles exchanged, Spike felt he signed his own walking papers that night.

"Any notion why she changed her mind?" Buffy wrinkled her nose at him in a frown, he looked distant and deep in thought.

"Sunshine and my apparent love of it." Spike looked up at her, she was looking confused now. "Don't worry your pretty little head kitten, I'll live."

She smiled at him reassuringly as she pulled her phone from her bag, it was chirruping like mad at her. Flicking it open she read the message quickly then placed it back into her bag.

"Seems our two red heads are home, don't suppose I can get a lift?"

"Think I'd let you walk home?" Spike stood and took his keys off the table. "Come on."

Setting her down outside the dorms Spike pulled his helmet off and secured her one to the back of the bike. Buffy fidgeted with her bag and cast her eyes down at the floor, when she finally looked up her face wore a resolute expression.

"Clean that…" She ran her fingers softly over the arm of his leather duster, tracing where his cut was below. "… Every day, new plaster every morning. If I hear word it's gone septic, you're in trouble mister."

Spike looked down at her fingers still resting on his arm, he could almost feel them burning through his jacket. "Maybe you should drop by and check up on me, I'm very forgetful." He wiggled his eyebrow at her.

"Maybe I will. Night Spike." She trailed her hand down his arm and turned to leave but he caught her hand in his.

"Night kitten." He bent over and kissed it before slipping his helmet back on and roaring the engine back into life.

Standing there she couldn't help but smile as he drove away at break neck speed, pulling a wheelie down the length of the road. Turning back towards the building she saw Willow grinning at her from the upstairs hall window.

She smiled broadly and walked through the entrance doors then up to their room. Finding the door open she walked in and closed it behind her. Willow was wearing an expectant smile as she poured hot water into two mugs.

Buffy sat on the edge of her bed and grinned at her friend then flopped backwards onto the mattress. "What a night."

"Tell me about it, literally." Willow placed a mug down on the bedside table near her then sat cross legged on her own bed.

"There were issues involved, big ones." Buffy sat up and took up her mug, breathing in the warm lemony steam.

"Bad ones?"

"We went to find the tickets and his ex girlfriend drops by to try and kill him. He got the knife off her but the psycho bitch managed to stab his shoulder first." Buffy felt oddly excited in relating her evening to her friend, she realised it was probably one of the most interesting nights of her life.

"No? Is she mental?" Willow was wide eyed as she froze halfway through sipping her tea.

"Totally. Even Spike admitted it. She was all like 'you love sunshine not me blah blah blah' but with a little more insanity thrown in." Buffy decided not to mention the fact that she was pretty.

"Wow. What happened after that?" Willow was engrossed, her mug eternally held in one spot.

"I looked after him of course, then I couldn't leave him alone when he was so shaken up so we hired a movie, had some ice cream, talked a little and he drove me home." Buffy sipped her tea and her eyes unfocussed as she remembered licking the spoon after he'd had it in his mouth.

"On a motorbike." Willow smiled.

"Yep." She nodded.

"Then he kissed your hand." Her smile turned to a grin.

"Yep."

"Then he tore off up the street like…" Willow raised her eyes to the ceiling in search of an expression.

"Billy Idol on steroids?" Buffy offered as she drank her tea.

"Well, yeah. Beats my night hands down." She rolled her eyes and took a sip from her mug.

"Why what happened? You made it to the gig right?" Buffy finished her tea and placed in back on the counter by the kettle.

"It was great, only when I was saying night to Oz he kinda… kissed me." Willow looked awkwardly at Buffy.

"Ohmygod! He knows you're going out with Xander right?"

"Yes." Willows awkward look turned to a smile as she remembered it.

"I told Spike about Angel he didn't seem put off by it. Men are pigs, I'm never going to be able to concentrate on exams now." Buffy flopped down on her bed and stared at the ceiling, visually replaying Spike kissing her hand.

"Yeah pigs." Willow sighed from where she lay on her bed and smiled at the thought of Oz.

Buffy looked across at her friend and giggled, when she thought about it she decided it wasn't a bad situation to be in, a steady thousand of miles away and a guy nearby that clearly had a crush on her. Willow giggled back at her as if reading her thoughts.

"We cannot act on this, Christmas is coming up we'll visit home and see how it goes, just because a guy kisses you doesn't mean he really wants a relationship." Buffy felt she justified it solidly to her friend.

"Except when he kisses your hand sweetly and gentlemanly." Willow grinned and Buffy groused.

"Ugh! That's it. Tomorrow I'm going to see him, straighten a few things out." She pouted at her friend as Willow giggled at her.

"Don't get all pouty when things get even more wonky." Willow smiled and turned the light out.

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