Chapter Nine: Boyfriends

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"I thought you didn't need to eat." Buffy commented as Spike shoveled handfuls of Raisin Bran into his mouth.

The morning sun was blocked by the shades drawn over the kitchen windows. No direct sunlight, only the filtered light that played against Spike's skin without burning him.

The oh-so-visible skin, seeing as he was only wearing a pair off black jeans that hung low on his hips. His bleached hair, normally gelled back, was still tousled from last night. Strong, finely toned muscles flexed as he hunted through the box of cereal.

"Don't need t' eat." Spike said through mouthfuls of breakfast food. "Doesn't mean I don't like to."

"Fair enough." She agreed, stealing the box from him and eating some herself.

"I've got a question." Spike said after they had thoroughly cleaned the box of its contents.

"Mmmmm." Buffy was to busy playing with Spike's leg to say anything else.

"Last night you said somethin' about it bein' 'the best thing ever', and I can't help bein' curious . . ."

"You want to know if you gave me the best sex I ever had?"

"Well, yeah."

Men. They really were all alike in some ways.

"I don't know if I can answer that now." Buffy said, sliding onto Spike's lap and hooking her legs around his waist. "You'll just have to show me again tonight."

Spike chuckled, fondly running a hand through her golden waves of hair and placing a soft kiss on her lips. "That's my slayer."

She rested her head on his shoulder, and they sat in comfortable silence. Silence that only lasted until the doorbell rang.

"Who would be coming over this early in the morning?" Buffy asked, exasperated.

"It's after 12:30." Spike reminded her.

"Oh." Buffy reluctantly slid off Spike's lap. "I guess I'd better get it . . . would you mind staying in here? I don't know how'd I'd explain a half-naked vampire in my kitchen."

"Sure, pet." Spike agreed reluctantly. Eventually she would have to tell her friends about him-they couldn't stay secret forever. But she needed time, and although patience was not one of Spike's best traits, he would give her that.

The door opened, and Spike instantly turned his vampiric hearing towards the conversation in the next room.

"Riley?" Buffy asked, surprise obvious in her voice.

Riley. Spike gripped the edge of the counter. While he could give Buffy time before she told her friends, he would not, not be able to stay sane if she dated another guy.

"Sorry about the surprise visit." Riley told the blond slayer. 'MY slayer.' Spike thought viciously. "But I couldn't find you at the dorm, and the number for you mom's house didn't seem to be working."

'Maybe because I left it off the hook so I wouldn't be interrupted!' Buffy thought with annoyance.

"Don't worry about it." She said aloud.

"I know this must be kind of bad time."

'Well, the wanker's got some sense after all.' Spike thought, pacing up and down the kitchen angrily.

"But I really want to tell you I had a great time on our date the other night." Riley continued.

"Yeah me too." Buffy said. God, she could practically feel Spike pacing around the kitchen.

"So I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to go out again, you know, tonight or tomorrow night." Riley asked nervously.

"Um . . ." Buffy said, biting her lip.

Spike stopped pacing and listened intently.

"I don't know how to put this." Buffy said fumbling for words. "But I kind of already have a boyfriend."

Riley looked at her in confusion. "But you said you were single . . ."

"We were sort of on hold when I told you that. But we made up, and now we're together again."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry, Riley. I really like you, it's just that I'm what you would call taken."

"Hey, it's okay." He said, face saying anything but that. "I guess I'll be going then." Riley hurriedly left the house.

Buffy walked back into the kitchen, meeting a very happy vampire.

"That was one interestin' lie." He told her approvingly. "Where'd you come up with that?"

"Well, it was either that or, 'I used to like you, but then I hooked up with my dead arch-nemesis, we had mind-blowing sex, and you're just not that appealing anymore.'"

Spike laughed. "I don't see anythin' wrong with the latter."

"That's because you're evil."

"I'm the Big Bad." Spike agreed, peppering kisses all over Buffy's face.

"I feel kind of bad for him though." Buffy said.

"Don't." Spike told her. "He didn't deserve you."

"But you do?"

"You seem to think so." He said, cocky smirk intact.

Buffy swatted him playfully.

"So, when'd I get this new 'boyfriend' status?" Spike asked.

Buffy pretended to think about it. "Somewhere between the dancing and the sex."

Spike laughed again, normally still chest moving with the vibrancy of life.

"Is this the part where you run away because of your fear of commitment?" Buffy asked, only half-joking.

"'Course not, luv. This is the part where I get to act like a real boyfriend and take you out on a date."

"You mean like to the movies?"

"If that's what you want."

Buffy couldn't help laughing at that. "It just seem so weird."

"Why?"

"I don't know . . . you're a vampire, I'm the slayer, it seems really out of place for us to go to the movies; be surrounded by normal couples."

"We'll never be normal." Spike said, drawing her into his arms. "But we can pretend."

"Alright." Buffy agreed. "But I get to pick which movie."

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AN: * IMPORTANT!! * Sharon is an OC. She has no real point in the story, I just thought it would be interesting to do that scene from someone else's POV. I hope it's not too confusing!
Truth or Dare

Chapter Ten: Dating

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***Sharon's POV***

Whenever you go to the movies, there will be at least two people who sit in the back and make out the entire time. When dragged by your friends to a movie you really don't want to see (as was my case) it's often more entertaining to watch that certain couple.

The second they walked into the theater, I had a feeling these two were going to be 'the couple in the back row.'

The man himself wasn't that tall, but he looked it compared to his partner. She was short and slim, with golden blond hair . . . not someone you expected to see with the Billy Idol look-alike.

"I don't want t' see a bloody chick flick." He muttered, walking slowly so that his girlfriend was forced to pull him into the theatre.

"Come on, Spike!" The blond woman protested. "You said it was my choice. Besides-" She lowered her voice, but I could pretty much guess what had been said, if only by the satisfied smirk that appeared on his face.

Sure enough, only 15 minutes into the movie and his hand was sliding up her shirt. This might have bothered some girls, but the blond woman was already sliding her hand down his pants.

They soon abandoned the pretense of watching the movie, lips locked as hands roamed freely. I was surprised they managed to keep all their clothing on, with all of the licking and grabbing that was happening.

When he fell of the chair and she landed on top of him, I decided they deserved their privacy and turned back to the very uninteresting movie.

My friend elbowed me, nodding her head in their direction. "It's a good thing the seats are bolted to the floor." She whispered, and we both broke out into barely suppressed giggles.

Half an hour later, in the middle of a sappy romantic scene, a resounding crack rang throughout the theatre. I screamed in surprise, and I wasn't the only one.

One of the seats in front of the make-out couple had broken; the supposedly strong metal of the chair had cracked. The man stood up, running a hand through his bleached-blond hair and grinning sheepishly.

Then he grabbed the petite woman and ran from the theatre.

It was times like those when I really wanted a boyfriend.

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Spike pulled Buffy into an alley about two blocks from the theatre and they stood in the shadows, laughing uncontrollably.

"We-we broke the seat!" Buffy cried through hysterical laughter.

Their laughter finally diminished, and she began to look concerned.

"We shouldn't have left like that." She scolded Spike. "We should've stayed and paid for the damage."

"With what money?" Spike asked.

"Oh." Buffy was silent for a moment. "Still, I feel like I owe the theatre something . . ."

"Don' worry about it, luv." Spike comforted. "S'not like they can't afford it, with those overpriced tickets. Besides, you fight baddies every night-a girl like you deserves a little fun."

"Well . . ."

"Come on, I'll take you to The Bronze."

"Oooo! Dancing!" Buffy squealed excitedly as he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her down the street.

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The room could have been packed, or it could have been completely empty. Did it matter? There was music, and there was Spike: Spike's fine, toned, body rubbing against Buffy's own.

Their hips moved in time to the music, bodies resonating with the beat. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling her body closer to his. She tipped her head to the side, blond hair cascading down her back, as Spike dragged that skilled tongue of his up her neck.

She found it amazing that they could kiss like this and dance at the same time.

All she saw was Spike; all he saw was her. The roof could have come crashing down, and neither would have noticed. The queen of England herself could have entered the club, and neither would have glanced in her direction.

A while later they sat down at the nearest table, exhausted.

"Anyone ever tell you that you're a good dancer?" Spike asked her.

"I don't think so."

"Well you are." He paused drawing a long unnecessary breath. "You're amazing."

A smile lit up Buffy's face. "You're not so bad yourself." She commented, her foot tangling with his underneath the table. A brief foot war took place, ending when Buffy got up you use the restroom. After all, her mascara might be dripping down her face right now and she wouldn't realize it.

"Alright, spill." A voice said behind her, as the ex-vengeance demon caught Buffy's wrist.

"Anya?" Buffy asked, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Xander and I were supposed to have a date." Anya answered glumly. "But he had to go to a meeting, so I'm here watching everyone else get ready to have orgasms."

"Oh . . ." Buffy said, and continued on her way to the bathroom.

"So, when did you and Spike become an item?" Anya asked, following Buffy into the bathroom.

Buffy stopped abruptly, turning to face Anya. "How did you know I was with Spike?"

"Oh come one. You guys are all rubbing against each other and moaning out on the dance floor, and you think I'm not going to notice?"

Buffy stared at the ex-demon in shock.

"Actually, I don't think you guys are that bad a match." Anya continued. "Aside from the whole, 'mortal-enemies' thing, that is. Xander won't believe me when I tell him-"

"You can't tell Xander!" Buffy almost yelled.

"Okay, okay!" Anya said, putting her arms up defensively. "It's not like you should be embarrassed or anything. Spike looks like he would give multiple orgasms and very good sex."

"It's just-I think it would be better if I told Xander. So don't say anything, okay? Don't tell anyone."

"Right, I won't tell Xander about the Spike-and-Buffy sex."

"I never actually said we were having sex." Buffy muttered as Anya left the restroom.

Even if she was right about the multiple orgasms.

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"You know, Mom's not coming back until tomorrow night." Buffy said as they left The Bronze. Spike had one arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close as they walked through the cool night. "You could stay another night. I mean, only if you want too."

"'Course I want too." Spike assured her. "Just hope you're not expectin' t' get any sleep."

Buffy laughed, resting her head against Spike's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm looking forward to staying up all night."

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        Chapter 11: Bad Grades and a Pool Table

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Buffy frowned at the C's and D's dotting her report card.

"How'd you do?" Willow asked bouncily. "I did really well, almost strait A's! I mean, I have a few B's but it's the first semester of college, and that's supposed to be really hard-"

The redhead noticed the disappointment of Buffy's face, and she bit her lip worriedly.

"You didn't do very well, did you." She assumed.

Buffy silently handed Willow her grades as the bell for end of school rang.

"Don't worry." Willow said, trying to comfort her friend. "It's only the first semester, I'm sure you'll do better next time. You just have to get used to the whole college thing is all."

"I guess you're right . . ."

"How about we have a girls night! We can eat ice cream, watch bad movies, complain about boys and stuff."

"Thanks Willow." Buffy said, plastering a smile on her face. "But I just feel like being alone tonight."

"Alright sweetie. But I'll be at the dorm tonight if you want to talk about anything."

"Thanks."

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"Xander!" Willow called, catching up to the man walking down the street.

He stopped, greeting her with a smile. "Hey Willow, what's up?"

"It's Buffy's birthday on Saturday, we're going to throw her a surprise party on Saturday night! You can come, right?"

"Of course! Where is it?"

"Joyce's house. It'll just be you, me, Giles, Joyce, Tara, and you can bring Anya."

"I'll be there." Xander replied, and the two friends walked farther down the street.

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It was dark as Buffy entered The Bronze, surrounded by throngs of people. How could you live in a place as small as Sunnydale and not know so many people?

She sat down at the bar to order a coke, and then changed her mind and ordered a shot of whiskey-they never carded at The Bronze.

As her pocket got lighter the world got hazier, the glass in front of her emptying and refilling God knows how many times.

Buffy never would have thought she would let herself get completely drunk just because a couple of bad grades . . . she sighed, draining another shot.

Why was it so easy for Willow? 'I should at least get some credit for saving all people so often.' Buffy thought. 'You think the professors would let me off easy because of everything I do for them!'

Not that anyone actually knew she was the slayer. "I'm under appreciated." Buffy told the man sitting a few stools away from her, one of the few left in the club.

"I know how you feel." He nodded in sympathy. "I know how to make a pretty girl like you feel appreciated."

He reached over the stools, placing a hand on her upper leg and smiling suggestively.

"I already have a boyfriend." Buffy told the man groggily, pushing his hand away. "And he has very sharp teeth."

The man laughed but turned away from her, removing his hand and ending the conversation. Buffy pushed her glass forward, awaiting another shot.

Once she started drinking it was hard to stop.

"Sorry Miss." The bartender said, placing a hand over her glass. "But we're closing."

"S' only 2:00!" Buffy protested, glad she was wearing a digital watch.

"We always close early Wednesday nights. It's the one day of the week we do so."

She mumbled about once again being under appreciated, but left the club anyway.

After all, the still reasonable part of her brain argued, Willow's going to be worried, and you don't want to keep her up all night.

'You forgot to patrol.' A part of her mind that sounded remarkably like Giles reminded her. Never mind that she could hardly see strait, Buffy clenched her stake and headed towards the nearest graveyard.

She felt the familiar tingling on the back of her neck signaling the approach of a vampire. Something was different about this one though; it smelt so familiar . . .

"Spike!" She cried happily, throwing herself into his arms.

"What are you doin', luv?" He asked, noticing that she smelled differently than usual.

"Looking for bad things to kill."

"Sounds like fun . . . are you drunk?" He asked, smelling the alcohol on her breath.

"No!"

Spike raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Well, only a little."

He snorted in disbelief. "C'mon, I'll walk you home. Do you want to go to my crypt or back to your dorm room?"

"Dorm, Willow's probably wondering where I am."

"Alright then." He said, wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders. "How'd you get so drunk anyhow?"

        * * *

"Spike." Buffy stopped walking as they passed The Bronze. The club was closed up, windows bolted, doors locked. "Let's play pool!"

"The place is closed, luv."

"That's okay."

"C'mon, we got t' get you home."

"Just one game." She pouted.

Like he could refuse her pout. "Alright then."

He pulled a safety pin out of his duster pocket, and began picking at the lock on the door. The lock was simple, and within a few minutes he had it open.

"I'm gonna win." She told him, running over to one of the large green pool tables and arranging the colored balls.

"You wish. I'm goin' t' kick your cute lil ass."

"No way." Buffy countered, hitting the balls clumsily.

Spike picked up a stick, smirking as he hit three of the balls into their respective holes.

Buffy stuck out her tongue, once again trying and failing to hit the balls correctly.

"Looks like I'm winnin', pet." Spike commented, leaning over and aligning his next shot.

"No, I'm winning."

Spike looked up, but it was too late. The slayer had him flipped onto his back on top of the pool table. She straddled him, leaning forward so her blond hair brushed across his face. "I'm on top, so I must be winning."

He captured her lips with his, drawing her closer to him. She pressed her body against him desperately, wanting him, needing him.

And then Spike was on top again, as Buffy arched her back to let the pool balls slide out from under her. Spike pushed down and her body ground against the hard green surface as they joined, pleasure encompassing her entire being.

"Buffy . . ." He murmured, lips tasting her. "Buffy!" He screamed as the pleasure overtook him, as she overtook him.

Later-it could have been a few minutes, it could have been a few eternities- they lay panting, Spike's arms wrapped around Buffy.

"Amazing." She breathed. "You're amazing."

He answered by kissing her softly, his tongue running lightly over her lips.

"Sun's goin' t' rise in an hour or so." Spike commented after they had laid in silence for a few minutes.

"An hour?!?!" Buffy sat up quickly, dizziness overtaking her. She gripped the edge of the pool table as her vision cleared. "Willow's probably still waiting for me!"

Spike sighed. "Alright then, let's get you back."

Buffy slid down to the floor, collecting the articles of clothing she had lost.

The cold air bit at her skin as Spike closed the heavy door to the club behind them.

"Spike?"

Spike turned from the door to look at her.

"I, I think I had a little to much to drink." She collapsed, Spike catching her just before she hit the floor.

He picked her up gently; she looked so small and fragile lying in his arms. Time to take this slayer home.

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Willow turned over in her bed nervously. Buffy still wasn't back! Of course, she could handle herself, being the slayer and all, but Willow wouldn't be Willow if she wasn't worried.

When the knock sounded on the door, Willow jumped out of bed quickly. She threw open the door, which caught on the security latch and snapped shut again.

"Buffy?" She asked, the door again, this time just enough to see out of.

She was greeted with the site of Spike carrying her best friend in his arms.

"Is she all right?" Willow asked, unlatching the security chain and allowing the door to open wider. "If you hurt her . . ."

"She's fine." Spike responded. "Just a little drunk s' all. I ran into her on my way back to my crypt."

"Are you sure?" Willow looked at him suspiciously.

"I won't hurt her, Red. And she'll be fine come tomorrow, just with one hell 'f a hangover."

"Well . . . come in then." Willow said, hoping and praying Spike was telling the truth.

The vampire in question laid Buffy on her bed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.

Willow watched as his fingers lingered over Buffy's face for a second before he turned and left the dorm room, closing the door behind him.

It was almost like Spike actually cared for Buffy. The way he brought her back when he could have easily given her to a demon of some sort, the way he handled her so carefully. And hadn't he said he 'won't' hurt her, not 'can't'?

Willow shook her head, it must be her imagination overreacting. Spike in love with Buffy? Like that would ever happen.

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        Chapter 12: Truth

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"Happy Birthday!" Spike congratulated Buffy, pulling her into a warm kiss. It was the following Saturday, and they were in Spike's crypt avoiding the dangerous sunlight.

"I've got somethin' for you." He said, pulling a small box out of his duster pocket.

Buffy tore the red wrapping paper off a small black box, pulling off the lid with excitement. Inside was a necklace, an intricate Celtic symbol hung on a thin silver chain.

"It's beautiful!" Buffy exclaimed in awe, pulling off the cross she always wore and replacing it with the gift from Spike.

* * *

"I've got a question." Spike said, as Buffy lay comfortably stretched across his bed.

"Yeah?"

"Why'd you ask me to dance, that first night at The Bronze? I like to think it's because of my good looking, athletic body, but then you would've asked before that."

Buffy laughed. "Willow and I were playing 'Truth or Dare', and she dared me to dance with you."

"You want t' play?" Spike asked, mischievous twinkle in his pale blue eyes.

"Okay . . . "

"Truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah."

"Good." Spike said, grinning as he pulled the chains out from under his bed.

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Buffy panted in exhaustion as Spike licked the wounds on her wrists and ankles clean.

"That was just . . . wow." She exclaimed.

"I'm exhausted, luv." Spike said as he finished licking the few places where she had bled. "And it takes a lot to make me tired."

"I must be good."

"You are."

"Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

Buffy ran a finger over the scar above Spike's eyebrow, touching it gently. "Where'd you get this?" She asked.

"First slayer I killed. Boxer Rebellion, 1880's."

"First?"

"Second one was in New York, during the 70's."

"Was there a third?"

"That was supposed to be you." Spike said, tickling Buffy's sides. "But then your mum came along with her axe and ruined all my plans."

"My family's very dangerous."

"That's for sure."

"Spike." Buffy said, tone more serious. "If you got your chip out, would you still try to kill me?"

"No. I would kill, yeah; I would hunt. But not you. I'd probably even stay away from your little friends, just because it'd hurt you if somethin' happened t' them."

Buffy smiled, and felt something lift inside of her. She had felt he wouldn't hurt her, but it made everything so much better to hear it from him.

"I think I've answered more than my share of questions." He teased. "Truth or dare, luv?"

"Truth."

"Are you ever goin' t' tell your friends about us? Because I don' know how you feel, but I can't keep you a secret forever."

"I will, soon." Buffy lowered her eyes to avoid Spike's gaze. "I just, don't know how to tell them."

"But someday?"

"Yeah, someday. Someday soon."

"That's all I needed to hear, pet."

"Truth or dare?" She asked him.

"Truth."

"Do you love me?"

"Yes." Spike put a hand under her chin, pulling her face up so she was looking into his eyes. "Yes Buffy, I love you."

"But how? How can you love me."

The vampire shrugged. "I don't know how, I don't know why. All I know is that I love you."

Buffy beamed, and Spike held an unneeded breath. Waiting, hoping she would say something in return.

"Thank you, Spike." Was all she said. "It means a lot to me."

For a second, Buffy thought she saw Spike's face fall with disappointment. But it was gone in a second, replaced by his usual smirk. That really sexy smirk. "Truth or dare?" She asked.

"Dare."

Buffy grinned, a grin that was very close to being an evil smirk. She pulled herself over him, blond hair brushing his face as she whispered into his ear.

"This time, I'm going to be the one on top."

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"What time is it?" Buffy asked, yawning as she woke up from her post-sex nap in Spike's bed. "And don't say 7:00."

"It's 6:59." He teased, looking at the clock in the far corner of the room.

Buffy moaned in protest.

"What time are you supposed t' be at your mums?" Spike asked.

"Seven." She grumbled.

"And so the princess must leave the fortress," Spike said, speaking in an upper class English accent. "While her dark knight remains and dreams of her return."

Buffy gave Spike and odd look and stretched. "This princess wants her knight to come with her." The princess thing was pretty cute after all.

"Alright then." Spike rolled out of bed, landing on his feet gracefully. Reaching for his pants, he watched with amusement as Buffy rolled off the bed and landed with a loud thump on the floor.

Buffy mumbled something about vampires having an unfair advantage of natural grace as she got up from the floor and began to search the crypt for her clothes.

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*Willow's POV*

I sat, crouched out of sight behind a couch in the Summer's living room. The lights were off, the darkness concealing the six of us and the colorful decorations spread about the room.

I heard the front door open, and Buffy say something in a low voice. Who was she talking to? Was there some one else with her?

I decided it didn't matter, if she was with some one else then that someone could join in our celebrations.

The talking stopped, and I quietly sent the signal for everyone to jump out of their hiding places. One, two, three! I sprang out from behind the couch, turning on the light in the same motion.

And there was Buffy, looking very, very shocked.

I would have liked to think she was surprised because of the large 'Happy Birthday, Buffy!' sign hung across the room. Or because of the presents wrapped in bright paper stacked up on the coffee table. But she wasn't surprised by any of our plans or decorations.

She was surprised because we had just caught her kissing Spike.

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Chapter Thirteen: Surprise

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"Oh dear lord." Giles said, cleaning his glasses.

"Honey." Joyce said in a motherly voice. "I think we need to have a little mother-daughter talk."

"Buffy?" Was all Willow said.

"A spell!" Xander called out. "It's got to be a love spell!"

"Whatever happened to, 'happy birthday, Buffy?'" Buffy muttered, saying aloud, "No Xander, there is no spell."

"But I just saw you kissing Spike." Xander said. "And I know that my friend Buffy would not kiss Spike unless she was under a spell."

"It's not-"

"A bloody spell!" Spike finished for her. "Now sod off, y' wanker."

"But," Xander said triumphantly, "If you were under a spell, you wouldn't know it!"

"I-I think I would have f-felt something, i-if there was a s-spell." Tara stammered, speaking up for the first time.

"She's right." Willow agreed. "I don't sense any magic either."

"If it's not a spell, then why did I just see Buffy kissing Spike?"

All eyes turned to the blond pair standing awkwardly in the living room.

"Well, I guess I have something to tell you guys." Buffy said, trying to figure out what to say and how to say it. Spike gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Spike and I are, and have been, going out."

"For how long?" Giles asked.

"A few weeks."

"How come I didn't know about this?" Willow asked. "You're supposed to tell me when you get a boyfriend, so we can talk about smoochies and everything." Noticing Giles' angry stare, she quickly added, "Especially if he's a vampire. 'Cause you're not supposed to date vampires."

"Buffy, honey. I know you like Spike but-" Joyce paused mid-sentence. "Actually, don't you hate Spike?"

"Well, I used too." Buffy agreed. "But . . . not anymore."

"Well, I think you should be careful." Joyce continued. "Because he is a vampire, and that didn't go so well last time."

"I am not Angel." Spike said with a growl. "Angel's as dull as table lamp. And besides, we've got very different coloring."

"You may not be Angel." Giles pointed out. "But you're still a vampire."

"That doesn't change anything!" Spike argued, even though he knew it did. Knew that was what made this whole thing so complicated.

"It changes everything!" Xander practically yelled. "You're an evil, disgusting monster and-"

He was cut off as Anya elbowed him in the side.

"Hello? Demon here."

"Ex-demon, sweetie."

"It's the same thing!"

"No, it's very different."

"Keep badmouthing demons and you won't get any sex!" Anya threatened.

"Ahn . . ."

"I'm serious!"

Xander glanced around the room in desperation and closed his mouth.

"Xander does have a point." Giles started, before being cut off by Willow.

"So maybe we don't really approve of their, ah, relationship." The witch said. "But if you've got strong enough feelings for someone, then it doesn't matter who, or what they are." Tara gave Willow's hand an encouraging squeeze. "If there's passion between two people, then nothing else matters. And if we're Buffy's friends, then we'll just have to accept that."

Spike silently thanked the red haired girl-he was starting to like her more and more every day.

"I guess Willow's right . . ." Xander agreed. "But I still want you to be careful Buffy, don't get too caught up in all of this."

"Giles?" Buffy asked, wanting his approval but knowing it was unlikely she would get it.

"I don't like Spike." The watcher said. "But it's your choice, not mine."

Buffy was feeling very relieved. So her friends weren't exactly celebrating the fact that she and Spike were together, but they weren't attacking him with stakes either.

"Buffy, I still want to talk to you." Joyce said, and Buffy reluctantly left Spike's side to follow Joyce into another room.

Five pairs of eyes immediately turned to the vampire in the living room.

"I guess I'll be goin' then." Spike said hurriedly, turning towards the door.

"Oh no you're not." Giles said, grabbing Spike's arm and pulling the Billy Idol look alike into the kitchen.

* * *

"Anyone else think that we were a little more surprised at Buffy's surprise party then she was?" Willow asked as the kitchen door slammed behind Giles.

"Definitely." Xander agreed.

"Well I'm not surprised." Anya stated. "You guys are just so oblivious to everything!"

"You knew?" Xander asked in disbelief. "How?"

"I like to keep on top of who's having orgasms."

Xander's eyes widened. "You don't think they've, you know . . ."

"Come on, Xander." Anya said, rolling her eyes. "This is Buffy and Spike. Of course they've had sex."

* * *

"If I find out that this is just some twisted, evil plan of yours," Giles said as he shut the kitchen door firmly behind them. "Then you'll wish you had never met Buffy or come to Sunnydale."

Spike sat down comfortably on one of the kitchen stools. "Don' get your knickers in a twist. I'm not goin' t' hurt the girl."

"You better not. Because if you do you're going to come face to face with Ripper, and he is not some one you want to meet."

"I'm-"

"If you hurt her, in anyway, you're going to find yourself very, very dusty."

"Listen Rupert, I'm not going to hurt her. And if I ever did, I'd probably stake myself first."

"Good. I just felt the need to warn you." Giles said, and left the kitchen. Spike stood up to leave, only to find himself being pushed back onto the stool by Joyce.

"Not so fast."

"What is this, Spike interrogation day?" Spike asked as he sat down again.

"You'll just have to live with it." Joyce told him. "I like you Spike, I think you could be a good person. Buffy says you love her, and while I don't know if that's true of not,"

"I'm not-" Spike started to say, but was cut off my Joyce.

"But the important thing is that you make her happy, because above all, I want my daughter to be happy. But if you hurt her, then I know where to find an axe. And you know how handy I am with an axe."

"That I do." Spike agreed, twinkle of laughter in his eyes.

"Good. Well then, since you're going to be hanging around here a lot more often, I'm going to have to teach you how to make hot chocolate for yourself." Joyce said, becoming the normal, happy, Joyce again.

"I do love her." Spike added softly.

"Good." Joyce said with a smile. "That's very good."

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Chapter Fourteen: It Matters

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The party was over, with only Tara, Willow, and Spike still at the Summers' house.

Buffy had convinced Spike to stay, and now had the vampire cornered in the living room, reaching up to capture his lips in a kiss.

"I think Buffy and I need to have some serious girl talk tonight." Willow told Tara, shooting a glance at the couple in the corner.

Tara giggled. "Hopefully you'll get lots of yummy details."

The two had stopped kissing, and were now standing idly in the living room.

"Buffy, I'm staying over tonight." Willow announced. "We need to have some girl talk."

Buffy laughed at her friend's directness. It would be nice, to finally be able to talk to her best friend about Spike. No need to hide anything anymore.

"What more can you two birds possibly 'ave to talk about?" Spike asked, recalling how they had non-stop chatted throughout the entire party.

"You." Willow said simply.

Spike's eyes widened. "You're not actually goin' t' talk about me, are you?"

Buffy only giggled in response, giving him a light kiss on the cheek and sending the vampire out the door.

"Lil' Minx." Spike teased Buffy, vanishing into the darkness.

"Are you sure you'll be alright walking home by yourself?" Willow asked Tara, looking concerned.

"I'll be fine." Tara assured her.

"Well, alright . . ."

Tara washed the concern of her girlfriend's face by pulling her into a soft kiss.

"Just be careful." Willow warned as Tara left the Summers' house.

        * * * * * *

        Tara walked down the sidewalk, her footsteps the only sound on the dark
        street. She was starting to wonder if maybe she should have gone home
        earlier, with Xander and Anya . . .

"Do you think it's wrong?"

Spike had popped out of seemingly nowhere, startling Tara who just managed to catch the scream that threatened to erupt from her throat. How did he come out of nowhere like that? She wondered, deciding it must be a vampire thing.

"Y-you scared m-me." Tara stammered.

"Sorry, pet. But do you think it's wrong?"

"W-what? Y-you and B-buffy?"

"Don' answer that. I know it's wrong. Slayer and vampire, we're jus' not meant for each other. But still . . ." Spike paused. "When did I start caring what you thought?"

Tara smiled. Somehow, Spike could say something rude and make it sound inoffensive.

"Do y-you love her?"

"Yes." Spike answered. No matter that he didn't know why or how, Spike wouldn't deny he loved his blond slayer.

"Then I g-guess it doesn't m-matter whether it's r-right or not."

Spike looked at Tara and smiled. "I like you, you know that? C'mon, I'll walk you 'ome. Maker sure you don' get eaten by any nasties on the way there."

~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~

The sunlight blazed outside, but it was almost dark inside Spike's crypt. The slayer and vampire were in the large bed: tangled in the covers and tangled in each other, playing the dangerous game of love.

Normally, when they were like this Buffy thought of nothing but Spike. Thoughts seemed out of place and unneeded, and Buffy willingly lost herself in the pleasure.

But this time her mind raced, thoughts continually flying back to her conversation with Willow the night before.

:"Do you love him?" Willow had asked.

"Yes." Buffy had replied, the words falling out of her mouth before she had time to catch them, before she had time to plan her response. When part of the truth was uncovered, the rest of it never wanted to stay hidden. :

Spike pushed himself farther into Buffy, whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

:"Have you told him?" Willow had asked.

Buffy shook her head, trying to explain herself to Willow's questioning gaze.

"I do love him." Buffy had answered, after a moment of silence. "But I guess I'm afraid of loving him. Last time I loved some one . . . well it turned out very, very, badly." :

Buffy ran her hands over Spike's back. Her fingers traced the familiar lines, the well-known paths. Spike let out a moan of pleasure as one sharp Buffy nail cut into his skin, letting the smallest trickle of blood flow.

: Willow nodded in sympathy. "But you said you trusted Spike."

"I do!" Buffy had protested.

"Then you should tell him." Willow said quietly. :

"Love you so much." Spike told her, hands skirting over her body, paying special attention to the places where he knew she liked it.

: "I guess you're right." Buffy had agreed, knowing Willow had been right all along. "But do you really think it matters that much, to him I mean?" :

Spike rolled off Buffy, chest heaving with unnecessary breath.

: "I think it matters a whole lot." Willow had said earnestly, one hand pushing a strand of red hair back into place. :

Spike had one arm wrapped around Buffy, head resting on her shoulder. Watching him, so close to her, with his eyes closed in almost-sleep, Buffy realized once again that Willow had been right.

"Spike?" Buffy asked softly.

"Yeah, pet?" He murmured, without bothering to open his eyes.

"I love you."

Those brilliant blue eyes of his flew open, and Buffy found herself underneath him again.

"What'd you say, luv? Because I could 'ave sword I jus' 'eard you say-"

"I love you." Buffy repeated. All the exhaustion vanished from Spike and he kissed her with fury.

"Been waitin' so long to hear that . . ." He murmured in between kisses. "Love you so much."

"I love you." Buffy said again, loving the way he responded to those three simple words, loving him.

He showered her in kisses, and this time Buffy lost herself completely. Lost herself in the pleasure, lost herself in Spike.

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Chapter Fifteen: Another Dance

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"Truth or dare?" Willow asked.

Willow and Buffy were seated at their usual table at The Bronze, playing 'Truth or Dare' while the club throbbed with music.

"Truth."

"Alright. What's the worst thing you've ever done? You know, bad-girl thing you'll never tell you're children in fear that they might do the same thing . . ."

Buffy thought, idly twirling a lock of blond hair around her finger as she watched people dance. She would put money on the fact that Spike was a better dancer then any of these people . . . Buffy grinned, she knew exactly the answer to Willow's question.

"Well," Buffy said, leaning in closer to Willow. "I had sex on a pool table with Spike."

"What?!?!" Willow cried out, the volume of her voice causing some people to turn and stare.

Eyes wide with shock she leaned in closer to Buffy. "Are you serious?" Willow asked, this time keeping her voice quieter.

Buffy nodded.

"B-but, where?" Willow asked. "And when? And how come you didn't tell me?"

"Here, at The Bronze." Buffy said, motioning to the pool tables on the other side of the club. "Remember the night Spike carried me back to our dorm?"

"You have got to be kidding! I thought you would say something like 'I stole tongue depressors from the hospital.' Or something like that." Willow's eyes widened even further, if that was possible. "Not that I would ever steal tongue depressors from the hospital." She quickly added.

Buffy was doubled over in laughter as strong arms encircled her.

"'Ello, luv." Spike greeted. "What are you two birds up too?"

"Nothing!" Willow said quickly. "We're not doing or talking about anything!"

"You up for a dance?" Spike asked Buffy, then remembering Willow was there added, "Or, the three of us could play a game of pool."

"No!" Willow squeaked before Buffy had time to reply. "I'm fine! You guys can go off, I'll, um, drink my coke!"

Spiked cocked his head, looking at Willow oddly. The red head had become fascinated with her Coke, and was staring at it as if it held all the secrets to life. He shrugged, offering a hand to Buffy and pulling her onto the dance floor.

The vampire soon forgot about Willow's strange behavior-it was hard to think of anything when he was dancing with Buffy.

Buffy was moving in time to the music, hips mirroring the movement of Spike's. Buffy's body was against his and Spike lost all sense of time. He didn't try to keep track of the songs, when the beat changed, so did their movements.

She lifted her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him, as close as she could get. Spike kissed her neck softly, inhaling the sharp sent that was so distinctly Buffy.

He moved to her mouth, satisfying her eager and waiting lips with a long kiss. Her body movements were telling him what he was going to get that night, and when night came she fulfilled her promise.

Lying on top of her on the bed, there was no music. But there might as well have been, because they still moved together, still kept up the rhythm.

"I love you."

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The End