-Chapter 10-

Change of Heart

*************

Buffy sat quietly, her mind trying to soak in every detail of her dream and the words her mother had just spoken. Tears eventually slipped down her cheeks, and her shoulders shook with each soft sob. It wasn't long until Spike was by her side.

"Buffy, what's wrong?" he asked, gliding his hand up and down her bare arm.

She looked at him with big, glassy eyes. He searched her over, making sure she was in one piece and nothing on her lovely body was visibly hurt. All he noticed was her trembling lip and the childish, sweet way she was looking at him; it was all he could do not to pull her into his arms. He was going to give in to that temptation, but Dr. Garrison chose that moment to walk in.

"Miss Summers, good, you are awake. I was hoping you would be. Is everything ok?"

Buffy wiped her last tear away, and smiled. "Everything is fine."

"Good. Well, things are going to be even better for you. You can go home in the morning. I don't know how, but your body had had remarkable healing in the short time you've been here. There usually aren't any circumstances that we would let a patient discontinue their antibiotics, but this time, I'll let it slip by."

Buffy was very please by this news, and it only gave her hope she could leave earlier. "Can I go home now?"

Dr. Garrison smirked. "Pushing your luck, aren't you little lady? Don't you think it's best you stay just a few more hours and get as much rest as you can?"

"I'm rested." She inhaled deeply and put on her most charming smile, trying to look as alert as possible. "See? All awake and ready for some homemade food."

Spike sat on the arm of the chair and chuckled from his perch. "Yes, luv. I've heard you're are quite the cook."

"Hey," Buffy said, then looked back at the doctor with puppy eyes. "So, is that a yes?"

He thought for a moment. "Only if you promise to call if any of your symptoms come back. If I had any thought there could be a relapse, I wouldn't even consider this option."

"So, that's a yes?" Spike asked.

"Yes."

After the doctor left, Spike gathered Buffy's things while she made phone calls. The first was to Xander, to request a ride home, and the second was to the house to say she'd be on her way, shortly.

Buffy pulled on her sneakers and was tying them when Spike mentioned he had to go back to his place, for a change of clothes and something to eat.

"But..." Buffy stopped what she was doing and looked up at him.

"But what?" Spike asked.

"Well...can't you come back to my place after?"

Spike thought he detected a slight whininess in her voice that reminded him of her younger half. "Yeah, Dawn may like to see me. Haven't had her bend my ear in a while." He waited to see what she'd say.

"Yeah, Dawn would like to see you. She likes you a lot, you know."

"I do know."

Buffy figured he must like having the certainty of knowing that, unlike how he had to question her own feelings. "Hey, I told you I like you." She stuck her tongue out at him, trying to be playful and make him forget how serious this conversation could turn.

Spike's eyebrows lifted and his forehead wrinkled up. "Don't do that, 'less you mean it."

Buffy rolled her eyes and went back to tying her shoe. "So, see you later then?"

"You can count on it," he said on the way by, then slipped out the door.

Buffy straightened up, a little smile blossoming on her face. 'I always do,' she thought to herself.

****

As the vampire burst into dust, Spike looked around for any other gits that wanted to test his strength. Yes, tonight he was up for a fight, and he wouldn't mind a few more baddies to satisfy his craving. Then again, any distraction took away from his getting back to the Slayer, with minimum minutes lost.

Deciding that the end result of kicking a demon's ass was going to be a whole hell of a lot less satisfying than the end result of what could happen later with Buffy, Spike made a dash toward his crypt. He hoped, beyond hope, that things were about to take a turn for the better. As in, 'I'm desperately in love with you, Spike,' better. Signs so far were indicating that that was the road they had been traveling down the last couple of days. It was Willow, though, that would tell him as to whether this would be a dead end, or not.

Spike finally saw his crypt and slowed down. He hadn't felt this giddy in a long time, and his optimism was slowly being resurrected by the minute. He bit his bottom lip, as he pushed his door open.

Confusion stopped him in his tracks. "Harm?"

"Spike!" Harmony said as she ran up to him.

Spike put his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back. "What are you doing here?"

Harmony's bubbly nature didn't notice his not so happy attitude. "Oh, ya know. Just passing though." She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, there is like a few people looking for me, but I thought I could stop by and say hello." She waved her hand. "Hello." Now she was rubbing her hand over his chest. "Did you miss me?"

"Harm, I thought I wouldn't have the displeasure of seeing your ass again."

Harmony had to stop to mull that statement over. "I...I thought maybe you had your fun with the Slayer and by now would be missing what you had with me." She turned so her ass faced him, and then gave it a little slap. "Remember how you-"

"Harm!" Spike walked away toward the fridge, not the least bit interested. What he had had with Harm now looked like innocent fun, after what he had experienced with Buffy. She knew how to do things that drove him wild, and on top of that, he loved her.

"But Spikey, you know I can't stay away from you. I think of you all the time." Harmony cuddled up to his turned back. She slid her hands up his outer-thighs and onto his butt.

"Hey! Watch it." He shooed her away with his flailing arms. He hadn't noticed before, but she was scantly dressed, and what she did have on was see through. "Come prepared, did you? You must belong to the 'Lingerie For On The Run' club."

Harmony gave a devious smile. "Never know what may pop up." She looked down with displeasure. "And for the money I spent, you would think it would have come with a thong or something." She looked back up, daring him to take notice of what lacked underneath her red getup.

Spike had no desire. "Harm." His tone was threatening, but then his voice softened. "You don't have to sleep with someone to get their approval. Or a favor, for that matter. If that's what it takes, maybe you should reconsider."

Harmony looked confused. "But you always..."

"I know." Spike looked away after he cut her off, then looked back at her. "And it was wrong. I used you, and I treated you like you didn't matter."

"So, are you saying there isn't something wrong with me? Because I always felt I could only get your approval if I-"

"No, pet. It was me. I'm sorry." He didn't bother to mention that yes, she was quite the ditz. That was neither here nor there.

Harmony crossed her arms around herself, almost like she was trying to cover up. "Spikey." She made a soft ohhh sound. "That's the sweetest thing you've ever said."

Spike picked up his bag of clothes and blood. "Listen, I have to go. But if you need to stay the night, to be safe and all, you can. Just be gone by morning." He could see a question in her eyes. "Yes, Harm, I still love her."

Harmony shook her head, that she understood, he guessed. "Bye, Harm."

****

Buffy sat on the couch watching as her hungry friends devoured the take-out food. As good as it was, she didn't feel like eating as much as she thought she would be capable of. A few excuses went through her mind: the bad taste of hospital food lingering in her mouth, shrunk stomach, past the hungry to nauseous stage, I'm in lovethe last one made her almost choke on her soda. What? No way, she told herself. But there was no way around it, the possibility had entered her mind and she could no longer deny it. It was the truth. All the symptoms were present: the queasy stomach, fast heartbeat, sweaty hands, and she didn't need to call the doctor, because she knew it had nothing to do with her previous illness. 'Nope,' she thought, 'Self Diagnoses: Love Sick.' The realization amused her, more than put her off, though she was a bit scared of the notion. 'Then again,' she thought, 'at least if it was going to happen, it happened with such a hot, strong, unbelievable in b--'

"Buffy, you are glowing. What did they put in those veins of yours?" Xander asked, bringing her back to the here and now.

"Huh?" she asked, looking around, thinking the sound of his cup being place on the table was the front door clicking shut. Disappointed, she sighed. 'Where the hell is he? If he doesn't show up here, I'm going to go find him and kick his assno, no more ass kicking. Then I'll tell him it's not polite to keep a woman waitingthen I'll tie him up and torture him by grabbing-' Buffy jumped up. "Spike!" she said as he came in. Then she sat back down, noticing everyone had raised an eyebrow at her outburst. She let her eyes roam over his body, which was leaning against the doorframe surrounded by his cocky aura. Her eyes lingered on where his hands hung, his thumbs hooked through his belt loops. 'mmm...remember what we did with that belt, Spike?' She looked up and saw that he was watching her, and she wondered if he had read her mind. Looking away quickly, and trying to hide the color that had burst into her cheeks, she grabbed some chips. Why was she blushing? Maybe it was because her friends were watching so closely. Yes, but also because now things were different, she reminded herself. Sure, the chemistry that bounced between the two of them had always been there, but now, for the first time, love was no longer a one-way street. Things were certainly going to be more complicated than ever.

"Hi, Spike." Anya said. "Can I take your coat? And are you hungry?"

Spike looked at her like she was wacked. "Ummm, no, and not hungry really. Brought some blood with me, so I'm all set."

"Oh, ok," she replied with her chipper voice. "I'm trying to work on manners. Xander gave me a book on things I need to work on."

"Nothing to work on, pet. I like your...ways."

Anya smiled. "Thank you." She turned to Xander. "Did you hear that?"

Xander rolled his eyes. "That coming from a handicapped demon to an ex-demon."

Willow came back into the room with some extra chip dip. "Hey Spike, I didn't hear ya come in. Why don't you come help me for a second?"

Spike followed her into the kitchen, looking behind himself to make sure nobody had trailed in after them. "So, let's have it," he said, trying to keep his voice low. Anticipation gripped his dead heart. What if it was the spell that had the slayer acting all wonky toward him? Then he'd have to do the noble thing and have Willow undue it. Then what would he do?

Spike looked at Willow and noticed the joyful demeanor she had just had a moment before, was now replaced with a passive attitude. Maybe it was foreshadowing, or a hint of what she was about to say. He swallowed hard with fear that his hope was about to be popped like a little pea.

After Willow put a couple of dishes in the sink, she sat on a bar stool and laid one of her hands on an old, brown book. "Well, it took me a while to find it, but I did find the spell you were talking about."

Spike tried to read her face, to prepare himself for any bad news. But then his brain registered her next sentence had begun with, 'good news', so he tuned back into her voice.

"...is, is that the spell didn't work. He had like threee more sentences to say, plus he needed some of the demon's blood to pour over the stone. You didn't mention him having any."

Spike tried not to smile. He really did.

Willow knew then, by his smile and the way his eyes glistened, that he truly cared for her friend. She touched his hand. "Spike, that doesn't automatically mean that she loves you though. It just means if she does, it's because she wants to."

Spike nodded to say he understood her, then followed her back in and took a seat by Buffy, who was fidgeting with a throw pillow. He let himself recline into a relaxed position. No need to let the girl know everything in him was tight with excitement and heightened hope. His mind jumped around trying to figure out why she had been so much more caring toward him, if it wasn't the spell. Could she really have changed that much in the time he had been gone? He wanted to believe she could have, and maybe she actually had reasoned that her feelings were in fact feelings of lo--. 'No, hold on there mate, no need to let your boat of hope float just yet,' Spike reminded himself. 'Don't cast your line, till you're sure the girl is willing to bite.' He! He mused at his analogy, cause he knew the girl liked to bite.

Dawn smiled at the two and decided to have a little fun. "So, Spike, what's with the bag? Spending the night?"

This took Spike a little off guard. Buffy had asked him to come over, but what had made him think he was staying? "Ummm...I just, just thought-"

Tara piped up. "I told him he could bring his laundry over, anytime he felt the need."

Spike smiled mentally. Saved by the witch.

Xander gave a short, sharp laugh. "So, in other words, we won't see him very often."

"Very funny, Harris."

Tara was definitely the nice one of the group. Her face was gleaming as she spoke to him once more. "So, still having those cramps, Spike?"

"Cramps?" asked Buffy, looking confused.

"Ah, yeah." Spike said. "I've been fine, thanks."

"So, you've found out the cause?" Oh, this was pretty funny, Tara thought to herself. Spike was squirming all right.

Spike grabbed a buffalo wing and shoved it in his mouth so he wouldn't have to answer.

Tara got up, but kept talking. "Did you try ice like I suggested? I heard it can make them go away pretty fast, but I also heard if you stretch it out and rub it with something warm, it tends to feel better."

"What are you talking about?" asked Dawn.

"Nothing," came Spike's fast reply.

"Oh," Dawn said, then grabbed a DVD. "Anyone wanna watch?"

Buffy started picking up the mess around her. "No. It's getting late."

Dawn grabbed a Fortune 8 Ball off the shelf from behind her. Fine, if everyone wanted to sit around like bumps on a log and leave her out of their mysterious blabbering, she'd lighten things up. She started to shake it, but then Anya grabbed it out of her hand.

"What's this?" Anya asked, eyeing the ball curiously.

"Obviously you need to work on not being grabby. It's rude."

"It's rude? How so? Does it say bad things?"

Dawn rolled her eyes. "No, it tells your fortune. You ask a question, shake it, and then read what it says in that little window."

"Oh...ok,' Anya said with childish enthusiasm. "Do you see lots of money in my near future?" She shook it and then looked in the window. "It says, 'maybe.' Well, that's not good." She shook it again, but Dawn said she couldn't do that, unless she asked a different question.

Anya looked at Xander and then down at the ball again. "Will I have an orgasm tonight?"

Dawn grabbed it out of Anya's hand. "Ewww...I don't want to know the answer to that."

Everyone gave a small chuckle. Dawn decided to play it up. "Will Buffy?" she asked, and then began to shake the ball.

Buffy jumped to her feet, embarrassed. "Give me that." She took it from her sister.

Dawn crossed her arms. "It's not like we don't all know about Spike, Buffy."

Buffy turned toward Xander, than Willow and Tara, questioning them with her eyes. They all shrugged innocently. How the heck had her sister found out?

Spike was astounded that they all knew. 'Bout time Goldilocks admitted that she tasted the porridge,' he thought, then wondered if she had also admitted she liked it. Chances were more in his favor now, and he winked at Buffy when she noticed his smug smile.

"Will Dawn be going to bed now?" Buffy asked the ball. "Oh, surprise, surprise, it says, 'most definitely.'"

"Ah! You didn't even shake." Dawn complained.

"I don't have to. I have the infinite knowledge of when you are about to bring your ass upstairs."

Dawn reluctantly said goodnight to everyone, and headed up to her room.

Tara stopped her. "Wait. Buffy, Will and I were just talking. How about you let us take Dawn to a late night movie. It will give you some time alone."

"Oh, Buffy, can I?" Dawn squealed.

Buffy knew Tara meant alone with Spike. The thought made her heart go all crazy again, but it was a good kind of crazy. "Ok." Being around him may be a little less uncomfortable when they weren't around. She only hoped she didn't regret her decision.

Willow got up and grabbed her jacket. "We'll try not to be out real late," she said to Buffy, with a wink. "Xander, don't you have that thing to do?" she asked him, trying to emphasize her question by making certain facial expressions.

"Thing?" asked Anya, clearly not getting the hint.

Xander patted her knee. "Yeah, that thing, remember? That we have to do tonight."

Anya's eyebrows met in confusion, then relaxed, as she seemingly understood. She leaned in toward him, but was still audible to the others. "Ooooh, that thing that we are not supposed to talk about in front of Dawn. Sex, right? "

"Ah, guys, I'm right here." Dawn said, befuddled by Anya's lack of common sense.

"Oh, right." Anya said as she jumped up from her sitting position, pulling Xander up with her. She made her cutest face at him. "That's so sweet, you told them ahead of time we couldn't stay late cause you wanted to get me home in bed-"

"An." Xander said sternly, pulling her out the door. "See ya later, Buff."

Buffy could only stand still as everyone scurried around her, grabbing their belongings, and picking up left-over food as quickly as possible. Since when did Xander want her to be alone with Spike? If her mind hadn't of been so busy digesting the fact that she was once again feeling the girlish giddiness that she had lost long ago, she may in fact think more in depth about the perplexing change in the relationship between her only two guy friends. But for now, it made no difference. Who was she to challenge a good twist in fate, anyhow?

Dawn gave Buffy a quick kiss on the cheek. "See you later. Bye."

Buffy closed the door behind her friends, and then went to sit down by Spike. Her hands roamed over her skirt and then came to a rest, folded in her lap. Why was she so nervous? It wasn't like he was a stranger. It did all seem new to her though.

Buffy took some quick peeks at him out of the corner of her eyes. 'And look at him all relaxed with not a care in the world. Well...wait...why is he being so quiet? Spike is never quiet.' It unnerved her. It wasn't like she didn't already know how he felt about her, so why the change of personality?' His voice startled her from her thoughts.

"Not worried about your friends being out so late?"

She gave him a crooked smile. "Oh, no. They can handle themselves. Xander will probably drop them off at the movies, and then they will either get a taxi, or bum a ride from someone they know. Dawn usually runs into people she knows there."

He turned to face her more. "No patrolling tonight?" 'At least that would give my hands something to do besides itch to grab you,' he thought.

"No. I don't think I'm up to it. Tomorrow night for sure though." Buffy got up and started looking at the things around the living room, like she hadn't seen them a million times already. Pictures, nick-knacks, books, her reflectionwaitwas that a misplaced hair? She smoothed it back, hoping he didn't notice.

"So," she said, trying to steady her heartbeat when she looked at him. "Want to go sit out on the porch with me?" It was too quiet in the house. At least outside the breeze or a car going by would fill in some of the quiet moments. What was that called? Comfortable silence? Echk, this was not comfortable at all. It was more like, 'I feel like I'm going to puke, and why did I let them leave me alone with thisthistotally hot'

"Buffy?" Spike asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Huh?" She looked up from the piece of pizza crust she had been studying. 'Oh God, he just caught me daydreaming. Way to go, Miss Smoothy Pants.' "Yeah? What?"

"I said I'd like to."

"Huh?" asked Buffy once again. 'What did I ask him to do?' Buffy tried going over the last minute in her head. 'Did I say something out loud while thinking...of his yummy-'

"What did I ask you to do...with me?"

"Buffy, are you ok?" he asked as he went to touch her forehead to see if her fever was coming back. She looked kind of clammy.

Buffy jumped back at his touch. "I'm fine. Just a little sick to my stomach I guess. Probably just something I ate."

"You asked me to sit outside with you."

"Yes. Yes, I mean I would like that. You, me, sitting."

Spike looked at her through narrowed eyes, then shook his head. "Come on, then."

They went out and sat on the top step. Spike pulled out a cigarette. He was quite nervous himself, and if he dared guess so, Buffy was also. It was kind of funny seeing the slayer reduced to a stuttering mess, all because she was alone with him. And to think, this moment was finally here, the moment he knew that Buffy may have finally shifted on her pedestal and looked at him eye-level. But what did this mean? She just looked at him as a friend? An equal friend, but nothing else? He wanted to believe her fidgeting fingers, and darty eyes, were a hint of something more.

"Buffy, haven't been out here since-"

"Since you left."

"Buffy, I'd never leave you. That...that was a last resort. But don't think of it as leaving, think of it as just giving you space." He touched her head gently, pulling her hair out of her face. He slid the pad of his thumb down her check, then hooked his finger under her chin to turn her eyes toward him.

Buffy couldn't look down any longer, and lifted her eyes to his cool-blue ones. Something within her flared, and she felt like everything around her had fallen away. "I missed you."

Spike pulled his hand away and just let himself sink further into her doe eyes. "I missed you, too."

"I missed you during patrolling, mostly. I got used to you tormenting me with your snarky remarks." Buffy smiled and looked back down at her hands. "And watching you fight. The way you move...it's incredible"

"In what situation, luv?" Spike asked, obviously enjoying the opportunity to tease her.

"Hey guys." A voice came, and the two looked up to see Clem walking toward them. Buffy was glad of the interruption.

"Hi Clem, what's going on?" asked Buffy.

"Thought I may find you here, Spike. What's up with the blonde nut at your place?"

Spike rolled his eyes. Just what he needed to come up. "Harmony."

"Harmony?" Buffy asked, more than curiosity stabbing at her.

"Yeah, Harmony." He saw the questions in her eyes. "When I went home earlier, she was there. Guess she was running away from some blokes, and stopped by to say hi."

Clem sat down on the grass. "Well, I was staying there, like you said I could, and she just shows up out of the blue and tells me to leave. Says she's staying there now. And the nerve she has; she sent me out the door without a chance to get any of my snacks. Oh, and my movie. Now it's going to be overdue and then I'm-"

"Clem, don't worry about it. You can get your stuff tomorrow."

Clem didn't stop. "And the nightmares I'll be having. She had so much skin showing."

Buffy's head was reeling. Harmony, staying at his place? Why? 'Oh, like I don't know the answer to that.'

Buffy stood up. "Ah, ya know, I'm not feeling too well, and so I think I'm going to head to bed. You guys have a nice night. I'll be seeing you, Spike." She tried to hide her anger. How could he say he loves her and then fuck that blonde, empty-headed twit. Well, then again, he hadn't said he loved her in quite some time, so maybe he no longer did.

Buffy shut the backdoor behind her and ran up to her room. Her bed bounced as she flung herself on top of it and buried her head in her pillow, trying to drown out the sound of her crying. Shit, this was definitely jealously she was feeling, and jealousy, she knew, was the cherry on top of her 'I'm in love with Spike' cake. This was exactly why she was scared; love involved too many feelings, and too little control.

She felt the bed move and her body tilted more to one side. Great, Spike. Her body felt ridged, and hot. Not in a good way though.

Spike touched her shoulder. "Buffy. I'm sorry. It was hard to get Clem to leave." He tried pulling her up. "Buffy."

"Go away, Spike."

"Dammit, Buffy. What the hell is your problem?" Spike asked, his temper flaring. He got up and started pacing.

Denial Buffy, 'I hate the world' Buffy, and 'I'm going to stake you' Buffy, he had experience with. But this new jealous version of Buffy he had no idea how to deal with. Did it take his usual insightful, strait up self, or a softer side? He didn't know.

"My problem?" she sat up, tears falling down her face, which was now a flustered red.

Spike sat back down. "Don't cry." He said softly, wiping her tears away. "I don't know what I did or said wrong. If it's Harmony, don't be upset over that."

"Yeah, like I don't know what you two were doing, while I was sitting here waiting for you." She spit the words out at him.

Spike couldn't help but smile at that comment. Maybe he was heading in the right direction after all. "Didn't know you'd care, slayer."

Buffy's mouth fell open. He didn't want to hear whatever was going to come screeching out of it anytime soon. He knew how mad she could get. "Buffy, I didn't do anything with her. She wanted to. Well, I should say, thought she had to, in order to get me to let her stay there. I explained to her that that was the old me, and that she could stay there tonight, but had to be gone by morning."

Buffy raised an eyebrow. "The old you?"

Spike leaned in closer. "Yes, the me before I fell in love with you." He touched her nose with the tip of his finger, to lighten the mood.

"I feel like such a doof." She said, making a little pout lip.

She believes me? That wasn't so hard. Guess that means she trusts me, too, Spike thought with wonder. Wow. Spike looked at the girl he had loved for so long. Her sudden onslaught of shyness and her trembling lips made her irresistible. He moved in and gently pressed his lips to hers. At first he thought he felt a slight resistance and didn't know whether to back off, but then he felt her hands pull him closer. He cupped the side of her face, and used his other hand to hold her against him. Buffy moaned his name, and he reacted by pushing her back onto the bed.

Buffy let her hands roam over his back, feeling the muscles as they jumped beneath his skin with every moment. His full weight was on top of her, except for this chest, which was slightly raised, due to his arms holding him above her. His lips felt cool and soft against hers, although at the same time, it was an extremely intense kiss, full of emotion. She couldn't stop saying his name, anytime he allowed her a breath. 'If I wasn't in Heaven before, then I sure am now,' she thought.

This was different than before, somehow. It seemed untainted and not controlled by lust. Yes, the attraction was still there, the deep wanting, the hungry touching, but it was...ok. And she knew it was because of her. She finally had her heart in place and in check. Free. That is how she felt.

"Spike?"

"Hmmm...Yeah, Buffy?" He asked between the nibbles he was placing on her throat.

"Just incase you are wondering-"

Spike stopped, and looked at her. His heart almost beat with hope.

Buffy looked into his eyes."I love you. I'm in love with you, Spike."

"Finally came to your senses, did ya, luv?" Spike said, teasing, but then let the impact of her words hit him.

Her face slightly twisted, and he noticed she was getting a little teary eyed. He closed his own eyes for a moment and then placed a kiss on her forehead. His eyes met up with hers again, right after. "Still love you, as always." Swallowing, for some reason, had just become harder to do.

"I know," she said, affectionately touching his face. It felt good to know that, instead of questioning him, or accusing him of it not being real. How she must have hurt him all those times.

"Spike, I'm sorry for any time I hurt you."

Spike didn't say anything, but the expressions that washed over his face told her that that meant a lot to him. He went back to kissing her, and she let herself relax once more in his arms. The moment he had contact with her body, she swore it felt so good; she wanted to claim it was on some kind of spiritual level.

His lips pulled at hers and his familiar taste brought back a flood of memories. How she loved his smell, and the way he touched her like he had no business doing so. She supposed he still felt that way, and would take him some time to get used to the idea she felt him worthy.

He was still hungrily kissing her, and she raked her nails down his back until they reached his ass. After a firm squeeze, which caused Spike to only feast upon her more feverishly, she pulled his hips down as she rubbed herself against him. His left hand had somehow found its way down to her knees, and now her skirt was slowly being lifted. His tongue once more plummeted into her mouth and found hers, as his thumb worked it's way under her panties. The guttural sounds he was making in the lower part of his throat was turning her on almost as much as the slow, caressing movements he was making with his thumb, the rest of his fingers on her inner thigh. Buffy spread her legs even more, and tried to move her body down to better position where she wanted his fingers to touch. Spike wouldn't let her though. He held her down and made her wait. "Spike,...please" she pleaded. She had forgotten how well he knew how to tease and torture her. His only response was his own moan as her smell invaded his senses.

After he had nearly drove her and himself mad, he sat up a little and pushed her shirt up. Luckily, she wasn't wearing a bra. He massaged one of her breasts, as he licked and sucked the other. Once he was satisfied he had made her crazy enough with that, he yanked her skirt up. One hand stayed at her breasts, as his tongue went down to explore where his fingers had just been. He didn't bother to pull her panties aside, but rather let his tongue find its way underneath.

"Oh, Spike. You have no idea..." Buffy trailed off. Her hands were behind her head, clutching the pillow. This time, he wasn't on top of her, so she was able to move more freely. He was out and out teasing her, because every time she moved to place his tongue where she wanted it most, he would slightly move in the opposite direction. Then, without warning, his mouth grabbed onto her and he started sucking. This was it; she knew she wasn't going to be able to hold on much longer. "Spike. Spike! Please,come back up here." Desperation was in her voice. She was now grabbing his head and trying to pull him up and away.

Spike looked up at her, her wetness all over his mouth. He wiped it off with the back of his hand, his eyes full of passion. He moved back over her, and she let her hand feel his hardness for her. He groaned at her touch. "Spike, let me" She started to undo his belt buckle.

Spike sat back up and tugged her skirt off in one motion. Her shirt was the next to go. His tongue traveled up her taunt belly to her breastbone. "You are so beautiful." He said before standing up by the bed. Buffy, kneeling in front of him, pulled his duster off and then his shirt. He let his head fall back as she pulled his jeans down. His hard cock sprang out, and he felt her small hand wrap around it. Wasting no time, he pushed her back onto the bed, and then flipped her over. Buffy let out a yelp of surprise. Yeah, he knew how she liked it when he got all rough. Grabbing her hips, he pulled her ass toward him, and then rammed his cock all the way into her swollen pussy. His breath caught, and he listened as she mewed. Slowly he pulled out, and then pushed in with more force.

"Spike, fuck me. Fuck me hard. Hmmmm..." He was now driving himself into her again and again, and Buffy found herself just about yelling in ecstasy. She raised her ass further up, while her arms and shoulders stayed low, because she knew this would assure she'd get every bit of his cock inside her.

He was pumping her now from brim to base, and her pussy stretched out around him. She touched herself, and then reached down further to feel his cock moving in and out, and then his balls as they slammed forward into her clit over and over. He moved her hand away so he could play with her.

"You like this, luv?"

She tried to answer, but he actually liked the idea he was leaving her speechless. He kept up this steady rhythm, until he could tell she was on the brink of release. Not wanting it to end yet, he pulled out and then flipped her onto her back, then pushed her onto the bed more. He kneeled in front of her, grabbed her hips again, and brought her up to him. Once more, they were both making faces and relishing in the feeling of each other's body.

Spike watched as Buffy's breasts bounced back and forth with each thrust he made, and it wasn't long before he felt her pussy muscles spasm against him. She began yelling and clutching at the blankets around her, her head moving side to side. That's all he could take, and it sent him over the edge.

"Buffy," he said as he spilled himself inside her.

After that, they could only stare at each other, chests rising and falling, parts of them quivering from after shocks. Spike finally lowered her back down and then took off his boots and jeans. After lying on his back beside Buffy, he drew her near, then pulled a blanket over them. She kissed him gently, then snuggled up against him.

"I guess I should go clean up." She said half-heartedly. Never before had they cuddled after sex, and she didn't want to miss out. She knew how fast he could fall asleep.

"Rot. I like the thought of you laying there, with your pussy leaking my load." Spike shrugged, and then gave a devilish smile." Call it a territorial or possessive point of view, but I like it none the less."

Buffy thought for a moment. "I like you feeling possessive of me."

Spike rolled onto his side and ran his fingers through her hair. "Well, that I do. And if any bloke messes with you, I'll snap off each of his fingers, one by one."

"Oh, how sweet." She said, sarcastically. Actually, while his cocky attitude was one of the things that gave him such an allure, she was glad he also had a sweet side. Even if he expressed it rather oddly at times. She smiled to herself, and then thought during the silence that followed.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Spike, his fingers stroking the outside of the arm she had leisurely hung over his stomach.

"Just wondering about the future."

"Hmmm...and what are you wondering?"

Buffy sighed. "Can you promise me everything is going to be ok?"

Spike tilted his head, trying to look at her. "I'll take that as a joke, Buffy."

Buffy laughed a little, not caught off guard by that comeback. She knew he couldn't.

Spike moved his fingers down her arm once more and then threaded them with hers. " I can't promise you tomorrow, let alone the future. Unforeseen circumstanced love to muck up promises, luv."

"Was that supposed to make me feel better?"

Spike bit his lip, playfully, before doing the same to hers. He kissed her sweetly. "I'm devoted to you, Buffy, I'm not going anywhere. I love you and you love me. That's all there is. That's all we need."

Buffy felt content for the first time since she could remember. She let herself take in the feeling of his body so close to hers, and his arm protectively holding her close. Here he was, in her bed, her room, her house. Something about the security and certainty she felt at that moment made her relax into the first stage of sleep.

****

-TBC-

Chapter 11

A Whole New World

A knock on the door brought Buffy out of her deep sleep. Her eyes fluttered, trying to adjust to her surroundings. Bed... closed curtains...curtains closed because of hot vampire in bed? oh yeah. Buffy smiled down at Spike's tousled hair and used one of her fingers to trace along the outline of his abs. Visions of what had happened sparked in her memory. Why the hell did morning have to come so fast? And why wouldn't the persistent knocker catch a clue that obviously she didn't want to leave the snuggly, warm blanket, or the cool body that was sprawled out beside her?

Buffy picked up Spike's discarded t-shirt and put it on, then mumbled as she made her way toward the door. "Alright already," she said as she opened the door. She hushed Willow as she went into the hall, closing the door behind her.

Willow rolled her eyes. "Gees, it's like trying to wake the dead."

"Is that rhetorical? Cause dead guy is still asleep." Buffy quipped.

"Guess you wore him out, huh?" Willow mused.

"Maybe." Buffy gave an innocent shrug, but her eyes told all. "How did it go at the movies?"

"Oh, it was fun, in a Dawn did ask like every five minutes what we thought you and Spike were up to kinda way. We ended up spending like fifteen bucks on candy and popcorn to shut her up."

Buffy chuckled along with her friend. "Yeah, well, she was either sincerely curious, or figured that was a way to get some junk food," Buffy said.

"I'm guessing both, knowing her. She ended up spotting one of her classmates and sat with her half way through the movie."

"Thanks for taking her out. She loves spending time with you and Tara," Buffy said as she followed her friend downstairs.

"No, prob. Figured some of us had better things to do than sleep." Willow winked.

"Speaking of time and togetherness, Tara and I have decided to leave early. As in right away."

"Yeah, what time is it? Thought you looked a little peppy for it to be too early."

Willow looked at her watch. "Eight A.M."

A look of panic washed over Buffy's face. "Shit. Work! They must wonder where I am." Buffy started to panic. "I've probably lost my job. I mean, I ran off in the middle of a shift with Riley, and they said if I ever did that again, they would fire me. And...and...I've been gone all weekend, without calling in."

"Buffy, Buffy, calm down. It's ok. I called them yesterday and told them you have been in the hospital. They said they'd called this morning to see how you are doing."

Just then the phone rang. Buffy rolled her eyes and her shoulders dropped. "Can I still be in the hospital?" she pleaded.

The phone rang again. Buffy sighed and then answered it. It was in fact work, and seeing she was home, they asked her to come in at ten. Knowing her bills wouldn't go away on their own, she said yes.

"Going in, huh?" asked Willow. Tara came into the kitchen and poured some orange juice for Buffy.

She thanked Tara and then answered Willow. "Yeah, gotta do what I gotta do."

Tara smiled her sweet smile, softly touching her lover's hair. "Did you tell her we are leaving early?"

"Yes." Willow's eyes shone with anticipation. They had been looking forward to the quiet time together, as in no school, no researchy stuff. "We are going to do a little window shopping around the town we are staying in, before heading over to the B&B."

"Is Dawn at school?" asked Buffy.

"No, she wouldn't get up this morning. Guess we shouldn't have taken her out so late on a school night."

"It's ok. You two have fun. Just promise to call sometime tonight so I know you are alright," Buffy said, then hugged them both.

"Promise," said both girls in unison.

After they left, Buffy decided she should go take a shower, but first she wanted to get back up to her bedroom and under the covers before Spike woke. This wasn't supposed to be another incident where he had to wake up alone.

She crept up the stairs quietly and then opened the door, stealthily slipping through. His sexy back was facing her, but she could tell he was hugging her pillow. She stood still a moment, taking in the sight of him. The white sheet was the only thing covering him and it was only up to his lower back. He must have been moving around a bit at some point, because now it was sort of twisted around him, making it snug against his bare ass. 'What an ass it is,' she thought before crawling in beside him.

Buffy moved the pillow and pushed up against him, so they were facing each other. Instinctively, probably due to his sense of smell realizing her scent had just become stronger, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer.

"Spike," Buffy whispered against his neck. Why was she whispering? Not like the racket from a while ago woke him. But, she felt like waking him gently. Again she whispered, "Spike."

"Mmm...Luv," came his reply.For some reason, his name said gently against his neck woke him.

She tilted her head back so she could look up at him, just as his eyes slowly opened.

Startling her, he pushed up and used the arm below him to hold himself up."Buffy?" he said, obviously astonished she was in the bed with him. Or maybe he thought he was dreaming.

This was just one more reminder of just how crappy she had treated him in the past. Pushing that feeling of regret aside, cause hey, lots of make up time in the future, she gave him her biggest, brightest smile. His response to that was one of his own and she totally melted inside. This guy had to have the cutest everything. Everything about him that she hadn't noticed before was spilling out in front of her, and her mind couldn't fathom how she hadn't noticed them all before. More like ignored, she told herself. Sure, she knew he was hot. She soaked in all his hotness anytime she thought he wouldn't notice. But his cute, sweet ways were just now revealing themselves to her open eyes. Thinking back now, they were there before, but it wasn't till now that she believed in them.

"You're here," he said, attentively touching her face. Then that was it. Before the last syllable was out, he was pushing her onto her back and kissing her. Buffy felt tingles fly through her body, and hot desire pooled in her lower belly. She knew she had to get away now or things were only going to progress to a point that would make it impossible.

"Spike," she said. "I have to go to work."

He growled. "No, stay here with me, Buffy. I need you." He was working his hand up inside his shirt she was wearing, rubbing the skin just below her breasts.

"God, Spike, can you make this any harder?"

"I don't know, pet, if I get any harder than this, I may just burst from need."

Buffy playfully whacked him across the side of his head. "About having to get out of bed, I mean, silly. I have to go get ready for work, or I'll be late."

Spike finally stopped nibbling her ear and looked her in the eye. "You still work at that grease hell?" He felt some kind of shame for her having to work there, cause he wanted to provide for her. He studied her hands, as he held them against the bed above her head. They looked small and fragile, but he knew the strength they possessed. Felt it for himself, more than once. Yes, these hands were used to twist a stake through a heart of a demon, but he knew the first time it happened, they were made to touch him. To scratch him and rub him and to stroke his he grinned with a devilish flare and then took one of her hands below the sheet.

Buffy pulled away, not wanting to start something she couldn't finish. "Spike," she said, her voice low with desire. She cupped his face. "I have to go. Believe me, I don't want to. Please don't think that, or that I don't want to be with you. God knows how many times I did that."

"God lost count before me, pet," Spike said teasingly, then started searching her over with his eyes and hands.

Buffy looked at him quizzically. "Spike, what are you doing?

"Looking for the conscience you grew over the last few days."

"Ok, that's it." Buffy jumped up, straddled him and started tickling the heck out of his ribs. Spike started roaring with laughter, which in turn got Buffy giggling. She loved his laugh, so seldom heard in the past when he was around her.

Spike didn't make much of an effort to get away, so she stopped. "I have to take a shower and get out of here. I'll be back around nine tonight. I have to work some extra hours." Buffy got up, ignoring his puppy eyes the best she could. Looking through her closet, she pulled out her uniform. "Dawn is still in bed. Why don't you catch some more sleep, then later she will probably wake you up for one of her cereal experiments. Believe me, you don't wanna miss it."

"You're forgetting all the time I spent with her while you were" Spike trailed off, not wanting to remember the agony he felt at that time. "I've been Dawn's guinea pig in the past, pet. I've been subjected to teen movies, boy bands, numerous hair products and the wanting of endless opinions on the latest trends."

"Good, then you can deal." She went over and kissed him, letting herself linger to absorb enough of the feeling to hold her over till she got back. "I love you." She hugged him, then headed for the bathroom.

Spike lay there a while, listening to the sound of the shower and thinking about how great it felt to have slept beside her all night in her bed.

****

Spike woke up about two hours later, the smell of bacon drifting up from the kitchen. He figured the 'not so little one' was up and had decided to forgo the simple task of pouring cereal. In the time he had spent here with Dawn in the past, he had given her a few basic cooking lessons. Plus, she had informed him that Willow had done the same thing once in a while, whenever she was in the mood, or feeling sorry about something.

Spike got up and pulled on his jeans. Now where was his damn shirt? He looked around, but then remembered that Buffy had had it on when she woke him up. After retrieving it from the hook in the bathroom, he went down to see Dawn.

"Hey, sleepyhead," Dawn cheerfully called to him as he walked in, her eyes all shiny.

"Morning, school skipper." Spike said as he messed up her hair with one hand, grabbing an English muffin with the other.

"Hey, hold on. Let me get the rest before you start chowing down on that. *And* I am not a school skipper," she said as she pointed a spatula at him, bits of eggs falling to the floor. "I went out just so you could be alone with Buffy, remember? I didn't get in till one this morning."

Spike sat at the island, sipping some of the blood he had brought with him, until Dawn served him his plate of food. She pulled a seat up beside him.

Dawn grabbed the salt for her eggs. "So, what did you two do?"

Spike made a "humph" sound.

Dawn knew it was useless. Plus, she really didn't want any details. "Buffy left me a note saying you were here and that she would be back tonight after work. Are you staying?"

"Yes. Afraid you are stuck with me for the time being, Bit."

Spike shoveled his food in into his mouth, trying to make it so that he didn't have time to sit like a grinning fool, but he knew Dawn saw that he was in an extra good mood this morning.

"So what do you want to do today?" Dawn asked, before getting up to clear her dishes. Spike took his last bite and brought his dish to the sink.

"Well, I thought you should get caught up on your homework. Also, we could do some laundry and some other chores to help your sister out. I just wish I could do something nice with her. Take her somewhere tonight, or something."

They both stood in silence for a long time, lost in thought. Finally, Dawn thought of something. "Spike!" she said with an excited voice, turning around suddenly.

Spike jumped. "Bloody hell!"

Dawn laughed. "I just thought of something. My grandmother, on my dad's side, has a big beach house she hardly ever uses. I just talked to her last weekend, and she said she was going to Europe for a couple of weeks. Why don't you take her there?"

"But she isn't around to ask if it's ok."

Dawn rolled her eyes. "My grandmother doesn't really like us. She didn't want my dad to marry my mom, so she pretty much cut ties with him after he did. Then once my mom died, she started talking to my dad more, I guess. She only called here to see if I had heard from my dad, because she hadn't been able to get in contact with him to tell him she would be back in a couple of weeks." Dawn played with a pen that was on the counter. "Not like I hear from him much, so I don't know what makes her think I'd know his whereabouts." Dawn looked up at Spike, her enthusiasm returning. "Anyway, my dad would bring Buffy and I there for a family get together every summer when we were really young. Course, it's not like anyone talked to us, but it was fun just playing at the beach and stuff."

Dawn walked off and started rummaging through a draw. She held up a key. "Here it is. Dad left it behind when he moved out. He received it before getting married, and I guess my grandmother just forgot to ask for it back." Dawn walked over and handed it to him.

Spike studied the key, lost in thought once again. He barely noticed Dawn leave the room with the phone.

She came back in smiling. "I just called Xander. He said I can stay the night there tonight. So now you have no excuse."

Spike liked this idea. He rubbed his hand once over the wad of money in his back pocket. He knew it must have been more than luck when he found it on the floor of the hospital bathroom. Wasn't a whole lot, but a heck of a lot more than he usually had.

"Go get an overnight bag ready for Buffy, then bring it to her and tell her I'll pick her up after her shift. Also, bring her something to get changed into." He touched her shoulder. "If you don't mind."

Dawn bounced away, happy to help in Spike's dating plans.

****

Buffy took a man's order and then found Dawn to be the next standing in line, a shit eating grin on her face. "Dawn. What are you doing here? Is Spike ok?" She knew that was a stupid question, seeing if that was so, Dawn wouldn't look so happy.

"Spike's fine. Here." She handed Buffy a bag.

"What's this?"

"All the essentials of going on an over-night date with Spike."

"Huh?" Buffy asked. "What date?"

"The one that you are going on tonight. Spike is picking you up here after your shift. So here," she said, handing Buffy another small bag. "Put these on and be ready."

"Where are we going? And where are you going to be?"

"Beats me," she lied. "I'll be at Xander's. Bye! Have fun!" her sister called, skipping off.

****

Buffy stood outside the door of the Double Meat Palace, looking at her watch for the umpteenth time. She had gotten out a little earlier than expected, so at least she was ready.

Pacing, she ended up near the alley she and Spike had had sex in during one of her breaks. She tried to block out the memory Spike's eyes searching for hers, but she had kept her head to the side, unwilling to let him see that she wanted more. Wanted him to think this back alley sex was fine, and all she wanted. Made like love wasn't nipping at her heart and scolding her for using him the way she was.

Buffy closed her eyes briefly, then walked back to wait by the door. She let the bad feelings fall from her. Now it is different, she reminded herself. A warm smile spread across her face as she saw Spike pull up on his bike. This could be fun.

Buffy heard the door open behind her, and the voice of one of her female work-mates asked, "Who's the hot guy?"

Buffy never looked at her, couldn't take her eyes off of Spike. "My boyfriend." It felt funny to say that. Not because she had just labeled him as that, but rather because he felt like so much more. He was her friend, and he had gone through so much with her. It's not like they had just met last weekend at the Bronze over a drink and a dance.

Buffy threw the bag onto the back of the bike, kissed him, then crawled on behind him, wrapping her body up against his.

"You ready, Luv?" asked Spike.

Buffy replied by hugging him tighter and saying, "Mmmm hmmm."

Off they went and Buffy felt wonderfully happy. To know she was his girl and to act like it gave her a feeling of weightlessness.

After about an hour of driving, they came into a small town. Spike pulled into a restaurant's parking lot. "Hungry, sweetie?"

Buffy got off the bike and took his hand. First time he had called her that, she thought to herself. "I must look a mess."

Spike pulled her inside, out of the chilly night air. "That, I'm afraid, is impossible."

A waitress brought them to a booth; the couple sat facing each other, but looked around at their surroundings. The place was quite cozy and quaint, nothing fancy and not a hole in the wall either.

"This town seems familiar. I think it's where we used to have our family reunions when I was little? I'm pretty sure it is. Is it Mayfield?" Buffy asked, grabbing a menu.

"That it is," Spike said looking over his menu, his grin hid below it.

The waitress came with their drinks and took their orders. After that Buffy realized she didn't have much cash on her. "Shit. Spike, I don't have money on me. Maybe there is an ATM around-"

Spike grabbed her hand and held it. "It's ok. I have some."

Buffy narrowed her eyes at him. "You? Great, do I even want to know how?"

"You shouldn't have to ask. Just trust me."

That was something highly unusual for her nature, but seeing that he had changed so much, she figured she could. She shook her head slightly, and watched his thumb methodically rubbing over the top of her fingers.

They ate their food while they had some light- hearted banter heck, even making inside jokes like a regular couple.

"I'm stuffed." Buffy said, pushing her plate away. "Another bite and I'm going to have to undo my pants."

"Sorry, but I can't take that as a threat. I rather it be a promise."

Buffy stood up. "Don't temp me."

Spike followed suit. "No, don't temp me, pet. Though I do think you may want to wait till we are out of the public eye and to our destination." He helped her get her jacket on. "Just a short while; don't worry."

"Good, cause my butt is getting sore, all though I don't mind having an excuse to be so close to you."

"No need for excuses any longer, remember?" Spike grabbed her hand once more as they walked out. A simple thing, holding hands, yet it was something new for them. "And this is an easy ride compared to what's to come," Spike said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Buffy let go of his hand and cuffed his arm. Spike staggered to the side, grabbing his arm like she had hurt him, causing Buffy to giggle. She then pinched his butt and ran toward the bike. Spike laughed and took off after her, twirling her in the air once he caught up. Buffy yelped and then laughed, meanwhile ordering him to put her down. Once done, Spike moved in, determined to get another taste of her lips before getting back on the bike. He pushed her up against it; she held her hand against his chest, but let him have his way. The kiss grew more and more sensual, and their bodies responded. "Sp-ike, going ta...umm...tiiip...ovber thaa...mmm...Spi-"Buffy said around Spike's lips. She pushed him away and wrinkled her nose up at him. "Second time today you've gotten me wet and can't do anything about it." She looked down, a bit shy at her statement.

"Oh, you know right well I can do something about it." He pressed himself into her once more, breathing into her ear, then kissed just underneath it, gently.

Buffy closed her eyes, taking in the feeling that her strong legs were now nothing but sticks of jello. She felt his fingers surveying the crotch of her thin pants, navigating around the zipper, then gently pushing into the place that was aching for him.

Spike could feel that she was in fact ready for him, and he growled with anticipation.

Buffy decided she needed to be strong for both of them, giving him another push away. "Spike," she said, scolding him with a pointed finger. "Listen, Mister."

Spike gave in without too much fuss, but only because he knew he would have her in a short while. Her hand wrapped around him as he sped off, the smell of her perfume and natural odor intoxicating his brain.

A light rain started, dampening their hair and clothes. Spike assured her that they were almost there, and once he turned onto a certain desolate road, Buffy exclaimed that she knew just where he was taking her. The little way they drove gave Spike time to explain how it all worked out.

Buffy shivered, not knowing if it was from the chilly rain, excitement or the thought of her mean grandmother finding out. She hugged Spike closer as he slowly approached the huge, old house that was silhouetted against the backdrop of a moonlit sky. Even though a bit of the paint had begun to peel, due to the salty air and wind, it still looked as mysterious and majestic as ever.

The rain was now coming down harder, and they scrambled to get their stuff. "Spike, we don't have a key!" Buffy said over the wind that was picking up. She had forgotten how fast storms could move in on the coast.

Spike put his arm around her back and pushed her along beside him. "Dawn gave one to me," he assured her.

Once in, they both dropped their stuff to the floor beside them and sighed, before looking around the dimly lit interior. After turning on a small table lamp, Buffy looked at Spike's wet form lingering in the shadows. "Come on," she whispered, taking his hand and leading him into the den. "For some reason, I kinda still remember my way around this place. Vaguely, but enough to know where the master bedroom is." She turned and winked at him while still walking.

They both stopped to study their surroundings once in a while, on the way to the second floor. Old photographs, wall hangings and antique furniture were everywhere. The staircase had a slight curve to it. Buffy remembered that when she was little, she used to pretend she was walking down them in a beautiful dress, while her date stood waiting at the bottom.

They could no longer see by the light from the downstairs lamp, but the huge windows that were at the top of the stairs let in enough moonlight to act as a guide. Buffy brought Spike into the last door of the hallway, and then ran to jump onto the bed. It was just as grand as she had remembered it. A huge four-poster canopy bed, with silk sheets and a deep plum colored velvet bedspread that matched the canopy. Delicate lace curtains hung from the canopy, but were tied back to the posts. Silk embroidered pillows rose in a heap at the headboard. Matching velvet curtains fell graciously from the ceiling to floor windows and hand-woven rugs decorated the floor.

Buffy raced over to the old claw-foot tub she had always wanted to take a bath in. She ran her fingers along the porcelain rim. The windows jutted out so that when in the tub, you felt you could fall right out and down onto the beach. The scenery was breathtaking from this spot. The moon was high and bright, causing a path of light to fall onto the choppy sea. Waves were crashing onto the shore, and the rain was now riveting down the glass panels.

Spike stood behind her, watching also, but enjoying watching her even more so. Finally he had her hands on her, but she danced away once more, stopping by the fireplace. "Best part, my dear, a fireplace. Isn't that cool?"

Spike smiled. He had to. She was like a kid, and he was loving it. No stressed out, business like slayer; no lugubrious attitude. Yup, this was the girl he knew existed in that pretty little shell, and he was having fun the last couple of days getting to finally see her shine.

She was looking at him now, a bit of a pout lip and pleading in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around herself. "Will you make us a fire? I'll go get our stuff, if you do."

"Anything you want," he answered, hoping he could get her out of those wet clothes so she wouldn't catch a cold. He smirked, thinking he could fool himself into believing that was the first reason that had popped into his head.

The wood was very dry, so it caught fire quickly, and Buffy came back in happy to have the warmth already spreading into the room. She watched as Spike poked at the wood and then looked to see what Dawn had put in her bag.

Opening it up, she pulled out a little pouch and peeked inside. Good- a razor and shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair stuff. She pulled out the outfit for tomorrow that Dawn had picked out, then laughed lightly at the rest: a CD of slow songs, the long silky night gown that Dawn had talked Buffy into buying for herself; said the Sushi pj's were wearing out, and she never knew when she may need something pretty. 'What's this? Oh good, bubble bath, Dawn must remember the big tub also,' she thought to herself. 'Huh? What the..." She pulled out a couple of silk scarves. 'Oh God, what is this girl thinking?' Last, she pulled out a note that read:

My happy, in love sister (bout time),

Hope I remembered everything you could need. I didn't want to pack too much, seeing you were on the bike and would be back by tomorrow night.

I hope you and Spike have fun just relaxing, being able to talk and whatever else it is you two do. (evil grin)

I love you! See you tomorrow

Dawn

P.S. Don't forget to take the ties off the bed-posts (or where ever you use them) or else grandma will know someone was there. (snicker) I don't think she is into that sort of thing herself- dead giveaway.

Buffy put everything on the top of an old dresser while thinking out loud. "We really need to get Dawn some kind of...activity to get into...cause those raging teenage hormones. I think she knows more than I want to realize, you know, about sex."

Spike put the poker back and walked toward her. "It's normal. As long as we set a good example..."he trailed off after seeing the look on her face.

"Me? You? Oh, there's a prime example."

Spike took her in his arms. "Exactly. She sees that we love each other. She knows what we overcame to be with each other. Don't look at the labels; that's what we are, not who."

Buffy thought for a moment. "You're right." She looked up at his damp, curly hair and touched it, moving her hand down to his cheek. "Thank you for bringing me here."

Spike put his hand around her waist and brought her in closer. "It's my pleasure." He made a sexy sound, like he just thought of something a little naughty. "Or at least it will be once I get these damp clothes off of you." He watched the flames that were reflected in her green eyes, wondered if her internal flame was as hot as his at the moment.

They stood like that for quite some time, lost in each other's eyes. It was as if they were connected somehow, thinking on the same level. No words were needed at the moment. Maybe because some would be lost, unable to communicate to the brain what the heart was feeling. No, instead they let their hearts finally talk.

Buffy never took her eyes off his as she placed a hand over his heart. The fact that she felt no heartbeat didn't bother her. She knew Spike was more alive than most people she knew, and that his heart truly did still feel.

Spike wanted Buffy, bad. Wanted her so bad he was shaking from need and suspense. But this was different. The mood had been set, with the soft rain rhythmically hitting the roof and her trusting eyes holding him in place.

Spike reached into his pocket, never taking his eyes off of her. Buffy, however, was curious and watched to see what possibly could have turned his thoughts away from the moment, to whatever he was searching for. Finally, he pulled out his hand and held up a ring between his thumb and pointer finger.

Buffy gazed at the ring admiringly, then looked back up at Spike, his eyes still locked on her face. His voice was soft. "This is pretty much all I have left of my former life. My great-grandmother gave it to me, right off her finger. Told me it was for the lady I would someday fall in love with."

Buffy nearly fell over when Spike got down on one knee. He took her left hand in his empty hand. "Buffy, I've never felt for anyone, what I feel for you." Spike gave a sweet smile, then went back to his serious side. "If you'll accept this, I promise to always be with you, fighting by your side, protecting you" he paused and gave a wink. "and to always follow you around making moon-eyes."

Buffy gave a small laugh, but was too overwhelmed by what was happening to do or say much else.

"Buffy, I'm in love with you, and I swear, not a day goes by that I feel it any less. Be with me. Be with me always. Please, say you'll be mine."

"Yes," Buffy said, then let him place the ring on her finger.

He stood up, and used one of his hands to softly touch her hair before leaning in to kiss her gently. Her soft moan made him kiss her a little more passionately, but he still kept it slow and sensual.

They pulled off each other's clothes; hands exploring whatever was newly exposed with each item that was removed. Still standing, Spike held onto Buffy's upper arms as he pulled her in to start kissing her once again.

Buffy slightly pulled her lips away so she could make a painstakingly slow trail of kisses down his neck and chest. She let her tongue flick out once in a while to taste his salty-sweet skin, let her teeth pull at his nipples and inhaled his masculine scent. Once down to his belly, she raked her nails down his sides with just enough pressure to be more of a turn on than painful. Then she did the same, but traveling up his outer thighs instead, as her lips and tongue played around his hips.

Spike couldn't take it anymore. He swore this torture was worse than most he had been through. Even that of Glory's. Buffy's lips were driving him crazy, and he knew he was going to lose control. That moment came when she started sucking and rubbing his balls, and then finally moved on to take the head of his cock into her mouth.

Spike inhaled through clenched teeth, his hands unclenched from the fists they had formed at his sides, and his fingers wrapped themselves in her hair. "Buffy. Buffy." That's all he could say, moaning in between. His ass cheeks tightened every time her cute, little mouth found it's way down the length of shaft, and he knew he would be going over the edge soon.

Buffy, meanwhile, was relentless and steadfast, keeping him so close, but not letting him go there. She loved making him plead and beg her mercy, and the taste of him was such a turn on. She was about to go down again, when Spike pulled her head back by her hair and looked at her in a way that made her body even hotter.

Before she could even take her next breath, Spike had her on the floor, on her back. She knew in that instant, it was her turn to have him feast upon her body.

He was above her now, resting half to one side where an arm supported him. Tenderly he kissed her, whispering sweet things to her as he did so. His left hand massaged her breasts, causing them to tighten, and her nipples begged for attention. Buffy arched her back a little, bringing them closer together. Spike then moved over her completely, in order to kiss his way down her body. Buffy relaxed and let herself enjoy the feeling. She now knew what she had been missing all the other times they had been together. Sometimes, back then, she had caught herself being a little to caring with her touches and had to mentally slap herself. Didn't want Spike to read into it, after all. But now she could give herself freely.

Buffy held her breath as he nuzzled his face between her legs, using her hips to pull her up to his mouth. Her legs fell apart, even shook a little with the intensity of what she was feeling. Buffy couldn't think of anyone she rather have down there doing that to her, and even though she lacked much experience, she didn't think it a wild guess he was superb at it.

Buffy ran her fingers through his hair and rotated her hips forward, wanting more, but Spike let go and moved back up to kiss her. After a moment, he looked into her eyes again, hoping she would see in them how much he truly loved her.

Reaching down, Spike grabbed one of her legs and pulled it up around him. He let the head of his cock play around her dripping wet entrance, and all she could do was stare into his eyes, begging for it silently. Then in one thrust he drove himself completely into her. After a sharp intake of air at the unexpected move, Buffy moaned into his chest, biting his collarbone lightly.

The feeling of Buffy's petite body being crushed under his own weight made Spike slow down. He didn't want to hurt her, but then again, she never minded him being rough before. 'Slow, Spike, slow,' he reminded himself. The firelight that flickered about the room, was dancing on her face, giving her a warm, glowing appearance.

Slow and deliberate was their lovemaking. Kisses were sought out in between moans, and fingers scratched and pulled to convey what the bodies were feeling. Spike now had a rhythm going that was slow, until he was almost completely in, then he'd trust till he was balls deep, rotating his hips so that her clit would get stimulation from his pubic bone.

Buffy was quite lost in the intense emotional and physical pleasure. How she loved him, how she loved how his body worked against and with hers. The way his lips drew out her confessions of how she had always wanted him this way. The way his hands knew how to pull from her all she thought she had lost. How his whispered words only made her realize more and more how much he loved her. His lovemaking, how it made her know she was his forever.

Buffy could tell that he was about to come soon from the way he was starting to tighten up and how he was desperately clinging to her. Just the mere thought of him getting off sent her into her own orgasm. Feeling her own muscles tighten around his cock, she let go and felt wave upon wave of bliss wash over her entire body. Spike let himself go, also, and they pushed into each other, calling each other's name.

When it was over Spike fell against her, then moved onto his side. They basked in the feelings that are shared after two people make love, as they waited for their breathing to return to normal.

Spike kissed her forehead, then her lips. "I love you, Buffy."

"I love you too, Spike." Buffy sat up, eyeing the tub.

Spike noticed and smiled. "Care for me to draw you a bath, me lady?"

"Only if you will come in, too."

Spike thought a moment, his mind screeching to a halt at the thought of Buffy all wet with bubbles playing against her skin. Then he looked over at the bed at the ties and her sexy nighty.

Spike leaned into her, his voice becoming a little predatory sounding. "Only if later I get to show you how truly bad I can really be."

Buffy's body was still against him, and he felt a shiver run though it. As he got up to go turn the bathwater on, Spike smiled, thinking of what he was going to do to her.

"Hey, Spike?" she called. "I thought you said fate has a way of mucking up promises."

Spike turned, grinning. "Yeah, well, got to thinking, Luv, I can bend fate to my will. 'Cause I mean, hello, noble vampire here, how often does fate *let* that happen?"

Buffy laughed and rolled her eyes. "Only when the vamp is chipped and pussy-whipped at the same time."

"Hey!" was Spike's retort. "You're going to get it girl-"

Buffy squealed and ran for the bed. So much for that bath.

****

Buffy woke up and peered around. The sun wasn't up yet, but she could tell it was very early morning. Spike's chest was up against her back, his arm still firmly around her waist, hand tucked between her side and the bed. She could feel him softly breathing on the back of her head, murmuring something from a dream, she supposed.

Unable to go back to sleep, she thought about the previous hours that had led up to them falling exhausted into each other's arms. How much fun it had been. The sweet love, the wild love, the playful love, all in one night. She had the ring, the sore muscles and smile on her face to prove it.

Buffy's stomach started to growl, and she realized she hadn't eaten in hours. She knew there was a bakery down the road because she had seen it on the way.

Rolling over, she kissed her lover softly on the lips. "Spike?"

Spike opened one eye and then closed it again, satisfied she was next to him, not giving a damn about anything else at the moment. He pulled her close and snuggled against her.

"Spike, I'm going to go for a little walk, and then I'll get some stuff down the road for breakfast. Coffee sound good? I won't be gone long." Buffy played with his hair, laughing to herself that he was pretty much back to sleep. His only response was a little nod.

Buffy kissed the top of his head. "Rest up, cause I'm not finished with you yet."

Spike opened one eye again to see if she was serious.

Buffy got up, threw on some clothes, and then washed up before heading out the door. The first rays of sun were coming up over the horizon, and she noticed last night's clouds were gone.

Walking a little faster now, she made her way to a big rock that she climbed on top of. 'Nothing like the sound of the ocean and brisk morning air to wake up to,' she thought as she let the salty air fill her lungs.

In little time, the sun peeked above the carpet of dark, blue water, and let its orange fingers spread. The few clouds that were left, reflected the orange, and the sky surrounding them became a brilliant yellow.

Buffy absentmindedly rubbed the back of her ring with her thumb. Her eyes now taking in the glorious sunrise searched the heavens. "Thank you, mom."