Hot Chocolate 2

Chapter 5: Goodnight

They were back at Buffy's house. Buffy stopped at the porch and looked at Spike. He stopped beside her and looked at her too. She was suddenly reminded uncomfortably of the end of a date. Ok, this is where he goes away now.

"I should get my things, pet," he said.

"Uh, yeah," said Buffy. She opened the door and he followed her inside. "I'll get you a garbage bag to put them in."

She followed Spike upstairs. He looked so much like a regular guy at times. Ok, a really good looking guy, if high cheek bones, fine features and blue eyes were your thing. He wasn't exactly Buffy's usual modus operandi so to speak. Riley, Angel, Ben, they'd all been the solid jock type. Spike was on the wiry side. More angular, thought Buffy. Still a fantastic body though. Why the hell am I even thinking this?

Buffy stood in the bathroom doorway and watched Spike stuff his slimey clothes into the garbage bag.

"Perhaps you should burn those," she suggested.

"Burn them? Are you mad Slayer? That's my best outfit."

"Funny," smirked Buffy. "Until tonight I thought it was your only outfit."

"Hey, just because all my clothes are the same colour…"

"I suppose it saves all that worry about co-ordination."

Spike smiled. He stood up and washed the slime off his hands. He picked up the bag of clothes and moved towards the door. To his mild surprise Buffy didn't immediately move away.

"Thanks for your help tonight. Getting sneezed on, all that," she said, looking up at him.

"You're welcome pet," said Spike. Tonight had been good, despite the snot monster. He cocked his head to the side and looked at Buffy thoughtfully, wondering if, maybe… Unconsciously he moistened his lips.

Buffy felt a shiver of excitement course through her. She caught herself studying Spike's mouth and forced herself to act casually.

"Giles and the rest of the Scoobies are meeting tomorrow at the magic box. Researching all things snot monster," she told him.

Spike suddenly realised she'd said "rest of", had she included him as a Scooby? He didn't know whether to be highly insulted or deliriously happy. He chose happy. Spike looked down at Buffy searchingly.

"Maybe I'll drop by then, give my blanket a work out."

Buffy shrugged non-commitally. "If you want. No biggie. I'm sure I can tell them all about your adventures as a mucus demon's tissue."

Spike nodded.

"Thanks for the shower, pet," he said.

"Don't mention it," said Buffy. He was so close now. She could almost feel him. Buffy felt her body responding to his close proximity. Her cheeks coloured slightly and she looked down.

Spike tentatively reached out and pushed a strand of hair out of her face. Everything about her was beautiful. Now or never mate.

"Buffy - " he began. He leant in towards her, ever so slightly.

Buffy suddenly panicked.

"Uh, anyway, you should go, shouldn't you. I mean. That's how it works. You go." She stepped backwards into the hall. Spike studied her carefully for a moment. Then he nodded almost imperceptibly, acquiescing to her wishes. He followed her into the hall. Buffy was still slightly wild eyed and wouldn't meet his eyes.

Spike looked at her, amused. He was a bit frustrated, yeah, but he was also happy. He'd seen her eyes. He'd heard her heart beating too fast. He'd smelt…her desire. One day soon, maybe, if he didn't fuck things up... Spike grinned. He started down the stairs.

"I'll see you later Slayer," he said stopping and looking up at her.

"Bye Spike," said Buffy. She seemed about to say something. Seemed like she wanted to say something. Spike saw the turmoil on her face.

"Oh, fuck it," said Spike and bounded back up the stairs.

Buffy gasped as blond vampire swept her into his arms and covered her mouth with his, kissing her fiercely, softly with icy hot kisses. She pulled back for a second, searching his face. What was she doing? She met his piercing blue eyes, bright with desire, and soft with something else. There was no hate there, no anger, only want and need. She suddenly realised how beautiful he really was. Buffy leant into his kiss and into him. Her hands ran through his hair as his ran over her back, over her hips, over her. He pressed himself into her, mouth demanding. Hot kisses, tongues, touches. Buffy broke away, breathing heavily. Spike, still leaning against her, gasped raggedly, despite not even needing to breath.

"Hmmm," Buffy said. "Now I know what they mean about cigarette breath."

Spike had the decency to look embarrassed. "Sorry luv."

Buffy looked at him archly. "You'll just have to go clean your teeth if we're going to be making out tonight."

Spike grinned. "Where's the toothbrush?" he said.

Buffy got him a spare toothbrush and just to be nice, she cleaned her teeth too. Spike watched her the whole time. Buffy returned his gaze, standing in a defiant manner that drove him crazy. She considered him. His stance, his body language, it oozed sex. Ok Buffy, she thought, a kissing session won't hurt that much. Just get it out of your system, like Wendy and Cartman on South Park.

"Now then, pet" said Spike when they'd finished. His arm snaked about her waist. "Where were we?"

"I think we were right about here," said Buffy and she pulled his face down to hers. Spike kissed her.

"Mmm, minty fresh," Buffy murmured pulling back for a second.

Spike responded with a growl and pulled her back to him fiercely. Buffy's heart pounded as he crushed his lips on hers. His tongue sought hers and his hands roamed over her possessively.

What's the worst that could happen if I slept with him, Buffy thought as Spike's lips tormented hers. He'd leave in the morning and I'd never see him again? And that's bad how? A moan escaped from Spike as Buffy's tongue entered his mouth. Somehow Buffy knew that wouldn't happen. And he couldn't pull an Angelus and turn evil on her, since he already was. Then Buffy knew. Knew what she really feared, that Spike would get to her when her defenses were down, and say something, something true and hurtful. That's the worst that could happen, thought Buffy. And in that case he gets his ass kicked. A no-lose situation. She pressed herself against him and let herself fall into his kiss.

They stumbled into her bedroom and somehow got to the bed. More kisses, caresses and moans. They completely entwined themselves around each other. Spike's hands roamed all over Buffy's body, but did not go under her clothes. She had said make-out, not sex, and he wasn't going to ruin this moment by doing the wrong thing. Instead he teased her through the fabric with his fingers and savoured the skin he could access, touching her hands, her arms, her neck, the small sliver of midriff that was bared to him. His mouth possessed hers, kissed along her jawline, savoured her neck, nibbled her earlobes.

Buffy ran her hands over Spike's back and chest as her lips traced his mouth, his face and neck. He was doing incredible things with his hands. Hot with desire, Buffy could feel Spike's erection pressing against her through his tight jeans. She rolled so she was on top, then broke away from his kiss and sat up, straddling him.

Spike looked up at her questioningly.

Buffy smiled at him and pulled off her shirt. The look on his face killed any doubts she'd had. Hmm, a little Buffy worship from Spike, she could handle that.

"Buffy," he gasped.

And then she undid his belt. Spike stopped questioning and started doing.

They fumbled, tugged, pulled and ripped their way out of their clothes. Mouths, tongues, hands and bodies touching, feeling, licking, sucking, kissing, laughing, fucking. Lots of fucking. Spike, all the time whispering sweet words into Buffy's ears, chuckling softly and growling with pleasure at her giggles, moans and sighs.

They were dancing. Better than fighting her, Spike thought as they moved together. She was so hot, the heat of her blood, the throb of it in her veins nearly intoxicated him.

Buffy felt so alive, awake. Everything was Spike. She matched him, move for move, kiss for kiss, wave of pleasure for wave of pleasure. It's like fighting him, only better, she thought. Buffy let herself go, finding all sorts of ways to make Spike moan and shudder. It gave her immense satisfaction to be able to do it, to have him whimper her name because she was making him feel unbearable pleasure. Spike responded in kind, each gasp from Buffy, each soft moan, each wave of pleasure she inflicted on him caused him to torment her to even greater heights of ecstasy.

"Oh God, Buffy!" Spike groaned as she came, her muscles tightening around him. It was too much and he called her name as he came inside her, almost sobbing with the ecstasy of being with her. "Buffy, I love you Buffy," he whispered kissing her gently as he lay on top of her, spent. Buffy kissed him, stroking his sweat-soaked hair. She looked at him wonderingly, amazed by him and by what he'd made her feel. It had been the most incredible sexual experience she'd ever had.

"What's wrong luv?" he asked as he saw her bottom lip crumple.

"Nothing," sniffed Buffy, wiping away a few tears. "I don't know. It was so -. It's all…"

"No pet, no," he said cuddling her close. "No tears." She suddenly felt wetness on his cheeks. She looked at him wondering and he laughed at himself.

"Bloody stupid, aren't I pet?"

Buffy laughed too, despite herself.

"You were right," Buffy said. "I did have fun."

"Course I'm right," said Spike and he kissed her with a growl.

Sometime later, they both came again and this time they were too exhausted to even think about being emotional.

Spike wrapped his arms around Buffy and kissed her on the cheek.

"I love you," he murmured, half asleep.

Buffy lay awake for a little while longer. She couldn't hear him, as he slept beside her, only feel him. His face was tucked against her neck, his arms embracing her, his legs entwined with her own. He needs me, she realised. He doesn't care if I need him. He just wants to be allowed to need me. The thought made her roll over and hug him tightly. Spike stirred at the movement and tightened his embrace. A sleepy tousled blonde head sought her kiss. Buffy smiled at him and gave him several kisses. A satisfied Spike went back to sleep. Buffy sighed comfortably. She wasn't going to think about what had happened tonight. No thinking. And the Slayer also went to sleep.

Spike woke just before dawn. For a moment he thought he was still dreaming. Buffy's soft, firm, naked body was half under his, her arms wrapped possessively around him. He felt her all warm and sleepy beneath him, beside him. It wasn't a dream, and he hadn't dreamt the night before either. Spike thanked all that might possibly have any influence in his existence. She smelt so good. Spike lay there, tangled in Buffy and sheet, listening to her breath, watching her sleep. Skin against skin. Maybe he was a pervert. You couldn't get more perverted than whispering I love you into a Slayer's ear. Very high on the Vampire's shouldn't do list, that one. He looked at the sleeping girl beside him. If this was wrong, it was doing a damn fine impression of being right. Quietly, after a while, Spike gently disentangled himself and slipped out of bed.

Buffy woke to find her bed empty. It was still early morning and thin slivers of light slipped through her window. For an odd reason she felt excited, as if something important had happened. She smiled as she remembered the night before. Then suddenly there was an odd empty feeling in her stomach. Of course Spike had left, what had she expected? He probably wanted to get home before dawn. Why did she care anyway? It had been fun, but it wasn't like they were in love or anything. It wasn't like there was any reason for him to stay. Buffy rolled over, closed her eyes and resolutely tried to go back to sleep.

Then she heard footsteps. Dawn? The smell of food made her open her eyes. Spike walked into the room carefully, carrying a tray. Buffy rubbed her eyes.

"Spike?" He'd made her breakfast in bed?

"Morning Slayer," he said. "I didn't know whether you liked weetabix or eggs or what, so I made `em all." Spike set the tray down on her bedside table. He kept talking. "I'll help you eat it if it's too much. I got the paper too."

Buffy was at a loss for words. "Thanks," she managed. Buffy realised how naked she was and pulled a sheet up to cover herself. Spike was only half dressed. He'd pulled on his jeans before going downstairs.

"S'alright, luv," said Spike. He sat down beside her. "You've got Scooby stuff soon. It's the least I could do, seeing as I kept you up late and all."

He's nervous, Buffy realised. And he brought breakfast.

"Mmmm, I'm spoilt," she said as she sat up, letting the sheet fall back a little.

Spike swallowed hard.

"Er, pet, I'll get you your dressing gown or something." It would be very hard not to turn into a messy Spike puddle if she kept on sitting there all naked and sexy. He fetched her robe and handed it to her. Spike figured last night had been a one off and he wasn't going to embarrass either of them by suggesting otherwise.

Buffy smiled. "Thanks," she said. Suddenly she realised she was hungry. "Gimme food," she said. Spike grinned, kissed her quickly on the mouth then got her the breakfast tray.

Still here and breakfast in bed, thought Buffy. Spike is less evil than Parker? His post-first-night-sex attentiveness was getting major point scorage. In fact this was probably the most attentive post-first-night-sex she'd had. Definitely better than Angel. Major, major points. Buffy suddenly felt the urge to have a huge girl talk session with Willow. No way was that possible. Buffy sighed. Spike lost mega points on the friends wiggability factor. And she was more than a little disturbed by how exciting she'd found his kiss this morning, and by how much she'd wanted it to continue.

"It's getting very light pet," Spike said, stealing a piece of toast. "I'd better go."

"Hey, aren't you going to help me eat all this?" she asked.

Spike grinned, took another slice of toast and climbed onto the bed beside her.

Between them they made short work of Spike's feast.

"That was pretty good," said Buffy.

"It was just eggs luv," said Spike. He took the tray from her and put it on her beside table.

"Time for you to go?" Buffy asked.

Spike nodded. "Else it will be crispy fried Spike." He leaned over and kissed her goodbye. It was a gentle kiss, almost chaste.

"Thanks pet," he said. It was honest and sincere. Buffy still wasn't quite used to Spike being pleasant.

"Spike," Buffy began, she didn't know what to say. "It was nice."

Spike's dead heart sung.

For old times sake though, he smirked. "It was more than bloody nice pet," he said.

Buffy looked at him airily. She could play it cool too. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you not to tell anyone about this."

"About what pet?" he asked, dangerously close.

She looked at Spike defiantly. "You, me, sex," she said, knowing he knew exactly what she had meant.

"I'm hurt Slayer," said Spike, pulling on his shirt. "As if I'd want to tell anyone."

Buffy waited until he was gone then she got up and had a very long shower. What had she done?

Chapter 6: The Next Morning

The whole Scooby Gang was in major research mode in the Magic Box. Giles had left the unsuspecting customers to Anya and was poring over one of his many medieval texts. Xander was flipping through medieval texts too but he was more looking at the pictures than trying to decipher Olde English. Willow and Tara whispered in a corner about something more than likely to do with magic. Buffy turned the pages of yet another Who's Who of Demonic Snot Creatures and tried not to sigh audibly. It took every ounce of control for her to concentrate on the job at hand. Buffy couldn't stop thinking about the night before.

"Giles, I can't see anything that even looks like our perp."

Spike's hands trailing down…

"Yes, well, so far the descriptions have been varied…If the victims hadn't been attacked in such a similar manner I'd almost be inclined to suggest that we were dealing with several different creatures."

"Well I can't see the one Spike and I saw. I've been through three books now."

Spike's tongue….

"Perhaps it was wearing a disguise?" suggested Xander. "You know, we'll pull off the mask to reveal Groundskeeper Willy?"

"I think you're mixing your shows up Xander," said Buffy absently. Spike's…snap out of it Buffy, she chided herself.

"You could be right though Xander," mused Giles. "Maybe this creature is chameleonic or has shape-shifting abilities…" He turned to another chapter in his book.

Suddenly the door jangled open and a blanket covered Spike raced in.

"And it's the slimed one himself," noted Xander.

Buffy tried desperately not to blush as the blonde vampire shook off the blanket. No one knows anything, she reminded herself. Pretend nothing happened. Look at him normally. Buffy turned in her chair and glared at the vampire.

"Scoobies. Slayer," greeted Spike, noting Buffy's expression and using all his willpower to sound normal. Last night…God…

"Hi Spike," Willow and Tara said, looking up briefly.

"And to what do we owe the pleasure of your company?" Buffy asked icily. It was only half fake, part of her was irritated as hell at him showing up and making her nervous. Spike sex world and Scooby world were not to be mixed.

"If you must know, I've got some more information for you," Spike retorted. He wasn't sure whether Buffy was acting pissed because she didn't want her friends to suspect anything had happened between them or because he'd done something he shouldn't have, like screwing her silly last night. She'd seemed fine that morning, but now she'd had time to think about things. Probably was thinking better of it, Spike thought.

Spike suddenly grinned. He'd screwed her silly last night.

Buffy caught the grin and scowled. If he said ANYTHING to the others…

"Oh really?" Giles asked curiously, interrupting Buffy's murderous train of thought.

"Yeah." He tossed the newspaper he'd taken from Buffy's house at Giles. "Front page." He noted the pile of ancient texts. "Sometimes you need to use modern sources too you know."

Giles' librarian soul was mortified. "Er…well…the Sunnydale Chronicle doesn't usually mention slimey green demons…" His defence of his research skills trailed off as he read the article. "Er…thank you Spike," he murmured. "This is very useful."

"Spike did good?" asked Xander. "I'm amazed, and astonished." Spike ignored him. He found himself a seat opposite Buffy and kicked his feet up on the table, looking very pleased with himself. Maybe if she saw that the others accepted him, Buffy mightn't be so worried about the whole idea of being with him. Plus Giles had thanked him. He risked a very quick glance at Buffy. Last night…Spike took an unnecessary breath at the memory.

"What's it say?" Buffy was asking. Her face reddened as she caught Spike looking at her. Last night…

"Apparently somebody has damaged equipment being used to drain a swamp for the new housing estate. According to the paper the vandals not only smashed the machinery but also poured green slime over everything."

"An environmentalist demon?" Buffy asked. "That's a new one."

"Yes I'd say its too much of a coincidence not to be our, er snot monster." Giles paused. "Perhaps it was living in the swamp and this recent activity has disturbed it. This is very interesting. I wonder…" Giles' head disappeared back into his book.

"You know, we're forgetting one thing," noted Xander.

"Oh yes?"

"The shape shifting. It's my one good idea today dammit, and I won't see it underused."

"Hmm yes…" said Giles still looking at his book. "I wonder…" he said again.

"No wonder it's mad," said Xander. "People putting landfill in its home."

"I feel sorry for it," said Buffy. "Except for the children eating thing."

"You, feel sorry for a demon?" Spike smirked. "I'm amazed Summers. Empathy for the undead?"

"Yeah, don't worry, I won't be extending it to you any time soon." This was good, this was normal. Normal, Spike hating banter. Good, very good. Then she caught his eye. Spike's smirk slipped off and he swallowed hard. It was probably Spike's expression that did it because Buffy suddenly found the good Spike-hate gone and she was blushing fiercely. She glanced guiltily at Giles and the others. They all seemed to be looking either at the newspaper or at the books. Except Xander who was busy looking at Anya entertaining a customer. A male customer. A young, athletic looking, male customer.

"You know," he said suddenly. " I think Anya needs some help over there." He didn't even notice that Spike let the opportunity to ridicule his jealousy pass completely by. Spike was studiously trying not to look at Buffy who was very busy studying her pencil.

"Er.." he coughed. "I'm going out for a smoke." The vampire got up and left the room.

Buffy flipped through a few pages. She looked over at Willow and Tara. They were still engrossed in Wicca-ish things. Xander and Anya looked like they were just about to start kissing. Buffy stood up.

"Um…I'm just…going...out- ..over…there"

"Er…what…yes…good." Giles didn't look up.

Spike looked up as the door opened to the covered area at the back of the shop.

"Buffy?" he breathed and dropped the cigarette he was about to light.

Buffy didn't stop. She strode forward, pinned him against the wall and kissed him hard.

Spike didn't even think about not responding. His tongue dove into her mouth, his kisses hard and soft all at once. Buffy kissed him feverishly. She held the lapels of his duster tightly, simultaneously pushing against him and pulling him to her. Spike's erection pressed against her and memories of the amazing things he'd done to her the night before came flooding back. Spike pulled her closer against him, his hands roaming over her body, slipping under her shirt, entwining in her hair. He ran a hand over her bottom and guided her leg up around his waist. He broke his lips away from hers for a second to nuzzle his face in her hair. Oh God, she was so delicious. A moan escaped Buffy's lips.

"Buffy?" The sound of Giles' voice shattered the moment. "Where are you?"

He opened to door just in time to see Buffy push Spike hard onto the ground.

"Oh there you are," he said. Buffy punching Spike or pushing him onto the ground was barely worth noticing. "I've just discovered something I need to tell you about."

Spike looked up at Buffy, surprise and confusion jumbled across his features for half a second before he was able to think clearly enough to realise what she was up to. Buffy winked at him.

"Ok Giles, I'll be right there." Giles didn't see her wink at Spike and he barely registered Spike's grin. Spike grinning when Buffy pushed him over or punched him was barely worth noticing either. Giles' preferred not to think about why Spike enjoyed the abuse.

"Go home Spike," Giles heard her say as he went inside.

Buffy came inside a few seconds later. She was NOT frustrated. Spike did NOT have that big an effect on her. She was FINE. One thing she was VERY certain of was that she was glad she had told him to go home. Spike sitting there with his face and his eyes and his body was not what she needed at this moment. Not seeing him again for a while that would be a good thing.

"Ok," she said. "What have you found."

"I'll see you Scoobies later," said an annoyingly sexy voice as its owner picked up his blanket. "You can buy me some beer to thank me for my help another day."

The blanket, swore Buffy to herself. She'd forgotten the blanket. She studiously looked away until the door jangled shut and this time Spike was definitely gone.

End of Part 6. To be continued.

For Disclaimer see part 1.

Chapter 7: Plans

Giles had found a mention of a creature lurking on the moors in England who started stealing children after peat cutters disturbed it. The Watcher who had noted down this tidbit had described the monster as being translucent when its body was found. Apparently it had been away from the bog for too long and had simply died.

"It could be our guy," Xander said. "That translucent bit could have something to do with chameleonic shapeshifting."

"Yes my thoughts exactly," said Giles.

"So we could just wait until it dies," said Willow.

"We don't know how long that will be," said Buffy. "If it wasn't eating babies I'd say we go for that plan - let the developers drain the swamp and just wait."

"Well we know where it is," said Giles. "That shouldn't make it too difficult to find. If it can't be killed by normal means, we should lure it out of the swamp and trap it."

"Eww, that's a bit yucky Giles, locking something up until it dies," protested Buffy.

"Think of the babies Buffy," said Willow. She had her resolved face on but it did look a bit icked out as well.

"I'll just have to kill it," said Buffy.

Tara hesitantly spoke. "Are, are you sure it's a demon and not just some endangered species no one's discovered yet?"

Buffy looked at Giles.

"I mean," continued Tara. "If its been living in the swamp not hurting anyone for years, its not its fault people are going into its territory."

"You have a point Tara," said Giles. "But the creature has taken children from locked homes. It has attacked people on the other side of Sunnydale. It would be different if it were just attacking the people working on the estate. The ability of this creature to move so quickly and, well, basically do seemingly impossible things indicates that it's not natural."

"Don't forget the shape-shifting. Very important, the shape-shifting," added Xander.

It had been decided then to go beard the snot monster in its den. Simple. Easy, hopefully. The Scoobies would meet just after dusk at the swamp.

"Buffy," Giles said. "Considering the effort it took you and Spike to scare the creature off last night, do you think you should enlist his aid for tonight's encounter?"

Buffy had thought of that. There were some very good reasons NOT to even think about the idea. On the other hand, Giles had stated all the very good reasons for asking him to help.

"I don't know, Giles," Buffy said. "He probably wouldn't even want to help." Who am I kidding, Buffy thought. Spike had been a constant shadow on patrol for months now. He was helping you before you even knew it, a dark voice added.

"Lately he hasn't seemed obverse to assisting us. He even volunteered information today."

You could go and ask him, an evil voice whispered to Buffy. You could go early and ask him.

"Ok," She sighed. "I'll go ask him," she said. She looked at her watch, it was almost two hours before she had to go get Dawn from school.

"Are you sure Buffy, I..I could go if you're uncomfortable, I notice you two were arguing today."

"No biggie Giles. It was just the usual. He was obnoxious, I hit him." She put on her jacket. "I'll go ask."

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

Buffy opened the crypt door. It was very quiet. Spike looked like.yes, he was! Spike was reading! And. he was wearing glasses.

"Hello Slayer," he said, fighting every urge to get up, grab her, kiss every inch of her body and fuck her brains out.

"Hey," said Buffy as calmly as possible. "Whatcha reading?"

"A book, its got two syllable words in it, you wouldn't like it," said Spike. He very calmly put the book down. Doing well mate, he told himself. Don't seem nervous at all.

"You need glasses?" Buffy was surprised. She walked over and sat opposite him.

"Only to read," said Spike a touch defensively. He took the glasses off and put them in a worn case. "Sometimes. When it's a bit dark."

Buffy decided not to make a big deal out of this new found knowledge. There was something very vulnerable about his expression, as if he was expecting her to torment him.

"They suit you," she said. It was true, sort of. Muss his hair up like it had been last night and they would look just fine.

Spike looked shaken by her compliment. "Uh, thanks," he said, looking at her curiously.

"Ahem," said Buffy putting thoughts of last night out of her mind. "I, uh, came here to ask you a favour,"

The look Spike gave her was positively filthy. For some reason it made Buffy feel better. Spike being obnoxious, that was normal. She could handle that just fine. Spike whispering sweet nothings into her ear, that was difficult.

"Get your mind out of the gutter Spike," she snapped. Spike grew hard just watching her eyes flash. If it didn't mean he'd never be allowed near her gorgeous body again, he'd keep her pissed off forever if he could. Buffy and angry equaled hot.

He grinned. "Sorry pet," he said. "How can I help you?"

Damn, thought Buffy, this was the Spike that made her uncomfortable again. She took a deep breath.

"We're going after the slime monster tonight. I thought you might like to come along."

Spike's heart leapt. The Scoobies needed his help. The Slayer needed his help.

"Not particularly," he said.

Buffy's heart sank. It doesn't matter, she told herself. Why should I care? He's probably just saying no anyway to save face.

"That's fine," she said. "Just thought I'd ask."

Spike looked at her curiously. She cared! She cared that he didn't want to come. He'd just been joking. Who was he kidding, of course he'd help, he'd help whether she wanted him to or not. He knew they didn't really need his help. They would get by without him. And he knew she wasn't afraid of facing the demon. She must care otherwise she wouldn't look so damn much like a kicked puppy.

"Of course I'll come pet," he said, standing up. "As if I'd miss a chance to get slimed again by the bogey monster."

"Fine, good," said Buffy. "Whatever. We're meeting at dusk at the swamp. We'll wait for you if you don't want to wear out your blanket."

"Thanks." There was a pause. Spike swallowed hard. He knew what he really wanted to do.

A sensible Slayer would go home now, Buffy thought. That's because a sensible Slayer would not have had sex with a vampire last night, a part of her added darkly.

"It's a while to sunset yet," offered Buffy, toying with the seam on his couch.

"A few hours," noted Spike. Another pause.

"I don't have to pick Dawn up yet." They were very close to each other now. He could almost feel her breath.

Spike gave up trying to be calm. He pulled Buffy to him and kissed her hard. Buffy kissed him right back. Her arms wound themselves around Spike's shoulders drawing him to her.

So this was a bad idea and only making matters worse. Buffy decided she'd worry about it later.

Spike grabbed her around the waist and held her tight against him. He covered her with hot desperate kisses and his hand roamed up to run through her hair. The hand that had been around her waist slid down to explore underneath her skirt. Buffy moaned, pressing herself against his erection. They moved blindly in the general direction of the bed but instead just made it to the tomb in the centre of the crypt. Somehow Spike lost his shirt. Buffy braced herself against the hard stone as Spike stopped tormenting her mouth and slowly slid kisses down her body, undoing her shirt and bra in his wake. Spike eased Buffy's skirt over up over her hips and slid her panties off. About that point Buffy shut her eyes as Spike buried his face between her legs.

Sometime later, after they'd successfully managed a feat of Olympic standard gymnastics, not to mention some world class cunnilingus and fellatio and several impressive orgasms, Spike and Buffy collapsed against each other, panting. Spike leant against Buffy for a few seconds feeling her heart pounding beneath him. Then he picked her up and carried her to his bed. He kissed her mouth tenderly and held her to him.

They lay there exhausted for a while. Not sleeping, just lightly caressing, feet touching. Close.

"I've got something for you," Spike said suddenly, jumping out of bed.

"A present?" said Buffy in her little girl's voice. She watched as Spike walked across the room naked. Buffy like, she thought.

The vampire opened a small box and pulled out a piece of paper. He returned to the bed and sat down beside Buffy. He looked at her almost shyly.

"Here," he said gruffly, handing her the paper.

Buffy opened the neatly folded paper. It was a poem.

"Did you write this?" she asked, looking up at Spike's blue eyes.

"Its not very good," he answered. "But, but, well the meaning's there." He stood up and walked to the other side of the crypt while Buffy read it. He wanted to see her face but he didn't dare.

Buffy read the poem in silence. It was very old fashioned in style. And some of the rhymes, were almost imaginative to say the least, but the words... He had called her his sunrise and his dusk. Spike's pacing had led him back to the bed.

"Its beautiful," Buffy said looking up at him. She meant it.

He kissed her so she wouldn't say anymore. The kiss led into a longer one and soon they were entwined on the bed.

"What's the time?" Buffy said suddenly, breaking away from him.

Spike squinted at the clock on his VCR.

"Three thirty," he told her.

"Oh, God, I'm late, I've got to pick Dawn up from school." She pulled her clothes on quickly. "Meet you at the entrance to the housing estate just after sundown, k?"

She pulled Spike to her, into a kiss that lasted too long.

"I'm late! Bye!"

Smiling like an idiot, Spike sunk down onto the bed again as she ran out. Something jabbed him. It was the folded piece of paper.

She'd forgotten it. Well she had been in a rush, reasoned Spike. Course she'd only been looking at it five seconds ago. Bloody stupid poem anyway.

The vampire rolled onto his stomach and rested his chin on the pillow. He had to give her credit for pretending she liked it.

He suddenly realised that the idea that she was the kind of person who would just discard a token of love like that hurt him the most. She could've at least taken it with her and chucked it away in private. That's what a nice person would've done.

Since when did you ever deserve the Slayer being nice to you, Spike told himself. Then he laughed, the Slayer had been VERY nice to him lately, very very nice. Stupid bloody poem. Stupid bloody idiot for giving it to her. No wonder she left in a hurry.

Buffy was about halfway to the school when she remembered the poem. She'd forgotten it, how bad was that? She almost turned to go back for it, but she was so late as it was. She'd have to get it later.

And she was definitely NOT having sex with him again. No matter how fantastic it was and how many lovely poems he wrote her and how incredibly sweet he could be.

Chapter 8: Bring on the Snot Monsters.

The Scooby Gang stood outside the construction site that would soon be Sunnydale's newest housing estate.

"For once I am excited by the prospect of fighting evil," said Anya.

"Why's that honey?" asked Xander.

"It's been a suitably long period since the last time we fought evil," she said. "It's no longer boring."

Xander hugged his girlfriend to him. "Hon, I don't know that fighting the forces of evil has ever gotten boring. A major pain in the butt on the other hand."

Buffy arrived then.

"Hey guys," she said. "Been waiting long."

"Not long," said Giles.

Xander looked at his watch. "Nah, that half hour just flew by."

"We amused ourselves," said Willow.

"Is Spike here yet?" Buffy asked.

"Nope," said Xander. "No sign of Evil Dead."

"We'll give him a bit longer," said Buffy. "He probably waited until sunset before leaving. I told him we'd wait."

"Hey, did I tell you Spike gave Tara and me a lift down to the beach last week so we could practice our weather spell?"

"Yeah, and he waited for us to finish it and everything. Even when it started raining."

"Well, spitting," admitted Willow.

"There were definite rain like properties."

"That was pretty nice," said Buffy quietly.

"Hey, I have a car," said Xander. "Why not the Xander asking?"

"You and Anya were going to the movies remember."

"Oh yeah, right."

"Besides," said Willow tongue firmly in cheek. "You probably couldn't have dealt with the naked dancing as well as Spike did."

"Oh yes, he was very supportive of the whole concept," said Tara trying not to smile.

"Naked dancing? There was - " Xander suddenly stopped as he saw Anya glaring at him. "We're just kidding Xander," grinned Willow.

"Well, it would have been very boring, if there had been naked dancing, which there wasn't, for which I am glad, because that just isn't my thing," Xander kept back-pedalling until Anya looked satisfied.

"Spike is certainly being amenable," noted Giles. He shot a glance at Buffy. "He hasn't said anything about that love business lately has he?"

"What? No, thank God!" Buffy said. She hoped no one could see her blush in the waning light.

"Well he did prove himself trustworthy when we had to deal with Glory," Giles said.

Buffy didn't say anything. Her mind was a mass of questions. Willow and Tara sounded as if they actually liked Spike.

"And speak of the devil," said Xander noting as a black De Soto drove up.

"Hello all," Spike said climbing out. He lit a cigarette. "Sorry I'm late, had to wait for the sun to go down."

"Hey, got the duster clean," Buffy said. She could do normal. After all, what happened earlier, that was definitely the last time.

"Yeah, bloody hard getting that stuff off too it was."

Buffy frowned. Why was avoiding looking at her?

They headed into the construction site, towards the rapidly diminishing swamp lands at the far end.

"Ooh," said Willow snuggling up to Tara. "This is a bit scary."

"Sort of Blair Witchy, except we're the witches."

"Hmm, you're right," said Willow. "Now I feel better." Tara squeezed her hand.

"All right," said Giles. "Why don't we spread out and do a sweep of the area."

"And remember," said Xander. "This thing is a shapeshifter."

"Yes," agreed Giles. "We don't know the extent of its chameleonic abilities, it could disguise itself as anything."

Spike suddenly laughed. "Well then I'm sorry, but its time for the t-shirts." He ran a finger across his shirt as if he was writing. "Mutants out. Chameleonic lifeforms? No thanks!"

Everyone looked at him.

"What? Don't you people watch Red Dwarf?"

"I'm a Monty Python man myself," murmured Giles.

They squelched through the soggy swamp land, torch light bobbing in the dark.

Suddenly Buffy felt Spike beside her.

"Bloody fun evening, this is pet, squishing through mud. Goodness knows what's in this place. Snakes I'd imagine."

"Snakes?"

"Big ones. Like in the Amazon."

Buffy realised he was teasing her. She looked around, the others were far enough away not to hear.

"Spike," she whispered. "I accidentally left the poem you wrote behind."

There was silence. Buffy looked up at him, trying to make out his expression in the dark. He wasn't offended was he?

"Yeah, I found it," he said.

"Did you bring it?" Buffy asked.

More silence. Buffy scrutinised the figure beside her, trying to read his body language.

"No," Spike finally said. He sounded embarrassed.

"Oh," said Buffy. A lot more silence.

"I threw it away." Very embarrassed.

"You what?" Buffy looked around to make sure the others weren't near.

Spike mumbled something.

Buffy stopped and grabbed his arm. "You thought I left it there on purpose!"

"Well, it was a bloody awful poem!"

"Spike! It was lovely!"

"Yeah?"

Buffy let go of his arm and squeezed his hand briefly. "Yes," she said firmly. Then she looked at him crossly. "I can't believe you thought I'd leave it behind on purpose! I can't believe you threw it away!"

"It'll still be in the rubbish pet."

"Good, then you can write it out for me again."

Stupid wanker, Spike thought to himself. There you were thinking she thought you were a stupid wanker for giving her the poem and now you've made a stupid wanker of yourself getting all stupid and wankery and she really does think you're a stupid wanker. He kicked a tree. Bloody stupid wanking tosser. Spike was amazed by how this girl, this human girl, could make him behave like a complete prat. A prat who'd do anything for her.

Spike suddenly grinned. She liked the poem.

"It was a nice poem," Buffy was grumbling. "I said it was beautiful, and besides, I was running late. No reason to go and throw it away."

Spike looked at her amused. Making sure no one was watching, Spike leant over and kissed her quickly on the cheek.

Buffy smiled, then punched him on the arm.

Spike grinned and went back to walk nearer to the other scoobies.

The swamp was muddy, wet and also very dark. Buffy could hardly see the others as she trudged through the sludge. Dark figures and pale torch light showed her where they were.

Suddenly Spike was next to her again. Buffy gave him a suspicious look. He winked at her then leant over and whispered something in her ear. Her eyes widened and she blushed deeply. Spike smirked and kept walking. Two can play at this game, Buffy thought, walking up beside him. She reached up and whispered in his ear. Telling him exactly what she intended to do in response to his whispered suggestion. Spike looked positively disconcerted. Buffy swore his ears turned pink, despite his lack of circulation. She flicked her hair and walked away, satisfied. Spike watched her go, still slightly shocked. Then, an evil look appeared on his face and he followed after her. Buffy stopped when Spike caught up with her, a challenge on her face.

Spike leant in close. "If you do that pet," he said in a low voice. "I'll have to do this." And then he purred in her ear like a cat. The reverberating sound sent shivers through Buffy.

"Spike!" she gasped. He wriggled an eyebrow at her and slipped back into the dark.

Suddenly there was a hoarse whisper from Xander.

"Guys! Over here!"

They hurried over. Xander stood next to what looked like a huge bird's nest.

Inside it were four sleeping children. And next to the children were five small shriveled corpses. For a brief moment Buffy thought they were human, then she realised the corpses were bird shaped and horned.

"The monster's babies?" she whispered, not wanting to wake the children.

"Possibly," said Giles. "Or the creature may be doing something to the children. Turning them into demons or something."

They looked at the peacefully sleeping children.

"Although, this nest isn't very secure," continued Giles thoughtfully. "The children could easily have escaped if they were being held prisoner."

"And only four kids have been reported missing," said Buffy.

"Ooh look," said Anya. "They have toys!"

Buffy looked at Giles and frowned. "You don't think that thing has been replacing its dead babies do you?"

"Oh that's so sad," said Willow.

Spike leaned into the nest and picked up a child. "Right," he said. "Lets grab one each and head off home."

The children started to stir.

"Shh, shh," soothed Willow as Buffy, Giles and Xander picked up the remaining children. She, Tara and Anya walked beside the children stroking their hair and calming them.

"Want Mommy," one of the children began to sniffle.

"We'll take you to Mommy," Willow assured him.

"I want my mommy," the child Spike was carrying began.

"Hush, hush," soothed Tara. "When you get home you'll have lots of icecream and maybe pony rides."

The other children started crying for their mothers. Buffy tried to soothe the child in her arms.

"We will return you to your mother in one whole piece," Anya assured the child Xander was carrying.

"WANT MOMMY!"

"MOMMY!"

"MOMMY!"

Suddenly there was a terrible roar.

"Uh," said Spike. "I think we found Mommy."

A huge thing crashed through the trees in front of them.

"Why is this suddenly less Blair Witch and more Jurassic Park?" Xander asked.

Buffy offloaded her child to Willow and drew the Knight of Byzantium's sword she had brought with her.

Spike quickly handed his child to Tara and stood beside her.

"Get the children out of here," Buffy ordered.

Willow gave her child to Anya and began to murmur the words of a spell.

"Come on," said Giles. He, Xander, Anya and Tara took the four children and ran back through the trees.

The monster screamed and started after them.

"Is it my imagination or is this thing bigger?" Spike asked.

Suddenly behind them they heard another roar.

"Or it could've been Daddy we saw earlier."

"Giles!" gasped Buffy.

Spike didn't need to be prompted and started off in the direction of the second roar.

Buffy kicked the creature in the snout, narrowly missing the huge tail it swung at her. It was big and grey and sort of birdlike, in the same way that the Tyrannosaurus rex was birdlike.

She drew her sword and advanced on the thing.

Giles, Xander, Anya and Tara were struggling to hold the children.

"Daddy!" they cried reaching towards the thing that was advancing on them.

Spike ran over.

"Oh bloody fantastic," he said seeing the monster he'd fought earlier. "The slimey one." He quickly pulled off his duster and threw it out of the way.

"Spike!" yelled Giles.

"I'll distract it," he yelled at the Scoobies. "You get them kids out of here."

The creature roared at Spike.

"Daddy!" cried the children. "DADDY."

The creature completely railroaded Spike. It charged right over him and headed towards Giles and the others who were doing their best to stop the children from running to the monster. Spike jumped on its back, trying to slow it down.

The creature wouldn't stop.

Suddenly from the direction of Buffy and the other creature, there came a terrible cry.

The creature paused for a moment, sniffing the air and listening. Then it roared in anger.

Buffy ran towards the sounds of the others, carrying her dripping sword.

The creature flung Giles out of the way. The child he had been carrying broke away from the Scoobies and ran to the slime covered monster. It nuzzled him for a second, completely oblivious to the British vampire on its back.

Then the creature turned on Xander, Tara and Anya. They were struggling to move as quickly as possible and still hang on to three children screaming for their Daddy.

Daddy roared as Buffy stabbed it through the side. She pulled the sword back and raised it to strike again. Spike jumped off the roaring creature as it lurched from the blow.

Suddenly, there was a bright flash.

Where the monster had stood, now crouched a small bunny rabbit, looking the worse for wear. Anya screamed.

"Willow!" cried Tara. "You did a transmogrification spell!"

Willow woozily walked through the trees towards the others carrying another bunny in her arms.

"Xander!" cried Anya. "There's bunnies! Please Xander, make them go away."

The children had stopped screaming and crying as soon as the creature had changed into a rabbit. They sat on the ground or cuddled on to whoever was carrying them, looking confused.

Spike retrieved his duster. He was very glad he had thought to take it off. Everything he had been wearing was now slimey from his monster piggy-back ride. He wandered over to join the others.

"Good job Wills," smiled Buffy.

"Yes, indeed," said Giles. "Well done Willow."

"It didn't seem fair to kill them," said Willow. "They just wanted to have children."

"We'd better get them to a vet," said Tara picking up the second rabbit. The one Willow was carrying was suffering from a nasty cut too.

"I had to let Buffy stab them," Willow said apologetically. "Their form was too strong otherwise."

"Maybe they'll be able to have more children of their own now," grinned Xander.

"More bunnies!" cried Anya, horrified.

"An, " said Xander. "We really have to get you over this fear. People are going to give us Beatrix Potter books when we have kids you know."

Anya stopped. "You, you want to create small humans with me Xander?"

Xander flushed and looked down, embarrassed. "One day, yeah," he said.

It was lucky he was still holding a child, otherwise Anya would have started practising for future baby making then and there.

As they gathered up the children and headed out of the swamp, Buffy turned to Xander and Giles.

"They weren't shapeshifters were they," she said.

"Er no," admitted Giles.

"They looked different because there was two of them, wasn't there," she said.

"Yes," admitted Xander. "But Willow did make them shapeshift in the end, so I think I'm, I'm, what's that word G-man?"

"Vindicated," said Giles.

"Yeah, that."

Giles and Anya left to take the children to the hospital while Xander gave Tara and Willow a ride to the vet. Anya refused to get into the same car as the rabbits.

"Give you a ride Slayer?" Spike asked.

"Thanks," Buffy said. She considered the state of his clothes. He wasn't as slimey as last night but he was still fairly goopey. "Need to borrow my shower again?" she asked.

Spike gave her a self-deprecating smile. "Bit of a mess again, aren't I?" He tossed his duster in the back of his car and climbed in. Buffy hopped in the passenger side.

"Spike," Buffy said suddenly, seriously. "I know we haven't been very trusting of you at times and haven't been exactly welcoming, but you do help and I, we appreciate it."

Spike gave her a small, tight smile and a quick nod. He was embarrassed by her sincerity, by her thanks, by her acceptance.

"Thanks pet," he said. "Means a lot to know that."

Buffy reached up and kissed him. "I appreciate it."

End of part 8. To be continued.