Part 14:
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Previously on In the End, Buffy has been traumatized finding out that

Spike is completely different and no longer loves her, in fact he has no memories of their time together before entering the hellmouth to bring her back home. Spike is appalled he had romantic feelings for the slayer, his mortal enemy but after reading a journal he supposedly had begun after Buffy was taken away, he realizes what a rare and extraordinary thing they must have had. Now to convince Buffy he is willing to be friends and give the relationship a chance to bloom and blossom once again.

~*~

Buffy was alone again. She was upset, mad, thoroughly pissed but most of all worried and she was showing her weakness. The fear crept under and in. Agitated, irritated, aggravated and any other words she couldn't think of that ended in -ated. She wanted to hurt something, wanted to break something and she hurt. Why did it keep hurting so much?

Buffy paced the floor of her room, to the window, and back, around the side of her bed and back around. Brows creased, lines forming on her forehead, gnawing on her thumbnail. She didn't even realize she was chewing on her nail until she tasted the coppery flow of blood on the tip of her tongue. She grimaced.

She needed to get out of there. Out of her room, out of her house, away from him. Go out and do something to get her mind off of personal things she rather not think about any longer. Grabbing her coat, she flew out of her room and down the stairs pausing at the entryway to listen. Not hearing a thing, she then headed out to no where in particular.

Spike heard the front door slam shut just as he was making his way up from the basement. He had a feeling it had been Buffy that left so rapidly but he continued through the kitchen, down the hallway and up the steps to her bedroom. The door was slightly ajar and even though he knew he was the only one in the house, still rapped on the door twice before pushing it open slowly and looking around.

It felt wrong to him, being in her sanctuary with all her Buffy things, and her Buffy scent exploding all around him. He casually strolled around the room looking at the various pictures and pretties on the walls, the knickknacks adorning the shelves and tables. Stopped at her vanity and noticed the pad of stationery embellished with ornate flowers, pretty things, something he never really pictured the slayer having. But, and he was willing to admit to this, he wouldn't mind knowing what other things she liked.

Plopping himself down in the chair, he picked up the pad while he grabbed a pencil out of a cup, tore a piece of paper off just as he looked up and noticed the floating pencil in the mirror. A minute passed as he entertained himself with the object that seemingly hovered in thin air, then remembered the reason why he was there.

Quickly he scribbled a message out before putting everything back in its place, and prior to standing and walking over to her bed. He looked at the notebook he held in his hand for a moment before leaning it against her pillows. Spike propped the note he had written against the pad of paper and left in a hurry before he gave himself any more chances to change his mind. He rushed down the steps and back down into the basement crashing on the cot, arms crossed across his chest before rolling over and falling into a restful slumber.

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He woke with a start. "No, don't leave!" he heard himself gasp outloud.

Spike found himself staring at a cement wall, head slightly lifted off his pillow and breathing in short puffs. It took a few seconds to realize where he was and a second or two after that to notice he wasn't alone. His perceptive abiltiy told him right away she was there; the slayer.

He rolled over on his back and turned his head to scan the room, not really needing to look very far because she was sitting in a chair that she had placed roughly ten feet from the cot. Buffy was sitting and watching him, staring at him with round eyes, grasping the edges of her chair, leaning forward and not looking relaxed at all. He thought maybe he had caught her off guard, his waking so suddenly.

Spike rolled up to a sitting position, himself on the edge of the cot, trying his best to relax. Bugger. It wasn't working. He really needed a cigarette right about now. That's when he noticed the notebook sitting in her lap. Bloody Hell! He anticipated more time before she came along to harangue him about the bloody stupid thing. Knew he should have just kept it to himself all along. But deep down, he was ready to make amends, to make peace, to turn a new leaf, make a fresh start and all those other clichés floating around in his head.

He smiled at her hoping to break the insufferable tension mounting between his shoulder blades and spreading to the base of his neck. His eyes softened, composed himself under her stare hoping she would follow suit and reassure him that he didn't do something utterly ignorant by placing his past heartfelt sentiments in her soft but deadly hands. He deemed himself a fool at first and found it hard to form any discernible words or sentences.

"So, what's a girl like you doing around these parts, Slayer? I mean--- Buffy?" Stupid ponce, that sounded too much like a pick up line some wanker would use at a bar or something.

He sighed and rolled his eyes at himself. And then he heard it. A soft giggle that grew louder as it rolled from her chest. Spike looked up cautiously finding Buffy clutching the pad of paper to herself, looking more carefree, eyes shining with mirth. Sitting there, with his head cocked slightly to the side, his usual perusal of humans, a smirk forming on his lips as he wondered what broke the ice.

"You going to share?" he asked honestly as her laughter ceased but still danced behind her eyes.

**^**

Earlier in the afternnon, Buffy entered the house at 1630 Revello Drive feeling even emptier than when she had left that morning. Trudging up the stairs, she entered her safe haven just to throw herself across the bed and cry to her heart's content. Something cool dropping onto her arm caught her attention and made her raise her head up out of curiousity. Spike's journal, the very same notebook she had only hours ago returned back to him. Why was it in her bedroom on her bed?

She lifted it up as she turned to sit and a piece of paper fluttered onto her lap. Stationery from her desk with his handwriting on it. She wiped the tears from her eyes, too hard to read when the words were watery and blurry.

~Slayer, (she laughed because he had crossed it out and next to it wrote) Buffy,

My apologies for being such an ass this morning. Comes with the whole evil package whether there's a soul there or not. But it was unacceptable conduct on my part and I should have taken into account your feelings and what you must be going through, though for the unlife of me I can't figure out what you would see in a wanker such as myself. Why don't you tell me sometime? I'd like that, I think.

I'm going off on a tangent now, sometimes I do that. But you probably are already familiar with that part of me.

I wanted to give this to you. I thought you would like to know how I really regarded you before all this mess transpired. Please don't be sad anymore on my behalf. I'm a fool. After reading through this supposed journal in all of its entirety, I felt, well, many things. Happy, whole, free and a promising outlook of future possibilities. I think I'd like to feel that way all the time.

I'm afraid I can't give you anymore than just this to go on. Something to build on. I sincerely would like to get to know you better. I'm positive there's more to you than what I remember from our brief and intense encounters in the past. You think about it---then let me know.

Spike~

After reading the spectacular note, Buffy whooped for joy inwardly as she began the examination of Spike's most intimate and personal writings about herself and about them. Hours later, she felt a renewed sense of optimism and encouragement. It was courage that lifted her up and out, down the stairs and through the house to descend the steps where her once upon a time adversary, soon to be hopefully once again confidante and companion, lay soundly sleeping.

She didn't want to wake him just yet, but instead pulled up a chair and waited for the souled vampire to rouse from his daytime nap. This is where he found her, looked upon her when he suddenly and unexpectantly woke from a dream or maybe a nightmare, or daymare. Her body tensed up and she felt the urge to run, but he turned and gazed at her with those clear sky-blue eyes, no sign of animosity, apprehension, nor abomination could be detected in them.

As he sat up, a fleeting moment of doubt passed over his features and Buffy was ready to bolt back up the stairs and into her refuge, but his look softened and he smiled. He actually smiled at her. Then he spoke, and it took a while for her to process what he had said before she began to chuckle.

How bizarre was all of this, after so many years of familiarizing, all the fighting, hating, loving, saving and he sounded so nervous and why did it sound like he was trying to come on to her? She caught his reaction to his absurd words and wanted to run to him and tell him not to worry that his brain couldn't properly function and form dignified words. He asked a question, he wanted to talk or though it seemed like that to her.

"It's just---funny. We've known each other for over five or six years, mentally, physically, yet now whenever we are in the same room together, the uptighty-ness is so thick you could cut it with a knife. That is until you just tried to use a pickup line on me."

"Oh," he rubbed the back of his neck while ducking his head, starting to look uncomfortable again. "You caught that, did you?"

"It's ok, really. Don't worry about it. I thought it was cleverly witty."

"Oh, well, then, good." Spike pushed himslef back on the cot til his back touched the cold concrete and felt all the pressure drain out. He nodded towards the item she clutched in her arms.

"I see you found it. Did you---?" His eyes shot up to look into hers, questioning.

Buffy nodded. "Yes, I did. From beginning to end," she peered down at the object laying in her lap again before raising her eyes back up to his.

"Thank you---for sharing. Means a lot to me and I forgive your brashness this morning if and only if you forgive me for---being such a hormonal bitch lately.

"I'm thinking I am probably used to that side of you, therefore you are always forgiven for your bitchiness." He smiled again as they both shared a chuckle.

"Slayer---um, Buffy? I think that maybe---that we should---probably. Gah, I can be so daft at times. It's just that occasionally, before, before I was turned, I always had trouble speaking properly to girls, young ladies. And, well, especially ones I liked and you would think after 120 years I would be capable of speaking without geting tongue-tied and flustered. I sometimes can come across as asinine, cruel and callous, that's my mouth working before my brain can interrupt it."

"Oh, like I don't know that one already. Believe me, Spike, I know what you're like and I lo---uuuuhh---like you still. Sometimes I want to pummel you into next week, but I swallow my rage down, focus on all the good stuff and just tell myself it's all part and parcel to the whole package, the good and the bad. It doesn't take very long to convince myself that you're just fine." Buffy gave him a sugary yet alluring smile which he caught instantly.

He had a distinct feeling he was really going to like this girl. Very much so.

"I just thought---was thinking that we could possibly patrol tonight--- together? And then, maybe go somewhere to---talk---together---you and me? Not much privacy in this ridiculous habitat you call home." Spike shut his eyes tightly as he sighed and rolled his head back.

"See, there I go again. Open mouth, insert foot. Your home is *not* ridiculous, I just meant the lack of privacy is---ridiculous." He looked at the slayer hopeful, wondering if she would ever speak to him again.

Buffy laughed, a beautiful, melodious sound that he rarely ever heard. "I understood. Don't be so harsh on yourself. Believe me, you'll get an earful if I never fully grasp onto your speech patterns. Really that's not true, but I may question you if you leave me guessing at what in the hell you are trying to say."

"Fair. I'll try not to over express myself on a daily basis. And possibly think before I open my big mouth."

"And what a lovely mouth it is," she softly exclaimed. "One I miss very much.---I mean, talking, yeah, would be of the good." Buffy tried her best to cover up her traitorous thoughts.

Buffy stood quickly. "Um, I---gotta get upstairs, fix some supper."

Before heading up the stairs, she turned back towards him.

"Patrolling tonight then---conversation afterwards? Sounds---nice. And please, join us for supper. I insist. Dawnie would like your company---I would, too."

She ran up the flight of stairs feeling a blush creep across her cheeks as she left Spike to digest their recent conversation. Which he did so in absolute wonderment. It may be much easier to let his guard down around the slayer than what he thought, and just as easy to fall very hard for her. So what was he so worried about?

TBC

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Previously on In the End, Spike has reluctantly decided to give Buffy the journal he had started before he leapt into the hellmouth to bring her back to Sunnydale, opening up and baring his soul not only to her but to himself as well. She's willing to make it a slow go if it means having her "friend" back into her life, filling the empty hole in her soul.

~*~

Supper went smoothly, if smoothly meant having to put up with the bubbly teen whose eyes bore into you trying to read your very soul. He had a sneaking suspicion that the bit knew something was up even though he and Buffy had decided mutually not to tell anyone that they were----what were they doing exactly? They weren't dating, not even close. Talking on friendly terms? Close enough.

Maybe there was something more apparent to others looking in from the outside. Could it be the possible lack of crying from the slayer, or the angry, hateful looks from both of them or the screaming and yelling back and forth as well as the decrease in anxiety and rigid posturing around one another? A likelihood now that things were a bit more tame around the Summers' home since before, well it never really was tame around chez la Summers at all but that's what made it all interesting and kept them on their toes on a daily basis.

Now Buffy was walking up in front of him slightly, trying her best to suppress a fit of giggles over Dawnie's demeanor and final salutations as they began to leave the house. Spike growled as he caught up with the slayer, trying to catch a glimpse of her face but she wouldn't look at him.

"Don't keep her out too late and have fun on your---"patrolling"! she says," Spike did his best nibblet impression, high voice and all.

Too much. Buffy burst out laughing and had to stop and bend over to catch her breath, tears running down her face. Spike had turned to face her, arms crossed difiantly across his chest and shaking his head. Buffy stood, the laughter subsiding when she noticed he wasn't joining in. She took a deep, shuddering breath.

"Sorry, my sister seems to be all knowing sometimes. I swear I didn't tell her a thing. And really what is there to tell? We're just going out to patrol and talk, right?"

Spike smiled, and Buffy glared at him. "C'mon slayer. We've got "patrolling" to do." He made air quotes around the word patrolling to show her he was bemused by the whole parody. "Let's see what happens in Act II, shall we?"

**^**

An hour into their patrol, only a handful of vampires had wagered a confrontation with the duo and that handful now appeared as dust cluttering the cemetery grounds.

"Well, pet, looks like a slow night. Not much to get the adrenaline pumping, eh?"

"You know, I always knew you had a big mouth," she shook her head.

He looked at her with mock hurt as she pointed behind him. He followed her finger and his eyes settled on a cluster of vamps that had apparently just came from a bar or had raided a kegger by their inebriated state and slurred words. Spike turned to crash the party just as Buffy grasped his forearm and pulled him back.

"Uh-uh. Got this one under control since you had to go and open your mouth and jinks us." Buffy marched towards the gang of unsuspecting bloodsuckers who began to hoot and holler, cajoling the slayer to do her worst.

"Wha---I didn't. Well, whatever. Give a holler if you need my help then, pet. I'll just be right over here watching." Spike leaned up against a headstone, pulled a cigarette out and lit it as he watched the fearless gait of the slayer moving towards the band of buggered.

In a blink of an eye, two of the cretins were blowing in the wind not knowing what had hit them. 'Where in bloody hell did she pull that stake out from?', Spike mused, cigarette dangling from his open mouth precariously. So agile, so swift, hands and feet were flying through the air. Four against one didn't seem like much of a fair fight if you were any normal person. But this exquisite embodiment of a warrior in stylish girl's clothing was anything but run-of-the-mill.

Spike was astounded, amazed that he had never taken the time to really appreciate her fighting abilities. Oh he had watched her fight before plenty of times, knew she was resourceful, fast and clever. But this was all in all something completely different. An appreciation, a high level of admiration was coursing through his mind.

He was lost in his reverie of Buffy when he noticed she was struggling, she was in trouble. The last two remaining had her in their clutches and they tossed her down to the ground like she was garbage. He saw her head bounce off a grave marker and swift as lightning he was up and running but froze suddenly when she flipped herself back up, and stood her ground, ready and waiting for them to charge her. Stupid gits, if they knew any better they'd take off running with their tails between their legs. Ah well, guess they didn't know much.

As they charged her, she took a couple of steps towards them, and with precision, flipped up and around, her legs knocking them simultaneously on their chests. She finished the trapeze act, landing on her feet as the vampires flew through the air incapacitated and flat on their backs but if only momentarily. Enough time for her to pounce and stake them good and proper.

Buffy stood and brushed herself off, sneezing as the remnants of vampire dust blew off her clothes.

"Now that was a spectacle, a pure phenomenon. Amazing, luv. You, if I had any, take my breath away." Spike stood there in complete awe of this slayer.

Buffy beamed, blushed then proudly curtsied to her audience. She began to wave her hand in the air as if she had been crowned Miss America.

"Thank you, thank you, I'd like to thank the academy for this wonderful award for kicking some demon ass. Without---."

"Oh, shut your gob and let's get out of here before your head explodes. And I thought I was vain and pretentious." Spike placed his hand over his heart. "I taught you well, grasshopper."

Buffy rolled her eyes and then smiled her biggest smile. "Please," she said sarcastically. Sshe motioned for him to follow her out of the cemetery.

"Yes, let's *do* get out of here before any other filthy or drunken demons figure they want to play."

They walked side by side down the street until they came to Weatherly Park and Buffy veered off their path as she headed towards a picnic table close to the playground. Spike followed suit, knowing she must be ready to sit and talk, either that or a need to rest after the tumultuous battle she had endured all on her own.

As he approached the table, he noticed she had sprawled herself out across the top of it, arms dangling over the sides. Must be tired, need rejuvenated. He chuckled at the display.

"Exhausted, pet?" Spike straddled the seat closest to her head as he glanced up at the night sky to stare at the twinkling stars.

"Mmhmm, sorry. It did wear me out a bit, need to revitalize my poor, sore, aching body. And my head hurts."

"Well, it should, took quite a hit on one of those headstones. You alright?" she heard worry creep into his voice and liked it. She smiled as she pondered the turn of events recently that day. The gift of his journal, the nice bit of conversation in the basement, his expressions of admiration after her slayage in the cemetery and now a hint of worry. She drank it all in and wrapped her arms around it, feeling more and more confident of things to come between them.

She sat up quickly and swung her legs around towards him, one gliding over his head causing him to duck. He basically was now sitting in between her legs looking at her In complete surprise.

"Fine and dandy," she softly knocked on the side of her head. "Takes a lot to injure this thing. Hard as a rock."

Spike smirked. " Believe me, hard headed, this I know."

Buffy giggled softly as he returned a chuckle, shaking his head and looking anywhere but at her so close to him that he could feel the warmth flowing off of her. She positively wanted to kiss him right then, her mind playing a tug of war with her heart at that very moment. Damn, the heart won out and it was racing at top speed. He must have noticed because he looked back up at her surprised as she leaned forward.

"I really want---can I---," her voice dropped suddenly and seductively she finished, "kiss you?"

Great, her impatience was on the loose as well because she didn't even give the poor guy a chance to answer before grasping his face in her warm hands and capturing his cool mouth with hers. He tensed for a mere second or two, his hands clutching the backs of hers, then relaxed as his body, mind and soul melted into an oblivion. He didn't want to think, just wanted the act of passion and intimacy with this woman he had grown to care for, feel for in only one day, flow through him and carry him along the path of light and goodness. And that's what he felt as his lips burned and tingled, his insides fluttered; the goodness enveloping him and pulling him along. His soul sang. What a joyous and wonderful feeling.

Buffy disengaged her lips from his, but placed instead her forhead onto his, eyes tightly closed while her breathing slowed.

"I'm sorry," she whispered with a hint of fright lingering on her words. "Just needed---been too long. And you were here and I was---."

Buffy pulled back completely losing all contact. "---too needy and too fast. I'm so very sorry."

He could hear the grief in her voice as she maneuvered herself around him and away.

"Wait---Buffy!?" Spike stood and reached out to grasp her retreating form. Buffy froze as his fingers wrapped around her wrist; she didn't want to turn around and show him the weakness behind her eyes. Did not want him to see her vulnerable and lost. She felt so lost without him. She took a deep breath before spinning to face him.

"Look, don't worry about that little thing back there," Buffy waved her free hand behind his head. "Just me and my stupid---."

Spike placed his finger over her lips to halt her ramblings. "Shhhh. You talk too much, slayer. Never letting a bloke get a word in edgewise. Just blathering on and on until my ears bleed."

"Spike!?" Buffy huffed as she tilted her head to the side.

"It's just that---it's alright, luv. No problems here what-so-ever, nope, none at all. In fact, it was---nice. No, no, really, really nice," he finished in a sultry, sensual voice as he bent his legs to look her straight in the eye.

Buffy's eyes twinkled as he established an anchor onto her apprehensions and pulled her in, protecting and holding. She felt relief flood over her and knew he was there to stay and things were going to work out for them in the long run. She threw her arms around his neck and held onto him tightly.

"I promise I will keep the affections to a minimum until we are both comfortable with one another once again." she whispered into his ear. "I can do slow. No more throwing myself at you desperately."

Spike chuckled softly. "I kinda like the slayer propelled in my general direction sometimes. I can handle it. But I do think we need to have our talk, Buffy."

She pulled back and looked up at her potential boyfriend. "Sure, we did say patrolling and conversation. So, let's converse. Um, I'm starving though. That tussle took a lot out of me. Wanna Bronze with me? If it's too noisy or over crowded we can leave and find somewhere else."

"Sounds good. I could go for some wings and a beer right about now. Watching you scuffle around with those vamps made me hungry as well." He offered a smile to lighten the mood even more.

"To the Bronze then we go."

TBC

Chapter 16:

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Previously on In the End, Buffy and Spike patrol together, allowing Spike to observe Buffy in slayer action and filling him with a deeper appreciation of what she really stands for. Afterwards, the two relax in the park where Buffy plants one on Spike. Fearing she has rushed into things with the souled vamp, she runs again until he stops her and tells her everything is okey-dokey with them. The night still continues.

~*~

Surprisingly, The Bronze wasn't jumping this evening even if it was the weekend and only 10 at night. In fact, Buffy had noticed even before she took her mini hellmouth vacation and over the past few days since her return that the population of Sunnydale had declined dramatically. Not as many humans, not as many demons. Someone must have had their ear to the ground which in turn word had gotten around to others to either flee or face what may be coming.

All in all, the uncrowdy-ness of the place was perfect in Buffy's eyes and secretly in Spike's as well. Anything was better with less annoying humans to have to deal with, bumbling around, being loud and just plain, outright nuisances. Besides, he was planning on concentrating on just one human at the moment and she was standing at the bar in front of him ordering wings, nachos and drinks for the two of them. Spike scanned the place for a good table as they waited for their drinks and when she turned to hand him the beer, sliding her arm into his, he led her to one he had picked out.

No live band at The Bronze this night, but a dj was spinning tunes out on the stage. A few couples were out on the dance floor getting their groove on and others were either playing pool, darts or sitting around.

"So, I guess we should get chatty, then? Anything in particular you want to talk about? Anything else besides us and our past?"

Spike looked up at her and grinned slightly. "How are you doing tonight?"

Buffy giggled softly. "I'm fine, and you?"

"Fine and dandy, thanks for asking." he chuckled too.

"Why do we sound so nervous? What do we have to be so nervous about?" Buffy enquired of him.

He shrugged his shoulders and looked at the waitress walking towards them with their food. When she left, Spike looked over at Buffy.

"I think I'm apprehensive because I don't rightly know if I seriously want to hear about us---the before us." Buffy shook her head with understanding.

"I don't really blame you all that much. When I came back from the the dead variety, well, things didn't turn out very nice. I mean, it was *nice* in the sense of good feeling nice but it wasn't nicey nice as in the nice to one another nice. Mmm, did that make any sense?" She scrunched her nose up as she tilted her head to the side.

Spike smiled at the girl, no, the woman who sat across from him. "Nicely put. Umm, how many times did you actually use that word in that descriptive analogy of yours?"

Buffy threw her napkin and watched it bounce off of his nose. Spike looked up at her in mock surprise. Hey, at least it wasn't a fist bouncing off his nose. The couple burst out in a fit of laughs, releasing the uneasiness as they became comfortable with one another once again.

"Ok, agree we both need to stop being so uptight with each other?" Buffy asked him honestly.

Spike nodded in reply. "So tell me one thing, slayer, when did we become friends?"

Buffy stared off onto the dance floor, as if she was deep in thought looking back over their tumultuous relationship. "Hmm, kind of a hard question to start with. Mutually, probably when you risked yourself to keep Dawn's secret identity from the hell god. Even though you wouldn't have known it."

"Glory, I remember that, the bitch torturing me, trying to get out of me who the key was. Remember clearly. We became friends then?"

"I guess, in a way. I was thankful for what you did. Do you remember the Buffybot?"

Spike gnawed on a chicken wing, when he choked on a bite and looked at her incredulously. "Can't rightly say I do. What in bloody hell was it?"

"Think about it; Buffy + bot = a robot that you had specially built that looked like me."

"Annnndd---why would I have done that exactly?"

"Umm, I suppose you had your reasons. Probably cause----you couldn't have me in the way you could the robot."

"Have you?---Oh!---oooohhhhh, I---see, I think. Really? Unbelievable, well, I've been known to do some outrageously stupid things in my past life. Sorry 'bout that, pet.

"S'ok, I dealt with it. Pretty funny now that I look back on it. And thankfully you did have her made, cause she helped out the summer I was--- "away"."

"Well, good then. So how did we go from that to, you know, the other thing?" Spike leaned over and snatched a thoroughly cheese covered nacho with a jalapeno slice on top of it off of her barely touched pile.

Buffy reached out quickly and slapped his hand lightly causing the pepper to flop off onto the table. "Oops. Well, when I came back, I went to you. Seemed to be the only one I could talk to."

He quickly stuffed the nacho in his mouth before she tried to take it away while she picked up the pepper and held her finger up with the precariously placed slice of jalapeno on her forefinger to his mouth. Unaware of what she was doing, Buffy continued talking.

"The talking turned into kissing, the kissing turned in bringing the house down, literally, and turned into a "thing"."

Spike gazed up at her through his lashes before he seductively took the tip of her spicy finger into his cool, moist mouth. He heard the slight gasp and she quickly pulled it back to delve into her nachos again. He sighed then he heard her snicker.

"You were always good at that." Buffy looked at him adoringly. His eyes softened when he realized she was okay with his display of playfulness.

"And what may "that" be, pet?"

"Always getting me flustered. Hot and bothered with your wicked, evil ways." Buffy waved her hand in the air in front of him and gave him an irresistible smile. He smirked at her and looked down at the table shying away from her alluring gaze and tantalizing voice.

"Heh, heh, I guess that's one of those bonus character traits I've improved on?"

"There's room there left for improvement!" she joked and continued to smile.

"Thanks ever so, Buffy dear."

"Yeah, but it's only one of the things out of a vast many that I love about you." Spike's head shot up, "---oh. I mean---This is nice, here, together, talking. I like it. We should do this more often when we are not out battling demons or waiting for the next apocalypse to descend upon us." She recovered.

Silence prevailed as they sat across from each other.

"Do you---really? Honestly, do you actually---love me?" Spike strangled on the last two words.

Buffy shook her head up and down slowly. "Mhmm, I do, actually, yes. I know positively now that I do love you, Spike. Have for a while now and never got the chance to tell you to your face. Oh, I suppose you knew, but I was stupid and blind. I'm glad I can at least tell you now. Even though you don't---."

"Buffy," Spike's voice was unusually soft, "I can very easily fall. In fact I---." He stopped and looked at her earnestly.

Spike placed his hand over his unbeating heart. "This, right now, feels so different than what I have felt at any other time, alive or undead. Yet it feels so right. I know what I had with Dru; truthfully, I would have died for her, killed for her, protected her, kept charge of her. All these things I feel deep down that I would do for you. I loved her, this I know, but it never ran deep enough to burn me, to make me feel alive. In two days, only two, I have felt like a different man because of you. I feel like I've known you a lifetime and I never want to ever let this feeling go, never, ever let *you* go again. You amaze me, astound me, entice me, mesmerize and captivate me. The words I penned, I must have known what I was talking about, describing you, us, what we had, what we could have. And I want to know that again, want to feel that all the time. I realize we had a rough go at it the first time around pre-soul and post-soul because of The First, but would it be all right if we put that in the past and keep it there?"

Buffy, tears forming in her eyes, shook her head in an affirmative answer. "I would really like that, to begin again. A new beginning for us. I think it will be of the good."

Buffy picked up another jalapeno slice off her plate and offered it to him, candidly flirting with him this time. "Can we seal this deal?"

Spike chuckled breathlessly as he once again sucked the hot pepper off her extended digit, keeping a firm grasp on her hand as he pulled her over into the seat closest to him.

"The past is in the end now and the future is our beginning," Spike slid his free hand up along Buffy's cheek caressing, brushing his thumb across it tenderly as he leaned in closer.

"It's a deal," he whispered as their lips met, first gently touching before pulling back slightly.

Buffy placed her free hand over his resting on her face and whispered back, "Deal."

They proceeded, the kiss deepening, both oblivious to the other patrons wandering to and fro, the pulsating rhythm from the music floating through the stale air, vibrating off the walls. Buffy felt her heart throbbing, her pulse quickening. Tongues touched almost shyly at first, the pair simultaneously allowing the other to explore, pulling each other closer, wanting, giving, taking. This was something she had needed, had wanted for such a long time. She was starting to feel whole once again, and it felt nice. She was positive he felt it, too.

Buffy was the first to pull back and only because of the lack of air her body so desperately needed. They looked at each other, into each other, eyes conveying everything, every feeling, every word. His telling her he was so very sure of them, of this, sure of letting her in, sure of loving her.

"I---I love you, Buffy." He saw her compassion, her devotion, her commitment behind the depths of her verdant gaze. It drew him in, surrounded him, enveloped him and comforted him, a never ending feeling. It felt like forever and he was happy with it. Actually more than happy, he was exhilirated, intoxicated, and ecstactic all at the same moment. Feelings he was sure no other vampire on the face of this earth had ever really felt. Buffy smiled and his heart melted.

"I love you, too. Can we---," she motioned towards the dance floor with her head, "---dance? We've never really danced, the real kind of dancing."

Spike laughed. "Buffy, all we've ever done is danced."

She gasped. "You remember saying that to me?"

He cocked his head to the side, in deep thought for a second or two. "For some odd reason, yeah, I do remember saying it. But I think we were fighting, so no, not the real kind of dancing."

He stood, pulling her up to lean against him, placing a chaste kiss on top of her hand.

"Let's dance then."

Spike escorted Buffy to the dance floor, a slow melody playing in the background as he wrapped his arm around her waist, the other hand folded over hers. She found herself delighting in his Victorian gentlemanly approach to dancing with a lady, even though slowly, he enticingly pulled her closer with each step til their bodies melded together, hummed in harmony with the song.

She found herself absently twirling the curls at the nape of his neck around her fingers, an action he found most pleasant and comforting. He nuzzled the area above and in front of her ear, sending tingles of joy coursing through her. The song ended but they continued to sway back and forth.

Buffy stood on tiptoe and whispered into his ear, "Let's go home and talk some more."

Spike pulled back a bit and looked at her, smirk showing. "That's what you want to do? Talk?"

"Well, maybe other things, too. Other taking it slow kind of things. We'll see. I like talking as well. You say the most wonderful things, you know, most of the time." She replied genuinely.

"Okay then, we'll go home and---talk. I may be persuaded to do "other slow kind of things", if you want." Buffy laughed.

"Oh, I think there might be some persuasion. Not much, because if I remember right---you're easy." Buffy continued laughing as she pulled him towards the door of the club.

"Hey!"

TBC

Part 17:

~*~

The couple strolled along Revello Drive leading to the Summers' house just as Buffy realized that they were holding hands. Fingers had become entwined and hands had fused together about halfway home and it had seemed so natural. Spike was a hand holder, something she never imagined him ever being. Something he probably never really had the chance to do, living or unliving; being affectionate and tender. Really how far could a big bad get in the demon realm if he was all touchy feely with everyone, especially the slayer?

She felt all bubbly inside, giddy like a teenager on a first date. She laughed to herself and wondered if he felt the same way.

Spike glanced over at her, trying to figure out what she was thinking. They had been quiet most of the way back home, both absorbed in the unusually serene night. His thoughts, though, jolted to and fro, like a wild tennis match between his human and demon side.

What was he doing? Here, feeling happy and content with this extraordinary woman who could kick his ass in a heartbeat, and stake him in even less time than that. Ahh, he was sure he had an idea, he wasn't all that daft. Wanting, needing, trying to exist in this crazy, jumbled up world they called home. Wanting to feel acceptance among the humans he had grown familiar with over the years, needing to feel safety and comfort and not constantly ridiculed, nor hunted and beaten, trying to help others instead of being self-serving. Trying to find a niche, a safe place to settle his exhausted travel weary and time worn body. Ironic that Sunnydale happened to be the only place he had ever stayed the longest in and that he often referred to as home.

Then there was the other side, the other thing that mocked him, tried to get its hooks in and pull him back down into the pit of darkness. He found that he was much stronger than ever before and with the soul as a stepping stone he could use over and over to continue his path up and out, he was infallible. He had never been so sure of himself as he was now, presently and for the future. The exasperating demon he battled internally was hanging on the precipice, on the verge of being pushed over to fall to the wayside.

They say love conquers all. This champion walking next to him, holding his hand, loving *him*, and right at this exact moment, gazing directly at him. Spike gulped readily and shyly looked elsewhere, hearing Buffy laugh softly. He knew this was still something he would definitely have to get used to but was willing to work on it nevertheless. Work on it a lot, yeah, he could handle that and he found himself laughing softly as well.

As they walked up the front steps leading to the front door, he gave her hand a loving squeeze before sliding it out of her grasp. She turned and looked at him questioningly. He gently brushed his fingers down her jawline to rest under her chin.

"Just in case. Don't want to have to rush into explanations and details and such right now, do we?"

Buffy patted him lightly on the chest and nodded in understanding as she unlocked the door and the couple strolled in, Spike trailing behind her. The house was noticeably dark and still as she proceeded up the flight of stairs. She had only taken a step or two when she had reached behind her and felt nothing. She paused, twisted her head around and saw him standing where she left him, hands thrust deep into his jeans pockets and staring at his feet.

Spike lifted his head slowly and looked at her. "Well, goodnight, Buffy. See you in the morning then."

"Umm, not goodnight, not now, I---I thought we were going to continue our talk and---and possibly 'other' things," Buffy whispered, trying not to sound desperate.

The tilt of his head told her he was unsure of what to do, or what to say. Buffy held out her hand, beckoning him to walk towards her, hoping upon hope he would concede.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but shouldn't we wait for the 'other' things til we are both ready? Remember slow? No rush?"

Buffy took a step back down, "Oh oh, no not *those* 'other' things! Just, well, keep me company tonight? I miss spending time with you and we've lost a lot of that time. Just hold me and be all cuddly and snuggly, and possibly, maybe, I wouldn't mind some kissage a little later?"

Spike chuckled as he closed the gap between them and took her hand in his as Buffy began to walk up the stairs backwards. "I think I can handle a snuggle and a snog. But won't lil sis, or the witches be suspicious when I walk out of your room in the morning?"

"Dawn will most likely be up and gone by the time I even wake up. And if I remember correctly, you sleep in even later. So everyone should be out of the house in the morning, no one will suspect a thing. And what is there to suspect? Two people who love one another spending a night together in a non-intimate way well except for the touching and kissing part that is. We can announce our togetherness status later when we're ready to."

As Buffy stepped up off the last step, Spike stopped abruptly pulling her to a standstill as well. "Um, Buffy?" he cleared his throat and motioned her to look behind her with a nod of his head.

"What is it?" Buffy whispered, looking at him confused.

"I don't think you will have to worry too much about explaining things to the lil bit later."

"Wha---?!" Buffy turned to find Dawn standing in her bedroom doorway, arms crossed with a huge grin plastered on her face.

Buffy let go of Spike's hand as he took the last step up and stood behind her. "Dawnie! What are you doing up so late?" Buffy whispered sternly.

"Apparently not suspecting that my sister and my friend are planning on having a slumber party together tonight. And definitely not seeing her two favorite people being all cozy and lovey with one another."

Suddendly Willow's door flew open and both girls popped their heads out. "Whose doing what with who?"

Buffy fishmouthed as she looked back and forth between her friends and her sister. She felt Spike lean in closer to her. "I think we've been found out, luv."

She turned and glared at him but quickly graced him with a sweet smile which he returned before she turned back to their spectators.

"Oh, just go to bed. I'll talk to you all tomorrow. *We'll* talk to you all. Goodnight."

Buffy turned swiftly, grabbing Spike's hand and tugging him along behind and through her bedroom door. The couple heard the giggles followed by the clicking of closing doors. She hit the switch, illuminating the room in a soft light from the lamp next to the bed. Spike smirked at the look on her face.

"Well, that was totally irritating. No one ever gives me a chance to be secretive and evasive anymore, not since---oh well, what does it matter." She smiled, rising on her tiptoes to brush a soft kiss across his lips.

"Yeah, what does it matter?" Buffy walked over to her dresser to pull out her pjs while Spike walked around her room, running his fingers over her trinkets and pretties, absorbing all he could, wanting to know even more of this petite woman he was about to share a night with, in close quarters, in her bed, just talking and snuggling. Buffy mumbled something which he didn't quite catch.

"Hmm?" he turned around and his eyes locked onto her fingers, nimbly undoing the last button on her blouse before sliding it over her shoulders and tossing it onto the chair next to her closet. He couldn't help as his sight traveled over the golden bare skin on her taut tummy, pert breasts covered in lacy white material, a perfect creamy neck and ending on two hazel eyes penetrating his which widened in surprise matching his own wide- eyed stare.

Both turned around swiftly mumbling apologies as Buffy hurriedly threw on an over-sized t-shirt and Spike marched over to the bookshelf, pretending to scan over the titles on the spines of all the tomes sitting in front of him. He felt her presence directly behind him but couldn't bring himself to turn around.

"I'm really sorry. I guess I'm so comfortable around you I didn't think about what I was doing until, well, until I was unconcealing my, um, concealables. I hope I didn't embarrass you."

Spike chuckled as he turned to look at her. "Do I look like someone who's embarrassed?" He added an eye roll. "Piffle! I'm the Big Bad, or, well, at least I was."

Buffy patted him on the chest, sliding her hands up around his neck and pulling him down into a hug, whispering softly in his ear, "You're still my Big Bad. And that's all that matters."

"That's something to be proud of then," he whispered back, nuzzling the soft, sensitive area just below her ear and growling quietly as she backed them up to the bed.

Buffy pulled away, crawled into the bed and slid under the covers. She patted the empty space next to her. Spike toed his shoes off, pulled the sheet and comforter back up before situating himself on top of them, rolling on to his side facing her and propping his head up with his hand. She scooted closer, pulling his free hand over to settle on her tummy as he slid his other arm under her so her head rested on it. Neither said a word, their plans on more conversation long forgotten as they enjoyed the nearness of one another and soon Buffy fell asleep in his soothing embrace. He stayed awake long enough to watch her peaceful slumber for a few minutes before drifting off into dreamland himself.

~~*~~

"Buffy! Buffy!." A loud, obnoxious pounding on her bedroom door caused the couple to bolt straight up in the bed. The door swung open and Dawn stood there, hand over her eyes.

"Are you both decent?" she giggled.

"Dawnie," Buffy whined. "You better have a damn good reason for waking us up so early."

"Buffy, it's 10 in the morning." Dawn plopped down on her sister's bed, bouncing slightly just to annoy. Spike fell back, pulling one side of the pillow over his head and rolling away from the exuberant girl and her prattling.

"And it is a good reason, other than I just wanted to see the two of you all snuggly-wuggly. Giles just called from his new apartment and he's heading over here to discuss the new arrivals. I didn't think you wanted him to know about you and Spike just yet. Even though you know this was all inevitable. I had no worries that you two wouldn't get back together. The bond is too strong to break, maybe stretched to the limits sometimes, but never break. I knew all along."

"Thank you dear, sweet sister of mine. And thanks for the post." Buffy turned to Spike and shook him softly.

"Spike, Spike come on time to get up. Giles is on his way over. You need to get up."

Dawn had hopped off of the bed and made her way over to the other side to bend over the snoozing vampire. In a high pitched tone, she screamed out his name. He shot up like a spring, eyes still closed.

"Bloody hell, bit, I'm up. You better be on fire or being attacked by evil, blood sucking fiends cause really, not a good way to wake up a sleeping vamp, ruddy soul or not."

Dawn patted him on the shoulder tenderly. "So sorry grumpy. Isn't he so cute in the morning or what?" Spike turned his head, a look between confusion and offense clearly etched on his face. Dawn smiled sweetly looking to her sister for confirmation.

Buffy ran her fingers through his sleep tousled hair. "I think he's cute all the time."

Spike huffed then growled. "M'not cute. Ruggedly handsome, yes, but not bloody cute. Leave m'alone, evil sisters."

"Wow, he is grumpy in the mornings," Dawn replied.

Spike ran his hands over his face to wake up.

"He's not a morning person." Buffy rubbed soothing circles on his back.

"Bloody right, m'not. Creature of the night here. Or did we forget that part of the cute, cuddly boyfriend?" Spike continued to growl.

Dawn squealed. "Boyfriend?"

Spike was exasperated and pointed his finger at her. "Tut, not another word from you and aren't you supposed to be doing little girly things with your other girly pals right about now? I'm gonna get the shower before any other evil things around here use up all the hot water. Talk amongst yourselves, I'm not going to be in the same room when you do."

Buffy and Dawn watched as he stalked out of the room and down the hall, slamming the bathroom door on his way into the room.

"Yes definitely *not* a morning person," Dawn repeated her sister's implication. She jumped onto the bed again just as Buffy slid out.

"So, spill all the gory details. You can talk while you wait for the shower."

"All I'm going to say right now is---I'm so happy. We decided to start fresh and take things slow."

"Uh, Buffy, sleeping with your potential boyfriend is not really taking it slow."

"Dear, little sis. That's all we did, sleep. And it was the nicest sleeping I've ever done. I have never felt so protected and cherished. I felt safe in his arms, and felt the---bond, as you say, grow stronger. It can only get better as time goes by and I'm looking forward to it."

Dawn jumped off the bed excitedly and walked towards her sister. "I'm so happy for you." Spike walked in, rubbing a towel over his wet head. "Happy for both of you."

Spike smiled lovingly at his little bit. "Um, Giles just pulled up. I'll let him in if you wanna grab a shower."

Buffy stepped in front of him, drawing his face down to her with two fingers placed under his chin and gave him a chaste yet sweet kiss. "Thanks, be down soon," and she skipped off to the bathroom.

Spike was left in the room with the hyper teenager who stood there bouncing up and down, looking at him strangely, making him uncomfortable. If he was able to blush, he was sure he would be doing exactly that at the moment.

"Giles here. Door locked. Need to---let him in." And he turned to run down the stairs to unlock the door for the watcher, Dawn following closeby.

"'Morning Giles," Spike looked over at the nuisance hovering behind him. "Thank God you're here."

"Well, thankyou, I think. Any reason why my company is so enthusiastically wanted this morning?"

"Nothing really special, just like having another male in the house. Buffy will be down soon, taking a shower. Something to drink perhaps? Tea, coffee?" The two men walked into the kitchen leaving Dawn in the living room to watch tv.

"Anything new on the homefront? Any new developments?" Giles asked while preparing the teakettle and Spike poured himself a mug of blood.

"I was about to ask you the same. Buffy and I patrolled last night, nothing new, same ol', same ol'. Though I did have something I would like to ask you about. Buffy. She took on a gaggle of vamps last night, said she didn't want my help. The last two gave her a bit of a tussle, knocked her off her feet and she smacked her head on a gravestone."

"Dear Lord, is she allright?"

"She was fine, slight headache but it went away. The thing is---I felt it, too. I---I didn't mention it to her because I was---well, I was shocked and confused. I felt her pain in *my* head."

Giles stared at the vampire sipping warm pig's blood from his mug. "Ok, watcher, what is it?"

"You and Buffy, well, you're linked in some mystical capacity. There is a prophecy relating how you two are connected, you share physical feelings, pain, and possibly other things as well. When the bond is stronger, you may be able to communicate telepathically with one another."

"You're saying that---Giles, that almost sounds like a mating---we weren't mated before?---no, I would know that. It's almost like a Sire/Childe--- that's ridiculous."

"What's ridiculous? Hi, Giles," Buffy walked into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Buffy. We were discussing the implications of sire and childe bonds, and---". Giles stopped in mid sentence as he watched Spike pour a cup of coffee and hand it to Buffy, both smiling at the other over the gesture.

The two noticed the silence and simultaneously turned to look over at the mute watcher. Realizing how close they were standing together, both jumped back and walked in opposite directions. But Buffy suddenly turned and swiftly walked to Spike.

"This is silly." She grabbed his arm to stop him and pulled him to her. "Giles, Spike and I are---we're, um."

Buffy looked to Spike for help. "What are we doing?"

"Buffy and I have decided to---make a go of it. As of last night, we are officially on a new path of---." Spike then turned to Buffy.

"Coupledom? Togetherness? Uh, closer relationship?" Buffy tried.

"Well, it's about bloody time. I had a suspicion something was amiss here. You were being too kind to one another. It was all too strange and I was beginning to get worried. Now that you are together, we need to sit down and discuss matters at hand. Our imminent new arrivals, The First, and a rediscussion of the prophecy concerning the two of you."

"Well, that shoots my plans for the rest of the day." Buffy sighed. "I'm joking. Well, what are we all standing around here for? We have evil at hand business to discuss."

TBC

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

Previously on In the End, News spreads fast on the Hellmouth. Not too long after Buffy and Spike decide to make a slow go at it, the residents of the Summers' house find out. Giles is next in line to hear the news after Spike confides in him about the previous night's patrol. The watcher, the slayer and her vampire proceed to suss out plans and rediscuss the prophecies that have a hold over the two warriors.

~*~

"~The battle to end all battles will be nigh and the chosen one, the one who is destined to be the last slayer, will lead the world to triumph.~" Spike heard the Watcher's familiar voice drone on and on covering everything he deemed important enough to cover.

"You are connected to the slayer mentally and physically." Spike was losing focus as his mind wandered.

"~The two named protectors will follow her way into battle, the Gaelic child to the left hand of the chosen one, the Saxon child to the right.~" Pages were rustling as they were turned, a pencil tapped ruthlessly on the table, broke up the monotony of the words buzzing around the vampire's head.

"~Both immortals will perish---Angel's given name is Liam, an Irish form of William---the name William means ~to protect~~." He could hear Buffy humming softly, felt her regular heartbeat, smelled the floral scent mixed in with her distinct aroma. Tried to stay centered, listening and retaining all the information Giles was prattling on about. Everything being swallowed up. Blacknes with just a lone voice. The Watcher's voice.

"Since you have a soul now, Spike---you are but both alike in spirit--- Buffy and Spike---personalities are similiar---understand one another---fit together like separate pieces of a puzzle." Slayer, vampire, end of the world, surprisingly meant to be together, a lifelong bond. Words were bloody jumbled about in his head.

"~At the hands of the hellbeast---to become and remain mortal.~" 'What did he say?' Spike wondered, questioning himself if he had actually asked that ouloud because he hadn't heard his own voice.

"I have reason to believe that the named protectors are Angel and---Spike. Spike?----SPIKE?"

He jolted to an upright position in the dining room chair, confused at first of where he was until his vision cleared and he saw the Watcher standing across from him on the other side of the dining room table looking quite stern and perturbed.

"Did you *not* hear a single word I just recounted for you? This is all known information we have discussed previously before the hellmouth incident. Do you have *any* knowledge of *any* of this?"

"Pfft, of course I do. Remember it like a bloody broken record. And that's what it's becoming, a bloody broken record. How many times do we have to hear about this prophecy and that prophecy?"

Giles sighed, "Spike, this was only the second time I've recited these facts. I just wasn't certain, what with the partial memory loss, what you have actually retained concerning these prophecies."

"Oh, well, whatever Watcher. I get it. The slayer and I have some kind of kismet going for us. But whatever it is we are not really sure what it all involves, as of yet that is. Which is fine and dandy with me." Spike leaned his head into his hand and looked over at Buffy who was smiling at him.

"Makes life more interesting and gratifying what with the suspense. I can handle it." Spike grinned back mischievously. The couple sat staring at one another, captivated and caught up in each other's presence.

Giles cleared his throat as he pulled his glasses off with one hand, pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket with the other and began impulsively cleaning the lenses. Buffy couldn't help but laugh at her watcher's unmistakable uneasiness.

"It's ok, Giles. Please continue with whatever else you have left to say or go over. I'm sure it will be important." Giles began to speak as he shook his head. Spike cut him off.

"Yes, yes, watcher. Stun us. Fascinate us." Giles stared daggers at the vampire.

"Fortunately, I have completed my oration for the time being. Make sure from now on patrols are done in teams. We should have a meeting tonight with everyone and discuss plans for the newcomers. Caulfield called last evening and they should be arriving in due time, possibly within a day or two." Giles stood as he looked at the two warriors sitting across the table before continuing.

"These young girls, potential slayers, will be frightened as well as inapt. We will have to forgo preliminaries and begin extensive training. The two of you coupled along with myself and the other two watchers, should be capable of preparing them for what lies ahead. I expect it to be a tremendous battle, one we can only hope that we will all survive to see the outcome."

"We have so far, Giles. I haven't lost an apocalypse yet. What makes this one any different?" Buffy's mood changed as her voice became somber.

"I suppose we will cross that bridge when we come to it. The foreboding tale has yet to be spun, and I suspect we are all just characters waiting to deliver our lines when the curtain has been formidably pulled back for the first scene."

Spike rolled his eyes and snickered.""How melodramatic of you, watcher."

"And to that I add a, huh?" Buffy crinkled up her nose as Giles looked on exasperated.

Spike patted her on the top of her hand. ""Just Giles' theatrical display to say he doesn't know a bloody thing about how this apocalypse will be any different from the others."

Buffy mouthed a silent oh while Giles gathered up all his important papers and books. "And to *that*, I will say good day. I will be back this evening for the meeting after patrol. Will you be patrolling together tonight?"

Buffy and Spike exchanged a glance. "Yes, I suppose we can. Meeting at 10 will be the best. I'll call the others."

"Mind if I make an earlier appearance for research sake?" Giles asked.

"Sure. Hey, let's have pizza and research like old times."

"Very well, then. I will see you this evening."

The three said their goodbyes leaving the couple standing in the foyer to contemplate events that lay ahead of them and would take place sooner than they expected.

~~*~~

"So, ok, we, as in us currently in hearing and seeing proximity, are going to have to turn our humble abodes into pre-slayer motels?" Xander looked desperately from Giles to Buffy to Willow.

"Yeah, an apartment full of hormonal, gossipy teenyboppers pillaging your pantry and your fridge, using all your hot water and littering your space with all their girly essentials. Doesn't that sound like a picnic?" Spike pointed out saucily, knowing full well Buffy's home would soon be overtaken by said teenagers.

Xander groaned as he slowly slid back down to sit on the couch as Dawn stood, hands on hips and mouth hanging open. "Uh, excuse me, but teenager in the "hearing and seeing proximity" here. That was just plain rude and uncalled for and I think I deserve an apology from two of the three males in this room."

"Oops," Buffy muttered in Spike's general direction, rubbing his back to show her understanding and pity for what he had to do. Spike stood and walked straight up to the girl, taking a hand in his and looking her squarely in the eyes.

"Nibblet, I am so very sorry to hurt your impressionable feelings. You are an intelligent and beautiful specimen of the female race and I would *never* fault you for anything." He ended with a light kiss on her knuckles, turning to glare at Xander with a smirk on his lips as he trotted back to his seat next to Buffy. She patted him approvingly on the back.

"Oh, you are good, man. Way to slather it on thick," Xander looked over at Dawn who now had her arms crossed over her chest waiting.

"Dawnie, you know I would never hurt you on purpose. I don't think of you as a teenager but a young woman who is a core part of our gang. I'm sorry if I made you feel bad."

"You guys are really pathetic. But apologies, if you can call them that, accepted. Feel free to throw more compliments my way every now and then. I don't mind, really." Dawn smiled as she seated herself again.

"Well, with that mystery solved, I think Spike and I will head out on patrol while you finish whatever it is you need to finish. Come on, honey. The monsters are waiting for our grand entrance." Buffy reached over and grasped Spike's hand, dragging him off the chair, towards the foyer and out the front door, weapons in hand.

They didn't have the pleasure of seeing Xander's reaction to Buffy's pet name for the vampire as he froze in mid swallow of his soda, eyes protruding and holding his breath. Anya elbowed him in the ribs and whispered for him to breathe and he spluttered out a few adverbs.

"When? How? Where was I?"

"Oh, Xander, you're telling me you didn't even notice how comfy and cozy they've been with each other all night?" Anya asked. "Anyone could tell they are back at it, all over one another, giving each other---."

Willow jumped in over Anya's analysis of the slayer and vampire affair. "Xander, it just happened last night. They went out together and talked, decided there was something there and are giving it the good ol' college try. And no, they are not "at it" again. They are taking things slow, relearning one another again, falling in love at a leisurely pace, one they choose to decide how fast or how slow. I haven't seen Buffy this happy and content in a while so we should be glad and supportive of them."

Xander shrugged his shoulders. "Ok," and went about flipping pages in the text to further the research on The First and its key players.

~~*~~

The graveyards were lifeless, no pun intended, as the warriors strolled through one after the other, both agitated and frustrated because there was no one or nothing to slay.

"This doesn't seem to be of the good news here," Buffy exclaimed. "When there are absolutely no baddies out in a place where baddies generally make up about a third of the populace."

"You don't have to tell me twice, luv. Dreadful and just down right wrong if you ask me. Something is coming and I believe it's coming soon."

"Indeed, soon is way past tense here."

Spike and Buffy stood stock still at the sound of the familiar voice. The couple turned around together and faced a replica of the slayer down to the hair, the stance, the facial expressions and the clothes. Buffy scowled as she realized the apparition mirrored her exact pose.

"I assume we are addressing The First? Couldn't come up with anything scarier to appear as? Because, really, not impressing me by showing up as-- -me."

"Oh, dear, dear slayer. I'm not out to make first impressions. I'm not here to make with the nice either. Yes, you have overcome my previous tactics but that was just child's play. There is more to come and no little kiddies, no love sick, weak vampires, nor ignorant, selfish slayers are going to prevail over the mighty and powerful me."

Buffy had heard enough as she began to march towards the insufferable blabbering big bad. Spike grabbed her by the forearm and pulled her back to rest against his form, speaking soothing words to calm her inner rampage. Funny, the tables should have been turned, he being the one to lose control of his temper and she probably talking him down.

"Awww, isn't that so sweet? Young love. How scrumptious and delicious."

Suddenly a likeness of Spike stepped out from behind the evil Buffy, wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling her neck.

"Mm, it is nice, if I do say so myself. Come, lover, there are things we need to tend to." The First looked over at the fearless heroes staring in disbelief.

""We'll see you around, beloveds. Very, very soon." and the evil couple disappeared without further warning. Spike growled and Buffy huffed as she turned in his arms, leaning her forehead against his chest and wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Let's head home, luv. Tell the watcher what we've encountered. Maybe they've found some information for us."

"I do hope so," Buffy mumbled into his shirt. She looked up into his eyes.

"Thank you for being my strength. I wanted to pummel that bitch. Do I act like that?" she asked innocently.

"Uh, no, luv. Not that conceited I can honestly say."

Back at the Summers' residence, exchanges of information took place between patrollers and researchers. It seemed The First could take form of whomever it wanted. More research was to be done in that area. Secret files were found yet not unlocked. Cryptic messages were being unpuzzled as everyone worked together as an unit, a team. The First was not going to be a force they could reckon with, nothing to laugh at, nothing to take lightly. An army was needed and once gathered, Buffy was sure they could overtake The Big Bad. She just hoped her small troop would grow.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. All chattering ceased as they all looked towards the entrance. Buffy walked over, Spike following close behind as she reached for the doorknob and slowly opened the door. A look of surprise graced her face when she heard a bloody hell announced behind her.

"Angel!"

"I was told you may be in need of my services." He smiled slightly as Buffy welcomed him into her home.

The End

A/N Continued on in Part Three Sequel,""And They Said It Couldn't Be Done."