*So* not wanting to wake up. Buffy stretched with relish, enough to make any feline proud, and then actually purred when she thought about the previous night’s dream. If that was a Slayer’s Dream, she’d take two, please!! But Dawn had to go to school so she rolled out of bed.

Seeing that her sister was already downstairs, big shock there, she was met with the delicious smells of breakfast drifting up the stairs as she went down. Willow must be feeling guilty again. Not only had she cooked dozens of cookies to help alleviate her guilt, but had moved on to entrees, not just desserts. Well, she should feel guilty. “Will, I…”

But the sight in the kitchen brought her up to a complete halt. Frozen to the spot, she slowly took in the site of her best friend, not busy at the stove, but sitting comfortably at the table sipping coffee with a small smile on her face. Granted the smile was small, no teeth showing, but it was more of a smile than she had seen on her friend in a while. And if Buffy did not know better, she could hear Willow starting to hum the theme to the Twilight Zone.

Willow glanced up and smiled at her, now giving a flash of white, “Hey, Buff.”

“Hey,” was all Buffy could say since she was now distracted by the sight of her sister fixing an elaborate breakfast of pancakes, fruit, juice, and other items that were highly questionable. Buffy blinked a few times just in case she was still dreaming. Nope, it was her sister making all domestic-y.

Seeing her sister enter the kitchen, Dawn quickly brought a glass of juice to Buffy.

But as the shock began to wear off, suspicion began to set in. Buffy didn’t need Slayer’s senses to know something was up with this hormonal teenager. “Dawn, what do you want this time?” giving her best Buffy in Charge look.

Dawn continued to bustle around the kitchen, “Buffy, how many pancakes do you want?”

“Dawn…”

Willow decided to meddle just a little, good naturedly of course. “Dawn was just showing me her progress notice from summer school.”

As Buffy took it, now knowing she had found the reason behind the chipper teenager cooking instead of the sullen teenager mad about attending summer school to make up a lost Algebra credit. However Buffy received her third shock of the morning when she saw the 91 next to “Algebra”, and yes, that was Dawn’s name at the top. She checked. Stunned, she just starred at Willow, trying to give her ‘what’s up with that’ look which Willow returned with a shrug and continued to sip her coffee. Buffy knew Dawn was capable of a 91, easy, but that it just wasn’t a priority. Too many creepy crawlies in Sunnydale much more interesting than homework.

Dawn rushed over to set a full plate in front of Buffy, then sat down, also. After watching Buffy take her first couple of bites, “Buffy, I am passing my class, today is Friday so I don’t have school tomorrow, my room is clean, I did my laundry - CanIpatrolwithyoutonight?” The last coming out in a rush.

Now this was the Dawn Buffy knew. With a sigh of relief, she started to answer but then thought again looking at Willow. “Depends…I thought you would rather work on your computer. In fact, I asked Willow to look into your email. So Willow, what is going on?”

Subtle as a sledge hammer. Before Dawn could even start her indignant rant, Willow put a hand on her arm, giving a slight squeeze. “Dawn, Buffy asked me to check because she was concerned.” Squeezing Dawn’s arm harder to keep her silent, Willow continued. Addressing her friend, “Buffy, the emails are harmless. Friends kinda stuff with a new pen pal, a friend of Giles. Giles hooked her up with a friend who can help with the Algebra.” Ok, that was putting it on a little thick…

Now catching on, Dawn thought she would help. “Yah, his name is Will, and Giles suggested we talk. Pen pal-y. He’s great! He says I should work hard in school…”

Sensing the conversation was about to get out of hand, Willow intervened. “Dawnie, how about we practice driving today. I been a slacker the last couple of weeks, but I thought I could drive you to school, and then after school, you could drive us back home.”

Not believing her luck, Dawn quickly agreed. “That would be terrific! We could even drive to the mall later to, um, practice in the parking lot.” As she and Willow made a hasty retreat from the kitchen, Dawn remember her original purpose for the morning. “Buff, can I *please* go on patrol.”

Adding her best puppy dog eyes for good measure. When she heard the “ok,”, she yelped with glee and left the kitchen in a swirl of long, brown hair. She had to get out of the house before Buffy changed her mind.

Willow was waiting for her. “You owe me one,” she said with a smile.

“Big time.” How easily alliances can be formed, and how surprised a certain bleach blonde vamp would be that it was over him. It was truly a day for surprises.

*****

“You should have seen me drive today. I only hit four curbs this time, and Willow hit only two, but she really nailed that trash can.”

“Would you please stop yapping all the time. It is so distracting.” It was Buffy’s turn to whine, and Dawn’s turn to roll her eyes, but little sis didn’t complain. Buffy was letting her patrol. So she bit her lip trying to quell her nervous tendency to babble.

Suddenly, Buffy stopped. Her Slayer senses on yellow alert.

“Are you getting that tingly feeling, oh, Spiderwoman?” Dawn looked around, trying to feel what her sister felt.

“Why not a fledgling or two? Something simple, but noooo. Dawn, get behind me. This one is no new dirt digger.” But then, the Slayer’s senses soared to red alert. She could feel vampires from all sides. Great! And Dawn was here, too.

Making sure Dawn had a stake and that they were back to back, the fight began. The one in front of the Slayer attacked first. Trying to help Buffy and her own odds, Dawn took on the smallest of the four. As Buffy knocked the first vamp to the ground with a round-house punch, she took on the two others that were coming from either side. Buffy punched one in the nose with lightening speed as she lashed backwards with a sharp kick to the chest, knocking the other vamp back easily 15 feet. She had thought there were a total of five vamps out there, but Dawn had taken on only one which would make the fourth. She chanced a look at Dawn, but what worried her the most was that she couldn’t spot the fifth vamp. *So* not the moment for a time out, Buffy went back to work. Her three opponents didn’t have the good sense to stay down, or better yet, run.

Dawn was not faring as well. She had drawn the smallest vamp, but he sounded the cockiest, verbally toying with her all the while. Dawn did get in two big hits to his face, but the vamp just laughed, causing her to drop her stake and back away. Now Dawn was starting to become truly afraid. “What’s the matter, little girl? Not the mini-slayer you thought you were, are ya? But, ummm, you smell so delicious, and nice of you to wear a shirt with easy neck access. Great choice for the occasion. Blue looks so good on you, but so will red.”

Dawn could see Buffy out of the corner of her eye under attack again by the other 3 vampires. She was giving it to them good, but they were still coming back for more. Dawn looked around frantically for her weapon, any weapon for that matter. When she looked back at her attacker, preparing to use her fists, the vampire was no longer staring at her neck but slightly above her right shoulder. Still slowly backing up, Dawn bumped into a solid wall of cold muscle. “Great, now I am a sandwich for you blood suckers. My sister is going to be SO pissed!”

“Having fun, Nibblet?” she heard a low, familiar voice in her ear. Before she could even answer, Dawn felt herself lifted up to sit out of the way on the top of a near by tomb. “Mind if I take a turn?”

Spike joined the fray, shifting into game face. “Now, whelp, how about we have a go, or are you just going to bluster all night? I haven’t had a good fight for a bit. Been traveling, y’know, and I’m due.” In a flurry of moves faster than Dawn could follow, Spike quickly dispatched the first cocky vamp.

Giving Dawn a quick snarky grrh and a wink, Spike came up behind another vamp who was circling behind Buffy, lifting him so his feet dangled above the ground. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Now you need to wait your turn, mate. The Slayer will be with you in a minute.” Buffy staked one vampire while knocking the other one towards Spike and his new captive.

Still fighting on the other two, Buffy had temporarily frozen at the sound of that voice only heard in her dreams lately but fast found herself knocked on her ass. Promptly recovering, she tackled one adversary to the ground. “I don’t need any help from an out-of-towner.” She drove the stake in and was soon only sitting on a pile of dust. Getting up, she kicked the other vamp in the face sending him towards Spike.

“S’ok, just managing the substitutions for you. And mate, I think you are in.” Spike shoved his captive towards Buffy while snagging her vamp that was stumbling by. “Throw me another stake this way, would you, pet? They tend to frown on those being brought on airplanes now a days.”

“Here, but I’m not you pet!” Staking her vamp for emphasis.

“God, I love a spot of violence after a long trip. Gets the kinks out! Well, hopefully not all the kinks.” As his opponent turned to dust, Dawn chose that moment to launch herself off the tomb into Spike, laughing excitedly the whole way. “Oof, don’t hold back, Nibblet.” But after a moment’s startled hesitation, “What a welcome!”

Buffy was meanwhile taking the opportunity to adjust her clothing and straighten out her hair the best she could while Dawn and Spike continued to play wrestle on the ground. Having sufficiently recovered some poise from this newest surprise of the day, she attempted to gain their attention. “I said I’m not your pet.”

“Hello to you, too, Slayer.” Helping Dawn get up, he continued. “What would you prefer? Dog? Cat?”

Conspiratorially joining in as they headed towards Revello Drive, Dawn added, “How about a Siamese or a Blue Russian?”

“‘Tabby.’ Maybe a ‘Pomeranian’. They’re yippy like your big sis.”

Looking back at Buffy, Dawn caught her primping again. “Nah, her hair isn’t that frizzy.” Bulls-eye from the look on Buffy’s face.

“Very funny. Ha, Ha.” Buffy purposefully left her hair alone.

About a block from the house, Buffy was relieved to hear the conversation change. “Cor, Slayer. What is this town coming to? I went to my storage space to get my car, and it was gone.

Nothing, not even a bloody thank you note. Can you believe it? Sodding stolen. I’ve had that car for years, and it doesn’t even survive Sunneyhell.”

Dawn giggled and Buffy just shrugged her shoulders giving Spike her best innocent look.

Spike stopped short coming up to the Summer’s house. There was the DeSoto sitting in the driveway. “My car!” turning to glare at Buffy.

“Don’t look at me, I don’t drive it.”

“Look at all the new dents and scratches! Brat?”

Dawn smiled sweetly, “Sorry? You said you weren’t coming back, and I wanted to learn to drive. Buffy wouldn’t let me use Mom’s SUV. She said I would probably wreck it.” Oops, wrong thing to say. Definitely diversion time. Moving right along, “Willow is home. Don’t you want to say hello to her?”

Looking in the driver’s window horrified, “Platelet, how did you get it started?”

“Remember, I saw you hot-wire a motorcycle, and you always said I was a fast learner. You were such a great teacher.”

It was Buffy’s turn to glare and Spike’s to look uncomfortable. “Well, then, uh, who was teaching you to drive? The Slayer?”

“Me,” Willow said as she walked out onto the front porch. “Hi, Spike, how’s London?” she asked while trying to appear as if nothing was amiss.

Stunned, Spike turned towards Willow. “You? YOU can’t even drive!”

“Well, I figured we could learn together. You told me to move on…Willow. Car. Ergo: moving.”

“Willow,” the Slayer interrupted, “how did you know he was in London?” Putting two and two together, she then swung around to glare at Dawn. “Will? Your pen-pal’s name is Will? And London? I am going to kill Giles!” With that, she stormed into the house, slamming the door.

After the monumental bang passed, Spike turned his attention to Willow, with his sincerity evident, “Good to see you, Red. How are you?”

“Good to be seen,” giving him a quick hug, “and I am just taking it a day at a time.”

Tugging on his arm, Dawn asked, “Are you back to stay?”

Spike shook his head, “No, found out that there are some nasties headed Sunneyhell way. Just came to help. Guess we need to have one of those meetings you guys are so fond of and hash it out before they hit town.”

Willow was instantly alert. “Ok, we can meet inside as soon as I can get Xander…”

“No,” Spike answered firmly. He knew he just couldn’t make himself walk through that door, not wanting to find out if they had revoked his invitation which they bloody should have. “I take it the Magic Box is temporarily out of order.”

Willow studied her shoes fully understanding Spike’s feelings. She wanted to enter the Magic Box about as much as he wanted to go anywhere near the Summer’s bathroom. Bad memories were hard to walk into.

Thank goodness for Dawn who came up with the solution. “How about the Bronze tomorrow night? We could meet and plan before patrol. Celebrate Spike’s return.”

“I don’t know about the celebration, but good idea, Platelet.”

Relieved, “I’ll call Xander and tell him,” Willow added earning her an eye roll and mumbling from Spike.

Dawn may have been technically older than them all, but she was still a teenager. Racing for the door, “Dibs on the phone first. I’ve got to call Janice. I’m dying for her to meet Spike. The Bronze’s is so perfect. Buffy can’t object to any of my friends accidentally on purpose being there.”

*****

After agreeing with Willow on a time to meet the next night, Spike left. The Slayer stopped him down the street out of view of the house. He could feel her approach, smell her unique scent. “What do you want, Spike? What are you really doing here?” Ah, nothing like a trip down memory lane, he thought, before pushing old, sad memories away.

“A truce, slayer. Call your watcher if you don’t believe me.” He paused, taking a deep breath, “What I did the last time I saw you here was wrong, and even I know there will never be forgiveness. In fact, there shouldn’t be. All I have come here for is a temporary truce to help. Little Bit and me, we have already made our peace, and Willow and I are making progress. Besides, Giles, Your Watcher, wants me to help. They are at least starting to trust me, and I don’t intend to let any of them down this time. After we are done, I’ll leave. That simple.”

Buffy cocked her head doubtfully while he started a cigarette, “Nothing with you, Spike, is *that* simple.”

Spike smirked at that. How familiar everything was, so easy to slip back into old patterns. But not this time. “I have a good gig in London now. The Council pays me well. Who would have ever thought? Look, pet, I have no intentions of staying, and I’ll be gone before you know it.”

Buffy looked at him fully in the eyes for the first time since he had returned sustaining his equally intense gaze. After some long moments, her own eyes unreadable, she nodded once, and they turned to walk their separate ways.

Spike finally let out the breath that he was holding, as if he even needed it. Unable to stop himself, Spike turned back. He had always liked to watch her move, even if it was to walk away. As he finally walked away himself, he wondered if she had believed him or if he fully believed himself.

*****

Later at the Summer’s house, Buffy lay limply on her bed, clad only in a light robe, unable to sleep. She kept telling herself it was just the usually hot weather keeping her up. After more tossing and turning, she trudged down to the kitchen, made a tall glass of ice water, and went to sit on the back step hoping to enjoy a breeze.

Buffy felt him coming towards her more than she heard it. She could always tell when a vamp was close, but Spike always felt slightly different.

Kneeling in front of her, he wordlessly took a piece of ice out of her glass and soothingly stroked along the curve of her neck. Cool streams of water worked their way erotically down under her robe as the ice traveled across her hot skin. Slowly the ice made its way further down, sweeping the robe off one shoulder, dipping across the top of one breast. A deep throated moan escaped her as kisses began to follow the ice’s path.

A different kind of heat, heady and bold, surged through her body as she felt his cool, wonderfully talented mouth move down her neck, then along her shoulder. As the ice crossed lower over her other breast, his mouth captured the first taut nipple, gently suckling. A tremor passed through the length of her body making her want to satisfy the building need, wanting to take it further, but unable to break the pure pleasure washing through her, unable to lift even a hand, afraid to break the spell. The trembling began in earnest as she felt his other hand make light, leisurely patterns, gradually making its way up her inner thigh.

Buffy woke with a start, breathless and wanting, as the sound of Dawn fumbling in the bathroom startled her from her dream. Damn, only one night back in town, and her dreams were already leaving her aching. Why did this blonde temptation have to be so … so damn tempting? She lay there absolutely still, wondering if a cold shower worked on women the same as it did on men. Or better yet, if she went back to sleep, maybe she could finish the dream.

Better late than...oh, whatever-she was in a hurry, Buffy thought as she got ready for the Scoobie meeting at the Bronze. Feeling more like a giddy teenager than a slayer tonight, anyone who did not know her would have thought she was preparing for a hot date. She had told Dawn and Willow to meet her there. However, she certainly didn't want to look too deeply into why she was going to all this trouble.

Running from the Double Meat Palace to her house, she had scrubbed off the smell and changed her clothes a total of three different times. Not too terrible but could have been more. After the first two outfits, she ran across Spike's duster tucked in the back of her closet. The smell of leather and smoke which clung to the duster brought all preparations to an abrupt halt as memories flew past her eyes. Buffy could easily picture him in that coat, hard not too, really. When her memories went to a time the coat covered them both up as they were passionately braced against the wall, she mentally shook herself and put the coat back into its hiding place. She knew he would want it back, but -finders keepers, after all.

What was she thinking? This was Spike. He had seen her in a lot less, even under a rug. Did it make a difference? Well, yeh. Duh!! Buffy shook herself harder this time and reminded herself that Spike was just here for business, slayer business not monkey business. So the next outfit had been more moderate, more slayerish. She should seriously consider looking for a boyfriend after Spike left. But that little voice in the back of her head asked if the new guy would be blonde, blue eyed, lean, sexy as hell, - Shut up, already!

Finally arriving at the Bronze, Buffy found only Willow and Xander at the table chatting. His face rapidly changing from a dark frown undoubtedly caused by Spike to a smile, Xander looked her up and down, "Hey, Buffster, you look great!"

Buffy smiled her thank you, and looking around intently, she asked "Where is Dawn?" .

Xander nodded his head to the side, "Return of the Dead and his underage entourage are over at the pool tables."

Amused at Spike's predicament, Willow added, "Dawnie talked the Master Vampire into teaching her how to play. But I think she is mostly showing him off to her friends."

Following where Xander had indicated, Buffy saw her sister, the vamp, and 3 of her friends. All obviously insisting that they had no idea how to play pool and needed personal assistance. Dawn was having a blast!

Spike, however, knew the exact instant Buffy had walked in, since he had been watching the entrance closely for the last hour and was pleased to be able to watch her unobserved making her way towards the table. Soft with an underlying hardness, grace with power. He got hot just thinking about what she was capable of, and it had nothing to do with her Slayer abilities. Then he turned his attention back to the girls before anyone could see the look of longing.

Besides, he found the attention from Dawn's friends novel and somewhat amusing. For so long he had shunned company, but now it was a pleasant change. They were so happy, innocent, open, so full of life. You couldn't help but hope for the best when around them. Definitely a nice change. The proverbial breath of fresh air especially for someone who didn’t breath.

Not to mention, he enjoyed any time spent with Nibblet. So much like her sister, strong, but a nice mix of her mother, Joyce, who accepted him as he was but let him have it when he was out of line.

After letting the Slayer sit and stew for a bit, Spike made his and Dawn's excuses to her friends and joined the others at the table. He had rarely sat at the table during a Scoobie meeting in past times, but times had changed. He had changed. Whether the whelp, who was now trying to stare him down, wanted it or not, he was no longer taking a back seat to anyone.

The Slayer quickly brought Willow, Dawn and Xander up to speed with a concise, no frills description. In fact, Spike greatly enjoyed watching Buffy pick her words, carefully avoiding any mention of their sleeping together or that Captain Cardboard found his ex and this particular vamp in such an intimate state. As far as they knew, Spike was only connected due to information he and Giles had gathered in London. But he knew and judging by her blush and increased pulse, she was remembering, also.

Bringing Spike out of his revelry, he thought he would have to knock Xander out of his chair when the whelp suggested they should have called Riley instead. Surprisingly, Buffy headed him off with a simple "No, we've got Spike." What could he say after a shocking statement like that?

When she had finished the edited version of the story, Spike added information about the contact for the eggs. "The bloke we are looking for has a tattoo on his hand shaped like a large 'M' with a lightening bolt fitted into the bottom space of the letter.” When he looked up, Buffy caught his eye with a slight curve of her lips, silently acknowledging both their strategic omissions.

Xander, who had had enough, broke up the meeting. "Tattoo hunting it is. Use to looking for something a little larger, more threatening, but this will do for a change." Looking directly at Spike, "Buffy and I will patrol the north side. Willow, why don't you take Dawnie and Mr. Missing-In-Action to the north."

Spike settled for a jab of his own, "I'm MIA? How’s your marriage? Oh, that’s right. She left you after you went MIA - at your own wedding."

Buffy intervened, "Good to see some things don't change, children. Ok, commander man, let's go. Catch up with you guys later."

Spike would have protested further, but when Dawn’s friends had seen the meeting break up, he was quickly way laid again.

*****

Stepping outside the Bronze, Willow and Dawn chatted while waiting for Spike to extract himself from his admirers. Both girls jumped when they heard slurred voices coming up close behind them.

“I told you this place would have better looking bitches,” said the taller of the two drunks approaching. Judging by their looks, they were college students indulging in a traditional binge drink-a-thon.

“I bet the red head could really set my sheets on fire,” the second one leered.

“Just ignore them, Dawnie.” Will told her in a decidedly dismissive tone. But subtlety was not happening with these two guys.

Bold due to their obvious excessive, they kept coming. The taller of the two appeared to be somewhat of the leader. “I bet the brunette is wearing a thong.”

“Let’s check and see,” the shorter one said making a grab for Dawn.

“Ew, you are SO drunk.” Dawn backed up from the overwhelming smell of alcohol until stopped against a wall.

The taller guy continued his advanced on Willow, all but drooling. “What a shame, two fine pieces of ass leaving by yourselves. Why don’t you come home with us?”

Before Willow or Dawn could respond, Spike was there, expertly slamming Willow’s attacker into a wall who slumped down unconscious. Dawn watched, with mouth wide open, her friend’s transformation to demon protector. Eerily calm, Spike’s eyes shined yellow but Willow noticed that there were no ridges, as if he was still under control even though she knew he was enraged.

The second one, who dared to paw Dawn, was lifted by the neck by the vamp, effectively choking off all breathing. “I am going to make this simple, even for a sodding pillock like you.” Spike enunciated every word carefully as if talking to a misbehaving child, but his words left no doubt of his intentions. “If you or any of your mates ever, *ever*, think about trying to prove your limp-dicked masculinity on any lady again, I want you to think of me. Think of me …slitting you open, stem to stern, …ripping out your intestines, …and stringing you up the nearest light post.” Now letting his fangs extend, “Crystal?” Giving this a moment to set in, Spike growled his final command, “remember me,” and knocked him out with one punch which undoubtedly broke his nose.

Turning to the two unusually quiet ladies, “Sorry ‘bout the language,” but stopping himself short of apologizing for his actions.

Dawn broke out her daze first, “That was too cool!!. Can you teach me to do that? The whole intimidation thing-y?”

Willow bent down to check for pulses. As if talking to herself, “They’re not dead, just unconscious.” Standing up, she looked at Spike. “Another shining example of human goodness. Why am I even surprised?”

“Ew, he wet himself.” Dawn stepped back.

Then it struck Willow and Dawn at once. Willow started, “Spike…Wait…your chip…”

“…didn’t work! Yes!” Dawn finished for her.

Spike tried to shrug it off, “A perk from my trip to Africa. Wasn’t just there sightseeing, ya know,” but regretting the loss of the newly earned but still tentative trust from these two. Maybe I can just bluff, Spike thought while waiting for the other shoe to drop.

But curiously Dawn was beaming, and Willow stared back down at the two creeps. “You know, before I would have already gone all hocus pocus. But this was satisfying… With no headache and nose bleeds later.” Starting to walk away, Willow gave each a sharp kick. “Ok, now I feel better.”

Spike, never one for patience anyway, decided to go ahead and let the other bloody shoe drop. “Ok, tell the Slayer, but let me have a head start. I will leave town tonight…”

Looking up at Spike with no incrimination or distrust in her eyes, “Have you killed any humans?”

“I chose not to.” He stressed the word “chose” reminding Willow of her first email with Spike. Good or Evil, its all a choice. “Feed from any humans?”

“Only Butcher’s fare.”

“Do you regret this?” Willow asked, motioning at the two still bodies.

The answer was as direct as the question, “No.”

“That makes three of us, right Dawn?” Dismissing the whole incidence as the past with a wave of her hand, “What color are the tattoos we are looking for?”

Grabbing both their arms, Dawn pulled them away. “Maybe I could get some yellow contacts and fake teeth. I mean, I still need to be able to tan, don’t I?”

*****

Heading for home, which just happened to take her past Spike’s crypt, Buffy almost literally bumped into him.

Buffy, trying for casual, as if she ran into him all the time lately. “How’d it go?”

Spike shrugged, “Took care of a couple of garden-variety mashers, otherwise all quiet. Red and Lil Bit are back at the house.”

Buffy smiled. “We had some thrashing satisfaction. We found two minions with those tattoos and after some encouragement, slayer-style, they told us they were to pick them up tomorrow night. Though didn’t know where yet,. But gross, they looked like vamps but didn’t. They had yellow eyes and ridges in all the right places, but no fangs. Xander was able to stake his, but instead of dust, he got goo. Bright orange, sticky goo all over.”

Spike’s lips quirked up at the thought of Xander, the Human Fly Paper. “Where is the whelp now?”

“I sent him on home. It didn’t really go with his outfit.”

They shared a quiet laugh before Buffy continued. “They were kind of lame for vamps. Not even as strong as a fledgling. I am not even sure what they were.”

“Well, Vampire Slayer, you would be the one to know.”

An uncomfortable silence followed, and as Spike turned to leave, Buffy stalled for time. She had been Bitch Buffy last night and desperately wanted to be Rational Buffy tonight. “Willow told me you wouldn’t even come in the house last night. You could have. I’ve never had a disinvite spell performed.”

Spike looked up sharply and then away, “Well, you should have. I have no business in there anymore.”

Definitely not what she had expected him to say. Strange Spike behavior. Normally, he would jump at the chance to come in.

Buffy looked at him, slightly tilting her head, “Something’s different.”

“Your still the Slayer, and I’m still a disgusting vamp. I thought that was part of the standard script here. Slipping?”

Buffy chuckled, recognizing the familiar insolence, “No, something else is different about you. … Where’d you go?”

Knowing exactly what she was really asking, he hedged since this was a conversation Spike wanted to avoid for the short time he was back in SD. “To take your kid sis and Red home. Then here.”

“Funny. Where’d you go between Sunnydale and London?”

“Africa.”

“And…?”

“You know, Dark Continent, half way round the world, lots of desert.”

Buffy was starting to get annoyed, “AND what did you do there?”

Spike, however, was starting to have fun. “Evil stuff.” It had been so long since he had had the chance to bait her.

With hands now on her hip, “because you’re…”

“Evil.” He couldn’t believe she had fallen into that one.

“I promised myself that I would be nicer tonight. New Improved Buffy instead of Old, Bitch Buffy, but you make it really hard.” But there was no sting to comment due to her slight smile. He was nevertheless shocked at this turn in the conversation.

She continued, “I just thought we could…”

“Hey, guys!” came a cheerful greeting from a familiar wrinkled friend carrying the ever present sack of food.

Spike growled in frustration at the interruption. He would have given his next month’s hair dye to know what she had been going to say.

Buffy cheerfully greeted Clem. “Hey, yourself. Been shopping?”

“I got hungry on my way back from the poker game at the bar. What’s up with you two?

Spike, “Nothing now.”

Buffy, shooting Spike one of those looks women give men when they should have just kept their mouths shut. “We were just discussing…uhm…tattoos.” Buffy caught Spike hiding a smile out of the corner of her eye as he started to relax.

Clem continued on, “I thought about getting one,” starts lifting some of his folds, “but can’t seem to find the right place.” Now, she could see Spike’s shoulders starting to shake with silent laughter. “But, funny that you mention it, I met a guy tonight with a funny tattoo, more like a brand, actually. It was a “W” with a lightening bolt.”

At this, Spike was back in frustration mode, running a hand through his hair. Trust Clem to have such sodding blind luck. “Could it have been an “M” instead, mate?”

Perking up, “Sure.” Before Spike could even get out another question, Clem continued. “He was bragging about getting some eggs from the Clayton Crypt. I told him to go to the store instead. Those eggs have been refrigerated. Food poisoning can really get you down.”

All Spike could do was thump his own forehead in a universal symbol of ‘duh!’ He should have tried the bar himself.

Buffy, however, knew what to do and gave him a quick hug. “Yea for Clem!” At the same time, she stuck out her tongue and wrinkled her nose at Spike, a universal symbol for ‘nanny, nanny.’

Clem wasn’t exactly sure what he had done, but it must have been good and stood there smiling.

Spike however was at a loss of what to do next. Not knowing whether to thump or kiss that beautiful imp’s nose since he had never been on the receiving in of Buffy being playful. So stunned, he did nothing.

Buffy stepped back. ”Clem, is that your winnings wiggling in your pocket.”

“Uh…Just a memento.”

“You guys are major league gross. Betting kittens.”

“Don’t lump me in this, Slayer. I’m not exactly welcome in that game anymore after the last person I took there.” Reminding them all of the night last fall a very drunk Buffy had first met Clem at a poker game.

Sheepishly, Clem said, “Oh, I remember. Sorry about that tight skin comment.”

Buffy smiled but stayed on the offensive. “At least I don’t cheat at poker.”

“Do not!” came from both Spike and Clem simultaneously. Both also had the good sense to stop before they dug an even deeper hole with the Slayer.

Buffy chuckled and held out her hand to Clem. Clem pulled out a small, gray kitten, handing it over to Buffy. She left cooing and petting the small fur ball. “We’ll find you a nice home. Yes, we will. Xander needs a room-y.”

Both watched her go, but true to nature, Spike couldn’t keep his mouth shut. “I could say something about ‘lucky pussy.’”

“Nah, too easy. Overdone.”

“But what I wouldn’t give to be furry right now.”

Clem slapped him on the back, “Come on, reruns of Alf are on in ten minutes. He gets to eat kittens, doesn’t he?”

*****

In the lower section of the crypt laying on his stomach naked in bed, Spike had finally fallen a sleep but came instantly awake as he felt his arms pulled down. When he realized that they were penned to his sides by someone pressing down on them, a very strong someone, his first coherent thought was ‘bugger.’ After he was finally able to focus his senses, his next was “Slayer” and stopped struggling.

When he felt what he thought was a lick on his right shoulder blade, he froze completely. Yes, it was her warm, moist tongue, he confirmed with a groan, as it started its sensuous path starting at his waist up his spine, not stopping until reaching the small hairs at the base of his neck. He could tell she was moving back down again when he felt her hair sweep lightly back down his body. Then her tongue started again, but lower than before, sending chills through out his body as she feathered the slick trails out to his ribs on either side.

He started to squirm, trying to make his erection, which was pressing painfully into the bed, more comfortable, but he could now feel her naked thighs were pressing down on his thighs, the tops of her feet caressing up and down his calves. Both feet gently spread his legs apart to allow her caresses better access to his inner thighs. His squirming only got worse, approaching desperation.

When the licks evolved into kisses with just a hint of teeth, and her breasts could be felt rubbing across his back, he couldn’t stand it anymore. Spike moved to flip her over under him … and fell off the bed, waking himself up.

Hearing the thump, Clem poked his head through the trap door, “You ok down there? By the way, Dawn’s here to see you…uh…” Now looking at his friend with concern, “Are you sure your ok? Won’t you get a headache if you keep banging your head on the floor?”

The next night, Spike made his brief farewells to Clem. “Well, mate, I’m outta here. Do you want to join the joy ride? Sure to raise you heart beat. Glad I don’t have one.”

Taking a step back, Clem was quick to reply. "No, I'm not that brave. Besides, I have a pizza being deliver. You know, 30 minutes or free. Always hoping for 31."

After a quick walk, Spike came to the street he was suppose to meet his ride, arriving in time to witness the beginning of a Chinese fire drill. Willow, who must have been driving, was headed to the back seat while Buffy was racing from the back calling shotgun. Dawn was coming around from the far side heading for the driver's seat, but as she rounded the trunk, she was snatched up and carried off by a demon with a tattoo clearly visible on his hand. Spike first heard and then could see a second demon run out of the bushes to his left, trailing the swiftly retreating pair.

Into instant slayer mode, Buffy quickly pursued her sister with Spike and Willow close behind. The chase lead to a grave covered with a concrete slab. Spike caught the second demon as, in an attempt at a flying tackle, Buffy dove after the kidnapper. The kidnapper, however, had something else in mind. At the last second, he shoved Dawn to one side as he dove to the other, leaving Buffy to sail through and land on the slab, which she unexpectedly plummeted through.

Seeing everything out of the corner of his eye, Spike yelled, and when he saw her disappear below, blindly dove after her. The demon quickly stepped back to look down in the hole, asking associates unseen below, "Got’em?" The answer could not be made out by Dawn and Willow, but they did hear a loud clang of metal heavily meeting metal, and the demon finishing. "Good. Then go…Go!"

The demon disappeared as Willow and Dawn rushed over to look down the hole, shocked to discover that the slab had been covering a false grave.

Immediately Dawn began screaming for her sister and Spike, but Willow shushed her, telling her to listen. They could hear growling that may have belonged to Spike, several sets of footsteps, and maybe wheels traveling across stone. All were quickly fading away.

Dawn started to climb down into the hole. "We have to go after them."

Willow grabbed her arm stopping her. "We will, but not until we have weapons and some help. You go get Clem and any weapons Spike might have left. I will go get Xander. Hurray."

"What the bloody hell is happening this time?" Spike growled groggily, shaking his head trying to clear his scrambled thoughts. “Only in SunnyHell - never boring.” He knew he’d only been unconscious for a second or two since he could still feel the fear from a few moments ago. Not for himself but for Dawn, who had been suddenly dragged off by a demon, and then for the Slayer when she had disappeared down a grave. But not a grave - it had been a trap. And a right successful one from the looks of it.

Of course, his first coherent thoughts were for Buffy who had unfortunately broken his fall. Not that she was aware of it. By way of his usual thoughts, being on top of her should have been a good thing. He had certainly dreamed about it enough but not under these circumstances. Straddling one foot on each side to get his weight off her, he pulled her up next to him. He could hear her heart beating steadily and could feel her pulse strong. Buffy, however, was still out cold, and what still worried him was that he could smell her blood. Spike quickly found a fresh wound on the back of her head. The Slayer must have hit her head as she had fallen in the trap. No wonder she was out. The cut was about two inches long and was still slowly oozing.

The intoxicating smell of the slayer blood filled the small container, surrounding him, almost overwhelming in its intensity. Almost but not quite. Spike was relieved that the smell of the potent elixir didn’t involuntarily bring his demon to the forefront. Even after inspecting the wound and getting blood on his hands and clothes, the demon still stayed in check.

But Spike had need of the demon now. Resolved, he unleashed his demon and all of its rage on their cage. Bang, shove, punch, kick, pull - all for nothing. Bugger it, the trap didn’t even budge. However, his efforts were hindered by the cramped quarters and fear of hurting the Slayer further.

Giles’ teachings came back to him, curse the bloke. Research first the Watcher always preached Feeling around, Spike could tell they were in an oversized steel drum about three foot wide and four foot tall. The top that they had both fallen through was now covered by a steel plate with only two small holes for air and restricted both the vamp’s hearing and vision. Nevertheless, that was his only view out, which was straight up. Due to the motion of their cage and the occasional squeak of wheels, he knew that they were moving at a steady pace. There was no sound of an engine. Accordingly, some wankers must be pushing them to their mystery destination. From the size of the cage, Spike suspected they must have only been expecting the Slayer. That should throw the stupid gits a curve ball when they find two snared in the trap instead of one.

But if he had to do it again, Spike would not have changed his actions. Thinking back, he knew without a single doubt, without hesitation, he would have jumped in after his Slayer. No regrets and no way anyone was taking her without going through him first. This Alpha blighter would surely pay - as soon as they figured a way out of this right muck up.

With that resolved for the time being, Spike settled back to play the waiting game, to think and to enjoy being this close to Buffy again. He gingerly moved her, wrapping himself around her to protect her from any further bumps and strived to get his bearings by way of his limited view.

As for their location, Spike could tell they were still in the sewer system, but he didn't know the ceilings of the sewers well enough to recognize any landmarks, let alone know exactly where they were. Due to few turns taken, Spike also surmised that they were moving steadily in approximately one direction and that they were quite a distance from the original trap when they finally made a very brief stop.

Spike heard what he guessed to be a metal door slide out of the way before they continued on their way. The new path was considerably less bumpy, and the ceiling also changed. Now he was looking up at a concrete ceiling with the occasional, industrial-looking light fixtures. When they paused again, he could hear muffled voices for the first time. "...only suppose to get the Slayer....will have to eliminate the vampire..." Another door opened, allowing them to move a few more feet. Unceremoniously, the barrel was violently shoved over onto its side. Spike could hear footsteps swiftly retreat, “…Alpha wanted to play with the girl before killing… dust the vamp first.” Then the metal door slammed shut.

Instantly, Spike was at the lid again, but this time with success. The barrel’s crash on its side must have jarred a weld enough to allow him to break free. He was out in a flash but quickly yelling in frustration. “Bullocks! All that to finally escape out into *another* cell.” These buggers weren’t taking any chances or they must not have intended the Slayer to stay in the barrel because the construction of the barrel versus the new cell was worlds apart. The walls of their new cage were solid concrete except for the door made out of two inch thick rebar. Breaking out was not a possibility - yet, he thought grinning to himself. But again, the gits had not been expecting two. That little twist of fate was on their side, and Spike was confident that they could play the surprise to their advantage.

That brought his thoughts back to the Slayer. Walking quickly back to the barrel, he pulled Buffy gently out, laying her by the far wall opposite the cell door. Thankful for the button down he wore over his t-shirt, Spike took it off and made a pillow in his lap, settling her head the best he could. The vampire’s concern for the Slayer being unconscious so long was beginning to overshadow his concern for their captivity. None of this, nothing, would be worth it if she didn’t wake up.

*****

Instead of dealing with a barrel on its side, the Scoobies were dealing with a different type of ‘side.’ That was Clem's overly cautious, chicken side, and they didn’t mean the fried kind.

Clem was shaking his head adamantly while staring wide-eyed down the hole that Spike and Buffy had disappeared down. "You want me to do what?" He backed quickly up form the edge. "I don't do sewers. Besides, I have a pizza getting cold.” He turned to leave as if that statement explained it all.

With Willow’s assistance, Xander was busy securing a rope for them to scale down the hole which left Dawn to handle Clem. Keeping a firm grip on his arm, Dawn pulled him back to the faux grave. "Clem, you said your species had a keen sense of smell, and you know Spike's scent. We need you to help track them."

“Willow, Dawn, we are about ready.” Xander checked the last knot. “We've got to go. I'll go first. Will, next lower the weapons down. Then send Clem." He disappeared down the opening, and then those left above saw the beam of his flashlight waving in wide arcs.

“Well?” Willow leaned over the edge, calling down. "What do you see?"

Dawn and Clem could also hear Xander’s reply. "I'm in the sewer system, but there are three ways we can go from here. Ok, Will, I am ready for the weapons."

As Willow proceeded to send down quite an array of weaponry, Dawn gave Clem another try. "Clemy, you can do it. You've got to do it." Dawn pleaded. "You'll be a great blood hound. See, you already have the floppy ears and wrinkles."

Having finished with the weapons, Willow turned to help Dawn handle the reluctant demon. "We need to send Clem down now so he can start his smell search." Carefully schooling her features to her best authoritative face, Willow addressed the would-be tracker. "Clem, we need you. Now get down there!"

"No, no. I am more of a stay at home guy. Couch potato - yep, that's me." He nodded his head so vigorously, setting all his wrinkles in motion.

Having come up with a sure way to handle Clem, Dawn wanted to thump her own forehead for not thinking of it sooner. "There’s a month’s supply of buffalo wings in it for you?" Dawn offered enticingly.

This finally stopped the timid demon’s retreat. “Two months … with BBQ sauce?”

“Sure!” Dawn wanted to jump for joy, but instead, she settled for a hand shake.

"Deal. How do I get down? … Oh, that looks rough. Got any gloves for me to use on that rope?"

*****

While the gang was trying to get down in the tunnels, Spike was trying to figure a way out as his concern for the Slayer steadily increased. He checked the injury at the back of her head again. There was lots of drying blood tangling the back of her hair, but, good, the bleeding had stopped.

Patting her cheeks, “Come on, love. Nap time over.” No answer so he shook her a little. “We need to get out of this amateur slayer trap and soon. You silly bint, if anyone gets to catch you, it should be me, ya know. Not some freakish bird demon.” He knew he was babbling, but he had to do something or go crazy.

Sensing a change, Spike let out the breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding when he felt Buffy slowly wake. Buffy opened her eyes to focus immediately on the vamp’s face above her, surprising Spike with her first two words. “Hello, Cutie.” She said it so softly he could barely hear her. But hear her he did, bringing the first smile to his face since the Chinese Fire Drill.

Thanks to the Slayer, though, the smile was hastily wiped from his face as she crooked a finger at him, beckoning him down closer. Closer and closer, nose almost touching nose, heads tilting until their lips met in a kiss that melted away his immediate concerns for her welfare. Surely somebody seriously injured couldn’t make such a simple kiss so hot and so arousing. Spike pulled back to look into her eyes, looking for any signs of pain. He started to ask but was at a loss of words as he watched her tongue sweep out to lick her lips, leaving no doubt that the kiss had been as intentional as it had been sensual. Before he could collect his thoughts enough to speak, a slow, mischievous smile spread across her face. Buffy’s hand snaked up, wrapping around the back of his neck and firmly pulling his lips again down to hers. The first kiss had been hesitant, but this one’s fierce intensity quickly grew.

This was the Buffy of Spike’s dreams. While his lips were so deliciously intimate with hers, surely it was safe to put his hands on her face. However, he hesitated to move his hands from anywhere but her face, scared to interrupt this waking dream. Finally realizing that she needed to breathe, he pulled back and watched her mouth issue one more word, “Yum,” before her eyes shut again.

Spike could tell from her breathing, she had passed back out. ‘Wow’ was the only rational thought his shocked brain could make. Literally shaking himself, he needed to let her rest, he reasoned with himself. She would need all her strength for their escape. Not to mention he wanted to savior a little longer the lingering taste of her lips and gather his thoughts in peace.

Unknowingly keeping his hand nestled against her cheek, ‘Let’s think of a plan before waking the little temptress back up.’ Laughing to himself, he thought about how many kissing had ended with her slugging him. He lightly took her hand in his, turning it over, admiring its grace. Maybe it would be wise to move across the cell before she woke up next. That hand could pack quite a punch, but with that thought, also came the beginnings of a plan.

A few minutes later, Spike was so caught up in his planning that didn’t even notice when Buffy woke up again. “Is that humming in my head or a new form of torture? And who did I need to kill for this little adventure?” Spike smiled at the Slayer as she struggled to sit up across from him and cradle the back of her head.

“We can go hunting, Sleeping Beauty, as soon as we get out of this castle’s dungeon. *But*… I do have a plan.”

Taking in the vampire’s cocky, trademark grin and twinkle in his eyes, the Slayer laughed knowingly. “Now *that* scares me.”

Cocking his eye brow, Spiked tried his best to look indignant. “I’m crushed. You were the inspiration, Slayer. A bloody inspiration!”

After tracking Spike and Buffy for over an hour, the Scoobies noticed the tunnels changed from for the old, irregular ones to increasingly newer ones. The sides of the floor sloped to the middle for improved drainage with a small trickle of water going through, and they eventually noticed that they were always traveling with the current. Xander plunged right down the middle, while the others skipped over puddles and garbage trapped along the sides.

Dawn was following Clem as they both tried to avoid a large pile of trash. “Big Ew. This stuff really stinks.”

“Smell? I can get things in my folds that will take weeks to find.” For about the millionth time, Clem brushed at his arms, but then jumped in surprise. "What was that?”

Xander replied, exasperation clear in his voice, "Just another rat. Keep moving."

"I hate rates. Did I tell you I hate rats? Love kittens but hate rats."

Enough was enough. Xander stopped, turning to glare at Clem. "I will give your poker kitty back if you will just find Buffy. Anyways, he thinks my potted plants are kitty litter boxes."

When they came to another fork in the tunnels, Willow turned to Clem. “Well, which way?”

“Go to the right. Definitely the right.”

They followed the demon a few steps before, “No, that’s Dominoe’s Pizza. Sorry, my bad. It must have been the left.”

After another 100 feet or so through the left tunnel, Dawn thought her ears were starting to ring. “What’s that humming noise? It sounds like those huge fans at school, and its getting louder.”

Xander, mostly talking to himself, “I thought it sounded like one of those vibrating beds in motels.” Then he realized he had said this aloud and that everyone had stopped to gape at him. “I’ve traveled. I’ve been around. You know, that summer I went to tour America and just ended up stranded in a dive for the summer.” He just decided to walk on. “It gave a great massage.”

For a short time, the tunnel became narrow. Willow in fact bumped the sharp edge of a corner and noticed a scrap of fabric where someone else had obviously left for the same reason. Thrilled with her discover, she turned to the demon, “Oh, Clem, what does this smell like?”

Clem takes it, smells it, looks funny then smells it again. “Maybe they are share clothing?”

Dawn spoke up for all of them. “Ok, you really lost us there.”

“This fabric, it smells like it was off two or three different demons, not just one. But we are on the right path.”

*****

”What, are you nuts?" Buffy yelled while socking Spike in the jaw, snapping his head sideways.

"Me...ME?” Spike retuned with a kick to her stomach knocking her against the far wall. "I'm not the one with the bed head."

The Slayer and vampire exchanged more powerful blows.

"You left us..."

"No choice, pet.”

“Why? And don’t call me ‘pet.’” More blows were exchanged.

“You know why, PET. You were there.”

Their yells were loud enough to rattle the bars of the door, bringing the guards running.

Spike continued the physical and verbal barrage. “Attack in the bathroom. No trust. Ring a bell??”

Two guards slammed the door open and rushed in the cell. Buffy collapsed to the floor in a heap as the two guards pinned Spike up against the wall. "Stop. Stop. We can’t have you killing her. Alpha wants the pleasure of killing the Slayer for himself."

"Fine, mate. A little kinky, is the bird-man? Likes his pleasure on the rough side, does he?" Spike still managed to smirk with one of the guard’s forearm pressing across his wind pipe and vocal chords. “He’d better because I’m going to enjoy watching her kick his sorry arse.” Not struggling, Spike watched Buffy silently get to her feet behind the guards’ backs.

“Rude much? Nobody asked me what I find ‘pleasurable’?” As the guards spun around to confront Buffy, she dealt them a left and a right each, sending them back into the grinning vampire.

In a move worthy of Moe in the Three Stooges, Spike slammed their heads together, and the guards went down in a pile.

“Do you think it was good for them?” Buffy said with innocent, wide eyes. “It was good for me.”

As their running out of the cell, Spike waggled his eye brows suggestively. “Let’s go see just how rough Feather Brain likes it.”

With a sly smile, Buffy briefly met his eyes. “At least I won’t have to get grass stains out of my jacket this time.”

Quickly recovering from a Buffy sexual innuendo - and to him especially, Spike quipped, “No, but maybe some road rash from all this concrete.”

“This from the man who thinks the lid of a sarcophagus is all comfy cozy.”

Taking note of her use of the word ‘man’ instead of demon or monster, Spike smiled as they headed down the hall with no idea where they were but sure someone did and would be looking for them soon. Despite their present situation, some things were definitely looking up.

"You know it’s not that simple and depends on a few other wrinkles that need to be ironed out.”

"Yeah, I know. Buffy, Buffy, and ... Buffy.”

"There are a couple of other items on the list, Nibblet. Now lay off, and I’ll see what I can work out."

With two last farewell hugs, Spike headed out of the yard mumbling something about needing to be saved from gushy women. Secretly, he had loved it, but something had been missing. The vampire hadn't really expected the Slayer to be there tonight to say good-bye. In fact, it was probably easier this way, but Spike couldn't shake the feeling that Buffy was somewhere near.

As he neared the park, he saw her leaning on a tree, watching his approach. If you just imagined a cigarette in her hand and a leather duster on her back, Spike would have thought it was the ghost of himself leaning on the tree watching for the Slayer’s approach. Amazing how quickly people’s lives took a 180 while living on the Hellmouth. Two months ago she adamantly tried to avoid him. Now here she was waiting for him.

When Spike got up close, Buffy said, "I have to patrol in the cemetery across the street and thought I would…” Lame, lame, lame! And they both knew it.

Raising an eyebrow, Spike stared at her waiting to see what story the Slayer would make up next but then decided to give her a break. He could still vividly remember all those same excuses he had to make up while waiting for her. "Ya know, if it’s all the same to you, Slayer, love to skip the sappy good-bye crap."

"Great...me, too. How about just two people walking to the park?"

When they arrived at the park, Buffy awkwardly sat down on a bench to watch Spike pace and smoke, glad for some music drifting across the still air from an open window close by, breaking the silence. When a slower song started, on impulse she stood up and offered her hand. Spike quirked a brow in silent question. With her hand still outstretched, she took a step closer and tilted her head, now making a dare with only a look, a simple gesture, and a softly spoken question. "Don't you want to 'dance'?"

Casually throwing down his cigarette, “I’m game…as long as it doesn't include my nose bleeding afterwards." Recognizing the song , “Yellow” by Coldplay, Spike wondered if someone was making a bad joke. What an appropriate color to connect with the current state of their relationship. But against his better judgment, he accepted the silent dare. "I wondered if we would have a go before I left for London.”

Just as they fought common enemies, working together with ease, they also danced the same way. This being their first time, the two moved perfectly in tune. The pair would have both been surprised to find that their thoughts were just as closely attuned. Both the Slayer and the vampire were not thinking of the usual slaying or even past sexual exploits but about the same quiet moments two nights previous. Buffy pictured Spike, Dawn, and Willow lying on the ground looking up at the stars and remembered how wonderful it had been to join them. Just friends doing nothing for a while but gazing up at the stars, making small talk, and catching fireflies.

Both knew the dance was just an excuse to touch one another before a continent and an ocean separated them again. A lover’s excuse to forget all other barriers for a few, purloined moments and enjoy each other’s unmistakable smell and feel. The kiss that began, though, had no excuse and didn't need one. Not between them.

Caught up in the moment, Buffy unconsciously leaned into Spike, molding her body full length to his, striving to make as much contact as possible. Still swaying to the music, their motion created a sensual friction in all the right places. And the kiss…She never wanted to breathe again if it meant breaking off this kiss. Before Spike had left for Africa, their kisses were stolen moments with the barest hint of more opportunities to come. Tonight, their lips met, hungry for a last taste of each other, perfectly matched passion with an edge of desperation but on the verge of Heaven.

Behind the couple, the airport shuttle pulled up and stopped, neither noticing until the door opened directly behind Spike. As they reluctantly parted, they paused caught up in each other's eyes as the lyrics of the song sunk into Buffy's brain.

Before Spike could never see the expression in her eyes after any intimate contact because she had been either rolling them or running away. But tonight, he could clearly see all her emotions clearly. Her hazel eyes were filled with intense desire but also reflected her continued indecision, while his blue eyes held a question. He pulled back waiting for her to decide, to say something, anything.

To say Buffy was torn would have been a monumental understatement, and how she desperately wanted to simply say, "Stay." Only four little letters, only one syllable, which echoed loudly in her head, raged to be set free.

Thinking of the songs lyrics, she had no doubt that Spike would do just that, drain himself dry for her or Dawn, both figuratively and literally. But she also remembered the chip that no longer worked and all the other reasons they couldn't be together. They had an agreement, Buffy reasoned, that he would leave town when it was all over. But she still attempted to form the word, her eyes trying to make him understand with just a look, but the insecurity that was clearly written on her face kept her frozen. Yes, yellow was her color when it came to Spike. The slayer afraid of a vampire: afraid of what others might say, afraid to commit, afraid to follow her heart, and most of all, afraid of later having to kill her boyfriend - again.

Ever so slowly, Spike gently took Buffy's hand off his shoulder and placed a simple but undeniably heart-felt kiss on her palm, his eyes briefly closing with the intensity of his emotions. The corners of his mouth curved up slightly as her fingers curled closed as if to hold it from getting away as he pulled back to leave. As Spike stepped onto the shuttle, he paused and looked back, drinking in the sight of her for one last time. Buffy was still standing where he had left her, watching him leave. With some satisfaction, he did notice that she was still holding her hand closed, as if to capture his kiss from floating away.

*******

Headed back to England, Spike sat staring out the window of his plane watching the stars. Whenever flying, he had always marveled at this incredible invention of transportation. But this time, he was struck by how he was sitting on an ironic symbol of his existence both in his life and undeath. Traveling between two worlds: between London and Sunnydale, between human and vampire, between good and evil, and the list went on. The only consolation was that he was the one to decide now. In Africa, along with his soul he had also regained his pride. And with the newly restored soul and pride, came the decision to no longer try to fit into one pre-made slot designed by others. Now Spike was truly the rebel he had always bragged about being. He knew he lived in an unique grey area which he was learning to embrace. And on the heels of this declaration of independence came the realization that he wanted to continue his improvements. He still felt a little shocked (and nauseated at times) by that one. Spike only wished that Buffy could do the same and thrive in her own uniqueness.

As his thoughts returned to the Slayer, Spike laughed at himself. To once think that after Willow’s spell a couple of years ago, he considered her unique taste gross, and now it was a precious treasure to be savored as long as possible. He refused any food or drink from the flight attendants. Not even blood sounded appealing if it replaced her precious flavor still lingering on his tongue.

Bloody hell, that hope he had locked away was peeping its busy-body nose out again. In his mind’s eye, he could still see her as he had boarded the shuttle. Her eyes had been filled with desire, hope, but not a decision. His hope helpfully pointed out that her barriers gave the appearances to be falling, but Spike had to remind the meddling hope that having her but not having her was no longer acceptable. ‘Not until she is committed, fully resolved. I won’t settle for less this time.’ This time he had vowed not to force it. Buffy had to decide on her own.

But her voice came to him again, and his hope wouldn’t let him close the door to its cage completely. Last night, as Spike and Buffy had left the cell, she had called him a man. “This from the man who thinks the lid of a sarcophagus is all comfy cozy.” Not a demon or monster, but a man. Definite progress there, mate. The problem was knowing if or when to open that door again. Or did he even have a choice after this last visit to Sunny-D?

Hope might just have a point, and fondly thinking of Nibblet and Red, he did have two allies now. ‘Ok, little bugger. You can keep one foot out the door but not a step more.’ Nevertheless, he had to take care of a few matters in London first.

Spike shook his head with an exasperated sigh. William, the poet, was truly out in force tonight with all this hope and philosophy crap. Closing his eyes, Spike wanted to sleep, but the song from the park played over and over his head. Resigned, he settled for watching the stars shining so brightly out the window as they had from Revello Drive, and he continued to absently rub the pad of his thumb over the palm of his hand dreaming of a gallant kiss placed on his lady’s hand.

******

Sarah was tired, her feet were killing her, she had a pounding headache, and had been pinched in the ass one too many times that night. Her shift at Willy’s had been long and unusually boring. And that asshole taking up space at the largest booth in the back wasn’t helping any. He had mumbled something about waiting for friends and would order when they got there. Sure!! How many times had she heard that one? ‘No Tip’ might as well been tattooed across his forehead.

Just as she wrote him off, three demons walked in and went directly to his table joining him. If it were possible, he got even more nervous. ‘Some friends,’ Sarah thought as she plastered a smile on her face and went to take their order.

When she brought them their first round, her presence brought an abrupt halt to their intense conversation. When they paid, she noticed that the three new comers all had matching tattoos on their right hands, the letter ‘M’ with a lighting bolt. She mentally changed her ranking of that table to “interesting.” She had seen that tattoo before and recently. By the end of the night, she had made enough trips to the table and heard enough tidbits to know why they were in town. They were here to go after the Slayer. ‘Good, that bitch,’ Sarah thought as she walked away. Miss High-and-Mighty had killed her mate and two other friends about a year ago. She hoped their plan included torture as well.

The End

Look for the sequel, “Relentless Revenge.” (No way I could end it there, but it was a natural break to the story. Ya gotta have Spuffy and a good ending, don't you??)


Disclaimer: I certainly do not own the song or lyrics to “Yellow” by Coldplay. I was just borrowing, but what a great song!!