Author: NiKiTa

E-mail: NiKiTa22980@msn.com

Feedback: Like any other author, I love feedback. Good as well as constructive/bad. It keeps me going to know people are actually reading it. Of course good feedback feeds my muse immensely!

Disclaimer: Anything in this fic that Joss originally came up with, belong to him and the networks. No copyright infringement intended.

"You guys don't understand what a huge opportunity this is for me.” Buffy Anne Summers said as she sat at her mother's kitchen table, trying to explain things to her mother, Joyce, and her boyfriend, Riley Finn. So far they were not being very supportive.

"Buffy, you don't realize what kind of life style it would bring. I do, I was married to your father 17 years. During that time, he only spent half the time with us. The rest of the time he spent on the road, driving from track to track.", Joyce tried to reason with her daughter.

"I know mom, I remember, I was there. What you don't see is that I love riding, it's in my blood, and it's calling for me to do this. Rupert Giles has offered me a once in a lifetime opportunity. He's the best upcoming trainer in the whole USA. He even has a stallion that stands a shot at the Triple Crown next year.” Buffy shot back, her eyes a bit dreamy after mentioning Rupert Giles, her new idol.

Joyce sighed. "What about college? You're doing great in psychology, are you just going to drop out?"

"Mom, I can still study. It's not like we'll be traveling all the time. Giles has his training grounds just outside Santa Anita. I won't be able to go to classes but I can still study and be ready for the exams. Besides, I'm not getting any younger. If I want to do this professionally, it's now or never.” the petite blonde pleaded with her blue-green eyes to her mother.

"There's not much I can do to stop you, Buffy. You're a grown woman; you're 21 years old. If your mind is already made up about this, all I can do is wish you good luck and beg you to be careful", Joyce replied.

"Thanks, Mom", Buffy answered putting her hand over her mother's, tears forming in both their eyes.

" But what about us, Buffy? You know I have to stay. Professor Walsh has given me this great opportunity to assist her in this psyche project", Riley decided to interject.

Joyce decided to head upstairs to give the two of them some privacy. " I know Riley. Maybe we should see this as a sign to take things slow for a while? Maybe the time apart will teach us to appreciate what we have?" Buffy said to her boyfriend as she stood up, walked around the table, leaned over his sitting form, gently hugging him from behind.

He stood up abruptly before he threw a tantrum. " So this is it! You're just going to leave after all we've shared! I can't believe you Buffy! The day after I ask you to marry me, you decide to throw the past three years out the door and leave! I've been patient and I'm done with it! Give me a call when you decide to come out of that illusion you're in!” Riley left, slamming the door so hard the windows jittered.

Buffy just stood there, tears again forming in her eyes. She wiped them before going upstairs to talk to her sister and start packing.

Joyce and Buffy's sister, Dawn came in the door to Buffy's room while she was packing.

"What do you want us to do with the horses?” Dawn asked.

" I was kind of thinking that you and Willow could take care of them. Willow agreed she could take over my riding lessons. You guys could share the profit too. I want you to keep Gypsy Lovers in particular. I know that foal of hers is going to be something great, since it's sire won the Kentucky Derby and Gypsy was placed third at the Belmont Stakes. I'll come back when she's due. I want to be the second thing that foal sees in this world.” Buffy's eyes were dreamy at the prospect of bringing up a winner.

"Ok, We'll just sell of those that are a bit to much to handle", Buffy's 17-year-old sister replied cheerily. Buffy stepped over to hug and thank Dawn and Joyce.

Next morning Willow came over for breakfast after cleaning out the stables with Dawn. " So my best friend is really leaving huh?” the redhead frowned at Buffy. Buffy hugged Willow in response. "We'll be staying a while outside Arcadia until we leave for the East Coast. You're more then welcome to come visit.” Buffy answered as she pulled back.

"Do you have a ride?” Willow asked

"Actually, I thought Riley was going to drive me but we… we kind of broke up last night", the blonde responded, turning away, feeling a bit bad that she wasn't more heartbroken about it.

"You broke up. Why am I not surprised? I guess I saw you two were sliding apart. Anyway I'll give you a ride as long as Joyce and Dawn can take care of the stables", Willow responded.

Buffy was a bit shocked. Her best friend had seen it coming. "Great! When do you wanna leave?” Buffy asked. "Sooner the better. How about we finish breakfast, then hit the road?” Willow responded.

Buffy finished eating and headed over to the barn to check on Gypsy one last time before saying goodbye to her family. As Willow and Buffy drove off, Buffy couldn't help looking back at the farm and pastures with horses. She shed a tear as she remembered the ride her father, Hank Summers, had taken her for five years earlier.

They were out for a ride and came to a halt on top of a hill overlooking the farm. Hank had looked proudly at the scenery beneath them and turned to his daughter. "Some day this will be all yours, pumpkin", he said. Buffy had gotten a devilish grin and replied; "Race you back"

Three months later he had died in a riding accident, leaving his family to tend to his legacy.

Driving off from her child hood home, Buffy failed to notice Riley's car pulling up to the front of her home. A disappointed look on crossed his face as he realized he had just missed the love of his life.

A/N: Those of you who's not really familiar with horse terms. A lot is a group of horses. When a trainer schedules a day's exercises for the horses and riders. He divides the horses in to lots, which then head out to the training grounds at the same time. A professional rider has everything from 3 to even 10 lots a day.

Buffy said her goodbyes to Willow letting her know she would call the first chance she got. Getting out of Willow's car, Buffy started her walk towards the huge, three-story main house. She looked over to the training grounds and spotted a few horses, going at a warm up pace in a slow canter. She smiled, happily thinking it would soon be her out there riding those horses. Her father would have loved it.

She noticed the green pastures that were filled with herds of yearlings, thinking this would be a great place to bring up Gypsy Lovers' foal. As she came closer she saw the huge barn that had to be where they kept the horses. A barn like that had to be able to hold 100 or even 150 horses.

Outside the main entrance of the stable she saw riders mounting up, getting ready to go at it. She practically couldn't wait for her to be one of them. As she arrived at the main house's entrance she rang the doorbell. Soon a man in his 40 s arrived behind the screen door. He had glasses low on the bridge of his nose and wore a tweed suit. 'He has to be British, it must be Mr. Giles', Buffy thought taking in his appearance.

"You're Elisabeth Summers I presume?", the British man asked.

"Please, call me Buffy. And you're Mr. Giles?" Buffy asked tentatively, hoping she was speaking to the right man.

"That I am, but you can call me Giles. Please, do come in", Giles said as he stepped away gesturing for her to enter.

"I'm truly sorry to hear about your father. He was a great man. I remember he once won a race for my father. It was one of the Ascot races if I remember correctly." Giles said as he proceeded down the enormous marble covered hall to enter a study. Buffy couldn't keep her mouth close as she marveled at her beautiful surroundings. "Thanks", she managed to reply in between her awes.

They took a seat "You will be quartered in this house with Faith, one of my other riders, my nephew William Eddington and me. I don't think it's appropriate for a young girl like your self to be quartered in the barracks with the rest of the help. I think you'll find out soon enough why I hold this opinion"

"Did you say Eddington, as in William Eddington? Three time in a row winner of the Epsom Derby?" Buffy replied her eyes wide in admiration.

"No, his son, William jr., affectionately called Spike. Anyway your salary will consist of room and board in addition to a 450 $ weekly paycheck. Of course if you're as skilled as my associate has told me, you will be racing in no time and will gain race fees and prize money as well. You're room is the second on the right, right side of the stairs, on the second floor. Any questions?", Giles asked her.

"Where do I sign and when do I start?", Buffy replied a bit astonished. It all sounded to good to be true. Giles chuckled at her enthusiasm. "How about you gear up and we head over to the stables. We can still catch the one o'clock lot.", Giles said. Buffy glowed in eagerness and happiness and ran off to get changed. She came down the stairs five minutes later fully equipped with jeans, short-chaps, security vest and her hair tucked underneath her helmet. She would look like a boy as soon as she put on the goggles, her security vest hiding her feminine form.

They headed over to the stables and Buffy soon found herself mounted on a huge, bay gelding with white socks named Unprecedented. Giles was mounted on a quarter horse to be lead for her until she reached the dirt track. "Now look, we're a bit late. The other's are just about finished warming up, but no worries warm him up, hit the dirt and see if you can catch the gray stallion over there. I want you to give my dear nephew a bit of a scare. Crowd him."

With that Giles released her horse and it immediately reared on her and started to buck. 'Oh no you don't. I'm not kissing dirt my first day', Buffy thought as she managed to calm Unprecedented to a calm trot. After ten minutes of warming up she hit the track. She spotted the gray horse half a lap in front of her and gently nudged her horse to fasten his pace. She soon had him in a fresh gallop and was gaining on William. 30 seconds later she was side by side with him and started raining her horse so it would go right and squeeze the gray horse in-between her horse and the rail that bordered the track. Successful at doing this, the other rider was soon forced to pull up his pace to let Unprecedented pass. Buffy looked back and grinned as she saw the angry look of the man riding the gray stallion. She finished her second lap and exited the track, heading back to the stable.

"Splendid job" Giles cheered her as she dismounted. Behind her came William. He dismounted his horse, left it to be taken care of by one of the stable boys. He tore his helmet off, revealing his peroxide blonde hair and threw the helmet across the courtyard as he angrily stepped up to his uncle and the menace he had encountered on the track.

"What the bloody hell was that about? Were ya tryin' to off me or even us? Because you bloody well came close. Are you completely off your knockers? Do you even…" His voice trailed off as what he had assumed to be a boy, took off his goggles and helmet to let his long golden locks come cascading down his shoulders, to reveal a girl. SHE, was a very beautiful, hot looking girl. He swallowed before he continued softly. "You're a girl", he said making it sound almost like a question.

Buffy took in the view she was offered. She had never seen a better-looking guy, even though he was fuming. She looked into his sapphire eyes as they turned from blazing with anger, to wide-eyed shock, to darkening with desire.

"William! Meet Buffy Summers, she'll be working with us from now on." Giles announced.

"Aaah I see. You're Hank Summers girl aren't you? And my dear uncle was the one that put you up to that stunt wasn't he?" Spike asked his eyes narrowing, biting his lower lip to give her one of his trademark smirks.

"Yes and yup. Enjoyed it though", Buffy replied, still high on the adrenaline giving her the edge to be smart with him, while smiling seductively.

Spike reached out his hand to greet her properly; "By the way I'm…" he started only to be interrupted by the call of a brunette coming out of the stables "Spike! Baby, did you see me out there? I was smoking" the brunette called heading towards them

'Baby?', Buffy thought disappointed. "No, pet, I didn't. Seeing as I was busy fending off for my life an' all that rot", Spike replied obviously not too happy with the brunette's presence.

"Faith! Say hello to our newest household member and teammate, Buffy Summers. Buffy meet Faith Jackson", Giles introduced them. Buffy gave her polite hi while Faith replied with; "What's up B?"

"Now that introductions are in order, might I suggest a bite to eat and a cup of tea, or coffee if that's you preference?" Giles asked turning towards the main house. "Coffee sounds of the good", Buffy replied and they all followed Giles into the house.

After lunch, Giles retreated to his study for some paperwork, Faith went to her room across the hall from Buffy's "to catch some z's", as she put it. She hated the early hours of this job and used the afternoons to get some sleep.

This left Spike and Buffy alone in the kitchen. Buffy felt awkward in the presence of the staring, gorgeous blond, now that her adrenaline rush was gone. He decided to relieve some of the tension that was building up and spoke

"You were great out there today, you know? I've never seen anyone pull speed like that out of Unprecedented. Contrary to his name he is quite, well precedented. But remember this, a bloody stunt like that in a race will in worst case cost you your life, best case get you disqualified, fined and or banned." While he talked to her he stared deep into her twinkling blue green eyes. He had never seen eyes that shade before. It continuously shifted depending on light or mood.

When they came in, she had changed out of gear, only to reveal that her petite form had luscious curves, and Spike couldn't help himself but glancing over her body appreciatively every now and then.

His effort to relieve tension had failed immensely. She just bottled up even more. First flattered, that he had complimented her on her riding skills. Second a bit scared at the thought of her first official race. He decided to try once more to relieve the tension.

"So. You got a mate back home?", he asked her. Buffy was a bit shocked at the very personal and very direct question and blushed a bit before she answered.

"Mmm. I did, I mean I sort of do. We decided to take a break before I came here", she lied and then mentally slapped herself at what she was about to do. She was going to let a complete stranger into her very personal life.

"Well that's not actually true. I wanted a break and he got all furious and left. You see, he sort of proposed to me 2 days before I left and to be honest I'm not ready for that. I mean, we've been together for 3 years and I should be able to commit, right? But the thing is I don't love him yet. I care about him and all, but love's not in the picture yet, but I believe that this time a part from him, will make me love him."

"Bollocks!", came Spike's response before she could finish.

"I beg you pardon?", Buffy asked incredulously.

"Look. You've been with the bloke for 3 years, right?" she nodded before he continued. "Right and you don't love him yet, then you never will. Love is something consuming, which catches you by surprise. You can't make yourself love anyone, pet. Love isn't brains. It's blood, blood screaming inside of you to work its will. Kind of the same that brought you here, leaving your friends and family behind. Am I right kitten?"

Buffy stared at him disbelievingly, remembering all to well her little speech on blood last night. How was he able to hit the mark so perfectly? Then anger flushed her features at the realization, that he was contradicting her in the matter of her being capable to one day love Riley

"One. That is the biggest BS I've ever heard. Two. Quit calling me pet, kitten or any other affectionate name you can come up with. Three. Why don't you go practice some of that love on your girlfriend instead of gawking at me with those…. Those stupid eyes. Four. You don't know the first thing about my capabilities." Buffy angrily spat out before stomping off to the stairs.

Spike sat stunned for a second before realization hit him. "What girlfriend, pet? And I'd love to find out what your capabilities are" He had reached the staircase by then and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively to her, at his last statement. She just growled at him and continued to enter her room and slam her door. Hard.

"What on earth is going on here?", Giles asked coming out of his study to see what all the racket was about.

"Nothing really. Think it's PMS", Spike answered a grin at his lips.

Spike practically bounced up the stairs to his room. Feeling quite satisfied with himself, being able to make Buffy all hot and bothered like that. 'Cor. She's beautiful when she's like that. I should tease her more often'

Buffy fumed, swore and ranted for about thirty minutes, before finally managing to calm herself enough to start unpacking. She then continued to beat herself up, because she had such a hot temper. Spike seemed almost to get off on it. She vowed to not let him get to her.

She finished unpacking and headed downstairs to ask Giles if she could use the phone to call Willow. By this time Willow would be back on the farm, to do the afternoon shift of tending to the horses. Running down the stairs she threw a look inside the kitchen, to make sure HE wasn't there.

Walking down the hall to Giles study, she picked up his voice, not sounding very happy. She knew eavesdropping was not the polite thing to do, so she knocked gently on the door letting Giles know of her presence. He looked at her and continued his conversation.

"Yes, sir. Of course, sir, you're welcome to see for yourself"

"…."

" I thought William could ride him"

"…."

"But sir, William has been riding him ever since…."

Buffy noticed Giles was interrupted by whoever it was on the other line.

"Yes, sir, I'll see what I can come up with, but springing this and those other matters on me this quick is bloody inconvenient."

"….."

"I'm sorry, sir, didn't mean to loose my temper and yes, Hank Summers' girl has just joined us, her name is Elisabeth.", at this he smiled at Buffy and gestured for her to sit down, across the desk from him.

"I beg your pardon? You want Drusilla to do what?", Giles' voice picked up, he removed his glasses and pinched the upper ridge of his nose, as if very agitated.

"…."

"Yes, sir, I am aware that you own California Pride. We'll see how she does."

"…."

"Very well, Saturday it is. Good bye, sir", Giles hung up the phone at his last statement and sighed in frustration. Buffy just looked at him carefully, not really sure if she dared to ask Giles anything, while he was in this mood.

"What can I do for you Miss Su-, I mean Buffy?", Giles asked a reassuring smile showing in his face.

"Ehm. I was just wondering, if I could use the phone to call my friend? I can help pay the bills and all. Now I'm kind of wondering what that call was all about, seeing as you mentioned me and… things.", Buffy was biting her lip now, mentally slapping herself for sticking her nose in other people's business.

"Of course you can borrow the phone, dear. Wouldn't want your charming mother to worry, would we?", Giles remembered Buffy's mother quite well. When he had been to an auction a few years back he had seen a woman at Hank Summers' arm. She lit up the room like sunshine. When they had talked she had seemed the warmest person he had ever met. He was quite taken with her, until she presented herself as Mrs. Summers. That one sentence had quelled any possible fire.

Giles sighed before answering Buffy on her second topic. " I suppose I should tell you since you're more than likely to find out anyway. Angel O'Toole was the one I spoke to on the telephone just now. He is the very wealthy owner of California Pride, our one shot at the Triple Crown, come spring. It seems he disapproves of me having William ride him. He asked me to let you try out and when the race date comes he wants his wife, Drusilla to do the riding.", he sighed once more before continuing.

"Drusilla hasn't ridden any race horses in three years and now she's coming down with Angel, this Saturday to try Pride out. Angel chose me to train his horse, he should respect my training orders! The reality is I can't afford loosing Pride, or the other horses Angel owns to another trainer", Giles said while shaking his head slowly in disapproval.

Neither Buffy nor Giles, noticed Spike at the doorway, listening in on their conversation. His face grew pale and his eyes glazed with unshed tears, before he closed them, clenched his teeth and let anger instead of sorrow creep across his features.

"So Dru is coming down, is she?", Spike asked venom dripping off his tongue.

Giles and Buffy were both startled by his presence, before Giles slowly nodded and looked away in shame, avoiding Spike's gaze. Spike let out a bitter laugh, before storming off. Seconds later Buffy and Giles heard the front door slam.

"I'm kinda' guessing they have a history that is not so sweet?", Buffy asked tentatively, once again biting her lower lip.

" That would be the correct assumption, not really my story to tell. I'll leave you to your calls. When you're finished, you're more than welcome to take out one of the quarter horses for a ride." Giles said as he stood up to leave.

Buffy said her thanks, dialed the number to the office of the stables back home. Willow picked up and Buffy began to tell the story of her day. Very merry voice when she told about her move against Spike at the track, pissed voice when she told about their conversation in the kitchen. Willow couldn't help chuckling while thinking; 'Yeah right. I give her one month before she's calling me, telling me how great he is.' Then she remembered what Joyce had told her.

"Listen Buffy? Riley came when we left. Joyce told me. Have you called him yet?", Willow said while scolding herself, for bringing up Riley, when Buffy should move on.

Buffy sighed, while she was denying Spike's assumptions, she knew in her heart, her and Riley were over for now. "No, I sort of put that on hold for the time being", she answered her friend. They said their goodbyes and Buffy, headed for the stables, to take Giles up on his offer.

She saddled up and mounted a black and white paint horse. She didn't need gear with this docile animal. Fifteen minutes along a path, she brought the horse to a gentle trot and allowed the wind blowing through her hair to sweep away all her worries.

After about an hours ride, she came to a halt by a small stream. She dismounted the horse, allowing it to take a drink from the stream. Buffy went to sit with her back against an oak tree, enjoying the afternoon rays of the august sun to wash over her.

Buffy noticed that a few feet away the stream was slightly dammed up, allowing the stream to form a pond that looked deep enough to swim in. She played with her thought a while before deciding, she was miles from anyone, no one would see her if she went for a little swim.

She took off all her clothes, but her white cotton g-string. She tied up the horse, just in case it might get some idea and headed towards the water. She let out a squeal at first contact with the chilly water, before diving out into the deep end.

Spike had left the house in a hurry, needing to let out his feelings one way or the other. He took out one of the quarter horses and nearly ran it to the ground. After about half an hour ride, he realized the horse was nearly broken down and pulled it to halt before climbing off.

He turned around, with the horse in tow, to go back to his little thinking spot, by the stream. Maybe a cool afternoon swim could chill his emotions. Angel and Drusilla. His, now Angel's Drusilla coming down here. He wished she could disappear. Spike did not need her to come and stick like glue to that ponce. He did not need a reminder of that awful day two years earlier.

Spike stopped in the heavy shadows of the trees just above the stream, when he heard a squeal followed by a splash, coming from the pond. He lifted his eyes from the path only to spot the most beautiful woman he had seen in his life, coming to the surface of the water. The woman gasped for air and it was the most mesmerizing sound, he had ever heard.

He continued to stare as she stood up from the water, to reveal she did not wear a bathing suit. All she had on was a soaking wet, now see-through cotton thong. He eyed her over, her golden tanned, long legs, her full breasts, and her angelic face with blue green eyes that looked really familiar. Wait a minute, this was Buffy.

No wonder he was spellbound by this nymph, he had been ever since he first, well second time he saw her. The water trickled down her body and all Spike wished for, was to be one of those drops. He grinned, at thinking how she would react, once he let his presence known. Infuriate the girl twice in one day, not bad.

However he wasn't ready for her to cover herself just yet. He was pretty sure he wouldn't get this kind of view in a long time. His moment was cut short, when his horse noticed the horse across the stream, and let out a snort and stomped its leg to the ground.

Buffy froze when she heard a horse's sound across the pond, not from where she had tied her horse. She pulled her hand to her forehead, to cover from the sun and squinted to the shadows, where the snort had come from. She recognized Spike standing next to a horse. Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped, her face reddened while she covered her breasts.

"You freak! You pervert! You Pig!", Buffy yelled while bolting for dry ground to find her clothes and cover up. Spike was fast on her heels, dragged his horse through the water with much ease, not bothering to notice his jeans was becoming wet.

Once he reached the other bank he let the horse go and ran for Buffy and gripped her by her waist, to turn around facing him. She yelped as she felt his hands on her.

"Why the flushed face, pet? Nothing to be ashamed of here.", He said in a purr as he glanced appreciatively down her body. Buffy's eyes widened even more, but her entire system shut down, as Spike made the boldest move, he had ever done.

Spike looked into her eyes and down to her trembling parted lips, before he knew it he crushed them with his own. He moaned, as he tasted her sweet mouth. It was Spike's turn to be surprised when he felt Buffy's tongue brushing against his own to answer his kiss, inviting him in.

Soon their tongues were dancing and Spike pushed her up against a nearby tree, to let her know exactly how the kiss was affecting him. He ground his hips against her and broke the kiss. Both of them were panting, staring in each other's eyes.

What Buffy saw scared her. In the depths of his now dark blue eyes, she saw lust, passion, adoration and even love. It couldn't be that. They had met only a few hours before. He leaned into her ear and whispered in a low husky voice; "See, pet? Can you feel what you do to me?" For emphasis he ground his hips even harder to her and a moan escaped her lips.

Reason came back to Buffy. 'Riley!', her mind screamed. She hadn't even had sex with Riley. She was not about to do it with some complete stranger, let alone outside. She found the strength to push Spike off, quickly found her clothes and put them on.

She rode off on her horse not even offering Spike a second glance. Spike stood there stunned. He groaned when realization hit him. Okay, so maybe he had gone a bit far, but he felt like he had known this girl for a lifetime. Did he want her? Oh my God, yes! Did he want to spend the rest of his life worshipping her? Pretty much! He was falling hard for her. Something like this wasn't just lust, like he had felt in the beginning with Drusilla. It had to be love. Love at first, sorry, second sight.

Chapter 4 Settling In

A/N: Happy New Year fellow Spufettes! Sorry for the long overdue update Wanted to thank all of you guys for your reviews. Special thanks goes out to Silver for posting my stories and Vette for reviewing not only once. To get the affirmation that some people are actually continuing to read the story, is the prefect muse.

Buffy's first day at the farm had been anything but boring. The adrenaline rush, when she had crowded Spike at the track. The other rush she had by the stream, when he had 'crowded' her. Buffy felt her PJ bottoms getting soaking wet at remembering it. She was lying in her new bed reminiscing. She couldn't help but fantasize about Spike coming in, climbing on to her bed and cover her with that hard body, she had felt intimately pressed against hers earlier.

'Bad Buffy', she scolded herself. Her thoughts should be invaded by Riley, not the peroxide wonder boy. After all Riley had come by when she left. Did that mean they weren't really over? Her thoughts were racing. Had she cheated on him? She hated the fact that a plain look at Spike caused arousal in her more than Riley's kisses and fumbling hands ever had. Poor, kind, trusty and old reliable Riley. He had been more than patient with her. During the 3 years they had been together there had never been any actual penetration. They had given each other pleasures in other ways, but never gone all the way.

Every time they came close to fulfilling the union, Buffy had stopped it. She wanted to wait, Riley accepted it and settled for snuggling close to her and sleeping with her. Those nights were truly awkward for Buffy. He was a really big boy and with him spooning her from behind, she felt like the weight of his arm alone crushed her. Whenever they had their make-out sessions and he covered his body over hers, she felt crushed and drowned underneath.

It wasn't like Buffy was a frail girl, but she was supposed to relax during their more intimate moments, not try to support his weight from crushing her. Buffy's line of thought was interrupted when she heard footsteps across the hall, followed by a soft knock on Faith's door. She heard the door open. Buffy caught herself wondering who could be making a visit to Faith's room this late at night.

Her eyes widened when her mind concluded on Spike. 'That two-timing, bastard!', part of her mind screamed, while the other part rationalized that she was just as bad, with the possibility of her and Riley not really being over. Her anger only grew as she heard unmistakable noises coming from across the hall. Spike had some nerve, that was sure. Buffy swore to herself that come tomorrow morning, she would have herself a little chat with Faith.

The next morning Buffy came down for morning coffee in the kitchen. Luck had Faith there alone and Buffy grabbed her opportunity.

"Sleep okay?", Buffy asked a smile on her lips covering well her true mood.

"Sure did. Ain't nuthing better than a little slap an tickle before slumbering off.", Faith responded with a wicked grin. Buffy's eyes grew huge and the coffee she had sipped went down the wrong pipe, throwing her into a cough frenzy, at Faith's bluntness. "You okay, B?", Faith asked.

"I'm good, so you and Spike, huh? You know should keep a short leach on him. I hate to be the one to tell you this but I don't think he's really faithful.", Buffy said fidgeting. Her coffee mug's design, suddenly very interesting. She drew her brows together in confusion at Faith's response.

Faith was laughing. Laughing hard. Calming slightly she managed to screech out "Spike?" in between giggles. "Don't get me wrong, B, I'd like nothing better than to get horizontal with Spike and find out just how he earned his name. It's not like I haven't tried, it's just I like my fellas a little easier and a bit less high maintenance."

Buffy blushed intensely because she felt like such an ass and her body temperature rose at the imagery of Faith's insinuations about his name's origin. Spike chose that moment to enter the kitchen. He had been listening in at the doorway. Taking in Buffy's adorably flushed face. He really couldn't help but comment.

"Mornin' ladies", he said, giving them both a peck on the cheek. On his way over to the coffee pot, he added, "Didn't your mums ever teach you s'not nice to talk behind someone's back?"

Buffy's blush turned true red. She felt jolts of electricity coursing through her, from where his lips had been. She watched his retreating form, thinking, 'Boy does he move nice, like a stealthy predator. Shame about the stealthy part since it's the third time I haven't heard him coming!'

*******

Buffy's second day at the farm passed with not too much difficulty. She worked out four horses with great ease. Giles was watching with marvel. This Harris chap hadn't been wrong. Giles' found himself amused thinking of the young man that had spent some time working for him a couple of months back. He had told Giles that if he wanted what was surely to become one of America's most talented jockeys, Giles needed to check out Hank Summers daughter. Alexander 'Xander' Harris was one of those persons that could very possibly annoy one to death, with bad jokes. Xander wasn't really the sharpest knife in the drawer either, but he had an eye for talent. He could pick winners in a race as easy as snap his fingers, but didn't gamble himself. He once confided to Giles, even though it was common knowledge, that he didn't gamble because of his father. Xander's father was a notorious drinker and gambler and it had ruined the family.

Buffy knew very well she owed Xander big-time. They had been best friends growing up, but right after high school graduation, Xander had left, traveling around the California racecourses, doing odd jobs. Xander, Buffy and Willow met the first school day. They soon found they had horses in common and the trio were best friends in no time. Xander was the one that had recommended Buffy to Giles and for that she owed him.

In the afternoon things started to run less smoothly for Buffy. Of course Spike had to get the urge to 'talk' to Buffy. There were two reasons as to why Buffy dreaded and avoided this conversation. First of all, she felt like she had made a fool out of herself, with her assumptions about him and Faith. She knew, somehow, he wouldn't let her live that one down. Secondly she didn't trust herself one-on-one with him. If she once again found herself alone with him and if he made a move would she be able to hold back? Buffy needed to sort her mind about Riley and Spike was really not helping with his cobalt gaze following her, pleading with her.

Spike noticed Buffy seemed a whole lot tenser whenever he was around. He really wanted to talk to her again. Maybe even convince her he wasn't the complete Neanderthal he had acted yesterday. Still, he wasn't really sorry for his actions. He couldn't fully regret feeling her wet, firm body pressed against his own, her full, wet, soft and warm lips against his. The small fraction that had him regretting, was the possibility that he might have jeopardized the chance for it ever happening again. At the moment his efforts to get her alone and speak with her under four eyes, were futile.

Spike remembered the first time he had heard about her. It was from that Xander bloke, who had worked at the farm a couple of months back. He had shared enough tales from his days with the 'scoobies', the affectionate name for his friends. Xander's eyes looked especially dreamy when talking about Buffy. Spike spotted a little green-eyed monster in Xander's eyes whenever he mentioned Riley. After a while Spike and Xander became chums and shared their sorrows. Spike told Xander about Dru and Xander shared his tale on how he had been dumped by this chit named Cordelia because she was tired of being in Buffy's shadow.

Xander had told Spike how he had left straight after graduating. He had needed to start a new life and get away for a while to sort out his emotions towards his family and Buffy. When he had returned to his hometown, Sunnydale, he discovered Buffy had gotten a boyfriend, Riley. Xander managed to stay and watch for about a week before he left again. He realized he would have to get as far away as possible to get over Buffy.

"What could possibly be so good about this bird, that has a bloke like you, swooning over her for three years, without hardly seeing her?", Spike had asked Xander one night over drinks in the local pub. Xander had given him a sad small smile before vocalizing.

"First of all she's the most beautiful person I've ever met. Inside and out. She looks like… I don't know how to begin and describe her even. Simple words don't do her justice. She's clever, passionate, strong and innocent, all rolled up in this perfect wrapper. The instant she opens her mouth, all you ever want to do is love and protect her. However she doesn't really need protecting. When her father died five years ago, she cried twice. Once when she first heard the news, once at the funeral. You should have seen her really. Her mother and sister were hanging by a thread and Buffy was the one telling them everything would be all right. Buffy was strong and sorted through all of her father's affairs. Took over the business and raised it's productivity to boot. She was so determined to continue her father's legacy.", Xander smiled bowing his head, saddened by the emotions stirring at remembering her.

"Whenever things were rough at my house, I would come over to her house and she would just soothe away all my pain, just by being there, you know?", Xander finished taking a swig from his beer.

'Nobody's that special', Spike had thought at the time, but two days with the chit had him seeing exactly what Xander had meant. It was crazy really. Two days and he could swear that it wasn't just lust. He probably had to give Xander some credit for it, after all he had told Spike everything he knew about her, and since it was obvious Buffy wasn't about to let him find out for himself, he would cling to the memories.

******

At dinner, Wednesday evening, Buffy's third day at the farm, Spike decided to take his chances and try to get to know her in front of the others. She couldn't back away from him then.

Buffy was sitting with her fork poking through the pasta. She was grateful Spike had given her a break from trying to corner her, but couldn't help worrying what was in store for her next as she watched him. He was chewing on his bottom lip, obviously thinking hard about something.

Faith misinterpreted Spike's behavior for worry about Dru coming down. "Hey brood-boy. Don't look so blue. All you have to do is convince Dru, you're over her. That'll have the bitch panting over you all over again. You know there are two things she can't take. You happy and competition.", she said with her mouth full.

Buffy watched as Spike's calm pondering blue eyes changed to dark and blazing with anger through narrow slits. "Bugger off! I wasn't even thinking 'bout 'er 'till you brought her up!", He told Faith and clenched his jaw. "And I don't brood, brooding is for ponces", he muttered, his ego a bit hurt. Faith just shrugged and threw her hands up in surrender. After calming himself down, Spike decided to pull through with his previous intention.

"So Summers, what do you think of your stay so far?", Spike asked, offering her an encouraging smile. Faith, Buffy and Giles were all caught off guard, by Spike's sudden mood change.

"Good, very good actually. The horses I've been assigned are terrific although I suspect Giles is going easy with me", she said offering both Spike and Giles a smile.

"Don't think so, pet, after all I should know. I used to ride them before. Them behaving themselves, is just one other thing to credit to your skills." Buffy blushed in response, and Spike realized he would never tire of seeing her like that. He began fantasizing about her flushed face, breath panting while he showered her with kisses. He shook the feeling away as he felt his jeans tighten at the crotch. Wouldn't do him any good, standing up from the dinner table presenting a raging hard-on.

"Talked to the whelp lately? Been wondering what he's been up to after he left. He never writes, never calls", Spike finished in mock offended tone. Buffy quirked an eyebrow in confusion, but before she could ask 'who?' Faith interrupted; "Oh, yeah Xand-man! That's one guy I'm not about to accuse of being a one-minute man or lousily hung. Know what I mean B?" Faith asked, nudging Buffy in the shoulder with a mischievous smile.

Buffy blushed again and Giles joined her. "I-It's one thing to l-listen to the obscene words that-that escapes your mouths", Giles said pointing his fingers to Spike and Faith, "It's a complete other matter, having to listen to the reference of your nightly activities", he finished, taking his glasses off to clean them, a sure sign of discomfort.

"Oh. You know Xander?", she said looking at Spike and Faith, shuddering from the image of her surrogate brother intimate with Faith. "Um. I talked to him last week. He's in Montana for the time being. He'll stay there for a while before heading further East. He told me he had met this really freaky girl. He was all 'mommy I'm scared'. But if I know Xand right, she's exactly the type of girl he'll fall for. In high school, he went out with the scariest person there. Cordelia Chase, serious dominatrix potential." Buffy laughed at remembering the good old days. Afterwards she caught herself worrying a bit. Maybe she should have held out on info? Maybe Faith was harboring a thing for Xander, but then again, why would she have another man in her room the other night?

The rest of the dinner went on with easy small talk. Buffy found herself softening up to Spike. He was actually being gentle, not pinning her with looks and awkward conversation topics. Spike gave Buffy her space, the rest of the evening. He didn't want to spoil the warmth he had been able to build up during dinner. He went to bed, sleep claiming him easier then it had ever since Buffy showed up. He was making progress with Buffy, but it still didn't suppress the nightmares with Dru and Angel. More vivid then usual, their arrival only three days away.

Spike woke up later in the night, with a start. He had just had a terrible nightmare and his sheets were soaking wet from sweat. In his nightmare Buffy was seducing him and that was all swell and dandy, perfect dream actually, up until the moment when she skipped over to Angel's arms and said; 'Come on Angel, let's show Spike how a real man does it.' The worst part of the nightmare was the fact that Spike couldn't move. He was forced to sit and watch Angel ravish Buffy over and over again.

Spike got up from bed and headed down to the kitchen to grab a glass of water to remove what felt like sandpaper, currently residing in his mouth and throat. He stopped dead in his track as he saw Buffy sitting at the kitchen table. She looked so sad, he had to keep himself from running up to her, pull her into his arms and not let go until she was all happy again. He realized, the girl sitting in the kitchen, was in no way capable of torturing him the way the Buffy from his nightmares had been doing.

Buffy was currently dressed in a white tank top and her sushi pajama bottoms. Spike swallowed as he noticed the fabric of her top was so thin he could actually make out her rose-colored nipples underneath. At this moment he was really grateful he had put on a long t-shirt as well as some sweats before coming down. His growing erection would be really hard to hide otherwise. He cursed certain parts of his anatomy for being so easily influenced.

Buffy had never fallen a sleep. She had tried, but thoughts about Riley and Spike had never seized their assault and she had gotten up. She had found a scrap of paper and a pen in the kitchen, that she had started to write a letter to Riley on. She didn't have any intention of actually sending it to him, but it felt good to put her emotions and what she so desperately wanted to tell him, in writing.

Buffy folded the letter and had to keep herself from shedding tears. She just sat in the kitchen for a couple of minutes before noticing Spike looking at her from the doorway.

When Buffy lifted her head, Spike saw the unshed tears in her eyes and felt his heart break for the girl. He pondered, whether or not he was responsible for her sadness and couldn't take it, if he was. He looked away from her eyes and went over to the refrigerator, to get bottle of water. He considered for a second to leave her be, but couldn't. He sat down in the chair beside her. They sat in silence for a few minutes.

Spike didn't know what to say and still manage not to let her feel intruded. Buffy felt oddly comforted by Spike's presence. The only light was a lit candle, casting shadows over their faces. Buffy thought Spike looked good enough to eat with his sleep tousled blonde curls and sharp cheek and jawbones accentuated by the lighting. She had to resist the urge to run her hands through his hair, to see if it was as soft as it looked. Then her mind wandered to Riley and a guilty conscience and sadness descended over her again.

Buffy made a sniffling noise and Spike couldn't help but interfere. Tentatively he placed a hand on her back. Barely making contact because he was afraid she would flinch away. Buffy's dam broke and the tears started flowing. She desperately wanted comfort and the hand on her back led her to only crave more. Her frame started to shake with quiet sobs. Seeing it Spike pulled her onto his lap, held her tight, while drawing lazy patterns with his hand, across her back.

"Shh, luv. Don't cry. Please don't cry?", he pleaded with her. He relished the feeling, of having her this close. Her ragged, warm breath against the crook of his neck. He only regretted the reason as to why she was this close.

Buffy's sobs calmed. She felt so good and comforted in Spike's arms. She let out a halfhearted chuckle at the irony of the situation. Here she was, being held close, by the man fractionally responsible for her mood. The other irony was that she very rarely let her guard down. She always had to be the strong one. And here she was, crying her heart out to someone who had been a complete stranger less than a week before.

She had to admit, one of the reasons as to why she was torn, was because if it had not been for Spike, she would not have felt the need to put an end to her relationship with Riley. One thing was the lust that rose inside her whenever Spike was around. A completely other matter, was the other warm fuzzy feeling that rose whenever he was being gentle.

Buffy pulled away slightly, sat up and looked into his eyes. His cobalt depths were filled with emotion matching the strokes of his hand on her back. She felt herself drawn to him. It felt like she was going to drown in his eyes and at the moment she wanted to. She wanted to remain safe from her worries, forever in the arms of Spike

Spike sat and looked at the girl in his lap. The moment was perfect; her face was approaching slowly, her gaze never faltering from his. Just when he thought their lips would meet, she pulled away and sat in her own chair.

She avoided his questioning eyes and stared straight in front of her. "I'm sorry", she whispered barely audible, even in the quiet kitchen.

"The way I see it, you have nothing to be sorry about", Spike said before inwardly adding; 'Except maybe, for not kissing me, as I thought you were going to!' Not liking the silent awkwardness, he continued; "Care to talk about what makes a pretty girl like you so sad" he said, quirking his eyebrows.

Buffy offered him a smile in response before adding; "I think maybe you were right about something the other day", she looked away and was silent for a moment before continuing. "I think maybe you were right about my feelings for Riley. What makes it even worse is I'm not sure what to tell him. Knowing him, he probably doesn’t even think we're really over and I don't know how to tell him we are. He's been patiently waiting for me to utter three little words ever since he did and I can't. It's not fair of me to pretend we can be something we really can't." Buffy was looking at Spike again. She had found new comfort in him, but still remembered his snide remarks the first day. She looked at him half expecting judgment.

Spike watched the emotions playing across her face during her little speech, but as she came to an end and looked at him, he looked away, biting the inside of his cheek, contemplating what to say. A small part of him wanted to give her his best smirk while saying, 'Ha I was right.', but the reasonable part of his brain told him, 'Now, now. No good will come of that.'

"So, now you've come to terms with your feelings. Don't worry about it, pet.
Sooner or later you'll find the strength to tell it to him.", he paused
before continuing, "Either that or I'm pretty sure he'll catch on when he
doesn't even hear from you. If he doesn't, he has a really peculiar opinion
on the term 'long distance relationship'." He offered Buffy a mischievous
smile. Buffy let out a small laugh. She got up from her seat and started for
the hallway and stairs. When she reached the threshold of the kitchen
entrance, she turned to him and smiled.

" Good night and thanks for ." she paused considering revealing what comfort
she had felt being held in his arms. She bit it back and settled for;
"Thanks for the talk."

"Anytime, luv. Anytime", he replied with a wink. Buffy went up the stairs
and into her bedroom. She fell asleep, the moment her head hit the pillow.
*****

Chapter 6 Breaking Them

A/N: Finally a chapter. I promise that I will try and write more chapters soon and try to publish them as soon as they're betaed. Don't forget to go over to my awards site www.flesh-for-fantasy.com/SpuffyAwards and nominate you're favorite AU stories. We're kind of coming short of nominees in other categories than Best Long Story. Need your help there. Now go! Hope you enjoy the chapter. And if you like, make sure you review. Need it to help the plot bunny grow fat and comfy. Maybe chapters will come faster too. Oh and BTW this is un-beta-ed. It's a long story, but I currently don't have a beta for this. Anyone interested drop me a line.

Buffy woke with a groan when her alarm chimed. She had gotten about four hours of sleep since she had spent a better part of the night in the kitchen. With Spike. She smiled remembering how sweet he had been. She got up, washed her face, brushed her teeth and headed downstairs. There, she noticed the rest of the house's occupants, had already left for the stable. She guzzled down the already cooling coffee waiting for her in the kitchen, with a grimace, before hurrying after them.

The stables were full of life. People scurrying back and forth to tend to the horses while the horses themselves hung their heads out of the stalls, stomping their feet against the walls, gnawing at the wood or making any sound they could come up with, trying to get attention and maybe influence the people to tend to them first.

A bay stallion, with a white broad stripe down its forehead, which looked considerably more relaxed than the others caught Buffy's attention. She walked up to it and held her hand out to it to let it smell her. The horse drew breath audibly through his nostrils before exhaling. It then flattened its ears back before pointing them forward again, obviously confused, as to how it was suppose to act.

"Better watch your hand there, missy. ", Ethan Rayne, the stable master called out to Buffy. "That is one bad-tempered stallion. *That* is California Pride", Ethan continued before pausing dramatically again. A wicked smile curved his lips in a way that Buffy found incredibly disturbing. The horse snorted and stomped its leg loudly against the wall, when it became aware of Ethan. Obviously feeling discomfort in the man's presence.

Buffy winced in sympathy for the horse, as Ethan whipped the horse in the face for no reason what so ever. The horse on the other hand, became infuriated and launched its own attack, its airs flattened and going for Ethan with its teeth. The horse forgot about the current confines of his stall and could not reach Ethan. Ethan let out a cackle, Buffy thought eerily resembled some old movie villain's.

Ethan Rayne shook his head, before still smiling, starting his way down the stable aisle. "Oh and before I forget. He'll be your first today" He shouted, not bothering turning around or stopping in his track. "Gear up!" He sang out to everyone.

Buffy stood in shock still pointing at herself in disbelief. Sure she had heard Giles mention her in his conversation with Angel O'Toole and Giles had said they wanted her to try California Pride, but wasn't this a little bit soon?

She turned back to a currently very angry stallion. He was neighing lowly, snorting, throwing his head and scraping his hooves to the door. "Oh joy", Buffy muttered under her breath. She started down the aisle to her locker, to retrieve her gear. She stopped as she heard a furious yell coming out of one of the stalls.

"Bloody Hell!", the voice, the accent and the phrases used let little to Buffy's imagination as to who was yelling.

"Who was in here last!?" Spike came out of a stall, still fuming and pointed back to it where a red mare stood tied up. "Who had Crazy Reels last?", he rephrased his question.

"I-I did. I t-took her out to the paddocks last", a girl with mousy blonde hair, Buffy had never noticed before, stuttered out while looking shyly down. Spike briskly made his way over to her.

"Well Tara. Did you bother to check if he still had his shoes on when you came in? Huh?" Spike asked in a very snide voice with a very fake smile plastered to his face.

"I'm sorry. I-I must have forgot", Tara had her head bowed forward still. She raised her tearful eyes to meet Spike's briefly. Spike clenched his jaw in anger.

"Are you daft woman? I can't bloody well ride him without his shoes on, now can I?", he spat at Tara. Buffy noticed that Tara flinched when Spike threw his arms in the air.

"Spike!", Faith interrupted them sharply. She made her way over to them, before positioning herself between them facing Spike, hands placed firmly on her hips "Give her a fucking rest will you! It's no big deal. Just get the blacksmith and you can take Crazy Reels out on the second lot! I know that Drusilla arriving *is* bothering you, but that doesn't give you an excuse to behave like a total jackass!" Faith was poking her index finger in Spike's chest as she finished.

Spike lowered his head and rubbed his hands in a cleansing movement across his face. He acknowledged that Faith was right and he was overreacting. "I'm sorry"

"Hey I'm not the one you owe an apology to", Faith answered throwing her hands up, stepping out of the way.

"Tara. I'm truly sorry. I just have a lot on my mind. Are we ok?", Spike spoke softly to Tara taking her hand in his. The girl nodded in response. The movement caused a tear to trickle down her cheek. And it tore Spike that he was the cause. He took hold of her and embraced her in a comforting hug.

"Shh, pet. Didn't mean to loose my temper. I'm sorry. Please don't cry. Everybody makes mistakes. Remember that time when I forgot to tighten the girth and wound up underneath the horse instead of on top of it?"

Tara let out a soft chuckle at remembering and wiped her tears before extracting herself from his arms. "I know. Everything's ok". She turned and headed to the stables downstairs. Spike looked up to see Buffy standing a few feet away. He cringed inwardly as he waited to see what kind of reaction she would have to his little temperamental outburst.

He audibly sighed in relief when she just gave him one of her sweet smiles. He smiled back before going off in search of one of the on-ground blacksmiths. Buffy had quelled the little green-eyed monster threatening to make an appearance at seeing Spike hugging another woman and instead let her reason figure out that it was nothing more than a friendly act.

Less than 15 minutes later Buffy found herself having a hard time trying to stay on top of a very pissed stallion that preferred not to have anyone riding him. It wouldn't be so hard if it weren't for the fact that California Pride was really sly. The second she had mounted up on him he had started off running. Buffy pulled him to a halt and then he reared, quickly followed by a fly-jump.

By then Buffy was beginning to expect the worst. To her surprise Pride calmed like nothing had ever happened and walked lazily down to the track. When Buffy began to relax again, he immediately started to do a series of bucks that caused her to topple over and fall off. She sat up in the dirt sputtering sand out of her mouth glaring at the horse that stood there mocking her.

Buffy could have sworn that if he were human he would have tilted his head, grinned at her and said; 'Are you coming or not?' Either that or a good, old-fashioned 'na-nana-na-na'

"Why you little…", she angrily muttered before glaring at the other riders who were chuckling at her. She got up, dusted off the sand and remounted the horse again. To her embarrassment she saw Giles for the first time that morning. The lot headed into the center and started warming up.

"Don't worry about it Buffy. To this day I haven't seen one rider that has been able to stay on, when he does his series." Giles shouted from his position, leaning against a pickup truck 20 feet from where the horses were warming up.

"Hey. You survived this part of his antics. Beware though. He's a pretty mean puller on the track as well", a man behind Buffy told her. Buffy turned her head carefully, to not provoke Pride and see who had spoken to her.

The owner of the voice was a pretty good-looking guy, with dark hair and beautiful blue eyes as a contrast.

"Oh, by the way I'm Parker. You're Buffy, right? I'd shake your hand, but I think we probably have our hands full with these two beasts", he gestured with a tilt with his head to the two horses. California Pride decided at that moment that he was feeling bored and did a fly kick to entertain himself. Buffy had her guard up and managed to stay on.

"I guess you're right", she smiled back at Parker when she had managed to calm Pride. "And thanks for the warning" she added.

Buffy and Parker was paired up and headed out to the dirt track after Giles had given them their riding orders. Buffy immediately understood what Parker had meant. California Pride curled up his neck and used his muscles there to try to gain leverage. Buffy thought that if she had to hold back the powerful horse for much longer, her arms would rip off. She sighed in relief, after a round when they came up to the mark that indicated they could let their horses go at full speed.

Parker was at her side and their horses increased their pace as equals. They were racing each other as the sound of heavy horse breathing, hooves pounding the dirt in a frenzied tempo and wind, passing them by, was the only the only sounds they could hear. Parker began to ride his horse in earnest and soon gained a length on Buffy and Pride.

'Nah-ah. This *is* supposed to be the best horse in the stables so I'm not about to be beat by *you*', Buffy thought as she too, began to give it her all. She gained the length on Parker a few seconds after and grinned over to him when she found that she could push Pride even further. And push she did.

Buffy felt amazing. It was like she had channeled some hidden power inside herself to make California Pride go faster than Buffy had ever made a horse go before. The taste of power and speed had indeed a sweetness to it.

When she crossed the finish line she looked back and saw that she had at least twenty lengths on Parker. After much struggle with Pride she managed to pull him down to slow canter. She exited the track and left for the center again. To get the horse to cool down, she just walked it around. Buffy was amazed as she realized that Pride was in no way exhausted. She played with the thought that maybe she could have pushed him at that pace for even longer.

She smiled and petted California Pride. Parker came in to the circle behind her and complimented her on a job well done. Her attention soon diverted from Parker to a man formerly known as Rupert Giles, now jumping up an d down and shouting incoherent words of joy, occasionally throwing in a 'Yes!'.

After calming himself Giles made his way over to the pair, holding up a timer as if it were a price. He smiled widely at Buffy when he reached her. "That", he said pointing over to the turf ,"was a 12 furlong run. And you just did it in 2 minutes and 23 seconds! Do you know what that means Buffy!?", he asked still grinning. Buffy furrowed her brow as to try to remember what on earth the overly excited man was hinting to. A wide smile formed across her face and her eyes became wide as well when realization hit her.

Giles didn't allow her to utter the words herself. "Secreteriat, 1973, 12 furlongs at 2 min 24 seconds. That is *still* to this day, a world record and you just beat it!", he shouted excitedly, startling the horses as he did. "I have to go call Angel O'Toole. I know that this is a dirt track and there have been horses that have beaten this time on dirt before. And maybe this just was one of those good days. And this isn't official. But still! I knew this horse had potential. Bloody amazing potential.", he rambled on, making his way over to his truck.

"I think a little celebration time is coming up, huh B?", Faith asked as she had come into the center with her horse just in time to listen in on Giles' excited rants.

"Yeah. How about we throw you a little gathering over at the barracks tonight?", Parker asked. Buffy just grinned in response.

The second, third, and fourth lot, of that day, Buffy spent in a haze. Her grin was permanent. On her fourth lot she didn't head down to the track. Buffy, Spike, Faith had been given orders to take out some two year olds for a stroll in the woods instead.

It was beautiful and a peaceful and since the horse she was riding was calm she took advantage of the moment to remove her legs from the stirrups to stretch.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to train this much", she groaned as a slight jab of pain tore through her from the soreness of her muscles.

"You'll get used to it, pet. And if you'd like, I could help you out with those sore muscles of yours. I know ways of making you forget them.", Spike teased and gave her a wink. He had long ago congratulated her. Buffy found herself blushing for the umpteenth time in Spike's presence, because she caught the insinuation of what he said. They were riding side by side with Faith a couple of lengths ahead of them.

She decided to not play fair, since he obviously wasn't. She spread her legs wide and started to rub the inside of her thigh in slow motion. "Gee thanks, Spike. That is very generous of you. You think you might be able to help me out with this particularly sore spot right here?" she drawled in a sultry voice, letting her index finger come to rest just on the inside where her thigh started. Short two inches from her sex. She topped it off with a little eyelash flutter and pouty, slightly parted lips

She got a wicked tint to her grin as she saw Spike gulp and stop his horse. She knew that what she had said had crossed the border of innuendo. Buffy brought her horse to a calm trot to catch up to Faith.

Spike and his red gelding stood still for a few seconds. He was struck dumbfounded by Buffy's comments. 'Balls. That little blonde just made a come on and I acted like a poof with no witty retort. Double balls. How am I going to ride this horse when I have *this* predicament', he thought when his jeans suddenly became very tight at his crotch.

"So you will be wanting a nude massage then, Summers?", he asked as he brought his horse to a trot, to catch up to them. His bravado recovered.

******

After dinner, the same afternoon, Faith and Buffy found them selves in Buffy's room. Faith rummaging through Buffy's closet to find Buffy the perfect attire for their evening down in the barracks.

"How about this?", Faith asked holding up a really short black skirt and a very revealing, red tube top.

"No way! I want to wear clothes the first time I meet the guys that actually cover my body" Buffy's eyes were wide looking at the small scraps of clothing the brunette was holding up. Faith shrugged her shoulders and left Buffy's room.

"Where are you going?" Buffy asked a little afraid that she had somehow managed to piss off Faith. Faith entered her own room and pulled out of her own closet a pair of black leather pants.

"To find this" she said as she tossed them at the blonde." Now shooh! Hit the showers, dress in this and the tube top. If you still think it's too revealing put on the black shirt I saw in your closet, on top. " the brunette ordered Buffy as she made her way out of the room and into the bathroom the two girls shared.

"Ehm, Faith? Seeing as you're about to undress and step into our shower, it might be a good idea for me to wait?" Buffy questioned as Faith kicked her shoes and pants off. Faith shrugged in return.

"Why don't you use Spike's? Here." Buffy barely managed to catch the toiletry bag Faith tossed her.

"He won't mind?" Buffy asked. Silently adding 'And why can't you *hand* people stuff?'

"Why would he?" Faith answered busying herself with removing the rest of her clothing.

'One thing is for sure. Faith is *not* a shy person' Buffy shook her head, giggling softly as she made her way down the hall to Spike's bathroom. She opened the door and stepped in. She removed her top and jeans and started removing her mascara, clad only in her bra and panties. She noticed that the mirror she was facing was fogged and took her towel to wipe the dampness off.

"Eep", she squealed as she wiped the mirror and a towel clad Spike carrying a smirk came into view The exact moment she turned around he dashed across the bathroom and placed his hands on each side of her, pressing her up against the counter.

"Come to collect on your massage, luv?" he purred in her ear. The closeness and his husky voice made a pleasant shiver run through her body. She clenched her eyes, more to stop the naughty images of deliciously naked Spike and a full body rundown, than in agitation. It was kind of hard not to picture Spike naked, as the white towel he had tucked around his hips slowly slid down. She opened her eyes and groaned, when she saw that he still stood there, all tanned, chiseled chest, washboard abs and lip biting. She swallowed thinking she wanted a little nibble of that full, soft bottom lip herself.

"What. Are you doing here?", she opted for as she finally managed to hoist her tongue off the green tiled floor. He looked casually around the bathroom before once again staring back at her with dark blue eyes.

"Last time I checked this was *my* bathroom, so my question would be what are *you* doing here?" He looked at her with arched eyebrows.

"Um… I…Um..I… Well I..", she stuttered. She was having a hard enough time trying to form intelligent words, let alone trying to remember what she was doing there in the first place, under his questioning gaze. She was drawn to his blue orbs like she never had been to anyone else's before. 'Damn his beautiful blue eyes'

Spike saw the way she was looking at him and his ego was only boosted to new heights. This still didn't keep him from startling when he felt her fingertips hesitantly reaching up to touch his face. He blinked before looking back into her blue-green, twinkling eyes. He let his own hand travel down her jaw line with his gaze following, before trailing down her throat and neck

He swallowed when he came into contact with her lace bra strap. Forcing him to once again look over her beautiful body that was standing there only in white, lace underwear.

Buffy immediately froze up. 'Ohmigod! I'm in my underwear! Ohmigod, ohmigod! She grabbed the nearest towel and tucked it around herself, before turning around and forcing her gaze not to travel to Spike's confused face.

"What I meant was, I didn't see you when I got in here. And I needed a shower, but Faith is in ours" she explained while continuing to remove her make-up. The moment was gone.

"Oh, I was standing behind the door. So I guess I will leave you to your shower then?" At her nodding response he added. "One thing Buffy…" Buffy turned around since it was unusual for him to use her real name. 'What' she mouthed.

"Never be ashamed of your body. I've seen it up close even less clothed remember? And believe me you have *nothing* to be ashamed of." His voice was sincere and Buffy became flabbergasted yet again. Spike stopped her stuttering with a kiss. He didn't deepen it, but kept his lips over hers for a few seconds before pulling back. He knew very well that if he didn't he could not control himself from deepening it. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her air before backing up and leaving a stunned Buffy.

'What was it I was doing here again? Shower. I need a cold, cold shower' she thought as she locked the door.

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