Buffy and Faith had finally managed to get dressed and ready, and were finally on their way to the barracks. It had become dark outside and they were having trouble staying on the path. They didn't make it easy for each other either, shoving each other playfully out of the way every now and then.

Buffy was still in a haze after the day’s events. Setting record time on California Pride and the little confrontation with Spike in the bathroom, made Buffy believe that nothing could remove the happy smile curved on her lips.

"So you and Spike, huh?" Faith brought Buffy back to the current moment, by asking her question in a similar way Buffy had asked hers just a few days prior. Buffy's smile turned into a shy one.

"Why? What do you know?" Buffy asked.

"Just the way you two are looking at each other, the little flirtatious banter you've got going on. That and there's the little fact that Spike should have gone mental by now, because of Drusilla's arrival", Faith finished with a shudder.

"I've been meaning to ask you about that. What is the deal with that? I kinda caught that they had been an item and all." Buffy hesitantly let out with a shrug. Faith snorted in response.

"An 'item'? That's gotta be this millennia's biggest understatement. They were inseparable. Well at least Spike was inseparable from Dru." Faith said the last name with a slightly venomous tone

"What happened?” Buffy dared to ask. Faith sighed before beginning.

" Both Spike and Drusilla arrived here a couple of years back. I knew the second I laid eyes on him that he was cool… which he is… and oh so sexy… but still a good guy. But Dru, not so much. She is the craziest- skankiest-ho I have ever met- and I have been around. Anyway, she did some voodoo magik something on Spike, he was mad for the crazy ho, all the while she is mackin on every man on the place. Tara, Ethan Rayne's step daughter even told me that Drusilla had even slept with Ethan to have him influence Giles to give her better horses to ride"

"Tara is Ethan Rayne's stepdaughter? That was the girl Spike was yelling at earlier today, right? Why did she flinch like Spike was about to hit her?" Buffy interrupted Faith's little tale. Faith, quirked an eyebrow in return.

"How about we do this one sordid tale at a time?" Faith questioned

"Sorry, go on." Buffy replied while smiling sheepishly.

"Yeah, well, it was about that time, that Angel O'Toole's father died and left his entire estate to Angel. Now Angel was loaded and hot…enter Drusilla hell bent on becoming Mrs. O’Toole. I tried telling Spike what she was doing, but he refused and still proclaimed her his dark princess, until the day he walked in on Drusilla and Angel doing it in the stables of all places. 5 months later Drusilla became Mrs O'Toole.", Faith finished.

"Wow, poor Spike. That explains a lot. Is he… is he over her?” Buffy hesitantly asked.

"I'd say yeah. He's had a couple of one-night-stands. At the time he wasn't able to seriously commit to anyone new, but I'd say he's getting there" Faith answered with a rare reassuring smile. Buffy swallowed the jealousy that rose in her when she heard about Drusilla and the one-night-stands and decided to change the subject.

"What about Tara?"

"That is actually one hell of a strong girl. She may have seemed frail, crying like she did this morning, but I think I would have been a lot worse if I had been in her shoes. Her old man used to use her like a punching bag. She came here to live with her mother and stepfather a few years back. A year after she came, her mother died, but Tara still stuck around,” Faith finished with a frown. Buffy's smile had faded as well. She felt so sorry for the people here. They had all had so much sorrow and pain.

"What about you? What's your story?" Buffy asked.

"Cheesus B? You're one nosy little thang aren't you? I'm Faith don't-really-know-my-last-name Jackson. Grew up in a catholic orphanage hence the little rebellion against catholic ideals. All I know about my mom is that she was a hooker and my father probably was one of her Johns. When I was twelve, Giles came in to the orphanage and took this guy Gunn and me out of there. Don't give me that look. I don't need your pity. I had a happy childhood. Growing up here was the best thing that could have happened to me. Giles never adopted me, I was in his foster care, but I still consider him a sort of father figure. Gunn is working at Santa Anita. You'll probably meet him. He comes out here every now and then."

When Faith finished Buffy decided that she should probably save her questions about why Ethan Rayne had hit California Pride like he had for a later time. Climbing up a small hill, Buffy saw lighting appear just ahead and the sound of rock music could be heard pouring out of the barracks. Both girls entered and got hollers and lustful looks immediately.

Buffy understood why Giles had wanted her to live in the mansion and not here. The barracks residents were undressing her with their eyes. That and it could not be healthy to be around all the smoke inside.

A slight panic rose in Buffy when she saw that Faith launched herself into the arms of a bulky guy she had seen at the stables earlier, leaving her to fend off the pack of hungry wolves by herself.

"Forrest and I are gonna be gone for a while. Are you all right, B?" Faith asked while she was being carried away across the back of who Buffy presumed to be Forrest.

"I guess…" Buffy replied meekly. Not long after they left, Buffy found herself surrounded by several horny men. She couldn't wait for Faith to finish up… Whatever it was she was doing. After ten minutes of interrogations and blaring music, she excused herself to go out for some fresh air. She saw that there was a ladder standing against the building and climbed it.

Once on top of the she took a moment to look at her moonlit surroundings. There were a few sun beds, chairs and tables. She could barely make out the view the chairs were facing and noticed it was facing the dirt track. She laid down in one of the sun beds chuckling to herself because of Faith's behavior. She was taken aback when she heard a cough, right behind her. She whipped her head around and looked at the intruder with a glaring look when she saw that it was Parker.

"Hey. Don't shoot. Besides, I come bearing gifts", Parker joked lamely while offering her one of the beer bottles.

"Thanks,” she said taking the offered bottle.

"Hope the boys didn't give you to much of a scare. It's just hormone overload. The only other girl that dares to come around here is Faith. It's safe to say that the boys do appreciate some new blood." Parker had sat down on her sun bed and looked casually towards the stars.

Buffy was feeling a bit uncomfortable alone with him -especially so close. 'Why couldn't he sit in one of the other chairs?’ Her uneasiness only grew when he turned around and touched her cheek.

"Your father must have been a thief, because he stole the stars and put them in your eyes." Parker said while studying everything else on her body, but her eyes. 'Ohmigod. He did not just use the lamest pickup line in history on me, did he?!' Buffy's inner rambling was cut short when she felt his open mouth on her lips. Buffy went with her first notion of ways to react and gave him a hard slap across his cheek. Her eyes widened when he pulled away and just smiled at her.

"You like it rough, huh?" he more stated than asked while leering at her.

"No! I don't *like* at all. In fact, personal space is a *big* issue for me!", Buffy yelled while trying to push his weight off her body. He just chuckled in response before diving in for another kiss. Buffy cringed and tried to slap him again, but this time Parker caught both her hands. Buffy laid underneath him, writhing to try and get away, with no success. When she felt him glide his tongue over her bottom lip she opened her mouth, only to chomp down hard, with her teeth when she felt his tongue enter.

Parker hollowed in pain as he pulled away from Buffy. "You fucking Bitch!", he screamed before backhanding her. Buffy's head whipped back from the blow. She tilted her head back slowly to face the man that stood, holding his hand in front of his mouth from pain.

"Tell me you did not just hit me!", she seethed through clenched teeth while giving him a death glare. She sprung up to hit him and shoved her knuckles straight in his face. Before she managed to deliver a second blow and run away like she intended to, he had managed to get her on her back again and was tugging at the buttons of the leather pants, she was wearing.

"Lay still, you fucking tease!", he spat at her.

"No", Buffy whimpered, as she tried to force away the tears that sprung to her eyes. She was beginning to panic when she suddenly felt all of Parker's weight being lifted off of her. She looked up to se a seriously pissed Spike lifting a terrified Parker by the lapels of Parker's jean jacket.

"You do know the meaning of the word 'No', don't you, pillock?", Spike icily ground out at Parker.

"What's it to you *Spike*? Is she your girl? I just thought I'd give the girl the feel of a real man We both know how good you're at keeping your girls satisfied", Parker spat and snickered at the sudden paleness in Spike's face. He used the moment to shove Spike away and escape the grip he had been in.

"Shut your trap, if you know what's good for you", Spike threatened.

"I don't think I will. Come on Spikey. The girl deserves at least a little warning." Parker turned his head and spoke to Buffy," I mean this guy's last girlfriend, she actually came to me for a little satisfaction. Besides a little fiery thing like you probably need a real man, like me to teach you a few things."

A look of fear shone in Buffy's blue green eyes as Parker once again headed for her. Spike reached to stop Parker and had to dodge a blow the dark-haired man threw at him. Spike wasted no time landing a hard punch in Parker's face. Parker fell backwards from the force of the blow and sat up glaring at Spike. His scowl only grew and his eyes narrowed when he dabbed his fingers to his split lip and they came back bloody.

"If I ever hear you lay a finger on her again. I swear, I'll waste no time in tracking you down and bash in that nancy-boy face of yours. Now sod off, before I change my mind", Spike finished with an icy smile. Parker got up and purposefully shoved his way past Spike while glaring at Buffy.

After his head disappeared down the ladder, Buffy finally let out the shaky breath she didn't knew she was holding. Slumping down to the sun bed she let the tears run freely as well. Spike was by her side instantly and pulled her into a tight comforting embrace. She grabbed him tightly desperately wanting the soothing he was offering her. She let her final guard down and the first sobs shook through her tiny frame.

"Shh, pet. He's gone now. I won't let him get near you again. Relax. Did he hurt you? I mean physically?" ‘Of course she had been hurt you wanker, she’s only crying her eyes out…could you sound more inept?’ Buffy nodded in response and Spike was just about to let her go and start his way after Parker, muttering things about beating the pillock until his own mother wouldn’t recognize him, when she held him tighter.

"Don't. Please don't? Don't leave me here alone. Besides, I hit him first.", her sobs had calmed and she clutched onto Spike as her life line, nuzzling his neck, inhaling his smell. Spike, bit back his first urge and stayed holding her, tracing little circles on her back. Once again he found himself wishing he could hold her without her being upset.

"I'm sorry", she softly said, after a while. Spike pulled back with a surprised look on his face and searched her eyes.

"What on earth for?" he asked.

"For dragging you into the middle of this. For crying my heart out into your arms the second time in two days. I'm usually not like this. I'm usually able to handle my self, you know? In fact, back when I was a kid, the bullies gave me a stupid nickname. They called me slayer, because I could beat the crap out of them any day,” she mumbled.

"Slayer, ey? You're gonna regret telling me that,” he grinned for a second, then grew serious again, remembering what she had said before. "And you have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. Playing the hero is one of my favorite hobbies, luv. Happy to oblige anytime, makes me feel all manly,” he quipped.

Buffy laid her head back into the crook of his neck while whispering against his throat; "Thank you". Spike drew hard breath as her closeness and her tickling breath sent a pleasant shiver through him.

"You're welcome,” he replied softly. "What do you say we head on back to the house? I'll make you a nice cuppa hot chocolate. Guaranteed to make you feel at least a little better. How does that sound slayer?" He had to get them out of there quick. Being so close to her and not kissing her becoming more impossible by the second and he didn’t want to take advantage of the situation.

"*That* name is something you're taking to the grave, or I'll show you just how I earned it, William,” Buffy responded while swatting him playfully on his arm.

The two of them made their way up to the main house, playfully bantering. Once they got inside Spike told Buffy to go to her room and he'd come up with the hot chocolate. He stopped by Giles' study, to let him know what Parker had done. Giles became furious and told Spike he would deal with it.

After a talk, Spike went back to the kitchen to make the hot chocolate. When he had finished making it he brought to steaming cups up the stairs. He couldn't help, but chuckle softly when he came inside Buffy's room, at the sight that greeted him.

On the bed, Buffy lied curled up into a ball, breathing evenly as in slumber. He went to her and carefully crouched down to tuck some of the hair in her angelic face behind her ears. As his hand brushed against her face a content smile crossed her face. Spike stood up to leave thinking; 'More chocolate for me then'

"Spike." He stopped and turned around at the sound of her voice. "Could you… Do you think you might stay? Just for a little while?" Buffy asked sleepily. Spike was eager to comply and took of his boots before climbing into bed behind her. He regretted it immediately when he realized he now had to lie in a bed with her and couldn't touch her.

"Do you think you might hold me? Like you did before?" Buffy whispered hesitantly in a tiny voice. Spike gratefully obeyed once more and pulled her into his arms, spooning her from behind, one arm splayed around her waist.

Buffy fell a sleep, minutes after, the soothing aroma of Spike surrounding her. The day's events had exhausted her. When Spike heard her breathing evening out, he moved his arm carefully to sit up and leave. He was stopped as Buffy rolled around and put her arm across his chest, still soundly a sleep. 'Brilliant! Now I have to lie here, look into her beautiful face smell her nice hair and not touch her until she bleedin' moves again' He didn't dare to move. He knew Buffy had really had a hard day and needed the rest. He had to let her sleep.

******

"Fuck, Forrest!" Faith's hissing voice sounded through the barracks as she shook the sleeping form next to her.

"With pleasure,” Forrest groggily responded. The promise of something good, pulling him out of the arms of sleep.

"No! Forrest! The time! It's friggin' 8 AM. We were supposed to be in the barn by now. I'm not even supposed to sleep here, remember?" Faith said, while trying to fend off Forrest's groping arms.

"Shit,” he exclaimed as her words sunk in and they both started to dress. They left the room and discovered that they weren't the only ones late. Apparently it must have been a long night and the living area looked messy, littered with broken beer bottles.

"What happened here?" Faith asked the other occupants of the building.

"Parker,” one of the workers replied.

"Gawd! What mess did he manage to get himself into this time?” Forrest asked, while rolling his eyes.

"Actually I think the correct answer to what happened here is; Rupert Giles, or should I call him Ripper?” Jonathan, another rider, offered.

"What?!?" Faith asked disbelievingly.

"Yeah. Apparently Parker attacked Buffy or something and Giles found out and came down here and wrestled Parker, before firing him and tossing him out with his stuff. Safe to say we don't have to worry about Parker snatching the good rides anymore."

"That's what you're glad you don't have to worry about? He attacked Buffy! I gotta go check on her!” Faith said with an eye roll. The guys looked at each other in confusion each wondering what they had done this time to get the ‘you-are-such-a-moron-look’ a la Faith.

Chapter 8: Morning Glory

So, soo sorry about the long overdue update, but I've been really busy with the Spuffy Awards. The votes are over and a new round of nomination is starting the 15th so stop by then and nominate your fav fics.
Anyway, I didn't want to post these chappies before I knew I would be able to write some more within short time. Hope that two chappies makes up for the wait.
Thanks for all the wonderful reviews (Vette there's a little something in here for you… Not much, though*g*) and big thanks to Spike's Harley Babe for betaing.

The first thing Buffy realized when she woke up was that her pillow was a lot harder than it usually was. That and a limb cradling her around the waist. She let her eyes slowly flutter open to adjust to the sharp morning light.

'That explains the pillow hardness' she thought once her eyes were properly adjusted and she noticed that her head was resting on a chest followed by distinctive male lower torso and legs. 'Spike's', she realized with her sleep-hazed mind. She had to repress a soft chuckle as she realized that she had hogged the covers and Spike was lying next to her in his jeans and t-shirt. She didn't move an inch as she listened intently for any indication that he was awake. She smiled as she felt the even heartbeat, and the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed deeply.

Once positive he was still asleep she let her gaze travel down his body, fully appreciating the view in front of her. She carefully let her hand follow her gaze as it trailed down his sculptured abs, clearly visible through the strained fabric of his t-shirt. Every once in a while she would stop her exploring to make sure he was still asleep.

She would just die of embarrassment if he woke up and found out the liberties she was taking, but she just couldn't help herself. This was a rare opportunity and she was compelled to take advantage of it. Her eyes went wide as her gaze traveled further south to a big bulge in his jeans.

'Ohmigod! Is he that big?' Buffy thought, quickly followed by a 'Bad Buffy! Bad, nosy, Buffy. Bad, bad hormonal Buff,' While she tried to pry her eyes away and fight the urge to feel if he really was as big as the straining fabric suggested. Of course she knew that this 'state' was common for guys in the morning, but a little part of her couldn't help but wonder if she had something to do with it.

She felt her face flush, even though there was no possible way for Spike to know exactly what she was looking at, when his breathing took on a less slumbering tempo and his heart rate climbed. She froze- her mind rapidly evaluating her options of pretend to still sleep or pretend to be awake, but oblivious, debating the merits of each option, back and forth.

Spike was waking up from the most pleasant dream he'd had in ages. A dream with naked Buffy riding up to meet him like a lady Godiva on a white horse. Descending from the horse, she came up to him and proceeded to do the most delicious things imaginable to him with her hot warm mouth and tight little body. Her body clinging to him in throes of passion. Slowly reentering the real world back from sleep's sweet abyss, he realized that her body was indeed clung to him. He groaned inwardly when he noticed his painfully hard erection. Judging by the aching, he gathered that it had been that way for quite a while. It didn't help at all that the warm petite body lying sheet clad halfway sprawled over his own body brought very pleasant associations to his dream.

He opened his eyes surrendering to the fact that he wasn't likely to return to his pleasant dream when the real thing was so close, but still so far away. When his eyes had fully adjusted to the offending light coming through Buffy's undraped windows, he stared directly into the back of Buffy's head. He began to panic as he realized by her tense posture that she was awake and most likely fully aware of his 'condition'. She was facing it, after all.

Buffy opted for pretending to still be asleep, unaware that Spike had already realized she wasn't, and tried her best to even out her breath to fake slumber, before tossing her body around as a person in sleep would. Her efforts had her turn her back against Spike and her head placed a little bit too neatly on her real pillow. She felt the bed shift slightly and opened one alert eye to carefully assess what was going on. She felt her heart jump and both her eyes shot wide open when she came face to face with smirking Spike peering down at her.

"Morning, pet" he murmured, smirk intact.

"Spike! Don't ever do that again, you scared me half to death!" She batted her hand at his chest lightly.

"You wouldn't have been so easily frightened if you'd been asleep like you pretended to, would you?" he asked, a mischievous glint to his eyes accompanying his smirk. As the horrors of getting caught flashed across her features and she started spluttering monosyllable incoherent words, he couldn't help, but continue her suffering. "And, pray tell what made you want to pretend to be asleep?" he moved his entire body in one catlike movement so that he laid facing her, on the opposite side of where he'd been lying before.

Buffy closed her eyes and swallowed from the emotions that aroused within her from the brief moment his hands were trapping her between them, in Buffy's mind a very intimate position, before he settled down beside her.

"I was sleeping" she lied.

"Right," he said mock seriously.

"What time is it?" Buffy changed the subject

Spike hoisted himself to his elbow so he could look over Buffy and at the alarm clock. "Half past eight"

"Shit. We're late! Shit! Giles is going to kill us!" Buffy went into full panic mode as she moved to get up. Spike

"Shh, pet, relax. I told Rupes about what happened last night, so he gave you the morning off. As for me, I do what I bloody well please." He huffed. Of course that wasn't true, he just wanted to put it clear to Buffy that nobody had him wrapped around his or her finger.

Buffy calmed and lied down again while quirking an eyebrow at Spike's attitude.

"Why don't you get a bit more shut eye, while you still can. Trust me on this, sleeping in is a rare opportunity at 'Giles' "

"With you here?" she asked skeptically. It had all seemed comfortable and safe last night, but now in the harsh light of day things seemed a bit more awkward for Buffy.

"You didn't seem all too uncomfortable last night, or moments ago when you were all snuggled up to me and using me for a pillow," he drawled while stroking lazy, soothing patterns on her back. Both of them felt electricity jolting through their nerves each time his fingertips would come into contact with the bare skin where her tank top had ridden up.

Spike could tell that she was enjoying herself by the way her eyes would blink shut slowly every now and then. Her face was only inches away and Spike was all too tempted to give in to his urge to kiss her. He resisted only because he was enjoying himself just as they were. He didn't want to take his chances and maybe blowing it all. He knew that if he kissed her now it would be serious and not playful, or lusty like the earlier kisses they had shared. He was scared she might seriously reject him if he kissed her now. He settled for watching her angelic face as she slowly drifted off to slumber again, coaxed there by the movements on her back.

The last thing Buffy was thinking before succumbing to sleep was 'He keeps looking at my lips and eyes, but why doesn't he kiss me?'

*****

The day after, Buffy was back in the saddle again. Literally. She got the 'pleasure' of acquainting herself with California Pride off the track, by riding him for what was supposed to be a light stroll in the woods nearby. Ten minutes into the ride both Buffy and Pride were soaked in sweat from struggling with each other.

"This is the last time I ride this horse with a regular bit," Buffy shouted over her shoulder to Faith and Jonathan through clenched teeth. "Oh, yes mamma's got a nice thin, sharp Waterford loose ring bit with lots and lots of joints to play with back in the stable," she threatened the horse in a singing voice.

Buffy was puzzled into pondering whether the horse actually understood human language or that it simply was tired from struggling as it gave in to her and walked along the path in an even pace.

After the morning shift had been taken care of, Faith and Buffy packed towels into the packs of two Quarter horses saddles' and rode up into the woods to the little stream, Buffy had been to her first day at the farm. Buffy let her eyes travel over to the tree Spike had pushed her up against and felt a familiar heat surge through her at the memory. Spike had certainly changed, or maybe not changed because it was obvious that he had a very shifting personality, but he had at least shown her the sweeter sides of him.

Now she felt almost disappointed that he'd been less bold with her lately. Even though it had scared part of her when he had made his move, a big part of her was also incredibly turned on by his earlier impulsiveness.

Buffy and Faith stripped down to their bathing suits before heading down to the water edge. At first contact with the chilled water, Buffy realized that the fall was indeed coming. The sun had begun fading and was lower in the sky for every day passing and the water was much cooler than it had been less than a week ago when she had last been there. Buffy once again had to push away the arousing feelings at the recollection of what it had been like the last time she was there- with Spike.

"So, are the tattle tales true?" Faith asked, grinning while looking over at the blonde

"About what?" Buffy asked back, completely unaware of what tales Faith was referring too.

"Spike!" Faith exclaimed exasperated as if that was a matter-of-course that Buffy knew what she was talking about. Faith rolled her eyes as Buffy's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion.

"I mean, is he as well equipped as the rumors say?" Faith spelled it out slowly for Buffy.

"NO! I mean yes! I mean h-how should I know? I haven't seen it, I mean, yes, I've seen it, but not like that!… What have you heard?!?" Buffy went from sputtering and ranting to full panic mode at the idea of anyone insinuating something about her and Spike behind their backs. Or even worse, Spike telling tales. She would kill him if he did.

"Geez, Buff, Breathe! Take a chill-pill! All I'm saying is that I knew Spike was in your room yesterday morning and from that little puppy love look you've got shifting to lusty red every now and then, I assumed the two of you had gotten it on. You know?"

"Nope, no getting it on," Buffy tried to defend her virtue.

Faith grinned in return. "Not yet maybe…. And what exactly did you mean by 'yes, you've seen it'?…"

*****

When they got back from their swim and ride, Buffy headed down the hallway before softly knocking on the frame of the open doorway to Giles' study. Giles looked up from the papers he was working on and gave her a smile.

"Come in, Buffy. And please take a seat and tell me what's on your mind. The boys aren't giving you any more trouble, I hope?" he asked, a slight worry in his voice as he finished.

"No, nothing like that. Thank you so much for everything you did." Buffy replied referring to Giles throwing out Parker.

"No problem at all. In our line of business we don't always get the opportunity to be fastidious about characters when hiring, but we do have to draw the line somewhere and Parker Abrahms definitely overstepped the boundaries. If there's nothing else, I have a matter I need to discuss with you," Giles waited to see if she had any interjections.

"Um, actually, I was wondering about this weekend… It's my weekend off, right? I was sort of wondering if I could use the phone and ask my Mom to pick me up at the bus stop?" Buffy asked.

"Well, yes, technically this is your weekend off, but I really wanted you to be here when Angel O'Toole comes down. He wanted to meet you in person when he heard what you achieved with California Pride," Giles looked guiltily away once finished. Take away the girls first day off, wasn't on his top list of nice things to do. Especially not after the whole Parker incident- He was impressed though, by the way she was coping with it.

"Oh" Buffy replied meekly, failing to hide her disappointment. She had been looking forward to going home for girl talk with Willow, to check on Gypsy Lovers and get some sort of affirmation that her and Riley were over. She put on a brave smile before continuing. "It's okay. I guess it would only be right to meet the owner of like half of the horses here."

"Great. But of course your free to use the phone as you like" Giles took off his glasses before continuing. "Now about the other matter I want to discuss. You've already proven yourself a very talented rider and I want to speed things up a bit. I want your first official race to be a bit sooner than originally planned. The unfortunate thing about loosing Parker was that I lost one of my jockeys as well and I have three horses without jockey on Santa Anita next Friday. I've already talked with the license committee and they agreed to give you a license as soon as the papers are signed and you've passed the physical…"

"Physical?" Buffy interrupted her fear shining through. She hated physicals mostly because she was terrified of hospitals

"Yes, will that be a problem?" Giles quirked a confused eyebrow. What on earth could possess a girl to be so afraid of a physical? Buffy didn't seem like the type of girl who would have any problem unless she was hiding something. Giles worried

"No, It's just that hospitals give me the wiggins. And It's sort of hard to get an exam without thinking of them or worse being in one," Buffy explained

"Well if it would make you feel any better I can ask a physician to come see you here?" Giles was relieved that there was nothing worse. Buffy nodded appreciatively with a smile. "Very, well. I can arrange for a doctor friend of mine to come see you Saturday and sign the papers. Here are the papers you need to sign." Giles handed Buffy a stack of papers.

Buffy frowned. How could they possible need all that paperwork. Under Giles inquisitive look she went with a beaming, but slightly nervous tainted smile. She was after all thrilled, but scared by the thought of actually participating in a real race. A real race, with fifteen horses and riders, all competing to be number one. She gulped.

"Don't worry, Buffy. I have the utmost confidence in your skills and I'm positive you'll do excellent. As a matter of fact, I sincerely doubt there has ever been a more skilled debutant," Giles reassured her as if he was reading her mind.

Giles stood up to leave Buffy to her calls right after she had thanked him. Buffy quickly dialed her mother's number. After two rings, Dawn picked up.

"Hey, Dawnie. How are you? The horses doing good? Gypsy all right?" Buffy bombarded her sister with questions.

"MOM! Buffy wants to talk with you!" Dawn shouted.

'Rude. No, answering my questions, no 'I miss you sis' or even a 'How you've been?' Must be that teen 'the world is so unfair, why should I care about anybody else' faze.

"Hi, Buffy," Joyce' voice sounded through the receiver and interrupted Buffy's inner ramblings

"Hey, Mom. How is everything?"

"Good, everything's good. I'm fine, Dawn's… well, Dawn's a teen and the horses are all doing great. The vet was here yesterday and he said Gypsy's gestation is proceeding well. He even said that if we want to pay for it we could find out if it's going to be a colt or a filly in a month." Buffy's mother answered all her questions

"Oh that would be great," Buffy beamed at the prospect of finding out what the foal was going to be.

"How are you?" Joyce asked

"Oh, I have good news and I have bad news. Bad news is I can't come home this weekend. Angel O'Toole, California Pride's owner is coming down and Giles want me to meet him. Good news are that I set record time with Pride and that Giles want me to start racing next Friday already!" Buffy told her mother, leaving out the part where she had been attacked the other night.

Joyce could practically hear Buffy's jaw straining from the enormous smile she knew her daughter was sporting. Joyce, on the other hand worried her lip between her teeth like any other mother hen would in light of such news.

"So soon? Oh, Buffy don't you think it's a bit soon? I mean racing is a whole other game. It's -it's dangerous and-and…"

"Mom!" Buffy cut her mother short. "Are you going to be supportive about this or not? I'm nervous enough as it is and you're not helping."

"Sorry, baby. Of course I'll give you all the support you need" 'Standing on the side line chewing my nails off,' Joyce added mentally.

"Great. So you'll come out to Santa Anita, Friday?" Buffy prodded.

"With big posters cheering my baby on," Joyce replied smiling.

"On second thought, maybe you should stay home." Buffy shivered from the images of her mother carrying 'Go Buffy Summers' banners. That would mortify her.

"Don't worry honey. I'll leave the banners at home," Joyce chuckled. "Willow just stopped by. You want a word with her?"

"Yes, that would be great" Buffy replied. Both girls squealed like teenagers when Buffy told her about her race date.

"So, are you coming home this weekend?" Willow asked after the excitement had settled.

"Sorry. But hey, you could come up here and visit?" Buffy suggested.

"Yeah why not. Dawn and Joyce can handle the riding lessons and the stable for the weekend," Willow agreed.

Both girls agreed to catch up when Willow came and they hung up seconds later.

'Willow coming. Great! My first race. Exciting, yet terrifying. Having to be around Spike when Dru gets here. Not. Good.' Buffy thought making her way down the hall. She stopped in the kitchen to make sure it was okay with Giles that Willow visited. Afterwards she skipped up the stairs and into her room to do something she hadn't done since she first came to the farm. Crack a psyche book.

Chapter 9: Mr and Mrs O'Toole

Like she had said, Willow came down the Friday night, just in time for dinner. At the dinner table, she discussed classic riding versus racing with Giles, whilst watching the exchange of lusty glances between Buffy and Spike- Spike doing less to conceal them than Buffy.

'Oh yeah. The U.S.T in this room could cut through glass like it was warm butter,' Willow thought while glancing back and forth between Spike and Buffy. Giles was of course completely oblivious. Or so it seemed to Willow. On the other hand, Faith and Spike seemed to be enjoying themselves a little bit too much at Buffy's squirming expense.

After dinner, Willow and Buffy headed up to Buffy's room to catch up. Buffy barely managed to close the door before Willow giddily pounced on her with questions.

"What's the deal with you and Spike? Have there been smooches? Have there been more?" Willow quirked as Buffy's face paled visibly. Buffy was not feeling very good about the fact that everyone seemed to pick up on some vibe from her and Spike.

"What do you mean?" Buffy tried to act nonchalant while picking up clothes around the room. She couldn't look her best friend in the eyes because she knew Willow would know she was dodging the subject.

"Nuh-uh" Willow took a hold of Buffy's elbow stopping her actions. "You're going to spill and your going to spill now! See?, This is my resolve face. Make no mistake- I will not budge on the subject 'till I know it all." Willow said gesturing to her face etched with unmistakable determination. Seeing Buffy sigh and about to give in, Willow smiled a satisfied grin and sat down on Buffy's bed patting it in front of her for Buffy to take a seat. Buffy took a seat and both girls sat facing each other, cross-legged.

Well on Buffy's half, facing would be an exaggeration. She was too busy picking of lint from the green bedspread.

"Dish, girl!" Willow demanded when she felt she was about to loose her patience.

"Fine!" Buffy threw her hands up in defeat. "I'll admit that Spike is a good looking guy. I'll even go further and admit I'm incredibly turned on by him. But, but there's the whole unresolved Riley issue and- and well Spike and I kissed and it felt all right, but all wrong and afterwards he's been real sweet and not really tried much and-"

"What do you mean, not much and Riley? Pfft, forget about him. What happened between you two is called breaking up and you're free to do as you choose. As for Spike not "trying much" I'm guessing it's because -if I know you, and I DO- you ran away screaming after the kiss, right?" Buffy couldn't help but smile at Willows accurate description. "Well who can blame him for being a bit skittish about making a move when you ran the first time?" the redhead continued.

"Are you sure about me and Riley being really over? I mean you're the one who told me he came back after I left. I know we’re over BUT does HE?" Buffy worried her lip between her teeth.

"Hey, now. None of that." Willow paused and gave Buffy a supportive squeeze on the shoulder. "Yes, I'm positive that he understands that you are over. You haven't given him the slightest indication otherwise since you left. And, look, you haven't had those good tingly feelings for him in a long, long time. As for Spike, it's written all over your face that there are major tingles going on. Uber tingles even." Willow finished with a nod.

"Yeah, definite tingle all right." Buffy paused and sighed, "So what do I do now?" she asked after a few seconds had passed.

"I'm thinking dragging in a third party named Faith to make a battle plan. After all she knows him better than we do."

*****

Saturday morning, Spike reached the peak of crankiness. The fact that two short weeks ago his home was ruled by testosterone and now had three girls giggling like teens did nothing to help his mood. It had all been going on since the previous night, Buffy, Faith and Willow had occupied the den- where the TV was housed. The girls didn't budge, declaring the den as theirs for the evening. All because they wanted to see Dirty Dancing and swoon over what Patrick Swayze looked like in his glory days.

Spike had bit back the urge to mutter something about terrible chick flicks because he knew that Faith wouldn't hesitate to bring up his obsession for "Passions". Hardly a very masculine soap and he knew that Faith would love to point that out to him. He had grumpily sat down in the leather couch beside Buffy, snatching a handful of popcorn from the bowl perched in her lap. He was just about to point out just how terrible their movie choice was when he looked at Faith standing in front of the TV with one hand at the hip and the other pointed at the door while eyeing Spike with determination. 2 minutes and a lot of yelling later he had been tossed out of the den.

The night had gone from bad to worse as he could hear from his room all the giggling and girlishness that went on in the den. He couldn't hear every word being said, but at some point he was sure he heard his name mentioned by Faith, followed by laughter. He panicked slightly pondering what embarrassing moments Faith could bring up. He went to sleep trying to not worry that Faith was making a fool of him in front of Buffy

Now that Saturday was here, Spike was becoming more and more annoyed with the girls. They were out showing Willow the stables and helping out the staff that was cut in half for the weekend.

No, Spike didn't like this at all. Faith and Willow had been smirking at him at breakfast in a very disturbing way. That and the fact that the hour of doom was probably less than two hours away. Doom in form of what used to be his dark princess. Dru arriving. With Angel 'No this day is just going to get better and better' innit' he sarcastically asked himself and groaned audibly making Buffy raise an eyebrow at him.

"You all right?" Buffy asked.

"Bloody fantastic, your friend, Red and Faith are scheming against me of some sorts and Dru's coming down," Spike replied grumpily.

"Cheer up, blondie bear" Buffy couldn't help but use the nickname one of the wanna be girlfriends, removing any lingering doubts he had about Faith sharing his more embarrassing moments. Buffy said the nickname- doing a perfect airhead imitation, a wide smile and an eyelash flutter. It horrified Spike that she actually almost perfectly imitated Harmony Kendall's whiny little voce.

Spike's eyes went wide. "Don't, Buffy. Promise me you'll never ever do that voice again," he pleaded before going over to Faith and latching on to her arm. "Faith. A word please? Outside. Now." His face was plastered with a faux smile.

"What are you gonna do Spikey? Spank me?" Faith teased.

"I said now!" Spike ground out dragging Faith after him, leaving Buffy and Willow smiling at their behavior. Buffy didn't get jealous because she could see that there wasn't that type of chemistry going on. More like a brother-sister quarrel. The two remaining girls separated to go groom some horses and Buffy went inside California Pride's stall to groom and cuddle. She had quickly learned that Pride had very different personalities when she rode him and when she just played with him. Inside his stall he was gentle as a lamb and leaned into her hands whenever she petted or scratched him.

He was particularly sensitive when she stroked him on his forehead. If she kept it on long enough he almost dozed off in pleasure. She was doing this right now and she saw that the gentle giant had much trouble keeping his eyes open when a throat clearing startled them both and Pride's head rose so quickly Buffy had to step back before the horse knocked her over.

Buffy turned around and looked straight into a male chest clad in a black silk shirt. A very firm and well-shaped chest she noted before letting her gaze travel upwards to meet a pair of chocolate brown eyes with a hint of sadness and lips forming a strained smile.

"H-hi!" Buffy squeaked in a tiny surprised voice.

"Hello," the man said his closed mouth smile growing a tiny bit wider, obviously amused by Buffy's nervousness. He stepped around her and approached California Pride who had calmed. "Such a magnificent animal don't you think?" the dark haired man asked while eyeing Pride like he was a piece of fine art and let his big hand trail down Pride's neck.

Buffy swallowed getting over the initial shock of being so close to a man that she had been only seconds before. "U-huh," she finally managed to breathe out as an answer. This man was doing something to her. She wasn't sure exactly what. He was of course, extremely attractive, but she didn't get the excited burning feelings she got just thinking about Spike. No, the man in front of her somehow made her nervous and he had this sadness reverberating off of him in waves making Buffy want to comfort him in some way. Handsome and broody were words that adequately described the man admiring California Pride.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself did I?" the man retracted his exploring hand from Pride, turned around and stretched it out to greet Buffy. "I'm Angel, Angel O'Toole. California Pride's owner. And you must be Buffy?" Angel asked as Buffy accepted his hand.

Realization hit Buffy and she gave the man a wide smile. "Yes, Yes I am. I'm Buffy Summers. Very nice to meet you."

"Likewise," he told her with a smile that still held that glimmer of melancholy to it.

"Angel." A tense and low voice came from behind Buffy. She turned her head to see Spike standing in the doorway with his fist curled up the knuckles turning white. Buffy saw his jaw twitch before turning back to Angel.

"William. How you've been?" Angel's eyes filled with an even greater gloom than before and he guiltily looked away from Spike's accusing glare. Buffy felt the air thicken for every second from the anger seeping from Spike in waves.

" Oh , same ol', same ol'. You? Dru… keeping you happy?" Spike gritted out.

"William I'm sorry, but she said-"

"Save it for someone who'd actually want to listen to the contrite crap that escapes your gob" Spike interrupted before storming off where he ran straight into someone.

Buffy moved to follow him, as she came out of the stall she saw Spike facing a tall beauty with raven hair. She couldn't see his face, but he could tell by his back as it slumped that this run in was affecting him in a completely different manner than his encounter with Angel. As for Angel the key emotion had been anger or even rage, but with this woman it was complete and utter desolation.

"Dru," Spike croaked out. All the preparing in the world wasn't enough when he came face to face with her. Emotions that had been buried for two years came welling to the surface with the speed and power of the raging surf in the hours preceding the landfall of a hurricane, tossing all his defenses aside like a child’s paper boat- absently left behind in a tide pool.

"Spike, dearie. How are you?" Drusilla practically purred, while flashing him a wide smile. The smile made Buffy shudder seeing as it reached Drusilla's eyes with a wicked tint. This woman was enjoying Spike's misery far too much.

Spike shook his head and stalked past Dru. "What's the matter, Spikey. Don't I even get a kiss hello?" Drusilla called after him laughing. Buffy started walking after Spike to check on him when Drusilla stopped her with a hand clutching at Buffy's arm. Buffy roughly shook out of the woman's grip.

"Tsk, tsk. What have we here? And off in such a hurry too. Didn't your mummy teach you any manners?" Drusilla asked.

" My mom taught me to treat people who deserve it with respect and people who take joy in others misery don't deserve my respect, now move! I need to check on Spike." Buffy explained.

"Such pretty hair too." Drusilla grabbed a strand of Buffy's hair. " It's a pity that my Spike likes his woman dark. Like me." Drusilla paused staring at Buffy trying to measure the emotion in Buffy's eyes.

'Weird much?' Buffy thought and bit back the urge to tell the woman to go to hell. Instead she opted for a saccharine smile. "What's a pity is that Spike used to have such a poor taste in women. I'm Buffy and you must be Drusilla. I've heard a lot of interesting things about you from Mr. Rayne, Parker and the other guys that have stuck around since your days here of playing around." Buffy lied. All she knew, she had been told by Faith but the suggestion in Buffy's voice did not go unnoticed by Drusilla and she narrowed her eyes and was just about to bite something back when Angel interrupted her with his throat clearing again.

' Does the guy have a patent for that throat clearing thing' Buffy thought amused.

"Angel darling, where have you been? I've been looking all over for you" Drusilla called while gracefully making her way over to her husband. Buffy took advantage of the moment to start walking after Spike again. When she reached the doorway she looked back to the couple and noticed that where Angel's face had been sad before, it seemed hard and almost emotionless now, talking to his wife.

Buffy wondered for a few seconds what the relationship between the pair really was, before shrugging and stepping out of the barn in search of Spike.

Buffy didn't have to look too far. Turning around the corner of the barn she saw him. Spike sat perched on the gate of one of the paddocks, gray smoke swirling around his head as he flicked the ash off of his cigarette. Buffy's heart almost broke for him at how sad he seemed She slowly made her way over to him.

"You okay?" Buffy asked softly. Spike jumped down from his perch and leaned against the railing, before tossing away the butt of his cigarette.

"C'mere" he reached for her and she came willingly into his arms that wrapped her in a tight grip. Spike took a deep calming breath inhaling her sweet smell as he nuzzled in the crook of her neck. "I am now," he whispered. He felt comfort holding her. She was the rock that held him back from wanting to smash something in. Spike thought it was almost funny how this tiny girl could be his rock.

Buffy pulled back and looked into his eyes. He smiled and the smile reached his cerulean eyes letting Buffy know that he was okay. Buffy smiled too as she remembered the girl talk from last night and all the ways the three girls had come up with for her to seduce Spike. All that seemed sort of wrong now that he had been so torn up by meeting Drusilla and Angel. Still. Buffy wanted to somehow feel closer to Spike and if possible give him comfort or even more than that. She let her gaze fall from his eyes and to his soft lips and back to his blue eyes again. She leaned in closer still locking her eyes with him to evaluate whether or not it was all right with him. With his eyes he gave her permission.

Their lips fused tenderly together. Mirroring their emotions, soft and comforting at first. But both of them craved more and Spike moaned into her mouth as her lips parted and her tongue traced his bottom lip. His left hand left her waist and climbed up to her neck pulling her closer while the other slid down to cup her bottom for the same purpose. Their eyes closed as they gave in to the rapidly intensifying kiss. Their tongues battled with the fervor of all the tension that had been pent up making it passionate and all consuming.

Buffy felt a slow burn beginning inside of her, begging to be let out, begging for attention. She had never felt this aroused by a kiss. She let out a moan when Spike left her mouth and trailed kisses down her throat. The little sound made Spike, if possible, even more aroused and he gripped her bottom grinding her against his rock hard erection. Proving to her just how she was affecting him.

As his length rubbed against her sex, Buffy moaned even louder and arched her back all the while Spike doing the most incredible things to her neck. She let her hand travel down his back to the hem of his tee shirt enjoying the feel of the rippling muscles underneath she wanted to feel them without the fabric getting in the way. She slid her fingers underneath the fabric and trailed her nails up his bare back again. He hissed in return, making a pleasant shiver run through Buffy as his breath tickled her neck.

His lips once again found Buffy's and he never ceased to be amazed by the sweet taste of her and the heat. Their tongues danced together, struggling for dominance. And Spike's left hand slid from her neck to cup her breast letting his thumb flick against a nipple. Spike wanted nothing more than to lie for hours finding out ways to make her do more of those hisses, gasps, moans and tiny mewls. They were the most beautiful sounds he'd ever heard. Their kiss continued for what seemed like an eternity while their hands explored each other, clearly agitated by the clothing that was in the way.

"Buffy!" they withdrew form each other panting as they heard Willow calling Buffy's name.

"Y-yeah!" Buffy called back a bit out of breath. "Hold on. I'll be with you in a sec!" She locked her eyes with Spike's again and swallowed as she noticed that the once clear blue eyes were darkened in pure unadulterated lust. "That was… intense," she whispered. Finding the good word for all the emotions their kiss left was hard.

"Yeah," he rasped out. Spike was also at a complete loss of words. He could see in her eyes that she didn't regret it. She had wanted it as much as he did and he wanted more. It wasn't that long ago that she had seemed reluctant to admit to herself that there even was an attraction between them. He idly wondered what had changed. He leaned in closer to kiss her again. "I want this. I want you," he whispered huskily against her lips.

Buffy shivered as his breath tickled her sensitive and kiss swollen bottom lip. She leaned her forehead against his closing her eyes regretting having to say what she was about to say. She too wanted nothing more than to stay like this forever, but…

"Me too. I want this too, but Willow's expecting me," she said finishing by letting out a long breath. Spike wanted nothing of Red interrupting this wonderful moment and sought out her lips again taking her bottom lip and gently sucking on it.

"Buffy! Giles is leaving and he wants you to help Mrs. O'Toole with Pride!" Willow called out again. She had the decency to not walk around the corner knowing Buffy wasn't alone. But patience wasn't one of her greatest virtues- especially when she knew the others would be looking for Buffy soon as well.

Both Buffy and Spike groaned at the thought of Drusilla waiting to try out California Pride.

"I better go. Don't want to keep her waiting" Buffy muttered, referring to Drusilla with a slightly disgusted tone. Spike chuckled at Buffy’s obvious disdain of his ex.

"Don't let her get to you, pet. Dru can be.. she has a bit of a bite to her. Especially when it comes to women. Just don't let her get to you," Spike said and Buffy thought it almost sounded like a warning.

"Don't worry, I won't. See to it that she doesn’t get to you,” she mumbled quietly before placing a peck on his lips. Spike took hold of her slender neck deepening the kiss, not willing to let her go just yet. A small part of him worried that if she left, she would have time to think about what had happened and regret it.

"I'm coming with you, " he stated.

"You sure? What I mean is, you, Drusilla and Angel, together… Not really contributing to make a happy Spike," Buffy clarified the apparent.

"I'll survive. 'Sides I have you there and you have me," he smiled and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Nodding and smiling back to him she reluctantly pulled out of his arms and turned to head back to the stables.

Coming in to step beside her, she took a hold of his hand giving it a light squeeze. He didn't want to ever let go of her, now that she had willingly come to him.

*****

Half an hour later California Pride had been saddled along with a horse named Life's A Show that Buffy was going to ride as a lead for Drusilla and Pride. Buffy gave Drusilla a leg up and Drusilla didn't as much as nod a thank you- instead she stuck her nose in the air and demanded that Buffy hurried.

"Wills, you mind holding Pride while I go get Life's A Show?" Buffy asked.

"Listen, little girl. I can take care of myself. You just hurry out with that horse so we can get down to the track," Drusilla snapped, stopping any movement the redhead had made to help.

"Fine, suit yourself," Buffy said throwing her hands up in surrender as she went back into the barn mumbling under her breath about skanky stuck up bitches.

As soon as she emerged with horse in tow- she could barely hide her smirk while restraining her herself from a snarky 'told you so' upon finding Drusilla had been tossed off Pride and was now getting help from Willow to remount the horse. Looking at Spike she saw that he too was smirking at the horse's antics.

Drusilla and Buffy warmed up their horses in a trot in the usual warm-up circle at the center of the track. Spike, Willow and Angel stood leaning against the rail to watch as the two riders brought their horses out on the dirt track. Worry marred both of the men's features. Angel because he was worried what could happen to Dru, Spike because he was worried what Dru could do to Buffy.

"What possessed you to let Dru ride Pride? I mean she hasn't ridden a bloody racehorse for 2 years! Don't you know what a menace that can be? She could get hurt or worse she could get Buffy hurt," Spike bit out at Angel.

"And here I thought you'd be the first to remember how hard it is to refuse Dru, when she has set her mind to something," Angel replied calmly. He knew it was a terrible call of him to let Drusilla ride, but he felt that of all people, Spike would understand.

Spike snorted in response and muttered "stupid ponce" under his breath. Angel had little, but some pride left and being called names wasn't one thing he took lightly. He turned to glare at Spike making Willow who was standing between them throw up her hands.

"Hey! Stop it! You two can resolve this later if you want to resort to fisticuffs. Now shush. I want to watch Buffy. If you really want to fight, do it somewhere not here," the redhead said determined and the three of them fell silent and watched as Buffy and Drusilla came out of the turn and to their side of the track.

"Shit," Spike exclaimed

*****

"Shit" Buffy hissed as she saw that Drusilla was loosing her control over Pride. Things had been going smoothly up until now and Buffy could see that Drusilla was getting tired of struggling with Pride. California Pride was rapidly increasing his pace and Buffy was worried that the horse could run himself to the ground.

"You all right?" Buffy yelled against the wind that was passing them in a furious tempo. Drusilla didn't reply making Buffy worry even more. For every second passing the distance between California Pride and Life's A Show increased. Buffy was at a loss on what to do. She could push her horse to try and catch up and maybe somehow stop Pride, but she knew she was riding a much frailer horse. By pushing it she just might hurt the horse, by straining its legs. However, if she didn't try to catch Pride and stop him she was worried that he would ruin his legs. There was nothing worse than getting sore shins at this point. It would completely ruin Pride's season and hold back the training to the Triple Crown for months. That and there was the fact that Drusilla could actually get killed, if she fell off from exhaustion at Pride's pace.

Coming to a decision that despite her detest for the human in question, human life had to be valued before the health of her own horse's legs, she pushed Life's A Show faster. Luck had it that the horse actually mustered up the speed to catch Pride. What happened after was a game of dodge as Buffy steered her horse to crowd Drusilla and Pride and Pride in his turn held up his pace only to run out on the other side of Life's A Show. Buffy was terrified as Pride pushed her within inches of the rail. Thinking fast she held onto her own reins with one hand as she grabbed the rein furthest away from her on Pride and started her struggle. California Pride’s head bent away from her from the force and the pair gradually slowed the pace.

******

A shaky sigh of relief escaped the onlookers when they saw that Buffy had managed to take control of the situation. Spike's heart had been in his throat as he watched California Pride pushing Life's A Show up against a rail. One more inch and he dreaded what might have happened. The horse could have tangled himself up and Buffy would have taken a nasty fall. And that type of fall was known to take lives.

******

Buffy and Drusilla made the way back up to the stables with their horses and Buffy quickly dismounted to assess the damage to her horse. She felt the legs up and down and disappointedly noted that they were burning up and throbbing. To lessen the damage she went to the wash booth and let a spray of ice-cold water cool down the poor horse's limbs. That done, she rubbed some cooling liniment on. The next few hours would tell just how severe the damage was. One thing was sure, this horse would not be racing any time soon, she could only hope that tendons were only sprained and wouldn't tear. She could hear yells coming from California Pride's stall and ran to it arriving at the same time as Spike, Willow and Angel.

All four looked on with horror as Drusilla unmercifully whipped the terrified horse and screamed at it while it ran terrified around her in circles. Buffy quickly made her way inside and grabbed Drusilla's wrist before she could let the whip fall one more time.

"If you let that whip crack one more time, I swear I'll let you feel it yourself," Buffy threatened icily. Drusilla yanked her arm free much in the same manner Buffy had earlier and glared at her intruder with fury. Drusilla was about to let her whip crack once more against the frightened animal but suddenly the whip was out of her hand and a hard slap stinged her cheek. She turned to her attacker once more.

"Okay, so I didn't use the whip, but I think you get the message. DON’T EVER take my threats lightly," Buffy said her chin up in determination. Drusilla eyed her opponent while touching her sore and slowly swelling cheek. A wicked smirk spread across her lips before she launched herself at the petite blonde, ready to have herself a catfight. She was stopped by two strong arms. She snapped her head around only to see that it was her own husband holding her back. First, Drusilla had been humiliated by that animal and now her very own husband was degrading her by taking the other woman's side.

"Let me go, Angel!" the woman fumed.

"No," her husband replied sternly. "I want you to go outside and calm down while the rest of us repair the damage you've done to this animal. Then, you're going to come back in here and apologize to Miss Summers." He calmly explained to a seething Drusilla. The woman let out a small scream of fury before stalking off outside.

Suddenly reality came crashing down as Buffy realized what she had done. She had slapped Drusilla or more importantly she had slapped the big honcho who owned the better part of the stable's horses, wife. She swallowed. "Mr O'Toole, I'm so, so sorry. I don't know what came over me. Would it help if pleaded temporary insanity," Buffy begged Angel. She didn't felt it was proper to be on a first name basis with the man after going psycho on his wife.

"Don't worry about it and please call me Angel. Mr O'Toole was my father and he was buried two years ago. Dru was completely out of line. First, she jeopardized both your lives and the welfare of the horses out on the track and what she did to Pride was completely uncalled for. You stood up to her. I'm impressed," he said as the first true smile Buffy had seen on him graced his face.

Buffy's mouth formed a surprised "Oh", but the word didn't escape her throat.

"Pet?" Spike making his presence known. "You all right?" she nodded before turning her attention to a terrified horse that stood in the far corner of the booth wheezing. She tried to calm him with a crooning whistling noise, but the horse was to shaken up and bolted to the other corner as she approached him. "Rain drops keep falling on my head," Buffy sang softly to the horse who flicked his ears back and forth, not really sure whether she was to be trusted or not.

Soothed by her calm humming the horse finally gave in and let her approach. California Pride's weren't as bad as Life's A Show's but he needed some cooling liniment on his legs too.

"Spike? Could you get the liniment for me? It's outside Life's A Show's box," Buffy asked her...' Boyfriend? Is that what he is now?' Buffy asked herself. Spike brought her the liniment and soon California Pride had been tended to properly too. Now Buffy only dreaded what would happen once Giles found out what she had done to Drusilla. She let out a shaky breath before locking the door to Pride's stall

'Well it looks like I'm about to find out,' she thought as Giles came walking down the isle towards her with a man in tow.

tbc...