Chapter 1

Buffy wound her arms around Spike's waist from behind, and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Looks good as new, luv."

They had spent the afternoon repairing his bed and the damage to the wall caused by the headboard banging into it from their rowdy sex the night before. Spike had stayed home from classes today to get it done before his mother could come home and see it. Joyce would have had a fit. Not to mention the awkward questions that would naturally arise about what he was doing that made the headboard crack the plaster. He'd had to miss an important Psych test but he could make it up the next day.

Spike inspected the wall, tilting his head. "I don't know...I can still tell. Look, you can see where the paint--"

"Spike-pet, it looks perfect."

Buffy walked around in front of him and put her arms around his neck. "Your mum will never be able to tell the difference. Now, I think I deserve a reward for bein' a good girl all day," she placed kisses on his cheeks, lips and the tip of his nose. "I wanted to break off a piece of that sweet ass of yours all day but controlled myself till we finished fixin' up the place." She smiled.

Spike relaxed into her embrace, putting his arms around her waist. He smiled at how cute she looked with her hair up in a ponytail and smudges of paint on her chin and forehead. His newly discovered affection and feelings for the petite blonde vamp grew stronger by the minute.

"You have paint on your face," Spike said with a smile.

"Yeah? You got some too."

Buffy trailed a finger over a streak of dried paint across his cheekbone. "Seems like we should do somethin' about that. Another shower...perhaps?" She grinned saucily.

He had really gotten off on the shower sex. He had been so--enthusiastic. She could never get enough of him.

"Hmm..." Spike pretended to consider it, scratching his chin. "That's just what I was thinking. The water bill's going to be a bitch this month."

Then, he kissed her languidly as they started removing each other's clothing. They had great, mind-blowing sex all night yet they still wanted more.

"C'mon, luv."

Buffy pulled him along to the bathroom, her body humming with anticipation. But just as they were leaving Spike's room, there was a knock at the front door.

"Who could that be?" Spike asked, anxiety creeping into his voice.

He was going to tell his friends about him and Buffy, but he wanted some time to prepare first.

"Probably just the postman. Go on and answer the door, pet. I'll be in the shower...waiting for you."

She gave him one last lingering kiss and walked into the bathroom, swinging her hips. Spike took a deep breath and shook himself slightly to get his hormones under control. She made him so hot that he couldn't think straight, he couldn't wait to join her for some more hot, steamy and wet fun.

He went quickly downstairs and opened the door. A delivery man stood there with a package and clipboard.

"Hello." Spike smiled, relieved that it wasn't one of his friends.

"Hello, sir. I have a package here for Dawn Summers."

"That's my little sister, she's out of town, but I'll sign for it."

Spike took the offered pen and signed his name before taking the package and politely thanking the deliveryman.

"Have a good day," the delivery guy called over his shoulder as he walked back to his truck.

Spike was reading the package as he was closing the door. Dawn had been going on and on about the fan club she joined before she and Joyce had left for Joyce's sister's house in San Diego. She had been waiting for her membership kit to come in the mail for weeks, so this must have been it. Some new group called "Ghost of the Automaton" or something crazy like that. Spike hoped he wouldn't be forced to listen to yet another boy band over and over again. Maybe these guys were half-decent.

"Spike!"

His head snapped up at Willow's voice.

"Hey you! How come you missed classes today?", the red-headed witch said as she jogged up the porch steps and over to him before adding, "You're not sick, I hope?"

"Uh, hey, Wills. No, not sick. I just--uh--didn't get much sleep."

"Were you painting?" Willow asked, noticing the streaks on his face and clothes.

"Yeah--uh--in my room."

"You missed the Psych test but they're having make up exams tomorrow, lucky for you," Willow said.

"Yeah. I was--"

Willow walked past him into the house. His heart stopped when she started climbing the stairs.

"I have to use the little girls' room. I have got to stop drinking all those cappuccinos!" Willow laughed.

"Willow! Don't go in there!" Spike called urgently.

"Oh, Spike, do shut up!" Willow said, imitating Giles' British accent very well. "I'll only be a minute!"

Willow opened the bathroom door and stepped inside.

"Was wonderin' what was takin' so long, Spike-pet. How 'bout you get in here with me--get nice and wet--and let me suck on that big, long, hard, gorgeous fucking co-" Buffy peered around the shower curtain to see a stunned Willow staring at her from the doorway. Buffy's smile quickly disappeared. "Oops. Wrong person."

Buffy slowly went back behind the curtain.

Willow gulped, backing out of the room and shutting the door. Spike was standing halfway up the stairs, hanging his head with a hand over his face. This was definitely NOT the way he wanted Willow to find out.

"Umm, Spike..." Willow said carefully. "What's going on? Why is Buffy in your shower? And why was she saying...that?"

"Wills...I was going to tell you...Buffy and I--we're kind of--together now," Spike said nervously.

Willow's eyes widened even more. "What? But--but--Are you nuts? And what about Sam?"

Spike sighed and went back downstairs in the living room, sitting down tiredly on the couch. He placed Dawn's package on the coffee table and sat back. Willow followed him into the living room and sat down in a chair across from him.

"Sam and I are through. We broke up last night. It--it became painfully obvious that we weren't compatible."

"But--Buffy? Why on Earth would you want to be with her? I thought you hated her?"

"It's complicated. But--I have feelings for her. Real and scary feelings. They only came to the surface last night. I don't expect you to understand...just try to accept it for my sake." Spike wrung his hands together.

"Wow, Spike...I had no idea. Are--are you sure about this?"

"Yeah." Spike smiled. "I'm sure that I want to try being with her. I don't know what's going to happen, where this is all going to lead, but I know I care for her."

Willow took a deep breath and released it. "Okay, then. If that's really what you want then...I'm here for you." She went over to sit beside him on the couch then put her hand on his.

Spike gathered her petite form in his arms and hugged her tightly.

"Thanks, Will. I was so worried about telling you guys."

"We're your friends, Spike, we love you. Umm--Giles and Xander are going to be a tougher sell, but it'll be alright."

"Shit...they're going to freak, aren't they?"

"Maybe...but you have to do what makes you happy. Are you? Happy I mean."

"Yeah. I'm really happy." Spike grinned. "What would I do without you?"

"With any luck, you'll never have to find out." Willow laughed lightly then sobered. "Spike...if she hurts you..." Willow didn't have to finish the sentence.

"I know. But she won't. I know she won't. I appreciate the sentiment, though." He squeezed Willow's hand gently. "It's weird, believe me I know, but I'm--crazy about her." He broke into a blinding smile, the kind that Willow hadn't seen on his face in a long time. "I buried my feelings for her for so long. And it's not just about the sex, although--Man!--the sex is--"

"Spike! I don't need to hear all the details." Willow smiled. "You're absolutely sure? I'm sorry to ask again, but it's just so--sudden."

"It's not a spell or any other kind of magical/mystical crap, if that's what you're thinking, Will. I'm absolutely, positively sure that I want to be with Buffy."

"Mystical/magical crap, eh?" Willow gave him a mock-peevish look. "That so called crap is my life, buddy. You don't hear me pooing all over--Slayery stuff do you?" She winked to let him know she wasn't really that mad.

Um--what I meant to say was...it's not because I'm under the influence of the fantastic, scrumptious tastiness that is everything magical/mystical. You know that I can never get enough of that stuff."

Willow punched him in the arm, playfully. "Great recovery, blondie."

Spike made an exaggerated 'Ouch! face' and rubbed at his arm. They sat quietly for a few moments.

"Just--please--be careful, okay?" Willow looked into his eyes as she squeezed his hand.

"I will." Spike grinned and hugged her again, grateful beyond words for her acceptance.


 

Sam laid on her bed in her small apartment, bouncing an orange nerf ball off the wall, thinking about the events of last night for the hundredth time today.

He broke up with her. Spike, the man she loved more than life itself, broke up with her. She had left in tears and started the lonely drive back to campus. She remembered...


The night before...

Sam drove for five minutes before she stopped the car. She couldn't leave things like that with Spike. She loved him too much. So what if he was into weird, kinky shit? She could adapt, she'd do anything for him. She had been too hasty to refuse him. The important thing is that they should be together. He'd forgive her; he had to. She didn't want to lose him for good.

She did a U-turn and went back to Revello Drive. A light rain had just started, thunder boomed in the distance. Her heart was beating like a jackhammer when she finally pulled up in front of the house and got out.

Sam was running up the yard when a sound made her stop in her tracks. A loud moan came from Spike's window, followed by more moans and groans. Then she heard the voices...

"Slayer! Uhh--Luv...feels so BLOODY GOOD!" a voice that could only be that bitch Buffy's shouted.

"Buffy!--Ungh!--Ohh Buffy!" Spike yelled.

Sam's feet were rooted to the spot as what she was hearing sunk into her brain. Her eyes were steely, glinting like knives in the darkness. Her nostrils flared, jaw clenched painfully, hands balled up into fists. Her jealousy and rage were overwhelming.

Her only thought being, 'I will NOT allow this! UNACCEPTABLE!'

Droplets of blood dripped to the ground from the palms of her hands as her fingernails dug into her flesh. The rain poured down around her, soaking her to the skin. An ominous sounding clap of thunder rang out from nearby as the storm suddenly intensified. But she didn't even notice, her fury was all-consuming.

It took all the discipline and self-control that Sam had learned from her Initiative training to keep her from storming up to Spike's bedroom and killing Buffy right there and then, and maybe him too. She was able to keep her cool and get back in the car. She drove a few miles before she had to stop the car, lean out the window and throw up.


The present...

She would not let Buffy have him. Something in Sam's mind had snapped last night. Buffy would pay, pay dearly. Spike was another matter. She still loved him completely and deeply...but he had to be punished in some way as well. Buffy would be dealt with, then he would see the error of his ways. His strongest muscle was most definitely not his brain, he could be so easily swayed. She had heard the proof emanating from his bedroom window last night. Buffy probably was trying to steer him towards evil. She had to be stopped before it was too late. Sam vowed to herself that she would not let that undead bitch win. Buffy would get Spike over Sam's dead body. Take Buffy out of the equation and Spike would be hers again.

"You'll pay...you fucking bitch. No one steals Samantha Jones' man and gets away with it, no one...especially not you..." Sam said between clenched teeth as she bounced the Nerf ball harder against the wall.

"Shame you have that chip in your brain. Can't fight back. That should make it soooo much easier."


 

Buffy flipped through an issue of People magazine, laying on her stomach on Spike's bed, fighting the urge to have a smoke while waiting for him to come back from showering. Willow had left a half hour ago and although she was surprisingly accepting of them, it still took a lot out of Spike to tell her. He didn't exactly look in the mood for playing in the shower after Willow's visit, much to Buffy's chagrin. So she let him shower in peace. She was worried that those do-gooders he hung out with were going to put a serious damper on their sex life. If only she could just snap their necks, like she would have in the old days...But the Slayer wouldn't like that.

Buffy closed the magazine and put it aside when Spike came in the room with a white towel around his waist, slung low on his hips. His hair was wet and curled up at the ends, making him look unbearably fuckable. She growled lightly, fighting the urge to rip the towel off and throw him down on the bed.

Spike walked over and dropped onto the bed on his stomach. She fingered his wet locks.

"What's the matter, pet?"

"I'm not looking forward to telling the rest of the gang about us. There's a Scooby meeting at the Magic Box tonight...that's when I'll tell them...do it like taking off a band-aid--in one quick motion," Spike mumbled against the mattress.

He turned over on his back. Buffy couldn't resist running her hand over the hard muscles of his chest, still wet from his shower.

"It won't be as bad as you think...probably."

She leaned over and started placing kisses to his collarbones and pecs.

"Buffy? How come you didn't--come in the bathroom? I was kinda waiting for you for a few minutes," Spike asked, running his fingers through her hair as she bent over him.

"Shit. I thought you wanted to be alone with your thoughts an' all that. Believe me, luv, if I thought you wanted company, I woulda been there in a bloody heartbeat."

Her hands roamed over the slick flesh of his torso, she'd keep him naked 24 hours a day if it were up to her. It seemed almost blasphemous to cover up such a work of art. She imagined other women admiring him and growled. Buffy would tear apart anyone who dared try to get their hands on him.

"What's with the 'Grrrr!'? he asked, baring his teeth and making claws with his hands.

That growl sounded more menacing than the last, not that he was worried. On the contrary, he found all her purrs and growls to be extremely sexy

"Just thinkin' about some other chit trying to touch you drives me batty...no pun intended. How do you feel about wearin' potato sacks or really baggy clothing?"

Spike chuckled. "Jealous, much? Buffy, no one else is going to touch me, except you...from now on. So I say, let 'em look. A guy needs to know he's still 'got it', you know? It does wonders for the old ego to have a woman check you out."

Buffy growled, more playfully this time, and draped herself over him. She kissed him softly then more demandingly, her hand snaking down his body to remove his towel. She whipped the towel off with a flourish, and tossed it away. They smiled against each other's lips.

"Hmm, I still don't like it. All those women undressing you with their eyes..." Buffy wrapped a small hand around his shaft, stroking up and down gently.

She sighed in happiness and placed kisses to his chest as his cock started stiffening and twitching in her hand.

"Honestly, I don't turn a lot of heads..." he was breathing more rapidly. "I'm not 'all that'. I'm not a rock star or--something."

"Well then, the women of this town are stupider than I thought. 'Cause you're the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen, pet. Like a bloody statue--so perfect--so hot and tight..."

"You're going to give me a big head if you keep talking like that!" Spike laughed.

"That's the idea." Buffy grinned wickedly, stroking his cock harder.

He arched his neck, inhaling sharply.

"You're mine, Slayer. I'm not gonna lose you. I love you so bloody much." He looked back into her eyes. "More than you know, more than I should. If I lost you I'd..."

Spike cupped her face in his hands. "That's not going to happen, Buffy. I care about you--a lot. I'm not going anywhere. I'm a one woman kind of guy. And you're my woman."

He kissed her tenderly, trying to allay her fears. "You can't flip out every time a woman looks at me, okay?"

"I'll try, Spike-pet...But just the thought of some spotty bitch touchin' you..." she grit her teeth.

"You're the only bitch I want touching me," Spike joked, kissing and licking at her neck.

Buffy raised herself up to hover over him.

"What are you thinking?" he asked as her eyes raked over him, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips.

"How much I'd like to--nevermind," Buffy said the last part quickly.

She thought better of it at the last second.

"No, tell me. We're talking about--well, we're talking now. I want to know what's on your mind." Spike stroked her hair.

Buffy glanced away nervously. "It's not important--I was thinking--just thinking, mind you--about how I'd like to mark you properly."

"You mean--bite me?" Spike asked, his eyes widening.

"Yeah--it was just a thought. I know you wouldn't like that, pet." Buffy was afraid that even bringing the subject up would send him heading for the hills.

She prayed that she hadn't stuck her foot in her mouth again.

Spike's mind raced. She wanted to bite him. He felt a myriad of emotions. Among them, fear, disgust-- but most of all--excitement. It was taboo, it was wrong, but he was getting harder thinking of it. Buffy having him at her mercy, her razor-sharp fangs slicing into his throat. Pain followed by amazing pleasure, or so he had been told. It hadn't been any fun when the Master bit him. He had felt some pleasure when Dru bit him that one time when he forced her to feed from him to save her life, but she had taken it too far, almost killing him. What if Buffy couldn't stop herself in time?

"Would--you even be able to? With the chip?" Spike asked slowly.

"I think so. I'd be as gentle as possible--but we don't have to do it, luv." Buffy saw the indecision in his face at the same time she felt him growing harder in her hand. "We don't have to do anything you don't like."

She kissed and lightly sucked at his Adam's apple.

She was pleasantly surprised that at least part of him was intrigued. She had almost gasped at how his cock violently jumped in her palm when she mentioned biting.

'Dare I dream it possible? Will he let me drink from him?' she shuddered, imagining riding her Slayer at a gallop while sipping from the chalice of his neck. She almost came just from the thought of it, she ran cricket scores through her head to stave off an orgasm.

"I'm not--sure...it's more than a little freaky..." Spike said slowly.

"Don't worry about it, pet." Buffy looked deeply into his smoky eyes. "You've already given me more than I ever dreamed possible."

She sat up.

"I'm not ruling it out--totally...Just not--yet. Okay?" Spike held her hand.

She bent over him and gave him another kiss.

"Sure, luv."

Buffy smiled and stood up, undoing her jeans and shimmying out of them. She pulled her t-shirt over her head and flung it in the air, it landed over the shade of the bedside lamp. They grinned. She crawled back on top of him.

"God, Slayer, I want you so bloody much!" Buffy said raggedly.

They fused their mouths together, hungry for each other. Their hands made circuits over the other's body. They'd been waiting all day to ravish each other again. Spike rolled them over so that he was on top. He kissed and licked softly at her perky tits.

"No foreplay!" she gasped. "Wanta fuck! Fuck me, now!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Spike chuckled, pumping his cock a few times before guiding it between her slippery nether lips.

She was so wet for him that he slid right into her pussy. They sighed as he sank into her to the hilt. Spike braced himself with his hands on either side of her head and began moving in and out. Buffy hooked her ankles together under his ass, pulling him into her deeper.

"Ahhh! God--Yes!--Uhhh--Spike!" Buffy thrust back at him. "Fuck me, pet! Fuck--OHH--Oh yeah!"

He picked up the pace a bit.

"Buffy!" Spike moaned. "Love being inside--you!"

He squeezed his eyes shut, his hips pistoning faster and faster. The feeling was indescribable. Her vagina fit his penis like a glove. Spike mused that God, or whatever it was that created human beings, made two people specifically for each other. The two people would know they were with the right person by the way their genitalia complimented the other's. Unfortunately, you couldn't go around sticking your dick into every beautiful woman you came across to find your mate. But he'd found his. Buffy was his match.

"So--Bloody--Fucking--GOOD!" Buffy panted, scratching up and down his arms, the muscles there bulging with the strain of supporting himself.

Spike pounded into her even faster and harder, the sound of their flesh smacking together was deafening.

"OH FUCK!" Buffy moaned/yelled. "I'm cumming! YES!--Fuckmefuckmefuckme!" She thrashed under him.

Spike was close to the brink himself. He lowered himself to her neck, thrusting his cock into her tight hole more urgently as he slipped a hand between them to pinch her clit. In a moment of mindless passion, he put his mouth on her neck, opened wide then bit down firmly.

Buffy's eyes widened comically, her mouth formed a perfect "O", her body arched off the bed as she cried out in pure bliss and held him tightly.

"FUCCCCKKK!--Spike!--NNNaaggh!--Bloody fucking--Ahhhh!--OHH PET!" Buffy's body shivered and convulsed in orgasm.

Spike started cumming as soon as her inner muscles clamped down on him like a vice. He removed his mouth from her neck.

"BUFFY!" he shouted, burying his face in her hair. "Ohh God! Buffy!"

Their bodies shook and jerked. Panting for breath, he rolled over to lay beside her.

"Fuck! That was fucking incredible!" Buffy gasped with a wide smile, touching the spot on her neck where he'd bitten her.

She hadn't expected him to do that. She hadn't ever cum so hard in her long, sordid life. "You naughty, naughty boy!" She smirked.

Spike looked sheepish. "I got--carried away. I thought that--maybe you'd like it. I should have asked first. I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Buffy rolled on her side and kissed him enthusiastically, thrusting her tongue into his mouth.

"Pet, never apologize for makin' me cum like that." She smiled. "Feel free to do it as often as you like."

Spike smiled back at her. "Ok. But I'll ask next time."

"Nah. I want it to be a surprise. That was the best fuck yet." She stroked his cheek lovingly.

"I didn't hurt you too bad, did I?" Spike moved her hair aside to look at the 'love bite' he'd given her.

He hadn't broke the skin, but there were impressions of his teeth on her pale flesh.

"Uh-uh, no worries, pet. Wish it wouldn't heal. I like the thought of havin' your mark on me." She kissed him again.

"Is it always going to be this good?" Spike sighed dreamily with a lop-sided smile.

"Always, luv." Buffy ran a hand down over his abs. "There's so much more I can show you...so many things I want to do to you...." She played with the fine line of brown hair that led down from his navel to his pubic hair. She had never seen sexier belly hair in all her years. Every little thing about him drove her crazy with lust.

"Show me." Spike's eyes were glazed and hooded with renewed desire.

Buffy smirked and started kissing a path down his body, stopping to circle her tongue around his navel, she thrust her tongue in and out a few times before she continued down, using the feathery line of brown hair as her guide. She took his re-hardening member in her hand and licked up and down it's length, tasting her own juices on it. Buffy used her other hand to lift his balls to her mouth, kissing, licking and sucking on them while she pumped his cock gently in her hand.

'Slayer constitutions are amazing things!' Buffy thought with a smile, she would have said it, but she had her mouth full.

She licked and sucked on his balls, one at a time.

"Buffy! God!" Spike groaned, looking down at her while she worked him into a frenzy, fisting his hands in her bleached locks.

He couldn't get over the fact that he was getting so hard so fast after just cumming a few minutes ago. Buffy brought out the sex maniac in him. He would never get enough of this. They could go at it for hours on end and still have no trouble getting the other one hot again.

Buffy took her mouth off his sac and replaced it with her hand, rolling his balls and tugging gently. She then licked her way back up his shaft, flicking her tongue rapidly over and around the fat head. Spike groaned loudly, his eyes rolling up. Pre-cum oozed out of his prickhead copiously. She slid her mouth over it, greedily drinking up the liquid and moaning at his exquisite flavor. She'd suck him off all day long if he'd let her.

pike bucked his hips and gasped when she dropped her head to totally engulf him, her chin resting on his balls. She bobbed her head slowly, sucking firmly on the upstrokes. He was once again fully erect, throbbing and aching in her mouth.

Buffy massaged his balls as she slid her mouth up and down his thick rod. She worked her other hand up and down on the shaft, in a twisting motion while she sucked hard on the head.

"Oh--God--Ohh--Buffy! FUCKYES!" Spike cried, trying to control the impulse to start fucking her mouth.

Buffy was dripping wet. Sucking on his luscious cock and the sounds that he was making had her pussy screaming for attention. In a moment of inspiration, without taking her mouth off his cock, she turned herself around and swung a leg over his upper body. She wiggled her hips, hoping he'd see what she wanted. They hadn't tried this particular position before. She hoped that he was 'up' for it.

Spike put his hands on her hips and brought her cunt down to his mouth. His tongue dived into her folds, licking her firmly up and down as he grunted and moaned from her ministrations down below. He pushed his tongue in and out of her wet slit, wriggling it around like a snake. He locked his lips around her swollen clit and sucked on it fiercely. Buffy moaned and cried out around his cock, bucking her hips into his face. Her muffled cries became louder as Spike slid two fingers into her snatch and pumped them in and out rapidly. Then he switched off, fucking her with his tongue and fingering her nub. Her juices flowed into his mouth freely, dribbling down his lips and chin. Spike licked it up with relish. He was so close to cumming now, he wanted to take her over the edge with him.

Buffy's eyes rolled around in their sockets from the great head Spike was giving her. She had to concentrate to remember she had her own task to accomplish. She attacked his cock ferociously, working her mouth up and down faster, grazing it lightly with her teeth, sucking harder and harder, moaning all the while. She took his cock in her mouth down to the root and began swallowing around him, massaging his engorged cock with the muscles of her throat.

"OHHMM FUUMMK!" Spike cried into her pussy.

He could never convey the immense pleasure he experienced when she did this to him to anyone. He sucked on her clit hard, nibbling at it with his teeth as he fucked four fingers into her cunt.

Buffy moaned and humped Spike's face with ardor. Their mouths and tongues and hands worked feverishly on the other's sex. They were eager to give as much pleasure as they were receiving.

"MMMPPPHHH!--OOOMMPH!--MMM!" Buffy eyes rolled back as another powerful orgasm shot through her body.

Her juices poured onto his tongue as she fucked his face. She needed to make him cum in her mouth, so she could once again drink the sweetest nectar she'd ever tasted. She sucked on his prickhead harder than ever, jacking the base of his cock strongly, almost viciously. She slipped one finger of the hand that was working his balls with, down to his ass. She circled the finger around his tight hole then pushed in in slightly.

That was all Spike could take. His eyes went wide, his balls tightened up suddenly, and he began cumming hard, not able to control the bucking of his hips.

"BBUUFFFY! NNNNGH! AHHHHH!" Spike exclaimed and shouted his arrival into her drenched pussy, his entire body trembled as he shot loads of thick, creamy Slayer cum into her mouth.

Buffy moaned and swished the ropy strands of his cum around on her tongue. She swallowed every drop, jacking him into her mouth until he was completely spent.

'It doesn't get any better than this!' she thought dreamily.

They massaged each other's thighs and hips as they came back down. They moaned as they lapped at the other's sex lazily, cleaning each other of their spendings.

"Oh, Spike-pet--luv..." Buffy moaned. "So fucking amazing..."

"Buffy--that was...Fuck--so good...Oh God..." Spike gasped.

"Spike, honey? We're home!" Joyce's cheerful voice came from downstairs.

Spike and Buffy froze, their eyes wide in shock, their tongues stuck out in mid-lick on the other's genitalia.


 

Chapter 2

Spike and Buffy were immobilized, but burst into a flurry of motion after a moment. Someone was running up the stairs. Buffy jumped off the bed and ran like greased lightening to the bedroom door, which they had left open since they were the only ones in the house, and shut it just in time. Spike scrambled off the bed and landed on the floor with a thud. He quickly jumped up and ran to his dresser to get some clothes.

"Holy shit! They weren't supposed to be home until tomorrow!" Spike whispered frantically.

"Spike?" Dawn said from the other side of the door. "You in there, O' brother of mine?"

The doorknob turned. Buffy threw herself against the door and leaned on it heavily to keep it shut.

"Hey! What are you doing in there?" Dawn asked.

"Don't come in!" Spike panicked, jumping into a pair of sweatpants with both legs and pulling them up quickly. "I'm--naked!"

"EWWW!" Dawn screwed up her features. "Gross!"

Joyce was carrying her suitcase upstairs. "Mom! I almost got scarred for life and saw Spike in the buff!" Dawn said.

Buffy snickered into her hand. 'Caught him in the Buff, indeed! With his tongue in Buff's muff, if you want to be literal about it...' she thought with amusement.

"SHHH!" Spike hushed her. "Be quiet!"

He would be mortified if his family knew what they had just been doing.

"Everything okay, sweetie?" Joyce asked through the door.

"Yeah, mom!" He pulled on a fresh white t-shirt. "I thought you guys weren't coming home till tomorrow?"

He collected Buffy's shirt from the lampshade and her crumpled jeans then threw them to her. She began pulling on her clothing.

"I just wanted to come back home. Your Uncle Joe was cranky because the Chargers lost or something. Honestly, why some people let themselves get so worked up because of a game is beyond me..." Joyce said, taking her luggage into her room to unpack.

"Are you dressed yet?" Dawn asked impatiently.

"Why?" Spike asked smoothing back his hair.

"So I can come in, genius. I bought you something at the zoo gift shop," Dawn said.

"Don't come in! I'll--I'll come out when--I'm decent!" Spike got some tissues and wiped Buffy's juices off his shiny lips and chin.

Buffy smirked at him as she finished buttoning her jeans. He was so fucking adorable when he was rattled, she could eat him up...which she planned on doing again the very next time the opportunity presented itself.

"I bet you were doing something really gross in there..." Dawn said narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

"I'll be out in one--fucking--minute!" Spike growled, pulling on a pair of socks and sneakers.

"Mo-om! Spike swore at me!" Dawn whined.

"Spike, don't swear at your sister," Joyce chastised him from the other room.

Spike grumbled and rubbed his forehead as he walked to the door. He took a deep breath and gave Buffy a 'Phew! That was close!' look. She smiled and gave him a quick kiss before moving to hide behind the door. Spike opened it just enough for him to squeeze through and shut it behind him.

"Hey," he said to Dawn, trying to sound casual.

"About time, weirdo. What are you hiding in there?" Dawn knit her brows.

Spike rolled his eyes. "Nothing! Will you stop with the third degree?"

Dawn cast another glance at the door before giving up (for now). "Here!" she smiled, handing him a navy blue t-shirt with the zoo logo on it. "But maybe I shouldn't give it to you for being mean," Dawn teased.

Spike grinned and held the shirt up to look at it.

"Thanks, Dawnie! I love it. Sorry I was cranky." Spike hugged his little sister, rocking her back and forth. "I'm touched that you remembered me while you were away."

"Of course I remembered you. We were checking out the chimps exhibit and for some reason your face popped into my mind!" Dawn giggled.

Spike pulled back. "Very funny, kid." He smirked and poked her in the stomach.

"What's that smell?" Dawn asked, sniffing the air.

"Huh?" He stepped back from her. "What--smell?"

"It's kinda--musky...I know I smelled it before...Janice's boyfriend's van, maybe?" Dawn attempted to place it.

Spike's heart raced. She must smell the sex on him. He still had traces of Buffy juice on his face. 'Oh God! She can smell it! I hope I don't have any pubic hair in my teeth!' he thought wildly.

He suddenly remembered a way to throw her off the scent, literally.

"Uh--Dawn! A package came for you today," Spike said quickly.

Dawn's eyes widened. "It came?! Oh my God!" she squealed, bouncing up and down. "Where is it?"

"Downstairs on the coffee table..."

She ran down the stairs.

Spike exhaled explosively. Joyce walked into the hall.

"Did you--uh--have a nice time, Mom? How's Aunt Marie?"

"Yes, it was nice. And Marie's doing well. But it's good to be home. I worry that you don't eat right when I'm not here." Joyce smiled at patted his face. "My special little guy..."

"Mom." Spike rolled his eyes and groaned good-naturedly.

"I know, I know. You're all grown up and the Slayer, but you're still my baby boy." She grinned.

Spike blushed. 'Thank God she didn't catch us...she would've had a stroke...'

"Why are you all sweaty, honey?"

"I was--um--working out. In my room," Spike lied.

She looked at him skeptically. "Is Sam here?"

"No...in fact...I have to tell you something about me and Sam. But let me get cleaned up first."

"All right." Joyce patted his arm, worry creasing her brow. She hoped nothing was wrong. Her poor baby just couldn't seem to get a break when it came to love. "I'm going to order a pizza for dinner."

"Sounds good, mom." Spike smiled innocently.

Joyce went downstairs. He slipped back into his bedroom and leaned back against the door, breathing deeply.

Buffy giggled. "That coulda been awkward! That was some fancy footwork you did there, luv. Bobbin' and weavin'...Nice shirt," she said glancing at the t-shirt Dawn had given him.

"Yeah. God, I thought for--damn--they weren't supposed to come home yet." He looked at her. "I was hoping we'd have more time alone together."

Buffy put her arms around his neck, pulled him down and kissed him deeply. They moaned into the kiss. Spike's hands traveled down over her back to her ass, he took a cheek in each hand and squeezed as he ground himself against her.

"Spike, honey?" Joyce called. "Do you want pepperoni and mushroom on your pizza?" They groaned in frustration.

Spike lifted his head. "Yeah, mom. That's fine," he called back to her.

Spike sighed and rested his forehead against Buffy's. "Sorry," he said quietly. "I'm reconsidering the whole living at home thing." He pouted.

It became necessary to move back home when his mother was having health problems, and he was missing the freedom and privacy that he had when he lived in the dorm. Especially when it came to spending time with a member of the opposite sex. But now, with Glory still sniffing around, looking for her "Key", it was critical that he be as close to home as possible to protect his sister.

"S'ok, pet. Look at that pouty lip...Gonna get it. Gonna--" Buffy nibbled at his bottom lip.

He smiled and put his mouth back over hers, their tongues tangled lazily with the other's.

"Mmmm," Spike deepened the kiss.

"Spike?" Dawn called. "Mom wants to know if you want Diet Coke or regular with dinner."

Spike growled. Buffy had to keep from giggling, he was so cute when he growled. But also very, very arousing.

"God fucking damn it!" Spike ran a hand through his hair and swore under his breath. "Whatever! I-- don't--care!" he called back harshly.

"Geez! I was just asking, butthole!" Dawn yelled back.

"I'd better go, yeah?" Buffy reluctantly moved away from him to put on her boots. "If I don't go now, I'm gonna throw you on the floor and have my wicked way with you again. That's not such a hot idea considering mom and little sis are right downstairs."

"I wish you could stay," Spike said leaning against the door.

"Me too, pet. Come to the crypt later? We'd have the whole place to ourselves..." She stuck the tip of her tongue out and waggled her eyebrows.

"You sold me." Spike laughed. "But--I have to go to the Magic Box first. Have I mentioned how much I'm not looking forward to that?"

"Not in the last five minutes." Buffy got up and grabbed her duster, shrugging into it. She smiled and walked over to him. "You want me to come with? We could show a united front."

"No. It's better if you're not there for this. There are too many weapons laying around. I can handle it."

Buffy gave him a soft kiss. "I'll see you later then, Spike-pet."

She climbed out the window and dropped out of sight. Spike smiled wistfully, missing her presence already. Thinking about joining her at the crypt gave his spirits a boost as well as giving him the beginnings of a hard-on. His dick seemed to have a mind of it's own when it came to Buffy. He hadn't had this many stiffies since he was 13. He tried to think unsexy thoughts to will it away: Getting demon goop on his favorite jeans, Grandma Summers in a bikini, Giles naked and--that did the trick. Spike went to wash up before dinner.


 

Spike came downstairs, freshly washed, wearing the blue shirt Dawn bought for him and a tight pair of well-worn blue jeans. The doorbell rang.

"Spike, could you get that?" Joyce asked from the kitchen.

"Sure, mom." He opened the door.

Buffy stood on the porch holding two pizza boxes, smirking at him.

"Buffy?" He glanced back into the house before stepping up to her and whispering, "What are you doing here? And with pizzas? Don't tell me you're working as a delivery girl..."

Buffy whispered to him, "I got halfway back to the crypt--I missed you." She looked away shyly. "So I came back and met the pizza boy in the driveway. Dinner's on me tonight. Can I--come in?"

He blinked. It might be a good time to tell his mom and Dawn about them.

"Yeah. Yeah, come in."

"Buffy!" Dawn squealed when she came into the front hall. "I haven't seen you in so long!"

Buffy handed the boxes to Spike before Dawn threw her arms around her and hugged her.

"Hey, Nibblet. Missed you too, luv." Buffy smiled warmly.

"Are you staying for dinner? Can she Spike?" Dawn looked at him hopefully.

She loved her brother but he could be such an asswipe when it came to Buffy.

"It's fine with me. Mom's the one you should ask."

"Mom! Can Buffy stay for dinner?" Dawn ran into the dining room where Joyce was bringing in the salad.

"Hi, Buffy." Joyce smiled.

As strange as it seemed, Joyce always had a soft spot for the British vamp. She liked her a lot more than that horrible Druscilla that her son had dated. Something about Dru just rubbed Joyce the wrong way, even before she lost her soul and became evil.

"Hey, Joyce. How was your weekend?" Buffy asked.

"Oh, Spike told you about that? It was fine, but I'm glad to be back home. And of course you can stay for dinner. I--don't have any blood though..." Joyce fretted, she wanted to be a good hostess.

"That's ok. 'M not hungry for that." Buffy looked slyly at Spike.

It was true, she didn't feel particularly hungry, even though she should be famished by now. She mused that the amount of Slayer spunk she had swallowed over the last 24 hours provided her with all the nourishment she needed.

'Gah--wouldn't it be grand if I could live on that...I'd be the fattest, happiest vamp in the world...' she thought, licking her lips lightly.

Spike cleared his throat. "Let's eat."


 

Dinner was going well. They talked and joked. Dawn dominated most of the conversation--no surprise there. Buffy was sitting next to Spike. She couldn't resist brushing her leg against his a few times and putting her hand under the table occasionally to squeeze his thigh. She hoped he wouldn't be upset with her for it.

Spike did his best not to show any reaction when he felt Buffy's leg brushing his and especially when she put her hand on his thigh. He was nervous that his sister and mother would notice. He was also getting aroused having her this close to him. It was exciting in a disturbing way. He untucked his t-shirt to make sure no one would notice if he started getting too excited.

"And my friend Denise looks great as a blonde!" Dawn said. "Mom, can I dye my hair blonde? I'm like the only brunette in the state of California, and I'd look super cool!"

"Absolutely not, young lady! Your hair's beautiful. Why would you want to ruin it?"

"No fair! You let Spike dye his hair!" Dawn crossed her arms, her lower lip jutted out in a pout.

"Hey! I have NEVER dyed my hair!" Spike said defensively.

Highlights did not constitute a dye job, in his mind anyway. He'd go to his grave never admitting to touching up his hair.

"Oh? Then why did your hair turn blonde?" Dawn smirked. "It looks awfully brown in old pictures of you."

"Cause...I spend a lot of time in the sun. That's why. The sun--it naturally lightens hair. Sunlight reacts with--uh--chemicals and stuff in your hair."

"Sure, Bill Nye, you spend lots of time in the sun, what with the patrolling cemeteries at night all the time." Dawn laughed.

"Who?" Spike asked furrowing his brow.

Dawn rolled her eyes. "Don't you know anything? Bill Nye the Science Guy...it's a tv show."

"Well, pardon me for having better things to do than watch tv all the time," Spike said.

Buffy smiled as she watched the siblings pick at each other. She felt so warm in the bosom of what she considered her family. She'd never felt this way about any other humans after she became a vampire.

Buffy briefly flashed back on her mortal life: Buffy (when she'd still been known as Elizabeth), her mother and two little sisters in the sitting room of their well-to-do house in London; talking and laughing while they embroidered something or another. She missed them all so much sometimes. After she'd been turned, she hadn't gone back to see them, as much as she wanted to, she still loved them as much as she had before the turning. It would have upset them to see how she'd--changed. Buffy had made sure that Druscilla didn't know of their existence. Angel had told Buffy how much Dru enjoyed slaughtering families. Buffy would NEVER permit Dru to touch one hair on her mother's head.

She'd tried to make Dru, Angel and Darla her new family, but she had never really fit in with them. Buffy shook herself from her reverie. After all these years, she still craved a place to belong, to be welcomed into a group. Maybe the Summers clan would accept her as one of their own, eventually.

Buffy saw that Spike was looking a little peevish about Dawn's hair comments. Buffy liked the Slayer's hair and decided to lend him some support.

"I think your hair's quite fetching, Slayer. It suits you." She smirked.

"Uh--thanks, Buffy. Your hair--is--uh--nice too." Spike blushed slightly.

"It's so nice to see you two getting along," Joyce said poking at her salad with a fork, smiling at her son and Buffy.

"Um--yeah." Spike nodded and took a drink of his soda.

Dawn narrowed her eyes. "Is there something going on between you guys?"

Spike choked on his drink. Buffy hit him on the back.

"Alright, pet?" Buffy looked at him with concern.

She tried desperately to remember those posters they had up in restaurants on how to give the Heimlich Maneuver should he need it. She'd have to learn about all that emergency stuff now that they were together. She wouldn't want something bad to happen to him because she didn't know the proper procedures.

"I'm ok." He coughed into his hand.

"That's it, isn't it?" Dawn asked, her face lighting up. "You guys finally got together?! All the little looks you've been giving each other that you don't think I noticed, Spike being nice to you for a change..."

Spike looked at Buffy and squeezed her hand under the table, she squeezed back and smiled. He turned back to his mom and sister.

"Mom, Dawn...Buffy and I are--together--in a romantic sense."

"Oh--My--God!" Dawn jumped up and clapped her hands together. "This is so great! I knew you guys were made for each other!" She ran around the table and gave Buffy a big hug. "I'm so happy for you!"

Buffy laughed. "Easy there, Platelet! Don't damage the goods. It's nice to see that you approve."

"Hell, yes, I approve!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Dawn! Don't swear," Joyce said absently, a little stunned by the announcement.

"Sorry, Mom. Buffy, how did you get my bro to stop being a big jerk about the whole thing?"

"Hey! I resemble that remark." Spike smiled.

He knew that Dawn was right. He had been a big jerk before, not allowing himself to see the woman he belonged with when she was right under his nose.

"Isn't it great, Mom?" Dawn smiled at Joyce.

Joyce had a weak smile on her face. She wasn't sure how to feel about this. She wanted her son to have a normal life, as normal as he could have being the Slayer. That's why she lectured Druscilla about doing what was best for him. But--if this is what he really wanted...

"I'm certainly--surprised," Joyce said. Spike looked at her anxiously. "Honey, can I talk to you alone in the kitchen?" she asked, standing up and moving to the kitchen.

"Yeah...sure." He glanced at Buffy and pushed his chair back then stood up, following his mother.

Buffy was scared, her borrowed blood felt like it had been replaced with ice water. If Joyce didn't approve she might be able to convince him to drop Buffy like a bag of dirt.

"Don't worry, Buffy." Dawn patted her back. She could see how nervous her vampire friend was. "Mom likes you."

Buffy smiled at Dawn gratefully.

"Thanks, Nibblet."

She stared at the doorway to the kitchen, waiting to hear the verdict.


 

"Honey...Are you sure about this?" Joyce asked kindly.

"Willow asked me the very same thing. And I'll tell you what I told her. Yes. I'm sure, Mom. I--I'm crazy about her." Spike looked down, blushing slightly.

"You talked to Willow too?" He nodded. "Baby, I wanted you to have a normal life..."

"Mom, I can't have a normal life. You know that. Shouldn't I make decisions that will make me happy in the time I have left?"

"Don't say that! Don't talk like that...Don't talk like you have some kind of terminal disease," Joyce's voice broke. "I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you..."

Spike put his arms around his mother and hugged her.

"I'm sorry, mom. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just trying to be realistic. It's not just me though, any of our numbers could be up at any time." He hugged her tighter, remembering her recent health scare. "I want to make the most of however much time I have. I want to be happy."

"What happened to Sam?"

He pulled away and looked down. "We broke up. Yesterday. It wasn't going to work out for us."

"But she seemed so nice." Joyce squeezed his arm gently.

"She is nice...she's just--not for me. Buffy's the one for me, mom. I can feel it." Spike looked her in the eyes.

Joyce could see he meant it. And talking him out of something once his mind was set on it was like pulling teeth.

"Do you love her?" Joyce asked.

"I--don't know. I think I do. I'm not sure I know what it feels like to love someone anymore," Spike said truthfully.

His heart had been torn in two when he had to send Dru to Hell and then again when she left him last year. His heart was in so many pieces by now that he didn't think he was even capable of loving someone. But what he felt for Buffy was strong and deep. If it wasn't love, it was the next best thing.

"Okay." Joyce gave him a watery smile. "If this is what you want...then ok. I'll support you."

He smiled brilliantly and hugged her again. "Thanks, mom. You have no idea how much this means to me. To us."

"I love you so much, pumpkin-belly. I just want the best for you." Joyce sniffled.

"I know. And I love you too."

Spike was getting choked up, it didn't help that she used her old childhood nickname for him. He hated that nickname, but it brought back some sweet memories.


 

Buffy stood up when Spike and Joyce reentered the dining room. She gulped when she saw signs of tears in their eyes. Spike smiled and walked over to her, bending down to kiss her softly on the lips. She looked at him wide-eyed.

"Buffy," Joyce said, "If you and Spike want to be together--I won't stand in your way."

Buffy smiled brightly. "Oh God, I--Thanks, Joyce. You're a hell of a woman."

Buffy threw her arms around Spike's neck and planted an elated kiss on his lips. He hesitated for a moment before giving in to it, kissing her back with just as much feeling.

"I'll clear the table," Joyce said, taking a few plates into the kitchen.

This was going to take some getting used to.

"That's so cute! You guys look so cool together." Dawn waited for them to stop kissing.

She checked her wristwatch after a few moments.

"Okay, guys. Are you going to come up for air some time soon?" Dawn chuckled.

A few more moments passed.

"Okay...now we're getting into gross territory..."

Spike and Buffy continued kissing.


 

The Slayer and his vampire girlfriend walked hand-in-hand. Moonlight illuminated the lovers, casting them in a ethereal bluish-white light, as they walked down the street.

"That went really well, pet," Buffy sighed happily, looking up at the full moon.

Spike laughed. "Dawn was so excited I thought she was going to wet her pants."

"Think Dawn's still on our side, despite the grossing her out factor."

"She's happy for us."

Spike swung their joined hands between them. It felt so good to be with Buffy like this. Like normal lovers out for a walk.

"Your mum's okay with it? Really?" Buffy wanted to hear the truth.

"Yes. She does like you. She's not ecstatic about the situation or anything, but she wants me to be happy. And I am."

He stopped and put his arms around her.

"Yeah?" Buffy smiled and kissed him on the lips.

"Mmm-hmm. Maybe I shouldn't press my luck anymore tonight. Save telling the others for another time..."

"Whatever you think's best, luv..." Buffy was anxious for him to get it over with and let the Scoobies know about them, it would make it much more real and official. She didn't want him to stall, the sooner he told them, the better. "You're going to have yourself tied up in knots until you tell them."

Spike sighed resignedly. "Yeah...I know. I'll just have to suck it up and do it now."

Buffy cradled his face in her hands, stroking his cheekbones.

"It'll be ok. If they care about you like they say they do, they'll accept it. No worries, right?"

"No worries," Spike repeated with a smile.

He knew it wouldn't be as simple as that, but he couldn't help how happy he felt when he held her in his arms. She leaned up and kissed him. They held the kiss for a few moments before separating.

"I'll see you back at the crypt," she said walking backwards.

"Ok. I'll be there with bells on."

"Mmm--just let me picture that for a second." Buffy closed her eyes, smirking. "Okay...done! Oh yeah, can't wait, luv."

She turned and walked quickly back to the cemetery, trying not to worry about his friends' reactions and how they'd affect him.

Spike watched her until she disappeared from sight. He sighed again and shoved his hands into his pockets, walking down the street to the shop.

Riley stepped out of a nearby alley once Spike was further down the street. He had seen the whole, disgusting display of affection between the Slayer and his Blondie Bear. He couldn't believe the Slayer was actually giving Buffy a chance. What happened to that girlfriend the Slayer used to have?

Buffy could be mean, even cruel to Riley...but he loved her. She was his girl, not the stupid Slayer's. He wracked his brain to come up with a way to get rid of the Spike once and for all. Smoke was practically coming out his ears from the effort.


 

Spike dragged his feet as he entered the Magic Box. Giles was standing at the counter, Xander, Anya, Willow and Tara sat around the central table.

"Spike, I was wondering when you'd grace us with your presence," Giles said with a hint of humor.

"Hey, Giles. Hey, guys."

Spike waved to them, he felt sick to his stomach. 'Just tell them! Be a man!'

"You ok, man?" Xander asked, noticing his friend's discomfort.

"There's a--um--something I've got to tell all of you..." Spike glanced at Willow who gave him a supportive nod.

Tara (who obviously was in the loop, thanks to Willow) smiled comfortingly.

'At least I have their support, that's of the good...'

"Is it Glory?" Giles asked, concerned. "Did she do something?"

"No."

"Then what is it? Don't leave us hangin'," Xander said, leaning back in his chair.

"It's about Buffy. We--" Spike began.

"Oh for the love of all that's good and holy!" Xander threw his hands up in the air. "I'm telling you, man, you should just dust her and be done with it! You want me to do it? Cause I'll do it."

"It's not anything like that!" Spike said heatedly. The thought of anyone hurting Buffy tore him up inside. "Nobody's laying a hand on her, got it?"

"Who pissed in your Wheaties?" Xander was taken aback by Spike's defense of the pesky vamp.

"Buffy and I--have come to an understanding. We're going to be--together--as a couple--from now on."

Spike held his breath waiting for their reactions. There was silence.

Xander suddenly burst out laughing, slapping at the table top. "Oh! For a second there--You had me going! Score one for the Slayer! Spike, you magnificent bastard, that was a good one! You can always make me laugh." Xander leaned on Anya. "Wasn't that funny, Ahn?"

Anya smiled weakly at him.

"I'm not kidding, Xan," Spike said gravely.

Xander's laughs slowed down to a trickle then stopped altogether once he got a look at Spike's face.

"I care about Buffy. And I'm going to have a relationship with her. I hope you guys can--"

"You've got to be fucking kidding?! Come on. Joke's over, Spike." A look of horror spread over Xander's face.

"It's not a fucking joke." Spike was getting irritated.

"Well..." Tara chimed in. "I think--it could be a good thing. She--Buffy has been trying to help and do good--"

"Are you insane too?" Xander stood up. "You would support this--this--there are no words to adequately describe the wrongness that is Spike and Buffy!"

Tara looked down at the table.

Willow stood up.

"Hey! Mr. Man! Back off." She put her hands on Tara's shoulders protectively. "And it's Spike's life. If he wants to--date Buffy...then that's his choice." Willow stuck her chin out defiantly.

"It's true! You've all gone off the deep end! Giles!" Xander went to the counter, looking imploringly at the Watcher. "Giles you're all smart and wise, please tell me you're with me on this!"

Giles took off his glasses and began polishing them.

"I don't know what to say..." Giles said quietly.

Spike walked to the counter and stood in front of Giles.

"Just say it. Get it out," he said in a flat monotone.

Giles' opinion was important to Spike, he hated the thought that his father figure might be disappointed in him.

Giles looked into Spike's eyes. "I think you're making a dreadful mistake. You and Buffy--it's wrong, Spike. I should think you would know better by now."

Giles felt an almost physical pain when Spike winced at his words. He could tell his young charge was hoping for his support. But he was talking about being with Buffy...Giles couldn't possibly lend his support to this unholy and unwise union.

"Thank you!" Xander exclaimed, breathing a huge sigh of relief.

"Shut up, Xander!" Spike snapped.

"No, I won't. I'm not going to stand by twiddling my thumbs and watch you hook up with that murderer! Did you forget that, Spike old pal? Did you forget that she's essentially a serial killer in prison?" Xander demanded. "If it wasn't for that chip, we'd all be dead!"

Anya came over to Xander and put her hand on his arm. She wasn't sure what to say. As a former demon, she didn't see why Spike couldn't be with Buffy. After all, she had maimed, tortured and killed thousands of men over the years as a Vengeance Demon, and Xander didn't let that bother him. But she knew better than to express that to her boyfriend right now. Xander wasn't completely out of line though. What if Buffy did go nuts and kill someone? What if it was her Xander Bear? Anya was confused. The important thing right now, was to stop the two friends from fighting and calm things down for rational discussion.

"Honey, come on...stop," Anya said in a soft voice.

"Buffy's different now. Like Tara said, she's changed." Spike tried to keep his cool.

Xander laughed mirthlessly. "Yeah? Since when? When did you have this big revelation about her? Cause last time I checked you hated her just as much as the rest of us. You know what's going to happen? I think it will go a little something like this...You get all lovey-dovey with the bleached wonder, she gets the chip out and goes on a killing spree starting with one of us! Which one of us will it be, buddy? Anyone want to place some bets?"

"That's NOT going to happen!" Spike was horror-struck.

How could he make Xander understand the bond he felt with Buffy? What could he say to convince him of something that Spike couldn't logically explain himself? His instincts and gut told him that Buffy would never jeopardize their relationship, she wouldn't go back to her old ways. Why couldn't Xander trust him?

"It happened with Dru and it'll happen with her too!" Xander said.

"No--it--won't," Spike said slowly, grinding out each word. You don't know anything." His jaw clenched.

"I know that you've got major vamp groupie issues, my friend. Here's a word of advice, you're supposed to slay 'em, not fuck 'em!"

Spike's face colored with anger and embarrassment. The others looked back and forth like they were watching a tennis match as the two friends shouted at each other.

"Don't tell me how to do my fucking job! You have no idea what it's like...I know what my job is!" Spike fumed.

"That's the thing! I don't think you do! When Buffy starts killing again you won't have the guts to stake her before she racks up an impressive body count. Just like you couldn't do it when Druscilla went all evil!" Xander was on a roll.

"Xander...that's enough," Willow warned him.

"So that's what this is about? What happened with Dru? Buffy and Dru are two different people! She won't hurt anyone. She loves me."

Xander doubled over in laughter. "Oh God! Did she tell you that? You poor sap! She got you good, buddy! You actually believe her? You couldn't have been that desperate for a fuck! You did have a nice, human girlfriend last time I checked. But I guess she's out of the picture now, right?"

"Shut up," Spike ground his teeth together.

"That's what Dru did too, isn't it? Told you how much she loved you. Next thing you know she's evil and killing our friends! You could have stopped her way before she--" Xander said.

To this day, Spike was deeply ashamed that he didn't take evil Dru down when he had the chance.

He interrupted Xander. "Willow was able to restore her soul so--"

"So? So nothing!"

Xander's tirade was like a tiny snowball that started rolling down the side of a mountain, it rolled down, gathering more bulk and speed as it descended, it was turning into an avalanche. He couldn't stop himself now.

"Let's ask Miss Calendar how happy she is about Dru and her shiny new soul! Oh, that's right, we can't! Because your girlfriend murdered her! If it wasn't for your--"

"Enough!" Giles shouted. Xander halted in mid-sentence. "That's quite enough."

Things had gotten too far out of hand. Giles massaged his temples.

Spike was devastated. The worst part was that he knew Xander was at least partly right. Tears popped up in his bright, blue eyes, his facial muscles twitched as he struggled not to break down in front of everyone. His complexion turned ashen.

"Spike? Are--you ok?" Tara asked with concern.

She didn't like the look of his coloring.

Xander looked a bit shocked himself. He raised a shaky hand and ran it through his hair as he blew out a breath. He hadn't meant to say a lot of that.

"Xander? Why don't you sit down..." Anya rubbed his back.

"Now--let's just take a few minutes here guys." Willow tried to get control of the situation. "Things-- were said. But it was in the heat of the moment. We said things we didn't mean--"

"He meant every word," Spike said in a rough voice. "Didn't you, Xan? Let me ask you a question. If I'm such a fuck up, if I'm such a lousy, piece of shit of a Slayer, why the hell do you hang around with me? If you really think I'm responsible for the murders Dru committed, how can you stand the fucking sight of me?!"

Xander looked closely at his best friend and saw how deeply wounded he was. Xander's anger fell away rapidly to be replaced with remorse. He didn't approve of Buffy, but he hadn't meant to hurt his friend like this.

"Spike...man...I was just trying to--I didn't mean--" Xander shook his head.

"Yes you--fucking did!" Spike cut him off. "And you know it. That's when the truth comes out, when your guard is down. Well, you know what? FUCK YOU!" Spike hissed.

Xander flinched back. Spike stormed across the room to the exit.

"If I want to be with Buffy, I'm going to be. End of story. No matter what any of you think."

"Spike! Don't go. Let's sort this out..." Willow's face was scrunched up in pain, it hurt her like crazy to see her friends fighting like this.

She had no idea it would get this bad, she would have advised Spike to keep his relationship a secret if she had known.

He turned back to them. "I have to go. I have to get out of here," Spike's voice cracked. "At least now I know who I can count on around here. Who my real friends are."

He gave Xander a look that could kill before he stormed out the door, slamming it shut behind him.

Xander sat down, feeling numb and in shock. He knew that he'd fucked up, he had let his mouth run on too long. Even if he did believe what he'd said, there were some things best kept to yourself. He had hoped to talk Spike out of his foolhardy decision to date the pesky bleached vamp, but ended up insulting and hurting him instead. It hadn't gone the way he had hoped.

Xander put his head in his hands. Nobody said anything for the next few minutes.


 

Chapter 3

Spike hurried to the cemetery to see Buffy, wiping the tears from his eyes. He knew telling his friends would be hard, but he had no idea just how bad it was going to be. Xander still blamed him for the killings Dru did while soulless, for poor Miss Calendar's death. Did the rest of them feel the same way? Maybe they just didn't have the guts to say it.

Spike wanted to run far, far away. Away from Sunnydale, away from his life as a Slayer. He imagined he and Buffy starting over somewhere fresh, where nobody knew them. But he'd already run away from his life and responsibilities once before, he couldn't do it again. He couldn't leave the people he loved to fend for themselves and worry about his welfare again.

Spike burst into the crypt. He needed to see Buffy, he needed to hold her more than ever, to reaffirm his feelings for her. The crypt appeared empty. Where could she be? His shoulders slumped.

"Buffy?"

No one answered.

Since he was alone, he allowed the tears he'd been holding back to flow. Spike sat down in Buffy's chair and put his face in his hands. His shoulders shook as he sobbed. He didn't know why his life had to suck all the time. He was the Chosen One, he was most likely going to die before the age of 25, he'd had to send his first love to Hell in order to save the world, he lost her again when she left him after she came back, he faced death everyday in his duty as the Slayer, his mother had been at death's door not long ago and now the people he cared about most in the world (or at least a few of them) violently disapproved of his choice in who he wanted to be with. Could Xander ever get over his objections? Could they still be friends? Would Giles treat him differently now?

"Luv?"

Buffy poked her head out of a hole in the floor at the far end of the crypt. She thought she'd heard his voice. A wide smile appeared when she saw that he was indeed here. She had been so worried that they'd talk him out of being with her. Her smile faded when she saw his distraught state and his tears. Anger and concern made her feel like she was going to explode.

'What did those sods do to him?! She quickly climbed up and made her way over to him, kneeling down at his feet.

"Shit. I didn't think you were here..."

Spike wiped frantically at his eyes, feeling stupid for letting her see him cry. It wasn't terribly manly.

"Spike-pet, what happened?" She stroked his knee and thigh.

"It didn't go well..." Spike said dejectedly.

Buffy sat next to him on the chair and put her arms around him, she didn't know what to do and was desperate to make him feel better. She tried to think back to how she used to calm Angel down when he'd get in one of his "moods". If she could make looney Angel feel better the Slayer should be a piece of cake.

"I'm sorry, luv."

Her first instinct was to rip the throat out of whoever or whatever made him feel this bad...but she couldn't do that, for a variety of reasons. She'd have to settle for comforting her lover.

"You want to tell me--"

"No. I don't want to talk about it--yet. You must think I'm a big ol' girly-man. Sitting here crying like a baby..." Spike laughed weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

"No, Spike. Everyone cries. Even a tough chit like me cries. You've seen it. You have to let it out every once in a while or you'll go mad."

She fingered his blonde curls. He lifted Buffy onto his lap and put his head on her shoulder.

"I wish we could stay here like this..."

"We can for as long as you like, pet." Buffy ghosted her fingers along the side of his face.

She felt like weeping herself. Seeing him like this not being able to fix it was killing her. Buffy remembered the night she found the Slayer sitting on his back porch crying, when he'd learned of his mother's illness, afraid for her life. Buffy had gone there to kill him, originally, but the moment she saw him the only thing she wanted to do was make his pain stop, to make him smile again.

"I love you," she said softly.

"I--I think I love you too. But--I don't know what I feel. I know that's not what you want to hear--"

She looked at him and smiled. "Spike, I can wait until you're sure to hear it. I wouldn't want you to say it if you didn't mean it."

"What if I'm never sure? It--wouldn't be fair to you. You deserve someone who--"

"I--love--you. Understand? Being with you here, like this...holding each other..." Buffy took a deep breath to keep from getting too emotional, he didn't need her to get all blubbery on him in his fragile state. "It's more than I could ever ask for...I'll take whatever you can give me. I know you care about me and that's good enough."

He tilted his head up to press their lips together.

"Hey, you wanna see the renovations I've made downstairs?" she asked, trying to take his mind off his troubles if only for a moment. "Very posh, if I do say so myself."

"Sure," Spike said with a weak smile. He was emotionally exhausted.

"C'mon."

She pulled him up and over to the hole in the floor then climbed down. He followed her.

"Well? What do you think?" Buffy spread her arms wide.

Spike was impressed. There were a few lamps (how did she get electricity in here anyway?), a table, an over-stuffed chair, a few tapestries hanging on the walls, a makeshift bar and the most prominent feature, a huge bed, covered with cream-colored silk sheets. He smiled.

"Wow! Looks great, Buffy. Where'd you get all this stuff?" He looked at her suspiciously. "You didn't steal it did you?"

"No. I scavenged it. Even did a few odd jobs for some blokes to get the dosh for some it. So, no law breaking was done by me...this time."

Spike smiled, pursing his lips. "Okay then. It does look good. Almost makes you forget you're surrounded by corpses..."

Buffy walked up to him and put her arms around him. "Your mates will come round, pet. They need time, is all."

"Maybe." He rested his forehead against hers.

"We've got the tentative approval of your Mum. And the Nibblet was practically doing bloody cartwheels. They're the most important ones to win over."

"Why does everything have to be such a struggle? Don't we have enough obstacles to get past without my friends giving us a hard time? I knew it was going to be bad..."

"Did they change your mind about anything? Do you still want me? And keep in mind that if you say that you've decided not to give us a go, you can just--" she swallowed hard, "--just bloody well stake me right now."

Spike pulled her against him tightly and kissed her deeply. He wanted her to know he still felt the same way about her. He finally broke the kiss.

"Does that answer your question?" He smiled.

"Yeah, I s'pose it does," she panted for unneeded breath.

She grinned and plastered her lips back on his. She wanted him so much, he was like a drug to her. Only a short time without touching him and she had been climbing the walls. She needed her fix in the form of a hot, Spike injection. She pulled his t-shirt out of the waistband of his jeans. He put his hands on hers to stop her.

"Buffy...I don't think I can right now. I still want you, but I'm just..."

"S'okay, luv." Buffy hid her disappointment.

She wanted him bad--but the scene with his friends (she just knew that the Whelp was the main one who upset him, the wanker) had taken a lot out of him. She could wait until he was in the mood.

"Can we just--" Spike looked at the bed. "Could we lay here, together...for a while?" he asked, looking apologetic.

Buffy smiled and kissed him softly. "Anything you want, Spike-pet."

They got on the bed and laid down together. She laid in his arms with a hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating reassuringly under her palm. She felt more at peace than she could ever remember being. Having this was even better than the sex--well--this was good too. It proved that she was more than just a good--make that a great--fuck to him. She cuddled up against him, a sigh of contentment escaping her lips. They were quiet for a few minutes.

"I can't believe the way Xander talked to me..." Spike said quietly.

"What'd he say?"

"Oh, he said lots of stuff. Lots of nasty, shitty stuff. One thing was that you'd get the chip out and start killing again."

Spike couldn't say that he hadn't had the same thought. He prayed she wouldn't but...

Buffy clenched her teeth but thought of the lessons she'd learned from her anger management tapes she'd been listening to.

'Calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean--blue like my Slayer's eyes...' She breathed in and out, feeling the anger melting away.

"He said that, did he? Well, what's he know? I could give a toss about the Whelp's opinion, he can go get stuffed...The question is, do you think I'd do that?" She looked up at him.

"I--want to believe that you wouldn't."

Buffy raised up on one elbow and looked down at him. "I'm tellin' you now, Slayer, I'd be free of one bloody inconvenient government chip...but nothing could make me risk what we have. Nothing."

"Can you really do it? Go against your nature like that? It wouldn't be easy..."

Spike's breathing was becoming more labored, the intensity of her gaze was heating him up from the inside out. She meant what she was saying, he could tell.

"For you? God--pet...I'd move the Heavens and the bloody Earth for you. I love you. I won't make you regret being with me." Buffy's eyes were alight with love and passion.

Spike hadn't thought he was going to be up to anything tonight, but he was getting turned on by the depth of her feelings for him. It was true that Buffy was not a typical vampire, she broke all the rules. If any of them could go against their demon, it was her.

He put his hand on the side of her face and brought her down to his mouth. They kissed and touched each other lightly. Buffy smiled when she felt his cock getting hard against her thigh.

"Pet--I thought you didn't want to--"

"Changed my mind...Slayer's purgative." He kissed her neck softly.

Buffy laughed. "You mean perogative, pet?" He was just too cute.

Spike raised his head to look at her.

"Here's a tip: Correcting my grammar? Not sexy." He winked.

He did find it sexy. Buffy had hid her smarts for a long time behind her tough, street-wise exterior. Spike liked the thought of being with a woman who was intelligent as well as physically attractive.

"I don't know. I could be the naughty English teacher, you could be my recalcitrant student...who needs some special attention..." She curled her tongue behind her teeth.

"Recalcitrant, eh? I'll pretend I know what that means...am I a bad boy?" He traced her jugular with his tongue.

"Ahhh--Oh yeah, you're soooo bad, luv." Buffy closed her eyes. "Might have to use the paddle on you..."

Spike's dick stood up and saluted. He'd really enjoyed spanking her last night while they fucked (had it only been last night since they first got together?) he wondered what it would be like for her to do that to him...would he like being on the receiving end too? He had a sneaking suspicion that he would. He rolled her over on her back and kissed her passionately as they pulled at each other's clothes.


 

"Stupid Slayer..." Riley mumbled into his beer. "Thinks he can take my Platinum Baby away from me. Well I'll show him."

Spike probably used some kind of eerie, Slayer mind-control power to make Buffy fall for him...and to make her call out his name when Riley was making sweet love to her. That really burned him up. Why couldn't Buffy be happy with him? He did everything with her happiness in mind.

"Hey, I don't want no trouble," Willy said nervously.

"Oh, there's gonna be trouble all right! I'm going to--" Riley said menacingly.

"Not you, Einstein," Willy said. "I was talking to her." Willy pointed to the entrance of the bar.

Riley turned on the barstool and saw the Slayer's girlfriend, Susy or Amy or something like that. She was outfitted in dark green combat fatigues and holding a large gun.

"How's business, Willy?" Sam asked, fingering the barrel of her weapon.

"Uh--not bad...You--want a drink? On the house, of course. And how's the Slayer? You two make such a--"

"He's an idiot! We're not together anymore," Sam shouted.

Everyone in the bar froze. A pissed off woman wearing army fatigues and carrying an automatic weapon spelled trouble. Some of the customers discreetly slipped out the back.

Sam looked at Riley, he thought he might piss himself. She narrowed her eyes.

"You. I know you. You shot me with a crossbow. You're Buffy's not-so-little friend."

"Um--Hi! How are you? You seem all better now, good for you! I'll just be going now, I have a doctor's appointment--" Riley tried to breeze past her but she blocked his path.

"Where's your girlfriend?" Her eyes glinted dangerously. "I need to have a little chat with her."

"I--I don't know. And I don't care!" he said haughtily. "It's all that asshole Slayer's fault--Oh! I hate him so much! He made my Blondie Bear turn on me! She kicked me out..." Riley hung his head. "She said his name when we were--together..." he whispered.

Sam felt something she never thought she would for a creature like Riley. Sympathy.

"Sorry. Those two...they don't know enough to stay away from each other. Maybe...we could help them understand..."

Riley looked up at her. "You--and me?" he squeaked.

He wasn't too keen on spending another minute near the trigger happy woman. Although, if she had a plan to break up the Slayer and Buffy, it might be worth the risk. She wasn't too bad looking either-- actually kind of hot--for a weak human.

"You up for it? Seems like you'd like a little slice of vengeance yourself," she asked.

Sam thought it was a shame that a handsome guy like Riley had been vamped. He looked so wholesome, or at least he probably had been once.

"Yes. I'll do anything to get Buffy back." He brushed his floppy dark-blonde hair out of his eyes.

"Can't say much for your taste in women, but you're welcome to help. One thing though, if you try to bite me, you're toast."

"No biting! I swear! Scout's honor!"

"You were a scout?"

"No, but I ate one once." He laughed.

He stopped abruptly when she scowled at him.

"Kidding! Just kidding! Just a little--vampire humor. So--uh--what do we do about them?"

"Let's go somewhere--more private to talk."

Sam planned on exterminating the pest that was Buffy with extreme prejudice. But Riley didn't have to know that. He could prove useful setting Buffy up for the fall. Maybe she'd put Riley out of his misery too when this was over.

They walked out of the bar together.


 

Spike and Buffy laid on the bed in post-coital bliss.

"Mmm--pet." She kissed and nibbled at his earlobe. "Brilliant, as always. Too bad fucking isn't an Olympic event. We'd win the gold..." He grinned at her. "You wanna try to get some sleep?"

"I can't stay," Spike said regretfully. "I'd like to, but I've got to take that test tomorrow. And Mom would be worried if I didn't come home..."

"I understand..."

She did. But she didn't have to like it. She wanted her beautiful, blonde Slayer to stay here in her arms.

"Maybe tomorrow night..." He brushed her hair away from her face.

"It's nice--waking up with you."

"Yeah. I liked waking up next to you too." Spike grinned and kissed her.

He groaned as he got out of bed and started getting dressed.

Buffy watched him dress with a small smile on her face.

He bent down for one last kiss. She fought the urge to grab onto him and keep him here with her, making love all night like they did before.

"I'll come by after school tomorrow, if nothing apocalypsy comes up," he joked.

"See you then, Spike-pet." She smirked.

Spike climbed up to the first level and out of the crypt.

Buffy sighed, missing his body next to hers already.

"Come on. Toughen up!" she said, talking to herself. "You're over a hundred bloody years old. You can spend one night without him...without his arms around you, without his heart beating like a drum against your body, without feeling his skin sliding...Oh, for fuck's sake!"

She punched her pillow. Then rolled over and attempted to get some sleep.


 

Chapter 4

The next day, Spike, Willow and Tara sat at a table at the Espresso Pump after classes.

Spike hadn't said much since they sat down. He was preoccupied. Worried...that he would run into Sam today.

"How did you do on the test?" Tara asked him, trying to draw him into conversation.

"Hmm? Oh, the test. I probably failed it," he said, taking a sip of his espresso.

"Don't be such a Negative Nelly!" Willow scolded him. "You know the material, I'm sure you did fine."

Spike shrugged.

"Spike, are you okay?" Tara asked gingerly.

"Not really...Last night really shook me up." He sighed.

"Xander's sorry he went off like that. He said so." Willow fiddled with a napkin.

She wanted to get her friends to make nice.

"I don't care. I'm too pissed off at him right now." Spike frowned.

"Give him a chance to--" Willow began.

"A chance to do what? Tell me how crazy I am again? Tell me my girlfriend is evil and should be dusted? Or that I'm a lousy Slayer and my fuck ups cause people to die?" he said sarcastically. "Thanks, but no thanks."

"You're not going to forgive him? Spike...we've been friends for a long time."

"I know, Wills." He held her hand. "I wouldn't even be alive today if it weren't for you guys. I love Xander like a brother--but I can't be around him. Not now."

"But maybe--in the future?" she asked.

"Maybe," he said noncommittally.

"Hey," Sam walked up to their table and greeted them with an awkward smile.

"Sam--Hi! How--are you?" Willow asked.

"I'm--doing okay. How are you guys?" She glanced at Spike.

"Fine," Tara said.

"I'm good," Spike said quietly.

"Um--Spike? Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?" Sam bit her lip.

"S-Sure." He got up and collected his napsack and cup. "I'll talk to you guys later," he said to Willow and Tara over his shoulder.

"Bye..." Willow and Tara said.

Sam and Spike walked out of the shop together.


 

"What's--uh--on your mind?" Spike asked nervously, as they walked along the path together.

"I just wanted to say--I still like you Spike," Sam said. "I admire you a lot too. I hope that we can still be friends..."

He looked at her, slightly in shock. He didn't expect to hear that. Curses and epithets maybe, but not that.

"Really? You're okay with us--not being together?"

"If I had a choice? Yes, I'd want to work it out with you...but I still think you're an amazing person. I'd still like to have you in my life."

"Wow, Sam...You're one hell of a woman...I'm--sorry that things didn't work out for us. But I know you'll find that certain someone too."

"Too?" she played dumb, her fingernails dug into her palms.

"Uh--You know--we're all looking for that person that--fits us like a glove. Hopefully, we'll all find the one we belong with, the long haul guy or gal..."

He could kick himself for slipping up. Somehow he didn't think that Sam would be quite as cordial if she knew that he was already in another relationship--and with Buffy, at that.

Samantha Jones smiled wanly, then offered, "Yeah, hopefully."

"I'd still like to be your friend too." He smiled. "Listen, I have to get home, my mom wanted me to fix the screen door on the porch, but--I'm glad we talked."

"Me too, Spike. I'll see you soon." She walked down the path to the left and waved at him.

Spike waved back, breathing a sigh of relief. He was surprised and impressed with Sam's attitude. She was going to make some guy very happy someday (as long as the guy didn't want a blowjob). He walked to the bus stop to get a ride home. He wanted his own car desperately, but never could manage to pass the damn driver's test.

Sam watched Spike walk away, her previously happy and forgiving demeanor was long gone.

'He believed me. Step one is accomplished. I'll have to do some work to totally convince him that I want to be his friend, but I can do that. I'll take care of Step 2 tonight and Riley is going to start Step 3. So far, so good. I will have my man back. And most of all, Buffy will pay for meddling in my life.'

A slow smile spread over her face at the thought of what she had in store for the vampire. She couldn't wait.


 

At a little after 5 o'clock, Spike ran into Buffy's crypt, slightly out of breath from running across town and racing a cruel bus driver who was known around the Espresso Pump as "the ass with gas". Buffy stood up from her chair and smiled. Her whole body thrummed with excitement in his presence.

"Sorry, I'm later than I thought I'd be."

"All that matters is that you're here now, luv." She sauntered over to him.

They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed hungrily, running their hands over the other's body. She was able to pretend otherwise, but she'd been practically chewing her nails to the nubs, waiting for him. She was ready to bolt out of the crypt and find him as soon as the sun set enough to allow her to travel freely.

He pulled back. "I can't stay," he said breathlessly.

"Say that again?"

"Uh--I said I can't stay. I'm sorry, it's not my choice."

"Someone puttin' a gun to your head, babe?" she asked, annoyed.

"My mom wants to have a 'family night'. Just the three of us. I can't back out of it. I'll make it up to you..."

Buffy turned and walked away a few steps. She had been very amiable and easy going since they'd gotten together, biting her tongue and making an extra effort not to let her temper get the better of her. This time she couldn't hide her displeasure. She had been looking forward to seeing him and spending the night with him so much. She also felt some irrational jealousy/hurt that she wasn't included in any Summers family activities. Wasn't she his girlfriend now? Shouldn't she be there too?

"So basically, you came here just to tell me you couldn't stay?" she asked lighting up a smoke, flipping her Zippo open and closed with sharp flicks of her wrist.

"What else was I going to do? You don't have a phone."

"Fine." She got a bottle of vodka out of the mini-fridge then walked over to her chair, flopping down to watch some TV. "Run on home then."

"What? You're mad?" Spike asked.

It wasn't like this was his fault. Hadn't she been listening to him?

"Nope. Don't know how you got that impression. I'm just dandy." She took a swig of vodka.

"I explained it to you. I have to be there. Mom was pretty cool about us. If she wants a family night, then I think I owe her that," Spike reasoned.

"You still here?" Buffy said, not taking her eyes off the television.

"Great. You want to act like a spoiled brat? Fine. Sorry I even fucking bothered to tell you!" He stormed out, slamming the door.

"Bollocks." Buffy blew out a puff of smoke. "Now he's pissed at me."

Upon reflection, she regretted throwing the small temper tantrum. She tried to think reasonably.

"He really was disappointed that he couldn't stay...he's not purposely tryin' to stay away...it's a family thing. With any luck I'll be included in those...eventually. But--not if I act like a prat. I'll stop by the house later. Make up with him. Hmm, make up sex...we haven't had that yet..."

She sank into the chair, closing her eyes and thinking of all the things she wanted to do to him. She'd make up for her fit of pique any way he wanted.


 

Riley spotted the Slayer leaving the cemetery in a huff.

'Aw, trouble in paradise?' He giggled, clapping a hand over his mouth.

It wouldn't do for Spike to notice him. Not yet. Riley hoped that Sam (or Samantha, as he preferred to call her, it was just a lot prettier) would keep her promise and protect him from the Slayer. He continued on into the cemetery, choosing a good hiding place so that he could watch Buffy's crypt. He got out the little notepad Samantha had given him and noted the time that he saw Spike leave.


 

Sam walked around the old factory, inspecting it. It was the same factory that Buffy and Angel had used as a lair when they first came to Sunnydale. The building was run down, but still appeared to be structurally sound. It would be suitable for her purposes. Now, to clean it up a bit and get the equipment she needed set up. She got out her cell phone on the way back to her car and started calling some of her friends from the Initiative that were still hanging around Sunnydale. She was sure they'd be willing to lend a hand.
 

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