He opened his eyes to see her smiling at him sinisterly.

He thought, with no small measure of amusement. He should’ve known she wasn’t gonna let him just get away with his earlier performance - Buffy never let anything go. She was definitely going to make him suffer. Many hours of potential torment awaited him. Spike wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry - she might just kill him this time. Either his prick would explode or he would simply expire from sheer frustration.

She unbuttoned his jeans, leaving the zipper up and then casually licked the flesh she’d just exposed, carefully avoiding the half inch of cock sticking out of his waistband.

Yup. She was definitely going to kill him.

He’d already worked himself into an agonized state of arousal over the course of the morning. Between being interrupted earlier and the little S&M session he’d just had with her he was more than ready for release. Didn’t look like she had any intention of letting him have it though. Not any time soon anyway – too busy tormenting him with her tongue at the moment.

Buffy occupied herself with the flat plane of his stomach, taking her time with leisurely licks and nibbles. She stopped at his navel once more for a taste and then made her way to his hipbones. She licked each curve of muscle in the hollow that lead to his groin making him groan pitifully. She ignored him of course and kept right on with what she was doing, eventually making her way back to his chest. She settled on his left nipple, gently taking it in her mouth and sucking it.

Spike was wholly unprepared for the sharp bite that followed. He snarled in frustrated pleasure, eyes flashing yellow. One more like that and all his vows of waiting till she asked to be bitten would be bloody out the window. He gave her a low growl of warning and she grinned back at him mischievously.

“ What’s a matter, Big Bad? Can’t take it?”

“ Oh, you are playing with fire, Kitten.”

“ I told you, I like fire.”

She straddled him then, grinding against his erection with intent.

“ Fire pretty.”

And she kissed him slowly and deeply until his head was swimming and he was drowning in her once again.

Gently she parted from him to sit upright, straddling his hips – the sultry heat of her burning him through his jeans. With agonizing care she removed her shirt and tossed it and her dangling bra to the floor, leaving her smooth golden torso naked to his gaze. She was still wearing her jeans, though they were unbuttoned and partially unzipped - barely showing the top of her neatly trimmed chestnut curls. He found the effect incredibly devastating.

She lowered herself to him again, warm meeting cool, flesh to flesh. Her perfect breasts flush against his chest as she nuzzled his neck, licked his collar bone and nibbled his earlobe.

Surely he would die soon.

This torment couldn’t go on forever…

Buffy rose up to kiss him, sucking his lower lip into her mouth and finally biting it. He couldn’t suppress the small moan that escaped him, making her smile wickedly. With infinite slowness she slid down his body, dragging her hard nipples down his chest and stomach, scalding him with her body heat. When she got to his groin she paused and breathed with purpose over the solid bulge in his pants.

“ God, Buffy…yer killin’ me, Love.”

She just smirked at him and moved to unzip his jeans.

He was so hard right now that it hurt. Every nerve was alive and sensitized, eager for her slightest touch. When she finally unzipped him his cock sprang free with a small bounce, as if it resented being confined. Spike was practically shaking with pent up desire. She wouldn’t have to ask him to beg if she waited much longer…

Buffy settled herself comfortably between his legs, grinning with evil intent. A line from a favorite movie occurred to him then;

When she clutched him in her hot little hand it was almost enough to make him come right there.

He held on by the barest thread, knowing her next move could be his undoing.

Resting casually on her elbows she played with him. Toyed with his cock like she didn’t have a care in the world - as if he weren’t about to shred the sheets in frustration. She’d give it a few strokes then stop and swirl her thumb over the head. Then she’d squeeze him firmly until he groaned and then move on to something else, never staying in one place too long.

Spike was quite certain he was in Hell.

As good as her attentions felt they did nothing to relieve the tension that had now grown to Vesuvian proportions inside him. His balls were going to detonate any minute now, he was sure of it.

When he felt her tongue on him at last he almost jumped out of his skin. Buffy gifted him with a series of torturous licks, circling the head and up and down the shaft. Using the lightest of strokes she tormented him with her little pink tongue until he thought he would go mad on the spot.

“Buffy, Baby…please…”

She smiled at him like the cat that ate the cream, pleased with herself. At the moment he couldn’t care less, just as long as she touched him…

Finally, finally she took his painfully throbbing erection in to her mouth. He nearly lost it then, it took every ounce of self-control he possessed to keep himself in check. He tried picturing unsexy things. Chaos demons dripping with goo. Fyarl snot. The weeping sores of a Balrog. It wasn’t doing much good…

There, all better. If that didn’t distract him, nothing would. Best not to think about it too much though. If he went completely soft, Buffy might get the wrong idea. Though when she sucked him all the way to the back of her throat he figured there wasn’t much danger in that.

She pulled him out of her mouth slowly, skating her tongue along the underside the whole way. When she got to the head she scraped it purposefully with her teeth. The pleasure-pain of it did nothing to placate his demon, which had been screaming at him for the past hour.

But that wasn’t the worst thing. That wasn’t the thing that was driving him slowly out of his mind at the moment. Oh no.

It was the look on her face.

She looked sexy and disheveled and fully in charge of herself – not to mention him. She looked like there was nothing on earth she’d rather be doing than sucking his cock. Like it was the best thing she’d ever tasted and she would gladly spend all night between his legs. He knew exactly how she felt.

And it was killing him.

She loved him and she wanted him – as deeply and ravenously as he wanted her. The knowledge burned him almost as much as the feel of her hot, wet mouth devouring him. She didn’t have to break him, he was already her willing slave. And if she wanted him to beg, he would without pride or pain. He would give her anything and everything she wanted.

Because he just couldn’t help himself.

He had been hers body and soul from the moment he realized he was in love with her. It was simply his nature; to give all to the woman he loved. He didn’t know how to hold back or to half-ass it - Spike was an all-or-nothing kinda guy. And William would settle for nothing less than full devotion.

He thought ruefully, reaching out to stroke the glossy crown of her head.

Still, he wouldn’t trade it for anything, not a moment. Even if it meant he might lose her someday soon. The little bit he’d experienced with her was the best he’d ever had. She was worth every moment of pain and suffering he might have to endure - she’d far surpassed his dreams already …

Buffy was as beautiful close up as she was from afar, she radiated light. She made him laugh, she made him weep – and she could kick his ass, or at least give him a good run for his money. And if all that weren’t enough she was wildly passionate in ways he never dared hope. She met him stroke for stroke

Everywhere he wanted to go, everything he wanted to do – she was willing. This gorgeous, deadly girl was the most amazing sexual experience of his life. And they hadn’t even actually had sex yet. And God, if they ever got ‘round to it … he’d probably burst into flames.

To be inside all that heat…

He cut the thought off hastily. He couldn’t afford any naughty thinking right now.

It was difficult enough trying to distract himself from her feverish mouth…

She sucked him hard then, cheeks hollowing on the way up. All thought left his brain abruptly. Buffy locked eyes with him, hypnotic smoky jade holding his gaze while she worked him over. He was captivated. She added her hand, twisting slightly on the up stroke and he moaned helplessly, completely under her power now.

Spike was losing the battle for mastery over his body; she was simply too much for him. He couldn’t fight the deadly onslaught of her wicked mouth. All too soon he felt his climax building to the breaking point. Always the gentleman, he warned her between pants;

“ Can’t…hold back… much longer, Pet…”

He thought she might stop then, pull back or perhaps use only her hand, but there was no hesitance in her movements. If anything she became more vigorous, using her hand and mouth in perfect unison. He could no more resist their motion than the tides could resist the moon. Before he knew it he was sucked into the undertow and drowning with the force of the orgasm that broke over him.

Spike came with a primordial howl, his demon released at last – eyes glinting yellow, deadly fangs extended. Buffy shivered in reaction, inexplicably aroused by the display. It stirred something deep inside her she was barely aware of; her Slayer nature responding to the call of its true mate.

The demon that lay at the heart of her being rejoiced in finding her counterpart at last. All this time she had been waiting for him, discarding the worthless suitors that had tried to claim her. Their weakness and fear revolted her – but not this one. He had no fear; he would claim what was his. She tasted his rightness on her tongue, smelled it on his skin – and was most pleased.

Buffy finished him off with a swirling lick, thoroughly enjoying the taste of him. She never thought she would like that, but something about Spike… Every bit of him was just plain delectable.

He lay back in dazed contentment, hardly able to comprehend that the angelic beauty before him had just given him the blowjob of a lifetime. She kissed his belly affectionately and crawled up the bed to snuggle in beside him.

He sighed happily and pulled her close, feeling like the luckiest bloke in the world. And it was only the beginning – so much lay ahead of them. There were so many things he wanted to show her, to teach her. She’d never even been off continent! A whirlwind trip to Europe unfolded in his mind, Rome, London, Paris…he’d give her the world wrapped up in a neat little bow - a fitting gift for his princess. He was picturing moonlight strolls along the Seine and mad shags at the top of the Eiffel Tower when Buffy’s voice broke in on his planning;

“ Whatcha thinkin’ bout?”

He smiled at her adoringly and tucked a golden strand of hair behind her ear.

“ You.”

“ Again?” She teased.

“Always.”

And he rolled her to him for a sweet, lingering kiss.

Buffy’s cell phone chose this inopportune moment to go off on the night table.

“ Ignore it, Love.” He pulled her closer, molding her body to his.

“ Oh, I plan to.” She said, moving in to devour his succulent mouth.

The little phone stopped ringing as it transferred into her voice mail.

She thought busying herself with the sweet fullness of his lower lip.

Her phone began ringing again a moment later.

“Dammit!” she cursed, rolling sideways off his lap to check the caller ID, it was Willow. “This better be important.” She growled picking up the phone.

“ What’s up, Wil?”

“ I think we found something. Can you come to the shop?”

“ When?” She stared longingly at Spike who was laid out before her like a Calvin Klein ad; all sexy and shirtless with just the top button of his form-fitting jeans undone, showing off the commando state of affairs below.

“ Well, now actually. It’s important, Buffy.”

Buffy let out a small whimper of frustration.

“ Alright, alright. I’ll be there soon.”

“ Great. Bye.”

Buffy clicked her phone shut with an aggravated snap. She looked at him regretfully.

“Baby, I have to go.”

“ Damn. Scooby business? Somethin’ bout you?”

“ Yeah.” She said listlessly. “Willow said it was important.”

“ If it was for any other reason…”

“ I know.” She sighed, feeling annoyed. The last thing she wanted to do right now was leave him.

He snuggled up behind her and nuzzled her neck affectionately.

“ S’all right, Love. There’s always tonight. I could take you out…” He nibbled her ear, “ Or keep you in…”

Buffy nuzzled back, cuddling closer.

“ Mmmm. Quality Spike time. Sounds perfect.”

He wrapped his arms around her tightly.

“ Lemme spoil you, Kitten. I’ll take care of you all night.”

She smiled brightly at the thought.

“ It’s a definite date.”

She kissed him sweetly then, loathe to leave the comfort of his arms. But if she waited much longer she wouldn’t go… She’d get sucked back into the velvet warmth of their bed and that’d be it for the rest of the day. Buffy disengaged herself gently.

“ Guess I’d better shower.” There was a marked lack of enthusiasm in her tone. “You gonna show me where the hose is?”

Spike looked deeply offended.

“ Hey now! I’m not an animal – it’s a proper shower.”

She tilted her head and looked at him skeptically.

“ Really? Cause I’m picturing something you MacGuyvered together with duct tape and a rain gutter.”

“ Underestimatin’ me as usual.” He snorted derisively, shaking his head. “ It just so happens I know a demon contractor who owed me a favor or three. Had a shower and sink installed, plus a few other necessities.”

“ Like a toilet?”

She asked, not relishing the thought of another precarious squat in the tunnel.

“ Like a towel rack and medicine cabinet. Don’t need a toilet.”

“ Oh. I just thought with Faith staying here maybe -”

He cut her off;

“ She never stayed here.”

Buffy looked doubtful.

“ No?”

“Not really, no.”

“ How come?”

Spike shrugged non-commitally.

“ Didn’t want her here. This is my space - my…place. Didn’t wanna share it with anyone.”

“ But you let me stay…”

She said, fishing a little. He faced her resting his hands on her shoulders.

“ Cause you’re the exception, Pet – to every rule.” He smiled. “ Now about that shower…”

Spike took her hand in his and gave her the grand tour of the facilities, taking up exactly 5 minutes including the interludes for kissing.

“I could join you, ya know…help you with those hard to reach areas.”

He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“ Spike...”

She warned, feeling her already jello-y resolve wavering.

“ Come on, Baby…”

He gave her an adorable pout, doing his best to be irresistible – not like it was a stretch. She shook her head at him, smiling.

“ But Buffy-”

She cut him off with a raise of her hand.

“ Nothing you’re about to say leads to me getting clean.”

“ True.” He grinned wickedly.

“ Don’t make this any harder…”

She pouted back at him.

“ Harder, eh?”

Buffy smacked his arm with a laugh.

“ Stop it, you big perv.”

He smiled genuinely at her, enjoying their easy rapport.

“ Alright, alright. I’ll stop. But can I at least watch? Always been a dream a mine to watch you shower…”

Spike sighed lustfully.

“ Only if you promise not to do anything pervy.”

He grinned triumphantly.

“ Done.”

Somehow she just didn’t believe him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy found Willow and Giles at the Magic Box an hour later. Willow looked ready to pop from excitement. She bounced eagerly in place grinning.

“ What is it, Wil? Tell me before you explode.”

“ It’s just that we found something -”

Giles came forth with an open book in his hands, interrupting her. Willow shot him her ‘Glare of Death’. She wanted to be the one to tell…

“ In our research we discovered a passage in the Book of Tarnis about the monks you encountered.”

Buffy glanced down at the pages in front of her frowning.

“ The ones who made Dawn?”

“ Precisely.” He began flipping through the book. “ Their order was initially Franciscan but split into their own sect after the discovery of the Key - sometime in 1289. Once they realized how powerful, and potentially dangerous, it was they created a covert sect to protect it.”

Willow broke in;

“ Ooo, and those Renaissance Festival-type guys that’ve been chasing you?”

“ Yeah?”

“ They were originally part of the Knights of Templar.”

She said triumphantly, giddy with so much barely-contained knowledge.

“ Which means what?”

Buffy looked at her expectantly.

“ Nothin’. I just thought it was cool.”

Giles seemed to find the page he was looking for.

“ Yes, the son of the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Etienne de Molay began the sect after his father was burned at the stake for heresy in 1314.” He scanned the pages in front of him, reciting information. “ King Philip of France began persecuting the knights in 1307… He wanted their vast wealth to fight a war with Edward I, it’s purported he was also threatened by their power and immunity within the Church.” He stabbed a finger into the book. “ Here it is - Jacque de Molay was wrongfully executed by Pope Clement and his son vowed to continue his father’s work. That’s when the Knights of Byzantium were founded.”

Buffy was unmoved by this show of intellectual prowess.

“ Fascinating. And this has to do with me how?”

“ Er- yes. I do apologize. Ahem. We discovered some information regarding the Order of Dagon – the monks you met up with. It seems one of their most recent members – Brother Ibrahim, kept a journal. An account of all that has transpired in the order over the past 25 years, including the spell that transformed the Key into, well … Dawn. The council only recently acquired it, after Brother Ibrahim died at the hands of Glory and her minions several months ago.”

Buffy jumped into pro-active mode.

“ So how do we get our hands on this thing?”

Willow grinned at her.

“ We already have, Buffy. Giles has the hook-up.”

Giles raised his eyebrows at that.

“ Indeed. I had to call in a rather large favor from an old associate still connected to the Council – but we did obtain it. Not entirely legally…”

Buffy put a hand to her chest in mock dismay.

“ Giles! You did something naughty? And possibly illegal?”

He looked nonplussed.

“ Well, ah…yes, actually.”

She patted his arm affectionately.

“ I’m so proud.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For what had to be the tenth time that week Buffy found herself settled at the research table, a pile of large and rather musty old books in front of her. If she spent any more time here she’d have to start paying rent – Anya would insist on it.

Giles and Willow had spent the last fifteen minutes catching her up on the history of the Knights of Byzantium, Glory and the Order of Dagon. Her head was swimming with so much new information. It wasn’t getting her home again – although at this point she didn’t know if that was really what she wanted. She was so happy with Spike right now, and he was happy with her. It’d been forever since she felt this good…

But then again what if Dawn needed her? Or her Mom? She sighed in frustration. Why did things have to be so complicated? At least she was relieved from having to make any decisions at the moment - no one had a clue how to send her home yet.

Willow was vying for her attention, so she pushed the bad thoughts away and focused.

“ There’s something else, Buffy.”

Giles added;

“ Yes, we’ve uncovered quite a significant detail – and it pertains directly to you.”

She and Giles exchanged an inscrutable look and then Willow sat down next to her, studying her closely.

“ Buffy – the monk’s intention was for the key to be as protected as possible. They called on the essence of the Slayer to create her human form, so she would be physically bound to her guardian.”

Buffy nodded and said carefully;

“ Yeeaah. Hence with the sisterly thing.”

Willow continued;

“ Yes, but when they did it they tapped into every Slayer that was active at that time.”

Buffy was confused.

“ What?”

“ They created Dawn from Faith – because she was the Slayer on duty at the time. But Buffy, you were in self-induced retirement – no one ‘deactivated’ you.”

Giles interrupted;

“ If that’s even possible to do. As far as we know death is the only thing that…” He cleared his throat. “Well, you see what I mean.” After tactfully cleaning his glasses Giles continued;

“She is made from your essence, from both of you. In this reality she is tied to you and to Faith.”

Buffy’s mouth hung open in shock.

“It was always intended for the two of you to be her protectors.”

Willow took over for Giles;

“ They just didn’t get to finish the spell because of Glory’s interruption. So Buffy here never received her piece of the fabricated memories.”

Giles continued;

“ Nor did anyone else, so Dawn has been Faith’s sister alone. If it weren’t for your sudden appearance, none of us would be the wiser.”

Willow smiled at her gently.

“But really Dawn is sister to both of you.”

He leaned casually against a lamppost outside the Espresso Station - it was their usual meeting place. Spike was dreading this. He’d never done it before, not really - there’d never been a need. Usually he was the dumpee, not the dumper. But he and Buffy had agreed – the sooner, the better. And she was planning to show Captain America the door… He smirked at the thought.

Still, Faith was an alright girl, never did him any harm. He found himself nervous about hurting her.

He sighed. It was making him nostalgic for his formerly evil days. He’d probably just eat her then and be done with it. But there was no help for it, he had to break it off the hard way. The payoff was he’d be free then. Free to be with Buffy every minute of every day for as long as he could have her. He’d miss the Niblet though.

That gave him a pang.

He sighed again and lit up a smoke, feeling like a condemned man waiting for the executioner to show. Finally Faith sauntered into view and he swallowed, hoping not to bollocks it up too badly.

“ Hey, Handsome – I’ve been missin’ ya.”

She embraced him warmly and kissed his neck. And he thought he couldn’t be any more uncomfortable… Spike disengaged himself gently.

“ We have to talk, Faith.”

She smiled broadly, missing his cues entirely.

“ ‘Bout time. I was beginnin’ ta think you were avoidin’ me, Baby.”

“Yeah. About that…” He scratched the back of his head nervously. “It’s just… I’ve been doin’ some thinkin’, Pet.”

“ Should I be worried?” She gave him a saucy smile.

He looked back at her grimly. Her smile faded.

“ So maybe I oughta be then.”

“ Pet...I don’t know quite how to say this…”

She frowned at him, fidgeting under his heavy gaze.

“ Just spit it out, Spike. Yer makin’ me all anxious.”

“ Right.” He took a deep breath “ I think we should cool it off.”

“What?” Her tone was incredulous. “Cool what off? You mean us?”

“ Yes, I mean us.” He said evenly.

She looked stunned.

“ Why? I thought we had a good thing goin’ here.”

He kept his tone gentle, trying in vain to ease the blow.

“ We did. But we both know it’s not goin’ anywhere and never will.”

Suddenly he was faced with an extremely brassed-off Slayer, and he had a moment to wonder if she had any stakes at hand…

“ Where the hell is there to go, huh?” Her voiced rose angrily. “ What? You wanna get hitched all the sudden? Lookin’ to have a couple rug rats and settle down?” She crossed her arms and looked him up and down. ‘Cause I gotta say, those white picket fences might be bad for your health, Babe.”

He ignored the implied threat.

“ It’s not like that. I just want something more out of life. Been thinkin’ bout gettin’ out of here – seein’ the world again. Maybe gettin’ back to London.” And he had, it wasn’t a lie …exactly. He’d thought about it for the whole 15 minutes before he ran into Buffy. Spike shrugged off the unaccustomed guilt he was feeling and soldiered on. “ But I dunno what I’m gonna do yet.”

He reached out to hold her by the shoulders. Looking her in the eye he said;

“ Look, Faith – it’s not you. It’s me. Just something I’m goin’ through. I need some time to m’self to get my head on straight.”

She laughed bitterly and wrenched herself from his grasp.

“ It’s not you it’s me?! Is that the best you could come up with?” She was practically yelling now. “Damn! That’s like the oldest line in the book. Right after ‘I’ll call ya sometime’.”

“ You’d rather I lie to you?” He asked, incredulous.

“ Don’t do me any favors, Asshole.” She spat back.

He braved a look in her stormy black eyes.

“ For what it’s worth – I’m sorry.” He said earnestly.

She looked him over with utter contempt.

“Yeah. You really are.”

And with that she walked away, hips switching with irritation.

But at least it was over. He was free to be with Buffy without worrying about Faith. And even if a little sneakin’ around was fun – it didn’t sit well with his inner William. He always was a monogamous sort. And even if he wasn’t, he simply couldn’t imagine touching Faith now. Not after being with Buffy. So even if she left… he pushed the thought away. He’d made his bed. Time to lie in it.

There was someone he wanted to be lying there with, wasn’t there? Spike smiled contentedly and headed for home, visions of Buffy filling his head. There were some preparations he wanted to make before his date tonight.

He wanted everything to be perfect.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Faith stalked back towards town angrily. She couldn’t believe that guy – feeding her a line of bullshit like that. God! And she actually thought he cared about her.

“Stupid, stupid…” she muttered to herself.

She shoulda known better. Shoulda known not to get involved, not to trust. That shit never worked out. To think she was actually startin’ to fall for him.

Okay, maybe more than starting... And again – shouldn’t she know better?

She oughta get that on a t-shirt or tattoo it on her fuckin’ arm so she never forgot it again.

The thing was – this was like outta nowhere. She thought they were doing great until tonight. Then he goes and drops this bomb on her. I mean how was she supposed to react?

What’d he want anyway? She never asked him for nothin’, never made any demands. They had a good time, right? Why wasn’t that good enough?

Because I’m not good enough. I’m never good enough.

She viciously suppressed the impulse to cry, hating him all the more for making her feel that way. She never cried. She was tough. She was strong. And Momma always said;

Not ever. Not when they were scared or hungry or alone. Not when the power went off unexpectedly and you were by yourself in the dark. Not when the latest in a series of “Uncles” was telling you to “hold still and be quiet, this’ll only take a minute.”

Trickles started down her face and she swiped at them roughly. Faith wanted to bolt; she wanted to outrun this pain – these useless tears. She wanted to find a vamp and beat him to death with her bare hands. But most of all, in deep, dark places she barely knew were there, she wanted to be held while she cried.

She wanted to feel safe and loved and okay – just for a little while.

There was only one man left that she felt that way with.

She took off towards the Magic Box running.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Faith entered the back way, through the training room - like she usually did. She was about to open the door to look for Giles when a fragment of conversation caught her attention…

Willow’s voice carried through the door;

“ They created Dawn from Faith – because she was the Slayer on duty at the time. But Buffy, you were in self-induced retirement – no one ‘deactivated’ you.”

Faith cracked the door open just a sliver to hear better.

Giles broke in;

“ If that’s even possible to do. As far as we know death is the only thing that…” He cleared his throat. “Well, you see what I mean.” After an awkward pause he continued;
“She is made from your essence, from both of you. In this reality she is tied to you and to Faith.”

What?!

“It was always intended for the two of you to be her protectors.”

Willow took over for Giles then;

“ They just didn’t get to finish the spell because of Glory’s interruption. So Buffy here never received her piece of the fabricated memories.”

Giles finished for her;

“ Nor did anyone else, so Dawn has been Faith’s sister alone. If it weren’t for your sudden appearance, none of us would be the wiser.”

Willow spoke again, quietly – so Faith had to strain to hear her;

“But really Dawn is sister to both of you.”

What the HELL?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Faith couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Dawn was made from both of them? Tied to both of them? And now she’d have to what – share her freakin’ sister with Buffy?

She slipped out the back door again, feeling the need to get away and think, her earlier longing to talk to Giles all but erased by this sudden revelation. She headed out towards Restfield Cemetery, her natural instinct to patrol guiding her.

What the fuck was goin’ on today?

First Spike dumps her – and she never even saw it coming. It was like a lightening bolt from outta the blue. I mean, they weren’t ready to shack up and nobody was makin’ wedding plans but they were happy right? At least she thought they were.

They had fun together, fought well together. It was gettin’ so that the demons were afraid to show their faces in this town. The only ones they seemed to fight lately were the newbies. Plus - the sex was rockin’. Good enough that it made her wanna stick around after the first time.

And that never happens.

She never came out and said she loved him – ‘cause hell, she’d never said that to anyone ‘cept Dawn before. But he had to know right? Didn’t he?

Maybe he didn’t. Faith thought back over what he’d said to her today.

Crap. He didn’t know. Of course he didn’t. Because she never told him. And here she was blaming him and feeling all sorry for herself when she was the bad guy here. She’d been holdin’ out on him all this time, never realizing that he wanted the same thing she did all along.

Spike just wanted to be loved. Wanted something real. Just like everybody else.

Well, she’d just have to go talk to him and straighten this out. She’d just tell him the truth; that she loved him, and had for a long time. That she wanted it to be real between them.

That thought actually hurt her, ‘cause she cared about him so much. How the hell had she gone so long without telling him that? Her thoughts turned then to what she had told him. Just tonight.

She called him an asshole, told him off. Shit, she all but openly threatened him with a staking.

Fucking fuck.

She really needed to talk to him now. For the first time in longer than she could remember Faith had to apologize. And mean it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy could hardly believe the things she’d been told. It seemed like whenever she got her bearings in this crazy place something new would come along and yank the rug out from beneath her feet.

Connected to Faith?! … Jesus Christ!

She jumped up from her chair, pacing out her aggravation.

“ But, Giles, how is that even possible?! I mean Faith and I aren’t even related – so how could Dawn be sister to both of us? This doesn’t even make any SENSE!”

She threw up her hands in frustration. His voice was steady, seeking to calm her.

“ I realize that, Buffy. We were just as shocked as you are. But it seems they’d been planning this for months – researching your lives very carefully. Faith doesn’t know who her

father is-”

She cut him off.

“ I know, I know.” She flapped her hand dismissively, tired of Faith’s sob story.

As if that excuses anything…

“And her mother was a drunk, blah blah blah - what does that have to do with anyth- No! ” her eyes flew wide in shock. “They weren’t…they couldn’t…”

Giles nodded gravely.

“ They didn’t have the chance to, but yes. They planned to make Faith and Dawn your half sisters, and Hank their father.”

Buffy’s voice escalated in fury, her face flushing.

“ What RIGHT do they have to mess with people’s lives like this?! Do you know what that would have done to my mother? Not to mention me…as if our family wasn’t torn apart enough...”

Willow rushed to comfort her.

“ But it didn’t happen. They didn’t complete the spell.” She rubbed her arms soothingly. “You’re missing the important thing here, Buffy. Dawn is still part of you – she’s your family now. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“ Yes…of course – but it’s so confusing!” She sat down and put her head in her hands, feeling overwhelmed. “And I’m getting seriously tired of feeling like a pawn in someone else’s game.”

Giles’ voice was gentle;

“ This must feel terribly unfair to you, Buffy – but you have to understand that the Monk’s only thought was to protect the Key from Glory – at any cost. Whatever it is, whatever it does must have dire consequences for humanity.”

Buffy looked up at him, despondent.

“God, Giles. I just don’t know what to think anymore. Every time I turn around it seems like there’s a new and nasty surprise for me. First I get thrown into ‘Alterna-World’ where I have no sister and I’m suddenly retired, then I get ugly death dreams and now I find I’m sharing Dawn with Faith…of all people! My head is just spinning right now.”

Willow gave her a comforting squeeze.

“ I know, Sweetie, I know. But it’ll be alright – we’ll figure it out- untangle this mess somehow.”

“ Everyone keeps saying that! And every time someone says ‘it’ll be alright’ it just gets worse. I can’t even think right now.” She rose from the table, feeling ready to break down. There was only one place she wanted to be right now. “ I just need to go and think things through.”

“ Should I walk you-”

Buffy cut her off

“ No!” She softened her tone “ Thanks, Wil. But I just wanna be alone right now.”

“ Of Course, whatever you need. Just call me later and let me know you’re okay.”

Buffy gave her a forced smile.

“ Promise.”

And with that she snatched up her purse and jacket and dashed out the door.

Willow watched her friend’s hasty retreat, feeling helpless.

“ I really thought she’d take it better, Giles.” She said, watching Buffy through the front window.

She turned to look at him.

“ I mean, I thought she’d be happy! She missed Dawn so much…”

He studied the closed door thoughtfully.

“ As did I…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy practically ran back to Spike’s crypt, seeking comfort instinctively from him.

He was so wrapped up in his pre-date preparations that she managed to take him by surprise. He’d put sleek satin sheets on the bed and adorned the room in candles. Fresh cut flowers were scattered about – topped off by a center piece of a dozen long stem roses of the sweetest blush pink. Her very favorite.

She’d swear he could read her mind sometimes. She was deeply moved by his effort to create a special night for her. No one had ever done that before – not like this.

It made her want to cry even more.

He turned to see her trembling lip and tear-filled eyes.

“ Buffy…Baby, what is it?”

He immediately feared the worst.

Was she leaving him now? Tonight?

He enveloped her in his strong arms and she let go, finally feeling safe.

“ Oh, Spike things are so screwed up right now!” she sobbed.

He patted her back gently

“ Tell me, Love – what can I do?”

She clung to him tightly.

“ Just hold me please.”

He gave her a reassuring squeeze.

“ All night if you like.”

She smiled a little then and snuggled into his chest.

“ Thank you. This is just what I needed.”

He kissed the top of her head softly.

“ My pleasure. Now why don’t you sit down and tell old Spike all about it, eh?”

She pulled away reluctantly and let him lead her to the bed.

He held her hands and looked at her intently, internally bracing himself for the worst.

“ Is it bad, Buffy? Do you have to go now?”

She looked at him in surprise – that thought hadn’t even occurred to her.

“ God! No, Baby – I’m so sorry to worry you.”

He sighed in relief, the knot in his gut beginning to untangle itself.

“ It’s about Dawn.”

And the knot twisted itself up again.

“ Is she alright?” He asked anxiously.

“ I’m sorry – I’m handling this amazingly badly – She’s fine. Everyone is fine. I just got some crazy news today and it’s freakin’ me out a little – or a lot actually.”

He raised an inquiring eyebrow at her, waiting for her to elaborate.

“ Giles and Willow found out some stuff – about me and Dawn.”

“ Yeah?” He prompted.

“ I don’t know if you know this – but Dawn - her human self, was made from the Slayer’s essence. In my world she was made from me, and in this one, Faith.”

“ Which is why you thought she wasn’t really your Little Sis here.”

She nodded.

“ Right. Only it turns out that Dawn was made from the essence of all the active Slayers at the time…”

“ Meaning you and Faith.” He shook his head wonderingly. “ Christ, Love – no wonder you’re feelin’ a bit wonky.”

“ Yeah, just a bit.”

He pulled her into his arms then, rubbing her back gently.

“ It’ll be alright, Baby.”

She sighed and settled into his embrace, relaxing for the first time since she left him that afternoon.

“ Why is it that when you say it, I actually believe it?”

For a vampire and Slayer they were surprisingly tender. Eros hadn’t expected that. But here they were cuddled up like sweethearts – reminiscent of every other couple since time began. It seemed Love was the same everywhere you went. The thought warmed his heart, knowing that Love was a constant force in an ever-changing Universe.

His mother on the other hand, seemed bent on chaos. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what she was up to. Had they not completed the mission? The pair were well on their way to being mated. Should they not be returning the Slayer to her own place now?

But it seemed Aphrodite had other plans…

And it was beginning to worry him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Vampire held his Slayer in deep contentment, feeling as if he could stay this way forever. This was enough for him - to have her, hold her, to be by her side. Knowing that she loved him and needed him too. He had never dared to hope for so much. Spike found himself surprisingly and deeply grateful.

Buffy snuggled into his chest with a drowsy little hum. He smiled.

“Feeling better, Kitten?”

“Mmmm.”

“ Is that a ‘yes’?” He asked chuckling.

“ Mmmhmm.”

She nodded comfortably, not bothering to open her eyes.

“Bet I know what would make you feel even better…” He enticed, fishing for a response from the sleepy girl at his side. She peeled one eye open to look at him.

“ Hmmm…chocolate?” She asked hopefully.

“ Nope.”

She sat up slightly, curiosity piqued.

“ Um…Frivolous shoe buying?”

“ No.” He laughed.

Buffy seemed to consider her next guess thoughtfully;

“ How ‘bout multiple orgasms?”

“ No – well actually, now that you mention it…”

And he rolled her on her back and began kissing her neck.

“ Wait – you weren’t gonna say sex?” She asked, shocked.

He shook his head and went immediately back to nibbling her ear.

“ No, but I like your idea much, much better.”

And his hand wormed its way under her shirt to molest her further.

“ Then what were you gonna say?” She asked, trying to ignore his attempts at seduction.

He was busy unbuttoning her blouse.

“ Hmmm?”

And kissing her belly.

“ Spike?”

He just loved that sheer bra, it showcased her gorgeous tits perfectly.

“ Mmmmm.”

He nuzzled a nipple with deep affection.

“ Spike!” She gave him a playful shove. “Tell me!”

“ Alright, alright!” He groused. “ Quit yer pushin’ and I’ll tell ya.”

“So?” She looked at him expectantly. Spike sighed and pulled himself off of her, sitting back on the bed.

“ Impatient little chit…” He grumbled, only half-serious. “I was goin’ to say patrol.”

“ Ooo! Patrol.” And she got that malevolent gleam in her eye that meant death to evildoers everywhere.

“ So you like patrol better than sex with me, eh?” He pouted.

She gave him an indulgent smile and crawled into his lap.

“ Silly vampire, nothing is better than sex with you and you know it.”

He seemed unconvinced.

“ Even though we haven’t actually…” He trailed off, looking fretful.

“ Yes, even though we haven’t actually.” She reassured him. Looping her arms around his neck she looked him in the eye. “Spike, Sweetie – how can you not know that you’re the best I’ve ever had? It took half an hour for my toes to uncurl this morning.”

He narrowed his eyes at her petulantly.

“Just this morning?”

“ And this afternoon and probably tonight at least twice.”

She kissed the tip of his nose.

“ Only twice?” He asked, pushing it.

“ Oh my God, you are the absolute worst!” She hit him with the nearest pillow.

“ You love it, Baby.” He gave her his patented sexy smirk, tongue curling to touch his front teeth.

“ Who’s the Big Bad, eh?” And he pushed her back down on the bed by slow-crawling up her body.

“ More like a Big Bad pain in my ass.” She grumbled, trying not to give in.

He raised a wayward brow at her.

“ That could be arranged, Love…”

“ Oh!” She huffed, rolling him off of her. “You’ve got the dirtiest mind ever!”

“ Yeah.” He flashed her his cockiest grin. “Ain’t it great?”

Buffy couldn’t help it, she burst out laughing.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“ So I’m told.” He crooked his finger at her with a sly smile. “Now c’mere an’ kiss me.”

“ Alright, but only for a minute. Then I’m dragging your bad ass out on patrol.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘A minute’ turned into a half-hour makeout session which Buffy could not bring herself to regret in the least – in spite of her eagerness to get out on patrol. She was itchy for some action of the violent variety - it was the one area she was feeling deprived these days.

She was surprised to find how content she was at the moment actually. Given her current circumstances she should be climbing the walls. Yet here she was happy as can be, still pleasantly buzzing from the after-effects of Spike’s kisses.

The man was damn talented - passionate and skilled as she could ever hope for in a lover. How did she get so lucky?

Who knows? Who cares? As long as he’s mine.

She smiled with genuine pleasure at that. He was hers, as she most definitely was his. In the midst of a very chaotic life, this was the one thing that made sense. It was kinda amazing really, that in the middle of this whole mess they should find their way to each other.

“ I love you, you know.” She said seriously, looking up at him from her place at his side.

“Yeah?” He asked, still surprised and pleased to hear it. He stopped in front of her and took her in his arms. “ Love you too, Princess.”

“ I like it when you call me that.” She said, moving in for a kiss.

“ S’what you are.” He replied huskily. “ My Princess, My Queen.”

She twined her arms around his neck pulling him closer.

“Careful. That sounds like pedestal talk, Mister.” She smiled and kissed him again. “I’ve been known to fall from pedestals…”

“ Well then. I promise only to raise you high enough…” He grinned, pausing for the punchline;

“ So’s I can look up your skirt.”

She giggled at him prettily and he took her hand to kiss it.

“ C’mon now, Queenie – let’s go find you somethin’ to slay.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Faith had been looking for him for almost an hour, and she was starting to get worried.

What if he left town already? And then she’d never be able to tell him she loved him… He wasn’t in his crypt, or in any of the cemeteries she’d looked at. Panicky spurts of adrenaline started to fire into her belly.

That sickening urge to cry crept in again and she suppressed it brutally.

Finally she spotted the leather coattails of his signature black duster flying. Looks like somebody had some aggression to burn. She couldn’t help feeling responsible for that somehow.

She didn’t want to distract him mid-fight – could be fatal. So she crept up quietly, if he needed help she’d be there, if not she’d wait patiently ‘til he was done. Faith was just enjoying watching him fight for the moment – such a graceful animal. Perfect hunter, perfect killer – perfect for her. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on him again, then she’d really show him what he meant to her.

She smiled at the thought, picturing their reunion. And it’d be different this time. She’d make it different. She’d tell him she loved him and he’d say it right back and it’d be better than before. Real. Right. Better. They were gonna be happy.

Suddenly another pair of fighters moved out from the shadow of the crypt to his right. A good-sized fledge was getting the shit kicked out of him.

By Buffy.

She dusted the vamp in front of her and quickly moved to Spike’s side – helping with the two he’d been working over on his own. They fought in tandem, with a graceful fluidity Faith had never seen before. It was like they were sharing brain waves – the silent communication flowing between them easily. Red hot bolts of jealousy shot through her.

Except that it did. Because he never fought with anyone else but her. They were a team. Had been for a while. They were a unit and Buffy was a…

Oh yeah. Interloper. She was interloping her ass all over Faith’s territory.

What the fuck was she doing on patrol anyway? Wasn’t she all retired and shit? Happy with her little white bread fiancé and planning her life as the future Mrs.Cleaver? Something was seriously not right here. And she had an evil sneaking suspicion about what it was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They finished off the two vamps easily – a measly couple of fledges being no match for a Slayer and Master Vampire out lookin’ for a fight.

“ Well, that was bracing.” Spike brushed the ash from his clothes. “Up for another go, Love?”

“ With you?” Buffy gave him a minxy little smile. “Anytime.”

He grinned back, strolling over.

“ Aren’t we the saucy wench tonight?”

She shrugged casually, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“ You bring it out in me.”

“ Do I now?” His voice dropped to a seductive purr.

“Uh huh.” She nodded.

“ Should I show you what you bring out in me?” He pulled her tightly against him, leaving no doubt about his meaning.

“Mmmm. Definitely.” She replied softly, grinding her hips against his.

He chuckled.

“ Keep it up, Pet - and that’ll be it for patrol.”

She pulled away, giving him a mock-scowl.

“ Tough talk, Sailor.” She put her hands on her hips in an unspoken challenge. “Whatcha gonna do about it?”

“ How ‘bout I drag you back to my crypt and ravage you all night?”

He took a threatening step in her direction.

She smirked, relishing the game.

“ Really think you can wait that long?” She batted her eyes at him innocently.

“ Not bloody likely.” And he pounced at her.

Buffy shrieked giddily and dashed away, laughing. Zipping through the tombstones Spike gave chase, feeling truly alive for the first time in what seemed like decades. For awhile there being un-dead had seemed a helluva lot like being actually dead. But Buffy brought him back again, gave his formerly pathetic unlife purpose and passion.

He grinned wickedly, imagining all the things he’d do to her once he caught her.

But she was too quick for him. Buffy put on a burst of speed and got far enough ahead of him to hide in the shadow of a mausoleum. He tracked her for a little while then came to a halt sniffing the air.

“ Here Kitty, Kitty.”

She stifled a giggle.

He wove gracefully in and out of shadows, looking behind headstones and inside crypts - making a show of searching for her. He could smell her arousal clearly in the night air and it made his mouth water for a taste. Spike licked his lips unconsciously.

“Come out, come out wherever you are…” He sing-songed.

Another muffled snicker gave him her exact location. He walked casually in the opposite direction, pretending to continue his hunt until he was certain he was out of her eye line. Backtracking, he crept up noiselessly until he was directly behind her.

“ Got you now.” He growled, pulling her into his arms.

She screeched, laughing, and pushed him onto his back. Straddling his lap she looked down at him imperiously.

“ Who’s got who now?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It took Faith awhile to catch up with them. She couldn’t exactly take off running while she was in stealth mode. She’d lost sight of them a few times, but the burning rage in her gut propelled her forward. She already knew, but somehow she had to see – had to have proof of the thing she just didn’t wanna believe.

Maybe he had been for awhile now. Her stomach roiled in angry protest.

How long had he been lying to her? Cheating on her? Bullshitting her straight to her face? Evil little scenarios played themselves out in her head: Spike leaving her bed to go to Buffy’s, the two of them laughing, kissing, fucking. She shuddered.

After what seemed like an agonizingly long time she found them.

Together.

And it was every bit as bad as she imagined.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike had considerately spread his duster out for her. No one else in the world he’d do that for. But seeing her laid out half naked upon it left no doubt as to the reason why. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen and he could not possibly love her more. He felt certain that if he loved her any more his heart would explode inside his chest.

He sighed ruefully.

He couldn’t even berate himself for it.

He never would’ve chosen to love a Slayer – never. But now he could hardly remember a time when he didn’t. And he wouldn’t take it back for the world. She held her arms out to him invitingly, waiting for him to join her. He covered her body with his own, unable to resist her charms.

“ You’re so damn beautiful, Buffy.” He kissed the line of her jaw making his way slowly down her neck and into her open shirt.

“Mmmm.” she hummed, responding to his touch “You’re pretty damn gorgeous yourself.”

He looked at her wonderingly. “Really?”

“ As if you didn’t know it, Swagger Boy.”

He laughed at that.

“ Well, I do have a certain image to maintain.” He said, half-serious.

“Not with me.” She replied softly, seeing him true.

He kissed her tenderly then - showing her with mouth and body and hands all that was in his heart.

And for the first time she listened and heard what he’d been saying so silently all along.

His love for her was overwhelming, it was so complete. How could he be so fearless with his heart, when she had been so weak? Teardrops slipped from the corners of her eyes as she kissed him. Tasting them he pulled back, concerned.

“Love, what is it?”

“ I’m just so sorry, Spike.” She whispered.

He looked completely bewildered.

“Why? For what?”

“I waited so long…”

Her tears ran freely down her face.

“Hush…hush now, Kitten.” He pulled her up and into his arms, cradling her against his chest. “It doesn’t matter, none of it matters.”

“ But all the time we lost because of me…”

“ We’re together now – that’s all that counts.” He stroked her hair comfortingly. “Let’s not waste it being sad, eh?”

“You’re right.” She wiped her damp cheeks, snuffling back her tears. “I don’t wanna waste any more time.”

He smiled and kissed the top of her head.

“That’s my girl.”

She sat back, dabbing at her eyes with the cuffs of her shirt and tidying her hair.

“ Thank God I don’t have a mirror – I don’t even wanna see what I look like right now.”

He shook his head.

“ You’ve no idea how bloody gorgeous you are do you?”

“Shyeah” She dismissed. “ No make up, covered in vamp dust, with puffy eyes and a runny nose – and did I mention I’m still wearing yesterday’s outfit?”

He fixed her with a predatory gaze.

“ And yet you still manage to fill me with lust.”

“Really?” She sniffled.

“ Shall I prove it to you?” He raised a scarred eyebrow in challenge.

“Maybe…” She smiled coyly.

He nuzzled her neck.

“ You are my beautiful...”

And dexterously licked that secret spot behind her ear that made her shiver.

“Oh…” She breathed with a shudder.

“Luscious.”

He nibbled on her shoulder and bit her gently where it met her neck.

“ Uhhh..God…”

And laid her back down on his duster.

“Delectable.”

Then kissed her thoroughly until she was out of breath.

“Temptress.” He finished in a jagged whisper.

He moved down her body to attend to her breasts. Suckling each rosy nipple in turn through the sheer, shimmery fabric of her bra.

“ You are My Princess.” He declared, kissing his way down her torso.

“And My Queen.”

He paused to dip his tongue into her belly button.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

He looked into her eyes, showing her his sincerity.

“ And I’m goin’ to make sure you never forget it.”

With that he stripped off her jeans, exposing her to the cool night air. But before she had a chance to shiver he was upon her, tongue and fingers everywhere at once driving her out of her mind. No time to think, no room for regret or insecurity. He spread her wide and had his way, telling her all the while how gorgeous, how incredible, how succulent she was.

His words combined with his actions had her under his spell, her body obeying every silent demand.

His tongue beat insistently on her clit, when he added his fingers to her nipples she cried out, her first orgasm taking her by surprise. She came fast and hard, shuddering against him – her hoarse shout piercing the silence of the graveyard.

Spike licked her gently until she came down. Planting a small kiss on her neatly trimmed curls he crawled up her body to nuzzle her neck.

“That’s a good start, Love.”

“ A good start? No, Spike...” She whimpered, feeling tenderized and sensitive from the activities of the past few days.

His hand slipped between her parted thighs.

“ Oh yes.” He insisted.

And he slid his fingers inside.

“C’mon, Kitten, I know you’ve got more for me.”

“No…too much…” she protested weakly, but arched against his hand when he hit the sweet spot.

“ There’s my girl.” He grinned wickedly, loving this, eager for her pleasure.

He was above her, his cool, bare chest just grazing her nipples as he worked her with his hand. The combined sensations were quickly driving her to the brink. Her body took over for her, mindlessly seeking its release. Her legs wrapped around him as she rode his hand, her fingernails digging into his shoulders painfully, spurring him on.

“ Yeah, that’s it.” He growled his encouragement.

She was so close, she just needed a little push. As if reading her mind (and she was almost certain he could) Spike added his thumb to her clit and ground down on it in rough circles.

“ Come for me, Buffy.” He commanded.

Buffy arched her back, legs clasping and trembling around his waist as she came sputtering his name. He smiled with great satisfaction as he freed his hand, pausing to savor the taste of her on his fingers. God, he loved making her come – the sounds she made, the feel of her, her scent perfuming the air - and her taste; like a sweet peach, like fresh honey. He couldn’t get enough.

“ Ohmygod…” she panted, coming down.

She lay back boneless as a bowl of jell-o in the afterglow. Spike joined her on the duster, wrapping her up in it snugly.

“ How d’ya do that?” She asked lazily, curling against his chest.

“ Do what?”

“Wring every teeny tiny drop of pleasure outta me.”

He grinned smugly.

“It’s a gift.” He kissed her. “Or maybe it’s magic.”

“ Hmm, maybe both.” She smiled back. “If you practiced the Dark Arts it would explain a lot though.”

He raised a speculative eyebrow at her.

“Yeah? Like what?”

“ Like why I’m so completely under your spell.” She said softly, nuzzling his ear.

“ Thought I was under yours.” He replied, nuzzling back.

“Mmmm, mutual thrall. I like it.”

“C’mere an’ I’ll ‘thrall’ you again.” He slung her leg over his hip, pulling her closer.

“I must obey.” She giggled, throwing her arms around his neck. “I’m helpless against you, you Fiend.”

Playful kissing turned serious as they slipped back into their mutual thrall. Wrapped in the warmth of his duster they were in their own little world, totally oblivious to their surroundings. Feeling his erection prodding her insistently through his jeans, Buffy covered it with her hand and gave it a firm squeeze. Spike inhaled sharply, groaning.

“ Poor Baby. So neglected.” She cooed rubbing his length through the denim.

“ Yer killing me, Love – touchin’ me like that.” He rumbled.

“ What? Like this.” She asked innocently, squeezing his cock again.

“Or like this?” She rubbed it vigorously.

“Or what if I do this?” She asked with a wicked grin, pushing him onto his back. Straddling his hips she ground her naked sex into his groin, knowing it would drive him insane. He gripped her thighs hard and pressed against her with a groan.

“ What do you want, Spike?”

“All ‘f it… everythin’ – you.” He rasped.

“ Everything?” she asked, circling her hips with intent.

“ Oh God…Buffy…” He was about to come in his pants. He could still taste her on his lips and smell her all over him, in the air all around – and the feel of her hot, wet cunt just millimeters away from his cock was more than he could take.

But he just couldn’t bring himself to stop, he was too close – if she moved like that once more…

She paused for a second, looking at him seriously.

“ Do you… want to?” She asked, suddenly shy.

He groaned.

“God, yes. So bloody much.”

She moved to unzip him, working his jeans down his hips. He stilled her with the touch of his hand. If they were both naked now he definitely would not be able to stop. How he’d held out this long was nothing short of miraculous. Chalk it up to the fact that she kept him so satisfied in every other way.

“But not like this, Buffy.” He sat up gently, looking in her face. “Not on the ground, in the cold…you deserve so much more, Love.”

She caressed his cheek, moved by his tenderness.

“You want it to be special.”

“ I want it to be perfect.” He kissed the palm of her hand. “For you.”

“ It will be.” She said, smiling sweetly.

“So,” She asked, changing the mood. “ Do ya wanna make out or what?”

He gave her a wolfish grin.

“ Oh hell yeah.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Faith felt like retching onto the ground, like screaming – like crying forever. Her sense of loss and betrayal was a tidal wave she was about to go down in. She backed away from the unbearable scene before her, stumbling as she went.

Spike’s words rang in her ears;

She gave into her tears then. He’d never, ever shown that much concern for her. Their first time had been on the cold stone floor in some random crypt one night after patrol. It was quick and brutal, tinged with the desperation of two lonely people hungry for contact. And every time since then echoed that in some way. He never made love to her. Or touched her with reverence. Never called her ‘His Princess’.

“Fuck…” She choked back a sob.

He never ever loved you. Not once. And he never fucking will.

Curling up in the shelter of an open tomb she let her pain pull her under until she drowned.

Chapter Thirty Six ~ The Very Thought of You

“ The very thought of you – and I forget to do,
the little ordinary things that everyone ought to do.
I’m living in a kind of daydream. I’m happy as a king.
And foolish though it may seem, to me that’s everything.
The mere idea of you, the longing here for you.
You’ll never know how slow the moments go until I’m near to you.
I see your face in every flower, your eyes in stars above.
It’s just the thought of you, the very thought of you, my Love.

~ Natalie Cole

They had a lingering goodbye kiss at the door. He hated to let her go, even for a little while. But she did have a point about needing a change of clothes. She’d been wearing the same outfit for almost two days now. One which was ashy with the remains of several vampires, not to mention a few key streaks of dirt – the latter being entirely his fault. He grinned remembering the fun he’d had making them.

Didn’t mean he had to like letting her leave though – or make it easy for her to do so. Spike pulled her in for another searing kiss, using all his considerable skills to erase the idea of leaving him from her mind. Finally, Buffy untangled herself from his grasp giggling.

“ It’s just for an hour, Grabby Hands. I’ll be right back.”

She smacked the hands in question away playfully. Not to be so easily deterred he deftly avoided her slaps, snagging a belt loop to pull her in to him once again.

“ I know, Love. ” He purred into her ear with a nibble. “I just hate to be without my girl, what can I say?”

That comment made it impossible not to kiss him – and even harder to leave. She finally broke away with a sigh.

“ I’ll be back soon, Baby.” She rested her forehead against his and gave him a small conciliatory kiss.

“ Sure I can’t walk you? Many a nasty’s out on a night like this. An’ I should know.”

He waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively.

“ I think I can handle it.” An amused smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Plus, you know we can’t be seen together...not yet.”

He leaned back against the doorframe with a frown.

“ Y’ve no idea how much I hate that, Buffy. I wanna sing it from the rooftops, tell the whole bloody world!” He crossed his arms moodily. “ Not hide you away in the darkness of my crypt.”

“There’s lots of fun to be had in that darkness though.” She caressed his cheek softly, consoling him.

“ I know, I know...” He grumbled. “Now get your sweet little arse outta here before I pounce on it.” He smacked her bottom for emphasis. “ Been waitin’ all day to get you into my bed y’ know.” His voice was a low growl that sent tingles to all her girly parts.

So…very…tempting…But fresh clothes...makeup…maybe a dash of perfume…

She did want to look her best for him…and she had a little red dress in her closet that would knock him on his ass.

“ Sorry to keep you waiting, Baby. I’ll be quick – promise. I could skip my shower...”

He made a show of sniffing her;

“Better not.” He grinned.

“Hey!”

“She smells a bit, but she’s got a heart o’ gold.” He quoted in his best John Cleese.

Buffy fixed him with a petulant glare.

“Funny.” She pouted. Spike couldn’t help but smile – he adored her pouty face. Kissing her sweetly protruding lower lip he gathered her into his arms.

“ Awww, Kitten – you know you smell like Heaven t’ me always.” He nuzzled her neck affectionately. “Some places more than others…” and his grabby hands started wandering all over again. He backed her against the doorframe and worked his leg in between her thighs. Kissing her deeply he let his fingers do the convincing for him.

God, he was getting her in just the right spot…

“ Uhhh, Baby…” she breathed. “You’re making it reaaally hard for me to leave...”

“S’not the only thing that’s hard.” He rumbled, pulling her hand down to the bulge in his pants.

“ Spii -iike.” She whimpered, feeling helpless against the power of his sinister charms.

“ Can’t help it, Love.” He murmured, planting cool, wet kisses on her neck. “You drive me bloody crazy.”

“Mutual.” She pulled back to cup his cheeks and rub her nose against his.

He sighed, giving in.

“ Only for a minute?” He asked hopefully.

“ More like an hour.”

He pulled a pouty face of his own.

“Okay, okay! Half an hour. But it means I have to shower here.”

Spike smiled mischievously, visions of naked, soapy fun filling his brain.

“I’ll make it worth your while.” He intoned, his voice laden with a thousand naughty promises.

“ You always do.”

Buffy kissed him quickly then and scooted out of his reach before he tempted her any further.

“Half an hour!”

He called after her. She smiled at him over her shoulder and blew him a kiss, walking faster.

Spike sighed and turned back towards his crypt.

Always leavin’ me wanting…

From a distance Faith watched the whole sickening show, murder in her eyes. After her tears were spent she’d found a blistering fury lay beneath them. She’d been used and abused – and she wasn’t the kinda girl to take that shit lyin’ down. Seeing them together like this was only fuel for her fire. Their intimacy spoke volumes – this had obviously been going on for awhile.

That BITCH. That fucking bitch.

She just knew something was up with him this morning. He’d been twitchy and strange, spurning her advances …something he’d been doing more and more lately. And God, he’d lied to her, right to her face! Buffy was probably right there, lounging all naked in his bed just waitin’ for him to ditch her.

Fucking Bitch Buffy.

Can’t be content to have a perfect family, perfect friends, perfect boyfriend - perfect fucking life.

No, she had to go and take mine.

She clenched her jaw to nearly the breaking point, feeling the rage boiling in her guts.

Somebody is gonna pay for this. Somebody’s gonna pay – in blood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy sighed with contentment as she made her way towards campus, amusing herself by twirling her stake over her open palm. In spite of every crazy thing going on in her life, she really couldn’t help but be happy. She was in love after all – it tended to overwhelm all else.

Kinda like Spike.

It was amazing she made it outta there at all. How she resisted him she’d never know. It seemed like they’d done nothing but fool around for 24 solid hours, but still she felt ravenous for more.

Mmmmm. More Spike.

She grinned, reminiscing. She was sore in all kinds of places – some she didn’t know previously existed. And they hadn’t even made love yet…

Which was kinda…wow.

‘Cause if he was that good with just his hands…

And that insanely talented mouth…

Just imagine…

She was struck by a vivid image of them together. His taught, cool body sliding against hers, fevered kisses stealing her breath as he filled her, completed her, made her scream his name…

Her knees felt very weak suddenly. She stopped and took a deep breath, fanning her over-heated face.

Damn. It didn’t take anything anymore…just the thought of him and she was a puddle. Thank God he felt the same. And every kiss and touch told her that he did…

Mutual thrall is a wonderful thing.

She couldn’t contain the goofy smile that spread over her face. Life was just too good right now… And wasn’t it a beautiful night? The stars were so very sparkly in the blue velvet sky. And the air smelled crisp and cool, the smoky tang of a far away fire giving it that nostalgic autumn touch. Buffy couldn’t remember a more perfect evening ever.

Yay for rose-colored glasses.

She thought with a giggle. Being in love certainly had its perks – it made everything all… shiny. Strolling through campus she hummed to herself, caught up in the giddy sensations of her new love. She made it to the edge of the quad without incident, when suddenly Riley appeared in her field of vision.

Damn. There goes my happy day.

“Buffy?” He looked stunned. He had an armful of books – obviously coming from a late night study session at the library. She inwardly cursed her luck.

“Riley…Uh, hi. ” She stumbled. She’d completely forgotten he existed over the past two days.

“What’re you doing out here?” He looked suspicious – not to mention confused.

“ Just heading home actually.” At least she could answer that honestly. He looked her up and down, taking in her disheveled appearance.

“Why are you all dirty? Did something happen?”

She suddenly remembered the stake she’d been twirling and tucked it surreptitiously into her waistband – hoping her jacket would cover it up.

“Was that a stake?”

“What? No.” She answered, just a little too quickly.

“It was – that was a stake! What’re you doing with a stake?” Riley dropped his books on a nearby bench and walked over to her. “ You’ve been patrolling haven’t you?!” He looked absolutely horrified.

Buffy decided denial was the best course of action at this point.

“No…”

“You have…Is that vamp dust??” He pointed to the grayish streaks on her jeans.

“No?”

“Look at you! You’re dusty and dirty and covered with bruises and now you’re lying to me?”

“Lying’s such a strong word…let’s call it a sin of omission…” She said brightly. He seemed infuriated by her casual manner.

“ What’s going on with you Buffy? You’re acting strange lately.” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “And you’re out on patrol? Why? For what? They don’t even need you anymore…”

That struck a nerve.

They don’t need me anymore? Ha!

“ I thought we talked about this.” He crossed his arms authoritatively and stared down at her in displeasure.

“Talked about what?” Her voice took on a hard edge. Riley was really starting to piss her off.

“About you not patrolling anymore!” His voice rose in frustration. “About you giving up this…this lifestyle!” He nearly spat that last word out - as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.

Buffy’d had just about enough.

What – does he think he’s my Daddy now?!

“ God, you act like I’m out picking up sailors and smoking crack! I just went out on patrol!”

“So you admit it.” He said triumphantly.

She sighed, feeling tired of this discussion already.

“Yes, fine I admit it. I went out on patrol, I needed it.”

“ Is this why I never see you lately? You’re ditching me to go… kill things?” He looked disgusted. “ And where’s your engagement ring?” He seized her hand. “Why aren’t you wearing it?”

She bit back the vicious retort that sprang to her lips;

Because I don’t want it cutting into Spike’s skin when he’s fucking me.

And settled for yanking her hand out of his grasp instead. Not getting an answer, Riley pushed forward, his tone softening; “ I never see you and you never want to touch me anymore …”

He reached a tentative hand out to her and she pulled back without even thinking about it, neatly illustrating his point.

God, she so did not want to have this conversation right now.

“Why are you doing this, Buffy? It feels like you’re picking being a Slayer over me.”

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him. He really didn’t know her at all…

“ Don’t you get it? I don’t have a choice! It’s not something I get to pick – I’m just the Slayer. It’s who I am - who I always will be.”

“But what about us? What about our future?!” He was practically yelling at her now.

Buffy didn’t want to do it this way. She'd planned to sit him down, explain gently – let him down easy. But something about the way he was looming over her and the sharp edge of accusation in his voice…when he reached out and grabbed her arm something inside her snapped.

“Answer me, Buffy!” He demanded, giving her a little shake.

The Slayer inside her just couldn’t let that lie – this man – this human, dared touch her like that. He dare try to control her, command her. On instinct she roughly whipped her arm out of his grip. Before Riley knew what hit him he was lying flat on his ass sprawled in the wet grass, mouth gaping like a startled fish.

Buffy had always held back before, she’d never really let him see her full strength.

Not ‘til now.

She stood trembling, her fists clenched at her sides.

“Don’t you ever put your hands on me again.” She growled. She was frighteningly close to giving him a show of strength he’d never forget.

“Buffy…I…” He stumbled for an apology.

She put her hand up abruptly cutting him off.

“Don’t. Just don’t.” She took a calming breath and soldiered on – it was long past time to have her say. “ I can’t keep trying to be something I’m not.”

“ We can work this out…”

She shook her head.

“I can’t be what you want me to be, Riley.”

“But, Buffy – Honey…please…”

She found the pain in his big blue eyes didn’t move her at all. They were the wrong color blue, and they had no passion in them.

“No.” She said with granite resolve. “It’s over, Riley. It’s just over.”

She turned to walk away. Pausing she said over her shoulder.

“ I’ll give you back the ring in the morning.” And without even a backward glance she strode off towards the dorms.

Riley sat, stunned as a goldfish dumped into the cold finality of a toilet bowl -

Wondering how in the hell he’d just managed to lose the love of his life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Buffy opened the door to her dorm room with a sigh, worry about what she’d just done beginning to creep in. For a few minutes there she’d felt nothing but relief about unburdening herself of a troublesome relationship. But things were so very complicated, so precariously balanced here and she just might have fucked them all up. She’d forgotten that, forgotten everything in the course of the past few days. Nothing had existed outside of Spike’s arms. When he looked at her the world just stopped and nothing else seemed to matter. She had a sudden pang of longing for him. If he were here they’d talk about it and he would hold her and everything would be better instantly. But he wasn’t – and without his presence to distract her, the reality of her life set in with a resounding thud.

She’s just broken up with someone else’s fiancé, stolen another girl’s boyfriend (and in a way, also her sister.) She was trapped in a world she didn’t belong in - and oh, by the way, apocalypse anyone? Cause there was no way Glory wanted the Key for anything good…

This wasn’t really her life she was messing with, but it sure as hell felt like it was. After all she was the one stuck living it - and who knows for how long?

Buffy plopped down on her bed with a frown.

This wasn’t supposed to be her world. This wasn’t supposed to be her life – but now, somehow it was becoming just that. She never asked to come here, to deal with all of these things – just like she never asked to be the Slayer. But she shouldered the responsibility anyway, ‘cause that’s who she was. She was the go-to girl and she knew how to get things done.

With everything that’d happened in the past week her other life seemed farther and farther away, like it was all a dream she once had. And it seemed less and less likely that she was ever getting back there anyway. It was weird at first, but things were so similar to the world she was used to that she found herself forgetting that this wasn’t it.

It certainly felt like home. All her friends were here, Giles, her mom, Dawn. It was still Earth, the US and Sunnydale. She was still a Slayer, there were still Demons and she knew just exactly how to kill them. Sure Faith was the one on “active duty” – but that could change…She could make it change. In fact, with a little bit of tweaking everything could be exactly the way she wanted it to be.

The best thing was that Spike was here, and they were finally together. She felt whole and complete – in spite of everything. So why fight Fate? Obviously someone wanted her here. And wasn’t she happy? Wasn’t she satisfied? More than she had ever been in her whole life? And she was doing her job, she was becoming the Slayer she was meant to be. All her doubts had been burned away by this whole experience. She knew exactly who she was and what she was meant for. Never had her life’s path been more crystal clear. Maybe that’s why she was brought here in the first place. Other Buffy obviously wasn’t gettin’ it done…

She had a radical thought;

So why not stay?

Why not surrender to circumstances she had no control over anyway? Whatever might have been - whatever was, this was her life now. Why not embrace it and all the good things that entailed? Was that so wrong? All she had to do was stop trying to get back…

I can do that.

And let the Powers that brought her here do the rest. It seemed pretty clear they wanted her to stay. Hell, maybe they wanted her to be happy. Maybe it was her reward for fighting the good fight all these years…

It could happen.

Knowing that there was no clear way to return her made it all the easier. She had no control, she wasn’t in charge…And if this was gonna be her life than she was damn well going to make the best of it. Buffy felt much better about dumping Riley suddenly.

Not like I could stand another minute with that lummox anyway.

Everything seemed perfectly clear to her.

She was here.

She was happy.

She was staying.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike found himself smiling in a most undignified and definitely non-evil way as he went about tidying up the crypt and preparing for his date with Buffy.

Ponce.

He chastised himself, but his sappy grin remained firmly in place. He’d been in love with her forever, it was nothing new - but the fact of her returning said love certainly was. And it was having quite an affect on him. The last time he’d felt anywhere near this ridiculously besotted he was human - still that dithering, ineffectual nancy boy William. Spike was certain he was going to burst into spontaneous couplets any moment now…He just hoped Buffy wasn’t here when he did.

Don’t wanna drive her away now do we?

Gathering up the pile of dirty sheets he stopped to breath in the scent of her. She was everywhere now, all over his room, his bed, his clothes. He sniffed at his shirt catching a slight trace of her there. He resisted the temptation to take it off and bury his nose in it. He’d be seeing her soon enough. He could wait… really.

He sighed at his own patheticness.

“You’re gettin’ to be a right sad bastard…” He groused.

To make matters worse his prick was starting to respond to the scent of her. It didn’t take much these days – but then again it never had. He contemplated a quick wank in the shower, but then remembered that was something they were supposed to do together later. He got a nice mental image of her wet, soapy body shoved against the cement wall as he pounded into her – her legs tight around his waist as she moaned, the hot water beating down making her skin slick and rosy with heat.

Bloody hell.

How long was a sodding half hour anyway?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy gathered her things and sprinted back in record time - she didn’t want to waste a moment now that she was so sure of what she wanted. She couldn’t wait to tell Spike what she’d decided…he would be so happy. She just knew they’d find a way to keep her here, and then they’d never have to be apart again. Thank God – ‘cause she was missing him already. She couldn’t believe how long a half hour away from him seemed.

This is getting ridiculous.

But she couldn’t help smiling. It was nothing short of a miracle that she could find so much happiness. She’d started to lose hope that it would ever happen for her – that she’d ever love someone this much and be loved in return. This life of darkness and bloodshed had her thinking no man could ever fit in it… Interestingly enough, no man did. She smirked. Only Spike - and she was pretty sure he was his own category.

Buffy entered without knocking, already feeling that Spike’s place was her second home. She set her duffle down next to the battered sofa – pleased to see how much he’d done to make it nice for her. The room had been thoroughly cleaned and swept and the couch covered with a simply throw, hiding its lifetime of abuse. Some of the fresh flowers from downstairs had been moved to the small side table and several candles dotted the room giving it a warm and inviting glow.

He really is the sweetest thing ever.

She was deeply touched by his efforts to make her feel at home. Especially knowing he’d never done so for anyone else. This was his own place, his manly fortress o’ solitude and he was welcoming her in without reservation. It made her love him even more.

So many years she’d spent on the outside of Angel’s life - never being let in, only given a taste and holding on to dreams that never came true. But in their first hour, their first day –
Spike had given her full access to himself and all that he had.

Thinking about it filled her with terrible longing. She made a dash for the lower level ladder ready to jump in his arms and stay there until someone physically pried her loose.

Spike kicked the pile of laundry into submission in the makeshift closet. He wanted it out of the way for now, everything had to be just right. He wanted tonight to be perfect for his girl. He loved to think of her that way, it made him smile idiotically all over again. Turning around he caught her scent strong in the air, her heartbeat sounding rapidly in his ears and he broke into an unabashed grin of delight.

“That was the longest bloody half-hour…”

Looking at him, she was unable to contain the rush of emotions inside her.

“IwannastaySpike.” The words came tumbling out without preamble.

“What? What d’ya mean?” Somehow he wasn’t quite getting this, and felt certain he’d walked into a conversation already in progress.

“ I want to stay right here with you.” She said, more carefully this time.

“Tonight?” His forehead wrinkled to his hairline in his confusion.

“Forever.”

He gaped at her, not at all prepared for that statement. She took both of his hands in her own.

“ I want this - I want us, and I don’t want to lose it.”

It was the only selfish thing she had ever asked for.

Spike stood in astonished silence, jaw hanging.

“Say something.” She fidgeted, starting to get worried. This wasn’t exactly the reaction she was hoping for.

He stared at her for a long moment before finally scooping her up into his arms.

“Buffy…Love…you’ve got no idea what this means t’ me.”

She wanted to stay, she chose him – over everything.

He kissed her breathless, the tears standing out in his eyes.

She chose me...

He still couldn’t believe it – it was more than he dared to even wish for. He knew what her circumstances were, what weighty responsibilities lay on her small shoulders. But here she was making a stand – for him.

“ Baby…I…” He choked. “I don’t have words...” He stared at her awestruck.

“Just show me, Spike.” She whispered, her eyes searching his face. “I need you to show me.”

Being a man of action, that suited him just fine.

He tucked his arm underneath her knees and carried her like a new bride over to his bed. The symbolism of this was not lost on either of them - in ways beyond empty churches and hollow vows they were seeking their union.

He laid her down gently, and set about divesting her of her clothes. Spike was amused to find himself unbuttoning the very same shirt he’d undone more than half a dozen times already. Buffy had been in such a hurry she hadn’t gotten around to changing her clothes. She caught the ghost of his smile and grinned sheepishly, guessing at what he was thinking.

“I really do have other clothes, I swear… I just …couldn’t wait to see you.”

She blushed rather becomingly, making her look all the more dear to him in that moment.

“S’alright, Love. I’d much rather see you in nothin’ anyway.”

He caught his breath as her breasts were slowly revealed. He’d seen them this way many, many times by now, but was always stunned at the sight.

“ So very beautiful, My Girl...” he murmured.

Buffy smiled up at him shyly and rose to tug at his own shirt. Obediently he pulled it over his head and tossed it to the floor. He stood before her pale as marble in the half light, candle flame painting him in flickering shades of gold. She sat back drinking in the sight of him, quite stunned herself.

Spike was somehow still surprised to see his own adoration reflected back to him in her eyes.

How could such loveliness be mine?

Unworthy and undeserved…she was so far above his sullied, monstrous self. But here she was all the same. And she loved him, she wanted him – she bloody well chose him.

He knew exactly how the Beast felt when he won his Beauty.

“I love you, Buffy…do you know that? Do you feel it?” He knelt before her, voice an urgent whisper.

“ Yes.” She caressed his face gently. “Do you know how much I love you?”

“ Sometimes.” A small self-depreciating smile curled up the corner of his mouth. “I can still hardly believe it…”

“ Don’t ever doubt it, Spike.” She said earnestly. “This is the biggest thing I’ve ever felt.”

“ Bigger than…Angel?” He couldn’t look at her, too afraid of what her answer might be. His self-doubt so large inside him he felt it might eat him alive.

She kissed his sweet mouth then, and filled her kiss with the full intensity of her love and passion for him. When she released him he looked dazed and gave her a slightly drunken smile.

“More than anything or anyone ever.” Buffy looked into his eyes. “Do you feel it?”

He gave her a roguish sideways grin.

“Yeah.” And pounced from his spot between her knees to kiss her hungrily, pushing her back onto the bed.

“ My girl.” He growled possessively. She felt the tingling shocks deep in her belly at his words. “Mine.” He verbally asserted the claim he’d felt in his heart for years.

“ Yours.” She said simply and surrendered herself to him without a fight. He kissed her fiercely, all the need inside him unleashed at last. So many years of wanting, of feeling second best to every unworthy bastard in his way… But he had her now, and he was damn well never letting go.

Tugging at her jeans he flipped open the button with a smooth one-handed flick.

No knickers.

Spike smiled to himself. They’d been in his pocket since their first tryst this morning.

Not bloody likely she’ll be gettin’ those back.

Her light jacket and blouse joined his black t-shirt on the bedroom floor. Sliding the straps of her bra smoothly off her shoulders he made mental plans to add it to the collection he was starting of her pilfered underthings. He had some bloody grand memories of that bra…

At her side he caressed her torso from collarbone to hip in a smooth gliding stroke. Between her breasts then over them, her sides, her stomach – worshipping her skin.

As his fingers trailed over her belly he grazed a sensitive spot making her flinch and giggle.

“Oooo, looky what I found…” He shot her a wicked grin, indicating exactly how much trouble she was in now.

He pursued the tickley spot with experimental digs and pokes until he was rewarded with a shriek of laughter from Buffy.

“ Hey, quit that!”

“ Never.” He pledged, laughing. “ This is far too much fun.”

Straddling her thighs he dug unto her ribs until she was squealing in hysterics.

Finally she rallied for a defensive attack, pinching his sides and poking his belly in retaliation. He squirmed and giggled until he fell sideways off of her lap. She pounced on this sudden vulnerability by attacking his belly button with agile swirls of her fingers. When he was helpless with laughter she dealt him the final blow by socking him over the head with a large pillow.

“Hey now…” he wheezed. “ That’s fighting dirty.”

“Yep.” She agreed and promptly whomped him again.

“Oh, yer in for it now, Summers.”

And he threw himself into the fray with gusto. A simple pillow fight quickly degenerated into all out war. Buffy dealt him alternating blows with two feather pillows. Spike retaliated by sneaking in tickles between wallops with his own. After a particularly sound smack upside the head from Buffy he grabbed a pillow in each hand and banged them together like a pair of cymbals around her head. His move was so effective it ended the fight in an explosion of feathers, the poor pillow being unable to withstand the stress of an overzealous vampire at play.

Buffy gaped at him in shock, tiny white feathers settling in her hair and on her shoulders, drefts of them gathering around her knees. Spike couldn’t help it, she looked so completely nonplussed, so thoroughly comical that he burst out laughing. She gave him a goofy smile and began brushing the fluff off her head. She was such a sad sight he took pity on her.

“C’mere you.”

She trundled over on her knees and sat in front of him obediently. Smiling down at her with affection he proceeded to divest her of the snowy white coating of down, feeling like the patient father of an adored but wayward child.

“There you are, Sweet Bit – all better.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

She returned his smile and surprised him by pulling him in for a lingering kiss. Spark turned to flame in a fraction of an instant as his natural desire for her took control. He had her on her back a second later, pert breasts smashed against his chest as her legs wound around his waist. Her sweet hot flesh, the slickness of her mouth, the smell of her desire for him tickling his nose… he couldn’t wait any longer. He had to have her now. He pulled back just enough to locate her zipper, fully intending to rip it open if it gave him even a second of trouble. It slid easily down, fortunately for her wardrobe.

From the bowels of Buffy’s purse her phone rang.

Spike hung his head with a groan of supreme frustration.

“Not again, Pet…” he growled.

“ It’s probably Riley…” She sighed irritably, wishing she’d remembered to turn the damn thing off.

His growl became an indignant snarl.

She smiled indulgently, secretly loving his possessiveness.

“ Relax, Baby.” She soothed him, stroking his back. “He’s calling because I dumped him on his ass.” She reached for her purse. “Literally.”

Spike raised an eyebrow at her, suddenly interested in this new turn of events.

“ Oh yeah?”

“ Yeah. I didn’t get a chance to tell you yet – but I left the lunk flat on his butt in the quad.”

He snickered smugly.

“ I woulda liked to see that.” He smirked.

Buffy dug for her phone fully intending to turn it off for the night.

She flipped it over to read the Caller ID.

“Dammit! It’s Giles…probably with some more ‘happy news for Buffy’. I’ll get rid of him quick. “ She patted his leg in reassurance. “Promise.”

Spike sighed, preparing to keep his peace. He knew better than to come between a Slayer and her Watcher. Besides, they had the rest of the night, now didn’t they?

“ Hi, Giles – what’s up?” she asked breezily.

“ Buffy?” His voice was thick with fear.

“ What? What happened?” The concern on her face brought Spike to her side instantly.

“It’s Dawn – she’s gone.”

“What?! Whaddaya mean gone?” Her voice rose in panic.

She had a horrifying flash of Glory with her hands around her sister’s pale throat. She shook her head to clear it.

Gotta focus…

“She’s been taken, Buffy.”

Whatever Glory did, she could fight it - she’d find a way. And Spike would help her, and the gang. No one would let anything happen to Dawnie…Giles voice cut through the din of her racing thoughts;

“ It was Faith.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been sitting there, the wet grass soaking into the seat of his pants. Riley was too busy trying to make sense of the events of the last week. He’d lost her somewhere. He didn’t know how – but he had. But if there was a how, there was a why – and there were clues in there somewhere that would lead him to both.

As always, he thought of Buffy as a mystery to be solved – and he was just the man to do it. With patience and careful study he could figure anything out. With tenacity and skill there was nothing he couldn’t attain. He’d learned that a long time ago.

It was time to bring some of those good old Initiative tactics back into play.

Step one – acquire target.

Check.

Step two – Collect information.

Follow her. Learn her habits, associates, and whereabouts at all times.

He was certain that if he studied the data from a detached and clinical view he could discover what went wrong, and therefore fix it.

Buffy was The One. He’d been sure about it since their very first kiss. She was his girl – his future wife. So they’d had one stupid little fight?

So what?

Riley Finn never gave up on anything that easily.

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