Title ~ We’re Family

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All belong to Joss!

Rating ~ Pg~13

Summary ~ This Chapter leaves off where the last one did!

A/N ~ hey guys sorry for such the long wait on this chapter…just had a bit of writers block, plus I had company once again. Anyways…thanks to all who have read my fic.!!!!!! It has made me very happy to see that you all enjoy my fic.! Um…what else do I have to say? I hope you all enjoy the chapter!

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Buffy grinned as the smell of sweet honeysuckle filled her nostrils. Her eyes still shut tight she ran her hand over the aroma’s host, feeling tight curls scrunched between her fingers. William…she thought with happiness as her bright hazel eyes fluttered open to see Spike’s head lying on her breast, his hot breath tickling her skin with a pleased smile on his lips. It was a look of serenity and peace, which made the blonde woman want to dance for joy at bringing that blissful look to his face.

He had looked so weak and tired last night that Buffy couldn’t help but reach out and hold him. Just having him there with her, lying with her, put her at ease somehow. The whole situation was like a dream in some strange way. To have his breath cascading across her skin, to have his arms wrapped around her waist like he would never let go. To have his legs intertwined with hers under the covers of her bed. It was so familiar and yet sometimes it seemed surprising to her that he was here.

Looking down on his peaceful features, Buffy never realized how much different he looked while he slept. While he was awake, Spike was rigid and always was alert, watching his back all the time but asleep he seemed in pure bliss, like nothing could harm him at all. His face looked at rest and soft and he some how appeared younger, like he had so many years ago when she had last saw him. When he didn’t have to worry about his daughter being captured or himself being skinned alive by a Government organization that everyone thought was terminated years ago. Feeling such compassion for him, Buffy bent forward and kissed him gently on the forehead.

With that Spike’s eyes fluttered open and smiled happily as he saw the face of the woman who was lying next to him. "Hello Cutie." He greeted somewhat hoarsely but you could hear the delighted tone in his deep voice.

"Hey yourself." She grinned at him.

"What time is it?" He asked her, his voice still sounding hoarse but was returning back to its normal tone.

Buffy’s smiled widened at Spike as he began to rub the sleep out of his eye. Shaking her head she then turned to her bedside clock. "It’s 5 minutes after 10." She chirped slightly, turning back around in bed to face him. "Slept kind of long didn’t we?"

"Yeah, just a bit." He grinned at the Slayer. "Probably did us some good though…God knows I haven’t been sleeping that well lately, so I kind of needed the long sleep. You know something to keep my mind off of the Soldier boy and his intentions towards my Erin." He said with venom in his voice as he thought of Riley touching his only daughter, it was like no anger he had ever felt before.

Buffy slightly groaned as Spike’s words entered her ears, "Spike, please don’t start this again." She pleaded, not wanting him to become unhappy again. "Just…please, don’t."

"I’m sorry pet, but I am not going to put this to rest. I know that wanker is up to something," He hissed as he removed himself from the bed and made his way across the room, his naked back facing her. "I just want you to see that. To see him for who he really is."

A displeased frown appeared on Buffy’s lips as she placed her head in her hands, "I can’t judge him just now Spike." She muffled against her skin and then returned her gaze to the muscles on his back, which were tense and rigid. "There isn’t enough facts to accuse of him something just of yet. As much suspicion I have for him, I can’t jump to conclusion just yet." She told him quietly as she also removed herself from her bed and made her way towards him. "Last time I did that…I really lost someone I cared for." She whispered in his ear tenderly and planted a chaste kiss on his shoulder.

Spike then turned around to face the Slayer and took in a deep breath; the skin on his shoulder felt like it was on fire. As Spike looked into her eyes, he could feel his heart beat begin to quicken. Somehow throughout the whole turmoil in his body, he had somehow been able to find his voice. "Well you seemed to do fine without this specific person." He said taking in a sharp breath as he could feel her body draw closer to him.

"Not really to tell you the truth." She said simply as a look of sadness fell onto her eyes. "My life has been kind of empty and lonely without that person there." She whispered once more, "He just doesn’t know it."

"I bet he does," Spike slightly smiled as he reached his hand out and traced her cheek with the tip of his finger and then rested his hand there to stay.

With that Buffy slowly leaned in and brushed her lips lightly with his in an innocent kiss. As soon as his lips left hers, Buffy placed her hands on the nape of his neck and leaned in for another innocent kiss on his lips, which caused Spike to wrap his arms around her waist so that he could respond to her thoughtful and loving kiss. Buffy then gasped with pleasure as his tongue entered slowly into her mouth. Buffy now expected their kiss to become more heated and lustful but it didn’t, it still remained loving and tender. His tenderness made Buffy want to cry out his name right there.

It was just as they were getting somewhere that the phone on Buffy’s nightstand began to ring erratically causing the couple to pull away from each other so that the former Slayer could answer the phone.

"Hello?" Buffy answered it with some annoyance in her voice that who ever had called interrupted her moment with Spike. Turning around to look at him, Buffy found him gone from the bedroom.

"Buffy, you’re finally awake." Dawn chirped on the other line. "Never thought you guys would ever wake up."

"Yeah, well we did." Buffy sighed.

"Well, I just called to let you both know that I have Erin here with me at the Magic Box while I’m helping out Anya. So you don’t need to worry." Dawn reassured her.

"Okay, thanks Dawn, we’ll be down there in a minute. Bye." Buffy said as she placed the phone back down on the receiver and then jumped in fright as she now saw Spike standing right behind her.

"What did…uh…who was that?" He asked slightly nervous, his hands beginning to twitch. Lately, he had been a wreck of nerves whenever he was around her; his whole body couldn’t calm down whenever she flashed him a radiant smile or whenever she would touch him. He felt like his old self again, the old Spike that would do anything for her no matter what the cost. It was strange.

"Dawn." The former Slayer said simply, also feeling her body becoming bundle of nerves like his. She didn’t mean to kiss him like that, especially at that very moment. She was just hoping to calm him down before he would do something irrational. She didn’t mean for herself to get so up close and personal with him, she didn’t mean for her lips to meet his. She didn’t mean to touch him like that.

"Well, what did she want then?"

"She w-wanted to let us know th-that she had Erin with her at the Magic B-box incase w-we decided to stop by." She said slightly stuttering along the way, which caused Spike to smirk at her.

"Sounds like a plan then." He said quietly before taking her by the hand and planted a pure kiss on her knuckles. "Thank you for last night Summers." He purred before turning on his heels and made his way to ‘his’ bedroom.

"Anytime."

~*~

Erin giggled with delight as she and Jacob continued to play in the back room of the Magic Box. "Tag your it!" She squealed as she pushed Jacob down on the ground and ran across the room behind a large stack of training mats.

"Can we do something different now Erin?" Jacob asked as he picked himself off of the ground and dusted himself off. Sometimes she got a little rough when they played games.

"Like what?" She questioned curiously, poking her head out from the mats and grinned at him.

"I dunno, you wanna draw something?" He suggested to the little blonde girl who only jumped for glee at the idea. Jacob quickly ran out of the room and came back several seconds later with paper and pencils and crayons in hand.

"I am gunna draw a pricture of my fwamily." Erin announced to her little friend who only shook his head and continued to draw his picture.

"Where is your dad this morning?" Jacob interrogated while he continued to draw his picture.

"Oh he is still asweep." Erin said as a matter of factly. "He and Vuffy fell asweep together in her room. Bawn didn’t want to wake ‘em."

"So, does your dad like Buffy?"

"I dink so. I like ‘er. She is nice and plays with me. And she likes my daddy." Erin giggled, scrunching up her forehead as if she was thinking deeply about her picture. "I want to ask her to be my new mommy."

"What?" Jacob slightly gasped with surprise. "You can’t do that?"

"Why not? I like ‘er. And I think ‘er and my daddy want to be boyfriend and girlfriend again." She said sternly which made Jacob shut-up for a while but after a long pause of silence he spoke.

"You know…maybe, when we’re older…I could be your boyfriend." He asked shyly as his round cheeks began to blush.

Erin only giggled at him. "Maybe." She nodded her head at him, not looking him in the eye.

Before he could say anything else the shop bell began to jingle and the sounds of both Spike and Buffy’s voices filled the room.

"My daddy is here!" The little girl yelled with glee before she jumped up from her spot and ran into the main room, Jacob following after her slowly.

~*~

"DADDY!" Erin called out happily as she ran right into Spike’s arms. "You’re awake!" She chirped, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and hugged him tightly with all of her strength.

"That I am pet." He chuckled at his daughter. "Did you sleep well my love?"

"Yeah, I did. Bawn woke me up this morning and fixed me pwancakes with blueberry syrup. It was good." She informed him, her voice sounding like a small silver bell.

"Anything else kitten?"

"I’m drawing a pretty pricture of our family. Do want to see it?" She told him as adoration filled her bright blue eyes.

"Not right now there pet, I have to talk to Dawn about something. Why don’t you show Buffy?" He asked her as he grabbed Buffy’s hand and placed it in Erin’s.

"Okay daddy! Come on Vuffy!" The girl cheered as her grip on Buffy’s hand tightened while she lead her into the back room.

As soon as the couple was gone Spike turned to the small brunette who was looking at him with a question in her bright blue eyes. "What is it?"

"Has he seen you at all today?" Spike asked in a rush as if his whole future relied on the answer that she was going to give him.

"Who?"

"Riley, has he stopped by at all today?" He wondered in desperation while he searched Dawn’s eyes for answer. Both Anya and Jacob could feel the tension and anger radiating off of his body.

"No…he hasn’t Spike." Dawn said reassuringly, placing a light hand on his shoulder. "He did call here earlier though and said that he might stop by later tonight though…just to see everybody."

Spike let out a stressed sigh as he sauntered towards the research table and plopped down heavily on it. "Shit."

~*~

"You wanna see my pricture now Vuffy?" Erin asked with pleading eyes as she and the Slayer entered the room.

"Sure," Buffy chimed as Erin pulled her over to where her and Jacob’s drawing utensils were left. Erin’s face scrunched up in delight as she picked up the piece of paper and handed it to Buffy. The former Slayer almost cried with joy as she admired the drawing. It was a picture of she, Erin and Spike.

"It’s a pricture of my fwamily. See!" She informed the Slayer as she pointed to herself, then to Buffy and the Spike. "We’re fwamily now."

"Oh…Erin." Buffy slightly sobbed as she felt her eyes glazing over with tears.

"Don’t cry Vuffy." Erin told her kindly as the little girl took her thumb and began to wipe the blonde woman’s tears away from her cheeks.

"It’s just your picture…"

"You’re a nice lady Vuffy." It was then that the little girl began to get that look in her eyes, which Spike usually got when he wanted to tell her something. "Would you like to be my new mommy?"

Buffy gasped in surprise as she heard the little girl’s question ring throughout her ears. "But…Erin…I…"

"I want you to be my new mommy cuz’ you’re nice to me and you protect me just like my mommy use to do. And my daddy likes you and you like my daddy." She blushed as she saw tears streaming down Buffy’s cheeks. "Would you be my new mommy?"

Buffy didn’t know what to say at that point because if she said no she would break the girl’s heart but if she said yes, Buffy felt like she would never see such happiness in a child or in herself for that matter. "Well…I would love too but I…uh think we should see what your daddy says about it. Is that okay?"

"Yay! Sure!" The little girl jumped with excitement as she began to run around the blonde in circles. Buffy watched in happiness as tears still fell from her eyes.

"What’s going on in here?" Spike shouted to the pair as he entered the room. As soon as she heard her father’s voice Erin stopped right in her tracks and looked at him with complete excitement.

"Nothing…" Buffy sniffled as she looked at the former vampire who was quickly at her side when he saw the tears that were just flowing freely down her face.

"What’s wrong?" He asked tenderly, wiping her tears away with the tip of thumb as slowly and gently as he could. "What happened?"

It was at that time that Buffy expected Erin to jump in at any time and tell her father about what happened but when Buffy scanned the room, the little girl was no where to be seen. Probably off somewhere hiding, Buffy thought to herself.

"Erin…she…uh…just look." Buffy sobbed softly as she handed the picture Erin had drawn to Spike. Spike’s mouth slightly opened as he observed it. "It’s a picture of her family she says."

"Oh…" Spike said as he came to a realization to what Buffy was crying about. "I’m sorry Buffy. I didn’t think…"

"No…it is just…I don’t mind her asking. I’m just…" It was then that Buffy let herself go and began to sob uncontrollably.

"Shhh…" Spike cooed as he wrapped his arms around the small of her back and brought her close to his body in a tight and loving embrace. After awhile though Buffy’s crying eventually ceased. "What did you say to her?"

"I told her I would ask you…" She sniffled as she wiped a small tear from her cheek. But as soon as she wiped that one away a few more fell from my face. "God…why do I always have to cry when I’m around you?" She said with slight amusement in her voice.

"Just comes with the territory pet." He smirked at her as he drew a strand on her hair away from her face. His smile widening more, his hands traveling down from he back towards her waist. "Buffy…I…"

"Hey guys…" A voice called out to the couple both jumped in surprise as they saw who was at the door.

"Willow!" Buffy cheered as she ran to her best friend and gripped her in a tight hug.

"So does someone want to tell me what’s going?"

To be continued…

Title ~ Feelings

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All BtVs characters belong to Joss Whedon. But Erin and the memory of Elena belong to me!

Rating ~ Pg~13 of course

Summary ~ You know the drill…starts off where the last one left off!

A/N ~ Thanks to all for the reviews I am glad that you guys are still into the story after my somewhat long break! It gave me sometime to think about the story and what I’m going to do afterwards! Anyways…enough with my rambling…on with the chapter!

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He smirked at her as he drew a strand on her hair away from her face. His smile widening more, his hands traveling down from he back towards her waist. "Buffy…I…"

"Hey guys…" A voice called out to the couple both jumped in surprise as they saw who was at the door.

"Willow!" Buffy cheered as she ran to her best friend and gripped her in a tight hug.

"So does someone want to tell me what’s going?" The redhead inquired as she placed her hands firmly on her hips, her face looked serious, not showing hardly any emotion whatsoever.

"Hello Red," Spike greeted somewhat casually at the former Wiccan. He had heard what had happened after had left and he didn’t feel that comfortable around her. "Nice to see you again."

"You too Spike…" She said quietly, a small smile tugging at her thin lips. "Thought I would never see you again."

"Same here luv," He nodded his head at her, his nervousness slowly dying away when he saw the friendly smile she gave him. But began to tense up once again when she started walking toward him.

"I heard about your wife." She told him remorsefully, a look of compassion in her bright green eyes. "I’m so sorry." The next thing Spike knew, Willow pulled him into a hug, letting him know that she was going to be here for him.

Buffy only smiled as she watched her best friend and the man she loved embrace each other. She never noticed how much the both had in common. Both of them lost the loves of lives while trying to battle with their dark side. It saddened Buffy a little that she would never have that emotional bond like that with him. It was for the best though that they both had a bond to share. The former slayer shook her head slightly as she turned and left the room so that both of them could talk.

"You know…it’ll get better." Willow told him silently as they pulled back from one another and sat down on the couch at the opposite end of the room. "The pain that you feel now will only heal with time."

"I know…" he whispered in response and then turned to look into her eyes. "How did you…what did you do to get over with Tara’s death?"

The redhead only let out a loud sigh at his question. "I don’t know how it happened. I guess I just tried to remember that she loved me and would want me to go on with my life. I know I would want her to do the same thing."

Spike placed his head into his hands while he processed the answer he had been given, "I try to move on…I think I already have but as I sleep at night, all I can see is her face, haunting my nightmares. Last night was the first night that I’ve slept and not had one."

"That’s good." She grinned at him and placed a tentative hand on his shoulder. "You’ve got a pretty little girl in there who seems to love you a lot."

Spike’s face brightened at the mention of his Erin. "I love that girl with all my being. I don’t know what would happen to me if I didn’t have her."

"She seems to have grown to love Buffy also from what Dawn has told me."

"Yeah…" Spike nodded his head as he let out a small chuckle, "asked the Slayer if she would be ‘er new mum. Buffy didn’t know what to tell her."

"I don’t think it would be that bad if Buffy said ‘yes’." Willow as she began to silently pick at her nail polish. After a long pause of silence, there was a question that Willow was itching to ask him. "Do you love her?"

"Who?" Spike asked naively with a confused look on his face.

"You know who…Buffy. Do you still love her?" Willow asked him seriously with a determined look in her eyes.

"I…I, uh…I care for her yes." He stuttered slightly which made Willow want to laugh but didn’t.

"But do you love her is what I am asking."

"I might feel something for her, yes. I don’t know how it happened, but the time I have spent with her has unburied feelings and desires that I thought I had gotten rid of long ago." He confessed, his eyes looking directly into hers, there was a look perplexment set on his features that just wouldn’t shake off.

He didn’t know why he was confessing so much to this woman. This is probably the longest conversation they had ever had the whole time they had known one another. Deep in his human soul he felt like he could trust her just like he trusted Buffy and Dawn. He knew maybe it was because Willow knew what he was going through, the pain that he was feeling.

"You may not know how you feel now, but there will be a moment when you will just know. But just think about this Spike…" Willow let out a huge sigh before she continued. "I know in the past you felt that you didn’t have a chance for her to love you like you did. Even when you guys were, uh well, you know but now I think you do have a chance and not just because you’re human but because she has seen the person you’ve become, the wonderful man that was hidden under that demon mask of yours. So…I would just think about that while you’re sorting out your feelings." She grinned happily at him and leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before hoping off of the couch and heading into the main room.

"Hey Willow!" Spike called out.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks." He smirked at her as she made her way out of the door and then began to process his thoughts. What he should do about Erin? About Buffy? A thousand considerations just began to swarm through his head that it was hard for him to sort them out one by one.

Spike was so engrossed with his thoughts that he almost died from fright when Buffy placed her hand tenderly on his shoulder. "Jesus Christ Slayer! Don’t scare me like that!"

Buffy only giggled while she sat down next to him on the couch, "sorry, I couldn’t help myself. You were just so lost in thought, oblivious to the rest of the world that I just…you know it is not my fault that you are turning into an old man and are loosing your sense of hearing." She teased looking at him with amused eyes.

"What the bleedin’ hell are you talking about Buffy!" Spike shouted defensively, having no idea that she was just joking around with him. "I’m not turning into an old man!" He shouted once more, now bounding to his feet so that he could topple over her.

Buffy only shook her head at him as she also stood up so that they were on the same eye level, "okay, whatever, believe what you want to believe if that is what makes you feel better." She smirked at him, placing her hands behind back and was about to head out of the room but stopped dead in her tracks when Spike grabbed her roughly on the sides of her stomach, which caused Buffy to giggle as he hit her ticklish spot.

"Oh, you ticklish eh?" He grinned wickedly; his eyes becoming their bright color once again as he quickly spun her around to face and began to tickle her viciously.

"Please stop! Don’t!" Buffy laughed as his hands roamed around her stomach, which caused her to laugh even more. "William, stop! Ahahah!" She roared as she began to loose her balance and fell to the floor, landing right on her butt.

"That’s what you get for calling me old." He smirked at the blonde who seemed to be pouting as she remained on the floor, her bottom lip sticking straight out at him. She was spitting image of Erin right at that moment.

"I was only trying to have fun with you." She said as she continued to pout.

"Oh, come now Slayer. Don’t be a party pooper." He shook his head at her and then offered his hand to her. "Here lemme ‘elp you up." He smiled as Buffy took his hand but was surprised as she pulled him roughly down towards the ground so that he was directly on top of her. "That wasn’t fair Slayer." He remarked with a cocky grimace placed firmly on his face that reminded Buffy of the old Spike.

"Well, I never liked to play fair," She giggled slyly as she propped herself up on her elbows so their faces were only centimeters from each other. "But now we’re even."

"I guess so…" He trailed off as the couple locked eyes with each other and suddenly became aware of how close their bodies and their faces were from each other. It was then that Spike began to blush at her closeness, as did Buffy. Suddenly, the ringing of the shop bell erupted throughout the shop and startled the couple, causing them to pull away from each other.

"I’m going to go see who that is." Buffy whispered and left the back room to a confused Spike.

~*~

Erin cowered slightly behind Dawn as she saw Riley enter the shop; a hard look set on his face. "There’s the bad man." Erin whispered to Dawn as they stood behind the counter with Anya, grasping the woman’s leg as tight as she could. "Where’s my daddy?" The little blonde girl asked quietly so that Riley couldn’t hear her.

"He’s in the back with Buffy, honey. Don’t worry he’ll be okay." Dawn reassured the child who was beginning to whimper. The Slayer let out a relieved sigh when her older sister entered the room and quickly shut the door behind her.

"Hello Riley." Buffy greeted casually as she went and stood by her best friend. "You didn’t tell me that you were going to stop by the shop today."

"Well, I’m surprised that you didn’t know because I told Dawn early this morning that I was stopping by today." He smiled that goofy grin at the former Slayer and then turned over to look at Willow. "Hey Wills, been a long time."

"Yeah it has." Willow smiled slightly at him, so that it would appear like she was pleased to see him. "How are you?"

"I am good. On a little vacation and decided to just drop by Sunnydale for a little visit. See how everyone is doing." He beamed at the redhead who only nodded at him, not really giving him a lot of response but Riley didn’t seem to notice.

"How’s Sam?" The red head asked suspiciously but you couldn’t tell by the tone that she said it in.

"She’s good, she’s back at home though for a while and then meeting me in San Francisco." He smiled for the millionth time. It was weird to see this man, who looked so hard and solid smile like a doof. It was kind of creepy in a way.

"Really? That’s interesting because I emailed her a couple of weeks ago and she hasn’t responded at all. In fact I have written several emails before hand and she has never responded." Willow said curiously, furrowing her eyebrows at the dark haired man.

"Oh well, we changed our email address. I guess she just didn’t tell you." He smiled a bit too happily for anyone’s own liking. He then glanced over at the shop table and saw Erin’s family picture sitting on top of it. Quickly turned back to the gang and nodded slightly. "Hey, I have to go. I forgot I have dinner with some old friends. Catch you guys later." He called before turning abruptly on his heels and ran out of the shop.

As soon as the man had left, Erin bolted from behind the counter and to back of the shop where Spike was sitting patiently on the couch. "Daddy!" The girl slightly sobbed as she ran into the man’s arms and hugged him tightly. "The bad man came back!" She cried. "Don’t let that bad man take you daddy!"

"It is okay pet…" Spike whispered soothingly into his daughter’s ear while he rubbed her small back gently. "The bad man is not going to find Daddy. He promises."

~*~

Riley smirked to himself as he stalked down the abandoned streets of Sunnydale. As soon as he was several blocks away from the Magic Box, Riley whipped out his cell phone and began to dial a number.

"Hello? This is Finn…Yeah, I think I know where he might be hiding…"

To be continued…

Title ~ No kissing

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All people Btvs belong to Joss Whedon but Erin and the memory of Elena belong to me of course!

Rating ~ PG~13

Summary ~ This chapter leaves off where the other one ended.

A/N ~ Um…to be honest I don’t know how may chapters are left to tell you the truth! But that doesn’t matter because I actually have 100 reviews!!!!!!! Ahahahhaha! That is so cool! I am so freaking excited right now…that you just don’t know! Anyways…enough of my excitement for a minute! Let’s get on with the chapter shall we?

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Riley groaned with frustration as he heard the older man on the other line ramble. "Really, Agent Finn how can you be so sure that he is hiding out with the Slayer?" The older man questioned Riley in a harsh, rough voice that caused Riley to shudder.

"I already told you sir…there was a picture that the little girl drew of he and the Slayer." Riley said once again as he let out a frustrated sigh and ran his large hand through his charcoal black hair.

"That doesn’t mean anything Finn…all you’re doing is jumping to conclusions. I’m not going to send 15 of my best soldiers to Sunnydale just because you’ve got a hunch!" He barked at the commando who flinched at his tone.

"Sir, think about it!" Riley growled slightly as he tried to reason with the older man. " Where else would he go but to the Slayer. He has no family and no other friends. So it would be obvious he would go back to Sunnydale."

"You cannot be sure of that Agent Finn!" The older man hisses as he began to massage the sides of his head. "Look…you give me proof that he is in Sunnydale and then we’ll see what happens from there."

"Thank you Sir. I will not disappoint you, I promise." The young raven-haired man replied with gratitude.

"But know this Finn…you screw up and you’re dead. You hear it!" The man barked into the receiver, which slightly startled Riley. "And don’t you call me again until you have some evidence. Good DAY!" Before Riley could say anything there was a click on the other line.

"I’ll show him." Riley muttered under his breath as he also hung up the phone. "I know that monster is hiding with her and I’m going to find out."

~*~

Erin giggled with delight as she watched the figures dancing on the screen. "They’re funny."

"Yeah, they are." Buffy nodded her head as the both of them watched Sesame Street.

She looked down on the little girl with adoration. Erin seemed to have such strength in that small body of hers and lots of love for her father. After Riley had left, the little girl had just balled for hours in her father’s arms, wishing that the bad man would just go away so that Spike wouldn’t have to worry anymore.

"Vuffy?" Erin said with confusion as she tilted her head to the side and watched the former Slayer snap out of her thoughts.

"Yes, Erin?"

"Do you think we should wake Daddy? He has been sweeping for a lloooong time!" The girl sighed as she rolled her blue eyes at Buffy who giggled at her face. "And I want to tell him about Sesame Street."

"Well, I think we should wait. He was really tired last night when he went to bed. So we should let him sleep." Buffy nodded at the girl before turning back to the TV.

Erin grinned as she crawled over on the couch and into Buffy’s lap, resting her head on the crook of Buffy’s neck. "I love you Vuffy." The girl chirped as she snuggled deeper into Buffy’s body and let out a sigh of relief. "I want you to be my mommy."

"Oh…Erin…" Buffy slightly sobbed as she tried to hold back the tears that were forming at the rim of her eye.

"Shh…it is okay Vuffy." The girl whispered to her sweetly as gently wiped the tears that were falling down the Slayer’s cheek. "Don’t cry. We don’t have to tell Daddy. It can be a secret."

As Buffy stared into the little girl’s bright eyes, the former Slayer had a feeling of warmth and security. Erin’s eyes had the same effect on her that Spike’s did. The only difference was that Buffy felt loved completely. Buffy loved him and loved him completely, no questions asked. It was normal now and comfortable. She didn’t know if he felt the same way and he probably didn’t. But whenever he kissed, touched or even looked at her she felt like there was something there.

Buffy began to chuckle when she heard the small girl’s stomach begin to gurgle. "You hungry sweetie?" Buffy asked softly as she ran her head over Erin’s small braids that she had fixed herself.

"Yeah!" Erin cheered, holding her small fist high in the air.

"What wold you like to eat? I make really good waffles…" Buffy suggested as she got up off of the couch and placed Erin back down.

"Yay! Waffles!" She cheered once more and then looked back at the screen and began to giggle. "Hehe…Elmo is funny!"

Buffy only shook her head as she turned on her heels and made her way into the kitchen.

~*~

Spike grinned with satisfaction as he watched Buffy make his daughter breakfast. She looked so lovely in the morning; he had always thought that even in the past. Just everything about her seemed so elegant and graceful. Just everything she did seemed in slow motion and it was beautiful.

"So…" Spike began gently as he stood behind her. "Do you always watch Sesame Street every Sunday morning or is this just a one time thing?" He smirked with amusement when he saw her begin to blush.

"You’re evil." She teased as she went back to the batter she was stirring.

"You don’t believe that." He told her sincerely, that amused smirk still remaining on his features, which caused her to turn around to face him once more. "Good Morning, luv." He said as his smirk turned into a genuine smile that caused Buffy to blush once more.

"You seem happy this morning considering last night. With the whole Riley thing." She said, the blush on her face began to fade away and the tone in her voice was very serious.

"Well…you know, I had a nice little talk with Red last night. Made me feel better."

"That’s good." She nodded her head, the smile that had fell away from her lips, returning once again. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did alright. I got up once or twice and couldn’t go back to sleep ‘till awhile later." He confessed to her as his face softened.

"Dreams again?"

"Something like that." He muttered slightly with the look of sadness in his face. "I slept better last night to tell you the truth. There were no dreams then. You made me calm, Summers." He sighed lovingly as he ran his knuckles down the side of her face. Subconsciously, she closed her eyes lightly and leaned into his touch.

"William…" She breathed out in a pleasured sigh.

"Buffy…" he purred as he ran his knuckles down the other side of her face, which caused Buffy’s eyelids to flutter open and look him directly in the eye with affection. Tenderly grabbing the sides of his face, Buffy planted a soft kiss on his lips that left them both feeling as if they were on fire.

Their attention was drifted away from each other when they heard a high-pitched giggle come from across the room. Turning their heads towards the sound, the couple saw Erin in a fit of giggles as she watched her daddy and her new mommy kiss.

"You guys are funny!" She continued to laugh, as she played with her pigtails, Mr. Gordo held tightly in her small hands.

"You think so ‘eh?" Spike grinned as he stalked over to her and lifted her high into the air and spun her around in circles, which caused Erin to laugh even more. A while later he put her back down and as Erin made her way to sit on one the bar stools she seemed to sway slightly from side to side.

"You hungry little girl?" Buffy chirped as she placed the plate of waffles down in front of her.

"Uh huh!" The little blonde nodded with excitement, immediately grabbing the fork from Buffy’s hands and then watched with amazement as she began to pour the syrup on top of them. "What are we going to do today Vuffy?"

"I don’t know." Buffy thought as both she and Spike watched Erin eat her breakfast with bright wide eyes. "What would you like to? We can’t really be out and about today."

"Um…I vanna go see Jacob!" The girl giggled as she stuffed a forkful of waffle in her mouth and smiled at the both of them. "Can we go see ‘im Vuffy?"

"Sure, sweetie. We can go see him." Buffy nodded with adoration for the little girl. "But I really need to go to work for a little bit. Maybe I can call Anya and he come spend the day with us at the gallery? Would you like that?"

"Oh yes very much!" She giggled once again for the millionth time that morning. "Is daddy going to help you work today, Vuffy?"

"I guess so," She said unsure of herself and then turned to look at Spike. "You wanna help today?" Buffy asked with a shaky breath when she looked to his eyes for the second time today. His eyes had a weird effect on her. It wasn’t a bad weird. His eyes just seemed to draw her into him. They made her love him all over again.

"I suppose I could help out a bit." He grinned at her and then over towards Erin. "Will you be good and not get into any trouble today if I help out Buffy?"

"Yeah, I will daddy." Erin chirped and then scrunched up her forehead into several defined wrinkles. "Just no kissing!"

"No, kissing." Spike said as he stifled a bit of laughter. "We promise."

~*~

Buffy tittered with joy as she and Spike arranged the money inside the gallery’s cash register. "Thanks for helping out today Spike."

"You’re Welcome." He smiled genuinely and then turned his attention to the children who were sound asleep on small bed of blankets that he and Buffy had made for them. "Buffy…I want to ask you a favor."

"Yeah?"

"If something…happens to me." Spike let out a frustrated sigh as he tried to sort out what he was going to say. "Look, Erin has no one else to take care of her. And if something bad happens to me…I want you to take care of her. To raise her."

Tears began to form in Buffy’s eyes at the thought of Spike dying. She didn’t know if she could live without him now, especially if his daughter, whom looks and acts like him in every single way was in her care because everyday she would remind Buffy of him. It would crush the former Slayer. She would love Erin forever but it would just hurt like hell to see Spike gone.

"Spike…William," She said as the tone in her voice began to soften when she used his original name. "Nothing is going to happen to you. I won’t let it happen. Erin and everyone would miss you."

"Would you miss me Slayer?" He asked sincerely, not being able to meet her eyes.

"Of course." She breathed out honestly as pulled him into an intimate hug, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly, resting the side of her face by his. She could feel his breath run across her skin delicately.

"No kissing!" Erin interrupted while giggling and then immediately began to pout. "I was a good girl because you said there be no kissing!"

"We weren’t kissing my love," Spike chuckled as he walked over to Erin and lifted her into his arms, planting a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Just giving Buffy a hug. No harm in that right?" Erin reluctantly nodded and then buried her face in the crook of her father’s neck and sighed, quickly falling back into a deep slumber. "She’s a tired one." He chuckled as he set her back down on the ground beside Jacob. "But back to what we were discussing. If something happens to me…you promise me that you’ll take care of ‘er."

"But, Spike, nothing…"

"No Buffy!" Spike growled as he grasped Buffy by the shoulders and looked directly into her hazel eyes. "Just promise me you’ll do it! If you care for me at all, you’ll do it!"

"I-I promise." Buffy stuttered as she felt tons of emotion wash over her.

"Thank you." Spike sighed as he loosened his grip on her shoulders and then planted a kiss on her forehead. "I know she’ll be safe with you. She loves you."

"I know." The blonde woman whispered quietly as she went back to assorting the money back into the cash register.

What was he thinking? Buffy thought to herself, still continuing to shuffle through the money. Nothing was going to happen to Spike…how could he think such things? Does he know what that would do to Erin? What that would do to me? God, I don’t think I could live with out him, seven years without him was enough but to live without him for the rest of my life. I don’t think I could bear that.

"Hey," Spike whispered softly into the former Slayer’s ear, causing her to snap out of her thoughts. "I’m going to go to the back and check on something." Buffy nodded slowly as she watched Spike retreat towards the backroom.

"Why does he have to effect me like that?" She whispered to herself as she placed a stack of ten-dollar bills inside the cash register and shut it tightly. The ringing of the gallery’s bell caused the blonde’s face to brighten but it soon faded away when she saw who came into the shop.

"Hey Buffy." Riley greeted happily as he approached the cash register, placing his large hand on the countertop. "How’s it going?"

"Riley…" Buffy breathed with surprise as she darted her eyes quickly towards the backroom and let out a sigh of relief when she saw that Spike had shut the door behind him. "You didn’t tell me you would be stopping by!" She chirped as she forced a pleased smile on her face.

"Well, I really wasn’t expecting on seeing you today but I was getting ready to go eat lunch and I just passed by here and thought maybe that you would like to go with me?" He asked her gently as he looked her right in the eye.

I can’t leave Spike here! Buffy panicked as she tried to formulate her answer. I really don’t want to go somewhere alone with Riley. It would help getting information out of him though.

"Alright, I guess I could do that…I, uh just need to get the kids to the Magic Box so that Anya can watch them. Just let me check on something in the back and we can go." She said before heading towards the back.

Riley waiting until Buffy had disappeared until he pulled out a very small object from his coat. To the untrained eye it seemed like a small button but it was actually a small government camera.

"This should help finding that monster." He smirked to himself as he hid the camera beside a painting display.

~*~

"Riley is here." Buffy announced to Spike quietly as she entered the backroom. "He wants to take me out to lunch."

"And you’re not going right?"

"I have to…" Spike let out a groan of frustration as he heard Buffy’s answer. "Spike…William, it is probably the only way I can find out why he is truly here. I need to do this."

"But, what about Erin?" He asked silently and was about to say something else but Buffy silenced him with her finger on his lips.

"I’ll take them to the shop and have Anya come get you from here. I don’t think you should be walking outside right now." She told him firmly as she pulled her finger away from his mouth. She saw the fear in his eyes for her, it was only a lunch but somehow it struck a feeling of fear and worry as if he would never see her again.

"Be careful," He whispered sincerely and ran his hand down her cheek softly. "I don’t want to loose you too."

"Don’t worry I can take care of myself." She smirked, placing a chaste kiss on his lips before turning around and heading out of the backroom to join Riley. "Please, God, don’t let her leave me."

To be Continued…

Title ~ More Questions and Some Answers

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All people BTVS belong to Joss but Erin and the memory of Elena belong to me!

Rating ~ PG~13 what else?

Summary ~ Riley and Buffy have lunch, um…and well basically if you read the last chapter you know what is sorta gonna happen. SO yeah…hehe!

A/N ~ Well, not really sure on how many chapters to go before this thing ends but when it does I am going to be a little sad, this has been my favorite story yet that I have written. Anyways…just to thanks to every one who has read and reviewed my story. It means a lot to me! On with the chapter!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike wrapped his arms tightly around his legs as he waited patiently in the gallery’s back room. He had been sitting there for about an hour and still no one had come to tell it was okay to come out. What has taking the demon girl so long? All she had to do was get the kids into the car and drive down here. Spike ranted in his head as he stared mindlessly at the door in front of him. He then began to wonder about Buffy and how it was going with Riley. I hope she is okay, he worried as he continued to look at the door.

"Where are they?" He whined, running a hand through his dark blonde hair.

Suddenly the sound of the gallery bell ringing echoed through out the room, causing Spike to jump and was about to scream but held his breath thinking it might be something bad. He then started to panic when he saw the doorknob began to turn slowly. Quickly Spike snapped his eyes shut and began to pray. The blonde man almost flinched as he felt the door open slowly, allowing the lights from inside the shop pool over his body, making it appear as if he was under a bright spotlight. His fears were put to rest when he felt small arms envelop his neck tightly.

"Daddy!" Erin whispered somewhat sadly into her father’s ear. "You’re alright."

"You okay my love?" Spike asked softly, rubbing her back gently as small tears fell from her eyes and onto his shirt. "Something go wrong?"

"I had a bad dream again, Daddy." She whimpered.

"What happened, pet."

"Well…" She sniffled as she removed her small round face from his shoulder and looked him in the eye. "I was in da park with you, Vuffy and Bawn. Bawn and I were on da swings. You and Vuffy were having a picnic on da grass. You guys were kissing again!" She cringed slightly as she remembered her daddy and Vuffy kissing once more. The tears still were falling from her eyes. "Then that bad man ran came over to you and he took you away from Vuffy, I was yelling at him to weave you and Vuffy alone! He wouldn’t listen to me! He den started to hurt you Daddy! He hurt your tummy and your face! I couldn’t make him stop!" She finished as she started to ball all over again, holding onto him tightly.

Rubbing her back gently, Spike lifted the girl into his arms and headed out of the backroom. Before he left the gallery the man pulled his daughter’s face away from his shoulder to look at him.

"Listen here, pet." He told her softly. "Nothing is going to happen to me. The bad man won’t find me. Buffy will make sure of that…I love you Erin."

"I wuv you too Daddy…" She yawned as she buried her head in the crook of her father’s neck and fell into a deep slumber, a smile planted on her face.

Spike shook his head, a smile forming on his face also as he ran a hand down the girl’s hair. "Don’t worry pet, he won’t be able to find me." He whispered to the little girl turning on his heels and walked out of the shop where Anya and Jacob were waiting in the car. Unaware that the camera had recorded everything that had happened.

~*~

Anya sighed as she turned to look at Spike; "you okay?" She asked quietly as the car traveled towards the Magic Box.

"Yeah…I’m alright." He responded with the same tone as she did, staring blankly out the window.

"You don’t seem like it. Your aura seems disturbed." She noted as her demon powers pulled into full gear.

Spike slightly snorted at her analysis of his emotions and yet felt somewhat freaked out by it. "Yeah and what else can you see in my aura?" He asked, his tone dripping in sarcasm.

"Well…" She began, focusing her attention on the road, not noting the sarcasm in his voice. "You seem more content, happier I guess is how you would describe it. You don’t seem as much as depressed as you were but now you also seem somewhat scared."

"That doesn’t make sense. How can I be happy and scared at the same time?"

"Well…you can be happy about one thing and scared about another. You should know your own heart William." She said as she slightly glanced over at him and then back at the road. "You shouldn’t worry about Buffy, you know."

"What? How did you…?"

"How did I know?" She finished for him, slightly glancing over at Spike and then drew her eyes back to the road. "It is not that hard to figure out William. It’s just who you are. You have always cared about her. People always worry about the ones they care for. Especially when they might be put in a dangerous situation."

Spike sat silently in his seat as he began to process through what Anya had told him. It was true. He cared for Buffy. A great deal even and her being with caused him to fear for her.

"William…can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah."

"Do you love her?"

Spike let out a long sigh as he felt the weight of the question. Willow had asked him that yesterday and he didn’t know how to answer it, even now.

"You know…Will asked me that yesterday when we were in the shop. And…I said that I do feel something for her which you already know, I guess." Spike let out another deep sigh as he tried to sort out his words. Anya was saying nothing while he did this.

"She makes me feel different. A good different, really. She makes me feel at calm, at peace with my self. She comforts me when I need it. She helped my daughter and I, no questions asked. When she looks at me in a crowded room, I feel like the only person in the room. I could lover her again, I suppose…"

Anya continued to stare at the road as they came to the Magic Box. Once the car was parked, the demon turned towards the former vampire and smiled. "You’re a good man, William."

"Thanks." He blushed slightly and before he knew it, Anya pulled him into a tight hug.

~*~

Buffy sighed with boredom as she began to tap her fingers on the table. "So…how’s South America?" Buffy and Riley had been sitting there for about 30 minutes, not even speaking to one another the whole time. During that period of time Buffy had been thinking of Spike and how he was doing. She had hoped that Anya had gone to get him without anyone seeing either of them.

"Good…it’s a bit rainy. But I guess that is how it always is." He said slightly smiling at her. She was still as beautiful as he remembered.

"I guess you are still slaying the demons?"

"Yeah…well sort of. The demon activity has kind of died down a bit but enough to keep on fighting down there." He said as he brought that silly grin to his lips. "How about here? How’s the demonic activity been here?"

"I hardly know anymore. Dawn and I trade off on training. She’s been doing it for the last couple of months. She doesn’t talk about it much. She’s been a bit busy with her job, her slaying and…"

"Erin," Riley finished for her as the look on his face became very serious. He leaned forward in his seat and then looked Buffy straight in the eye. "I’m still surprised she survives for having to balance that much." He said as his left eyebrow perked up.

"Well, you know, I help out. Whenever Dawn has to work or slay, Erin always stays home with me or goes to the gallery."

"Yeah…" He said silently, looking away from her eyes. Then suddenly a slight smirk appeared on his face. "You know what I have been thinking?" He asked slyly, looking her back in the eyes.

"What?" Buffy gulped. She came here to try to get information out of Riley but it turned out that Riley was probably going to get information out of her.

"It has amazed me on how much Erin really doesn’t look like Dawn and looks more like…Spike." He said as he looked deeply into her hazel eyes, trying to see into her soul and get an answer out of her.

"Oh…" Buffy breathed, "why would you think that?"

"I don’t know. Just when I look at her, I don’t see any Dawn in her. All I see is Spike, she looks exactly like him."

"Well, I don’t know where you see that because everyone thinks that she does look like Dawn. There are very few things in her that look like Spike. And besides none of us has seen or heard from Spike in 7 years." She said firmly and was about say something else but was cut off when their waitress brought their food.

As soon as the woman had left, Buffy looked up at Riley. "So…I am surprised the Initiative hasn’t contacted you in all of these years. I mean without the demonic activity in South America this would be the best time for them to ask you back."

"Buffy, you know that the Initiative has been closed for years…" Giving her a quizzical look and then continued on, "why the sudden interest in it?" He asked suspiciously.

"Why the sudden interest in Spike?" She retorted, not tearing her eyes away from his.

"Well…I don’t trust him."

"I don’t trust the Initiative." She hissed slightly, as her face-hardened at him. She didn’t know why she was becoming so mad. This wasn’t like her. "I refuse to think they just stay closed for that long."

"I will have to disagree with you, Buffy. But enough talk, let’s eat before our food gets cold." He rushed as he grab his fork and began to stab his food furiously as if he was pissed off. Buffy quickly noted this and soon began to eat her food also.

~*~

"Thanks for the lunch Riley…" Buffy thanked as she forced a smile onto her lips, making their way in to the gallery. "I had a…good time."

"Yeah, it was great to catch up." He said sincerely, although he felt nervous that the Slayer had found him out. "Maybe we could do this some other time."

"Yeah, maybe we could." Yeah, I don’t think so, Buffy thought in her head as she said this. I don’t know if I could stand to be alone with him for that long. It had taken us three hours just to eat lunch. No way am I going to do that again.

Buffy was about to say something else but it was then that the phone began to ring erratically. The blonde rolled her eyes with annoyance as she stalked over towards the phone. "Hello? Oh…hello Ms. Knight…" She greeted as she and the woman were pushed into instant conversation about one of the paintings.

Riley smirked as he looked over at the display next to him and retrieved the camera from its hiding place, placing it inside his coat pocket. By the time he turned to look at Buffy, she had finished her telephone conversation with Ms. Knight.

"Sorry about that. Ms. Knight wanted to know on when she should pick up her purchase."

"Yeah, hey Buffy, I think I should be going. I have an appointment this afternoon that I can’t miss." He sighed as he turned on his heels and walked out the doors towards his motel room.

~*~

Riley grinned as he watched the tape over again and beamed with excitement. Immediately he ran towards the phone and began to dial the number.

"Hello, Sir, this is Agent Finn. I have that proof you wanted."

To be continued…