CHAPTER 6: VARYING DEGREES OF STUBBORN

** * *

Hours had crept by. They had talked and thought and tried to figure out what the deal was. With neither of them that well-versed in the magic arts they hadn't really come up with anything useful. Buffy no longer held the amulet in her hands. But, still not wanting to risk losing it she'd insisted on putting it inside her coat pocket. Spike wasn't so sure but a look from her had been enough.

But then, it usually was.

They each sat in their chair, staring at the fire. Spike tapped his fingers as he slowly got a little stir crazy. Suddenly he got up. "Ah sod this! I'm going to see if there's anything to eat in that kitchen!"

"What?" Buffy said. "In that kitchen? Have you seen it??"

"Yeah well, got nothing better to do. Think I saw it two doors down."

"Like THAT means anything in this place! And besides, we shouldn't get separated again!"

Spike grinned. "Too true. So come with me then." And before she could reply he was already walking out of the room.

She grumbled a little under her breath and followed him. "Spike I really don't feel like doing the 'room dance' again. At least we have comfy chairs and a fire here. Okay really moldy old comfy chairs, but still………"

Spike nodded, but still walked on through the corridor. "Let's see. Yeah here." He walked in a door and it was indeed the kitchen they'd seen earlier. Old and worn out but it had once been a kitchen.

Spike started opening up cupboards and drawers. Buffy tried the tap, but all that came out of it when she turned it on were some odd looking bugs. "Ewwww….." she moaned.

"Spike there's nothing here. Let's go back."

"Hang on. Bloody hell, not even a box of soddin' crackers?" he cursed as he came up empty everywhere he looked.

"Spike come on," she said again.

"Yeah, yeah pet. Balls! Nothing! Damn spook house, I'm hungry. Not expecting blood bags here, but………"

"Spike!" she said sharply and in spite of himself he reacted, instantly closing a cupboard door. 'Great, like a trained puppy!' he thought to himself.

Buffy folded her arms. "God you can be such a little kid sometimes. Now, I KNOW vampires can be more level headed than this!"

"'Course," Spike muttered under his breath. "Like your old boyfriend. Yeah, can't Peaches come and teach me proper obedience?"

"What?" Buffy said. Spike turned around, but before he could say 'nothing' they both saw what was suddenly standing on the table in front of them. A can of fruit.

"Hey now!" she said. "I'm not touching the amulet! I didn't even say anything! I just heard you say something about 'canned peaches', and………"

"Huh? Oh…..…canned….……peaches. Right. Yeah. Was just wishing I had some. My favorite. Yeah……..." he cleared his throat. "So……..what, now whatever you think comes true? Don't even have to say it out loud or touch the thing?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe……well, I guess you got food."

Spike picked up the can. "Yeah. Guess so." Inwardly he sighed. He didn't really care for peaches all that much.

"I suppose I could try and 'make' more food, but………"

"Yeah, no. Better not. Risky stuff. Maybe you should get rid of it after all. The trinket I mean."

She thought for a moment. "No, I'll be fine. I'll just have to control my thoughts. I can do that. I'm the Slayer. Yeah. Giles has been teaching me about focusing my shee."

"You mean 'chi'?" Spike grinned at her.

Her mouth tightened a little in that indignant way. " …..'s what I said………"

"Sure," Spike smiled as he walked out the kitchen with the can. "Just be careful you don't 'shee' me into the middle of next week or something. Come on, let's go back to the fireplace."

A little later they were both chewing on the peaches. Both her coat and Spike's duster were hanging over the chairs and the can was passed back and forth between them. Of course the syrup the peaches were soaked in was way too sweet, especially for Spike.

"Blech. This can't be good for my fangs," he muttered.

"Hm, a little shweet," Buffy commented with her mouth full. "Not too bad."

Spike smiled. "Yeah, you'd say that. Sweet tooth, you got." She shrugged and licked her fingers.

"Well, I'll put some more wood on the fire. Just don't think anything now, don't wanna get burned again."

She frowned. "That was an accident. I'm all in control now. Miss Control, that's me."

"Uh huh," Spike grunted, hardly convinced. He got up and started gathering wooden boards lying around the floor, breaking them into smaller pieces. Buffy had another slice of peach and watched him.

With his duster off, just in his usual black t-shirt, she couldn't help but sneak a peek or two at his arms while he worked.

Xander had had a point, Spike WAS well-muscled.

She suppressed a smile and looked back at the can, feeling herself stare too much.

Then her eyes sort of darted up again. Yeah, during training it had been hard not to notice as well. Like he was carved out of marble or something. What was it that sex-bot had said again? "You should really see him naked."

She rolled her eyes when she remembered he'd had that built.

Honestly. Men!

Still, she may have had a point there with seeing the naked Spike bit.

"Alright then," Spike said as he tossed a bit of wood into the fireplace and got up, wiping his hands. "That should burn for a while longer."

He turned to Buffy and suddenly noticed it had gotten a bit drafty in the room. Then he saw her face as she looked at him with wide eyes, stopping in mid-chew.

She looked up, down, up again and lingered in a few places.

Spike looked down and saw he was naked.

** **

TBC!

CHAPTER 7: VARYING REVELATIONS

** **

"Wuh…….what the bloody hell????" He looked down at himself, completely naked from top to bottom. Then he looked at her. "You………you do this? What the hell for?? This a joke?"

Buffy nearly choked on her peach chunk as she shook her head and tried to speak. Spike looked at her with wide eyes, still waiting for an answer. "Tell me pet, what's the punch line?"

She blushed a nice pinkish red that was even visible in the weak light of the fire and pulled an ugly face as she tried to cough without spraying peach bits and syrup on her clothes.

"Hmbnn *COUGH* I didn't *COUGH COUGH*……..I mean…..…didn't mean to………"

As she struggled, Spike's put his hands on his hips in a slightly put-off pose. He was making no attempt to cover himself up. If she wanted to get an eyeful, let her!

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes from the coughing. "Ahem, I….…I didn't do anything I was just….…thinking……."

Spike raised one eyebrow. "Really……...well, it's……...flattering. That sort o' thinking."

She glared at him. "Noo, don't get all excited now….…...I mean…….NO…….I didn't mean to say 'excited'……."

In a reflex her eyes darted down to his loin area and lingered for a second. She shook her head, closing her eyes as she already saw her new thought was also 'working out'. "No! I mean..….."

But it was too late. Spike looked down as well as he felt a familiar feeling…….. "Ahem. And the hits keep coming. That's never happened THIS fast! Wanted a 'salute' did you?"

Buffy searched for words as her eyes were drawn back to his loin area, and after each time, she closed her eyes and looked away again. "Noo, I-I….…."

"No really," he continued. "If you wanted to see this, all you had to was ask, Slayer."

"I didn't! I mean I was just having a-a……....stray thought! You know….…like people have…...."

He folded his arms. "Well, yeah I DO know actually." He looked her body over with a slight smirk.

"Unfortunately, I don't have any amulets to help me out, like some people."

Buffy gulped for a moment and pulled the neck of her sweater a little higher. "Well, good! And you're not going to have it either. Don't get any ideas, this was just…..…"

"Hey, excuse me, *I'M* not the one who just magicked one of the people in this room all in the 'buff'!! Pun intended by the way."

"It was an accident!" Buffy yelled. "Like I said, just a stray thought. People have them all the time!"

In reflex, her eyes flashed over his body every now and then while she tried to talk, as our eyes do when we're not supposed to look at something we're curious about. Especially his still 'affected' loin area kept drawing her attention. She frowned and looked to the side. "Can you……..ahem, put your duster on or something? This is really…….distracting."

He raised his eyebrows. "What, naked in my duster? And sit around like some Chippendale right before he goes 'on'? How about you 'think' me my clothes back?"

"Fine, fine I'll try." She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate.

Spike swallowed. Maybe he spoke too fast. Who knows what she'd do now!

"Uh Buffy maybe…...."

"NO! Fine, just let me concentrate." She sighed and tried to calm herself.

'Just think about Spike clothed' she told herself. 'What happened to those clothes anyway? Are they gone? Or back at his crypt in the closet? No concentrate, focus. Uhm black shirt, black jeans……no wait, should I wish new clothes or visualize what he had on? Or turn back time? Come on, thoughts can go all over the place, you don't want another repeat of this. Or something worse, something even more embarrassing, like earlier when I thought that little funny about him on a leash……..'

"Uh oh", she muttered as se opened her eyes. Sure enough, the still-naked Spike was now wearing a big dog leash around his neck. Black leather with spikes. He stared dumbfounded at the holding end of it hanging by his knees. He lifted it and looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"This…….uh…..…would be that punch line then?" he asked.

Buffy buried her face in her hands. "I suck as a sorceress…….." she moaned.

Spike cleared his throat. "Ahem. I'm……..ah…..…shocked. Had no idea you were so……….what's the word now…….kinky?"

Buffy looked up. "I am NOT kinky! I-I…...."

Spike tilted his head at her and swung the end of the leash back and forth.

"Really. Then I guess you wanna take me for a walk to the nearest fire hydrant?? And do get me something chewy then. One of those fake bone things should do..……"

"Enough! I'm sorry! Now shut up and let me think. I'll just say it out loud then, 'I want Spike to be dressed in his usual black shirt and pants and boots!'"

She looked at him and smiled when she saw she was successful. Spike nodded, noting he didn't feel them 'come back' anymore than he'd felt them disappear.

"That's better luv. Of course…….."

Buffy looked up at him and her smile faded. He still had the leash tightly around his neck.

He grinned and shook his head. "That's okay luv, let's not push our luck. I'll just take it off myself." He reached behind his head and fiddled with it for a while. He dropped his hands and said, kind of embarrassed.

"Uhm……..can't reach……and kinda tight……..Don't suppose……."

She looked at him, and cleared her throat. "Ahh….yeah, of course. Sure, yeah. Only fair. I'm the one who got it …..on there. Ahem"

He lurched down on his knees as she got up and tried to open the buckle of the leash on the back of his neck. Took a few moments of fumbling and Spike muttered: "Glad no one's here to see any of this……. Wouldn't be able to show my face again at the poker place."

Buffy had to giggle at that one as she finally got the strap end going through the buckle. "Ohh, big bad doggy would fit fine in a place with all those kittens……."

He gave her a slow burn.

"Oh, don't you pout at me, or maybe I'll leave this on. I only thought of it earlier as a joke you know, Mr. Mind-in-the-Gutter. Because you went off again instead of listening to me."

Spike looked at her as he got up.

"Yeah……so you imagine me in a dog collar, obeying your orders, and I'M the one with the dirty mind? I think you're losing track of who's the victim here."

She looked to the side and tried to shrug. "Oh, get over yourself. We got problems. The amulet is even working from a distance now."

Spike nodded. "Which really will be a problem unless you learn to reach a Dalai Lama level of meditation right now and empty your head of all those nasty stray thoughts."

She gave him a chastising look but didn't say anything. "You're right," she sighed and took the amulet out of her coat pocket. She put it on the table and they both stared at it.

"Maybe we should get rid of it. Maybe that would free us as well. I mean we prevented anyone else from getting it. If there even were other people working the same ritual at the other spots."

"Yeah, but how do we get rid of it? Do that chanting again and toss it back into that light business you described?"

"No, I doubt that's how it works. Maybe we can find somewhere in the house. Preferably some bottomless pit or…."

It was only their reflexes that saved them. She hadn't finished saying those words or a big hole opened right in the middle of the room, nearly claiming them both.

They managed to reach the edge as they fell and each rolled to a side of it, watching one of the chairs fall in and disappearing in the darkness, along with Buffy's coat.

"Bloody hell!" Spike yelled. Buffy steadied herself, trying to think quickly. She created it. Now close it.

She tried to think of the hole gone, or it filling up, and then it briefly reminded her of that deep water well she saw in that movie the other night. And suddenly the hole in the room WAS filled with water splashing over the edge. It all happened so fast, her mind was caught in a chain reaction of instant thought jumps now.

Seeing the water caused her to think how quickly it happened, and the thought of what would happen if it would flood over was in her mind before she knew it.

"Oh no…" she muttered.

Spike looked at her and saw what she meant. As soon as the image entered her mind, it was happening. The water poured out of the hole, filling the room. Everything that flashed through her head became reality now. And of course her realizing it made it more dangerous.

She'd try and NOT think of dangerous things…….thereby thinking of them.

Spike eyed the amulet on the table and without hesitation jumped for it, the water already up to his knees. He grabbed it from the table and looked at it for a second. Maybe he could use it too, although it was most likely responding to her because she'd done the ritual.

"Spike, what are you doing?" Buffy yelled trying not to think of getting sucked into that dark, water-filed hole and immediately losing her grip as the water suddenly whirl pooled, pulling her in.

Spike saw it and made a decision more on gut instinct than rational thought. With a quick and furious move, he smashed the amulet against the wall with all his strength.

There was a loud sound that was not unlike ice cracking mixed with a gigantic power surge. The amulet flashed brightly where it hit the wall and suddenly Spike's hands were empty.

Buffy fell to the floor, the hole gone and everything just dry and dusty again. They both looked around the room.

The one chair that had fallen in the hole was still there. It had fallen over but was still here.

The floor was normal.

The fire was burning steadily but a little low.

They looked at each other in relief.

"Good one," Buffy mumbled. She started to get up. With some relief, she saw her leather coat was thankfully also still there.

Distracted by that thought, she once again blindly reached out for his hand to help her up.

As always it was there.

** **

A couple of days later, back in Sunnydale, Spike was sitting in his crypt, watching TV but not really seeing it. He absent-mindedly sipped his blood from a mug.

He had a lot to think about.

They'd gotten back okay. After everything got back to normal they found the front door easily at the end of the corridor. It had opened and they'd gone back to Sunnydale. The watcher had been a bit disappointed they didn't have the amulet but he was glad they were alright.

Well, mostly glad Buffy was alright.

She'd caught it and joked about how he'd saved the day again. Giles had nodded to Spike. Seemed like a little thing, but for the watcher that was practically gushy when it came to him.

Of course he hadn't told anyone he still had the amulet.

** **

TBC!

CHAPTER 8: WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOU WANTED

** **

Spike sat in his crypt, staring at the amulet he dangled in front of his face.

He had it now, but that hadn't even been his idea. On the way home he'd suddenly felt it in his pocket. He didn't understand it at all, remembering smashing it, but there it was. He almost told Buffy but then he thought better of it.

He just didn't want to risk her thinking he was pulling a scam on her or something. Or that maybe he'd only pretended to smash it, just to get his hands on it. Of course, if she found out later, he'd be in worse trouble because then she'd definitely not believe him.

Now he wasn't sure what to do with it.

It was very tempting, knowing what it could do. But then it was also pretty terrifying! He remembered it hadn't started acting weird until Buffy had used it a couple of times. He could sense the power of it when he focused now. He knew he could use it. It had 'shifted' from her to him. It was hers after she got it with that ritual, now it was his after………well, after he tried to smash it. He thought he really had smashed it too, but apparently that's not how it works with this thing.

It wasn't doing anything though, at least not reacting to his every stray thought, but then it hadn't done that to her in the beginning either. So it would appear he was right. It probably wouldn't go all nutso until he started using it a little too often. Maybe it had also been used too much on one night, and that had accelerated things as well.

Well he certainly had a nice clear image of how wrong it could go. Scary stuff. So now the question was, what WAS he going to do with it?

He dangled the amulet in front of his face, watching the light bounce off it for a long time……..

Then he got up, his face set in clear determination.

** **

Buffy walked through the cemetery towards Spike's crypt. Which was pretty much habit by now. She was glad that 'mission' was over and done with. As her Slayer-duties went, she preferred them near to home and clear in threat and strategy. Not that weird house/ghosts/amulet stuff. Tricky.

Vamp. Stake. Dust. That simple. That's how she liked it.

Well okay, a little fight was fun before the dusting. Especially with Spike. She hadn't been able to get the image of him naked with the leash on out of her mind the past few nights. That was a strange mix of terribly embarrassing, enormously funny……….and damn hot.

She giggled to herself as she walked into his crypt. "Spike? You up for some patrolling?" she said. Her words echoed through the chambers, but there was no reply. "Spike?" she said again. "Are you in here?"

But the crypt was deserted.

** **

The jungle was hot, even at night. The humidity was so bad you drank the air more than breathed it, and the mosquitoes clearly ruled this place with an untouchable supremacy……and a mean streak.

Riley sat under the tree, his turn for watch duty. The demon they were hunting had not shown itself in 2 days, but they were certain he was in the area. So they stayed sharp. And patient. Two important hallmarks of a good soldier.

He was still barely used to the thought of being married. But as new things go…….this was a good one to get used to. He smiled as he thought of Sam, in her tent back at the camp. She'd certainly brought him back from the dark hole he'd been in ever since he left Sunnydale.

"Hey Captain America, got a light?" a voice suddenly said behind him.

Riley swirled around like lightning, his gun following his gaze. When he saw Spike standing there, leaning against the tree, the barrel slowly descended. He looked at him in disbelief.

"S-spike?? What…..how…….?"

Spike looked him over. "Don't worry about that, you won't remember this anyway. Can't have you contact Buffy about this, no matter how ridiculous it's going to sound. But I wanted to see that look on your face."

Riley drew breath to answer or at least ask his questions again. He was too baffled to make a sound though. His gun stayed firmly in his hand and he started to raise it a little again.

"Oh don't bother with that. I gotta go anyway. Don't want to be doing too much. It's tricky stuff. This is sort of a test run really."

He tossed his cigarette as he looked Riley over again. Something was a little off about this all. Not as gratifying as he'd thought. He shrugged and said: "Well gotta run. And sorry that what I'm about to do isn't very original, but………well, it's still kinda funny. At least it seemed to be when it happened to me."

And with that, he was gone.

Riley stared at the spot he thought he just saw someone. He couldn't quite remember who. What was going on here. Had he dozed off? Was he dreaming? He lowered his gun and scratched his neck where a mosquito landed. Then he felt his naked skin. At a spot on his neck so low he really should feel cloth.

He looked down and saw he was naked. Except for his gun.

He looked up again, his eyes spread wide. Apparently not a dream. But what happened?? He had no idea. He remembered someone talking, but……it was as vague as a dream. Why was he naked? Who would do this? The demon they were chasing would just want to eat him!

Well camp wasn't all that far off. No problem. He was fine. NO problem. Except for how to explain this one. Sam would probably wonder if he'd gone nuts.

He still stood there, trying to process this, as he felt a few light stings. A cloud of mosquitoes had discovered him. A slight 'uh-oh' went through his head. Camp wasn't far off but still…….by the time he got there plenty of bugs would have gotten a nice meal out of him.

He moaned as he rubbed his eyes. He was going to be really, really itchy tomorrow………

** **

Spike had himself a decent laugh as he put up the amulet. Now not to touch it for at least another 24 hours. He could sense something not unlike a build-up as he used it, so it was probably a good idea give it some time now.

Certainly had possibilities though, he chuckled to himself. Then his smirk faded a little.

Sure, that was kinda fun. Innocent little test. All the times that the giant schoolboy had threatened and intimidated him while he knew Spike was helpless…….hey, he was entitled to a little payback.

But it hadn't felt all that great. Seeing the guy sit there, so far removed from Sunnydale and Buffy in both time and space……..Spike scratched his head. Just didn't seem like the bloke had actually MATTERED all that much anymore. Oh well, still good for a cheap laugh.

Now tomorrow night would be the real thing. Something he wanted way more than payback on Captain Cardboard……

** **

"Spike? Are you here now? Or did you just move out without telling me?" Buffy called out into the crypt as she entered it the next night.

She walked down the steps looking around for him. Then she spotted him by the fridge. He was already looking at her with a peculiar expression on his face. Something about it struck her as…….expectant?

"There you are? Where were you yesterday? I thought tomorrow night was when you and Clem would play poker? You shouldn't stand a Slayer up on patrolling appointments you know. Good thing I'm a nice girl or…." She stopped as she noticed how he looked at her.

Spike had closed the fridge and was now walking towards her, slowly and without saying a word.

"Uhm, hellooo? Earth to Spike?" She frowned at his intense gaze on her. "What? Do I have something between my teeth?" she asked.

Spike still didn't answer. Instead his right hand disappeared into his pocket and he closed his eyes in concentration for a second. Then he looked at her again and smiled as he saw the immediate effect of his efforts.

Buffy was still standing in front of him as she had, but now something was very different about the expression on her face. Her eyebrows were no longer wrinkled together in a wondering frown. Instead she looked at him with absolute happiness in her eyes. And a slow growing smile as if she saw her long lost lover back from the war.

Spike swallowed hard. His smile widened as he felt like a man who finally sees the doors of heaven opening. His dreams were coming true.

"Spike……oh Spike!" she whispered as she flung her arms around his neck. Spike met her embrace but his happy smile instantly faded at hearing her words.

"I love you," she said and kissed him. He kissed her back but his expression still didn't regain any of his initial joy. After a few seconds he broke their kiss and pushed her a little away from him, holding her gently by the shoulders.

She looked back at him, the stars in her eyes not even slightly dimmed. She stepped back and with one quick movement, she took off her sweater. He saw now it was the blue one he'd stolen once. He had given it back to her a little while later, thoroughly washed. He'd meant it as an apology for his weird behavior in the beginning of his 'courtship'. He'd been happy when she accepted both the garment and the apology, but even happier when she'd started wearing it again. It had been a good sign.

Now, as he watched it fall to the ground he remembered all of that. He looked at her in front of him, now only her black satin bra prevented her upper body from being completely naked. It's black, shiny surface complemented her black leather pants and he swallowed again as she advanced on him.

"Spike….." she whispered as her hands caressed his face and started to kiss him. He gasped, which was a rare feeling for him. Not needing air, he could count the times his body had gasped out of old habit on one hand. He smelled her, felt her naked skin, her warm lips on him.

This was everything he'd dreamed of.

And it wasn't.

He pushed her back again. Firmer now. She looked at him with some surprise. "Spike? What's wrong?" she asked. The utter innocence in her voice only made things worse and he closed his eyes, shaking his head.

"Nothing luv," he muttered. "I'm…………sorry about this."

Before she could answer his hand disappeared into his pocket again. And after another second of concentration, he was once again alone in his dark home.

He sighed and tossed the amulet on the nearby casket. "Bloody good that did me," he muttered to himself.

He crashed into his lazy chair with a soft curse. Buffy was now in her bed at home. All she'd remember is that she skipped patrolling tonight because she had a headache. Spike sighed as he remembered the blue sweater. He remembered being glad Buffy never found out he'd had Harmony wear it, pretending to be her, so he could get aroused enough to have sex with her. He doubted she'd have accepted either the apology or the thing itself if she had known.

It reminded him of how bloody pathetic he'd been. Far, far worse, however, was how the look on Buffy's eyes just now, and her words had reminded him of the Buffybot.

This wasn't what he wanted.

He stared at the spot on the casket where the amulet was lying and growled a little. Omnipotence wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

** **

TBC!

CHAPTER 9: WITH GREAT POWER…….

** **

He'd told Buffy he'd be out of town for a next few days, so no patrolling. She looked at him a little funny, but she hadn't pressed him about where he was going. Which was good, since he wasn't going anywhere. At least he'd done a good job with erasing what happened that evening. She remembered nothing.

He needed a little time to figure things out. About himself, about what his 'doubles' back at the house had said to him. About the amulet and why he even had it. And what he was going to do with it now that getting what he thought he wanted had not really worked out all that well.

He'd thought long and hard about the whole thing all and by now he figured he had it pretty much worked out.

Those apparitions back in the house, wearing the guises of their old selves and people they knew…….they weren't there to hurt them. It was more like 'testing' them. Or perhaps more like 'screening' them. His own doubles had made a few very valid points about him. Buffy, on the other hand, being the most stubborn woman on the planet had just managed to brush them off without hearing them out.

But she'd been the one to do the ritual, getting the amulet. But maybe she was not the right person. Maybe that's what the powers around the trinket had noticed, and that's why they hadn't been allowed to leave the house once the got it.

Buffy hadn't been greedy or anything, or tried to use the amulet for evil ends, but she had been a little, let's say, 'unpredictable'.

'I mean, a dog collar……...' he thought with a slight grin. And when he had grabbed the amulet, he'd tried to destroy it, rejecting the power instead of using it. Obviously you couldn't really destroy it by smashing it. Maybe it couldn't be destroyed at all. But maybe just TRYING to destroy it, he had been judged a more suitable carrier for the damn thing. More worthy or something. He thought it over again and again. Yeah, it made a kind of sense.

He had to laugh out loud at that one. He more worthy! That certainly was a first! And part of him would love to let them all know. Including Buffy.

But no, especially by now, it would just stir up all kinds of trouble. No way would they believe he hadn't deliberately stolen it to use for his own ends. And in all honesty, he had been using it in less than admirable ways hadn't he?

He was only human. Well he wasn't, but still……..It was impossible not to consider the possibilities. Or to try it out to get what he wanted. After all this frustrating time of loving her, wanting to be loved back…..he had the power to have his heart's desire. And he'd tried it………….

The sad thing was, not so long ago he'd probably have had sex with her for a day or so before realizing this wasn't what he wanted from her. Just because he'd been so desperate for so long. But just as she was flinging herself at him, the similarities with the Buffybot were just too much.

He'd only had that little toy for a day last year, and even though he'd had his fun, he knew now he would have gotten bored and sick of her within days, if not sooner.

It wasn't Buffy. It wasn't real and he knew it. The more time that passed after the Glory thing, the more ridiculous it seemed to him. Patrolling with Buffy so often, having her near, the bot seemed more and more like a giant action figure. Which she was, of course.

And the bot had vaguely resembled her at best anyway. To now have the real Buffy become like the bot was a travesty. It wasn't right. Wasn't what he wanted. Unworthy of what he felt. Definitely unworthy of her…..

Well, at least the earlier mistake with the bot had now made him realize this new one in time. Before he made a far bigger mistake with the real Buffy.

And the little joke with the soldier boy hadn't really set him on fire with joy either. He'd originally planned to visit Angel as well and do something to his hair, but after the Riley thing……..

After that his main thought was, why even bother with those wankers? As he'd realized before: THEY were the ones who were gone. Gone from Sunnydale, gone from her life. HE was in now. Not as they had been yet, but still. He was here, closer to her now than either of them. Who cared about them anyway? They weren't even worth it. It felt like admitting they still got to him.

So by now he'd decided that the whole amulet was just a big batch of trouble waiting to happen. It was possible he'd start using it anyway and get a little hooked on it. Maybe using it more often and in the end, messing it all up.

And he'd seen how bad things got in the house. No, magic was tricky.

So he'd went into the caves under his crypt, through some narrow hidden tunnels, walked a few block's worth, climbed down some deep chasms, found a nice soft, earthy spot and had started to dig. Took him almost a full day, but in the end he'd gotten pretty deep, from a point that had started out deep already. He dropped the amulet there and took a day filling the hole up again. There, better this way.

Funny thing was, maybe the powers or the amulet itself or whatever, had actually sensed that this would be what he'd do in the end. Maybe that's why he'd gotten it. As he sat in his chair now, sipping his blood, he smiled again at the notion he'd been chosen because he was actually more 'worthy' than others. Hell must be freezing over by now.

His door suddenly opened and Buffy walked in. "Hey Spike, I'm glad you're back. Had fun……….?"

His heart jumped at her appearance and especially at her words. 'Glad he was back'. Music to his ears "Yeah, came back yesterday. Just meeting up with uh, someone I used to know."

He saw the curiosity in her eyes, but once again she didn't press the matter. "Okay, hope you're all rested from your little vacation because I could tell how much I've gotten used to having a Slaying- and training partner. Speaking of which, ready for some patrolling? The night is young and the vamps are fresh and a-plenty!"

He smiled. "Sure pet. Always up for some violence with you before bedtime." He got up out of his chair. "Just let me go down and get my coat."

"Sure….." she said hesitantly but then stopped him, putting her hand on his arm. He looked at her questioningly. "Look," she said, "when you disappeared for a few days I realized I never even……I mean, I just wanted to say………thanks. I mean, that's not the first time I owe you….….Back at that house I mean. If you hadn't smashed the amulet I'd probably be dead."

He shook his head. "Don't owe me nothing. No one's keeping score here."

She nodded. "I know, I know. It's just, I really appreciate all you've done for me lately……..in case I don't say it enough, I know I still give you a hard time a lot……...more jokingly these days, but still……..."

He grinned. "Yeah well, that's what you're supposed to do right? Tricky vamp like me. Maybe I need that little thing of yours."

She frowned. "What thi-.." she asked. Then she saw him nudge his head behind him on the table. The leash with the dog collar. She blushed a little and cleared her throat. "I can't believe you kept it," she muttered.

"Yeah, shoved it in my coat when you weren't looking. Funny, how it was the only thing that didn't disappear when I crushed the trinket. Don't rightly know what that says about you." He smirked. "Hey, you never know when I'll get out of line……."

She gave him a look. "Yeah well, don't tempt me." And then she added with a little arrogant smile: "You wouldn't refuse me if I reaaally wanted you to wear it anyway."

"Probably not……...." he said softly.

She avoided his gaze. "Anyway, yeah, really don't tempt me! Sometimes I think you do belong in a little doggy house. But seriously Spike. Thanks. I know you don't have to do all the stuff you do…….."

He shrugged, then his eyes lit up as he had an idea. "Hey if you really want to thank me….…..yeah, that pit……..you were gonna get sucked into that. Pfft, you'd be a goner if it wasn't for me."

Buffy frowned and folded her arms. "Uh oh, I feel something coming……."

"A kiss," he said.

She raised her eyebrows. "Oh, you're dreaming!"

He looked at her earnestly. "Just a little one. And just one. Won't make jokes or lewd remarks. Won't take more than you offer. Whatever you want to make it. A peck on the cheek, fine. Won't object or complain. And no, you don't owe me a thing. But if you really want to thank me………"

Her stern look faded. She looked at him and her eyes softened. She looked to the side for a moment and whispered "……can't believe this………"

Then she took a step towards him, reached up on her toes just a little and gave him a kiss on his lips.

Her lips were warm and soft and lingered just a second before letting go with a light smack. She smelled like flowers, her lipstick had a slight sweet taste and the movement of her head moving back again afterwards seemed to take 10 minutes.

He stood there basking in it for what couldn't have been more than a second or two, even though it felt far longer.

Then she reached up with her hand and gave him a little slap on his check. Not hard at all, but hard enough to snap him out of it. She gave him a teasing smile. "That's just so you won't let it get to your head, now."

But her eyes were teasing in a sweet, flirty way. Then she tilted her head to the side and puckered her lips as she remembered something. "And I'll make you a deal. You don't mention those little……..stray thoughts of mine to anyone and I won't mention how strikingly prim and proper a certain William apparently used to be. Deal?"

Spike flustered a bit. He'd forgotten about that. "Heh. Deal."

She kept her smile and nodded. "Of course, next time you're drunk I may grill you a little about that…….." Then she turned around and walked up the steps to his door. "You coming or what?"

"Oh. Uh, yeah. O'course." He stuttered. His coat, he was going to get his coat. Right. He went downstairs quickly. He took his duster off he bed and put it on. Then he stopped for a moment before heading back up again.

He could still feel her lips……….Man he needed that after his failed magic attempt. Just a little kiss……but it was real. And freely given. Yeah, who needs magic.

Then as he turned, his eyes glanced off the little object on his nightstand.

Well, alright, he'd made maybe ONE more teeny tiny little wish before he buried the trinket. He walked over and picked it up. Such a little thing. Those initiative boys knew their stuff. Hard to believe this had been in his head all those months.

And now it was out. Funny. His 'ghostly double' had had a point. It had been two days since he got it out and buried the trinket. And he'd managed to not kill anyone. He'd gone out, and there was temptation, sure. Especially at the Bronze. All those walking meals………but he'd been able not to. Mostly for Buffy sure. Just the thought of what she'd say if she saw him feeding on people again. No, no way. He'd come so far.

He did venture over to a Suck palace too, that first night. And he did feed a little. Off some goth chick that paid him 30 bucks. What was her name? Tarantula or something. She actually had gotten off on it. And he'd felt like a soddin' prostitute! It'd also reminded him of Captain Cardboard and he knew he'd never go back. No, he had his blood, and his burba weed. And he had his hunts and fights.

And he had her.

At least a little bit. Her eyes just now, there was definitely something there. After all this time. Some response to him. And she was more and more willingly showing him that response………

Who needed magic?

In the back of his head, he knew, if not for her, he probably would be feeding again. Maybe that wouldn't be enough for her in the long run. Maybe if it ever came down to it he would dig up that trinket for one more go.

Maybe he could see how he'd do with a soul after all this time.

Yeah……who knows.

"Spi-ike!" her voice came from above. "Don't mean to bother you, but the vamps I spotted earlier? I think they're having their vampy grand children over for a visit by now. Or childes, or childers, or whatever. Are you coming already or what??"

Spike smiled. "Coming luv," he called up.

Yeah, maybe someday he'd have to magic himself over for her. But right now, things were fine.

"Pffff you did what I asked a lot faster when I punched you in the nose on a regular basis," he heard her mutter. "Maybe I should pick that up again."

He laughed.

Yeah, things were just fine.

** **

THE END

AN: OK for those who were wondering, as I said this was a challenge from my wife. Her specs were:

- Start with Buffy and Spike in some deserted house near the mountains of
California, set after season 5.
- Buffy never died, how or why to be my choice.
- It had to include partial or full nudity for at least one character,
- The words 'Sire' and 'Childe',
- and some canned peaches. (And I kinda like how I worked those in! lol)

I was also supposed to stick to only 5 chappies but I just couldn't fit it in that. Sorry, just wanted to write more ;-)

So that was that. Hope it was a half decent read. Thanx to everyone for their kind reviews. The lifeblood of the fanfic nation!