By PassionFish
This fiction has been nominated...find out where!
Time Line: Set Early Season Six
Summary: Buffy's slowly coming out of her shell...and guess who's there to help her?
A/N: Thanks to Marsters’ Girl for originally betaing this fiction.
Written: Unknown
Posted: March 2003, http://www.morbiddesires.com
Revamped: April 2004 (1,500 words extra)
Prologue
"Hey, Buffy! There was a package for you this morning." Willow greeted the Slayer in an obviously extra-peppy tone, trying to smile and receive one in return. All she got in response was a blank stare.
"Thanks Will." The Slayer said automatically, moving to where the Witch indicated.
It was a small brown package - what appeared to be a box; no bigger than 15cm-by-15cm. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied slightly haphazardly with a piece of white string.
She pulled at one end of the bow, then at the other. After having no success at either end she finally gave in, using her Slayer-strength to tear the sting.
Pulling it and the brown wrapping from the box, she was presented with a plain brown box. Frowning she lifted the lid.
Inside all she could see was little white Styrofoam balls. Cautiously dipping her hand inside, wary of an attack, her fingers rummaged around until they hit something metallic.
She wrapped her fingers around it, lifting it from its packaging. She frowned again as she heard the tinkle of a bell with the movement, automatically half turning her head to see if someone had entered the shop and triggered off Anya's knowing-when-customer-enters device, even though logically she knew the sound had originated from the box.
She raised her hand and stared at the object in her hand.
Her mind flashed to an odd conversation she'd had the day before, and she smiled.
It was a small smile at first, barely worth the mentioning.
But as the humour of the situation overtook her, her mouth widened and she bared her teeth in glee.
She laughed out loud, causing the gang to look at her strangely at the unusual sound, but she ignored them.
There was a note at the bottom. It was written on what she could only describe as parchment and in an old fashioned hand.
"All I need now is a collar." The note read.
The Slayer laughed again.
*Learning to live again…not a bad idea…*
Part One
“Hey." Buffy walked up to the gravestone Spike was leaning against, and watched him stub out his cigarette as soon as he spotted her. He always did that,; consciously or unconsciously he was always looking out for her safety, ensuring her well being…ever from something as relatively harmless as a cigarette.
"Hello, love. Ready for patrol?" He asked rather genially, and fell into step beside her as she nodded.
They walked in an amicable silence until, from out of nowhere a Vampire jumped in front of them. Buffy calmly retracted her stake as it snarled at them before slamming it into the Oriental’s chest. He turned to dust, and Spike began to move on, silent because she was, but Buffy stood in front of the pile.
Staring.
"Buffy?" His voice brought her out of her contemplation and she nodded absently to his unasked question of whether or not she was alright and ready to continue, before starting out into the graveyard again.
"Oh, before I forget." Buffy said suddenly, stopping and reaching into her jacket pocket. She produced a black leather collar and held it out to Spike with a small smile.
The Vampire laughed joyfully as he took the proffered gift, immediately realising its significance. He held it up against his neck and struck a pose. "Do you think it goes with the bell?"
Buffy giggled and Spike smiled. His smile disappeared as she moved forward, taking it from his hands. She moved so that she was toe to toe with him, then rose up on her tiptoes, attaching the collar around his neck with the careful brush of her fingertips. As her heat touched his icy coldness he shivered, but remained silent, allowing her to do with him what she so desired. As he always would.
Her gentle eyes never left his owlish ones as she smiled at him, "Very nice." She whispered, slowly retracting her hands.
She stood down and tucked away her stake. She carefully reached for his hand, entwining their fingers. Spike looked shocked, but said nothing as she tugged him along beside her.
"Here, do you want this?" Spike asked, pulling her from her thoughts.
"What?"
Spike reached inside his duster pocket with the other hand and produced a second small cowbell. This one, however, hung from a length of black silk that had been looped round the restraints, which would have held it to the cow.
"Now I have two." She murmured, a slight smile on her face.
Buffy laughed lightly, her laughter turning louder as he rang it twice. Her hand reached forward and took the bell. They continued to walk in silence. Buffy occasionally rang the bell, which in turn caused her to giggle through the quiet.
They came across a bench in the middle of the park and Buffy sat, tugging Spike down with her. She sighed and threw her head back, admiring the stars. After a few minutes she began to get a crick in her neck, and she slid her body down so she was lying across the bench, her head in Spike's lap. She moved their entwined hands so that they rested on her stomach as she continued to stare at the twinkling lights in the sky.
"Did you know stars don't really twinkle?" She said suddenly. "They're just so far away we think they do."
"Think I read that somewhere." Spike interjected quietly, looking down at her.
"I think that’s kinda sad. So many people look out into the sky, and are in awe of something that doesn't exist. Something that's just an illusion…" Her voice broke and she turned on to her side so that he couldn't see the tears in her eyes.
Spike sighed silently, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand in an attempt to soothe her. He wanted to just reach out and hold her but didn't want to over step the boundaries, which was getting harder and harder, especially since she was making them fuzzier as of late.
She sniffed then spoke, "Do you know what the constellations are?"
"I can only remember a few." Spike admitted with a wry smile, but wracked his brains regardless.
Buffy sat and leaned her head against his shoulder and listened as he pointed out the Big Dipper, Orion, Polaris and many more. She shivered.
"Cold, pet?" Spike asked and she nodded. "Do you want to call it a night?"
Buffy smiled gratefully. "Walk me home?" She asked and Spike nodded. She took his hand again, and the two walked back to the Summer's house.
At the door they stopped and Buffy let go of his hand; at the loss of her touch Spike felt immediately bereft. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Okay." Buffy agreed, then moved forward and pressed her lips to his. Her hand moved behind his head to keep him there as she gently deepened the kiss. She felt Spike's arms move around her body, and her other hand slid around his neck as their kiss intensified.
A noise from the house broke it off and Buffy smiled regretfully, pressing her lips briefly to his for the last time. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Buffy." Spike watched as she smiled then walked into the house, closing the door behind her. He walked home stiffly.
Very stiffly.
Part Two
"Hey, Buffy, how was patrol?" Willow asked, greeting her at the front door with eerie accuracy of timing.
Ignoring the wiggins that shook through Buffy’s body at the Witch’s sudden appearance, she smiled falsely, though answered truthfully, "Fine, not much out there though."
"If things get really slow you could always stake Spike." Willow said lightly, hoping for a smile. But, when all she got was a wince she hastily retracted her steps, "I'm only kidding.”
"I'm going to go to bed."
"Um, Buffy, wait." Willow caught up with her at the stairs. "You know I was thinking - if you want to talk, I'm here. No one else is up."
"There’s nothing I really need to talk about."
"Are you sure, 'cause you know you were..." Willow trailed off at the Slayer's painful look.
Buffy nodded sharply, feeling the pain of her return to the mortal plane course through her body. Her hands started to shiver, the world began spinning; she had to get out of there. Had to get away. "I-I think I'm gonna go out again." Her voice was barely a shaken whisper and the Witch struggled to hear her.
"Buffy! Wait, I'm sorry..." But the Slayer was already out of the door. “Darn-it!”
---
"Spike? You awake?" Buffy looked down at his half-naked figure and swallowed heavily. *Oh…*
Spike slowly cracked one eye open from his position on top of the bed, "Buffy? What you doing here? Is everything okay, love?" The sleepy questions fired out in quick succession as Spike’s tired brain tried to start up.
She looked at him hopefully, too alone, too afraid to even begin to blush. "Can I stay here tonight? Willow's in a 'lets talk' mood and I'm really not."
Spike quickly got up and grabbed his t-shirt, putting it back on before running his hands over his face in an attempt to wake up. "Sure. Sleep there. I'll go upstairs.” He started to rise, but Buffy’s voice halted him in his tracks.
"Y-You don't have to. It’s a big bed." She murmured shyly. Buffy kicked off her shoes and shed her jacket before sliding in the other side. She felt the bed dip as Spike sat back down from his position hovering over it in obvious disbelief. He stared at her for a moment, still not quite able to believe that she was really here. Soon his tiredness got the better of him and he slid back in.
If he had a heart beat it would have stopped when he felt her soft body curl up next to his.
They lay in silence for a few moments longer, until Buffy spoke once more. "Why do you have such a nice bed?"
The Vampire grinned, the humorous indignation of the question relaxing him back against the pillows and Buffy edged a little closer, all of a sudden eager for the contact of another being.
"Just because I'm dead doesn't mean I should be in a coffin." Spike sarked gently, wrapping his arms around her as she poked at them in demand.
"Matter of opinion." Buffy commented with a sigh, happily surprised by the feelings of comfort and protection that emanated from the Vampire and seemed to envelop her very spirit, calming the raging storm within her. Spike growled, and she laughed before snuggling down on his chest.
Minutes later Spike heard her breathing change, and he pulled her closer to him as he fell asleep himself.
---
"Ooookay, Spike. Where do'ya keep your coffin?" Xander drawled, badly, as he searched about Spike’s crypt for the suddenly elusive Vampire. Willow had called him that morning, worried and concerned, and so he'd offered to ask Spike if he knew where their absent Slayer was.
Xander paused when he saw the small handle of the trapdoor half hidden beneath a carelessly tossed rug below him, frowning he slowly pulled upwards. On his second go it moved, and on his fifth attempt he managed to tug it open. Wary of an attack, he carefully walked down the rocking stairs, immensely grateful for the lamp that illuminated the subterranean area.
He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight that lay before him.
Buffy.
Spike.
Together…on the bed.
His eyes bugged and his mouth goldfish-ed open.
"Harris, if you scream I swear I'll kill you." Fortunately, Spike's low gravely voice prevented the whelp from fulfilling the Vampire's prediction.
"What the hell..." Words escaped Xander, which didn't happen too often.
"Is there a reason you're in my crypt?" Spike asked pertly as though the scene before the whelp was perfectly normal and he couldn’t see the problem. “Other than to provide the crypt with an air of melted cheese?” A scarred brow rose sardonically. He took in a deep breath. “Mmmm, hog fat fresh!”
"What is she doing here?" Xander asked instead, ignoring the Vampire’s sarcasm.
Spike seemed to consider this as he looked down at the girl in his arms, then back at Xander, "I'm gonna go with sleeping for six hundred, Alex."
Buffy let out a little giggle.
"Or maybe listening?" The Vampire tried again.
Xander shook his head at the Vampire, trying to dispel the image before him with little success. "Okay, I’m not even gonna deal with this now. As far as I’m concerned this isn’t happening…but Buffy…everybody’s worried about you. Giles is worried. Willow's scared." Xander tried again when the Slayer made no attempt to move. "Dawn's crying."
Buffy sighed at that last one. The rest of their pain she could ignore – they sure has hell ignored hers, so why she care about theirs?
But Dawn…it wasn’t her fault.
She slid from the bed, slipping on her shoes she walked around the bed to where Spike sat, his head resting wearily in his hands. With a soft smile she leant down, pressing her lips to his in a sweet, tender kiss. "Thanks for last night."
"Anytime, pet." Spike responded and Buffy smiled. She picked up her jacket and walked out, an angry and shocked Xander in tail.
---
"Buffy? Buff?" Xander repeated for about the forth time as he jogged to keep up with her strong, swift strides. For a little lady she sure could move fast! "What did you mean 'thanks for last night'?" He asked suspiciously, his features crumpled in a frown.
"Pretty much, 'thanks for last night'“ Buffy replied sardonically, turning the corner to her street.
"What did you have to say thanks for?" Xander tried again.
"He let me sleep with him." Buffy answered offhandedly with a casual flick of her right hand as if to indicate the obvious.
"He…WHAT?!?" Xander shrieked, coming to a dead stop in the middle of the street his hands planted firmly on his hips.
Buffy looked over at him and laughed through a frown, "What?"
"Buffy, that’s SPIKE! Peroxide un-dead! Dead boy junior! Eighties..." Xander trailed after her, his arms raised and flapping in consternation.
She said nothing, content to let him stew in the yard, a small smile on her features as she walked in through the kitchen door. Within seconds Dawn burst through, running straight into Buffy’s arms.
"I was so scared you'd gone again." Dawn whispered through the tears, and remorse shot through Buffy’s body.
"I'm sorry I scared you." Buffy said quietly, her eyes moved to Willow who spoke as she came to a stop in the doorway.
"Where were you? We were worried." Her cute features were puckered into a soft, worried frown as she tried to appear as non-judgemental as possible.
For the first time in a long time Buffy appreciated the effort, and missed her best friend. "I was with..." She began, but Xander interrupted.
"SPIKE! She was with Spike." At the room's blank faces he continued rather hysterically. "Am I the only one who has a problem with this?"
"You were with Spike?" Willow asked quietly, her eyes wide. Dawn pulled out of the embrace, and stared up at the Slayer with humoured eyes.
"I just spent the night there." Buffy said, and then realized how that sounded. "To sleep. With him. But not with him. But with him. You get what I mean? Right?" Her eyes widened comically as she realised she wasn’t making things any better.
Willow smiled and nodded while Dawn gave Buffy a cheeky grin then rushed back to Tara as she was called for a TV program. Xander spluttered incoherently in the background, but the two girls ignored him and followed Dawn into the sitting room to watch cartoons.
Part Three
Buffy set down her backpack and patted the grass, content when she found no moisture clung to her fingers. She smiled happily then unzipped the bag. She flipped the cloth high up in the air then laid it gently on the ground, absently straightening the edges.
Buffy sat on the mat and retrieved her bag, bringing it onto the cloth with her. She unpacked a bottle of white wine and a frozen bottle cooler. She slid the cooler into place over the bottle, before returning her attention back to the bag and unpacked the remaining few items.
She lay back; waiting for the ten minutes to be up until she could drink what she hoped would be cold champagne. She reached over and plucked one of the Belgium chocolates that she'd brought to go along with the wine.
The moon was high, and the stars twinkled visibly in the clear, dark sky. The Slayer had decided that tonight she wasn't going to be the Slayer, she wasn’t going to be Buffy, and she was just going to be. So she'd ridiculously splashed out on some champagne and chocolates, and said she wouldn’t be back until late and so not to wait up. Then she had come to the top of this grassy mound that over looked the seemingly idyllic town of Sunnydale.
Buffy leant back on her elbows and gazed up at the midnight blue and silver sky that filled her sight. Her eyes glazed over as she searched for the constellations Spike had shown her the night before.
So involved in her own thoughts she didn’t notice the Vampire until he was almost in front of her.
"Hello, love." Spike walked around the mat and stood beside her. "Not patrolling tonight?"
"Nah." She moved her gaze to him and smiled. "Sit down with me."
Spike beamed down at her at her request and moved to the other side of the blanket, removing his duster as he went. Folding it carefully he dropped it onto the mat before sitting down. There was a little beep and he watched as Buffy looked at the wine bottle. She picked it up, and a corkscrew, and then held them both out to the frowning Vampire.
"Want to do the honours?" She asked with a mildly flirtatious smile.
"Sure." Spike took the proffered articles and set the corkscrew down. He morphed, sticking one fang into the cork and tugging it out. The Slayer laughed as a little of the wine bubbled over the bottle top.
She held out the two wineglasses and Spike poured some wine into each, handing one to Buffy. The Slayer accepted the glass and leaned over, plucking the cork from his tooth. He gave her a fangy grin before slipping back into his human visage.
Resting the wine bottle on a near-by rock, Spike sat back and took a mouthful of the wine. He positioned himself so that he could watch the Slayer, but at the same time not appear to be doing so.
"Xander had a hissy fit about this morning." Buffy threw out the comment as casually as she could. "Lasted nearly two hours."
Spike laughed, the rich timber of his amusement causing a smile to tug at her lips.
"Thought you'd like that." She smirked at him, scrunching her nose up at him in kitten-like approval.
"Wish I'd been there, pet."
*Me too. * Buffy thought then shook her head to clear it.
Minutes passed in silence, all that could be heard was the light popping of champagne bubbles and distant noise from the suddenly very, far away Sunnyhell.
"This is nice." Buffy murmured, taking the last sip of her champagne. She placed the glass softly on the ground and with a sigh lay down, resting her head on his thigh.
Spike's hand dropped to her head, and his fingers automatically threaded themselves through her golden locks. Almost unaware of his actions, he stroked her soft hair in a smooth continuous motion, drawing her into a hypnotic-like state of relaxation.
He sighed silently and rested his recently refilled glass on his leg. Buffy reached forward and took it, sipping it gingerly. She returned it to him; now with only half its contents and snuggled back into his half-embrace.
Spike lifted the glass to his lips and he downed the rest of it in one smooth motion. A little purr emitted unconsciously from his chest at the taste of her on the glass. He placed it softly next to hers before leaning back on his other hand.
Nearly half an hour rolled by like this, till after one of the many church bells chimed the hour of one. Below, they could hear people returning from a night of 'Bronzing', and they could sense the dangers that not even the Slayer could save them all from.
Buffy sat up and moved so she was sitting across his lap. She smiled tenderly at him, and slid her arms around his neck as her lips travelled to his. The sweet wine was warm in her chest and bubbles popped and rose in her stomach. The soft night’s air tickled the small hairs on the back of her neck as her lust for her companion rose, and her inhibitions diminished. As their tongues danced together Spike's arms moved around her, and Buffy resisted the urge to smile at the vibrations in his chest.
Eventually she broke away so she could take in deep, needed breaths, and she wrapped her arms tighter around him; burying her face in his neck, breathing in the scent of him. Spike placed gentle kisses down her neck and across her collarbone, smiling against her skin as she moaned and tilted her neck for him.
"Are you sure you don't have a soul." Buffy asked by his ear.
Spike chuckled, "Pretty sure, love."
"But you're so..."
"Handsome? Unbelievably sexy?" He suggested helpfully, continuing to brush his lips over her heated skin.
"Huh! I was going for something along the lines of 'soulful' or 'caring' or something." A few moments past before she spoke again. "You're nothing like Angelus."
"Thanks." Spike rolled his eyes, not amused at the mention of his GrandSire. His fists flexed briefly as he tried to hold his sudden anger in check.
"I mean, come on! Look at us. If someone had told you when you first came to Sunnydale that in four years time I'd be sitting in your lap with your face at my neck and you wouldn't be feeding. Would you have believed them?" Buffy pulled away and looked at him, their faces inches apart.
"No, but four years ago I wouldn't have believed I could be chipped either."
Buffy frowned, "So you think the only reason we're here is because of the chip."
Irritated that she even felt the need to have this conversation. "Would you have let me within a meter of you without it?"
"What?"
Spike sighed, "Pet, do we have to talk about this?"
"No, but I want to." Spike rolled his eyes. "Why didn't you kill me before?"
"I...uh, I couldn't." Spike admitted.
"Why not?"
Spike sighed, mildly resigned to this line of questioning. "Because...you're as strong as I am?" He hazarded a guess.
"What and the others weren't?"
Spike shifted in agitation. "Obviously not!" At her 'look' Spike sighed again. "Buffy is this what you really want to be asking me?"
"The other night I had a dream; about parent-teacher night. Do you remember?" Spike nodded – as though he could ever forget…he’d spent years dreaming of that night, and all the alternative possible outcomes…few involved her death.
"You killed my mother then all that was left was us."
*None of them ended like that…*
"I would never have hurt Joyce." Spike stated.
Straight.
Simple.
To the point.
It was the truth.
There was no denying it.
And she believed him.
It was a simple as that….but, still there was more on her mind.
"Exactly, that’s another thing: How many times have you been alone with my mother - pre-chipping? What? Three or four times? Why didn't you kill her? How can you not have soul? What stops you? I couldn't have spent anytime alone with Angelus - all he was- was a demon, but you're different, why?"
Irritation grew in Spike's body. It wasn’t like he never asked himself these questions, but it always got him angry nevertheless. He knew he was different…didn’t mean he liked to be reminded of it.
Poor Spike…
Not human.
Not demon.
Where do you fit in?
He slid her off his lap, moving back away from her. Buffy frowned at him and tried to follow, but he held her off.
"Buffy, I don't know what you're trying to do but I'm sorry I don't have a soul. I'm not Angel. I'm not gonna play his substitute. I can't do that again...not even for you." He ended quietly as he looked away, finally revealing his worst fear.
"Spike…” Buffy sighed, god – what was wrong with her? The one guy that was being good to her and she was chasing him away without even realising it. “I know you're not Angel and I'm not using you as a substitute. I've been having all these weird dreams about all the different times we've fought, and they all feel like I'm actually there, but they all end differently than how it happened. It just sparked off all these thoughts." She looked at his pained features and mentally sighed. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Spike shook his head, forgiving her instantly, asking instead: "How do they end?"
Buffy moved forward, grabbing the lapels of his duster she yanked him on top of her as she lay down. Her arms slid around his neck and she pulled his face to hers. "Like this." She whispered just before their lips met.
Spike brought one hand up, tangling his fingers in her hair as he deepened the kiss. She rubbed up against his arousal, and what little was left of his control snapped. Resting his weight on the arm holding her; he slid his other down her body.
He slipped his hand up her top, cupping her breast through her bra. Buffy moaned and thrust her chest up into his palm. Her hands pushed at his duster and he let go of her long enough to remove it and his shirt. He rolled them so that she was on top of him, never breaking from the kiss as his hands slid back under her top.
It was Buffy who broke away from his mouth this time, and used the pause to tug his black t-shirt over his head. Her own top disappeared by sure hands allowing her to slide her fingertips up his chest, as her mouth found his once again.
Spike slowly slipped the straps of her bra down her arms, making her shiver as his cool fingers trailed over her skin. His hands slid around her back, unhooking the black bra with centuries of practice. The material dropped from her body and Spike groaned deep in his chest, rolling her on to her back as he began to explore her body with his mouth.
His lips slid down her throat and across her collarbone. His tongue danced along the veins in her neck. He knew exactly where all the right pressure points were, and that the slightest touch would make her blood rush.
Buffy moaned and writhed beneath him, and her breathing grew shallow and erratic as wetness pooled between her thighs. She cried out in frustration as his mouth kissed and licked and nipped at the two sun-kissed mounds, everywhere except her aching nipples. Spike grinned up at her, holding her gaze as he touched the tip of her nipple with his tongue.
She bucked up, her hips slamming into his erection. That got a reaction! His mouth immediately covered her nipple, sucking at the sensitive skin, while his teeth gently nibbled the tip. Buffy moaned his name and her fingers tangled in his hair as he switched to the other breast, dragging his mouth to her body.
Her hands slid free of his hair as he kissed further down her body. He dipped his tongue into her navel and she surged against him. He then aimed his kisses just above the waistband of her skirt, which hung low on her hips. He released the button and slid the soft material down over her hips along with her underwear, and then down and off her legs.
He looked up at her as he slid his gentle hands down her leg, removing her sandals. His hands massaged her feet for a moment before sliding up her legs, parting them gently. He placed soft kisses along her inner thigh, getting ever closer to the scent he'd longed to taste since that fateful spell over two years ago.
Buffy cried out, her hands gripping the soft grass beneath her as his tongue slid in between her folds, his teeth gently nibbling at the soft skin; sending her out of her mind with desire. He moved one hand from her hip, pushing a finger inside her and was rewarded with more moistness drenching his face. She groaned loudly, "Oh, God, Spike!" He swept his tongue up, drawing the swollen bud into his mouth as his fingers manipulated her core.
He listened to her accelerated breathing and the breathy whimpers of his name, and he knew she was close to coming. He sucked at her clit, burying his face in her mound. As he scraped his blunt teeth across the tiny bud she came.
Buffy arched her hips off the ground, screaming his name as her orgasm slammed through her. "SPIKE!" His tongue thrust into her opening, lapping at her flowing juices, not allowing her to come down from the incredible high he'd just given her.
The sharp tugging at his head forced him away from in between her thighs and he gave her a tender smile allowing her a respite from what had been perpetual pleasure. Slowly kissing his way back up her body, Spike settled between her legs, kissing her masterfully. Buffy's fingers trailed down his back, feeling the tight muscles underneath, before grasping his unfortunately-still leather clad ass in her hands and rocking against him.
Spike groaned and thrust, once, against her uncontrollably. Buffy reached around and undid the fastenings and catches of his jeans, and Spike quickly divested himself of them before moving back to her. He lay over her once again and took her head in his hands, watching the bliss surface in her features, as he slid inside her.
As her inner walls clenched around him he growled deep in his chest and Buffy answered with a moan, pulling his lips back to hers as he began to move. They moved together slowly, each wanting to prolong the intense pleasure building up inside of them. And as their release drew near, their hips slammed furiously against each other and their kisses became more fevered.
Buffy arched up, breaking from the kiss to scream Spike's name as she came; the sound bouncing through the trees and out towards the quiet town. Spike followed her into ecstasy soon after, with a horse shout of her name into the hollow of her neck. As they came slowly down, Spike placed soft kisses over her racing pulse, feeling pride at the tremors running through her body.
Buffy raised a shaky hand and stroked the back of his head as he continued to nuzzle at her neck. A tender smile crossed her features as he began to purr and she let out a slow, shaky breath as she tried to control her breathing.
Part Four
Buffy gazed up into Spike's eyes, revelling in the shocked happiness she saw in them. She was lying on her back, Spike at her side. Since they were lying on top of his duster they'd pulled the blanket over them. It was a surprisingly warm night, but the blanket was a “just in case” measure.
Spike slid his hand under the cloth, across Buffy's stomach and up to her breast as he leant down to kiss her. She mewled in the back of her throat as he deepened the kiss, groaning loudly while he twirled her erect nipple in between his thumb and forefinger.
Her eyes rolled back in her head and she moaned, as his lips travelled to her neck and his hand ventured further south.
---
They parted, as the dawn was soon to rise. Buffy walked with him to his crypt. She pulled his head down to hers, and Spike’s arms slipped around her waist, pulling her against him.
When she broke for air, he whispered a single plea against her lips, "Stay with me tonight."
"I want to but I promised Dawn I'd come home." At his disappointed look she kissed him again, offering supplication he never dreamed to ask for. "Come over tomorrow though."
"Okay, pet." Spike confirmed lightly, trying to keep calm and not wanting to push her too soon; not wanting to scare her away now that he'd got her so far. He gave her one final kiss, before moving inside his crypt just as the sun rose.
---
"Knock, knock." Spike enunciated the sound rather than performed the action. Buffy jumped, startled, and turned around from what she was doing on the bed. She smiled when she saw who it was and beckoned him in.
"Hey, come in." Spike stepped in the window, walking over to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, revelling in the heat that leaked from her body to his as they moulded together. She turned and he pulled her lips up to his.
Buffy moaned then moved back, licking her lips, "Here, help me with this."
Spike frowned but took one of the ends anyway. He held it where instructed and watched as the Slayer hammered the wood into place. After a few minutes she indicated for him to let it go and he did. The wooden slats slipped down the open window, the breeze pushing them into the room.
Spike frowned again, "What’s that for?" He watched as she collected all the packaging from her bed and dumped it into a bag...
"For you." Buffy answered, emptying her bin into the bag as well before turning around. "If you wanna stay tonight, that is." She blushed then smiled at him. "I figure dust would be a real bitch to get out of bed linens."
Spike chuckled and pulled her against him once more as his mouth came down on hers.
"Hey Buff! If you wanna do a patrol I'm around!" Xander called from downstairs, unknowingly interrupting them as he grabbed yet another piece of pizza from the box on the table.
Buffy broke away from Spike, "No thanks Xander, I'm going with Spike!" She called back down, a sly smile on her face as she regarded the Vampire’s shocked one. She’d actually confirmed his presence in her life; as her partner in Slaying if nothing more – it was something.
It was a start.
They both heard Xander choking and sputtering incoherently, and they laughed. It was a fresh and revealing laugh, one that told of relief and new love. Buffy grabbed her jacket and secured the window before taking Spike’s hand and leading him downstairs.
"I'm going now." She called out to any that could hear as she pulled her Vampire out of the front door.
Xander, who had just regained his breathing abilities, began to choke once more at the sight of Spike being lead from the upstairs.
"Alright, what the hell is going on!?" The Whelp finally got out. The others just stared at him as though he was stupid, and then continued to watch the film, carefully tuning out the fresh tirade from the other end of the room.
---
Later that night…
Buffy closed her eyes and relaxed as Spike's arms tightened around her. Happy in his possessive embrace, she snuggled back into his chest, sighing sleepily.
"I love you, Buffy." Spike whispered against her neck when he thought her asleep. He hadn't allowed himself to say it before, knowing that she wouldn't return in kind, and not wanting to hear her try to explain her way out of it. He was simply content to say it for himself – he’d wait for her until she was ready.
Until the end of the world…
"I love you, too." Buffy breathed, rubbing her head against Spike’s.
Spike inhaled sharply at her words and his head shot up. He was silent for several minutes before he spoke. "You what?"
"I love you, you bleached moron now go to sleep. I'm tired; you wore me out!" Buffy half giggled, attempting to fall back asleep. She felt him kiss her neck and curl further around her body. With a sigh, she slipped asleep, for once content, and secure in the knowledge that when she awoke he'd still be there.
Spike stayed awake for some time, lying in stunned stupification. He listened to her even breaths, smiling as she let out a content moan every-now-and-again. As the sun rose he checked to ensure that the blinds did indeed keep out the sun before falling asleep himself.
---
At eight her alarm bell rang and Buffy groaned and reached over to switch it off. She went to move off the bed but the arms encircling her only tightened their hold on her possessively.
"Where are you going?" Spike growled quietly.
"I have to take Dawn to school; I'll be back in a bit." She assured him with a winning smile. He was lost in her eyes and loosened his hold. She kissed him quickly on the lips before hastily dressing before he changed his mind.
She was sure if he was determined she was to stay, she’d stay. No matter what.
And she wouldn’t want it any other way.
Buffy walked downstairs and was immediately met by Dawn's mocking eyes.
"What?" The Slayer frowned, truly perplexed.
"Could you two have been *any* louder last night?" Dawn asked condescendingly, crossing her arms and tapping her foot as she shot Buffy a parental look. "I was about to beg Willow and Tara for a deafening spell."
"I might have actually done it as well!" Tara said from her seat at the kitchen table then blushed heavily, "S-sorry."
Buffy shook her head, not wanting to concern the gentle Witch…then glared at Dawn, "You. School, NOW!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" Dawn sharply saluted the Slayer and grabbed her bag, heading out the door before her. Buffy shook her head again and smiled at Tara before following her out into the early morning sun, not noticing the smiling Vampire that peaked out of the upstairs blinds to watch them leave.
On her way home Buffy stopped off at Willie's for some blood for Spike and placed the six packets the little man had given her, free, in the fridge before she made her way upstairs. She’d have to check on the little weasel later…there was something about the words ‘Willie’ and ‘free’ being in the same sentence that just didn’t sit right.
Buffy carefully opened her bedroom door, walking silently into the darkened room. Her lover didn’t seem to have stirred from out the covers. With a loving smile she crossed the room, flipping off her shoes as she went. She slipped out of her clothes and was just about to fold them away when she was hauled under the covers, an aroused Vampire staring down at her. Buffy licked her lips in anticipation and Spike's gaze shot to them. He growled loudly then smashed his lips to hers.
*Check on Willie….later…*
Epilogue
Buffy awoke in the early afternoon to find two soft, deep, ocean blue eyes gazing down at her with so much reverent love she was almost shocked. She gave him a tender smile and blinked sleepily.
"Hey..." She mumbled, leaning up to kiss him.
He spoke when she moved back, "Hi."
"I'm gonna take a shower." She whispered.
"Want some company?" Spike asked, grinning down at her.
"Always." Buffy grinned back, her eyes lighting up in anticipation.
---
"Okay, I'm done." Buffy called upstairs and Spike came down, his damp hair slicked back.
"Thanks, pet." Spike was tugged on to the sofa and the Slayer hit 'play' on the VCR.
"Do you mind if we watch it? Xander brought it round last night for me, but I was a bit busy."
"Sure." Buffy smiled, and then grinned at Spike's next words, which were filled with dread. "It’s not a vamp flick is it?"
"Nah, I wouldn't be so cruel.... well, maybe I would but its not!" Spike chuckled, settling the Slayer against him as <Ten Things I Hate About You> started to play.
The film was just drawing to an end, at its most upsetting point when Cat is reading out her poem to the class, when Willow returned from college. She dumped her bags and walked into the sitting room. She stopped and stared at the image on the couch before calming and speaking.
"Hi, Buffy."
Buffy turned to face her friend with tearing eyes, "Hi."
Willow walked further into the room, "Sad movie?" Her eyes fluttered over to the screen and she quickly turned away, "Oooh, I can't watch this bit!"
When Willow heard the scene end she turned back and blushed at the sight of the two bottle blondes making out. She silently slipped from the room, carrying her stuff upstairs, intent on finishing some homework.
*Life was weird*, the Witch decided.
*But, * she mentally continued after taking one last look at the happily smooching couple on the couch, gently petting each other’s faces. *I wouldn't want it any other way. *
The End
A/N: Looking forward to your thoughts and reviews...
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