Chapter 12

“I can see this happening.” Buffy inspected the crypt with her arms crossed and her eyes looking over every detail. “Upstairs, we can have the kitchen and the living room—I know we’ll have to find you a TV—and downstairs will be the bedroom and some sort of bathroom—because, honey, running water is a must. I figure we can get furniture at garage sales and places like that.”

“How about the dump?”

“No. No way, Spike. No dump.”

“There could be good stuff there. You’re too snobby--.”

“To shop till I drop in people’s filth? Yes, I am. I’ll take over the furnishings; you’re in charge of the Home Depot-ish stuff. I can’t wait to see you in your handy man get-up... Oh! We can always get Xander to help...”

“There’s no way in hell!”

“He could be helpful.” Buffy sang. “I don’t want you to wreck your new crypt.”

“I won’t wreck it! I’ve been alive for decades, pet, I think I can do some work here. Get one of those do-it-yourself guides and a nice hammer--.”

“And you’ll be homeless again.”

“Oh, you with so little faith. I’ll show you, Slayer.”

“Hey, hey, back off, mister, I have class.” Buffy pushed him back but Spike kept coming at her until she was against the stone wall. “Really, baby, I can’t. I’ve been late or absent to every class since we’ve gotten together.”

“Just a kiss, love.”

“Yeah right. Wait, wait, one more thing. You need a phone, too.”

“So I can call you?” Spike drew a line with his finger from her neck to cleavage. “I don’t even have your cell number. Kitten, there could be an emergency and...”

“Knowing you, you’d call just for kinky phone sex.”

“Would it be so bad?” Chuckling, his hand slid up her shirt. “I doubt you’d complain. What class do you see the GI Joe in?”

“You would,” Buffy said, shaking her head.

“I want to take as many jabs at him as possible.”

“What will you do if he starts jabbing back?”

Spike unhooked her bra and fondled each of her breasts as he kissed up her neck to her chin. “I could kill him.”

“You can’t.”

“I could, maybe not with my hands but I could be the driving force.”

“Don’t.”

“That’ll only be if he gets out of hand.”

“Spike,” she moaned as he kissed her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him. “Leave him alone.”

“You’re protecting him.”

“You can be such an asshole sometimes.”

“Love you too, sweetheart.”

“I love you more.”

“Oh, really?”

His whisper sent shivers down her spine. “Yes,” she said weakly. Spike continued to kiss her passionately until Buffy was about to say that she’d be ditching all of her classes, but he abruptly put her bra back on and kissed her tenderly. “Spike?”

“Go to school, Buffy.”
***

“Your birthday’s coming up. You have any plans with...eh, Spike?”

“We haven’t talked about it.”

“Will you ever be at the dorm again? Most of your clothes are gone... Am I roomie-less?”

“Willow,” Buffy bit her lip. “I think I may be moving out.”

“Are you staying at home?”

“For a little while...until Spike gets his place to be livable for the actual living.”

“You’re living with him?” Willow said, wide-eyed.

“You’re full of questions today, aren’t you, Will?”

“Sorry, it’s just...aren’t things moving rather quickly with Spike? Oh crap, that’s another question.”

“It’s okay.” Buffy and Willow found an empty table to sit and eat their lunch. “Things are definitely…moving with us. Spike is very impatient and kinda antsy—in a good way—I mean, look at this.”

“An engagement ring?”

“He says that it isn’t but it looks like one, doesn’t it? It was my pre-first date present.”

“Oh, wow.”

“I know. I should be freaking out—okay, I did a little—but really, I like the pace of our relationship. I love him, Willow. It’s different than your spell; it feels different...more real.”

“But you hated his guts and now you love his guts?”

“They’re very lovable,” Buffy said with a smirk. “I want to be with him more. I want to wake up next to him and watch Passions with him...I want to live with my boyfriend.”

Willow blinked, “You’ve got it bad!”

“Very, very bad! Angel was like a major angst-fest but Spike is more laid back. I can banter with him and play with him. Angel was way too serious; we were never together unless we were fighting something. Sure, Spike loves to fight but sometimes we just watch TV. Could you see Angel watching The Muppets Take Manhattan with me?”

“Spike did? Awww, that’s kinda cute.”

“He’s whipped,” Buffy proclaimed with a smile, “and he knows it and I think he enjoys it.”

“Well, he did let Dru and Angelus run over him.”

“Hey, he was in a wheelchair and what could he do? Dru was a major ho for cheating on him and he was sweet enough to still want to save her--”

“You defending Spike; you do really love him, don’t you?”

“Haven’t you been listening to me?”

“Sorry, it’s still hard to believe.”

“You’d better believe it and tell the others to as well. Spike’s here to stay. Where I go, he goes.”

“Okay, okay, you dig Spike.”

“I do, but that’s enough about me. How have you been?”

“You haven’t missed much. I started going to the Wicca group on campus and it was a huge bust. All they wanted to do was wear flowery clothes and do bake sales.”

“Oh, I’m sorry about that.”

“No, it’s fine. I did meet this girl there, Tara. She’s actually the real deal. We’ve been doing spells together.”

“And they’ve been successful?”

“Yes,” Willow huffed.

“No offense, it’s just...things have gone wonky in the past...sorry.”

“Things have been fine and I really like Tara, in fact, I may ask her to be my new roommate.”

“You found a replacement for me already?” Buffy joked, but she masked hurt with a light tone.

“Well, Buffy...you’re never around anymore and you did say that you want to be with Spike constantly...”

“I still want to do things with you! What are you doing tomorrow?”

“I have plans with Tara.”

“Okay, how about after then? You could bring Tara. We-we could have a Girl’s Night and Anya could come too! No boys!”

“No vampires too?”

“Cute, Will. Just tell me yes or no, so I can get planning.”

“Sure, Buffy. Let me ask Tara when she’s free.”
***

Buffy’s head dropped, causing her to wake suddenly. “Shit,” she whispered, realizing that she’d fallen asleep during the review for her exam. Causally, she tried to peek at the student’s paper next to her and the girl glared, moving her notebook away from sight.

“Bitch.”

“How rude,” Buffy grumbled, rubbing her eyes. She looked at the clock, seeing that she only had fifteen minutes left of her last class.

Please God, let the professor put the study guide on the internet. Please, please, please...
***

“Spike, you’re old. Do you know anything about US history?”

“Depends,” he muttered, not looking up from his book. “What years? Things get foggy around my wild decades.”

“You only had a few wild decades?”

“You’re buttering me up.”

“Yup, I slept through my study guide and my teacher’s stupid.”

“Not fond of sleepers?”

“No,” she whined, sitting on his knee and peering at his book. “Plumbing?”

“That’s right. I think I can figure it out. I just need some of these and a few holes and then you’ll have a bathroom.”

“Did you read all those pages today?”

“I did.”

“And you retained every thing?”

“Every word, princess. I know how to read—I enjoy it.”

“I didn’t say that you didn’t know how to read. I hate to read myself, I’m a skimmer.”

“And that’s why you’re in a tizzy about your test, yeah?”

“Oh, mean!”

“You never told me the years your exam will cover.” He closed his book and pulled her to his chest.

“The Jacksonian Era—whenever that was—all I know is there are a lot of old, white, dead guys.”

“Not necessarily. When’s your test?”

“Tuesday.”

“Get your book, love and we’ll study.”
***

“Jackson was behind the Trail of Tears. He went absolutely batty trying to crush the bank because he hated the guy that was in charge. He was the first president from the west, considered a cowboy and he didn’t need any poncy secret service. You bugged him, he’d knife you.”

“Really?”

“Oh, yeah. He was ruthless.”

Buffy copied down everything that Spike was telling her. “You know a lot about this stuff. You weren’t there, were you?”

“I’m not that old, so don’t you start offending me, Slayer. I watch the History Channel.”

“You watch educational television?”

“Sometimes,” he shrugged.

“That’s not very big bad-ish of you, Spikey.”

“Well it’s paying off, isn’t it?”

Buffy nodded, putting the cap on her pen. “Can I take back all the times I insulted your intelligence? All that peroxide had no affect on you at all, baby, you’re really smart.”

Spike lifted his brow as Buffy crawled towards him. “What about studying?”

“We did a lot and we have four more days for you to drill it into me.”

“Nice choice of wording, pet.”

“I hope it’s giving you some ideas,” she purred, brushing her lips against the side of his face.

“I guessing you want to carry on where we left things this morning?”

“So smart,” Buffy whispered. She sat in his lap and pulled his head to her chest.

“Mind the hair.”

“I love your hair. Did you ever spike it to go with your name?”

“Of course,” he muttered as clearly as he could with his face in her cleavage.

“Is it naturally curly?”

“Don’t tell a soul.”

She laughed, wiggling closer to him. “The more I learn about you, the more I love you, Spike.”

“I told you we’d be just brilliant together, didn’t I?”

Buffy nodded as she continued to play with his hair and touch him lovingly. “I’m going to hear I told you so a lot, huh?”

“Continuously, Slayer.”

“You’re so wicked,” she laughed while unbuttoning his shirt. “Are you going to join me here or are you just going to sit—Spike!” Buffy giggled as he grabbed her, pressing her into the sofa and covering her body with his. “Spike!”

“Buffy,” he growled. He pulled her shirt over her head, giving her stomach a number of kisses. Buffy’s pants were almost off when Spike froze, “Are we expecting company?”

“I don’t think so...”

“Someone’s unlocking the door, pet.” He got off the couch and reached for a blanket. “Here.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll get it, don’t move.”

“Spike, I don’t think you need to take a weapon. We have a peep hole.” She watched as he crept up to the door with a heavy vase in his hand. “Break that and mom—mom! You’re home!”

“Buffy, I tried to call and the phone must’ve been off of the hook last night. Spike, you’re still here...and you seem to be manhandling my vase.”

“Sorry, thought you were a burglar.” Once Joyce had the door closed, Spike offered to take her bags upstairs.

“That’d be sweet of you,” Joyce smiled, walking into the living room.

“Hey, mom.”

“Buffy, why are your pants on the coffee table? And your shirt,” she picked Buffy’s shirt up off of the middle of the carpet. “Did I interrupt something?”

“We were just studying,” Buffy said sweetly. “I’m glad you’re back, mom and early too. The phone, eh, last night we had to save the world so we opted to not take any calls afterwards.”

“I see.” Joyce returned her daughter’s hug. “You may want to get dressed again. It’s chilly, Buffy.”

“Will do. Are you hungry? We already ordered some take-out and Spike got a bit too much of everything. It should be here soon.”

“Sure, that sounds great, dear. I’ll just unpack.”

“And I’ll,” Buffy bit her lip, seeing Spike waiting at the top of the stairs, “change...in my room. I’m glad you’re back. Bye!”

“Nice to see you too, Buffy,” Joyce laughed. “I’ll call when the food’s here.”

“Thanks mom!” Buffy kissed her on the cheek before gathering her clothes and running upstairs.
***

“Do you think she’ll let me stay?”

“I hope so, if not, we’ll go.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I kinda told Willow that I was moving out of the dorm but I’m sure we could stay there for a little.”

“Won’t that be a full house, sweetheart?” He kneeled in front of her and hooked his thumbs on the sides of her underwear, slowly pulling them down. “You’re moving out of the dorms?”

She nodded, trying not to moan too loudly as he kissed along her side, starting at her hip. “I’m never there.”

“Where are you going to live?”

“Eh, with you...”

“Me?”

“If you want me.”

“I think I could find somewhere to keep you.”

“Oh, that’s good because if not, it’d be my turn to be homeless.” Her laughing stopped abruptly as his hand parted her thighs. “Spike...”

“Remember my hair. Don’t pull too hard, kitten.”

“I won’t.”

“Alright, open wide for me.”

She spread her legs, whimpering at the first lick of his tongue.
***

“I’m gathering that you’re dating now.”

“Yup,” Buffy grinned proudly as she snuggled into Spike’s side. “I won’t deny it this time.”

“I knew it was just a matter of time. You both seemed close before I left.” Joyce caught Spike’s eye and smirked before digging into her Chinese food. “Good for you. I hope you stay happy for a long time.”

“I don’t plan on mucking things up anytime soon, Joyce.” He tensed as she shrugged and smiled widely. “I told you,” he whispered in Buffy’s ear. “She’s out to get me.”

“We’ll share these.” Buffy leaned forward, getting them each a box. “Stop being afraid of my mother, Spike. I won’t let her hurt you.” She brushed her lips against his earlobe and possessively draped a leg over his body. “So, mom how was your trip? Why was it cut short?”

“The weather. If we hadn’t left today we would’ve been stuck and I didn’t want to miss your birthday, Buffy.”

“It’s Saturday, right?”

“Yes, sir. Open,” Buffy fed Spike a spoonful of rice and wiped his face. “I’m turning nineteen and I’ve decided it’s going to be the best Buffy birthday ever, even if we have to hide in the closet all day.”

“Buffy, you shouldn’t hide. You need to celebrate, dear. We could have a party here, if you’d like--.”

“Oh! I forgot! Can we have a Girl’s Night this week? Not tomorrow but the day after that? Willow thinks I’m abandoning my gal pals.” Buffy took a bite of Spike’s food. “I hope you don’t mind but I figure you could work on our crypt. I need to mingle, honey.”

“Our crypt?” Joyce asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Now, you’ve done it, pet.”

“Hush,” she whispered. “Mom, Spike’s got a new place and I want to move in with him when it’s finished.”

“Oh? Where is it? What kind of work does it need? I know a few people at work who could lend a hand.”

“It’s in the cemetery, Joyce.”

“Well…we could tell them that you’re the caretaker and that you’re converting it.”

“That would be great!”

“Peachy.”

“Spike, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Could that be my cue to run upstairs? Thank you for dinner, it was great -- and Buffy, tell me what you want do to for the Girl’s Night. I can go to the store tomorrow.”

“Ok, mom. Goodnight.” Buffy curled her legs across Spike’s lap and looked at him. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re pouty.”

“Am not.” He rested his head on his hand, “Alright! We do you assume that I can’t do the crypt? Let me try it before you call in the others! It’ll be our place and I don’t want people poking about and getting in my way!”

“Does it feel nice to get that out of your system?”

“Yes,” he said with a sigh. “I’m just feeling overwhelmingly caveman-ish. My woman, my house; fuck off.”

“I’m just excited and want to move in as soon as possible.”

“I get that. I’m excited too.”

“Then hurry up,” Buffy teased, poking him in the stomach. “Instead of patrolling, you should stay in the cemetery. Get me a bed, somewhere to put our food and somewhere to pee and I’m good.”

“After we patrol, I’ll do that.”

“Fine.”

“But that means you’ll be sleeping alone tonight.”

“You don’t think I could handle it?”

“We haven’t been apart at all since we were magically engaged--.”

“Are you saying that I’m too clingy?” Buffy demanded, trying to move away from him but Spike held her still.

“You were hanging all over me and in front of Joyce--.”

“So what? Our relationship will not be a secret! I love you and I want to be around you and if I want to touch you--.”

“Don’t think you could handle it,” he sang smugly. “There’s no way, kitten. I’d give it an hour and you’d be coming for me--.”

“I’d rather die—no, I wouldn’t have to because you’d be in my bed first! You can’t live without me and you know it!”

“I’m already dead--.”

“There’s no way that you could stay away.”

“Oh, I could.”

“Prove it.”

“I will.”

“How about if we started now?”

“But patrolling...”

“Nope, you should just go to the cemetery. No you for me and no me for you--U-until the morning after Girl’s Night!”

“That’s well over twenty-four hours! I thought we were talking about a night!”

“You’re going to miss me so bad! You’re going to go through withdrawals!”

“Will not!”

“Will too.” Buffy stuck out her tongue and laughed in glee as Spike leaned in to kiss her. “No smoochies!”

“Fine.” He pushed her legs away and walked to the door. “I won’t even miss you.”

“I won’t miss you either.” Once he opened the door, Buffy gasped involuntarily, realizing that he was really leaving. “Spike!”

“You already calling me back, princess?”

“No,” she said, running to the door. “But we don’t have to do this. I know that I’m clingy. I was just teasing. I take it all back.”

“Aren’t you a bit curious now?”

“Maybe but--.”

“Let’s do it. You can get to school on time and stay awake during your classes and I’ll work on our place. When the time’s up—unless you crack and come to me—I’ll pick you up and take you home.”

“What kind of miracle work can you do in so little time?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.”

“But I can’t see you at all?”

“Pet, don’t make me think that I’m winning already…”

“This is stupid.”

“But you put the crazy idea into my noggin--.”

“So, I’m being punished?”

“No.”

“I won’t lose, Spike.”

“You say that now,” he smirked. “I should go now, Buffy.”

“Okay,” she swallowed, struggling not to hug and kiss him goodbye.

“Bye, my love.” He blew her a kiss goodbye and wiggled his black-polished nails at her. “It won’t be too long. Let the strongest win.”

“I love you—be careful! Don’t...don’t do anything stupid!”

“You too, sweetheart.”

“I won’t miss you.” She said, knowing her voice gave away the opposite.

“I won’t miss you either. Love you, Buffy.”

Buffy closed the door before he could see the tears stinging in her eyes. “I can do this,” she whispered to herself. “Hell, I hated him for so long—Spike!” She perked up once the doorbell rang.

“I realized that we never made our bet official.”

“Spike,” she said warmly, opening her arms.

“Slayer,” he moaned, giving her a deep kiss and crushing her into his body. “Wait at least fifteen minutes so when I win it won’t be too embarrassing for you--.”

“Oh, go! Get!” She pushed him back. “I won’t let you win, Spike!”

Chuckling, Spike let Buffy push him out of the house. “You don’t even stand a chance! I’ll see you before sunrise!”
***