Author's note: Can I just hug all you wonderful people that have left me a review? Can I?? You don't know how much I appreciate it!!! :)

Beta'd by amazing dawnofme and Mabel Marsters.


Chapter 4


“What do you mean there’s a barrier around us?” Spike said.


He cleared his throat, wondering why his voice was suddenly an octave higher than normal and hoping that the Slayer hadn’t noticed.


Wanting to seduce her was one thing, but being tied to her until God knew when was just madness. He couldn’t shut up when he was around her and the things that came out of his mouth were usually taunts. It was just a matter of time before the Slayer had enough and finally put an end to his existence.


“Are you even listening to me?” Buffy’s annoyed voice called out.


Hip cocked, foot tapping, lips pursed in displeasure, Buffy waited for his response.


“Not really, no,” Spike admitted with a careless shrug. Wouldn’t do to let her know he was worried.


“God, you’re impossible. You do realize this concerns you too, don’t you?”


“The way I see it, we’re stuck with each other till we figure this out. What else is there to discuss? Just call Red. I’m sure she’s the one to blame…no surprises there.”


“Hey! Don’t talk about Willow that way!”


Spike arched an eyebrow.


“I should probably call her,” Buffy said.


******


“Do not say ‘I told you so’ or I’ll smack you,” Buffy said with resignation.


“Not saying a thing. But I was right nonetheless.”


“Well, I don’t see why you’re gloating. You heard what she said. It’ll take days before we’re unstuck.” Buffy plopped dejectedly on the couch and sighed.


“Hey, it’s not that bad.”


'And why am I comforting my mortal enemy again? Ponce!'


“Not that bad? Not that bad?! Are you crazy? We’re gonna kill each other before the night is over. And how do you think I’ll shower, or use bathroom, or sleep knowing you’re just six feet away from me? I can’t do this! I can’t--”


“Buffy.” Spike sat down and grasped her tense shoulder. Buffy refused to look at him as she fought to control her nerves. It did something to him and he didn’t like that. “Just calm down. We’ll figure this out. Red said she’d be here as soon as she found someone to teleport her. It might not even be days before they figure this out. Truce, yeah?”


“Why?”


“Why what?” he asked, furrowing his brow.


Buffy glanced at him, feeling the warmth radiate through her body from the spot where his hand was clasping her shoulder. “Why are you being nice to me? It’s not like you to not enjoy my misery.”


Spike squirmed and dropped his hand. “Dunno. Just seemed you needed a little comfort. And when have you ever cared what I thought of you?”


“You’re right. I don’t.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “Thanks though. You’re not so bad when you’re not acting like a complete jerk.”


“Yeah, well… don’t get used to it.” The thought of using her vulnerability didn’t even cross his mind, and wasn’t that a kick in the balls? The witch better hurry before something happened. Something they would both regret, and Spike had a feeling he would be the one on the shitty end of the deal no matter what he did.


******


She should have known better than to allow Willow do even such a small thing as repelling spell for Giles’ apartment. Buffy suspected Willow could find someone to teleport her a lot sooner, but for some reason, she was guilt-free about accidentally tying her and Spike together and didn’t seem to be in hurry. Willow said she needed their DNA, therefore couldn’t do the reversal spell from across the ocean. Besides, she had things she had to take care of first. What could be more important than this?


Some slayer she was, freaking out like that. It just suddenly slammed into her after she called Willow. She’d been convinced it would be doable from England, but no. Things never went right in the Buffy world. It was difficult enough dealing with Spike on a short encounter basis, but to have him stuck so close to her for the time being was terrifying. It helped when he was being his usual evil self. That was familiar. Jibes and insults she could deal with. Even the innuendo, though that was becoming much harder to handle.


But the sweet side she’d never seen him direct at her threw her off balance. Spike wasn’t supposed to be sweet or care about her feelings. It made him… real. She couldn’t let him get under her skin like that; couldn’t let him make her think he could genuinely feel concern for another human being.


'Just keep him at arm’s length and everything will be hunky-dory.'


Now only if she could believe that.


******


“So… how are we gonna do this, then?” Spike asked.

Buffy had been able to use the loo without his witnessing it as it was so close to the door. So Spike sat outside while she did her business and changed clothes. The shower though, was a different thing altogether. It was far on the other side of the bathroom so locking him out of the room wouldn’t be a possibility. But they’d cross that bridge when the time came.


“It’s simple, really. You’re sleeping on the floor or drag the couch over here. I’m sleeping on the bed,” Buffy said and collapsed on the aforementioned bed with a grin on her face.


“No way. I am not sleeping on the lumpy couch or on the floor. I’m gonna get cold.”


“Spike, I’m sorry to tell you, but you’re a vampire. You are cold.”


“So what? You gonna get all racist on me, Slayer? The bed is big enough for the two of us, you know.”


“I am not sleeping with you!”


“Can’t keep your hands off my hot body, right? Well, not that I blame you. I am a handsome devil.” Spike grinned and took off his t-shirt.


“Hey! What do you think you’re doing? Clothes on!”


“You’re fucking kidding, right? I haven’t slept in clothes since I was turned.”


“You sleep all--”


“Naked? Oh yeah, baby. No need to blush though, luv.”


“I am not blushing! And don’t call me love.”


Spike reached for his belt buckle and Buffy’s eyes widened in horror. Spike naked was bad. Very bad. She couldn’t help but stare at his chest. What would she do if he actually stripped down to nothing? She gulped. “Stop it! I give in, okay? Will you at least keep the pants on if I allow you to sleep in the bed?”


“Alright.” Spike took off the belt and left his jeans on as he toed off his boots. “That’s the stuff,” he said with a moan as he stretched out and hugged a pillow to him. Buffy shifted uncomfortably and stayed as far from him as possible, almost falling off the bed.


Spike turned to gaze at her and chuckled. “You gonna sleep all stiff like that?”


“I’m not stiff. Just--”


“Buffy, I’m not gonna molest you. If someone’s going to be molesting someone here, it’s gonna be you.”


“What?” she spluttered and rolled on her side to glare at him. “The size of your ego astounds me sometimes.”


“You could see the size of my--”


“Do not even think of finishing that sentence.”


“Someone’s got a dirty mind. Maybe I was gonna say the size of my bank account. You better watch the mind in the gutter, pet, or I might think you’re lusting after me.”


Buffy snorted. “There goes that ego of yours again.”


“It’s very fragile, I’ll have you know. Besides, I can smell you.”


“You’re so gross. If I wasn’t so tired, I’d punch you.”


“I like my women violent.” Spike grinned and scratched at his chest. Buffy glanced away.


“Do you have a retort for everything?”


“Been around for ages, pet. Plus, bantering with you makes me hot.”


“Okay, pal. I’ll let you off for that comment because you were acting half decent earlier, but no more innuendo. It’s way too late for that.”


“What? It was a compliment!”


Buffy shook her head and turned away from him, trying to fall asleep. It lasted all of ten seconds for Spike to break the silence. “I’m bored.”


“And I want to sleep. Count sheep or something.”


Spike spoke as if he didn’t even hear her reply. “Wanna shag?”


“Spike! Do you have to be so horny all the time? I would never sleep with you.”


“Why? I’m attractive and I know you want me.”


Buffy sighed. “I can’t. It’s wrong.”


“So you do want me?”


“Go figure that’s the one thing you’d focus on. I’m tired of this, Spike. Yes, I do. I want you. Sometimes I can’t decide if I want to kill you or you know… the other thing.”


“Shag my brains out?”


“That’s exactly the crudest thing you could have said.”


“Not really. And you could at least turn around. It’s bloody annoying talking to your back.”


Buffy did so and stared at him through the darkness, ignoring the spark of excitement fluttering in her stomach. “No, Spike.”


“Come on. It wouldn’t have to mean anything. We wouldn’t even have to talk about it afterwards. Just a harmless one night stand.”


“Harmless? Nothing about my life is ever harmless. I can’t ever have what I want without someone getting hurt. I’m not going through that again.” She turned her back to him as her eyes teared up. Why did it hurt to hear he just wanted her for the sex? It seemed nobody ever stuck around after the one go. He said so himself.


“I’m not Angel. And what’s wrong with having a little fun?”


“Everything is just fun for you, isn’t it? Killing people is fun for you! You probably killed all your family members just for the hell of it.”


“Fuck off, Slayer!” Spike turned his back to her as he tried to calm down his rampant emotions. “You don’t know me at all,” he whispered.


Buffy caught the murmur and frowned. He sounded genuinely offended and she felt the pressing urge to apologize. For what, she had no idea. And the whole idea of the guilt-free sex was just ludicrous. Buffy had a feeling someone would get hurt, and she started to doubt it would be just her.


TBC

Author's note: Reviews are like a taste of the most delicious chocolate, a cool breeze on a sultry summer day, a gulp of water after a lifetime of thirst. They are the food for my soul.

See? I can write bad poetry too! :D But it's true nonetheless. ;) Also, the new semester starts next week and I kinda need your encouragement to balance out the suckage of school work. *bats eyelashes*