Disclaimer: The characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox studios. This story is not meant to infringe upon anyone's rights, only to entertain.

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Chapter 4

Spike was leaning against a tree, enjoying his cigarette and watching the Slayer work up a sweat. He knew better than to go into the fray, no matter how much he wanted to. She looked rightly pissed off tonight and he didn’t really feel like dealing with whatever was bothering her tonight. It was best to stay away from a ticked off Slayer. Well stay away unless you could find a way to tip the scales in your favor which was his intention.

As Buffy dusted the last vampire she was fighting, she turned to face Spike, obviously annoyed. “So are you going to just follow me around all night? You could make yourself useful.”

“Not interested in any of the last few pickings. Too easy.”

Buffy answered him with a smirk. It was somewhat unnerving having him follow her around. She could feel his eyes on her, following her every move and since the chip didn’t work when it came to her, she was never sure what Spike’s intentions were – was he genuinely helping her out or was he just waiting for his one good day. He didn’t love her anymore so there was really no incentive for him to protect her which made it very strange why he hung around the Scoobies at all. He says it’s to kill demons, but he could do that without them right?

He no longer loved her. And though it was a comfort that he no longer obsessed about her, and Buffy could feel better about herself now because she was no longer using him, it felt a little cold. She never knew just how much she had depended on him. Now it didn’t seem right to confide in him because he always seemed so disinterested in anything she had to say. But out of everyone else around her, he was the only one that she thought could understand what she felt.

“So you going to just stand there Slayer or are we going to patrol tonight?” he said extinguishing his cigarette on a tree trunk.

“What’s your hurry?”

“Haven’t killed anything yet tonight.”

“Fine, why don’t you go ahead and I’ll follow.”

“I liked the view from here but if you insist.” He said giving her a wink.

Buffy rolled her eyes knowing this was going to be a long aggravating night. "You're ... you're incorrigible and a meanie."

"Excuse me?" he said turning around to face her.

"You heard me."

Spike looked up at the night sky for a split second. "I swear as many time as you've pounded it literally into my noggin that I'm evil you come up with the stupidest and blatantly obvious observations. Hello! Vampire!"

"It's not stupid. It's true."

"Fine, whatever!"

"What are you doing here anyway, Spike?"

"You see, Slayer there's this little thing in my head that your wonder boy's little groupie stuck in there. And now the only way I can get my jollies is to kill my kind. And seeing as you're the Slayer and my kind just love to have a whack at you, I hang around."

"Well go find your jollies without me, Spike. I don't need you here."

"Wasn't here because you needed me. Unless you feel like another round of the rough and tumble for old time's sake?" he said sneering at her.

"Ugh. I thought we were over this."

"Are we Slayer? Funny thing is … I can smell that you still want me but I could care less." his smiled turned into a grin as he saw the confusion in her eyes. He took that opportunity to let his demon show. Before Buffy knew what happened she found herself flying through the air then landing sorely on her butt. She looked up to see Spike flexing his muscles, the cold look of a predator painted on his face.

Buffy quickly pulled herself up and readied herself for his next assault.

"Time to dance the way we were meant to." She heard him say as his fists came raining down on her. Sure enough they danced, weaving what could have been an elaborate web around the graveyard. It had been a while since they have danced like this and Buffy was taken aback at his determination. It didn't feel like he was trying to prove a point this time. It actually felt like he was out to get himself his third Slayer.

Spike flung Buffy against a mausoleum wall, then rushed to pin her against it. The vicious smile on his face was something she hadn't seen in a long time. His eyes focused on her neck ... on the blood he knew was pumping beneath. He could feel her struggling beneath him which made him smile all the more. "That's it Slayer. Seems like our dance isn't finished yet." He took a couple of steps back, releasing her. With that cocky smile that he loved to sport he raised his hands taunting her to attack him.

Buffy took a deep breath trying to muster up all her strength and courage. She flung herself at him but Spike matched her blow for blow. The way he was fighting it didn't seem like he was going to stop until she was dead. She took a step back assessing the situation.

"Problems Slayer? Or did I tire you already?"

"Please... hardly!" Buffy said rolling her eyes.

She could feel the power behind his punches and it was stronger than any she'd remember. He was determined. She could see it in his stance and on his face. This dance ... this dance was how it should. This was what she was meant to do. This was her calling. But she couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret. "No. I have to focus." She thought trying to keep her emotions in check. But why did she need to? "Because he's going to kill you Buffy. Stop wigging out and focus. But it's Spike. Focus Buffy." So she curled her hand into fists and launched herself at the blond vampire. Once again they danced, exchanging fists and kicks.

"That's it Slayer, show me what you've got."

"Oh you haven't seen what I've got." Buffy said punching him in the face.

"Really now?!" Spike said licking his lips. "I think I've seen more than Peaches or Captain Cardboard have been privy too."

"Shut up!"

"Struck a nerve, Slayer?"

"You wish."

"Actually I don't wish. I just take." he said dropping to the ground and aiming for her legs. Buffy fell to the ground on her back with a thud. Spike was on her, sitting on her hips. "Seems like we like this position the best don't we?"

"Get off me Spike." She said, moving a hand towards the stake she kept behind her.

"Why should I?" Spike noticed her hand moving and clamped his hand down on her arm. "Now, now. It's too early for that." He let his demon come forth. With one swift move he bared his fangs and leaned down.

Buffy waited for the sting, readying her muscles so that she could throw him off when his body relaxed. But his fangs didn't sink into her skin. He moved away from her in shock. Instinctively Buffy touched her neck and found out that he was about to bite her in the same place he had before.

Spike shook his head, confused as to why he didn't go through with it. He growled in anger and leaned down again to bite her. But he reared back again. He smelled himself on her. He knew the mark that she wore on her neck. He should have only felt the Master, Angelus and Dracula there but it wasn't their mark that came blaring into his mind. It was his. He could sense them but they were faint. His was like a scream telling him no over and over again. "Bollocks!" he cried out as he stood up and backed away from her.

Buffy picked herself up, reaching behind herself for her stake.

They stood there facing each other. Buffy was trying to catch her breath and make sense of what just happened. Spike just looked at her, forcing his demon back into its human shell because he didn't want to sense his mark on her so strongly anymore. He wiped the blood from his broken lip with the back of his hand and licked the blood that pooled there.

"So you feel like using that pointy stick?"

Buffy quickly looked down at her right hand. "After your little performance I was seriously considering it."

"So what's stopping you Slayer?"

Buffy looked at him and forced down the lump that was forming in her throat. Why did she hesitate? He just tried to kill her. She should just do her job and be done with it. She should just do what she should have done years ago. But she couldn't deny that things were different now from what they were back then. They shared something. He was her support system for months and though the relationship was somewhat unhealthy he was still her comfort. Despite it all, he listened when he could have turned her away. He protected Dawn and stayed in Sunnydale when the only thing holding him here was a promise. No soul … no guilt … Yet he stayed. Could she easily destroy that? She tried to convince herself that the vampire before her was not the same one just a week ago. He no longer felt for her.

"Not fair to destroy a toothless dog." She said with resolve on her face hoping that would hide what she felt inside.

"I am not toothless and I'm not a sodding dog!" He bellowed out.

"Could have fooled me."

"Piss off, Slayer." He said turning around to walk away. After walking but a few paces, Spike sensed something. When he turned around back to look at Buffy he saw four vampires around her. He sensed that two were mere fledglings but the other two seemed like they had some years to there credit. He took a step forward then stopped. Confusion was once again on his face. He watched her for a moment. He knew she could most probably do it but they had fought. He could tell she was tired. One of the vampires threw her to the ground. When Spike saw the other bare his fangs, he moved swiftly. “Bollocks! God damn Slayer.” he cried out.

A blur of black leather rushing towards the Slayer. He growled loudly, surprising the others. Angry yellow eyes looked at each undead creature. He growled once more. The others stepped back tentatively. He was older than all of them and they could sense it. But the fledglings were drawn to Buffy's heart. Blood the only thought on their minds. As they edged closer both Buffy and Spike made their move. The Slayer had her stake in one's heart and the elder vampire had his hands on the fledgling's head. Dust rained down on both as the vampires met their end. Spike quickly turned his attention to the other two and growled once more. He was taunting them, daring them to come forward. Buffy and Spike glanced at each other and nodded. It was time for another dance. They moved fluidly, familiar with each other's moves. They fed of each other, working as a team to dispose of the two that dared come after the Slayer.

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A/N: I know that the emotions Spike is expressing in this fanfic seem like one big roller coaster. Some of you may argue why in the world is Spike still helping Buffy when he doesn’t love her anymore. Well, I’m trying to establish that even though he doesn’t love Buffy anymore, he really has changed for the better.