“Spike! What did you hear?!” Buffy’s voice was abnormally shrill and she was fuming! Tara had said something about Tagus Root and headed out the back door for a trip to the Magic Box, leaving Buffy to catch the eavesdropper in the act.

Spike did his best to look as calm and cocky as ever, but a little nervousness still managed to creep through. “Nothin’, really. Just that I’m human and married to you and you want my hot body.”

Buffy’s eyes looked as if they were about to pop out of her head!

“C’mon, Slayer. We both know you’re archin’ for it!” he smirked, pleased with his latest vulgarity.

“Someone just shoot me now...” she muttered, leaning against the wall as she slid to the floor.

Spike suddenly regretted his words as he watched her pull her knees to her chest, a blank expression on her face. “Wouldn’t help, pet,” Spike said softly, “Someone would just bring you back again.”

Buffy returned her gaze to Spike, “Stop trying to be funny.”

Not knowing what else to do, Spike sat down on the floor next to Buffy. Her brow scrunched as she watched the vampire, wondering what he was expecting to happen. Apparently it was nothing. He just sat there next to her, staring off into space. It was oddly comforting. She actually felt relaxed. Well, as relaxed as one could be under the ever so confusing conditions.

Still staring out at nothing, Spike finally spoke up, “You like him, yeah?”

“Who?” asked Buffy, knowing exactly who he was referring to.

“Me,” he half whispered, followed by a clarifying, “The other me.”

Buffy sighed deeply. If I admit that I do like the other Spike, he’ll turn it around to say that I want him or something. Buffy opened her mouth to reply to his question with a resounding ‘no’, but changed her mind. If I say no, he’ll know I’m lying. I can never fool him for some reason... damn vampire senses. Her feeling of tranquillity was fading away, replaced increasingly by agitation.

Spike watched as Buffy’s face seemed to play out the ‘check yes or no’ dilemma going on in her mind. Knowing that his smart-ass comments were to blame, Spike decided to continue without her answer. “I’m a – I mean – He’s a good man, then?”

Buffy glanced at the vampire out of the corner of her eye, afraid to allow herself to become fully aware of the sincerity in his azure blue eyes. Noticing her reluctancy, Spike placed his finger on the side of her chin, gently turning Buffy’s face, and attention, to him. Another few silent seconds passed before Buffy finally responded, “Yeah, I think he is.”

Spike smiled slightly, turning his gaze to the floor, “He’s a lucky bloke.”

Buffy felt the sudden urge to apologize for, well, everything. From the very second he discovered something was wrong, he had been nothing but eager to help her, and throughout this whole ordeal she kept pushing him away! I’ve been such a bitch to him for years, and yet here he is, by my side.

“Spike,” she started, still searching for the right words, “Thank you.”

Turning his eyes back up to Buffy’s he asked, “For what?”

Buffy shrugged, “I don’t know. Just for being here I guess.”

Spike couldn’t hide the smile that was forming on his lips. Thinking now was as good a time as any, Spike said, “Why did you kiss me?”

Rolling her eyes, Buffy answered, “You heard my conversation with Tara. I was having a hallucination. I thought I was kissing, um, him.”

“Oh, so you can rub against the less dead version of me all you want, but add a little monster to the man and –”

“Hey Buff, how ya feeling?” Buffy turned away from Spike to see Xander standing a few feet away. At first glance, Xander had only seen Buffy on the floor. When he noticed Spike next to her, his eyes narrowed, “What’s Captain Peroxide doing here?”

Buffy stood up carefully, still a bit woozy from the fainting spell that may or may not have actually occurred. “Xander, it’s ok. Really.” Xander’s expression of hate did not fade.

“Don’t bother, pet,” mumbled Spike as he also returned to his feet.

“You’re loving this, aren’t you Spike?” interrogated Xander as he closed the distance between the two males, “All year you’ve been waiting for your chance, and now that she’s confused and hurting you swoop in for the kill! Well listen here Dead Boy, there –”

“Xander!” Buffy scolded. She stepped in Xander’s path, pressing her hand on his chest to stop his advance on Spike, “Calm down! We were just talking.”

Spike knew she was saving herself the trouble of dealing with the Whelp. Still, his un-beating heart swelled at the thought of Buffy coming to his aid. Sensing the tension growing between the two friends, Spike resolved to do what was best for the Slayer. Peeking from around Buffy, Spike said, “It’s been fun catchin’ up, Xander, but I got places to be.” Then, addressing Buffy he added, “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

Buffy nodded as Spike headed out the door, sun-blocking blanket in tow, and back to his crypt.

“Does that guy ever give up?” Xander asked.

“No, I guess not,” replied Buffy. Secretly, she wasn’t sure she wanted Spike to give up.

Oblivious to Buffy’s thoughts of Spike, Xander moved on to the reason for his visit, “So, any trips to Delusion World lately?”

Buffy shot him an ‘I can’t believe you said that!’ glare, causing Xander to rethink his words. “You know what I mean,” he mumbled.

Buffy laughed at Xander’s discomfort, “I know.” She paused, her mind leading her to Xander’s problems. “Have you heard anything from Anya?”

Xander sighed, “No. I’ve left about a hundred messages on her machine. Have you heard anything?”

Buffy shook her head. “She probably went somewhere to think things out. I’m sure she’s ok.”

“I hope so...” Xander’s voice trailed off as an idea popped into his head. “Buffy, you said that Anya and I were married in your delusion, right?”

“Yeah. So what?” asked Buffy, not sure what the other reality had to do with Xander’s love troubles.

“You could talk to her for me! You know, find out where she would go?”

“What? Xander, I’m not sure it works that way,” Buffy stated reluctantly. “If the Anya there is a hallucination it wouldn’t work. I mean, if it’s all in my mind then it would be me, not her, telling you where to look.”

Xander reached out his hand, placing it on Buffy’s shoulder, “I love her, Buffy. Please, you have to try.”

“Ok, I’ll give it a shot,” Buffy relented, “But don’t get your hopes up too high.”