A/N: Here it is, the final chapter! I just wanted to thank everyone who has reviewed along the way, I really appreciate it. Happy reading!


Spike was standing at the bottom of the stairs when Willow left Buffy’s room. “Did it work?”

Willow began her decent to the lower level as she answered, “I just gave it to her. We should find out in a few hours.”

Spike began pacing in the foyer, wringing his hands. Willow found herself having to hold back a chuckle. He reminded her of the cliche nervous father-to-be, pacing in the waiting room. Unsure that she could hold her laughter in much longer, Willow spoke up, “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind a visitor.”

Spike stopped in his tracks, confusion showing along his features.

“Besides,” reasoned Willow, “someone should really make sure that she actually drinks that stuff. If it tastes as horrible as it smells it’s gonna be hard to swallow down!” Spike hurried up the stairs, flashing Willow a thankful smile on his way up.

Willow was pleased with herself for moving things along with those two. Ever since her ‘My Will be Done’ spell went awry, Willow suspected that they shared some emotion other than hate. It was just a matter of getting Buffy to acknowledge her feelings. Still, Buffy’s little love confession surprised Willow, It’s not like I ever expected her to admit it.

Willow heard pots and pans banging together in the kitchen. Peeking into the room, Willow watched as Tara loaded the sink with their antidote-making mess. Willow worried her bottom lip as she headed in to see the woman she loved, Maybe it’s time for me to admit my feelings, too.

-----

Buffy wasn’t stupid. She could see the shadow of the vampire’s feet going back and forth on the other side of the door. Buffy finally rolled her eyes and yelled out, “Spike!”

The bedroom door flung open, revealing a wide-eyed and panicked Spike, “What is it? What’s wrong?!”

Buffy couldn’t help but laugh, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. But you were driving me nuts with all the pacing!”

Relieved, Spike entered the room, shutting the door behind him. His eyes fell to the mug in Buffy’s hands. Spike nodded towards the mug, “How is it?”

Buffy stuck her tongue out in disgust, “It’s not as pleasant as you would think. Want a taste?”

Spike leaned against the wall, “No thanks, I’ll pass.” Not knowing what to say next, Spike feigned interest in a small piece of lint on his sleeve.

Buffy took Spike’s distraction as an opportunity to look him over. His hair gel was wearing out, allowing small curls to gather on top of his head. He was dressed head-to-toe in black, his boots lightly coated with dirt from his trip through the woods. “I bet you would look good in blue...”

Spike’s eyes darted back to the Slayer, “Pardon?”

Buffy’s eyes grew wide as she realized what she had said, “Did I say that out loud?”

Spike smiled, “Afraid so, luv.”

“It’s true you know... I mean, a little blue would really bring out the color in your eyes,” Buffy said, seeing no point in trying to take back the remark.

Spike angled his head the side, “Are you here or in that delusion?”

“I’m here!” defended Buffy, “Why?”

Spike shrugged, “For a minute there you bein’ nice to me. Thought it might’ve been meant for him.”

Ok, my uber-bitchy self deserved that. Buffy motioned for Spike to sit next to her. When he was seated, Buffy said, “I want you to know something.”

Spike searched Buffy’s eyes for some indication of what she was about to say, but she wasn’t giving any clues. He nodded, “Go on.”

She took a deep, cleansing breath before saying, “I think you deserve to know how I feel about him... and how I feel about you.”

Spike shifted uncomfortably, “I’m not sure I want to know.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and smacked his arm, “Just shut up and listen, ok?”

Smiling, Spike rubbed at his arm, “No need for violence, pet. Come on then, let’s have it.”

“Ok, here goes...” Buffy clenched her eyes shut tight as she said, “I love him.”

Buffy was expecting to hear an ‘Ah ha!’ or ‘I knew you wanted me!’ coming from Spike’s mouth, but she didn’t hear any of that. Instead, Spike said softly, “Does he know?”

Confused, Buffy reopened her eyes, “Uh... yeah. He knows.”

“Well, thanks for sharin’,” said Spike, standing to his feet, “I should go. Got a Glarghk Guhl Kashmas ‘nik to finish off.”

Spike started heading to the door, when Buffy’s words stopped him, “Spike, wait! I’m not done.”

Spike turned back to face her, “Look. I’m not expectin’ a thing from you. I know I’ll never be the man you deserve, so stop worrin’ about how I’ll take it. I understand, Buffy. You’ll never feel the way I do. I won’t push you to admit somethin’ you don’t feel. Not anymore.”

Buffy’s eyes welled up, “Spike, I’m so sorry.”

“No need for apologies,” he said, bowing his head to avoid seeing her tears.

Buffy stood up and wiped a teardrop from her cheek. She walked over to Spike and took his hand in hers. Spike looked up at her, his eyes narrowing with confusion. After a few seconds, Buffy said to him, “I’m not saying I’m in love with you... but I do feel something. You have this ability to make me feel so safe just by knowing that you’re around. Then again, no one can piss me off beyond words like you can, either.”

Spike cracked a smile at her remark. Gazing into his eyes, Buffy reached up, cupping his cheek. The heat of her hand seemed to warm Spike’s entire body. Without realizing it, he leaned in, laying a soft kiss on Buffy’s lips.

When she pulled away, Spike hurriedly said, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have...”

“Spike –”

“I know,” he interrupted, “I won’t say a word to the Scoobies, don’t worry.”

Buffy shrugged, “You might as well. They’ll find out soon.”

Spike wrinkled his brow, “What do you mean?”

“I’m willing to give this a try. To give us a try. I don’t love you... not yet anyway. But I do like you and that’s a start, right?”

Spike was shocked! At first he thought he was having another Buffy-inspired dream. But as she ran her hand up and down his arm, he knew it was real. Her drew her against him, staring down into her eyes. Buffy wrapped an arm around his neck, kissing him as if it was for the first time.

When Buffy’s lips left his, Spike brushed his fingertips along her cheek, “Were you there with me?”

“I was,” she said, smiling back at him.

Pulling himself away from the tender moment, Spike motioned towards the antidote sitting on the night stand. “You better take your medicine, luv.”

Buffy reluctantly turned away from Spike, taking the mug in her hands as she plopped down on the bed. “Are you sure I have to drink all of it?”

“Every drop.” Spike smiled at the disgusted face Buffy made as she chugged the concoction. He leaned against the wall again as he joked, “You do know there will be no more kisses until you get that taste out of your mouth, yeah? That stuff is bloody awful.”

Buffy rolled her eyes as she placed the empty mug on the night stand. “In that case, have Willow make me some for tomorrow,” she teased back.

“You’ll pay for that, Slayer!” Spike rushed towards her, sending Buffy into a fit of giggles as she leapt from the bed to avoid her attacker. Spike caught her in his arms, trying to drag her to the ground, but Buffy broke free and rushed to the other side of the room. Smirking mischievously, Spike took off in her direction once more.

The sounds of their ‘fight’ were easily heard downstairs. Xander, Dawn, Willow, and Tara were sitting in the living room, their eyes focused on the ceiling.

“Please tell me that they’re trying to kill each other,” groaned Xander.

Willow and Tara exchanged knowing glances, their hands intertwined.

Dawn just shrugged, “It’s about time they let loose with the sexual tension.”

The group turned to Dawn, surprised expressions on the girls’ faces, and a horrified look on Xander’s. “Oh come on guys,” said Dawn, “You know you were thinking it!”

THE END