Chapter Seventeen

Buffy knocked on Giles’ door. She wasn’t looking forward to this meeting and she figured barging in on him like she always did probably wasn’t the best way to break the ice.

“Hello Buffy,” Giles said when he opened the door. “Is everything alright?”

He stepped back and she entered the house with a grateful smile. “Everything is good. I spoke to Riley before he left. The Initiative has been closed down. The soldiers have been reassigned or something.”

“Riley has left town?”

“Yeah.” She took a seat on the couch, wondering when the real conversation would start. “Don’t know where he went. It was all top secret. But I did assure him that if he ever steps foot in my town again I’ll beat the crap out of him.”

“Threats of violence do usually work for you.” Giles started toward the kitchen. “I was just making tea would you like some?”

Jumping up from the couch Buffy blurted, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about me and Spike.”

Giles froze mid-stride. “It did come as something of a shock.”

“I know what I’m doing Giles.”

“Do you?” He spun to face her suddenly; as if his control over his emotions had snapped. “Do you really know what you’re doing?”

Buffy took a deep breath, determined to stand firm. “Yes.”

“He’s not like Angel. He’s just another vampire Buffy. No soul, no conscience.”

“Oh come on Giles. You know as well as I do that Spike is not just another vampire. He’s different; he always has been.”

“That didn’t stop him from killing to feed for the last hundred years.”

Buffy dropped her gaze to her clasped hands, unable to refute his words. “I know that. But Giles things are different now. And it’s not just the chip,” she added when she saw him about to speak. “He loves me Giles. You know what that means for him.”

Sighing heavily Giles asked, “You’re willing to bet your life on the fact? Bet other people’s lives?”

She nodded once. “I trust him. He’s had plenty of opportunity to kill me over the past couple of months. He hasn’t. And even if he could hurt other people he wouldn’t.”

“Why is that?”

“Because he knows what it would do to me. He wouldn’t hurt me like that.”

“What about in 10 years, 20 years?” Giles threw up his hands in frustration. “You’ll grow old Buffy. He won’t. I don’t want that for you.”

Buffy smiled softly. “I’m the slayer Giles. If I last long enough for it to be a problem I’ll count myself very lucky.” She saw pain flash in Giles’ eyes at her words and wished she’d been a little less blunt. Walking up to him she spoke with a quiet resolve. “I know my years are numbered. I just want to be happy while I’m here.”

“You love him?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not happy about this.”

“You don’t have to be happy about it. But I do need you to accept it.” She waited till his gaze met her before she continued. “Please Giles. I need you to trust me on this.”

He rolled his eyes. “Well I dare say you haven’t left me much choice.”

Smiling happily Buffy threw her arms around him. “Thank you.”

**********

Spike was busy putting his crypt back in order when Buffy came through the door. For a moment she paused to watch him smoothing white cotton sheets on the bed. God only knew where he’d gotten the bed from.

Moving soundlessly toward him she slipped her arms around his waist from behind, giggling when he flinched in surprise. “Why Spike I do believe you’re losing your touch; letting just anyone sneak up on you like that.”

Taking her hands in his he brought them up to his mouth, kissing her palms. “Just anyone couldn’t manage it.” He turned in her arms and drew her close. “Besides I was distracted.”

“Had to get those hospital corners just right did you?” she teased.

Spike grinned. “Something like that.”

He sat himself on the edge of the bed and urged her closer until she was standing between his legs. Lifting the hem of her shirt just enough to bare a little skin, he then leaned forward to place a chaste kiss upon her belly. “How did things go with Giles?”

“Better than I expected actually.” Looking down at him she ran her fingers through his hair, enjoying the way his mouth moved across her skin; the way his hands stroked her buttocks and thighs. “I wouldn’t expect any dinner invitations yet though.”

She felt his chuckle against her stomach and couldn’t help but shiver in response. “So what have you been doing in here all day?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. “Redecorating?”

“I wanted to spruce the place up a bit,” he replied. With a feather light touch he brought his hands around the front of her body, sliding his fingers under her shirt to stroke her hardened nipples. “Can’t have my girl visiting me in a dump now can I?”

“How very kind of you.” Her sugar-sweet voice made him smile. “How can I ever repay you for being so considerate?”

“Let’s see.” Spike picked her up by the waist and tossed her onto the bed, laughing when she yelped in surprise. Quickly he covered her body with his. “You could start by letting me devour you.” He leaned down to graze her cleavage with blunt teeth as he spoke. “Inch by delectable inch.”

Buffy sighed in pleasure. “Okay.”

Chuckling, Spike began to remove her clothing, kissing each bit of skin as it was revealed. “Well that was easy.”

“What can I say,” Buffy said breathily. “You’ve turned me into your willing sex slave.”

When Spike paused in his ministrations to give her a dubious look she just grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you be the slave next time.”

Satisfied by her response Spike returned enthusiastically to his task. He was so going to make her beg.

THE END

Thank you so much for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it. -flibble