The Morning After
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He was so breathtakingly beautiful. She had woken long before her alarm would go off and had found herself watching the vampire sleep. He looked so content and more relaxed than she had seen him in many months. He was on his side, head resting on his arm while the other was still draped over her waist where she had been curled up to him earlier. She drank in the sharp lines of his cheekbones, her eyes sliding down to those deceptively soft lips and then back up to his closed eyes, framed by long eyelashes. Those eyes that could tell her so much- and see right through her. He stirred and she smiled as he stretched lazily and opened his eyes, soft blue eyes falling on her and widening ever so slightly.

“Am I dreamin’?” he asked, his voice husky with sleep.

“I don’t think so,” she whispered, leaning close until their noses brushed, “I hope not.”

His arm tightened around her waist as if afraid she might bolt any minute and she smiled, trailing her fingers up his arm.

“What would happen if you were dreaming right now?” she whispered playfully, meeting his gaze from under her eyelashes.

“Well, I think I’d definitely be kissing you,” he whispered, his breath brushing over her lips.

“Mmm,” she murmured, closing her eyes, “Sounds good.”

His lips brushed against hers almost tentatively but then, upon ascertaining her realness, he kissed her harder, his arm pulling her flush against him.


She sank against him, head lolling back as he dragged his lips down her neck, finding her pulse point and sending her blood racing as he sucked on it lightly. She moaned lowly and twisted her fingers in his hair, holding him close as he continued his caresses.

Suddenly, though, the silence was pierced by the sharp beeping of her alarm clock and she groaned, rolling over and slamming her hand down on the alarm clock to silence it. As she hit it though, it flew to the floor with a crash and she leant over, frowning at its spilled contents.

“Damn, think I broke it.”

“That means it won’t interrupt again,” Spike growled, his arm wrapping around her and tugging her back against him, his mouth finding her neck again. She moaned again at the feel of his mouth against her neck but arched away.

“I’ve got work.”

“Call in sick,” he murmured against her neck, his arm tightening around her.

“Need the money,” she mumbled, leaning into his touch.

“I’ll pay you to stay here.”

She laughed and wiggled out of his embrace, moving to sit. She glanced back at him and smiled as she noticed his hungry gaze.

“We’ve got all the time in the world,” she said softly and he rolled his eyes, flopping back on the bed.


She showered quickly and then dressed herself under Spike’s constant gaze- trying hard not to blush as she felt his eyes on her.

“Let me make you breakfast,” he got out, pushing himself to sit.

“Oh no, really. You can stay in bed.”

“You expect me to be able to sleep in your bed without you?” he asked with raised eyebrow and she smiled, moving to him and leaning over to press a kiss to his lips. He caught her neck though, holding her in place as he kissed her sensuously. She pulled away reluctantly and gave him a warm smile.

“If you stay, we can have all evening together,” she whispered, seeing how his eyes lit up.

“Sounds like a deal,” he agreed, getting to his feet and catching her around the waist to press an almost chaste kiss to her lips, “Come on then, let’s get you to work.”

He ushered her out of the room and followed her down the stairs into the kitchen. As she stepped into the kitchen though, she spotted her sister and she came to a halt, causing Spike to collide with her.
“Buffy?”

Dawn looked up at the vampire’s voice and her eyes flew to Buffy, and then to the vampire as he emerged at her side. Her eyes widened just the tiniest bit and then she smiled knowingly and nodded her greeting.

“Morning.”

Blushing, Buffy laced her fingers with Spike’s and moved into the kitchen to slide onto a stool beside him. Dawn’s eyes dropped to their joined hands and then moved to Buffy.

“’Bout time.”

Buffy just nodded and with a glance at Spike, she released his hand and moved to the counter to prepare breakfast.

“Thought I was making you breakfast?” he spoke up.

“Maybe tomorrow,” she said with a tiny smile, blushing as she turned back to the counter, “I don’t want to be late.”

“Are you hanging out here today, Spike?” Dawn asked, obviously happy with the idea.

“Yeah. How ‘bout me and you watch some films?”

“Nothing NC-17,” Buffy warned, turning to the two as Dawn rolled her eyes.

“Yes, Mom,” Dawn chimed with a smile.

“You trying to say you think I might try to corrupt your li’l sister?” Spike drawled and she turned to him with a flirtatious smile.

“I wouldn’t be surprised.”

He pretended to look shocked and she laughed.

“Just, nothing too bad, okay?”


All too soon it was time for her to go to work and Spike followed her out onto the shady porch, catching her hand and pulling her towards him.

“Spike, Dawn can see.”

“You saying you don’t want her to know?” he asked lowly, his head bent close to hers.

“No,” she said, shaking her head, “I just-“

Before she could finish her sentence, he was kissing her, his arms winding round her as he drew her to him. Giving in with the soft caress of his lips, she sank against him, her arms sliding up and winding round his neck. When she got short of breath, he pulled back, his eyes shining as he looked down at her.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“I know,” she answered shakily- her throat closing up with the emotion pouring out of his beautiful eyes.

“And I’m gonna be right here waiting when you get home. You can’t get out of this.”

“Don’t want to,” she whispered, meeting his bright gaze, “It’s already been too long.”

He smiled and dipped his head to kiss her again but she pulled away after a few moments.

“I have to go,” she sighed.

He held her tight for a moment longer and pressed a kiss to her forehead before releasing her.


She stepped down from the porch onto the path and turned back to him as he called her name.

“Buffy…If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll give you a call,” he said with a smile.

She laughed lightly and rolled her eyes.

“I have important work to do.”

“Sure you do, love. Gotta go over it all with Nina, right? Tell her I’m afraid I might be taken now,” he teased with a smirk.

“Pushing it, mister,” she warned, but was unable to suppress her smile.

They were silent for a moment, drinking each other in, and then she turned back to the path.

“Buffy?” he called again and she turned back with a smile, “Sure?”

She paused for a second, taking in the fear he tried to hide and then she smiled.

“Sure.”

“Good,” he breathed, his whole posture relaxing as he leant against the door.

“See you later.”

“Later, Slayer.”


With a smile, she turned back and had got a few steps down the path before she heard Spike’s voice.

“Buffy!” Spike called, his voice urgent and she was about to turn back to him when another voice spoke up in front of her.

“Slayer!”

She turned slightly and froze, her eyes fixed on the gun pointed at her.

“Are you faster than a bullet, Slayer?” Warren asked and before she could react, he had pulled the trigger and a pain ripped through her left side. Her vision blurred as she clutched a hand to her side, the image of Warren’s shocked face moving in and out of focus. She dropped to her knees with a moan and just discerned a cry from somewhere behind her. She sank to the floor and her world went black.