Denial by The Enemy of Reality
 
 
Chapter #1 - Chapter one
 
Beta'd by amazing dawnofme and Mabel Marsters.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.


Chapter 1


With a stake twirling in her hand and her ponytail jigging from side to side, Buffy strolled towards Giles’s apartment. He’d called on the cell phone about a new threat. A nest of somethings.


She had demanded to know where it was so she could take care of it, but Giles had insisted she come to his place so they could discuss the strategy in more detail. Buffy loved Giles but he seriously needed to unwind sometimes. She was all for action, the books really weren't her thing. Unlike Willow, who practically drooled almost as much at the prospect of a research as Giles did. Which was very disturbing.


She would just stop by one last cemetery. The lack of action was making her all antsy and certainly she could make a quick sweep before Giles got all worried about her. The back of her neck tingled and Buffy smiled, drawing a stake from the waistband of her jeans. She sneaked through the shadows of the Restfield cemetery, following her prey. What she found made her sigh in annoyance. The fledgling was trying to claw his way out of the grave, but his foot had got stuck.


'Seriously, have vampires no finesse these days?'


“And here I thought I’d get at least one good fight this evening. Why do I even bother?”


The vampire growled as he failed to heave himself out of the earth. Buffy strode forward and planted the stake into his chest.


“What, no reply?” She pouted.


'What would I give to fight a chipless Spike right now?'


With a huff, she continued on her way to Giles’.


Not that they could ever kill each other. For some reason, he kept coming back. Like a bad penny. It was almost ironic how the only man she wanted to get rid of stuck around while all those she loved kept leaving her. Leaving town even. She was starting to get a serious complex about it.


Even Riley left. Nice, reliable, solid Riley that wasn’t supposed to break her heart. Obviously, she hadn’t seen what everyone else around her had. The distance between them had grown deeper and deeper after they defeated Adam. She thought she had opened up to him, but she could admit to herself now that she was too scared to let anyone in. So Riley decided to up and leave to play a soldier somewhere in Belize. Apparently, Buffy wasn’t enough reason for him to stay.


Strangely, it didn’t hurt. Not as much as she thought it would anyway. There wasn’t that gut wrenching pain every time she thought of him. Unlike what she’d felt when Angel left for her own good, the great martyr that he was. As much as she loved Angel, for him, redemption was more important than their love. Buffy could understand it now. Back then she’d been too young and naïve, thinking he’d stay, believing he’d at least try to look for clues on how to make his soul permanent. So here she was, alone in the middle of a cemetery without even a decent fight to take the edge off.


“Someone's in a good mood tonight.”


Buffy about jumped out of her skin as Spike's voice came from behind. Too lost in her thoughts to notice him approach, Buffy glanced over her shoulder to scowl at him. Spike didn't seem too impressed.


“You snuck up on me!”


“And that surprises you, why exactly?” Spike just raised his eyebrow, smirking at her in that infuriating way that made her want to drive stake through his heart.


“Oh, I don't know. Maybe because your attempts at sneaking usually end with you tripping over a headstone or snapping a twig.” She smiled her most saccharine smile at him, batting her eyelashes innocently. Spike narrowed his eyes, and looked mightily offended.


“Hey! I'll have you know I can be very sneaky. In point of fact, if I didn't have this sodding chip in my head, I'd have sunk my teeth into you a long time ago!” He fell into step by her side.


“Oh please! Like you're the Big Bad? Newsflash, Spike, you couldn't kill me before you were rendered all impotent! I bet Dru could vouch for that fact, couldn't she? What was it that she replaced you with again? Chaos demon, was it?” Buffy looked at him in triumph, half expecting him to scream all kinds of British obscenities at her and storm off. He didn't. Hurt flashed in his eyes, so fleeting, Buffy didn't know if she had just imagined it. For a minute she almost felt guilty.


Almost.


“Hey, watch it. It’s all your fault anyway,” Spike said.


“My fault? No, that would be Dru being sane for the first time in her existence.”


“She wouldn’t have left me if it weren’t for you, Slayer. You and your stupid wanker of an ex.”


“You came begging to me, Spike. Let’s not forget that little fact. And don’t talk about Angel.”


“Dunno what you birds see in the sod anyway. He’s got a Neanderthal brow, you know? And he broods all the time. Where’s the fun in that?”


Buffy stopped and looked at him. “What are you doing?”


“What do you mean?” Spike stopped, turned to face her and furrowed his brow.


“Following me around? Talking to me?”


“Got nothing better to do.”


Buffy threw her hands up in the air and started walking again, Spike hot on her heels. “You must be the most suicidal vampire alive.”


“Undead. And I’m hardly going to shake in my boots from your empty threats.”


“Whatever. Just… shut up.”


“Someone’s in a sulk tonight. What’s the matter? Need to get laid now that Captain Cardboard scampered off for greener pastures?”


“The more you talk, the closer you get to blow in the wind.”


“You’re all talk. You’re not gonna do that.” Spike smirked at her and it made the blood boil in her veins. He was just so infuriating!


“Want to test that theory?”


“That one’s gone a bit stale. Plus, you can’t kill me.”


“Okay, humor me. Why is that?” she asked.


“Because you’re attracted to me.”


Buffy gaped at him then started to laugh. Hysterically. Seeing his pout and offended expression, she couldn’t help but laugh even harder, clutching at her stomach.


“Bloody hell, Slayer. No need to step on my balls like that.”


“Oh my God… it’s just… that was funny,” she gasped out. Seeing the hurt flashing in his eyes made her sober. It must be the lack of action making her loopy as she contemplated her next words. “I’m sorry, Spike. I’m sure some women find your… retro look… quite appealing, but-”


“Yeah, yeah, got it loud and clear. And no nasty remarks about my hair.”


“What?” Buffy glanced at him with an innocent expression. “I wasn’t going to say a thing.” As much as she ridiculed his look, Buffy itched to run her fingers through his hair. It looked soft as it gleamed beneath the moonlight, his cheekbones appearing sharper, his lips… Buffy snapped her gaze away with a horrified expression. What was she doing, ogling Spike of all non- people?


“You alright, Slayer?”


“What? Yeah, sure. I’m perfect.” She could feel the heat in her cheeks. Would Spike notice? Would he comment on it? Then something occurred to her. “Why?” she blurted out.


“I’m not following you.”


“Why would you even think I was attracted to you?”


He smirked and tapped his nose. Buffy’s eyes widened in horror. “Eww… that’s so gross.”


“Not at all.” He chuckled. “Makes me wish we could fight. But I’ll settle for the banter.”


“What is that supposed to mean?”


“That you get off on fighting me in any way, just as much as I do.”


“What? That’s so not true!”


“You’re the bloody queen of denial, you know that?”


“There’s nothing to deny!” They came to a stop and Buffy looked around. They were at Giles’ and she didn’t even notice.


“Have a good night, slayer. Try not to dream about me.”


“Pig!” Buffy glowered after him. She so had a stake with his name on it! The answering chuckle she barely caught made her shiver. She had to be sick.



******


Buffy entered Giles' flat without knocking. She just barged in like she always did, bad mood clinging to her like a heavy cloak.


“Yes, Buffy, you may come in,” Giles said sarcastically from where he was sitting in a big antique armchair, holding an open book in his hand. Anya and Xander were lounging on his sofa, munching on a bag of chips. Willow was nowhere to be seen, probably somewhere with Tara, doing the naughty things that Buffy had nobody to do with.


“Hey, guys. So, what's the what? Please tell me there's something I can kill! Please?” Buffy looked at Giles expectantly.


“As much as I like seeing you so... enthusiastic about your duty, I'm afraid I shall disappoint you.”


“What? No disappointing. This is a disappointment free zone, Giles! Please tell me you know more about that demon nest.” Buffy sat down on the chair next to Giles, looking at him pleadingly.


“I m-must say... err... the nest turned out to be nothing more than a couple of adolescent teens indulging in some... drinking activities.” He smiled at her in apology and asked, “Why are you so eager, Buffy? I thought you would be rejoicing that you have the night off.”


“Umm… and I am. It’s just so... crucial… to slay... and get rid of the nests and all that evil... and stuff.”


Giles just looked at her sardonically.


Anya proclaimed a second later, “She's just terribly frustrated. Sexually, of course. Maybe you should just go home and relieve it, Buffy. Vibrators are always a way to go when you don't have a live penis at hand. I bet you have one of those under your bed.” Anya popped a chip in her mouth-- unconcerned-- while everyone else was stunned speechless.


“I so do not!” Buffy’s face heated up at the though of what she had in the bottom drawer of her chest. “And I’m not sexually frustrated. The night has been slow is all. I haven’t had a chance to blow off some steam.” She protested vehemently, trying not to admit to herself that crashing into Spike was the only thing keeping her night from being completely boring.


“Ahn! We talked about what is and what isn’t appropriate to talk about in public.” Xander said and Anya rolled her eyes.


“I still think it’s stupid. Anyway, it’s completely understandable that Buffy would need sex. Especially after Riley left because she was emotionally unreachable.”


“Dear Lord.” Giles polished his glasses and went to his cabinet to pour himself a glass of scotch.


“She didn’t really mean that,” Xander said and Anya just frowned, but didn’t say anything.


Buffy just nodded and stood up. “That's my cue. I'll leave you guys to your thing, while I go and pig out with Ben and Jerry.” Buffy stood up, waved at them and walked out the door, closing it behind her.


Anya was right. If she kept locking people out, she’d die alone. But was the pain really worth the risk?


TBC


Author's note: Wanna read more?
 
 
Chapter #2 - Chapter two
 
Author's note: Thank you for every single one of your reviews! :D I replied to them all.

Beta'd by dawnofme and Mabel Marsters, the best betas ever.

Disclaimer in full effect.

Chapter 2


Buffy and Willow walked beside each other towards Giles' flat, reveling in the sunny afternoon.


“So, are you all packed and ready for your summer in England?” Buffy asked.


“I am! I can’t believe our flight is tomorrow. Tara’s excited too.”


“So you're planning on ditching Giles once you're there, right?” Buffy grinned at Willow. She wondered if Spike ever missed England. And why was she thinking about him? Annoying pest.


“Buffy! I would do no such thing,” Willow sputtered.


“You do realize that you're a bad liar, don't you? Come on, I won't give you a lecture you. I totally get it. You want to have Tara all to yourself, doing magic and stuff.”


“There will be no stuff.” Willow's cheeks flushed and at Buffy's disbelieving gaze she corrected herself. “Okay, yeah there will definitely be the... stuff. She's just so amazing, you know? The way she smiles crookedly, or the way she walks, or how she frowns in concentration when she's reading a book.” Willow sighed and smiled the way only people in love can.


“I'm really happy for you. I just wish I found someone too. I'm starting to believe the whole romance thing is doomed for me.”


“No it's not! You'll find someone, I promise.” Willow patted her on the back and smiled reassuringly.


“Yeah.” Buffy said, her shoulders slumped.


“So what are your plans for the summer? Demons tend to keep a low profile this time of the year. Must be the heat or something. So, you're free to do whatever you want.” Willow frowned. ”Do you think Fyarl demons sunbathe as they sip a mixed drink from a coconut?”


Buffy just looked at her strangely and Willow shrugged. Her mind worked in mysterious ways.


“Mom wants me to go with her to my Aunt Sarah’s in LA, but I'm not sure. I mean, I don't really want to spend my summer listening to my cousin Jess talk about her ‘fabulous’ new wardrobe and what a great new boyfriend she has. Ugh... I think I'll stay here and hang out with Xander and Anya instead.” Buffy grimaced at the prospect.


“You could always come with us.”


“So that Giles can bury me under the books of demonology and slayer knowledge? I think I'll pass. Plus, me and rain--not mixy.”


“I don’t think the weather is that bad. But you could always hang out with Spike.”


Buffy's eyes almost bugged out of her sockets. “Willow! Why would you say something like that?”


“Bad joke, sorry! But, I don't know... he seems so sad lately.”


“Yeah, well, he can't kill people anymore, so that must put a damper on his mood. Don't tell me you actually feel sorry for him.”


“I kinda do... a little. I think he's lonely.”


Buffy glanced at Willow's compassionate expression and sighed. “You're just too good a person, Will. You do realize Spike would bite your head off if he knew you felt sorry for him, don't you?”


“Yep.”


Buffy shook her head and was just about to knock on Giles' door when it swung opened.


“You're here. Do come in.” Giles looked positively disheveled as he took off his glasses to clean them with his handkerchief.


“So what’s the big? Is the world ending... again?” Buffy asked as they entered the apartment and plopped down on the couch while Willow sat on a chair next to the kitchen counter.


“Please, Buffy, try not to be so flippant about the fate of our world, would you? However, that's not why I called. Eh... Willow, I need your aid in a rather tricky situation.” Giles went to pour himself a glass of scotch.


“So is it a computer problem, or a magicky one?” Willow asked


“The latter. It is about--”


“Rupes, you didn't tell me that ladies were coming, you old dog.” Spike smirked, swaggered into the living room and lay down onto the couch, his boot covered feet almost falling into Buffy's lap. She inched warily away and dusted off her pants.


“Willow I need you to do a repelling spell,” Giles said.


“For what?” Spike, Willow and Buffy asked at the same time.


“I found a rather effective spell to repel demons away from a lived in house. I would like you to do it before we leave for England and I have so many things to do take care of that I have no time to do it myself. But I need you to exclude Spike from the list… even though he just comes in as he pleases and doesn't respect my demands,” Giles muttered.


“I still don’t see why go to all this trouble to exclude him from the list,” Buffy offered.


“We might need him in the future, now that he can't hurt humans, so it would be rather fruitless to cast the repelling spell on him too.”


“Hey! I'm bloody sitting right here, so stop talking about me as if I weren’t!” Spike pouted and Buffy's eyes were immediately drawn to the full lower lip. She snapped back when she realized she was leaning in his direction. Thank God Spike didn't notice, too busy arguing with Giles.


“O-okay I'll try.” Willow interrupted them. “But I'll need Spike's DNA.”


“I'm not having you put a spell anywhere near my sodding DNA, Red.”


Buffy scooted towards Spike and yanked a few hairs from his head.


“Ow, you bitch. That fucking hurt!” He scowled at her, but Buffy just smiled sweetly at him.


“Don't be a baby, Spike.” Buffy hopped up from the couch and handed the hair to a dubious Willow. With Spike's hair at hand, she set out to do the ritual. She leafed through the pages of a book Giles had brought to her and propped it before her as Giles fetched the ingredients.


“I hate the whole lot of you!” Spike stomped down the hallway, slamming the door behind him.


Buffy felt a pang of guilt about the way they treated him, but she pushed it back like every time she felt bad for him. It was stupid enough of her to apologize to him the night before. Spike would turn on them minute his chip was out and she had to remember that.


******


Spike collapsed down on the bed in Giles' guest room and folded his arms across his chest. He was sick and tired of the way the bunch of the so-called White Hats treated him. As if he were some kind of thrash they could kick around whenever the mood struck them and Making him a guinea pig for their spells that never went right. Not that they'd care if he suddenly disintegrated. No lost sleep over another bloodsucker biting the dust, right?


If they were so righteous and good, weren't they supposed to help him? To steer him in the right direction, to try to make him cross to the side of light and change while the inspirational music played in the background as they all held hands and sang? Spike scoffed.


Not that Giles hadn't tried. Not that Spike would ever join someone who had no respect for him; they wanted nothing but to use him. And he let them, because what else was he supposed to do? He had no one. He'd never been so alone in his entire existence-- be it the egoistical prattling of Angelus, or Dru's mad rambling, God, even Darla's snobby bitching-- he had always been with someone.


All he had now was the poorly concealed pitying gazes Red threw his way, thinking he didn’t notice, Doughnut boy's threats, and the Watcher's dismissal. At least the slayer was fun to pick on. It made his long days a little more fun. Which in itself was sodding lamentable.


Spike stood up and paced. It was such a shame the two of them couldn't fight. That he was reduced to banter with her instead of trading blows. That thought led dangerously close to scraping off the false bravado Spike wielded to cover his vulnerability. One taunt too many and he just might find himself on the wrong end of Buffy's stake.


'Not that she'd have the stones. Me being impotent and all. Spike thought bitterly. Besides, the bint seems to be all hot for yours truly to end me.'


The point was, he was a walking target for any human. Hell, even the whelp could kill him now and there was no way he would be able to protect himself. Spike hated admitting it, but he was scared. A vampire scared of humans. Bloody hilarious, wasn't it?


'How the mighty have fallen.'


Everything used to be so clear. Humans were nothing but cattle; he wasn't supposed to fear them or think of them in any other terms than the Happy Meals with legs that they were. And here he was, at the mercy of do-gooders who barely tolerated him.


'That's it, no more playing nice. The second Giles leaves I'm coming back and messing up his record collection... or nicking them.'


Spike realized with horror that his brow was furrowed. He had been brooding! What would come next? Hair that defied gravity, helping the helpless bimbos while driving a Spike mobile? He shuddered.


******


Buffy hovered above Willow, not noticing a single hair falling over her shoulder and straight into the magic circle. Willow was just reading the incantation, focusing her will when a front door slammed open and Xander and Anya walked in, disrupting her concentration. Willow jumped and mispronounced a word, then cringed, hoping nobody would notice her slip. She finished the spell and scowled at the newcomers.


“Hasn’t anyone ever heard of knocking?” Giles asked, exasperated.


“Maybe you shouldn’t leave it unlocked like that.” Anya said. “Anyway, I don’t see a problem. It’s not like we interrupted you in the middle of intercourse. Me and Xander were playing a fireman and a hysteric woman that needed his help earlier. You should try that.”


“I’ll keep that in mind,” Giles replied.


“What is that smell, G-man?” Xander asked, desperate to change the course of conversation.


“Not fruit roll-ups, I assure you.” Giles said sarcastically and faced Willow. “So did it work?”


“I t-think so.” Willow's eye twitched as she smiled too brightly, but Giles just sighed in relief. She added. “It may not come in its full effect right away though. Within 24 hours at most.”


“Splendid! Thank you, Willow. Now with that out of the way, may I ask you a favour, Buffy?


“Sure. What's up.”


“Eh... Would you mind looking after the apartment while I'm away? Water the plants and such.”


“We could do that!” Xander proclaimed, eyes gleaming at a prospect of having a place to do the hot monkey sex with Anya at. Giles saw right through that.


“Buffy will do it, won't you, Buffy?”


Buffy shrugged. “Why not? It's not like I've got better things to do.” She thought for a moment and asked, “What is Spike doing here? I thought he was living in a crypt.”


“He does. He comes sometimes to eat all my Weetabix supplies and drink all the good scotch.” Giles grimaced and took a sip from his glass.


“Go figure,” she said.


The Scoobies chatted amongst themselves and Buffy glanced at her watch, remembering she promised her mom to help her at the gallery. She came from the convention today and probably thought Buffy was coming with her to LA tomorrow. At least now Buffy had an excuse not to go. She took the spare key from Giles, waved goodbye to everyone and left.


Wisps of magical smoke billowed up from the magic circle that Willow had yet to clean up. Willow glanced at it nervously, wondering if the smoke was supposed to be the green colour. She really hoped she hadn’t screwed up another spell, but there was no way to tell until twenty-four hours had passed.


TBC

Author's note: Happy New Year to everyone! :)
 
 
Chapter #3 - Chapter three
 
Author's note:I was bored, so I decided to post. :) And rib cracking hugs to all you incredibly awesome people who left me a review!


Chapter 3


Buffy sighed and flopped down on her dorm bed, ignoring the heaps of clothes strewn across the room. She had just come back from the airport, where she'd gone to say goodbye to Giles, Willow and Tara. Giles had very reluctantly given her the keys to his apartment, strictly prohibiting her from throwing wild parties where they would drink his entire stash of expensive scotch. Buffy had just snorted and told him not to worry. If she were to use his apartment, she’d have there wild orgies instead. Giles gave her a stern look and hugged her all stiff upper lippy before he promptly walked towards the terminal.


Willow and Tara had both hugged her warmly, promising to bring her new shoes and followed Giles.


Now, she needed to get all this stuff packed to take to her house with her. Her mom had already left for LA this morning, lamenting the fact that Buffy wasn't coming with her, and instead had to stay here slaying those dreadful creatures. And why was it that ‘Rupert couldn't let her baby have a nice holiday when he himself was leaving as well, and instead left Buffy here to take care of everything’?


Buffy didn't tell her-- of course-- that she took that as an excuse to stay here. Not that the prospect of a boring summer was anything but gloomy, but it had to be better than listening to her cousin brag about how perfect her life was. Besides, if she was bored, she could always go annoy Spike and see how much it would take before the veins on his neck started to bulge out. Buffy giggled and went to gather the clothes from the floor. She always made such a mess when packing.


Pausing, Buffy grabbed a skirt lying at the bottom of her dresser and ran her hand over the horrid fuzzy stuff around its bottom. She didn't think she wore it even once. It was just one of those moments of shopping frenzy when she saw something and thought it had to be the most awesome thing in the land of awesomeness, then came home and realized that there was no way she could ever wear that in public. Buffy still remembered Spike's remark about it during their faux engagement.


'Wear this to the rehearsal dinner and the whole thing's off.'


Well, what did he know about fashion anyway? The whole 'Oh, I'm an 80's reject, call me Billy Idol' look just proved her theory. Spike had stupid hair. He was stupid. She wished he was here so she could tell him to his stupid ugly face.


'Yeah, who am I kidding?'

The man was gorgeous. He had those blue eyes, the sharp cheekbones and a pouty lower lip that she just longed to nibble on. Even his hair was okay--it suited him. She’d raked her fingers through it when she’d sat on his lap, and it had been soft. And that was so not fair! How could he have such soft hair after decades of bleaching it? Asshole. Driving her insane with his jibes and knowing smirks, like he was in on all of her secrets, even the ones Buffy didn't even know she was hiding. And she wasn't--hiding anything. She was the very epitome of sincerity and straight forwardness, though not in the icky Anya way. Yup.


'Umm, and Spike's muscles... so hard... eh, nope not hard, definitely nothing hard at all! Firm! Yes, firm sounds good.'


Buffy's cheeks flushed at the memory of sitting in his lap, as she stuffed the last articles of clothes into her suitcase and headed out.


A strange feeling went through her—like an electrical current--but she shook it off and promptly forgot all about it.


******


Spike was lounging in his comfy chair, watching Passions, when his eyes started to droop.


His mind was somewhere between dreaming and consciousness with images flickering behind his eyelids. Soft lips parted in a moan, green eyes hooded and unfocused, his hands wandering all over the Slayer’s baby soft skin, his name a prayer on her lips as he kissed his way down her throat…


Spike shot awake, breathing heavily before he let out a string of curses. Rubbing his face to get rid of the last vestiges of the gruesome pictures, Spike wandered to his refrigerator and took out the jar with the pig blood in it.


What the hell was wrong with him, getting himself all hot and bothered over that stuck up bitch? And what kind of name was Buffy anyway? Joyce--nice lady that she was--must have lost her marbles at the time. Good thing Buffy didn't have a sibling or the poor kid would no doubt be called something equally ridiculous.


Gulping down half the content of the jar, he closed the lid and put it back in the refrigerator. Spike sat down into his comfy chair with a defeated sigh.


Ridiculous and self-righteous as she was, Spike had to admit, the slayer was really hot when she was pissed off, bantering with him and threatening to smack him around. And every time she argued with—whether she realized it or not—Spike could smell her desire for him. Well, that was neat, no questions asked. As long as his feelings were all about lust, he would be okay. Shagging the slayer wasn’t something he’d usually think of, but this particular one could be very well worth his effort. Just the memory of her blushing cheeks as she glared at him would fuel many fantasies to come. Knowing that a woman wanted to shag you into the ground did wonders to a bloke's ego.


Oh yeah, the Big Bad still had it. Not that the high and mighty slayer would ever admit that she craved some rough and tumble with him, what with the stake up her arse and all.


Maybe he could make her see how good they could be together. Vampire stamina had to count in his favor, right? It wasn't like she’d never had it on with a vampire before. God, how he wanted to feel her beneath him, writhing and needy, his slave. Her eyes sparkling, those full lips of hers that he could kiss all night and the sweet heady taste of her mouth.


He wasn't able to get rid of the memory of Buffy in his arms during the spell, wriggling on his lap provocatively. And he'd never admit how much it had hurt him to see that disgust on her face after the mojo had been broken. It wasn't as if he were a leper, for God's sake. Damn witch and her meddling, making them 'betrothed', forcing him to act all mushy and in love.


Not that there were any lovey-dovey feelings left towards her now. But the good roll in a hay with a pretty little hot thing like the slayer would make his day certainly more entertaining. Yeah, that was all he wanted- just a mindless fuck, and then he could taunt her about it. He wouldn't give up until she gave in. And the fact that old Rupes and the witches were off to the mother country just gave him more time to work with. He didn't even count Xander and his demon girl to hinder his plan. They would no doubt spend the summer shagging like bunnies in that rotten basement.


Spike grinned devilishly as he thought about the seduction of the Slayer.


'She'll be mine by the end of the summer.'


Spike frowned as a strange feeling passed through him, making him shudder, but he brushed it off.


'Must be all the spicy Buffalo wings I've polished off.'


******


Buffy was just about to push open the door on Giles' apartment when she noticed it was already open.


'Great. My first day of house-sitting and Giles has already been robbed.'


She closed the door behind her and crept inside, just in case the burglars were still there. Sure enough, there was a crash upstairs. Buffy grabbed the nearest object, which happened to be a vase, and followed the noise.


Someone was in Giles' bedroom. She pushed open the door and saw a male rear dressed in faded blue jeans sticking up behind the bed as he obviously searched under it for valuable content. There was a tear in the fabric on the back of his upper thigh, allowing her a tiny peek at the muscles beneath.


'The burglar sure has a nice butt, though.'


“Stay where you are or I'll smash your head in!” Buffy yelled and lifted the vase over head, ready to crack it on the thief's head.


Then he sat up.


“Spike? What the hell?” She put the lamp on the nearby chest of drawers, gaping at him.


'Spike in pale blue jeans? Spike owning more than one article of clothing?'


“Slayer? Aren't you supposed to be baking yourself crispy in a tiny bikini somewhere?” He dusted off his hands and stood up.


“What?”


Spike looked at her like she was mental. “You know... first day of the summer? You, being such a valley girl, should have been on the beach this time of the day, right? Having a giggle and flirt with the frat boys?”


“I am not a valley girl!” Buffy protested indignantly.


“Blonde, dumb and from California. Yeah, that about sums it up.” He smirked, enjoying the spluttering noises the slayer was emitting, along with the redness spreading across her cheeks. She was pissed as hell and he would be damned if it didn't make him hot. Except he already was damned.


'Ah, well.'


“I'm not dumb! You're the one that's dumb, you stupid jerk!”


“She doth protest too much, me thinks.” He grinned, watching her stand there and boil in rage was just too sweet to pass up.


“I'm not the one who dated a nutcase for over a century, then came crying to me when she hooked up with a fungus demon!” She smiled at him in triumph. Attacking Spike where it hurt the most always made her feel a whole lot better.


“Yeah? Well, at least I didn't date a self-absorbed wanker whose hair sticks up and has a Neanderthal brow! I didn't spread my knees to three men in the course of two years--”


“Are you calling me a slut?” Buffy seethed. If he didn't have that chip in his head, he'd be as good as dust.


“What else would you call yourself, Slayer? I bet you have more notches in your headboard than I do. Looks like you spread those dimpled knees for anyone who makes the puppy eyes at you.” Spike's eyes widened when he noticed the murderous expression on her face. Maybe he’d gone too far with that one.


That was it! Buffy marched towards him and punched him in the nose.


“Ow! Bloody hell, slayer! What is it with you and my nose?” He cupped his nose and glanced at his bloodied fingers. “No wonder the Whitebread left. Poor fella must have found himself on the worse side of the domestic violence,” Spike muttered under his breath.


“What did you say?”


Spike decided not to push his luck. “Nothing.”


He licked the blood off his fingers, making a good show of sucking them into his mouth and delighting in Buffy's disgusted face, even though her dilated pupils were fixed on his tongue.


“So help me God, Spike, if I catch you here again, you'll be fitting in an ashtray. Stay. Out. Of. My. Way.”


“What? No hug?” He waggled his eyebrows and threw up his hands in surrender when she stepped closer. Hugging him was obviously the last thing on her mind. But he knew all that was just a ruse. Fighting him--even verbally--got her as hot as it did him. He could smell it.


“Get out.” She demanded tiredly, and put her hands on her hips as she fixed him with her best scowl.


“And here I thought we were having fun.” Spike grinned when she rolled her eyes.


“Sheesh, I wonder what gave it away? The fact that we yelled at each other, or the fact that I punched you?” She stared at him in disbelief. It was fun to argue with him, but that was the last thing his overblown ego needed to hear. Spike made things more interesting, no doubt about it.


“What can I say? I like it rough, Slayer. I'd say you're just my kinda girl.” He curled his tongue behind his teeth and looked her over, making her feel as if she was naked. She folded her arms across her chest.


“Cut it out and get away from me before I stake you.”


Spike nodded his head and stepped to move around her, purposely brushing against her as he went. He got about six feet away from her when he suddenly stopped and couldn't move any further. It was as if a physical barrier had been set and Spike couldn't push through.


“What are you waiting for? An invitation?” Buffy arched an eyebrow, tapping her foot as she watched Spike stand there, his hands clenching. Her expression melted into a frown when Spike turned to face her, his eyes wide and panicked.


“I can't go further,” he said.


“What do you mean you can't go further? Stop playing games, Spike,” Buffy said, hoping it was just one of his retarded jokes.


“I swear, Slayer. Come here and try!” He pushed his hand against the invisible barrier.


Buffy stepped towards him, and tried with her hands, but she didn't find anything. “There's nothing here. Stop stalling and go home.”


“What? You think I love spending time with your precious self? Get over yourself.” Spike scoffed. “Why don't you leave?”


She flipped her hair, the scent wafting to his nostrils, and Spike watched her ass sway away from him.


She stopped and glanced at him over her shoulder with wide eyes.


“I can't. Okay, this is bad. Very bad!” Buffy ran her hand through her hair and said, “Spike, step backwards.”


He tried to do as she said, but couldn't take one step away from her. “I'd say a big no to that one.”


“Right. I have a really bad feeling about this. Spike, come here.” He did, and Buffy took him by the sleeve of his duster, dragging him through the doorway.


“Watch the manhandling, Slayer.” Buffy ignored Spike's protests and faced him, her face pale.


“Spike? I think... I think there's a... barrier, but it's not set in a specific place.” She gulped and stared at him. “It's around us.”


“Balls!”


“You can say that again.”


TBC


Author's note: Liked it? *puppy eyes*
 
 
Chapter #4 - Chapter four
 
Author's note: Can I just hug all you wonderful people that have left me a review? Can I?? You don't know how much I appreciate it!!! :)

Beta'd by amazing dawnofme and Mabel Marsters.


Chapter 4


“What do you mean there’s a barrier around us?” Spike said.


He cleared his throat, wondering why his voice was suddenly an octave higher than normal and hoping that the Slayer hadn’t noticed.


Wanting to seduce her was one thing, but being tied to her until God knew when was just madness. He couldn’t shut up when he was around her and the things that came out of his mouth were usually taunts. It was just a matter of time before the Slayer had enough and finally put an end to his existence.


“Are you even listening to me?” Buffy’s annoyed voice called out.


Hip cocked, foot tapping, lips pursed in displeasure, Buffy waited for his response.


“Not really, no,” Spike admitted with a careless shrug. Wouldn’t do to let her know he was worried.


“God, you’re impossible. You do realize this concerns you too, don’t you?”


“The way I see it, we’re stuck with each other till we figure this out. What else is there to discuss? Just call Red. I’m sure she’s the one to blame…no surprises there.”


“Hey! Don’t talk about Willow that way!”


Spike arched an eyebrow.


“I should probably call her,” Buffy said.


******


“Do not say ‘I told you so’ or I’ll smack you,” Buffy said with resignation.


“Not saying a thing. But I was right nonetheless.”


“Well, I don’t see why you’re gloating. You heard what she said. It’ll take days before we’re unstuck.” Buffy plopped dejectedly on the couch and sighed.


“Hey, it’s not that bad.”


'And why am I comforting my mortal enemy again? Ponce!'


“Not that bad? Not that bad?! Are you crazy? We’re gonna kill each other before the night is over. And how do you think I’ll shower, or use bathroom, or sleep knowing you’re just six feet away from me? I can’t do this! I can’t--”


“Buffy.” Spike sat down and grasped her tense shoulder. Buffy refused to look at him as she fought to control her nerves. It did something to him and he didn’t like that. “Just calm down. We’ll figure this out. Red said she’d be here as soon as she found someone to teleport her. It might not even be days before they figure this out. Truce, yeah?”


“Why?”


“Why what?” he asked, furrowing his brow.


Buffy glanced at him, feeling the warmth radiate through her body from the spot where his hand was clasping her shoulder. “Why are you being nice to me? It’s not like you to not enjoy my misery.”


Spike squirmed and dropped his hand. “Dunno. Just seemed you needed a little comfort. And when have you ever cared what I thought of you?”


“You’re right. I don’t.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “Thanks though. You’re not so bad when you’re not acting like a complete jerk.”


“Yeah, well… don’t get used to it.” The thought of using her vulnerability didn’t even cross his mind, and wasn’t that a kick in the balls? The witch better hurry before something happened. Something they would both regret, and Spike had a feeling he would be the one on the shitty end of the deal no matter what he did.


******


She should have known better than to allow Willow do even such a small thing as repelling spell for Giles’ apartment. Buffy suspected Willow could find someone to teleport her a lot sooner, but for some reason, she was guilt-free about accidentally tying her and Spike together and didn’t seem to be in hurry. Willow said she needed their DNA, therefore couldn’t do the reversal spell from across the ocean. Besides, she had things she had to take care of first. What could be more important than this?


Some slayer she was, freaking out like that. It just suddenly slammed into her after she called Willow. She’d been convinced it would be doable from England, but no. Things never went right in the Buffy world. It was difficult enough dealing with Spike on a short encounter basis, but to have him stuck so close to her for the time being was terrifying. It helped when he was being his usual evil self. That was familiar. Jibes and insults she could deal with. Even the innuendo, though that was becoming much harder to handle.


But the sweet side she’d never seen him direct at her threw her off balance. Spike wasn’t supposed to be sweet or care about her feelings. It made him… real. She couldn’t let him get under her skin like that; couldn’t let him make her think he could genuinely feel concern for another human being.


'Just keep him at arm’s length and everything will be hunky-dory.'


Now only if she could believe that.


******


“So… how are we gonna do this, then?” Spike asked.

Buffy had been able to use the loo without his witnessing it as it was so close to the door. So Spike sat outside while she did her business and changed clothes. The shower though, was a different thing altogether. It was far on the other side of the bathroom so locking him out of the room wouldn’t be a possibility. But they’d cross that bridge when the time came.


“It’s simple, really. You’re sleeping on the floor or drag the couch over here. I’m sleeping on the bed,” Buffy said and collapsed on the aforementioned bed with a grin on her face.


“No way. I am not sleeping on the lumpy couch or on the floor. I’m gonna get cold.”


“Spike, I’m sorry to tell you, but you’re a vampire. You are cold.”


“So what? You gonna get all racist on me, Slayer? The bed is big enough for the two of us, you know.”


“I am not sleeping with you!”


“Can’t keep your hands off my hot body, right? Well, not that I blame you. I am a handsome devil.” Spike grinned and took off his t-shirt.


“Hey! What do you think you’re doing? Clothes on!”


“You’re fucking kidding, right? I haven’t slept in clothes since I was turned.”


“You sleep all--”


“Naked? Oh yeah, baby. No need to blush though, luv.”


“I am not blushing! And don’t call me love.”


Spike reached for his belt buckle and Buffy’s eyes widened in horror. Spike naked was bad. Very bad. She couldn’t help but stare at his chest. What would she do if he actually stripped down to nothing? She gulped. “Stop it! I give in, okay? Will you at least keep the pants on if I allow you to sleep in the bed?”


“Alright.” Spike took off the belt and left his jeans on as he toed off his boots. “That’s the stuff,” he said with a moan as he stretched out and hugged a pillow to him. Buffy shifted uncomfortably and stayed as far from him as possible, almost falling off the bed.


Spike turned to gaze at her and chuckled. “You gonna sleep all stiff like that?”


“I’m not stiff. Just--”


“Buffy, I’m not gonna molest you. If someone’s going to be molesting someone here, it’s gonna be you.”


“What?” she spluttered and rolled on her side to glare at him. “The size of your ego astounds me sometimes.”


“You could see the size of my--”


“Do not even think of finishing that sentence.”


“Someone’s got a dirty mind. Maybe I was gonna say the size of my bank account. You better watch the mind in the gutter, pet, or I might think you’re lusting after me.”


Buffy snorted. “There goes that ego of yours again.”


“It’s very fragile, I’ll have you know. Besides, I can smell you.”


“You’re so gross. If I wasn’t so tired, I’d punch you.”


“I like my women violent.” Spike grinned and scratched at his chest. Buffy glanced away.


“Do you have a retort for everything?”


“Been around for ages, pet. Plus, bantering with you makes me hot.”


“Okay, pal. I’ll let you off for that comment because you were acting half decent earlier, but no more innuendo. It’s way too late for that.”


“What? It was a compliment!”


Buffy shook her head and turned away from him, trying to fall asleep. It lasted all of ten seconds for Spike to break the silence. “I’m bored.”


“And I want to sleep. Count sheep or something.”


Spike spoke as if he didn’t even hear her reply. “Wanna shag?”


“Spike! Do you have to be so horny all the time? I would never sleep with you.”


“Why? I’m attractive and I know you want me.”


Buffy sighed. “I can’t. It’s wrong.”


“So you do want me?”


“Go figure that’s the one thing you’d focus on. I’m tired of this, Spike. Yes, I do. I want you. Sometimes I can’t decide if I want to kill you or you know… the other thing.”


“Shag my brains out?”


“That’s exactly the crudest thing you could have said.”


“Not really. And you could at least turn around. It’s bloody annoying talking to your back.”


Buffy did so and stared at him through the darkness, ignoring the spark of excitement fluttering in her stomach. “No, Spike.”


“Come on. It wouldn’t have to mean anything. We wouldn’t even have to talk about it afterwards. Just a harmless one night stand.”


“Harmless? Nothing about my life is ever harmless. I can’t ever have what I want without someone getting hurt. I’m not going through that again.” She turned her back to him as her eyes teared up. Why did it hurt to hear he just wanted her for the sex? It seemed nobody ever stuck around after the one go. He said so himself.


“I’m not Angel. And what’s wrong with having a little fun?”


“Everything is just fun for you, isn’t it? Killing people is fun for you! You probably killed all your family members just for the hell of it.”


“Fuck off, Slayer!” Spike turned his back to her as he tried to calm down his rampant emotions. “You don’t know me at all,” he whispered.


Buffy caught the murmur and frowned. He sounded genuinely offended and she felt the pressing urge to apologize. For what, she had no idea. And the whole idea of the guilt-free sex was just ludicrous. Buffy had a feeling someone would get hurt, and she started to doubt it would be just her.


TBC

Author's note: Reviews are like a taste of the most delicious chocolate, a cool breeze on a sultry summer day, a gulp of water after a lifetime of thirst. They are the food for my soul.

See? I can write bad poetry too! :D But it's true nonetheless. ;) Also, the new semester starts next week and I kinda need your encouragement to balance out the suckage of school work. *bats eyelashes*
 
 
Chapter #5 - Chapter five
 
Author's note: Thank every single one of you for the lovely reviews, I appreciate it more than you know!!!

Beta'd by wonderful dawnofme and Mabel Marsters.


Chapter 5


The moment she woke up, Buffy felt a warmth spread through her. Her mind was hazy with sleep and she squeezed the hand holding hers. Then it occurred to her. Who was holding her hand? She peeled her eyes open and yawned. The previous day came rushing back to her as she came face to face with Spike. Buffy glanced at the space between them. Sometime during the night, they must have turned towards each other. They weren’t touching, except his left hand was holding her right one. How they got in such a position was a mystery.


His smooth skin felt good against hers though. His bigger fingers intertwined with hers made her feel safe. As much as the thought scared her, Buffy wasn’t ready to let go yet. Spike was still asleep, so no harm in relishing a little innocent contact, right? Right. Gazing at his face gave her a sort of rush too. The danger that he could open his eyes and catch her looking anytime. The power it made her feel as she stared at him without his knowledge. It gave her a sort of voyeuristic pleasure.


'Huh. I must be kinky.'


His lips were slightly parted; dark thick lashes brushing against his pale cheeks, eyelids flickering as he dreamt. 'Probably about carnage.' With a surprise, Buffy noticed his hair was curly. It made him look both sexy and adorable. Who would have thought Spike had curls?


Spike moaned softly and squeezed her fingers. Buffy’s eyes shot to his in alarm, thinking he was awake. He was still dead to the world. Or more so than usual. His tongue snaked out to lick his lips, and Buffy followed the motion with her gaze. Entranced. Then he breathed out her name. She froze, the implications of his dream slamming into her. It made her hot. It made her want to bolt too. Instead, she let go of his hand and smacked him on the shoulder to wake him up.


“What did you do that for?” he mumbled in a voice rough from sleeping. It made Buffy tingle in all the wrong ways.


“Umm… I was bored.”


“Singing my tune now, are you?” He contemplated another shagging offer since he was particularly horny but he didn’t fancy another rejection. Oh, right, he was still pissed at what she’d said last night.


“I have to pee.”


“Be my guest, though I don’t see how’s that any business of mine.”


“Spike… I--” What did he want her to say? She sucked with words. But she really had to use the bathroom. Plus, maybe the weight of guilt for the remark about his family would leave. She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for what I said last night.”


Spike stared at her with his jaw hanging open. It would be funny if it didn’t make her feel uncomfortable.


“So, we’re good now? Or as good as we’ll ever be, right?” she asked, smiling.


“Umm…yeah. I’m sorry too, you know. For all the jibes I’ve told you after the whole frat boy debacle. No wonder you don’t want to sleep with me and… let’s call a truce, right?”


“Truce?” she asked, ignoring the Parker comment. It was a part of why she refused his offer. She didn’t really want to sleep with Spike just to have him throw it into her face or humiliate her. She didn’t trust him.


“Yeah. No nasty remarks. Not out of spite at least,” he said.


“Deal. What about the innuendos?”


“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Slayer. Where would be the fun in that?”


Buffy heaved a sigh. “You’re right. Those are fun. Banter too.”


“Told you.”


“Spike?”


“Yeah, pet?”


“I really need to pee.”


******


“Can you wait at least a little while longer? You don’t even sweat.”


They were standing in front of the bathroom and Buffy was freaking out. She had to shower too, but she hadn’t thought about how it would work.


“I really need to go into the shower, pet.” Especially since the slayer woke him in the middle of a bloody wet dream. Seeing the star of his dream pout at him with those lips that had been wrapped… well, it certainly didn’t help his case. One more protest and he’d sodding well tell her why he needed to shower so badly.


“Okay. But I still don’t know how to do this.”


“Easy. I’ll just draw close the curtain and you’ll sit next to the tub.”


Buffy sighed and they entered the bathroom. He started to shed his jeans and she promptly turned away, blushing. “You could have warned me.”


“You do have some serious issues with nudity, don’t you, Summers?”


“Just with yours.”


Spike smirked knowingly and stepped out of the jeans. “Well I don’t have a problem with yours so feel free to run around starkers.” He stepped into the bathtub and closed the curtain. Buffy was forced to back towards him as the barrier pushed her. She sat down and leaned against the tub.


“You wish.”


“Oh yeah, I really do.”


The water turned on and Buffy inspected her nails. She was bored.


“Spike?”


“Yeah?”


Buffy frowned at how strangled his voice sounded but shrugged it off.


“What do you want to do today?”


Spike cursed as many images flitted through his mind, none of them exactly G-rated.


“You choose.” Stupid cold shower wasn’t working. Not when he could smell her scent and hear her voice. Feel her presence one curtain away. His erection was really persistent and with a heavy sigh and a prayer that the slayer wouldn’t catch on to what he was doing, Spike took the matter in hand and clenched his teeth to stop himself from making any sounds.


“I don’t know. Maybe we could go to the Bronze… or not. It would be a drag in the middle of the week. We can go see a movie. At least we wouldn’t have to talk, ergo no quarrels. There are only so many Spike arguments I can take per day.”


Buffy frowned at the lack of answer. It wasn’t like Spike to be quiet for so long or not taunt her for wanting to watch a chick flick. Then she heard a strangled moan and her eyes widened. He better be not be doing what she thought he was doing. The unmistakable sound of… It was so gross. She was in the same room while he…


“Spike? What are you doing?” she asked warily.


“Bloody hell, woman! What do you think?” His voice was raspy and breathy and Buffy shot to her feet, her back to him as she tried to get rid of the visual. That was hard considering she’d already gotten the soundtrack. This was wrong and depraved--and why did she want to draw open the curtain and help him out? She seriously needed to get laid.


“Stop that! I swear to God… Spike, if you think this is funny, I am so dusting you.”


“Don’t get your knickers in a twist. It’s not my fault the cold shower didn’t do its job. I don’t… aah… fancy walking around with blue balls ‘til we figure this out.”


“I can’t believe you! It’s so… how can you… with me in the same…” she sputtered, unable to form a coherent sentence. Her cheeks burned in embarrassment and desire as he groaned and panted. “You better not be thinking about me.”


“Slayer, if don’t stop yammering, there is no way I’ll be able to think of anything else but you.”


Buffy opened her mouth to say something then snapped it shut. Now she wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye for the rest of the day and since there was no way to avoid him, she was doomed. She stifled a moan as she thought of Spike naked and aroused in the shower, a couple of feet away, with rivulets of water running down his chest. Spike let out a gasp and a few seconds later, the shower was turned off.


Expecting him to gloat how he could smell her and embarrassing her further by painting a very graphic visual of his activities, Buffy was stunned speechless as she turned around and saw him avoid her eyes, ducking his head shyly. There was a towel wrapped around his hips and if a vampire could blush, Spike would be as red as Willow’s hair.


Her life had officially been turned upside down.


TBC


Author's note: What happens next??
 
 
Chapter #6 - Chapter six
 
Author's note: I love you awesome readers! *hugs all of you*

Beta'd by amazing dawnofme and Mabel Marsters.

Disclaimer in full effect.


Chapter 6


They sat on the couch in Giles’ living room, both of them pretending to be focused on the television. Freshly showered, too, Buffy squirmed on the cushions, wringing her hands in her lap. Her mind raced as she tried to come up with a safe topic to break the awkward silence.


“So we gonna avoid this then?” Spike asked, effectively shining the spotlight at the big elephant in the room.


“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”


“Come on! I had a bloody wank, so what? I don’t see why you’re making such a big deal outta this.”


“I thought I wasn’t. You’re the one bringing this up and this is me, not talking about it anymore.”


“Yeah, alright. As you wish, Slayer. In point of fact, we don’t have to talk at all.” He crossed his arms over his chest, sulking as he pretended to watch the news.


Now Buffy sighed in annoyance as the heavy tension around them pushed her to say something. Anything. She glanced at Spike from the corner of her eye.


“So… what’s up with the ensemble?” she asked, eyeing the blue ripped jeans and the white tank top he had put on.


Spike furrowed his brow as he turned to face her, visibly contemplating if he should reply or continue his brooding. “What?”


“The jeans and the top. I don’t think I’ve seen them on you before. Plus, you’re not wearing anything black so something must be up.”


“Oh. Yeah, contrary to the popular belief I do own more than one article of clothing. Actually, these are just like the ones I wore during my punk phase.”


“You mean to tell me… what you usually wear is not your punk phase?”


Spike laughed suddenly, the rich sound washing over her, making her shiver. Who would have thought Spike laughing could make him appear so… pleasant.


“You have no idea, Slayer. I used to wear this tank… just like this one, except black.” Buffy harmlessly ogled his bare arms. “And there were safety pins on it and what not. Lots of jewelry, piercing-”


“Piercing?” she asked with interest. “Where?”


Spike grinned suddenly and she had a bad idea he was about to say something that would earn him a broken nose. “Any old place… eyebrow, nipples… tongue. Dru used to love the tongue one.”


“Why would she…. Oh.” Buffy blushed and cursed herself for bringing up the topic. How did the previously harmless conversation get to this point anyway? It seemed like curiosity really might have killed the cat after all. And she so didn’t need to hear about his sexcapades with the nutcase Drusilla.


“Yeah,” he drawled. “Birds love it. Ever had a man see to you with his tongue pierced, Slayer?”


“You say it like I pick up strange men whenever the mood strikes me, and I don’t. I’ve only slept with three so that hardly makes me-”


“No need to get snippy. Just asking a question.”


“Yeah, well… you bring out the not so nice part of me.”


“The bitch in you, you mean.”


“See? Now I just want to punch you.”


“Hold the temper, Slayer. Besides, you didn’t answer, though it is rather pointless. Corn boy wouldn’t have the balls to pierce anything of his and the less spoken about your Angel bear, the better. .”


Buffy snorted. “It’s not like I haven’t seen you wear eyeliner, you know. Anything you might want to tell me, Spikey?”


His eyes widened. “Hey! I’m a ladies man all the way… though there was that one time with Angelus, but we were three sheets to the …” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, Dru said it brought out my eyes.”


“You and Angel?” Buffy gaped at him. Spike and Angel? Naked, preferably covered in oil as they wrestled around and then…


“Got a dirty mind, Slayer. I can see all those images just flying through your brain right now.”


“What? Don’t be ridiculous.”


“Nothing to write home about if you want to know. I barely remember it, we were so hammered. No bad though, taught me a lot… Angelus did.” Spike winked at her and licked his lips. “I change my question.”


“Are we playing truth or dare without the dare part and I haven’t noticed?” Buffy stared at him incredulously. He was such a kid. A kid with a very dirty mind. She should really start learning how to ignore him.


“Now there’s a thought. We might get to that later seeing as we’re stuck with each other. So, has anyone ever gone down on you?”


“What kind of question is that?”


“Are you avoiding answering?” Spike asked.


“Why would you even want to know?” she whined.


“Dunno, just do. Now stop dodging it and answer. Yes or no?”


“Eh… sure. Once.”


“That’s it? Now say it once more, with feeling.”


“God, what do you want from me? As you said, it was nothing to write home about. I didn’t like it, so… there… now change the topic.”


“How could you not have liked it? I bet the wanker in question… Captain Cardboard, I guess… had no idea what he was doing.”


“Whatever, Spike. So… we should go buy you some blood, and pizza for me--”


“You know, I could show you… I could make you fly.”


“God, you’re such a pig! Would you let it go? Please?”


“Alright. But if we shagged, I just know it would be bloody marvelous.”


Buffy’s shoulders slumped. “It’s wrong. We’re supposed to be… enemies. It would lead to no good.”


The longer he was near her, the more he wanted her. Spike knew she was right, but he was no longer sure if he cared. He wondered what it would feel like to hold her in his arms, so open and his. Trusting him to bring her pleasure and not hurt her afterwards. And maybe there was the tiniest bit of longing within him to let her do the same for him. Nobody had ever made love to him. Not shagging or fucking, just loving him selflessly and without question. What would it feel like to be loved by Buffy Summers?


“I know,” he said. “So… feeling peckish?”


It didn’t matter anyway. She would never love him. Not without a precious soul. And he would never love her. Spike was through being anybody’s bitch, least of all the Slayer’s. That would be akin to a death wish. No need to even think of the silly notion, right? Right.


******


Buffy rummaged through her dresser as Spike paced behind her in dizzying circles. They came to her house after she forced Spike to help her clean Giles’ house and water the plants. Now she searched for a change in clothes. She already pulled out beige shorts.


'Red top or green? Hmm…'


“Bloody hell, woman. Just pick something already.” Spike yanked the clothes from her hands and eyed them critically. “Take the red one.” He tossed the green one into the open drawer and handed her the red one.


“Are you sure? It’s all cleavage-y.”


“That’s why I picked it.” Spike waggled his eyebrows and grinned at her with his tongue tucked behind his front teeth. He was convinced she’d wear the green one just to spite him.


“Okay.”


“What? What do you mean ‘okay’?” he asked.


“I wanted to wear that one anyway. So, wanna go kill things?”


“Alright.”


******


It wasn’t just hot outside. The sweltering heat rushed against Buffy’s skin like it did when she helped her mom cook and opened the oven to peek in. It wasn’t as bad as during the day though, thank God. They walked side by side through the cemetery in a comfortable silence.


'Who would have thought Spike could shut up for more than five seconds? He’s not so bad to be around, I guess.'


The warm breeze picked up a little, brushing over her heated skin just before the rumbling noise of a grave being stirred interrupted their stride. Buffy glanced at Spike and he grinned at her as they broke in to a run.


Three vampires surrounded a grave where a fledgling was digging his way out of the earth.


“Don’t you have anything better to do? Sunbathe maybe?” Buffy asked, widening her eyes in fake innocence. The vampires turned to face them, glaring at Buffy and Spike with yellow eyes.


“And don’t you children have anything better to do than roam the cemetery at night?” asked a female vampire.


“They probably came here to make out,” said another.


Buffy narrowed her eyes and pulled out her stake from behind her back where it had been tucked in the waistband of her shorts. She saw Spike do the same and the vampires snarled, spreading out to circle them as the fledgling crawled out of the grave and joined them.


“The slayer, huh? We’re going to enjoy killing you and your boyfriend.”


“He is not--” Buffy rolled her eyes and kicked the female vampire in her knee, smiling at the sound of her bone shattering. “Anyone else?”


All four of them threw themselves at Buffy and Spike who were standing back to back. Their attackers didn’t stand a chance. Spike shifted into his game face and sucker punched the vampire while kicking the other one in the torso, sending him flying back several feet away.


“Traitor!” snarled the fledgling.


“Yeah, well… never been one to follow the rules.”

Spike jumped up to avoid his feet being kicked out and rammed his heavy boot into the fledgling’s face who was now lying pitifully on the ground. Spike didn’t hesitate and straddled him, ramming the stake home. He glanced at Buffy and grinned as he saw her stake the two vampires with quick effective stabs. The last vampire picked himself up and turned to flee. Spike gripped his stake and sent it hurling straight into the vampire’s back. The dust swirled to the grass.


“Now that… was fun,” Spike said as they resumed their walk.


“Speak for yourself. I’m all covered in vamp dust and I’m sweaty.”


“Umm… slayer musk. Don’t shower on my account.”


“Eww, Spike.” She wrinkled her nose. “We rocked though.”


Spike laughed. “Yeah. Felt like I’ve been fighting by your side forever.”


“You’re left handed. It makes for a great slaying partner, you know. That way, we cover everything around us.”


“Suppose you’re right. But I’m only doing this ‘cause I’m bored, so… don’t get used to it.”


“It’s not like I have any money to pay you even if it became a regular occurrence,” Buffy said with a sigh.


Spike squirmed and rolled his eyes. “Bloody hell. I’d do it for free, alright? But I have a condition.”


“I’m not sleeping with you.”


Spike arched an eyebrow and she blushed. “Wasn’t gonna say that. Just… all I ask is a little respect. No mean remarks and no calling me a thing.”


“Deal.”


Buffy felt kind of bad. Not that she’d tell him. She had no idea Spike would ever let the jibes get under his skin. He was… Spike. A mean, cocky, egoistical vampire that nobody could possibly offend. Could it be that he was more than that?


“Spike…”


He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and suddenly the back of her neck tingled. Spike’s eyes widened as he looked past her shoulder at something she couldn’t see. He grasped her shoulder and tried to whirl them around, but it was too late.


Pain shot through her with such blinding clarity her knees buckled, and the only thing Buffy knew was the smell of Spike’s skin before the blackness clouded her vision.


TBC


Author's note: Hee... I know what happens next. :P I can't wait for you to find out!
 
 
Chapter #7 - Chapter seven
 
Chapter 7


There was no time to think as the Slayer’s unconscious body slumped into his arms. The demon responsible for her condition stood behind her, ready to deliver the second strike with his ten inch talons. The demon paused as Spike growled, shifting into his game face. He yanked Buffy further away from the puzzled demon’s reach. Setting her on the ground, he threw himself at the demon that seemed to be blending in with the background right before his eyes like a chameleon.


'The bugger thought he would get an easy meal.'


The demon let out a shrill yell and tried to scurry back, but Spike gripped its arm and twisted it behind its back, breaking the bones. The demon fell to his knee and Spike kicked it between its shoulder blades, sending the creature face first into the ground. Before the demon could try to get up, Spike slammed his heavy boot on to its neck and grinned at the satisfying crack. The demon went limp and dissolved.


Spike shifted back to his human face and knelt next to Buffy. Her entire back was covered in blood as it soaked through the thin red top. His nostrils twitched at the delicious aroma and Spike hesitated for just a moment. He should leave her here. While the wounds might not be fatal for a slayer, she could still bleed to death eventually.


No Buffy Summers to make his unlife miserable. No Buffy to slap him around and flaunt her virtue as she looked down her nose at him. Why had he saved her then? What was wrong with him? He should have let the demon finish the job if Spike couldn’t do it himself. She wouldn’t have to know if he took a lick, right?


'Yeah, wishful thinking that.'


With a sigh, he picked her up and cradled her to his chest, the demon in him raging at the smell of the Slayer’s blood so close to him while the strange feeling of protectiveness swamped him with an unexpected force.


Shaking himself, Spike strode towards the house on Revello, trying to convince himself he helped the Slayer because he didn’t fancy being spell bound to a corpse.


******


Buffy’s skin was so hot, it almost burned his hands as he placed her on her front and turned her head to the side so she could breathe. The mattress sunk slightly under her weight. Spike took off her sneakers and dropped to his knees to search under her bed for the medical supplies he had seen there when she was grabbing her weapons. The fever was making itself known as Buffy’s body battled it out with the poison in her blood. The vivid hallucinations would come after she stirred awake.


'Those should be fun.'


Dru had been attacked by the Kahantrec demon once. She had acted even more off her rocker than usual. Always talking about her precious Daddy and talking to the pixies flying around her. Then again, she did those things on a daily basis, just not to such extent. Spike had wanted to claw his eyes out by the time she overcame it. The demon’s venom was one of a few that could affect even a vampire.


The species were a stealthy lot, known for their ability to blend in with their surroundings, so Spike wasn’t surprised neither he nor the Slayer had noticed the demon’s approach. They only made themselves known before the final strike, the venom in their claws rendering their victim instantly unconscious so they could snack at them freely.


Aid kit in his hand, Spike set it next to her on the bed. Taking out the scissors, he cut her top and peeled it to the sides so he could inspect the wounds on her back. She moaned in pain as the air touched her cuts.


Spike cleaned the wounds, applying ointment to prevent infection. The muscles in his jaw ticked as the demon within him raved to have a taste.


'The Slayer better appreciate what I’m doing for her.'


After a few minutes, Spike noticed her eyelids fluttered until she gained the strength to open her eyes.


“Spike?”


“Yeah?”


“W-what… happened?”


“A demon. Nothing fatal though, so no worries. And stop yapping. You’ll just exhaust yourself.”
He gently tugged the tattered, bloodied top from underneath her and brushed the hair falling into her face away. He snagged his hand back when he noticed what he was doing and stepped away to throw the top into a nearby wastebasket.


“Don’t.” Buffy took in a trembling breath. “Leave.”


Spike had a half mind to slap himself as he sat down next to her bed, trying to get comfortable on the hard floor. Not that he could leave even if he wanted to, but he should be feeling at least a little resentment.


“Hurts,” she whispered.


Spike had to resist a strange urge to caress her cheek. He clenched his hands into fists.


“It’ll pass soon, Slayer. You’re a fast healer.”


“I’ve n-never noticed before.”


“What?”


“Did you know your eyes sparkle in the moonlight? So blue… they are so very blue.”


Spike rubbed the back of his neck and folded his arms on the mattress, propping his chin on them with a heavy sigh. 'Hallucinations, here we come.'


Her face was no longer tense in pain, but fell slack as she seemed to fall into some kind of trance. Buffy gazed at him with hooded eyes. The cuts on her back seemed to be healing; the blood had already stopped trickling from the wounds.


“And I like your hair… I wouldn’t tell you, but I like it. You’re so beautiful… like an angel fallen from heaven.”


Spike was glad he wasn’t drinking anything or he would have spit it out. “I gotta disappoint you, pet. I’m as far from being an angel as I possibly can. Evil here, you know?”


“Hmm… I like that.”


“Always knew you fancied your men a bit on the evil side.”


Her fingers reached out and Spike watched them warily. They made contact with the side of his face, the heat radiating off her skin burning a path down his cheek as she stroked it. He closed his eyes against his own volition. The Slayer punching him; that he could handle. But this strange gentleness she bestowed upon him hurt more than anything she could have thrown at him. She didn’t really mean it.


Spike felt embarrassed for the way such simple contact made him feel. How much he craved to be touched with tenderness for once. It had been so long.


“Am I burning?” she asked suddenly, her eyes full of panic as she glanced wildly around.


“No, luv. It’s just the fever. It should wear off in an hour or so.”


“P-please, make it stop.”


She started to flail around and almost rolled on to her back, but Spike’s arm shot out to press her shoulders down, keeping her lying on her stomach. Her eyes glazed over with tears and her bottom lip quivered.


Spike had never seen the Slayer cry, and he didn’t think he would ever again. It didn’t give him any satisfaction, and that bothered him. Knowing her, she probably kept the grief locked firmly inside, only letting it out when nobody could see her vulnerable. Spike could almost feel sorry for her.


“Don’t fret. You’ll reopen the wounds.” He stroked her shoulder to calm her down. “Do you want me to draw you a cold bath? I think that should ease down the fever, though I’m not sure--haven’t taken care of a human in a long while.”


“No. There are evil fairies in the tub.” She seemed to have settled down and Spike’s hand shifted to run through her luscious hair.


“Evil fairies, eh?”


“Mr. Gordo agrees with me. And he thinks you’re super handsome.”


'Who the bloody hell is Mr. Gordo?'


“He’s got a good taste then.”


“Spike?” she mumbled with her eyes still closed. “Your hand is cold.”


“Feels good?” he asked, stilling the hand at the back of her neck.


“Mmm… hold me?”


“Eh… not sure that would be wise of me. You’re gonna stake me in the morning, once you’re all there in the noggin.”


“I’m not! Life would be boring without you in it.” Buffy opened her eyes and stared at him, pouting. “Please?”


Spike rolled his eyes then stood up and kicked off his boots. He considered taking off his tank top but decided against it. He knelt on the bed, stepping carefully over Buffy to lie to her left. She turned her head to gaze at him and snuggled closer to his side. It was hard not to take a peek at her bare breasts when she slightly lifted herself, so he didn’t even try. Spike was still evil, after all.


Her arm was thrown over his chest, her leg tucked between his thighs. The Slayer was like one of those electric blankets and Spike had to admit that having her draped over his body clad only in shorts and socks didn’t feel bad at all.


“You smell like chocolate,” Buffy mumbled into his neck then bit down. He gasped, glancing down at her incredulously. Biting a vampire? Not a good idea if one wanted to stay with their metaphorical virtue intact.


“You better not sink your little teeth into me again, pet. I might do something you wouldn’t like.”


“Okay,” she muttered humbly.


Several seconds passed, Spike inadvertently stroked her hair and stared at the ceiling. Buffy wriggled against his side and pressed her face against his neck.


'Seriously, what’s with the bird and my neck?'


Then Buffy licked him languidly, purring as if she was snacking on something delicious. Which she probably thought she was, hallucinations and all that. Spike tilted his head back to give her better access, pressing her even closer to him. His eyes fluttered shut as the Slayer started to suck on the sensitive skin beneath his jaw. He felt like his brain was melting, but he knew he should protest. And why was that again?


“Mmm… tasty. Chocolatey ice-creamy goodness,” she said between her sucks and licks.


'Oh yeah, that’s why.'


Just as she inched her tempting mouth to nibble on his earlobe Spike mentally shook himself.


'Bloody useless conscience… why have I decided to grow one now?'


“Eh, Slayer… Stop licking me before I do something you’d stake me for later.”


“Why?” Buffy whined, but, thanks to whoever listened to evil vampires like him, stopped molesting him.


“Good question… I’m not a piece of candy, you know? You should take a kip so you can back to your not so pleasant self in the morning.”


“You think I’m unpleasant?”


“Well… yeah.”


“Why?”


“Beside your high and mighty attitude you mean? Well, it wouldn’t hurt to pull out that stake you have up your arse and have some fun instead of complaining all the time. You might even be happy if you let yourself be. But you haven’t been such a bitch lately. I must be a good influence on you.”


“Oh.”


Now Spike knew she wasn’t herself or else she’d have his head on a platter for the comment.


“Spike?”


“Yeah?”


“Tell the frogs to stop staring at me.”


TBC


Author's note: I read somewhere that if you lick a frog, it will cause you hallucinations. Isn't it awesome? :D And also icky? How did they find out? Did they just lick a frog 'cause they thought it would be fun?
 
 
Chapter #8 - Chapter eight
 
Author's note: Thank you for all the lovely reviews on the last chapter! *hugs*

Beta'd by brilliant dawnofme and Mabel Marsters.


Chapter 8


Buffy shifted, slowly stirring awake and groaned. Her head was pounding and felt entirely too big to belong to her. Unless she’d turned into some big-headed demon during the night. Her hand flew up to her hair and she sighed in relief.


'As normal as ever.'


Except she felt kind of… naked. A sheet brushed against her bare thighs, reaching to her lower back. Also, there was a very nice muscular chest beneath her cheek. The owner wriggled beneath her and Buffy glanced into Spike’s amused eyes.


“Seeing any frogs yet?”


“Huh?”


Buffy scrunched up her nose and rested her head against his chest once more. She wasn’t too shy to admit that her hand followed suit. He also seemed to have changed into his usual all black ensemble.


“How’s your back?”


Now that Spike mentioned it, she did feel a slight twinge of discomfort when she moved.


“What happened? The last ting I remember was…” The blurry images of the night before flooded her brain. How she’d woken up in her bed and nothing made sense except when she gazed into Spike’s eyes. Something about fairies and hearing Mr. Gordo talk--which admittedly wigged her out. Who would have thought her stuffed animal knew such coarse language? And calling Spike a ‘hot stud’? So not cool.


'Oh my God--the stuff I said! And I molested Spike! He’s never going to let me live it down. And why did he refuse my very willing self? Doesn’t he think I’m pretty?'


She sat up. Spike was staring up at her with a leer, and her eyes widened as she realized it wasn’t her face his eyes were fixed on.


“Spike!” Her hands flew up to cover her bare breasts as she glared at him.


“What? I’m a man, you know. Flash me your tits and I’m gonna look.”


“Well… there’s nothing to see, so if you would just hand me a t-shirt…”


Spike stretched out on the bed, folding his arms beneath his head as he ogled her. “And why would I do that? I’m not your lap dog, Slayer. I’m comfy here. Not feeling like moving right now. Plus, I’d say there’s plenty to see.”


“Ugh--you’re insufferable.” She pouted. “Come on… please?”


She couldn’t exactly rummage through her drawers without flashing him even more than she already had, and nor could she get to her dresser without Spike coming with her, thanks to the spell. He rolled his eyes and sat up. She suppressed a satisfied grin. Men were just too easy to manipulate. Undead or not.


“Eh… is there any chance you’re willing to forget what happened?” she asked.


“What, you mean how you thought I was a big piece of chocolate you wanted to take a nibble out of?” Spike grinned.


“Yup, that would be the one.”


Buffy followed Spike to her dresser, where he yanked open the drawer he knew her t-shirts and tops were in, then stopped. Glancing over his shoulder at Buffy’s too innocent expression told him he had just been played by her feminine wiles.


'Minx. I’ll show her.'


“Dunno. I think you’ll have to do more than that if you want me to keep mum about it…or to get dressed,” he said with a smirk.


“What? Do you want to get beaten?”


“I want… a kiss.”


“A kiss?” she asked dubiously, looking at him as if he’d suddenly spouted horns. “You know… I can just knock you out and take it. Problem solved.”


“You could, except… I kind of might have taken a photo of you in my arms, all snuggled up, comfy and very naked. What do you think Peaches would say about that?”


He didn’t really take a picture, but she didn’t need to know that, did she?


“Uhh… you are so dead, Spike!”


“So… about that kiss--”


“Clothes first.”


He handed her a top and turned his back so she could get dressed. Buffy glanced at the green top and slipped it on, sighing as the silk caressed her heated skin, and tied the strings at the back of her neck. Her back was bare and she wondered if Spike chose it so the fabric wouldn’t chafe her already closed cuts.


Convincing him she had to go to bathroom, Buffy now found herself side by side with Spike, both of them brushing their teeth and fighting over the sink. Her life couldn’t be stranger if she tried.


Buffy walked out of the bathroom, Spike in tow. She turned to face him, grasped his cheeks in her hands and pressed a swift barely there kiss onto Spike’s lips before he could say ‘bloody hell’. Even if it was brief, she could feel her lips tingle from the contact.


“That was not a kiss, pet. Has nobody taught you how to snog properly?”


“You didn’t say--”


The look in his eyes shut her up. The way Spike gazed at her from beneath his thick dark lashes made her back away unconsciously. He looked like he wanted to devour her.


Her back hit the wall, her heart pounded hard in her chest.


'Oh God, oh God.'


She couldn’t do anything but stand there, leaning against the wall, as Spike stepped so close his chest brushed hers. Did he have a thrall? His scent overwhelmed her senses as he circled her waist with his strong arms and nuzzled her cheek. It turned out the chocolate smell mixed with essence of pure masculinity wasn’t just a hallucination.


“Slayer,” he whispered into her ear. She should have come back to her senses and push him away. But the way he said it, the word slipping from his mouth like a prayer of devotion, was sultry and intimate. Like it was something to be treasured. Desired.


Her hands caressed their way up Spike’s chest and snaked around his neck. The small hairs at the nape tickled her fingertips.


Her eyes fell shut at the feel of his breath against her cheek. The concept of right and wrong flew right out of the window as Spike dragged his soft lips across hers. Tentatively at first, every slight brush stoking the fire in her veins, making her yearn for more. For him.


Then he sucked her lip into his mouth, lightly nibbling and sucking. Buffy lost every coherent thought. Her hold around his neck tightened as she returned his ministrations. The gasp Spike let out as she slid her tongue along the seam of his lips made her shiver. Tilting his head, Spike parted his mouth to let her in and deepen the kiss. She pressed the tip of her tongue against the roof of his mouth, his own darting out to slide against hers in a burst of ecstasy.


Spike’s left hand slipped from her lower back to her thigh, lifting her leg to wrap around his hips as he pressed the length of his body achingly close against hers. Buffy sharply inhaled as the fingers of his right hand stroked the bare skin of her back while the left one squeezed her buttock. The minty taste of him was fogging her mind. She’d never been kissed like this. Like she was his reason for existing, his every molecule and thought focused on the feel of her lips and tongue and teeth. It would be so easy to become an addict.


Just as they reluctantly parted, a bell rang somewhere in the distance, barely penetrating the harsh breaths echoing off their parted lips.


“I should get that,” she whispered and Spike groaned.


“We could pretend nobody’s home.”


She actually hesitated, but Spike had already dropped her leg. Not before having a last grope though.


The interruption might have been a good thing. At least Spike didn’t have the time to say something offensive and start a huge fight that would leave awkward silence and heavy tension in its wake. He did have the incredible ability to put his foot in his mouth. And what a mouth that was…


“Buffy? We going or not?”


“Huh? Oh… yeah.” She blushed at his smirk and they walked down the stairs.


Buffy opened the door and barely restrained herself from closing it shut again.


“Buffster. We come bearing sugary goodness.” Xander shook a box of doughnuts in demonstration as he and Anya entered the house. “What’s Spike doing here?” he asked as he finally noticed the vampire standing next to Buffy where he’d been obscured by the door.


“Oh… he’s… umm--”


“Did you two just have sex?” Anya asked as she peered at them. “You look very flushed, Buffy.”


“What? No! No sex… We’re both very sexless here—right, Spike?”


“Yeah, sexless. As the Slayer says.”


Xander ignored the conversation as he sat on the couch in the living room and munched on a doughnut. “So, how’s the summer going? Have you heard from Willow yet?”


“Actually yeah… remember that spell she cast? The repelling one?”


Anya arched her eyebrow at the way Spike fleetingly rested his hand at Buffy’s back as they sat down on the couch. Anya sat in the opposite armchair and watched the scene unfold. Something fishy was going on with those two.


“Oh no… did she screw it up again?” Xander asked. “I so don’t want to be a demon magnet again.”


“The bint glued us together,” Spike said.


“What?”


“Well obviously, she must have mispronounced a word and bound them together instead of repelling the demons from Giles’ bachelor apartment. Not that I’m surprised,” Anya stated.


“We have to break this spell. I don’t trust Junior here to keep his hands to himself. If he hadn’t been tied up back at my place, who knows what would have happened?” Xander stuffed his mouth full of another sugary treat as he glared at Spike.


“No way, you git. Wouldn’t bite you if I could. I don’t fancy getting diabetes.”


Anya nodded. “He does eat lot of unhealthy food, doesn’t he? I keep telling him it’s going to affect his stamina. He’s been huffing a lot when he’s the one on top lately. Getting all flushed but not in the good way, you know?”


“Yeah… humans.” Spike scoffed.


“About the spell… We called Willow, but she said she’d call back when she found someone able to teleport her here.” Buffy reached into the box and bit into a jelly-filled doughnut with a blissful sigh.


“Do you know when it might be?” Xander asked.


“Nope. Not a clue.”


“Maybe Anya and I could stay here-keep an eye on things.”


“It’s not really necessary. It’s not like Spike could hurt me.”


“Hey! I’m still evil.”


“Really not helping my point, Spike.”


Anya thought about telling them she could probably do the reversal spell herself, or at least find someone who could. Then again, it would take time and effort that she could spend on something else. It wasn’t like they’d pay her any money for her help. Or listen to her for that matter. Besides, Anya had the feeling it wouldn’t hurt them to have some time alone. A blind man could see the sparks flying between the two. Except Xander. As nicely shaped as he was, he had the uncanny ability to turn a blind eye to things.


“We should go. Leave you to your togetherness and unresolved sexual tension, even though I doubt that will last too long.” Anya stood up and glanced expectantly at Xander who was looking at Buffy and Spike with panic on his face. “Ahn! Please, don’t say things like that.”


“Anyway, I have an appointment for a Brazilian wax. I’m expecting many orgasms for my trouble today.”


Xander stood up with an eager grin on his face. “Brazilian? Really? Right… see you later, Buff.”


Buffy watched with amusement as the door slammed shut and then squirmed under Spike’s intense gaze.


“What about you, luv? Can I see your Brazilian wax?”


She gulped.


TBC

Author's note: What ever shall she do?? Will I let you find out? ;) Just teasing, you know I will.
 
 
Chapter #9 - Chapter nine
 
Chapter 9


Buffy shot to her feet. “I’m hungry!”


Hungry, was she? Spike snorted. “So about that wax thing…”


“No! There will be no… no wax watching or showing!”


“So you are all… smooth, I gather.”


“Spike!” Now she was really blushing and all the talk was making her uncomfortable. His deep chuckle didn’t help her situation at all. One glance at his soft lips and she turned on her heel, marching away. Or she would if she didn’t slam face first into the barrier. “Ow.”


“Come on, luv. No need to hurt yourself because I’m so damn irresistible.”


Did he really have the audacity to tease her like this and be actually right? Oh yes, he did. She could hear the infamous smirk in his tone. Well, let Spike get a taste of his own medicine. See how much he liked it.


Buffy suppressed her own devious smile as she turned to face him, her eyes smoldering as she stepped between his parted knees and leaned down. Spike’s eyes widened as her palms dropped to his thighs, squeezing the tight muscles. Her hair brushed his face as she whispered into his ear.


“You’re all talk.”


She didn’t even have a second to react before Spike yanked her down on the couch. In a blink of an eye, she was on her back, covered by a growling vampire. His head dipped down to catch her lips in a searing kiss. Maybe teasing him like that wasn’t the best idea ever. But still, Buffy couldn’t help but notice that Spike’s body fell perfectly into hers. Their lips and tongues were in perfect synch. Fitting like they were two parts of a whole. The strong hands that had been pinning her wrists above her head slithered with a burning sensuality down the sensitive skin of her inner arms.


“Am I now?” he muttered, before he kissed his way down her jaw and nibbled on her neck, his hands tentatively brushing the underside of her breasts through the green silk. And she did not just arch her throat to give a vampire more access to do as he pleased. Giles would be so proud of her.


Buffy remembered her hands were free and she should probably throw him off her. Probably. Her fingers caressed his back. The rippling motion of the muscles under her fingertips sent a thrill through her.


“God… this is so… wrong,” she said, wriggling beneath him to get into a more comfortable position.


“Feels right to me.”


“Mmm…” Buffy sighed in contentment as she managed to get her thighs to encircle Spike’s hips. He started to suck on her neck with the enthusiasm only a vampire could possess. There would be one hell of a hickey later, yet Buffy couldn’t seem to conjure enough will to stop him. It was so much easier to sneak her starved hands under his shirt and caress the smooth skin.


“I’ve never done this,” Buffy said, the words coming out unbidden. Spike tensed on top of her and lifted himself slightly to peer at her with furrowed brow.


“I’m pretty sure you’ve necked with a bloke before, luv.”


“No! Not that… this. Just making out on this couch. In mom’s house like this.”


“Makes you feel dangerous, doesn’t it? Anyone could walk right in and catch a peek. Knowing your mates would be sitting here right on the spot where we’re about to shag. I can’t wait to make you scream for me, Slayer.”


God, how she wanted him. Buffy was beginning to crave him. Needing to be near him, to see underneath his façade. She loved his smile, the twinkle in his eye, the taste of his lips… No! There was no way she just used words Spike and love in the same sentence. Nothing good could possibly come from this.


'Distance, just… put some distance.'


“What? Who said anything about… shagging?” she asked.


Buffy kicked Spike off her and watched him tumble to the floor with a slight wince.


“What the hell did you do that for?” Spike sat up and stared at her in disbelief. “Are you daft?”


“It’s your fault! Assume much? And I do have a name, you know.”


“Hey! You were the one practically throwing yourself at me. What was I supposed to do?”


“Are you saying I’m just convenient? ‘The Slayer’s all hot for my tight sexy body, so I think I’ll shag her then dump her.’ Is that it? God, I’m so stupid!”


Spike just stared, struggling to understand what she was on about. “What?”


“You know. For a minute I thought you were a decent… vampire. That there was more to you than the snark and attitude. Boy, was I wrong. You’re just using me to…to--”


“Now, wait a minute. I’ve never--”


“Stop making excuses! Just… stop. I don’t want you to touch me. Ever. Again. I hate you.”


Buffy knew she was being completely irrational, but this was getting out of hand. What had she been thinking? Making out with Spike? Feeling for him? What kind of a person was she, kissing a soulless demon that would turn on her the first chance he got? It was Spike.


Spike who had tried to kill her and her friends several times. Spike who had joined Adam to plot against them. Spike who had saved her life though she had no idea why. Spike with the most penetrating and intense eyes she’d ever seen. And now he was looking at her with resentment that sliced painfully into her heart. This wasn’t supposed to hurt.


“Fine. Forgive me for sullying your precious self,” Spike said, his voice tight with sarcasm and hurt. “But you better keep your mitts to yourself, Slayer. I’m nobody’s bitch… least of all yours.”


His jaw was clenched so tight Buffy could hear his teeth grinding together. Buffy glanced at him and caught a glimpse of vulnerability deep in his eyes before he averted his gaze. Guilt crashed over, settling deep in her stomach like a poisoned food. What was wrong with her? This had to stop. All these things Spike made her feel weren’t real. It was just lust and he was always there, breathing down her neck. It was natural to feel this way, wasn’t it? Once the spell was reversed they’d be back to their old selves.
They would.


Awkward silence fell over them as Spike sat down on the couch, as far away from her as he possibly could and turned on the TV. A commercial was on. The sun was shining outside, the heat creeping into the house. A bead of sweat rolled down Buffy’s back as she sat on the edge of the couch, tense as a bowstring. She chanced a glance at Spike from the corner of her eye. The muscle in his jaw was ticking as he pretended to be absorbed in the commercials.


Spike could feel her gaze on him. 'Stupid bitch.' If she thought she could just play him and toss him aside, she was sorely mistaken. He should have let her die that night--should have let the demon finish the job. Why didn’t the idea of her dead body bring him any pleasure? His stomach tightened in protest at the thought. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. He was starting to actually care for the daft cow. Even now, as he tried to conjure up the ways to maim and off her for her hateful words, he couldn’t. The scent of her was teasing his nostrils and Spike just wanted to break the silence and beg her to give him anything she could.


What was it with him and all the sodding women? Always falling for the unattainable ones, just to be rejected and ridiculed.


Spike sharply inhaled, ignoring the not so sneaky glance of the Slayer beside him.


'Falling? No. No fucking way.'


He’d rather endure a torture session with old Angelus. And wouldn’t his grandsire laugh his arse off if he knew what had become of Spike? Pathetic sentimental fool, he was. Some things never changed. But there was no way he’d end up being the Slayer’s lapdog, no matter how shiny her hair was or how radiant her smile. He should have known who’d end up getting the short straw in this. The story of his life, wasn’t it? To never be loved back?


Spike’s throat constricted and burned as he swallowed but the hell would freeze over before he let the Slayer see him shed a tear. The remote in his hand lay smooth against his palm and Spike grasped it tightly before deciding to channel his emotions through anger. He stood up and hurled it against the wall, watching with a small amount of satisfaction as it shattered, the plastic bits flying in every direction.


Buffy stood up to face him and gaped at him. “What the hell, Spike?”


Spike breathed in unnecessary gulps of air to calm down and clenched his fists. “Why don’t you tell me? One minute you’re kissing me and the next yelling at me not to touch you ever again, spouting some nonsense about me using you. And you know what? I hate you too!”


“You’re still on this?”



“I’ve never been off this, Buffy!” Spike stepped even closer, glaring down at her. “What bug has flown up your arse? Let’s be honest for one second. Is this really about me or is it about you?”


“What? It’s… come on, Spike. This isn’t right! Surely even you can see that.” His face was so close she just wanted to reach out and shut him up with her lips. To stroke his soft hair between her fingers. To simply give in to him.


'He’s just like the rest of them, so… forget it.'


“You didn’t seem to care when I was snogging you. What’s this really about? Your mates? Afraid they’d shun you for getting it on with another vamp?”


“I… they…”


“Oh, I get it. I’m just a filthy demon with no soul, right? Not worthy of touching someone like you. I’ve never hidden what I was… you knew. You knew and still you kissed me! I do have feelings, you know. You can’t just go and give a bloke a taste and then leave him high and dry, saying you hate him--”


“Just shut up! I care, all right? God knows why, but I do!”


About to start another rant, Spike’s mouth fell open as he stared at her. “Care? About… me?”


Buffy averted her eyes, finding the carpet beneath their feet much more interesting. “I… I don’t know why I said that. Must be the heat or--”


Spike grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Tell me.”


“I can’t. Every time I do, things get screwed, people get killed and… I always end up alone.”


Spike slid his hand into her hair as he held her gaze. “I’m not like them. I may not have a soul and I may be a vampire but I never leave. And this sounds right barmy as it’s been just a few days, but you make me… feel. It’s just, the way you smile and talk. Even when you yell at me, it’s--and I’ll stop before I make any more of a ponce of myself.”


“You’re not just saying that so I would… sleep with you?”


“As brilliant as I know it would be… simple shag wouldn’t be enough.”


“I do, you know. Care about you.”


Spike smiled and murmured against her lips. “There’s a first time for everything. My rep’s been already pretty much ruined anyway so why not give this a go?”


Buffy slapped his shoulder but grinned. “You always know how to romance a girl, Spike.”


“Why bother… my sexy body does it for me.”


Buffy snorted and tilted her head up, staring at his lips. Spike took the hint and closed the distance, sliding his lips against hers with aching sensuality. Her hands raked through his already mussed up hair, loosening the curls even further. Buffy moaned into his mouth when he teasingly brushed his tongue against hers.


So immersed they were in each other, they failed to notice someone loudly clearing their throat to get the attention.


“Ehm ehm!”


Spike broke the kiss to let Buffy breathe, and his eyes widened as he glanced over her shoulder.


“Mmm… why did you stop?” Buffy asked as she kissed his neck.


“Eh… we’ve got a visitor, pet.”


“What?” Buffy swirled on her heel and blushed. “Oh--Hi, Will!”


“Hi, Buffy,” Willow squeaked, the colour of her cheeks blending with her hair.


TBC


Author's note: Please don't hate me! :P Okay, you can... but just a little.
 
 
Chapter #10 - Chapter ten
 
Author's note: Enjoy! :)

Beta'd by very talented dawnofme and Mabel Marsters.


Chapter 10


Willow fidgeted with her hands, fighting the urge to flee. Or teleport, in her case.


“So… umm… the spell. I… yeah…”


Buffy just stood there gaping like a fish and Spike rolled his eyes.


“Oh, for God’s sake. Came to fix it then?” he asked.


“I t-thought so. But I can… you know… come back later.”


Buffy’s eyes widened. “No!”


“Eager to get rid of me, are you, Slayer?”


She glanced at Spike over her shoulder and her gaze softened when she noticed the slight insecurity in his expression. “No, I’m not. But it’s kind of annoying not being able to pee without you two feet away.”


Spike chuckled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, letting his fingers linger for a moment longer than necessary.


“So, you’re all… with the togetherness?” Willow asked. “I mean, I did tell you to be nicer to Spike but…”


“We’re not. I mean, I don’t know. It’s all so… new. He’s not that annoying when you get to know him.”


“Hey!”


Buffy ignored Spike’s protest and wrung her hands together as she looked at Willow. “You don’t hate me now, do you?”


“What? Of course not, Buffy. You know I’ll always love you. You’re my best friend. Besides, kinda dated a werewolf and now Tara, so it’s really not my place to judge.”


Buffy sighed in relief and went over to Willow, Spike forced to trudge behind with a grimace on his face at the feminine display of affection when the girls hugged . They could at least make it look sexy.


They parted and Willow asked, “Should I tell Giles?”


“No--I’ll tell him myself. And I can already see him cleaning his glasses. He’ll probably be really wigged.”


“He’ll get used to it,” Willow said with a sympathetic smile. “I should probably take those DNA samples from you now. I’m here on borrowed time.”


Willow took a hair from each of them and put it into a little plastic bag. “I’ll let you know as soon as I reverse it.”


They hugged for the last time, Spike wishing he had his pack of smokes on him then Willow fixed Spike with what was probably supposed to be a threatening expression.


“You hurt her, Mister, and you’ll be eating crackers with Amy.”


“Eh… alright.”


Willow grinned. “See you guys in six weeks!”


Then she went poof.


Buffy groaned. “Not exactly how I wanted her to find out.”


“Look on the bright side, pet. At least we weren’t starkers.” Spike grinned and pulled her back to rest against his chest, circling her waist with his arms.


“Yup, there’s that. What do you want to do, anyway? The sun is still up so going out would be a big no unless we want you all extra crispy.”


Spike smirked and kissed her shoulder. “There are ways to… amuse ourselves while we wait.”


“Like Scrabble?”


“Yeah, that’s what I had in mind,” he answered sarcastically.


“Oh I know… truth or dare!”


Spike groaned and she giggled.


“Minx.”


“You better get used to it.”


“You know… that’s not such a bad idea. The truth or dare game.”


'Oh, the things I can dare her to do. The Slayer has no idea what she’s just gotten herself into.'


“Really?” She turned in his arms to face him and noticed his suspiciously innocent face.


'He is so not fooling me. Probably scheming how to get me naked the quickest way he can.'


Spike bit his lower lip and smiled. “Yeah.”


******


“You didn’t have to pay for the pizza, you know,” Buffy said as she took a big chunk out of her slice.


“Well, I certainly wasn’t gonna let you pay for it. What kind of man do you think I am?”


“Umm… a vampire? One that constantly hits Giles up for some cash?”


“Yeah, but still… I take care of the woman I… kiss.”


“Will you take me to France, Blondie Bear?”


Spike groaned and took a bite of his own extra spicy slice. “You’re evil, Summers.”


“I know. I’ll go first… truth or dare?”


“Dare.” Seeing the mischief in her eyes, Spike wondered if he shouldn’t have chosen the truth instead. Then again, knowing Buffy, he probably didn’t need to be afraid--what with her being such a goody two shoes.


“Hmm… I dare you to call Xander and tell him you have been secretly in love with him. And you can’t--in no way shape or form--let him know that I made you do it.”


“What? No fucking way. Come on, luv… I could sing or do a head stand… or paint your nails.”


Buffy shook her head and handed him her cell phone.


'Evil bint.'


“Do your laundry for the rest of the summer?” he asked hopefully. Buffy seemed to consider this, but shook her head again.


“Nope. Not worth it. But thanks for the tip.”


“I hate you,” Spike said pitifully, as Buffy dialed Xander’s home number and handed him the phone.


After a few rings, Xander picked it up. “Hello?”


“Umm… I love you!” Spike blurted out. Buffy was clutching her stomach as she fought to get in air while she laughed hysterically, muffling the sound with a pillow.


“Spike? Is that you?”


“No! No sir… I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He tried to do an American accent, but Xander didn’t seem to eat it.


“Look, man… I appreciate it and all, but I have Anya.”


Spike wanted to shut the phone but Buffy snatched it out of his hand. “You have to say you’ve been secretly in love with him, not just that you love him.”


Spike sent her a glare and took the phone back. “Right. I’ve just wanted to tell you that all those times I called you a wanker, I’ve been secretly in love with you. And we will never mention this again.”


“I’m flattered, really. I mean, you are mysterious and well muscled, but… You know, I knew you wanted to have sex with me that night when you were tied to my chair!” Xander said, and Anya’s voice came muffled through the speaker of Buffy’s cell phone. Xander’s voice sounded distant as he said, “Just Spike, Anya. I’ll be there in a sec.”


“Yeah, right. Sod off.” Spike shut off the phone, but not before he heard Xander say. “Sheesh, someone handles rejection well.”


“You know, Slayer, I don’t think I can top the humiliation you’ve just put me through.” Spike collapsed on his back and pouted as Buffy chewed on her pizza. “And I think the git has a crush on me. He thinks I’m mysterious and well muscled. Not that I blame him, but I do feel dirty now.”


“Uh huh. Man up. Besides, it’s your turn. And before you ask… truth. No way I’m gonna choose dare and let you make me do something creepy.”


“Truth, eh? Alright.”


'I’d like to know how you feel about me.' Spike grimaced at suicidal thought and finally asked, “My question is… I want you tell me your favorite childhood memory.”


Buffy gazed down at him in astonishment and put her pizza slice back in the box. Her hair fell around his face as she leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips. “You keep surprising me, Spike.”


She straightened up and furrowed her brow. “So, a happy childhood memory… My Dad. He used to take me to the Ice-Capades, and I’d always feel so special because he was usually at work. He’d take me and make me feel like I was the most important thing in his world. He took me every year, until… Well, he and Mom started to have problems and he didn’t have time for me anymore. Or didn’t want to find it. I wanted to be an ice skater for a while. Pretty lame, huh?”


Spike turned to lie on his front and propped his chin upon his folded arms. “Not lame. Cute. But maybe you could give me your Dad’s address. Wouldn’t hurt to give him a scare.”


Buffy smiled. “So… my turn. And anyway, what’s with the serious question? I thought you’d ask me something embarrassing.”


“Oh, don’t worry. I’m definitely saving that for later. I just wanted to know more about you, as Buffy, not just the Slayer part, which I fancy myself knowing pretty well. And I choose truth… feel free to ask anything naughty, pet.”


“I want to hear the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you.”


“Oh come on, luv. I can make even embarrassment look hot.”


“Spike,” Buffy whined. “Just one? Please? Even you must have done something awkward.”


Spike rubbed his face and sighed. “Alright. And this never ever leaves this room, you understand?” Buffy nodded somberly and listened in anticipation. “I used to be a right ponce before I was turned. The way I looked was embarrassment in itself… all fluffy hair and spectacles, writing poetry and what not—”


“You wrote poetry?”


“Yeah…” Spike squirmed in embarrassment and winced at her too eager expression. “Probably shouldn’t have said that.”


Buffy grinned.


Spike sat up and leaned against the back of the couch. “Right. So… I was from the upper class, yeah? Mother’s boy, you could say. Never seen more than a flash of a woman’s ankle during my pathetic life. We had a tea party. I could have been in my teens. I was sitting next to my mother when this woman came in. She was beautiful, all big… ehm, eyes… and lovely hair. I kept staring at her like a right prat with all kinds of nasty images flying through my head when I noticed that a certain… problem arose, if you know what I mean.”


Buffy furrowed her brow. “What problem?”


Spike rolled his eyes and said. “I had a hard on for her.”


She blushed to the roots of her hair. “Oh.”


“Yeah…oh. Sitting next to my mother, who by the way noticed my problem too. So I’m doing all I can to scamper off as quickly as possible when I smack into a maid. She spills all the drinks on me and I stand there, drenched, luckily no longer hard and the beautiful girl laughing her arse off at me, along with the rest of the guests. I felt so humiliated I couldn’t look my mum in the eye without blushing like a git for quite some time.”


Buffy giggled. “Sorry. But look on the bright side. At least you didn’t have to listen to ‘the talk’. Now that can make you want to run off and never come back. I thought I was going to die when my Mom started doing that. It was wiggy.”


Spike bit his lip and crawled on his knees to close the distance between them. “Mmm… I could show you. All the nasty things Joyce would never mention to an innocent girl like you.”


“Eww, Spike. Sex and Mom in the same sentence--not so sexy.”


Chuckling, Spike sat behind her and started massaging her shoulders. The moment his hands touched her skin, Buffy shivered. Every nerve ending went alert at the slightest sweep of his fingertips.


“Mmm… don’t stop,” she said.


“Wouldn’t dream of it.”


How could he so easily turn things around on her? Making her both breathless and relaxed with a single touch? He kneaded her tense muscles, sweeping her hair to the side and her head dropped forward.


“Do you like me?” he suddenly asked, stilling his hand for a fracture of a second as he waited for Buffy to answer.


“Nope,” she said unconvincingly and Spike resumed his massage.


“Liar.” He grinned as she huffed. “Not even a tiny little bit? You don’t think I’m the hottest man alive at all?”


Buffy glanced over her shoulder and suppressed a grin at his pout. “Okay… but just a little.”


Spike chuckled and Buffy squealed as he tickled her. “Someone’s ticklish,” he said in a sing-song voice and started his assault again. Squirming in his grasp, Buffy laughed so hard her stomach hurt.


“O-okay… you’re the… hunkiest, handsomest… man in… the whole world,” she said between giggles and tried to regain her breath when he stopped. “That was mean.”


“Sorry,” he said as if he wasn’t sorry at all and she relented when he started to play with her hair.


After she was putty in his hands, Spike scooted them back towards the couch. Buffy leaned against his chest as he encircled her waist with his strong arms.


“Thank you,” she said and picked one of Spike’s hands up to examine the chipped nail polish.


“For?”


He could get drunk on the scent of her as he nuzzled her hair.


“The massage. Letting me see a different side of you and trusting me with your past. Also, I don’t think I thanked you for… saving my life. So, thank you.”


“You don’t need to. If I hadn’t saved your life, who would I snuggle with?”


Buffy smiled. “There’s that.”


Her whole body tingled from the close proximity. He groaned when she wriggled to get even closer.


“Trying to kill me, luv?”


“I could ask you the same thing,” she managed to get out as his hand sneaked down her stomach to play with the edge of her shorts. Breathing was becoming an issue now.


“Can I?” he asked


“Huh?” How could she concentrate when he was kissing her neck like that? And now he was sucking that place behind her ear that drove her crazy. Evil vampire.


“Touch you. Show you how much I want you,” he whispered.


Could he? Did he even have to ask?


'And oh, God…. If he brushes his fingers against my ‘down place’ one more time I’m going to jump his bones right on the floor. So evil… mmm, good.'


“So, my turn.”


“Wha…?” She needed his hands and his lips--and why wasn’t Spike touching her anymore?


“I dare you to act on what you want.”


“I-I haven’t even chosen the dare.”


He was gazing at her, dark thick eyelashes framing his hooded eyes. So intense. Was it hot in here or was it just her?


“Do you care?” he asked, the deep sultry tone caressing her senses.


Did she care?


“No,” she answered, turning in his arms to face him.


Buffy didn’t know who made the first move, but it ceased to matter as Spike’s lips brushed against hers with animalistic sensuality, hands never ceasing to touch the bare skin of her back, slipping further down to cup her bottom. The passion simmered under the surface of tenderness as their tongues slid together and her fingers buried themselves in his hair as Spike tugged her tighter against him.


She wanted to dive in and never emerge.


TBC


Author's note: When will I ever stop teasing you??
 
 
Chapter #11 - Chapter eleven
 
Chapter 11


Spike and Buffy were a contented heated tangle of limbs on the couch when her phone started ringing. It rang several times before finally cutting through their haze.


Breaking the kiss, Spike sighed in annoyance. 'Sodding people, always mucking it up when the things get hot between me and the Slayer.' His unlife was not fair.


“You gonna take it?” he asked and let out a groan as she climbed off his lap.


“This better be good,” Buffy muttered and half crawled underneath the coffee table to reach her ringing cell phone. Spike tilted his head and smirked at the wonderful sight of her arse sticking out as she hit the button to answer the call. Before Buffy could back pedal from beneath the table, he rose on his knees and snuck up behind her. It certainly wouldn’t do to pass up such opportunity, would it?


His hands caressed her butt then pinched her and Spike flinched guiltily as she dropped the phone and smacked her head as she instinctively tried to rise. Buffy glared at him over her shoulder and reclaimed her phone as she crawled out, hurriedly speaking into it.


“Ah, sorry. I’m here. I just dropped the phone,” she told into the receiver and smacked Spike on the shoulder. “Yeah. Really? That’s… thank you. Uh huh. We’ll talk later. Bye.”


Trying to look inconspicuous and escape the Slayer’s wrath, Spike blinked innocently at her through his eyelashes and asked, “Got any news?”


Buffy rolled her eyes, and said, “It was Willow. Said we were unstuck… probably.”


“Oh. Right then. So… we better try it out, eh?”


“Guess so.” Buffy rose and scowled at him as she patted her head for nonexistent damage. “I’m so getting you for that later, Mister.”


“I deserve to be spanked,” Spike said seriously and rose. He closed the distance between them and ran his hand gently through her hair as he kissed her on the forehead. “Sorry, luv.”


Buffy sighed and leaned into his hand. “You’d probably enjoy being spanked anyway.”


“Mmm… I would.” He bit his lip and brought her in for a kiss. Buffy clutched at his hips and relaxed into his arms.


“We should probably… try it out… now,” she murmured into his lips between kisses.


“The spanking?”


“Spike!” She really did try to sound scolding, but it came out a lot more breathy that she anticipated.


He chuckled. “I know… we should.” He nibbled his way down her jaw and neck where he stopped to drop a couple of soft kisses. “Do we have to?”


“Umm… huh?” Buffy shook her head and tried to focus. Her knees almost buckled as Spike gazed at her with that sultry look, mischief and lust written all over his face as he softly scratched her back. How did he know she loved having her back scratched? Knowing your enemy and all that, probably. Drive the Slayer insane with his skillful hands. That must be Spike’s nefarious plan.


She was strangely okay with that.


“We could just… you know, step away from each other and then…” Buffy blushed as she said it.


“Then what?” he rasped into her ear as his fingers started to play with the strings of the top tied at her neck. “You gonna… offer to play Scrabble? Do the laundry?”


He could as well have been saying the dirtiest words for the effect it had on her. Buffy wriggled in his arms, trying to get impossibly closer.


“It does sound… interesting,” she said and had no idea what they were in fact discussing anymore. Her hands found their way to squeeze his taut butt on their own volition. Buffy had nothing to do with her hands at all at the moment. Nope.


The gasp through his parted lips made Buffy shiver. She never knew how it could make her feel to have such a powerful effect on a man with a single touch. On Spike.


“Uhh… the spell,” Spike said with some difficulty and slipped reluctantly out of her arms.


She let out a heavy sigh. “Yup. Better try it out.”


They stepped away from each other and hesitated before reaching the six feet distance. Then at the same time, they took another step. No barrier. It seemed like Willow had finally fixed her mess after all. Buffy should probably be complaining about the delay with the whole helping thing though. Probably.


“So…” Spike gazed at her tentatively and stuck his hands into the pockets of his jeans before lowering his head.


“Yeah… ummm… it worked.” Buffy plastered too wide a smile on her face, not knowing what to say. Why it was so hard to just take what she wanted now that the spell was gone? To cross the distance and kiss him until she was breathless, to erase the doubts written in his eyes? Why couldn’t she say she wanted him to stay? Why everything suddenly felt so frighteningly real?


“So I should probably scamper off.” The unvoiced question hovered in the air between them, but she didn’t notice. The only thing running through her mind was the possibility of Spike wanting to go away. Why else would he say that? Didn’t he want to stay? Buffy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and fidgeted with the hem of her top.


“I guess,” she murmured.


He nodded. “I’ll get out of your hair then.” His voice was tight with emotion Buffy couldn’t place. Was it… hurt? Why would he…?


Spike was just swinging the door open, cursing himself for being all sorts of naïve idiot for believing things were different now when the Slayer’s hand wrapped around his wrist.


“Stay,” she said and he froze.


Closing the door, he turned around and stared at the gentle grip of her hand.


“Do you want me to?”


She probably didn’t realize her thumb was stroking his inner wrist, making him shiver against his will. Buffy’s hands were so gentle. So different from when she used to slap him around. And her eyes were so deep, revealing what no words ever could. She really did want him to stay.


“I do,” she said and Spike was helpless to do anything but cover her lips with his. He could never get enough of the taste of her. He loved how her lips turned pliant and soft under his, the feel of her skin as his fingertips caressed her back, the sounds she made at the back of her throat as his tongue twined with hers. The way she made him feel as her hands claimed their favourite place at the nape of his neck drove him wild. The length of her body pressed intimately against his and he just wanted to crash to his knees and worship her.


Now Buffy was tugging him somewhere, her lips never leaving his and he followed her blindly. He’d follow her to the pits of Hell if she asked it of him. His eyes blinked open when she stopped kissing him and he realized they were standing at the top of stairs. Buffy looked nervous as she gazed at him with a question in her eyes. As if she didn’t know she already owned him. And if she did, would she be careful enough not to break him?


“I… umm… I thought maybe we could… go upstairs?” she asked, unsure.


He smiled lazily and kissed her temple. This felt right. Real. Unobstructed by the haze of forced proximity. This was them and the decision was theirs to make. “Did you now? Are you planning on seducing me, Summers?”


She giggled slightly and hid her face against his neck. “How am I doing so far?”


“Can’t you tell?” He pressed her even closer to him, letting her feel what she did to him and was filled with manly pride as she blushed. It was so hard to remember she was still just a girl when she always gave as good as she got when they fought. But he knew, could practically taste how deep the passion was rooted within her, waiting for the right person to make her feel it all.


“Lead the way,” he whispered and Buffy took his hand. Their palms slid together intimately, as he followed her up the stairs, making him feel a fierce closeness and tenderness for her.


They entered her room, filled with weapons and stuffed animals. His slayer was such a walking contradiction. Just like him, in a way. They walked to the bed and Spike dropped a kiss to her shoulder, his hands running across her back. Her eyes never left his face as she caressed it with her fingertips, watching his eyelids flutter shut for a moment.


Spike took her hands and gently prompted her to run them down his chest. To touch him. She stopped at the waistband of his jeans, pausing before tugging the t-shirt upward and over his head. The article dropped to the floor at their feet and Spike’s breath caught in his throat as she almost reverently caressed his chest and stomach.


Suddenly remembering his hands, Spike grabbed her hips and turned her around. Pressing against Buffy’s backside, he reveled in her quick breaths as he swept her hair to the side and slowly untied her top as he pressed a kiss behind her ear. Buffy shivered as the silk glided down her sensitized breasts to bunch around her waist. Spike took it off and it joined his t-shirt on the floor.


“Lie down,” he said, his voice deep and sensual. Buffy sat down and scooted backwards, stretching herself on the bed, fighting off the sudden need to cover herself, trying to overcome the burst of vulnerability. He must have seen it too. “You’re so bloody beautiful. Let me see you.” His eyes devoured her every inch.


Spike kicked off his boots and dropped to his knees. After untying the laces on Buffy’s sneakers, he took them off and peeled off her socks. He took her feet in his hand and proceeded to kiss her ankle, every thump of her heart resounding deep within his ears. Spike kissed his way up her legs, treating the sensitive skin of her inner thighs to his attentive lips and tongue. By the time he undid the button on her shorts and pulled down the zipper, she was panting and clutching at the bedspread. The shorts were off and Spike fixed his gaze at the lacy slightly see-through knickers she had on.


“So you’ve got that Brazilian wax thingy after all,” he muttered, but she was far too gone to respond as he kissed her through the thin material.


“Oh, God… what are you…”


“Proving you wrong, luv. Gonna show you how much you like a man going down on you.”


“You don’t… have to.”


“I want to,” he answered and slid the scrap of material down her legs, slipping it into the pocket of his jeans.


Being a vampire, everything felt different. More intense. Overwhelming. Spike inhaled and salivated at the scent. His hands grasped her hips and tugged her to the edge of the bed, putting her legs over his shoulders then leaned down to rain down soft kisses on the smooth skin. Her back arched off the bed as he parted her flesh with his tongue.


The way Buffy tasted had him closing his eyes for a second to savour it fully. So hot. So sweet it made his mouth water for more. The way she looked as he traced her nether lips with his lips, tongue darting out to taste her essence, to tease her sensitive spot was a sight Spike would never forget. Such wild abandon in her glazed over eyes. So his.


He’d always been orally fixated. Always talking, biting his lips or needing to suck on a cigarette to keep himself busy. As Spike used his tongue to dip inside her, he found himself a new favourite way to entertain his mouth.


Her thighs trembled against his cheeks as he squeezed them with his hands, her shaky breaths whispering past her lips more quickly. Spike could spend the whole day pleasuring her, drinking her in with his every sense, letting the taste of her wash over his tongue right from the source. Soaking in the heady taste, getting lost in her, bared to his eager gaze, without any barriers his Buffy loved so much to crouch behind. Spike loved how her warmth seeped into his skin, making him burn so deliciously with something he never wanted to exist without ever again.


Buffy’s abdomen quivered under the hand he’d shifted from her thigh. His other sneaking between them, two fingers finding their way within her and confidently massaging that one spot that made her jerk in his grasp while his tongue teased her clit. Spike found himself smirking in satisfaction as Buffy struggled to breathe, her eyes hazy as she gazed at him in awe. He didn’t want anything more than to climb on top of her and take her. Hard, slow, gentle, intense, he wanted to have her in all ways possible for the rest of their lives.


She moaned and gasped as he sucked her clit between his lips, tongue flickering, fingers inside her stroking faster until her muscles tensed and released in wild spasms. She went limp around him and Spike couldn’t resist licking all she had to give until she went completely boneless.


“That was…”


“Liked it then?” he asked and rose, crawling enticingly on the bed to lie next to her.


“I loved it. It was…wow. The thing you did with your tongue and fingers…” She blushed and rolled over to snuggle to his side, scratching his chest lightly.


“Knew I could show you the error of your ways,” he said smugly then hissed as her hand slid down to stroke him through the jeans. His hips rose to press harder against Buffy’s warm palm.


“Can I?” she asked, doing a very good impersonation of his smirk.


“What?” He closed his eyes as she leaned in to kiss him.


“Make you feel as good as you made me feel?”


He groaned and nodded.


TBC


Author's note: *bites nails* Sexy stuff makes me nervous.
 
 
Chapter #12 - Chapter twelve
 
Author's note: Another chapter for all you, awesome readers. I hope you'll enjoy. ;)

Beta'd by amazing dawnofme and Mabel Marsters.

Chapter 12


Spike took in a shuddering breath as she squeezed him through his jeans. He never knew she had it in her to torture him like this. Then again, Buffy had always been a tease. Not even touching him properly and he was ready to beg.


“What do you want?” she asked and he struggled to form a coherent thought under her capable hands. Anything, everything. He wanted Buffy to touch him, to feel her skin sliding against his as she took him inside. He simply wanted her. His button popped open and his mind went blank.


“Uhh…”


Despite her fear of doing the wrong thing, of not being experienced enough, the utter reverence in Spike’s face made her shaking fingers move. Buffy giggled and nervously slid the zipper down, the sound reverberating loudly in her ears. Ever helpful, Spike lifted his hips off the bed to help her take off his jeans. Buffy sat back and stared.


“Luv?”


Buffy licked her lips and squirmed.


“Beautiful,” she whispered, unaware of voicing her thoughts as her starved gaze drank in every smooth inch of his bare body. He stretched and shifted to lie with his head under the headboard, deliberately letting her see the play of muscles and taut skin, the shadows shifting to accentuate his lean perfection. His hand caressed its way down his chest to rest against his hard length and Buffy’s fingers itched to touch him.


“Like what you see then?”


Buffy’s eyes snapped up to meet his dark hooded ones and she couldn’t help but lie down next to him and run her hand through his mussed up hair.


“Very much,” she said and leaned in for a kiss. Spike didn’t hesitate to press her against him, moaning into her lips.


“You’re driving me crazy,” he said.


“You haven’t seen anything yet.”


She bit his lip, before pressing him into the mattress as she leaned over him. What was it about this man that drove her over the edge? Made her brazen and needing to make him drown in pleasure, to hear her name passing his lips in that way that made her feel as if she was the only woman in the world? And how he gazed at her, so challenging and yet submissive at the same time. She wanted to devour him, mark him as hers for all to see.


Buffy leaned down and sucked at his neck, nipping slightly and smiling as he growled and caressed her back. She had to taste every inch of him. Fingers scratched and caressed, traced the occasional scars as she kissed her way down his body, her hair tickling his skin.


“Please,” Spike said and gazed at her with desperate passion equal to the one running through her veins. His head dropped against the mattress, eyes rolling back as she stuck out her tongue and traced his length. The taste hit her tongue and Buffy had to have more. Hands in assistance, lips stretched around his girth as she took him into her mouth as far as she could and put her instincts to good use. Spike shuddered underneath her and his hand delved into her hair, massaging her scalp as he moaned and let out a string of praise that made her blush.


Who would have guessed she could reduce Spike into this bubbling puddle of goo? And that his dirty words would turn her on? It looked like being with him would teach her a lot of things about who she was.


Spike groaned and seized her shoulders before dragging her upwards. The question died on her lips as he rolled them over and dipped down his head to kiss her as if she was the only drop of water in a vast desert. Their taste mingled in a torrent of heady sensations and insistent lips.


Hands roamed on the skin, seeking, hungry to alleviate the need only to stoke it higher. Spike’s weight pressed her into the mattress, the feel of his skin rubbing against hers sending delicious shocks to her every nerve. The ache within her deepened as they moved together, subconsciously mimicking what was to come. The more he touched, the longer his tongue slid against hers, the more she craved Spike’s touch. Spike’s closeness. Just… Spike.


Suddenly, he grasped her leg, opening her up as he hooked it around his hip and slid his every delicious inch within her. They both stilled, breaking the kiss to stare stunned into each other’s eyes, the ache within her burning so deliciously. The way he felt inside her was like finding the only place she belonged, finally being allowed to rest after a lifetime of running.


He started to move above her, muscles in his butt clenching under the heels of her feet as she urged him deeper and arched her back, her hands scratching down his back to find purchase. This was perfect. Ideal fit. They were equal, both giving everything they had.


Buffy squeezed her inner muscles. His eyes crossed and he dropped his head against her shoulder, breathing raggedly even though he didn’t need to.


“Bloody hell, Buffy. How did you…”


“Slayer muscles,” she breathed. “Like it?”


“Ugh. Do it again.”


She did and laughed as he quickened the movement of his hips. His eyes widened as she flipped them over and took control. He grinned up at her and she grinned back.


“Neat trick you’ve got there, luv.”


“Knew you’d like it.”


He grasped her hips, thrusting up as she caressed his chest, teasing his nipples. Then his hand stealthily shifted around and he circled her clit, making her cry out. She could feel the tightening pressure in her belly increasing and as Spike sat up and slammed her down on him, lights exploded behind her eyelids as her spasming muscles trapped him inside. He growled and thrust for the final time as she bit into his neck.


They dropped to the mattress, exhausted and sated, both breathing heavily. Spike turned on his side and put his head on her breasts. Her hand automatically started to play with his hair, twining the loose curls around her fingers, her heart still pounding wildly beneath his ear.


“Always thought you’d be an animal in the sack,” he said and chuckled. He kicked himself as soon as the words registered in his brain. “Y-You know… ‘cause of the way you fight and—”


“Relax, Spike. I’m not going to give you the third degree.”


He sighed in relief. “Thank God! Just to warn you, I do have this tendency to put the foot in my mouth. Especially if you plan on shagging my brains out”


“I’ve noticed,” she said with a shake of her head then frowned. “So you’re… this wasn’t just a one night stand. Right?”


“Not for me, it wasn’t. You…?”


“No. I mean… I don’t think I’d be able to keep my hands off you.”


Spike smirked. “Yeah, I do have that tendency on women.”


“Hey! I better be the only woman to touch your sugary goodness.”


“I’m a one woman man. But I like that you’re jealous.”


“Jealous? Pft… please. I was just… okay, fine, I might have been a teensy tiny little bit jealous. But just a little.” Her lips twitched as he laughed.


This was new. To feel carefree enough to joke and laugh after such an intense and intimate experience. And Spike didn’t seem to want to go to sleep. Also a new thing in the Buffy- after- sex- experience.


“Someone’s possessive.”


“Am not.” Buffy pouted and Spike shifted his attention to her breasts.


“Mmm… I love your tits. Fit right into my hands, they do. And look at those nipples… mmm… so tasty.”


“You really are evil,” she said as she clutched his head to her bosom. “What else do you… love about me?”


He propped himself on one elbow and gazed at her with soft eyes that made her breath quicken and her heart clench.


“Your silky skin,” he said, caressing her side with his fingertips. “Your luscious shampoo commercial hair.” Spike ran his hand through her tangled locks and shifted it to cup her cheek, stroking the smooth skin with his thumb. “Your eyes. I love how they glaze over when I’m inside you, how they flash when you’re annoyed or angry and how they soften when you look at someone you care about.”


Buffy caressed the hand on her cheek. “What else?”


Spike sharply inhaled. He’d been half expecting her to kick him out of the bed and deny he could love anything at all. But here she was, her eyes gleaming with that softness he’d only lately seen directed at him. It made him want to feel his heart beat again.


“Your soft lips, the taste of you… everywhere.” He bit his lip and grinned at her slight blush. “They way you move, the way you talk. Your strength, not just physical, but the way you’re always willing to bear the weight of the world on your shoulders even though it’s too heavy to bear alone. Most of all… I love your heart and how you sacrifice yourself for those you love.”


“Is that what you see me like?” she asked through the lump in her throat.


“I… I love you.”


She’d suspected, was quite certain after his speech and even before, but to hear it out in the open was different. Words fluttering between them, ready to be answered, it made it all so real. She could see it in his eyes, outshining the vulnerability as he stared at her proudly back, willing her to see him for what he was.


“You don’t have to say anything back. I just… I wanted you to know.”


Before she could reply, he was kissing her, forcing every coherent thought out of her mind as she pressed him closer and lost herself in him again.


******


Something was tickling his face. Spike slowly opened his eyes, eyes adjusting to the light stealing through the closed curtains. Then he located the source of the tickling, leaning above him was Buffy as she studied his features, ends of her hair brushing against his chin.


“Do I have something on my face?” he asked.


“Nope.” She traced the scar on his eyebrow with a single fingertip. “Raise your eyebrow,” she commanded. Spike did, amused.


“How do you do that?”


“What’s that?”


“How can you arch it like that without furrowing your other.” She tried it herself and scrunched up her nose in concentration, but to no avail.


“Look at you, all adorable.”


Her stomach growled.


“And peckish too. Come on, luv. I’ll whip you something up.” He threw off the sheets and rose, stretching. Buffy ogled and followed him down the stairs, snatching a bathrobe on her way.


“I want pancakes.”


“Your wish is my command.” She watched with interest as he moved around the kitchen with his bare ass, her mother’s apron covering his front.


“Can you get me strawberries?” She sat on the stool and propped her chin on the palm of her right hand.


“I don’t see any in the fridge and I’m no bleeding fairy.”


“I hope not.” She shuddered. The ones in the tub had been enough for a lifetime.


******


Buffy moaned around the delicious mouthful as Spike grinned at her.


“You know how to cook!”


“’S not rocket science, pet.” He stole a bit from her plate and popped it into his mouth.


“Will you marry me? Then you can cook for me every day and scratch my back and go kill things with me.”


Spike grinned and leaned in to lick off the bit of maple syrup smeared on her cheek then gave her a gentle kiss. “Is that a proposal?”


“What, do you think you’re the only one that can do that?” She stuck out her chin and viciously bit into the pancake.


“I don’t see any ring. Don’t see you on your knee either. I’m not easy, you know.”


Buffy snorted.


“Hey!”


“Sorry. You’re just so cute.”


“Take that back!”


“Nope, you cutie pie.”


“Tell me again why I put up with you?”


“Because you love me,” she said seriously. Spike rose and took her empty plate, turning to hide his face as he busied his hands with washing the dishes.


“Yeah, there’s that.”


He really didn’t expect her to say it back the night before. He knew she had feelings for him, but to actually love him was a fantasy he couldn’t allow himself to hold onto. When had anyone ever loved him? Truly and selflessly? What they had was already more than he’d ever hoped for.


'Always the lover, never the loved,' he thought bitterly.


So lost in his misery, Spike didn’t notice Buffy sneaking behind him until her arms encircled his waist and she leaned against his back.


The plate he was washing slipped from his grasp as she murmured into his back, “I love you.”


TBC

Author's note: Only two more chapters to go!
 
 
Chapter #13 - Chapter thirteen
 
Author's note: Aren't I quick with the updates? ;)

Beta'd by magnificent dawnofme and Mabel Marsters.

Enjoy!

Chapter 13


“What?” He frowned, convinced that he must have imagined her voice. Her telling him that she…


“I love you.”


He turned in Buffy’s arms and stared at her. There was no mockery in her eyes, no sign that would indicate she was saying it out of obligation or pity. The only thing he could see was the loving softness and gentle smile as she caressed his shoulders. He wanted to crawl into her skin and lose himself in her forever.


“She loves me. Me!”


“I do,” she confirmed and he dropped his eyes as he realized he must have spoken it aloud. “I wanted to tell you yesterday, but… I just…. I froze. I’m sorry.”


“Sorry? You’ve got nothing to apologize for. I’ve never expected--”


“But you deserve it. And you know what? So do I. I don’t care that you’re soulless or what everyone is going to think. I-I… deserve to be happy, don’t I? So what if you’re not normal. I don’t want that. I want you. You and your snarky attitude, the loving heart beneath the bravado, and the way you always see right through me, making me face the truth. Why shouldn’t I get what I want?” Buffy glanced away. “I’m gonna die in a few years anyway. Maybe I won’t even live to be 21.”


Spike grasped her shoulders and lightly shook her. “Don’t you dare say that! You’ll have me watching over your shoulder every second, you hear me? I’ll always be at your side… to the end of the bloody world if that’s where you’ll be.”


Not knowing what to say, Buffy melted into his arms, enjoying the comfort of his embrace. For the first time, she experienced what it felt like to share the burden. To let someone else be strong for her instead of her being forced to be the strong one all the time. And for a moment, she dared to think of the future. It felt amazing.


“Thank you,” she murmured.


His arms tightened around her in response, understanding her perfectly. Like he always did. That was the moment Xander entered the kitchen through the back door. He yelped and covered his eyes.

“Spike’s butt!”


Anya followed, closing the door behind her, and patted Xander on the shoulder. “It’s very nicely shaped. Hi, Buffy. I see the sexual tension has been resolved. Good for you!”


Xander peeked between his fingers. “Wait. What?”


Buffy left Spike’s arms and fidgeted with the sash on her bathrobe. “Uh…”


“We weren’t…” Spike fumbled to come up with a plausible excuse. “I mean, the Slayer had something in her eye and I was… helping.”


Anya raised an eyebrow and snatched the box of doughnuts from Xander’s limp hand, helping herself to a jelly one.


“It’s okay, Spike,” Buffy said.


“What? What’s okay?” Xander stood there gaping like a fish.


“We’re kinda… together,” Buffy said with a wince as she expected Xander to flip out.


He started to laugh. He laughed so hard he had to grip the edge of the table to hold himself upright.


“He drank a lot of coffee,” Anya explained.


“But… Spike’s gay!” Xander said after his giggles subsided.


“I’m bloody well not!”


“Come on, Spike. We both know you’re just covering.”


Spike watched with horror as Xander puffed himself up and stared at him patronizingly. “Don’t worry. It’s not your fault. Not many can resist the charm of the Xan-man.”


“Buffy!” Spike turned to her in assistance and Anya tilted her head to catch a peek of the very nice looking vampire’s behind.


“It was a dare, Xan,” Buffy admitted.


“Whatever you say, Buffster.”


Xander sat down and took out a doughnut. “So, anyone hungry?”


“You offering?” Spike asked as he grazed Xander with a predatory look, biting viciously into a jelly filled doughnut.


“See, Buffy? He wants to eat me!” Xander wildly gestured as he said.


“There will be no eating of you. Right, Spike?” Buffy asked.


“Wouldn’t if I could. I’d rather eat you, luv.” Spike’s eyes flickered with amusement as he stifled his smirk.


Mouth hanging open, Buffy stared at his very satisfied expression when the innuendo finally got through.


“What?” Xander asked with a mouth full of food. Why did it look like he missed a point in there somewhere? Again.


Anya scoffed. “Spike was implying he wanted to give Buffy many orgasms with his oral skills. Also, Xander is mine so there will be no eating of him in any way.” She rolled her eyes at Xander’s horrified expression. “I just thought it needed to be pointed out.”


“So you’re really all…” Xander gestured at Buffy and Spike with a grimace on his face. “… together. Hot monkey love together?”


“Yeah,” Buffy said and Xander heaved a sigh.


“He will get used to it eventually,” Anya said and patted his shoulder.


Xander shrugged and said, “As long as he doesn’t turn Angelus the sequel on us—”


Spike scowled, his eyes narrowing. “I’m nothing like that broody tosser.”


“You just insulted Dead Boy,” Xander said with a twinkle in his brown eyes. “So, want to go for a beer later?”


Buffy just rolled her eyes.


******


“Mmm… more to the left… a little higher. Yes!”


Spike chuckled and continued scratching Buffy’s back through her t-shirt as she lay limp on the couch, head resting on his thighs. “This flick is bloody awful. It will rot your brain, you know?”


“Dirty Dancing is a classic.”


“Tragedy is what it is.”


“And still, I bet you know the lines by heart,” she said, grinning.


“Take that back!”


“Nope. You’re a closet chick flick fan and it’s my duty to help you overcome the shyness and openly revel in the beauty of romantic movies.”


“You’re daft.”


“And you stopped scratching. Get back to work, or you’ll see a very cranky Buffy.”


Spike resumed the motion with an amused shake of his head. “You’re a high maintenance bird, you know that?”


“Oh yes. And I know you don’t mind.”


Spike shrugged though she couldn’t see him. “You have me wrapped around your little finger, there’s no hiding that. Speaking of whipped men… please tell me the Whelp and Anya aren’t coming over tonight.”


“Why?”


“Harris keeps giving me these glances when he thinks I’m not looking.”


“He’s totally checking you out. Should I be jealous?” Buffy smothered her laugh and wriggled under his hand to point out he stopped doing his scratching duty again.


“It’s not bleeding funny. Please tell me they’re not coming!”


“You never know with those two, but not that I know of.”


“Slayer, I hate to tell you this, but your memory is terrible.”


“It is not!” She sat up. “Are you saying my memory sucks?”


Spike arched an eyebrow and grinned boyishly, obviously hoping to distract her from the mild insult.


'Silly vampire, doesn’t he know that arguing is half the fun?'


“I don’t think it was my memory that sucked something this morning,” she said out loud.


Spike tilted his head and tucked his tongue behind the front teeth. “I love it when you talk dirty.”


“You’re a bad influence on me.” Buffy crawled into his lap with a sigh and encircled Spike’s neck with her arms. “Mom called.”


“Yeah?” He gazed at her and frowned when she shifted on top of him, avoiding his eyes shyly.


“I told her.”


“What did she say? Should I be worried for my unlife?” he asked with a smirk and Buffy reprimanded him with a single glance.


“She wasn’t exactly thrilled, what with the last time I was involved with a vampire… Didn’t really end well, did it? She said she wanted me to be happy, and I told her that… that you make me happy.”


Spike reached out and twined a lock of hair around his fingers, smiling gently. “You said that?”


“Yeah. She’ll need time, but she’ll come to terms with us being together. I know Mom pretty well and she kinda likes you. She’ll have to love you once she gets to know you even better.”


“I’ll be a prefect gentleman whenever Joyce is around.” His hand snuck beneath the t-shirt Buffy was wearing and he caressed the smooth skin. “Can’t promise the same when we’re alone though.”


“Who needs a gentleman anyway?”


With a growl, Spike seized her lips in a kiss, pushing her to lie down on the couch as he covered her with his body. Spike sensuously moved his hips, drawing out a moan from her and she wriggled underneath him, hands grasping, trying to find purchase. To feel his skin. Buffy’s fingers tugged his t-shirt from the jeans and raked down his smooth back as their tongues tangled in urgent desperate need.


Forgetting where they were, Spike rolled them to the side. They tumbled to the ground with him cushioning the fall.


“Ow! Bugger.”


Buffy laughed against his neck as she tried to calm down her breathing and sat up, straddling him.


“Now that you got me here all helpless as a kitten, what are you planning on doing to me, Slayer?”


Buffy smiled slyly and slid her hands down his chest, drinking in the half lidded gaze he was giving her. She wriggled and grinned as his eyes closed and fingers clutched at her hips to ground her against him. His lips were parted and she couldn’t resist leaning down and whispering, “I have to go on patrol.”


Spike groaned and glanced up at her pitifully. “Now?”


“You’ve already distracted me as it is. Just one quick sweep and then we can go back to…” She left him to figure out the rest and at Spike’s devious look, she started to regret her teasing. Now she really wanted to stay and enjoy some Spike kisses.


“We’ll make it quick,” he said.


“There’s nothing quick about doing… stuff with you.”


“I was talking about patrol. What ever were you talking about, luv?” Spike wriggled his eyebrows and laughed at her blush as she rose to her feet.


“Yes! Me too.” She helped him to his feet and went to gather some weapons. “Obviously.”


“So, let’s go. Move your bitable arse, we’ve got some demon slaying to do. Present company excluded of course,” he said with a grin.


******


“Would you stop fidgeting? I have to concentrate,” Buffy said and gripped her stake as she glanced around.


“Can’t snog you, can’t shag you against a crypt and now I can’t even play with my lighter.” Spike pouted. “I’m bored.”


“I only slew one measly fledgling. It’s making me all… I swear they all went on vacation,” she muttered. “And I didn’t say you couldn’t kiss me, but you chose to grope me right when that elderly lady was passing by. Coincidence? I think not.”


Spike smirked and stuck the lighter into the pocket of his jeans as he swaggered to Buffy’s side. “We could do one more sweep if you want.”


Buffy sighed and tucked the stake behind Spike’s waistband before she hugged him, inconspicuously inhaling his scent. “Nah. It’s dead here. And not in the good way either.”


“Wanna go to Bronze? Have some drink… dance for a bit?” Spike asked and intertwined his fingers with hers as they started to walk.


“Okay.”


******


“Wow, almost as dead as in the cemetery,” Buffy commented as she took in the half empty Bronze. A few people swayed to the music wafting from the speakers while others lounged around.


“I like it better this way. Makes me feel less… anxious. Also, no idiots stumbling around, ready to douse you in beer.”


“Anxious?” Buffy furrowed her brow then her eyes widened in understanding. “Oh.”


“Yeah. ‘S not easy, you know. To hear all the blood pumping and be unable to do a lick about it.”


Buffy followed him to an empty couch and sat down stiffly next to him. “Do you…?” She shook her head. “Forget it.”


“No. What did you want to ask? If I missed it? Maiming and torturing of innocents?”


“That’s not what I… yeah.” Looking down at her lap proved to be much easier than focusing on his eyes.


“I’m not gonna lie. I hate the pig swill I’m forced to drink. Would trade it for human blood in a heartbeat.”


Buffy sprang to her feet, ready to storm out when he grasped her wrist.


“Would you let me finish?” he asked and after a moment of hesitation, Buffy sat down again, facing him.


“I’m not ashamed of what I am. You know that. But… if I had to choose… getting back to the vamp I was before they shoved the chip up my brain and being with you… I’d choose you. I’m not saying I won’t do a wrong bloody choice in the future, because we both know I have a penchant for getting myself into trouble, but I can promise you one thing, Buffy. I’ll never hurt you. Ever.”


Spike reached out and ran his hand through her hair then gently cupped her cheek. “I love you.”


“I-I know. It’s just… if the chip stops working…” She let the rest of the sentence hang between them, a thick barrier of fear and uncertainty and his hand slipped away.


“I’m not gonna go on a killing spree, luv. It wouldn’t be worth losing you.” Spike leaned in and whispered into her ear, “Can you trust me?”


Her heart was pounding against her chest as her lips parted to answer his question. “I do.”


Spike leaned away far enough to gaze into her eyes.


“That’s what scares me the most,” Buffy said.


“You don’t have to be scared,” he said, his voice quiet but filled with the intensity of his conviction as he intertwined his fingers with hers and stood up. “Dance with me?”


“Always.”


TBC

Author's note: Last one will be posted by the end of this week, muchachas and muchachos (if there are some lol). Also, is it nice to make jokes about eating someone?? :P
 
 
Chapter #14 - Chapter fourteen
 
Author's notes: This is the last chapter. *sniff* I hope everyone enjoyed the ride and thank you so much all of you who let me know what you thought! :D You were awesome!

Beta'd by the most helpful ladies ever- dawnofme and Mabel Marsters.

Chapter 14


Buffy smiled and followed him on the dance floor, every insecurity flowing away as his body pressed against hers, his strong arms circling her waist.


“God… the way you make me feel,” Spike mumbled into her hair and his fingers flexed at her hips as they swayed to the slow beat of the music.


“I can definitely relate.”


“Do I make you think all sort of cheesy poetry?”


Buffy laughed and playfully squeezed his butt, reveling in his startled gasp. “And then some.”


“Naughty vixen.”


His hands felt like a liquid sensuality, caressing and flowing on her back as his movements turned predatory before she could blink. It was her turn to gasp when Spike nudged his thigh between her legs and pressed her so close to him she could feel every twitch of his muscles.


There weren’t many people on the dance floor, so she was sure they were making a spectacle of themselves but she couldn’t care less as Spike moved his hips in a sinuous motion that left her mind blank.


“Gah… Spike.”


His dark chuckle was a little too breathless, betraying his need. A single lick down the column of her throat and Buffy clutched at his shoulders, teetering on the edge of ripping off his clothes right in front of these people.


The song changed but they were too far gone in their own rhythm to notice. Their bodies twisting and rubbing against each other, greedy fingers stroking every piece of bare skin they could find. Then Spike nipped at her lips and she was helpless to do anything but succumb to the pleasure he was evoking in her body. His curls slipped through her fingers as she tilted her head to deepen the kiss, never stopping the gyration of her hips.


Spike growled and let her breathe as he dropped his forehead against Buffy’s shoulder before taking her hand and striding to the exit.


Fresh air hit her flushed cheeks as they stumbled out of the back door of the Bronze, the heavy metal slamming against the wall with a loud bang. They kissed sloppily and without coordination when the lust got too high to control.


A twinge of pain didn’t even register in her muddled brain as Spike pushed her against the rough brick wall, his hands grasping her butt to hoist her against him. Locking her legs behind him, Buffy fought to breathe as his fingers disappeared beneath her skirt and made quick work of her underwear. If he kept tearing off her lingerie all the time, she’d have nothing left to wear.


“Please, Spike… need you.”


She heard the blessed sound of the button being undone on his jeans when a harsh flash of light blinded her. Spike growled and carefully put her on the ground.


“Find some other place to be indecent, kids,” said a cop that must have just exited the club. Why anyone would want to make nightly rounds on a Hellmouth, boggled Buffy’s mind and she blushed under his disapproving glare.


“Now listen, you sod--”


Buffy’s eyes widened and she caught Spike’s arm before he could get into the officer’s face and flash him a fang.


“Sorry… he’s… umm… drunk. We’ll go.”


She tugged at Spike’s arm and led him out of the alley before he could get himself into trouble with the law.


“This is starting to drive me around the bend,” Spike said with a sigh, and pressed a kiss into Buffy’s mouth, sucking her upper lip between his.


“Giles’ place… closer… let’s go.”


She took his hand and ran, laughing from the rush as he matched her every step. The wind whipped her face and their feet barely touched the ground as they ran so fast their surroundings were nothing but a colorful blur.


They skidded to a halt in front of Giles’ door and Buffy moaned as Spike caressed her collarbone, his fingers sliding down to brush her breasts.


“Wanna christen Watcher’s living room?” Spike asked with a teasing grin and bent down to kiss the tops of her breasts.


“Uh… he’s not going to be here for another week. What he doesn’t see can’t bother him, right?”


“Why, Summers? I do believe you’ve lost the stake up your arse. Maybe I should take a look just to be sure.”


His hand ran up her thigh and she slapped him away. “Inside. Now.”


Buffy fumbled for a spare key hidden in the nearby flower pot and dropped it when Spike pressed against her, running his hands all over her backside.


“That was the plan,” he said with a leer.


She finally managed to retrieve it and open the door. They both stumbled in, closing the door behind. Spike’s lips crashed against hers, his scent muddling her brain as they made it to the couch, leaving a trail of footwear and shirts as they went. Finally, her fingers touched his chest and Spike shivered, his kisses turning more insistent.


“Pants… off with them,” she said between kisses and sucked at Spike’s neck as he fumbled with the belt buckle. Then he was tugging the jeans down his legs, but his foot got caught and he stumbled, cursing. Buffy caught him before he could fall down on his ass and giggled at his clumsiness. Spike scowled though she could see the corner of his mouth twitch with repressed amusement before he finally kicked off the treacherous garment.


“Not very nice of you to have a laugh at my expense.”


“I could make it up to you,” she offered with a teasing glint in her eyes.


“Yeah?”


Batting her eyelashes, Buffy stepped out of her skirt and ran a single digit down his chest, licking her lips at the sight of Spike completely naked. His gasp brushed her cheek as her finger stopped to circle his belly button.


Spike’s arms snaked around her waist before he pressed her against him and she couldn’t do anything but moan at the feel of his smooth cool body rubbing so intimately against her heated one. She could sense the power straining in his muscles, enough strength to crush a life out of a human, but his hands were sliding down her back to cup her bottom with excruciating softness. His lips grazed hers in a gentle kiss, leaning away when she tried to deepen it.


Spike was an enigma to her. One moment full of insistent passion and the next wielding an erotic sensuality no demon should possess. And she yielded, a slave to every brush of his fingertips, every fluttering glide of his lips. They stood there for a moment, embracing, foreheads touching as the shallow breaths passed their trembling lips, hands roaming slowly to tease out moans filled with the undeniable need for more.


“I love you,” he said, one hand sneaking between her thighs to stroke her.


“And I love you, you tease.”


He laughed and leaned in to run his tongue along the seam of her parted lips, which she welcomed with a content sigh.


“Not a tease. Maybe I’m just shy,” he said with a smirk.


The back of his knees hit the couch and Buffy pushed him down then straddled him.


“Now that’s something I’d like to see.”


“Got a thing for bashful blokes, luv?”


Her hand was suddenly between their bodies, nimble fingers stroking him up and down until he couldn’t remember the question he’d given her.


“I just have a thing for you,” she whispered into his ear and licked his earlobe. The smile on her face was entirely too smug for his peace of mind, so Spike leaned in and sucked her nipple into his mouth.


“Uh huh,” Buffy said incoherently.


Spike’s eyes rolled up in his head as she positioned him at her opening and slowly slid down. His fingers flexed at her hips as he resisted the urge to lift her up and slam her down. After a moment, Buffy started to move, rising and falling, hips circling as they moved together. Her cheek was pressed against his as she panted into his ear, low keening sounds that drove him out of his mind with the need to possess her.


If his heart could beat, it would be galloping in his chest, threatening to burst out from the sheer ecstasy of being with her. Buffy’s muscles rippled and pulsed all around him, hot and tight, the waves of pleasure crashing over his every nerve ending as he matched her quickening pace.


Her lips grazing his, Spike delved his fingers into her tussled hair and lost himself in the irresistible taste of her before dropping a kiss on her shoulder. The sound of her heartbeat filled his ears, their mingled breaths and flesh meeting flesh creating a symphony of primal need.


“Spike,” Buffy said, her voice a breathless whisper as she gazed at him through glazed over eyes, her movements turning almost frantic as she sought out the release.


Her back arched, head falling back as Spike bit down on her neck with blunt teeth, myriad of colours exploding behind his eyelids as her internal muscles spasmed, squeezing him so hard he couldn’t hold back. Drawing out her climax for as long as he could, Spike embraced her shuddering form.


“Is it always like this?” she asked, still trying to calm her breathing.


“Only with you,” Spike confessed and stroked her hair as she leaned limply against his chest.


“Better be,” she muttered and yawned.


“Go to sleep, luv.” Spike said with a smile and lifted her off him so he could grab a blanket. He lay on his back, Buffy collapsing on top of him before he covered them. “I’ve got you.”


******


Buffy squirmed and inhaled the scent of a man lying beneath her as she tried to figure where that weird wheezing sound was coming from. Lifting her head off Spike’s chest, she peered around, blinking the haze of sleep away.


“Buffy!”


Her eyes widened.


“Giles?” she screeched in horror and fell off Spike onto the floor in her haste to get up, hitting her elbow on the coffee table in the process. “Ow… shit!”


Spike jerked awake at her curse and glanced around in confusion, his eyes stopping at Buffy sprawled on the carpet. He furrowed his brown then swore under his breath when he noticed the newcomer. The blanket was tangled around his calves and Buffy hurriedly snatched it to cover herself from Giles’ horrified expression. He wasn’t concerned about his nudity anyway.


“I can explain,” she blurted out and repressed a sudden urge to let out a hysterical giggle. There was no way she could ever make up a believable story about why her surrogate father found her lying on top of a very naked vampire. In his own living room.


“Dear Lord,” Giles finally managed to get out, as his brain got over the initial shock. “What in the God’s name is going on here?”


“I… um… we… it was…”


Spike sat up and raised an eyebrow, deciding to not interfere in case the Watcher felt like tossing him out into the early morning sun.


“Well?” Giles asked expectantly and winced when he glanced at Spike. “Please, do cover yourself.” Spotting the black jeans, Giles picked them up and tossed them at Spike, muttering as he did. “Now I will have to buy a new sofa.”


Buffy turned from the alarming shade of red to a white in a couple of panicked heartbeats.


“W-we… slept together,” she whispered and looked at Giles with big fearful eyes.


“Yes, Buffy. I can… see that,” Giles said, trying to repress his frustration. “Quite frankly, I don’t think I’ll be able to purge the horrid visual of both of you naked out of my brain. What I wanted to ask is… when the bloody hell did this happen?”


“You’re angry at me,” Buffy whispered and her bottom lip trembled.


“Of course I’m angry!” Giles said and plucked off the glasses from his nose to clean the lenses with angry swipes. One lens came loose.


This was when Spike decided he had been silent long enough. And if he put his foot in the mouth? Well, they would just have to deal. He stood up and slid into his jeans.


“Where do you get off judging her choices, Rupert?” Spike asked and clenched his jaw. “The Slayer is old enough to be able to make her own decisions.”


“Are you both out of your minds? The last time I saw you, you were bickering like children and hating each other. Now you’re shagging on my couch,” Giles said.


Spike smirked. “It was the closest place--”


“Stop, both of you!” Buffy called and ran a hand through her mussed hair. “I know you’re disappointed with me, but this isn’t just some kind of… fling. It’s not just ‘shagging’. I… love him.”


“Dear Lord,” Giles dropped down on the nearest chair with a sigh.


“Would you please stop saying that? You always make it sound so… apocalyptic.” Buffy frowned and unconsciously leaned into Spike’s side.


“Well it rather is,” Giles retorted and his gaze softened when he glanced at her. “It is a lot to take in and I’ve had a long flight. Whatever this is, it’s your life, not mine. I’m willing to overlook you… defiling my living room if you refrain from making those God awful smacking sounds in my near vicinity like you did during Willow’s ‘will be done’ spell.”


“We won’t. Promise,” Buffy said.


“We can discuss this later if you wish.” Giles rubbed at his temples and went up the stair, stopping at the top as he turned to face her. “And Buffy? No matter what you do, I’ll always care for you.”


Buffy smiled. “Thank you.”


******


Spike sat on Giles’ new couch as he leafed through the pages of a dusty tome. Pizza boxes were littered around as the humans around him researched. Buffy let out the twelfth sigh in a span of a single minute and Spike grinned.


“Bored, luv?” he asked, low enough not to be heard by anyone but her.


“I think I’ll fall asleep any minute now,” she answered and dropped her head against his shoulder. Spike kissed the top of her head as he threw his arm around her. Nobody even twitched an eye at the display. They all became accustomed to their relationship, though it took Giles the longest to get used to seeing them joined at the hip. Even Xander kept pestering Spike to have a beer or shoot pool at the Bronze.


'Poor bloke must be happy to get out from the oestrogen charged atmosphere once in a while.'


Spike knew more about Xander’s and Anya’s sex life than he’d ever wanted to. And he didn’t care. Not when he had Buffy. His stubborn, righteous, goody-two-shoes Slayer that used to drive him around the bend. The most beautiful woman he’d ever met.


“You’re perfect,” he said and she glanced up at him, smiling.


“You’re not so bad yourself.”


Buffy squeezed his thigh and winked at him when he growled.


He wouldn’t trade her for the world.


THE END


Author's note: Ta da! :D Now you have to let me know what you think or else... well, nothing, but I bet you want to make me bounce around in excitement, don't you? ;)