Chapter 12

Buffy hadn’t seen much of Riley in the upcoming weeks, and wouldn’t go anywhere by herself, just to be on the safe side. Except the one time when she thought it might be safe, was the one time it wasn’t. Her arm was suddenly grabbed in a firm grip as she was pulled into an empty classroom.

“What the hell are you doing?” she spat, ripping her arm out of his grasp.

“We needed to talk in private.”

Buffy glared at him. “We don’t need to do anything. You tried to capture me, Riley. You were going to treat me like some lab rat.”

He nodded, feeling slightly ashamed for his actions. “I’m sorry about that, but I didn’t know what else to do. My men expected it of me; they would have been suspicious if I just let you go. I’m finally ready for the truth, Buffy. What are you?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Capricorn on the cusp of Aquarius. You?”

“Sorry, that came out a little blunter than I intended. I just need to know what I’m dealing with here,” he wondered.

“I thought a professional demon chaser like yourself would have figured it out by now. I’m the Slayer.”

Riley raised his eyebrows in confusion.

“Slay-er? Chosen One?”

He looked at her like she was crazy.

“She who hangs out a lot in cemeteries? You’re kidding.”

Riley only shrugged, which had her rolling her eyes.

“Ask around. Look it up: Slayer comma the.”

Riley finally nodded. “And you fight demons? If that was the case, why did you protect that hostile?”

“Moment of weakness, I don’t know. Harmony is a pathetic creature, even more so in death than she was in life, but I know her. Whether I like her or not, I couldn’t let your team take her again, but I’m sure I will end up regretting it.”

That wasn’t what Riley expected to hear. “And the vampire who saved you? I’ve done my research. William the Bloody is a powerful and vicious monster. Yet it seems like to me that you two are on the same side.”

Buffy gave him a look that could kill. “He’s mine, and not to be touched by you or anyone else from the Initiative. Spike is different now, he’s been helping me and he means no harm to anyone. Although, I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t mind taking you guys out of the picture. If you haven’t noticed, Spike is very protective of me.”

“Wait, you’re the Slayer? That’s supposed to be a myth.”

Buffy couldn’t believe how slow this guy was. “Obviously not, since I’m standing right here. Are we done now? You know I’m not a demon, but somehow I doubt your boss is going to care about that. What you’re doing is wrong, Riley. I really hope you figure that out before it’s too late.”

Riley watched her leave, taking her words in to consideration.


* * * * *


“Did you have to talk to the wanker? I don’t like the idea of you alone with him.”

Buffy cuddled up at his side on the bed. “Don’t worry, I doubt Riley will try to grab me again. Now that he knows exactly who he’s dealing with. For his sake, I really hope he comes to his senses soon about that place.”

Spike agreed, trailing his lips down her neck.

She felt shivers up her spine. “Is this your way of distracting me?”

He grinned. “One of many.”

Buffy had no complaints as she turned and captured his mouth with hers.

Spike moved on top of her, pinning her arms above her head as he continued with her neck, licking and sucking at her flesh. The scent of her arousal perfumed the air, and it became too much for Spike to handle. His face changed as the demon took over, fangs protruding from his mouth and lightly puncturing her throat, taking two long pulls of her blood.

Buffy moaned as she held him to her, closing her eyes in pleasure.

Spike pulled his fangs out, licking her wound clean as his human features returned. He jerked away from her, appalled at what he just did. “I’m sorry, Buffy. I never meant to get that carried away. I…I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Buffy opened her eyes in confusion, seeing that he was suddenly sitting away from her. “You didn’t hurt me, Spike. It actually felt pretty good.”

He shook his head, mumbling something that she couldn’t make out.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” she wondered with concern.

“Never wanted to hurt you,” he claimed, tears forming in his eyes.

Buffy didn’t understand why he was so distressed, but she had a strong urge to comfort him. “It’s okay, you didn’t hurt me. It’s not like you to get so upset about one little bite. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Spike shook his head, taking in a deep, unneeded breath as he calmed himself down. “It’s nothing; I don’t know what came over me. Sorry if I worried you.”

“That’s fine, as long as you’re okay. Don’t worry about the bite, Spike. It was kind of sexy.”

That got a small smile out of him, relieved that she didn’t hate him for what he did.

“You can feel free to do it again, if you want. You won’t get any complaints out of me.”

Spike pounced on her, gazing down in to her eyes. “That’s not a very smart thing to say to a vampire,” he said huskily, taking her bottom lip into his mouth and nibbling on it. Spike moved back to her neck, making sure to keep his fangs to himself for the time being.

Buffy turned her head, taking his earlobe into her mouth, which caused him to let out a moan.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Spike pulled away in shock, smiling at the look of sincerity in her eyes. “You mean that?”

Buffy nodded, taking in a deep breath. “Yeah, I finally have the guts to say it. Just, you can’t leave me now, okay?”

Spike hugged her to him, pressing kisses to the top of her head. “Never leave you, sweetheart. You should know that by now, you’re stuck with me.”

Buffy sighed in relief as she returned the embrace.

Spike let out his own sigh of relief. She loved him without even knowing the truth, which was all that he wanted. He knew that he could tell her now, but really hoped it would go well. A part of Spike still worried about her reaction, but when Buffy loved someone, she loved with all that she had. That was all the reassurance he needed.