Thanks to my betas, Dawn, Marilyn,and Tanit.



Buffy and Spike walked toward the DeSoto. She could tell he'd taken great effort to make it presentable for her; it looked as though he might have even waxed it. When he opened the door for her, she noticed the worn interior had been cleaned with the same attention to detail.

"I have to say, I'm impressed. I can't believe this is actually your car. It cleans up pretty well too." Buffy gave him an impish grin as she slid a bit closer to him.

"She did need a bit of a clean-up. And I couldn't very well take my girl out on the town in a dirty car, now could I?"

Buffy flushed at the thought of being his girl.

"What else did you do today, oh man of mystery?" Buffy asked.

"Bit of this, bit of that. 'Course I had to take care of a few things, and I had to, um, go shopping." Spike shrugged.

"You really do look very handsome tonight. I can see you went shopping with the new clothes and all. What'd you do, win a litter of Persians?" Buffy shook her head lightly.

"No, I didn't win at poker," Spike said.

"I don't understand. How did you afford to shop? And how are we going out if you… Please tell me your money's not from something illegal." She saw the look of hurt flash across his face and was immediately sorry. She hadn't meant to sound so judgmental. Before she could offer an apology, he cut her off.

"No! I didn't do anything illegal! Haven't done either, not that you'd listen. It so happens, I'm not skint, Slayer. I have money. I've told you I could get you money before. I've always had money. I just prefer to live by my wits. Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to live a hundred and twenty years and not have anything to show for it?" He took his eyes off the road for a moment, glaring at her.

"I'm so sorry, Spike. I didn't mean to offend you. I trust you. I shouldn't have questioned you, but you've gotta admit the idea of you being wealthy is a bit odd. You live in a crypt. You hustle people at pool for blood and smokes. Hey, wait a minute! What was that part about me not listening?"

"S' alright, luv, I am who I am. What I meant was I wasn't the Doctor. I was holdin' those eggs for someone else. They weren't even supposed to have been there, but he was late picking them up." Spike gazed at Buffy, imploring her with his eyes, hoping to move beyond their past mistakes.

"Spike, you have no idea how sorry I am about that whole thing. And now I've created this whole awkward situation with my big Buffy mouth." She folded her arms and sighed.

Spike smiled. "Hey, I like your mouth. Matter of fact, it drives me crazy, it does. And now that we're here, I can show you."

He reached for her, pulling her closer, but she was stiff with tension. She turned to him, and he gently grasped her chin to meet his gaze. He brushed her lips softly against hers. When nipped at her lower lip she whimpered and opened her mouth, welcoming him. The kiss deepened, and he felt Buffy relax and lean into him. Before things could become too heated, he pulled back, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Just thought we might save something for later, luv, you ready to go in?"

Buffy's head was swimming from the kiss. She took a deep breath, and was ready with a bright smile when Spike opened her car door for her. He reached for her hand to help her from the car, and he didn't let go as they strolled down the street. Buffy couldn't help the little trill of pleasure that ran up and down her spine with each swipe of his thumb over her knuckles. She was going to have to exert serious control when it came to taking it slow.

The restaurant was one of Sunnydale's most exclusive – Vermillion. Buffy had never even entertained thoughts of going there. It was clearly intended for diners with romance on their mind. Inside the dimly lit room, flickering candles sat on every table, and a pianist sat comfortably behind a baby grand in the corner, softly playing old standards. The maitre´ d asked for their reservations and Spike politely told him, "Pratt, party of two."

Once they were seated, Buffy said, "So, Mr. Pratt, please tell me more. I'm so eager to learn all about you!"

If Spike could have blushed, he would have been beet red.

"Don't you breathe a word about my last name to anyone, missy! I might have to slay you. Especially Rupes, last thing I need is a bunch of bloody Watchers nosin' 'round my past. After all, I do still have some semblance of a reputation to maintain," he said, with little sincerity.

Buffy just giggled. "You're adorable. Did you know that? Tell me more. I want to know all about William Pratt. And Spike, too. You want to know what I think? I think they're one in the same."

Spike just smiled. Their waiter came at that moment to tell them the evening's specials. After he finished, Spike ordered a bottle of Sanguis Novillero. "So, that's what you think, then? Let's look at the menu and then I'll tell what you want to know."

They spent a few minutes discussing what they wanted to eat as they stole glances at one another over the menus. When the waiter appeared, Spike ordered for them. An appetizer to start with, followed by the duck for Buffy, and steak for Spike. Knowing how tight things were at home, Spike was glad she'd chosen something of substance for her main course.

"Thank you for bringing me here. Everything is so romantic. It's perfect," Buffy said, before taking a sip of her wine.

"Nothing to thank me for, pet." Spike reached across the table to caress her hand. "Just being with you is a pleasure."

As they nibbled on the appetizer and sipped their wine, Spike began to tell her about William. The real William, not the William the Bloody he told her about that night at the Bronze. He couldn't remember exactly what he'd told her then, but knew it was a far cry from the truth. Spike told her how he'd come from a good family and had been well educated. He also told her of his love for his mother and poetry. When he spoke of the two, Buffy could see a look of regret or sadness cross his face, she wasn't sure which.

"I'd like to know more about your mom. And have you ever written any poems, or do just enjoy reading?"

"As I said, I loved my mum very much. It was just the two of us. I didn't have any brothers or sisters, and my father passed away when I was young. She was quite ill before I was turned. Tuberculosis, though that's not what it was called then. Having to watch her get weaker and weaker was…I had never felt so helpless." He took a deep breath before draining his wine glass.

Buffy gently touched his hand and gave him sympathetic smile. "She was lucky to have a son who loved her so much."

Spike looked away, almost guiltily, Buffy thought. But when he turned back to her, he seemed more himself.

"Anyway as for the poetry, yes, I wrote poetry. Was bloody awful stuff, and it's nothing you'll ever see. It's where the name William the Bloody came from, not my wild killing sprees, but my terrible poetry. My poor mum, bless her, was the only one who thought they were worth a damn," Spike said.

A busboy came to clear the appetizer from their table, and the entrees soon arrived, causing a slight halt in conversation. Buffy thought about the commonality they shared with their mother's illnesses. She also remembered that Twentieth Century Poets had been one of her favorite classes before she'd had to drop out of college. "I'm sure your poetry wasn't that bad. Do you still have any? Do you still write?"

"Pet, trust me when I say this, it was bad and to answer both your questions, no and no." Spike smirked.

Buffy let the subject drop and they moved to other topics as they enjoyed their meals. Spike went on to tell her about his early days as a vampire and she listened, intrigued. The more she came to know about him, the more she realized what a private person he was despite his tendency to wear his heart on his sleeve. His complexity was his ultimate defense though; he'd often wear his bravado like a shield. She found herself falling deeper under his spell.

Soon the meal was done, and the check was brought. Spike paid, leaving a generous tip.

"Are you up for another surprise, luv?" Spike asked, while leading her out the restaurant, with her hand nestled safely in his.

"I'm up! That was pretty fantastic. I can't wait to see what happens now," she said, pulling him down for a lingering kiss.

"Just you wait, it's gonna be great. I think you'll love it."

With her tucked safely in the car, Spike headed to their next destination