Chapter Three
 
It was close to dawn when a sound at the window woke Buffy. She peered over and just caught the light from the streetlamp bouncing off a head of bright blond hair.  She ran to the window and threw it open, surprising herself with how happy she was to see Spike again.
 
“You’re early,” she said, reaching out to brush her fingers across the hand resting on the window frame. He pulled her hand toward him and kissed her knuckles.
 
“Made good time,” he said. “But I’ve got to find some place to hide from the sun soon. Just wanted to let you know I’m here and see if you know any more about what’s going to happen.”
 
Buffy filled him in on Joyce’s idea to pick her up at school, thwarting any plans Giles may have had to continue weakening her.
 
“Sounds like you’ve got things under control. How weak are you? Did the wanker take away all your powers?”
 
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I mean, I wouldn’t want to try to fight you right now, but I’m still a little faster and stronger than a normal girl my size.”
 
“That’s not sayin’ much,” he said with a grin. “Delicate little thing that you are.”
 
“This ‘delicate little thing’ could still shove you off the roof,” she said, glaring at him. Her glare faded to a smile when he chuckled and lowered his voice to a soft rumble.
 
“Don’t doubt you could, love, but I’d rather you didn’t.”
 
“Oh? Why’s that?” she asked, leaning out the window toward him.
 
“Because it would be too hard to kiss you from all the way down there. And that’s something I really, really want to do....”
 
“Oh...” she breathed out as their lips met. “So do I.” Suddenly she jerked away, hand over her mouth.  “No!  Morning breath!  You can’t kiss me while I have morning breath!”
 
“I’m pretty sure I could,” he growled, but allowed her to retreat into the room. “Been waiting over a bloody year to finish what we were doing when we were so rudely interrupted by the big poof—”
 
“And your girlfriend,” Buffy reminded him. “She was there too. With Angelus. And you left with her anyway.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
 
“Did,” he agreed. “Wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve every done, but it seemed right at the time.” He paused and tried to read her face. “Turns out it wasn’t....”
 
“Were you sorry you left?”  She didn’t look at him as she asked the question, choosing to study the rug at her feet.
 
“Were you sorry I did?” he challenged, bringing her gaze back to him.
 
“Maybe? For a while. But you were gone, and you had your girlfriend back, and I—”
 
“And you got your soulful boyfriend back.”

Buffy nodded. “I did. But it isn’t the same. I couldn’t—can’t—forget what he was like without it. And you didn’t answer my question. Were you sorry you left m—left?”

He smiled and shook his head. “Want to say something all romantic and flowery like ‘every minute of every day’, but I reckon you’d see through that. But I did think about you a whole bloody lot. It was why Dru left me that first time. She said you were floatin’ all around me.”

“The first time?”

“When I met your mum. I was here lookin’ for you, but when I found out the big poof was souled up again, and that you were still seeing him.... Figured I would just be in the way, so I went back to Dru and we made up for a bit. Didn’t last. She cheated on me with a chaos demon.” He shuddered. “I may be Love’s bitch, but I have my limits.” He reached a hand out to touch hers, but was stopped by the barrier and dropped it to his side.  “If your mum hadn’t called when she did, I probably would have shown up anyway. Just in case you needed me.”

Buffy reached out the window and tugged him closer. “Come in, Spike,” she said. His hand immediately slipped through the invisible barrier and cupped her cheek.

“Probably shouldn’t have done that, pet. You don’t really know me that well.”

“I think I do,” she said, leaning into his hand. “I trust you.”

“Daft woman,” he grumbled, even as he climbed in the window and sat on the sill facing her.

“Just your type then, huh?” She giggled at his growl, putting her hands on his chest and standing between his wide-spread legs. His arms went around her waist to pull her closer.

“You know I can’t stay here, love. I’ve got to find someplace to hide for the day. Can feel the sun working its way up.”

“I know. But now when you come back tonight, you can just come in and wait for us.”

“Wish I knew what those Council wankers are planning. What restaurant are you going to?”

“I don’t know. Giles didn’t say. He just said it was a nice place for a birthday dinner.”

He sighed and nuzzled the side of her neck. “You know if anything happens to you or your mum, I’m going to make your watcher wish he was never born. You understand that, right?”

“Hey, if he gets me killed, he’s all yours. But it’s going to be fine. I’m not as weak as they think I will be, I’m not going near Giles tomorrow, so he can’t make it worse, and what kind of vamp can they throw at me that I won’t be able to stake?”

“Any vamp can have a really good day if he gets a slayer when she’s vulnerable, love. I think you’re a brilliant slayer, but I don’t want you thinking you can’t be killed. Don’t want you to be scared, just careful."

“But my really strong... friend... is going to be there to back me up, right?” Buffy almost held her breath as she ducked her head and waited for Spike’s response to the question so similar to what she’d asked Angel.

He lifted one hand and pushed a piece of hair off her face. “Got your back, Buffy. Not goin’ to get in your way, but not goin’ to let you die either. I’m here for you.”

Buffy slid her hands up around his neck, enjoying the feel of his body against hers as well as the comfort of the powerful arms banded around her. Too soon to suit her, he was loosening his grip and pushing her away.

“I’ve got to go, love. If I’m a big pile of dust, I won’t be all that useful tonight.” He kissed her forehead before swinging his legs up and out to the roof. 

He was crouching, ready to leap to the ground when she said, “Maybe you could stay here? In the basement?”

“Yeah, I’m sure Mum would love that,” he snickered. “A vamp in her basement all day.”

“Actually, Spike, I think that’s a good idea.” 

Joyce’s voice made them both twitch in surprise. Buffy spun around, wondering how long Joyce had been standing there and if she’d seen them in their full-body hug. Since Joyce didn’t seem upset or annoyed, she decided not.

“I mean it. I want you to be where you can watch over Buffy, and how better to do that than from inside her own house?”  Joyce looked at Buffy.  “Do you trust him enough to let him in?”  Still stunned, and not willing to tell her mother that he’d already been invited, Buffy just nodded dumbly.  “Well then, come in, Spike.”

He glanced at Buffy first, but when she shrugged, he climbed back in the window and stopped just inside, shoulders hunched and hands in pockets as he stood in Buffy’s bedroom under her mother’s watchful gaze.

“Thank you, Joyce. I appreciate it. It’s getting a mite bright out there to be healthy for someone of my persuasion.”

“There’s a cot in the basement. I’ll get it out for you. Buffy, please get some sheets and a pillow from the linen closet.” She turned and left the room leaving them staring at each other.

“Wow. She won’t even talk to Angel and she’s inviting you to sleep here.” Her eyes narrowed. “What did you do to her when you were here before?”

He shrugged. “Told her I wanted to keep her only child safe.” He gave her a small smile. “Might have laid on the charm a mite, but I think the bottom line was, I didn’t harm her and I promised to help you.”

Buffy shook her head. “You must have made one hell of a good impression. Good thing she doesn’t know exactly how we went from enemies to... whatever we are now.” Buffy blushed at the memory.

“Does she know I’m the vamp she almost brained with an axe?”

Buffy nodded. “Yep. I told her. She knows you tried to kill me a couple of times, but she doesn’t know about... and she doesn’t need to.”

“Right there with you, love. It’s one thing to learn I used to want you dead, another to find out why I changed my mind.”  He touched Buffy’s arm as she started to walk away. “I want to be able to apologize for that... event. Know it was next thing to a rape and I had no right... But I can’t be sorry for it because it’s what allowed me to find my way here.”

She shrugged. “I was pretty pissed off for a while. But you are... what you are...  and it could have been a lot worse.  I got kind of a different perspective on it after Angel took his little walk on the wild side.  And then you came to help me. I know you just did it to get Dru back, but—”

He put his hand on her arm again and pulled her around to face him. “I did do it to get Dru back. Won’t lie to you. But that wasn’t the only reason. And I think you know it.”

Buffy gave an embarrassed smile. “I’m just going to get those sheets.”

“Don’t really need them, you know. I’ve slept on much worse things than a bed without linens.”

“Obviously you don’t know my mother very well,” she said as she walked out of the room. “Come with me, William. We’re going to make you a guest in our house.”
 
XXXXXXXXX
 
As soon as Spike was settled in the basement, Joyce went upstairs, waiting at the top for Buffy to join her. Spike gave a wry smile. “Think that’s your cue to get out of the vampire’s bedroom, pet.”  He yawned and sat on the edge of the cot to take his boots off. “Go on with you. I’ll still be here when you get home.”

“’K” Buffy trotted up the stairs to join Joyce. “I’m probably going to take my shower before we go out tonight, so the bathroom’s all yours, Mom.” She took a bowl down and poured some cereal. “I’ll just get something to eat and maybe try to get some homework done before I leave for school.” Before Joyce could leave the room, Buffy asked, “Got any ideas what I should tell Giles about this afternoon? He’s going to be expecting me to come to the library after school.”

Joyce narrowed her eyes. “You just tell him your mother said she was picking you up and she told you not to see him first. If he wants to argue, tell him I’ll be just outside in the car. He can talk to me there.”

“Oooookie dokie. Mom is asserting her authority and it beats Watcher’s every time.”

Joyce snorted. “Well, we both know that’s not true, don’t we? But this one time, he really doesn’t want to cross me.” She stomped out of the kitchen, leaving Buffy laughing so hard she almost choked on her cereal.