*Author's Note: This is my very first Spuffy fic. Reading all the great fics out there got me wanting to try my hand. Hopefully I didn't butcher it to much :) Just a quick note, this starts out with a very, *very* little bit of B/R, so don't say I didn't warn you! Hope you like it!

Chapter 1

Duck. Up. Punch. A small grunt escaped her lips as she blocked a punch from the newly risen vampire. Dropping to a crouch she threw her leg out, tripping the fledgling. In an instant she was on him, blonde hair flying as, with a flick of her wrist, the stake up her sleeve was in her hand. Another quick punch with her left hand and the stake descended, hitting its mark. With a small “oomph” she was left on the ground, dust scattering through the strong breeze.

Dusting herself off, she stood and scanned the once more quiet cemetery. “Well, that was short-lived.” Once again repositioning the stake up her sleeve, Buffy Summers made her way through Restfield Cemetery. Equal parts upset and annoyed, the evening had been way to slow for her liking.

*Giles isn’t going to like this. Slow nights mean big apocalypse.* The thought of her watcher made her pause. She knew she needed to swing by his home, but at the same time, the thought of encountering the very annoying vampire chained up in his living room did not appeal to her in the slightest. *It’s not like I’m avoiding him,* she lied to herself.

For the last two days, Buffy had been in La-La Land, and she knew it. Willow hadn’t meant anything by her spell. She was grieving, it was allowed. But, still, it had taken all of Buffy’s concentration not to concentrate on the effects of the “will be done” spell. Sure, she and Spike had been engaged. Sure, they’d made out a little. *Okay, a lot.* But that didn’t mean anything. *Nope, doesn’t mean nothing at all.*

Then why couldn’t she get him out of her head? The feel of his hand in hers. His arm wrapped securely around her waist. The way he tasted of cigarettes and blood.

*Okay, major Ewness here. Bad Buffy. Spike does not taste good, or feel good, or anything good.*

With a frustrated groan she shook her head fiercely. *Get out. Get out of my head!* “Get out!”

“Buffy?”

Buffy turned around quickly, her stake almost to her hand before she recognized the voice. *How did I not hear him tramping through the bushes? He’s not exactly tiny.* Thrusting her hand behind her back, she looked up sheepishly, a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “Riley? What are you doing here?” *Great, I’m interested in another guy who hangs out in cemeteries. Why do I have a feeling that this cannot be of the good?*

“I could ask the same of you.” He said, a Boy Scout grin plastered on his face.

“Huh?” Lost in her own thoughts she struggled to replay the conversation looking for his question. What was she doing here? That was it. She panicked. Her mouth worked furiously, trying to force words out. Any words. “Here? Now? Grandma.”

He scratched his head, looking at her, a puzzled expression clouding his features. “You’re visiting your Grandma?”

“Dead. She’s dead.” Buffy groaned inwardly, but her mouth kept going. “And today is her birthday.” *Shut up, shut up!* “Was! Was her birthday. You? Why are you here?”

“I was heading back to campus, and this seemed like a shortcut.” He looked around the cemetery, the wind had picked up a bit, ruffling his hair. *He’s so adorable. And definitely not a crazy killer.* At least, she didn’t think so. *But really, it’s not like he can kill anyone…Get out of my head! Is this what it’s like to go insane?*

“You’re here by yourself?” he asked with concern.

Buffy broke out of her reverie, shaking her head to clear her wandering mind. “What? 20 questions tonight?” She all but snapped, frustrated with herself for not covering better, and for being distracted by… other things. “I’m here by myself, visiting my dead grandmother. Sheesh.”

Riley took a step forward. “I’m sorry, Buffy. I didn’t mean to sound insensitive about your grandma. Do – do you want me to walk you home? All the crazies come out at night, it’s really not safe.”

“No, I’m fine. I’m not done here. With the visiting, I mean.” *God, Buffy, sound a little bit more lame, please.*

Riley took another step closer. *When did he get so close?* “Okay, Buffy. Sorry again. If you want to talk about anything… I know it can be hard, losing someone you’re close to.” Another step.

Buffy looked up at him, and her breath caught in her throat. Oh my god, he’s going to kiss me, she thought as his lips slowly descended on hers. I wonder – But before she could get any farther, his mouth was on hers. She leaned into him, going up to her tiptoes and wrapping an arm around his shoulders as one of his hands tangled itself gently in her hair, the other resting chastely on her waist. Yet, before the kiss had really begun the sound of a throat clearing and the realization that her spider sense was going wonky had Buffy pulling back from Riley’s embrace.

Turning to the source of the sound, Buffy’s eyes went wide as a certain bleached vampire stood in front of her, an unreadable expression on his face. All but leaping out of Riley’s arms she spun toward the vampire. *Now why would I do that?*

“Spike? What are you doing here and not chain--” she stopped herself with a look at Riley “at Giles’.” There was a bite to her words that she couldn’t suppress and a pounding in her heart that was only partially from Riley’s kiss.

“Evenin’ to you too, pet.” With a glare at Riley Spike walked up to Buffy. Grasping her upper arm firmly he leaned in to her ear and pitched his voice low. “We need to talk, somethin’s happened.”

Buffy looked down at his cool hand locked around her bicep and surprised herself by not moving away. “Why? What’s wrong?” she asked, refusing to whisper. Spike sighed, more than likely at her lack of attempt at secrecy. *It’s not like I have to be secret agent girl all the time.* She shot Spike her best “this better be good” face, and started at the little smile playing on his lips as he looked at her. Was it amusement?

“Buffy,” Riley asked. Darn, she had almost forgotten he was there. “Who is this guy?” He looked back and forth between the two blondes, obviously confused. “And what’s with people hanging out in the cemetery?”

The vampire’s eyes finally tore themselves away from Buffy’s face, and Spike made a show of looking Riley up and down before obviously dismissing him as any threat. “Name’s Spike, meathead. Now beat it. Me and the lady need to have a bit of a chat.” With his final word, his eyes flashed yellow and Buffy grunted, startled, as Spike, extremely to quickly, pulled her roughly into his chest.

She opened her mouth, debating whether or not she could punch him in the face without Riley getting even more suspicious, when Buffy stopped suddenly. She fully expected a smirk and a typical pig-like comment at the way Spike was holding her against his chest - *his extremely muscle-y and yummy chest* – but all words escaped her at the emotions flashing in Spike’s eyes. Possession. Anger. Jealousy? Now that last one was just weird.

“I’m not going anywhere, until I know what’s going on.” Riley told him firmly, his eyes coming to rest on Buffy. His hand reached out as if about to grab her other arm, before Riley seemed to visibly bring himself under control.

Finally, and a bit regretfully shaking herself loose from Spike’s grip, Buffy turned to Riley. “It’s okay, Riley. Spike’s a… friend.” She rolled her eyes, “Well, sort of.” *A possible friend with benefits? GET OUT OF MY HEAD!*

Understanding, and then hurt crossed Riley’s face. “Spike? As in your fiancé Spike?” Riley took a step backward, his hands in front of him as if surrendering. “Okay, this is to much.”

Spike smirked and looked toward the Slayer. “Fiancé, eh luv? You been talkin’ ‘bout me I see.” The vampire turned to Riley, an insolent grin on his face. “She does like ta brag. She – ow! C’mon pet. Was that really necessary?” Buffy grimaced and poked Spike in the side where her elbow had just been.

“Will you just shut up for a second?” Taking a step away from the vampire and moving closer to Riley, her eyes shot daggers at Spike. “And get over yourself,” she spat. “Riley, Spike and I… work together, for the time being. And for him to seek me out this late at night when he should be – not here, must mean it’s something important. He can walk me home. I’ll just talk to you tomorrow after class, k?”

Riley’s head swung back and forth, obvious confusion shining on his face. “Are you sure Buffy? I can - ” Riley stopped, having noticed the look of resolve on her face and the way Spike was surreptitiously rubbing his side. “Nevermind, you must have it under control. Have a good night. With, your, um, business partner.” With one last puzzled look, Riley turned and left.