Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all characters in the show are property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy, not me. Damn them! But in a good way.

Chapter Comments: Thank you all so much for the wonderful, fantastic reviews. When I first came up with the idea for this fic it was just going to be a short, fluffy romancy piece. Instead, it’s just about become my pride and joy. I hope you all enjoy it just as much. Also, much thanks to Slaymesoftly, who’s been a wonderful beta.
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The 5th Night


~//~This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore~//~


Buffy woke up to the sound of an explosion. She sat up quickly, looking around in confusion. She was sure she had heard the sound of something exploding, but it was something in a distance. The Slayer didn’t smell smoke, and couldn’t see evidence of destruction… or flames, for that matter; she also couldn’t see her lover anywhere.

She turned on the light, realizing that the sun must have just recently set. She frowned when she didn’t see Spike, or any of his clothes anywhere. He had returned right before she had drifted off, hadn’t he?

Getting up, she threw a different set of clothes on. She went to the window and opened the curtains. Her eyes widened as she saw smoke in the distance. What the hell was going on?

“Spike?” She called out for her lover. Buffy ran quickly down the stairs, but soon realized he wasn’t there. She went outside and saw that the SUV was still there. So, right before the sun had set, he had to have been traveling via foot and blanket.

She got inside the car, and went searching for the vampire yet again. She was starting to feel a bit of anger replacing her fear for his safety. He had disappeared on her again, and now she was just going to strangle him, even if it didn’t do any good to choke a vampire. It would at least be somewhat satisfying that he wouldn’t be able to talk that way.

……………………………………………………………………………………………
Buffy’s jaw had dropped. Out of all the things she could have found, this one was one she had never thought of.

The DoubleMeat Palace was on fire.

And walking away from it, gas can in hand, was Spike; who, stupidly enough, was also smoking a cigarette.


She got out of the car and ran towards him. “What…?” she couldn’t quite finish the thought, watching, not without a certain amount of satisfaction, her former place of work go up in flames.

Spike tossed the gas can to one side and the fag to the other. He was confident that the fire wouldn’t spread past the place he had meant to burn. He had, after all, set a lot of fires in his day. He was practically an expert.

He pointed at her in a way that was obviously supposed to be intimidating. “If I EVER catch you working in another grease pit like that after all you’ve done for this miserable world, I WILL haunt you! Hell, I’ll haunt you till you loose your job. I’ll throw fries at your manager. It’ll be very scary.” He left her gaping at him, and took off down the road, heading towards a more residential area.

“Spike!” Buffy shouted after him. “What the hell do you think…? Spike!” She took off after the vampire, determined to pummel him.

She saw him round a corner into a neighborhood. “Spike, come back here!” she shouted after him. She stopped in the front yard just in time to see him leap up and easily scale the wall, landing on the roof and walking away from her. Clenching her fists, Buffy decided to follow.

Buffy leapt up and grabbed the edge of the roof, grunting as she pulled herself up and swung up onto her feet.

“I swear, when I’m done with you…”

She stopped. She blinked at the sight in front of her. There was Spike, a smug little grin on his face. And on the flattest part of the roof was a perfect little picnic area, a blanket laid down for them, champagne, candles and a whole bunch of goodies.

Spike shuffled his feet a bit nervously despite the smugness in his demeanor. “Sorry the invitation was a bit loud, pet…but, it’s the thought that counts, yeah?”

Buffy could only stare at him in shock for a moment, not quite understanding where this new change in his attitude had come from. It was as if the problems of the day before had never happened.

“What?” He asked her. “If you wanted someone to waste what little time we have brooding, then you should have brought Peaches to this little fantasy land.”

………………………………………………………………………………………

The fire could be seen from their little rooftop picnic. It reminded Buffy of a couple sitting in front of their fireplace. It reminded her more of a camp out when Spike informed her that he had brought marshmallows if she wanted to get a little closer to watch it burn.

“Not much champagne for you,” Spike warned as he laid his duster down for Buffy to use for even more cushion.

Buffy pouted. “Why not? It’s a romantic atmosphere…there are candles, goodies, and my old work place exploding and turning to dust. It’s a special occasion. Why can’t I celebrate with champagne, too?”

“Oh, we’ll be celebrating plenty, luv. But don’t think I’ve forgotten what alcohol does to you.”

They laid side by side on the blanket and duster. Spike poured them each a glass of champagne and handed one to Buffy. The Slayer grinned and took a sip. She peeked at the basket of goodies and attempted to discreetly raise the lid.

Spike caught her and slapped the lid back down. “Who said you could peek?” He arched an eyebrow at her.

Buffy gave one of her very best pouts, and Spike was obviously crumbling under its power. He gave a small growl and leaned towards her, nipping at her bottom lip before sucking it into his mouth and teasing it with his tongue. Just when she wanted to deepen the kiss, he pulled back. “Fine, fine. You can have a look see.”

The Slayer grinned triumphantly, and peeked under the lid again. “Ooooo, Spike…” inside was all sorts of fruits, and to go with it there was fudge, whipped cream, liquid butterscotch, caramel, honey…

“Let’s see if we can’t find a new favorite to put in your mouth, hmm?”

Buffy found herself blushing at the memory of Spike walking in on her date with Principal Wood. She also felt a wave of guilt. She never would have wanted Spike to hear her say something like that to him…

“What do you think we should try first, luv?” Spike asked casually, opening a jar of fudge and scooping some out with the tip of his finger. He brushed the fingertip against her lips, and Buffy opened her mouth to accept the finger. She groaned out loud in pleasure as she took it into her mouth and used her tongue to clean every bit off.

“Mmmm, that’s a good start…” Buffy opened a jar of honey and dipped her finger into it. She brought it up to Spike’s lips and watched his tongue as it darted out to sample the treat before taking her finger into his mouth and suckling the rest off.

He grinned and leaned closer to her, moving his tongue slowly along the side of her neck and up to her ear. She shivered in pleasure. Spike nipped at her earlobe before carefully licking the last of the stickiness from her finger. “I prefer yours.” Buffy blushed when she realized he was taking about the honey, and what he was comparing it to…

Spike brought his lips to hers and kissed her deeply, thrusting his tongue against hers so the taste of fudge and honey mingled in their mouths. Buffy began to play with the buttons of his black shirt, wanting to see more of him. She undid each button carefully and traced her fingertips across his smooth pale skin.

Buffy dipped into the caramel next, spreading the sticky treat across his nipples. Spike gave a small hiss in anticipation, and then gritted his teeth when he felt her tongue stroking first one nipple, then the other, until every drop of caramel was gone. Her teasing mouth moved up, lips and tongue caressing his neck. She scraped her teeth across the side of his neck, and took great pleasure in the groan her actions brought from him.

As her tongue began playing with his ear he took advantage of her distraction to switch their positions. He rolled them over so that he was on top, a wicked grin on his face. “Now now, pet…” He purred. “I haven’t had much of a taste yet.” He slowly lifted her shirt up, his cool hand moving across her skin. Buffy raised her arms and he pulled the shirt over her head and off. Buffy placed her hands on his shoulders, and slid Spike’s open shirt down his arms and off of him. They both tossed the clothing into a pile that they knew was going to grow steadily as the night progressed.

The white lace bra Buffy wore clasped in the front. Spike opened the bra and pushed the straps slowly down her arms. Buffy let it fall off and watched him toss it aside. Spike was looking his fill, his cool hands moved slowly over every inch of her exposed flesh. Buffy’s nipples hardened at the brief, soft contact with his teasing fingers.

Spike chose the butterscotch next and smeared a generous amount over her nipples. After licking it from his fingers he dipped his head down, taking one nipple into his mouth and suckling hard.

Buffy arched her back, breathing hard and moving her fingers through his hair. “Mmmm…”

Spike grinned before raising his head. “And this is only the beginning, pet.” He moved to the other breast, swirling his tongue around the nipple, not yet touching it. Only after she was squirming and whimpering with need did his tongue dart across the nipple and the sweet butterscotch covering it. After hearing her moan, he took that one in his mouth and worshipped it with his tongue.

His hand moved slowly down her body. Her skin seemed to sing with his every touch. Buffy pushed her shoes off and didn’t even notice when they tumbled down from the roof, when she kicked them aside. Spike grinned and unbuttoned her pants, slowly moving one hand in and slipping his fingers under her panties to tease her slit.

Buffy raised her hips to encourage his fingers to explore more. A soft whimper escaped her throat. He was pushing her pants down her legs until they were bare, then tossed them aside into their pile. His hands brushed softly against her thighs.

“Gorgeous…” He kissed a trail slowly from her breasts and down her belly. He dipped his finger into more of the honey and spread it across her body like a painting. He then followed the trail with his tongue, moving up from her belly, between her breasts again. When Buffy threw back her head and breathed heavily in her pleasure, he trailed his tongue up the side of her neck to nibble at her earlobe. “Absolutely perfect, my Golden Goddess.”

He captured her lips with his and their tongues battled again, stroking and tasting. Spike’s fingertip found her clit and she gasped, throwing her head back again and moaning out loud. Her hips pushed forward, striving for more contact with his skilled hand.

“That’s it…” Spike encouraged, rubbing her clit in slow circles, while two of his digits teased her entrance. “Show me what you want…”

She grabbed hold of his arm, unwilling to let him do nothing but tease. Her legs spread wide and she was practically thrashing with her need. When the two fingers finally pushed slowly into her body she gasped again, and grabbed firm hold of his shoulders, tight enough to have bruised a normal man.

His grin was downright evil when he removed his hand. She glared at him but he only winked back as he slowly slid her panties down her legs. Instead of tossing them into the pile, however, he slipped them into the back pocket of his jeans. Buffy raised an eyebrow.

“Told you.”

He looked down at her questioningly. “What?”

“Panty fetish.”

Spike growled and moved slowly lower until his head was between her legs. He bit at her thigh, causing her to squeak in indignant surprise. His fingers moved slowly up and down her slit again before pushing roughly into her.

“Oh god, Spike!” She arched her back, her hips pushing forward to meet him.

He moved mercilessly, two of his fingers thrusting hard and fast into her tight pussy while his mouth descended on her. He captured her nub between his lips and suckled on it, his tongue flicking across it teasingly while his fingers fucked her into oblivion.

Her scream was almost loud enough for the neighborhood to hear, if there had been anyone in it. Her orgasm had taken her completely by surprise, coming on suddenly. She breathed heavily, downright panting as she lay boneless and unwilling to move.

Spike slowly removed his hand from her, then licked each digit clean, like her juice was the sweetest honey. “Now this…is the best thing I’ve ever had in my mouth.” He gave her another wicked grin.

She glared at him from her prone position. “Have I told you you’re evil?”

“Yeah…” He dipped his fingers into the honey again, and to her surprise he spread it all across her bare pussy. “And you tell me with every little noise you make how much you love it.”

Dipping his tongue into her sweet quim, he lapped up both the honey and her juices. Her panting increased, her eyes wide with pleasured wonder.

“Oh…ohhhhhh, oh god…” She laced her fingers through his hair and held him firmly between her legs, not willing to allow him freedom to put his tongue anywhere but where she most needed it.

His tongue swirled and pumped into her, taking every last drop. His tongue then moved out of her and up towards her clit, teasing it with quick circles. He could feel her body jerk in pleasure with each flick across the sensitive nub. His fingers pushed into her again, three this time, filling her and stretching her. He felt her pussy tighten around them while his tongue worshiped and tortured her clit all at once. Her breathing was ragged, her hips moving in time with his fingers while she approached another release.


…………………………………………………………………………………………..


Buffy lay panting and thoroughly sated on the rooftop. Spike had a smug grin on his face that she had to admit, he definitely deserved. Bragging rights were in order after what his talented tongue, lips and fingers had given her.

“Do I even want to know how you learned to do that?”

Spike grinned at her and reflected on his memories silently for a moment. “Nope, not likely.” He rose from between her legs and crawled slowly up her body.

“That’s ok, as long as you keep doing it.” She pulled him down on top of her and kissed him deeply. Their tongues stroked one another lovingly, and Buffy got a good taste of honey and herself.

When she was sure he was lost in the kiss and the feeling of her body against his, she took advantage of his distraction. She wrapped her legs around him and used her arms for leverage, turning them over and forcing him onto his back so she was on top.

He looked up at with her raised eyebrows once she broke away from the kiss. “Hey, I wasn’t done with you yet.”

She grinned devilishly. “Sorry, but I want a taste.”

Spike watched her in fascination and anticipation as she moved slowly down his body, leaning down to trail her tongue across his nipples again, circling them before trailing small teasing kisses down to his abs.

When she undid his pants, and her teasing fingers and hot little mouth reached his shaft, Spike couldn’t help but gasp. His eyes rolled back and he arched up towards her, his hand moving to her hair to hold on to something.

Her warm fingers wrapped around his hard, throbbing length. Already Spike had to struggle to hold on. Her tongue moved slowly over the head of his cock, teasing him in delicious ways.

Buffy looked around at the wonderful array of sweets that she could sample. She decided to try some more honey. She dipped a finger into it and spread it along the head of Spike’s member, enjoying the sound of the low groan he couldn’t hold back. He was panting. When she could make a man who didn’t have to breathe pant, Buffy always felt a bit of pride.

“Now that’s a good looking desert.” Buffy said as she admired her handiwork.

Spike laughed at her comment, but soon his laughter stopped. He almost choked on it as it turned into a low moan when he felt her lips around the head of his cock. She took him into her mouth, surrounding him in her heat. His fingers tightened in her hair and he was lost in his pleasure.

.........................................

The two lay side by side on a rooftop. Intimate parts of their bodies were sticky with honey and whipped cream. Spike was feeding her samples of deserts. A cherry dipped in chocolate found its way to Buffy’s lips and she eagerly ate it, pulling off the stem and tossing it off the roof.

“Ok, I’ve gotta ask,” Buffy looked up at him. “Why did you burn down the DMP?”

He raised an eyebrow at her. “You said this town is made out the way we like to see it, right?”

She nodded. “I think so…”

“Well…” He nodded to the now smoldering Double Meat Palace. “That’s how I like to see it.”

Buffy laughed and shook her head, feeding Spike a bit of cut up apple dipped in caramel.

“You’re too good for that place,” Spike explained between chewing. “Its bad enough you’ve had to save every life in this bloody town hundreds of times over, you don’t need to make their food and serve it to them, too.”

She shrugged. “Unfortunately, the slayer thing usually doesn’t come with a paycheck.” She peered up at the stars, smiling as a thought struck her. “Hey, didn’t you say you had marshmallows?”

“Yeah…what, feeling like roasting over the DMP?”

“Nah,” Buffy shook her head. “Even fire off of that place would contaminate good food.”

Spike handed her the bag of marshmallows and she tore it open. She then held it over one of the two candles.

“Watch it, don’t want to burn yourself…” Spike attempted to move her hand a little further away from the candle, but she whacked at him.

“Of the two of us, I’m the one that’s a lot less flammable.”

**********************************************************************

They laid back in complete relaxation, the summer air warm around them, even at night. Buffy’s head rested on Spike’s still chest and his fingers moved slowly through her hair. They were gazing up at the stars, both sets of taste buds more than satisfied, even if one set couldn’t really appreciate the full sweetness of everything they had consumed.

“You know,” she sighed. “This kinda reminds me of you and me on the back porch.”

Spike looked puzzled for a moment. “We shagged on the back porch? When did this happen? And how snockered was I?”

Buffy gave him a good elbow in the ribs. “No, not that.” She giggled for a moment, returning her gaze to the stars. “No, I mean…it reminds me of when we used to sit out on the back porch…you know, just talking? Or, hell, sometimes we just stayed quiet and looked at the stars.”

He placed a kiss at the top of her head. “I remember…though I was the only one actually looking at them. You were just looking past them or using them for something to stare at.”

“Hey!” Buffy huffed indignantly. “I was looking…”

“Uh huh. So, I suppose you can tell me all about the constellations then, yeah? What with all that studying of the sky you did…”

Buffy pouted, studying the night sky. Then she grinned and pointed up and to their right. “There’s one that looks kinda like a bunny.”

Spike raised an eyebrow at her with a skeptical look. “’Kinda like a bunny’, yeah? You amaze me with your knowledge of the night sky.”

“What? It’s true. I found out about that one when me, Xander, Willow and Anya all went out. Anya pointed up at it and said ‘Oh god! Xander, look! It’s horrible!’”

The two burst out laughing.

********************************************************************

Hours passed in blissful ignorance of anything but each other. Their touches were soft and loving, their kisses tender. There were times when they simply lay beside one another in silence, watching .one another.

Buffy smiled as she lay on her side and studied Spike’s blue eyes. There was a time when she hadn’t been able to look into his eyes for long. There were always truths there that were a little too hard to face. Now all she saw was the beauty. Now she no longer hid from the shining light that not even evil could take away, and from the love and adoration that he held only for her.

Sighing softly, Buffy looked around her. The wind had blown the candles out a while ago. Their bodies were still sticky. Spike’s coat was also sticky, since she had been laying on it that whole time.

“I hope I didn’t ruin your coat.”

Spike smirked. “Buffy, it’s had slime, blood, and demon entrails on it. I hardly think a little whipped cream and honey is going to ruin it.”

Buffy made a face. “Yeah, well, I think its time for you, me and your duster to get nice and unsticky.” Buffy slowly sat up, then rose on unsteady legs. She stretched with a moan, then made her way over to their pile of clothes.

The vampire sat up and watched her. “What are you doing?”

“Getting clothes on.” She sorted through them to find her underwear.

He balked at her. “You’re going to deny me the site of your naked glory? You’re being cruel again, luv.”

She rolled her eyes. “We’ve been naked for hours.”

Spike rolled over suddenly, moving close to her and sitting up to wrap his arms around her and tug her down onto his lap. “And we’re going to be naked for hours more, if I have any say in it.”

Buffy smacked at his chest but giggled when he buried his head against her neck and gnawed at her with blunt human teeth. “Well you…” she giggled and tried to squirm away. “DON’T get a say!”

“Oh no?” He raised an eyebrow. “Bollocks.” He suddenly tipped her over so she was on her side again, lying on his duster. “I don’t feel like giving in so easily tonight, sweetheart.”

He stood, stretching in just the way she had a moment ago. He then walked casually over to the pile of clothes and scooped them all up. Buffy stared at him for a moment, not entirely sure what he was up to. Spike then headed towards her and grabbed his duster, yanking it right out from under her and giving Buffy only the blanket to lay on.

“Hey!” She protested.

“No clothes for you.” Spike insisted as he held all their clothes in his arms.

“Spike…” Buffy’s tone had a slight warning, but she couldn’t keep her amusement out of it.

To her shock, Spike held up two fingers in an obscene British gesture.

Buffy moved to her feet and made a swipe for the clothes, but he had moved back away from her just as quickly. There was a wicked glint in his eyes and he seemed to bounce on his feet, like he was ready for a fight. Buffy moved in for a tackle, making sure not to slide right off of the roof. He saw her coming and quickly turned out of the way before backing up to the edge, then leaping right off. He landed in the yard below in a crouch before standing and giving her another teasing grin, waggling his eyebrows.

“There will be no clothes, missy.”

“Spike!” Buffy stared down at him, standing at the edge of the roof. She was suddenly very aware that she was naked on top of someone else’s roof and crossed her arms over her chest as if to hide her breasts. “We can’t exactly walk around all of Sunnydale naked!”

“Why not?” He seemed genuinely confused. “Bloody hell, pet, you can shag at the Bronze and taste me up and down on a neighbor’s roof, but you’re suddenly bashful of streaking?”

A furious blush covered her face for a moment. “It’s different! SO not the same thing!”

He shrugged. “Alright then. You stay there for as long as you like. I, on the other hand, am going to go back to the house and take a shower.” With that he casually left the yard and began walking away, leaving Buffy to gape after him in shock.

“H-hey! You can’t…Spike!”

He ignored her, walking on at a leisurely pace. Finally growing a bit peeved, Buffy crouched down and jumped from the roof. She looked around her, even if she knew no one was there to watch. Finally, she sprinted after the vampire.

“Come back here with my clothes, you bleached menace!”

Spike spared a glance over his shoulder, his eyes widening when he realized there was a slightly pissed slayer after him. He held the clothes to him almost protectively before taking off further down the street, running naked for his unlife.

**********************************************************************
~//~On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore~//~

***********************************************************************

Spike ran as fast as his bare feet would carry him. He managed to find the sidewalk and headed towards Revello drive. Already he could tell he wasn’t going to make it. The Slayer chasing him was relentless, in full hunt mode. He’d be lucky to make it home in one piece.

Thinking quickly, the vampire ducked into another yard, running behind a house to take the back yards instead, and hurtled over a fence. The determined Slayer following wouldn’t let him get too far out of sight, however, so he had no chance of slipping away.

Suddenly, Spike could no longer hear the fall of tiny slayer feet behind him. He stopped for a moment, crouched and ready to spring back into action. He looked behind him and found her she was no longer there. He couldn’t see her anywhere on his trail, and it was putting him on edge.

A sound from above alerted him to another presence. Spike looked up just in time to see the Slayer perched on the edge of the roof of the house he was standing beside. His eyes widened and he moved to dodge, but was too late. She tackled him from above, sending them both sprawling onto the grass. They rolled, struggling for dominance in their little dance. Finally, the Vampire ended up on top and jumped up again, holding his bundle protectively to his chest.

The Slayer flipped to her feet, grabbing for the bundle and shoving her shoulder into him so he doubled over. She then grabbed him by the arm and the back of the neck and flipped him over her knee so he landed on his back on the lawn.

“Fork them over!” She insisted, making another grab for the bundle.

“Nope,” the vampire spun around and swept a leg behind her ankle and sent his foot onto her thigh so she lost her balance and toppled back. He then rolled over and got back onto his feet with a bounce in his step. “No knickers for you.”

He took off again and Buffy grumbled as she got back up onto her feet, wiping bits off grass off her hips and backside. "That’s it, I’m SO not playing Miss Nice Slayer anymore.”

She took off after Spike at full speed, chasing him down. He spared a brief look over his shoulder at her and made a slightly worried face. He stopped for a moment and looked around for a hiding place. Seeing a high wooden fence surrounding one of the yards, he quickly made his way towards it. He broke the flimsy lock holding it closed and ducked inside.

Once inside, he grinned at what he saw. It was a very nice, very big pool. Perfect.

He bundled his duster up and tossed it aside, out of sight. He wanted to at least keep that safe. He then stood beside the pool and waited for his brassed off slayer.

Buffy shoved her way inside, then stopped when she saw Spike. He was holding their clothing threateningly over the pool. Both his eyebrows were raised and there was a challenge in his pose.

“Don’t come any closer, Slayer, or you’ll be wearing sopping wet clothes all the way home.”

She had to admit, it was cute if nothing else. “Are you holding my underwear hostage?”

“I might be.” He waved the clothes over the pool.

“No! Spike…come on, I’m not mad anymore. Just don’t drop them…” She carefully came a little closer, both hands held up in a sign of surrender.

Spike watched her warily as she moved closer to him. He sighed, bringing the bundle back to his chest and holding it securely. “Alright, I won’t drop them.”

Buffy didn’t like the all-too-innocent look on his face at all.

A wicked grin suddenly showed itself. He took a step back towards the pool. Then, holding the bundle of clothes, he let himself fall backwards and into the water. Buffy let out a squeak of outrage, especially since he had waited until she was just close enough to get splashed.

She jumped backwards to avoid more water, then stared down at the clothes floating on the surface. Then, there was the vampire who had remained under the whole time, finally floating back up to the surface. He came only far enough up for his eyes to be above water level. He waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, and even if the rest of his face was under water, she knew that he had a smug smirk on it.

He finally stood up, stretching and filling his dead lungs with unneeded air before lying back and allowing himself to float on the surface of the water. He looked around at their clothes floating by him. “Oops.”

For a moment Buffy looked pissed. She stared at him, then turned and walked away. Spike’s heart fell and he was sure that he had bollixed it up again, that he had taken it just a bit too far…until she ran back towards him, leaping up and curling into a cannon ball and landing in the water right beside him, splashing him thoroughly.

“Bloody hell!”

He dove underneath the surface in an attempt to escape her wrath, but Buffy was already swimming towards him, grabbing hold of his leg so he couldn’t go far. He twisted, squirming against her hold and finally breaking free. He then ducked down underneath the surface again, swimming down out of her reach.

Buffy stopped, looking around her. She waited for Spike to come back up to the surface, but after a few moments of waiting, realized he didn’t have to. She grumbled in annoyance and looked down into the water, her gaze following his form as he crept along the bottom of the pool. He then crouched there before he shot up right underneath her, grabbing her legs and bringing his head between them, so his mouth found her vulnerable sex. Her eyes bugged out, and she outright screamed in surprise from the unexpected attack.


She squirmed and kicked her legs, then gave another squeal when she found herself lifted up. Spike had pulled her into the shallow end before standing up. Now she was balanced on his shoulder, her core right in his face and him looking up at her with a devilish grin while he held her in place, and watched her struggle to keep her balance.

“You’re STILL evil!” She was struggling to keep her breathing in check, though she already knew he could hear her racing heart.

He grinned at her. “I try.” His gaze then returned to her nakedness.

Buffy wasn’t about to let him get what he wanted. Instead, she made sure her legs were wrapped tightly around him instead of just draped over his shoulders. She then leaned sharply backwards, sending herself toppling back into the water and him following her helplessly, trapped in her grip.

Spike struggled as best he could, but Buffy kept him trapped under the water. When he finally did pry himself loose of her thighs and stood up, Buffy leapt at him and dunked him under the water, holding his head down. Of course, she knew that it was pointless, what with him not needing to breathe and all…

Buffy found herself lifted up out of the water again. She cried out in surprise and kicked her legs, but this time she was being cradled in a pair of strong arms. Beautiful blue eyes were laughing at her as they stared into hers.

She was lost in the perfect pale skin and white hair practically glowing in the light of the moon above them. They were naked, splashing around like teenagers in someone else’s pool. Their bodies were pressed close together, her heart was hammering and light as a feather at the same time, and the look of pure joy on his face was infectious. Why in the world had she never done this sooner?

“Forgive me…”

He blinked at her for a moment, obviously a bit thrown by her sudden request. “What?”

Buffy swallowed hard, then reached up and gently traced her fingertips across one sharp cheekbone. “I’m sorry…for everything. The things that I said, and did…the way I treated you…”

He shook his head, then turned it and gently kissed the hand that had been caressing his face. “There isn’t – “

“Don’t tell me there isn’t anything to apologize for. Don’t tell me it’s all alright, or all in the past, or…” She sighed softly. “The things you said last night…”

Spike couldn’t seem to meet her gaze for a moment, instead looking down into the water. Buffy, however, would have no more avoidance. She placed a hand on his cheek and guided his gaze back to hers.

“You were right to say them,” she told him. “You were hurt and angry, and had every right to be…and I never once tried to make it right, or take back the things that I’d said. And I’m sorry…” She felt tears gathering in her eyes and she moved her hand to his face again, stroking and caressing his pale, cool skin. “Spike, I’m so sorry…”

His lips met hers in a searing kiss. She moaned against his mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck. When he pulled away, she was breathless. He rested his forehead against hers, and smiled softly.

“Buffy, luv…look around you, at our little world…what you’ve done for me…” He kissed her again, nibbling softly on her bottom lip. “You gave me a second chance. You gave me you…in just a few days, you’ve given me more happiness than I’ve ever known. How could I not forgive you?”


A wide smile spread across her face and she couldn’t help a small sniffle. “So you do?”

He grinned back at her and nodded. “I do. I forgive you, Buffy.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………….


They had piled their soaking clothes at the side of the pool. The only sound around them was the occasional splashing of the water. Spike’s arms were wrapped around her, and Buffy’s head was rested against his chest. He was swimming backwards, pulling them both leisurely through the water, while they watched the stars and moon above as they had been all night.

The mix of the water and Spike’s cool skin sent a shiver through Buffy’s body. Of course, the vampire holding her in his arms noticed immediately. She felt his lips brush against her temple reverently.

“Cold, sweetheart?”

She smiled and curled her body closer to his. “Just a little.”

Spike looked up at the sky again. “Dawn’s coming. It shouldn’t be long. Let’s head back to your place.”

Though she knew it was a good idea, Buffy pouted about it anyway. She wanted more naked swimming with the hot vampire, no matter how cold she got.

But before she could protest the idea, she was lifted clear out of the water. She wrapped her arms around Spike’s neck as he adjusted her so she was cradled in his arms. He carried her out of the pool, both their bodies dripping. Once he put her down on her own two feet, Buffy took a look at the sodden pile of clothes and frowned. She was already shivering, and didn’t feel like carrying the wet clothes.

“Just leave them. It’s not like you don’t have plenty more.” Spike said, as if reading her mind.

Before she could reply, something dry and warm was put around her shoulders. Buffy smiled and looked down at the duster that Spike was wrapping around her shivering body. He then lifted her up, back into his arms and let her snuggle into him.

Buffy rested her head against Spike’s shoulder and couldn’t help but smile. He was carrying her off towards home, walking naked down the street like it was the most natural thing in the world, cradling her in his arms like something precious and cherished. She was wrapped up in a leather duster that smelled of cigarettes, alcohol and her lover.

She couldn’t have been happier.

Her eyes never left him, even when her eyelids began to droop. She would gladly study his beautiful face forever.

“I love you, you know that?” She whispered tiredly.

“Yeah…” A grin that lit up brighter than the moon above them appeared on his face. “I do.”



~//~I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving
Hold on to me and, never let me go~//~ - Nickelback, ‘Far Away’.