Guys... *sigh* Ok, seriously, I hope that I still have readers out there. You have no idea how crazy tornado like my life has been lately. Got promoted, got married, moved, got demoted (cuz someone lied about me, we're rectifying that now), couldn't find a beta, lost two before they started. Then I found the lovely Maggie, who also happens to live in this hell hole called Indiana. So, since you had to wait so long, if you're still out there that is, I have a special. TWO chappies at once. This is a first for me. See? You can tell I've still been working on it, just took a while. HUGE, HUGE, can't even describe the bigness of them, thanks to Maggie for rescuing me and doing a fabulous job beta'ing for me. You rock! And the same sized thanks goes to all who have reviewed. You guys are my inspiration, keeps the story going in my head cuz I wonder what else you'll like.



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Previously... Buffy spilled some of the beans to Willow and Tara, and Spike nearly caught the conversation.



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CHAPTER FOURTEEN-
(One tiny little line borrowed from Angel Season 5 “Damage” & one tiny little comment borrowed from some dude on American Idol that I thought would fit as a weak Buffy joke.)



When Buffy reached the sanctity of her room, her heart finally stopped thumping like a drummer on speed during the climax of a song, and her breathing evened out to its normal rate. She paced around her room deep in thought. Back and forth, her mind a collage of thoughts going so fast, it was as if there were only one constant.


Although her conversation with Willow and Tara made her feel better, she was still way beyond confused when she thought about Spike and his new found place in her life, and what it might mean. The girls were right though. She had to come clean. She had to tell Giles, she had to tell Xander- and oh what fun that would be- and she had to not be avoid-o girl. At twenty years old, she figured she was probably past the point of crushing and hiding and denying. That’d just lead to badness for all. She was a grown woman now; if she liked someone, it was her business. Right?


She let out a snort, “Of course right. I am my own woman. I’ll like who I like, when I like them and as much as I wanna. I don’t hafta be all scared and nervous just because Giles is old fashioned and stodgy and Xander is a pigheaded bigot.” She nodded her head with finality and started towards the door but stopped just short of it.


’Cept, what if they get mad at me?


She turned back around and started pacing. “Who cares if they get mad at you? They’ll get over it.” She nodded again and headed to the door. Just before she could turn the knob she stopped again.


Will they?


She half turned away, “Yes, they will.”


Back to the door, stop.


Are you sure?


She rolled her eyes, “Well, I’m honestly not sure of anything right now seeing as I’m talking to myself and then responding to the questions like I’m a totally different person. Maybe I did come back crazy and this is all some side effect, and I need a Doctor that prescribes medicine that makes people not crazy.”


She plopped onto the floor, right where she was, resigning herself to the fact that she wasn’t going anywhere until she got the two conversing sides of herself in agreement or until she somehow got the one big mondo sized roadrunner thought split back into however many pieces. Until all her thoughts were safely back in there own perspective homes, not pounding on the sides of her head and making her think so much, she was virtually her own prisoner.


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Spike listened in on the Witches’ conversation a few moments longer, but it quickly turned to things he wasn’t interested in so he went about his business heating up some blood. As he stuck his mug into the microwave he began thinking of the twitchy way the Slayer and Red were acting when he came into the living room, and the know-it-all grin Glinda had been sporting. The fact that the two best friends’ voices took on a squeaky quality when they spoke lent quite a bit of credence to his theory that there was something he didn’t know that the females in the next room now did. Then hearing the two lover witches confirm it while he eavesdropped made his mind up for him.


He was just going to have to irritate the hell out of the Slayer until she finally came clean with him too.


The microwave dinged and he retrieved his mug and began formulating his plan. When the Slayer goes on patrol tonight, I’ll ’lend’ a hand, get her all nice and comfortable like with the conversation and then slip in some subtle comments, or questions, and she’ll spill. He figured he could just use the method practiced by humans, and demons alike, across the ages. A bit of word play and he’d have his answer. Always have been able to ruffle her feathers.


With s self-satisfied smirk at his brilliance, he set his mug in the sink and made his way to the basement for further planning

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Buffy stayed holed up in her room for quite some time, trying her best to get the two sides of herself to come together and form one side, and her one big momma thought to have babies. If there’s only one, is it really a side? She asked herself once she’d accomplished that task and moved onto the next, readying her handy dandy Slayer patrolling bag for, well, patrol.


Throwing in a few vials of Holy Water, stakes, daggers, a hatchet and a crossbow she pondered something entirely different, this time asking the question aloud. “Why do I always put so much stuff in my bag, which only weighs it down and makes it harder to move, *when all I usually ever use is my stake? Doesn’t seem like sensible Slayer practice to me, seems kinda non Slayer like actually. Like packing for two weeks when a trip only lasts a weekend.”


“I think it’s something you birds hand down generation to generation, cuz in the history of the world, that’s one thing that’s always been a constant. You women will always bring too much stuff, no matter where you’re going.” Spike’s voice suddenly spoke up from her doorway, making her jump about three feet off the floor.


“Spike!” She placed her hand over her chest trying to recover from her almost heart attack. When she finally got her breathing under control she scowled at him. “Don’t you know how to knock?”


The vampire simply shrugged. “Well, yeah, but if I knock you don’t do that funny jumping thing.” He gestured in her direction wiggling his fingers.


“Well, I’m about to do that funny slaying thing if you don’t watch it.” She shot back, trying and not at all succeeding in sounding threatening. Which was clearly evident by the lack of anything but humor showing on Spike’s face. “What do you want anyway?” She scowled at his ever present smirk.


He stepped more fully into the room and started fiddling with the little knick knacks on Buffy’s vanity. “I was gettin’ ready to patrol, figured I’d come see if you wanted to come with.”


Buffy’s face had a look of disbelief etched across it. “Excuse me? What’re you talking about? You were getting ready to patrol, so you figured you’d come ask me if I wanted to come with? I patrol, you tag along and shout your usefulness to the world while you watch me fight.”


Spike stood up to his full height and then some. “I’ll have you know that I became quite the master patroller while you were gone on vacation.”


Buffy giggled, “So what? Now you’re the Master Patroller of Sunnydale instead of the Master Vampire?” She giggled again as she reached for her bag and started towards the door. “And I wasn’t on vacation you doof. I was dead.” She called over her shoulder as she exited her bedroom, Spike following behind.


“I like to think you were on vacation thanks. I’m not to keen on rememberin’ you were dead, if you don’t mind.” He answered her sullen.


She stopped and turned around to face him. Slapping him lightly on the shoulder she said, “Don’t be so serious, it’ll give you wrinkles.”


“I don’t get wrinkles you dozy bint.”


“Yeah, which that- totally unfair.” They started their way down the stairs. “And I’m not a… either one of those things you just called me.”


They reached the front door and Spike, completely ignoring her comment, bellowed throughout the house, “Ladies, I’m goin’ patrollin’!”


From the depths of the house sounded three resounding “’Kay!”’s.


Then Dawn was heard, “Is Buffy going with?”


Buffy rolled her eyes, “What is it with you people?” She shouted back. “I don’t go with or come with. I go and do, he comes!”


Spike’s expression changed from one of humor to that of a sexual predator. “Oooh, ’s that a promise Slayer?”

Instead of getting angry, Buffy simply blushed and shouted a quick ‘Bye’ before practically running out the door.


This is gonna be too much fun. Spike thought as he followed her into the night.


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The first cemetery they visited was quiet, giving Spike ample enough opportunity to annoy the Slayer as much as he possibly could. Which, this was Spike, and annoying might as well have been his middle name.


But Buffy did what she’d always done best; she’d thrown a wrench in his plan. After his lewd comment at the Summers’ house and Buffy’s unnatural lack of response to said comment, he’d figured it was a one time occurrence and as soon as he opened his mouth again, business would be back to normal.


Only, that wasn’t happening. Instead of rolling her eyes, huffing, sighing and yes, even growling, she’d remained as strangely quiet as the cemetery they were walking through. There had to be something off about the world.


So by the time they reached the second cemetery, Spike was trying out the silent partner bit. They patrolled an entire graveyard in silence. Again- something was off.


They were making their way to the next cemetery when a word was finally spoken


“You miss her?” Spike asked, forgoing his plans, his voice quiet but carrying far because of the silence surrounding them.


Buffy blinked her eyes and looked at him surprised, she‘d been so lost in her thoughts that hearing a voice seemed almost foreign to her ears. “Who now?”


He looked towards her and then straight ahead, digging for a cigarette from his duster pocket. “Yer mum. You miss her don’t you?”


A tinge of sadness outlined Buffy’s eyes as she answered in a whisper. “Yeah. Really, really do.” She cleared her throat, “I mean, I know it wasn’t for that long, but it was long enough. Long enough to get used to seeing her, talking to her, hugging her- all of that. And now, I don’t have that anymore. Again. And this time around it’s gonna be even longer before I have it again.” Tears started pooling in her eyes as she thought about that.


Spike filed what she said away in his head and remained silent hoping that Buffy would continue to talk. She didn’t disappoint.


“Sure,” She continued, wiping her eyes. “We had the whole, big life changing prophecy looming over our heads, but it was still cool to just hang out with her. I mean, they didn’t come right out and say it would be a long time, but they might as well have said it. I can tell from what they said and what they didn’t say that this,” she gestured to herself, “the whole me coming back thing? It isn’t just a ‘you come back from the dead to fight the big epic battle and win it for the good guys then come back’ type of thing. This is a ‘your life has purpose, a meaning, you’re not finished so it’s gonna be a long ass time before you get back here’ type of thing. I just know it.” Her sadness at not seeing her mother again was quickly replaced by the frustration at the whole situation; past, present and future.


Spike still remained silent for once, not about to ruin what was happening.


“It’s just… everything’s happening all at once. Yet, at the same time nothing is happening all at ever. Ya know?” Buffy continued her rant without waiting for Spike to answer her. “They’re all both with the cryptic and the ‘you and your pals gotta figure this one out’ and ‘don’t worry, you won’t be alone’. And then with the ‘don’t forget about the grey areas. If you notice them you’ll see Spike isn’t such a bad guy. Just give him a chance.’ Which, was totally out of left field. And I‘m just so frickin’ confused right now that I don‘t know which is up or down.”


Buffy kept ranting and walking but Spike had stopped dead in his tracks. Now why were the Slayer’s mum and the Powers’ head boy talkin’ ‘bout me up there? Sure, he knew the Slayer was hiding something, but he couldn’t for the unlife of him figure out why he was being mentioned at all. He wasn’t in any part of any big picture. He was just the hapless vamp that fell in love with his sworn mortal enemy. He was just the Slayer’s lapdog.



“I mean, c’mon! I’m supposed to either just know what they’re talking about or be patient while we all figure it out.” She scoffed. “Well, I don’t know. And I’m not patient. So what is it exactly that they’re expecting of me, huh? How am I supposed to-” Her diatribe was cut off mid sentence when she realized Spike was no longer beside her. She turned towards him, a look of confusion on her face, and saw that he had a matching look on his. “What?” She asked as she fully turned, looking to head back towards him.


Spike had about thirty seconds to have an inner debate and reach a decision. If he called her on - what he could only assume to be - her slip, then she would get tight lipped and not say anything else. But on the other hand, he might not have another opportunity for a while to get her talking about it again. Spike knew how precarious a situation like this was with the Slayer. Depending on which way the wind was blowing, she could go either way.


Buffy thought back over everything she’d just said and tried to figure out what would cause the world’s most talkative and annoying vampire to suddenly become mute. She finally realized what she’d said and began to panic, racing through a myriad of stories for explaining it. Oh god. Oh god. Can’t keep it cool can ya girl? Oh no, you gotta open your mouth and do that thing where noise comes out and crazy sounds called words spew forth.


She was making her way back towards Spike with a - what she hoped appeared to be - confused look on her face. I can do this. I can throw a jumbo super sized wiggins inside my head and remain a cucumber outside. As in, cool as a. I’m the Slayer, I’ve mastered this art. She noticed her heart racing in apprehension. Oh sure, like the supernaturally enhanced hearing of a vampire won’t pick that up.


Add that to the fact that Spike was always super perceptive anyway - especially concerning her and especially concerning things she in no way wanted him to know, and she knew she was lying to herself if she thought she could pull this one off.


“Spike?” She called out snapping her fingers when she finally reached him. “Wake up Mr. Blond-Vampy-Man!”


Wake up and tell me you just had some weird zone outy, you all of a sudden can’t move because you’ve lost the ability to put one foot in front of the other or make your mouth work because you’re so old you’re senile sometimes - vampire moment. And not some weird zone outy, you all of a sudden can’t move because you heard me slip up and say something I didn’t mean to say and certainly didn’t mean for you to hear me say and you can guess what said slip up might mean - Spike moment.


Spike seemed to finally snap out of his stupor, but still had yet to move or speak, just met Buffy’s eyes straight on, searching.


Oh god. He’s doing the eye searching thing that always lets him know what’s on someone’s mind…She tried to look away from his piercing gaze, but found herself unable to. Stop it Buffy! It’s not like he’s got some type of x-ray mind reading vision. Plus, you’re a cucumber. A cool, calm, collected, cucumber Buffy.


Spike reached his decision by the time Buffy was in front of him, but when he got a clear look at her eyes and saw the panic she was trying her hardest to mask, he decided to leave her in suspense for another minute or two. He, on the other hand, was able to cover up the amusement he experienced as a result of her panic - he’d had over a hundred and twenty years to master the art of masking one’s feelings, so none of the mirth he felt was evident in his eyes.


He’s decided he wasn’t going to let her slip, slip by unnoticed. Waiting for the Slayer to come clean was often times a lengthy period of time.


It’s enough to make a bloke die of old age, even if he is immortal. Sod it. I’m not waiting on her to come out the land of denial on her own. We could be here for lifetimes waiting on that. Stubborn bint. He thought to himself.


Realizing he’d kept her in suspense long enough, if her ever-increasing heart rate was anything to go by, he finally spoke. “You wanna expand on that last little tid bit there luv?”


Unh. I’m a pickle. She tried for her most innocent face. “Expand on what exactly?”


She wasn’t fooling Spike, he saw straight throught the innocent Slayer act and that fact only caused him to keep up the effort in trying to fish out of her exactly what was going on. “Rewind the tape up here pet,” he said pointing to her head, “and tell ol Spike what you meant by what you said.”


She turned around quickly and started walking again. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She called out over her shoulder.


Spike rolled his eyes and huffed sprinting to catch up with the Slayer again.


Faster than Buffy would’ve imagined possible, even for a vampire, Spike was suddenly in front of her, his hands on her shoulders halting her progress. “Nu-uh Slayer. I’m not one of your sidekicks that’ll just accept everything you say. I heard what you said, so don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. Why would yer mum and that other bloke talk about me?”


Buffy shook her head, “You must’ve heard wrong. You’re of no interest to them.” She instantly regretted what she’d said when Spike wrenched his hands away as if she were covered in holy water and a flash of pain crossed his face. “I mean, it’s a prophecy about me, why would they mention you?” She hastily added.


Spike stood up straight, his jaw firmly set, “You’re right. Why would they? I’m of no interest or consequence to them, or anyone for that matter. I’m just the bloody fella that took care of your soddin’ friends and family while you were gone. I’m just the bloody fella that patrolled the city while you were gone. I’m just an evil vampire, right?” This time it was his turn to walk away. He whipped around, his duster swishing behind him and stalked away from Buffy, not seeing the guilt on her face.


She ran to catch up with him. “I’m sorry Spike. I didn’t mean it that way. You know how stupid my mouth is sometimes.” She stepped in front of him when she finally caught up, but he easily side stepped her and kept walking. She caught up again and stood in front of him, placing a hand on his chest to prevent him from getting past. When he still refused to look at her she removed her hand from his chest and placed it on the side of his face, turning it so she could look at his eyes. He reluctantly met hers, his nostrils still flaring in obvious anger. “I’m sorry, ok? I really didn’t mean it like that.” Figuring if she wanted to salvage the tenuous relationship they’d formed since her return, she thought better of keeping the truth from him.

Something had definitely changed between Spike and herself since her return. She suddenly found herself with the strong compunction to tell him everything. But she knew she couldn’t do that. She wasn’t even sure what was meant by all of this prophecy stuff, why would she tell someone else, that might be involved, anything until she found out something for sure?


I mean, that’d be like counting your chickens too early, or whatever that stupid saying is. But when she looked into his eyes, she wanted to spill it all. And what could it hurt? It’s not like it’s such a huge deal anyway. Could be they just wanted me to be nicer and give him a chance so we could be friends and he could help me. But that sounded lame even to her, especially given the new feelings that she had developed for the blond vampire recently.


Spike looked into Buffy’s eyes and saw genuine regret and concern beaming back at him. Telling himself it was just detached curiosity that kept him in his place, he waited for her to continue.


She took her hand from his face and started walking again. When he fell into step with her she spoke. “You’re right. They did mention you. Quite a bit actually.” When he looked at her with his brow arched she glanced at him then back to the front. “I don’t know why or what it means, if anything. But they did.”


“What exactly did they say?”


She shrugged and lifted her hand, palm up. “Just what I said. You obviously heard me.” She looked at him and smiled, a genuine smile, which he returned. “It was all so confusing. I mean, I’m not exactly a dumb blonde, but I’m not the brightest crayon either. All that cryptic otherworldly speak starts coming at me and pretty much the only response, or question, that comes out of my mouth is ‘huh?’” She shoved the bit of guilt she felt aside by telling herself that she wasn’t exactly lying to him. Half of what they said to her did confuse her, but at the same time, she pretty much knew what they were alluding to the whole time. “They just said I need to pay attention to the grey more. And constantly tried to drill into my head that you aren’t so bad.”


Spike was so thrilled that someone was actually speaking about him in a positive manner, other than Dawn, that he didn’t pick up on her half-truth. But he was still confused about the reason behind it all. “If it’s a prophecy about you, I’m just trying to figure out why I would be mentioned at all.” They had stopped walking again and were facing each other. Spike shrugged and looked over her shoulder off into the distance. “Jus’ doesn’t make sense is all. The ‘Higher Ups’ don’t usually talk about somethin’ unless they have to. So, what’s the point in mentioning a lowly vampire such as yours truly? I’m just tryin’ to suss it all out, ‘s all.”


Buffy snorted audibly, “You’re not alone in that one. I’ve had a hard time seeing the point in a good majority of any situation I’ve found myself in since I was called. But when you mix in conversations with the Powers’ flunky, who happens to be well versed in evasive conversation tactics, and I’ve got a big ole swirling mess of ‘I don’t know what the hell’s going on’ inside my head.” She shook her head. “So, I’ve decided that I’m just gonna go with the flow. Take it a day at a time. And - insert some other lame cliché here. The gang’ll research and I’ll pretend that I’m actually helpful in that area during the day. Then I’ll patrol at night.” She shrugged. “We’ll just hafta see about the rest.”


At some point they had started walking again and Spike looked at Buffy out of the corner of his eye. “Where do I fit into that equation luv?” He asked, sounding almost scared to hear the answer.


The fear that he would not be needed or wanted any longer, now that she was back, came crashing over him in an instant. He tried to keep his insecurities hidden from everyone, because it just wouldn’t do for the big bad to be worried about getting kicked out of the Slayer’s group, but any insecurities or emotions having to do with the small blonde woman were always hard for him to hide. Especially from her. Sure, he’d had a hundred plus years to teach himself to not let his thoughts and feelings be known - a fact he’d been bragging about only a short time ago - but for some reason, when he got around Buffy, a small part of William came shining through. Ruddy ponce. He internally scowled at himself, waiting for her answer.


Buffy noticed that he was suddenly very nervous and felt a stab of guilt. After a year of helping her, and protecting her family and friends while she was gone, he still felt there was a chance they would throw him into the sun without any cover. We’ve given him a complex. The revulsion she’d felt for herself in Summerland when she’d realized just how horribly they’d treated him - especially herself - was beating on her conscience again.


Deciding to go for the non-serious response, she chuffed him lightly on the shoulder. “Whaddya mean where do you fit in? You’re the Master Patroller right? Seems to me the Master Patroller should be included in the patrolling.”


He turned to her with hope in his eyes. “Really?”


She rolled her eyes in a way that clearly said ‘duh’. “Yes really.” She adopted a serious look. “Ya know, I need to go home.”


Confusion quickly replaced hope and Spike looked to her bewildered. “What? Why?”


“’Cuz, I need to call National Geographic and some other big animal organization and tell them that the Dodo Bird is not extinct.” When confusion remained on his face she continued. “Yeah, it’s not extinct at all. It’s right here on the Hellmouth.”


Spike cracked a half a smile and then glared at her. “Oh, another funny one Slayer. If I weren’t dead already you’d be killing me with the comedic talents you’ve shown off lately.”


She smiled brightly at him. “I know. Aren’t I just the best?” She became genuinely serious then. “Seriously Spike, your place’ll be right here, with me.” Her eyes widened. “With us! Patrolling! Yeah, patrolling… and… doing other helpful… slaying type… things… with… ya know… us. Whole group slayage, group helping thing.”


She thought for a moment that he would reply with some sarcasm laden comment, but instead he replied.


“Right. You lot could definitely use my help. I mean, I am the bloke that’s been trekking through these cemeteries for the past few months, night after night. So, I know all the new demon hot spots.” Just because he hadn’t commented on her most recent slip didn’t mean that his mind wasn’t racing with the possibilities of what she meant, even as he answered.


My place is here, with her? I mean, I knew that. But she didn’t know that. Or didn’t want to know that. But what does she mean by it? The dozy chit and her Freudian slips are gonna make me go completely carrot top. Gods above and below know I can‘t bloody come right out and ask her. I‘m lucky she was honest once tonight. Spike thought to himself.


Relief flooded through her body as he answered her. “See? That’s exactly what I mean.”


They continued on in silence, each lost in their own thoughts and just enjoying the stroll, when suddenly Buffy realized they had made their way out of the area of town housing the cemeteries and into downtown Sunnydale itself. She took in their surroundings and noticed that they were barely a block away from her mother’s gallery. As they neared it, tears prickled her eyes, threatening to spill over. She tried her best to hide them from her vampire companion, but with his heightened sense of smell, he caught whiff of her salty tears in the air. He looked up and saw what had caused her emotions to take such a drastic turn.


Glancing around he saw that there was still a small shop open at that hour. Granted, it was only 9:30, so not that late, but by Sunnydale standards anything after dark was too late for its citizens. “Be back in a half a mo’ luv.” But Buffy didn’t even register that he’d spoken as her eyes were glued to the building in front of them.


When Spike returned, Buffy was looking around trying to discover where he had gone off to. He approached her with his hands held behind his back and a secretive, almost devilish grin, on his face.


She eyed him suspiciously, “Why do you look like the cat that just ate the canary?” When he failed to answer and simply continued to stare she began to fidget. “What?” She asked in an almost irritated voice, his stare and silence both unnerving her.


Spike chuckled at her reaction - That’s my Slayer - but brought his hands from behind his back nonetheless. In them lay a very fat, very squishy looking, yellow duck.


Buffy let out a quick laugh. “What is that?”


Spike tsk’d her, shaking his head. “Not what pet, but who.” He lifted the stuffed animal to his right shoulder with both hands. “This is young William.”


“William?” She asked, amusement painted across her face.


“Yes William.” He answered with a glare, then smiled again and puffed out his chest. “He’s m’ namesake.”


She quirked an eyebrow. “Your namesake huh?”


Spike nodded. “Yep.”


Buffy reached forward and tugged gently on the duck’s bill. “And what is young William’s full name?” She had to ask. She’d been curious since Spike’s arrival into her life what his full name was, because she was pretty sure that his birth certificate hadn’t read ‘William The Bloody’.


“’M not tellin’.”


“Awe… c’mon.” She batted her eyelashes at him.


Spike shook his head, tightened his lips and lifted his chin, unaffected by her tactic. “No.”


The Slayer decided it was time to bring out the big gun, her impatience not allowing anything else. Flashing her pout she begged. “Pleeeease?”


The vampire glared at her again with a touch more heat and let his arms fall to his sides, the duck still held firmly in his left hand. Just knowing that Buffy was doing a mental happy dance, because she knew she’d won, he answered her. “Wllm Wmwth Athntn.” He quietly mumbled.


“Huh?”


He rolled his eyes skyward and huffed. “William Wodsworth Atherton.” He ground out through clenched teeth. After a moment’s pause he added, “The Third.”


Instead of reacting with a fit of hysterical laughter like he had anticipated, Buffy simply replied with in shock, “You’re a Third?”


“Noo.” He answered slowly as if speaking to a child. “I’m a *Junior.” He lifted ‘William’ into the air again. “He’s a Third.”


Buffy smirked, "So you really are a Junior then huh?"


"Not to the poof I'm not." He growled.


Buffy reached out and took ‘William’ from Spike, pulling him to her chest, cuddling the squishy animal, completely ignoring what Spike had said. “How cute.”


They started walking again, both unconsciously smiling.


Buffy studied ‘William’ intently for a few minutes, playing with his fuzzy yellow hair. She spoke up suddenly, meeting Spike’s eyes. “He needs a nickname too.”


Spike shrugged his shoulders and said, “Call ‘im Spike.”


“No!” She answered, visibly appalled.


“Oi! That is still my name you know.”


Buffy had the grace to look sheepish. “I know and I’m sorry… but… no.”


“Well, why the bloody hell not? His hair even spikes up. See?” He said while tugging at said hair, causing it to stand up even straighter.


Buffy swatted his hand away. “No. We’re not calling him Spike. He needs a non violent, non railroad spike through the head, nickname.” She argued as they came to yet another stop.


“There’s nothing wrong with my name.” Spike grumbled, shifting his feet from side to side with his hands in his pockets.


“Aha! I got it!” Buffy exclaimed as she started walking again, headed back towards the cemeteries. “We’ll call him ‘Willy Waddle’. ‘Cuz if he could walk, you’d hafta wonder, will he walk? Or will he waddle?” She looked at Spike, not taking note of his expression. “Get it? ‘Willy Waddle’. Plus, the middle name.”


Spike was horrified. “I will not call that thing ‘Willy Waddle’!”


“Its his name. Deal.” Buffy said, holding her head high.


“I will not call him that then. And I will not deal.” He stepped in front of her and spun around walking backwards so that he could look at her face. “I’ll not have something carrying on my name called ‘Willy Waddle’.” He proclaimed with a sneer, saying the last in disgust.


She shoved him out of her way playfully, but with her Slayer strength it was enough to cause him to back into a headstone he’d not known was there, and topple over backwards, his legs sticking straight up. Buffy continued walking as if nothing had happened and replied without missing a beat. “Too bad blondie.”


“His name is Spike!” Spike shouted from his sprawled position on the ground.


“No it’s not!” She shouted back still walking.


He jumped to his feet. “Well, it bloody well isn’t soddin’ ‘Willy Waddle’!” He roared to her retreating back.


“Yes it is!”


Spike smiled and shook his head, then ran to catch up with his Slayer.


__________________________________



They were walking towards the Summers’ house when a thought occurred to Buffy. “Hey Spike?” She called out glancing in his direction to her left.


“Hm?”


“Is it just me, or were the vampires somewhere other than here tonight?”


Spike cocked his head to the side thoughtful. “Ya know, You’re right. Wonder what that’s about?”


“It wasn’t even like a patrol at all. It was more like a da-uh… doozy… a doozy of an evening stroll.” Her eyes widened as she’d almost said ‘date‘.


Spike smirked and chose to ignore yet another slip. “Truth be told, I wasn’t really paying attention.”


“Me neither. God, some Slayer I am.”


“’S all right Slayer. If there’d actually been any out there, your spidey sense woulda picked up on ‘em.” He smirked and added as an afterthought, “’Sides, you can’t really help it if I totally monopolize your thoughts when you’re around me.”


Buffy scoffed. “Shyeah right.” She shook her head at his ‘ridiculous’ statement, while thinking to herself that, that was exactly what had happened.


Must not let sexy vampire take over brain and prevent vampire staking. Oh! I mean, must not let annoying vampire irritate me so much that I can think of nothing but staking him. Yeah. That’s what I meant. But she knew she wasn’t fooling herself and when she thought about it, she didn’t know why she was even trying to anymore. Hadn’t she decided just that morning that she wasn’t going to be avoid-o girl? Shaking her head she decided not to dwell on it at that moment. Just like Scarlett said, ‘Tomorrow is another day.’ I’ll just think about it tomorrow.


They climbed the stairs and Spike took his key out to unlock the door. “Ya know, I really gotta get one of those.” Buffy commented, snuggling ‘Willy Waddle’ to her chest and waiting for Spike to open the door.


“There’s an extra in the kitchen drawer. Had it made for when you got back.” He answered holding the door for her.


Once inside they found themselves much in the same position as they had been her first night back. Shuffling feet, heads bowed, eyes darting. But before anything could be said by either, a literal and metaphorical ball of energy in the form of a teenager came bounding down the stairs.


“Hey! What’re you guys doin’?” She asked the blond duo. “How many baddies did you kill? Was it a lot? You don’t look like you’ve been slaying, what with the cleanliness and all. And what is that?” She pointed at the object in her sister’s arms.


“Gee Nib, didya even take a breath?” Spike asked amused.


Dawn completely ignored the vampire, still staring at the ball of yellow fur. When Buffy turned the stuffed animal to face her sister, the younger girl’s face exploded in a smile. “Oh my god. How cute is that?”


Buffy shook her head. “Not a what or a that, but a who and a he.” Buffy held the duck up higher. “This is ‘Willy Waddle’.”


Spike rolled his eyes, flared his nostrils and let out a breath so loud it could’ve been heard across town. “That is not his name Slayer!”


“Yes it is!”


The two stood toe to toe silent, waging a war with only their eyes. Dawn watched the two with obvious delight. Sure, they were fighting, but it was Buffy and Spike- that’s what they did. The best part for Dawn was, she jus knew underneath all that, there were definite feelings of the non fighting variety.


Unable to withstand the Slayer’s stubbornness anymore, Spike waved his hand in her direction in a dismissive manner and said in a booming voice, “I’m goin’ to bed!”


“Me too!” Buffy responded in the same fashion.


“Fine!”


“Fine!”


With that, the two blonds turned at the same time headed to their respective bedrooms, leaving Dawn standing in the foyer with a smile still planted firmly on her face. Shaking her head, she made her way into the kitchen. “They are so gonna be bangin’ soon.”



Tbc…
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