A/N: A huge thanks to BloodyTearsOfLife - she has managed to cope with my constant questioning and chapters to read! Thankyou!

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of reviews I've recieved. It is so nice to hear from you guys: DreamsOfSpike, Izzy, Spikes_Heart, Elizabeth Anne Summers, Jess2357, Smlcspike, Verda, Vladt and Anna. Your continued support really helps.

The next chapter may be a bit late, as I have exams and whatnot, but shouldn't be any longer than a week (crosses fingers) Thanks again!


Spike had resisted visiting Buffy for four nights now. Four long and lonely nights, which had given him far too much time to think.

The Slayer invaded his every thought. She was there when he woke, she was there when he hunted and killed. Bloody hell, she was even in his dreams.

The Slayer had bulldozed her way into his life. It was all her fault really, Spike rationalized. She had flaunted herself in front of him, beckoning him over with short skirts and pouty lips at every chance. Why, he’d be a fool not to notice her. She had pratically begged Spike to sit up and take notice.

And boy, had he noticed.

It made it that much harder to stay away from her. He’d come to count on Buffy’s glare when she was furious. He eagerly anticipated the next sarcastic retort that rolled off her delectable lips. Then, to top it off, he missed her adorable smile. It was rare around him, but heck, every time that girl grinned - it floored him.

He blinked, surprised at his own revelation. Spike wasn’t stupid. What had begun as a thrilling chase of cat-and-mouse had now shifted into something far more sinister.

Spike had caught his mouse.

So why did this infatuation for the Slayer refuse to abide? Why couldn’t he get her out of his mind?

Spike frowned, bemused at how such a slip of a girl caused him such a headache. One minute he was ready to wring her pretty little neck, the next he was desperate to kiss her into oblivion.

The Slayer had also made Dru uncontrollable. Her frenzied rants had become so severe she usually forgot to eat or refused to. Instead, Drusilla whispered sweet nothings of fate and fortune to her many dolls.

Fate, Spike decided, had obviously come to bite him in the ass.


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


Elise huffed impatiently at the guard smirking at her. She had been trying to see Buffy for half an hour now, but her efforts had been thwarted. Panic began to seep through her bones as she worried about the young girl mere meters away.

The temperature had dropped suddenly in the early evening, with blistering winds that howled through the mansion. Blankets, and feathery comforters were piled next to the door, to protect Buffy from the icy cold. A hot water bottle lay on top. Elise had been meticulously careful to provide her new ward with everything she could possible need to keep warm.

“Don’t care what you gotta do. The Master ordered no-one can see the Slayer until he’s awake.”

“You don’t understand,” she explained. “I am supposed to look after the Slayer, and right now she needs blankets. She’s human or are you too stupid to remember that?”

The burly guard hissed at that, taking a threatening step forward.

“You better watch your tongue minion,” he spat viciously. “I don’t care if the Slayer fucking freezes. She’ll just have to suffer.”

His gloating smile infuriated Elise, and she screeched in frustration.

The guard just stared impassively back at Elise.

Elise narrowed her eyes. “Fine. I’ll just go inform the Master how the Slayer got pneumonia!”

“What was that?” A deep voice inquired.

Elise spun around to see Spike approaching, a scowl on his handsome face.

“It’s just…” Elise began to babble. “It’s so cold, and even though we don’t feel it Buffy – I mean the Slayer,” she amended, “must be frozen and the guard won’t let me in!”

Spike shot the guard a nasty look.

“I see. I’ll deal with the Slayer, Elise. And you,” he turned towards the nervous looking guard, “I will deal with you later.”

Gathering up the blankets from the floor, Spike quietly entered Buffy’s room. Shutting the door quietly behind him, he slowly walked towards the bed.

It had been so long since he had seen her.

The occasionally peeks through the peep-hole had not satisfied Spike one bit. And now, he gazed at her small body, he felt dizzy with the relief of seeing her again.

Buffy was wrapped in a duvet, shivering, although still asleep. Tiny mewls escaped from her quivering form, making Spike hurry over to her side. He went quickly to work, gathering duvets to wrap around her small frame until he was satisfied she would be warm.

Her angelic face gripped him, and he stared at her, captivated by her beauty. Pressing a tender kiss to her temple, Spike made a move to leave. A whimper stopped him in his tracks, and he rushed back over to Buffy’s side.

Sleepy eyes fluttered open, as Buffy awoke. Her body stiffened as she realised who was beside her, the fear evident in her eyes.

“S’okay, pet. Was just making sure you were warm enough, that’s all.” Spike’s deep and comforting voice made her relax a little.

“You alright?” he asked carefully.

She gazed at him, bewildered. “No,” she whispered, hugging her pillow close.

Spike understood. God, he could have kicked himself. She was so fragile. She was still scared after their last encounter where he bit her in the heat of the moment. It was no wonder she was wary of him.

He moved to sit next to her, shifting until he was comfortable. “Anything I can do, love?”

What a question, Buffy thought. There was something she wanted, she thought dazedly. To escape from this nightmare.

“I want to go home,” she whispered, her green eyes wide. “I promise I’ll come back for our fight…” Buffy begged.

Spike shook his head slowly.

“I can’t stand it here,” Buffy moaned hauntingly. She grasped his arm, tugging him towards her.

“Please let me go,” she begged brokenly, hot tears spilling down her face. Spike sighed, and gathered her in his arms, murmuring soft words of comfort.

Relishing the feel of her in his arms, he closed his eyes. “I can’t pet. I can’t let you go,” he said quietly. Buffy’s body trembled, her hands shaky as she held onto Spike’s arm like a lifeline.

“I’ll do anything.”

Spike gazed at the young woman nestled in his embrace. Her eyes were glassy and red-rimmed from crying, her hair in disarray. She was breaking up, and it was all because of him. But Spike couldn’t help it – he didn’t understand why he was so attracted to Buffy – but knew letting her go wasn’t an option.

Spike began stroking her hair trying to soothe her. “No, pet,” he whispered. “I’m sorry but this is something that won’t change.”

“No! Get off me!” she cried, pushing Spike away from her. “I hate you!”

“Buffy.” Spike reached back for her, his body bereft without her warmth.

“NO!” she screamed, slapping his hands away.

Spike turned angry.

Bleedin’ chit runs hot and cold!

He sat up, coolly watching her scurry to the other side of the bed, wild-eyed.

“I want to go home!”

Spike remained silent.

“I said I WANT TO GO HOME!” Buffy wailed, hysterically.

Spike stood up, his stance unflinching. “I told you. No. You will stay here Slayer, until I say so.”

His body ached to console her; he wanted to right all his wrongs, but Spike couldn’t. All he truly knew was that he wanted her, and he wouldn’t let her go without a fight.

He turned back to look at Buffy, who had curled up in a ball on the bed crying quietly.

Spike slowly moved towards her, so she wasn’t spooked and draped a blanket over her small body. Nuzzling her neck, he licked the bite marks on Buffy’s neck. Exhausted, she didn’t even flinch. Easing his body next to hers, Spike closed his eyes tiredly. He waited as her breathing evened, until she fell into a troubled sleep.

Yet Spike still continued to hold her, wondering why he cared so much.