In the shadows of a dimly lit alleyway in downtown Sunnydale two silhouettes faintly stood out illuminated only by the nearby flickering streetlight and the obscured, cloud covered glow of the full moon.

One of the silhouettes: a tall and muscular build-unmistakably that of a man dominated the smaller more delicate female figure before him.

Spike looked deep into Buffy's eyes and felt a shudder surge uncontrollably through his body like electricity making his whole body feel alive and he thought to himself, Innocence. Pure innocence. The power within potent and untamed yet such beauty. More beautiful even than Drusilla.

Buffy's long blonde hair glistened in the pale moonlight and hung beautifully around her face, cascading down around her neck and over bare shoulders. She looked up and her emerald green eyes caught the sight of the Spikes gazing at her. Her eyes tried to hide the fear she felt as he traced her cheekbone with his finger, only lightly touching her skin. Her body was trembling betraying her lying eyes.

He moved his body closer and her breathing became heavier as the side of his face brushed past hers and he stood in front of her; their legs interlocking as she backed into the wall.

He carefully brushed her hair back from the side of her face, traced his fingertips down the side of her face and caressed her neck. He then ran his hand gently down her arm, his fingertips barely touching her and she could sense his want to devour her.

Buffy placed her hands on Spike's chest feeling the well-toned muscle beneath his tight fitting t-shirt.

His eyes became aware of her slender body and her soft silky skin. He placed both hands on her shoulders and almost sensually scanned her body from her neck, over her immaculate skin and beautiful flawless face, over her pouting ruby lips and back to her emerald eyes. His nearing figure shadowing her face and darkening her features.

His hand gently caressed the side of her face and then her cupped her head in both hands entangling his fingers in her golden hair. He lowered his head keeping eye contact with their bodies so close they were almost touching. He could feel the warm blood coursing through her veins intoxicating him and the warm air exhaled from her heavy breaths collided with his own skin warming for only a brief moment until he was subjected to the cool night air once again.

Her deep rhythmic breathing created a sexual and almost romantic atmosphere as the two figures seemed to almost merge together in the shadows. She looked up at him, Yes He thought to himself. You are a pretty picture. But you're no princess. Spike's grip on Buffy's face tightened, her eyes widened as his narrowed, their lips almost touching as the atmosphere intensified and he forced her head to sharply twist to the side hearing each joint in her neck pop and echo down the alley. Her eyes watered and stained her delicate cheek as a sadistic grin formed on his face. He kissed her tearstained cheek and then her neck cracked for the last time. He let go of her and she stood motionless on the spot. Her limp body now unable to support her weight causing her to slump to the ground. Her face wore an empty expression as she stared blankly ahead with a hint of fear in her eyes and not a trace of life within her.

Spike whispered in a nonchalant tone "Goodnight Slayer" breaking the silence and solitude of the night but only for a moment and then it returned to its former tranquility as he disappeared into the shadows.