A/N: I don't own this. Set in a unconsciously (to Buffy) Spuffy AU of Season 6.
Buffy casually linked arms with Spike as they patrolled.
"Where to first, pet?"
"I was thinking maybe Sunnydale Cemetery? I found a nest of four when I was patrolling yesterday."
"Fine by me, luv."
"I'm NOT your luv."
"Sorry... luv." He ducked her slap, unlinking arms in the process.
As they were walking, Spike tripped and fell into an open grave. Buffy didn't see the trip, as she was searching in her bag for her crossbow, so when she looked up, Spike had just disappeared.
Gone, left, they always leave, always, just when I need them...
Does she even notice, does she even care, God knows I do...
"Spike!"
" 'M down here, pet. Fine, but hope whoever's buried here was a big tree person. 'S all rooty, and... OW! Bloody hell!"
"What happened?"
"Tripped. 'M okay, 'cept my ankle's a bit wobbly."
"Hold on, I'm getting a rope or something."
A few seconds later, she returned with a thick, ropy vine, with plenty of smaller, but still thick, stiff hairs that could act as ladder rungs.
"Got one! Grab and climb."
Please, she added silently. Please come up.
Slowly, first the tops of his hands, then arms, then- finally!- all of him, Spike struggled up the vine, wincing.
"What happened?"
"Told you, my ankle's a bit wobbly. Nothin' I can't handle."
His sarcastic smirk turned into a wince as he tried to stand, but collapsed in a heap.
"Maybe more than wobbly, huh?" Buffy asked sarcastically, as she pulled him to his feet and re-linked arms.
"A bit, but nothin' I can't handle, pet. We can still take put that vamp nest, just with an extra long stake."
By the time they got to the nest, he was walking fine, but Buffy didn't want to let him out of her sight. Or, honestly, let go of him at all. She almost stumbled at the thought, but she didn't have time to peruse it. They had arrived.