Chapter 1: A Listening Ear.

Spike walked into the lab and saw Fred was sobbing on one of the counter tops. "Luv? What's wrong?" he asked concerned.

Fred got up suddenly trying to compose herself. "Nothing Spike I'm fine."

"Right…do that for your amusement then eh?" He raised his eyebrows.

She smiled. "No really I'm just stressed is all. This damn problem Angel has me on and Wesley…just isn't getting me."

He sat down next to her. "Getting you?"

"You know just horribly non obvious. I've been trying to do something romantic with him all week and he won't get the point."

"I'm sure he will. We men are thick." He cocked his head to the side.

"Ya maybe." She wiped under her eyes. "Thanks for the talk."

He put his hand on hers. "S'alright. What I'm naturally here for."

And of course, since it looked like he was flirting, Wesley walked in and purposely cleared his throat. They unlatched and looked at anything but each other.

Fred jumped off the counter. "Wesley…Spike was just…" She looked at Spike but couldn't seem to find the words. "What are you doing here?"

Wesley's voice was a bit stiffer then usual, he was sure he had just walked in on something. "Came to take you home…as usual." That was intended for Spike, that as usual…Fred was his.

Spike got the point and hopped off the counter and stalked behind them. "No worries, Angel's time without being annoyed is completely overdue. Goodnight all."

He nodded in Fred's direction and she smiled, once again silently thanking him again.

"Come on, let's get you home"

Wesley turned left on Stanton, and drove up the road. He looked over at Fred to see she was staring out the window.

"So I was thinking...its only 10…maybe you'd still like to have dinner at my place?"

She was completely listening. "Hmm?? Oh yeah…dinner sounds great."

He sighed, a bit angry. "Or perhaps you'd maybe liked to be dropped off at Spike's. I'm sure he could offer you a nice blood packet."

That got her attention and she turned to him. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He played with her like she was stupid. "Vampires drink blood."

She rolled her eyes and gritted his name. "I know that Wesley. I've been killing them for 2 years now… I think I know that."

"Really…because to me it looks like you just find opportunities to get yourself killed."

"Let me out of the car."

He pulled over but she didn't get out, maybe she could fix whatever problem they were having.

"What's wrong Wesley?"

He took his hands off the wheel, as the moonlight shined off his ring making the red stone glow an eerie red. He turned, staring her straight in the eye. "You mean other than the fact that Spike and you were pretty close in the lab today?"

Her eyes grew wide. "You don't honestly believe…"

"Don't give that Fred, you may be incredibly smart in all areas of science…but lying isn't one of them."

She looked at him unbelieving his words. He thought she was lying?

She stretched to put her hand on his. "Wesley…"

He nudged back from her and she looked down hurt.

"Don't…" She pulled back her hand and quickly grabbed her purse. She gave him one final look before she stepped out of the car and into the dark Los Angeles city.

Spike hadn't been home for more then 20 min when he heard a knock at the door. He opened it to find a crying Fred on the other side. He ushered her inside and closed the door behind her.

"What's wrong pet?"

She sniffled and held her head low. "Wesley and I just had a horrible fight."

"Oh I'm sorry luv. I'm sure you'll fix things."

She let out a sob and she placed her hand over her mouth. "I don't think we will."

He couldn't tell her that he wasn't at all unhappy about that; still…she probably still loved him. She was, after all crying for another man.

"Can you tell me what you were fighting about?"

She looked at his couch and he nodded, its not like she needed permission to sit there.

He sat next to her but not close enough to crowd her. She sniffed. "I don't even know…I was just looking out the window and he brought up…you."

He pointed to himself. "Me?"

She nodded. "Why would you ever talk about me luv?"

"He…he saw us in the lab today and thought otherwise…I just can't believe he accused me of lying to him."

"He didn't drive you over here I suppose."

She shook her head. "He stopped the car around Stanton and I walked…"

"By yourself?" He let out a low growl. "Do you know how many beasties are crawlin' around between here and there?"

She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and whispered. "I really don't need to be talked at like I'm four, Spike."

He nodded slightly and looked around the room for something to cheer her up. His eyes landed on the television and he picked up a controller and held it in front of her.

"Crash Bandicoot?"

She smiled.

"Feel my wrath, gorilla throwin' barrels."

She smiled at him, she'd been here for over an hour, and Spike alone had made her feel better. She liked how she could just talk with him and how calming it was…plus seeing him lose to a girl playing a videogame…priceless.

"I win again."

He set down the controller. "That you do pet…battled all sorts of hell demons all my life…and yet I've lost to a girl."

"Oh how the mighty have fallen."

He smiled, he couldn't believe how hard he was falling for her…and he knew he had to stop…otherwise he was likely to keep falling until he hit the bottom, and smacked his head off the floor.

She looked at her watch and lifted herself from the couch; he trailed behind her as she headed for the door. He opened it for her and she stood in the doorway.

"Thanks…for ya know…cheering me up." She gave him a hug and his arms encircled her, rubbing her back.

"No problem luv, and don't worry…you'll fix things."

She nodded as she let go of him.

"You can call me if you need talk."

She dipped her head and walked out…suddenly not thinking about Wesley so much anymore.

Fred stalked into her apartment and she saw she had one missed call on her answering machine. She clicked the button and started undressing.

"You have one unheard message. 10:45 pm (beep) Fred, it's me, Wesley. Um I'm sorry; I've seemed to jump to conclusions. I shouldn't have. If you could call me that would be great...I'll be here all night. Hope to hear from you."

The message clicked off and Fred pressed delete, she took a moment and stared at the phone. Finally she picked up the receiver and punched in the numbers…she really wasn't sure if she should call him if she didn't need to. But she did anyway and he answered.

"Spike…its me…I was wondering if you could talk…"