This one shot is based in S7 after Buffy goes on the date with Wood. No relationship etc. has occurred between them other than what occurred in the show.

"Why aren't asleep?" I shuffled down the dark basement stairs. I had been laying in bed for hours, but I couldn't sleep. My longtime friend insomnia was visiting me once again.

"Why aren't you sleeping? Oh wait." But, my joke felt flat. Like everything did anymore. Spike knew it. He didn't bother sending me his mischievous grin.

I curled onto the bed with him. I laid my head into his lap. His fingers began caressing my hair. He didn't need to say anything, because his silence spoke his concern. That's why I think I love you.

"Are you still dating him?"

"What?" His question broke me out of my thoughts. Usually, I craved anything that could shake me out of my thoughts, but this was one time that I wanted to pass.

"That Wood bloke." A part of me felt a spilt second happier at Spike's obvious insult towards Robin. Men and their silly jealousy. But as always, that little stir of happiness faded.

"No."

"Why not?" I opened my eyes to see his blue eyes staring at me with a look I couldn't place. I hadn't seen it before.

There was so much I didn't know about him, and the fact that I probably wouldn't have time left to learn broke my heart. I wouldn't see Dawn grow up, I wouldn't see Willow find herself, and I'd never see Xander finally walk down the aisle one day. They'd never see me either.

"It didn't work out. It was more of an one time type-y get together. It wasn't really a date, you know that." You also know that he wasn't you, and that's why I couldn't and wouldn't let him in even if I wanted to.

"Did you kiss him?"

"Nope, never." I snuggled closer into his lap. His fingers began to gently twirl my hair. It was the first time in forever that I felt okay. Everything was fine. If only it would stay that way.

"Did you want to?" His fingers stopped twirling my hair. Way to ruin my happiness.

"The only person I want to kiss is you." His fingers ran down my spine. Then slowly, his fingers found their way back to caressing my hair.

For those few minutes, it was perfect. I didn't feel scared or dead inside, I simply felt content. But, the faces of a dozen dead young girls broke me out of it. As always, I saw a dead Dawn, Willow, Xander, Spike, and Anya lying next to the dead girls. So much death, pain and blood. I couldn't escape the visions that had been haunting me.

I let the tears that I'd been hiding away slip out.

"Tell me everything will be alright."

"Buffy..." The strain in his voice was undeniable.

"Please?" I needed to hear it. Each day, I felt more and more hopeless. I didn't feel anything inside anymore, besides this numb feeling. Sometimes, I felt so numb that I wondered if I was dying again.

"Everything will be alright." His fingers moved from caressing my head instead he pulled me from his lap and tugged me to his chest.

"Thank you." I muttered, as I felt his arms wrap around me. I glanced at the old clock lying on the worn desk near his bed. 2:57 AM. I had a few more hours, before the girls and the rest of them woke up.

The last thing I remember was Spike whispering, "I love you" and planting a gentle kiss on my forehead as I closed my eyes and began to fall asleep in his arms.