Spike awoke from a deep sleep and stretched. He noticed that the bed beside him was empty, but he wasn't bothered by it. It was a Tuesday, after all, and Tara had school. She was graduating at the end of the month, and they were both disappointed that he wouldn't be able to attend.

He stood up and dressed, thinking about just how exactly Tara had become his roommate. She had gone back home after the first night she stayed over, but was back soon after with her clothes and personal possessions. She had even brought Miss Kitty along, with Spike's permission. When the rest of the Scoobies had asked, she just told them that she had a new roommate. There had been a lot of shouting and crying when they had found out just where she was living.

Over the first couple weeks, Tara and Spike had become close friends. Sharing their secrets, watching movies and eating ice cream together, and learning bits of magic and fighting skills from each other.

They still helped fight the demons, but Tara's relationship with her former friends was strained. They all looked on her as though living with Spike was the ultimate betrayal. Lecturing her on how evil he was, how it was a bad idea, etc. And Spike was treated with far more contempt since she moved in. So they spent most of their time together, hanging out.

Spike heard the crypt door open and smiled as Tara's familiar scent drifted down to him. He needed to be more careful; he was starting to feel more than just friendship toward her. And that could only lead to disaster. But, yet again, she was beautiful and clever and sweet, and she liked him…

Tara set her books down on top of the sarcophagus just as Spike started up the ladder. She smiled sweetly at him. "Hey. You just get up?"

"Yeah. You know I always wake up just before you come home. How was school? Turn in all your homework?"

Tara rolled her eyes. "Yes, Daddy."

Spike laughed. "Someone's being saucy today. So, luv, what're we gonna do tonight?"

"Anniversary," Tara stated.

"Mmm… Yeah. So, does that mean we stay in and have pizza, or go out somewhere?"

"I dunno, what do people usually do to celebrate the fact that they managed a whole year without killing their roommate?"

"The Tara I invited to come live with me was far too shy and quiet to talk like that," Spike smirked. "And I never made it a whole year before. I always started killing people after a month."

Tara giggled. "How about a picnic? It's a nice night."

"We could do that," Spike said softly. He took a step closer to her, so that they were almost touching. He brushed the hair back from her face and heard her heart speeding up. When he hesitated, Tara reached up and kissed him.

Spike pulled back in surprise. But Tara looked so hot, they way she was looking at him, that he couldn't resist grabbing her and pulling her to him for a deep and passionate kiss.

When they finally broke apart, Tara was blushing a deep red, with a sly grin on her face. "I never knew a man could kiss like that," she said.

"Are we gonna get started on that picnic or what?" Spike said weakly.

"Sure thing," Tara said.

And they started packing for their one-year anniversary picnic.

THE END