Disclaimer: I do not own anything; Characters belong to Joss Whedon & Mutant Enemy. However this story is my own.
Summary: ONE SHOT. Set in season 7 episode 12 "Potential". When Buffy and Spike left the Potential Slayers in the crypt fighting a vampire, they have a brief heart to heart.
'YOU'VE GOT THE POTENTIAL'
"You're not a potential. You're dead. What do you know? Right now, the only thing you know for sure is you got me."
Buffy drops the stake and walks out of the crypt. She and Spike close the doors, shutting the baby slayers inside with the vampire.
Buffy sighed "Do you think they'll be okay?" She asked pacing outside the crypt.
"They'll be fine love" he said coolly
"Maybe I should go back in there"
Spike stepped in front of her "You're testing them remember... You can't fight their battles for them" he smiled
"I know" she sighed "it's just so hard, trying to lead them"
"You're doing a great job Slayer" he reassured her
She smiled fondly "Thank you"
"So when did you find my crypt comfy?" He smiled wickedly
"And there he is" she grinned "I was wondering when You were gunna show up"
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked
"Nothing... Just least past few weeks you've been... I dunno different" she frowned
"I have..." He admitted
"Why?" She asked eyeing him suspiciously.
For a moment there was an uncomfortable silence.
"I just..." He drew in a deep unneeded breath "I'm trying to make amends"
Buffy bit her lower lip "I know..."
"No you don't" He told her
"Spike..." she tried to interject
"Don't" he pleaded "I know what you're gunna say"
"The other night..." She started
"Bloody hell" he murmured. He knew what was coming.
*Spike growls and lunges at Buffy. She ducked, and he ended up lunging face-first into a headstone. He fell to the ground, lying flat on his back, and Buffy straddled him, holding one hand to his throat and pointing a stake above his heart with the other
"Instinct. Understand his, but trust yours. You were chosen for a reason" she said firmly
Spike groans softly, to Spike
"Are you okay?" She asked letting go of his throat
"I'm... fine" he tells her trying to sit up "Couple of ribs ain't quite set right since— I'm fine"
"Lemme see" she demands lifting up his shirt a little to inspect his ribs
"No, it's just—"
"Spike" she pleaded touching his taut skin
He reached for her hand, holds it "I'm gonna be okay" he reassures her
For a second they're oblivious to the teenage girls standing around them
"That's hot" Rona said seductively, breaking them out of their moment*
"If the girls hadn't of been there..." She started again
"Yeah I know it would have been a different story" Spike said sadly shying away from her
"I wanted to..." Spike's head twisted sharply to look at her "I would've" she babbled
"You would've what?" He asked
"We're just four helpless girls!" Vi's shrill voice was heard from inside the crypt.
"Buffy!" Xander hollered running towards them
"
What's going on?" She asked him
"It's Dawn" he said panting completely out of breath.
The four potentials emerged from the crypt looking rather pleased with themselves.
"He's dust" Kennedy said with a satisfied smirk
"Great, we need to get out of here" said Buffy, signalling for them to move out. They giggled and whooped as they told Xander of their first kill "Spike..."
"Better go get the Nibblet" he said with a small smile.
Spike didn't need to know what she would've done if the girls weren't there. He already knew, he saw it when he looked into her eyes that night. The fear of his injuries, the kindness she showed him. The touch she placed upon him. He knew... He was just playing the waiting game until she caught up.
"She'll tell you. Someday she'll tell you."