Summary: Post All The Way.' The next day, Buffy goes to thank Spike, and they talk. Cute, SB.

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As Buffy reached the crypt door, she moved her arm back as if to slam the door open, out of habit. Thinking better of it, she paused, lowered her arm, and knocked on the door.

Not hearing anything, she knocked louder. And louder. Finally giving up, she opened the door. Stepping inside, she shouted, Spike? You here? Spike? Where the hell are -

At that moment Spike's head appeared out of the hole which led to his basement.

As he clambered up, he grumbled his usual, Slayer, don't you ever knock?

Arms crossed, Buffy replied, I did. Several times. Loudly. You sleep like the- oh, wait.

He grinned a bit sheepishly at her. Right. Sorry bout that, luv.

To his surprise, she giggled. At his confused expression, she gestured towards him, explaining, Your hair. It's all spiky!

Spike scowled, running his hand through his hair in an effort to tame it. As that only made things worse, Buffy giggled harder.

Spike shrugged and gave up, relieved to hear her laughing, even if it was at his expense.

Going over to the fridge, he called over his shoulder, Want somethin' to drink, pet?

Buffy made a face. Eww, I don't drink blood!

I also have, ah... let's see... pineapple-orange-kiwi juice and strawberry-banana-cranberry juice.

Seeing Buffy's expression of disbelief, he hastily explained, Dawn. She came over a lot. You know, when...

Right. When I was dead, Buffy said harshly. At the mention of that, Spike's face flashed from hurt to a forced blankness.

Buffy sighed. She remembered what he'd said to her when she first came to visit him. At the time it hadn't registered, but she realized later that Spike blamed himself for her death. Dawn had also mentioned something about that, Buffy dimly recalled.

Spike... you know that wasn't your fault, right?

He turned away from her, busying himself with fixing up his blood. Uh-huh. Right, he said in a monotone, making it clear he believed no such thing.

You weren't, Buffy repeated more emphatically. You did the best you could. I remember. And I heard - Dawn told me - about what happened up there... and about how you've been blaming yourself.

He slammed his drink down and turned back around to face her. She was shocked to see tears streaming down his face.

Damn it, Slayer! It was my fault! If I'd just been a little faster... a little... but no, I was so sure I could take that bloke, but somehow he managed...

Spike went and flopped down in his red armchair, arm across his face as he tried to compose himself. Buffy stared at him pensively for a moment before going to kneel at his side.

she said softly. When he kept his face hidden, she gently took his hands in her own, bringing them down to his side.

Listen to me. You have done everything you could have to help me... and Dawn. I don't know if I ever thanked you for looking after her this summer-

Made a promise to a lady, Spike interjected.

Yeah, well, said lady was dead at the time. To be honest, if I'd thought about it, I probably woulda figured that with me gone, you'd leave, get the chip out, and go on a killing spree. The fact that you didn't - that you weren't just trying to impress me before- means a lot to me. I know you did all you could. You withstood so much when Glory tortured you-

Do it again in a heartbeat, he said quietly. Then, lightening up the mood a bit, he continued, Not one of my heart beats, cause then we'd be waiting a while, but...

Grinning slightly at his joke, Buffy resumed her impromptu speech. I know that. I guess... I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you. For everything... everything with Glory, taking care of Dawn later, and for last night, too. I was just thinking about everything this morning, and I realized that I don't often tell you how much I appreciate everything you do.

Spike looked at her amazedly. Everything she'd just said.... instead of blaming him for failing her, she was thanking him for all his efforts. It was just... incredible.

Giving him some time to recover, Buffy went over to the fridge and poured herself a glass of one of Dawn's weird fruit juices. Tasting it, she grimaced.

My sister has the weirdest taste. I mean, why do you need three different fruits to have fruit juice? It's just... unnatural, she commented, peering at the carton. Noticing that the carton was almost full, she said suspiciously,

Yeah, luv?

Has my sister been dropping by here recently? Since I got back, I mean.

Oh! Uh... no... well, maybe a time or two... but always during the daytime, the Bit knows I'd never let her be here at night, Spike said in a rush, hoping to avoid the Wrath of Buffy, and praying that she wouldn't forbid Dawn from ever seeing him again.

Buffy realized that some of the other human' food she'd seen in the fridge had probably been for Dawn. So you keep all this around, just on the off chance she drops by? Doesn't some of it go bad?

Uh... yeah... but I always check the expiration date and I go buy more.

Head down, shuffling his feet, Spike waited for the Slayer's pronouncement of his fate.

Once again surprising him, she giggled. Looking up at her, he asked, What? You're not mad?

She waved a hand in the air, dismissing the possibility. No, I just... it's so cute how you keep all her favorite foods around, and make sure they're not expired and everything!

At first, Spike was pleased at the compliment, but then felt he had to defend his manhood by objecting, Hey! It's not cute! It's... uh... manly... or somethin'...

Buffy continued to grin at him. Uh-huh, sure Spike, whatever you say!

Trying to change the subject, Spike asked, So, is it ok if the Nibblet drops by occasionally? I mean, just every now and then maybe, and always during the daytime, and lettin' you know first and everythin'.

Buffy made an expression as if she had to think hard about this decision (just to tease Spike), before smiling and telling him, Sure, Spike, it's fine, as long as it's in the day time and I know about it. You know, you really should get a phone - where are you going?

Spike dropped into the basement, calling, Be right back!

He reemerged a moment later, triumphantly brandishing a cell phone.

When on earth did you get that?! Buffy questioned, laughing at the picture of a vampire with a cell phone.

Last summer. So the Scoobies could contact me without havin' to traipse all the way out here... and in case Dawn ever needed anythin'.

Wow. That's really great. Makes my life much easier! I'll get the number from Dawn later... I really do have to go now, I've got errands and stuff.

Spike nodded, disappointed that she was leaving, but happy with how things had gone.

Heading towards the door, she said, We're watching movies over at my house tonight, so-

Sure. I'll patrol.

With a grin, she turned to face him and said, No, I was just gonna ask if you wanted to come.

A smile lit his face at being included.

Oh, I don't know... will there be hot chocolate?

With marshmallows and everything, Buffy confirmed.

In that case, I just might stop by.

See ya tonight, Spike.

See you then, luv.

As the door closed behind her, Spike sat down with a happy sigh.

A few minutes later, a frown came over his face.

Oh bugger... what do I wear?


The End

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