Spike pulled Buffy down on him as they kissed. Her warm body pressed against his. He could feel the adrenaline buzzing through her system and he was so happy. They were going to have to move the wedding date up because there was no way either of them was going to be able to hold out until June. She pulled back to catch her breath. He traced the mark on her neck and felt her fingers move to his. She looked at him for a moment and then dropped back down to his mouth, their tongues battled as demons surged around them. He loved the way she tasted, the way she felt. His body was raging as she continued kissing him with abandon.

He heard Red's voice, felt Buffy's relief and his own. They'd be able to fix this then, and he could find a quiet corner to cuddle in with his intended. There would be time to tease and play. He grinned as her fingers brushed against his scar and little bolts of pleasure coursed through his body. There would be time, as much time as her responsible little soul would allow and perhaps a few minutes more spent trying to convince her to let some things slide. He was so happy. The bliss of being loved, of finally finding his place was more intense than he had ever imagined.

Suddenly, Buffy shoved back from him a look of distress on her face. He felt her pain stabbing through him as reality snapped back into focus. She said something inane and he sprawled beneath her on the cold floor of the crypt. His world narrowed to a single, painful realization, and he felt the agony of losing his dreams, again.

"Oh, bloody, buggering hell." He exploded, shoved Buffy away from him, and sprang towards her little witchy friend. "What in the name of all that's unholy have you done?"

"Leave her alone, Fangsalot." The whelp yelled and moved toward him.

"Stay out of this. You have no idea what she's done." He turned and flashed his fangs at the boy.

Buffy fell to her knees and started to sob. Her tears ran as she clutched at her stomach. "Make it stop, Spike."

"I can't. Your little witch has buggered us, but good." He glared at ceiling as he felt her grief intensify. He tuned toward the slayer on her knees in the dust before him and sighed.

"I reversed the spell." Willow smiled nervously.

"You can't fix everything with a counter spell." He snarled over his shoulder. "Stupid damn, magic. Bollixes up every damn thing."

Buffy rocked back and forth. Small animalistic sounds of pain escaped from inside her. Her face was wet with tears.

"Come on now, Slayer. Get up. Mucking about in the dust won't help a thing." Spike moved to help her to her feet.

Buffy dropped her forehead to the ground and her body rocked in time to her broken sobs. He wanted to kill the witch. He closed his eyes and imagined the feel of her warm skin under his fingers and the satisfying snap of her neck. Suddenly he was being propelled through the air as Buffy slammed him against the crypt wall, cracking the stone.

"No, don't even think it." Buffy growled at him. Her breath washed over his face as he met her red rimmed, teary eyes. He set her back from him gently, the fingers of his right hand trailing through her golden hair.

"Now I'm chipped, and I have to deal with you policing my every thought. I hate the whole bloody lot of you." He locked eyes with the slayer and saw her clutch at her stomach once more. He watched her struggle for a moment trying to form words.

"Sorry." She whispered. "It hurts."

He was already moving when her eyelids started flutter. He caught her before she could hit the floor. "Let's get back to the watcher's place. Give her some time to adjust."

"What the hell is going on?" The whelp grabbed his shoulder and tried to take Buffy from his arms.

"Don't, Xander.' Anya pulled him back. "You'll just make it worse."

"Make what worse?" Xander and Willow asked in unison.

"The feedback loop in Buffy." Anya grimaced. "It's not the best explanation, I mean the magic involved is so strong."

"Then we need to go research and fix this." Xander ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"It won't help either of them. I don't think there's ever been a vengeance so perfectly evil, and by an amateur." Anya looked at Willow thoughtfully.

"But I reversed the spell." Willow stared at Buffy in Spike's arms and shuddered.

"Well, Giles' apartment will still be a mess, his things broken, Xander and I will still be bruised and beaten, and Buffy and Spike will still be mated. It's collateral damage." Anya shrugged and frowned at Willow.

"We will find a way to fix it," Xander said as he grabbed Anya's hand.

"I've been around for a long time, Xander. There isn't a fix, but by all means let's go waste time researching." Anya rolled her eyes and jerked her hand free from his.

"Look here," Spike growled at them. "Weapons ready. I can't fight and Buffy is down for the count. You lot need to be aware. That stupid spell called up a lot of demons. They may not be attacking us at the moment, but that could change. Pay attention and stop with the bickering."

"Who made you the boss?" Xander puffed out his chest and glared at Spike.

"It's just common sense." Spike rolled his neck fighting down the irritation. "I could get her there safe as houses. A bit of vamp speed and she'd be safe, but she cares about you lot for some ridiculous reason. It would hurt her if I left you to fend for yourselves. So shut the fuck up and fall in line."

Willow and Xander stared at him in shock. Anya shook her head and grabbed Xander's hand. She gestured toward the crypt door and they followed Spike out of the crypt in silence.