Seeking the Light - a sequel to 'By Night'
Chapter One
by Angel Eternal aka Angeline
email: spikes_angel01@yahoo.com.au
Website: In Dreams and Shadows
http://www.geocities.com/spikes_angel01/index.html
Rating: R
Pairings: Spike and Buffy
Summary: Spike and Buffy are now happily together, but are they meant for such happiness?
Author's Notes: This fanfic is a sequel to the 'By Night' series and relies heavily on the events in said fic,
it is advisable that you read 'By Night' first. This fic starts off where the previous series leaves off.
Thank you for all the encouragement! I was planning on letting the idea stew a while - write another series or
something, but with all the prompting, I went ahead and plunged into this. I hope you guys like it!
Distribution: If you want to archive it go ahead, but just let me know first - I kinda like to know where it's going,
and plus I find out about more S/B shipper sites! ::grins::
Disclaimers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, several companies and God knows who else.
One thing is certain - I don't own any of it! Nothing - zip - nada!
Willow yawned as she moved into the kitchen, sleepily gathering her breakfast. As she poured Lucky Charms
into a bowl, Spike walked in, rubbing his eyes.
Willow paused to admire his sleek body clad only in black boxer shorts, when she finally met his eyes she found
him grinning.
"Like what you see pet?"
Willow blushed, "Just because I'm gay doesn't mean that I still don't do the noticing."
Spike chuckled, heading straight for the fridge, he pulled out a bag of blood and tossed it into the microwave.
Willow regarded him, "Spike, have you and Buffy talked about..." She dropped her voice to a whisper. "You know."
Spike turned, eyebrow arching, "Well that depends Red."
"On what?"
He grinned, waggling his eyebrows. "On what 'you know' is."
Willow flushed, "Oh, about you staying here."
Spike fell still, contemplating her.
Since Tara and Willow had broken up a month ago, Willow had been living in Casa de Summers, as for Spike -
he might as well.
Spike sighed, leaning heavily on the sink, "Answer to your question pet is a simple no - the notion hadn't
even occurred to me, and most definitely not to her."
Willow nodded, and pushed the bowl of cereal away, "You should consider it you know, because..."
"Consider what?"
Willow and Spike turned to find Buffy walking in. The familiar invisible punch to his gut still surprised him.
It happened every time his Slayer walked into the room, it had been happening since he first saw her and still
happened now.
Buffy automatically went to the microwave to pour out Spike's blood for him, she liberally laced the blood with
cinnamon, and handed it to Spike, who accepted it gratefully.
Buffy poured out a bowl of cereal, arching an eyebrow at the both of them, waiting for a an answer to her
question.
"Using this spell..."
"Renovating the crypt..."
They answered simultaneously, Buffy frowned as they looked at each other guiltily.
"What he said..."
"What she said..."
Buffy burst out laughing at them, loving the way Spike ducked his head. She reached out to slip her arms
around his waist, her hands splaying against his back, fingers tracing the soft skin. His arms automatically
enveloped her, "At least give me synchronised lies."
Spike arched an eyebrow at her, "Kinda hard to do on the spot luv."
Buffy pulled his head down for a kiss, and Willow watched them wistfully. She wanted them to be happy,
she really did.
She could still recall that morning, when she discovered Buffy and Spike. She didn't know if she could ever look
at her friend in the same way. After that incident, Spike and Buffy had been very careful about locking the door
and Willow had been very careful about opening doors.
Dawn walked in, setting her bag down on the floor. The sight of Spike and Buffy nuzzling in the kitchen was
no longer a feature attraction, and she calmly gathered her breakfast, waiting for Buffy to come up for air.
Dawn seized the first opportunity that presented itself to her, knowing that if she didn't, another one wouldn't
come around for a while. "Buffy!"
Buffy pulled away from Spike, allowing him to nuzzle her neck, "Yeah?"
"There's this party tonight..."
"No." Buffy instantly went back to making out with Spike.
Dawn rolled her eyes, and tapped on her sister's shoulder insistently, "Buffy, I have to go! It's my best friend's
birthday and she would so kill me if I don't go!"
Spike's head snapped up, "You're best friend's a demon? Pet, I thought I was the only evil thing that you
hung around with!" He frowned, an expression of profound hurt on his handsome face.
Dawn giggled at that, imagining her petite friend as a demon. "Spike! Of course she's not a demon! It's just a
saying."
Buffy frowned, finally disentangling herself from Spike's embrace, "Clarissa? Isn't that her name?"
Dawn nodded, employing her best puppy-dog eyes, Spike instantly crumbled. "Oh go on pet, let the Bit have
a little fun."
Dawn nodded eagerly, her smile promising Spike all sorts of goodies for his support.
Buffy pinned Spike with a glare, then turned to Dawn, "You're to call me the minute you get there. Spike or
Xander will come to pick you up at ten..."
"Ten?!" Dawn screeched, "But the party won't finish until at least twelve!"
"Ten." Buffy crossed her arms, using her firmest tone.
Dawn, knowing when to back down, nodded.
"You are going to take your cell, and you are not going to tie it up calling people!"
Dawn flipped her hair over her shoulder, "Well du-uh! Hello, my friends will be at the party, you think I'm going
to call them from the next room?"
Buffy's glare told her that was exactly what she thought. "Don't push me Dawn."
Dawn nodded, then threw her arms around her sister, before rushing out the door.
Willow grinned at Buffy, "Perfect mommy technique there Buff."
Buffy sighed, and slid into her chair, "Well, it was either that, or let her run around behind my back."
Spike smirked, "What luv, thinking about your own jaded youth?"
Buffy glared at him, tilting her chip up defiantly, "I had to have a jaded youth. I didn't have a choice about it."
Spike kissed her upturned mouth gently, "I know luv."
Willow watched this by-play, her heart constricting as she thought about Tara.
Spike saw the longing on Willow's face, and kept the kiss brief, almost chaste. Buffy frowned up at him, but
saw a glimmer in his eyes and held her tongue.
Buffy pulled away from Spike, "Come on, I told Xander we'll stop by the Magic Box this morning."
Willow slipped out of her seat, "Oh, I'll catch up with you guys, I have some stuff to do."
Buffy nodded, leaving, Spike flashed her a grin, before heading up the stairs.
Willow watched them walk away, their fingers interlaced until the last moment when Spike went up to
put on clothes and Buffy headed into the living room, their fingers clung to each other until the last possible
minute.
Willow slumped against the counter, wishing that she had Tara.
* * *
Xander bit his lip, watching Anya, silently he held out a velvet box. Anya didn't even need to glance at it.
"No Xander."
"But Anya!" He whined, piteously holding out the box.
Anya sighed, and finally turned away from the register. "Xander, we've talked about this. We're gonna take it
slow..."
Xander caught her hand, "Who says slow means you moving out, or you not wearing my ring?"
Anya sighed, allowing him to stroke her hand. "I say. Xander..."
"Are we interrupting something?"
Xander and Anya turned to find Buffy and Spike walking in, holding hands.
Anya regarded them jealously, it used to be Buffy and Spike who were discontented in love, while the others
were all happy. Times have changed, it was now Buffy and Spike who were the shining example of love, while
the others were discontented. It wouldn't last, Anya thought bitterly.
"Where's Willow?" Anya asked, hoping they would say that the witch was in a ditch somewhere.
Spike caught the petulant tone in Anya's voice, and glanced at her sharply. "She's coming."
Anya returned Spike's gaze evenly but didn't reply.
Buffy was oblivious to the little exchange that passed between ex-demon and vampire. They had all agreed to
keep silent about what had passed, Buffy didn't need to be told. Spike, however, finally cornered Willow and
she poured the whole tale into his sympathetic ears.
Xander turned to Buffy. "So Buff, what was your grand total last night?"
His pen was poised to record the details, as they had promised to keep track of Buffy's progress for Giles.
Buffy thought for a moment, ticking off kills on her hands. "I'd say about 14 for me." she glanced at Spike.
"What about you?"
"About 7 or so." the vampire moved to sit at the table, while Xander glowered at him.
"Give me an exact here blood-breath."
Spike rolled his eyes, "Fine put me down for seven."
Xander huffed as he wrote it down, Willow walked in with a box. Carefully, she set it down on the counter.
Anya eyed the box suspiciously, "What the hell are you bringing into my store?"
Willow ignored her and turned to Buffy, "Buff, I needed to get rid of some stuff, and I thought..."
Buffy went to examine the contents of the box, what she saw made her breath catch in her throat. "Willow,
you're getting rid of all this?"
Willow shrugged, dismissing Buffy's concerned expression; reluctantly she turned to Anya. "I thought you could
sell these."
Anya peered in, still suspicious. She examined all the objects, books and ingredients that consisted all of Willow's
witchcraft supplies.
"I don't want the money for it." Willow interjected quickly.
Anya straightened, pining her with a cold a glance, "Do you think that this is one of those stores that sell junk?"
Willow stiffened, and she glared at Anya, "Most of this stuff is still good Anya, but it's fine by me if you don't
want this littering your precious inventory."
Without another word she swept up her possessions, and stalked out the door.
Silence fell on the room, as no one made eye contact.
"Well kiddies, we'd best be going now." Spike stood, his duster flaring out behind him.
Buffy was grateful, as she too stood. "I'll check in with you tonight Xand."
The blondes quickly made their exit, leaving Xander and Anya to stand around awkwardly until a customer came in.
* * *
"Ok, was it just me was there some serious tension back there?"
Spike sighed, pulling the car over in front of the Summer's house. "Maybe now is not the time to talk about it luv."
Buffy's mouth dropped open in surprise, "Are you telling me that you know something about my friends that
I don't?"
Spike raked his hand through his hair, twisting in his seat to look at Buffy, "It's not like we're keeping secrets
from you luv..."
Buffy slapped away his hand, "First I find you and Willow whispering in the kitchen, now this? What is going
on Spike."
The hard glint in her eyes told Spike that she wanted answers and she wanted them two minutes ago.
"Listen luv, the thing with Willow was nothing, has nothing to do with everything."
He paused, scanning her face, which remained impassive as she impatiently waited for him to continue.
"About the tension..." Haltingly, Spike explained to Buffy what had occurred in a small rotting room the very
same night that had changed everything for them. He watched Buffy's face carefully as he recounted the
events precisely as Willow had told him.
Buffy remained silent for a long time. When she finally spoke, she kept her face averted from him, and her voice
was low and controlled. "So you're telling me that you all lied to me?"
Spike started; he had forgotten what Xander had told Buffy that night about Anya's injuries - demons; on their
way to help Spike, they had encountered demons, hence the delay.
Buffy had accepted the story, why else wouldn't she? In her sheer exhaustion, and heart ache, she didn't see the
guilty expression on Xander's face or the pleading glance between Xander and Willow. Spike himself, had remained
silent on the entire issue, understanding why Xander couldn't tell Buffy.
"Buffy, you have to understand - Xander..."
Buffy looked up, and he glimpsed the expression of confusion and hurt in her hazel eyes. "Oh I understand perfectly
Spike. Xander wanted so badly to get back together with that...demon, that he covered it all up."
Spike held up his hands defensively, "Hey, hey - don't start casting the demon-lover bit here. Remember who
you're talking to!"
Buffy sighed, finally allowing him to take her hand, "It's not that Spike, and you know it. I just don't understand
why they would keep this from me of all people!"
Spike stroked the back of her hand comfortingly, "Buffy, Xander just wanted the whole thing to be forgotten.
Don't blame him for taking another stab at love."
Buffy smiled at him, reaching up to caress his face, "God Spike, I don't get you sometimes."
Spike caught her hand, leaning into her caress. "Like I don't get you - we'll just have to stumble along together."
Then he winked at her; "Just make sure you don't harm the jacket while you go down."
Buffy leered at him, "You didn't mind last night."
Spike shook his head, amazed by her. Swiftly he leaned in for a quick kiss, well it was supposed to be quick, until
Buffy caught hold of the back of his neck and kept him there, pulling him in deeper with one hot stroke of her
tongue. Spike groaned, and fell into the kiss.
When they finally broke apart, Buffy was frowning. Spike hated to see that little crinkle in her forehead, and hurried
to soothe it away. "What's wrong now pet?"
Buffy continued to frown, "Why do you keep pulling away?"
Spike sighed, wondering how such an amazing person could be so slow sometimes. "Willow. She's feeling a little
bit left out in all the loving."
Buffy's frown didn't dissipate as she thought of the time before Angel returned when her friends would 'de-couple'
for her sake. At the time she was both grateful and irritated by their foresight. She shook her head, her frown
clearing. "Spike? When did we become the picture perfect couple among the disenchanted?"
Spike chuckled at her choice of words, "Oh Buffy, only in Sunnydale." He yawned, stretching. "Now luv, you better
scoot so I can go get my beauty sleep."
Buffy smirked, a trait she picked up from her lover. "Oh, you desperately need it!"
His scarred eyebrow rose mockingly, "Oh really?"
"Really." Buffy flipped her hair over her shoulder challengingly.
That was all it took for the tickle war to begin.
Buffy gasped out her defeat, and they collapsed against the seats. When Buffy managed to get her breath back,
she propped herself upwards to stare at Spike.
"Why don't you spend the day over at my place?"
Spike stilled, Willow's words coming back to him. This was the first time Buffy had deliberately asked him to
stay the whole day. For a moment, he turned the possibility over and over in his mind, before he realised that Buffy
was waiting for his answer.
He smirked at her, not wanting her to see how much her offer meant to him. "So long as you let me sleep pet -
and I do mean sleep."
Buffy huffed at him, before slipping out the door.
Spike stayed in the car another moment, absorbing everything in. Grabbing his worn blanket, he ducked out into
the sun, racing to get into the shadowy welcome of the house.
~To be continued~
Chapter One
by Angel Eternal aka Angeline
email: spikes_angel01@yahoo.com.au
Website: In Dreams and Shadows
http://www.geocities.com/spikes_angel01/index.html
Rating: R
Pairings: Spike and Buffy
Summary: Spike and Buffy are now happily together, but are they meant for such happiness?
Author's Notes: This fanfic is a sequel to the 'By Night' series and relies heavily on the events in said fic,
it is advisable that you read 'By Night' first. This fic starts off where the previous series leaves off.
Thank you for all the encouragement! I was planning on letting the idea stew a while - write another series or
something, but with all the prompting, I went ahead and plunged into this. I hope you guys like it!
Distribution: If you want to archive it go ahead, but just let me know first - I kinda like to know where it's going,
and plus I find out about more S/B shipper sites! ::grins::
Disclaimers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, several companies and God knows who else.
One thing is certain - I don't own any of it! Nothing - zip - nada!
Willow yawned as she moved into the kitchen, sleepily gathering her breakfast. As she poured Lucky Charms
into a bowl, Spike walked in, rubbing his eyes.
Willow paused to admire his sleek body clad only in black boxer shorts, when she finally met his eyes she found
him grinning.
"Like what you see pet?"
Willow blushed, "Just because I'm gay doesn't mean that I still don't do the noticing."
Spike chuckled, heading straight for the fridge, he pulled out a bag of blood and tossed it into the microwave.
Willow regarded him, "Spike, have you and Buffy talked about..." She dropped her voice to a whisper. "You know."
Spike turned, eyebrow arching, "Well that depends Red."
"On what?"
He grinned, waggling his eyebrows. "On what 'you know' is."
Willow flushed, "Oh, about you staying here."
Spike fell still, contemplating her.
Since Tara and Willow had broken up a month ago, Willow had been living in Casa de Summers, as for Spike -
he might as well.
Spike sighed, leaning heavily on the sink, "Answer to your question pet is a simple no - the notion hadn't
even occurred to me, and most definitely not to her."
Willow nodded, and pushed the bowl of cereal away, "You should consider it you know, because..."
"Consider what?"
Willow and Spike turned to find Buffy walking in. The familiar invisible punch to his gut still surprised him.
It happened every time his Slayer walked into the room, it had been happening since he first saw her and still
happened now.
Buffy automatically went to the microwave to pour out Spike's blood for him, she liberally laced the blood with
cinnamon, and handed it to Spike, who accepted it gratefully.
Buffy poured out a bowl of cereal, arching an eyebrow at the both of them, waiting for a an answer to her
question.
"Using this spell..."
"Renovating the crypt..."
They answered simultaneously, Buffy frowned as they looked at each other guiltily.
"What he said..."
"What she said..."
Buffy burst out laughing at them, loving the way Spike ducked his head. She reached out to slip her arms
around his waist, her hands splaying against his back, fingers tracing the soft skin. His arms automatically
enveloped her, "At least give me synchronised lies."
Spike arched an eyebrow at her, "Kinda hard to do on the spot luv."
Buffy pulled his head down for a kiss, and Willow watched them wistfully. She wanted them to be happy,
she really did.
She could still recall that morning, when she discovered Buffy and Spike. She didn't know if she could ever look
at her friend in the same way. After that incident, Spike and Buffy had been very careful about locking the door
and Willow had been very careful about opening doors.
Dawn walked in, setting her bag down on the floor. The sight of Spike and Buffy nuzzling in the kitchen was
no longer a feature attraction, and she calmly gathered her breakfast, waiting for Buffy to come up for air.
Dawn seized the first opportunity that presented itself to her, knowing that if she didn't, another one wouldn't
come around for a while. "Buffy!"
Buffy pulled away from Spike, allowing him to nuzzle her neck, "Yeah?"
"There's this party tonight..."
"No." Buffy instantly went back to making out with Spike.
Dawn rolled her eyes, and tapped on her sister's shoulder insistently, "Buffy, I have to go! It's my best friend's
birthday and she would so kill me if I don't go!"
Spike's head snapped up, "You're best friend's a demon? Pet, I thought I was the only evil thing that you
hung around with!" He frowned, an expression of profound hurt on his handsome face.
Dawn giggled at that, imagining her petite friend as a demon. "Spike! Of course she's not a demon! It's just a
saying."
Buffy frowned, finally disentangling herself from Spike's embrace, "Clarissa? Isn't that her name?"
Dawn nodded, employing her best puppy-dog eyes, Spike instantly crumbled. "Oh go on pet, let the Bit have
a little fun."
Dawn nodded eagerly, her smile promising Spike all sorts of goodies for his support.
Buffy pinned Spike with a glare, then turned to Dawn, "You're to call me the minute you get there. Spike or
Xander will come to pick you up at ten..."
"Ten?!" Dawn screeched, "But the party won't finish until at least twelve!"
"Ten." Buffy crossed her arms, using her firmest tone.
Dawn, knowing when to back down, nodded.
"You are going to take your cell, and you are not going to tie it up calling people!"
Dawn flipped her hair over her shoulder, "Well du-uh! Hello, my friends will be at the party, you think I'm going
to call them from the next room?"
Buffy's glare told her that was exactly what she thought. "Don't push me Dawn."
Dawn nodded, then threw her arms around her sister, before rushing out the door.
Willow grinned at Buffy, "Perfect mommy technique there Buff."
Buffy sighed, and slid into her chair, "Well, it was either that, or let her run around behind my back."
Spike smirked, "What luv, thinking about your own jaded youth?"
Buffy glared at him, tilting her chip up defiantly, "I had to have a jaded youth. I didn't have a choice about it."
Spike kissed her upturned mouth gently, "I know luv."
Willow watched this by-play, her heart constricting as she thought about Tara.
Spike saw the longing on Willow's face, and kept the kiss brief, almost chaste. Buffy frowned up at him, but
saw a glimmer in his eyes and held her tongue.
Buffy pulled away from Spike, "Come on, I told Xander we'll stop by the Magic Box this morning."
Willow slipped out of her seat, "Oh, I'll catch up with you guys, I have some stuff to do."
Buffy nodded, leaving, Spike flashed her a grin, before heading up the stairs.
Willow watched them walk away, their fingers interlaced until the last moment when Spike went up to
put on clothes and Buffy headed into the living room, their fingers clung to each other until the last possible
minute.
Willow slumped against the counter, wishing that she had Tara.
* * *
Xander bit his lip, watching Anya, silently he held out a velvet box. Anya didn't even need to glance at it.
"No Xander."
"But Anya!" He whined, piteously holding out the box.
Anya sighed, and finally turned away from the register. "Xander, we've talked about this. We're gonna take it
slow..."
Xander caught her hand, "Who says slow means you moving out, or you not wearing my ring?"
Anya sighed, allowing him to stroke her hand. "I say. Xander..."
"Are we interrupting something?"
Xander and Anya turned to find Buffy and Spike walking in, holding hands.
Anya regarded them jealously, it used to be Buffy and Spike who were discontented in love, while the others
were all happy. Times have changed, it was now Buffy and Spike who were the shining example of love, while
the others were discontented. It wouldn't last, Anya thought bitterly.
"Where's Willow?" Anya asked, hoping they would say that the witch was in a ditch somewhere.
Spike caught the petulant tone in Anya's voice, and glanced at her sharply. "She's coming."
Anya returned Spike's gaze evenly but didn't reply.
Buffy was oblivious to the little exchange that passed between ex-demon and vampire. They had all agreed to
keep silent about what had passed, Buffy didn't need to be told. Spike, however, finally cornered Willow and
she poured the whole tale into his sympathetic ears.
Xander turned to Buffy. "So Buff, what was your grand total last night?"
His pen was poised to record the details, as they had promised to keep track of Buffy's progress for Giles.
Buffy thought for a moment, ticking off kills on her hands. "I'd say about 14 for me." she glanced at Spike.
"What about you?"
"About 7 or so." the vampire moved to sit at the table, while Xander glowered at him.
"Give me an exact here blood-breath."
Spike rolled his eyes, "Fine put me down for seven."
Xander huffed as he wrote it down, Willow walked in with a box. Carefully, she set it down on the counter.
Anya eyed the box suspiciously, "What the hell are you bringing into my store?"
Willow ignored her and turned to Buffy, "Buff, I needed to get rid of some stuff, and I thought..."
Buffy went to examine the contents of the box, what she saw made her breath catch in her throat. "Willow,
you're getting rid of all this?"
Willow shrugged, dismissing Buffy's concerned expression; reluctantly she turned to Anya. "I thought you could
sell these."
Anya peered in, still suspicious. She examined all the objects, books and ingredients that consisted all of Willow's
witchcraft supplies.
"I don't want the money for it." Willow interjected quickly.
Anya straightened, pining her with a cold a glance, "Do you think that this is one of those stores that sell junk?"
Willow stiffened, and she glared at Anya, "Most of this stuff is still good Anya, but it's fine by me if you don't
want this littering your precious inventory."
Without another word she swept up her possessions, and stalked out the door.
Silence fell on the room, as no one made eye contact.
"Well kiddies, we'd best be going now." Spike stood, his duster flaring out behind him.
Buffy was grateful, as she too stood. "I'll check in with you tonight Xand."
The blondes quickly made their exit, leaving Xander and Anya to stand around awkwardly until a customer came in.
* * *
"Ok, was it just me was there some serious tension back there?"
Spike sighed, pulling the car over in front of the Summer's house. "Maybe now is not the time to talk about it luv."
Buffy's mouth dropped open in surprise, "Are you telling me that you know something about my friends that
I don't?"
Spike raked his hand through his hair, twisting in his seat to look at Buffy, "It's not like we're keeping secrets
from you luv..."
Buffy slapped away his hand, "First I find you and Willow whispering in the kitchen, now this? What is going
on Spike."
The hard glint in her eyes told Spike that she wanted answers and she wanted them two minutes ago.
"Listen luv, the thing with Willow was nothing, has nothing to do with everything."
He paused, scanning her face, which remained impassive as she impatiently waited for him to continue.
"About the tension..." Haltingly, Spike explained to Buffy what had occurred in a small rotting room the very
same night that had changed everything for them. He watched Buffy's face carefully as he recounted the
events precisely as Willow had told him.
Buffy remained silent for a long time. When she finally spoke, she kept her face averted from him, and her voice
was low and controlled. "So you're telling me that you all lied to me?"
Spike started; he had forgotten what Xander had told Buffy that night about Anya's injuries - demons; on their
way to help Spike, they had encountered demons, hence the delay.
Buffy had accepted the story, why else wouldn't she? In her sheer exhaustion, and heart ache, she didn't see the
guilty expression on Xander's face or the pleading glance between Xander and Willow. Spike himself, had remained
silent on the entire issue, understanding why Xander couldn't tell Buffy.
"Buffy, you have to understand - Xander..."
Buffy looked up, and he glimpsed the expression of confusion and hurt in her hazel eyes. "Oh I understand perfectly
Spike. Xander wanted so badly to get back together with that...demon, that he covered it all up."
Spike held up his hands defensively, "Hey, hey - don't start casting the demon-lover bit here. Remember who
you're talking to!"
Buffy sighed, finally allowing him to take her hand, "It's not that Spike, and you know it. I just don't understand
why they would keep this from me of all people!"
Spike stroked the back of her hand comfortingly, "Buffy, Xander just wanted the whole thing to be forgotten.
Don't blame him for taking another stab at love."
Buffy smiled at him, reaching up to caress his face, "God Spike, I don't get you sometimes."
Spike caught her hand, leaning into her caress. "Like I don't get you - we'll just have to stumble along together."
Then he winked at her; "Just make sure you don't harm the jacket while you go down."
Buffy leered at him, "You didn't mind last night."
Spike shook his head, amazed by her. Swiftly he leaned in for a quick kiss, well it was supposed to be quick, until
Buffy caught hold of the back of his neck and kept him there, pulling him in deeper with one hot stroke of her
tongue. Spike groaned, and fell into the kiss.
When they finally broke apart, Buffy was frowning. Spike hated to see that little crinkle in her forehead, and hurried
to soothe it away. "What's wrong now pet?"
Buffy continued to frown, "Why do you keep pulling away?"
Spike sighed, wondering how such an amazing person could be so slow sometimes. "Willow. She's feeling a little
bit left out in all the loving."
Buffy's frown didn't dissipate as she thought of the time before Angel returned when her friends would 'de-couple'
for her sake. At the time she was both grateful and irritated by their foresight. She shook her head, her frown
clearing. "Spike? When did we become the picture perfect couple among the disenchanted?"
Spike chuckled at her choice of words, "Oh Buffy, only in Sunnydale." He yawned, stretching. "Now luv, you better
scoot so I can go get my beauty sleep."
Buffy smirked, a trait she picked up from her lover. "Oh, you desperately need it!"
His scarred eyebrow rose mockingly, "Oh really?"
"Really." Buffy flipped her hair over her shoulder challengingly.
That was all it took for the tickle war to begin.
Buffy gasped out her defeat, and they collapsed against the seats. When Buffy managed to get her breath back,
she propped herself upwards to stare at Spike.
"Why don't you spend the day over at my place?"
Spike stilled, Willow's words coming back to him. This was the first time Buffy had deliberately asked him to
stay the whole day. For a moment, he turned the possibility over and over in his mind, before he realised that Buffy
was waiting for his answer.
He smirked at her, not wanting her to see how much her offer meant to him. "So long as you let me sleep pet -
and I do mean sleep."
Buffy huffed at him, before slipping out the door.
Spike stayed in the car another moment, absorbing everything in. Grabbing his worn blanket, he ducked out into
the sun, racing to get into the shadowy welcome of the house.
~To be continued~