Disclaimer: I am Joss' bitch. He made me do this. I don't own anything.

The thought of the Slayer snuggling with a vampire gave shock a new meaning.

He had two options, push her away or get closer. It was settled. There was going to be physical pain, he just didn't know if it was going to be worse rolling onto his side or when she woke up.

It was well worth a shot. If she did get angry or upset, he could just bring up the fact that he was the cuddlee in the first place! Bracing himself for the shear pain that was sure to ensue, Spike held his breath and rolled onto his side. The ribs that had been broken the day before were merely bruised, letting relief slip over him.

Now on his side, Spike lifted his arm, which felt like it had weights strapped to it, and gently placed it across Buffy. Her face was resting on the inside of his other arm, letting him pull her closer to him with what strength he had left. If heaven had an image, this would be it.

It had taken months of insults, rejection, and the torture of a god to get Buffy to sleep with him, in a literal sense of course. I love this woman. Spike couldn't think of anything else at the moment other than her beautiful eyes, perfect mouth, and soft skin…Ooops. Looks like I have company. Spike said to himself.

The effect she had on him was normal by now. It had happened so many times by this point that Spike half way expected it.

After half an hour of staring at her and letting his friend calm himself…enough, Buffy started to wake up. Her eyes opened and she really didn't want to sit up.

Spike. A master vampire, whom has tried to kill her in several ways repeatedly, was now snuggling with her in a crypt. If God were to strike her with a lightning bolt at the time, she wouldn't have blamed him the least.

With her eyes now open, she looked up. Spike was awake, too. The blue eyes that bore into hers were absolutely…gorgeous.

Why had it taken so long to realize it? Buffy didn't know if she loved Spike or not, but there was definitely a spark of emotion that seem to set off right then and there.

"Mornin', luv." Spike smiled.

Buffy felt a sudden jolt of embarrassment, jumping up as fast as she could, "I'm sorry." But then she realized that she wasn't moving. Spike was holding her down. Glancing at him for a brief second before turning her face, "Spike, let me up."

There was a brief moment of silence before he finally spoke. "Ya know, there must be something in that Slayer cuddle that keeps me from slipping in to nothing." There was a playful twinkle in his eyes. "Stay." He coughed, "I think it's the Black Plague."

She slapped his chest at the suggestive joke. Then mentally slapped herself for the slap on the chest that had to hurt. "Spike, I'm sorry."

He placed his hand onto the developing red spot and sighed, "It's fine, pet, just mind the bruises."

He started to fall back down onto the pillows. Slowly, Buffy helped him. Even though the outside looked better, the inside had to still be broken. "Spike?"

"Yeah?"

Buffy hadn't ever really shown an interest In the matter, but she wanted to know about him. "What were you really like when you were human? Really."

There was silence. Dead silence. Awkward silence. "Why the sudden interest?"

"Just curious." If she was going to get him to talk, she'd better make it worth the effort. Laying down on his chest Buffy asked, "Will you tell me?"

For the first time in a while, Spike was nervous. What is she playin' at? he wondered silently. "Sure, but first I want to talk to you about something."

"Shoot." Buffy said. Spike could feel her breath hitting his chest. It was a feeling that he had never really felt before. Drusilla never breathed, nor Harmony, and it never happened while he had a heartbeat, that was for sure.

"Glory."

Buffy grunted, "Did you have to ruin a good moment by saying that name?" Buffy accused.

Spike bit his bottom lip. This was probably the biggest cliff he'd ever attempted to jump off of. "I think that you could use a break from it all. Let yourself get some rest."

Buffy thought about it for a few seconds and was curious as to what brought this up.

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, while you were sleeping, I heard you talking. Bloody nightmares you were havin', I'd want a break." Spike said.

Putting her hand on his chest, Buffy lifted her chin, "Spike, how am I supposed to get a break from it when it's all everyone ever talks about?"

"Me. You could stay here. I, mean, of course, if that's what you want to do, that is."

It couldn't have been a better plan. Buffy at Spike's…wait. Flaw.

Could she really trust herself being alone with him? There wasn't a moment when she had ever not trusted him with something, in fact, she had left her mother and Dawn alone with him several times.

"I'd like that."

Spike let out the unnecessary breath that had been held in his lungs. "Right, then." Spike sighed, "We'll get Red over here and…."

"No!" Buffy yelled. It startled Spike. "What about Dawn?"

"They can stay with the witches and they can bring over your things. Give yourself a few days and then get back to the Glory business. Everything'll be right as rain. Trust me."

Buffy felt a knot growing in her stomach. "Well, I guess. The next time Willow comes over, I'll see what she can do, but until then, what are we gonna do to pass the time?"

A wicked smile spread across Spike's face at the question. What could we do to pass the time?

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Author's Note: I hope you like it. When I finished I didn't think it came out as well as it could have! I'll just have to make up for it in the next chapter. Can anyone say 'passion'? grin widens