Spike grimaced as he heard Willow and Tara converse in the kitchen. The name calling hurt Buffy and pissed him off, but there was nothing to be done about it. Buffy sobbed against his chest.
"Tell them to go away." Buffy splayed her fingers over his unbeating heart. "I can't take it tonight. I can't."
"I can't, Love." He pulled her chin up with a crooked finger and looked down into her gamine face. "There's something wrong, and they are our best chance of figuring it out. Any other time, they're out. I promise."
"It's just the flu." Buffy stuck her bottom lip out and he groaned. His girl never played fair.
"Don't lie to me. You don't smell ill, sweeter and more alluring, but not a bit sick. It isn't the sodding flu." Spike hugged her tight and growled against her hair. "Something is wrong, and we have to know what we're up against."
"I'm okay." She pushed back from him, smiling as she trailed her fingers through his platinum curls. "I promise. Send them away and we'll celebrate Valentine's in our ridiculously large bed."
"You love the freedom, my sweet, to bend me to your will in any position you can dream up." Spike smirked at her, enjoying the blush that bloomed on her cheeks.
She amazed him. He knew her in every way, had done things that he'd never even imagined with her, and, none of it changed her. She was still sweet and fierce and still his, blushing even as the air around them filled with the scent of her arousal. He closed his eyes and took a deep pull of the air around them. A wicked grin formed on his face.
"Send them packing." She pressed her forehead against his. "Send them off to the Bronze, and I'll tie you up on our big bed and tease you until you beg."
"Tempting, Love, very tempting." Spike ran a finger along the column of her throat. "But you'll just leave me when the urge to hunt overpowers your other desires. You've promised not to go more than once and still I wake up alone."
"I'm sorry." Buffy leaned against his chest, and he stroked his fingers through her hair.
"No worries, Love." Spike kissed her temple. "We just need some answers, and, while I loathe most of your little puppies, they will get to the bottom of this."
"Do you guys ever take break?" Willow shook her head and brought a glass of ginger ale and crackers out to Buffy.
Buffy clenched her fist in his shirt and trembled. The scent of Buffy's rage coiled around them. Spike swallowed and smiled snidely at his beloved girl's friend.
"We don't bother to hide our affection, Red. Sorry if it offends your delicate sensibilities." He sneered. "This is our bloody home. I don't bother you about what you do behind the doors of your lovely room, do I?"
"Xander, Anya and Giles are on their way." Willow glared at him as she passed the drink and crackers on to Buffy. "So, you might want to be respectful of your guests' comfort level."
"Stop it, Willow." Buffy set her glass down on the coffee table. "This isn't about you or them, and it sure isn't about Spike's manners. He takes more shit from the lot of you than I ever expected. If you can't relax and accept us for us, you can leave."
"No need for that, Love." Spike picked the glass up and held it to Buffy's lips. "I'm a big boy. I can handle your friends."
"You think so?" Willow smirked and called up a flame, making it dance across her fingers. "I'm not that girl you kidnapped anymore."
"Willow, what the hell are you doing?" Buffy stood up and placed herself between Spike and the threat. "Get out! If you can't come here and be polite, don't come back."
"I was just kidding, Buffy." Willow closed her fist and the flame died. "I wouldn't hurt Spike. You know that. Come on. It's me."
"And I told you to leave." Buffy crossed her arms over her chest. "This is our home. He is my mate. I'm not going to put up with this shit anymore. I've been patient and Spike has put up with your shit for long enough. Are you going to threaten me too?"
"We had plans." Willow's hands settled on her hips. "But those don't really matter anymore. Do they? Your always canceling. I only ever see you in class."
"Why would you want us to go anywhere with you? Need somebody to judge? Need to know you're better than somebody? News flash, Willow, you dated a demon, too." Buffy snarled and stepped forward, forcing Willow to retreat.
"At least mine was alive. I guess you're just a necrophiliac." Willow snorted. "Is it rigor mortis, or is he just happy to see you?"
"God, you sound just like Xander." Buffy tossed her hands up in the air. "Why can't either of you get it? He's mine. I'm his. Done deal."
"He doesn't have a soul, Buffy." Willow shook her head sadly.
"Yes, he does. He has mine. We share everything in this house. It's our way." Buffy stepped forward again. "Now, it's time for you to go."
"No. I'm not leaving you here with him. He's probably the reason you're sick." Willow leaned over and glared at Spike.
"Now, you're riding the wrong broomstick there, Red." Spike stood and walked over to stand beside Buffy. "She is my heart and my soul. Each beat of that perfect heart thrills me."
"Yeah, Pavlov got a dog to drool at the ring of a bell. No surprise you like the heart beating in her chest. It's just calling you to dinner." Willow smirked.
Buffy took a step forward and wobbled. Spike reached out and caught her as she collapsed. Willow rushed forward.
"Oh, goddess, she really is sick." Willow knelt beside Buffy and looked up at Spike with panicked eyes. "What's wrong with her?"