TITLE: 'Talking Together'

RATING: pg-13 SPOILERS: Nothing much, just set around Buffy mid season 6 DISCLAIMER: The Buffyverse and everything in it belongs to Joss. I just use them for my own amusement and make no profit out of it. FEEDBACK: one review so far, and it's made me continue. Think what lots could do ;) And I'm sorry, I didn't proof read the last bit but I will this time so it'll read better.

"Hey, I should go." the darker girl smiled at Buffy, realising who she was. Spike didn't even look to her, knowing he should keep his mouth shut if he wanted to avoid any arguments.

But Buffy had seen that smile, and she wasn't so sure about it's intent.

/ If she has dibs on my boyfriend! /

Senna walked briskly off, perhaps foreseeing the questions that would follow between the couple.

"So.... you've been seeing her again?" Buffy said, a little sadly.

"Not really. Just saw her now. Didn't know she'd been here." Spike knew it sounded lame and he hated being so cold and formal, but losing his temper over what seemed a very small occurrence was not a good idea.

"Sorry I'm late", it sounded hopeful, and she just wanted a reaction from him.

"S'ok," he smiled a little at her, and her hearts sang. "I figured you'd got yourself in a scrape with some of Sunnydales nastiest."

/ No, not like Angel is he. He doesn't see my job as a hindrance for us not to be together, he just accepts it. /

Everything seemed resolved after that. Both were too frightened in their new relationship to argue anything, or pursue it further. It felt good, and yet a little unstable for both of them.

"We going in then, or-" she looked down, "is it a little too late.

/ She's acting so innocent, it's bloody adorable. /

"Certainly nope not." he held out an arm to her, "we've made a date and I intend to keep it."

She took his arm and they walked through the backdoor into The Bronze. They made their way through the crowds of people toward a free table. Spike went off to get drinks while Buffy sat waiting, but also on the lookout for action.

/There is no way we'll see anything, especially not here, but that's why we agreed on it. /

She internally grinned.

/It's so good. It's like the relationship has started all over again, and the right way, not the wrong way. I just wish I hadn't been late. /

She felt a slight pang at how she had found Spike. She didn't believe for one moment that Spike would ever cheat on her, or even encourage another girl, but.....

/I must care about him if I'm jealous. /

She knew she cared for him, but she wasn't sure to what extent. She was still firm that she didn't love him, and probably never would, but she needed him.

/Maybe I should stop assuring myself that I don't love him and see how things go. /

She saw Spike from across the room holding their drinks walking towards her. He caught her eye and winked.

/Yes. And stop being a jealous bitch. I know he doesn't like it really, no matter how much of an ego-boost it is for him. He may act all arrogant, but he's not really. /

A past voice rang in her head. 'I may be love's bitch, but at least I'm man enough to admit it'

/That explains it to me. He was so different then, but he's always acted how he does out of love. Maybe stupid, selfish, messy love, but love all the same. And I was such a fool to doubt him. /

Spike reached the table and handed her a coke.

He grinned at the indignant look on her face. "Don't you trust me with alcohol!"

"No. Although it is bloody cute when you do have it." he smirked again. "Don't you remember last time?"

She opened her mouth to protest, but he was right.

/ Wow.... he's even thinking about me and not himself. He could so easily get me drunk and have his wicked way with me, but he wants to look out for my best interest. Why does this all surprise me so much? I've known he loves me for a long time, but I never really knew how.... loving he could be/

He sipped his beer and looked up. "Not much action in Sunnyhell is there." it was more a statement than a question.

"Yes, I've been wondering that too. Normally I'd be worried, but with so much going on at home, and you - " she gasped and wished she hadn't said that, but he only smiled to himself. " - I thought it was a nice break."

"Maybe you should call Watcher or something. You know how much this town likes to surprise us with the most unwelcome things at every opportunity. Demons... goddesses, big snake things, vampires, master vampires, kick ass good-looking vampires - " he sneered at her.

She rolled her eyes and ignored that. "Yeah, and there's paperwork, insurance, pain in the butt kid sisters....."

"The niblet been ok recently?" She was touched by his sudden concern.

She sighed. "I guess, not great. But - " she sought for the words. " - she's so distant. I know she talks to you, and Tara, but with me... she still thinks I'm trying to be her mom, and I'm not, but I need to act a little like her mom sometimes, because of everything, and school and -" she was gabbling now.

Spike was slightly taken aback, Buffy never mentioned Joyce, especially not as 'mom'. She liked to try to forget these things so she could get on with her life. He didn't blame her. "Hey." he said softly. He willed her to see the assurance in his eyes. He reached out to touch her hand, which was lying on the table. He took it in his own and squeezed it gently. "Don't worry, and I know you will, but we can sort all those things out.... together."

She giggled a little. "Not that I'm not grateful, but do you know how strange it is to get all this comfort from you."

"Yeah, but I hope that doesn't make me any less sincere."

She mentally sighed.

/ Perfect gentlemen. Can't let him know though. He still thinks I consider him the big bad or whatever. /

"I just can't deal with all this life stuff. Giles helped me before, and he thought I could deal, but because I've only really had to worry about slay- related things for so long, and I always thought someone else would be here, I never bothered to think about jobs and money."

"I know. But don't despair yet. People have to deal with this stuff everyday, and they're fine."

She raised an eyebrow. "But you don't."

"No." he gritted his teeth a little " doesn't mean I don't know about his stuff. I am over a centaury old you know." he smiled, then grinned when he saw the look on the waiter who had just passed them, overhearing the last bit of their conversation. "And I can talk to the niblet if you like. I had no idea things were bad between you too. She was so happy when you..." he forced the words out " came back. We all were. I don't mean to sound rude about Dawn, but she could be a little more thankful."

"I'm starting to not regret it all, but do you think what Willow did was right?" she looked deep into his eyes, needing the answer from him.

"I really don't know" he cursed himself for his slight stutter. "Anyone else I'd say no. I've seen how magick can affect people, people stronger than Red, and its not always nice. And apart from that it could have seriously endangered you."

"Spike, I was dead. Not much could have happened to me."

He almost burst into tears at her sudden frankness. She didn't know how much he hated thinking about last summer. "I know that" he murmured. "But plenty of dead things can cause a great deal of damage. But I certainly don't regret it, who knows what would have happened to me, and everyone else if you hadn't come back. Bit was the only thing keeping me going." her eyes widen "Yes.... I did promise, you know that. I don't think I could have bothered with it all otherwise."

/Oh God.../

"I think Willow was wrong. Her intentions were good, and everything's ok now, but it doesn't matter about now. Tara was right."

"About what?"

"Oh, we were just talking the other night. I went round to her place."

"You and her talk then?"

"Yeah. I just need someone know and then" she hurried to explain. "- Someone female. She understands about a balance with magick and stuff, and equilibrium or something." she looked to him." It just made a lot of sense. I don't think Willow really understands some of the consequences of these things and how magick is a gift granted to only a few. She should respect some.... things... if you see what I mean."

He looked at kindly, and with some new found respect. He never knew she talked with the blonde witch, and he was pleased. He quite liked Tara, and thought her far more sensible that most of Buffys friends." She understands magick much better than Willow. While she may not be as powerful she has good morals and sticks by them, even to the point of leaving someone she loves. I guess I admire her for that."

"Wouldn't you do the same?" it seemed strange to ask, but she had to know, knowing he would refer to her.

"I don't know. I don't think so. I am vampire after all, and don't have a good set of morals really. Besides I can hardly apply the same situation to me," he hesitated. " Or us."

"At least you're honest"

"Don't be too sure." he winked at her.

"Oh please... you're about as dangerous as... as..." she thought for something to tease him with. "As dangerous as Xander!"

He threw his head back and laughed.

/Oh, he is so handsome when he does that/

"Oh I'll prove how like Xander I am later." he grinned, and she gasped slightly, knowing his meaning, and less than innocent intentions. "Well, let's not sit around chatting all night. Dance?"

"Defiantly!" he stood to take her hand and lead her to the dance floor.

*****************************

Woah! Now that chapter did NOT go where I thought it would. But it opened up some story opportunities for me that I like, so yay! Tell me what you think, I tried to keep them in character as much as I could, but if I did that too much it would simply turn into Buffy Season 6 :P *giggles* I forgot how much I loved this story.