Both Buffy and Spike were sat in silence. It wasn't unwanted or awkward but thoughtful and comforting.

"Everythin' okay?" Spike asked. The slayer smiled and nodded at him, still reeling slightly from recent events. He knew exactly where her mind was at and held her closer. "I know hearin' what I had to say wasn't easy. Kinda wished I hadn't said anything before I'd ruled everything else out."

"Hey," Buffy interrupted, linking her fingers through his. "There's no point in regretting it now. I know I don't."

The vampire looked relieved. That had been his biggest worry. He'd only just realised that he'd made himself sound regretful. That really wasn't the case. More like wondering what could've been. They weren't really the same thing in his mind.

"No regrets here, love." He cupped her face with one hand and traced the fingers of his other one over the newly sealed bite mark on her neck.

"Mine," he whispered, repeating the word that finalised their earlier act. He was rewarded with the softest of smiles from her.

"Yours..."

3 hours earlier...

"Told you it was a stupid idea."

Buffy's stunned reaction had sent Spike into a state of panic. He was crazy if he'd ever thought that she'd consider the idea even for second. He'd never felt so humiliated with himself.

"I didn't say anything," she squeaked. The slayer was more annoyed with his tendency to jump to conclusions than with the actual idea at that moment. "This isn't like choosing a day out or finding a new place to live. This is permanent and forever. You need to give me some time to think. Now get back here."

The vampire hadn't realised, in his panic, he'd made his way over towards the door. He only ever seemed to have the impulse to run away from situations when they involved her. He didn't make any effort to move, however.

"You're not walkin' out on me now. Or if you do, I'll somehow get myself out of these straps and...haul your ass back here."

That was his girl. "Got no doubt about it."

She wasn't even aware she was tugging on her restraints when he came into close proximity of her again, desperate to touch him.

"This isn't really the conversation I wanted to have, strapped down," she laughed. Spike pressed his lips together. "Maybe not. But you look damn good in leather."

Buffy couldn't hide her blush, especially in her current position. Deciding to ignore her embarrassment and focus on the real issue, she took a few moments to get her head straight. "I'm not against this idea. I don't want you thinking that."

"I don't know what to think myself. Part of me's screamin', 'What are you waitin' for? This is all you've ever wanted.' And then the realistic part kicks in. I can't help but feel selfish for asking when the only reason I'm doing this is to save you." He realised how that sounded. "Not the only reason. O'course I want this but..."

"You don't have to explain. I get it. I just need some time."

Her hesitation was barely down to Spike. It was more to do with the commitment the claim brought with it. She'd never ever been great at relationships and she wasn't sure she ever would be so what would she be like as a mate? Even more to the point, it wouldn't be fair to Spike when she did eventually pass. He was already devoted to her in every way and the claim would strengthen that bond a million times over. He'd be totally broken without her. At least that was the message he'd put across. She didn't want to do that to him. Not again.

The back and forth battle going on in Spike's mind was becoming increasingly apparent in his eyes. She couldn't focus on trying to think everything through when the vampire was clearly worrying himself silly.

"Would I be screwing up Wolfram and Hart's insurance policy if I got out of these cuffs for a bit?"

"What they don't know won't hurt 'em, hey?" he replied, raising a mischievous eyebrow. She loved it when he did that. Neither one of them had realised how tight the straps were until they uncovered red marks on Buffy's wrists. Spike was careful not to brush anything against the sore patches of skin. "You should'a said something."

Buffy curved her mouth. "I didn't realise. Drugs probably didn't help." The pain was starting to resurface, however, as the blood circulation returned to her hands. The skin had been rubbed raw but she didn't really fancy downing any more painkillers. Suddenly, Spike had an idea.

"Erm. Can I?" he asked, cradling her wrist and lifting her arm slightly. The slayer wasn't one hundred percent sure what he planned to do but nodded all the same. She trusted him and, as her reward, was pleasantly surprised by the sensation of soft kisses down her arm. The soothing feel of his cool, moist lips was a welcome relief on her sore flesh. Somehow, he didn't even make it sting. Slowly, his tounge appeared, from between his parted lips, and dabbed at the tender spots. He paid close attention to each millimetre, moving all the way up to her pulse point, where his lips settled for a little longer than on the other spots. He breathed in time with the beat, appreciating being so close to such a crucial part of her for reasons completely different to a few years ago. Buffy was entranced by his act. It was so tender yet so full of passion. Bordering on predatory. But the truth was, it had barely even dawned on her where Spike's lips - and, more importantly, fangs - were lingering. When Buffy finally did realise, however, it didn't bother her. She knew he wasn't going to bite her, to the point where she was beginning not to mind if he did. He wouldn't take the decision lightly and would only go through with anything like it if she had no doubts whatsoever.

Just then, their eyes met.

"Where is she?" he murmured, making her skin vibrate. "The girl I met in that alley all those years ago. The girl who, as much as she tried, couldn't hide her fear."

Gently, Buffy lifted her arm away from him so that she could slide it around his neck instead.

"She's still here. She just grew up. Grew up based on what she was told and never got to learn things for herself. You brought down her walls and taught her to see the world differently. Hell, she's still awful at hiding but there's no fear to hide anymore. This girl trusts you completely. There isn't a part of her that doesn't want to to be with you. She just wants to be sure that this is what you want to."

The next stare she received from him reached even the deepest, darkest recesses of her soul.

"I never asked to fall in love with you. Never really expected you to feel the same. It changed everything I knew."

The slayer couldn't help but bow her head but Spike immediately lifted it back up.

"But I wouldn't change anything that's happened. It's brought us here, right?"

Buffy couldn't deny that. But there were still so many downsides to this plan."One day, I'll die. I don't want to bring it up but it's true. Are you sure you're prepared for that?"

"Whatever happens next, I'll never stop lovin' you. Not until I'm dust. So being tied to you for the rest of my life would be an honour. Mated to you or not, losing you..."

He physically couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence and neither did Buffy want him to. It wasn't going to happen any time soon.

She brought her head to his shoulder, making him shudder when she she pressed her lips, lightly, to his throat. "Then let's do this..."