"Go, before I change my mind and lock you in here with me," Buffy threatened, teasingly, her arms wrapped tightly around her mate. Spike hadn't fed properly in over a day now and was taking the opportunity to visit the local butchers. Well, local as a butchers could be in LA. He'd probably have to travel a few miles to get to one. He'd insisted that he could manage with regular food for a while longer but they both knew blood would suit him better. The vampire pretended to look deep in thought. "I don't sound too opposed to that, actually. What do you plan to do with me in your clutches?"

"Hmm. Sleeping, pain relief, more sleeping. Maybe some mind reading."

"Plenty of time for that later, sweetness. If you need me," he brought two fingers to his temple, before kissing her lightly and making his exit.

Buffy was so busy daydreaming about her vampire that she didn't notice Angel outside, preparing to knock. His entrance took her by surprise.

"Angel. When did you get back?"

"Not long ago. How are you doin'?"

She pulled a blanket further around herself, more to feel protected than anything. "Better. I'm not sure if Wesley filled you in. We need to talk."

Angel was already sure on one of the topics that would come up at one point or another. "I know. You and Spike. I saw you."

"Angel, it's not as simple as that."

The vampire didn't know why she was dragging this out. Was she purposely trying to torture him? Rub it in his face?

"Yes, Buffy. It is as simple as that. I asked if you felt that way about him back in Sunnydale. The least you could've given me was the truth."

"I-I didn't know then. I've only realised this past day."

Somehow, he didn't believe her. "So I've spent the last twenty four hours travelling to the other side of the world to help you and Captain Peroxide uses that as a chance to get back into bed with you?"

The slayer felt anger boiling up inside her. "It was NOT like that!"

The jealous vamp leant back against a wall and folded his arms. "Well, do explain then. I'm all ears."

Why was he acting the innocent? He wasn't entirely blameless in this.

"Where do you get off blaming Spike? Wesley was the one to tell Spike that the Deeper Well couldn't help me after all. You obviously didn't want us to know. When were you planning on telling us so that we could find an alternative?"

Angel looked a little stumped for a second. "I didn't want to worry you."

"So instead you thought you'd let me continue to think that there was hope when I could've been finding another way to save my life?"

"Could've been?" Angel repeated.

"Don't try to change the subject. I can't believe you tried to keep me in the dark."

Suspicious, Angel wasn't paying attention to her questions anymore. "What do you mean 'could've been?' What have you found out?"

The slayer sighed. Well, now was as good a time as any to get things out in the open.

"Me and Spike...we're mated. A claim was the only option we felt I had left and, as far as Wesley knows, it's working."

Angel was suddenly so still, he could genuinely pass for being dead. "You're what?"

"Don't make this harder. I get you're upset but we wanted this."

"Do you have any idea what you've done?!" he yelled. The sudden hostility in his voice took Buffy by surprise.

"I'm not a kid anymore. I don't need you to lecture me."

"You obviously do when you've been so stupid."

"This is none of your business. How can you justify having a say in my life anymore?"

"I'm trying to look out for you, Buffy."

The more agitated the slayer became, the more physical pain she started to feel again. "I'm not doing this now. Just go."

Buffy begun to turn away from the vampire when he harshly grabbed her by the arm.

"You can't just walk away like everything's fine!"

A now infuriated Buffy tried to tug her arm out of his grasp, unsuccessfully. She continued to struggle but her current condition wasn't helping. "Angel, get off of me!"

"Not until you listen to me!" He tugged her arm a little too violently then, causing her to lose her balance and slam into a wall. Angel could only watch in horror at what he'd done as Buffy fell to the floor, clearly winded. He didn't have long to regret his actions when he, himself, was shoved against a window, his left arm forced behind his back.

"Alright, peaches," Spike started. "After I've caused you a considerable amount of pain, you've got five seconds to get the hell out of here."

Angel probably could've escaped Spike's hold but he knew that he deserved this.

"Let him go, Spike," Buffy wheezed. Spike looked to his mate and then back to his grandsire for a few seconds before releasing him. The blonde vamp made sure that he was stood between Buffy and Angel as his nemesis made his way to leave.

"Buffy. I..."

Angel stoped when his ex looked up at him, eyes narrowed and shining with anger.

"Get out of here."

He did as he was told without another word.

"You alright, love?" Spike asked, crouching down beside her. She nodded.

"Just a little winded. I thought you'd left?"

"I had. Hadn't gotten far when I started getting some weird vibes from you though. Got here as fast as I could when he..." The vampire couldn't even say the word without feeling enraged. "If that sod lays a finger on you ever again."

"He won't. As soon as I'm at full slayer strength again, he won't have the chance."

The pair sat for a couple of minutes, regaining their calm and going over what had just happened.

"We can't stay here," said Buffy.

Spike looked at her.

"Not for much longer. Angel will never accept what's happened."

Spike knew she was right. There was just one problem.

"Where would we go? Don't know if you've got any permanent residence at the moment. I sure as hell don't."

Buffy laughed. For someone so intelligent he wasn't half forgetful sometimes.

"Remember Rome? Dawn goes to school there, we've got an apartment. Come stay with us."

"As long as bloody Andrew isn't still there. No idea how you can live with him."

Buffy bit her lip. "It won't be forever. Just for a while longer. He has been a big help."

Spike sighed. "Alright, fine."

"Don't worry, we'll have our space. Even someone like Andrew gets that."

There was another silence.

"We are waiting until you're better, right?"

Buffy shot him a suspicious look. "Yeah. Why?"

"Don't think I'm ready to move in with the nerd quite yet."

"If it bothers you that much, I can-"

Buffy wasn't too bothered that Spike interrupted her when she felt his lips on hers.

"Said it was fine, pet. Everything's fine. And I got a feelin' it will be for a while."

Buffy looked shocked. "Spike, I do believe you're being optimistic."

"Watch it, slayer. You won't be fragile forever. Who knows what I'll get up to when you're back on your feet."

The slayer knew she shouldn't have been made so excited by his playful threat.

"Well, until then, you better be gentle."

"I hope by now you trust me to do that."

"Always."