OK, so I tucked myself up in bed last night with a pen, paper and a jar of chocolate spread and forced myself to write some of the next chapters (perfect cure for any case of writers block) Apologies for the abominable lateness – my life went and got in the way of my writing again. Hope you enjoy and review.

Chapter 14 : The Conflict of Lovers

Rated: PG-13 (for Spikes filthy mouth)

I own nothing, blahtey blah...
Spike froze slightly. He'd been a little worried of the occurrence of this conversation. He didn't want things to change already! He was happy the way things were, continuing in this secret dream world where it was he and Buffy and nothing else. He didn't want her friends to get in the way of what he thought was hid. His Buffy. His Goldilocks. His Slayer.

"Spike?" she said, a little quizzically.

He looked up.

"Hmmm..?" he said, trying to conceal his emotions.

"You have... the strangest look on your face."

"Sorry."

"You don't want me to tell my friends do you!?" she gasped with a look of horrific realisation on her pretty face.

He looked at her again and sighed.

"Buffy, love, I-"he tried to explain.

His face said it all to her.

"But why!"

"Buffy –"

"Do NOT interrupt me!"

Her face had grown angry and strained as she put a hand up to stop him pulling her back into his embrace.

"Why would you not want them to know? They're my friends for gods sake! You say you love me, but you won't even involve my own friends. I want you to be as much a part of my life as I am of yours!"

She looked at him again, a sense of urgency in her wild eyes.

He was touched by this sudden admission, and took a step towards her to try to reassure her. She, in turn, stepped back, waiting for his answer. She needed his answer.

/Why is she being like this? /

/Why is he being like this? /

"They wouldn't understand Buffy. I don't want to involve them, I only want you, and...." His brow furrowed as his voice quivered a little, "they'd never let us be together."

/That's why? /

/ Buffy, believe me, understand me... /

/ He's lying. He must be, this isn't Spike, it's his evil, twisted, vampiric way of getting what he wants. /

He saw the sceptical look of defiance in her eyes and he heart sank. His cold, un-beating heart nearly broke in two at that moment.

/ No! Buffy! /

/ Please, don't let it be like that. Let me trust him. Please let him be telling the truth. /

"Is that really the only reason why?"

"Of course it is!"

/ Of course it is you silly, lovable, bint. /

"They barely let you and Angel stay together. I .... I haven't a chance of being with you. Look, I know they care about you, and that's why they're like that, and I know you've been hurt before" he was on a roll and couldn't stop, he voice rising and becoming more desperate with each syllable. "And I know I'm a disgusting, soulless, demon with no chance in heaven or hell with you, but you know what? I LOVE you! I. Love. You. I can't be here without you. I would die for you! I nearly did the night we fought Glory! I protected your sister and all your un-grateful friends all last summer, for nothing, except that I love you! I've been hunted by my own kind, turned my back on the demon world, chummed up to your mates, fought and been hurt for you. I even let Glory torture me, if you even care to remember. And you know what? I don't even CARE about ANY of that –" he was he nearly yelling now, advancing towards her, while she nervously stepped back, "because I LOVE YOU! And if you think I'm going to let anything get in the way of that you've got another bloody thing coming! I'M NOT LOSING YOU AGAIN!"

He crossed his arms in front of her, a look of angry expectation on his face and waited for her reply.

"Spike" she said, a little impatiently, but warily and slightly gasping, so taken aback by his passionate outburst. "I just think-"

"What the BLEEDING HELL do you want me to do!? Get a fucking SOUL or something!!!"

/Oh God, why did you have to bring that up Spike! /
So, what do ya think? I wanted some tension to break all the lovey- doveyness. All constructive comments and criticism are much appreciated. I do write this for you ya know!