"Not patrol?" Buffy was finally able to voice. That wasn't something she had been advised to do. Ever. Except for when she was sick. She wasn't sick often. Her Slayer healing and strength helped with that.

"Yes, pet. Stay in. With me," he tacked on.

"Umm…. Okay… I'll be right back. Unless you don't think I should change clothes? The dress if beautiful, and I'd rather not ruin it."

"Sure, luv. Go ahead." Spike watched the gorgeous girl walk up the stairs.

"Oh, god. What does he expect? What should I wear? Oh no…" he thought he heard as she left his sight and hearing range.

He laughed and slid his boots off. "Wonder what's on tv…" He slunk onto the couch and awaited the woman.

Buffy was nervous. She had no reason to be. She'd known Spike for years, but had only recently discovered her feelings for the vampire. Recently being the previous year. He was the only person who kept her sane after her resurrection.

She didn't know Spike's intentions, but she knew he wouldn't try anything. He stopped her earlier from going any further. She dug through her clothes, trying to find something sexy yet comfortable. "Ooh, this is good," she said to herself, pulling out a green camisole sleep shirt and matching pajama shorts. She hung up the dress, put the shoes in the closet, and looked at herself in the mirror. Her face and hair was still dressed from the date, but she had no desire to change it. "Well, it's now or never." She pranced down stairs and remembered what Xander had said once about Willow. That's the dance of a Brave Little Toaster. That's me.

She didn't mean to walk so slowly. She wanted to run as fast as she could to be in his arms again, but as soon as she thought of him downstairs, she wanted to crawl under her bed. He scared and excited her at the same time. Well, that hasn't changed, she thought with a smile. She finally found her way to the living room where she found him fiddling with the radio. She noticed their picnic basket was sitting on the table. I don't remember hearing the door open. Guess I just wasn't paying attention.

"Hi," she said quietly. He turned around quickly, almost knocking the knickknacks off the shelf. His eyes widen as he saw her standing near the couch, almost acting shy.

"'ello, pet," he said, walking toward her. Not walking, stalking. Like a predator and prey. Buffy forced herself to remember that he was no longer a vampire, but the hairs on her neck still stood on ends. "You look pretty," he said, closing in.

"Thanks," she said, blushing ferociously. She suddenly thought she was showing too much skin. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to hide.

"Oh, luv. Don't hide yourself. You're too pretty to be self-conscious." Blood was at her cheeks once again. "So pretty when you blush," he said as he stroked her cheek, feeling the heat under his finger.

"That's still takes getting used to," she said, leaning in to his touch.

"Don't I know it." He spread his hand out so his palm was flat against her skin. His blue eyes were as piercing as ever.

"Spike," she whispered, closing the short distance between them. Staring into his bright eyes made Buffy weak, made her forget she was not only strong, but that she was the Slayer. He made her feel like a normal girl. Her legs wobbled, and she found herself pressed against his firm torso. He wrapped his arms around her, and buried his face in her hair. Buffy chuckled as she realized her unexpected weakness.

"What is it?"

"I just don't understand what makes me so weak around you." He smiled and brought them both to the couch. "Tomorrow's gonna be a long day." She pulled her legs under her and leaned on Spike's shoulder.

"Maybe I should go," he teased, wriggling a bit.

"No. Please. Stay with me."

"'Til the end of the world."

"So, only a few days. Hmm," Buffy deliberated that thought. "Well, if I only had a few days to spend with someone, I'm glad it's you."

"Me too, Buffy," he said, kissing her forehead. "So what d'we do?"

"Tv would be nice. There's this channel that plays Passions."

"Really?" he grabbed the remote, quickly scanning the channels until he found it. "Go figure. Timmy's stuck down that well again."

"You're so strange," Buffy giggled.

"Here, pet." He lied down, pulling her beside him, holding her against him.

She sighed, sinking against him. "I never thought this would happen again," she mumbled.

"Again?"

"Mmm-hmm." She closed her eyes, and rejoiced in being next to him.

He said nothing else. He pulled a blanket over them and turned his attention back to the tv. He slid one arm under her head, and placed the other around her waist.

"Why's the basket in here?" she whispered.

"Didn't know if you might have wanted some more champagne or strawberries."

"Hmmm. No. Alcohol makes Buffy do crazy things."

"Alright, pet," hearing the delirium in her voice. "Get some sleep." He gently kissed her cheek, and lay back to the couch.

Dawn and the girls were home soon after Buffy. They were all giggling until Dawn noticed the sleeping pair on the couch. "Shhh!" she hissed. She motioned the girls to go upstairs and locked the door behind them. She stood in the foyer, gazing at the pair. Awww… They're so cute. She turned out the lights, tv and grabbed their baskets of goodies. She looked in, seeing the strawberries and reached in to get one.

"Those aren't yours, Nibblet," Spike mumbled. She jumped as she heard his low timbre. She turned to them, but only saw their outlines.

"Jesus, Spike. You scared me!" she said in a hushed yell.

"Sorry. Put that in the fridge, will ya?"

"Sure. Why don't you take Buffy upstairs?"

"Didn't wan' wake her."

"Ha. Okay. Go on up. You won't wake her. I'll put this up, and then pull her blankets back."

"Alright."

Spike jumped as he heard the door open. He knew he hadn't been asleep long. He looked around, remembering where he was. The giggling girls had just made it home. He heard Dawn shush the girls, followed by hastened footfalls on the steps. He saw Dawn come toward them, turning off lights and then the tv. She grabbed the baskets, and began to reach in. "Those aren't yours, Nibblet." He laughed to himself as he watched her frame jump out of her skin. They quickly discussed Buffy's sleeping arrangements.

He found it quiet easy to raise himself from the couch. She was so small, she barely even reached the end. He gently picked her up, hugging her to him. He had forgotten she was so light. So small for someone so powerful. He carried her easily, nodding to Dawn as she left Buffy's room, blankets pulled back as promised. He laid her down softly, kissing her lightly on the lips. As he turned away to leave, he heard a small whisper.

"Spike?"

"Yes, pet?" he asked, turning back to the sleeping woman.

"You said you wouldn't leave," she grumbled.

"That I did." He pulled off his button up shirt and crawled in beside her, knowing it was going to be the best sleep of his life.