Buffy Summers-Pratt was having a quiet night in. Her husband was out of town on a 'business meeting.' Buffy was getting some well deserved R and R. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. She frowned, looking at her watch. It was 10.15.

Who could that be?

She tiptoed to the door then looked through the peephole. The boyishly handsome face of Xander Harris peered back at her. Her husband's friend and boss and all around good guy. In fact, over the last couple of years, he and Buffy had become fast friends as well.

She unlatched the door to find him looking a bit haggard. His usually well combed hair was unruly and he his shirt and tie were undone.

"Hey Buff," he said, waving a folder at her. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," she said, stepping aside.

"Are you okay?"

"We need to talk," Xander said, walking into her living room.

"About what?" Buffy said, her eyes knitted with a frown. She did not like the grim sound of his voice.

"Spike," Xander said, looking down at the floor.

William?

"Spike isn't…" Buffy began, but Xander cut her off.

"Here…I know. That's why I'm here."

She folded her arms over her chest.

"What is this about?" she asked, her voice anxious.

Xander swallowed then gave her a file he was clutching.

She opened it, leafing through the pages.

"I don't understand…."

"Spike's been stealing," Xander said simply, sitting down on the couch."From the firm."

Buffy's felt her heart drop.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No."

"He wouldn't," Buffy said frantically. "He couldn't."

"Has Spike been…..acting any differently?" Xander asked softly.

Buffy's eyes widened. Spike had been awfully quiet lately. As if something was bothering him. She'd tried to talk to him about it, but he just waved her away.

"Why would he do this?" Xander asked his eyes filled with pain. "I mean, he made two-hundred thousand dollars last year. Why would he do this?"

Buffy felt her heart rip.

Oh no. Oh please no.

Her mother's gallery had suffered heavy losses over the last year. Buffy had taken over after her mother's death. The first year had been an unmitigated disaster. Buffy had even considered selling it off, but Spike had talked her out of it.

"We'll manage," he had sworn.

"But the money," Buffy protested.

"I can get money," Spike had chuckled which had caused her to roll her eyes.

"How?"

"I steal from the rich and I…."

"Give to the poor?"

"Sod the poor," he growled, winking at her, which made her laugh."I keep it all."

At the time, she'd thought nothing of it. But now…..

"Buffy," Xander said. "I have to let Spike go. I just have to.…."

She nodded her head, numb with grief and anger.

"You should call a lawyer," Xander said sympathetically, breaking through her fog.

"What?…" Buffy said, unable to comprehend his words.

"The cops Buffy," Xander said, as if he were dealing with a small child.

"They're going to want to investigate."

"You'd…..you'd do that?" Buffy whispered.

"You'd do that to us? To your friends?"

"What choice do I have?" Xander said, unable to meet her eyes.

"Don't," Buffy said, sitting down next to him, touching him on the arm.

"Please. I'm begging you. We'l l be ruined."

"Buffy," Xander protested.

"Please Xan," she begged in desperation. "Please."

He loosened his tie, tossing it aside. "I guess I could leave the cops out of this," he said finally.

"I could convince the senior partners not to press charges. Let Spike resign quietly and pay back the money."

Buffy felt relief flood through her.

"Xander…." she said effusively, "I don't know how to….."

"But I need a reason," he said, looking at her, his voice low and his eyes strangely intense."You need to give me a reason not to."

Buffy withdrew her hand, as if she had felt a shock. Her heart began to race. What does he mean…

"Xander?" she asked, her eyes questioning him.

"I need a reason Buff," Xander said, his eyes flickering to her lips.

"A reason not to."

"I don't….."

Xander cut her off, touching her on the leg, his hand gently squeezing her thigh, making her suck in breath. She looked at his hand, her eyes as wide as saucers.

What was he doing?

"You want your husband not to rot in jail for the next ten years," Xander said, his voice soft. "And I…..I want you."

"You want me?" Buffy echoed, her head dizzy and her mouth incredibly dry.

"You know I do," Xander said, his voice heating up, his hand squeezing her leg."I've wanted you since the day we met."

"I….I…." Buffy stuttered, moving away.

"Don't deny it," Xander said harshly. "We both know it's true."

That forced her to think about it. How she'd tumbled into his arms the first time he'd arrived at the gallery.

"Can I have you?" he'd asked.

She'd laughed at his goofy pick up line andheld up her ring.

"Married. Sorry."

She'd seen the flicker of disappointment in his eyes, but to his credit he'd recovered well enough. They'd had a good laugh after they'd discovered he was her husband's boss. They'd become close friends as well, laughed and flirted and hung out. More than once she'd noticed him notice her, but had dismissed it with a knowing smile. Looking back, Buffy realized that she always knew that he wanted her. She'd just never given it any real thought.

"I can't," she whispered, her eyes pleading with him. "We can't. I love my husband. I can't betray him."

"Love me tonight," Xander said, touching her hand. "And you'll still have a husband to love tomorrow."

Buffy slapped him. Hard. She gasped at the pain she felt in her hand and at what she'd done. She almost apologized to him before she remembered what he was asking of her.

"Get out," she said, the thought now making her shiver with rage.

The nerve. Coming here and expecting her to….

"No," he said simply.

"No?" Buffy said, her eyes flashing with rage. "Are you going to rape me or something?"

"Never," he said, looking genuinely shocked. At least he pretended to be. "I'd never hurt you."

"Leave," she insisted, furiously.

"I wanna make love to you," Xander said. "With you."

Buffy felt her knees shake.

Make love? To me? With me?

"Not a chance," Buffy said, outraged.

"Spike stole two million dollars," Xander said. "That's ten years. Without parole."

That deflated her. Ten years? Ten fucking years? She couldn't bear the thought of him being away for ten days, let alone ten years.

Her eyes filled with tears.

Spike….you stupid, proud ass.

And then he'd be out, a voice whispered. Without a licence. Without being able to do the only thing he'd ever loved. And then what? And then what's left?

She looked at Xander then. He was looking up at her with his soft brown it be so bad?

The fact that she'd even considered it shocked her to her very core. She'd never have thought herself capable of even considering it. But then, she'd never have thought Spike capable of stealing. And she was desperate.

No. No. I can't. We can fight this. We can fight this…

"Be with me," Xander said, extending his hand.

"Be with me tonight and this all goes away. I promise."

Buffy looked at his hand. Her heart wasn't racing anymore, it was about to burst from her chest.

No. No. No. You don't have to.

"Spike doesn't have to go to jail," Xander said, his voice soft and soothing. "I can help you. Let me."

Buffy looked at him, for the longest time.

"If….if we do this," she stammered, unable to believe her own ears.

What am I saying?

"Buffy," he whispered, his eyes lighting up with joy. He came forward, attempting to take her into his arms. Her hand shot out, restraining him.

"IF….we….do….this…" she said, making it amply clear that this was far from a done deal.

"Everything goes away," Xander said. "I promise."

"Which means?" she said, pulling away. She needed some distance between them. And a moment to think.

Xander sighed. "I let Spike resign. Quietly. Spike finds a new job. He pays us back. With interest. Thirteen percent. No cops."

"And I'm supposed to what….just trust you on that?" she said, scowling.

"Being the boss has its perks," he shrugged, almost shyly.

"So you could help us?" Buffy askedher eyes wide.

"Without….."

She couldn't even bring herself to say it.

Us sleeping together.

"My ass would be on the line," Xander said, trying to make her understand the gravity of it all. "My reputation at the firm. My career, if I'm ever found out. I could lose everything if I'm caught covering this up. God knows the senior partners wouldn't lift a finger. I might even end up sharing a cell with your husband."

She stared at him, unable to comprehend him.

"Then why would….?"

"For you," he said simply.

For me?

"I'm not worth…." she said frantically.

"You are," Xander said, "you are to me."

Suddenly she had a thought. If Xander was so infatuated with her, then chances are he was lying to get her into bed. This whole thing could be a con.

"I need to talk to Spike," she said, thinking quickly as righteous anger rose within her.

His face fell. "You think I'm making this up?"

"No," she blurted out, eager not to offend him. On the off chance that what he was saying was true, she'd need his help.

"I just….need to…..hear him say it."

He folded his arms, his eyes darkened. Buffy felt hope flare in her heart.

"Just once," she said.

Xander picked up the phone, dialled Spike's number.

"Go ahead," he said.

The flare died.

"You didn't hear this from me," Xander said, sitting down on the sofa, rubbing his hands through his hair.

Buffy held the phone to her ear, letting it ring.

"Hello love," she heard a voice say suddenly. "Miss me?"

"Will," she said, her voice shaking.

"What is it?" he said, his voice filling with concern.

"Is it true?"

"Is what true love?"

She could barely bring herself to ask.

"Two million dollars," she said.

Silence. She could hear him suck in a breath.

"Who told you?" he said, after a long pause. He voice sounded miserable.

"Anya," she replied, looking at Xander, her voice wavering.

"Yeah," he said finally. "It's true."

The pain in his voice was an arrow through her heart.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Buffy whispered.

"Baby, I wanted to," Spike said, his voice breaking. "But…"

Buffy didn't want to hear anymore. She threw the phone into the wall, shattering it.

"I'm sorry," Xander said tenderly.

"No you're not," Buffy snapped. "You're not sorry at all."

"I am," Xander insisted. "I'm sorry for you."

"Me?" Buffy said.

How dare he. How dare he.

"You don't deserve Spike," he said, shaking his head.

"You deserve…."

"You?" Buffy mocked, "Prince fuck me or I'll send your husband to jail charming."

For the first time this evening, Buffy saw Xander's face harden.

"It's your choice," he said casually. "One night with me, or ten years alone. Fifteen if the prosecutor wants to make a point."

She looked at him with disdain she had to work hard to disguise. Her eyes flashed then faded.

Fine, she thought. I'll do what you want, you sick fuck.

"Okay," she said softly.

"Is that a yes?" Xander asked. With a little smile. Scarcely unable to believe his ears.

Buffy felt the air go out of her. She was too tired to argue anymore. She just wanted it over with. So, she could forget.

"Yes," she said. But not to him. To the empty room.

Xander stood then closed the distance between them, intending to take her into his arms.

"Wait," she said. He looked at her expectantly.

"Promise me," she said, biting her lip. "Promise you'll…..help. After…..."

She knew how damn naive she sounded. He was trying to get her into her pants. Of course he'd say yes. He'd promise her the sun, the moon, the earth and all the stars in the universe. And then….

"I promise," Xander said as he touched her waist. His arm slowly wrapped around her. Buffy didn't resist as he pulled her closer. And closer. And closer. Until she was completely in his arms.

Buffy looked into his eyes, trying to determine if he was lying. They were earnest brown and shining with something she couldn't quite comprehend.

It distressed her. She could understand lust. Disgusting as his actions were, she could understand lust. But lo….

No. No. He doesn't love me. If he really loved me he'd never do this.

"Rules," she said suddenly, as if she remembered. He raised a brow.

"We need….to….set…. ground rules," she faltered.

"Just one rule," Xander declared, in a tone that brooked no argument.

"Tonight I get to have you. All of you."

As if to make his point, his hand slid down from her waist to cup her bottom, squeezing it possessively. Buffy gasped at how suddenly his behavior had changed. But he wasn't done talking.

"Everything I want," he whispered, his tongue wetting his lips. "Everywhere I want. And as many times as I want."

Xander squeezed her ass again and again and again, as he made his demands, making her nostrils flare.

Mine, his smug eyes seemed to say. You're all mine.

That wasn't exactly what she had in mind. She was hoping for a quickie in the dark after which he'd get the hell out. She thought to protest, but he cut her off.

"And tomorrow, you get everything you want," he whispered.

And then they just stared at each other, both of them knowing that this was it. The point of no return. Yes or No?

Buffy put her hands on his, which were firmly on her ass. She enjoyed the bitter disappointment that flashed in his eyes when she pushed them off.

"Okay," Xander said, taking a deep breath. "Jail it is."

"Wait," Buffy said, after he'd taken a step away, her voice faltering.

Xander looked back to see a pained look on Buffy's face. And then she was steeling herself and stepping back into the shadows. Xander waited two beats then followed. He saw her standing by the bedroom door, facing him, her face obscured by darkness. She looked his way for a long time. Then she disappeared inside.

Xander's lips curved upwards when he noticed the door. It was slightly open. He stepped forward, running his hand across the face of the door, caressing it gently, almost like a friend. His eyes caught the dark shadow she cast, bathed in a beautiful golden glow. When he stepped inside, their shadows merged. The door shut with a resounding thud and a lock clicked into place.

Buffy felt like she'd spent just moments in the bathroom. Once inside, Xander had taken complete charge. He had insisted she get 'dolled up' for him. He'd even picked out something for her to wear.

I look like a stepford slut, she thought, staring at herself in the mirror. What am I doing?

A knock on the door told her it she was out of time.

"Just a minute," she said loudly, trying not to betray her anxiety. She looked at herself in the mirror, took a deep breath and opened the door.

Xander was sitting on the bed, waiting for her.

When she stepped into view, Xander felt his heart stop.

As he'd requested (but really ordered), she'd slipped into a little black number that showed a lot of her golden tanned legs and more than a hint of cleavage. Her hair was shiny and coiffed and her face was shiny and perfectly done up. She was, by far, the sexiest thing he had ever seen.

"Come here," he said, his voice just a caress on her shoulder. It made her shiver. With hate. She knew that despite the softness of her voice, it was an order.

Xander switched on the bedside light, bathing them in a soft golden glow. He patted the place where he wanted her to sit, right by his side. She took her spot, trying not to look at him as he quickly tossed off his shirt.

Buffy nearly did a double take. He was absolutely ripped. His arms were muscular and lean and his stomach was layered with abs. Whoa. Who knew that underneath those layers of clothes, hid a fantastic bod. Her breath quickened. Despite her disgust with this situation, she couldn't help but feel a little turned on by his sculpted physique.

"Been working out," he said, smiling smugly at her, noticing that she had checked him out.

"Can we not talk?" she said, glaring at him.

"Come here," he said, extending his hand, laying back against the headboard, his eyes roaming her body.

Buffy considered her options. Her very bad options.

Face to face?

No. I don't wanna look at him.

Back to face?

No. A world of No.

So what then?

Sideways it is.

Buffy bit her shiny looking lip, then sat next to him. Xander gently grasped her hand and pulled her down, positioning her across his lap.

"So beautiful," Xander whispered in awe. He let his hand run up her long smooth legs, caressing and stroking, as his lips found her neck. Buffy closed her eyes, determined to block out as much of this experience as she could. Xander kissed the soft skin before his tongue lapped the salt of her neck, sending a shiver through her as his hand massaged the tanned golden flesh of her legs.

No. No. Oh god No. This is wrong. I can't be turned on, Buffy thought.

"Stop that," she said, her voice harsh, stilling his fingers.

"We had a deal," Xander said nonchalantly, placing two more kisses across her neck. "Right?"

And then Buffy remembered. Spike. Jail. Bastard.

Buffy's hand loosened instantly. Xander grinned, picking her up quickly, turning them around and lay her down in the middle of the large bed.

"God you're beautiful," he whispered, touching her cheek.

"Don't," she said, looking away. "Just…..don't."

Xander cupped her chin. Made her look at him.

She bit her lip when he brought his face down to meet hers. When their noses touched she closed her eyes. She could sense him hovering over her, she could feel his breath on her face. And suddenly he was gone.

Buffy opened her eyes, to see him putting his shirt back on. She blinked a few times, not understand what the hell was going on.

"What?" she said, her voice barely a croak. So she tried again.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm leaving," Xander said, his voice flat. "Forget it."

"Forget what?" Buffy said.

"Our…..arrangement."

"But….."

"This isn't what I want," Xander said. "Not like this."

Buffy would have screamed at him if she could summon the energy.

"This….isn't…..what…you….want?"

"I want Buffy," Xander said.

"The one full of life and laughter and love. Not an unwilling corpse."

"Then that's too fucking bad," Buffy said harshly.

"Just…..forget the whole thing," Xander said.

"Fine," Buffy said angrily. "Get out."

She massaged her temple. trying to digest this information.

"Wait," she said, as if it had just occurred to her. "What about Spike?"

"What about him?" Xander said, not looking at her.

"You promised," Buffy said, her voice trembling with accusation.

"You promised you'd help."

"You didn't give me a reason," Xander said, tucking in his shirt and turned to go.

"What the hell do you want from me?"

Buffy said, her voice shaking with fury as she rose from the bed.

Xander looked back at her. He considered it.

"I want you," he said simply.

When Buffy opened her mouth to argue he added,

"To forget about Spike," he said. "He doesn't exist anymore."

Buffy goggled at him.

"I want you to seduce me. To make love with me. Make me believe you want me."

Oh you have to be fucking kidding me, Buffy thought.

Chapter 3

Buffy's mouth hung open, searching for a response.

"This is …crazy" she spluttered.

"Your choice," Xander said quietly.

There was no threat in his voice. Then again, theyre really didn't need to be. He held all the cards. Buffy knew that this was the only way to keep her husband out of jail. She exhaled deeply.

"So, what then?"

He took a long pause, considering the situation.

"Let's start over," he said, smiling.

"Okay," Buffy said, slightly unnerved.

"Newlyweds," Xander spoke, snapping his fingers.

"What?" Buffy asked, completely bewildered by him. "What the hell are you….?"

"You and me," he stated, chuckling at the look on her face.

"I…."

"We're on our honeymoon," Xander added quickly. "And you can't keep your hands off me."

Oh, Buffy thought. He wants us to pretend. Totally not crazy.

"I'll wait," Xander said, sitting down, gesturing for her to get back to the bathroom.

Buffy felt her world spin, but nodded, she took those few steps towards the bathroom.

When she opened the door, she heard him call out to her.

"Buffy," he said. She looked back at him.

"Make it real," he said.

There was almost a pleading tone in his voice. But this time, she clearly heard the threat.

Buffy shut the door. She resisted the urge to slam her head into it. This is insane, she thought desperately. I can't do this.

She stared at herself in the mirror.

"You have to," she said quietly.

But how?

She thought about it, before an old method her high school drama teacher had waxed on about.

Immersion, she remembered. It was called in character.

She knew she simply didn't have the time, so she closed her eyes. Quickly, she tried to build up alternate history of their 'characters.'

"Newlyweds," she muttered. "Me and Xander. On our honeymoon. Newlyweds. On our honeymoon. Can't keep our hands off each other."

Xander sat on the bed, tossing his shirt to the ground once again. He waited for a few seconds, his impatience growing. He was about to call to her, when the door swung open.

"Hey baby," she said to him. She leant against the door, somehow accentuating her long smooth legs. Her voice was husky. Her eyes were ablaze.

"Miss me?"

Xander couldn't believe it. This wasn't the same woman. Just a short while ago, she seemed so unsure of herself. So meek. But that woman was behind the door. This magnificent creature stood tall and proud, accentuated by her high heels. She was eyeing him as if he were her prey.

"Come here and I'll show you," Xander said his voice husky with lust. She stepped to the bed playfully, giving him a seductive smile.

"What do you think?" she asked, biting her lip playfully."Like my outfit?"

"I dunno," he said, standing up to extend his hand."I think I need a closer look."

When Buffy placed her hand in his, she was jolted back into reality. Her eyes widened. She stared at his hand. She swallowed, looking at him, blinking hard. Her "character" melted away. And it all came flooding back to her. Spike. Jail. Blackmail. Xander. Pretend.

Newlyweds, she thought frantically closing her eyes. Newlyweds in love. She dedicated the whole of her self to those very thoughts, and with great effort, cleared her mind. And then she let herself be filled by those thoughts. When she opened her eyes, she wasn't herself. She was someone else. Someone new. Someone swept up in love and want and need.

Buffy felt her breath quicken when his hands curled around her waist, then pulled her flush against looked into her eyes deeply, as if trying to determine something.

"I love you," he said, cupping her chin, his eyes a soft brown. "I love you so much."

Spike's Buffy would have screamed. She would have slapped him. She would have told him to go to hell. She would have kneed him in the groin.

But that Buffy wasn't here. She couldn't be here tonight. That Buffy had been pushed down, so deep that she could only see and hear what was happening as if it was to another person.

"Show me." she said, her voice husky.

Disappointment flickered behind Xander's eyes. Just for a moment. Then it was gone.

"Can I have you? Xander asked, softly. He wanted to give her another chance. He needed to hear her say it. He waited for an eternity. She stared at him.

"I'm yours," she said finally, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and squeezing gently. "Take me."