Dawn and Willow stood in the doorway to Buffy's bedroom watching her and
Spike sleep. They were cuddled together, their arms and legs entwined and
they looked completely peaceful and content.
"They look so sweet!" Dawn said, continuing to watch them.
"They really do." Willow agreed.
Dawn's head tilted when Buffy's body shifted slightly and her arm slid further up Spike's back and her head became tucked under his chin.
"Did you see that?" Dawn said tugging on Willow's shirtsleeve. "They are so cute!"
"I agree but don't you think we should leave them alone now? I don't think they would be too happy if they woke up and found us staring at them."
"I guess you're right." Dawn agreed.
They both meant to move out of the doorframe and find something more productive to do but they just couldn't seem to get their legs to work. Even though they both agreed to stop with the staring, they couldn't bring their eyes away from the touching scene in front of them.
Buffy stirred and her eyes opened. She looked over at Spike's sleeping form and smiled sweetly. She hadn't yet noticed the audience of two watching their slumber like it was some great romantic drama. Buffy studied his face and ran a gentle hand through the curly platinum locks on his head, which were disheveled from sleep.
Dawn sighed happily at the gesture and at the sound Buffy turned her head to see Dawn and Willow staring at her in awe.
She knew she should have been mad at the interruption of a private moment but instead she grinned. Nothing could bring her down now that she finally found the person she was hoping for but never actually believed she'd ever see again.
"Sorry, Buffy." Willow said immediately. "We just saw you all comfy and cuddled and we couldn't tear ourselves away." She added, slightly shame faced.
"It's ok. Why don't you guys come on in?" Buffy said.
Slightly surprised, Willow and Dawn entered the room and stood beside Buffy's side of the bed. All three girls looked at Spike as if he were a newborn baby taking a nap, waiting to see the next move he would make.
Spike suddenly opened his eyes to three pairs of female ones watching him intently.
"Uh, why is everyone looking at me?" Spike asked.
"Because you're so adorable when you sleep." Buffy answered.
"I thought I was adorable all the time." He pouted. "But if it means that much to you, carry on then." With that he closed his eyes once more and the three girls continued watching him, much to his surprise.
When he heard them all sigh he opened his eyes again. He glared at the girls, rolled his eyes and got up out of bed. That followed by three female groans of disappointment.
"Show's over ladies. There will be another showing tonight at bedtime." He walked out the door and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.
"Buffy, this is so great!" Dawn yelped.
"Yeah, I'm amazed." Willow added. "I can't believe you actually found him.
Buffy looked at them both with a huge grin plastered across her face.
"I know! I can't stop smiling!" Buffy said, not remembering when she ever felt this happy.
"You guys are never gonna believe this." Buffy continued. "Spike is human now! He can still fight with vampire strength and speed, although he does need a bit of practice, but he's human!"
"Oh my God!" Dawn and Willow chorused together.
"You mean he can go out in the sun now? His cross and holy water allergies are over?" Dawn asked brightly.
"Absolutely." Buffy confirmed.
"How did this happen?" Willow inquired.
"Apparently, the Powers That Be thought that he would be of some great use here and that leaving him dead was such a waste. They believe that he can do great things to help the universe. I just wish that someone would have informed me of that decision so I could have had him back a long time ago." Buffy grinned sheepishly.
"Wow!" Dawn squealed. "Wow! I'm gonna go make him breakfast. He's probably starving! What do you think he likes? Eggs? Pancakes? Waffles? What should I make?"
"I'm sure he'll love whatever you make him, Dawn." Buffy said.
"Ok!" Dawn left, practically skipping out the door to make Spike some food.
"Do ya think she's excited?" Willow asked, sarcastically.
Buffy chuckled, then her expression turned serious.
Willow noticed the sudden mood change and became concerned. "Are you ok? Is something wrong?"
"No. It's just....I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"Everything is going so well. I've never been happier. I'm afraid it's all going to end or that it's going to be taken away."
"Don't think like that, Buffy. The man that you love is back in your life. It's like some kind of miracle. Don't ruin it for your self by thinking you are going to lose him again." Willow thought for a moment. "Speaking of which, have you told him yet?"
"Told him what?" Buffy asked, bewildered.
"That you love him, of course. Isn't that the one thing that was bothering you the most? You said he didn't believe you when you told him the first time. You wanted to make sure that he knew the truth."
"No. I haven't told him yet." Buffy admitted softly.
"What are you waiting for?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm just nervous."
"Buy why? You already know how much he loves you. It's not like you could have some big fear of rejection or anything because you already know exactly how he feels about you. Just tell him. You have a second chance to make it right. Don't wait too long this time."
"I'll tell him. I promise. I just need a little more time. Things are weird right now. He has to adjust to his new life and I don't want to make things worse by moving too fast."
"Ok, Buffy." Willow sighed in disappointment. "But you never know what tomorrow may bring. You better let him know how you feel before it's too late."
A few hours later, Buffy dragged Spike into the training room. They set a room aside that was set up with a punching bag and some work out mats. It was no where near the size of her old one but it served its purpose.
"All right, show me what you got." Buffy said, immediately getting into a fighting stance.
Spike nodded and advanced on her. He started by throwing a few punches, which she easily blocked.
"Come on, Spike! You can do better than that!" She taunted him, trying to get him to fight harder.
He threw another punch that she blocked just as easily then crouched down and tried to kick her legs out from under her. She jumped over the incoming leg and when he stood up she copied his move. Unlike him, she made contact sending him sprawling to the floor where he landed on his rear.
"Spike, you have got to try harder!" Buffy said with irritation.
Spike continued to sit on the floor and look defeated, his head and shoulders slumped toward the floor.
"I can't. I can't do this. I'm not strong enough anymore."
"That's nonsense and you know it. When we were at the Angel's hotel, I saw you punch him across the room. The strength is there. You just have to find it."
"I don't know how."
"Of course you do! You've always known. You can't just forget something like that. You were one of the greatest fighters I've ever known. You can't give up now."
Spike continued to look at the floor as if he was too tired to even argue. He appeared to have given up completely.
Buffy crouched down in front of him and grabbed his hand.
"Spike look at me." He finally raised his eyes. "I know what this is, Spike. You're not weak, you're scared. The only thing that is stopping you is fear. I know you have the ability to fight just as well as you used to but you are afraid because you know you are vulnerable now. You are human and very capable of getting hurt but if you don't try and build up your strength, you will get hurt and I can't bare to lose you again."
Touched by her words, a lone tear fell down his cheek but he still made no move to stand up and try again.
"Spike, I need my partner in crime back. We fought so well together. I need you by my side. What happens if I get into a situation that I can't get out of? What if a demon gets the best of me and I have no way out? Are you going to be satisfied standing in the sidelines helplessly and watching me fight? That's not you. That will never be you."
Spike suddenly stood looking determined. "I will never let anyone hurt you."
"I know." Buffy smiled sweetly. "Now please, let's try this again. Give me everything you've got and more. Show me what you would do to anyone that tried to hurt me."
Spike nodded and immediately threw a punch that Buffy just barely blocked. His fists flew furiously and it was almost impossible to keep up with him and block all of his punches. His fist connected with her shoulder and she stumbled back. He sent a back kick to her abdomen and she was knocked down onto the floor mats. She landed with an oomph.
Spike knelt down beside her, looking concerned. "I'm so sorry, Buffy. Did I hurt you?" He asked, looking her over.
Buffy smiled the brightest of smiles. "You did it!" She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a hard kiss on his soft lips.
She pulled away, suddenly realized what she had just done. It seemed so natural to pull him into a kiss. They shared some soft kisses last night but this one made her feel the passion that she had missed terribly by not having him around.
They locked eyes and a sudden seriousness swept across both their faces. They leaned into one another until they could feel each other's breath on their lips. The sound of a throat clearing filled their ears and they simultaneously turned to the offending noise.
"Am I interrupting something?" The visitor said in a harsh voice.
Buffy glared in shock and anger. "Angel?"
To Be Continued...
Thanks to all of your great reviews and suggestions, I think I've finally decided where I want to go with this story. You have all been a great help and have made the wheels turn in my brain once again.
Thank You: Motherkat, Shred01, Spufette, Mariah*spuffy, Jessica, Jaderose01, Tammi92, Kendra, Karen & Randy Bly for leaving a review &/or suggestion. You've all been a big help.
"They look so sweet!" Dawn said, continuing to watch them.
"They really do." Willow agreed.
Dawn's head tilted when Buffy's body shifted slightly and her arm slid further up Spike's back and her head became tucked under his chin.
"Did you see that?" Dawn said tugging on Willow's shirtsleeve. "They are so cute!"
"I agree but don't you think we should leave them alone now? I don't think they would be too happy if they woke up and found us staring at them."
"I guess you're right." Dawn agreed.
They both meant to move out of the doorframe and find something more productive to do but they just couldn't seem to get their legs to work. Even though they both agreed to stop with the staring, they couldn't bring their eyes away from the touching scene in front of them.
Buffy stirred and her eyes opened. She looked over at Spike's sleeping form and smiled sweetly. She hadn't yet noticed the audience of two watching their slumber like it was some great romantic drama. Buffy studied his face and ran a gentle hand through the curly platinum locks on his head, which were disheveled from sleep.
Dawn sighed happily at the gesture and at the sound Buffy turned her head to see Dawn and Willow staring at her in awe.
She knew she should have been mad at the interruption of a private moment but instead she grinned. Nothing could bring her down now that she finally found the person she was hoping for but never actually believed she'd ever see again.
"Sorry, Buffy." Willow said immediately. "We just saw you all comfy and cuddled and we couldn't tear ourselves away." She added, slightly shame faced.
"It's ok. Why don't you guys come on in?" Buffy said.
Slightly surprised, Willow and Dawn entered the room and stood beside Buffy's side of the bed. All three girls looked at Spike as if he were a newborn baby taking a nap, waiting to see the next move he would make.
Spike suddenly opened his eyes to three pairs of female ones watching him intently.
"Uh, why is everyone looking at me?" Spike asked.
"Because you're so adorable when you sleep." Buffy answered.
"I thought I was adorable all the time." He pouted. "But if it means that much to you, carry on then." With that he closed his eyes once more and the three girls continued watching him, much to his surprise.
When he heard them all sigh he opened his eyes again. He glared at the girls, rolled his eyes and got up out of bed. That followed by three female groans of disappointment.
"Show's over ladies. There will be another showing tonight at bedtime." He walked out the door and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.
"Buffy, this is so great!" Dawn yelped.
"Yeah, I'm amazed." Willow added. "I can't believe you actually found him.
Buffy looked at them both with a huge grin plastered across her face.
"I know! I can't stop smiling!" Buffy said, not remembering when she ever felt this happy.
"You guys are never gonna believe this." Buffy continued. "Spike is human now! He can still fight with vampire strength and speed, although he does need a bit of practice, but he's human!"
"Oh my God!" Dawn and Willow chorused together.
"You mean he can go out in the sun now? His cross and holy water allergies are over?" Dawn asked brightly.
"Absolutely." Buffy confirmed.
"How did this happen?" Willow inquired.
"Apparently, the Powers That Be thought that he would be of some great use here and that leaving him dead was such a waste. They believe that he can do great things to help the universe. I just wish that someone would have informed me of that decision so I could have had him back a long time ago." Buffy grinned sheepishly.
"Wow!" Dawn squealed. "Wow! I'm gonna go make him breakfast. He's probably starving! What do you think he likes? Eggs? Pancakes? Waffles? What should I make?"
"I'm sure he'll love whatever you make him, Dawn." Buffy said.
"Ok!" Dawn left, practically skipping out the door to make Spike some food.
"Do ya think she's excited?" Willow asked, sarcastically.
Buffy chuckled, then her expression turned serious.
Willow noticed the sudden mood change and became concerned. "Are you ok? Is something wrong?"
"No. It's just....I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"Everything is going so well. I've never been happier. I'm afraid it's all going to end or that it's going to be taken away."
"Don't think like that, Buffy. The man that you love is back in your life. It's like some kind of miracle. Don't ruin it for your self by thinking you are going to lose him again." Willow thought for a moment. "Speaking of which, have you told him yet?"
"Told him what?" Buffy asked, bewildered.
"That you love him, of course. Isn't that the one thing that was bothering you the most? You said he didn't believe you when you told him the first time. You wanted to make sure that he knew the truth."
"No. I haven't told him yet." Buffy admitted softly.
"What are you waiting for?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm just nervous."
"Buy why? You already know how much he loves you. It's not like you could have some big fear of rejection or anything because you already know exactly how he feels about you. Just tell him. You have a second chance to make it right. Don't wait too long this time."
"I'll tell him. I promise. I just need a little more time. Things are weird right now. He has to adjust to his new life and I don't want to make things worse by moving too fast."
"Ok, Buffy." Willow sighed in disappointment. "But you never know what tomorrow may bring. You better let him know how you feel before it's too late."
A few hours later, Buffy dragged Spike into the training room. They set a room aside that was set up with a punching bag and some work out mats. It was no where near the size of her old one but it served its purpose.
"All right, show me what you got." Buffy said, immediately getting into a fighting stance.
Spike nodded and advanced on her. He started by throwing a few punches, which she easily blocked.
"Come on, Spike! You can do better than that!" She taunted him, trying to get him to fight harder.
He threw another punch that she blocked just as easily then crouched down and tried to kick her legs out from under her. She jumped over the incoming leg and when he stood up she copied his move. Unlike him, she made contact sending him sprawling to the floor where he landed on his rear.
"Spike, you have got to try harder!" Buffy said with irritation.
Spike continued to sit on the floor and look defeated, his head and shoulders slumped toward the floor.
"I can't. I can't do this. I'm not strong enough anymore."
"That's nonsense and you know it. When we were at the Angel's hotel, I saw you punch him across the room. The strength is there. You just have to find it."
"I don't know how."
"Of course you do! You've always known. You can't just forget something like that. You were one of the greatest fighters I've ever known. You can't give up now."
Spike continued to look at the floor as if he was too tired to even argue. He appeared to have given up completely.
Buffy crouched down in front of him and grabbed his hand.
"Spike look at me." He finally raised his eyes. "I know what this is, Spike. You're not weak, you're scared. The only thing that is stopping you is fear. I know you have the ability to fight just as well as you used to but you are afraid because you know you are vulnerable now. You are human and very capable of getting hurt but if you don't try and build up your strength, you will get hurt and I can't bare to lose you again."
Touched by her words, a lone tear fell down his cheek but he still made no move to stand up and try again.
"Spike, I need my partner in crime back. We fought so well together. I need you by my side. What happens if I get into a situation that I can't get out of? What if a demon gets the best of me and I have no way out? Are you going to be satisfied standing in the sidelines helplessly and watching me fight? That's not you. That will never be you."
Spike suddenly stood looking determined. "I will never let anyone hurt you."
"I know." Buffy smiled sweetly. "Now please, let's try this again. Give me everything you've got and more. Show me what you would do to anyone that tried to hurt me."
Spike nodded and immediately threw a punch that Buffy just barely blocked. His fists flew furiously and it was almost impossible to keep up with him and block all of his punches. His fist connected with her shoulder and she stumbled back. He sent a back kick to her abdomen and she was knocked down onto the floor mats. She landed with an oomph.
Spike knelt down beside her, looking concerned. "I'm so sorry, Buffy. Did I hurt you?" He asked, looking her over.
Buffy smiled the brightest of smiles. "You did it!" She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a hard kiss on his soft lips.
She pulled away, suddenly realized what she had just done. It seemed so natural to pull him into a kiss. They shared some soft kisses last night but this one made her feel the passion that she had missed terribly by not having him around.
They locked eyes and a sudden seriousness swept across both their faces. They leaned into one another until they could feel each other's breath on their lips. The sound of a throat clearing filled their ears and they simultaneously turned to the offending noise.
"Am I interrupting something?" The visitor said in a harsh voice.
Buffy glared in shock and anger. "Angel?"
To Be Continued...
Thanks to all of your great reviews and suggestions, I think I've finally decided where I want to go with this story. You have all been a great help and have made the wheels turn in my brain once again.
Thank You: Motherkat, Shred01, Spufette, Mariah*spuffy, Jessica, Jaderose01, Tammi92, Kendra, Karen & Randy Bly for leaving a review &/or suggestion. You've all been a big help.