Author: Bitten And Staked

Title: Birthday Suit - Chapter Two - Present with a present.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary: Spike shows up on Buffys doorstep as promised. On meeting him outside he's shocked when she likes his present and even more shocked when she openly shows her friends.

Timeline: Season 4. It's Buffy's 19th birthday and the party's at her house [while the cats away little Buffy will play] and even Spike's invited. Two bottles of whisky and some sexy party games later and Buffy has a different view on Spike.

Series: Part 2 of 7

Pairing: Buffy and Spike. Spikes POV.

Rating: PG13

Disclaimer: everyone else owns Buffy and all associated with her.

Feedback: always welcome so email me - webmaster@talesoftheslayer.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

And I'm standing here why? I'm thinking to myself as I flick my spent cigarette towards the tree on her front yard. Too scared to knock I stand on the porch steps and listen closely to people talking inside. As I'm trying to locate the sound of the Slayers voice in amongst the rest the front door opens.

When my eyes adjust to the bright light issuing from within I see the Slayer standing there looking stunning. I'm all too aware that I'm just standing here gawping at her like a bloody idiot.

"You really came! I didn't think you would." She looks about ready to hug me, instead she spies the badly wrapped package in my hand. "For me?"

"It's nothing really." All I can do is hand it to her and wonder why I feel so embarrassed.

"Can I open it now?" She's looking intently at the little present all wrapped up in dark red paper.

"S'pose." I'm silently thankful she wants to open it alone rather than in front of the slayerettes.

She fumbles with the paper and then stares at the slim black box in her hands, flicking it open I watch her face as she looks at what I've given her. She's going to hate it, I know it before she even speaks.

"Oh my god Spike, I love it." She tackles me with a quick embrace and I swear I can feel myself blushing.

Held up in front of her for her to inspect is the little red choker I've got her, the rows of silver crosses along it shine in the light emanating from her house.

"It's beautiful, and so thoughtful." She smiles at me again and I'm thinking about how thoughtful it is, Yeah - neuter the vampires that aren't already neutered because that neck is mine. Real thoughtful.

"Put it on me." She holds it out to me with a giddy look on her face and I'm reminded how young she really is, a little peppy 19 year old making her a century my junior.

"Can't pet." I raise my hands by my sides like I'm under arrest.

A glorious moment and excuse to touch her neck and I can't, I start to regret the crosses. She slips it on herself and then turns for me to appreciate her in it. I don't think I've ever seen her so happy.

"Looks good on you, knew it would."

The Slayer smiles at me and then turns into the house, but realises that I'm not following. Turning to look at me she grins and says "Come in Spike."

Three little words that melt my dead heart, open invite into her private world.

"Buffy?" She starts at hearing her real name on my lips, I'm shocked myself.

"Yes?" Her brows knit slightly as she watches me closely.

"I'm glad you like it."

She smiles and bounces up the stairs leaving me standing in the doorway of the living room. I realise there are a bunch of teenagers staring at me and I find myself thinking about my pre-chip days and how many ways I could have stopped them looking at me. Break their necks, tear open their jugular, sink my teeth into them. Then I notice the whelp staring at me and it makes me think how that would be a sweet kill.

The Slayer breezes past me into the living room, she's tied her hair up and I'm thinking it's to show off her nice new Slayer fashion accessory. The way she's showing everyone I wonder if some of her friends are thinking she's a strangely religious girl, but then they don't know she's beckoning the undead to come and sit with her in a 'living' room.

"Wow Buffy, that's so gorgeous." Red coos at her.

"Thanks, Spike got it me." She kneels besides Red and lowers her voice so no one else hears her next bit, well vampire hearing can be a handy ability. "There's something about vampires that makes them give me crosses."

I notice that she's taken Angels cross off, the little crosses of her choker twinkle as she makes her way across the room to the table. I'm still amazed that she likes it but I'm totally speechless when she hands me a bottle of beer and gives me a look that's so full of warmth. I make a mental note that she likes thoughtful presents that protect her from big bads.

Harris is walking towards me and I brace myself for the onslaught of insults I've come to expect from him.

"That was a pretty thoughtful present you gave her. Buffy says you found yourself a crypt to settle into, she says it's nice you have a space of your own." He pats my shoulder and heads off to the kitchen, I figure he's only being nice because it's wall to wall oestrogen in here tonight so I'm the only bloke he can talk to.

"Lets play spin the bottle." A slim little dark haired girl near Red breaks the silence in a jittery nervous fashion.

"Lame." Buffy and Red reply at the same time.

"Then we'll spice it up a little, you both have to take a swig of whisky before snogging for ten seconds." I smile at Buffy and arch a brow, seizing my opportunity to get her steaming drunk for the first time.

To my surprise she agrees and heads off the kitchen in search of a bottle. Pleased with herself she returns with an empty bottle in tow and I pull some whisky out my bag.

The realisation that we're actually going to change the rules hits the two girls I don't know, making some pathetic excuse about not being allowed to drink they head off. Buffy doesn't seem very bothered by their absence and I'm feeling this arrangement is better since I get more of a chance to lip lock the Slayer and more of a chance to get her drunk.

So here we sit in a rough circle going vampire, whelp, Slayer and witch. Just me, Harris, Buffy and Red. Buffy takes a good swig from the full whisky bottle before spinning the empty bottle in front of her, a little Dutch courage perhaps?

The bottle seems to be spinning forever, I figure it must be her Slayer strength. While waiting for it to stop she takes another swig, scrunches her face up in repulsion at it's taste and then when she's recovered lets her eyes come to rest on me.

"Ooh!" I hear Red say and Buffy turns her attention to the bottle, currently pointing at her girl friend.