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Chapter Two
Spike slowly followed Buffy down the basement stairs to his bedroom lighting another cigarette on the way. Buffy opened the door to Spikes room and entered. Spike quickly passed in front of her.
"Here let me get a spot cleaned off for you," he said while grabbing his duster of the bed hanging it up on a hook on the back of the door. Spike gestured for Buffy to take a seat.
"Spike . . ." Buffy started as she sat down rigidly on the edge of Spike's bed. "Could you . . .?" she said patting the bed next to her.
Spike slowly crossed the room and sat beside the nervous slayer taking another long drag of his half spent Marlboro. Buffy smiled sweetly and then slowly removed the cigarette, her fingers barely brushing Spike's lips as she took the cigarette away. She leaned across Spike's lap and snubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray on the nightstand. Spike was stunned for a moment at her touch. He quickly recovered "You know I'm tired of everyone wastin' my bleedin' smokes, they can't kill me you know. Seein' as how I'm already dead"
"Undead" Buffy corrected "There's a difference, I should know"
"So how ya feeling? Everything working, where it's supposed to be?" Spike asked while roaming over Buffy's body with his eyes.
"Well I haven't tried out everything but I seem ship shape so far" Buffy answered shyly "I just wanted to thank you Spike" Buffy said as she took Spike's hand in hers. "What you did for me, there's no way I can ever repay you"
"I didn't ask for payment," Spike said awkwardly.
"I know" Buffy nodded "I think we need to talk about the dreams"
Spike just nodded his head once as she continued.
"When I was, where ever it was that I was, I felt totally free. I didn't feel any inhibitions regarding anything namely you"
"Let me guess, return to the living equal return of loathing me" Spike said flatly.
"NO! No that's not what I meant. I definitely do not loathe you . . .," Buffy said emphatically.
"But. . ." Spike urged.
"But I'm not really sure what my feeling are for you, but I do know that I don't want to hurt you anymore. Can we just play this" Buffy said pointing between them with her free hand "by ear for now" she finished while giving his hand a gently squeeze.
"I think I can unlive with that" he said pausing "for now" he finished giving her his signature grin relieved that he wasn't getting the brush off.
"There's something else I have to tell you," Buffy said taking a big breath "Angelscominginafewday" she rushed out in one breath.
Spike was silent for a moment "Ok, do you want me to pick up some extra blood to keep on hand for Peaches?"
Buffy's mouth dropped open in shock "But, but aren't you going to be mad or jealous or or "
"Buffy, I know Angel is going to be a part of your life and you being with me isn't going to change that. I guess I figured out a while ago that if I had any hopes of a relationship with you I'd have to learn to get along with the annoying poofster. You'd be right brassed off if I staked the bugger" he said shrugging. "So I will play nice as long as he does" he finished raising her hand and pressing a gentle kiss to her fingers. "But I won't be your pet vamp, if he starts anything I will finish it" Spike said seriously.
"He'll behave, if he doesn't I'll deal with him." Buffy said. "Well that was easy enough. I don't know why I was worried about it"
"No need to worry luv, you should of known that I'm easy" Spike said smirking "So since we are playing this" he motioned between them like Buffy had done earlier "by ear would it be ok if I took you out?"
"Out? Like outside?" Buffy asked confused.
"No, like out, out, you know a . . . a date" Spike stammered.
"Ohhhh a date . . ." Buffy said
"If it's too soon, I understand" Spike interrupted
"No, I think a night out is just want I need. I would love for you to take me out. When?"
"When? Well is tomorrow night too soon?" Spike asked
"No that would be perfect." Buffy said as she leaned over and gave Spike a quick kiss on the cheek before standing up. "I'd better go on up, hey what's that" Buffy asked as the heel of her foot kicked the guitar case under the bed. She quickly turned around about to investigate
"S'nothing" Spike said hurriedly as he scooted over on the bed in front of Buffy. "You don't have to go so soon he said as he pulled her down into his lap." He said trying to change the subject.
"Yeah your right, I don't have to go upstairs, but I have to find out what I just kicked" Buffy said stubbornly as she crossed her arms over her chest and began to pout.
"Blood hell, it's my guitar" Spike said defeated.
Buffy's eyes lit up "Really! play something for me" she said bouncing up and down.
"No, and you really need to stop with the bouncing" Spike said.
"Sorry" Buffy said her cheeks turning a light pink "Please play me a song"
"Why don't you play me one" Spike said arching his eyebrow.
Buffy slapped his arm playfully "You know I can't play, that was just the all knowing dream thingy"
Spike gently slid Buffy off his lap and placed her back on the bed "Well, I think it's time you learned" he said as he pulled the two guitars out from under the bed. "Here this one is for you," he said removing a guitar from the case and handed it to Buffy.
"Spike, it's beautiful," she said taking the guitar and gently strumming the strings. "Are you going to give me lessons?" Buffy asked.
"If you'd like" Spike said. "First lesson we'll learn G" he began.
Buffy said "G . . . " and started strumming a clear G on the guitar. "Wait a minute how'd I know that?"
Spike eyebrows raised in surprise "Must be left over from the all knowingness, try C" Buffy quickly changed her finger positions and played a hesitant C while look at Spike for approval "Good now D" she played D with ease. "Looks like you are going to remember" Spike said.
"What do you know, I can play the guitar" Buffy said still not quite believing it.
"Buffy! Spike! the pizza is here" Dawn yelled down the stairs.
"We'll be right up" Buffy yelled back. "We better go on up" she said putting her guitar back in it's case.
"You go ahead, I've already had my dinner. I think I'm just going to turn in, I've got a busy day tomorrow, a date to plan" Spike said as he stood up to help Buffy close up the case.
Buffy smiled "What do you have planned?" she said looking up into his eyes.
"You'll just have to wait and see," he said touching her on the tip of her nose with his finger. "Now go eat your dinner," he said nodding towards the door.
"But if you don't tell me how will I know what to wear?" Buffy asked sweetly.
"I've got it covered, don't worry" Spike said smirking at her confusion.
"But . . ."
"No buts, you're starting to sound like the Nibblet. Now go have dinner with your mates"
Buffy scrunched up her face "Fine!" she said before sticking her tongue out at him.
"Didn't your watcher ever teach you not to draw your weapon unless you plan on using it" Spike said amusing himself as Buffy's face slowly turned red. She turned quickly and headed to the door.
"You're just evil," Buffy said smiling as she turned back to look at Spike once more.
"That's what I've been trying to tell you people but you just don't listen" Spike replied calmly.
"Uh, could we not tell the others about the guitar thing right away?" Buffy asked shyly.
"I think that's a very good idea, I won't say anything if you don't" Spike agreed relieved that he wouldn't have to put up with Xander's comments.
"Good. . .Good night Spike, sweet dreams" Buffy said as she opened the door.
"Good night luv" Spike said as he watched her leave.
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Spike knocked quietly on Dawn's bedroom door.
"Go away" Dawn mumbled.
"It's me Nibblet, I need your help" Spike whisper just loud enough for Dawn to hear.
"Bloody hell, come in" Dawn said
Spike quickly and quietly entered Dawn's room shutting the door behind him "Watch you language Dawn, if Buffy hears you say that she skin me alive" Spike said admonishing her glad she wasn't facing him so he didn't have to hide the smile tugging at his lips.
"Spike, you do know it's only noon, right" Dawn said rolling over in her bed to face the vampire. "I thought you undead types liked to sleep in"
"We do, but I've got things to do and I need you help" he said as he approached the bed careful to avoid the small streams of sunlight creeping in around the corners of the curtains.
"Fine, what do need" Dawn said throwing the blankets off giving up all hope of going back to sleep.
"I need you to go shopping and do some errands with me to get ready for my date tonight" Spike said as he wriggled his eyebrows at her.
Dawn eyes got wide "Get out, no way! You and Buffy are going on a date?"
"Yep" Spike said as Dawn launched herself from the bed hugging him.
"This is so great!" Dawn said.
"Shhh, keep it down, I don't want to wake her" he said motioning to Dawn's bedroom wall. "How soon can you be ready, I want to sneak out before she gets up"
"I'll be down in five" Dawn said as she ushered Spike to the door so she could get ready.
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Five minutes later Dawn came tip toeing down the stairs trying not to wake the others who were still fast asleep after the late night they had eating pizza and asking Buffy thousands of questions. She found Spike already wearing his duster and pacing in the kitchen.
"I'm ready" Dawn said.
"Good, lets go" Spike said grabbing his blanket from the table as he and Dawn headed towards the back door.
"And just where do you two think you're going" Buffy asked from the doorway. Both Spike and Dawn froze and turned slowly to see Buffy with her hands on her hips patting her foot. "You do know that it's broad daylight" Buffy continued.
"I left a note" Spike said pointing the refrigerator.
Buffy walked over and snatched the note off and read aloud "Dearest Buffy, Dawn and I left, we'll be back later. Love S." Buffy looked up at Spike "Yeah that explains everything thanks"
"I told you I had to get some things set up for tonight, and Dawn here is going to help me" Spike explained.
"Yeah we gotta go sis, see ya later!" Dawn said snatching the blanket from Spike throwing it over his head pushed him out the door. She followed quickly behind leaving a scowling Buffy in the kitchen.
"So where are we going?" Dawn asked as she slammed the door shut on the DeSoto.
"What is it with you Summer's women and all the questions?" Spike asked ignoring her question.
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Several stops later Dawn said "I know you don't like questions so I'm not even going to ask why you need a five gallon jug of gas for your date. But why exactly am I here? I haven't been of help at all yet"
"Just wait, I'll be needing you at the next stop" Spike said
"Good, where's that?
Spike said the next two words like it was his death sentence "The mall".
Dawn eyes got wide and she started to giggle.
"Very funny Nibblet, cut it out," Spike said somewhat annoyed but the giggling continued.
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"So Giles, get me up to speed. I was just getting a handle on the bills and house and stuff when I, well you know. I guess I'm going to have to get a real job now," Buffy said as she joined Giles at the kitchen table with two cups of tea handing one to Giles.
"Thank you" Giles said as he took the steaming cup from Buffy. "Actually that won't be necessary" he said slightly smiling "After the battle and your funeral and we all moved in here we had a little house meeting to go over all the bills, plans. I originally thought we would have to sell the house to pay off the outstanding debt and move back to my condo but then Spike spoke up. He insisted on paying off the mortgage on the house along with all the other outstanding bills. He also set up a trust fund for Dawn and a separate revolving fund that pays all the monthly bill for the house electricity, cable, water, groceries and will until you and Dawn sell the house or are no longer with us. We were all very surprised really, that he had that much capital but I guess Angelus set up investments and such for all the members of his clan sometime around the turn of the century Spike just hadn't really used his much in the last 75 years or so." Giles got up and crossed to desk in the hall and retrieved a folder from the top drawer. "Here's all the paperwork on it" he said handing Buffy the large folder.
Buffy's mouth hung open in astonishment as she opened the folder and starting to skim over the material "I can't believe it, I just can't believe it. Giles do you know what this means? I can raise Dawn, do my slaying and maybe even go back to college"
"Yes I know, I'm so happy for you Buffy" Giles said "There's something else we need to talk about. I talked with the counsel this afternoon"
"Oh no, now what" Buffy said with dread in her voice.
"Well they weren't very surprised about your resurrection. I guess the same sort of emissaries that were sent to the monks were also sent to the counsel. They are quite intrigued by the ritual and especially Spike and Dawns parts in it. They were planning on sending the whole team in again to interview and record the events for the books"
"They're coming back, Giles I just don't want to deal with those pompous bas"
"Buffy" Giles warned.
"What? like you don't think it" Buffy said
"Yes but I try not to say it" Giles retorted "Any way you will not have to deal with their pompousness. I've agreed to go to England and give a full report. I thought that might be easier on you that way. I also thought it best to keep them away from Spike and Dawn just incase. We never really know what the counsel is up to."
"Giles, I really appreciate that. When do you have to leave? How long are you going to be gone?"
"I'm leaving in the morning, the flight is already scheduled and I'm not sure when I'll be back. It maybe a few days, weeks. I'm not sure." Giles said.
"We're going to miss you" Buffy said "Oh by the way, I'm going out on a date with Spike tonight"
"Well, I guess that was only a matter of time" Giles said down heartedly. "Spike has earned my trust and respect but he is still a vampire Buffy, you mustn't forget that."
"I'll be careful Giles"
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A few hours later a slightly smoldering Spike and still giggling Dawn returned to the house on Revello sneaking in through the back door. Dawn's arms were loaded down with packages.
"Remember, not a word" Spike said as he removed his blanket.
"Cross my heart" Dawn said seriously. "You better get downstairs before Buffy hears us"
"Give Buffy her packages and tell her that I'll pick her up a hour after sundown" Spike said as he opened the basement door and started down the stairs locking the door behind him.
"Thanks again Spike for the new outfits" Dawn said to the already closed door.
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Dawn made her way upstairs with the packages. She dropped her share off in her room and made her way to Buffy's door and knocked "Buffy, it's me can I come in?"
"Come on in Dawn" Buffy said as she turned down the volume on her radio and continued to comb through her wet hair.
Dawn entered with Buffy's packages grinning at her. "Here ya go" Dawn said flopping the bags down on the bed next to Buffy.
"What this?" Buffy said scowling at the offending packages.
"Spike said that you should wear this stuff and he'll pick you up a hour after sunset."
"He bought me clothes?" Buffy asked the worry apparent in her voice.
"Yeah, that's why he needed my help, to get the right sizes. You should have been there Buffy" Dawn said sitting down on the bed "Spike shopping. . . at the mall it was so funny"
Buffy just smirked "I bet it was, but if he thinks he can start telling me what to wear dead boy can think again" Buffy said a little perturbed.
"Buffy, don't get all excited. He knows what kind of stuff you like. You should take a look at it, it's pretty cool and he spent a lot of time picking out just the right things. I still can't figure out what he has planned for the date though"
"Well I guess it couldn't hurt to look through it" Buffy said her curiosity getting the better of her as she opened up the first box. "No way, nope, I'm not wearing that," she said and Dawn started giggling again.