Chapter Three: Since When Have You Been a Scooby?

The familiar Summers house loomed before him. Spike didn't realize how quickly he made the distance, didn't even pay attention to the route he was so wrapped up in his own thoughts. His feet found their own way. How many nights had he practically camped out under the tree in her front yard, just hoping for a glimpse of the woman he both loathed and loved?

Sighing unnecessarily, Spike walked up the front path and knocked on the door. He waited a few moments and tried again.

"Buffy?" he called. Frowning now, he tried the door. The handle turned and the door opened in, revealing the foyer and staircase. Spike slipped in and peeked around the corner. "Buffy? Slayer, you here?"

"Humm. Here." A tired voice called from the living room. Spike entered the darkened room. Buffy was sprawled out on the couch, head propped up on a pillow. A warm cloth draped over her eyes. "Zat you, Spike?"

"Yeah, it's me. Thought I'd see if you were up for patrol, but I see I caught you on a bad night." He said quietly, taking the few steps to cross the room and stand before the couch.

"My head hurts," Buffy whimpered beneath the cloth.

This was not at all what he expected. His instinct to protect overrode his instinct to kick her while she was down. He knelt down put a tentative hand on her forehead. Buffy flinched but did not pull away. Spike began to stroke her head.

"mmm, thanks," she sighed. She reached up and pulled the cloth from her eyes. Spike's worried face swam into view.

"I could hear the pressure in your head from across the room. That's one doozy of a migraine. I know how that feels. Nasty, eh?" he asked.

"I can't make it stop." She moaned. Her brows knit, suddenly realizing who she was talking to. "What are you doing here?"

Spike removed his hand from her head and sat back on the coffee table. "Wanted to see if you were up for patrol. Haven't seen much of you these past couple weeks."

"And you're complaining? What happened to having your rocks back?" Buffy asked, sitting up and giving him a dirty look.

"Look, I'm not here to bloody well pick a fight with you. Been there. Done that. Got the sodding t-shirt. I felt like a bit of a rumble, wanted to see if you wanted to come with. You're not feeling well, forgive me for showing a little compassion. Comrades in arms and all that." Spike stood and headed for the front door.

"Spike, wait." Buffy called, struggling to her feet. Her face contorted in pain and she lifted a hand to her head. Spike stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around. "I'm sorry. I don't want to fight, either. My head is really killing me, and I just want to get rid of this headache. Can we patrol tomorrow night?" she asked.

"Sure. In the mean time," Spike said as he took off his jacket. "You are under my care. The girls are out and you shouldn't be alone. You can barely walk."

"No, no, I'm fine." Buffy protested weakly. "How did you know Dawn and Willow are gone?"

Spike thought quickly. "Can't hear their heartbeats." He said quickly. "Go sit down. I'll order us in a pizza and wings. Have you taken anything for the pain?"

Buffy slowly made her way back to the couch and sat down. "I took some ibuprofen about a half hour ago."

Spike made a face. "Ibuprofen? Hogswallop. You need a strong cup of tea. That's what me mum always made." Spike headed off to the kitchen. He picked up the phone and Buffy could hear him ordering a large cheese pizza and a large order of spicy buffalo wings.

Buffy closed her eyes. There was no way she was getting rid of him now. But deep inside, she was glad he was here. She did miss him these past two weeks. Going out on patrol wasn't nearly as fun without a sparring partner.

Ten minutes later, Spike brought in two steaming mugs of tea. He set them down on the coffee table in front of her and sat down in the arm chair across from the couch.

"I added a few herbs - noticed you were plenty stocked. The chamomile will help release the pressure. The pain is in the base of your skull, right?" he asked.

"Yeah, how did you know?" Buffy's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Your shoulders are very tense and your carrying them a little higher than usual. Your neck muscles are wound tighter than a violin bow. I can see your pulse in your neck."

Buffy's hand involuntarily went to her throat as she regarded Spike with a wide eyed expression. She wordlessly took a sip of her tea and looked down at the coffee table.

Spike chuckled. "That's not what I'm thinking," he said softly.

"How did you learn to make this?" she asked as she sipped at the spicy tea. The heated liquid seemed to warm her up from the insides. She could feel the tension in her neck slowly ebbing away.

"Tara taught me a few months back. Got sick of me complaining about the lousy American tea, so she showed me a Chinese blend." Spike said conversationally. "Makes the blood taste like licorice."

"You hang out with Tara?" Buffy's eyes widened in surprise.

"Well, yeah, Scoobie meetin's an all." Spike looked uncomfortable.

"Since when have you been a Scooby?" Buffy asked incredulously.

Spike narrowed his eyes. "Since you asked me to look after Dawn." He said with finality. They stared at each other for several long moments. Finally, Spike set his tead down and broke the silence. "Look, whether you want to admit it or not, I do consider you and the Scoobies my friends, and I look after my friends, all right? That's all." He reached for his tea and took a long swallow, the heat of the liquid not bothering him in the least. "If you would come off your high horse for a moment, you might realize that it's okay to let someone take care of you every once in a while."

Buffy set the mug down and clasped her hands together. "I am not on a high horse. It's more like a pedestal that rises above eye level. But, I guess for tonight, I can meet you halfway."

Spike smiled. He watched Buffy wrap her arms behind her head and rub at the knots in her neck. Spike was torn between staying in his seat and walking over to offer her comfort. He was saved from that decision by the doorbell.

"Food's here." He said brightly. "You got any money?"

Buffy's jaw dropped. "What?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "Joke. I got money. Stole it from Xander." He said as he walked to the door.