He looked at her patient face. "So...this will stay between us, never be mentioned again?" She nodded, eyes still fixed on his face expectantly. "I didn't like it at first, the whole goody-goody thing. I thought you would be perfect if you'd just see things my way. I finally realized that unselfish attitude is what makes you exceptional. It's the thing that keeps me coming back to you time and again." He paused, looking a little embarrassed.
"We're not just talking about me, Spike. Please, answer the question." She released his arms and flattened herself against him, nestling her head under his chin. "If it makes it easier, I won't even look at you while you're talking. I really want to hear this."
He idly ran his hands up and down her back. "Last summer proved to me that I do enjoy being one of the good guys, even if the rest of them are losers like Harris. Continuing your work was the closest to you any of us could get. I started watching out for Dawn because I made you a promise. We had nothing in common except memories of you. Then I realized I actually like her, she's all spit and vinegar on the outside and sweet and thoughtful when she thinks nobody's watching." Her expression softened and she smiled.
"Spike, thank you. I know that was hard for you." She turned forward and kissed his chest.
"Not as hard as other things are. Luv, why don't we sneak away to my crypt for..."
"EEEWWW. Aren't you guys done yet?" This from the direction of the stairs. "I'm going to be traumatized for life if you keep it up."
Spike slid her up his body so they were face to face. "Keeping it up would be my pleasure," he whispered gruffly. He kissed her.
"Dawn's watching us right now. Tara's going to be out of the shower in a few minutes. Willow's in our bed. This really isn't a good time." Spike looked at her with an odd expression. Then he started grinning. "Why aren't you mad at me? I thought you'd be pissed."
"Sweetheart, think back on what you said."
"Now isn't a good time? It's true. Why would that make you smile?" She looked at him, bewildered. Then she stood up. Dawn would only leave them alone for so long.
"Not that, I mean the part before that. The part about Willow being in OUR bed. Makes me feel all permanent. Like I'm the long haul guy, not just a free range sex toy." He got to his feet.
Buffy flushed at his words. Her `convenient' comment must've really hit home. "Spike, that morning..." She looked at her feet. One of the most hateful things she'd ever said. How on earth could she apologize for that? "I never...I was so afraid of what..."
He stepped in close and put two fingers underneath her chin, raising her eyes to his. "Forget it," he rasped.
Dawn flounced the rest of the way down the stairs. "If you two are about finished, I need a plastic bag put on my cast so I can take a shower. Buffy, can you help me wash my hair? It's so hard to do one-handed."
It was practically inaudible, but Buffy could feel Spike's growl of frustration. "Part of the price of being a good guy," she murmured. "Dawn, have you seen any plastic bags around? And yes, you know I'll take any excuse to play with your hair."
They finally found a smallish sized garbage bag they could make fit around the cast. "Since I was made out of you, do you suppose I'll get Slayer super healing, too? Because I'm tired of this cast and the semi-public showers."
Buffy thought for a minute. "Dawn, how fast did the cuts heal?"
Dawn stared at her. "Cuts? You mean the scabs on my forehead from the accident?"
"No, either from when you found out you were the key and cut yourself or when you were cut on the tower. How long did they take to heal? Regular abrasions and stuff heal pretty quick, but what I really notice is how fast bigger injuries heal. How long did it take the cuts to get better?"
Dawn thought for a minute. "I don't remember. I was so upset about finding out you kept secrets from me that I didn't even notice the first time. The second time, I was too depressed to care." She shrugged. "I guess third time's a charm." Tara was out of the shower by then, so Dawn and Buffy went in.
It was about five o'clock and everyone was starting to get on each other's nerves. Buffy couldn't go out because she was still wanted by the police for questioning. It was daylight, so Spike wasn't going anywhere. Dawn was stuck because there was no way Buffy would let her go out alone. Tara was still waiting for Willow to come around. "Is she still sleeping? If I slept that long Buffy would kick my butt out of bed for sure."
"Dawnie, she just performed a spell and offered her life energy as payment. This particular entity takes eight hour increments. Since she visited Rack twice, that's sixteen hours. We have one more spell once she wakes up. Since you slept through the ones last night, would you like to watch us enchant a dagger?" Dawn nodded eagerly. "It's a created spell, made for a specific purpose. This one won't drain her at all; it just channels her magic through the dagger."
Buffy looked at her sister. She was developing an intense interest in magic. She knew that discouraging Dawn was a sure way to make her all the more fascinated with the forbidden. Buffy just hoped that Tara would continue to be the stronger influence. She of the `in service to the light' rather than Willow's `solve all my problems' approach. "So, is there anything we could be getting ready for tonight's big showdown? Because if there's anything I can do, I'd like to do it before I go stir crazy." Tara shook her head. "How about supper? Anyone ready to eat? Because I think I'm ready to cook." Dawn looked pleadingly at Tara. She'd had Buffy's cooking and wasn't looking forward to it again.
"Buffy, why don't I make supper. I mean, I'm staying here and not doing anything to contribute. Let me cook." This sounded like a much better idea. Buffy was well aware of her lack of ability in the culinary department.
"Okay. I'll set the table and wash dishes. Dawn can dry them."
Dawn looked at her. "With my cast on? It'll get all wet. Why can't Spike dry, instead?"
Buffy sighed in exasperation. "Maybe because he's only dirtied one bowl and one mug. It's not like he'll be eating much. Mostly because I said so."
Spike looked between the two sisters. He wasn't fond of the idea of household chores, but he would be alone in the kitchen with Buffy. "Pet, she's still pretty clumsy with that cast. Remember what all she dropped this morning just trying to get herself breakfast. You won't have a dish left in the place. I'll do it. Have her do something else that doesn't involve breakables and water."
Buffy looked down, shook her head and chuckled. "Now I know the world is coming to an end. See the domesticated vampire, watch him protect fifteen year old girls." Spike bristled a bit, but settled down at her gentle touch. "Dawn, laundry. Including the folding and putting away. This means all the stray socks you have stashed who knows where. You might as well start now, it'll take longer than dishes will."
Dawn went over and gave Spike a hug. "Thanks. I hate being this clumsy. If I drop clothes, they don't have to be replaced."
Spike hugged her back. "That's for the blood earlier. We still watch out for each other, Bit. That won't change. Gives your sis less to worry about." Dawn clomped upstairs to start collecting clothes. Tara got up to start supper.
Buffy went over and sat crosswise on Spike's lap, cuddling her head against his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her back. "Spike, I want this to be over." He went rigid beneath her."Not us. Geez, relax. I didn't go public just so the next day I could say `OOPS, changed my widdle blonde mind!' I mean I'm tired of waiting for Willow to wake up so we can kill Rack. I'm not exactly patient girl, if you hadn't noticed. I want Rack out of our lives. I want to get the guy who had you beaten up. Promise me you'll stop playing kitten poker. I don't ever want to see you in that shape again. I was so afraid you were..." He interrupted her with a kiss.
"I am not going to stop playing poker." She glared at him. He traced her jawline with his fingertips. "Luv, that's how I get my information. When that lot is playing they're the biggest bunch of gossips you'll ever meet. Bunch of old ladies, nattering on about everyone and everything. I only lose when I'm looking for answers. The more they win, the more they talk." She slid out of his lap and started looking for something in Giles' desk drawer.
"Found it. Now you're going to prove it to me." She held out a deck of cards. "We're going to play poker and you're going to cheat." He took the deck and shuffled. She watched, carefully. "Very showy. But I already knew you had vampire speed and coordination."
He started to deal. "What's the ante? I don't play for my own amusement. How will we keep track of who's winning or losing?" She held up a pad of paper. "Points. Lovely. How about we make it interesting?" She cocked her head at him, intrigued. "How about clothing? Haven't played strip poker in years."
She frowned and shook her head. "Not if you cheat as well as you think you do. How about kisses? I can afford those. As long as you don't sell my IOU's to someone else."
He reached across the table and cupped her face. "Never happen, pet. Am I to win or lose? I usually do it in streaks of at least four or five games. Name of the game is five card draw, nothing wild, ace to open." They gathered up their cards.
Buffy looked at her hand. "Try to lose at first." She smiled confidently.
By the time Tara had finished cooking supper and it was time to set the table, Buffy owed Spike one hundred and fifty-three kisses and he owed her fifteen. "Hey, you were supposed to try and lose. I knew you weren't that good of a cheater."
Spike started laughing. "Pet, think about what you just said. Is there any way I would deliberately lose a game with such enticing stakes?" He held up a few stray cards he fished from various places on his person and put them back into the deck. "So, when should I expect payment? Interest is quite high, in case you weren't aware."
She leaned forward, his amused face was only inches from her own. "Tomorrow night." She deliberately licked her lips and parted them slowly. He started to lean towards her, anticipating an earnest payment on her debt. She spun and headed towards the kitchen. "Cards go back in the desk drawer. Cheater." He growled in frustration.
After supper and dishes were done, Anya and Xander showed up. "Is she up yet?" At Tara's negative shake of her head, Anya sat down with inventory slips, a pad of paper, and a pen. "Can somebody help me carry in stuff from the car?" Buffy and Spike got up to help. As they went out of earshot of the rest of the group, Xander asked "did the spell work? How healed is she? Is she going to be able to do this? Anya told me that the power Willow was going to invoke hated demons and wouldn't work for anyone who associated with them."
Buffy thought for a minute. "Worked, completely healed thanks to the demon hating thingy--I think Willow cut the apronstrings with Rack. The way Tara explained it, if she hadn't cut them the thingy wouldn't have healed her at all. Oh, and I think she is so ready to do this. She says Rack was banished from his home dimension, I don't remember if she said why. Xander, what are those things?"
He started taking things out of his trunk and handing them to her. "One of the electricians whipped them together. They're basically portable lightning rods. One each for the three of us, and one not so portable for home base, just in case."
Buffy looked at him, she knew her next words were going to wound. "The plan has changed. One each for me and Spike. The other one is for Willow. You're staying here."
Xander looked at her, hurt. "Buff, you can't leave..." She put her hand on his arm.
"Xand, Willow has to get in close to do this. There are only three of these that are portable. Spike and I are the strongest. Tara has to stay in a trance to keep some magical channel open to power Willow. I need somebody I can count on to protect Tara while she's defenseless. My sister has a broken arm, Anya isn't a fighter. You're elected. I'm sorry."
He looked at her, frustrated. "Great, home defense--last resort for losers. Chip-boy here can't fight humans. What if Rack has a whole bunch of bodyguards of the human variety?"
"Then I bleed." Spike shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time. Hell, wouldn't be the first time this week. If I can keep them off Buffy and Red long enough to get Rack, it'll be worth it." Buffy looked worried, obviously remembering the last time he faced a group of humans. He took things out of Buffy's arms and put them on the ground. He wrapped her in his embrace. "Luv, don't worry about it," he murmured into her hair. "He still thinks his little electrical show is gonna hurt us. Who knows how many of his bodyguards are gonna be drained before he notices? It'll be fine." He kissed her forehead and released her. "Now, let's get this stuff inside."
Buffy picked them up from the ground. Xander took the other portable one and Spike grabbed the one designated `not so portable'. Buffy looked back at them and stepped to one side. "Someone else will have to get the door. Both my hands are full." Xander reached for the door, but Dawn had already started opening it from the inside. The corner of the door collided with his outstretched hand, jamming into his fingers. Reflexively, he dropped the lightning rod to cradle his injury. There was a clattering sound and pieces flew in all directions.
Dawn looked out, "oops, sorry. Are you okay?" Anya ran to get ice for Xander's hand, and Dawn got ibuprofen from Buffy's painkiller stash. Buffy and Spike brought in the three that were intact and went out to look for pieces of the last one.
"I hope Xander is good at electrical repair. I'm not looking forward to going in there without protection. I was out for three hours after the Bronze incident."
Spike looked at her and nodded. "I remember. Carried your unconscious body out and all? Don't want to go through that again." She set down the recovered pieces and kissed him.
The porch light flickered on and off several times. Buffy sighed. "One of these days I'm going to have to teach Dawn some manners."
Spike grinned. "I've a better idea. When she starts seeing someone, play by her rules. She'll regret everything she ever tried."
Buffy smiled. "Yeah, payback is a bitch. And that bitch is named Buffy." They collected the rest of the pieces in silence and went back inside.
Dawn was sitting next to Tara, smiling sweetly and pretending to do homework. Buffy ignored her and turned to Xander. "Hand okay?"
He held up an ice wrapped appendage. "Frozen, but feeling no pain. I think I'll live, but I'm definitely home guard material now." Anya patted his knee.
"So, do foremen do electrical repair, too? I think we have all the pieces," she put them on the coffee table, "and you have two intact ones in front of you as patterns."
"Let me look. I might be able to. Won't know until I try." As he examined it, everyone crowded around. He looked up, "uh, guys, need some light here. And I can't concentrate if you're all watching me." They all backed up and tried to find something to do to keep busy. After fifteen minutes of examining it, Xander came to a conclusion. "It's hopeless. I'd have to weld the framework and solder some of the other pieces. I can't do it one-handed, plus I don't have the tools available. It's dead." He shook his head. "So now what?"
Spike looked at him and shrugged. "I go without." Buffy glared at him and put her hands on her hips, drawing breath for a tirade. "Sweetheart, be reasonable. Think for a minute." Her eyes opened wider and she drew herself up to her full height. He put his hand on her lips. "Let me finish. Then you can start yelling." He grinned at her.
She slowly released her breath. "Start talking," she ground out between gritted teeth. "I only have so much reasonable, then I'm all for the yelling."
"Red couldn't take a pummeling that either one of us would shrug off. Plus, she needs to concentrate on her spell. So she gets one." Buffy slowly nodded in agreement. "I am dead. Well, undead. I can take much more in the way of punishment than you can. I ended up burned from the light show. You ended up unconscious." She started to open her mouth again. "Buffy, listen to me. If I'm hurt bad enough, you know how to heal me. You don't have that same luxury. You have Dawn depending on you, you can't afford to be injured."
She stepped toward him. He reached out and enfolded her in his arms. "You convinced me. I get the second working one. But Spike, don't get hurt. I still owe you a lot of kisses from that poker game and I'm not paying interest if payment is delayed because of your injury. Or I'll just kiss you when you aren't awake to enjoy it."
Xander got a thoughtful look on his face. "Poker game? If someone else can be the dealer, I'm in. It'll help pass the time while we wait for Willow to wake up. But I'm NOT playing for kisses."
Spike started to volunteer, but Buffy interrupted. "I'll do it. Spike cheats."
"Only when it matters," he protested.
"We're not just talking about me, Spike. Please, answer the question." She released his arms and flattened herself against him, nestling her head under his chin. "If it makes it easier, I won't even look at you while you're talking. I really want to hear this."
He idly ran his hands up and down her back. "Last summer proved to me that I do enjoy being one of the good guys, even if the rest of them are losers like Harris. Continuing your work was the closest to you any of us could get. I started watching out for Dawn because I made you a promise. We had nothing in common except memories of you. Then I realized I actually like her, she's all spit and vinegar on the outside and sweet and thoughtful when she thinks nobody's watching." Her expression softened and she smiled.
"Spike, thank you. I know that was hard for you." She turned forward and kissed his chest.
"Not as hard as other things are. Luv, why don't we sneak away to my crypt for..."
"EEEWWW. Aren't you guys done yet?" This from the direction of the stairs. "I'm going to be traumatized for life if you keep it up."
Spike slid her up his body so they were face to face. "Keeping it up would be my pleasure," he whispered gruffly. He kissed her.
"Dawn's watching us right now. Tara's going to be out of the shower in a few minutes. Willow's in our bed. This really isn't a good time." Spike looked at her with an odd expression. Then he started grinning. "Why aren't you mad at me? I thought you'd be pissed."
"Sweetheart, think back on what you said."
"Now isn't a good time? It's true. Why would that make you smile?" She looked at him, bewildered. Then she stood up. Dawn would only leave them alone for so long.
"Not that, I mean the part before that. The part about Willow being in OUR bed. Makes me feel all permanent. Like I'm the long haul guy, not just a free range sex toy." He got to his feet.
Buffy flushed at his words. Her `convenient' comment must've really hit home. "Spike, that morning..." She looked at her feet. One of the most hateful things she'd ever said. How on earth could she apologize for that? "I never...I was so afraid of what..."
He stepped in close and put two fingers underneath her chin, raising her eyes to his. "Forget it," he rasped.
Dawn flounced the rest of the way down the stairs. "If you two are about finished, I need a plastic bag put on my cast so I can take a shower. Buffy, can you help me wash my hair? It's so hard to do one-handed."
It was practically inaudible, but Buffy could feel Spike's growl of frustration. "Part of the price of being a good guy," she murmured. "Dawn, have you seen any plastic bags around? And yes, you know I'll take any excuse to play with your hair."
They finally found a smallish sized garbage bag they could make fit around the cast. "Since I was made out of you, do you suppose I'll get Slayer super healing, too? Because I'm tired of this cast and the semi-public showers."
Buffy thought for a minute. "Dawn, how fast did the cuts heal?"
Dawn stared at her. "Cuts? You mean the scabs on my forehead from the accident?"
"No, either from when you found out you were the key and cut yourself or when you were cut on the tower. How long did they take to heal? Regular abrasions and stuff heal pretty quick, but what I really notice is how fast bigger injuries heal. How long did it take the cuts to get better?"
Dawn thought for a minute. "I don't remember. I was so upset about finding out you kept secrets from me that I didn't even notice the first time. The second time, I was too depressed to care." She shrugged. "I guess third time's a charm." Tara was out of the shower by then, so Dawn and Buffy went in.
It was about five o'clock and everyone was starting to get on each other's nerves. Buffy couldn't go out because she was still wanted by the police for questioning. It was daylight, so Spike wasn't going anywhere. Dawn was stuck because there was no way Buffy would let her go out alone. Tara was still waiting for Willow to come around. "Is she still sleeping? If I slept that long Buffy would kick my butt out of bed for sure."
"Dawnie, she just performed a spell and offered her life energy as payment. This particular entity takes eight hour increments. Since she visited Rack twice, that's sixteen hours. We have one more spell once she wakes up. Since you slept through the ones last night, would you like to watch us enchant a dagger?" Dawn nodded eagerly. "It's a created spell, made for a specific purpose. This one won't drain her at all; it just channels her magic through the dagger."
Buffy looked at her sister. She was developing an intense interest in magic. She knew that discouraging Dawn was a sure way to make her all the more fascinated with the forbidden. Buffy just hoped that Tara would continue to be the stronger influence. She of the `in service to the light' rather than Willow's `solve all my problems' approach. "So, is there anything we could be getting ready for tonight's big showdown? Because if there's anything I can do, I'd like to do it before I go stir crazy." Tara shook her head. "How about supper? Anyone ready to eat? Because I think I'm ready to cook." Dawn looked pleadingly at Tara. She'd had Buffy's cooking and wasn't looking forward to it again.
"Buffy, why don't I make supper. I mean, I'm staying here and not doing anything to contribute. Let me cook." This sounded like a much better idea. Buffy was well aware of her lack of ability in the culinary department.
"Okay. I'll set the table and wash dishes. Dawn can dry them."
Dawn looked at her. "With my cast on? It'll get all wet. Why can't Spike dry, instead?"
Buffy sighed in exasperation. "Maybe because he's only dirtied one bowl and one mug. It's not like he'll be eating much. Mostly because I said so."
Spike looked between the two sisters. He wasn't fond of the idea of household chores, but he would be alone in the kitchen with Buffy. "Pet, she's still pretty clumsy with that cast. Remember what all she dropped this morning just trying to get herself breakfast. You won't have a dish left in the place. I'll do it. Have her do something else that doesn't involve breakables and water."
Buffy looked down, shook her head and chuckled. "Now I know the world is coming to an end. See the domesticated vampire, watch him protect fifteen year old girls." Spike bristled a bit, but settled down at her gentle touch. "Dawn, laundry. Including the folding and putting away. This means all the stray socks you have stashed who knows where. You might as well start now, it'll take longer than dishes will."
Dawn went over and gave Spike a hug. "Thanks. I hate being this clumsy. If I drop clothes, they don't have to be replaced."
Spike hugged her back. "That's for the blood earlier. We still watch out for each other, Bit. That won't change. Gives your sis less to worry about." Dawn clomped upstairs to start collecting clothes. Tara got up to start supper.
Buffy went over and sat crosswise on Spike's lap, cuddling her head against his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her back. "Spike, I want this to be over." He went rigid beneath her."Not us. Geez, relax. I didn't go public just so the next day I could say `OOPS, changed my widdle blonde mind!' I mean I'm tired of waiting for Willow to wake up so we can kill Rack. I'm not exactly patient girl, if you hadn't noticed. I want Rack out of our lives. I want to get the guy who had you beaten up. Promise me you'll stop playing kitten poker. I don't ever want to see you in that shape again. I was so afraid you were..." He interrupted her with a kiss.
"I am not going to stop playing poker." She glared at him. He traced her jawline with his fingertips. "Luv, that's how I get my information. When that lot is playing they're the biggest bunch of gossips you'll ever meet. Bunch of old ladies, nattering on about everyone and everything. I only lose when I'm looking for answers. The more they win, the more they talk." She slid out of his lap and started looking for something in Giles' desk drawer.
"Found it. Now you're going to prove it to me." She held out a deck of cards. "We're going to play poker and you're going to cheat." He took the deck and shuffled. She watched, carefully. "Very showy. But I already knew you had vampire speed and coordination."
He started to deal. "What's the ante? I don't play for my own amusement. How will we keep track of who's winning or losing?" She held up a pad of paper. "Points. Lovely. How about we make it interesting?" She cocked her head at him, intrigued. "How about clothing? Haven't played strip poker in years."
She frowned and shook her head. "Not if you cheat as well as you think you do. How about kisses? I can afford those. As long as you don't sell my IOU's to someone else."
He reached across the table and cupped her face. "Never happen, pet. Am I to win or lose? I usually do it in streaks of at least four or five games. Name of the game is five card draw, nothing wild, ace to open." They gathered up their cards.
Buffy looked at her hand. "Try to lose at first." She smiled confidently.
By the time Tara had finished cooking supper and it was time to set the table, Buffy owed Spike one hundred and fifty-three kisses and he owed her fifteen. "Hey, you were supposed to try and lose. I knew you weren't that good of a cheater."
Spike started laughing. "Pet, think about what you just said. Is there any way I would deliberately lose a game with such enticing stakes?" He held up a few stray cards he fished from various places on his person and put them back into the deck. "So, when should I expect payment? Interest is quite high, in case you weren't aware."
She leaned forward, his amused face was only inches from her own. "Tomorrow night." She deliberately licked her lips and parted them slowly. He started to lean towards her, anticipating an earnest payment on her debt. She spun and headed towards the kitchen. "Cards go back in the desk drawer. Cheater." He growled in frustration.
After supper and dishes were done, Anya and Xander showed up. "Is she up yet?" At Tara's negative shake of her head, Anya sat down with inventory slips, a pad of paper, and a pen. "Can somebody help me carry in stuff from the car?" Buffy and Spike got up to help. As they went out of earshot of the rest of the group, Xander asked "did the spell work? How healed is she? Is she going to be able to do this? Anya told me that the power Willow was going to invoke hated demons and wouldn't work for anyone who associated with them."
Buffy thought for a minute. "Worked, completely healed thanks to the demon hating thingy--I think Willow cut the apronstrings with Rack. The way Tara explained it, if she hadn't cut them the thingy wouldn't have healed her at all. Oh, and I think she is so ready to do this. She says Rack was banished from his home dimension, I don't remember if she said why. Xander, what are those things?"
He started taking things out of his trunk and handing them to her. "One of the electricians whipped them together. They're basically portable lightning rods. One each for the three of us, and one not so portable for home base, just in case."
Buffy looked at him, she knew her next words were going to wound. "The plan has changed. One each for me and Spike. The other one is for Willow. You're staying here."
Xander looked at her, hurt. "Buff, you can't leave..." She put her hand on his arm.
"Xand, Willow has to get in close to do this. There are only three of these that are portable. Spike and I are the strongest. Tara has to stay in a trance to keep some magical channel open to power Willow. I need somebody I can count on to protect Tara while she's defenseless. My sister has a broken arm, Anya isn't a fighter. You're elected. I'm sorry."
He looked at her, frustrated. "Great, home defense--last resort for losers. Chip-boy here can't fight humans. What if Rack has a whole bunch of bodyguards of the human variety?"
"Then I bleed." Spike shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time. Hell, wouldn't be the first time this week. If I can keep them off Buffy and Red long enough to get Rack, it'll be worth it." Buffy looked worried, obviously remembering the last time he faced a group of humans. He took things out of Buffy's arms and put them on the ground. He wrapped her in his embrace. "Luv, don't worry about it," he murmured into her hair. "He still thinks his little electrical show is gonna hurt us. Who knows how many of his bodyguards are gonna be drained before he notices? It'll be fine." He kissed her forehead and released her. "Now, let's get this stuff inside."
Buffy picked them up from the ground. Xander took the other portable one and Spike grabbed the one designated `not so portable'. Buffy looked back at them and stepped to one side. "Someone else will have to get the door. Both my hands are full." Xander reached for the door, but Dawn had already started opening it from the inside. The corner of the door collided with his outstretched hand, jamming into his fingers. Reflexively, he dropped the lightning rod to cradle his injury. There was a clattering sound and pieces flew in all directions.
Dawn looked out, "oops, sorry. Are you okay?" Anya ran to get ice for Xander's hand, and Dawn got ibuprofen from Buffy's painkiller stash. Buffy and Spike brought in the three that were intact and went out to look for pieces of the last one.
"I hope Xander is good at electrical repair. I'm not looking forward to going in there without protection. I was out for three hours after the Bronze incident."
Spike looked at her and nodded. "I remember. Carried your unconscious body out and all? Don't want to go through that again." She set down the recovered pieces and kissed him.
The porch light flickered on and off several times. Buffy sighed. "One of these days I'm going to have to teach Dawn some manners."
Spike grinned. "I've a better idea. When she starts seeing someone, play by her rules. She'll regret everything she ever tried."
Buffy smiled. "Yeah, payback is a bitch. And that bitch is named Buffy." They collected the rest of the pieces in silence and went back inside.
Dawn was sitting next to Tara, smiling sweetly and pretending to do homework. Buffy ignored her and turned to Xander. "Hand okay?"
He held up an ice wrapped appendage. "Frozen, but feeling no pain. I think I'll live, but I'm definitely home guard material now." Anya patted his knee.
"So, do foremen do electrical repair, too? I think we have all the pieces," she put them on the coffee table, "and you have two intact ones in front of you as patterns."
"Let me look. I might be able to. Won't know until I try." As he examined it, everyone crowded around. He looked up, "uh, guys, need some light here. And I can't concentrate if you're all watching me." They all backed up and tried to find something to do to keep busy. After fifteen minutes of examining it, Xander came to a conclusion. "It's hopeless. I'd have to weld the framework and solder some of the other pieces. I can't do it one-handed, plus I don't have the tools available. It's dead." He shook his head. "So now what?"
Spike looked at him and shrugged. "I go without." Buffy glared at him and put her hands on her hips, drawing breath for a tirade. "Sweetheart, be reasonable. Think for a minute." Her eyes opened wider and she drew herself up to her full height. He put his hand on her lips. "Let me finish. Then you can start yelling." He grinned at her.
She slowly released her breath. "Start talking," she ground out between gritted teeth. "I only have so much reasonable, then I'm all for the yelling."
"Red couldn't take a pummeling that either one of us would shrug off. Plus, she needs to concentrate on her spell. So she gets one." Buffy slowly nodded in agreement. "I am dead. Well, undead. I can take much more in the way of punishment than you can. I ended up burned from the light show. You ended up unconscious." She started to open her mouth again. "Buffy, listen to me. If I'm hurt bad enough, you know how to heal me. You don't have that same luxury. You have Dawn depending on you, you can't afford to be injured."
She stepped toward him. He reached out and enfolded her in his arms. "You convinced me. I get the second working one. But Spike, don't get hurt. I still owe you a lot of kisses from that poker game and I'm not paying interest if payment is delayed because of your injury. Or I'll just kiss you when you aren't awake to enjoy it."
Xander got a thoughtful look on his face. "Poker game? If someone else can be the dealer, I'm in. It'll help pass the time while we wait for Willow to wake up. But I'm NOT playing for kisses."
Spike started to volunteer, but Buffy interrupted. "I'll do it. Spike cheats."
"Only when it matters," he protested.