Part Eight
The sun filtered through the window, falling across the sleeping couple. Buffy opened her eyes. She smiled when she remembered last night. Spike was still asleep. His head rest in the crook of her neck, his arm thrown over her waist and legs entwined with hers. Buffy let herself relax and watched him sleep. She had never allowed herself to indulge in this activity before. But it was different then; now, she wasn't busy telling herself that she didn't love him.
He really was beautiful when he slept. All the worry and concern left his face and he seemed to hold a certain innocence about him. She ran a hand through his soft brown locks.
This motion caused him to wake. His eyelids fluttered open and he looked at her, grinning, "Hey."
"Hey yourself," she smiled.
He lifted his head up and kissed her gently. Leaning away, he propped himself up on his elbow, looking at her.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you, too," she whispered.
He grinned, "I like hearing that."
She laughed, "Well, get use to it. You'll be hearing it a lot more."
His smile grew bigger and he leaned down for another kiss. A more passionate one. As their passion grew, Spike moved to lay halfway on top of her.
"Buffy, have you seen Will?" Dawn asked as she opened the door.
Spike and Buffy broke apart and dived for opposite sides of the bed faster than lightning as Dawn covered her eyes and spun around.
"Dawn!" Buffy exclaimed.
"And I guess you have," Dawn said, not turning around.
"Hey, Lil' Bit," Spike said.
"Dawn, could you please leave Spike and me alone so we can get dressed?" Buffy asked.
Immediately, the younger Summers caught the change in name. She spun back around to face the couple, while quickly sending a silent prayer that they were both reasonably covered.
"Spike?"
He nodded. And she squealed, rushing to give him a hug.
Her high-pitched vocal alerted the Scoobies who all quickly came crashing into the room.
Buffy groaned and pulled the covers over her head, trying to disappear.
When Xander realized what Buffy and the former vampire did, he groaned, "Aww, man, when I said I figured you two would be making with the smoochies, I didn't mean it."
Anya smacked him on the shoulder.
"Ow!" he whined, grabbing the shoulder.
"Piss off, Harris," Spike said.
"Spike?"
He smirked, "The one and only. Now, if you don't mind, the Slayer and I'd like to get dressed, alone." He motioned toward the door.
Everyone took the signal and left the two alone.
Spike looked at Buffy's covered head and smiled, "They're gone now, luv. It's just me."
She slowly removed the sheet from her head and groaned, "Oh, God. This is *so* embarrassing! I don't think I'll be able to show myself again."
Spike chuckled, "It'll be fine. I think they were more embarrassed than you." He leaned over, "Now, where were we?"
She sighed, "Spike, as much as I'd like to, we can't. Not right now. They're standing right outside."
He shrugged innocently, "So? They've already gotten the visual; why can't we give them the audio, too?"
She laughed, "You're incorrigible."
"And you love me."
"You bet I do."
He grinned and kissed her.
The Scoobies sat around the living area.
"Man, how long does it take to get dressed?" Xander asked as he paced up and down the room.
He knew that question was stupid. Everyone knew what was taking so long; they heard the noise after they left. And that had been over an hour ago.
"Xander, quit pacing. You're making me dizzy," Anya complained.
The bedroom door opened.
Xander stopped his pacing, "About time."
Laughter filtered through the hotel suite as Spike and Buffy entered the room, fully covered. Their hair was still wet from the very recent shower. The Scoobies watched uncomfortably as Spike drew Buffy in his arms and kissed her long and hard.
When they broke apart, Spike took a seat in the empty chair and Buffy sat on his lap.
"Hey, guys," Buffy said, smiling.
They all just looked at the couple, unsure of how to respond since they still felt extremely awkward after they heard the whole show.
"So, where's Dawn?" Spike asked.
"She got tired of hearing you guys have sex so she went for a walk," Anya spoke frankly.
Spike and Buffy looked embarrassed. Just then the door opened and Dawn entered.
"So, they're finally finished?" Dawn asked, smirking.
"Okay, now we're al here," Willow said.
Buffy looked at Spike, "How did you suddenly remember everything?"
He shrugged, "I don't know. I just had a dream."
"You had a dream?" Xander repeated.
"Yeah."
"So, are we still looking for this Lorne guy today?" Dawn asked.
Spike nodded, "I'm still wondering why I was brought back. And why they brought me back with no memories...and as a human."
Later in the day, when the sun was setting in the west, everyone went in search of the bar Clem told them about. It was amazingly easy to find. Right on the Strip.
They entered the club. It was surprisingly well-decorated. Not quite what they were expecting to see. Demons and humans both occupied the club peacefully.
A red demon with black eyes and ridges across his forehead approached them.
"Good evening and welcome to The Inferno. I'm the owner, Menelaos. How may I serve you?" he greeted them.
Spike nodded in greeting, "We were told that...Lorne works here."
Menelaos nodded, "Ah, yes." He motioned to the stage where a green-skinned demon was currently belting out a rendition of "Mandy."
"Thanks."
"No problem," Menelaos responded and left to tend to other customers.
Everyone took a seat at one of the open tables and waited patiently for Lorne to finish.
After he finished the last note, the club erupted in applause.
"Thank you. You're too kind. Really," Lorne said. "Now, give it up for Stan! He'll be performing 'I Knew I Loved You.'"
The audience applauded as a Fyarl Demon took center stage.
Lorne stepped down and Spike approached him. "You're Lorne, right?"
The green demon nodded. "And you are?" he asked suspiciously.
"Spike. And I've come for your help."
"Forgive me," Lorne said, shaking his hand, "Working with Angel these last couple of years...well, let's just say I've had more than my share of those trying to kill me."
"You worked with Angel?" Spike asked surprised.
"You know him?"
"You have no idea."
Lorne smiled, "Small world. Is there somewhere we can sit and talk?"
Spike nodded.
"Lead the way, Cheekbones," Lorne said.
Spike shot him a strange look but said nothing. He led the demon to the table occupied by the Scoobies. Spike introduced everyone and he and Lorne were seated.
"So, what's your problem, Sugar Cake?"
Spike ignored the nickname while Xander took the opportunity to smirk in amusement.
"The thing is, three months ago I was a vampire. Um, I got staked and was brought back. But I couldn't remember anything. That is until last night," he and Buffy shared a look and Spike took her hand in his. He brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
Lorne smiled at the couple but the smile was replaced with a grimace as the Fyarl Demon on the stage attempted to sing the upper-register of the song. "I can tell you one thing." He pointed to Stan, "He is definitely no Darren Hayes, that's for sure. You know, I tried to convince him to sing something from Barry White, but he insisted on Savage Garden. I was just trying to save him from the embarrassment." He shrugged, "I'm sorry. If I may, what were the circumstances around your, uh, demise?"
"He was saving my life," Buffy answered.
Lorne nodded, "A vampire, or former vampire in your case, in love with a Slayer so much he'd die for her. Now, where have I seen that before?"
"You know Angel?" Willow asked.
Lorne smiled, "Know him? I used to help him out in LA. I used to own a bar like this. Perhaps you've heard of it? Caritas?"
"That was your place?" Spike asked.
Lorne nodded.
"Nice place."
"When were you in Los Angeles?" Buffy asked.
"Uh," he looked ashamed, "about two years ago. Remember the Gem of Amara?"
She nodded.
"Well, uh, ItorturedAngeltotrytogetitback," he rushed.
"You what?!"
"Well, if you recall, I was evil back then," he defended himself, "'sides, it's not like he didn't have it coming."
"What?"
"He did steal Dru away from me."
Buffy glared at him, "Do you wish he hadn't?"
"And the lover's spat begins," Xander remarked.
Spike rolled his eyes, "Buffy, you know I don't. Not now."
"Do you still love her?"
"Not anymore. You're the only one for me now."
She kissed him, "Good answer."
"Anyway, as I was saying, the first time I met Angel, I managed to get him to sing 'Mandy.'"
Spike smirked, "Peaches sang?"
"Please, I'm still trying to forget it."
Spike and Xander shared a good laugh.
"He and his associates, they managed to destroy my club three times. After the third time, I gave up trying to fix it. I lived at the Hyperion for a while until I felt I wasn't needed anymore. Menelaos told me this place could use someone of my talents. So, here I am. Now, I would be correct in assuming you came here for a reading, right, Cheekbones?"
Spike nodded, "A friend of mine, Clem, told me you helped him out one time. And, now, I'm hoping you can help me figure out why I was brought back."
"How is Clem?"
"He's good."
Lorne nodded, "Sure. I can help. But you've got to do something for me."
"Name it."
"Sing."
End Part Eight
