"I've been meaning to tell you I've got this feeling that won't subside I look at you and I fantasize You're mine tonight" -Eric Carmen

"Hey slayer," Spike said shaking Buffy's shoulder. She awoke with a start and glared up at him.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Your mom wanted me to get you," he told her calmly. "Get dressed."

"Do I look like your slave-girl?" Buffy asked crossing her arms.

"Interesting idea," Spike purred. She glared at him again. "What? You're the one who said it! Anyhow your mom told me to come and get you. There's someone downstairs she wants you to see."

"All right," she said. He left and she got into a pair of jeans and a sweater. She joined them downstairs. She paused seeing Giles sitting next to her mother. "You failed to mention something when I saw you in England."

"Yes, well, I wasn't sure of whether or not I'd see you again," Giles said reluctantly. "But, I'm very glad to see you." He took off his glasses and began to clean them a tell-tale sign that Giles was nervous. "We have an announcement. Buffy, your mother and I, we're-" he paused.

"We're planning on getting married," Joyce said showing her the ring.

"Giles and my mom," Buffy said as she and Spike were walking in the park patrolling later. "Married. Did I step into Bizarre-o World?"

"You were gone for a year," Spike pointed out.

"I know. I just never dreamed that so much would change. You know, this would be my senior year. Now, I'm forever seventeen."

"Is that such a bad thing?"

"I don't know. I just wish that I had, had the chance to grow up."

"I wish I had too."

"Really?"

"Pet, we all didn't want to become what we were."

"How did you become a vampire?"

"Long story. One which I'll be glad to explain after the girl approaching leaves." The girl that he had been talking about tackled him without any warning.

"Stop!" Buffy yelled. She grabbed the girl and threw her away from Spike. "Kendra?"

"Buffy?" Kendra asked.

"It is you," Buffy said relieved. "I'd hug you but I know how you feel about-" to her shock Kendra hugged her. Buffy stepped away after a second to help Spike up. "Did they tell you everything?"

"Yes," Kendra said. "You are now a vampire with a soul."

"Well, this is Spike, he's been helping me," Buffy said. "He's a vampire but he's been very, um, helpful."

"Spike?" Kendra asked. "As in William the Bloody? The vampire who tried to kill Angelus last time I saw you."

"Almost did it," Spike said. "Sometimes I wish I had. It would have made things a Hell of a lot easier."

"Do you think Dru would have been true to you if Angel had died?" Buffy asked.

"I have a secret luv," Spike said slowly. "Dru was never faithful."

"Then why do you want her back?" Buffy asked shocked.

"Because even when she cheated on me it was always my bed that she came back to," Spike told her.

"Spike," Buffy said heavily. "You deserve someone better. Someone who would love you." She turned back to Kendra. "Look, I know he's bad but right now the major problem is Angel."

"That is true I suppose," Kendra said.

"Are you ladies done?" Spike asked. Buffy looked at him he seemed to be very moody suddenly.

Buffy shrugged it off and smiled at Kendra. "Yeah, we should go. You're making Spike nervous." They left the other girl walking down the street.

"She did not make me nervous!" Spike exclaimed.

"Sure," Buffy said.

Spike looked at her. "Can we talk?"

"Aren't we already?"

"I mean seriously talk."

"Okay," she said in an almost reluctant tone. They walked to a bench and sat down. "So what's up?" Instead of answering Spike kissed her. She pulled away quickly. "Spike!"

"Yes?" he asked calmly.

"What in the Hell was that?!"

"You have a serious problem if I actually have to answer that question luv."

"I know what it was!"

"Then why'd you ask?"

Buffy looked at Spike a few seconds. "Why'd you do that?" He looked back at her after she asked him that. He then leaned in kissing her again much slower this time. Now she didn't pull away. The kiss when on in growing passion. As they kissed she wondered about how long it had been since someone had kissed her like that. the answer was clear: the night Angel lost his soul. That had been the end of male tenderness in her life. She realized how much she had missed it.

"Spike," she whispered. He stood pulling her with him.

"I know you love him but just for one night, could you pretend to care for me?" Spike asked.

"I do care for you Spike," Buffy said. "I don't know if I love you. Or even if I can love you but I do care for you. But nothing can happen here."

"Why?" he asked.

"Where?" she countered.

"Anywhere," he whispered. "I know that you're probably going to have the spell done but Buffy, and that I'm probably going to lose you forever soon. But can we have tonight? One night out of a million forevers you can spend with him." Maybe it was how earnestly he seemed to need her, maybe it was the tenderness that he showed her or perhaps it was simply the way or fact that he said her name but slowly she nodded. He leaned in kissing her. "I believe I'm falling in love with you pet."

I think I'm falling in love with you too, she thought as they walked into the night hand-in-hand.