Part 3: More Memories and Coffee

The night passed swiftly for the two lovers. At first, Spike was gentle- his movements slow and considerate of Bri's pure state. Then, at her urging, he picked up the pace and allowed the heated passion he felt to shine through. Their kisses had been intense but were nothing compared to the wholeness they felt when they made love.

The two now lay awake reflecting on the incredible high as Spike absently stroked Bri's hair. His eyes wandered over her body snuggled comfortably against him. Two puncture wounds were clearly visible on her neck where he had bitten into her in the height of passion. He had expected her to push him away and maybe stake him for that action, but she later explained that she understood its meaning- that she had read in vampire lore that it was a natural part of sex for them. It had also enhanced her experience, causing her nails to dig into his back furiously, leaving long red scratches. There was also a small mark on his shoulder were she had bitten down to keep from waking her watcher with her cries of pleasure.

"Coffee?"

"What?"

"Do you want to get some coffee?" Spike repeated, pulling the slayer out of her reverie.

"Oh, um, yeah, sure."

The vampire ushered her into the small café they frequented on late night patrols after things died down. The café was virtually empty with the exception of two staff members- a waitress and a cook. They took their seats at their usual table in a dark secluded corner of the shop. The waitress hurried over to them, pad and pencil in hand.

"What can I get for you tonight?"

Spike looked at Bri expectantly but found that she had regressed to her reflective, distant state from a few moments before. He knew something was going on. But for now he turned back to the waitress to order.

"I'll have a coffee- black. And she'll have a coffee- three sugars and two creams. Oh, and bring out a couple of those cinnamon buns."

The waitress nodded and hurried to the kitchen to retrieve their orders. Spike studied Bri for a moment. Her eyes were empty and distant, her mouth drawn into a blank expression and her fingers drummed absently on the table.

"Where are you tonight, love?"

"Huh?"

"You've been so quiet. Is anything the matter?"

Just then the waitress returned with their coffee and cinnamon buns. Once she left, Bri took a sip from her mug and then sat it down, taking a deep breath.

"I have to tell you something." She began. Spike remained quiet, looking at her expectantly. "I should have told you sooner. But…denial land was fun so…I'll be getting to the point now." She paused, searching for the words to tell him that she was leaving. "Tomorrow night…flight 546 departs at eight o'clock." That was sort of telling him, she reasoned.

"Thanks for the flight schedule, pet, but I'm not really planning on going anywhere."

"I am. I'm leaving."

"Leaving?"

"Moving."

"Moving?"

"We got word a few weeks ago that I'm needed elsewhere. Something big and apocalypsey is going down on the Hellmouth and the slayer there needs my help."

"So why move there? Why not just go help then come back?" Spike asked, getting slightly heated.

"After some really long phone conversations, we determined that the Hellmouth is the best place for me. I'm needed there. With two slayers on the Hellmouth, it's twice as safe and it also gives each of us a chance to have a semi-normal life. The whole slayer thing wouldn't be as all consuming as it would be usually."

Spike was silent as he stared down into his coffee. Bri's words rang in his ears and he felt his unbeating heart break. The slayer finally could take the silence no more and spoke up.

"Please say something." She pleaded meekly.

Immediately, Spike's natural defense mechanism kicked in. "Well what do you expect me to say? 'Oh don't go! I love you! I can't unlive without you!' Or perhaps you expect me to follow you to Sunnyhell, sod all else. Just want me to forget that I bloody hate that place! That I'm a vampire? Team up with a slayer, AGAIN? Maybe stop feeding, eh? Drink some rabid pig's blood from a bag? Newsflash, I'm a vampire, you're a slayer. We don't mix!"

Tears brimmed in the beautiful girl's eyes but they did not fall. "How can you say that? You feel what's between us, you can't just-"

"What's between us is sex, ducks! That's all it's ever been. I make you all hot and bothered and you can't stand the thought that a vampire could do that to you. So you dream up some sort of feelings between us…some sort of bond. Well it's all crap!"

Bri felt as though she had just been hit with a ton of bricks. She stared at the vampire before her, willing her tears away. She clenched her jaw and stared him defiantly. "You're right. All this," She gestured between them. "just crap. Vampires and slayers do not mix. You're right. I was an idiot but believe me…it will never happen again." Her chair slid back from the table with a loud screech and she rushed out the door, leaving Spike alone in the shop.

He stared at the door she had exited long after she had disappeared from sight. He had known the second the words had escaped his throat that they were a mistake. They were a feeble attempt at guarding his heart. Bloody hell. He was a vampire. He shouldn't feel anything! Especially not for a slayer! But ever since he was turned he'd been different. He knew it. Drusilla knew it. Darla knew it. And Angelus knew it. Spike had the capability to love. It never stopped him from killing or torturing and he never felt guilt or remorse for his actions. But it made him vulnerable and just a little more human and he hated it and reveled in it at the same time. Slamming his fist into the table angrily, he stood, throwing a twenty on the table and hurrying out the door to his apartment.