Madison stretched, her eyes opening, and for the first time is two days, didn't feel like she had popped one too many vicadin. Still kinda shitty? Yeah. But liveable. She looked at Spike, asleep, and smiled, tried to extract herself from him without waking him. Squirmed slowly away.

The vampire made a quiet noise, and rolled slightly, tightening the arm he had around her waist. Nuzzled his face against her neck, purring quietly.

Her mouth opened, smiling, into a silent laugh. Well. This wasn't working. Sat, and thought for a moment. Started to scritch in his hair.

Spike purred louder, pressing against her hand. Rolled a little, and his hand fell off the other side of the bed, smacking the nightstand. He jerked awake. "Ow. Huh?" Blinked, looked around sleepily.

Scritched softly, spoke soothingly. "Nothing, Puppy... go back to sleep..."

He yawned. "Wha ime zit..." He wasn't totally awake, and not speaking in complete words. Translation: What time is it?

"Not time to get up... go back to sleep..."

"Mm..ghrt..." No words that time. Snuggled down against the pillows, still pressing against her hand. Eyes closed, and breathing slowed markedly. Almost, but not quite stopping.

She waited until she was sure he was asleep, then stood, grabbed some clothes and slipped into the bathroom. Changed to get ready for what was left of the day. The sun would set in two hours. And she still had to make dinner.

Her brother stepped away from the door he had been watching through a six inch crack, slipped back downstairs to finish cleaning, his movements jerky, disquieted.

Madison came down the stairs, the dark pink of her tank top accentuating the contrast in her hair. Smiled when she saw how nice the house looked. Relieved the blood had come out of her carpet. She made her way to the kitchen to prepare the traditional welcome home dinner. Hummed just a little while she worked, browning hamburger.

Finally, Will came to stand in the kitchen. At almost six feet, he towered over Madison, but echoed her coloring, except his hair was a deep brown, that betrayed a red glint as the light bounced off it. "Who the hell is that in your room, Madison??"

"His name is Spike. I call him Puppy."

Wills snorted. "Spike? I don't like him. Why the hell is he in this house? And you didn't tell me?" His emerald eyes took on a hurt tint. "You *scritch* him? Cuz I SAW you." He paused a moment. "And why aren't you back in bed? You look like crap."

That was all she could take. She rounded on him, swatted his shoulder with the spatula. "Santa Maria," she swore, "I'm fine!! FINE! For Dios sake... Puppy is a great man, and VERY nice. So I would SHUT UP if I were you, unless you don't want any dinner." Glowered. "And I will scritch anyone I damn well please. Why don't you make youself useful and take out the trash?"

Unnoticed by the pair, Spike had been awakened by the shouting, and had made his way about halfway down the stairs. Once he saw that Will had left, taking out the trash, the vampire came the rest of the way down, running his fingers through his hair, trying unsuccessfully to straighten it. "What's all the noise about, pet?", he asked, trying for nonchalant.

Waved her spatula in the air. "Madre de Dios..." She muttered. "Nothing, Puppy. I'm sorry it woke you."

He shook his head, leaning against the doorway to the kitchen. "No problem, really. This late in the day, I usually have trouble sleeping." White lie. Nothing wrong with little white lies. Sniffed curiously. "What'cha cooking?"

"Enchilada's." A smile in her voice, she paused as Will came in the rear entrance. He stopped, stared indolently at Spike.

Spike cocked his head, reining in his instincts that told him that this person didn't like him. People that didn't like him, he usually growled at. That would be the wrong reaction, at that moment, though. And he knew it. Gave a half smile. "You must be Will. You're sis' has told me a bit about you."

Will walked with long, self-assured strides to stand directly behind his sister. Dropped a proprietary, protective hand on her shoulder. "I am. Spike, right?" His hand pulled Madison discreetly closer to him.

The vampire licked his lips. If it weren't for the potentially fatal sunlight outside, he'd have just gone out the upstairs window. But, civil. Be civil. Nodded. "Yeah. That's what everyone calls me, nowadays."

Will nodded once, shortly. He didn't like this guy. He held him directly responsible for his sister's less-than-glowing countenance.

Madison sighed, having quite enough of the pissing match. "Puppy is staying for dinner. Set the table." Started to stir her almost-burning hamburger.

Will nodded again, then opened a cupboard for plates. Started setting the table silently.

Spike took a step forward, wanting to try and help. "Hey, mate... uh, lemme give you a hand with those." He was making an effort.

Gave him a brief look, but Will felt Madison's eyes burning into his back. "Right." Close to civil as he could manage. "Silverware's in the top drawer next to the stove."

Madison nodded once, then started to roll the seasoned meat and cheese into their shells.

Spike got and set out the silverware, hoping to God that he was doing it right. It'd been quiet some time since he'd had to do this. Like, a century or more. Most likely more.

"Nnnnt!" Madison tutted at him. "Just forks and knives, Puppy. Spoons aren't needed till desert."

If he could have, he would have blushed. "Oh... sorry." Gathered the offending spoons up, giving them a look that said that he KNEW it was somehow their faults, just for being spoons. Gave a very quiet growl, and put them back in the drawer.

She smiled at him, reached up from her rolling, and petted him with the back of her hand, the front being dirty with enchilada stuffs. "Cups are in the cupboard to your left."

He gave her a relieved nod. As long as Madison was there, he could handle it. Got the cups, set them at the places. Looked around again. "Now what?"

She nudged him with her knee. "There's a bathroom upstairs, if you wanna shower." Arched her brow. "And you wanna shower. My Wills will give you some clothes. You look close enough in build."

Spike shook his head. Damn. He'd never been so nervous that he'd forgotten something like a SHOWER before. Gave Madison a quick nod, before trotting upstairs. He'd also change the sheets on her bed, while he was at it. It hadn't been good, sleeping on them with blood on his torn jeans leg where the bone had poked through.

He changed the sheets on the bed, but then couldn't find a towel. Which was strange. Weren't towels usually in the bathroom? But they weren't here. So, even though he felt stupid, he started to go back downstairs to ask where they were. About halfway down the stairs, he could hear Will and Madison talking. Even though he felt like a heel for listening in AGAIN, he paused and did it anyway.

"Will! Stop talking shit! *What* is your problem?"

Will stepped closer to Madison, jerking on her hair, the ends still white about six and a half inches up. "*This* is my goddamn problem, Madison! Pure white. Not even... a faded gray, or charcoal color like other times. And I KNOW that kind of drain only comes from a full body-soul drain." Stared into his sister's eyes. "Did he touch you?" Shook her shoulders a little bit. "Because I swear, if he dared hurt you, he's a dead man. I will kill him." And he would. Intent was in his voice.

A new respect for Will surged through Spike. Anyone who'd protect his family like that... Well, it was a little easier not to hate him, anyway.

Madison gave him a gentle smile, a loving, comforting, grateful hug. "Is that what you've been worried about? No, Wills. I just... I healed too much too fast, and it caught up to me. He will never hurt me. He was taking care of me."

Will frowned at her. "Why didn't you call me? I would have taken care of you. I'd have made sure you were protected."

Spike came the rest of the way downstairs. "She is protected, mate. You had nothing to worry about." His voice was measured, not challenging, but not patronizing either. He had to make Will see that they were on the same side. "I've known Madison for nearly three months, now. When we met, I saved her from this.. guy who was.. bothering her. I got a bit hurt, and she helped me. We've been friends ever since." Stayed against the wall, out of the other male's personal space. His perceived territory. Vampire instincts were very specific about how to behave in the territory of another pack when you didn't want a fight. And right now, he had the feeling that he was in enemy territory.

It was clear Madison was his territory. And Madison didn't like being anyone's marked hydrant, but she didn't know what to do, so she stayed still.

Will took in the information, latched on to one sentence. Swung his head to Madison. His voice was low and threatening. "Who the hell hurt you?" At her flustered silence, he surged forward. "Give me a name. Now!"

Spike jumped forward, a hand latching onto the boy's shoulder before he could touch Madison. Maybe a little too much force, but not that much. "Calm down, mate. The guy didn't exactly give out a business card. He's long gone now." Released his shoulder and stepped back, suddenly realizing that he'd jumped territory lines. Oops.

Will's eyes glittered and he took a fighting stance, and as an absent sign of protection, pushed Madison behind him.

Spike stood his ground, eyes flashing for an instant when Will shoved Madison behind him. Body tense, lip slightly twitching over one (thankfully still human) canine.

Madison snorted out a disgusted sigh and stepped between the males. The glare her brother gave her SHOULD have been intimidating. She just slapped a hand on his chest. "Ok, Conan the Barbarian. You just back the hell up." Slapped her other hand on Spike's chest. "And you. Relax."

Will gave a grudging nod, took a half step back, dropping his fists.

The vampire gave her a look, but did take a step back. He did remember how to handle territory disputes, anyway.

She took a step back so she could encompass both of them in her look. "I want you both to listen very carefully to what I'm about to say. Alright?"

Both males nodded.

"Puppy. Wills would NEVER hurt me. Wills. Puppy would never hurt me. Neither of you would ever hurt me. Wills is my brother, and you, Puppy, are my way overprotective best friend. Your common interests lie in making sure I am safe and sound, yeah?"

Another dual nod.

"Well," she said snottily as she flipped her stripped hair over a shoulder, "Beating the hell out of eachother will NOT accomplish that, because I am in NO condition to heal ANYTHING for the next three months. I am safe from both of you. So I am super safe right now. And I love you both, not a bit differently, just because the other is here. So shake hands." Gave a threatening glare. "Now."

Will extended his hand the second the order left his sister's lips. He was whipped, and he knew the number one rule was "Madison is always right".

Spike too, knew that rule. Had experienced it. Grudgingly extended his hand and grasped Will's. Shook slowly, deliberately, allowing the human to feel just a bit of exactly how strong he was, but not very much.

Will's eyes glinted happily at the challenge, squeezed back.

She arched her eyebrows, annoyed at the, to her, juvenile game, and they broke apart. Turned her head to Spike. "Shower. What happened to you getting one?"

He stopped his posturing completely, giving Madison a look that said just how much of her Puppy he was. "I.. couldn't find the towels."

She gave an exasperated smile, cupped his cheek. "Closet at the end of the hall. There's guy soap in there, too. Will always takes it out of the bathroom. He's scared we'll stink his soap up."

Spike chuckled. "I know the feeling. Group I'm travelin' with has four girls, and only two guys, not countin' me. I have to guard my shampoo, or I wind up smellin' like flowers."

Will gave an understanding smirk. "Soap and shampoo's on the third shelf in the towel closet." It was a start.

========================================================================== ==========

Spike made his way back to his room, which he'd now been away from for over twenty four hours, and swiped the card key. That business with Madison's brother had left him more than a little emotionally drained, since he still hadn't totally slept enough to recover from the two days before. Walked into his room, dropping his duster on a chair, and moved to get rid of his jeans, which were still ripped and bloody from his encounter with the Mack truck the previous night.

And encountered a brassed-off slayer, standing, hands on hips, her eyes flaring. "Where the hell have you been?"

He stood quickly, winding up with his jeans around his ankles, swearing that she'd scared him into a heart beat. "Bloody hell.. Slayer." Cocked his head. "What're you doing in my room?"

Folded her arms across her chest. "Sitting here. Something you APPARENTLY haven't been doing for the past twenty-four hours."

He sighed, returning to changing clothes. "Really not in the mood for explanations right now, luv. How's your head?"

Shrugged dismissively. "Fine."

He glanced at her, giving her a quick once over. Went into the bathroom. "Good. If you really want to know, I was at Madison's."

Eyes heated, but she said sardonically, "Wouldn't have guessed."

He came back out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. "Fine tone to speak of the woman who saved your life."

She cast her eyes to the side angrily.

He gave a snort, then went to the bed. "She saved my life last night, too. Just in case you care, which I doubt." Sat down on the end of the bed.

"What happened?"

Spike laid back. "Bloody nothing. Why don't you just go to bed."

Snorted, tossed her hands in the air. "Why don't I? I've been trying to figure it out all night, and I don't have a damn clue. So fine." Strode out the door.

Three minutes after she left, she banged on Spike's door again.

Spike sighed, knowing she'd come back. "Come in, luv. You didn't lock it, remember?"

She opened the door, said defensively. "Lost my key. Didn't want to wake Dawn, and have to explain."

He chuckled, watching her. "Where'd you have it last?"

Shrugged, exasperated. "Not sure I even brought it with me."

He chuckled again. "You can sleep here, if you want. I don't mind."

She slid into bed stiffly, her back to him.

He just lay there, his back to her. Said quietly, "If I ask you a question, do you promise to answer honestly?"

Pondered. "Maybe."

Decided to ask anyway. "You know that Madison's my friend. Just like Dawn's my friend. She's kind, and sweet, and saved both our lives very recently. So answer me this: Why do you hate her? Or strongly dislike her, or whatever you think you feel."

She thought about it. All her reasons. Decided to only voice the non- jealous-girlfriend sounding one. "We're both powerful. We're bound to rub eachother the wrong way. And she's holier-than-thou."

He chuckled. "Okay." Nothing more. Silence.

Said quietly, "And I hate her more, because I'm indebted to her."

He rolled slightly to look at her. "No you're not. She saved you. She wanted to. It's what she does. Her gift, to share freely. She wouldn't have let you die, you know. Even if I weren't there."

And that was the part that irked her.

Spike sighed. He wasn't a negotiator. He was a fighter. This was *not* in his job description. He rolled back over with his back to Buffy again, and attempted to close his eyes.

She closed her eyes, ignoring the presence he created, focused on sleeping.

========================================================================== =========

Buffy woke hours later, Spike's leg resting between hers, her face buried in his neck, one arm around his back, and one of his resting on her side. Well, hell.

The vampire, for his part, was still sound asleep. Strangely, though, he was breathing, shallowly. The kind of breathing that, in a human, would've meant he needed oxygen. Oh, and he was purring, too. Couldn't miss that. That quietly suggestive purr that he only did after they- Stop! Bad place, Buffy, she told herself. Bad place to be, too. God, she wanted him. But she was so pissed at him. Beyond pissed.

Spike shifted a little. Not much, but enough. His leg between hers moving slightly.

Couldn't help it. Arched against him slightly.

"Mmm.." It was an unconscious sound, but the purring had also gotten louder.

Mouth parted softly, eyes closed at the low sound.

The arm that was around Buffy tightened reflexively. He wanted her closer. Even in his sleep.

She stilled her movements, turned her head to the side in frustration. Deep breath.

Spike seemed to relax when she stopped moving, his arm loosening and leg sliding back down a ways.

Breathe in, and out. In and out... and... NOT HELPING! Want Spike. Want to hit Spike, but want Spike all the same.

Spike muttered something unintelligible, and twitched away from her a little, almost as if he'd been struck.

She glanced at him, a little worried. He didn't nightmare like Dawn, did he?

The vampire made a quiet growl, and moved a little. The way he moved suggested that he didn't have control of his arms. As if, in the dream, he was tied to something.

She bit her lip, watched him carefully.

Muttered, a little louder, "Leave 'er 'lone... n'er tell ya..." Jerked again, quiet whimper.

God. A Glory dream. She started to pet at him. "Spike..."

Growled, a strained, scared sound. "I.. ugh.."

Shook him. "Spike!"

He jerked awake, eyes wide, body shaking, looking around the room without seeing anything. Finally locked on Buffy, breathing erratically. "S- slayer?"

Started rubbing circles on his chest. "Hey."

He shook his head, trying to control his breathing and shaking all at once. "Damn it... Bloody hell.."

Kept rubbing. Let him calm down.

He sighed and flopped back down against the pillows. "Sorry. Sorry you saw that, luv. It's bloody embarrassing."

She shrugged. "No big." Treated it as such to make him more comfortable.

He just lay there, drawing in deep, deliberate breaths, trying to wipe the images and feelings from the dream out of his mind. And not being entirely successful. It was one thing to get rid of a totally imagined nightmare. A completely different matter when it was a memory.

"She can't touch you," she spoke softly.

He nodded. "Yeah. I know. Can't now. Did then. That's the problem." Licked his lips.

Ran her hands over his sides. "But you're better."

"Physically and emotionally are two very different things, luv." Swallowed. "Can we keep this between us? I mean, don't even tell Bit about it, okay? She'll think that it's her fault. I don't want her feelin' guilty again. Took me long enough to convince her that it wasn't her fault the first time."

Nodded. "Yeah."

He glanced around, then slowly moved to sit on the side of the bed. "This is going to sound stupid, but do you think there's anything chocolate in this room? Anything at all. I'll take a year old Easter bunny." Gave her a half grin. "For some reason, chocolate helps after a bad dream."

She grinned, pointed a small bag in the corner. "Syrup," she said with a blush.

He chuckled. "And there's milk in the fridge.. so.. Chocolate milk." Got up, taking the syrup into the kitchen.

She remained on the bed, thinking. It frustrated her even more that he would be sweet, and scared. Frustration. Wasn't that the story of her life? God. She could kill something. Or lay something, but... neither seemed likely.

Spike came back, with two glasses of chocolate milk, to Buffy's surprise. He handed one to her. "Thought, as long as you're up.." Shrugged and sat on his side of the bed.

Took it, sipped.

To each species their own. Spike downed all of his in one long gulp, wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, then laid back down, staring at the ceiling. Wondering if he'd be able to get back to sleep. And wondering if he wanted to risk it.

She kept sipping. Made herself ask. "How is she?" 'She' in Buffy's mind always meaning Madison.

Glanced at her. "Madison? She's fine, really. Practically had to keep her brother from punchin' me, but other than that."

"What'd you do?"

Chuckled a little. "Nothing at all. Spent the night in her room cause I was worried about her. From the sound of it, Will-"

Turned her head to scald him with a look.

He cocked his head. "What?"

Something akin to bodily-harm-threatening jealousy kindled her eyes. "The sound of it?"

He laughed a little. "Oh, luv. You've got it wrong. I meant the sound of what I overheard Will and Madison talking about."

Sipped her chocolate milk. "Oh."

Chuckled, then continued. "Anyway, seems Will was outside the door when Madison was tryin' to help me sleep-" And there she went again.

Her fingers tightened on the glass. Bitch. Life saver or not. Bitch better keep off of what was hers. And Spike was hers until she was done with him.

Spike sighed. "God, luv. You're cracking the glass. Nice to know you're so protective of me, though."

She set it down carefully on the nightstand. "So, anyway...?"

"Well, Madison has apparently worked out a way to help me sleep, and she was doin' that, and Will was watchin' or something. He was yellin' at her when I came downstairs. Said he saw her scritchin' me. Must've been a bit jealous, I guess. Can't say I blame him. Wonderful sensation, that."

HATED the tone of his voice. Kept her... well, everything... casual. "Mm."

"Anyway. He went to take out the trash, and I talked to Madison, and was still in the room when he came back. We had words for a moment, and Madison separated us. Chastised both of us right proper. Then made us shake hands. Things calmed down after that."

"How old is her brother?"

"Sixteen," Spike said with a sigh. "I barely remember when I was that age. Not that I really want to." Snorted.

Buffy laughed. "And he got in your face?"

Spike gave her a look, then chuckled quietly. "Yeah. He's about two inches taller than me, too. If I was human, I'd have been worried."

She gave a respectful nod. "Gotta give him props. That takes guts. Or sheer stupidity."

"Caring about family, luv. That gives you guts. Look at you and Dawn." Chuckled. "Also prolly helps that he doesn't know that I'm *not* human."

She nodded. "So. Thought you were a threat to big sis, huh?"

Spike nodded. "Yeah. Said that if I'd touched her, hurt her in any way, he'd kill me. Meant it, too. I like him."

Rolled her eyes. "I ALWAYS like people who threaten to kill me."

"Me too. Explains why I bloody love you, doesn't it?" Joke. Meant as a joke. He hoped she heard it.

She smirked. "Please. It was SO about the roundhouse."

He laughed. "Naw. I preferred your kicks, really. Got some power there, Slayer. Real power. Like.. coiled springs."

"Coiled springs, huh? Like a mattress. Grr. Go me."

He laughed again. "Yeah. Remember that time we were fightin' in the cemetery and I missed a punch, threw me off balance, and you kicked me in the back, and sent me clean through that giant stone angel?"

Sighed. "Good times. Almost staked you that time."

Spike gave a half hearted growl. "Yeah, yeah. If you hadn't found me stumbling around shaking my head so bleedin' funny, you would have."

Laughed at the memory. "Oh yeah... REAL good times."

He snorted. "Course, not like I've never found anything *you've* done funny."

"I happen to remember when you threw me in the air, and I landed on all fours, and you KICKED me in the butt. Like you were punting a football!"

He laughed. "Okay, so that was a little funny. The look on your face when you got up..."

"Oh! That really funny murderous rage one?"

"No, that 'Lucy yanks the football away from Charlie Brown' one." He laughed again. "You looked like you wanted to grab me by the ear and stick me in the corner for quiet time."

Muttered, "Only if there was an urn in the corner..."

He half growled, still laughing a little. Then remembered. "Oh, but you got me back, though. Remember when you just came up behind me, and shoved me down that hill, through the fence, and into the Johnson's fertilizer patch?"

Smug smile. "Oh yeah."

He snorted. "I ruined a perfectly good outfit that night. And you just stood up there laughing at me."

"Very hard, too."

"Wounded my pride more than my body. By the time you'd recovered, I'd walked away. Dunno why I didn't just take advantage of your distraction and snap your pretty little neck. Cept for the fact that I have a very sensitive nose, and really needed a shower."

Laughed. "You had to have reeked. I avoided you for a week, just in case you did."

He 'grrr'ed at her. "I did not. Thank you. Spending five hours and six bottles of shampoo in a shower'll take it right off."

Snorted, laid back on the bed. "What a quick fix..."

"I like showers, though. 'Cept for the pruny fingers part." Snort. "Hell, I'm glad you were avoiding me. It probably TOOK a week for all the wrinkles to go away."

Laughed. "Gross."

Nodded, emphatically. "Yeah. I know. What about you? What was your hardest post fight clean up?"

"M..... That green explodie thing.... goop sucks so bad..."

He nodded again. "Tell me about it. Grallfa demon. And the stain never completely goes away. I've lost more shirts to those stupid bags of slime..."

"Please. Try jeans. Sweaters. Teeshirts... Scarves... gloves... BOOTS.."

Laughed. "You win."

"I know." Stuck her tongue out at him.

He chuckled. "Really good way of showing maturity, luv. What are you, five?"

Stopped, flustered. "Well... You've got pruney hands."

He held up a hand, examined it. "Time to get your eyes checked, Slayer. Maybe needin' glasses in your old age."

She rolled over on her side. "Go to sleep."

He chuckled. "Goodnight, honey."

Grumbled. "Bite me."

Actually rolled toward her, growling softly.

Didn't even roll over. "So don't think so."

Time to surprise her. Wrapped an arm around her, cuddled to her back, and planted a kiss on her neck. "I don't do anything you ask me to, anyway."

Smiled ruefully. "Yeah... I know."

========================================================================== =========

Buffy grinned at Spike from across the mat. "Ready?"

The vampire, in full game face, snarled excitedly. "You know it. This is so much more fun since the chip stopped working."

Feral smile. "Oh yeah." Launched at him in a series of kicks.

All blocked with the skill of one who intimately knows his opponent. Then, a surprise. Left hook, when he was expecting a jab. Dodged, but was knocked off balance.

Gave a roundhouse to his shoulder, knocking him to the floor. Was on him in an instant.

He wrapped his legs around her waist and rolled forward, reversing their positions, golden eyes flashing and fangs gleaming in the florescent lighting of the abandoned yoga room.

Bucked her hips to the side, trying to toss him off.

He was ready for that, but not for the elbow to his stomach. "Oof!" Was thrown off by her next buck.

She hopped to her feet, ready when he came at her with punches, but totally distracted, not preparing for the legsweep until it was too late.

In an instant Spike was back on top of her, his fangs descending toward her neck quickly.

She was breathing erratically, stared up at him. He had won.

He lost the demon visage, and grinned down at her. "Wow, luv. Wow.. That was fun. And I won, that time." Seemed.. slightly awed, and excited at the same time. Cocked his head. "Why couldn't I do that two years ago?"

Laid still beneath him, her hands above her head where he had pinned them. Still breathing kind of heavily. "Dunno. Glad, though."

He released her arms, but stayed where he was. "Yeah. Me too."

Tilted her head back, deliberately tempted him.

He cocked his head at her. "Offerin' me a snack, luv?" Suggestive tone. Deliberately so.

Rocked her hips slightly beneath his pinning weight. "I guess so..."

"Mm. Good." Leaned forward, trailing kisses up and down her neck, nibbling softly part of the time, experimenting with varying pressures and speeds.

Gave a soft moan, arched against him.

Decided it was time to stop playing, and moved to capture her mouth with his.

She bit, hard enough to be arousing, at his bottom lip.

Growled softly, eyes flashing gold for a moment. Shifted his weight a little, so that he was almost lying on top of her. Began a trail down her throat again. Wondered how far he could go before trust became an issue.

Low moan that caught in her throat, drooped her head back. Right now, it wasn't. Pleasure was the issue.

Spike was in an experimenting mood. He vamped and continued his nibbling, not breaking the skin at all, just seeing if she'd notice. Notice that her jugular was less than a half an inch away, and he was ignoring it. Always with the trying to make points.

She grew frustrated with his teasing, pulled him up to kiss, her tongue meeting his mouth before she had time to wonder what the hell she was doing.

He used his tongue to guide hers, keeping it away from his fangs. He was too excited to devamp by then. Just would have to go with it.

Vamped. Spike was vamped. And she was- No. No rationalizing. Spike. That's what mattered. Ran her hands over his body.

He growled a little. Too many clothes...

Way too many clothes. She started pulling at his shirt, still kissing him in full vamp mode.

He pulled away just long enough for her to get the offending garment over his head, then returned to her mouth. He was making a mental map as he went. Vamp senses were good for a lot of things, it seemed.

Grumbled something about belts into his mouth while she rather skillfully unclasped it.

Spike growled again as he felt her begin to remove his jeans, and he went back to her neck, his hands working her tank top up as he did so.

So it was an abandoned yoga room. So what? It was locked. It was private. He figured he'd earned this. He'd won, anyway.

And to the victor, go the spoils.

End, part17. AN: This is from Tigerwolf and Tequila. Guys... Please stop leaving notes about "I hate Madison", cuz... Frankly? It's a little redundant, and we've gotten 25 chapters archived, so you're just gonna have to go with it. We got it the first 8 times, but she's important to the story now, and she's staying. And! For the record, I HAVE guy friends that I am close to like that, and their g/f's don't have problems with it, because they are FAITHFUL to their women. As is Spike, I mean... Druscilla, a hundred years? So, cut us a little slack, please? We'd appreciate it.