Buffy and Spike walked slowly to the Magic Box. Really, really slowly.
Neither one of them spoke of it, but they both knew: something great, or
something horrible would happen tonight. And neither one wanted to find
out which it would be.
Spike had one arm looped around Buffy's shoulders, while she had an arm around his waist. Both needed the other's comfort. The other's *love*.
Finally, Buffy spoke, like she wasn't trying to reassure herself. "It's gonna be fine. It's really silly to worry like this."
"Yeah. Silly." His hand was absently playing with the shoulder of her shirt. Needing to do something.
"I mean, it's not always all about us. No one even cares, really. We're just gonna go, and hear what Giles has to say, catch up with everybody, and go home. It's no big," she stressed.
He nodded, repeating her again. "Right. No big. They'll deal with it. They did before." Sighed. "Of course, they dealt with it by threatening to tie me to a shower or throw me outside at noon, but they still dealt with it."
"Right!" Brightly, ignoring everything negative he said. "And it's night. And I mean... who says we even have to go charging in there with declarations of literally undying love, and.. and stuff?"
He paused in his tracks. Said, quietly. "You're not going to tell them, are you?" No anger. No.. anything, really. Blank.
She shook her head. "That's not... I just mean... Why do WE have to prove everything? Why can't it just be, ok, Spike and Buffy are pretty happy. Good for them. Why do I have to justify and prove everything??"
"I want-" Paused, shook his head. "No. I'll admit it. I *need* them to know." Looked at her. "You have to understand, pet. This is.. all I have left. My last chance to become a part of this group. This family. And I beyond *want* it. I *need* it. And it's taken me a very long time to learn that. Please understand?"
She lifted a hand, her fingers barely grazing his cheekbone. "I love you," she repeated, "Wherever I am, whoever I'm with." Let him know. She'd never deny him, she'd tell the Scoobies.
His tense posture relaxed, and he nodded a little. "Thank you, Buffy. I love you, too." Moved back into his previous position, arm around her shoulders as they began walking again.
One hand lifted to the one on her shoulder, and she entwined their fingers. She knew they needed to do this. But she really didn't want to.
A few more moments of silence, and they were standing outside the Magic Box. Spike cleared his throat, and opened the door for her, only releasing her hand at the last second.
She walked in ahead of him, smiling at those in attendance. All the Scoobies herded around the food that Tara, Willow, and Dawn had left early to get.
Spike followed her in, closing the door behind him. To everyone but Buffy and maybe Dawn, he looked his usual self. Cocky, swaggering, ignoring anything that didn't seem to concern him. Only his girls could tell just how nervous he was. Small things, things that no one else would notice, gave him away. Locking eyes with Buffy every chance he got. Avoiding eye contact with Giles. Spending way too long just staring at the hotwing in his hand before eating it.
Buffy stole one of his wings, talking casually with Xander.
"-and then I wound up watching that booorrring movie all because- Hi, honey!" As Anya walked through the main room. Once she entered the back room, Xander looked back to Buffy. "All because I lost a stupid bet with Anya."
She laughed. "Whipped much?"
Xander sighed and hung his head. "Such is the fate of those of us doomed to marria- Hey, Ayn. Want some pizza?"
Spike was making quiet snickering noises, trying not to draw attention to himself.
Anya munched a piece of pizza. "Is he saying those funny anecdotes that make it sometimes difficult to love him?"
Spike snorted out a chuckle.
Xander looked at her. "I was being entertaining, Ayn. That's all. Perfectly innocent entertaining."
"Yup... just... a story about fate that was really funny," Buffy laughed.
From the head of the table, Giles cleared his throat. But he was smiling. "Now that we're all here, perhaps we can get started?"
All attention turned to him.
"Very good. Now, I take it that you all remember exactly how we got the Ohana before we left? Of course, Buffy and Spike are the only ones who actually remember it, but you've all been told, correct?"
A round of nods.
"Very good. Now. Here's the strange thing. According to the dealer, it's been paid for."
A parroted phrase of, "What?"
"That's exactly what I said. But, the dealer says that, when he got to work that next day, the gate was locked, the RV was missing, and there was a mound of cash on his desk in the office. More than enough to cover the price of the Ohana." He held up about three thousand dollars. "In fact, he gave me the change."
Spike's eyes locked on the cash. Some things never change.
Buffy extended her hand. "Would it be ok if I put it in the bank for Dawn? For college?"
At the same time, Xander had said, "Can we have it for the wedding?"
And Willow and Tara had added that they were thinking of getting their own place, soon.
Giles laughed. "Buffy, first of all, this isn't the entire amount. It's just what's left after I did a couple of things."
"Like what?"
Everyone was quiet. And slightly dejected. Until the Watcher continued. "If you were to check the savings account that your mother opened up some time ago, Buffy, you would see that there is a rather larger sum than there used to be." Looked to Xander. "Same thing goes for your's and Anya's account." And he handed the cash to the Wiccas. "You two are the only ones that I didn't know the account numbers for."
A burden seemed to fall from Buffy, and she turned a glowing smile on Spike.
He was grinning broadly back at her. "Told you it would work out, luv."
She nodded, looked back at Giles. "What about you? Did you take your share?"
He nodded. "How do you think we managed to fix the Magic Box back up? And don't worry. I have plenty left over."
She gave him a look. "You're sure?"
Giles chuckled. "Buffy, don't worry. I assure you, I'm fine." Looked curiously at Spike. "I am a bit surprised that someone isn't protesting about this, though."
Spike cocked his head. "Who? Me?"
"You've been asking me for money for the better part of two years, Spike. Now that I actually HAVE some, you're quiet. And that scares me."
Spike chuckled. "Let's just say that I'm content, Rupe."
Buffy grinned, let her hand fall to touch his wrist.
He smiled at her, and moved his hand to give hers a gentle squeeze.
And everyone was now staring at them. Well, Xander, Anya, and Giles were staring. Willow, Tara, and Dawn were giving each other an 'uh-huh we knew this' look.
Spike could hear her heart beating irregularly, at a hammering pace. Scared, yes. Retreating, no.
Giles cleared his throat. "Is there.. ah.. What I mean is, I take it that the argument is over?"
Spike nodded. "Yeah. You could say that." Nervousness was in his voice, but only Buffy and maybe Dawn could pick up on it.
"No fight," Buffy chirped, a smile plastered on her face for her friends.
Spike brought one hand up to massage at her shoulder gently, trying to comfort her despite his own nervousness.
Dawn bounced in her chair. "Ooh! I know! I know everything this time. Wanna know?" Her eyes swung to connect with the Scoobies. "I can tell!"
Xander chuckled. "I'll bite. What is it, Dawnie?"
Spike and Buffy exchanged a look. Point of no return.
"Good stuff. It was so cool, because, like, I came home from Michele's, and I called upstairs, and Buffy and Spike came down and were all robe- clad, and said everything was ok, and there was no break anymore and-"
Xander blinked. For one thing, Dawn was talking faster than the speed of sound, so it took a moment to register, and for another thing, something hit. "Robes, eh?" Looked at Spike and Buffy. "The 'break' really *is* over, then." Monotone.
Giles cleaned his glasses.
Buffy could feel the rumble that her boyfriend was beginning to emit. The growl was still too low to be heard by normal humans, though. Buffy gave her sister that 'my God, are you dead' look, but nodded. "Break's over." Her hand tightened on Spike's. A silent plea for him to stop.
The rumbling stopped slowly, and she could feel Spike's muscles tense as he physically fought down the demon's instincts. He went back to rubbing her shoulder with one hand.
She looked across the table at three supportive faces: Dawn, Tara, Willow... Oh. Four. Anya.
Giles, meanwhile, was scrutinizing Spike carefully. As if he were a piece of fruit on display. And it was making the vampire even more nervous. He shifted a little from foot to foot. After a moment, the Watcher cleared his throat. "Spike-"
The vampire looked at Giles, his hand tightening unconsciously on Buffy's shoulder. "Yeah, Rupe?"
"I was just wondering how your crypt fared? Seeing as how Buffy's house, and the Magic Box were both pretty badly damaged by Glory."
Spike gave a slight cough. "The crypt is.. well, isn't. It's a crater, Rupert."
Dawn brightened. "So, you're gonna get a new one? And I can help you decorate like we talked about?"
Spike chuckled. "Well, actually, I've been given another offer." Smiled at Buffy. "Want to tell them, luv?"
She shrugged his hand off her shoulder, to square them and run her glance across the Scoobies. "Spike is moving in with us. On a permanent basis."
Giles blinked, Willow and Tara smiled, Dawn squeaked happily, but it was Xander's response that caught everyone's attention. "WHAT!? Buffy! He's dangerous! I understand you having him there while he was.. whatever he was doing while the house was being fixed, but PERMANENT!?"
Spike sighed. He'd been expecting this. Fought down a growl in spite of himself.
"My God, Xander," Willow said, before anyone else even got a chance to recover. "Do you get to have the monopoly on soulless formerly evil house-mates?? Anya is nice! Spike is nice... ya know, in that... 'big bad, sarcastically mean' kinda way."
Spike blinked and looked at Willow, a half grin on his face. "Thank you, Red."
Xander fishmouthed. "Will.. you're living there, too! What if he gets a craving for you! What if he attacks Tara, huh?"
Spike growled at Xander. Loudly. "I would never hurt them, Harris. In fact, I'm insulted that you would even suggest that. I don't hurt my friends. Which means that the only person in danger here is you."
Tara piped up. "We're not his taste. Spike is a really nice guy. H- he's really kind, and... he treats Buffy well and makes her happy. He's not just.. evil, Xander. He's had a past, his own life, and vampire or not, I like him." She gave him a shy smile.
Spike moved a chair next to Buffy's and sat down, grinning at Tara. "Thank you, pet."
Xander balked. "Okay. Fine. You can delude yourselves if you want, but one day, when he decides that he wants to be evil again, and kills all of you, don't say I didn't warn-"
"For God's sake, Xander!", Giles said suddenly. "I believe I speak for everyone here when I say: Shut up."
Buffy stood, paced a step or three in each direction, saying, "I can't believe you'd make that big a deal of this. That you can't even PRETEND to be happy for me."
Xander was swiveling his head, confused by the semi-angry looks that the whole group had leveled at him. "But.. He.. you.. he.."
She was frustrated, and hurt, gave an almost bitter laugh. "I am *not* ashamed of this, Xander. You can not make me feel that way." Enunciated clearly, quickly, "I am not ashamed of being with Spike."
Spike's eyes locked on his girlfriend. Said softly, with a note of awe in his voice, "I love you..." She did that for him? He could barely believe it. Blinked a couple of times.
She turned to him exasperatedly. "I love you, too." Turned back to Xander, her angry words stilling on her lips. Oops.
Silence so thick that you could hear a pin drop onto a pillow seemed to blanket the room. Spike was still staring at her, a small smile tugging on his lips.
Giles cleared his throat.
Shaking, Buffy turned to him, desperately hoping she had braced herself for the disapproval, or disgust that he would reveal to her. Raised her chin in a purely defensive manner, challenging, telling him to get it over with already.
Giles surprised her. He was smiling slightly. "Good for you. Both of you." Sincerity rung in his tone.
She stopped, jerked her head back, puzzled. "What?"
Giles removed his glasses, holding them by the leg, leaning his elbow on the table. "I'm happy for the two of you, Buffy. I hope this works out."
The un-reality of the situation almost frightened her. Her hand groped behind her, blindly, searching for Spike's hand, her eyes still focused on Giles.
Spike gently caught her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Smiled at the Watcher. "Thank you, Rupert."
Xander finished fishmouthing. "Giles! You've got to be joking! Tell me you're joking!"
"Xander," the Watcher started, using that low, dangerous, Ripper-esque voice. "Don't even start. This is Buffy's choice. Her life. Her heart. And it's time you let her alone about her choices."
Buffy turned a pitifully grateful and relieved smile on Giles. Because how horrible would it have been to be rejected by the only man to show her what a man SHOULD be? A true man, a true father. The thought of him turning his back on her made her shiver, and her fingers tightened on Spike's hand reflexively. She turned to Xander, stared at him, her eyes questioning.
Xander sighed, and his body seemed to deflate with the action. "Okay. Okay." Looked at Buffy. "Buff, if Evil Dead makes you happy, that's fine with me." And he meant it. He turned his gaze on Spike and narrowed his eyes. "But, so help me, if you hurt her-"
"I'd stake myself, Harris. You wouldn't get the chance."
A nod of acceptance from Xander at that. "Fine then. We understand each other."
Buffy fidgeted uneasily, the tension making her jumpy.
Spike stroked his thumb over the back of her hand gently, his other hand rubbing gently up and down her arm, purring softly. She had his total focus. She was his whole world. And it was obvious to everyone in the room.
The panic slowly rid her posture, and she became calm again, relaxed, by his hand. For a moment, he was all she could feel, and she looked over her shoulder fractionally. A small smile of triumph covered her face. They had done it.
Spike smiled softly at her, and gently pulled her down so that she was sitting on his legs. He then put his arms around her waist like a seat belt.
She tried to relax against him, her fingers playing over his.
Xander noticed the new positions, and opened his mouth to say something.
Dawn gave him a quelling look. Not if he wanted kids. Ever.
He said it anyway. "So, Buff. I guess we can sell your chair on Ebay, huh? Since you seem to have a new.. Well, old model."
Her fingers twisted around Spike's, and she gave a small laugh. "Yeah..."
Spike gave a very soft chuckle, and his thumb began gently stroking at her stomach. "See, luv?", he whispered softly. "Even Harris is makin' an effort."
Buffy gave a shaky sigh. Give her a pack of werewolf/chaos demon crossbreeds any day, to the thought of disappointing her friends. "Yeah... So. Nothing to research, or look up, or check the dusty Chronicles, or... kill, or something?"
"Thank God no," Xander said with a half laugh. "Research Man over there says that this is a party. Magic Box reopening, you with your new job, and let's not forget the happy, money news from earlier."
Buffy nodded. "Very cool. Let's talk about it. In very much depth and detail."
Giles shrugged. "I think I've already said all that needs to be said. Does anyone else have a topic?"
There were head shakes all around... Except for Anya. She put down the book she'd been looking at, and looked at Buffy. "Does Spike give you more orgasms now that you love him? Or is it the same?"
"ANYA!!", Xander yelped.
Buffy stared, blinking, while Dawn groaned an, "Oh my God... the therapy... the therapy..."
Willow and Tara were much with the looking at anywhere but Spike and Buffy, and slightly blushing.
Spike was half choking. Either that, or he was barely holding in laughter.
And Giles was cleaning his glasses with his trusty handkerchief, holding it very high and close to his face, to hide his own attempts to control himself.
Buffy elbowed Spike in high, if somewhat hidden, distress. "It is *not* **funny**!"
He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, luv... I am.. just.." Snickered. "The look on your face.."
Xander was staring at his fiance', open mouthed. "Ayn," he began in a patient tone. "I do believe that we've had this discussion before. The discussion about what it is not okay to bring up in discussions?"
"But Xander," she whined. "I'm curious. I mean, I know, having been with a vampire myself, that the sex... Whooo.." She fanned herself. "Stallions. Energizer stallions." Perked up. "I used a pop culture reference absolutely correctly! Aren't you proud?"
Buffy sat stiff in Spike's arms, seriously considering being pissed off at him.
Spike sensed the stiffening, and immediately stopped his snickering completely. Gave Buffy a gentle, covert nuzzle, looking as if he was looking at their hands for a moment.
She sighed, relaxed again, but tapped one finger against his hand. He wasn't off the hook entirely.
He gave a soft chuckle, and a whispered, "Sorry". Then another quick nuzzle, this time purring softly. The rest of the group seemed caught up in their own discussions still, and not paying attention to the couple.
"You've never... with a vengeance demon, have you?"
Spike cocked his head. "Who, me? No."
She nodded. "Ok."
Giles cleared his throat. "Since we're all here, perhaps we *can* do a little research. There has been that group of children that described a strange blue creature with four arms near the park."
Buffy spoke up. "Smells?"
Giles shook his head. "No.. At least, none of the children mentioned a smell."
"Mmm... Ok... Break out the books, guys..."
Fifteen minutes later.
"Ooh!", Xander said. "Did it have four legs?"
"No," Giles answered. "Four *arms*, Xander."
"Never mind."
Buffy had recovered her own chair, and was currently slumped over the table, leafing through a book. She looked over at Spike. "Anything?"
Spike snorted. "Oh. Lots of things. But you know, this bloody thing is so damn interesting, I thought I'd keep it to myself." Sarcasm. Dripping.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Well, excuse me, Mr. 'I even want to help you research'. I'll make sure next time you get the volume of the Chronicles with the Playboy centerfold."
He gave another half snort, followed by a sigh and returned to his book, making a half growling sound that basically meant bored annoyance.
Xander turned a page, and a cloud of dust floated up into the air, causing the boy to cough. "Ech! Whoa. Anyone ever heard of a feather duster?"
The dust floated across the table, and Spike sneezed suddenly. "Bloody hell!" Rubbed at his nose. "I just *had* to inhale right then." Snorted to get rid of excess dust.
Buffy scrunched up her face in a mock-angry face. "Grrrrr... snort! snort!"
Spike gave a half growl at her, but then he chuckled. Looked down at his book again, resisting the urge to just fold his arms on top of it and go to sleep.
Everyone was focusing on their books in the bored-but-focused manner of the truly research-party hardened. Poor Spike. He was trying. She lifted a hand absently to the back of his neck, scratching slightly.
He jumped slightly at the sudden touch, then gave her a small smile when he realized what she was doing. Let himself purr softly, too soft for the others to hear. Sighed and shifted in his chair a little to give her better access.
She slid her nails up softly into his scalp, leafing through the book all the while.
Spike's eyelids began drooping even more than they already had, and he gave another soft sigh, kind of attracting the attention of the Wiccas.
Tara and Willow's hands stilled under the table, peeking guiltily up. Oh. Spike. Sighing because Buffy was... scratching his head? Well then. That was new. And very sweet.
Knowing that no one was watching, Spike allowed his eyes to close for a moment, mentally reminding himself that, if he started to tip over, he would have to wake up quickly.
Buffy smiled, let her fingers trail down his spine in a slow line.
He pushed into her hand, as she obviously expected him to, smiling softly, eyes still closed. If this was how all research parties would be, sign him up for every one in the future.
Her hand rested at the small of his back, and she set her chin on the pages of the book, pretending to read. In minutes, she was asleep, blaming her sleepiness on her... over activity, without the benefit of a nap. Unlike some people.
Spike opened his eyes when her movement stilled, and he smiled at her sleeping form. Blinked lazily, before resting one hand on the back of her neck and massaging gently.
One of her moaning sighs escaped her sleeping lips, nuzzling into the book a little more.
Giles glanced up at the strange sound, and hid a chuckle at the strange sight of Buffy nuzzling a book. He cleared his throat. "Perhaps we can call it a night, everyone? Some of us appear to be tired."
"We found it?" Buffy jerked awake.
Spike let out a strangled yelp when his hand was suddenly pinned between Buffy's back and the chair.
She sat forward quickly, her poor sleep-deprived mind not registering much but a yell of pain. "You ok, Dawnie?"
Willow, Tara, Dawn, Giles and even Xander were unsuccessfully suppressing laughter, while Spike rubbed at his hand, a sour look on his face.
She looked around, smiling confusedly at them, turned to look at Spike. "What happened?"
He gave her a look. "Someone squashed my hand, Slayer."
Xander snorted. "Buffy.. you.. you're 'someone'..."
Her eyes popped open. "Oh. I'm sorry. You ok?"
The vampire let out a grudging chuckle. "Fine, luv. I'm alright. It's just a hand. I have another one."
"Good. It was helping me sleep."
He couldn't help but smile at that. "Yeah. A minute ago, you were nearly having the same effect on me."
Giles cleared his throat again. "If the 'medical emergency' has passed, I was saying that none of the children mentioned this creature being dangerous. Or even threatening, really. I just wanted to know what it is. But we can do more research later."
Buffy blinked at him. "Did it walk them home after it played with them?"
"Uh.. None of them said. Perhaps." Giles eyes widened. "Oh good Lord. I've been away from Sunnydale too long. Are the dumpster demons back?"
Buffy leveled a look at him. "I asked if they smelled. I asked if they play with the small children, as opposed to sacrificing or eating them. This is what I get? I'm SO disappointed, Research Man."
Giles sighed, removed his glasses, and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "Bloody hell."
Spike grinned. "Losin' your edge in your old age, Rupe?"
A very quiet chuckle, followed by a "Shut up, Spike," from the Watcher.
"Spike and I saw one a few days ago after we beat the hell out of-" she tripped over her own words, halting them.
Giles looked at her. "You beat the hell out of something? What was it? Did you kill it?"
"No. But not for lack of trying," Spike muttered, gently nudging Buffy semi-playfully.
She gave him a dirty look. "It criticized my... work, but... it wasn't a big bad. Nothing scary to worry about." Smiled sweetly at Spike. "Just as easy as a baby to handle, huh, Spike? Absolutely harmless."
He gave a snort, and a half-hearted growl. And then, much to Buffy's amusement, nodded. "Yeah. Harmless. A.. puppy, really."
"A big, fluffy puppy with bad teeth. But we beat the hell out of it for making us mad, and then I saw the dumpster demon."
"Ah.." Giles was certain that he was missing.. something, but was just as certain that he didn't want to know what it was. "Very good, then."
Spike just glared at Buffy.
"Yup! So.. we're done then?"
"I do believe-"
"Wait!", Xander said. "I almost forgot." Looked over his shoulder. "Anya, you did bring the.. things, didn't you?"
She whipped several small envelopes out of her bag. "Of course." A happy smile. "How could I forget? It's a fun day, and a beautiful dress, and a very shiny, pretty expensive ring-"
"Anya.." Xander shook his head. "Never mind. I suppose you want to hand them out?"
Spike had the sudden urge to disappear into the back room. He started to get up.
Buffy's hand closed around his wrist. Tried to still him.
He gave her a look that said 'I'll stay, but I don't want anyone's pity when I don't get invited'. Sat back down with a sigh.
Anya gave a proud smile and started passing the embossed invitations out. "Willow, Tara, Giles, Dawn, Buffy." She frowned. Looked back in her bag, pulled out the one she had been missing. She gave it a reprimanding look, muttering to it about hiding, and that wasn't nice, and if the people invited weren't invited, how were they supposed to get presents?? "Spike!" Handed him an invitation, her smile still broad.
He fumbled and nearly dropped the small envelope, mouth slightly open. "M- me?" Damn it, William. *Spike* doesn't stutter. "I mean, I'm invited?" Shock, and a myriad of other emotions were showing plainly on the vampire's face.
Xander shrugged. "Yeah. Without you, Evil Dead, Giles and I'll be the only men there. You at least even it up. Besides, Buffy would've brought you anyway."
Buffy knew, never in a million years would those two give up their insanely juvenile banter, but she really wouldn't have it any other way. She absolutely beamed at Xander for his... relative maturity about everything.
Xander grinned. "Just don't eat the guests... Unless my family comes. You can eat them."
Spike gave a soft chuckle. "Hmm. Tempting. Somehow, though, I doubt that the Slayer would approve."
"Mm... His cousin Jimmy. Eat him. Violently."
Spike grinned evilly, giving the impression that he was actually planning just that.
"Hey!" Dawn protested. "No way. Jimmy's little brother is *hot*."
Spike growled. No WAY his Bit was going anywhere NEAR a Harris.
"Buffy," Xander said, playfully. "Restrain your pet vampire, please."
Dawn laughed in the face of the rumbling growl. "He looks like Xander, but... blue eyes, and a little shorter."
Buffy put a hand on Spike's arm. "Stop growling at her."
The moment Buffy touched him, Spike stopped growling. He cocked his head, then chuckled. "Found my off switch."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh wow. It's too late for this. We're going guys."
There was a chorus of 'goodnight's from Giles, Xander and Anya, since Willow and Tara got up to walk with Buffy and Spike.
Spike cocked his head at Willow as the small group headed back to the Summers house. "Hey, Red. Did you get the movies earlier?"
She nodded. "Yeah... One guy movie. The rest are all happy and flowers and kisses."
Spike groaned. "Well, I guess that's what I get for bein' outnumbered. Which movies?"
"Truth about Cats and Dogs, Anastasia, Drive Me Crazy, Ten Things, and Heartbreakers."
Spike sighed again. "Alright. Let's get home so the torture can end sooner." He was slouching as he walked, hands in his pockets, looking for all the world as if he were heading to the gallows. To all the world, but his present company, that is. The girls rolled their eyes, and informed him he was the 'popcorn bitch' tonight.
He let out a growl, and mock-chased Dawn for about twenty feet, since she'd had the gall to smack him on the butt as they'd said that.
She stuck her tongue out at him, ducking around a tree. "Ha! Beeeeee- otch!"
He growled again, then did the one thing that the Key wasn't expecting. He leaped up *into* the tree, and dropped down behind her, grabbing her in a half headlock and growling playfully as the rest of the girls caught up.
"Buffy!!!! Buffy!!!" She reached out pleadingly to her older sister, as Spike dragged her down the sidewalk in a headlock.
Spike was just chuckling as he hauled Dawn along with him.
"Buffy!!!! Gaaaaa-ckkkk!!!" She exaggerated. "Dyyyyyyyyyyying... saaaaave.... me....."
Buffy laughed and pointed. "Even I'm not dumb enough to smack his butt, Dawn."
Spike growled quietly, playfully, and vamped. "You're dying, eh?" Licked his fangs. "Look pretty good to me."
She lobbed one half-closed hand at his nose, in hopes of a quick escape.
Spike yelped when the fist connected with his nose and dropped Dawn. "Ow! Bloody hell!"
As her butt thumped the pavement, she yelped along-side him, "Oww!! Damnit!"
"Dawn! You watch your mouth, Bit." He used the hand that wasn't occupied with his nose to pull her to her feet.
The hand that wasn't accepting his was rubbing her bottom. Gave him a small glare. "Where do you think I learned it? Band camp?"
He just glared at her, and looked at the hand that had been rubbing his nose, taking note of the blood on it. No wonder it hurt. "That's the second time you've given me a bloody nose, Bit."
Tara just stared, eyes wide. Willow laughed. Really hard. "Dawn... Dawn... gave you a bl-bloody nose!!!"
Dawn made an anxious face. "I'm sorry. So sorry.... I didn't mean to, I was just-" her eyes were starting to well.
Spike wiped his bloody hand on his jeans and quickly pulled Dawn to him in a tight hug. "It's okay, Bit. I'm okay. I'm fine. Don't feel bad." He gave Willow a small glare over the top of Dawn's head.
She took a quick step backwards, an apologetic look on her face.
Dawn snuggled to his chest a little. "Sure you're ok?" Almost timid.
He nuzzled the top of her head gently. "Fine, Bit. I'm just fine." Gave Willow a half smile as if to say that he hadn't meant to look as mean as he had.
There were half smiles all around, and Buffy hung back, happy to let Dawn wrap herself around Spike's side on the walk home.
Spike kept his arm around Dawn gently for the remainder of the walk home. Letting the purr that was *just* for her rumble from his chest the whole time.
She nudged at him. "Hey." A quiet voice, meant for him.
"Hmm?"
"I missed you. When.... ya know... you and Buffy-" She broke off, shrugged.
He squeezed her gently. "I missed you, too, Bit." Glanced down at her. "You know I love you, right?"
She nodded. "Love you, too." Fidgeted a moment.
He smiled and cocked his head. "Somethin' botherin' you, Platelet?"
She said quickly, in one breath, "I don't have school Friday, and Buffy has to work, and I wanted to know if you wanted to rent movies and just sit at home, but you don't even really have to, I just thought it might be a good idea, but, it's probably really not, and I totally understand and-"
Spike cut her off by chuckling. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Bit."
"Right." She relaxed. A lot. "Good. Of course."
He gave her a quick, big brotherly kiss on the top of the head, before giving her one last squeeze and releasing her, since they'd made it to the porch.
She smiled up at him and unlocked the door as everyone filed in behind her.
Spike went in and immediately plopped on the couch, claiming his territory.
Buffy sat next to him, while the Wicca's took the loveseat, and Dawn flopped down on the carpet in front of the TV.
"Who picks the first movie?", Spike asked, slipping an arm around Buffy comfortably.
"Me," Dawn declared, and shoved in "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" in the VCR and hit play.
Spike sighed, trying to make it seem as if he was annoyed. But then his hand began gently rubbing Buffy's shoulder, and he knew she could feel just how relaxed he was.
She moved closer to his side, her hand stroking up and down his knee. Everyone was absorbed in the movie.
Two hours later...
Spike grinned, liking the darkness of the living room. Which was pitch black, aside from the light from the TV. Leaned his head to the side, resting his cheek on Buffy's head, purring softly.
Buffy smiled, enjoying the dark, too. The smile widened as the light from the TV cast a pale, flickering light on her sleeping sister's face. "Dawn's out."
He smiled. "I noticed." Glanced at the loveseat. "The Wiccas, too," he observed.
"Lightweights," she scoffed.
"I seem to remember someone dozing off on a book," he said playfully.
She made a small face. "Couch napper."
He gave her a snort. "Someone wore me out. Someone who begs as much as I do."
She hoped he couldn't sense the flush on her cheeks. "Shhhh," she hushed him, motioning to the other people in the room.
He chuckled, and gently began rubbing at her side.
She made a low mumbling sound, started biting at his neck.
He hadn't exactly been expecting that, and a quiet, but high pitched noise escaped his throat.
One of her hands cupped over his mouth gently, but she kept biting at him.
He shuddered pleasurably, and gently nipped her hand, since it was conveniently over his mouth.
She shook, smiled against the skin of his throat, nipped at the curve of his neck and shoulder. Whispered, "Want you..." against the now slightly damp skin.
The sensation of her warm breath on his slightly wet skin made him shudder again. He gently pulled her hand away from his mouth so that he could whisper, "Shhhh." Imitated her earlier gesture, encompassing the sleepers in the room.
Buffy nodded, put her hand back to his lips, to trail her fingers back and forth across them, pulling gently on his poutier bottom lip. Sucked across his collarbone.
Spike's eyes closed to maximize sensations, and he purred softly. Quiet enough for only Buffy to hear. His hand that had been rubbing her side *through* her shirt, now began doing the same thing again. Only now it was *inside* her shirt.
She bit at his collarbone now. She made her way to his ear, licked at his earlobe, blew cold air on it.
A strangled sound, as the vampire *forced* himself to stay quiet. His hand moved a bit higher on her side.
She spoke into his ear, her lips barely moving, "Upstairs..."
He gave an almost imperceptible nod, and moved to get up. Noting, to his slight embarrassment, that he would have to walk rather strangely to get up the stairs.
Buffy walked up the stairs backwards, kissing him the entire way
Not that he minded. He growled softly as they entered her room. *Their* room, now. Oh. Lock the door.
Buffy led Spike into her-their room, pulled back slowly, her mouth reluctantly leaving his. "Get comfortable."
He cocked his head. "Comfortable?" Reached for her. "Get back here, then I'll worry about comfort."
She stepped back, a small grin on her lips. "Get comfortable."
He gave a soft groan and sat on the bed. "Slayer, what are you up to?"
The grin got slightly wider, and she just shut the door, walking out. When she re-entered the room a few moments later, Spike was lying on his back on their bed. She struck a pose that was a cross between provocative and innocent, and cleared her throat. She had set aside a little something using her first paycheck, which consisted of heels, high and thin that laced around above her ankles in crisscrosses, leading up long, bare golden legs until his eyes encountered the small, simple, seductive scrap of black silk, that was a sinful excuse for a nightgown.
Spike glanced over at the sound, and sat up suddenly, his jaw dropping slightly. "Buffy...", he said quietly, an even more awed than usual tone in his voice. "...wow..."
Her legs shifted, and the silk rode slightly. "You like it?"
He stood slowly, moving toward her with that predatory grace of his. "Yes. But more so the girl in it."
She pouted, totally contradicting her words with her posture and tone. "*Girls* do not wear nighties like this."
He couldn't help the smile that came to his lips at her contradictory words and posture. Pulled her into his arms. "Fine then. The beautiful woman in it."
She moved slowly against him. "Really?"
His voice had that low, silky tone to it that he always got when she was near him like that. "There aren't enough words in every language on earth and beyond for me to tell you how wonderful, beautiful, amazing, and incredible you are, Buffy. If I had a million years, I couldn't possibly have enough time to tell you how you make me feel. What you bring out in me." Smiled softly. "You bring the man out of the monster, Buffy. And I thank you for that."
The tone of his voice alone would usually have made her croon, but his words, so soft, sincere, touching every part of her, a few places she hadn't known existed, melted, filled her, brought her to her knees. Her small hands framed his face, eyes searching his intently. "You make me ache, and laugh, and love, angry and sad, happy and irritated. You... are everything. My everything. I love you, Spike... Every piece. The monster, the man... they're both mine. They're both things I treasure. Enjoy."
Spike felt his eyes well at her words. "Buffy.. I.. I don't know what to say.." Nuzzled her hand gently. "I love you. I can't even express how much I love you, Buffy Anne Summers. You.. You give me life, Buffy. Make me remember what it's like to be alive. To love. To be loved. When I'm with you, I can almost feel my heart beating. And I know it's only you that makes that happen. Always, and only you."
She nodded, leaned up on her toes, to press her mouth to his, murmured against it, "Always, only you..." Buffy wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned back to smile charmingly at him. "Spike?"
"Yes, luv?"
"I didn't pay what I paid for this outfit for you to not rip it off me, and lavishly enjoy the naughty sexiness of the shoes."
He chuckled and swept her into his arms with a playful growl. "Don't worry, luv. All in good time." Plopped her onto the bed. "And this is good timing."
========================================================================== ================
Buffy woke at an awkward angle, lying sideways on her bed, at a diagonal. One arm and one leg fell off the sides, and Spike had fallen asleep on top of her. Exquisite. Her one hand scooted along the floor, and finally found what she was searching for. Lifted it. Stared at the tattered piece of silk. Gave a smile and silent chuckle. Mmm... This designer officially had all her business, and ... Both of her shoes were still on, though, granted, one only hung on by one strap caught on her foot.
Spike moved a little, sensing her movements. He nuzzled at the back of her neck, his soft purring increasing in volume on the contact.
She smiled, lifted one hand to play in his tousled hair.
With a sigh, he nuzzled into her hand, moving slightly off her in the process, a small, contented smile on his lips.
She rolled with him, liking the cushion he provided. "Morning," she said quietly.
"Mmm." And a louder purr were his only answers.
She laughed, hooked one leg over his hip. "Spike... morning."
He opened one eye. "S'not mornin' yet. I'm sleepin'." Said in a sleep- slurred voice, around another purr.
Buffy moaned a little bit, stretched against him. "Come on..."
Reluctantly, his other eye opened. "Alright.. alright... Mornin', luv."
Smiled down at him. "Morning." Bit at his bottom lip. "We completely demolished my outfit." A satisfied smile curved her lips.
Spike chuckled softly. "What do you mean *we*? I seem to remember me doing most of the demolishing."
She rolled off him, one heeled foot stretching in the air. "Mmm... Me, too."
He gave a yawn, and a leisurely stretch, rolling a little as he did, so that every muscle group got the benefits of the stretch.
She watched him, her eyes gleaming appreciatively. "And how did you sleep?"
Spike yawned again before answering. "Wonderfully. Hope Bit and the Wiccas didn't mind our impromptu departure last night."
"Mmm... I'm betting they slept all night downstairs. Let's hope, anyway."
He chuckled. "Yeah. Especially with some of the sounds you were making." Waggled his eyebrows at her playfully.
She slapped at his chest. "As opposed to the ones you were making?"
Smiled innocently. "Who, me?"
She leaned towards him, her hands moving over his body, and her mouth applying a firm, biting pressure to his neck. "Beggar." A reminder of the night before.
He shuddered a little and made a quiet whimper. He remembered. Perfectly.
She kissed gently the spot she had bitten. "I didn't even get my shoes off..."
He gently used his own foot to remove the shoe that had been hanging. "One."
A slow smile took her lips. "You like 'em, huh?"
A cocked eyebrow, that same signature move. "What do *you* think?"
She leaned her head down, left a small hickey on one of his abs. "Mm... That we give each other more orgasms since we're in love. But I think it definitely had something to do with the shoes."
He laughed softly. "Are you going to tell that to Anya?"
Gave him a smoky look. "And blow their numbers away? Never."
"Hmm. I'm tempted to knock Harris off his high horse, though."
She nibbled around his bellybutton. "Do you really want to talk to Xander about his sex life?"
His muscles jumped, as they always did when her touch was involved. He chuckled softly. "No. I want to brag about ours."
She kissed and nipped her way back up his chest, nuzzling their mouths together. "You and I are the only ones who need to know exactly how brag- worthy it is."
He purred happily. "No argument here, luv," he mumbled against her lips.
"Mine," she whispered between kisses. "No one else's... only... ever... my man..."
He let out a shuddering moan/purr when she finally pulled back. Sighed. "Wow, luv. What do you eat that gives you so much energy? Cause I either need to start eating it, or you need to stop."
She smiled. "Dunno... Just.... get around you, and I don't wanna leave." Her hand touched his, entwined their fingers. Brought it up to cover her beating heart. "This is yours."
He smiled at her, and moved their joined hands to the same place on his still chest. "It doesn't beat, and I know it isn't much. It's old, and it's been broken more times than I can count, but whatever's left is yours, Buffy."
"I want it all... All the bruises, and cuts, and breaks, and shattered pieces. If you can take mine, too."
Spike brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed them gently. "I'll take anything you're willing to give me, luv."
"No, Spike..." But she let him kiss her hand anyway, because she loved it when he was sweet like that. "We're beyond that. All or nothing. That's all I can settle for, now. Take all of me or nothing. Because anything else will kill me."
That soft smile, born out of true love, which shone brightly in his eyes. "I know, luv. Just making sure." Kissed her hand again. "All."
At the same time, she kissed his. "Can I have all of you?"
A soft smile. "You already do."
Spike had one arm looped around Buffy's shoulders, while she had an arm around his waist. Both needed the other's comfort. The other's *love*.
Finally, Buffy spoke, like she wasn't trying to reassure herself. "It's gonna be fine. It's really silly to worry like this."
"Yeah. Silly." His hand was absently playing with the shoulder of her shirt. Needing to do something.
"I mean, it's not always all about us. No one even cares, really. We're just gonna go, and hear what Giles has to say, catch up with everybody, and go home. It's no big," she stressed.
He nodded, repeating her again. "Right. No big. They'll deal with it. They did before." Sighed. "Of course, they dealt with it by threatening to tie me to a shower or throw me outside at noon, but they still dealt with it."
"Right!" Brightly, ignoring everything negative he said. "And it's night. And I mean... who says we even have to go charging in there with declarations of literally undying love, and.. and stuff?"
He paused in his tracks. Said, quietly. "You're not going to tell them, are you?" No anger. No.. anything, really. Blank.
She shook her head. "That's not... I just mean... Why do WE have to prove everything? Why can't it just be, ok, Spike and Buffy are pretty happy. Good for them. Why do I have to justify and prove everything??"
"I want-" Paused, shook his head. "No. I'll admit it. I *need* them to know." Looked at her. "You have to understand, pet. This is.. all I have left. My last chance to become a part of this group. This family. And I beyond *want* it. I *need* it. And it's taken me a very long time to learn that. Please understand?"
She lifted a hand, her fingers barely grazing his cheekbone. "I love you," she repeated, "Wherever I am, whoever I'm with." Let him know. She'd never deny him, she'd tell the Scoobies.
His tense posture relaxed, and he nodded a little. "Thank you, Buffy. I love you, too." Moved back into his previous position, arm around her shoulders as they began walking again.
One hand lifted to the one on her shoulder, and she entwined their fingers. She knew they needed to do this. But she really didn't want to.
A few more moments of silence, and they were standing outside the Magic Box. Spike cleared his throat, and opened the door for her, only releasing her hand at the last second.
She walked in ahead of him, smiling at those in attendance. All the Scoobies herded around the food that Tara, Willow, and Dawn had left early to get.
Spike followed her in, closing the door behind him. To everyone but Buffy and maybe Dawn, he looked his usual self. Cocky, swaggering, ignoring anything that didn't seem to concern him. Only his girls could tell just how nervous he was. Small things, things that no one else would notice, gave him away. Locking eyes with Buffy every chance he got. Avoiding eye contact with Giles. Spending way too long just staring at the hotwing in his hand before eating it.
Buffy stole one of his wings, talking casually with Xander.
"-and then I wound up watching that booorrring movie all because- Hi, honey!" As Anya walked through the main room. Once she entered the back room, Xander looked back to Buffy. "All because I lost a stupid bet with Anya."
She laughed. "Whipped much?"
Xander sighed and hung his head. "Such is the fate of those of us doomed to marria- Hey, Ayn. Want some pizza?"
Spike was making quiet snickering noises, trying not to draw attention to himself.
Anya munched a piece of pizza. "Is he saying those funny anecdotes that make it sometimes difficult to love him?"
Spike snorted out a chuckle.
Xander looked at her. "I was being entertaining, Ayn. That's all. Perfectly innocent entertaining."
"Yup... just... a story about fate that was really funny," Buffy laughed.
From the head of the table, Giles cleared his throat. But he was smiling. "Now that we're all here, perhaps we can get started?"
All attention turned to him.
"Very good. Now, I take it that you all remember exactly how we got the Ohana before we left? Of course, Buffy and Spike are the only ones who actually remember it, but you've all been told, correct?"
A round of nods.
"Very good. Now. Here's the strange thing. According to the dealer, it's been paid for."
A parroted phrase of, "What?"
"That's exactly what I said. But, the dealer says that, when he got to work that next day, the gate was locked, the RV was missing, and there was a mound of cash on his desk in the office. More than enough to cover the price of the Ohana." He held up about three thousand dollars. "In fact, he gave me the change."
Spike's eyes locked on the cash. Some things never change.
Buffy extended her hand. "Would it be ok if I put it in the bank for Dawn? For college?"
At the same time, Xander had said, "Can we have it for the wedding?"
And Willow and Tara had added that they were thinking of getting their own place, soon.
Giles laughed. "Buffy, first of all, this isn't the entire amount. It's just what's left after I did a couple of things."
"Like what?"
Everyone was quiet. And slightly dejected. Until the Watcher continued. "If you were to check the savings account that your mother opened up some time ago, Buffy, you would see that there is a rather larger sum than there used to be." Looked to Xander. "Same thing goes for your's and Anya's account." And he handed the cash to the Wiccas. "You two are the only ones that I didn't know the account numbers for."
A burden seemed to fall from Buffy, and she turned a glowing smile on Spike.
He was grinning broadly back at her. "Told you it would work out, luv."
She nodded, looked back at Giles. "What about you? Did you take your share?"
He nodded. "How do you think we managed to fix the Magic Box back up? And don't worry. I have plenty left over."
She gave him a look. "You're sure?"
Giles chuckled. "Buffy, don't worry. I assure you, I'm fine." Looked curiously at Spike. "I am a bit surprised that someone isn't protesting about this, though."
Spike cocked his head. "Who? Me?"
"You've been asking me for money for the better part of two years, Spike. Now that I actually HAVE some, you're quiet. And that scares me."
Spike chuckled. "Let's just say that I'm content, Rupe."
Buffy grinned, let her hand fall to touch his wrist.
He smiled at her, and moved his hand to give hers a gentle squeeze.
And everyone was now staring at them. Well, Xander, Anya, and Giles were staring. Willow, Tara, and Dawn were giving each other an 'uh-huh we knew this' look.
Spike could hear her heart beating irregularly, at a hammering pace. Scared, yes. Retreating, no.
Giles cleared his throat. "Is there.. ah.. What I mean is, I take it that the argument is over?"
Spike nodded. "Yeah. You could say that." Nervousness was in his voice, but only Buffy and maybe Dawn could pick up on it.
"No fight," Buffy chirped, a smile plastered on her face for her friends.
Spike brought one hand up to massage at her shoulder gently, trying to comfort her despite his own nervousness.
Dawn bounced in her chair. "Ooh! I know! I know everything this time. Wanna know?" Her eyes swung to connect with the Scoobies. "I can tell!"
Xander chuckled. "I'll bite. What is it, Dawnie?"
Spike and Buffy exchanged a look. Point of no return.
"Good stuff. It was so cool, because, like, I came home from Michele's, and I called upstairs, and Buffy and Spike came down and were all robe- clad, and said everything was ok, and there was no break anymore and-"
Xander blinked. For one thing, Dawn was talking faster than the speed of sound, so it took a moment to register, and for another thing, something hit. "Robes, eh?" Looked at Spike and Buffy. "The 'break' really *is* over, then." Monotone.
Giles cleaned his glasses.
Buffy could feel the rumble that her boyfriend was beginning to emit. The growl was still too low to be heard by normal humans, though. Buffy gave her sister that 'my God, are you dead' look, but nodded. "Break's over." Her hand tightened on Spike's. A silent plea for him to stop.
The rumbling stopped slowly, and she could feel Spike's muscles tense as he physically fought down the demon's instincts. He went back to rubbing her shoulder with one hand.
She looked across the table at three supportive faces: Dawn, Tara, Willow... Oh. Four. Anya.
Giles, meanwhile, was scrutinizing Spike carefully. As if he were a piece of fruit on display. And it was making the vampire even more nervous. He shifted a little from foot to foot. After a moment, the Watcher cleared his throat. "Spike-"
The vampire looked at Giles, his hand tightening unconsciously on Buffy's shoulder. "Yeah, Rupe?"
"I was just wondering how your crypt fared? Seeing as how Buffy's house, and the Magic Box were both pretty badly damaged by Glory."
Spike gave a slight cough. "The crypt is.. well, isn't. It's a crater, Rupert."
Dawn brightened. "So, you're gonna get a new one? And I can help you decorate like we talked about?"
Spike chuckled. "Well, actually, I've been given another offer." Smiled at Buffy. "Want to tell them, luv?"
She shrugged his hand off her shoulder, to square them and run her glance across the Scoobies. "Spike is moving in with us. On a permanent basis."
Giles blinked, Willow and Tara smiled, Dawn squeaked happily, but it was Xander's response that caught everyone's attention. "WHAT!? Buffy! He's dangerous! I understand you having him there while he was.. whatever he was doing while the house was being fixed, but PERMANENT!?"
Spike sighed. He'd been expecting this. Fought down a growl in spite of himself.
"My God, Xander," Willow said, before anyone else even got a chance to recover. "Do you get to have the monopoly on soulless formerly evil house-mates?? Anya is nice! Spike is nice... ya know, in that... 'big bad, sarcastically mean' kinda way."
Spike blinked and looked at Willow, a half grin on his face. "Thank you, Red."
Xander fishmouthed. "Will.. you're living there, too! What if he gets a craving for you! What if he attacks Tara, huh?"
Spike growled at Xander. Loudly. "I would never hurt them, Harris. In fact, I'm insulted that you would even suggest that. I don't hurt my friends. Which means that the only person in danger here is you."
Tara piped up. "We're not his taste. Spike is a really nice guy. H- he's really kind, and... he treats Buffy well and makes her happy. He's not just.. evil, Xander. He's had a past, his own life, and vampire or not, I like him." She gave him a shy smile.
Spike moved a chair next to Buffy's and sat down, grinning at Tara. "Thank you, pet."
Xander balked. "Okay. Fine. You can delude yourselves if you want, but one day, when he decides that he wants to be evil again, and kills all of you, don't say I didn't warn-"
"For God's sake, Xander!", Giles said suddenly. "I believe I speak for everyone here when I say: Shut up."
Buffy stood, paced a step or three in each direction, saying, "I can't believe you'd make that big a deal of this. That you can't even PRETEND to be happy for me."
Xander was swiveling his head, confused by the semi-angry looks that the whole group had leveled at him. "But.. He.. you.. he.."
She was frustrated, and hurt, gave an almost bitter laugh. "I am *not* ashamed of this, Xander. You can not make me feel that way." Enunciated clearly, quickly, "I am not ashamed of being with Spike."
Spike's eyes locked on his girlfriend. Said softly, with a note of awe in his voice, "I love you..." She did that for him? He could barely believe it. Blinked a couple of times.
She turned to him exasperatedly. "I love you, too." Turned back to Xander, her angry words stilling on her lips. Oops.
Silence so thick that you could hear a pin drop onto a pillow seemed to blanket the room. Spike was still staring at her, a small smile tugging on his lips.
Giles cleared his throat.
Shaking, Buffy turned to him, desperately hoping she had braced herself for the disapproval, or disgust that he would reveal to her. Raised her chin in a purely defensive manner, challenging, telling him to get it over with already.
Giles surprised her. He was smiling slightly. "Good for you. Both of you." Sincerity rung in his tone.
She stopped, jerked her head back, puzzled. "What?"
Giles removed his glasses, holding them by the leg, leaning his elbow on the table. "I'm happy for the two of you, Buffy. I hope this works out."
The un-reality of the situation almost frightened her. Her hand groped behind her, blindly, searching for Spike's hand, her eyes still focused on Giles.
Spike gently caught her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Smiled at the Watcher. "Thank you, Rupert."
Xander finished fishmouthing. "Giles! You've got to be joking! Tell me you're joking!"
"Xander," the Watcher started, using that low, dangerous, Ripper-esque voice. "Don't even start. This is Buffy's choice. Her life. Her heart. And it's time you let her alone about her choices."
Buffy turned a pitifully grateful and relieved smile on Giles. Because how horrible would it have been to be rejected by the only man to show her what a man SHOULD be? A true man, a true father. The thought of him turning his back on her made her shiver, and her fingers tightened on Spike's hand reflexively. She turned to Xander, stared at him, her eyes questioning.
Xander sighed, and his body seemed to deflate with the action. "Okay. Okay." Looked at Buffy. "Buff, if Evil Dead makes you happy, that's fine with me." And he meant it. He turned his gaze on Spike and narrowed his eyes. "But, so help me, if you hurt her-"
"I'd stake myself, Harris. You wouldn't get the chance."
A nod of acceptance from Xander at that. "Fine then. We understand each other."
Buffy fidgeted uneasily, the tension making her jumpy.
Spike stroked his thumb over the back of her hand gently, his other hand rubbing gently up and down her arm, purring softly. She had his total focus. She was his whole world. And it was obvious to everyone in the room.
The panic slowly rid her posture, and she became calm again, relaxed, by his hand. For a moment, he was all she could feel, and she looked over her shoulder fractionally. A small smile of triumph covered her face. They had done it.
Spike smiled softly at her, and gently pulled her down so that she was sitting on his legs. He then put his arms around her waist like a seat belt.
She tried to relax against him, her fingers playing over his.
Xander noticed the new positions, and opened his mouth to say something.
Dawn gave him a quelling look. Not if he wanted kids. Ever.
He said it anyway. "So, Buff. I guess we can sell your chair on Ebay, huh? Since you seem to have a new.. Well, old model."
Her fingers twisted around Spike's, and she gave a small laugh. "Yeah..."
Spike gave a very soft chuckle, and his thumb began gently stroking at her stomach. "See, luv?", he whispered softly. "Even Harris is makin' an effort."
Buffy gave a shaky sigh. Give her a pack of werewolf/chaos demon crossbreeds any day, to the thought of disappointing her friends. "Yeah... So. Nothing to research, or look up, or check the dusty Chronicles, or... kill, or something?"
"Thank God no," Xander said with a half laugh. "Research Man over there says that this is a party. Magic Box reopening, you with your new job, and let's not forget the happy, money news from earlier."
Buffy nodded. "Very cool. Let's talk about it. In very much depth and detail."
Giles shrugged. "I think I've already said all that needs to be said. Does anyone else have a topic?"
There were head shakes all around... Except for Anya. She put down the book she'd been looking at, and looked at Buffy. "Does Spike give you more orgasms now that you love him? Or is it the same?"
"ANYA!!", Xander yelped.
Buffy stared, blinking, while Dawn groaned an, "Oh my God... the therapy... the therapy..."
Willow and Tara were much with the looking at anywhere but Spike and Buffy, and slightly blushing.
Spike was half choking. Either that, or he was barely holding in laughter.
And Giles was cleaning his glasses with his trusty handkerchief, holding it very high and close to his face, to hide his own attempts to control himself.
Buffy elbowed Spike in high, if somewhat hidden, distress. "It is *not* **funny**!"
He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, luv... I am.. just.." Snickered. "The look on your face.."
Xander was staring at his fiance', open mouthed. "Ayn," he began in a patient tone. "I do believe that we've had this discussion before. The discussion about what it is not okay to bring up in discussions?"
"But Xander," she whined. "I'm curious. I mean, I know, having been with a vampire myself, that the sex... Whooo.." She fanned herself. "Stallions. Energizer stallions." Perked up. "I used a pop culture reference absolutely correctly! Aren't you proud?"
Buffy sat stiff in Spike's arms, seriously considering being pissed off at him.
Spike sensed the stiffening, and immediately stopped his snickering completely. Gave Buffy a gentle, covert nuzzle, looking as if he was looking at their hands for a moment.
She sighed, relaxed again, but tapped one finger against his hand. He wasn't off the hook entirely.
He gave a soft chuckle, and a whispered, "Sorry". Then another quick nuzzle, this time purring softly. The rest of the group seemed caught up in their own discussions still, and not paying attention to the couple.
"You've never... with a vengeance demon, have you?"
Spike cocked his head. "Who, me? No."
She nodded. "Ok."
Giles cleared his throat. "Since we're all here, perhaps we *can* do a little research. There has been that group of children that described a strange blue creature with four arms near the park."
Buffy spoke up. "Smells?"
Giles shook his head. "No.. At least, none of the children mentioned a smell."
"Mmm... Ok... Break out the books, guys..."
Fifteen minutes later.
"Ooh!", Xander said. "Did it have four legs?"
"No," Giles answered. "Four *arms*, Xander."
"Never mind."
Buffy had recovered her own chair, and was currently slumped over the table, leafing through a book. She looked over at Spike. "Anything?"
Spike snorted. "Oh. Lots of things. But you know, this bloody thing is so damn interesting, I thought I'd keep it to myself." Sarcasm. Dripping.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Well, excuse me, Mr. 'I even want to help you research'. I'll make sure next time you get the volume of the Chronicles with the Playboy centerfold."
He gave another half snort, followed by a sigh and returned to his book, making a half growling sound that basically meant bored annoyance.
Xander turned a page, and a cloud of dust floated up into the air, causing the boy to cough. "Ech! Whoa. Anyone ever heard of a feather duster?"
The dust floated across the table, and Spike sneezed suddenly. "Bloody hell!" Rubbed at his nose. "I just *had* to inhale right then." Snorted to get rid of excess dust.
Buffy scrunched up her face in a mock-angry face. "Grrrrr... snort! snort!"
Spike gave a half growl at her, but then he chuckled. Looked down at his book again, resisting the urge to just fold his arms on top of it and go to sleep.
Everyone was focusing on their books in the bored-but-focused manner of the truly research-party hardened. Poor Spike. He was trying. She lifted a hand absently to the back of his neck, scratching slightly.
He jumped slightly at the sudden touch, then gave her a small smile when he realized what she was doing. Let himself purr softly, too soft for the others to hear. Sighed and shifted in his chair a little to give her better access.
She slid her nails up softly into his scalp, leafing through the book all the while.
Spike's eyelids began drooping even more than they already had, and he gave another soft sigh, kind of attracting the attention of the Wiccas.
Tara and Willow's hands stilled under the table, peeking guiltily up. Oh. Spike. Sighing because Buffy was... scratching his head? Well then. That was new. And very sweet.
Knowing that no one was watching, Spike allowed his eyes to close for a moment, mentally reminding himself that, if he started to tip over, he would have to wake up quickly.
Buffy smiled, let her fingers trail down his spine in a slow line.
He pushed into her hand, as she obviously expected him to, smiling softly, eyes still closed. If this was how all research parties would be, sign him up for every one in the future.
Her hand rested at the small of his back, and she set her chin on the pages of the book, pretending to read. In minutes, she was asleep, blaming her sleepiness on her... over activity, without the benefit of a nap. Unlike some people.
Spike opened his eyes when her movement stilled, and he smiled at her sleeping form. Blinked lazily, before resting one hand on the back of her neck and massaging gently.
One of her moaning sighs escaped her sleeping lips, nuzzling into the book a little more.
Giles glanced up at the strange sound, and hid a chuckle at the strange sight of Buffy nuzzling a book. He cleared his throat. "Perhaps we can call it a night, everyone? Some of us appear to be tired."
"We found it?" Buffy jerked awake.
Spike let out a strangled yelp when his hand was suddenly pinned between Buffy's back and the chair.
She sat forward quickly, her poor sleep-deprived mind not registering much but a yell of pain. "You ok, Dawnie?"
Willow, Tara, Dawn, Giles and even Xander were unsuccessfully suppressing laughter, while Spike rubbed at his hand, a sour look on his face.
She looked around, smiling confusedly at them, turned to look at Spike. "What happened?"
He gave her a look. "Someone squashed my hand, Slayer."
Xander snorted. "Buffy.. you.. you're 'someone'..."
Her eyes popped open. "Oh. I'm sorry. You ok?"
The vampire let out a grudging chuckle. "Fine, luv. I'm alright. It's just a hand. I have another one."
"Good. It was helping me sleep."
He couldn't help but smile at that. "Yeah. A minute ago, you were nearly having the same effect on me."
Giles cleared his throat again. "If the 'medical emergency' has passed, I was saying that none of the children mentioned this creature being dangerous. Or even threatening, really. I just wanted to know what it is. But we can do more research later."
Buffy blinked at him. "Did it walk them home after it played with them?"
"Uh.. None of them said. Perhaps." Giles eyes widened. "Oh good Lord. I've been away from Sunnydale too long. Are the dumpster demons back?"
Buffy leveled a look at him. "I asked if they smelled. I asked if they play with the small children, as opposed to sacrificing or eating them. This is what I get? I'm SO disappointed, Research Man."
Giles sighed, removed his glasses, and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "Bloody hell."
Spike grinned. "Losin' your edge in your old age, Rupe?"
A very quiet chuckle, followed by a "Shut up, Spike," from the Watcher.
"Spike and I saw one a few days ago after we beat the hell out of-" she tripped over her own words, halting them.
Giles looked at her. "You beat the hell out of something? What was it? Did you kill it?"
"No. But not for lack of trying," Spike muttered, gently nudging Buffy semi-playfully.
She gave him a dirty look. "It criticized my... work, but... it wasn't a big bad. Nothing scary to worry about." Smiled sweetly at Spike. "Just as easy as a baby to handle, huh, Spike? Absolutely harmless."
He gave a snort, and a half-hearted growl. And then, much to Buffy's amusement, nodded. "Yeah. Harmless. A.. puppy, really."
"A big, fluffy puppy with bad teeth. But we beat the hell out of it for making us mad, and then I saw the dumpster demon."
"Ah.." Giles was certain that he was missing.. something, but was just as certain that he didn't want to know what it was. "Very good, then."
Spike just glared at Buffy.
"Yup! So.. we're done then?"
"I do believe-"
"Wait!", Xander said. "I almost forgot." Looked over his shoulder. "Anya, you did bring the.. things, didn't you?"
She whipped several small envelopes out of her bag. "Of course." A happy smile. "How could I forget? It's a fun day, and a beautiful dress, and a very shiny, pretty expensive ring-"
"Anya.." Xander shook his head. "Never mind. I suppose you want to hand them out?"
Spike had the sudden urge to disappear into the back room. He started to get up.
Buffy's hand closed around his wrist. Tried to still him.
He gave her a look that said 'I'll stay, but I don't want anyone's pity when I don't get invited'. Sat back down with a sigh.
Anya gave a proud smile and started passing the embossed invitations out. "Willow, Tara, Giles, Dawn, Buffy." She frowned. Looked back in her bag, pulled out the one she had been missing. She gave it a reprimanding look, muttering to it about hiding, and that wasn't nice, and if the people invited weren't invited, how were they supposed to get presents?? "Spike!" Handed him an invitation, her smile still broad.
He fumbled and nearly dropped the small envelope, mouth slightly open. "M- me?" Damn it, William. *Spike* doesn't stutter. "I mean, I'm invited?" Shock, and a myriad of other emotions were showing plainly on the vampire's face.
Xander shrugged. "Yeah. Without you, Evil Dead, Giles and I'll be the only men there. You at least even it up. Besides, Buffy would've brought you anyway."
Buffy knew, never in a million years would those two give up their insanely juvenile banter, but she really wouldn't have it any other way. She absolutely beamed at Xander for his... relative maturity about everything.
Xander grinned. "Just don't eat the guests... Unless my family comes. You can eat them."
Spike gave a soft chuckle. "Hmm. Tempting. Somehow, though, I doubt that the Slayer would approve."
"Mm... His cousin Jimmy. Eat him. Violently."
Spike grinned evilly, giving the impression that he was actually planning just that.
"Hey!" Dawn protested. "No way. Jimmy's little brother is *hot*."
Spike growled. No WAY his Bit was going anywhere NEAR a Harris.
"Buffy," Xander said, playfully. "Restrain your pet vampire, please."
Dawn laughed in the face of the rumbling growl. "He looks like Xander, but... blue eyes, and a little shorter."
Buffy put a hand on Spike's arm. "Stop growling at her."
The moment Buffy touched him, Spike stopped growling. He cocked his head, then chuckled. "Found my off switch."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh wow. It's too late for this. We're going guys."
There was a chorus of 'goodnight's from Giles, Xander and Anya, since Willow and Tara got up to walk with Buffy and Spike.
Spike cocked his head at Willow as the small group headed back to the Summers house. "Hey, Red. Did you get the movies earlier?"
She nodded. "Yeah... One guy movie. The rest are all happy and flowers and kisses."
Spike groaned. "Well, I guess that's what I get for bein' outnumbered. Which movies?"
"Truth about Cats and Dogs, Anastasia, Drive Me Crazy, Ten Things, and Heartbreakers."
Spike sighed again. "Alright. Let's get home so the torture can end sooner." He was slouching as he walked, hands in his pockets, looking for all the world as if he were heading to the gallows. To all the world, but his present company, that is. The girls rolled their eyes, and informed him he was the 'popcorn bitch' tonight.
He let out a growl, and mock-chased Dawn for about twenty feet, since she'd had the gall to smack him on the butt as they'd said that.
She stuck her tongue out at him, ducking around a tree. "Ha! Beeeeee- otch!"
He growled again, then did the one thing that the Key wasn't expecting. He leaped up *into* the tree, and dropped down behind her, grabbing her in a half headlock and growling playfully as the rest of the girls caught up.
"Buffy!!!! Buffy!!!" She reached out pleadingly to her older sister, as Spike dragged her down the sidewalk in a headlock.
Spike was just chuckling as he hauled Dawn along with him.
"Buffy!!!! Gaaaaa-ckkkk!!!" She exaggerated. "Dyyyyyyyyyyying... saaaaave.... me....."
Buffy laughed and pointed. "Even I'm not dumb enough to smack his butt, Dawn."
Spike growled quietly, playfully, and vamped. "You're dying, eh?" Licked his fangs. "Look pretty good to me."
She lobbed one half-closed hand at his nose, in hopes of a quick escape.
Spike yelped when the fist connected with his nose and dropped Dawn. "Ow! Bloody hell!"
As her butt thumped the pavement, she yelped along-side him, "Oww!! Damnit!"
"Dawn! You watch your mouth, Bit." He used the hand that wasn't occupied with his nose to pull her to her feet.
The hand that wasn't accepting his was rubbing her bottom. Gave him a small glare. "Where do you think I learned it? Band camp?"
He just glared at her, and looked at the hand that had been rubbing his nose, taking note of the blood on it. No wonder it hurt. "That's the second time you've given me a bloody nose, Bit."
Tara just stared, eyes wide. Willow laughed. Really hard. "Dawn... Dawn... gave you a bl-bloody nose!!!"
Dawn made an anxious face. "I'm sorry. So sorry.... I didn't mean to, I was just-" her eyes were starting to well.
Spike wiped his bloody hand on his jeans and quickly pulled Dawn to him in a tight hug. "It's okay, Bit. I'm okay. I'm fine. Don't feel bad." He gave Willow a small glare over the top of Dawn's head.
She took a quick step backwards, an apologetic look on her face.
Dawn snuggled to his chest a little. "Sure you're ok?" Almost timid.
He nuzzled the top of her head gently. "Fine, Bit. I'm just fine." Gave Willow a half smile as if to say that he hadn't meant to look as mean as he had.
There were half smiles all around, and Buffy hung back, happy to let Dawn wrap herself around Spike's side on the walk home.
Spike kept his arm around Dawn gently for the remainder of the walk home. Letting the purr that was *just* for her rumble from his chest the whole time.
She nudged at him. "Hey." A quiet voice, meant for him.
"Hmm?"
"I missed you. When.... ya know... you and Buffy-" She broke off, shrugged.
He squeezed her gently. "I missed you, too, Bit." Glanced down at her. "You know I love you, right?"
She nodded. "Love you, too." Fidgeted a moment.
He smiled and cocked his head. "Somethin' botherin' you, Platelet?"
She said quickly, in one breath, "I don't have school Friday, and Buffy has to work, and I wanted to know if you wanted to rent movies and just sit at home, but you don't even really have to, I just thought it might be a good idea, but, it's probably really not, and I totally understand and-"
Spike cut her off by chuckling. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Bit."
"Right." She relaxed. A lot. "Good. Of course."
He gave her a quick, big brotherly kiss on the top of the head, before giving her one last squeeze and releasing her, since they'd made it to the porch.
She smiled up at him and unlocked the door as everyone filed in behind her.
Spike went in and immediately plopped on the couch, claiming his territory.
Buffy sat next to him, while the Wicca's took the loveseat, and Dawn flopped down on the carpet in front of the TV.
"Who picks the first movie?", Spike asked, slipping an arm around Buffy comfortably.
"Me," Dawn declared, and shoved in "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" in the VCR and hit play.
Spike sighed, trying to make it seem as if he was annoyed. But then his hand began gently rubbing Buffy's shoulder, and he knew she could feel just how relaxed he was.
She moved closer to his side, her hand stroking up and down his knee. Everyone was absorbed in the movie.
Two hours later...
Spike grinned, liking the darkness of the living room. Which was pitch black, aside from the light from the TV. Leaned his head to the side, resting his cheek on Buffy's head, purring softly.
Buffy smiled, enjoying the dark, too. The smile widened as the light from the TV cast a pale, flickering light on her sleeping sister's face. "Dawn's out."
He smiled. "I noticed." Glanced at the loveseat. "The Wiccas, too," he observed.
"Lightweights," she scoffed.
"I seem to remember someone dozing off on a book," he said playfully.
She made a small face. "Couch napper."
He gave her a snort. "Someone wore me out. Someone who begs as much as I do."
She hoped he couldn't sense the flush on her cheeks. "Shhhh," she hushed him, motioning to the other people in the room.
He chuckled, and gently began rubbing at her side.
She made a low mumbling sound, started biting at his neck.
He hadn't exactly been expecting that, and a quiet, but high pitched noise escaped his throat.
One of her hands cupped over his mouth gently, but she kept biting at him.
He shuddered pleasurably, and gently nipped her hand, since it was conveniently over his mouth.
She shook, smiled against the skin of his throat, nipped at the curve of his neck and shoulder. Whispered, "Want you..." against the now slightly damp skin.
The sensation of her warm breath on his slightly wet skin made him shudder again. He gently pulled her hand away from his mouth so that he could whisper, "Shhhh." Imitated her earlier gesture, encompassing the sleepers in the room.
Buffy nodded, put her hand back to his lips, to trail her fingers back and forth across them, pulling gently on his poutier bottom lip. Sucked across his collarbone.
Spike's eyes closed to maximize sensations, and he purred softly. Quiet enough for only Buffy to hear. His hand that had been rubbing her side *through* her shirt, now began doing the same thing again. Only now it was *inside* her shirt.
She bit at his collarbone now. She made her way to his ear, licked at his earlobe, blew cold air on it.
A strangled sound, as the vampire *forced* himself to stay quiet. His hand moved a bit higher on her side.
She spoke into his ear, her lips barely moving, "Upstairs..."
He gave an almost imperceptible nod, and moved to get up. Noting, to his slight embarrassment, that he would have to walk rather strangely to get up the stairs.
Buffy walked up the stairs backwards, kissing him the entire way
Not that he minded. He growled softly as they entered her room. *Their* room, now. Oh. Lock the door.
Buffy led Spike into her-their room, pulled back slowly, her mouth reluctantly leaving his. "Get comfortable."
He cocked his head. "Comfortable?" Reached for her. "Get back here, then I'll worry about comfort."
She stepped back, a small grin on her lips. "Get comfortable."
He gave a soft groan and sat on the bed. "Slayer, what are you up to?"
The grin got slightly wider, and she just shut the door, walking out. When she re-entered the room a few moments later, Spike was lying on his back on their bed. She struck a pose that was a cross between provocative and innocent, and cleared her throat. She had set aside a little something using her first paycheck, which consisted of heels, high and thin that laced around above her ankles in crisscrosses, leading up long, bare golden legs until his eyes encountered the small, simple, seductive scrap of black silk, that was a sinful excuse for a nightgown.
Spike glanced over at the sound, and sat up suddenly, his jaw dropping slightly. "Buffy...", he said quietly, an even more awed than usual tone in his voice. "...wow..."
Her legs shifted, and the silk rode slightly. "You like it?"
He stood slowly, moving toward her with that predatory grace of his. "Yes. But more so the girl in it."
She pouted, totally contradicting her words with her posture and tone. "*Girls* do not wear nighties like this."
He couldn't help the smile that came to his lips at her contradictory words and posture. Pulled her into his arms. "Fine then. The beautiful woman in it."
She moved slowly against him. "Really?"
His voice had that low, silky tone to it that he always got when she was near him like that. "There aren't enough words in every language on earth and beyond for me to tell you how wonderful, beautiful, amazing, and incredible you are, Buffy. If I had a million years, I couldn't possibly have enough time to tell you how you make me feel. What you bring out in me." Smiled softly. "You bring the man out of the monster, Buffy. And I thank you for that."
The tone of his voice alone would usually have made her croon, but his words, so soft, sincere, touching every part of her, a few places she hadn't known existed, melted, filled her, brought her to her knees. Her small hands framed his face, eyes searching his intently. "You make me ache, and laugh, and love, angry and sad, happy and irritated. You... are everything. My everything. I love you, Spike... Every piece. The monster, the man... they're both mine. They're both things I treasure. Enjoy."
Spike felt his eyes well at her words. "Buffy.. I.. I don't know what to say.." Nuzzled her hand gently. "I love you. I can't even express how much I love you, Buffy Anne Summers. You.. You give me life, Buffy. Make me remember what it's like to be alive. To love. To be loved. When I'm with you, I can almost feel my heart beating. And I know it's only you that makes that happen. Always, and only you."
She nodded, leaned up on her toes, to press her mouth to his, murmured against it, "Always, only you..." Buffy wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned back to smile charmingly at him. "Spike?"
"Yes, luv?"
"I didn't pay what I paid for this outfit for you to not rip it off me, and lavishly enjoy the naughty sexiness of the shoes."
He chuckled and swept her into his arms with a playful growl. "Don't worry, luv. All in good time." Plopped her onto the bed. "And this is good timing."
========================================================================== ================
Buffy woke at an awkward angle, lying sideways on her bed, at a diagonal. One arm and one leg fell off the sides, and Spike had fallen asleep on top of her. Exquisite. Her one hand scooted along the floor, and finally found what she was searching for. Lifted it. Stared at the tattered piece of silk. Gave a smile and silent chuckle. Mmm... This designer officially had all her business, and ... Both of her shoes were still on, though, granted, one only hung on by one strap caught on her foot.
Spike moved a little, sensing her movements. He nuzzled at the back of her neck, his soft purring increasing in volume on the contact.
She smiled, lifted one hand to play in his tousled hair.
With a sigh, he nuzzled into her hand, moving slightly off her in the process, a small, contented smile on his lips.
She rolled with him, liking the cushion he provided. "Morning," she said quietly.
"Mmm." And a louder purr were his only answers.
She laughed, hooked one leg over his hip. "Spike... morning."
He opened one eye. "S'not mornin' yet. I'm sleepin'." Said in a sleep- slurred voice, around another purr.
Buffy moaned a little bit, stretched against him. "Come on..."
Reluctantly, his other eye opened. "Alright.. alright... Mornin', luv."
Smiled down at him. "Morning." Bit at his bottom lip. "We completely demolished my outfit." A satisfied smile curved her lips.
Spike chuckled softly. "What do you mean *we*? I seem to remember me doing most of the demolishing."
She rolled off him, one heeled foot stretching in the air. "Mmm... Me, too."
He gave a yawn, and a leisurely stretch, rolling a little as he did, so that every muscle group got the benefits of the stretch.
She watched him, her eyes gleaming appreciatively. "And how did you sleep?"
Spike yawned again before answering. "Wonderfully. Hope Bit and the Wiccas didn't mind our impromptu departure last night."
"Mmm... I'm betting they slept all night downstairs. Let's hope, anyway."
He chuckled. "Yeah. Especially with some of the sounds you were making." Waggled his eyebrows at her playfully.
She slapped at his chest. "As opposed to the ones you were making?"
Smiled innocently. "Who, me?"
She leaned towards him, her hands moving over his body, and her mouth applying a firm, biting pressure to his neck. "Beggar." A reminder of the night before.
He shuddered a little and made a quiet whimper. He remembered. Perfectly.
She kissed gently the spot she had bitten. "I didn't even get my shoes off..."
He gently used his own foot to remove the shoe that had been hanging. "One."
A slow smile took her lips. "You like 'em, huh?"
A cocked eyebrow, that same signature move. "What do *you* think?"
She leaned her head down, left a small hickey on one of his abs. "Mm... That we give each other more orgasms since we're in love. But I think it definitely had something to do with the shoes."
He laughed softly. "Are you going to tell that to Anya?"
Gave him a smoky look. "And blow their numbers away? Never."
"Hmm. I'm tempted to knock Harris off his high horse, though."
She nibbled around his bellybutton. "Do you really want to talk to Xander about his sex life?"
His muscles jumped, as they always did when her touch was involved. He chuckled softly. "No. I want to brag about ours."
She kissed and nipped her way back up his chest, nuzzling their mouths together. "You and I are the only ones who need to know exactly how brag- worthy it is."
He purred happily. "No argument here, luv," he mumbled against her lips.
"Mine," she whispered between kisses. "No one else's... only... ever... my man..."
He let out a shuddering moan/purr when she finally pulled back. Sighed. "Wow, luv. What do you eat that gives you so much energy? Cause I either need to start eating it, or you need to stop."
She smiled. "Dunno... Just.... get around you, and I don't wanna leave." Her hand touched his, entwined their fingers. Brought it up to cover her beating heart. "This is yours."
He smiled at her, and moved their joined hands to the same place on his still chest. "It doesn't beat, and I know it isn't much. It's old, and it's been broken more times than I can count, but whatever's left is yours, Buffy."
"I want it all... All the bruises, and cuts, and breaks, and shattered pieces. If you can take mine, too."
Spike brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed them gently. "I'll take anything you're willing to give me, luv."
"No, Spike..." But she let him kiss her hand anyway, because she loved it when he was sweet like that. "We're beyond that. All or nothing. That's all I can settle for, now. Take all of me or nothing. Because anything else will kill me."
That soft smile, born out of true love, which shone brightly in his eyes. "I know, luv. Just making sure." Kissed her hand again. "All."
At the same time, she kissed his. "Can I have all of you?"
A soft smile. "You already do."