Title: Lessons to Learn Chapter Four: Catching Up On Lost Buffy Time

Author: SlayrGrl55 (aka Anna)

Rating: PG

Pairing: B/S

Spoilers: Lessons

Feedback: pretty please?

Disclaimer: I don't own 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'…yet ~laughs deviously~

Buffy awoke the next morning to a feeling of total contentment. She yawned and went to stretch her arms but it was then that she realized she wasn't alone in the bed. What the-? Oh yea. Spike. She suddenly remembered falling asleep in Spike's arms. She smiled and looked up at him. His expression was so peaceful, so unlike his demeanor when he was awake. She propped herself up on one arm and surveyed his sleeping from. He had definitely been keeping in shape. A soft moan interrupted her thoughts and she snuggled back down pretending to be asleep.

Spike awoke and looked a little disoriented before he remembered where he was. He looked at the clock. It was seven. What time does school start? Should I wake her up? He gently nuzzled her hair and whispered in her ear.

"Buffy, I think you need to wake up. Don't want to be late for your first day of being a Guidance Counselor…thing. Luv, wakeup." He said.

She pretended to slowly wake from her fake sleep, gradually opening her eyes. "Morning Spike."

This was definitely new territory for the both of them. They had certainly gone to bed together enough times (even if it didn't include a bed) but they had rarely woken up together.

"Pet, it's seven am. When do you need to get up?" he asked, taking in her tousled hair and disheveled pajamas. He couldn't help but smile.

"Argh." She groaned. "Right about now, actually." She bitterly got out of the bed and grabbed some clothes from her closet. "I'm gonna go get ready. You can go back to sleep if you want." With that she left the room, closing the door part way behind her.

Spike stretched out across the bed, gratefully inhaling the scent of the room. Vanilla. It smelled of vanilla. Just like her. He was loving this.

He heard the shower turn on and he listened. There were no other noises in the house and he could clearly hear the water running through the pipes. The sound, for some reason, was quite soothing and before long he was fast asleep.

When he awoke there was a piece of paper on the bed next to him. He rubbed his eyes and picked it up. He read it aloud. "Spike, me & Dawn went to school. Duh. Be back around three. There's blood in the fridge. I closed all the curtains so you have free roam of the house. See ya later. ~Buffy."

He folded the note and stuck in it the back pocket of his jeans. He would keep that. He trotted down the stairs, apparently in a very good mood, and headed straight for the kitchen. He searched around the cabinets until he found a mug. Then he filled it with blood. Delicious. He hadn't had blood in weeks, unless you counted last night for dinner. When he finished he left the mug in the sink and took a seat on the couch, turning in the TV to hopefully catch up on Passions.

He stayed that way until 3:14 when Buffy and Dawn strolled through the door. "Hey luv..s." He quickly recovered, not wanting to dishearten Dawn. "How was school Nibblet?"

She only groaned in response and then pounded up the stairs. "Homework." Buffy explained. Spike nodded.

She dropped her bag on a chair and collapsed on the couch next to Spike. "And how was your day?"

"Exhausting. I had about fifty kids in my office today." Upon hearing herself say the words 'my office' she brightened. "Hear that? I have an office. A Buffy office. Office of Buffy."

Spike chuckled and turned off the TV. "And how was your day? Catching up on lost Passions time?" she mocked him and began to get up. "I'll just leave you to your-" he put a hand on her arm and she stopped.

"I'd rather catch up on lost Buffy time." He stated. She sat back down and slid off her shoes. She rearranged the pillows and now she sat Indian-style facing him. "Okay. I'm ready for Buffy and Spike bonding time."

He became serious. "You know, I never thought I'd be welcomed back here. I thought you'd hate me." Buffy reached out a hand and put it on his shoulder, comforting him. "I thought Dawn wouldn't talk to me. I thought Xander would want to stake me…"

"Well, you got one thing right." They both looked up to see Xander standing in the foyer.

"Xander, when did you get here?" He had taken them both by surprise. She didn't even hear him come in.

"I knew something was up when you didn't need me to drive you to school. I didn't think this though." He was hurt, but not as angry as he thought he would be.

"Xander, let me explain." Buffy pleaded.

"No Buffy, let me finish." Xander put up a hand to silence Buffy. Knowing he couldn't fight back, Spike tensed. Sensing his worry, Buffy took his hand and linked their fingers. It was a silent promise. Xander didn't seem to notice and kept talking as he paced the room.

"Spike. I don't like you. Never did. Probably never will. But get this straight, I'm not gonna hurt you."

Wow. Wasn't expecting that. Buffy thought.

"As much as I strongly dislike you, everyone else seems to be quite fond of you, or at least able to tolerate you. You don't hassle me and I won't hassle you. But remember. You hurt Buffy again and you will be on the receiving end of a sharp wooden object. Same goes for hurting Dawn or any other Scooby." Finishing his speech Xander gave a quick glare at Spike and left through the front door, leaving Buffy and Spike motionless on the couch.

"That was…unexpected." Spike said.

"Oh yea." Buffy agreed. All of a sudden Spike remembered their linked hands and went to pull away. This confused Buffy. He saw her start to frown and became confused himself.

Continuing their previous conversation Spike looked her in the eyes and asked "Buffy, our signals are definitely getting crossed here."

Buffy abruptly stood and became flustered. "I knew it. After I pushed you away I knew you wouldn't want me anymore. Last night was just so you could sleep. I'm sorry. This is all so puzzling. I don't know how to act now that I-" she cut herself off before she gave too much of her emotions away.

But Spike caught where the sentence was going. He stood up and walked over to her. "Buffy, I told you I still love you. And I still want you. I just thought you didn't want me. I'm afraid to touch you. I feel like I'm dreaming and if I touch you I'll wake up. And I don't want to wake up."

Buffy moved closer. "Spike, over the summer I realized I cared for you. Like really cared for you. Maybe not love, but close. I'm not a dream. I'm real." She placed his hand on her cheek. "See? I'm still here."

The air was full of electricity; it was surrounding them. Slowly, Spike leaned down and kissed her. It was slow, not at all rough, and ended too soon. They pulled back a little, although now Buffy's arms were around his neck and his around her waist. Not opening her eyes, Buffy spoke. "Did I tell you how much I missed you?"

"Yea, but feel free to tell me again." He grinned and leaned his forehead against hers.

"I missed you." She said, finally opening her eyes.

"Missed you too, luv." And then he kissed her again.

Author's Note: Thank you all for the great reviews! They make me write faster (hint hint) so post as many as you like. This probably isn't going to become a long and complicated story. When I started writing it was a one-time deal. I might bring Willow back, but of course that takes away from B/S fluffiness time. I had to throw Xander in there. Maybe I'll actually come up with a plot, but I doubt it. Coming up next…Bronzing J