Disclaimer: Oh, how I love James. Let me count the ways... I don't own anything except my own characters, so no touchie!

Distribution: You want it? Gotta ask me nicely.

A/N: Thank you all so much for all the reviews. They were lovely, I was positively tickled pink, honestly! I'm so glad you are all still enjoying the story so much:) You've made this lil girl(not that lil!) very happy.
So, here's the Chapter 15 technically. Enjoy!
Till Next Time~ I am the Tranio of Pine~



Chapter 15: Reason To Be(the Telephone Rang)

~*~*~


Buffy stood silently by the closed door. She saw him sprawled out in his bed, staring at the ceiling as if he was waiting for her to come back into the room. How did he know her so well? She looked at him, her eyes trailed over the alabaster skin of his muscular chest, glowing in the moonlight that filtered through the curtains, down his taut abdomen and passed his sheet covered legs. He was just so mesmerizing and she wanted him so badly.

Buffy, I'm tired, he moaned, rolling onto his side to face her, the bed sheet slipping slightly passed his well defined hips. So, either go back to your room or get over here.

Buffy couldn't help but give him a smile as she made her way into his bed. She climbed in and immediately cuddled up to the vampire, placing a warm kiss on his lips, one he eagerly returned. She nestled her head into the crook of his neck and sighed as he wrapped his arms around her. She dozed off with the small smile gracing her lips.


~*~*~




Buffy knew she was going to wake up soon, but she just wanted to stay in this place a little while longer. She was warm, safe, covered by soft blankets, and she was peaceful. She hadn't been here for a long while, no dreams plagued her; no deep seeded feeling of sorrow stirred her. There was nothing, but calm and...bells? A distant ringing reached her ear, but soon stopped, replaced by a voice no higher than a whisper. She knew that voice. She smiled as it drew her slowly out of her haze. She loved that voice and that mouth from which it came. It grew louder, the words more distinguishable as she eased into the land of the awake.

"She was the most stubborn, annoying, arrogant little chit that ever walked across this planet," she heard Spike say to whomever was on the phone.

Did she hear right? Did he say that about her? He better not have. Buffy was suddenly thankful she didn't sleep with him last night.


Clem sighed. He called only a moment ago and asked "How is Buffy?" Then Spike started in. He wasn't angry though, which was a good sign. He just seemed to burst like a bubble, like he was waiting for someone to ask the right question so he could spill. As long as they weren't trying to kill each other, Clem was happy.

"So, she was jealous then?" Clem asked his best friend.

"She was jealous," Spike confirmed. "Jealous, insecure, aggravating, infuriating-"

"So, you don't want her anymore?"

"Weren't you listening?" Spike wondered. The vampire had a grin on his face a mile wide and was not aware that the woman in his bed was awake and listening to every word he said. "She's jealous, insecure, aggravating and..."

"Infuriating," Clem reminded him.

"Yes, infuriating. But, then she changed. She became understanding, affectionate like you wouldn't believe, and...caring." Spike stared out the window and sighed. "Of course, I want her. I've always wanted her and will always want her, but..."

"But what?"

"I don't know if I can go 'round that bend again. I'm not a bleedin' yo-yo."

"I love yo-yos!" Clem exclaimed. "Never could get that Around the World trick though. It might have something to do with my hands or-"

"Clem? I'm trying to do the heart to heart thing here."

"Oh, sorry, Spike." Clem thought about what Spike said. The answer was simple to him. He liked things simple. Carlotta, now that was simple. His heart went aflutter, so did hers, and he knew he would never want to be anywhere else but where she was. "Maybe you two should go dancing!" he offered. "Lotta always says-"

"That's her answer for everything," Spike interrupted. "You're having a tift? Go dancing. Have no sex life? Go dancing."

"Spike?"

The vampire whirled around and saw Buffy sitting up in bed, fully awake, looking so beautiful with her mussed hair.

"Look, mate, can you call me back later?" he asked, eyes still on Buffy.

"No problem, Spike. I'll call back in an hour. Carlotta will be back and I know she wants to talk to you and Buffy."

"Alright, cheers." Spike clicked off the cordless phone and walked back to the bed. He stood beside Buffy, wondering just what she heard him say.

"I thought you were still sleeping."

"I was."

"Did I wake you up?" Spike placed the phone back in its cradle and sat on the edge of the bed. Buffy shook her head. "So...you want breakfast?" he asked.

Buffy smiled. "Feeling domestic?"

"You look like you could use some sustenance is all."

"And I could, but people don't usually serve breakfast to stubborn, annoying, arrogant little chits."

Spike's eyes bugged out of his head at her statement. "You heard that? Buffy, I didn't-"

Buffy grabbed Spike's hands. "I heard what you said. I've been called worse, or maybe it just sounds better coming from you. Plus, I heard what you said afterwards. How's Clem doing anyway?"

"Wonderful, both of them happy as can be. He would have called sooner, but I think they just decided to leave the bedroom."

Buffy giggled at that idea. Spike lay down across the bed on his side, his hand propping up his head. He seemed relaxed, Buffy noted, just being there still in his red pajama pants and nothing else. The only thing that betrayed his repose was the tired look in and around his eyes. She hoped he slept some. Well, she knew he slept some because she watched him. He was so still. She gently fingered his curly hair as she watched him for those moments. It surprised her when his chest suddenly puffed up with air and released it slowly. He was such a sight to behold, so beautiful she didn't want to touch him, disturb him, but she couldn't stay away. She cuddled next to the vampire and quickly fell back asleep on his chest. "I guess he wasn't sleeping as soundly as I thought."

"Clem met Carlotta's family the other day. Said they were very welcoming and very good cooks."

"That's good considering Clem's appetite!" Buffy joined him across the bed, mirroring his position.

"He said he'd call back in an hour. Apparently, the missus wants to talk to us." Spike hand trailed across the covers to Buffy's and gently played with her fingers.

"Oh no. Are we in trouble?" Buffy asked, pretending to be scared.

"With Carlotta, one never knows."

Buffy loved it when Spike smiled, a genuine smile like the one spread across his face at that moment. He glowed, his eyes sparkled and she never saw him more open and honest. Buffy leaned over and brushed her lips softly against his. She pulled back slightly only to return with two more gentle kisses.

Buffy sat up and entwined her fingers firmly with his. "Now, I believe I was offered breakfast. Are you cooking or shall I?"

Spike's eyes widened at her question. "You cooking? I think I'd rather slave over the hot stove if you don't mind."

"I'm not that bad, Spike, but who am I to object to breakfast in bed?"

Spike's scarred brow arched. "You want me to bring you breakfast in bed? So you can fill my nice sheets with crumbs and stain it with your coffee? Not bloody likely." Spike stood up and hauled Buffy off the bed into his embrace.

"Come on, Spike, I'll be good," she promised taking his other hand for balance.

"Oh, I know you'll be good. You're coming downstairs with me."

Buffy frowned. Visions of Spike coming back into the bedroom, a tray of food placed on the bed, licking stray drops of syrup from her lips vanished. "Not very romantic," she whined almost inaudibly.

Spike chuckled at her behavior. Sure, he didn't mind the idea of breakfast in bed, hand feeding her strawberries, playfully flicking whipped cream on her nose only to kiss it away. It was quite the pleasing idea, but he knew that breakfast in bed would quickly turn into lunch in bed and possibly dinner and he couldn't give into that temptation. There was work to be done and when it was all over, he would bring Buffy breakfast in bed for solid month.

"Do you want what I'm offering or are you going to pout all morning?" he asked her. The rumble of Buffy's stomach answered his question. "Right then, let's see what we have."



It wasn't breakfast in bed, but Spike did catch a stray drop of syrup from Buffy's mouth...with his finger regretfully, but it was close enough. She wondered why he could always read her mind. She was glad for it though in this circumstance.

The telephone rang when they were doing the dishes.

"'Ello... Hey, Nibblet, how are you?...Yeah, she's right here." Spike handed Buffy the phone and walked back to the sink.

"Hey, Dawnie, what's up?"

Dawn smiled on the other end of the phone. She heard the happiness in both her sister and her best friend's voices. This was such a good sign!

"Oh, I'm fine, Buffy. How are you?" She tried to contain her excitement, but she was about ready to burst with questions. "How's...everything?"

"Everything is fine," Buffy answered, noting her sister's gleeful tone.

"Oh, come on, Buffy are you going to make me beg?" Buffy just laughed at her little sister. "Buufffyyy," she whined. "Did you sleep with him yet?"

"Dawn!" Buffy exclaimed.

CRASH!

Buffy whirled around and saw Spike's still face and a broken dish in his hands. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Spike just looked at her for a second. He heard Dawn on the other end of the phone, not that he was eavesdropping. Normally, he wouldn't care about Dawn's bawdy mouth, but not in reference to him and her sister. "Fine, love, just fine. Why don't you take that elsewhere?" he asked, indicating the phone with a piece of broken dish.

Buffy nodded and left the vampire to clean up.


"I think you almost shocked Spike to death," Buffy laughed as she plopped down on a chair in the loft.

"He'll get over it; I'm not a little girl.

To him you are.

What did he break?" Dawn wondered.

"Just a dish. So, how are things at home?"

"No way, Buffy. You didn't answer my question yet."

"That's because it's none of your business, little sister."

"Are you together? You sound happy so I'm going to assume he's given you a reason to be that way."

"Yes, he has," Buffy smiled. "We're taking things slowly."

"Take as much time as you want, Buffy. Everything is fine here. The Magic Box is fine, I'm fine, the Scoobies are fine."

"Are you trying to get rid of me or something?" Buffy joked. She could almost hear her sister roll her eyes on the other end of the phone. "I know you can handle everything, Dawnie. That's not the point. It's- never mind.
"Don't be stupid, Buffy. If he's what you want- Strike that, he is what you want, don't let him go. He loves you so much, Buffy."

Buffy let out a huge sigh. "He hasn't said it," she mumbled. "He hasn't once said that he still loves me."

"You can't doubt that he does." Buffy said no, she didn't. "Maybe he's scared. Ever think of that? He's scared to be with you again unless he knows you love him back. Last time you didn't."

"I know, Dawnie, I know. Just my luck, my first vampire lover loved me so much he couldn't be with me and my second won't be with me unless I love him as much as he loves me."

"Would you want to be with someone who didn't love you as much as you loved him? Just tell him already." Dawn was irritated with her sister. She was with him, why wouldn't she just say it?

"I can't, not yet, itwhat if he doesn't want to make it work? Long distance and all."

"Bullshit! Don't you dare put all of this one him!" Dawn shouted. She didn't care if Spike heard or not, she'd tell him the same thing anyway. "That man loves you more than anyone could possibly ever hope to. And I know you love him too. It sucks what you're doing to him. You're just prolonging the pain because you think it's easier than the pain of love. You're fighting so hard, Buffy, for no reason, well, no good reason."

"It's not that simple, Dawn." Buffy wanted to tell her about the dreams, about Spike's "death", but she couldn't. Dawn loved the vampire so much, more than her own father.

"No, it's not simple. It's hard and scary and naked. And worth it. Buffy, if Spike left tomorrow, would you be happy knowing you never told him how you really felt? Would you be pleased that you kept your emotions inside? Or would you be a teary mess, thinking he'll never know the truth?
"When did you get so knowledgeable?" Buffy sniffed.

"I listen," was all she said before asking to talk to Spike.

Buffy walked back into the kitchen. Spike was sitting on the counter talking to someone on his cellphone. She held out the cordless to him. "Dawn wants to talk to you," she said.

Spike nodded and then spoke to the person on the other line. "Hey, love, can you hold on a minute?...Sure thing." Spike smiled at Buffy and traded the cellphone for the cordless. "It's Carlotta," he said.

Buffy took the phone and went back to the living room.

"Hey, Bit, have a nice chat with your sis?"

"Hardly," she grumbled. "But, how are you doing? How's...everything?"




"Hi, Carlotta, how's the honeymoon?"

"Uh, fabulous!" the woman answered. "You and Spike really should come out here sometime; it's so romantic! I get lost here every time I come back."

"I'm glad you're having so much fun. Clem called earlier, sounded just as content."

"He is, he is. I haven't given him any reason not to be either." The two women giggled at that. "But, enough about my trip, how's yours? What do you think of London?"

"Considering I haven't seen very much of it, it seems nice enough."

Carlotta paused for a moment. "Where exactly have you been if you haven't seen much of London?" she wondered.

"Slayer stuff, Carlotta. It hasn't been all fun and games," Buffy admitted.

"You sound like you're enjoying yourself though, and Spike sounded the same way. Now, I know we haven't been friends for a very long time, but I would still appreciate some dishing."

Buffy laughed. She really did like this woman. She was brazen, but classy as could be. She was an honest woman who followed her gut and her heart. "There really isn't much to be said. Spike and I are doing well, minimum fighting, lots of talking"

"Any action?" she asked bluntly.

"Not much," she confessed.

"Please tell me he's kissed you." Carlotta practically heard Buffy blushing over the phone. "He better have kissed you good and proper, as only he can."

"Wait a minute. How would you know how well Spike kisses?" Buffy asked.

"Oh, don't worry, honey. It was a dare. We were all drinking at the club one night and Sid said something about Spike's lips being tainted because of all the women he brought to their knees. And like any good drunken woman in love, I defended my man's abilities. So, Spike and I kissed."

"What did you think?"

"I think you are one hell of a lucky woman. Made my toes curl. If I wasn't so god damned in love, who knows? I'm just kidding. When Clem kisses me, everything curls."

"I couldn't be happier for the two of you."

"Thank you, Buffy. And I know things will work out for you and Spike. He's so smitten with you. You should have heard him just now. I will insist however, that Clem and I come to the wedding."

"Wedding?! I think you're jumping the gun a bit there, Carlotta. We aren't even sleeping together."

"Yeah, I can't help but wonder why? Are you crazy or something? Jump his undead ass before someone else does."

"Someone else has already tried."

"I heard. Did you see red?"

"Oh, yeah," Buffy said, shaking her head as those wretched images floated back into her brain. "I promise you though, Carlotta, no matter who I marry, if I do marry, you and Clem will be there."

"Oh, Sweetie, you're such a good girl." Spike's laughter from the other room could be heard through the phone. "Wonder what's so funny."

"Spike's talking to my sister. I can only guess what is being said."

"I'll let you find out. Take care, Buffy. Tell Spike we'll call when we get back to Buenos Aires."

"I will, Carlotta. Enjoy the rest of your trip."

"You too, lovie."

Buffy hung up the phone and walked into the kitchen where Spike was still laughing.

"What did she say?" Buffy asked.

"She said our children will be jackasses. The visual was bloody amusing," Spike answered, smile still spread wide across his face.

Buffy grabbed the phone from Spike. "Dawn, what the hell is he talking about?"

"You guys are so stubborn. I told him I was glad you two couldn't have kids because they would most likely be mules. Buffy giggled slightly at the image as well. Listen, Buffy, why don't we take a trip when this over, the three of us?"

"Excuse me?" Buffy asked. She must have heard wrong.

"Spike and I were thinking about going on a trip when your Slayer stuff is all done and I think you should come with us."

Behind Buffy, Spike stopped laughing and waited for her response.

"Where were you going?" she wanted to know.

"Maybe Buenos Aires, see Clem and his wife and Spike's club, I'm dying to go there!"

"It's great, Dawn, you'll love it. Spike's done a great job. Let's just see how things are after we're through here before we finalize anything, okay?"

"Okay," Dawn agreed happily. Buffy didn't say no, which meant a yes wasn't very far away. "Bye, Buffy. Bye Spike!" she yelled so he could hear her.

"Bye, Bit."

"Bye, Dawnie, keep up the good work." She placed the phone back in its cradle and turned to the vampire still seated on the countertop. "Lots of talking today, huh?"

Spike nodded. "So, what did you and Carlotta talk about?"

Buffy gave him a half smile. "Girl stuff," she replied. "She said they would call once they got back to South America."

"She sounded happy. I'm glad they called."

Buffy hopped up onto the counter next to him. "Me too. So, break anything else while I was gone?" she laughed.

Spike shuddered. "I don't know about you, but I wasn't ready to hear my Nibblet ask about our sex lives."

"She asks me all the time, part of the sister code, must know all about older sister's activities with the men in said sister's life."

"That's fine for you. I tell my girl a lot, but I don't discuss my sex life. I don't even want to know about her sex life. To me, she doesn't have a sex life!" he exclaimed.

Buffy leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Don't worry about it, Spike. She's appeased for the moment. Really, we don't have anything to tell anyway."

Both of them sat still, a regretful silence between them. There really wasn't much to tell, was there? Then why did Spike feel like shouting from the rooftops? He turned to his love and smiled. There was plenty to tell. He loved her and she was with him. Whether they had sex was a mute point, well, maybe not mute, but it didn't matter at the moment. He leaned down and kissed her.

Buffy grinned when Spike pulled away. "What was that for?"

"Do I need a reason?"

"Never," she answered before claiming his lips with her own.

Then the telephone rang once more, confounded machine! Spike picked it up reluctantly.

"'Ello...Oh, Travers, you actually called instead of barging in, how thoughtful of you."

"Yes, Mr. Spike, well, I thought I should warn you. My father and his brigade are on their way over."

"What's going on?" Buffy asked Spike. He listened to Colin for a few more minutes before hanging up. He gripped the phone tightly and threw it against the far wall, shattering it into a thousand pieces.

"Spike, what happened?"

He hopped down from the counter and made his way upstairs to Giles's bedroom, Buffy hot on his heels. Spike wrapped on the Watcher's door incessantly until he emerged.

"Spike, what is the meaning-"

"The book, Watcher.

Excuse me? Giles removed his glasses from his face.

The book, the fucking Sanction! It's gone, Rupert. She's got the fucking book!"



Sure thing, lover. I'll see you when you get home. Cheers.

Leila hung up the phone and began to pace the length of his study. He left earlier that morning not saying much of anything, not saying much of anything on the phone just now either. The previous night went off without a hitch and he was elated, had a breath taking smile on his face the entire night, only fading when replaced with ecstasy. She wasn't at the heist, she was preoccupied with Spike as planned. She growled at the memory of last night. She knew she never had a chance in Hell with Spike, had resigned herself to that, but then the vampire attacked her boss. She was with him and he with her. How dare the peroxide blonde suggest he wanted to kill her? It was preposterous, inconceivable and...plain impossible! Then why did it bother her so much? Why did it keep her up last night? Why did it make her cling to her lover all the more?

Because he cares about you, Leila, she told herself. Spike is a lying bastard too caught up with his skinny, slutty Slayer to know anything else.
He doesn't care about you no matter what he says.

Deep down Leila knew that was probably not true. He cared...some. She saw it in his eyes. No! No, no, let it go, Leila! You know where you belong and with whom you belong. Don't let Spike ruin it for you.

With her determination firmly in place, she flopped down into his chair and placed her feet onto his desk and waited for him to come to her.




Hours were spent with the Council, a sea of black and gray suits whizzed by all muttering slurs of British explicatives Buffy would need to look up later. She'd asked Spike, but he left awhile ago to see the scene of the burglary first hand, try to catch any lingering scents and such. She hoped he would be back soon. She was itching for nightfall; she would patrol with Spike and partake in bloody, face bashing work, anything to find Leila.

No one knew how her men got into the compound or into the giant safe that rivaled any in Las Vegas. The place was a fortress and they slipped in undetected. They didn't even leave a body behind.

It was obviously some sort of magic, Colin surmised.

But, we have taken precautions for that, his father reminded him.

Buffy stood above the layout of the compound in front of her. It just didn't make sense. They had been going over possible weak areas that could have been penetrated. Everything's secure, Buffy agreed. That can only mean one thing.

And what would that mean, Miss Summers? Quentin asked, knocking back the last of his tea.

It was an inside job, she answered plainly.

That is preposterous. I know each and every one of my employees personally. None of them would betray the cause.

Maybe they're just good actors, Buffy quipped.

What you are suggesting is utterly out of the question.

Quentin stood up, followed by his obedient staff. He looked at them, all of their eyes on him, awaiting his next move. None of them would betray him.

If you refuse this, Giles began, then what do you suggest?

I suggest you, your Slayer and the vampire retrieve the book before we all perish, the Watcher replied with a huff. He turned on his heels and left, but not before sending an icy look toward the wayward Slayer.

You'll have to forgive my father. If there's one thing he hates more than demons running amuck, it's descention in the ranks.

And that's why I'm his favorite person, Buffy said sarcastically.

I'm afraid so. Colin took a seat beside Buffy on the sofa. He looked at the diagram and shook his head. Nothing could have prepared Quentin for this. I believe he is getting over confident with his abilities as a leader. He doesn't see what the rest of us do.

And, what would that be, Travers? Spike asked as he entered the room.

Colin looked over at the vampire. He was leaning against the door jam, arms folded across his chest, a rather predatorial look in his eyes. He practically heard the growl that was threatening to emerge from his mouth. Despite their mutual hatred for each other, Colin suspected this particular stance was because of his proximity to Buffy. Poor girl, so misguided. What could she see in that vampire? Every time Colin saw him, he had an urge to wash himself clean.

Well, Mr. Spike, I'm sure you are aware that my father is not always well liked. Buffy snorted at the obvious statement. Many would turn on him given the chance.

Could you give me any names? Giles asked.

I could give you several, the young Watcher confessed. It was the truth, no use denying it. His father was not always a nice man, not always a nice father either.

It might be a start, Buffy suggested, looking at Colin.

Very well, he replied glumly. He gave Buffy a half hearted smile and instantly felt Spike's eyes bore into him. Well, I see it is time for me to leave. I'll go through some files back at my office and ring you with the names. Mr. Giles, good to see you. Buffy, always a pleasure. He left the room, bumping into Spike's shoulder as he walked by.

Spike growled as he slumped onto the sofa, taking Colin's place, and pulled out a cigarette. He didn't light up, just let the cylinder dangle from his mouth.

Someday, you'll have to tell me why you detest that man so much, Buffy said, lifting her feet up underneath her and turning into Spike.

Never was a set reason, love. I don't like him. I don't like the way he looks and I don't like the way he smells. Buffy raised a questioning eyebrow. He's too clean, it bothers me, he replied with a shrug. So, what did the tweed coats have to say for themselves?

Nothing much really. Colin says it was magic and Quentin didn't like that or the fact I said it was an inside job.

What do we do now?

Giles stood and retrieved the printed pages of the Sanction from a desk drawer. These bloody things, he mumbled. Shamus and I have been over them and we still can't find out the appropriate date. There are so many references to it, but nothing concrete. It seems the Fates are purposefully misguiding us.

Maybe they are.





This is a much lighter chapter than the last one huh? I really wanted to bring Carlotta and Clem back. I love Clem! But, now we're gearing up for some Spuffy goodness! Next chapter is heading your way soon.