Hello, gals - and guys too, of course! Hope all's well!
Jacy, Vampireskiss, Green and Spuffygirl - thanks for support and encouragement! Since it was there this chapter is here. ;) Thanks a lot!
One more part left on this story, guys. Hope you'll enjoy this one...
A.M.L, Annie.
***
He pulled away from her slowly, gliding out of her and she sighed.
"We could be doing this for a while, maybe I should get us some water," she said, sitting up and turning her head to him where he sat beside her.
He cocked an eyebrow and she nodded, slapping him on the leg and scooting to the edge of the bed.
"Water for me, blood for you. Heated?" she asked, reaching for the robe hanging on a hook on the wall and pulling it on as she turned back to him.
He still wouldn't answer, merely observed her and she smirked.
"Hold that thought, and I'll be back in a flash," she assured, walking up to the door of the room and opening it up.
Proceeding through it Spike watched her and then sunk back on the bed, closing his eyes and trying to restrain himself from laughing outloud with the argument that this wasn't going to last forever.
But she...she loves me, he countered in his mind. She's in love with me! Deep down she really is and THAT won't change!
But she might push you away, a small voice warned. Could you take that with the actual knowledge of how she feels? Of how it could be for the two of you if she would just open her heart to it?
He bit his jaws together.
No. No, he wasn't sure that he could take that without a fight. And pushing her would get him nowhere, that was for sure... Bloody hell!
Buffy trotted down the stairs and into the now emtpy kitchen with a satisfied smile on her face.
"Buffy."
She jerked at the sound of Willow's voice coming from behind her and turned around to face her friend, standing in the doorway.
"Hi," Buffy smiled, continuing on her set out course to the fridge to get a bag of blood and then retrieving a glass out of a cupboard before also getting a mug. "What are you doing up so late?" she added, opening up the bag and pouring the contents of it into the mug before moving it over to the microwave.
"What are you doing?" Willow asked, voice slightly concerned and Buffy raised her eyebrows at the question.
Mug safe within the microwave she hit the timer and then the on-button before grabbing the glass and turning to the sink to fill it with water.
"I'm just getting us something to drink," she answered. "I-I mean, not US as in us-in-the-same-room-on-the-same-bed and yes, actually that is exactly what I'm saying and I'm not gonna apologize for it 'cause you have NO idea how good I felt just now and how great I feel and..."
"Buffy!" Willow interrupted and the Slayer took a mouthful of water as she grew silent. "It's really important that this doesn't get out of hand, you realize that, don't you? You could seriously hurt him, and yourself."
Buffy smiled, then laughed softly, shaking her head.
"I'd never do anything to hurt him again," she answered, self-assured as the microwave dinged and the Slayer got the mug out before she walked up to the doorway leading to the hall. "I love him, Willow."
Willow met her gaze and then she nodded.
"I'm happy about that," she said, honestly. "You deserve someone to love and someone who loves you back and who looks after you when you're too tired or too busy to do that yourself. And I believe Spike could do that for you, because he really loves you, Buffy. But - I get the feeling you don't even remember the spell I told you about. The spell that started this whole thing. It makes you feel things that are there, but perhaps not in the exact way that you end up expressing them... or, well, they are there in that way 'cause otherwise they wouldn't be enhanced by the spell, but it's just that you can't control them and I..."
Buffy shook her head at that, walking past her friend and into the hallway.
"Buffy," Willow said and the Slayer stopped, turning partially around to meet her friend's gaze. "Just remember this, because I don't know what you'll feel once the spell is lifted. If all you felt up 'til tonight was pity or empathy or sympathy... then this might get to be too much for you. If you weren't ready to admit to yourself before tonight that there was the slimmest chance that you might even be interested in something more with Spike - then how are you gonna feel after the spell is broken and the great, big, huge amplifiar on your emotions is taken away? Please, Buffy. Just think one step ahead. The way you always do."
Buffy averted her eyes and then she turned away again, walking up to the stairs and proceeding to ascend them.
"38.6," she said as she stepped through the door and her eyes grew wondering as he straightened his back, fully clothed.
He smiled weakly.
"Thank you kindly," he replied. "But I'm afraid I can't stay."
Her expression dropped and she seemed uncertain of how to react to that as she watched him grab his jacket.
"Well, where are you going?" she wondered, walking up to the bedside table to put the glass and mug down. "You can't just leave! Can you?"
He looked at her for a moment and then he stepped up to her, bending down to kiss her tenderly on the forehead before pulling away and turning around.
"Get some sleep," he urged and she felt like he had just punched her in the stomach - all the air was leaving her lungs.
"Don't go," she pleaded as he walked up to the door. "Stay with me."
He had to promote every shred of willpower to step through that door and he couldn't answer her or look at her or he would have obeyed her. Leaving her with nothing was worse than any of it, but he was frightened of what this affair might do to their future relationship once the spell was lifted.
Buffy slowly sunk down onto the floor. She wanted to cry, but couldn't. The hurt she felt ran too deep for tears and finally she just doubled over and let it consume her.
***
"Willow," Spike said as they met on his way down - her way up - the stairs. "We need to see if we can find that book tonight."
"Spike, I'm too tired," Willow sighed. "Can't we say we'll do it first thing in the morning?"
He eyed her, then nodded as he seemed to see the fatigue on her.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "Of course we'll do it tomorrow. One request before you're off to bed though?" he added and she paused, then nodded. "Chain me up?"
She frowned.
"I dunno... Do you think it's really necissary to?" she wondered sceptically and he nodded.
"For varius reasons," he answered. "Please."
Finally she nodded her agreement and walked ahead of him down the stairs and lead the way down into the basement.
"When's the gang of adolescents coming back?" he wondered as she began to secure the chains around his wrists and torso.
"Tomorrow night," she answered. "Giles said they'd probably be back here late," she added.
"Willow," he now mumbled hesitantly. "Do you think, I mean after the spell's gone and all... that there's any chance that Buffy might actually still...?" he trailed off, but Willow could read the rest in his eyes and she drew a small breath in resignation.
"I really wish I could answer that question. I'll make sure to get up early tomorrow morning and run a search for that book. I borrowed it from a friend, but I think I saw it last year on one of the shelves at the Magic Box. Now, of course, that shelf is NOT a shelf anymore and so the actual finding of the book might take a while longer - but I'll try my absolute best," she finished and he smiled a little.
"Try harder than that," he asked of her and she returned the smile before taking a step back.
"All S&M-ed up," she declared and he smirked. "I'll see you tomorrow. If the First comes around tell it to smack itself over the head for disrupting our more SERIOUS issues," she added and at that he smiled widely, then nodded.
"Humor, I remember that," he said and she nodded.
"A good thing, humor," she stated and he nodded as well. "Good night. Don't let all the basement bugs bite," she added and he shook his head at her.
"Good way of getting my mind off things," he called after her as she mounted the steps of the stairs leading to the kitchen.
"Thought so," she replied and then flipped the light switch, the room flooding with shadows, and he heard the door close silently.
Closing his eyes he leaned his head back against the hard pillar to which he was chained. It was - without overdoing it - overwhelmingly uncomfortable since the low stool he was seated on wobbled slightly and in the most annoying way.
He tried to keep his mind off of Buffy, but couldn't.
What he had done just now had been close to unforgivable. Leaving her like that. He had been so set on leaving the house all together when the fact of the First had come back to him and had made him decide against it.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
"You should be," her voice answered and he opened his eyes, surprised he had neither heard nor sensed her entering through the door and descending the stairs. Though there was no mistake - it was her.
"Buffy," he breathed.
As he had thought, one look at her and all that obtained willpower was just another one flew over the cuckoo's nest.
She was seated on the third last step of the stairs and her eyes were relentless as they rested in his.
"We can't do this, Buffy," he now tried; wanting HER to be the one to stop them, as she always had been.
She rose to her feet, her bathrobe still on as she took the few steps down and then slowly came to stand before him.
"We can't?" she asked, pulling slowly on the knot of the belt holding the robe together and his eyes grew slightly.
She seemed to be set on playing a different role.
Licking his lips he watched as the knot let go and the two parts almost slid apart.
"No," he nearly whispered and she took a step forward, her curves hinting beneath the fabric before she parted her legs and took one of his between them, excrutiatingly slowly sinking down to sit on his thigh and his eyes moved to hers as she placed her hands on the upper part of his chest - not covered by the chains.
She leaned closer to him, her mouth just a fraction of an inch away from his, then she repeated:
"We can't?"
He swallowed, eyes going down again and the robe merely covering her breasts now - having slipped apart to expose her stomach and... He bit his jaws together as she moved her hips forward, sliding up his tigh to press her upper body to the side of his as she leaned down and kissed the right side of his throat.
"We...can't?" she now more demanded than asked and he was taking unnecissary breaths as he felt his whole body tense in an attempt to get free from the chains.
Buffy put her head up to look at him. Raising her eyebrows she then rose to her feet, taking a step back she pulled the robe closed tight around her and then she shrugged.
"Well, if you say so," she sighed, turning and walking up to the stairs, proceeding up them. "'Night!" she called as she reached the door and then he could hear her walk through it.
"Oh...God," he whined, shaking his head at himself and at the need to take the matter into own hands since he felt like he was about to combust - only he couldn't move, could merely suffer.
He sat absolutely still for nearly two minutes, his whole body aching for her touch and his mouth wishing nothing but to make her realize just how much he needed her. He knew she had just gotten back at him, and cruelly so - he would add - for walking out on her earlier... But, God! How much could SHE take of this?!
Then the door opened again and the soft steps down them could be none other than hers.
She stopped before him, mischievious look on her face. He smiled at the sight of it.
"Devil," he grumbled and she smiled as well.
"You can't EVER do what you did up there to me EVER again, understand?" she asked and he nodded.
"I'm sorry," he replied. "I didn't know what else to do. This is too crazy, Buffy, you have to realize that too."
She nodded thoughtfully.
"I know I'm crazy - loving an immortal vampire," she stated. "But I do," she then added, letting go of the hems of the robe before having it slip off her shoulders as she approached him. "I love you and I'm not gonna stop saying that just 'cause of some stupid, old spell being lifted! This is what I feel, remember? The spell didn't put these feelings inside of me, YOU did!"
He smiled at that and she moved around him to get the chains open again.
"It's just that it comes a bit too easy to sound...Buffy-like," he now remarked and she almost giggled, his wrists being free she unwrapped the chain from around him and then tossed it aside, ignoring the scrambling it made as she once more faced him.
Crossing her arms over her chest she tilted her head slightly and then asked:
"What is that supposed to mean?"
He smirked, getting to his feet and pulling his jacket off as he answered:
"I wouldn't have thought you to say those three words easily, Slayer."
"Well, then you were wrong, weren't you?" she retorted, watching him as he pulled the fresh T-shirt he had put on prior to leaving her room over his head. "You're taking your clothes off," she now remarked and he raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah," he replied.
"Why?" she asked and he could hear the hint of tease in her voice as he unbottoned his pants.
Sliding them down his legs before stepping out of them he smirked.
"Just thought I'd make you feel a bit more comfortable," he answered, nodding to her stark naked form and she smiled widely.
"Is there a hidden meaning in that sentence somewhere?" she wondered hopefully and he returned her smile as they approached each other.
"How about several?" he asked back and she reached up her arms to wrap them around his neck.
Her kiss spoke so much louder than words and he held her tight to him as he kissed her back.
***
Seven hours later Buffy curled up in his arms. They had moved themselves up to her bedroom four hours ago - after three rather bumpy and lumpy hours in every corner of the basement. The morning light was spreading through the slits inbetween the closed curtains of her bedroom windows and the Slayer sighed rather happily before nestling her face against the crook of his neck. He held her to him and smiled a little.
Her left arm was on his chest and her indexfinger kept making slow circles across his skin. He remembered the movement from that night in the mansion.
"I wanna sleep," she mumbled and his smile broadened.
"I think you should," he replied, kissing the top of her head and pulling her yet a little closer, hugging her gently.
"I want you to know that I'm really sorry," she said now. "For all those times I hurt you, belittled you. I had no right to do that... and I wish I hadn't."
"It's in the past," he stated silently and she moved her head to look up at him.
He did the same to meet her eyes and then they both smiled.
"I love you," she mimed.
"Love you too," he mimed back and then their lips met in a soft kiss.
She was asleep three minutes later and he listened to her calm breathing until he slowly drifted off as well.
***
Willow stared at the spell before her and then she closed her eyes in disbelief.
How had she been able to miss reading all the fine text? She didn't remember herself as stupid. Careless, yes. A bit too much at times. But she had still been cautious. Obviously not cautious enough. The text before her, written in letters which seemed ancient in a book which looked older than that, read like this:
"To release the persons set under the spell from its bonds you must have a lock of their hair. Burn the lock of hair in the flame of a blue candle at midnight the third night after you cast the spell. With the lock of hair you must also burn a picture of the female and male who you have desired to bring together. Once these two items are devoured by fire you must collect the ashes and scatter them for the wind and their emotions shall once more be set free. If you should fail"
And there the page was torn.
Willow had read the paragraph three times already and each time she reached the part that would have told her what to do - now that she had blown it with performing the lifting of the spell the very third night after casting it - she paused in disbelief.
What exactly was she to do now?!
Calming herself she moved to the computer sitting on the dining room table of the Summers house.
Willow had collected the book from Anya half an hour earlier. The latter had been reluctant at lending it to her, but Willow had assured her that she wasn't going to do anything but read in it and that Anya would have it back by the end of the day - the following afternoon at the latest.
Sitting down in front of the screen Willow tapped in the name of the book and hit enter, the computer beginning its search immediately but almost just as quickly there was a "no matches found" page coming up to greet her and she sighed.
"Darn," she grumbled.
Thinking for a moment she typed in the name of the Wicca who had been the only one to sign her name by those spells written into the book by her.
Nothing.
Grabbing the notebook Willow had placed beside the computer and the pen ontop of it she sat back and then she paused before closing her eyes. If she wanted it bad enough she might be able to find some link on her own, or even the missing peice of the page.
Then she opened her eyes again.
It was too dangerous. What if she got something wrong, one crucial peice, and she ended up ruining Buffy's sense of love forever? The risk was too great, the stakes were too high.
Going back to the notebook she began to write down possible keywords to search by.
***
Buffy stirred. Suddenly waking with a start she mumbled:
"Mom? Mommy?" as she struggled to sit up.
Spike woke as well and he held her down again, holding her gently to him as she murmured something incoherent before saying:
"Spike, I had sucha weird dream."
The fact that she was aware of being in his arms made him almost self- conscious and then he asked:
"What was it about?"
"About my mom and she was throwing little marshmallows over me and I was dressed in a wedding dress only it was light blue and she kept saying it was the latest style," she answered, voice still slightly slurred from sleep. "And then we were in the kitchen and she was smiling at me and taking my hands in hers and looking all mom-daughter-bonding time the way she used to and then she said 'She promised you'd tell him. She knew. You have to tell him.' It was in the majorly weird category, I tell you," the Slayer finished and Spike frowned slightly at the sneaking suspicion that he should know what Joyce had referred to.
Then he shook it off as they now both moved their heads to look at the other.
"It sounds it," he nodded and Buffy smiled.
"Good morning," she said, pulling up a little to grace his lips with a kiss.
"Good afternoon," he corrected and she smiled again, then she pouted as he deterred from returning her gesture of affection.
He smirked before moving his head forward to nibble her lower lip and she moved her left hand up over his chest and into his hair to pull his mouth closer before she deepened the kiss. They pulled apart after a long while, both content as they once more relaxed in the others arms.
"I'm scared," Buffy murmured.
"What for?" he asked and she kissed his shoulder before she pressed herself closer to him, answering:
"That I'll go all stupid and Buffy-like and push you away once Will figures out how to lift the spell."
He smiled, holding her tight.
"Me too," he then grumbled and she gave him a playful shove.
"Really not helping here," she stated and he looked down at her for a moment before biting the tip of her nose and she cried out in surprise and fake-pain before she laughed.
He smiled and then kissed her. She let out a low "mh", returning it.
"I want this to last forever and ever," she sighed as she placed her head on his chest again and he reached up a hand to gently run his fingers through her hair.
"Me too," he agreed and she smiled.
"We could stay in bed, talking and cuddling and kissing," she mumbled dreamily and he closed his eyes at the thought, enjoying it as much as she did. "Making love..." she then added and he opened his eyes again.
Then he smirked.
"Set a new record?" he wondered and at that she giggled.
"Well, for the In-The-Bed category, anyways," she retorted and he laughed softly. "If I asked you something... would you answer me?" she wondered and he grew serious as he nodded.
"Always," he assured and she paused for a few moments before she said:
"When did you first know that you loved me?"
He chuckled.
"It's...a little over two years ago now, I suppose - if you don't count the spell thing which I of course forgot. It was the night I kidnapped that doc from the Initiative, remember?"
"Oh, how could I forget?" she wondered. "I was so angry with you I wanted to boil you alive. And I was so scared I hardly wanted to face you," she confessed and he cocked an eyebrow.
"Didn't show on you," he said and she smiled.
"I'm the Slayer, you think fear shows on me?" she asked and he smiled as well.
"You hid it well," he complimented and she smirked.
"I think I rather would've let you kill me than have shown you just how much you frightened me," she stated and now he laughed.
"Well, I can't bloody blame you," he assured and she smiled, looking up at him.
"I love to hear you laugh," she said, voice warm and he returned her smile. "I don't think I've ever really heard you do that."
Now he tilted his head to one side as he observed her and he didn't need to say anything. Of course he hadn't had too much to laugh over during the past few years or so.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled and he shook his head, moving a hand up to brush away some runaway locks of hair from her cheek.
"Don't be sorry for things you can't change," he replied and she smiled tentatively at that before pulling herself up and kissing him lovingly.
"You think you're so clever, don't you?" she asked and he gave her another kiss on the lips before nodding intently. "Well..." she tried, then shook her head a little. "That's 'cause you are."
"Woah with the slander!" he shot and she smiled widely at that.
"Kiss me?" she asked and he nodded, pulling her to him and kissing her deeply.
Kissing him back she reached up and put her arms up behind his head, moving so that she lay ontop of him.
He slid his mouth from hers and down the side of her throat. Biting her lower lip she murmured:
"Touch me."
His hands obeyed in the next instant as they slid down her back beginning to explore every curve of her body. She moaned.
"Let me..." she whispered.
His lips found hers again and then she reached down and carefully directed him into her, his eyes growing and she smiled. Kissing him again as she started to move her hips slowly. His hands placed themselves on them, and he closed his eyes in rapture. The mountain built laggardly and she closed her eyes as well. The joined release had them both breathing hard and she rested still ontop of him, their chests scraping together gently as they descended.
"You liked?" she whispered now and he smiled, nodding.
"Want more," he murmured and she returned his smile.
"Okay," she agreed and he had a teasing expression grow into his fearures before he said:
"You're so easy."
She raised her eyebrows, then moved her head forward, parted her lips and took his lower lip between her teeth. He made a small noise as though it was hurting him, but the moment following it turned into another sort of sound as her tongue traced it in one lushious movement.
Sliding down to press her lips agains the cool skin of his upper torso he let hear a moan of anticipation and she smiled, licking her way to his right nipple and then scraping her teeth against the delicate skin around it. Now he drew a sharp breath and she smiled wider.
He was already hard inside of her and she began to move her hips once more, though this time she took it even slower.
"I'm gonna lose my bloody mind," he grumbled and she moved her head up to place it before his, the hint of a smile on her lips as she said:
"Then tell me what you want me to do."
His eyes grew for the second time, this time they filled with lust and she was very sure he liked that game. Actually sure that he liked that game a lot.
Jacy, Vampireskiss, Green and Spuffygirl - thanks for support and encouragement! Since it was there this chapter is here. ;) Thanks a lot!
One more part left on this story, guys. Hope you'll enjoy this one...
A.M.L, Annie.
***
He pulled away from her slowly, gliding out of her and she sighed.
"We could be doing this for a while, maybe I should get us some water," she said, sitting up and turning her head to him where he sat beside her.
He cocked an eyebrow and she nodded, slapping him on the leg and scooting to the edge of the bed.
"Water for me, blood for you. Heated?" she asked, reaching for the robe hanging on a hook on the wall and pulling it on as she turned back to him.
He still wouldn't answer, merely observed her and she smirked.
"Hold that thought, and I'll be back in a flash," she assured, walking up to the door of the room and opening it up.
Proceeding through it Spike watched her and then sunk back on the bed, closing his eyes and trying to restrain himself from laughing outloud with the argument that this wasn't going to last forever.
But she...she loves me, he countered in his mind. She's in love with me! Deep down she really is and THAT won't change!
But she might push you away, a small voice warned. Could you take that with the actual knowledge of how she feels? Of how it could be for the two of you if she would just open her heart to it?
He bit his jaws together.
No. No, he wasn't sure that he could take that without a fight. And pushing her would get him nowhere, that was for sure... Bloody hell!
Buffy trotted down the stairs and into the now emtpy kitchen with a satisfied smile on her face.
"Buffy."
She jerked at the sound of Willow's voice coming from behind her and turned around to face her friend, standing in the doorway.
"Hi," Buffy smiled, continuing on her set out course to the fridge to get a bag of blood and then retrieving a glass out of a cupboard before also getting a mug. "What are you doing up so late?" she added, opening up the bag and pouring the contents of it into the mug before moving it over to the microwave.
"What are you doing?" Willow asked, voice slightly concerned and Buffy raised her eyebrows at the question.
Mug safe within the microwave she hit the timer and then the on-button before grabbing the glass and turning to the sink to fill it with water.
"I'm just getting us something to drink," she answered. "I-I mean, not US as in us-in-the-same-room-on-the-same-bed and yes, actually that is exactly what I'm saying and I'm not gonna apologize for it 'cause you have NO idea how good I felt just now and how great I feel and..."
"Buffy!" Willow interrupted and the Slayer took a mouthful of water as she grew silent. "It's really important that this doesn't get out of hand, you realize that, don't you? You could seriously hurt him, and yourself."
Buffy smiled, then laughed softly, shaking her head.
"I'd never do anything to hurt him again," she answered, self-assured as the microwave dinged and the Slayer got the mug out before she walked up to the doorway leading to the hall. "I love him, Willow."
Willow met her gaze and then she nodded.
"I'm happy about that," she said, honestly. "You deserve someone to love and someone who loves you back and who looks after you when you're too tired or too busy to do that yourself. And I believe Spike could do that for you, because he really loves you, Buffy. But - I get the feeling you don't even remember the spell I told you about. The spell that started this whole thing. It makes you feel things that are there, but perhaps not in the exact way that you end up expressing them... or, well, they are there in that way 'cause otherwise they wouldn't be enhanced by the spell, but it's just that you can't control them and I..."
Buffy shook her head at that, walking past her friend and into the hallway.
"Buffy," Willow said and the Slayer stopped, turning partially around to meet her friend's gaze. "Just remember this, because I don't know what you'll feel once the spell is lifted. If all you felt up 'til tonight was pity or empathy or sympathy... then this might get to be too much for you. If you weren't ready to admit to yourself before tonight that there was the slimmest chance that you might even be interested in something more with Spike - then how are you gonna feel after the spell is broken and the great, big, huge amplifiar on your emotions is taken away? Please, Buffy. Just think one step ahead. The way you always do."
Buffy averted her eyes and then she turned away again, walking up to the stairs and proceeding to ascend them.
"38.6," she said as she stepped through the door and her eyes grew wondering as he straightened his back, fully clothed.
He smiled weakly.
"Thank you kindly," he replied. "But I'm afraid I can't stay."
Her expression dropped and she seemed uncertain of how to react to that as she watched him grab his jacket.
"Well, where are you going?" she wondered, walking up to the bedside table to put the glass and mug down. "You can't just leave! Can you?"
He looked at her for a moment and then he stepped up to her, bending down to kiss her tenderly on the forehead before pulling away and turning around.
"Get some sleep," he urged and she felt like he had just punched her in the stomach - all the air was leaving her lungs.
"Don't go," she pleaded as he walked up to the door. "Stay with me."
He had to promote every shred of willpower to step through that door and he couldn't answer her or look at her or he would have obeyed her. Leaving her with nothing was worse than any of it, but he was frightened of what this affair might do to their future relationship once the spell was lifted.
Buffy slowly sunk down onto the floor. She wanted to cry, but couldn't. The hurt she felt ran too deep for tears and finally she just doubled over and let it consume her.
***
"Willow," Spike said as they met on his way down - her way up - the stairs. "We need to see if we can find that book tonight."
"Spike, I'm too tired," Willow sighed. "Can't we say we'll do it first thing in the morning?"
He eyed her, then nodded as he seemed to see the fatigue on her.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "Of course we'll do it tomorrow. One request before you're off to bed though?" he added and she paused, then nodded. "Chain me up?"
She frowned.
"I dunno... Do you think it's really necissary to?" she wondered sceptically and he nodded.
"For varius reasons," he answered. "Please."
Finally she nodded her agreement and walked ahead of him down the stairs and lead the way down into the basement.
"When's the gang of adolescents coming back?" he wondered as she began to secure the chains around his wrists and torso.
"Tomorrow night," she answered. "Giles said they'd probably be back here late," she added.
"Willow," he now mumbled hesitantly. "Do you think, I mean after the spell's gone and all... that there's any chance that Buffy might actually still...?" he trailed off, but Willow could read the rest in his eyes and she drew a small breath in resignation.
"I really wish I could answer that question. I'll make sure to get up early tomorrow morning and run a search for that book. I borrowed it from a friend, but I think I saw it last year on one of the shelves at the Magic Box. Now, of course, that shelf is NOT a shelf anymore and so the actual finding of the book might take a while longer - but I'll try my absolute best," she finished and he smiled a little.
"Try harder than that," he asked of her and she returned the smile before taking a step back.
"All S&M-ed up," she declared and he smirked. "I'll see you tomorrow. If the First comes around tell it to smack itself over the head for disrupting our more SERIOUS issues," she added and at that he smiled widely, then nodded.
"Humor, I remember that," he said and she nodded.
"A good thing, humor," she stated and he nodded as well. "Good night. Don't let all the basement bugs bite," she added and he shook his head at her.
"Good way of getting my mind off things," he called after her as she mounted the steps of the stairs leading to the kitchen.
"Thought so," she replied and then flipped the light switch, the room flooding with shadows, and he heard the door close silently.
Closing his eyes he leaned his head back against the hard pillar to which he was chained. It was - without overdoing it - overwhelmingly uncomfortable since the low stool he was seated on wobbled slightly and in the most annoying way.
He tried to keep his mind off of Buffy, but couldn't.
What he had done just now had been close to unforgivable. Leaving her like that. He had been so set on leaving the house all together when the fact of the First had come back to him and had made him decide against it.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
"You should be," her voice answered and he opened his eyes, surprised he had neither heard nor sensed her entering through the door and descending the stairs. Though there was no mistake - it was her.
"Buffy," he breathed.
As he had thought, one look at her and all that obtained willpower was just another one flew over the cuckoo's nest.
She was seated on the third last step of the stairs and her eyes were relentless as they rested in his.
"We can't do this, Buffy," he now tried; wanting HER to be the one to stop them, as she always had been.
She rose to her feet, her bathrobe still on as she took the few steps down and then slowly came to stand before him.
"We can't?" she asked, pulling slowly on the knot of the belt holding the robe together and his eyes grew slightly.
She seemed to be set on playing a different role.
Licking his lips he watched as the knot let go and the two parts almost slid apart.
"No," he nearly whispered and she took a step forward, her curves hinting beneath the fabric before she parted her legs and took one of his between them, excrutiatingly slowly sinking down to sit on his thigh and his eyes moved to hers as she placed her hands on the upper part of his chest - not covered by the chains.
She leaned closer to him, her mouth just a fraction of an inch away from his, then she repeated:
"We can't?"
He swallowed, eyes going down again and the robe merely covering her breasts now - having slipped apart to expose her stomach and... He bit his jaws together as she moved her hips forward, sliding up his tigh to press her upper body to the side of his as she leaned down and kissed the right side of his throat.
"We...can't?" she now more demanded than asked and he was taking unnecissary breaths as he felt his whole body tense in an attempt to get free from the chains.
Buffy put her head up to look at him. Raising her eyebrows she then rose to her feet, taking a step back she pulled the robe closed tight around her and then she shrugged.
"Well, if you say so," she sighed, turning and walking up to the stairs, proceeding up them. "'Night!" she called as she reached the door and then he could hear her walk through it.
"Oh...God," he whined, shaking his head at himself and at the need to take the matter into own hands since he felt like he was about to combust - only he couldn't move, could merely suffer.
He sat absolutely still for nearly two minutes, his whole body aching for her touch and his mouth wishing nothing but to make her realize just how much he needed her. He knew she had just gotten back at him, and cruelly so - he would add - for walking out on her earlier... But, God! How much could SHE take of this?!
Then the door opened again and the soft steps down them could be none other than hers.
She stopped before him, mischievious look on her face. He smiled at the sight of it.
"Devil," he grumbled and she smiled as well.
"You can't EVER do what you did up there to me EVER again, understand?" she asked and he nodded.
"I'm sorry," he replied. "I didn't know what else to do. This is too crazy, Buffy, you have to realize that too."
She nodded thoughtfully.
"I know I'm crazy - loving an immortal vampire," she stated. "But I do," she then added, letting go of the hems of the robe before having it slip off her shoulders as she approached him. "I love you and I'm not gonna stop saying that just 'cause of some stupid, old spell being lifted! This is what I feel, remember? The spell didn't put these feelings inside of me, YOU did!"
He smiled at that and she moved around him to get the chains open again.
"It's just that it comes a bit too easy to sound...Buffy-like," he now remarked and she almost giggled, his wrists being free she unwrapped the chain from around him and then tossed it aside, ignoring the scrambling it made as she once more faced him.
Crossing her arms over her chest she tilted her head slightly and then asked:
"What is that supposed to mean?"
He smirked, getting to his feet and pulling his jacket off as he answered:
"I wouldn't have thought you to say those three words easily, Slayer."
"Well, then you were wrong, weren't you?" she retorted, watching him as he pulled the fresh T-shirt he had put on prior to leaving her room over his head. "You're taking your clothes off," she now remarked and he raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah," he replied.
"Why?" she asked and he could hear the hint of tease in her voice as he unbottoned his pants.
Sliding them down his legs before stepping out of them he smirked.
"Just thought I'd make you feel a bit more comfortable," he answered, nodding to her stark naked form and she smiled widely.
"Is there a hidden meaning in that sentence somewhere?" she wondered hopefully and he returned her smile as they approached each other.
"How about several?" he asked back and she reached up her arms to wrap them around his neck.
Her kiss spoke so much louder than words and he held her tight to him as he kissed her back.
***
Seven hours later Buffy curled up in his arms. They had moved themselves up to her bedroom four hours ago - after three rather bumpy and lumpy hours in every corner of the basement. The morning light was spreading through the slits inbetween the closed curtains of her bedroom windows and the Slayer sighed rather happily before nestling her face against the crook of his neck. He held her to him and smiled a little.
Her left arm was on his chest and her indexfinger kept making slow circles across his skin. He remembered the movement from that night in the mansion.
"I wanna sleep," she mumbled and his smile broadened.
"I think you should," he replied, kissing the top of her head and pulling her yet a little closer, hugging her gently.
"I want you to know that I'm really sorry," she said now. "For all those times I hurt you, belittled you. I had no right to do that... and I wish I hadn't."
"It's in the past," he stated silently and she moved her head to look up at him.
He did the same to meet her eyes and then they both smiled.
"I love you," she mimed.
"Love you too," he mimed back and then their lips met in a soft kiss.
She was asleep three minutes later and he listened to her calm breathing until he slowly drifted off as well.
***
Willow stared at the spell before her and then she closed her eyes in disbelief.
How had she been able to miss reading all the fine text? She didn't remember herself as stupid. Careless, yes. A bit too much at times. But she had still been cautious. Obviously not cautious enough. The text before her, written in letters which seemed ancient in a book which looked older than that, read like this:
"To release the persons set under the spell from its bonds you must have a lock of their hair. Burn the lock of hair in the flame of a blue candle at midnight the third night after you cast the spell. With the lock of hair you must also burn a picture of the female and male who you have desired to bring together. Once these two items are devoured by fire you must collect the ashes and scatter them for the wind and their emotions shall once more be set free. If you should fail"
And there the page was torn.
Willow had read the paragraph three times already and each time she reached the part that would have told her what to do - now that she had blown it with performing the lifting of the spell the very third night after casting it - she paused in disbelief.
What exactly was she to do now?!
Calming herself she moved to the computer sitting on the dining room table of the Summers house.
Willow had collected the book from Anya half an hour earlier. The latter had been reluctant at lending it to her, but Willow had assured her that she wasn't going to do anything but read in it and that Anya would have it back by the end of the day - the following afternoon at the latest.
Sitting down in front of the screen Willow tapped in the name of the book and hit enter, the computer beginning its search immediately but almost just as quickly there was a "no matches found" page coming up to greet her and she sighed.
"Darn," she grumbled.
Thinking for a moment she typed in the name of the Wicca who had been the only one to sign her name by those spells written into the book by her.
Nothing.
Grabbing the notebook Willow had placed beside the computer and the pen ontop of it she sat back and then she paused before closing her eyes. If she wanted it bad enough she might be able to find some link on her own, or even the missing peice of the page.
Then she opened her eyes again.
It was too dangerous. What if she got something wrong, one crucial peice, and she ended up ruining Buffy's sense of love forever? The risk was too great, the stakes were too high.
Going back to the notebook she began to write down possible keywords to search by.
***
Buffy stirred. Suddenly waking with a start she mumbled:
"Mom? Mommy?" as she struggled to sit up.
Spike woke as well and he held her down again, holding her gently to him as she murmured something incoherent before saying:
"Spike, I had sucha weird dream."
The fact that she was aware of being in his arms made him almost self- conscious and then he asked:
"What was it about?"
"About my mom and she was throwing little marshmallows over me and I was dressed in a wedding dress only it was light blue and she kept saying it was the latest style," she answered, voice still slightly slurred from sleep. "And then we were in the kitchen and she was smiling at me and taking my hands in hers and looking all mom-daughter-bonding time the way she used to and then she said 'She promised you'd tell him. She knew. You have to tell him.' It was in the majorly weird category, I tell you," the Slayer finished and Spike frowned slightly at the sneaking suspicion that he should know what Joyce had referred to.
Then he shook it off as they now both moved their heads to look at the other.
"It sounds it," he nodded and Buffy smiled.
"Good morning," she said, pulling up a little to grace his lips with a kiss.
"Good afternoon," he corrected and she smiled again, then she pouted as he deterred from returning her gesture of affection.
He smirked before moving his head forward to nibble her lower lip and she moved her left hand up over his chest and into his hair to pull his mouth closer before she deepened the kiss. They pulled apart after a long while, both content as they once more relaxed in the others arms.
"I'm scared," Buffy murmured.
"What for?" he asked and she kissed his shoulder before she pressed herself closer to him, answering:
"That I'll go all stupid and Buffy-like and push you away once Will figures out how to lift the spell."
He smiled, holding her tight.
"Me too," he then grumbled and she gave him a playful shove.
"Really not helping here," she stated and he looked down at her for a moment before biting the tip of her nose and she cried out in surprise and fake-pain before she laughed.
He smiled and then kissed her. She let out a low "mh", returning it.
"I want this to last forever and ever," she sighed as she placed her head on his chest again and he reached up a hand to gently run his fingers through her hair.
"Me too," he agreed and she smiled.
"We could stay in bed, talking and cuddling and kissing," she mumbled dreamily and he closed his eyes at the thought, enjoying it as much as she did. "Making love..." she then added and he opened his eyes again.
Then he smirked.
"Set a new record?" he wondered and at that she giggled.
"Well, for the In-The-Bed category, anyways," she retorted and he laughed softly. "If I asked you something... would you answer me?" she wondered and he grew serious as he nodded.
"Always," he assured and she paused for a few moments before she said:
"When did you first know that you loved me?"
He chuckled.
"It's...a little over two years ago now, I suppose - if you don't count the spell thing which I of course forgot. It was the night I kidnapped that doc from the Initiative, remember?"
"Oh, how could I forget?" she wondered. "I was so angry with you I wanted to boil you alive. And I was so scared I hardly wanted to face you," she confessed and he cocked an eyebrow.
"Didn't show on you," he said and she smiled.
"I'm the Slayer, you think fear shows on me?" she asked and he smiled as well.
"You hid it well," he complimented and she smirked.
"I think I rather would've let you kill me than have shown you just how much you frightened me," she stated and now he laughed.
"Well, I can't bloody blame you," he assured and she smiled, looking up at him.
"I love to hear you laugh," she said, voice warm and he returned her smile. "I don't think I've ever really heard you do that."
Now he tilted his head to one side as he observed her and he didn't need to say anything. Of course he hadn't had too much to laugh over during the past few years or so.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled and he shook his head, moving a hand up to brush away some runaway locks of hair from her cheek.
"Don't be sorry for things you can't change," he replied and she smiled tentatively at that before pulling herself up and kissing him lovingly.
"You think you're so clever, don't you?" she asked and he gave her another kiss on the lips before nodding intently. "Well..." she tried, then shook her head a little. "That's 'cause you are."
"Woah with the slander!" he shot and she smiled widely at that.
"Kiss me?" she asked and he nodded, pulling her to him and kissing her deeply.
Kissing him back she reached up and put her arms up behind his head, moving so that she lay ontop of him.
He slid his mouth from hers and down the side of her throat. Biting her lower lip she murmured:
"Touch me."
His hands obeyed in the next instant as they slid down her back beginning to explore every curve of her body. She moaned.
"Let me..." she whispered.
His lips found hers again and then she reached down and carefully directed him into her, his eyes growing and she smiled. Kissing him again as she started to move her hips slowly. His hands placed themselves on them, and he closed his eyes in rapture. The mountain built laggardly and she closed her eyes as well. The joined release had them both breathing hard and she rested still ontop of him, their chests scraping together gently as they descended.
"You liked?" she whispered now and he smiled, nodding.
"Want more," he murmured and she returned his smile.
"Okay," she agreed and he had a teasing expression grow into his fearures before he said:
"You're so easy."
She raised her eyebrows, then moved her head forward, parted her lips and took his lower lip between her teeth. He made a small noise as though it was hurting him, but the moment following it turned into another sort of sound as her tongue traced it in one lushious movement.
Sliding down to press her lips agains the cool skin of his upper torso he let hear a moan of anticipation and she smiled, licking her way to his right nipple and then scraping her teeth against the delicate skin around it. Now he drew a sharp breath and she smiled wider.
He was already hard inside of her and she began to move her hips once more, though this time she took it even slower.
"I'm gonna lose my bloody mind," he grumbled and she moved her head up to place it before his, the hint of a smile on her lips as she said:
"Then tell me what you want me to do."
His eyes grew for the second time, this time they filled with lust and she was very sure he liked that game. Actually sure that he liked that game a lot.