Thanks for the great reviews. I'm sorry to drag on the angst, but like I've said - 7 weeks is a long time!! (I'll try not to keep them apart for too long. And I promise to keep it interesting in the meantime) Enjoy and keep giving me feedback!

Special thanks to Lady Anne for being a great temporary beta while Flames is away!

FYI, the story is now up-to-date on Spuffy Archives – so go check out www.spuffyarchives.com. "Summer Nights" is up for fic of the week, so show me love! (but please only vote once – the poll went wonky last week) Take the time to check out the other fics there – SA has the best collection of AU fiction on the net!!

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Spike watched as Buffy disappeared into the cabin. 'What just happened? Five minutes ago we were having the shag of the century, now the poof's here and she's gone inside for god knows what.' He looked to Angel then back to the door, not wanting to believe the thought that entered his mind. 'She wouldn't have . . . would she?'

The smug brunette broke the silence. "Kinda fickle isn't she? I guess it takes a lot to satisfy that wicked appetite of hers."

The haze finally cleared from Spike's mind as he allowed the truth to sink in. He looked at the flowers and card, now clenched tightly in his fist, and swallowed back the roar that was about to erupt from his chest. 'Just like the bloody rest of 'em.' Anger consuming him, he lifted his eyes to the back door of Revello, shooting icy daggers through the wood. He dropped the gift on the steps, and stormed off into the night.

Angel yelled after him, "I don't mind sharing if . . ." and stopped as soon as the blonde was out of earshot. He took a seat on the steps, smirking at the crumpled flowers that now lay beside him. 'Nice touch Spike. Couldn't have planned it better.' He sighed and looked at his watch. 'What is taking her so long?'

Angel opened the door and peered into the hallway. He was about to go tell her to hurry up when the first notes of 'William Tell's Overture' filled the hallway. Afraid his cell phone would wake the campers, thereby busting him in a girls' cabin, Angel rushed out of Revello.

"What?" He whispered harshly to the caller. "Oh, hey Darla . . .No, I had to run out to get an ice pack from the nurse," he lied. "Right now?. . . I can't. I have to take care of this kid's knee and . . ." before he could finish with his excuse, a wicked grin spread across his face, and he spoke with interest. "Anywhere?. . .I'll be there in 10 minutes."

Angel hung up the phone and looked back to Buffy's door. He peeked inside once more and when he didn't see her, he closed it again. 'Her loss,' he thought, and left to go take Darla up on her offer.

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Spike entered his room in The Crypt and turned on the light. He calmly looked around the room, taking in his surroundings. Suddenly, everything that was on his dresser was swept to the floor - CDs, photos, and papers went flying. Spike kicked his door closed and began punching the wood repeatedly. He let out a low scream and continued his assault until his knuckles bled. When he finally stopped he looked at the blood and let out a strained chuckle. Making his way to the bathroom, he kicked aside some of the materials that had fallen in his path during his destructive outburst. He turned on the faucet and let the water run over his injured hand. Swallowing the pain down, he looked at himself in the mirror. 'You are a fool,' he thought to himself. 'You let another woman weasel her way into your heart, only to have her rip it out. They know what you're good for . . . they take it. . .and you let them.' He stared at his reflection and spoke, voice drained of emotion. "They're all the bloody same." He used one of his washcloths to dry the blood and water from his hand, then tossed it in the trash.

Once back in the main room, he reached for his duster, and pulled a pack of Marlboro's from the pocket. He went to light it then realized he couldn't exactly smoke in the cabin. "Damn," he muttered, shrugged on his duster, grabbed his smokes, and exited the room.

Spike walked outside and took a seat on a wooden bench near the cabin. He lit his cigarette and inhaled deeply. 'What is wrong with you? Haven't you learned anything? Atleast it took you months to give your heart to Cecily. Three days and this little bint has you buyin' sodding flowers and professing words of love.' He felt the tears begin to form in his eyes, and took another drag of his smoke. He remembered the way Buffy unbuckled his pants and forced him into her body. Sure, he was willing, but it definitely wasn't his idea. 'The girl needed to get off. Why should she be any different? They're all the same.' Spike tried to sniff back his tears, only to have them flow more freely. He buried his face in his hands trying to shove them down.

"What possible catastrophe came crashing down from heaven and brought this dashing stranger...to tears?"

Spike looked up at Drusilla, who was now standing in front of him, flashlight in hand. "Not exactly a stranger Dru." He said wiping the wetness from his face.

She thought about that for a moment, then continued. "I see you - surrounded by fools who cannot see his strength. His vision. His glory." She paused, and watched as Spike still sat there in depressed silence. She approached him, doing a little wiggle, and said plainly, "That, and burning baby fish swimming all 'round your head."

Spike stood up and positioned himself behind the bench. "Have you completely gone sack n' hammers?" he asked, wary of the strange girl standing extremely close.

Dru smiled. "Sorry, just tryin' to bring a little 'umor in. . .'at's all. . .try to lighten you up a bit."

Spike examined her with wide bloodshot eyes; soon he was laughing uncontrollably, the ridiculousness of her gesture getting the better of him. She joined him and they both completely lost it.

Calming, they took a seat on the bench, and looked out into the night. Releasing a few final chuckles, Spike turned to Dru. "So, what are you doin' out here princess?"

She took a deep breath, allowing her heart rate to slow. "OG sweep. Makin' sure none of the kiddies are up to any first-day hijinks."

Spike nodded, looked to the starry sky, and spoke softly. "Thanks." He turned to Drusilla again. "You know. . .for stopping. I needed a good laugh." The raven-haired girl nodded, and patted him gently on the knee. He quirked an eyebrow in her direction and wagged a finger in her face. "But I still think you're off your nut." That set them off again. Their laughter continued for many minutes, echoing through the darkness.

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Buffy sat down on her bed and looked down at the items she still held. She fell back to her pillow, and brought the flowers to her face, inhaling their sweet scent. Buffy rolled over onto her stomach and looked at the crushed envelope. She set the flowers down next to her body, and with shaking hands, began opening the letter. She pulled out the small piece of stationary and tried smoothing it, to no avail. The penmanship was a beautiful sweeping script, and it was a shame that the crinkles in the paper tarnished it. 'Who's fault is that?' a nagging voice asked. Buffy swallowed the lump that formed in her throat and began reading.

Buffy,

A wise man once said "say it with flowers." I don't know who that was, but it sounds like a good idea. I have selected three flowers - one for each day since you came into my life - to try to express how you have captivated me. It was either this, or bloody awful poetry - and I don't think I'm ready to embarrass myself like that yet 'luv.

Buffy giggled, remembering how he told her about his days brooding at home, writing poetry of his despair.

The first is a Tiger Lily. The woman behind the counter told me it represents 'dangerous pleasures.' That's us luv. Every touch, every kiss, every glance is exciting, frightening, and consuming, in a way I never knew possible.

Buffy stroked the beautiful red petals of the flower. They were soft and delicate, yet their coloring hinted at the danger and wildness beneath the surface. She closed her eyes and ran a finger over her swollen lips, imagining his mouth pressed to hers. With a sigh, she opened them once again, and continued reading.

'My passion will neither dim nor fade.' That is the message of the yellow rose, as I'm told it represents 'Constancy, Fidelity and Loyalty.' Since the moment you gave me a concussion in the cafeteria, I was yours. From then on, I was spoiled for any other woman.

A wave of nausea swept through Buffy's body. 'Constancy, fidelity, and loyalty,' she laughed weakly and spoke aloud, "I am the devil."

The last is a Begonia, which means - 'Beware! I am fanciful!' Right . . .I thought it was pretty.

Buffy let out a loud laugh at that, and pictured Spike's reaction to the lady at the flower shop when she told him the meaning of the flower she now held in her hand.

Before I met you, I was convinced that love and passion could not exist without pain. That men and women were placed on this earth to destroy each other. These last few days with you have reminded me that it doesn't have to be tears, drama, and the end of the world all the time.

"Yup. . .definitely the devil."

You have rejuvenated my spirit, touched my soul, and stolen my heart.

Forever yours,

William

Buffy's body went numb. While he was writing these beautiful words and coming up with this elaborate gesture, she was busy kissing Angel. 'Then what do I do? I jump Spike the second I have the chance and fuck his brains out against a tree like a friggin' nymphomaniac. Not to mention, that after I have the best orgasm of my life, I just leave him standing there - no explanation for Angel's presence.'

"I am an evil, soulless thing." She muttered shaking her head.

Buffy stretched her sore body out on the bed. Her muscles ached from the roughness of her and Spike's encounter, not to mention that this was her first time in a long, long while, and her body was not very forgiving. The dull ache between her thighs, as well as the remaining stickiness from Spike's semen, reminded her that she had completely disregarded the thought of protection. She had needed him so badly at that very moment that she didn't even give it a second thought when she pulled his unsheathed erection into her body. What had come over her lately? It's like there was a completely different person living inside her body, forcing her to do these very un-Buffy-like things.

Suddenly, Willow rushed into the room and stood next to Buffy's bed shaking her finger at the girl sternly. "Use condoms!"

Buffy's face went white. "What? How did you know?"

Willow plopped down on the bed next to her friend and patted her softly on the back. "Everybody knows. Anya wouldn't shut up about it."

Buffy bolted up in panic. She looked at the redhead with wide eyes. "Anya knows!?" A million thoughts swarmed through Buffy's head. 'How did she find out? Did she hear us? See Us? I hope the kids didn't hear anything.'

Willow looked at Buffy strangely. "Of course she knows, she was there, remember?"

"Huh?" Buffy asked, completely confused. 'Did I see her while I was in the throes of passion and completely forget?'

Willow looked at her friend warily and spoke slowly. "The meeting Buffy . . . with your girls . . . the whole 'Condom' speech that went awry?"

Buffy's breathing slowed and she swallowed heavily. "Oh that-" she let out a nervous giggle, "-of course." She let out a very strained and fake laugh, trying not to look at her friend. "Boy was that a riot."

Willow furrowed a brow at Buffy. "Of course. What did you think I was talking about?"

"N-n-nothing." Buffy stammered. "That's what I thought you meant. I'm just exhausted after this long day and got a little confused."

"What happened?" Willow asked softly.

Buffy groaned and fell back to her pillow. "Where should I start?" she said, placing an arm over her eyes, blocking out the harsh light, and her friend's curious eyes. Deciding it would be best if she just spat it all out in one breath, she spoke quickly. "I got freaked, kissed Angel, but I want Spike, so I screwed him in the woods about an hour ago, sans condom, forgetting that I had already told Angel I'd meet him to watch a movie, he showed up five minutes post-coitus, while I was changing, they both left, now I'm all alone, which was what I was trying to prevent all along, and I'm a bad bad girl, the devil actually, who needs to be taken out and shot." Buffy took a deep breath when she finished, and slowly turned her eyes to Willow, who just sat there dumbfounded. She spoke again trying to ease the tension in the room. "And it's all your fault you know. Cuz you weren't there to smack some sense into me when I needed you." Buffy looked away sheepishly, knowing very well, that she was the only one to blame for this whole damn mess.

"Wow," Willow breathed. "You really fucked up, didn't you?"

"Hey!" Buffy said incredulously. "You're supposed to be supportive here!"

The redhead shook her head. "I don't know if I can. You've finally let your abandonment issues get the better of you." Buffy pouted, but knew her friend was right. "First of all, how could you have sex without a condom? Not that I think Spike's dirty or anything . . .but Buffy you've known him three days. It's not like you."

"I know," Buffy said softly. "I completely lose all control the second I touch him; all rational thought leaves my brain. It's kind of scary," the blonde admitted.

Willow nodded. "When you have passion like that with someone, it's hard to think straight. But what about . . .you know?" she asked making a waving motion near her crotch. "Do you need me to take you to the Planned Parenthood tomorrow for the morning after pill?"

Buffy shook her head rapidly. "No. After the whole thing with Parker, I decided not to take any more chances. I'm on Depo-Provera now. It's like 99% effective, and I got my shot right before camp, so I'm safe for about 2 ½ more months."

"That's good that you did that Buffy, but it still doesn't make it ok," Willow said sternly.

Buffy raised her voice, "I know. I was stupid. I made a mistake!"

"Calm down Buffy." Willow said, placing her hand over her friend's. "I wasn't only talking about that," she paused and looked at Buffy pointedly. "This thing with Angel and Spike. . .what are you going to do?"

Buffy sighed, and felt tears burn her eyes. "I don't know. This thing with Spike is scary. I've never felt this before . . . ever. I'm so afraid it's going to destroy me to watch him get on that plane."

Willow nodded sympathetically, and squeezed her friend's hand.

Buffy sat up and passed Spike's letter to Willow. The girl read it and looked up at her friend. "Wow. I mean. . .I knew about the flowers. . .I was with him when he bought them. . .but . . .wow."

"And Angel. . .I've wanted him for years and now he wants me," Willow looked down, not wanting to influence her friend's decision. "He lives so close . . ." Buffy trailed off, and finally found her voice again. "But, he doesn't make me feel the way Spike does." The blonde broke into sobs. "I'm so lost." Willow took her friend into her arms and just let her cry.