Summary/Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

*****

Chapter 5

Buffy sat in the DeSoto while Spike found out where the nearest motel was.

It would be their second night in Mexico. After crossing the border they had stopped at the first motel they had seen.

Conversation had been kept to a minimum that night with both of them seemingly wrapped up in their own personal thoughts. Neither of them knew that their thoughts were talking them down very similar paths.

Both thought about their feelings for the other. Both thought about how those feelings had changed since they first met. Both thought about the possibilities of something more happening between them.

Both liked the idea.

Both thought about how it was very soon after their previous relationships had ended, then both dismissed that, realising their relationships had ended long before their partners had died.

Finally, both decided that they wouldn't push the idea, afraid the other would reject them, but they would just go with whatever happened.

*****

Buffy was startled by the hand on her shoulder, she hadn't even heard Spike enter the car.

"Whoa luv, only me."

"Sorry, bit distracted. So where's the motel?"

"That's the thing pet, nearest motel is 50 miles away. Seems there used to be one here but something happened to it. From the sounds of it some vamps came into town, ate their way through and burned the place down."

"They told you that at the gas station?"

"Hell no, but it's always a variant on a theme. You know how many times I've been referred to as a 'gang member on drugs'?" He gave a slight chuckle and Buffy had to laugh along. When she thought about it she wondered how anyone could believe the stories they were told by the cops and other officials. She voiced her question to Spike.

"Easy luv, people don't want to know about things such as yours truly. They'd rather believe some crock of shit than accept the truth that things aren't all sunshine and roses. Anyway, we've got a bit off topic here. As I was saying, there's no motel so it looks like we're spending the night in here."

"In here? As in, in this car?"

"Fraid so. Told you we'd end up spending the night in here didn't I? At least I got the thing cleaned in LA. Not come on and help me put these seats down. There's enough room for both of us back there, we'll just have to shift our stuff into the front."

After the back seats had been folded down flat and their clothes and food moved into the driver's seat, Buffy had to admit that the car was indeed spacious enough for both of them to sleep comfortably. She watched as Spike walked around to the trunk and retrieved something. He held it up to show her what it was. She saw that it was a blanket, quite thick but looking a bit worse for wear.

"Sorry, it's the only one I've got. Doesn't look much but it's nice and warm." She watched as he spread some of their clothes out to make a mattress and used some more for pillows.

"Come on then luv, hop in." With that both of them got into the makeshift bed, fully clothed. Buffy lay on her side, facing away from Spike. She was surprised when he moved over so he was pressed against her, her back pressed into his chest.

"Gotta keep warm pet. Gets awful cold at night in these places." Buffy nodded and took in a deep breath. It was then that she noticed that there was an odd smell to the blanket.

"Spike, why does your blanket smell of smoke?" Spike gave a low chuckle behind her.

"It's what I use to get around with during the day. Sometimes I end up a bit burned round the edges."

"Oh great, so I'm under this blanket breathing in the burned remains of you because you can't grasp that you're not meant to go out during the day?" The words could have sounded harsh but they were said in a teasing way. Spike was enjoying every minute of his banter with the former Slayer. It had been years since he had someone to actually talk to.

"Why should I let a bit of bloody light stop me from going where I want to?"

"Oh I don't know, how about because that 'bloody light' could turn you into a small pile of embers?"

"Careful luv, carry on talking like that and I might start thinking you care about me." Buffy turned to face him.

"Would that be so bad?"

Spike looked into her eyes, saw the same desire and emotions that he thought must be showing in his own eyes, and made a decision. To hell with taking it slow. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Pulling back slightly, he kept his gaze locked with hers.

"No luv, that'll be just perfect."

With that he leaned in for another kiss.

TBC

AN: Sorry I've been a few days, writers block is an evil thing and a cure needs to be found soon! Trying to write two stories at one that are so different is not the easiest of things to do.

So what about this chapter? Like it? Let me know!