"She Really Did"

By; Foolinq Love

The next day after our fun in the bed, I noticed how she hid behind Xander. Anya saw it too. The ex-demon glared at the Slayer who was hanging all over the Whelp. Jealously emitted off Anya like a light bulb emits light. She looked over at me, seeing if I was green with envy over the touching the two shared, but she saw I wasn't. I really was inside though. Bleeding hell, I was jealous, but I never once dared to show it within that house full of Potentials and what not. Buffy's had slid over Xander's as they casually conversed over the matters with the First. She was hiding her fears from her best friend.

A smile appeared on her face followed by a giggle. This was flirting. I lowered my head and began to read the book that lay open in front of me. Alas, I still heard it. "Oh Xander!" she squealed. Annoyed, I glanced up and noticed how his face was nestled softly against her ear. He was whispering something that had the Slayer giggling like there was no tomorrow. My crystal orbs moved over to the ex-demon that sat to my right. She seemed upset by the behavior and pushed the book in front of her away. Rising from her seat, she glared at Harris before stomping off. That's what I should have done too, but I continued to sit there.

Glancing to my left, I noticed Rupert and Niblet. Oh how this pleased the two of them. Dawn buried her head into her book and Giles began to clean his glasses. I heard the Slayer's giggle again and I just about had it. I forgot my book and watched them. He'd whisper something in her ear and then she'd chuckle over it until the next one came. Her hand would find it's way to his between his sweet stories. She looked up at me as he whispered. She just plainly stared at me. I knew she was hoping it was getting under my skin. I smirked at her and mouthed, "Have fun."

She raised a brow at my comment before turning her attention back to Harris. Rubbing his hand gently with her thumb, she whispered into his ear and then they were off. The two rose and made their way into the kitchen. The little boy looked up from his magazine. "I think something's going on between them." I rolled my eyes and looked down at the book. It was pure gibberish. Rupert coughed and I distinctly heard him clean his glasses. He then cleared his throat.

"Well, I truly doubt that would happen Andrew," he muttered. Glancing up at him, I closed the book. He looked at me. "She's just trying to prove to you it won't work between you too. If you'd stop hitting on her, she'd stop rubbing the fact that you can't have her in your face. You need to stay away from Buffy. Let her be. You may be her friend and she may tell you things she won't tell anyone else, but she doesn't want you like you wish she would." I looked over at the clock and stood up. Not saying anything, I walked into the kitchen.

Buffy sat alone on the counter, her chin resting on her knee as her other foot dangled above the ground. I glanced around, looking for the Whelp. She noticed and answered the question that ran through my mind; "He's not here. He went to go apologize to Anya." She paused. "And what are you doing in here?" I smirked as I made my way over to her. My combat boots smashing against the floor. I ceased when I reached the island in the middle of the Summers' kitchen. Leaning my hands on it, I looked at her. She appeared to be sad. She bloody better be after making me watch her flirt with Xander. Not to mention, Xander of all people.

Pointing to the clock on the microwave, I answered, "Patrol time. You want me to go round up the troops while you change?" She wore a pink corset-type shirt except with frilly little arms that hung under her shoulders and fading blue jeans hung from her curvy hips. Her feet were bare as well. It wasn't a slaying outfit. As for myself, I wore a black wife beater and black jeans. Normal apparel for me.

She slowly shook her head. Oh no, now she had to disagree with me. "No, I can go out in this." Her digits softly ran through her wavy tresses that hung down covering her neck. "And, I don't think we need to take the girls. Kennedy's got them working out in the basement. We can handle it on our own." I knew why she just wanted to go alone. She wanted to talk about what happened the previous night. To explain her actions, but not her words. I understood it completely. I nodded and turned around to fetch my duster. She slipped off the counter and ran off in front of me.

Following slowly in her traces to her room, I slipped my hands into my pockets. When I walked in, I noticed how she was slipping on socks as she sat on her bed. I walked over to a chair and grabbed my duster. Slipping my arms through the holes, I watched her as she pulled the black boots on over her feet. I picked up her black jacket. She stood up and grabbed it from me, putting her arms in. Afterwards, she looked at me. "Ready?" I felt for my stake in my duster. Upon feeling the wood, I nodded. She slapped her pocket, checking for her own stake before heading downstairs.

Once outside, we slowly began to walk toward the first stop of the night. Restfield Cemetery. She glanced over at me as she began to button up her jacket. "I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea last night. It was just the heat of the moment and, I couldn't control myself. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, but. . ." Her words began to falter. She didn't know how to explain it. I tried to stop her, but she just kept going. It was all her bleeding fault and she knew it.

"Slayer, I tried to stop you because I know how you feel about even the remote idea of us being together. It hurts you. But, I enjoyed what went on last night and it made me feel good inside. I love you Buffy. You know I want to be with you. But—" She cut me off.

"I think I'm in love with you Spike." My jaw dropped to the ground and I stopped walking. It was a crazy idea. She thought she loved me and I was then in heaven. She stopped walking and looked at me with those emerald orbs. I melted right there. "It's just. . .last night felt right and I was scared. But, I think I feel for you. I know there's something here between us and I'm just trying to sort out my feelings first before I come to that end all conclusion. So, before we go have that long us talk, let me think and sort it all out."

I blinked my eyes and took in a deep, un-needed breath of air. She had to sort out her feelings. I had a chance with the girl of my dreams. The girl I constantly thought of and wanted. The girl who I would do anything for. I was in heaven. I was the happiest vampire ever at that point as she spoke those words. I nodded slowly at the end of her speech. "Of course."

The rest of the patrol was pretty much silent. A few comments were made about what was happening within the house, but other than that it was silent. We reached the house and she paused at the porch. She looked up at me. "Can we talk tomorrow? Just the two of us, maybe in the basement. I can send everyone out patrolling and we can just talk about. . . this." Once again, I concurred to her train of thought and nodded. She placed her hand on the doorknob and looked back at me as she turned it slowly with her slender digits. She always seemed to look back. Pushing the door open, she walked inside with me following. I closed the door behind and walked into the kitchen as she made her way up the stairs.

I found Harris sitting at the island in the middle with a glass of milk and a cookie. He pointed to the stool across from him, beckoning me to sit. I sat down, folding my hands together atop the counter. I raised a scared brow at him. He swallowed the contents within his mouth before speaking. "I just want to let you know I'm sorry for what happened between Buffy and I earlier. She asked me if I'd flirt with her in front of you. She didn't say why and because I just hate you so much, I said yes. But, it meant nothing."

I smirked at him. "I kind of figured that out when I came in here after you two and you were gone. Slayer said you ran off to go apologize to Anya." He shrugged and took a swig of his milk. Setting it back down on the counter, he swallowed and looked at me. I knew he hated me and I hated him, but we had something in common. We both loved the Slayer and would do anything to protect her.

"Spike. I know Buffy has feelings for you. No matter how I try to ignore them, they're there. Every time you get hurt, she mends you back to health. Every time you need rescuing, she rescues you. She tries to spend time with you by making up excuses. I don't know if you see it or not, but there's something there. So Spike, I swear, if you hurt her either emotionally or physically, I'm going to stake you myself. Because this time, I know that she really does have some sick liking for you." He glared at me, but I knew he was just trying to protect his best friend.

I nodded. "Of course Harris. I promise I won't hurt the Slayer. I love her and you all know that." He finished off his milk and rose from his stool. He took his cup to the sink and washed it out. He put it away and walked to the door. Before he left, he turned back to me. I looked over at him. "Now what?"

"I just want to let you know that I still hate you," he said confidently before walking off. I rolled my eyes and turned back around. That Slayer sure was lucky to have so many people watching out for her back all the time. She was safe and protected by her friends. None of us would allow something bad to happen to her. Some of us would even give up our lives for her. As for me, I gave up being soul-less for her. And finally, she was taking note and rewarding me with her new thoughts of love.