A/N: Sorry these last few chaps are sooooooo short....

Chapter Seven

Now I'm looking up

And the shit keeps coming

Like shooting ducks

In a barrel of honey

~ 'Everybody Out Of The Water' by The Wallflowers

Buffy woke to the feeling someone was watching her. Opening her eyes, she smiled as she looked up at Spike. She asked in a quiet voice, "How long have you been up?"

He shrugged, "Not long." He leaned down, giving her a quick peck on the lips, "I love you."

"I love you, too."

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing you say that," Spike whispered before claiming her lips with his. She moaned and grasped the back of his head, pulling him closer. He moved to where he partially covered her body with his. She arched against his tantalizing hands as they moved over the body.

He broke the kiss to explore her neck, nipping and kissing. She threw her head back, giving him easier access. He groaned as her nails trailed across his back.

"Spike! Have you seen Buffy?"

The couple tore apart to see the intruder, Buffy pulling the covers up.

"Oh...guess you have," Dawn said with surprise in her voice.

Buffy groaned, annoyed with the intrusion, "What is it, Dawn?"

Dawn snapped her eyes off Spike's chest to look at her sister, "Huh?"

The Slayer rolled her eyes, "Dawn."

"Oh. Umm, just thought you'd like to know that the Council called. They're on their way here."

"Did they find anything?" Spike asked.

She nodded.

"Alright. We'll be right up," Buffy said.

Dawn nodded again and went upstairs.

With the two of then now alone, Buffy sighed, resting her head against Spike's shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Sensing the sudden change in her mood, he asked, "What's wrong, pet?"

"Just can't shake the feeling that somehow, the Council will come here with your death warrant in their hands."

He sat up, pulling her with him. "Buffy, luv, look at me," he said when she refused to meet his gaze.

Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet his. He was mildly taken aback to see them wet with unshed tears. Cupping her cheeks, he whispered, "Oh, Buffy, luv."

She reached up to swipe at her eyes, angrily brushing at the tears. "Damnit. I hate this."

"Hate what?"

"This whole thing. Feeling weak and powerless. Scared. About what the Council is going to say."

"Buffy, it'll be fine."

"But you don't know that!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, I do."

"How? How can you know?"

"Because I have you here with me. And I know that whatever happens, it won't matter because of that."

She nodded and he kissed her forehead. Wordlessly, both agreed it was time to get upstairs.

Spike watched the Watcher warily as they entered the living room. Lydia cleared her throat before beginning. "We've, um, we've researched the connection further as requested. It appears the Turok-Han's appearance is because of your soul, " she told the vampire.

"Okay. Whatever. But how do we kill it?" Buffy asked, standing next to her lover.

"We must remove the soul."

"What?" Spike asked.

Lydia remained calm, "Mr. Spike, that Turok-Han is here because of your soul. If you allow us to remove it, the threat will no longer be invincible as it is now."

"You can do that?" Buffy asked. "Because, his soul isn't some curse that can only be removed with a moment of pure happiness."

Lydia simply nodded.

Travers spoke, "We have a spell. Miss Rosenburg can perform it whenever she is ready." He looked at the witch, his expression telling her now was a real good time.

Spike stepped forward, "No, just wait a bloody minute. Did anyone think to ask me about this?"

Buffy looked at him, "Spike, I think you should do this."

"What?!" he asked, shocked.

"I think you should do it," she repeated.

He shook his head, "No. I can't do it. Not now."

"Why not?"

"Wh-why not?" he asked incredulously. "Do you think this is just something I can throw away at a second's notice? How can you trivialize what this soul means to me? You of all people should know what it means to me."

"I don't care!" she exclaimed.

Spike stepped back, as if he had been slapped. Suddenly anger rushed over him, and he s[un around and left the room. Buffy flinched when she heard the basement door slam shut. She looked at everyone, "Sorry about that...Excuse me."

She followed Spike's footsteps, heading for the basement.

End Part Seven