Two To Tango
Chapter Nine: Prove It

"Cecily… Cecily who broke his heart… The night he was turned… Beneath her…" Anya grasped for the details. Halfrek had laughingly told her the details years while they cursed some Earl in France. Spike had given her a brief summary of the whole thing and she had never put two and two together. Not until she saw that look on his face when she said the name. "Oh no. Oh no, no, no. Hallie, you bitch!"

She jumped up and ran into the living room, hitting herself in the head with the heel of her hand. I'm an idiot. I'm a dope. I'm stupid.

"Spike," she called through his door, now twisting her hands together and shifting her weight from foot to foot. "Spike, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I didn't even realise until now. Halfrek told me about it over a century ago. She called you William, but I didn't realise… I didn't think you were the same person… Please, Spike, I'm sorry."

The door swung open and she cowered beneath the furious glare of a livid Spike.

"So you just realised five minutes ago who I was, huh?"

She bowed her head and shook it slowly.

"No," she squeaked.

"Go on then," he said, red hot anger suppressed in his voice as he leaned against the door and continued to glare at her. "When did you realise?"

"Hallie came into the shop a few days before all this…. She saw you leaving and said that was you, you were… William."

"And I suppose you two had a good laugh about it, eh? Thought it was really funny, did you?"

"No!" Anya protested, waving her hands wildly. "She just said she recognised you, we talked, then she realised who you were. She didn't say anymore, Buffy came in, so she left. I didn't remember everything she told me, just the railroad spike bit."

"You said you recognised my name and me from that one's description."

"Of course I recognised your name!" she huffed. "Practically everyone in the demon world does! You killed two Slayers! I recognised Angelus's name too! And when Halfrek realised who you were... But I didn't remember who Halfrek had been until I said it just then!"

He dropped his gaze, pinning it on the wall over her shoulder and breathed heavily. Shakily, she placed a hand against his chest.

"I would never laugh at you. I think she's a bitch for what she did. Really, Spike, I would never, ever laugh at you. And if she did I'd kill her!"

He let out a "huh!" of laughter that vibrated through his chest and thrummed along her fingers. She moved her fingers against his shirt and he looked down at her. He smiled reassuringly, placed his hand over hers, and gave it a light squeeze.

"I know," he let go of her hand and started to back into his room.

"Hey! Hey, where you going?" she grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward.

"Into my room. That a crime now?"

"You said you knew I wouldn't laugh at you," she said quietly.

"I do know that."

"So why are you going away from me?"

"Because - Because - "

"You don't really believe me, do you?"

"Can you really blame me?" he asked suddenly. "Can you really expect me to think you didn't realise all this time?"

She grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward. Taken by surprise, he stumbled forward against her chest. She wrapped her arms around her neck and pulled him down, crushing her lips to his. He struggled for a second, before he gave in to her insistence and held her tightly around the waist.

Anya pulled away gasping.

"There you go," she panted. "Now do you believe me when I say I would never laugh at you?"

She stalked off to the kitchen and he touched his lips with a frown.

"Right, I give up, I don't bloody understand you."

Anya sighed and looked up from where she was bent over, searching the shelves of the refrigerator.

"Don't you have anything edible? Didn't you do the shop? You've only got mouldy cheese, empty lager cans and two packets of blood."

"Anya, you are the densest person I have ever met."

"Well, that's pleasant," she answered, turning her attention to the cupboards, grabbing a pack of cookies that she ripped open. She offered him one whilst she munched her own.

"What the hell was that?" he demanded.

"What the hell was what?"

"You - you kissed me, you crazy bint!"

"Yes. I was making a point, Spike."

He hitched himself up onto the counter and dropped his head in his hands. Making a point. Everyone wants to make a point… Can't say I didn't enjoy that particular point, but it was just a point. Nothing that mattered. Which is fine. Great. Don't want to complicate things.

"Would you like to know what I was making a point about?" she asked, picking up another cookie.

"That you wouldn't laugh at me?" he offered.

"Besides that."

"Dazzle me."

"I still want you," she stated as though it was the simplest thing in the world. "And you still want me. I still love you, I think you still love me. And if you must know, sleeping with Xander made me realise you are much better in bed."

He smiled slightly in spite of himself. But come on, how could Harris be better in bed than him? He coughed slightly and became interested in the far wall.

"How do you know I still want you?" he asked.

She raised an eyebrow and snorted in laughter.

"Spike, I was with you long enough to know I can drive you wild with a kiss. That would have changed if you didn't want me anymore. It hasn't. I've still got it."

"So you think just 'cause I still want you and you still want me, we can just get back together?"

"Of course not! I'm not stupid. We can get back together because you love me and I love you."

"You make it sound so simple."

"That's because it is, honey," she got up and approached the counter. She leaned on it, one hand either side of his legs. He sighed gently and slipped one arm around her waist, the other hand cupping her cheek. He swept his hand over her hair and brought it to rest on her hip.

"And if it's not that simple?" he asked.

"We try harder," she answered stubbornly.

He laughed a little and kissed her forehead. When he looked at her, her eyes were closed.

"Y'know, if we get back together, we're gonna have to make up with Buffy and Xander."

"Why?" she demanded.

"'Cause you run the shop they have their meetings in. Plus, I don't much fancy the idea of being on the wrong side of the Slayer."

"Fine," she replied. "Do I have to like it?"

"No, no you don't have to like it, love."

"So are you gonna kiss me now or what?"

He laughed again and kissed her, sliding off the counter as he did so. He tightened his hold on her until he lifted her off the floor. When she pulled back for air, he brushed her hair back.

"God, I've missed you, Sunshine," he whispered.

"Prove it," she breathed and pushed against him. He backed out of the kitchen and stumbled into the bedroom, where he did just that.