"Have Faith" Pt 3/?

Buffy sat on the stair sipping her orange juice and watching Spike through the gap in the boards holding up the stair railing. Spike hadn't moved in hours and Buffy was starting to relax a little. He was sleeping like a baby which meant he had gotten over the shock of a new slayer. For a while at least. However, Buffy had yet to explain it all to him.

Buffy thought back to the night before and the words she had intended to say.

I know it's been rough on you lately, with all the stress of The First, training the potentials, and still patrolling with me at night. I know it's not really fair that you've had to deal with all of this and your soul and The First using you as a pawn. I just wanted to say sorry and that you're right. Even with all this stuff going on, I-we- should have a little fun-together-tonight. We no longer have anything to hide and I realize that I no longer care what people think anymore. I want to have sex with you again and I'd like to think it's purely mutual this time--with the whole 'love' thing I mean. In other words, Spike, I love you.'

Buffy was suddenly pulled from her thoughts as the basement door closed behind her. Willow quickly descended the few stairs and sat beside Buffy on the second to last one.

"Hey," Willow glanced at Spike and an apologetic look crossed her face.

"Hey, Will." Buffy stared into the last drops of her orange juice the
back at Spike. "I told the girls to meet you in the living room after breakfast."

"Yeah, they're just finishing up now. I told them a few more minutes." Willow's small smile faded. "Buffy, I'm so sorry! I should have told Faith about Spike--didn't think!"

Buffy smiled at her friend. "It's ok, Will. I should have told Spike about Faith. Then he would have at least known to duck."

The girls laughed lightly.

"I just hope he'll be okay, "Willow made her worry face glancing in the vampire's direction again.

"He'll be okay. I've done worse damage trying to get him to talk." Buffy laughed halfheartedly. "He's Spike. He'll get through it."

Willow laughed with her friend. "Well, I better get to those girls before Andrew starts telling them about Faith first." Willow stood up. "You coming?"

Buffy's eyes stayed glued to the sleeping vampire. "You go ahead. I'll be up in a little while. Still have some orange juice left!" Buffy playfully held up her glass and swished the tiny amount remaining.

Willow smiled in understanding then climbed the stair and left the slayer and vampire alone in soft silence.