Spike walks into the 'living room' portion of his crypt. He feels as though he would kill whoever is there, human or demon, for pulling him away from His Slayer. Then he looked up, shocked to see who it was. But pretty set on killing him anyway. What was he doing here?

That does it. He had her once and kept him from her before. He wasn't going to let him do it again. No matter how much pain he would be in. It would all be over when he saw her again.

"What do you want?"

"Buffy. Have you seen her?"

"Why would I tell you anything? You've hurt her before. I won't let you do it again."

"Won't let me? Who do you think you are? What makes you think you have the right?"

Buffy walked-in in time to hear his last comment. "No, the question is, what makes you think you have the right?"

Spike looked at her and smiled. "You look better than I do in that." He walked over to her and grabbed her around the waist, planting kisses down her neck. For a moment, they forgot about their company. He, in turn, didn't forget why he was here, Buffy. He walked over, grabbed Spike away from Buffy, and threw him across the room. Buffy, in turn, slapped him, sending him head-first into the wall. She ran over to Spike to check on him. Upon seeing he was fine, she turned back to the unwanted guest.

"Riley. What on earth are you doing? You could have killed him."

"That was the idea." He said while standing up.

"You walk out on me and hurt me. Then you come back and try to hurt me again. What are you doing here anyway?"

"Looking for you. I thought we should talk."

"No. I don't want to talk. I don't want to see you. I don't WANT you. … I have someone else now."

Spike wraps his arms tightly around Buffy's waist to give her strength. He knows this must be hard on her. But it's something she needs to do. Plus, he liked seeing soldier-boy's mouth drop.

"You mean. Him? You picked him over …over me?"

"He's twice the man you'll ever be. And HE loves me."

"I love you too. And he's a demon. An animal. He's incapable of love."

"Is that so. Then explain why he has always been here and everyone else who says they love me leaves. He didn't even leave when I died. He is my strength. And he isn't scared of what I am."

Riley stands there shocked. He can't believe HIS Buffy is actually dating Spike. Evil. Vampire. Don't mix with Slayer. His mind wanders back to what she had just said.

"You…you died?"

"Yes."

"W…when?"

"Fighting a battle you were supposed to be there to help me with instead of getting your life sucked out of you for fun. …Glory. Remember her."

"Oh." Riley's heart dropped. That was the reason she had left him. She was right but he didn't want to admit it.

"So, this …this monster. He's your boyfriend now?"

"No." Buffy states simply, not giving away her plan.

Spike looks at her questionably and somewhat disappointed. But he trusts her. Buffy sees the look and decides to expand on her statement. She turns to Spike.

"Sweetie, according to his philosophy you're some sort of animal. So what does that make me?" She smiles at him.

"Um… … …My …mate?"

"Exactly." She kisses him lightly on the lips.

Riley looks even more shocked. "But, don't vampires mate for …uh…eternity. That is, if they ever actually claim their mate."

"Exactly." Both Spike and Buffy say. Then Buffy turns and kisses him passionately.

Without even looking away from Spike. "Would you mind shutting the door on your way out."

Buffy goes back to kissing Spike. Spike starts to remove his duster from Buffy. Riley runs out angrily. Why didn't someone warn me? Now they're going to get it.