***** Chapter 11: Giving in to Temptation *****

The cool night air struck her face in a refreshing gust as she stepped outside. Closing her eyes and exhaling deeply, she leaned back against the brick wall, as she waited for the feeling of nausea to pass.

"Okay, pet?" Spike was beside her, gazing through his piercing blue eyes, concern etched in his features. He took a drag of his cigarette, then a swig from his flask.

"No, Spike. I'm not okay." She paused. Andrea looked at him. She knew she shouldn't, but surely just one . . . "Can I bum a smoke?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Sure, love." He pulled a cigarette out of his pack and handed it to her. She took a long drag as he lit it, then exhaled. She moaned. "Didn't know you smoked."

"I don't. I quit when I was seventeen. Mmm. . . Sweet nicotine."

"It's a bad habit. You shouldn't start again."

"What's in your flask?"

"Bourbon."

"Gimme that." She grabbed it roughly from his loose grasp and took three long swallows, when handed it back to him. He looked vaguely impressed.

"Feel better now?" She took another drag, then tossed the cigarette to the pavement and ground it out with the toe of her boot.

"Much. Thanks."

"No problem, Andrea." She pushed herself off the wall and started toward her car. "Where you going?"

"Get some food. Don't wanna get killed on an empty stomach."

* * *

Buffy sighed as Andrea left the shop. "So when is this ritual?" she asked, turning to Giles. He sat back in his chair, removing his glasses tiredly.

"The ritual has to take place during the quarter moon. That's on Thursday night."

"So we have three days. What do we do 'til then?" asked Willow.

"Well, just because the ritual isn't until Thursday doesn't mean that whoever's doing the ritual won't try to get at Andrea before then. They need her for the ritual, right? So why not just kidnap her and keep her drugged up 'til then?" Buffy pointed out.

"You are, of course, correct. Someone should stay with her until Thursday's passed."

"I can do it tomorrow, but I have to go to LA on Tuesday night."

"Why?" Xander frowned.

"Angel. What else?" said Dawn sarcastically.

"I really don't like him," Xander said unnecessarily, more to himself and Anya than anyone else. Buffy rolled her eyes and groaned exasperatedly.

"She can't stay by herself," Buffy continued. "If that Mellora demon comes back . . . We were both in pretty rough shape after we fought it."

"Correct again. But the only other person who'd have any kind of chance against the Mellora would be . . ." He trailed off.

"Spike," Buffy finished. Their gazes collectively flew to the door, which Spike held chivalrously open as Andrea stepped inside the shop, holding a bulky paper bag in each hand, a tray of drinks balanced on her head.

"Hey," she greeted cheerfully. "Got the food."
A/N: Hahahahahaha! You thought from the title that they were gunna have crazy naked bunny sex, didn't ya?!?! DIDN'T YA!!! Hahahaha! Fooled ya! But seriously, don't worry. I won't make you, or Spike & Andrea wait too much longer. LOL