Chapter 28: Another Interlude with a Vampire and a Slayer

*****

A/N: I'm going to start doing shorter summaries, just saying what happened to chapter before. If anyone would like me to go back to the longer versions, lemme know!

*****

Last chapter: Buffy and Spike tell everyone at her house they are a couple,' and Buffy talks to the S.I.T.'s about it. She goes to see Riley to tell him, and finds out that he's actually ok with it.

*****

Buffy arrived home to an empty house. Guess they're still out patrolling... She debated the possible merits of her going out and joining them, but since she didn't know where they'd be, she gladly gave it up as a lost cause.

After taking a nice, long, hot bath (a luxury she hadn't been able to enjoy for quite some time), Buffy headed to bed. She had originally meant to stay up until everyone came home, but decided that was ridiculous; she needed all the sleep she could get and, besides, she had work the next day. So after shutting the windows and closing the curtains tightly in hopes of waking in a certain vampire's arms, Buffy crawled under the covers.

It took her a bit longer than usual to fall asleep. Then she realized why: no Spike. He was so nice to cuddle with... and talk to... and be with... and love...

******

A few hours later, those who'd been out patrolling came home. As the S.I.T.'s settled down, Dawn asked Spike, Umm, I don't mean to pry, but where are you gonna be sleeping tonight?

Seeing Spike's odd expression, she hastily explained, It's just I want to know if I should set up the cot in the basement again because we washed the sheets so I can go get some if you want-

Spike interrupted the girl. No, but thanks, Niblet... I'm not sure where I'm sleepin', actually. I'll go see what Buffy says. And I know where the sheets are kept and, surprisingly enough, I can make a bed. So go on, get some rest.

Dawn hugged her big brother,' and he gave her a peck on the forehead.

Good night Spike.

Night Bit. Good job tonight

As Dawn bounded off to bed with a smile for his praise, Spike headed to Buffy's room. He tapped lightly on the door, peeking in when he got no response.

Seeing Buffy's sleeping form, he crept into the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

He stared down at her, so beautiful in the dark...

That's when Spike noticed the closed curtains. Since the air smelled so fresh, he knew the windows must have been open earlier. Had Buffy shut the curtains, thinking of him, hoping he'd sleep here? He smiled at that thought.

After changing into some comfortable pajama bottoms, he slid under the covers next to the sleeping Slayer.

Buffy shifted a bit as he got into bed.

she murmured sleepily.

Yeah, luv, it's me... you don't mind me here, right?

In answer, Buffy snuggled up against him, resting her head on his chest. Don't mind... you're my big, cool, teddy bear... with fangs. She giggled a bit, drunk with sleep.

A teddy bear, is it? I've gone from being the Big Bad, the Slayer of Slayers, to the Slayer's teddy bear... how far I've fallen.... Then Spike stared at her beautiful face, so close to his. But, bloody hell, look how much I've gained! He sighed, happily, content to be his Slayer's teddy bear.

He thought she'd gone back to sleep, but she once again mumbled,

Yeah, luv?

she agreed.

Spike waited for a moment, seeing if that made any sort of sense.

Nope.

Yeah, what, luv?

Yeah... luv... I love you, Spike.

He felt the world flip upside down for a moment before righting itself. He was lightheaded, overjoyed, ridiculously happy - then reality set in. Oh, bloody hell, you stupid git! She doesn't know what she's sayin'... she's sleepin'! Stupid bint... tormenting me even while she sleeps...

His thoughts were interrupted once again by Buffy's sleepy voice. And no, I'm not asleep... don't worry, Spike, I'll tell you again in the morning...

Doubtful, but willing to accept that for now, Spike finally let himself drift off, his Slayer in his arms.

*****

The next morning, Buffy slowly awakened to the annoying sound of her alarm clock. After throwing it against the wall (breaking it, and making a mental note to buy yet another alarm clock), she looked at the pillow' she'd been sleeping on. Spike.

Buffy remembered realizing that she really did love him before falling asleep, and vaguely remembered a conversation with him about that when he came in, although she thought that might have been a dream.

Realizing she needed to get up and get ready, but wanting to talk to her vampire, she woke him up.

she whispered, gently caressing his face. Wakey, wakey...

He made a disgruntled noise deep in his throat, and screwed up his face in a grimace.

Don't wanna... he mumbled, like a little kid.

Buffy giggled. Bet I can change that!

She leaned over and kissed him on the lips, starting out gently, but deepening the kiss as he started to respond.

After a minute or so, she drew back, waiting for him to open his eyes.

Spike did so slowly, smiling as he saw the beautiful face of his Slayer directly above him.

he said softly.

Hello, sleepyhead, she responded, equally softly, gazing into his blue eyes.

He smiled, and leaned up slightly to kiss her. Mmmm... I could get used to waking up like this.

Me, too, Buffy grinned. They stared at each other silently for a moment, before Buffy broke the silence. Hey, did we talk when you came in last night?

Spike sat up, gently moving her away from him a bit. Uh-oh, here it comes...



Oh... did I tell you I love you?



Buffy smiled at his expression. Because I do.

She leaned down once more to kiss him before bouncing out of bed, grabbing some clothes.

I gotta go to work today, so I need to get ready. I'll talk to you before I leave, k?

Spike was still in shock. Uh... would you mind saying that again?

Pretending to misunderstand, Buffy repeated, I have to go to work today.

He gave her a look, indicating he knew that she understood his meaning perfectly well.

She gave in. All right... Spike, I love you. Happy now?

He leapt out of bed and kissed her, long and hard. When she took a break for breathing, he whispered, Unbelievably, overwhelmingly, ridiculously happy.

She smiled at him, and said seriously, Good. I'm glad. And I'm happy, too... I think we deserve a little happiness, don't you?

Spike still had his doubts about his worthiness, but he merely smiled back and nodded, running his hands through her hair.

Giving him one last look, Buffy headed off to the bathroom, anxious to get it before the S.I.T.'s.

******

A/N: Well! Everyone's happy, isn't that nice? Of course, this is the Buffyverse, and no one's happy here long....

Thank you all so much for your reviews! Critiques are welcome along with the praise.



TammyDevil666 - I'm happy you like this fic despite the fact that you don't find Spike hot (which I can't fathom - but hey, to each their own!). I'm sure you're not the only Riley-lover out there, don't worry!


random reader - Glad that you're liking this fic for the most part. If there is out of character-y-ness, some may be due to bad writing, but some may be due to the characters' developments, since I have been trying to evolve the characters a bit - don't know if I've succeeded though!