***********************************TRApPeD**********************************
*****
Thirty-One: And Then There Was...
By Annie
2003-05-17
**************************************************************************** ******
Day Twenty-Five.
11.39 p.m.
Their kissing was slow and deep, still the desire was growing clearer for every new moment that passed and it was building in heat as their hands kept moving over the other. She slipped her fingers under the duster covering his shoulders to make it slide down his arms and drop to the floor. The sound made tingles run through her and she grabbed the T by the hem located at the base of his throat, tearing the fabric apart; and his hands grabbed her, twirled her around and pressed her up against the wall as his tongue grew even more demanding.
She moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck and returning the kiss as his fingertips slid up under her top and didn't stop until they graced her hardened nipples. Then he pressed his palms down, beginning a slow massage and she took her lips from his as she tilted her head back, letting the approaching ecstasy have its way with her.
He observed her face, the curve of her jaw, the way she had her brow just slightly furrowed. And he listened to her erratic breathing, to the steady and incredibly hard beating of her heart, to her blood pumping through her. And he felt the power resting within her, he sensed the passion circling right beneath her skin, he let his love for this woman take him over completely in that moment and he saw her in a way he never had before.
She was everything. She was the one thing that made him get up in the morning... especially since he should be sleeping when the sun rose. But she was the single thing on his mind, no matter what he tried to tell himself. And so help him, he didn't want it any other way. If he lost her he'd be truly dead. She made him feel...
"Oh, God, I can't take anymore," she whined, moving her head forward and kissing him deeply.
He brought his arms to her back as she jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist.
Her skirt was hoisted up as she did. Her hands moving down over his chest to the buckle of his belt, beginning to fumbling get it open and then proceeding with the button and zipper of his pants. Their kissing was harsh now, deep but eager. His hands slid over her waist and to her thighs, moving up under the skirt and grabbing her panties. He ripped them off easily and she moved her arms up to link behind his neck again just as he moved his hips forward and entered her.
They both gasped, the kiss being broken for a few moments as they opened their eyes and stared at each other. Then their lips caught the others forcefully. He began to take her roughly and her pleasure couldn't be silenced, her fingers grabbing fistfuls of his blonde locks as she clung to him.
He let his mouth travel from hers and to the side of her throat as he couldn't help but groan as well.
She was gasping, her breathing heavy now.
What she did to him was indescribable.
What he did to her... she was out of her body and yet at the core of it at the same time.
In this they were growing into one being as they moved together, linking in a way they weren't fully aware of and yet somewhere sensed.
He swirled around and took the two steps taking them up to the bed. Falling onto it he made her crawl backwards as he followed, still buried deep inside her and her head threw itself back as she reached her arms out and clasped the bedspread tightly with either hand.
He let his hands glide up under her top again, this time pulling it with his caress in order to get it off her. Once it was done he didn't hesitate before he let his tongue lick the outline of her collarbone to travel out to her shoulder.
She was panting, and she was trembling beneath him. Her legs were spread wide as her hips moved with his and he moved his hands along her arms before letting his fingers lock with hers as they were both growing close.
Once they reached the climax together they both practically stopped breathing, their motions dragged out and then they began to slow. Buffy let out the air in her lungs for taking in a fresh supply. Her heart was setting a new record and her fingers were still tightly grasping his. She released her grip tentatively, feeling his lips against the skin of her throat as he rested his head by the right side of hers.
"More," she whispered and he moved his face to have it before hers.
Grinding her hips upward his eyes grew slightly and he hardened quickly within her. His mouth fell open and she put hers up to meet it, pressing her lips to his with the fervour picking itself up again.
He obliged.
Gladly.
***
12.23 a.m.
Their limbs were shaking as they once more reached the peak together, neither one of them had even the slightest idea for what number in the order it was; neither one of them cared.
She was glistening with perspiration and her skin was gliding against his as she rolled him over onto his back and placed herself on top of him. He ran his hands through her blonde locks to get it out of her face and she smiled just a little before she kissed him. Moving her hips slowly she then pulled back again, keeping eye contact.
He slid one thumb over her cheek, looking at her in that not-interpretable way and she felt her gaze grow questioning. He merely smiled and she returned it tentatively.
How was she supposed to give this up? She had tried so hard to stay strong, and for such a long time she had been able to resist him... But forever? For some reason the mere thought had her heart skip a beat in pure protest and a hole opened up somewhere behind it. She didn't like the feeling. After all, this was nothing more than... what it was. Because it could never be. She couldn't have it be. More.
She closed her eyes and then let their lips meet again. Kissing him deeply she felt as though she wanted to cry all of the emotions within her out of her. But she knew she couldn't do that. They were there to confuse her and turn her inside out and upside down. And his eyes kept stirring them; his gaze kept drilling into her... What was it trying to tell her?
He groaned into her mouth and she was brought out of her musings as the pleasure embraced her again.
She let it.
Gladly.
***
1.02 a.m.
"Buffy," Spike murmured, her forehead to his as she kept taking trembling breaths beneath him.
"Don't... stop," she whispered, moving her mouth to his. "Don't ever stop... touching me," she added, nibbling his lower lip and he kissed her.
She immediately returned it.
***
"And you spoke to Riley?" Giles asked and Xander nodded. "And what did he say?" the older added and Xander shrugged.
"That he hadn't seen her since they had a very short conversation right after she got to the party," he then replied. "So we went looking for her, but since half the rooms we checked had locked and - apparently - barred doors we thought we'd see you, figure out a less shoulder-hurting approach."
"And you have no idea where she might be?" Giles wondered and Willow hesitated.
He looked at her and caught sight of it, reaching up and taking off his glasses he kept his eyes on her as he polished them in silence - waiting.
"Okay, so I might have an... idea," she finally mumbled, refusing to look at Xander and barely even able to look at the Watcher - who was slowly replacing his glasses - as she added: "She might be with... With Spike."
"I dunno, it's kinda late for whacking him over the head with a stick, don't you think?" he asked and she swallowed, shaking her head a little.
"No, that's not what I meant," she murmured. "Lately there's been something going on between them, and tonight Spike was acting really weird when I told him that Buffy and Riley have... Well, I think he went looking for her. So, it's probable to assume that he just might've found her."
Now she was being stared at by two pairs of disbelieving eyes and then Anya's eyebrows rose.
"So THAT'S why he was so grumpy earlier!" she then exclaimed and Xander turned his questioning gaze onto her. "Well, he was acting all moping over something... I figured it was over Dru, but this makes a lot more sense to me. Though... still not. Buffy and Spike? Together?"
At that Xander got to his feet, his brow deeply furrowed as he shook his head.
"I don't believe that you're accusing her of this! Where's your loyalty?!" he demanded and Willow rose as well, shaking her head calmingly.
"I'm not saying that they're together - together, Xander. I just think that... I don't know. That something happened when they were trapped and now... Well, don't you think that house could've tapped into it?"
"Made them go bonkers?" he wondered and she put on an empathic face before she nodded.
"Something like that," she concurred and he finally smiled a little.
"It's just too sick to even... I mean, even with a spell... Why would Buffy ever let a thing like that near her? And... WHY would Buffy EVER let a thing like THAT near her?"
"Calm down, honey," Anya said, reaching up a hand and patting his arm.
"Wait, what's this about the house?" Giles asked and Willow turned her head to him as she answered:
"Well, people all over the party were starting to act weird... - sexually."
"In what way?" the Watcher inquired.
"You know," Willow replied, turning the page of the scrapbook before her as she added: "Ways."
"Well, it could be anything. A prank, some sort of disturbed practical joke - it could even be energy coming from the lab BENEATH Lowell's fraternity," Giles stated and Willow suddenly jerked, saying:
"It wasn't always a fraternity, look!" Giles got to his feet to come stand behind her and both Anya and Xander moved closer from across the table to have a better look as Willow recited what the aged article on the page before her said: "'Between 1949 and 1960 the Lowell Home For Children housed upwards of forty adolescents; runaways, juvenile delinquents and emotionally disturbed teenagers from the Sunnydale area.'"
"Children?" Tara asked carefully. "Did any of them...um...die in there?"
"If there's been death perhaps we're dealing with a fairly standard haunting," Giles said as he had a seat again.
"Possession," Xander nodded. "That would explain a LOT."
***
1.56 a.m.
His back was against the headboard of the bed and she was straddling him as their mouths wouldn't leave the others. His hands were loving her, so was his tongue and the fact that he was buried inside of her was the mere icing on the cake. Her fingers held tightly onto the edge of the headboard on either side of his shoulders and she was loving him back.
The silence around them was broken only by the sounds of this love making and they were completely lost within the other.
All Buffy could think was that she didn't want it to end. It never had to end. She wanted to be in his arms from this moment on. She wanted to learn all his secrets and keep them safe for him. And she wanted to hear all his stories. She wanted to know what kind of being he saw himself as. She couldn't believe that all he wanted to be was evil. Not when he looked at her like that, not when he caressed her so tenderly.
She wanted...
The door was torn open and she grabbed the sheet lying around her hips, pulling it up before she turned her head to the doorway, squinting against the light as she exclaimed:
"Hey! Don't you...?"
At the sight of Xander's shocked gaze she swallowed the last word.
"Knock?" Spike filled it in for her and Xander shook his head, eyes still in the Slayer's, before he turned and left.
Anya stared at them for a few moments longer until her boyfriend's hand came into the frame of the door and grabbed a hold on her upper arm, pulling her with him.
***
Day Twenty-Six.
10.03 a.m.
Spike swallowed the last of his blood and put the jar on top of the TV.
As the door of his crypt slid open he turned his head that way, cocking his scarred eyebrow at who entered.
"Slayer," he greeted. "Didn't expect to see you here. At least, for a while."
Her face was deadly serious and he stripped the rest of the sarcasm off as he met her gaze.
"So, Xander freaked?" he wondered, trying a smile and having it fade as she didn't return it.
"No," she then replied. "No one freaked," she added and both his eyebrows rose questioningly. "There was a... poltergeist," she explained. "It caused the..."
"Buffy," he interrupted, praying with everything in him that she wasn't saying what it sounded as though she was saying.
That she wasn't finding an excuse, a way to dismiss what obviously was there between them.
She looked at him and felt a twirl of sorrow occur near her heart. Brushing at it she put on her brave face, for herself and for him. What she had felt the night prior... She couldn't have actually felt it. That was what she had been telling herself all morning after hearing Giles' recap of what they thought had induced the strange behaviour at the party. The fact that she herself had been part of fuelling it, for reasons neither Giles nor Willow could fully explain, was something she was willing to overlook.
She had wanted him, and having the emotion cooped up inside for nearly a month hadn't helped. But...
"I have to end it," she grumbled and he ignored the knife twitching in his heart as he observed her in silence.
"End what - exactly?" he merely inquired and she looked at him.
"It's not doing either one of us any good," she murmured and he shook his head at her.
"What bloody good would you have it do? You hate me, don't you?" he asked and her eyes widened slightly. He took a step forward as he added: "Don't you?"
"As stated on many occasions," she finally answered him.
"So we both went into this - head first - without any expectations to..."
"Don't," she shook her head and turned toward the door. "No persuasions, no rationalizations, no excuses. I can't do this anymore."
"I've heard you say this a few times before," he stated and she turned her head to him as she opened the door.
"And for some reason I've never listened," she replied. "This time - I am."
He watched her as she took the first step out through the door and then he said:
"I'm in love with you."
She froze in the doorway, back to him, and then she slowly turned around; the utter detriment in her gaze had him take a step back and he swallowed hard.
"What?" she asked. "What did you just say to me?"
**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************
Oh, oh, oh! You lovable, lovable creatures you! Fantasmic to see so many great reviews all at once! Thank you soooo much! Love ya!
Very special and warm thanks to qattaca (hey, I'm glad. I know if I'd SEEN that I'd be even more freaked than I was just reading it! Ugha!) ;), Phyllis (Aww, I can only say I do hope so. Don't you agree?) ;), Heather (It's okay. Knowing that you're reading and still approving is quite enough! ;) And hey, as long as you come back, right?) :), Von (hehe...ahem, ahem...) ;), Crystal (Hey, forever might be a tough deal, don't you think? I'll give it my best shot and then we'll have to wait and see what happens, eh? Thank you!) :), penmom (hey, nice to see ya. Thanks ever so for those wonderful words, I'm much honored!) :), Renee' (I bow my head in pleasure that you like!) ;), msu (well, think this'll stop the insanity? *lol*) ;), charisma1525 (hey, girl. Really glad you enjoyed those and thanks as always for telling!) :), Coquine (hehe, loved that reaction and was this fast enough? I'll try to be quicker next time, if not, k?) ;), Alyssa (well, moping not so much over Riley, of course. Kinda background phsyke stuff going on there. She had just had a fight with Spike, right? ;) Okay, so I didn't make it obvious but that was the idea, anyways. Oh, and the question was answered, yes!) :), Rachel (finally, yes... But, what now? ;P Hope this cured the itch, but not for long...) ;), TeenWitch (*lol* Thanks and I WILL!) ;), b&s4evr (great that you like and here was more...) ;), LizDarcy (Lovely that you love it and I hope you still do!) :), Falcon-Rider (God, if they make those two get back together it will be SO bloody LAME!!! And thanks for the liking of the last chapter) ;), Hazel (oh, wow, thanks a lot! Really glad it caught your fancy and hope to see you back!) :), vuks (I pretty much knew that, yeah. ;) And thank you SO much for those words and I will try my best at making it, you know, last...) :), tricia (wonderful to read that, really. Amazing that you read the whole thing, anytime anyone writes that I'm like woah! So thanks a lot for putting in that kinda time, I'm really glad you enjoyed it that much! Hope you still approve!) :) and last but definitely not least libraflyter (I'm really glad you do, my friend! And thanks for that! Hope this update was to your liking!) - to ALL of you a huge big smashing THANK YOU for taking time to REVIEW!!!
AND now to some wonderful news - at least I think so:
This fic has been nominated for a Spuffy Award! Yay! I could hardly believe it when I got the email and I'm SO happy, I can't even begin to tell you! So, please, if you have the time or feel like taking the time - go to flesh-for-fantasy.com/SpuffyAwards and vote! TRApPeD is in the category Best General Saga.
(It seems it doesn't work pasting the whole link into the chapter to have you just click on it. It won't show on the page... Let's see if this might work better.) :)
To vuks - who I just read nominated me - HUUUUUUUUUUUG! Thank you SO much! Of course there are only flowers and kisses to be had from me. I'm very flattered, you know! Thanks again!
Oh, happy day! *smile*
A.M.L, Annie.
Thirty-One: And Then There Was...
By Annie
2003-05-17
**************************************************************************** ******
Day Twenty-Five.
11.39 p.m.
Their kissing was slow and deep, still the desire was growing clearer for every new moment that passed and it was building in heat as their hands kept moving over the other. She slipped her fingers under the duster covering his shoulders to make it slide down his arms and drop to the floor. The sound made tingles run through her and she grabbed the T by the hem located at the base of his throat, tearing the fabric apart; and his hands grabbed her, twirled her around and pressed her up against the wall as his tongue grew even more demanding.
She moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck and returning the kiss as his fingertips slid up under her top and didn't stop until they graced her hardened nipples. Then he pressed his palms down, beginning a slow massage and she took her lips from his as she tilted her head back, letting the approaching ecstasy have its way with her.
He observed her face, the curve of her jaw, the way she had her brow just slightly furrowed. And he listened to her erratic breathing, to the steady and incredibly hard beating of her heart, to her blood pumping through her. And he felt the power resting within her, he sensed the passion circling right beneath her skin, he let his love for this woman take him over completely in that moment and he saw her in a way he never had before.
She was everything. She was the one thing that made him get up in the morning... especially since he should be sleeping when the sun rose. But she was the single thing on his mind, no matter what he tried to tell himself. And so help him, he didn't want it any other way. If he lost her he'd be truly dead. She made him feel...
"Oh, God, I can't take anymore," she whined, moving her head forward and kissing him deeply.
He brought his arms to her back as she jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist.
Her skirt was hoisted up as she did. Her hands moving down over his chest to the buckle of his belt, beginning to fumbling get it open and then proceeding with the button and zipper of his pants. Their kissing was harsh now, deep but eager. His hands slid over her waist and to her thighs, moving up under the skirt and grabbing her panties. He ripped them off easily and she moved her arms up to link behind his neck again just as he moved his hips forward and entered her.
They both gasped, the kiss being broken for a few moments as they opened their eyes and stared at each other. Then their lips caught the others forcefully. He began to take her roughly and her pleasure couldn't be silenced, her fingers grabbing fistfuls of his blonde locks as she clung to him.
He let his mouth travel from hers and to the side of her throat as he couldn't help but groan as well.
She was gasping, her breathing heavy now.
What she did to him was indescribable.
What he did to her... she was out of her body and yet at the core of it at the same time.
In this they were growing into one being as they moved together, linking in a way they weren't fully aware of and yet somewhere sensed.
He swirled around and took the two steps taking them up to the bed. Falling onto it he made her crawl backwards as he followed, still buried deep inside her and her head threw itself back as she reached her arms out and clasped the bedspread tightly with either hand.
He let his hands glide up under her top again, this time pulling it with his caress in order to get it off her. Once it was done he didn't hesitate before he let his tongue lick the outline of her collarbone to travel out to her shoulder.
She was panting, and she was trembling beneath him. Her legs were spread wide as her hips moved with his and he moved his hands along her arms before letting his fingers lock with hers as they were both growing close.
Once they reached the climax together they both practically stopped breathing, their motions dragged out and then they began to slow. Buffy let out the air in her lungs for taking in a fresh supply. Her heart was setting a new record and her fingers were still tightly grasping his. She released her grip tentatively, feeling his lips against the skin of her throat as he rested his head by the right side of hers.
"More," she whispered and he moved his face to have it before hers.
Grinding her hips upward his eyes grew slightly and he hardened quickly within her. His mouth fell open and she put hers up to meet it, pressing her lips to his with the fervour picking itself up again.
He obliged.
Gladly.
***
12.23 a.m.
Their limbs were shaking as they once more reached the peak together, neither one of them had even the slightest idea for what number in the order it was; neither one of them cared.
She was glistening with perspiration and her skin was gliding against his as she rolled him over onto his back and placed herself on top of him. He ran his hands through her blonde locks to get it out of her face and she smiled just a little before she kissed him. Moving her hips slowly she then pulled back again, keeping eye contact.
He slid one thumb over her cheek, looking at her in that not-interpretable way and she felt her gaze grow questioning. He merely smiled and she returned it tentatively.
How was she supposed to give this up? She had tried so hard to stay strong, and for such a long time she had been able to resist him... But forever? For some reason the mere thought had her heart skip a beat in pure protest and a hole opened up somewhere behind it. She didn't like the feeling. After all, this was nothing more than... what it was. Because it could never be. She couldn't have it be. More.
She closed her eyes and then let their lips meet again. Kissing him deeply she felt as though she wanted to cry all of the emotions within her out of her. But she knew she couldn't do that. They were there to confuse her and turn her inside out and upside down. And his eyes kept stirring them; his gaze kept drilling into her... What was it trying to tell her?
He groaned into her mouth and she was brought out of her musings as the pleasure embraced her again.
She let it.
Gladly.
***
1.02 a.m.
"Buffy," Spike murmured, her forehead to his as she kept taking trembling breaths beneath him.
"Don't... stop," she whispered, moving her mouth to his. "Don't ever stop... touching me," she added, nibbling his lower lip and he kissed her.
She immediately returned it.
***
"And you spoke to Riley?" Giles asked and Xander nodded. "And what did he say?" the older added and Xander shrugged.
"That he hadn't seen her since they had a very short conversation right after she got to the party," he then replied. "So we went looking for her, but since half the rooms we checked had locked and - apparently - barred doors we thought we'd see you, figure out a less shoulder-hurting approach."
"And you have no idea where she might be?" Giles wondered and Willow hesitated.
He looked at her and caught sight of it, reaching up and taking off his glasses he kept his eyes on her as he polished them in silence - waiting.
"Okay, so I might have an... idea," she finally mumbled, refusing to look at Xander and barely even able to look at the Watcher - who was slowly replacing his glasses - as she added: "She might be with... With Spike."
"I dunno, it's kinda late for whacking him over the head with a stick, don't you think?" he asked and she swallowed, shaking her head a little.
"No, that's not what I meant," she murmured. "Lately there's been something going on between them, and tonight Spike was acting really weird when I told him that Buffy and Riley have... Well, I think he went looking for her. So, it's probable to assume that he just might've found her."
Now she was being stared at by two pairs of disbelieving eyes and then Anya's eyebrows rose.
"So THAT'S why he was so grumpy earlier!" she then exclaimed and Xander turned his questioning gaze onto her. "Well, he was acting all moping over something... I figured it was over Dru, but this makes a lot more sense to me. Though... still not. Buffy and Spike? Together?"
At that Xander got to his feet, his brow deeply furrowed as he shook his head.
"I don't believe that you're accusing her of this! Where's your loyalty?!" he demanded and Willow rose as well, shaking her head calmingly.
"I'm not saying that they're together - together, Xander. I just think that... I don't know. That something happened when they were trapped and now... Well, don't you think that house could've tapped into it?"
"Made them go bonkers?" he wondered and she put on an empathic face before she nodded.
"Something like that," she concurred and he finally smiled a little.
"It's just too sick to even... I mean, even with a spell... Why would Buffy ever let a thing like that near her? And... WHY would Buffy EVER let a thing like THAT near her?"
"Calm down, honey," Anya said, reaching up a hand and patting his arm.
"Wait, what's this about the house?" Giles asked and Willow turned her head to him as she answered:
"Well, people all over the party were starting to act weird... - sexually."
"In what way?" the Watcher inquired.
"You know," Willow replied, turning the page of the scrapbook before her as she added: "Ways."
"Well, it could be anything. A prank, some sort of disturbed practical joke - it could even be energy coming from the lab BENEATH Lowell's fraternity," Giles stated and Willow suddenly jerked, saying:
"It wasn't always a fraternity, look!" Giles got to his feet to come stand behind her and both Anya and Xander moved closer from across the table to have a better look as Willow recited what the aged article on the page before her said: "'Between 1949 and 1960 the Lowell Home For Children housed upwards of forty adolescents; runaways, juvenile delinquents and emotionally disturbed teenagers from the Sunnydale area.'"
"Children?" Tara asked carefully. "Did any of them...um...die in there?"
"If there's been death perhaps we're dealing with a fairly standard haunting," Giles said as he had a seat again.
"Possession," Xander nodded. "That would explain a LOT."
***
1.56 a.m.
His back was against the headboard of the bed and she was straddling him as their mouths wouldn't leave the others. His hands were loving her, so was his tongue and the fact that he was buried inside of her was the mere icing on the cake. Her fingers held tightly onto the edge of the headboard on either side of his shoulders and she was loving him back.
The silence around them was broken only by the sounds of this love making and they were completely lost within the other.
All Buffy could think was that she didn't want it to end. It never had to end. She wanted to be in his arms from this moment on. She wanted to learn all his secrets and keep them safe for him. And she wanted to hear all his stories. She wanted to know what kind of being he saw himself as. She couldn't believe that all he wanted to be was evil. Not when he looked at her like that, not when he caressed her so tenderly.
She wanted...
The door was torn open and she grabbed the sheet lying around her hips, pulling it up before she turned her head to the doorway, squinting against the light as she exclaimed:
"Hey! Don't you...?"
At the sight of Xander's shocked gaze she swallowed the last word.
"Knock?" Spike filled it in for her and Xander shook his head, eyes still in the Slayer's, before he turned and left.
Anya stared at them for a few moments longer until her boyfriend's hand came into the frame of the door and grabbed a hold on her upper arm, pulling her with him.
***
Day Twenty-Six.
10.03 a.m.
Spike swallowed the last of his blood and put the jar on top of the TV.
As the door of his crypt slid open he turned his head that way, cocking his scarred eyebrow at who entered.
"Slayer," he greeted. "Didn't expect to see you here. At least, for a while."
Her face was deadly serious and he stripped the rest of the sarcasm off as he met her gaze.
"So, Xander freaked?" he wondered, trying a smile and having it fade as she didn't return it.
"No," she then replied. "No one freaked," she added and both his eyebrows rose questioningly. "There was a... poltergeist," she explained. "It caused the..."
"Buffy," he interrupted, praying with everything in him that she wasn't saying what it sounded as though she was saying.
That she wasn't finding an excuse, a way to dismiss what obviously was there between them.
She looked at him and felt a twirl of sorrow occur near her heart. Brushing at it she put on her brave face, for herself and for him. What she had felt the night prior... She couldn't have actually felt it. That was what she had been telling herself all morning after hearing Giles' recap of what they thought had induced the strange behaviour at the party. The fact that she herself had been part of fuelling it, for reasons neither Giles nor Willow could fully explain, was something she was willing to overlook.
She had wanted him, and having the emotion cooped up inside for nearly a month hadn't helped. But...
"I have to end it," she grumbled and he ignored the knife twitching in his heart as he observed her in silence.
"End what - exactly?" he merely inquired and she looked at him.
"It's not doing either one of us any good," she murmured and he shook his head at her.
"What bloody good would you have it do? You hate me, don't you?" he asked and her eyes widened slightly. He took a step forward as he added: "Don't you?"
"As stated on many occasions," she finally answered him.
"So we both went into this - head first - without any expectations to..."
"Don't," she shook her head and turned toward the door. "No persuasions, no rationalizations, no excuses. I can't do this anymore."
"I've heard you say this a few times before," he stated and she turned her head to him as she opened the door.
"And for some reason I've never listened," she replied. "This time - I am."
He watched her as she took the first step out through the door and then he said:
"I'm in love with you."
She froze in the doorway, back to him, and then she slowly turned around; the utter detriment in her gaze had him take a step back and he swallowed hard.
"What?" she asked. "What did you just say to me?"
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Oh, oh, oh! You lovable, lovable creatures you! Fantasmic to see so many great reviews all at once! Thank you soooo much! Love ya!
Very special and warm thanks to qattaca (hey, I'm glad. I know if I'd SEEN that I'd be even more freaked than I was just reading it! Ugha!) ;), Phyllis (Aww, I can only say I do hope so. Don't you agree?) ;), Heather (It's okay. Knowing that you're reading and still approving is quite enough! ;) And hey, as long as you come back, right?) :), Von (hehe...ahem, ahem...) ;), Crystal (Hey, forever might be a tough deal, don't you think? I'll give it my best shot and then we'll have to wait and see what happens, eh? Thank you!) :), penmom (hey, nice to see ya. Thanks ever so for those wonderful words, I'm much honored!) :), Renee' (I bow my head in pleasure that you like!) ;), msu (well, think this'll stop the insanity? *lol*) ;), charisma1525 (hey, girl. Really glad you enjoyed those and thanks as always for telling!) :), Coquine (hehe, loved that reaction and was this fast enough? I'll try to be quicker next time, if not, k?) ;), Alyssa (well, moping not so much over Riley, of course. Kinda background phsyke stuff going on there. She had just had a fight with Spike, right? ;) Okay, so I didn't make it obvious but that was the idea, anyways. Oh, and the question was answered, yes!) :), Rachel (finally, yes... But, what now? ;P Hope this cured the itch, but not for long...) ;), TeenWitch (*lol* Thanks and I WILL!) ;), b&s4evr (great that you like and here was more...) ;), LizDarcy (Lovely that you love it and I hope you still do!) :), Falcon-Rider (God, if they make those two get back together it will be SO bloody LAME!!! And thanks for the liking of the last chapter) ;), Hazel (oh, wow, thanks a lot! Really glad it caught your fancy and hope to see you back!) :), vuks (I pretty much knew that, yeah. ;) And thank you SO much for those words and I will try my best at making it, you know, last...) :), tricia (wonderful to read that, really. Amazing that you read the whole thing, anytime anyone writes that I'm like woah! So thanks a lot for putting in that kinda time, I'm really glad you enjoyed it that much! Hope you still approve!) :) and last but definitely not least libraflyter (I'm really glad you do, my friend! And thanks for that! Hope this update was to your liking!) - to ALL of you a huge big smashing THANK YOU for taking time to REVIEW!!!
AND now to some wonderful news - at least I think so:
This fic has been nominated for a Spuffy Award! Yay! I could hardly believe it when I got the email and I'm SO happy, I can't even begin to tell you! So, please, if you have the time or feel like taking the time - go to flesh-for-fantasy.com/SpuffyAwards and vote! TRApPeD is in the category Best General Saga.
(It seems it doesn't work pasting the whole link into the chapter to have you just click on it. It won't show on the page... Let's see if this might work better.) :)
To vuks - who I just read nominated me - HUUUUUUUUUUUG! Thank you SO much! Of course there are only flowers and kisses to be had from me. I'm very flattered, you know! Thanks again!
Oh, happy day! *smile*
A.M.L, Annie.