Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Joss owns it all damn him!
This is it folks. Hope you enjoyed!
***
Chapter 23 - Taking the Plunge
They stopped in front of a house Buffy didn't recognize. So far the trip had been made in complete silence, furtive glances being exchanged every once in awhile. Buffy had sat sullenly in the passenger seat, wanting to convey just how much she resented the fact that Will had essentially kidnapped her. If she hadn't been hanging on to the last few shreds of her dignity she might just have demanded he pull over and let her walk back to the Strip on her own.
She watched as Will stepped up to the front door and rang the bell. She wasn't exactly surprised when she saw her realtor, Laura, answer the door. They had a brief conversation before Laura handed Will a set of keys and said a polite goodnight. Buffy sighed inwardly as Will began the short walk back to the car.
"Well you're obviously a very powerful man. Proud of yourself?" She asked as he took a seat behind the wheel.
Spike remained silent, though he spared her a hard glance. Before he'd found out she'd gone, he'd had a hunch. He knew what he had to say to her, and that the Crypt wasn't the place to say it. Standing on the side of the road with her, he'd remembered his earlier plans and knew in his heart that they were right. He was glad that he'd made most of the arrangements before he'd embarked on the wild chase to stop his girl.
Now, driving quietly down the road he marveled at the contrast of the still suburban street compared to the bright bustle of the Strip. Only a few minutes away there would be hordes of people walking along the streets the sounds of slot machines tinkling in the background. Here, on this quiet street, there weren't even any other cars in motion.
Spike loved Vegas. He loved the desert, both for its beauty and its solitude. But he also loved the fact that he had a choice. He could spend any given night out on the tranquil sands just enjoying the peace or he could spend it in the midst of a crowd, laughing, gambling, and just generally being alive. He supposed he could understand how easily Buffy had found herself enchanted by the magic that made up Las Vegas. He was, in fact, supremely glad of it.
He chuckled silently when he turned to catch her sulking in her seat. The bottom lip that he'd first noticed the day she'd fainted in his arms protruded in a sexy pout. And for a moment a stab of longing shook him, making him shudder. He remembered that night; he hadn't even known her name yet. He'd felt the first stirring of desire as he undressed her, though he'd ruthlessly suppressed it at the time.
Spike glanced up as they arrived at the address he'd been given. The house wasn't overly large, just comfortable. From what he could see it stood two stories high, the outside painted a dusky rose, almost the color of a glowing sunset. There were a few sparse flowers sprinkling the front yard and bordering the meandering walkway that led to the front door. They said nothing as they made their way down that walk, until Spike reached into his pants pocket for the keys.
"Ask me in," he demanded.
"You've got the keys." Buffy bit pack.
Fishing the ring out of his pocket, he handed them to her. "Ask me in."
She debated on whether she should, or whether she should just march back to the car. In the end she took the keys, turning to place them in the keyhole. Maybe if she went along with whatever he had planned this night would finally end.
"It's different at night." She mused aloud as she unlocked the door. "But just as beautiful."
They walked into the foyer together, Buffy flipping the house lights until the hall and the sitting room were flooded. Buffy felt a pang in her chest. Just a day ago she'd been here, wishing he'd been with her. And now that they were, she only felt confused and anxious. Why had he brought her here?
"It's quite large. A lot of space." Spike commented as they made their way through the hall, toward the back half of the house.
"I've discovered I like a lot of space. Anyway, it won't seem quite as large once the furniture's all put in." Buffy answered, worrying her bottom lip as they trudged toward the kitchen.
The kitchen was done in cheerful colors, peach walls, and white counters. There was a sliding glass door leading to a wooden deck with a western view of the desert. Spike could picture her there standing on the deck leaning against the railing while watching the sunset, the light framing her dainty figure. He could see her there, laughing, turning toward him with that pixie's grin on her face. Then the picture changed, shimmering until she was no longer standing alone. Instead she stood, smiling, while she bounced a baby with golden curls and hazel eyes on her hip. Spike's stomach dropped and he drew a deep breath in.
Turning to her abruptly he asked, "Is this what you want?" His arms swept the room.
Nodding she answered, "This is what I want."
"There's a cellar?" He'd noticed the extra door in the kitchen.
"Yes." Buffy wondered what they were doing there fervently wishing he'd get on with it.
"I suppose you'll use it as a studio?" He raised a brow at her.
"Yes." Buffy ached a little that he'd know as much.
"You never did give me a demonstration."
It was Buffy's turn to arch a brow. "We we're otherwise occupied. And then you were busy."
Nodding absently, Spike ran his fingers roughly through his bleached hair. "Buffy, I'm sorry." He began. "I want you to know how glad I am for you. That you've gotten your studio, this house, everything. I'm sorry if I spoiled your fun."
The chagrin he wore was genuine and Buffy found herself wanting to just let the whole thing go. "It doesn't matter."
"But it does matter, luv."
Oh, would he ever stop calling her that? Didn't he know that it hurt? She closed her eyes and turned away.
Spike stepped up to her, grasping her arm he turned her until they were once again facing each other. "Let me explain, luv."
Buffy squeezed her eyes shut and tried to step away. "Please," she whispered, "stop calling me that." She swallowed back a sob. She would not cry in front of him.
He let her go but forced her to remain close. He waited until her eyes were open and he was sure she was focused on him before continuing. "You turned my world upside down, Buffy, the day you fell into my arms, literally." He smiled ruefully. "You were overwhelmed, and vulnerable." Spike stopped dry wash his face with an agitated hand. "And so bloody desirable I almost took you that first night!"
He began to pace then, his long strides eating up the kitchen floor in front of her. "You were so tempting. But I'm good at resisting temptation that's why I'm so good at what I do. But I couldn't resist you." He sent a pleading look her way.
Buffy shook her head. "You didn't seduce me. I wanted you too."
"But it wasn't an even hand. You were inexperienced. I took what I wanted because I could, because I needed to. Even knowing that you wanted more, deserved more, I took you anyway, knowing that I wasn't prepared to give you anything." Spike's words came out harshly as he berated himself.
"But you were honest from the beginning. I didn't go in blind. You told me before we were lovers that you didn't want marriage or love." Buffy answered, defending him without conscious thought. "That was the chance I took."
Spike looked up, incredulous. "You gambled on changing my mind?"
"The odds against you falling in love with me may have been long, but they weren't infinitesimal!" Buffy shouted, her anger back. "Giles thinks I'm perfect for you. So does your mother, and your father!"
"You spoke to mum and da about us?" Spike asked.
"I love your parents! Aren't I allowed to have someone to talk to?" Buffy asked, anger still radiating off her small frame.
"Yes. No. That isn't the point. We're getting off the subject." Spike strode toward her, his hands waving in irritation. He stopped just shy of her and began again. "Pet, the way I saw things you needed time. You said yourself you'd never even been outside of Trader's Corners. I figured you'd do a little exploring, have fun, indulge yourself. Something you'd never been able to do before. Maybe gamble a little, spend some money, splurge on yourself. Discover sex."
"What?! So was that all that was? You were tutoring me? How much more insulting can you get?" Buffy huffed out.
"I'm not trying to be insulting. I'm trying to tell you what I thought, and that I was wrong."
"You haven't even begun to say that you were wrong. Maybe you should start." Buffy gave him a menacing glare.
"You've got a nasty streak, luv. Never noticed it before." Inwardly Spike was smirking at Buffy's sass.
"I've been saving it up!" Buffy shot back her reply. "So the little country mouse comes to the big city and the clever city mouse gives her a little taste of sin, then shows her the door before she damns her soul to hell? Is that it?"
"A long, wide nasty streak." Spike answered, shaking his head, his palms flat against the legs of his trousers. "You were alone and over your head."
"So you thought you'd wade in and keep me floating just until my feet touched sand? Then what?"
"Oh, bloody shut up!" Spike demanded, exasperated. "Nobody ever gave you a choice, Buffy. You've always had to play by somebody else's rules, until you got here. Since you've arrived you've had a hold of your life, making up your own rules as you went. How was I supposed to take that a way from you? How could I expect you to live at my hotel, wander my casino, and tie yourself to me? When you've never been with anybody else? I didn't want you to choose me just because you didn't know any better."
"Big of you to make such a sacrifice. To decide that I didn't know any better and wasn't capable of making that kind of choice. Funny that you should treat me exactly the way you say everybody else has!" Buffy fumed at him.
"I know. I'm sorry." Spike apologized quietly, knowing now how foolish he'd been.
Buffy's hands shot out over the meager distance that separated them. Her palms flat against his chest, she pushed until he staggered back and cleared her path. "So am I." She began to march back toward the door.
"We're not finished yet." Spike grabbed for her, grasping her elbow and pulling her to a stop.
Buffy whirled on him. "What's the point?! Do you want a tour of the house now? Do you want us to pretend to be friends?" She threw up her hands in exasperation. "What are we doing here?"
"I wanted to finish this here," Spike's arms swept the room. "Because it's not my place, it's yours." His eyes bored into hers. "The house always has the edge."
"What are you talking about?" Confused now, she waited for his answer.
"Da told me something today. Something I hadn't considered before. He said wanting was easy, but loving was terrifying. Buffy - " He wanted to sweep her in his arms then, but she looked so fragile that he was afraid he'd shatter her. "You terrify me. When I see you, luv, I'm scared senseless."
"Don't do this. You're not playing fair." She hugged her arms tightly around herself, radiating misery and confusion.
"That's what I tried to do, Buffy. I tried to play fair, but all I ended up doing was hurting you and making myself miserable. I'm playing a new hand now, and when the house has the edge I can't afford to play fair." She backed away from him, edging herself toward the door. "There's no point in running, I'll only come after you." And he did just that, grabbing onto her once more. "You brought this on yourself, Buffy. I would have let you go. I was prepared to let you go."
When he pulled her close, she was trembling. He kissed her gently on the forehead. "You're shaking, luv." His kisses trailed down to her cheek and chin. "Scared?" He let himself indulge in one brief chaste kiss on the lips. "That must mean you still love me."
"Stop!" She tried to push him away, but her arms felt weak and tired. "I don't want you feeling sorry for me." She nearly sobbed. "I don't - "
Tired of words, he pulled her closer and let himself go. His lips landed atop hers and nearly devoured her. Buffy felt all the air whoosh out of her leaving her gasping for more. Her heart beat double time and slammed against her chest.
"Is that what you think this is?" Spike asked, gasping for breath himself. He swooped down and took her lips once more. "Bloody hell, this dress drives me crazy!" Buffy hadn't had time to change her clothes before her hasty flight. Now as his hands wandered her exposed back Buffy shivered in to his touch. "I wanted to rip apart every guy that saw you in this flimsy thing tonight." Spike kissed her roughly this time. "I'll have to buy you a dozen more just like it." His hardness pressed against her thigh as he held her tightly to him.
Buffy's mind was reeling. "You're not making any sense." She shook her head trying to clear her rampant thoughts. "What are you saying?"
With a monumental effort he pulled away from her. Placing his hands on her cheeks he forced their eyes to meet. They stood together for several moments, just staring into each other. When his lips began to move, Buffy felt as if she'd entered a dream. "I love you."
The pain in her chest twisted and churned until it became a bursting explosion of color and light. "You do?" She managed to whisper over the cacophony of her heartbeat.
"I love everything about you, Buffy." He kissed the corner of her mouth, the crinkle of her brow, and the crown of her head. "And I was hoping you'd buck the odds and give me a second chance." His eyes pleaded with her.
"I'm a big believer in second chances." She answered, her lips forming a tremulous smile.
"I was counting on it, luv." He kissed her again, gently, smiling as her arms wove around his waist. "But you're going to have to let me move in here."
"Here? You want to live in this house?"
"Well, I assumed this is where you'd want to raise the kids." He answered the picture of her with a bright bouncing baby still firmly etched in his mind's eye.
"Kids?"
"You do want kids, don't you?" He asked, smirking at the look of adorable confusion on her face. When she nodded, he continued, "And I'm an old fashioned bloke. If we're going to have kids, you're going to have to marry me first."
"Will." Buffy tried to say more, but all that would come was his name. She snuggled into his warm body, and waited for the feeling of euphoria to lift enough for coherency to return.
"So what do you say, Buffy? Are you willing to risk it?" He smiled down at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "Do you want to take a gamble on us?"
She waited a beat before answering, but when she saw his smile falter and his eyes dim she reassured him quickly. "It so happens I'm on a hot streak."
He swept her into his arms, lifting her off the ground and twirling her until she was dizzy. "So I've heard." He laughed as he set her back down.
Her feet landed on the plush living room carpet, her face flush, her hands still shaking. When Will dropped to his knee before her, she couldn't prevent the tears from rushing to her eyes.
"Marry me, Buffy." He held out the ring to her. A beautiful sapphire ringed with tiny diamonds. It sparkled in the moonlight that shone through the front window. Carefully he took her trembling hand and pushed the ring on to her finger, kissing each dainty appendage afterward.
Then he stood and kissed at the tears falling down Buffy's cheeks, making her laugh and cry at the same time. Silencing her with a kiss to her lips, Spike let his hands wander where they willed. Finding them unzipping the back of Buffy's dress didn't come as a surprise to either of them.
The dress slid down, revealing goosebumped flesh. Spike caught his breath at the sight of her, eyes turned shyly downward. She made such an erotic picture, all bashful sexiness, he groaned.
Ridiculously Buffy felt herself blushing. Will had seen her before, and had told her in more than just words that she was desirable. But now, after all they'd been through and everything they'd shared with each other tonight, she almost felt as if this was their first time together. She glanced at him through her lowered lashes. The desire-laden gaze he washed over her had her body heat rising by degrees.
Naked, he lowered her to the ground, laying her as comfortably as possible. "Sorry, luv." He kissed her senseless. "Can't wait any longer. Know you deserve better, but..." Buffy didn't know when Will had taken off his own clothes, but he lay there against her, his cool skin flush against her overheated one.
His lips feasted on her flesh, hungrily tasting her. He moaned at the first taste of her flavor on his tongue, cursing for having denied himself for so long. He pulled away to focus on her dazed expression. "Is this okay, luv?" He wanted her so badly he didn't know what he'd do if she said no. But her lips curved up in a seductive smile as she pulled his mouth back down to hers.
He moved against her positioning himself between her silken thighs. When they finally came together, Spike's groan rumbled through his whole body causing a rippling tingle to surge through Buffy's. She arched into him and they were overcome with passion. They crashed together until neither of them could do anything but feel the other. And when they finally crested the peak together, neither had any breath left to speak.
Hours, or days, later Buffy came back to consciousness snuggling into her new fiance. She smiled into his chest, wondering at the turn her life had taken. She'd started this journey hoping for a new life. She'd ended by finding a new love.
"Love you." She whispered to him the first time she'd been able to say it aloud without fear or nervousness.
"Mmm." He kissed the crown of her head, and tightened his arm around her waist. "Love you too. Always."
Buffy's smile widened. Maybe she'd found a new life as well, a better life. Her life, no, *their* life, together.
THE END
This is it folks. Hope you enjoyed!
***
Chapter 23 - Taking the Plunge
They stopped in front of a house Buffy didn't recognize. So far the trip had been made in complete silence, furtive glances being exchanged every once in awhile. Buffy had sat sullenly in the passenger seat, wanting to convey just how much she resented the fact that Will had essentially kidnapped her. If she hadn't been hanging on to the last few shreds of her dignity she might just have demanded he pull over and let her walk back to the Strip on her own.
She watched as Will stepped up to the front door and rang the bell. She wasn't exactly surprised when she saw her realtor, Laura, answer the door. They had a brief conversation before Laura handed Will a set of keys and said a polite goodnight. Buffy sighed inwardly as Will began the short walk back to the car.
"Well you're obviously a very powerful man. Proud of yourself?" She asked as he took a seat behind the wheel.
Spike remained silent, though he spared her a hard glance. Before he'd found out she'd gone, he'd had a hunch. He knew what he had to say to her, and that the Crypt wasn't the place to say it. Standing on the side of the road with her, he'd remembered his earlier plans and knew in his heart that they were right. He was glad that he'd made most of the arrangements before he'd embarked on the wild chase to stop his girl.
Now, driving quietly down the road he marveled at the contrast of the still suburban street compared to the bright bustle of the Strip. Only a few minutes away there would be hordes of people walking along the streets the sounds of slot machines tinkling in the background. Here, on this quiet street, there weren't even any other cars in motion.
Spike loved Vegas. He loved the desert, both for its beauty and its solitude. But he also loved the fact that he had a choice. He could spend any given night out on the tranquil sands just enjoying the peace or he could spend it in the midst of a crowd, laughing, gambling, and just generally being alive. He supposed he could understand how easily Buffy had found herself enchanted by the magic that made up Las Vegas. He was, in fact, supremely glad of it.
He chuckled silently when he turned to catch her sulking in her seat. The bottom lip that he'd first noticed the day she'd fainted in his arms protruded in a sexy pout. And for a moment a stab of longing shook him, making him shudder. He remembered that night; he hadn't even known her name yet. He'd felt the first stirring of desire as he undressed her, though he'd ruthlessly suppressed it at the time.
Spike glanced up as they arrived at the address he'd been given. The house wasn't overly large, just comfortable. From what he could see it stood two stories high, the outside painted a dusky rose, almost the color of a glowing sunset. There were a few sparse flowers sprinkling the front yard and bordering the meandering walkway that led to the front door. They said nothing as they made their way down that walk, until Spike reached into his pants pocket for the keys.
"Ask me in," he demanded.
"You've got the keys." Buffy bit pack.
Fishing the ring out of his pocket, he handed them to her. "Ask me in."
She debated on whether she should, or whether she should just march back to the car. In the end she took the keys, turning to place them in the keyhole. Maybe if she went along with whatever he had planned this night would finally end.
"It's different at night." She mused aloud as she unlocked the door. "But just as beautiful."
They walked into the foyer together, Buffy flipping the house lights until the hall and the sitting room were flooded. Buffy felt a pang in her chest. Just a day ago she'd been here, wishing he'd been with her. And now that they were, she only felt confused and anxious. Why had he brought her here?
"It's quite large. A lot of space." Spike commented as they made their way through the hall, toward the back half of the house.
"I've discovered I like a lot of space. Anyway, it won't seem quite as large once the furniture's all put in." Buffy answered, worrying her bottom lip as they trudged toward the kitchen.
The kitchen was done in cheerful colors, peach walls, and white counters. There was a sliding glass door leading to a wooden deck with a western view of the desert. Spike could picture her there standing on the deck leaning against the railing while watching the sunset, the light framing her dainty figure. He could see her there, laughing, turning toward him with that pixie's grin on her face. Then the picture changed, shimmering until she was no longer standing alone. Instead she stood, smiling, while she bounced a baby with golden curls and hazel eyes on her hip. Spike's stomach dropped and he drew a deep breath in.
Turning to her abruptly he asked, "Is this what you want?" His arms swept the room.
Nodding she answered, "This is what I want."
"There's a cellar?" He'd noticed the extra door in the kitchen.
"Yes." Buffy wondered what they were doing there fervently wishing he'd get on with it.
"I suppose you'll use it as a studio?" He raised a brow at her.
"Yes." Buffy ached a little that he'd know as much.
"You never did give me a demonstration."
It was Buffy's turn to arch a brow. "We we're otherwise occupied. And then you were busy."
Nodding absently, Spike ran his fingers roughly through his bleached hair. "Buffy, I'm sorry." He began. "I want you to know how glad I am for you. That you've gotten your studio, this house, everything. I'm sorry if I spoiled your fun."
The chagrin he wore was genuine and Buffy found herself wanting to just let the whole thing go. "It doesn't matter."
"But it does matter, luv."
Oh, would he ever stop calling her that? Didn't he know that it hurt? She closed her eyes and turned away.
Spike stepped up to her, grasping her arm he turned her until they were once again facing each other. "Let me explain, luv."
Buffy squeezed her eyes shut and tried to step away. "Please," she whispered, "stop calling me that." She swallowed back a sob. She would not cry in front of him.
He let her go but forced her to remain close. He waited until her eyes were open and he was sure she was focused on him before continuing. "You turned my world upside down, Buffy, the day you fell into my arms, literally." He smiled ruefully. "You were overwhelmed, and vulnerable." Spike stopped dry wash his face with an agitated hand. "And so bloody desirable I almost took you that first night!"
He began to pace then, his long strides eating up the kitchen floor in front of her. "You were so tempting. But I'm good at resisting temptation that's why I'm so good at what I do. But I couldn't resist you." He sent a pleading look her way.
Buffy shook her head. "You didn't seduce me. I wanted you too."
"But it wasn't an even hand. You were inexperienced. I took what I wanted because I could, because I needed to. Even knowing that you wanted more, deserved more, I took you anyway, knowing that I wasn't prepared to give you anything." Spike's words came out harshly as he berated himself.
"But you were honest from the beginning. I didn't go in blind. You told me before we were lovers that you didn't want marriage or love." Buffy answered, defending him without conscious thought. "That was the chance I took."
Spike looked up, incredulous. "You gambled on changing my mind?"
"The odds against you falling in love with me may have been long, but they weren't infinitesimal!" Buffy shouted, her anger back. "Giles thinks I'm perfect for you. So does your mother, and your father!"
"You spoke to mum and da about us?" Spike asked.
"I love your parents! Aren't I allowed to have someone to talk to?" Buffy asked, anger still radiating off her small frame.
"Yes. No. That isn't the point. We're getting off the subject." Spike strode toward her, his hands waving in irritation. He stopped just shy of her and began again. "Pet, the way I saw things you needed time. You said yourself you'd never even been outside of Trader's Corners. I figured you'd do a little exploring, have fun, indulge yourself. Something you'd never been able to do before. Maybe gamble a little, spend some money, splurge on yourself. Discover sex."
"What?! So was that all that was? You were tutoring me? How much more insulting can you get?" Buffy huffed out.
"I'm not trying to be insulting. I'm trying to tell you what I thought, and that I was wrong."
"You haven't even begun to say that you were wrong. Maybe you should start." Buffy gave him a menacing glare.
"You've got a nasty streak, luv. Never noticed it before." Inwardly Spike was smirking at Buffy's sass.
"I've been saving it up!" Buffy shot back her reply. "So the little country mouse comes to the big city and the clever city mouse gives her a little taste of sin, then shows her the door before she damns her soul to hell? Is that it?"
"A long, wide nasty streak." Spike answered, shaking his head, his palms flat against the legs of his trousers. "You were alone and over your head."
"So you thought you'd wade in and keep me floating just until my feet touched sand? Then what?"
"Oh, bloody shut up!" Spike demanded, exasperated. "Nobody ever gave you a choice, Buffy. You've always had to play by somebody else's rules, until you got here. Since you've arrived you've had a hold of your life, making up your own rules as you went. How was I supposed to take that a way from you? How could I expect you to live at my hotel, wander my casino, and tie yourself to me? When you've never been with anybody else? I didn't want you to choose me just because you didn't know any better."
"Big of you to make such a sacrifice. To decide that I didn't know any better and wasn't capable of making that kind of choice. Funny that you should treat me exactly the way you say everybody else has!" Buffy fumed at him.
"I know. I'm sorry." Spike apologized quietly, knowing now how foolish he'd been.
Buffy's hands shot out over the meager distance that separated them. Her palms flat against his chest, she pushed until he staggered back and cleared her path. "So am I." She began to march back toward the door.
"We're not finished yet." Spike grabbed for her, grasping her elbow and pulling her to a stop.
Buffy whirled on him. "What's the point?! Do you want a tour of the house now? Do you want us to pretend to be friends?" She threw up her hands in exasperation. "What are we doing here?"
"I wanted to finish this here," Spike's arms swept the room. "Because it's not my place, it's yours." His eyes bored into hers. "The house always has the edge."
"What are you talking about?" Confused now, she waited for his answer.
"Da told me something today. Something I hadn't considered before. He said wanting was easy, but loving was terrifying. Buffy - " He wanted to sweep her in his arms then, but she looked so fragile that he was afraid he'd shatter her. "You terrify me. When I see you, luv, I'm scared senseless."
"Don't do this. You're not playing fair." She hugged her arms tightly around herself, radiating misery and confusion.
"That's what I tried to do, Buffy. I tried to play fair, but all I ended up doing was hurting you and making myself miserable. I'm playing a new hand now, and when the house has the edge I can't afford to play fair." She backed away from him, edging herself toward the door. "There's no point in running, I'll only come after you." And he did just that, grabbing onto her once more. "You brought this on yourself, Buffy. I would have let you go. I was prepared to let you go."
When he pulled her close, she was trembling. He kissed her gently on the forehead. "You're shaking, luv." His kisses trailed down to her cheek and chin. "Scared?" He let himself indulge in one brief chaste kiss on the lips. "That must mean you still love me."
"Stop!" She tried to push him away, but her arms felt weak and tired. "I don't want you feeling sorry for me." She nearly sobbed. "I don't - "
Tired of words, he pulled her closer and let himself go. His lips landed atop hers and nearly devoured her. Buffy felt all the air whoosh out of her leaving her gasping for more. Her heart beat double time and slammed against her chest.
"Is that what you think this is?" Spike asked, gasping for breath himself. He swooped down and took her lips once more. "Bloody hell, this dress drives me crazy!" Buffy hadn't had time to change her clothes before her hasty flight. Now as his hands wandered her exposed back Buffy shivered in to his touch. "I wanted to rip apart every guy that saw you in this flimsy thing tonight." Spike kissed her roughly this time. "I'll have to buy you a dozen more just like it." His hardness pressed against her thigh as he held her tightly to him.
Buffy's mind was reeling. "You're not making any sense." She shook her head trying to clear her rampant thoughts. "What are you saying?"
With a monumental effort he pulled away from her. Placing his hands on her cheeks he forced their eyes to meet. They stood together for several moments, just staring into each other. When his lips began to move, Buffy felt as if she'd entered a dream. "I love you."
The pain in her chest twisted and churned until it became a bursting explosion of color and light. "You do?" She managed to whisper over the cacophony of her heartbeat.
"I love everything about you, Buffy." He kissed the corner of her mouth, the crinkle of her brow, and the crown of her head. "And I was hoping you'd buck the odds and give me a second chance." His eyes pleaded with her.
"I'm a big believer in second chances." She answered, her lips forming a tremulous smile.
"I was counting on it, luv." He kissed her again, gently, smiling as her arms wove around his waist. "But you're going to have to let me move in here."
"Here? You want to live in this house?"
"Well, I assumed this is where you'd want to raise the kids." He answered the picture of her with a bright bouncing baby still firmly etched in his mind's eye.
"Kids?"
"You do want kids, don't you?" He asked, smirking at the look of adorable confusion on her face. When she nodded, he continued, "And I'm an old fashioned bloke. If we're going to have kids, you're going to have to marry me first."
"Will." Buffy tried to say more, but all that would come was his name. She snuggled into his warm body, and waited for the feeling of euphoria to lift enough for coherency to return.
"So what do you say, Buffy? Are you willing to risk it?" He smiled down at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "Do you want to take a gamble on us?"
She waited a beat before answering, but when she saw his smile falter and his eyes dim she reassured him quickly. "It so happens I'm on a hot streak."
He swept her into his arms, lifting her off the ground and twirling her until she was dizzy. "So I've heard." He laughed as he set her back down.
Her feet landed on the plush living room carpet, her face flush, her hands still shaking. When Will dropped to his knee before her, she couldn't prevent the tears from rushing to her eyes.
"Marry me, Buffy." He held out the ring to her. A beautiful sapphire ringed with tiny diamonds. It sparkled in the moonlight that shone through the front window. Carefully he took her trembling hand and pushed the ring on to her finger, kissing each dainty appendage afterward.
Then he stood and kissed at the tears falling down Buffy's cheeks, making her laugh and cry at the same time. Silencing her with a kiss to her lips, Spike let his hands wander where they willed. Finding them unzipping the back of Buffy's dress didn't come as a surprise to either of them.
The dress slid down, revealing goosebumped flesh. Spike caught his breath at the sight of her, eyes turned shyly downward. She made such an erotic picture, all bashful sexiness, he groaned.
Ridiculously Buffy felt herself blushing. Will had seen her before, and had told her in more than just words that she was desirable. But now, after all they'd been through and everything they'd shared with each other tonight, she almost felt as if this was their first time together. She glanced at him through her lowered lashes. The desire-laden gaze he washed over her had her body heat rising by degrees.
Naked, he lowered her to the ground, laying her as comfortably as possible. "Sorry, luv." He kissed her senseless. "Can't wait any longer. Know you deserve better, but..." Buffy didn't know when Will had taken off his own clothes, but he lay there against her, his cool skin flush against her overheated one.
His lips feasted on her flesh, hungrily tasting her. He moaned at the first taste of her flavor on his tongue, cursing for having denied himself for so long. He pulled away to focus on her dazed expression. "Is this okay, luv?" He wanted her so badly he didn't know what he'd do if she said no. But her lips curved up in a seductive smile as she pulled his mouth back down to hers.
He moved against her positioning himself between her silken thighs. When they finally came together, Spike's groan rumbled through his whole body causing a rippling tingle to surge through Buffy's. She arched into him and they were overcome with passion. They crashed together until neither of them could do anything but feel the other. And when they finally crested the peak together, neither had any breath left to speak.
Hours, or days, later Buffy came back to consciousness snuggling into her new fiance. She smiled into his chest, wondering at the turn her life had taken. She'd started this journey hoping for a new life. She'd ended by finding a new love.
"Love you." She whispered to him the first time she'd been able to say it aloud without fear or nervousness.
"Mmm." He kissed the crown of her head, and tightened his arm around her waist. "Love you too. Always."
Buffy's smile widened. Maybe she'd found a new life as well, a better life. Her life, no, *their* life, together.
THE END