A/N : Hey guys! This chapter's actually longer than I planned which I'm sure you will appreciate. Thanx to those who reviewed the previosu chapter; Sunglass-At-Night (Hart-to-Hart was before my time, but it was shown in England, and it's just a coincidence about the names), SouthernRain (don't think you can have Johnny or Doyle either, keep reading and you'll see what I mean), fictionfreak2, tinkerbell42, Imzadi (sorry, but I didn't see this guy as being Lindsay), Fluffy Dragon, Spoiler Babe, Sport - you guys are the best! Hope you rnjoy this chapter...

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 5 - Love Is In The Air

A week passed and there was two houses in Revello Drive that were rarely quiet. A total of eleven people were squashed into the two homes and with Jessica and Giles' wedding now just two weeks away, there was a never-ending list of odd jobs that needed doing and no-one was ever short of someone to talk to or a topic to talk about.

Buffy spent a lot of time with Spike, maybe even more than she usually would have. She knew she loved him, she'd known for a long time and of course he'd made it plain just how much he loved her too, but that day when she'd met his family and they'd talked about the future, it had changed things. He'd told her he could see a future with her and that wasn't something Buffy had given much thought to.

First of all she never pictured herself having a future, Slayers didn't usually make it past their early twenties and she was already seventeen, but when Spike told her everything would be okay, that it would be different for her, she believed every word so much. Of course even if she wasn't the Slayer, Buffy was in high school, she wasn't thinking about marriage and kids and the little house with the picket fence, and she half expected to be petrified by the thought of it but she really wasn't. When Spike talked about the future he envisaged them having one day it gave her a happy, warm feeling inside and only made her love him even more, if it were possible.

Unfortunately, thinking of her future, reminded Buffy of her past. She was fifteen when she'd met Angel. They'd dated and claimed to be in love with each other, but he'd left after less than a year, for her own good, and because they couldn't have a future together what with him being older and a vampire and that pesky little soul-curse problem that meant activities of a bedroom related nature were never going to happen. Buffy blushed as she thought about it, though she wasn't sure why. Thinking about how sex might have been with Angel was weird, thinking about how sex might be with Spike was dangerous for her blood pressure...

"You okay, luv?" the very man she was having the thoughts about asked her as he noticed the colour of her cheeks.

"I..I'm fine" she stammered, smiling at him and inwardly begging her face to change back to it's proper colour, as Cordelia looked over at her with an aggravated look.

"Were you listening to a word I was saying?" she asked her best friend, pulling herself up to a sitting position. The four young people had escaped the craziness of the adults and their wedding organisation and were laying out on a rug in the back yard, talking and getting a tan in the California sun. Buffy had zoned out a while ago, right in the middle of Cordelia's speech about the last shopping trip she made in LA, the same speech she'd already made twice this week...

"Sorry" Buffy mumbled half-heartedly and Doyle immediately spoke up.

"I was listening Princess, every word" he assured the brunette beside him and Spike pretended to gag as Cordy rolled her eyes.

Doyle was determined to get Cordelia Chase to pay attention to him. When his eyes landed on her that first day they'd met he knew she was beautiful, after that the more he'd talked to her and hung around with her, and Buffy and Spike, the more he realised she was not just beautiful but intelligent and possibly the most wonderful girl he'd ever met.

Cordelia, however, was not so impressed by the Irishman. He was cute, she admitted only to herself and no-one else, he had nice eyes and a gorgeous accent, she conceded within her sub-conscious, but he was a little annoying, his fashion sense was appalling and she was just determined not to like him.

Spike was one of those people who noticed things and the interaction between Cordy and Doyle was something he'd been paying attention to. It was obvious his cousin liked the girl that Buffy saw as an extra sister, and as much as she claimed to hate his attention, Spike was sure she liked him too. He inwardly laughed at much of their antics, knowing damn well that before their stay in SunnyD was over those two would be snogging each others faces off, and if they weren't he may have to bang their heads together for being so stupid!

"You think we should go back inside?" Buffy asked her friends, "We might be needed to help with stuff"

"Doubt it pet" Spike told her, "Rest of them seem to have everything covered, besides I do not want to get in my mothers way til this wedding is over, she's like a bloody time bomb, keep expecting the pressure to get so bad her head explodes" he exclaimed causing an 'eeww' from both the girls and a look of distaste from Doyle.

"Oh come on" Spike sighed, "If you wanna go inside let's go, besides the sun is getting low and I'm sort of hungry anyway"

Picking up the blanket and their sunglasses the four made their way to the Summers back porch and Buffy led them into her kitchen through the back door. The sight that met their eyes was enough to make any self-respecting teenager want to heave.

"Mom!" Buffy screamed in alarm as Spike's Uncle Johnny removed his tongue from the woman's throat.

"Bloody hell!" was Spike's addition to the conversation, almost speaking in perfect unison with his uncle who said something much worse as far as cursing went.

Joyce who was still half bent backwards over the breakfast counter, straightened up fast and rearranged her blouse and her hair as she put a few feet of distance between herself and the man she had just been trying to get as close to as possible without the removal of clothing.

Buffy's mouth hung open in disbelief, as did Spike's, Cordelia's and Doyle's. Two adults making out over a kitchen counter top was scary enough but this was Buffy's mother and Spike's uncle! It was freaky beyond words, and as embarrassing as hell for all concerned.

"Hey kids" Joyce said uncertainly, unsure what to say or do next and she wasn't the only one with that problem...

"What the...? I just...?" Buffy couldn't form a coherent sentence in her head nevermind make one come out of her mouth and Doyle realised he and Cordelia should probably be elsewhere right now, besides, any excuse to get her alone.

"Maybe we should..." he mumbled, taking hold of the brunette girl's arm and manoeuvring her into the dining room before she knew what was happening.

"Are you crazy" she hissed as she removed herself from his grasp "I wanted to see what would happen in there"

"You don't think this is a family thing that we shouldn't get involved in?" he raised an eyebrow at her and she looked a little defeated.

"Well, I guess" she shrugged "And I guess food is out since we can't use the kitchen"

"There's a perfectly good kitchen next door" he suggested cautiously "Come on, I'll fix you something nice" he started to move across the room in the general direction of the front door. He was thrilled when he got a half a smile out of her.

"Okay, but it better be good" she warned as she followed him out of the house.

Back in the Summers' kitchen, Johnny was determined for Spike not to think badly of him. They had such a great bond, despite the fact they lived so far away for so long, he'd hate to lose the great relationship he had with his nephew.

"Hey, look this isn't what it looks like" he tried to tell the boy, but it was Buffy who replied, rather loudly.

"Really? So, what? You were checking for cavities with your tongue?" the blonde girl scoffed, waving her arms in frustration "Or maybe you just tripped and fell on top..."

"Buffy, that's enough!" Joyce snapped "Must you be so rude?"

"Me?" Buffy laughed humourlessly "I'm rude? I wasn't the one..."

"Buffy, luv" Spike stepped in, taking a hold of his girlfriend "maybe we should go sit down" he guided her towards the door to the living room and she allowed him to do so, but she had no intention of sitting down she was too wound up.

"Spike, I..." Johnny began as the young pair left the room, but Spike just lightly shook his head.

"It's okay, just give us a minute" he said quietly as he got Buffy out the door. Once in the living room she exploded again, gesturing wildly towards the kitchen with both arms.

"Did you see that? I mean, my God, what were they doing?" she raved and Spike couldn't help but smile at what he saw as a complete over-reaction.

"Nothing more than you and I have done, was it?" he asked and she shook her head wildly, as she paced the room.

"That's different, she's my mother! Why are you not appalled?" she came to a sudden stop in front of her boyfriend.

"Cos I've seen it before luv" he explained "My Uncle Johnny's had more girlfriends than you've had hot dinners"

"So he's using my Mom?" Buffy's eyes went even wider if it were possible "Oh God, it gets worse" she said as she tried to start pacing again, but Spike caught her arms and wouldn't let her move this time.

"No pet, that's not what I meant...will you calm down Slayer, it's not that big of a deal"

"Yes, it is!" she tried to tell him but he was having none of it.

"Why?" he asked her, knowing she'd have no good reason. After a moments consideration she exploded with one word.

"Because!"

Spike smirked as his reply came back, sarcasm-coated.

"Oh, award winning argument pet, I'm completely convinced"

"Shut up!" she complained, frustradely pulling her arms from his grasp and looking away, but not moving from in front of the bleach blond she loved.

"Sweetheart" Spike lifted her chin with his finger and made her look at him as he spoke more gently "look I don't want to upset you but however old our relations are they're still people with instincts and urges like anyone else"

"But it's icky" she pouted like a child and he had to try hard not to laugh at her.

"No luv, not icky" he told her with a smile, putting his arms around her waist "just something that you're gonna have to get used to is all, if these two are serious that is"

"I guess I could try" she sighed in defeat and Spike kissed her forehead.

"That's my girl" he smiled "Now, maybe you should go talk to Joyce. I don't think she ever meant to upset you"

"I guess" she shrugged, before reaching up to kiss him. She was amazed at how much easier he made everything sound. "Did I mention that you're the best boyfriend ever?" she smiled.

"Yeah" he smiled widely back "but I don't mind hearing it again"

She didn't tell him so much as she showed him, kissing him hard and long. When they finally broke apart he really didn't want her to go see her Mum, but he knew it was best to let them sort things out, there was plenty of time later for kissing and such...

"Now, run along" he told her "fix things with your Mum and if you're a very good little Slayer, I might show you a few things I can do over a counter top"

"Ooh, promises" Buffy grinned, a twinkle in her eyes as she walked away toward the kitchen, and Spike winked at her, before watching her behind disappear.

A few seconds later Spike was joined in the living room by his uncle.

"You serious about her then?" was the younger mans immediate questions. He knew Johnny had a tendency to be the 'use them and lose them' type and he didn't want Joyce to get hurt, she was a decent sort.

"Yeah, y'know I think I am" the older man admitted "It's the weirdest thing" he almost laughed "I've known her for like a week and..."

"And already you reckon you're in love?" Spike finished for him, guessing he was right by the look on his uncle's face.

"I didn't say in love" he said too fast, making Spike smirk "it's just...y'know you're right, I might be in love" he conceded "...what happened to me?" he asked next with a definite frown. Spike just chuckled as he patted Johnny on the back in a manly fashion.

"Summers women charm, mate" he sympathised "no way of resisting it as far as I know"

Buffy made her peace with Joyce and told both her mother and Johnny that she was happy for them really, it had just been a shock seeing what she saw. Soon Spike and Johnny realised they should head back next door for dinner and after kissing their girls goodbye that's what they did.

Cordelia came back to the Summers residence but declined dinner with the family as she'd already eaten with Doyle. Buffy was a little miffed that her friend refused to divulge any details and promptly disappeared upstairs, but she was more than happy to sit beside her mother as Joyce told Dawn about Johnny. Buffy did not want to miss her younger sisters reaction and she was quite disappointed when, after a small grumble about the fact she was now the only girl in the house without a guy, she seemed pleased by the idea of her Mom having a boyfriend, and that boyfriend being Spike's Uncle Johnny.

As the sun set and darkness fell, Buffy changed her clothes, picked up her weapons and met Spike on the front porch to go patrolling. It was a quiet night vampire-wise, and the couple took the opportunity to talk.

"Y'know I expected Dawn to go crazy when she found out Mom had a guy, but she was cool about it" Buffy told Spike as they walked through the cemetery, his arm over her shoulders and a cigarette in his other hand.

"The Bit's not a child y'know luv" Spike pointed out, "She's pretty grown up for her age"

"I know" Buffy conceded, "Sometimes I wish she was less grown up, as much as I complained about it, I kind of liked having to help look after her when we were younger" she sighed.

"Well, one day you can look after our kids" Spike grinned at her as he took a last drag from his cigarette and tossed the butt aside.

"You think about stuff like that a lot?" Buffy asked him with a smile as they stopped walking as she looked up into his eyes, "Future stuff, I mean"

"Sometimes" Spike admitted with a nod, "Bet you think I'm a right ponce now, right?" he rolled his eyes but she shook her head.

"No" she told him softly, "I think you're gorgeous" she smiled playfully as she kissed his cheek, "and sweet" she continued, kissing his other cheek, "and I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world just cos you're here and you love me" she finished going for his lips and they kissed passionately in the dark.

A tingle at the back of her neck told Buffy they needed to stop, a vampire was near. She pulled away from a disappointed Spike and shushed him when he opened his mouth to speak.

"Vampire" she whispered and he nodded that he understood as they looked around for the human-visaged demon that Buffy had sensed lurking nearby.

The Slayer got the shock of her life when she turned around to be confronted by the creature she was looking for. Not an evil enemy at all, she gasped with the shock of who really stood before her.

"Angel?!"

To Be Continued...

A/N2 : *dodges various things being thrown by angry Spuffy shippers* Come on guys, you know Spike and Buffy will end up together, despite the fact that Angel is around, and he won't be around forever I promise...