Author: Bitten And Staked

Title: City of Angels - Chapter Eleven - Reflections.

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Summary: Buffy and Spike have to head out to dinner with the parents, but not before Spike vents frustration at his lack of reflection, Buffy mollycoddles him and Dawn gets a little snap happy.

Timeline: set in between season 5 and 6, in my alternate world where Buffy didn't die. Spike's crypt is trashed during the final showdown and Dawn convinces Buffy to let him stay since he protected them both.

Series: Part 11 of ?

Pairing: Buffy and Spike. Romance, love and nooky.

Rating: PG13

Disclaimer: everyone else owns Buffy and all associated with her.

Feedback: always welcome so email me - webmaster@talesoftheslayer.com

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When he awoke the bed next to him was empty. He lay still for a moment and inhaled. She'd not been gone long by the strength of her scent. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and headed into the bathroom.

Stepping under the cold of the shower he replayed Buffy getting undressed in his head and his body responded.

"Down boy, not now." He stepped out and dried himself down with a towel then wrapped it around his waist.

He held his hand to the mirror on the bathroom cabinet and scowled at it with hatred when he saw nothing in the reflection but the bathroom.

"Monster, nothing close to what she wants or deserves. You're not Angel, there's no good in you, pure evil, killer, murderer. You don't even warrant a reflection, ghost, not bloody here. You're a damn fool man, look at you, can't can you because you're not supposed to be here, it's borrowed time that shouldn't belong to you. You're nothing, you're beneath her and you're dead. Stupid reanimated carcass." He threw a bottle at the mirror and it smashed.

"Spike?" Buffys voice was a whisper from the doorway, she felt sick at the thought that most of his upset was her doing.

He turned to look at her with a face filled with pain and suffering, quickly turning to anger at thought of her witnessing his little tirade.

"What?" Spikes nostrils flared as he shouted her down and she jumped, her face turning fearful. He turned his face away and stood with his back to her, shutting his eyes tight and clenching his jaw.

"Spike." Buffy stepped towards him and wrapped her arms about his waist, resting her head against his back, it was cool against her cheek and she closed her eyes. "Sorry for all I've done to make you feel like this. I've never given you an easy time have I? I realise now that your feelings about me are all true. You don't need a soul to love and you're more than a reanimated corpse. Don't be mad at yourself because of me, please?"

Spike rested a hand on hers where they joined on his stomach then turned around in her arms and forced a smile.

"Sorry. Little wound up." Spikes voice was a whisper and he cupped her cheek in his hand, he was amazed that she didn't pull away from him. "Didn't mean to scare you love. Just a little confused but it'll pass."

"I made you blood. We have to go out soon, I'll put something nice on if it will make you smile." She released her arms and turned towards the door.

Spike followed her and gave a quick look to the broken pieces of mirror on the floor. He wished he knew what he looked like to Buffy, he was after all being treated like her ken doll. She had changed his hair, clothes and even his name. Loves bitch.

He walked into the bedroom and noted that Buffy had laid out clothes on the bed for him. Nice new black jeans and one of his favourite patterned black shirts. At least she wasn't trying to make him too different. He dressed without ceremony and then headed into the little living area. Buffy was curled up on the couch in a bathrobe watching the TV; she still looked a little upset.

"Sorry. Do I look presentable mistress?" Spike grinned at her, he had purposefully slicked back his hair so she would find fault.

"Meh!" She whined and walked over to him, running her fingers up both sides of his hair as she came to a halt. Buffy smiled up at him as she tousled his hair, she knew he had only done it to cheer her up.

The next thing Spike knew was a bright flash that stung his eyes.

"Surprise." Dawn screamed as she snapped off another picture. "Dad gave me this cool digital camera. Ooh that's a good one, I'm keeping that."

Dawn bounced over to Spike and it was like his wish had come true. The first one was a little blurred and Buffy had a shocked look on her face. But in the second one she had moved to Spikes side and he had a frown on his face that made him smile. He had to admit; Buffy was right about the hair it suited him better.

"I'm going to get dressed." Buffy headed into the bedroom and closed the door.

"Snap happy Dawn. Least I get to see what I look like now." Spike slouched into the couch.

"You really can't see yourself? No wonder you dress like that!"

"Hey niblet, watch your mouth. Any idea where were going tonight?" He sipped his mug of blood and watched the TV.

"Nah, just know it's some place not far from here. Probably walkable. Dad seems to like you, Jane says you're pale and handsome."

"She does does she? Well well." Spike finished off his blood and set it onto the table.

"Do you even eat?" Dawn wrinkled her nose at the mug. "I mean real food and not animal by-products."

"I have developed a taste for eating solids if that's what you're asking. Wouldn't say no to a little girl though."

Dawns eyes widened at what he said but before she could answer with an 'ewww' Buffy had opened the door and stepped into the room. Spikes attention was immediately with her, she had tied her hair up and was wearing a strappy little black dress that finished halfway up her thigh. She had red lipstick on and a little cross around her neck. He swallowed hard and couldn't help but smile.

"See. Said I would make you smile." Buffy walked over to where he sat and stood over him. "Come on boyfriend, let's go dine with the parents."
"Ready." Buffy yelled as they made it to the main entrance hall of the house.

"Buffy Summers, I did not raise you to be a screamer." Hank came down the stairs.

Spike raised an eyebrow at Buffy and whispered in her ear. "Bet I could make you scream." He got a slap on the arm as a reward.

"Well let's look at you both. You look adorable together. Just the right height and everything." Jane was mollycoddling Spike and he looked ready to bite at her intruding hands. "Dawn, get a picture of them. They are so cute."

"She calls me cute one more time I'm making a change of the facial type." Spike whispered to Buffy out the corner of his mouth.

"Be quiet and smile for the camera William." Buffy hissed back at him.

The flash went off and then Buffy decided she wanted a picture of Dawn and Spike together. Dawn happily agreed and Spike put his arm around her and smiled for the camera. When he came to see the pictures Buffy slipped her arm around his waist and he noticed her fingers come to rest on his tattoo again.

"They're both good. I think we look good in them." Buffy smiled up at him and Spike couldn't help but agree, these two weeks were going to be fun.

"Come on now or we'll be late." Hank herded them out the door. "It's not far so a stretch of the legs is in order."