Title: Long Way From Home - Chapter 5 - Making amends.

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Summary: Buffy doesn't know how she should react when Spike apologises for his actions, taking the course of forgiving him she starts to realise he's good guy at heart.

Timeline: Buffy and Willow are students at the University of Oxford, Spike is a part time masters student and fronts a band with Oz. Set in England, Buffy is early 20s Spike is late 20s - everyones human.

Series: Part 5 of ?

Pairing: Buffy and Spike. Everyones Human AU.

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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Buffy remained seated near the bar for the rest of the set, listening to the lyrics of the tunes they had written themselves she realised their usual style was less insulting more romance and bad days orientated.

She headed back to find Willow as the hum of the last song faded away. She hadn't moved from where Buffy had left her.

"Sorry Will, just didn't want to be in the firing line." Buffy offered a consolatory bottle of water to her friend and she took it with a smile.

"That's okay, he looked pained when you stormed off and I gave him my best scowl." Willow looked triumphant.

"Thanks, I'm sure if he had any emotions he'd be hurt. He was so different the other day."

"Can we stick around for Oz? I know you won't want to go backstage but…" She looked hopeful again.

"Okay, just don't leave me alone." Buffy took a big gulp of water as she watched Oz coming down the steps towards them.

"Oz hey, you were amazing as usual." Willow beamed at him as he slipped his guitar off over his head.

"Thanks." He smiled warmly at her then pointed at Buffys stained shoulder. "What happened?"

"That would be me." Spike stood behind Oz with his guitar hanging limply by his side, smiling as Buffy turned her gaze to the floor.

"Pretty thing?" Oz pointed at Buffy.

"Oz!" Willow pouted at him then turned her attention to her mortified friend, but Spike was already there.

"Sorry about the song, you just royally pissed me off and I had to vent. No hard feelings?" He stuck his hands in his jeans pockets with an air of awkwardness and looked down at her, Buffy showed no signs of hearing him.

"You big jerk." Willow pounded his arm and pushed him backwards into Oz, she was astounded at her own strength.

"Feisty." Spike grinned at her as he bounced back and resumed his position in front of Buffy. "Your mates right, I'm a prick but I'm apologising on a one time basis only. Take it or leave it." He extended his hand to her.

Buffy stared at it for a moment like it was going to bite her and then gripped it tightly in hers, he responded by squeezing it tighter.

"Spike. The names Spike." He waited for a response from her.

"That's a name? I'm Buffy." She shot for sarcastic but didn't quite make it, he was hurting her and his hand was cold.

"You certainly are." Spike smirked at her and let go of her hand, leaving her standing there as he headed through the door that lead backstage.

When they finally left, Buffy was pleased that she had managed to avoid him, or had he skilfully managed to avoid her? He had spent most of the time lounging in an armchair in the corner with his guitar, strumming it and looking more than melancholy. On several occasions Buffy had wanted to go over to him and beat the reason why he was so depressed out of him. It pissed her off that he had the cheek to look so miserable when it had been her that had been insulted in front of everyone.

As Willow and Buffy stepped out into the chill night air Buffy looked up the street. There were drunks trying to stop cars and shouting abuse at them as they screeched past. Not feeling entirely safe Buffy turned to Willow and they headed towards the crossing.

"Wait, it's not safe." Spike caught Buffys arm and she looked at his offending hand.

Raising her face to his she saw real concern in his eyes and for the first time she noticed how blue they were, like clear summer skies.

"I'm sure we'll be fine." She looked defiant but Willow just looked scared.

"Look you can either accept my offer of a lift or try and get past those piss heads." Spike pointed at the guys who were now heckling a group of girls.

"I'd rather walk." Buffy turned away from him and started up the street with Willow.

"Bloody women." Sighing in frustration Spike deposited his guitar in the back of the van and then ran after them, slowing to a walk as he came along side them.

"What are you doing?" Buffy looked up at him and stopped, Willow was starting to think that maybe walking home alone was a bad idea.

"I'm walking." He folded his arms.

"Where?"

"Wherever you're heading." He frowned at her and Willow, noting that her friend looked like she preferred the idea of having him around.

"Fine, just to the bus stop." Buffy started up the road again but Spike decided that the other side of the road was safer and steered her in that direction.

Walking in silence she had to admit it did feel a lot safer with a bodyguard like Spike. As they neared the group of drunks Buffy noticed his fists clench up and his look turn predatory. He was like a coiled spring ready to explode at a moments notice but they managed to get past them without a hitch.

Spike warily strolled along with the girls, he was feeling intensely guilty for his earlier actions and was confused at how pissed off it made him that she thought walking home alone was a safe thing to do.

Nearing the bus stop he paused to look around, there was a bus coming up the road and he turned to the girls.

"See, nice and safe." Buffy smiled at him and he returned it.

"Best be off." He echoed his words from the other night.

"You lecture us and you're walking home?" Buffy looked incredulous as the bus pulled up besides them.

"Pfft. It's only a twenty minute walk, I missed my lift and I can't think how." He sniffed and looked at the bus, Willow was getting on but Buffy was staring blankly at him. "What?"

"You're a pig, but thanks." She gave him a high beam smile and stepped onto the bus.

"Anytime. See you around kitten." Spike turned and headed up the street, Buffy watched him as he adjusted his jacket collar so it protected his neck from the cold.

As the bus pulled past him Spike saw Buffy looking out the back window. He smiled to himself and crossed the road, it was turning out to be one crazy week.

to be continued... [if you can't wait then visit my site]