She looked surprised at first, then angered. She pulled away from him slowly.

"You didn't know him like I did. You...have no idea..." She whispered.

"And don't tell me what to call him," she added, becoming steadily upset with each passing moment.

Spike missed her warmth almost before she sat up. He closed his eyes and started to rub his temples. This was just going from bad to worse with no life preserver.

He saw no exits from this wall he'd backed himself into. This thing with Angel would always be a sticky point, he could see that already. There seemed to be no resolution.

"I had hoped he wouldn't be a shadow in this relationship...I'm not him. I never will be. If you're going to compare us I can't do this. I may be love's bitch but at least I'm man enough to know when the game's not fair."

"I'm not comparing you," she insisted. "But if you expect me to forget about him one hundred percent, then you're wrong. I'll always remember him, but that doesn't mean I love him."

She paused, gazing at him steadily as regret filled her eyes because of the way she lost her temper. She leaned towards him slightly, extending a hand to touch his face gently.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, truthfully.

Spike nodded, regretting he'd said anything about it at all. He realized that no matter what happened he would have the same skeletons in his heart that she did. Cecily and Dru had left their mark as Buffy would.

"Not as sorry as I am pet…almost ruined this before it had a chance." He brought her hand down and laced their fingers together just to feel her and remind Buffy that he was still here.

"Besides…" The gleam in his eye spoke volumes of his intentions. "Every chance I get you know where I'll be."

She managed a slight smile, closing her eyes as he held her hand. She slowly leaned against him again, laying her head on his chest and relaxing slowly.

After several moments she looked up at him, finally speaking: "It's okay," she said softly. A soft sigh escaped her lips before she spoke again.

"I don't why a simple word like that would make me think of him," she whispered, fighting back memories of Angel that she didn't want to see. She gazed steadily at Spike's face, saying nothing for the moment.

He melted back into the couch as she lay back down. This was how things were supposed to work out. Spike almost pinched himself, thinking this too good to be a dream and realized the foolishness of that thought.

This was better than a dream. Buffy was actually here. He heard her soft speech and as she met his eyes. The inner turmoil he saw in her eyes made him swallow as if he himself was in pain.

"S'ok pet. Happens to the best of us." He chuckled and slipped his other arm around her waist, reassuring her as best he could.

You're so patient with me," she murmured, slightly surprised. She became silent once more, her eyes closing slowly as she curled up next to him.

She intertwined her fingers with his, finding comfort in his cool touch. Moments later she spoke again, her voice even more quiet then before: "Thanks."

Spike smiled. "Me? Patient? If you think so…"

He laughed softy and rest his chin on her head. Things were so perfect right now. He blinked a few times. Maybe too perfect. Buffy wasn't a robot and didn't seem to be under a spell. Yet nothing seemed amiss.

He yawned and then closed his eyes too. Now all he could do was feel. Feel her warmth, the soft breath on his arm, her fingers laced in him. If he wasn't so damn sure he would go to hell, this felt like heaven.

Buffy's eyes fluttered open for a moment as she grinned slowly.

"I -do- think so," she murmured. She said nothing for a moment, a silent question forming in her mind.

She hesitated slightly, then spoke again as her grin faded: "But...why?" she whispered, lifting her head from his chest to gaze steadily into his eyes.

Meeting her gaze Spike kissed her softly. "Because." He whispered and kissed her again with more force, trying to chase away the ghosts of memories that flooded his mind.

He had been so very patient with Dru. Yet not nearly as much as he was with this cuddly Slayer. Spike tickled her side a little bit, trying to break this train of thought.

She squirmed slightly from his touch, a smile curving her lips again. After several moments she broke the kiss slowly, eyes closed.

"Because what?" she murmured, teasing him slightly. She smiled again, her eyes fluttering open slowly.

Spike feigned innocence and shook his head. He could play the game just as well as Buffy could. Perhaps better. He had been playing much longer after all.

"I dunno luv. What is it?" He looked around the room, searching for a cause. Finally, he let himself look at her. Spike gasped. "I found it!"

His eyes lit up in mock amazement as he tickled the devil out of her.

Her laughter rang clearly as she squirmed again, her eyes lit up and a grin on her lips. Although she most likely could have escaped his grasp if she wanted to...well, she -didn't- want to.

Minutes later, she finally managed to gasp: "Okay...stop...I give up." But as she spoke a smile still spread across her face.

Smirking, Spike stopped tickling Buffy. "Never thought I'd ever hear a Slayer say those words." The tickling hands pulled her back to him and came to rest wrapped around her.

"Never thought we'd be sittin right here either." If it was even possible, he chastely kissed her lips. Pulling back he sighed with contentment, exhaling unnecessarily. A fellow could stay like this forever.

Slightly breathless, she smiled, a sigh escaping her lips.

"I'm full of surprises," she replied softly, a mischievious gleam in her eyes before she closed them slowly. She returned his kiss, then laid her head on his chest and curling up to him.

Spike didn't think he'd ever been more at peace. Things with Dru had always been slightly skewed but that was what he did like about her. This time he spent right now with Buffy, he etched into his mind so he'd never forget no matter what.

She was so warm, almost burnt him where their skin met. A smug grin settled in place as he thought about more skin. Buffy's steady breathing lulled him into a sincere sleep and he dozed slightly as they sat together.

She smiled as she realized that he had dozed off. She then opened her eyes slowly as she suddenly thought of Dawn, and of wondering what time it was. She glanced at her watch, wincing slightly as she noted that it was past midnight.

"Damn," she cursed quietly, her voice barely audible. She didn't want to leave, but she needed to patrol for at least a couple of hours. As she gazed at Spike again she almost decided to stay, not wanting to leave him.

Spike felt her fidgeting and hugged her a little tighter. His grip did relax and he sort of woke up. Still groggy, he chuckled at hearing her swear. "Language slayer…what would the….uh…they say."

Slightly embarrassed at his lack of a intelligible response, he buried his face in her hair.

"What was the swear for anyway?" Spike had no idea what the time was, he just knew it was night and he should be out prowling instead of inside snuggling.

She smiled slightly at his response, but then sobered slightly.

"It's getting late," she murmured, her reluctance to leave obvious. "I need to check on Dawn...and patrol, too."

She laid a hand on his shoulder lightly, comforted by it's cool temperature.

Glancing at his shoulder, Spike followed her hand back up her arm and to her face. His sincere blue eyes met her reluctant hazels.

"Want me to come help patrol? Pretty sure you could always use an extra set of hands…"

Trailing off, Spike's snarky innuendo left him with a mother load of fantasies and a huge smirk.

She smirked slightly, her expression softening slowly. "I'm not totally helpless," she teased. "I can patrol alone...if you don't want to come along."

Buffy smiled slightly, returning his gaze steadily. Just barely shrugging, she murmured: "I've gotta check on Dawn, too."

He pretended to be hurt but struggled to keep up the guise. "Wouldn't wanna come along? I'm real hurt Slayer that you'd want me to miss you in action."

Grinning he dumped her unceremoniously on the couch as he stood. Waiting for her to regain her composure, he held out a hand as if to help her up.

"Ready to go milady?"

She cast a false glare at him, but it dissolved quickly as she took his hand. It surprised her slightly at how simply holding hands with him took her breath away.

"Yeah..." she said softly, managing a slight smile, her hair falling into her eyes as she gazed up at him.

Spike lifted his other hand and gently tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear. He leaned in for a quick kiss before pulling away and glancing at the door of the crypt.

"Don't wanna delay you any longer with…other…activities." He took a few steps towards the door, not enough to physically move her yet just enough to extend both of their arms.

"Let's go kill some beasties."

Buffy returned his kiss softly, then grinned slightly. She moved with him to the door, silently dreading yet another night of "slayage."

Glancing at Spike, she nodded.

"Let's," she agreed. Opening the door, she stepped out into the cool California night, eyes immediately searching her surroundings for anything unusual.

Spike's eyes went immediately to the moon. He did love it so for it was the one thing that hadn't ever changed since his days as a nancy boy poet. Sometimes he still wrote, only after he'd been properly inspired. Buffy would prove quite the topic should he work up the courage to actually commit something to paper.

The night are was still cool and refreshing, somehow it had gotten quite warm in his crypt. He kept his fingers laced with hers as they walked into the graveyard which was still unusually quiet.

Everything seemed fine for the moment, at least that's what Buffy tried to make herself believe. But she couldn't shake the feeling in her gut that something was up, though she didn't quite know what.

Moments later a faint cracking sound reached her ears as they neared the edge of the graveyard. She froze, her hand immediately going to the stake at her waist, fingertips brushing the cool wood.

She glanced at Spike, knowing that if she could hear it he most likely could, too.

He nodded, indicating he had heard it too. Dropping her other hand, Spike crept close and made a motion for them to split up and generally go on either side of the distant noise.

He leaned over and did not kiss her for once. Rather he whispered a single word in her ear.

"Go."

And without really waiting for another sign, he turned and jogged off towards the noise. Spike only looked back once when he was moving to see if she'd gone yet.

She was already moving in the direction he had indicated, glancing back at the same time he did and meeting his eyes. She nodded her head slightly, then returned her gaze to the direction she was going.

Moments later, she paused as her eyes found a group of demons huddled nearby.

Spike was creeping around on the other side of the demons. He couldn't really tell what they were doing yet, there was still some distance between them and his heightened sight did not include the binocular package.

A scream pierced the air as Spike came closer still trying to figure out what they were doing.

Buffy winced at the scream, now close enough to see that there was a young girl on the ground, bloodied and beaten. Another cracking sound reached her ears then, but this time it seemed to be coming from behind her.

She whirled around, her stake in her hand - but there was nothing there. Turning around slowly to face the group of demons again she gasped, for one of the demons was standing in front of her, a crude kind of club in its hand.

The thing roared, lunging at her, but she easily sidestepped it, bringing her leg up in a sharp kick to its neck.

Seeing the one go down, two others jumped up while one was left to hold the girl to the ground. Spike tackled one and was hanging on it's back as it pulled him around and sent him flying.

Getting up again, he went for the other one this time, trying to taunt the two into attacking him instead of Buffy. Sounds of the crying girl reached his ears but he was otherwise occupied provoking the two angry demons that were in the process of double teaming Spike.

"Slayer! The girl!" Spike managed three words before both tackled him to the ground.

She finally managed to get the demon down, just as Spike's words reached her ears. Looking over at him, her eyes widened.

"I'm working on it!" she shouted as another pair of demons advanced on her. She threw the stake, smirking with brief satisfaction as it embedded itself in one demon's neck.

The thing roared, clutching at it's neck as Buffy, following Spike's earlier lead, jumped up onto it's back. She gripped it's head and twisted hard, jumping off as the sound of its neck snapping rang out in the night.

Once her feet were on the ground again, she realized the other demon had vanished. She frowned, then started to move towards the girl when she heard a grunt behind her. She whirled around again, only to see the missing demon swinging it's club at her head.

Spike struggled with the two huge demons who threatened to crush him outright if their blows missed a beat. With one solid kick to the chest, pike managed to throw one off and he elbowed the other. Jumping to his feet, the second demon proved to be short work as he knocked it backwards into a stone faced gargoyle.

It slumped to the ground as the first roared while it charged Spike once more. Ducking neatly out of it's way, he glanced at Buffy to see how she was faring. One demon on the ground...the other behind her! Growling, Spike ran and tackled Buffy to the ground. Eyeing their position on the ground, Spike smirked.

"Sorry pet, I'd love to right now but see there's these demons..."

The demon stumbled, obviously confused at how its target, her, had disappeared. Buffy glared slightly at him.

"Funny, Spike," she remarked, just before she slipped out of his arms, rolling quickly to the side to avoid the demon's second attempt with its club. She leaned back, pushing both feet up into the air and onto the demon's chest.

As it lunged toward her again, she used its momentum against it, throwing it up and over her to slam in an old tombstone. She leaped to her feet, realizing there was only one or two of them left. She glanced at Spike again, moving to his side and extending a hand to help pull him to his feet.

Her expression softened slightly as she murmured, "Thanks, by the way."

Letting her pull him up, Spike grinned. "Anytime luv. Anytime…"

He trailed off seeing the other two try to sneak up behind her again. They had this thing apparently, where it was easier to sneak up than to attack directly. No matter. Spinning her around, he brought the only remaining demons to her attention.

Taking the one on the right, Spike threw a roundhouse punch, very flashy one, and was caught by surprise at a jab from the demon to his side. Rolling with it he side kicked it to the ground where it was easy enough to snap it's neck. Sitting high and mighty atop the dead demon, he wondered absently if the girl was even still alive.

Buffy grinned back slightly then, following his lead, she took on the last demon, who seemed to almost be the leader of the gang. She ducked as it swung its club at her, her leg snapping out and catching it in the stomach.

It grunted, then roared with fury, charging her again. She ducked once more, but didn't anticipate the blow it gave her, its fist slamming into the side of her head. She was thrown to the ground, obviously surprised by the force from the blow.

Just as she was recovering, ready to spring to her feet, it caught her off guard again, its club hitting her in the side of the head again. The club seemed to have some kind of magical energy contained within it, as the blow sent a wave of electric shock flying through her body.

She convulsed briefly, unable to move for the moment once the shock had faded.

Roaring, Spike tackled the last demon and proceeded to beat him to a bloody pulp. He left the creature still alive but with many broken bones, bumps, bruises and whatnot. Somewhere, the rational thought that he might be needed for questioning kept the rage from finishing it off.

Satisfied the thing could only lie there and bleed, Spike moved to her side. It had done a number, whatever it was. She wasn't really moving, or breathing even. He could feel her heart beating steadily, at least. Dropping down, he kneeled by her side.

"You okay pet?" He didn't even know if she'd respond.

She blinked slowly, a soft groan slipping from her lips.

"Yeah," she murmured, slowly using an elbow to prop herself up slightly.

"That was one nasty club," she grumbled, using her free hand to lightly rub an already-growing lump on the side of her head.

"Damn," she muttered softly, wincing as her fingertips brushed it lightly. She then sucked in a deep breath, gasping softly.

"Spike, the girl..." she looked at him quickly, wincing once more as the world seemed to spin at the simple, but sudden, movement.

Concern seemed to pour from his liquid blue eyes as he gently helped her up. Hand around her waist, he started to move towards the fallen form of the girl. Spike was limping slightly, one of the demons had nailed his leg pretty good.

Blood was matted in her dark hair as her equally dark eyes stared into the night sky. She was twisted unnaturally on the ground yet as they approached her hand lifted slightly but it too dropped back to the earth.

Her head twisted in their general direction. "They're coming…"

Leaning heavily on Spike, Buffy moved with him to the girl's side, noting his limp. Concern for him filled her own eyes, but when the girl looked at them and spoke, Buffy's eyes widened. She was definitely getting the wiggins.

"Who...?" she trailed off, her voice shaky, mostly because of her injuries. She turned her head slowly, looking at Spike for a moment, then back at the girl.

Spike could only shrug as his blue eyes narrowed as he stared at the girl.

She wasn't in such a good condition and had probably been like that for some time. Her chest shook as a cough tore its way out, leaving only a faint splatter of blood on the girl's bottom lip as a sign of its passing.

Her dark eyes found his, a sign of recognition, one that said she knew what he was and who Buffy was, passed between them. Dark lashes fluttered shut as Spike looked on...

Buffy just barely caught the look that passed between him and the girl, confusion still in her eyes.

"Spike...you know who she is?" she asked quietly, obvious surprise now replacing her confusion.

Her gaze slid back to the girl as she knelt down slowly, unable to prevent herself from wincing ever-so slightly. Her hand going to the girl's neck she felt for a pulse, afraid she may have been too far-gone for them to help.

He could only stare at the limp form of the girl on the ground. Soft words slipped unknown to him through his lips.

"Yeah…something like that." He wondered how she'd lived so long and made it so far. It was amazing really, given the circumstances. He really couldn't vocalize anything more right now. Spike spoke again and bent beside the Slayer, still favoring his ankle.

"Won't find one on this urchin…" Her lips twisted in a broken half smile that seemed like he should recognize when Buffy felt for a pulse. Gently nudging her aside, Spike picked the girl up in his arms and cradled her to him.

She was a tiny thing, smaller even than Buffy. He stood and started to walk away, obviously ignoring the pain in his ankle. Stopping, he turned his head to call back to Buffy.

"Coming?"

She stood in one smooth motion, though perhaps not as fluid as she might have had it not been for the continuous pain within her head. Unable to stop a slight, almost unnoticeable wince, Buffy nodded.

"Yeah..." she muttered, still obviously mystified at how Spike seemed to know her, and how...mysterious he seemed to be acting.

'Not very like him at all,' she thought silently, following him without another word. Noticing the apparent pain in his ankle, a concerned expression flickered through her eyes, despite the fact she knew he would heal quickly, most likely faster then even she would.

Matching his pace, she looked briefly at him, her gaze searching for something...she didn't quite know what. But then she looked at the girl, her gaze darkening slightly as she silently pondered the strange mystery that she and Spike had somehow stumbled upon.

Spike kept a steady pace, still much slower due to his ankle, but fast enough for it to complain every step he took. As he reached his crypt and thought about kicking the door open but realized that he could neither kick it with his ankle or support his weight with it. Besides he didn't want to jostle the inert form in his arms.

Spike slowed to a stop and then turned to face Buffy, hoping she was still behind him.

"Would you get the door luv?"

His normally snarky expression had been completely consumed by concern. Although it was impossible to tell, he was torn almost completely in half inside. This girl brought so much pain back into his life, just when he had found happiness with Buffy.

Buffy had followed him steadily the whole way, random thoughts racing through her mind much like the wind and fading just as quickly, only to be replaced by a fresh one. When Spike spoke to her she started, her body jerking ever-so slightly as her eyes fluttered briefly.

"Yeah...of course..." she murmured, feeling just a little foolish.

As she slipped past him to open the door she happened to glance at his face momentarily, just barely able to keep in check her surprise at his expression. She said nothing, however, merely opening the door and stepping inside, then back to give Spike room to enter.

Carefully stepping past her and into the dark, Spike navigated mostly from memory. He paid little attention to anything but the current situation. Not wanting to risk the stairs to the lower level right now, he set the wounded girl down on the couch.

Spike gently stretched her form out and made a quick search of her vitals. She had lost a considerable amount of blood and had broken bones, bruises, and more he couldn't tell from a quick look.

Realizing Buffy hadn't moved that much, Spike stood quickly and shed a little light on the situation. Standing near the lantern he'd lit, the shadows aged his face much more than normal. Worry did not become him although it rarely did anyone. Finding her eyes, he spoke softly.

"I'll…." He paused, picking the right words wasn't easy. "I'll understand if you don't stay…"

She watched him silently from the doorway after shutting it, silently admiring this gentler aspect that seemed to have taken over him - something she didn't see all that much but was pleasantly surprised when she did. Her smile faded almost completely as he turned towards her, noting the seriousness of his movements and expression.

She also noticed how aged he seemed to appear at that moment and she found herself feeling sympathy for him, knowing the effect that seeing a face from one's past could have on you. When he spoke her eyebrows raised instinctively with surprise, her gaze locked on his.

She then replied just as softly, "Well, I." she trailed off momentarily, finding as Spike did that it wasn't always easy to find the right words. "Unless you want me to go, I'll stay," she finally said, her voice sincere despite her slight confusion.

"No." A trickle of relief was visible as well as a slight weight dropped from his already heavy shoulders. He had prepared himself in case Buffy wanted out but she'd stay. She'd stay…and they still had eye contact. S

pike didn't speak again, only nodded his head still deep in thought, breaking her gaze. Fixating his gaze near the wall, he really needed Buffy's help. He needed more blood than the nearly vacant refrigerator held at the moment.

The girl also needed a thorough evaluation to figure out just what those demons had done. Spike brought his head back to face her, realizing his train of thought had left Buffy at the station.

"Stay here, with her. Find out what they've done to her…I need more blood an the demon's still out there. He should be taken to the watcher, he should…" He trailed off and continued the rant in his head.

"Spike..." she said his name quietly, reaching out and touching his arm lightly. "Calm down," she murmured, her voice still quiet.

"I'll help you, but..." she trailed off momentarily, an unspoken question forming slowly within her thoughts.

"You can't keep me in the dark on this one if I'm going to take care of her while you're gone." Buffy's gaze strayed briefly to the girl's motionless form on the couch, then returned to Spike. She half-wanted to demand more firmly that Spike tell her everything, but she didn't want to be too harsh if possible.

Locking her gaze with his once more, she spoke again: "Spike, who is she?"

He wanted to disappear into her intense gaze. Those eyes seemed to bore deep inside where only his deepest secrets were locked and yet she still had to voice her questions, to push that much further.

The light graze of her touch burned and he wished she'd not be so gentle, that she'd act as his memory said she would. Yet this changed attitude was a welcome difference, Buffy was letting him move the pieces as slowly as he saw fit, not forcing his hand…much. She'd agreed to stay, to help, and so deserved an explanation.

"Her name is Sophia…haven't seen her since me and the gang were in Paris that second time."

Another gurgled cough forced Spike to rip his gaze back to the girl.

"She needs blood…keep her safe for me luv." With that, he turned and bolted out the door and into the night leaving behind two girls. One from his past the other from the present and both strangers to the other.

"Sp-" Buffy started to say his name again, but he was already gone. With a soft sigh she shut the crypt door, silently pondering Spike's words, particularly "the gang." She frowned, moving towards the couch and the girl. The "gang" probably meant Darla, Drusilla, and...Angel.

"Me and vampires..." she murmured softly. "I kill 'em, and yet...I love..." she caught herself immediately, realizing what she was saying aloud with Sophia laying on the couch near her. She knelt beside the couch slowly, gazing at her fragile form.

Sighing again, she scrutinized the stark contrast between her pale skin and dark hair, then the many cuts and gashes that were scattered across her form. A wave of sympathy washed over Buffy briefly as she realized how much pain the girl must have gone through, must still be going through.

Then she dwelled briefly on the thought that she was a vampire. Protecting a vampire. Now that was something she never thought she'd find herself doing...

As Spike ran into the night he regretted leaving them together. Part of him wished Buffy would follow her destiny, her instinct, and end this problem before it started. The other half screamed at the first that she would never do something like that, that Buffy the person would want to know about Sophia.

Growling, he pushed himself faster so they wouldn't be left together too long…

Sophia felt, rather than heard the crypt door close. Her entire world had become so small, most of her energy once used on heightened senses was now keeping her alive. She could see but not far. She could hear but not well. The taste and smell of her own blood made her thirst for more.

The only sense that let her know where Buffy and Spike stood was their feel. Buffy's aura was one of ancient power and Sophia knew her as the slayer. Spike's aura was one of familiarly and strength. As her hold on Spike faded, the one on the Slayer grew until she felt Buffy kneel beside her.

Slowly, Sophia turned her dark eyes in Buffy's general direction, not knowing specifically where to focus her unwilling eyes.