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Chapter Seven: Let Me Ease Your Pain

Buffy awoke in her warm bed. She searched her room for her alarm clock to see what time it was. It blinked back at her obnoxiously. It was 2:36 AM. She sat up slowly in bed. Have you ever felt that ache in the middle of your body, where you know that it's not possible to be from physical pain, but it almost feels as if it is? Just because the emotional torment is so obtrusive that it seems to pour over from one alternate universe to another? Seems almost impossible, but she could feel it.

Buffy glanced over at Willow. Her eyes were closed in her sweet comatose oblivion. Below, she could hear Cordelia snoring. She quietly crept down the ladder of her bunk bed, sighing with relief that it didn't squeak. Looking down at herself, she realized she was still wearing her new red dress. She silently changed into her pyjamas- a thin pink tank top and pink plaid boxer shorts. After changing, Buffy tip-toed out into the hall.

She suddenly found herself at the door of Spike's bedroom. She looked around, shocked, unsure of how she got there and when it even happened. She almost turned back, but she needed someone to talk to. She knocked lightly on his wooden door. She heard him murmur an enticingly British "bloody hell" before the door opened.

Expecting a half-asleep, sexily bed-roused Spike, Buffy was surprised to see him fully dressed and wearing glasses. Realizing who it was, Spike immediately ripped off his glasses, and shoved them in his pants pocket. His former "brassed-off" expression had been replaced with a soft, unique smile laced with slight concern.

"Pet, why are you awake at this hour?" he asked tenderly.

"Can I stay in here with you?" Buffy asked. "I mean... I'm not sure if I can sleep, but... I just need some company." Her eyes were pleading with him to say yes.

"Of course, luv."

Buffy entered Spike's bedroom. She looked around his floor, seeing papers scattered all around in a semi-circle. An acoustic guitar was lying next to them, and a music stand stood tall nearby. "Were you writing music?"

Spike nodded. "I just finished it." He paused for a second. "I actually wrote it for you. It's a sort of letter, I guess." Buffy smiled at him.

"Can I hear it?" Buffy asked him. He nodded silently.

Buffy sat down on Spike's bed, immediately sinking down awkwardly. She giggled, realizing that it was a water bed. Spike looked at her and chuckled along with her.

Spike grabbed his guitar, sitting in a near by chair. He selected a few pieces of paper and placed them on the music stand. He strummed a few chords before he sang:

We met oddly at Waffle House,
Seems like only a few days ago.
I would never have guessed that
You hid a world of hurt and torment
Behind delicate features and amiable ways.
You ran away from your mother,
Your friends and your memories…
Not a moment too soon.
Only lived to eighteen -
And yet you've survived more than Moses.
I don't know how you did,
But I know that underneath
You need someone to wipe away your tears and your grief.

So, please… please…
Let me ease your pain.
I know it must be hard to keep going
But let me be there for you please.

You've been abused by a monster,
But I won't let him hurt you again.
No matter what you believe,
Your safe with me 'till the very end.
This may be the wrong time to tell you -
But I think I am falling for you hard.
I know you are strong and able...
But I want to cradle you in my arms.

So, please… please…
Let me ease your pain.
I know it must be hard to keep going,
But let me be there for you please.

Let me ease your pain...Ease your pain...I want to ease your pain.
Let me ease your pain...Ease your pain...I want to ease your pain.

Spike strummed a few more chords, before he finished his song. He had been watching Buffy's face the entire time he had been singing to her. He wasn't sure what she was thinking though, and that made him feel very apprehensive.

"Buffy?" he inquired, softly.

Buffy stood from Spike's bed and walked delicately over to his chair. She picked up his guitar, placing it on the floor. Reaching for his hand, Buffy gently pulled Spike up to stand. He stood there, staring at her, into her sea green eyes. He felt her let go of his hand.

Buffy took both of her hands and placed them on both sides of Spike's face. She pulled his face down to hers, guiding him to her lips. When his mouth first met hers, he was surprised by her advance. He quickly recovered though, snaking his arms around her waist and kissing her back.

Buffy's hands traveled from his cheeks, down his neck, and to his hard chest. Spike's muscles spasmed at the unexpected, yet welcomed, touch.

Spike pulled away, remembering that her feelings were very tender right now. His thumb stroked her cheekbone. He pressed his lips to her forehead before whispering, "It's time to sleep now, luv." Buffy nodded idly.

Spike guided Buffy to his bed, climbing on first. When she had laid on top of his bed, her back facing him, he scooted behind her. He wrapped his arms around her protectively. He kissed her lightly on the neck, whispering a "good night, pet" in her ear.

And then they both drifted peacefully into sleep.

A/N: Awww! Their first kiss!! :) I hope you liked this chapter. Explanations to what happened between Angel and Buffy during their conversation at the club will be in the next chapter. It will be less depressing.