CATCH ME IF I FALL

Summary: This happens somewhere between Season 6. Buffy decides she has had enough of life. Good thing Spike came along...

NOTE: Spike is a bit OOC, and the fic switches POVs in between, hope you're not too confused. Thoughts are in italics.

Disclaimer: I don't own squat.

Chapter 7

--- Spike's POV ---

"Well, here we are," Buffy said as we reached her doorstep.

I just nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable about our whole situation. I could hear her friends' voices inside.

"Spike-." Buffy began.

"Buffy-." I started to say.

I stopped and we looked at each other. "The lady first," I said finally. I dreaded what she going to say.

"Um..." Buffy said. "I just wanted to thank you for everything. For being my friend when no one else was. Thanks." She smiled at me.

My spirits sank. So that was it. I was only a friend. Just a friend. And I guess that's all that I ever will be. "Was nothing, Slayer. Just looking out for you." I lied, trying to hide the pained expression on my face.

"Well, better get going then. Take care, pet." I turned to leave, not wanting her to see the tears starting to form in my eyes.

--- Buffy's POV ---

Now we're friends. I thought as I watched Spike's retreating back. But is that really what I want though?

I started remembering everything he had done for me. Being there when no one else was. Being a friend when he should be my enemy. For letting me stay at his house. For taking care of Dawn when I was in heaven.

What have I done? I blew it! He's leaving. But maybe there's still hope...

"Hey Spike!" I called out to him.

He turned back to look at me, looking surprised that I haven't gone inside yet. "Yeah, luv?"

I walked towards him. "Well, I kinda have something else to tell my friends. And I was wondering Whether you could help me or not."

He looked confused. "What are you gonna tell them?"

I took a deep breath. Here goes. "That I've fallen in love." "With you," I added in a whisper.

---Spike's POV---

I was in shock. What?! Buffy loved me? But I thought she said we were only friends. Oh bollocks. Now I'm really confused.

"W-what do you mean? Is this some sort of---." She cut me off and kissed me softly on the lips.

She pulled away, and smiled shyly. "Well, will you help?" She asked me meekly.

We looked at each other for a moment, not saying anything. I was frozen with shock. But my insides were screaming, Come on, Spike! The girl you love is right there in front of you, and you're not doing anything!

I shook myself mentally. It was right. So I kissed her. With all the passion that I've been holding back. Because I didn't have to hold anything back. She loved me. She LOVED me. And that

After a while,I pulled away, to get some air, then Buffy giggled. "I guess that means yes."

I grinned back at her, glad she was back to her old self. "Don't get used to me being all nice and all, luv. I still prefer a good shag than all than all this lovey dovey stuff." I kidded her.

"Spike, you're gross!" She squealed and pinched me.

"Ow, watch it Slayer, or I'm not gonna stick around with you when you talk to your friends!"

She made a face. "Oh, alright. So shall we?" She said.

I nodded. But I stopped her first. Because something was still bothering me. I have to make sure. "Hey, just want you to promise me something."

"What is it?"

"Promise me you'll never pull a stunt like yesterday. Because I would stake myself if I let anything happen to you." I said.

Buffy punched me lightly on my arm. "Of course, I'd never do that again. You know why?" She pulled me close and whispered to my ear. "Because now I have something to live for."

That put a silly grin on my face. I was probably gonna get mauled by vamps for the next few weeks dating the slayer, including Peaches, but it didn't matter. Because she was all mine. And that's all that matters.

---Buffy's POV ---

We went inside my house, now ready to talk things out with my friends. But before that, I just had to say something. Just one more thing.

"I love you, Spike." I finally said to him.

He looked at me, and I saw the true Spike. Not the vampire. Not the guy who had tried to kill me. Just him. William.

"I love you too, Buffy Summers." He said to me tenderly, taking my hand and joining it with his.

Boy, am I glad I never got through with killing myself again.

I looked at my friends who were at the living room, gaping at us. Xander with an outraged look on her face. Giles and the others with surprised looks on their faces, and Dawn giving us the thumbs up.

Life on the Hellmouth couldn't have gotten any better.

THE END