I promised that there'd be more Spuffiness and I kept my word. Thank you for the reviews! Let me know what you think of this chapter.

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Buffy held on tightly to Spike's hand as he led her through the streets of Sunnydale. She didn't know where they were going, but it didn't matter much anyway. Any place was better than the hospital.

Part of her felt guilty for leaving. After all, her best friend was in a coma and might never wake up. She shuddered at the thought. It had been Xander's fault, but after seeing the terror in his eyes, Buffy couldn't stay angry at him. She knew it had been an accident. The thing that angered her the most was that Spike had been the target. Xander and Giles had purposely gone behind her back, even after she'd explicitly told them not to hurt the vampire. It seemed like there was no one left she could trust. No one that is, except Spike.

She almost laughed at the thought. Spike, of all people, was the only one she trusted. When did her life become so twisted? How had her relationship with Spike changed from that of mortal enemy to trusted friend in so little a time? And why did she suddenly find herself caring so much about him? Maybe she had unknowingly fallen into an alternate reality. Stranger things had happened.

Buffy was torn from her thoughts when she realized that Spike had stopped walking. She looked up and gasped at the sight before them. The silver moon shone down upon the gently lapping waves of the Pacific Ocean, causing the water to sparkle and sway. The salty sea breeze danced with her hair as she closed her eyes and breathed in the cleansing air. For a moment she forgot everything that had been troubling her. Every worrying thought was drowned out by the mighty roar of the ocean.

Spike looked at her and smiled. He had hoped that by taking Buffy to the beach, she could find a few moments of peace. His plan seemed to be working. He let go of her hand and started walking towards the crashing waves. Willow's dried blood still covered his hands and he wanted to wash away every memory of the past few hours.

Buffy opened her eyes and watched as Spike crossed the sandy beach. He paused to take off his boots and duster and unbutton his shirt. After carelessly tossing the discarded items onto the sand, he ran towards the water and dove into the shimmering waves.

The seconds ticked by and Buffy started getting nervous when she still saw no sign of Spike. Just as she was about to dive in after him, a blonde head emerged from the water, and Buffy sighed with relief. It was then that she remembered vampires can't drown because they don't have to breathe. She blushed at her own foolishness.

"Come on in luv! The water's great!" shouted Spike as he futilely attempted to slick back his hair. Buffy couldn't help but grin. His hair was a wild mass of curls which rather than taking away from his appearance, actually made him look handsomer.

"I don't think the doctor's definition of 'rest' included a midnight swim in the ocean," Buffy teased as she inched her way towards the shore. She had taken off her backpack and sandals and was now ankle deep in the darkish blue water. Spike waded over to where she stood and gazed into her emerald eyes. The moon was right above him, illuminating his pale skin and peroxide locks. Buffy instinctively raised a hand to his face and brushed aside a wayward curl. He closed his eyes, lost in the thrill of her touch. When she pulled away, he reached for her hand and moved it towards his lips. A wave of emotion rush over her as he began gently kissing her fingertips. She wanted this, to be close to him, to feel his arms around her and to lose herself in his embrace, but it was wrong. What they had could never be real. How could it be when he didn't have a soul?

She drew back quickly, her head racing with thoughts. Spike looked up in surprise when their bodies lost contact. "What's wrong luv?"

Buffy shook her head and took a shaky breath. "I can't," she whispered, unable to look him in the eyes. "You...you don't have a soul." The last few words were almost inaudible over the roaring of the sea.

Spike, however, heard them all too well. He clenched his fists, frustration and anger welling up inside him. "Damn it slayer," he blurted out. "Who cares about a bleedin' soul?" Noticing her shocked expression, he decided to calm it down a bit. "Soul or not, it doesn't change the way I feel for you." His only response was the distant cry of a seagull and the continuous rise and fall of the waves. Buffy's eyes remained glued to the ground.

"I mean it," he continued, hoping she wouldn't stake him for what he was about to say. "I'm falling in love with you Buffy."

Upon hearing his words, Buffy's head shot up and her eyes grew wide. Of all the things she had expected him to say, that was not one of them. She couldn't deny that she had feelings for him. Whether it was love, she wasn't so sure. But another part of her knew that deep down, Spike was still a demon, and it would be wrong to pretend otherwise.

Feeling suddenly light headed, Buffy put a hand to her forehead and took a few wobbly steps forward. Spike sensed her unease and wrapped a steadying arm around her waist. She didn't pull away, and Spike was grateful for that.

"Spike," she began, grasping his shoulder for support. "I can't do this right now. There's just too much..."

"I know," he interrupted, angry at himself for unburdening his heart on her when she was already going through more than enough. Maybe she was right. Maybe he was nothing more than a selfish, evil creature of the night. She deserved someone much greater, at the very least, someone with a soul.

"It's ok luv. I just wanted you to know. You don't have to say anything right now." He stooped to pick up his duster and carefully wrapped it around her shoulders. "Let's get you somewhere warm. The Magic Box isn't far."

As he gathered up the rest of their belongings, Buffy pulled the duster more tightly around her and breathed in the scent of leather and cigarettes, a scent that was distinctly Spike. "Thank you," she said, hoping he'd know that she was thanking him for more than just his duster.

He turned around and grinned. "You're welcome luv."

He knew.

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Buffy threw open the door to the Magic Box and entered the tiny shop, Spike following after. The tiny bell on top of the door clanged back and forth, merrily announcing their entrance.

"I'm sorry," came a voice from the back room, "but we're closed for the night. Please return with your money anytime after 8AM."

"Anya!" Buffy shouted. "It's me and Spike."

Seconds later, Anya appeared in the doorway holding a small statue of what appeared to be a fat, naked woman. "Oh hello," she said after placing the object on the counter. "Did Giles send you to help with the new shipment of fertility statues? There are a few boxes in the back that still need to be opened."

"Umm...actually we just stopped in to get warm," Buffy explained, feeling a little silly. "Have you been here all night?"

Anya collapsed into a chair and sighed. "Yes. Xander promised he would help with the shipment, but as you can see, he's not here. That also means I won't be having any sex tonight."

Spike started coughing uncontrollably and Anya gave him a funny look. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Of course not," said Buffy, forcing back a smile. Then she remembered the reason for Xander's absence and her face fell. "Xander's at the hospital," she started to explain. Upon seeing Anya's fearful expression, Buffy quickly continued. "He's fine, but Willow was hurt pretty badly. She might not wake up." Her voice cracked slightly as she said the last few words.

Anya was silent as she processed this information. "How was Willow hurt?" she asked quietly.

"That's not important," growled Spike as he began restlessly pacing the room. "What is important is getting the sodding Council of Wankers to give Buffy back her powers. They're the reason people are getting hurt."

Buffy nodded her head. "We need more information, like why they're so intent on me killing you."

"You can always call them and ask," piped in Anya.

Spike chuckled to himself. "Sure pet. And how do you fancy us doing that? By calling 1-800-Wankers 'R Us?"

Anya scowled at him before responding. "No. I thought you could use the phone number that Travers left last time he was here."

Buffy's eyes lit up when she remembered the slip of paper Travers had placed on the counter during his "visit." He had told her to call if she decided to accept the council's terms. Buffy was now surer than ever that killing Spike was not an option, but she figured calling for some information couldn't hurt.

"Anya, you're brilliant!" Buffy exclaimed with a smile. "Where's the phone number?"

"It's locked in the cash register. I'll get it," replied Anya, her face beaming with pride. She couldn't resist sticking out her tongue when she passed by the obnoxious vampire.

When Anya found the paper, Buffy dialed the number and waited anxiously for someone to pick up. Spike walked over and leaned his head close to hers so he could hear the conversation. Buffy's heart started pounding when she noticed that their lips were only inches apart. She became so wrapped up in thoughts of Spike that she almost forgot about the phone.

"Ah, Miss Summers," answered the familiar British voice, startling her back to reality. "I'm so glad you called. I assume you have reconsidered our offer? The deal still stands if you are willing to accept our terms."

"I called because I want some answers," she said coolly, not a hint of anxiety in her voice. "Why do you want me to kill Spike? There are hundreds of vampires out there I'd be more than willing to stake. Why him?"

Travers laughed dryly. "I should have known you'd demand specifics. Very well. I'll tell you why."

By now Anya had joined them at the phone and was also leaning in to hear. Buffy thought the scene would be quite comical if the situation wasn't so serious.

"We wish to acquire the chip that is in the vampire's head," continued Travers. "The organization that developed the technology behind the chip has been less than cooperative with our efforts to study its fabrication and potential uses. For this reason, the council has formed a team of its own to analyze the device and determine whether or not it can be duplicated. Since the vampire you call "Spike" possesses the only available chip, it is imperative that we obtain it from him."

Buffy glanced at Spike and saw that he was deep in thought. Things were starting to make sense. The council couldn't get the chip from the Initiative so they wanted to take it from Spike. The only problem with that was Spike had to die. That led to another question.

"If Spike dies wouldn't the chip just turn to dust?" she asked. Anya nodded her head to show that she was wondering the same thing.

"No," replied Travers. "The technology behind the chip is quite advanced. It was specially designed so that the staking of a vampire would not result in its destruction."

'Darn,' thought Buffy. She was hoping that would give them an out. Now she had come up with something else. As she thought, an idea began forming in her mind. She knew it was a long shot, but they were running out of options. She took a deep breath.

"Alright Travers. I heard your plan. Now you're going to listen to mine..."