Disclaimer - See Chapter 1..
I Can Feel You Breath by Seven Sins
Chapter 3 - Reunions Aren't Always Easy
Posted: 7.30.04
"Spike?"
Spike nodded, though he wasn't sure how because he didn't remember telling his body to do it.
Buffy's hand lowered, but her face was still full of shock. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"Ah..." Andrew whispered, "A look of utter shock fills the slayer's face as she looks into the eyes of her long, lost lover."
Dawn glared at him, "I swear to God Andrew," she whispered, "If you don't shut up..."
Andrew sighed, "One day, you'll all thank me for recording this."
Illyria, who had grown bored, walked out past them and into the living room.
Dawn pointed after her, "Go talk to her. Record an interview with her or something," she suggested.
Andrew shook his head, "No, that's okay. I'd rather stay here and tape this," he said, obviously not getting the hint.
Dawn rolled her eyes, "Go!" she demanded, pushing him down the hallway.
"Ow!" Andrew cried, "Fine!" he said, walking down the hall with his nose stuck up in the air, "Ingrates."
When Dawn was sure he was in the living room and out of hearing distance, she turned back around.
She looked between Buffy and Spike, who still had accomplished nothing but staring at each other. She shook her head.
"Now might not be the best time for 'I told you so..'s, but..." she began.
"Dawn," Buffy said suddenly, "Go."
Dawn's eyebrows furrowed, "Why?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"Because," Buffy paused, "Just go. Go with Andrew," she pointed down the hall behind her.
Dawn glared at her sister, "No!" she said, "I'm not going anywhere!"
"Dawn!" Spike said, finally looking away from Buffy to look at her, "Go," he said firmly.
Dawn's jaw dropped, and she gaped for a minute. Finally, she closed her mouth again and marched out of the room with her nose in the air, just as Andrew had, "Fine," she muttered, "I don't want to be in here with you guys anyways."
She stopped halfway down the hall and spun around, "Oh, and just so you know, he's human now!" she said, before spinning back around with a satisfied 'hm'.
Once she was gone, Spike turned back the Buffy who now looked like she was going to pass out, "Buffy..." he started.
"Is that true?" she asked, her face paler than he'd ever seen.
Spike bit his lip, and nodded, "Yeah."
"Oh my God," Buffy squeaked, covering her mouth again.
Spike had expected her to beat the crap out of him and then flood him with questions, but she hadn't done either. Maybe she was still getting over the initial shock of seeing him. Hopefully, because he wasn't really thrilled about getting the shit beaten out of him. He still ached from the alley fight.
But the desire to touch her and be touched by her was burning through him, and if hitting was the best he could get, he'd take it.
Finally, Buffy's hands fell to her side, and she gaped for another minute before saying, "How...No...I...I don't believe you!" she spit out.
That was something Spike hadn't even been remotely prepared for, "What?" he asked.
"Its not possible! How? When?" she asked.
'And here goes the questions,' Spike thought.
"Look," he said, reaching his hand out to her, "Just give me your hand if you don't believe me."
Buffy hesitated for a moment, staring at his hand. She looked up at his face again. Spike stuck his hand out further, urging her to take it. Slowly, she reached out and slipped her hand into his, gasping again.
"What?" Spike asked, squeezing her hand a bit harder than he meant to, but unable to control it.
"I thought...maybe you were the First or something," she admitted, "Or a ghost at least."
Spike smiled, "Not a ghost anymore, love," he said, pulling her closer to him.
Buffy looked up at him questioningly.
Spike shook his head, "I'll explain later," he said, "Just feel," he rested her hand on his chest, right above where his heart now beat.
Buffy gasped again, "Oh my God!" she squeaked again, "Is it real?"
Spike chuckled, "Yes its real," he said, "What, did you think I had a pacemaker put in or something?"
Buffy looked up at him for a moment, considering this, and then wriggled the hand he was holding on his chest free and reached for his other. She flipped his wrist over, and set two fingers down on his pulse point.
"Oh honestly, Buffy," Spike sighed, "I was only kidding about the pacemaker."
Buffy waited a moment, and then her eyes widened in shock. She dropped his wrist to cover her mouth again, "Oh my God!"
Spike smiled, "Yeah, kind of shocking isn't it."
Buffy nodded, "How?" she asked.
Spike shrugged, "Not sure, it's buggerin' cool though," he said, "I sneeze and everything!"
Buffy smiled, "Oh my God!" she squealed one last time, before throwing her arms around Spike and pressing their lips together.
Spike was completely unprepared for it, and almost fell backward. When he gained his balance again, he wasted no time to deepen the kiss and wrap his arms around her waist. He urged her backward, towards the wall, knocking over on of the kitchen chairs in the process.
Buffy giggled as he pulled back for air.
"God this breathing thing sucks.." he muttered.
------
Illyria, Dawn, and Andrew all sat in the living room, pretending to focus on a night-time Italian talk show.
When they heard the crashes and giggles from the kitchen, they all looked between each other.
"Well," Andrew said, "Sounds like they're having fun," he paused, "Does anyone mind if I sneak in and document it?"
"No," Dawn said sarcastically, "As long as you don't mind recording a porno," she picked up the remote and changed the channel.
Andrew considered it for a moment, "You know," he said, standing up, "That would attract more viewers of the male gender. I think I'll just take a peek," he spun on his heel and headed back towards the kitchen, video camera in hand.
"What is his name?" Illyria asked, pointing after Andrew.
"Andrew," Dawn answered casually.
"What purpose does he serve?"
Dawn shrugged, "None really. Giles was trying to make him useful, but that didn't turn out so good."
Illyria considered this for a moment and then said, "I feel a strange attraction to him that I can't explain."
Dawn looked over at her like she was crazy, "You are one fucked-up demon god, you know that?"
--Meanwhile, in the kitchen--
Buffy was seated on the table, Spike between her legs, and they were kissing like mad. His hands had found their way up the back of her shirt and their bodies were smashed together, neither one feeling remotely close enough to the other.
Buffy slipped her legs around his waist, trying to pull herself up so her face was level with his.
Suddenly, there was a sharp intake of breath from Spike, and he pulled back.
"What wrong?" Buffy asked, trying not to look pouty.
Spike pushed his duster back some and lifted his shirt up, revealing the top of a huge bruise on the right side of his waist.
"Ouch, how'd that happen?" she asked, gingerly reaching out and touching it.
"Long story," Spike said, pulling his shirt back down.
"You can tell me later," she smiled, pulling him back down for a kiss.
Just as their lips touched though, Buffy's stomach let out a loud rumble.
She smiled, embarrassed.
"Hungry?" Spike asked.
Buffy bit her lip and nodded, "Kinda."
Spike leaned in and buried his face in her hair, "I've got things you could eat," he whispered.
Buffy laughed and pushed him back. Spike leaned his forehead against hers and stuck his bottom lip out.
"C'mon," Buffy said, "We can go out to eat. There's tons of small, secluded, restaurants around. And they all have tons of small, secluded booths."
"Fine," Spike said, sounding exasperated, "But you owe me," he added with a mischievous smile.
Buffy smiled back and pulled him down to kiss him again.
Then they heard Andrew's voice behind them.
"The slayer and the ex vampyre's reunion seems to be a pleasant one so far, but will the fact that Spike has been back for months interfere with this?" he whispered, the camera turned to face him "Let's watch and find out," he turned the camera back around.
Buffy and Spike both glared at him.
"ANDREW!" Spike yelled, rushing forward "I swear to God, when I'm through with you, you'll be beaten to a bloody pulp!!!"
Andrew screamed and ran down the hall, Spike close in pursuit.
Buffy slipped off the table and rushed after them.
Dawn and Illyria, who we're still sitting in the living room, leaned so that they could see down the hall.
"Does Spike torture Andrew often?" Illyria asked.
Dawn nodded, "Everyone does," she said, looking back at the television.
"I see," Illyria said, turning back to the TV too.
Meanwhile, Spike had Andrew cornered in the bathroom again, and was just preparing to beat the hell out of him with a toilet brush, when Buffy grabbed it and ripped it out of his hands.
Andrew sighed in relief, "Thank you, dear Buffy, for rescuing me!" he said.
Buffy glared at him, "I'm not helping you. As far as I'm concerned, you deserve to get the shit beaten out of you. That stupid cameras always in my face. One day I'm going to take it while your sleeping, throw it in a fire, and dance a ritual dance of happiness," Andrew's face fell and he hugged his camera to his chest, "As for you," Buffy continued, turning to Spike, "Is that true?"
"Is what true?" Spike asked.
"Have you really been back for months?"
Spike hesitated, "Look, Buffy, I can explain," he started.
Buffy shook her head, "You've been back for months and you just now bothered to find me?!" she yelled.
Spike opened his mouth to say something, but Buffy held her hands up and stormed out of the room, throwing the toilet brush in the sink along the way.
Andrew bit his lip, "Heh," he said, "Well, she wasn't that mad about it.."
Spike glared at him, "When I'm through talking to her, you are dead!" he said, before running down the hall after Buffy.
He turned into the kitchen to see her standing over the sink, washing a dish.
"You've been back," she started, slamming the wet plate down on the counter, "for months," she said, reaching for another dirty dish, "and you just show up now?"
Dawn curiously stuck her head in. She looked between the two of them, and sensing that a huge brawl was about to break out, she turned back around, trying to sneak the safety of the living room.
"Oh, don't you go anywhere!" Buffy called after her.
Dawn cringed and turned around.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"DRY!" Buffy tossed a dish towel at her and pointed to the plates.
Dawn sighed and walked over to pick one of them up.
"Buffy, listen..." Spike started.
"No!" Buffy said, trying hard to conceal her tears, "You listen," she slammed another plate down on the rapidly growing pile, "You left me," she continued, "I loved you, and I told you, and you just left."
"Buffy, that wasn't really my fault..." he tried, but knowing it was hopeless. She wouldn't stop until she'd said all she needed to say.
"But you didn't believe me," she said, openly crying now, "I told you, and you wouldn't believe me."
Andrew was trying to sneak past the kitchen doorway without being noticed, but he too had no such luck.
"And you!" Buffy cried, pointing past Spike to Andrew, realization dawning on her, "You knew too! That's why you wouldn't tell us anything about what happened at Wolfram and Hart!" she yelled.
Andrew bit his lower lip and bounced on his heels, "Well, I..." he started.
"You stood there," Buffy continued, "And you watched me cry when I found your stupid videos and you didn't say anything!"
Andrew nodded, unable to think of anything else to do, "Yeah," he said quietly.
"Buffy," Spike took a step toward her, "It was my fault, I told him not to say anything," he reached out for her, trying to pull her to him, but she stepped back, almost running into Dawn, who was quick to take the current plate she had and rush to the other side of the room.
"For months, I've had to live with the fact that you died not believing me," Buffy said, "For months, I've cried myself to sleep only to dream about you every single night, and wake up crying again! I've gone through every day, thinking you were gone forever, and you were across the ocean, sitting in a cozy office, laughing it up and having a great time with Angel!?"
"Now wait just a second!" Spike yelled back, "First of all, it's bloody impossible to have a good time with Mr. Broody Pants. Second, don't tell me you've been completely lonely! I know about the Immortal!"
Buffy stared at him, her mouth agape in shock, "Don't bring him into this! I find it hard to believe that you haven't helped yourself to a little piece of ass since you've been back!"
"No, I haven't..." Spike stopped, remembering Harmony, "Okay, yes I have. But I didn't enjoy it!"
"Oh!" Buffy said, "Its okay for you to have meaningless sex, but I'm not allowed to attempt a relationship to try to get over the fact that you're supposedly dead and gone?!"
Spike opened his mouth, completely prepared to retort, but realized he didn't have anything to say. He shut his mouth and looked down at the floor, "I just..." he started, "I thought you were happier and better off without me," he said quietly.
Buffy shook her head, "Well guess what, I wasn't," she said, throwing her wash rag down in the sink and walking past him.
Andrew hurried out of her way as she stormed back down the hall.
Spike sighed, "Bloody women," he muttered, turning to go after her.
"Buffy!" he said, catching up to her, "Buffy c'mon, let's talk. We can sort this out," he reached out and grabbed her arm.
But before he could spin her around like he had planned to, she had spun herself around and threw her arms around him," I thought I lost you," she whispered into his chest.
Spike felt her tears seeping through his shirt.
He gently wrapped an arm around her waist and used to other to stroke her hair, "It's okay," he whispered, "Sh...I'm here, pet. It's all right now."
Buffy only held him tighter and continued crying, "Don't ever leave me again," she said.
Spike smiled, "I won't, trust me."
Buffy moved her head to look up at him, "I love you," she whispered.
Spike reached down and brushed the tears off her cheek, "Love you, too," he said back.
Buffy smiled as he bent his head down to kiss her.
When they pulled back, Buffy's stomach gave another loud rumble.
Spike smiled, "Still up for going out?" he asked.
Buffy nodded, "Uh huh," she said.
"Okay then," he reached down for her hand and they walked down the hall together.
"Dawn," Buffy said on their way past, "Will you..."
"Yes," Dawn sighed.
"And..."
"On it..."
Buffy smiled, "Thanks," she said.
"Whatever," she said, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall, but still unable to hide the smile on her face.
They were almost to the door, when Spike stopped and looked over at Illyria.
"Dawn!" he called.
They heard a groan from the kitchen, "What?" she asked.
"Make sure Illyria doesn't...kill anything while we're gone," he said.
"Fine! Now go!"
Spike and Buffy smiled at each other. He reached out and pulled the door open, "After you," he said.
Buffy smiled and walked out the door, pulling him along behind her.
A/N - R&R!
seVensIns
I Can Feel You Breath by Seven Sins
Chapter 3 - Reunions Aren't Always Easy
Posted: 7.30.04
"Spike?"
Spike nodded, though he wasn't sure how because he didn't remember telling his body to do it.
Buffy's hand lowered, but her face was still full of shock. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"Ah..." Andrew whispered, "A look of utter shock fills the slayer's face as she looks into the eyes of her long, lost lover."
Dawn glared at him, "I swear to God Andrew," she whispered, "If you don't shut up..."
Andrew sighed, "One day, you'll all thank me for recording this."
Illyria, who had grown bored, walked out past them and into the living room.
Dawn pointed after her, "Go talk to her. Record an interview with her or something," she suggested.
Andrew shook his head, "No, that's okay. I'd rather stay here and tape this," he said, obviously not getting the hint.
Dawn rolled her eyes, "Go!" she demanded, pushing him down the hallway.
"Ow!" Andrew cried, "Fine!" he said, walking down the hall with his nose stuck up in the air, "Ingrates."
When Dawn was sure he was in the living room and out of hearing distance, she turned back around.
She looked between Buffy and Spike, who still had accomplished nothing but staring at each other. She shook her head.
"Now might not be the best time for 'I told you so..'s, but..." she began.
"Dawn," Buffy said suddenly, "Go."
Dawn's eyebrows furrowed, "Why?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"Because," Buffy paused, "Just go. Go with Andrew," she pointed down the hall behind her.
Dawn glared at her sister, "No!" she said, "I'm not going anywhere!"
"Dawn!" Spike said, finally looking away from Buffy to look at her, "Go," he said firmly.
Dawn's jaw dropped, and she gaped for a minute. Finally, she closed her mouth again and marched out of the room with her nose in the air, just as Andrew had, "Fine," she muttered, "I don't want to be in here with you guys anyways."
She stopped halfway down the hall and spun around, "Oh, and just so you know, he's human now!" she said, before spinning back around with a satisfied 'hm'.
Once she was gone, Spike turned back the Buffy who now looked like she was going to pass out, "Buffy..." he started.
"Is that true?" she asked, her face paler than he'd ever seen.
Spike bit his lip, and nodded, "Yeah."
"Oh my God," Buffy squeaked, covering her mouth again.
Spike had expected her to beat the crap out of him and then flood him with questions, but she hadn't done either. Maybe she was still getting over the initial shock of seeing him. Hopefully, because he wasn't really thrilled about getting the shit beaten out of him. He still ached from the alley fight.
But the desire to touch her and be touched by her was burning through him, and if hitting was the best he could get, he'd take it.
Finally, Buffy's hands fell to her side, and she gaped for another minute before saying, "How...No...I...I don't believe you!" she spit out.
That was something Spike hadn't even been remotely prepared for, "What?" he asked.
"Its not possible! How? When?" she asked.
'And here goes the questions,' Spike thought.
"Look," he said, reaching his hand out to her, "Just give me your hand if you don't believe me."
Buffy hesitated for a moment, staring at his hand. She looked up at his face again. Spike stuck his hand out further, urging her to take it. Slowly, she reached out and slipped her hand into his, gasping again.
"What?" Spike asked, squeezing her hand a bit harder than he meant to, but unable to control it.
"I thought...maybe you were the First or something," she admitted, "Or a ghost at least."
Spike smiled, "Not a ghost anymore, love," he said, pulling her closer to him.
Buffy looked up at him questioningly.
Spike shook his head, "I'll explain later," he said, "Just feel," he rested her hand on his chest, right above where his heart now beat.
Buffy gasped again, "Oh my God!" she squeaked again, "Is it real?"
Spike chuckled, "Yes its real," he said, "What, did you think I had a pacemaker put in or something?"
Buffy looked up at him for a moment, considering this, and then wriggled the hand he was holding on his chest free and reached for his other. She flipped his wrist over, and set two fingers down on his pulse point.
"Oh honestly, Buffy," Spike sighed, "I was only kidding about the pacemaker."
Buffy waited a moment, and then her eyes widened in shock. She dropped his wrist to cover her mouth again, "Oh my God!"
Spike smiled, "Yeah, kind of shocking isn't it."
Buffy nodded, "How?" she asked.
Spike shrugged, "Not sure, it's buggerin' cool though," he said, "I sneeze and everything!"
Buffy smiled, "Oh my God!" she squealed one last time, before throwing her arms around Spike and pressing their lips together.
Spike was completely unprepared for it, and almost fell backward. When he gained his balance again, he wasted no time to deepen the kiss and wrap his arms around her waist. He urged her backward, towards the wall, knocking over on of the kitchen chairs in the process.
Buffy giggled as he pulled back for air.
"God this breathing thing sucks.." he muttered.
------
Illyria, Dawn, and Andrew all sat in the living room, pretending to focus on a night-time Italian talk show.
When they heard the crashes and giggles from the kitchen, they all looked between each other.
"Well," Andrew said, "Sounds like they're having fun," he paused, "Does anyone mind if I sneak in and document it?"
"No," Dawn said sarcastically, "As long as you don't mind recording a porno," she picked up the remote and changed the channel.
Andrew considered it for a moment, "You know," he said, standing up, "That would attract more viewers of the male gender. I think I'll just take a peek," he spun on his heel and headed back towards the kitchen, video camera in hand.
"What is his name?" Illyria asked, pointing after Andrew.
"Andrew," Dawn answered casually.
"What purpose does he serve?"
Dawn shrugged, "None really. Giles was trying to make him useful, but that didn't turn out so good."
Illyria considered this for a moment and then said, "I feel a strange attraction to him that I can't explain."
Dawn looked over at her like she was crazy, "You are one fucked-up demon god, you know that?"
--Meanwhile, in the kitchen--
Buffy was seated on the table, Spike between her legs, and they were kissing like mad. His hands had found their way up the back of her shirt and their bodies were smashed together, neither one feeling remotely close enough to the other.
Buffy slipped her legs around his waist, trying to pull herself up so her face was level with his.
Suddenly, there was a sharp intake of breath from Spike, and he pulled back.
"What wrong?" Buffy asked, trying not to look pouty.
Spike pushed his duster back some and lifted his shirt up, revealing the top of a huge bruise on the right side of his waist.
"Ouch, how'd that happen?" she asked, gingerly reaching out and touching it.
"Long story," Spike said, pulling his shirt back down.
"You can tell me later," she smiled, pulling him back down for a kiss.
Just as their lips touched though, Buffy's stomach let out a loud rumble.
She smiled, embarrassed.
"Hungry?" Spike asked.
Buffy bit her lip and nodded, "Kinda."
Spike leaned in and buried his face in her hair, "I've got things you could eat," he whispered.
Buffy laughed and pushed him back. Spike leaned his forehead against hers and stuck his bottom lip out.
"C'mon," Buffy said, "We can go out to eat. There's tons of small, secluded, restaurants around. And they all have tons of small, secluded booths."
"Fine," Spike said, sounding exasperated, "But you owe me," he added with a mischievous smile.
Buffy smiled back and pulled him down to kiss him again.
Then they heard Andrew's voice behind them.
"The slayer and the ex vampyre's reunion seems to be a pleasant one so far, but will the fact that Spike has been back for months interfere with this?" he whispered, the camera turned to face him "Let's watch and find out," he turned the camera back around.
Buffy and Spike both glared at him.
"ANDREW!" Spike yelled, rushing forward "I swear to God, when I'm through with you, you'll be beaten to a bloody pulp!!!"
Andrew screamed and ran down the hall, Spike close in pursuit.
Buffy slipped off the table and rushed after them.
Dawn and Illyria, who we're still sitting in the living room, leaned so that they could see down the hall.
"Does Spike torture Andrew often?" Illyria asked.
Dawn nodded, "Everyone does," she said, looking back at the television.
"I see," Illyria said, turning back to the TV too.
Meanwhile, Spike had Andrew cornered in the bathroom again, and was just preparing to beat the hell out of him with a toilet brush, when Buffy grabbed it and ripped it out of his hands.
Andrew sighed in relief, "Thank you, dear Buffy, for rescuing me!" he said.
Buffy glared at him, "I'm not helping you. As far as I'm concerned, you deserve to get the shit beaten out of you. That stupid cameras always in my face. One day I'm going to take it while your sleeping, throw it in a fire, and dance a ritual dance of happiness," Andrew's face fell and he hugged his camera to his chest, "As for you," Buffy continued, turning to Spike, "Is that true?"
"Is what true?" Spike asked.
"Have you really been back for months?"
Spike hesitated, "Look, Buffy, I can explain," he started.
Buffy shook her head, "You've been back for months and you just now bothered to find me?!" she yelled.
Spike opened his mouth to say something, but Buffy held her hands up and stormed out of the room, throwing the toilet brush in the sink along the way.
Andrew bit his lip, "Heh," he said, "Well, she wasn't that mad about it.."
Spike glared at him, "When I'm through talking to her, you are dead!" he said, before running down the hall after Buffy.
He turned into the kitchen to see her standing over the sink, washing a dish.
"You've been back," she started, slamming the wet plate down on the counter, "for months," she said, reaching for another dirty dish, "and you just show up now?"
Dawn curiously stuck her head in. She looked between the two of them, and sensing that a huge brawl was about to break out, she turned back around, trying to sneak the safety of the living room.
"Oh, don't you go anywhere!" Buffy called after her.
Dawn cringed and turned around.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"DRY!" Buffy tossed a dish towel at her and pointed to the plates.
Dawn sighed and walked over to pick one of them up.
"Buffy, listen..." Spike started.
"No!" Buffy said, trying hard to conceal her tears, "You listen," she slammed another plate down on the rapidly growing pile, "You left me," she continued, "I loved you, and I told you, and you just left."
"Buffy, that wasn't really my fault..." he tried, but knowing it was hopeless. She wouldn't stop until she'd said all she needed to say.
"But you didn't believe me," she said, openly crying now, "I told you, and you wouldn't believe me."
Andrew was trying to sneak past the kitchen doorway without being noticed, but he too had no such luck.
"And you!" Buffy cried, pointing past Spike to Andrew, realization dawning on her, "You knew too! That's why you wouldn't tell us anything about what happened at Wolfram and Hart!" she yelled.
Andrew bit his lower lip and bounced on his heels, "Well, I..." he started.
"You stood there," Buffy continued, "And you watched me cry when I found your stupid videos and you didn't say anything!"
Andrew nodded, unable to think of anything else to do, "Yeah," he said quietly.
"Buffy," Spike took a step toward her, "It was my fault, I told him not to say anything," he reached out for her, trying to pull her to him, but she stepped back, almost running into Dawn, who was quick to take the current plate she had and rush to the other side of the room.
"For months, I've had to live with the fact that you died not believing me," Buffy said, "For months, I've cried myself to sleep only to dream about you every single night, and wake up crying again! I've gone through every day, thinking you were gone forever, and you were across the ocean, sitting in a cozy office, laughing it up and having a great time with Angel!?"
"Now wait just a second!" Spike yelled back, "First of all, it's bloody impossible to have a good time with Mr. Broody Pants. Second, don't tell me you've been completely lonely! I know about the Immortal!"
Buffy stared at him, her mouth agape in shock, "Don't bring him into this! I find it hard to believe that you haven't helped yourself to a little piece of ass since you've been back!"
"No, I haven't..." Spike stopped, remembering Harmony, "Okay, yes I have. But I didn't enjoy it!"
"Oh!" Buffy said, "Its okay for you to have meaningless sex, but I'm not allowed to attempt a relationship to try to get over the fact that you're supposedly dead and gone?!"
Spike opened his mouth, completely prepared to retort, but realized he didn't have anything to say. He shut his mouth and looked down at the floor, "I just..." he started, "I thought you were happier and better off without me," he said quietly.
Buffy shook her head, "Well guess what, I wasn't," she said, throwing her wash rag down in the sink and walking past him.
Andrew hurried out of her way as she stormed back down the hall.
Spike sighed, "Bloody women," he muttered, turning to go after her.
"Buffy!" he said, catching up to her, "Buffy c'mon, let's talk. We can sort this out," he reached out and grabbed her arm.
But before he could spin her around like he had planned to, she had spun herself around and threw her arms around him," I thought I lost you," she whispered into his chest.
Spike felt her tears seeping through his shirt.
He gently wrapped an arm around her waist and used to other to stroke her hair, "It's okay," he whispered, "Sh...I'm here, pet. It's all right now."
Buffy only held him tighter and continued crying, "Don't ever leave me again," she said.
Spike smiled, "I won't, trust me."
Buffy moved her head to look up at him, "I love you," she whispered.
Spike reached down and brushed the tears off her cheek, "Love you, too," he said back.
Buffy smiled as he bent his head down to kiss her.
When they pulled back, Buffy's stomach gave another loud rumble.
Spike smiled, "Still up for going out?" he asked.
Buffy nodded, "Uh huh," she said.
"Okay then," he reached down for her hand and they walked down the hall together.
"Dawn," Buffy said on their way past, "Will you..."
"Yes," Dawn sighed.
"And..."
"On it..."
Buffy smiled, "Thanks," she said.
"Whatever," she said, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall, but still unable to hide the smile on her face.
They were almost to the door, when Spike stopped and looked over at Illyria.
"Dawn!" he called.
They heard a groan from the kitchen, "What?" she asked.
"Make sure Illyria doesn't...kill anything while we're gone," he said.
"Fine! Now go!"
Spike and Buffy smiled at each other. He reached out and pulled the door open, "After you," he said.
Buffy smiled and walked out the door, pulling him along behind her.
A/N - R&R!
seVensIns
7sins(dot)bravemusings(dot)com