Chapter 12 Sweet Dreams
Giles and Willow had settled down for the evening. They had managed to find some burlap sacks and hay for the floor. It wasn't the Hilton, but it would do for now.
"Giles, do you think Buffy was sent here too? Do you think we will find her?" Willow's voice was tired and weary now. The storm had put a damper on their search for now and she was worried.
"I'm not sure of anything at this point Willow. I do know that Buffy is quite capable of taking care of herself. I am sure wherever she is, she is fine. She's probably asleep, as we should be." Giles was yawning now and trying to get comfortable on top of the piles of hay they had placed on the floor.
"Right, sleep. I am sure that's what she is doing." The last words were soft and trailing off as her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep.
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They didn't talk as they made the walk back to their room. Fortunately they didn't run into any more ghostly creatures or any of the help either. It was eerily quiet, even though the storm outside was still going strong.
The room was warm and inviting. The fire had died down a little and Spike noticed her glance at the fireplace and went to put another log on the fire with his good arm. Buffy wasn't sure what to say or do next.
She noticed that there was a dressing table at the opposite end of the room and night clothes had been placed there. Had those been there earlier? She couldn't remember but then again she hadn't been paying much attention. The servants probably left them when they made the fire. She would have to thank Julian again in the morning for his thoughtfulness. He really had thought of everything.
Spike continued to stoke the fire until it had a warm glow. She needed to get some rest so she might as well get on with it. "Spike, I want to take the bed so I think it would be best if you take a blanket and sleep on the couch over there." She was pointing to the chaise lounge in the corner. It had large clawed legs like the chair Spike was sitting in earlier that evening. Most of it was made of intricate wood design and it certainly didn't look comfortable. It was made for sitting, not sleeping.
Spike glanced over at the chaise lounge and then back at Buffy. "I am the one who's injured here slayer. I don't see how much mend'ins goin to get done with me sleep'in on that thing. As a matter of fact, I think it will do more harm then good." He had to think quickly. There was no way he was sleep'in on that thing tonight. Not if he could help it.
Buffy was thinking now. He could see her contemplating his statement. He was right; it wasn't going to help his shoulder sleeping on that thing tonight. She had to think of something else.
"Fine, then you can sleep on the floor then. We can put a blanket and some pillows on the floor and you will be fine and dandy. You are used to sleeping on a hard surface anyway." She was talking quickly now. He detected a little nervousness to her voice as well.
"Ok, if you want the servants to tell the prince that I slept on the floor on our wedding night that's fine with me. It wasn't my plan anyway. Besides, this floor is freezing. I don't imagine that will help me heal up either but I don't mind tell'in the prince how I hurt my shoulder."
He was doing this on purpose now. She knew he was baiting her but he was right. The servants could find them if they overslept. No alarms and no wake up call. Shit, why did he always have to have a good argument? She hated that.
"Alright Spike. I will share the bed. But you will put on the bed clothes that they brought us and you will stay on your side. Understood? I would hate to have to explain to the prince how I had to kill you." She would give him the rules and that was that. He would either play her way or he was sleeping on the floor.
"That's fine by me slayer. You know me, always willing to please." He was grinning again and she was sure she had made the wrong decision, but it was late and the deal was struck. She took her bed clothes and went behind the dressing screen.
Spike sat down on the bed and unlaced his shoes. He could hear her undressing behind the screen and it was driving him nuts. He closed his eyes and in his mind he could see her removing the beautiful blue gown from her body. He imagined how it fell to the floor, brushing her outer thighs as it fell. Damn lucky gown. He could hear the rustling of the nightgown as she placed it over her head and it slid down her body. He found himself grabbing the red and gold bedspread into a knot with both hands.
Quietly Buffy appeared from behind the screen and saw Spike sitting on the bed with his eyes closed. He looked deep in thought. He also looked as if he was enjoying whatever he was thinking about. Her voice startled him.
"It's all yours now." Her voice brought him out of his pleasant daydream. He opened his eyes and there she was, standing in front of him in a plain white nightdress. It was quite ugly really. Not the lacey nightgowns he was sure she wore back home, but she looked like a goddess in it to him. He breathed in deeply and managed to find his voice. "What did you say love?"
"The dressing area is all yours. I'm finished." Her hair was down now and falling over her shoulders like a waterfall. How daft could he be? Falling for the slayer was a bloody nightmare. But he couldn't help himself. He couldn't help what he felt.
"Right, the dressing area. I wouldn't want your delicate eyes to see anything that might make you blush, see'in as I have already done that once today." He was cocking his head to the side again and looking her up and down. That look was making her nervous. They made a deal and she was going to make sure he stuck to it.
"Please Spike, I'm tired. Can we just avoid all this and just go to sleep?" She wasn't ready to talk about the kiss and she had hoped he wouldn't bring it up again.
Spike didn't say a word and proceeded behind the screen to change his clothes. She went to the bed and turned back the covers and suddenly heard a very low "bloody hell" before Spike appeared from behind the screen. She wasn't prepared for what she saw.
He was standing there in a light weight white cotton-like shirt and pants that looked a little like something from a children's book. It certainly wasn't anything Spike would ever dare to be seen in.
Buffy was trying very hard not to show her amusement. "Don't even say it. I can't even believe I put this on slayer." He walked quickly over to the bed and got in on the other side, pulling the covers over him.
Buffy suddenly became very uncomfortable. She could see the night clothes were thin and she didn't even want to think about whether he was wearing underwear. They weren't touching, but having him in the same bed was unnerving. What was she thinking? She wasn't sure she was going to be able to do this and then she yawned.
"Goodnight Spike." She turned over with her back facing him. If she didn't have to look at him she could pretend that he wasn't there.
Spike lay back, careful not to injure his shoulder any further. He was tired as well but he had too many thoughts in his head to sleep right now. He knew his shoulder wasn't injured that badly and it would be fine in the morning. He also knew that Buffy knew that as well. She had given up easily concerning the sleeping arrangements. He could already feel the heat off of her body under the covers and it was driving him nuts.
"Night slayer. Sweet dreams." He closed his eyes. Sleep was the farthest thing from his mind right now, but he could be patient. There was always tomorrow.