Thanks everyone. I appreciate the reviews. It gives me inspiration to continue. It's only going to get more interesting I think. I love to hear what you think of the story so far. You are getting a bonus on this one because it is a long chapter. I hope that you enjoy!
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Chapter 13 Good Morning Sunshine
Buffy felt the slightest of air on her face. Was she dreaming? Her eyelashes fluttered and her eyes slowing opened and tried to adjust to the darkness of the room. The vast draperies were pulled so she couldn't tell what time it was. Could it be morning? Had they overslept?
She awoke further to realize that she was draped over Spike and it was his breath that she was feeling on her face. How long had she been there? She could feel the rise and fall of his chest. He was doing it again. He was breathing when it wasn't necessary. She didn't move for fear that she would awaken him and then she would have to explain why she was on his side of the bed, with half her body draped over him. His chest felt good. He was lean yet muscular and he smelled good even though she tried not to notice. Maybe she could move slowly without him noticing.
"It's alright love, you don't have to pretend; I'm awake." His voice was low and almost a whisper. But it was so close to her ear she felt chills move down her back and goose bumps form on her arms. Her heartbeat picked up and she knew he could feel her reaction.
"I…..I'm sorry Spike. I didn't realize. I must have tossed and turned in my sleep and wound up on your side of the bed." Buffy started to move and Spike grabbed her around her waist and pulled her even closer to him.
"No worries, love. I was just start'in to get comfortable. Where do you think you're go'in?" He had pulled her so close now that their lips were nearly touching. God she smelled good. He could feel her curves through her very thin nightgown and it was making his blood boil.
Buffy swallowed hard and tried to talk but the words didn't come. He was looking at her again as if he could devour her and she wasn't pulling away. She didn't know why, but for some reason she couldn't move. It wasn't long before his mouth was on hers.
His kiss was soft and his lips were like velvet. What was it about his lips? She could forget about everything when his lips touched hers. He brought his hand to her face and lifted her chin, kissing her in a way she had never felt before. Soon his tongue was begging for entrance to her mouth and she happily granted it. Her lips parted and she felt the coolness of his tongue. His hand was roaming now and it found her breast. The fabric was thin, but not thin enough. She found herself wishing their clothes weren't creating a barrier between them. Then, she heard a moan and was surprised to realize it had come from her, not him. Spike allowed himself to smile a little. He was causing this reaction and he was enjoying it.
They were caught up in the moment. Legs were now entwined and Spike rolled over on top and he suddenly let out a small wince as he tried to slide his arm underneath her back. It was enough to bring Buffy back to her senses and she pulled away, breaking their contact.
"Are you alright?" She was breathing hard; putting some space between them now and trying to gather her composure. She had let that go a little too far and now she was embarrassed. She used her concern for his shoulder as a chance to distance herself.
Spike was silently angry at himself. Everything was going great and then he had to let a little twinge of his shoulder ruin it. "Depends how you define alright, love."
She needed to get out of the bed before she allowed it to happen again. He was giving her a look that only Spike could give and it terrified her. She is the slayer. She isn't supposed to be kissing Spike….and enjoying it.
She got out of the bed quickly and grabbed her blue dress from the table. The servants hadn't brought back their clothes yet so she would have to wear it again today. It sounded as if the storm had died down. She hoped it wasn't too late to go search for Anne's room as she had planned. She needed to get back to the mission at hand. She needed to focus on something else besides Spike.
Spike buried his face in the pillow. She knew he was cursing into it but she didn't care. He would just have to deal. They had other things to be doing.
Spike looked up just as she went behind the dressing stand. "You know you are killing me here slayer. You can't just give a bloke a lick and then take away his candy. It's not nice."
Great, she was a lollipop now. She imagined the face he was making as he was talking to her behind the screen. She got dressed quickly and came out to face the music.
"I didn't give you a lick, as you so grossly put it. You caught me off guard. I wasn't prepared for you to kiss me again. You need to stop doing that." Buffy was pulling a curtain at the far end of the room now to check the weather outside.
"Funny, it didn't seem like you minded it….either time. Matter of fact I would say that you enjoyed it just as much as I did." He was pushing it. He knew that. But he knew that she was enjoying their morning make out session as much as he was and he was going to say so.
She was going to ignore him and get on with the day. "How's your shoulder? Is it good enough to get dressed or should I venture out on my own? It still looks fairly dark outside so I think I have enough time to go look for Anne's room before breakfast. I can manage on my own. If someone comes you can tell them I went to the bathroom. There is a bathroom isn't there?"
It just dawned on her that she hadn't used or seen one since they had been here. She would have to make a mental note to be on the lookout for one.
"My shoulder is fine slayer. I'll be dressed in a second and we can go together. I don't want you go'in out there alone and get'in into trouble. I've had enough aggravation this morning." He was frustrated now. She was denying what he knew she felt and it wasn't making him all smiles and puppies. He grabbed his clothes and went behind the dressing screen. It only took a second as promised and they were ready to go.
Buffy gave him a look that pleaded with him to not continue on this subject. She was sorry but she wasn't going to encourage him. It would make her vulnerable and that she knew she didn't want. She couldn't let him know that she had felt something when he kissed her, both times.
They left the room to search some more before breakfast. Hopefully they would find Anne and get some answers soon so they could get back home before something else happened. Buffy felt that next time she might not be able to resist.
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Xander walked in to the Magic Box and Anya greeted him with a big smile and a kiss. He noticed that she seemed to be the only one there.
"Good morning sweetie. Where's Giles?" Anya loved Xander, even though he could be goofy and insensitive at times. To think that he says she is insensitive.
"He isn't here yet "mister I need to focus on my girlfriend more". He wasn't here to open up this morning so I had to do it when I got here." That was funny. Giles was always on time. It wasn't like him not to be here to open up the shop.
"I wonder if something has happened to him. He could be ill….or worse. Maybe I should call Buffy and see if she knows what is going on." Xander was moving toward the phone on the counter as he was speaking.
"That won't do you any good. Buffy's missing, so I am guessing that she can't tell you where Giles is at." Anya said it matter of factly like Buffy was at the store or something.
Xander stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Anya. "What do you mean by missing? When did this happen and why don't I already know about it?" Xander was getting upset now. He was always left out of the loop and it made him angry.
"I think sometime last night. Willow and Giles were talking about it. Something about the library I think. They headed out to look for her last night and I closed up the shop. I am a very good employee Xander. I am already closing and opening the shop by myself." Anya was proud of her progress at the shop. She wanted to make this human thing work because she loved Xander. He didn't seem to be appreciating her effort right now.
"What about Dawn. Who is watching her if Buffy and now Giles is missing?" It had occurred to Xander just then that Dawn would be home alone because Joyce was at a gallery opening out of town. He remembered Buffy talking about it a few days ago. Anya didn't seem worried at all.
"She's fine Xander. She is spending the weekend at Janice's. She went there after school yesterday. I asked the same question last night when Willow and Giles were leaving. Really, Buffy does not need you to take care of her. She is the slayer you know. She's perfectly capable of taking care of herself." Anya was getting jealous now and she didn't like that human feeling. Xander was always worried about Buffy and never paying enough attention to her.
"Right, I will call Willow then. If she was with Giles last night she should know what is going on." He picked up the phone and called Willows number. There was no answer.
"Not good. Willow isn't home either. It's Saturday so no classes. Where would she be this early?" He was pacing the floor now.
"Maybe Willow and Giles disappeared from the library like those girls." Xander turned and looked at her like she was crazy.
"What girls and what's this about the library?" He was getting impatient now and he could see that Anya knew more than she as saying. She wasn't being helpful and he was losing his temper.
"I told you they went to the library and I had to close up last night. Weren't you listening to me Xander? You know, you never listen to me when I talk." She was making a pouty face now and he had to think fast.
"Yes, honey, I know that I need to be a better listener. I am listening now. Please tell me everything that happened last night." He had to be delicate with Anya if he wanted to get the information he needed.
"Fine, I'll tell you. It really isn't very interesting though. I would much rather talk about the amount of money I made…..I mean the shop made yesterday. We are doing quite well you know."
He kept his cool and continued. "You can tell me about the money after you tell me what Giles and Willow were talking about last night. It's important honey. It could mean life and death."
Anya grunted a little. "Right, like Buffy is ever going to die."
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Willow opened her eyes to find a pig staring her in the face. "Good morning to you too." The pig just snorted and continued his venture around the barn.
Willow sat up slowly and stretched her weary bones. The ground was damp from the rain and she didn't sleep well. This was not a good way to start the day. She remembered it had been storming and it sounded as if it had stopped.
She nudged Giles. "Giles, wake up. It sounds like the storm has stopped." Giles was stirring and opened his eyes.
"Well, that certainly wasn't the best night of my life. We will have to complain to the front desk." Willow chuckled. He could be funny when he wanted to. She was glad that he wasn't a grouch in the morning.
"I think it has stopped raining. Maybe we can make our way to the castle and see if we can find out where we are or maybe if they have seen Buffy." Willow was hopeful they would find her friend and a way to get back home.
"Yes, of course. We should try to get going. Who knows how long this rain will hold out." Giles was straightening his bed of hay as if he was making a regular bed. He put the sacks back where he found them as well. Willow just watched and tried not to laugh.
Willow opened the door. It was still dark but she could see that the sun was coming up soon. "It looks like we might get lucky Giles. The sun is just beginning to come up and I can see the castle. It doesn't look too far. We should be able to get there in about an hour."
"Lucky, yes. We could use a bit of that I think. Cross your fingers that they are friendly castle dwellers." They closed the door and set out into the early morning air.