Buffy awoke to the sound of absolute silence. Sunlight flooded the room and warmed her, made her feel fresh and new. She could feel the warmth of Spike's naked body against her own, his arm lovingly embraced her middle. The shallow sound of his breathing brought back memories of the fight the night before. Buffy found herself trying to hide her head in the pillow. She never wanted to leave this moment, never wanted to let this feeling go. Buffy wanted to make Spike heal faster, to make all his pain go away, but she knew she couldn't. I can bring him breakfast in bed, she thought.

Careful so as not to wake Spike, Buffy climbed quietly out of bed searched for her housecoat before pulling it on and sneaking out of the room towards the bathroom where she quickly showered. A quick and quiet trip back to her bedroom found her dressed and in the kitchen in minutes.

The house was unusually quiet and empty. Before Buffy could question the silence, however, she found a note left on the kitchen island.

Buffy,

Went out for breakfast. Would have asked you but did not want to disturb. Will be gone for the day, hanging with Dawnie. Hope you and Spike can enjoy your day off alone and relaxed.

Willow

Buffy smiled at her friend's wonderful idea. Her and Spike alone for the entire day with nothing to slay or research. It was the best idea Willow had ever had. Thanks, Will, Buffy whispered as she began to search for ingredients with which to prepare a hearty breakfast for the one she loved.

Nearly half an hour produced funky shaped pancakes, buttered and somewhat blackened toast, orange juice, freshly poured, and Cornflakes...just in case. Buffy placed everything neatly on a tray she had found in a cupboard above the stove and made her way back upstairs.

When she entered the room, Spike was sitting up groggily and trying to figure out what to do next.

Good morning, Buffy smiled brightly. Up for some breakfast a la Buffy' ?

Spike glanced at the tray and smiled back. All that is for me? You shouldn't have, pet.

I wanted to. It's the least I can do for getting your ass repeatedly kicked. Buffy walked over to the bed and placed the tray on Spike's lap.

Spike stared at the food and his eyes began to glisten.

What's the matter? Buffy asked worriedly.

Spike blinked and shook his head. Nothing. I had forgotten how good it is to eat real food again. I'm always expecting a fierce craving for some blood. But instead I crave Buffy toast. Spike grinned as he picked up a blackened piece and began to munch.

Buffy slid onto the bed and sat watching her lover chew each morsel delectably. His right eye had developed quite a bruise overnight and his right cheek carried a matching mark. Spike's naked chest still sported the white bandage the nurse had used to tape' his ribs the night before.

Want some? Spike asked holding one of the blackened pieces out to the slayer.

Buffy smiled and took it, broke a piece off with her fingers and popped it into her mouth slowly beginning to chew in thought. After swallowing she looked at Spike who was dabbing at the crumbs on the plate and licking his fingers. Buffy tried not to laugh and stuffed another piece of well-done toast into her mouth. After a few minutes of chewing silence, Buffy ignored the man's interesting attempt at cutting the hardening pancakes. She asked in a serious tone.

Yeah, luv? Spike didn't look up from his pancakes.

Buffy hesitated and picked at her half-eaten toast, Do you remember all the things you did as a vampire? I-I mean do you-- Buffy stopped and looked at the bedspread intently.

Spike stooped chewing for an instant, then continued chewing and swallowed before answering. Still feel the guilt? Yeah I do. Spike awkwardly cut another piece of pancake and leaned his hand on the side of the plate. I still hear their screams when I'm alone. The ex-vampire lowered his eyes to his fork and stared at it. I try not to think about it. Immediately Spike put the lifted the newly cut pancake to his mouth and began to chew.

Buffy bit off another piece of her toast and continued with her previously scheduled breakfast munching. Silence took over the room for another few minutes while the two finished eating. Spike placed his fork and knife on the plate and took a sip of his orange juice.

Spike asked anxiously.

Buffy raised up on her elbow and gazed into her lover's eyes.

Spike was caught in her stare and lost his nerve, Uh, thanks for breakfast. It was nice. Taking another sip of his orange juice, he put the question out of his mind.

The two love birds fooled around for a bit before and while getting dressed, then slowly made their way downstairs with the dirty dishes. After a quick washing of said dishes, the two found themselves sprawled out in each other's arms on the couch. Buffy realized the curtain had not been opened and stood to pull it away from the window to let the sunshine in.

Spike caught his girlfriend's arm and pulled it back, Could you leave them closed for a bit? I'm not really ready for the sun yet. Spike's eyes pleaded with Buffy and she let it go immediately, crawling back onto the man's lap.

Buffy gently laid her head against Spike's chest and was caught off guard by his fast beating heart. Buffy had noticed the man's wariness of the sun in previous weeks and had thought nothing of it until now. It had been a few months since Spike had become human again, why wasn't he getting used to the sun? Buffy thought of asking him but he had sat up and gently shoved her off of his lap. Standing up he seemed out of place in the living room. Most of his stays in the room had included him tied to a chair or at least under close supervision.

Is something wrong? Buffy asked quietly.

Spike looked down at his beautiful treasure and smiled warmly. Of course not, luv. Was just going to upstairs to hop in the shower. Would the lady care to help a man with the soap?

Buffy blushed slightly and grinned. The lady would love to, she replied in a playful voice.

Spike offered his hand to help her up and the two made their way upstairs. Moments brought the soft rush of running water and the very expected steam on the bathroom mirror. The house was quiet except for the short bursts of giggles echoing through the hall and the occasional bang of the soap bar hitting the shower floor followed by another burst of giggles. For another simple day, things were very good in Sunnydale.

Spike threw himself onto the couch to wait for Buffy. He was feeling quite refreshed and it had only taken him a moment to pull on some pants and throw on a shirt. The buttons he had left open forcing the shirt to show off his naked chest, Buffy had removed the bandage during their fun. Women always took a while to dress, though he had no idea why, and so he had come downstairs to wait patiently.

Finding the remote he turned on the television. A man in a olive green uniform was talking. The man changed to some soldiers in camouflage uniforms holding rifles and crawling underneath barbed wire. The picture changed again to men in the same uniform jumping from a helicopter, then again to show a man and a woman in green dress uniforms that the first man had on. Spike quickly turned up the volume for him to hear, his vamp hearing had left him when he became human of course.

...all that you can be in the United States Army. The television showed the man joining the younger man and woman, all three smiling and showing off pearly whites.

Whatcha watchin? Buffy walked into the living room rubbing her hair dry with a towel. She had chosen some black slacks and a baby blue tank top.

Spike glanced at her and hurriedly clicked off the television.

Buffy smiled, a playful look flashing in her eye, and waltzed over to where Spike was sitting. So what do you want to do next? Everyone's gone for the day so we're gonna be alone for quite a while. Think we can deal with being home alone so long? Buffy pressed her lips against Spike's for a quick kiss and pulled away.

Spike grinned, Oh I think we'll manage.

Willow and Dawn stepped out of the theater and looked around. Dawn sipped her unfinished beverage and Willow held still half full of cold popcorn and also sipping an unfinished beverage.

So what do you want to do next? Wanna hit the mall and see what bodacious bargains we can find? Willow asked her mate for the day.

Dawnie wrinkled her nose at the word bodacious, I dunno. What do you want to do?

Willow glanced at Dawn mischievously, I dunno, what do you want to do?

The two girls rebounded the phrase off each other a few times before losing interest in the fading hilarity of it. Finishing off their snacks, they threw the paper cups and bag in the trash and started towards the mall.

I bet Buffy and Spike are enjoying their time alone, Dawn wondered aloud.

Yeah I suppose they're wrapped up in some kind of kinkiness we rather not know about. Willow said in a rather frisky tone. It's good that they can enjoy each other's company in such a fulfilling way, though. They both deserve to be happy, especially after all Spike went through to become human again.

Dawn nodded in agreement, Yeah, the two of them desperately needed to get laid. They work too hard.

Willow's eye's widened in shock,

Dawn shrugged nonchalantly. I'm only speaking the obvious truth. Even Xander and Anya thought Buffy and Spike needed the break.

Them two just wanted an excuse to have their own little bits of kinky fun, Willow drawled.

Suddenly, a scream erupted ahead of the girls who looked up to see a small crowd of people stampeding towards them. Immediately Willow grabbed Dawn's arm and pulled her toward the chaos to see what was going on. The group had come from a small outside cafe. Tables and chairs had been turned over in the hasty retreat and food, such as hot dogs and french fries now littered the ground in puddles of ketchup, mustard, and relish.

A loud roar brought the girls' attention to the middle of the food court. A very large creature, looking half man half octopus, stood at least nine feet high waving creepy looking tentacles in the air at a couple huddled in fear against a wall. The giant octopus like creature was blue in color and had only one eye. The mouth sported many large, sharp, pointy teeth. It did not look happy.

Willow held onto Dawn's arm tightly as she tried to think of a way to rescue the couple. I think I'm going to have to cause a diversion so those people can get away.

Dawn was caught between fear and adrenaline, Can't you do some magic spell or something that will make it forget about the people?

Willow looked around to see what she could use. A hot dog cart with a covering umbrella stood abandoned about five or six feet behind the creature. Several utensils laid on the ground beside the cart, most likely they had been dropped by the owner of the car in his fast disappearance.

Maybe I can move some of those utensils and hit him with them. Willow squinted in concentration towards the utensils. After a moment of extreme concentration, the utensils began to shudder then move slightly.

Dawn watched as the young witch slowly raised the utensils in the air. On was a large two-pronged barbecue fork and seemed to be the only utensil that could do much damage. The utensils suddenly began to tilt to their sides and flung themselves at the monster's head and neck.

The creature howled and lung itself around in pain. The couple, seeing their chance, ran as fast as they could to get out of sight of the monster. The blue creature continued to flail around howling in pain as it tried to reach the utensils with its tentacles and pull out the pain causing annoyances.

We have to tell Buffy. Willow quickly turned with Dawn still in her grip and ran.