A/N: Ok, as before, i will only put up a new chapter when i have gotten 5 new reviews. So if you want more of the story, plz,plz,plz review.

Chapter 8

Buffy and Spike had parted ways not long after the talk on the beach, but had agreed to have dinner together that night. Buffy had felt a mix of emotions after telling him about her dad. Mostly because, it was not something she liked to talk about. But she had to amit it was good to talk about it instead of keeping it bottled up. Also, it was nice to have told someone who knew what it was like to lose a parent. Even if they hadn't really discussed anything more than what had actually happened.

Spike felt very similar to Buffy. He had never spoken about his mother's death to anyone except his father. He felt guilty for what he said to Buffy before she had told him about her own dad. He hadn't admitted it to her, but he had felt more comfortable around her knowing that she had some idea how he felt, and that they had something in common. Even if it was such a horrible thing.

Now, an hour before they were to meet again, both were in the middle of getting ready. Buffy wasn't completely sure what she should wear. It wasn't a date, and she didn't know where they were going, so she didn't want to dress up too much. But she still wanted to look nice. She looked through the clothes she had brought and finally picked something. Gliimpsing at the clock, she ran to the bathroom to change.

Spike was not having the same problem. He was dressed already; now he was fixing his hair quickly which took only a few minutes. He looked at his watch. Twenty minutes before he had to leave, time to watch some tv.

Buffy appraised her appearance in the mirror. She wore a long black skirt, and knee high boots. The skirt flared a bit at the bottom. Her top was a white Surplice-wrap top with crinkled georgette handkerchief sleeves. It was simple, but looked good. Her make-up was done after she applied some gloss. Looking in the mirror one last time she decided to stop in and see Tara and Willow before she left.

Tara and Willow sat on the small couch in their room. They hadn't really talked anymore about what either of them thought of Sunnydale. Mostly because, Willow had gone out for a while with Xander who had the week off from work, while Tara stayed to help Anya in the shop. Having spent the day with Xander she had gotten to know him and really liked him. Not ina boyfriend kind of way, but a good friend kind of way. And she had groen to like the town even more. As the sat in silence she thought back to what she had talked to Xander about

"Xander, what would you say if i said i wanted to move here after graduation?" Xander looked at her like the question had come from no-where, but in fact she had been thinking about it since they had got there.

"I'd say it sounds cool. But what does Tara say?" he was being diplomatic, he had to be, because there were two people involved in the decision

"Well she said she could see herself living here" Xander smiled, thinking then that she had her answer but she continued "but not ontil way in the future, when her career is up and running. She doesn't know i'd like to move here now"

"Willow, i likw you and Tara, and i think it would be great having you guys around here. But you have to talk to her about it, she's involved" Willow nodded, acknowledging that he was right. She just didn't know how to broach tha subject.

Back in the motel room Willow looked at Tara, and shifted in her seat, thinking it probably best to talk about it sooner, rather than later.

"Tara, sweetie" she started

"Yeah"

"I wanted to-" she was cut off by a knock at the door. She hung her head as Tara got up to answer the door.

Buffy smiled when Tara answered "Hey guys" she greeted, walking into the room

"Hi Buff" Willow said, trying to act cheerful "Going somewhere?"

"Dinner with William" she answered. Willow looked at her shock on her face, she hadn't expected that. Buffy could tell what was running through her friend's head and decided to end those thoughts straight away

"It's not a date Willow. We just agreed to spend some time together so he feels comfortable with me, if he's going to tell me anymore about the poem"

"Oh, you just look like you're going on a date" Willow pointed out. Buffy became panicked

"Oh god, i didn't wanna look like i was going on a date"

"You look fine Buffy, really nice" Tara said coming to stand beside her and reassure her

"You sure?"

"Yes" Tara said again

"Ok, well i just wanted to say hey before i went, so i'll see you guys later. Have a nice night" she said as she went to let herself back out. Willow and Tara said their goodbyes and then Tara turned back to Willow

"So what were you going to say before Buffy came in?" Tara asked

Willow opened her mouth to start but changed her mind "Doesn't matter"

Spike was once again waiting outside of the Espresso pump. Apparently this was their meeting place.He was early this time, nothing good on television, so he just left. He was standing against the wall, and only a few moments later he saw her coming towards him. He noticed that she looked really beautiul.

She smiled at him when he walked over to meet her. He looked good, wearing a pair of black dress pants and midnight blue shirt. It really brought out his eyes. His hair was also slicked back a little but some curls loose at the back.

"Where do you want to go?" he asked

"I don't know, you know more places around here than i do"

"ok. Let's go" he had an idea where to take her.

It was a clear night and the restaurant, like everywhere else wasn't very far away. It took them maybe 15 minutes to get there. He held the door open for her. After they were seated and given their menu's Buffy opened hers and looked at the different food on the menu.

"It's all English food, just in case you didn't notice" he smiled a little

"Cool although i have very little idea what any of this is. So do you want to suggest something?" she smiled sweetly at him. She had heard of some of the things on the menu, just didn't know what was in them

"I suggest the roast dinner" he said

"What's in it?"

"Roast beef, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, vegetables, yorkshire pudding and gravy. It';s good, it's what i always have here" he told her

"Ok, sounds good. I'll try that" she sat her menu down and the waiter came. Spike told him their order, and asked for a bottle of white wine to go with it.

When the waiter left an awkward silence descended over them. But Spike looked at it as an opportunity to do what he felt he had to do

"I'm sorry, about what i said on the pier today. I know i said sorry then but i just want to say it again. I didn't realise when i said it and i really didn't mean it" he apologised

"Forget it Spike, it doesn't matter, i said some horrible things too, and i'm sorry. But let's just forhet it ok?"

"Ok" he agreed

They fell into polite conversation until their food arrived. When she saw her meal she thought it looked nice. Not the kind of things she was used to but nice anyway. And she wasn't disappointed when she took a bite.

"This is really good" she said between mouthfuls

"Yeah. It's my favourite" he told her

"since when?"

"My mum, she used to make it every Sunday for dinner before she died. She made the best Roast dinners, we always looked forward to Sunday's so that we could have it" he confided. Unlike earlier in the day he didn't feel so uncomfortable opening up to her on this particular subject. It wasn't much to say, but it was still something personal.

"In our house, it was more pizza every friday night. My dad wasn't a big cook" she laughed a little at the memory "so every friday night after work he brought home a huge pepperoni pizza. It was like tradition, we would gorge ourselves on pizza and watch tv or a movie. It was great" they both smile, liking the feeling of remembering family traditions that had meant so much to them.

There was silence for another few minutes, but it was now a comfortable silence. And Buffy had the urge to question him, about the poem. Feeling that if he could open up to her about his mother then maybe he would open up about that.

Spike looked across at Buffy. Somehow he knew what she was thinking. And he decided he may as well just get on with it

"What do you want to know?" he asked

"What do you mean?" she played dumb, not wanting to make him uncomfortable now, not when they finally felt a little at ease together

"About the poem? I know you're thinking it, so just ask" he ordered

"Well, i just want to know what happened in general. With Drusilla, the poem, everything" it was the truth, and as her father had taught her. Honesty was always the best policy

"Ok, well as you probably guessed, i spoke to her about two years ago now. And i wasn't her type. She was in a relationship so i didn't bother trying to be her type. Didn't speak to her again for a few weeks, and then we were both home the same weekend. I saw her one night, she was sitting on the curb of a street crying. Her boyfriend had broken up with her. I felt compelled to try and help her. So i went over and talked to her. She saw me as someone who wanted her, would do anything for her. So that night she took me home. She rode me like her life depended on it. I was a virgin, so i let her take the lead and use me whatever way she wanted. We went back to school and she didn't pay attention to me, got back with her ex. I was heartbroken"

Buffy was appalled, she didn't know how someone could treat a person so bad. She had a feeling there was more to come. But somehow she knew that was all he was ready to tell her for now. And that was ok. She had all week.

"Well, her loss" she said, trying to lightenb the situation a bit

"Yeah. Funny how she's just like everyone else. Can't wait to be away from me. God even your friends couldn't wait to get away" again Buffy saw the flash of hurt in her eyes. She would have to have a word with Willow and Tara.

"Spike,i-"

"Why do you call me that. People stopped calling me that. I wasn't special enough for a nickname" he cut in.

"Yes you are" she reassured him, instinctively laying a hand over his "you are special. Special enough that i wanna call you Spike" her words brought a smile to her face; making her smile too.

The rest of he night was just general conversation, bt it felt good. They found they enjoyed each other's company. They also agreed to meet again the next afternoon. Buffy was happy, she was getting somewhere. And she kinda liked Spike too.