Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns all characters of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel". I just like to torture them sometimes.

Chapter One

"Alleyways"

He snarled in rage, blocking punch after punch. Spike sidestepped and whirled around, catching the demon in his chin. He felt the bones crunch and watched as the animal crumpled to the ground. He was out. Spike's demon receded and his arms fell limp at his sides. Buffy, breathing deeply, sauntered up beside him and handed him a stake.

"I really miss the old days." He sighed, driving the wood into the vampire's chest. Dust exploded before him and he handed the stake back to Buffy. As he turned to head out of the alley, Buffy grabbed his arm.

"You're hurt." She pointed out coldly. Spike looked down at his side, watching the crimson blood trickle down his shirt. With a small sigh, he pressed his fingers over it.

"I's not bad." He said, cocking his head in frustration. "I'd wager that's enough demon hunting for one night."

Buffy just nodded and stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jacket. Spike never said much to her anymore when they were patrolling.

"So, how are the…" Buffy stopped, chancing a look at the injured vampire. "How are you?" she rephrased, glancing toward his chest. Two days ago he pointed out his injured ribs. Actually, Buffy almost broke them again and that's what pretty much pointed it out.

Spike smiled slightly and shrugged. "Better. I'd say the girls can start beatin' on me again pretty soon." He smiled and looked down at his boots. Buffy smiled too. She liked it when he made jokes. It seemed simpler to her. He wasn't always on about the end of the world. She liked that.

They walked briskly, normally, toward Revello Drive, small interjections passing between them. Usually it was pointless banter, something to pass the time.

"So, Kennedy fancies herself the boss, then does she?" Spike asked with a curl of the lip. Buffy nodded and looked up, kicking out pointedly with her boot.

"Yeah. Lately, she's been all up in arms about the way the girls are handling themselves. Telling everyone to stop being "kids". Which is ironic since, you know," she cocked her head to the side. "They are."

Spike stopped walking, crossing his arms across his chest. Buffy turned to face him. "They're scared, is all. And it's right they should be."

"I know. And you coming back all battered and beaten, doesn't really boost moral." Buffy said simply, flipping her hair out of her face. Quickly, she noticed Spike's sullen expression. Oh, no. Back pedal. Back pedal like crazy.

"No, Spike…I" she took a step closer. Spike just gave a weak smile and nodded.

"S'alright, pet. I know what ya meant." He looked around, sighing heavily. "Besides, I'm not looking fer pity. Don' need you coddlin' me like some…" he stopped, chuckling at the irony. "Some kid."

And with that, he took off toward the Summer's house, leaving Buffy to stand and watch him stalk away. She looked down, ashamed of making him feel that way. He wasn't a burden. She never really thought of him that way. More of a stray dog that—No! Not that either. Buffy shook her head, pulling the coat tighter around her. Would it help to run up beside him, explain that she wasn't trying to make him feel worse, or unwanted. No. It was Spike. "Coddling" as he tended to call it, would only open the wound.

So, after a silent battle inside her head, she walked off after the vampire, head deliberately aimed downward.