Hieko 's Xmas Present: Any Spike pairing (that isn't Spuffy, Spillow or slash)
Bloom
by Red Wolf
Spike enjoyed watching Tara. As the centre of attention she was clumsy and tongue-tied, but if he chanced to observe her unawares, a different Tara emerged.
When helping Dawn with homework, Tara was eloquent and patient, always able to communicate the logic and complexity of a problem. When she was prepared spells or packaged magic ingredients for Anya, there was a glace and fluidity to her movements.
Seeing her dance when she thought nobody was watching, Spike mused that she was much like his younger self. He hoped she had a chance to blossom without the demonic intervention he suffered.