A/N Thanks for everyone's reviews. I am off on vacation tomorrow so no more updates for a week (sorry)

Chapter 9

"Well isn't that a fine turn out of events?" asked Spike as he watched Buffy.

"Sorry what was that?" she asked.

"Hello? If you were part of that earlier conversation it seems that I am going to be moving twice in one day, that's a record even for me. Guess I'd better get unpacked again. What side of the bed do you sleep on?" he asked.

"I-er, the right," Buffy replied distractedly.

"The left side it is then, who'd have thought that your little sis would have us bedding down together in a matter of minutes," he grinned.

Buffy caught his expression; did he need to look quite so happy about it?

"I expect you to keep to your side too," she said warningly.

"Not a problem for me," he replied challengingly.

"Meaning I might have one..."

All rational thought fled as Spike pulled her up out of her chair and wrapped his arms around her. He planted kisses along her neck and nibbled at her earlobe before claiming her lips. She was too shocked to speak, not that she could of with his mouth fused so tightly to hers. His arms felt strong and wonderful. It had been so long since someone had really held her and made her feel safe.

Spike lifted his head to look at her, cupping her cheek. He had seen Dawn enter the room. The display had at first been for her benefit, but then he had got caught up in the kiss and carried along on a tide of emotion that he had not expected.

Both of them were breathing raggedly as they pulled apart.

"I could always stay at Jenna's if you two need some alone time," suggested

Dawn.

Buffy felt strangely deflated at the sound of her sister's voice...so it had been all for Dawn's benefit?

"That won't be necessary. Besides you might forget your medication," said Buffy.

"Okay, but any time you think you might want to disappear let me know so I can put some loud music on," said Dawn as she skipped off upstairs.

"She should come with a health warning," said Buffy, folding her arms defensively.

So should you Spike thought wryly to himself, unable to stop his eyes from roaming over her form in the tight t-shirt and jeans she wore. How was he going to sleep with her night after night and not touch her? She was getting under his skin and it had been months since he had had a physical relationship with anyone, in fact there had been no one since Dru. But when he had held Buffy in his arms Dru had been the last thing on his mind.

The thought of his former hardened his heart. What was he doing thinking of Buffy, she was a female he wasn't sure if any of their sex had it in them to remain true. After all wasn't Buffy helping him fabricate the biggest lie of his whole existence? But one bad apple does not an orchard make His inner voice of reason reminded him. He knew he was wrong to judge her by Dru's standards, but once bitten twice shy as the saying goes and something was definitely biting at him, but did he want it to stop?

"Well I am all done in," said Dawn, as she yawned obviously.

She looked at the couple. After dinner Spike had cuddled up on the sofa with Buffy and had pulled her onto his lap. He had felt her resistance, but had enfolded her in his arms anyway. It hadn't been long before her head had begun to droop and she had fallen asleep. It had pleased him that she had trusted him enough to sleep in his embrace. He had stroked her hair while she slept and while Buffy had slumbered Dawn had chatted to him animatedly about her and Buffy's life together. He had absorbed every word for future reference. The two girls strength and the strong sisterly bond that existed had genuinely moved him.

"I really enjoyed our chat," sighed Spike, his legs were cramping a little under Buffy, but he was reluctant to move her.

"So it's about time you and Buffy were getting to bed wasn't it?" asked Dawn.

"I can take a not so subtle hint. You are quite the tease Dawn Summers," chuckled Spike.

"Yeah I know...and Spike..."

"Yeah,"

"Thanks for being here," she smiled at him shyly. "I can see you really care about my sister,"

"I do at that..." he replied, surprised at himself as he realised it was true.

Dawn walked over and planted a kiss on her sister's cheek before going upstairs. Spike shifted about again uncomfortably. He carefully manoeuvred Buffy around until one arm was hooked under her legs and the other under her back. He cradled her in his arms like a baby and lifted her up from the sofa and carried her to their room. Buffy snuggled into his chest and wrapped an arm around his neck. She sighed softly in her sleep as he kicked the door open and deposited her gently on the bed.

He shook her lightly. "Buffy love,"

"Hmmmm," she replied.

"Better get undressed for bed," he whispered.

"I'm so tired," she mumbled as she fell back to sleep.

She did look tired; the dark circles under her eyes had not diminished any, since he had last seen her. Spike rolled his eyes, she was probably gonna kill him for this in the morning he thought, as he lifted her arms to remove her t-shirt. She was wearing a temptingly lacy pink bra. Spike gritted his teeth trying not to notice the swell of her breasts. He removed her boots to concentrate on unfastening her jeans. He quickly slid them down her legs and pulled back the covers and placed her in the bed. With her body safely concealed under the comforter he felt as if he were regaining some control over the more treacherous parts of his body.

The bedroom was a little chill in the early winter evening so he quickly shed all of his clothing and turned off the bedside lamp. There was only moonlight to illuminate the room now and he felt annoyingly awake.

When he had gotten up that morning to meet Ethan, he had little idea that he would be sleeping with his wife just a few hours later. Buffy rolled over from her side of the bed and flung an arm across his bare chest as she closed the gap and pulled her self flush against his naked body. Why oh why had he never invested in pyjama bottoms? He asked himself. It was going to be a long night he could tell. He flinched in surprise as she kissed his shoulder. He craned his neck just to make sure that she was still asleep. So much for thinking there would be no touching in such a big bed.

"Night Spike," she mumbled dreamily.

"Night pet, sweet dreams," he sighed and closed his eyes.

Spike smiled to himself in the darkness. She may have kissed him while still asleep, but at least she had known who she was in bed with. He didn't know how he would have taken it if she had called out another mans name...

Buffy slowly awoke; the sun was shining in through a gap in the drapes. She smiled feeling warm and comfortable as she snuggled into something else that was warm and comfortable...

Her eyes shot open as they encountered the wall of a naked chest. She looked up and saw Spike's face only inches from her own. He was fast asleep with a smile on his face. As she tried to move in the bed she became aware of other parts of Spike that were touching her body. She lifted the covers to look down. In the night he had draped one lean thigh over her own. She tried to move away again only to be pressed closer to that hard well-toned body. Buffy was sure that the burning heat of her face would wake him if she blushed any harder...talking of harder...she looked lower and let out a little squeak before hurriedly covering the both of them up again.

Buffy wiggled again, before realising that maybe too much movement was of the bad as she was made more conscious of the lower portions of his body. She sighed and closed her eyes, wondering on her next course of action. She had to admit, unless she wanted to wake him up and make him aware of their position, then she had to stay put.

A treacherous part of her mind imagined how it would be to wake up like this every morning in the arms of a lover, in his arms. Buffy's eyelids grew heavy, feeling somehow safe and secure within his tight embrace. She could worry about how she had ended up in her underwear later, was her last thought before she fell into a deep sleep.

Spike had been holding a breath, he had been awake only moments before her, but he had a strong sense of self-preservation. He knew if he had indicated that he was awake then she probably would have pushed him out of bed while defending her maidenly honour. He had also felt the cold rush of the air when she had lifted up the covers. He wondered if she had liked what she had seen. He had heard the small squeal and it had taken all of his effort not to burst out laughing.

Well it hadn't been him that had wanted to get all snugly, but then he hadn't exactly stopped her when she had gotten all touchy feely in her sleep either. All that wriggling of her body had almost driven him mad into the bargain. Reluctantly he removed his leg from hers and got up out of the bed, zipping up his jeans as he went to seek out the bathroom.

He encountered Dawn on his way there and felt a little comfortable about the fact that he hadn't bothered to put on his t-shirt.

"Morning," she smiled at him.

"Morning bit," he returned.

Dawn giggled at the name he called her, deciding it was some strange English term or other.

He liked Dawn. Life hadn't been kind to her, how she still managed to remain so cheerful in the face of adversity he would never know, but he admired her for it. It made him feel that his own troubles were so petty and insignificant compared to hers.

She sailed past him and closed the bathroom door. "Gotta be quick in this house," Dawn called out through the closed door.

Spike grimaced as he lent against the wall waiting until she had finished with it. Hoping that it wouldn't be some time tomorrow afternoon. He looked at the door he had just exited, thinking about the night he had just spent in Buffy's arms. It was the most restful he'd had in a long time.

He was wrenched out of his thoughts by an ear splitting scream coming from the bathroom.

"Bloody hell, Dawn, Dawn" he knocked on the door.

There was no answer. Seconds later Buffy came out of the bedroom firmly wrapped up in a robe.

"Dawnie open the door please, its Buffy," she tapped at the door frantically.

Buffy and Spike both looked at each other as they heard the sound of her sister softly weeping from inside. Buffy pushed her shoulder against the door ineffectually.

"Spike could you?" she pleaded.

Spike nodded, understanding what she asked of him.

"I'm coming in Dawn," he told her through the door. He pushed at the door with his shoulder a couple of times before the lock gave way and he burst through it.

Neither Spike nor Buffy were prepared for the sight of the teenager sitting on the bathroom floor, her face partially hidden by her long mane of hair. Buffy knelt on the floor next to her sister.

"What is it Dawn? You scared the life out of me," said Buffy as she grabbed her sister by the shoulders.

Dawn raised her tear stained face to look at Buffy. She held up her brush to show her.

"It's my hair, it's started Buffy...my hair is starting to fall out," sobbed Dawn.

Buffy took Dawn in her arms and held her while she wept.

"Shhh, it's nothing to be afraid of Dawn. The doctors told you this would probably happen. I know it's a shock sweetie, but we'll get through it like we have everything else,"

Spike looked down at Dawn, the compassion for her evident on his face. He hated what she was going through and cursed the unkindness of the fates that had struck at this young girl. He also felt an intruder being in on her personal grief. He turned to go, surprised as Buffy's hand shot out and touched his leg.

"Stay?" she asked him.

He nodded, as he knelt down on the rug with the two sisters, holding Buffy's hand while she comforted her sister.

It was then, at that moment that Spike realised he loved her.

TBC