A/N Thanks for the reviews of the previous chapter, and I brought in a new character for someone lol. Well I had a think about it and thought Xander might be a little lonely lol

I do chapter 11

Buffy sighed, staring at the screen but not really seeing or hearing the movie. Spike was the only thing in her head at that precise moment in time. Her chest ached, and she was irked by the feeling of melancholy that had settled over her. She didn't like its implications one little bit. Spike was getting under her skin and she resented that fact too. It wasn't until she heard a knock at the door and her heart raced within her breast, that she realised she had i missed /i him. Tears welled up inside her as she shot up off the sofa to answer the door. She flung it open to a surprised looking Spike. His smile quickly turned to a frown as he noted the tears in Buffy's eyes.

"What is it? What's wrong? Is it Dawn?" he asked in concern.

Buffy wiped away the tears before she could make a bigger ass of herself.

"Everyone is just fine," she mumbled.

"I get it," Spike grinned in realisation.

"You get what?" asked Buffy.

"You missed me pet, didn't you?" he asked.

He took her by surprise as he picked her off the floor and lifted her into his arms, wrapping her legs around him as he pushed her up against the hall wall.

"Spike, what are you doi..."

Spike pressed his lips against hers, silencing her as he ran his tongue along her lower lip before slipping it inside her mouth. Her hands curled around his neck of their own free will as Spike felt her return his kiss. He could sense the slight hesitancy in her kisses, it confirmed what Faith had told him at the mall, and whether or not it was his primitive male ego talking to him, but he felt a feral sense of satisfaction that she had not belonged to another. He pulled away from her first, calling a halt to their lovemaking.

"Good," he said, as he let her slide purposefully down his body to the floor.

"Good?" asked Buffy in confusion.

Buffy held onto him not sure she could stand unsupported as she felt his kiss seep down to the tips of her toes. Spike studied her flushed face with amusement before striding off in the direction of the kitchen.

"Good that you missed me," he threw over his shoulder before he turned the corner.

"Oh," said Buffy as she sagged against the wall.

"Whoa, call 911 and put me out a fire," said Willow.

Buffy pulled a face at her friend as she followed the path Spike had taken.

"See I told you they can't keep their hands off each other," grinned Dawn.

"Yeah, but I had to see it with my own eyes," said Willow thoughtfully.

Buffy marched into the kitchen.

"And what was all that about?" she demanded.

"I have no idea what you are talking about Buffy Sutton," he replied innocently.

Buffy felt her mouth water against her will as he pulled his t-shirt over his head to reveal that firm torso she had been resting against only a few hours ago.

"Why are you doing that?" she asked nervously.

"Because I am going to have my wicked way with you on the kitchen floor," he grinned, licking his lower lip with his tongue.

Buffy took a step backwards.

Spike scowled at her, "Oh lighten up Buffy, as if I would, with the nibblet and your friend only in the next room," he said as he turned his back on her and went into the yard.

Buffy followed him to the door, and watching him stride through the long grass of their neglected backyard. He walked over to the shed and disappeared inside. She was surprised to see him reappear with the lawn mower. After checking the petrol levels he brought it to life, Buffy couldn't move for the life of her as she watched him work on the neglected garden.

Spike smiled every time he mowed in the opposite direction, he could feel Buffy's eyes on him, nothing like putting on a little display so that she could see what she was missing. On the walk back from the mall Spike had realised quite a few things about his bride, she seemed to have major trust issues where men were concerned, that was the only reason he could think for her untouched state. She was beautiful and couldn't have been short of offers, but then again she had been coping with a whole lot of bad these last two or three years. To win her wouldn't be without its difficulties, but he loved her and could wait to win her trust.

A shimmer of sweat had broken out on his skin; even though it was December, it was still as hot as an early summer's day in England. Buffy's face was feeling rather warm as she watched the play of his muscles as he worked. She was so far gone in her fantasies involving Spike that she didn't notice that her sister and best friend had just joined her. Spike saw Dawn and Willow sit with Buffy on the porch; he lifted a hand in greeting to them as they settled themselves next to Buffy.

"So whatcha doing Buffy?" asked Willow.

"Admiring the view I would say, drool much sis?" snerked Dawn

"It was hot inside, I needed some air," Buffy replied haughtily.

Willow and Dawn exchanged knowing glances; Dawn got up off the porch and walked towards Spike.

"Nice of him to do the yard for you," replied Willow casually.

"What's your point?" asked Buffy.

"He seems a nice guy Buffy, I know you two met in an unconventional way, but have you ever thought he might like you?"

Buffy laughed uneasily. "What gives you that idea?"

"Um maybe that x-rated display in the hallway?" asked Willow.

"Oh that was just acting for Dawn's benefit,"

"The way you too looked at each other had very little to do with pretend, do you like him Buffy?"

"Yeah, no, I don't know," Buffy sighed.

"Look Buffy, you can't let your traumas interfere with getting some happiness, you are about due for some. Dawn is right, he looks like a keeper. Why don't you give him a chance, just let things happen. What have you got to lose?" asked Willow.

"Oh maybe just my heart and soul," said Buffy, as she looked at Spike.

Willow sighed heavily, deciding not to press the matter any further.

Buffy went upstairs to bed, it wasn't all that late, and she had pleaded a headache which was actually true. There had been so many thoughts running around in her head that day, both emotional and sexual and Spike had been at the heart of all of them. Maybe she had been closing herself off to the chance of happiness, why did she keep using her father as a marker? There were nice guys out there, and she wasn't so naïve that she didn't know that. It was just taking that final step and giving herself to any one man that she baulked at. Buffy began to undress; she pulled out her favourite sushi pyjamas from under her pillow and put them on. She was just doing up the last button when Spike came into the room without warning.

"Just came to make sure you were okay. You looked a little pale over dinner earlier," he said questioningly.

"Yeah, it's been a bit of a long day that's all," she replied as she pulled back the covers and got into bed.

Spike walked over to his side of the bed and begun to remove his clothing, Buffy's eyes widened in alarm.

"Er Spike, where are your bed clothes?" asked Buffy.

"I don't own any, but you already know that and have seen everything already, so what's the point?" he asked innocently.

"You knew...you were awake...bastard," Buffy huffed indignantly.

"Oh come on take a joke Buffy,"

Buffy got up out of the bed and searched through the closet. She returned to him with some pyjama bottoms.

"These were my father's, perfectly clean," she handed them to him before getting back into the bed.

Spike unzipped his jeans and dropped them to the floor. Buffy gasped, as he stood there naked for a moment before putting on the bottoms. He smirked at her reaction before lifting the covers and getting in beside her. He switched off the bedside lamp and they lay there together in the moonlight, and neither of them feeling the least bit sleepy.

"So what you want to talk about?" asked Spike.

"Nothing springs to mind," lied Buffy, she was still too preoccupied with the sight of Spike's nakedness.

Spike rolled over in the bed, and draped an arm over Buffy. She edged away a little and Spike sighed.

"What are you so afraid of Buffy?" he asked gently.

"I don't know what you mean,"

"Yeah you do," Spike replied as he moved back over his side of the bed and turned over.

Buffy fumed, i so he thought her some kind of coward did he? Well she would show him /i she thought childishly to herself as she edged over to him until she was spooned up against him. He took her hand and held it and closed his eyes, a smile on his face. He turned over and took her in his arms. She nuzzled into his chest, breathing in his smell, before she knew what she was about; she planted a kiss on his bare chest. She looked up to see him looking down at her, an unreadable expression on his face.

"I'm not scared of anything, least of all us," she said defiantly.

Spike liked the word us, that she had used it gave him hope for their future.

"Buffy don't you think you could learn to like me just a little bit?" asked Spike.

"Does this feel like I hate you?" she replied.

"Thank you for that," he said, not wanting to push her too much for one day.

Buffy awoke to the cruel sound of her alarm clock. The numbers on its face glared mockingly at her as she groaned and sat up in bed. Spike opened one eye, before yawning.

"Morning gorgeous," he smiled at her.

"Yeah like I believe that, I have bed hair and bags under my eyes," she replied as she got up off the bed and exited the room.

Spike heard the sound of her going down stairs so he quickly got out of bed and headed for the shower, remembering Dawn's previous warnings of being the one to get there first. He wanted to look his best as Buffy presented him to her friends at the diner for the first time. He smiled at the thought of being able to hold her and kiss her in public, hell he liked the idea of being able to kiss and hold her any time. Spike took off the pyjama bottoms and stepped into the shower. The warm sting of the water went a long way to loosening the tense nerves in his shoulders, both he and Buffy were surprised as she burst into the bathroom, Spike recovered and grinned at her from ear to ear, totally unashamed in his nude state.

"This is becoming a bit of a habit love, if you wanted a look you only had to ask," he purred at her.

"You could have locked the door," she replied, averting her eyes.

"Um well I would have, but we had to break it yesterday to get to Dawn," he reminded her.

Buffy turned tail and fled from the bathroom, the sound of his laughter ringing in her ears. It was too late for her though, she already had a vivid image of Spike soaping his naked body, and the rivulets of white foam running down his chest all the way to his...Buffy was sure her face was so hot that she could fry an egg on it. i Any more naked Spike and she could run a full length porno memory movie in her head, /i she thought resentfully.

After Buffy had left, Spike quickly finished up his shower, not wanting Dawn to be the next one to find him. He wanted to get to know his sister in law, but not while he was buck naked. He wrapped a towel around his hips and went into the bedroom. Buffy was already there, dressed in her waitressing uniform. She was just finishing up pinning her name badge on it, looking up at him as he entered the room.

"Thanks to you, I don't have time for a shower," she snapped, feeling awkward at their enforced intimacy.

"You still smell good," he replied as he walked over to her.

The bedroom felt a whole lot smaller with him in it, as he stood next to her. He leaned into her, and she closed her eyes in anticipation of the kiss she sure would come, but he only reached past her to get his black shirt that he had laid out. Buffy was feeling very foolish, when she saw he had only been retrieving his clothing.

"Well today's the day," Spike smiled at her as he put his shirt on.

Buffy looked at him, did he have to look so edible she thought resentfully, noting the gleam of droplets of water in his hair. It curled slightly when it was wet; it made her want to run her fingers through it...Buffy snapped out of her illicit train of thought. There were bigger things to think of today, besides parts of Spike's anatomy.

"Yes it is," said Buffy "We need to get a move on or I will be late for my shift,"

Spike quickly pulled on the rest of his clothing and followed her downstairs. He put on his leather coat, and waited for Buffy at the front door.

"What about the nibblet?" asked Spike.

"She will be fine, Willow picks her up, and anytime she is not feeling well enough for school, Willow's mom comes and sits with her," said Buffy.

"Sounds like you have it all figured out. I can always look after her if you need me to. I am a writer Buffy, that's kind of a work at home profession and I like your sister,"

Buffy could see how attached Dawn had already become to him too. All she heard from her sister, was Spike this, and Spike that.

"Looks like Willow gets out of witnessing our big announcement after all, she called me while I was downstairs, she took a later shift as Giles has hired in a new girl in as Harmony wasn't working out, and thanks for the offer," said Buffy. She was grateful for his help, but was afraid of relying on him too much. It was going to be hard enough as it was, when he would inevitably leave her as soon as the danger had passed. That was something she didn't want to think too much about at the moment.

Buffy was quiet on the bus ride to the diner, she was all too aware of Spikes presence beside her. The journey seemed to be over too soon, and they were standing outside the i Last Resort /i Spike took her hand and laced his fingers through hers.

"I brought the wedding pics along for backup," Spike told her.

"Thanks Spike, for being here with me,"

"Well why wouldn't I? We are in this together; it takes two to make a marriage Buffy,"

"But this isn't a real marriage Spike," she reminded him,

"Not for now love, but I can hope," he muttered under his breath with more confidence than he felt.

"What was that?" she asked him.

"Time to face the music," he replied quickly.

Buffy opened the door and they walked into the almost empty diner, hand in hand. Only the staff were there as it was before opening. Xander looked up from the serving hatch, with interest as he noted their interlocked hands. Giles had his head in the accounts book and Faith was tying up her apron. The pretty honey blonde woman with an assessing smile, had to be the new girl, Buffy decided as she hung up her coat.

Faith walked over to her. "Don't think I didn't notice the hand holding with the platinum bombshell,"

"Who's the new girl?" asked Buffy evasively.

"That's Anya, she's ok. Xander seems to like her; he was drooling the moment she walked in,"

"Ah, the lonely life of a fry cook," smiled Buffy.

"So what have you been up to this weekend? Something naughty I hope. If I didn't have Angel, what I wouldn't to do to Spike if I got him under my roof," said Faith, a smirk on her face. She studied Buffy's face for her reaction.

"You do have Angel, and Spike is taken," snapped Buffy.

"Really with who?" asked Faith, enjoying herself immensely.

"Well erm..."

"Excuse me, if I could have your attention please, Buffy and I have a little announcement to make," said Spike.

Everyone turned to look at Spike; Buffy swallowed hard and walked over to him.

"This should be interesting," said Faith to Anya, who had just joined her.

Spike took Buffy's hand and looked at her before continuing.

"Buffy and I are hitched,"

There was a loud clatter of pans in the kitchen, followed by total silence.

"So what do you think?" asked Buffy, biting her lip and looking around the diner at her friends.

TBC