A/N Once more I'd like to say a big thank you for all the feedback. I take it all in the spirit it's given – to help me improve as a writer. However, two major issues have come up in the feedback that I want to address:

Sarah. Yes she's the one who did the spell, and did the damage, but it was Buffy who got to wish for whatever. Sarah didn't know Spike at the time so that is not her fault. But she's still in the wrong, and Buffy would have a very good case if she wanted to out her to Spike. At this point she is not going to because she is trying to be a good friend to Spike. He says he's happy; she wants him to be happy even if it hurts. It's her own path to redemption. I'm sorry if people don't see that she needs it, but I think she does.

Secondly, almost everyone has said that the Spuffyness is moving too slowly. This next chapter is some light and fluffy Spike & Buffy & Dawn friendship. I will be building the Spuffyness up from here. I don't want to give away anything, but I can promise more Spuffy and progression in their relationship from here on in.

If anyone has anything further to say on these subjects, could you give me another chapter's grace and if you're still not happy feel free to bug me some more! I really am grateful for every review I get, even if they are critical.

Spuffy love to you all xx til

Chapter Thirteen – Girl Talk

Spike got home from work at 6pm. It had been a hard day at work. He was only just getting to grips with all the paperwork and office politics. He knew it was beneficial to have a job but it still felt so wrong to be answering to his bosses after a century of doing as he pleased. He drew a deep breath. It was good to be home for the weekend. Looking at the clock he saw he had just enough time to shower and cook something for his girls. That thought brought a smile to his face. God, he loved Fridays.

Twenty minutes later Spike was fresh from his shower and throwing ingredients together for a meal. It had been almost as soon as he and Dawn had arranged the now regular video nights that they had agreed to use it as an excuse to get some proper food into Buffy. It was about time she got back some of those sexy curves. Wait, did he just think that? He shook his head to rid himself of the thought just to be distracted by a knock at the door. His girls were here.

"Come in girls. Dinner's on the table."

"You know you really don't have to cook for us, Spike." Buffy said with a grateful smile.

"It's the least I can do to make sure my girls get one decent meal in a week. Unless you guys are planning on turning down my pasta surprise?"

There were twin 'eeps' as the two Summers girls flew to the table and started to shovel pasta unceremoniously into their mouths.

"God, I love Fridays." Buffy managed to say between bites.

The girls were ravenously tucking into their second platefuls as Spike finished his first off. He left them to set up the DVD player, still hearing the sounds of food appreciation as he did.

"So what do you ladies want to watch this week?"

"'Bring It On'!" The two girls chorused. Spike sighed. Sometimes they were so alike it was scary, as well as kinda cute. He was not going to back down this week though. This week they would watch a sensible film. Something educational.

"Not a chance… we're going to watch something thought provoking."

"No cheerleaders or hoes that look like Glory?" Spike was then hit with a double dose of his own personal kryptonite; the Summers' puppy dog eyes complete with adorable matching pouts. After just a few moments under their crippling gaze he gave in.

"Okay, okay, but next week I get to choose."

"Sure thing, Spike."

"You're the best, Spike." He knew better than to believe the fake smiles plastered over their faces. It was worth it to see them happy though. With a sigh, he resigned himself to watching 'Bring It On' again, and tried to assume a pose that looked like he wasn't going to enjoy it. At all. Not even the cute little cheerleading costumes. 'Cause after all, what was so great about this film anyway?

By the time the credits were rolling Spike had a Summers curled up in each arm and a smile on his face. That film wasn't so bad.

"I wish I was a cheerleader again. Love was so much more simple back then." Buffy sighed.

"I'm sure Richard would have no objections if you wanted to dress up as a cheerleader." Spike pointed out while trying to will away the pleasing mental images of Buffy in a cheerleading outfit. With her hair bouncing round her shoulders as she waved her pom-poms in the air and… what was that Dawn was saying?

"What's that, Bit?"

"I said it's going to take more than a cheerleader outfit to save their relationship."

"Dawn, please. Spike doesn't want to hear about that."

"Oh yes he does want to hear all about how Richard is treating his girl." Spike countered, sending little shivers up Buffy's spine at his claim on her as his own.

"He's fine. Really. He's been really sweet and really understanding about the whole slayer thing. I guess it's just hard for him. Most regular guys feel threatened by my power. It's not his fault. I guess I just need more from him than a couple of dates in the week and a phone call once in a while."

"Do you want me to have a friendly word with him?"

"Yes!" "No!" Dawn and Buffy squealed respectively, causing Spike's face to relax into a smile.

"I guess it's early days for both of us. I need to make more of an effort too." Buffy said to reassure herself as much as the others.

"At least he's not Riley." Dawn said with a wicked giggle.

"Riley wasn't that bad." Buffy said trying her best to keep a straight face. It didn't work though and she was soon laughing hard. The others joined in, now that the conversation had taken a lighter turn.

"You mean he wasn't as bad as Angel." Dawn said with an evil grin. It was so much fun winding her sister up about her love life.

"Dawn!" Buffy warned.

"Oh come on, Buffy, Angel is a – good guy with many amazing attributes." Both female heads snapped round at Spike's confession looking almost as shocked as he was horrified.

"Angel is a – sincere man with a truly tragic past." Spike's hands flew to his mouth as he felt the now familiar feeling of words that weren't his own being pushed out of his mouth. Both girls resumed their giggling.

"That is so true, I'm so glad you've come to see Angel like I do." Buffy managed to say through giggles.

"My lips. Those words. My poor mouth." Spike was mumbling.

"So what's with the new president of the Angel fan club?" Dawn smirked.

"Yeh, Xander's going to be so upset that his role has been taken." Buffy continued.

"We could always make him treasurer." Dawn said conversationally.

"So I can't say anything bad about that… that…" Spike stopped, knowing that there was no way he could finish the sentence within Buffy's rules. Both girls were practically crying with laughter at Spike's frustration.

"Another one of your oh-so-amusing wishes, I assume." Spike tried to be mad at Buffy. He really did, but the sight of his girls doubled over in hysterical laughter, albeit at his expense, was worth every bit of the frustration. So he was left looking more like a sulking five year old than a furious ex-vampire. Complete with pouty lower lip that trapped Buffy's gaze for a moment before she caught herself and looked away.

"Wow, this is so cool. What other things did you wish for, Buffy?" Dawn said with a grin. Buffy was unsure for a moment if she could continue the teasing, or whether she might actually annoy Spike or hurt him by confessing something. But there was a challenge in his eyes that she couldn't refuse. He wanted to see the worst she could do, and she was only too happy to oblige.

"Spike, may I borrow your car?" The look of absolute horror on Spike's face as he handed her the keys with no choice in the magical matter told her she'd won.