Spike opened his eyes and sighed happily. Last night had been even better than the one before. Sitting up on his elbow the vampire watched the slayer sleep next to him. She was so beautiful! Her skin was soft, smooth. Her hair was so soft and smelled so wonderful, like summer. She was the woman he loved.

Spike gently pulled a strand Buffy's hair from her face and smiled. She looked so peaceful lying there. This was the way it should be. Since being brought back, from what Buffy considered as Heaven, the slayer had been miserable. Spike couldn't bear to see her hurting so and he had tried everything to make her happy. Much to his surprise, this was what she had wanted and he was ecstatic.

Buffy stirred and Spike pulled away, wiping the smile from his face in the process.

Mmmmmmmm.......this is nice. Buffy's eyes were still closed but she stretched and turned to face Spike. Opening her eyes she smiled contentedly, Good morning!

Actually, slayer, it's about my bedtime. Spike tried not to let the words get to him again. Every morning it was the same thing. He hated to do it but he had to force her out the door it seemed.

Buffy was all he had ever wanted and he didn't want to let her go, but he had to be realistic. The slayer had a sister to care for and a life to live. Spike knew if he didn't shove her out the door, she wouldn't fulfill her responsibility to Dawn and Buffy would lose her. That would kill Buffy.

Lately, Buffy had become attached to the vampire and, as much as he enjoyed it, Spike knew it was not a good thing for the slayer to do. She had to start doing things on her own now.

Buffy pouted playfully. You don't want me to stay?

Buffy cuddled closer to Spike tempting him to keep her all day. However, Spike forced himself out of the bed and stood facing Buffy who smiled at Spike's nakedness. He was incredibly sexy, every inch of his body was so---perfect!

You know I would love to keep you all day, pet, but the Doublemeat calls. If you don't hurry home and change, you're going to be late. Spike pulled on his faded black jeans and threw Buffy her clothes.

Buffy frowned and grabbed her clothes while crawling out of the bed. Why was he suddenly so damn responsible? If she wanted someone to tell her what to do everyday, she would get married.

It's not like missing one day at the Doublemeat is going to do anything. Buffy slowly pulled her clothes on.

Spike put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it. You say that everyday, luv, and that adds up to a lot more than one.

Why do vampires think they know everything? Buffy sounded slightly annoyed but Spike ignored it.

Instead, the vampire gave the slayer a genuinely confused look. Because we do.

***

Willow stood in the doorway of Buffy's bedroom and frowned at the empty bed. Buffy had spent more and more nights patrolling late and it worried Willow. If there were so many demons and vampires surfacing, then surely something bad was brewing. So why did the slayer act like everything was normal?

Willow sighed and shut the door. It was almost time to wake Dawn for school and Willow hadn't showered or started breakfast yet. She had to hurry.

Grabbing a towel from the hall closet, Willow heard the front door slam. Buffy was home.

Buffy called from downstairs.

Up here. Willow tried not to yell loud enough to wake Dawn.

Buffy walked up the stairs and met her friend in the hallway in front of the bathroom.

Hey, Will. I just thought I'd let you know I'm home. I'm gonna change for work. Buffy turned to go to her room but was stopped by her friend.

Buffy, can I talk to you for a sec?

Buffy looked at her friend with curiosity. Sure, what's up?

Willow glanced at Dawn's door and motioned for them to move to Buffy's room. Willow shut the door.

What's going on, Buff?

What do you mean, Will? I told you I've been patrolling late. Buffy tried not to get defensive. Willow couldn't know about her and Spike yet. Buffy didn't want to tip her off.

You can't fool me, Buffy. Me--Willow--witch remember?

Buffy stared at her friend speechless. She did know! How?

Come on, Buff. You can tell me what's going on. I won't tell anyone--I promise! I'm worried about you. I want to help.

Buffy still didn't know what to say. She had been very careful. She made sure she was never followed, she never told anyone, and she had threatened to stake Spike if he ever told. What had she missed?

Look, Will, I don't know what you heard but--

I didn't hear anything, that's what worries me. With all the vampires and demons surfacing lately, it makes a gal suspicious. I know something bad is coming--or here--but I don't know what. I don't want you to think you have to fight this on your own.

Buffy raised her eyebrow at her friend. Something bad? She never thought that Willow would look into her extra patrolling like that. She needed a new excuse, one that Willow could not delve into or find suspicious.

Nothing bad is coming, Will. Sometimes I just need to get away from things for a while. Patrolling gives me time alone to think. Buffy hoped Willow would buy it. It wasn't that farfetched, it was true, just not the only thing she had been doing lately.

Willow sighed with relief but was flooded with worry again. I'm sorry, Buffy. I-I didn't know. You know if you ever want to talk--

I know. Now if I don't get changed soon, I'm going to be late for work,

Willow smiled at her friend and walked out of the room. She really needed a shower!

*** (A few nights earlier)

Angel stopped at the door and turned back to his friends who stood at the bottom of the stairs. They looked so good to him. All he had ever wanted were standing in front of him except one.

I don't know when I'll be back. It might be a few days, or it could be a few weeks. It depends on how Buffy is doing.

Cordelia sighed and smiled lovingly at Angel. He worried too much and it wasn't good for him, even if he was a powerful vampire.

Angel, look at me. This place needs you, but it's not like you're leaving forever right? We can take care of things while you're gone, we have Gunn! Cordelia smiled as Gunn blushed. Besides, we know where to reach you if something goes wrong, okay?

Angel looked around at all his friends. They were the best friends anyone could ever ask for and they could take care of anything. To be honest, if it weren't for them, he probably wouldn't have lasted.

You're right. I guess I worry too much. Gunn, you let anything happen to Fred and Cordy, I'll--

I won't! Gunn didn't even want to hear the last gruesome words. He knew perfectly well what the vamp was capable of.

Goodbye, Angel. Fred ran up the few stairs and gave him a hug then backed away.

Goodbye, my dark buddy. Lorne waved at his friend. Take good care of yourself.

Without another word, Angel was gone.