The next day, Buffy decides to patrol early. She has been nervous all day, thinking about Spike and knowing that he will probably be better.

« I'm sure he will makes remarks about what I have done yesterday, stupid vampire ! » she mutters. Surely he will be as annoying as ever, with his witty comments and banters ! Why am I worrying about him, it's just Spike, after all. If he thinks I'm going to fall for him, just because I saw his...whatever. It's normal to be embarrassed to see someone's parts, I'm not a nurse ! It doesn't mean anything, Ok I was a little horny but it's just because I am celibate nowadays. It has nothing to do with him or his gorgeous body and his...mmm ! Yummy ! No Bad Bad Buffy, mustn't think about that. Oh no how am I going to face him if I can only think bad things like that ?

« Thinks straight Buffy ! Don't let him get to you and it will be alright ! » she says in between long calming breaths. Arrived in front of Spike's crypt, she straightens her clothes, takes one last deep breath and pushes the door.

When she enters Spike is nowhere in sight. There is only a few candles dimly lit and it takes a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the room.

« Spike ? You in there ? »

« I'm here, Slayer. » a voice answers coming just a few inches behind her. She jumps and turns only to finds him staring straight into her eyes.

« Spike ! Stop sneaking on me like that ! » she says through clenched teeth.

« Why ? Are you affraid of little ole me ? Good to know I didn't loose my touch ! » he answers with his trademark smirk, bending his head to the side.

« Don't be stupid ! I see you have improved since yesterday, already annoying ! »

« Your concern goes straight to my heart, slayer ! I'm touched, really ! » He goes to the fridge and open the door. « Fancy a drink ? »

« Since I don't drink blood, I think my answer would be a no ! »

« It's a shame, you should try someday, you might like it ! Jokes appart, I have some coke in here if you want ? »

« Oh ! Huh..yes ! » He opens one for her and hold it out to her. She takes a few seeps and put the can on the coffee table. She sits in one of his armchair and stretch her legs in front of her.

Meanwhile, Spike has filled a mug with a pack of blood and warmed it in the microwave. He comes to sit in the other armchair alonside of her.

« I see you know how to use a microwave ! » she says smiling.

« Yeah ! I suppose it must be you that I have to thanked for that ? » he answers, raising an eyebrow questioninguely.

« Well, my neighbour gave it to me when she changed for a new one and I was thinking I could sell it but nobody I know wanted it, so... »

« Thank you, it's...nice of you » he says looking embarrassed.

« It's nothing really, so you seem better than yesterday, do you want I check your wounds ? »

« No ! I'm fine ! Vampire healing, I'm good, nothing a littletime won't heal. »

« You sure ? Because it must be difficult for you to do it and... »

« Slayer ! If you insist once more I'm going to believe you can't let go of my luscious tight little body, I know I'm hot but you must restrain yourself ! »

« You are a pig, Spike ! Why am I losing my time with you ! I must be insane ! » she gets up and goes straight to the door, but Spike catches her before she can handle the doorknob and leave.

« Sorry, it was just a stupid joke, I didn't mean it » his voice pleading. « I promise I won't do it again »

Buffy gazes at him to see if he is sincere, but when her eyes met his, she is paralized. His eyes are swirling with emotions, shame, fear, tenderness, love and lust. The shade of his eyes, at first a clear blue, turns to cerrulean with flickers of gold, and then darkened like a storm over the Pacific ocean.

She senses his grip tighten over her arms and she knows that if she doesn't move now, he is going to kiss her. She feels her pulse speed up at the thought of his lips on hers, and her heart is ponding like a bird trap in a cage.

Spike knows that if he wanted he could kiss her, he can hear her heart rate and sense her arrousal. He wants her so much, it hurts. Her hazel eyes are wide with anticipation and she is so fucking beautiful, all ready for him to take, his angel...but if he does, he knows what's going to happen next. She will slap him and say hurtful words, she will stomp over his heart and broke it in little pieces. She doesn't love him and he is going to be kicked out of her life once more. So he lets go of her arms and acts as if nothing has happened. He turns his back to her and says :

« Thanks again for yesterday...and...if you need anything you know where you can find me, tell the Nibblet that I'm fine. » he says with a strangled voice.

« I...I will tell her, take care of you, Spike » her voice is unsteady and a little hoarse.

She closes the door gently and walk away. He waits a moment, just to be sure she isn't returning. She is gone. His shoulders slumps in defeat. Why can't she let herself love him ? He sighs and lets the tears fall down his cheeks silently.