A/N Hey Guys! Thanks So much for the reviews! Some days they are the brightest part of my day. Tista thanks for being a great beta and encouraging me to keep writing.

Ch. 14

Buffy and Spike walked into the kitchen and nervously sat down at the counter.

"Joyce, I want you to know I'm really sorry for walking around your house like that." Spike said apologizing like a little boy scared of his mother.

"Oh, it's ok. What I want to talk to you two about is your relationship." Joyce said taking a deep breath.

"Mom, this isn't a relationship." Buffy blurted out.

"You said that you slept with him." Joyce said pointedly.

"Well yeah, but..." She trailed off.

"I care a great deal for your daughter. I want to be with her. That's why I came back. "Spike said looking at Buffy.

"No. You came back to kill me." Buffy reminded him.

"Ok. I'm really confused." Joyce said looking at them continuing to argue.

"I told you, all that changed when I saw you again. All I do is think about you and dream about you. I thought if I could finally kill you then I would be able to forget you."

"That's just what a girl wants to hear. Spike, you really have a way with words." Buffy said sarcastically.

"Vampire here. I'm not supposed to have fuzzy feelings for the slayer." Spike said not realizing he was now talking like Buffy.

"It could never work." Buffy spat.

"It could if you gave me a bloody chance. " Spike argued.

"You gave Angel a chance. So why not give Spike one?" Joyce asked.

"Blood you need blood...so I'm going to the butcher's." Buffy stammered not wanting to answer. She quickly ran out the backdoor.

"I'm sorry Spike. Give her time. I'm sure she will come around." Joyce said reassuringly.

"I hurt her when I left. She wanted to try a real relationship, but I was scared and confused. I'll do whatever I have to do to get her to see that we belong together." Spike said confidently.

"I know my daughter and she obviously has feelings for you, but she can be very stubborn." She said eating her chef salad.

"I can be persistent." He said smirking and continued.

"Buffy says she wants a normal bloke but I saw her on her date last night. She put on a smile but it was obvious she bored. He must be daft cause he called wanting to get together again."

"I used to want her with a normal guy but I don't think it is possible anymore." She said sadly.

"By the way, last night I saw you saying good night to your date." Spike said arching his scarred eyebrow.

"Oh, but Buffy. She doesn't know?" Joyce stammered.

"No. I didn't think it was my place."

"I don't know how she is going to react about this, but I'm going to tell her when the time is right."

"Good. You should just be honest. She's a big girl she'll handle it." Spike said in a soothing voice. Buffy walked in a few minutes later as Spike and her mother chatted like they were old friends who were so happy to see each other again. Right now they were talking about art. Buffy thought rolling her eyes. "Who knew an evil vampire actually is interesting aside from sex and violence?"

"Spike, you really should come to the gallery and I can show you some of the newest paintings we got in this week." Joyce said looking up to see Buffy was back.

"Here is your blood. It's pig's blood. I don't wanna hear any argument about you wanting real blood."

"Pig's blood is fine. I guess I should get used to it." Spike said smiling.

"No. See you aren't supposed to just take it. Who are you and what have you done with Spike?" Buffy asked with wide eyes.

"It's me, Luv. If I'm gonna be with you, I can't kill anymore." He said getting a mug from the shelf.

"No. There is no 'We' or 'Us.' Understand?" She said coldly.

"Buffy, quit being so mean. Look, I know that you are going to be in college and I can't tell who you can and not see, but I won't have you being cruel to guests in my house." Joyce said sternly.

"Guests?"

"Yes, I asked Spike to stay with us."

"I don't believe this!" Buffy yelled and stormed out of the kitchen.

"Don't worry; she's just having a bad day." Joyce said trying to make him feel better.

"I'm gonna go try and talk to her."

"Ok. Well, I'm going out. Good luck." Joyce said smiling and going out the door.

A/N That is all for now. So who do you think Joyce is dating? Review for more!

Thanks

Jaime Bee