"You know I'm starting to hate her just as much as I hate Spike." Buffy said twirling her wooden stake in her hands.
"Oh come on. It can't be all that bad. I mean sure she has her moments, but she's one hell of a fighter and she's on out side so…" he quit talking noticing Buffy's glare.
They walked on a little further in the cemetery, casually looking around for any signs of disturbance.
The night was cool. There was no moon; only the occasional star dotted the sky. Buffy looked up and sighed.
"What are you thinking about?" Willow asked rubbing the grass with her shoe.
"Mom."
Willow looked at the ground and then at Buffy. She walked over to her and put her arms around her.
"I miss her too." She said quietly, putting her head on Buffy's shoulder.
Buffy didn't say anything, but continued to look at the stars.
Suddenly they heard leaves crunching.
Buffy tensed up, holding her stake firmly.
Willow did the same with hers in her pocket.
The crunching got louder, moving closer to where they were.
"Do you see anything?" Willow whispered.
Buffy didn't answer, but squinted her eyes in the direction of the noise.
"Would you mind putting those away?" a voice asked from the trees.
Both Willow and Buffy jumped, their stakes in the air.
"Shit Spike!" Buffy said, lowering her arm. "What the hell is your problem?"
"Didn't mean to startle you. I guess if you were actually watching and not star gazing, you would have seen me coming eh?" he said throwing down a spent cigarette.
"Shut up…what do you want anyway? Usually when you come around you bring company." Buffy said pocketing her stake. Willow followed suit.
"Don't get bitchy with me. I'm not here to cause trouble." He said lighting up another cigarette.
"What a surprise." Buffy said sarcastically. Willow watched the two argue. This was a normal routine and interrupting has proven to not be a good idea.
"I came to ask for your help. Well help for Chloe."
"Is that a tone of concern I hear in your voice or is the night air getting to me?" she asked smiling.
"Will you quit jabbering and listen to me? Chloe is in serious trouble this time. It's something she can't control. It's way…way beyond her…" he said throwing down the cigarette.
"Oh what? She needs our help now? Big, bad Chloe needs our help? Last I checked she could, 'Do it on her own without pitiful mortals getting in the way.' No, I think I will sit this one out, thanks."
"What the hell has been in your arse lately? She needs your help and you're just going to walk away? What kind of a friend are you? You don't even know what kind of trouble she is in and already you decide not to help!"
"Can't you help her? Or is your relationship just sexual? I bet if you help her, you can have your way with her, no charge!" she said half laughing.
Spike stared at her coldly. Willow looked down.
"You Buffy, that was cold." A voice said coming from behind Willow.
Chloe walked up slowly to where the two were arguing.
"I didn't know you hated me so much. I guess the truth has come out." She said smiling.
Fresh bruises were showing bluish purplish on her face, one covering her right eye.
"I think my watch is over." Buffy said quietly.
"No, stay, share with us more of your crimson hates. Who knows, we might even get out what you really think about Spike out. What do you say? I have some beers. We can just have one big ol' party." She said smiling.
Buffy glared at Chloe and then turned around. Grabbing Willow they walked briskly out of the cemetery.
"Harsh love, harsh." Spike said smiling.
Chloe turned around and smiled as well. Suddenly her hand shot out from her coat pocket, punching Spike in the nose.
"OWWW! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR?" he asked kneeling on the ground.
"Not so loud, you'll wake the dead." She said grinning.
Spike stood up glaring at Chloe, clutching his slightly bleeding nose.
"The next time I confide in you with anything, don't go shooting your mouth off to the slayer. I…can…handle…it…" she said inches away from Spike's face.
She stalked off, leaving Spike clutching his nose.
"Bitch…" he said wiping away the blood.
"I heard that…" Chloe called.