Chapter 11

Dawn tried to reach Willow's cell, but without any positive results. Tara sat, staring into the wall, ice-pack on her cheek, which has turned a disturbing colour of purple. Riley had staggered from the Summer's house, without Dawn even noticing. She had been too caught up in Tara's welfare.

Dawn put the phone down for the 13th time, and walked over to sit next to Tara on the couch. Tara hadn't said a word since she woke up from the blow. The only thing she'd done was to nod twice. First, when Dawn had asked if she was okay, and the second time when Dawn asked her if she would like a glass of water. Dawn was getting really worried.

"I'm sorry, Tara… I couldn't get a hold on Willow…"

The Wiccan just lowered her head and began to fiddle with the hem of her shirt, a frown on her face.


Buffy woke up and frowned slightly when she couldn't feel Spike next to her. Then she heard a husky voice that purred into her ear.

"Open you're eyes, luv…"

She obliged and she found herself speechless. The room was filled with roses and their sweet smell overwhelmed her. "…This…This is wonderful…" She turned around to smile at Spike, but he was gone. "Spike?"

She frowned a little and got up from the bed. Suddenly the room was filled with music.

It must have been cold there in my shadow,

To never have sunlight on your face.

You were content to let me shine, that's your way,

You always walked a step behind.

Buffy giggled and the sound was like music to Spike's ears.

He sneaked up to her from behind and slid his arms around her waist.

"You like, luv?"

She smiled as he kissed her cheek. "Of course I do…" She turned in his embrace.

"So…Wasn't just the spell then?"

She tried to glare at him, but he had a mischievous gleam in his eyes and she just couldn't keep a smile from forming on her lips.

"Dance with me, pet."

She nodded and laid her head on his chest as they slowly swayed to the music. Then she felt it. Serenity. This was how it was supposed to be.

"Spike…" She mumbled against his chest.

"Yeah, pet?" He kissed the top of her head.

"This is love? Isn't it?"

He smiled gently and looked down on her. "You know, luv. I think it is…"

She looked up to meet his loving gaze. The song had ended and they stood looking at each other in complete silence.

Buffy felt whole. She knew that Spike felt the same way; she could see it in his eyes. She smiled at him, with a question at the tip of her tongue.

"William…" She breathed, and took his hands in hers. She didn't wait for an answer and continued. "Make me yours…"

Spike looked down at their hands and then looked back at Buffy, disbelief written across his angelic features.

"I'm not afraid anymore, William… I don't need to look anymore. I've found what I want." She was amazed by her own boldness.

Spike smiled at her, feeling his whole being vibrate with life, but his eyes were filled with pain.

"Buffy…" He began "you know I love you more than anything in this godforsaken world… But you have to understand… That a claim isn't something you just can… undo. It's forever."

Buffy released one of his hands and caressed his cheek.

"That's what I want." She looked into his eyes, desperate to make him understand what he meant to her. "I want my knight to stand beside me in everything I do…" She smiled to herself as she recited the words that he had said to her in her dream. "You're the light that makes this endless night bearable, Spike." She cupped his face. "I love you"

Spike blinked and a single tear came running down his cheek. "I love you too…" He looked at this golden angel that was standing in the midst of a sea of light.

"Please… Spike… I want to be yours." She tilted her head, but kept her eyes locked with his. He shifted into gameface and lowered his head to Buffy's neck, but Buffy stopped him.

"I want to see you…" She looked into his eyes that now were yellow, and she felt him flinch, like she wasn't supposed to see him like this. But she caressed his ridges and fangs, and kissed him softly one last time before she lowered his head towards her neck. "I'm yours, William… "

Spike returned to his human form and began to slowly kiss up and down her neck, nipping it with blunt teeth. Then he slid into gameface and slowly sunk his fangs into her golden skin and he felt her gasp.

"Luv?" He withdrew his cold fangs from her neck and whispered with a shaky voice.

Her answer was to caress the small hairs at the back of his neck. He returned his fangs to her neck and he began to pull her blood.

Buffy felt like she was drowning in him, and she'd never felt more whole in her entire life. She moaned slightly and held him closer to her. She felt him growl deep in his throat and her heart was beating faster than it ever had before.

Spike couldn't really make out were he ended and Buffy started, he felt her sweet blood flow down his throat and he could swear he heard his heart beating. Then he felt Buffy kiss his neck and bite down hard. He growled, and tried to hold her even closer. He wanted to be under her skin. He felt Buffy pull at his blood and when she started to kiss his neck he slid his fangs out of her neck and licked her wound close. He returned to human form and peppered kisses on her neck and looked deep into her eyes.

"Mine," he whispered quietly.

"Yours," she answered.

They looked at each other still trying to be as close as possible, both drowning in the other ones eyes. Spike brushed his lips against Buffy's and she sighed, her heart full of love.

Spike broke the kiss and carried her off to the bed. He laid her down, and began to take off his jeans. Buffy looked at him mesmerized by his body and began to slide out of her dress. They took time to memorize each others bodies, before they both slid in under the covers and they drifted off to sleep the last thing they saw was the other. They lay close, their foreheads pressed together, trying to slide in under each others skin.

And the candles burned out and left the lovers to sleep in the silent darkness.


A/N Phew. That was intense… I wanted the claim to be sweet. So there you have it. Very Spuffy. I'll be back with next chapter soon!

A special thanks to Nessie, you're a great reader! I will continue to write Spuffy ;) Or maybe Bangel? Shivers I'm just kidding! More Spuffy on the way!

(The song is of course Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler)