Chapter 3: Get Acquainted

She must've went through her whole wardrobe that night, trying to find something that was right for the occasion. But after a few hours she just went with a sweatshirt and a pair of jeans, coming to the conclusion that nothing can be really right for this type of situation. "Besides, its only Spike." She told herself as she headed downstairs.

She waited on the couch for a knock at the door. She looked up at the clock countless times until finally she heard it. It was faint but there was no mistaking it. She stared at the door, trying to find the strength to get up and open it.

Another knock, this time it was harder and more frantic. She walked over, glancing at the clock one last time. 8:13. She opened it.

He looked basically the same as she remembered him. His hair was still bleached but the dark roots were now showing through. It was really curly and was all over the place, he obviously didn't bother with it when she called. His face looked tired, puffy eyes from crying and the blue that is usually so intense seem to have a foggy lens over them. He wore a blue button down shirt where the buttons didn't match the right holes and was wrinkled from being tucked in to his loose blue jeans. He was taller than she remembered him but he could've always grown, they were still young when he left.

"Buffy..." Spike drifted off as he dropped his luggage where he stood and hugged her tightly.

She wrapped herself in him. God she missed this. She needed this. She longed for a connection with someone after her mother died and never got from Riley. She knew she should've called him. He would've made it better. He always does, even without trying he always did.

She closed her eyes as the tears started to fall. "Spike...I missed you." She sobbed as she felt his embrace tighten on her, making her feel even more safe.

Neither of them knew how long they stood there like that but it didn't matter. As long as he was there with her, nothing else mattered for now.

He loosened his hold on her to look her in the eyes.

"How are you holding up? You okay luv?"

"Some days are better than the really horrible days. And then some are worse than that." She smiled weakly as they kept their eyes on each other.

She heard another car pull up and pushed him away gently. "Get your bags and come in, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping." She walked him outside to his taxi to collect his stuff.

She saw the man get out of the cop car that had pulled up and was now walking over to her.

"Miss Summers?" He asked as they both arrived at the taxi, Spike watching with a close eye.

"Yes?"

"I'm Angel O'Hara from Angel Investigations. I was hired to help you, they said you needed someone."

She nodded.

Angel was a handsome man. His shirt and pants were cleanly pressed and his hair perfectly trimmed and gelled. He had a sturdy look about him as he smiled at her and held out his hand to greet her formally.

She took it and smiled once more.

Spike noticed Buffy's reaction to Angel, and he didn't like it. The way her eye sparkled when she smiled at him was only meant for him. He decided to stop this before it started.

"Hello mate, Names Spike." He said as he held out his hand while his other arm wrapped tightly around Buffy, making sure it hadn't gone unnoticed by Angel.

It hadn't.

Angels eyes watched Spike's hand grip Buffy's hip as he shook his hand.

"Yes, well..." Angel started. "Should we get inside, talk about what will be going on to find your sister."

Buffy walked out of Spike's grip and led the two men into the house. She could feel the strain between the two ever since Angel stepped out of the car. She hoped it was her imagination but it only grew stronger when they talked to each other. She needed everyone working together on this. She didn't need personal feelings to get in the way of what was important. She looked up at Spike who was now on the couch, his bags dropped at the bottom of the couch as Angel pulled up a chair and started taking out paperwork, covering the coffee table with them.

"No personal feelings." She said to herself as she stared at Spike. She couldn't get involved with anyone right now. It wouldn't be fair to either of them at this point. It needed to be all about Dawn, she couldn't worry about herself and what she feels. No matter how strong the feelings were.