Hola. Thanks to all who read and review. You guys rock. Sorry this chap. took longer.

Enjoy!

Spike was sat at the dining room table, an ice pack against the side of his head. Closing his eyes, he let out a sigh and shifted the pack over a little. Tons of weird things had happened in his life, but he'd never been hit in the head with a frying pan.

Joyce was across from him, eyes showing so much apology and sorrow. She still couldn't believe she'd hit their guest. "I am so sorry, Spike."

Giving a small smile at one end of his lips, he opened on of his blue eyes, looking at her. Chuckling, he closed his eye again. "No worries, ma'am I'd've done the same thing if I found some crazy ponce in my livin' room."

Buffy was standing beside him. She put her hand on his shoulder and fought the urge to run her hand down that strong body that she'd gotten to see.

Gulping a little, his eyebrows drew together and he thought about a few things, with a bit of trouble. That wound he had was going to leave a mark.

Dawn was a few seats over, eating the food that was on the table.

"Did I say I was sorry?" Asked the older woman again.

He laughed now, nodding slowly. "Many times. Don't worry 'bout it. Thank you again for lettin' me stay. Don' think I've ever met nicer people."

The hand on his shoulder started to rub slowly. She couldn't help herself.

"Well, you can stay as long as you'd like, dear."

"Thanks a lot Joyce, but I think I'd havta turn that kind offer down. Don' wanna get too used to livin' in a home environment. I'd start to miss it all ov'r again." He looked at the ground, kicking his foot slowly.

Buffy stopped rubbing his way too strong arm and looked at him. She didn't know what to say.

"Still don' know why you trust me." He looked up at the woman that was around his age. Then he wondered how old she was.

She shrugged one of her shoulders. "I have this theory that if you were a bad person, you would have shot me already. And I did your laundry, so I know you don't have any weapons."

This made him get a bewildered look. "You did my laundry?"

She gave a simple nod. "Yeah."

Biting his lower lip, he watched her for a moment. "I'm sorry you did that. Bet that was a nightmare."

"No. It was okay. I can't get the blood out of your clothes though. Why are they there, if I may ask?"

"You're free to ask anythin' you'd like. I was mugged not long after I'd been put on the street. I'd never gotten new clothes."

She wanted to take away his terrible past. Wanted to hold him and kiss away all his bad memories. Wait. She did! When did this happen? "Oh. We'll go get you some clothes that fit."

"No." He said firmly. "You let me shower, let me use some clothes, and you're lettin' me spend the night and feedin' me." Shaking his head, he spoke. "No. I can't take advantage of you. I will never take advantage of the kindness you've allowed me to have. This is by far the best Christmas season I've had in a long while."

Joyce set a plate of food in front of Spike and smiled softly. "No use fighting Buffy. She'll go out and buy you clothes anyway." She sat back down in her seat.

Spike looked down at the variety of food that she'd set before him. He wanted to cry, quite honestly. His eyes became glassy. Then he looked up at Buffy and sniffled, smiling. "Stubborn, eh?"

"Totally." Buffy said, grinning. "Now eat up. There's plenty of food."

He put his icepack down and started to eat happily.

After the meal, Spike stood and collected the dishes, taking them to the sink. He started to wash them. They were doing all these things for him, so he'd help right back.

Buffy jumped up and followed. "Spike…You're the guest. You don't have to wash the dishes." She stood at his side.

He shook his head. "I'm goin' to. The dinner was brilliant, by the way." Looking at her, he smiled softly.

Her eyes locked onto his lips and a smile formed on hers as well. "I like your smile. And thank you. You should've seen how I cooked before. It was terrible. But I took a few classes so I could make my own food without wanting to hurl." Her nose wrinkled.

Spike's smile turned into a grin. "That's real cute." He looked back into the sink, hands in the soapy water.

"I don't…." She looked around. "What's cute?"

Taking one hand out, he touched the tip of her nose, getting soapy bubbles on it.

She laughed. "Hey!" Wiping them away, she put her hand in the water and repaid the favor, getting some soap on his cheek.

"That's not fair!" He stuck his tongue out, laughing. "I can't wipe it away."

Nodding, she grinned. "I know. Thanks for doin' the dishes, Spike." She skipped out.

Turning, he watched her do this, his heart thumping way to fast. She had been so close to him. His lips were begging to caress hers. Every inch of him wanted to just take her in his arms. He knew he shouldn't. Buffy lived 5 hours away. After the Christmas season, he'd probably never see her again. Who was he kidding? He couldn't expect to be staying there the whole time. He'd ruin their holidays.

Sighing, he got back to washing the dishes. After he was done, he dried them and put them away, then wiped the soap off his cheek, chuckling to himself. Leaving the kitchen, he noticed that Joyce and Dawn were no longer there. He went to the living room, looking around a bit. "Where's mum and sis?" He asked Buffy, who was sitting on the couch, watching the TV. Some stupid Christmas movie with a bunch of animated kids.

"In bed. Mom had a hard day and Dawn always crashes early." She moved over on the couch and patted the seat beside her. "Watch Charlie Brown with me."

How could he say no? Sitting beside her, he was kind of uncomfortable, but he slowly relaxed into the couch.

There was a very comfortable silence as they watched the TV movie. Buffy would giggle now and then and it would make Spike shiver. That giggle would forever haunt his dreams. That was definitely something he wouldn't mind.

When it was almost over, Buffy slowly cuddled up to him.

Spike froze and looked at her, then felt her even breathing against his neck. She was sound asleep. He put his hand on her back and just enjoyed this. He wasn't breaking any rules. After all, she was leaning on him.

He watched the rest of the movie, then reached over Buffy, grabbing the remote, turning off the TV. Then he slowly lifted her into his arms, cradling her with ease. Carefully, he headed up the stairs, going to her room right away. Dawn had given him the tour of the house, and Buffy's room was his favorite.

Tapping the door open with his foot, he carried her over to the bed, laying her down. She wrapped her arms around him and grumbled. "Stay.."

He'd like more than anything to stay in bed with her, and he trusted himself, but he couldn't. He was getting too attached. It was scaring him.

"No, kitten. Sleep.." Untangling himself from her arms, he pulled off her shoes and pulled the covers over her. Then he turned and headed towards the door. The room was full of her scent. It drove him crazy. No! No it didn't. He hated the smell. Hated her room…Why was he so attached to her? This was bad. He'd never be able to leave.

Taking one more glance at the sleeping Buffy, he closed her door slowly, then went downstairs. Not knowing where anything was, he sat down on the couch and took off the shoes that they had let him borrow. Then he laid down and curled up within himself, falling asleep.

Around 1, Spike had a rude awakening, finding himself slammed against a wall by someone taller than he.

Spike's nose bled and he winced and groaned to himself. "Bloody hell. Not again…"

Awh…A cliffy. I'm so mean. Review please! It's a good way for me to want to write more. You all know that. Peace out.