Ze show must go on…!

Buffy awoke not long after she'd fallen asleep. At about 9, she hopped into the shower and enjoyed the relaxing water.

Spike was sound asleep, his back to the rest of the room, the blanket pulled up tightly. It was the first time he'd been in a house and also the first time in a while using a blanket. Before, he had nothing. And before Christmas day, he would be going back to his nothingness. But that kiss had complicated so many things within him. She could be falling for him as hard as he was for her. He would never be able to support her, to have a family with her. As much as he wanted that, he knew in his heart that it wasn't going to happen.

Joyce came downstairs, stopping when she saw the guest was still asleep. Blinking quickly, she kept her eyes on him. He almost looked dead and made no noise as he slept. When she saw the blanket move a little, she figured it was him breathing and she let out a sigh of relief. A dead bum in the house would not look too well in the newspaper around Christmas. Heading into the kitchen, she started to make some breakfast.

The oldest daughter soon came downstairs in a black tank top that hugged to her nimble little body, and a long brown skirt, that came to the middle of her legs. Taking one small glance at the sleeping man, she smiled widely. If her heart entered the Olympics, it would win first prize in the gymnastics area, because it was flipping like no tomorrow. Not wanting to disturb him, she went to help her mother.

He woke up to the wonderful smell of breakfast foods that made his mouth want to start watering. Shifting on the couch, he slowly opening his eyes and let out a tiny yawn, covering his mouth. The aroma of pancakes, sausage, waffles, and toast, maybe something else as well, filled his nose.

Buffy went into the living room, smiling brightly at him. "Morning, sleepy head.." Going to him, she watched as he sat up. "Breakfast is ready."

Smiling softly, he nodded, stretching where he sat. "Hmm. Okay. Thank you."

Watching his lips, she wanted so bad to kiss him once again. Quickly, her mind ran over the pros and cons and she decided that there were plenty of good things to cover up the bad ones.

Looking up at her, he noticed where she was staring and he slowly grinned. Then he stood up and got to it before she did, kissing her lips delicately, like he could break her, but at the same time very passionate. His tongue ran along her mouth, asking for entrance.

She opened up for him, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him. When her tongue met his, she could feel his shiver and it made her do the same thing.

His arms wrapped around her waist and he groaned softly when she moaned into his mouth. Slowly, air was needed, so he backed out of the kiss, opening his eyes, meeting hers.

Giggling, she stroked the back of his head with one hand. This, right here, this was peaceful. Maybe she could have Spike for Christmas. That'd be quite alright with her.

Dawn, who was just walking downstairs, saw this and crossed her arms over her chest. Clearing her throat, she stared accusingly.

Spike rose a brow and looked over, a blush creeping across his face. Letting Buffy go, he laughed a little. "Caught." He whispered to her.

Nodding, Buffy grabbed his hand and led him into the kitchen, having no fights from him. On the way, she stuck her tongue out at her little sister.

She could drag him anywhere in the world, as long as she was holding onto his hand, he decided. And this was bad for him. Every second he was near Buffy, he fell for her a little more and more.

Sitting him down in front of a wide variety of breakfast foods, she smiled and sat beside him.

Joyce was finishing up and soon joined as well, sitting across from them. Calling in her younger daughter, she waited until she fixed herself at the table to start eating.

Spike chuckled, looking around. "Do you always make this much food?" His eyes moved to Buffy.

Shaking her head, she beamed at him. "Not usually. It's just been a while since we've had a guest and we want to treat you right."

Dawn shook her head, muttering loud enough for everyone to hear. "Treat him real right." Snickering, she went back to eating. It was obvious that she was jealous.

Her sister glared and ignored her, going back to her food.

The mother gave a confused look, but said nothing about it. If there was something going on in her house, she didn't want to know. As long as they were not doing something they'd regret, she wouldn't care.

But that was the problem. He didn't know if he'd regret what was happening. He'd met Buffy yesterday and already he had a hard time not kissing her all the time. Then he felt a shock run through his system and he looked down, into his lap. Someone's leg was rubbing against his in a very suggestive way. Looking at the girl who'd captured his heart, he smirked.

She gave a smirk right back and continued to do this. As confused as she was as well, she started to think that maybe she should just enjoy the time that he's there. But her heart would be shredded the day he had to leave. But that day wasn't set yet.

Spike had to concentrate real hard on eating so that he didn't pounce on Buffy and kiss her senseless. His mind started to get cloudy and he was even more lost than before. But it was an amazing kind of lost. He hoped he'd never figure out that his map was upside down.

After breakfast, Spike tried to take the dishes and clean them like he had done for dinner, but Buffy took them and shooed him out of the kitchen. Going to the sink, she started to wash them.

Looking around, he made sure no one was watching, then wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing his front to her back, putting his hands on her thighs. He marveled in her small gasp of surprise and bent his head, kissing her on the cheek.

Giggling, she turned around and kissed him, leaving her soapy hands off.

His hands slid to her hips and he pressed his lower body against hers, kissing deeper. Closing his eyes, the world slipped away. All there was to worry about was Buffy.

She needed something to hold onto or she was going to fall down, so her arms wrapped around his neck, her cold hands making him shiver. This woman was also lost in a world full of nothing but Spike.

Joyce came into the kitchen, opening her mouth to say something, but upon seeing this, she kind of shuddered silently and walked back out.

When air was finally needed, he pulled back a little, panting softly. Opening his eyes, he slowly got a grin and moved away from her, leaving the room.

Pouting, she watched him leave, making a mental note to tease him back later on. Turning, she went back to her chore, the sadness leaving her. A wide smile was stuck on her face.

Buffy was rummaging through her stepfather's clothes, trying to find something for Spike to wear today. Everything was too big. She'd found the smallest clothes he owned.

He was standing in the room, hands in his pockets, watching her. "Can't find anythin'?"

Sighing lightly, she shook her head and turned, looking at him. Biting her lower lip, she thought about a few things, trying to make a decision.

Grinning, he went to her, not being able to control himself. Kissing her gently, he snickered. "Had to do it. You looked so adorable."

That made her smile and make up her mind. Taking his hand, she lead him downstairs, grabbing her car keys.

Getting a confused look, he followed her. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see when we get there." Promising that, she shouted to her mom that her and Spike were leaving for a bit. She left before she heard Dawn's smartass comment from the living room.

Spike let her hand go and jogged to the driver's side of the car, so that he would beat her there. He opened it up and smiled, standing aside, waiting for her to enter.

Her heart melted and she put her hands on his chest, leaning up a little to peck him on the lips that she now considered hers, then got in the car, thanking him.

Closing her door, he went around and got in the passenger side, putting his seatbelt on. Leaning against the seat, he yawned a little, looking at himself in the side-view mirror. He grumbled about how he needed to get a haircut.

Buffy started off, turning on the radio to some new rock, watching the road as she drove.

"So…Where we goin'?" He asked again, eyes moving to rest on her. Then he took a moment to just bask in the beauty that was Buffy. She was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. His sunshine. No one else could have her except him. When did he get so protective? Wait, duh. When he fell in love with her.

He couldn't really escape, so she told him simply. "To get you a haircut and buy you some new clothes."

Freezing up, his scarred eyebrow slowly rose upward. "What? I can't afford clothes or a haircut, dove."

"I can." Glancing at him, she smiled, then watched the road, stopping at a red light.

"No." Shaking his head, he decided it. "I'm not takin' your money. 've done nothin' to deserve it and I juss can't take it from you."

"You're not taking it from me. I'm giving it to you. Spike, I want to help you get up on your feet. Maybe if you have some clothes and look even sharper than you do, which I'm not sure you can look any sexier, unless, of course, you're wearing a towel…" She paused a moment because she forgot what she was talking about, then remembered again and went on. "Then maybe you can get back on your feet and get your house back. Be an artist again."

His eyes softened and he smiled fondly. How could he say no when she wanted to help him get his life back?"You're a bloody wonderful person, Buffy. I'm goin' to pay you back one day, I swear it."

Her heart skipped a beat and she almost forgot to go when the light turned green. "Will there be a next time? Can…Can there be a next time?" She asked him.

Putting a hand on her leg, he nodded. "I really hope so. 'm gonna miss you a lot. Somewhere along the way I…" He shouldn't scare her with saying he loved her from the start. Then he started to feel self conscious and decided not to use such a strong word at all. "I fell in…like with you."

Laughing softly, she looked at him. "That sounded cute." Upon seeing a kind of hurt in his eyes, she realized when someone was telling them they liked you, you shouldn't laugh about it. "I fell in like with you too, Spike. I've only known you for a day and it feels like I've known you forever."

Sighing with relief, he rubbed her leg. "I know. Feels the same 'ver here too."

"Alright. So, we'll go get you a haircut, get you some clothes, then we'll get you all inspired and make you draw lots of pictures so we can make some money off of them. Sound cool?"

"'ve been itchin' to draw for a while now." He nodded. "Sounds very cool."

She smiled. "Good."

Spike quickly stole a kiss on the lips and leaned back against his seat, a smile on his face. This was paradise. What could be better than driving in the car with the woman of your dreams sitting right there. And she was all yours. Well, okay. That part wasn't official, but he could dream.

His paradise was abolished in an instant that a car slammed into his side of the car when they were crossing an intersection.

Oof. I really am evil, aren't I? Sorry, guys. Another cliffy. I love you all and I'll be able to start the next chapter on Tuesday. Have a great weekend. Review as always, cause, you know, I could always stop here. Thank you to all you wonderful people who come back and read. You guys rock.