Chapter 16:

Spike's crypt was cold, but the two lovers that were lazily lying in bed didn't feel it. They were so enraptured by each other's company. They had spent so much time together over the summer that Saffron had basically moved into the old mausoleum. Spike had settled in properly and added some home comforts to his crypt, he would be lying if he hadn't had Saffron in mind when he had made it appear more like somewhere a living person could stay in. They couldn't keep their hands off each other most of the time but this wasn't just a lustful fumble whenever they had the chance, their confessions of feelings had made their connection stronger and they couldn't fight their feelings for each other. Spike had noticed, however, that he had been the only one to admit that what he was feeling was love. He didn't want to push her into anything, though. He was happy holding the woman he loved in his arms and wouldn't dare risk anything that made her leave his side. They were on the lower level of the crypt that had been decorated nicely, Saffron and Spike had lost their clothes somewhere between the entrance of the crypt and the bed as they had both been a day and a half without seeing the other and this was too long in their eyes. They trusted each other implicitly, ever since Spike had turned things around after Adam and their trust had grown.

Saffron had a sheet covering her from the cold that she had reluctantly shared with Spike. She had wanted to stare at his sculpted body for a little longer but she settled for the memories from their most recent love making. Her hair was splayed out on the pillow and Spike watched as she adjusted herself in the bed. His own hair was curled as he hadn't bothered slicking it back just for her to mess it up again anyway. Plus, Saffron had let slip that she found it attractive when he left it like that. He had also had great pleasure from hearing that he had lived up to her expectations in the dreams that she had been having whilst she was with the waste of space commando that she had spent too much time with, in his opinion. Spike was laying flat on his back, staring up at the ceiling as his honey moved to lean her head on his shoulder. She was looking at the cuffs still attached to the bed post with a big smile on her face, her face was still tinged slightly pink. She had a glow about her, she looked as if she was in complete bliss. Spike moved his head to look at her and smirked with pride at the way she was looking and kissed her forehead. He leaned his head back on the pillow, closed his eyes and lazily put his arm around her as she snuggled closer to his side and put her head in the crook of his neck. Her hand slowly moved to gently rest on his chest and she slowly traced intricate patterns with her finger as she sighed contently. Her midnight blue nails were visible as she thought about the summer they had had together. She smiled into his neck and inhaled his scent as she lay there.

"Do you wear cologne?" She mumbled, still in the same position. He frowned at her question.

"No… why? Do you want me to?"

"No, I like the way you smell now" She nodded along with herself, "I was just trying to figure out what you smell like. It just smells of you-ness I guess" She closed her eyes and smiled happily, inhaling the scent of her vampire as she settled back to where she was.

He knew then that he could never let her go, she was too sweet and soft to the touch. He wouldn't tell her this though, she would sulk if he called her sweet and he would find it even sweeter. He loved every aspect of her personality, he loved that she was so strong but she was comfortable enough to trust him with her softer side. She cared, she really cared. He knew convincing her to tell everyone about their relationship was going to be a task, he wanted to tell everyone he knew that she was his. But he couldn't. She was scared of being rejected by the others, and he knew that she had good reason. He thought back to the way the watcher had warned him away.

Spike was lying on a concrete coffin inside one of the latest crypts he had dusted off to hide from the sun in. He was thinking about the way that Saffron had stared into his eyes, her light grey eyes had sparkled as if they were the most precious gem and he couldn't stop thinking about the way she had gazed up at him. He would give anything to be with her now, but she was probably busy with the bionic boy. He cursed him and wished that he had even a small chance of being the one that she would choose. His thoughts were interrupted abruptly by the door to the crypt creaking open slowly, and a figure appeared through the door, but Spike couldn't see properly as the light behind them made their face shadowed by the dark.

"Spike." Giles said curtly.

"Alright, Rupes" Spike said casually, adjusting the leather duster onto his shoulders properly as he got up from where he was lying.

"This isn't a social call" He said shortly, standing with his arms by his sides, his stance appeared to be angry about whatever had happened.

"Well do tell, I could do with a few extra bob" Spike shrugged, waiting to hear about the Scoobies' latest catastrophe that he was being roped into. He could do with a laugh, he hoped the boy or the slayer had found themselves in a nasty situation, perhaps one of them had been impaled on something sharp and pointy. That would teach them.

"Stay. Away." He stopped after each word to emphasise that he was being very serious.

"I haven't a clue what you're saying" Spike said casually, although he thought he might have an idea. Giles sped towards him and pushed his shoulder so that Spike hit his head on the beam behind him. He made a noise to indicate he was in pain, but Giles stayed in front of him threateningly.

"Stay away from Saffron. I see the way you ogle at her as if she's some kind of bloody conquest you can win over to spite the rest of us. She is sensitive, especially since…" Giles tailed off, he didn't want to go into detail about the way Saffron was sensitive in case it gave Spike a way to worm his way in. He was also aware that Saffron would be mad if she had ever been described as sensitive, despite her empathic nature.

"It's not like that-" Spike began, he didn't know if he would have explained that he was hopelessly in love with her, but he was glad that Giles cut him off. It would have opened him up to more ridicule or a good old-fashioned staking.

"I don't care what it's like. Just leave her alone. She's not for you to interfere with, she's important and I won't have you hurting her" He pointed a finger in his face, he had brought ripper out for the occasion and Spike had to admit that the old man had some menace in him. Spike just stayed still and didn't say anything, merely staring hard back into Giles' eyes. Giles turned away and left the door open wide and left without closing it, leaving the sunlight streaming in and spike running for cover.

xoxoxo

Saffron, Buffy and Joyce were sat in the living room in front of the tv. Saffron was enjoying family time and Joyce liked that she had company now her girls were back for the summer. She knew they would have to leave to move into their new dorms eventually, but she wished it wasn't so soon. The tv was showing a soap opera that Joyce watched religiously and Saffron dropped in on it from time to time to humour her. She enjoyed spending time with her auntie, and she didn't mind watching crap on tv. Saffron was settled under a fluffy blanket and stretched out on the sofa by herself while Joyce sat next to Buffy on the other. Buffy was ready to leave the house for patrol but she had got side-tracked by a dramatic part in the soap. Saff had decided to take a break from following Buffy around on patrol, she had been training all summer and she decided to give herself the night off. Her excuse tonight was that her nose piercing was flaring up again, which awarded her an eye roll from Buffy. She wished she could take the night off.

"Are those my hoops?" Saffron narrowed her eyes at Buffy as she looked at the large hoop earrings that were usually her trademark.

"You don't own all of the hoops, Saff" Buffy replied, still watching the soap as she ensured they were fastened in her ears.

"Are you avoiding lying to me because I'll know?" Saffron asked, still scrutinising Buffy's face to see if she revealed she had borrowed them without asking. Buffy stood up with purpose, not answering the question.

"Gotta go, gotta slay" She said with importance as she rushed out of the door. Saff rolled her eyes and decided to herself that meant she got a free pass to borrow something from her for the Bronze on Friday. She turned back to the screen and feigned watching and thought about spike. A smile was on her face as she thought about something he had told her the other day.

"You seem happy, honey" Joyce smiled warmly at the girl she loved as a daughter.

"I guess I am, J" She nodded and looked back to the screen

"Could this be over a guy, perhaps? She pressed, smiling in that knowing way. Saffron went pink as she was visibly embarrassed that Joyce could figure her out so quickly.

"Auntie J, God, a woman doesn't need a man to be happy" She feigned outrage at Joyce implying she was happy because of a man.

"Well, I know that. But I also know you, Saff" Joyce explained before checking, "Is he nice?" Saffron paused at first as she thought how best to describe Spike' nature.

"He is to me" She settled for a neutral response and smiled as Joyce looked at her to make sure she was being genuine.

"Do I get to meet him?" Joyce inquired, she wanted to meet someone that was making her so happy.

"He's a secret, not even Buffy knows. Please don't tell?" Joyce nodded and smiled at her niece, she felt significant to Saffron because she had been let in on the secret before anyone else. She imitated zipping her mouth and throwing away the key.

"So, how's the job hunting going?"

"Don't ask" Saff's happy glow had faded and she had started to scowl, "It's as if nobody wants to hire someone that was sacked for "stealing"" Saffron put stealing in air quotes and rolled her eyes bitterly. She was still mad at her old manager for firing her over nothing. Well, not nothing.

Saffron had been slightly late that morning but she hadn't cared. She had been enjoying the morning rays as she skipped through the park. She had taken a long-cut, rather than a short-cut, through the park as everything had felt so much lighter since her and Spike had admitted their feelings for each other. She had spent the night with him, and she had enjoyed herself. Everything seemed better now they were together. She was firmly in the honeymoon phase and she was having fun. She had finally arrived at the bookshop over an hour late and she knew the miserable twat was going to dock her pay but she couldn't bring herself to care.

"What time do you call this, missy?"

"I'd say about 11:14… no wait, 11:15" She said checking her watch and giving him the exact time.

"Just get behind the counter" He ordered and stalked into the back room muttering about her lack of work ethic. She rolled her eyes.

"Maybe I'd find a work ethic if you paid me minimum wage" She muttered back, slightly too loudly. She had always been a bad whisperer. The manager had heard her, but hadn't come in to scream at her, he had just let his slow rage bubble throughout the day. Saffron could feel it, but it didn't bother her. Let him feel like that, she told herself. He shouldn't be able to pay her less than minimum wage and she decided if it came up again, she'd say it to his face.

After her lunch break, she had grabbed the rucksack that she had brought with her that morning and opened it to reveal a stack of books she had borrowed from the store to read. She knew she had to be quick and get the titles back on the shelf before he came back from his lunch break. She carefully took the three books from her bag and started to put them away. She had one left to replace, it was a horror novel that she had enjoyed, and she took it out of the bag and slowly walked over to the shelf it belonged on when she heard him breathing behind her.

"Oh, you're back early" She said lamely.

"Yes, and a good job too. You've been stealing from my store!"

"I don't think thieves usually return the books in alphabetical order on the correct shelf" She pointed out.

"This is the last fucking straw you-you English harlot!" He made to grab her with his stubby fingers but she jumped out of the way and collected her backpack.

"Woah there, harlot?!" She stared at him in shock that he would use such an old-fashion word, "I stole, I didn't have sex with your ex-wife. No, she left you because you're a pathetic, greedy man who doesn't care about anyone except himself" She spat at him, she knew half of the rage she felt was his but she let it all out on him. She made it to the front door and had one last look at the store before storming down the road to find someone she could vent to. She had only noticed half-way through her walk that she was still carrying the horror novel she had been trying to put back on the shelf.

xoxoxo

Spike was holding Saffron possessively close to him as he slept. His arms wrapped around her and his hands had a vice-like grip as if he was afraid that if he let go of her, she would vanish. He wasn't wearing anything and a thin sheet was draped lazily over him. Saffron was wearing a black patterned shirt of Spike's as she had gotten cold staying in the crypt, even with the bed covers over her. His eyelashes were so long and she found herself counting them while he slept through the morning. He had started to stir as he had felt her breath tickling him slightly when she had been counting. Saffron was propped up on her side and had started to trail soft kisses along his jawline as he started to wake. She cupped a hand softly on his cheek, tracing along his high cheekbone as she enjoyed kissing him. He smiled sleepily and opened one eye to reveal the woman that he loved smiling cheekily back at him. He raised his eyebrows at her as she continued to kiss down his neck, making sure to leave a single soft kiss on the side of his neck like he always had with her. She moved to nibble slightly on his ear and he smirked and grabbed her face to bring her lips crashing into his. She smiled into his kiss and enthusiastically responded, opening her mouth to allow his tongue entry. He had started to slowly unbutton the shirt she had borrowed from him, without asking, when there was a crash at the door and the two broke apart quickly. Spike could tell who it was at the door straight away and he looked at Saffron. She wasn't going to like this.

"Slayer" He muttered under his breath. Saffron heard this and her eyes widened in panic. She looked around the room at the stray items of clothing that they had taken from each other and discarded for their passion the night before. She quickly grabbed as much of her clothing as she could find and started to get dressed hurriedly before hiding around the corner from the bed. Spike had quickly put some jeans on and slung a red, unbuttoned shirt on his shoulders before climbing the steps to see what Buffy wanted. His head appeared from the hole in the floor and he quickly located the slayer who was stood near the sofa on the upper floor. He just as quickly observed that Buffy had picked up the red lacy panties that Saffron had been wearing the night before. She was holding them between her thumb and pointing finger and looked at them as if they were gross.

"Are these yours?" Buffy asked with a smile. Spike stalked over and snatched the panties from her hand and quickly stuffed them in the back pocket of his jeans. "I pity the poor girl that you tricked into sleeping with you, Spike"

"Did you want something, Slayer?"

"Information" Buffy punched him hard, "Now" as she continued to throw punches at him.

"Might need to know what exactly it is you want to know before you start knocking me about" He said, not showing her that it was hurting as much as it was. Buffy wanted information on a new gang of vamps that had arrived in Sunnydale and had been taking young men to initiate them before turning them. It was a vampire gang that you had to be tested to see if you were worthy before they sired you. Saffron remembered the meeting they had last week where they had realised that they had hit a dead end on the researching. Buffy had mentioned asking some of the demon snitches and hadn't clicked that spike was part of this group.

She had been listening to the conversation and had blushed a violent shade of red when she realised that Buffy had been holding her pants and had basically implied that she was some cheap shag Spike had picked up. She had bought the red lacy number the other day to tease spike with, and it had worked. She had already fastened the matching bra while she was hiding and cursed herself for wearing a skirt when she had arrived at the crypt as that was what had led to those panties being left behind. She heard the blows and winced, she had to stop herself from running up there and forcing Buffy off him. She couldn't let her cousin know that she was here. She didn't want to be dating a pile of dust. Buffy eventually left, satisfied that Spike had told her all that he knew. Saffron slowly walked up the steps to find Spike crouching on the floor and sucking on his bottom lip. Saffron frowned, wondering what he was doing but realised that Buffy had split his lip and he seemed to be enjoying the taste of his own blood. She stood with her eyebrows raised waiting for him to look up at her. He just gave her a look as if to question why she would think this was strange behaviour for a vampire. She frowned again when she saw the state of him and walked over to trace her fingers over his face.

"I'm sorry, babe" She said quietly, he only caught it because of his vampiric hearing.

"Nothing I haven't handled before" He shrugged, trying to play it down. But she was in contact with him and she knew his pride and his head was hurting.

"But you shouldn't have to handle her whacking you one when it's not even a fair fight" She said, irritation clear in her voice as she looked around for the medical kit Spike had invested in out of necessity. She started to gather a few supplies to clean his wounds.

"You could always put in a good word for me" He said, knowing already that she felt like she couldn't. Saffron thought about how she'd go about it. She shook her head slightly; she would give herself away if she started defending spike. She wished she could just come clean with everyone. She hated lying, especially to Buffy. But she couldn't risk losing her friends who she saw as her extended, chosen family. She felt as if she would die if they rejected her and she couldn't bear it.

"I need more time, Spike" She sighed, wishing she had the courage to tell everyone they were together and make sure her cousin didn't start using him as a punching bag, "I'm trying"

"I know, love" he watched her closely as she continued to clean him up and he decided that knowing that she cared was enough. For now.

Saffron continued to clean his split lip and tried to offer him comfort through her touch. She was like the strongest pain relief and he found himself leaning into her touch as she tried to rid him of as much pain as she could. She realised she needed to get going, Joyce was going to be wondering where she was, and she hadn't come up with a decent excuse yet. She kissed Spike on the cheek and promised to be back soon, then she reluctantly left.

xoxoxo

The coffee shop was bustling with chatty customers and the staff were rushed off their feet. The sound of the coffee machine was a constant background noise and it vibrated in her head as if it was a large drill. Saffron had been enjoying that she had more free time to take readings and had made some more flyers that she was really proud of. She had a lit cigarette between her two fingers and her black nail polish was slightly chipped as she had forgotten to apply a second coat. Her usual silver rings caught the light of the café and she gave a big, fake smile through dark red lipstick at the woman that had sat down for a reading. She had tried to explain that she couldn't answer direct questions about what was going to happen in her relationship, but the girl had insisted she had a reading anyway because she had already paid her. She had been rude to Saffron since she had sat down and Saffron wasn't appreciating her manner as she seemed to look down on her. The woman had a large rock on her ring finger and Saffron would almost be impressed if she wasn't feeling sorry for the poor guy she was with. She had auburn hair that was styled into a choppy bob and her tanned skin definitely came from a bottle. Her perfectly bronzed skin made Saffron wonder if she should invest in a tan to make her look more like she belonged in California. She appeared to keep up her appearance and cared what everyone thought about her. She was the type of woman that had to have everyone's eye on her in the room.

"Okay, you need to pick a card now, Molly" She asked, trying to keep her mind focused on the reading she was about to do and not the annoying woman who thought her fiancé was cheating on her.

"Can't you put that cigarette out, I don't want lung cancer you know" She snapped at her. Saffron quickly stubbed her cigarette out in the ash tray and apologised briefly, she understood that a lot of people hated it and she appreciated that it wasn't the best habit. She started to shuffle the deck again and asked her to pick a card, as her mind had obviously been on her cigarette instead of the cards.

"The fool." Saffron snorted and tried to cover it up with a cough.

"Ew! Keep your cancer germs away! Now what does this mean about my guy?" She tapped the card impatiently, showing off her fresh manicure, as if she had somewhere to be. Saffron was still trying to hide the smile on her face as she gave her a quick description of what the card meant and sent her on her way. The woman seemed to soften at the end and thanked her, promising to be back again soon if the card was proved to be right. Saffron hoped it wouldn't be too soon.

She had been watching life in the café hurry around her, the waitresses served hot drinks and snacks and barely had a break because everyone had seemed to take a trip to the coffee house today. She had started to set up almost every night unless she was needed to help Buffy and the others slay something. She often went to visit Spike afterwards or he came to walk her back to wherever she was going, he had gotten more protective of her and he wanted to make sure she got through the streets safely. She had been distracted by watching everyone in the café rushing around her, focusing on different emotions until she noticed that someone had sat down in front of her. He cleared his throat and Saff looked up to be met with Graham's awkward gaze.

"Uh, Graham. What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for a reading, doll" He produced a flyer and showed her.

"But you don't even believe in it"

"Well, mostly I wanted to see you"

"I thought you'd left sunnydale after the initiative disaster. What's left for you here?" Graham gave her a look that suggested she knew why he had stayed. There was a silence. It was tense.

"So, do you have the money? This isn't a charity, mate" He handed her a crisp $10 and she tucked it in the little box she had bought for her cash. She shuffled and asked him the usual questions and he chose his card.

"Three of swords. You have suffered a recent heartbreak that you are struggling to come to terms with. The emotional connection you shared was the most intimate you had felt, but it wasn't reciprocated" Saffron cringed and went red at the words no matter how true they were. She continued, "Allow yourself the opportunity to experience these emotions, no matter how painful but you must focus on the future and move on"

There was an awkward silence as Graham nodded once. He got up and walked out. He had obviously thought the words were her own, she knew he didn't believe in it. Graham walked out of the door and appeared to be shaking with hurt and anger. He looked up to see Spike smoking in the alley near the coffee shop and his mood instantly got worse.

Spike smiled smugly at him as he took another drag from his cigarette. He enjoyed seeing the tin soldier being taken down a peg. Graham stalked towards him in a fit of rage.

"You think just because I'm not with her you have even the slightest chance?"

"More than a chance, mate" Spike continued to smirk, blowing the smoke from his cigarette towards Graham.

"You might think you have her. But she's better than you and she'll realise it one day, hostile 17. The initiative may be over but it doesn't mean you get to walk free" Graham started to punch Spike in the face as Spike's face dropped at his words, the smirk wasn't even a shadow on his face anymore, "She deserves to be in the light, not stuck in some dark coffin you've trapped her in" Graham started to plunge the stake into his chest and Spike couldn't do anything to stop it.

"Graham! Stop!" He paused just as it would have pierced his heart. Saff ran over and grabbed his arm away. Saffron had been watching the exchange through the window and didn't know what to do. When she saw the stake she ran as fast as she could, which thankfully was faster than it had been since she had started to train with Buffy. "Gray, please... I'm sorry, just please" She cried in front of the two men. She felt so stupid crying, but she couldn't stop the tears from flowing as seeing the man she was with almost get staked was terrifying to her. She still cared about Graham, just not like a lover.

"Were you with him while we were together?" Graham asked. Saffron continued to sob in front of them and Spike wanted to go and comfort her but the stake was still dangerously close to his chest.

"Do-do you think if we were he would have been able to keep his mouth shut?" She started to wipe her tears on her sleeve. Spike pulled a face that suggested she was right.

"You're better than this, doll" He shook his head as if he felt sorry for her, but Saffron could feel jealousy shocking her like an electric charge as he walked into the distance. Saffron turned to Spike and they silently agreed to walk back to her house. Spike was deep in thought as they walked through the dark streets to Revello Drive. He only took her to the end of the street as Saff was worried Buffy would see them. He was still considering Graham's words, they had hit a chord.