Chapter 4
She had her hand in a bowl of ice water when the doorbell rang after three pm. She wanted to ignore it, to save herself what lay ahead if Spike came in. She wrapped her hand in a towel and went to the front door.
He was leaning against the door frame when she opened the door. He was totally sober now and his cheekbone was a mess.
"Did I do that?" He gave her a half grin and gently lifted up her hand.
"Looks bad." He commented and shut the door behind him, producing a small bottle of whiskey.
"Bought some for medicinal purposes." He followed Buffy into the kitchen.
She got two glasses out of the cupboard and put them on the table. Spike fished out ice cubes from the bowl of ice water and put them in the glasses, pouring an ample measure into each. He tenderly removed the towel from around Buffy's hand and relaced it in the iced water. He sat down opposite her, downing his drink in one. He nodded at her to do the same. She did as instructed, the fluid burning her throat. She pulled a face and watched with distaste as Spike poured antother one. Again he downed it and Buffy watched as he didn't even flinch. This time she sipped her drink.
"Buffy, luv," He said finally, softly. She lifted her eyes to look at him. "We need to sort this out." He looked sadly at her.
"Spike..."She sighed."There's nothing to sort out. We're just fighting."
Spike shook his head at her.
"No. This is more than that. We don't have fights like this,pet." He gently touched his face. "My fuckin' face is killin' me."
"Good." Buffy replied, but she at least gave him a smile."We'll be ok, Spike." She said it, but she felt like nothing was ok.
"Buffy, you can't just ignore the last few days. Burying your head in the sand won't make it better."
Buffy looked at him, saw his blue eyes and swollen face. She sighed and dropped her gaze to the glass on the table. Spike reached across and lifted her chin with his finger. He gently stroked her face. Finally, he spoke.
"Buffy, you are my best friend. You're the most important person in my life." He took a deep breath. "The thing is...I've been in love with you for the past six years,luv." He laughed at the expression on Buffy's face. "I tried to get you out of my head, to think of you as just my best friend..." He shook his head. "It didn't work,pet,it just got worse. That's why all those women-I just wanted anybody if I couldn't have you. Then there was Angel." He spat the name bitterly. "But that's a whole different story." He sighed, staring into her eyes."You were in here the whole time." He whispered, tapping his head. "I never thought you'd feel the same." He paused. "But then the past couple of days happened...and maybe I'm wrong,luv, but I kind of got the feeling that...that you felt something too."
A single tear fell down Buffy's cheek, and he wiped it away with his thumb.
"I don't know if this is a good idea." Buffy said softly,shaking her head. Spike's thumb carressed he cheek gently. "Spike-"
He placed his thumb on her lips.
"Buffy...What d'you feel, luv?" She glanced at him and looked into his deep blue eyes, and she was lost in that single moment.
"Spike..." She whispered softly, taking hold of his hand across the table, stroking his thumb with one had whilst the other lay in the bowl of water. "I don't wanna lose my best friend."
"No chance, pet." He smiled and her whole body felt it. "Thing is...Buffy ...and this is really strange for me but I want a relationship. This is an all or nothing deal for me.Not just a good shag." He raised an eyebrow seductively: "Although I wouldn't turn that down."
Buffy smiled and continued to stroke his hand.
"Spike...I love you." She said finally and she felt a huge weight lifting off her shoulders. His smile lit up his whole face and she laughed out loud.
"So...do we give this a try then,pet?"
She touched his face gently with her fingers.
"Spike, I want to kiss you."
He stood up and came round to her. She stood carefully and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her towards him until they were pressed against each other.
"Oh God, luv, I've wanted to do this for the longest time..."
Gently their lips met and Buffy's feelings exploded down her body and into her feet. She opened her lips and felt how soft his were. Spike touched her lips with his tongue, found the inside of her mouth and their tongues duelled gently.
A perfect kiss.
Buffy pulled away slowly to catch her breath. This was a moment she wanted to prolong. She looked at him carefully. She saw him before her, his eyes filled with desire. These feelings she had for him made her want to burst. Spike touched her face.
"You think too much, pet."
Buffy squeezed him as hard as her throbbing hand would allow.
"Spike." She spoke into his chest. He pulled away, brushing his lips across hers.
"Spike," She repeated. "Could you take me to the hospital please? My hand is killing me."
Spike hugged her hard.
"Our first date in the emergency department - how romantic."
