Chapter 20.

Spike lay in his usual spot on the living room floor, just far enough away from everyone else so that he wouldn't feel trapped but not far enough to draw attention. Every time they did this it was always the same. The girls would sleep on the couches and strategically joined chairs, Oz and Xander slept on the center rug in sleeping bags and Spike didn't really care where he slept because his chances of actually sleeping were next to none. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable, although the floor was not the best place to make your bed. No the truth of the matter was that since being with Dru he had trouble sleeping anywhere unless he was 100 sure he was alone.

Spike shuddered just thinking about how frightening it was to fall asleep in someone's arms and wake up in your own worst nightmare to find them filled with rage and hatred. It had happen on more than one occasion and even though he knew his friends would never, ever do anything even remotely like that every sound he heard made his stomach jump and sleep remained illusive.

Spike counted to fifty for what must have been the twenty fifth time and then looked at his watch. It was 2am, everyone else was sound asleep and Spike was once again trying to relax enough to get some sleep. He was seriously contemplating going upstairs to his own lockable room when he saw Buffy carefully extracting herself from her position on the couch. Despite his best efforts not to care he couldn't help him self, he had to know why she would still be awake and worse still up and about this time of morning.

He made his way to the hall without stepping on any heads or falling over the piles of discarded clothing. Smiling to himself he turned the corner and made his way to the kitchen, which was still in near darkness since Buffy hadn't bothered to turn on the light. When he reached the kitchen door whatever he had planned to say appeared to abandon him instantly. There she stood, looking out the window and bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight and for just a moment he could have sworn that she was glowing. He stood there silently watching her drink her glass of water and marveled at the fact that she could still look sexy in sweatpants and an oversized tee-shirt. She was mumbling something he couldn't really make out but the tone was defiantly not a good one. Feeling a little guilty for intruding on her private thoughts and worried he was going to get caught watching her Spikes powers of articulation finally caught back up with him.

" Talking to your self's the first sigh of old age you know."

"Damn it Winters! You scared me half to death. What are you even doing up?"

"I could ask you the same question."

"Yeah well, I've got a lot on my mind"

"Care to share? A problem shared is a problem halved."

"When did you turn into a fortune cookie?"

"Come again?"

" 'A problem shared is a problem halved' Yeah right!"

"Hey, tell me, don't tell me, it makes no difference to me. I just figured that if it's keeping you awake then you clearly have a problem. Talking often helps that's all."

"It's not something you can help me with"

"Try me"

"Fine. Adam asked me out this afternoon, Gun made a pass at me and Jonathan has been waiting all week to try his luck. So smart guy, what do I do? Who should I go out with?"

For the briefest of moments Spike couldn't breath. The voice in his head was screaming 'pick me, go out with me!' but he studiously ignored it.

"See Spike, you can't help."

"Hold on now, do you want my advice or not?"

"Fine, oh bleached and enlightened one, do tell"

"Watch your mouth Summers. If you want my opinion you shouldn't go out with anyone. You need time by your self, you've been someone's girlfriend since you were what sixteen? seventeen? Just spend some time being Buffy. Any guy worth his salt will wait till you're ready."

"So how long do you suggest Doctor Spike?"

"Well if you're going to be like that about it!"

"Fine, fine, I'm sorry but do you really expect me to start a no dating policy now?"

"Look, Wait a month. What's one lousy month? If the poncy git's can't wait then good riddance!"

Buffy looked a little surprised at this sage advice. He himself hadn't intended to say it so bluntly but he also knew he wasn't wrong. The little voice told him it didn't hurt that he knew she would be out of commission for a month either but he chose to ignore it. Bugger, she was talking again.

"…Are you even listening to me?"

"Maybe. Why?"

"You're impossible!"

"No, just highly unlikely."

"Don't get cute with me and don't change the subject. Now it's your turn. Why are you still awake?"

"Because I'm not sleeping."

"Well I can see that but why are you not sleeping? What's on your mind?"

"Nothing, I'm just not used to sleeping on the floor, surrounded by so many people."

"About that, What's with Xander and the little walkman and Anya with the ear plugs? Why the little night light thing? and is Oz sucking his thumb?"

"Everyone has their little things. Quirky little habits or eccentricities left over from childhood. It's no big deal everybody has them."

"Everybody?"

"Yes. Even you little miss twirls her hair and probably still sleeps with that stuffed pig."

"You leave Mr. Guardo out of this!"

"I thought as much."

"So what's your thing then?"

"Don't have one." Technically not a lie since I have more than one. Ha.

"Liar Liar pants on fire!"

"Real mature Summers!"

"Don't change the subject. If everyone has their little hang-ups and cute little habits then what's yours?"

"I already told you I don't have one."

"Fine I'll guess. Oh. I know, the night light's for you because your afraid of the dark?"

"Nope"

"So is the night light Willows thing then?…..Fine, don't answer me. Ok , I know, you talk in your sleep?"

"Yep, that's it, you got me, now go to bed."

"Fine, be that way. I'll just stay awake and watch."

Spike concentrated on glaring at her instead of the seriously creeped-out shiver that ran through him. Knowing someone is watching me, that's like the very definition of the last thing I need. There's no way I'm going to get to sleep tonight! Damn girl.

By four thirty Buffy was out like a light and playing with her hair in her sleep. Oh how he loved to be right! Pity he couldn't also be well rested.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

The next morning when Buffy awoke she found, to her intense annoyance, that Spike had not only outlasted her but he had woken up before her and had already left for work. Xander was hogging the down stairs bathroom and Willow had suggested she use the upstairs one. Buffy made her way up a familiar staircase and although she knew full well where the washroom was she couldn't help pausing outside of another room that she once knew so well. When they had been little the door had been a pale cream colour with a large Garfield stencil on it. Now, Garfield had long since moved on and the door was painted jet black. Buffy stood there, transfixed by the giant black barrier and couldn't help but wonder what was hidden behind it. How much had things changed? Was everything black and gothic now? It struck her too that just like the person that belonged to it the door revealed nothing and concealed everything.

Despite the fact that she knew beyond all doubt that the door was shut intentionally her curiosity got the better of her and she reached out…..turned the cool brass door handle…then…NOTHING!

I don't believe it! He locked the door!

Buffy raged at him in her mind about not trusting his friends and how insulting it must be for them to know that and then as if he were standing beside her she realized that they couldn't be insulted and neither could she really because no one would know it was locked unless they tried to open it and if they were going around opening it while he wasn't even home then he had a reason not to trust them not to open the door. Really it was quite ingenious. Anyway, maybe he only locked it because she was around.

Time would tell.