Pike looked at her. Did she really just ask him if he wanted to stay here, in her house, down the hall from her?

"Yeah, thanks." He tried to act cool and casual on the outside, but he was jumping for joy inside. She was gorgeous, and he had seen some of her strength tonight, when she fought the vampires in the park.

"Ok, well, come with me. I'll show you to the guest room, and then you can borrow a t-shirt or something to sleep in. I still have some of my boyfriend's clothes here. Don't ask." She turned around and walked up the stairs, obviously expecting him to follow her.

Once they were on the second floor, Buffy turned left and started towards two rooms at the end of the hall. Pike took in his surroundings. He passed a bathroom and a linen closet before he made it to the closed door of a room.

"Here you- Oh, that's not good." The guest room, saw he could see when he poked his head in, was full of boxes, the bed was covered, and there was no bedding. Turning, Buffy made her way towards her parents room. When she tried the handle, it was locked.

"Ok, so my room is the only usable room...uhm...heh." They walked down the hall to her room, where a full bed sat, covered in green bedding and stuffed animals. "You can take the bed." She offered nervously. "You're the guest."

"No, it's OK. Besides, you're hurt." There was no way he was passing up an opportunity to sleep near her.

"Uhm...why don't we both just sleep on the bed? The floor is really uncomfortable, and you've had one hell of a night.'

"OK." He stood there as she gave him clothes and told him where the bathroom was.

A few minutes later, he came back to her room to find Buffy in a nightgown that came to just above her knees.

"Wow, you look beautiful." He complimented her, feeling awkward in the shorts and muscle shirt she had given him. But she didn't respond. She was looking at his arms and body, taking in every inch of him. Pike smirked, and took a couple steps towards her.

She responded with her own journey towards him, and they met halfway, at the foot of the bed.

"Hi." He said, looking down at Buffy, who had somehow managed to get in his arms.

"Hi," she said, looking up at Pike, who had somehow snuck his arms around her. She looked at his lips, then licked her own. She wanted so badly to kiss him, to just loose herself tonight, after the last few weeks, her boyfriend just wasn't what she wanted anymore. But this man, Pike, knew her secret and hadn't run screaming. He was here, in her room, looking amazingly hot in the tight fitting muscle shirt and loose shorts that hung low on his hips.

Leaning up, she kissed him. She closed the gap between their lips, and pulled him closer against her body. At first he didn't react, but as his shock wore off, he replied in earnest.

Pike's hands rested on her hips, pulling her closer and harder against him. Buffy felt his obvious arousal pressing against her thigh, and it thrilled her. She had never felt this good before, from just kissing someone.

When air became an issue, they pulled back, and studied each other. His dark eyes looked down at her, looking for hesitation or pause. Fear or revulsion were also on his list of things to look for. But he found none of the above. Instead, he found want-no, need, and curiosity.

"Do you want this?" He asked softly, not wanting to frighten her or push her away.

"Yes. Do you?" With that, his lips were upon hers, showing her how much he wanted this, her.

A few hours later, they were snuggled in Buffy's bed, content after hours of exertion.

"Pike?"

"Yeah, Buffy."

"You wanna sleep in here tonight with me?"

Pike laughed, and she laughed along with him. "I would love to, Buf. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, fishyboy."