6 Months Later

The Council Headquarters: Main Grounds: Section B

Arriving at the main woodsy area, Buffy stepped out of the golf cart Xander was driving to watch the duration of the Slayer's in training.

Stuffing her hands into the pockets of her long peacoat, Buffy walked closer to see the girls running around, climbing over wooden logged walls of various sizes, crawl under wires in the frozen mud, climb up tall rope nets specialised for speed, hindrance, and building teamwork.

In another section of the grounds called Section C, was a specialised course specific for assault, weaponry, and night movement.

Graham stoked around wearing dark grey sweatpants with an elastic band at the bottom of the pants, a two-tone grey with a PT Badge and the Army logo embroidered on the jacket covering his muscular body. He wore a black fleece beanie on his head and a pair of black gloves.

Hustling to a Slayer as she crawled underneath the barbwire, Graham crouched down and taunted her. "Move! Move! Move! You are holdin' up the line!" He shouted at the girl.

The Slayer's encouraged one another to keep pushing themselves.

"You are slowin' everyone down! Move your ass, Carmichael!" Graham shouted at the young Slayer, forcing her to shut out the constant shouting and push through and accomplish the obstacle. "You will not survive out there, if you cannot survive this obstacle course! Move!"

Buffy watched with a small smile as Graham followed the girls as they ran through each obstacle course and shouted at them.

"Is it wrong that I get a small satisfaction every time I see Graham run these cocky Slayers into the ground?" Xander whispered to Buffy with a teasing smile.

Rolling her eyes, "Yeah, a little bit, Xand." Buffy shook her head with bemusement and continued to watch the girls complete the rigorous obstacle course.

The few remaining girls left doing the challenging obstacle course were encouraged by their peers. Graham stepped into the background letting the girls motivate one another to the finish line.

Looking over his shoulder, Graham spotted Buffy and Xander standing near the golf cart watching the girls.

He looked back at the Slayers in training and shouted, "A-ten-hut!"

Quickly, the girls fell into straight 10 x 10 lines. The girls stood straight, their shoulders square with their arms stiffly at their sides. They curled their fingers so that the tips of the thumbs are alongside and touching the first joint of their forefingers. The heels of their feet touched together in a sharp line, with the toes pointing out equally. Their heads were erect as they faced straight to the front with the chin drawn in so that the alignment of the head and neck is vertical.

Holding his hands behind his back, Graham inspected the platoon of Slayers with a critical eye.

He noticed a pair of dark wandering eyes. Graham marched over to the girl.

He stood close in front of her and yelled into her face, "What the hell are you lookin' at, Lorenzo?"

Kennedy stiffened and remained still as Graham shouted in her face.

"I did not permit you to look anywhere but straight ahead! Is that so hard for you to do?"

"No, sir!" Kennedy replied.

"Good! If I so much as see you blink, you will regret it! Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir!" Kennedy shouted.

Graham leaned in closer into her face and shouted again, "I did not hear you? Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

Graham touched the toe of his right foot to the ground, slightly left of the left heel. On the heel of his left foot, Graham turned 180 degrees to the right on the left heel and on the ball of his right foot, resuming the position of attention.

He walked over to Buffy and relaxed as she met him halfway wearing an easy smile across her face.

"They're all yours, Summers," he tossed her a wink and continued to walk over to Xander as Buffy walked to address her Slayers.

Graham lightly patted his hand on Xander's shoulder when he approached him.

"Jesus Christ, it's freezin' out here," Graham said, rubbing his gloved hands together now feeling the biting winter cold.

"This California boy doesn't do well in Midwest winter."

Graham chuckled, "You'd think me bein' from Chicago, I'd be better off but, hell, I've been in the fuckin' jungles of Brazil for the last decade. All I know is humid and really humid." He joked.

Xander laughed and looked at Graham with his one good eye, "We still on for drinks with the gang later?"

"Yeah, absolutely." Graham turned his gaze back out to the girls watching Buffy talk to them. These were the last months before deployment and another batch of advanced trained Slayers moved up the ranks to be trained and sent out.

Folding his arms across his chest as a poor attempt to block out the cold, Graham listened to Buffy's motivating speech to the girls.

Evening

Downtown Cleveland: The Parlour Room

Purple and red light lit up the crowded dance floor.

Buffy, Faith, and Willow are on the dance floor gyrating to the electropop music. The dark synths sounds vibrated through the speakers giving the popular nightclub a heartbeat.

The Parlour Room was not the beloved Bronze, but Buffy and the gang found it good enough.

"I know what you are

What you are, baby

Womanizer, woman-womanizer

You're a womanizer

Oh, womanizer, oh

You're a womanizer, baby"

Three good looking men on the prowl tried their chances to get with the girls as they danced happily to the popular pop song but the men were ignored as they humped the air around them.

Faith took Buffy's hands and raised their arms above their heads swaying their hips to the dance beat. Willow found an attractive brunette to dance with.

Seated at the tall table keeping an eye on the girls pocketbooks and coats, Xander yammered on as Graham sat beside him, clearly not listening to a word that was said. He sipped the beat in his hand. His bright blue eyes were glued to the dance floor—but more specifically, they were glued to Buffy.

Over the past six months, Graham had fought the feelings she had stirred inside of him. Never in his life had he felt so crazy about a girl before. Most of the time, Buffy drove him nuts. She was moody, hot-headed, high-minded, stubborn, and impatient—and Graham was completely infatuated with her.

It was getting harder to keep to the 'guy code'.

He told himself constantly that 'today is the day to find an apartment', but the days turned into weeks—which turned into six months later.

His eyes lowered to her hips, watching her sway them to the dance-pop music. Graham couldn't help but smirk at the three men's merger attempts to get in-between Buffy, Faith, Willow, and the woman Willow had been dancing with.

Xander knew Graham hadn't been listening to a word he has said in the last five minutes. He also knew that Graham was staring at one person on that dance floor. Xander also knew that Graham and Buffy were very much attracted to each other but for some reason they were fighting that attraction.

Xander figured it was only a matter of time.

Turning his eye from the dance floor to Graham, he noticed a darkening look on his friend's face. Following Graham's gaze back out to the dance floor and noticed Detective Brad Dalton dancing with Buffy.

The smile across her face was large, obviously happy to see the man she has been casually dating for the past month.

The Cleveland Police Department and the Council teamed together when a case of a missing girl became a supernatural abduction. It turned out the girl's mother was a practicing witch that was going to use her daughter as a sacrifice so Satan could walk the earth.

Brad and Buffy instantly hit it off, much to Graham's distaste. For months, Graham had been trying to not only come to terms that his affections towards the legendary Vampire Slayer could potentially cause a major rift between himself and his friend if Riley were to ever find out.

He also simply didn't like Detective Brad Dalton. Graham found the man obnoxiously narcissistic and full of himself. Brad sensed Graham's jealousy and flaunted his 'winnings in Graham's face whenever he could.

"So you're just gonna pretend that this doesn't bother you?" asked Xander, watching Graham tear his eyes away from the dance floor to look down at his hand wrapped around a beer bottle.

As Xander expected, Graham denied his feelings and played dumb. "What's botherin' me?"

"Seeing Buffy with… that detective guy."

"Brad."

"Brad… what a stupid name." Xander rolled his eye.

Graham couldn't argue that, he thought Brad was a stupid pretentious name and Buffy was completely out of his league. But to be fair, Graham thought Buffy was out of all of their leagues.

"Buffy can date whoever she wants—Stupid name and all." said Graham, noticing the skeptical look on Xander's face. "I'm not jealous." Xander raised a brow at Graham. "Seriously, man, I'm not jealous. Me and Buf are friends and roommates—Which reminds me that I gotta get my own place." He sipped the beer in his hand.

"Six months and you're still roomies with Buffy—Graham, that means something!" Xander desperately wanted to shake some sense in his friends.

"Yeah, it means that I'm busier now than I ever been and I haven't had time to shop around for a free apartment."

Xander shook his head with disappointment, "You're ridiculous, man. You and Buffy are more than just friends."

"Sorry to disappoint you, Xand, but we are just friends." Graham turned his gaze back to the dance floor and wished to be blinded at that very moment. Brad's hands slid all over Buffy's body as she danced against him.

Xander smirked as a look of aggravation and jealousy painted across Graham's face.

Suddenly, Graham jumped up from the stool, his icy blue eyes glaring at Buffy dancing with Brad. "I'm gettin' us another round." He turns away from the table and the dance floor, stomping to the bar.

Xander chuckled, somewhat amused by Graham's obvious jealousy.


Graham bellied up to the bar, immediately gaining the bartender's attention. "Another round," said Graham, taking out his debit card.

"You got it, man," said the bartender,

Leaning partially on the bar counter with his elbow, Graham noticed a beautiful chestnut haired woman with astonishingly bright hazel eyes sitting beside him, sipping her fruity cocktail drink.

She noticed him right away as he stepped up to the bar.

She watched him for a minute as he looked back over his shoulder to the crowded nightclub. Following his eyes, she tried to find which woman had this handsome man's attention.

"Keeping an eye on your girlfriend?"

Graham snapped his eyes from the dance floor watching Buffy to the beautiful woman with a soft Russian accent beside him. "Uh-what?"

"You look like you're vatching someone pretty closely. Girlfriend?"

"Nah," Graham shook his head. "No girlfriend."

The beautiful woman smiled with satisfaction and turned her body towards him, letting him get a look of her. She wore a form fitting dress that went well above her thighs. With his eyes, Graham followed the length of her well toned and tanned legs to her sandal stilettos shoes.

Lifting his gaze back up to her face, Graham flirtatiously smiled at her.

"Hey, Tommy."

Tommy the bartender looked at Graham from over his shoulder. "Can you also get me whatever fruity drink she's havin'?"

Tommy chuckled, "Yeah, yeah."

The woman returned Graham's flirtatious smile and held out his hand for him to shake. "Tatiana."

"Tatiana." Graham repeated her name with a smile and took her hand, "Pretty name. I'm Graham."

"It's nice to meet you, Graham."

"Your accent… Russian?"

Tatiana's smile widened, "You are korrect."

"What's a beautiful Russian like yourself doin' in Cleveland, Ohio?"

Leaning forward, Tatiana looked up at Graham under her long eyelashes and replied, "Anything is better zan Siberia."

Graham chuckled and held up his beer bottle, tapping it against her martini glass, "I'll drink to that."


Walking off of the dance floor, Brad spun Buffy around then pulled her closer into his body.

She girlishly grinned up at him as they stepped up to the table where Xander had sat alone waiting for Graham's return from the bar.

"Nice to see you again, Xander," Brad held out his hand for Xander to shake.

Xander looked at the phony detective and shook his hand. For the life of him, he didn't understand Buffy's interest in this man. Sure, he was a handsome guy with dark short brown hair, dark eyes, and an athletic build. But Xander did not like Detective Brad Dalton, mostly out of loyalty towards Graham.

"You're all alone?" Buffy adorably pouted looking for their friends.

Faith was still on the dance floor, now surrounded by a group of men as she danced around. Willow and the woman she had met earlier in the night followed Buffy and Brad to the table.

"Where's Graham?" asked Buffy, wondering where he could possibly be.

"Bar," answered Xander.

Still smiling, Buffy turned her eyes to the bar.

Xander watched Buffy's smile slowly fall from her face as she watched her secret crush flirt with an insanely beautiful woman. Buffy's lips pursed together as the woman threw back her head in laughter and touched her hand against Graham's muscular chest. Graham leaned forward and whispered something into the woman's ear that only made her smile grow.

Xander recognised that look on Buffy's face. It was the same look Graham had worn when he watched Buffy one the dance floor with Brad.

Turning his eye to the redhead standing across from him, they shared a mutual look. They both were well aware of Buffy and Graham's obvious attraction towards each other. It was so apparent that there were genuine feelings between the friends and roommates, but for some reason, both Buffy and Graham were denying each other's true affections.

"Buffy,"

Buffy snapped from her silent jealous rage battling inside of her as she watched Graham charm that beautiful woman. She was well aware just how deceptively charming Graham Miller could be.

First, he'd draw you in with his bright icy blue eyes, almost hypnotizing you into submission. The second thing he'd do let that alluring but captivating smirk slide across his handsome face. He'd then take a step forward and then a step backwards, a rocking motion, letting you come to him. She had seen him do that with a few women in the last five months. Graham was not a womaniser, but he always wasn't a Saint either.

Buffy turned to Brad, circling her arms around his waist, "Dance with me." Without letting him answer first, Buffy pulled him back out onto the dance floor.


Graham flicked his eyes to the group at the table just in time to see Buffy wrap her arms around Brad's waist then pulled him back out to the dance floor.

Refocusing his attention, Graham looked at Tatiana and seductively licked his lips, letting his 'Charming Man Smile' Buffy had once dubbed to the beautiful woman at the bar.

Morning

West Side of Cleveland: DeLuca Luxury Apartments: 11th Floor: Apartment #314: Kitchen

Two Eggo waffles popped out of the toaster.

Graham pulls them out and drops them onto two separate plates placed on the counter.

Buffy moves around him, grabbing the two plates on the counter and moving them to the counter island.

Moving around each other like a practiced dance, Graham held two milk cartons in his hands. One of the milks was labelled 'Skim' and the other '2%'. He poured the milks simultaneously into two separate coffee mugs.

Stepping around Graham holding two forks and syrup, Buffy went back to the counter island just as Graham moved to put the milks back into the refrigerator.

Buffy takes a seat at the counter land as Graham leaned against it.

Graham teases her by stabbing his fork into one of her pieces of Eggo waffle. Buffy's brows pinched together as she frowned at him with annoyance. "Hey! Leggo of my Eggo."

It was then Graham had noticed Brad standing at the kitchen entrance watching the pair as they gracefully maneuvered around each other.

Buffy had noticed Graham's complete behavioral change and realised they were no longer alone. She was about to turn to see who had interrupted their moment of carefree when two hands touched her shoulders and a pair of lips pressed to the back of her neck.

"Morning, gorgeous," Brad walked over to Buffy wearing an easy smile across his face.

Graham sneered with disgust.

Brad ran a hand down her back with a smile.

"Good morning," Buffy returned his smile and touched his chest. Mindlessly, Buffy slid her fingers over the buttons of his white dress shirt a little bit saddened that he was already dressed again in his suit. "You're wearing clothes again," she pouted adorably.

Brad smirked at her, lowering his eyes down the front of her spaghetti strap tank top and noticed her pajama pants, he then said, "So are you—although, you're not wearing much, thank God."

Graham wanted to vomit. He flicked his eyes upwards to see Brad whisper something into Buffy's ear quiet enough for him not to hear it. But whatever it was, Buffy seemed slightly embarrassed by it as her cheeks turned red and her eyes went large as she nervously laughed.

"Am I going to see you again soon?" asked Brad, with a look of hopefulness on his handsome features. "Maybe tonight?"

Thinking for a moment, pretending to be mulling over her casual 'sort of—but not really boyfriend' date offer, she teased, "Well, if I move that round then that'll leave me at least a few hours to squeeze you in."

Brad smiles. "I look forward to it." He lowered his head kissing her. "I have to head to the station. I'll see you later tonight." Brad pecked her lips with his own.

"Tonight," Buffy reaffirms.

"I'll see you later, gorgeous." He kisses her one more time then slaps a hand on Graham's shoulder.

Graham coolly snapped his glaring eyes at his roommate's casual fling with heated aggravation. Brad smugly grinned at the retired Army Special Forces officer. The Detective knew Graham had some sort of feelings for Buffy, and he thoroughly enjoyed rubbing his relationship with the beautiful Vampire Slayer into her roommate's face. Ever since they had worked together, Graham's intense disdain towards him was apparent to everyone except to Buffy.

Brad smirks at Graham and turns away leaving the apartment.

Buffy turns her attention back to her breakfast and Graham when the front door of the apartment closes. She frowned, noticing the vexation on Graham's face. "What's with that face?"

Graham's expression fell, trying to hide his true animosity towards the Detective that seemed to have captivated the blonde Vampire Slayer. "What face?"

"You have 'something' face." She frowned. "What gives?"

Hesitating for a minute, Graham turned his eyes to the front door then back to Buffy. "You and Brad are gettin' pretty serious."

Taken back by Graham's statement, Buffy's eyes grew large. "No, I-I don't think so… I mean, he's a nice guy." She frowned at his scoff. "What was that scoff for?"

"Nothin'." He waved her off but saw the raised brow stern look on her beautiful face. Graham released a heavy breath. "It's just… the guy is an asshole."

"N-no, he's not," frowned Buffy.

Graham rolled his neck, "Oh, c'mon, Buf! The guy only wants one thing from you and it's not tips on wiedlin' stakes."

Rolling her eyes, Buffy didn't want to believe Graham, but she knew that he was right. In fact, that was pretty much all that she wanted from Brad, too. He wasn't really the 'boyfriend type'. Buffy was still unsure what she wanted out of the casual and fun relationship with Brad. They definitely had fun together but there was always something missing between them.

"I think Brad seems to think you're gettin' serious. Look at the way he struts around here like he lives here."

An amused look crossed Buffy's features. "He's strutting?—And why do you keep saying his name like that?" She pressured him.

"What other way is there to say a name that's so pretentious? Brad is a douche bag's name."

Rolling her eyes, "Oh my God, are you twelve?"

"Graham, darling, where are you? I miss you." A soft Russian accent calling out to him from his bedroom broke the conversation.

Smirking, remembering that he had a gorgeous woman in his bed calling out to him. "Oh, that's my cue, Summers." He picked up the plate of a half eaten Eggo waffles and tossed Buffy a playful wink as he exited the kitchen. "I'm just gettin' you breakfast, sweetpea." He called out to his one-night-stand.

With disgust, Buffy rolled her eyes, suddenly losing her appetite.

"Ugh, gross," Buffy's face scrunched when the sounds of Graham's date's laughter filled the apartment.

Night

Main Living Area

Walking into the apartment after a long day, all that Graham wanted to do is take a hot shower and wash away the grime from his body.

He had taken the Slayers in training on a team building scavenger hunt exercise, which took a lot of Graham's energy to keep up with the Vampire Slayers and on top of that he had a therapy session with Dr Schmidt.

Closing the door behind him, Graham ran a hand through his dark short hair and tossed his keys into the boy nearest to the door. His eyes went to the living room to find Brad sitting on the couch with a glass of scotch in hand.

Graham's brows lowered over his eyes with aggravation. Brad had gone through Graham's expensive scotches and helped himself.

Smugly smiling at the retired Army officer, Brad ran his eyes over Graham. He wore a khaki coloured tactical jacket. Underneath the jacket, Graham wore a tan coloured t-shirt tucked into a pair of combat cargo pants with a pair of military coyote boots.

"It's the real life G.I. Joe." Brad teased, taking a sip of the expensive scotch Graham had been gifted by a highly respected three-star General.

Graham scowled at Buffy's date.

Brad chuckled, finding Graham's dislike of him humorous. "Buffy is just getting ready for our date."

"Uh-huh," Graham said, trying not to acknowledge Brad all that much. He walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator for a much needed beer.

Standing from the couch, Brad followed Graham wanting to rub in his relationship with the beautiful Vampire Slayer a little bit more into Graham's face. He leaned on the counter island as he said, "I, um, hope you don't mind but I did a little background check on you, Major Miller."

Graham stood straight opening the beer bottle on his hand and watched Brad place a file folder on the counter.

"And why would you do that?" Graham leaned on the counter with his hands, glaring at the detective. Graham was about a head taller than the detective with a much more muscular build.

Brad smiled, "I had to make sure Buffy wasn't living with a homicidal maniac." He looked over the file. "Major Graham Michael Miller. From Chicago. Dad is a contractor, Mom is a housewife. You have a brother. Star athlete on the Saint Augustine's High School football team. You had a full ride to Duke University but turned it down to join up with the Army." Brad bobbed his head impressed with Graham's merits of achievement. "You have quite the military resume. Retired Special Forces officer."

Graham watched as Brad opened the file and skimmed it over with a cheeky grin.

"You're a recipient of the Purple Heart, Soldier's Medal, and a Distinguished Service Cross… very impressive, Major Miller. How'd you get such recognition?" Brad held his chin in his hand ready to hear the epic story.

Not wanting to give Brad the satisfaction of Graham's anger towards him, Graham remained stoic and appeared disinterested. "That wasn't in your background check?"

"I'd much rather hear the story from you. Why'd you leave the military, Major Miller?"

A slow smirk tugged at Graham's lips, unthreatened by the detective. He knew if he wanted to, Graham could break this man in two without breaking a sweat.

Standing in the hallway heading towards the main area of the apartment, Buffy had been listening to the one-sided conversation between Brad and Graham. Feeling a bit cross towards Brad, Buffy felt on guard to protect Graham.

She could see the dark look etched in Graham's features. He was doing everything in his power to remain calm and not pulverise the arrogant detective.

"Graham," Buffy's appearance broke the tension between the men. "I thought you were going to be later." She said as she fixed the hoop earring backing. "Didn't you have an appointment with Doctor Schmidt?"

Graham forced his gaze to remain on her face and not admire the way she wore the low cut red halter top, black pants that hugged her powerful legs and high heeled designer boots. Or how her hair fell into long golden waves down her back.

Swallowing his desire for her, Graham said, "I moved up the appointment. I had free time today."

"Oh, that's great," she smiled at him.

"Have a good time on your date," said Graham, sipping the beer in hand.

Brad helped Buffy into her long black leather coat and smugly smiled at Graham as he said, "We will."

"And you with Xander." Buffy said, trying to mask her pangs of jealousy at the prospect that he'd be bringing another one-night-stand home.

Hearing him last night with that beautiful Russian woman nearly killed her. She could hear the moans and spurts of laughter coming from Graham's bedroom. She tried desperately to block it out and wished that she and Brad had arrived back to the apartment much later than Graham and his date.

She stayed up most of the night listening to them from down the hall. Brad didn't notice as he was sound asleep beside her totally sexually satisfied into exhaustion.

Graham tosses her his infamous 'Charming Man Smile', which always had the ability to weaken her at the knees. "Not too late, Summers." He winked.

Brad frowned at Graham, noticing the sparkle of attraction on Buffy's green eyes. He smirked at the retired military man. He wrapped his arm around Buffy's shoulders and began to whistle the chorus of, 'The Army Goes Rolling Along' with a smug smile.

The small smile dancing on Graham's face fell into a scowl.

Downtown Cleveland: The Parlour Room

Sitting together at their usual table between the dance floor and the bar, Graham and Xander shared a scotch.

"So the guy did a background check on you?" Xander shook his head. He took a sip of the malty drink and choked at the burning sensation in his throat.

Graham frowned, "Xand, I told you, you don't need to get a scotch 'cause I did, man." He laughed at his friend.

"N0, no, this is great." He croaked. "I love the taste of gasoline. You never said."

"Say what?"

"Whether you kicked that pompous pain in the asses ass for digging stuff up on you."

Graham smirked, "Nah, I couldn't do that."

"'Cause he'd arrest you?"

Shaking his head, Graham smirked, "No, 'cause then Buffy would kick my ass for kickin' his ass. Besides, Dalton won't find the real dirt on me. That shit is classified."

Xander held his chin in his hand, fascinated by his friend, "That is so cool. Did you at least give him a withering glare for going out with Buffy?"

"No." Graham saw the disappointment on Xander's face and explained himself further, "Xand, for the hundredth time, if I were to be angry that Buffy was seein' and… sleepin'," he felt the knife in his chest twist, "with that douche bag then that would mean that I'm jealous. I'm not jealous. Buf and I are just friends. Just. Friends."

Xander shook his head and took another sip of the scotch in his hand. His face soured as the malty liquid burned his throat. "Bleh!" He coughed and said with a creaking voice. "I'm not buying into that, Graham." Xander covered his mouth with a fist coughing. "You're crazy about her—"

"—Crazy about who?"

Graham and Xander's head turned to see Buffy standing at the table wearing a coat with her hands stuffed into the pockets. She had a somewhat glum look on her face.

"Well, I-uh, wha—what are you doing here?" asked Xander, stuttering nervously over his words.

Graham frowned at Xander and turned his gaze to Buffy. "Yeah, where's Brad?"

Buffy shrugged, "I think Brad and I have seen our better days. I ended it with him."

Sitting up straight with peaking interest, Graham tried not to look so smugly satisfied. "Oh?"

"Yeah," said Buffy, climbing onto a stool to sit. "He was… not the one." She vaguely explained holding out the true reason of why she and Brad did not 'work out'. How she justified her reasonings to Brad and even to herself was his abuse of power was unbecoming. Looking up Graham's background had been the final straw.

But the honest and true reason why she had broken it off with Brad was because simply Brad wasn't… Graham. Brad didn't give her butterflies at just the thought of his name. He couldn't make her laugh the way Graham could. Brad never really took the time to understand her, like how Graham did. She didn't want to stay up all night talking to him like how she frequently does with Graham. She didn't lie awake at night wishing that he was beside her, holding her—loving her.

Even if Graham didn't feel anyway romantically towards her, she couldn't keep living that lie.

"Hey, look at the time." Xander held up his wrist and began to stand from the stool. Graham frowned at his friend noticing that Xander wasn't wearing a watch. "I promised Will that I-uh, would help her with some spell thing. Okay, gotta go." Quickly, Xander grabbed his coat and practically sprinted out of the nightclub leaving Buffy and Graham looking after him with bemused expressions on their faces.

"What was that about?" Buffy asked, frowning at Xander's peculiar behaviour.

Graham shrugged and sipped the scotch in his hand, "I have no idea." he lied. His eyes shifted from Xander and back to Buffy. He ran his gaze over her, unable to fathom just how beautiful she is.

Turning back to him, Buffy lifted her chin to Graham and smiled at him.

They sat awkwardly at the table in silence, neither knowing just what to say. Luckily, a slow song had begun. Buffy took his hand and said, "Dance with me."

Graham swallowed nervously and let her pull him off of the stool and lead him onto the dance floor.

When Buffy faced him, she felt a wave of a tingling shock, feeling his body heat radiating off of his body. Their eyes lowered to their hands joining together. Buffy slid her hand up his bicep to his shoulder and raised her gaze to look up at him from under her long lashes.

Unable to help himself, Graham pulled her a little closer into his front. This was possibly the only time that he would ever get Buffy this close to him again. He wanted to take advantage of the feeling of having her in his arms.

"Erase the facts

The shit was flyin' outta the window

I painted blue

I paint the whole room

When it's time to get in trouble

We know just what to do

The screen door swayin'

Now baby, gimme something to live for

I been a fool

I been a fool"

They swayed to the song not at all able to think of anything but how good and right it felt to dance together, holding each other close.

Buffy laid her head on his chest. Closing her eyes, she felt at peace and protected.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He lowered his head, taking advantage of her close proximity and buried his nose into her long blonde hair. Also closing his eyes, Graham inhaled the citrus scent of her hair into his lungs.

Lifting her head off of his chest, Buffy looked up at him again.

Their eyes locked together.

Falling into the hypnotising depths of his piercing blue eyes, Buffy's lips parted, unable to think and barely able to breathe.

Lowering his gaze to her parted heart-shaped glossy lips, Graham lowered his head slowly, giving her ample time to push him away.

With a ghost touch, Graham's lips finally touched hers in a hesitant kiss.

As fast as the kiss happened, it was over—much to Buffy's disappointment.

Opening her eyes, she saw him staring back at him with the same uncertain furrowed brow. Tilting her chin a bit higher, Graham understood her silent communication and lowered his head, kissing her again, but this time, the kiss held a passion they both had craved for.

Her mouth opened giving Graham permission to slip his tongue into her mouth. Buffy slid her hands up his strong arms, over his shoulders, and around his neck.

Finally kissing him, Buffy never wanted it to stop. His lips were soft and moist, he tasted like scotch but Buffy didn't mind.

Slowly, the passionate kiss broke. They did not stray too far from each other as their foreheads rested pressed together.

Graham opened his eyes and felt the world spinning around him, unable to believe that this was actually happening. For months all that he thought of were her perfect lips. He was half expecting her to shove him away when he first planted a kiss over her lips, but she didn't push him away.

In fact, she released a small whimpering sigh when he broke their first kiss.

They shared a smile.

West Side of Cleveland: DeLuca Luxury Apartments: 11th Floor: Apartment #314

"Mmm…" moaned Buffy into the kiss as they staggered through the apartment door.

During the car ride back to the apartment, they had tried to stay civilised because the alternative would end them crashing into a telephone pole amidst another make out session.

Graham kept his hands firmly on the wheel, his eyes staring forward. Never once in their four mile drive did he steal a glance at Buffy—no matter how much he wanted to. One look at her and it would 'game over'.

Buffy kept her hands firmly on her lap. Whenever she felt the urge to reach out and touch him, she squeezed her hand into submission.

Once parked in the parking garage, Graham turned the ignition key and dropped his hands unsure what to do next.

He followed Buffy's lead and silently got out of the car.

They closed the car doors and met each other at the back of the car when Buffy practically jumped him. Her mouth crushed against his, looping her arms around his neck. Graham immediately responded to her kiss, shoving his tongue into her mouth.

Graham's hands slipped inside of her jacket, holding her hips then slid his hands up her back.


Now inside from the twenty minute journey from the car to the apartment entrance then to the elevator, down the hall from the elevator, and finally reaching the apartment door, the trek seemed like it was never ending.

Graham kicked the door closed behind them, and turned Buffy to pin her against the door with the front of his body. Graham held a hand around her wrists over her head and continued to kiss her.

Graham's mouth veered from her lips and went to the column of her neck. Dropping the hand holding her wrists, he caressed her cheeks before running them through her hair.

Buffy let out a moan and laid her hands on his chest, opening his coat to push off of his rounded shoulders. She pulled off her own coat and carelessly tossed it onto the floor.

The need to breathe grew persistent, they pulled apart.

Graham looked at her completely in love, although he was uncertain whether she wanted this—truly wanted this.

Without needing him to say a word, Buffy understood his thoughts. She touched her hand against his chest and stepped into him.

Their mouths met halfway, joining together as they fervently resumed kissing.

Graham wrapped his arm around her petite slender frame and brought her close into him. She began to pull at his t-shirt, wanting it off. She felt Graham's smile at her impatience against her mouth.

Returning his smile, Buffy sucked on his tongue and opened her eyes to see him looking back at her.

Sliding his hands to down her back, over her buttox, and to the backs of her thighs, Graham took her by surprise as he lifted her off of the ground like a featherweight. Her legs circled around his waist, crossing her ankles.

Without tripping, Graham carried her to the first bedroom that they would pass, which would be Buffy's.

Buffy's Bedroom

Practically kicking the door down, Graham carried her into the master room she had claimed when she moved in with her sister.

Setting her down onto the floor, they continued to heatedly kiss and began to unfasten each other's clothes, when they had realised that if they separated getting naked would be much faster.

Graham pulled off of his t-shirt and threw it aside and began to unbutton the front of his jeans when he caught Buffy looking at him.

The smirk dancing on his face slowly fell, noticing that she was looking at the long scar on the right side of his body, beginning at his right lower quadrant to his oblique.

She knew exactly where he had gotten that injury that must've been so painful. It made her sad that not only was he left with the mental scars of those months imprisoned and tortured but he carried it on his body.

Without thought, Buffy reached out to him and with the tips of her fingers, she gently traced the rigid scar on his skin.

Graham took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her palm. Buffy slipped her hand from his grasp and held it to his cheek. Stepping closer to him, Buffy stroked his bristly cheek with that half smile that drove him crazy. Her fingers combed through his short hair. Buffy's hand then touched the back of his head, lowering it to meet her lips again.

Moving his hands under her halter top, Graham lifted it up her body and over her head. His eyes followed the halter top slipping from his fingers to fall to the ground. He looked back at her and lowered his gaze to her breasts.

Nervously, Buffy bit her bottom lip, unconsciously giving him an incredibly sexy look. A wolfish smirk tugged at his lips. Graham reached out and palmed both breasts in his hands.

Stepping closer to him, Buffy hooked her arm around his neck and lowered his head to kiss him again as he squeezed her firm breasts.

He broke the kiss and smothered her breasts with gentle kisses. Buffy threaded her fingers through his hair.

She released a moan when his tongue wrapped around her rosy nipple. He alternated between both breasts, showing them equal amounts of affectionate thoroughness.

They separated again, this time to remove their shoes and pants. Graham lifted his eyes to her face as she shimmed her tight black pants down her powerful legs.

Graham's cock sprang free from the confinements of his jeans. Buffy couldn't help but chuckle as he comically kicked out of his jeans.

When he looked at her, his entire face brightened hearing her soft laugh.

Standing straight, Graham took a small step closer and wrapped his hand around the back of her head, pulling her forward into his front.

Buffy happily looped her arms around his neck and welcomed his kiss, finding that she rather loved kissing him. His lips were so soft and his taste was addictive. Kissing him didn't feel new. It was odd but she felt as if she'd kissed him a hundred times before.

Enclosing his strong arms around her naked body, Graham stepped her back to the edge of the bed.

The backs of her knees touched the bed. Buffy untangled herself from him and sat down on the edge. Graham pushed her hair from her face and cupped her cheek as he stepped between her legs.

Circling an arm around her lower back, Graham shifted them higher up the bed and laid her back onto it.

Buffy opened her legs, allowing him to settle between them. Her hands slid up his strong rounded shoulders.

Graham released a moan as her fingernails gently scratched over his skin.

Tilting her chin higher, Buffy gave him easier access to her neck. He peppered her golden skin with moist kisses and his tongue followed an invisible path along her neck. He paused for a moment, lifting his head from Buffy's neck noticing a vampire bite mark over her sternocleidomastoid muscle. He ran the pad of his index finger over the two bite holes and turned his blue-eyed gaze to meet hers.

Buffy took his hand touching the scar on her neck and placed a kiss on the pads of Graham's fingers then looked at him.

Falling into a deep trance of her eyes, Graham kissed her again.

Reaching a hand between their bodies, Graham touched her center, feeling her moisture.

He listened to her sharp breath catch in her throat as he inserted a finger into her cunt. Her hands shifted from touching his back to circling around his neck, pulling him even closer to her.

Mercilessly teasing her, Graham smiled into their kiss as she moaned, begging for him to take the next step and fill her with his cock.

Graham carefully slid his finger from her cunt, strategically bringing her close to orgasm. Buffy released a whimpering whine.

Grinning at her, Graham gripped his erection and led it to her opening, sliding inside.

Graham clenched his jaw, never having felt such a sensation before. Her supernaturally strong body gripped his thick appendage.

He managed to maintain control as he slowly pulled almost all the way out before roughly slamming inside her to the hild. Buffy cried out in a pleasured moan and bucked back, but Graham kept his slow pace, drawing out their desire as much as possible.

Soon, they were slamming against each other, completely drowning in their passion.

Without warning, Buffy rolled him onto his back. She took Graham's hands and covered her breasts with them as bounced up and down on him. With her hands on his thighs, Buffy leaned back, her eyes closed and her back arched, Graham took hold of her hips and thrusted up inside of her. Using the pad of his thumb, Graham manipulated her clit bringing her closer to orgasm.

Her strong vaginal muscles clenched around him. Graham held his arm around her waist and twisted them to lay her onto her back.

Buffy's fingernails dug into his shoulders and cried out in a moan. Graham buried his face into the crook of her neck using the last bit of control he had left to hold out his own pleasure before she reached her own.

She arched her back and let out a loud moan as a wave of climatic pleasure soaked her entire body in a euphoric bliss.

Graham released himself deep inside of her body and collapsed over her, breathing heavily. He kissed her shoulder and moved his lips along her collarbone before covering her mouth with his own again.

After a few minutes, Graham shifted off of her and took his place at her side, holding an arm around her shoulders. Buffy laid her head over the breast of his chest.

Sated and satisfied, Buffy and Graham shared a few soft kisses before falling asleep in each other's arms, not at all thinking about the morning that would soon follow.

Early Morning

Yellow morning light streamed through the windows, lighting up every inch of the bedroom, which only reminded Buffy that she hadn't shut the blinds the night before.

Burying her face deeper into the pillow, Buffy squeezed her eyes closed—not quite ready to be away yet.

The sudden whiplash of memories from the night before played like a supercut in Buffy's mind.

Her eyes shot open and the hinting smiling that was touching her lips slowly fell as uncertainty covered her face. She suddenly rolled over to find that the man that she was with the night before was gone.

She wraps the sheet around her naked body and sits up in bed. Her eyes fell to the floor to see her clothing in a small pile. Taking a deep breath, Buffy tried to not feel disappointed, but she was. Finally a man that she felt true and very real feelings for had come into her life only to abruptly leave after one night with her.

Her biggest fear was coming true.

She could deal and come to terms to the fact that Graham didn't want anything else from her other than friendship but anything remaining of her close, trusting, and much needed friendship with Graham was over. They had crossed that line and there was no going back.

Opening her eyes again, Buffy noticed a dark blue t-shirt on the ground amongst the pile of her clothing. She reached down, over the side of the bed and put on the oversized t-shirt.

Buffy covered her nose with Graham's t-shirt inhaling his scent.

The shuffling of bare feet walking on the wooden floors turned Buffy's attention to the partially closed door.

She watched the door open and Graham entered the bedroom holding two mugs of coffee.

Unable to stop herself, Buffy smiled at him, silently thanking whoever was up there for bringing him back.

He walked over to her, shirtless and only in a pair of jeans. Graham set the coffee mug into her hands and then stepped around the bed to sit down beside her, against the backboard of the bed.

They sat together in a strange silence, unsure what to say to one another at the moment.

Buffy watched the coffee steam swirl as it left her cup, she turned her gaze to Graham, trying to see what he was doing without drawing any attention.

Graham quietly sat beside her, his long legs extended out with one ankle crossed over the other. He sipped the coffee in his hands, seemingly unbothered about any of this.

Repeatedly, Buffy opened her mouth to say something but then snapped it closed, unsure what exactly she should say.

Graham caught her opening her mouth then snapping it closed again. He frowned, "What is it?"

Buffy's brows pinched together as she looked at him, "Um… What happened last night?

Looking at her with surprise, Graham asked, "You don't remember?" He began to smirk, remembering perfectly what had happened last night. It was the best night of his life. The sex was great and the woman he was with was… well, she was perfect. A dream—his dream.

Blushing, Buffy placed the coffee on the nightstand and tried her damnedest not to look embarrassed. "Yes, I remember—Duh, of course, but why did it happen?"

"Uh, I dunno why," he shrugged as he placed the coffee mug down on the nightstand beside him, "but, I'm glad it did."

Buffy looked at him, desperately wanting him to say more. Graham realised this and felt deprived of the words of how to describe how last night and Buffy—herself made him feel.

"I dunno what to tell ya, Buf. Do I regret last night?—No. Absolutely not. I wanted it and I wanted you—I still want you." He looked at her and admitted, "Buf, I'm crazy about you."

Buffy's lips tugged into a smile, "You're crazy about me?"

"Yeah, Summers, I am." Graham returned her smile. "But, I'd like to note that you are without a doubt the most insane—moodiest human bein' I have ever met in my life." He pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. "I have completely fallen for you."

"You've fallen for me?"

Graham slid a finger from her ear down the line of her jaw to the tip of her chin. He leaned closer. Buffy anticipated his kiss and felt disappointed when it did not come.

"I'm serious, Buf." He told her. "I want you and I want whatever happens next."

Wordlessly, Buffy pushed off the thin sheet covering her naked legs and straddled his lap. Her wrists draped around his neck. She wanted to moan as his hands held at her hips for a moment then slid down to her thighs, sneaking underneath the hem of the t-shirt.

"I want you and whatever happens next, too."

Graham cupped her cheek with his hand.

Lowering her head closer to his, Buffy watched his handsome brighten with a smile that was contagious. She looked into his eyes then covered his mouth with her own.

Yes, this is what they wanted indeed.

Song Used: "Womanizer" by Britney Spears

Song Used: "Window Blues" by Band of Horses