Here is chapter 10. Enjoy.

Chapter 10: New Beginnings

Six months later...

Ed Lane stood silently, looking around the barn. So many things had changed in the past six months. He had been promoted to Sergeant. In addition to his new fatherly duties, Sam had been promoted to Team Leader of Team 3, in Donna's stead. Greg's leg injury had forced him to retire from the position of Team One's Sergeant, and he was now Head Instructor, teaching full-time at the Academy, training potential uniformed officers.

Ed walked over to a board in the barn and gazed at a photo of Team One, superimposed over a Distinguished Service Award, which they had received after the terrible events that took place on June eighth. Its acceptance came with bittersweet pride.

Ed made his way to the locker room and stopped to stand in front of a photo of Donna Sabine, who had given her life to keep the peace. He laid a hand on the locker, leaned against it, and sighed, before returning to the briefing room. One thing had not changed in the past months: the maxim, "Connect, Respect, Protect" was still posted in the briefing room, where it would remain, always.

He turned and grinned, as he saw Spike and Adele walking toward him.

"Now, what have I told you guys about holding hands in the station?" he teased, with a grin.

"We're off the clock, Boss," Spike said, with a grin. The hand not held by Adele held a six-pack of beer.

"Where is everybody?" Ed asked.

"They're just behind," said Adele, smiling and looking over her shoulder.

Adele and Spike stopped in front of Ed. Spike looked at his Sergeant. "Ed. Good speech," he said seriously."

"Thank you," said Ed softly. "It was a tough one."

"Sadie, look who's here," Jules said in a sing-song voice. "Aunt Adele and Uncle Spike."

Adele held out her arms theatrically to the cooing five-month-old. "She didn't fall asleep in the car?" she asked Jules.

"She didn't wanna miss any of the action," said Sam.

"Yeah," said Jules, "she's all like 'Where am I going?'"

"What kept you guys?" Ed asked, as Greg limped into the barn with Marina on his arm. "Greg, you forget the way to the barn already?"

"Nice speech, Ed," said Marina.

"Thank you," Ed said, smiling.

"Learning a lot about this guy tonight," said Marina.

"Thank you, buddy," said Greg. "You said some nice things tonight."

"You're welcome," said Ed. "Look, I hated to drag you outta your retirement party early, but I just thought that, uh... you know, it might be nice, just us..."

"Last time as Team One," said Greg solemnly.

"Yep," Ed said softly.

"Here, lemme take her," said Adele. She took the baby girl from Jules' arms. "Come on. Yes. There we go." Sadie cooed. "Oh, she's adorable." Jules grinned, as Spike handed out the beer beside them, grinning. "Let's go for a little walk." Adele met Spike's gaze and smiled understandingly. "It's okay, I'll see you later."

Spike smiled at her and handed out the rest of the beers, and a soda to Greg.

"Guys..." Ed began. "To, uh... to absent friends."

"Mhm," Leah said, smiling.

"To Donna and Lew," Ed said, raising his beer.

"Donna and Lew," Greg whispered. They raised their drinks in tribute. Greg looked at Sam. "To the new Team Leader of Team Three."

"Thank you," Sam said. "And to the new Head Instructor at the Academy, bravely teaching the next generation."

"Congratulations," said Leah. Greg nodded in acceptance.

"And to Sergeant Ed Lane," said Jules, "for taking Team One forward."

"Sarge," said Greg, raising his soda.

"Cheers," said Leah.

"Cheers," said all, before taking a drink.

Greg looked around, at the barn, at his friends. "I miss it," he whispered. "Miss it like hell."

"I know you do," Ed said, nodding understandingly.

"But you're here, Ed," said Greg, his voice stronger, thick with emotion. "You're all here."

"Yeah," Spike whispered.

"And I've got my hand on your backs, just like you've always had your hands on mine."

After a beat, Ed smiled and tilted his head toward the briefing room. "Come on."

In the briefing room, Spike smiled as he looked around nostalgically at the team. Lew's memorial band rested on his wrist. Everyone smiled as Ed murmured, "Team One."

Three months later.

Spike stared out the window, watching as the thunderstorm created larger and larger puddles. Just something else for the twins to get dirty in, he thought to himself, as he allowed his mind to drift and reflect back on recent past events. Life at the barn was strange without Greg there. Ed being boss, well, that was nothing new.

Spike smirked to himself, knowing Ed's neurotic need to be in charge. Life was finally getting back to some semblance of normal around the house.

They had the house to themselves, with Sam and Jules babysitting the twins for the weekend, so the house was unusually quiet.

The front door opened and Adele ducked inside in a shower of rain drops, bringing Spike's mind gently back to earth. She had left the windows down on her car, before the rainclouds had rolled in.

"Hey," she said. "Man, it is really coming down out there."

"Hey," he replied, smiling.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked him, looking up at him. He gently pushed her sopping wet hair back on her forehead.

"Just thinking about how much everything has changed," said Spike, "over the last year. Not just with you, but with everyone."

"Yeah," said Adele. "But everyone's come out pretty well on top, haven't we?"

"Yeah, we have," Spike said, looking down at her.

"I mean, three years ago, all I did was push people away, so I could fade quietly into oblivion, like I wanted to," said Adele. "Lucky for me, I found someone who pushed back, saved me from drowning, and wouldn't take no for an answer. I'm the best me when I'm with you. When I'm with you, all that matters is what I am. You've always had that. You know how good it feels."

"Well, you've earned it," said Spike softly, running his hands gently through her wet hair.

"I'll keep earning it," whispered Adele. "I love you."

Spike smiled as he leaned down to kiss her. "I love you too," he said, between kisses.

His tongue traced the outline of her mouth, asking permission for entrance. She opened her mouth and allowed his lips to mesh with hers and his tongue to assault hers. Spike swept Adele into his arms and carried her upstairs to their bedroom. In a fluid motion, Spike pulled Adele's shirt over her head and dropped it onto the floor. His hands slowly traced down her bare sides, not stopping to rest when they arrived at her hips. Using his pinky and index fingers, he slowly pulled down her pants and panties, taking care to caress her slender legs with his other fingers at the same time. Once her pants and panties lay on the floor in the heap, his kisses traveled back up her legs to her stomach; then to her breasts; then her neck, as he caressed her breasts; and finally, his lips found her mouth again.

Adele easily slid his shirt over his head and tossed it loftily onto the pile, taking time to run her fingers through his hair, and traced his pectorals down to the V of his abdominals. She always took care to make sure she returned to his mouth and gave his mouth the attention it deserved.

Spike's hands slowly traveled down her neck, down her arms, taking a moment to pause and intertwine his fingers with her own, before breaking that embrace and caressing her hips. His hands moved along her inner thighs until they found her hot, warm sex, and he slowly slid his hand between her warm, wet folds. His fingers slowly and gently slid into her folds, one, two, three, until he had four fingers inside of her, caressing every spot he could feel. Adele gasped as new sensations of pleasure coursed through her body like wildfire.

She gasped again, as Spike's fingers exited her body.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked.

"No," Adele whispered. "Just... out of practice."

"Want them back?"

"Yes."

Spike smiled, and his fingers returned, along with his attention to the rest of her body.

"Adele," Spike said huskily, his voice a couple octaves deeper than usual, "babe, I want to be inside of you so bad, it hurts."

Adele was too worked up to reply; instead, when his eyes locked with hers, asking the silent question, she nodded, giving him a silent "yes."

He paused and waited, asking permission to enter. She answered by thrusting against him, so that he filled her to the hilt. He began to rock back and forth rhythmically, and she met him thrust for thrust, increasing speed and pressure.

Adele attacked Spike's lips with her own, her nails clawing into his back, breathing heavily against his earlobes. Her body shook as she orgasmed. Spike cradled her hips and backside in his hands, allowing her to enjoy it. She felt him orgasming above her, sending her into a second orgasm. They climaxed together, finishing in an explosion of pleasure.

They lay there for a few moments, exhausted, and very much in love. Adele gently took Spike's face in her hands. She looked up at him.

"You're trembling," she whispered.

"Don't worry," Spike said breathlessly. "I'll be alright." He rested his head on her chest.

She closed her eyes. "I love you, Spike."

"I love you, too," Spike replied softly.

Spike slowly rolled off her and faced her on the bed. He leaned over and gently pressed his lips to Adele's forehead, before they both drifted off to sleep in each other's loving embrace.

The next night, Spike arrived home around seven, to the smells of sloppy joe meat permeating the house. It had been a light day, just a run-of-the-mill bank robbery, updating Babycakes' system, and upgrading the security systems. He walked into the dining room to find Adele setting the table for two.

"Marco," he called, then waited for her response.

"Polo," she responded, from the kitchen. She smiled at the sight of her husband. "Hey, how was your day?"

"Pretty typical," said Spike, smiling as he leaned down to kiss her. "Low-tech bank robbery— cash, jewelry— and when we weren't there, I was upgrading the security systems and gave Babycakes a tune-up."

Adele laid out buns on a serving dish and Spike set out the tray of vegetables. They chatted about their day as they ate.

"Spike," said Adele, as she scraped the remains of her sloppy joe meat onto her fork, "I made your favorite dessert. Would you mind helping me clear the table, then serve it?"

"Naturalmente, bella," Spike replied, smiling as he grabbed some of their dirty dishes and carried them into the kitchen.

"I love it when you talk Italian to me," Adele murmured coyly, smiling at him, and then going quickly into the hallway after he left the room.

She opened the closet door, pulled out two Nerf guns, dashed back into the dining room, and left a pre-written note on the table where Spike would see it. Then, grinning, she ran silently from the room and upstairs to the staircase landing. She pointed her gun downward toward the bottom of the stairs and waited.

Spike came back into the dining room, carrying two plates with chocolate love cake on them. He paused and looked around, puzzled. Then his gaze fell on the note on the table. He picked it up and read it.

Babe,

Welcome home!

Two Things: 1. This Nerf gun filled with ammo is yours. 2. I've got the other one and you're under attack as of NOW!

Loser cleans house tomorrow before kids arrive tomorrow night.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

Xoxo,

AKS

Grinning to himself, he put the pieces of cake back on the pan and placed it in the fridge. Then he grabbed his gun, strapped on an ammo belt, and stalked into the living room. Adele wasn't there. Spike cleared the family room, then stalked back to the stairwell.

He looked over his shoulder, then pivoted around and raised his gun. He heard a pop of a bullet and jumped out of the way as a dart whizzed by, just missing his arm. He returned fire as Adele ran across the landing toward their bedroom, firing at random toward Spike.

Spike ran up the stairs, then crouched down cat-like on the landing, waiting for Adele to shoot again. Her shoulder appeared around the corner with her gun, and another dart connected with Spike's shoulder. Spike returned fire, hitting her hands with two darts. He cackled gleefully as the gun clattered to the floor.

Spike dropped to the floor, then army-crawled through the doorway. Adele bolted from the closet, then leapt over him with a gleeful squeal. Spike rolled over and shot twice at her butt, then once at her back. She ran down the stairs and Spike followed. He descended into the kitchen, but she wasn't there. He backed out of the kitchen, then pivoted around.

Suddenly, Adele jumped on top of him and got onto his back, wrapping her arms and legs around him like a monkey and yelling. Spike spun around to throw her off, yelling too, but Adele was a lot stronger than she looked. Still spinning, Spike moved them into the living room, then tossed her off onto the couch. Adele lay sprawled for a second, then with a cry, Spike moved forward and pulled her off the couch and onto the floor, where he straddled her.

Adele laid there, gun pointing up at him, his gun pointed at her chest, hers at his head, both of them poised, ready to shoot to "kill."

Adele pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. The empty chamber clicked.

She was out of ammo.

"Dammit!"

Spike grinned and laughed maniacally, still holding his position. "Looks like you're out of ammo, babe," he growled.

"Spike... baby, please, no, don't. I'll do anything," Adele pleaded with him, shaking her head and breathing heavily, as if he really was going to shoot her.

"Anything?" Spike purred.

"Anything," Adele promised.

Spike pressed the gun to her chest, then murmured, "Just kidding." Spike gazed down at her for a moment, then got off her and set the now-empty guns against the wall, then helped her up off the floor. She stood up very close to him, so close their faces were almost touching.

"So..." he whispered.

"So...?" she responded softly.

He leaned down and kissed her deeply, then slid one arm under her knees and another behind her head and picked her up. He carried her upstairs to their bedroom, kissing every few steps. He laid her gently down on the bed, then stood up in between kisses and quickly stripped off his cool pants, jacket, and T-shirt.

Spike stripped off his boxers, got on the bed and straddled Adele again, and caressed her flat stomach and the sides of her breasts, as he pulled her shirt over her head with her assistance. Leaning close and nuzzling her with his nose, he slid his arms underneath her back and unhooked her bra and pulled it forward off her. Then he reached over to his nightstand and took out two pairs of handcuffs. First he locked them around the brass bars of the headboard, then she gasped with surprise as he closed the other cuffs over her wrists.

"Okay?" he whispered.

She looked right into his eyes. "Okay."

"Remember, 'scorpio.'"

She nodded. Spike returned his attention to her body and took off her socks, caressing her ankles and feet as he did so. Then he hooked his index fingers and thumbs through the belt loops of her pants. She raised her hips off the bed, then kicked her feet as he pulled off her pants.

Spike's fingers never broke contact with her body as he pulled the panties down her legs, then threw them to the floor. He trailed kisses all the way from the tops of her feet up to her neck, then her earlobes, before finally returning to her mouth.

His kisses were light, warm, and with the slightest hesitation that left her craving more each time. Neither party spoke, their lips attacking each other. Spike trailed his nose and lips down her neck, bringing his mouth to rest on her jugular, where he gently bit down.

Adele moaned as Spike's fingers slid down between her legs and parted the slick, warm flesh.

"What seems to be the problem, ma'am?" he murmured into her ear.

"I'm sorry, Officer, I— I just need— some assistance," Adele whispered breathlessly.

"Well, ma'am, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to take you down to the station for further questioning," Spike whispered, rubbing circles with his thumb on her sensitive nub.

"Ohhh... Spike!" Adele cried.

Spike positioned himself over her, asking permission to enter. She nodded a silent "yes," and he entered her quickly, burying himself inside her.

Spike supported his weight with his elbows, as they thrust back and forth and climaxed together. Adele's mind clouded and her entire existence shattered in waves of warm pleasure. They came down from their high, trembling, and lay there, panting, for a few moments, until Spike reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the key. He gently released her wrists from the restraints, taking care to gently rub them before slowly guiding her arms down to her sides, and rubbing them too. Their eyes met in a penetrating gaze.

"Adele... I love you," Spike whispered.

"I love you, too, babe," Adele replied, equally breathless.

Spike slowly rolled off her, then curled up next to her and held her close.

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