Chapter 9

Buffy and Spike continued to circle each other. Both of them waiting for the other to strike first. Spike threw a punch at Buffy's face. She hadn't seen it coming and stumbled backwards. They grinned at each other. It began. Their bodies were a flurry of movement. Each as fast and as strong as the other. They fought for over an hour with neither gaining the upper hand. Buffy aimed a kick to Spike's chest, but Spike drooped to the floor and swiped the Slayer's leg out from underneath her. She hit the floor hard. Spike was on top of her in a heartbeat. Pinning her arms above her head. She couldn't escape.

"Say it." He demanded.

"Never." Buffy protested.

"Say Spike is the best."

"Never."

Spike brought one hand down and started tickling Buffy. She started giggling uncontrollably. "Say it." He said whilst still tickling her.

"Alright, alright." Buffy replied defeated. "Spike is the best." She said very softly that it just sounded like a mumble.

"Sorry? I can't hear you." He said beginning to tickle her again.

"Spike is the best." She shouted. He stopped tickling her but stayed on top of her.

"Told you I could kick your ass." The vampire stated cockily. The pair looked into each others eyes. Locked in the moment. Their faces getting closer. Spike started to bring his hand down to her face when he realised that they were not alone. He withdrew his hand quickly and helped the Slayer up. Luckily the Scooby Gang had been distracted by Lilly and Dawn.

"Told you my dad was the best." Lilly said like a small child.

"And right you were my princess." He kissed the top of his daughters head lovingly. The Scooby Gang all had weird expressions on their faces. None of them could believe how loving and caring Spike could be. "Right. Well I don't know about the rest of you but I'm knackered and am guna head home to bed. You've warn me out Slayer." He smirked at her. Buffy blushed. "Anyone coming?"

"I am." Buffy piped up.

"Us too." Dawn and Lilly said together. Everyone laughed. The four of them left the Magic Box without saying goodbye to anybody except Anya. When they were out of the door Giles pulled Riley aside.

"I think you should follow them." Giles said to the ex-soldier. "But do not be seen." Riley nodded and left.

Buffy had fallen into step with Spike and the two were walking in a contented silence. Dawn and Lilly were chatting about something behind. Buffy's hand brushed against Spike's. Her hand tingled with warmth from where it had touched his. Spike slipped his hand into her giving her a nervous, questioning glance. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. As they neared the Summer's house Spike slowed down falling behind Dawn and Lilly. Buffy gave him a questioning look but he kept facing towards the house. They reached the front porch and the two girls disappeared inside the house. Spike pulled Buffy round to face him. He put one hand on her waist pulling her closer to him and the cupped her cheek, he leant down towards her and captured her lips in a soft kiss. Buffy's eyes widened, when she overcame her shock she kissed him back with hunger and passion. Spike ran his tongue along her bottom lip seeking to deepen the kiss. She opened her mouth slightly allowing him entrance. Buffy gave a slight moan, causing Spike to growl low. Buffy new it was wrong, she was with Riley. But she wanted Spike more than anything. She was falling for him. She couldn't stop herself. And she didn't want to. 'I love her so much.' Spike thought. 'I want to be with her. I should tell her.' Before his thoughts could continue Dawn appeared at the door.

"Hate to break up the love fest but Willow's on the phone for you Buff." Buffy and Spike broke apart quickly. Looking very embarrassed. Buffy rushed inside the house not wanting to hear Dawn's disgust at her kissing a vampire. "It's about time you two got together."

"What?" Spike blurted in surprise.

"Oh come on. Like we haven't noticed. The long lingering looks, the cuddling up on the sofa, the hand holding on the way home." Spike gave her a questioning look. "Yes we noticed that. Me and Lilly were making bets on how long it would take for you two to finally do something about it." Spike stood there speechless. He had expected her to yell at him. He should have known better. Dawn would always support whatever decisions he and Buffy made because she loved them.

"Who one?" He asked.

"Lilly." Dawn grumbled. "I owe her $5." They walked into the house together; Spike's are slung around the younger Summer's shoulder. Neither noticing a figure in the bushes. Riley was glaring at Spike. 'I'm going to kill that disgusting monster. How dare he touch her.' He stormed back to the Magic Box to inform Giles. Then he was going after Spike.

Inside the house Buffy had just got off the phone to Willow.

"What did she want Buffy?" Dawn asked. Buffy looked around the room. Spike had a cocky grin on his face, Lilly and Dawn wore similar expressions.

"She wanted to apologise. Said that she would support me, and that she was just worried for me. I guess I can see where she is coming from."

"Yeah." Dawn agreed.

Spike grabbed Buffy around the waist and pulled her onto the sofa beside him. Wrapping his arms around her waist. She was about to yell at him. 'What would Dawn think? She is probably already mad at me for kissing Spike.' The vampire could see what she was thinking so he cut her off before she could say anything.

"Had and interesting conversation with the Niblet while you were on the phone." Buffy tensed. "Seems her and Lilly had a little bet on."

"We bet on how long it would take for you two to finally get together." Dawn laughed.

"Oh." The Slayer relaxed into the vampire's arms. "You're not mad?"

"Mad? Course not why would I be mad?"

"Cause Spike's a vampire." She stated quietly. Spike flinched and removed his arms from around her waist. 'I thought she had gotten over this.'

"I need some blood." He growled and left the room. Lilly glared at Buffy and rushed after her father.

"Of course I wouldn't be mad. Spike is my best friend, I wouldn't care if he had horns and was covered in slime."

"Oh. He's mad at me now isn't he?"

"No. He's hurt." Dawn walked out of the room leaving Buffy to think.

In the kitchen Dawn found Spike pacing around the room, draining a packet of blood and Lily watching with a worried look on her face. When he'd finished the packet of blood, he started ranting. "You know I really thought she had gotten over the whole vampire thing. But obviously that was too much to hope for. That she would accept me for who I am not what I am." He through the empty packet at the wall in frustration. "I actually thought that maybe I had a chance with her. To show her how much I loved her. I was foolish to believe she would ever see me as anything more than a vampire." He sighed. "I need to get out of here. I'll be back before sunrise." With that he grabbed his duster and left.

"I'm sorry." Buffy cried. She had been listening from outside the kitchen. "I'm sorry." Lilly and Dawn rushed over to her and tried to stop her tears.

Spike was walking down the road still ranting. "Bloody Slayer. Thinks she can mess with my feelings. 'Oh it's only Spike. He doesn't matter, he's just a vampire.'" He said mimicking Buffy's voice. Something appeared behind him and hit spike with a sledge hammer on the back of the head. He was unconscious. Two people gathered him into a van and drove away. One of the people snarled at him. "Yes you are JUST a vampire."

What's happened to Spike??? Who are the two people? Can anyone guess? I've got loads of this story worked out now. Review lots plllleeaaaaaasssssseeee!!!