PG-13, with language.
A surprise visit...

Chapter 19

The next evening, Corinne dropped a catalog in Spike's lap, with an item circled on the page in red pen.

"What's this, pet?"

"The payment for your debt."

"You want chocolate?" he asked, surprised.

"Not just any chocolate. Exotic truffles made to order. It's all there – the flavor I want, box size, price – and I know you're good for it."

"But, candy? Isn't that a bit cliché?" the vampire complained.

"Well, I could have asked for a new television, but I figured that was a bit much. Consider yourself lucky to get off for under $100, since you did make a public scene," she replied.

"You're loving every bit of this," he pouted.

"Hey, you said 'name it'. So, I am." She wandered around his chair to say in his ear, "I might even share a nibble, if you're good." Corinne pranced off to the door, calling "Bye, Spike!" as she left.

Her husky tone inspired an unbidden image to go along with her words, that Spike shook away in favor of concentrating on the TV. Friends didn't fantasize about friends.

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Corinne's new outlook on life was to try to enjoy the singles scene…and if Spike happened to see her do it, all the better. She wore a little more make-up to work, spent a little more time on her hair, and wore nicer clothes off duty. She was 'flirtatious girl that dances just out of reach', never going home with a guy from one of the clubs. Hooking up didn't interest her, at least with random strangers. And when Spike started showing up at The Bronze to watch over her, Corinne put in just a tiny bit more effort into her dancing. Just in case.

It took two weeks to get her chocolates. They arrived by courier to the hospital. Corinne eagerly opened the box and bit into one, her taste buds in ecstasy. Of course, all the nurses wanted to know where they came from, to which she coyly replied, "a friend." As soon as her shift was over, she drove to the cemetery to find her vampire.

It was early enough in the afternoon that she managed to sneak in while he was still asleep. The sheet was down to his waist, showing all those yummy abs. She sat on the edge of the bed and waved a chocolate under his nose. It twitched, but he didn't budge. Feeling playful, Corinne bit it in half and smeared a little of the crème from the center on his lower lip. The feeling of something foreign would guarantee that he'd lick it off. She only had to wait a minute for that, his wicked tongue poking out to remove the offending substance. Corinne couldn't help giggling at his slumbering attempts. The sound was finally enough to get Spike to stir, his eyelids fluttering open as he cleaned off the rest of the chocolate.

"Bit, it's not nice to tease a sleeping vamp," he grumbled, not opening his eyes, yet.

"It's not Dawn," she replied.

His sleepy lids opened halfway. "Hey, Doc. What's the deal with waking me two hours early?"

"My chocolates arrived. I wanted you to know," she replied simply.

"That's what I'm tasting…"

"More pleasant than being yelled at, yes?"

He opened his eyes fully and glowered, propping himself up on his elbows. "Why are you so chipper?"

Oooh, pouty! "Cuz these are to die for," Corinne replied, popping the other half in her mouth and moaning.

Oh, that so wasn't fair…he thought. Didn't women realize that sound traveled straight south in a man's body? Especially one who'd only had the company of his own hand for eight months. And it was morning, well, on his schedule. Spike shifted so the covers hid the evidence.

"Want one?" she offered, holding up a truffle, a merry light in her grey eyes.

"So-" He cleared his throat and tried again. "So, you've deemed me a good boy?"

Corinne winked and said, "Good enough. Though…maybe I'll just give you half…" and bit into the chocolate, licking away the crumbs. "I couldn't monitor you 24/7," she teased. She held the other half over his mouth so he could take it if he wanted. The flick of his tongue to her fingers as he took it hadn't been expected. Wicked boy. In turn, Corinne took special care in cleaning off her chocolate stained fingers and watched his pupils dilate. Classic biology.

Spike shrugged as he swirled the sweet around in his mouth. "Not bad," he said nonchalantly.

"Not bad! These are 85 the world's finest cocoa!"

"So…does the old adage ring true? Better than sex?" he teased, expecting her to blush.

She just smiled enigmatically and replied, "With some people."

"Anyone I know?" he joked.

"Of course not! It was a long time ago. First time, and all that…" Corinne laughingly answered.

"Hmm, do tell!"

"No! There's not much to say, anyway. It was…alright."

"One-night stand?"

"Unh-uh! Boyfriend. Next one was much better. He actually paid attention," she stated. "And why are we talking about my sex life?"

"I might as well get a sordid tale for being woken up early," Spike quipped.

Corinne snorted a laugh. "The most sordid thing in my past is my belly button ring. I was at school, or I worked. That was it."

"You have a belly button ring?"

"Well, a small stud. You really are the most clueless guy ever," she bluntly teased.

"Oi! I notice lots of things!"

"Yeah, with Dawn because you expect trouble, and with demons because it could mean your life. But every day details that don't really mean anything? You're as clueless as the next man."

"Well…I…I know how many freckles are on your nose. Hah!"

"So do I. That just means you see my face often. Face it, Spike, you're just not winning this one," she said matter-of-factly.

"I can, too," he retorted, grinning mischievously. His fingers attacked her sides. "I know it takes an exact count of 5 before you start yelling 'stop'. You always wear the same rings on the same fingers. You bite your thumbnail during the scary parts of movies. You always scoop around the bowl, leaving a mound of ice cream in the center. And…never complain about Glinda's cooking even though you like meat with every meal." Spike's mouth turned up in a smug grin. "And that's just off the top of my head."

Corinne just sat there, her jaw agape, in complete shock.

"Doc?" complete with the classic head tilt.

"I…" She gave up on words, and kissed him. Breaking it a few seconds later, she mumbled an apology and ran.

Bloody hell…

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Corinne went straight to Tara. Oh god, oh god, oh god… Tara took one look at her friend as she came in, and pulled the doctor upstairs to the bedroom where they would have some privacy.

"What's wrong, sweetie?"

"I…oh, god…uh…" Tara took hold of her shoulders to stop the pacing.

"Corinne, look at me. Breathe…that's it, just calm down a little and tell me what's wrong, okay?"

"I kissed Spike," she blurted out, resuming her panicked pacing.

"How did he respond?"

"I don't know. I ran. I didn't mean to do it, he'd just said these sweet things, and words failed me, and I just…kissed him. For, like, 3 seconds…and then I ran. Oh, god…I can never face him again. This is so embarrassing!"

"I'm surprised he didn't come after you," Tara stated.

"Well, uh…he would have needed clothes first." At Tara's shocked look, she added, "He'd just been sleeping! Covers covered the whole time, I promise!"

"I believe you, honey, just breathe… Maybe you should start from the beginning? Or…what did he say that inspired you to kiss him?"

Corinne sunk down on the bed. "Well, my chocolates arrived today, so I went over to tell him, and we were just talking about stuff…and I mentioned my belly button ring, which of course, he hadn't noticed, so I teased him about being clueless and missing the every day stuff that all men do, to which he started listing examples of little things he's noticed…about me. And…I just was in shock…and I kissed him. I couldn't get my mouth to work enough to say 'thank you', but apparently it works just fine for molesting my friend," she replied morosely.

"You didn't molest him! You just had an emotional moment. Could happen to anyone. This would be a perfect time to explain how you feel, you know," Tara persisted.

"And hear 'thanks, but no thanks'? No. Thank. You. I'll just die first."

"Corinne…maybe you're looking at this from the wrong angle. You were absolutely right that men don't notice common, little things, but Spike did. About you. He wouldn't bother to remember if it didn't matter to him."

"So, fine…he's a perceptive friend. That still doesn't mean he likes me, likes me. Spike wears his heart on his sleeve. It was plain as day around Buffy. Do you really think he wouldn't mention it if it was me, instead? Emotions burst out of him, you know that."

"Did Spike ever tell you how he told Buffy he loved her?" At Corinne's negative response, Tara launched into the story. "As Buffy relayed it, he took her on a fake stake-out, tried to convince her that 'feelings develop in the work place', then kidnapped her later once Dru came to town. He chained Buffy up so she'd have to listen to him, even offered to stake Drusilla to prove he was telling the truth. Of course, as Spike plans often go when he doesn't think things through, the night didn't go well. She did a disinvite spell once she got home. Then, you know how…tumultuous their relationship was after Buffy come back. There's every possibility, after what most people would call an absolute disaster, that he's refusing to acknowledge feelings other than the ones he's used to."

"Used to? That sounds wonderful," Corinne sarcastically commented.

"Forgive the psych major, but, at least with Buffy, he knows what he's dealing with, what he's in for. It's painful, but reliable, and he's had enough experience to manage it. With someone new, it could bring a whole new kind of pain, and so he stays on the Buffy loop. And…giving Buffy up means giving up a dream he's had for a long time." Tara frowned, as that didn't end up sounding as helpful as she'd meant.

"Yeah, yeah, I know…she's the goddess, the ideal, the Slayer. Every possible thing I'm not, which is why I haven't tried. But we've had this conversation before. I'll just avoid him for a couple days until this blows over, and we'll pretend it never happened. If he asks, I'll just say it was in gratitude, and that I feel really embarrassed." Corinne buried her face in her hands. "I came to this town to avoid complications in my life! I didn't want any attachments or distractions while I worked. I wish I'd never come out the alley door of the police station…"

"No, you don't," Tara reasoned.

She sighed, and looked up at the witch. "You're right, I don't regret helping him. It was just as likely that he wouldn't make it home alone as he would, so…but I wish I hadn't gotten involved, not like this. I don't even know why him…"

"If he was human, instead of a vampire, but the same, would it help?" Tara pondered aloud.

"It'd be easier to be together, but there'd still be Buffy in the way. Especially since she'd probably jump all over that," she replied with disdain.

"You've been talking to Dawn again."

"The girl's a chatterbox, what can I say? She'd spill her whole life story if you asked her to." Corinne rubbed at her eyes. "God, I'm tired…we're just going to keep going in circles talking about this, so I'm gonna head home, okay?"

"Alright." Tara hugged her friend. "Take care of yourself…have a bubble bath, or something."

"Thanks. I'm sorry to keep dumping this on you. You must be sick to death of hearing me moan about Spike." They left the bedroom and went downstairs.

"Hey, what are friends for? Call if you need to, 'kay?"

"Yeah. Good night, Tara." Corinne closed the front door behind her.

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She'd barely been home 10 minutes, when someone started pounding on her door.

"Who is it?!" she yelled.

"It's me!" Spike.

Corinne groaned and unlocked the door, finding the vampire on the other side. He stepped forward and ran into the barrier blocking him out.

"I've been looking for you all over, luv. Why did you run off?"

"Why? Why? I made a complete fool of myself. It was totally embarrassing. Please go, so I can be mortified in peace!" She started to close the door.

"Not this game again…Corinne, please! Just leave the bloody door open until I've finished, alright? I'm not upset, luv, really. I've had much worse reactions to running my mouth." He tried making a joke, but she wasn't laughing.

"Fine, you're not upset, I'm going to forget about it, let's say goodnight and let tomorrow be a new day." Closing the door again.

"Damnit, Cori, will you stop hiding from me?! You want to know everything about everybody else, but you won't let anyone in the bloody door! Is it so terrible to let people care about you?" he exclaimed.

"I came here to focus on my job, my training…this assignment was always going to be temporary. Attachments would have been counterproductive," she replied.

"But you did get involved, and it's eating you up that you didn't follow your little plan to the letter. Be a control freak at the hospital, pet…you don't need it with us."

"Spike…it's complicated…"

"So, simplify it for me. I'm trying to understand the mood swings, Doc, because I know you're not crazy. I know crazy," he replied.

"I…I can't. It won't do any good. I'm sorry." Corinne closed and locked the door, then retreated to her bedroom, which had no outside walls.

Damnit! Spike hit the door in frustration, then stomped off. If Corinne wouldn't give him answers, then maybe Glinda would.

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Spike walked into 1630 Revello to have his senses assaulted with a scent he hadn't been around in a long time.

"Buffy?" he whispered in disbelief. The Slayer came out of the kitchen to see who'd entered the house.

"Hi, Spike. Long time no see," she said quietly, with a soft smile.

"Buffy? You, uh…you look good pet," he choked out, his mouth suddenly dry as a bone.

She blushed, faintly. Her hair had grown long in the passing months, and she'd put on a little weight. "Sorry for dropping in unannounced, but we don't have a lot of spare time. I got Dawn's letter…and I just had to see her. Though, I expected her to be at my aunt's," she added with a frown.

Spike started defending Dawn's decision. "Now, I know the news was unexpected, Slayer, but we did our best to discourage her and lay out all the serious crap. This was her decision, and if she hadn't presented herself well, that tough old judge wouldn't have granted her emancipation for all the dosh in L.A. The Bit's worked damn hard to pull her own weight around here…she's even buying her first car on Saturday, now that school's started. But you wouldn't know about all the changes, would you…what with gallivanting around Europe and beyond." Okay, so he was a little peeved with her for dropping Dawn and the house in their laps.

"Gallivanting? I've been saving Potentials from being slaughtered, Spike. I wouldn't call that a pleasure cruise," she replied defensively. The patented Buffy glare was in effect.

"Hey, I get that you have a job to do, but you also have, or had, responsibilities here, Slayer. Your sister, the house, your mother's debts…all yours to take care of, and after you were well again, you just flaked. You abandoned Dawn with hardly a word, and she's tough, but we knew it cut her deeply. All that girl's known in her short, actual life is loss! You could have at least had the decency to explain what was going through your daft head over the phone, instead of sending her cute bloody postcards!" Spike said loudly.

"I'm sorry, okay?! But I'm supposed to be dead, and since I can't be that, I have a responsibility to the world, and that means all those girls like me, who could be me. This is bigger than any of us…bigger than the responsibilities of a 'normal' life! I don't have the luxury of that life! The good of many has to outweigh the good of one, or in this case, two! Honestly, I don't even know how long I can keep this up…we've had some pretty close calls…and…I wanted to see everyone, in person, in case I…can't," Buffy huffed. Well, it was more fight than he'd seen out of her in a long time. Too bad it wasn't aimed at keeping her family.

"Nice comfort for Dawn when you're not there to see her get her diploma. Enjoy your death wish, Slayer." Spike pushed past her into the kitchen, hoping to find Tara. Willow, Tara, and Giles sat at the dinner table, trying to pretend they hadn't heard all the shouting. "Glinda, may I have a quick word?"

"Of course, Spike," she replied. They went out to the backyard, where it was most private. "What's up?" she asked, concerned.

"I just came from Corinne's…"

"Ohhh…"

"Oh? There's a lot of weight behind that 'oh', pet. What am I missing here? I get the sense that there's this giant bloody anvil in the room, but I can't see it." She could tell he was frustrated – Spike was already running his hands through his hair and mussing the slicked down curls.

Tara's expression was sympathetic. "I can't tell you, Spike. I wish I could, but I promised. You're going to have to get it from Corinne."

"I thought you'd say that, but it couldn't hurt to ask…a hint, maybe? Anything to point me in the right direction…I want to help," he said earnestly.

"It's not your help she's looking for, Spike. So…what just happened in there? I thought you'd be jumping for joy to see Buffy again?" Tara tried for distraction, before she'd slip on her promise.

He looked sheepish. "Part of me is, luv, but the bigger part…the part that's been with Dawn since the shooting…well, I just couldn't help getting angry on my Niblet's behalf. Seeing Buffy, looking well and gorgeous, it just kind of set me off, you know? She's not even really sorry for abandoning Dawn…and after everything we all went through to save that girl's life." He sighed. "I guess she feels she's given her sister the best shot this way, but it was a hard knock to take. Dawn deserved better."

Tara nodded. "I can't say I wholly disagree. But, maybe it is better this way. Her aura is calmer, more at peace, than when I last read her, but it's like she's just accepted it, instead of deciding to live. I never expected to read an aura like that in someone so young…it's so sad. Like…Slaying is all she can do. Giles has noticed, too. He looks at her like he's worried when her back is turned. I hope this visit won't be too hard on Dawn."

"So do I. I could curse that blighter through all the levels of Hell for taking away the light in Buffy's eyes. She was just starting to try again, before that bastard shot her. I still love her, Glinda, but I really feel that it's too late for anyone to change her mind. She has to want it again. God, it's like watching her die in slow motion…I don't know how the Watcher can stand it." His hands itched for a cigarette, so he pulled out his pack and lighter, offering one to Tara.

"No, thanks. I still have to go back inside. Dawn should be home from work, soon. Will you…prepare her?"

He nodded, smiling gratefully at the blonde for her understanding. "Yeah, pet. I'll keep an eye out."

She patted his shoulder reassuringly, then rejoined the others inside. Spike moved to his tree, where he could watch the front and the back of the house.

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Dawn parked her car, to see Spike standing at the tree with a pile of cigarettes at his feet. Whoa…déjà vu!

"Spike? Did you get your memory turned back or something?"

He chuckled, and stubbed the most recent smoke. "Nah, Bit, nothing so dramatic as that. There is a bit of a…situation, though."

"Oh?" she asked, immediately sobering. "What's wrong?"

"Not wrong…just…important. Your, uh, your sister's back…for a bit." Dawn squealed and started to run inside. He caught her arm and stopped her. "Wait, Bit, there's something you need to know first. Buffy, she's…changed, some. Well, you'll see it when you look into her eyes, but…she's not the same Buffy from before the shooting. Glinda and I, we just wanted you to be prepared. She's not staying long, sweetheart."

"Oh. Okay. I guess I knew it would be like that, with her out saving the world, and all. I'm okay, Spike. I've had the time to realize who my sister really is," Dawn replied.

Spike looked upon her proudly, smoothing her hair affectionately. She slid under the raised arm to wrap hers around his waist, and they turned for the house, taking matching steps up the porch.

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"Dawn…" Buffy breathed, upon seeing her sister. She looked her up and down, before adding, "Goodness, you look so grown up. It's only been 4 months, but…wow…"

"Thanks. You look good, too," she replied politely.

"So, uh, there were some things I wanted to talk with you about. I'm, um, considering selling the house, and I wanted to know how you feel about that now. It's totally unfair of me that all of you have been paying to keep this place as-is. Giles tells me the market's doing well, so…hopefully, we'd get a profit from the sale…and I want to split that with you…you know, if we do this now." She looked at Willow and Tara, too. "Unless you guys are totally cool with making this place yours, and I'll just move my stuff out so you can rent the room…if you're not already." Typical Buffy babbling.

"No, it's still as you left it, Buffy," Tara stated.

"Okay. Well, talk it over, and just give me an answer by the time we leave. I don't want to put you guys on the street…obviously."

"That's…fair," Dawn added.

Buffy nodded, and moved on to her next topic. "Okay…well, besides spending some quality time with all of you, Giles needs to do some research…and I need to keep up my training, so we'll be at The Magic Box. Are Xander and Anya coming over?"

"Their ringer's off," Willow replied.

"Ohhh."

"Willow, I'd love to discuss how you've been doing with patrols, as well," Giles added. "And Tara, I have a list of healing potions I need your assistance with. Dawn, I need your signature on a few, uh, documents, when you have a moment."

"You don't have to sugarcoat things, Giles. I'm 16, not 10."

"Er, quite. And, er, Spike…has there been any unusual activity in the Underworld?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary, Rupes. But then, summer's barely ending. It always takes a bit to warm up around the Hellmouth," he stated obviously.

"Uh, yes, of course…I suppose we'll be heading here in spring. So, how are your classes?" he asked, addressing the girls.

Spike felt his presence was no longer required, so he made for the door.

"Spike, wait!" Buffy called, as he stepped on the porch.

"Yeah, Slayer?" he replied without turning around, his back tense.

"I just wanted to say that I didn't come back to argue with you. And…I want to know what exactly Dawn's learned so far. She's only 16, still, and…"

"Don't trust me, Slayer? Even now? I thought we were past this, Buffy. Look, she's not smoking, not drinking, not whoring around. Between Glinda, Doc, and myself we know all her friends, and their parents. We even made sure nothin' happened to 'em at The Bronze on Dawn's birthday. How, exactly, is that corrupting your sister?"

"I…it's just…she wouldn't tell me if she'd gotten into trouble, you know? So…" Buffy squirmed uncomfortably.

"Yeah, whatever. Guess being around a Watcher 24/7 is rubbing off, eh? Don't feel bad, Slayer, you're just following your nature. We can't all be expected to grow beyond ours." He turned and started down the porch steps again.

"Spike, that's not what I meant. I've never been good at saying what I'm trying to…I know you try your best around Dawn! Can we…I'd like…can we spend some time together, like before? I still owe you dinner…"

Spike studied her expression. "To achieve what, luv? All you had to do before was come home. We would have welcomed you with open arms, even if you had to work shit out. What do you want of me, Buffy…really? You hinted at being friends once, and then you let me kiss you…I'm just tired of the games."

Her gaze dropped to her feet. "I don't know…other than that I want you in my life. If there were more time…"

"And wishes were horses…yeah, I know. The day you suss it out, well, you know the rest…"

"So, you don't feel the same about me anymore?" she asked sadly.

"Buffy, I love you…probably always will, but I've realized that respect is important, too, and honesty, and knowing I'm not just something to scrape off your boot. Slayer, you nearly broke me, and while I love you, I don't trust you…and I didn't realize how important that was until others started trusting me. If you wanted to take the time, maybe that could change…" he shrugged helplessly.

She nodded in acceptance. "But, I don't have it…my timing always sucks, doesn't it? Maybe…maybe you could come help? I'm not too proud to admit that I could use a good partner to watch my back. Giles does what he can, but he's not super-powered…"

Spike shook his head. "I'd only slow you down, Slayer, only moving around at night. Those girls need your speed, yeah? You get in a bind and need some muscle, I'm your vamp and you know where to find me."

"Okay. You're probably right about the travel thing. I hadn't thought of that. Well, I'd still like to get some coffee or something while I'm here…and I do miss my sparring partner," she replied, with a crooked grin.

He smirked in return. "Alright, Slayer. We'll see what you've got still after all that time off. I've got some new tricks up my sleeve, you know."

"Can't wait. I'm still gonna kick your ass, though." Buffy opened the door to go back inside.

Spike laughed, and left.

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His feet carried him back to Corinne's, lost in thought as he was. Spike couldn't believe that Buffy had offered a crumb, and he'd basically turned it down, but it just wasn't their time.