Tuesday Morning…

Buffy woke feeling stiff. She stretched her arms out in front of her slowly opening her eyes. SPIKE?! She jumped up from her position on the couch, he was laying stretched out on a…table? She took in her surroundings. Giles apartment, thank god, for a moment there I thought Spike and I had…why was Spike there? The events of last night slowly filtered into her head. Ugh.

"Good morning Buffy." Giles said in a whispered tone. Buffy jumped again not having noticed his presence. "Why don't you come get some breakfast?" Buffy looked over to where Spike lay sleeping. "Let's let him wake up on his own." he suggested and she looked grateful. The two marched into the kitchen where breakfast was already made.

"You know I eat more things than eggs." Buffy teased taking in the contents of her plate.

"Buffy." he said in an exhausted tone and she didn't make eye contact.

"Do you have cereal? I could really go for some." she said poking her scrambled eggs with a fork.

"I do think there is more important things for us to discuss than food." he said trying to force her to talk.

"I know, it's just there's a lot to tell." she said looking at him finally. "I'm not sure how to start." she looked so drained.

"Anywhere."

Taking a deep breathe she looked down knowing she couldn't do this looking at him. "Do you remember when things started to go south with my parents?" she didn't wait for a reply. "Well it was my fault." this time he did speak up.

"No it wasn't!" he yelled and they both sat silent for a moment seeing if it had woken their…for the lack of a better word, guest.

"Ok, well dad started coming home angry from work." Giles didn't like where this was going. "At first it wasn't so bad. You know, he'd drink some and yell at the TV when 49er's lost. Me and Mom would keep Dawn busy so she wouldn't notice, it. Then slowly mom started crying more often." Giles nodded his head. He had spent many nights working at the gallery consoling the woman. At first he did it hopeful that the marriage would split up. As horrible as that sounds he loved Joyce for as long as he had known her and she deserved better than Hank Summers. But it had changed overtime to just making sure she was okay, and so were her daughters.

"And one night she was crying so loud I couldn't take it." tears started coming down her cheeks. That brought him back to what she was saying. "So I went down stairs to…I'm not even sure why I did. Mom was bleeding laying on the ground and dad was standing over her, looking beyond angry. So I screamed…I screamed how stupid is that? I mean I could of called 9-1-1 or picked up something to hit him with but, no I scream." the tears were free falling now, Giles sat there listening intent on finding out once and for all what was going on.

"He walked over and hit me. I hit the ground and everything went black. When I woke up…it was bad." she lifted her shirt to show her stomach. It was completely bruised, with cuts all over. Some looked fairly old. "That wasn't the last time it happened." Giles looked mortified, she just sat there waiting for him to say something. But the words just didn't seem to come.

"It really isn't that bad. When dad's away on business, it's…it's not so bad." she said lowering her shirt. "I'm sorry I cry so much." she said whipping at the tears that refused to stop coming. "You must think I'm such a baby."

"…Buffy…your not." Giles said trying to find the words necessary.

"Look I really don't want people to know." she locked eyes with him. "I'm going to college as soon as possible. Staying on campus, where I'll be okay." she took another deep breathe. "So things will turn around in my world soon."

"You should tell the police, you can't let him get away with this. What if he goes after Dawn?" Giles asked.

"Mom asked for a divorce. That's why I've been over here so much. He's just trying to get his last shots in." she said with a little confidence the tears finally turning off.

"He shouldn't be able to get away with this." he said sounding slightly angry, but she knew it wasn't really at her. He was mad at her dad.

"I've thought about this. Dawn still loves him, I'm not going to ruin that." she looked into Giles eyes pleading for understanding. "Please don't say anything."

"Bloody hell." Buffy had never heard him swear like that before. From Spike it was like every other word. "I won't." he took her hand in his giving it a friendly squeeze before letting go. "But I don't want you staying at home as long as he is there." he gave her what Willow would call the resolved face, she nodded her head.

"No worries. It's the last week of school, I'm expected to be out every night partying. I've got a place to stay." she said giving a smile. He returned the smile standing up and walking to his cupboards.

"I've got cheerio's that it." he said returning with the box and a bowl. She looked relived at the sudden change in conversation.

"Perfect." she smiled pouring herself a bowl as Giles went to get a spoon and the milk. "I should probably wake the sleeping rebel. He's useless without his coffee. He must never have it then cause he is always useless." she teased getting up.

"I'll begin brewing it." she heard him reply as she entered the living room. Spike was laying just where she had left him. He looked peaceful…no he looked a little angry. Must be waking up, she shrugged as she reached down and shook his shoulder. Would it really kill him to smile? That thought brought a smile to her face. Probably would…

"Spike, Spike wake up." she said as sweetly as possible without it sounding condescending. He opened one eye looking her up and down.

"Summers." he said in that same hateful tone she was used to.

"Up and atom lazy bones." she said making her way to the kitchen. Spike showed no sign of moving. As she made if half way to the kitchen. She turned and picked up a pillow throwing it at him. It hit him in the chest making him open his eyes again. "Get up." she turned away, Spike watched her hips sway ever so slightly as she walked. He made it to his feet, following behind her. She had seated herself at the table eating a spoonful of O's. Spike sat across from her staring at her which she tried not to notice as she continued to eat.

"Coffee will be ready in a moment, Spike." Giles said breaking the silence. Spiked nodded his head at the older Englishman. He reached across the table pulling a few Cheerio's from the box, popping them in his mouth.

"Yes Spike you can have some of my cereal." Buffy said in a sarcastic tone, looking at him. He plastered the same fake smile on his face to match hers.

"Thanks, Betty." with that said he reached over and grabbed another handful, popping them into his mouth one by one. Buffy narrowed her eyes biting on her lower lip watching him.

"Oh for god's sake can you two behave like adults for one bloody minute." Giles said placing a cup in front of Spike. They both looked at the older Englishman as if he had grown a third head. "I'm going to get dressed, try and get along." he said walking around the corner of his flat.

A smile appeared on Buffy's face as she grabbed a soaked O and threw it at Spike, landing on the lapel of his duster. He looked down at the O and watched as it oozed it's way down his jacket. Slowly lifting his head to look at her. She sat there smugly watching his reaction. When she noticed he was looking at her she lowered her head examine the cereal. Spike set his jaw, his eyes turned a darker blue as he reached across the table he pulling out a handful of O's from the box and threw them at her. Her eyes widened as she was covered in Cheerio's. Spike had a victory smirk on his face as he watched her face turn red with anger.

:

Giles stepped into the kitchen dressed in a freshly pressed blue tweed suit, ready to begin the day. He was looking forward to the end of the day when he would go to the museum and see Joyce. He really wanted to talk to her about the divorce issue. He wanted to make it known he thought it was a splendid idea and that when she felt she was ready he would be willing to ease her back into the dating world. Yes he would make that part especially clear. There was a smile on his face that nothing could happen to take it away. He felt happier than he had in years.

That's when he steeped on something and heard it crunch under his foot. That was what brought out of his fantasy about Joyce and him riding away into a sunset together. Cereal was everywhere! Milk from the bowl Buffy had been eating from was now dripping off the table onto the floor. And the two teenagers were wrestling on the floor in the middle of the room. Buffy sat on top of Spike a handful of soggy cereal in her hands. Spike lay underneath her holding the hands as far away as possible.

"Say it!" Buffy demanded trying to force her hands down to rub the dripping O's into his hair. Spike held her off but both their arms were shaking from putting so much strength behind it.

"Never, sweetheart. You'll have to kill me first." he answered stubbornly, wriggling beneath her to get her off. Buffy kept sliding farther down his body. She was straddling his abs now, she had started at his chest, almost sitting on his head…not that he would of minded if she had. Definitely a good position to be in mate.

"If I kill you how can I get you to say it? Sorry not letting you take the easy way out." she protested trying to make him sound stupid. He didn't even need to think before he answered her.

"Vampire, luv." he said in tone that made her feel stupid. "You couldn't get rid of me that easy." he teased sticking out his tongue then waggling it suggestively at her. How did he always do that? I was angry with not just 3 seconds ago, now it's taking all I have not to laugh. Buffy got distracted for a second and when she came out of her daydream she realized he was waiting for her comeback. Shit.

"Just say it!" she said bucking slightly on him as Spike tried to get her off. He smiled triumphantly at her lack of a comeback and then his eyes went wide looking at her. Buffy noticed at that exact moment too that bad parts had touched and as hard as she tried she couldn't look away from Spike. Which wasn't the only hard thing. He just stared up at her, not looking away either. She felt him buck her again and she closed her eyes afraid that they would roll back and he'd tease her. Spike saw her eyes close then felt her push back against him slightly causing his head to fall and hit the floor, in ecstasy.

Cor, pet…yes that's it…just like that…

Please don't stop…please Spike…

Giles noticed that the struggling had slowed down and hoped they were going to stop. But neither of them seemed to move to away from the other, so he decided to do the parent thing and put a stop to it. "Now what is he supposed to say?" Giles said pouring himself a cup of coffee. Both Buffy and Spike yelped in terror. Jumping away from one another as fast as possible. They looked so embarrassed neither of them could look at Giles. "Well?" he asked not really looking at the two teenagers.

"What?" Buffy silently asked herself looking down at the cereal covered floor. "Oh! Right, he's supposed to say sorry. He poured milk down my shirt!" she said yelling at Spike as he simple shrugged his shoulders in reply. He couldn't tare his eyes away from her shirt. You can see fucking through it…why hadn't I noticed that before?

"And who is supposed to say sorry for destroying my kitchen?" he asked taking a sip from his cup, finally looking at them. "I'm guessing it would be, the both of you." he scolded, watching as Buffy blushed looking down, but Spike seemed unfazed at his attempt to scold them, as he continued to stare at Buffy. That's when he noticed that you could see through her shirt. "Buffy why don't you go grab some of my clothes to change into. When you get home you can change for school." he said in a rushed tone looking away from the girl.

Buffy looked relieved he wasn't yelling. She nodded her head getting up, leaving the two men alone. Spike looked angry for a moment as he watched her leave. But just as quickly as it had appeared the emotion was gone and he had locked eyes with Giles.

"So Watcher what's the verdict?" Spike asked breaking the tension. Giles looked confused. Spike stood up brushing off the cheerio's that refused to get off him. "Why was she crying?" Giles looked at the younger man for a moment choosing his words carefully. He didn't want to lie to the boy but he had just gained Buffy's trust and he would not betray that now.

"Buffy has a lot to deal with. It's all finally catching up with her." he said with a far off look on his face as he focused on his coffee. Yeah like finals is causing her to run into traffic. But before he could call the older man on his bullshit, Buffy walked back into the room.

"Sorry about the mess." she said scuffing her foot on the ground which really just kicked O's across the room.

"It's alright, you should head home and get ready for school." he said trying to sound like it really didn't matter. She smiled her gratitude to him leaving the room. Spike followed after out the apartment.

"Sigh… those two are doomed." Giles said placing his cup on the counter to get the broom.

:

Tuesdays a bummer…

It was Gym class and she still felt guilty. So what if Spike had offered to walk her home, she had a right to say no. Yeah say no not tell him you'd rather kiss Jonathan then spend time with him. She could just not shut that voice up. Okay so that was a little cruel, but it's not like Jonathan had heard it. You don't feel guilty because of him, and you know it. Buffy grunted as she sat on the side lines waiting for a member of her team to catch a dodge ball. She didn't feel bad because of Spike she wouldn't, couldn't. Come on you saw his hurt face. For like two seconds before he said he's rather catch syphilis than spend time with me, she reminded herself.

She turned her attention to the Court watching as another girl screamed when Faith pelted her with the ball. At least her team was winning. Then why are you beating yourself up? That voice was relentless. She couldn't think of anything. No smartass reply came to mind. Ha, you like Spike, that's why you feel bad about hurting him. NO! I liked William. She thought smiling as Faith caught one and Buffy was put back into the game. She had no more than stepped onto their side when she heard…

So you liked William? The voice taunted, Buffy's face went pale, as she dodged a ball thrown by Fred. No! No! NO! I liked him better than Spike but not in the liking sense of the word. She tried to concentrate on the game but wasn't succeeding. She almost got hit by a ball thrown by Harmony now that was sad.

You do realize they are the same guy right? The Voice taunted in a sweet voice. Buffy covered her face with her hands. She was having an argument with herself and losing. That's when she got hit by a dodge ball thrown by Faith. She had stepped in front of her team mate and had got pelted. She could already feel the bruise coming in.

"Time out! Someone Help Buffy up!" Mr. Giles yelled from the side lines. Hands flailing in the air to get everyone's attention.

"B you alright?" Faith asked lowering her arm to Buffy, as she hovered above her fallen teammate.

"Fine." she lied. As she lie on the floor reaching her arm up to Faith's for help up the only thought that gave her comfort was that Spike wouldn't be give this morning a second thought, he'd just be planning her newest way to hit her with a spit ball.

:

Spike sat in Shop Class watching the safety videos they were supposed to have watched at the beginning of the school year, but had somehow forgotten. Just the way Shop Class was supposed to be. He sat there lost in thought instead of laughing with the other guys as he should as people lost fingers to the jigsaw and router table. All he could think about was Buffy. Last week she never would of even crossed his mind, no matter what Dru says. He hadn't thought about her green eyes that have speckles of gold in them when she got mad, or the dimples she got when she really smiled. No they were the farthest thing from his mind. But today she consumed him, it was like he was drowning in her.

Spike was brought out of his thoughts when Clem jabbed him in the ribs to ask if he had seen the nail gun shoot that nail into that guys eye? He nodded his head and Clem seemed satisfied at his answer as he returned to watching the film. Spike grunted clenching his hands into fists. He should be laughing with the guys in his favorite class not pining over a stupid girl. No matter how low he felt he would never allow himself to brood, not like Buffy's X. God he just could stop thinking about her.

Her words from earlier echoed in his ears and he felt his heart cringe. It wouldn't break. No the cow would never be able to do that again. He wouldn't let her. Then his thoughts turned to this morning where they had dry humped. It had been nice but he wouldn't put himself through that much pain again just to get laid. He was a good looking bloke he could have his choice of the birds.

But they weren't her…he saw her walk away down the street again away from him. He felt the pain in his chest for the third time today. Well if Buffy didn't want to start over then neither did he. He said in a resolved tone turning his attention back to the movie. An older man held a block of wood next to the planner. He turned towards the cameraman ready to speak.

"If your threw with her then why did you call her Buffy instead of Betty like you always do?" the guy on the screen asked. Spike's eyes went wide and he slammed his head onto the table. This could not be fucking happening. Clem placed his hand on Spike's back patting it once.

"I know dude this is getting to be to much for me too." Clem said and you could here the planner taking the man's finger off.

:

Earlier that morning…

"So ducks…want I should walk you home?" Spike said as they walked down Giles's walkway. They were walking side by side, Buffy's head was looking at the ground, Spike's was looking at her, she didn't respond. "Wanna find a dark alley somewhere and pick up where we left off?"

Her head snapped up like a rubber band. Her eyes were huge, and her mouth was slightly open. "What?" she asked hoping she had heard him wrong.

"I asked if you wanted to find a dark alley…" he repeated but was cut off when she put her hand over his mouth.

"Spi-iiiike." she had meant for it to sound angry but just as she said it he licked her hand. She removed her hand immediately as if it had been burned.

"I was just funning you, Summer's." she looked relived. He stuck his hands in his duster pockets as they continued to walk. They walked a whole block without saying a word to the other. Spike was fumbling in his head for words to say. He just needed something that would get her talking. Once she was talking his charm would take over…he smiled at the thought of the two spending time together like they in the kitchen.

Buffy was going through the same problem in her head. She hated silence, it always came before the fight. She didn't want to fight…not after this morning. She could never look at Cheerio's the same again.

"You get enough to eat this morning?" he asked looking at her. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights. "Seems to me we wore more than I saw you eat." he teased.

"No." he pulled his hand and made a gesture to the dinner they were passing, a smile on his face. "Yeah…I mean. I had enough to eat." she said looking back down at the sidewalk.

Spike cursed under his breathe, it seemed like a good idea. They were passing the dinner and if they sat and ate that would mean they would have to talk. What a fucking brilliant plan you wanker.

"Thanks, for asking though." his head whipped up to look at her. She was still looking at the ground. The smile that appeared on his face was contagious and it spread to her. They had finally reached the turning point and he knew it. If he went straight he be heading to school, but if he went left at the end of the block he could walk her home.

"Want I should walk you home, luv?" he asked grabbing her arm to stop her so she would look at him. He had such hope written into his features, Buffy knew it. It was the same look she had seen long ago. When he had kisse-…he was rubbing his thumb up and down her forearm. His eyes held that same expression she had seen him look at Dru with. Oh, no. "Luv?"

She looked like she was thinking it over, that was a good thing right?

Buffy had to be sure she looked at him a little closer, she needed to know.

I feel like a sodden ant under a microscope. Then it hit him! She thinks I'm playing her. "What I mean by walk you home, is wait for you to change so I can walk you to school." he said it sweetly leveling his gaze with hers, to lock eyes.

Why? Why was it the moment they were on friendly terms he wanted to push it. And not just push it, he wanted to take it. Ok even I know that doesn't make sense. What I mean is Can't we just be friends? I'm not really ready for anything else. Especially with Spike, not with rumors about the two floating around. I'll just explain that to him in a nice, calm way and everything will be okay.

"I'd rather kiss Jonathan than spend time with you." she said looking directly into his eyes. Oh my god where did that come from? Spike's eyes flashed confusion just before he yanked his hand off her arm.

"Well I'd rather catch syphilis from Harmony than spend time with you, Betty." he cruelly remarked. She felt hurt. She was going to apologize but not now.

"Then why did you ask?!" She said yelled at him. He met her rage with his own.

"If you went 6's and 7's again like last night I'd be there to make sure…Screw you Summer's!" he yelled when she scrunched up her noise in that cute way she always did when she was mad.

"Real mature Spike." she said watching as he headed straight across the street. He flipped her the bird half way across. "I Hate You!!"

"Right back at you!" he shouted back not looking to see the tears form around the rims of her eyes.

"You already have syphilis!" she said with as much hate as she could muster. He didn't respond, he just kept going.

:

Okay I know I didn't write that much but I thought this was a good place to end this chapter. I hope it wasn't disappointing. I'm writing more so the next chapter is on the way. I just wanted to say thanks 4 the comments, and please keep sending them my way. I pretty much have this story completely planned out. But there has been grumblings with by editor(my cousin who I ask her opinion on how my stories should go). She doesn't like how it's going. So commenting on this chapter would really help me out, in telling her I'm doing a good job telling the story. If I get a lot of, wow that was cool. She'll have to agree to let me write it my way seeing as I'm doing a good job. So please comment, cause I don't want to have to think up a new storyline.