Buffy sighed and rolled her shoulders, tossing him an impish grin. He shook his head and grabbed her hand. Fighting the demons had been easy compared to this. Hell, making Buffy wear the sling for a day after she went and got her shoulder skewered on a yeti horn to save him had been easier than this.
"No need to tell them right away, Pet. We can ease into it." He took a deep breath. It would just about kill him, but he couldn't force her. He forced a smile. "We're just here to drop off the gas guzzler. Our stuff is all stashed at your mum's. No need to shock them all silly."
"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds." Buffy grinned at his shocked expression and stuck her tongue out at him. "I do read, ya know. And, I didn't forget your monster in the closet statement. I love you. I'm not ashamed of us, and I won't hide. Plus, I'm kinda curious about what happened here while we were gone."
"Watcher was up to something. It's why he sent us away." He pulled her tight to his body and wrapped his arms around her.
"Yeah, there is no way he was playing match maker." Buffy grinned and stroked his cheek, a whisper on his skin. For all that strength he loved so much, it was her tenderness that brought him to his knees every time. She was his miracle. He closed his eyes and let the wonder of her flow through him.
"Just want to be kissing you at midnight, start the new year right." He enjoyed the desire that scented the air at his words. "We could just leave the car here."
Buffy pulled his tee aside and kissed his neck, making him instantly hard.
"I love you, Spike. I'm not going to hide it. Plus, it's like four in the morning. We've got plenty of time before New Year's." She giggled and bolted for her watcher's door. He shook his head and followed after her. His kitten liked to play.
She went still and held up one hand, signaling him to keep quiet. Her demeanor changed, kitten to cat in one moment. He approached quietly and stood beside her, rolling his eyes in irritation.
"I still can not comprehend what prompted you to send her off with Spike." The poof was complaining.
"She needed back up, a driver, and I needed everyone else here. Spike was available. His inability to harm humans would have been a liability here and his presence would have made the situation far more volatile." The watcher sounded irritated. "It was the logical solution."
"Spike wouldn't help her. He kills slayers. No chip is gonna change that." Angel growled. "If we're lucky, she'll have staked him."
"I'm with Deadboy on this one, Giles." Xander groused. "Best case scenario, she staked him. I'm hoping it was a dusty Christmas."
"Lusty Christmas, more like." Spike whispered and smiled down at Buffy. She shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Buffy will be here any minute." The irritation in Giles' voice was blooming into anger. "You can take up your myriad complaints with her then."
Buffy leaned her head against his chest, rubbed the leather of his duster, and took several deep breaths.
"If I kill them all, will you help me hide the bodies?" She pulled back and smiled impishly at him.
"Can I drain 'em first?" He grinned as she nodded. "Best head in there, Love. Your massacre awaits."
Buffy giggled, grabbed his hand, and opened the door. Every eye in the room fastened on them. She leaned back against his chest. Spike sensed the tension in her and knew her attention was focused on the strangers in the room. He sensed two unknowns and joined his mate in assessing the strange man sitting where her watcher usually did. The woman in the kitchen would have to wait.
"Buffy." The watcher stood and looked at her, relieved. "You look lovely."
"Spike bought it for me at the lodge." She stroked the arm of her green, cashmere turtle neck, and patted her carefully braided chignon. "He did my hair as well."
"Playing ladies maid again, Spike?" Angel sneered.
"Leave him alone, Angel. Why are you even here?" Buffy glared at the room. "What the hell went on here while I was gone?"
"You let Spike touch your hair?" Xander glared at her. "Why was there touching?"
"Let is the so very much the wrong word. Encouraged, enjoyed, begged. Spike can do my hair anytime." Buffy smiled.
Angel was moving in an instant. He snarled and grabbed her shoulder, trying to yank her away from Spike. She flinched as his fingers dug into her healing flesh. The pain brought tears to her eyes. Slayer healing was great, but her shoulder was still sore from the battle with the abominable snow demons. She jerked her arm free as Spike flattened Angel against the wall.
"Keep your hands off, Peaches." His eyes flashed and he tossed the older vampire to the floor. "She was gored and doesn't need you dragging her about like your very own rag doll. She isn't yours."
"She isn't yours either, Spike." Xander shoved up from the couch and headed toward them.
"Yeah, I am." Buffy held up her left hand, showing off her ring. The room went perfectly still.
Movement returned first. Xander's mouth opened and closed like a guppy's. Giles was polishing his glasses ferociously. It was all very amusing.
"A ring means nothing. It's just cold metal." Angel smirked up at them.
"There are lots of things that mean very little to you." Buffy shook her head. "Makes so much sense, really, it does. Just a bit of metal."
"So, Captain Peroxide got you a ring?" Xander made a face. "You can't be serious. This is a joke. You're mad cause we sent you away, right? So, you are making with the so not funny."
"No, I'm happy you sent us away. It gave us the time we needed to find out what was real. It was of the good. Everything is simple." She smiled. "I love him and he loves me."
"Willow, what did you do?" Xander turned to face the red haired witch.