Author's Note: Hey everyone! Thanks so, so much for the reviews :D I hope I can keep the story plausible as I get further into the plot. Also, at the end of the week I finish my summer job, so I'm hoping that will speed up the writing. Again, thank you all so much for the feedback! Enjoy :)

(cut to Spike and Buffy doing the deed in the basement on his cot, with Spike on top. After a few seconds, Buffy climaxes and Spike rolls over to lie next to her. They are both breathing hard)

Buffy: (trying to catch her breath) I have to say…I still prefer a bed…to the great outdoors.

Spike: (smiles, semi-out of breath) Wouldn't quite call this a bed love.

Buffy: (chuckles) still beats lying on the ground.

(Spike lies on his side, facing Buffy, who continues to lie on her back. He strokes her arm gently)

Buffy: (looks over at him) But I can't exactly complain…(coyly) making up for lost times…

Spike: (smiles) Other men not up to par?…Can't say as I'm surprised.

Buffy: What's that supposed to mean?

Spike: Admit it slayer, I was your best.

Buffy: How do you figure?

Spike: Let's see. A vampire against your standard lot of humans? Not much of a contest if you ask me—(smiles evilly) doubt they had the stamina.

Buffy: And you think you have stamina?

Spike: Bloody right I do.

Buffy: (smiles) Prove it.

(They resume kissing, and um, you know, it goes from there…)

(cut to Buffy and Spike some time later. Buffy is laying on her side, wrapped in Spike's arms. They're both half asleep. They readjust positions and now Buffy is lying on Spike's chest)

(Buffy smiles, now happily nestled against his chest, and closes her eyes)

(They both hear a loud grumbling sound)

Buffy: (eyes still closed, frowing) Was that your stomach?

Spike: (eyes also closed) Just a bit peckish is all. Out of blood.

Buffy: (opens her eyes, looks at him) Why didn't you tell me?

(Spike mumbles something indiscriminant into his pillow)

Buffy: (sighs, now awake) Well tomorrow I'll buy you some pints of pig's blood

(Buffy gets up, sits on edge of bed)

Buffy: (grossed out) …okay even I can't make that sound appealing…

Spike: (still sleepily mumbling against his pillow) Trust me, it's not.

Buffy: In that case, I'll get you some not-so-appealing pig's blood tomorrow.

Spike: (more awake now) Well seeing as how tomorrow is still a few hours away, I suppose you're off to some other rendezvous?

Buffy: My bed. Even with slayer strength, this thing is killing my back.

Spike: (sitting up) Think I can fix that…(he begins rubbing Buffy's back)

(Buffy turns her head and kisses Spike)

Buffy: You're only making this harder. (after a beat) And on that note, I'm going to leave…before you turn that into a sexual innuendo.

Spike: I'm much too sophisticated for that. (shrugs) …speaks for itself really.

Buffy: (Buffy stands up, leans down to kiss Spike once more, caressing his cheek) love you.

(Spike holds onto her as long as he can as she slowly moves away. As she leaves, he follows her with his eyes)

[Scene: Buffy is seen walking up the second floor stairs and going down the hallway. As she passes Willow's room she notices the light is still on]

Buffy: (peaking her head in) Will? You still awake?

Willow: Uh, yeah. All this pre-apocalyptic planning…can't really get to sleep.

Buffy: Tell me about it (sits down on the bed, facing Willow)

Willow: All this old school save-the-world has got me thinking though… maybe those cheesy inspirational movies are right. Carpe diem, you know? Seize the day…and stuff. I mean, you never know when a demon, or a hell god, or a bunch of high school rejects are going to try to end the world.

(Buffy is staring into the distance as she listens)

Willow: (looks up at Buffy nervously, then her eyes darts back down) Um, which reminds, me. Uh, Buffy…I've kind of been meaning to talk to you about some carpe diem.

(Buffy looks at her confused)

Willow: Madison and I…well, we've kind of…been thinking about…moving in together.

(Willow looks up at Buffy, nervous for her reaction…Buffy does look surprised)

Willow: But, uh, don't, don't worry…she wouldn't be moving in here or anything. I'd probably—and I, I know I said that after my last few…flings, I'd try to take things slow…but, but I think I have. I mean, Madison's the first person I've really cared about since…and we're kind of in the same place, you know?

Buffy: (in a restrained tone) Will, that's great (hugs her)

Willow: (mid hug) It is? I mean, you're okay with this?

Buffy: (breaking away from the hug) Yeah, yeah, of course.

(Beat of silence, as Willow smiles and Buffy looks down semi-somberly)

Buffy: Will…could I…ask you a question?

Willow: Uh, besides the one you just asked me? Yeah, of course.

Buffy: You um, you ever think about the future? Like…where you're…going in life?

Willow: Considering you're talking to pretty much former Miss Overachiever of Sunnydale High…yeah. If I didn't spend most of my time thinking about the future, my brain would melt.

Buffy: (chuckles half-heartedly) I mean, like…with you and Madison. Do you ever think…about what the future will be like?

Willow: Yeah, of course. That's why I want to do this. But, uh, Buffy, if you're not okay with it, I could—

Buffy: No, no, uh, Will, I'm really happy for you. I am. I just wanted to know…do you ever…think about the future…with her.

Willow: Like marriagey future? Getting fat and babies future? Uhm, in the long run, yeah, I do. I mean for every relationship you always kind of wonder, you know-what could be (Buffy makes eye-contact, then looks down) And with Madison, I…I really love her, so I'm starting to think that….what could be, will be…eventually.

(Buffy looks down, kind of sad)

Willow: (frowns) Buffy, are you okay—is something wrong?

Buffy: If I tell you something…could, could you promise not to wig out (after a beat) or tell anyone else?

Willow: As long as you're not about to tell me what goes great with fava beans and a nice chianti, I think I'll be okay.

(Buffy frowns, confused)

Willow: Xander was watching Silence of the Lambs…guessing you're not a cannibal though

Buffy: Sorry to disappoint. (beat, Buffy looks down) It's just, um, Spike and I…we, uh…well, we sort of…got back together (looks up at Willow, nervous)

Willow: Like together, together?

Buffy: Yeah…

Willow: Wow, uh—

Buffy: …and I think…(stops short) I think I really love him. I…I know I do.

Willow: Buffy. I know you said you were going to talk to him, but…are you sure about this?

(Buffy looks at her guiltily)

Willow: H-how does Spike feel about all this?

(Buffy gives her a "come on" look)

Willow: (quietly)…Probably a dumb question.

(quick beat)

Buffy: But it's not like before, or anything like that—he's got the soul now for one. And I'm in a much better place. (pauses) It's just…I'm not the type of girl to have a five year plan or anything like that, but sometimes I do think…about the future I mean. And, with Spike, it's kind of difficult.

(Willow frowns, confused)

Buffy: I mean, the whole him not aging thing for starters. That's going to be awkward when I'm all old and…ew, while he looks exactly the same…Plus, someday I do want to, you know, start a family. And that's kind of a non-option with him.

Willow: Buffy…I'm not really sure I can help you out in that department—I mean, you should probably talk with him about these things. (Buffy looks visibly disappointed) But…Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I'm a lesbian, (Buffy gives her a "huh?" expression) and last time I checked woman plus woman doesn't exactly equal baby. It's not the end of the world.

Buffy: Thanks Will.

Willow: Although…

Buffy: What?

Willow: I can't exactly imagine Spike changing diapers and holding babies…I mean without eating them.