Previously: She sighed and melted into my side more than I thought possible. It was probably the duster; it was after all too big for her.

I smirked and then it was just peaceful silence, not even Willow spoke, as we made our way around the bend to the store for lease.

Chapter 11

'Ah Buffy, Willow. Hello Spike' Giles nodded.

He had been waiting outside the front of the store with the rest of the gang. Xander and Anya looked up and said their hellos. I even got a 'hello Spike' from Xander much to my surprise. Guess he decided being nice was the best way to go. Anya however, ran up and hugged everyone. She was still relieved that her favourite people hadn't died. Once Anya could control herself, Giles asked

'Are we ready to go inside?'

'Sure are!' Willow and Buffy chorused.

They did genuinely seem to be intrigued by the little shop. Giles unlocked the door and we all filed in. It was small and cosy, though a tad bigger than the Magic Box in Sunnydale. There was the feeling that it hadn't been used for anything in a while and it smelt musty. There were boxes placed in the middle of the shop, formed into a circle. Giles walked over and sat down on one of them. He then gestured to everyone to join.

'So what do you think?' he asked.

'I love it!' Willow exclaimed. 'We could deck it out with all sorts of things! We could even have a demonstration area over here.'

Willow ran over to a corner of the shop.

'Where we can show some of the more simpler spells etc.'

'Will, what even makes you think it's gonna be another magic shop?' Xander asked.

Willow frowned, realising that she didn't know if it was going to be a magic shop or not.

'What's the shop for Rupert?' I asked.

Giles took his glasses off and began to clean them.

'Well, I was thinking a coffee shop, but now that Willow has pointed out the potential this place has, I guess it's a magic shop.'

Willow clapped in delight. She skipped over to the rest of us and hugged Giles around the shoulders. Giles was taken aback but accepted the hug.

'Can I work here?' Anya asked.

'Of course you can. I'll need help if I'm to run something this big.' Giles explained.

Rupert had a point there. He was after all, only one person and this store could have up to roughly fifty people in it.

'Now that that's sorted. How did we all sleep?' Giles asked.

There were a few heads nodding and some murmers, Buffy however didn't indicate anything at all.

'Buffy? What about you?' Giles asked.

Buffy obviously didn't want to say what had happened between us, so she simply said

'No not really. I never sleep well after saving the world. It's just a slayer thing I guess'

Everybody seemed to buy it, though I knew really what had kept her awake. I inwardly smiled to myself as I recalled the event. Buffy was so soft and warm. It was just how I had pictured it, only we did things that a normal couple wouldn't even dream of.

I had sat down on an empty crate and made myself at home, zoning out and daydreaming while the scoobies had their little get together. I quickly snapped back to the present as something heavy landed in my lap.

'The ground's cold and there's nowhere else to sit' Buffy said.

'Make yourself at home pet' I remarked.

Buffy intended to sit there, and I wasn't about to push her away. Every moment with her was valuable. After a while Buffy slowly began to relax and lean into my chest. I was about to wrap my arms around her middle when I looked across from us and saw that Xander was staring. I smirked and wrapped my arms around Buffy as Xander's eyes grew wide. He could stare all he wanted, I was right where I wanted to be.

'So Buffy? Are you up to patrol tonight? Get your bearings with a new city?' Giles asked.

Buffy and I knew that she needed sleep but she agreed.

'Someone's gotta teach the demons here a lesson' she stated.

'Right then. Well Buffy will patrol tonight and tomorrow Willow will take Dawn to her new school.' Giles declared.

Buffy was about to argue, but Willow cut in.

'Dawn's school is just a block away from where I'm starting classes Buff. It's ok, I'll take her.'

Buffy understood and silently thanked Willow. Dawn however did not looked impressed. I guessed it had something to do with the whole going to school part.

'Well, it's getting late and I think we could all do with rest' Giles said as he stood.

Everyone else followed suit and we filed back out the door. We said goodnight to everyone and Willow promised Buffy that she would babysit Dawn until she got back. Buffy nodded. She knew there was no way I was going to not patrol with her, especially in a new town, especially when she should be sleeping.

The others walked away, back to their awaiting beds. Buffy turned to me.

'You know, you don't have to come. I can handle myself'

'I know pet. But I am not leaving you alone in a new place. Who knows what kinds of nasties live here'

'It's not gonna work Spike.'

'What?'

'You are not going to get into my bed, whether or not you come with me tonight'

'Wasn't intending to love'

'Sure. Well I guess we better go, c'mon.'

And with that we both headed off into the big city, ready to attack what ever demon came our way. Buffy walking in front, me walking behind her. Every once in a while I did get bored and so I would stare at her ass. It wasn't that I was shallow; it was just that it was nicely shaped and it could entertain me for hours. As could the rest of her.

We had just walked two blocks when Buffy turned to me and threw me a stake.

'Dunno if you had one on you. We might end up needing these though.'

'That so pet?'

'Just in case' she said.

It made good sense. I had forgotten to pick up a stake or whatever I could get my hands on that would class as a stake. Good thing she remembered them.

We rounded the block and came face to face with a group of vampires. All of them none the wiser.

'I could really get used to this town' I smiled.

Tonight was just about to get interesting.