A/N: So, turns out that NaNoWriMo actually makes me worse at posting…my mind got distracted by other story ideas. Thankfully, now the madness is over, I can concentrate on my WIP's again..this story will be finished even if it takes me another year!

Buffy and Co are not mine.

Anyway, I'll let you get to it…

Chapter Twelve: Sugar, We're Going Down

We eventually left the apartment, Spike in his work clothes, and me in the same outfit that I had been wearing yesterday. We walked to his work where he introduced me to Charles Gunn, who was apparently being a sort of bodyguard for me until we figured out how Angel had worked out where Willow and I lived.

I said goodbye to Spike, and left him working while Charles accompanied me home. He explained that he and Spike had met when he had to throw Spike out of the club where he worked as a bouncer.

Spike had returned the next night, sober, and apologising for his behaviour the night before. The two had got chatting, and Charles had offered his services if Spike ever felt he needed them.

That had been the last time either had seen the other until Spike had called about Buffy. Gunn had accepted immediately. He waited outside while I got changed, and escorted me back to the bookshop.

Spike greeted the pair of us with a relieved smile.

"Nothing happened that I need to know about I hope?" he asked.

Gunn shook his head.

"No incidents at all," he reported, "There was no one following us"

Spike grinned.

"Good to hear," he replied, pulled me in for a hug and sniffed my hair. I smiled. It had been so long since someone worried about me in a healthy manner.

"So, what do you want me to do today, boss?" I asked cheekily.

Spike laughed.

"I've paired you with Tara again, you two seem to be my dream team," he replied, nodding to Tara where she was serving at the till.

I made my way over.

"Hey Tara," I greeted, "How are you today?"

Tara gave me a warm smile.

"Fine thanks Buffy, how are you?" she returned.

"Yeah, I'm good thanks." I replied.

The companionable conversation continued as I began to serve customers alongside her, occasionally asking for help when I didn't know the answer to a query. Tara always patiently explained the relevant response to me. After a while, I noticed Gunn had left, and wondered why he hadn't said goodbye.

Spike came over to see us once or twice, but generally kept his distance, which made me feel much more comfortable. I looked over at him and smiled every so often.

Tara caught me every time and giggled. After a few times of this happening, I casually brought up Willow, and watched as her face began to flush a shade of beetroot.

It was now my turn to laugh, as her feelings towards Willow were so plainly obvious. By the end of the day, I rarely needed Tara's help, but the conversation kept the time ticking by at a reasonable rate.

The end of the day came, and I was last to leave, as I stayed with Spike to help him shut the shop. Spike insisted he walk me home, and we reached my front door in record time.

We shared a brief kiss and said our goodnights, before I headed inside, locking the door behind me.

SPOV

I reluctantly left Buffy at her home, and began heading to mine. After a couple of moments, I had the feeling I was being followed, so I stopped, and turned to look behind me. Angel appeared from the shadows, smirking.

"What do you want?" I asked irritably.

"That little blonde bitch that used to be mine would be a nice start," he replied, "But maybe smashing your stupid face in will make me feel a little better."

His fist swung towards my face, and then everything went dark.

End Note: Okay, this is much shorter than I wanted it to be, but I'd rather post than have it sat in my documents. Hoping to update again soon