AN: Some of the dialogue was taken from the episode, Dirty Girls.

She'd slammed the door in Giles' face, but it still didn't satisfy her anger. He may not have understood her love for Spike, but she'd made it clear that she did love him, and that should have been enough. It was more than that he'd put Spike at risk. That was something she'd never fully forgive, but the other part of it was, after all these years, after all that she'd done, Giles didn't trust her instincts. Maybe he didn't understand her like he thought he did. When she'd needed him most, he left for England, thinking it would be best for her to gain independence. Had it not been for Spike, Buffy wasn't sure where she would be now. With the First, she was in the battle of her life, uncertain of so many facets, but now Giles was questioning what she did know to be true: Spike was an asset.

Yeah, so she liked Spike around, a lot, but he was a fighter and would never give up on her. It was more than she could say of the rest of them. They'd all doubted her at some part over the years, and that was to be expected when fighting for your life, except for him. Even when they were battling against each other, Spike never doubted her potential. He challenged her, pushed her, but never doubted that she'd triumph. That, more than anything, had helped bring her back to life.

After they'd gotten home, she hadn't been in the mood for conversation. She brushed past the others without as much as a 'hello' or 'goodnight,' even though she suspected none of them had been in on the deceit. Leading Spike by the hand, she'd stormed into her bedroom, kicked out the group of girls congregated there, and kissed him until her head felt dizzy from lack of air. He'd chuckled, telling her he was fine, better even, but she'd kissed him again and again, until she'd realized she was on top of him and he'd alleviated them both of their clothes.

Giles had knocked on the door, argument already on his lips, saying Spike's loss was ultimately for the greater good, so Buffy threw on her robe, left her hair and make-up as is, and allowed Giles in the room only so far as so he could spot Spike and smell the hint of sex in the air. Mouth open, words failed him, and so Buffy told him that he'd made a choice and now she was making hers. Boom, door slammed.

One hand still on the door, she couldn't help the tears that threatened to spill as she remained turned away from Spike, but his damn vamp senses must have alerted him, or maybe it was simply her demeanor, but he'd come up behind her and held her close. She'd twisted around in his arms, thrown her arms around his neck, and sobbed; for the loss that she suffered, for what she had almost lost, and for what she would lose, despite her most valiant efforts. It was as though seven years of grief escaped at once.

She lay next to him now, sidled up as close as she could, breathing in the scent of him. He had one hand in hers, the other draped around her waist, as she traced a finger down his cheekbone. He did seem lighter, more confident, but Buffy wished it had been won on his own terms. Before sleep took over, she thought, if they couldn't all stand united, at least she still had him.

When this was all over, Buffy was going on vacation. She'd fly off to Europe, Dawn probably along with her, maybe Willow and Tara and Xander and Anya too, but definitely Spike, and during the mornings and early afternoons, she'd lock herself away in her hotel room with her vampire and spend hours upon hours making up for lost time and basking in his presence and this sweet solace and for not having a life or death mission interrupting. As the sky darkened, she would slip outside, dragging Spike all across the continent, making him tell her everything he knew about the history and the sites and the culture and it would be bliss. Until then, she'd have to open her eyes and face another day on the hellmouth.

Arguing could already be heard from the kitchen. Buffy groaned as she opened her eyes, but instead of the blank, white wall of her ceiling that she'd expected, she faced twin, sparkling blue eyes staring down at her.

"Creep much?" She scoffed, but made no effort to move.

"G'morning to you too, luv."

"No one said anything about a good morning."

"Both still here, aren't we?"

"Ever the optimist, lover."

Spike purred at that, leaning down and closing the distance as his lips met hers. Mmm, this was definitely the best way to wake up. She reluctantly pulled away as the arguing got louder.

"Did Andrew somehow get that camera back?" She muttered as she sat up in bed.

"Think Demon-girl got a hold of it."

"Ugh, I don't want to know why."

"Unless it has something to do with the Whelp, I wouldn't mind- Ah-"

Buffy punched him for that, placed a kiss upon the spot she'd slightly maimed on his shoulder, and stood up.

"Can't we hide the day away in here? 'T's what I plan to do. Much more fun if you join me."

Thinking once more of 'some day,' Buffy smiled at him.

"Gotta put out fires downstairs before work calls," she paused. "I spend far too much time with adolescents."

Spike growled.

"What's the what?"

"Still working for that bugger?"

"Wood happens to be there and happens to be my boss," she gave him a lock as he scoffed, "So technically, I guess, yes I still work for him, but-"

"Think you have more'n an excuse to call hooky. Could get him to pay for-"

"I need an excuse to get away from those girls," at his suggestive leering, she giggled and continued, "that somehow still constitutes as being a functional living being."

Spike laid back down against his pillow, cuddling into the blankets, and she almost gave in, but he probably knew that.

He said, "Not living. Don't have to be functional."

Buffy threw the other pillow at him, sighed, then stepped out into the real world.

Wood wasn't at work and Buffy was glad of not having to endure an awkward exchange. He'd been bloodied and beaten, nothing more than he deserved, so she suspected he didn't want his students to see him like that. It was a quiet day, both from students and any hellmouth activity, and she'd soaked up all the quiet she could before calling it a day. She'd called to check in at the house multiple times during the day, to make sure that Spike was okay and that Giles stayed far away from her bedroom. Willow had promised on all occasions that Spike was fine, still sleeping, dirtying the living room with mugs of blood as he played video games with Xander, training the girls in the basement, and finally napping in her room. It was that promise that lured her home eventually, but when she stepped through the door, she came face-to-face with a jittery vampire who practically dragged her back outside.

Buffy did little to argue as she could hear the arguments from the front porch and suspected a little couple slaying would do her heart good. Few normal vampires and demons remained out in the open these days, but they'd had fun keeping score until Spike had taken off after a particularly agile female-vamp. She'd let him enjoy his free-range sprint until she spotted an unwelcome sight take him down. Wonderful, another person trying to take down her man.

Not sorry at all, she said, "Sorry, Faith. I didn't realize that was you."

Faith smirked. "It's all right, B. Luckily, you still punch like you used to."

Rolling her eyes, Buffy turned to Spike and helped him up. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Terrific," he groaned.

Faith said, "Are you protecting vampires? Are you the bad slayer now? Am I the good slayer now?"

"He's with me," Buffy said. "He has a soul."

"Oh, he's like Angel?"

Spike scoffed. "No."

Rolling her eyes again, Buffy said, "Sort of."

"I am nothing like Angel."

"He fights on my side. Which is more than I can say for some of us."

"Yeah, well if he's so good," Faith argued, "what's he doing chasing down defenseless-"

Buffy saw the vampire jump up and approach Faith, but she didn't do anything to stop the blow. Looking at Spike, she smirked, but he was frowning, lost in his own head.

"That's one of the bad guys."

As Faith fought the vampire, she said, "You should make 'em wear a sign. May I?" She took the stake from Buffy. "Thanks.

Spike piped up, "Angel's dull as a table lamp. And we have very different coloring."

Sighing, Buffy turned back to Faith.

"Okay, catching up. Anything else I gotta know?"

"Nice to have you back," and Buffy felt like she almost meant it.

They'd made it home with little talking. The good mood she'd riled up when slaying sizzled as Buffy caught up Faith about the First and Faith told her about the Potential in the hospital. It all seemed endless, and now Spike was silent again, probably coming up with arguments as to how un-Angel-like he was, which he was undoubtedly saving for later. Leaving Faith's arrangements in Giles' hands, without so much as a glance in his direction, Buffy advanced upon the lack of arguing and relative silence throughout the house, and headed to bed. She wasn't particularly hungry and she was wondering how she could prevent Spike's rambling against Angel without a fight when he closed the bedroom door behind them and kissed her. Oh, so he preferred to show her how unlike Angel he was. She wasn't one to argue and just like that, her tension decreased.

It didn't matter the amount of things Buffy had on her list filed under "worse than…" being fired still sucked. The principal, not quite recovered, had made it into work and decided she was no longer needed. She should have seen that coming, but to be honest, she didn't think he'd work up the courage. Pouting, she opened her bedroom door, hoping to find Spike participating in a mid-day nap, and found it empty.

He wasn't in the living room or the kitchen, and though the basement sounded quiet, she tried there anyway. Faith was looking a little too cozy curled up on the cot next to Spike. Stopping at the bottom, she crossed her arms, and tried to look judgmental without jealousy. Inside, her stomach was rolling with jealousy, but neither of them had to know that. If she thought about it, and Buffy was so not going there right now, Spike and Faith had a lot of similarities that might make them a good match. Buffy shook her head and decided, firmly, opposites were better in relationships.

Good vampire, Buffy thought, as Spike hopped off the cot and approached her. She allowed him to brush his lips against hers, welcoming her home, but sent a glare in Faith's direction. "The Bird and I needed a bit of an escape from the girls. You understand?"

She did, but she wasn't letting them off that easy.

"Why aren't you at work, Luv."

She also wasn't allowing him to change the subject, mostly because she didn't want to admit she'd been fired in front of Faith.

"Thought there were more important matters to handle at home."

Spike's eyes twinkled in understanding, but at least he had enough common sense to not say anything. Faith stood up and cleared her throat.

"Willow's at the hospital if-"

"Stopped there on my way home actually. She's awake and went over everything with Will."

Faith opened and closed her mouth. "Alright then. I'll just-" She gestured to the stairs.

"Actually, you can have the basement. Spike and I are going upstairs to-"

Dawn's voice called down the stairs. "Buffy?"

"Yeah?"

"Willow's back from the hospital. Said she wants to go over everything."

Buffy sighed. "Soon."

Both Faith and Spike issued her a confused look, but she didn't have time to explain. Spike, maybe, someday soon, but definitely not to Faith. She took his hand, grasping it harder than she normally would, and guided them upstairs.

The plan had not been perfect, the girls not ready, and they'd suffered so many injuries. They weren't fighting as a team, which was hardly surprising considering so many of them were divided. The Potentials had noticed the tension between Buffy and Giles and appeared to split down the middle, choosing sides. Xander had nearly lost an eye, but last minute, Spike had knocked him to the side and kicked Caleb in the groin. It had given them mere seconds to escape before further damage occurred.

Buffy couldn't sleep, alarmed once again, how her powers seemed inferior to that of the pastor, as it had against the uber-vamp in the beginning. Her body was thrumming in unalleviated fear and desire to defend. The people she loved the most were being threatened, again, and she had no idea how to prevent it. Every second, there seemed to be an even larger threat looming. Threats that either held super super power or were incorporeal. She gripped Spike's forearm to anchor herself as her thoughts swirled. She knew he wasn't asleep either, but he simply placed a kiss on her head and held her closer. If ever she needed his faith in her, it was now.