A/N: I'm sure someone is going to say something about Spike's hair… just play along it's for fun people. We have bigger fish to fry.

Thanks to my awesome Beta Geliot99

The trip into the Edinburgh underground had been uneventful. Spike had taken a stake and a crossbow with him in the hopes of getting in a little slaying but so far he hadn't had much luck. He encountered the usual crowd of demons and half-demon folks he normally did when he came into town. It was night so the streets were much busier than they had been when he and Buffy had been there during the day. Spike was intent on making the trip as quickly as possible but he still had things to do. A trip to the barbershop was first.

He strode boldly into the barbershop where one demon sat in a barber chair with a towel wrapped around his face while having his horns ground down. Another demon on his left was getting a haircut. A third barber with dark chocolate coloured skin wearing an old fashioned orange and white striped button down shirt, like a member of a barbershop quartet greeted him. Spike noticed that the three barbers were identical, triplets if he had to guess, but he wouldn't have been surprised if there was a fourth hanging around.

The perfectly quaffed barber smoothed his black handlebar mustache, came over to him. "How can I help you?"

"Due for a trim and a touch up on the roots I imagine. Got a look to maintain. Gone a bit long as it is."

Yellow, cat-like eyes assessed Spike, "Ah yes, too many vampires just let themselves go. I'll have to wash out that gel you know."

"No kidding," he fussed with the back of his hair breaking apart a few of the slicked back curls that had been annoying him, "Yeah, figured you'd say that."

"Have a seat," the demon barber gestured towards the chair furthest from the door in front of a sink. Spike sat and allowed the barber to wrap a cape around him before getting started with a quick rinse to get the gel out without actually washing it, "Haven't seen you around, just visiting?"

"Just sort of moved back with my lady. Not really much for the small talk."

"Typical vampire."

"You wouldn't say that if you met my old tumble. Talk your ear off, that one would."

The barber gave an unproportionately hardy laugh, "Ohwell, opposites attract and all that." He said, indicating he was finished with a tap on Spike's shoulder and attacking his head with a clean towel as he forced him into a sitting position with practiced swiftness. Then guided him into an empty chair to start on his haircut.

"So where'd you move from?"

"Been in LA for a bit."

"Heard there was a bit of trouble over there not long ago. Might be an unpopular opinion but I for one was glad the whole world didn't go to hell. We rather like a nice balance around here; don't we fellas?"

There is a general grumble of noncommittal agreement.

"You're welcome. Always nice to meet fans."

"What's that?"

"Forget it," he grumbled.

"You travel a lot then?"

"Been doing a bit lately."

"I always wanted to travel. But not us, we've been here nearly our entire lives, haven't we boys?"

The other two brothers murmured their agreement in unison.

"Been just about everywhere I ever wanted to go and then some."

The barber set his tools down. Picked up a brush to clean the fallen hair off of Spike's shoulders, "Ready for the bleach or do you want to see it first?" He paused awkwardly, "I mean I'll get the camera."

Spike ran a hand over his hair feeling the length. As annoying as this guy was, he had to hand it to him. He was very quick which sort of made up for it, "Feels good. Get on with it then."

This was the part that Spike knew he would get annoyed with. Bleach tended to take longer than a haircut; he sat through the barbers endless prattling as he worked. Applying the bleach took no time at all. It never did. The part that took time was letting it set. Spike ignored most of what the barber had to say and directed his attention to the conversations going on between the other Demons and the two other much less chatty barbers. He always preferred listening to talking. He tended to find out more that way. Although these guys didn't really seem to have a lot to say that didn't reinforce what Spike had already gathered from the other demons in the area. For the most part they were a fairly peaceful lot, as far as demons went.

When the barber was finally finished he went over and pulled a Polaroid camera down off of a shelf, "Ready to take a look?"

"Yeah alright."

The barber snapped a picture and removed the photo from the camera, waving it before handing it to him. Spike gave the photo a critical look before pocketing it. Maybe he should get Buffy a new camera. At least they'd have pictures of themselves and he could stop wondering what he looked like half the time, especially after a fight.

"You're taking the photo?" The barber asked, indicating a wall of pictures, mostly vampires, behind him.

"Nah, I'll take this. Didn't crawl out of my grave this century, mate. Besides, I bet my lady would get a good laugh out of it, don't really have any pictures. Thanks for the do," he said, pulling out his wallet and slapping some money down.

It wasn't long before he made his way into Steve's bar. He'd already spent enough time at the barbershop so when he got there he simply flagged Steve down.

"Spike, what'll it be?"

"Just come to get my bike, still where I left it?"

"Threw a tarp over it because some wanker came in nosing about it and the scabbard on the side."

"Glad the Mrs took the blade home then. Bike is alright though right?"

Steve raised his eyebrows, deep lines forming across his forehead somehow emphasized the large rams horns curling out of his curly hair and around the sides of his head, "The Mrs? I didn't see a ring."

"Don't get hung up on it man, I'm working on it. Got one in mind, just gotta get down to London for it. You got my bike?"

"Sure, seemed fine when I checked on it last. I didn't think your kind usually did the marriage thing," Steve seemed genuinely curious.

"A few here and there, got a friend in Paris married to a chef, both vampires. Run a cabaret. If Buffy wants to make it official, I'll make it official. I'm not going anywhere either way so it makes no difference to me. Oh go on then, pour me a shot of whiskey would you?"

"Just when I think I've got you figured out."

"Yeah, I'm full of surprises."

"I don't like vampires, but you, I'm starting to come around to you."

"I don't like most vampires either so it works out."

"Look, I don't know how you came about that bike but those fellas who were poking about seemed awfully interested. Watch yourself, you got it?"

Spike knocked back the shot Steve poured for him, "Ta, Steve-o."

Spike found the bike just as Steve said he would, under a tarp behind the pub in pristine condition. "Hello beautiful," he purred to the vintage Triumph before pulling the key out of his pocket. It was in great condition but given the way he had acquired the bike he was wondering if maybe he should have it repainted. The glossy dark-blue was striking but he'd always been partial to red and black. He got on the bike and started heading out of town.

He was nearly halfway home when something caught his eye. A rope pulled tight across the tunnel. He wouldn't have seen it at all if there hadn't been a light behind it further down the tunnel. As it was, he barely had time to lay the bike down into a skid. The rope scraped against the leather of his duster as he slid under it and he growled in pain as his body slid across the floor of the tunnel and away from his bike. The momentum sent him rolling uncontrollably until he smacked hard into the brick wall of the tunnel with a loud crack that reverberated off of the walls. He had hit on the same side that had grated along the floor of the tunnel.

Spike pulled himself up panting in pain. He turned his head looking for his bike now laying several paces away. His leg didn't just hurt; it felt like it had been through a meat grinder. What was left of his pant leg was in tatters, the skin probably was too.

In the darkness two figures came towards him. Spike put on his game face to see better. Demons. One was moving oddly, probably retrieving the rope Spike thought to himself. As they came a little closer he could tell that they were big burly bruisers, the same kind as the one he and Buffy had killed in Edinburgh.

"What's a matter , boys?" He gasped, "Did I take your friend's toy? He wasn't going to be using it with his head lopped off you know."

"We don't care about the ride. We want the blade."

"Sorry, I haven't got it."

"You'll take us to it then."

"No, I really don't think so," he laughed. Then he drew out the little crossbow, and fired. It hit the smaller of the two demons in the chest but it did little more than piss him off. "Ah well it was worth a shot."

Spike adjusted his stance, he was hurt but that had never stopped him before. He cracked his neck and adjusted his stance favoring his mutilated leg. His hip and shoulder were protesting as well and he was sure he had a few broken bones but he was determined to ignore it all. "I've been itching for a good tussle, don't disappoint me fellas," he growled.

The first demon came up fast carrying a cricket bat and swung hard. Spike dodged the first hit, a stabbing pain shot through his leg, up into his hip, and he stumbled as the second blow hit him in the ribs. Spike grabbed the bruiser by the shoulders slamming him head first into the wall. He screamed in equal parts pain and anger as he kicked him in the stomach and delivered a punch to his jaw, knocking the demon to the ground.

The second bruiser suddenly took the rope they had used to knock him off the bike and lassoed Spike from behind. The demon pulled it tightly around Spike's legs, yanking him off balance. He fell to the ground, landing on his already injured side. The stake Spike had been carrying fell out of his coat pocket and rolled just out of reach as he struggled for leverage. The first demon scrambled to his feet and stalked towards Spike.

The demon picked up the stake grinning a hideous grin, "A vampire that carries the means to his own end, eh? Now I've seen everything."

Spike twisted, gathering a small pile of dust and debris from the tunnel floor and threw it into the demon's eyes. He tried to use the distraction to free himself but the second demon still holding the rope, gave a hard yank pulling him several feet.

Suddenly, without any sound or warning, the two demons were slammed flat against the tunnel wall. "Dishonorable fiends!" an angry voice called with a screeching hiss from behind Spike. He twisted to see who it was and tried to push himself up. The voice was female but it certainly wasn't Willow.

"W- what the hell!" The first demon sputtered.

"Silence, filth!" The voice bellowed. The demon suddenly slid from the wall to the ceiling and the second one followed. Spike could see them better now. The skin on their faces had been pushed back as though they were in a jet. The demon's arms flipped up on their own accord with a sickening snap and Spike knew the bones had broken.

The slight figure of a very petite woman, even smaller than Buffy, stopped beside Spike. In a much softer tone she spoke to him, "Bond-mate of the Slayer, can you stand?"

"I- ehh… bond-mate? Hang on a tic. Lilias?"

"It is. I am sorry if I have offended you, but I could not stand by and witness their treachery any longer. Can you stand, vampire?"

Spike managed to get himself untangled from the rope and struggled to pull himself back into a standing position before answering with a huff, "I'm peachy."

"You are injured."

"Yeah sure I am, I—"

He was cut off when the two demons' necks suddenly snapped and they fell to the floor with a dull thud.

Spike's eyes grew wide, "Bloody hell. I thought Buffy said you had some sort of water magic," he said as he turned to look at her properly and realized suddenly that she had her son strapped to her chest. He was fast asleep in the carrier they had given them.

"I do. I was controlling the water in their bodies."

He quickly composed himself, deciding it was best to be conversational. She had just saved him after all. "Impressive. How's ah— how's the little tyke been?"

"My son? Ah yes, Aftyn is quite well, thank you. Again, I am sorry if I have offended you—"

"Good to know his real name, we'd been calling him by the wrong one. And eh what's with the apologizing bit, anyway? You just saved me, why the bloody hell would I be offended?"

"I have heard it said that males on the surface are often intimidated and offended by strong females."

"Only the massively insecure ones. Piss on that rubbish. Thanks for the assist."

"You are most welcome. I am glad I have not offended you."

"Pfft, I'm in a relationship with the strongest woman I've ever met, I'd say I'm pretty damn secure."

Lilias nodded, "As you should be. You are her strength. Your love is very important."

"Humm yeah, thanks. Top side we usually just say 'you make a cute couple.'"

Lilias actually smiled at that, "Yes, while I'm sure you do make a very handsome looking couple; that is not what I mean. I mean that your love is important. Not only to each other but to the world."

"Ehhh— thanks."

"It is my pleasure to assist you. Are you well enough to get back to your Slayer on your own?"

Spike looked down at his leg and glanced at the bike, he cringed at the thought of the damage the slide might have caused. He would heal, but the bike was a different story, "I'll tell ya in a minute." He limped over to the bike, his leg seared with pain but he was mobile. Upon righting the bike, he assessed the damage. It was scratched pretty badly, as he expected and would definitely need some work. He hoped that the engine hadn't been damaged. The thought almost made him want to cry.

It took a few tries and a lot more effort than usual to get himself onto the seat of the bike. He clenched his jaw once he sat down and looked up at Lilias and the sleeping blue baby on her chest, "Well there's half the battle won. Now, I know that kid can sleep through just about anything, but you ah, might want to cover his ears for this."

Lilias nodded once and placed a hand protectively over her son's ear, the other little ear pressed firmly to her chest, "You may proceed, vampire."

Spike gave her a little two fingered salute and a wry smile before turning the key in the ignition. The bike gave a little cough but started. Spike gave a silent thanks to whoever was listening, "You can just call me Spike. Hey, I know you can handle yourself and all but do you need a ride or anything?"

Lilias raised one heavily pierced brow, "I thank you, Spike, for the concern, but no. I had been simply taking Aftyn for a walk to put him to sleep when I came upon your predicament with those cowards. We will be quite fine."

"I believe you. Well, I'd better be off, the fumes can't be good for the little tyke. You have a good one Lilias. I'll give Buffy your best, shall I?"

"Oh yes, please do! Goodnight!"

Buffy blew dust off of the rock she had been carving. When she had agreed to do this she hadn't taken into consideration the amount of dust they would be generating. Fortunately Willow at least had thought about it and had supplied them all with safety glasses and laid plastic over the furniture before starting. It didn't do much for their clothes though. Buffy and Xander both had a fine layer of stone dust covering them from carving the stones with the dremel tools. Willow also had a fair amount of dust covering her due to the close proximity they were in but it wasn't as bad as the other two.

The night had been very much like old times. Sitting in Buffy's living room whittling stakes or trying to fix furniture. It finally felt like she was getting some semblance of 'normal' back into her life. Her normal. Inwardly she was very thankful that Xander and Willow had decided to make this trip. She knew Willow had to leave in a few days but Buffy was wondering if she should ask Xander to stay longer. Even if it was only to help Callum out with the duplex. It occurred to her then that she hadn't even talked to him about it yet.

"Explain to me why I agreed to this?" Xander complained, his voice disrupting Buffy's thoughts.

"Because you love us and you wanted to help shoulder our burden," Willow grinned.

"Oh right, that old thing. Are we almost done? There must be a hundred rocks here."

"113; I think there are about three left."

Buffy finished the one she had been working on and handed it over to Willow. "Oh good. Okay, hit me with your best rock."

Xander snorted and picked another two rocks out of the bucket Willow had put them in, "This one looks like a winner, Buff."

They continued to carve the stones as their third movie of the night finished.

"Perfect timing. I'm almost done with this one. Give me that last one and we'll call it quits. I am so ready for a shower and bed."

Xander nodded, "Yeah I was hoping you'd say that. As fun as this was with the whole catching up thing, I'm right there with you. I'm not used to these late nights anymore."

"I am and I'm still ready for bed," Buffy laughed, "I'm on vampire time more often than not anyway," she said, passing the stone over to Willow and grabbing the last one.

Xander handed his stone over to Willow as well and sat back stretching his arms over his head. Just then the door opened "Buffy!" Spike called.

"In here!" She called over her shoulder.

Spike shambled in, collapsing against the archway leading into the living room, "Hey, gang," he gasped weakly as his leg gave out from under him and he crumbled to the floor.

Buffy whipped her head around and shoved the last rock over to Xander. In a heartbeat she had vaulted over the back of the couch to go to him, "God, Spike, what happened? Are you okay?"

Willow and Xander both turned to see him better, "Holy crap Spike, can't you even run errands without getting the crap beat out of you?"

"Cut it out Xan, finish your rock," Willow reprimanded him, "Hair looks good though."

Spike rolled his eyes as he glanced at her feebly and let out a low manic laugh, "I'd nearly forgot.Thanks for noticing Will."

"Can we focus? What happened to you?" Buffy asked, frowning.

"Had a run-in with some baddies lookin' for your new sword, Pet. Set a trap for me and I wrecked the bike," he pulled himself up to sit, "Leg's pretty banged up. Hip doesn't feel so hot either, think I might have broken something; couple of somethings. They got my stake, might have been in real trouble if Lilias hadn't showed up."

"Lilias? You're kidding?"

"Even had Aftyn with her. Some friend you got there. She's crazy scary when she's pissed. I sure am glad she likes you. Takes some real power to do what she did." He gritted his teeth as he ripped his pant leg to get a better look at the damage and let out a hiss of pain, "Bloody hell."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah, bird made real short work of those two bruisers with that water magic of hers. Manipulated the water in their bodies. We do not want to piss her off. Did I mention she did that with a baby strapped to her chest?"

"Aftyn?"

"Yeah, that's Little-boy-blue's real name, looks like the girls weren't too far off calling him Alun after all," he gasped in pain gripping his side where the cricket bat had hit.

Buffy gazed at the horrible road rash on his leg and marveled at how they could call it that, it didn't look like a rash at all, the skin was completely gone in a couple of spots, "We need to get this cleaned up, and see what else you did."

"I'll need blood. Lots of it."

"Xan?"

Willow nodded at him, "I'll finish this up, go help them."

Xander set the partly carved stone down in front of Willow, and proceeded to dust himself off in a cloud of filth.

"Gahh! Xan! Do that outside!" Willow squeaked.

Xander grimaced apologetically, "Sorry!" He mumbled before he made his way over to SpIke and Buffy. "Holy ground meat, Batman. Spike, are you sure blood is going to cut it?"

"I've been through worse," Spike grunted as he let Buffy help him up.

"Try that stuff I made for Buffy, it should help," Willow interjected.

"Yeah, used it on my arm a few weeks ago, cut the healing time down a bit."

"You guys heal fast as it is, but I figured it was a good idea anyway. Helps prevent scarring too."

"I for one definitely appreciate that," Buffy interjected.

"Been a long night, Pet. Blood, rest and lots of alcohol."

"Blood, and medical attention before you get in bed, mister alcohol if you're a good boy."

"And what do I get if I'm bad?" He let out a coughing laugh.

"Hum, definitely not the fun night we originally had planned. God Spike, you're a mess… let's get you taken care of."

"For better or worse huhh?" He mumbled a little drunkenly as she helped him into the elevator.

"We've definitely been through worse," she sighed. She turned to look at him. The look on his face was an odd combination of pain, love, and pure determination that made the breath catch in her throat.

"I love you, Buffy Anne Summers. With every battered and bruised fiber of my being, I love you."

She felt herself melt a little and kissed him gently in the elevator, "I love you too, you idiot," she chuckled numbly, "I love you too."

"You sit, get comfortable. I'm going to go get the first aid kit."

Spike shrugged off his duster, wincing a little as he did. Then he held it up to examine it. There was some gouging in the leather on one side and a small tear at the shoulder but otherwise it wasn't in horrible shape, well it was, but he had been trying to break in this new duster for a while now and after this it was starting to feel a little more like his old one. He flopped it down and lowered himself down gingerly on the loveseat. Then glanced up at Buffy. The look in her eyes and the concern rolling off of her was almost as good as a mirror. She was worried about him.

"Might want to get cleaned up a bit yourself there, Love, looking like a ghost in a stage play you are."

Buffy looked down at her dust covered clothes and hands. Before Spike had stumbled into the living room she had been longing for a shower. Now he was hurt, she hadn't given it a single thought. This was the worst she had seen him hurt since the Hellmouth. She knew this was nothing for him. It certainly wasn't as bad as it had been when Glory or The First had tortured him, but something in her broke seeing him like that all the same. She leaned in to kiss him.

Spike grabbed her hand gently as the kiss ended, "I'll be fine. You've done me worse than this in some of our old fights and I survived. Flaming church organ comes to mind."

"And that put you in a wheelchair."

"See? This is nothing. Go on. Get cleaned up. I'll get a drink or twelve, strip out of these rags and get a better idea of what I'm dealing with here. Then you can put all the disinfectant, ointment, and bandages on me you like. Alright?"

"Alright but I'm bringing the bottle to you, Xander should be in any minute. Where the hell is he anyway?"

"Go on, Pet. Get all squeaky clean. I'll be here."

Buffy set the bottle and a glass down on the coffee table, "I'll make it quick," she grabbed her robe, and headed for the shower.

Spike had been alone for less than two minutes when Xander came in with a big bag of blood.

"Hey man, where is the Buffster? I'm surprised she's not in here playing nurse."

Spike glared at him and took a drink of whiskey, "Shower. Probably would be in here except that she's covered in all that dust. You could use a good wash too. Hand that over would you?" He gestured towards the bag of blood.

Xander shrugged, handing it over along with a straw, "Don't I know it," he looked around the room vaguely, avoiding Spike as he jammed the straw into the plastic bag and started to drink. Xander continued, "So ehh, nice digs."

"It's alright. Not exactly my taste but it's comfortable enough. Not going to be going with this color theme when we do up our new place, I'll tell you that."

"Yeah about that. That's going to be a lot of work."

"You'll get paid for it," Spike huffed as he propped his leg up on the coffee table and removed his boot.

"Excuse me?"

"We're paying you for our side. Don't expect you to do it for free. You and Red are going to have to hash out what you're doing on your side of course."

"Huhh?"

"Didn't the girls run any of this by you? They were supposed to have done, during your little arts and crafts night."

"I guess we were distracted with the catching up of it all."

"Right, so I guess it's down to me now I've stuck my foot in it. Buffy already talked to Willow and she accepted the proposal so I just figured you'd follow suit. There's enough space. We thought you might want to move in with Red. Have you taken a look upstairs yet?" He continued drinking deeply through the straw.

"No, Faith's boy-toy just sort of showed me around the basement and the ground floor there. He said something about getting started on the renovations but we didn't really have a chance to go upstairs."

"Yeah well it's a nice spacious sort of layout there. You and Willow would have your own private suite each. It'll be quite posh once it's done."

"I am pretty homeless at the moment. Might be nice to have a place to keep my comic collection."

"I'm sure Buffy will be thrilled to have her best mates for neighbors."

"Can I ask you something?"

Spike made a "go on" gesture as he took several more long gulps of blood through the straw.

"What's in it for you? I mean sure you got Buffy and a job here which is just weird and what is going to be a really great place to live and sure— but what do you get out of it?"

Spike blinked, "Piss on any of that other stuff, what makes you think Buffy isn't enough? Have you met me?"

Xander shrugged, "I don't know man. I just—"

"Are you seriously trying to give me the 'brother' speech? Is that what's happening here?" Spike snorted out a laugh and went back to sipping his blood.

"Yeah alright. I guess I sort of was," he let out a huff and sat down in a chair across from Spike.

"Dawn was much scarier. You're an idiot Xan, but you're a good friend— I guess."

"Best friend you've ever had," Xander huffed, "Maybe Clem— Buffy—"

Spike lowered the straw from his mouth and looked at Xander blankly, "And here I thought Angelus was full of himself."

"Oh, like you're rolling in the friend department."

"Well no, Buffy killed most of the ones I'd have a pint with in Sunnydale— sort of ostracized myself from the rest whenever I got the chip and joined your lot."

"Yeah and I'm seriously lacking in testosterone-rich friends. You're pretty much it. Maybe we can rope that Callum guy into our sad little man-circle. Start a poker night or something."

"He's a decent enough bloke… bloody hell—" he sighed defeatedly.

"Yup, this is what you're signing up for."

"Bully for me." Spike drained the bag of blood and grabbed the bottle of whiskey to pour himself a drink, "You want one?"

"I'm not really into the hard stuff."

"Right…" Spike snorted.

"Fine, what are guy friends for? Bring on the peer pressure."

"Glasses are over there, you'll excuse me if I don't fetch it myself."

Xander snickered as he retrieved a glass and resumed his seat. They were sipping whiskey in silence when Buffy came back into the room in her robe and a towel on her head, clutching a first aid kit, "Hey babe I got the— Xan? What are you doing?"

"Just knocking back a few with my good buddy here," Xander answered, he was already a little tipsy.

Spike rolled his eyes and turned his face towards her, "That's his third there in his hand, oh and he's decided I'm his best mate."

"Best male-friend."

"You see."

Buffy sighed, "Wow. Ok well as much as I love the whole male bonding— whatever this is… Spike needs medical attention and I need to get dressed, that means you, out, Xan."

"Yup," Xander downed his drink and got up, wavering slightly before steadying himself, "Did I mention I'm more of a light drinker?"

"Good night, Xan. Don't wake Giles up when you go up there!"

"Got it, good Buffy!"

Once he was out of the room Buffy turned back to Spike, "Seriously?"

She went over to her drawers and pulled on a t-shirt and some sleep-shorts then plopped down next to him on the loveseat to look at his leg.

"Yeah not really my idea, but damn if the boy doesn't have a point there. You got to admit, there is a depressing lack of non-demonic males around to share a pint over a football match."

"Strip. You mean soccer right?"

"Hells bells. Not on this side of the pond it's not," he grinned smugly, as he gingerly pulled his shirt off. Most of his side was covered in angry bruises, his jacket had protected his upper body from the worst of the scrapes, "and I'm afraid you just proved my point, Love."

He stood up shucking out of his jeans. The bruising continued down his side, Buffy knew that would be gone in a few days. The scrapes and road rash would take a little longer. Spike sat back down, skipped the glass and grabbed the bottle of whiskey. He took a long swig, grinding his teeth and continued talking, focusing on the conversation rather than the pain in his leg as she cleaned the wounds.

"As great as you are, I don't really see you sitting through a Manchester United match with me hollering at the telly like a bloody idiot. At least Xander knows what he's in for, he actually sat through a match or two when I crashed with him in Sunnydale."

"You need a little social testosterone therapy. I get it. You two should hang out together, invite Callum. He seems social enough and you guys get along," Buffy said as she pulled several small stones out of his knee and calf.

Spike hissed with each of the larger ones, "Yeah, he's alright for a bloody Scott– Ahh… many more of those?"

"A couple, hold still."

He took another long swing from the bottle, "Maybe we should check out that brewery of his brother's."

"Maybe…" her focus on his leg rather than the ambeling conversation.

He swished the amber liquid in the bottle, "Could check out this Abby where Faith picks this stuff up at."

"She doesn't drive clear over there every time, does she?"

"Nah, just when she feels like taking a drive, she normally gets it from the local liquor store."

"You two really go through it."

"You've been known to have a nip or two, Pet."

"Not like you two."

"Vampire constitution sucks."

"Good point," she sighed, pulling out another small stone.

Spike peered down at his leg, "That the last of the rubble?"

"Got your rocks off after all. Can you hand me that?" She gestured towards the jar of ointment Willow made and Spike retrieved it for her.

"This is definitely not what I had in mind for tonight."

"Tell me about it. I'm just glad you made it back in one piece."

"Yeah. I feel bad for the bike."

"Is it bad?"

He let out a long sigh, "It still runs and the frame isn't too bad considering. It's pretty scraped up. It'll need more than a coat of paint, that's for sure." He took a long pull on the bottle.

"What did they want with the sword?"

"Dunno. Didn't really get that far in the conversation. Have to get into research mode on it I guess."

"You know how much I love research mode," Buffy grumbled.

"Bout as much as I do, Pet."

Several minutes later his leg was bandaged from ankle to mid thigh and the bottle of whiskey was empty. "How's that feel?"

"Better," he got to his feet unsteadily, "I should be mostly healed up in a few days, maybe a week or so on the fractures"

Buffy nodded, "You need rest."

"I bet I'd sleep better with a Slayer curled up on my good side."

"I'll see if I can find a spare one," she quipped, leaning in for a kiss.

Spike chuckled weakly, "Afraid there's only one that'll do, Pet."