Buffy woke up feeling better, more relaxed, and satiated than she had in a long time, maybe ever. That is, until she stretched her arm out and reached for her lover. When she felt nothing but a cool empty bed she knew that he hadn't been there for a long time, so she sat up really fast. This was starting to feel like a redo of the morning after she lost her virginity, her only other sexual experience. Well, she tried to reason with herself once she was more awake—he was a vampire so he could have literally just gotten up to go to the bathroom and the bed would still be cool. Wait, no, he was a vampire, he didn't go to the bathroom. Well, he could be doing lots of other things, but it didn't mean that just because he wasn't here, he was out on a murder spree. Plus, it was broad daylight, there was not much for a sun-avoidy vampire to get into. Then again, Spike was the least sun-avoidy vampire she knew.

No, she trusted Spike. There was probably a perfectly good reason that he wasn't in the room when she'd woken; chances were he was in the house somewhere. She was about to get up to go look for him when the door opened and he walked right in with messy curly hair, looking half asleep. He looked upset when he realized she was awake.

"Mornin' luv. Meant to be here when you woke, gotta work harder next time, I guess. I thought I wore you out more than that. Figured it'd be better to go to my room than have your mom walk in on us."

Buffy let out a long breath of relief, she hadn't even thought of that. Thank God at least Spike was in his right mind, last night she was too lost in the haze of pleasure, then the fogginess of exhaustion, to worry about things like that. Wait, does that mean I didn't do a proper job of rocking his world like he did mine last night? Buffy thought, then became self-conscious.

"Oh yeah, that was of the good. Thanks," she said, sounding perky.

Spike could tell she wasn't as happy as she was making herself out to be. Why was she upset? Had he done something wrong? With a hit of realization that felt like a boulder getting smashed into his head, he remembered what had happened to her the morning after the first time she gave herself to someone. He tried with all his might to remember if she'd been with anyone else in between this time and that, but he just couldn't. He then realized it didn't matter, trauma like that didn't just go away after a few good morning afters. His eyes flashed gold at the thought of her being with someone else, even if it was before they were together. He got a hold of himself and pulled her close.

"'M sorry, kitten. I didn't think about it, did I? It was probably rough for you to wake up without me there with you, wasn't it? Didn't mean to hurt you luv, jus' wanted to keep the peace. I like your mom, and I think she's the type of woman who wants to live in plausible deniability when it comes to her daughter's sex life."

"No, you were right to leave, I just wish you didn't have to. I'm happy you thought of it though, 'cause last night I was majorly of the fine with you staying with me. I so would have regretted it this morning when my mom came in and kicked you out into the bright sunlight."

Spike scoffed, "Yeah, I figured that's about how it'd have gone, except I imagined more axes."

Buffy giggled, "I wouldn't put it past her."

"Yeah, your mom is right scary when she wants to be." After a few moments of silence, he continued. "So, if this were my perfect world, I wouldn't be waking you up empty-handed, I'd have cooked you breakfast first. I was gonna today but I was hoping to get here before you opened those pretty little eyes of yours. So, what would my lady want for breakfast right now?"

"Do you even remember how to cook? You're a vampire, you don't even eat."

Spike slumped his shoulders and was obviously upset but Buffy didn't know why. Was it something she'd said? He was fine before she'd started talking but when she'd opened her big mouth, he became dejected—that was the only way to describe the face he was making.

"Buffy, I don't know how many times I'm going to have to tell you I'm not bloody Peaches."

"What? I know you're not Angel, what does that have to do with anything?"

"Luv, I eat human food. Just like I drink human drink, if I didn't you wouldn't go out of your way to get me a mug for hot cocoa when you're setting up and Joyce is making it for us."

"Yeah, that's true, I didn't think of that, but I didn't know you ate too, like real human food."

He sighed again and it made Buffy feel bad, though she didn't know why. "Yeah kitten, I eat. Although not every day just when something smells good or I get a hankerin' for something I already know I like."

"What do you like?"

"Oh, lots o' things. Onion blossoms are probably my favorite. Can go for a pizza now and again, hot wings, a nice bloody steak, anything spicy. I think compared to humans, vampires' taste buds are weak. Things don't taste as flavorful to us, so that's why I can eat the world's hottest pepper and not blink an eye."

"So does that mean we can go out to eat on a date?" she asked excitedly.

"Sure, kitten. Whatever your little heart desires. Gotta keep my girl happy, don't I?"

"Damn straight."

Spike couldn't help but laugh at that, his girl didn't curse much and he thought it sounded cute when she did. She looked at him then pouted. She should know by now that he couldn't resist her pout so he leaned in and kissed her senselessly. He felt his cock stand to attention and was about to start playing with those pretty titties of hers that were showing when she'd let go of her blanket to grab onto his face during the kiss then pulled away. He quirked an eyebrow at her, wondering why she was stopping something they obviously both wanted if the scent of arousal in the air was telling the truth.

"We have to get to Giles's. Today's a big day and I have to make sure everything is in order for the mission."

Spike wanted to fight her on the matter, and he knew he could win 'cause she wanted him as bad as he wanted her, maybe worse. The thing was, though, he knew she was the slayer first and foremost. He wanted to be a good partner for her and to do that, sometimes he had to put her work first. So he pouted, got a kiss for his troubles, then got out of bed.

"Right, you are, Slayer. I'll go get ready, then we can take the DeSoto over there. Got my duster for the mad dash to and from the car, just might need you to go ahead and open the doors for me," Spike said and at Buffy's nod, he went to get dressed.

Buffy didn't like the thought of Spike getting burnt by the sun, especially because just a few days ago she accidentally almost burnt him to dust by running into his arms too hard and pushing him out of the shade. That made Buffy think about the Gem of whatever Spike was talking about, while she got dressed. Of course, she could see the benefits of her boyfriend having a ring that made it so he could walk in the sun. Not only that, but he would be almost invincible, she wouldn't have to worry about his getting injured while they were out patrolling or fighting the next Big Bad that came their way. It was the slayer part of her that was making her feel uneasy about it.

No, that was not even it because the slayer part of her loved Spike just as much as the rest of her did, it was just that no matter what, he was still a vampire. She was taught that vampires equal evil and all vampires deserved to be staked on sight. Did that mean it was the council's teachings that were ingrained in her brain that were making her uncomfortable with Spike's having the gem? She didn't know but she thought that was exactly why she got all wiggy thinking about it.

So, she decided. She was not going to let them stop her from giving Spike the okay to go for it. She'd known for a long time that she didn't trust the Council and that not everything they taught was the truth. She'd gone from not trusting them completely to hating them after the Cruciamentum and the firing of Giles. There was no reason she should let their thoughts on the matter dictate her decision. And since she trusted Spike, and knew he wasn't one to run away or give up, she knew Spike would stay exactly the same if he got the ring. He wouldn't start breaking the rules, he wouldn't go on a killing spree and murder people who looked like her, like a certain ex she knew had done. He wouldn't decide to leave so he could wreak havoc on the rest of the world. No, Spike would stay exactly where he was, by her side. And he'd keep fighting and not hurting humans, because he loved her and didn't want to hurt her.

"You alright, kitten?" Buffy jumped, she was so lost in thought that she hadn't even heard Spike come out of his room. She was just standing there, looking in her underwear drawer.

She turned to look at him and saw he was dressed in his trademark all-black outfit, complete with duster and slicked-back hair. Buffy decided she was going to add some color to his wardrobe. Buffy also decided she missed his morning hair and was upset that she hadn't had a chance to run her hands through it like she wanted to. Oh well, she thought, she'd just make sure to do it next time.

She smiled, "Yeah, I'm just peachy, I was just thinking. We'll talk on the ride because we have to go."

He nodded his head and went to his room. Buffy got dressed quickly and picked out her favorite weapons. Even though she was planning on using the Scythe, it never hurt to bring more just in case. And, of course, she hid Mr. Pointy and a few of his buddies on her body. By the time she was done pulling up her hair, she looked over to Spike and found him rifling through her panty drawer.

"Spike, what are you doing?"

He jumped and when he turned to look at her he looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He quickly stuffed his hands in his duster pocket and she was almost positive that he was holding something pink.

"Me? Nothing, jus' waiting for you. Hurry that delectable arse of yours up so we can leave. You take for bloody ever to get ready. Can we leave, already?" He sounded annoyed.

Buffy held back a giggle, she knew he was just trying to distract her from what he was doing. She decided to let it go for now.

"Yeah, alright grumpy. I'm ready, let's do this."

He nodded, and they made their way downstairs. Buffy left the house first to go ahead and open the DeSoto's door for him. Spike pulled his duster over his head, slammed the front door shut as he ran to the car, and slid into the car as fast as he could. Buffy calmly entered the car, sat down, and shut the door after him. She scrunched her nose at the slight smell of burnt Spike and looked at his hands to see them a little charred. That only confirmed her decision about the Gem. Spike shook his hands out but otherwise ignored the burns, then he started the car and drove off in the direction of Giles's flat.

"Spike, I've been thinking…"

"Uh-oh, that's never good," he joked.

She pretended to be insulted. "Oh, then I guess you don't want to hear what I was thinking about." She crossed her arms and turned away from him to look out the window in a huff.

From the way she was messing with him, Spike had a feeling that he very much wanted to know what Buffy was thinking about. So, he cajoled, "Oh, come on now, kitten. You know I was only messing with you."

She turned to him with a smile and uncrossed her arms. "Good. Okay, so, like I said, I was thinking, and I think you should get the Gem. I know I trust you, and that you won't decide to go all evil again. I'll be way less worried when you're out patrolling because I'll know you're safe. Plus, lots of fun boyfriend dates in the daylight for Buffy. I think it's a win-win. I know Giles might have a problem with that but you two have that weird British best-friend vibe happening so maybe not. Xander will be majorly wigged, but I think he's learned his lesson on saying anything about you."

Spike was right chuffed; he didn't think that Buffy would give the okay. Or at least, he thought he'd have to work on it for a while, or maybe shag her until she was too blissed out to care. Well, he still had all intentions of doing that anyway, but now he'd be able to do it outside in the daytime. That is, if he could get his girl to stop worrying so much. He'd work on that though, there was time.

"Spike?"

Oh, he must have gotten lost in his thoughts about having his wicked way with her again. He looked at Buffy with a big smile on his face. And took one hand off the wheel to squeeze her thigh. "Thanks, luv. I promise I won't do anything to make you regret it. I'll have a talk with the watcher, man-to-man like. I'll get him to see the positives of me having the Gem."

"I know you won't. I believe in you, Spike." She smiled at him for a few seconds then faced forward. They were getting close to Giles's, so Buffy had to turn her mind to the fight. She tried to imagine how the fight would play out tonight, tried to think of every trick Angelus could pull, tried to wonder where Faith would be in the battle, and tried to account for any minions that might still be with them. The thing she was most worried about was The First. Yesterday was the first time she'd actually ever interacted with it; the last time it had been here, Angel was the only one it had talked to.

She felt good about the fact that The First felt desperate enough to show itself to her in the form of Angel. At least, she hoped so. Its thought was that Buffy had all intentions of ending Angelus that night because he was trying to take her mom to perform the same type of torture he'd used on her when she was his prisoner. That was enough to make Buffy see red and she was about to ignore all the plans they'd made to end it right there. The First must have figured that out and that's why he'd come to her as Angel. She might have fallen for it once, but she wouldn't let that happen again.

The only problem was, Buffy didn't think that was the only plan The First had up its sleeve. The First seemed like a planner and a schemer—it wouldn't surprise Buffy if when they went to fight tonight, The First had something planned that they hadn't seen coming. So Buffy decided they had to be extra careful. Angelus was good at scheming and tricking, but Buffy had a feeling he was child's play compared to The First.