A/N: Posting Un-Betaed as a Christmas treat, so all mistakes are most definitely mine but should be resolved soon after the holidays.
The next night Spike stood awkwardly in the dining room waiting for Buffy. She had kicked him out of the bedroom so she could get ready. Spike wore leather pants, a black dress shirt with blue pinstripe, and the silver necklace Buffy had given him for his birthday. The leather duster stayed.
When Buffy finally emerged from upstairs Spike's jaw dropped. She had left her hair down but had it curled nicely, she was wearing a very form-fitting, sparkly charcoal gray, sweater dress with a plunging neckline. The dress fell to her mid-thigh. It was a chilly night so she had paired it with festive red tights, high black boots, and her long red leather jacket.
"Ready?" she asked.
"You look amazing."
She smiled. "Thanks, you too."
"We'd better go before I decide to rip that sweet little dress off," he growled as he ran his hands down the length of her body.
"You keep that up and we'll never get out of here."
It was a chilly evening as they made their way to the museum. The city was alive with lights glittering from every corner, the feeling of Christmas was nearly tangible as people bustled around.
The museum was crowded for the opening of the new exhibit. Museum patrons were dressed festively as they milled about through the displays.
"This is amazing, Spike, I don't know what I expected but this wasn't it," Buffy gasped as she stepped into the main exhibit room featuring a wide assortment of weaponry and armor from around the world.
"You do mean that in a good way, right?"
"The best!" She added squeezing his arm.
"I figured you'd either love it or hate it," he smirked.
"Why would you think I'd hate it?"
"Too much like work, I thought."
"Nah, no monsters, you're good. You had me wondering what kind of exhibit would get you to come out for an opening, now I get it. Just look at that—" she said pointing to a curious-looking two-pronged sword.
The collections of weaponry from each featured country, region, and period were impressive. They had already made their way through the selections from Rome, France, Germany, England, and Scotland when Buffy decided to skip ahead to the selections from across Asia.
They were standing in front of the largest display of throwing stars either one of them had ever seen when something suddenly caught Spike's eye.
"Here I was thinking I had dodged just about every projectile weapon out there—" she broke off looking around, "Spike?"
It took a moment before she finally spotted him, standing several feet away looking at what appeared to be a helmet on a stand. Buffy walked over to him, she took hold of his arm "What is it?"
"Not sure…" He inclined his head towards her momentarily. "Remember that dream I had about the ice monster?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
He hesitated, tilting his head. "It just— seems really familiar. Like they're connected somehow. Pretty sure this thing has been misidentified— something tells me this isn't really a helmet covered in fur. I think that might be some sort of demon relic. Look at it—"
"You're right, I don't think that's a hide from just any old animal," Buffy breathed.
Without even realizing what he was doing, Spike reached out to touch the odd grayish fur of the "helmet". The moment his fingers made contact, there was a great flash of bright white light and a rush of wind and sound.
Then nothing but cold.
Bone piercing cold.
The wind howled as snow swirled around them as though they were suddenly inside a snow globe that had been kicked down a set of stairs.
They had been forced apart when they landed hard on a patch of rocky ground covered in feet of snow and ice.
Buffy regained her footing. Wind and snow blew ferociously around her cutting through the thin tights and little dress she had on. The snow blinded her as she screamed for Spike.
She called for him through their link, Spike!
I hear you but I can't see you. Where are you, Pet?
This isn't working. "Spike!!!!" She screamed again.
After what felt like an eternity she finally heard him bellowing her name in response. Spike trudged through the snow and the wind towards her, calling her name. She tried making her way towards him but fell after only a few steps, paralyzed by the harsh cold biting through her clothes.
Spike reached her a moment later, took off his jacket wrapped her in it, and picked her up. He had spotted something that looked like a possible cave, moments before he heard Buffy's voice calling for him through the wind. Now all he could think of was getting her out of the snow and into something resembling shelter. She may be a super powerful immortal but she was still human and he had no way of knowing how the cold would affect her long term.
"Sorry, Love, " he muttered as he hoisted Buffy roughly into a fireman's carry to make walking easier.
Though the mouth of the cave was merely a few yards away it seemed to take an ice age to reach it. Spike collapsed into the mouth of the cave nearly frozen. It was all he could do to assure himself she was still breathing.
"Buffy?" He rasped weakly as he brushed snow and hair out of her face.
Her cheeks were red with cold, and she was unconscious but he could still hear a heartbeat.
Spike looked around the cave. There were definite signs someone or something had been there. There was a stack of twigs next to the scattered remnants of a fire. They weren't the first to find this cave, however, it did seem that it had been abandoned for quite some time. Weakly he pulled Buffy a little further into the cave; he didn't dare take her further than he could see with his lighter in case they weren't the only inhabitants.
He quickly made a small fire and did what he could to warm Buffy, but it was difficult. Being a vampire meant no body heat. It also meant that he was going to freeze solid if he didn't stay warm himself. He would survive of course, but he'd also be useless to Buffy if he was an ice sculpture. He settled himself down next to her, putting her between himself and the small fire. There hadn't been much wood, and he figured the little fire would burn itself out in no time. The cold of the cave floor cut through him but he didn't dare remove his jacket from around Buffy's still form and it wasn't long before he fell asleep next to her.
"Over here! The tracks head into the cave!"
Spike heard a strong male voice boom.
He could tell that the wind had died down and opened his eyes but couldn't move or see very well. He was almost entirely frozen with one arm protectively over Buffy, still wrapped in his coat. He worked his jaw, feeling the ice on his lips cracking as he opened his mouth slightly. It was all he could manage to get out a sound, a faint call for help.
"I think I hear something!" The same voice spoke.
Spike called out again, "Here!" Hope welled in his chest. "Here!"
"Get rescue in here! We got survivors!"
Heavy footfalls entered the cave. Spike could only make out the general form of a man coming over to check them.
"God…" the man swore under his breath.
"Help her— help Buffy—" Spike managed weakly before he lost consciousness again.
"Buffy? What the— you got to be kidding me? Spike?"
When Spike awoke hours later, it was to find himself buried under a pile of warm blankets. He opened his eyes, blearily looking around and taking in some sort of small medical facility. Heat lamps surrounded him. He made to throw off the blankets only to discover he was being restrained to the bed "Sodden," he swore as he strained again. "Buffy!!!" He screamed, "Buffy!"
A man in a white coat and glasses rushed into the small room, took one look at Spike and rushed out again.
"Bugger it all," he muttered. He rocked his head back, taking a moment to concentrate on his link with Buffy. He could feel it like a chain connecting a ship to its anchor but there was no way of knowing exactly where she was. Frustration started clawing through him and he began straining against his bonds once again. "Buffy! What have you done with her?! Someone better answer or so help me there's going to be hell to pay! I'm going to—" he was cut off when a tall man with broad shoulders stepped into the room.
"Calm down, you bleached idiot!"
Spike looked up. "Riley Finn? What the hell are you doing here? Where's Buffy?"
"She'll be fine. We just got her moved, the wife is with her now."
Spike relaxed against the bed and closed his eyes for a moment, with relief. "Can I see her? And are these bloody things really necessary?" he asked, shaking the restraints again.
"I got a few questions first," Riley countered, hands on hips.
"Sod off you gink. I need to see Buffy, need to make sure she's alright for myself."
"Is that anyway to talk to the guy who just saved your life? Another hour and the sun would have fried you. Or thawed you, then fried you. You know, I'm not really sure but it probably would have been interesting, to watch. I got my men to cover you with a tarp before pulling your frozen ass out of there. But it's fine, I'll just wait for Buffy to come around before I decide what I'm going to do with you," Riley replied with faux calm.
Spike arched back against his pillows and sighed. "What do you want, Soldier-boy?"
"For starters, what the hell are you two doing up here? And where's your gear? You looked like you were ready for a night out, not hiking the freaking Himalayas! What the hell happened?"
"The Himalayas? Bloody hell— how the fu— Hell if I know. One minute we're at a museum, and the next we're in a blizzard," Spike shook his head as though trying to get the piece to fall into place. "No idea… No— hang on, the helmet, or whatever it was-"
"You're not making any sense."
"We were at the museum in Edinburgh, looking at this odd helmet thing. There was something off about it. I was telling Buffy— and, I-I think I might have touched it," he shook his head again and gave Riley a confused look. His brain felt like mush. Nothing was making sense. "Why the hell would I do that? What was that thing?" he muttered.
"All I know, is one of my spotters says he saw a flash of light that lit up the sky during the blizzard. They spotted a figure heading for shelter, so I set out with a search team as soon as the weather broke. You're lucky I found you first."
"Guess this means we owe you one, Finn. Though I suspect you did it more for Buffy than for me," Spike replied with a sour smile.
"Yeah well let's not make it a habit. How do you feel?"
"Like a sodden thawed turkey, mate. Considering the alternative, guess I'm alright. Not sure why I'm still strapped to this bed though,"
The door opened again, and an armed guard stuck his head in, "Sir?"
"What is it, Walters?" Riley bit out.
"The girl is awake, I've been ordered to bring him to her; she's been asking for him."
Relief surged through him at the soldier's words and Spike turned his head expectancy toward Riley. "Course she's asking for me! Now, you gonna get me out of these, Whitebread?"
Riley got up pulling out his keys "I don't want any trouble out of you."
"Take me to Buffy and there won't be, scouts honor," Spike seethed.
"I'm going to hold you to it, I have plenty of kindling around here and I'm not afraid to use it," Riley replied, releasing Spike from his bonds.
Spike started to pull back the blankets, then pulled them back up again quickly. "Bloody hell, you got me starkers here! Couldn't even buy me dinner first?"
Riley rolled his eyes and turned to the soldier in the doorway, "Let them know we'll be there shortly, I'll escort him myself— Dismissed."
"Yes, Sir."
Riley turned back to Spike, throwing a stack of black clothes at him. Looking at them Spike scoffed, "These aren't mine."
"They are a special thermal base-layer. They don't just keep heat in, they supply it. There are sensors running throughout the fabric that keep the body at an optimum temperature. Should keep you from going all ambient and freezing again," Riley paused with a grin. "Ironically, the battery runs on solar power-" he shrugged, "-but it'll stay charged for a few days. Just remove the battery pack from the waistband and set it in the sun for a few hours. Now put 'em on, we don't want to have another Spikecicle."
"Aww, you do care, how touching," Spike drawled. "Yeah, alright, I'll put on your fancy threads. Where are my effects?"
In response, Riley pulled out a plastic bag with Spike's things now thawed and dry. "Here's your stuff, oh and I snagged a sweater and thick socks for you too."
"Cheers mate-" Spike made a move to get up, "-turn round now like a good little boy, this show ain't free."
"Yeah, I'll skip it this time, thanks," Riley grunted as he turned around to give him some privacy.
"I'm not usually one for jammies, but these fancy knickers of yours are pretty comfortable."
"Can't say I'm all that comfortable with your phrasing," Riley retorted.
"No need for blushing there, Finny, I'm decent."
"Decent? Yeah right," Riley scoffed.
Spike finished dressing, then allowed Riley to guide him through a short hallway to a room lined with boots, parkas, and other cold gear.
Riley pulled down a parka for himself and threw one to Spike, "Might want that. Spare boots are there, yours won't be much good here," he gestured to a set of shelves. "Gear up."
Moments later the two of them made their way out into the cold night. "What were you two doing at a museum in Edinburgh anyway? Chasing a lead?"
"Early Christmas present. It was a date," Spike answered, lighting a cigarette.
Riley stopped to look at him. "You were on a date? A real date? I thought you two were just—"
"Shaggin' like rabbits?"
"Crude, but yeah."
"Still are, but things are a might different now."
"Different how? You're still together— which I'm not even going to get into right now— but how's that different?"
"Not 'still', mate. More like 'again', or maybe 'finally'. Depending on your view. Lots happened since your last trip to Sunnydale, Cardboard."
Riley scoffed, "I just can't see how she can be with a brainless, soulless—"
Spike cut him off, stopping abruptly and shoving him in the shoulder. "Watch it! You don't get to insult her like that. For your information, she couldn't. You got to give the girl more credit. Broke it off; with good reason, mind."
Riley glanced down at the spot Spike's gloved hand had made contact and back up to Spike. "But you're back together now?"
"Not that I need to explain anything to the likes of you, but yeah, about six months or so now."
"So what happened?"
Spike took a long drag on his cigarette. "Why're you so curious?"
"I might be married but I'm still allowed to care about her, you know."
Spike looked around the compound awkwardly for a second, then decided to just get it out of the way. "Right, well if you must know— I couldn't stand being something she couldn't love. Think you recall the feeling, yeah?"
Riley swallowed a lump in his throat. "Yeah-"
"So I changed that, got my soul."
Riley stared at him dumbstruck. "Are you kidding? So now you're what? You're like Angel, her ex?"
"No— not— bloody hell! It was my choice. I fought for it and won. It's mine free and clear, no strings. Bloody thing ain't about to pop off every time I do either."
"You're serious?" Riley gapped.
"As a heart attack."
A look of comprehension washed over Riley's face as they started walking again. "So that's why she opted to have the chip removed…"
"Suppose I owe you for that one; trusting her that is," Spike drawled.
"I've been wondering about that for a while now. I didn't even know that was possible," he gave a small chuckle and seemed to relax.
"Not exactly common knowledge."
"Good for you."
"That's it?" Spike blinked in disbelief.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I like you, or trust you. But she does and that counts for a lot in my book. Also—" Riley paused for a moment considering his words, "—I have to admit, I have a lot of respect for what you did. Fighting for your soul I mean. There's a lot more honor in that than there is in being cursed. I can't imagine a lot of vamps would be willing to do that. Even if it was for a girl."
"No, they're not exactly lining up," Spike replied, pausing his steps again as they trekked through the snow.
Riley turned to look at him.
Spike finished his cigarette and flicked the butt casually before he continued, "Not many people acknowledge that bit. Cheers, Mate."
"Yeah well, don't make it a big thing."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Spike smirked.
They continued their walk before Riley started up again. "You know, that was always something that bothered me about that Angel guy; the whole curse thing."
"Careful mate, you start in on Angel and you'll be dangerously close to becoming my new best friend." Spike huffed, which earned a real laugh out of Riley as he opened the door to a small cabin that looked much like the other structures in the little camp from the outside. On the inside though, it was clear this one was different.
"Come on in, Spike, welcome to our home away from home," Riley said, inviting him in.
Spike stepped in, taking in the cabin. There was a bed that looked more like two camp beds pushed together, a small functional cabinet and dresser stood in one corner while a couple of fairly comfortable-looking camp chairs sat around a wood-burning camp stove and a little table. And most importantly, sitting on a cot squeezed in between the chairs and the stove was Buffy, bundled in blankets and drinking a large cup of hot tea.
"Thank god, Spike!" She made a move to stand up when he entered but sat back down when Sam shot her a look of amused warning.
"You two got chummy," Sam said as she eyed her husband curiously.
"Spike's got a soul," Riley blurted out.
"Yeah, he saved the world by closing the Sunnydale Hellmouth, and was in on the LA thing too," Sam replied as she sat down in one of the chairs with her own cup of tea.
Riley turned to look at Spike. "You did that? The massive crater where Sunnydale used to be, that was you?"
"Yeah well…"
"It was, erm, unexpected," Buffy interjected in a hollow tone as she watched Spike stride towards her, shedding the parka as he went.
Spike sat down with her on the cot. He moved a stray hair as he looked at her, concern etched on his face. "Gods Buffy, you had me worried."
"I'm alright, still a little weak and shaky but I'm improving. The tea is helping a lot, and the nifty new underwear," Buffy smiled.
"Soldier boy gave me some too, kinda like the idea of not going through that again," he said, rubbing his fingers over her knee as though he needed to reassure himself she was there in front of him.
"I was worried about you too, Hun, Sam said you were half frozen when they found us," she reached a hand out of her blankets to caress his cheek. "I'm glad you're alright."
"Little freezer burn won't keep us down. I'm good, now," he pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Pet, it's all my fault, I should know better than to touch random stuff."
She looked at him doubtfully, "Right, so you knew that thing was going to zap us to freaking Nepal?"
"Course not."
"Then shut up and kiss me, you dolt."
Spike chuckled and complied happily.
Sam cleared her throat, calling their attention back to the other couple in the room. "I don't mean to interrupt but I'd like to get to the bottom of this. How did you guys get here?"
Spike and Buffy retold the story about the museum exhibit and the "helmet", the flash of light, and even Spike's dream. "Thing is that we didn't see any monster, just the blizzard so I still don't know if it was really a premonition or just a freaky coincidence."
The Finns exchanged significant looks, and Sam nodded.
Riley cleared his throat before speaking, "That ice creature you described, sounds like the reason we're back in Nepal. A few years ago— when we left Sunnydale— it was to come here. There had been several Yeti sightings in the area and we were sent to determine the threat level," he explained, turning a fond gaze to his wife. "Sam was amazing. She helped figure out that the main problem was just a communication issue between the Yeti tribe and the locals. All we needed to do was establish a means of communication between the two."
"Oh I had a lot of help from Monk Shalva," Sam interjected modestly. "He helped get to the bottom of things. This camp is now a permanent base to maintain the peace. Monk Shalva agreed to come live here at the base as a sort of go-between for the folks in the village and the tribe further up the mountain," she took a sip of her tea before continuing. "He's spent a lot of time in this area, he used to spend his summers in that cave we found you in before he settled here permanently."
Riley laid a hand on Sam's shoulder. "After that, we were needed on another assignment and we've been bouncing around the globe until about— What was it, sweetheart? About a month ago?" Riley asked Sam.
Sam raised an eyebrow at the use of the endearment but didn't say anything, the smirk on her face spoke volumes. "About six weeks."
"Right, six weeks ago, we got word that something new had been sighted. It's been terrorizing both the Yeti tribe and the village. It had been setting them against each other, killing livestock. It was a while before we could prove it was a third party. We caught sight of it a couple of weeks ago but we haven't been able to track it down since. It's exactly like you described though, a great big spindly giant that looks like it's made out of ice."
"Just like my dream," Spike huffed. "So what do we know about this thing?"
"That's it really. This is the closest thing we've had to a break in the case since then."
"And somehow we got sucked thousands of miles away from home on what was shaping up to be one of our best dates ever," Buffy pouted slightly as Spike ran a strong hand down her back. "And now we're embroiled in some wacky who-done-it in the freezing cold, less than two weeks until Christmas. Oh, and no one knows we're here," Buffy complained. Her eyes widened and she turned toward Spike. "What about Dawn? We promised her we would have Christmas together like we did before mom died."
Spike took her hand, "I'm sure this lot can get word to them in Edinburgh. Right?" The last word was directed at the Finns.
"I already did. I managed to get through on Willow's cell phone a few hours ago while you were recovering under the heat lamps. I told her we would keep them posted. I should probably go do that now," Sam said, finishing her tea and standing up.
"Thank you, I really appreciate that," Buffy replied.
"See, what'd I tell you? We'll be back in no time makin' your mum's special spiked hot chocolate with the little marshmallows."
Buffy looked at him, "When did you have my mom's cocoa?"
"Oh come now, your mum always had a cup'a kindness for me," he grinned.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot you were cocoa buddies."
He squeezed Buffy's hand gently. "That we were, pet, but I think Mrs. Finn was trying to tell us something."
Sam smiled. "I was just going to let you know accommodations are limited. You two are welcome to stay here with us. We can move these chairs out and see if we can scrounge up a spare bunk if you like."
Buffy looked down at the camp bed, Spike jerked a shoulder noncommittally.
"Thanks but I think we're good," Buffy turned back to Spike, "You're alright with that right? It's just, after today, I'd really like to have you near me."
"I'd like to see 'em try to tear me away from you, Pet," he purred.
"Well, aren't you two just sickeningly cute? Seriously, are you guys always like this?" Riley asked gruffly. "First the whole 'best date ever' thing and now this?"
Spike was about to say something but Sam beat him to it. "Stand down, Ri, don't you remember what we were like when we first got together?"
He gave his wife a grin. "Pretty sickening I guess."
"Damn, straight we were, still are, given half a chance. Now lay off!" Sam smiled.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Buffy shot Sam a look of gratitude.
"Right then," Sam continued, "we still have a couple of things to take care of before we can turn in for the night. You're welcome to hang out here. Get some rest. Spike, you can stay here during the day until we can arrange transport for you guys. It's probably the safest and most comfortable place we have available. We've arranged for some blood and you're both welcome to any of the books and magazines we have around here."
"Cheers, luv. I'd ask what you have on tap but I imagine my choices are limited."
"Goat," Riley interjected. "The locals are mostly vegetarian here but they will butcher the occasional goat, and our cook has a few farmers in the village he works with. They took a hit a few weeks ago but we still get some meat."
"It'll do, thanks. Still feeling a bit peaky. I'm guessing you gave me blood when we came in," Spike replied.
Riley nodded. "A pint was all we could spare."
"Thought I tasted human blood."
"You were kinda out of it, but you seemed better after I gave it to you," Riley said.
"You fed me?"
"Dude, you tried to bite me. It's why I had to restrain you once you started to thaw out. Fortunately, I'd already ordered the rest of my guys out before that happened. I told them you were an old acquaintance of mine. I've been keeping the whole vampire thing quiet around here. Soul or not they don't know you. Good thing for you Sam and I outrank everyone else here. Once we're gone it's just going to be a handful of grunts, one doctor, a nurse, and the cook."
Buffy patted Spike's knee and looked up at Riley and Sam. "Thank you, really you guys. Thank you both for the hospitality; saving us, thawing Spike, keeping him safe, all of it."
"We're just glad we found you when we did," Riley said.
Sam headed towards the door and pulled on a parka, then paused with a hand on her husband's arm. "We'll let you two get some rest, we shouldn't be more than a few hours."
Spike wanted a few beats waiting for their footsteps to fade away before he broke the silence. "What do you reckon?"
"Abominable snowman?"
"Bollocks, nothing like Rudolf," he scoffed.
Buffy looked at him with eyes narrowed. "What?"
"Oh come off it, you know, the Christmas special on public telly every year. This thing looks nothing like— and you're messing with me— of course you are."
Buffy grinned widely. "I was starting to miss it."
"You saying I've gone soft on you?" he countered with a laugh.
"Depends on how you mean. If you're talking about being half frozen-"
"I'll show you, you little-" he growled, pulling her in for a long kiss that left her breathless. "Have I ever disappointed you, left you sexually frustrated, Love?"
"Never."
"Thought not, I win," he smirked.
Buffy laughed and got up motioning to Spike to do the same. "Maybe it's because of the cold but my brain just isn't up to my usual level of banter tonight so yeah, I guess you do win this one," she said as she laid the blankets out.
Spike scrounged around in the cabinet, finding a few extra pillows and a couple of books. Once that was taken care of they continued to make themselves comfortable. Spike lay down on the small bed as Buffy moved to the chair to finish her tea.
"So abominable snowman, huh?" Buffy yawned.
"Do you prefer 'ice monster'?"
"I think I'm going to have to see this one to decide. Thoughts on taking it out?"
"Got to be fire, don't it? Ice pick? Something sharp would probably do it. If it really is ice, should be able to shatter it," he said with a shrug.
"I wonder if they have a flamethrower here. That could be fun!" she exclaimed brightly.
"Just keep it away from me, Pet," he said with a grin as he leaned over the side of the bed to look through a small box of paperbacks he had found.
"I'm going to ask about a flamethrower, I want to try it now," Buffy grinned.
"You do that. I want to see what this monk fellow has to say," Spike replied, pulling a book out of the box.
"Ditto."
"Yeah well, I'll tell you one thing, however, this thing goes down, Mrs. Finn sure as hell ain't gonna be in it. Doubt Soldier-boy would allow it anyway," Spike added, settling back with the book.
Buffy swallowed a sip of tea. Casting him a curious look. "Sam? Why not? I've seen her in a fight with a demon and she is perfectly capable of—"
"This isn't a girl thing, Love, you of all people should know I don't hold with that rot. I just, I don't want her getting hurt is all," he finished lamely.
Buffy raised an eyebrow.
"Girl's got something in common with Bonnie," he said like it should explain everything.
It didn't.
"Huh?"
"She's in a family way, Pet. Can't be far along, but there's a heartbeat. Doubt she's told her bosses yet."
"You think Riley knows?"
Spike rolled a lazy hand toward the door. "You saw him, he sure was in a good mood; barely even tried threatening me at all, even after trying to bite him. Which I don't remember by the way. He's been downright friendly really and I don't see her being the type to keep something like that from her man."
"No, I think you're right," Buffy agreed.
"Why don't you get some rest, Love?"
Buffy took another sip of tea, finishing her cup, "Hold me?"
"Whatever the lady asks," he answered, lifting the blankets to allow her to snuggle in with him.
Spike was still laying back on the pillows reading, as Buffy lay practically on top of him, almost two hours later. Had he needed to breathe he might have been uncomfortable, as it was he had barely noticed. The book he had found might not have been his first choice, but he was finding it entertaining enough.
Buffy adjusted herself, shifting her leg against his hip.
"Nice try, I know you're awake, Pet."
"Brain is too busy for sleep," she grumbled sleepily.
"So you decided to watch me read instead?"
"You're reading a book with a woman holding a dress and a pet pig on the cover, I'm just trying to make sense of what my eyes are telling my brain."
Spike chuckled. "I think you'd call it a cozy-mystery, but it's got a supernatural twist to it so— yeah, it's just our everyday."
"Ahh huh…" she hummed.
"Main character is a witch with a vintage clothing store. The pig is a shape-shifting gob-goyle. I bet Willow and the Nibblet would eat it up."
Buffy chuckled. "And you're going to tell me this is research for Christmas presents, right?"
"Already got them books, remember?" he shrugged unperturbed, "Close your eyes, Love, you're going to need your wits about you if we plan to tackle this thing tomorrow," he brushed her hair lightly with his fingers.
"I know, '' she murmured, enjoying the sensation. "I just wish we knew more, I really think we should talk to this monk," she yawned.
"We will Love. Get some rest." He looked down at her, only to realize she had already drifted off.
Shortly after Buffy had fallen asleep, Riley and Sam came through the door as quietly as possible. They both nodded to Spike who merely tipped his book in acknowledgment. It wasn't long before husband and wife had quietly settled in and were in bed. Spike stayed awake, reading and keeping a silent watch over Buffy.
