The tension was at an all-time high for Buffy when the abandoned house came into view; she knew it was silly, but some small, deep part of her thought of it as their house. She knew it was crazy, and if all went to plan, the people who owned the house would be back in a few days, but she liked the thought of them having a place of their own, with Dawn, too, of course.

Still, though, she kept her hands to herself, they were out in the open in the middle of a Turok-Hon-ridden Sunnydale. They probably had eyes on them right that moment, and she wasn't willing to get lost in Spike where The First could see. With that thought in her head, she quickened her steps, knowing Spike would follow.

As soon as she opened the door, she felt Spike's arms snake around her waist and spin her around, their lips connecting passionately. Spike used his boot to kick behind him and shut the front door, pulling her closer to him, if that were even possible. Spike's lips left hers and made their way down to her neck, close to where her ear and neck connected, sucking hard and enjoying the moan that left Buffy's lips. He remembered well the spots on Buffy's body that made her scream, the spots that sent shivers down her spine, the spots that turned her to gel, and the spots that made her eyes darken and become ravenous, aggressive; he was just grateful he had a chance to touch one of them again. If all went to plan, he'd make use of every single one by the end of the night.

"Take me to bed," She demanded while wrapping her arms around his neck and jumping to wrap her legs around his hips.

"Hmm?" He asked, too focused on her body, pushing her against the wall and grinding into her to hear her words.

"Bed, now." Spike felt his cock twitch at the command in her voice, at Buffy ordering him.

He growled from deep in his throat, eager to follow orders. He ran his hand down her side to her back and landed on her ass, cupping it, making sure she was secure before kissing her again, still with the fire she was used to from him but with something more now, less desperation, more love, softness. It took her a moment before she realized they were moving and that he was carrying her upstairs. She pushed the duster off his shoulders, and with a little expert maneuvering, he managed to get it the rest of the way off without dropping her, she heard it land somewhere on the stairs. She used one foot to kick the boot off of the other before repeating the motion with the other foot, letting them drop where they may. She let one hand stay hooked around his neck and used the other to snake down his chest, then back up it under his shirt, getting the first feel of his skin in way too long, shivering at the sensation of his cool, rock-hard chest.

Buffy wasn't sure what got into her, maybe it was because Spike said he wanted her to give him step in step instructions on what she wanted him to do, or maybe it was because Spike was the only man she'd ever been with who let her have complete control, the only one who she didn't feel the need to let the man take the lead. Whatever it was, Buffy was enjoying the tingly sensation she got when he followed her orders.

She pulled her lips away from his and opened her eyes. She waited until he did the same, and they were making eye contact before she spoke. "When we get into the bedroom, you're going to put me on the bed, then strip down before taking all my clothes off me."

His voice was all dark and growly, the way she loved, when he replied, "Yes ma'am."

He did just as she bid, placing her softly on the bed before stripping down without any fanfare, leaving just his boxers on until she made a sound of displeasure, then with a smirk, he pushed them down, and Buffy lost herself for a moment watching his cock spring free. His dark chuckle brought her back as he slowly made his way over to her in a way she could only describe as prowling. Each step closer he got made her breathe quicker until she was almost panting with need by the time he made it to her.

She expected him to be rough going by the feral look in his eyes and from their past experiences, but when he unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them off her, it was softly, lovingly, he made sure to kiss every inch of skin he exposed. He did the same with her socks and her shirt, and when he finally made it to her bra, his breath hitched, seeing her completely undressed again. He took her breast into his mouth, sucking, rolling his tongue around her nipple. She groaned in disappointment when his mouth left her completely. He was on top of her, looking at her with those bright blue eyes and that piercing stare she was so used to turning away from. He was panting almost as hard as she was, she always enjoyed that about him.

His hand was up at her cheek, stroking it lovingly, reverently, and when he spoke, it came out like a hoarse pleading whisper, "Buffy…"

Spike wanted her, fuck how he wanted her, but he promised himself he'd let her set the pace, and she was the one that started this game. So he stood there, waiting, ravenous, waiting for the okay to feast. Eyes looking over every inch of her before going back to the beginning and starting over again. He was sure if he was human, he'd have drooled when she pulled her legs up so her feet were resting on the bed, and she spread her legs open wide in invitation. He'd dreamed of her taste too many times to count.

He moved forward on autopilot as if he had any other choice. It was like coming home for him, that's what she was to him now and had been for a long time, long before he admitted the truth to himself. So yeah, this felt like coming home, but there was something so different about it, too, something new, something real, it wasn't something to just pass the time or make her feel anything at all. It was him she wanted, Spike and something felt momentous about that.

He dropped to his knees, and when he was face to face with her sex, all those pony lovey-dovey thoughts disappeared, and all that was left was a deep growl going through him, starting from the bottom of his stomach and working its way out of his mouth. Without being able to wait another moment, he grabbed her left leg and started kissing it, licking, nipping, slowly moving closer and closer to where she wanted him most. He heard her breathing quicken, and he saw her rock her hips to try to get him to move faster, but it wasn't going to work. He did whatever she wanted last year, and that was to be as rough and fast as possible, now, he was going to take his time, take every inch of her in like he'd been wanting to do for years.

Still, though, he was a vampire, so when he finally made it to the apex of her legs, he used his teeth to pull her underwear down, and when he went in for that first lick from the bottom of her slit to her clit he was sure he was gripping her legs hard enough to leave a bruise. The growl was constant at this point, only stopped by the groans of pleasure he let out, just being able to taste her again.

He knew what moves made her scream, but he wasn't working towards that, not yet, anyway. He started slow, making sure to avoid the parts of her that worked her up the most. It wasn't long before she was writhing, trying to move her hips and angle her body in a way that would make him touch her where she needed him to.

"Spike!" She whined, not used to this, with him especially.

"Yes, luv?" He pulled his mouth away from her but entered her with two fingers, making sure to keep her stimulated.

"Stop playing with me!"

Playing with her wasn't his intention, so he smirked at her before leaning back in and taking her clit into his mouth, rolling his tongue around it once, twice, before sucking, loving the loud moan that she made. It wasn't long before he felt her starting to contract around his fingers, and he knew she was close. He started moving faster, wanting her to fall over the edge, and he moaned along with her as she did. He had no intention of stopping so soon, but he felt her hands grabbing at him, trying to pull him up. He wasn't one to leave his lady waiting, so that's what he did. He did the slow climb up her body, making sure to take his time and properly worship every part of her he could reach with his mouth and hands.

He crawled his way up, and when he finally made it to her mouth, he kissed her deeply, still in shock that this was actually happening. Before and after he got the soul, he knew he was going to come back here to her, but in reality, he thought he was just going to be used as cannon fodder, a strong fighter to help her win wars but ultimately disposable. To get this reception, Christ, he didn't know, he wasn't sure this was real. He knew one thing: she deserved much better than him, but he was no fool, he wasn't going to waste this chance to show her how good they could be together when she was looking for more than just to use him as her instrument of pain.

"Buffy," he half asked, half croaked, already lined up to enter her but wanting, needing, to hear her tell him it's what she wanted too.

She looked at him, her eyes sparkling. She saw the desperation in his face, and she opened her legs even wider, ready for him, "Spike, I love you, I want you. Right now."

Buffy saw his eyes widen, completely blindsided by her declaration. She wanted to talk to him and explain it, but she also knew this wasn't the time, so she placed her pointer finger on his mouth, shushing him. When she could tell he wasn't going to say anything, she pulled her hand away and nodded, not wanting to wait a moment longer to have him inside her again.

It was crazy how much things could change in a moment, the moment between liking someone and realizing you're in love with them. Every look, every touch, caress, and thrust was different to her now. She knew that it wasn't him who was the one being different; it was her, her perception, and she loved every moment of it.

She missed the twists Spike did at the end of every thrust; it had a way of hitting that spot deep inside her and making her scream. This was different, though; they kept eye contact the whole time, and the buildup was slow, she loved every moment of it. Finally, when she felt like she couldn't hold out any longer, she pulled Spike close and nibbled on the part of his ear she learned was really sensitive last year, even when she was trying not to learn those types of things about him.

As she fell over the edge, she pulled back just enough to moan his name in his ear. She felt his thrusts starting to lose rhythm, start to become more jerky, and pick up in speed; it wasn't long until he was finishing and kissing her deeply. Eventually, he rolled over, making sure to take her with him, he wanted as little space in between them as possible. They lay like that in silence for a long while, slowly bringing their breath (needed and not) back to normal as Spike ran his fingers up and down her spine.

"Buffy…" He eventually broke the silence.

"Hmm?" She asked in a contented, half-awake, half-asleep state.

"Did you mean it?"

"Mean what?" She asked, sounding a little more awake.

"Nothing," He replied, sure he must have made it up in his head. Your brain could do crazy things if you want something bad enough.

His uncertainty woke her up, and she lifted up her head to rest on her arm so she could look at him in the face, "What, Spike?"

"It's just you said something, or I think you said something, leastways."

Understanding came over her face. "Oh. Well, yeah."

Okay, now Spike was sure he imagined it because there was no way Buffy Summers, his Buffy, would say she loved a dead evil creature as nonchalantly as that. Fuck, she had a problem admitting it to her alive American soldier boyfriend, there was no way she'd be this calm if she said it to Spike. "Slayer…"

"I love you, Spike, I do. I have for a long time but finally admitted it to myself today. So yeah, I love you. I'm in love with you." She couldn't help but smile when his face turned from confused to disbelief to realization, then elation.

"Oh Christ, Buffy, I love you so much, I'll make you happy, I swear, I'll do whatever it takes, I'll…" He started, getting emotional, Buffy knew she had to cut him off when she saw his eyes start to water.

She laughed, "Alright, alright, it's okay. I already know all that, Spike. And I feel the same. That's why I didn't give you the Amulet; I couldn't even consider losing you, I wouldn't survive it…"

Spike leaned in to kiss her lips, cutting her off. "You would, you're the Slayer. It might not be easy, but you'd make it through."

"Yeah, well, maybe, but there's a difference between surviving and living, and if anything I'd be surviving, barely surviving." She took a deep breath and sounded calmer when she continued, "At least we don't have to worry about that now."

"And you'll be okay if your precious Angel dies in the battle?" He regretted the words as soon as they came out of his mouth. Christ, you'd think he'd learn how to filter words between his brain and his mouth after over a hundred years, but no, and he'd long since given that endeavor up as a loss. Things were going so good, why did he have to bring the ponce up?

Buffy sighed and laid flat on the bed, looking up at the ceiling, it was quiet for so long Spike was sure she was pissed, and he already ruined everything. He knew it was too good to be true, knew she was too good for him, of course, he'd fuck it up. Her quiet, thoughtful words cut his panicking line of thought off. "I mean, it's not like I'd be happy, in fact, I'd be a way of the sad. He might not be the love of my life, but I still love him. I hope he survives, but if he doesn't, I won't spend the rest of my life wishing I was dead with him."

Spike stared at her in the dark and took in her relaxed features; she was telling the truth. He wasn't sure when it happened or what he did to get so soddin' lucky, but this was real. She wasn't just saying something to make him feel better, which now he felt like an idiot for even considering because when in the world did Buffy Summers ever give one single fuck about saving Spike's feelings.

He decided he pushed his luck enough tonight. Normally, Buffy kept her emotions so close to the vest that he was lucky to get a word about them out of her, and tonight, she'd spilled her heart out to him if he pushed more, she could close up, and that was the last thing he wanted. So, instead, he laid flat on the bed and snuck his arm under her neck, pulling her closer and breathing an unneed sigh of relief when she cuddled up onto him. He pulled her even closer, if possible, and kissed the top of her head. Fuck, he loved this woman. He listened as her breaths started to even out, her hold on his chest lessened, and she felt the change in her heart rate. Lying there with a sleeping Buffy, he was sure he'd never felt as comfortable and content, he was getting tired but was scared to go to sleep, worried he'd wake up and she'd be gone again. Eventually, he had no choice, shit was going down tomorrow, and if he was going to be on Buffy's left, helping to keep her safe, he had to be at the top of his game, which even for vampires meant being properly rested.

He woke up to a sensation he wasn't used to; there was pressure on his chest, something tickling his nose, and something running up and down his stomach. He inhaled, trying to take in the scents before he opened his eyes and let whoever was there know he was awake. As soon as her scent entered his nose, it all came back to him. Buffy was still there cuddling up with him, idly running her fingers up and down his chest, her flyaway hairs tickling his nose.

"Good morning," She said, not looking up to him.

"How'd you know I was awake?"

"You start breathing again when you wake up. Such a weird vampire."

He huffed as if he was annoyed, "Look who's talking, you're the strangest Slayer I've ever come across."

"And you love every moment of it."

Well, she got him there, didn't she? "That I do."

She stayed there for a few more long moments before sighing and sitting up. Spike groaned and tried to pull her back down, and Buffy playfully slapped his hand away. "Nuh-uh, don't even try it. I have to get back to the house," She stops to look at the nonexistent watch on her wrist, "Like an hour ago, I just didn't want you to wake up alone here again. Today is a big day, Spike, I feel it."

"Right then," He said, sitting up, not bothering to argue because he felt it too, "We better get back there."

She smiled softly at him before leaning in and kissing him once deeply. Spike fought every instinct he had so he didn't pull her back when she broke the kiss. It took a few minutes for them to find their clothes. It wasn't as if they paid much attention as they were taking them off, but after they did, they left for the sewers. Buffy scrunched her nose at the scent. You'd think after so many years, she'd get used to it or at least be able to ignore it, but nope, that smell was super gross.

They stood at the bottom of the ladder to the grate that was only about 20 feet from Buffy's house. Without letting herself think about it, she reached for Spike's hand, needing a moment of support. She had no idea what she was going to be walking into right then, she knew for a fact not many, if any, people would be happy about her and Spike coming in as a couple or running off together the night before the apocalypse. She considered that she could pretend like nothing had changed between her and Spike until after the battle was won but decided against it. For all she knew, they were going to lose this one, and she wasn't going to die lying to her friends while making the guy she loved think she was embarrassed by him. Nope, she was going to walk in there with her head held high, holding Spike's hand. She decided she'd give the Scoobies exactly ten minutes to say what they wanted before taking over the conversation and focusing it on the battle.

They were lucky she was even going to give them that long, she was still so beyond angry with the whole take-over thing and then throwing her out of the house thing. She kept trying her hardest to put it behind her and forgive her friends just as she always did, but she just couldn't. Truthfully, Buffy got the feeling each of them was holding onto their own anger at her for one reason or another. Yeah, they'd definitely have to have a Scoobie meeting once this was over if they ever wanted to get back to the way things were. Buffy wasn't looking forward to that; she was a denial girl, and it'd worked out pretty well for her so far, but not this time, she realized with a huff.

"Ladies first?" Spike asked, bringing her back to the present.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'll run ahead and open the door."

Spike shrugged, "It's fine, Kitten. I've taken this route so many times during the day I know just where to walk to be covered from the sun, and for the few feet that there isn't any shadow, I have this," he said showing off his duster.

Buffy worried for a minute, not wanting to take the chance of Spike getting hurt, but eventually shrugged, trusting him to know better than her. With one more deep breath and nod to convince herself, she started climbing up the ladder, feeling more relaxed hearing Spike right behind her, knowing he had her back no matter what. She followed Spike's lead when they made it to the road, he was right, he barely had to run or duck at all to make it to her porch. She quickly leaned over and kissed him, reminding herself that all the drama she was about to have to deal with was completely worth it.

So, with one more comforting squeeze of his hand, Buffy reached to the doorknob for the front door and turned it. She took a step inside, taking a moment to be surprised about how quiet it was. Everyone must be in the kitchen. She didn't bother to explain her line of thought to Spike, instead just walking to where she needed to go, sure that Spike would follow. When she walked into the room, everyone was standing over what looked like a map of the school. In a moment, she turned from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who was in life with Willam the Bloody, Slayer of Slayers, and instead turned into Buffy Summers, General of her army of potential Slayers, ready to lead wherever.

When Giles noticed her, he stood up straight and took off his glasses, "Buffy, there you are, we were worried, we would have sent a search party out for you, but when we did a location spell, it told us you were in the same house you spent the night in during that… unfortunate incident, and figured you were alright."

Unfortunate incident, huh? So that was what they're calling it. In Buffy's opinion, it was a takeover and unlawful eviction. And that was putting it nicely. She looked away from Giles, too hurt to see his face, and accidentally made full eye contact with Angel, who was looking at her with those soulful eyes as if she had just broken his heart. Ugh, she didn't have time for this right now. She thought she'd be more hurt seeing him looking at her like this, but she wasn't. She actually felt a little bad because, in reality, seeing Angel like that made her a little annoyed, didn't they have bigger things to worry about right now? More important than where she slept and who was in that bed with her? She knew she was going to have to have a long conversation with him but that wasn't going to happen right now.

"Yeah, here I am, all of the fine. Okay, where are we, what are we working on?"

"Well, we've been thinking…" Willow spoke up, finally taking her eyes off the table filled with different papers, books, and weapons, "…Holding hands."

Xander looked at his best friend, confused about how holding hands would help anything, would it strengthen a spell? Anything to help them win, he decided, he couldn't spare another vital body part. Speaking of his one good left eye, he used it to follow Willow's line of sight right over to Buffy… and Spike…. Holding hands. It took his brain a few long moments to compute the information, the picture he saw just didn't make sense in his head. "Bu-Bu-Buffy, holding hands, with Spike. What? Why? Since when? How? I repeat, why?"

Spike was expecting Buffy's grasp to loosen and then slowly pull away; he was pleasantly surprised when she squeezed harder. "Not sure that's really your business right now, and I'm sure we have more important things to discuss. End of the world apocalypse ringing any bells for you?"

Giles cleaned his glasses for the second time in as many minutes, "As loathe as I am to admit it, considering I have quite a few questions of my own, Buffy is right, we have to focus on the most immediate problem at hand before dealing with the less pressing ones."

Buffy held in the groan that wanted to come out after Giles' words. In the end, she decided to take it for a win and focused back on the battle plans From what she could figure; it was a matter of hours until they were either victorious or beating their enemy or a few hours from the world ending, either way, she didn't want to spend this time dealing with people trying to talk her out of being with Spike because she was so past letting other people's thoughts and opinions on her life sway how she chose to live it.

So she stood there with her shoulders straight and her head held high, ready to take control of the room, "Okay, give it to me, what do we got so far, guys?"