As Buffy made her way down the stairs she realized she didn't even tell everyone about the fact that she finally took Caleb down. It wasn't like she had much of a chance, as soon as she walked through the front door with Angel he was all anyone wanted to talk about. Oh well, she was sure he'd tell them about it.

She heard Spike was working out some frustration on the punching bag, he sounded like he was really going at it. He stopped when she made it down the stairs though. His question surprised her, "Where's tall, dark, and broody?"

"Let me guess, you can smell him?"

"Well yeah, that, and I used my enhanced vampire eyeballs to see you two getting all cozy together over Caleb's dead body. Bodies?"

Buffy laughed, "I couldn't decide if it would be body or bodies either." Her smile slowly vanished when she noticed he wasn't laughing with her. "We were just saying hello."

"Hmm. The star-crossed lovers that only get their stolen moments together. Hope you made the most of it." Sarcasm dripped off his words.

"This is good, I haven't had quite enough jealous vampire crap tonight." She could do sarcasm just as well as him, better even.

"He wears lifts, you know."

Buffy sighed and turned around, that's when she noticed that there was a piece of paper taped to the punching bag, and on the piece of paper, there was a very unflattering and childish picture of a dark-haired vampire with his eyes crossed out. If Spike wasn't pissing her off, she'd laugh at it, she rolled her eyes. "You know, one of these days I'm just going to put you two in a room together and just let you rassle it out."

"No problem at this end of it."

"There could be oil of some kind involved."

"Where's the trinket?" Spike asked, ignoring her words.

"The who-kit?"

"The pretty necklace your sweety bear gave you. The one with all the power. I believe it's mine now."

"How do you figure?"

"Someone with a soul but more than human. Angel meant to wear it, that means I'm the qualified party." Spike held out his hand.

"Spike, no, you're not wearing it."

"From the sounds of things, you'll need someone strong to bear it, you planning on giving it to Andrew?"

She quirked her lips in a semblance of a smile. "No, Angel is wearing it. He's upstairs with everyone going over plans."

Spike's outstretched hand slowly fell back down to his side. "Oh, I see. Alright then." Spike turned around and started digging through the filing cabinets he'd turned into a makeshift nightstand.

Buffy knew he wasn't really looking for anything, "Spike…"

Spike turned around to face her quick enough to startle her a little, though she hid it. She could see by his face that he was using anger to cover the hurt. He never was able to hide his emotions from the outside world. "Great, here superhero Angel comes again to save the day. I wonder how long it'll be until he starts questioning your plans and trying to take control, or worse, making you question yourself. We all know how you can't do anything but follow his lead."

"That's not fair, and you know it. Don't be like this. We can use all the help we can get." Buffy said, trying not to get angry herself.

"Yeah, well, soddin' life's not fair, or haven't you figured that out yet?" Spike busied himself by lighting a cigarette, anything not to have to look at Buffy.

"Stop being like this, I didn't do anything wrong, and you have no right to be jealous, you're not my boyfriend!"

"Oh, don't I know it!" He turned away from her and walked over to the window to smoke out of.

"Ugh! Sometimes you get me so…"

"Uh, Buffy?" Willow said a little awkwardly at the bottom of the stairs. They both must have been too focused on each other and the fight not to notice someone getting that close to them.

Buffy sighed and turned to her, making sure not to take her anger at Spike out on her best friend. "What's up, Wills?"

"Well, I know you said to put Angel somewhere else but the basement is the only vampire-proofed place in our already cramped house."

"Well, ain't this just the bloody icing on the cake," Spike mumbled but still loud enough for the women to hear. Buffy turned to say something to him— more likely snap at him but he used his vampire speed to walk past them and up the steps. A second later they both heard the backdoor slam shut.

"Sorry," Willow said.

"Huh?" Buffy asked, her eyes staring at the stairs that Spike just walked up, still focused on him and his vampire signature getting further and further away. She gave her head a mental shake and focused back on the current problem. "Uh, it's fine, have him down here too, just don't give him Spike's bed, you'll have to figure something else out for him, I'd never hear the end of it."

Buffy didn't wait for a response, she started her track upstairs, though she was pretty sure she heard Willow sarcastically say, "Yeah, sure, I'll get right on that."

Hearing that tone from Willow made Buffy decide that when this battle was finally over, she and the other core Scoobies were going to have to sit down and have a talk, a real talk about their problems, they'd never get passed them if they didn't. She opened the back door and was surprised that she didn't find Spike in the corner of the yard he had pretty much designated for himself. It was where she'd go over the last few weeks to talk to him when the house felt overcrowded, a place where they could just be Buffy and Spike, not the slayer and a souled vampire trying for redemption.

Not seeing him there worried her a little, it wasn't as if the yard was that big, so it wasn't like he was hiding. That meant he left, and right now the town was really dangerous, add to that Spike being angry and probably not thinking too clearly or paying too much attention to his surroundings, well, she couldn't let anything happen to one of her best fighters right before the battle, that's what she told herself, anyway. She took a step off the porch ready to go find Spike when a voice she knew well stopped her.

"Buffy…"

Buffy held back a sigh before turning around and smiling at Angel. "Hey Angel, I don't really have time to talk right now, I'll come see you later before bed."

"Chasing after the boyfriend?"

"I told you, he's not my boyfriend!"

"Sure looks like it to me."

"Well you might need to get your eyes cleaned, or checked, whatever, you know what I mean."

He smiled a little. "I do. Okay, okay, I believe you, he's not your boyfriend. But if that's the case just come inside, let him tantrum by himself. It's not like we often have chances to be around each other."

'And whose fault is that?' Her mind immediately snapped back but thankfully the part in her brain that is supposed to stop you from saying everything you think actually worked this time. "He might not be my boyfriend but he's important to this fight, one of the best fighters we have. And it's dangerous out there and I'm not going to let him face it alone. I'd do the same for anyone in the house right now."

"Yeah, well, if he's such a good fighter, he should be able to handle a night out alone." He grumbled, still upset about how much she smelled like Spike, she was drenched in him, not sex, but lots of prolonged contact.

Buffy rolled her eyes and turned around. "I don't have time for this right now, I'll see you later Angel."

Again, she didn't wait for a reply, instead walking away. Angel stared after her, feeling this was different, she was different than when she was with Riley, when he came to visit while she was dating him, she'd always make time for Angel, even if she had to pretend she was annoyed while she was doing it. Now, well, now she wouldn't even give him the time of day, or night he supposed. And the way she looked at him was different too, there was just something missing from her eyes when she looked at him now. He took a step forward to follow her but then stopped himself, he wasn't sure she'd take too kindly to that, plus, he promised to call the gang to let them know if he wasn't planning on coming home tonight.

Buffy didn't have to think while she walked, somehow her body knew exactly where to go. At least, she hoped so, she'd been walking ten minutes now and hadn't found him yet. Then again, he did get a nice head start on her, especially after Angel stopped her from leaving. Plus the whole vampire super speed thingy. Ugh, she didn't have time for this, it wasn't like she was on the eve of the biggest apocalypse to date or anything. Why was she chasing after him again? Oh, yeah, that's right, she's chasing him because she just had a realization of the huge variety, she realized she couldn't risk giving him the amulet because she couldn't risk him not making it out of the battle. Which was silly now that she thought about it, Spike always survived, he was like a cockroach in that way. She scrunched her nose, yeah, not a good metaphor, or was it a simile? Either way, no more comparing Spike to bugs, she was going to treat Spike better, even in her head. Plus, someone that yummy-looking shouldn't be compared to something so gross.

Focus, Buffy she scolded herself. What was she even going to say to him when she finally tracked him down? It wasn't like she could tell him the real reason she didn't want him to wear the amulet, that'd just open up a whole different conversation she couldn't have. So she'd do the only thing she could, tell him to suck it up, this was what was best for the team, and drag him back to the house.

Yeah right, like it'd be that easy, Buffy couldn't see any situation where Spike would willingly go share a small space with Angel for hours. Ugh, why did Willow have to be right about the basement being the best place for Angel? Buffy might not have said anything yet but she already had all intentions of sleeping down there in Spike's arms again. Something about his arms wrapped around her and his unneeded breathing in her ear made her feel so safe. She knew it was insane, feeling safe falling asleep with a vampire at her neck, a newly unchipped one, but it was the truth, she knew Spike wouldn't hurt her, she trusted him, more than anyone else at this point and time. He was the only one who had her back completely, she could tell him the best plan was to lay on the ground with no weapons, close their eyes, and wait for The First's army to attack. He'd just shrug before lying down. Though the whole time he was lying there he'd probably be yelling at her telling her how stupid he thought the idea was, but he'd do it with her, for her. He'd do anything for her.

There was a snarky voice inside of her telling her not to trust it, not to trust Spike, he could easily turn on her as soon as the other team had something better to offer. That was the voice she always listened to, the voice that made it easier to stay away from him. She was pretty sure that voice was the part of her that was raised on council teachings, the part that Angel solidified in her.

Buffy slowed her steps, confused, she realized how small that voice was now, so quiet it could be easily ignored now if she wanted to. She'd grown up, she knew what other people thought of vampires, Spike in particular but she also knew she was smart enough to make her own decisions, she didn't need to rely on the opinions and teachings of others anymore. And from what she learned, saw, and understood on her own, she knew Spike loved her, he was trustworthy, and he'd never purposely hurt her again. She knew he was kind and sweet when he wanted to be but he covered that all up with his brash attitude and his duster because he'd been hurt and beat down too many times. She knew he'd die for herself and Dawn in a second if he had to but she also knew he'd fight like hell to make sure they all made it home safe before that happened. She knew he was her partner, even if she never set out for him to become that, and she knew she'd never want it any other way. That was why he couldn't wear the amulet, she couldn't lose that, lose him, she loved him too much for that to happen.

Buffy stopped in her tracks and gasped. She loved Spike? She loved Spike. Hmm, that wasn't nearly as terrifying as she thought it would be. She tried the thought again, 'I love Spike.' No, that wasn't real enough yet, she had to put it out into the world before she chickened out and changed her mind or went back to Egypt to live on the Nile. She had to say it out loud, so she did, "I love Spike."

She smiled, she felt like she could actually breathe easier, how long had she been holding that in, been lying to herself? That didn't matter, it was in the past. Now she just had to find the stubborn ass and tell him so they could get home and she could get her cuddles.

Spike wasn't really sure where he was going or what his plans were, all he knew was that he sure a soddin' hell wasn't going back to the house, back to watch Buffy and Angel pine over each other all night, to watch the longing looks they'd give each other every time they thought no one else was looking, the small secret touches they'd do whenever they passed each other. No. No way Spike was going to go back. It was then that Spike remembered Klem left town, so his old crypt was probably empty if it hadn't already been taken over by some other nasties. So Spike turned directions and started to make his way to Restfield, it'd be good to have his old bed back, and he could barricade himself in there pretty easily, he'd done it enough times before.

He couldn't help but wonder what Buffy was doing right now, were she and Angel sitting outside, the only place that anyone could get some privacy, holding hands and making promises to each other about after the battle? Or was she in front of all the baby Slayers giving her orders and laying out the plans and directions? He stopped walking Christ, he was a selfish arsehole, what was he thinking, leaving her there by herself? Those people all had a mutiny and kicked her out of her own house less than forty-eight fucking hours ago. He sighed, he had to watch Dru fall all over herself for Angelus' love for over a hundred years, and he'd been watching Buffy do it the whole time he'd known her. He could handle a few more nights of watching the woman he loved being in love with someone else if it was going to help keep her safe.

Yeah, he was no coward, no bloody weakling either, he could handle some pain of the heart variety, he had his fair share of experience with that already. So he'd go back but first he'd check out the crypt, he was already in the cemetery, and as long as Klem hadn't found it, he had a decent stash of alcohol that he could use right about now. Hey, just because he was going to willingly go watch the woman he loved fawn over someone else didn't mean he had to be sober for it. Plus, he was pretty sure he owed Buffy an apology, his soul twinged inside him letting him know he definitely owed her an apology, and since he wasn't too good at those, he figured a drink would help loosen him up a little.

When he made it to the crypt he stayed outside, circling it, making sure it was empty, once he determined that it was, he slowly made his way inside. It looked almost exactly how he left it, a nicknack or two from Klem's days were here but that was about it. He probably took it all with him when he left town. He flopped on his old recliner chair for a moment taking it all in before standing up. It wasn't like he had any reason to be particularly sentimental about this place, it wasn't as if he had many good memories here, there were some with Dawn that he looked back on with a smile but even those were tainted now. He couldn't even think back on his time with Buffy here, all of it felt so wrong, so dirty since the soul. He walked over to the small shelf that pretty much made up his kitchen and moved it to the side. There in the wall was an indent that the shelf hid and that's where his stash was. When he left to get the soul he was too distressed to stop to pack it but it had some things he didn't want to lose, a hat he wore in the 20s when he and Dru were at their best, a ring he'd kept from his mother, a few ticket stubs from concerts and movies from over the century, one of Dawn's stuffed animals that she'd given him over the Summer Buffy was gone, and one of Buffy's tanktops that lost her scent long ago. He realized now that the only one that wasn't his to have was Buffy's and that said a lot about their relationship, or lack of one.

There was also a decent stash of cash that didn't do him much good right now but he'd somehow slip it to Buffy for after the battle when things started getting back to normal and bills started being due again. The stash of alcohol though, well he was going to be selfish and keep that one for himself. He grabbed a bottle of Jack, opened it up, and took a long swig. God, he missed alcohol, he hadn't been drinking much in recent months.

He was on his third swig, standing staring at his most prized possessions when he heard someone or something making their way through the cemetery, possibly heading for the crypt. He cursed himself for being so angry when he left that he didn't bring a weapon then shrugged, oh well, he loved working off some anger with a good brawl. He realized that wasn't necessary when he smelled Buffy's scent. He inhaled deeply taking it in and waited for her to come in. She stood there for a long time, he was considering opening the door for her but decided against it, giving her the option to leave if she wanted. He wasn't sure why she was here anyway, he didn't sense the Poof anywhere near. He took another swig and waited, preparing to eat crow, or whatever the bloody saying was.

She eventually opened the door slowly, without knocking, then again why would she, she never had before. Anyone who didn't know her would think she was calm and collected but Spike knew better, she was nervous, worried, and something else, excited, maybe? He wasn't sure but he knew she didn't look like that when he left a half hour ago, he wasn't sure how much could have changed in that time.

"Hey," She eventually started.

"'Lo, love. Guess you found me."

She smirked, "It wasn't that difficult. And if you would have stopped walking so fast I would have caught up to you much sooner."

"What's wrong, Slayer? Need me back at home base? Is it falling apart without me?" He joked, keeping it light-hearted.

She scoffed, "Yeah, it's falling apart but I think that's been happening for months now, Angel was just the icing on the cake. No one other than Willow and Faith want him there or trust him."

"And you?"

"Huh?"

"You want him there too, if you didn't he wouldn't be there," He reasoned.

"Hey, I do things all the time that I don't want to in the name of duty, this was no different. I knew him coming would be a fight or ten I wasn't up to having tonight."

Spike's shoulders slumped in regret as he looked down to the ground, his soul reminding him he was trying to help Buffy, not make her life harder. "Sorry, love, I didn't mean to add any more trouble to your plate, you're already dealing with enough."

Hearing her footsteps walking closer to him made him look up at her, "Spike I… ugh, I'm so bad with the words, can't you just look at me and know what I'm trying to say like you used to?"

"Sorry, Slayer, I'm afraid that particular superpower of mine has been wonky since the soul. It's kinda hard to read someone else's intentions and emotions when you're just figuring out your own."

"Ugh, fine," She said and ripped the bottle of Jack out of his hand making his eyebrows rise in surprise. "Sit down," She demanded and he complied immediately, she took one long sip of the bottle making Buffy's signature gross face when she was done. "Bluhh, so gross, I'll never get used to that."

Thankfully, she felt her body warm up and her limbs get looser, it might be gross but it served its purpose. She wasn't trying to get drunk though so she handed it back to him and she started pacing back and forth across the room, she started talking without looking at him, "I was just as surprised as everyone else was when Angel showed up today, I hadn't thought of him in a while and didn't particularly wish he was here or miss him. Anyway, when he handed me the Amulet giving me the rules for the person that could wear it, I had a realization, I knew there was only one person I trusted enough to wear it." Out of the side of her eyes, she saw Spike slump down in the chair even more so she turned to him, "What?"

"Nothing, I know you chose Angel because you trust him, I just thought we'd gotten past a few things and you were starting to trust me too. Not that I've earned it or anything, I'd understand if you never trusted me again, that's what I deserve."

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Ugh, I wasn't talking about Angel."

"What?"

"I was talking about you, dummy, you're the only one I trust, you're the only one that's had my back no matter what."

He looked up at her with a look she had only seen a few times before when she walked down the stairs the first time after her resurrection and he realized she wasn't the bot, when she trusted him to protect her family, and the night before when she asked him to hold her—times when she gave him the smallest bit of a crumb into her life made him in awe. The fact that it took so little to make him feel like that made her heart break a little. He asked in disbelief, "Me? Then why did you give it to The Ponce?"

She couldn't help but smile at his determination to make fun of Angel even in such serious situations, "Because I had another realization after that one."

"And what was that?" He asked standing up slowly and taking a step to her, never breaking eye contact.

She looked away, trying to be open with him was not easy, she hadn't let herself be vulnerable other than the night before in the abandoned house in a long time. Her voice was quieter and more shaky than she'd have liked, "I couldn't let you wear the amulet because I couldn't risk losing you." She turned to face him, voice stronger, "I can't lose you Spike, you're too important to me for that."

He smiled softly but she saw sadness in his eyes too, "It's okay, Slayer, you know me, I always make it out of the fight. You don't have to worry, I'll be here to help with the next apocalypse too, you're not losing one of your fighters."

She smacked his shoulder, not too hard, not trying to hurt but upset that she was going to have to spell it out to him, she was terrible with the words and she wished they could just skip this part and get to the smoochies. Don't get her wrong, there would be smoochies, lots of them, she just wanted them now. "Oh, don't be stubborn Spike, that's not what I mean, and you know it."

Spike scoffed, resting his hands on his hips, "Me stubborn? Ain't that just rich, coming from you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Means you're the most stubborn bint I ever knew in my hundred and twenty years!"

She decided the time for talking was over, she was obviously doing a terrible job with it anyway, so she surged forward and kissed him with all she had. He was shocked for a second before sinking in and joining the kiss just as urgently. She started pawing at his duster to get it off and then his shirt. She was surprised a moment later when his lips were no longer on hers and her hands, which were just filled with his yummy chest, were empty too. She looked around the crypt and saw him standing facing away from her in the corner panting hard, mumbling something to himself that she couldn't hear, even with her slayer senses. She wasn't fond of how worried and small her voice sounded when she asked, "Spike?"

He didn't turn to look at her, "Sorry, Bu—Slayer, I can't do it again, I can't be that for you, someone to distract yourself with, someone to be rough with you and hurt you, I can't do it, you said it was killing you."

She took the steps distancing them and touched his shoulder, quickly pulling back when he flinched away, "Ugh, guess I can't skip over the talking part of this, can I?"

Spike turned slightly to look at her, unsure what she meant. "Probably for the best, yeah? Not talking got us in some pretty fucked up situations before."

She sighed, "Yeah, alright, fine, I'll…" She trailed off and used her grossed-out face, "Use my words."

Spike chuckled and turned all the way around to face her, wanted to reach out and touch her but not sure he was allowed. Christ this was all so confusing, he had no idea which way was up when it came to her. But, he supposed that was how it's always been when it comes to Buffy. He was happy when he felt Buffy take his hand and lead him back over to the recliner, sitting him down. He was surprised and confused but delighted when she sat on his lap. He cautiously wrapped his arm loosely around her waist. He had this dangerous feeling filling up inside him, a feeling he had before that always ended in pain, a feeling that could be the death of him if he let it. He tried to squash it down but it was impossible, he was feeling hope.

"Buffy…"

"Is this okay?"

He was confused again, "Is what okay?"

"Me, sitting on you, I totally should have asked before just doing it."

He smiled, "Yeah, it's okay, of course it is, Buffy. Anything you want from me is yours, always has been, always will be."

"No, I have to ask. Last year, well, we were doing things that weren't exactly safe." Spike flinched and turned his head away from her, removing his hands from her and resting them on the arms of the chair, she rested her hand on his cheek and slowly turned it back to face her. "Spike, it wasn't all your fault, you know better than anyone how messed up I was during that time, how terrible I treated you. I just want to make sure that never happens again, from either of us. That's why we have to ask. Okay?"

He nodded though he thought to himself there wasn't much point to it. It wasn't as if there was any chance they'd ever become a couple, that he'd ever have a chance with her again. He'd just keep his hands to himself unless she asked otherwise, it was the best way to keep her safe. Though he acknowledged he broke his new rule only moments ago when he wrapped his arm around her, but he'd do better now, he swore. "Okay, Slayer, you've got my word."

She looked deeply into his eyes, "Good because this is too important to me, you're too important to lose."

"Buffy…" He wasn't really sure what to say, that pesky hope was showing its ugly face again. "Thanks for the words but you'd survive just fine without me, luv, don't think otherwise."

She smacked his chest, this time hard enough to leave a sting but felt bad immediately after, she promised herself she'd stop doing that, "Don't say that! Yeah, I might survive, but I'd be heartbroken, it'd be like a part of me was dead along with you."

"What? Buffy, what are you saying?"

She took a deep breath, here it was, the moment she'd normally change the subject or run away. A part of her, a big part, wanted to do that right now but no, she wasn't a coward, she was stronger than that. She shouldn't be afraid to admit her love for Spike. She took another deep breath for good measure, "I'm saying I love you, Spike, I'm in love with you and I'm not going to be scared of that anymore."

She worried that she broke him, he was just staring at her, mouth agape, she had the urge to snap her fingers in front of his face to snap him out of it but held back. Instead, she cupped his cheek again and waited for his brain to restart. Though she started getting anxious after about five seconds of no response, was she wrong? Did he not feel the same? Was it all about the chase for him like Xander suggested?

Thoughts were wiped out of her head when Spike leaned in and kissed her, soft but just as passionate, he kept pulling his lips away every few seconds to talk, "I love you… Christ Buffy, love you so bloody much… never hurt you again… love you…"

Buffy nodded agreeing, sometimes mumbling 'Love you too,' Just happy to have this, have him like this. When he finally broke the kiss they were panting into each other's faces, so close, staring at each other. Buffy had to switch from looking at one eye to the other because she was too close to see both.

Spike was pretty sure that he got attacked from behind on the way here and was currently unconscious because he couldn't imagine this was really happening, Buffy, the love of his life, was telling him the words he'd been dying to hear for years now. But he saw it in her eyes, she meant it, he used to see her look at Angel that was and be so soddin' jealous of it he wanted to scream, or kill her, just to wipe that look away. That was back when he was still with Dru, even back then the thought of her loving anyone else drove him crazy. He was a blind fool, he wondered how different their life would be right now if he admitted his feelings sooner, if he stopped trying to kill her just so he wouldn't have to deal with the weird unwelcomed feelings she brought out in him, so he'd stop thinking of her day and night.

"Someone's getting all deep thinky over there." He smirked, back in the moment. Though his smirk quickly faltered which caused Buffy to get worried. "What's wrong?"

He tried to hide his worries and just smile at her, "Nothing, Slayer, just still trying to believe this is real, if you weren't on my lap, I'd think it was The First fucking with me again."

"Well get used to it, buddy. Because it's real, so of the real."

"Buddy?" He tried to look offended.

"Yup. Buddy. I get to call you whatever I want now, it's girlfriend privileges."

He choked on nothing before he studdered, "G-g-girlfriend?"

"Uh yeah, duh. Do you think I just go around declaring my love to every Tom, Dick, and Mary?"

Spike quirked his eyebrow, "Mary, huh? Didn't know you swang that way, Slayer. No, that's not true, I knew there was something between you and the other Slayer,"

She blushed, "What? No! It's a saying."

"The saying is 'Tom, Dick, and Harry.'

"Oh, whatever, you knew what I meant."

He leaned back in the recliner, Buffy following, "So boyfriend, huh? That's what I am?"

"Again with the duh. What'd you think was going to happen?"

"Dunno, really. Boyfriend usually means going out on dates, hanging out with in public, dinners, sleepovers."

Ahh, she saw the problem now. Truthfully it kind of hurt that he thought she'd still want to hide him away, but she understood, it wasn't like she ever gave him any hope otherwise. That was going to change though, right now. "Well, yeah, I'm expecting all of that. You talked a big game last year, I'm expecting a doozy of a date night after this is all over."

'Yeah, he thought, he had to be unconscious, or dead because good things like this never happened to him'. He leaned in slowly, slow enough that she could back away if she wanted, she didn't though, she leaned in to kiss him faster. The kiss was soft at first, gentle, prodding, but soon gained in heat and intensity. Buffy wrapped her arms around him pushing herself up against him as much as possible, rocking her hips when she felt his hardness under her, and moaning into his mouth when it hit just the right spot. It was about that moment that she realized Spike wasn't touching her back, she looked and his hands were gripping the arms on the recliner so hard there were dents where his fingers were.

She pulled back, "Spike?"

"Buffy, kitten, you're gonna have to tell me what you want here, I can't…" he shook his head, "Just tell me what you want me to do."

She sighed, oh yeah, this was going to take some time and lots more words to work past this, she realized. That could wait until after the battle though, for now, "I want you to quickly, like so of the quick, walk with me to the house we spent last night, then I want you to take me to bed and make love to me. Is that clear enough for you?"

A smirk she hadn't seen on Spike's face for a long time appeared, the one she couldn't help but think was where the word 'devilish' came from. He stood up taking her with him and started putting a bunch of things she wasn't paying attention to, into a bag, all the while staring at her with eyes she could only call smoldering, "Not really, kitten, I think I'm going to need more. How about you tell me step by step what you want me to do, nice and slow like? I think that'd be real helpful."

She rolled her eyes but laughed very excited for the turn this night had taken. She tried for coy when she said, "I might be able to manage that."

The whole time they were walking, they never lost eye contact, the tension building between them every second. Both of their scenses were on alert for any danger but it seemed quiet tonight, the calm before the storm, Buffy thought. That didn't matter, that was a problem for the Buffy of tomorrow to deal with, the Buffy of tonight's only thoughts were about hurrying up to get her sexy vampire boyfriend naked and into bed, and she was going to make sure she did just that.