Part Eight: Hot and Bothered

Buffy was on her back, listening to the sounds of battle.

It killed her that she couldn't fight. Her friends were out there, hacking away at demon parts and casting spells while she lay helpless on the ground. If anything happened to any one of them--she didn't want to think about it. She couldn't.

This was the most they'd seen so far: close to thirty Zuxugna demons had attacked the gang when they'd happened upon a mating ritual dance on the outskirts of town. There was no time to fuck Spike before hand, and the high concentration of pheromones in the air incapacitated her immediately and completely.

She was drenched. Sweat pooled under her body and her panties were completely soaked.

Spike, Spike, Spike, she thought.

"Raaaaaarrrrrrrgh!" Spike. Killing one that was near her. "Close your legs, Slayer," she heard him say. "You're givin' us an eyeful."

She couldn't move at all. This sucked.

"Can you move at all?" He was sitting next to her.

"Unh," was all that came out of her mouth.

He carefully closed her legs. "Don't worry, baby," he said sotto voce, "I'll fix you later."

His touch made her absolutely insane. "Sp..."

"Shh, baby. We've almost got them."

Then he was gone.

* * * *

"Is she okay?" Willow's voice.

"Slayer's fine. Just gotta get her out of here, away from the mist."

"Has it ever been this bad?"

"No. She can't move or talk." Spike took her up over his shoulder and considerately straightened her skirt.

"Mm," Buffy said, and promptly passed out.

* * * *

"Spike?"

Buffy was in the dark. Naked. In her bed?

The heat was unbearable. And she needed Spike.

"Right here, love," he said, fire illuminating his face as he lit a candle and placed it on the bedside table.

"Hot," she said.

"Blackout," he said.

"Need you."

He pulled off his shirt and lay down beside her. "I know, pet."

He slid two fingers into her, pressed her clit with his thumb, and nibbled on her ear.

In seconds, she climaxed.

Buffy waited to snap out of it, but found herself still paralyzed with lust. "More."

Spike searched her face with hooded eyes. "More?"

She nodded.

He kissed her, then kissed all the way down to her pussy. He licked, sucked and teased just the way she liked. She quickly came in his mouth.

"Oh god," she said. "More."

He flipped her over. Watching her ass tremble in front of him, he couldn't help but give it a good slap.

She whimpered, but then said, and he was pretty sure he heard this right: "Yes."

He lifted an eyebrow, and ventured another slap.

"Yes!" She pushed into it this time.

Spike smiled rakishly. He backhanded her.

Buffy loved it.

Spike's smile turned sinister. "You don't know what you just got yourself into, love."

He yanked out his belt buckle and snapped it down.

Buffy cried out. The stinging pain brought her more pleasure than she'd ever imagined possible.

He whipped it across her thrice more, making sure to hit between the legs on the last strike. A line of come oozed out of her as she shivered from the sting.

That was it. He had to get inside of her. He unfastened his jeans, looped the belt across her mouth, pulled up, and rammed into her. His eyes nearly crossed from the sensation.

She grunted and bit into the leather between her teeth.

"That's right," he gruffed. "You're mine." He spanked her again, leaving a pink palm print across her ass.

At that, she came fiercely, her vaginal muscles strangling his cock.

Just as he was about to follow her into oblivion, she struck him with a backwards headbut. He reeled and fell out of her. She spun around and jumped on him, taking the belt from his grasp. She quickly looped it around his neck and pulled.

"No," she whispered, challenging him with her eyes. "You're mine."

He had to agree. When it all came down to it, he was irrefutably Buffy's bitch.

She kissed her way down his chest, stopping at his swollen cock. She licked from his balls to the tip and back down again, then took him in slowly, as far as she could go. She knew exactly what made him crazy: opening her throat as she went down, lapping at the base, sucking extra hard as she moved up, suckling the tip. Slow, faster, faster, faster, faster...

Spike silently thanked his lucky stars. Not only did he have Buffy, but he also had the best little cocksucker on God's green earth.

He tried to grasp at the bed, at her head, anything. She still had a pretty tight grip around his neck --if he'd needed to breathe he'd have been dead by now.

Of course she knew that only turned him on more.

A few days earlier they'd had an argument about swallowing. She'd never done it for anyone. She thought it was degrading, and besides Riley never wanted her to. Spike reasoned that A) Riley's a pansy; B) how come it's not degrading the other way 'round; and C) she's so good at it already, it'd be that much better if she'd only stay there til the end.

Tonight, she was swallowing. Every spurt, every drop--every last bit of it into her sweet hot mouth and down her throat and into her belly.

Spike was more in love than ever.

* * * *

"Gotta hand it to those demons," Buffy said. "At least they're considerate."

"Mm?" Spike asked in question as he puffed a stream of hot smoke.

They strolled down Main Street, her arm linked through his. "You know. My demon-sponsored horniness? Doesn't stop til I--y'know...stop."

"Works for me," he said.

"Seriously. Why do you think that is?"

"Dunno. Prob'ly fertilizes the egg or something."

"Ugh!" she said. "I take it back. Not considerate. Demons bad."

He shrugged. "I like 'em just fine. Got me you, didn't they?"

She unhooked her arm as they approached the Magic Box. "Ready to act natural?"

He shook his head. "Against my nature." He dropped his cigarette and stubbed it out.

"Spike."

"Got it. Natural. Wait, hold on." He shoved her up against a brick wall and kissed her passionately.

"Mmph--Spike!" She pushed him off.

"Sorry. Had to get that out of the way." He held up a finger beside her head and wiggled it. "What's this?" he whispered with a shocked expression.

The second she looked, he attacked her neck with a sensual growl.

"Why do I fall for that every time?" she asked herself.

"Dunno," he murmured giddily into her neck. His light sucking turned hard and his fingers began to creep up her skirt.

Buffy giggled. "Spike. Off! Off!" She looked in his eyes. "Natural."

"Right." He took a deep breath and made the face of an actor looking for his motivation. "I'm Spike. Buffy hates me, and I've never known the bliss of being between her heavenly thighs."

"Spike! Shush!"

He opened the door for her.

Buffy greeted the gang. "Hi guys!"

"Hey! Look who made it out of Demon Danceteria alive," Xander said, arms outstretched.

"Love the atmosphere," Buffy said, playing along. "Great DJ. But I think someone slipped me a rufie."

"Or seven."

"I know," Buffy grimaced at Xander. "Not a pretty sight, huh?"

"Not the exact phrase I'd choose, but--"

"Xander!" Anya snapped.

Spike narrowed his eyes at the boy as he sat down.

"How are you feeling?" Giles asked Buffy.

"Physically? Completely better," she said, taking a seat next to Spike. "Otherwise? Completely embarrassed."

"It's not your fault you were... like that," Willow said. "We're just glad you're okay."

"I know. You guys did a great job, by the way. Spike told me all about it."

Spike's hand inched over Buffy's thigh.

"We kicked horny demon butt," Willow said with a proud smile.

"Willow's almost figured out how to get them home," Tara volunteered.

"Well, I'm workin' on it."

"Fabulous," said Buffy, discreetly pushing Spike's hand away. "How's Dawn?"

"She's--" Dawn walked in from the back room. "--right here," Giles finished.

"Hey guys," Dawn said. "I didn't hear you come in."

"Hey! How's my little worker bee?"

"Buzzing away," she said.

"You can stop buzzing now," Giles said. "It's six o'clock."

"Cool." She put some books down. "What's doing tonight?"

"I don't know," Buffy said. "Giles?"

"Well, I think we should refrain from patrolling for the demons until we've worked out the transference spell."

"Could I possibly be hearing you right?" Buffy asked. "Am I off tonight?"

"Er, yes, you heard right."

Buffy jumped up. "Puh-lay time!" Spike watched her ass wiggle in his face. He wondered whether she'd get mad if he took a bite out of it.

"But I do expect you back here for training Monday."

"Oh, totally."

"We should all do something," Willow said. "You know, not demon-related."

"Bronze?"

"I... also think you should refrain from being out at night," Giles said to Buffy.

"Boo!" Buffy sat back down.

"He's right, pet," Spike said. "If you don't want to give another display like last night, it's probably best we stay in."

She turned to him with a deer-caught-in-headlights look.

"You... stay in," he corrected himself, pointing at her. "We as in, all of us."

"Yeah," Willow said. "Well--we can all stay in somewhere together."

"Our place," Xander said, wrapping an arm around Anya. "We're workin' that new technology the kids call DVD. I'm thinkin' maybe some light Jet Li fare followed by a little 'Bring It On'."

Anya and Buffy simultaneously rolled their eyes and groaned. Dawn snickered.

"I haven't seen it," said Tara. "Is it any good?"

"Brilliant picture," Spike volunteered.

Buffy cheered in an unenthusiastic monotone, "Rah, freakin' rah."

Interlude: Bring It!

"Who quieros cheeps y salsa?" Xander asked in a bad Mexican accent, carrying a platter into the living room.

"I do, I do!" Willow raised her hand.

"...Y muchos unidentifiable grayish stuff..." Xander added behind a shielding hand.

"It's called guacamole," Anya corrected, then added proudly to her guests, "I made it myself."

"Well, sometimes gray can be..." Tara looked at the platter, face falling. "...um, I'll have some later. Thanks."

Willow dipped a chip in salsa, avoiding Anya's questionable concoction.

"Give it here," Buffy said, arms outstretched. "It looks yummy, Anya."

"Thank you, Buffy!"

"Mm!" Buffy exclaimed. "And it is! Try this, Spike." She dug a chip into the guacamole and brought it to his waiting mouth, then paused to inspect it. "Is there any garlic in it?"

Buffy waited for an answer, failing to notice how much this unprecedented show of concern had bewildered her friends.

Spike, who did notice, had to restrain himself from tackling Buffy and kissing her breathless.

"No," Anya finally answered, "No garlic. The recipe on the box was all wrong, so I fixed it. I mean, lime juice? Who has that lying around?"

Spike crunched noisily and proclaimed, "Delicioso."

"Lemme try," Dawn said, sitting up from the floor to grab a bite. "Weird, but good."

Anya nudged Xander. "See? They like it."

"I take it all back, honey. You're the goddess of guacamole." Anya brightened and Xander rubbed his hands together. "So. Shall we begin?"

"What's first?" Willow asked.

"'Romeo Must Die'", he answered excitedly. "Kicks ass! You're gonna love it, Buff."

"Why?" asked Spike. "'Cuz all her Romeos run off and might as well die?"

Mouth full of Tostito, Buffy scoffed. "You're one to talk."

"Sorry, can't hear you with your mouth full." Spike casually motioned for the h'ors deurves tray on the coffee table.

Handing it to him, she warned suggestively, "Oh, I'll give you a mouthful."

Knowing exactly what she meant, Spike said, "Don't mind if I do," and downed another chip.

Xander was incredulous. "Is this the same Buffy I've known since high school? Because if it was, Spike would be a leeettle pile of dust right now."

Buffy gulped audibly. Caught. "Well...that would be messy. And, your couch..."

Xander scrutinized her suspiciously.

"I'm not a robot, Xander. I'm Buffy! The very same Buffy," she thought quickly, "who will love this movie because why?"

Xander's passion for the film got the better of him. "Because of the Matrix-worthy fight scenes, that's why!" He popped the DVD into place. "Behold. A true cinematic gem."

"Is it very violent?" Buffy queried, propelling the subject even further along. "Because Dawn--"

"I think I can handle it, Buffy." Dawn rolled her eyes from her spot on the floor.

"I'll decide whether you can handle it."

"So you're saying I can get sliced and diced by a Hellgod but I can't watch a pretend fight scene?"

Buffy blinked at Dawn.

"She's got a point there," Spike said.

Xander spoke up. "Nothing worse than your everyday Slayage, Buffy."

"All right," Buffy allowed and relaxed next to Spike. Maternal mode: off. Secret Lovebunny mode: on. Her shoulder brushed against his. Okay, less bunny, more secret. She quickly put a little space between them on the couch.

Spike didn't look at her, but she saw a smile shoot across his face.

"Everybody comfy?" Xander asked.

"Snug as bugs," Willow confirmed, scooched a ways down on the same long couch, her head resting on Tara's chest. She looked up at her girlfriend. "Do you think bugs can actually be snug?"

"Only when they're in that rug," Tara quipped with a warm smile.

Xander took his place beside Anya on the facing couch and touched a button on the remote. "Now, watch and learn, children."

***

"This! This is the part! Watch this!"

The protagonist kicked his opponent in the head, and a special effect followed the internal course of each breaking bone down the spinal cord.

Xander gesticulated wildly at the screen. "Maximum pain!!"

The opponent fell to the ground in a lifeless heap.

"'Cor, that was...beautiful," Spike said, eyes misting.

Buffy scowled. "You think it's beautiful? Breaking bones are beautiful to you."

"Well, yeah." He used his hands to illustrate. "I've only ever heard it, you know, the crunching. Be nice to see it like that--all close and personal, like."

"I know," Buffy suggested in a sweet voice, "how 'bout I take you to an X-Ray machine and kick your ass?" She leaned in and added saucily, "All close and personal, like."

He smirked at her. "Now that wouldn't do. I wouldn't get to see it. But if you take Xander here..."

"Hey! How 'bout I kick both your asses if you don't shut up?"

Vampire and Slayer turned to him, brows raised.

Xander stuttered, "Not you, Buff. Just him."

"Why me?! She bloody started--"

Buffy covered Spike's mouth and whispered, "Sorry Xan. We'll be quiet now."

Xander sheepishly turned his attention back to the screen.

Buffy sat back and crossed her legs. Spike coughed as her skirt tumbled back slightly, revealing a smooth, golden thigh.

He bit his lip, controlling his immediate urge to touch her, to roll his fingers slowly upwards, to explore her hot, supple skin.

Bathroom, maybe? he thought quickly, considering the options. Balcony? All would be too obvious. Unless--

Buffy caught his gaze, startling him out of his wanton thoughts.

Oh hell, you're in trouble now, he told himself with a sigh.

A tiny smile curled her lips.

Or not... He cocked an eyebrow.

She looked him in the eye, and shivered. "I'm freezing," she announced loudly, and plucked the woolen throw off the back of the couch.

"I could turn down the A/C," Xander offered.

"No, this is fine," she said quickly, covering her lap and purposely flopping the throw over Spike's closest arm.

Why you little vixen... Spike was thoroughly impressed.

She flashed him another quick smile.

He surveyed the room and found everyone deeply engrossed in the climax of the film.

Spike grinned. It was time for a little climax of their own.

Slowly, he inched his hand towards her leg. As he swept upwards, Buffy's head made tiny indiscernable nods. Shaking with anticipation. Bonus, he thought.

When he was sure that no one was looking, he dove lightning-quick inside the elastic of her panties.

Dipping his finger into her once, he found her swollen nerve center and administered one good tap. She bolted upright.

At that motion, Willow glanced at Buffy, who immediately gave the impression of someone absorbed in a cinematic experience.

Careful not to move his hand too much under the blanket, Spike gently circled her clit, listening and waiting. When she finally held her breath, he rubbed just a touch harder.

As the credits began to roll, Buffy blurted, "OH!"

Everyone looked at her.

"Yeah." She exhaled deeply. "Good movie."

"What'd I say?" Xander prodded.

"Very gemmy," Buffy confirmed, attempting to sound normal.

Intoxicated by the knowledge that he'd just made Buffy come in front of all her little friends, Spike smugly sat back, pulled his hand away and grabbed a Tostito, smothering it with both sauces. After his bite, he sucked on his finger and said to Buffy, "Mmm, good combo."

"I'm the guacamole goddess," Anya said.

Xander rubbed his fiance's shoulder affectionately. "That's my girl."

That's MY girl, Spike thought proudly as he watched Buffy come down, eyes a little glazed, cheeks just a little flushed.

"Aaliyah is SO cool," Dawn said, perusing the DVD jacket.

"She really is," Willow agreed.

"Is that so?" Tara teased, nudging her girlfriend.

"Well, no, I mean, as an actress."

"Uh huh," Tara said. "She's a master thespian."

"A master...what-now?" Willow asked, and they both fell into giggles.

"I'm the master lesbian," Tara joked. "She's the thespian."

They doubled over in hysterics.

"Oh good," Anya said briskly. "Lesbian humor."

"You know," Tara explained, body quaking. "Lesbian? Thesp--"

"No, I get it," Anya spoke over her, nodding, stonefaced. "It rhymes. Xander? The next movie?"

"I'm on it," Xander said, rummaging through his selection. "Let's see...rugged Romans or romping cheerleaders?"

"Romping cheerleaders," Willow and Tara voted enthusiastically.

Spike agreed, "I'm with them."

"Bring it!" Dawn whooped.

"Anya? Buffy?"

"Whatever," they grudgingly answered in unison, then glanced at one another.

"'Bring It On' it is."

***

"Wow," Willow said, pointing at the new character who appeared on the screen. "She looks sorta like Faith!"

"No, she looks exactly like Faith," Anya established.

Spike was hit by sudden comprehension. "Ohhhhh!!!"

"What?" Xander asked him.

"Nothing," Spike answered, eyes fixed on Buffy, who sat with her arms crossed and face blank.

"I just don't see it," Xander said, squinting at the TV.

"How can you not see it?" Willow asked. "She's like, the spitting image! Right, Buffy?"

"I guess so," Buffy replied with great disinterest.

"And where's this Faith bird now?" Spike pressed, trying to get a reaction from his seatmate.

"In jail," Willow grumbled. "Where she belongs."

"Ooh, a bad girl." Spike saw Buffy's knee jerk, and continued. "I like bad girls."

Xander laughed. "You two? Made for each other. Match made in Hell."

"You think?" Spike asked, speculatively rubbing his chin.

"Oh yeah," Xander replied. "She's psychotic, you're psychotic...It's perfect, really."

Willow laughed.

Spike noticed Buffy's knee jerking in steady rhythm. "Maybe I'll arrange a conjugal visit sometime."

"Believe me," Xander confided, "So not worth it. But then again, you'd probably go for..." His eyes darted to an increasingly miffed Anya. "Milkshakes."

Spike chuckled. "Milkshakes? Really?"

Suddenly, Buffy stood and walked out to the balcony, sliding the door behind her with a loud bang.

"What's up with her?" Anya asked.

"I don't know," Willow said with concern, hazarding a glance at Spike.

"I'll go see," Spike volunteered with an overburdened sigh. "Time for a smoke break anyway."

Buffy was standing by the far railing, her back to him.

"Hey," Spike said softly. "I was only messin' around in there."

"Whatever, Spike."

He took a step closer and reached out to touch her hair. "Baby--"

She jerked away, refusing to look at him.

Spike couldn't help but laugh at her fierce jealousy. "Buffy, I was just kidding! You're the only one I--"

"God, can you be any louder?" she hissed angrily.

He lowered his voice. "Baby, listen to me."

"Why?" She spun to face him. "So you can make more funny jokes about fucking my archrival? Because so not laughing here."

"That's not--" He growled in frustration. How could she be so dense as to think he wanted anyone but her? "Look. If I knew it would bother you this much--"

"It doesn't bother me, okay?" she said emotionlessly. "Just forget it." With that, she turned and left him there, alone on the balcony.

"Pfff," Spike exhaled through his teeth, shaking his head. "Good going, mate."

He decided to have that cigarette after all. And maybe a few more after that.

***

Buffy heard Spike at her bedroom door, trying to turn the knob. Ha. Locked out. She heard his footsteps retreating and settled against her pillow. So there.

She tried to sleep, but the image of Spike passionately intertwined with Faith was emblazoned on her brain. She hated this. First Angel, then Riley...and now she had to worry about Spike.

But this was real worry, based on fact: Spike had a thing for Slayers. And bad girls. Faith was a Slayer gone bad. ...who would eventually get out of jail, and most likely return to Sunnydale. And knowing Faith, she'd be all over the prospect of taking Buffy's man.

Xander's words rang loud and clear: "Then again, you'd probably go for..." Yup, he probably would. Buffy had to face it: Spike liked to be freaky in bed, and Faith was naturally freaky--without the aid of horny demons. AND he thinks she's pretty. Bastard.

The sound of metal slicing across metal roused her from her thoughts. He was back at the door again. In a split second, he'd unlocked it, and stood there wielding a butter knife.

So much for security.

"Spike!" she whispered harshly. "What part of 'locked' don't you understand?"

"None of it, I'm afraid," he said with a rakish smile, dropping the knife on her dresser.

How dare he break in here, with his shirt off and his hair all messy and... "Get out."

"No." He moved closer.

"Leave me alone."

"Won't get rid of me that easy," he said, crawling up the bed.

"I mean it," she insisted.

He was pulling her sheet down, slowly, exposing her nude form. "Then why are you so naked?"

"Because this is how I sleep," she answered matter-of-factly.

"If you really didn't want me here," he drawled, hand sliding down her inner thigh, "You wouldn't let me do this."

Her double crossing body was much too receptive to his touch. Caressing her slick labia, he said, "So swollen. Must be expecting a visitor."

She clamped her legs shut and willed her body to stop. "Visiting hours are over."

He chuckled and slipped a finger in. "Then why is the door still open?"

She slapped his hand away and rolled on her side, back to him. "I mean it. I don't even wanna look at you."

"Buffy. Baby. Don't be this way," he murmured.

"I am this way. Deal with it."

"Why?" he asked earnestly, touching her hair.

She sighed. "Because Faith is..."

"No one to me," he finished.

"You don't understand. It's like Xander said. You and her...perfect match. You're the same."

"Buffy, we're the same." He shook her shoulder. "You and me."

"Now you're being delusional."

"No, I'm bein' honest. And you'd do well to admit it sometime."

"What are you talking about? You're just trying to change the subject."

"This is the subject. We're the perfect mates--you and me."

"Spike, we're polar opposites. We have nothing in common."

He sighed and rolled onto his back. "If you say so."

"If you met her..."

"Buffy. I have met her. I didn't like her."

"What?" Buffy turned to face him. "You said you never saw her before."

"I didn't. See her. I met her when she was prancin' about in your body."

Buffy's brow furrowed. "How'd you know it wasn't me?"

"Word does get out, love. Anyway, it all made sense, in hindsight."

"What'd she say?"

"Well..." he hedged, sorry he'd brought it up. "That's not important, is it?"

"Since you put it that way, I'd say YES."

He sighed. "She came on to me."

Buffy's voice rose in anger. "She did what?!"

"Nothing happened," he hushed. "The bint teased me mercilessly, then left me high and dry--just when I was thinkin' you'd go for me, too."

"You must've hated that," Buffy said sarcastically. "This really isn't helping..."

"Buffy, in the three minutes I got to know to her, I learned that Faith tortures people for fun, doesn't care about anyone but herself, and underneath her Badass bluff there's a miserable, confused mess just beggin' for intensive therapy." He topped it off with, "Not my type of girl."

"I thought that was just your type," Buffy teased.

"Who are we talking about here?" Spike teased back, curling a lock of her hair around his fingertips.

Buffy searched his eyes in the dim light. "You really didn't like her?"

"Not one little bit."

"But you didn't like me either--"

"You I hated with a passion. That's different."

Buffy smiled. "Promise?"

Spike nodded, and moved in to plant a feathery kiss on her lips. "Promise."

She remembered something she'd said when they were under a spell, something about fighting to cover up how they really felt. And now she felt...what, exactly? "Spike," she whispered.

"Shhh." He captured her mouth with his. "Don't say any more."

She gave in. Make-up sex now, thinking later.

***

"Buffy, Buffy, Buffy, Buffy..." he repeated with each blinding thrust.

Hazily, Buffy noticed the sound of the headboard banging against her wall. "Spike..."

"Buffy..."

"Spike, the pillow..."

Without breaking his rhythm, he looked down at her and realized she was saying something relevant. "Wha'?"

"We...forgot...the pillow..."

"Right. Pillow." He grabbed one from behind her head and stuffed it behind the headboard. He tested it to be sure the sound was muffled. "Better?"

"Better," she said, smiling up at him.

God, she looked beautiful when she smiled. Especially when he was the source of it. He loved the sight of her in exquisite agony, but he adored the sight of her grinning from ear to ear. She truly enjoyed sex. And he was the lucky bloke who got to enjoy it with her.

He watched a vein bulge in her neck, and bent down to catch it, to feel it pulse in his mouth.

As she felt his blunt teeth on her skin, something occurred to Buffy. She knew she had to try it. Keeping him inside of her, she reversed their positions and went for his neck, biting hard enough to draw blood.

In shock, Spike flailed beneath her. Buffy was biting him? Buffy was biting HIM! He grasped her bare hips and surged. "Fuckk--Buff--"

His enthusiastic reaction was worth the unsavory taste of blood. It was worth anything.

Suddenly, he convulsed wildly and a bellowing roar pierced the air.

Buffy's head popped up. She covered his mouth, but it was too late. The damage had been done.

As she stared at him with an expression of pure fear, the consequences of his indiscretion hit him. Dawn. Shit.

They stayed completely still for several seconds. When she finally let go of his mouth she admonished, "Spike!"

He gave her his most innocent look. "What do you expect?! You BIT me!"

Buffy covered her own mouth, horrified. She'd bit him, and made him yell loud enough to wake the dead. So much about that was bad. And funny. She started to twitch with laughter, snorting through her fingers.

It was infectious. Spike began to laugh too. She toppled over and giggled into the pillow beside him.

He felt her still wet, still throbbing walls quaking around him.

"C'mere, you," he said, and rolled them around. "I'm not finished with you yet."

"Oh, good," Buffy said with a silly grin.

He slid down her body.

"Very...very...good..."

Part Nine: Truth and Consequences

"Do ya love me babe
What do you say"

The first thing Buffy saw were the CDs scattered all over her bed. Then she saw him, facing her stereo, indirect sunlight shining in his hair.

"Do ya love me babe
What can I say"

He was singing along. Badly.

She couldn't help but smile. "Spike?"

He whipped around, dropping an empty tape container and a pen.

Sweet little girl
I wanna be your boyfr--

He cut off the music. "You're back early."

"I came to pick up a book for Giles. Whatcha doin'?"

"I was...makin' a tape." He looked at the floor and back to her. "For you."

"Trying to get me to like your lame music now?"

"No. Tellin' you how I feel through song, all that sort of rot."

"Ah." She approached the bed and read names like Sex Pistols, The Clash, Buzzcocks. "Romantic Punk. My favorite genre," she said glibly.

"Punk can be romantic," he said. "If you listen to it the right way."

"Oh yeah?" she asked, secretly touched by the gesture. No one had ever made her a tape before. "So put that one back on."

"Uh...weren't supposed to hear that one 'til the end," he said shyly.

He has it in some kind of order? Spike never stopped surprising her. "So play it from the beginning." She flung the bag off her shoulder.

"Alright." He flipped the tape over and rewound.

She sat on the bed and picked up a CD. "This guy kinda looks like you."

"Knew him back in the day. Soddin' git robbed my look then made a play for Dru."

Buffy frowned. "He's human. Why didn't you eat him?"

He answered as if it should have been obvious, "I liked the boy's music."

The tape stopped.

He introduced the first song by saying simply, "First time we fought."

Buffy locked eyes with Spike and listened as a quiet guitar arpeggio began the song. A driving drumbeat followed. Surprisingly, she didn't hate it.

I never thought too hard on dying before
I never sucked on the dying
I never licked the side of dying before
And now I'm feeling the dying

She smiled and stood. Moving closer, she teased his mouth with hers as she listened.

You've got your hands over your ears
You've got your mouth running on
You've got your eyes looking for something
That will never be found -- like a reason
And I don't need a reason

The heat between them was nearly palpable.

"What I tell you," he rasped. "Romantic."

Give me the shot
Give me the pill
Give me the cure
Now what you've done to my world

She pushed him onto the bed.

* * * *

"Buffy?" Dawn called. "Buffy are you here? Giles needs his book!"

As she closed the front door behind her, she heard loud music coming from the second floor.

I am a patient boy
I wait I wait I wait I wait

Must be Spike, she thought. Buffy'd never listen to that crap.

She followed the sound up to Buffy's closed door. "Spike?"

As her hand wrapped around the knob, she heard something over the music. Two separate voices, making the same harsh, guttural moans. And the bed squeaking.

She recoiled. "Oh. Yuck."

Feeling slightly nauseous, Dawn made her way back down the stairs. Somehow she had to figure out what to tell Giles. Or maybe they were almost done, and she could wait outside until the music stopped. Either way, she had to get out of the house.

She opened the front door, and gasped.

"Riley!"

* * * *

"Did you hear a noise?" Spike cocked his head.

Buffy stopped for a second. Everyone was at the Magic Box--who could it possibly be? "No."

Spike shrugged, then flipped Buffy onto her back.

* * * *

"Riley! Oh my God! You're back!" Dawn jumped forward and hugged him, pushing him away from the door.

"Dawn. Hi," he said, smiling. "I didn't think you'd be this happy to see me."

"I am!" She began to close the door behind her. "But I was just leaving! I'm looking for Buffy, she's not here. Wanna come with?"

"Okay, but, first--I wanted to say how sorry I am about..."

Dawn softened. "Mom. Yeah. It was--. Yeah. When did you find out?"

"Just now--I ran into Xander outside the magic shop. I would've come back sooner if I'd known. We were completely cut off down there."

"That's okay."

"How's Buffy? She's... okay?"

"She's dealing." She grabbed his arm. "Let's go."

"Don't you want to turn off the music first?" Riley pointed upwards.

"The what?"

"Isn't that coming from upstairs?"

"Oh, that! That's my music. I'm really into...that stuff."

He looked at her expectantly.

"Oh, I'm leaving it on. I'm making a tape, and--"

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Riley listened. That wasn't music.

Neither was the noise that followed: a long, high-pitched, euphoric release.

Riley paled visibly. He knew that voice. He'd heard that voice make that sound before. He'd just...never heard it so loud. "Buffy?"

He looked at the mortified girl before him, then recklessly pushed past her.

"Riley! No!" Dawn yelled.

Riley rushed up the stairs, two steps at a time.

The music got louder. He recognized the song.

What set you free
And brought you to me, babe

He stopped at Buffy's closed door.

What set you free?
I need you here by me

The lyric made him shake with rage.

She cried more, more, more

With an unsteady hand, he twisted the brass doorknob.

With a rebel yell
She cried more, more, more

Some part of him knew he shouldn't open the door. But something stronger propelled him. He had to see it.

He had to see them together.

Clenching his teeth, Riley pushed the door open.

I'd give you all
And have none, babe
Justa, justa, justa, justa
To have you here by me

Spike knelt on the bed, hands hooked under Buffy's knees. She was bowed backwards, her fingers limply grazing the floor.

Spike drove into her possessively, growling with each thrust. Buffy's eyes were tightly shut as she bucked and shuddered beneath him.

Beneath Spike.

With a rebel yell
She cried more, more, more

Riley could have left then. They hadn't so much as sensed another presence in the room. But his anger paralyzed him.

Spike's growls reached a crescendo.

Buffy quickly flipped up and tossed Spike onto his back without breaking the penetration. Her mouth found Spike's neck. Spike roared animalistically, digging his fingers into Buffy's waist.

Riley waited.

Oh yeah, little baby
She want more

Spike was the first to notice him. Instantly he morphed, demon features emerging, a territorial rumble escaping from his throat. Buffy turned.

Oh yeah, little angel
She want more

"R--" was all she could sound out, before he turned and walked out.

More, more, more, more, more!

Buffy stared at the door.

"Oh god," she whispered as she felt her stomach sink.

She looked down at Spike, still in vamp face.

She tried to get up, but he held her. "No!" she snapped. "Off, let me off!"

She jumped up.

His human mask slowly returned as he watched her warily.

"Oh god. Oh god!" Buffy whimpered, pulling her hair back and holding her neck nervously.

Spike propped himself up against the headboard and wished for a smoke.

She looked at him and yelled, "Why the hell are you so calm?"

"Not my ex, pet."

"Oh, that's nice." A song vaguely familiar to Buffy had started.

Darling you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go

"Will you turn that shit off?"

If you say that you are mine
I'll be here til the end of--

Spike reached over and hit the stop button.

"Buffy. Calm down."

"Calm down? You want me to calm down? Were you even here a minute ago?"

He shrugged. "Caught him in a compromising position before."

"That's different--this is different."

"Why? 'Cause it's you this time?"

"No!!" she snapped. "Because it's us!" She pointed between them. "Because it's you."

He looked at her questioningly.

She paced around the room. "God, what am I doing? This whole fucking thing is crazy!"

Spike reeled as if he'd been slapped.

"I can't do this anymore," she told herself. "I just can't."

Anger rose in his body like hot liquid filling an ice-cold glass.

"Oh, I get it," he said, standing. "It's alright for me to stay the dirty little secret in your head. For us to be slinkin' around in the dark."

"Shut up, Spike. You don't know what you're talking--"

"Soon as we creep into the light of day, it just proves the truth." He cradled his balls for emphasis. "You're depraved."

"Spike, don't," Buffy warned.

"That's right!" he hollered. "You're a monster lover! Admit it!" He met her face to face and lowered his voice. "You can't come unless you're bein' bitten or bruised."

She slapped him. "Fuck you."

He narrowed his eyes. "Just did."

"Get out of my house," Buffy spat and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Spike stared at the door for a minute. "Bitch!" he roared, hitting the stereo with his fist. Music suddenly blared out of it.

If I go there will be trouble
If I stay there will be double

"Right." He grabbed his pants, shirt and the embroidered quilt off her bed. "I'm gone."

Part Ten: Man of War

"Fuck."

Buffy stood under a stream of hot water, banging her head against the cold tile with each expletive. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck."

What the hell is Riley doing back now?

How could I ever explain this to him?

She exhaled, and said out loud, "What's to explain. It's pretty damn obvious."

I'm a monster lover.

She hit the wall in frustration.

Who the fuck do you think you are, Spike? A goddamn psychic?

Think you know everything about me. You don't know me! I know me!

She sighed. Spike.

"He's right," she said out loud. "As usual."

Gotta go make things right again.

Buffy stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel.

Out in the hallway, Dawn surprised her. "Buffy."

"Dawn! Where'd you come from?"

"Uh, I've been here all along," she said. "I mean, since Riley showed up."

"Yeah. Riley." Buffy nodded and looked down at the rug.

"I'm so sorry, Buffy. I really tried to stop him."

"It's. It's okay. It's not your fault."

"I wouldn't have even been here if Giles didn't need that stupid book so badly."

"Oh god. I totally forgot about Giles!"

"It's okay, he came by to pick it up."

Buffy's eyes widened.

"While you were in the shower," Dawn clarified. "I told him that Riley came back and you were a little freaked. He understood."

She smiled. "Thanks."

"Are you...okay?" Dawn asked.

Buffy answered honestly. "Not really."

"Are you gonna go after him?"

"He's...not gonna be in the mood to talk for a long while," she said, referring to Riley with a bitter smile. "That I know for sure."

"Are you kidding?" Dawn asked, amazed that her sister had no idea just how whipped Spike really was. "He'll be back tonight with flowers or candy or something."

"It's a little more complicated than that. The reason Riley ran out of here was...complicated." She steeled herself. "There's... something you should know."

"What's to know?" Dawn said with a shrug. "You and Spike are doing it."

Buffy looked horrified. "Did you see something?"

Dawn rolled her eyes. "I didn't have to."

"You heard something?"

"Buffy," she said. "I've known for like, weeks now. It doesn't take a genius. Spike's been weirdly giddy and you...well, you're always making up some lame excuse to be with him. Plus there's the whole, 'stay over at Willow's', 'stay over at Xander's' thing."

"That wasn't to get you out of the house--I was really concerned about those demons!" Buffy caved at her sister's expression. "At first."

Dawn folded her arms and smirked.

Buffy smiled. "So you're...okay with this?"

"For some weird reason, yeah," she said. Feeling compelled to work in a little sibling rivalry, she added with a tilt of her chin, "Even though I liked him first."

Buffy pursed her lips and lifted an eyebrow.

"So over it, by the way. He's way too old for me."

Buffy snorted.

"Plus it'd never work with him all ga-ga over my sister."

"He is kinda ga-ga isn't he?"

"Kinda?? It's sickening how ga-ga he is. He's all," faking a British cockney accent, Dawn quoted, "'Only if big sis thinks its alroight!' 'Whot does big sis loike fah breakfast?'" She added a little jig for accompaniment. "'Patrollin' with big sis tonoite!' Ugh! Hurl-worthy."

"Him or your accent?" Buffy teased.

Dawn smiled and eyed Buffy carefully. "So...what are you gonna do?"

"I don't know. I screwed up. I told him to leave." Buffy sighed. "And I'm guessing he left?"

"A few minutes after Riley."

"God!" Buffy threw her hands in the air. "Who does he think he is, leaving when I tell him to? And walking out in daylight, no less!" She stomped into her room and grabbed some clothing. "Doesn't he realize he's a vampire?"

* * * *

Spike's crypt was empty.

"Where else would you be?" Buffy asked the dank air.

She felt a bolt of worry. What if he lost the blanket and...

No. He's not stupid. He's not helpless.

That's why I like him, remember?

But what if I hurt him so much he didn't want to live anymore?

No. It'd take a lot more than that. Right?

Now if I can just find him I'll kick his ass for making me worry.

* * * *

"Oh no, not you again."

"This isn't business, Willy." Buffy scanned the bar.

"Oh? You want a drink? I'd have to see some I.D. though--"

"Has Spike been here today?"

"Spike? Vampire Spike?"

Buffy nodded.

"Nah. Demons don't like him hangin' around here. He came a few weeks ago, askin' questions--"

Buffy turned to leave.

"But uh, your soldier was here."

She stopped. Riley was here?

"Yeah, uh, yey tall, brown hair, baby face? He just left, about a, a half hour ago."

Buffy walked out. "Thanks."

* * * *

"I've never seen you here before," the girl in Spike's lap cooed.

"Play your cards right, you might see me again."

"Mmm...I like your accent," she said, gyrating harder.

"And I like your...hips," he said, moving to caress them.

"Hey! Buddy! No touching!" the big burly guy standing three feet away said. "Fish Tank policy."

"I could let you touch me," she whispered in his ear. "If you come downstairs with me."

"I bet that'll cost me," he said.

"A little. But it'll be fun." She ran her fingers through his tousled hair. "Anything goes."

"Maybe later, sweet bit," he seductively murmured into her neck.

"Ooh. That accent!"

"Time's up," the big burly guy said.

The girl kissed his cheek. "I'll be back for you, sexy."

He winked at her before she walked away, and took a swig of his eighth or ninth beer.

When he opened his eyes again, Riley was there.

Oh, hell.

Riley was trembling. Every muscle in his body seemed to be tightly wound. "So this is how you treat her?"

"Relax, boy. Have a seat. Talk about old ti--"

In a flash, Riley dove down to grab Spike's shirt collar. Nose to nose, his sweat dripped onto the vampire's face. "I'm not your boy."

At Spike's amused expression, Riley picked him up and threw him against the stage. A half-naked girl hopped backwards.

"Alright, you two, take it outside!"

"Yeah," Riley growled to Spike. "Why don't we take it outside."

It was still light out.

"Hey," Spike said to the bouncer, arms up. "I got no trouble here. I'm a payin' customer. On my way downstairs."

"Alright. You. Out," the bouncer said to Riley.

Spike smiled, victorious.

"She doesn't love you," Riley said before he turned and left.

The victorious smile slowly faded.

While escaping from a sinking ship, Spike once encountered a Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish. Its constricting tentacles injected enough poison to kill ten men, and he was certain then that he'd felt the most painful sting of his life.

He was wrong.

Swinging around, Spike stopped a girl with a tray. "Oi. Jack, straight up."

Part Eleven: Soul

Buffy was officially worried.

She'd looked in every one of Spike's haunts and kept coming up empty. No one had seen or heard from him all day. "You know he's a vampire, right?" one bar owner had asked. "They can't travel around in sunlight."

"Spike can," Buffy had said.

At her wit's end, she figured she'd check in at the magic shop. Ask about Spike, apologize for flaking. Kill two birds.

Pushing past a few customers, Buffy sidled up to the cash register.

Anya looked uncomfortable. "Hello, Buffy. If you're buying something you'll have to go to the end of the line."

"I'm not. Buying anything. Just-- Did Spike come by here today?"

"No. But we ran into your ex-boyfriend, Riley. He's alive," she announced. "We told him to stop by your house."

"Yeah. Thanks for that," she said, knowing Anya wouldn't catch the sarcasm.

"You're welcome." She grinned. "You should leave now. There are paying customers on line."

"Where's Giles?"

"In the back."

She walked into the training room and saw Giles poring excitedly over that book. Evil book.

"Hi."

"Oh, hello, Buffy." He removed his glasses. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. Sorry about the book."

"It's quite alright. I'm more concerned about you. I spoke to Dawn--"

"Yeah." She sat down next to him. "Riley. Momentary freakout. But...no concern necessary."

"Are you sure?" He asked. "I must say you seem...a little out of sorts."

"Yeah. My sorts are...out. A little. But I'll be okay."

"It must have been very hard to see him again. After all that's passed."

Buffy sighed. "Understatement." She got up. "But let's not talk about that. Find anything in the book?"

"Yes, actually, I've just discovered--"

"Did Spike come by here?"

"What?"

"Today. You didn't see Spike, did you?"

"N-no."

"Okay. Just wondering. Go on. New discovery."

"Y-yes." He looked at her and replaced his glasses. "Ah, Willow. Perfect timing."

"What'd you find?" Willow asked. "Hey, Buffy."

"Hey, Will."

"I believe I've found a way to get our Zuxugnas home."

"Great!" said Willow.

"Finally," Buffy said, biting a nail. "I'm sick of being their bitch."

The two looked at her. Buffy cowed and said, "Go on."

"We'll start with the location spell..."

Buffy missed several important demon-banishing details as Giles filled them in.

Her mind was on someone else.

* * * *

"Buffy," Willow said once they were alone. "I heard about Riley."

"What did you hear?" she asked suspiciously.

"That he's back," she answered innocently. "And that he went over to your house, and, and you freaked a little."

Good. The PG version. "Yes. Freak-o-rama."

"What happened?"

"Oh, god. Just...everything." Buffy's eyes welled up. Talking to her old friend and confidante made her want to spill completely.

"What? You can tell me."

"Um," she wiped a tear away. "It's not--this isn't just about Riley. I mean, not really."

Willow searched her friend's expression.

"When Riley came to see me," she ventured, "Spike was there?"

Understanding flooded Willow's features. "Oh... "

"And... and we were... we were... "

"In the middle of something?"

Buffy nodded, unable to look at her friend's reaction. "And I was just so freaked I said all this stuff I didn't mean. I told him to get out of my house. In daylight..."

"And he left?"

"Uh huh." She peered at Willow through her hands.

"We're talking about Spike, now, right?"

"Yeah." Willow didn't look the least bit surprised. "I guess you knew, too?"

"I kinda figured it out."

"How?" Buffy dabbed at her eyes.

"Well," Willow started cautiously, "there's the whole, horny demon thing and, how you'd only patrol with Spike to kill them. That was kinda an indication. The jibes, too? Not so jibey lately. More...jokey than jibey. Oh, and your wardrobe has pretty much gotten Spike-friendly--"

"Okay. I get it." Buffy pouted. "I thought we were being so...sneaky."

"Not really." Then she added helpfully, "But sneaky is fun, even if you just think you are."

"Guess the fun's over." Buffy suddenly looked frightened. "Does everybody know?"

"Well, Giles can't group you two in the same sentence anymore without...wincing."

Buffy blanched. "Great. And Xander?"

"Well--he's pretty much clueless unless you put a three-act play on in front of him."

"No, he just pretends he is. Oh!" she moaned. "I keep falling in love with vampires! You must think I'm totally sick."

"No, Buffy!... You're just following your heart." Willow leaned in to her friend and touched her arm. "It's not like it was a while ago when it wouldn't have made any sense for you two to have something. So much has changed in such a short time."

"You can say that again."

"Me and Tara were talking about this a few days ago. We were saying that, in a way, Spike's a lot like Anya. They sometimes wish they could get their powers back, but... I don't think either of them would trade it for what they have now."

Buffy smiled.

"Granted, Spike's still got a monster somewhere in him, but, I don't know--who doesn't?"

"But what if," she leaned in close. "What if I like the monster?"

"Wh-what do you mean?"

Buffy looked around to make sure they were alone. "What if I like it when he's all...vampy? And...bitey. In...bed."

Willow knit her brow. "Is that what you're worried about?"

"No?" Buffy lied.

"Buffy. Don't ever feel guilty about what... turns you on. It's all, you know," Willow did a little raise-the-roof dance in her seat for emphasis, "for a good cause."

Buffy laughed.

"Plus, if you love him--no shame in that game." She flicked her wrist. "Go team."

"Love?" Buffy asked defensively. "Who said anything about love?"

"You did. Just a, a minute ago."

"I did?" Buffy moaned and dropped her head in her hands.

"Buffy, it's okay to love him." Willow asked. "He's been... good for you. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but Spike seems to really...make you happy. "

"Then why do I feel so miserable right now?"

"Because you miss him?"

Buffy mock-scowled at her friend's insight. "Stop being so smart."

"Sorry."

"Willow, I can't find him anywhere."

"Bars?"

"Practically the first place I looked." She rolled her eyes. "I know--my boyfriend's an alcoholic."

"Only when he's got the love problems," Willow smiled.

"What do I do now?"

"I'm sure he'll turn up, Buffy. We all know he can't stay away from you for long. He might just need some alone time. You know, to reflect on the terrible yet truthful things I'm sure he said."

"Got that right."

"Anyway, it was just a fight. You'll be kissing and making up and playin' 'Bite the Buffy' in no time. E-except without him biting too much and you biting back. That could be bad."

Buffy laughed. "Thanks, Will." She hugged her best friend. "You're the best."

"Remember, when all else fails, grovel."

"Puttin' on my grovelin' shoes."

* * * *

"Bitch wants me to grovel? Wants me to come back begging?"

"That's not right," said the naked woman who was riding Spike's clothed, prone body.

Spike watched red lights bounce off a mirror ball onto the four walls surrounding them. "Yeah. A bloody demon whore, she is!" He closed his eyes to stop the spinning.

The girl laughed. "That's a new one."

"She is!" He looked at the girl on top of him. "I'm a vampire, you know."

"Really?" she asked with mock interest.

"Yeah, I'll show you." He tried to change his face, but nothing happened. He was totally stewed. "Oh, bugger me backwards."

"What am I gonna see?" she said, expertly containing her laughter.

"Nothing. You'd get all scared anyway. You'd run, 'AAAA!'"

"I would, huh?"

He smiled wistfully. "She doesn't run. Doesn't get scared."

"Who?"

"Buffy! She's a Slayer, for god's sake!" Spike slurred.

"Your girlfriend's name is Buffy."

"Not my girlfriend. Not my bloody girlfriend. She'll never be that."

"I'm... sorry," she said with little enthusiasm.

"Likes monsters but she won't admit it. Why won't she just bloody admit it?"

"I don't know, baby," she said, leading his hands to her breasts. "Good girls always go for the bad boys."

"That's what I'm sayin'!" he agreed, kneading at her thick brown nipples. "Just 'cause I'm a vampire and she's the bloody Slayer, just 'cause I never got cursed with a bloody soul like the bloody poofter--"

"I don't know what you're talking about but I still like the sound of your voice."

"Must be new in town," he surmised.

"Just moved here six months ago," she said.

"You'll be someone's lunch soon enough," he sighed.

"Someone's lunch?"

"Yeah. But," he looked at her and touched her hair, a sentimental wave crashing over him, "I like you. I don't think you should get eaten."

"Well, me neither."

"Listen to me, pet. Don't come down here with anyone," he took her hand to his face, "with skin cold as mine."

She looked at him questioningly.

"I'm serious. Take that bit of advice and you won't get killed."

She nodded. "Thanks, I think."

"See what she's done to me?" Spike said with a laugh. "She's given me a bloody soul."

* * * *

"Spike?"

"Not Spike."

"Riley?" Buffy approached him cautiously. "What are you doing in Spike's crypt?"

"I'm waiting for him."

"Why?"

"So I can kill him."

"You're not killing anyone, Riley."

"He and I had an understanding," he said shakily.

She rolled her eyes. "Riley. This is not between you and him. This is between you and me."

"We have nothing to talk about."

"We have a lot--"

"Buffy, I don't want to hear it."

"Oh, you don't?" She continued angrily, fists clenched, "Well, hear this. My world has done a 180 since you left. My mom died, all of my friends almost died, and some bitch-god cut up my sister to open a portal to every hellish dimension in existence." She took a breath. "But guess who's been at my side through all of this, willing to fight to the death."

Riley swallowed.

"Yeah. Spike." She glared at him. "So don't come back here, expecting to take up shop in my life again, busting in on me in my private moments, and deciding to kill the one person I need more than anyone because it'll make you feel better."

"Buffy--"

"No. You know what? You're right. We have nothing to talk about."

She walked out and slammed the door.

Part Twelve: Stand Back

A jewel case cracked under Buffy's shoe.

She picked it up. The first thing that caught her eye was the song title EVER FALLEN IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE (YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH). "Uh, yeah?" she answered in her empty room.

She found the insert of the tape Spike was making. Sure enough, one of the songs he'd written in his crazy punkrock vampire handwriting was EvEr faLLen?? BUzzCocKS. It was the second to last song, right before something she couldn't make out by the Ramones. Curious about the lyrics, she popped the CD in and listened closely.

You spurn my natural emotions
You make me feel like dirt...and I'm hurt
And if I start a commotion
I run the risk of losing you...and that's worse

The singer repeated:

Ever fallen in love in love with someone, ever fallen in love
In love with someone you shouldn't've fallen in love with

"So what are you trying to say?" she asked with a smirk.

I can't see much of a future
Unless we find out what's to blame...what a shame
And we won't be together much longer
Unless we realize that we are the same

"Yeah," she said glumly to the stereo. "I know." She hurried downstairs and out of her house, headed for her last hope.

* * * *

"Buffy." Riley cut her off at the front gate.

Perfect. Just what I don't need right now. "Riley, I so don't--"

"Buffy, look. I'm, I'm sorry." He held his hands out. "Can we just talk for a minute?"

Buffy sighed. "Sure." They started to walk.

"I acted crazy today."

Buffy agreed silently.

"I plead temporary insanity. I just didn't know how to react after..." he couldn't continue.

"Riley." Buffy exhaled heavily. "I know this thing with Spike seems--"

"You don't have to explain," he interjected.

"I don't?"

"There was a part of me that knew you'd be with him," he elaborated. "The same part of me that always suspected I never had a chance as long as he was gunning for you."

"'Gunning' for me? Riley, I didn't always feel this way about him--"

"You told me yourself once. When you met him, you met your match."

"I was talking about fighting skill--"

"But it's not just fighting skill. It's everything. I mean, the sparks that've always flown between you two? It's all, 'stand back!'" He stood back to illustrate. "No," he continued, "I can't compete with fate."

"Riley--"

"But that's not what I came here to say."

"It's not?"

He inhaled and exhaled. "I'm so sorry about everything you've been through. Your mom... I can't imagine how awful that must've been for you."

"Yeah," she said, eyes downcast.

"But down in the Amazon, I went through a lot too, Buffy. A hundred men, some of them close friends of mine," he swallowed before he continued, "were ripped to shreds. Eaten alive. I was the last man standing--and not standing very well."

Buffy noticed his limp for the first time. "Oh. Riley. I'm sorry."

"I don't want you to be sorry. I just want you to know that I understand. And I can take it. I've been through my own kind of hell and I can accept the fact that you've moved on." He reconsidered. "Well, now that I've gotten the wanting to kill him part out of the way."

She chuckled. "Right."

"I'm going back to Iowa tomorrow," Riley said. "I had to make things right before I left."

Buffy smiled at him. "I'm glad."

"I just hope that Spike makes you happy."

"He does," she answered honestly, then muttered, "Well, he would if I could just find him."

"You're not... planning on using that on him, are you?" He pointed to the axe in her hand.

"Oh. No. This is for any Meshuggenah that dares cross my path."

"Meshuggenah?"

"Yeah. Long story."

* * * *

The smell of decaying fish was particularly strong down this dock.

The harbor was always one of Buffy's least favorite patrol spots. Smell not withstanding, there was always the unsavory possibility of being thrown headlong into the ocean. Not fun.

But she wasn't patrolling. She was looking for Spike, and no stone would be unturned.

The one bar she hadn't tried was down here. A converted warehouse chock full of drunk fishermen and topless dancers. She'd never had the pleasure of entering, and she wasn't too excited about the prospect tonight.

She didn't expect him to have come all the way down here in daylight, but it was worth a try.

The first thing she saw was the painted sign scrawled with THE FISH TANK illuminated by a single halogen lamp. Guess you don't need much curb appeal if you're offering up naked chicks, Buffy reasoned.

The second thing she saw was her quilt.

Pink and blue embroidery on a white background, haphazardly piled on the concrete right near the entrance.

"Motherfucker," she said in disbelief.

She marched up to the door, intent on pulling Spike out of there by his ear.

"Can I help you?" the large bouncer asked, intercepting her.

"I'm looking for someone," Buffy said. She noticed a very tan girl in a tiny yellow latex dress sitting beside the bouncer, cigarette in hand.

"Sorry. You can't go in there," the bouncer said.

"You don't understand. I'm not asking," she said, ready to push past him.

"This has got to be Buffy," the girl in latex announced with a chesty laugh.

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"You're looking for the hot Billy Idol-type with the English accent, right? The one who thinks he's a 'vampire'?" she asked, adding air quotes and a guffaw.

"Unfortunately," Buffy grumbled.

"He left about an hour ago. Said something about catching the sunrise at the beach. I tried to tell him it rises in the East, but--"

Buffy was already sprinting toward the beach.

"Hope you find him before the sun comes up," the girl called. She laughed and looked at the bouncer. "Vampire--get it?"

* * * *

"AAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

A hearty Tarzan yell came blaring from the beach.

Spike. Buffy's search was over. But her night, apparently, was not.

She made out the silhouette of a tall lifeguard chair and a man hanging from the side of it, beating his chest ape-style while holding a bottle of what had to be whiskey or some equally strong drink.

"Pshew! Pshew! Pshew!" Spike was making shooting sound effects and swatting at imaginary flying objects. "Stay away! She's mine!"

Buffy approached slowly, amused by the display.

Another round of noisy shots were fired. "AAH!" Spike began his death dance, and then slipped in earnest, plummeting to the sand below with a hard pop.

"It wasn't aeroplanes," he pronounced like a drunken newsreel announcer. "It was beauty killed the beast!" He held up his bottle in emphasis, then dropped it beside his discarded leather coat.

"Okay, King Spike--"

"Thass right!" he announced to no one, not realizing she was there. "Buffy killed the Spike!"

"No," she corrected. "You never gave me the chance."

He stopped. "Whassat?"

"It's your girlfriend. Buffy. The one who should kill you after all you put me through today."

He was still on his back on the sand. "I don't have a girlfriend."

"Well, what the heck am I then?" She began to pick him up. He resisted.

"Buffy. Slayer. Spicy Buffalo wings. Chili sauce. Onion dip..."

She ignored his prattling. "Translation," she said. "Tasty girlfriend."

"Tasty...yeah..." Then he blinked at her. "How'd you find me?"

"A little birdie with enormous tits told me you might be here."

He laughed. "Thas funny. Never saw a little birdie wif..." He realized what she meant. "Right."

"And later I'll be kicking your ass for that," she said, then tried pulling him up again.

"What're you--leave me 'lone." He flattened himself in the sand.

"Spike, this is no time to revisit your terrible twos."

"When's time?"

"Well, preferably never. But mostly when the sun's not gonna come up and burn you to death!"

"Fuck the bloody sun!"

"Spike, get the hell up!"

"Why do you care what happens to me?"

"Because I'm in love with you, you dumbass!"

He stopped, lifted his head, and squinted at her. "You're not real." His head flopped down again.

"Spike." She straddled him. "I'm real. I'm the tasty girlfriend who loves you."

"If this is another bloody dream--" He reached out and pinched her.

"Ow! You're not supposed to pinch me, you idiot!" She pinched his nipple.

"Ow!"

"See? Not a dream," she said.

He eyed her suspiciously. "Did the sajuggernauts get you?"

"No."

"Wha happened to soldierblob?"

"He's going back to Iowa tomorrow."

Spike stopped to reflect. "He said you don't love me."

"He was wrong."

"How can you love me? I'm evil."

Buffy sighed. "Ever fall in love with someone you shouldn't've fallen in love with?"

He smiled. "Think I know that one."

"It's not a bad song. As far as lame punk music goes."

"C'mere," he said, and pulled her down for a kiss. Just as she got close enough to his mouth, she whimpered and fainted on top of him.

Something gurgled behind them.

Spike looked over Buffy's head. One Zuxugna demon stood there. Behind him, an army of hundreds.

Part Thirteen: Letting Go

"Buffy! Stay down!"

Not a problem, Spike thought. And who the fuck was that, anyway?

He looked up. Willow. And the entire goodie good entourage.

Some part of him knew this couldn't look good to them. "She's out cold," Spike explained.

"Get her into the water!" Giles said. "They won't follow you there!"

That would work...if only he could move. His head was starting to spin.

Suddenly, a hand appeared before him. He noticed too late that the owner of the hand was Riley.

But something told Spike the boy wasn't there to fight--that there were more important matters to attend to. Riley wordlessly helped him up, and they each took an arm of Buffy's and walked her into the surf.

Spike took a quick look back at the action. Willow and Tara had joined hands and were shooting some kind of electrical force out of their fingertips. Giles was chanting from a book. Xander and Anya waited with axes. The demons were panicking and squawking as they appeared to be magically enclosed in some huge invisible container.

Buffy fell into the shallow water, dragging Spike down with her.

"If you can get her to that boat over there," Riley pointed out toward the ocean, "that might be your safest bet."

Spike looked. It wasn't far. As long as he could stay alert enough, he could do it. He kicked himself for having that first bottle of JD that always gave way to several more. "Right. Will do."

Riley ran back towards the group.

Spike said to Buffy, "Alright ducks. We're goin' for a swim."

He wrapped an arm around her and sidestroked it to the empty schooner. Reaching the deck, he climbed its ladder and pulled her unconscious body out of the water.

"That's a good duckie," he said, then flung her over his shoulder to get her below.

There was a tiny room in there, with a cushioned seat big enough to lie on. He unclasped her wet dress, unhooked her bra, and lay her down. He liked to save the removal of the panties for the heat of the moment.

As he pulled off his own clothes, he gazed adoringly at his Buffy, nude in repose. If I combusted in the sun, he realized, I wouldn't have had the chance to gaze upon this beautiful sight ever again.

He stumbled over to her. Why? Why did I get so drunk?

"Buffy," he said.

Nothing.

"Buffy."

Nothing.

He had to wake her up. It was no fun when she was unconscious.

He slapped her. Again. Again. "Buffy! Rise and shine!"

He punched her.

She made a noise. "There you are," he said.

Her eyes fluttered open. "Ouch," she said.

"Sorry, love."

"Where are we?"

"Boat. Demon army's on the beach."

"Quick," she urged.

"I can do quick," he said, a finger in the air. "Suspecially in this state."

He grabbed her ankles and hooked them up over his shoulders, then tore off her panties with a satisfying rip.

As he pressed the tip of his cock against her opening, Spike marveled at how wet she was. Encountering no resistance, he slid in easily, then pulled out to re-enter.

This time, it was so tight only his head made it in. Buffy gasped, wide-eyed.

He looked down. Oh, fuck. Wrong hole. He looked into her eyes apologetically. He'd been saving that particular place for a special occasion--the day she'd actually let him.

But Buffy wasn't angry. Instead, she wrapped her hands around his ass and slowly drew him in.

All the way in.

Spike's eyes teared. Bloody inferno.

They began to move. Buffy's pain was replaced by intense pleasure. Eyes glazed under heavy lids, she smiled at her lover. She moaned and purred as she directed his movements with her hands.

Their pace steadily increased.

Spike gazed at her neck. There was only one thing that would make this exquisite feeling complete. "Buffy," he said with uneven breath.

"Do it," she said.

He descended, and bit into her jugular, drinking deep.

As one, they came furiously, wave after wave threatening to drown them both.

* * * *

"What do you mean they're all out there?" Buffy was peering out of a porthole while tying the ripped chiffon hem of her dress around her neck. "And you brought me here?"

"Love, you were bloody incapacitated," Spike explained, almost fully sober from the potent Slayer lifeforce infusion. "Little help it would do to keep you there. 'Sides, it wasn't my idea. Soldier's orders."

Soldier? "Riley's out there? Why?"

"How the bloody hell should I know?" he said, propping himself up on his elbows as he yanked his jeans up.

"Well, we have to get back."

Though he would have preferred to sleep for a hundred years, Spike followed her out of the cabin.

* * * *

"Buffy! Spike! Don't move!" Xander called.

Buffy and Spike shared a look. They were knee-deep in ocean, minnows zipping past their feet.

The rest of the gang were now just watching as Willow held the entire Zuxugna population of Sunnydale in thrall.

She punctuated her chant with the word "RETURN". There was a wrinkle in the stars, and a hole opened up in the world.

Every last Zuxugna demon was sucked into it.

"CLOSE," Willow commanded.

The hole zippered up into a point of light and disappeared.

Save for the pounding of the surf, the beach was quiet again. Buffy and Spike trudged up to their friends.

"Now if we could just do that with the rest of 'em," Xander said.

Anya groused, "Hey!"

"The bad ones. Just the bad, current demons," Xander corrected.

Willow smiled. "Hey guys," she waved at Buffy and Spike.

"Good show, Red," Spike said.

"Yeah, Will," Buffy agreed. "You did it."

"They can terrorize their own women now," Willow said proudly.

"Lucky ladies," Buffy said. "Well, I'm sorry we missed most of it."

"Oh, please--" Willow noticed Buffy looking behind her. Riley was hanging back by the parking lot. "Yeah. Riley. I hope you don't mind. He ran into us on the way and really wanted to help."

Buffy turned to Spike.

"Go on," he said, looking down at the sand he was kicking. "I'll wait here."

She smiled, and jogged over to Riley.

"I'm not trying to get in your way," Riley started. "I was just here to lend a hand--"

"I know. It's okay. And appreciated."

He smiled. "Well. It's been--strange."

Buffy nodded. "To say the least."

"Buffy," he said, a little choked up. "I wish you all the luck in the world."

"You too, Riley." She hugged him, and noticed how much her feelings for him had changed. "Good luck in Iowa. Take care of yourself."

"I always do," he said, letting go.

She watched her ex-boyfriend get into a car and drive away. Then she walked back to the group, where her new love stood.

"Who's got a car?" she asked, interrupting Spike and Xander's rivalrous wordplay.

"Mine's here," Giles said.

"We've gotta get Spike home," she said. "Sun's gonna rise soon."

"Alright," he said. "I'll take him now and come back for the rest of you."

"I meant--home as in my home," Buffy said, and took her boyfriend's hand.

The gang fell silent. Even the surf seemed to pause.

Spike smiled proudly.

"W-well, yes. Right," Giles said. "Of course."

* * * *

"Giles. I know what you're thinking."

The slayer and the watcher stood outside Buffy's front door as the sun peeked over the horizon.

"I'm not sure you do."

"You're thinking, 'Good lord, she's gotten herself involved with another vampire and this time he hasn't even got a soul.'"

"Perhaps not quite with that accent, but...well, of course that's one of my concerns."

Buffy took a deep breath. She wasn't sure she was ready for this lecture.

"But when it comes to matters of the heart," Giles continued, "I trust you implicitly." He smiled. "If you've discovered that he's worthy of your love, then he must be."

A tear sprang to her eye as she searched his earnest face. "Thank you," she whispered.

He gave her shoulder a paternal squeeze. "Now, I expect you to get some rest. That is until I ring you with news of the next impending apocalypse."

"I'll be waiting nowhere near the phone," Buffy said with a smirk.

Part Fourteen: Heat Wave

"Buffy, squeak me. Pwease squeak me," Spike said, giving a high, trilly voice to the rubber ducky he waved in her face. "I'm so wonewy."

"You're such a freak," Buffy laughed, swiping it from his hand.

"But dat's why you wuv me."

"Yeah," she agreed with a sigh. "Buffy the Fweak Wuvver. That's me."

"Know why I love you?" he asked in his normal voice.

"Why?"

"Because." He pointed before her. "You feel bad for the ducky."

She realized she was petting the plastic toy and scoffed. "Well, it was lonely!" She squeaked it and sent it to coast over a bubbly landscape.

He squeezed a sponge over her shoulder. Her back against his chest, she relaxed into him and craned her neck to kiss him softly. As he rumbled into her mouth, she felt him harden against her.

He dropped the sponge and started to maneuver her hips.

"Spike. Honey? Mmph. No, not here."

"Why not?"

"Too splashy," she said. "You know, there's this thing they call a bed. We should try it."

"Beds are overrated." He pulled at her again.

"Spike! This is supposed to be a relaxing hot bath. Emphasis on relax."

"I'll relax you," he urged. "Promise."

"The last time I relaxed around you I got penetrated in a very naughty place."

"You loved it." He traced a finger along her neck. "Naughty girl."

"So did you, as I recall."

"Yeah." His breath caught and his eyes began to glaze over.

Buffy sensed the danger in this. "Alright, Mr. Freaky," she said, pushing him backwards, "there will be no naughty penetration tonight. And no penetration of any kind unless we're in a snug, dry bed."

"Right. Come on then. Bedtime for Buffy." He propelled her up and stood.

"Hold on, gotta shower off first."

"You can't shower in front of me and expect me not to ravage you."

"Get out, then," she shrugged as she drained the tub.

He sighed, stepped out and grabbed a towel. "I'll be waiting for you."

"Don't start without me," she said with a wink.

He opened the bathroom door and strutted out into the hall. "Wouldn't be any fun without you, pet," he said lustily, getting a last eyeful before closing the door.

Draping the towel loosely in front of him as he dried his front, Spike turned. "Dawn!" he yelped, jumping backwards and frantically fastening the towel behind him.

"Spike," the younger Summers said with a smirk.

"Didn't know you were here." He shot a nervous glance at the bathroom door.

"Obviously." She put a hand on her hip and asked casually, "Buffy in there?"

"Wh--No!" he answered, the very picture of astonishment.

She looked at him askance. "Then...who were you talking to?"

"Uh. Meself." He lifted his chin.

"Do you usually call yourself 'pet'?"

The water shut off and the stall shower door slid on its hinges.

Spike was at a loss. "It's uh, it's not what you think--"

"It's not," she repeated with disbelief.

The door opened and Buffy walked out in a towel. "Dawn!"

"Slayer! I was, I was just tellin' Dawn here, how this isn't what it looks like." He turned to Dawn. "It's, uh--it's a funny story, really."

Both sisters, amused, crossed their arms in wait.

"You see, not knowin' big sis was here, I stepped in to take a shower--and uh, there she was."

"So..." Dawn raised her brow, "you decided to take one together?"

"Uh--no--" he looked to Buffy, panicked.

"Spike." Buffy couldn't prolong his agony any further. "It's okay. She knows."

"She knows."

"I know," Dawn confirmed, nodding. "But hey, good cover-up."

Spike exhaled and smiled disdainfully at the girl. "Thanks."

Dawn strolled into her room. "And cute butt," she said before she closed the door.

"Hey!" Spike said. He looked at Buffy and pointed at her sister's room.

Buffy chuckled. "She's not wrong," she said, patting his behind gently. "It is pretty cute. But try to keep it away from my sister?"

"Well she--! I didn't--!" Spike gave up and sighed as Buffy took his hand and led him away.

Foiled by the Summers clan yet again, he thought, then brightened as the eldest dropped her towel on her bed. Wouldn't have it any other way.

* * * *

"Five! Four! Three! Two! One--"

The entire crowd joined in. "BLACK OUT!!"

As if on cue, every light in the Bronze went out. Candles, torches and lighters illuminated the club and hand-held flashlights lit the stage.

"Another Bronze blackout night!" the bandleader shouted over the whoops and hollers. "Courtesy of our good friends over at Pacific Gas and Electric."

Some guy yelled out, "FUCK PG&E!!"

"Well, tonight," the bandleader continued, "I've got good news...and I've got bad news. The good news is: that murky, shitty heat wave has officially moved out of Sunnydale!"

The crowd cheered, and the Scoobies shared a conspiratorial glance.

"The bad news?" He paused, then shouted, "We're still fuckin' here!!"

Everyone roared together as the drummer counted in and the band broke out in a festive, uptempo tune. An upright bassist plucked away, three horn players accented the downbeat, and the leader strummed madly at an acoustic guitar. The whole band then sang at the top of their lungs:

Whenever I'm with you
Something inside
Starts to burning
And I'm filled with desire

Could it be a devil in me
Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
It's like a heat wave
Burnin' in my heart

"Hey!" Xander yelled to the gang as he avoided a flying mosher. "What'd I say? Martha and the Vendettas!"

Giles complained, "Bloody awful rendition. They're tearing the song apart."

"Giles. It's stuffy enough in here already," Buffy said, patting his arm.

"Sorry," he said, and made an effort to loosen up. He didn't much care for the original anyway.

Tara looked around at the commotion. "I can't believe we've been missing this!"

"Guess it was all that pesky evil we were fighting!" Willow shouted happily.

Spike returned from the bar and handed out bottles. "Alright, Coronas for you two, Buds for you, Guinness, and a root beer for you, little bit." Dawn happily accepted her drink.

"Aren't you drinking anything?" Buffy asked him.

"I got you to attend to," he said, wrapping his arms around her. "Gotta stay on my toes."

Some of the gang looked away awkwardly. Buffy understood that their relationship was still too new to fully accept, and she wanted to give them time. But she also wanted to make out with Spike.

Buffy turned to her lover, said, "Let's dance," and led him into the dark crowd.

Has hot love pressure got a hold on me
Or is this the way love's supposed to be?
It's like a heat wave
Burnin' in my heart

"I never figured this for a slow song," Spike said to the girl who was pressed against him.

"Romantic Motown-turned-Ska?" she ventured as her lips grazed his.

"Yeah," he said, his undead heart racing. "I see what you mean."

Their mouths fused.

Can't explain it
Don't understand it
Never felt like this before
This funny feeling has me amazed
Don't know what to do
My head's in a haze
It's like a heat wave

"Is it hot in here?" Buffy asked, eyelashes coyly sweeping upwards.

Spike shook his head slowly. "It's just you." He turned her so her back was flush against him. His hand creeped up her bare midriff as he spoke seductively into her ear. "Remember? Me cold... You," he wormed his way under her halter top, "hot."

Buffy closed her eyes and arched into him. "Maybe I will miss that heat wave after all."

"I know I will," Spike said as he kissed her neck. "Those demons got you all hot and horny for me."

"How many times do I have to tell you, baby," she led his hand inside her panties, "it wasn't the demons?"

His eyes widened along with his grin.

She spun around to face him and looked into his eyes as she touched a finger to his lower lip. "Spike?"

"Love?"

"It's way dark in here, isn't it?" she asked with a wicked smile.

He lifted an eyebrow. "I can see just fine..."

"But nobody else can..."

"No," he said, looking about. "Not unless they're vampires."

She breathed in deeply. "Need you."

Temptress. She knew what those two words did to him.

"Now," she said.

"I got you," he said, shivering with desire.

"Find us a place to sit," she whispered to him. "Where no one can see."

Spike spotted an empty stool in a dark corner. Good enough.

Buffy snaked her arms around his neck and kissed him. He picked her up by her thighs, pushed through the crowd, and sat with her in his lap.

Still kissing him passionately, she yanked open his belt buckle, freed him and pulled her panties aside. He pulled his coat around her in case some schoolboy dared turn his flashlight her way.

Looking into his dark eyes, she sunk down.

Buffy felt her skin prickle with goosebumps.

A young man grazed past them.

"Mine," Spike growled instinctively, features changing.

Her eyes rolled back in ecstasy. "Uh-huh."

He grinned. Victory.

Then she tightened her muscles around his cock, arched her back and proclaimed, "Mine."

I feel it
burning
right here
in my heart

"Yeah," Spike agreed.

It's like a heat wave...

Defeat never tasted so sweet.

Epilogue: Black Out

"Stop whining. It'll heal."

"I think you broke it," Spike whined, nursing his injury.

"Well, don't be so wide open next time."

"Why do you always go for the nose?"

"'Cause it makes you so angry," Buffy answered, her eyes flashing.

He grabbed her. "It does."

"Ow, rib! Rib!"

He let go of her. "Sorry, pet."

"Something better happen soon, or we'll end up killing each other." They rounded the corner of Revello Drive.

"Be careful what you wish for, love."

"What? The something happening or killing each other?"

He laughed. "Something happening."

"So suddenly you don't want to fight anyone but me?"

"When did I ever?"

She smiled at him. "Still--I'm itching for some real evil to fight."

"Now, that hurts," he said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, honey." She gave his nose a peck and said in a baby voice, "You're the evillest."

"Real convincing. Thanks."

"Hey, whenever you need a stroke to the old ego, don't hesitate to ask--"

Suddenly, the streetlamps blinked out.

"--someone...else..."

The town went black.

"Thought these bleedin' energy zaps were over."

"Honey, we only rid the world of heatwave demons," she said. "Sadly, the depletion of our natural resources continues."

"Stupid bloody black outs."

"What are you complaining about? You can still see."

"All my blood goes bad," he pouted. "Can't even nuke it."

She pulled him by their joined hands until his chest was pressed against hers. "I might know where you can get some fresh."

His pout disappeared. "You don't say."

"Uh huh. Slayer blood. Some call it a delicacy."

"The finest there is," he rasped.

"I don't share it with just anyone, you know. Only very special vampires."

"Really."

"Really. In fact, there may be a sample waiting..." She grazed his lips with hers.

Trembling, he asked, "Yeah? Where?"

"Very possibly in our bed..."

"I'll race you." He took off.

"No fair! I can't see!"

"Turn on your Slayer senses pet!" he called behind him.

Running after him, she yelled, "Night vision...is not...one of--Ow."

He ran back to her. "You alright?"

"I'm fine. My pride won't heal for a while, but..."

He laughed. "That was a picture. Best Slayer in history, runnin' right smack into a tree."

"Ha ha. You know, to the rest of us, it's completely pitch black out here."

"Yeah." He looked at the sky. "No moon."

"Lots of stars though. Birdies too." She swirled a finger in front of her eyes.

"Better take my hand, Snow White."

"Wait. Are you one of the seven dwarves or the evil stepmother? 'Cause I won't eat that apple."

"I'm the comely Prince."

"That's for sure," she snorted. "No more running, okay?"

"No more running." He led her inside the gates and up the front steps.

As her eyes adjusted to the low light, Buffy noticed the absence of mechanical sounds and how serene it made the night. It was as if they were the only two people in the world. She inhaled and whispered, "Nice."

"What's that, pet?"

"Shhh," she said, and tugged on his coat, detouring him to the porch. "C'mere, Comely."

"But...upstairs...the sample..."

"You'll get your protein drink soon enough." She sat up on the railing and pulled him close, touching his face.

"Lookit you. All romantic and fluffy."

"Come on--the quiet, the dark? You don't think it's sexy?"

"I think anything that involves you is sexy." He slipped his hands up her skirt and tasted her neck, adding, "My ripe...delicious...peach."

Buffy whimpered and rested her fingers on his belt, unable to do anything more.

He unfastened his pants and ran her hand over his rigid length. "This what you want?"

"Uh huh..."

"How much?"

"Bad, bad..."

He smiled. "Good." He ripped her panties away.

Buffy suddenly got her bearings back as she scolded, "Spike! Do you know how many pairs of underwear you've ru--"

He plunged into her, effectively quieting that train of thought.

She relaxed her thighs, giving him further access. To stifle a moan, she grabbed him by the neck and locked her lips over his.

He teased her tongue as he accelerated his fevered thrusts.

"Spike..."

He slipped his arms under Buffy's thighs to grab a firmer hold of her ass. "Say it."

"Unh..."

He panted, "Say it, Buffy..."

She searched her lust-ridden mind for the words he wanted to hear. "Uh...you're the...Big Bad?"

He chuckled softly into her skin. "Not that--'preciate it though--the other thing..."

"Oh," she smiled and whispered into his ear, "I need you..."

He shivered and tightened his grip, moving faster.

Suddenly, the front door creaked.

They froze.

The screen door slammed open, and Dawn emerged. Spike could see her clearly, looking out into the night with a cell phone to her ear.

"Buffy?" she asked into the dark, unable to see past her own face.

Spike felt Buffy's heartbeat racing, and covered her mouth. Buffy rolled her eyes. Like she would say anything.

"Spike?" Dawn queried again.

Silence.

"Huh. I coulda sworn I heard them giggling out here." She turned back into the house. "Anyway, I'll have her call you as soon as she gets in..."

When she'd closed the door again, they exhaled together.

"Well that dampened the mood a little," he whispered.

"Be careful what I wish for, right?" Buffy sighed, "Armageddon #7 calling." She added in a tiny voice, "Please hold."

He smoothed a strand of hair out of her eye. "Nothing you can't handle, pet."

She pulled him closer and touched his chin. "Nothing we can't handle."

He paused for a moment, searching her eyes.

"I need you," she repeated plainly, and suddenly it meant so much more.

He stiffened within her and began to move again. "Buffy..."

She wrapped her legs around him and arched backwards over the railing as he surged into her.

When she felt herself nearing release, she gasped achingly, "I love you so much."

"Buff--Hell--" He dropped his head back and roared. "GRRRAHHH!"

They held onto each other until the last blissful shudder.

"EWWW!" They heard through the open window. "If you're gonna pretend you're not here, you could at least TRY to keep it down!"

Buffy's eyes widened. Spike laughed.

"Um. Sorry, Dawn," Buffy said meekly.

"Whatever," Dawn replied. "Call Giles."

"'Kay," Buffy said. She slapped Spike's chest. "Why'd you have to yell so loud?"

"Why'd you have to make me?"

"Didn't."

"Did."

"Get upstairs."

"What?"

She moved in on his ear. "Upstairs. Clothes off. I'll be up in a minute."

"What am I, your bleedin' concubine?"

"Like you'd mind," she said, eyes shining.

He grinned. "Not one bit."

"I'm the one who'll be bleeding," she smiled, trailing a finger down his shirt. "Remember?"

He stuttered for a minute and finally said, "Right. I'll see you upstairs."

They opened the door and he spotted Dawn on the couch, surrounded by candles. "'Night, Lil' Prowler."

"'Night, Big Growler," she answered casually, handing Buffy the phone.

He laughed and hopped up the steps.

"Growler?" Buffy asked with a smirk.

"Call 'em like I hear 'em," Dawn replied.

"Sorry about that. I didn't know the window was open."

"Buffy, the whole neighborhood heard that. Possibly the whole world."

Smiling, Buffy shrugged. "He's an animal, what can I do?"

"Get him a muzzle."

Spike's voice boomed from the upstairs bedroom, "I heard that!"

The girls giggled together.

"Very funny!" he yelled.

Buffy dialed a number. "Hey Giles, it's me. Huh? No, just, Dawn said something funny. Okay...yeah...No, I haven't...What makes you think...Oh. Okay. We'll be there tomorrow, bright and early. ... I don't know, I'll get him a big parasol or something... You get with the booky parts and we'll see you tomorrow. 'Kay. You too. Bye." She flung the phone back on the couch and looked at Dawn.

"Is it bad?" her sister asked.

"Nothing we can't handle," Buffy assured her.

They smiled at one another.

"A parasol?!" They heard from upstairs. "That'll be the bloody day!"

Addendum: One More for the Apocalypse

Spike was wide awake.

He traced the soft curves of the girl who slumbered peacefully beside him and smiled. It wasn't any wonder that she was knocked out; she'd just let him drink from her--and in new and uncharted territory to boot. Nevertheless, Slayer blood always made him high, and he had to do something.

First things first, a smoke.

Quietly, he slipped out of bed and pulled on his jeans and t-shirt. Fetching his jacket from the floor, he crept past the snoring Dawn's room, downstairs and out to the front porch.

Well, the streetlights were back on. That was a relief.

He opened his pack of Marlboros and cursed. Empty.

Crumpling it up and tossing it aside, Spike made his way out into the night.

All-night drugstore. Not far.

***

Buffy was having a great dream.

She was on the waterslide, naked, and Spike was behind her, under her. Kissing her. No, he was licking her... He was licking her from front to back... especially back...

Her eyes fluttered open. She was on her stomach in her bed. That last part? Not a dream.

Every centimeter of skin between her thighs was thoroughly drenched. How much of it was care of Spike's talented mouth or her own overactive juices, she couldn't tell. All she knew was that it felt very, very good.

"Spike?" she purred.

One hand on each swell of her buttocks, Spike answered languidly, "Mmm?"

"What are you doing...?"

"Mm." He lifted his head. "Nothing. Go back to sleep."

She giggled. "That might be a little impossible."

"Alright then," he said, climbing up her back. "Guess you'll have to witness the debauchery."

"What kind of debauchery are we talkin' here?"

He said into her ear, "The worst kind," and started to unbuckle his belt.

"Mm," she approved, then wondered, "Why are you dressed?"

"Had to get cigs. And this." Before her face, he waved one of the tubes he'd nicked from the drug store.

Buffy focused. "Astroglide?"

"Yep." He squeezed a small amount into his hand.

"Um, honey? I don't think I need--"

He pushed a finger into her tightest entryway.

"Oh." She tightened around his hand. "The naughty place."

"Yeah," he said. "Now unclench."

"I, I...I don't think I can..."

"Shhhhh," he said into her ear. "You knew I'd do this again sooner or later. Just relax. Trust me. It won't hurt."

"Says you." She relaxed slightly.

He slipped another finger in. "You can't pretend you didn't love this."

"I--I really don't remember...much..."

Another finger. "It neutralized the power of a hundred-plus pheromone demons, didn't it?"

"Well...yeah..."

"Meaning," he stressed, "it was the best bloody fuck of your life. Now let me reprise so you remember it." Keeping his fingers inside her, he sheathed his cock with lubricant.

"But, but...you'll stop if I tell you?"

"Sure," he lied, confident that she'd tell him no such thing. He carefully pulled his fingers out and nestled himself in the cleft between her buttocks.

"Spike--"

"Shh...we'll go slow. Just the tip for now, I swear it."

She exhaled. "Okay."

His voice shook in arousal. "Good girl."

She felt something cool and bulbous probe her. No way that'll fit, she thought. Sure, it had worked before--but only because she'd been a sex-crazed demon-bitch in heat at the time. But this time--

It slipped in. Just like that. But it hurt like hell. She hissed as she braced herself. If this was 'just the tip', what would the rest of feel like?

He pulled her up by her stomach and whispered, "Listen to me, Buffy. You have to get it past this point."

"What?" she gasped, unable to comprehend due to the looming possibility of more pain.

"It's like a barrier. Push back, love. Nice and slow. I got you."

Reluctantly, Buffy obeyed, whimpering as she bent her knees and swiveled her hips to accommodate him. "You said...it wasn't...gonnaOhhhhh...."

And it was in. All the way. Scorching hot, elastic tight. He sneered, growling, "Bloody..."

"Fuuuck!" she groaned, incredulous. "So! Good!"

His sneer spread into a proud, wicked grin. "Told you."

Not just good, she marveled. Mindbendingly good. If she'd known it was this good... "Oh...god...Spike!" she swore into her pillow, balling her fists and pounding them on the bed.

Spike initiated a rhythm, pulling ever so slightly out, pushing all the way in. The lube made it easy, made his movements fluid.

He was warming up inside her, matching her body heat...and taking his goddamn sweet time, too. Buffy reared back hard, forcing him to ram into her. "Unh!"

Encouraged, he grabbed hold of her slippery thighs, lifted her up and pumped harder, faster.

She mewed and gasped into her pillow, her legs quaking at each stomach-deep stroke.

He plowed in, clenched his teeth and gruffed, "That's right Slayer, take it, such a good girl..."

Resting her forehead on the pillow, she reached down to her swollen pussy and rubbed.

Feeling his balls tightening, another Olympian orgasm approaching, he urged softly, "Come on. Come with me now..."

She panicked. "No, no...not yet...too good...don't stop..."

"I can start over, Buffy--"

"Please," she begged. "Please wait..."

Spike chuckled, dropped her legs and bent over her. "Gonna be the death of me..." He grabbed a pillow and stuffed it under her belly, slowing his movements so he could keep himself under control. "Only because you said 'please.'"

She moaned and cooed beneath him. "Love you..."

He closed his eyes in ecstasy and screeched to a halt. "Say that again and it's all over."

"Um...hate you?" she offered, eager to get him to continue.

He shook his head. "That too."

She emitted a hoarse chuckle. "What can I say?"

"Nothing!" he hushed, hips sliding to and fro again. "You should know by now...just about anything you say...gonna set me off."

Bottom lip pouting, she ventured innocently, "You mean like 'fuck me with your big thick cock, Spike?'"

"Ooh..." He sat up and angled her towards him to slap her ass. "Now you're just askin' for it."

With a giggle, she teased just loud enough for him to hear, "Fuck me hard, you bad evil vampire."

"Oh I will, Slayer," he promised. "I...will..."

He bucked into her recklessly, replacing any further conversation with scattered shouts and grunts.

***

Five orgasms, three tubes of Astroglide and one ruined bedspread later, the duo finally crumpled in exhaustion, hoping for a long night's sleep.

The phone rang.

"Oh god," Buffy groaned into the hand that had flown up to cover her mouth for the big bang finale. "Make it stop."

"Jus' ignore it," Spike slurred, lips mashed against her shoulder blade.

"But it could be--"

"Ignore it."

The ringing continued.

"I'm serious. Why would anyone call at..." Buffy uncovered the bedside clock, letting Spike's t-shirt fall to the floor. "Ten forty-five! Oh my god! It's ten forty-five!" Unable to pry Spike off of her back, she managed to pull the phone by its cord. "Hello?"

"Buffy?" Giles asked on the other end of the line. "Are you sleeping?"

"No. No!" Buffy muffled a yawn. "Why would I be doing that?"

"Please, I need you here as soon as possible."

"Ten minutes," she answered soberly, and hung up the phone.

"What's up?" Spike asked her neck.

"Apocalypse," grumbled Buffy.

"Oh, right." He kissed her shoulder.

She smiled. "He needs me to come as soon as possible."

"Not a problem." With a determined expression, Spike volunteered for the difficult task. "I'm on top of it." He moved a fraction, and positioned himself properly.

"What do you think you're doing?" she laughed. "Stop that!"

"Hey look, Watcher's orders, right? Who am I to argue?"

"You know, talking about my Watcher will not get me anywhere near coming."

"Well, that's a relief. Always sort of worried about you two."

Buffy gaped, horrified. "Eew!"

"I know you have a thing for older men..."

"Hey. Giles is way too young for me."

He hooked his chin over her shoulder and murmured, "Then it's settled. One more go before you leave."

"I leave? We leave, you mean."

"We? But--"

"No buts."

Spike laughed. "You sure?"

"Oh god, I can't believe I just said that." Buffy's face hit the pillow in embarrassment. She lifted it again to say, "No more buts of any kind today."

He whined, "But this is the very best kind of butt...Buffy butt."

Buffy gasped. "That was a three-but violation!"

"C'mon," Spike prodded. "One more for the apocalypse. Just might be our last opportunity before the world ends."

"Hm," considered the Slayer. "Good thinking."

Permission granted, he slowly nudged his way back in.

Between grunts and moans, Buffy justified gamely, "Gotta...make every second...mmm..."


- The End -

REALLY, really. That is until "On High", the sequel, begins. :)