The Sweetest Revenge Part 9
by CariannBuffy sighs in her sleep, and snuggles closer to the cold body next to her. Spike groans as she wiggles against him.
"Stop moving pet," he sleepily orders holding her tighter against him.
Buffy's eyes shoot open at the recognition of Spike's distinctive accent. **Why am I in bed with Spike?** Buffy, through a sleepy haze, tries to remember what happened. The night quickly comes back to her. The attack, the kiss, his arms around her, and the confused feelings all flood back to Buffy.
She carefully rolls over to face Spike. He's laying on his side, one arm draped over her, and his eyes are closed.
"Spike," Buffy whispers.
Spike doesn't open his eyes, but mumbles, "What, luv?"
"Are you okay?" she asks worried glancing down at his bandaged chest.
Spike groans, and opens his eyes. She is leaning on her side, their chests barely touching. He gazes at her concerned face, and his heart melts. He stares at her wide eyes, looking up at him. She is looking at him not as a demon, but as someone she cares about. Spike lifts his hand, and rests his palm on her cheek.
"Better than last night, you?"
"I'm good," she breathlessly replies.
Spike continues to gaze at her, and to gently stroke her cheek with his thumb. Buffy buckles under his stare, and rolls back over. Spike sighs, and lies on his back staring at the ceiling. **What are you doing you bloody idiot. Don't care about the slayer. The plan. The plan. The plan. Brilliant plan. Don't lose sight of the plan.**
When Spike doesn't move, Buffy rolls back over. She sees him thinking, and asks, "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing important," he answers, and looks at her.
"Everything is going to be all right," she assures him noting the worry on his face. She knows she is trying to convince herself more than him.
Spike doesn't respond, and turns his head to look at the wall. Buffy sits up, and says, "I have to go to class. You can stay here today. I'll be back later with some blood, and I'll see if I can find your clothes, okay?"
"Thanks," he weakly offers refusing to look at her.
Buffy waits, staring at him. When she realizes Spike isn't going to say anymore, she grabs her bag, and heads for the bathroom.
~~~
Buffy, and Willow are sitting outside at a table eating lunch. "So, Spike is our new roomie?"
"I don't know. I don't know what to do with him," Buffy says frustrated.
"Well, what do you want to do?"
"Stake him, make him leave, anything but what is happening."
"What's happening?" Willow asks.
"I don't know. I like him. I mean not like him like him," Buffy lies, "but I like being around him. He makes me mad, but at the same time he makes me laugh. It feels so nice to have a patrol buddy again. I mean, not that you guys don't help, and I like patrolling with you guys, but with Spike it's like�." Buffy's voice trails off.
"It's like with Angel," Willow finishes for her.
"Yeah. He can fight, and he's strong, and I'm not saying he's like Angel, but it's comforting to have someone protect me, watch out for me."
"I know. Lately, it seems like it was a good thing that Spike came along."
"Tell me about it. I don't know why, but I seem to be getting into some pretty sticky situations. I usually can handle it, but lately I'm getting caught off guard. It must be because of school, and all this newness. It's like when I first started slaying."
"You'll be on your game soon. It's just an adjustment period."
"I hope you're right, because I don't need anymore near death experiences," Buffy stops, and then asks Willow, "Would you mind if Spike stayed for a while, because it's not really safe for him to be out alone with the whole vamp community out for his blood."
"If you want him to, it's okay with me."
"Thanks Will."
Riley walks up behind them, and says, "Hi ladies, mind if I join you?"
Willow points to a chair near Buffy and cheerily says, "Go ahead."
"Thanks."
Riley takes the seat closest to Buffy, and asks, "How are you doing Buffy?"
"Good, you?"
"Great, it's a nice day," he says.
Buffy nods, not really paying attention. Her mind unconsciously drifts to Spike. She can hear Willow, and Riley talking, but isn't listening. **Spike. He's in my bed right now, sleeping. Spike. Why am I thinking about him? Stop it now Buffy. Nothing is going on. He was just happy you saved him. That's why he kissed you, and held you all night long. Oh God, why was it the best feeling I've ever had?** Buffy knows she is lying to herself when she says nothing is going on. She can feel it. **When I look at him, I don't feel the same. I don't want to hit him, stake him, or make him go away. I don't hate him. When I look at him, I feel warm. When I look at him I forget everything else, but him.**
"Buffy," Willow interrupts her thoughts.
"Present," Buffy answers snapping out of her thoughts.
"Riley was just asking you how you like class so far?" Willow prompts her.
Willow knows where her mind was, and it disturbs her. She can accept Spike helping Buffy. She can even except him staying with them, but she's unsure of the growing closeness of the two, and how much he occupies her mind. She knows something happened last night. She could feel the tension, and see their nervousness.
"It's great, very interesting stuff," Buffy answers rejoining the conversation.
"Yeah, and it only gets better," Riley answers.
"Goodie, even more psycho fun," sarcastically replies.
Riley looks at her puzzled, but continues, "So what are girls up to today?"
Willow answers, "I have another class, and then Wicca group."
"Buffy?" Riley asks turning to her.
"Nothing. I was just going to run some errands, and then study."
"Sounds like a night full of fun," Riley stops before nervously continuing. "There's a party at my house tonight. If you guys have time later, you should drop by. I promise it'll be fun."
"I don't know," Buffy starts, but Willow interrupts.
"It does sound like fun. Too much studying, and not enough fun lately."
"Stop by," Riley encourages.
"I think we will," Willow answers giving Buffy a meaningful look.
"Sure, why not? Studying can wait," Buffy mumbles.
"Great," Riley says and stands up. "I'll see you tonight then."
Riley walks away, and Buffy turns to Willow.
"What are you doing?" she hisses. "I want to have fun. I'm tired of moping about Oz, and you need some fun too after having been occupied with heavy slaying lately."
Buffy realizes Willow has a point, and shrugs, "Okay, tonight we party."
~~~
Buffy slowly opens the door of the crypt. She peers inside. Images of the previous night flash across her mind as she surveys the scene before her. In the light of the day, the crypt isn't as frightening, but Buffy can still see what is left of the vampires from last night. Three piles of dust lay on the floor.
Buffy walks into the crypt, and over to where Spike was chained up. She kneels down to pick up a knife. She turns it over in her hand, shuddering at the sight of Spike's blood on the blade. She tosses the knife away, and is overcome with a sick feeling. A pain that emanates from her chest, and she doesn't understand why.
Buffy stands back up. She turns around, and her eyes fall on a piece of clothing. She walks over to it, and picks up Spike's black shirt. The shirt is sliced right down the front, and spattered with blood. She tosses it aside, and picks up his duster. She inspects it, and is relieved when she finds it in one piece, and free of blood.
**He must have taken it off before they attacked. How could this happen to him? How could those vampires over take William the Bloody? He must have been asleep. They could never take him any other way. God, why Spike? Why does Spike have to make me feel this way? Why do I have to care?**
Buffy takes one last glance around the crypt before leaving. She slowly walks towards the butcher shop trying to sort out her feelings. By the end of her errands, she is more confused then ever. Somewhere in the back of her head, a voice is telling her she is falling for Spike, but Buffy refuses to acknowledge it.
~~~
Spike tosses, and turns in Buffy's bed. He can't sleep. Thoughts of the slayer invade his mind. He glances at the window, and notes that the sun is still shining brightly behind the closed curtains.
He jumps out of the bed, and starts pacing. He is still shirtless, and barefoot. He walks over to the stereo, and flips through the CDs.
"Bloody hell, the slayer has no taste in music," he mutters to himself.
He finally flips on the radio, and tunes it in to a classic rock station. He resumes his pacing, as he listens to an old Rolling Stones song. He thinks about the slayer as he walks back and forth across her room.
**The plan is perfect, so bloody perfect. Everything is falling into place, so why am I having doubts? Angelus wouldn't back down. Angelus didn't care about anything except pain. Bloody hell, when am I going to stop comparing my self to that wanker? He did once say that to kill this girl, you have to love her. You have to love her. You have to love her.**
Spike throws himself face down on the bed. **It's not true. It'll never be true. I can't, won't love her, ever. She's the reason I'm miserable. She's the reason Dru left me. She's the reason my life has been nothing but pathetic since I met her. To love her would be her greatest victory.**
Spike jumps up, and starts pacing again. He ignores the voice in the back of his head telling him she's already won.
Part 10
Later that day, Willow returns to her room, and finds Spike nervously pacing.
"Hi, Spike," she timidly says.
Spike nods in recognition, and continues pacing.
"You're going to wear a whole in the carpet. What's wrong?"
Willow sits on her bed, and faces the vampire who is a pent up ball of nervous energy. Spike stops pacing, and stares at Willow.
"Nothing, just anxious, bored. You know, the usual," Spike answers with a shrug, and resumes his pacing.
"Well, sit down. You're making me tired."
Spike sits down on Buffy's bed surprised by Willow's bluntness.
"Something bugging you, Red?"
"No," Willow sighs, "not really. Its just Oz left me."
Willow starts to cry. Spike looks at the sobbing girl, and sighs. He moves across the room to sit next to her. Spike puts his arm around her as she cries.
Willow lays her head on his chest, and continues, "No one seems to understand, or care. They all have their own problems, and I act like everything okay now, but they're not. I miss him so much."
Spike pulls her closer to him. He feels for the cute red head. He knows how it feels to be left by the one you love.
"It'll be okay. It hurts like hell, believe me I know, but eventually it'll be okay."
Willow sniffles, and pulls away from Spike with a small grin. "I can't believe I'm crying on your shoulder."
"Well, actually it was my chest."
"Are you over Dru?" Willow asks.
Spike looks away from Willow. He gets up, and starts pacing again. "Yes, and no. I love her with my entire soul."
Willow interrupts, "You don't have a soul."
Spike stops, and glares at her. He continues, "You know what I mean."
"Sorry," Willow quietly answers trying to hide her grin.
"Anyway, I want her back, you know, but part of me knows that she won't be back, and even if she did come back it wouldn't be the same. The sad thing about life, or unlife in my case is that nothing lasts forever. I smile when I think of the good times. I get angry when I think of the bad times, and I cry when I admit it's over. But as it will, my life, or unlife have you, goes on, and so will yours. I don't ever regret loving Dru, and if I had the choice to do it again knowing the outcome, I would in a heart beat. I figure I might as well look at it as a chapter in my life. The best chapter, mind you, but not the last one. You should try it. This Oz chap was a moment in your life. A great moment that you'll never forget, but the moments over, so time to move on. There are still things to live for, and adventures to be had."
Willow smiles at him, "How is it that no one else could make me feel this bad, and yet still make me feel better."
"I'm special, Red," Spike says with a cocky grin.
"What do you still live for?" Willow quietly asks.
Spike looks away, and fumbles for an answer. He can't tell her that the only reason he has survived the last months was with thoughts of torturing the slayer, and her soul having freak of a boyfriend, who just happens to be his sire.
"It's okay, you don't have to answer," Willow says noticing his pain.
**The slayer. I live for the slayer.** "I really don't know," he lies.
Spike sits back down next to Willow. "So tell me, is the slayer going to let me stay here, because I'm so bloody tired of sleeping on dirty floors."
"She says you can stay. She's worried about you getting attacked again."
Spike smiles, and asks, "She worries about me?"
Willow blushes. "I shouldn't have said that," she mumbles looking away.
�What else does she say about me," Spike inquires.
"You make her mad," Willow mumbles.
"The feelings mutual. Anything else?" Spike presses.
"No, not really," Willow lies turning away from Spike's questioning gaze.
"You're lying. Spill it, Red."
Willow shakes her head furiously. Spike starts to tickle her. Willow giggles, and tries to pull away, but Spike pins her underneath him.
"Tell me," Spike playfully orders.
"Never," Willow yells through her laughter.
Buffy walks in the room to a sight that ranks up with the most disturbing things she's ever seen, and she's seen a lot of freaky things on the hell mouth. Spike has Willow pinned to the bed. She's laughing, and gripping his bare shoulders. Where Spike's hands are, Buffy can't tell, but the sight makes her feel nauseous. Buffy slams the door, and the two combatants jump up.
"Am I interrupting something?" Buffy angrily asks.
"No, nothing. We were just talking," Willow answers blushing deeply.
"Talking? Horizontally on the bed?" Buffy questions, hurt, and anger seeping into her tone.
"We weren't horizontal slayer," Spike argues.
"Fine what ever kinky position you had her in," Buffy furiously yells.
Jealousy burns through her body, and she doesn't like it. **Why do I care that Spike, and Willow were messing around? Because last night it was you, and you fell for it.** Her emotions get the best of her, and Buffy turns to leave. She's infuriated at herself for caring, and at Spike for doing it, and making her feel this way. Lastly, she was angry that Willow let him.
Spike sees her leaving, and runs over to her. He lightly grips her shoulder, and pleads, "Slayer, nothing was going on. I was trying to get her to talk. Don't leave."
"Buffy, we were just being silly," Willow adds ashamed of her actions.
Buffy turns around slowly. Avoiding Spike's eyes, so he can't see the hurt, confusion, jealousy, and tears brimming, Buffy answers, "Sorry for wigging. I was just shocked."
"Buffy, Spike was just trying to make me feel better about Oz. We were talking, and then we just got silly. It was nice to laugh for a change," Willow explains.
"I'm sorry Will. I overreacted," Buffy apologizes. She's glad that Willow is feeling better, and relieved that nothing was going on between them. **Why do I care? Because you want Spike for yourself.**
Spike is still staring at Buffy's lowered head. Willow, noticing the tension between the two, stammers, "I'm going to go do that thing I have. I'll see you later, Buffy."
Willow walks past Buffy, and leaves. Buffy ignores Spike, and starts digging through her closet.
Spike walks up behind her. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he gently asks, "What's wrong, pet?"
Buffy's skin tingles under his touch. "Nothing. I overreacted. I thought you and Willow were getting friendly."
"Would that bother you?" he calmly asks.
Buffy spins around, and angrily faces him. "Of course it would bother me," Buffy yells.
"Why, are you jealous?" Spike asks.
"Jealous?" Buffy asks enraged by his arrogance, and also because he hit the real reason. "Of course not, but I won't have you honing in on my friends while they are vulnerable. I know you. I know you know how to make people feel things, bad things. You know exactly how to get to a person."
"That's actually a compliment."
"I didn't mean it that way," Buffy replies as she turns back to the closet searching for an outfit to wear to the party.
Spike doesn't say anymore, and just watches her as she pulls out different clothes, her words echoing through his mind. **You know how to make people feel things, bad things. You know exactly how to get to a person. Is she talking about herself?**
Buffy finally pulls out a pair of black leather pants, and a silk backless top. "I like that one," Spike replies.
"What?" Buffy asks. She is trying to forget he is still in the room, and trying to ignore all the emotions he evokes in her.
"I like that number better than the others, but why are you getting all dolled up for patrolling?" "I'm not patrolling tonight. I'm going to a party with Willow," Buffy answers putting the clothes back in the closet.
"A party?" Spike repeats with anger, and hurt.
"Yup, a no vampire, no slaying, fun party," Buffy answers refusing to look at him.
Buffy pulls out another pair of black pants, and holds them against her hips.
"What am I supposed to do tonight while you go and rub up against a bunch of undeserving hormone impaired frat guys?" Spike jealously asks.
Buffy looks at him, and noticing the hurt, and anger on his face asks, "Would you be jealous?"
Spike glares at her, and stomps off. **Stupid wanker, you let her see how you feel.**
Buffy smiles to herself as she realizes he would be jealous. "Touchy touchy, Mr. hey what is your last name?" Buffy asks with curiosity.
"None of your business," Spike snaps back with his back to her.
"Fine, be a big grouch. I'm going to have fun tonight. You're still welcome to patrol."
As she says this, Buffy lets the pants she is wearing slide down. She steps out of them, and starts to put on the black ones when Spike turns around shouting, "I'm not doing your�" Spike stops when he sees Buffy pulling on the pants. His eyes linger on her tanned thighs, and travel further up to her lace panties that are practically see through.
Buffy looks up when he stops speaking, and shoots him a dirty look as she zips up the pants. "Pervert," Buffy shouts trying to sound angry. She can feel her skin burning from his intense gaze.
Spike doesn't answer; he just begins to pace again. **Something is going wrong in my head. I'm not supposed to like the slayer. I'm not supposed to want the slayer. I'm not supposed to be jealous, or angry, or upset. She's supposed to be my enemy.**
"Spike," Buffy calls to him breaking into his thoughts.
"What, pet?"
"Turn around while I change my shirt."
Spike does as he's told. He stares at the wall. **I should be happy. The plan is working. She likes me, and soon she'll want me, and soon after that she'll love me, and my dear old sire will die of the humiliation, and pain. Then why am I not happy?**
"Okay done. How do I look?" Buffy asks.
Spike turns around, and if he had to breathe he wouldn't have been able to. The slayer stood before him in a pair of black pants, and a maroon shirt that dipped dangerously far between her breasts. It exposed her lovely neck, and for the first time in centuries, Spike didn't want to bite the neck of a human, he wanted to kiss it. **She's breathtaking.**
"You look, beautiful," he murmurs despite his brain telling him to shut up.
Buffy smiles, and asks, "Really?"
Spike shakes himself out of his trance, and replies with a shrug, "Yeah, you look all right."
Buffy frowns at him before replying, "Thanks."
Buffy walks over to the mirror to fix her hair, and make up. Spike watches as she sweeps her hair up in a twist, and fastens it with an intricately decorated clip. He watches as she applies a fresh coat of lipstick. His gaze follows the lipstick as it glides along her lips. **Lips I kissed last night.** He watches as she licks her lips causing him to unconsciously groan.
Buffy stares at her reflection critically. She finally sighs, and turns around announcing, "This will just have to do." Spike continues to watch her. "What are you looking at," she demands with her hands on her hips.
Spike looks away, and replies, "Nothing."
Buffy looks at him curiously before continuing, "I'm going to do a sweep before the party. Want to come?"
Spike hesitates before answering, "No, I'll just stay here tonight. I should probably lay low after last night anyway."
"True. Well, I brought you some blood."
Buffy opens her backpack, and removes the container. She hands it to Spike. "Don't drink it all right now, cause it's all you're getting tonight," she orders.
She digs further into her bag, and removes a t-shirt, and his duster. "I had to buy you a new shirt. Your shirt was ruined, but I did manage to recover this for you," Buffy says holding up Spike's duster.
Spike stares at Buffy in awe. **She went to all this trouble for me. She's so sweet. Dammit, you're doing it again.** Spike takes the clothes from Buffy, and mumbles, "Thanks."
"I even made sure I bought a black shirt, because I know how much you like that color," she tries to joke, but Buffy knows she spent way too much time in the store obsessing over which shirt to buy him.
"You didn't have to," Spike whispers turning away from the slayer. What he really wants to do is take her in his arms, and show her how much he appreciates everything she's done, but he can't. Her kindness has touched him somewhere that has been dormant since Dru left, and that scares him.
"I know, but I wanted to," Buffy answers.
When Spike doesn't answer her, she changes the subject, "I don't know what you are going to do all night in here, but I have some books, and Willow has some books, and there's always the radio, or solitaire. You could do my homework if you wanted."
"I think I'll do some reading, or maybe make some friends in your dorm here," he jokes pulling the t-shirt over his head.
The shirt is a little too small, and Buffy stares at the material that is tightly hugging his toned upper body. Spike notices the slayer staring at him, and puts on his duster.
Buffy finally looks away, and answers, "Spike stay in the room. I'm not supposed to have people living with me as it is."
"Fine, I'll read then." He picks up the nearest book. "Introductory psychology? Do you have anything more interesting to read?" he asks tossing the book aside.
"I have the latest Cosmo. There's a great article on how to achieve the greatest orgasm you've ever had," Buffy says a teasing smile on her face. She's trying to ease the tension, but she also knows she's playing with fire. The look on Spike's face when she told him she had gone back for his clothes had made her heart stop. Not to mention the way he filled out a t-shirt.
"I don't need a bloody woman's magazine to tell me how to pleasure a woman," he growls.
"Full of yourself much?"
Spike walks over to her, and stands so their bodies are almost touching. His nearness sends chills coursing through Buffy that are instantly warmed as an overwhelming heat encompasses her body.
"Would you like to find out, pet?" he suggests with a seductively sexy smile.
Buffy is at a loss for words. She knows she should shove him back into his place, but her body is screaming out to be touched, to be cooled by his. She looks up into his eyes, and sees the desire burning in them. She licks her lips in anticipation. Spike loses any defense he has left. He places his hand on her cheek, and traces his thumb over her lips causing Buffy to sharply inhale. Spike slowly lowers his lips towards hers. Buffy closes her eyes dying to feel the pressure of his cool lips on hers.
The knock on the door shatters the moment, and Spike moves away from her. Buffy opens her eyes, and looks at Spike with disappointment. He shrugs, and picks up the container of blood, and feeds.
"Who's there," Buffy calls out annoyed.
"Willow, is it all right if I come in," she asks from the other side of the door.
Buffy gives Spike a nervous look before opening the door. Willow is standing in the hallway with a sheepish grin on her face.
"Why wouldn't it be all right if you came in?" Buffy asks.
"I didn't want to interrupt anything," Willow nervously answers.
"You're not interrupting anything," Buffy lies.
Spike flinches at her words.
"Hi Spike," Willow calls out to him as she enters the room. Spike nods in her direction, and picks up his annoying habit of pacing.
"Would you stop that," both girls shout at once.
Spike stops and looks at them. "Sorry. I feel a bit like a caged cat in here," he says with a grin.
"Maybe we should take him out for a walk," Willow jokes.
Spike glares at her, and Willow just laughs. After what happened earlier, Willow feels completely comfortable around Spike. In fact, she will even admit that she likes him.
"I think it's time to be party bound," Buffy says wanting to escape the uneasy tension in the room. The almost kiss has just added even more tension, and confusion to an already confusing tension filled situation.
Willow takes one last glance at the dejected look on Spike's face, and suggests, "Why don't we take Spike with us?"
Spike, and Buffy both look at her with shock at her suggestion. Spike slowly grins. "How bout it luv, can I go," Spike asks, and then pleads, "Pretty please with a cherry on top."
Buffy can't help laughing at the puppy dog look he is giving her. "I thought you wanted to lay low?" Buffy hesitantly asks not sure if this is a good idea.
"The last place vengeful vampires will look for me is at a frat party."
"He has a point," Willow points out.
Buffy gives Willow a funny look, and Willow just shrugs.
Buffy relents, and mutters, "Let's go before I change my mind."
Spike grins, and Buffy shoots him a pointed look. "You better behave," she warns.
"I'll be on my best behavior," he promises giving her a wicked grin.
Buffy grabs her coat, and the three head out for the party. **I'm so going to regret this. This is a bad idea. This is such a bad idea. **
Part 11
Willow chatters the whole way over to the party. She can sense the uneasiness between Buffy and Spike. Buffy, and Spike make the journey in silence. When they arrive at the party it is all ready in full swing. Willow, and Buffy go in first, and Spike waits on the porch.
"What?" Buffy asks.
"Are you going to invite me in," Spike asks annoyed.
"Sorry, come in," Buffy says.
Spike follows the girls in and looks at all the young warm bodies around him. He curses silently to himself. Buffy grins at his frustrated situation. She knows he is dying to just take a couple of people and drain them, but he can't. Spike glares at her.
"I'm going to go get something to drink," Willow shouts over the music.
She quickly disappears into the party leaving Buffy, and Spike alone. Buffy takes off her jacket, and rests it on her arm. Buffy looks around the party.
"Well, I guess I'm going to go mingle," Buffy shouts towards Spike.
"Slayer wait," Spike shouts.
Buffy turns to him, and he grabs her arm. He pulls her outside.
"What?" Buffy nervously asks.
"About earlier," Spike starts. He doesn't know what to say, so he just says, "I'm sorry."
Buffy is taken a back by his apology. She doesn't understand why he is apologizing, except he doesn't like her. She looks away from him.
"It's okay. Let's just forget it," Buffy mumbles.
"No, that's not what I meant. I don't know what I mean," he says running his hand through his hair in frustration.
Riley comes up behind Spike. "I'm so glad you came," he says with a huge smile on his face. Buffy smiles back, and Spike turns around to glare at Riley. �And you brought a friend," Riley finishes.
Riley eyes Spike suspiciously, and Spike looks the boy up, and down with a smirk.
"Hi Riley, this is Spike," Buffy says nodding towards the blonde vampire.
"Nice to meet you," Riley nervously says offering his hand to Spike.
Spike looks at the offered hand, and says, "So this is Riley, nice to meet you mate."
Spike grabs his hand in a bone crushing shake. Riley winces in pain, but doesn't pull away.
"Spike behave," Buffy sharply whispers.
Riley takes his crushed hand back, and stares at Buffy with a questioning gaze.
"Sorry Riley. Spike doesn't have any manners," Buffy says shooting Spike an angry look.
"Watch your mouth, little girl," Spike growls.
"Or you'll what?" Buffy sarcastically asks.
Spike just glares at her before walking back inside. Riley, and Buffy stand in an uncomfortable silence. Riley searches for something to say.
"So your friend is very umm interesting."
"Yeah Spike is unique."
"So is he like your boyfriend, or something," Riley nervously asks.
"Spike? NO, he's just a friend. Well, not really, more like an annoying pain in the ass that's always around, but he's like that old t shirt you always sleep in even though its ripped, and holey." Riley looks at her confused, not understanding the analogy. Buffy continues, "You know you should tell it to get lost, but you just don't have the heart to do it, because you're just so used to it, and it really doesn't even bother you anymore. In fact it's grown on you so much, you'd miss it if it went away, and this is just a bad analogy."
"No, I think I get it." Buffy smiles at him weakly. Riley continues, "So do you want to get something to drink?"
"Sure," Buffy replies, and follows Riley inside. Riley leads her over to the drinks, and grabs two cokes. He opens one, and hands it to her.
"Thanks," Buffy replies scanning the party for Spike. She knows she was mean to him, but he just made her so mad. **Why did he apologize? He regrets it. He doesn't want it. He doesn't want me.**
"So Buffy, this is fun," Riley comments.
�Yeah. I'm having a good time."
Not having anything else to say, Riley asks, "Do you want to dance?"
Buffy stops scanning the room, and turns to Riley. "Sure."
Riley takes her coat, and sets it on a couch. He then takes her hand, and leads her to the dance floor. Just as they reach it, a slow song starts. Riley awkwardly puts his arms around her, and begins to sway.
Spike stares at the dancing pair, and scowls. Dejected he slumps against the wall, and fumbles for a cigarette. He lights it, and inhales deeply. Willow cautiously walks over to Spike.
"Spike," Willow nervously asks.
Spike breaks his stare, and looks at Willow. "Yeah?"
"They're just dancing," she answers.
"I don't like him," he bluntly replies with a growl.
�But you like her, don't you?"
Spike breaks his gaze, and looks at the red head. "No, I mean, she's my partner and all. I'm just being brotherly."
"Right, I'm sure that's all there is to it," Willow teases him.
"It is," he angrily argues.
"Okay, calm down. I was just teasing," Willow answers, and grabs his hand dragging him into another room. She pulls Spike over to a couch, and they sit down. He can't see Buffy from his current location. Willow knowingly smiles at him.
"Would you stop it," he shouts taking another drag of his cigarette.
"You like her. You so like her."
"Do not," he protests.
"Do too, do too," she laughs when he growls, and slouches further into the couch.
"Shut up," he grumbles.
"It's okay to like her, Spike."
Spike's face clouds over, and he looks away. He doesn't want Willow to see the pain, and confusion that are now evident on his face. "No, it's not," he says through clenched teeth.
"Why?"
Spike sighs. He knows the real reason. It's because it'll ruin his plan. His perfectly thought out plan. He can't tell that to Willow, so he simply offers this excuse, "I'm a vampire."
"Been there, done that," Willow replies.
"Without a soul," Spike adds with meaning.
"You may not technically have a soul, but there's something inside of you that�s different from all other vampires."
"Yeah, I'm a big poof, just like my bloody sire," Spike sarcastically replies with hatred seeping into his words.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."
"I know. I'm just not having a bloody good day."
Willow rests her hand on his knee in comfort. Spike smiles thankfully at her. They don't notice Buffy approach them. She glances at the dejected look on Spike's face, and her heart breaks. She stands in front of the pair with her hands on her hips.
"Hey people, this is a party. No serious conversation, and depression allowed," Buffy commands.
Willow looks up at her, and says, "Sorry Buffy, we were just talking, and one good thing led to a depressing thing."
Spike is still looking down at his lap. Buffy smiles, and sits on his knees. She tilts his head up with her fingers. "I hate when that happens," she lightly laughs. Spike doesn't respond. "You know these things will kill you," Buffy jokes taking the cigarette from Spike, and smashing it in an ashtray.
"Having fun luv? Spike asks trying to mask his hurt, and confusion.
"No," Buffy complains.
"Why?" Spike asks alarmed. **If that wanker did anything to her, I'll rip his heart out, and make him eat it.**
"You haven't asked me to dance," Buffy complains with pouty lips.
Spike can't stop the smile that appears. He takes the slayer hand, and she stands up. Spike takes off his duster, and hands it to Willow. Willow takes it, and smiles at the pair. Seeing it with her own eyes, seeing how much Spike really cares about Buffy, has changed Willow's mind. She honestly thinks Spike would make Buffy happy, and love her. She still doesn't think it's a good idea, him being Spike, and all, but it seems inevitable, since she can tell they both like each other.
Spike leads Buffy to the dance floor. The song playing isn't fast, and it isn't slow. It's a sultry, melodic song. Buffy begins to move her hips seductively to the beat. Spike barely moves as he watches her body gyrate to the music. Buffy moves closer to him and runs her hands down his chest, and to his abdomen. Spike's muscles tremor under her touch. Buffy smiles up at him before sliding her hands around to his lower back, and under his shirt. Her hands play across the cold skin of his back as she grinds her hips against him. Spike closes his eyes, as tremendous pleasure overwhelms his senses. He can smell her, and feel her, and he wants her.
Buffy watches Spike as he closes his eyes. She smiles when his face shifts into a dream like peacefulness. She turns around, and slowly slides her body up, and down his. His hands snake around to her stomach. He pulls her closer to him, and she can feel his arousal. He lowers his head to her neck, and lightly lets his lips play across the warm smooth skin. His cool lips send shocks of electricity through Buffy's body. She trustingly tilts her head giving him better access to her neck. They both know they shouldn't be doing this, but neither can stop themselves.
Spike lets out a little moan as she rubs up against him. Buffy raises her arms, and runs her hands through his hair. Spike tightens his grip around her waist hooking his fingers in the waistband of her pants. He slowly trails his tongue from the base of her neck to just below her ear sending an intense burning through her body. Her blood is screaming out to him, but his demon is beaten down by his desire, and love.
Buffy drops her arms letting them trail down his face before covering his hands with her own. Buffy unhooks his hands from her pants, and brings them back to her side. She leads them up her sides, and lightly over her breasts before spinning around. She entwines her arms around Spike's neck. She gazes up at him with desire, and longing burning in her eyes. Spike loses any last sense of control he has, and savagely attacks her mouth. He grabs her, and holds her possessively against him. Buffy sighs, and holds onto him tighter. They stop moving to the rhythm, and let their tongues do all the dancing.
Buffy finally breaks the kiss as she gasps for air. Spike staggers backwards overwhelmed by his emotions. He stares at Buffy with confusion, and fear as the ramifications of what he is feeling hit him. Buffy reaches out to him, but he steps further back. Taking one last look at his enemy, the cause of everything in his life being destroyed, he runs out.
Buffy stares after him. Tears well in her eyes, and she takes off in the other direction. In her fleeing, she runs directly into Riley, who had witnessed her erotic dance.
"Buffy, are you okay?" he asks as he grabs a hold of her.
"Let me go," she sobs.
She tears away from Riley's grip and runs out into the night. She keeps running, past her dorm, off the campus, and all the way to her old neighborhood. She finally stops, out of breathe, against a tree. She tries to catch her breathe between her sobs. Her emotions are all mixed up. Part of her is scared of what she is feeling for Spike, and the other part is hurt that Spike doesn't want her. **Why would he?**
Buffy walks slowly to her house. Thoughts of Spike invade her mind. Feelings of confusion, desire, love, and pain overwhelm her. She quietly climbs into her window, so as not to wake her mom. She doesn't even bother to take off her shoes. She just curls up into the fetal position, and cries herself into a fitful sleep.