Faith was wrong. 

 

She could eat more, and the empty peach pie plate sitting on the table back at the restaurant was proof. 

 

She and Spike were now headed back to their hotel, they needed to patrol.

 

At least that’s what Faith thought they were doing.  Spike drove right past their exit.

 

“What now?” she asked, “I thought we were going back?”

 

Spike smiled that quirky smile of his but didn’t answer.

 

Spike took an exit a few down from theirs.  He drove a little while and finally pulled into a parking lot

 

Faith looked around, trying to see where he had taken her.  A night club?  He was taking her dancing?

 

She didn’t think it was such a good idea.  There had been a lot of vampire activity and a night off seemed like they were slacking.  She said as much.

 

“Stop,” he exclaimed getting out of the car and walking around to open her door.  “Been goin’ nonstop since L.A.  Haven’t let up.  Need some fun.  Reduce the anxiety and all.” 

 

Faith wasn’t moving.  She didn’t care that Spike had opened her door.  She wasn’t getting out.

 

“Come,” he said, lightly taking her arm.  “Trust me.”

 

XXXXX

 

When they walked in and the first thing Faith noticed was how busy the club was.  Well, if you could call it that.

 

Stick a dance floor in the middle of Ma and Pa Kettle’s diner and you’d have this place.  She grinned anyway.  Maybe Spike was right.  Maybe she did need to loosen up a little bit.  Have some real fun for a change.  She’d put herself under way too much pressure lately, for far too many reasons than she cared to think about at the moment.

 

Spike took her arm and led her towards a table in the back.

 

Faith was ready for a drink.  As if summoned, a waitress came by and a short time later came back, bearing alcohol.   

 

After that, nothing much mattered; she just danced and Spike just watched.  Spike was a hot guy, but he was no dancer.  Didn’t bother her though, not like it was the first time she danced alone.

 

Prince’s Little Red Corvette ended and a new song started. 

 

Spike came up to her and asked if she wanted to rest.  Faith shook her head no and kept dancing.

 

Miss independent
Miss self-sufficient
Miss keep your distance, mmm
Miss unafraid
Miss out of my way
Miss don't let a man interfere, no
Miss on her own
Miss almost grown
Miss never let a man help her off her throne
So, by keeping her heart protected
She'd never ever feel rejected
Little miss apprehensive
Said ooh, she fell in love

 

Spike was still hovering by her, so she moved closer and asked, “I’ve never heard this before.  Who is it?” 

 

Faith felt Spike’s lips brush her ear as he told her.  An uncontrollable shiver went down her back.  “Kelly Clarkson.”

 

“Who?”

 

“American Idol?  Season One winner?”

 

Faith shook her head no, trying to shake off the surprising feeling that overcome her, yet again.

 

“You need to get out more,” Spike said looking at her.  She couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes sparkled in the multi-colored lights. 

 

“You should talk!” she proclaimed.

 

Miss guarded heart
Miss play it smart
Miss if you want to use that line you better not start, no
But she miscalculated
She didn't want to end up jaded
And this miss decided not to miss out on true love
So, by changing her misconceptions
She went in a new direction
And found inside she felt a connection
She fell in love

 

Faith began going to the place she went to when she was alone, alone with the music. 

 

What is this feelin' takin' over?
Thinkin' no one could open the door (open the door)
Surprise...It's time (yeah)
To feel what's real (what's real)
What happened to Miss Independent?
No longer need to be defensive
Goodbye (goodbye), old you (old you)
When love, when love is true

 

Faith was almost in a trance; this is where she felt the most content.  How could she forget that?  Music had always been her escape.  Her salvation.  The thing she would do when she needed to get away.  The place she would go so she wouldn’t need to think.  To talk.  She had forgotten that.  Spike was right.  She did need this.  The more she danced, the more relaxed she felt. 

 

Faith wasn’t naïve.  She was pretty sure that the alcohol probably had something to do with the relaxed… who gives a shit attitude too.

 

What is this feelin' takin' over?
Thinkin' no one could open the door
Surprise (surprise), it's time (yeah)
To feel (to feel) what's real
What happened to Miss Independent?
No longer need to be defensive
Goodbye (goodbye), old you
When love, when love is true..

 

Once the song ended, Faith realized Spike was gone.  Looking around the club, she saw him standing just off the dance floor.  He was clapping and walking towards her. 

 

“Bravo,” he said, smiling brightly.

 

Faith had originally thought he had gone back to their table, but he had been watching her the whole time.  Like she cared.  Faith was used to being watched.

 

She shook her head and went back to the table.  Her drink was waiting and without even sitting, she downed it.

 

Sitting down, Spike said, “Goin’ to have a drunken slayer on my hands then?”

 

“Not even close to being drunk.  Not yet anyway”  Without thinking, Faith walked over to him and placed a soft kiss on his lips.  “Thanks.” She turned and headed back towards the dance floor, wondering what the hell she had just done.

 

Okay, so maybe she was a little drunk.

 

XXXXX

 

Faith hadn’t danced so much in a long time.  She was sorry to see it end but she was done. 

 

“I am smokin’!” she declared to Spike, who was leaning against the wall, sipping a beer.  “Ready to go? I need some air.”

 

Spike didn’t seem to mind since he tossed some bills on the table and followed her out.  He had mumbled something about needing some air too.

 

Faith didn’t get into the car right away and Spike seemed to sense her unease. “What?” he asked.

 

Looking around she replied, “Nothing.  Just that vibe again.  But there’s nothing here, is there?”

 

Spike shook his head, but he continued to watch her closely.

 

Faith made herself calm down.  She kept the anxiety just under the surface where it belonged, where it couldn’t be detected so easily.  She appreciated that he had tried hard to show her a good time and she’d be damned if she was going to ruin it now.  She had to at least give him that.

 

“Pretty much what I figured,” she said opening the passenger side door.  “Yes, you can drive… again.”  Smiling, she slammed the door shut.

 

Okay, why wasn’t he getting in the car?

 

Spike was just standing there.  Granted his expression didn’t look all that great.  He had the whole frowny thing going.  The problem was, the longer they sat there not moving, the more uncomfortable she became. 

 

Faith couldn’t stand it anymore.  She got out of the car.

 

“Why are you just standing there?  You sick?  You are looking a little pale.” Faith realized what she had said and started laughing.

 

Spike didn’t say anything, he just looked at her.

 

“What is wrong with you?” Her eyelids veiled her brown eyes ever so slightly.  “Fine.  I’m a little drunk.  I admit it.  That’s why you got the keys.”  She hiccupped.  “I had a lot of Jack and I haven’t drank in awhile.  I’ll sober up.  Really.  Should be anytime now.”  Faith climbed back into the car.  “Do you have a smoke?” she yelled out the window.

 

Spike ignored her request for a cigarette, but finally got into the car.  Still not saying anything, he started the car, backed up and started driving them out of the parking lot. 

 

He kept up with the strong-silent-type thing until they got back to their hotel.

 

If anything made Faith crazy, it was being ignored.

 

“Are you mad at me about something?” she asked as they pulled into the parking lot.  “This all quiet thing is weirding me out, okay?  I’m sorry I got lit.  I’m better now.” 

 

He still didn’t say anything.

 

“Shit.  Fine,” she said, getting out of the car.  “I’m going to bed.”

 

She sounded like a bitch.  So what.  Why should she care?  He still hadn’t said a word and he was still just sitting there.

 

“Balls,” Spike muttered.

 

Faith was relieved to hear that he was finally getting out of the car.  She didn’t turn around and look at him, she was too busy trying to get the damned key in the lock.  Thing wouldn’t fit in the stupid hole and it was pissing her off.  

 

Okay, she wasn’t totally sober and she really wasn’t sure what was going on with him.  And she refused to turn around to see what he was doing.

 

If Spike wanted to act like a jerk for no reason, let him.  It wasn’t her problem. 

 

Faith’s thoughts were interrupted when the hairs on the back of her neck went on high alert.  Spike was standing close behind her now.  A  little too close. 

 

Faith turned around.  She’d had enough.  “What is your problem?” 

 

For a second time they were nose-to-nose.  Still, Spike said nothing. 

 

“Listen,” she began, “if I made you mad about something, sorry.  Okay?”  Faith was surprised to hear the slight sound of pleading in her voice, that wasn’t like her at all.

 

She waited for him to say something, anything.

 

“What?” she demanded.  She was getting beyond pissed now.

 

Spike grabbed her by the shoulders, looked her in the eyes and then pulled her to him, his lips finding hers, holding nothing back. 

 

What the hell? 

 

Shocked, Faith just stood there.  Arms now dangling uselessly at her sides, not returning his kiss, but not stopping his tongue from exploring her mouth either.

 

Spike was kissing her.  Spike? 

 

Somewhere along the way, Faith started kissing him back.

 

Her arms slowly came up and wrapped around his neck, her fingers found their way to his hair pulling his head closer, their bodies pressing more tightly together.  She felt as though she couldn’t get enough of his mouth.  She wanted more.

 

They didn’t need a key to open the hotel door.  Still kissing, they slammed their bodies into it.  The door flew open, the lock broken. The doorknob thankfully, was not.  Spike stopped grinding against her long enough to try and close it, but it wouldn’t stay shut.  Faith grabbed a chair haphazardly and rammed it under the knob.

 

Mission accomplished.

 

Faith wasn’t thinking anymore.  She was going on instinct.  An instinct she hadn’t given into for a long time.  She pulled at Spike’s clothes, wanting them out of her way.  She wanted to feel him.  She dropped the jacket, then the shirt, and ran her hands down his arms, over his chest and then down his back.

 

Her lips followed her hands as she ventured down his chest and onto his stomach, kissing him lightly as she went.  She felt his intake of non-breath and smiled.  “I could stop,” she said coyly up to him, her eyes shining brightly.

 

“Not bloody likely,” he replied pulling her back up to his lips.

 

She brushed her hand lightly across the front of his jeans and smiled. 

 

“You are a wicked woman,” he whispered against her mouth.  “I can play, too.”  He stepped back so suddenly, Faith she almost fell.

 

“What are you doing?” she asked, noticing the wicked smile that enveloped his face.  He had crossed his arms in front of his chest.

 

So that’s how it was going to be.

 

Faith stepped back and crisscrossed her arms in front of her.  She  grasped the bottom of her tank top and pulled it up over her head.

 

Spike didn’t move.

 

She reached for the top button of her jeans and undid them, letting the zipper slide down slowly; opening her jeans just enough so he could get a glance of what she had inside.

 

Nothing.  He still didn’t move.

 

Faith turned her back on him.  The fleeting thought of him being a vampire flickered briefly through her brain, but she was too far gone at the moment to let it faze her. 

 

She glanced over her shoulder and caught his hot gaze.  He was still watching.  She smiled wickedly, knowing that she still had his undivided attention. She unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor.  Faith didn’t turn around.  She didn’t need to.

 

Spike barreled toward her and grabbed her from behind, hands going to her breasts.  “You win!” he said, his momentum carried her backwards, both of them falling on one of the beds.   Spike spun her around and started kissing her again.

 

Pulling away from his lips briefly, Faith whispered, “You are so easy.” 

 

“I’m easy, then,” he said through gritted teeth.  “Now will you please stop talking?”

 

XXXXX

 

Faith lay spent on the bed, not quite wrapped in Spike’s arms.  She felt very content at the moment.  God, she loved sex.  She had almost forgotten how much… almost.

 

“You okay?” he asked.  “You can talk now,” he added with a smirk.

 

“I think I’ve talked enough for one night,” she said, smiling.  “I think I’ve done enough of everything for one night.”  Faith glanced at the clock.  “And for half the day too.”

 

“It’s bloody 2:00 o’clock?” he asked.

 

“Yep. I heard about the vampire endurance,” she said.  “Now I’ve seen it first hand.  No wonder B has a thing for you guys.”

 

“What!” Spike asked, sounding somewhat shocked.

 

Faith wasn’t sure where the ‘shocked’ was coming from, so she tried to explain what she meant. 

 

“Oh,” she said sitting up, the sheet that was covering her falling away.  She barely noticed.  “It’s just... I just… you... we...” She was struggling for words.  “There’s certain perks that come with being a Slayer,” she said.  “Speedy healing.  Heightened senses.  Being able to screw more than the average girl.  More stamina ya know?”

 

“And?”

 

“Never stopped to think that vampires were the same way,” she said shrugging her shoulders.  “You kept up with me, that’s a first and it was... damn!  I kinda like it.”

 

“Kind of liked it?” he asked holding up one of his hands.  “Once the count goes to the second hand,” he held up the second one,  “it goes way beyond kind of liking it.  It goes into really, really liking it.”

 

Spike leaned closer to her, slightly caressing her chin and placed another soft lingering kiss against her mouth. 

 

The next time they looked at the clock, it was 4:30.

 

XXXXX

 

Faith woke up and stretched lazily.  She glanced at the rumpled sheets where Spike had been and realized the sound she’d woken to had been the shower running.  Maybe she’d join him.  Faith then glanced at the clock on the nightstand.  Okay.  Not a good idea.  She got up instead, threw on Spike’s shirt and flipped on the TV. 

 

Spike emerged from the bathroom shortly thereafter and walked over to place a small kiss on her forehead.  “Sleeping Beauty awakens.”

 

Stretching.  “I couldn’t help it.  I’m starving.”

 

He smiled.  “Not surprising.  Worked up quite an appetite I reckon.  Ordered room service.  Should be here anytime.” 

 

As if on cue, there was a soft knock on the door.  “I’ll get it,” he said. 

 

Spike dropped the towel that was wrapped around his waist and grabbed a pair of jeans, putting them on.  He moved the chair and opened the door.

 

“Great,” Faith said.  “I’m gonna grab a quick shower first though.”

 

Faith came out of the bathroom, dressed in jeans, t-shirt and was towel drying her hair. 

 

“Something smells good and that scares me.  Not like this is a five-star hotel.”  She walked over to where Spike had set the food up.  “Pizza?  The hotel has a pizza joint?”

 

Spike laughed.  “Nope.  Paid the guy extra to run out and get pizza once I saw what today’s special was.”

 

“Whatever.  I just need food,” she said, tossing the wet towel on an end table and sitting down next to Spike on the bed.

 

“You should’ve seen the prat’s face when he saw what we did to the door.”

 

“Guess we’ll be owing a little extra at checkout.”

 

“Thinking so.  You up to patrolling tonight?” he asked between bites.

 

“Which answer do you want?”

 

“I want your answer.”

 

“I don’t want to, but I... we will,” she said correcting herself.  “We didn’t go last night.  Figured we’ll be moving on pretty soon.  Might as well finish up this place tonight.”

 

“Okay then.”

 

Faith pushed the pizza aside.  “First,” she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him back against the bed, “there’s something I need to do…”

 

XXXXX

 

Between the two of them, the newbies’ numbers had finally dwindled down. 

 

Faith thought if they could find the main vamp that was making them, they could leave with a clear conscience.  Thanks to the fledglings they had questioned earlier, they now had a good description and a pretty good idea of where she was.

 

Faith had switched into business mode.  “You go over there.” She indicated to Spike the crypt she wanted him to check out.  “I’m going to look over this one.”  She kept her apprehension in check.  The oh-no-it’s-dark anxiety was there, but now she was dealing with it the only way she knew how, she ignored it.

 

She approached the crypt that had caught her interest.  She was grateful for the full moon that kept her company, its brightness lighting up her way.

 

Faith edged her away around the side of the building as quietly as she could.  She didn’t want to announce her presence, at least not yet.  She finally made her way to the opened door and glanced inside. Something was in there she felt it.  She just hoped it was what she was looking for.

 

“Knock-Knock.  Anybody home?” she asked going through the doorway, stake held low, hidden at her side.

 

“Who are you?” came the feminine reply.

 

Faith didn’t answer.  Instead she moved further into the crypt, keeping the walls to her back, getting a better look at what she was dealing with.

 

She was there, the vampire who was making the others.  Faith was surprised; the description they got was perfect.  By the looks of it she had arrived just in time.  The vamp held a terrified teenager by the neck, his head tilted towards her long, pointy teeth.  Faith was relieved to see that he hadn’t been bitten yet, at least not from what she could see.

 

“Thinking it might be past curfew.  Probably need to let him go now.  Don’t want mom wigging out do you?”

 

The vampire looked incredulous.  “What would I care about what the mother thinks?”

 

“I asked you once nicely,” Faith continued this time flashing her stake.  “The second time not so nice.”

 

Doubt finally flickered through the vampire’s eyes, her self-assurance waning.

 

Faith knew the vamp had no idea what she was dealing with.  “I can see your confusion.  I feel for you.  Really, I do.  Two words – Vampire Slayer, bitch.  And yes, I know that was three words,” Faith shrugged.  “I changed my mind at the last minute.”

 

Not waiting for the demon to respond, Faith used the wall behind her for support.  She kicked off and did a complete spin in the air, landing soundlessly next to her.  Faith spun around and landed a kick to the side of the vamp’s leg making her stumble.  She lost her grip on the boy. 

 

Faith pulled him away from her.  “Go… now!” she instructed. 

 

Once he was safely out of the crypt, she refocused her attention on the demon.

 

“Now that we’re alone let’s end this quick okay, I have a date.”  Faith knew Spike had shown up.  Spike must’ve seen the kid leaving the tomb and came to see what was going on. 

 

The vamp glanced at Spike, who was leaning again the crypt door wearing his game face, arms crossed in front of him. 

 

“You’re a vampire,” the she-vamp said.  “Shouldn’t you be on my side?  What are you doing?  Fighting with her against your own kind?”

 

Spike growled and on her before Faith could react.  He turned, snatching the stake from Faith’s hand.  “Mind if I borrow this?”

 

They left while the dust was still settling to the floor.

 

XXXXX

 

Faith and Spike had found a few more newbies scattered around.  But newborn vamps were easily dispensed with.  She and Spike were fairly certain that they had cleaned up the nest the she-vamp was trying to make for herself.

 

“What is it with vampires and minions?” Faith asked.  “I mean seriously.  Minions are usually newbies.  Don’t know that much.  Make stupid mistakes.  Like with Cooper.  He had a good plan.  Looking back, his minions were the ones that messed it up.  He’d been better off if he’d done it on his own.”

 

“Power,” Spike provided.  “Have your own personal army.  Own personal toys.  They do what you tell them to do.  No questions asked.  They do what you don’t feel like doing.  Things you feel are a waste of your time.  Things you think are beneath you… in a matter of speaking.  They complain about it or question it they die.  Kind of a simple life really.”

 

“He speaks from experience,” she said, giving him a sideways glance.

 

Spike chose not to answer.

 

XXXXX

 

Sunup was a few hours away and Faith wished it would get here a little quicker.  Of course Spike was glad they still had a few hours left.  Being with him made Faith feel a little better. 

 

Just a little. 

 

They agreed to hang one more day... and night, and then go someplace else.  Faith just wanted to make sure they have gotten all the fledglings they could before they left.  One more sweep of the cemetery would do it.  Spike didn’t think it was necessary, but as usual, he agreed with the slayer when it came to patrolling.

 

They made it back to their hotel without incident.  Faith pointed out that the door had been fixed in their absence.  They only had one problem remaining, Spike needed blood.  He knew where to get it, he just wasn’t sure that leaving Faith alone was a good idea.

 

“You sure you’ll be okay?”

 

“I will be fine.  I have lamps.  Go already,” she said, pushing him out the door.  “I’m going to shower.  You probably won’t be gone an hour.  No big.  Now go.” 

 

She didn’t give him time to protest.  The door was closed and Faith watched as the car sped out of the parking lot.  He’d be back in no time.  Knowing that, she smiled and went to take her shower.

 

XXXXX

 

Spike picked up carryout and got something for her too.

 

“Told you I’d be fine.” She wasn’t about to admit to him that she was relieved when he finally showed up. 

 

“What is it?” she asked, grabbing the bag out of his hand.  “Dottie’s Peach Pie!  I love this stuff,” she said, kissing him quickly on the lips.

 

“There are two pieces and one’s mine!”

 

XXXXX

 

“I’m dreaming… again.  Damn it!”

 

Faith knew it.  She should’ve known it would be coming.  She just hoped it would’ve waited a little while.  She had been content and she had finally managed to fall asleep.

 

Where in the hell am I?

 

Wait!  I know this place.  God did she know this place, the tables, the chairs, the pool table, the bar, the dance floor.

 

If she went out the back the alley would be there.  She headed out the door anyway.

 

And there it was.  The alley behind the Bronze.  Faith walked a little further down and stopped.  This was the spot where she had staked that vamp.  The spot where she had met most of them for the first time.

 

Faith willed herself to wake up.  She knew what she had to do.

 

“Wake up,” she said, shaking  Spike.  “We need to go to Sunnydale.” 

 

Not waiting for him to respond, Faith got up and started packing.

 

Spike was fully awake now.  “What?  You’re dreaming.  There is no Sunnydale.  Remember?”

 

“I wouldn’t be so sure.  Now get up and pack”

 

“You’re not making sense,” Spike said, sitting up.  “What makes you so bloody sure?”

 

“I feel it.  I know it.  However you want to explain it.  We need to go and we need to go now.”

 

“I’m not so…”

 

Faith didn’t let him finish.  “I’m leaving.  Up to you whether or not you’re coming with.  But you need to make up your mind… quickly.”

 

XXXXX