jealousypart2

Buffy�s mouth snapped shut in shock. Spike glared daggers at Harmony who continued her tirade.

�That�s right. You think I don�t know what you two are doing here practically three times a week. But I do. I finally figured it out.�

�You figured it out?� Buffy exclaimed, finding her voice just as Spike was mustering a response of his own. �About me and Spike�about Spike and I? You figured THAT out?�

�Yes, I did!� Harmony confirmed. �Because I�m not as dumb as I look.�

�Well, you couldn�t possibly be�� Buffy said, gently. She was holding one hand to her brow as if warding off a migraine. Only her slightly shaking shoulders betrayed how close she was to rolling on the floor with laughter.

��but it IS brave of you to keep trying like this,� Buffy continued, when she could speak again.

�Now, Harm,� Spike intervened, hoping to bring this farce to a swift and happy conclusion but Buffy held up a hand to forestall him.

�No,� she said, with almost perfect control on her inner child. �Don�t even bother, Spike! I mean, there�s no reason to deny it any longer. We can finally tell the truth about our love. HARMONY here has it all figured out.�

�I�m glad she knows. Really!� Buffy continued. She crossed over to Spike�s side and sank onto his lap. She slipped one arm along his shoulders and snuggled close with a tiny sigh. �No more sneaking out in the light of day. No more pretending that we loathe one another.�

Spike�s mouth twitched as his sense of the absurd kicked in. He didn�t stop to consider the risks he ran in confessing his sins. He just slipped his arms around Buffy�s waist and drew her a little closer.

�Yeah, it�s a bloody load off my mind I can tell you,� he said, into her hair. �No more hiding our special mementos all over the crypt. I was running out of really clever places.�

�Oh My GOD!� Harmony exclaimed, obviously shocked to her core. �I can�t believe you�re just coming out and admitting it like this! I thought you might have the decency to deny it. I mean, Spike you�re a Vampire and you�well�you�re the SLAYER.�

She said the last word like it was the most appalling aberration imaginable and shuddered slightly at the imagery.

�The love that dare not speak its name,� Spike said, barely able to contain himself.

Buffy, holding on to her composure by her fingernails, bit down hard on her lip and turned her face into Spike�s shoulder at this pronouncement.

�Euuwww!� Harmony said, totally missing the joke. �How can you even say�that? It�s just so�icky! And when I think that I came here to get you back��

�Back! Ha!� Buffy bristled. Leaping off of Spike�s lap, she took up a threatening pose and scowled at Harm. �I�d like to see you try?�

�You two have it out,� Spike said, standing up behind Buffy, �and I promise to go quietly with whoever wins.�

Buffy turned a surprised look on him. Spike had his arms crossed. He was leaning back slightly relaxed in the knees, cocky and self-assured. He gave her an almost imperceptible wink. Without warning Buffy turned and strode over to the weapons bench. Snatching up a stake she gave it a practiced twirl and addressed the lady vamp.

�Well, what do you say, Harmony?� Buffy said, in a dark tone. �You think you can take me?�

Harmony�s eyes were wide and focused on the sharpened piece of wood in Buffy�s capable hands. The night was certainly not going the way she�d planned. She held up one hand in supplication as she struggled for words.

�Uhm�I�uhmm!� Harmony said. Buffy dropped into a fighting stance and began to circle her. Spike watched the Slayer with undiluted admiration, a small smile playing on his slightly parted lips.

�Look, Buffy, you and I have known each other for a long, long time,� Harmony continued, with equal measures of desperation and forced sweetness. �I mean we were in High School together�and everything.�

�We hated each other in High School, you imbecile,� Buffy snarled, feigning a lunge.

�Okay�I guess�� Harmony agreed, jumping half out of her skin. She looked desperately over at Spike and was suddenly hit with a lightning bolt of inspiration. �But my point is, I have known YOU a lot longer than I�ve known Spike.�

She hissed out the male vampire�s name.

�And just between us girls,� she continued, in a confidential whisper, totally ignoring the fact that Spike was within easy earshot, �it hasn�t been all that earthshaking an experience being with him anyway. If you know what I mean?�

Buffy straightened slightly. She raked Spike up and down with an appraising glance taking a good measure of the cockiness out of him.

�No!� He growled, angrily, giving Harm the look that kills. �We don�t know what you mean!�

�I�m talking about the SEX, Spike,� Harmony clarified, helpfully. She turned back to Buffy who was now having a truly wonderful time.

�Oh, do tell?� the Slayer encouraged. Spike transferred his blue-eyed glare to her.