Spike sighed as he entered his dark crypt. Slipping off his coat he tossed it over a chair without caring where it landed. It had been another one of those nights. With a sigh he sank painfully into a chair. She'd really pummeled him this time. He popped open a bottle of wine. Drinking slowly he reflected back on tonight. He recalled how her eyes flashed with an emotion he couldn't quite place. He knew she had it for him. She had to. He knew how he felt about her. If only he could bring himself to tell her. Across town Buffy Summers was getting ready for bed. She was on the phone to her best pal Willow.

Slipping out of her jeans and holding onto the phone with her shoulder Buffy recounted her meeting with Spike tonight." I really hurt him this time Willow. Maybe I shouldn�t have hit him as hard as I did." She flops on her bed and sighs, " He just infuriates me. I wish he were invisible, then I wouldn�t have to look at him." Willow giggled on the other end of the phone. She and Tara were playing Monopoly. " Buffy if he irritates you so, tell him" Willow suggested. " I have told him to go away. He won't. Well I�m going to catch some Z's okay? I'll call you tomorrow?" Willow nodded " yea, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Outside Buffy's bedroom window, there was a giggle, inaudible to human ears. The tiny fairy grinned. "You wish he were invisible hmmmm? So be it." She vanished from the window, and appeared in a corner of Spike's crypt, hovering near the ceiling. With a smile, she flew over to the now sleeping vampire and cast a spell.

Spike awoke that night like any other night. Yawning he jumps out of bed and crossed the room to an old dresser. He tried to make due with no mirror and comb back his blonde locks. Muttering about the dull ache left in his shoulder by the slayer. " Someday I'll pay her back for all of this. And like it she will". On with his duster and out the door he goes, in search of his slayer.

Xander looked around. "I don't see anything...."

Spike sighs. "Hah bloody hah you two. Real good joke. Really. What, never leave grade school did you?" Buffy raises one eyebrow " Spike? Where are you? " She whirls around to the sound of his voice, nearly walking right into him. She brushes past him giving him a shiver. " I'm right here Buffy" he insists. She stops walking and listens closer. " Xander he�s just playing around. Do you see him?" Xander shakes his head " Nope, I've got no clue where dead boy is" Buffy watches as Xander�s head lunges forward out of the blue " watch it slayerette." Spike countered. " Ow, what the hell was that?" Xander is rubbing the back on his head. " Something just smacked me!" " I did ya bloody poof. You two really know how to hurt a mates feeling. I'm right here!" Spike insisted again.

Buffy followed the sound of his voice, holding out her hands. Her long arms found his body, slipped right around his waist and she held on. " Spike? Is that you?" He grinned that silly grin " you bet baby, and am I happy to see you" She quickly let go and blushed. " What�s going on here? Spike, I can't see you." In a flash she remembers her words to Willow last night I wish he were invisible then I wouldn�t have to look at him. Her eyes flash with recognition. " Oh no this is my fault"

"Slayer, what are you going on about? What do you mean you can't see me? I'm right bloody here." Spike sounded confused.

Xander looked at the spot Spike's voice was coming from in amazement. "Wow Buffy, you made him invisible? Way to go. Did the world a favor." Buffy walked a circle around Spike, disbelieving what she supposedly had done. " This is impossible. How could I turn Spike invisible?" Xander laughed. Spike growled at him " This is not funny mate." Reconsiders that thought and laughs " On second thought, this may be wicked fun." Buffy rolled her eyes " Oh great, an invisible Spike. Maybe Willow and Tara can help turn you back." Xander looked confused " You want to see him again? Can't we leave him like this?" Spike whacked Xander in the back of the head again. " I think I could get used to this." Spike laughed. Xander rubbed his head. " Yea, change him back so I can punch him back"

He began to walk towards the university campus, and once there, proceeded to enter the girls' locker room. It was empty this time of night so he went and found the dormitories. Into one room he snuck. " This will be great." He came up behind a young girl, pinched her in the butt. " Ow! Who�s there?" The girl looks around at no one. She went back to her studies. Spike knocked over some books. The student picks them up, looking suspicious about the room.

Xander looked at her seriously. "I'd probably sneak into the girls' dormitories or something like that." At her glare, he shrugged. "Hey, you asked, and I answered. "Buffy sighed, " Well then lets head that way." They head in the direction of the school in silence. Buffy tried to figure out how the whole thing happened and how she was going to fix it. She actually missed that silly grin of his. Mentally shaking that thought aside, they reached the school.

Suddenly, Buffy heard a girl cry out in surprise. Looking over she Xander Buffy said" We found him!" Buffy bolted up the stairs and down the halls to where the girl had yelled. Trying to look casual she strolled in the room. " Everything alright in here?" Buffy was holding her arms out, trying to find Spike. " I'm fine I think. Something keeps pinching me. Maybe I'm just studying too hard." Spike snickered in the corner. Buffy reached out and grabbed him by his leg. Whispers " Your coming with me now! "

He struggles with her a little, and the girl stares at Buffy. Buffy realizes that Spike is making her look like a fool. Buffy shrugs " Coffee jitters. I'll just be going now." Buffy stumbles towards the door with the top of Spike's jeans tight in her hand. The girl just stares awkwardly at Buffy as she leaves. In the hallway Buffy scolds Spike " I can't believe you! What were you thinking? We have to get this spell reversed. I'm taking you to Willow's right away." She informed him crossly still dragging him by his jeans.

"You know Slayer, the last time someone grabbed my pants, it was because they wanted in them." He taunted. Buffy glared in his direction " If I let go you'll disappear. We both know that. You and I are going to Willows right now"

"I don't much fancy that idea..." he broke free and took off, feet pounding the floor. Buffy stumbled and fell to the pavement scraping the palms of her hands. " Ow!" she cried " I hate vampires" Buffy mumbled getting up. She saw the hall door swing open and then close again. " Gotcha!" she told herself. Buffy followed him into the hallway "Spike, I know your in here." She walks cautiously down the hallway "Lets just talk this over okay?" Buffy gasps just as Xander reaches the long end of the hallway "You and your Slayer running power..." Xander stops in mid sentence seeing Buffy dragged away. Buffy wriggles and kicks "Spike! Let me go!"

Xander runs after Buffy only to be knocked out cold by the swinging door Spike pushed open. Spike continues to drag Buffy down the hall. "I am enjoying myself very much here Slayer, and you are not going to have Red end that." He dragged her to the basement of the building. Buffy kicked and wriggled but to no avail. The blonde vampire had her tightly in his grip. " I don't know what you plan to accomplish, dragging me down here. Because when I get the chance, you are so staked" Spike taunted her " You'll never stake me slayer. You don't have it in you because you like me." Buffy looked as if his words had reached out and hit her. Quickly gaining composure she reminded him "I violently dislike you Spike". He shook his head. "No fooling me slayer, I saw that look in your eyes. You'll come to your senses sooner or later." Spike set her down in an old chair and grabs some rope. �This ought to keep you busy while I go and have me some fun." With that, Buffy saw the door open and close again, and she was left alone with her thoughts.

"What and idiot. How can he misinterpret hate as like? I can't stand the guy..." she paused, wondering just who she was trying to convince. "And I mean, the only reason I haven't staked him is because... because...� Her eyes went wide when she realized that she couldn't come up with a reason. "Uh oh...� Across town Spike whistled as he walked along the streets towards the crypt. " Your in for it now slayer. Roses and candy, you won't be able to keep saying no to me". He stopped in the crypt, stuffed a bag full of a few things and back to where Buffy was he went.

Back in the dark basement Buffy struggled with her emotions. " How can I like a guy who ties me up in a basement and leaves?" She looked around frustrated that there seemed nothing that could help her escape. Wriggling and fidgeting had loosened the ropes though, making them more comfortable. She watched as the door swung open and shut seemingly on its own. " I'm back pet, miss me much?" Spike asks ruffling through his bag. Before she could answer, he kept going " I know this is a bit weird right? Tie you up in a basement and all what not." He smirks " I figure, its the only way you'd listen to me."

"Spike, it's beyond weird. It's creepy. And psychotic. And I'm sure that even if I hear what you have to say, it'll only serve to further convince me of your ickiness."

Spike chuckled at that. "You're trying so hard to make your point, but really, who are you making it to?" He pulls a nearby table over and sets it in front of her. He finds a jar and stands the roses up in them. Then, he pulls candles out of his bag, places them in candleholders on the table, and lights them. "Yeah, that'll do nicely..." Buffy looked at him annoyed "What are you doing? Besides being creepy" Spike covers the spot where his heart should be "Slayer I'm touched. None has found me creepy or evil since I get this sodding chip. See I told you you'd like me sooner or later." Buffy groaned. Spike brought out some crackers and cheese, a box of chocolate and a bottle of wine. " Can I untie you now and treat you like a lady? Or will you stake me and run?"

"Neither. I'll stake you and dance in the dust." she replied, giving him an evil glare.

Spike sighed. "I am trying to do something nice here. I mean, I got chocolates and everything. I just don't know what it is you want Summers..." She looked at him matter of factly " Tying a girl up so she'll like you is not really a huge turn on." She saw the chair across form her get kicked to the other side of the room. " I'm not bloody good with women. Isn�t that much apparent? So you could cut me some slack, I'm doing the best a fella can do."

"If this is your best, I'd hate to see your worst." Spike groans and walks over to her chair, unties the ropes. " Get the hell out of here. your right, its just creepy"

Buffy finds herself feeling sorry for him. "It would have been nice if you hadn't forced me here." " Like you would've come willingly. Say I set it up at my place. Would you have come? Not bloody likely. Just get out, let me be miserable on my own"

Buffy is beginning to feel guilty. "The chocolates are my favorite kind..." Spike looks hopeful although she can't see him " Really? " He says sheepishly. " I didn't know what you'd like"

Buffy smiles. "yep, I like Godiva. So, tell me Mr. Great sense of smell, which is the caramel? Those are my fave..."Spike picks our a small round one " Here, promise not to bite my fingers?" Holds it close to her lips. Buffy takes it, being very careful. "I wish I could do that." Spike looks weird at her " You wish you could bite me? Slayer you feeling alright?"

Buffy rolls her eyes. "no idiot, I wish I could pick out the caramel. Then I wouldn't have to eat the orange creams." Completely embarrassed Spike pulls out a fudge one and bites into it. " It is a nice perk. So is this invisible thing. I can make all the faces at you I want, you can't see a one of them"

"oh, because that's mature. Which one is butter cream?" The door flies open and in bursts Xander along with Willow, and Tara " Buffy were here, are you OK?" He looks questionably at the makeshift table.

Buffy panics, not wanting them to know she was nice to him. "Yeah... I don't know where he is though..." Willow looks unconvinced ' you feeling alright Buffy?" Tara sweeps in and steals a chocolate. " Mmmm Orange, my favorite." Xander shakes his head " Let me get this right, dead boy drags you in here, leaves you with a candle lit munchies fest for one?"

Buffy sighs. "I don't get him... but we have to find him." Spike stands behind her, touches her cheek lightly to say thank you. Tara looks around " This is creepy lets get out of here"

"I agree, let's go. I want to go home..." Spike sits alone after they leave. Just staring at the table he set up. " Stupid bloke! She needs more than this." Gathers all his stuff and heads home. Spike muttered to himself on the way. " I need to watch Passions. Always good ideas on there."

When he arrives, Buffy is sitting on his couch. "I know you're back Spike. I can see all the stuff you're carrying. We need to talk." She motions for him to sit. "Look. An invisible you is not my idea of a good time, but you don't want to be changed back either. You'll run if I try. So how about a deal? I won't try and change you back for one week, but you have to stay close by, so I know what you're up to."

"And if I don't then what? You can't see me to stake me anyhow slayer. This is a lot of fun. I wish you were the same way. Imagine that, an invisible slayer. What fun" open pops a bottle of wine.

"If you don't go along with it, I'll ask them to change you back right away. I found a spell that you don't even have to be present for. I haven't shown it to them yet, but I will." "Ohh you with all your threats. Go-ahead Summers. I don't much care anymore. Just leave me alone. Take you and your stupid hair with you"

"My hair is NOT stupid... is it?" Buffy put one hand to her hair. he tosses a pillow at her head. " Now it really is, all messed up." He laughs

"Spike!!!! Get over here so I can hit you!" He roars with laughter "Ha ha slayer, can't see me to hit me!" Spike came up behind her and whacked her on the butt with another pillow. Then in a low sultry voice, " I can sure see you"

"Not for long. It'll be hard to see anything when I give you two black eyes." She lunged for him, guiding herself by the floating pillow, and managed to knock him to the ground, and sit on him. "Ha ha. Slayer doesn't have to see to hit you." Spike stared up at her looking at him like she won some major battle. " Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are Buffy?" Not waiting for a response and taking full advantage of being invisible he leaned up and kissed her full on the lips.

Her eyes went wide. She couldn't comprehend at first what he was doing, but she liked it... As it dawned on her, she struggled, but the effort was half-hearted. Spike embraced her more fully, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly. Slowly he let her go. Wishing she could see all the love in his eyes for her. If she rejects me, its just as well she can't see me " I guess there�s no hiding how I feel now. I love you Buffy. And I understand if you don't feel the same. I just needed you to know this"

"Spike..." She looked down at where she thought he ought to be. "I don't know what to say to that... I wish I could see you.."

The little pixie that was hovering about outside Buffy's window flew quietly over the two and she smiled " Awww look what a little magic can do. Alright one more wish." She waved a little purple sparkly wand and Spike appeared to Buffy suddenly. Buffy gasped. "I... I CAN see you..." She looked in his eyes, searching for the truth. Spikes eyes were filled with love for her, they stared deeply into hers, searching for the same from her.

"Spike... I want to love you..." He challenged her " So then do it. You know we fit Buffy. What are you scared of?"

"I'm scared of a lot of things Spike..." Spike sits up and pulls her close. " Let me chase those fears away. I want to chase them away for you."

"Do you think you can Spike?" She looks vulnerable. " I don't know if I can. But I want to try."

Buffy put one hand on his chest. "It would be nice to believe that..." He draws back from her. " Are you telling me there�s no chance? We have something here pet. Its not pretty at times, but its real as love gets." Looks hopeful at her. Trembling all the while.

Buffy sighed. "This is really confusing Spike. You realize I�m supposed to hate you. You're evil. A killer. I know this... but...� She looked at him. "I don't hate you." She walked over to him, an inch away. His eyes were filled with conviction. " Then love me." he asks her simply before sweeping her up in his embrace again and kissing her. Letting go Spike stares into her eyes " I'm a changed man Buffy. What I've done in the past is just that. I pray every night that you would see this and forgive me." "Spike, did you change for me, or because you wanted to be better? There's a difference...� she touched his hand.

There was silence between them for a long moment. Spike looked at her and then away. Focusing back on Buffy he spoke softly. " At first yes, it was for you. After bit, I enjoyed it ya know, fighting' the good fight beside you and the Scooby�s. I've been useless for so long. I felt needed." Rolled his eyes at her " Not wanted mind you. But needed all the same."

"You're wanted Spike." Spike slumped in a nearby chair and moaned. "Well bloody hard to tell the way you all tell me to sod off everyday. Even after I help out its Get lost Spike, get out of town Spike, you disgust me Spike It gets a little old pet"

Buffy walks over to him. "I'm sorry spike... Tell you what. Come with me to the Bronze. We can have dinner." He smiles sweetly. " Dinner is a start. Let me change."

Buffy smiles too. "What, not black tee and jeans tonight?" Spike disappears into his room and changes, humming a little tune as he does so. Sauntering out in black dress shoes, black dress pants, a silk red shirt and black leather coat, waist length. " Nope luv, I got a fancy for dressing up tonight. Being a special occasion and all."

Buffy walks around him in a little circle, looking him up and down. "Nice. Didn't know you had other clothes." He lights a cigarette and smiles " There�s a lot to me you don't know luv." Offers her his arm " Shall we?"

Buffy grins and takes it. "We shall."