Spike slumped into one of the plush leather chairs that adorned Angel’s new office. After Wolfram & Hart had been turned over to one of the slayer branches, Angel had decided to open up a small Private Investigation business. Spike had laughed at first but then he’d decided to help him out.

Of course anyone who came asking for help knew that they dealt with demons and all things supernatural. At first business had been slow but after the first few months they started to get up to six clients a day.

The group wasn’t as good as the last. Illyria was still working with them; Spike guessed she simply liked the fighting.

Gunn had just managed to survive the battle and was working part time until he could get back into the field.

Angel was still running the joint, throwing himself into the work as often as possible.

Lorne had come back a few times but never stayed permanently, apparently he’d opened up a small karaoke bar and it was pretty successful.

Spike looked around the office, his cerulean eyes landing on the weapons that were all hung neatly on the wall.

Angel walked in his office carrying a pile of mail and gave a small frown. “Spike what are you doing in here?” Angel asked as he continued to sift through the mail.

“Nothing, just bored” Spike stood casually and walked over to the window.

Angel sighed and noticed a white envelope with the name Spike written neatly in the middle.

“There’s an envelope for you” Angel said and watched as Spike turned, clearly the letter had peaked his curiosity.

“Gimme” Spike grabbed the envelope and walked out of Angel’s office.

As he entered his own office he slung himself into his chair and propped his feet up on the desk.

As he was about to open it he noticed that it had a scent, he inhaled deeply and frowned at the strong vanilla scent the paper held.

He opened it and took the thin paper out ‘Buffy?’ Spike looked curiously down at the paper and began to read.

~*~
I love the way you hold me
I love the way you care
I love the way you look at me
and how you're always there

I love the way you kiss me
and how you hold me tight
I love the way you make me laugh
when we talk all night

I love the way I don't have to act
I love that there's nothing to hide
I love the way you grab my hand
and pull me to your side

I love the way you wrap me up
I love the way you touch me
I love the way my heart floats now
because you've set it free

I love the way that I feel loved
I love that I don't cry
I love the way my doubt's erased
and you don't have to try

I love the way I trust you
I love the way you grin
I love the way I feel now
so safe, it makes me spin

I love the way you say 'I love you'
I love the way smile
I love how you make me laugh
more than just once in awhile

I love the way you make me happy
I love the way we're true
I love the way you love me
but mostly that I love you.

I’m not good with the poetry but it doesn’t take a genius to understand that I’m in love with you.
~Buffy x

~*~
Spike sat there mouth open slightly just looking at the paper not even noticing that Gunn had entered his office.

“Hey Blondie bear, wake up from your trance” Gunn clicked his fingers in Spike’s ear, making his head snap up.

“Gunn sorry mate” Spike shoved the paper in the breast pocket of his leather duster.

“What was that?” Gunn looked curiously at the small piece of the paper that was visible.

“Nothing, so what’s up do we have another case?” Spike asked as he stood “nah man I just wanted to see what you were up to”.

Spike frowned “alright wanna annoy Angel?” Gunn shrugged “sure”.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike sat in his apartment, glaring at the small piece of paper.

“You know, you stare at something hard enough you might make it combust” Spike’s head snapped up and a grin appeared on his lips.

“Faith” Spike put the paper down and stood

“Hey Bleach Boy” Faith smiled before pulling him into a hug.

After the battle with The Order of the Black Thorn, Faith had come back to Los Angeles to help Angel for a few months, during those months Spike and Faith had began a tentative friendship, which had soon developed into a fairly strong bond.

Although Spike hadn’t understood why he felt the need to protect Faith, he had anyway.

Angel had found the friendship odd but had only said so once.

Spike smiled again at the brunette slayer and invited her to sit down.

“What have we got here?” Faith asked ash she plucked the small piece of paper off of the coffee table, Spike stood and went to get two beers “a poem, don’t see how it’s any business of yours” Spike added before he opened his beer.

Faith shrugged and began to read the poem as she finished her brown eyes flicked to his “wow B really loves you” Faith smiled “what did you say to her when you got this?” she asked as she made herself comfortable.

“I got it today and I haven’t called her or spoken to her” Spike took another sip “what!? You haven’t spoken to her?” Faith looked at him in surprise and confusion.

“No” Spike said more cautiously. Faith sat closer to him “are you stupid?”

Spike looked at her in surprise “no where did that come from?”

Faith sighed in frustration “ok me and B aren’t great friends I admit that, but she’s a woman and you haven’t even spoken to her since she sent you this confession of love and I’m pretty sure she knows how long a letter takes to get from Rome to here”.

Understanding began to dawn in Spike’s eyes.

“Spike, you don’t call her and she is going to kick your ass across America and Rome and probably the world” Faith trailed off.
Spike shook his head before standing up “I’m going” he announced as he grabbed his coat.

Faith looked up at him “where?”

“Rome”

“Say hi to B for me”

“Tell Angel”

“Ok, I’m using your place to crash”

“Fine bye”

“Bye”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike stared out the window of the cab, the flight had been awful, and he’d been fidgeting the entire way and his ears were still ringing from the plane’s engines.

The cab stopped and Spike payed the driver. He hopped out and looked up at the large apartment that Buffy and Dawn lived in.

He sighed and made his way up the stairs, it was now or never, he had to tell her that he loved her and wanted to be with her.

Spike looked nervously at the door; its gold number seemed to be mocking him. Spike was about to knock when the door swung open and Dawn came out like the hounds of hell were on her heels, which was an actual possibility.

Dawn smacked right into him and she immediately apologised “Fuck! I’m sorry”.

Dawn looked up and her blue eyes widened “OH MY GOD SPIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!” Dawn shrieked before leaping into his arms.

No matter how much growing up she had done in the past year, Spike was one of the few people who could make her resort back to that shrieking, impulsive, wide eyed girl.

“Niblet” Spike hugged her tighter before setting her down.

“Oh my God you’re here” Dawn smiled and looked at him in wonder; she seemed just amazed to see him.

“Yeah, is big sis around?” Spike fidgeted nervously.

“Ah I should have known it would be for Buffy” she said, giving him a smile to let him know she was joking around.

“Yes she’s here” Dawn dragged him into the apartment and put her bag down on the table “Buffy!!”She yelled as she plonked herself down into a chair, her long brown hair flaring out behind her.

“What?” Buffy’s voice came from the bedroom.

“There is someone here to see you” Dawn replied.

“I’ll be right out!” Buffy’s voice held a tinge of irritation.

Buffy came out of the bedroom in her sweats and turned the corner to see Spike, the words died on her lips as she drank him in.

“Buffy” his voice seemed so foreign now and it made her head spin.

“Spike” her voice was thick with emotion, seeing him again made her want to scream and jump with joy and it also made her want to crawl up into a ball and cry.

Dawn felt awkward so she stood up and made her way to the door “ok I’ll see you guys later” and with that she was gone, leaving the two blondes in the now silent apartment.

Buffy wrung her hands and sat down on the sofa “do you want to sit?” she asked nervously.

“Yes, yeah...I’ll sit” Spike sat down on the sofa.

“I got your poem” Spike said looking down at the rug.

“I um...I got yours too” Buffy stared down at her nails.

After a few minutes Buffy laughed nervously,
prompting Spike to do the same.

“I uh...I meant what I wrote at the end” Buffy said as she pulled at a thread on one of her couch cushions.

Spike looked up “oh you know I...you know I do too”.

Buffy smiled “yeah...yeah I know you do”.

They both looked away and Buffy decided to take the first step “Spike I do love you, but we can’t do anything about it”.

Spike looked at her in confusion “why? You love me; I love you, why can’t we do anything about it?”

Buffy looked him in the eye for the first time that night “it can’t happen because, I love you...But I don’t know if I can do this again”.

Spike’s temper flared “what are you talking about? It wouldn’t be like last time we were both in a bad place the last time we had a relationship”.

Buffy stood, trying to get the higher ground “look that may be true, but now I live with Dawn and things are different”.

Spike Stood up and looked her in the eyes, anger clearly burning in his. “Come on Buffy! If you didn’t want something to happen between us then why did you send me that poem?” Spike looked at her desperately.

Buffy blinked back tears ‘she wanted to be with him, but it wasn’t right’ “Spike it’s wrong”.

Spike’s jaw tensed and he almost snarled in anger “Fuck Buffy! Are you...Bloody Fucking hell! Are you seriously going to pull that shit?” he cut her off before she could answer.

“No! You don’t get to talk! All the time you’re the one doing the long speeches and talking your head off, well it’s my turn.

Do you think I’m going to be telling you that you belong in the dark and that you are emotionally numb!? Do you think I’m going to be hitting you and abusing you?” Spike’s shoulders slumped; he didn’t want to fight her.

“Look Buffy, I didn’t come here to fight you, I’m her to tell you that I love you and that I want to be with you, but obviously you don’t want that so I’m not going to try anymore” Spike gave her a pained look “Bye Buffy”.

As he left the apartment Buffy crumpled to the floor and her body began to shake with sobs. She'd never felt so alone.

TBC...

Spike left the building and cursed as rain began falling “Bloody Fucking Bitch!” Spike screamed into the sky and the rain began to fall harder.

Dawn looked at him in surprise “thought that would take longer” she said standing under a large brown umbrella.

Spike looked at her in defeat and began walking over to her “yeah well big sis has some issues”.

Dawn stared at him “issues....what did she say?” Spike sighed “nah nothing important”.

Dawn pulled him under the umbrella “what did my sister say?” her blue eyes looked into his.

“She said she loves me, but we can’t do anything about it” Spike decided to tell her everything.

Dawn had a look of confusion on her face “huh? Wait its freezing out here and I’m going to go and talk some sense into my mentally deranged sister, you just hold this” she thrust the umbrella into his hands and ran into the apartment building.

Dawn couldn’t believe this, was her sister stupid?
As she entered the apartment all of the angry words died on her lips, Buffy was curled up on the floor and her body was heaving with sobs.

“Buffy?” Dawn crouched down next to the crying blonde and softly stroked Buffy’s back.

“Buffy come on” Dawn pulled her sister up and into a hug.

“Buffy what did you do?” Dawn asked as she pulled out of the hug.

Buffy’s lip trembled and tears were still making their way down her cheeks, Dawn sighed and pushed Buffy in the direction of the couch.

“Ok Buffy we have to sort this out now, there is a vampire that loves you standing out in the rain.....wow it’s really pouring out there” Dawn shook her head “and you just rejected that vampire, why? Are you stupid?”

Buffy looked at her in surprise “Dawn I’m not stupid, I’m just doing what’s right”.

“Oh I see you’re doing what’s right, so letting yourself fuck up this one chance to be happy with Spike is going to benefit you” Dawn nodded her head “yeah that sounds like it’s the best thing in the world”.

Thunder crashed outside, the large booming sound making Dawn jump.

“Dawn it wouldn’t work, we’ve tried it and it ended in attempted rape!” Buffy had to raise her voice to be heard over the storm.

“That was before and you didn’t love him then!” Dawn yelled at her sister and the lights began to flicker.

Buffy looked down at her hands and Dawn’s eyes widened almost comically.

“You loved him! Why didn’t you tell me?” Dawn asked right before all the lights went out.

Buffy looked around “Oh God what have I done, where’s Spike now?” she asked quietly.

Dawn grasped for her sister in the dark “he should be in the building, unless he was stupid enough to stay out in the rain”.

Buffy gave a small laugh and stood.

“Buffy I can’t see a thing” Dawn stood and pulled out her phone, flipping it open and illuminating the room in a blue glow.

Buffy looked over at her sister “Dawn I’m going to find Spike”.

“What are you going to tell him?” Dawn asked as she lit a candle.

“I don’t know but I have to find him”.

Buffy didn’t give her sister time to reply before rushing down the stairs. She pushed her way past a crowd and searched for him.

She looked to the main doors and saw Dawn’s umbrella resting against the wall. Buffy narrowed her eyes and ran out into the pouring rain, getting soaked instantly.

“Spike!” Buffy could barely hear herself over the rain.

“Buffy” Spike stood under a small shelter, smoke curling around his head like a halo.

“Spike” Buffy walked over to him, her body shivering from the rain.

“You’re soaked through luv, Why aren’t you inside?” Spike threw his cigarette down into a puddle and took off his duster.

At Buffy’s curious look Spike sighed and pushed the duster towards her.

“Thankyou” she pulled it on quickly and stepped under the shelter.

They looked at each other for a few moments, finally noticing how close they actually were.

Thunder crashed again, making Buffy subconsciously move closer to Spike. Spike grabbed her and hugged her to him, just happy to be near her again.

Buffy wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder, never wanting to break the embrace.

“I want to be with you and I want to love you, let me love you sweetheart” Spike muttered into her hair.

“Yes you can love me, I want to be with you too and I want to love you” Buffy mumbled into his shoulder before hugging him tighter.

Buffy was the first to pull back after what seemed like hours. “We should go inside, looks like the power is back on”.

Spike nodded and reluctantly removed his hands from her body. Buffy instantly missed the contact and latched onto his hand, relieved when he gave hers a small squeeze.

As they made their way into the apartment, Dawn stopped pacing “do you two know how long you’ve been gone!? Do you? I was worried sick, I mean there is a raging storm outside, you two are gone for over an hour and you come back soaked!”

Dawn studied them for a few seconds “you’re wearing Spike’s coat”.

Buffy pulled Spike over to the couch and sat down close to him “yeah, I am, Dawn I had no idea we were out there for that long” Buffy began her apology.

“Hey, don’t sweat it I’m a big girl and I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself” Dawn gave a small smile and sat down on the lounge chair.

“You’re not capable, last time I left you alone for more than ten minutes you ended up setting the curtains on fire” Buffy said, giving her sister a look.

“Oh come on, how was I meant to know that the gas would react like that” Dawn whined. Before the sisters could get into a debate Spike stepped in.

“Look ladies, neither of you can cook, Buffy you almost burnt your house down by boiling some water and Dawn you once tried to serve me raw fish sticks”.

Dawn pouted “they were cooked on the outside” she mumbled and they all looked to the door as three sharp knocks were heard. “I’ll get it” Dawn said as she stood.

“Ciao Bella” A boy around Dawn’s age smiled charmingly at her.

“MARCO!” Dawn shrieked and immediately jumped on him, kissing him straight on the mouth.

“Dawn” Marco spun her around and Dawn laughed happily.

“Who’s that prick and why is he kissing Dawn?” Spike growled and his eyes held flecks of Gold.

“Down boy, that’s Marco and he’s Dawn’s boyfriend” Buffy cringed at the look on Spike’s face, his eyes were hard and he had the look of a murderer.

Dawn bounced into the apartment “hey Marco and I are going to the pub”.

Buffy smiled “have fun and don’t you dare get drunk again”. Dawn nodded and kissed Buffy on the cheek; she reached over and hugged Spike tightly.

“Oh and you guys, try and be quiet, our neighbours really don’t need to hear you two having sex” Dawn smiled and Spike looked at her a little shocked.

Then she was gone once again leaving the two blondes in the now silent apartment.

“Look we don’t need to do anything” Spike started but Buffy cut him off “No I want to”.

Spike looked at her and she blushed “you know only if you want to”.

Spike smiled and crushed her lips to his.

TBC.......

Buffy pulled out of the kiss first “so I take it you want to” she said coyly.

Spike grinned and grasped her upper arms, pulling her up into a standing position. Buffy giggled and jumped up, delighting in the way Spike held her so securely.

Their mouths met, tongues fighting for dominance, teeth clashing, moans full of need coming from both blondes. Buffy ground herself against Spike’s denim clad erection, making the vampire groan into her mouth.

Spike grasped Buffy’s firm ass and pushed her up against the closest wall. He rotated his hips slowly against hers, making her pant with want. The kiss went from tender to hungry and demanding in under a second.

Buffy’s hands held his head as her hot tongue battled with his. Spike trailed kisses along her jaw, stopping to give a lick and a sharp bite to her earlobe, making her impulsively thrust against him.

Spike gave her lobe another lick and his teeth gently teased the soft flesh. Buffy shuddered and pushed off the wall, sending them spiralling in the direction of her bedroom.

Spike crushed her mouth to his and they stumbled into the bedroom. Buffy gasped as Spike began kissing and nipping his way down her throat “God Spike”. Spike stopped at her collar bone to press a long wet kiss on the flushed skin.

Buffy pulled his black t-shirt up and over his head, revealing the pale toned skin underneath. She licked her lips and stroked his abdomen. Her long nails scraped lightly over the flesh, making Spike gasp and look down at her with desire swimming in his cobalt eyes.

Spike leant down and captured her lips in a hungry, devouring kiss as he pulled off her pants. Buffy needed to feel his skin against hers; she reached for his belt and yanked on it. Spike held back a smile at her impatience and quickly undid the belt.

Buffy pushed against his shoulders and swiftly reversed their positions. She kissed her way down his chest and stopped at his belly button to swirl her tongue around it.

Spike groaned and grasped the silk sheets.
Buffy quickly slid up his body again and delivered a passionate kiss to her lover’s mouth. Warm breath eased into his senses when Buffy licked over his lips before biting down on the lower one.

When Spike moaned softly Buffy bit again a little harder, then licked at the small hurt.

Spike made to grab for her but she slid away and back down his body. He strained upwards wanting to feel her skin but she pushed him back down.

She popped the buttons on his jeans open and admired his erection as it stood proudly away from the rest of him. She slowly removed his jeans and then finished undressing herself.

“Touch me or something luv, I’m dying here” and touch him she did.

Buffy gave the underside of his throbbing cock a yearning lick and slowly traced his abdomen with her nails.

Buffy flicked a nail across the hard peak of his left nipple and Spike cried out as his cock throbbed hotly.
Spike yanked her up to him and turned her body so he was on top of her.

“Too long have to have you now!” he growled and positioned himself at her entrance.

As he thrust inside her, she felt her inner walls stretching for him and she moaned at the pure sensation of his thick cock inside her.

Spike buried his face in her neck and tried to calm himself down, he’d forgotten how hot and tight his Buffy was.

“Buffy, so hot...so wet for me” he nipped her throat and licked her skin, tasting her.

Arousal and need thrummed through Buffy as she slowly moved her hips against his.

He began pumping his hips into her as a slow rhythm was established.

This wasn’t like any other time they’d had sex, this was tender, romantic and sweet. Not next to a dumpster or in an abandoned house.

This was perfect.

Each thrust sent a buzzing sensation through her, bubbling in her blood until it reminded her of champagne all that fizz in a never ending cycle.

One last thrust sent them both over the edge, breath coming in fast pants as they lay together on Buffy’s bed, their limbs entangled in a lover’s embrace.

Buffy smiled at him as she looked into his beautiful eyes “I love you” she whispered.

“I love you too” Spike kissed her tenderly on the mouth and pulled her closer to him, inhaling her scent.

Both blondes let their bodies be claimed by sleep.

~*~*~*~*~
Dawn walked into the apartment the next morning and was greeted by silence. ‘Ok this mean’s they either worked it out and are happily in the middle of morning bliss or they fought for the whole night and Buffy is alone on her bed with mascara marks on her face’.

Knowing her sister and Spike together it was probably the later.

The door to her sister’s room was half closed and Dawn risked a peek inside. Yikes! She loved her sister but there were some parts of her that Dawn never wanted to see.

She smiled, it had all worked out, her sister was with Spike and they were in love. Kind of like a fairytale.

Dawn paused and frowned, nothing ever worked out around here, something was definitely coming to stomp all over their happy ending....but the question was, what was it?

Dawn shrugged, whatever it was they’d deal with it, and Buffy would finally get the happy ending that she deserved, Dawn quickly grabbed some clothes and made her way over to her friend’s house.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy woke to the smell of coffee.

She pulled on a robe and walked out into the kitchen, there was Spike half naked with a pot of coffee brewing.

“Morning luv” He smiled boyishly at her and she couldn’t help but smile back.

“Morning” she kissed him lightly and grabbed the mug of coffee on the table.

Oh yeah, she could get used to this.