The class passed quickly despite the torture Buffy was subjected to. She knew that not all of the brushes of his leg against hers could be unintentional. Buffy tried to pay attention to the teacher, but the bleached blonde distraction kept on with his sly little touches. So preoccupied with him, she missed the assignment and had to turn to her companion for an explanation.

Spike couldn’t help but smile as the petite blonde shifted in her seat again. He quickly hid his grin as Buffy turned to him to ask a question about the assignment that Darla just gave out. Spike moved closer to read the passage she was studying and to point the appropriate sections for the homework, intentionally brushing his jean clad leg against her bare one.

Buffy froze as the rough material of his pants brushed the smooth skin of her leg for what seamed like the umpteenth time that day. A chill ran down her back, causing her to shiver slightly.

‘Angel.’ Buffy said the name silently to herself. ‘Remember Angel? The sweet, caring man who loves you?’ So caught up in her internal monologue, she never noticed when the professor released the class. It wasn’t until her book was closed with a snap that she looked up from the passage she was not reading.

“Class is dismissed there pet.” Spike looked down from where he stood before her, smirk firmly in place. Buffy gave him a weak smile, gathering her books up quickly. Her things were plucked from her hands before she could protest and she had to run to catch up with Spike as his long strides quickly took him from the room. Spike slowed his steps as Buffy fell in beside him.

“So what do you think of the class, luv?” Spike asked before Buffy could speak.

“It seams kinda hard.” Buffy replied, her nose scrunching in distaste.

“I can be sorta difficult if it’s not your thing.” Spike chuckled in response. “But I’d be happy to help anytime you like. You got class now or you heading home?”

“Home.” Buffy breathed with a sigh of relief. “I am so ready to just crash in bed and stay there for a million years.”

“Where do you live?”

“Stevenson.” Buffy answered automatically. “Uh, why?” Spike smiled at the note of apprehension in her voice.

“So I know what direction to turn in.” Buffy looked away from her escort and noticed that they had reached the door to the building.

“Oh it’s not necessary to walk me home.” Buffy said quickly.

“No problem at all, I am heading that way anyway.” Spike brushed off her concern with a wave of his free hand. “Gotta see a bird in one of the other dorms anyway.”

“A girlfriend?” Buffy was surprised at the lump in her stomach at the thought.

“Nah, Cordy and I are just friends.” Spike felt his heart leap at the worried tone in her voice. “Truth be told, I’m between girlfriends right now.”

‘You don’t care.’ Buffy told herself as the lump eased, and a warm feeling came over her.

“So an ex then?” Buffy mentally cringed at the question, kicking a stray stone out of her path in embarrassment.

“Me and Cordelia Chase?” Spike shook his head and laughed. “No, dated the chick once and decided we were better off as friends.”

“Can’t figure she took that all that well. She’s not the type to be rejected.” Buffy smiled.

“You’ve met her?” Spike smiled back.

“We went to high school together.” Buffy replied with a laugh. “Bitter rivals and all that.”

“So you’re that Buffy Summers.” Spike said pointedly, his eyebrow raising as he smirked at the blonde beside him.

“Oh god.” She groaned, covering her face with her hands. “What did she say about me?”

“I could say nothing but good things. . .”

“But then I would know you were lying.” Buffy laughed. “Cordelia has never said a nice thing to me in her life.” Spike joined in with a knowing laugh.

They walked along the path in a compatible silence. Buffy looked out at the lawn on either side of the stone path they followed, watching the people rush off to classes or home or some other destination. The wind had finally died down, taking the clouds with it. The sun shone bright and warm in the sky. Spike couldn’t help but stare as the soft autumn rays reflected off Buffy hair, causing it to glow about her head like a halo. A warm feeling filled him as Buffy giggled at the antics of a young man as he chased a dog, frantically trying to reclaim his hat.

“So I hear a new band is playing at the Bronze tonight.” Spike said, breaking the silence. “Dogs ate my kid, or something like that.”

“That would probably be Dingoes ate My Baby.” Buffy chuckled, looking away from the playful pet. “My roommate Willow used to date the bass player.”

“You going to be there?” Spike couldn’t keep the hopeful tone out of his voice.

“Uh,” Buffy searched for a response. “Maybe.” Spike smiled and stopped.

“Well we are here. I best be off.” Buffy took the offered books, clutching them to her chest, looking up at her dorm room in surprise. “I’ll see you there then pet.”

Before Buffy could answer he was gone in a flurry of black leather, as he ran to catch up with someone down the way. She stared after him, watching as he thwacked the man on the back with obvious familiarity. She watched him laugh as his friend said something funny, his rich tenor floating though the quiet air. She was unable to look away, until he turned to look back at her, flashing his killer smirk her way. She blushed bright crimson and retreated into her dorm building, closing out the warm sun and the sounds of his laughter.