Love is the immortal tie that binds;
A delicacy on which I cannot dine.
The emphatic encumbrance that renders me blind,
Making it an entity I cannot define.
Love is essential to Death’s design
For through my love given,
Makes it no longer mine.
“Well, that was…”
“Yea.” Buffy agreed. “Not meaning to ruin the moment, but we should probably get ourselves together, in case Anya or anyone else decides to mosey on in.”
“Mosey on in, eh?” He asked rhetorically with a grin. “Well then, best help the lady dress then.” He pushed up on his forearms, moving off of her. Buffy sat up slowly, reaching across the table to grab her top that was hanging on the edge. After she pulled her shirt over her head, she saw Spike pulling out his lighter, preparing to light a cigarette.
“Spike!”
“Wha?” He asked from around the cigarette dangling from his mouth.
“Don’t smoke in here.” She reprimanded, getting down from the table and walking towards him.
“Slayer, you don’t honestly expect me to not have—” He stopped based on the look she gave him. He pulled the cigarette out of his mouth, heaving a huge sigh.
“Fine. Makes sense, I suppose. I can shag in the shop, just can’t soddin’ smoke in here. No worries. I’ll step outside. Care to join me?” She put her arms around his neck with a smile on her face, leaning up to kiss him.
“Yea. Give me a sec, though. I should probably light some incense, or a really fragrant candle.” Spike chuckled, kissing her once more before heading out front.
*****
“What do you suppose he’ll do?” Dawn asked, as Willow hung up the phone in the kitchen, dejected that neither of the bleached blondes had bothered to pick up the phone.
“I dunno. Rant and rave, maybe. But it shouldn’t matter too much. Buffy is the Slayer after all. She can stop Xander.”
“Yea. That’s true. Did… did you know that they were… That she let him—”
“Bite on her.” Willow finished for her with a sigh. “No. But I mean, he didn’t seem to do it for that long of a time. And Spike wouldn’t… Maybe it was some sort of sexual thing or something? A claim maybe?” Willow said, seriously thinking it over. Dawn frowned, disgusted.
“Eww, do you want me to barf? I’m officially scarred for life now. Let’s never talk about my sister and Spike and sex anything ever again, mmkay?”
“Fair enough. Feel like watching a movie? I just bought some double chocolate chunk ice cream and ‘When Harry Met Sally’ will be on in like ten.”
“Kay.” Dawn said, heading to the sink to retrieve a couple of bowls. Nothing to worry about—Buffy could handle Xander.
*****
Xander was fuming—just when he thought he could trust Spike…
“‘Spike wouldn’t hurt me Xander. No worries. He’s safe as a cuddly teddy bear.’ Right. I knew he’d trick Buffy, going after her blood… Stupid us for trusting blood sucking fiends.” Xander approached the Magic Box door just as Spike was coming out. Xander, without a second thought, swung the axe towards the unsuspecting vamp’s head. But because of his vampiric abilities, Spike was able to duck down, causing Xander to strike the wooden post instead. Xander gave him a grim look as he tried to dislodge the axe.
“Harris, what the bloody hell are you—” Xander, abandoning the axe, cut him off by grabbing the lapels of his jacket, flinging him to the ground.
“You thought you could just get away with it?” He pulled a stake from the inside of his jacket, preparing to strike Spike in the chest. He brought it upward, and stared him in the eyes. Spike looked bored about the whole thing, which infuriated Xander even more. Just as he was about to bring the pointed piece of wood downward, a firm hand gripped his wrist, stilling it in place.
“I’m gonna haveta ask you to drop that, Xander.” Buffy said calmly. Xander watched as Spike grinned lazily at that, rising up slowly.
“But Buff—”
“I’m not asking again.” Xander sighed heavily, letting the stake clatter to the pavement. Well, at least she’s alright.
Buffy released him, worry written all over her face as he turned towards her.
“Wanna tell me what that was all about?” She asked calmly.
“Oh, come now, love. It’s obvious the brick layer’s lost it. Hasn’t been quite right since walking out on—”
“Spike.” Buffy said, shaking her head in warning. Spike rolled his eyes, but kept mum, taking out his cigarettes again.
“I saw… I saw him bite you, Buffy. He was taking advantage!” He yelled in a quiet whisper.
“He didn’t… I asked him to, okay? I trust him.”
“Even if you do ‘trust him,’ it was his first taste of human blood in years—Slayer’s blood, and you just expected him to have control?”
“It wasn’t his first time, Xander.” She said softly. A couple of seconds passed, and his eyes widened in shock.
“You mean he’s bitten you before?!”
“Wasn’t always bites…” Spike murmured before trailing off. Confusion, shock and disgust covered Xander’s face as realization dawned on him.
“Oh god—I don’t wanna know this; any of this.” He said, starting to walk away.
“Xander—I love him.” Xander paused, but didn’t turn around. “And he loves me back. You said… You said you wanted me to be happy. He makes me happy.”
“Yea- not that she should have to justify what goes on between us to you, or anyone else.” Spike piped in, standing next to his girl, wrapping his arm through around her waist. She placed her hand on top of his- the one resting on her hip. Xander gave a sad smile at the two of them.
“You’re right.” He said to Spike. “Buffy doesn’t owe any of us… I just worry, okay? And I’ll probably never stop. I’m Worry Guy. I love you, Buff. I’m glad that you’re happy. It suits you.” He gave a small grin. “It’s nice that there’s an actual relationship that can survive the Hellmouth. Congratulations, you two.” Just as he was turning away again, Anya and Hallie began to approach the store.
“Buffy, why aren’t you inside waiting to give warm welcomes to customers? And Xander, what are you doing here? And Spike?” She asked in confusion. Then she turned to Halfrek. “And Hallie, I thought…” Anya paused, remembering they had an audience. “You said you smelled vengeance. But the only people here are—”
“Anyanka, never doubt the sense of a vengeance demon, even one’s that are… a bit rusty.” She said in reference to Anya’s renewed power. “I did in fact smell vengeance, and I believe it’s right before us. At least it was.” She finished, eyeing Xander critically.
“Xander? But why—”
“Bit of a misunderstanding.” Spike interjected.
“Yea. Seems to be going around these days.” Xander said, mournfully looking at Anya. She gave him the (metaphorical) evil eye, of course. “I was just leaving. Just wanted to congratulate the new happy couple before I left.”
“Couple?” Halfrek said with disdain. Anya just looked between Spike and Buffy, a bit perplexed.
“Yea. The two of us are a couple of regular love birds, we are.” Spike replied, hugging Buffy to him even more. Buffy brought her hand up to rest on Spike’s chest, lovingly. No one noticed Xander slowly back away, leaving. Except for Anya, of course.
“I see…” Halfrek said, not looking at all pleased.
“Oh.” Anya said thoughtfully, but with a slight furrowed brow. “Bout time, really. Seriously- all of that unresolved sexual tension between the two of you was becoming a bit annoying.” Spike quirked an eyebrow while Buffy looked a bit perplexed.
“We didn’t have—”
“Oh come on, Buffy. The late night patrols, the sparring, all that quality time in the workplace. Heat, desire…”
“Told you so.” Spike murmured to her.
“Plus the guy’s clearly been head over heels for you. I just hope it’s enough.” She said sadly, watching Xander continue down the street. Spike looked at her, following her gaze.
“Love’s a funny thing.” Anya couldn’t have agreed with him more.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Thanks to kim, jane, spuffy, tis-kit, sam, spuffyfan, shelly, rosie, cordykitten, and patty.
Sorry for the wait- but between RL and writer's block, I was just stumped. I believe, however, that there's only two more chapters after this... Oh yea, and the last line of dialogue as well as the title of this chapter- I totally ripped from a previous ep from a previous season. Who can tell me which one?
Sorry for the wait- but between RL and writer's block, I was just stumped. I believe, however, that there's only two more chapters after this... Oh yea, and the last line of dialogue as well as the title of this chapter- I totally ripped from a previous ep from a previous season. Who can tell me which one?