Buffy skipped down the stairs, two at a time, her blonde hair bouncing
loosely around her slim shoulders. It was a cool Monday morning at the 1630
Revello Drive and Buffy had woken up bright and early.

"Morning mum!" Buffy chirped as she pecked her mother on the cheek and slid
onto the stall closest to the Kitchen Island.

"Well, well, aren’t you the chipper one this morning" Joyce smiled lovingly
at her only daughter, setting down a large plate stacked high with the most
delectable crepes.

"What’s gotten into you sweetie? I feel as if I might have to call Giles and
report on your ever so strange behavior" Joyce softly mocked

Laughing, Buffy poked at three crepes, drenching them in syrup and spooning
large chunks into her mouth.

"As it just happens MOTHER" Buffy noted poring herself a large glass of
orange juice, "I’ve finally decided to become all optimistic Buffy and accept
everything for what it is"

Her mouth full, Buffy continued "I mean look around me…I have a mom that
loves me, a normal, human well sculpted (I might add) boyfriend who cares deeply
for me, devoted friends, a fantastic watcher, supernatural powers, a inspiring
college life minus the whole having to actually listen and take notes and lets
not forget my healthy, shiny hair." Buffy ran her hand through the length of her
hair and grinned sincerely.

‘What more could a 19 year old girl want in life" Buffy shrugged and slurped
up the last of her breakfast.

Joyce was awe struck, what on earth had gotten into Buffy? Just last
week she was mopping around complaining that her life had made a turn for the
worse when Merrick announced that she were to be the Slayer at the vulnerable
age of 16.

"You all right mum?" Buffy was waving her tiny hand in front of her mom’s
face with a questionable frown on her face. Joyce stared blankly back at her
daughter

for a mere second then shook herself out of her train of thought. Smiling,
Joyse replied "Of course I am sweetie, I’m just so glad to see you happy, it’s
nice to know that my child has finally grown up."

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Buffy nudged Joyce playfully, picking up her
books she hurried out the kitchen door letting in a gush of wind as she slammed
it shut.

"Well, that was….. I guess the word for it is SURREAL" Joyce announced to
know one in particular as she began to stack the breakfast dishes.

**********************

The sun set over Sunnydale creating the most spectacular orange display of
color in the open sky. Buffy had never really paid attention to the sun setting
before. For some reason it bought about a sense of peace and contentment. "This
is scaring me, what’s with all the happiness?" Buffy whispered to herself gazing
up adoringly at her boyfriend, Riley ‘agent’ Finn, as they strolled through the
campus gardens arm in arm.

"Riley?" Buffy purred, rubbing her cheek along the curb of his muscular
shoulder

"mmm?" Riley replied, kissing Buffy on the top of her head.

"Do you ever think about the future?"

"Yea, sometimes…I mean I always wonder what I’m gonna eat for dinner tomorrow
and if I’m going to have to stay up all night marking below average Psych 101
papers!" Riley replied indifferent to Buffy’s inquiry.

"No silly" Buffy punched riley playfully, "I mean, you know like in a year or
too. I guess I’m always wondering about what the future holds for a girl of "my
status" and I think that I’ve finally learnt to accept that my life is
unpredictable and that’s the way I like it. Spontaneous, mysterious yet wholly
satisfying" Buffy said dreamily, surprised that she finally felt at ease with
Riley, that their relationship was progressing into something much more than
‘dating.’

Riley took Buffy in his strong arms and hugged her petite frame, pressing her
face hard against his chest.

"Um Riley, I really need to breathe sometime soon" Buffy’s muffled voice
traveled up through Riley’s over coat.

Buffy pushed him away lightly, as Riley couldn’t help suppress his grin
knowing that Buffy had suddenly become much more open and willing with him. She
wanted a serious relationship and he would do his damn hardest to make it work
out for her.

Buffy suddeenly peered at her watch.

"Oh crap, gotta go make a quick sweep of the north cemetery and head home,
mom is making her classic pot roast and I’m starved" Buffy paused to catch the
disappointment running across Riley’s face and grabbed both his hands in her
own. Leaning up to his ear, she whispered "But you can always stop by later for
dessert!" Buffy caressed his neck gently and disappeared into the darkness, her
golden hair glistening in the moonlight. Riley stood for a moment, relishing in
the feel of her breath against his ear, sending shivers down his spine. He would
treasure this night for as long as he lives.

****************************

Spinning her wooden stake in her right hand, Buffy paced back and forth over
Billy Harding’s grave, knowing that any time soon he would pop out of the
ground, face all bumpy and teeth snarling.

"3…2…1" Buffy chanted as a rotted hand shot through the damp earth.

"Geez, I’m getting good at this" Buffy thought to herself, quite pleased with
her increasing intuitiveness and perception when hunting vamps.

The vampire leapt to his feet, dressed in a black silk shirt and black
tailored pants. Although the dank smell of death cursed through Buffy’s
immaculate senses. Death is so unattractive!

"Hey welcome back" Buffy tilted her head t o the side smilingly slyly at the
vamp "sorry you couldn’t stay longer"

With that, she round housed kicked the vamp square in the jaw, knocking him
to the ground with a loud thud. Buffy jumped on top of him, pinning him to the
ground and with her free hand she raised her stake, penetrating it deep into the
vamps chest.

The vampire exploded into a pile of dust, unfortunately leaving Buffy flat
faced in the damp grass, spitting out the foul tasting dust that she had
accidentally inhaled.

Her coughing and spluttering echoed throughout the empty cemetery as she
stood up, sweeping the remains of the dust away from her very expensive Versace
jeans. Damp, mud encrusted circles had formed on both her knees and the dirt on
her hands had now found a place on the back of her jeans where she had attempted
to wipe them clean.

"Slayer," a husky yet annoyingly familiar voice sounded close behind
Buffy.

"Not now Spike" Buffy replied coughing out the last of the dust and sighing
loudly, spun around pushing Spike to one side.

"Hey…what was that for? Only trying to make conversation with my favorite
gal!" Spike snarled, at the same time a hint of rejection appeared in his light
blue eyes.

"You’re ruining my happy day and I don’t wanna waist anymore time ruining it
with you" Buffy pouted, annoyed with the untimely interruption, especially from
one chipped head vampire who spends his days or nights rather, fantasizing over
all the lovely, helpless humans he CAN’T devour.

"Eeewww" Buffy shivered at the thought.

"Say something slayer? Wanna share your woes with good ‘ol Spikey, get all
your pent up frustrations out in the open? Certainly don’t think Soldier Boy is
helping you out in that department" Spike mocked, blocking Buffy’s path in one
sharp movement, his black duster flowing slightly in the breeze.

"Hey, move it bleach boy!" Buffy attempted to push past him but Spike was
reluctant to step aside.

"Make me?" Spike huffed

"Alright, if you insist"

Buffy slammed her fist into Spike’s nose, causing him to reduce to his knees
in pain.

"Bitch…." Spike growled, pushing himself up "all I wanted was a pleasant
conversation with you and all you do, ‘mrs stake shoved up your ass,’ is get all
violent with a helpless soul"

"You have a soul? News to me. I didn’t know a vampire with a soul still plots
to kill the Slayer and her Scooby friends?" Buffy scoffed and continued to exit
the cemetery, Spike trailing behind her, clutching his bleeding nose.

"Go away Spike" Buffy warned quickening her pace but Spike continued to drag
behind her, licking at the last of the blood running down his lip.

"Look Slayer I may….uh…..need…"

"Will you spit it out already" Buffy, frustrated, stopped in her tracks and
turned to look at the pitiful vampire almost on his knees, searching her face
for some sort of acceptance.

"Fine…I need your help. There I said it. Happy?" Spike uttered without taking
a breath.

"So how’s about it then luv?"

Buffy was confused at first, eyeing Spike suspiciously.

"Uh…. why should I help you? You seemed to have skipped that part!" Buffy
questioned mockingly although she had to admit, it sounded interesting. Anything
coming from Spike seemed to draw her attention. Not that she’d admit out loud
but she did have a thing for his sexy, British accent. Or maybe not, as Buffy
reminded herself that Giles too possessed the same type of accent and ‘Giles’
and ‘Sexy’ do not belong in the same sentence.

"For god’s sake slayer, get off your high horse" Spike spat, "Just so you
know luv, you were my last resort, desperate times calls for desperate
measures!! Got my manhood to think about first" Spike boasted.

Buffy rolled her eyes and prepared to walk away.

"Hang on, I haven’t finished yet" Spike grabbed her right shoulder softly and
spun her around.

"Sorry, I was bored" Buffy stated bluntly.

"Listen up cutie" Spike fished for his cigarette in his duster pocket.

"I need protection from a pack of at least 20 or so vamps hunting me down.
Say they wanna get me good and all that kinda rubbish, Say that I’m an
embarrassment to our kind!" Spike finally stopped talking and lit his cigarette,
exhaling the smoke through his nose, allowing Buffy to finally voice her
answer.

"Again… I should help you, why?" was all Buffy smirked.

Spike thought for a minute, filling the silence with a lot of whispered
"bloody hells."

Finally, Spike leaned in close to Buffy’s ear "If you scratch my back then
I’ll scratch yours, if you know what I mean?" Spike blew lightly on to the back
of Buffy’s neck "I’ll scratch the itch Soldier Boy keeps missing" Spike
whispered moving away from Buffy, his eyes sparkling in the moon light, his lips
curled up in satisfaction.

Buffy froze for a moment or two, she could still feel the tingling sensations
of his icy breath on her neck. Memories of kissing Spike under Willow’s spell
came flooding back to her, the familiar butterfly feelings in her stomach
returned. Only for a second.

Suddenly Buffy came back to reality and slapped Spike across his face with
all her strength.

Spike stumbled to the side, not quite falling over.

"Oww, that hurt Slayer, I was only pulling your leg!" Spike complained,
straightening out his duster which had slid down his shoulders.

"You’re skating on very thin ice Fang Breath, you better watch what you say
there otherwise I might be joining that pack of vamps after your ass!" Buffy was
almost shouting now, tightening the grip on the wooden stake in her hand.

"Lets just call it a truce then shall we?"

Spike continued cautiously "you protect me from turning into dust and I
accompany you on your nightly slayer expeditions, help you fight all the nasties
out here. Let’s face it, I’m stronger then all your little scooby pals put
together" He leaned against a headstone and blew out the last of his smoke,
crushing the bud under the sole of his black combat boots.

Buffy thought it over, ‘Sure Spike was annoying and irritating and
pathetic but she could use the help from someone (or thing) matching her
strength. Plus as annoying as he is, she didn’t mind his company, the witty
sarcasm and the ego protecting comments kind of entertained her.’

"Hmmm….alright your on" Buffy agreed, extending her hand towards Spike.

Spike rose an eyebrow but reluctantly shook Buffy’s hand in agreement, he
noticed how soft her skin was under his cold, rough hands and he held on to her
just that little bit longer than required.

Buffy noticed that Spike wasn’t letting go and for some bizarre reason she
didn’t want him to let go yet. His hand was cool and strong, somewhat
comforting. Probably after effects from Willow's 'my will be done' spell.

After a couple of seconds Buffy jerked her hand away and nervously shoved it
in her pocket.

"Meet me here 8pm sharp tomorrow night, don’t be late!" Buffy said through
clenched teeth. With that she turned away abruptly and headed toward Revello
Drive.

Spike remained standing in the position she had left him in, his hand fell
limply to his side.

"Well that was odd, what do I care about how soft and silky her skin felt?
I’m turning into a bloody pounce" Spike said aloud

"Think I’m in need of a Bourbon straight up" a smile spread across Spike’s
face as he strode back to his crypt.

****************************

Meanwhile, Xander and Willow stood outside the wooden door to Giles
apartment, arguing over who gets the strawberry jelly donut Xander had picked up
on the way over. Giles had phoned Willow earlier, desperately trying to get hold
of Buffy but Willow had informed him that Buffy won’t be home from patrol till
late. Giles had sounded sort of desperate so Willow offered for her and Xander
to drop by and help sort out the situation Giles had proclaimed as ‘buffy’s
worst nightmare.’

Xander raised his hand to knock but Giles had already flung the door
open.

"Xander…Willow" Giles nodded at both of them, ushering them inside.

The coffee table was covered in antique looking texts, some still covered in
dust an inch thick. Xander propped himself on the arm of the sofa and fingered
through the texts.

"What’s up G Man, looks like you’ve spent all day in research mode"

Noticing the half empty bottle of Glenfiddich placed haphazardly at the
bottom of the sofa. Xander added "and looks like you’ve had a party for one as
well" Xander nodded towards the bottle.

Giles looked up from studying his glasses that he had removed to polish.

"hmm? Oh that" Giles looked at the Scotch.

"Guess I’m a bit overwhelmed, I’ve been contacted by the Council regarding
Buffy’s future and I’m afraid that I have to report some bad news!" Giles sat
down nervously on the couch. His eyes were blood shot and his hair was tousled.

‘Very un Giles like’ Willow thought to herself as she sat on the lounger
opposite Xander. ‘Must be more than ‘bad’ if Giles hasn’t combed his hair
through when he has guests.’

"I’m afraid Buffy has to fulfill a prophecy again to save the world" Giles
sighed.

"Giles?" Willow questioned "What is it? What do you mean?" Willow started to
look concerned as she leant forward, almost like she was trying to listen to his
thoughts.

Giles eyed both Xander and Willow who were both on the edge of their seats.
"Buffy’s child is the key to the future of man kind"

End of Chapter 1

TBC