“Five suitcases, eh, Slayer? Plannin‘ on spending the rest of your life overseas?”

Spike lit up a cigarette as he watched Giles pull Buffy’s luggage out of the car’s trunk. He’d considered helping them with the luggage, but shook off the odd feeling, attributing it to nerves. Must be goin’ soft. Pretty soon I’ll be helpin’ little old ladies cross the street...

“Shut up, Spike. Unlike yourself I have more than one outfit. Anyway, who knows how long we’ll be there? It could get cold!” She put the last of her bags on the trolley and followed her Watcher into the airport.

The blonde vampire rolled his eyes and took one last deep drag before tossing his fag to the ground. It would be a long while before he got the chance to light up again...

***

Inside the airport, Giles and Buffy were saying their good-byes. Although the flight didn’t leave for another hour, the Watcher had to make his way back home--he had to pick up the slaying duties, along with the Scoobies. He gave her a final hug and moved back a step.

“Now, Buffy, I don’t need to tell you this, but don’t let the Council tell you what to do. Your advantage is that you’re their only hope in stopping this prophecy.” He handed her a manila envelope. “Now put this in your carry-on. It contains all the information and paperwork you’ll need once you’ve landed. And last, but not least, I want you to be on your guard around Spike. He’s not to be trusted; who says he won’t turn on you, or try to disappear the minute you arrive at Heathrow...”

“I say, Watcher.” Spike had been standing apart from the two others, but had obviously been listening to their conversation. He walked up to Giles, decreasing the distance between them. “I said I’d help, and I’m here to follow through on my word. I don’t fancy having to fight whatever kind of riff-raff might drop in on us if this portal opens up--this is as much for my well-being as for everyone else’s. Anyway, the Council’s kept its end of the bargain, and so will I.”

That last phrase unnerved the Watcher. Would Spike abandon the mission when he got to London if the Council set them up in a rooming house, or if his ‘limitless’ credit card had a limit of £500? It was a chance he’d just have to take. If the vampire found out now, he’d never even get on the plane. Perhaps he could develop a sense of right on the flight to England...

He pulled Spike aside, and whispered. “That‘s all well and good, Spike, but I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that if you do decide to jump ship and strand Buffy I will find you--you’ll be getting up close and personal with jolly old Ripper. Angelus isn‘t the only one adept at torture. You‘ll have wished that you never left her side...”

An unveiled threat from the Watcher. Well, well. Not the stiff prat I always took ‘im for... With an air of nonchalance, Spike conceded. “Well said Watcher. I’ll consider myself aptly warned. Now let’s get our bags checked in, or we’ll never be on our way.” With that, he grabbed two of Buffy’s suitcases and walked off. Bloody ponce, I’ve become--carrying the Slayer’s suitcases. Oh look! There’s an old lady; maybe I can help her with hers, too.

Buffy took in a deep breath and held back her tears. “Giles, don’t worry about me. I’ll be back before you know it. I just want everyone to be careful on patrol, and please watch out for Mom, and...” She threw herself at her Watcher and gave him a big hug. Wiping back the tears she couldn’t hold in, she smiled at him and backed away. “Bye, Giles.” She turned around, and walked towards an obviously exasperated vampire.

“’Bout bloody time. Thought I’d be goin’ on my own there, for a minute.”

***

After they had checked their baggage, the two travelers still had 40 minutes to kill before boarding their plane.

Buffy looked around. “So, what do we do now? Just sit around waiting for the plane to get here?”

Spike turned to look at her. “Have you ever flown before, Slayer?”

The diminutive blonde tossed the vampire a ’duh!’ look. “Of course I... haven’t. Actually this will be my first time.” Pausing, she added: “I am an airplane virgin.” Eyes round, she groaned and put her hands over her face. “I can’t believe I actually said that out loud.” She looked up at him and poked her index finger in his chest. “One comment from you, and you’re dust.”

Spike bit back his retort and chuckled. “There’s lots to do while we’re waitin’, pet. We can go have a drink, or a bite to eat. Then we could go and take a gander at the shops, see what they’re peddling...”

Buffy stiffened and narrowed her eyes. “Ok mister, what’s up? Why are you being... nice... to me?”

“Look, Buffy, if we’re going to be stuck together for at least a fortnight, we have to get along, or neither of us will survive this trip.” He offered her a genuine smile. “Anyway, I’m in a good mood--I’m going back to London. I’ll get to see my old haunts. So, what do you say? Will you let me buy you a latte, or whatever it is you girls drink?”

His gaze was on her, waiting for a response. It was then that she realized she’d never noticed how blue his eyes were. Kind of like the ocean, just before a storm... Snapping out of it, she relaxed a little. “Ok, William, I’m game. A latte would be nice just about now.”

They wandered around for a short while, finally sighting a coffee shop. They entered and joined the queue.

Spike looked up at the selection, frowning. He had no idea what half the drinks were. When the hell did a coffee stop being a coffee? Frowning, he asked his companion: “So, what is it that you want?”

Obviously more at ease than her companion, Buffy answered quickly. “Medium latté, with low fat whipped cream, and low fat caramel drizzle. Oh, and a carrot muffin, too.”

“Bloody hell! You’re seriously asking me to order that, aren’t you? They’ll think I’m gay or something. I’m getting two black coffees and that‘s that.” He moved up the line, leaving Buffy behind to grab them a table.

Mumbling to herself, the young woman found a table. Stupid vampire--who the heck drinks black coffee but the undead?

As she looked ahead, she couldn’t help but grin at the sight of Spike, a master vampire, standing in line at a coffee shop. Just like the rest of the world... Except he’s nothing like the rest of the world, is he? He’s spent the last 120 years torturing and killing people; he’s a monster wrapped in a human disguise--kind of like an evil eggroll.

That last thought had Buffy giggling to herself, until the sound of a plastic tray being slammed on the table got her attention.

Seething with bitterness, Spike spat out “I hope it’s how you like it, Slayer, ’cause I’m not bloody goin’ back up there. Felt like a complete poof trying to order that concoction.” He handed her the latte, as well as a small paper bag which contained her muffin.

Taking a sip of his own drink, he pulled a chocolate croissant out of the other bag and took a bite.

Buffy could smell that his own drink was definitely not a black coffee. With a sweet-as-honey grin, she teased him. “So, Spikey, whatcha drinking? That smells pretty good for black coffee...”

She made a move to grab the mug away, but the vampire was quicker. He pulled his hot chocolate out of her reach and grumbled. “It’s none of your business what I’m drinking; you just drink what’s in front of you.”

Buffy decided not to push the subject. It wasn’t worth getting in a fight over, anyway-- being kicked out of “Flora’s Coffee and Sweets” wasn’t on her A-list. She was sure she’d be able to weasel the information out of him eventually--she just had to bide her time.

They finished their drinks and snacks in an uncomfortable silence, not really knowing what to talk about. Sitting there, Buffy tried to think of what they usually discussed. Monsters, demons, prophecies, beating each other up... not really stuff we could get into sitting here at Flora’s. As she opened her mouth to say something (anything would be better than just sitting there saying nothing), Spike beat her to it.

“Well, if you’re done maybe we can go and see if we can find ourselves some reading material. Six hours stuck in a plane isn’t exactly the most entertaining of things; gotta bring something to do, or you’ll go insane.” He got up, and walked away.

As she stood and looked to where the vampire waited for her, waiting patiently, at that, Buffy noticed Spike for the first time. Caught slightly off-guard by his unusually gentle demeanour, she’d allowed her walls to come down a little. Had she actually ever taken time to look at him as a man instead of just a monster? At that moment, his eyes bore the look of someone with infinite patience, but his body was like a coiled spring, ready to let go at a moment‘s notice; the supple duster he wore like a second skin contrasted his sharp cheekbones and taut muscles. He seemed a contradiction of himself. Although he was a self-professed ‘big bad’, he shamelessly wore his heart on his sleeve--if she were to look deep into his eyes, she could see into his soul... Wait! He has no soul--this is Spike you’re thinking about! There will be no fantasizing about the enemy, no matter how beautiful he is... Groaning to herself, Buffy grabbed her purse and carry-on and rushed out to join him.

Standing there waiting for the Slayer, Spike noticed that she was staring at him. Wonder what’s got the chit’s knickers in a knot this time. She’s probably mad that I didn’t wait for her. No pleasing that one... She seemed to snap out of it and bent to pick up her bags; he couldn’t help but take a short moment to appreciate her rear end, again. Cor, I’d give anything to have her squirming beneath me, screaming my name... He readjusted his pants as he wondered when his fantasy shifted from killing her to shagging her. This trip might be a bit harder to handle than he’d first thought...

***

Hmm... Cosmo or Seventeen? Both! Buffy was quickly amassing a library’s worth of magazines to keep her busy during the flight. If the time spent in the coffee shop was any indicator, she couldn’t really rely on conversation eating up much time on the plane. She turned to see what section Spike was in, but couldn’t find him anywhere. Now where the heck did he go? He’s the one with the wallet, for crying out loud... With a screech, she was jolted from her thoughts when a set of hands grabbed her around the waist.

“Boo!”

Hand on her chest, and heart beating wildly, she turned around to see Spike standing behind her, innocent look on his face. “So, have you found anything yet?”

Glaring at him, Buffy gave him a very unslayer-like slap on the arm. “Stupid jerk--I nearly had a heart attack.” Showing him her armful of magazines, she watched his eyes grow round. “As a matter of fact, yes. I have found a few to keep me busy...” She didn’t have time to finish her sentence before the stack was ripped from her arms.

“Bloody hell, woman! How many...” The blonde vamp flipped through the reading material. “...three, four, ...seven, eight... twelve magazines? Better narrow down your choices, I’m paying for 3--that’s it. Stupid things are expensive, too; don‘t know how they’re allowed to charge ten dollars for a stupid magazine, just because we‘re in an airport...”

Well, maybe I did get carried away... Buffy picked at her pile, and chose three. She dumped the remaining ones in a pile, garnering a cheesed-off look from the lady at the cash. She offered them to Spike so he could go and pay.

“No way, Slayer. I am not standing in line holding a copy of...” He looked at one of the magazines. “Cosmo.” His eyes narrowed as he read one of the captions on its cover. “10 ways to reach orgasm quicker?!” He let out a snort. “Yeah, like you can learn that from bleedin’ periodical.” He put his hand on her far shoulder, leaned in and whispered in her ear. “You know, Slayer, if you want, I could help you feel good in ways you‘ve never dreamed were possible...”

Without realizing it, Buffy closed her eyes and leaned back into his arm. His cool breath, mixed with what he was telling her, had her in a near trance. A little voice at the back of her mind goaded her into giving in to his offer of 120 years of practice--betcha he could really teach you a thing or two about pleasure... With a start, she snapped out of it. She pulled away from him and sent him a threatening glare.

What Buffy hadn’t noticed, however, was that Spike’s words had affected him as much as they had her. He’d never stood this close to her in the absence of violence. He felt the heat of her living body, could hear the blood pumping through her veins, her heart beating... Just the thought of the Slayer letting him show her just how good he was between the sheets had him readjusting his jeans once again.

As they approached the cashier, Buffy’s eye caught a beanie baby display on the counter. They weren’t real beanie babies, but an imitation. She recognized one of them, and tried to place where she’d seen it before. Eureka! She rifled through her coat pocket, and pulled out the card the little girl had left behind, at the birthday party. She read the name on the back of the card: Mew-Two. She picked up the cat/kangaroo beanie, and stared at it.

Spike put his magazines on the counter and waited for Buffy to do the same. He turned around an saw that she was engrossed in some stuffed animal. Bleedin’ women and their bleedin’ stuffed animals--I’ll never figure that one out... Rolling his eyes, he grabbed the magazines out of her hand, and turned back to the cashier. “Looks like we’re takin’ the stuffed... whatever she‘s holding...”

The cashier smiled at him. Wow--she didn’t even ask for it. The guy looks tough, but he must really be a softie. I wish George would do stuff like that for me... She rang in his purchase and gave him a 100-watt smile before giving him his change and the bag that held his purchase.

Spike nudged Buffy, who was still staring at that stuffed... well, he still didn’t know what the hell it was. “Let’s go, Sl... Buffy, ’s time to go wait for the plane.”

Buffy had really wanted to ask him for the beanie toy, but he was buying her 3 magazines, and he’d already treated her to a latté and muffin; she didn’t want to push it. With a perceptible sigh, she returned Mew-Two to its box.

She was surprised when Spike took it back out of the bo, and put it in her hand.

“Don’t worry, pet, it’s paid for. All I want to know is--what the hell is it?” As they left the store, he took it in his hand and examined it.

Buffy was floored. Wasn’t this a boyfriendy thing to do--buy stuffed animals for girls? And she didn’t even have to beg him for it! She was beginning to realize that Spike was a multi-layered vampire; what would she find under all those layers?

She turned her attention back to his question. “Actually, I don’t really know what it is.” She handed him the kid’s card. “I helped Mom host a birthday party for some kids last week, and they had these cards--by the way, kids are way too smart these days-- and one of them left this one behind. I recognized the beanie baby when we were waiting in line.” She took the beanie back, and looked at it just as Spike had. “Looks like a kangaroo-cat, though. The card says it’s called Mew-Two--whatever that means.”

Spike shrugged. “Lots of stuff ’bout kids I haven’t understood in a hundred years.” As he led them to the waiting area for their flight, he found two seats. “Here you go. They should announce the flight a few minutes before we have to board. We just have to sit here ’till then.”

Author's Note: Hope you guys are still enjoying yourselves :) As usual, please read and review--it gives me a happy. And Angela--I can't say that the story will have 50 chapters, but I'm thinking it'll be darned close to 40.