You Have to Love Her

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Prologue

The vampire never had a chance. After beating on him for a while Buffy quipped, "You were thinking what, a little helpless coed before bed? You know very well, you eat this late..."

The stake found its mark with her usual accuracy.

"You're gonna get heartburn. Get it? Heartburn?"

The vampire had the poor taste to dust without any reaction to Buffy's banter.

"That's all I get? One lame-ass vamp with no appreciation for my painstakingly thought-out puns?" Looking up to the sky she continued, "Come on, guys, give me something to work with here. Ya gotta send me something better than this guy."

From a nearby rooftop, Spike watched the Slayer's antics with a smirk. "Better watch what you ask for, little girl. You should know better than to tempt the fates that way. 'Cause the Big Bad's back, and this time... GNYAARGGHHLL!!"

The commandos turned off the taser rifle as the white-haired vampire collapsed in an unconscious heap. Grabbing arms and legs, they dragged him away.

Chapter 1

Spike's next moment of awareness consisted of bright lights and pain. His nerve endings felt as if they were on fire, but the worst pain was in his head. A headache like he had never experienced as either human or vampire beat behind his closed eyelids.

Lying corpse still, Spike sampled the surrounding area with hearing and smell. Nothing. There were no humans or demons nearby. In fact, the air had a peculiarly sterile smell to it.

Opening his eyes, he found that he was in a plain white room that appeared to consist of only three walls. Getting on his feet he cautiously approached the open area only to realize that it was glass. Placing his hands before him, he felt an electrical charge pass through him. What the fuck kind of place was he in? Well, it didn't really matter he decided, because he had no intention of staying here very long.

***

"What do you mean Hostile 17 escaped?" a very angry Maggie Walsh snapped at her subordinate. "He had the chip implanted didn't he?"

"Yes, ma'am," the nervous doctor answered. Maggie Walsh on a tear was not a pleasant sight to see. "But it hasn't been 24 hours since it was done. The chip hasn't had time to map all of his neural pathways yet. However it should be completed within the next 2 hours. He'll be unable to hurt anyone without severe cephalalgia after that."

"Well that's just wonderful, gentlemen," came the sarcastic reply. "Let's just hope that he doesn't decide to kill someone in the meantime, shall we?"

The doctors that had brought the news to their superior glanced at each other anxiously. They had never had an HST escape before, and Hostile 17 had done so with an embarrassing ease leaving not a few broken bones and bruises in his wake. They would definitely have to revise their security measures after this.

Maggie turned away to face the young commandos who had just reported for duty. "Gentlemen, we have an escaped HST. Track him down and bring him back. Use lethal force only if necessary. The creature has been implanted with the chip so he is a valuable research animal."

Snapping salutes, Agent Riley Finn and his team turned to suit up and begin the search.

***

Spike scrolled down the list of students until he found the one he was searching for. "Buffy Summers - Stevenson Hall - Room 214"

"There you are, cutie. Know you'll be upset to see me, luv, but can't be helped." Shutting off the computer, Spike made his way to Buffy's dormitory.

***

Willow was wallowing in a sea of depression. Since Oz had left, she had been virtually unable to function. Her classes were even suffering; something that had never happened before. Tonight she had tried to join in the fun at the frat house party, but seeing everyone enjoying themselves, hearing the tape of Oz's band playing, watching guys and girls connect, had been too much for her and she had fled to the sanctuary of her dorm room.

When the knock came at her door, she issued an invitation to come in automatically, assuming that it was one of her dorm mates. She was therefore totally unprepared for who entered the room.

"Spike!" she yelped jumping up from her bed. "What...what are you doing here? You'd better go 'cause Buffy will be here any minute and she'll stake you and..."

"Calm down, Red. I'm here to see Buffy. You say she'll be back soon?"

Willow's heart was pounding. She didn't know when or if Buffy would be back tonight. Would he kill her when he found out she had lied? As Spike roamed around the room looking everything over, Willow decided to try and escape. When the opportunity presented itself, she ran as fast as she could towards the door. Of course, she wasn't fast enough and Spike caught her after just a few steps. Throwing her back on her bed, he loomed over her, a scowl on his handsome face.

"Look, Red, I just said I'm here to see Buffy. I won't hurt you unless you push it, okay?"

Mouth dry, Willow nodded her head. Spike continued his examination of the room, picking up books, knickknacks and stopping in front of the tiny refrigerator. Spying a bag of chips laying on top, he grabbed it up and then plopped down on Buffy's bed. Opening the bag up he helped himself, paying no attention to the crumbs that started to litter the bedspread.

Willow eyes opened wide. "You eat people food?" she asked astounded.

"Well, yeah," Spike answered. Holding up the bag he added, "Barbeque innit? Like spicy stuff."

"But I thought vampires only ate blood," Willow continued. "Angel never..."

"God," Spike snorted in disgust, shaking his head. "Believe it or not, Red, Angelus is not the bloody template upon which all vampires were formed. He's one soddin' poof. Nothin' more."

Willow decided to shut up after that. Apparently Angel was a sore spot with the younger vampire. Eyes down and entwined fingers twisting nervously, Willow concentrated on making herself as small and invisible as possible. Maybe Spike would forget she was there.

Quiet ensued broken only by the sound of Spike's munching. Willow therefore started when Spike suddenly threw the bag against the wall and jumped up ranting, "Where the hell is she?! I thought you said she'd be here any minute."

Willow gulped as she looked into the face of the impatient vampire. "Uh, I may have exaggerated how soon she'll be back. She's at a frat party and..."

"A party!? You've got big trouble in this town and the Slayer's out partying?"

"What trouble, Spike? Everything's been pretty normal around here. You know, demon roommates, werewolf sluts who steal boyfriends, psych professors who are real bitches..." Willow was on a roll and hardly noticed the irritated look on Spike's face. When she finally did, she wound down. "Uh, anyway there hasn't been anything unusual going on."

"Yeah, well what about the secret lab that's right under this soddin' university? What about all the demons that are being captured and held, including poor innocent vampires that were just mindin' their own business? What about that, Red?"

Willow just stared at him.

"Don't know nothin' about it do you?" Spike asked triumphantly. "Thought you Scoobies and that Watcher with his big brain knew all about what was goin' on 'round here. Looks like you've all been layin' down on the job."

It was at that point that the lights went out.

Chapter 2

Buffy had been enjoying herself at the party. Professor Walsh's TA, Riley Finn, had come over to talk to her, but he had been pulled away by his friend Forrest. When Xander showed up, she had been surprised but left the fraternity house quickly when she heard what he had to say.

"You sure they were the same guys I ran into before? The storm troopery ones"

"I'm willing to stake my $2.00 couch on it, Buff. I was making a pizza delivery to one of the dorms and saw them sneaking around in the bushes. I don't know what they were up to, but thought you might want to know about it. Willow told me you guys were going to a party at Lowell House tonight, so here I am."

"Okay, look, Xander, you go on home. I'll scout around, see if I can find anything." Buffy started to turn away, but Xander stopped her.

"Wait, Buff, take this with you. It's a little something I carry with me in case of vampire attack." Buffy looked down at the object he held out. "A flare gun?"

"Granted it's not a rocket launcher, but you might need something besides a stake to use on these guys. Just a precaution, okay?"

Shrugging, Buffy accepted the flare gun and went to start her patrol.

***

Witch and vampire froze for a few seconds in surprise when the lights went out. Willow decided that it was as good a time as any to make another run for it, but before she could even move the door flew open and black-clad men carrying weapons burst into the room.

"There he is, grab him."

"Get the girl too."

"No leave her alone, she's human."

"We can't take a chance, she may have been compromised."

One of the men grabbed Willow and began to pull her from the room. Spike was in no position to help her because he was struggling with two others, but he could hear Willow's cries of distress. Reaching out, he managed to snatch one of the guns. Using the butt end, he smashed it into the temple of his nearest attacker. Both of them went down. Spike clutched his head as pain radiated throughout his entire brain. Two more of the men took hold of him, restraining and dragging him from the room.

Once out in the hallway, Spike began to recover and looked up to see Willow struggling valiantly with her captor. Spotting a fire extinguisher on the wall, he jerked away from his own captors. Moving quickly, he grabbed it, pulled the pin and sprayed foam over the entire group. Willow slipped free when Spike aimed directly at her captor's eyes covering the lenses of the goggles he wore. Throwing the now empty canister at the man, Spike reached out to Willow and managed to push her back into the room.

The men seized him again and held him fast while another aimed his tranquilizer gun. A bright flash of light exploded in the hallway temporarily blinding the men and Spike, realizing that the Slayer had finally shown up, took the opportunity to escape. He knew that Buffy would protect Willow. He would get in contact with her later. Right now, he needed to evade capture.

***

Willow sat on the sofa wrapped in a blanket and holding a cup of hot tea. She was still suffering a reaction from her ordeal. Her teeth had chattered so hard on the drive to Giles' place that she had been unable to talk. The lights had gone out just as Xander was leaving and he had joined Buffy in running to Stevenson Hall. Comforting the distraught Willow as best he could, he had quickly driven the two girls to the Watcher's home.

"So these commando persons broke into your dorm room and tried to kidnap you, Willow?" Giles was asking.

"Well, I, I don't think they were after me. I think they were after Spike and just took me because..."

"What!?" Buffy exclaimed, jerking in surprise. "Did you say they wanted Spike?"

"Uh, yeah. See he was there in the dorm room with me and..."

"What? How? When?"

Swallowing hard, Willow explained the circumstances regarding Spike's appearance.

"He says that there is a secret lab under the university? What kind of scheme is he hatching now?" Giles wondered.

"I don't think it was a scheme, Giles," Willow said. "I mean, those guys were after him for some reason, and then they tried to take me because one of them said I might have been 'compromised'"

"Damn him!" Buffy ground out. "He promised me he would never come back to Sunnydale."

"Well, he obviously did not keep that promise, which considering that it's Spike we're talking about can hardly be a surprise. He wasn't able to kill you last year so he obviously has returned to try again," Giles theorized.

"Maybe," was all Buffy could say. Sighing, she got up, went to Giles' weapons chest and removed several stakes, a knife and a crossbow. "Well, guess I'm on Spike patrol. I'll try to find him; see if I can get any further information out of him. Then I'll dust him."

With those words, she stormed out of the apartment.

***

Buffy was furious. Damn him. She had finally managed to stop thinking about him. She had finally managed to stop dreaming about him. Even after Angel had been miraculously returned from the Hell dimension, she had thought constantly of Spike. She had felt as if she were cheating on Angel. Even though she and Angel could not be together, he was still the man she loved so the intrusion of Spike thoughts seriously unnerved her.

Unsure where to start looking for him, Buffy decided to try the old mausoleum he had occupied last year. It was far enough off the beaten path that the commandos might not have found it and since it was familiar, Spike just might go to ground there.

Crossbow cocked, all senses alert, Buffy entered the old crypt. It was too dark to see very well inside and the moonlight penetrated only a few inches. A click and the flare of a lighter let Buffy know that she had been right to come here. Pointing the crossbow in the direction of the flame she said coldly, "You shouldn't have come back here, Spike. I told you I'd have to kill you if you returned."

"Ah, but, Buffy, love, how could I stay away from you?" With that, Spike moved forward, all light and dark, sex and danger. Coming right up to her, he gently pushed the crossbow aside. Reaching out his hand, he softly caressed the side of her face. "I've missed you," he said. His voice was a deep rich purr, the tones causing her muscles to quiver. Leaning forward, he went to place a kiss on her mouth, but Buffy jumped back and raised the crossbow again.

"Don't touch me, Spike," she snapped. "You've had everything you're going to get from me. I don't care why you've come back; I don't care what you know about these commandos. I warned you what would happen if you came back and I meant it." With that she aimed the crossbow and prepared to fire the bolt. Spike just stood there before her making no effort to evade the shot. His confidence that she wouldn't shoot him infuriated her and she pulled the trigger. The arrow whizzed past just missing him. Spike raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Knew you wouldn't hurt me, luv."

"No?" Buffy snarled. Dropping the crossbow she threw a punch with all her might behind it. Spike was knocked forcefully to the ground, but he sprang back quickly, returning the punch. It connected and he screamed and collapsed, clutching his head. Buffy was beside him instantly arms around his shoulders asking anxiously, "Spike, what's wrong."

"God, Buffy, those bastards did something to me. This happened when I was fightin' those men in your dorm room too. I hit one of 'em and it felt like someone put a cattle prod to my head."

Arms wrapped supportively around him, Buffy helped him to stand. "Come on," she said. "Let's go talk to Giles."

Chapter 3

Spike smirked at the disapproving faces of Watcher and boy. Willow had merely stared at him and then curled up tighter on the couch. Spike sat in an armchair, legs splayed, arms resting comfortably on the armrests.

"So, you were knocked unconscious, woke up in some sort of secret facility, was able to escape and came to tell Buffy all about it. Is that correct?" Giles asked, disbelief evidence in his voice.

"Yes, that's correct," Spike mocked. Reaching into his coat pocket he withdrew a pack of cigarettes, shook one out and placed it between his lips. As he prepared to light it Giles said coldly, "Do not light that thing in my home."

Raising one eyebrow, Spike shrugged, removed the cigarette and replaced it in the pack. "As you wish, Watcher."

For some reason, that seemed to irritate Giles even more than an argument would have. Spike smiled, correctly reading Giles' expression. Those soddin' white coats may have taken away his ability to physically hurt others, but he could still piss 'em off. Not much, but anything was better than the feelings of fear and helplessness that engulfed him. How could he feed? How could he protect himself if he couldn't fight? He was in deep trouble and he knew it. If Buffy and her friends didn't help him, he would not be long for this world.

"Giles," Buffy interjected. "I examined Spike's head and found what looks like a healing surgical incision."

At that, Giles and Xander moved over to look where Buffy indicated. Willow's curiosity overcame her nerves and she joined her friends.

"Yeah," said Xander. "I can see something right there." Reaching out, Xander prodded at the healing wound.

"Hey! Lay off, you great git," Spike yelled jumping up from the chair. "I'm not some soddin' piñata for you to poke at."

"Aw what's the matter," Xander mocked. "Does widdle Spikey have a boo boo?"

"I'll give you a boo boo, you great lummox. Soon as I find out what they did to me, I'll get it fixed and you'll be the first one I drain, I promise you."

"Okay, okay, boys. Just simmer down," Buffy, the voice of reason, interrupted the spat. "So what do you think, Giles? Who are they and why are they doing this?"

"I think it's pretty obvious who it is luv," Spike sniffed. "It's the soddin' US government. Got tired of dissecting those little green men they have in that Area 51 and decided to give us demons a go."

Giles sighed. "I'm afraid, and I can't believe I'm saying this, that I agree with Spike."

"Huh?" Xander exclaimed. "There really are little green men in Area 51?"

Giles closed his eyes as if now he had a headache. "No. Xander. I meant that I think it may very well be a clandestine government operation. Although what the goal is escapes me."

"Maybe they're trying to recruit a demon army to fight the next big war," was Xander's contribution.

"Well since Spike cannot seem to inflict pain on anyone, I don't see how that scenario fits in," Giles answered rather impatiently.

"Yeah, well I don't care if it's a secret government agency, a troop of girl scouts, or the flippin' 700 club," Spike raged. "I want fixed. You lot are the good guys. You've got to help me get whatever they did to me undone."

"Indeed," Giles said. Buffy was amazed at just how much derision Giles could interject with just one word. "We are to help an unrepentant killer regain the ability to slaughter innocent humans. Is that what you're saying?"

Spike hesitated. "Well, if you're gonna put it that way," he began.

Buffy once again stepped in to head off the ensuing argument. "Look guys, while I can't say I'm unhappy that Spike can't kill anyone anymore, I still don't like the idea that these guys have set up operation on my turf. Giles, Spike needs to stay here a few days until those commando guys stop looking for him."

"Here?! Why here?" Giles was not happy.

"Because he can't stay at the dorm and I'm afraid if he stays at his crypt they'll find him. They probably won't look for a vampire in a suburban apartment complex. It's the safest place."

"And we care about his safety because?" Xander asked curiously.

"Because I need to know who these guys are, what they are, where they are and why they're doing what they're doing. Spike is the only lead I have."

"Very well, Buffy. But I want him in restraints the whole time he's here."

"Hey, now," Spike protested. "None of that. I don't need tied up. I'm harmless, remember?"

"Right now you appear to be. But how do we know your situation is permanent? Forgive me if I don't feel like waking up with my throat torn out."

Spike looked offended but Buffy just said, "Fine, Giles, we'll tie him to the chair or something. Just let him stay here for a little while until we know he's safe."

Spike immediately stopped protesting. She was concerned about his safety. All of a sudden his problem didn't seem so overwhelming.

***

Ropes tied just tightly enough to please Giles, but not so tight that Spike couldn't get loose should the need arise, Buffy stepped away from Spike.

"Okay, it's late and I have an early class tomorrow. Willow, you ready to go?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah, I think so." Willow looked completely worn out. The terror she had experienced this evening following all the emotional turmoil she'd felt since her breakup with Oz left the young woman with very few reserves. She was more than ready to seek her bed.

"Okay good. Xander, can you ride us back to our dorm?" Buffy asked.

"Sure, let's go." Xander replied digging his car keys from his jacket pocket.

"Oh, wait," Buffy exclaimed. Opening her purse she pulled a $20 bill from it and handed it to Xander. "Here, before I forget. Would you stop by the butcher's in the morning and pick up some blood for Spike?"

Spike gazed at Buffy and had a very hard time keeping his feelings from shining from his eyes. "Well, thanks, Slayer," he said nonchalantly. "I am feeling a bit peckish."

Buffy flushed slightly, said goodnight to Giles and walked out of the apartment.

Chapter 4

"Hey, Buffy."

Buffy stopped on her way out of Prof. Walsh's class. Riley Finn was bearing down on her with a warm smile on his face.

"Sorry I had to leave you last night. I was enjoying our conversation."

"Oh that's okay, Riley. Turns out I had to leave the party early myself. Uh, family emergency."

"Oh, I hope everything's all right now," Riley said voice filled with concern.

"Yeah, it'll be okay. No biggie. Thanks though." Buffy turned to leave the classroom, but Riley placed a hand on her arm.

"Uh, Buffy, I was wondering if perhaps you'd like to get a coffee or something tonight."

Buffy looked up into his earnest All-American face and felt...nothing. God, why was it one glance at razor-sharp cheekbones and bleached-blond hair caused her entire body to quiver, but an hour staring at this wholesome face left her cold?

Smiling politely Buffy said, "Thanks, Riley, but I'm kinda tied up tonight. Maybe some other time."

"Oh, sure," Riley replied, feeling uncomfortable. "Just let me know." Smiling weakly, he nodded to Buffy and returned to his desk to sort through the papers that had been turned in that day.

****

"Oi! Rupert! How about turning on the telly. Gotta be somethin' worth watching on," Spike's voice whined. Giles was fairly certain that if Buffy did not show up soon, he would stake the irritating little twit and tell Buffy he had escaped. Surely he could vacuum up the dust before Buffy arrived.

Luckily for Spike, Buffy opened the door and entered the townhouse. She was aware of tension even as she passed over the threshold. "Giles?" she called out. "I'm here."

"Thank God, Buffy." Giles appeared from upstairs. "I've just about reached the end of my rope with that one. I'm going out for a bit. You can watch him."

With that, Giles vacated the apartment with an alacrity that bordered on the undignified.

Buffy looked over at Spike still tied to his chair. Sighing she walked over and began to undo his bindings. "Did you have to do everything in your power to piss off Giles?" she asked.

"Well yeah, pet," Spike answered. "It was right boring sitting here tied up with nothin' to do. Had to make my own fun didn't I?"

Buffy stood up as the last of the ropes were loosened. Spike reached out, grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap before she even realized what was happening.

"Thanks for the blood, pet," Spike murmured. Lowering his head, he nuzzled at her neck, wafting gentle puffs of air into her ear.

Buffy felt as if her nerve endings were enflamed. A tight ache began between her thighs and she squirmed on his lap. Spike moved his mouth from ear to cheek to chin and up to brush gently across her lips. His left arm held her snugly on his lap while his right caressed her thigh.

Buffy found herself tilting her head back allowing him access to her neck. Taking advantage of her acquiescence, Spike nibbled and licked his way across her collarbone and back up to her earlobe.

Buffy was panting now. Aware of his erection pressed against her bottom, she wanted nothing more than to surrender to his touch. But a voice inside of her was screaming that this was wrong, that she should not be making out with a vampire in her Watcher's home.

Somehow finding the strength to resist, Buffy pushed aside Spike's restraining arms and jumped to her feet.

"Damn it, Spike, I told you we weren't going to go there. What happened last year was a one-time thing. You agreed! Quit trying to...to seduce me."

Spike merely looked at her. Standing up and adjusting himself, he stated baldly, "Things haven't changed much since last year, Buffy. I still want you. You still want me."

"No..."

Spike took a rapid step to her and grabbed her arms tightly. Giving her a sharp shake he growled out, "Yes! Whatever this is between us, Buffy, it hasn't gone away. I came back because I couldn't stop thinking about you. Dreaming about you. I want you, Buffy. I want you back in my bed." Softening his words and his grip, he pulled her stiff body up to him. "Let me love you again, Buffy. It would be so good. You know it."

Buffy lowered her head until her forehead rested against his chest. "I can't, Spike. Don't you see that? It's wrong, it's wrong, it's wrong." Buffy's voice was an agony of despair. Its sound tore at Spike's heart. Gathering her into his arms he gently shushed her. "It's okay, Buffy. I'm not going to force you. It'll happen in its own time." Pushing her back from him he tilted her head up until she was looking at him. "And we both know it's going to happen again."

Buffy felt tears gather in her eyes. Damnit! She didn't want to have this creature as her lover. She didn't want to want him as desperately as she did. She didn't want to compare every single boy she met to him.

Pulling away from him, she wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "We need to talk strategy about these commando guys."

Spike stared at her for a bit and then nodded his head. He would let her go for now. God knows he wanted her, but he could wait a little while yet for her to come to him willingly.

***

When Giles came home, it was to a rather disturbing sight. Buffy and Spike were sitting side by side on his couch watching TV, a bowl of popcorn on Buffy's lap from which the two were snacking.

It was entirely too cozy a scene for Giles' peace of mind.

They looked up as Giles entered the room, greeted him and then returned their attention to the television. Curious as to what it was that so held their attention, he felt surprise as he realized it was a soap opera. He had never known Buffy to watch soap operas; she had even teased her mother over her devotion to "Passions". In fact, it appeared to be "Passions" that they were watching.

"This is bloody brilliant," Spike said. "You ever watch this, Rupert? Got a witch in it and that little boy there? Is a doll. Brilliant."

Giles just shook his head and asked, "Did you get anything useful from him today, Buffy?"

"Uh, yeah. He gave me a general idea as to where he came out when he escaped the lab. I'm going to try to find the place today when I go back on campus. Then I'll make a more thorough search tonight after patrol."

"Well if you do find something, Buffy, for God's sake do not enter that facility on your own. We still don't know what we're dealing with and I don't want you to do anything rash."

Buffy just glanced at her Watcher and nodded agreement. She didn't really plan on just barging into the place, but if the opportunity presented itself, she would try to take a good look around. Any information they could gather would be helpful. And it was Buffy's job to gather it.

***

Buffy looked around in frustration. Nothing. Nada. Zip. From Spike's description, the exit should have been somewhere in this general area, but nothing looked disturbed. He had said that it was a trapdoor-like device covering an air vent and that it had opened up right out of the ground. You'd think, she thought in frustration, that there would be torn grass at least. But there was absolutely nothing that she could discern. Heaving a sigh, she decided to go back to the dorm. Maybe tomorrow night she'd bring Spike with her. If he were actually with her, then he could point out more accurately where the spot was.

Chapter 5

"It's been a couple days now since Spike escaped, and I haven't seen any indication that the commandos are still searching for him," Buffy was telling Giles the next night. "I think it's safe to take him with me tonight to try and find the location of that secret exit. I had no luck at all yesterday."

"Very well, Buffy, if you think it's wise. I don't have to tell you that I don't trust him. Be on your highest guard while in his company. This could still be some sort of trick he's using to lower your defenses and then attack you."

Buffy was well aware that Spike was trying to lower her defenses, however not in the sense the Giles meant. After reassuring Giles that she would be extra careful, she left the kitchen where she and Giles had been conversing to gather the now restless vampire.

"We leaving now, pet?" Spike asked, fairly hopping in his impatience to be out after two days of forced confinement.

"Yeah, let's go before Giles decides to give me more advice about not trusting you. Like I need advice for that," Buffy answered.

Spike looked hurt at her words, but Buffy ignored him. She would not trust him. And she definitely would not let him touch her. Spike touching led to very bad thoughts. As long as she stayed arm's length from him, she should be okay.

***

It didn't take long for them to reach the campus. Spike took his bearings and led the way.

As they walked towards the area Spike indicated, he reached out to take Buffy's hand. Jerking it from him Buffy snapped, "Spike, I'm tired of telling you. I don't want you to touch me!"

Spike grabbed her and slammed her against a tree, pinning her arms above her head. Leaning into her, he began to nuzzle at the sensitive spot on her neck that always gave her chills. Moving up to her ear he began to talk to her in the deep rich voice that drove her wild.

"I'm sorry you don't want me to touch you, Buffy, 'cause I want to touch you so much, luv. I want to run my mouth over your soft skin. Do you remember what it felt like when we kissed? How my lips felt on you? How it felt as I kissed every inch of you? I want to touch your breasts again, take your nipples in my mouth and suckle at them. You have such beautiful breasts, Buffy. Firm and ripe. Do you remember how your nipples reacted to my touch? They hardened into such lovely peaks for me. Do you remember how it felt when I took them in my mouth? Do you remember? I sucked and licked and then I touched you with my fingers and you came for me. Do you remember?

"Do you remember how it felt when I ran my hands over you? I love the feel of your body, Buffy. It's so tiny and so firm and so strong. You're so perfectly formed. I love the way I can encircle your waist with my hands. So small, so lovely. Do you remember how it felt when I ran my hands up your legs? And then I stroked you and put my fingers in you. You liked that, I know. You rocked against me and made the loveliest little sounds. Do you remember?

"I want to taste you again, Buffy. Do you remember when I first tasted you? You were so scared and shy. You didn't know what I was going to do. Do you remember? But I asked you to trust me and you did and God, you came and came for me. Do you remember? And I lapped at you and you were like honey in my mouth. I love licking you, Buffy, making love to you with my mouth.

"Do you remember how it felt when I finally entered you? I do. You were so hot, so wet, so tight. I've never felt anything like you, luv. Remember how it felt as we moved together? You screamed for me, Buffy. You screamed and cried out my name. Nothing in my unlife has made me happier than hearing you cry my name like that.

"I want to touch you again, Buffy, and show you all the things we didn't have time for before. Do you like the feel of silk, Buffy? I want to take silk scarves and put them around your wrists and tie you up so that you can't touch me with your hands. But I'd touch you. I'd touch you and tease you with my hands and with my mouth and make you beg me to take you. But I wouldn't. I'd touch you just a little bit more and when you were almost mad with wantin' me then I'd enter you and move so slowly. So very slowly. And when you finally came...have you every heard of le petit mort, Buffy? The little death? It's when someone passes out because the pleasure was just too much. And you would pass out for me, Buffy. But I'd guard you. I'd keep you safe until you came back to me. And then I'd let you tie me up and perform sweet torture on me. Would you like that, Buffy?"

By now Buffy could not even stand on her own. Spike had placed one leg between hers and she was propped against it. Her breathing was harsh and she was aware of Spike's hardness rubbing against her stomach. Turning her head, she went to join her mouth to his in a deep kiss only to feel him jerk away from her. She barely had time to grab onto the tree for support preventing her from collapsing into an undignified heap on the ground.

Spike stood back away from her, an angry look on his face.

"You don't want to go to bed with me again, Slayer, fine. That's your choice. But don't lie to me. Don't tell me you don't want me to touch you. You ache for my touch just as much as I ache for yours."

With that Spike turned away from Buffy and stormed off. Buffy stared after him with a stunned look on her face. Finally getting her legs to work again, she slowly followed.

***

"So you had no luck then?" Giles asked. They were back at Giles' townhouse. They had been stiffly formal with each other when Buffy had finally caught up with Spike. A thorough search of the area had revealed nothing. Spike had even attempted to track his own scent in the area hoping that that would indicate where he had come out, but it had been too many days and he could find nothing.

The walk back to Giles' had been uncomfortable for Buffy. Her nerve-endings were still sensitized from Spike's words and she was wet and throbbing between her legs. She wasn't sure how she was going to get to sleep that night. For his part, Spike had been uncharacteristically silent and he had kept a good distance between them. Hands in coat pockets, he had walked so quickly that Buffy was a little out of breath by the time the apartment complex came into view.

Giles was aware of a tension between the two when they entered his home. He again felt a sense of discomfort tickling at the back of his mind. He could only pray that he was misreading their body language. Surely Buffy was not thinking of becoming involved with another vampire...especially this vampire.

"No, no luck," Buffy replied. She kept her back turned to Spike, afraid to look at him again. All she needed was to have her resolve crumble right now, here, in front of her Watcher. "Spike is certain that's where he came out, but it's too well concealed. We'll have to try and find another way into the facility.

"Or," she continued thoughtfully, "I could try and follow one of those groups of commandos. See where they go after they're done skulking around campus."

"That could be very dangerous, Buffy. Unfortunately, it appears to be the only way we'll ever find anything out." Giles looked intently at his Slayer, the girl he thought of more as his daughter than his protégée. "Just be very, very careful, Buffy. They were willing to kidnap Willow; I doubt they would hesitate to try and take you should they discover you're following them."

Buffy smiled tightly. "Try is the operative word, Giles. I think they'd soon find out that a Slayer is a different proposition than their usual prey."

Standing up from the chair where she sat, Buffy pulled on her jacket. "I'm going back to the dorm now, Giles. I'll look for them tomorrow night when I'm on patrol. If I learn anything, I'll call."

As she turned to leave, Giles said, "Aren't you going to tie Spike up for me?"

Buffy stiffened slightly, but then turned, grabbed the ropes and quickly completed her task. The restraints were a little bit tighter than they had been last night, and neither said anything to the other. Heading once again for the door, Buffy heard a flat "Sweet dreams, Slayer." Wincing slightly, Buffy left without replying.

Chapter 6

The next morning being Saturday, Xander picked the girls up and took them to their respective homes so that they could do their laundry. Joyce was already at work so Buffy had the house to herself. She had just come up from putting a load of wash in the dryer when the phone rang. Picking it up she heard Giles growl out, "Buffy, if you want him undusted, you'll come over and get him out of my house now."

Closing her eyes and leaning her forehead against the wall she assured Giles she would be there as soon as she could. Hanging up the receiver and picking it up again immediately, she called Xander.

"Hey, Xand. Buffy. Look Giles is threatening to stake Spike so could you ride me over there and then drive us back here?"

"If we do it now, Buffy; I gotta be at work in half an hour. Although I think you should just let Giles stake him."

"Yeah, I know. I'm beginning to think that too. But we still might need him so I guess we'd better keep him undusty a little while longer."

With a snort, Xander hung up and Buffy went out to wait for him.

***

Blanket smoking, Spike ran past Buffy as she held the door open for him. Waving her thanks at Xander, she closed the door and turned to watch Spike stamp out a couple small flames that had ignited on the blanket.

Without a word, Buffy walked away from him and headed for the basement. She was aware that he was following, but was determined to completely ignore him. She hoped he was still angry enough with her that he wouldn't talk to her. She had found out the hard way that his voice was every bit as dangerous to her as his hands were.

Opening the dryer, she began to pull the clothes out. She let out a small yelp and jumped back a bit when Spike's hand darted into the basket. Looking at him, she blushed when she saw that he had a pair of her thong panties held up to his face.

"Give me those," she snapped grabbing the undergarment from him. "What is wrong with you? Can't you stop acting like a jerk for just one second?!"

Spike merely smirked and sauntered away. Buffy watched him with clenched fists. Honestly, no wonder Giles had wanted to stake him. If he had been acting like such as ass all morning, she didn't blame him.

After Buffy finished folding her clothes, she carried the basket up the stairs. Spike was nowhere in sight. Going through to the living room she realized he wasn't there either. Closing her eyes in frustration, she slowly climbed the stairs to the second floor. Just as she feared, Spike was stretched out on her bed, duster and boots off, hands locked behind his head.

Buffy refused to react. "You want to take a nap?" she asked with forced calmness. "Fine." Turning she went to leave when his honeyed voice asked, "Want to join me, pet?"

Buffy stood frozen. Her heart had started pounding with his first word. God, why did he have this effect on her? She became aware that he had moved from the bed when his hands lightly traced down her arms. Pulling her gently back against him he murmured, "Come to me, Buffy. Let me love you. I'll make it so good for you, you know I will."

Buffy tried to fight it. It was wrong. She knew it was wrong. Turning in his arms she lifted her mouth in invitation and Spike held her tightly as he crushed his mouth onto hers. Lifting her up just the same as he had that first time, he carried Buffy to her bed and placed her down gently. Buffy knew that he wanted to take it slow. For someone who normally had no patience, when it came to making love he was entirely different. But this time, Buffy was in no mood for foreplay. Having succumbed at last to her desires, she wanted him fast and hard and now.

Pushing him back from her, she lifted herself up and pulled her top over her head. Reaching behind, she quickly unhooked her bra and shrugged it off. Spike reached up a hand to cup a firm mound, but Buffy slapped it away and leaned forward to tug at his t-shirt. Pushing it up, she soon had him stripped of it. Throwing it onto the floor, Buffy lay down on top of Spike and pressed her breasts to his bare chest.

They both gasped at the touch of skin on skin. Grabbing his hair, she smashed her mouth down on his in a searing kiss. Swinging one leg over him, she straddled him, grinding herself against his erection. Spike groaned and then with a shove, threw her onto her back and began to unfasten her jeans. In one sharp movement both jeans and panties were yanked off. Buffy had already toed off her shoes so now she lay before him naked and hot and willing.

Unable to help himself, he pushed her legs apart and set his mouth on her sweet wet cunt. Lifting her legs onto his shoulders, he began to lick and suck at her clit eliciting deep moans and whimpers from Buffy. Her hips bucked beneath him and he had to hold onto her tightly so that he wasn't dislodged. She was wild for him, tugging his hair nearly out by the roots. Moving one hand down, he inserted a finger into her sliding easily into place. Moving his finger in time with his tongue he nearly brought her off only to back down again. Buffy sobbed as she was denied release and starting crying out, "God, Spike, please. Please, I need you. Please, now."

It was the last please that was his undoing. Pulling away from her, he quickly ripped his jeans from his lean hips. Throwing them down to join the growing heap of clothing on the floor, he then pulled up Buffy's legs and thrust into her.

Their coupling was frantic and fast. He couldn't have slowed down if he tried. Buffy was lost to her need, nails scoring deeply into his back. She cried out to him demanding that he satisfy the burning ache he had built in her. She was vaguely aware that she was getting bruised from the hard pounding he was giving her but she didn't care. She cared only that the fire be doused. Her need became overwhelming; the release she craved elusive and just out of reach. Frantic with desire, she bit into his shoulder so hard that blood poured from the wound. With a great roar he released his demon and sank fangs into her. Buffy's scream echoed throughout the room. Arms and legs locking about him in a bone-crushing embrace, her climax tore through her, vaginal walls clenching so tightly that Spike was imprisoned within her. Lifting his head with a grimace of almost-pain on his face, his own cry ripped from his throat as he came in a seemingly unending ejaculation.

***

"You bit me," Buffy said sleepily. "How come you could bite me?"

"Don't know, pet. Maybe because I didn't even know I was doin' it. Maybe because it was sex play and not for feeding. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Buffy blushed slightly. Not only had it not hurt, it was the most intense sensation she had ever felt, and she had felt some pretty fantastic things with him last year.

"No, you didn't hurt me. Felt good," she confessed.

Spike smiled and kissed her shoulder. "I'm glad, pet. Didn't mean to bite you. I kinda lost control there."

They were lying spoon fashion, hands intertwined. Buffy sighed softly and then turned to face him. "Spike, you know we can't keep doing this. It's wrong. I'm the Slayer. I can't have a vampire lover."

"Seems to me, pet, neither of us have much say in the matter. Do you really think that this would be my choice? To want the Slayer so much? We're mortal enemies, I know that. But when I'm with you, that's the last thing on my mind.

"We'll work through this, Buffy. Maybe after a bit, we'll get tired of each other. A passion this hot usually burns itself out pretty fast. Once we burn the passion out of us, it'll be as it should be."

Buffy looked at him hopefully. "Do you think so? Do you think that we can get over this thing between us?"

"Only time will tell, pet." Spike got a wicked twinkle in his eye. "But in the meantime, I think we should do our best to try burning it out, don't you?"

"Sounds like a plan," Buffy said, wrapping her arms around him once more and lifting her mouth for a kiss.

Chapter 7

They made love all through the long afternoon. Sometimes fast and hard, sometimes slow and gentle. And Spike talked to her, told her all the things he wanted to do to her, all the things he wanted her to do to him. He told her how much he loved the feel of her, the taste of her, the smell of her. Buffy listened and grew hot and spasmed around his fingers and his cock.

He taught her the things that pleasured him, and when Buffy took him into her mouth for the first time she was shy and awkward. But Spike guided her and soon she found that she loved the sounds that he made as she tended to him. The gasps, sighs, growls and groans made her happy in a way she didn't understand; wasn't sure she wanted to understand. She also found to her surprise that his taste was very pleasing to her.

When the shadows at last lengthened, Buffy and Spike rose from the bed, showered and dressed aware that Joyce would soon be home. Airing out the bedroom to remove the smell of sex, Buffy knew that she would never set foot in there again without remembering this magical afternoon with Spike.

***

When Joyce entered the house she gave a small scream when she saw Spike sitting on her couch. Buffy rushed in from the kitchen where she had been preparing supper.

"Mom, it's okay. I invited Spike here," Buffy assured her mother.

"But Buffy the last time he was here you said he was evil and to not let him in," Joyce said confusedly.

"I know, but things have changed. He's helping me again and well, he can't hurt anyone." Buffy then proceeded to tell her mom everything that had happened over the last few days. Well almost everything.

"And you don't know who these people are?" Joyce asked. By now they were all sitting around the dining room table eating. Buffy had prepared tacos and Spike had helped himself. Joyce had looked at him curiously when he had dipped up a generous portion of the spicy meat filling, but hadn't said anything. Spike was glad. The last thing he needed was another query as to why he ate but Angel didn't.

"Not yet. I'm going to patrol again tonight and see if I can't track some of these guys down. Then I'll follow them and see if they lead me back to their headquarters. Once we know for sure where they come and go from, we'll make our plans from there." Buffy took a bite of her taco.

"But, honey, don't you think that maybe they're on your side? I mean after all they seem to be concerned with demons just as you are, right?"

"Yeah, but I kill demons," Buffy answered nonchalantly apparently oblivious to the frown her lover sent her way. "These guys are doing some kind of freaky experimenting on them. I want to know why." Looking at her mom she added seriously, "This is the Hellmouth, mom. Anything weird happens here is usually not of the good. And spooky covert-ops type guys snatching vampires and demons and doing things to them? Makes my spidey-sense kick into overdrive."

Joyce accepted Buffy's statement. She had come to respect her daughter's judgment over the last year. If Buffy felt that something was wrong, then Joyce was willing to believe her. And although she was terribly confused by the on-again, off-again, on-again alliance with Spike, again she trusted Buffy's judgment in the matter. And if she were honest, she rather liked the cocky, good-looking vampire.

***

"I think I should go with you, Buffy," Spike kept insisting. "I don't like the idea of your lurking about spying on those soddin' GI types. What if they catch you out? What if they capture you? No one would know, would they? You just go missin' and nobody would even know what happened."

"Spike, I don't want you within 2 miles of those guys. You're in more danger from them than I am. You can't even defend yourself. If you go with me, I'll have to worry about keeping you safe. I need to concentrate on my job!"

Spike stiffened at her reminder of his powerlessness. Answering coldly he said, "'Course, Slayer, forgot myself. Last thing you need is a flippin' eunuch flutterin' about your coattails." With that, he turned away from her, walking in the direction of Giles' townhouse. Buffy ground her teeth together. God, she didn't have time for this. Wounded male ego was a big pain in the ass. She almost let him go off on his own, but then the thought of the commandos entered her mind and a chill of fear coursed through her. Running after him she caught up and just walked along side of him, saying nothing.

When they reached Giles' Spike entered and nearly slammed the door in her face. She managed to catch it before it hit her and thrusting it back rushed up to Spike and grabbed him, swinging him around.

"You almost hit me with that door!" she yelled.

"Yeah so what if I did? Can't hit you any other way now can I, being impotent and all."

"God, will you stop with the sexual analogies already? I told you why I don't want you coming with me. I don't want those guys getting you again. Is that so hard for you to understand?"

"You don't want me comin' with you because I'm useless to you, that's why you don't want me to come."

"Are you always this pigheaded, or is it just with me?" Buffy cried out in frustration.

"Look," Spike started but Giles cut into the argument. "If you children wish to argue, please take it somewhere else. I'm trying to do some research here and you're interrupting me."

Spike turned to look at Giles then stomped over to the chair he had been tied to for the last two nights. "Tie me up, Slayer, and then get the hell out."

"Don't you tell me to get out!" Buffy shrieked.

"BOTH OF YOU GET OUT!" Giles yelled at the top of his lungs.

They both jumped at the Watcher's bellow. Looking at him in surprise, they then looked at each other and suddenly burst into laughter. Giles put his head in his hands, then stood up and walked into the kitchen. Buffy heard the sound of glass on glass and knew that they had driven Giles to the Scotch bottle.

"Rupert!" Spike called out. "If you're parcelin' out drinks, I wouldn't say no." Spike could hear the Watcher's low growl, but a second clink gave evidence that another drink was being poured. Coming back into the room, Giles handed Spike a glass, sipped at his own and then said, "May I ask what all the yelling was about?"

"Well, Watcher, you seemed pissed off about something," Spike answered cheekily. Giles sighed and looked at Buffy.

"Spike wanted to come with me tonight when I look for the commandos, I told him it was too dangerous for him since he can't fight and he took all kinds of macho offense."

"For God's sake, Buffy, if he wants to go and get recaptured, let him. At least I won't have to share my drink with him anymore." With that comment, Giles returned to his books.

"You gonna be okay here now?" Buffy asked softly.

"Yeah, pet, you go ahead. But you be careful. Don't let those buggers see you."

Buffy smiled, glanced quickly over to see that Giles was paying them no mind and lightly caressed Spike's face. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, pet. Good night."

And just like that the fight was forgotten.

Chapter 8

It was pure happenstance that Buffy caught sight of the commandos. She had decided to make a quick patrol of the city's cemeteries before returning to campus. Spotting what looked like a vamp nest in one of the mausoleums, she had entered, dusted the occupant and was just leaving when a small noise alerted her. Ducking back out of sight, she saw a group of the black-clad men making a sweep through the cemetery.

After they had passed, she cautiously followed them. Hiding behind trees, crypts, and monuments, she was able to remain unobserved as she kept them in sight. She wasn't surprised to see them finally head towards the UC Sunnydale campus. What did surprise her was their ultimate destination. Using a well-hidden back door, the squad entered Lowell House.

***

The next afternoon Buffy filled the gang in on her discovery.

"Lowell House?" Xander was saying. "That's where the party was the night we got stuck with the Evil Undead here isn't it?"

"Yeah," Willow answered. "Riley lives there. You don't think he's involved with these guys do you?"

"Who's Riley," Spike wanted to know, a scowl darkening his handsome face.

"He's our Psych TA," Willow answered helpfully. "I think he has a crush on Buffy."

Buffy had been deep in thought throughout this conversation, but now she looked up and said, "Yeah, he asked me out for coffee the other day, but I blew him off. I think I'll take him up on the offer now. I suddenly find myself with the burning desire to get to know Mr. Riley Finn much better."

"Gonna Mata Hari him, Buff?" Xander asked excitedly.

"Yeah, well Mata Hari ended up shot, you twit, so I think it's a rotten idea," Spike snapped.

Giles glanced at the sullen vampire, unease once again settling over him. But in this case he again had to agree with Spike. "Buffy, as much as I hate to admit it, Spike is correct. Trying to gain information by dating a possible member of this organization could be extremely dangerous. If he discovers what you are up to, it could very well lead to your own capture and incarceration. I advise that we try to come up with some other means to get further information."

"I'm not saying that this is the only way we try to get information Giles, but if I can get free access to Lowell House by dating Riley, then I can snoop around, see if I can spot anything regarding this group. Meanwhile, Willow can try to find out what she can about the origins of Lowell House."

"What are you planning on doing, Slayer? Sneak around during the dead of night after you've shagged your little college boy unconscious?" Spike asked bitterly.

Buffy frowned at Spike. "Don't be disgusting, Spike. I'm not going to bed with Riley. But it's not unusual for girls to hang out at the frat houses their boyfriends live at."

Spike wasn't mollified, but he held his tongue. The thought of Buffy being with another man, even if it was only a means to gather information, made him burn with frustration. And worry. This was a regular guy, one that could give her all the things he couldn't. He wasn't anywhere near ready to give her up yet. What would he do if she grew tired of him first?

***

Sometimes the fates seemed to shine on Buffy. The cafeteria was crowded the next afternoon, but Riley was seated at a table by himself, a textbook open before him as he ate his lunch.

Buffy approached his table with her tray. "Hi," she said smilingly. "Mind if I join you? All the tables seem to be occupied."

Riley looked up and then broke into a pleased smile. "Sure," he said moving his book out of the way. Buffy placed her dishes on the table and Riley gallantly removed the empty tray for her. When he returned to the table, Buffy nodded to the textbook and remarked, "Quantum Physics, huh? Wow. I thought you were a Psych major."

Riley smiled shyly and said, "Yeah, but I like to know what makes things tick; people, the universe. Actually it was a toss-up as to what my major was going to be."

"Really?" Buffy said surprised. "Funny, you don't look that..." Realizing that her remark bordered on the insulting she stopped speaking.

Riley merely grinned good-naturedly and said, "I don't look that smart, right?" Winking at her he continued, "I know, but you see that gives me an advantage. People think I'm just some big dumb hayseed and open up to me. I can learn all kinds of things with hardly any effort at all. Should prove useful in my chosen profession."

Buffy smiled nervously at Riley. She was well aware of the advantages of being more that you seemed. But then she brightened up immediately. He had just spilled some important information about himself to her. She was now on the alert and knew to be extra cautious in her dealings with him.

Their conversation was pleasant. The kind that two people who barely know each other have. Where they were from, how they ended up in Sunnydale, what their future plans were. Buffy's autobiography was severely edited of course, and she suspected that Riley's was as well. This would be another thing she could hand over to Willow - try and discover as much as she could about the antecedents of Riley and the rest of the young men at Lowell House.

They finished eating and stood up to leave; they both had classes to attend. Agreeing to meet the next day for lunch, they parted company. Buffy hurried back to her dorm room to gather her books and papers for her next class but found her thoughts turning to Spike. She wondered what he was doing right now. Watching television? Staring off into space tied to the chair? She hadn't tied him up the last couple of nights and Giles had not objected, so he was probably free doing whatever he could to irritate Giles. Buffy smiled to herself. Whatever else you had to say about Spike, he was a champion irritator.

***

Buffy went over to Giles' after she and Willow had eaten an early dinner. Willow was going to spend some time in the library working on a report for one of her classes so Buffy decided to fill Giles in on what she had learned about Riley. Plus she wanted to see Spike.

Entering the townhouse, she was surprised to see both men seated at the table pouring over books. Spike immediately closed the book he was reading and jumped up. "Slayer, glad you're finally here. Watcher threatened to stake me unless I helped him with his boring research. Man's a worse torturer than Angelus."

Giles glared at the vampire but chose to ignore him. "I hope you plan on taking him with you tonight, Buffy. A few hours away from his company would be most welcome."

Buffy grinned at her Watcher but took pity on him. "Okay, Giles. Since I don't need to worry about following the commandos anymore, we can just dodge them if we see them. Spike can watch me fight demons and shout out useless commentary. That should keep him entertained."

Spike smirked at her and went to the door. "Well come on, let's go then," he said eagerly.

"Uh, Spike? Not dark yet so unless you want to burst into flame, I suggest we wait a little while longer before we go out on patrol."

Looking disappointed, Spike moved back into the room and sank bonelessly onto the couch.

"Well, I made first contact with the subject," Buffy told Giles. At his confused look, she added, "You know, Riley. Thought I'd try some secret agent speak," she grinned.

"Buffy, you don't seem to be taking this seriously," Giles commented. "I hope I don't need to remind you that this is not a game. These people could be extremely dangerous. Please use caution."

Buffy sighed and sat down in the chair Spike had vacated. "Giles, I know how serious this is. In fact, I found out today that Mr. Finn seems to have very deep waters. On the plus side, I'm pretty sure that he thinks I'm just a regular dumb-blonde coed. So, advantage me."

Spike took this conversation in without comment, but he was not happy. No matter what Buffy said, he knew how tricky bad guys could be. He was a bad guy. He just hoped that Buffy took Giles' advice and kept her wits about her.

Chapter 9

An hour later, Buffy and Spike left for patrol. Spike was uncharacteristically quiet as they headed for the nearest cemetery. Buffy glanced at him from the corner of her eye and then decided to take the bull by the horns. "Okay, Spike, spill it," she demanded.

"Don't know what you're talking about, Slayer," Spike insisted.

"Bullshit," she snorted. "You're practically turning inside out trying to keep your mouth shut. Just say whatever it is that's bugging you."

"Okay, I'll tell you," he said. Stopping her he took her gently by the arms and turned her to face him. "I'm scared for you, Buffy. What if you make a mistake while you're sneaking about there? If they find out you're trying to sniff out information about them, they could hurt you. And I know you, Buffy. They're human so you'll pull your punches. I don't give them the same credit. I saw how they treated Willow."

Closing his eyes, he enfolded her in his arms. "I just don't want anything happening to you, Buffy."

Buffy wrapped her arms around him, returning his embrace. "Spike, I promise I'll be very careful." Pulling back, she added, "And I promise I won't sleep with Riley Finn."

Lowering his head to hers and giving her a passionate kiss, he growled, "Better not, Slayer. Because no matter how much it hurts, I'll drain him dry if you do."

***

The three Noitami demons appeared from out of nowhere and attacked all at once. Buffy was hard pressed. Noitame weren't particularly fast, but they were large and strong. Spike did his best to stay out of Buffy's way and to try and distract the demons. His frustration mounted as he saw Buffy being beaten back again and again. When one of the demons grabbed Buffy in a tight clinch, holding her immobile, Spike reached up, took hold of its head and gave a strong twist. The demon's neck broke with a resounding snap and Spike grabbed his head in anticipation of pain.

There was none.

Standing upright again, he realized that whatever had been done to him did not extend to demons. Voicing a great victory growl, he vamped out and joined Buffy in the battle.

Side by side the two fought. Buffy was surprised and then pleased to see Spike joining her. Now that her life was no longer in danger she eased off, enjoying the fight. As if thinking with one brain, vampire and slayer terminated their opponents at the same time.

Standing back and looking at the slowly dissolving corpses, Buffy grinned. Eyes shining, she turned to Spike and looked at him. Spike returned her heated gaze with one of his own. Once again moving in concert, they fell into each other's arms, kissing, groping, grinding together.

Pushing Spike back, Buffy gasped, "Not here, not out in the open, someplace else, someplace private."

Looking around, Spike spotted a crypt nearby. Grabbing Buffy's hand he dragged her towards it. Without breaking stride, Spike lifted his foot and kicked in the door. Pulling Buffy in after him, he pushed the door closed with his back and drew her up against him.

Buffy was aflame. Hands on either side of his head, she kissed him wildly, wrapping her tongue around his sucking it into her mouth, grinding her hips against him. Spike groaned, grabbing Buffy's ass and pulling her hard against him.

"In you now. Must get in you now, Buffy, please," he gasped out. Buffy's shaking hands reached down to his belt buckle undoing it and then unfastening the button on his jeans. The zip went down and Buffy's head followed. Taking him into her mouth, she sucked and licked, twisting her tongue around the head and dipping its tip into the slit at the top of his penis tasting the salty droplet there. Spike moaned out his pleasure, hands wrapped in her hair. His hips began thrusting as she once again fully engulfed him and then moved her mouth lower to suck his balls, her small hand wrapping around him and pumping slowly. He knew he was getting close, but he wanted to come inside her passage, not her mouth. Reaching down, he hauled her up. He had spotted a sarcophagus when they first entered. Pushing her over to it he lifted her up on top of the lid, pulled down her pants, spread her legs and mounted her. Their coupling was intense and wild. He thrust into her harder and harder while she bucked under him in answering rhythm. Screaming in unison, they came at the same time, Spike filling her with his come as her walls clenched tightly around him.

Lying wrapped in each other's arms they relaxed for a bit and then began kissing again, rebuilding the passion they had just cooled. When Spike began moving in her again, Buffy nearly cried in pleasure. They climaxed again, and then a third time and then a fourth. At last, totally spent, they rested.

***

After cleaning up in a public restroom, they returned to Giles' place. Buffy was eager to inform her Watcher about their discovery that Spike could fight demons. Giles however was concerned. "Are you sure it's just demons he can attack now Buffy? Perhaps whatever was done to him has reversed itself and he can now attack anything he likes."

Buffy and Spike had not even considered this. They had assumed when he bit her that he had been able to because it was a love bite and not an attack. Looking at each other in concern, they knew what they had to do. Bracing herself slightly, Buffy nodded to Spike. Pulling back his arm, he lashed forward with a quick punch. Buffy yelped in pain, but Spike screamed in agony. Buffy had no doubt; he was still unable to hurt humans.

***

The next afternoon, Buffy kept her lunch date with Riley. In a way, she felt bad for leading what appeared to be a nice, regular young man on. But if he really were part of the organization that had operated on Spike, then she needed to know. Specifically, she wanted to know exactly what had been done to Spike and what its long-term effects would be.

Buffy hadn't said anything to him, but she was as worried about Spike as he was about her. What if he had a ticking time bomb in his head? What, if anything, could they do about it? All she knew for sure was that she didn't want anything to happen to Spike.

Their conversation was as mundane today as it had been yesterday. In a way Buffy found it frustrating, but she knew that she had to play it cool, come over all innocent and wide-eyed. Acting as if she were completely enthralled that a grad student would deign to even notice her, Buffy gradually spun her web around him. By the end of the meal, she had a standing lunch date with him and the promise of a movie for Friday night.

***

Willow had been busy over the last couple of days herself. Using hacking skills that could easily get her arrested, she was able to find out just about everything of importance about Riley Finn... except where he had been for the two year period prior to his appearance in Sunnydale.

According to the records she had dug up, he had been born on March 25, 1975 in Ottumwa, Iowa (home of Radar O'Reilly), graduated from Ottumwa High School (home of the Bulldogs) in 1993 and attended the
University of Iowa (go Hawkeyes) where he had graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology in 1997. After his college matriculation however, Willow lost track of him. Nothing appeared about him anywhere. After 22 years of a very accessible life, he disappeared. Then in the fall of 1999, he resurfaced as a grad student at UC Sunnydale, moved into Lowell House and became Mama Walsh's very favorite boy.

Lowell House had presented another compelling mystery. Built in 1995, the site upon which it stood had originally been excavated for the new computer lab. However, for some reason which Willow could never really get the gist of, once the foundation had been dug, the computer lab site was moved to its present location across campus from Lowell House. The original foundation had been huge, much larger than the area now occupied by the fraternity house. It certainly made one wonder.

Chapter 10

Willow presented her information that evening at the Scooby meeting held at Giles'. Xander had brought pizza as his contribution and had scowled at Spike when the vampire had helped himself to a large slice. However, by now the gang was used to Spike's unusual eating habits and no comment was made.

Giles looked with interest at the documentation Willow had supplied. Removing his glasses, he looked at the young witch. "Excellent work, Willow," he praised. Willow glowed at his approval.

"So what are you thinking, Rupert?" Spike asked. "The head of the snake under that frat house?"

"Yes, I think that a very apt way to put it, Spike," Giles agreed reluctantly. For some reason, it always surprised and unnerved him when Spike made an astute observation. He had to keep reminding himself that Spike hid a sharp intelligence behind a façade of rough talk and punk looks.

"So," Buffy was saying, "I'm not just looking for info when I finally get invited back to Lowell House, I'm also looking for a way into the main facility. Is that right?"

Spike and Giles traded concerned looks. "Buffy, I do wish you would let this go," Giles said. "I'm sure we can come up with the information we need through Willow's research. You don't need to put yourself into the lion's den in this manner."

"Giles, I appreciate your concern for me," Buffy answered,"but do you really think that Willow is going to find out about a secret government research facility on the 'net? She couldn't even find out why the location of the computer lab was moved."

Standing up and pacing she continued, "I'm not sure why, but I keep getting the feeling that we're running out of time. Sometimes it feels like all the hairs on my arms are standing straight up like I'm surrounded by static electricity. I need to know what's going on and I need to know soon."

Giles opened his mouth to protest once again, but then shut it without saying a word. He had voiced his concern over and over. Buffy was well aware of the risks. Just as she was aware of the risks every time she went out on patrol or faced another apocalypse. She was The Slayer. He would allow her to do her job.

***

Buffy and Spike left for patrol, but on their way they stopped at the local discount store and bought some supplies. Returning to the cemetery they had been in last night, they headed straight for the crypt where they had made love. The grounds department had already fixed the broken door, but Spike simply picked the lock and opened the door. Setting down their packages, they first dug out candles and oil lamps. Placing these around the crypt they soon had enough light to make out the interior. It was surprisingly spacious. While Spike dusted and wiped things down, Buffy swept and filled a garbage bag full of the detritus lying about on the floor. After carefully cleaning the top of the sarcophagus, Spike removed sheets, blankets and a pillow and made up a bed.

Completing his task he began to explore more closely and Buffy heard him grunt. Turning, she couldn't see him at first but after walking around to the other side of the sarcophagus, she saw him peering down into a hole revealed by a now opened trapdoor.

"What'd ya find?" she asked curiously. Spike glanced up at her with a pleased smile on his face.

"God, you just gotta love Sunnydale, y'know? Looks like an underground passage here. I'm going down to check it out. Hand me the torch, will you, pet?"

Jumping down, Spike turned on the flashlight and looked around. Buffy watched from the top floor as he disappeared further into the lower area. After about 5 minutes she began to worry and was just ready to call out when she saw his light returning. With a quick "Heads up, pet," Spike tossed the flashlight back up to Buffy and then followed with a cat-like leap. Brushing dirt and cobwebs from his clothing he told her, "Y'know, pet. I think this will be a good place for me to move into when I leave Giles'. There's water pipes and electrical conduits passin' through a tunnel down there. I can tap into that. Make this place right cozy. Get one of them little fridge's like you and Red have, a TV, make a nice little shower. Yeah, this'll make me a fine home."

Buffy was less enthusiastic. As a temporary trysting place, the crypt had its, well, lack of charm. As Spike's home? Buffy wasn't thrilled. But really, where else could he live? With her and Joyce on Revello Drive? A world of no on that. Buffy was still hoping that this - thing - between them would burn out soon. Trouble was, so far there was no sign of it. Every time she saw him after being away from him, she had to keep tight control so that she didn't fly into his arms.

For his part, Spike was awash in a sea of plans. Put the TV there, fridge there, maybe a couch or a couple of chairs...no, a couch so that he and Buffy could have a cuddle while they watched TV together. Maybe once he got that lower area cleaned up and a ladder put in he could fix that up like a proper bedroom. Better for Buffy than shaggin' on a hard sarcophagus.

He was so lost in his own thoughts that Buffy finally had to punch him on the arm to get his attention. "Hey, Earth to Spike!"

"Ow, what the bloody hell was that for, Slayer?" the offended vampire asked.

"I've asked you five times now if you're ready to go on patrol," Buffy exclaimed.

"Yeah, I guess," Spike replied slowly. Then, "Don't you want to break in our new bed?"

Buffy looked down at herself. She was covered in dirt, she was sweaty and she was definitely not feeling sexy.

"You look beautiful to me, Slayer," came Spike's deep caramel voice correctly reading her thoughts. Chills went right down her stomach and into her crotch. How the hell did he do that?!

Turning before she changed her mind, Buffy left the crypt.

***

The next two days proved extremely frustrating for Spike. Buffy met him for patrol, but that was it. She had a big exam coming up that Friday and she insisted that she needed time to study. So the freshly cleaned crypt was left temporarily abandoned.

On Friday night, Buffy and Riley had their first date. Dinner and a movie. Spike was in an agony of jealousy and fear. What if she really liked this git? She hadn't wanted to sleep with him for the past three nights. What if she did go to bed with this Riley Finn? Spike would kill him. And then her. And then him again.

Giles had already gone to bed and Spike was morosely watching TV when a quiet knock sounded on the door. Getting up to answer it, Spike realized who it was halfway to the door. Quickening his pace to almost a run, he pulled the door open to see Buffy standing there looking beautiful in a pale blue si lk blouse and dark blue skirt. Sandals on her feet showed off her pretty toes and slender ankles. Spike was immediately hard.

"Let's go," was all Buffy said. He closed the door behind him and followed her down the street and towards the cemetery. He reached out and took her hand halfway there and Buffy turned and smashed her mouth to his. After that they practically ran to their crypt. Spike's hands were shaking while he worked the lock pick and it took longer than it should have to get it open. He was tempted to just break the bloody door down again, but he didn't want the groundskeepers to find their little nest. At last it was opened, and they entered and pushed the door shut with a resounding slam.

When Spike turned to take her into his arms, she leaped upon him, wrapping her legs around his waist and kissing him passionately. "God I want you, Spike. Hurry please." Buffy was gasping.

Spike didn't have to be asked twice. Carrying her over to their makeshift bed, he laid her on it and then crawled between her thighs. Kissing her, he moved his hand down and pushed up her skirt. Trailing his fingers up her thigh, he found the end of her thong and pushed a finger inside. She was already swollen and wet for him. Thrusting into her, she bucked against him, making the little sounds in her throat that drove him wild. Pulling away from her, he released his cock, pushed her panty aside again, and entered her. Buffy wrapped her legs tightly around Spike and met his thrusts. Reaching down her hand, she played with his balls as they beat against her. Spike screamed and came.

He collapsed on top of her, vaguely aware that he hadn't yet satisfied her, but too drained to move. But he was a vampire and vampires recovered quickly. As Buffy petted him and told him how wonderful he was, he began to move in her once again. This time, Buffy came first.