The way to avoid repeating his previous heartbreaks, Spike reasoned, was to change the pattern of his love life.

The people he usually fell for were lean and attractive, good in a fight, somewhat unpredictable, and kind of scary. All fine enough traits, but Dru and Buffy had also loved Angel first. That - and falling in love so fast - was his problem.

He'd just have to find someone who wasn't in love with Angel and not fall head-over-heels. How hard could it be?

Then Wesley smiled as he walked by, and Spike felt a familiar jolt in his stomach.

Bugger.

~end~