Life of Fire, Heat, Desire- Part 12 of 100 yrs of Solitude (Races condemned to 100 yrs of solitude do not get a second opportunity on earth)

By: Isabelle

-Disclaimers: Title belongs entirely to Gabriel Garcia Marquez--just borrowing it for the sake of the story. Buffy, Spike, Whistler and all the memories belong to Joss and his crew. All other characters are entirely mine. Lyrics belong to Leanne Rimmes and are being used without permission.

-Summary: Series set 100 yrs after "The Gift," Season five finale. This is part AU and futuristic. Spike has been alive for 100 hundred years after Buffy's death. Whistler comes to him to let him know that Buffy has been summoned to fight a new evil. Therefore she will be brought back to life and needs a "guide". When Buffy wakes she finds that the only one to cling to is the only person left from her past. This is a B/S fiction.

-Rating: Overall rating of series is R. (Language , Sexual Content and Violence)

-Spoilers: I will mention everything that has happened through "The Gift".

-Distribution: The only people that have permission to post these series are those who already archive my fic and have asked me for permission. If you want to post it please ask me. I'll be happy to let you. I just want to know where my fic goes.

-Author's Note: I adore Feedback, so please let me know what you think of the story so far! bih80reviews@yahoo.com

-Special Thanks: Nmissi and Wendy for BETA reading this and their awesome feedback, Karla for listening to me rant, and One Good Day group--may you be blessed with many chocolate covered naked Spikes! Thanks for all the reviews!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Look at the sky
Tell me what do you see
Just close your eyes
And describe it to me

Her heart felt heavy as they said their goodbyes. Something wasn't right--perhaps Spike was right and they had to get out of here as soon as possible. She hated to put these people's lives in danger. It wasn't right. The sun was setting slowly leaving a warm orange glow on the earth

She loved the sun. But it was so rare here in the future, only for a little while she was happy to see its rays.

Sammy had taken both warriors to retrieve some weapons after the fantastic dinner that even Spike had to admit was wonderful.

The guiso had indeed left them satisfied and content.

Buffy kissed Risa's cheek, learning the custom, as she said goodbye to the older woman. She could see Spike, from the corner of her eye, prying Vanessa from his neck so he could say goodbye to Junior.

He squatted before the young boy.

"When will you be back?" he asked.

"Soon, I promise." Spike says, tousling the boy's brown hair.

"That's what you said last time." he replied sadly.

"Listen, keep this," he said handing him a coin.

"What is it?" Junior replied in wonder.

"It's a 2005, special edition United States quarter. It's the state of California, were the original Scooby Gang came form."

"Wow," the young boy said in wonder, as he stared at the old currency.

"You keep that and remember that I'll always come back."

Junior looked at him with sparkling green eyes and hugged the vampire with all his strength. "You're my favorite hero."

Spike was taken back by his comment. He knew he was no hero, mostly selfish at times. Treating the woman that he loved...loved? He pondered this thought as he hugged the boy back. His brain raced at full speed as he processed the information he had just admitted to himself.

This young child thought him a hero, when he really wasn't living up to his end of the bargain. His heart felt heavy. He had never felt more like Angel, in the old days, than he did at this moment.

As he pulled back Spike stood and patted Junior's head. "You take care of your family--you're a big boy now. I expect nothing else."

Junior saluted and smiled. "Yes sir!"

"Good," he said, nodding and turned to Val who was sitting on the porch swing with her ankle wrapped in gauze.

"Don't give him false hopes, Spike," she said as he approached.

He smiled at her. "Don't believe I'll be back, pet?"

"No, not really," she said smiling. "Well, at least not for a couple of years."

"It's going to be different now," He said, kneeling before the girl.

"Good," she said lightly, "Take care of her, vampire. Don't make me come up there and beat you senseless."

Spike smiled at her spark and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. Feeling her tense under him he pulled back quickly and stood up even faster.

"See you then," he said as he turned towards Buffy who was waiting by the Dukati.

"Ride carefully, William," Risa said as she put her arm around Junior.

"Yes, this baby can reach 200 easily. Just remember to be careful," Sammy said studying the motorcycle that was going to be used for their transport. Spike had left it in Sammy's garage the last time he came. The bike was a one of a kind, fully modified with all the extras and ready to be tested with all the additions Sammy had installed in his free time.

"Don't worry 'bout it. I'm a careful driver," Spike said, taking one of the black helmets and handing the other to Buffy who had a sulky statement.

"What's wrong, pet?" he asked her as he adjusted the helmet on his head.

"Isn't this dangerous?" she asked referring to the bike.

"Yup," he replied and straddled the seat.

"Why don't we get a car?" she asked hopefully.

"Just hold on, pet. The danger's half the fun," he said, smirking under the black visor.

She sighed and placed her own helmet on, adjusting it to her smaller head. Straddling the bike she tentatively wrapped her arms tight around him.

His gloved hand went over hers and he looked back at her. "Hold on tight." he warned her.

She gulped pressing her chest fully on his back as she wrapped her arms tight arms tight around him.

He smiled. Feeling her heaving breasts at his back was not bad, not bad at all.

Saluting to Sammy he turned on the bike and within two seconds they were speeding off into the sunset.

The heavens are sparkling
With starlight tonight
That's what I see
Through your eyes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The breeze hit her face with a gentle yet firm caress, as she marveled at the beauty of the coast. Spike had taken a back way just in case they were being followed.

They were traveling next to a small mountain that had a small highway coiled around it, as the sun set in the ocean next to them. This was rare. Here she was on motorcycle , in an exotic country, riding into the sunset with a man she, well, she respected and admired for what he had become.

The thought made her tighten her hold on him unconsciously.

At the feel of her light squeeze, Spike's hand went out and wrapped firmly around her smaller ones, relishing the warmth that went through his gloved hand.

Buffy relaxed against his muscled back, savoring in the feel of comfort and security. She would have never thought--not in a million years--that she would be enjoying this quiet time with Spike.

I see the heavens
Each time that you smile
I hear your heartbeat
Just go on for miles

The ride wasn't long they were long. They were soon past the rural part of the country and into the urbanized area of Bogotá. There weren't many people outside. Most knew to take cover in a safe place when the threat of the night came. Riding through the streets of Bogotá, Spike stopped in front of a rather expensive looking building.

Extracting a remote-like object from his coat he pointed it at the base of the building. Buffy watched wide-eyed as the bottom part opened to reveal a secret garage entrance.

"Doors come and go so quickly here." she murmured under her breath.

Once they were inside Buffy jumped off the bike and stretched her sore muscles.

"You ok?" he asked her as he removed his helmet. She nodded under hers.

When she began to pull at the straps, she choked herself instead of undoing them.

Spike moved rapidly and within seconds had Buffy free of her helmet, letting her long blonde hair cascade to her shoulders.

"Thanks." she murmured as she raked her hand through her tousled hair. He took both helmets and secured them on the bike before turning to close the hidden garage door.

"C'mon," He said, opening a door to the inside of the building. She gladly followed him out of the dark garage and onto an elevator. Quickly he pressed the up button and the door answered by closing.

Fifteen flights later the doors opened to a well decorated white hall. A mirror faced them as the elevator doors opened and she was startled to find only herself looking back.

She cursed herself internally. She could easily forget that the man with her was a vampire. A creature of the night who cheated the rules of fate by wearing a ring.

Following him down the hall they came upon a large tinted glass door that Spike unlocked by pressing his thumb on a scanner.

"Welcome, Mr. Rawlings. Make yourself at home."

Spike winced at the electronic reply. He had forgotten about that.

A small smile played on Buffy's mouth "Rawlings?" she asked amused.

"William Rawlings." he murmured as they went through the door.

It closed automatically behind them, and again Spike pressed his thumb on the interior scanner to lock it.

Buffy turned her attention to the penthouse. It looked like it had fallen out of an interior decorator's magazine. The furniture and walls were of neutral colors of white, cream, eggshell, light browns, and light olives. It looked nothing like she would have imagined it to look.

The color scheme gave it a more elegant look, as if you wouldn't dare touch anything.

Spike smiled as she inspected the apartment. He really didn't like this place and had considered giving it to Val when she got married. He felt it was too impersonal-- nothing here told anyone it belonged to him.

"Like?" he asked her as he took off his leather coat and gloves. She turned to him and almost smiled. "It looks nothing like you." she said.

"I know." he agreed. "Just a place to crash while I'm 'ere."

"As far as places to crash goes, it's really not that bad," she said looking over an abstract painting hanging on the hall of the foyer.

"Let me show you to your room." he responded and went past her to the living room, which had a window for a wall.

"Good thing you have that ring. It seems to me you have a thing for windows," she said, indicating the expansive night sky.

"Well I am also protected by a spell." he responded going down the hall to where the two bedrooms were located.

"A spell?" she asked, interested, as she followed him.

"Yeah," he said over his shoulder. "The powers gave me a two minute warning, you know, if I'm caught in the line of fire."

"So you have two minutes before you combust if you don't have the ring?"

"Somethin' like that." he stopped in front of the first door and opened it. "There's only one bathroom, and that's in my bedroom so feel free to use it."

She nodded and entered her room. It was not as big as the one in Spain, or the one at Sammy's but it was large with a full bed in the middle of the room and a single large window.

"I'll be in my room, in case you need anything. There's no food in the fridge so when you get hungry let me know. We'll go out and get something. Telly's on the living room, plenty of tapes, so feel free to roam. I've gotta make some phone calls so....."

She stared at him. "Thank you." She came closer and he felt her heat radiate towards him. "I hate to be a bother, you know, taking me every where and..."

"You're not a bother, Buffy."

She stared at him, his blue eyes trying to dodge her gaze. He had just called her Buffy.

"It's good to have company for once," he said ducking his head and shifting his feet.

She smiled as she saw the traces of the Spike she had left behind so long ago.

He hated himself for shrinking like this in front of her. Hated her even more for making him like this.

"I know what it's like to feel alone," she said sadly as she sat on her white bed.

"No, you don't. You've always had your mates to hover all over you like a prized possession. Had your mum', and nibblet, the watcher, and the Scoobies to help you out. You've never been alone so stop the pitiful tirade."

She smiled up at him. "But who do I have now. Here you're with me now but who am I going to be with in a week, when your work with me is done?"

He swallowed hard at her words. Walking towards her he placed his coat on top of her bed and knelt before her.

She felt her cheeks turn light pink under his intense gaze. "Still afraid of being alone?" he asked her.

His hand fell on top of her tightly clenched ones.

"Aren't you?" she counter-replied.

"Not afraid," he said almost indignant.

She scowled at him. "Yes, you are. You just hide it better than me."

"Yeah, well I also admit things better than you."

Buffy almost jumped to reply but a cool white finger pressed lightly against her parted lips.

"Shh" he whispered. Their eyes locked as she could feel herself drowning in his gaze, his eyes dark blue darkened in seconds.

"One day at a time." he said. "When tomorrow comes, you'll know what to do then."

She shivered against the coolness of his skin pressed against her heated flesh.

And suddenly I know
My life is worth while
That's what I see
Through your eyes

He felt her desire rise, and panic hit him like a truck as he stood abruptly, breaking the moment.

Grabbing his coat he hastily trotted to the door. "I'll be in my room in case you need me."

As he closed the door behind him, all trace of him left her. All of him except the still burning feel of his finger against her lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike paced his room, back and forth until he was almost dizzy with his own motion sickness. Sighing he sat on the edge of his bed, shoulders slumped with a defeated look on his face.

He was in love with her again.

Damn. He cursed himself. It didn't take a scientist to figure that out. There she stood telling him he was the only one she needed. Just like that fateful night so long ago.

"I am counting on you to protect her." She told him, looking more sincere than he had ever seen her.

"'Till the end of the of the world, even if that happens to be tonight." he had answered, puffing his chest with gallant pride. She had understood and accepted his love for both her and her sister.

He shook himself from his brooding and lay on the bed, stretching his sore muscles.

No wonder she was confused. Last time they had talked they were at a friendship level, far gone form the reluctant allies deal, or the stalker-stalkee position. He was with her because he loved her and she had accepted his offer.

Lost in his memories his eyes drifted closed and the exhaustion on his dead body took over his senses.

He felt as if he was floating, on a cloud of some sort. Above civilization, in a surreal way.

He was unafraid, almost expectant, as if he knew something was going to happen. A sharp light flashed before his eyes and the next thing he knew he was in front of a white door with a silver handle.

Tentatively he wondered if the oracle wonder twins had called him to their presence. *Good, been meaning to talk to 'hem blocks for a while.*

As he pushed the door open, her squinted at the bright light in the room, an eerie green light that glowed and hung on the atmosphere. He shivered.

"Hello?" he asked as he entered the room. It was completely empty except for the green glow that hung around him. "Wonder Twins?"

He walked further into the room "No need to intimidate me, mate. Been 'ere before."

Nothing happened. Something was off, his vampiric senses could feel it, crawling on his sin like spider webs. It was an unearthing feelings, almost as if he was being caressed.

Real fear hit him as the green glow started gathering together and forming a shape. A human shape. As it materialized he was ready to hit the door and grab a ride on his cloud but the presence made him freeze in his position.

He watched in horror as the last bits and composites of the glow formed a coalesced into a complete human form. And after seventy years she stood before him.

Dawn.

Her long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, melting onto her white floor-length dress. He gasped. She looked heavenly, too pure for a demon like him to touch.

"Nibblet?" he asked almost scarred that she would disintegrate again.

She smiled at him and held her arms open.

The frozen fear that had held his body in place melted into love for this girl and he rapidly ran to her arms. All of a sudden, she was fourteen again and depending on him for her dear life.

He inhaled her scent as he held her slim well formed body against his. "Oh baby, I've missed you so much." he whispered into her brown locks.

She held him tighter and lightly brushed her hair with her hand. He could have melted right there and then. She was his girl and no one was going to hurt her.

They stood there for what seemed like hours, some of the best moments in his unlife.

But he knew it wasn't real. This was an illusion, an alternative universe, a place of forgetting.

"Spike?" she asked as she pulled back a little. He looked at her wide blue eyes that cried out trust and companionship.

He could only stare at her. She was still beautiful and still glowing with a supernatural green air.

"I've missed you," she said almost in a whisper, her delicate white hands tracing the outlines of his jaw.

"Missed you too, sweet pea." he whispered back, smiling at her shining blue orbs.

"I am happy for you Spike. Take care of her for me. She needs you now, Spike, and you need her." She pressed her head on his chest and he cradled her like he did so many years ago.

He sighed in happiness.

He wrapped his arms tighter around her, relishing in these few moments. "I love you Spike, you know that don't you?"

He nodded and kissed the top of her head. "Love you too, baby."

"Good. Now let my love guide you," she said, pulling back from his embrace "Learn to love again."

Before he knew it she had kissed his cheek and disappeared.

"Dawn!!" he cried out into the empty space. But the cold room laughed at his insanity. "Dawn!!" he half screamed, half sobbed

"Please!!"

"Dawn!!"

He was woken by someone shaking him roughly until his head bobbed back and forth.

"Wake up!"

He opened his eyes in alarm.

"Spike, you ok?"

He focused to find Buffy staring at him with concerned eyes. His first instincts was to brush her away, but the memories of his dream floated into his thoughts. From depts. he couldn't control he chocked back a sob. He had lost his little girl again.

Buffy was startled as the half naked man in front of her crumbled into shaking sobs. She had heard him screaming her sister's name and had rushed in to find him sweating and writhing in emotional pain.

Without thinking twice she wrapped her thin strong arms around the vampire whose face was buried in his hands and started to shush his troubles and pain.

The more she comforted him the more he cried. The gut-wrenching sobs echoed in the large room, and Buffy winced as it got worse and worse.

She didn't know how long she held him, nor how long he cried, but when she felt his sobs turn turn into whimpers, she laid him back down on his bed. Spike curled himself into a ball and Buffy reacted by climbing in bed with him and spooning him against her.

She didn't question why she was being compassionate. This man had gone from warmth to coldness in a blink of an eye, but here she was supporting him like he had supported her only days ago on the plane.

Here in the night
I see the sun
Here in the dark
Our two hearts are one

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Spike woke up to find himself uncharacteristically warm. Two soft mounds pressed against his back and little firm hands held his waist.

He felt the tickling sensation of long soft hair on his neck, and he knew something was off.

He stirred to wake but found that his eyes were burning and dry.

His movements woke her immediately. Propping herself up on an elbow she pulled his back down.

He blinked, but the dryness in his eyes was preventing him from opening his eyes.

"Need drops?" Buffy asked him.

"Bathroom, bottom drawer." he responded, almost ashamed that he had presented such a spectacle in front of her.

He felt her rise from the bed and it took only seconds for her to come back. She pressed on his forehead so he would lean back an with her fingers opened his right lid.

Spike felt complete relief as the water droplet moistened the dryness and was even more grateful when he was able to blink both eyes.

"Better?" she asked.

He looked up at her, her hair lightly cascading over his face, brushing his lips lightly.

"Yeah," he said.

"Bad dream?" she asked concerned.

He closed his eyes, remembering the feel of Dawn in his arms.

"No a good dream,...too good to wake up." he sighed at the memories.

Surprising him, she lowered herself until her head rested on his bare chest. After a moment of awkward silence he cradled her to him pressing their bodies together.

"Was it about Dawn?" she asked.

He looked down to her head and swallowed, remembering the girl's words.

"Yup, lil' bit likes to torment me in dreams," he said softly.

Buffy smiled remembering how annoying she had once considered her little sister.

"Tell me a story." she replied softly.

Spike stiffened with confusion--that and trying to ignore that she was cradled against his bare chest. Her breath tickled his nipples lightly.

It's out of our hands
We can't stop what we have begun
And love just took me by surprise
Looking through your eyes

"A story?" he asked amused.

"About my friends, you know, after I..."

"Died?" he finished for her.

He let her process and accept that her friends, though pained over her death, had gone on with their lives.

"Yeah."

He sighed and brought the thick quilt around her body as she snuggle closer to him. For some reason the coolness from his body warmed her with familiarity. It was beyond her; Why was she in bed with him? Why was she bonding? Why was she being nice?

Her thoughts were interrupted as he shifted to make them more comfortable.

"Ok, well..." he began "There was this one time, 'bout when Dawn was seventeen. Was she seventeen?...Yeah she was, I remember she was all giddy 'bout her graduating. So anyways she had a big date with this bloke named Marcus. I didn't particularly like the whelp, he was a bit skirmish--if you know what I mean--so anyways, the Wiccas were fusing over what she going to wear. Anya was introducing her to the world of contraceptives while I protested wildly in the background. Giles was just a mass of nerves and Xander was in denial, still saying that she was in love with him--not a quivering 17yr old. So when 'the day' came and the poor bloke showed up, he wished he had picked a different girl. I mean think 'bout it. Two powerful witches, an ex-demon, a former Ripper, a Zeppo, and a vampire who claimed protection over 'their. She nearly died of embarrassment as we barked at the kid for nearly half an hour.

She made me promise not to follow--but I followed anyways. I thought I was alone until I realized all the Scoobies followed her also. We thought we where being squeaky, all quiet and in the bushes, but lil' bit had grown up in the battle field. She spotted us and was madder than a bull. She confronted us accusing us of not trusting her, and we were guilty as charged. So that's the moments a giant spider decides to attack the high school hangout. So Scoobies to the rescue and by the time we kill it, Dawn was completely mortified. The bloke Marcus never called again--broke 'er heart. But me and Harris caught up to 'im and showed him how to treat a lady." He smiled reliving the memory.

He was thrown back to the present by the wet feel of her tears on his bare chest. "Pet?"

He pulled her head back and she looked at him with a smile and tears. "That must have been wonderful. I wish I could have..."

She couldn't go on, not being there with her friends, with her sister on her big day. It was a hard blow on the gut.

He wiped the tear tracks from her cheeks and let himself drown in the sorrow of her eyes. "You were with us. Whenever we fought, there you were--your presence never left us. Why else would we have jumped to save the hormone population of Sunnyhell?"

"I know but I wish that it was really me." she looked back at him. "I am seeing it all through your eyes."

I look at myself
And instead I see us
Whoever I am now,
It feels like enough

Spike's body felt like it was on fire, a fire that swept from his toes to the tips of his bleached hair. He took an unnecessary breath as he watched her mouth descend upon his.

The kiss was light, almost like the last one she had given him. A tight momentary feel and then pulling back. But only this time she stopped and leaned against his forehead.

"Thank you," she whispered.

When he felt her withdraw he was taken back one hundred years to when he had been too badly beaten to grab her and show her what a real kiss was.

So he reached out faster than she could register and sat up on the bed bringing her with him. Before she knew what had happened he had pressed both their bodies together until the space between them couldn't even fit an ant.

Her breath was coming in ragged gasps as she felt his cool skin against hers "Spike.." she mumbled.

Bringing her closer she started to pull away but he held her tighter. "No you don't, Summers. I am going to kiss you, whether you like it or not. And you're going to like it. 'Cause none of your wankers have kissed you like I will."

Drowning in his intense blue eyes she parted her lips slightly as he descended on her mouth. The kiss was not an invitation--it was demanding, forceful, and lustful.

It made her want to scream and to cry, to laugh and run, to hide and deny. It felt like burning ice, cooling her tongue with his forceful and welcomed entrance. She moaned into him as his tongue traced the ridges of her gums. The intensity was so devastatingly good that she had no idea what to do with her hands. She felt limp and exhausted, as if she just reached her climax and was covered with the afterglow of passion. It left her breathless and unsure of her own name.

When he pulled back he still held her just as tightly. But she was lost, dancing in lands she had never seen, she was free and happy. Too happy and sated to open her eyes, she just hung on to him as if she might faint if he let her go. She felt deliciously completed. The feel of just one kiss had reduced her to a whimpering mess. She had no idea who she was or what she was doing there. All she knew it that is felt too good to ever finish.

His voice broke into her thoughts as the whispers of sweet lips touched her nose. "That...was a real kiss."

He stared at her in wonder. The girl was completely gone. He would try to bring her back with another kiss, but he was afraid he might never find her.

"Look at me, Buffy." he whispered harshly yet tenderly.

Her eyelids fluttered open as she was forced to recover.

"Mmmm?" she mumbled.

He held her tighter. "What's wrong, luv? Never been kissed like that?" he asked amused and quite proud of his technique.

All she could do was shake her head and look at him in wonder through her hooded lids.

"Listen to me, Buffy. I am not playing games. So if it's games you're seeking there's the door, you're free to leave. This is real, I've waited for you longer than I've ever waited for anyone, and I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. I am the only man you'll ever met who understands you and loves you for all that you are. I admire you and figure we have always belonged together.

Been waiting for you to grow up and forget my ponce of a sire, and to admit that Captain Cardboard meant shit.
So here I am, Buffy, kissing you and loving you. I am just a man who loves a woman who claims she hates him. I am just a vampire denying my instincts for a slayer who kills my kind. I am soulless through and through and I am not ashamed. And I will love you until the day you die and a hundred years after that that, because whether you know it or not, whether you did it on purpose or not you made me human once again, gave me a soul when you trusted me, and killed me when you died."

Buffy trembled under his words. They had shocked her and shock her to the core. She was more than grateful that he was holding her because she would have surely fallen off the bed. Still dizzy from that thing he called a kiss and clouded by his words she stared at his sharp features trembling in need. He was asking her a question. A question too hard to handle, a question she had refused to explore. He was asking her for her love, and she was not sure that was what she felt.

"I...I. Spike I don't know what I want. You have a tendency to throw things at me that leave me confused and off course. Last time you told me you loved me it came out of no where. Now you tell me you love me and hours ago you were indifferent. I don't understand you. I don't know what to think. I don't know what to think about you. And my brain is not working at the moment. It went on Spike-break." she leaned closer until their lips were almost touching. "More." she whispered.

He stared at her cloudy lust-filled eyes. She wanted pleasure, and he wanted love and compromise. When had he come to care about the cuddling instead of the fucking? He had no idea, but one thing was for sure. This was not the way he wanted her. When the time was right he would get her, and have her the way he had always wanted.

And I see a girl
Who is learning to trust
That's who I see
Through your eyes

Buffy's lids almost drifted close as she waited for his mouth. But it never came, and she focused on what was happening instead of the lake between her legs.

He was studying her face intently, drinking in all her planes.

"No, I don't think I'll kiss you again." he said harshly. "If you ever want me to kiss you, you're going to have to say that you love me and mean it. Nothing more, nothing less."

Her eyes grew wide with shock and disbelief. How could he...How dare he!! She was the one supposed to turn him away, to make him feel like dirt. Not him to her.

"That is something, Spike, that you'll never hear me say." she said harshly, pulling back from his embrace.

"Then I am prepared to take the consequences. Question is : can you?"

"Can I what?" she said icily.

"Take on the consequences." he said almost smirking as he stood from the bed. She watched him wide eyed as he stood, proud of who he was. Chest bare, muscles ripe and glistening.

She stood up on shaky legs, seething with anger.

"Take on the consequences? You're the one who is in love here. You just admitted it." she cried pointing at the rumpled bed.

He came closer, fighting with all his self control not to grab her and ravish her. "And you're the one who can't."

"Can't what? What the hell are you talking about?" she said frustrated.

"Admit it." he stated coming way too close for her comfort. His intense blue fiery eyes burning into her.

"Admit what? That I love you? Well I don't, so forget about it."

"The hell you don't. I've seen the way you look at me, Buffy. I am not a child and I am not blind. I can smell your arousal a mile away!!"

She lashed out and punched him, breaking his nose with the blow.

"You are the most disgusting creature I have ever met."

He regained his posture and glared at his bloody hand, then back at her.

"And you love it."

"You're delusional." she spat out.

"And one these days you might even believe your own lies." he responded. Buffy stared at him for a moment and rapidly turned and left.

And there are some things we don't know
Sometimes our heart just needs to go
And there is so much I remember
Underneath the open sky with you forever

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