Secrets & Lies

Laughter rang out as the Scooby Gang strolled home from the Bronze, the two couples walking close together while Buffy kept a watchful eye on the shadows around them. They'd been telling Oz about Xander's infatuation with a praying mantis, making sure to elaborate on every embarrassing detail. Buffy enjoyed watching Xander squirm; he'd been getting on her nerves a lot lately. She flipped a stake through her fingers as she walked, her mind wandering back to Spike, as it always did, wondering if he thought about her, if he missed her. Shaking her head, she turned back to the conversation with a question.

"Has anyone noticed that Giles is acting strange lately? He just doesn't seem like himself." She was struck by the irony of her statement. Giles wasn't the only one not himself. Well, at least it would give them someone else besides her to wonder about.

Willow's brow furrowed. "I've noticed. Every time I come into the library, he seems so...jumpy. Well, jumpier than usual, anyway." It bothered her, his distant behavior, as if whatever was troubling him had to do with her. She couldn't think of anything that she might have done to make him act this way.

Oz squeezed her hand, seeing the worry on her face. "Maybe there's some new evil on the horizon. That's always a possibility. You know, geographically speaking."

"That would be nice." Willow looked at them guiltily. "Not that I think evil would be nice, 'cause I don't. Evil is bad...I hate evil. But it would be nice to have a simple explanation for Giles' weirdness."

Buffy stiffened. "Well, it looks like evil is going to rear its ugly head anyway. There are vamps up ahead." She nodded toward the school campus, feeling her spider sense creep down her spine. Excitement coursed through her at the prospect of some action. "Everybody armed?" Without waiting for an answer, Buffy set off for the school, almost skipping with eagerness.

"Heads up, mate. We've got company." He nodded in the direction of the corner, expecting to see her any minute now. From the sound of things, she wasn't alone. Spike wasn't sure if that was a good thing, or just another complication.

"Keep the others from interfering. And no matter what happens, stay out of it."

Buffy rounded the corner and stopped short, the sight of him sitting there leaving her breathless. From behind her came a startled squeak as Willow realized who was sitting on the car.

"Buffy! Th-that's Spike!" Willow tugged on her arm, panic stricken. "As in walking around, no wheelchair, out for revenge Spike!"

Carefully disengaging herself, Buffy tried to calm the hacker. "Relax, Will. Two of them, five of us. And odds are, old Spikey isn't up to his full strength yet." Trying to ignore the pounding of her heart, she slowly walked forward, eyes locked on his.

A cocky grin lit up Spike's face. "Well, well, if it isn't the Slayer. Long time no see." Too fucking long. If I'm not careful, I'll get a bloody hard on and embarrass myself. He sat up and slid gracefully off of the car.

Buffy's eyes were drawn to the planes of his face, the hard lines of his body. The tension in her own body intensified as she stared at the man she loved. And wanted. Wanted desperately, with a hunger whose force never failed to surprise her. Time seemed to stretch on until another squeak from Willow reminded her that they had an audience. Plastering a derisive smirk on her face, she took a step forward, turning her stake casually in her hands.

"Not long enough, Spike," she said, the heat in her eyes belying her words. "Out of the chair, huh? Guess I'll have to do a better job this time around."

Spike laughed, then answered in a silky purr. "Can't keep a good vampire down, luv. I'm looking forward to you trying, though."

The electricity between them crackled in the night air, but only the two of them knew that it was from desire, not animosity. It was all Buffy could do to keep from flinging herself into his arms and ripping off every stitch of his clothing. Anxious for a distraction, she flicked her gaze toward Spike's companion.

"Cute fledgling. Is he yours?"

"Now, now, Slayer. You know I never bite and tell." He ran his eyes up and down her body, lips quirking up in an insolent smile.

Son of a bitch! I'm gonna wipe that smirk right off his face! She knew he needed loyal minions, but it still irritated her. She was supposed to keep him from doing these things and his activities made her feel like a traitor.

The others watched as Slayer and Master vampire traded quips. The two began circling each other, edging away from the group. Spike indicated the stake with a nod of his head.

"Do we really need weapons for this, pet?"

With a feral grin, Buffy tossed the stake aside. "I don't need weapons to kick your ass, Bleach Boy."

Spike laughed sarcastically, moving slowly backward until they were in the middle of the campus lawn. "Oh, I'm scared. You want a piece of me, you'd better come and get it, little girl."

Buffy advanced on him, every muscle coiled tightly and poised to spring. Her body needed release and a fight was almost as good as sex. Almost.

"I've been itching for a good fight all week. Those pathetic vamps you tried to turn weren't much of a challenge."

"Actually, those belonged to Darius. He's quite pissed off at you, by the way. You should know, pet, that when I turn someone, they stay that way." He could see the fire in her eyes and it excited him even more. If he couldn't fuck her, he'd definitely settle for fighting.

Without warning, Buffy spun suddenly, catching him in the face with a perfectly timed kick. His head snapped back, but he recovered quickly, blocking the punch that followed. Grabbing her wrist, Spike tried to pull her close, but she twisted out of his grasp and dropped to the ground, sweeping his legs. He went down hard, rolling away before she could stomp him with her foot. Spike rose fluidly to his feet and they faced off again, sizing each other up for their next move.

The Slayer's friends watched anxiously from the road, crosses in hand, as the two fighters came together in a flurry of kicks and punches, neither one holding anything back. More than two weeks of sexual frustration tried desperately to find an outlet in the violence, but instead of squelching their desire, the fight only served to fan the flames. Each blow was like an electric shock wherever they touched. Their bodies unconsciously sought out closer contact, until their fighting was little more than a wrestling match.

Xander watched impatiently from the sidelines. "What the hell is she doing? Why doesn't she stake his undead ass and be done with it?"

He couldn't understand why Buffy was letting Spike get so close. Or why he felt strangely turned on watching them. His eyes followed their every move, vowing that he'd get past the vamp in front of him and enter the fray himself.

Almost out of control, Spike swept Buffy's legs out from under her and slammed her to the ground, landing between her legs. He stared down into wild eyes that mirrored his own need. He could smell her arousal and his demon edged ever closer to the surface. Pinning her arms above her head, he pressed his painful erection into the junction between her thighs, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from her lips.

"I want to fuck you so badly, Slayer. You have no idea what I've been going through these last couple of weeks." His voice was barely above a growl, the muscle in his cheek twitching as he fought to keep his lust in check.

Buffy gazed up at him hotly, her senses whirling. "Mutual."

With a groan, Spike morphed. Quick as a cobra strike, he nicked her throat with his fangs, neatly lapping up the blood.

The Scooby Gang watched in terror as their friend was pinned helplessly beneath the vampire. Willow screamed as Spike bent his head for what they assumed was a killing blow. As one, they surged forward, ready to stake the fledgling and rush to her aid.

Willow's scream jolted Buffy into action, making her realize that they'd soon be coming to her rescue. "Spike."

He raised his head and looked at her dazedly, licking the blood from his lips.

"Make this look good." She hooked her legs under his and heaved with her lower body, throwing him over her head. She rolled and produced a stake from her sleeve, trying to calm her breathing.

Spike leaped to his feet, snarling. "I thought we said no weapons, pet."

Buffy smiled. "I lied."

"This isn't over, Slayer. Not by a long shot." He made sure that his voice carried so that the others could hear.

"I'm counting on it not being over, Spike. Now get your ass out of here before I change my mind and turn you into dust." She watched as he backed away, letting him get in his car and drive off. With a heavy sigh, she walked toward her friends, still high from the fight and sexual tension.

Xander pounced as soon as she reached them. "What the hell was that? I can't believe you didn't kill him when you had the chance!" He was so angry with her, he almost couldn't see straight.

"I didn't have the chance, it was a close fight." She didn't want to be here anymore. All she wanted to do was go home, take a hot shower, and try to relieve herself, yet again.

Xander grabbed her arm. "Didn't have a chance, my ass! He could have killed you!"

Buffy yanked her arm out of his grasp. "Back off, Xander! That was the best fight I've had in weeks. You have no idea how bored I've been lately. I just needed to let off steam."

Willow reached out and touched Buffy's neck. "You're bleeding, Buffy. He bit you."

Buffy shrugged her off. "It's just a scratch, it's nothing. I'm fine." She looked at the group, unable to take any more of their concern. "I'm going home, okay? I need a shower and some sleep. Do you mind going the rest of the way without me?"

Xander was about to protest when Willow jumped in. She could see how wired Buffy still was, and knew that Xander was about to get royally stomped if she didn't separate them.

"It's fine, Buffy. Go on home. I'll call you tomorrow."

Willow watched as the other girl said a quick goodbye and left, concern furrowing her brow. She wished that there was something she could do, some way to find out what was going on with her friend. With a sigh, she grabbed Oz's hand and turned to go, worried about the friction that seemed to permeate their group lately. She hoped that things would return to normal soon. Whatever that is.

Buffy raced home, adrenaline flowing through her as she ran. Her whole body was on fire, throbbing with unreleased passion. Reaching her house, she climbed through her bedroom window before remembering that her mother was gone for the weekend. Another buying trip. Instead of feeling abandoned, Buffy was relieved. The only person she wanted to see was Spike. He was the only one who could calm the pulsing, burning need that coursed beneath her skin.

Spike swung by the mansion to drop off...Tom? Bill? Steve? Steve, that's it! Turning the car around, he drove as fast as inhumanly possible to the Slayer's house. He was done dicking around with playing it safe. He wanted her and he was going to have her; he didn't give a fuck about the consequences. His hard on had only partially subsided after the fight; now the very thought of her started it surging back to life.

After parking a block away, Spike ran until he found himself standing in her yard. He noted the absence of her mother's jeep, grateful that the woman spent so much time ignoring her daughter. They had two weeks to make up for, and he wouldn't appreciate any interruptions. He quickly climbed the tree and slipped through the open window.

In your room
Where time stands still
Or moves at your will

Buffy turned to see him standing there and froze for the briefest of seconds before launching herself at him. Spike caught her easily as she wrapped her legs around his waist, their mouths hungrily searching and finding, hands ripping at the clothing that seperated them. The buttons flew from her blouse as he wrenched it open, grabbing and tearing her bra between her breasts. Buffy grasped his t-shirt at the collar and yanked, rending it neatly down the middle.

Will you let the morning come soon
Or will you leave me lying here
In your favourite darkness

Moans of frenzied lust echoed in the room as bare skin came together, cold against hot. Spike reached under her skirt and shredded the scrap of fabric covering her mound as Buffy frantically undid the fastening on his jeans, releasing him. He turned, slamming her against the wall as he impaled her on his painfully hard cock. The violence of their fight carried over into their lovemaking as all of the aggression poured itself into every thrust of their bodies.

Your favourite half-light
Your favourite conciousness

"S-P-I-K-E!" Buffy screamed as she felt him pounding into her, clawing at his back and drawing blood.

"FUCK!" As the scent hit him, his face changed, yellow eyes boring into hers. He lowered his head and sucked her nipple into his mouth, biting down. Buffy's hands came up to grip his hair, pressing herself further into his mouth. The orgasm ripped through them both at the same time, suddenly, violently, catching them both by surprise.

Buffy sobbed with relief as she felt his cock surge inside her, echoing her own spasms. Spike continued suckling at her breast, lapping at the drops of blood that dripped from the puncture wound. His fingers gripped her ass, bruising her flesh as they leaned against the wall, trembling from the force of their release. Reluctantly, he pulled away from her breast and looked up into her flushed face.

Your favourite slave

Buffy reached up, stroking his cheek with the back of her hand. His features melted back into his human visage and he brushed his lips across hers tenderly.

"Slayer..." Uncertainty clouded his face- that, and a reluctance to voice his feelings. Buffy understood, feeling overwhelmed by what had just transpired. She kissed him back, softly at first, then with deepening passion as desire for him flared again.

On shaking legs, Spike carefully eased away from the wall and walked toward the bed, still buried deep inside her. He set her down and slowly removed the rest of her clothing. Yanking off his jeans, he joined Buffy on the bed and began worshipping her with his lips and tongue.

In your room
Where souls disappear
Only you exist here

Everything faded away as they lost themselves in each other. Eyes meeting as fingertips grazed sensitive skin. Whispered words of longing between kisses. Now that their first frenzied coupling was over, they moved with infinite slowness, trying to make every touch last an eternity. Spike could feel her all around him, enveloped by her scent, her very essence. He belonged to her; she owned him completely and no amount of time spent apart could change that. It was pointless to try to deny it.

Buffy felt him enter her, slowly, teasingly, filling her inch by inch until he was fully sheathed in her warmth. She tasted the salt of his skin, breathed him in, reveling in that musky scent that was his alone. At that moment, she couldn't imagine anything else, couldn't imagine life beyond this room, this bed - this man, moving inside her with a rhythm as familiar as her own name. Without him, she'd felt as though she would splinter into a million pieces. She needed him to feel whole again...human again.

I'm hanging on your words
Living on your breath
Feeling with your skin
Will I always be here

Spike looked down at her face, wondering what she saw in him, if she saw something that no one else did. Did his feelings show as plainly as hers did? Could she tell how desperately he needed her?

He just wanted to stay inside her forever, surrounded by her softness. Apart from each other, their demons raged and screamed, as though nothing could tame them, two restless spirits searching for peace and only finding it when joined together.

In your room
Your burning eyes
Cause flames to arise

Their passion burned brighter as the friction increased. No longer content to take things slow, their bodies slammed against each other harder and harder as they climbed the peak again. Cries of pleasure pierced the air, punctuated by the sounds of flesh smacking together. Spike laced his fingers in hers, holding Buffy's hands over her head as he drove into her.

Will you let the fire die down soon
Or will I always be here

She arched against him, taking his cock as deep as it would go. Spike's mouth came down on hers as his body began to shake, signalling his impending release. He thrust hard against her sensitive clit until he felt her start to spasm around him. Growling, he poured his seed into Buffy's hot channel, listening to her repeat his name over and over as she rode her own climax. Spike tightened his grip on her hands, trying to hold on as he lost all sense of time and space. He felt her squeezing back, saw his own dazed look mirrored in her eyes, and knew then that he never wanted to let go.

Your favourite passion
Your favourite game
Your favourite mirror Your favorite slave

I'm hanging on your words
Living on your breath
Feeling with your skin
Will I always be here

She was running through the trees, branches catching at her hair, scratching her arms. Her long dress snagged on the forest's undergrowth. Which way? She had to remember - *Oh please, let this be the right path!* Nothing mattered except finding him; she had to reach him before the others. They would kill him...slowly, painfully. Her love, the other half of her soul.

Her heart thudded in her chest as she looked around desperately, trying to get her bearings. No! She screamed her frustration. Everything looked the same! Tears streamed down her face. She'd never reach him in time. He was going to die and it was all her fault. *I'm so sorry, my love, please forgive me!* The sense of hopelessness and despair overwhelmed her.

"SPIKE!" Suddenly awake, Buffy frantically reached out for him. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. Her whole body trembled from the nightmare. It had seemed so real that she almost expected to see the scratches on her arms. Prophecy? Dear God, she hoped not.

"I'm here, luv." He kissed her forehead. "Bad dream?" Her face was wet with tears. He'd just drifted off when she had begun talking in her sleep. In fluent French.

"I was running. They were going to kill you...and I couldn't get there fast enough." Buffy pressed against him as though she were afraid he'd disappear.

"Who's 'they', pet?"

"I-I don't know. I never saw them. I just...knew they were there." The thought of losing him terrified her and she buried her face in his chest, rubbing her cheek against his cool skin.

Spike's arms tightened, his fingers threading through her hair in a comforting motion. Gradually, the shaking ceased and her breathing became regular again.

"You were talking in your sleep. In French. Do you remember?"

Buffy shook her head. "Did I say the cow should touch me from Thursday?"

"What?"

"Never mind. Anyway, I can't speak French. I'm failing French."

Spike shrugged. "Maybe you should have a talk with your teacher, luv. You spoke it well enough a few minutes ago."

"And you understood me? What did I say?"

Spike hesitated. Had she really been dreaming about him? She'd used the word love. Several times. *In for a penny, in for a pound, as Gram always said.*

"You said something about losing your love, your soul - no, the other part of your soul." Her soul? What did that mean? What else had she said? Oh, right. "You said, 'Je regrette, mon amour, je te prie de me pardonner, s'il te plait- I'm sorry, my love, I beg you, please forgive me'...I think. You were talking so bloody fast, I couldn't catch all of it."

She couldn't believe she'd said those things out loud. She'd referred to Spike as 'her love'. And what was that stuff about her soul? *Maybe my subconscious is reacting to all of the research we've been doing. That must be it, but how could I possibly have been speaking French?*

Buffy ran her hand over his chest. "I didn't know you spoke French."

"Before I met Angelus, I was 'involved' with a French whore. And I spent a lot of time in Europe. You tend to pick stuff up here and there." Her hand was drifting lower, moving across his stomach. Spike stifled a groan as he felt himself growing hard again. "Pet..."

Buffy turned her head and licked his nipple. "What time is it?" she murmured.

Looking over at the clock, Spike swore. "Almost four. I'd better-"

"Don't go." She stared up at him, pleading with her eyes. "Stay with me."

"Slayer..." Leaving her bed was the last thing he wanted to do, but stay all day? In the Slayer's house? Within seconds, the decision was made for him.

A warm hand wrapped itself around his cock and began stroking him. Spike growled as Buffy rubbed her thumb over the slit, lubricating him with his own precum. She quickly straddled him, lowering herself onto his waiting shaft. Her lips found his jugular and her tongue flicked over the sensitive skin as she rode him, bringing him close to the edge.

Spike thrust upward mindlessly, his hands cupping her breasts, pinching the nipples between his fingers. *Christ! She never plays fair...the little minx. Lucky me.*

"SLAYER!" She was squeezing him with her muscles, concentrating only on making him come. He slipped his hand between them, fingering her slippery clit.

"Come with me, love. I need to feel you..." He wanted to feel her come, loved the way she tightened around him when she found her release.

Her breath quickened as she rocked against him, driving the nightmare from her mind the only way she knew how. With his touch.

"Ooooh god, Spike...I lov-"

He silenced her with his mouth, absorbing her words as he kissed her. A strangled scream rose in her throat as his expert fingers worked their magic, bringing her to a swift climax. As soon as he felt her convulse, Spike let go, throwing his head back as he released his seed in pulsing spurts.

"AAAAAHHHHH, BUFFFYYY!" His cock continued to twitch as she drained him, pressing down hard on his stomach to keep him inside her.

Nothing could compare to how it felt when he came inside her, that swelling, throbbing sensation as his cool semen flooded her. It made her feel so incredibly good- warm, powerful...loved. In that one brief moment, there was nothing but fire and ice, skin and sweat...the sound of their passion. Complete and utter rapture.

Sighing, Spike kissed her swollen lips before she collapsed against him.

"You win, luv. I'll stay." Free will seemed to drain away in her presence, but at least he knew he wouldn't be restless with her by his side. Now that they were together again, that peaceful calm had settled over him and he wanted to prolong it.

Buffy kissed him softly. "Thank you."

She got up from the bed and went out into the hall to the linen closet to get blankets for the windows. Later, she'd go out and get him some packaged blood. He'd probably complain, but at least he'd have something to eat. Buffy smiled. He was going to spend the day with her. That was all that mattered.

Buffy and Spike had finally drifted off to sleep -mercifully dreamless- and now lay in a tangle of limbs, her hair splayed across his chest. The two lovers slumbered peacefully, cocooned in the warmth and darkness of the room, until a sound invaded the stillness, causing Buffy to groan and roll over.

*What's that noise? The doorbell? Shit!* She eased out of bed carefully, trying not to wake Spike. As she turned to look for her robe, a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"Where are you going?" His eyes were still closed, as if asleep. He'd known the minute she'd moved from his side, coming awake instantly.

"The doorbell's ringing."

"Ignore the bloody thing and come back to bed," he growled, tugging her down on top of him. Buffy laughed. "I can't, it's probably Willow. She said she'd check on me. I'll talk to her and come right back."

"Ten minutes, or I'm coming after you."

Spike released her and watched as she threw on her robe. *Christ, she's so fucking beautiful.* The bell was still ringing insistently, making him want to break the finger that was responsible. He growled again, bringing more laughter from the Slayer. She blew him a kiss and ran downstairs, opening the door just as Willow was about to give up and walk away.

Willow stared at Buffy's attire. "Oh, Buffy...I woke you. I'm sorry, I thought you'd be up, it's after 10:00..."

"It's okay, Willow. Come on in." Buffy waved her through the door and into the living room.

"I was on my way to the library and I thought I'd see if you wanted to come along."

"Not today. I'm going to stay in bed and be completely decadent." *In more ways than one.* "I think I need to, after last night."

"Buffy, I've never seen you like that before. You were so...you usually just fight, stake 'em and move on. But with Spike, it was like you enjoyed it, like you didn't want to stop." Willow wasn't sure if she was saying it right.

Buffy smiled. "I did enjoy it, Will. There hasn't been anything going on for weeks now and it was great to finally have someone who could last more than two minutes. Sometimes I just have all of this bottled up energy and I need to let it out. I can't do that with Giles, I'd hurt him."

Willow nodded. "I understand, I think. We've just been so worried about you, what with everything that happened with Angel- "

"I know. And I'm sorry for driving you all crazy with the research and everything. I can't explain it, I just know that it's important, somehow."

"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"

"I'm sure. I'd only be in the way." She was up, though, so maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to run out and get Spike something to eat. "I do have an errand to run, though. How about if I walk with you part of the way?"

The redhead smiled. "That would be great."

"Just let me throw some clothes on."

Buffy ran upstairs to her room. She stopped and stared at the lean, naked body sprawled across her bed, her eyes following the play of muscles in his back as he stretched. *God, he's incredible, I could look at him all day.* She shook her head. *Clothes, get dressed, Willow's waiting.*

"Spike?" She watched as he rolled over and opened one eye.

"Get back into bed, Slayer."

"Are you hungry?" She made sure not to get too close. If he touched her, she'd never leave.

"Hungry for you. Take that bloody thing off and get over here." He opened his other eye, piercing her with his gaze. "Now."

"Spike, I'm serious. I should go and get you some

thing to eat. I'm up anyway and it'll only take a few minutes." He sighed dramatically. She was right, he WAS hungry. "Well, I suppose it's only fair, since you made me work up an appetite. Go to Willy's, he's got the best stock. And I want human, not swine. Pig's blood may have been good enough for Brood Boy, but it's not my cup of tea."

Buffy glared at him. "Anything else, Mr. Bossy?"

Spike grinned. "Yeah, come here and kiss me proper." Against her better judgement, Buffy walked to the bed, yelping when he grabbed her and pulled her down beside him. Their tongues battled ferociously for a moment, before she tore herself away, gasping.

"I have to go, Willow's waiting."

"You know, pet, maybe you should take a shower first so that you don't have every dog in the neighborhood following you, like in that Stone Temple Pilots song." At her questioning look, he explained. "You smell like you've been shagging six ways from Sunday. Which you have." He laughed at her red face. "Of course, if I had my way, you'd never wash."

Buffy smacked him. "Eeeewwwww! I'll go tell Willow to wait a few more minutes." She hurried to tell the hacker she was jumping into the shower and ran for the bathroom.

Continued