Chapter 3: In Which They Make Peace "Check me out." Buffy whirled around. "I can't thank you again. If we hadn't lost our clothes…" "No need." The older woman smiled again. Her husband scowled. He hadn't liked giving up some clothing to Spike. Spike adjusted the tight clothing and said nothing. He was in somewhat of a state of shock, being so close to Buffy yet so far away. "You're going to the castle tomorrow to seek audience with the King of Kings, are you not?" "Tomorrow night. We are so weary. The sun hurts my eyes." Spike explained. "Husband. I think we should go to bed." She went to the other room, the only other one in the cottage. The woman's husband followed. He nodded at the blankets and the straw mat. "We'd offer you our bed but my wife has a bad back." "This is perfect. Thank you again." Buffy said smiling. Although, when she turned back to Spike she made a face. "You take the straw mat." "That's ok. Who knows how many bugs are crawling in it. More than on the floor I bet." She said putting one of the blankets down. She shifted around, taking off a few of the hideous petticoats and other pieces of clothing that the woman insisted she wear. Spike watched for a moment then did the same. He took the smaller blanket and found a spot a few feet away. The candle that Buffy held was blown out and they were in the dark. Spike listened to Buffy's breathing, a big contrast to his quiet lungs. She took shallow breaths and gradually deeper ones. He smiled to himself. In the silence Spike's ears picked up the faint sound of sobs. He crept towards her across the dirt floor until he was sitting behind her. Sure enough in the moonlight he could see her body shaking. "Buffy? "He whispered. She whipped around, rushing to cover her face. "Can't a girl sleep?" She growled. "You weren't sleeping. What's wrong? Other than being here?" "I'm just afraid for Dawn. I'm afraid we won't ever leave. That I'm stuck here with you." "Of course. I bet you'll blame this on me." "No. I don't think it was your fault." She shook her head. "Just leave me alone." "No. I can't do that. I'm your brave knight." "I don't need a knight. Especially one named Spike." "Hey. I'm kind of bruised here. Gotta watch it." "You're bruised. But you're healing." She touched his face, where Glory had split his cheek. Then her eyes grew wide like she hadn't meant to do it and had just realized that she did. But her hand didn't move. "Why did you kiss me?" He reached up to cover her hand with his but she withdrew. She looked away. "I was just thanking you. It went to far." "Oh?" It wasn't a jeering ‘oh', he really wanted to know. "I hated that robot. It was disgusting." "I didn't mean too-" "I know. You saved Dawn's life." "I did it for you...and Joyce. She was a great woman, your mum. Never judged people. Whereas you always assume I'm gonna do something evil. Or for the wrong reasons. But I admit most of the time I do, but I'm trying. I really am." Her hand found his and gave it a quick squeeze. Then she lay back down. Spike sighed and lay down on his own blanket. Sometime in the night a chill arose. Spike woke up to find Buffy had scooted over to him. Probably looking for a warm body. She wouldn't find that with him. Instead of snuggling next to her he pulled up his blanket and wrapped it around her. He went to a corner that would be safe from morning light and fell asleep. Chapter 4