Part 1

Buffy stretched her arms above her head as she slowly awoke. She reached over, and grasped at the emptiness beside her. When she felt nothing, Buffy opened her eyes and groaned. It was the first time in two months that Buffy had woken up without Spike beside her.

Almost immediately she felt cold, and pulled the blanket tighter around her body. Even though Spike's body was cold, it always warmed her.

Spike was trying to extract himself from the sleeping slayer, but failing miserably. They had never made it out of the living room that night. After clawing at each for hours, they had collapsed into an exhausted sleep on the floor. Now, as sun rise loomed ominously close, Spike was trying to move out from under the slayer without waking her.

First, Spike tried lifting her up, but from his position flat on his back with the slayer's entire body on top of him, that was out of the question. He tried sliding out from under her, but when he moved she tightened her arms around his shoulders. Finally, Spike put his arms around her, and gently rolled them both onto their sides. Buffy whimpered slightly, and threw her leg onto his hip.

Spike cursed silently in his head. Tempted to just shove her away from him, so he could find shelter in time, Spike resisted the urge when he caught a glimpse of her peaceful face. The small smile on her sleeping lips made Spike smile. Call it male ego, but Spike reveled in the fact that it was him that made her smile.

Not wanting to ruin last night by talking about it in the morning, Spike ran his hand down her bare thigh, and gently pushed at her knee. On reflex, Buffy withdrew her leg, and Spike quickly scrambled to his feet.

Buffy stirred slightly in her sleep as she felt a rush of cold flood over her body. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself as she began to drift out of her sleep. The first thing she realized was that she was alone on the floor. She lifted her head slightly searching the room. She saw Spike by the couch frantically putting on his pants.

"Spike," Buffy called out with a hint of nervous fear in her voice.

Spike didn't look at her. Instead he grabbed his shirt from behind the couch, and yanked it over his head.

"Go back to sleep, luv," he ordered as his eyes scanned the room being careful to avoid her eyes.

Spike didn't want to talk. He didn't want to see the Buffy from last night gone, and replaced with the Buffy he hated. Spike found one of his shoes in the hallway, and the other under the coffee table. Next time, he told himself, he would be sure to undress in a more orderly manner. It would make a quick get away easier.

"Where are you going?" Buffy asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Spike stood in the middle of the living room still scanning the room trying to locate his socks.

Still avoiding looking at her, he replied, "It's almost sunrise. I have to get shelter. Have you seen my socks?"

Buffy groaned as she opened her eyes completely. "Ones on the lamp shade," she laughed.

Spike snatched the sock from the lamp, and luckily found the other one nearby. The smell of the sunrise was becoming stronger, and Spike was scared he wouldn't make it to a crypt in time. Spike sat on the couch, and hurriedly put on his shoes, and socks.

"Spike?" Buffy called out again trying to get him to look at her.

It was more of a question than simply trying to get his attention. Buffy couldn't help thinking that he was running away from her, from last night. She could take him never coming back, but she needed to know that he didn't think it was a mistake, because it had been the most liberating night of her life.

Spike finished putting on his shoes, and finally looked over at Buffy, who was laying naked in the middle of the floor her arms tightly wrapped around her body. Spike could hear the uncertainty, and the pleading in her voice. She wanted reassurance, and that made Spike want to reassure her. She hadn't woken up hating herself. She had woken up scared that Spike hated her.

Spike grabbed a blanket off the couch, and kneeled next to her. He wrapped the blanket around her shivering body, and kissed her forehead.

"I'll be back tonight," Spike promised.

Buffy smiled up at him, and rested her hand briefly on his cheek. Spike abruptly stood back up before he could get sucked in by her. He had to get out of there, and think. He grabbed his duster off the floor, and headed for the door.

When Buffy heard the front door click shut, she closed her eyes again. She pulled the blanket tighter around her body, and smiled.

Part 2

Buffy watched Willow as she hung up a poster over her bed. They had spent the whole morning moving into their dorm room. Now, Buffy was finished, and just waiting for Willow to be done, so they could get lunch.

"I'm almost done," Willow promised as she arranged some candles, and picture frames on her dresser.

"No biggie, hunger isn't important," Buffy remarked without thinking.

Willow paused. "Let's go," she said hurt by Buffy's behavior.

"No finish," Buffy argued feeling guilty about her behavior.

She was so used to being around Spike that she hadn't yet adjusted to talking like she used to. With Spike she could say anything, and she was open, frank, and a little confrontational.

"I'll finish later. You obviously want to eat."

"No Will, I'm sorry. I insist that you finish," Buffy pleaded.

Willow walked over to Buffy, and took her hand. "Buffy, are you okay?" Willow asked with genuine concern.

"I'm fine, really. I can wait to eat."

"I don't mean that really. I mean ever since I got back, you've seemed distant, and defensive. Did something happen this summer?"

"No, nothing," Buffy lied.

When Buffy didn't look Willow in the eyes, Willow pushed further.

"You're being really secretive about your summer, and you seem kinda melancholy, Buffy."

"It's nothing," Buffy insisted.

"Don't shut me out, Buffy. I know I've been gone for a long time, but it seems like everything has changed. Like you're keeping something from me."

"Will, I spent my summer watching Rosie, strolling the mall alone, and patrolling. My summer was boring, and borderline pathetic. Even slaying was uneventful. I'm just a little jealous of all the fun you had," Buffy answered trying to not only end the subject, but be convincing as well.

"Buffy, I'm sorry. I won't talk about it anymore," Willow promised.

"It's okay Will. When school starts, and everything goes back to normal, I'll shake this little funk I'm in. I promise."

Willow hugged Buffy, and Buffy held her tightly. Buffy wished she could tell Willow why she was moody, but it would only make things worse. She wouldn't understand, and Buffy couldn't betray her promise to Spike.

"I'm sorry about the whole hungry thing," Buffy apologized again.

"It's okay. I'm sorry about taking so long."

"It's okay, and lets stop apologizing," Buffy suggested as she pulled away from Willow's hug.

"Deal," Willow smiled. "You know Buffy, you look really good. You've gained some weight."

"What?" Buffy shrieked.

Willow's eyes widened as she realized what she just said. "I mean in a good way," she stuttered, and then finished quietly, "It's made you more curvaceous."

Buffy turned to stare at herself in the mirror. She critically inspected her fuller body.

"I think I'm going to skip lunch," she muttered as she continues to stare at herself.

Buffy sat across from Spike at the island in her kitchen. A mug of warm blood sat in front of him. When he was with her, which was almost every waking, and sleeping hour, he drank prepackaged blood. She never asked him to do it. He just did.

Buffy picked at her salad with no dressing. Spike watched her closely as she barely ate anything.

"You know, I don't know how you can fight a damn thing with the way you eat. How can you stand that crap?"

"Geez Spike, not all of us have immortal bodies, and can live on a liquid diet."

Spike took a sip of his blood before he answered, "You're too thin."

Buffy threw down her fork, and glared across the island at him. "If you don't like my body, piss off," she shouted angrily.

"Relax slayer. I was just saying that you'd look good with a few extra pounds. Not that you look bad now. You're beautiful."

Buffy picked up her fork again, and smiled. "Nice save fang boy. You were a second away from sleeping on the couch."

Spike grinned innocently, and they continued in silence. Spike raised the mug to his lips, but abruptly set it back down.

"I feel like some ice cream," he declared.

"There's some frozen yogurt in the freezer. It's fat free."

Spike grimaced before he replied in disgust, "That's not ice cream."

"But that's what I've got."

"Let's go get some," he pleaded.

"Go ahead," Buffy answered in disinterest.

"You don't want to come?"

Buffy shook her head, and stood up. She dumped her salad in the trash, and rinsed her plate in the sink. Spike stood up, and walked out the door without another word.

Buffy sighed and leaned against the sink. She was upset about Spike's comments about her body. Buffy thought that maybe she was too thin. Buffy instantly scolded herself for her thoughts. She wasn't going to let that wacko vampire make her insecure.

Buffy left the kitchen, and grabbed her slayer bag that was sitting by the front door. She figured she'd patrol while Spike was out engorging his perfect immortal body with ice cream. She wished he could get fat, because he ate all the damn time. He was one weird vampire.

When Buffy got back from patrol she dropped her bag on the floor by the door. She didn't hear any of the usual Spike noise from inside, so she figured Spike was still out. She made her way upstairs, and to her room. When she opened the door, she found Spike sitting cross legged in the middle of her bed eating ice cream from the tub.

"Are you going to eat the whole tub?" Buffy asked.

"I saved some for you," he said with a grin.

"I don't want any," Buffy answered moving further into the room.

"Come on its chocolate brownie chunk," Spike pushed.

"Chocolate brownie chunk?" Buffy asked her mouth watering. She loved chocolate brownie chunk.

Spike nodded as he took a spoonful, and put it in his mouth. He moaned in exaggerated pleasure as he sucked the ice cream off the spoon.

"You're cruel," Buffy pouted.

Spike just nodded, and held out the spoon to Buffy. She took a few hesitant steps towards him. When she got too close, Spike grabbed her hand and yanked her onto the bed. Buffy giggled, but struggled against him as he tried to force the ice cream into her mouth. He only succeeded in getting it all over her face.

"Fine, be difficult. I'll just eat it."

Before Buffy could protest, Spike was licking the ice cream off her face. He started with her chin, and traveled up to her left cheek, before switching to the right one. He saved her mouth for last. He licked her lips clean before pulling them into a kiss.

Buffy responded by sucking his tongue into her mouth. She could taste the ice cream on it. Spike pulled away from her, and dipped the spoon back into the ice cream. He slowly brought it to his mouth, and let it slide off the spoon. It dribbled down his chin, and throat. Buffy leaned into him, and her tongue darted out licking the cold sticky liquid off his throat, and chin in one slow, deliberate motion.

Spike let out a groan as her little action made him instantly hard. Spike grabbed her by the back of her neck, and attacked her mouth hungrily. Buffy clung to him as the kiss sent waves of desire through her, and before long they were both naked. By the end of the night, the ice cream was gone, and they were both very satisfied.

Part 3

"God, I'm fat," Buffy exclaimed to the mirror as she pushed her stomach out.

"You're not fat, Buffy. I shouldn't have said anything. You look great."

Before Buffy could answer, they were interrupted by a knock on the door. They looked at each other silently questioning who was at the door. Willow looked at her blankly. Buffy shrugged, and walked over to the door. She pulled the door open revealing Riley. He gave her a big smile before engulfing her in a hug.

"Riley," Buffy gasped in shock.

Buffy couldn't help but compare his bone crushing, clumsy hug to Spike's smoother, more erotic embraces. Riley's bigger, bulkier body also felt strange to Buffy after Spike's lean, toned body.

"I missed you, Buffy," Riley gushed.

Buffy stood awkwardly in his embrace. His voice didn't send chills down her spine like Spike's always had, and his caresses didn't elicit the same burning desire.

"I thought your flight was tonight," Buffy questioned.

She hadn't prepared herself for Riley yet. She hadn't expect to see him until tomorrow.

Riley released her, and looked down at her in admiration. Spike had always looked at her with pent up desire, lust, and need. It was like he would die if he didn't have her.

"I couldn't wait to see you any longer, so I took an earlier flight," Riley answered proudly.

Buffy smiled weakly, and a flash of confusion, and hurt crossed Riley's face at her behavior. He looked away and noticed Willow standing silently by her bed.

"Hey Willow," he called out.

"Hi Riley," Willow replied with a smile.

"How was England?"

"Great, and Iowa?" she asked.

"Good, relaxing, normal," he answered with an emphasis on normal. Riley turned back to Buffy, and said, "You look great."

"Thanks, so do you," she replied with a forced smile.

Willow noticed Buffy's uncomfortableness, and sensed that Riley was noticing it too. Trying to ease the tension, Willow said, "We were just going to lunch. Want to come Riley?"

Riley smiled. "Lunch sounds great. Airplane food is the worse." Riley looked at Buffy when she was silent. She was staring at the wall obviously in deep thought, and ignoring them. "Is everything okay, Buffy?"

Buffy plastered a fake smile on her face, and answered, "Just peachy. Let's go."

Something just felt wrong to her. This didn't seem normal.

Spike ran his hand up her back, and under her shirt. His cold hands cooled Buffy's burning skin. She sat straddling his waist as he leaned up against the headboard of her bed. They were in the middle of some serious kissing, and headed quickly to more.

The phone rang, and Buffy jumped at the intrusion.

"Don't answer that," Spike begged as he moved to kiss her neck.

"I have to. My mom's supposed to call," Buffy replied reluctantly reaching for the phone by the bed.

Spike grabbed her around the waist, and tried to pull her back to him. Buffy giggled as she tried to free herself. Finally, she grabbed the phone. "Hello," she said breathlessly.

Spike tickled her sides causing her to giggle. Her giggles stopped as quickly as they started, and she turned pale. Spike froze in fear.

"Hey Riley," Buffy said into the phone.

She looked at Spike nervously. Spike looked away from her as his emotions got the best of him. He didn't want her to see that he was jealous.

"I was working out...No you didn't interrupt me. Well you did, but it wasn't important."

Buffy's words felt like a punch to his gut to Spike.

"Everything's good. How's Iowa?...That's great."

Spike stood up, and walked towards the window. Buffy watched Spike head for the window, and she panicked. "Hold on a sec, Riley," she said. Buffy threw down the phone, and ran to stop Spike. She rested her hand on his shoulder as he stood by the window.

"Don't leave," Buffy whispered.

"I wasn't going to leave. Just go finish your talk," Spike replied in a low, strained voice.

"I'll only be another minute, okay?" Buffy promised.

"Don't rush on my account," Spike mumbled.

"Spike," Buffy begged.

Spike turned around, and kissed her gently on the lips. "Go talk to him. I'll still be here when you're done."

Spike walked past her, and out of the room. Tears formed in Buffy's eyes. She brushed them away, and composed herself before she picked up the phone again.

"Sorry about that. I had my dinner in the oven," Buffy lied to Riley over the phone. "I was working out, while I cooked. Then I was going to eat... a frozen pizza. Since Mom left, I've been surviving by the freezer aisle...Yeah, I should go eat before it's cold...I miss you too Riley...Okay, bye."

Buffy set the phone back in the cradle. She sat on the edge of her bed trying to compose herself before facing Spike. When she had her emotions under control, she stood up, and went to find Spike.

She found him sitting in front of the TV watching the Smurfs. She sat down next to him, and stared at his profile. His face was set firmly showing no emotion. Buffy waited for him to acknowledge her presence. Finally, he did.

"I wonder what Smurf blood would taste like. Maybe it's really sweet, or tangy, or possibly sour. Of course it could taste like paint for all I know."

"It could taste like normal blood," Buffy answered quietly.

"That takes all the fun out of it."

Buffy paused before asking quietly, "Spike, do you want to talk about Riley?"

"Why would I want to do that," Spike replied coolly. "It's your life. I'm just a brief stop over before you continue on the right path."

"Spike," Buffy pleaded. She could hear the hurt, and anger in his voice.

"Look slayer, the world didn't stop because we shagged. It goes on, and when your mates come back, your life will go back to what it was before."

"What if I don't want it to go back," Buffy asked quietly avoiding looking him in the eye.

"Not to be cliche, or overly poetic, but we're a stolen moment, slayer. We don't work in real time, and you know it. You want a normal life, and so do I. I mean really, were you going to tell your chums about me?"

Buffy looked at her hands, and didn't answer.

"I didn't think so. I can't be who you want me to be, pet."

"I understand," Buffy answered choking back her tears.

Spike could see her struggling not to cry, and it made him want to cry. As much as he hated saying what he did, he had to. There was no way this would ever work, and he wasn't looking forward to another humiliating break up. He was just going to learn to accept this for what it was. A fling. Spike looked at Buffy. It was also a friendship.

"Come here," he commanded.

Buffy rested her head on Spike's shoulder, and he held her tightly.

"We can still enjoy it while it lasts," Spike promised.

"Do you want it to end?" Buffy asked.

Spike doesn't directly answer the question. Instead he replied, "If the summer lasted forever I wouldn't be sorry."

"Neither would I."

Part 4

"We all had a good laugh afterwards," Riley finished his story with a chuckle.

Willow joined him in his laughter, and Buffy forced a smile on her face. Lunch had been horrible. Buffy was sitting silently next to Riley as he and Willow exchanged tales of their summers. Riley turned to Buffy, and rested his hand on her knee. "Anything interesting happen in Sunnydale this summer?"

Her silence throughout lunch, and her obvious awkwardness was distressing Riley. She didn't show any hint of being happy to see him.

Buffy flinched when Riley's hand touched the bare skin of her knee. Riley withdrew his hand in shock, and disappointment. Willow noticed the tension developing between the two, and stood up. She mumbled something about the ladies room before leaving, but neither noticed. They were too wrapped up in the drama unfolding between them.

Riley placed his hands on the table, and tried to compose himself, so he didn't just rip into her.

"What happened this summer, Buffy?" he asked calmly, almost too calmly.

"Nothing," she answered avoiding his gaze.

Riley clinched the table, and asked through clenched teeth as the anger boiled inside of him, "Buffy something happened this summer. Was it another guy?"

"Come on slayer, I'm kicking your ass," Spike shouted.

"You're cheating," Buffy proclaimed in frustration, but she focused even harder on trying to beat him.

"No you just suck," Spike shot back delivering a knock down spin kick to her chest.

Buffy's eyes narrowed as she used every bit of her brain to retaliate. "Well I won't be sucking you," she threatened as she jumped up.

Spike's shock at her threat allowed Buffy to grab his head, and twist. His head was ripped from his body, and blood spurted everywhere. Buffy smiled, and threw her arms in the air. "I won. I won. I won," she chanted over and over.

"Now who's the cheater?" Spike grumbled as he tossed his remote onto the floor.

The words "Game Over" flashed across the screen, and Spike angrily flipped off the TV.

"Don't pout. All's fair in love, war, and video games," Buffy teased.

Spike raised his eyebrow at her, and pressed his tongue to the back of his teeth seductively. "Alls fair?" Spike leapt at her, and tackled her to the floor. Buffy squirmed underneath him, but he held her down.

"Let's play for real," he challenged.

Buffy smiled wickedly at him, and asked, "What are we playing for?"

"I win, you suck. You win," he pauses, and then asks, "Well, what do you want?"

"That's easy. I win, you get a new wardrobe."

"You don't like my clothes?" Spike asked feigning hurt.

"What clothes? You wear the same thing everyday."

"But I look good in it," Spike playfully argued.

"You'd look better in other things."

"I'd look better naked," Spike replied slipping his hand up under Buffy's shirt. "And so would you." Spike kissed her neck as his hand stroked her breast. Buffy's body trembled under his touch.

"I thought we were going to fight," Buffy protested weakly.

Spike lifted his mouth to her ear, and sucked her ear lobe into his mouth. "We are," he whispered.

In less than a second, Spike was on his back with Buffy straddling his waist. "I win," she said in triumph as Spike was pinned underneath her.

"You like to play rough, huh? I can play rough too," Spike threatened. Spike ground his hips up into Buffy. His obvious arousal rubbed against her causing Buffy to throw her head back, and moan as a fiery tingling sensation coursed through her body.

Spike used her loss of control to free his arms, and grab her hips. In one fluid motion he had them rolled over. His body pressed down on hers.

Spike's hand drifted lightly down her side making Buffy shiver. His hand continued down her thighs, and she hooked her legs around his waist forcing Spike's body closer to hers. Spike groaned as he became increasingly aroused by their game.

"Whoever says please first loses," Spike challenged with a playful twinkle in his eye.

Buffy's answer was to move her hips slowly, seductively rubbing up against him.

"Oh God," Spike moaned as Buffy continued to tease him by sliding her hands down the front of his jeans, and allowing her fingers to play lightly over the tip of his erection.

Spike responded by ripping her shirt open. He seized her left nipple in his mouth, and sucked hard. It was Buffy's turn to moan in pleasure.

Spike slid down her body moving his mouth from her breasts down to her abdomen. His hands worked open her shorts, and shoved them down her legs until they were on the floor. Not wanting to let Spike get the upper hand, Buffy wrapped her legs around his head, and flipped them over.

Spike ended up on his back with Buffy straddling him at his neck. She was so close to his mouth, and Spike could smell her arousal. The sensation was driving him crazy, and he was about to lose.

"Ready to give yet?" Buffy asked.

Spike's eyes narrowed, and he grabbed Buffy by the hips, and slid her away from his face. It was the wrong choice because Buffy ended up back at his hips. She quickly undid his jeans freeing him. With a wicked gleam in her eyes she began to stroke him slowly. Spike bit his lip to keep himself from uttering the word of defeat.

Her hands worked painfully slow up, and down his shaft. Spike banged his head continually against the floor trying to think of anything but what she was doing. That became impossible as Spike felt her tongue flick over the head of his cock.

Spike sat up, and yanked her to him. He crushed his mouth to hers trying to concentrate on anything else but wanting to throw her down, and slam himself inside of her. Buffy moaned into his kiss. His kisses were like nothing she had ever experienced. They made her whole body burn, and the only way to cool it was for Spike to be inside of her.

As desire boiled inside of Buffy, Spike worked his hand underneath her panties. As soon as she felt his fingers enter her she gasped. Spike continued his actions as Buffy's body thrust into him uncontrollably. Knowing he had her, Spike pulled away from her. Without even thinking of the consequence, Buffy moaned, "Please."

The second the words left her mouth, Buffy became infuriated. Spike gave her a wicked grin, as she glared at him.

"Looks like I won," Spike gloated.

"I hate you," Buffy screamed.

"Fine, I'll just leave," Spike threatened as he stood up.

"Don't you dare. You better finish what you started."

Buffy yanked Spike's arm, and sent him tumbling on top of her.

Buffy remained silent as the question hung in the air. "Was it another guy?" Technically, there was no other guy. Spike was a vampire, but Buffy figured that was splitting hairs.

Riley watched Buffy's face as she struggled to come up with an answer. Riley could read the shock, confusion, and the slightest hint of sadness on her face. He abruptly stood up. "Never mind, your silence is answer enough."

Before Buffy could protest, Riley was gone. Buffy took a deep breath. She knew she should be crying, or be angry, but she wasn't. She was just sorry she hurt Riley.

"Where's Riley?" Willow asked.

Buffy looked up at her friend, and answered, "He left."

"Did you guys have a fight?" Willow asked as she slid into the booth next to Buffy, and put her arm around Buffy's shoulder.

Buffy nodded, and mumbled, "Yes."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really."