Buffy had been standing outside on the porch to get away from all the commotion inside. The Slayer’s in training were all arguing about what move to watch. One wanted to watch “You’ve Got Mail”, another wanted “Sleepless in Seattle”, and another wanted to watch “Return to Me” why a couple wanted to watch “The Matrix”. Night after night, the argues continued. Buffy claimed a headache and went to stand on the porch in the back yard. It was quiet there. Nothing had happened for a couple of weeks, and there, she knew, she was safe. Nothing can interrupt her thoughts. Thoughts of a man that was once evil, but who was now in the light. “Why can’t I stop thinking about him? Why can’t I just not think about him for one moment.”
“Buffy?” She heard from behind her, interrupting her thoughts.
“Yeah.”
“Are you alright?” Spike had concern in his voice. He had been worried about her for a while now. Always at the same time of the night, when the potentials argued over what movie watch, Buffy would go off on her own and just think. There would be times when she would stand on the porch for a couple of hours, or just for a few minutes. But it always ended the same. Buffy comes back inside, claims to be tired and go up to her bedroom.
“I’m fine, Spike,”
“No you’re not. You’re stressed. Buffy, you need to relax a bit.” Spike walked up to Buffy and put his hands on her shoulder.
“I’m okay, Spike.”
“Buffy, I can feel the knots in her back, and I’m barely touching you.”
Spike began to kneed Buffy’s shoulders, making Buffy gasp, not so much from pain, then the relief of pain. He continued down her shoulders and down her back to the base of her spine and back up her back again. Once at the top of her back Spike messaged her upper arms and then back to her back again.
Buffy leaned back into Spike without realizing that she had done it. She felt so relaxed at that moment, but so tired at the same time.
“I’m tired,” Buffy yawned and closed her eyes.
“Then let’s get you to bed,” Spike whispered. He lifted Buffy up in his arms and her head rested on his shoulder as he went back into the house and closed the kitchen door.
“Spike…” Willow started, then stopped when she saw Buffy.
“Shhh… I’ve got a sleeping slayer to attend to.” Spike whispered to Willow
Willow just nodded her head and turned back to the sink.
Spike went upstairs to Buffy’s room and laid her on her bed. He tried to pull away, but Buffy only tightened her hold around her neck. In her sleep she kissed Spike and whispered, “I love you, Spike.”
She finally let go of him and he was able to leave her room.
Spike went down to the basement and lay down on his cot and smiled as he drifted to sleep.
THE END…
…Or is it?
