All characters belong to Joss Whedon, The WB Network, and 20th Century Fox. I am just a fan.

"Buffy, are you sure you wanna do this? Don't you think it's a little... ya know, extreme?"

Willow stood off to the side, as the Slayer packed her bags.

"No and yes," she replied.

"What?"

Buffy stopped what she was doing.

"No, I don't wanna do this and yes, I think it's extreme. But, it's my job, Willow. And... should I bring the one piece or the two piece?" Buffy held up two different bathing suits to her friend.

"Oh, I'd go with the two piece, it's more your color. And it gives off - wait, Buffy. This is serious. Stop trying to change the subject."

Buffy rolled her eyes at the witch and sat down on the bed.

"This is probably going to be the worst experience of my life. And I really don't wanna go through with it. But, Spike's right. It's the only way. I mean, that woman flat out lied to me, saying there were no rooms beneath us, when I heard the heel of my shoe fall and then hit the ground. Besides, she was a little too... happy."

"So you're going to go undercover as a newlywed couple with a vampire you despise, just because the people there are happy?"

"No, I'm going to go undercover as a newlywed couple with a vampire I despise, because there's a huge demon colony living there that are turning humans into mutants."

"Okay, but Buffy. Did you ever think that maybe you could be transformed?"

She thought for a moment.

"Well, that's not gonna happen. I'm the Slayer... I can handle myself."

Willow sighed and sat down next to Buffy.

"How long are you staying?" she asked.

Buffy cringed.

"A week," she said, sadly.

"Are you serious? I thought it was like a two-day deal!"

"So did I. The damn hotel only gave out these one-week and two-week gift packages. I tried to work my way out of it, but they were all like, "sorry, these are the rules" with these big quirky smiles on their faces."

"Oh, well, that sucks."

"Yeah, but I guess it could be a good thing. You know, more time to sneak around and spoil their plans."

"True. Oh! And I gave Giles the number to the hotel. He's deep in research mode right now and said he'll probably have some new stuff for you in a couple days."

"I'm squriming in anticipation," she said, sarcastically.

Both girls smiled and stood up.

"Well, I better finish packing. Spike's gonna be here soon to pick me up to go on our honeymoon." She thought for a moment. "God, that sounds so wrong."

Willow laughed.

"Need any help?"

"Maybe some of the psychiatric kind."

"Don't say such things. You said, yourself, this is your job. It's what you have to do."

"But why... Spike? Why couldn't I go undercover with some rich, human, good-looking guy?"

"Spike's good-looking."

"Well, yeah, but he's a vampire. Big Slayer no-no."

"And it's not like your doing this out of your own free will."

Buffy sighed as she continued to pack.

"Of course not. I dunno, this is just so not like my usual apocolyses."

"Tell me about it."

A moment of silence passed.

"Well, I'll let you finish packing and tell you when Spike gets here."

"Kay, thanks Wills."

"No problem."

* * * * *

The doorbell rang approximately a half an hour later. Buffy looked down at her watch to see that it was already 9:30. Where did the time go?

Totally dreading her current predicament, she grabbed the two suitcases and made her way down the hall. Spike was leaning against the doorframe, looking unlike his usual self. He was wearing a pair of baggy khaki pants, a blue button down shirt and his hair was touseled. The only resemblence of the former Spike was his signature leather duster.

"Ready, pet?" he asked.

Buffy sighed.

"No, I'm really not."

"It shouldn't be too bad," Willow chimed in. "I mean, if you want I could work my will it so spell and --"

"No!" Buffy and Spike shouted, simultaneously.

"Okay, okay. Big no to spells. Just don't kill each other."

Buffy rolled her eyes and turned to her friend, who was sitting on the back of the couch.

"Keep me posted?" she asked.

"Of course. Any demony news and you'll be the first to know."

"Can't wait," she said smiling.

The two friends embraced and Buffy made her way to the door. She looked up at Spike.

"Well, guess this is it," she said, awkwardly.

"Yep, guess so," he replied.

She cleared her throat and looked back at Willow.

"See ya, Will."

"Bye, Buffy."

She gave her one last smile and shut the door. She threw her stuff into the back of Spike's car and entered the passenger's side. As she got in, she noticed a piece of paper with the words, "Do Not Touch" taped onto the big black button.

"Cute," she said as Spike got in. "Real cute."

He smirked at her.

"Isn't it?"

Buffy sunk back into her seat and tried not to think of what was to come. This had to be one of the most uncomfortable situations of her life. As Spike turned on the engine, she could suddenly smell a mix of cigarette smoke and men's cologne.

"Wow, you sure went all out, didn't you?"

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well, you know. The clothes, the hair... the cologne."

"Hey, this is good stuff. Got me a bottle of it from some rich bloke a couple years back."

"I'm not complaining."

Did I just say that out loud?

He gave her a look.

"I mean..." She sighed. "Just forget it."

Spike couldn't help but smile, but instead of teasing her, he just let it go.

"So, uh, what's the plan?" she asked, as they made their way towards the hotel.

"Not sure. I was thinkin' candlelight, music. Maybe we'll get lucky and 'ave mirrors over the bed."

He gave her a half-grin, but Buffy looked less than amused.

"I'm serious," she told him. "How are we like supposed to act?"

He shrugged.

"Guess we'll jus' play it by ear."

"Well, that's comforting."

A few more minutes passed and they were at the hotel. Buffy took a deep breath and suddenly started feeling nervous. Although she had no reason to be, she couldn't prevent the butterflies that starting swimming around in her stomach. What if they got caught? When if she was turned into a demon like Willow warned her? Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Spike turned off the car and the vampire and the Slayer got out. As they approached the large hotel, Spike's hand suddenly made it's way towards Buffy's. She was tempted to pretend not to notice, but instead decided to play along. She supposed showing some affection towards each other was necessary in pulling this thing off. She reached out her hand and he took it in his. Their fingers entwined.

Spike held open one of the big double doors with his other hand and they made their way inside. This time it was a young man at the front desk. He smiled enthusiastically. Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Name?" he asked.

Spike looked over at Buffy.

"Spuffy," she said, and gave Spike a "like you could come up with something better?" look.

"Summer and William?" the man asked.

"That's right," she replied.

"Excellent. Let me show you to your room. I'll have one of my people bring your things up."

"Um, you know, I could just have Sp - er, William get our things." She turned her attention to Spike.

"Why don't you go do that, honey."

"Uh, right. I'm on it... sweet pea."

"Nonsense! Matthew will be happy to do it. Matthew! Matthew!" the man shouted.

Buffy and Spike tried not to cover their ears.

"Keep it down, mate," Spike said, cringing at the boy's irritating voice.

Soon a little boy, about the age of twelve, appeared from around the corner.

"Matthew, go fetch these fine people their bags."

The child nodded and headed out into the night.

"Right this way. You're bags will be up in a minute."

Buffy and Spike followed the young man up a winding stair case, until they were met by a long corridor. After passing a few more doors, the man stopped and handed them their key.

"Please enjoy your stay at The Sunset Inn. If you have any questions, comments, or complaints, please see me or a clerk at the front desk. We'll be happy to direct you to someone who can help. Thank you."

And with that, he walked off.

"Jeez, monotone much?" Buffy stated.

"Yeah, he sounds almost programmed or something."

After a few more moments of standing by the door, Spike finally held up the key and dangled it in front of Buffy's face.

"Shall we?" he asked.

"Unfortunately, we shall," she replied.

Spike placed the key in the hole and turned the knob. When he opened the door, Buffy couldn't help but gasp in surprise. She stared in awe at the scene before them. There were candles scattered throughout the room, roses covering the gold satin sheets of the bed, a bottle of high-quality wine placed in an ice bucket with two wine glasses, and a heart-shaped hot tub right at the bathroom's entrance. Her stomach fluttered.

"Thought you were gettin' us a cheap room, Summers," Spike told her, just as shocked as she.

"I - I did. Guess this comes with it."

He sighed and stepped inside.

"S'a shame this all has to go to waste."

Buffy glanced at him questioningly.

"Yeah. It is," she said.

She stepped inside as well and took off her leather jacket, tossing it onto the king-size bed. Spike did the same. God, this was uncomfortable. She was standing in her honeymoon suite with Spike. Spike. How did she get herself into this?

"So, uh, what now?" he asked.

Buffy looked around the room.

"Guess we should get into search mode," she replied.

"Yeah. Where you wanna start?"

They were suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door. Buffy turned around and opened it, revealing the little boy and his hands full of luggage.

"Thanks," she told him, smiling.

He just stood there and handed their suitcases to her. She took them, but the boy wouldn't go away. Only then did she realize he was waiting for a tip.

"Oh, right. Sorry."

Buffy searched her pockets for money, but came up empty handed.

" 'Ere, let me." Spike took a wad of money out of the back pocket of his khakis and handed a ten dollar bill to the boy.

He took the money, not saying a word, and scurried down the hallway.

"Lovely child. Think he's demon?" Buffy asked, as she shut the door.

"Don't know. We could always find out."

Buffy looked up at Spike.

"Follow him?"

He shrugged.

"We gotta start somewhere."

"I suppose."

Buffy opened the door and poked her head out. She searched both ends of the hallway, but the boy was nowhere to be found.

"He's gone," she said, again facing Spike.

Spike thought for a moment before answering.

"Tell ya what. How 'bout we rest up tonight so we can start fresh in the mornin'."

"You sure you're up to these sleeping hours? You know, sleep at night. Hunt during the day."

"I'll adjust. 'Sides, I didn't sleep today, so I already got a head start."

Buffy nodded and began unpacking her bags.

"So, uh... you don't mind the floor?"

She felt a little guilty having the huge bed all to herself. But, there was just no way she would share it with him.

"Cement slab. Hardwood floor. Not much difference, eh?"

"I guess."

She took out a t-shirt and a pair of shorts to wear to bed.

"Well, I'm gonna go change. You can, you know, wait out here."

"Will do," he replied.

Spike watched as the Slayer headed into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. He then went over to his bag, looking for a pair of boxers and his black wife-beater. He usually slept shirtless, but thought better of it for this week. He didn't think Buffy would fancy a half-naked vampire sleeping beside her bed. He contemplated that thought for a moment. He was going to be sleeping beside the Slayer's bed. He would prefer to be in it - with her, but this will have to do. He then frowned to himself. He wanted to hate her, but it just wasn't working. He couldn't help but be attracted to her. Why did she have to be so damned beautiful? He dismissed all thoughts of the Slayer out of his head and began unbottoning his shirt. He stuffed it into his bag and rummaged around for his blank tank.

After Buffy finished changing, she combed her hair into a high pony tail, using her hands. She took one last glance in the mirror and walked back out into their room. Their room. What a thought. She opened the door to find a half naked Spike standing before her. He was facing away from her, but she noticed the muscles in his back tense as he sensed her presence.

"Uh, sorry," she said, blushing.

Spike turned around.

" 'Bout what?" he asked.

"Um... " She couldn't help but focus her eyes on the smooth, sculpted planes of his chest. She scolded herself and met his gaze. He was staring at her intently.

This was so not going to work.

"Um, maybe we should get separate rooms," she offered.

"What? Don't trust yourself 'round me, Slayer?" he asked, almost seductively.

He took a step towards her and she could feel her cheeks grow hot.

"No, that has nothing to do with it. We - we can't just keep running into each other like this."

Spike kept moving towards her and Buffy held onto the side of the door, as if to brace herself.

"Is that right," he said.

She nodded. Just as Spike reached her, there was another knock at the door, breaking the mood. Buffy let out a deep breath that she didn't even realize she was holding and Spike cursed to himself. What was he about to do? Kiss her? Damned girl.

Spike turned around and went to go open the door. When he did, he found the little boy standing there again. He was about to ask him what he wanted, when Spike noticed a stake in his hand. Before he could say anything, the boy raised the stake and centered it at Spike's heart.

Beyond Surrender: Part VI
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