All characters belong to Joss Whedon, The WB Network, and 20th Century Fox, except for Jarred O'Connell, who is my own creation.

Buffy's eyes grew big and she glanced up at Spike, who was just staring at the man.

"Well?" the man asked.

"No, no, you see, we're not --" Buffy began.

"Don't be silly! Go on, now!" he interrupted.

Spike shook his head.

"Listen, mate, it's not what you think, we're --"

The man crossed his arms and just glared at the two.

"I will not let you break tradition," he said, sternly.

Spike cleared his throat and looked down at Buffy. She looked right back up at him, with uncertainty in her eyes.

"Hurry it up, now," the middle-aged man insisted.

Unsure of who should make the first move, they both just stood there for a moment, looking at each other.

Spike finally bent his head down and Buffy closed her eyes.

Oh, God, he's going to kiss me. Spike is going to kiss me...

Just as their lips touched, they were interrupted by an angry voice.

"What the hell is going on?!"

They both quickly pulled apart and looked over to see a shocked and enraged Jarred standing behind them.

"J - Jarred, I can't explain," she told him.

"Don't even bother," he said, and walked out of the store.

Buffy chased Jarred down the street, and Spike was right behind Buffy.

"Jarred!"

"Buffy, hold up!"

Finally, Jarred stopped and Buffy and Spike came to a halt.

"Jarred," Buffy said, strangely out of breath. "I - I can explain...I swear."

"Yeah? Make it fast, I have a train to catch."

"No, pl - lease," she told him, still trying to steady her erratic breathing.

"You alright, pet?" Spike asked, concerned.

"Hey, no one asked you," Jarred said, roughly. "Buffy, what the hell is going on?"

"The man...in the store. He - He thought Spike and I...were getting married," Buffy told him.

"And?"

"A-And he made...made us kiss. After we bought the cake."

"Why the hell did you take this loser with you in the first place?" he insisted.

"Hey! Watch it, pal."

"No one... would go with me."

Tears started to form in Buffy's eyes.

"That's no excuse for you being a backstabbing tramp."

Little droplets fell down Buffy's tender cheeks.

Spike had enough. He grabbed Jarred by the shoulder and turned him around to face him.

"Take that back, mate," he said, furiously.

"Get the hell off me!"

Jarred shoved at Spike, but Spike maintained his grip.

"Apologize to her."

"No!"

Spike pushed him and felt his chip begin to buzz.

Jarred took advantage of Spike's quick relapse and punched him hard in the face.

Spike stammered, but punched Jarred back, after he regained his footing.

That sent his chip off. He grabbed his head in pain and doubled over, while Jarred jumped him and they both fell to the ground.

"Stop it! Just stop it!" Buffy shouted over the fierce blows.

They didn't.

Jarred continued thrashing the vampire, who was practically defenseless.

"Jarred! Get off him! He can't hurt you!" she cried.

"Yeah? But, I can hurt him. And, that's the point."

"Get the hell off me, you bastard!"

Buffy pulled Jarred off Spike by his shirt and punched him in the jaw. She did the same to Spike.

They both looked at her, rubbing their jaws.

"Listen to me, both of you. I'm am so not in the mood for infintile assholes to be sprawled out in the middle of the street, beating the shit out of each other."

He voice was surprisingly collected, but her tone was as hard and had that "say a word and it'll be the last word you ever say" kind of ring to it.

Both men kept quiet and waited for Buffy to proceed.

"I'm going now. Jarred, if you'll hear me out, then come with me. Otherwise, just... leave me alone."

With that, she turned around, her hair falling over her shoulder, and stormed off.

Jarred watched her go for a moment or two and left in the opposite direction.

Spike, unsure of whether to go back to his crypt, or apologize to her, just stood there as the soon-to-be-spouses went their separate ways. He let out a reluctant sigh when he decided it was best to leave her be, to sort out her bigger problems. As he turned to go, something caught his eye. He glanced back at Buffy. She was bent over, hands on her knees, as if she was trying to catch her breath. Spike immediately sensed something was wrong. Just as he was about to run over over to her, he watched in horror, as the Slayer collapsed to the ground.

"Buffy!" he shouted. "Wake up, love!"

She lay in the middle of the street, unconscious.

Spike instinctively scooped her up in his arms and hurried her over to Giles' place. When he finally arrived he didn't bother to knock, and instead kicked down the door.

"Giles! Where the hell are you?" he called, panic rising to his voice.

Her Watcher quickly appeared from around the corner and rushed over, when he saw Buffy laying limp in Spike's arms.

"Dear God, what happened?"

Not taking his eyes off Buffy's face, Spike shook his head.

"I don't know. She was just walkin' down the road, and all of a sudden she collapsed. She's gonna be alright... won't she?"

Giles' face was pinched into a worried frown.

"I'll call 911," he said.

Spike placed the Slayer on the couch and kneeled down next to her. He removed a sun-kissed strand of hair from off of her forehead, and patiently waited for the ambulance to arrive.

Spike approached the front desk. He would have come sooner. If only the sodding sun hadn't made an appearance, he would have gone with the others. He looked around at the many doctors bustling about, tending to the sickly patients.

"Can I help you, sir?"

Not even realizing he was already at the desk, he turned and faced the woman.

"Uh, yeah. I'm here to see Buffy Summers," he told her.

"Are you friend or family?"

Spike paused for a moment.

"Why?"

"Only family members can be permitted to see Miss Summers at this time. If you are other than family, I urge you to come back at another time."

No way. He had to see her now.

"But --"

"Are you friend of family?" she interrupted.

Bitch. If it weren't for the bloody chip in his skull, her neck would be spilled out all over the damned desk by now. What the hell was he supposed to say?

"Uh, I'm..."

"I'm sorry, sir, maybe you should come back tomorrow."

"I'm her finacee," Spike blurted out.

Why in Hell's name did he just say that?

The woman looked up at him questioningly. Spike just stared down at her. She then began rummaging through files and finally asked him to state his name.

"Jarred O'Connell," he said, calmly.

She nodded.

"Right this way, please."

Spike followed the woman down the long corrider, until they finally reached a small room around the corner.

"You have ten minutes," she told him, and walked off.

Spike took a deep, un-needed breath, and slowly opened the door to her room. When he entered, she was laying on her back and her eyes were closed. His jaw clenched when he noticed how vunerable she looked.

Her Slayer senses kicking in, Buffy's eyes shot open and she perused the room for vampires. She was right. Spike stood by the door, looking at her with a weary look on his face.

"Buffy?" he asked, realizing she wasn't still unconscious.

"W-What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you, love."

Spike took a few steps towards her bed.

"Are you well?"

Buffy smiled softly.

"They say I was drugged somehow. They're not sure how or with what, but Giles said he'd look into it."

He looked down at his feet.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't come sooner. The sun came out just as I was goin' to leave. I had to wait 'til dark."

"It's alright. Doctors say I should be fine. I only have to stay a day or two, while they run a few more tests."

"Yeah," Spike told her. "Knowin' you, you'll be good as knew in no time."

"I hope so," she whispered.

Spike took another step closer to her.

"So," he said. "Does lover-boy know about your condition?"

Buffy's eyes widened.

"Oh, my God. I totally forgot about Jarred!"

"Can I take that as a 'no', then?"

"He probably doesn't even want to look at me, after... what happened."

Spike gave her a half-smile and sat down on the bed beside her.

"You can't say you don't wish Jarred had never walked in."

Buffy narrowed her eyebrows at him.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I think you know."

"No, no I don't know. It would help if you told me though."

"You wanted me to kiss you."

Buffy's eyes opened wide with shock.

"Excuse me?!"

"You've wanted it ever since you laid eyes on me."

Buffy was almost about to slap him, until she noticed the devilish grin spread across his face, and she knew he was teasing her.

"You just don't quit, do you? Here I am, bed-ridden, and you still don't know when to keep your mouth shut. You make me crazy."

"I know," he said, his smile becoming softer.

Buffy sighed and looked back up at the ceiling.

"Do you think he'll take me back?" she asked, almost afraid to say the words.

"How could he not?"

Buffy looked back at him. They held each other's gaze for only a moment longer, before one of the nurses walked in.

"Mr. O'Connell, your time's up," she said, peeking her head in through the door.

"Uh... right. I'll be a minute," Spike replied, quickly rising to his feet.

Buffy glared at him.

"Mr. O'Connell? Spike, you have problems."

"Well, I had to think of something. Otherwise the bloody bitch at the front desk would't let me see you."

"I'm sure it wouldn't have staked you to wait a few more hours. I mean, what if Jarred actually showed up? Then what?"

"Then --"

The nurse appeared again.

"Sir, I said your time was up. Now say good-bye to the girl and come back tomorrow."

"Yeah, um, good-night... honey bunches. Get well soon and, uh, don't die during the night!"

Buffy rolled her eyes, as the nurse forced Spike out the door.

"Hugs and kisses!" he called out. "Don't miss me too much! I'll --"

Whatever he was going to say next was cut off by the sound of the door slamming behind him, by the nurse.

Buffy smiled to herself before closing her eyes once again and falling back into a blissful sleep.

*PUNCH* *KICK* *SLAP*

Buffy took full advantage of her new-found strength and used it to pummel the unsuspecting demon. The heinous horned creature didn't stand a chance against Buffy's furocious blows. And in no time at all, the demon was lying in a heap at her feet.

She ran her hand through her messy blonde hair and glanced up at her worried side-kick.

"I'm fine," she answered, before he could even say a word.

Spike just stood there and watched, as Buffy took out every creature and vampire they came across, in a matter of seconds. He didn't get one punch in all night.

"Fine? I'd say you're more than fine. You're like a Super-Buffy on steroids. And I'm gettin' bored, just standing here, while you have all the fun."

"No one's stopping you."

"Yeah, no one except your iron fist and pointy stick."

"You're just jealous."

"So what if I was?"

"Well, are you? Because I could just go on without you and leave you here to whine and complain."

"Sounds tempting."

"Then shut your mouth."

He did and silence fell between them.

"OK, you can open your mouth again. It's too quiet."

Spike rolled his eyes.

"Do you know what a pain in the arse you are, Slayer?"

"No, but thanks for enlightening me."

"My pleasure."

Suddenly, a demon-like thing appeared form around the shadowed corner.

Buffy immediately got into Slayer-mode, while Spike just stood there. He figured he would once again take a backseat to the all the action.

Without hesitation, Buffy charged at the wrinkly demon and started menacingly attacking it. Blow after blow, kick after kick, punch after punch. The creature put up a good fight, as Spike watched it hiss and strike the Slayer back. At one point, it pinned her to the ground and Spike's protective instincts kicked in. He ran over and yanked the creature off Buffy with an angry rage. Buffy sat up and watched Spike take the demon out, with a pissed-off look on her face. How dare he interfere, just when she had met a challenge!

Spike drove his fist into it's face about 30 times before it finally passed out. He looked down at Buffy, waiting for her to thank him for saving her life. Instead he was greeted with her hand striking him hard against the side of his face. He rubbed the stinging flesh and gave Buffy a confused glare.

"What the bloody hell was that for?!" he bellowed.

"What the bloody hell do you think?!" she replied, mockingly.

"I don't bloody well know because you won't answer the bloody question!"

"Well, I thought it was pretty damn obvious!"

"Was it now? Then how come I have no sodding clue?!"

"Because you're a dumbass!"

"Oh, that explains it!"

"It does! You are a dumbass!"

"And you're a bitch!"

Buffy punched him hard in the jaw and he stumbled over backwards.

"Don't ever try to save me again, got it?! And I'm not a bitch!"

"Save you?! You slapped me 'cause I saved you?! What the bleeding hell is wrong with you? You should be thanking me!"

"No, I should be staking you! You're a vampire, I'm the Slayer, it's what I do!"

"Bloody just do it then!"

"Maybe I don't feel like it!"

"Why? Don't got the stones?"

"I do too! I'm just not in the mood."

Spike laughed.

"In the mood?! You seemed like you were in the bloody mood not ten minutes ago!"

"Well, that was then! Maybe I'm not in the mood anymore! Besides, you're not worth staking."

"You daft chit! Just admit it, you can't do it.

" "Fine, maybe I can't do it! But that doesn't mean I don't want you dead, 'cause I do!"

Just then, a demon came out of nowhere and attacked Spike from behind. It took it's claws and raked them hard down his back.

"Bloody hell!" he growled, collapsing to the ground.

Buffy was instantly on the creature, beating it to a pulp. In a few seconds, it was lying in a pool of its own blood. When she was certain it was dead, she rushed over to the bleeding vampire.

"Are you OK?" she asked, kneeling beside him.

"What does it bloody look like?!"

"Like you're not OK. Right. I'll stop with the stupid questions."

She helped Spike to his feet, and he yelled in pain.

"OW!"

"Sorry!"

She put one of his arms around her shoulder as gently as she could and started leading him back to his crypt.

"I thought you wanted me dead," he told her, his words forced.

"I lied."

She readjusted his weight and he howled out as pain shot down through his back.

"Again with the OW!"

"Oh, God! Sorry!"

"If you would quit bein' so rough, you wouldn't have to apologize!"

"I can't help it! Maybe if you stopped bleeding all over my new sweater, I wouldn't have to be so rough!"

"You know what? Just go! Get the bloody hell off me!"

Spike shoved her away from him and limped back to his crypt, leaving the Slayer standing there, as guilt swept over her.

"Damnit, Spike!"

She couldn't help but follow the battered vampire, as he staggered down the length of the alley.

"Go away," he told her coldly.

He stumbled, and Buffy immediately reached out to help him.

"I said go away!" he yelled, swiping at her outstretched hands.

"You're never gonna make it back on your own!" she yelled back.

"Why do you give a bloody damn, anyway! This is your fault, you know!"

"This is so not my fault! You just happened to be standing in the wrong place at the wrong time!"

"Well, you're the one he said you wanted me dead! Coincidence? I think not!"

"God, you're impossible!"

"Then why are you still here?!"

"Because if some creature attacks you on your way back your crypt, I don't wanna have to feel guilty and see little dead Spikes floating around my head when I try to go to sleep at night!"

"I guess that's just somethin' you're gonna have to live with then! 'Cause I'm not letting you help me!"

"You're not letting me? Fine!"

"Fine!" he shouted back.

With that, she bent over and picked him up.

"Put me the hell down!"

Spike tried to get free, but every time he moved, pain raked through his entire body.

"I guess I'm just gonna have to force you to let me."

Spike couldn't believe what was happening. The twit was carrying him for Hell's sake! Carrying him! If anyone saw this, he'd surely be staked! If not dying from humiliation beforehand.

After a few more attempts at struggling, he finally gave up.

"Jesus Christ, you're heavy," she told him.

"Or maybe you're just not strong enough to handle me."

"Or not," she said.

"Hey, I do work out, you know."

"And that's supposed to... what? Impress me?"

"Oh, shut the sodding hole in your pretty little face. It's bad enough you have to carry me. It's worse if I have to listen to you yammering."

Buffy did shut up, and she carried him the rest of the way in silence.

Buffy tried to adjust her eyes, as she entered the pitch black crypt, through the back entrance.

"Uh, heard of a new thing called electricity?"

She took a step forward and promptly fell down the flight of stairs before her. She tumbled down the steps and landed with a thud, as Spike fell on top of her.

He was unable to see her, but could feel her warm breath against his face and her soft body beneath him.

Buffy, fully aware of the uncomfortable position they were in, immediately began struggling underneath his weight.

"Get off," she said.

"I would if you weren't holding onto my arms for dear life."

Upon realizing she was, in fact, holding onto his arms for dear life, she quickly let go and rolled him off of her. He landed on his back and groaned in pain.

"Oh, sorry, forgot about your back."

"So you decide to carry me the whole way because... ?"

"I remembered then! I sort of forgot after you forgot to tell me there were steps."

"Not my fault. I never come in through the back way."

"Ugh, whatever. Just... just go light a candle or something. I can't see a thing."

Minutes later, the crypt was slightly brightned, thanks to Spike's collection of candle sticks. They gave an eerie glow and Buffy couldn't help but shiver.

"Cold, love?" Spike asked her, as he sat on his bed.

"No. Your crypt gives me the wiggins."

"Oh, so you're scared, then."

"No. Just... it's none of your business. Do you have a first aid kit or do I have to go home and get one?"

"On top of the fridge," he told her.

Buffy returned moments later with a wash cloth, some gauze and bandages. She sat on the bed next to Spike and placed the items down beside her.

Spike slowly began to take off his shirt. He winced in pain once again, as the muscles in his back tightened, making the wounds pulsate.

"Ow," he whispered.

Buffy had been focusing on her hands in her lap, but as soon as she noticed how much Spike was struggling, she glanced up at him. He had barely gotten the shirt half-way up his stomach.

Buffy sighed and hesitantly began to help him.

"H-Here," she told him. "Let me."

Spike relaxed and concentrated on Buffy's face as she removed his shirt. He noticed the color rise to her cheeks and he couldn't help but smile.

She carefully pulled it up over his head and tossed it behind them on the bed.

"Turn around," she said.

Spike looked at her for only a second longer, before cautiously turning around, his back to her.

Buffy's eyes widened when she realized how bad he had been hurt. There were three deep claw marks running down the length of his back. She took one of the wet wash cloths and gently dabbed at his cuts.

"Bloody hell!" Spike shouted.

Buffy jumped back startled.

"What? What is it?"

"That bleeding stings!"

She rolled her eyes.

"God, don't be such a baby. Just... hold still."

Buffy placed one of her hands on his forearm, keeping him steady. She felt Spike tense as the cloth came in contact with his wounds once again.

He clenched his teeth together, to keep himself from crying out in pain. It hurt like hell. But, somehow, the soft, caring hand that rested gently on his forearm, took his concentration off of the pain.

Buffy took a deep, unsteady breath as she tended to his injuries. If Jarred ever found out that she was sitting with a half-naked vampire, on his bed of all places, their relationship would surely be over, if it wasn't already. The whole atmosphere had that almost romantic vibe, what with the candles and all, and Buffy was feeling rather uncomfortable. The sooner she got out of there, the better. Still, she couldn't help but feel it was her fault that Spike was hurt... and she owed him that much to stay until he was all bandaged up.

She glanced at his face and noticed that his eyes were closed.

"A-Are you alright?" she asked, softly.

"Yeah," he replied. "Just thinkin'."

"About what?"

She took a dry towel and dabbed the bloody water from off of his back.

"Just -- ow!"

"Sorry... I'm almost done."

She then began to unravel some gauze.

"I was just thinkin' about how you should really be with that Jarred guy, tryin' to sort things out. My wounds will heal quickly... but your your heart will take longer if it ends up getting broken. And I couldn't stand to see you with a broken heart."

Buffy immediately stopped what she was doing and Spike turned around to face her. He noticed her eyes become glazed over with fresh tears. He instantly felt guilty for being the cause of them.

"Don't cry, pet... I just meant --"

"I know what you meant," she told him. "And those were possibly the sweetest words to ever come out of your mouth, Spike."

Spike looked into her eyes and at that moment he wanted to kiss her. It just seemed right. Instead, he lightly brushed a single tear from off her cheek.

Buffy looked down, not wanting to make eye-contact with him. She hated it when he saw her cry. She always felt so helpless. She didn't even know why she was crying, in the first place.

Buffy finally looked back up at him and immediately regretted doing it. He bent his head down, slowly, and she knew he was planning on kissing her. She jerked her head back.

"I - I should go," she told him, a bit flustered.

Buffy stood up quickly and refrained from making anymore eye contact with the vampire.

Spike tried to stand up as well, but the sharp pains stopped him.

"Buffy... I'm sorry. I didn't mean --"

"Forget about it."

And with that she was out the door.

Buffy knocked gently, praying that he wasn't asleep. It was after midnight, afterall. She stood at his door for a few more seconds, before it opened.

"Buffy?" he asked, his voice groggy from sleep.

"Hi... sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. Can I come in?"

Jarred stood at the door, and looked down at her with uncertainty in his eyes.

"Please, Jarred. We need to talk."

After a few more moments passed, he finally nodded and gestured for her to come inside.

She smiled softly and entered his house. As soon as she got inside, he grabbed her and kissed her thuroughly. When they finally broke apart, she had a confused look on her face.

"B-But, I thought..."

"I forgive you," he told her.

He kissed her again.

"Stay the night with me?" he asked.

Buffy nodded.

They kissed one last time, before she smiled and followed him up the stairs.

"Aw, you guys didn't have to do that!" Buffy told her friend and sister, the next morning.

Willow and Dawn sat next to Buffy on her living room couch.

"Sure we did, you deserve it," Dawn said, cheerily.

Buffy smiled at her sister. She was so lucky to have friends and family who did such sweet and spontaneous things for her. It turned out they all rented out the Bronze for the next day to celebrate Buffy's engagement. This just topped her already happy mood. She was so excited that she had worked things out with Jarred and now there was gonna be a huge party just for them. She couldn't wait.

"Oh, and everyone's allowed to bring one friend," Willow told her. "I'm bringing Tara, of course, Xander's bringing Anya..."

She looked over at Dawn.

"Who do you wanna bring, Dawnie?"

"I dunno. I'll probably bring Spike."

"What? No, you're not," Buffy told her.

"Oh, well, you can bring him if you really want to... I just thought you'd bring Giles or someone."

"No, I'm not taking him and neither are you. He's not invited."

Dawn frowned.

"What is with you two? One minute you're best friends and the next you want nothing to do with each other. It's crazy. And you know what? I won't take Spike. You will."

"No way --"

"Maybe you should, Buffy," Willow interrupted. "I mean, it is gonna be like the last time you guys can openly hang out."

Willow had a point. No matter how weird things were between them, she was going to miss patrolling with him every night or just spending time with him. He was always the one she turned to with her problems or fears or anything, and she knew she wasn't going to be able to do that anymore. Not when her and Jarred got married. He'd flip, if he found out they were hanging out all the time.

"Fine," Buffy finally said. "I'll bring Spike."

Buffy left her house the following day, tired and worn out. She was worried because she felt like she had been feeling the week before she was hospitalized. Giles still hadn't found anything on who or what had drugged her, or whether or not it would happen again, but Buffy feared that it was. She didn't have a clue, the doctors didn't have a clue, and neither did her friends. It was a horrible feeling to be so be so powerful, yet so weak at the same time. She decided not to think about it any longer, and instead prepared herself to confront Spike... even though he should be the last thing on her mind.

Buffy whined and complained the whole way to Spike's crypt. Why did she always have to do this? How many times did she always have to do the dirty work? They fight, she feels guilty and apologizes. He makes the moves on her, she feels weird and goes to make amends. Will it ever end?

Buffy decided to knock, in order to avoid another encounter with him in his boxers. Realizing, he wasn't coming to the door, she gave up and barged in.

"Spike, it's me... if your sleeping, wake up, if you're naked, get dressed."

There was a pause before she heard him reply.

"What the bloody hell do you want, Slayer?"

His voice was tired, and she figured he was most likely sleeping. She walked over to his bed, and found him face down under the covers.

"How's your back?" she asked.

"Swell. Now leave."

Buffy sighed.

"Look, I'm only here to tell you to be ready by eight."

Spike finally turned over, ignoring the pain as he did so, and faced the blonde girl standing over him.

"What's at eight?" he asked.

"My engagement party."

"So? Why the hell do I gotta be there?"

She forced herself to say the words.

"Because... you're my date."

'Til Death Do Us Part
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