For disclaimer, see Part 1.
Mail: LunarMyth



The group lounged in the living room around two empty pizza boxes. Everyone had taken showers. The guys were in Giles' clothes - which would have been funny enough - but they were each wearing a pair of his boxers and one of his undershirts. Everything else had pretty much been tweed.... Willow and Kiara were borrowing stuff from Buffy, so they felt comfortable in laughing openly at Spike and Xander. The tension of earlier had diminished and the group had quickly cleaned the place up while waiting for the pizzas to arrive.

Now, after they'd eaten and calmed down, it almost seemed like any normal, peaceful Thanksgiving. Of course, it wasn't even Thanksgiving anymore. It was 1 AM. Willow sat cuddled up with Oz on the floor. Her Mom was being cushioned by Giles on the couch, his arms wrapped around her sweetly. Xander was sitting on the floor at her feet - which made Buffy smile. Even Spike and Kiara seemed to have put aside their differences for the night - they were sharing the oversized armchair.

Buffy excused herself to throw all of their trash away. She heard someone walk into the kitchen behind her, and turned around. It was Kiara.

"I wanted to talk to you," she said.

"Shoot," Buffy said, leaning against the counter.

"It's about Faith."

Buffy's eyes widened and she averted her gaze. "You know about Faith?"

Kiara nodded. "Yeah...I've, uh...I've been visiting her recently."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

She shrugged. "I guess I just didn't want you getting your hopes up that I would be able to do anything for her."

Buffy nodded. "Well, have you been able to?"

Kiara smiled. "I haven't done nearly as much as you. But, she did wake up today."

Buffy looked at her in surprise. "She did? Why...How...I mean...." She was speechless.

Kiara grinned. "Don't tell him I said this, but it was Spike's ass."

"Spike's...." Buffy stopped. "I'm not even going to question that." She sighed. "I guess I should go see her first thing tomorrow."

Kiara agreed. "I think that would be a good thing to do. You two have a lot to talk about."



* * *




Spike and Kiara walked in relative silence. He'd surprised her when he'd asked her to come by his place before heading home. It was a pretty long walk, but they'd passed it in silence. It was almost dawn when they reached his doorstep.

They walked in and he turned on the lights. It was even more gorgeous than she remembered it. It surprised her that Spike had....taste. He led the way upstairs, complaining that he *had* to get out of those clothes and into his own. She merely shook her head and followed him.

Once they reached his room, Spike grabbed something and closed the door to the bath area, shutting out the light. "Do you mind turning around?" he asked her.

*Yes, I do.* "Not at all," she said, and turned her back to him. She heard him shuffling around and was tempted to peek. "So, ummm, is there something you wanted to discuss with me?"

"Yes," he whispered. He was right behind her and his voice sent shivers down her spine. His long fingers wrapped around her wrists as he pulled her back against him. "I don't know," he continued, "what happened the other day, luv. But I do know I am bloody damn well sick of it. You run hot and cold and I'm not going to play like that anymore. I gave you your warning. Yet..." he leaned over her shoulder and placed a feather light kiss in the hollow of her collarbone. "You continued to provoke and tempt me."

"But-" she started.

His left hand traveled quickly up her arm. His tapered fingers brushed over her neck and pressed against her lips. "No, no, no. You don't talk. You listen. Understand?" Kiara nodded. "Good," he purred. "Now let's get some things straight." He turned her around to face him. She was like...very unpainful sunshine...in the way that she seemed to light up his whole room and made him want to smile. But now wasn't the time for smiles. Spike wrapped his hands tightly around her upper arms, his nails digging into her soft skin. He smiled when she didn't even flinch, merely looked up at with those bright silver eyes that made him quiver. He stalked forward, pushing her body in front of him, until he had her trapped against the edge of the bed.

"Number one," he said as he dropped his fingers to the edge of Buffy's tiny T-shirt. "No more of these bloody odd tantrums of yours. They drive me crazy." Spike lifted the shirt over her head in one swift movement, baring her full, round breasts. He sucked in a breath and his blue eyes flashed as his gaze raked over her.

Kiara shivered, but not with cold. The pure heat of his gaze caused a lightening bolt of desire to course through her body. She felt the moisture between her legs and longed to run from him. If Spike wanted to make love to her, there was no way she could stop him. Dru or no Dru. But Kiara remained silent, as he'd told her. In her mind, she knew that she could easily stop him from ever harming her, but the tantalizing thrill of his dominance was too pleasurable.

Spike wondered idly if she would rebel if he tried to take her here and now. "Number two," he drawled, his cold fingers slipping beneath the waistband of Buffy's black track pants. "Don't. Try. To...deny me," he said, emphasizing his last words as he yanked the pants down her slender legs. He kneeled down in front of her and tenderly lifted each foot as he removed the excess clothing. When he tilted his head up, he grinned, noticing the proof that she wanted him seeping through the delicate white lace of her bikini panties. Spike quickly masked his satisfaction and stood up.

His voice was much softer when he looked into her eyes. Not for the first time, Kiara kicked herself mentally for agreeing to promise not to read his thoughts. His face was so vacant of an expression, that she began to fear for the worst.

"And number three...." Spike hesitated. His last request, and it was a request for he knew he could never make her do anything she didn't want to, was the most important to him. He leaned forward, bending her backwards. He saw the fear and anticipation in her gaze and didn't know whether he wanted to strangle her or kick himself. "Just trust me," he said smoothly as he straightened and slid his red silk shirt over her naked body. He concerned himself with getting her arms in the sleeves and buttoning it up as he offered up a prayer of thanks to whatever higher power had not let his underlying emotions break through.

With a sweeping gesture, Spike lifted her in his arms, drew back the covers, and placed her in his bed. He couldn't hold back a smirk at the shocked look in her eyes. It was fun astonishing her. He might have to try it more often.

Kiara watched in amazement as he tucked her in and walked around the massive bed, shedding his black T-shirt, though thankfully not the black silk boxers, as he moved. Spike climbed in on the other side of the bed, and turned over. She gazed hungrily at his soft smile, and purred in contentment when he gathered her in his strong arms.

Spike placed a kiss on her temple and situated himself against the silky sheets and her warm body. He closed his eyes as she curled into him and smiled against the silken strands that were as black as onyx. "Just close your eyes, mila. Believe it or not, I do have some idea of what's important to you. Now sleep," he murmured against her.

Kiara was just about to do what he told, when she popped up from beneath the sheets and punched him on the chest. Much harder than she intended.

"Bloody Hell!" Spike shouted, sitting up too quickly so that he bumped his head hard against hers. He cursed loudly and flopped back down on the bed. "...the Hell do you think you're doing?! I don't know why I try. You're like a walking disaster area. You'll have me tied in knots and crying in pain, and I still won't be able to get you out of my head. I know, I know. It's because you're a damned Slayer and I'm a damned vampire and we're just...too damned together and...." he rambled on and on to himself.

Kiara rubbed her head and grinned down at him. He noticed the sparkle of amusement in her eyes and the soft, secretive smile that was so irresistible.

"What?" he grumbled. "What are you looking so bloody pleased about?"

Kiara leaned over and kissed him softly. With a thrill she realized that the moment her lips touched his, he calmed down. *Nice going, girl* she thought to herself. When she leaned back up she smiled down at him. He was trying so hard to keep the frown on his face.

"What was that for?" he asked darkly.

"Mmmmm....what'd you call me?" she asked innocently.

Spike searched his memory, trying to recall what he'd said when he was drifting off to sleep. Which was where he should be now, didn't she know? Finally, he remembered what they were talking about. "Mila?" he told her softly, his blue eyes wide with what had slipped out. He'd make a mental note not to talk to her when he was sleepy.

Kiara was beaming in satisfaction. "Uh-huh. You spent too much time in Prague..............Did you mean it?"

Spike thought for a moment. "Yes," he said, simply and truthfully. Then he waited for her to gloat.

Which, of course, she did not. Kiara merely nodded and settled back down against him, her head resting on his chest above his heart.

He laid there for a long time, just enjoying the feeling of her body against his. When he finally drifted off to sleep, he heard her begin to talk again.

"Do you know what it means?"

"Of course I bloody well know what it bloody means," he mumbled, not even opening his eyes.

Kiara sighed with contentment. "Sweetheart....beloved....true love...." she sighed in a sing-song voice.

Spike opened his eyes and swore. While she was still talking to herself, he turned to her and kissed her deeply, effectively quieting her. "Shut up, mila." he whispered.

Kiara giggled and wrapped her arms around him. "Only if you do that again," she answered him back coquettishly.

So he did.



So absorbed in each other were they, that they never even noticed the stygian figure listening from the darkened hallway.





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