Buffy and Xander were sitting outside, eating lunch. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and it was warm. Willow was staying home because of the bronchitis she had, Oz was outside town for the day, and Cordelia was nowhere to be seen.

"I'm bored." Xander began,"So very, very bored. Are you bored too, Buffy ? 'Cuz if you are, maybe we can start a club or something."
"Oh, don't worry, I'm bored, way bored. I mean, I actually miss Giles."
"When is he coming back, by the way ?"
"I don't know. He said he'll stay 'till the end of the comvention which ends in eight days."
"What if a new immortal demon arrives ?"
"Not an issue. Since I killed Angelus, things have been really quiet."
"I still can't believe you did that. Not that I was sad or anything..."
"Come on Xander, even though you violently disliked him, he saved your live quite a few times."
"And tried to kill me just as many. But I have to admit that I will miss disliking him."
"I don't wanna have Trig. I don't wanna be here and I wanna be somewhere else."
"You didn't need to say that last one. If you don't wanna be here, it means that you wanna be somewhere that's else."
"I know, but I wanted to say something."
"Wanna skip the rest of the day ?"
"Sure do. But what are we gonna do ?"
"Dunno, something fun. We can go stuff ourselves with ice-cream."
"No, wait. Mom's outta town. We can rent a couple of movies, buy tons of munchies and lock ourselves in my room."
"Let's do it."

Xander was really excited about that afternoon with Buffy. This huge crush he had on her was growing stronger everyday. And things were going really good between them. They had gotten a lot closer since Buffy killed Angel.
Buffy was excited too, but not as much as Xander. She liked Xander, really liked him, but just wasn't ready to get involved with someone right now. That's why she was glad he didn't put any pressure on her. He had become her best and closest friend, which would've made things awkward if they got together. But on the other hand, she had been thinking about him a lot lately. And not just as a friend, which was confusing.

"So, what did you rent ?" Buffy asked, "I hope it's not only cheesy action films with at last fifty naked women."
"Nothing like it. I got 'Men In Black', 'I Know What You Did Last Summer', and 'Wild Things'."
" 'Wild Things' ? You think you'll like it ?"
"Why wouldn't I ? Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, a lot of kissing and a lot of action. And for you, there's Matt Dillon."
"I don't like Matt Dillon."
"You dont ? What about Will Smith ?"
"Not really. But Ryan Phillipe's a real hottie."
"Sorry, I thought you'd like the rest."
"That's OK, I'll be just fine as long as we don't run out of munchies."
"Oh, don't worry about that. I've got everything. Ho-Ho's, cheesy chips, chocolate, Oreo cookies... "
"Let's get in my room, then."
"Boy, do I love it when you say that !"
"Xander !"
"Sorry. Where do I sit ?"
"The same place you usually sit."
"..."
"On my bed."
"What about the whole 'no pressure' thing ? I thought you didn't want me to make suggestions about you and I getting together. And may I ask, how can I not do that if I'm in a dark room, lying in your bed next to you ?"
"You know I didn't mean it when I said that. I actually like having you making these suggestions, it's absolutely great for my self-assurance."
"So the reason why you never went out with me is because seeing me being hopelessly in love with you makes you feel good ?"
"No ! Of course not ! It's just that... You know what, this thing was just a huge mistake. I guess we can't be together alone without starting to talk about this."
"No Buffy, wait."
"For what ?"
"I don't know but... You gotta see how difficult this is for me. Being so close to you, but yet so far. Knowing that I'll never get to kiss you, hold you..."
"What do you mean never ? You don't know what'll happen tomorrow or the day after."
"You mean..."
"No, but what I was trying to say is, you can't never be sure about anything. Anyway, you should leave. I'm patroling tonight, and I'm kinda tired. So, see you tommorow."
"You don't want me to go patrolling with you ?"
"No, not tonight. Bye."

Xander was getting all depressed again. His only chance with Buffy had just gotten blown away. Buffy wasn't feeling good either. I really shouldn't have thrown Xander out like that. He's my best friend ! I mean, he tells me how much he loves me and I throw him out ! How come things have to be so difficult ? And why NOW of all times ? I'm just gonna go on patrole and cry over myself.

Buffy waited until sundown, and went right out on patrole. She was doing her third cemetery when she finally heard some suspicious noises. She took her stake out of her sleeve and started following the noise. As she went for the attack, she had the suprise of her life.

"Spike !" Buffy screamed, "What the Hell are you doing here ? I thought you were never coming back !"
"Slayer ! Hey, long time no see !"
"Uh, since when do we make small talks ?"
"Don't get all wiggy ! I'm just looking for something to eat. What about you ?"
"Just looking for something to slay."
"I thought you didn't like patroling."
"Well, sometimes when I get agry or sad or... Hold on a second, why am I talking to you ?"
" 'Cuz you're angry or sad or just bored out of your mind, I guess."
"You're right, I'm angry. And sad. And bored out of my mind. How come you always see right through me ?"
"Some bloody spiritual connection, I guess. Hey, I heard you killed Angelus. Did you really ?"
"Yeah, I killed Angel."
"So, why are you sad, angry and bored ?"
"None of your damn business."
"Come one, Slayer. I know you're dying to tell someone."
"You're right. Feel like listening to me ?"
"As long as you're finished by sunrise, nifty be me !"
"Okay, well, it's like this : you remember Xander, right ? "
"The one I kidnapped with Willow ? Yeah. What about him ?"
"He's in love with me."
"Hey, that's great !"
"..."
"Obviously, not so great from your perspective."
"It's just that I don't feel the same way about him. And since he and I are best friends, things can get... difficult sometimes. We were at my house today, watching a movie on my bed and he started telling me that he loved me and everything and I just had to get him out of there. But after I did that, I felt kinda bad about it."
"Don't take it bad, but you should feel bad. I mean, you're playing yo-yo with that poor guy ! You invite him to your house, watch a movie with him on your bed and then you throw him out when he tells you he loves you ! I mean, isn't that kinda bitchy ?"
"Bitchy ?! Who the Hell are you to call me bitchy ?"
"Well someone had to do it ! I guess I'm the only one who has nothing to loose by telling you!"
"You mean, am I really such a bitch ?"
"Well, I don't know, but from what you told me, it sure sounds like that."
"Oh my God ! I had no idea !"
"Please, don't get all sad and everything. I don't handle people that are sad. I usually just kill them."
"Sorry, but I had no idea. I feel so bad about myself."
"Oh no, don't cry. Please, I beg you don't start to... Too late. Now, what the Hell am I supposed to do with you ?"
"Walk me home ? Please ?"
"This is really getting out of hand. Get up, I'm walking you home."
"Thank you."
"You know, saying you were a bitch was maybe a little exagaggerated. Maybe you're just... I don't know."
"Hey, you never told me what you were doing in Sunnydale. And where's Drusilla ?"
"Oh, I haven't seen Dru since she and I broke up."
"But I thought..."
"Yeah, I know. But on my way back to Brazil, I realized that she wasn't worth it. I drove to Las Vegas, stayed there for a while, 'till I heard that Angelus was finally out of the picture."
"Oh, well, that's.... That sucks !"
"Yeah, I know. Hey, you're home."
"Thanks for walking me home. You know what ? You've changed."
"I have ?"
"Yes. Maybe that thing with you and Drusilla being apart doesn't suck after all."
"Yeah, whatever. Well, I guess that's it. See ya."
"Hey, Spike !"
"What is it, Slayer ?"
"Would you not call me that?"
"Sorry. What were you gonna say ?"
"Uh, wanna come inside ?"
"What for ?"
"Talk ?"
"You know what, this is getting way too weird for me."
"What do you mean ?"
"This ! Why on Earth would you invite me to come into your house ? Except for saving the world, that is."
"I don't know. Maybe 'cuz you're the only one I can talk to. Willow's got bronchitis so she's really not in talking mood, Oz is out of town, I have no idea where Cordelia is, and Xander and I had a fight."
"Your Watcher ?"
"He's out of town too. So, will you come in or are you just gonna leave a poor Slayer on her own in a really big house ?"
"What about your clueless Mom ?"
"Art-buying trip."
"Isn't there anyone else ?"
"No. Please ?"
"Okay then. Hope you've got some of those little marshmallows."

Buffy and Spike sat in Buffy's room, watching the videos Xander had rented earlier. They were now watching 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'.

"Man, that Ryan Phillippe is hot !" Buffy said, "I would kill to spend a night with him."
"You would ?" Spike asked, "I'd kill to spend a night with that girl with him. Now she is hot !"
"You think ?"
"Yeah ! You know what, she looks just like you."
"Nah, I'm taller and my hair's lighter."
"That's 'cuz you color your hair."
"How did you know ?"
"Wild guess. Talking about wild, I'm tired of this movie, can't we watch 'Wild Things' ?"
"No, I wanna see how it ends !"
"The girl who looks just like you and that guy you found so hot die, while the other ones find the killer and throw him into the sea. Now you know the end."
"Why did you have to ruin it for me ? And how come you know the end ?"
"Already seen the thing. Now let's watch 'Wild Things'."
"Okay then."

The film was near the end now. Buffy was practically falling asleep on Spike's shoulder and he was liking it. It had been such a long time since he had a fun night like this one.

"Hey, Buffy, you're falling asleep."
"Huh ?"
"You're falling a sleep."
"No, I'm not. I'm just resting my eyes."
"Then what just happened ?"
"The girl just hit the other girl."
"Man, you've been sleeping for longer than I thought."
"Sorry. I guess you should go home."
"Don't think I can."
"Why ?"
"Sunrise's getting really close."
"Oh my God ! What time is it ?"
"About 6 a.m. Why ?"
"School ! I gotta get ready for school ! I can't believe we watched movies all night ! But I don't think I can go to school. I'm way too tired !"
"Then don't go."
"I can't I... Have to go to sleep."
"Uh, hey, um, can I like, crash here today ?"
"Sure."
"Uh, where am I supposed to sleep ?"
"Um, I don't know. What about the floor ?"
"Uh... Yeah. Thanks."
"You're welcome. You know, I feel kinda bad letting you sleep on the cold, hard floor."
"Can't be colder than me. A little harder perharps."
"You know what ? Just sleep with me in the bed. You'll sleep over the shit, I'll sleep under."
"Are you sure about letting me sleep in the same bed as you ?"
"It's okay, I trust you."
"And that is because..."
"As I told you, you've changed. I like you now."
"You do ? I like you too. Good-night, Buffy."
"Hm."
"Gotta love this girl !"

Buffy wouldn't have woken up if Xander hadn't showed up at her house at about 6 p.m. The sun had gone down, and it was now safe for Spike to go out. Allthough, he and Buffy were still sleeping. Xander knocked on the door, but got no answer. He knocked again, but still got nothing. So he decided to go inside. He remembered that people in Sunnydale were still stupid enough to let their door unlocked, so he just turned the doorknob and walked right in. He went straight upstairs to Buffy's room and almost had a heart-attack when he opened the door. There she was , the love of his life, the only one he had ever loved, holding tightly the same guy that tried to kill her mother, her friends, her town and the entire world ! Xander's next reaction was to scream.

"My God, Buffy !" Xander yelled, "What is going on ?!"
"Huh ?" was the only thing Buffy could get out of her mouth.
"What the bloody Hell is going on ?" Spike asked, "And what is he doing here ?"
"What I am doing here ? What about you ? You're the one in the Slayer's bed ! And may I ask, Buffy, what the Hell are you doing holding him ?!?!?!"
"Huh ? Oh, sorry, wasn't on purpose. Xander, what are you doing in my bedroom ?"
"I was worried about, so I came to check if you were allright. I guess you are ! And now can you please tell me what William the Bloody is doing in your bed ?"
"We were watching movies and it got kinda late, so Spike had to crash here. I was way too tired to go to school. I guess he and I got closer through the night. I mean day. But nothing happened."
"Buffy, we really have to talk. About yesterday."
"I know. Uh, Spike, I think you can go home now."
"Uh, yeah, right. Thanks for the uh, bed. And uh... Gotta go."

When Spike was finally gone, Buffy went to get a shower. She couldn't stop thinking about how to deal with this thing with Xander. What should I do ? This talk with Spike really made me see that what I feel for Xander is more than friendship. It made me realize that the only reason I acted like that with him, is because I've been afraid of commitement ever since this thing with Angel. But should I tell Xander about it ? I should, I really should. God, I really wonder how Xander's gonna react.

When Buffy had finished dressing, she went downstairs, where Xander was waiting for her while watching TV.

"Hey." Buffy said.
"Hey." Xander bagan, "I like your dress."
"Thank you. Xander, there's something I have to tell you."
"Go ahead."
"First of all, I am so sorry about yesterday. I guess I just got wigged out."
"By what ?"
"By you, me, us. I don't know. I guess I just realized that maybe we weren't just friends anymore, and that scared me."
"But why ?"
"Oh, let's see. Maybe because the last guy I fell in love with turned into Mr. Killing Spree after I slept with him !"
"Oh, that. But the thing is, I'm not a vampire. And this doesn't tell me what you were doing in the same bed as Spike."
"I told you. It got late, the sun was up, Spike had to crash here. Since we had been watching movies the wholle night, we were exhausted. I felt bad having him sleeping on the floor, so I suggested in we just slept in the same bed. And for the last time, nothing happened."
"Okay, I get the point. So, what you're trying to tell me, is that you have feeling for me, right ?"
"Right."
"Then you don't mind if I say 'yay', do you ?"
"No."
"Then you don't mind if I kiss you either."

Three days later

Buffy was patroling again. This time alone. Xander was waiting for her at her house with Oz and Willow. Buffy was actually looking for Spike. She hadn't seen him since that movie night they spent together. When she spoted a vampire walking by, she saw him as a great opportunity to get some information. First she beat the vamp, and then started to threaten him with her stake.
"Hey, Fangboy !" Buffy bagan, "You tell me where I can find Spike or you fit in an ashtray."
"I don't know Spike."
"Now, come on, the guy's killed two Slayers and you tell me you don't know him ?"
"I swear I don't !"
"This is your last chance : tell me where Spike is."
"I'm right here, luv."
Buffy staked the vamp and walked towards Spike.
"Oh, here you are. I've been looking for you."
"Yeah, I heard. What was it you wanted to see me for ?"
"Nothing special. Was just wondering how things were going for you. You know, since you had to leave in such a hurry the other night..."
"Things are going just fine. What about you ?"
"Oh, I feel great. Xander and I are finally dating."
"You're WHAT ?!"
"We're dating."
"You are ?"
"Well, uh, yes."
"Well, uh, why ?"
" 'Cuz I like him ! I actually do more than like him, I think I love him."
"No you don't."
"Yes I do !"
"No you don't !"
"What the Hell is wrong with you ? Why don't you want Xander and I to be together ? It's like you were jealous or something."
"No I'm not !"
"I didn't say you were but it sure looks like you are !"
"No it doesn't !"
"Yes it does !"
"Shut up !"
"I don't wanna shut up, you shut up !"
"No ! You shut up !"
"No I won't !"
"Then I guess I'll have to make you shut up."
"And how are you gonna do that ?"
Spike just pushed her against him and kissed her. Buffy broke it off almost immediately.
"What's wrong ?" Spike asked.
"Don't ever do that again !"
"What ? You didn't like it ?"
"I'm with Xander, I just told you !"
"Like that would stop me !"
"Well, obviously not !"
"Oh, C'mon, you know you wanted to do that as much as I did !"
"I admit that I may have had feelings for you, but that was before Xander ! Now, if you ever do that again, I swear I'll..."
"Xander isn't the only one who loves you, you know."
"Oh, stop it."
"No, I mean it. I've been in love with ever since... I don't even remember when I fell in love with you !"
"I can't believe this. If you were in love with me, why didn't you do something about it sooner ?"
"Angel. You loved him, not me. So I moved away from Sunnydale. But when I heard that he was dead, I came back at once."
"I can't believe this !"
"You've already said that."
"I know. Man, could your timing suck even more ?!"
"Sorry about that. So, any thoughts about how you're gonna deal with this ?"
"I'm sorry, Spike, but I'm with Xander now, and it means everything to me."
"Yeah, I know. But I ant you to remember that if it doesn't work out, I'll be there for you. I swear."
"I know. Man, you've changed. Makes me feel bad about putting you in a wheelchair a while ago."
"Hey, I survived, didn't I ?"
"You can't 'survive', Spike. You're already dead."
"Yeah, I noticed. See ya, Buffy."
"Good-night, Spike."