Falling Under

He was stalking her through the woods. Careful not to let her hear his footsteps. Prowling like a panther. Watching her every move. Every curve of her body as she fought the baddies. The pant of her breath, the light sheen of sweat that she barely broke while battling. She was like running water so fluid were her movements. A symphony could be playing in the background marking her every kick, punch or jab. Wiping vampire dust on her jeans she turned towards his direction.

She had known he was there all along. She felt his presence immediately. She let him play and watch her. In fact she liked it. She loved the way Spike's vampire eyes followed her every move. How he would lick his lips unconsciously when he looked at her, like a cat. Her body tingled at his nearness. Her heartbeat sped up. A small thrill of arousal flowed through her.

"Are you quite finished?" she questioned.

"How long have you known?" a distinctly male voice asked.

"Spike..... since you first started following me. Hello me Slayer you Vampire," Buffy replied sarcastically.

He emerged from his hiding spot and cocked his head at her. His cerulean blue eyes looking her up and down. She shot him a look and put her hands on her hips.

"So? Can I help you?"

"You can always help me, Luv," he said to her.

"Don’t call me that. You know I hate that," Buffy replied with a tinge of anger in her voice.

"Ok...... Slayer." Spike replied. He reached into the pocket of the long black leather jacket that he wore and pulled out his cigarettes. Tapping one out he put it in his mouth and whipped out his Zippo lighter. The glowing embers of the cigarette illuminated his face. Buffy's mouth dropped open slightly as he took a drag from his smoke. His lush mouthkingking very inviting.

I have never wanted to be a cancer stick so damn bad in my whole life, she thought and then she sighed revolted for even thinking that.

"You know you can die from that," she said.

"Um...Pet I am DEAD remember?" Spike replied laughing at her. His blue eyes twinkling with his amusement.

"So again I ask, can I help you? Or are you just following me for the hell of it?" Buffy asked again.

"I was just out for a walk and happened upon you and the demons."

"Oh," Buffy said a little disappointed. Spike took another drag of his cigarette and looked at her noticing the tinge of disappointment in her voice.

Don’t even think it Spike. The slayer does not want you. She has said it enough.

*The only chance you had with me was when I was unconscious, * rang through Spike's mind. He shook his head trying to shake the sound of her voice mocking him.

He was so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn’t notice Buffy had walked up to him.

"What’s wrong Spike?" She asked placing her hand on his cheek. He jerked away from her touch.

"Nothing Slayer. I’m fine," he said drawing in an un-needed shaky breath and stepping back, putting some distance between them.

With one last piercing look at her with his shockingly blue eyes he abruptly
turned around and walked away.

Buffy stood there shocked.

"What the hell just happened?" she said aloud.

*~*

Spike had started to walk back to crypt and thought better of it. He followed Buffy home, watching again from the shadows. He loved the way she walked. That was for sure. Her slim hips swinging, her long blond hair flowing down her back. The way her tight jeans hugged her body. The black leather jacket so like his shining in the moonlight. Once she was inside he leaned against his favorite tree and lit a cigarette.

What the hell am I doing? Spike thought. Me a master vampire, following the Slayer all through town back to her home. I’m really becoming bloody stupid.

But Spike could not bring himself to leave that tree. Instead his eyes flickered to the light pouring from the slayer's bedroom.