Lovers Walk

Chapter Twenty: Home Sweet Home

Spike was sitting in the back yard swing at Eddie's. He had been out there since the sun had went down. He had a tough decision to make.

Buffy and Sunnydale.

He knew he had to go back...if for nothing more than to see Dawn and talk to Buffy. He also knew that having Ravyn with him would cause a problem, but where he went...so did she. She was his mate, as he was hers. Their place was with each other.

Buffy had said she wanted to talk..about `them'. Had she finally made a decision? What would he say to her? How would she react to his claiming of Ravyn?

He still loved Buffy and seeing her would be hard. He wondered if just a phone call would be enough..out of site, out of mind...kind of thing. That would be the easiest way to handle things.

It had been almost 4 months since he had left Sunnydale. He thought leaving would give Buffy time to figure out what she wanted....not give him time to find another. That was never his intention's where Ravyn was concerned. It just happened.

And what if Buffy did return his love...what then? Could he just turn her away like she had him for years? He couldn't even conceive of the notion of hurting Ravyn again. Not like that. Not with Buffy. But could he bring himself to hurt Buffy the same way?

Spike sighed and ran his hands through his hair before resting his head in his hands. He thought his life was screwed up before....it just kept getting worse every year.

"What's wrong" Ravyn asked him quietly when she walked outside and saw him. She could tell something was up.

Spike looked up and smiled at her as she approached him. "Just thinking"

"About what" she asked as she stood in front of him.

"Lots of things" he said placing his hands on her hips and looking up at her.

Ravyn knew by the look in his eyes that whatever it was...it was stressing him out in a major way. She walked closer to him and straddled his lap as she sat down. Spike leaned back and wrapped his arms around her waist as she leaned up against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Ravyn put her head on his shoulder and just held him, hopeing that whatever was bothering him, had nothing to do with her. She was as as scared about losing him as he was about losing her.

Spike buried his face in her shoulder and inhaled her scent. He knew she could tell something was wrong, but also knew she wouldn't press him about it. He kissed her neck and sighed heavily before he spoke.

"I need to go back to Sunnydale"

Ravyn felt her whole world crash down around her. She had a feeling that this was what was bothering him. He had been unusually quiet for a few days now. Even though she would go anywhere he wanted, the big question now was....did he want her to go with him?

Spike felt her tense up and knew what she wasnkinnking. He lifted his head and gently lifted hers so he could see her. She wasn't looking at him. He knew she was hurt and he hated himself for it.

"Ravyn...look at me." he told her softly.

Ravyn felt the tears forming in her eyes and knew they would fall the minute she raised them. She smiled weakly at him, never looking up and crawled off his lap.

"Don't worry about it Spike...go do what you have to. I'll be here waiting, if you ever decide to come back." she said softly as she walked back towards the house.

Spike was on his feet and wrapping his arms around her waist before she made it to the steps. He pulled her back against him and nuzzled his face in her neck.

"I have no intentions on going without you. Your place is with me. Where I go, you go" he said as he placed his chin on her shoulder. "I love you Ravyn, I'm not going back to be with her."

Ravyn felt the tears slide down her face at his admission. Relief washed over her and she relaxed into his embrace. Spike moved around to stand in front of her and raised her head. He wiped her tears away and kissed her gently.

"I love you" he said smiling at her. "Always and Forever"

Ravyn wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly as the tears started again. She couldn't figure out why he had such an effect on her. Never had anyone ever made her feel so loved and helpless at the same time. She was a strong independent woman but also a scared frightened little girl.

"I love you to Spike."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I'm really going to miss you two" Eddie said as he hugged Ravyn. "I've never met anyone like you before, and know I never will again."

"I'm gonna miss you to." Ravyn said as she pulled back from him. "Thank you so much for what you did for us"

"Don't mention it. I just wished I could have gotten you in that Complex and removed your chip." he said sadly.

"That's okay. Don't think Spike'nna nna let anymore bullies pick on me." she said with a grin looking at Spike.

"That I won't" Spike said kissing her on the top of the head.

"Thanks Eddie, I'll never forget what you did." Spike told him as he shook Eddie's hand.

"You two take care of each other...and don't go getting into any trouble." Eddie said with a grin as he opened the car door for Ravyn.

"We won't." Ravyn said as she sat down.

Spike walked over to the driver's side and got in. He started the engine as Ravyn leaned out her window and kissed Eddie on the cheek.

"I left you something downstairs....a little thank you." she said with a grin.

Eddie smiled back at her as she flopped back down into the seat. "Take care" he said as he stepped back and watched them drive away. *I'll miss you guy's* he said to himself as the car drove out of site.

Eddie walked back into the house and made his way to the basement. He walked into the little room Spike and Ravyn had shared and noticed an envelope on the bed. He sat down and opened the envelope, pulling out the note Ravyn had left him, and began to read.

Hey Sweetie,

I'm so gonna miss you. You have been an angel. I wanted to Thank You for everything you did for Spike and I. Now don't go getting all Nobel on me when you see what I did. I do what I want ...NO ONE tells me what to do....Just ask Spike.

But anyway..I deposited a little token of my gratitude in your bank account and please accept it....you deserve it.

Friends always,

Ravyn

Eddie held the note and looked back in the envelope and saw another small slip of paper. It was a deposit slip from his account. He blinked a few times before a wide grin crossed his face as he read the numbers off. *I'll agree with you Spike....girl is insane* he said to himself as he shook his head, silly grin plastered on his face and left the small room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Still hasn't called back, huh?" Willow asked Buffy as she sat down beside her on the sofa.

"No. He probably won't." Buffy said sadly. "He's been gone to long. I think my worst fears have finally come true."
"You're not thinking he's `with' Ravyn now are you?"

"Yes Will...that's exactly what I'm thinking."

"He loves you Buffy. I don't think he'll risk losing you by messing around with her. I know he'll come back. He said he would and we both know he always keeps hismisemises."

Buffy sighed and leaned her head back on the couch. "But what if he don't? What if he never comes back...what if he doesn't love me anymore? What then?"

Willow sat there looking at her friend wanting to take her pain away. She knew Buffy loved Spike and she knew Buffy felt even more miserable knowing he was with Ravyn. She had sat by and watched her slowly grow more depressed as each new day came and went with no word from Spike. Nothing she could say or do could ever take that hurt away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike parked the car in his usual spot in the cemetery and sat there before moving to get out. Ravyn had fallen asleep and he was glad. He didn't want her to see all the emotions he was having right now cross his face. She was stressing about this trip enough without having something else to worry about. Letting out a long sigh, he looked down at her and gently shook her.

"Hey pet, wake up...we're here."

Ravyn opened her eyes and slowly sat up in the seat. She sooo didn't want to be here. She had been laying there for a while thinking of all the things she knew were going to go wrong. It was a big mistake to come back here. A big part of Spike's heart was here and Ravyn knew he wouldn't be able to live `happily' without it.

*Oh joy* she thought as she turned to him and smiled. "Here where..this looks like the cemetery."

"Cause it is" Spike said as he opened up his door and stepped out.

"And why exactly are we in the cemetery." she asked getting out of the car.

"Cause this is where I live" he said grabbing their bags.

Ravyn followed along behind him as they walked to Spike's crypt. "Where exactly do you live?" she asked worried about her new sleeping conditions.

"Right there." he stated as he pointed to the crypt.

Ravyn giggled at him. "You're kidding me right" she said as he stepped up onto the landing.

"No..I'm noome ome Sweet Home" Spike said as he opened the door and stepped inside.

Ravyn stood outside the door and watched him walk ar lig lighting a few candles. It smelled of dirt and death and she had no intentions on sleeping there.

Spike busied himself lighting the candles. He could smell Buffy there. Her scent lingered everywhere. Flashes of memories came flooding back to him. He almost regretted coming back now. He turned and saw Ravyn still standing outside, hip cocked to one side with her arms crossed over her chest watching him.

"Are you gonna sleep out there or are you coming in?"

"I'm not sleeping in there."

"And why not?" he asked walking towards her.

"Well, let me think...oh I know..It stinks for one, it's dirty and damp..musty..reaks of death..shall I go on?"

"Well, this is all I have..take it or leave it." Spike told her as he flopped down in his chair.

Ravyn stood there and watched him. She wasn't sleeping there, that much was true. She could smell the Slayer from the door. The other stuff was true also, but she wasn't staying knowing he had been with `her' there. She turned on her heel and walked off the landing and was half way across the cemetery before she heard Spike call out to her.

"Where do you think you're going?" Spike yelled out to her.

"Anywhere but here." she yelled over her shoulder.

"Ravyn, get your ass back here!"

Ravyn kept walking as Spike continued to yell out to her. She grinned to herself as she heard his anger building. He was screaming like a maniac, surly he was going to wake the dead.

Spike turned and grabbed his duster and slammed the crypt door shut behind him as he headed off in the direction Ravyn had went cursing under his breath the whole way. He wasn't in any mood for her antics tonight..he was tired and stressed out.

As Ravyn got to the outside wall of the cemetery she realized she had forgotten her bag. She walked around the corner and leaned up against it. If she had to go back to that place, she might as well give Spike a hard time for her inconvenience.

She heard him stomping up the sidewalk and had to hold back her giggles. As he walked past her she giggled to herself as she saw him clenching his jaw. She knew he was pissed now..*Oh well...this is gonna be fun* she thought with a grin.

"Took ya long enough" she said with a grin when he got a few feet away from here.

Spike swung around at the sound of her voice and saw her leaning against the wall, arms over her chest grinning at him.

"You think you're funny!? I orta ripe your throat out. I don't have time for your games!" he yelled at her. She just stood there grinning at him, which only infuriated him more.

Spike stalked over to her and leaned down and picked her up fireman style. Ravyn yelped when he hoisted her over her shoulder and started cang hng her back to the crypt.

"You know....this cave man routine might turn me on more if the cave wasn't that stinky ole crypt" she told him with a giggle. "I mean the whole concept of ...yours..mine..is kinda sexy in a bondage kind of way, but can't you at least find us better sleeping arrangements?"

Ravyn giggled softly to herself as he stomped back. She knew he was mad. She could tell by the way he was walking.

"I have a lovely view off your ass from up here..well, that is if you didn't wear this damn coat all the time." Ravyn said as she tried to move his coat to the side to check out the view.

"Pipe down!" Spike yelled as he popped her hard across her ass.

"Awwww..Spike! I thought I told you not to do that anymore!"

"Yeah, well when I get you back to that `stinky' crypt you're gonna wish that's all I did!"

"And what's that's suppose to mean?" she asked getting worried about what his statement.

He didn't answer. "Spike...what are you talking about?"

"You're a spoiled little brat and it's about time you started doing what I say! If you act like a baby, then I'm gonna treat you like one!" he told her, anger filling his words.

"Don't you even think about it!" Ravyn said as she started wiggling to get away from him.

"Hold still before you make me drop you." Spike said trying to keep her from falling.

"Spike!..... Let me go!.....Now!" Ravyn yelled.

"Not on your life gorgeous." Spike said chuckling at her as they neared the crypt.

"Ah..come on, let her go so we can all play with her." a big jock looking vamp said off to Spike's right.

Spike stopped and turned. There were actually 5 vamps. All big. All looking eager for a fight. He bent and stood Ravyn up and cocked his head to one side as he looked at them.

"You know..I'm having a really bightight, so if you don't mind..can we reschedule this for another time?" Spike said sarcastically.

The lead vamp just laughed at him. "Sure whatever you say. But..we will take your lady friend there off your hands...since your not up to par tonight and all." he said laughing as he looked from his friends back to Ravyn.

"You wish!" Ravyn said looking disgusted at the possibilities.

Spike glanced over at Ravyn and saw her eyes flash yellow. He smiled at her before turning back to the vamps.

"Well, if you think your vamp enough to take her...then have at it." he said as he removed a stake from his pocket and handed it to Ravyn. "Here you go baby...finally something to kill."

Ravyn smiled big at him as she took the stake. "You always give the nicest gifts." she said with faked enthusiasm. "So...who's first?" she asked as she took a couple steps towards the group.

"Oh...let me" the leader said as he licked his lips.

"You need any help there sweetie, just give us a holler" Spike said as he smiled and leaned up against a gravestone.

"Will do" Ravyn said as she threw herself at the first vamp, knocking him to the ground. She rolled to her feet and landed a kick to his head as he tried to stand. A second advanced her from behind and she swung her right leg out, tripping him in the process. When he hit the ground, she plunged the stake in his chest and watched him turn to dust.

"Now see, that was just to easy" she said with a smile as the first vamp came back at her. He landed an upper cut to her chin and she staggered back a few steps until she regained her balance. She rushed him and rained blow after blow to his face and chest.

Spike watched with awed fascination. He loved watching the Slayer fight...but this was...this was just bloody fantastic. He was getting turned on just watching her. He didn't realize how fast she was or how limber. She was all over the place, taking blows as good as she gave, but hardly even flinching much.

Ravyn gave her opponent a kick to the head and he fell hard. Another vamp decided to get in on the action and ran into her knocking her to the ground.

"Hey, watch the hands you freak!" Ravyn yelled as her new attacker decided to get frisky rather than fight.

Spike had seen the move and pulled a second stake from his pocket and stalked over to where the guy was still on top of Ravyn and slammed the stake in his back.

"Thanks sweetie" Ravyn said with a grin as she jumped up and gave Spike a quick kiss before jumping back into the fight.

Spike just grinned at her as she rushed her first opponent and rammed her fist in his face. He mimicked the move knocking her down on all fours with his blow. Spike was about to get worried when she made no move to get up, but relaxed as he heard her growl and look up...game face on, ready to play.

Spike barely even saw her jump, she moved so fast. She kicked the vamp who knocked her down and ran towards him as he fell. As he hit the ground, Ravyn flung herself on top of him and staked him in one quick motion.

Ravyn got up and glared at the remaining two, growling as she locked eyes with them. They both advanced on her at the same time, but Spike grabbed one by the collar and swung him around, throwing him into a gravestone, crumbling it as he hit it. Ravyn fought her attacker with every bit of strength she had, landing blow after blow...ducking his as he threw them. He turned to avoid her right foot swinging out and Ravyn rammed the stake in his back as he did. She turned around and saw Spike finish off the last one and turned to look at her.

Ravyn was panting for breath as Spike stalked over to her. She could see the glint in his eyes as he approached her.

Spike grabbed her around the waist with one arm and crushed his lips to hers and thrust his tongue in her mouth as Ravyn wrapped her arms around his neck. She hung on tightly as his tongue tangled with hers. He scrapped his tongue across her fangs and Ravyn moaned as his blood spilled into her mouth. She grabbed the back of his head and held him tightly to her as she nipped and sucked at his lips, both panting as she did. His hands were roaming over her body as he ground his erection into her. Ravyn pulled back from him, gasping for unneeded air as she looked into his eyes. He was looking at her strangely. He had never looked at her like that before and she was almost scared of him for a minute. His soft blues eyes had darkened and were looking at her with lust and desire like she had never seen from him.

"What?" she asked him when he just stood there staring at her.

"Haven't ever seen your demon before" he said as he brought his hand up and rubbed it down her face.

Ravyn closed her eyes as he placed small kisses on her demonic features. She ran her hands over his back and growled softly as he kissed a trail over to her neck and licked the scar he had given her. He bit and sucked at his mark with blunt teeth until Ravyn was rubbing her hips against the bulge in his pants trying to get closer.

Spike put one arm around her back and bent down, grabbing her legs, picking her up and carrying her back to his crypt. He kicked the door open as Ravyn bit at his neck. He walked to the opening to the bottom level and jumped down landing hard. He carried Ravyn to the bed and stood her up and backed away from her.

"Get undressed" he told her as he removed his duster and threw it across the old chair he had down there.

Ravyn let her human features fall and pulled her jacket off. She grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. She never took her eyes off Spike as he stood there watching her. She removed her boots and reached around and unzipped her pants. She slid them down her legs, leaving her in only a black lacy bra and black string bikini underwear.

Spike took his shirt off, never looking away from her. He reached down and unfastened his belt and pulled it from the loops. He grinned at her as he wrapped the buckle end of the belt around his hand.

Ravyn watched him wrap the belt and saw the mischievous look in his eye. She took a few steps back towards the bed and Spike shook his head at her and smiled.

"Ah ah ah..no running now....time for that lesson." he said with a big smile.

"You wouldn't dare" she told him, scared at the look he was giving her.

"What'd I tell you" he asked softly as he stalked towards her.

Ravyn looked behind her and backed up against the bed and stopped as it hit the back of her legs. Spike was still slowly walking towards her...evil smirk planted on his face.

"Spike...don't or I swear I'll dust your ass!" Ravyn said as he kept walking towards her.

Ravyn turned and jumped up on the bed as Spike lunged for her. She jumped off the other side as he crawled across it growling. She screamed as she ran around the foot of the bed, Spike right on her heels.

"Spike!" she yelled as she ran for the latter only to be tackled to the ground. Spike pinned her under him and grinned down at her.

"Why you tryin' to get away from me?" he said as Ravyn was squirming underneath him.

"Spike...don't even THINK of using that belt on me or I swear...."

"You'll what...make me sorry." he said chuckling at her. "I'm gonna teach you a lesson you'll never forget"

Ravyn was panting for breath...from fear. She could see the look in his eyes. He meant it.
"Spike...I'm sorry okay" She said sweetly. "Now let me up"

Spike grabbed both her wrist and held them together and lifted her arms over her head. "I'm getting kinda tired of you given me such a hard time." he said lowering his head and licking her breast right above the lace.

"I thought you liked me giving you a hard time" Ravyn said thrusting her hips up smiling.

"Oh, I do...but, I gonna show you why you need to start behaving."

Ravyn was getting more turned on by the second. Spike was nipping at her nipples through the material of her bra and grinding his hips into her. He smiled when he heard her moan and lifted his head and looked at her.

"You're not suppose to be enjoying this." he told her as he saw her lust filled eyes.

"Spike let me go" she asked him softly. She knew he was going to punish her...only she wasn't sure she could take anything he was planning on doing at the moment. "Please"

"Now see, I love it when you beg." he said nipping at her neck.

"Spike..." she said as he raised up and stood, bringing her with him. He picked her up and carried her to the bed and threw her own it. "Stay" he said glaring at her. "Time to teach you that lesson" he said smirking as he folded the belt and snapped it at her.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Chapter Twenty-One: Welcome Home

Ravyn moaned as she woke and tried to move. Every muscle in her body was screaming and her hands were still tied tightly to the bed frame with the belt. She looked down and saw Spike, laying practically on top of her. He had one leg threw over hers and his head was nestled in between her breast. She looked down and grinned when she saw the foot of the bed laying on the floor.

"Spike" she said as she wiggled her body best she could.

He never moved. "Spike" she said a little bit louder, only to still get no response.

Ravyn sighed loudly. "Spike!" she yelled. That did it...finally something....only a grunt, but something.


"Spike, untie my hands. My arms are killing me." she whined.

Spike moved his head a little but didn't make any attempts to move, well except his hand...he cupped it over here left breast.

"Spike!...move your undead ass and untie me."

"Do I have to" he asked sleepily.

"Yes..you have to."

Spike lifted his head and looked up at her. He smiled as he took in the site of her bound wrist.

"Think I kinda like you like this pet...all accessible and ready." he said as he kissed her breast.

"Spike..." Ravyn whined. "My arms hurt. Please untie me."

Spike raised up on his arms and kissed her on the mouth softly and smiled at her when he pulled back.

"I love you" he said softly.

"I love you to...now untie me...play time is over."

Spike reached up and grabbed the belt and untied her arms. He lifted them down in front of her and untied her wrist. He felt almost bad when he saw her face. He knew she was in pain, but he also knew she enjoyed it the by way she had been screaming all night.

"Better?" he asked as he pulled the belt free and threw it to the floor.

"Yeah..kinda"

Spike looked down and saw the bruises on her wrist and took each hand in his hand and started kissing at her wrist.

Ravyn just watched him. She couldn't figure out how he could be so rough one minute and tender the next. Not that she was complaining...she might just piss him off more often if this was the way he would always punish her. She grinned as she remembered `her punishment'. Her mind was still realing. The whole idea scared her beyond belief but, never in her life had she experienced anything like that. 130 plus years certainly taught him a few thousand tricks.

Spike laid his head down on her shoulder and ran his hand across her stomach looking at the small bruises he had put on her. He really didn't mean to hurt her...but they had gotten a little carried away. He looked down and saw the foot of the bed laying on the floor and starting laughing lightly.

"What are you laughing at?" Ravyn asked him when she heard him.

"We broke the bed." he said looking at her.

"Don't blame me..I was tied up most of the night." she said smiling at him.

"Yeah, and I like you all tied up." he said as he laid his head on the pillow and pulled her over to him.

Ravyn groaned as he did. "I don't think I'm gonna be able to move for days." she giggled.

Spike laughed and kissed her forehead. "Yeah, well..guess you'll listen to me from now own then?"

Ravyn laughed.. "Dream on"

"You're impossible" Spike said. "You always gonna be this difficult."

"Yep..probably so"

They both lay there quietly for a while until the sun had went down before Spike slid out from under her and started dressing. She was just laying there on her stomach watching him and he grinned at her when she arched an eyebrow up at him.

"What are you lookin' at?"

"You"

"See anything you like?" he asked as he pulled his pants up.

"Plenty" she said smiling, still making no attempt to move.

"Well, as much as I'd like to stay here for your viewing pleasure..I'm hungry. So if your going with me, get up."

"I can't" she whined.

Spike walked over to the bed and rolled her over then picked her up and stood her on her feet. "There...now your up."

"You're evil" she said glaring at him as the sudden movements sent aches through her body.

"Bout' damn time someone noticed!" he said smiling as he grabbed his T-shirt.

Ravyn walked slowly over to where her clothes were and started dressing. She ached all over and if she weren't hungry she would have stayed in bed all night..again.

After they had both finished dressing, they left the crypt, headed for town.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"What's wrong?" Spike asked Ravyn when he saw her holding her head.

"Headache. Been coming pretty regular now." she answered.

"Since when?"

"A while. Eddie gave me some more of those pills before we left but, they're not helping much." she said as she stopped and squinted her eyes shut, trying to block out the pain.

"Hurt that bad?" Spike asked her as he saw her face contort in pain.

"Yeah, just give me a minute. Should be over soon."

"Here sit down." Spike said as he led her to a bench.

Ravyn sat and put her head in her hands and tried not to cry. She wasn't sure what was wrong, but the headaches were getting more frequent and more painful.

Spike watched her as she gently rocked back and forth on the bench. He sat down beside her and ran his hand up and down her back. "You gonna be okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, it's easing up." she told him.

"Why didn't you tell me you've been having these?" Spike asked her.

"You've got enough stuff to deal with right now without my little crises."

"SPIKE!" Dawn yelled when she saw Spike sitting on the bench across the street.

Spike looked up when she yelled and grinned big when he saw her. Dawn ran across the street and flew into his arms as he stood to greet her.

"Oh my god...how long you been back, Why didn't you call, Are you staying?" she rambled on as she hugged him.

Spike laughed at her as he hugged her close. It was nice to be missed. "Got back late last night."

Dawn pulled away from him but never let go. "I missed you" she said with tears in her eyes.

"I missed you to nibblet." Spike said as he kissed her on the top of the head smiling.

"You staying?" she asked him worriedly.

"Not sure. Maybe." he answered, really not knowing.

"Oh" Dawn said sadly.

"Hey, no sad faces. Didn't say I was leavin tomorrow or anything."

Dawn looked over his shoulder as Ravyn stood up from the bench and walked over to a store display window. She looked back at Spike and gave him a funny look. "Who's your friend?"

Spike turned his head and looked at Ravyn before turning back and smiled at Dawn. "Come on, let me introduce you." he said taking her arm and leading her over to Ravyn.

"Ravyn" Spike said as he approached her.

Ravyn turned when she heard him say her name.

"Dawn, this is Ravyn..Ravyn, `this' is the nibblet." Spike said smiling.

"Hey......it's Dawn actually." Dawn said smiling weakly at Ravyn.

"Hey" Ravyn said. "It's nice to finally meet you. Spike talks about you all the time." she said smiling at Dawn.

"Really?" Dawn asked happily.

"Of course." Spike said as he wrapped an arm around Dawn's shoulder.

"Have you seen the other's yet" Dawn asked looking back at Spike.

"Nope...just you."

"Oh" she said looking back over at Ravyn. "So, are you going to go see Buffy?" she asked him.

Spike looked at her and glanced at Ravyn when she turned her back to him. "Yeah, not sure when though."

Dawn looked at Ravyn then back over at Spike and gave him a quizzical look. "Are you two together?" she asked him quietly looking at Ravyn.

Spike looked at Ravyn. "Yeah" he said turning his attention back to Dawn.

"Really" Dawn said not looking to happy with him. "I thought you were in love with Buffy."

Spike sighed. He knew this was going to come up and now Buffy would here about it from Dawn and not him. He wasn't sure what to say. He did still love Buffy, but he didn't think Ravyn would understand.


"Hey...I'm gonna head on back so you two can talk." Ravyn said with a smile as she looked over at Spike and Dawn. "It was nice to meet you Dawn." she said as she started to walk away.

Spike watched her leave. He was kinda glad...be easier to talk to Dawn if she didn't have to hear everything.

"Come here Dawn" Spike said as he led her to the bench. Once seated, he turned to her and smiled. "I do love Buffy. It's just...she didn't want me. I asked her the day I left and she said she couldn't love me. I left with Ravyn....hopeing time away would make Buffy see."

"And leaving with `her' was your way of making Buffy...what...jealous?" she asked him a little angry.

"It wasn't like that Dawn."

"Then what `was' it like." she snapped.

Spike sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "She needed a lift, I gave her one. She was going after the Initiative so I tagged along."

"And how long were you together before you were `together'?"

"Over 2 months." he told her hating the pained look on her face. "Look Dawn, you can't say anything to Buffy. I can do that. It's between me and her...okay?" he asked hopeing she wouldn't say anything until he got a chance.

"Do you love her?...Ravyn I mean, do you love her?" Dawn asked quietly.

Spike looked at her and gave her a tiny smile. "Yeah Dawn...I do."

"But how..how can you say you love Buffy if you love her?" Dawn asked confused.

"It's complicated nibblet."

"Yeah, must be...because I so don't get it." she said getting snappy again.

"It's a different kind of love Dawn. I do love Buffy...but it's different from what I feel for Ravyn." he told her softly.

"Why..what makes it different?" she asked him.

"Because Dawn...Ravyn loves me back...Buffy never did." he told her sadly.

Dawn looked at Spike and could see the emotion in his eyes. He looked saddened by his last statement and she felt bad for pressing him about it now. She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight. "I'm glad you're back."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ravyn was trying to get something to come in on Spike's TV, without much luck, when he walked in. She watched him as he took his coat off and slumped down in the chair.

"Go that bad?" she asked him softly.

"Not sure." he answered.

Ravyn really wanted to know what they talked about, but knew better than to ask. Wasn't any of her business really, if he wanted her to know..he'd tell her.

"Why do you keep this piece of crap TV?" she asked him smiling...hopeing a change of subject would lighten his mood.

"Cause it's the only one I have" he answered with a little smile.

"It only picks up 3 channels....and that's only if you stand right beside of it."

"Yeah, well...you can always buy me a new one." he said cocking his head to the side grinning at her.

"Yeah right....why would I waste my money on you?" she asked him playfully as she walked over to the chair.

"Because you love me and we need one" he said as he pulled her down on his lap.

"Yeah, well..'we' need real furniture and tables and carpet...oh wait....how bout a REAL place to stay." she said grinning at him.

"Nothing wrong with this place?"

"There's spider's in here. I saw a big one earlier." she said whining a little.

"So..you're not scared of bugs are ya?" he asked smiling

"Yes..they're creepy." she said with a shutter.

Spike chuckled at her and rolled his eyes. "Your dead...shouldn't anything much scare you..especially bugs!"

Ravyn smiled and put her head on his shoulder. "I'm scared of alot of things...just don`t tell anyone. Wouldn't want word to get out."

"Like?"

"Getting as old as you for one" she said giggling.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy was making her last sweep on patrol and was headed towards Spike's crypt. She went there alot these days. She missed him. She was beginning to think he'd never come back. As she got closer to it...she noticed a faint light coming from inside. She stopped as her heartbeat sped up.

*He's back* she said to herself with a smile. She started walking towards the crypt..not sure of what to say to him. As she was about to step up on the landing...she heard a woman's voice.

Buffy stopped and listened. She couldn't make out what was being said but she could hear Spike also. She walked around to the side and stood up on her toes to look in. What she saw....made her sick.

*Ravyn* she said to herself. Buffy could feel the tears filling her eyes as she watched. Ravyn was sitting on Spike's lap, laughing and kissing his neck and Spike had his hands all over her. Buffy didn't know what hurt more..the fact that he was with Ravyn or the fact that he looked like he was enjoying himself. Stepping away from the side of the crypt, her tears started to fall before she turned and ran.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.