Chapter Three

Morning eventually came and the Chosen One finally woke up from her slumber.

She awoke from the most peaceful sleep she had had since her death and to her horror she found herself in the strong arms of a bleached blonde vampire. With one quick glance she saw, and felt, the hard lean chest she was against and the undeniable warmth that surrounded her entire body from the cocoon of blankets that encompassed their entangled bodies.

Buffy did not dare move for fear of waking the slumbering vampire that was holding her, rather comfortably to be honest, in his arms. Carefully she raised her head slightly off his chest and gazed up into his peaceful face.

The instant she saw his relaxed features and just how peaceful he looked, something deep within her stirred and she couldn't help but stop and stare for a few more seconds than perhaps was necessary.

There was something about how he looked that made her feel…suddenly comfortable to be with him right now in this movement.

He looked so human.

Vulnerable.

That's what it was, he looked so human but she knew he wasn't.

And the thing that had stirred deep inside her was that she didn't care that he wasn't human. The fact that he didn't breathe when he slept was living proof of that, but he never tried to disguise the fact that he was a vampire.

He had accepted it whole heartedly more than a century ago when he had been sired, just like every vampire did when they were sired.

But Spike was different compared to all of them.

Buffy knew she would never tell him or anyone else this, but there were more human qualities and emotions that he possessed and showed her more than any vampire she had ever met.

Including Angel.

The memories of her time with Angel caused the guilt trip to sharply rise within Buffy as she looked away from Spike's sleeping face to mattress under them.

Vulnerable.

That's how she always felt whenever she watched him sleep after sex. It was a dangerous habit that was growing even more addictive to her because it was the one time that she could allow her growing feelings show through.

It was only fair; she only showed her vulnerability to him, watching him sleep in secret as he willingly showed her his human side, his own vulnerability, as he slept.

There was no denying it now; her once will-bound hatred of Spike was slowly moulding into the complete opposite. No longer did she see him just as an ally she needed in a fight or as the perfect bodyguard for Dawn, but he was essential to her entire being.

She needed him for more than just the sex; she constantly relied on him for his never-ending love or support that he gave her.

He always gave her what her friends couldn't, an impenetrable security blanket of knowing that he accepted and loved her for what she was. Never expecting anything more or less.

Buffy always remembered that it was he who had cleaned her hands after she had clawed her way out of the ground. It had been that first conversation with Spike, him gently holding her hands, just quietly talking to her, that had been her first moment of peace since the shock and turmoil of her journey back to life.

Spike suddenly slightly shifted his head to the side and Buffy froze, now snapped out of her reverie. She watched as his nose twitched a few times before he relaxed once more underneath her.

Breathing a small sigh of relief, Buffy went back to watching his sleeping face with a small smile creeping onto her own face.

She knew she really should remove herself away from him and leave and get back to her home. Buffy knew her friends would be worrying about her and that they would come and search themselves for her if she didn't get home soon.

Dawn would have been home alone again if that happened…

There was going to be another double shift at the Double Meat Palace today and she had to go and wash her uniform…

More bills needed to be paid today…

Once again the troubles of life had crept back into the small bit of peace that was made whenever she was with Spike. It was not fair.

Why should I have to go?

This thought quietly whispered itself into her head and Buffy was alarmed that she had thought of such a thing.

No she had to go she knew that but…

Glancing back at Spike sleeping, the same thing that had moved inside her before stirred again and was so strong that Buffy decided that maybe just for today, she would avoid the troubles of her life and the world and just spend it safe in the arms of the one who loved her.

Exhaling in surrender to her tired body and heart, Buffy gently lay her head back onto Spike's unmoving chest and shut her eyes. It didn't take long for her body to rejoice in her decision as she began to feel drowsy and sleepy once more.

Soon she was deeply asleep again and the moment she was Spike, with his eyes still shut, smiled and drew her tighter against him.

She hadn't left him after all and he couldn't believe it.

But who was he to complain?

Spike had awoken the instant she had because his lullaby that was her steady heartbeat had suddenly shattered and began to beat erratically. His first instinct had been to open his eyes and look at her, but for the first time since this 'thing' had started whenever he had woken up and looked at her if they had fallen asleep, Buffy had always blushed, grabbed her clothes, got dressed and ran out of the door before he could even get a word in.

This time he had wanted to try something different.

He had only pretended to be asleep.

Spike had felt her head get off his chest and it had taken all of his will power not to slightly tighten his arms around her, but when the rest of her body hadn't moved he had quickly realised she was watching him.

He did not know how long for, but the fact that she was began to really interest him. Taking a huge risk, he had moved his head slightly just to see what she would do. The instant he had moved, he had heard her breath catch in her throat and felt her hold her breath as he continued to slightly shift his head.

She hadn't wanted him to know that she had been watching him sleep.

Naughty Slayer just got her hand caught in the cookie jar…

He had made his nose twitch slightly in his amusement, simply because if he had grinned or chuckled she would have known he was awake and she would have been embarrassed.

The nose twitch had been a bit of a risk really but Spike knew that it was worth it when he finally felt her relax against him again and begin to breathe again.

But when she replaced her head on his chest he hadn't expected her to relax that much. With her warmth breath hitting his chest, warming his now cool skin, Spike could hardly believe it.

She had chosen to stay with him, even though it was now morning and no doubt the ties in her life were beckoning to her. But still…

Awashed with hope that maybe, just maybe, she would finally beginning to feel for him, trust him enough to stay with him, Spike couldn't help but inhale deeply and absorb the intoxicating scent of her.

Slayer, woman and musk.

A fatal combination for him, but he bathed in it whenever she came to him.

Now it encompassed him as he held her, opening his eyes and just watched her sleep.

Close with the one he loved.

Things were changing and he knew that it was just the small but insignificant step of something new between them.

Please may it last for more than just this, he thought, silently praying to any god or higher power out there that could answer his plea.

A/N: Thankyou for all of the lovely reviews (its great to know that this story is being red and liked!). I am working on the next chapter at the moment and I hope it will be finished soon so I can update it. Thanks for reading and I hope you will continue to do so. :)