Bonus Chapter

Author Note the First: As the title of this "chapter" indicates, this is a little bonus to the story. I uploaded the proper conclusion just last night, so make sure you've read that before reading this.

Author Note the Second: So, if you've read some of my other stories, you'll know I like to keep things short and sweet. I'm concise, so my word counts are often low. It's something not everyone likes and, honestly, if I had a say in it, I'd like them to be bit longer too. Thing is, it's just not me. It's not how I work. Anyway, the point is: this story isn't exactly how I first envisioned it. It started life as a one-shot, and a short one at that (The Glory plot was not something I had planned to include at all, for one thing). Part of me would have preferred it that way because, as I've said, short and sweet is a style that suits me/my stories best. So… below is a re-write I've done, more in keeping of the original vision for the piece. Please let me know what you think – one way or the other. And thank you for reading :)

Little by Little – The Remix

When Buffy was feeling distanced from her friends, and her father figure; when she was finding keeping the homework-work-home-life balance difficult to maintain; when she discovered she was in grave danger, yet again, fighting to protect her sister; when her world was rocked with the knowledge that her memories were fake, and her sister wasn't real either; when she didn't feel like she could turn to her boyfriend with any of it: the Slayer turned to another lonely individual, and let Spike into her home.

When Buffy was almost fatally wounded, and her boyfriend betrayed her on top of that; when Spike helped her get through both situations: the Slayer let him into her circle of trust, and her regular company.

When Buffy needed answers about those that had gone before her, she let the Vampire further into her life. When she came to understand how deeply he felt for her; when he was visibly upset, at the thought of her mother being seriously ill: the Slayer let Spike into her family.

When he got badly hurt, trying to protect her and her family, she let him into her heart.

When, after all that, he expected nothing from her, yet was still willing to offer her comfort, when her ex-boyfriend took off: she awarded him a kiss.

And after that, when he did something that would help her, even at the risk of losing her for himself, the Slayer awarded him with the love he'd slowly engendered within her.

When all was said and done, and he was still there for her, to give yet more comfort, even when he became the reason she required that comfort, she finally shared with him her body. Not too bad, for a soulless creature who was just following his heart, and didn't even realize where it was leading him.