What now?

Such a good question.

It was a shame Buffy didn't have an answer for it. Here they were – alone, on a date, she was dressed in some Oxfam reject clothes, and he kept looking at her like he expected her to stake him at any minute. Maybe if she did that it would make things a lot easier for her. That time was passed, though. She could no more stake Spike than she could kill Willow or Xander or Giles. He was a part of her now.

And, strangely? That didn't scare her anymore.

Buffy looked away from the fire and locked eyes with Spike. "I guess that's up to you, Spike. This date has been a disaster. It wouldn't surprise me if you decided not to go through with the spell. If you don't…that's your call. I won't force you."

"Hmm. Given up on me already, Slayer?" He questioned, rueful.

"No. You just seem happier now that you don't love me," she glanced down at the floor. "I'm not exactly known for making guys happy."

"I recall a certain moment of happiness clause with a certain hair gelled wanker…"

Buffy rolled her eyes. "That was a long time ago. I'm not the same person anymore. I know…I'm colder now; it's harder for me to let people in. Especially you."

Spike chuckled sadly. "But, let me guess, I keep trying? Like a bloody parasite."

"Not like a parasite. More like a…a very persistent…guy…who is persistent." Buffy frowned. "I'm not so good with the metaphors."

"That's more of a simile. A bad one, at that."

Buffy punched him on the arm. "Yeah, okay. I'm not so smart either. But I'm still not going to force you into the spell. Or even try to convince you."

"Why?"

"You know the saying. If you love something, set it free…" Buffy paused, then her eyes widened considerably. "Uh, what I mean to say is…"

Spike smiled. "You love me?"

The Slayer turned back to the fire, unmoving. She had about a million thoughts running through her head all at the same time. Did she love him? Buffy didn't even think she knew what love was anymore. Which meant that it was possible she loved Spike. It wasn't the naïve fluffy-bunny love she had with Angel. Nor was it the kind of 'he's a good man and treats me right' love she'd had with Riley. It was something entirely different. It was nowhere near as clean-cut. In fact, it was downright messy.

So, she answered with the truth.

"Maybe." She shrugged with one shoulder, eyes still firmly fixed away from him.

Spike grinned wolfishly. "You do! You do love me. It's written all over your face. Damn, I'm good."

Buffy did turn to him then, eyebrow arched. "Not really. I mean, you're not my Spike."

"Near enough. Still the same bloke." Spike was still grinning. "I should've tried to cop off with a Slayer a long time ago…it's my magnetism, you know…"

Buffy rolled her eyes and turned back to the fire again but she had to stop a laugh escaping from her lips. This whole night had been totally insane and now here she was finally telling Spike that she maybe possibly could perhaps love him and he was bragging about his good looks and charm. It was oddly hilarious. She knew that if this revelation had been made to her Spike, that he probably would have just sat in stunned silence for two days.

As it was, she couldn't shut Spike up.

"…of course, I've had a lot of experience and I'm no doubt much more accommodating than Angelus was, so it's natural that you would feel that way…"

Buffy smiled to herself. It was strange that an anti-love spell would bring them to this moment. She just couldn't see herself being able to speak to Spike about this in normal circumstances. She probably wouldn't have even come to her little half-revelation. She still didn't know for sure if what she felt was love but if it wasn't, it was something just as big and just as real and just as important. Maybe what she was feeling didn't even have a name.

Maybe I discovered a new emotion! Cool! The Slayer thought to herself, Spike still droning on in the background. Just as she was contemplating what she should name this new-found feeling, she was snapped out of her train of thought.

"Buffy."

Blinking, she turned to him "Yeah?"

"I'll do your spell," he informed her, his voice quiet.

She smiled softly. "Thank you."

Then they just sat there on the blanket in the living room of an empty house and stared at one another. Buffy could see the reflection of the flames in his eyes, it painted an enchanting picture. She started to think of doing something stupid – like kissing him – so she cleared her throat and looked away.

"S'pose we should head back to HQ, then." Spike sighed, standing up and stretching.

Buffy couldn't help but notice the way his shirt rode up and exposed a long line of pale, lean stomach. He saw her looking but didn't comment, didn't even smirk once, instead offering her his hand to help her up. She took it and stood, neither of them letting go of each other as soon as they should have done. In fact, Buffy was tempted to just hold his hand all the way back home. What a stir that would have caused.

"Gotta hand it to you, Buffy," he smiled. "You don't half make an interesting date."

She flushed with embarrassment. "Hey, not all my dates turn out like this! Okay…most of them are worse but…"

Spike chuckled. "Well, I think it's time I walk you home. It's only proper." He held his arm out for her.

Buffy found him totally lame and cheesy for saying it but she didn't mind. Lame and cheesy was nice sometimes. Especially when it came in the form of someone as hot as Spike. Or, technically, room temperature.

She threaded her arm through his and they made their way back home. Buffy had a feeling that things could only look up from here on out.