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TITLE: Knock It Off!
AUTHOR: Ragna (writinggoddess@aol.com)
RATING: FRT
SPOILERS: None, unless I miraculously get hired to write for the show.
DISTRIBUTION: Sure, just tell me!
DISCLAIMER: Everything except what comes out of my pretty little head belongs to Joss and Mutant Enemy. I own none of the lyrics mentioned in these stories. The belong to the bands and/or someone else.
FEEDBACK: Wanted. Needed. SEND IT!
AUTHORS NOTES: This is a continuation of the Giles Saga, total Alex/Spike. Set two weeks before Remembrances.

***

Time to go to sleep, Alex thought, as she set her alarm and popped in the first CD she picked up. Looking at it, she knew the perfect song to play, knowing that if her uncle ever knew she listened to the band, he'd think she was nuts.

Soon, Metallica's "Enter the Sandman" wafted through her room, and she crawled into bed.

***

Alex sat in her room, wearing an oversize Junior Seau jersey and boxers, listening to her "Follow the Leader" album with much interest. Listening to the lead singer, she's bobbed her head, singing along, and she reached over to turn up the volume when the CD hits her favorite song, "Freak On A Leash."

Instead of encountering a small plastic dial, she felt a cold hand, and looks up.

"Knock it off, Spike."

Spike looked down at her. "Are you sure, love? I thought you would have removed the invitation by now. Unless you want me around."

"Get the hell out of my room!" she yelled at him, and he grabbed her hand as she was about to hit him.

"I don't think so, love," he said, grabbing her other arm and pushing her down onto the bed. "I don't think so at all."

***

Alex woke up, in a sweat. Did I...I mean...oh my god! I just had an NC-17 rated dream about Spike! She got up out of bed, realizing her alarm was about to go off anyway, and hauled her butt to the bathroom for a cold shower.

A very cold shower.

***

Normally, Spike slept during the day, not at night, but he felt...sick. Physically ill, and that was rather uncommon for a vampire. The minions were bringing him food, of course, but still. This evening, however, he was glad to have slept. He just got done having the most interesting dream...involving Alex? That was the part that confused him. They were allies, nothing more. And half the time, they barely got along. They were busy fighting, physically and with words.

But...there was an attraction. A strong one, one that was unlike any other he'd ever known before. He sat up in his bed, pondering this. Some would say it was unresolved sexual tension, others would say they fought because they were bored. He had to agree with both. He'd never admit it, but he considered her an equal. She could stand up to him in a fight, she could banter with him on a rather sophisticated level, and she was a witch, so she was as strong as he was.

But there were so many differences...too many, as far as he was concerned. A major one was the fact she was not only a human, but a Watcher as well. Watchers despised vampires, and yet she had saved him and Dru. She was...was... A song drifted in on the radio, which some idiotic minion had left on. He listened to the lyrics for a bit, remembering why he liked Green Day and punk music.

It wasn't until the song was over that he remembered the song's title, and realized it described Alex perfectly.

"She's a bloody walking contradiction," he muttered, attempting to go back to sleep.

***

That evening, after a hard day at the school, Alex went on a patrol so Buffy could meet up with her current boyfriend at the Bronze. She was walking around the cemetery, checking the graves, when she heard someone humming. Gripping the stake tighter, she strained to hear the song, and was surprised to find she knew it. It was Sleater-Kinney's "Dig Me Out." Hoping to startle whomever it is, she picked up where he stopped humming.

"Whaddya want, whaddya know, do you get nervous making me go? Get into your sores, get into my things, do ya get nervous watching me bleed? Dig me out, dig me in, outta this mess baby outta my head. Dig me out, dig me in, outta my body, outta my skin."

Surprisingly, whoever was humming wasn't startled, and purposely moved out of her vision range. He taunted her, singing more of the song.

"I wear your rings and sores, in me, in me, it shows. I have your hands your holes, in me, in me, it shows. Oh god, let me in, there's nowhere else to go. Oh god, let me in, and let me go."

She silently crept up on whoever was singing, or she hoped she was, and she sang the rest of the song softly.

"Dig me out, dig me in, outta this mess baby outta my head. Dig me out, dig me in, outta my body outta my skin."

With that last line, she tackled the unknown opponent, then flipped him over.

"Dammit, Spike. Knock it off," she muttered as she stood up. "You almost had a stake shoved roughly in that area," she said, pointing to his chest over the heart.

"Never knew you liked Sleater-Kinney, love," he said conversationally. The only response he got from Alex was a glare and a crossing of arms. "Okay, want to fight?"

"Not really," she said, still glaring at him.

"Then what do you want to do?"

"I have absolutely no idea...use that brain of yours and come up with something." She sat down on a headstone and waited as he started to pace.

"Go to that club? I promise I won't eat."

Alex shook her head. "Buffy's there. I can't guarantee your safety." He nodded and continued to pace.

"Well, what do you usually do when you're alone?"

Alex looked up and arched an eyebrow. "Personal much?"

"God, you're starting to sound like the bloody Slayer," Spike muttered, still pacing.

"I listen to music. I have almost 300 CD's." The fact that she answered surprised him, but the fact she had that many CD's amazed him.

"What types of music?"

"Pop, rock, metal, rap, hip-hop, house, techno, electronica, drum and bass, jungle, classical, Latino, soundtracks...all sorts of stuff. And a lot of B-sides and unreleased stuff."

Spike stopped. "Punk?"

"Mostly Green Day and some Sex Pistols...I don't like it much."

"Yet you listen to metal?"

"Sue me! I'd pick Metallica over the Sex Pistols any day. I'm not all pissed off all the time, and punk makes me a bit...aggressive."

"Oh really?" Spike asked. He was surprised they'd found common ground, even if it still differed.

"Ever been in a mosh pit? Or gone stage diving? Or crowd surfing?" Alex asked, her eyes lighting up.

"No, no and no. Why would I want to?" Spike asked, sitting on a tombstone across from her.

"I enjoy it. I've done it a lot. It's...fun, I guess."

They lapsed into a silence, and Spike cleared his throat. Alex looked up at the sound. "Spike? Duck." He did, and she tossed a stake, which embedded itself in a vampire's heart as he quickly disintegrated into a pile of dust.

"Nice shot love, though I don't approve. Loyalty to the species, and all that."

Alex nodded. "Didn't expect you to." The silence overwhelmed them again, and then she spoke up. "I had an...interesting dream last night. Well, more like this morning."

He looked up. "Don't tell me. You and I?"

"How'd you know?"

He went into some details, amused at the slow crimson blush that crept up her cheeks as he described the events. He noted she didn't stop him, but he chalked it up to shame and embarrassment.

"I..uhh..had the same dream," she replied slowly, avoiding his eyes.

Spike laughed. "Judging by the color of your face, I guessed that much. I, however, am not ashamed."

"You don't have to look the Slayer in the face every afternoon, as well as my uncle. And my friends."

Spike hopped off the tombstone and walked over to her, kneeling so their eyes were at the same level. "It's not like that will ever happen. Don't be mistaken, I'm greatly attracted to you. But if anything were to ever happen, it wouldn't happen that way. I wouldn't force you."

"That's good to know," Alex mumbled. "But this is all hypothetical, of course," she said, looking straight ahead into his eyes.

"Of course." He looked over at her, then sighed, even though he didn't have to. "I suspect you need to finish your patrol," he said quietly.

"Yeah." She turned around to look at him again, but stopped. Grabbing her bag, which she'd placed over by the tombstone, she tossed Spike something he easily caught. "Listen to it." With that, she walked off. He stared at the small plastic case in his hand. It was a cassette. On one side, it said "Rock/Metal Mix" and the other said "Rap/Hip-Hop/R & B/Techno/Electronica." He put the cassette in his trench, and resolved to listen to it that evening.

***

Spike laid down in the bed, weakness overcoming him. He really shouldn't have been out hunting, but he was hungry! He felt a lump in his jacket, and remembered the tape. Slipping it out of the case, he put it in, listening to the rap side first. Surprisingly, it started with a mellower song, and he checked the inside of the tape for the name of he song. "These Are The Times," he murmured, and listened to the song repeatedly, eventually memorizing a few lines:

"In my case, it's not at all," he muttered to himself as he waited for the next song to start. It was a rap song, rather upbeat, and was called "Can I Get A ... " He listened, intrigued, and actually enjoyed some of the songs. Especially the slower ones, he being a romantic at heart. After listening to that side, he braved the Metal/Rock side and prepared to be in agony. Once again, he was surprised. The first song was from Eve 6, and was called "Inside Out." Just listening to the chorus got him hooked.

Following that was songs like "Firestarter" by Prodigy, "Blue Monday" by Orgy, "Secret Smile" by Semisonic, "Mouth: Remix" by Bush, "Seven Caged Tigers" by Stone Temple Pilots, and "Burritos" by Sublime, which greatly surprised Spike. He couldn't believe Alex listened to some of this music. The few metal and real rock song were not so surprising. There was "Gold Dust Woman" by Hole, "Janie Got A Gun" by Aerosmith, "Ride the Lightning" by Metallica, and "Paradise City" by Guns 'N' Roses. Marilyn Manson's "Sweet Dreams" was the only big surprise, just because it was on there.

Then, as he was slipping the tape back in it's holder to retire it for the night, he saw his name written on the inside. He pulled out the cover and read the extremely short note. "Spike, this is yours now. Enjoy."

He smiled at that, running over in his head why she'd do something...nice for him. He decided to listen to it as he fell asleep.

***

"Loved it, love."

Alex looked up, startled, the next evening as she was in her office area, working on some websites. "Oh. Thanks." She looked back to the computer and continued typing.

"That's it? I pay you a compliment and you ignore it?" Spike looked at her quizzically, and then realized exactly what she was doing. "Sorry to bother you."

"Wait a minute," she said, typing in some more words, and saving it. "I'm done."

"One question, love. Marilyn Manson?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

Spike shook his head. "Just, surprising, I believe. I never pictured you listening to that...freak."

"You're one to talk." She stood up and went to this massive stereo system. Opening up a cupboard nearby, she looked for something, pulled it out, and tossed it to Spike. "Only CD I have of his. Mechanical Animals. Much tamer than his other ones."

"That's where you keep them?" he asked, glancing at the CD case as he walked over to her stereo system.

"Yeah. And I counted them. I was off by 100. I have about 400 CD's because I wasn't counting the CD singles." Spike looked up and gasped in shock. He was looking at a thin, wall to ceiling cabinet, which was three-quarters filled with CD's.

"That's all of them?"

She nodded. "Except for the twenty or so I play on a regular basis."

"Wow. I'm actually impressed. Can I look through them?"

Alex shrugged. "Sure." She sat down at her computer and pulled up her MP3 player, listening to Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance." Spike smiled, remembering how he killed a Master vamp in a duel while that song was on the radio.

"So, found anything you want to listen to?" Alex said, turning the MP3 player off. He handed her three CD's. "How'd I gu-- that's interesting." She put the three CD's in her turner, and pressed play. The surprising one was the first to start, and soon "Sure Shot" was playing in her room.

"You like the Beastie Boys?" she asked, and Spike nodded.

"But not anything off their latest album. It was pure drivel. And how in the bloody hell could that record have won the alternative Grammy? It should have gone to Radiohead."

"I didn't know you had watched, but I think the Smashing Pumpkins should have won."

"Since you gave me a gift, I won't kill you for that remark."

"Kill me and you'd have a soul."

"Well, I could always hurt you."

"Could not."

"Want to bet?"

"Sure."

"What do I get if I win?"

Alex thought about it. "20 CD's. Any you want, even if they're rare. With one exception: this," she said, holding up an autographed Beastie Boys CD. Spike nodded. "And if you win, I'll do anything you want me to. Within reason, of course."

"Of course." A smirk slowly spread on her face. "What do you consider unreasonable?"

Spike looked at her. "Knock it off, I'm serious. It's a deal." He stuck out his hand, and she shook it.

"You know, you should have waited until we worked out the details. How are you going to try to hurt me?"

"Fight. No magic, by the way."

"If I can't use magic, you can't use weapons."

"But you can, I suppose?"

"Yeah. Or else you let me use magic..."

He shook his head. Spike had the sinking suspicion he was going to lose....

***

The fight had gone down quickly, and Spike had been right. He lost. He hadn't realized just how skilled she was with weaponry...they'd immediately discarded crossbow and stake, and swords as well. So Alex had used a quarterstaff. Spike would almost have had a heart attack, had he been alive, when he saw her weapons cabinet. She had more weapons in there than was really necessary.

And how she'd fought! She used moves he'd never seen or heard of before. And she kept making sure he fell on the ground, or do something just as embarrassing. And he never laid a finger on her. Not once during the entire fight.

"That makes, what, 15 times you've fallen?" she replied as he lay on the ground, battered and bruised. "And don't tell me you were letting me win...that's bull."

Spike stood up. "I wasn't. Why would I lie to you, anyway?"

"For kicks?"

"Haha," Spike replied dryly. "Fine, you win. What is it you want me to do?"

She thought about it for a bit. Then she smiled. "Let me drive your car. Every night for...a week."

"That's all? I was expecting much worse."

Alex laughed. "Despite the windows, I like that car. I would have asked for it outright, but I thought that would be too unfair."

"And I would have deemed it unreasonable," he said, literally crawling over to his duster and fishing around for the keys, tossing them to Alex as soon as he found them.

"But first, I'm taking you to your place," she said, with genuine concern. "Need help standing up?" Spike shook his head, stood up, and immediately fell back on the ground. "I'll take that as a yes," she said, tossing the quarterstaff into her home.

"You had best take good care of this car," Spike said, as they approached, Alex helping him stand up.

"What kind of car is it, anyway?"

"'59 DeSoto Sportsman," he said.

"I thought it was a Fireflight."

"Shows what you know about cars."

"About as much as you know about music."

"Which is still more than you, love."

"Okay, than who was the lead singer for Oingo Boingo? Or what was the first video ever played on MTV? Who won five Grammies, making history? Hmm?"

Spike looked at her. "Don't know, don't care, Lauryn Hill."

"Danny Elfman and 'Video Killed the Radio Star' by The Boggles." She shook her head. "One out of three sucks."

"Fine, three for you. What other name did David Bowie perform under, what movie had Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious, and who composed 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik'?"

Alex laughed, and replied simply, "Ziggy Stardust, 'Sid and Nancy,' and Mozart. Though I like 'Ronda All Turca' better."

Spike gaped in shock. "Damn," he muttered as she opened the passenger side door of his car. "You do know a lot about music."

"Except country. I hate country."

Spike smiled. "There's hope for a friendship yet, love."

***

"Damn."

As she said that, she realized someone was tailing them. "Spike, exactly how many people have you pissed off in your entire existence?"

"Too many to remember...why?"

"Well, someone's following us."

"Think you can lose them?"

"No. I'm just a witch. Of course I can, you idiot." Mumbling two different spells, the road behind them filled up with a thick fog, and ice appeared on the ground. The car behind them slammed on it's brakes and slid forward. Before Alex could do anything, the car slammed into Spike's sending them forward...and into a telephone pole.

"Damn!" he said, getting out. Not much damage had been done to the car, but...

"Ow, my head," Alex said as she clambered out. There was a large gash on her forehead, and she was bleeding. It was all Spike could do not to go demon on her.

"You okay?" he asked, while they were heading towards the other car.

"No," she said, swaying slightly as she walked. Against his better judgment, he went over to her, and kept her steady as they continued. The other car had the telltale dark windows that signaled vampires. Their car had not been damaged at all, and they were getting out to find out what had happened. The smell of blood overtook all of their instincts, and they lunged towards Alex.

"Don't think so," she replied, pulling out the stake she had hidden in her boot. But vertigo was getting the best of her, and she fell.

"Damn," Spike said, knowing he'd have to fight the vamps on his own. He grabbed her stake and went at the five of them. It was a short fight, Spike being victorious and five small piles of ash on the ground. Looking back at his human companion, he shook his head. "You're most definitely not all right," he replied, watching as she clutched her flannel to her head wound.

"Take their car...they won't be using it anymore." Alex said.

"What about the license and such?"

"I'll hack into the DMV and change it. Besides," she said, looking at the new car, "I like this one. But take the plates off of your car."

He looked at the Ford Thunderbird appreciatively. "Fine. But I don't think you'll be capable to drive it anytime soon." He went to his old car and removed the plates, keeping an eye on Alex, who was laying down in the grass. "I'm going to miss this car," he said, with a bit of sadness.

"Hey, at least they got a decent tint job, unlike you," Alex said, attempting to stand up, but falling down.

"Here, let me help," Spike said, but Alex shook her head.

"I can do it," she said as she was falling down again."

"After how many attempts?"

"However many it takes."

"One more. Then I'm helping."

"Are not," she replied as she fell again.

"Love, if you don't get that looked at, you could be in trouble."

"No shit. Really?" She let herself be stood up, and Spike gently pushed her towards the car.

"Come on, stop fighting with me."

"Isn't that what we do best?"

***

They got into the car and Spike thought about heading for the hospital, because by then, Alex was starting to get extremely tired. Still, it was on the other side of town, and they were closer to the mansion...

"Wake up," he said, not really expecting a response.

"Where are we?" she mumbled, exceedingly tired.

"At the mansion. Closest place," he said as he was helping her out.

"I can walk. I think," she replied dazedly.

"Somehow, I rather doubt that," he said, laughingly, and guided her inside.

***

"I'm tired," she said quietly, once Spike led her over to the main area of the mansion, by the gardens.

"I don't think that's a good thing," he said, with a slight worried expression on his face.

"Probably isn't but I still am."

"Have you stopped bleeding?"

"I think so."

"Well, noting that vampires are the main residents here, there's no medicine, or anything to clean it with, except soap and water."

"I couldn't clean it if I tried," she said, sitting down on the couch and nodding her head forward.

"Well, what if I did?" Spike asked, suddenly concerned. This was not at all like the Watcher he had come to respect.

"I heard that."

"Forgot you're a bloody telepath."

"Most people do. If you want to clean it up, go ahead."

"Well, that requires you getting up and coming over here towards me," he said, already starting to move towards her.

"Wow, for someone who says he doesn't like me much, you're being awfully helpful," she said, a slight smirk on her face.

"Sue me. I don't want you to pass out and die in a coma. Because then, I'd have a bloody soul."

"I'd have to say the release phrase, stupid."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"Well, I do." By then, she'd gotten over to him, and he got a good look at her forehead. The wound was jagged, running across her forehead. It was going to scar, but it wasn't deep enough to require stitches. He smoothed her hair back, and started cleaning the dried blood around the wound off before attempting to clean the actual wound.

"Your hands are freezing," she said, a slight chill going down her back.

"So are yours, love," he replied when her hand brushed his as she reached up to hold her hair away.

"I've never had warm hands. Ever."

"It doesn't look all that bad," he replied, careful not to touch it too much. And skillfully moving away from that train of thought.

"Are you almost done?" she asked, looking up at him, making his hand slide right onto the cut. "Ow!"

He grinned down at her, though there was only an inch or two in height separating them. And width, at this point. "It was your own fault, love."

"Rub it in, why don't you," she grumbled. "I'm about to pass out."

"We couldn't have that, could we," Spike said, carefully drying the area, and stepping back, taking a good look at her. Her chin length red hair was disheveled, and her glasses were slipping down her nose. Spike laughed in spite of himself. "Love, you look like a mess."

"Well, thanks for pointing that out. Can I go home now?"

Spike shook his head. "Someone needs to watch you, make sure you don't die or something. So I'll do it."

"Oh, what fun." She started to sway a bit, and Spike steadied her up once again.

"I think I'll just carry you. It's a lot easier on both of us."

"Sure you can pick me up?"

"You don't weigh much, love. It's not like I'm straining myself."

"Oh I forgot. Vampire strength."

"Even with a concussion, you're still too damn witty."

"Bite me."

"Are you sure?"

"Try it and you're dust."

"Yes, Alex. Whatever you say."

"Knock it off."

"Knock what off?"

"Being nice, then being too...too..."

"Charming? Witty? Dashing?"

"Facetious. Annoying. Cocky." Spike laughed, and Alex felt it. "Wow, your whole body vibrates when you laugh."

"Well, doesn't everybody's?"

Alex shook her head. "Nope. Mine doesn't."

"I didn't think you knew how to laugh."

"Haha. Very funny, Spike." He entered into the darkened bedroom that was his. Very carefully, he set Alex down on the bed. She had already started to drift off into sleep. Not wanting to take advantage of her, surprisingly, he only took off her jacket and her shoes, and slipped her under the covers. Then, he sat in a chair nearby and watched her sleep. His last thought before he drifted off to sleep was of wonder at how he felt towards her.

***

The intro guitar music to an older Offspring song played, and Alex looked up, right into a mirror. She was dressed in a long red dress, not her favorite color choice. Her short hair was pulled away from her face, and she was wearing make-up.

Spike also looked up, dressed in rather good-looking clothing, a dark suit with small pinstripes. He noticed a difference, immediately. He was alive.

The two stood up then, Alex noticing she wasn't feeling sick or anything. "Wow," she muttered, looking around. It was like the inside of the Bronze, only well lit, and slightly more comfortable looking. She saw Spike, then glanced around to see it anyone else was around.

Spike walked over to her. "You look...ravishing," he said, taking one of her hands in his.

"Your hands are warm," they said at the same time, looking at each other in amazement. Then they started to laugh. It was almost as though...they could be near each other, and not have the urge to fight.

But then it'd have to be a dream...

Spike pulled her a bit closer, and touched her hair lightly. "I wish you hadn't cut it," he murmured.

"What's going on?" Alex asked, her voice small and weak. "Is this a dream?"

Spike nodded. "I thought it was yours."

"Not all of it. But some of it is."

"Same here."

"What happens in your dream?"

"What happens in yours?"

"Why this song?" Alex asked.

"I don't know. It's a rather nice one, I think. Though the lyrics talk about love lost, it's...very sensual."

"Oh."

"Well, what usually plays in your dreams?"

"You'd be surprised."

The music in the background switched, and Spike had to admit, he was surprised.

"Care for a dance?" he asked, not waiting for an answer before pulling her onto the empty dance floor.

"Could you have waited for an answer?"

"Didn't want to take the chance it would be no." And with that, he pulled her closer.

"I could get used to this," Alex murmured, her head on Spike's shoulder.

Feeling her warm breath on his neck made him feel...strange. "Get used to what, love?"

"These dreams. Because we remember them the next morning."

"I see," he said, realizing that this dream would end too soon.

'I don't want this to end," he said quietly, almost at a whisper.

"Why? I mean, it's weird, but...comfortable."

"But it can never happen."

"Then we just keep dreaming."

They continued to dance, each lost in their own private thoughts. It was hard, knowing the next day, they'd wake up, and be just allies. But tonight...tonight, they would be more.

"God, I don't know what's going on," Spike said.

"With us? Or in general?"

"Both."

"Neither do I. I'm just going with it."

"Is any of this real? Any of the feelings?" Spike asked quietly.

"You think too much," she said, pulling back a little.

"I thought you did that."

"Not tonight it seems."

"I can go if you want. Wake up and have this end," Alex said quietly.

"No," he said, pulling her close again. "Don't."

"Then stop thinking so much. Knock it off with the logic."

She wasn't surprised when he kissed her. It was the first time in the dreams that had ever happened. But it felt right, it felt comfortable. And she melted into him, very depressed at the notion of this ending.

The kiss ended, and both of them were breathless. "Wow," she said softly, looking at him. "I hope this happens tomorrow night."

"Maybe it will," he replied, his arms still around her, not wanting to let go. But the dream started to fade, and she was the last thing he saw clearly before a blinding white light...

***

Alex sat up in the bed, looking over at Spike, who had just sat up.

"Weird..." she said quietly, to herself.

"I know," he replied, and they looked at each other, both getting very uncomfortable. "Um...maybe we should avoid each other for a bit," Spike said, purposely looking away from her.

"Good idea. So, um...how am I going to get home?"

"You can stay here for the rest of the evening and leave when you wake up again," he said quietly. "I'll be out there." He strode out of the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. Alex lay back down into the bed. What was wrong with all this? Shaking her head and wincing, she lay back down and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

***

Spike walked in, many hours later, and saw Alex was still sleeping. He had made sure the other vampires would leave her alone when she woke up, not really giving a damn about their opinion of him. And that was another very surprising thing. Before, all he'd cared about was power, and respect. Just the mere mention of him had instilled fear in so many people and vampires for so long, he was used to it. But now...

He started to wonder what the dreams meant, and he realized that he liked being near her, even when they fought. She was more than an ally, and slowly becoming more to him than a friend. And it was scaring him. First thing in a long time.

***

Alex wasn't used to the dark. When she was at home, she woke up to the sun in her face, or at least a lamp. But, this room was totally dark, and looking at her wrist, she was having trouble seeing the face to find out what time it was.

"It's four thirty, Alex."

She sat up with a start, and looked over into the shadows, her head throbbing. "Spike?"

"Yeah. Here," he said, tossing a small bottle towards her. She picked it up and looked at it.

"Tylenol. Thanks."

"Turned out when that when Angel'd been here, he had some around. I guess it was for the Slayer."

"Oh." She dry swallowed three of them and lay back down in the bed.

"You leaving soon?"

"When I think I can walk."

"Oh," he said, not moving.

The long silence was deafening, and at the exact same moment, they started to hum. The exact same song. And any vampire walking by would have heard two harmonious pitches, both humming "Bittersweet Symphony."

Almost oblivious of each other, they went through the song twice, and Alex started to fall back to sleep. Soon, her hum dropped away, and was replaced by a gentle breathing pattern and the slow, steady thud of her beating heart.

***

Spike wasn't surprised to find, when he woke up, she was gone. He hadn't expected her to stay around, not really. Hoped she would, but hadn't expected her too. Walking over towards the bed, he noticed something. She'd taken his duster instead of her jacket. Both were leather, though his was longer. Smiling, he went to return her jacket.

***

Alex didn't realize the mistake until she was at home, and she didn't want to go back. Not yet, anyway. She walked into her house, turned on all the lights, and went to her stereo system. Rummaging through her CD's, she found a decent soundtrack and popped it in. Soon. Massive Attack and Tracey Thorn sprang to life in the house, and the rather addictive sound of "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game" surrounded her. She was so wrapped up in the song that she didn't hear the front door open quietly, and she didn't hear the soft footsteps on their way into her living room.

"Here's your jacket," Spike said, and Alex jumped up, startled.

"Oh. Uh, I would have brought yours back, but..." She handed him his jacket and grabbed hers.

Spike nodded. "No problem." The song ended and went on to Eddi Reader's "Nobody Lives Without Love." Spike inclined his head towards the stereo. "What CD is this?"

"Batman Forever soundtrack." She went over to stop the CD, but Spike lightly grabbed her wrist.

"I like it."

"Okay." She said, pulling her wrist out of his grasp. "I was going to stop it and let you borrow it. I need some sleep."

"You slept most of the day, love."

"I'm still tired."

"Well, I'll let you sleep then," Spike said, his voice sounding a little hurt.

"Ummm...give it back to me whenever," she said, ejecting the CD and placing it in the case before handing it to him.

"Sure," he said, turning around to leave. Alex wanted to stop him, but she didn't, and soon, the door closed behind him. She went upstairs, and went to her heavily rotated CD collection. Not finding anything she wanted to listen to, she chose silence instead. And the silence made her start thinking. Much as she hated to admit it, she was starting to care about Spike. And this was something she really did not want to admit. And it almost looked as though he felt the same way.

Alex shook her head out of habit. He couldn't. He was a vampire; he wasn't supposed to change. He was a demon; he wasn't supposed to be capable of love. But something was different, and Alex fell into another dreamless sleep, more confused than more. And she just knew that the next time she saw him...something was going to happen. Something that would change them forever.