Why Im Here: chapter 1
by Spikes Queen
Buffy returned home, exhausted. She’d had a rough night on patrol and had gotten separated from Spike and Faith. She couldn’t find them after she fought her demon, but was too tired to continue searching.
“Buffy?” Dawn asked, coming from the kitchen.
“Hey, Dawnie. Spike and Faith come home?” Buffy asked, wincing as she took her coat off.
“No. Are you okay?” Dawn asked.
“Just tired and very sore,” Buffy said, softly.
“Go sit down, and I’ll get you some ice,” Dawn said, already going to the kitchen.
Buffy sighed and made her way toward the sofa. Gingerly, she sat down with a wince.
Dawn came back and gave Buffy the ice pack. Buffy took it and placed it under her shirt on her ribs as she carefully laid down.
“You okay?” Dawn asked.
“Yeah. I’m fine,” Buffy said.
Dawn covered Buffy with the blanket. “Get some rest,” she said, tenderly.
Buffy smiled sleepily. “Thanks, Dawn.”
Dawn smiled back. “No problem,” she said, going to the kitchen.
Buffy closed her eyes and was asleep in no time.
Not much later, Spike and Faith trudged through the back door.
“Dawn, what are you still doing up?” Spike asked.
“Keeping an eye on Buffy,” Dawn said.
“She okay?” Spike asked, wincing as his sore muscles pulled.
Dawn looked at him with concern. “She’s sleeping on the couch. You alright?”
“Rough night,” Spike said, going the living room.
Buffy was sound asleep on the couch and Spike smiled at her sleeping from, but he noticed something under her shirt.
Carefully, without waking her, he lifted her blouse, revealing a mass of black and blue bruises. He frowned. “What happened to you, pet?” He whispered to himself.
“Spike?” Buffy whispered, inhaling deeply as she woke up.
Spike looked at her face. “Hey. You okay?”
Buffy winced and shook her head. “No. Everything hurts,” she whimpered.
Spike frowned at her pained voice. He stood and offered her his hand. “Come on, I’ll help you upstairs,” he said, gently.
Buffy slid her hand in to his and carefully got to her feet. “Spike, it hurts to stand,” she whimpered.
Spike scooped her up into his arms gently. “Better?” He asked, going towards the stairs.
Buffy nodded and laid her head on his shoulder. She was so tired and sore, she was just glad to be going to bed. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Spike took Buffy to her room and carefully laid her in her bed.
Spike gently lifted Buffy’s shirt and carefully lifted it over her head.
Spike frowned at the bruises on her midsection. He gingerly felt her ribs, checking for broken bones.
Buffy felt slightly better that Spike was taking care of her.
“No broken bones, slayer,” he said, softly. “I’ll be right back.”
When he came back he had the ice pack. He placed it on her ribs and covered her with the comforter. “You should take it easy. They’ll be fine in a few days,” he said brushing the hair out of her face.
“Where did you and Faith disappear to?” Buffy asked.
“Fighting our own demon. He did a number on the both of us,” Spike said, standing with a wince.
Buffy frowned at him. “You okay?” She asked.
“I’ll be fine tomorrow,” he said, smiling a little at her.
Buffy smiled back. “Spike,” she said, hesitantly. “Um, you know, you could stay up here…. With me… it you want tonight.” She was blushing furiously at her words.
“Buffy are you sure that’s a good idea?” Spike asked, with some fear in his voice.
Buffy nodded. “Yeah. I’m sure,” she said, her resolve face slowly slipping in.
Spike shrugged off his coat and took off his boots. He went over to the other side of the bed and slid under the blanket when Buffy invited him in.
Buffy was in too much pain to move when he was too far away, so she just touched his hand with hers.
Spike squeezed her hand and they drifted to sleep like that.

When Spike awoke, they were in the same position but Spike had turned on his side and was facing her.
Buffy was still sleeping, but it looked like she was sleeping peacefully.
He heard her inhale deeply, indicating she was waking up. “Spike?” She mumbled sleepily.
“I’m here, Pet,” Spike said, before he could stop himself.
She smiled at him as she opened her eyes. “Hey,” she said.
“How are you feeling?” Spike asked, his thumb stroking the back of her hand.
“Better. Whenever I have the will to move, I’m gunna take a nice, hot shower,” she said, peering into his blue eyes.
Spike chuckled softly. “When you come out of the shower you should eat something,” he said.
Buffy rolled her eyes then pouted. “Don’t wanna,” she said, in a little girl voice.
“It’s not good for slayers to neglect food,” Spike said, trying not to look at her pouty lip.
Buffy sighed. “Just don’t feel like eating anymore,” she said, looking away from his eyes.
“That’s no good Buffy,” Spike said, propping himself up on his elbow.
Tears came to Buffy’s eyes. “Spike, things are just so hard,” she whimpered. “Every night, I’m in more pain than the night before. I’m eating less, and I’m not sleeping. I’m being overwhelmed and you’re the only one who doesn’t expect me to make everything okay.”
Spike frowned as she cried. He lifted his hand and stroked her wet cheeks. “Then you need help. That’s what I’m here for; to help you,” he said, softly.
Buffy closed her eyes, and pressed her face into his hand. “Well, I really need you right now,” she said.
Carefully Spike slid back down and gently pulled her into his arms. “Shhh, Pet. Just let me take care of you,” he whispered.


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