Night Life

3

I laid on my bed staring at the ceiling. I still couldn't get into the rhythm of sleeping in the day. I walked out into the living room, Angel was in bed now. I switched on the tv and collapsed down onto the couch. 

"Does Angel know you're up?" A voice asked behind me. 

"Spike!" I exclaimed turning, I leapt off the sofa and ran to him wrapping my arms around him. 

"I haven't been gone for that long," he said and pushed me away. 

"Feels like you have. How's Sunnydale?" I asked sitting back down. 

"Helly," he said and sat down next to me. "What's keeping you up?" 

"Same old things," I said. 

"Still? Have you tried talking to Angel about them?" he asked. 

"No, he doesn't have time for me. He fights, feeds and sleep. Where does my hey Angel have you got a minute fit in with his busy schedule?" I asked slumping back into the couch. 

"I'll get him to spare you a minute," he said. 

"Nah it's okay," I replied. 

"You won't be effective to Angel with no rest," he said. 

"I know," I said. Spike turned the tv off. "Hey!"

"No more, you need sleep and I'm going to make sure you get it!" he pulled me up off the couch, threw me over his shoulder and took me to my room throwing me down onto the bed.  

"Hey!! I exclaimed and punched him in the back. 

"Sleep or I will knock you out," he said. 

"Try..." Then nothing but black. I woke up later my head pounding, I pushed my duvet off my bed and hauled myself out of bed, I caught my reflection and my head was bruised. "Ar Spike I'm going to kill you!" I pulled my curtains back and it was now dark. I walked into the living room Angel was now up and  geared up to head out. I could feel his eyes on me. 

"What happened to you?" he raced over and gently rested his hand on my cheek while the other turned my head to the side. 

"I'm fine," I said trying to pull away. 

"No you're not. Now be  honest did you go out with out me?" he asked.

"No," I said. 

"So what happened?" he repeated letting go. 

"I think Spike hit me," I replied. 

"Spike hit you?" he asked. "Did you two get into a fight?" 

"No, I've been having trouble sleeping," I answered. 

"You have?" he asked, I nodded and pushed his hands away. 

"What are we killing tonight?" I yawned. 

"How long were you out for?" he asked. 

"I don't know, it was daylight when Spike knocked me out," I replied. 

"Are you sure you're up for tonight?" his face contorted with concern and worry. 

"Yes," I Said. 

"Good," he answered walking back to the weapons and pulled on his coat. "Next time you can't sleep come to me, I won't hit you," he huffed a laugh, handed me my coat and stake wrist guards. 

"Okay but you're Mr grouchy when you don't get enough sleep," I said following him out of the door. 

"Not, if it's important," he said as he paused on the stairwell and looked up at me.