they can't be far from testing if spike is cursed like angel. good read, thank you.

Nicely done. Of course you've raised a very pertinent point here. Angel could very well have stayed with Buffy and given her happy after happy after happy. It was only *his* pleasure that was a risk. I suppose it all comes down to self-control. Angel decided he couldn't control himself around her enough to love her without risking breaking the curse again.
I have to say I'm not convinced that Spike would be a danger to anyone if he were to lose his soul now he's fallen for Buffy. I'm not even sure she'd notice.

Oh they are too far gone to head back to shore now.  Need to make a clear decision before their bodies do it for them.

Hot but just right amount of detail.  You can feel the frustration and the passion.  Nice work!

Kathleen