Linger

'It hurts...this feeling. This ache.' Buffy clutched her chest in an attempt to control the pain. Being with Spike brought about the hurt that she longed to repress. When she thought she'd have it under wraps, Spike would touch her, kiss her, and it'd come back stronger than ever. She wished with all her might that it would just go away, this pain.

But no. It lingered, like a stain. A stain on her heart. When they were together, Buffy couldn't help but wonder. Is the mark visible? Can Spike see it?

The mark...Angel's mark.

Does he know?

End