Standard DC applies under all circumstances.

Hello friends.  Well, here it is, the first Buffy The Vampire Slayer fanfiction written and posted by BlueWillow.  Please sit back and enjoy for I put a large amount of effort into bringing you all this little piece I like to call, "Reason to Be".

Couples: W/S friendship, Ay/S friendship, X/B friendship and B/S relationship later on.

This story immediately follows Two to Go and Grave: the season 6 finally.

Reason to Be

Dawn put her head on her sister's shoulder, relishing in the moment.  Her sister said that she wasn't going to shield her from the truth any longer and the younger Summers woman was greatly proud.   

Dawn felt the sunshine on her cheeks and knew that for the time being, the worst was over.  She felt her sister squeeze her midsection and together they turned and headed home.

***

Willow's sobs wracked her small frame as Xander stayed, letting her tears fall on his aching shoulders.

"Willow, we have to go home now, he said softly.  Willow lifted her head just slightly and tears started anew.

"I have no home.  Buffy won't trust me for a long time," she sobbed. Xander held his best friend tightly, almost as if letting go of her would release her into the wind.

"I still trust you Wills.  You're my best friend.  And my door is always open to you."  Suddenly, Willow pulled away, shock, confusion and ultimately fear crossing her tear streaked features.

"Oh my god… what has he done?" she whispered.

***

Spike sat, huddled in a corner of the cave, eyes wide and absolutely terrified. 

"You got what you asked for, vampire," the glowy eyed demon said a slight sneer in his voice.  Spike looked up, hugging his knees close to the raw skin on his chest.

"Home," he whimpered, the beastly creature in his midst, catching the barely audible cry.

"Very well."  And with a  casual wave of it's hand, Spike disappeared.

***

Xander ran after the once again ex-Wiccan.  The redheaded woman had dashed to Buffy's house after mumbling something about a soul.  And so, Xander chased her.  Looking down Rellvo Drive, he saw Buffy and Dawn, now slightly jogging towards their home.  Xander called after them and they stopped at the end of their driveway, allowing Xander time to catch up.  Walking up to the door, they noticed that in her haste, Willow had left it wide open.  Hearing hoarse sobs coming from upstairs, the trio traded a look.  They certainly didn't sound at all like Willow.

***

Spike let out a grunt as he landed on cold linoleum.  Looking around, he gasped at where he was.

"No," he whimpered, backing up until his tensed back it a walled corner.  This was the place.

This was the place he had hurt Buffy the last time. 

Suddenly, the door burst open and Spike squinted to see the redheaded whom looked about as hurt and alone as he felt.  She walked over to him and whispered an almost soothing comment.

"We can be alone together.  I know what you did, and now you know what I did," she said, tears forming to join the vampire's, telepathically linking him to her mind.

Spike's eyes widened.  His arms went around her neck, for comfort and to comfort.

***

Buffy felt a familiar tingle run up her spine.

"Dawn, go into the living room and wait there with Xander."  The mentioned obeyed.  Buffy started up the steps, following her ears, listening intently as the whimpers and cries grew louder.  Determining they where loudest coming from the bathroom, she opened the door.  Buffy stood, transfixed by the sight that presented itself to her.      

Spike's arms where wrapped tightly around Willow's neck, harsh sobs escaping his throat.  Looking closer, she saw that he was missing his shirt and that his sculpted chest, arms and face's beauty was marred by cuts, burns, bruises, scrapes and scratches.  Buffy saw the tormented look in his eyes and her heart twanged with longing.  Pushing the thought to the back of her head, she took a breath and mustered up the coldest tone she could.

"What are you doing here?" she asked harshly.  She saw Spike's head shoot up, guilt and regret sinking into those pale blue eyes.

"He came home to deal," Willow answered looking over her shoulder.  Standing, she eased Spike onto his bare feet and wrapped her arm around his lean waist.  Helping him to the door and into her room, Willow set him down on the bed and told him to stay there.  Closing the door, she walked over to Buffy and slapped her with all the strength she could muster.

"For once in you life, listen to your heart.  Maybe you'll welcome it and embrace it.  Then you can try and stop his pain."  With those words, Willow stepped back into her room.

Buffy stood in the hallway in shock.

TBC