I loved her. Really, I still do. It's one of those things you can't shake. Like having the bloody flu all the time. I died once. I mean, really died. Not when I was sired, but stay-dead died. It was an interesting experience getting back to the world. It took me two years on earth to get back and she'd almost moved on. Almost. This is the story of my return back to the place where it'd all began, Sunnydale, Califorinia.
Welcome back to the Hellmouth, Spike.
Hmm, quite a bit of damage. I thought, pulling on the collar of my leather duster. I looked out over the construction going on inside the crater that, if memory serves, I made.
They'd given up and rebuilt the high school on the opposite side of town. The suburban houses had been unharmed by the…. blast.
I walked swiftly through the gathering dusk until I was standing in front of the proper house. It looked exactly like I remembered it. I lit a cigarette and a small line of smoke trailed up into the air. I jumped up the steps on the porch and knocked twice on the oak door.
My vampire ears picked up a voice from inside. "I'll get it."
The door opened and I heard the intake of breath that followed.
"Miss me, pet?" I smiled at Dawn.
"Buffy!" Dawn squeaked. The heard foot falls coming up the basement stairs.
"What is it, Dawny?" Asked the all-too familiar voice. My lips twitched upward. I looked at Dawn and then to the stunned face of her older sister now standing next to her.
"S-Spike…?" Buffy whispered. "But you…."
"'Ello, love." I looked at her.
"Are you…?" She reached out and brushed my face. "You're not a ghost." She confirmed. "You're back!" She hugged me. I stood for a minute before Dawn joined her sister in the hug.
I felt a giddy feeling in my stomach. It's almost like being home. I thought. "So, does this mean I'm invited in?"
"Um, oh, yeah, yes. 'Course, come in. Xander!" Buffy stepped away so I could come in. Dawn was still hugging me.
Xander came around the corner. "What's all the- Jesus!" He swore. "Didn't you die?" He asked.
"So I've been told."