When Spike had gone to Africa in search of his soul, he had been desperate for something to make Buffy like him. He wanted to be accepted as somebody who wasn't merely a monster. He wanted to be seen as somebody capable of loving, caring and spending their life with one person. When he'd tried to take something from her by force, he'd blown all chances of that happening in the life he was currently living. He had tried to kid himself all the way to Africa that it'd been the monster that had raped her, not the Spike he'd grown to be, but deep down inside; he knew it was all of him combined.
In Africa, he had been told the words that he had dreaded: "We cannot return your soul to you, William."
He had wanted to shout, scream, cry... anything to get them to change their minds, but he knew they had the ultimate power and he couldn't cross that.
"However, we can grant you another opportunity..."
Spike had listened intently, hanging on every word that had been said. He could be made human. Human? Why on earth would he want that? Dying at the age of 70, healing normally, no super-speed, no super-strength. But, then there was Buffy. He'd be her first 'normal' boyfriend. They'd be able to have children together! They'd be able to get married in the sunshine and go to the beach. There would be down-points, of course. Her punches would break every bone in his face, most likely. But that's fine, he mentally noted I just bloody well won't give her a reason to hit me.
Just as he was about to accept the offer, there was a catch. Of course there's going to be a catch! Spike's mind screamed at him, You're probably going to have to turn into a hell beast after your time on earth and live through eternal punishment and torture. Bollocks.
"You will have to go back in time, William." They told him, their voices never venturing from the same tone. "You will start highschool at the same time as Buffy."
"Wait!" Spike actually shouted out loud, his eyes full of uncertainty. "Will Buffy remember anything from the future? Will she still be in the future? Bloody hell, I'm sorry, but I'm very confused."
"You should wait for me to finish before you ask questions, William. All be be revealed." The demon nodded and pulled out a long scroll of paper, scanning it for information. "This is your life history. You've slain many people in your time as a vampire, but I cann't fault this. You needed to kill to survive. You have attempted to do good in the world since your run-in with those "army" men. I would give you your soul back if I thought it would do good, but this way, William, the whole human world could benefit and not just you. Buffy will still be in the future, of course she will be. It is forever written in the stars that Buffy Anne Summers is to be a slayer. As for whether she will remember everything that has already happened, no. She is returning to the past, just like you, William. Everything is wiped clean. Only you will remember." A pause was taken, indicating that Spike could speak up with any questions that may be swimming around in his head.
If only he would have time to voice them all.
"Is the future the same? Will Buffy fight the same demons?"
This demon chuckled and raised a hand thoughtfully. "That will soon become clear, but yes. Exactly the same future."
I have the power to change everything that happens. Spike thought, in awe. "Will I automatically be in her life?"
"This opportunity isn't just about Buffy, William. You have the chance to start a complete fresh. Am I wrong in thinking that you always consider it a nuisance to be so attached to the slayer?"
"Well, yeah, I say that but it wouldn't be the same without her."
"Then, it's up to you, William. You can make what you want out of this opportunity. Just be aware that the things that you do, everything you do can change what you knew as the future. Be careful you don't destroy lives."
With that said, the demon was gone with a flash of light.
Seconds later, Spike collided hard with something that didn't agree with his spine and the world went black around him.