Awakening
The fledgling was a fast little bugger. Spike pumped his legs harder, gritting his teeth. The pain was blissful, a distraction from the harsh reality.
She was gone.
He was careful not to think the name, for fear he would sink back into the deep depression he had when She had first-
No. The Little Bit needed him. He wouldn't – couldn't go there again. For Dawn.
He rounded the corner of a crypt, expecting to find the fledgling he was hunting cornered by the wall.
Instead, he stopped. A small blonde form was landing blow after blow to the young vampire, while it cowered and uselessly tried to fend off the punches.
Just the 'bot, just the 'bot… he reminded himself. As usual, seeing her face on the lifeless hunk of metal brought back a fresh wave of heart wrenching pain. It was all he could do to not break down like a big poof and start crying right there. Because if he started, he would never be able to stop.
Besides, she wouldn't want him to. She would want him to be strong.
The 'bot- because that's what it must have been- slammed a stake into the vamp's heart, which promptly exploded into dust.
Just then, a breeze blew towards him. He caught a whiff of the 'bot. Wait a minute… it didn't smell like plastic and metal. It smelled like…
She turned around, yellow eyes glinting in the moonlight. She grinned upon seeing him, her fangs flashing.
"Hey, Spike Ol' Buddy", she said in a chipper voice. "Long time no see. Say, how do you like my new look? I was gong for evil undead. I think it worked out pretty well. How 'bout you?"
Spike backed away with wide eyes, chanting, "No, no, no, no…"
Buffy frowned. "What, too much eye shadow? Shute! I knew it was too dark for me when I stole it from that lady I killed." She sighed dramatically. "Ah, well, there are more fish in the sea. Or, in our case, more defenseless happy meals on legs in the dark alleys behind bars."
She brightened. "Hey, I know! I'll even kill you some lunch! How 'bout it?"
He stared at her, unbelieving. "Buffy, no! How could this- "
Spike jolted awake, gasping for unnecessary breath.
"Just a dream", he told himself. "Just a bloody dream."
But god! It had been so real! The eyes, the voice…
No. Buffy was gone, and she was not coming back. Not ever.
He looked at the small window, where the last rays of the sun faded.
He wouldn't dwell on these kinds of things. Now that night had fallen, he could go and look out for the Nibblet now, so he swung his legs over the bed and threw on his coat.
He didn't have Her, but he had the only part of her that was left- Dawn.
That would have to be enough.
The End