It was almost sunrise and Spike could see the bustling city of London beneath him. Memories came flooding back to him. Both good and bad. He thought of Dru and wondered where she was now. What she was doing. No matter what people thought, he still cared about her. She was a big part of his life for 100 years. This was the first time he'd been to London since he left with Dru, Angel and Darla a few years after he was sired. He'd never wanted to come back before. Too many bad memories. Cecily, his mother but it had been almost 140 years and he was ready to return. Especially since Buffy was here. She made it worth it a million times over. He knew he had to wait all day in the airport until dusk before he could leave to where Dawn had instructed him to meet them but he didn't mind.

About 2 hours later, Spike was slumped horizontally over 2 waiting room chairs, his holdall as a pillow. He had been on his own for well over an hour so pulled a packet of cigarettes from his leather duster pocket. He slipped one between his lips and flicked the lighter. Bright orange sparks appeared as it lit. Spike took a large puff and breathed out, blowing smoke rings everywhere. "Wow this was going to be a long day", he thought to himself. Spike dropped his head back and closed his eyes, the cigarette still between his fingers.
Suddenly, the door swung open and Spike's head jolted upwards in shock. He quickly dropped his ciggy and squished it with his foot. A large, well built man in a security outfit loomed over him.

"Sir, you're gonna have to come with us", the guard demanded.

Spike was surprised. No one knew he was in London apart from Buffy, Dawn, Angel, Illyria and Gunn and they weren't going to tell anyone. Before he had chance to reply, another guard walked in, this one a little shorter and narrower than the other but was still stronger than he was. The pair each grabbed one of Spike's arms, the smaller one picking up his holdall with his free hand and they dragged him out of the waiting room and into an office. They pushed him onto the floor and left, locking the door behind them. Spike immediately jumped up and started to bang on the door.

"Oi! You can't leave me locked up here! Let me outta here ya wankers!", he screamed. He carried on slamming his palms against the steel door for about 10 seconds when a voice interrupted him.

"Spike cut it out seriously!". Spike spun around, following the voice and a figure emerged from the shadows on the other side of the room. Spike took a few seconds to take in who he was seeing.

"What are you doing here? And what's with the 'lock Spike up in a room gig'?", he questioned.

"There was a change of plan and I needed to find you", the mysterious person explained.

"A bit dramatic don't ya think Niblet?", Spike joked.

Dawn looked at him and her neutral expression turned into a huge grin. She ran across to Spike and threw her arms around his neck. Spike responded to her hug and laughed as he picked her up and spun her around a couple of times. He placed her down again and she slapped him on the shoulder playfully.

"Spike you absolute idiot! I can't believe you didn't tell us sooner!

Buffy struggled so much after your death? I'd never seen her like it. Do you wonder why she was so pissed off with you and Angel?", she chuckled.

"Yeh I know..but..but I didn't know what I'd say to her. Hey slayer, I'm back from the ashes after that poncy necklace resurrected me? Yeh right, would've sounded like total bollocks!", he muttered.

A thoughtful expression had appeared on Dawn's face.

"But either way...you could've at least told her. The way she was feeling, she wouldn't have cared about an explanation. Maybe not right away. She just needed you there. So forgive her if she's not all hugs and apologies when you see her", Dawn warned.

"Speaking of the slayer, where is she? Is she here with you?", Spike asked hopefully.

"No, I'm here on my own. She's had to travel elsewhere in London so she sent me to take you to the hotel we're meeting at later. There's a car parked in the shade just outside so don't worry you won't become toast on my watch!", she laughed. Spike stretched to a smile and also laughed.

Dawn walked over to the door and knocked twice. The clicking and clanking of the locks started and the hinges creaked as the door was opened.

"Look at you all secret agentish lil' bit", Spike teased.

"You better do as I say then".

She raised an eyebrow and tried not to giggle. She waved her hand, hinting for Spike to follow. Spike put his hands in his pockets and obediently walked up to Dawn. He opened a loop in his arm and looked at Dawn. She smiled again and linked her arm through his...