Disclaimer: The characters are not mine, I own nothing, in fact I owe money. Suing me would be pointless.

Ha, another chapter! I'm so proud of myself! All mistakes are mine, and I'm sorry you have to suffer through them. Enjoy!

Please remember to read and review.

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Chapter 2

Elizabeth Anne Summers shifted in her sleep, one arm flinging out and narrowly missing the bedside table. Hard to believe that once upon a time she hardly dreamed at all. Now it was nearly every night, and sometimes they were like this.

Elizabeth walked down a long dark corridor. In the distance she saw a bright green light and as she approached it that light clarified and turned into a tropical garden. As she stepped out she turned and looked back from where she'd come and in the far distance she could she herself, asleep in her bed. Turning she walked into the garden. There was no sky above her, only white that shone softly down on everything, and high cliff walls surrounded this little paradise. She felt the cool grass on her bare feet and wondered what brought her here. As she walked leaves and vines brushed against her skin in a silent welcome. There were no birds, no animals, but she felt that she wasn't alone. Looking around she was surprised to see that each blade of grass, each flower petal and leaf was clearly defined and it occurred to her that this was not like normal dreams.

In the distance she heard a waterfall and slowly gravitated toward the sound, allowing her fingers to brush against leaf and smooth bark as she passed it, enjoying the colorful beauty of this place. She stopped abruptly when she entered a small clearing. On a small grassy rise, near the pool fed by a small waterfall, lay a man. He wore a pair of faded jeans but nothing else and hair that had once been blond had now grown out to show the brown roots underneath. He was beautiful, she hadn't even seen his face and she could tell that much. He was also covered in blood and trembling.

Her heart immediately went out to him and almost before she realized it she was kneeling down beside him her hand coming to rest lightly on his shoulder. His skin was cool. At her touch his head jerked up and Elizabeth was met with the most startlingly crystal blue eyes she had ever seen. His cheekbones stood out sharply and in contrast to his full lips. As he saw her the man gasped and scooted away, his trembling increasing, and Elizabeth felt like she'd been hit was a mack truck.

She held out a hand, palm up, like you would to a wounded animal.

"I'm not going to hurt you," she said softly, "I just want to help."

He stared for a full minute and then the man's eyes widened and he came closer. She sat there silent and still as he did, hoping to not scare him off. Maybe if she could get him to trust her she could wash off the blood in the nearby pool and dress some of the gashes on his skin, some of which were still seeping blood. Watching him she also saw that he was quite emaciated, every rib standing out against his concave stomach.

He reached his hand out towards her several times but retracted it before he touched her. Finally he rested trembling fingers gently against her face. Elizabeth felt as though her entire being made sighed. Then he spoke, his voice hoarse from disuse.

"B-Buffy?"

Elizabeth nodded but winced internally. She didn't know how he knew that name but she wished he didn't. She hadn't been called it in years. It was so…80's. Though; apparently that was the right answer, or perhaps the wrong one, because the man proceeded to break down in tears, resting his head against her thigh and wrapping thing arms around her waist. Surprised, but not daunted, Elizabeth ran her fingers through his blood matted hair. After a while he calmed and sat up, though he seemed reluctant to stop touching her, and looked at her in disbelief.

"Is it really you?"

Elizabeth nodded. Who else would she be?

"B-but, you left." And for a moment the man looked as though he'd cry again, but he didn't. "Why did you leave?"

Elizabeth had no idea how to answer. The only place she could ever remember leaving was L.A. And she couldn't remember anyone with a British accent. Maybe this had something to do with the Key? Perhaps She had left him. "I'm sorry?" she finally said.

"N-no," the man said, "nothing ta be sorry for. Shoulda-shoulda been better. Should 'ave been *more*." He looked up at her with pleading eyes. "C-could 'ave been better. I can be better. I will. Please-" At that his voice broke and he began to cry again. Elizabeth could only wrap her arms around him, and try and offer the comfort of her presence. "So sorry," he kept crying, "so so sorry."

It took time and lots of gentle shushing but once again he calmed and Elizabeth gently helped him sit up. "I think," she said thoughtfully, "that I had to go, but I'm sorry to know that you're suffering."

"You're not?"

Elizabeth gave a soft smile. "No, not suffering. Quite happy actually." At that a peace seemed to wash over the man and he closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

"I miss you."

Now Elizabeth smiled and reached out to rest a hand on his cheek. She didn't miss his hefty flinch, but she chose to ignore it. "But, I'm here now, isn't that enough?" The man sighed again and leaned into her touch.

"Yeah, luv, it always was."

Elizabeth took a deep breath and the world around her grew even brighter and clearer for a moment. "What's your name?"

The man looked up at her, puzzled, but answered. "Sp-William."

Elizabeth smiled and nodded. "That's a good name." And, this seemed to comfort the man before her.

The man, William, wrapped his arms around her, yet again, and rested his face in the crook of her neck. She could feel her heart speeding up as his breath feathered over the sensitive skin.

Now it was her turn to stutter. "M-maybe we can go to the water and-and get you cleaned up." William just sighed and pressed himself closer. Elizabeth found herself with the impression that this must be how Mr. Gordo usually felt. Just then there was a loud sound, like an explosion, and William was ripped away from her with a sharp cry. She barely had time to jump to her feet to look where he'd gone when the world around her turned white and she woke with a gasp.

Spike woke to the new door to his crypt being slammed open. He'd had to replace the heavy wood a few weeks ago, had to rebuild the damn thing himself as by then the priest had been the only human left. Spike shot up with a short cry, looking around for who he knew was there, his sleep muddled brain trying to comprehend what he was seeing. He hadn't meant to fall asleep. He didn't want to fall asleep. Sleep made him more vulnerable than he already was and that was a very very bad thing.

"Hey, blondie bear," a voice whispered in his ear, the sweet dream he'd had only making reality worse, and Spike's already cool blood froze.