Chapter 8

Buffy was led by a guard down a hallway. Upon entering the asylum Buffy had her things collected and was checked for illegal items. When she was cleared she was led the office of Dr. Welsh. The guard opened the door and left Buffy with the doctor.

"Hello, Ms. Summers, please have a seat." Buffy listened to the directions and sat down across from the doctor. Dr. Welsh was filling out some paperwork. She finally looked to give Buffy and fake smile, trying to be comforting. Dr. Welsh didn't seem to have great bedside manner. "My name is Dr. Maggie Welsh. I'm head of phycology here."

"And you're going to tell me about how William's doing?" Buffy asked.

"He's coming along just fine. He's no longer forced to wear a straightjacket. The violence has been tamed. He's improved vastly since the medication has entered his system. All he can talk about is seeing you again. We thought having the familiarly of his former psychologist would help him, but it hasn't. It seems the thing that keeps him going is you. I thought it might be good for him to see you."

"You're going to let me see William?" Buffy asked. Her heart was throbbing. She wasn't expecting that. She had just spoken to him for the first time since his arrest last week and now she was going to see him. It all felt so long ago.

"Yes. He'll be in here in a few minutes. I asked him yesterday, before I called you, if he would like to see you."

Buffy felt like she was going to cry, but from happiness. The door behind Buffy opened. She turned to see Spike. He looked so different. His roots had grown in he had traded his is all black and leather for a starch white patient uniform. His Adam's Apple bounced and he stared at Buffy in disbelieve.

Buffy turned to Maggie and she gave her a nod. Buffy stood up and walked over to Spike and gave him a soft hug. He was shaking. But he wrapped his arms around her and excepted her.

"I love you," she said, "so much."

"I know." His voice was shaky.

The armed guard behind Spike walked him over to one of the chairs and Buffy sat in the other one. Dr. Welsh gave him a nod and the guard left. "I didn't believe you doc," Spike said. He looked at her. "But thank you."

"Ms. Summers…can I call you Buffy."

"Sure," Buffy said without turning to look. She couldn't take her eyes off Spike.

"Buffy, William said in our last session that there were a lot of things you two needed to talk about."

"How's Dawn doing?" Spike asked.

"That's not what she's referring to," Buffy said.

"I know," Spike admitted, "But I still want to know how everyone's doing."

"After we talk, okay? I mean, technically we'll still be talking, but after we talk about the stuff we need to talk about. Okay, now talk."

Spike smirked. "I've always loved you Summers. Always will."

"William."

"I'm not going to blame you. It's just you made me feel so complete. So whole. I went off the meds and you became my supergirl. And then the evil inside me came out. I wasn't good enough for you. I was an evil soulless demon."

"A vampire?" Buffy questioned.

"I was sucking the life out of you. But no matter what I still felt dead inside." Spike averted his gaze from Buffy. He didn't want her to look at him while he said his next few words, but he could feel her eyes on him. He looked at the floor. "Killing those girls feels like a dream now."

"That's good," Buffy said. She put her had on his shoulder.

"No, it's not. I can't regret something that doesn't feel real. It's like I'm stuck between realities and I don't know what's real. The only thing I know is that I want you. That I love you. That I need you. But I can't have you here, because I'm locked up. And I can't have you there because I'm a monster. And you deserve so much better."

Buffy reached over and pulled Spike's head toward her, forcing him to look at her. "I don't care what reality you're stuck in. I'll love you no matter where you go." She pulled his face closer and gave him a kiss on the lips.


A/N: Aw, Buffy and Spike have been reunited, how adorable. REVIEW TIME! :D