Here we go again...lots of angst! Hope you like it!

"Where's Spike?" Buffy questioned after she and Brennan had returned from finding dinner.

"I'm not sure." Giles vaguely as she walked down the hall.

"Spike!" She called as she opened the door. "What are you doing?" Buffy exclaimed as she looked around the room he had been trying to pack up.

"I'm packing – what's it look like?" Spike said shoving clothes in his bag, not meeting her eyes.

"Packing?" Buffy repeated.

"Yeah. For L.A. Checked my messages and there is a mini-crisis that only yours truly can handle. I've got a flight out tomorrow evening, providing the Powers are cooperative."

"L.A.?" She paused, "What about us?" She asked quietly, her voice wavering.

"Us." He replied, meeting her gaze at last. "I didn't realize that there would be an us after I become human again. Figured I go on my merry way, 'good to see you and all that', but I live in the real world, with a real job. I don't gallivant around fighting baddies anymore." He watched as her face crumbled. It took all his willpower not to pull her into his arms. He crossed them instead and set his face in an unemotional mask.

"Spike? What is going on?"

"I told you, I got a call, business to take care of."

"And after that?" She asked voice wavering.

Spike shrugged, his face still set in that annoyingly unreadable expression. "I'll call you."

"You'll call me?!" Buffy's voice raised an octave. "Spike, tell me what's really going on. Talk to me please!" She pleaded.

Her pleading tone almost broke him. Spike forced himself to turn back to his packing, worried his face would crack and reveal his true feelings. "What's there to talk about?"

"Spike……" Buffy hesitated, feeling her eyes brim with tears. She couldn't lose him again. "I love you!" She blurted. "We can make it work, just tell me what's happened."

Spike stilled at her admission of love. He closed his eyes taking a breath, hearing those words - the ones he'd longed to hear. He whirled around, anger in his eyes. "But I suppose you mean it this time?! Right?" Buffy reeled from his angry words, taking a step back and grasping the doorframe. Spike walked past her and started down the hall.

"You love me!" She called to him. "I heard you say so, last night when you thought I was asleep!" He stopped in his tracks, relief washed over her, it couldn't be over between them – not like this.

Spike turned around taking in her tear stained face. Spike knew his next words would cement the end of their relationship, and it practically tore out his unbeating heart to say them.

"You must have been dreaming…….love." The last word was spoken quietly and grinned his evil smile – the one he had worn on so many occasions, the one hundreds had seen as their last image on earth. Spike turned and swept down the hall, leaving her sobbing, holding herself up with the doorframe.

The first person he saw as he entered the living room was Giles. The Watcher stood, a question in his eyes. Spike hated Giles in that moment. He narrowed his eyes angrily, a low growl in his throat. Giles took a step back in surprise and let the vampire pass. Angel and Brennan were startled at the exchange and Angel stepped protectively in front of Brennan, eyebrow cocked uncertainly.

"Tomorrow." Spike said to Angel, not breaking stride as he vaulted over the balcony railing and disappeared into the night.

"What was that? He sounded really angry….." Brennan asked in confusion.

Angel continued to stare at the empty space where Spike had been only moments before. "He didn't sound angry…………" A heartbroken wail from down the hall broke the silence. The three jumped in surprise and Brennan, the first to react, tore down the hall. "He sounded upset….." Angel sent a knowing look at Giles, he had not missed the angry exchange between vampire and Watcher, before the two followed Brennan.

--

Brennan found Buffy lying on the floor. She was curled in the fetal position, arms wrapped protectively around her. Her body shook from the sobs that wracked her body. Brennan knelt beside Buffy, looking for signs of injury or blood. She saw neither. Brennan looked up at Angel and Giles, who were standing in the doorway.

"She doesn't seem injured in any way." Brennan said in confusion.

"Spike wouldn't have physically hurt her." Angel said kneeling beside Buffy. Angel scooped her up in his arms. She looked so tiny in his large frame. Buffy wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and cried into his shoulder. Angel tried to lay her on the bed but she refused to release him. Angel sat on the bed and held her in his lap as she continued to cry. He looked over at Giles and Brennan. "Can you get me a glass of water, something for pain – preferable with something that will help her sleep, and a damp cloth?" After they left, Angel ran a hand comfortingly over her hair, wondering what had transpired between Buffy and Spike, and what roll Giles had played in it.

--

Brennan and Giles were standing in the kitchen having gotten Angel what he needed. Buffy was no longer hysterical, but the tears still ran freely and she refused to talk. Angel continued to sit with her, saying he wanted to try and talk to her.

"I've never seen anyone like that. What do you think happened?" Brennan asked.

"I can't imagine what Spike could have said to make her act like that." Giles said running a hand tiredly over his face. "I think I need to get some fresh air." He said walking out on to the balcony, closing the sliding door behind him.

--

Some time later, Angel closed the door to Buffy's room quietly – he did not to wake the sleeping Slayer. He walked past Brennan's room, noticing the light on, but he kept going, he needed to talk to Giles. With the bits and pieces Angel had gotten from Buffy, he had deducted that Spike had dumped her – in a terribly cruel manner, and left her heartbroken. Angel was skeptical about his friend's about face and timing and wanted to talk to Giles. He found the other man on the balcony staring into space.

"She's finally asleep." Angel said as he came up behind Giles. The Watcher didn't even turn around. "You can check on her if you want."

"I believe you. I wouldn't want to wake her." Giles said quietly.

"So you just want to stand out here and feel guilty." Angel stated standing beside Giles.

Giles hung his head, "I'm trying to protect her. I've always had her best interest in mind." He looked up and Angel could see tears in his eyes. "I didn't think it would hurt her like this."

"I know. You'd never hurt her on purpose, she's like a daughter to you." Angel took a deep breath. "But she loves him and he loves her……"

"But it's Spike." Giles said with disdain.

"I know……"

"I fear that if he becomes human again, he will be her downfall. I'm afraid of what she would sacrifice for him." Giles said.

"Why can't they decide that for themselves?"

"You know how people in love are – they see the world through rose colored glasses."

"And……?." Angel said.

"It is not conducive to a long living Slayer."

"What other Slayer do you have to compare her to. She's not like ANY other Slayer that has ever lived. Why can't she live happily ever after?" Angel pressed. Giles looked at him and didn't say anything. "I think I may call it a night, it's been a long and unpleasant day, and tomorrow has the potential to be just as bad. I'm going to say goodnight to Bones." He turned to go, and turned back. "I plan on seeing you again, but if for some reason I don't, it's been a pleasure." Angel said shaking the other man's hand. Giles nodded emotionally, before turning and gripping the railing.

--

"Bones?" Angel said knocking lightly on the doorframe to Brennan's bedroom. Angel heard running water coming from her bathroom, and walked in knowing she hadn't heard him. The light turned off and she emerged from the bathroom, wiping her face with a towel, nearly running into him. She jumped, startled, not having seen him.

"You scared me!"

"Sorry, I knocked but you didn't hear me."

"How's Buffy?"

He hesitated. "Not good, but she's sleeping now."

"Is she going to be OK?"

"Not for a while." Angel sighed. "She's heartbroken."

"I don't understand. Spike came back for her, didn't he? He made it very clear she was who he wanted! Why would he do that to her?" Brennan exclaimed, not understanding.

"He had his reasons for doing what he did, he did what he felt was best." Angel said. Brennan looked skeptical. "I've known him longer than anyone, and no matter what nonsense he spouts or what his actions say – he's hurting just as bad as she is."

"Then why did he do it?"

"Spike did it to protect Buffy."

"I'm not following."

"She's a target for evil – Spike, especially being human would be a liability to her, someone her enemies could use to get to her. He couldn't risk her life like that, even though he loves her."

"Do you think it was the right decision?"

He looked up abruptly, her eyes searched his, waiting for an answer. "I don't know. I'm probably not the best one to ask…."

"You had to make that same decision didn't you?" Realization setting in.

"She's still alive isn't she." Angel looked away. "Initially I thought it was the right decision, but as time went on, I knew I had chosen the coward's way out. I was strong, we were strong, but somehow I didn't think it was enough – so I left." Brennan reached up, placing a hand on his forearm and giving it a squeeze, smiling almost sadly at him. She stifled a yawn.

"I'm exhausted, I don't think I can stay awake much longer." She said changing the subject, the conversation had become slightly awkward.

"I actually came to say goodnight, I was going to head home." Angel replied, looking around nervously.

Brennan nodded slowly. "Ok. I guess it's goodnight, then." Suddenly her head snapped up, "you didn't come to say goodnight, you came to say goodbye. You and Spike are contacting the Powers tomorrow!" His silence was her answer. She rushed to him and threw her arms around him. He hugged her tightly back. "I'm not saying goodbye." She said into his shoulder. He brought his hands up and tilted her head back, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Brennan looked into his eyes. "Promise me you'll fight your hardest to come back." She searched his dark brown eyes, studied the familiar face of her friend and partner, she wasn't ready to give him up. "I can't lose another important person in my life." Angel gave a slow nod, and Brennan's relief turned to embarrassment, she wasn't sure what to do next. She turned and crawled into bed climbing under the covers, pulling them up to her chin. Angel went to turn off the lights for her.

"Booth?"

"Hmmm?"

"You can stay." She said quickly, embarrassed, "if you want to." She added chastised herself for acting like a nervous teenager.

He stood and stared down at her, "I'd like that." He walked to the other side of the bed and in her peripheral vision she could tell he was removing his pants and shirt, his wound big and ugly, but definitely showing signs of healing. Brennan felt the bed shift from his weight and reached out to turn off the lights. She rolled on her back and faced him.

"Booth?"

"Hmmm?" He said propping himself up on an elbow. The shadows cast from the lights outside the windows seemed to accentuate the angles of his face, and Brennan couldn't help herself, she reached out and ran a hand over his cheek and jaw.

"You didn't promise me……..." She whispered dropping her hand.

"I'll come back. I have too much to live for."

Brennan nodded, quickly kissing her index and middle finger and placing them against his lips. She felt the tears beginning to form and rolled over curling into the fetal position, pulling the covers to her chin, a terrible sadness building inside her. Angel, knowing so much had been left unsaid, wanted to hold her, stop her hurting. He reached out in the dark and curled an arm around her waist, pulling her to him until she was nestled into the curve of his body. Her head rested below his chin, and he could smell the sweet scent of her shampoo. Brennan laced her fingers with his and snuggled closer to him. Angel smiled and closed his eyes.

--

Angel opened his eyes sometime later. It was still dark out, and as his eyes quickly adjusted, he realized that he still held Brennan close. Her heat has transferred to him and he felt warm, alive, for the first time in days. He gently extracted his hand from hers, he needed to get back to his place before it was light out. Angel dressed quickly. Finding paper and a pen, he wrote a quick note to Brennan and headed out. He needed to find Spike.

Giles watched from his vantage point on the couch, as Angel vaulted over the railing and headed out into the night. Giles had been unable to sleep, tormented by what had transpired earlier in the evening. He felt awful for what he had done to Buffy and to Spike. Giles rolled over, hoping to find sleep as it seemed to elude him.

--

Angel entered his house, feeling exhausted, the past few days having taken their toll on him. Walking into the destroyed living room, he almost tripped over Spike who lay sprawled out on the floor. Spike held an empty beer bottle in one hand and a cigarette butt in the other. Angel bent over the other vampire.

"Spike. Spike, wake up!" Angel said loudly.

"I'm awake." Spike slurred. "No way I could sleep tonight even if I wanted to." He replied opening his blood shot eyes half way.

Angel knelt beside his friend and held out a hand. Spike took it and sat up. "I know what you did." Angel paused. "I'd ask how you are doing, but it's obvious, not well."

"I should have known years ago we were never meant to be, but for some reason I thought it would be different this time." Spike mumbled bitterly. He grabbed his head wincing. "Ugh, what a hangover I'm going to have."

"Buffy's a mess. I just thought you should know."

Spike sighed. "I never wanted to hurt her, not in a million years."

"I know."

"I couldn't bear it if something happened to her because of me." Spike replied staring into space.

Angel was silent not sure how to respond. His head told him what Spike had done was necessary, but his heart ached for his two friends. "I had to deal with the fallout of your actions. She was devastated……"

"Not helping Peaches." Spike said wincing.

Angel ignored Spike's insult. "She was devastated by what you said, I didn't get it out of her, but I think you were out of line."

"I didn't know any other way to make her believe it was over between us." Spike paused. "I was very much out of line. It broke my heart to lie to her like that." Spike said softly.

Angel sighed not knowing if there was anything he could do to help his friends. "You need to sober up before we contact the Powers."

"I don't feel drunk, I just feel depressed." Spike said sighing.

"Go shower and clear your head. Then we can take care of business."

Spike stood slowly, glancing at Angel. "You take advantage of an emotional goodbye with the good doc?"

"Excuse me?" Angel asked startled.

"I figure, at least one of us has a loved one that will mourn if we don't come back."

"We talked, said the necessary goodbyes." Angel replied defensively.

"No heartfelt kiss?" Spike said, his equilibrium returning quickly.

"We are just friends."

"Right, and I'm the best bloody poet alive….." Spike returned.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Angel said.

Spike stretched, wincing. "Your floor isn't comfortable. I'm going to take that shower and then we can get down to business. I'm ready to get the hell out of D.C. and get my life back." He said moving stiffly down the hall towards the bathroom.

Angel sighed sadly, pulling out his half of the medallion that contacted the Powers. He was unsure how the Powers would react to being contacted again by two lower beings. He wanted to live, but not in the shadows, he needed his human life back, he wanted to watch his son grow up and he felt something had changed in his relationship with his partner. His Bones was a beautiful intelligent woman, and he would be a fool to not try and fight for a chance to be with her. Angel had too much to lose by not trying to get his life back as Agent Seeley Booth. Angel watched the medallion swing and twist as if looking for its other half, needing completion, understanding that the medallion wasn't the only thing that needed its other half in order to be whole.

--

Spike emerged from the shower, dressed and eyes clear. He entered the kitchen and drank the last of the blood supply Angel had on hand. Angel sighed in relief looking at his friend, they both needed their heads clear when meeting the Powers.

"Are you ready for this?" Angel asked.

Spike shrugged. "I have nothing to lose. I just want to forget this whole trip ever happened." He said turning from Angel and grabbing his lighter, pulling out his half of the medallion. "Let's get this over with."

"Look, this is the time to deal with any possible regrets. Is there anything you have left unsaid that you need to take care of before we do this?"

Spike narrowed his eyes. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings by calling you names. Can we just get on with it?"

Angel hesitated. "Is that all?"

"I know what you are doing, Buffy is better off without me, she may be hurting now, but her dying would hurt her a lot more. Just let it go." Spike said emphatically.

"Fine. Do you have your half?"

"This wouldn't be much of a conversation if I didn't." Spike said grumpily handing his half over to Angel.

Angel fitted the two pieces together and it started sparking. Sparks seemed to fly from it as the complete medallion started spinning in Angel's hand. It lifted from his hand and floated in midair. The air around them began to swirl, slowly at first but gaining speed. The two vampires had an idea what to expect and were not startled when they came face to face with one of the faces of the Powers that Be. The face of a middle aged man, strong and intelligent phased in and out in front of them.

"Vampires. You have summoned the Powers yet again."

Angel spoke up first. "Yes, we are in need of your help for hopefully the last time."

"We do not make a habit of being at the beck and call of any being. You were made the exception because of the sacrifice you made, but you are starting to try our patience."

"We never intended for that to be the case, but we have once again prevented demons from taking over the world……" Angel started.

"We are aware of this." He paused. "Because of this we are willing to listen to what you request of us."

Angel sighed in relief and glanced at Spike who's expression remained impassive. "Thank you. We would not have contacted you again if it weren't important." Angel paused, gathering his thoughts, not sure where to start with his requests.

"I see what you want."

Angel jerked, startled. "I know that……"

The ghostly figure turned to Spike, "what you ask of us is not clear."

Spike looked up, his dead expression showing just a hint of life. The Power seemed to become more corporeal as it studied Spike, it's eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "You are afraid to show me what you want, but I see it. I can read your thoughts and your pain."

The Power turned back to Angel. "What the two of you ask is a lot. But it can be done." The God like entity paused. "We will take care of what you ask of us, but do not contact us again." The being faded out, leaving Angel and Spike alone in the alternate reality. The vampires turned to each other as the air around them started to circle and swirl quickly around them. The force of the whirlwind became so forceful that Angel had to brace himself against it, the wind stinging his eyes. He blinked back tears and the world around him began to darken. The last thing he remembered seeing was Spike bracing himself against the wind - before Angel's eyes, Spike's platinum hair returned to its original light brown suddenly Spike faded into the dark – Angel was alone. Angel's body began to cramp and he fell to the ground. The pain was so intense that he hardly noticed the swirling around him, the wounds that he had sustained in the fight against the demon army ached, hurting like they had just happened. Angel cried out in agony, his whole body throbbing – he'd never felt such intense pain! He felt heat returning to his body and he sucked in a long lifesaving breath. The heat spread throughout his body, and as he quickly became accustomed to feeling the warmth of life once again, he became aware of some of the warmth seeping out of him. He put a hand on his stomach and it came away warm and sticky. Blood; Angel's heart rate increased in excitement and he noticed the world around him had become lighter and the wind had decreased. He was alive, he smiled and slowly started to sit up, the swirling slowing and finally coming to a stop. Angel glanced to his left and Spike was on his hands and knees coughing and holding his shoulder with one hand. Spike turned to Angel, his eyes pained, but no worse for wear than Angel was.

"Did it work, or was that torture Power that Be style." Spike asked breathing heavily from the pain and trying to catch his breath.

"I think…..I think they honored out requests." Angel said slowly getting to his feet.

"One way to tell." Spike said pulling himself to his feet and heading to the sliding glass door.

The first steps on the porch were still in shadow, and as the two reluctantly stepped into the sunlight, they let out a sigh of relief as they felt only warmth from the sun's rays and did not burst into flames. "Well the Powers honored their promise." Spike said.

"The first part of what we both asked for." Booth replied.

William raised an eyebrow. "What are talking about?"

"You requested more than just becoming human just like I did." Booth replied. William's only answer was a raised eyebrow. "I asked the Powers to help me keep the most recent demon invasion under wraps."

"How do you know they would honor that?" William asked.

"Before he disappeared, our contact told me that at midnight all would be taken care of."

"Cryptic?" William questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Booth sighed. "More than a little, but its not like I could argue."

William shrugged in agreement. "they've made good on the first part of their agreement. I guess you'll have to trust them."

"What about you?" Booth asked.

"What about me."

"What about you and Buffy, have they made it possible for you to be together?"

"How should I know." William answered indignantly, this line of questioning was painful.

"Maybe you should apologize."

"Unless she's been brainwashed, I doubt that's the best idea you've ever had."

Booth noticed the sun was further down in the sky than he expected it to be. He looked down at his watch, "It must have taken longer for the transformation to take place than I thought, it's been hours."

"What time is it?" William asked grabbing Booth's wrist checking the time. "I've got to get to the airport!" he said grabbing the phone to call a cab.

"I could give you a ride."

"No, let's not have a teary airport scene. Besides, you have a certain anthropologist that needs you." William replied smugly.

Booth reached for his keys, and glanced at the destruction that was once his living room. "It's never dull." He said holding a hand out to his oldest friend.

William smiled taking Booth's hand. "I'm always good for a little destruction. Take care Peaches, I'll show myself out."

"Don't call me that!" Booth called grinning as he closed the door behind him.

--

Buffy and Giles sat silently in the airport terminal waiting for the flight that would take them home. Giles had spent most of the morning by himself deep in thought. Brennan had decided to go to work despite her appearance, and Buffy had slept most of the morning away. Giles had decided against waking the Slayer, she needed her rest and he wasn't sure if he was ready to face her. He glanced at her and sighed, feeling guiltier, if that was even possible. Giles's cell phone rang. He glanced at the number and then at Buffy who was looking expectantly – it was the first bit of interest she'd shown in anything all day.

"It's Angel." He flipped the phone open. "Yes, hello." He paused. "Well, that is wonderful news, yes, good to hear it."

"How's…..is Spike OK?" Buffy asked hopefully, her eyes filling.

"And Spike?" Giles listened. "He did." He didn't look at Buffy, but he felt her watching him intently. "Yes OK. I'll tell her." Giles closed the phone and looked at the Slayer. "Spike is fine. Both of them are, actually."

"Is he…….where is he?" Buffy barely croaked the words out.

"He is on his way back to L.A. He may actually be here somewhere." Giles said. Buffy looked around her frantically, her face pale. Giles looked at his hands.

"It doesn't matter, he's….we're…" Buffy couldn't continue.

"Buffy, I need to tell you something." Giles whispered, not looking up.

Buffy's felt herself go cold – this couldn't be good. "OK." She answered hesitantly.

"It's my fault what happened with Spike last night." Giles looked at Buffy as she sat waiting for him to continue. "I told him to leave."

"Why? Why would you do that?"

"I did it to protect you." Giles said simply.

"Giles, I need answers and I need them now. What did you say to Spike to make him leave? Exact words, now!" Buffy said anger making her voice stronger.

"I told him that if he became human he would end up being a liability that could get you killed. He would be your weakness, if something happened to him, you'd sacrifice yourself to save him. You're enemies would use him to their advantage."

"How could you tell him that!" Buffy said standing

"It's the truth."

"But it's not inevitable! We don't know what's going to happen in life! How could you crush my chance at happiness because of a 'what if'?"

"I'm your Watcher – I look after you, protect you." Giles said simply.

"This is not what a Watcher does." Buffy paused, hands clenched in anger. "It's what a parent does." Realization dawned, and she calmed a little. "I'm old enough to make these decisions on my own." She looked around and then down at a miserable Giles. "I'm still angry with you, but I know why you did what you did." Giles looked up hopeful. "Now I have to find a way to fix this."

"He's flying on Delta, gate 4a. If you hurry you might can catch him."

Shock showed on her face. "How did you…?"

"Angel told me. You need to go." He stood, held her shoulders and kissed he cheek. "I'm so sorry. You need to hurry." Buffy nodded and hurried away. Giles sat watching her go.

One more chapter after this...!!