"Spike…what happened?" Buffy asked when everything got quiet.
"I don't know love. I mean we were fine. Everything was great…till…"
"Till you got fired."
"Yes, but I have a new job now Buffy."
"Really?"
"Yes…with the company Pixar. You remember them don't you?"
"Yes and I distinctly remember you telling them no for some reason and them saying it was your lose."
"Yes, but they needed me and well there I am."
"Well Spike I'm very happy for you."
"Buffy I have missed you so much."
"Spike…I know that. But I just I need a little time. That's all just a little time."
"I understand love." Spike said as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. Buffy smiled and Spike left the room.
As Spike left the room, Willow came in for the first time since Spike showed up. Buffy was crying. "Buffy what's wrong?" Willow asked.
"I don't know if I can be this strong."
"What?"
"Willow I don't know if I can do this…this living without him."
"Oh Buffy." Willow said as she walked over and gave her best friend a hug.
The next month and a ½ Buffy went through Physical Therapy. Soon enough she was able to walk without the help of a cane or a nurse. And finally she was released. "Hey this is Willow and Oz. We're unable to come to the phone right now…please never a detailed message after the beep…" Willow's answering machine said before Buffy hung up. 'Damn she said she'd be home.' Buffy thought to herself. "Can I use the phone again?" Buffy asked the nurse at the desk.
"Why certainly Miss. Summer. Press 8 to call out."
"Thank you." Buffy said as she picked the phone back up.
"Ello" The voice on the other line said.
"Spike…it's me Buffy."
"Oh hi Buffy. Something I can do for you?"
"Spike…I need a ride from the hospital. Willow wasn't home and I didn't know if anyone else to call."
"Sure love. Can you meet me outside?"
"Yea sure."
"Ok I'll be there soon." Spike said as he hung up.
"Thank you." Buffy said as she handed the nurse the phone, picked up her stuff and headed outside.
Spike had showed up about 10 minutes later. Buffy got in and was quiet the whole way to her apartment. The only time either of them spoke was outside of her apartment building.
"So is physical therapy all done?" Spike asked.
"Yea for the most part. I still have to go in for them to check on me but I'm basically fine."
"That's good to here love."
"Spike listen…I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it love?"
"Um…do you want to go out for coffee tomorrow after noon?" Spike stared at her like she had two heads. "But it's totally cool if you don't want to I mean."
"No Buffy of course I want to. What time?"
"Noon at star bucks?"
"Sounds good love. Need any help with your stuff?"
"No I'm ok. Thanks Spike. And I'll see you tomorrow."
"See ya Buffy."
The next day Buffy and Spike had a cup of coffee. And everything went really well. Buffy even let Spike kiss her on the cheek when they said goodbye. "I'll call you ok Buffy?"
"Well you better Spike." But when Spike got home he was all confused. He didn't know whether or not Buffy still cared about him the same way she had for the 6 years they were together. He knew he still loved her but he wasn't sure. So he went to his room and pulled out his laptop and began writing in his journal.
Journal- Today I went to have coffee with Buffy. God I still love her so much. I don't know what to do. I don't know where we stand in all of this. She just finished her physical therapy. And she's just getting back on her feet. I don't want to be the reason everything goes down hill for her. I just don't want that for her at all. I love her more than anything is in this world. Also my life is just starting to come together and I…god I don't know. I think I'm gonna go. I need to really think about this.
Spike shut his laptop and picked up a book and began to read.
Spike heard a creak and looked up. "Things Fall apart...they fall apart so hard."
"Buffy?"
"You can never really put'em back together."
"Are you ok?"
"I'm sorry...it's just...you know it takes time...You can't just have coffee and expect…"
"I know." Spike said.
"There's so much to work through. Trust has to build again, on both sides... you have to learn if you're even the same people you were, if you can fit in each other's lives, it's a long and important process and can we just skip it? Can you just be kissing me now?" Buffy said as she stared at Spike. He got up and kissed her.