Author: Kelley (beanyb1999@hotmail.com)
Rating: Still seems like PG-13 to me.
Feedback: I like feedback. Please review! It makes me a happy person.
Summary: Spike and Tara figured out what was wrong with Buffy. Spike gets to fix it now. Possible spoilers for upcoming episodes, but I'm pretty sure this won't happen. This is a S/B fic…cuz they're the best.
Disclaimer: Alas, I still own nothing. Joss owns the whole kit and kaboodle. Oh how I wish I could have Spike just for a little while though.
Dedication: For Christy, of course, since she helps me with this. For Shelley, the one who writes warped fanfic with me. For Emily, who asked me why I haven't included her in a dedication yet. I love you, Em! For everyone who has reviewed this and said positive things. I never expected to get such awesome reviews. For James Marsters in hopes that he one day realizes that I'm the only girl for him…even if I have to kidnap him and make him eat his favorite foods all the time until he can't stand it any longer. Of course, he'd probably be embarrassed by this sorry excuse for a fic. I WANT SPIKE!
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Buffy went to the park after leaving the Magic Box. It seemed reasonable enough. At least she wouldn't have to endure her friends questioning her like crazy. She knew they'd ask her why. She didn't know what to tell them. She didn't even know why.
She sat on a swing, rocking herself back and forth. She watched children playing and screaming, happy as can be. Happy. She wanted to feel happy again.
She sighed and got up. The whole spell was making her nervous. What if it didn't work? It just has to!
She decided to leave the park. Instead of going home, she headed towards Spike's crypt. Once she got there, she knocked instead of kicking the door open. She waited for a moment, then smacked her forehead because Spike was probably sleeping. She turned to go when she heard the door open slightly. She stopped walking, but didn't turn back around.
"What's wrong, Buffy?" Spike asked, concern in his voice.
She turned to face him. He pulled the door open for her. She shrugged and walked in.
Aaaaah! Buffy! she screamed to herself. Spike wasn't wearing a shirt. She looked away.
Don't look! Don't look! She went and sat in front of his television, staring at the blank screen. He couldn't help but smile. He didn't mock her though. She blinked rapidly, continuing to stare at the television, getting lost in the thoughts of what tomorrow could possibly bring.
"Buffy," Spike said, interrupting her thoughts.
She looked at him. "What?"
"What's so interestin' on the telly?"
She smiled. "It's a Wonderful Life."
He grinned. "Nice movie. What's troublin' you?"
"Spike, this spell . . . you'll get my soul back?"
"I promise, everything will be fine. You'll get your soul back.."
"You'll bring it to me?"
"Of course." He tilted his head, studying Buffy's face.
"O-Ok. I hope it doesn't backfire." She looked down at her lap, but then she looked back up at the vampire with what looked like trust in her eyes.
Spike caressed the side of her face. "I'll make sure it won't."
"Can I just sit here for awhile? Everyone is at my house. I know they'll start asking the questions the second I walk in the door. Please? I won't bother you. You can sleep."
Spike chuckled. "Sure, Slayer. I'll be back up later." He winked.
"Thanks." She glanced downward.
"Any time," he whispered. He looked back once before going down the stairs.
Buffy leaned back and turned on the television.
After the sun set, Spike came back up. The Slayer had his duster covering her up.
"You're going to give that back, right?"
She grinned. "Maybe."
"You better. I'm somewhat attached to it."
"I think I'm ready to go home now."
"All right. I'll walk you."
"You don't . . ." she began.
"Slayer, don't argue with me."
"Ok." She replied, not wanting to argue and got up, handing him his duster.
A short time later, they were at Buffy's house. They'd walked over in relative silence, both thinking about the spell. She opened the front door and he followed her in. Dawn was sitting on the couch.
"Bout time you got back," she said sleepily.
"Where is everyone?" Buffy asked.
"Sent them home. Didn't want them to hound you. Willow's in bed."
"Oh." She raised an eyebrow. "Thanks."
"Hey, Nibblet."
"Hey." She motioned for Spike to sit on the couch next to her. He did so. They sat in awkward silence for a moment and Buffy went upstairs to do something.
"Spike, are you nervous about tomorrow?" Dawn asked suddenly.
"No. Nah. It'll be fine," he said, waving his hand about.
"Spike, you're a terrible liar."
"Ok, yes. I'm nervous. I just want it to work."
"Me too." She paused. "Uh, Spike? You're gonna come back, aren't you?"
"That's the plan, Lil Bit."
"No, I mean, you won't come back wrong?" she asked, worry etching her face.
"What fun would that be? I couldn't bug you then."
"I'm serious! I don't want you to change. I don't want Buffy to get hurt."
"Nothing will change the way I feel about Buffy and nothing will keep me away. I couldn't leave you two."
"Good. I'm holding you to that," Dawn said, hitting Spike's arm.
He smiled, now more nervous than ever.