Author: Kelley (beanyb1999@hotmail.com)
Rating: PG-13…as usual.
Feedback: Yes, please!
Distribution: Sure, you can have it. Just ask me first…or something.
Summary: Spike and Tara figured out what was wrong with Buffy. Spike went to fix it. Chaos ensued.
Disclaimer: Joss owns 'em all. He doesn't yet realize he's signed Spike over to me. Now Spike is chained to my bed. Bwahahahaha!
Dedication: For Christy, cuz she helped me with this entire story. For Shelley, who laughs at the "funny parts" of my story even though they aren't THAT funny. Hehe. For all my wonderful reviewers, you've made this a wonderful time for me. I love you guys!
A/N: Did you ever think we'd reach this point? Here we are! Yay! Pretty much finished!
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Buffy helped him sit up slowly. She had a questioning look in her eyes.
"Spike?" she asked one final time.
He tilted his head, noting the worried look on her face.
"Miss me that much, pet?"
"Spike!" Buffy and Dawn tackled the vampire.
Spike smiled. "Don't knock me out again," he laughed.
They both got off him.
"Spike, we were worried you wouldn't be back," Dawn said.
"Are you kidding? I told you I'd be back to annoy you! You're not getting rid of me that bloody easy!" Spike replied.
"Well, I – we . . ." Buffy began.
"Do you feel . . .better?" Spike asked.
Buffy smiled. "Much better . . .now."
"Good. I'm glad. That spell needs to come with a bleedin' warning label."
"So, what was it like?" the ever curious Dawn began interrogating.
"A bloody pain. Me an' William gave the Powers a real headache. I hope I don't have to do that again."
Buffy took Spike's hand. "We're glad you're back."
"Guys, um, can we get out of here?" Xander asked.
"Yes, please," Anya said. "All this tension has made me really horny and I read this really interesting article on sexual positions that I'd like to try with Xander . . ."
"Ok, that's enough," Dawn said, getting up and mumbling something about virgin ears and nasty adults.
"William whispers news in my ear!" Drusilla said, clapping. "The stars have told me to go elsewhere."
Drusilla left, heading for the sewer in the back.
Xander shook his head. "Why was she here?"
"She was here to help, honey," Anya said, patting Xander on the leg.
"Yes, and how very helpful she was with all her watching and metaphorical phrases," Xander retorted.
"We need to get Tara somewhere else," Willow interrupted, glancing at the unconscious witch.
Xander got up. "I'm on it. So . . . where to?"
"Um . . .Buffy's?"
Buffy's eyes shot up upon hearing her name. She'd been paying too much attention to Spike to notice the conversation going on around her.
"What?"
"We're going to take Tara back to your house," Xander said. "She needs to rest."
Buffy frowned. "Oh. Yeah, that's fine. Go on ahead without me."
Xander and Willow stared at the Slayer for a moment but shrugged and agreed to.
"Let's go, Dawnie," Willow said.
Dawn was about to protest, but Willow cleared her throat and shook her head. Dawn rolled her eyes and walked to the door.
Xander knelt down and picked Tara up slowly while Willow helped him get a better hold on her.
Anya smiled and patted Spike on the head. "Welcome back, Spike. You're not flickering anymore. You should be happy."
Spike quirked an eyebrow and smiled. "Right."
Dawn, Anya, and Willow left the Magic Box with Xander and Tara in tow.
After everyone left, Buffy turned to Spike. She bit her lip.
"Spike, I . . ."
Spike held a finger to her lips.
"I should get going, Slayer," he whispered.
Buffy glared. "Spike. Look. I just wanted to thank you."
"You're welcome, pet." He stood up slowly
"Spike . . . I . . ." Buffy tried to find the words she was looking for. What was she going to say? Sorry for being such a bitch and treating you like scum. That was a start.
"What is it, Buffy?" he asked softly.
"I'm sorry," she said, looking down. "I'm sorry for being such a bitch."
Spike smiled. "When?"
Buffy sighed. "Uh, well, I guess always. Wh-why don't you hate me?"
Spike shook his head and chuckled. "Slayer, I never gave up on you. You should realize that. I love you now. I always will. I'll never hate you." He smiled sadly. "I need to go now." He turned to leave.
"Spike!" Buffy cried. He turned to face her again. He waited. "I never realized . . .I . . ." she rolled her eyes.
"Buffy," he said, meeting her eyes, "what is it?"
"Nothing. It's just . . ." She walked up to him and kissed him. "Thank you . . .for not leaving or giving up on me."
"No problem," he responded dryly. He cupped the side of her face.
She leaned into him, smiling.
"Anything else?" he asked.
"Yeah," she whispered.
He pulled her face up to his. "What?"
"I love you," she whispered. She reached up and kissed him again.
The door to the Magic Box opened suddenly and Dawn burst in. "Forgot something," she said breathlessly, grabbing a book. She ran back to the door. "Guys! Stop being so cheesy!" She ran out.
Buffy and Spike looked at each other and stepped away. They laughed awkwardly.
"Yeah, I think the Bit's right. That was too much."
They both smiled and laughed again. Buffy looked in the direction of the door and Spike did the same.
"Let's get out of here," Buffy said.
"Yeah. Fast." Spike began rummaging for his blanket. It had somehow managed to wander off.
"So, how did you end up coming back instead of William?" Buffy asked.
"We had to choose the right door," Spike replied, looking under the table.
"Oh! Really? Wow! Drusilla wasn't being all metaphorical then like Xander thought," Buffy replied in shock.
"Imagine that," Spike said, standing up and huffing.
"Where did the other door lead?" Buffy questioned.
"Hell," Spike responded, still distracted.
"What?! Does that mean William is in hell?" she asked.
"No, the door would take him to Heaven and me to Hell. That's all. Of course, I can't find my blanket. I wonder if the Powers are trying to punish me."
"So, William's in Heaven again?"
"I guess so." He went behind the counter and looked on the shelves.
*****
William slowly opened his eyes. "My word!" he exclaimed.
He looked around him. Uh oh, he thought to himself. Something isn't right.
He frowned. Wasn't Heaven a little less…scary? Where am I? He looked up and down, desperately trying to figure out what was going on. He wasn't in Sunnydale. He wasn't in a body at all.
"William. Welcome!" a voice from behind called. He spun around. When he saw who was behind him, he rolled his eyes.
"What are you birds doing here? Are you trying to torture me…again?" He glared at the three women whom he couldn't seem to get away from. "What's going on?"
The Powers smiled at William. "This," they said, waving their arms around in a grand gesture, "is your new home."
William looked around again. Why is this happening to me? He then noticed a familiar face in the distance and groaned inwardly. "Bloody hell!"
*****
"Found it!" Spike cried excitedly.
Buffy sighed and smiled. "Good. Let's go then."
They walked to the door.
"So, Slayer, when you said you loved me…?"
Buffy stared at the vampire with an amused look on her face. "I meant it, Spike. Believe me, I never expected it to happen, but it did. You really came through for me. You're the only person I have never been able to lie to." She paused. "Ok, it's happening again. Let's go before we get cavities."
Spike smiled. "I love you too, Slayer," he said quietly.
Buffy opened the door and allowed Spike to run outside. She laughed when the blanket began smoking…as it always did. She closed the door to the Magic Box and ran to catch up with Spike.