A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up... But not to worry, I'm now out of school so I should be updating a lot more now.

Part Three

William jotted down a few notes that the professor said were important. He was in English Literature. Normally, his absolute favorite class. But not today. His mind was still focused on that dream.

When he woke up, Will remembered a few more details. They were trying to advert an Apocalypse. Something about the Hellmouth. None of it made any sense. And yet, it felt like a memory...not just a nightmare. But that couldn't possibly be true. Demons and vampires roaming the streets? That was ridiculous.

But why did he feel the way he did? A deep everlasting love for a woman he'd just met. Sheer fear when that stake was thrown at her. Feelings that were too intense to be a dream.

The bell rang, disturbing his thoughts. He gathered his books and left the classroom. He allowed his mind to return to the thoughts as he walked. Distracted, he didn't see the girl as he rounded the corner until it was too late. They bumped into each other, causing her to drop her things.

The contact startled William.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," he said, immediately dropping down to pick up her books and spirals. He hands them to her.

"It's okay. Really." She looked at him and smiled. "Spike! ...But you're not Spike. You're William. Spike's dead... And I'm starting to ramble..."

William eyed the redhead, studying her face. "You're...Willow, right?"

She nodded excitedly, then, "How'd you know my name?"

He thought about it, "Maybe...maybe Buffy mentioned it."

She nodded, "Of course."

"How is she?" he asked sincerely.

"Who? Buffy?"

He nodded.

"She's fine."

"So, last night...She wasn't too upset, was she?"

"Last night?" She obviously didn't know about the incident at the Bronze.

"Never mind, Red. It's no big deal."

She stopped, "What did you call me?"

"Umm...Willow?"

"No...you called me Red."

He thought for a second, "I guess I did. What of it?"

"Spike called me that."

William shrugged, "It's probably just coincidence," he pointed to her hair, "because you *do* have red hair."

"Will," Willow said, "I know you'll probably think I'm really crazy, but do you think, maybe...you could be Spike?"

He laughed, "Sorry, Red. I don't think so. As much as you lot would like that, I just don't think it's possible. I grew up in London, did nothing extraordinary, moved here to finish off my college degree..."

Willow nodded, "Of course. What was I thinking? Maybe I was just hoping it could be true because that means Buffy could be happy again."

William cocked his head to the side, "What do you mean?"

"She just seemed so devastated when he died. At first I didn't understand it. She had always worn her hatred for him like a badge of honor or something. Maybe - I don't know."

"He sacrificed himself to save her, because he loved her."

Willow was surprised, "How did you -"

He shook his head and looked at his watch, "I'm sorry, but I have somewhere I need to be. I'll see you later, maybe."

She nodded, "Of course."

"Goodbye."

"Bye."

As he walked away, he saw another familiar face, "Hey Glinda."

Tara stopped dead in her tracks and watched as William left.

"Hey...Spike?"

Confused, Tara approached her ex.

"Tara?" Willow asked, surprised to see her.

"Tara pointed to the direction she saw 'Spike' go, "I-is that Spike? I thought he died."

Willow nodded, "I know. He looks like Spike, even acts like him, but he says he's not. Plus, he can go out in the sunlight."

"Are you sure? Because I could feel his aura. It was almost like Spike's."

"Almost?"

Tara nodded, "The change probably has something to do with him being human now. I don't know."

"You don't think?"

Tara shrugged, "It's possible. That's all I'm saying."

Buffy sighed heavily. She was bored. Bored with this job. She knew she couldn't afford to quit because she really needed the money, but, boy, did she wish she could. Spike was right, as much as it pained her to admit. This place was killing her. No more than Spike's not being here, she thought.

"Welcome to Double Meat Palace. May I take your order?" she monotonously droned.

"Yeah, uh - I'd like a Double Meat Medley Combo. Large Coke." The man turned around, "Yo, Will, what do ya want?"

Will turned to face him, "Darren, I told you a million times. Whatever you're getting. I don't care."

Darren turned back to Buffy. "Ya heard the man."

Will looked at Buffy behind the counter.

*****

He leaned closer to her, very serious. "Buffy."

She looked up to meet his eyes.

"You're not happy here," he stated.

"Please, don't make this any harder," she said, her eyes begging him to drop it.

Suddenly the scene sped forward. He reached out for her arm, "You gotta get out of here. This place'll do stuff to you."

Buffy walked away.

He called after her, "This place'll kill you."

*****

Will shook his head, clearing his mind of the image. Smiling slightly, he said, "Seems like some Higher Power just keeps bringing us together, huh?"

He was confused when Buffy looked at him as if he had grown another head, "Y-yeah, seems like."

He smiled. He liked her. He liked her a lot.

Darren looked at Buffy, "Hey, you're the girl he made cry last night. Do you want me to beat him up for you?"

Buffy laughed, "No. That's okay. Thank you though."

Darren shrugged, "If ya ever change your mind..."

"I'll keep it in mind."

Darren smiled. Will moved closer to her, leaning in, "How are you?"

Buffy found herself leaning in, as well, "I'm fine. You?"

"Peachy."

The two stared into each other's eyes, making Darren roll his. "Umm...hello?"

The two broke eye contact. Buffy returned her attention to the cashier.

"So, uh -" she cleared her throat, "Two Double Meat Medley Combos and two large cokes?"

Darren nodded. She rang up the orders, took the money, and soon the two men had their meals. Before departing, Will looked at Buffy again, "See you later, luv."

While watching them leave, Buffy was trying to figure out what was going on. She hadn't felt that drawn to anyone since...Spike. Will didn't just look like him, he acted a lot like him. It made her want to cry. Were the Powers That Be punishing her? For what?

Will walked the streets alone. It was night. He knew he should be in his dorm sleeping, but Darren's snoring kept him up. Plus, he was antsy. Too much stored up energy, he guessed. And a certain girl stuck in his head. He sighed. Met her not two, three days ago and already whipped.

For some unknown reason, Will found himself heading for one of the town's many cemeteries. Another mystery to him; why would a town as small as Sunnydale need so many cemeteries?

"Bloody hell," he muttered to himself, "Musta got turned around."

He turned to leave.

"Yeah, must have."

William stumbled back, startled. Before him stood a group of men...but they weren't. Their faces were distorted; their eyes yellow; their canines long.

"Sorry, mates, didn't see you there," he said, deciding to play it cool.

He tried to make his way past them, but they blocked his efforts.

"You don't think we're going to just let you go, do you?" one said.

"Course. What was I thinking?" Will quipped.

The one who spoke motioned to the other two beside him, "Get him."

They reached for him. He reached out to punch the one of his left. The vampire flew back. Everyone, including Will, was shocked at the strength he packed in the punch.

"Woah," William said.

All three vampires attacked.

Buffy sat on the edge of the sarcophagus. She really needed to stop doing this to herself. She knew that. But...it was too soon to move on in her mind. Then, let's add Will to the mix. She sighed.

She was startled by the sounds of fighting outside. She heard the slam of a body into the side of the crypt. She grabbed a couple of stakes and raced outside to help.

Will struggled to get up. The impact from hitting the wall knocked the wind out of him. As he stood, he wiped blood from the gash on his forehead.

He wasn't faring well. He had actually started to truly fear for his life. He didn't think he'd be able to find them off much longer.

"Will!"

He glanced toward the voice and saw Buffy standing there, a worried expression on her face.

"Buffy, get out of here!" he called out to her before one of the vampires punched him in the stomach, making him keel over in pain.

Buffy rushed to help him. She performed a roundhouse kick on the vamp closest to her. He flew to the ground and she quickly staked him before he could return to his feet.

Will, now slightly recovered, joined her in the fight against the last two. Buffy threw him a stake.

"Stake through the -" she started.

"I know," Will said before jamming his stake into the heart of his vampire.

Buffy quickly finished off hers. She turned to face him, "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

He shrugged, "I don't know."

Not questioning it any further, she said, "Come with me. I'll help you get cleaned up," she pointed to the gash of his forehead.

The two walked together, side by side, to her house.

End Part Three

TBC...