"So, little vampire," Lurky's gravelly voice said in his blackened dreams. "You did it."

He opened his eyes and found himself standing back in the African cave. He was whole and unharmed, so he knew that it was either a dream or the entire 'second chance' thing had been an elaborate hallucination.

"Suppose so," he replied noncommittally.

"You surprised me, really. In spite of everything that was thrown at you, you still managed to change the course of history."

He looked at his fingernails, feigning disinterest. "Just call me Spike: Champion of Impossible Odds." He waited a beat. "So, was this all just another one of your little tests or did it actually happen?"

Dark laughter echoed off the cavern walls. "A good question."

There was a long silence that he finally broke. "Well?"

More laughter answered him and he began to get irritated. Never a good thing.

"No," a new voice replied, and he turned to see William standing behind him.

He blinked at his soul. "No what?"

"No, it wasn't a test. It really happened."

He was surprised by William's force of conviction. In his memory, he could not recall a time when William had been convicted about anything.

"Well, that's good to know," he answered warily, wondering if the soul was real. "Wish I could've saved Joyce, though."

William shook his head sadly. "It was her time. She knew though, and loved you for it."

He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat and looked away.

"You were given the challenge of changing the course of history, vampire," Lurky's voice said. "Your reward is knowing that you succeeded. The rift and imbalance that occurred when the Slayer died and was brought back to life has been corrected. The Wheel of Destiny has been returned to its proper course."

"Don't take much stock in destiny," he admitted.

"The Powers That Be are very pleased with you," William told him.

"Don't take much stock in them either, bunch of meddling wankers, all caught up in their damn Fate and Prophecy."

"They are allowing you to keep me, even though technically since Buffy never died, the course of events that led you to seek me never happened. It's one of those Paradoxes so frequently associated with time travel and the changing of history," his soul went on.

He looked at the younger, weaker version of himself and lifted one disdainful lip. "Nice to know we're stuck with each other."

"I did not want to be called back. I did not want to join with you," William said honestly. "I found you repulsive and vile."

"Come on now, tell us how you really feel," he sneered back.

"But I found that you have a good heart, even though you are a demon. You are courageous and willing to sacrifice anything for love. I am honored to be part of you."

"Yeah, well a lot of that had to ta do with the part of you that never left."

William put out his hand. "I have no desire to be at odds with you. We are one and I have found that we have a common goal."

He eyed the offered hand for several moments, then reluctantly took it. William's long fingers closed around his tightly and the man smiled.

"Let us return. The world of our making awaits us and there is much left for us to do before all is set to rights."

He nodded in agreement, but snarked anyway. "Isn't that just ducky. I'm so looking forward to it."

William smiled and chuckled, then turned to lead the way out of the cave. He moved to follow.

"You will not see me again, vampire," Lurky said. "In reality, you never saw me."

He turned his head to look at the demon. "Well that's good. Could live without ever seein' your ugly face."

"Be careful what you wish for from now on, vampire."

"Yeah, yeah yeah, and all that rot," he sneered, then motioned to William who was waiting for him. "C'mon now, lead the way. Gotta see about a girl."

William sniffed in distain and continued down the passageway. "Gotta see about a girl? Is that the best you can do? No wonder she never noticed your affections."

He shook a warning finger at his soul as they walked side by side. "Now don't you go gettin' any ideas, ya ponce!"

"I'm quite certain I can come up with a more suitable expression of our love."

"Like Hell you will! I won't have you handin' her some of your pathetic drivel," he warned.

"Women love an honest expression of a man's feelings," William argued back, stopping and turning to face him. The tunnel was coming to an end about twenty yards ahead of them.

"Not this woman. Take it from someone who knows, Slayers don't go in for that flower and frills rot. Give 'em somethin' to hack and slash. I know from experience that the fastest way to a Slayer's heart is with something sharp, pointy and lethal. Besides, nothing rhymes with entrails."

William stood up straight, his nose held up in offense. "You truly are a vulgarian of the worst sort."

"And you're a spineless git. So what else is new?"

William gave him an exasperated glare. "I doubt we will ever get along amicably."

"Well. Me demon, you soul. Doesn't make for the closest of friendships. Besides, I'm bad and you're not."

"Bad," William scoffed. "As if that was a high aspiration."

"Oi! Do not underestimate the power of badness. It's served me quite well over the past century… oh bloody Hell, now you've got me talkin' like a nancy boy, you ponce!" he cried, horrified.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with speaking the Queen's English properly."

"If you want everyone to think you're a wanker."

William sighed and closed his eyes with a subtle shake of his head. "We could spend an eternity arguing here."

"I was bored stiff ten minutes ago."

"And our lady is waiting," William reminded.

"It's not polite to keep a lady waiting."

"It certainly isn't. Shall we do this then?"

He nodded. "Yeah, let's get on with it."

William gave him a soft smile and stepped towards him. Then his form went translucent and he stepped into Spike's body, merging with him. The vampire shuddered as his soul joined with him, feeling William enter and take his place inside him.

Shortly after their merging, the end of the tunnel began to glow, and he knew that the way back to the waking world had opened. Smiling, tears moistening his eyes, he placed one hand on his chest and walked through.

*********

"Spike. William, wake up," a voice called to him from the darkness.

He opened his eyes to see Joyce looking down at him.

"Joyce?" he whispered in surprise.

"Hello William," Buffy's mother greeted.

"But I thought…"

"Oh, I'm still dead, Spike. But I've been allowed to see you."

"Where am I?"

"Physically, you're on the sofa of our living room. You were severely injured and burned when you fell from the tower. Mentally you're here with me. At least for the next few moments."

He could feel the sting of tears on his eyes. "Joyce, I'm so sorry. I tried so hard…"

"Hush. There was nothing you could have done. The fact that you tried so hard did not go unnoticed."

"You said I was on the couch in your living room. That I was badly injured and burned. How bad off am I?"

"Well, broken bones and bruises aside, the worst of it are the burns on your face and neck. The demon you bit had acid for blood. The skin of your right check and jaw has been eaten away, as well as a good bit of your lips and part of your throat," the spirit replied.

"Won't be winnin' any beauty contests anytime soon then."

Joyce chuckled softly. "You always did have such an indefatigable wit."

He smiled back. "'S all part of my irresistible charm."

"Don't I know it."

A frown crossed his face. "I will heal up alright, won't I?"

She patted his hand reassuringly and he wondered how a ghost could feel so real.

"Yes. Willow and Tara are both working very hard to speed up your healing. You should be fine in a couple of weeks, barring any unforeseen apocalypses."

"Don't even joke about that, Mum. Nasty doomsdays have a habit of findin' the Hellmouth on a regular basis."

Now it was Joyce's turn to frown. "I know."

He took her hand in his own gently. "We miss you, Joyce, but we're tryin' ta go on without you. Your girls are doin' great, and I'm doin' my best ta look after 'em."

"I know. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"You're welcome, Joyce."

Joyce looked behind her, her face pensive. "I don't have much time left. I just wanted to tell you that I'm grateful for everything you have done, and how proud I am that you tried so hard to change the future, even at great pain and risk to yourself. The Powers That Be are very happy with you, and so am I. Thank you for saving my daughter."

"You're welcome, Joyce."

She looked behind her again. "I have to go now. Give Buffy and Dawn my love."

"I will."

The image of Joyce began to fade.

"Take care of them," she charged.

"Until the end of the world," he vowed back.

Joyce smiled and disappeared from sight. "Good bye, William."

"Bye Joyce," he replied, but she was already gone.