Epilogue

Eleven Years Later

The throng of people and the deafening music made it difficult for the vampire to spot his target. He closed his eyes, cleared his senses and his demon found her.

She was dancing. Her body gyrating to the beat while a silly looking pup tried to keep up with her. No one could ever keep up with her.

No one ever would.

But he was a man with a mission and his mission had been very clear. Take her down.

So he watched for chinks in her armor. She was lovely and alive. She had friends and was newly minted as a slayer. There were many weaknesses.

He wasn't a fool. He knew he had them too, mainly memories.

Memories of having rocked her to sleep. Of having heard her first word and seen her first smile. Little things like knowing she loved pink and that she hated green peas. Also big things like knowing she would never give up. He had taught her that.

Spike wondered if some part of her remembered him. She was certainly in his dreams and wondered if he was in hers. He would probably never know.

But he is not here to speculate. He is here to gauge her in action.

As planned he urges his not-to-bright companion to indulge in a snack. The eager vampire readily accepts and goes outside to look for suitable prey.

Spike counts to ten and approaches the Slayer and her group. In his best drama he addresses the bartender and ask for the police to stop "some big guy" who it trying to take a bit out of someone.

She freezes for a second. Something in his voice made him sound strangely familiar but duty calls and she runs to aid the helpless.

In the deep shadows the vampire observes her. Her skill is impressively for someone so newly called. And then he realizes that he'd always known that she would be perfect. As he thinks this something in him shifts and he seriously considers taking Drusilla and leaving town. But he remembers who he is and that he wants to see this to its end.

At last she buries the stake in her prey's unbeating heart. Her mates rally around her hailing the conquering Slayer. That's his cue.

With his coat flapping behind him, Spike leaves the shadows and presents himself to her clapping his hands in admiration. He startles the young Slayer. Her eyes roam his face and a brief flicker of unguarded recognition stills her. It doesn't last and she looks at the stranger warily.

"Nice work luv" he quips

"Who are you?" her voice betrays her. There is something that she cannot understand.

"You'll find out on Saturday"

"What happens on Saturday?"
"I kill you" he promises and leaves.

The Slayer looks at his retreating form but the shadows conceal him to well. There is an urge in her to follow him and not necessarily to destroy him.

As for his part the vampire wishes that things were different. His heart is heavy with the promise he made to her long ago.

"I'll always love you even if you stop"

And he still did.

THE END

Author's note: Once again thank you so much for your kind reviews. Until my next fic. TFN