I thought that kiss she gave me after Glory did her little exploratory surgery couldn't be topped. Knew I was wrong that moment in the collapsing house. This was better. No "what you did was gross", no seeing me for a moment and kicking me into touch, virtue fluttering, the next morning. It was only a peck on the lips, but she wasn't looking at me like I was something to be scraped off her shoe. She was looking at me, eyes wide, some bewilderment in them, warmth too, but mostly she was seeing me. It's all I've ever really wanted.

Ok yes, I do want the 5 hours straight. I want us to hire videos and never get to see them coz we got otherwise occupied. I want dinner and a movie. Hell! I want us to go to Dawn's graduation ceremony together as her very strange parental units. I want everything, the whole kit and caboodle. I'm not a saint. I'm me. I've been re-tuned. It's the best thing that's happened to me. To tell the truth part of me was scared shitless about what going to Africa might do to the real me. But now I'm not fighting myself, I've got a chance at making things right. But mostly what I've always wanted is love, and most of all for her to love me. Looks like I might have a chance now. And that, that's one sweet feeling.

But after the floods of tears and oceans of pain we've been through to get to this point I am not gonna screw things up now. Not at this point, no way, no day. Slow and steady it is. Besides gotta to get back, still got a Rupert and Anyanka missing in action. So I brushed away the last tear from her face with my thumb, smiled at her, and said "ready to go back pet?"

She smiled back and nodded. She took my arm as she was still feeling, and looking a bit wobbly after all the epiphanising process. I couldn't be happier to provide it. Well I could, but not right now.



We walked slowly back to the village, stopping every now and then for her to catch a rest. Of course she wouldn't admit that's what it was, but I've never known her be into bird watching before. Me? Yes in the period after Dru dumped me, but that was a totally different type of bird. And look what that ended up landing me with? Not one of my prouder moments, that. But these birds were very pretty to look at. Dru would have loved their bright colours, but at least these ones were free and not about to starve to death in a cage.



On the third let's look at the pretty birdies break she asked where Giles was. Of course I had to tell her. I'm not about to start lying to her now. Never was any bloody good at it anyway. So I had to tell her. Then of course she starts crying, saying it's all her fault, that she's always taken Giles for granted, never been there for him like he was for her, and that if Anya suffers for what she's done to help her she won't be able to forgive herself.

All of which leaves us huddled together, her crying, me soothing, whilst worrying my guts out myself.

Eventually we both reach equilibrium, look at each other and both say "The Shaman, he can get us to them right?" At which we both snort at the brain sharing and I say "Too bloody right luv! Ready to hit Arashmahar?"

She nodded, we stood up, and she did the worst impression of an English accent since Dick Van Dyke in Mawy Pawpins and said "too bluuddy wyte me ol chynna."

"My ears, my ears! I'm storming Arashmahar on my own unless you promise never to do that again."

Buffy gave me her battle grin and said "no way buster! My Watcher! I go too! But I promise, if I get to choose you some new clothes. Still feeling guilt from blowing yours up, from epiphany phase 12 here".

"Nothing poofy? Got re-tuned, not turned poncy."

"Nothing poofy, maybe a little colour?"

"Ok pet, for you, anything, but you know that."

"I do." Then she stood up straight put on General Buffy and said "Ready mon Capitaine?"

I looked at her, tilted my head and said "Casablanca?"

She gave a little sniff, bit her lip and said "Mum's favourite."

"Lady always had great taste!" Always liked Joyce.

"Dunno? She liked you." Buffy said as she swatted my arm.

"As I said, great taste, great lady that, miss her."

"Me too Spike, me too." She started crying again. Poor girl never really got to grieve for her mum, what with Glory and everything. The Epiphany must have probed that wound again. Least she gets to cry it out properly this time. So I just hold her and let her.

Once she'd cried it out she looked up at me and said "I'm all soggy again, and I've made you all soggy."

"Birds of a feather pet, that's us. We should both start carrying handkerchiefs at this rate!"

She smiled and said "Speaking of handkerchiefs! Onward the rescue squad, even if it's a bit damp, well a lot damp."



This time we made it back to the hut. Not sure how long we'd been away. Must get that watch.

The Shaman was there, but not Giles nor Anyanka.



Buffy starts to demand he open a portal to Arashmahar, so she could go and retrieve her errant watcher and his demonic girlfriend.



Fortunately, before she could either get blasted back to SunnyD, or get a portal actually opened, there was the tell- tale shimmering of the air and both appeared.

They had changed into clean clothes, and had even more luggage with them. Can see who gets to carry it too!

Buffy launched herself at Giles alternately swatting and hugging him saying "your all right, your all right! We were coming to rescue you!"

Her hugged her back. "No need for rescue. Charming folk, very helpful, very interesting, sorry you were worried Buffy, but we're ok. How are you, that's the important thing."

"All new, all improved, all epiphanied Buffy, all here. And happy Buffy you're ok. We worried, you know! Don't do it again, please?"

"We'll try not to Buffy" said the Watcher, hugging her. I turned to Anyanka and she nodded back to me that they were both all right. Can breathe again, well when I want to smoke or talk anyway.

So I lit up and had a well needed fag.

Once Buffy and Giles were untangled I looked pointedly at the luggage. Giles looked at it and said. "D'hoffryn has kindly supplied us with top of the range trekking gear for our little expedition to Shambala. Saves us some wishes, as I'm sure we're all aiming to be lower in the whole pain reserves thing."

Anyanka perked up "And I get to go with you all as long as I'm needed to stop these genocide promoting bigots. No need to go off for jobs even if I'm summoned. Hallie's promised to cover for me. So I get to be with Rupie! Oh and you two as well! But I prefer being with Rupie."

Inquiring vamps just gotta know. "So you got the thumbs up then Rupert?"

"Quite, and I'm sure you'll get the story out of me over a beer in Kathmandu. But right now we're going to have to leave." He turned to the Shaman and they hugged each other. Buffy waited 'til they'd finished and said her thank you. I went next. Well what do you say. Guy saved my unlife, saved me. What can you say, except Thank You.

Shaman smiled at us both and said we were welcome and he looked forward to seeing us again. Told us all he'd do his best with Willow, but there weren't guarantees. She needed to want help. Giles joined us in thanking him for everything. Anyanka pointed me towards the luggage, both old and new. This time super strong Buffy helped though. We took the bags between us. Anyanka opened a portal.

We stepped through and found ourselves in a hotel garden in Kathmadu.