AN: Are you liking the plot line so far? Please, R&R and tell me what you think (but be gentle, please!).

Spike waited in the silence. She hadn't said anything since his improvised love rant. He didn't mind. Nice to have the quiet every now and again.
"You loved her, then."
"Yes."
"And you love her now?" She sounded confused, as if the mere thought of it was astonishing in and of itself.
"Yes." Spike thought about her. The way she walked, so fearlessly. The way she smiled, when she felt like crying. The way she wore her hair. The way she was. Yes, loved her. He always would. It was all he was capable of doing.
"You love this woman. You love her so much that-please correct me if I'm wrong-that you would rather be with her than in Heaven?"
"Yes."
"You would rather have her reject you than exist in eternal bliss?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Spike smiled. "She wouldn't reject me. I know her too well."
The girl sighed. "Fine. She wouldn't reject you. But William-you have done your part. Put in your time. It's time to rest now, William."
His mind flashed back to a time not so long ago, when he had said such similar words. But they weren't true. Not now. "No."
"She will come, William." Her voice softened, lowered in volume to the most peaceful intimacy. "You won't be without her forever. She will come."
Spike shook at the thought. "Yes. And she will come sooner if I'm not there with her."
"Isn't that what you want?"
"No!" Spike said. "I want her to live. I want her to grow old and get all wrinkly and have lots and lots of babies and look like someone put a tire 'round her waist. I want all that lot. I want her to be happy."
"Then why are you here, arguing with me?"
"She needs me." Spike smiled softly. "I don't know how I know, but somewhere down there in this bloody soul, I know that she needs me."

"She needs him." Willow sighed over her coke. She looked over to her friend, sitting on the windowsill, watching the clouds. "She'll never admit it, but she does."
"Who's to say?" Xander cocked his head at her slightly. "It's not like he was such a good guy."
"She loved him." Dawn chirped quietly. "You know that."
"Yeah." Xander snorted a little. "I got that memo. But she loved Angel too."
Willow shook her head. "No. Look at her. It looks like someone took something from her. Or it's just.gone."

Buffy looked over her shoulder at her friends. She knew they were talking about her. She didn't care. Let them.
She knew she shouldn't be separating herself from them. Done that before. And what had happened? Spike had saved her. Spike had brought her back. Like he always did.
She sighed. Life could not always be put on pause. One of these days she was going to have to get up. Learn how to breathe again. Try and find a job. Get Dawn back into school. And attempt to rebuild their lives.
What am I even going to do? She thought. Not like I can go up and say "Hi! I'm a Slayer. But they don't really need me for that right now. So I'd like to come and work for you!" Buffy smiled a little at that thought. Smiled. She looked up again at the sky. Somewhere up there. Maybe. Maybe he could see her. Do you mind if I smile?

Spike smiled bitterly as he went back to what he had affectionately named 'Buffyland'. The girl had said they would talk again. He bloody hoped so. He couldn't stand this. Still, it was nice to be back. Her fingers tickled against his cheek. Her hair brushed his hand. Her words left him all weak in the knees and pansy-ish. He imagined what he could have said to her in those final moments.
"I love you."
"I know, pet."
"You do?"
"I've always loved you. You think I wouldn't notice?"
The only problem was, that he hadn't. She loved him, and he didn't know. How long did you love me, Buffy? Did you love me when I held you in that abandoned house? Did you love me when I went to Africa? Did you love me when we- He stopped before the memories became too painful. He let his mind wander off, just so he wouldn't have to recall all of these empty moments. Better to make up a happy one.
She stood there, watching him. He waved a little, awkwardly. She
walked closer, stepping into the shadow her tree cast.
"What are you doing here?"
"Nothing." He looked down at the ground. Twenty some
cigarette butts gazed back at him.
Buffy smiled a little. She stepped closer. He looked up in
time to catch the twinkle in her eyes. To notice something that hadn't
been there before.
"Pet?"
"Hmmm?" She peered up at him, blinking innocently.
"I do believe that you're falling for me." He snarked,
leaning in and letting his nose brush hers.
"Am not!"
"Stop me then." He kissed her. And the last thing he
expected was for her to kiss him back.
Slowly, she pulled away. Always slowly. "Fine." She smiled
teasingly, reaching up and running her hand through his hair. "Don't
have to be so damn cocky about it."
He smirked at her. Then he leaned down, softly brushing
their lips once more. She hummed against him. "I love you."
"I love you too."