The tires of her Jeep squealed as Buffy turned onto Revello Drive and careened into her driveway. Grabbing her briefcase, she dashed up the driveway, anxious to talk to Spike. Her excitement was making Buffy giddy and she was bouncing with anticipation, she couldn't wait to share her good news with the man she loved. The front door swung open and immediately the smell of burning food assaulted her nose. "Spike," she called into the empty house. She hurried into the kitchen where bubbling pots and a smoking stove confronted her. Buffy threw open the window and turned the heat off under the pots. She propped open the stove and fanned the smoke out the window, searching for her peroxide blonde vampire. She shrugged out of her leather jacket, draping it over a nearby kitchen chair. Running her hands wearily through her rapidly curling hair, she sighed deeply.

With the potential fiasco contained, Buffy wandered out the open back door, stepping out onto the wooden porch. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth-these steps held so many memories: time spent with her mom and Dawn, Scoobie meeting, and moonlit talks with Spike. The darkness enveloped Buffy as she crossed her arms against the slight chill in the May air. She was so overwhelmed with memories that she overlooked Spike; he was lurking in the shadows, the orange tip of his cigarette glowing in the blackness. Taking a long drag on the white filter, he flickered a burning ember in Buffy's direction, stepping from the shadows, "evening pet." Buffy leapt up in surprise, "dammit Spike, why do you always insist on scaring me like that?" The vampire didn't answer but continued to take long pulls on his burning cigarette, casually releasing puffs of smoke into the air.

The shadows danced over his face, giving Spike an eerie handsomeness. Buffy tilted her head to one side, waiting for him to begin the conversation, even though she was going to tell him about the new job tonight rather then later she still didn't want to just blurt it out. Hs mouth was set in a hard line and his eyes glittered dangerously, but the darkness concealed all this from the woman beside him. Spike flicked the butt away, his voice deadly calm, "funny thing happened 'bout half an hour ago, some bloke called looking for you. Said his name was David and he wanted to know when you were having the moving van sent over. Now imagine my surprise when he starts explaining that you're moving to New York, something about a new job and all that rot." Stepping closer to Buffy, Spike gripped her arms tightly, his hands vice-like bands of steel around her bicep. "Been doing a little day-lighting on the side, pet," he spat, his stormy eyes the only crack in his stoic face.

Releasing Buffy, he stuffed his hands deep in the pockets of his duster, his face set in harsh lines as he stared off into the darkness. Buffy stared at Spike in shock, not sure how to react. She opened her mouth to explain but his upraised hand cut her short. "I think I deserve an explanation Buffy. I mean these life-altering decisions should take priority, but then that's just typical Slayer mentality, isn't it? You think about yourself and the rest of the world is supposed to roll over and follow along. I thought we were past all that but I guess I was wrong. Don't know why I though this would be any different. I was a daft prick to think that you would include me in this decision. Can't say I'm surprised though, I was wondering how long this was going to last. Now I get what you were babbling about this morning, you were trying to get the courage to tell me, pet."

He spat out the last word and Buffy's face paled at Spike's bitter tone. The anger was so pronounced in his voice that she recoiled as though he had physically slapped her. Slowly, her initial shock gave way to anger-how dare Spike, of all people, judge her like that. When Buffy broke the silence, her voice had an icy tone and her eyes were glowing with rage. "How dare you," she growled, "how dare you attack me about this? I was going to tell you Spike! This all just happened so fast." Spike snorted but Buffy plunged recklessly ahead, "This is the opportunity of a lifetime and if you would just listen to me, I could explain everything. I know I should have told you sooner, but everything just picked up and has this momentum and all the sudden it went from negotiating salary to choosing a color for my apartment's bathroom." She drew in a deep breath, giving Spike an opening to leap back into the conversation. His voice was harsh and biting, reminiscent of Spike's early days in Sunnydale.

"Oh, I understand Slayer. I understand perfectly. You saw something you wanted and you took it, regardless of the ramifications. That's so typical, you just jump in head-first and sort out the details later. Did you ever stop for a moment to think about someone other than yourself? But I suppose that's too much to ask from the Chosen One." Buffy stared at Spike in disbelief, never in all their years together had Spike been so cold and caustic towards her. When he stepped back into the light, she was shocked to see the hatred in his eyes. The waves of anguish radiating from him, and she reached out towards him, her diamond ring catching a gleam of light from the porch lantern. Spike pulled back as if her touch would burn his pale flesh, he refused to meet her imploring gaze.

"After all this," he muttered, his voice rough with anger and betrayal, "I thought this was permanent.you and me, a nice domestic couple.together, forever. But that's just nonsense. I should've seen it coming." He turned back to Buffy, unshed tears glittering in his eyes, "enjoy yourself, luv. I hope it's worth it." Buffy watched as he sauntered down the porch steps, his black duster swinging as he jumped over the last step and vanished into the darkness. As soon as he hit the tree line, he took off in a dead run, determined to get as far away as possible.

Panic seized Buffy, he couldn't leave her. Of all the people she had ever let into her heart, Spike was her constant, the one who would never walk away. Years ago when their relationship was still new, he had promised that he would never leave. She reached out into the fog that was slowly covering the backyard, but Spike had already moved beyond the tree line. "Shit," Buffy swore, tears stinging her eyes and dampening her cheeks. Her hear felt like it was being squeezed in half, but one thought was racing through her mind-Spike. "I can't lose him," she whispered, "I just can't." Darting down the steps, Buffy took off across the backyard in the direction Spike had gone. The fog made the spring night seem even more ominous as the Slayer chased her vampire.

Her breath was coming in ragged gasps as Buffy scoured the graveyards, searching for Spike. Buffy had eased out of her rigid training schedule after the new Slayer took over, and she felt out of shape as she darted from crypt to crypt. The fog covering the graveyard made her search even more difficult. Her eyes strained for any sign of the blonde vampire, every fiber in her being yearning for a signal that Spike was nearby. Buffy continued to run through the grass, her heart beating dangerously fast, her lungs burning from a lack of oxygen. Where is he, she thought, darting between the headstones as the cool air chilled her tear-stained cheeks.

She was so engrossed with her pursuit that Buffy failed to notice the tree root sticking out of the uneven ground. Her boot caught in the tree, sending the former Slayer flying onto the damp ground. Dirt filled her nose and mouth as she shivered, struggling to catch her breath. The realization that she had lost Spike was consuming her, Buffy remained on the ground, her tears soaking into the Earth. Her body convulsed with sobs, the pain of her broken heart overwhelming her.

Spike stood in the shadows, his leather duster billowing behind him in the faint breeze. Tears stung his eyes but he forced himself to remain stoic. He could hear Buffy, his enhanced vampiric senses were highly attuned to every sound she made. Swallowing hard over the lump in his throat, he struggled to resist crossing the cemetery and cradling his Slayer in his arms. Nothing made Spike fall to pieces fast then the sight of his love's tears, it took all of his self-control to hide in the shadows. A large part of him wanted nothing more than to hold Buffy tightly and forget their silly argument, but the sense of abandonment coupled with his male pride would not allow it. Spike closed his eyes in an effort to block out the mental image of Buffy crying alone on the wet grass. He blew a kiss into the air and whispered, "I'm sorry pet."

Buffy deserved a chance at happiness, real happiness, not the half-assed façade that she was living with him. Right now that happiness seemed to be waiting for her in New York and he wasn't going to be responsible for holding her back. Realistically Spike knew that their unusual relationship would only be a distraction to her. He only wanted his golden goddess to be happy and for the first time in years he didn't feel capable of providing that. The thick fog and inky blackness of the night enveloped Spike as he strode out of the cemetery, his unbeating heart breaking with every step.