Author's note: A brief recap of the story so far. Buffy (with the help of Angel and the Scooby gang) has been keeping Sunnydale relatively safe. Angel and Buffy were briefly involved but nothing came out of it since she's still holding a candle for Spike. The aforementioned peroxide god returns to Sunnydale after Dru tells him of visions that indicate the Slayer's impending demise. A prophecy unearthed by Giles confirms Dru's vision and also adds that Buffy's death will be at the hands of someone from the line of Aurelius. Darla is also in town and leaves Angel uneasy about the future. Willow reveals the prophecy to Buffy since she knows of her relationship to Spike. Buffy refuses to believe that he could be involved but she knows that he is near, waiting. And now without further ado: The Reunion

Chapter # 6

It had taken awhile to reassure Willow that she would be okay by herself. She had to promise the young witch that she would not go patrolling until they had eliminated the threat.

Buffy had tried to make her see the oxymoron of that resolution, but Willow had been adamant and the Slayer had to comply. It seemed that the Initiative would have to handle it by themselves for a bit.

Not that she minded. It had been rough, especially fighting the Master and his minions even with help from Angel and her friends. She was due for a break.

But she couldn't relax. The combination of Willow's admonitions and her own knowledge that Spike was near would not let her be at peace for even a minute not matter how hard she tried.

The air was charged. All her senses focused on expectation.

She knew, without knowing how, that her long wait was finally coming to its end.

#Spike#

"Slayer"

She turned and there he was, calm and looking at her.

"William?"

The blood-red lips curled sensuously. The vampire's sapphire-blue eyes caressed her form like a well-known lover. Reclaiming her without a single touch.

The Slayer stood there while an avalanche of memories besieged her mind. A hunted demon tormented to the brink of insanity and completely at her mercy. Vulnerable William, who was too afraid to even step outside. Then the ardent lover who taught her what passion felt like. And finally Spike the adversary on a terrible night that pitted the Slayer against herself.

Who stood before her now?

"I knew that it would look good on you" Spike motioned to the silver cross resting on her neck.

Buffy's hand grasped at the cool metal reassuringly.

"So it was you that sent this"

"Yes, I hoped that you would get my meaning"

"Which is?"
"Be prepared"
"Oh" Buffy blinked away the prickling behind her eyes. Spike eyed her questioningly.

"What did you think it meant?"

She didn't reply but he found his answer anyway. It was written all over her.

"You sent me away without giving me a choice in the matter" he said quietly.

"It wasn't safe for you to stay. The Master was rising and the Initiative was still looking for you"
"Why didn't you come with me?" His tone was slightly recriminatory. She wasn't the only who was hurt.

"I wanted to. I really did but I was needed here"
"I needed you"
"No, that's just it. You were strong again and able to take care of yourself. You did not need my protection anymore"
"So I just used you and nothing I said or nothing that I did was real to you"

Buffy shook her head "No, that's not what I…"

"Because in truth I'm just another monster. Right? I couldn't really love you because I am not capable of emotion" he said raggedly.
"I never thought that Spike. You know how I feel about you"
"No I don't. All I know is that you kicked me out of your life without giving it a second thought"

The vampire and Slayer were silent, the revelation weighed heavily on both. For the first time Buffy was forced to confront the ramifications of her decision. She now realized how truly selfish she had been in not taking his feelings into consideration. Granted she wanted to protect him from what was coming but sending him away had obviously hurt.

"I'm sorry" she said simply.

Spike shrugged noncommittally and turned his face away. "That's not why I am here anyway"

His dismissal stung the Slayer.

"If you came to tell me that my life is in danger you are one prophecy too late"

He faced her. His shock was evident. There was a prophecy to confirm Drusilla's visions and that made it all the more urgent.

"You have to get out of Sunnydale and fast. Whatever is gonna happen can happen at anytime" he could not keep the concern off his voice.

He was worse than Willow, but it made her feel good inside.

"I'm not gonna run away. Whatever is gunning for me is going to find out exactly what I am made of"

"Who are you tempting? Fate?" he grabbed her shoulders and shook her in irritation "Have you gotten so good that you think your immortal? Or maybe you got some sort of guardian 'angel' to protect you?"

She pushed him away and he barely caught himself before falling. "I know very well that I am mortal. I know my limits but I also know that I have a responsibility to fulfill"
"Because you are the f***king chosen one. The bloody hero. How heroic are you going to feel when you are six freaking feet under?"

"That's my problem 'Spike' not yours"
He swallowed his retort. He wasn't getting anywhere with that approach. When he spoke again it was softer.

"It is my problem. Whatever threatens you does me too. I can't help it, its how I feel"

Buffy's anger immediately dissipated and her heart gave a happy little lurch. She had been worried that she'd lost him but it was clear that he still cared.

The Slayer smiled at the vampire and quietly walked into his waiting arms.

TBC.