Hi! This story is an alternate season 7 that I mostly wrote last summer. If you want to be spoiled, go to Baby Name websites that give you the meanings of names cuz the names of new characters give away a lot of the story. They have hidden meanings and such. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and please, constructive criticism only =) Enjoy!

I don't own any of the characters except for the ones I make up, like Kerr and stuff. I'm only an adoring fan ; )

Chapter 1: Familiar Face

Buffy turned on her bath water. Her back throbbed. She sighed and turned around. Spike was standing at the door of her bathroom. Buffy gasped, walking back to grab the stake she left on the counter.

"Get out of here.." she muttered under her breath.

"I don't think so, luv. See, the last time we were in this situation, you kicked me and I ran away like a baby. Not anymore." Spike smirked as he walked towards her.

"W-what is that supposed to mean?" Buffy stammered, getting into a defensive position.

"This time I'll finish what I started." Spike lunged at Buffy, pinning her to the ground. She squirmed, trying to point the stake at Spike's heart. Spike, holding her wrists together, obviously had the advantage. He ripped the stake from her hand and threw it aside. Helpless, Buffy squirmed while Spike ripped her robe apart. The tub was overflowing and Spike shoved her head beneath the water. She screamed to no avail. She heard Spike saying "Buffy...Buffy....Buffy..." as she began to black out...

***

"Buffy....Buffy....BUFFY!" Dawn shook Buffy, who had fallen asleep on the library check out counter at the new Sunnydale High. She squirt her sister with more water from her water bottle.

"Buffy!!!! Wake up already!!" Dawn yelled.

Buffy awoke with a start. She gasped and started coughing. "Wha???"

"Woah, your eyes just got all buggy. More Spike nightmares?" Dawn asked, observing her sister's startled state.

"Yeah...I...I don't know why I keep having it.....you'd think I'd figure it was a dream but every time I have it....it....it..." Buffy trailed off.

"...feels so real...like you're reliving it." Dawn finished.

"Yeah.... So, what's up?" Buffy asked as she rubbed her eyes and adjusted her ponytail.

"Um...school's over...so we can sorta go now. Home. Ya know, where we live..."

"School's over already?? Wow, time flies when you're asleep." Buffy smiled as she gathered her bag. "When I went here it felt like the school day took forever."

"I feel your pain." Dawn frowned.

"Right...you're in my old shoes. I feel very sorry for you. Hey...then I'm in Giles' shoes. And your friends are in..!"

"Yeah, Buffy I get the point....so, can we go?" Dawn drudged over to the door, dragging Buffy behind her.

***

Buffy brought in the mail and closed the door behind her.

"Bills....coupons...DAWN! Letter! Hmmm....flier....ughh all junk." Buffy sighed, putting the mail down on the coffee table.

Dawn grabbed her mail. "Hey, it's from Willow!" Dawn exclaimed as she read over the card. "She says she's almost through with rehab. That class on dealing with stuff the human way has really shown her that magic doesn't solve everything. Giles says hi. She says he still does't hold a grudge about her trying to kill him. Oh! She met up with Oz recently and he's been great too, teaching her how to play the guitar so she directs her attention to something else."

"That's great! I'm glad those people are getting through to her. Does she say if she and Giles are visiting for the holidays?"

"Yeah, they're thinking about it. Sort of a reward for her improvement through the year. Ooooh I can't wait!" Dawn beamed. Willow was like a 2nd older sister and she missed her terribly.

"Whaddaya wanna do for dinner, Dawnie? I really don't feel like cooking....we only have burgers. Bad Doublemeat Memories." Buffy shuddered.

"How about we go to the Bronze? Get some fries or something." Dawn smiled.

"Sure, Bronze time. Just like the good old days." Buffy grabbed her jacket from the closet. A dark leather coat glared at her from the far, dark part of the closet. Buffy cringed and closed the door.

"Here we go a-Bronzin!" Dawn gleefully exclaimed as she hopped to the car.

***

At the Bronze, Buffy found Xander where he usually was. At a dark corner table. She gave Dawn money for fries and drinks and pointed to Xander. Dawn nodded and went to get the food.

Buffy walked over and sat across from Xander. "Hey. How's everything?"

"Okay. I'm all with the okayness of everything. Job's okay, apartment's okay, life's okay. Okay?"

Buffy blinked. "Right. Glad to hear it. ....I think."

Xander smiled. "Buff, I'm fine. I just miss her. Where's Dawn?"

"Buying some fries. We're kinda sick of burgers."

"Ahh...Doublemeat flashbacks." Xander laughed. "I can still smell the smell."

Dawn walked over and laid the fries and Cokes on the table. "Hey Xander!" Dawn smiled. Ever since Spike left, Dawn's little crush on Xander had resumed.

"So, how is old-new Sunnydale High?" Xander asked, remembering his experiences in high school.

"Oh, I got an A on the chemistry test today! Forgot to tell you, Buffy. I was really surprised."

"Chemistry was my most favoritest subject ever." Buffy proclaimed with a hint of sarcasm.

"...What?? No ketchup??? Dawnie, have I really taught you so little??"

"Oops! Knew I forgot something.."

"Don't worry, I'll get it." Buffy smiled and walked over to the food counter. No condiments.

What is this??' she thought, furrowing her brow. She saw a table with a large sign that read "Condiments" in the far left corner. Do they even bother to tell people when they change stuff?' she thought as she walked over. She pushed through a crowd to get to the ketchup. But, of course, when she got there, someone was using the ketchup. Figures.' she thought as she crossed her arms and tapped her foot.

"Um....gonna be done anytime soon? I have a starving sister who needs some ketchup."

"Well....sorry....a guy leaves for a while and no one'll let him have a decent meal. Besides, the sodding pump isn't working right."

"Oh, cry me a river." Buffy scowled, not noticing the familiarity of the voice, as she gently shoved the man aside and harshly pumped some ketchup into a little paper cup. "Just have to apply some pressure."

"Buffy? Slayer?" the man said from behind her.

Buffy stopped dead and turned around. Standing before her was none other than Spike. She thought. Something was different.....

Then her reflexes kicked in and she picked up the canister of ketchup, hit Spike over the head with it, and ran. She grabbed Dawn, Xander, and the fries and dashed out.

"Hey!!!! We're supposed to be getting out of the house!!" Dawn yelled.

"Well, Spike's in there, so unless you want to see that slime I'd suggest you get in the car."

"But Buffy...you could easily kick his sorry ass." Xander said as he climbed into the passenger seat.

"I'm not ready yet. Need to build up some bravery after what he did." Buffy said as they pulled out and sped away.

***

Buffy went out patrolling at night, even though she was still a little freaked out about seeing Spike again. She brought along a few extra stakes and some holy water. Just in case. You never know what could pop out of the bushes. She sat down at the base of a tree and took a swig of water from the bottle she carried with her.

Who the hell does he think he is, coming back like this?? He should know he's not welcome at all. I really shoulda killed him all those times I had the chance to.' she thought. Buffy looked up at the sky. She'd been through so much and just wanted a break. And being a slayer didn't cover dental. Or anything for that matter. The librarian job was okay. Kinda boring but hey, she needed the money and the school needed a librarian.

Her concentration was broken by a pair of boots. Large, black boots. Buffy's eyes widened and she jumped up. Spike. Of course. It was always Spike.

"Buffy...listen.." Spike started.

"No, you listen! I want you out! Out of my life, out of Dawn's life, out of Sunnydale! I hate you more than I ever thought I could. You disgust me. Xander was right, you ARE just an evil souless monster. I was stupid to ever lov...LOOK at you and think you could possibly have feelings." Buffy walked away. Spike walked after her.

"Bloody hell, if you'd just let me talk I could.."

"NO! I don't want to hear anything you have to say." Buffy shouted and ran away, staking a vamp that popped out at her in the process.