WARNING! EXTREME FLUFF ALERT! TURN BACK NOW IF YOU DO NOT LIKE MUSHINESS!

The holiday season passed rather quickly. Buffy had to stay in the sick room until her fever was entirely gone. Dawn, Willow, and Daniel came to visit her everyday. Dawn would come directly after breakfast and chatter incessantly about all the things she planned to do in the spring.

Buffy didn't see William at all and during her confinement and she beginning to miss him. It was odd to be around him everyday for three months and suddenly not have him there irriating her. She had the weirdest dreams about him though. He would sit at her bedside and hold her hand telling her that he wished there was something that he could do to make her forget about their past. Sometimes that was all that he would say and he would leave right away. Other times he would sit there all night talking to her and reading her poetry. She didn't recognize any of the poetry but it always touched her. Then he would always kiss her forehead and leave.

When she woke-up from these dreams, BUffy half expected to see William sitting beside her and smiling at her. But he was never there. It was only Willow sleeping on the couch at the foot of the bed.

On new year's morning Dawn bounded into the room excitedly. She flopped down on the chair next to Buffy's bed and let out a long sigh.

"What is it Dawn?"

"Oh nothing. It's just well. You'll be eighteen soon and then you and William will get married. Everything will change."

"Nothing will change." Buffy said darkly.

"Oh please BUffy. I'll go home with mom and dad and you and William will be going to London for a honeymoon. Everything will change."

"C'mon Dawn. Nothing will. MAybe I can convince mom and dad to let you come with me and William."

Dawn laughed. "Oh come on Buffy. Like I want to be around when you two are doing THAT!"

Buffy blushed. "We won't be doing...that. NOw, I'm sure that we can convince them..."

"Buffy! What do you mean you won't be doing that?"

"I-I don't want to." Buffy said crossing her arms petulantly.

"Uh, Buff. I don't think that you really get a choice. He'll be your husband."

"SO?"

Dawn huffed and looked at Buffy like she was an idiot. "So...he could divorce you for that and then you'd never be able to get married again."

Buffy sighed. "I know. But when I think of it, I still see him and 'Harm', whoever that was." Buffy paused and looked at her sister. "How is William. I haven't seen him in days."

Dawn smiled shyly at her. "Oh? And why do you care how is?"

"I don't." BUffy answered quickly. "Just you know...asked for conversation."

Dawn smirked at her, seeing right through Buffy's question. "Well, he's fine. HE's been writing a lot in some journal of his. Daniel said William sometimes used to write things down like poetry, but he hasn't ever seen him this into it."

Buffy didn't say anything. HE was writing poetry? And he hadn't been to see her in over a week. Maybe he was already in love with someone else. Good. She thought angrily. But it hurt to think that he no longer loved her and Buffy didn't really want to know why.

"So anyway, Dawnie, YOUR birthday is coming up next week. What do you want to do?"

And the two sisters talked about Dawn's birthday and possibly visiting the village and shopping down there. Soon it was time for Dawn to go.

"Buffy. Do you think you can get up tomorrow?"

"I think so. The doctor said I was doing much better though. So I should be able to get out of this room."

"See you tomorrow then. And thanks Buffy."

"For what Dawnie?"

"For saving my life stupid. THanks."

"Dawn..."

"I know. It wasn't my fault. But still." Dawn hugged her and then quickly got up and walked to the door. "Thanks."

"Love you Dawn."

"Yeah, yeah. You too."

As soon as Dawn left, Buffy stared out the window thinking of William in love with another woman. She frowned imagining him writing poetry for that woman. Her eyes filled with tears and she laid back on the bed not really sure why she was getting so upset. Suddenly, the door opened and BUffy saw William walk in the room and she quickly closed her eyes as she heard him walk closer to the bed. He sat in the chair next to her bed and tried to keep her breathing even and slow her beating heart. William sighed and took a hold of her hand putting th ebook he carried on the bed. His thumb began to gently caress the back of her hand.

"Buffy. I wish I was brave enough to come see you when you're awake. But I can't stand to see that look in your eyes. I know I hurt you and there's nothing I can say to make it better." He sat quietly for a little bit and reached up to smooth her hair back.

Buffy's heart began beating wildly. Those dreams that she had been having were real? He came everynight to visit her? He sighed again and she tried to relax.

"I'm sorry you saw but you don't understand now men are when there are no women around. It was stupid really. There were some rumors about me about University, started by that git Riley Finn that you embarassed me in front of here, I might add." He squeezed her hand affectionately and Buffy was sure that could see her blush, despite the low light. "I should have just told them all to sod off, but I didn't. I took up with Harmony at school, she followed me around, followed me back here.: He snorted. "She used to call me Willie sometimes. THat's why I hate it when you do that. You're so much more than she was."

William let go of her hand and picked up the journal. "I wrote you another poem. I know they're no good, but I just can't help myself. You bring it out in me."

As he read to her his semi-rhymes, Buffy fought to keep her emotions under control. How could he love her so much? She had never been nice to him. HE leaned down and kissed her forehead and as he began to pull away, she opened her eyes and grabbed his hand. William looked at her in shock.

"You're awake!" He said in surprise. THen he noticed that she was crying and his face fell. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you more. I know that the poem was bad. I'll go. I won't come again. I never meant to upset you." He started to walk away silently cursing himself that now she would never look at him. But her hand gripped his arm and she pulled him back.

"Why William?" Buffy choked out.

"Why? Just came to see how you were. I didn't..."

"No. Why do you love me? I've never been kind to you. Never done anything for you. Why?"

HE sat back down and intertwined his fingers with hers. "I've seen you with your friends and with your sister. You...looked so happy and alive. You're so kind and good. You look at the servants as people and not just as part of the room. I know you'll never love me, but I also know that just by being near you for the rest of my life, I'll be a better man."

Buffy began to cry in earnest as her emotions overwhelmed her. William hesitantly took her into his arms and rubbed her back. Her sobs began to slow and she marvelled at how perfect it felt to be in his arms. She inclined her head back to look at him. HIs blue eyes were swirling with emotion. She reached up to stroke his cheek and he closed his eyes tightening his grip on her slightly.

"William. I don't deserve you." Buffy whispered. His eyes opened in shock and before he could refute her, she leaned up and lightly kissed his lips. He pressed against her harder and pulled her body flush against his. Buffy gasped in surprise but as their kiss grew more and more passionate she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. She leaned back and pulled him down towards her...

Just then the door opened and the doctor appeared. CLearing his throat loudly William jumped off the bed and Buffy turned bright red.

"Well. I see you are feeling better." The doctor said. "I'll just come back later." and he quickly turned and walked back out the door.

Buffy began to laugh and William soon followed. She held her hand out to him and he took it and sat beside her.

"Come to the village with Dawn, willow, and me William. I-I missed you this week."

He smiled at her brightly. Possibly the first true happy she had ever seen him with. "Anything you say pet." He kissed her forehead and left the room with a new bounce in his step. Buffy sighed and settled down into the bed. Her foot hit something and she reached out to pick up William's journal. Hmmmm...she thought and was soon totally absorbed in a world of William's writing.

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Still a bit to! But thanks for the encouragement it really pushed me to type this all up tonight :)