Chapter 8

Buffy and Xander were walking through the streets of LA after night fall. They felt like getting out for a while. "How you doing, Buff?" Xander asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm doing okay, I guess. It's just weird, seeing him again. I want things to be better this time." Xander nodded.

"You're thinking about starting up something with Spike again?" Buffy shrugged.

"I would like to, I don't know why I've been so afraid. I mean he is human now, you would think that would make me feel better about being with him. I do love him, which I'm not even sure if he knows. How can he when I just took off and disappeared for four years. I don't even know if he wants me anymore." Xander grabbed her arm to stop her.

"That's crazy talk, Buff. Of course he would still want you." Buffy looked at her best friend.

"What makes you so sure?" Xander smiled at her.

"He would have to be insane not to. Any man would have to be crazy not to want you, Buffy." Buffy gave him a faint smile then looked down.

"Yeah, but what about...?"

"He was an idiot." Xander said, cutting her off. He knew what she was going to say. "You are the most amazing person in this world and if he couldn't see that then it was his loss and he's not even worth it. You deserve better, Buffy. Your daughter deserves better." Buffy looked at Xander and hugged him. She then gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.

"I kinda love you, you know that?" She told him and he smiled at her.

"I know, I kinda love you too." He told her as they started walking again in silence. After a while, Buffy stopped when she felt something. Xander stopped also and looked at her. "You okay?" Buffy shook her head.

"I'm getting one of those feelings, like when you think someone is watching you." Xander looked around and didn't see anything.

"Well, that sucks. Now my surprise is blown." They both turned at the familiar voice as someone stepped out of the shadows. Buffy couldn't believe it.

"No, you can't be here." Buffy was staring at herself.

"Well, I think I am here." Xander had the same look on his face.

"It's the First, how is that possible? It should have gotten destroyed when Sunnydale did." Buffy glared at herself.

"Or so we thought." She said. It just stared at them.

"It's good to see you, Slayer. We'll meet again, when the time is right." It said as it ran past Buffy with what seemed like super speed and then disappeared. Buffy was pushed back into a wall and Xander went to her.

"This can't be happening, Buffy. What are we gonna do now?" Buffy didn't answer him; she just stared at the place where she just saw herself with a shocked look on her face. She kept wondering as she stood there, that something wasn't right.