Hey. I'm goin away on Sunday so i figgered i'd add another chapter to this little sappy love story. I really would like some reviews. It's not so much to ask is it? I mean if your hamster is on fire and you don't have alot of time before he sets the whole house aflame, then just type good/bad. If you have time elaborate. I like to read too. Speaking of reading, read the english patient and then see the movie. I bawled like a little baby. o i do so love ralph fiennes. and i do love james marsters. listening to ghost of the robot as i type. sigh......i do love the musical/artistic types. but turning away from my rantings about guys *slobber drool* here is the new chapter. PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 4

Dawn was sitting in the living room, looking through a book of spells Buffy had given Buffy. She ran her fingers over the old, yellow pages. The words enchanted her, as if they were written in some dead language that she had the urge to decipher. A knock on the door startled her. She quickly placed the text in the exact spot she had found it and walked to the door. Opening it, she found her sister.

"Buffy. We were wondering where you went. Who's...." She looked up at the mans face and realized who Buffy was standing with. She felt her face move into that of confusion.

Buffy reached out and grabbed her sister before she hit the ground. "Help me get her in the house." Buffy sighed and lifted Dawn by the arms as Spike grabbed her legs. They carried her into the house, laying her on the couch. Buffy could hear Willow whistling in one of the other rooms. "Go in the second door on the left and just sit on the bed and wait. Shut the door behind you," she whispered to Spike. He knodded and went into the room, her bed room.

He looked at the bare walls, the cold white. The dresser was plain, probably filled with an infinate number of sweaters and such. The only thing that hinted at who inhabited the space was the stuffed pig on the bed and the picture of a woman, Buffy's mother, on the dresser. Spike picked up the framed photograph and sat down on the bed. He examined the image. "I'm with her now," he whispered. "I promise I'll take care of her, just like I said I would."

He placed the picture on the nightstand next to the bed. He bent down, unlacing his boots, Xander's boots. He made a note to himself to ask Buffy if they could go shopping tomorrow as he pulled the sweater off over his head. He pulled the warm blankets down on the bed and slid under them. He laid his head down on Buffy's pillow, her scent filling his senses as he let himself fall into a deep sleep. He had forgotten what it was like to be so tired.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow dusted the dresser, running the cloth thourght the intricate detail on the drawers. She smiled as she let the light of the natural wood shine through. She saw someone out of the corner of her eye and jumped.

"Buffy! Jeez, you really scared me." She went on with her work. "We were looking for you this morning."

"I know." Buffy paused. "I, ummm, really need to talk to you about something."

Sensing the seriousness in Buffy's voice, Willow set the dust rag aside and sat down on the bed. She patted the space beside her, inviting Buffy to join her. She hesitated and then sat.

"What's on your mind?"

"Where's everyone else?"

"Dawn's out there," she gestured out the door, "and Ken and Xander went into town. Buffy what is it? You can tell me."

"Willow...you're really not going to believe this."



"In all your years of knowing me, have I ever not believed anything crazy?"

Buffy smiled at her. "This is pretty...amazing though Will."

Willow just smiled lopsidedly at her.

"It's about Spike."

"Oh, sweetie, it'll be alright. I know the holidays are hard after losing someone but..."

Buffy just smiled. "Willow, he's back."

"WHAT!?! How? What?"

"I know. It's amazing."

"How? Where is he?"

"He's in my room. I wanted to tell you first. Dawn took one look at him and pow she was out like a light."

"Did you do a spell?"

"Me? No! I think it was...my mothers wants him to look after me."

"Did he say that?"

"Yes, he was in heaven with her, Will."

"So he's..."

"He's human."

"Can I see him?"

They walked to Buffy's room and looked in. Willow's jaw nearly dropped to the floor.

"Wow. He's really...him," Willow wispered so she wouldn't wake him up.

"How do I explain this to Dawn? I know she's seen some amazing things but this is different."

"You know what I think? I think you should let Spike tell her."

"Yea?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Now I just need to talk to Xander."

"Let me handle him."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'll grab him before he even makes it in the door."

"Really, Will?"

"Yup, I'll meat him in town. I had to pick up a few things anyway." She hugged Buffy and left.

Buffy stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. She watched him. Spike's brow furrowed as if he was concentrating on something. Buffy walked over to the bed and sat down next to him. He was so far into sleep, more relaxed than she had ever seen him. She crawled under the covers with him, shoes and all. She wrapped he arms around him and rested his head on the flat part of her chest. She ran her fingers through his bleched hair, felling the strands slip between her fingers. With each breath, she felt the warm air of his exhale on her chest. She kissed the top of his head.

Spike's eyelids fluttered and then opened. He jumped a bit, surprised to be enclosed in someone's embrace. "Mmmm. 'ello."

"Hey."

"I was dreaming. I thought I was being held by an angel."

"I'm sorry to wake you then."

"Nah. This is better."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dawn woke with a start. She searched her memory, trying to remember what had happened, why she was on the couch. Then she knew. She had seen him. "Buffy!" There was no answer. "Buffy!" Had Buffy even come home? Had any of it even happened? I must be going crazy, she thought. She stared at the celing. I wish Xander was here, she thought. Dawn felt someone touch her wrist and jumped at the unexpected contact. She looked into his eyes. "Spike? But...you're-you're...Buffy!!!"

"Dawn, shhh. It's really me."

"No. It can't be. You're dead."

"No. I'm back." He took her hand, holding her palm to his chest. She could feel the thumping in his chest. The first sign of life.

"Spike?" He nodded, smiling at the corners of his mouth. The tears filled her eyes and Dawn was unable to hold them back. She collapsed in his arms. "I missed you so much."

"Shhh. It's alright now. Everything's going to be alright."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow walked through the small village. There were few people out in the cold but the few that she passed smiled and greeted her. Willow had always wanted to live in a place like this growing up. Everyone knew and trusted everyone else. No one felt the need to lock their doors at night. It was easy to find Keneddy and Xander. They were in the small grocer, picking cans from the old shelves. "Hey guys." She waved at them in a small, Willow way.

"Hey Will. Look, canned bread." Xander handed her the tin can.

"I always wondered when they would finally can every food in the world." Willow placed it back on the shelf. "So are you guys almost finished?"

"Yah, actually we just need a few more things. Why?" Kennedy asked as they walked down the isle.

Willow took her by the hand. "Xander, we'll meet you outside." She led Kennedy out onto the sidewalk. "Something's come up, something big."

"What is it? Is Buffy ok?"

"Spike's back."

"But that can't be he's-"

"Dead?"

"Yeah."



"He came back somehow and it's gonna be really weird around here for a while. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

"I understand. I can catch a train into London tomorrow and get a plane from there."

"I didn't mean for you to leave."

"I know. I think it would be best if you guys were alone for a while."

"You're so good to me." Willow kissed her lightly.

"Only because you're so good to me." Kennedy winked at her.

Xander walked out with the groceries. "So what are you ladies chatting about?"

"Ya know. I needed to pick up some new boots. I'm gonna go down to the shoe store and I'll see you guys back at the house. Ok?" Kennedy quickly hurried down the street leaving Xander and Willow alone.

"What was that all about?" Xander asked as they began to walk to the house.

"I really need to talk to you. Something's happened."

"What do you mean? Everything's alright, right?"

"Oh yeah, well, yeah. It's just..."

"What is it?"

"Alright. It's Spike."

"What do you mean?"

"He's back."

"What do you mean he's back. He's dead. Well he was always dead but he's actually gone dead."

"He was. But he's alive now."

"I don't understand. How can he be back? People just don't come back."

"Buffy did."

"Buffy didn't come back. We brought her back."

"Well it doesn't matter how he got here. But he's here and we just have to adjust."

They walked the rest of the way home in silence.