During the rest of the week, Buffy and Spike sought comfort with just holding each other. Since Buffy didn't have any potentials sleeping in her room, she would wait up till everyone was asleep then Spike would come in to sleep. They always had the alarm set so that they were the first ones awake. They weren't intimate for fear of being discovered by one of the girls. When Buffy went to the temple with the sithe Spike followed her unknowingly. He saw when Angel came and when Buffy kissed him. Spike was taunted by the First.
" Yeah, she needs you real bad. That bitch." Spike ignored it and continued to watch. When Buffy and Angel started to talk about the amulet he left feeling crushed because she said she loved him but kissed Angel. Buffy and angel continue to talk. She told him to go back to L.A. to work on a second front.
" That's one reason, what's the other?" Buffy just walks out of the temple.
" Is it Spike?" Buffy turns and stares at him shocked.
' How can he know?'
" I remember his scent pretty well."
" Didn't anyone tell you the whole vamp smelling thing is creepy?"
" Is he your boyfriend?"
" No, he's not. He is my lover. I do love him, Angel. I know you are going to hate it, but he has changed."
" He can't change, Buffy. He's a soulless vampire. He can't love."
" Actually he can love. And he does have a soul, but he loved me before he went out and fought for it. He protected my family and friends when I asked and when I was dead. I always blamed it on the chip because I didn't want to believe it, but he has change. He has a soul, he doesn't have the chip anymore and he protects everyone around him."
" Come on, Buffy. How do you honestly know he has a soul?"
" I saw the marks from his trials. Anya saw it when she was still a demon. And I can see it in his eyes every time I look at him. I still love you, but it's not the same. Spike is my match in everything. I'm sure you meet someone who makes you feel the same way that's not me."
" Well, there is Cordelia, but she is in a coma. We had so much that had gone on in L.A. Just be careful."
" I will, Angel. You should go." Angel hands her the amulet then goes on his way. Buffy watches him a little bit then heads home.
Buffy walks down the basement stairs hearing Spike punching the heavy bag. As she descends Spike moves from the bag.
" So, where's lover boy?"
" Let me guess, you can smell him."
" That and I used my vampire eyeballs to watch you kiss him."
" It was a 'Hello' kiss."
" Most people don't use their tongues to say hello." He pauses. "Well I guess the do."
" There was no tongue. Besides he's gone now."
" So, he just popped by for a quickie, then" Spike says sarcastically.
" Good, good. I haven't had enough jealous vampires today."
" Where's the trinket?"
" The who-kit?"
" The pretty little necklace Angel gave you. I believe its mine now"
" How do you figure?"
" He said it had to wore by someone with a soul, but more than human. Which I believe is me."
" Angel, said it was meant to be worn by a champion." Spike lowers his head until Buffy hands him the amulet.
" Been called many things but never a champion."
" You are. Faith still has my room from when she and a few of the girls went for the trap."
" Well, you can't stay here. You've got Angel breath. I have my pride you know."
" I see." She starts toward the stairs.
" Clearly you don't. Have my pride was just a smoke screen."
" Oh, Thank god."
" I don't know what I would have done if you went up those stairs."
" Lets not find out. I do love you though. I'm sorry I kissed Angel."
" I know. You know me though I'm get jealous easy and possessive of what I see as mine."
" I know. Lets get some sleep. Tomorrow we fight. I want to spend the last night I might have on this earth in the arms of the man I love." She takes Spike's hand and leads him toward the cot that is down there. Buffy lays down and pulls Spike next to her. They kiss softly for a while but do not let it go passed there. They quickly fall asleep in each other's arms.
The next day, Buffy gathers everyone into the living room to go over the battle plan for the afternoon. Everyone hangs on to every word she says. She tells them how they all can become Slayers. As the day goes on, they arrive at the school. Buffy directs everyone to the basement. The four original Scoobies are left standing together. They all talk about what they are going to do the next day. After a few minutes they split up and go where they need to be.
As the battle continues, Spike's amulet is activated. He moves back toward the entrance they came through.
" Buffy!" Spike yells before the amulet sends a burst of energy through the ceiling, which goes through the entire school to allow sunlight to shine on him. The Turok-Han are all destroyed. As the cavern starts to shake everyone runs out except Buffy and Spike.
" Buffy, I can feel it."
" What?"
" My soul. It's really there. Kind of stings."
" Spike, come on. You did enough."
" No luv, I have to stay. We both know it. I will always love you. Tell Dawn I love her and to behave. I want you to move on. Don't mourn for me, but remember me. I love you, Buffy Anne Summers."
" I love you too, William. I won't forget you. Promise." They share one last kiss before Buffy is forced to leave Spike.
" I want to see how it ends." Spike starts to dissolve, knowing that he is dying for good and to save the world.
Buffy runs out of the school on the top of it. She runs to catch up with the bus with everyone on it. As she gets close enough to it she jumps on to the bus. When the get past the city limit Faith tells Robin to stop. Buffy jumps off as Dawn gets out to hug her. Giles walks up behind her and see a big hole where Sunnydale once stood.
" I don't understand. What did this?"
Buffy looks at the sinkhole and simple says, "Spike." As they all get out of the bus everyone starts talking about what to do now that Sunnydale is gone. Buffy just stands there and smiles because she knows that Spike is now free because of his sacrifice.
One month later, Buffy sits in the doctor's office, looking at the results of her test. She looks up at the ceiling like she is looking at the sky.
" Thank you, Spike." The test results shows that she is one month pregnant.
The end.