A/N: I am so sorry for taking so long in getting this up. My life has been way crazy lately. But here it is! Rejoice! I am! sigh… So now to thank my readers…

Spikezbaybeegurl aka faith: Thanks so much hun! I am so glad to have your support! Don't think I would have started this if you hadn't pushed me.

ilpopi: Thanks! I am now accepting anon reviews.. lol. I hope you like the next chapter!

lilmisscookiemonster: sorry the update took so long! I hope it was worth the wait!

spuffylovin: again, so sorry I took so long! I'm so glad you liked it! Best story you've ever read? Wow! Thanks! blushes I'm all speechless now!

Mike: I think I'm beginning to get that people think I'm good at this. Thanks! I'm talented. Yay!

IceBlueRose: Honestly, I'm not completely sure where I am taking this story. So, let me know what you think!

spikespet2002: Sorry if I confused everything.. Yes, this story is AU… Dawn not existing and all. Hope this next chapter makes everything a little bit clearer.

janunu: thanks so much! Glad you loved it. I'll go email you right now!

thislillullaby: Here's the next chapter… hope you like this one as much as the first!

Okay! That's everyone! So, onto the chapter!………

Chapter Two

Spike woke due to a sharp pain in his shin.

"What the…?" Another to his chest. Buffy was flailing around wildly.

"Buffy." He tried to grab her arms, but instead got a punch to the gut. Ignoring the pain, he jumped on her, straddling her waist. Finally pinning her legs down, he managed to secure both tiny wrists in one hand above her head. He took a moment to take in his position, him straddling a sound asleep Buffy. Oh yeah, this is much better.

"Buffy, love, what's wrong?" He whispered. He gently stroked her cheek, hoping to sooth her still trembling form.

"I… can't…" she breathed. Still asleep and still trembling under him. She has GOT to stop doing that!

"Sh, pet. T's me. Spike. Tell me what to do. Tell me what's wrong." He brushed stray hair off her forehead.

"Spike?" She began to cry.

"Oh pet. Don't do that. Don't cry. Please don't cry." Spike started to move off her, when Buffy gasped.

"Don't leave." Slowly she opened her eyes. "Please Spike. Don't leave me. I don't know what to do." She closed her eyes again, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm here. Not goin' anywhere." Spike slowly released her hands, moving to her side. Buffy continued crying, her tiny body shaking violently.

Should I touch her? Maybe she won't want me to. But she said not to leave. Usually she threatens to stake me if I DON'T leave… Fuck.

Spike reached over and softly touched her shoulder. She calmed a bit. Okay, touching good then. He slowly moved his arm down and wrapped it around her waist. She sighed, calming down even more. He leaned in so that their foreheads were touching, just barely. She hasn't staked me yet, so maybe this is okay.

"Everything is wrong." She whispered so quietly even Spike had a hard time hearing her. But he did. He started to move away, but her hand shot out to his shoulder and held him still.

"You are really stupid sometimes you know that?" She moved her head back far enough so that she could see his eyes, which were looking at her arm.

"Look at me."

His eyes followed her arm up and finally settled in her eyes. "You always read me so well. Usually that pisses me off. But I want to know. Tonight, what do you see?"

He took a moment to look deeply into her eyes. For the first time in a long time, maybe ever, he couldn't read too deeply into those hazel eyes.

"I see, pain. Lots of pain, worry, sorrow, and… anger. But I don't understand why. I can usually tell…" He left the sentence hanging, hoping she would understand what he meant.

She nodded and broke eye contact. "Thank you." She whispered, her voice shaky. With that, she took his hand from her side, kissed it, got out of his bed and left his crypt.

Spike watched her leave, kept his eyes on the place he last saw her for at least five minutes before closing his eyes. What's happened to her? I know it's got to be hard with her mum gone. But she's… broken.

"Hey Buff!" Xander called from somewhere in the Magic Box. Buffy closed the door behind her, cursing the stupid bell above the door.

"Hey Xand! Whatcha doin'?" Buffy smiled at her friend who was currently in front of one of the many bookshelves decorating the shop.

"Giles wants me to find a book for him. Aha! Found it!" Xander grabbed a small red book, pulling it out he managed to knock four others books onto the floor.

"Xander! Do be careful with the books. They aren't to be thrown about." Giles reprimanded.

"I didn't… I wasn't…" Xander stuttered, but noticed Giles wasn't paying him any attention. "Yeah sure, okay." He muttered under his breath.

"Buffy, I'm glad you're here. I would like to have a word with you." Giles looked at Buffy before removing his glasses and tucking them into his inner vest pocket.

"Sure Giles. What's up?" She gave the man a small smile, hoping this wouldn't take long.

"Follow me please?" Giles indicated the training room.

Buffy nodded and moved quietly into the back room. Once Giles had the door closed she spoke.

"Apocalypse? Who do I gotta kill this time?" She aimed for joking, but her eyes reflected otherwise. Giles didn't notice.

"No, nothing like that. I don't really know how to say this to you. Buffy, I think it is time for me to go." Giles looked at her, hoping to gauge some sort of reaction.

"Go? Go where?" She looked confused, but also somewhat apprehensive.

"England. I'm going back to England Buffy. I will only be gone a month or so. But I need to see if you can do this on your own. See if you can be indepen--" Giles stopped.

Buffy's face had gone completely blank. No emotion whatsoever. Her voice mirroring her expression.

"England. When are you leaving?" She was staring at his left shoulder.

"Tonight. In a few hours actually… Buffy are you alright?" He stepped closer to her, stopping when she took a step back.

"I'm fine." Still not looking him in the eye, she turned walked to the door that led to the back alley. Not even turning around she said, "I have to patrol."

Giles stared at the now closed door before turning his gaze to the sunlight pouring through the window.