Author's Note: Hey All! This is my first Buffy fic so I'd really appreciated your opinion on it! I've been thinking about it for a while and just recently managed to put it into writing, so click on that little button on the bottom of the screen and give me your honest opinion, even if it happens to be a flame, as that is the only way to improve.

Summary: Begins just where "End of Days" cuts out, where Angel and Buffy are kissing and Spike is confronted once again by the first in the form of Buffy. From there, it goes into my own version of how the series should have ended.

Last Time On Buffy The Vampire Slayer:

"So now William the Bloody...I ask you to choose. The life of this child...or your love for this woman." The first whispered harshly. Spike looked at Dawn, starring at him with a knife to her throat. Then he looked at Buffy, starring at him with tears in her eyes. He whispered that he loved her and turned back to the first.

"NO Spike! Don't do it! We'll find another way." Buffy yelled, slamming her fist into the invisible barrier.

"There is no other way..." Spike whispered and closed his eyes.

"My soul is yours." Spike announced to the first.

"I was really hoping you would say that." The first laughed and stepped aside to reveal one of her minions chanting the spell. He threw his hands out, focusing his magic on Spike. Buffy screamed his name as Spike collapsed to the ground. She watched as he thrashed from side to side, arm clenched around his chest. Buffy slammed her fists against the barrier.

"No." Buffy moaned as she fell to her knees.

"No...Not again!" Buffy screamed, shaking her head. Tears started to fall as Buffy continued to beat against the barrier with her fists.

"Please! Spike! God no!" Buffy cried as she watched in horror. She watched from her place on the ground as Spike's mouth opened in a silent shriek of pain. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to Buffy, Spike stopped moving. He lay there, panting hard, as a forbidding light, his soul, rose from his body.

"He's gone." Buffy whispered falling forward as the barrier disappeared. She wrapped her arms around her legs, pulling them up to her chest. She watched in horror, as the first walked towards Spike.

"Well William....Are you ready to lead my army?" The first asked with a smirk. Buffy shuddered as Spike growled.

"I already said no...so sod off!" Spike hissed, pulling himself to his feet. Buffy slowly looked over at Spike, not believing what she had just heard. She looked around, hoping that someone else would be able to provide some sort of explanation, but everyone else was in a group off the side, obviously trying to decide on the best plan to use to get Dawn back. Buffy stood and inched her way closer to hear the rest of Spike's conversation with the first.

"How are you...?" the first started. Spike smirked as he quickly broke the arm of the man holding Dawn captive. Dawn took one look at him and threw herself into his arms.

"Thought I would end up like peaches, did you? You really should have done your homework before coming out to play. When you lose you soul, you return to the way you were right before you got it. I'd already begun to change so I could be with these girls, so there really wasn't a difference between me now and the me with a soul." Spike explained, hugging Dawn tightly.

"I'll be back..." the first growled as it disappeared. Buffy slowly moved forward towards Spike. She stopped in front of him, watching as he slowly released Dawn and turned to face her.

"Are you...okay?" Buffy asked softly, shifting backwards slightly, ready for a fight if he started one. Spike took a step towards her.

"Well it hurt a little, but yeah...I'm alright." Spike answered, waiting for Buffy's reaction. Buffy threw her arms around him, kissing him softly.

"I thought I'd lost you!" Buffy cried, pulling him closer to her.

"It's alright luv." Spike whispered, hugging her tightly.

"I thought you would end up being like Angel and then I would have to hurt you...or worse...kill you." Buffy sobbed as tears ran down her cheeks. She shuddered as she spoke of killing him.

"And I know that I would never be able to do that. Never!" Buffy whispered furiously in his ear. Spike pulled away slightly, looking at her in surprise.

"What do you mean?" Spike asked. Buffy opened her mouth to reply.

"Buffy! Get away from him!" Giles yelled, pulling Buffy out of Spike's arms. Buffy wrenched her arm out of Giles' violent grasp.

"What the hell are you doing Giles?" Buffy yelled, moving back towards Spike.

"What are we doing? What the hell are you doing Buffy?" Angel hissed as he pushed through to the front of the group. Buffy glanced down; noticing the stake clutched in his fist and stepped in front of Spike, protecting him from an attack.

"Put that away Peaches! I ain't gonna hurt no one." Spike sighed. Angel lifted it, threatening him.

"I'll be the judge of that." Angel growled. Buffy stepped forward, knocking the stake out of Angel's hand.

"I think you should back off." Buffy hissed. Angel looked at her in shock.

"Why are you protecting him? He just lost his soul!" Angel ranted. Xander stepped forward.

"He's a monster Buffy! He isn't worth you protection."

"He isn't a monster!" Dawn yelled. She stepped closer to Spike, reaching for his hand.

"He just saved my life without his soul. He has always protected me. He doesn't need one." Dawn said softly, looking up at Spike. Buffy watched as Spike blinked back tears. He wrapped his arms around Dawn, pulling her into a hug.

"I can't let them take my lil' bit." Spike whispered, dropping his tough guy façade for a moment. Dawn began to cry as she finally took in what had happened and pulled Spike closer. Buffy turned around and looked at the group.

"He's not going to hurt us." Buffy said softly, mentally begging them to believe her. Giles took off his glasses and began to clean them.

"Buffy, I can't allow him back in the house; not with all the other girls there. He doesn't have the chip anymore. He could hurt or even kill us now. I'm not willing to risk those girls' live." Giles said firmly. Buffy shook her head in disbelief.

"After everything that has happened, you still don't trust my judgement?" Buffy questioned. The group looked anywhere but at her, silently answering her question. Buffy's eyes began to fill with tears as she took a step away from her once best friends.

"Buffy, luv, it's alright. I can see why they wouldn't trust me." Spike spoke up, softly. Buffy glanced at him to see him holding Dawn in his arms. She had nearly collapsed moments before from the emotional exhaustion. Buffy watched as Spike gently lifted Dawn off her feet, cradling her in his arms.

"Come on Buffy. Let's get the bit home to her own bed. I'll go back to my crypt and Red can do the big dis-invite spell. I can meet up with you and we can figure out a plan." Spike said. Buffy shook her head.

"You're crypt isn't safe. The first is still out to get you and I don't want you by yourself." Buffy argued ignoring the looks of disbelief Angel and Xander were giving her. Spike frowned.

"How about I stay in the house right next to yours then? I saw the bloke moving out a couple nights ago." Spike suggested. Buffy nodded slowly.

"That could work..."

"Can I go with you?" Dawn interrupted, looking between Buffy and Spike. Buffy smiled softly.

"We both will." Buffy looked into Spike eyes, which were wide with surprise.

"Now wait just one minute..." Xander started.

"No...I'm not leaving him alone. Since you are all so determined to keep him away from the house, then I'm going with him." Buffy stated firmly.

"Willow...do the spell. It will make everyone feel better. Cast one over the house we're staying in too...just in case." Willow nodded, sighing. Buffy then walked towards Spike, placing an arm around his waist, guiding him.

"Buffy! Why are you leaving us?" Xander questioned angrily. Buffy stopped her arm still around Spike's waist and turned towards the group.

"I need to be with my family."

Spike placed Dawn down gently on the bed, covering her with the blankets left from the pervious occupants. He leant down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Good Night Nibblet." He whispered, walking to the door where Buffy was waiting for him.

"Night Spike. Night Buffy. I love you." Dawn yawned as she rolled over.

"Love you too Dawnie." Buffy answered as she closed the door. She looked over at Spike, who was shifting his weight from one foot to the next, uncertain of how to continue.

"So...what now?" Buffy smiled gently as she took his hands and led him into the master bedroom. She pulled him to the bed and sat down.

"I wanted to talk to you about earlier tonight." Buffy explained, tucking a loose hair behind her ear. Spike shook his head.

"It's alright. I get it. He was your first love. I can't compete with that." Spike muttered angrily. Buffy laughed softly, causing Spike's gaze to lock with hers.

"No Spike. He's pissed off because he can't compete with you." Spike's jaw dropped.

"What?" Buffy sighed and shrugged slightly.

"I'll always care for Angel, the same way you will always care for Druscilla. But that doesn't change what I feel for you." Buffy explained, taking his hand in hers. Spike looked down and linked their fingers.

"And...what do you feel for me?" Spike asked softly. Buffy looked up into his eyes, studying him for a moment.

"I love you." Buffy whispered. Spike stared at her in shock before pulling her to him. Buffy wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I don't think I've ever been as scared as I was today." Buffy shuddered.

"I wouldn't have let anything happen to Dawn." Spike answered, running his hands up and down her back. Buffy pulled away so she could see his face.

"No...I meant when you lost your soul." Buffy's eyes began to fill with tears.

"I thought I was going to lose you. I thought that I would have to kill you. And I couldn't do that again...not to you...not after everything we've been through." Buffy cried. Spike cupped her face, wiping away her tears.

"Hey now. Come on...its alright Buffy. I'm still here." Spike pulled her into his arms.

"I'm still your little pet vamp...I'm not going anywhere." Spike whispered.

"You'd better not be going anywhere." Buffy huffed, tightening her grip on him. Spike kissed her neck lightly.

"Or what? You'll stake me? You're going to need something else to threaten me with after this little ditty." Spike answered, earning himself a giggle. Buffy pulled away, laying down on the bed. With a tug on his arm, Spike followed. Buffy wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his chest. Spike smiled, pulling her closer to him.

"Spike?"

"Yeah luv?" Buffy sighed contently, closing her eyes.

"I love you."

"I love you too pet."

"Wake-up! Hello! Come on you two!" Buffy snuggled deeper into Spike's embrace, mentally cursing whoever created younger sisters. Dawn jumped onto the bed, causing Spike to jump. He lifted his head and smiled sleepily.

"Morning Nibblet." He yawned, dropping his head back to the pillow.

"Oh come on! I sun-proofed the whole house already...plus the Scoobies are coming over soon." Dawn said, pulling on Spike's hand.

Spike yawned again as he was pulled into a sitting position. He opened his eyes and found Dawn staring at him intently.

"What?" Spike asked nervously.

"Why do you yawn? I mean, you don't need to right?" Dawn inquired. Spike shrugged.

"Habit I guess." Spike answered as he stretched. He looked down at Buffy, who was still lying down with her eyes closed.

"Come on Slayer. Get up!" Spike said, shaking her.

"But I don't wanna." Buffy whined, flipping a pillow over her head.

"Buffy come on! The Scoobies are coming! You need to get up." Spike ordered.

"Make me!" Spike winked at Dawn.

"Alright...but remember, you made it come to this." Spike said as he attacked her sides. Buffy immediately began to laugh. Spike chuckled when Dawn came over and started to tickle the backs of her legs and feet.

"Spike, Dawn...please stop!" Buffy laughed. Spike paused.

"Are you going to get up?" He asked. Buffy grabbed her pillow and hit Spike in the head with it.

"Never!" Buffy yelled, jumping up and hitting Dawn as well.

"Oh you are so dead." Dawn called, throwing a pillow at Buffy. Buffy ducked and giggled when Dawn's pillow hit Spike.

"Nibblet..." Spike growled, grabbing his own pillow. Dawn squealed and grabbed another one, hitting Buffy.

"That was your fault." Dawn giggled as Spike approached. He launched himself at them, tackling both Dawn and Buffy to the bed and began to whack them with his pillow. They both laughed as they tried to fight him off.

"Say Spike is the biggest bad and maybe I'll stop." Spike offered.

"Spike is the..." Dawn laughed.

"...Biggest bad." Buffy finished. Spike stopped and got off the bed.

"Alright then." Spike smirked and started to walk away. Buffy and Dawn looked at each other and each threw a pillow at Spike.

"Bloody Hell!" Spike cursed as Dawn and Buffy attacked him.

"Alright, alright! You win!" Spike cried. Buffy and Dawn jumped up giving each other a high five.

"Yeah, yeah...the bloody Summers women can beat the poor vamp." Spike stood, sulking.

"Who's the big bad now?" Buffy giggled. Spike smirked.

"I am...I let you win. Now go get ready for the Scoobies." Spike ordered, ushering Buffy into the bathroom.

"Let me win my ass!" Buffy swore as the door closed.

"Buffy! The Scoobies are here!"

"Shit..." Buffy swore as she pulled her hair into a messy bun. She rushed around the room looking for her things.

"Spike! Spike, where did I leave my make-up?" Buffy asked Spike, who was laying on the bed, waiting for her.

"I don't know." Spike answered, getting up. He walked over, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Buffy luv...come on. You don't need it." Spike grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the stairs. Buffy stopped at the landing and tugged on his hand.

"I love you." Spike smiled and kissed her gently.

"I love you too." He mumbled against her lips. Buffy smiled and took a deep breath.

"Okay...I'm ready." Buffy reached for Spike's hand again and side by side, they descended the stairs. Dawn rushed towards them.

"Oh good. Angel's still outside. It's shady enough. I didn't want to invite him in without you." Dawn explained quickly. Buffy looked toward the front door and then walked into the living room.

"He can listen from there." Buffy called. Spike laughed as he pulled her to a stop.

"Buffy luv...invite him in." Spike said, smiling. Buffy shook her head.

"He tried to stake you!" Spike nodded.

"Yes he did. But so did the watcher and the whelp and they still get to sit in the living room." Spike pointed out. Buffy looked at him and sighed.

"I thought out of anyone, you'd be the one to agree with me on this." Buffy mumbled. Spike smirked and pulled her to him.

"How can I gloat about having you all to myself if he isn't in the room?" Spike asked. Buffy laughed.

"I should have known." Buffy said, smiling. Spike turned and smirked at Angel.

"Peaches, won't you please come in!" Spike announced. Angel glared at him and walked past him into the living room, sitting in the chair farthest from Spike.

"Okay, we need to decide what to do with the first." Buffy commanded, standing next to Spike.

"Well let's decide what it wants." Giles commented, adjusting his glasses.

"It wants me. Pretty badly it seems." Spike said, sinking into a chair.

"I wonder why? I mean...what makes me so bloody special?"

"Maybe it is because you killed two slayers. Maybe it wanted you to kill Buffy." Dawn offered. Spike shook his head.

"That can't be it bit. I'm not the only vampire still here that has killed a slayer before." Spike mumbled. Dawned looked at him, puzzled.

"Really? Who...?" Spike responded by pointing at Angel. All eyes shifted to Angel.

"You never told us that you had killed a slayer!" Xander bellowed. Angel shrugged.

"It was a long time ago, before I turned Druscilla. Darla and I did it together. It only happened because she was weak from fighting another demon. Spike's the only one who has killed one when she was at full strength." Angel mumbled the end.

"That's because every other vampire has no sense of pride." Spike commented, absent-mindedly.

"What do you mean?" Dawn asked. Spike looked over at her, surprised.

"You can't take pride in killing something or someone while they are weak or by surprising them. The only honourable way to kill or die is fighting, when both parties are at full strength and are going to put everything they have into it. That's why I love fighting with the slayer." Spike nodded towards Buffy.

"She never held anything back...ever! She gave it everything she had...the same as I did. That's why we were so evenly matched. It was never about who had more skill as a fighter." Spike explained.

"If it was...I would have been dust a long time ago." Spike joked, winking at Buffy. Buffy laughed and nodded, showing that she understood what he was talking about.

"Alright...then if it isn't that, then what is it?" Dawn asked. Spike shrugged.

"The soul." Buffy answered softly, staring off into space.

"What?" Spike asked, looking over at her.

"It's got to be the soul. You are the only vampire in history to have won your soul back voluntarily. It has got to be something about your soul." Buffy explained. She looked at Giles.

"I think we should research it. Maybe there is some sort of prophecy, something that mentions it. It might explain the first's fascination with Spike and why it wanted to get rid of his soul." Buffy ordered. Spike stood and stuffed his hands into his duster.

"Just what I always wanted...more sodding research." Spike mumbled as he grabbed a blanket and followed Buffy. A hand shot out and stopped him.

"Just where in the hell do you think you are going?" Xander asked. Spike raised an eyebrow.

"I'm going to help research." Xander shook his head.

"We already established this. You are not stepping one foot into that house. You're staying here!" Xander ordered.

"Bloody Hell!" Spike roared as he threw the blanket to the side of the room, storming out of the living room. Buffy sighed as he flew past her and rushed to the kitchen. She turned back and glared at Xander.

"You can't just ignore him and leave him out. Not when he is so involved." Buffy scolded. Angel stood, taking his place in front of Buffy.

"Listen Buffy, you made you choice. You choose to stay with Spike instead of with us. You don't get to make the decisions about the safety of those girls anymore." He growled. Buffy's jaw dropped.

"If I remember correctly, it was you who made the choice Angel. You shut us out, not the other way around. Spike isn't the bad guy here, soul or no soul." Buffy explained. She took a step forward.

"And in case you forgot, I'm the slayer. That means I am in charge and that I do get to decide what happens to those girls. They trust me, which is more then I can say about my so called friends. You on the other hand, you don't belong here anymore. Why you are still here, I'm really not sure, but if you are going to stay then you are going to listen to me. Deal with it!" Buffy hissed, glaring at Angel. She took a step back.

"That goes for all of you. You kicked me out before and you tried Faith out as the leader. We all know how that turned out. So whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me. I tried to keep it so that you helped me make the decisions, but you've proven time and time again that you don't agree with the way I do things. Spike and I are a team; he's not going anywhere. I can see that you are all having problems with that so you need to decide, right now. Either you follow me and accept Spike, or you are not part of this fight." Buffy growled, crossing her arms. She looked around, studying each member of the group as they stared at the floor. Finally, she locked gazes with Dawn, who was smiling slightly.

"Dawn, I want you to go with them and grab some books on ancient prophecies." Buffy said, turning.

"I need to speak with Spike."