I can't believe how long it's been since I updated this story. Time has just flown by, my apologies to those who were waiting for this new chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

One Week Later

Spike was lying in his crypt, even though most of the stake wound was healed, it still needed a little time before he could move around without pain. Dawn opened the crypt door and peeked in, "Hey Spike, how ya feelin'?"

"Been better pet." He sat up so he could see her better. Dawn opened the door wider and led Willow inside. She looked like she was in a trance-like state.

"She still ain't talkin'?"

Dawn looked sadly at her. "No, she's still really upset about Tara."

"We all are, pet." He looked down. "We all are."

Dawn noticed the look on his face. "Spike, it wasn't your fault."

Spike jumped off the sarcophagus and stopped right in front of Dawn, looking right into her eyes. "Yes it was, bit. It was all my fault," he turned away, "She should have killed me."

Dawn touched his arm. "There was nothing you could do." He pulled away from her.

"Yes there was." He turned again to face her. "I shouldn't have gone with you. They were there because of me."

"Spike, if you weren't there they would have killed all three of us, not just Tara." She said, putting a hand on his arm.

He jerked away from her touch. "THEY didn't kill Tara- I did." He grabbed the bottle of bourbon and threw it against the wall. Dawn jumped as the bottle shattered.

He calmed down a little and looked at Willow. He knelt next to her and stroked the side of her face. She didn't respond. "I killed her too.

Dawn just looked at Spike, she didn't know what to do. "Spike…"

"Have you talked to Xander yet?"

"…No."

"So… he doesn't know about…"

She shook her head.

"I guess that explains why he hasn't been by to kill me yet." He looked at the ground. "I wish he would."

"Spike! How can you say that? We need you."

"You need me to get you killed? I promised your sister I'd protect you 'til I'm dust." He looked at Dawn pleadingly. "I can't protect you anymore"

It took a minute for Dawn to realize what Spike meant. "No, Spike. I won't do it"

He just looked at her, then he turned and opened a drawer. "Fine… if you won't…" He pulled out a stake. "I will."

"No!" Dawn yelled as Spike plunged the stake toward his chest. However, just as the stake touched his skin, it stopped. "What-?" He pushed the stake as hard as he could, but it wouldn't move any further.

All of a sudden, the stake flew out of his hand. Dawn and Spike watched in shock as it flew into Willow's open hand.

"Willow! You're awake!" Dawn rushed to her side. "Are you ok?"

She nodded and moved past her, toward Spike. "Don't leave us… We need you."

"But… what if I put you and the bit in danger again?"

"Then you will get us out of it."

"I didn't get Tara out of it! I got her dead! If I wasn't there-"

"Then we all would be dead" Willow interrupted before he could finish the sentence.

"I already told him that" Dawn said, putting her hands on her hips.

"And I almost made you loose your mind." Spike continued, ignoring both of their comments.

"Dawn" Willow said, "Could you go downstairs and wait. I wanna talk to Spike alone for a little bit.

She looked from Willow to Spike and back to Willow. "Ok… sure."

As soon as Dawn was out of sight, Willow turned to face Spike. "It wasn't your fault I went all trance-y."

"What are you talking about? That happened 'cause of Tara… and that was my fault."

She shook her head. "No, … that's not why. It was 'cause of what happened before."

He looked at her questioningly, "What happened?"

She didn't answer him at first; she just stared at him. When she finally did speak, she looked at the ground, shame filling her. "…When we… me and Tara… spent out last few nights together… I wasn't… I wasn't thinking of her."

"So it was a guilt trip, was it? Who was the other bird?"

She fidgeted nervously. "It…" She brushed her hand through her hair. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this… It doesn't matter."

She looked into his eyes and put her hand on his shoulder. "Promise me you won't do anything to hurt yourself, Dawn wouldn't be able to take it," she broke eye contact, "and neither could I." Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes.

Spike wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his comforting embrace. He whispered into her ear, "I promise."

The sound of his deep powerful voice sent shivers up her spine. Spike felt her shake but figured it was because of all the emotion of the situation. He sniffed her hair, he couldn't believe how good it smelled. He pushed the thought out of his head as he gave her a last reassuring squeeze before pulling away. "You and the bit better get back home," he said as he tucked a stray hair behind her ear. He blinked. Was she leaning into his touch? He mentally shook his head. Wishful thinking.

"Spike… could… could you walk us home?" She saw the look that came onto his face. "Please…" she looked down. "I… I wouldn't be able to protect Dawn if more than one vamp showed up." She was on the verge of tears.

Spike raised his hand to her face and brushed her tears away with the pad of his thumb. "Alright luv… I'll take you and the bit" Willow, who was too choked up with emotion and couldn't say anything. She threw her arms around Spike and buried her face in his duster.

Spike, though a little surprised by her sudden move, put his arms around her comfortingly.

When Willow finally pulled her face out of his shoulder and looked into his eyes she couldn't look away. It was like she was hypnotized by them, just as Spike was hypnotized by her lips.

They were less than an inch from kissing when Dawn burst up into the room. "What's taking you guys so long?"

Willow and Spike pulled away from each other quickly. Willow was blushing furiously and Spike was glad he couldn't.

'

Well… that's all I got for now. I hope you enjoyed it. Review and let me know what you think. I'll try to get the next chapter up real soon.