I know you guys weren't expecting Riley to be the hero. That's why I did it. Spike is always saving her and I wanted to do something different. I'm sure some of you don't like Riley, but you're gonna have to deal with the fact that he's a good guy in this. I actually like him and I don't like always seeing him as the bad guy in fictions. So, you will never see a fiction from me where he's the bad guy. I'm glad you guys could wait patiently for this chapter. It was only a few days after all. Thank you for the birthday wishes. It was definitely one I'll never forget. I ended up getting in my first car accident and that part was not fun. I'm just glad no one was seriously hurt. I hope ya'll like this chapter. Happy 4th of July!

Chapter 16

Joyce and the others were relieved when Buffy was brought home safely. Joyce thanked Riley a few times and gave him a hug, which took him by surprise. They were all grateful to him. He left a little while later and told Buffy that he would see her at the next class. Buffy explained to everyone about what happened when Riley was gone. Angel was angry when he found out about Lindsey's part in it and was just glad that Buffy didn't get really hurt. Spike hugged Buffy like he never wanted to let her go and knew that he should have done more damage to Parker. He was just glad that the ponce was taken away. They were upstairs in Buffy's room lying on her bed later that night, both not saying anything. Buffy noticed the angry expression on Spike's face. "Are you okay?" She asked and he looked back at her. He touched her cheek, where there was a bruise and shook his head.

"I hate this." He stated in a low voice. "I hate any bloke that thinks he can beat on a woman. They give all of us a bad name." Buffy took his hand off of her cheek and held it in hers.

"You're one of the good ones, William. I'm so glad I found you." Spike was touched as he leaned closer to her and placed a kiss on her lips. He pulled away and touched his head to hers.

"What did I ever do without you? I mean that, Buffy. I was nothing before you. I love you so much." He whispered and it was Buffy's turn to feel touched.

"I love you, too. I always have." He kissed her again, when there was a knock on the door. He pulled away as Joyce walked into the room, with a smile on her face.

"I just wanted to let you two know that I will be going to bed now. Your father already left, William. I suppose you'll be staying over tonight?" She asked and Spike felt embarrassed as he nodded.

"If that would be alright? I could just sleep on the couch." He said and was about to get up, until Joyce spoke again.

"That won't be necessary. You can stay in here as long as you both promise that nothing will happen." She said in her best motherly voice and Buffy nodded.

"We'll be good, mom." Joyce accepted her daughter's answer as she walked over to her and gave her another hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Buffy. Don't worry me like that again." Joyce told her.

"I won't." She replied and Joyce pulled away. She gave her daughter one more smile and then Spike.

"I'll let you two sleep now. Goodnight." She told them and they said it back as Joyce walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. They were both quiet after that, when Spike suddenly hugged her again and Buffy wrapped her arms around him also.

"I think this is the most anyone has ever hugged me." She said and he pulled away.

"You better get used to it, love. You had us all bloody worried." Buffy shrugged.

"I wasn't gone that long. I did manage to keep my cool and even got a few kicks in. I don't think Parker will ever be able to have children. That guy Lindsey was really scary though. I could tell that Parker didn't want to kill me, but the other guy had no problem with it. Just because my brother took his girlfriend from him. He has serious issues." Spike agreed and again felt relieved to have her back. He could have lost her and he didn't know what he would do if that happened. He couldn't even think about it. "So, enough about that. Tell me about this girl that you're tutoring." She said suddenly and tried not to sound jealous.

"How did you know it was a girl?" He wondered and Buffy shrugged.

"Willow told me, but that's all she told me. So, who is she?" Spike could tell that she seemed a little jealous, but she had no reason to be. He was flattered by it though.

"Her name is Dawn and she's a freshmen, so you have no reason to be jealous." Buffy rolled her eyes.

"I'm not jealous, I was just wondering. It's nice that you're still tutoring the younger kids." She said and Spike smiled at her.

"Yeah, I've always loved doing it. She's a nice girl. I think she has a crush on me." Buffy smacked him lightly on the leg.

"I'm sure she does, but just know that you're mine. Make sure she knows that, too." Spike loved when she got all possessive.

"There's no competition, pet." He said as he leaned towards her ear. "I've always been yours." He whispered and it caused her to shiver. Buffy gave him a kiss when he moved away.

"Likewise," she replied and Spike suddenly looked nervous. Buffy wondered what was wrong, but she didn't have to wonder for long.

"I wanted to give you this. I figured now was a good enough time." He said as he handed something to her and Buffy saw that it was a ring. She took it from him and was surprised that he would give her something so beautiful. It also looked really expensive. She looked back up at him and he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's not a proposal, Buffy. Not yet anyway. We'll call this a promise ring. It belonged to my mum and I really think you should have it." Buffy had tears in her eyes at the thought of him giving her his mother's ring. She put it on her finger to find that it was a perfect fit. She looked back at him, with a smile on her face.

"I'll always treasure it, William." She said and then gave him another kiss on the lips. "I love you." She whispered and Spike caressed her cheek. He felt tears in his eyes now, knowing that he finally found the woman he would spend the rest of his life with.

"I love you, too. So bloody much." He replied in a quiet voice. Buffy smiled and looked at the ring one more time.

"We should get some sleep." She said as she looked back at him. Spike agreed and lay down on the bed. Buffy did the same and rested her head on his chest. It didn't take them long to fall asleep.