The Nearness of You

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Thank you, so much to those who review! You have no clue what it means to me. I come home after work and college and I feel like crap. But then I read reviews and it takes my mind off life and gives me something to work on, to improve. Thank you all!

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-----Come Away With Me-----

--Welcome To Sunnydale--

Grinning, Spike floored it and plowed into the familiar sign with his black DeSoto. He was amazed at how that never got old.

"What is it with you and that damn sign?" Buffy asked with an amused look.

"Home sweet home," was all Spike replied as he backed up and drove on.

"Where are we staying? Not the warehouse, right?" Buffy asked with concern.

"Never. I'm insulted that you would insinuate such a thing," Spike reached out and squeezed her leg for reassurance.

"So where will our little family be living?" Buffy asked again, trying to piece together their final destination through his vague responses.

"I had a friend get me a nice house," Spike replied.

"Don't lie. You don't have any friends," Buffy responded with a huge grin.

"Careful, pet. Or I'll put you over my knee." Spike's face lit up mischievously at the thought.

"Promise?" Buffy tried to hold a straight face, but burst into laughter at the look of shock on Spike's face.

"Slayer, you are going to be the death of me," Spike finally said as he continued to drive. "This is it." Spike pulled into the driveway of a cute little home.

Buffy was awestruck at the sight of the place. It was a ranch-style home and on the outside it was blue with a white trim. There was a beautiful garden on the outside, and there was a steppingstone walkway that led up to the house, and it came complete with a white picket fence. Spike led his ladies up the walkway, when they reached the front door there was a doormat with a butterfly on it the said 'Welcome' and under the mat there was a key.

"How did you know the key would be there?" Buffy asked, still awestruck.

"My friend told me where it would be," Spike answered.

"And how did your friend have the money to buy a house?" Buffy asked suspiciously.

"The previous owners practically gave it away," Spike replied cryptically as he unlocked the front door.

"Why?" Buffy demanded.

"Look, it was a vampire nest. My very good friend cleaned it up and prepared for our arrival," said Spike, trying to lead Buffy into the house.

"Who is this friend?" Buffy insisted stubbornly.

"She's the former vengeance demon I was telling you about: Anya. She and your mum are the only reason I even care about what happens to this bloody town. So Anya did this in her spare time in secret. No one knows you are here. She just did as I asked," Spike explained, "That and I paid her a lot of money to do it. And the money would be the only stolen part about this home."

"What?" Buffy asked.

"Cor, you ask a lot of questions! Yes, I'm an evil vampire. I stole money, it's what I do," Spike said again trying to convince Buffy to enter the home.

"Would you rather go ask one of your chums to let us stay the night?" Spike finally asked.

"This is a beautiful home," Buffy said as she walked inside and invited Spike in.

The floor plan was perfect. On one side on the house was the master bedroom and private bathroom. On the other side of the house was an office and another bedroom for Emma. In between was the second bathroom, a laundry room, the living room was right by the front door, and the kitchen and dining room were in back. There was also a fenced in backyard with a swing set in place. It was the ideal place.

"What do you think, luv?" Spike asked, wrapping his arms around Buffy.

"It's perfect. Your friend Anya is amazing. And she got us some furniture," Buffy pointed out.

"Yes, well your stuff is on the way. I sent for it, since I figured you might want to stay in Sunnydale with me for a little while. Hope you don't mind," Spike said, placing a kiss on Buffy's forehead.

"You can be really great, in the most unexpected ways," Buffy said genuinely amazed by how thoughtful Spike could be. And she couldn't help but notice him planning a future for them together.

"You already put Emma to bed?" Spike asked. Noting the rising sun outside, he walked over and shut all the thick curtains.

"Yeah, she is exhausted," Buffy said, also closing curtains.

"So what do you want to do today?" Spike asked, looking at the closed window.

"I just want to be with you. Would you hate to just hold me, while I slept?" Buffy asked lacing her fingers with his.

"Pet, there is nothing I would like more at this moment," Spike said, kissing the knuckles on her hand.

"I love you, Slayer."

"I love you, Vampire."

The couple walked to the master bedroom to catch some much needed cuddles and sleep.

o8o8o8o

"Mummy, wake up. I'm hungry," Emma demanded, roughly shaking her mom.

"What?" Buffy asked groggily, looking over to see Spike's still-sleeping form.

"I'm hungry, Mummy," Emma repeated.

"Right, food, ok. There is probably no food here. God, that means we have to go out for food," Buffy grumbled more to herself than anyone else. Knowing she had to feed Emma, Spike, and herself, Buffy got dressed and she and Emma went to go get food.

Buffy left a note for Spike and hoped he wouldn't be too upset that she stole his car. They did need stuff. Buffy bought groceries and kitchen supplies and was grateful that she didn't see anyone she recognized. That was until she went to the butcher's. She ducked as she saw Cordelia buying blood and hoped Cordy hadn't seen her. After Buffy bought some blood she rushed home and decided to stay in for the rest of the day.

o8o8o8o

--At Angel's Mansion--

"Angel! I brought you lunch," Cordelia said as she strolled into his beautiful mansion.

"Cordy, thank you," Angel accepted the brown paper bag from her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"How is baby Conner doing today?" Cordelia asked, strolling over to his bassinet to examine him. Connor made little cooing sounds in his sleep.

"He was a little fussy this morning around dawn, but eventually he just went back to sleep," Angel said, placing a hand over his sleeping son.

"Speaking of which, I'm losing my mind!" the brunette declared as sat down on the couch.

"And what is the cause of this craziness?" Angel asked, only half-listening as he fed himself.

"I swear I saw Buffy this morning at the butcher's. But when I looked again there was nothing," said the leggy woman, making herself comfortable.

"Buffy?" Angel tried to grasp what Cordelia had just told him. "Are you sure?"

"That would be the part where I must be crazy. Why would I want to see Buffy of all people?" Cordy asked herself, primping for Angel out of habit.

"Maybe she has come back," Angel said, standing up and looking around as if he expected Buffy to walk into the room at any moment. He began to look around the room for something to clean, but everything was already organized.

"Please, she is long gone," Cordelia got to her feet. She glared at Angel for getting worked up over his former love, with her still in the room.

"Where are you going?" Angel asked noticing Cordelia leaving.

"To the Magic Box, I'll see what everyone else is doing," the young woman said flippantly as she strolled out of Angel's mansion.

To be honest, Cordelia was stricken by Angel's actions. Cordelia was convinced that Angel and her were a couple now and especially with the way she was a mother to baby Conner, but at the mention of Buffy's name he was ready to toss her aside. Shaking her head, she thought to herself that she needed some better company.

o8o8o8o

--Phone conversation between Angel and Giles--

"Hello?"

"Giles, it's Angel," Angel said, his voice sounding anxious.

"Yes, Angel, is there something I can do for you?" asked Giles, sighing in repressed English frustration.

"Cordelia said she may have seen Buffy this morning."

"Are you sure?" asked Giles, suddenly excited.

"I don't know. Cordy said she disappeared and wasn't too sure it was really Buffy. But I can feel her. Giles, she's back in Sunnydale," Angel insisted.

"I'll have the group check around see if anyone knows anything about this." Giles hung up to call the whole group and tell them the potential news.

o8o8o8o

--At the Magic Box--

"Holy shit, you will never believe what I just heard," The brunette jumped up onto Giles' desk to catch his attention.

"And what might that be, Faith?" Giles asked, leaning back to examine his young charge.

"Some other Slayer is in town. I so gotta meet this chick," Faith jumped off the desk to stand by her Watcher.

"Listen, no one is certain about this rumor. But if it is true, you may have someone as your partner," Giles said, cleaning his glasses for effect.

"You know anything about this girl?" Faith asked.

"Yes, Buffy was my Slayer...before she ran away," Giles sighed.

"Huh, so you broke the poor kid. And the council still sent me to you. I think they really hate you and like to see you squirm," Faith responded, playing with her nails.

"That may be, but I need you to understand; Buffy may be unstable so try not to provoke her," Giles said, mustering up his best glare.

"G, you got nothing to fret," Faith said before strutting out the door.

08o8o8o

"Willow, did you hear?" the excited boy asked.

"Hear what?" asked Willow as she walked to her apartment.

"Buffy may have been spotted," the awkward man said.

Willow gasped in shock. "Where, Xander?"

"That's the weird part. She was spotted here, in Sunnydale," Xander explained.

o8o8o8o

--Back at Spike's house--

"Do you ever wake up and just know the day is gonna suck?" Buffy asked, looking into Spike's crystal stare. Staying in bed with him all day seemed like a brilliant plan.

"As long as I have you and Emma, the rest of the world can go fuck itself," Spike said softly, brushing his fingers through Buffy's hair.

"I think I like your world. Can we just live in it?" Buffy asked with a smile.

"Doubt it, luv. Your mates would eventually track us down."

"I'm not ready to face them," Buffy whispered, tears half-formed in her eyes.

"Buffy, you are ready. You need to let them know you are alright at the least. You owe them all that," said Spike, continuing to stroke Buffy's tear-stained face.

"You're right. And sooner is probably better. Will you call the Scooby meeting and can I be the surprise guest?" Buffy pleaded.

"Sure. But what about Emma?" Spike asked.

"No, we can introduce Emma later, if they accept my return."

"Right then, I'll rally the troops," Spike said, making the phone calls for a full group meeting.

o8o8o8o

--That night at the Magic Box--

"Right, you are probably wondering why I called for an 'all hands on deck' meeting," Spike said, surveying the crowd to make sure all the right people were there.

"Not really. I was hoping you were still gone," Xander replied with a grin.

"Please continue, Spike," Giles said, absently swatting Xander upside the head.

"Buffy, would you be so kind?" Spike called to the front door.

"Hi guys," was all Buffy could sheepishly mutter. Alternate looks of shock, hurt, and confusion covered the faces of the group.

"My god, Buffy, you're alive," Giles said, getting to his feet and wrapping his arms around her.

"I've missed you so much, Giles. I've missed everyone so much. I've wanted to call you everyday and tell you, 'I'm fine, and I miss you, and come get me'. But fear that you all hated me kept me from the phone," Buffy sobbed brokenly. Willow and Xander were quick to envelop Buffy in a warm, comforting hug.

"Oh Buffy, we've missed you so much," Willow said, crying along with her friend.

"You just left. We thought you might be dead or worse," Xander squeezed Buffy, reassuring himself that she was really there.

"I wanted to protect you. And I was hurting and I just got carried away. But I love you all so much," Buffy sobbed, still clutching her friends.

"Buffy," said Joyce, tears rolling down her face.

"Mom!" was all Buffy could say before she wrapped her arms around her mother.

"Buffy, I'm sorry-" Joyce started.

"No Mom, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lied to you. And I shouldn't have left the way I did," Buffy cried onto her mom's shoulder.

"No sweetie, it was my fault. I was drinking and should have been more understanding." Joyce cried out, "None of that matters anymore, I've got my baby back!"

"Actually, I have my own place that I'll be staying at. I need the space," Buffy said hesitantly. Joyce looked hurt at first, but nodded her head in acceptance.

"Welcome home, Buffy," was all Angel said, but somehow it was more then enough to start Buffy's tears all anew.

"Angel, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I don't expect that you will ever forgive me, but I did what I thought I had to do. If I had been a better Slayer-" Buffy whimpered, falling to her knees, body shaking with grief.

"Buffy, I'm proud of you. You did what you had to, so that everyone you loved could live. And I came back. And I have a great life. And you are the reason for it. I am the one who is sorry, for causing you to leave and be alone for the past five years. Buffy, I still love you." And as he looked at her perfect pink lips Angel could not resist coaxing Buffy into a deep, sensual kiss...