Over the next few weeks Buffy and Spike attempted to reestablish a relationship similar to the one they had shared before they had began dating. But there was no easy banter during patrols and training. Instead time spent together was filled with awkward silences. Neither brought up what had happened. They just accepted that it was over. Buffy never mentioned that all of Spike's things had vanished from the apartment. Spike didn't comment when he saw bags under her eyes. It was no longer his concern how well she was sleeping. Then one chance meeting broke down the emotional barriers they had put up.
"I had a wonderful time tonight," Chad said.
"I had a pretty good time too," Buffy admitted.
"I haven't dated since my girlfriend and I broke up, so I'm glad to hear that I'm still an okay date," Chad admitted.
Buffy smiled, "You were a wonderful date. My boyfriend and I just broke up a few weeks ago and I wasn't sure if I was ready to start dating again. But after tonight I'm pretty sure that I made the right decision."
The couple strolled up to Buffy's apartment building.
"So…" Chad mumbled awkwardly.
Buffy gulped. "Do you want to come inside?"
"I don't really think-" Chad began awkwardly.
"I make a mean hot chocolate," Buffy said with a grin. "And I'm not ready for the night to end yet."
Chad nodded in agreement and allowed Buffy to lead him upstairs to her apartment. Just as she reached into her purse for her keys the door opened. Spike stood inside her apartment.
"Buffy, I'm glad you're back. I need to…" Spike trailed off.
"Spike!" Buffy exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't expect you to be here."
Spike arched an eyebrow. "So, care to introduce me to your friend?"
"Um, yeah…Spike this is Chad. Chad, my friend Spike," Buffy said.
Chad reached out his hand for Spike to shake. He promptly ignored it. "Well, sorry to interrupt your date love, but I have something important I need to talk to you about."
Buffy rolled her eyes and then turned to Chad. "Let me guess," He said. "You have to end our date."
"I'm really sorry. Rain check on the hot chocolate."
Chad nodded. "I'll call you Buffy. I had a really good time and I'm fuly expecting a world famous cup of hot chocolate."
Buffy waved goodbye to Chad and stepped inside her apartment. She shut and luck the door behind her. Spike was reclining on her couch.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" Buffy asked, pulling an ottoman in front of the couch to sit on.
"Oh no, don't even try and distract me. After all your talk of wanting to be mates and loving me this is what you do?" Spike asked, his jaw set firmly in anger.
"I'm not doing anything wrong. In case you forgot, we broke up!" Buffy exclaimed.
"Yeah, three weeks ago. I thought it would take you a little longer then that to forget about me."
"I didn't forget about you. I'm trying to move on! And besides, you're the one who broke up with me."
"Because I was trying to do the right thing…because I wanted you to be happy…not because I stopped loving you!" Spike yelled.
"You…you still love me?" Buffy asked hesitantly.
Spike laughed softly, "No." At Buffy's forlorn look he changed his answer. "Yes."
"Why did you break up with me then? Things were going so well. We were so happy."
"You wanted to be my mate. And I wanted to be yours. I wanted it more than anything in th world. But I don't want you to have regrets. Because I love you so much, I can't stand to think of my love causing you pain," Spike explained.
Buffy shook her head in confusion. "How would being your mate hurt me? How would knowing you love me ever cause me pain?"
"Because mating is more serious than you realize. And I know that you love me, and you know that I love you, but mating goes beyond that. It has only been done between a vampire and a human once, and it didn't end well."
"What happened?" Buffy asked.
"The human died. Her mate was devastated and went insane."
"Oh," Buffy whispered. "But maybe that wouldn't happen with us. Maybe it would be worth it just to be together for a little while. If I only have a little bit of time on earth, I want it to be spent by your side."
"Buffy, listen to me. You need-" Spike began.
"No, you listen! Not being with you has been hell. I've tried my hardest to get over you. But I can't! I will always love you."
"And I'll always care about you Slayer, but-" Spike began, only to be cut off by a still ranting Slayer.
"I thought we meant something to each other. I thought you understood me. But obviously I was wrong. Because if you understood me you'd know that when I love I do it with my entire soul. And when I fell in love with you I gave my soul away to you. So yeah, I'll pass the time with some guy. But that's all it is, passing the time. Because it's still all about you. You still have my heart." When Buffy finished a single tear was running down her cheek. Spike hesitantly raised a hand to her cheek and brushed it away.
"I just wanted to do what was best for you. You're all I think about. And I don't want to rush into anything. I don't want you to have any regrets. But if you think you're ready to be my mate for all eternity, then I am ready to be yours," Spike said.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Buffy asked.
"Buffy Summers, woman of my dreams and love of my unlife, will you do me the honor of becoming my mate?" Spike asked, staring strait into the Slayer's eyes, a look of pure adoration on his face.
"Yes," Buffy whispered.
Spike gave her a cocky smile, "I thought that's what you'd say." For the first time since they had broken up the sound of laughter filled the Slayer's apartment.