Willow and Xander were sat alone at the large table in the dining room. They had been researching for almost an hour when Willow had asked Dawn to go down to the basement and fill Spike in of the morning's events. The room had remained silent for a few minutes after that.
"It's ok to miss her, to think about her." Willow finally spoke up.
"You've been waiting to say that all morning huh?" Xander asked after a short pause.
"Sorta." Willow said with a sheepish smile
"I'm ok Will, I'm not saying I'll ever be completely alright with it, or that the hills are alive with the sound of music, but I'm getting there." He admitted with a sad smile.
"I know you to were just starting to..." Willow began then stopped not really knowing what to say.
"It's hard I keep thinking maybe if I'd been there I could've stopped it y' know." Xander said finally meeting Willow's eyes.
"But I'm not gonna sit around and mope about it or let it hold me back, because I know Anya wouldn't want that." He said
"And on the up side there's bound to be some women out there who finds guys with an eye patch sexy and mysterious." he added.
"Yeah, plus who can resist the Xander Harris charm?" Willow added, before taking another glance at the computer screen.
"Spike said he'll go to Willy's see if he can find anything out..." said Dawn as she walked back into the room stopping when she saw what was going on.
"And I Just interrupted a big emotional conversation didn't I? I'll just go ... and sit, I'll be in here." she said turning around.
"No Dawn it's fine we were actually done. Come rejoin the party." Xander said patting the chair next to him.
"You said Spike's going to Willy's?" Willow asked looking up from her lap top.
"Yeah he's gonna use the sewer tunnels." Dawn said grabbing another book. "Something's going on." She added.
"You find something?" Both Willow and Xander asked at the same time.
"No not this I mean them Buffy and Spike, they were together all last night, I swear she was almost glowing." Dawn said
"As long as she's happy." Xander said not taking his gaze off the book in front of him. There was a short silence before Dawn spoke.
"Ok did I just land in some alternative universe or something?" she asked
"I talked with Hope last night while we were out" Xander began
"She told me they're together, that he treats her right and that she's happy. I'm not saying I love the idea but it's Buffy's choice and I can respect that. Just don't put me down for any "I heart Spike" t-shirt's just yet." he finished
"Your right and then there's that whole he traveled halfway across the world to fight for his soul, so that he could be with her." Added willow before getting back on track with the research.
"Besides if she's gonna be with a vamp better Spike than Dead Boy." Xander added before the subject was finally dropped.
"So what do you guy's think about Hope?" Dawn asked
"Good drinker, the girl can hold her whisky, drank both me and Faith under the table." Xander spoke up
"And I'm sure neither of you minded." Dawn added with a mischievous grin referring to Faith and Xander.
"I'm going to ignore that last comment Dawn Summers." He said before casting his gaze back towards the book in front of him.
"She seems nice enough, and she gets along with the others, she's even helping Kennedy out with her training." Willow said
"Yeah your right, I kinda feel bad for her though, doesn't sound like she had much of a choice in coming here." Dawn said voicing her opinion of the future slayer.
"Speaking of the others, I wonder if they're having any better luck." Xander said.