"Wow" smiled Spike. "I wasn't expecting that"
"Well it's true" smiled Buffy fondly. "After everything I've been through, you're the only thing that's kept me going, made all this worthwhile. And I know I've been a bitch recently, but I want you to know I never meant to."
"Buffy, it's ok, I know. I just want you to be happy" smiled Spike as he tenderly wiped away a stray tear from her beautiful face.
"Can you forgive me?" she asked quietly.
"After such a lovely song?" he smirked. "And after you called me your hero? Of course pet"
"Friends?" she asked holding out her hand.
"Friends" he agreed, taking her outstretched hand, whilst quietly dying inside. But if friends was what the lady wanted - at least it was better than nothing.
"So, you wanna go back in and get a drink?" asked Buffy.
"Sure" he smiled, as she led him back into the living room.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Any luck?" Buffy asked Willow on entering.
"Do you want the good news or bad news?" she replied.
"Bad" decided Buffy
"Well, the bad news is there is no way of breaking the spell before it runs out naturally" smiled Willow chirpily.
"And the good news?" sighed Buffy.
"That really doesn't matter" smiled Tara sweetly. "This 'Harsh' guy is completely harmless. There are no catches, no bride deals; he just wants to see couples get together"
"Well, that's not so bad then"
"Hey, the colour of the amulet has changed" laughed Dawn suddenly. "Who sang a song?" Everyone turned to look at Buffy.
"Why is everyone looking at me?"
"What did you sing about?" asked Willow.
"Ooh, was it a duet?" squealed Dawn.
"No" snapped Spike. "I haven't sang anything yet, thank God"
"Hey everyone" smiled Xander as he returned.
"Xander" grinned Buffy, welcoming the change of topic.
"You'll be glad to hear that Richard is going to be fine" he smiled, before looking around. "Hey, what is Captain Peroxide still doing here? Nowhere better to go so you thought you'd ruin Buffy's birthday some more?"
"Actually" smirked Buffy. "I asked Spike to stay". Spike looked at her in awe as Xander gawked. Buffy could have laughed; she really should have done this sooner.
"Why?" choked out Xander.
"Oh, I don't know" smirked Buffy. "Maybe I just wanted to spend my birthday with an extremely hot vampire, or maybe I was keen on having some of those great orgasms that your ex-DEAMON girlfriend is always on about" Spike spat out the drink he was drinking as Xander started coughing violently.
"Oh you really should Buffy" squealed Anya. "It would do you good, and if you ever need any tips, I'd be happy to help"
"Oh I don't know… personally I think I'm doing fine…"
"Ok" interrupted Spike as he grabbed Buffy's arm. "We'll be right back"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Author's note - Ok, I hope you liked this one, it's certainly my fav! Anyway, we are aproaching the end of the fic, so I am going to only post one chapter at a time as they are better quality chapters (or i think so anyway - and I mean Spuffyness wise), so i hope you understand. Let me know if you enjoyed this last bit because I certainly did! Nessiexxx