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A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a long time. I just got a new job so everything has been a little crazy but I should be able to write more often now. Thanks to everyone for the great reviews so far! Keep them coming!
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Spike had made it about 50 feet before he ran into Faith.
"Whoa, doesn't any one stay dead around here?" she joked.
"Good to see you too, Faith."
"Hey, c'mon," she started, "I didn't mean it like that."
"I know," he smiled to show he was just teasing. "Have you seen Buffy?"
"No, actually. She's supposed to be in the gym to help with training, but she hasn't showed yet." Spike frowned. He was getting impatient. "I'm headed there now if you want to come," she offered.
Better than just wandering around, he thought and agreed. Spike followed Faith back the way he had just come, and the Slayerettes around him stared and whispered. A second bell sounded letting everyone know they had five minutes to get to class so the girls started dispersing.
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Buffy was in the front of the gym stretching when the girls started to file in. They found spots on the floor and continued gossiping excitedly. The third bell rang, signaling the start of first period. Buffy tried to get the girls to quiet down.
"Alright everyone, please get in lines," she called out. There was no response. She cleared her throat and tried again, louder this time. Still no movement. "Girls!" she finally shouted, and finally getting their attention. "Will someone please tell me what is so important that you cannot pay attention?"
They were silent, and Rona simply pointed behind Buffy, where they were all staring. Buffy spun around to find herself face-to-face with Spike.
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"The First," it was a mix of a statement and a question. Her logic told her the First had no reason to be here, but on the other hand, Spike was dead. What other explanation could there be? She was about to find out. Faith entered the gym behind Spike.
"Yo, B, look who I found," she was smirking. Just then Willow came in behind them.
"Buffy, Spike is…" she blurted, but then noticed the ex-vampire standing beside her. "Here. Oh." Buffy's eyes grew wide and she looked back and forth between Willow and what looked like Spike.
"There was some sort of a prophecy," Willow began, looking to Spike. He was frozen in place, staring intently into Buffy's eyes. He wanted to say something, tell her how he felt, tell her everything. But he couldn't. She was just so beautiful and he couldn't believe he was actually seeing her again.
Willow continued, "A vampire with a soul, when his destiny was fulfilled, would be turned human. Well, apparently Spike's destiny was to save the world, which he did. So now… he's human." This caught Spike's attention; he hadn't told her that. "I can hear what you're thinking, remember?" she explained.
Buffy couldn't believe what she was hearing. Spike was really back? And he was human? She had spent the last three months trying to accept the fact that he was gone and move on with her life. Now this? It was too much for her to handle, so she did what she did best when she was overwhelmed. She ran.
Before anyone could stop her, Buffy turned and ran toward the side door of the gym. Spike followed immediately, noticing that he had retained some of his vampire speed. He went through the doors and found himself in a garden. Scanning the grounds, he spotted Buffy sitting on a bench with her head in her hands. He slowly walked up and sat next to her.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently. She wiped her eyes and looked up at him.
"Is it… really you?" she asked timidly. He nodded and smiled. She smiled too. "I'm sorry I ran. It was just a little overwhelming, ya know? I mean it was so hard for me to accept that you were really gone, but I finally had. With the school opening and everything I felt like I could finally move on with my life. And then you show up. Seeing you again just brought back so many emotions; it was too much."
"It's alright, love. I understand." She was staring at him strangely. "What?"
"You're in the sunlight," she said, amazed. He grinned.
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