CHAPTER 2

As Buffy and Helena are laughing, a familiar voice brings a smile to Buffy's face.

"Well, well, well. Look what we got here. Been a long time, eh, love?"

Buffy turned around to see a face she never thought she would see again.

"Spike!"

She ran to him and hugged him tight, then pulled back.

"What are you doing here?"

Spike answered her in a way she never expected.

"I don't rightly know." Buffy was highly confused by this. "What do you mean you don't know?" she demanded.

"Last thing I remember, luv, me and Angel was fightin' a horde of Pentak demons trying to over run L.A.. Next thing I know, I'm...here. Where is here, by the way?"

Helena piped up "Haridon, Ohio."

Buffy and Spike began walking, Helena was amused by this weird man, whom Buffy obviously knew. Suddenly, Buffy reached out and hugged Spike, as if not wanting to let go.

"I knew you were alive, but I didn't think i'd ever see you again."

Spike noticed the tears welling in Buffy's eyes, and tried his best to comfort her.

Moments later, after the embrace Buffy had been dreaming about, she gratefully kissed Spike.

"Well, it's definitely you! At least we know you're still, well…you!"

Spike, with a smile crossing his face that Buffy had nearly forgotten, replied

"Of course it's me, love. Anyways…who's your little friend here? Slayer in training?"

Buffy quickly brought Spike up to date.

"Her name is Helena Carmichael, and yes, she is one of the chosen. And this was her final test. She passed with flying colors too—even if it did cost her a boyfriend."

Buffy noticed Helena was somewhat upset, but she was not ready for what happened next.

"Oh, you mean the guy that ran away?"
Helena nodded.

"Don't fret over him, love. He was a vamp!"

Helena was still somewhat shocked by all this.

"Buffy….who is this…person? And what does he mean Charlie was a vamp?" She demanded.

Buffy, somewhat embarrassed, decided Helena deserved to know the whole truth about Spike.

"Helena, this is Spike. He's my…friend. He's also a vampire."

As if on cue, Spike morphed into his vampire persona, causing Helena to look at them both with contempt.

"But Vampires are evil! Huh. I've heard everything now!"

She still had a stunned look, and had caught on that there was more to Spike and Buffy than either of them were letting on.
Buffy, sensing Helena's confusion, said reassuringly

"Helena, it's ok! You see, Spike has a soul!"

Then thinking she had better make sure Spike still did have a soul, asked him "You still have a soul don't you?"

Spike, deciding to have a little fun with this, said

"Yeah, like I'd tell you! It's all about Angel, ain't it? Just cause he got a soul first, everybody just assumes he's the better vamp!"

This was almost too much for Helena to take in.

"Angel? Another vampire? This is like a bad soap opera or something!" Again, Buffy interrupted her.

"SPIKE!" She said sternly, as another thin smile crept across Spike's lips. "O.K., love. Yes, I still have my soul." Buffy looked happy. Happier, in fact than Helena remembered seeing her in quite some time.

"Good. Let's go find Giles!"

As they walked off, Spike replied

"Oh great! Daddy dearest will be real happy to see me!"