Well, here's the end of it folks. Thanks to everyone who read the story and gave feedback. I might try a sequel, or just try writing other fanfics if this one goes over well. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 13

Clark was sitting on the ground outside the hotel they were staying at in LA. He was stretching his back out, wincing at the twinge he felt where he had been stabbed. He was almost completely healed, now just feeling exhausted from the fight a few days ago. Well, actually, not a running hotel, it was a place that Angel owned. Or used to.

Angel's people had been sorry to hear that he had slipped back into his evil ways, but they didn't doubt that it could have happened with everything that had happened lately. Once he was dead, the Senior Partners broke their deal, removing the memory wipes from everyone and terminating their contracts with Wolfram and Hart. They had spent some time filling the others in on why Spike was alive again instead of just "living dead", showing them all the info they had on the Shanshu Prophecy.

Spike stepped out with him, a cold beer in his hand. Ever since he had realized he was human again several days ago, Spike had been eating anything he could get his hands on, vampiric taste buds now gone, he could actually savor food. Clark had to laugh. "You know, keep that up and you're gonna get fat."

Spike scoffed. "That's not nice Clark! I just wanna grow up big and strong, like my new hero. But I draw the line at wearing plaid."

Clark leaned against the railing, laughing long and loud. It was good to finally be out of danger. The past week had been so extreme in so many ways, he was trying to make himself realize that things were getting back to normal. Well, as close to normal as their world was.

Spike finished off his beer, crumbling the can easily. Clark thought of something. "So this Shanshu thing that Wesley was talking about, it means you're human again right? Because of the 'ensouled vampire fighting for the side of good' thing?"

Spike nodded.

"But you still have your strength and other enhanced abilities. That's not exactly human Spike."

Spike rubbed his chin, and then shrugged. "I guess the Powers didn't want to lose a fighter. I've got the strengths, but none of the old weaknesses. And I'm grateful for that, especially losing the blood lust." He saw the young man looking at him with one eyebrow raised. "Bloody hell, I don't know why they didn't take my powers. If I can keep fighting and keep my people safe, I'm not gonna turn it down.

Clark nodded. "Guess you're right."

Spike stood up. "So, you and Chloe about ready to head back?"

Clark stood next to him, brushing his jeans off. "Yeah, we need to get home, see our family and friends. I haven't talked to my folks much since the fight, I know they're worried. Chloe said she was going to get full training though, she wants to carry on the good fight."

Spike nodded, then slapped Clark on the back. "Got a present for you Farm Boy."

Clark walked behind him into the lobby, only to see everyone together, cheering when he walked in. A big banner that read "Thanks for saving the world!" was stretched across the entrance. Clark blushed deeply, trying to hide the smile that was coming out.

"Come on Farm Boy, it's not that bad! We're heroes!"

Clark accepted the handshakes, hugs, and other assorted congratulations. Finally reaching the center of the room, there was a big wrapped box on the counter. Buffy picked it up and stepped towards him. "Clark, we wanted to give you something to say thanks. It's nothing big at all, just a token of our appreciation."

Taking the box, Clark shook his head. "I don't need anything for this, I just did what I had to. I was glad to." Clark lifted the top off of the box, seeing a black coat.

"Yah, I noticed you looking at my duster a few times, figured you might like one of very own." Spike was standing with his arm around Buffy.

"Oh wow. Thanks you guys, this is…" Spike saw something wasn't quite right in Clark's eyes.

"Something wrong Farm Boy?" he asked, stepping up next to Clark.

"Huh? Oh no, it's great, it'll just take some getting used to. Black isn't really my color. There's kinda some bad memories from a little while ago," Clark said, thinking back to his summer as Kal.

He was broken out of it by Spike laughing. "What's so funny?"

"Oh come on Farm Boy." Spike took the coat from his hands. "You're not a black leather kind of person. Doesn't take a genius to figure it out." Spike motioned to the box, showing something else hidden beneath some tissue paper.

Clark reached in and pulled out a long deep brown cloth trench coat. "Oh wow. Now this is… I really like this!" Clark pulled the coat on, letting it hang down to his boots. "This is great, thanks you guys!" He pulled Spike into a hug, stopping when he heard a grunt.

"Clark! Air! Have working lungs now!" Clark let the older man go, stepping back.

"Oh, sorry Spike."

Xander perked up from his spot on the counter. "Spike, what's with the other duster? Need one for daywear and nightwear now that you can go out during all hours?"

Spike pulled his old duster off, tossing it on the counter. "Nope, the old one's just worn all to hell. Got a hole in the back, edges are frayed and burnt, and it smells like brimstone." He picked it up again. "Want it?"

Xander grabbed the coat with all the glee of a five year old on Christmas. "Alright! A badass coat!" He noticed everyone staring. "Uh… I mean… it's just really… Ah who cares what you think, I've got a badass coat now!"

Clark was stretching his arms and feeling the fabric when his hand hit a bump in the pocket. Reaching in, Clark found a set of keys. "Uh, Spike? What's up with this?"

Snapping his fingers, Spike put his arm around Clark's shoulders. "That's part of your other present. We know your funds are a little low at this point, and we wanted to show our true appreciation." Walking through the doors outside, Clark saw a big truck, an exact replica of the truck they had used in Sunnydale, parked on the curb.

"Whoa!" Clark walked around the vehicle, running his hand over the deep red paint. He opened the door and climbed in, running his hand over the leather seat. "This is… Wait a minute. Spike, how did you get this?" Clark stared down at the blonde man, his skin already taking on a tan.

Spike held his hands up in an innocent gesture. "What? Just 'cause it's me everyone thinks I'm always doing bad things like stealing and smoking and drinking and…" Spike put his arms down. "Ok, those last three are a bad example."

Buffy stepped up, putting her arm around Spike's. "Clark, Spike didn't steal the truck. You have my word on that."

Clark just smiled. "This is still a really big thing guys, I don't know if I can take it from you."

"Sure you can Farm Boy. Just turn the key in the ignition and step on the gas."

Clark climbed down, shaking Spike's hand and giving Buffy a hug. "You know, as crazy as it sounds, I'm glad all this happened. I'm glad I got to meet you guys."

Nodding, Spike patted his shoulder. "Same here Clark."

"And you don't have to be strangers. You can visit us here anytime you want, there is life outside of Kansas," Buffy added.

Clark grabbed their bags that Xander and Giles had brought out and put them in the back seat. Taking Chloe's hand, he turned back to Spike and Buffy. "Hey, what if you guy's come to Smallville? You could use a break after all of this, and I get the feeling you two aren't really big on the office details and organization that Mr. Giles was talking about would be taking place."

Buffy and Spike looked at each other, thinking it over. "Don't see why not, I wouldn't mind getting back to some country life now that I can actually go out in the sun. How 'bout you luv?" Spike asked, turning to Buffy.

Buffy smirked, then walked into the lobby, walking back out with her bag and Spike's duffel. "Chloe already asked this morning, I've had us packed since sunrise. Let's get out of here, I'm looking forward to some peace and quiet finally."

Clark and Spike stood quietly looking at their girlfriends. "You already…" "You said yea without talking to…"

Finally, both men grabbed the bags, tossing them up into the truck bed. Clark handed Spike the bags from the backseat, then opened the door for Chloe. Helping her up, he walked around and got into the driver's seat.

Spike climbed in the back seat behind Clark and noticed Buffy looking at him through the window. "What's wrong pet? This was your idea, let's get going."

Buffy put her hands on her hips. "You're not going to open the door for your girlfriend? Clark did it for his."

"Yeah, but Clark's a newbie in love. We're past that stage, and besides, didn't you say that you didn't need a man to do stuff like…"

"William the Bloody! You get your ass out of that truck and open the door for me and treat me like the refined lady I am!"

It took Spike less than a second to be out on the ground and helping Buffy up into the cab. Climbing back in, he punched Clark in the back of the head. "See the shite you're getting me into, Farm Boy?"

Clark laughed as he put the truck in gear. "Hey, in a couple days, I'm not going to be the only farm boy Spike. You're gonna be pulling your own share in the chores."

They were heading out to find the highway when Spike said, "Hey, you might wanna go down two blocks then take a right, if you turn here you'll be going right past the car dealerships."

Clark looked confused, then snapped his eyes to the rearview mirror, locking on Spike's newly visible reflection. "Spike! You told me you didn't steal this truck!"

"Technically, I did not say that. Buffy did. And besides, I didn't steal the truck."

Clark settled down slightly. Then Spike spoke again. "Buffy hotwired it, I just showed her how."

The End.