Chapter 25: You belong with me.

A shiver ran through Spike as he recognised the voice. He tuned, almost in slow motion, to find an out of breath, red faced Buffy standing there. She looked like she had ran a marathon. Spike could scarcely believe his ears, "What did you just say?" he whispered.

Buffy moved a step closer to him, though there was still a good meter or so between them. Her heart was pounding so much she thought it would burst, all she wanted to do was run into his arms but she couldn't. If she did she'd loose her nerve. She scrunched the sleeve of her denim jacket for moral support, the still damp material reminding her why she was here. She took a deep breath, "I'm not back with Angel," she confirmed, "I don't love him, never really did, infatuated yes, but it wasn't love, I know that…" her eyes flickered around like butterflies with stage fright before finally meeting Spike's gaze, "now."

"What are you saying Buffy?" Spike asked, his heart beating like a drum.

"I ...choose... you." Buffy emphasised each word for effect, "when I'm with you it feels like... home. I think I've known since the day I met you… you are where I want to be. I don't care if it's here or England or anywhere, as long as I am with you." Buffy could feel herself shaking, she'd opened the gates and now everything was tumbling out. All the feelings she'd been juggling, all the words that had been left unspoken and all the fears she'd been hiding for so long were gushing forth. She pushed her feet further into the grass in an attempt to keep her knees from buckling. "I should have said it sooner…" she apologised, hoping that saying it now wasn't already too late, "…but I was scared, scared that we might lose our friendship and I couldn't bare that… and… I was utterly terrified that you wouldn't feel the same…" she trailed off as her voice became choked with tears that were threatening to burst.

All Spike wanted to do was hold her, "Buffy," he began, only to be met with her raised hand silencing him.

"... no please… just let me finish, I might never have the chance or courage to say this again…" Buffy forced herself to look at him. Her Spike. "I don't want you to go," she managed, her voice small and clammy "…I don't want you to get on that plane, at least not without me because my heart would break ... I lo…" The tears got the better of her for a moment and she buried her face in her hands. She wiped at her eyes with her already drenched sleeve, she inhaled deeply and looked directly at him, "I love you."

There was silence. Buffy's mouth was dry, her palms were beginning to sweat and she could feel herself blushing as red as Willow's hair. She brushed the blonde strands of windswept hair out of her face and smiled hopefully at the stunned man in front of her. His perfect chiselled features supported what could have qualified as a classic Disney jaw drop. She giggled nervously and shoved her hands in her pockets to keep from fidgeting as she waited for Spike to say something… anything.

For a few moments Spike felt completely numb. He looked at the young woman standing before him. Her trainers and the bottom of her jeans were caked in mud, her white shirt had splatters of hot chocolate down the front, her face was patchwork pink and her hair was blowing in all directions and Spike still thought she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on. His Buffy. His beautiful, brave and brilliant Buffy. Her emerald eyes sparkled with hope and he knew she was waiting.

Realising he was still gawping at her, he cleared his throat, "Buffy I…" he began somewhat nervously "... oh the hell with it... I always was better at show than tell."

Within seconds, he crossed the space between them and pulled her close. He slid one hand around her slim waist and cupped the other around the back of her neck and up through her tangled hair as he pulled her into a deep and sensual kiss. Spike felt Buffy's lips smile against his. He was overcome with sheer joy, here he was finally doing what he'd wanted to do since the first day he saw her in those ridiculous sushi pyjamas and the best part; she wasn't pulling away. She wanted him, she needed him and she loved him, knowing that only intensified his feelings and he was determined to show her. He felt her delicate hands glide up his chest as she yielded to his touch and pressed her body closer responding to his kiss. Buffy's whole body was trembling, as she felt Spike's love pour into her. It was better than she could have ever imagined.

Eventually, they broke apart and Spike starred into her captivating, green eyes, "Buffy, I was born to love you and I always will." Buffy couldn't help it any longer, a huge smile spread across her face and tears of joy started to trickle down her cheeks. She went weak at the knees when Spike followed them with his lips, peppering her with soft kisses and stroking her hair. For a long while it felt like they were the only two in the world. Then, Spike had a thought and he pulled back slightly so he could look her in the eyes, "what plane?" he asked.

Buffy's eyes began to tear up again as she looked at him, "I heard you were moving back to England and I was afraid, I…"

Spike interrupted her with a soft kiss on the lips and wiped away her tears with his thumb, he looked her dead in the eye, "why the bloody hell would I go to England when everything I've always wanted is right in front of me." Buffy smiled, she reached up on her toes and pressed her lips against his and he responded with growing passion.

Somewhere behind them they heard cheering and whooping. Buffy dropped back down to her normal height. She and Spike turned their heads in the direction of the commotion. Cordelia and Xander had been joined by Willow. They were trying to hide behind one of the oak trees and failing miserably. They all looked very pleased with themselves. Xander was stood behind the girls, who were mid high-five.

Realisation dawned on Buffy, she began shaking her head as she mused her thoughts, "you planned this. All of you?" she asked eying each of her friends in turn, she looked between them and Spike, who had dropped his arms to her waist, "There wasn't a flight, was there?" Buffy asked with a 'don't lie to me stare'.

Losing their earlier confidence, Willow looked away sheepishly and Xander squirmed under Spike's intense glare.

"Well duh," said Cordelia, with her patented eye roll, "I mean it was obvious we couldn't leave it up to you two!" she finished pointing at them.

Buffy shook her head, "But Ashley… she said…"

Cordelia waved her hand, "Ah well, we needed someone you wouldn't have suspected."

"But, how?" Spike asked, a look of disbelief plastered on his face, "she only looks out for herself…how anyone managed…"

"You're forgetting one important thing," Cordelia said matter-of -fact.

Looks of confusion passed between Willow and Xander and were mirrored by Buffy and Spike. Then all eyes fell on Cordelia as Buffy asked, "What's that?"

Cordelia threw her hands in the air, "I'm Cordelia Chase."

Laughter filled the air as the group doubled over. "I love you guys!" Buffy exclaimed as hugs, handshakes and heartfelt thanks were shared. Eventually the laughter died down and Willow spoke up, "Mocha's?" she asked and was met with a resounding yes.

Beaming with delight, Buffy turned back to Spike and snaked her arms around him, "I love you, Spike," she said. He brushed her cheeks with his fingers and whispered "I love you too, Buffy!"

The guys started to walk off, when Xander turned round and yelled expectantly at Buffy and Spike, "Yo! You two love birds coming?"

A grin flashed on Spike's face as he laced his fingers with Buffy's and they ran after their friends.