Buffy had been in LA a week and had her share of surprises. Spike was alive and all her fuzzy feelings towards him came spiralling back which threw her feelings for Angel out of balance and there was much confusion to be had, as he wanted to get back together with her. On top of that, Angel suggested going away for a weekend, which Spike was obviously not happy about. She had been avoiding Spike as much as possible, as it turned out, he'd been alive for 6 months and hadn't even thought to call her.

Before they got in the taxi, Spike came out of Wolfram and Hart's building. "Buffy, I need to talk to you." Spike said. Looking over her shoulder, Angel stood there with a displeased look on his face. "Alone." He added.

Buffy looked back to Angel and then to Spike. "Well, sure." She replied uncertainly. Taking her hand, Spike lead her back towards the building, unaware that Buffy was looking back to Angel apologetically. Once inside and out of Angel's eyesight, Spike turned around to face her, taking both of her hands in his.

"I know this is a shock, seeing me after what happened in Sunnydale, but in my defence I was going to call you - "

"Then why didn't you? You've alive what 6 months and here with Angel! And you didn't even call me to say you're alive!" Buffy almost shouted, taking her hands out of his and crossing them defensively.

"Ok, can't you see how it would have been for me? 'Hi Buffy, it's Spike, I didn't die like you thought I did and how've you been'?" Spike said.

"Well it would have let me know you were alive." Buffy paused. "I thought you died! Do you know what that was like?"

"Of course I know what that's like. You've died on me too you know, do you remember that?"

Buffy nodded her head incredulously. "Spike, what do you want, why are we in here?"

Spike let his head fall. "I wanted to tell you - I needed to tell you - that I still love you." Buffy's face fell soft, her hand caressed his cheek. They silently looked into each other's eyes. "And I know that I should have told you, but I didn't want to do it over the phone. I wanted it to be like this." He moved closer to her, pulling her close.

"Spike, things are different now." Buffy almost sighed, but she didn't pull away. Just for a moment she needed to remember what it was like to be close to him, before she told him the truth.

"Like what? Buffy, I still love you and I know you at least feel something for me. I've missed you so much, love." He stroked her cheek and twiddled her hair. She planted a soft, short kiss on him.

"I can't do this." Buffy pulled away, giving her breathing room. "The reason I'm here, in L.A. is that Angel called." She paused and looked away from him. "He wants to get back together."

Spike faltered. "Oh," He looked away from her. "No, I get it. Tall, dark and forehead calls and you come running. I should have seen this coming." He backed away to the door. "Here I am pouring my heart out and you... you're just..."

"Spike. I love him, I do. And you'll always be in my heart, but - "

"Save the 'it's not you, its me' speech ok. I'm fine. I've gotta go." He headed out the door.

"Spike!" Buffy cried desperately. They shared a glance. She rushed at him, pressing herself to him, kissing him so fiercely, like how they used to do. They slowly broke apart.

"Bye, love." Spike whispered and left.