For a moment there was only silence, even if it lasted just a little while, for both of them it seemed like an eternity. Xander didn't even know how he felt, in his mind there was happiness but also fear and pain. He simply stood there looking at his best friend, a friend he had lost hope of ever seeing again a long time ago, and now there she was just exactly the same as the day she left.
Willow noticed that Xander was in shock "What am I going to tell him" she thought "In my perspective the last time I saw him was only a day ago, but for him I have been dead for nine years". She then managed to say "Xander…. I... I" She started to approach him but stopped when he backed away, fear in his eyes. She remembered what Nicholas have told her that when a vampire was hungry or emotional its true face would appear "My God" she thought while looking at the now frightened Xander "He must thing that I'm a monster", she concentrated for a while and then her face changed back to normal "Xander, please don't be afraid of me… I would never hurt you".
Xander, who hadn't said a single word, finally said with great effort "W...Willow? Is it really you?"
Willow smiled at him and said "Yes Xander, it's really me" Xander stared at her with disbelief and said "B…But how? After all these years….I know you are no ghost, but you can't also be a vampire… What happened to you?" Willow made a sad smile and said "Xander let's not talk about that for the moment. I just want to know if you are happy with your life. I can see in your face that you have been through a lot these past years" but Xander just answered "Willow, the thing that affected me the most was your disappearing and also Buffy's. And when the new slayer came we all knew that something bad has happened to you both. We were all heartbroken Willow" he said while a tear formed in his eye, then he smiled and said "But you have come back Willow"
She was about to reply when a familiar voice said "Hello Xander" He turned his face and his eyes widened when he saw the girl that took his heart nine years ago "B...Buffy?" She smiled at him, and before he could even move she threw herself at him and hugged him "I have missed you" then she told both Willow and Xander "Willow, we must go, they are coming this way and I don't think it's a good idea if they all see us… at least not yet" she finished her sentence.
Willow looked at her then at Xander and said "Xander, please don't tell the others about this" Xander said with sadness "You are going to leave me again?" Willow couldn't hold her emotions anymore and for the first time in her life she defeated her shyness, grabbed Xander into a tight embrace and said to his ears "I will never leave you again, I promise" then before he could do or say anything they took off flying and left.
After a little while, Giles appeared fallowed by the rest of the group and asked "Xander, are you alright" Xander just smiled at him then looked up to the sky and said "Yes Giles, I'm alright".
Meanwhile Buffy told Willow as they were flying "Willow, I remember the advice Nicholas gave us, but tomorrow night I'm going to talk with Giles. Maybe he will know a way to help us" Willow looked at her friend and smiled "Even if he can't help us, I still want to show him and Angel that we are not gone".