A/N: Oh my. I hardly ever update. God. I give you permission to stone me. Yup. Enjoy!

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Disclaimer: See previous.

Chapter 1: Part 2

Why Ask Why?

As Buffy turned to approach him Spike hopped off the sofa and jaunted to the door.

"You know what?" he asked jovially. "I want you to leave."

"Wh-I'm sorry?! Are you…? You're kicking me out!"

"Uh…yeah." Spike chuckled, "'s kinda the point of showing someone the door."

Buffy narrowed her hazel eyes and started towards Spike again, right hand aching to punch something.

"Ow! Bloody hell, woman!" 'Something' apparently translating to 'Spike' in Buffyland.

"Fine. I'll leave," she began.

"Great! Well, see here's the door. Don't let it hit you on the ass. Or, better yet, do. Then I'll have an excuse to burn it," the vampire responded cheekily.

Buffy smiled evily- "Of course, dear. I'll leave. IF you ask me the question."

"Hmmm?" Spike asked innocently, "what question?"

"You know which one." Buffy prodded. "Or is the Big Bad afraid?"

Don't do it. Don't… Don't.

"Not gonna work." Spike sang, opening the crypt door.

"Then no deal." The slayer exclaimed happily.

Don't…Don't… Don't…Don't… Don't…Don't… Don't…Don't… Don't…Don't…

Despite his melodious inner monologue's warning, Spike sighed and, almost hesitantly, closed the crypt door.

"Why?" he croaked.

Buffy took in his softly blinking eyes, which steadily covered and uncovered shining blue, his childlike mannerisms as he rubbed his knuckle against the corner of his eye as if warding off sleep, 'or tears', and lastly- she saw how, despite the minute trembling, his mouth was pressed into a firm line and his jaw was tense.

"I…"

"No!" the vampire growled, "DON'T. Just don't. I don't want your pity, or your denial. I know now that you don't love me. I love you SO much more than you could ever know, but you don't feel the same. I understand now." He paused. 'Stop now,' his heart pleaded. A grimace overtook his visage disguised as a wry smile and accompanied by a broken laugh.

"You can't explain that to me. I see now. I just thought that maybe some part of you was worth my love. I…I don't think you're the woman I fell in love with anymore. So," Spike let out a soft exhalation of air as one corner of his mouth turned up in deprecation. "I'm leaving. I'll be by later to… say good-bye to everyone, but I think it's best if I just say good-bye to you now. I hope it isn't too much to ask, but I'd rather not see you after this. I can't take it anymore Buffy."

Finally Spike looked into Buffy's eyes. She knew that there would be tears and fighting emotions, but she was too shaken to care. His hand came up to caress her golden locks and he pressed his forehead to hers. Her lips opened and closed upon unspoken declarations of regret and pleads for him to stay. When she finally managed to push past the lump in her throat, however, the vampire retreated. Spike withheld all but a kiss to the cheek and a whispered, "Good-bye, Slayer."

Trembling, Spike made his way towards the lower level of what had become his home, away from his Slayer, his Buffy. As a tear glided down his face, the blonde caught a breathy sigh that sounded almost like- "Why?" Letting the tears absolve his pain, he gave his grief free reign of his mind, but not before replying.

"I asked you first."

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