Back at Revello Drive, the two Spikes were sitting down and having a discussion on tactics to win over Buffy. Older Spike was busy congratulating Younger Spike about the genius plan to go to Africa, when Younger Buffy burst through the door.

"That's it. I'm over Angel. I can't keep living in the past, and it's taken me being sent to the future to figure it out, but I know now. I will always miss Angel, but it's you that I want Spike. Always." Younger Buffy grabbed the nearest Spike and kissed him just as fiercely as she had the first time, but now Spike could taste the love and not just the lust.

When the pair opened their eyes and looked around the room, other Spike was gone.

"Huh?" said Buffy, her eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Buffy?" Joyce walked down the carpeted steps to the living room and stopped short when she saw Spike. "Buffy, who's this?"

Buffy just looked at her mother, her eyes wide. "Um…Sp-William's a friend from school. He's helping me study for History."

Joyce nodded, not quite buying it. "When did you get home from the library? I didn't hear you come in."

"Just then! William and I were at the library with Giles, Willow and Xander- you know, study party!" Buffy fibbed, still trying to figure out what was going on.

"OK. Well, if you need anything, let me know." Joyce drifted off to the kitchen, throwing a glance over her shoulder as she went.

"Phew," Buffy breathed a sigh of relief, "that was extremely close. So, any idea what's going on?"

Spike looked around. "I think…I think we're back in the right time."

Buffy ran up the stairs to her room, taking in all the photos on the wall and the cheerleading outfit hanging on the back of her door. "Yeah," she said, mystified, "I think we are."

Walking over to her desk, Buffy picked up all the textbooks and magazines that were resting there. All the same as they were before. The calendar on the wall read the same date as it had before they'd been pulled into the future, and when Buffy turned her gaze to her digital clock, she almost fell over in amazement.

"Oh my god, Spike," she said without turning around, "according to this clock, we were only gone from this time for like five minutes!"

"Buffy!" Spike's voice sounded strangled from behind her.

Spinning around quickly, Buffy saw Spike fading away, his form becoming more transparent by the second.

"Spike!" Buffy cried, horrified, "what's going on?"

"I think my purpose in this time has been served," Spike said with a small smile, "the demon said I would be sent back when my purpose had been fulfilled."

"No!" Buffy bawled, "Your purpose has only just started! When will I see you again?"

"I think I'll see you again when I was supposed to- next year, when you start college."

"Will you still be half human?"

"I think so. It's not something that can easily be reversed." Spike was almost gone now, a small shimmer in the air.

Buffy tears started to dry up as she realised Spike wasn't leaving forever, but sniffled as she whispered goodbye.

"Goodbye, Buffy. See you next year." Spike grinned sadly, and then vanished completely.

Buffy gave a small, gloomy smile to herself. Next year was so long away. What was the point of dragging Spike out of her life once he had become an actual part of it? "Stupid demons," she muttered.

As she spoke, Buffy heard a banging on the front door. She opened it and saw Giles, Willow and Xander grouped together on the front step.

"Hey guys," she greeted them glumly.

"Hey, Buff! What's the matter?" Willow asked gently.

"Spike's gone. He's gone back to his own time."

Willow stepped over the threshold and gave Buffy a big hug. "Why?"

"Because his 'purpose has been fulfilled'. I won't see him till next year."

"Better than never, though, right?" Xander interposed, helpfully for once.

Buffy nodded. "I'm sure I'll feel better about it soon. It was just so random, though."

Giles walked through the doorway to join the huddle in the hall. "I'm sorry to bring even worse news Buffy, but I've just heard word of what the Ascension is."

1 year later…

Buffy gripped Spike's hand as they wandered through UC Sunnydale's library.

"Oh, Spike, here's that book you need for Advanced History," Buffy whispered, and grabbed at the book on it's high shelf, accidentally knocking it onto a young man's head.

"Oh! Sorry!" Buffy apologized, embarrassed.

The young man stood up, and rubbed his head. "No problem."

Buffy looked concerned. "Oh god, I'm really sorry! Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine...?"

"Buffy," Buffy answered, still looking for Spike, wondering where he had wandered off.

"I'm Riley," he said, extending his hand.

"Hey Riley. Um, I gotta go, sorry. Bye." Buffy walked off clutching the book, instantly forgetting all about the Riley incident as she spotted Spike waiting for her at the Maths aisle.

They strolled out onto the warm, sunny grounds together, joining Willow and Tara lying under a massive oak tree spreading over grass.

"Hey," Buffy said, plonking down onto the grass, soon joined by Spike.

"Hi," Willow replied, then laughed. "Anya's been giving Xander trouble again."

Buffy laughed too- she couldn't think of any reason not to laugh. She was with her gorgeous boyfriend, one of her best friends, and it was a beautiful sun-drenched day.

"Why were you talking to Captain Cardboard in the library?" Spike asked Buffy.

"Who? Oh that random guy, Riley. I just dropped a book on his head so I apologized."

"Haha. Yeah, he's the teacher's aid in my history class, and I swear, there is no more boring, ordinary guy on campus."

"Yeah, he was pretty dull."

There was a short growling noise, and Willow giggled. "Tara, was that your stomach?"

Tara blushed and nodded.

"Come on then, let's go get some lunch." Willow suggested, helping pull everyone to his or her feet.

The four of them then walked off to the cafeteria, each couple holding hands with a cheerful smile on their face.

THE END.

(A/N: So, what'd you think? As always, feedback is greatly appreciated! Hopeful the ending isn't too cheesy or anything. I just wanted to show that Buffy and Spike are happily together at UC Sunnydale, and every other Scooby gang member is happy too. I've got a new Spuffy fic in the works, so look out for that too lol. Thanks!)