I can tell he's in shock, his whole body goes still. It's sweet and gentle. A kiss that says the words I can't say to him and he knows me well enough to realise that. How much I need him and how grateful I am for him to willingly choose to be a part of all this. My thanks for never turning his back on me, even at my worst. For still being here when I told him all the reasons he shouldn't be. I'm not the one. He is.
After a few precious seconds we both pull back slowly. As I look up into his eyes I see it… everything that he's overcome to get to this place in time. I have a weird feeling deep inside the Slayer part of my brain that's telling me to recognise him, that he's an important player in this game of war.
One of Spike's hands linger on my cheek as the other tucks stray hairs behind my ear. There's a small genuine smile on his face as he leans his forehead against mine. "Go" he whispers. "Find Caleb, give him hell and take whatever the bloody hell he has of yours."
I nod and smile up at him. Silently he takes my hand again and leads me to the front door where he opens it but steps back, letting go of my hand. I look at him questioningly but he shrugs it off. "I know you Buffy. I saw how you desecrated that Bringer earlier; Hell hath no fury like a brassed off Slayer" he says nodding to the dead body at the bottom of the stairs "I can see it in your eyes; this is something you've got to do on your own" he says in a strong voice, winking at me. I grin because of how right he his.
"What are you going to do then?" I ask him taking a step backwards out of the door. His face turns sour and he looks towards the ceiling. "I'll take the little pip squeak" he says pointing above us, "and go round us up the flock of missing and dispersed Slayers and Scoobies, yeah pet?"
"Oh and don't worry luv, I'll give 'em hell for what they did to ya. I'll rub it in their sodding faces that you were right about the Vineyard 'cause I know you wouldn't ever do it. Make them all feel right guilty 'nd that. I got your back." He's right, I'd never rub it in their faces, but although I feel bad for the verbal lashing their soon to get – I knew how hard Spike's words could cut when he wanted them too – it was nice to have someone around that thought I deserved the upmost amount of respect from everyone.
Spike calls for Andrew and I hear him scuttling around upstairs whispering about getting to go on another mission with Spike. When he looks back at me Spike has a stony expression on his face, hearing what Andrew is saying as well and I can't help it when a sudden short laugh escapes from me. Spike scowls at me but there's no menace behind it at all.
"Meet back here at the house then?" I ask as I back away from the door some more. Spike nods his reply and I start to turn so I could go down the few steps when Spike calls my name softly. I shift my position so I'm facing him again. "It was worth it Buffy. Every second. To get to here. I encompassed everything you were supposed to hate about this world but you chose see the man behind all that rot. And if anything happens to us, or we can't save the world this time then I'd like to think it ended as the two of us being friends." The last sentence was said nervously, like he was waiting for the old me to just shut him down viciously.
"Spike, do you remember what you said to me and Angel about being friends?"
"Only vaguely, luv. Why what of it? And what's Captain Forehead gotta do with it anyhow?"
"I've remembered it word for word from the moment you said it" I whisper, taking the few steps to close the gap between us. "You're notfriends. You'll never be friends. You'll be in love 'till it kills you both. You'll fight, and you'll shag, and you'll hate each other till it makes you quiver, but you'll never be friends." He raises his eyes to mine and starts to say something. "Hold on, I'm not finished. You also said that love wasn't brains; it was blood... blood screaming inside you to work its will. Do you remember?"
"I do, pet. Don't think I've ever said somethin' so bloody true." We both laugh quietly for a second.
"Me neither. But you'd never be just a friend to me Spike. You're so much more. I'm just sorry no one else sees that." When we both fall silent it's only then that we hear a muffled crying from inside the house. We both turn and see Andrew sitting on the steps with his head in his hands watching us intently. Neither us of had even noticed his presence.
"That was so emotional you guys. The two of you should have your own show or something" he says in a shaky voice and letting out a huge sigh while wiping away the remaining tears. "Goodbye Andrew" I say shaking my head while heading out into the night.
"Go kick some supernatural arse Slayer." Spike calls from the door.