Dawn and Spike looked at each other, tears in their eyes, and they knew there was nothing to be said. Their hearts were breaking anew. Spike silently carried Buffy up the stairs, to her room, and set her on her bed. As he turned to leave, her eyes flew open, voice full of despair and longing, she pleaded, "Stay."

He stayed.

...

She was in the light.

It was quiet. The sun warmed her skin, and it smelled like warm apple pie. She heard her mother, healthy and happy.

She saw her sister, glowing and safe, protected. But then the world went cold and she was pulled from the light. Into the darkness. Into Hell.

Buffy awoke screaming, crying, calling. She didn't even register what she was crying out for. But Spike held her, smoothing her hair, "I'm here, its okay pet, I'm right here." She had been calling his name. His piercing blue eyes looked into her tear stained hazel ones. "Can you tell me about it?"

She knew what he was really asking about. "Not much to say. I was, well, resting. Finally, after all the pain and suffering, with mom and then Dawn…I was happy. Done. And no one's ever going to understand how it feels." She stopped, still looking into those endless blue eyes. "Except you." This creature, who she could barely stand before, and soulless evil vampire, meant something. No, not just something, much more than that. When she had been gone, no hope of returning, he continued to stay and protect Dawn. She could tell by Dawn's behavior towards them earlier that the Scoobies hadn't been there for her. The people that she had thought cared most, who she could really trust. And where was Giles? All she had wanted was for her sister to be happy and safe, to live. Spike really did love them. So now all Buffy cared about were this confusing vampire and her sister.

"God slayer, you need to know I love you. I love the Bit too, really." Buffy saw how tortured he was. He thought she still didn't believe him, after all he'd done.

"I know, Spike, and, I care about you now too. I think I could love you, if you give me time. All you've done, you had no reason to…" She trailed off when she saw how incredulous he looked, slack-jawed and everything.

"You…you don't really mean, I mean, you couldn't care for something like me…"

"Spike, I want to show you how much I care." When she moved to take off her shirt, Spike grasped her full meaning. He didn't hesitate.