DISCLAIMER: All BTVS characters belong to Joss, I'm just borrowing them. Couple of OC's in there that are mine.

A/N: And so we have come to the end of my little fic. This is the last chapter, probably with an epilogue. It's taken eight years and the invention of Google Earth to finish but I'm glad it's done and pleased with the outcome. I'd like to thank everyone who has been on this journey with our heroes and especially those who have taken the time to review. I hope you enjoy the ending.

I-E-H

Buffy opened her eyes, immediately feeling the stiffness of the floor beneath her and the ache it was causing in her back. Note to self, pass out in a more comfortable place next time. She hoped that she was back in the army medical complex, recognising the ceiling but not trusting it to be real for the moment. When Tara appeared over her, a look of concern on her gentle features, she conceded that she was indeed home. Or as close to home as this place could be.

She sat up, stretching her back out and then climbed to her feet, brushing off Tara's hands checking her for injuries and her questions about what had happened. She moved to Spike's side, noting with dismay that his body had not moved and he was not awake.

'It didn't work?' Buffy asked, looking to Tara with tears in her eyes.

'I don't know, Buffy, I was hoping you'd tell me.'

'We fought Riley. He'd left some sort of virus inside Spike's head. Said it would turn his brain to mush and leave him a shell. I…we fought him. Spike was ready to give up but…we won. We killed the virus. We destroyed it. Then Spike screamed and collapsed and I…' She ran her hand down his face. 'I'm here. He should be here too.' A single tear ran down her cheek. 'He promised he wouldn't leave me.'

'Maybe he just needs time to heal the damage that Riley did.' Tara suggested, placing a comforting hand on Buffy's shoulder.

'Riley said my blood slowed him down. It might work again, speed the healing process.' Buffy murmured, looking for something sharp around her. 'I have to give him my blood.'

'Buffy maybe you should wait…'

'No!' The Slayer shouted. 'I waited last time and it nearly killed him. I'm strong, I can do this.' She found the knife she'd used before and held it over her wrist, slicing through the skin like butter. Blood welled up and she pressed the open wound to Spike's mouth. He didn't swallow. Tara watched for a moment, seeing the despair on Buffy's face and reached over, massaging the vampire's throat so the blood would pass into his system.

For a few moments nothing happened and Buffy was ready to collapse into tears. Then Spike's arm moved. He reached up and grasped her wrist, drinking hungrily. Buffy laughed, tears spilling in hysteria as he swallowed more of her life-giving blood. Tara joined her in tears and Buffy gently pulled her wrist away as Spike's eyes opened and he smiled wearily at her.

'Thanks love.' He whispered, his hand reaching up to trace her face. She flung herself over his chest, sobbing for all she was worth. Tara chose that moment to slip away from the bed and out of the room, leaving them to their private moment. 'You didn't need to do that.'

'I couldn't lose you. I didn't know what happened…I was so scared he'd come back and trapped you again.' Buffy whimpered between sobs, trying to touch him anywhere, everywhere to prove he was really there.

'I'm okay, I'm here.' He grimaced. 'Still tired though. You look knackered too, pet.' She shifted over and lay next to him on the small bed, curling her arm around him tightly. 'Why don't we get some sleep yeah?' He kissed the top of her head and she nodded, sniffling into his side.

When Tara looked in on them a few hours later, Slayer and Vampire were tightly entwined, peacefully asleep.

I-E-H

'They want to debrief you. The complex has been cleared and a thirty mile wide area cleared of demons. They're mobilising units across the country and communicating with other nations to take down the remaining hybrids. But they want a clear report from you.' Giles said, watched Buffy shovel mash potato into her mouth. Spike was sitting in chair opposite him, studying his nails with interest. The Slayer nodded and finished her plate, wiping her mouth on her sleeve with little grace. Giles rolled his eyes and smiled, glad to see she was at last back to some semblance of normal.

'So, they want to meet with us and get a full report?'

'Yes. They are unaware of the altercations that occurred afterwards; as far as they are concerned, Spike was just seriously injured and recovering. They don't really understand the mystical side of this.' The ex-librarian cleaned his glasses. 'Your mother would also like to come by in a while. She was worried.'

'I know.' Buffy whispered. 'We got it done though, Giles. We can get back on with the rebuilding.' She looked to Spike. 'Get on with our lives.'

'If you would permit me,' Giles started, preparing for the backlash. 'I would like to get an insight into your…bond with Spike. It's never been documented and whilst the Council is gone, it remains something that I would like to know more about.' He waited for an outright denial of his request, instead finding himself shocked when Spike nodded.

'I think that's a good idea. The good witch said that Buffy was healing instantaneously from injuries.' Spike said, looking to his mate for confirmation. Buffy nodded.

'Yeah, look at my wrist!' She held out the appendage to Giles. 'I cut it yesterday, Giles. Not even a scar. I know I used to heal quick, but that's superfast.' She stretched. 'Can't wait to see what other nifty powers I've got.' She brightened, looking to Spike. 'Maybe you can go out in the sun?!' She got excited and Giles held his hands up, palms flat.

'Now, now, Buffy, there's no need to rush. We can test the extent of both your abilities later. For now, you're expected in the "war room" so to speak in about an hour. I will leave you to it. Shall I ask your mother to come along now?'

'No.' Buffy said, looking at Spike slyly. 'I'll find her after the meeting.'

Looking the pair of superbeings making eyes at each other, Giles thought it best not to ask what they would be doing in the meantime.

I-E-H

'There were screens yes? The hostile had been using surveillance?' One of the generals asked, and Buffy nodded, looking extremely bored. Spike wasn't with her, but she could feel him getting antsy outside the door and in turn, she was getting frustrated with asking inane questions.

'And after the dismemberment of Agent Finn, there were further hybrids ready to assume command?' Another general asked, writing furiously on his pad.

'Not as far as I'm aware. He took control from Adam when I killed him.' Buffy looked at the clock on the wall by the table. 'Look, I've answered all your questions, there's not a lot else I can tell you. I kill things, I don't usually stop for details.'

'Very well, Miss Summers.' The colonel she'd dealt with before stood and saluted. 'We would like to offer you a commendation for your work here. Undoubtedly, whilst we do not understand how one girl could come to be so powerful, we are certain that without your…expertise, we would not have won this fight.' Buffy smiled; it was nice to be thanked for once. The colonel dropped the salute and cleared his throat. 'May we ask what you and your vampire intend on doing now?' The disdain in his voice at the presence of Spike in the complex did not go unnoticed but she couldn't really blame them.

'We don't know yet. Maybe travel, take out the hybrids we find. It's my job after all.' The colonel nodded and she assumed she was dismissed. She bolted for the door, and as soon as she had shut it behind her, she flung herself at Spike. After kissing him furiously for a few moments, she pulled away. 'I hate being apart from you. Even just another room away.'

'Let's hope that doesn't wear off.' Spike said, a seductive tone to his voice as he ran his hands over her shoulders and down her back. 'Shall we go find your mum, let her know we're both back to full strength.'

'I don't know about you, but I feel even better than before this all started.' She chewed the inside of her mouth. 'But you're right, we should go find mom.'

I-E-H

It turned out her mother had taken advantage of the lack of hybrids and gone for a walk. It was bright sunshine outside, and Buffy had decided that was the perfect time to test out Spike's new abilities.

'And what if it doesn't work? Don't fancy a deep suntan today, pet.' He eyed the entrance to the complex with trepidation. Buffy pouted at him and tugged on his arm.

'You'll never know unless you try. Come on, Spike. Don't be a wimp.'

He eyed her bottom lip, sticking out at him and relented. He took a hesitant step forward, holding his hand up over his face at the bright light about to hit him. The sunshine hit his feet, travelled up his legs and hit him. It felt warm, too warm and he panicked he was burning until Buffy's shout of joy.

'It's not burning you!' She pulled him forward, ignoring that his eyes needed to adjust after over a century in the dark. She danced around, pausing only to kiss him and check him for burning again. 'We can go anywhere! Do anything!' The glee in her voice was infectious and he laughed, picking her up and spinning her around, oblivious to the confused looks of soldiers stood on duty outside the entrance.

Spike took off at a run, enjoying the warmth on his skin as Buffy chased behind him. They ran through the deserted streets of Washington DC, ignoring soldiers and civilians wandering about the mostly empty city. The vampire followed his sense to Joyce, who was sat on a bench by the dirtied waters of the Reflecting Pool. She smiled as the two approached and then it clicked that Spike was stood in sunlight and she stood, shocked by what she was seeing.

'Buffy? Spike?' She asked, and the two came to a halt, smiling at the middle-aged lady as she gaped at them.

'Mom! Spike can go out in the sun!' Buffy almost yelled, barrelling into her mother with a fierce hug. 'How great is that?'

'It's wonderful honey, but how?' Joyce asked, returning the hug and then placing her hands on Buffy shoulders, whilst looking at Spike.

'Side effect our bond.' Buffy blushed, and then she jumped up and down again. 'Oh, and I have super-fast healing and I'm feeling great, and…'

'Pet, slow down.' Spike chuckled, taking a seat on the bench. 'Let your mum get her bearings.' Joyce smiled thankfully at him as Buffy blushed further.

'Sorry.' She sat next to Spike as Joyce took up the remaining seat on the bench. 'I guess I got a bit excited.' They sat in silence for a moment, looked at the leaves floating in the pool. Spike turned as another figure approached them. It was Tara, who was smiling brightly.

'Spike!' The witch exclaimed. 'You're out…in the sun?'

'Yep. Can tan for a change.' He said, stretching and putting an arm round Buffy's shoulders. She lent her head into him, watching the wind send soft ripples across the water.

Tara followed her gaze and looked around at the greenery around them. 'In a way, the time off from humans has done some good. Mother Earth has had a chance to replenish. My only wish was that it hadn't happened at such a cost.'

'At least we can hopefully learn from our mistakes.' Joyce said, taking Buffy's hand and squeezing it. The Slayer smiled at her mother's words and squeezed her hand back.

'What brings you out here Tara?' Spike asked and she sat down, cross legged beside the bench.

'The complex is separating. I was wondering where you guys were going, and if…if I could tag along?'

'I wouldn't mind asking the same thing.' Joyce asked. 'I'd like to head back to New Orleans soon, but I don't fancy travelling alone. Giles is staying with the army for a while, investigating the hoard of materials that monster kept.' Buffy looked up at Spike and they seemed to be thinking the same.

'We don't mind. You're more than welcome to come with us. But we don't know where we're going. World is our oyster now.' Spike said, gazing down at his mate with nothing but love in his eyes. Buffy returned the look and kissed him softly.

The four sat in companionable silence, watching the sunset over the Lincoln Memorial, just enjoying the peace that had finally settled over the world.

I-E-H

A/N: Oh I love happy endings. Hope you didn't find it too cheesy!