Author Note:
Many thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far.
There will be longer chapters soon.
So Close
Back in the apartment Buffy found her sister awake and giving Whistler the third degree.
"Okay, but what gives?" she was saying. "Who is Nina?"
"Tall, dark and brooding's girlfriend," he answered.
"Girlfriend, right, of course," said Buffy, joining in. "Y'know, this is just typical of him. He gets all up in my face about me being with Spike but casually ignores the fact that he's seeing other people too."
"Well, you aren't together any more Buff. He's kinda allowed to be non-exclusive."
"You're missing the point. Dawn, why is he missing the point? Do people just refuse to see logic just to infuriate me?"
Dawn put a hand on her sister's shoulder and took back control the conversation to save her any more angst. "Buffy isn't bothered about the fact Angel has a girlfriend, she's bothered by the fact he gets annoyed at her for having relationships when he's in one himself. It's hypocritical."
"Amen," declared Buffy but Whistler still looked perplexed. "D'ya know what? It doesn't matter. It really doesn't matter. Because Spike is alive and human now – or, at least, he will be – so there's nothing stopping us being together. Assuming he still wants me."
"Of course he still wants you," Dawn chirped.
Buffy smiled at her but still felt a little unsure. "Anyway," she continued, "It's still not the point. Angel had his chance – he had many of them, in fact. If you'd have asked me six months ago if I'd have waited for him I'd have probably said yes, but things change, and I don't owe him anything."
"Good for you, Buffy," said Dawn. "I'm glad that's clear in your mind."
"Crystal." She confirmed, "Angel can make his own cookies."
Now both Whistler and Dawn looked at her with confusion.
"Nevermind," she said, "Kind of a private reference."
There wasn't enough room in Spike's kitchen for all of the things Buffy had got him. After re-arranging everything several times she gave up and left a lot of the stuff in bags just out on the counter top.
"Don't worry," said Dawn. "We can all get a bigger place once this is over. We'll find one that'll fit everything. Do you think you'll choose to settle here or in London?"
Turning to her, Buffy said. "I don't know what's gonna happen, Dawnie. We can't just go from zero to housemates just like that. Can we?"
"If he's anything like the Spike we know he will jump at the chance," Dawn reassured her. "And I'm pretty sure that's what you're wanting now too, right?"
Buffy broke down a little and Whistler steered her towards the couch. "I'm so scared," she admitted. "What if he's not the same? What if everything is completely different?"
"Then we'll deal. It's what we do."
"You're right," said Buffy, sighing and rubbing her eyes. "I think I should get some rest; take a break from this whole thing."
"Yet another excellent idea," Dawn said, with more than enough enthusiasm for the both of them.
It didn't take Buffy long to drift off. Before she knew it she was stood on the curb of a London sidewalk waiting for Spike's dream self to appear.
After what seemed like an eternity of nothing Buffy began to panic. 'Why isn't he here?' she thought. 'Why hasn't he shown up?!'
Then she heard her name, somewhere in the distance but she couldn't quite figure out the direction. "Spike?" she called back in response. "Spike?!"
She felt herself drifting out of the dream and so she tried to hold on; kept trying to focus on his voice. It was becoming clearer now. Surrounding her.
Letting out a gasp she was back in the apartment, with his arms either side of her.
He was gently shaking her and repeating her name.
"Buffy, are you okay?" he said, "What are you doing here? You were calling out to me."
Pulling back from his grip she stared at him. "Are you real?" she asked.
"I think so," he said, and she leapt up to put her arms round him.
"Spike!" she said again, now fully with it.
"Buffy," he said, hugging her back.
They stood there for a while, just repeating each other's names. It occurred to Buffy that they were alone in the room.
"I don't understand," she said, finally releasing her grip. "When did you finish the process? Why did no-one wake me?"
"There's no-one else here Buffy. I don't even know how you are; kinda confused myself as it happens."
To be continued…