It had taken Spike six hours to actually dig the distance to get to the Amara treasure.

He knew that they had repaired the cave-in his digging had caused, but knowing exactly where the cave was gave him an advantage that he hadn't had before.

Especially since the damn thing was near Buffy's college.

Filling the makeshift sack from the blanket that had covered him when he had woken up this morning with some of the gold and relics, he was preparing for the months ahead. And low and behold, on the same table that Harmony had found the ring…he found others. And the big pendant that he had tossed away after she had found it.

He was an idiot. If he had known the significance of the green pendant…he shook his head at himself.

Now armed with knowledge from the future he quickly placed it around his neck along with one of the rings on his finger. Over a dozen rings scattered about in the place! Thank god he had never thought to look for more originally.

He went through the tunnels and made it back to the crypt and promptly hid some of the gold he had brought back.

Going back out through the sewer systems he went to a jewelry store and sold some of the gold. Impressed with the amount he was about to leave when a thought occurred to him.

Fishing out the twelve rings that he had been about to bring his father and showed it to the jeweler.

"Got these twelve rings that my mother bought. Twelve of the same bloody thing. You think you can make something else from them…for me to wear that is?" Spike asked tentatively, not knowing what could really be made.

The man chuckled and looked at the rings. "Well we can make you a set of things if you want. Maybe some earrings…but…don't know if you'd wear them."

Spike grimaced. Knew the man was human and not demon. Knew he didn't have to worry about him knowing what the stones really were…but Spike knew he wanted the threat of them ever being divided up again.

"You could make a bracelet." Came a young female voice. The girl was probably sixteen. Young, pretty, and obviously had more brains then the man in front of him.

"Yeah. Yeah she has a point. Teaching my daughter how to run the place…but as you can see…she's smarter than me." The man said this with a grimace and a shrug.

Spike and the girl smiled.

"We can leave the stones set like that…but we can take the bands and melt them down into a cuff. Kind of like a bangle…it'll make it look more masculine that way at least." The girl said as she looked over the rings.

Spike smiled. Now this bird definitely had brains. She'd make a good friend to Dawn…that was bloody sure! Well…if he could keep Dawn from nicking things. Which he most certainly will! Dawn was not going to steal things this time around.

She was going to be showered by presents…from him…to keep her happy and all nice like. He didn't want her to become anything like him. No stealing or hurting people because of how she felt inside. He was going to make sure Dawn didn't feel left out.

"You think you can do that? Make it into something that would fit my style?" Spike asked the girl with a smile.

The girl just smiled brightly. "Yeah. I can sketch something out real fast for you…and you can tell me if it's something you'd like."

Spike nodded. When something struck him…if he didn't bring the rings to his father…he might think everything he said that morning was a lie.

"Look," watching as the girl began to draw right in front of him and already impressed at her talent, "you think you can start work on this while I hold onto the rings? Want me da to discuss it with before I do something rash."

"Oh yeah…that's no problem. I'll just take some measurements and get some dimensions to figure out the cuff size…or at least what you like." The girl smiled at him and he returned it.

His eyes turned to the father who gave him a glare he knew all too well. Received it from Xander and Giles quite often.

Knowing he REALLY didn't want to upset the man that was going to be handling the most important thing to his mission.

"She reminds me of me kid sis Dawn." It was out of his mouth before he could think…but the second he said it…he realized that IS how he saw Dawn.

He loved her. He really did. She was as much a kid sis to him as she was to Buffy. Dawn was his…plain and simple.

The man looked a bit relieved and slowly let his own smile come out. "How old is she?"

"Thriteen. As you can imagine…she's a handful." Spike said with a twisted little smirk. His Little Bit knew how to get into trouble like the best of them.

"Yes I do! This one here's only thirteen too. Looks like she's older and makes me clean my shotgun in the back often because of it!" The man laughed as the girl's eyes widen like saucers.

Oh yeah…definitely reminded him of Dawn.

"Daddy!" The girl squealed as she blushed.

Spike chuckled along with the father. He knew EXACTLY what he meant. He had learned to think of Dawn as a woman… eventually. Especially when he found out Xander of all people had become her significant other half. Didn't stop him from wanting to deck Xander about certain things he never really wanted to know.

After Dawn almost disappeared because of what Buffy did, he and Xander had become room mates yet again.

"Liz here will give you a call when she does all the calculations and figures out how much everything will be." The father said.

"Don't really have a phone mate. Might use what you just gave me to get one…but really I need the money for me sis." The term 'sis' coming naturally out of his lips now.

"It's nice to have a big brother to look out for you." Liz said the words quietly and not looking up for her drawing.

Spike looked at the father and saw how his face had become pained.

Knowing that he had unwittingly reminded the duo of something hurtful he spoke softly to Liz. "How much time do you need to have the sketch ready? I can come back by later no troubles."

Glancing up back at the father the man gave a grimaced nod of thanks, which he quickly returned before Liz looked back up at him.

A small smile graced her face then. "It won't take me that long…about 30 minutes to put in the detail by hand."

Spike nodded. A small smile tugging on his face as well. It felt like his soul was pounding at his rib cage with the emotions that flowed through him. Liz reminded him so much of Dawn that he knew he had to actually be nice to the girl. Something about her reminded him of Dawn…and his nibblet could make him do things he never thought he'd do. Even for Buffy.

"Yeah. Tell yah what. I'm going over to…my father's…want to talk to him 'bout this and then I'll be back and let you know if it's a go. If it's not…won't mind paying for your time."

Liz smiled fully this time, "Consultations are free."

At that he smiled widely. "Well Liz…think you're gonna make a hell of a designer. Listen to your da…man knows his business."

The man laughed and reached out a hand to him, a gesture that had not been done towards him in a very long time. "Thank's for the opportunity. You can call me Nick."

Spike returned the hand shake.

"Wow…you're really cold my friend. Better get a jacket or something before you freeze to death."

And that is how Spike knew that these people knew absolutely nothing about the hell mouth or demons…because the man seemed genuine.

"Best get my leather jacket on then…hopefully it'll warm me right up." Spike said with his famous little smirk, "See you in an hour or so Nick. Liz…thank you for your talents…be expecting somethin' brilliant from that noggin of yours."

Liz blushed and gave a nod as Spike left the jewelry store.

With a smile on his face, Spike made his way across town and to his father's place, comfortable in the knowledge that no one would be there but the old man.

Before doing so he had gone to the young boys house who had originally been killed by Adam and dismantled the bike the lad had used to be out in the woods with…and a note threatening to take the boy… to scare the parents from letting him out of their sight.

Then…a trap for Adam that pushed him towards the caves so that he didn't run into any other humans. Then…after showing his father his bounty…he was off to see Joyce.

Bugger! All in all…it was a busy day.

When his father opened the door, the look on his face still showed shock at his presence…though Spike had told him he would be by.

"Don't look soo shocked. Told you I'd be here."

"Yes…well…I'm not exactly use to you actually adhering to your word." Giles quipped as Spike walked in as his father moved back to let him through.

"Oi! Always kept my word. Even without a soul I bloody well had a code of honor." Spike said twirling around to point a finger at his father.

"Yes…all of two seconds before something changed your mind." Giles said with a dirty look as he closed his front door.

"Yeah well….always followed my blood. Never really goes in the direction of my brain." Spike said with a shrugging of his shoulders.

Giles shook his head as he walked towards his little kitchen and sought out two glasses and his bottle of scotch that he reserved for only himself.

Mentally he had been shocked at the events that morning, but as he had gathered his wits about him, it made more and more sense that Spike was indeed his son.

For goodness sake even the fact that he had been called Ripper instead of Rupert correlated with William's persona of Spike.

The lad was truly and irrevocably like him.

Bloody hell.

It also explained the bad boy mentality.

Giles shook his head to himself as he poured the scotch and asked as he did, "Did you um…find….what you were looking for?"

Spike smiled almost ferally as he pulled out the rings from his pocket and opened his hand as the old man handed him the scotch as he drank from his own glass. And it was a good thing he had fast reflexes too.

Giles spat up the liquor as the sight of all of the rings made him beyond terrified and immediately thanked all deities that Spike had been the one to uncover them and not Angelus.

"Dear Lord!" Giles said after the coughing had receded and Spike had drank from his own glass.

"Yeah. Good thing Peaches never came looking for 'em after the Slayer sent Oz with the one ring." Spike quipped as he put the glass down on the one table by the door that was constantly littered with books.

Something that truly mirrored his own habits.

He loved reading. Loved learning things. Hell it's the only reason he had even found the ring of Amara.

"What exactly are we…you…um…going to do with them?"

Spike raised one eyebrow. "Just popped by a jeweler. They think they can make a cuff bracelet from the gems so I could wear it and not really be worried about a group of vamps gettin' their hands on any of the rings. You think it a good idea? Wanted to know before I gave them the go ahead." Spike said with a bit of insecurity and dare Giles think…seeking approval from him for the idea.

The very fact that he had told him about the gems showed that this was not some sort of trick or scheme against Buffy and her friends. He was…for all the evidence that had been presented…a true fighter for good.

"I ah…I believe that to be wise. Keeping the gems together would be less of a heartache if someone managed to take them from you. Though I believe a bracelet would be harder to remove than a ring…as ah…Buffy demonstrated." Giles said with a little smirk of pride about his Slayer…which a second later caused his face to scowl. Buffy could have very well killed Spike that day. And he would have never known the truth about him.

"Then I best head back and see what the youngin' designed for me. You wouldn't happen to know them would you? Tall guy," Spike stuck his hand up to demonstrate height, "mustache, has a daughter named Liz. Goes by the name of Nick."

"No um…I can't say that I do. Why? Do you think they are untrustworthy or suspicious?" Giles asked as he put down his glass and gave Spike his full attention at the mention of people they clearly did not know.

"No jus'…I think something happened to them. Don't right know but…you think you can find out for me? I mean…I know you've probably been going through books and whatnot to see if you can find anything on me and all…but…don't rightly know. I think they're strugglin'." Spike said all of this with a look of contemplation on his face. As though the entire time that he had walked away from the store he had them on his mind.

Giles couldn't help but mentally slap himself, as he had done absolutely nothing of the sort. He had not looked through any books of prophecy or historical relevance to check on Spike or what he was saying.

"Um..yes of course. I should be able to find out with little effort. Do you happen to remember the name of the store?"

"No. But it's the one down the street from the Magic Box. On the corner of the road." Spike said, knowing better than to inform his father that he would one day soon own the very store he named. His da finding out about the owner getting killed would guarantee he would try and stop it from happening. It was one of the things he had to let happen. Plus, the Mr. Bogarty had no family.

Yeah…he had checked.

Bloody soul!

"Oh um…yes I…I believe I do actually." Giles said as he furrowed his brow as he began to try and remember what the name of the establishment was. "I believe they're called um…something to do with the movie Space Balls…."

Spike snapped his fingers even as he drank some more scotch, gulping it down he gasped out. "Swartz!"

"Ah yes…Swartz and Son's if I'm not mistaken."

It made Spike stop from taking another drink as the word 'son' made him instantly know that Nick had lost his. That's why the girl had made the comment about brothers.

"Bugger." Spike whispered the word and winced as he placed the drink down and shook his head as if he was trying to shake off the feeling of despair he now felt for the two.

"Is something wrong?" Giles asked as he put down his own glass.

"I think they just lost the second part of their store name." Spike said as he opened his eyes and looked at his father.

It took a second for it to connect in his head, but Giles then winced himself. "I see."

"Got the feeling it's not that recent though. Don't reckon you can find out that little tidbit, can you?" Spike asked even as he himself didn't really know WHY he wanted to know.

"Um…I believe Willow is more adept at finding out this information. I'll call her…"

"No! No calling Willow just yet. Just…remember that I'm having to juggle keeping things the same on certain things. Willow's going through some things right now. You'll call her tomorrow to help me then. Getting' the bloody tracker out of me you'll need to cast a spell to ionize the air, give you more time to extract the bloody thing." Saying this Spike moved towards the door.

"Leaving already? Are you sure it's safe for you right now? It's barely been dark out for a half hour. " Giles said with worry clearly heard in his voice.

Spike smiled. "Commando's won't be near me for the next two hours. Then I'll be runnin' around to keep them busy all night." Spike tried not to think about what Buffy would be doing that night. He shook his head, knowing that he couldn't dwell on it. He needed to talk to Joyce right now. Needed to tell her…well….everything.

He couldn't and wouldn't worry about Buffy shaggin' Finn. She was her own woman. Mistake or not…they were hers to make…not his. He'd be keeping his trap shut…even if it pained him to do so.

"I'll give them the go ahead on the bracelet, as long as you think it's a good plan." Spike wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do.

Giles smirked slightly at the reaffirmation his son needed from him, "Yes. I ah..I think it's a good idea."

"Right then. I'm off." Spike said with a nod. Opening the door he closed it without slamming it.

He needed to talk to Joyce tonight…without his father knowing about it. As gung-ho as the old man was about wanting to be left in the loop, Spike knew he needed Joyce even more than his own father.

Stopping at the jewelry store first and letting them know it was a go and gave them a deposit, he quickly began walking to his last stop of the day.

Walking to the Slayer's house felt like he was dreaming. How many times had he walked the same path? How many nights had he stared up at this very house? How many good and bad memories were associated with it's address?

He couldn't even count them.

Walking up to the front porch he paused, bracing himself before seeing the fine lady that lived within. A lady he had considered and had been concerned about like his own.

In all honestly…when she had died…he had grieved.

But couldn't do that around Buffy now could he. Couldn't be seen by anyone when he slowly cried to himself. Cried for her…for Buffy…for Dawn. Cause he knew what it felt like. Knew what it was like to watch the one you love slip away because of an illness.

A demon crying, because he remembered what it was like to lose what mattered most.

Family.

In every way that mattered…the people he was trying to save…the Scoobies…they had become his family.

He'd do anything and everything he could to keep them safe.

Anything.

He knocked on the door and lowered his head to look at his hands that were fidgeting from nerves. It had been decades since he had seen her. Maybe he shouldn't be doin' this. Maybe he should just make sure that…

"Spike…" Joyce felt an instant of fear and then confusion.

But the look that Spike gave her, in was a smile that radiated through his eyes.

"Hello Joyce."

"Does Buffy know…"

"Yeah. Um…I ah…I can't bite you like Angel said last time I was here. They ah…put a chip in my brain. Can't hurt humans…wouldn't hurt you if I didn't have one anyway. Never thought of hurtin' you even back then." Spike explained as he stayed rooted to the spot, not willing to budge until she invited him in willingly.

And…it was just nice to see her is all.

"I ah…I see. Well…" Stumbling on the word out of fear or adrenaline she didn't know, "in that case…what can I help you with? Buffy isn't here if that's who your…"

"Came to talk to you Joyce. Know where Buffy is and I know something's coming. Know a lot more than I should…and…I know she'll need you. And…I can't do this alone. I need your help too."

Joyce's furrowed brow and shocked face made him certain that he had been way too cryptic for her.

Bugger it. He'd just tell her.

"I'm from the future Joyce."

Now Joyce had just begun to understand the supernatural world according to her daughter…but this…this was just too much.

Spike saw the doubt in her face and let out a huge sigh as he closed his eyes and began to talk once more.

"Look…know it's a tough pill to swallow. Know you probably don't believe me and think I'm plannin' at somethin' but…but you're the only one that's ever talked to me like they cared. Like I wasn't a waste." Spike lowered his head as he said the last sentence, having to swallow down the lump in his throat.

Joyce couldn't explain why she believed him. But…she had never feared Spike the way that Buffy had painted him out to be. And maybe it was that Spike had truly never even attempted to hurt her. Not even when he could have easily ripped the axe from her hands and hurt her and Buffy all those years ago. He had honestly withdrew himself as if that had been a line he wasn't willing to cross.

And as odd as the thought was, she knew he was very much a killer. A demon as Buffy reminded her.

Yet she could tell that he really was different. Something in his eyes…the way he looked at her…even the way he spoke was just softer. Respectful.

Well…maybe she was insane…but she believed him.

Moving back from the door entrance she simply said three words that made him wish he could hug her like he had always done with his mother...

"Come in Spike."

And Joyce had to let out a little smirk and laugh at the round eyed shock look that he now gave her.

"You tell Buffy I let you in without her here…" Joyce warned with a pointed finger and a smile on her face.

Slowly Spike smiled, "Mums the word."

Joyce let out another little laugh and motioned with her head for him to come in.

Taking a few breathes as he slowly walked into the house, and his insides felt like they were going insane.

God just the smell alone forced his eyes closed as tears popped into his eyes.

Crap but he was being a right wanker! But he couldn't help himself…everything had gone down the lou. Everyone had cared for was gone…and now…they were all here. Every one of their smells permeated the house. Only one smell was missing…which meant one thing.

She wasn't here yet.

"Are you ok Spike?" Joyce asked as she risked to place a hand on his back as she looked at his profile.

Spike opened his tear filled eyes and looked at Joyce…and it was like she could see what her father had seen…because suddenly she was taking a step back and holding a hand to her chest as she kept the other on his back.

"Oh my god." Joyce said slowly as she realized that he wasn't lying. She could…she could see it! In his eyes…and the only thing she could even say was… "How? Buffy said…"

Bloody fuck he needed to figure out why they could see it!

The bloody thing wasn't glowing in his eyes was it?! Not like he could check a bloody mirror!

"I won it. I…oh ta hell with it. Couldn't lie to you then…can't lie to you now. I fell in love and won it for Buffy." With that he walked over to the couch that had been a second bed to him for almost five months and sat down.

Joyce shook her head as her mouth tried to form words as her mind overloaded on everything that Spike had just dropped on her.

Spike sat now with a look that showed he, himself, was overwhelmed.

"What the hell am I gonna do? If she sees the soul I'm bloody well finished! She can't know about it! If she does everything will change! Can't have EVERYTHING change. Won't know how to help save her. Won't know how to keep everyone safe. Bloody…" And Spike was ready to have one of his famous violent tantrums as his whole frame wound up tight to strike out when he heard Joyce close the door and watched her lean against it as if in pain.

Fear instantly filled him and he was in the blink of an eye by her side.

"Mum you ok? Not feeling dizzy are you?" His refined English voice coming out without realizing he was doing so when he placed his own hands on her arm and waited with a clear fear in his eyes as she slowly regained her composure.

"It's.." Joyce ticked her head to the side and back, "It's a lot to take in. I just…"

"Sit down first yeah? Don't want you fallen or nothing because of what comes out of my stupid gob." Spike said as he gingerly held her arm as he helped her sit in a chair in the dining room.

"You…you fell in love with Buffy." Joyce said as she looked up at what she could have sworn would have been a blush were in not for the fact that he was a vampire.

"Yeah." He said softly, making Joyce close her eyes and let her frame sink into the chair as the idea of yet another vampire falling in love with her daughter penetrated the daze she was currently in.

"And…you…won…your soul. That's…that's possible?" Joyce asked with a hitch in her voice at the question, at a complete loss now with the whole Angel ordeal if what Spike was saying was true.

"I went through a demon trial. It's…not easy if that's what you're thinking." Spike said as he continued to stand next to her, not willing to move just yet.

"Spike…"

"William."

"What?" Joyce looked up at him in confusion again.

"It's my real name. My name's William. Prefer it if you called me it in private…but…don't like you calling me that other name." Shrugging his shoulder's like a little boy that didn't know why he felt the way he did.

And the oddest thought ran through her mind.

William and Buffy…sounds like names out of a romance novel.

"Well…now that I know. I think I'd prefer to call you William all the time. It's a lovely name." Joyce said with a warm motherly smile.

Spike returned it and relaxed just a little more.

"So…you're from the future. And you're here to save…" Joyce began and Spike interrupted.

"Everyone. Not gonna lie Joyce…Buffy and her mates tried to keep you out of the loop and the truth is she needs you more than anything right now. Not because of college and the American dream…but because she still needs you."

Joyce studied Spike for several seconds before she asked the question he was dreading to answer.

"I'm dead where you're from…aren't I?" Joyce's voice was quiet but firm, wanting to know and fearful of the answer all at the same time.

Spike flinched and said nothing, having to even look away from her as he knew he couldn't lie to her.

"That's why you're telling me all this. I don't have much time do I?"

The reaction to the question was instant. "Not gonna happen this time! You'll listen to me and go to the doctors and do everythin' I say or I'll wring you're bloody neck!" Gasping as the pent up desperation and anger of years spilled out of him.

"Willlliiiam…" Joyce said with eyes that could make the Slayer stop in her tracks as the slow drawl of his name from her mouth was like a bucket of cold water at it sounded like a warning.

"Sorry mum." Spike said it before he could catch himself. She had sounded identical to his mother that it was out before he realized it.

Joyce tried to suppress a little smile of amusement with how flustered she was making him, but…in all honesty…she was fighting her own freak out on the inside. And…it was kind of nice.

She had always wanted a son. Hank and her had tried for a son…but it just hadn't happened.

It was something that she had never been able to tell her daughter. That one of the reason's they had divorced. It was why Hank had cheated. As many times as she tried to get pregnant…she just couldn't. The alcohol, the fights…it had been a result of being told she just couldn't.

"It's ok sweetheart. You actually looked like yourself…your younger self just then though." Joyce said with a smile and a little nod at him.

Spike heard the endearment and swore his heart swelled, and then what she said made him realize what he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Anger. I haven't really felt anger in a long while. This morning a little. Mostly just…" Spike stopped talking, not wanting to sound like the Poofter but Joyce finished for him

"Sad."

He just nodded his head.

"Well…maybe that should keep Buffy from…knowing."

Great. That wouldn't be so hard then. She always knew how to drive him insane.

Spike smiled and finally sat right next to Joyce.

"Need you to know what's gonna happen in the next day or so. Need you to be ready. Faith…the other Slayer…she's gonna wake up. Can't have you tellin' Buffy. Faith's gonna come after you…but you need to keep a straight head yeah? Need you to see past all the bravado and evil act. She's not. I know evil Joyce…and Faith ain't it. She's a girl that's had nothin' but hardships and hard hands. She's jealous of Buffy. And I don't mean just wants what she has…I mean Faith thinks Buffy should have chosen her over Angelus…and really I can't blame her for that reasoning – he's a right wanker and didn't deserve Buffy from the beginning." Spike said with one eyebrow raised in a 'you're not gonna fight that argument' kind of way.

When Joyce just gave him a smirk he knew she wasn't going to argue and continued.

"Now…here comes the hard part. Buffy and her are gonna fight through the entire house. And Faith is gonna switch bodies with Buffy! Don't ask how…just…trust that Buffy will be in Faith's body and vice versa. Don't treat her any different then you would Buffy. If anything lavish her and say how concerned you are about Faith. Need her feeling that she's really not alone. Buffy needs her. They both need each other, and seeing herself through your eyes might make her rethink wanting to hurt Buffy."

Joyce though nodded her head as she understood that Spike was really involving her in his quest to save her daughter…and apparently Faith. Her natural reaction of Faith was that she was psychotic…but what Spike said made sense. She had never questioned Faith's home life or childhood at all. Now that she did think of it…she was a little ashamed of herself.

"After she leaves…need you to call Giles and let him know that she's on the way. I'll let him know before then what's gonna happen."

"Wait…Rupert knows about you?" Joyce asked and was not prepared at all for Spike's next statement.

"Well um…kind of had to tell him first since I found out he's…well…he's me da." Spike finally spat out.

"What?! How?! I…William this is a lot to take in." Joyce placed a hand over her forehead and face, shaking her head at all the information.

"Em…well…don't want to lie to you mum. Just…want you to know it's not him going against Buffy or anythin' like that. Just sprung this on him too. Honestly I never thought both of you would actually believe me. Thought I'd have to do this alone."

Joyce just couldn't get over the fact that she could physically see the evidence of a soul in William. Let alone that he had gotten it for her daughter. To add to it that he was Rupert's son…no wonder she always seemed to have a blind spot for him.

William continued to explain things to Joyce until he heard the grandfather clock ding, letting him know he needed to move.

"Need to head out Joyce, be by as soon as I can yeah?" Spike said as he stood and quickly made his way to the door.

Joyce was up and following him, "Please promise to be careful."

"I will mum. Just remember what I said and I promise everything will be ok." Spike said as he opened the door while looking at Joyce.

"I will." Joyce moved and kissed Spike's cheek, which when she pulled back made him smile handsomely.

"Hurt Buffy and I'll get another axe!" Joyce warned. The smile dropped from his face and Joyce laughingly have him another peck on the cheek as she turned and made her way into the kitchen. "I'm just joking William."

And with that Spike smiled widely again, his tongue poking out as the feeling of hope filled his chest. "I'll be back tomorrow mum. Promise."

With a wave without turning around, Joyce let William know she heard him.

Spike turned and opened the famous door of 1630 Revello Drive and knew without a doubt…he was going to save the people he care for. Buffy would never die, and he'd stay by her side until she married some boy or man that could win her heart. And he would keep silent.

He would make slaying fun again for her and unnecessary with him doing most of the patrolling. She could live life. Go to college, be a normal girl when she wanted and the Slayer when push came to shove if Faith couldn't hold it off on her own.

He would help Willow and Xander over the next few phases of life, knowing that they needed someone to help ease the burden they helped carry.

He could do it. He would do it.

Time to keep those commando's busy! Time to get shot by a tracker.

The thought made him stop walking.

"Bugger."

Author's Note: Ok guys. I did my part...now it's time for yours! Review and let me know what you think!