Spike pulled out the picture he had in his pocket and looked at it. Running his finger along it. "Dammit Buffy. You weren't supposed to come back in. You were supposed to live. You were supposed to live." Spike said as he caressed the picture.

Spike laid back and laid the picture on his chest and closed his eyes.

Spike laid there until he had to leave so he could make it back to LA before the sun came up.

He slowly got to his feet and came to stand in the spot he last saw Buffy before everything went black.

He knelt down and picked up a handful of dirt and let it slowly sift through his fingers.

He put the picture back in his jacket and slowly stood up.

"I'll always love you Buffy. I don't want to, but I need to say good-bye. Hope you're finally at peace." Spike said as he wiped away a tear and slowly walked back to the car.

Spike drove quickly and parked out front of the hyperion just as the sun started to rise. Spike hurried through the doors. Angel was behind the counter and looked up to see Spike rush in from the rising sun. Spikes face looked haggard, tired.

Spike tossed Angel the keys and headed to the stairs.

"I'm going to my room. I want to be left alone for the day." Was all Spike said then disappeared out of sight.

Angel just stood there wondering where Spike had gone and trying not to worry.

Spike stood out front of the local gym lighting a smoke and waiting.

He'd seen this girl a couple of weeks ago, and stared following her. She was petite like Buffy had been. Long blonde hair, but that's where the similarities ended. She had blue eyes and her looks were plain, she wasn't unattractive, but nothing stood out. She looked to be about fifteen, maybe sixteen years old.

He watched her leave the building and walk past him and stop and look around. She slowly shook her head and started to walk.

She had this reaction everytime Spike was near her. Spike smiled slightly and shook his head as he threw down his butt. He took a few steps to catch up with her.

"Think we could talk luv?" Spike asked as he came to her side.

She turned quickly and looked at him, looking at him in shock then anger.

"You. I've been seeing you alot lately. Are you following me? Why?" She said hotly.

"Well yeah, I am. Mainly to suss out the situation, makes sure I was right before I approached you." Spike said.

"What situation? Approach me for what?" She asked curiously but still on her guard. " And just so you know, I have very powerful lungs, I can let a girly scream ring out like nobodys business."

Spike chuckled at that. "Good to know." Spike responded before his face sobered.

"Do you feel it? Everytime I'm near you, you get an odd feeling in your stomach. Do you know why?" Spike asked.

"It's nasea , because I find you repulsive." She shot back quickly.

"Let me ask you this. Do you know what you are?" Spike asked.

The girl just crinkled her eyebrows and looked at him confused.

"I could tell you. You wouldn't beleive me. But if you let me I could prove it to you." Spike said.

"What am I?" The girl asked curiousity getting the better of her.

"Your a slayer." Spike said quietly.

"A what?" She asked even more confused.

" Let me guess. A few years ago, you felt an odd twinge or something. Right after, you were stronger and faster. You can't really get hurt, and when you do you heal very fast. You have better vision and hearing. Sometimes, like when you're near me, you get a feeling in your stomach."
Spike said.

The girl just looked at him but didn't reply.

"Your a slayer." Spike said then smiled to himself. "You're among the chosen to fight evil. How does that sit with you?"

The girl just looked at him , then around to the street. Slowly her eyes sought out his.

He knew she beleived him. He could see it in her eyes.

"C'mon. I'll walk you home. We can talk again when you had some time to think about this." Spike said.

"I am home." The girl replied.

Spike looked around. "Where?"

"The street. I live in the warehouse a few blocks over." She replied.

"Bugger." Spike replied taking the girl by the arm. "Not anymore you don't." Spike said as he practically dragged the girl down the street, and back to the Hyperion.

"Angel." Spike said loudly as they entered the hotel and came to the dest.

Angel came out of his office.

Spike looked at the girl. "Do you feel it again?"

She looked at him and nodded.

"Angel, I'd like you to meet our new roommate. What's your name pet?" Spike asked.

"Zoe. Zoe Parrish." She replied quietly eyeung her surroundings.

"S'alright pet. You're safe here. Angel, Zoe Parrish. A slayer." Spike said as he looked at Angel.

"Course she's gonna need training. Gotta learn her fightin skills." Spike said.

"That I think we can handle." Angel said as he came around the counter.

"Okay Zoe, consider this your home. Go anywhere you like. You'll meet the rest of the group tomorrow. I'll show you where you can sleep." Angel said smiling as he led the girl upstairs.

Zoe turned and looked at Spike. "You'll be here when I wake up?"

"Where else would I rather be." Spike said as he smiled at her.

Zoe returned his smile and disappeared with Angel.

Buffy sat there sipping her coffee and staring out the window as her thoughts consumed her. Thoughts she'd been having for a quite awhile but always pushed them aside, due to her duty as a slayer.

Buffy smiled slightly as she remembered Willow and Faiths words as they stood behing the bus, looking at the crater that was once their home.

With a final though Buffy decided thinking was over, it was time to do.

Buffy stood from the livingroom window and went to the kitchen and poured another coffee. Slowly she came to the diningroom table and sat down across from where Giles had his nose buried in a book.

Giles looked up and aknowledged her then immediately looked back down to his book.

Buffy had to smile at this. So normal, him spending all day with his books researching a deamon. Well normal for her anyway. This has been her life for almost twelve years now.

Buffy cleared her throat. Giles didn't respond. Buffy smiled again and rolled her eyes.

"Uh..Giles." Buffy said quietly.

"Hmmm." Was Giles response, but still looking at his book.

"Giles." Buffy said louder causing Giles too look up. Buffy smiled. *Okay I finally have his attention.*

"Buffy, what can I do for you?" Giles replied. Buffy had to supress a laugh. She could tell Giles was anxious to get back to his book. Some things never change. She loved that about Giles.

"There's somethings I need to do. But I wanted to talk to you about it first. I'm still going to do it, but I wanted to talk to you." Buffy said looking at the man she considered a father.

Giles brows furrowed but he looked at her and closed his book and set it aside.

"You know you can come to me about anything Buffy." Giles replied as he removed his glasses.

"I know." Buffy said smiling. " I've been thinking alot lately about what I want to do. Giles..I've been a slayer since I was fifteen. When Faith and Willow asked me that day what I was going to do, and If I could handle having a normal life, I wasn't ready. But I am now. You don't really need me as a slayer anymore, you have Faith. Plus there are so many slayers now, I don't think my slaying abilities will be missed or needed."

"That's not true Buffy. You'll always be needed." Giles cut in quickly.

"Not as a slayer. You know I'm right." Buffy said quietly.

Giles just lowered his eyes, before returning her gaze.

"I've been saving money for quite awhile now. Every pay I always put at least half in the bank. I think it's time I began to live the way I always wanted. Do things, go places. To just......live." Buffy finished.

Giles let out a deep breath. *God I'm going to miss her.*

"Where are you going to go?" Giles asked quietly.

Buffy smiled. "Fisrt, I'm driving to LA. to visit with Dawn for a few days before I catch my flight. I'll be gone for a few weeks. I haven't planned what to do afterwards, I'll figure it out when I get back." Buffys smile widened. "I'm going to Italy." She finished saying as a small tear formed in the corner of her eye.

"Italy. It's a beautiful country. Whay made you decide on Italy?" Giles asked curiously.

Buffy just shrugged her shoulders. That night she spent Spike, she had kept to herself. Some things she just didn't want to share. "Somebody once asked me to go. Now that I have the time, I want to see it." Buffy replied quietly.

Giles had a guess who the somebody was but kept his silence. "Well I think it's a very good idea. When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow. I know it's sudden, but I don't want to keep putting things off anymore." Buffy said solemnly.

Giles nodded his head in agreement. "Do you need anything?" He asked quietly.

"No. I have everything I need." She said as she started to rise. " I'm gonna go upstairs and start packing."

Giles again nodded as she left the room and went up stairs. He slowly opened his book and began looking at his book, but not really reading it.

All he could think of was how much he was going to miss her, and wondered if she was going to come back.

Buffy felt happy and sad at the same time as she packed her bags. Happy she was going, but sad because she shouldn't be going alone. He should've been going with her. She brushed the tear away. *He'll be with me where it matters... in my heart.*

Spike sat behind the desk in the front lobby. He was feeling restless alot lately. It had been just over four years since he came back, and just over a year since he found Zoe. He poured everything he had into her training. If it wasn't him, it was Angel and Wesley. Gunn amd Fred helped out as well. She was well trained and very good at what she did.

For the past few months Spike had been feeling restless, even anxious. He sat there wondering if something bad was coming. He stood up and began pacing back and fourth across the lobby.

He was so caught up in his thoughts, he didn't hear Zoe come in.

"Hi Spike." Zoe chimed as she came to stand beside him.

"Mornin luv. You ready to get started?" Spike said pushing his thoughts away.

Zoe answered him with a quick uppercut to the jaw, catching Spike by suprise and sending him to the floor.

Zoe stood there smugly as she crossed her arms across her chest.

Spike rubbed his jaw and smiled. "Very good pet. You were fast. But you hit like a girl. Barely felt it." Spike replied.

Zoe rolled her eyes, and that was all Spike needed. He swung his leg around behind hers, and sent her to the floor. He moved with lightening speed as he moved over her and pinned her to the floor.

"You lose pet." Spike smirked at her.

Zoe grinned and looked between their bodies, Spikes eyes followed hers. He smiled when he saw she had a stake in her hand. If it had been any other vamp, he would have been dust.

Zoe quickly wrapped her leg around Spike and rolled them over, her pinning him to the floor.

Spike chuckled slightly, but stopped when he saw the look in her eyes. Before he knew what was happening, Zoes captured his mouth in hers as she kissed him.

Spike grabbed her arms gently and pulled her off breaking the kiss.

Spike shook his head. "No." Spike said quietly as he ran his hand through her hair.

"Why? You know how I feel about you." Zoe said just as quietly.

"Zoe, you're a nice girl. But that's just it, you're a girl. You should be with someone your own age." Spike said.

"It's her isn't it? It's because I'm not her. You still love her." Zoe replied looking down.

"Yes...I still love her, that's never going to change. But it has nothing to do with her. It has everything to do with you. I'm not the right one for you. You'll see that in time." SPike replied.

"Yes you are." Zoe replied as she stood up and walked to the front door.

"Zoe." Spike said, but she just kept walking out into the sun.

Spike watched her only to see a deamon come from out of nowhere and attack Zoe.

"Bloody hell." Spike yelled as he grabbed a sword and ran for the door.

By this time Zoe had gotten a knocked down and was lying there trying to get up. Spike made it out the doors and stood under the awning as he threw the sword at the deamon. The deamon moved quickly. Spike had misjudged it's quickness, due to it's size. Normally the sword would have found it's target embedding itsel in it's chest, but instead it laned andslid along the pavement.

Spike didn't think twice. He grabbed his knife from his waist and jumped at the deamon and into the sun.

It wasn't until the deamon stepped back and shifted form that Spike noticed he wasn't dust.

The deamon was now in the form of a young woman, and she was smilng at him.

Spike took a minute before remembering Zoe. He quickly went to her side.

"Don't worry, it looks worse than it is. I didn't hurt her. But it was the only way to get you out here." The woman said.

"Who are you? What the bloody hell is going on?" Spike said confused.

Zoe was now on her feet and lloking wide eyed at Spike.

"I was asked to come here to show you......you." She replied. "We can talk out here in the sun, or inside. Where ever you want."

After a couple minutes, Spike sent Zoe inside.

"Come on, let's walk shall we." The woman said as Spike nodded and followed her.

They came to a bench in the park a few blocks over. They sat down and Spike looked at her cautiously.

"You're a shape shifter then." Spike finally said breaking the silence.

"No. Not a shape shifter. I can project an image into peoples minds, I still look like me, but that's not what they see." She replied.

"So can you tell me what's going on. Normally I'd be a pile of dust." Spike said.

She smile at his comment. "When you came back, you went through changes. The main part is the same. Your memories, thought patterns, everything that makes you, you. But physically there have been changes. They happen slowly and over a period of time. For some reason, you haven't discovered them yet. That's why I'm here, to show you them. Take this for example. Being in the sun, you're not relegated to being in the dark anymore." She replied.

Spike looked around, still feeling a little out of place. "What else?" Spike asked as he looked the sun highlighting the skin on his hand.

"Try to bring your deamon forward." She told him flatly.

Spike looked around. He shook his head. "Children around." He said smply.

She smiled. "Try."

Spike looked at her then finally agreed. Spike tried, but couldn't vamp out. He looked to her puzzled. "Why can't I ?"

"Because you're no longer a vampire." She replied.

"What do you mean I'm no longer a vampire? I still drink blood, my heart doesn't beat, sense of smell, sight, quickness and strength, it's all there. If I'm not a vampire, what the hell am I?" Spike spat out becoming worried.

"Yes, you drink blood, but your appetite has diminshed quite abit hasn't it. You feed what, once a day maybe, and only small amounts."

Spike just looked at her and nodded.

"No your heart doesn't beat, not fully yet. Everyonece in a while you get, what you feel as a throbbing in your chest. That's your heart, slowly coming back to life."

Spike just sat there, not fully comprehending what he was being told.

"Some of your vampire qualities you'll keep. Your senses for one, sight, smell, hearing, you won't lose them. Same goes for your strength and dexterity." She paused and looked at him and smiled. "Your getting your reward."

"My reward. My reward for what?" Spike asked.

"What you did. Giving up your life to save the world. This is the reward the Powers have granted you. But they needed you to do one last thing before you caould have it."
"Really. And what would that be?" Spke asked cautiously.

"You've already done it. Zoe. If you hadn't found her, and have done what you have for her. LA might have gone close to the same way Sunnydale did. She is the slayer prophesized to stop the First when it reappears in the future."

"So I didn't stop the first." Spike said as he looked down and closed his eyes. *she died for nothing.*

"No one can truly stop the first. All we can do is put it out of commission for the time being. Evil will never die. That is why we have slayers, and ones like you."

Spike looked around at the children playing. His eyes drifted up to look at the blue sky.

"Your reward is what you wanted. You will become human again. With vampire abilities, but human. Shorter lifespan and all. But your body has to change gradually. I hope you enjoy your life. It's your time now to do what you want. Go where you want. Anything you ever wanted...you can have." She smiled at him one last time then stood up and left him sitting there with his thoughts.

"Not everything." Spike said to himself.

Angel stood outside of the hotel under the awning watching as Spike stood there waiting for the sun to rise. This had become Spikes daily routine for the past two weeks.

Spike stood there with his eyes closed and face tilting upwards to the sky as he waited for the sun to come. Placing one hand to his heart, feeling the steady rythm beating out the song of life beneath his hand. Feeling the rise and fall of his chest with every breath he took. Within the last week, his heart, his lungs, normal body functions all came into play. He was now officailly a human.

He inhaled deeply as he felt the sun starting to carress his face and warm him from the early morning chill. Chill, he could feel it in his bones, something he hasn't felt or had to think about in a very long time. Now he was very aware of the different temperatures. Spike smiled as he opened his eyes and looked into the blue sky.

Angel watched as he saw the myriad of emotions crossing over Spikes face.

Angel stood in the shadows, while Spike stood in the sun. Wanting to be there for Spike, left Angel constantly with the feeling of envy. Wishing it could be him out there greeting the morning, instead he's ever present in the dying of the day.

Angel smiles slightly when Spike turns to look at him with a smile on his face.

Spikes smile fades slowly as he looks at Angel, standing under the protective awning. Spike turns away for a last look at the sky before walking back to Angel as they walk back into the hotel.

Spike was able to do more, with the ability to go out during the day, Gunn and Wesley had more help, and were grateful from the brute strength that Spike brought to the group. Spike was also alot more intelligent then he ever let on.

Wesley and Fred noticed this when they were watching him quiz Zoe on her studies before upcoming tests, but never looking in her books, he always knew the answers, he was always right.

They also noticed the Spike keeping a little distance from Zoe, and one look at Zoe, and the look of adoration in her eyes, and they knew why.

Angel, Wesley and Fred were sitting behind the front desk when they saw Spike descending the stairs and coming to the counter. He looked agitated, as he started drumming his fingers on the counter.

Angels brows furrowed as he looked at Spike.

Spike quickly stopped and put his hands in his pockets. He looked around then turned to Angel.

"I'm going out." Spike said as he turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Angel asked as he looked at Spike curously.

Spike stopped and turned around and faced Angel.

"I don't know. I just.........need to......I don't." Spike said struggling with an answer.

"Not be here." Angel finished for him looking Spike in the eye.

Spike looked at him suprised, then nodded his head as the truth of Angels words hit home. He needed to be somewhere else. He just didn't know where.

"I'm ready now." Spike said softly.

"You have been for awhile." Angel replied.

Spike turned to the door. "I'll be back in awhile. I need to do some thinking." Spike said as he walked out of the hotel.

Angel clasped his hands and leaned on the counter as Wesley came to stand beside him.

"He'll be leaving then." Wesley said quietly.

Angel nodded his head still looking to where Spike had been.

"Should we get ahold of Buffy?" Wesley asked as he too leaned on the counter.

Angel shook his head. "No."

Wesley whipped his head around to face Angel. "What do you mean no? After everything....

Angel cut him off. "I mean no. Whistler said when it was time, they'd somehow find each other. I beleive him. If I didn't, I'd be on the phone right now." Angel replied as he turned and went into his office and closed the door.

Spike walked along the busy streets of downtown LA, looking no where in particular, just enjoying seeing everything in they daylight. It was still so new, something he would never grow tired of.

He soon found he had to start leaving his duster at the hotel, the weather was too warm during the day, so he mainly wore it at night.

Just as he turned the corner he bumped into two women and they immediately hit the ground.

Apologizing profusely he bent over to help them up.
They smiled and stared at him not minding at all that their backsided were now dirty, as they flirted with him openly.

Spike actually blushed, not that he wasn't used to women flirting with him, but he was still a little embarrassed. He turned them down politely and started to walk away.

He took about three steps then looked up and froze to the spot.

He took a sharp intake of breath as his body started to tremble.

In front of him, standing no more than three feet away, was the one woman, who's eyes, had the ability to bring him to his knees.

He took a slow step forward, his eyes never leaving hers.

He saw the tears sliding down her cheeks, slowly he raised his hand to brush them away. Scared he was going to touch air, that this was an illusion.

His fingers were almost to her face when she reached out and gripped his hand.

She gasped as her eyes widened and gripped his hand tighter, as her tears fell faster and body shook.

Their bodies collided into one another as they embraced, both crying openly, but not able to speak.

He held her tighter and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Her arms held him so tight, it would have broke the ribs of a normal man as she hid her face in his chest.

The bells on the door to the store behind them jingled as a young woman walked out and stared at the couple.

"Buffy?" Dawn asked worridly.

Hearing Dawns voice, Spike slowly raised his head to look in her direction.

As their eyes met, Tears began to form in Dawns eyes.

"Spike?" Dawn asked quietly.

"'Hello Nibblet." Spike said through tears as he smiles at her.

Dawn let out a muffled squeal, as she jumped in and joined the hug.

Buffy and Spike slowly pulled apart, still holding onto one another as they searched each others eyes.

"You're really here." Buffy said quietly through sobs. "You're alive."

"I'm here, and alive." Spike said as he stared at her in awe. He took her hand and placed it over his chest.

Buffy eyes widened and she gasped loudly when she felt his heart beating. Her other hand came up so fast as she felt his face, and arms, feeling the warmth on his skin, that had never been there before.

Her tears fell faster as she smiled and cried at the same time.

Her smile slowly faded as a look came over her face Spike was all to familliar with. She looked like a very brassed off slayer.

Before he could even react, his head was thrown back as Buffys fist connected with his nose.

"Ow. Bloody hell. Slayer what the hell was that for?" Spike said as he held his nose and wiped the blood from it.

"You're Alive." Buffy spat out.

"Yeah." Spike replied a little puzzled to her reaction.

"You're alive. All this time, you never even tried to get a hold of me." Buffy said as her tears slowly ran down.

Spike stood there shocked, then became angry.

"I'm gonna kill him." Spike said as he looked at Buffy and Dawn.

Buffy and Dawn Just looked at him puzzled.

"Who?" Buffy asked still angry.

"Peaches, who do you think." Spike said as he turned and started back for the hotel. Quickly followed by a questioning Buffy and Dawn.

After explaining to Buffy, they immediately hailed a cab and sent Dawn home as they continued back to the hotel.

"ANGEL." Spike yelled as he walked through the lobby with Buffy right behind him.

"He's in his office." Fred said from behind the desk looking at the very angry couple.

Spike heard the office door start to open, he bolted to the door and with a quick right jab caught Angel square in the nose and made him stagger back a couple of paces.

Angel grabbed his nose then looked up at Spike, and started forward.

"Spike, what the hell........"

That was all Angel said when he was dealt another blow to the head, this one landing him on his back, when Spike had stepped aside to reveal a very pissed off Buffy standing behind him. He hadn't even had time to block before she nailed him.

Angel looked up at them.

"Nice to see you again Buffy." Angel said as he started to rise.

"How could you do that?" Buffy said angrily.

"I didn't have a choice." Angel said quietly.

"What do you mean? Didn't have a choice. Bullocks." Spike said seethingly.

Angel had calmed them down and sat and explained everything, form Whistler to the Powers.

Angel, Buffy and Spike sat together as the room was silent, and they all absorbed what Angel told them.

"All this time." Buffy said quietly as she looked into Spikes eyes.

Spike looked down and cradled his head in his hands.

Angel got up quietly and left the two alone as he went to his room.

Spikes shoulders started to shake as he bagan to cry quietly.

Buffy wrapped her arms around him, as he leaned into her. He snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her onto his lap and held her tightly as the wiped away one anothers tears.

Spike slowly stood up, carrying Buffy, and made his way up to his room.

Spike laid Buffy down on the bed gently then crawled in beside her and wraped his arms around.

Buffy laid her head on his chest and lightly carressed his abdomen with her fingers.

"I love you." Buffy said quietly as she leaned in trying to get closer.

"God, I love you Buffy, I've missed you so much." Spike replied tightening his hold.

"When i saw you standing there on the street, I thought I was seeing things again." Buffy said as she turned to look at him. "But whan you reached out and I could feel you....." Buffy said as she raised herself and rested her forehead against his.

Spike let out a deep breath as he brought his hands up and carressed the sides of her face.

Sowly he brought his lip to hers capturing them in a slow soft and deep kiss.

Spike lifter Buffy so she straddled him, but never breaking the kiss. Buffy arms went around his neck and her fingers gripped the hair at the base of his neck gently, deepening the kiss even more, but never hardening it.

His hand sloely raised her top and removed it letting it fall freely to the floor, bringing his hands back to carress her back.

Buffy slowly unbuttoned his shirt and slid it doen his shoulders, his hands laft her only breifly as he removed his shirt the rest of the way, it joining Buffys on the floor.

Spike rolled over so Buffy was now pinned beneath him. He moved between her legs as he laid on top of her, as they slowly and achingly grind into each other.

Buffys hands roamed down his back, leaving no spot untouched.

Buffy let out a gasp when Spike started massaging her breast, then moaned when he captured a nipple between his teeth and sucked, then flicked it with his tongue.

Buffy reached between then and started undoing his jeans and sliding them down. Spike stopped his ministrations long enough to remove his pants, then hers.

Spike slowly came to lie ontop of her again as he positioned himself between her legs.

Spike bent his head and kissed he softly then pulle back so they could look into each others eyes as he slowly inserted himself in her.

Both gasped and took a deep breath as he buried himself to the hilt.

He moved slowly and sensuously , never breaking eye contact.

Every thrust was slow and deep and loving.

Buffys hands came to rest on the back of his neck, lowering him to her mouth. Buffy kissed him to the rythm of their lovemaking as her hand threaded through his air.

Spikes hand came up and held each side of her face, his thumbs brushing away stray tears as the fell.

"Spike." Buffy breathed as she broke the kiss as her orgasm started to build.

Spike moved faster when he felt her walls starting to constrict.

Buffy held him tighter as she started to shake.

Feeling his own climax he pumped harder, as Buffy screamed his name, he spilled his seed iside her womb.

He bent his head to rest in the crook of her neck, as they embraced tightly.

Spike laid there watching and carressing Buffys arm as she laid against him and ran her fingers over his stomach.

Buffy laid there smiling against his stomach. She turned her head so she could look into his eyes.

Their eyes locked together and the rest of the world just melted away. Nothing, no one else mattered.

~~*~~

Spike saw Buffy struggling to stay awake, he lloked down at her and smiled.

"Get some sleep luv." Spike said softly as he ran a finger over her bottom lip.

Buffy shook her head."No." As she tightened her hold on him.

"Don't worry luv. I got you. I'll be hear when you wake." Spike said quietly as he kissed the top of her head.

"No." Buffy said as she snuggled in closer.

Spike smiled, he was feeling the same way. He was afraid if he went to sleep she would disappear.

~~*~~

Spike watched as Buffys struggle ended and she fell asleep laying across his chest.

Her embrace never losened, even in sleep. If he shifted, her embrace tightened around him.

Spike was stuggling himself, not wanting to close his eyes and lose sight of her.

~~*~~

The last thing Spike saw before his eyes drifted shut was a smile on Buffy face as she slept.

Buffy sat up in bed leaning against the headboard, watching Spike sleep.

She had woken up with a fear that it had all been a dream, but when she looked to her side she smiled at the sight of him. They had somehow drifted slightly apart throughout the night. Buffy could move without disturbing him. So she sat up and watched with a smile while he slept.

Her eyes roamed over his exposed chest and abdomen , watching the rise and fall of his chest , then back up to his face. He looked so beautiful in his sleep, tousled hair framing his face.

She watched him as he started to stir.

Spike slowly started to wake. Inwardly he was afraid to open his eyes.

Then he felt a slight movement on the bed, he opened his eyes slowly and was greeted with a beautiful smile that met her eyes.

Spike smiled as he started to sit, but was held down by two small hands.

Buffy bent her head and captured his lips in her in a deep, probing kiss.

When they broke apart Buffy moved back as she brought her hand up to cup his face.

"Good morning." Buffy said quietly.

"The best morning I'll ever have." Spike replied as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in tightly, as she straddled him.

Spike took her lips in his as his hand came between them and found her opening, causing Buffy to gasp, and move her hips to the rythm og his fingers. Their kisses became more frantic as she clung to him tightly trying to get closer. Buffy broke th kiss and rested her forehead against his.

"No, now. Don't wanna wait." She said quickly before kissing him again.

Spike did as she asked and slipped himself inside her, slowly lowering her body until he was fully sheathed inside of her. They slowly grinded and rocked until the need became stronger, then he rolled her over, so he was ontop of her, quickening the pace.

"Faster, harder." Buffy breathed as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

Spike moved faster, slamming into her time and time again. his eyes never leaving hers. Spike could feel her walls start to tighten, so he raised himself, put his hands on her hips and pulled her to him with each thrust he did, filling her deeply every time, causing her to moan.

Spike cunvulced and spilled his seed, when he heard her screaming his name when she climaxed.

He slowly laid down beside her, bringing her over to lay on his chest.

They both layed there, catching their breaths and basking in the glow.

The next two days were spent with Dawn, and several phone calls from Giles and Faith, who were ready to hop on a plane and come down, but Buffy put them off, telling them there was time for that later.

Buffy had taken Spike to the beach, and anywhere else she could, never tiring of seeing him walking around in the daylight. Spike was happy, just being there with her.

Spike and Buffy sat side by side, and held each others hands as they looked out the small window of the plane. She turned away from the window and laid her head on his shoulder. He rested his head on top of hers.

The minute the seatbelt sign turned off, he had the belts off and pulled her onto his lap and held her as if she was going to disappear.

She leaned into him as they closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Buffy was awakened by Spike nudging her slightly.

"Hmm." Buffy replied as she snuggled in tighter and kept her eyes closed.

Spike chuckled and kissed her temple. "We're here luv."

Buffy opened her eyes and looked out the window as she smiled.

After they arrived at their hotel, they went to their room and just dropped their bags off.

"What do you want to do first?" Buffy asked.

"Eat. You wouldn't let me eat on the plane. God I'm starving." Spike replied.

"Me too. You should thank me, plane food is bad." Buffy said as she grabbed his hand and they bolted for the door.

They had dinner at a sidewalk cafe, and then walked around for the rest of the night taking in the scenery.

Every day was filled with sightseeing, and long walks. Everynight, they would make love and fall asleep in each others arms.

The rest of the world always seemed to fade away, and it was only the two of them that lived there, happily, sated and content.