They sat talking about school, about the Wiccans' latest spells, about Xander's job, about anything but her death. That no longer mattered.

"Well well well.what have we here? Enjoying the music luv?" Spike pulled over a chair from a nearby table and sat down, beer in hand. The smile on his face went from ear to ear.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Buffy had 'that' tone again.

Spike looked at her with hurt in his eyes. "Just though I'd join you sorry lot. What? Not welcome?"

Her eyebrows went up and she stared at him as if to say, 'No shit Sherlock.'

"Fine. To hell with you. All of you." He tried to make that sound dispassionate. What did he care anyway if they didn't want him? It didn't work. Despite his attempt his voice was laced with pain, and the last three words were barely audible as they choked out of him. Spike left the group in a hurry.

Buffy muttered, "He'll never get it, will he." It was more a statement than a question, and despite the painful tug in her chest she went back to hanging out as if nothing happened.

In front of Spike's crypt were his TV, his chair, several scattered and broken candles, and other various piles of his belongings. She appraised the refuse and wondered what was going on. Was Spike redecorating? For some reason, she felt that pain in her chest return looking at the mess.

The group watched as Buffy walked to the door and pushed it open, calling out Spike's name. When he didn't answer, Buffy stepped inside and called out once more. She didn't need to; he was standing in front of her stuffing a large duffle bag with his few remaining belongings. The crypt had been stripped.

"What are you doing?"

"What the hell does it look like, Slayer?" Her title came forth dripping venom and hatred. It reminded her of they way he used to treat her, before.

"Going on a vacation? Nice to tell us. What if we needed you?" She was getting mad. Didn't he know he had to be there because, well, because?

"Tough. Later." With that, Spike grabbed the rest of his items and walked past her coldly, out the door, and headed towards his DeSoto.

She followed him at a distance. "So that's it? You're just leaving?"

He ignored her and kept walking. Buffy followed him further, with her Scoobies close behind.

She spit out, "When are you coming back?" She had her arms crossed and her 'You're such a pain in my ass' face on.

Spike reached his car just as she asked him about his return. He laughed bitterly, threw his parcels in the back seat and turned to face her.

"Back? Are you daft? Why the HELL would I come back? Oh, let me guess. So I can be there when you need me again, right? Well FUCK YOU!"

"Don't you DARE talk to me like that!" Buffy was furious! She felt the bile rising in her throat, and her chest was nearly bursting with pain.

"You stupid little BITCH! I've had ENOUGH of you! Two years, two GOD DAMNED FUCKING WORTHLESS YEARS! 'Spike, get out of Sunnydale! Spike, don't ever come near me or my family again! Spike, you're worthless! Spike, I hate you!' Then it's, 'Spike, do this. Spike, go there. Spike, take care of my family. Spike, I'm counting on you.' I am so FUCKING tired of this! I am so FUCKING tired of YOU!"

He was screaming at the top of his lungs, and his voice was getting hoarse. Buffy stood with her arms still crossed, daring him to continue. As he spoke, he picked up speed, his arms waving wildly in the air, accentuating his anger.

"Would it have been so hard to let me join you at the Bronze tonight? Or how about inviting me to one of your celebration gatherings? I have worked so hard to become your friend. But the ONLY time it worked is when you need me to do something for you! You used me again, and again and FUCKING AGAIN! I was ALWAYS there when you wanted me! You snapped your fingers, and your slave came running. You stripped me down to a quivering NOTHING! All I wanted was just something, something that lasted beyond your needing me to run your errands!"

He stood still, stared at her, and whispered, "You can go to hell for all I fucking care."

While Spike screamed, Buffy had withdrawn into herself. Her body was completely frozen. If he had wanted to kill her, she wouldn't have been able to fight him. Her mind started screaming back at her, trying to drown out his words, 'He's leaving! He's leaving! He's leaving! He's leaving!'

Buffy's mind was spinning and reeling. She was fighting a vicious battle inside. One half kept screaming, 'FINE! GO! FUCK YOU!' But then there was the other half.

She saw Angel leaving her. She saw Riley leaving her. She remembered the talk she had with Xander about love.

She saw Spike saving her time and time again. She saw how he was there for her and her family, every single time she needed him. She saw the pain in his eyes when she banished him from their table at the Bronze earlier.

Oh God her chest hurt so badly, why was there so much pain? She realized it was her heart, that her heart was breaking, her heart was breaking for Spike. One voice started screaming louder than the others.

* Don't be proud, please Buffy, drop the pride! You need him! PLEASE STOP HIM FROM LEAVING! PLEASE SAY SOMETHING!!!" * The voice tore at her heart and soul.

He turned his back to her and started walking to the other side of the car. * NOW! SAY IT NOW! *

"Spike." Buffy turned her face into the shadows. Her eyes were burning with tears and she didn't want them all to see.

**********************************
"Tonight you're mine, completely,
You gave your love so sweetly.
Tonight the light of love is in your eyes.
But will you love me tomorrow?"
**********************************

He stopped short and turned to face her once more. The rage in him was so overwhelming that his Vampire visage slipped into place, his golden eyes boring into her.

"WHAT!?"

That's when he saw her. Her shoulders were slumped and her eyes downcast. Her hands hung limply at her side and she was holding her breath. His human face immediately slipped back into place.

"Please, please," her words were coming in pieces, laced with small sobs that she tried to hold back. Buffy stepped towards Spike slowly. When she stood directly in front of him, she made her final decision.

She raised her eyes to meet his and his heart broke instantly. The tears that were threatening to spill from them both finally did.

"Don't leave me."

********************************
"Is this a lasting treasure,
Or just a moment's pleasure?
Can I believe the magic of your sigh?
Will you still love me tomorrow?"
********************************

He looked at her, tears making trails down her cheeks and dripping off her chin.

"Please." She cried in earnest and leaned her head on his chest. "Please."

Spike put his hand in her hair. He loved her so much that he felt like he was dying. They stood holding each other in silence for a moment. Or maybe it was an hour.

Buffy pulled away and turned to her friends. "Dawn, guys, can you do something for me tonight? Can you stay with Xander or Willow tonight?"

Willow and Tara stepped up. "We still have some of your clothes at our place. Come with us." They started walking away.

"Spike, we need to talk." She took his hand and led him in the opposite direction. They walked to her home, and Buffy opened the door and led him inside.

Spike started to speak, but Buffy silenced him and led him up to her bedroom. They stood before each other, still holding hands.

**********************************
Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I'm the only one.
But will heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun?
***********************************

She led him to the bed and brought her lips to his slowly. They stood, holding and kissing, touching and feeling. Spike inhaled her scent, nuzzling into her neck and holding her as close as he dared. She was just as into him, and she returned his affections with a need that overwhelmed her.

Her heart no longer hurt, but it still felt like bursting. Spike lowered her onto the bed and stripped her. His lips stroked her, and every place they touched felt alive. Buffy breathed deeply, a combination of arousal and the feeling of love washing over her.

************************************
I'd like to know that your love
Is a love I can be sure of.
So tell me now and I won't ask again,
Will you still love me tomorrow?
************************************

His hips resting against hers and his eyes sought out an answer to his question. He needed to know. He was close to tears because she hadn't said it, hadn't voiced what he needed to hear.

"Spike, I love you."

He sobbed against her as he slid inside her warmth, feeling her surround him, take him in. Slowly, he moved so slowly, so silently. The moment was so magical that neither of them felt the need to moan or make any noise. They felt their bodies moving as one and listed to the sounds of their lovemaking and their breathing.

When they came, they held each other tight, shaking and kissing. "Buffy I love you, I love you so much."

*********************************
Tell me now, and I won't ask again,
Will you still love me tomorrow?
*********************************

"Forever Spike. I love you forever."



The End