"Spike, listen to me" Willow said, making the blonde turn and face her.
 

"What is it luv?" Spike asked, trying to deny that this would be the last
time he saw her.
 

"I love you. I think I've loved you since first seeing you back nine years
ago. I have to move on...but you don't. You belong here. You have to watch
over the kids for me...keep them safe...." she broke off as tears covered her
cheeks. "Promise me you won't do anything stupid, Spike."
 

Spike caught her eyes and knew what she was thinking. He brought his hand up,
his eyes showing his pain. He ached to simply touch her once but he knew his
hand would just go right through her. He let it fall as he said, "I won't
walk into the sun, pet. And for you, I'll look after the brats....even the
slayer's newest. I won't let anything happen to them."
 

She smiled softly, "Thank you. I couldn't go thinking you might kill
yourself. Promise me something."
 

"What now?" he asked, trying to smile.
 

"Promise that you'll always remember me....but that you'll let me go" Willow
said, her heart breaking as she asked this final favor of him.
 

"I will NEVER forget you" he said, his voice soft. "But, I can't let you
go...not here" he said, putting his hand over his heart.
 

"You have to" she said, blinking away tears. "You are going to have to move
on someday. Please Spike....for me. Promise you won't refuse love if it finds
you again."
 

"I could do anything else you ask, pet. But not that" he said. "You are the
only one that will ever be in my heart. I realized that after you
died....you're my destiny. I'll watch over the brats for you....hell, I'll
even protect the others just so you can see them again one day." He paused,
his voice thick with emotion, "But, I can't promise that we won't meet again.
God, I hope we do...."
 

"Shh..." Willow said, crying. "We will....fate couldn't be that cruel. I love
you, Spike."
 

"I love you, my sweet Willow" he said, angry at the tear he felt slide from
his eyes. "More than anything."
 

She smiled, feeling relieved that he was going to be ok. She knew in her
heart that one day he'd fall in love again. He was going to have a long life
ahead of him and she'd be selfish if she wanted him to remain alone. But, she
knew he would never forget her. "Well, then, let's save William."
 

***************

Drusilla scowled at the boy. "Shut up."
 

"No" William said. "My princess is going to save me you wicked old witch."
 

"What was that" Dru asked, hearing a noise. She turned and smiled as she saw
Spike come into the room. "Spike!"
 

"Dru" Spike said, looking at William. He knew if he looked into her face he
might not be brave enough to kill her.
 

"Spike! Did you bring the princess?" William asked.
 

"Yes, mate. The princess is here" Spike said, not moving as Dru came towards
him.
 

"What have they done to you Spikey?" Dru asked. "So soft...so human" she spat
the last word.
 

"Let the boy go, Dru. This is between us" Spike said, looking into her eyes
for the first time. He was surprised that he felt nothing except disgust and
anger.
 

"His blood calls to me" Dru said. "After I kill you, I plan to eat him all
up."
 

Spike moved, pushing against her. They both morphed out as they began to
fight. William saw the princess and smiled, moving towards her and the door.
He heard a loud growl and turned to see Spike laying on the ground, bleeding.
The witch was over him, holding a stake.
 

"So weak" Dru hissed, "Too easy."
 

Spike kicked up, knocking her down. He looked at William and screamed, "RUN
Boy."
 

William ran, not wanting to watch anymore. He heard more growls and grunts as
the witch and Spike began to fight. He suddenly realized that Spike was the
prince. He had been all along. He frowned, hoping the princess would be ok.
 

"You are going to die" Spike told Dru, his words growled.
 

"All this for some dead human" she said, moving forward.
 

"Her name is Willow" Spike said, lashing out at her.
 

Willow materialized beside them. She watched as William stood at the door,
watching again. His young face was scared but relaxed. He knew how this was
going to end. She smiled at him, blowing him a kiss. This was one story that
wouldn't have a happy ending. She had realized what she had to do. She gave
herself weight as she pulled Dru off of Spike right before she plunged the
stake down. Dru was surprised and lashed out. Willow's green eyes caught
Spike's blue ones.
 

"I love you Spike" she said as she wrenched the stake away from Dru.
 

Spike sat up, his body in pain as he suddenly realized what Willow was going
to do. "NOOOOO!"
 

Willow smiled sadly at him before she pushed the stake into Drusilla. "I love
you." She said before she felt pain rip through her. She screamed in agony as
she faded before his eyes.
 

Spike scrambled to where they had been. Dust not lay on the floor. Willow was
gone. He collapsed on the floor, tears covering his face. She had given
herself again to save him this time. He knew what her actions would cause. He
sobbed as he felt a warm hand on his head. He looked up into Willam's face.
 

"The princess is gone" William said, his own eyes teary as he realized this
time it wasn't just a story. "She saved us."
 

"I know" Spike said, pulling the boy to him. They both cried silently as
Drusilla's ashes settled on the floor around them.

next