Anya jumped up as Spike and William came into the apartment. She saw
the torn
clothes and blood covering Spike and knew it had not been easy. She
held
William tightly as she looked into Spike's bloodcolored eyes.
"She's gone" is all Spike said, sinking to the couch, his head between
his
knees.
"Princess killed the witch" William said, his own face tear stained.
"The princess's name was Willow." Xander said, pulling his son into
his arms.
"I'll tell you about her one day....she was my best friend."
"Wait...Willow killed Dru?" Buffy asked.
Spike nodded, looking up. "Dru was about to kill me...I had her too,
but her
stake was close....Willow...she" he paused, gathering his emotions.
"She
pulled Dru back and staked her."
"She damned herself" Angel said, remembering the details that Spike
had given
them. "My god...."
Spike looked away, "She was in pain...screamed so loud..."
"No" Buffy said. "No..."
"She made her choice" Xander said, his heart breaking at the idea that
his
Willow was sufferring but knowing that she wouldn't have done anything
different. "She gave herself to save Spike."
"She should have let me die" Spike said. "Damn...I promised her I wouldn't
do
anything....But..this is hard...so fucking hard...I can't live without
her...." he began to cry, breaking down in front of them. They looked
at him
surprised by the emotion he was showing.
Angel moved to his childe's side. "Spike....Willow would be pissed if
she
heard you. You promised her. You know what Willow was like about promises."
Spike looked at his sire, "I know....I just.....too soon. I was suppose
to
have a few more weeks with her. Damn it."
Angel was shocked to see just how deeply Spike had cared about Willow.
He had
known his childe was in love with the girl. He'd known that even six
years
before. But, he hadn't realized just how in love. "Why don't you let
me take
you home? We can talk."
"No" Spike said, shaking his head. "I'd see her everywhere. I can't
deal with
that."
"You can sleep in my room, Uncle Spike" William said quietly. "I have
an
extra bed."
Spike looked at the boy, surprised to see the sadness in the kid's eyes.
He
remembered all the stories of the princess and the happy endings the
child
spoke of. Poor kid had just realized an important lesson in life. There
was
no such thing as a happy ending. Besides that, the boy had had a slight
crush
on the ghost he was able to see. Seeing her die...well, he'd been more
upset
than the others realized. "I'll accept that offer, mate."
William stood and left his father's arms, reaching his hand out to his
uncle.
"Tell me about her, uncle. Did you love her?"
Spike looked away from the boy, tears in his eyes that he wiped away.
"Yes...I love her." He got his emotions under control and leaned over,
picking the boy up and walking out the door with him. He began to speak,
"Her
name was Willow and she was the most beautiful princess in all of
Sunnydale....."