Spike heard a soft cry and was out of his bed instantly. He checked on
William, his new roommate. The boy was having a nightmare. Spike sighed as he
sat back on the bed. He couldn't go back to his apartment so he had taken up
residence in the boy's room. Xander and Anya were glad to have him. Not only
did it allow them to make sure he didn't do anything to himself, he also was
good for William. For some reason, he quieted William down. Since Willow had
left, William had gotten loud and was having nightmares. Spike felt
responsible for Dru having taken the boy in the first place. Poor kid was
going to experience the horrors of Sunnydale at a young age. Spike had caught
the kid the other day reading through some old books, looking at pictures of
demons and vampires. No wonder he was having nightmares.
 

Spike moved to the window, his blue eyes looking at the street below him.
Things were peaceful. Angel and Cordelia had stayed long enough to make sure
Spike wasn't suicidal before leaving and going back to LA. They had phoned
several times since then, vowing to keep in touch this time. Buffy had found
out about the baby. Spike had told her that Willow said it was a girl. She
had been touched that Willow had watched out for her. The other kids had
recovered completely from the entire ordeal. William was a worry though. He
had always been very intelligent, already being in third grade and only six,
plus he let things affect him. He had not told any stores since his princess
had died. He rarely spoke anymore, losing himself in the old books and
pictures of Willow that Xander had. Spike and the boy often spoke of the girl
as they laid down at night. William still called her princess and sometimes
called her auntie Willow. To Spike, she would always be his princess. He
hoped she was not in pain. It had been just a short time since he had lost
her, yet it seemed like forever.
 

He heard the boy sigh and say thank you. He looked at him, scowling. What
sort of dream was he having this time? He saw a smile of delight cross the
sleeping youth's face and then heard a giggle. At least it wasn't a
nightmare. He ruffled the boy's hair before sitting back on the bed. He
bumped into something and looked. He didn't see anything. He flipped the
light switch on, his face freezing as he looked at her. "Willow?"
 

She smiled, moving forward. She hugged him tightly, feeling him for the first
time in years. "God..Spike..."
 

"What? How?" Spike asked, feeling her warmth. He breathed in the scent of her
shampoo and looked into her green eyes.
 

"What? Well, they let me go....I don't know really understand. One minute
there was nothing except my memories and then, I was facing them and being
released. I'm alive again...well, sort of."
 

"You won't leave me again?" Spike demanded, noticing the lack of heartbeat.
"Why aren't you breathing?"
 

"That's the sort of" Willow said. "They chose me to be a savior. I'm immortal
and I have to follow their directions...their guidance.....a bit like Angel I
guess. I can be with you though...."
 

"Why? I mean, why now and not before?" Spike asked, not letting her go.
 

"They weren't sure if I was ready before. They deliberately set me up to see
if I would sacrifice myself again for one I love. When I did, well, I guess
it proved that my soul was pure enough for the job of saving innocents."
 

"This is for real? Not a time limit?" Spike asked, his hand stroking her face.
 

"Forever and ever" she said with a smile. "They hadn't planned on allowing me
to come back here.....thought I'd be more useful somewhere else...."
 

"Damn them" he cursed, thinking he almost hadn't gotten her back. "What did
you tell them to change their minds?"
 

Willow laughed softly, her hand on his face, "I didn't. William did. The
little rascal figured out a way to speak to them...to demand that they
release me so that I could watch over him and his friends....he said that
they needed me. He also mentioned you, prince. Said he wanted his happy
ending, damn it.....remind me to tell Anya about his cursing habits....wonder
where on earth he got those from?" she said looking at him pointedly.
 

"William?" Spike asked, looking at the smiling sleeping boy. He suddenly
understood the secrecy and the ancient books. He started to laugh, pulling
Willow into him."We are so going to have trouble with that one, aren't we?"
 

Willow smiled, "Let's just say he's going to be a handful. But, he's going to
do wonderful things. They all are....with our guidance. Heck, he's already
started...."
 

Spike smiled, brushing his finger against her lips. He couldn't believe she
was back, for real this time. And he owed it all to a six year old brat.
"Yeah he has...he got you back for me...."
 

Willow smiled as she leaned up and kissed him for the first time. She pulled
back, seeing the desire and love in his blue eyes. She had never imagined
that dying could make her so very happy. She wound her fingers in his hair,
whispering against his lips, "Here's to happy endings, my love."
 

William heard the words and peeked out from his covers. Willow and Spike were
kissing. He smiled, glad that his readings had helped. Now, maybe things
would get back to normal. He watched them kiss and saw the love surround
them. He hoped that one day he'd find his own princess. They seemed so happy.
Turning to face his wall, he closed his eyes. He loved happy endings.
 

*******************THE END******************

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