"He looks like shit." Buffy whispered, staring at him from the corner of her eyes.
"Yeah." Willow said, trying not to smile. "Guess it isn't as easy as he thought."
"You are wicked." Buffy said, shaking her head. She hated to admit that she was wrong, but it seemed like her friend and Spike were in love. She had never seen Willow so miserable. This was even worse than when Oz left. And Spike looked like death. She felt her lips twitch as she realized that he actually was dead.
The phone rang and Willow picked it up. "Hello? Oh, hey Cor. What's up? Really? Oh...that's cool. I can't wait to finally meet him. Tell Angel I said hello. Oh, ok." Willow held the phone for a moment. She looked at Buffy who was watching her closely. "Cordelia is coming home next month. She's bringing some guy named Doyle. Says he's a dream and we'll love him."
Buffy rolled her eyes. She had heard that Cordelia was dating Angel's silent partner, some half demon. Oh well, at least she seemed happy with him. He might not try to kill her.
"Hi Angel" Willow said softly. "I'm fine. Yeah...it's still going. Thank you for everything. I really appreciated having someone that would listen to me. She's good. OK. Will do. I'll send you an email tonight. Promise. Love you too." Willow hung up the phone. "Angel sends his love" she told Buffy.
Buffy just smiled softly. She still missed him, but she had realized that they could never be together. She knew that Willow had gotten in touch with him about her shadowman situation. Willow never told her what Angel had said, but she seemed more hopeful after having spoken to him.
Spike had listened to Willow's conversation, seething
as he heard her speak those words to Angel so casually. He hated having
these feelings. He'd been stupid to think he would be able to get that
close to her and still keep his heart. He was miserable without her. He
looked at her. She was smiling now. Her face was pale though. He could
see the circles under her eyes. She hadn't been sleeping either. Somehow,
that made him feel better. He still couldn't describe his shock when he
had heard her call his name that night. He still wasn't sure if she had
figured out who he was or if she meant that he was the one who had made
her wet. Either way, it was too dangerous for him and for her. He'd had
to break it off. He scowled and looked out the window. It was for her own
good. He just hoped he could survive it. The loneliness was worse now.
He got up, ignoring them all, and left. The door closing quietly behind
him.