Willow and Buffy are in what is now their shared training space behind the magic shop. They have been practicing their fighting. Willow’s practice is
as much about learning to draw on Spike’s strength and speed as it is the actual fighting.

"Is this what training was like for you. I never thought I could hate anything this much." Willow is tired and frustrated.

"Kind of, yours is harder though. I just had to learn how to fight at first anyway. You have to learn that, how to use this strange new power of
yours, and a bunch of magic stuff too. I don’t envy you. Now let’s try it again. You can do this Willow, just focus. Don’t be afraid of hurting me. I
can take it."

Willow groans, but gets back into a fighting stance. The two small girls on the mat begin to fight. Willow is focused this time and they exchange
blow for blow, equally matched. After nearly 15 minutes of this Willow gets the upper hand. She pins Buffy to the mat, an imaginary blade at her
throat.

"Way to go Willow. That’s it. You’re getting it." Buffy is truly impressed at Willow’s progress.

Giles who has watched this last fight steps forward, "That was excellent, Willow. It’s getting quite late, and I think that’s enough combat training
for one night. You and Spike need to get home before dawn. I’ll see you later in the day."

"Thanks Giles. That was a rush."

Willow and Spike head for what is now there shared apartment. They know that Angel and Cordelia will be waiting for them there. Both they and
Wesley had decided to remain in Sunnydale to help Spike and Willow adjust. Willow’s apartment had a rather large second bedroom which she and
Tara had used as a guest room and study. They had a sofa in it as well as a bed. Cordelia had claimed the bed and Angel was sleeping on the sofa.
Wesley was staying with Giles. Willow and Spike shared a bed, but were not lovers.

Buffy had remained behind to speak with Giles, "She’s good."

"Yes, Spike has never been able to best you like that. It is his strength she’s using, what’s different." Giles sees this as an academic problem and
wants a real answer to that question.

"I don’t know, he’s had the drop on me several times. I’ve been very lucky with Spike. But if anyone ever tells him I said that, I’ll have to kill them."
Buffy is only half joking when she says this.

"Yes, but with Spike he’s always distracted you, used your emotions against you. When you have been completely focused, he’s never come close
to beating you. Willow won, when you were focused on the fight, what’s different."

"She’s good. Her technique is nearly perfect. She’s disciplined Spike isn’t. She has all of his strength, his speed, and her own discipline. It makes her
better. Spike is one of the most powerful vampires I’ve ever come across, that makes her a tough enemy. Luckily for me she’s a friend."

"Good, now if only the magic would come along as well."

"What do you mean. Most of the stuff Willow is doing now, is incredible. I didn’t even know it was possible."

Yes, Willow is doing quite well, but Spike does not seem to be able to draw on that at all. He has been completely unable to use her power."

"It’ll come Giles, just give them time."

"I hope so, Buffy, and I hope we have the time."

Cordelia greets Spike and Willow as they get home calling them into the kitchen.

"Hi Cordy, what’s all this." Willow is questioning the set table, and covered dish.

"I made dinner. Come on Willow sit down and eat, before it’s time to sleep."

Willow sits at the table and Cordelia dishes up a plate for her. Willow takes a tiny bite and is quite surprised to find that it’s delicious. "Cordelia, this
is wonderful. I didn’t know you could cook. Who taught you?"

"Buffy’s mom and your television. I was feeling useless. I’m not that great at research, I know nothing about magic, and certainly can’t help you
with the fighting part. I needed something to help with so I learned. Is it really good, Willow. I was worried about this." Cordelia is very agitated.

Willow laughs and reassures Cordelia, "Yes, it’s really good. Wonderful in fact. Now, lets eat this and go to bed, I’m exhausted."

In the weeks since the binding Willow had adjusted her schedule to coincide more with Spikes. Xander and Anya were the only left of the group who
kept semi-normal hours. Buffy had been keeping vampire hours since she was called as a slayer. Giles since he began his life as a watcher. Cordelia
had picked up the sleeping habits in her work for Angel. Cordelia and Willow usually went to bed, shortly after dawn, and usually would get up 5 or 6
hours later. Spike and Angel usually stayed up several hours later, and would wake in the early afternoon. This left the vampires up for several hours
with no one else to talk to. At first this was a very uncomfortable arrangement, but as the days turned into weeks, they began to fall into a
pattern. They would carefully avoid any discussion of the past and talk only of their common interests of the present. This meant that most of their
conversations centered around Willow. Angel had come to realize that Spike was in love with the small red-headed witch. He realized it, but Spike
did not. This night was not much different. Willow and Cordelia ate, and then went to bed. Spike and Angel stayed up and discussed their day, their
conversation quickly turns to Willow.

Spike speaks, frustration evident in his voice, "She doesn’t trust me. I think that’s why I can’t use her power. It’s like running into a bloody brick
wall every time I try."

"You’ve never given her a reason to trust you. It’ll take some time. Is she still having the dreams?"

"Every night, and every bloody night, I hold her till they go away. I don’t think she even remembers she dreamed when she gets up. I wish there
was something I could do."

"The two of you must talk. That’s the answer to both problems. She needs to know about her dreams, and work through them, and talking is the
only way you’ll ever gain her trust."

Spike sighs, "I know, but I’ve never been good at talking. It’s late, I’m going to bed."

When Spike reaches the bedroom, Willow has already begun to dream. It’s a dream full of fire, death, and pain. It’s Jesse’s death so many years
ago, Oz leaving her, Tara’s death, so recent, and the hundreds of other violent acts and deaths she had witnessed in the last six years. She cried
out in her sleep and unconsciously reached out towards Spike. Spike gathered the still sleeping girl in his arms and held her until she quieted. One
loan tear slid down his face as he listened to her cry. "What do you dream little one. I wish I knew, so I could chase the dreams away."

The next day Willow rises near 10:00. It’s a Saturday and she happily falls into her usual weekend routine, sipping coffee while she checks her
e-mail. The phone in the other room rings. Cordelia answers it.

"Ms. Rosenberg?"

"No this is Cordelia Chase, You’re calling for Willow."

"Yes a Ms Willow Rosenberg. She’s not alone then."

"No, she’s not. I’ll get her for you."

Cordelia sets the phone down still puzzling over the strange call. She goes to get Willow. "Willow, there’s some weird guy on the phone for you."

"Okay, I’ll get it in here." Willow picks up the phone by her computer. "This is Willow Rosenberg."

"Ms. Rosenberg, my name is James Wilshire. I work for the NTSB, National Transportation Safety Board. I’m afraid their was an incident with a plane
late last night. Your parents were listed among the passengers. I’m afraid there were no survivors."

Willow simply cradles the phone. "No, it can’t be. It can’t." What began as gentle sobs soon breaks out into a full fledged wailing cry. Spike and
Angel both woke at the sound and came running to see what was wrong, Cordelia took the phone from Willow and tried to make sense out of what
the man was telling her. When she finally understood, she hung the phone up. Spike had rushed immediately to Willow’s side, picking her up, and
carrying her to the sofa, where he held her and rocked her. He stroked her hair, and whispered assurances to her. "Shh, baby, everything’ll be ok.
It’s alright."

Angel watched this, amazed at Spike’s gentleness. He had never treated even Drusila with this much tenderness. Angel turns to Cordelia and asks,
"What is it. What happened Cordelia."

"It’s Willow’s parents. There was a plane crash. They both died. Oh Willow, honey, I’m so sorry. I’m calling everyone right now. You won’t go
through this alone, we’ll all be here." She picks the phone back up and begins making calls. Within twenty minutes Willow’s small living room is once
again full.

The next weeks pass as a blur of activity for Willow. She can’t differentiate events, days, even hours and minutes. The only thing she knows is that
through it all, one person has never left her side. Spike has stayed with her through everything. After much insistence her parents burial was even
done after sunset, so that Spike could attend. This was the only clear knowledge that Willow had, when she emerged from the fog.

Her friends were gathered in her living room. Even Spike had been enticed out for a bit of conversation while Willow slept. When she woke up, she
went in to the living room and marveled at the dedication of her friends. "Everybody, thanks for being here. I’m okay. I’m back." No one needed that
explained, since the call, Willow had been little more than a shell. Now she was back in her body. They were thrilled. Willow goes around the room to
hug everyone. She saves Spike for last. When she gets to him, she wraps him in a tight hug. She whispers to him, "Thank you, Spike. I won’t fight
you anymore. I trust you now."

Their training progresses even faster in the weeks that follow. Spike is able to tap into her power. He has trouble controlling it, but that can be
corrected with time and discipline. They are a powerful pair, and grow more so each day.

When Willow is able to take full measure of her financial situation, she discovers that she is a very wealthy young lady. Her parents had put aside
more money than she had ever imagined. They had led a modest lifestyle, but that was mostly because they did not have time to worry about
things like new cars or houses. It turned out that her inheritance plus the life insurance on both of her parents left her with several million dollars in
the bank, and nearly an equal amount in investments.

Willow thought for a long time about what she wanted to do with all of that money. She wanted to be responsible, and save for her future, but at
the same time, she felt like she should do something for those who had become family over the years. Now that the shock was past, she realized
that her parents had not really been her family for a long time. Maybe that’s why it had hurt so much, now they’d never have a chance to be a real
family. But that didn’t matter now, because Willow had people who were more a family to her than anyone else ever had been. The people who had
stood by her through everything. She was out walking on her own one evening when she saw a huge house with a for sale sign on it. She spoke
with a realtor, and discovered that it needed serious remodeling, but was available for very little money. She decided she would by the house and
make it into a haven for her friends, her family.

The group did most of the remodeling themselves, drawing on Xander’s new found expertise. When they were finished there were 9 bedrooms, one
for Spike and Willow, one for Anya and Xander, one for Buffy and Riley, and one each for Cordelia, Giles, Angel, and Wesley. The other two
bedrooms were set aside as guest rooms, and were especially meant for Buffy’s mom and sister. The house also had a huge library that contained all
of their research texts as well as each of their private collections. And as it’s crowning touch the entire basement was converted into a huge
training space for Buffy and Willow. After much talk, Willow finally convinced everyone to move into the house.

In the weeks that followed they settled into a pleasant routine. The humans of the group all rose about 10:00 am, going to bed about 4:00 am. The
vampires stayed up until 6:00 am and were usually awake by noon. Cordelia who had become quite the accomplished cook, basically took over the
household duties. It seemed a strange role for those that still thought of her as the stuck-up cheerleader they had known in high school, but she
filled it well. She also worked part-time at a small boutique in town. Xander and Anya both worked, Xander for a local construction company, and
Anya in Giles shop. Riley was continuing his graduate studies at the university. Buffy and Willow both went to college classes in the afternoons.
Giles, Wesley, and Angel spent their days researching and managing the magic shop. Spike spent most of his time training in magic. He had learned
to draw on Willow’s power, but the magic itself was still difficult for him. Buffy still patrolled every night, but now she had a great deal of help.
Cordelia occasionally still had visions, and when she did, the whole group would work to solve them. Things were going quite well and Willow was
truly happy.

One late afternoon, Angel, Wesley, and Giles were left researching by themselves. Ostensibly they were studying some of the more obscure demons,
but no one was really very focused on this research, and conversation soon turned to Willow and Spike.

"How is their training coming along Giles." Angel inquired.

"Quite well, I suppose. Still, I can’t help but feel they should be doing better." Giles’ frustration could be heard in his voice.

"I don’t understand what you mean. They are doing wonderfully well it seems to me. Spike is learning excellent magical control, though it obviously
is not natural for him. Willow is doing even better. Her magical abilities seem on par with the great sorcerers of history and her fighting is excellent.
She nearly always defeats Buffy when they practice these days." Wesley is genuinely puzzled by Giles’ reaction.

"I think he’s referring to some of the powers hinted at in the texts. Things like a telepathic link." Angel however completely understands.

"That’s exactly it. They are after all a prophesied pair. I would have thought that they would be among the strongest in history, but there are many
powers that they have not yet gained. The telepathic link and possibly the most impressive, the ability for the vampire to go out in the sunlight. I
know they haven’t tried it, but they seem positive they can’t do it. I want to know why."

"They aren’t bound closely enough. Their bonds are of blood, necessity, and friendship but not of love. I think they must complete that bond to
reach their full power." Angel has thought about this very problem for quite some time, and is fairly certain of his response.

"That’s ridiculous, well I don’t profess to understand it, a child could see that the two of them are in love." Giles scoffs at Angels comment.

"You can see it, and so can I, but they won’t see it themselves. Until they do, it’s not quite real; it doesn’t tie them together." again, this is
something that Angel has spent a good deal of time thinking about.

Wesley, who is still in shock at the thought of Willow and Spike in love, despite Giles comment, he had never realized it is the next to speak. "I
admit relationships have never been my strong suit, but would someone explain why they don’t admit they love each other, if it’s true."

"They’re scared. Think about it. Willow has not had a great deal of luck with love. Oz left her, her parents and Tara both died. All of the people who
are supposed to care the most have left her. Granted Tara didn’t choose to leave, but she’s gone just the same. Her parents really left years before
their death. They were never really there for Willow. She’s scared that if she loves Spike, it means he’ll leave too. Spike’s experiences with love and
trust have been even worse. The woman he loved as a human rejected him. Darla and I abandoned he and Dru. Dru never really loved him. She used
him. She needed someone to take care of her, Spike became that person for her. The only thing that caring for someone has ever gotten Spike, is
pain. He’s afraid that will happen with Willow. Also those he has loved have held a great deal of control over him. He’d do almost anything for the
one he loves, even when it’s not in his best interest. He’s afraid to let Willow hold that type of power over him. It’s understandable really." Angel
understands relationships and fear. He just hopes that Spike and Willow will be able to get around their problems.

"There’s really nothing we can do to help them is there?" Giles seems resigned to the fact that they will have to work this out themselves.

"Not a thing, they’ll have to deal with it on their own."

Later, that evening, shortly after sunset, there is a knock on the front door. Angel goes to answer it, finding Willy and a vampire he’s never met on
the porch.

"Willy, what are you doing here?"

"Delivering messages. Damon here has one for Spike, but I think maybe you’d better here about it first. Can we come in." Willy seems more nervous
than usual.

Angel quickly steps outside and shuts the door behind him, unwilling to invite a strange vampire into his home. "What is it. Who are you?"

The vampire shrugged, "Name’s Damon. I’ve spent the last couple of years in South America. Looking for a good time. Found it. Couple of months
ago, I ran into this demon, thrived on torture. Anyway, I stayed with him, and this crazy chick he had. We did have some times, Bloodbaths when
we came to town. About a week ago, the loony chick woke me up in the middle of the day, gave me this letter. She told me I had to give it to her
Spikey. Said I’d find him in the slayer’s town, this was all mixed up with a bunch of mumbo jumbo about the stars singing and talking to her doll.
Wonder I ever figured out what she wanted. Anyway, the next thing I know she’s killing the demon. Then she just walked out into the sun. Here’s
the letter."

Angel took the paper from the vampire. For a moment he just stood there, in shock. He hadn’t realized it when Dru was gone, he should have, but
he didn’t. He finally found his voice, "Leave, I’ll give this to Spike. If you want to survive I suggest you get as far as you can as quickly as you can.
He won’t take this news well."

Damon just nodded, "I wasn’t planning on hanging around. A slayer’s town, who’d want to live there. Bye."

Willy seemed afraid by the look on Angel’s face, and knew that Spike would no doubt be worse. They may be friends with the slayer, but he
remembered all to well, the pain that Angelus and Spike could inflict. "I’m going, please, I just brought the news, don’t take it out on me."

"I won’t tell Spike how I got the letter. Just go."

Angel searched for Spike, finally finding him in the library with Willow. They were both reading magic texts. "Spike, we need to talk. I have some
news."

Willow was concerned at the way Angel had spoken and turned her attention to him. Spike recognized the tone in Angel’s voice, and very much did
not want to hear this news. "What is it mate"

"Spike, Dru, she’s gone. She sent a letter for you." He paused as he laid the letter on the table next to Spike, "She walked into the sun a week
ago."

Silent tears began to fall from Spike’s eyes. It was as if he was frozen with shock. After what seemed like an eternity he reached towards the
letter.

"I’ll leave you alone to read this. I’m so sorry Spike." Angel turned quickly and walked from the room. He did not want Spike to see the tears forming
in his own eyes.

Spike read the letter and began to murmur incoherently, "She’s gone, she can’t be gone. No, it’s not possible, she’s my sire, I’d have felt her die."

Willow walked over and sat down on the bench next to Spike. She pulled him into her arms, and began to stroke his hair, as she would a child’s. She
spoke, but only nonsense comfort. "It’ll be alright, everything’ll be ok. Shh. You’re ok." After a time, Spike began to calm in her arms. She pulled
back and saw that he was still crying. Very gently she wiped the tears from his cheek, when more took their place she gently brushed them away
with her lips. Spike looked up surprised, but then brushed his lips softly against hers. When Willow didn’t pull back, he deepened their kiss, seeking
comfort in her. A moment later, he had swept her up and carried her into their room.

Hours later Willow woke up. She looked at the man asleep beside her, and heat rushed to her cheeks, as she remembered just what they had been
doing such a short time ago. She reached out and stroked Spike’s hair. She knew that Spike had only taken her, out of grief. Seeking the only kind
of comfort he knew how to accept. She didn’t care. She had realized that she loved him. She would do anything for him, and maybe in time, after
the pain of Drusila had diminished, he’d be able to love her too. With these thoughts she snuggled back into his arms and went to sleep again.

The next time she woke it was to Spike’s tears. "What is it, Spike?"

"The letter, did you read it?"

"No, that was personal, for you."

"She told me why. She said I’d left her, or wasn’t waiting for her, so she was leaving me. How did she know that, Willow. I thought I was still
waiting. Believed until now. How did she know before I even did."

"Shh, calm down. What do you mean."

"Oh, just read the bloody letter, and then I’ll explain to you." Spike seemed almost irritated, by her lack of understanding.

Not wanting him to get anymore upset than he was, Willow got up, put on a robe, and went to retrieve the letter. She read it on her way back.

***My Spike,

You’re not really mine anymore. You don’t wait for me. The stars told me that you had found someone. They whispered to me that she was a temple
of fire, chosen for great things, and a killer of our kind. I recognized her. Why don’t you wait anymore. Goodbye my Spike. I’ll leave you know for
good.***

When she went back into the room, Spike gathered her into his arms and kissed her before settling them both back onto the bed, "I’m sorry I yelled
pet. You’ve read it. How did she know."

"Spike, you’re gonna have to help me out here, Dru was insane, and I’m not making much sense out of this. What did she mean?"

"She left because I wasn’t waiting anymore, I didn’t need to. She was right, always before, I had waited for her, believing that one day she’d come
back to me. Even after they put this bloody chip in my brain, I waited. But I’m not waiting for her anymore. Don’t you know why, love."

Willow didn’t even dare to hope that he meant he had found someone new to love, and that that someone was her. "Tell me."

"She knew that I’d fallen in love with someone else, Willow. She knew I didn’t wait for her anymore, because I had all I’ve ever needed right here. I
don’t know how she knew, because I didn’t until tonight, but somehow she knew I was in love with you. That’s why she walked into the sun.
Because of me." with that he broke into tears once more.

"Spike she was insane, who knows what she was thinking, or why. It’s not your fault." These words were automatic, but when the rest of his
statement began to sink in Willow whispered, "You love me?"

"With all my heart, more than the earth itself. I love you Willow." Spike spoke, while looking into her eyes, hoping against hope, to see his own
emotions reflected there.

"Spike, I...I love you too. I think I’ve been in love with you since the day my parents died, but too afraid to admit it, even to myself....." Willow
would have kept talking but Spike had captured her lips with his own.

She loved him, the little redhead loved him. The happiness he had felt when she said those words couldn’t be marred by anything, not even the guilt
he still felt over Dru’s death. He fully intended to show her just how much he loved her, keeping her in this bed until they could neither one stand
up.

At this same time, another conversation was taking place on the other side of the house. Buffy was worried about Willow, as she often was. "Do
you think, she’s happy Riley. I mean really."

"Buffy, we’ve had this conversation. Yes, I think she’s happy. I’ve never seen her this happy before, not even with Tara. Why can’t you believe
that?"

"It’s just, so much has happened to her, Tara and her parents’ deaths, and the prophecy, and everything. I don’t know, I just feel like she’s had a
terribly tough life, and it’s all my fault. I mean, if she wasn’t my friend, she’d never have been chosen for this prophecy, to be bound to a vampire
for all eternity, and Spike of all vampires."

"So what, you think her life would have been better off without you in it. I don’t believe that. First of all, living in Sunnydale, she would have
probably been killed by now. A good portion of your class was remember. She would have probably never discovered the magic inside of her, and
without that she would have never even met Tara. Given the stories I’ve heard, Xander, her best friend would have never survived high school,
without you. Her parent’s death would have happened anyway, you had nothing to do with it. The difference is with you in her life, she had friends,
a support system, family. Without you she would have been alone. That’s how she got me here you know. I wanted to keep the apartment, I didn’t
feel right about taking this from her, but she told me I was part of her family now, the only real family she’d ever had, and she wanted to do this.
She doesn’t regret being your friend Buffy, she never would."

"Thank you Riley, but still the prophecy, that is all me. How can I ever make up for her being stuck with Spike for eternity."

"She loves him you know. I don’t quite understand it myself, but she does."

"But he’s Spike."

"Buffy when you look at Spike, you see the evil vampire that has tried, on several occasions to kill both you and your friends. And a part of him is
still that vampire, but that isn’t who Willow sees anymore. Willow sees the man, who never left her side after her parents died. She sees the gentle
caring presence that took care of her, held her when she cried. I think that that man is more of Spike now than the vampire you remember. Willow
loves him, and I think that he loves her too."

"I know, really I do. I understand that part of Spike is this new caring super guy, but part of him is still the demon. That bothers me, it has too. But
I’ll try. I’ll try for Willow’s sake."

"Good, now that that’s settled, I had some very involved plans for tonight." Riley says, kissing Buffy.

Hours later both couples fell asleep, exhausted.

Willow, finally woke up at nearly 2:00 pm the next day. She was bursting with happiness. She was in love, and Spike loved her back. He was still
sleeping next to her, and she carefully extracted herself from his embrace. She took a quick shower and got dressed. She was absolutely starving.
She’d missed breakfast, for that matter she’d missed all of her early classes, but Cordy should be getting lunch ready about now.

Willow bounced into the dining room, the joy radiating from her. Everyone was there already. They were worried, assuming that the fact that they
had not seen Willow or Spike since Angel delivered the message was a bad thing. They were surprised at Willow’s obvious happiness. Angel had told
them what he knew, which really after he thought about it wasn’t much. He knew that Dru had walked into the sun. He didn’t know why or what
she wrote to Spike. He had felt guilty he did not get more information, before leaving Spike to tend to his own grief.

Willow looked around before sitting down, noticing that there were 6 pairs of eyes looking at her, all shocked. She finally shrugged, and sat at her
usual place at the table.

Giles was the first to find his voice, "Willow, Angel told us about Drusila. How is Spike?"

In her joy at finding love, Willow had almost forgotten the circumstances that led up to last nights events. They came crashing down on her all at
once, darkening her expression. "He’s hurting. He thinks it’s his fault that she did it. We’ll get through it though."

"Not having ever known Drusila, I may be really off base here, but why on earth would Spike blame himself for this. I thought she was nuts, isn’t this
just one more bit of proof." Riley questioned.

"It was the letter. Drusila wrote to Spike and told him that she was leaving because he didn’t wait for her anymore. Spike told me that’s true, and
so he blames himself. But it’s not his fault. It’s not anyone’s fault. You can’t help who you fall in love with, and she never really loved him anyway."
Willow was starting to babble, something she still did when she was nervous, or upset. This situation made her both. She was nervous, because she
wasn’t sure how her friends would react to the news that she and Spike were in love, and she was upset that Spike would blame himself for Dru’s
actions.

"Hold up their Wills, go back a step, are you saying Spike’s not in love with Dru anymore?" Xander seemed to be the only one to grasp this part of
Willow’s tirade.

"Oh, Xander, I guess that’s what I’m saying. Spike will probably always love Dru, but he’s not in love with her anymore. He’s not because he found
someone else, someone who loves him back. Xander Spike and I love each other. I think we have for a long time, and just never realized it. Please
just accept this okay. I don’t want to fight or lose any of you, but I will not give him up, not when I’ve just found him. And Spike needs all of us
right now. He needs our help to get away from the pain and the guilt, just like I did, when my parents died. Please everyone, help us." Willow was
practically begging. There were tears in her eyes by the time she reached the end of this little speech. Xander had just watched her in shock
Wesley wasn’t doing much better. The rest of them however, had been expecting this news for a while now, and had each come to terms with it in
their own way. Cordelia made her way around the table and hugged Willow, Buffy was right behind her.

It was Giles who put their sentiments into words. "It’s alright Willow. We, most of us at any rate, knew you had fallen in love. We watched it
happen. Six months ago, I would have been horrified at the thought, but I believe that Spike does love you, and therefore won’t hurt you. I know I
can accept your new relationship with him. I can’t speak for the rest of them.

The room rang with the affirmations. Most heartfelt, Wesley’s given reluctantly. Willow’s eyes fell on Xander, who was still looking quite shocked.
"Xander, please. I need you to accept this. I’m not asking for you to agree with it, but please accept it. I don’t want to lose you, but if you force
me to choose, I’ll choose him, Xander. Please don’t make me." The tears were falling freely from her eyes now.

Xander breathed a deep sigh, got up and slowly walked around the table. He drew Willow into a tight hug, and finally spoke. "Willow, I don’t like this.
I hate that you are getting involved with a vampire, but I can’t stop you. I love you. You are my family, and I won’t give that up, over who you
choose to love. I need my family too much. I’ll support you Willow, and I’ll even try to be nice to Spike."

"Thank you Xander" Willow whispered as the rest of the room breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The next few days were tough, Spike was depressed, and Spike depressed meant two things, anger and drinking. The only thing that could break
through to him, was Willow’s voice. She stayed with him almost constantly, missing all of her classes. Her professors were informed that there had
been a death in her family. Most of them knowing her history, were willing to allow Willow all the time she needed feeling sorry for the shy redhead,
who had lead such a tough life. And to think they only knew about the public parts of that life. As his Depression slowly started to lift, Spike wanted
to talk. He’d never really wanted that before, but now, he felt the need to talk about everything, Dru, his feeling for Willow, his still rather warped
relationship with his sire. He talked to everyone at some point. Angel could be counted on for unconditional support. Giles was an attentive listener,
who made no judgements. His Willow loved and reassured him, no matter what. He and Buffy actually had developed a bond over this last incident.
They understood each other’s pain, Buffy realized that Spike felt guilty in almost exactly the same way she had, when she sent Angel to hell. And
neither of them were truly at fault. Riley had turned out to be more intelligent and insightful than Spike would have ever given him credit for.
Cordelia, always forced him to look at the practical side of things, and if nothing else could make him laugh. Anya wasn’t very helpful, but she
always had a colorful story from her vengeance days to tell, and that at least got his mind off of things. Wesley was utterly useless, but he did feel
bad, and tried to help. Even Xander would listen to him. But by far most of his conversations were with Joyce Summers. She was a wonderful
mother, and it was a mother’s voice he needed to hear. He spent hours in her kitchen, sipping hot cocoa, with little marshmallows. Joyce listened,
she reassured when he needed, offered explanations or reasoning when Spike was ready to hear it, and sometimes, she just listened. While he
would never admit it to them or anyone else, he needed these people, all of them. They were a family now, and he could not have gotten through
this without them.

Less than a month later, Willow began to notice changes. She didn’t have to work as hard to draw on Spike’s power, as a matter of fact certain
things seemed to just be there all the time, his heightened awareness, the better hearing, and eyesight. Spike also noticed the magic coming easier.
Willow decided that they were ready to take that final step and prove just how powerful their bond was. She knew, in her heart, that by her side,
Spike could watch the sun. She went to Giles first. "Giles, we’re ready. Tonight I want Spike to watch his first sunset in more than a century. We
can do this."

"Are you sure Willow?" Giles did believe that they could, but he wanted to be sure, that Willow was as secure in her belief.

"I am. We are as strong as we will ever be, and probably stronger than anyone before us, We can do this." Willow’s voice was strong and firm. She
spoke with conviction. Giles believed her.

"Alright. I’ll tell the others. When it’s time, we’ll wait for you outside, you can bring Spike."

Willow fidgeted that whole day. She could barely contain her excitement. Finally that evening came, the others slipped out unnoticed. Willow went
to Spike, "Spike, do you trust me?"

"You know I do, luv."

"Then I want you to take my hand, and walk out that door with me. We have a sunset to watch."

"You’re sure"

"Completely."

They walked out of the house hand in hand. The sky had already turned a brilliant flame color, and was fading into a soft purple at the horizon. It
was lovely. Spike stared in awe. It had been so long. He pulled Willow to him, taking her in his arms. He brushed her lips with a light kiss, and
whispered, "Thank you, for giving me this. Thank you luv."

"Oh Spike, I love you. Thank you."

"What do you have to thank me for nothing I’ve brought to this partnership can possibly compare to the gift you just gave me."

"Spike, not so long ago, I’d forgotten how beautiful this was. I’d forgotten that there was beauty in the world at all. You gave that back to me. All
of it. I owe you so much more than you can ever imagine."

Forgetting entirely that they had an audience, Spike pulled Willow up tight against him, and gave her the most thorough kiss of her life, when he
finally pulled back, to let her get some air, he whispered gently into her hair, "I love you Willow. I didn’t know it was possible to love someone this
much. Marry me luv."

Willow answered him simply, "Of course Spike. I love you." At that moment she remembered her friends and turned to look at them. While they had
all adjusted to her relationship with Spike, none of them had ever dreamed that they would get married. They were all looking on rather shocked.
Willow giggled at their expressions. "Hey guys, I’m getting married."

They continued to stare at her for a moment then Buffy stepped forward hugging her friend. "I’m happy for you Wills. Congratulations."

Everyone else offered their own congratulations, except for Xander who waited until the group had quieted. He walked around and hugged Willow
tight, eliciting a low growl from Spike. "I’m glad you’re happy Willow. Congratulations." He pulled away from her and turned to Spike, "And you, if you
ever do anything to hurt her, I’ll stake you myself."

Spike had to laugh at this boy threatening him, but he quickly turned serious and replied, "If I ever hurt her, I’ll hand you the stake and hold still for
it. I never want My Willow to hurt again."

Giles cleared his throat, everyone turned to see what he wanted, "I think perhaps we should go in and tell Angel this news."

The whole group of them went back inside. They followed Spike and Willow to the library where Angel was reading. He looked up when they entered.
"I see it worked. I’m glad. He turned so he was looking directly into Spike’s eyes, It’s beautiful isn’t it. I watched a sunset with the gem of Amara.
I’m glad she could give this to you." His words were simple but the message in his eyes was much more. He was forgiving Spike for anything that he
did to him, and begging for Spike’s forgiveness.

"Yeah, mate it is." Spike’s reply was equally simple, but his eyes gave Angel the answer he was looking for. Angel knew that they would never
discuss the pain they had caused each other, but they had forgiven it.

Willow reached out and took Angel’s hand. "Angel, there’s more. Spike asked me to marry him, and I said yes."

Angel hugged her quickly, "Congratulations little one" He then turned to Spike and did something no one expected he hugged him, tight and close.
"I’m so happy for you Spike. I’m glad you found her." Angel’s voice shook with emotion, and his eyes filled with tears. Spike, knowing this hug was as
much in acknowledgement of their silent conversation as his engagement was also brought to tears and hugged the man who had been his enemy
for so long.

For the 2nd time that night everyone stared in shock. Xander broke the tension, "Okay, now I know I’m in the twilight zone. This is too weird."

Giles, smiled and added, "Yes it is all rather surreal isn’t it."

Spike and Angel drew apart each with a shaky laugh. Angel turned back to Spike. "Now that you know I’m happy for you, let me tell you one last
thing. If you ever hurt her...."

Spike interrupted, "Yeah, yeah I know, you’ll stake me yourself. Sorry mate, but I’m afraid you’ll have to get in line, behind the boy here, and I’m
pretty certain the slayer too."

Everyone laughed at that. When the room finally quieted, Willow looked around and said contentedly, "I love you guys, all of you."

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