Chapter 21 - Interrogation Room B

"Am I under arrest?" Spike asked again.

"No. We told you, sir. We would just like to ask you a few questions." Salazar answered, again.

"You've already done that, mate." Spike nearly growled. He was tired and hungry. And it had been hours since he'd left Buffy that morning. "I don't think I'm going to be answering any more questions without my lawyer. I've already told you how I got the bruises."

"But you haven't fully explained your whereabouts last night." Benson gave him a look that said 'I don't believe a word your saying'.

"And I've told you I'm not going to answer any more questions until Giles gets here."

"Suit yourself." Salazar stood. "We'll just leave you to cool here for a bit until your lawyer arrives."

After the two agents left the room, Spike stood and began pacing the tiny area. What was he going to do?

It seemed like hours later before the nondescript door opened again. Giles entered briefcase in hand.

"I came as soon as Buffy phoned this morning." He explained. He sat, studying Spike carefully. "How are you William?"

"How am I? How the bloody hell do you think I am? They're treating me like a felon! They haven't let me out of this room all day." Spike was up and pacing again. Some of the tension had eased the moment he'd seen Giles, but the worry and strain were still evident. "Where's Buffy? Have you seen her?"

"Yes. She picked me up at the airport. She's waiting just outside actually." Giles answered smoothly. Buffy had already filled him in on the fact that the young couple were now engaged. This was something he'd been hoping for, for quite some time.

Giles had been Will's lawyer since practically the first day he'd started his business. He'd been around to witness the relationship between Buffy and Will and was more than glad that they had finally decided to move beyond the friendship they'd shared all these years. He held a deep fondness for both of them, not having any children of his own. And because he'd known them both and had been such a close friend of the family Giles knew that Will could never do anything as cold as murder.

"First things first, Will. You know I'm not a criminal lawyer. I've been doing nothing but corporate law for the past 8 years now, and I think you'd be best served by another attorney."

"What?" Spike was shocked. He'd been counting on Giles and he wasn't sure he felt comfortable finding a new lawyer during this crisis.

"Don't worry, Will. I've found someone perfect for you. She'll be arriving on a late flight tonight. And I'm not abandoning you." Giles made sure to emphasize the last point. "I'll be sitting second chair if they decide to actually take these ridiculous accusations to trial."

"What's this lawyer's name?" Spike asked warily.

"Joyce. Joyce Matthews. We're old friends. Went to university together. Don't worry." Giles tried for a reassuring tone.

Spike stood still, eyes closed, head hung wearily. "Don't have much of a choice, now do I?" He asked. "Can you get me out of here?" Spike ached to see Buffy again. To reassure himself that she was still there. Real. Waiting for him.

The last week was such a blur. A strange mix of fantasy and nightmare combined. The realization that Buffy loved him. That she knew he loved her and didn't run from the revelation. Buffy missing. The agony and fear of not knowing whether she was alive or dead. Their reunion. The beautiful night they'd shared before the ache of leaving her hit him. The pain of separation, then the joy of seeing her, touching her, loving her again. And then Angel, that bastard. Threatening to take it all away. To take her away. His death. The police. Buffy's eyes as he was led away this morning.

God, he needed to see her again.

Spike stared at the door, willing himself to see beyond it. Willing himself to see his Buffy.

When the door opened once more Spike was startled out of his intense focus. Benson and Salazar entered, nodding a greeting at Giles.

"Gentlemen." Giles greeted them in turn. When they took seats on the other side of the table, Giles began. "My client has been here for several hours. If there's nothing more, we'd like to go."

"There are still several questions we'd like to ask." Benson insisted.

"I'm afraid Will has answered all the questions he can today. Now unless you are planning on charging my client with something, we're leaving." Giles stood one hand on Spike's elbow.

The two agents just sighed, and gestured toward the door. "You know it might be better for you if you cooperate with us, Mr. Huntington. It might turn out better for you in the end."

Spike gave the agents a long serious look, but said nothing. Instead he turned, nodded at Giles, and they both swept quietly out of the room.

***

Harmony was shaking. Her legs felt like lead, and she wasn't sure if she could make it all the way down the hall. She clutched at Buffy's hand, glad that the other woman had agreed to come with her. She wasn't sure if she could do this alone.

She took a deep breath, nodding at Buffy before continuing down the corridor. She thought back on the last week, the last few months really. Harmony had finally admitted to herself that Angel didn't love her. And more importantly, that she didn't love Angel. She'd tried. She'd wanted, more than anything, for the kind of love that she could see between Buffy and Will. But she'd known, deep down, that she would never have that with Angel.

But, God, she hadn't wanted this either! She may not have loved him, but she had cared about him. She'd been more than shocked to find out what he'd been capable of. That he could hurt Buffy, hurt Will, without remorse. She glanced furtively at Buffy, wondering what the other woman was thinking. Did she wonder how Harmony could still have feelings for Angel? Did she wonder why Harmony would care about the monster that had hurt, and threatened, and nearly killed her? Probably. Harmony wondered that, too.

Harmony gulped when they came to the double doors, Buffy at her side, and a police officer in front. He turned to her, asking with his eyes if she were ready. She nodded once, took another deep breath, and followed him into the room. Her eyes tracked along the walls, noting the contents of the room. The metal tables, the wall of drawers, the men in white lab coats. Goosebumps broke out along her arms, and she let go of Buffy briefly to rub them vigorously.

Her shivering grew when her eyes landed on a table at the far end of the room. A white sheet draped over a mass of lumps beneath its surface. She could just make out pale white toes sticking out from beneath the sheet as she followed the officer toward the prone figure. A lab technician was standing by the table, waiting patiently, pity or maybe just boredom swam in his eyes.

"Ms. Kendall?"

Harmony blinked. By the look on Buffy's face she got the feeling that they had been calling her name for awhile. She gave them a shaky smile, and nodded. "Yes?"

"Are you ready?" The lab tech had his hand on the sheet the look on his face morphing into one of expectation. At her second nod, he threw the sheet back, revealing the pale and bruised face beneath.

Harmony let out a sharp involuntary gasp. Her eyes were wet with tears, before she could even form the thought in her head that it was him. "It's him. It's Angel." The words were barely audible.

He looked...peaceful. The bruises were a faded purple, but there was no swelling left. Harmony leaned forward, studying his still face. Suddenly her eyes caught sight of the tiny scar on his chin. He'd told her, when they'd first started dating and were still in the getting to know you phase, that he'd gotten it back in 5th grade when he'd slide into home and ended up hitting a rock. The cut had bled painfully, but the umpire had called him safe and that had been all he'd cared about at the time.

She smiled at the memory of that conversation. At the thought that they'd once been happy. Once been in that place where Harmony had thought that she might just have met her prince charming. What had happened? When had he become such an obsessed self-involved jerk? Or had he always been? Had she just been blind? Realizing where her thoughts were headed, Harmony mentally castigated her self. The man was dead.

She turned on her heel, taking long striding steps to the door. When she was finally out in the corridor once more, she turned gratefully into Buffy's arms, taking comfort where she could.

"Come on," Buffy urged her. "Let's get out of here."

Harmony was happy to comply. She let Buffy lead her back down the hall and up the stairs. She knew where they were headed. Will was upstairs, being questioned about last night. Buffy wanted to be there for him when he got out.

Harmony thought about the man upstairs. About the pain and fear he'd seen in Will's eyes the night she'd run into him in the hall outside his suite. Could Will have killed Angel? He certainly would have done anything to get Buffy back that night. But would he have done it after Buffy had been returned safely? Could Will just walk up to another human being and kill them in cold blood?

Harmony threw a quick glance at Buffy. Could Buffy love a man who could do something like that? She shook her head. Harmony didn't know. She could tell, though, that Buffy didn't think Will had anything to do with Angel's death. Buffy believed with all her being that Will was innocent. And who knew the guy better? Again Harmony shook her head, not really knowing the truth. Harmony stole another glance at the girl beside her. For Buffy's sake she hoped that Will was innocent. Would their relationship survive if Will were guilty? Harmony didn't think so.

This time Buffy's hand reached out to grab hers. Harmony could feel the tension radiating off of Buffy's petite frame. She squeezed Buffy's hand trying to give off whatever bits of reassurance she could, even as she prayed for the future of the wayward couple.

Okay, the end came out a little cornier than I planned, but what can I say? That's how the characters wanted to end their night, and I'm just a slave to what my characters want.

***

Chapter 22 - A New Face, An Old Friend

Spike stepped out of the room and immediately began sweeping his gaze up and down the long corridor. His anxiety kicked up a notch when he found no evidence of Buffy. But then there she was. She took long strides toward him, her face showing the fear and worry that had been haunting her all day.

He met her halfway down the hall his arms already opened wide to receive her. She stepped into his embrace and let her cheek fall against his chest, breathing in the scent of him. They stood holding each other close with no thought for anyone else until Giles cleared his throat.

"Maybe we should go back to the hotel. Plan our strategy since it doesn't look like they're going to be dropping the investigation into you anytime soon." Giles suggested a faint shade of pink creeping up his neck and over his cheeks at the intimate display he was witnessing.

"What does he mean?" Buffy asked, taking a step away and looking up into Will's eyes. "Didn't they check with the rental company?"

Spike sighed, and ran a free hand through his rumpled hair. "It's not as simple as that, luv. Since I was alone for most of the night, and the accident didn't occur until pretty late, they don't consider it proof that I didn't go after the wanker before hand and then stage the accident to explain away my bruises. In fact, I think it might make me look even guiltier."

"Oh, Will." Buffy hugged him tightly before taking his hand and starting back down the hall that would take them out of the precinct.

The rest of the gang was waiting in Spike and Buffy's suite when they returned. The boys had left earlier when Buffy had arrived at the station. "How did it go?" Lorne asked as soon as they walked in.

Spike gave them a frustrated stare before dry washing his face with his right hand. "Not bloody well." He answered, sitting down hard on the sofa and pulling Buffy down with him.

"Spike, man, we're sorry." Xander blurted, his face flushed with guilt.

"Why are you sorry, mate? I got myself into this mess." Spike answered puzzled.

"They confiscated the tapes today." Wesley answered for Xander. "There was nothing we could do."

"Tapes?" Buffy asked, her brow furrowed. This whole thing had been like one gigantic nightmare. And now it seemed she was having trouble following the conversational thread.

"Yes, from the night we took down Angel." Wesley clarified.

"What about them?" Buffy asked, still confused.

"Spike got a little...upset. He was...beating Angel, mostly in self defense mind you, when the rest of us finally made the scene." Lorne explained. "The tapes were still running and they caught Spike threatening to kill Angel if he ever came near you again."

"So, what?" Buffy's exclamation rang loudly through the suite. "That's just something he said cause he was angry and scared for me and...and...and they should know that!"

"Whether they know it or not, it's just another piece of evidence they'll be using at trial." Giles inserted.

Just then a soft knock was heard to which Giles stood quickly, "I'll get that." The sextet heard soft murmurs coming from the foyer and then Giles returned with a woman none of them had seen before. "Will, this is Joyce. Joyce Monroe. She's the lawyer I told you about."

Spike stood and offered his hand, murmuring a soft thank you for her assistance. He watched her as she shook hands with the rest of the group. She looked casual, but professional at the same time. Her long blonde hair curled softly just past her shoulders, and her eyes gave off a wise yet compassionate glow. Spike immediately felt more at ease now that he'd met her. He turned back to Buffy to see her smiling at the new comer as well.

"I'm sorry we have to meet under such unpleasant circumstances. Rupert's told me so much about both of you." Joyce smiled down at them.

At the mention of Giles' first name Spike gave the old man a smirk. "Rupert, huh?"

To everyone's amusement Giles blushed. "Yes, well, I told you that Joyce and I were old friends."

Joyce just smiled and held her tongue. She found Rupert's flushed cheeks adorable. Instead of commenting she took a seat and opened her briefcase. She took out a legal pad and pen, and waited to catch Will's attention. Eventually the teasing glint left the youngster's eye and he sat back down next to his girl.

"Rupert's," Joyce paused to smile at the snickers the name evoked. "Rupert's briefed me on your case, but I'd like to hear everything once more from you."

Spike went over the last week in detail, though his voice was without inflection. It was almost as if he were reciting something he'd memorized years ago. It was weird because part of him felt like everything had just happened yesterday. And then another part of him felt like it had been decades since he'd thought he'd lost Buffy forever. The arm around her waist squeezed automatically, almost as if to reassure himself that she was still there.

"And that's everything?" Joyce asked, taking some final notes. When Will didn’t answer she looked up to find his gaze wandering around the room. She wondered at that for a moment, but then he did look up to meet her stare and nod. But then he turned his head away once more and was again letting his eyes roam the room. "So there was nobody that might have seen you at any time after you left the rental company last night?"

"No, I'm afraid not." Spike answered, his gaze now fixed on the world just outside the glass of the balcony doors.

"You didn't stop for gas, or anything else?" Joyce pushed.

"No, the bike's tank was full when I rented it. The only person I saw last night was the tow truck guy that picked up the bike after my fall. And the taxi driver that brought me back to the hotel." Spike answered, almost absently.

"With Angel's time of death set at around 9pm, it doesn't look good for you. You didn't call in the accident until after 10 and you left the rental company just before 7. The prosecution is probably having a field day knowing that all the time is unaccounted for." Joyce informed them.

"So you think they're going to charge him for sure? But he didn't do it!" Buffy's cry was indignant. She knew Joyce wasn't at fault, but she felt like she had to yell at somebody.

"We all know that Buffy, but the prosecution does have a good case. Will had both opportunity and motive."

Buffy's lip began to tremble as she tried to fight back the tears. How could this be happening?

"Don't worry Buffy, we won't let Spike go to jail." Willow reassured her, looking up at Wesley for confirmation.

"Of course not. Xander, Lorne, and I will be out first thing in the morning to hunt down evidence. Spike didn't kill Angel. But somebody did. We'll find out who." Wesley was adamant.

"Maybe we should all get some rest." Giles suggested. Everybody stood except for Spike and Buffy, who were too emotionally exhausted to do more than wave goodnight to everyone. "We'll be by around 9am tomorrow to continue our discussions."

The door closed shut behind them, leaving Buffy and Spike snuggled together on the couch. Spike tilted his head just enough to land a kiss atop Buffy's hair. "Don't worry, kitten. Everything will turn out right, you'll see."

"Will, I'm so worried." Buffy tunneled further into Spike's embrace. "What if the guys can't find anything? What if the police really think you did it?"

"No worries, luv. I didn't kill Angel. I'm not going to jail." Spike's voice was resolute.

"But there are plenty of innocent people in jail, Will. Sometimes it takes years to prove them innocent, and sometime they never do." Buffy's lip was trembling again, and Spike could feel her tiny body shuddering against his. He wrapped his arms around her and let his palms rub warm circles on her back.

"That's not going to happen, Buffy. Trust me." He whispered, letting his lips linger by her ear, his breath tickling the short hairs of her neck. When she sighed and leaned in further, Spike let his lips touch down tasting her sweet skin.

"I do trust you, Will...mmmm...Of course I do." Buffy tilted her head to give him further access to her neck. She loved the feel of his soft lips against her. Closing her eyes to enjoy the sensation she was surprised when she felt herself lifted off the couch. When she was laid gently on top of the bed spread she opened her eyes to find Will watching her intently.

"I can't believe we're here, luv." His eyes were so full of love for her she could hardly breathe. "I can't believe that I can stand here, watching you, loving you, and not have to hide a thing." He was slowly shedding his clothes as he spoke, moving closer and closer to her prone figure. "I can't believe that I can stand in front of you, say 'I love you', and actually expect you to say it back."

"I do love you, Will." Buffy insisted quietly.

"I know, luv." He whispered, crawling on his hands and knees until he was lying atop her. "That's how I know everything will turn out right in the end. Because we're here. Because you love me." And then he kissed her.

Buffy gave herself up to the kiss, her body heating up from the contact. Soon she was so hot she couldn't stand it anymore and began to try wriggling out of her clothes. Spike noticed and reached down to settle her. "Let me, luv." He whispered in her ear, nipping at the enticing lobe before pulling away enough to unbutton the front of her blouse. One by one he took each piece of clothing off her, kissing the newly exposed skin as he went.

When she was naked, he returned to his previous position, their bodies now flush skin to skin. They kissed for a few more quiet moments, until Spike could feel Buffy's hips thrusting up toward his own in a silent plea for more. He sheathed himself quickly and then slid into her warmth, exhaling roughly at the feel of her against him.

He began a slow rhythm, whispering his love and devotion over and over again as he went. He'd held in his feelings for her for so long, that the freedom to tell her exactly what he was feeling made him giddy. "I love you, Buffy. Love you." He rambled between kisses. And then all he could do was feel. He sped up his rhythm, his breath coming in harsh bursts. He let his hands wander, touching her, delighting in the moans of pleasure that each feather light touch induced. And when he felt her let go, felt her shuddering around him, he exploded. "Buffy!"

"I love you, Will." Buffy murmured sleepily as they both drifted off, exhausted.

And Spike was filled with warmth. Buffy loved him. Whatever else happened they would get through it together. He kissed her lightly on the forehead, snuggling her close against his side before he too drifted into dreams.

Chapter 23 - Musings and Speculations

Spike chewed nervously on his bottom lip, a habit he'd unconsciously acquired from Buffy, as both Joyce and Giles paced in front him. They were going over every detail of his activities last night for about the fifteenth time. Both lawyers were determined to find some small detail that might have been forgotten, something that may prove or at least lead to proof of his innocence.

The police had not yet made an actual arrest, but no one really doubted that they would. Although so far all the evidence gathered against Spike had been circumstantial, enough of it could still guarantee a trial and possibly a conviction.

Spike was getting tired of repeating his story over and over again, but he continued without complaint. He could tell that Giles was extremely worried, which made his own worry double. Last night he'd been lost in the bliss of having Buffy by his side and had thought that they could conquer any obstacles together. But in the harsh light of day, things seemed much bleaker. What would he do if they actually convicted him?

Finally they took a short break, and Spike stepped outside to have a smoke. It had actually been years since his last cigarette. He even kept his older lighter with him as a reminder his resolve but the events of the past two weeks had pushed him back into his old bad habits. He'd pretty much begged Xander to buy him a pack at the shop downstairs, trying his best to ignore Buffy's disapproving looks.

Thankfully the girls had insisted that Buffy join them in Willow and Wesley's room while the boys were out hunting down clues, not that there was much to go on. Buffy had hesitated at first, not wanting to leave him, but Spike reassured her that he would be fine and that he wanted her to have some time to decompress. After his promise to call is he needed anything, she reluctantly agreed. So now Spike was free to step out on the balcony and have a smoke.

Spike tapped out a cigarette from the newly opened pack and lit it with a deep dragging breath. He held the smoke in his lungs, letting himself feel the slight euphoria of once more taking up an old but comforting addiction. He blew out the breath he'd held, letting the smoke spill out of his mouth and into the salty air. He fiddled with the matchbook he'd found in the bedside table as he pondered the events of the past few days.

Glancing behind him he saw Giles and Joyce talking, their heads bowed close together. For a brief moment Spike let himself wonder whether their intimacy stemmed from more than just a casual acquaintance in law school oh so many years ago. But then his thoughts returned to his current predicament. How had he gotten himself into this mess?

He shivered slightly at the breeze coming off the ocean, hugging his arms around his own waist to ward off the chill. He still couldn't believe that Angel was dead. Buffy had said she'd seen his lifeless body with her own eyes, but Spike still felt as if the whole situation was a bit surreal. Like something out of a Dali painting, where everything is crooked and skewed.

He took another puff, exhaling slowly. Spike hadn't felt like he'd had any time to think to reason out what he should do. He'd known the moment Buffy had asked him what had happened the other night, he should have told her the *entire* truth, but he hadn't wanted to upset her. And now...now he wasn't sure what he should do.

"Will?" Spike was jolted out of his reverie when Giles poked his head through the open door and beckoned him back into the room.

Spike joined them back in the main suite, once again flopping down on the sofa cushions. For now he was just going to hope for the best, it was too late to change his story now at least not without repercussions he wasn't sure he was ready to face.

***

"Do you think Harmony could have done it?" Cordelia asked as she munched on an apple from the room service cart they'd ordered.

"Done what?" Buffy muttered after swallowing a large gulp of her iced tea.

"You know, Angel. Do you think she could have killed him?"

"What?!" Buffy was shocked, she turned to see what her other friends thought only to find them all looking at her in silent expectation. "No. You guys didn't see her. She was shocked, devastated when we identified the body. There's no way she could have been faking that reaction. And the whole way over there, I could see how much she was hoping it wasn't going to be true. No. No way." Buffy shook her head.

"What do you think happened?" Willow asked, nibbling at one of the croissants while handing over another to Tara.

"I don't know. God, I wish we had some clue!" Buffy exclaimed. "I hope it wasn't just some random mugging gone wrong or something. They'll never find the killer then, and all they'll have is Spike." Buffy looked up worriedly.

"Don't worry. The guys will find something. I'm sure they'll find something that'll show that Spike wasn't the one." Willow tried to reassure her friend.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, all four speculating on who might have killed Angel. Doubtless he had many enemies, the guy was a jerk and half, but how many of them had access to him here on the island? How many people even knew he'd be at this conference? When Buffy reached for her orange juice, she was so lost in thought she fumbled the glass and ended up spilling the sticky fluid all over her pants forcing her to make a break for the bathroom to wash out what she could.

Tara turned to the other girls, wondering how she was supposed to bring up the subject on her mind. Before she could speak, Cordelia did it for her. "Do you guys think Spike *could* have done it?"

"Cordelia!" Willow was aghast.

"Hey! Look, I know he wouldn't have *planned* on killing Angel, but you saw him while Buffy was missing. He would have done anything to get her back."

Tara nodded at Cordelia's assessment. "And he did go a little beserky at the courthouse."

"The jerk was leering at Buffy. He threatened her!" Willow exclaimed surprised at her friends' doubts.

"Exactly." Cordelia pronounced. "Spike was the one who said he'd kill Angel if he ever went near Buffy again. And there Angel was, threatening her, goading Spike on."

Buffy stood just outside the main suite listening to her friends' speculations. Did they actually think Spike could kill someone? Was there any possible truth to what they were saying?

"But Angel was beaten *and* shot. Whoever did it must have planned it if they brought a gun with them." Willow pointed out. "Do either of you really think it could have been Spike?"

Buffy heard the hesitation in Willow's voice and decided that she'd had enough. She reentered the room noticing that all three friends were suddenly busy refilling their small plates with fruit and bread. Her mind was reeling at the conversation she'd overheard, but she was too chicken to bring it up. She didn't want to talk about it. God, she didn't even want to think about it.

What if they were right?

***

"What exactly are we looking for?" Lorne asked, searching the ground with his eyes.

"Anything." Xander replied absently.

"Uh, not much of a help there, Xan." Lorne answered still unsure what a good piece of evidence looked like.

"Anything out of the ordinary." Wesley supplied. "Anything you think doesn't belong. Or possibly anything that looks new enough to have been dropped here within the past 24 hours."

"How can I tell that?" Lorne asked, now crouching low to the ground and sifting through piles of debris.

"It's really just guessing. Anything that doesn't look like it's been stomped into the ground by about 50,000 tourists. We can send whatever we think is important to the labs for testing." Xander replied. "Or if you want to find the killers wallet with ID in it, I wouldn't object."

Lorne gave Xander a halfhearted smile, wishing it were that easy. Lorne stood and surveyed the area. It wasn't a particularly popular tourist spot, but it wasn't exactly remote either. They were in the gardens in front of a small pool fed by a waterfall. It was less than half a mile from the main road, but there was enough foliage to cover whatever activities had occurred here the previous night.

The body had been discovered by a family of tourists early that morning, and the area had been cordoned off. Lorne wasn't sure how Xander and Wesley had gotten them past the patrolmen, but they had. Since they hadn't found anything significant in the area closest to the body, they decided to widen their perimeter. They were now exploring about 500 or 600 yards from the actual murder site.

"Holy crap." Lorne's head snapped up at Xander's exclamation.

***

Spike was still ruminating on what Giles had told him about the possibilities of a trial, when the guys strode into the room. He looked up prepared to give a friendly greeting when he caught the look in Xander's eyes.

"What is it? What did you find?" Spike looked at them all in turn, hoping for some answers.

"Where's Buffy?" Wesley asked quietly, ignoring Spike's question.

"She's with the girls in your room, mate. What's going on?" Spike asked, worried now.

"Good." Wesley answered, taking a seat next to Spike on the couch. Xander sat on his other side, while Lorne took the chair next to the small circular reading table.

"Tell us what really happened last night, Spike." Xander finally spoke.

"What do you mean?" Spike looked around nervously.

"You wanna know what we found? This." Xander thrust out his hand, palm up.

When Spike looked down the knot in his stomach grew until he felt like doubling over. In Xander's hand was a small sleek black lighter, filigreed with vines that circled the base and two small letters carved in it's side; W.H.

Spike paled at the looks his friends were giving him. "I - "

"Spike, man, none of us believe that you killed that guy. You could have, yeah, while he had Buffy, but not like this. Angel was executed. Shot in the head. We know you didn't do it." Xander emphasized their belief in him. "But you have to explain this." Xander held up his hand once again. "We can't help you unless we know all the facts. Unless you tell us the truth about last night."

Spike opened his mouth to speak when he was once again interrupted. "Spike?" Buffy stood in the entranceway face a mask of confusion, expression one of bewilderment.

Chapter 24 - Confessions

"Luv, it's not what you think." Spike began.

"I think you lied to me."

Spike bowed his head. "You're right, Buffy. I'm sorry. I only wanted to protect you."

"Protect me?" The words came out whisper. "What have you done, Spike?"

"Nothing, luv! Not that! Just meant I lied to protect you, didn't want to scare or worry you, 's all." Spike explained. "I rented a bike, just like I told you, luv. I drove for a bit, trying to clear my head. I stopped at a quiet spot; there was a sign for a waterfall or so some such. I followed the trail and..."

"And what Spike?" Wesley prompted.

"I stayed there for awhile, just thinking, yeah?" Spike looked up fear and nerves showing throw his face. "There was a noise, and when I turned it was him. *He* followed me. He was angry, and shouting, couldn't even make out the words. He came at me. I only defended myself, luv, that's all." Spike looked at Buffy with pleading eyes.

"Did you kill him, Spike?" Buffy couldn't get her voice above a whisper. She tried but it was so dry it hurt to even speak.

"No, luv, no. He was alive when I left. I only gave him some bruises. 'S all."

"And the accident?" Xander asked.

"I *did* have an accident. I was shaken from the fight. And I was in a hurry to get back to Buffy. And it *was* beginning to rain. Lost control, but it wasn't as bad as it seemed. Most of the cuts and bruises were from the fight, not the fall."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Buffy asked a wounded look on her face.

"You were already so worried. And then afterwards I was glad I hadn't told you. You told me that was one of your biggest fears that he would come after me. You were *crying*, luv. How was I supposed to tell you then?" Spike asked.

They were all silent for a moment, taking in Spike's confession. Then Spike stood and strode over to Buffy, still standing in the entranceway of their suite. "Do you believe me, luv?" He took her hand in his and begged with his eyes.

"Of course I believe you, Will." Buffy responded automatically. Spike might have lied to her, but he wasn't a killer. Buffy knew that. "I just wish you'd been honest with me."

"I know, Buffy. I'm so sorry, kitten. But that's all. That's everything. I promise." They kissed briefly before Buffy looked up at the rest of the gang.

"Okay, so what are we going to do about this? The fact that Will was there will just make him look even guiltier. He's the one who actually beat Angel up. What we have to do is find the guy with the gun. You guys didn't find anything else while you were there?" Buffy asked hopefully.

"No, sorry. The police had already been through, and not much was left. Luckily Spike's lighter was, at least." Wesley answered.

"We need to concentrate on Angel's background check. Obviously the killer knew him. They didn't take his wallet, or anything, so it wasn't a robbery, right?" Buffy asked. "So it's got to be someone he knows."

"Okay, so we're concentrating on ex-girlfriends, employees, debt collectors, that sort of thing." Xander wrote everything down in his little notebook as he spoke. "We're already on it. The guys at the office have been working 24/7. I'll get a progress report from them tonight."

"Someone needs to go get Giles. He needs to know what happened." Buffy prompted. She felt Spike wincing beside her and squeezed his arm. "You know it's for the best."

"He'll be so disappointed in me, luv." Spike said forlornly.

Buffy knew that Spike saw Giles as a sort of father figure. His own dad had been gone for a long while before Giles had entered the picture. But when he had the two had formed a very close father/son relationship. "He'll understand." She reassured him.

They waited, holding each other close, until Giles appeared.

***

"Well, I do wish you'd told me this when I first arrived, Will." Giles admonished. "There's nothing for it now, but to go to the police and explain."

"What? Why should we tell them if they don't already know?" Buffy was worried.

"It will look better if we go and explain that Will just wanted to wait to consult with me before he told them about the encounter. If we continue to hide it and they do find out, it will just make you look all the more guilty." Giles explained.

"I'm sorry, Giles." Spike muttered, not looking his old friend in the eye.

Giles leaned down and placed a warm hand on Spike's knee, making the young man look up. "Will, I know you. You don't have to hide things from me, you know I'd never believe you capable of such acts. I *am* disappointed. But only because you felt you couldn't trust me."

"I *do* trust you, Giles. I just didn't want to disappoint you. Guess I buggered the whole thing up, yeah?" Spike looked away sheepishly.

"Don't worry, Will. It will all work out. I won't let them send you to prison." Giles assured him.

Spike took comfort in Giles' words. The man had always been a strong source of support in his life, and he leaned on him now. Wanting to believe. Wanting to lose himself in dreams of a future; a future with Buffy, away from this place, and all thoughts of a jealousy and anger and the bleakness of a life without his love.

***

Buffy watched as Will's chest rose and fell in sleep. She turned spreading her hand in front of her, studying the shining jewel on her finger. Had it only been days ago that she'd been so incredibly happy? That Will had proposed and her life had begun to take on the hue and color of the dreams she'd had for so long?

Tears formed in her eyes while she studied the object on her finger. What was going to happen now? Tomorrow morning Spike and Giles were going back down to the police station. They were going to confess that Spike had seen Angel that night and that they had even fought. Would they arrest him right there and then? Would he even be able to come back to the hotel?

She wished she could go with him. Just in case. But she had other things to do. Other things that might help clear Will's name. She had called Harmony and she and the girls were meeting her for breakfast in the lobby. They were going to pick her brain. See if there was anyone or anything she remembered that may help to figure out who exactly it was that killed Angel. The police had already questioned her, but Buffy had a bit more incentive to dig for the truth. While the guys began to track down leads from the background check, Buffy and the girls would be doing their own investigation.

Buffy looked down once more watching Will's lashes flutter against his pale cheeks. He was so beautiful sometimes that it took Buffy's breath away, though he stammered denials whenever she said it aloud. Leaning down she kissed him gently on the lips, waiting until his eyes fluttered open and stared into her own.

"Hey, lover." Buffy whispered. Then she kissed him again, letting her lips linger and her hands wander. She felt the lean muscles of his abdomen ripple beneath her touch, his body arching to meet the warmth of her fingers.

They didn't speak, not needing words to express the way they felt. The love, the desperation, the desire that coursed through them at the uncertainty of what was to follow. Buffy slipped out of her nightshirt, naked now, her nipples hard and rubbing against Spike's own. Buffy sighed as Spike pushed into her, their bodies connecting, making them one.

They made love slowly, soft murmurs and sweet sighs echoing through the room. Buffy lost herself in him, wanting to keep this night, this moment forever. She couldn't pinpoint the moment but in an instant they went from slow and lazy to hard and fast. She felt it as her body quickened and tightened, crying out his name when she came. Two or three breaths later and Spike was murmuring his love and spilling himself inside her.

They drifted off to sleep, Buffy holding on to the moment. Not willing to let it go. Wanting to dream of Will and love and togetherness rather than the awful what if of tomorrow.