Title: Fluffy Hell's Bells

Author: Nebula

Chapter: 1 of 2

Rating: PG-13

Pairings: S/B (who would've thunk it?), X/A

Summary: A Fluffy Spuffy (slightly Xanya) way to fix the wrongness
of Hell's Bells. 

Disclaimer: Spike, Lindsey, Xander, even the characters I don't want
to keep are not mine; all belong to Joss.

NN: My 'punishment' for a typo; you're very merciful, Anne!  ~_^ 
Thanks to my beta, Mel.  Also, all italics are in 'these quotes'.

< --- >

  Buffy swallowed at the sight of him with that...the girl could've
passed for a hooker. What the hell was Spike doing with her? Buffy
was right here!  Granted, she was dressed in a dress that was
radioactive, but why was he with that girl, and not her?
  Oh yeah. Because you asked him not to. Buffy almost rolled her
eyes.  Would she ever learn? Probably not in this century. 
  He was turning this way. No! Can't let him see me. She glanced
around, her eyes rapidly searching for an escape.
  There! A door. Not really caring about who was behind it or what
they might be doing, she ducked inside.
  No one. Phew. Cautiously she risked a peek, catching a glance of
Spike with his attitude, the girl wrapped around him. He looked
around, as if trying to find someone. He frowned, apparently not
finding what it was.  Buffy had no doubt that it was her he was
searching for. She sighed, closing the door quietly. Why were things
never easy for her?

< --- >

  The moment he didn't see Buffy, Spike let go of the girl. He
wanted to show her, make her see that if she could drop
their 'relationship' so easily, so could he. Except he was bluffing.
He was hoping that she wouldn't be able to see that.
  "Can I go get a drink or something?" the girl asked, yawning.
  Spike nodded absently. Hannah...Harriet...Honey...?  Oh bugger. It
didn't really matter what her name was; it wasn't Buffy, and that's
all that mattered.
  Glancing around again, he turned and bumped into Dawn. She gave
him a grin and launched herself into his arms once she realized it
was him. 
  He smirked at her. "Good to see you too, Bit. You find any cute
guys here?"
  Dawn shrugged. "Nothing yet. I've been busy seating guests. Have
you seen my sister, by any chance?"
  He almost rolled his eyes. "I was just about to ask you. Haven't
seen her since I walked in. Why?"
  "She asked me to get this for her," Dawn explained, holding up a
small bag of makeup. "She was crying earlier, and she screwed up her
eyeliner."
  Spike raised an eyebrow, trying to look indifferent.  Inside, he
was torn between being happy and sad at the news. Sad that
his...no, 'the' Slayer was unhappy. Yet, he couldn't help being
joyful at the news. Could she possibly be...no, she couldn't be. But
maybe she could be. Just maybe.
  "She tell you why she was makin' a mess of herself?"
  Dawn rolled her eyes. "Probably the same reason she's been crying
for the last past couple of days. She keeps saying it's because of
the wedding, but I don't think so. She came running home that night
after the whole Riley thing and locked herself in her room. Like if
she closed the door, we couldn't hear her sobbing. She still won't
tell us why." 
  A beep from Dawn's waist had her growling. "Oh, come on! I
abandoned my post for two minutes. Two minutes! Can't people figure
out that they're supposed to sit on their asses?" She turned to go,
then stopped, glancing back at Spike. "If you see my sister, give
her this?"
  Spike had barely nodded when he found the bag thrown at
him. "Thanks!" Dawn called, running off towards the entrance.
  Spike stared after the teen, shaking his head.  He did NOT envy
her job at the moment. He let his thoughts drift back to what she'd
said. The night after the whole Riley thing. Where would that place
him? He'd been at his crypt, trying to drink himself into oblivion,
because she'd...oh. His hope flared again. Because she'd broken up
with him. Maybe she'd really been crying over him?
  He mentally kicked himself. It was over. There was nothing left
between them.
  He couldn't shake the small twinge of hope, however, as he
wandered down the halls.

< --- >

  Buffy peeked outside. Coast is clear, captain. Now, to find Dawn
and ask her where her makeup was. Waiting in the room, thinking
about the person on the other side of the door, had brought on a
fresh bout of tears. She hated this.
  Once she'd left Spike devastated in his crypt, she'd run all the
way back to her house, tears blinding her vision. She'd hurled
herself onto her bed and had started to sob. She wanted him so
badly, it hurt. But she was just using him. She couldn't do it
anymore. It was over.
  Besides, even if she have feelings, he could never forgive her for
everything she'd done to him. She'd destroyed anything, friendship
or more, between them. They would always be enemies. All because of
what she'd done, or failed to do. Her eyes began to tear up again,
but she quickly wiped them away. She needed her makeup kit...
  As she wandered the halls, she bumped into a tuxedo-ed
figure. "Sorry," she started. "I didn't look where I was...Xander?"
  He looked 'horrid'. His bow had come undone, and his hair was
slightly rumpled. The thing that made her heart wrench the most,
however, was the look of despair and misery on his face. "Are you
okay?"
  He chuckled bitterly, before choking back a sob. "I can't do
this," he whispered brokenly.
  Her eyes widened as she realized why she'd bumped into him.  He'd
been heading for the exit.  Oh no.  "Come with me," she said, taking
his hand in hers.  She led him back to the room she'd been in
moments before and closed the door again.  "Talk to me, Xan."
  He shuddered, taking a seat.  "I can't...I can never be good
enough for her.  I'll make her miserable."
  "What?!  Xander, no!"  Buffy sighed, and brought her voice down a
few levels before starting again.  "Xander, sweetie, no.  Tell me
what happened.  What brought this on?"
  "I..."  Xander closed his eyes.  "I just have this horrid feeling
that we'll end up married, and we'll fight all the time.  And I..."
  Buffy knelt in front of him and took his hands in hers.  Were all
the Scoobies messed up when it came to love?
 
< --- >

  Spike had been brought out of his thoughts when he'd heard a
familiar voice yelling at the groom.  He hurried towards the closed
door, then realized it wasn't shut all the way.  Silently he pushed
it open enough to see what was going on.
  Buffy was kneeling in front of the whelp, who was looking
absolutely miserable.  Tears ran down his face as she took his hands
in hers.  "Listen to me," she said quietly.  "You two love each
other.  I know that she loves you.  She told me the other day how
lucky she is to have found a guy she doesn't have to eviscerate."
  Xander laughed, then sniffled.  "Things aren't gonna be easy for
you two," she continued, smiling at him.  "But you guys are gonna
make it in the long run.  I know you will."
  "I don't know if I'm brave enough to take the chance," he
muttered.  "The chance of heartbreak."
  Buffy shook her head.  "You are strong enough.  Believe me.  If
you find someone that loves you unconditionally, they're not going
to care if there's heartbreak.  They're willing to accept it for
that other chance.  The one of being with the person they love more
than life itself."
  Spike swallowed past the lump in his throat, but continued
listening.  He missed her so much...
  "What if we mess stuff up, Buff?  I..."  He hung his head.  "I
don't want to hurt her."
  "You'll hurt her so much more by not giving it a chance then by
actually doing so.  And if there is ever a tough time for you two,
you'll have so many happy memories to look back on."
  Xander looked at her, and suddenly Buffy found herself gazing at
her own reflection.  Scared, unable to believe that things could be
perfect after so many mishaps in the past, but hopeful.  It was only
then that she realized she'd been telling Xander everything Spike
had been telling 'her' over the months.  Ironic much?
  Spike almost snorted.  She was telling the boy what he'd been
trying to hammer into her skull for ages now.  Did she even
understand that?
  As he watched her eyes widen with the realization of something, he
knew she had.  She looked at Xander with what seemed a new light as
the boy whispered, "Is love enough?"
  Buffy stared at him, tears glistening in her eyes as she realized
she'd been asking the same question for months now.  Was it enough
to live on?  To live for?
  She blinked and looked back up at him, tears running down her
face.  "Yes."

< --- >

  Spike's jaw dropped.  Her wobbly smile, the understanding dawning
in her eyes, and the glistening tears running down her face...she
knew.  She finally knew.
  Xander seemed to understand, too.  "Thank you," he said, trying to
smile through his own tears.  "Almost did something really stupid
there."
  Buffy laughed, wiping her eyes on her arm.  "We both did," she
whispered, standing with him.  The two embraced, and Spike quickly
hid himself behind a pillar.  Would she...? 
  The two Scoobies stepped out, with Buffy fussing over Xander's
bow.  They shared a smile, before heading off into different
directions.  Xander headed back to his room to finish getting ready,
and Buffy headed towards the reception hall.  Towards Spike's hiding
spot.  Before he knew what he was doing, he had stepped out in front
of her.
  She jumped, startled at his appearance.  The two stared, before he
cleared his throat.  "Dawn, uh, asked me to give this to you," he
mumbled, handing her the makeup bag.
  "Thank you," she said quietly.
  Silence.
  Buffy gazed at him, wishing she could take back earlier words,
earlier actions.  Nowhere to go but forward.  Could she try again? 
She had to at least try.  "Um, Spike?"
  He looked up at her.  At least he's willing to talk, or listen. 
She swallowed, before starting again.  "I, um, wanted to talk to you
about..."
  "Hey sugar."
  Both turned to see the girl heading for them, a drink in her left
hand.  She snaked her right arm around Spike, giving Buffy a
disapproving look.  "Who the hell is she?"
  Buffy blinked back tears.  So much for trying.  Spike had made his
choice; they were over.  "Just a bridesmaid," she said a bit too
cheerfully.  "Have fun!"
  Spike stared at her, mouth hanging open, as Buffy quickly
sidestepped the couple and ran as fast as her dress would allow her
to.  It was a good thing she still had the makeup bag; she would be
needing it.

< --- >

  Spike took a seat, waiting for the ceremony.  Oh, give it up! 
You're waiting for her, and you know it.  You sent that little
hooker home, because the only girl you want is a certain blonde that
can rip your heart to pieces in more ways than one.
  He almost growled.  Damn her a thousand ways 'till next Sunday! 
She wasn't allowed to do this to him!  SHE'D stopped everything. 
SHE'D killed whatever had been between them.  Not him. 
  Then why was he feeling even lower than a muckraker? 
  Because you tried to make her jealous, you ponce.  Worked real
nice, didn't it? 
  The organ music began, and everyone turned to see the bridesmaids
head up the aisle.  Spike bit his lip.  He was NOT going to turn, he
was NOT going to...
  Oh bugger it.  He knew he was going to.  He steeled himself for a
glance at ALL the girls (not just her, mind), and at the sight felt
his heart break.
  All the bridesmaids were smiling, displaying their happiness for
the happy couple.  All, that is, except one.  Buffy stared straight
ahead, trying to smile as her bottom lip quivered.  Her face was red
and blotchy, and her eyes were puffy and filled with tears.  Tears
she refused to let fall.
  He watched her take her place beside the altar, then saw her gaze
drift over to him.  She swallowed and turned away, traitorous tears
leaking down her face.  Spike could feel a few making their way to
his chin, but he ignored them.  All he wanted to do was run up and
hold her.  Comfort her.  Instead, he had to be the one to cause her
pain.  He snorted through his blurred vision.  No wonder she'd
broken up with him.
  Similar thoughts were running through Buffy's head as she tried to
quietly wipe away her tears.  Willow smiled at her, and Buffy smiled
back.  Her friend thought the tears were of joy.  Her friend
obviously didn't have ESP going for her.
  She glanced up at Xander, who was watching with wonder as Anya
made her way towards her.  The look on their faces...Spike had
offered her unconditional love, much like they were sharing.  What
had she done?  Used him, abused him, and discarded him faster than
last year's fashion. 
  As Xander took her hand, she could see herself and Spike walking
to the altar, happy.  In love.  Being loved.  Buffy had to cough to
hide her sob.  No one noticed, it seemed.
  But someone had.  And that someone's heart broke a little more at
the sight of Buffy absolutely miserable, looking ready to break down
and cry.
  The two exchanged stolen glances when the other wasn't looking
throughout the entire ceremony.  Both were beginning to look almost
as bad as they felt, and Tara had to loan Buffy a handkerchief when
the demon minister said 'Till death do you part'.  Spike had managed
with the sleeve of his duster.
  The demon minister had gotten to the 'I do's' when there was a
pounding on the door.  All heads whipped to the back of the room.
  Dawn frowned.  "All the guests arrived," she whispered, glancing
over at Buffy.
  Buffy nodded.  Trouble it was then.  "Keep the ceremony going,"
she managed to say in a clear voice.  She headed down towards the
door as roaring began.
  "Be careful," Willow called, fidgeting nervously.
  At the sound of another roar, Buffy decided to take a weapon.  She
looked around, her eyes falling on a floor candle holder.  Long,
heavy...it would do in a pinch.
  She turned towards the door, a grim smile on her face.  "You
picked the wrong Slayer on the wrong day, buddy," she muttered.  All
her feelings she'd tried to keep pent up were beginning to leak out,
and she knew how to make herself feel a thousand percent better.
  She whipped the door open, then quickly stepped through and shut
it behind her.  Dawn ran over and locked the door behind her sister,
turning to smile at the guests.
  "Don't worry!  She does this sort of thing all the time.  She's a
pro.  Continue, please?"
  Spike frowned, listening to the grunts from the other side of the
door.  Pro or not, there was something nasty on the opposite side. 
There had to be.
  Because most of those grunts were coming from her.


 

< --- >
 
  As soon as Buffy had shut the door, she'd realized that she was
possibly out of her league.  After the first couple of hits,
she'd 'known' that she was out of her league.  She'd managed to deal
a few blows herself, but her vision was beginning to blur, and it
wasn't from tears anymore.  Something was sliding down her face, and
she was pretty sure that it was also sliding down her abdomen.  What
the hell was she fighting, anyway?
  The demon was about nine feet tall, and it bore a similar
resemblance to the troll Anya had turned her ex-lover into. 
Obviously, someone else had received wrath at her hands, and had
decided to make her life miserable as well.  He could've just sent
a 'I hate you' card; it would've been easier on Buffy.
  Buffy gasped and fell to the ground, tears running down her face. 
Okay, when had been the last time she'd cried from pain?  Damn, this
hurt!
  The demon growled and headed for the doors again.  "No!" she
yelled, jumping up with the last ounce of her energy.  The demon
pulled back his arm, aiming to hit the door.
  He didn't need to open them; Buffy did it for him.  The punch that
had been meant to break down the doors hit her instead.  She felt
the briefest sensation of flying, before she connected with wood. 
She slid across the floor, screams reaching her ears.  Great.  She
was back inside.
  "Get them out!" she yelled, trying to push herself back up.  The
demon casually walked into the room, his eyes locking on Anya.
  "ANYANKA!!" he roared, starting towards the ex-demoness.
  "NOW!!!" Buffy screamed again, glancing around desperately for a
weapon.  Nothing. 
  Sounds of chairs being turned over and people running across the
tiled floor echoed through the hall.  "Just me and you," Buffy
muttered, flexing her fingers.
  The demon whipped its head around to her, and Buffy had to tell
herself not to back up.  He looked seriously brassed off, and she
knew from experience that that was never a good thing.
  As he started towards her, she reached down and tugged at the hem
of her horrid dress.  The material gave way, and left Buffy with a
slit that extended to her thigh.  Enough room to run around
in.  "Much better," she said out loud.  If only the demon was going
to be that easy.
  Best to have the first blow.  Buffy launched herself at the demon,
only to be swatted away like a fly.  She fell to the ground, gasping
for air.  She didn't stand a chance against the demon.
  But the way it was looking towards the doors...no.  She would not
just stand by and let this thing at her friends, her sister, her
lov...her mortal enemy.
  Keeping them in her thoughts, Buffy flipped over and back onto her
feet.

< --- >   

  Little did she know that one of the people hadn't gone into the
sanctuary of the reception hall. 
  The moment the demon had thrown Buffy through the doors and onto
the floor, Spike had felt his heart lurch.  Her face bruised and
bloodied, a pool of blood slowly leaking from her abdomen...
  He'd seen to helping everyone get into a safe room, telling them
to get ready to run if they weren't back in ten minutes with good
news.
  "Spike..."
  Spike shook his head.  "Don't argue, Bit.  Sooner you're all safe
and cozy, sooner I can get out and help big sis."
  "Be careful," Dawn whispered as they closed the doors with a slam.
  The slam had caused the demon to turn towards the doors, so Spike
had quickly hid himself behind a pillar.  He risked a peek to see
Buffy jump to her feet, wincing as she did so.  Was she daft enough
to try and take on the demon by herself, no weapons?!
  Apparently.  She dodged a few more swipes from the demon, before
rolling to get underneath him.  She landed a kick to his groin,
causing the demon to roar with pain.  A point for the Slayer.
  With incredible speed for someone of that build, the demon reached
around and grabbed her by her throat.  Buffy choked as she clawed at
his hand, trying to get away.
  Spike watched in horror as the demon lifted her from the ground a
good ten feet.  His grip on her throat never loosened, and Buffy
began to lose consciousness.
  "Let her go!!" Spike shouted, running out from the pillar.  The
demon turned to gaze down at the vampire, still keeping the Slayer
in his death grip. 
  All Buffy could hear was a whooshing noise in her ears as her air
supply was cut off.  She began to feel light-headed and sleepy, and
before she knew it, she'd closed her eyes.
  Spike watched her eyes shut with increasing terror.  "I said, let
her GO!!" he yelled.
  The demon growled, before spinning his arm to launch Buffy away
from him.  She slammed against the wall and slid down to the floor,
leaving a blood trail behind her.
  Spike stared at her, ready to throw up at the sight of her.  There
was so much blood...where he once would've laughed and feasted, he
now stared with horror and sickness.
  He couldn't stare for long, however, because the demon was still
there.  He ducked one blow, before taking another and being sent
hurtling across the room.
  "How much you bench press?  Ten, twelve hundred tons?" Spike
growled.  His eyes widened as he caught sight of something outside,
just near the doors.  The floor candlestick holder Buffy had taken
with her.  It was now broken in two, no doubt from the giant
stepping on it.  What had been an ornamental device for lighting
rooms was now a perfect weapon with a jagged edge on the broken
side.  For once, things were going his way.
  A 'thump' had him turning, and then quickly moving towards the
weapon.  The demon had started his way.
  He reached the broken metal rod and wrapped his hand around it,
getting a good grip.  One well-aimed throw, and this demon was a
footnote in history.
  He blinked, and suddenly he was ten feet away, and back inside. 
Demon Giant must've caught up with him.  No matter; he could still
throw the rod from here, and still land it between the demon's
eyes.  Wait.  Where was the rod?
  Spike glanced down at his right hand, then further to the right. 
Halfway across the room lay his only chance of victory.  He cursed,
then began to run towards it.  Or at least, tried to run. 
  He gasped and clutched at his chest, where the demon must've hit
him.  Clutching at the injury, Spike kept going, his eyes on the
weapon.  He was almost there...
  He almost cried when he fell to the ground and felt himself being
pulled back.  Dammit!  He couldn't let this thing win.  He had to
slay the demon, be proclaimed the hero (yeah right), and then talk
to Buffy.  Buffy, who may very well be dead.  There'd been so much
blood...
  With a roar Spike extended his arm, reaching towards the pole. 
His fingers barely touched it, but they touched.  He flicked the
weapon towards him, and spun around just in time to shove the
pointed edge through the demon's head.  He gurgled, before his body
sagged against the pole, dead.
  Spike threw the corpse off and pulled himself up.  As fast as he
could, he ran towards the broken body of Buffy.  Had it only been
twenty minutes ago that she'd been crying, clutching her small
bouquet with enough power to crush it?
  He slid to his knees and turned her over, inhaling sharply at the
sight.  Blood everywhere, with bruises circling her neck. 
  "Buffy," he said softly, reaching towards her wrist.  He almost
jumped back, but forced himself not to panic.  It had to be there...
  He sighed with relief when he felt her heart beat.  Slowly, and
barely there, and very weak.  But it was still there.  That was all
he cared about.
  "Buffy," he repeated, pulling her up against him.  "Wake up, luv. 
Please..."
  Her body sagged against his, and she was so pale, oh so pale. 
She'd lost so much blood, and it still kept flowing through his
fingers...
  "Spike?"
  Spike glanced over his shoulder, seeing Willow's eyes widen as she
caught sight of both of them.  "Oh goddess," she breathed.
  "Is she breathing?" Xander asked, running towards his fallen
friend.
  Spike could only nod.
  "Wills, call 911."  Willow merely turned and began to run towards
a phone. 
  Xander stared at the almost comatose vampire, before tentatively
placing a hand on his shoulder.  "She's gonna be okay, Spike.  I
promise."
  Spike blinked, gazing at the young man with bewilderment.  He
finally gave Xander a pained smile, before saying, "Sorry 'bout the
weddin'."
  Xander rolled his eyes.  "I was expecting something a lot worse. 
Don't worry.  Besides, we got married, and everyone's okay."  At
Spike's look, the young man offered him a smile.  "She WILL be
okay.  She always is."
  Spike found he couldn't say anything else, and remained silent,
even after the ambulance arrived.

< --- >

  Slowly Buffy opened her eyes, then promptly cringed at the light. 
Ow.  Bright lights equals pain.
  As she shifted in bed, she quickly found that the lights weren't
the only thing that equaled pain.  Her entire body hurt.  She hadn't
felt this bad in a long, long time.
  And she wasn't even in her own bed.  Glancing around, she found
herself in very white surroundings.  Had to be a hospital.  She
must've really taken a beating.
  She tried to call out for help, but couldn't seem to get the words
out.  She tried once more, then choked on her dry throat.  Okay,
she'd go get help.
  She pushed herself up, or at least, thought she did.  Her muscles
weren't working right, and Buffy couldn't believe that she was this
weak, even with her Slayer powers.  Tears of frustration and fright
began to pool as she closed her eyes.  The light hurt so much...
  She was attempting to push herself up one more time when she heard
a soft 'click', and the light pounding on her eyelids disappeared. 
Before she could open her eyes, something reached behind her back
and pushed gently, helping her sit up.  She glanced up, green eyes
meeting blue.
  "Spike?" she tried to say, but only managed to irritate her sore
throat, producing no noise other than a squeak. 
  "Shhh," he crooned, propping her bed up so she could sit and lay
at the same time.  Once finished he turned, taking a seat next to
her.  "Don't try to talk.  Doc says you probably shouldn't be doin'
that for awhile."
  She made a confused face, and Spike sighed.  "Got hit awful hard
at the weddin' three days ago.  Demon took a lot out of you.  You
were touch and go for awhile there, pet."
  Her eyes widened.  Three days?!  She'd almost died?!
  He nodded at her surprise.  "Yeah, stopped breathin' on the way to
the hospital.  They got you breathin' 'gain, and by then we'd
arrived."
  'We?' She thought.  'He rode to the hospital, just to see me?  Her
heart began to race at another thought.  I didn't kill the demon. 
Is it dead?  Are the others okay?'
  She glanced over at Spike, and decided to try and talk
again.  "Ot..."  She closed her eyes, humiliated tears running down
her face.  She felt so helpless like this, and she absolutely hated
it. 
  A hand touching hers had her opening her eyes again.  Spike smiled
at her, before saying, "Xander and Anya are leavin' for the
honeymoon tonight.  Doc said you'd be awake by today, so they
changed the flight a bit.  Wanted to make sure you were all right."
  At her questioning look, Spike realized what she was asking.  "Oh,
the others.  Everyone's fine.  Only one that got the short end of
the stick was you.  Demon's dead, everyone's fine, s'all good."
  Something on his forehead distracted her, and a closer look
revealed a new wound that was healing.  Slowly she forced her arm
up, gently caressing the wound.  She frowned, trying to convey
through her eyes for him to tell her.
  "Just a scratch," he said with a shrug.  "Be all right, give or
take a few days.  Demon was a nasty."
  Her frown quickly disappeared into a complete look of shock.  He'd
killed the demon?  But...but everyone had gone into the reception
hall...hadn't they?
  "You all right?" he asked, concerned.  "Can get a nurse, if you
want."
  He was worried about her?  Wait, what the hell was going on? 
There was only one possible answer, but Buffy didn't think it was
possible.  Not after everything she'd done.
  "Buffy?  Luv, give me some sorta sign that you're all right,
please."
  She blinked, bringing herself back to the present.  She had to ask
him, but she couldn't really talk at the moment.  She took a deep
breath, wincing as the movement jarred sore ribs.  She could do this.
  First she pointed at him, then made claws to signify the demon. 
Then, she made a fist and tapped it into her other hand.
  Spike nodded before she'd even finished.  "Yeah, I took care of
the demon.  Made one heavy carcass."
  Buffy stared at him incredulously, before shrugging, looking
confused.
  Spike sighed.  Great.  "Well, it was a nasty bugger, and looked
like it could give a good fight.  And then there's savin' the
humans, which might give me karma points or somethin'.  Oh, and
there's always a good fight...which I already said, didn't I?"
  Buffy nodded.
  "I just..."  He hung his head, looking anywhere but at her.  He
couldn't bear getting shot down.  Again.
  A hand on his shoulder caused him to look up.  Buffy placed her
hands over her chest, a questioning look on her face.  'Me?  It
couldn't be, could it?'
  Spike merely nodded, smiling sadly at her.  Who was he kidding? 
He'd done it all for her.
  Buffy stared, before she reached forward and placed her hands on
her shoulders.  With one last stare into his eyes, she leaned
forward and softly pressed her lips against his.
  To say Spike was surprised would've been an understatement.  He
stared at her, before placing his hands over his heart, like she'd
done moments before. 
  Buffy's vision began to mist as she nodded.  He smiled, and she
realized she'd gotten him back.  This time, she wasn't letting him
go.  Nothing except death would part them.  And even there, Buffy
was sure they'd find a way around it.

THE END