Angelus had gained the upper hand. He grabbed the sword in his hands. “Can’t do much damage without this!” Angelus cried in triumph as the ground rumbled beneath them.

Xander and Oz tried to grab him from behind while William and Spike tackled him from the front, knocking the sword away from them. Angelus went down under a tangle of arms and legs.

Distracted by the Orb rolling towards her, Buffy picked it up and stared at it curiously. An orange glow began to emanate from the Orb as she held up in front of her. The light was drawn into her eyes and they suddenly flashed the same brilliant orange, glowing briefly as Buffy gasped and stiffened. The Orb dropped from her hands and rolled away; its purpose served. Her eyes cleared and she looked around in confusion.

Spike was struggling to hold on to Angelus’ arm when he heard Buffy cry out. He froze when his eyes met hers. There was no more pain and confusion in her head. In its place was something else; something shining brightly from within her. He could see it.

Her soul.

“Lizzie” He whispered, leaving Angelus to walk towards her.

Lizzie looked back at him, raising her hands to him as he drew near.

“Spike.” She whispered.

At that moment, Angelus managed to throw Xander and OZ from him. Because of his Slayer strength William was harder to overcome. If he hadn’t been weakened by the wounds inflicted by Dalton, Angelus never would have overpowered him. With a roar he freed himself; scooping up the sword and running full speed at Spike. He raised the sword to strike.

Their hands barely touched when Lizzie saw Angel coming at them. With a scream she threw herself in front of Spike, her back against his chest as she sought to protect him.

William staggered to his feet just in time to see Angelus impale Lizzie with the sword.

“NO!!”

Spike caught Lizzie in his arms as she fell back into him, feeling the blinding pain as the sword passed through him as well; binding them together.

An evil smile crossed Angelus’ face just moments before it contorted into shocked surprise as he evaporated into dust.

Cordelia Chase stood there with a stake in her hand and a devastated expression. She collapsed on the floor in tears.

Lizzie’s back was to Spike’s chest. He gently touched her face as she laid her head back against his chest. They felt no pain, only completion. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as she gazed adoringly into his eyes.

The sword began to emit a blue light where it pierced through Spike and Lizzie.

William ran over to them, trying vain to pull it out. Spike tried pulling himself and Lizzie off from his end. Nothing but a cry of pain from Lizzie. They exchanged a look of desperation and renewed their efforts. The blade refused to budge and the light just kept glowing brighter and brighter.

Spike knew what was happening. Everything was in slow motion, almost surreal. But his Lizzie was in his arms.

Whole again.

“Lizzie.” Spike whispered, kissing her nose.

“I love you.” Lizzie said as her body shook.

“I love you too.” Spike smiled.

Spike kiss her again then looked at his brother. With a look of steely determination and a roar of pain he pulled Lizzie with him until his back was against the statue.

“You know what you have to do.” Spike told his brother.

William shook his head. “No, I can’t!!!” he cried out in total anguish. “I won’t do this, Spike!”

“William.” Her voice was so soft he barely heard it. He looked down and saw Lizzie staring at him. Her clear eyes with filled with love and tenderness.

Tears streamed down his face. “Lizzie, no.” he uttered, crossing the remaining space between them to stand before her.

Lizzie reached out and touched his face, stroking it gently.

“I can’t! Please. Please don’t ask me to do this...” he begged.

Lizzie looked at him trying to smile as the light continued to grow.

“You know what you have to do. It’s okay. Just close your eyes.” Lizzie said. She brushed her fingers over his eyes and closed them for him, her lips trembling as she kissed them lightly. Kissed them the way he had kissed hers on the night they made love.

William began to sob as Lizzie stroked his cheek. He rubbed his wet face against her palm, savoring her touch.

Lizzie slowly released him and turned her face back to Spikes.

Spike stared down at her and kissed her lightly on her lips. “All I ever wanted was this...” He whispered.

“Though lovers be lost, love shall not.” Lizzie whispered to him with a bittersweet smile.

“And death shall have no dominion.” Spike finished, kissing her nose.

The room began to rumble and debris came raining down around them. He heard the screams of everyone in the room. The world as they knew it would end. He had decide.

“You do what you have to do.” He heard her voice again in his head.

The blood from Spike’s back began drip onto the statue. The portal began to open in a swirl of black nothingness. “WILL, DO IT NOW!” He growled.

William thought of Lizzie.

Dawnie.

His friends.

All of the innocent people in the world.

There was no other choice for him. He would do what he had to do.....

William, eyes still closed, let out an anguished roar and used what was left of his slayer strength to shove the sword into the statue, impaling Lizzie and Spike against it.

White-hot streams of light began to shoot out of the statue as William crumpled to the floor, the last of his strength gone.

There was an explosion and one last blinding flash of brilliance, then it was done.

William lay there, covered with bits of stone from the decimated statue. All was silent and Lizzie and Spike were gone.....

Manipulated dialogue from After Life

Most of this chapter is a montage. My first ever! I hope you enjoy!

William walked into the smoky jazz club on the south side of town. It had been one month.

One month since the world nearly went to hell. One month since the apocalypse. No one was any the wiser, just the witnesses of that fateful night.

Dawn had been spared the sight of seeing her sister again. Cordelia had told her to wait in the car under the dashboard until she returned. When Cordelia entered the room, she knew no hope was left for the man she loved and did what she had to do.

Rupert was only afforded a glimpse at his oldest son after coming to from Angelus' blow. He stood and watched as the bright light exploded. Watching as Lizzie and Spike held onto to each other accepting their fate. He did the best he could for his youngest; trying to ease his pain. Trying to be the supportive father to his son as well as the faithful Watcher to his Slayer.

"You do what you have to do son." Rupert said, trying to comfort his boy.

William was left alone, really alone this time. He had no brother, no love of his life. Such was the path of a Slayer, he thought. He continued to go out night after night helping those in need. Continued being the devoted son, doting big brother to Dawn, and good friend to his beloved Scoobies.

All the time Lizzie’s words still whispered through his mind.

“You do what you have to do.”

Sometimes though, he would find himself here. He would walk into the club and sit in the same dark corner every time. He would sit there and listen to the hauntingly beautiful voice of the woman who sang here every Friday night.

She saw him slip in and immediately smiled, stepping off the stage.

"Hey Hero." She teased, walking up to him.

"Lo' Faith." William smiled.

He had met her on patrol one night. A vamp had attacked her while she had stepped outside of the club for a cigarette. William appeared, dispensing of the vamp quickly. Faith had been so grateful she offered everything to William, including herself.

William respectfully declined.

"So what brings you lurking in the shadows tonight?" Faith asked.

William looked up at her then lowered his eyes shyly to the table top.

"You wanna hear it don't you?" she smiled softly, tilting her head.

William nodded.

Faith sighed. "I don't blame you. It's one of the most beautiful yet sad songs I have ever sung. Thanks for writing the lyrics for me. Got anything else up there? We could make a fortune."

William shook his head. The song had started out as one of the many poems he’d written for Lizzie.

"Sorry Ducks, it's my only one. My...my brother was the songwriter." William said quietly.

Faith smiled. "It's all good. I understand.”

She walked away and stepped back onstage, whispering something to the pianist. He looked over at William and waved.

William waved back and watched as he began to play. He closed his eyes and listened as Faith began to sing.

"What ravages of spirit
conjured this temptuous rage
created you a monster
broken by the rule of love”

Images of Lizzie flooded his mind.

“And fate has lead you through it
you do what you have to do
and fate has led you through it
you do what you have to do ..."

The smile on her face the first day they met. The night they sat on her porch watching the stars. The nights after they thought Spike was dead that he spent with her asleep in his arms...

"But I have the sense to recognize that
I don't know how to let you go"

Lizzie laughing…

"Every moment marked
with apparitions of your soul
I'm ever swiftly moving
trying to escape this desire”

He thought of the pillow fight he, Willow and Lizzie had. The look on her face when he gave her the music box. The way she had rested her head on his shoulder on the drive home.

“The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
the yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do"

He crossed his arms hugging himself a bit as he leaned against the wall, thinking about the night she came to him after his mother died. "You know I'm your girl too, right?" He heard her say in his mind.

"But I have the sense to recognize
that I don't know how
to let you go”

He thought of finding her in the bathroom. Cold. So very cold.

“That I don't know how
to let you go"

Holding her in his arms as she begun to slip away.

"A glowing ember
burning hot
burning slow”

Even the years of Lizzie as a tortured Buffy filled his mind. The countless "dances". Finding her shaken and confused. The night she laid her head in his lap thinking he was Spike and found peace. The night he gave her the small music box to try to help her calm the madness inside.

“Deep within I'm shaken by the violence
of existing for only you"

He remembered her smile. That shy beautiful smile. And the look on her face the night they made love.

"I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do”

The way she felt in his arms. How he kissed her eyelids. How she had held and kissed him afterwards.

“I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do
and I have sense to recognize
I don't know how to let you go”

Then the pain came; settling deep in his chest as he remembered those last horrible moments. The blue light enveloping Lizzie as she touched his face and closed his eyes shut for him then kissed them lightly as she trembled...

"I don't know how to let you go"

He thought of his favorite memory of Lizzie standing at her window waving at him from across the street. How she smiled, blowing a kiss at him then shutting her curtains.

"That I don't know how to let you go"

Faith’s voice trailed off and the crowd erupted in applause.

William tipped his head to Faith. She smiled at him and watched him walk out the door.

He felt the chill in the air.

Cold.

It was the one thing that he allowed himself to truly feel.

Everything else was so conflicted. He knew if he gave into the hurricane of emotions within him he would lose himself in the pain.

Even now she was with him. When he patrolled. When he was with his friends. Especially when he would finally find a bit of peace in his slumber. Lizzie was there.

He had to push it all away. Or else he could not go on.

But when it was cold he felt his body give into the numbing sensation. He could walk around allowing the air to freeze his skin. Alleviating the pain inside his heart.

He lost his brother that night too. He lost a piece of himself. But none of it compared to losing her.

His mind filled with the same thoughts he had thought not so long ago. Before the people he loved knew about Spike and Buffy. He thought about how he let her down. If only he had seen the sword coming. If they had figured out that Lizzie's madness could be cured simply by restoring her soul. If only he had told his father about Spike and Buffy before...

His thoughts haunted him like they always did. He thought of all the different ways he could have saved her. None of it counted, of course, but every night his mind raced. He'd see it all again ... do something different.

Nights like these he allowed himself to fantasize. He would think that he was faster or more clever.

New ways to make the end a different result; make it so that somehow she was still here with him. In his dreams he had done everything right.

In his dreams he had saved her....

William sat on the edge of Dawn’s bed watching her as she slept. He smiled, envying her the peace she found in slumber. William had told her truth about the events that led up to that fateful night. Who the Master was and the identity of his mate. Dawn felt hurt and betrayed, but ultimately she understood Like Lizzie, Dawn did not judge him. Her unconditional love and support was a balm to his soul.

Shortly after the aborted apocalypse, Dawnie announced to Rupert and William that she wanted to change her last name to Giles. Her reasoning was that she never really knew her father and he certainly didn’t want to be bothered with her. She felt she was more of a Giles than a Summers anyway.

It was a simple gesture, but profound. It helped heal the fractured family; giving it them a symbol that it was time to move on and face the future. A future with just the three of them against the world.

William gently stroked her soft hair and then kissed her on the forehead. Leaving the small nightlight burning, he left to prepare for another night of slaying.

Downstairs, he found his father buried in some dusty tome. “Will Oz or Xander be accompanying you tonight, son?” he asked.

“Nah, it’s Valentine’s Day, Da. Figured I’d best give the lovers the night off.” William said with a wink.

Rupert nodded, chuckling. “Our Willow might understand if Oz went, but Anya is another story.” He commented.

“She’s an odd girl, that’s for sure. But she does love Xander. He deserves that.”

“Yes. Yes, she does. William, while we’re on the subject…”

William rolled his eyes as his father jerked his glasses off and began to clean them with his handkerchief. He knew what was coming.

“Look, William. I know I’m your father and you might not entirely comfortable talking to me about such matters, but it’s really not good for you to be alone as much as you are.” Rupert said.

“Da, I’m the Slayer. It wouldn’t be fair of me to even think about a romantic relationship. I have an early expiration date.” William stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Rupert winced at William’s comment.

Instantly William felt bad. “Besides what I am going to tell the poor bird? ‘Sorry honey, can’t go to the movies tonight gotta go save the world!’ Not exactly a solid relationship builder.” William teased.

“I see your point, but both you and I know that’s not the reason why you refuse to even consider it.” Rupert said quietly. “She’s gone Son.”

William closed his eyes tightly and shook his head. “Don’t Da, not now please.” He whispered.

“I don’t say these things to hurt you, but I know what it feels like. I know the look in a man’s eyes when he longs for someone who is not here anymore.” Rupert replied.

William looked at his father. “Then you know, Da, that there’s no way I can. There is no one that can replace her in my heart.” His voice shook with the force of his words as he gathered up his bag and opened the door. He stood there in the open door, his back to his father. Rupert had to strain to hear his firm, quiet tone.

“I know she never belonged to me, Da, but she was the only thing I have ever been sure of.” William said.

He began to walk out the door.

“She was The One.”

*

William leaped into the air dealing the closest vampire a roundhouse kick.

“Bloody Hell!” He cursed to himself.

He had walked into a nest. Seeing three vampires go in, he had a while to make sure no others were coming. The coast seemed clear, but he forgot one thing. He didn’t listen outside like he should have.

When he walked in he was greeted by six vampires instead of three.

He had slipped. Badly. He knew it.

He quickly dispatched the two by the door as he walked in, but the remaining four were giving him a run for his money. He evened out the playing field a bit more by taking out a third. The sound of his ‘inner Rupert’ scolding him filled his head. Adrenaline kicked in but he knew it wasn’t a good thing. He would need that extra strength for later in the battle.

Will pushed himself off of the three. One came charging at him. He crouched down and swept his legs out from under him. He used the few precious minutes while that one was down to take out his fourth.

He could feel his fatigue weighing him down, slowing his reactions and weakening his punches. Since it was Valentine’s Night more vamps were out than usual, looking for easy pickings among distracted young lovers. William had already fought five vamps hand to hand and dusted two fledglings before coming to take out this nest. He should have called it a night. He knew he was pushing himself to hard and he knew why.

The dance was getting old.

He heard Spike’s voice in his head.

William fought with all his might. This vampire was the strongest yet. His training told him he had made another mistake. He should have taken him out first. He fought with everything he had in him, still hearing his brothers voice in his head.

William took tough vamp out finally, but he shook with exhaustion. The last vampire grabbed him from behind. He struggled, trying to find strength to throw the vamp over his shoulder, but he couldn’t...He had nothing left inside him.

William struggled in vain not to give in but he was so tired. So tired of the pain. That moment of curiosity and the promise of peace engulfed him. He felt the sharp fangs scrape his neck and closed his eyes, resigning himself to his fate.

Suddenly William heard a growl. The vampire was yanked away from him so forcefully he nearly fell to the ground. He turned around.

On the floor the last vampire was struggling with something. They rolled and tumbled in the dust. Briefly, William wondered if it was Oz in werewolf form. The creature was tattered, it’s hair matted and dirty.

He watched as the creature gained the upper hand and with a ferocious growl it tore into the vampire’s neck. The creature reached for a stake William had dropped earlier and plunged it into the vampire’s chest.

It exploded into dust, leaving the creature crumpled on the floor. William saw now that the battle was over that it was a person. A vampire, dressed in ragged clothing and looking around the nest with feral eyes,

William swiftly moved over, grabbing the vampire from behind and ripping the stake from its hands. He let out a growl, preparing to stake the creature. The he looked down.

And gasped.

“William?” The creature asked, voice quivering.

William stared. The creature trembled. Dirt covering its face. Hair wild. Clothes torn and three sizes to big for it. With wide, frightened eyes....wide, frightened, incredibly beautiful green eyes.

“Lizzie?” William choked.

Lizzie touched his face.

“William.” She whispered as she went limp in his arms.

Author’s Note: Concept taken from Beauty and The Beasts S3. Manipulated dialogue from Fool for Love

William looked at the wooden cross and stake sitting on Lizzie’s old computer desk. The candlelight danced off the wood in the darkness.

He heard a whimper come from the bed.

He watched as Lizzie laid there restless as if she was struggling with something in her sleep. Fear crept through him. What if she awaked as Buffy? Disoriented looking for her Daddy.

Spike...

Was he back as well? If so why was he not with her?

Lizzie woke up briefly through the last two nights only to drink bagged pig’s blood keeping her demon satisfied.

William vowed not to make the same mistakes he did the last time around. He brought her to The Summer’s home promptly calling his father over.

William feared Rupert would tear into him for not killing her but to his shock and amazement he did not. Instead he called Willow over and the two began to place wards on the house keeping other creatures at bay.

The three of them took turns watching over Lizzie during the last two days. Xander, Anya and Oz had offered but Rupert aired on the side of caution. If she did awake only William could deal with her physically while both Rupert and Willow could keep an attack on them at bay through magic.

The most painful action was telling Dawnie. Dawn wanted nothing more to go and see her sister. She begged on a nightly basis. But William pointed out that if Lizzie was disoriented or violent they would have to deal with that.

“I wouldn’t be able to deal with her if you were there Bit. Please if it’s safe we will get you straight away.” William promised.

“What make you think you could even without me there Will?” Dawn asked quietly.

“Intuitive as ever.” William thought.

He was not sure either. But somehow he got Dawnie to relent.

William sat and watched for a moment. She was laying there dressed in one of Willow’s nightgowns.

He did not want to see her in one white ones she had wore all those times she was so confused and lost. He opted to use Joyce’s bathroom to clean her up still not wanting to step into the room he found her in that horrible night.

So many questions floated through his mind. He heard her stir.

William looked over at the bed just in time to watch Lizzie raise herself into the sitting position.

For a moment he thought about grabbing the crucifix but stopped himself.

“You don’t need that.” He heard quietly.

William saw Lizzie staring at the cross. Her eyes met William.

“Really it’s o.k.” Lizzie said.

William crossed his arms fighting the storm of emotions inside of him.

“How long was I out of it? I mean here...” Lizzie asked gesturing to the bed.

“Forty eight hours. Forty Nine counting this one but this one doesn’t count does it?” William joked.

“God you still act like a Bloody Ponce around her.” William thought.

Lizzie chuckled.

“It feels like longer.” Lizzie said quietly.

William walked closer to the bed.

“Lizzie, what do you remember?” William asked.

Lizzie looked down.

“Everything is really blurry. There were moments but I knew a lot of time passed between those moments. I remember you.” Lizzie said looking up at William.

“Sometimes I would know we were fighting and then we would stop. I remember seeing Willow for a second. I remember Spike...” Lizzie said her voice trailing off thick with emotion.

“Lizzie, about Spike....” William started.

“He’s not here.” Lizzie said quietly.

“How do you know?” William asked.

Lizzie touched the bite marks on her neck.

“I...I don’t feel him. I mean I always feel him but I don‘t feel his call.” Lizzie explained.

William took a deep breath. Of course Buffy and Spike were claimed mates. She would feel his pull if he was in this world. It would call her until she found him.

“What happened to me? I mean I got the vampire part pretty straight. When I came back I wanted blood I felt the demon in me demand it. But I couldn’t feed. I didn’t want to kill.” Lizzie said.

William sat down at the edge of the bed.

“You have a soul Lizzie.” William said.

“A Soul?” Lizzie asked.

“A vampire with a soul? How lame is that?” Lizzie sighed resting her head against the headboard.

William chuckled.

“The Bit said the same thing.” William laughed.

“Dawnie?” Lizzie questioned.

“Does she know? I mean is she o.k.?” Lizzie asked.

William’s heart nearly melted right there. This was Lizzie. The Lizzie he remembered. Her concern and love for her sister shone so brightly.

“She knows Pet. She can’t wait to see you.” William replied.

“I’m not ready for that yet not until I get some things straight.” Lizzie said.

An awkward moment passed between the two old friends.

“So tell me how did I get this lovely party favor?” Lizzie asked.

“There was this vampire Angelus. He was cursed with a soul and lost it when he felt a moment of true happiness. His girlfriend brought a this thing it was called The Orb Of Thesulah it restores the holder their soul. It was meant for Angelus but you picked it up before he could.” William explained.

“So if I feel a moment of true happiness I start acting like humans are happy meals on legs?” Lizzie asked.

William shook his head.

“The Orb did not have that curse attached to it.” William replied.

He thought of Cordelia in that moment. How painful it must have been to have so much hope in her hands just to watch it all slip away.

“So I have a soul. Which would explain why I don’t want to hurt you.” Lizzie said softly.

She looked around the room belatedly realizing where she was.

“I’m in my room.” She observed.

William nodded.

“Da and I thought about bringing you to the house but we weren’t sure..” William stopped himself.

Lizzie sighed.

“It was the right call.” Lizzie assured him.

“Lizzie, do you know where you were?” William asked.

Lizzie closed her eyes.

“Not too sure. There was so much pain, rage, hopelessness. I felt like I was on fire the whole time. The suddenly I felt myself being pulled. The next thing I remember I was in this room in a mansion or something.” Lizzie explained.

“That.. that was your mansion. Yours and Spike’s.” William said.

Lizzie closed her eyes for a moment. Struggling to remember.

Suddenly she gasped.

There was a girl, bound and gagged.

Lizzie remembered taking a bite out of her neck.

William instinctively knew she most have remembered something about her time in the mansion.

Lizzie closed her eyes burying her head.

“Lizzie, Pet...” William whispered.

“Please Will. I need to be alone.” Lizzie cried.

“No I’m not leaving you alone.” William said calmly.

“Please leave!” Lizzie cried.

“NO!” William screamed jumping up.

Lizzie looked at him shocked.

“I can’t. I won’t never again.” William said quietly.

Lizzie looked at him the anguish in his eyes.

“My God William what have I done to you?” Lizzie cried.

William sat down next to Lizzie. He wrapped his arms around her.

Lizzie was back and safe in his arms.

“God what am I Doing?” He thought.

He was taking advantage of her. He knew she was clinging to him because he was all she had. It was not right he knew it. But Lizzie was here. He had missed her so much. His world was so empty.

She didn’t know about so much. When she found out. When she remembered.

When he had to tell her it was him that help turn her into a vampire….

He jumped out of her arms as if he was being burned.

“I’m sorry I know I am cold.” Lizzie muttered.

“No Lizzie it‘s not that.” William said.

Lizzie looked up at him questioningly.

William closed his eyes.

“Your going to have a lot of questions when you start remembering things. And I don’t want you to...What I mean is well there are a lot you don’t know.” William said sitting down again.

Lizzie sank down in her bed.

“For instance, what was I doing in that crypt when you came and rescued me..” William started.

“You’re The Slayer.” Lizzie said.

William looked at her shock.

Perhaps the all the memories were returning.

“You remember then.” He replied.

“No I don’t remember. Not the way you think.” Lizzie corrected.

“I don’t understand.” William said.

Lizzie closed her eyes and whispered.

“There’s a lot you don’t know either....”

A Life Less Ordinary


The next night William came back from patrolling. Rupert had let him know Lizzie had slept most of the night. She had gotten up once asking Rupert some basic questions like, what year was it, how long had she been a vampire, how Dawnie was and what had occurred in her absence then she fell asleep.

Rupert had been doing research trying to make sense of Lizzie's return.

"The best I can gather Son. Was that it was the soul. Where ever she was it was not a place for beings with a soul. Which would explain why Spike did not return as well." Rupert said quietly.

"I get that. So what do we do now?" William asked.

Rupert cleared his throat.

"I...I called Cordelia Chase and Wesley Pryce. They said when Angel was souled he was a great help to humanity if you could believe that. I think Lizzie's madness might have been the result of losing her soul. Something like what happened to Angel. Without a soul he was a horrible creature who gave into the evil within. With Lizzie she lost any peace within her. The madness was a result of that and what she was feeling before.." Rupert stopped.

"The fact that she had felt so much despair before she tried to..." William stopped himself as well.

"She lost a great deal of blood. In fact, I am surprise Spike was able to turn her at all." Rupert said.

William felt a lump in his throat. Thinking about his role in that night's events. He had told his father he had assisted Spike but never gave anyone the details. Not because of his own shame but because he knew his family and friends already had to much to deal with.

"I'm going to go check on her." William announced.

"William." Rupert spoke up stopping his son.

"You need to keep a clear head Son. Despite my reluctance to harm Lizzie in any way she is still a vampire. You have to remember that." Rupert said.

"I know Da!" William snapped.

Rupert crossed his arms not flinching.

He was ready for an outburst from his normally subdued boy.

"Sorry, I know what she is. But she is still Lizzie." William said.

Rupert nodded.

"Has The Bit been to see her?" William asked.

Rupert shook his head.

"Lizzie, needs more time." Rupert said repeating Lizzie's words.

William looked up at the ceiling.

"Maybe I should go talk to Dawnie." William stated.

"It's a school night Son. I told her that Lizzie is still very ill." Rupert explained.

"And she did not go running over?" William asked surprised.

Rupert shook his head.

"I think she could sense my apprehension." Rupert replied.

William chuckled.

"She's just getting more and more acute the older she gets doesn't she?" William said.

Rupert nodded.

"Dawnie is something special. What I am not sure of just yet. I have thought to bring it up to The Council but I want her to have more time before we present her to them." Rupert said.

"Do you think she is a potential?" William asked a bit afraid for his sister.

Rupert shook his head.
"No, but I do think she is special. A matter we should deal with another time. Right now you have your plate full enough." Rupert replied.

Rupert motioned to the door. He knew William was on pins and needles wanting to go check on Lizzie. Any further conversation would have been fruitless.

"Right, then. Don't wait up for me." William said.

*

William walked into The Summer's home. He went up the stairs, lighting a candle.

He reached Lizzie's room to find her bed empty.

"Lizzie?" He called out.

He tried not to panic. He looked around not seeing her anywhere. He knew she was there the tingling on the back of his neck was strong.

He walked out into the hallway and saw a glimmer of light coming from the bathroom.

Lizzie's bathroom.

His heart began to pound out of his chest. Swiftly her ran over afraid of what he might find. Tearing the door opened he yelled for her.

“LIZZIE!” He screamed

His whole body shook at the sight before him.

Lizzie was sitting against the tub staring into it as if she was in a trance.

He walked closer to her.

“No please, not again.” William thought.

"Lizzie." William whispered.

"I remember what I did." She said softly as tears rolled down her cheeks.

William knelt by her. He was careful not to touch her afraid of what she might do.

"Who...who found me?" Lizzie asked.

William sat down and pulled his knees to his chest.

"I did." He choked out.

Lizzie gasped.

"Oh God Will, I'm so sorry." She cried.
William got on his knee again grabbing her, hugging her tightly.

"Please forgive me." William whispered.

"Forgive you? Will, I'm the one who should be begging for forgiveness." Lizzie said taking his face in her hands.

William pulled her hands away and jumped up.

"No, I was the one that did this to you! I brought you to Spike." William cried.

Lizzie shook her head.

"This isn't your fault." Lizzie said softly.

Lizzie looked around.

"Oh no, then tonight when you came to see me and you found me here...." Lizzie stopped standing up.

"I just keep hurting you." Lizzie whispered.

William looked down at Lizzie. She looked so thin, pale.

"When I saw you sitting there. All I could think was if I had woken up sooner. If I was quicker. Maybe I would have made it in time. Instead I...I handed you over to Spike. Just like I always have." William confessed.

Lizzie touched his face.

"Don't do this to yourself. We all made choices. I made choices. A lot of them I'm not proud of." Lizzie said looking down.

"Lizzie, I promise I will never leave you again." William said.

Lizzie took two steps back.

"You have to Will." Lizzie said.

"I won't." William said shaking his head.

Lizzie took a deep unneeded breath and said

"You don't understand Will, I'll...."

"Ruin me?" William interrupted.

Lizzie nodded slowly.

"I told you already Lizzie. I'm already ruined." William said.

Lizzie turned around looking out at the window.
"Thanks for putting up the black cloth over my windows in my room." Lizzie said trying to change the subject.

"No problem." William said leaning against the sink.

"I don't think I should stay here. The neighbors will start talking." Lizzie said.

"You could stay with us. I know The Bit would love it." William encouraged.

"Will, I'm a vampire. I may not feel like one or particularly live like one but I am a creature of the night." Lizzie said somberly.

"I know that." William said softly.

"Do you Will?" Lizzie asked turning to face him.

"When you look at me do you still see Lizzie…the girl that moved in across the way…your best friend…but Will, I'm not her anymore…I am a demon." Lizzie said shaking a bit.

"You're still my best friend." William answered.

"And before I had a soul? Was I your best friend then? I don't remember much Will. I remember fighting with you, torturing you. I remember you called me....Buffy." Lizzie said as if she had come to another realization.

She sat on the edge of the tub closing her eyes.

"Perfect Princess Buffy." She mumbled.

William knelt in front of her taking her hands. He watched as she searched the deep recesses of her mind.

"Lizzie." He said trying to bring her back.

Lizzie looked at him with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Spike and I were together." Lizzie said.

William nodded.

Lizzie began to cry.

“Spike’s gone. He’s gone I mean really gone this time.” She cried.

William held her for a moment allowing her to cry.

Lizzie looked up, reached out and touched William's face.

"God Will, you must hate me." Lizzie whispered.

"Could never hate you Pet." William said smiling at her.
"You should I'm your enemy." Lizzie replied.

"You're a vampire and I'm a Slayer. Not the most conventional of friendships but you still are my best friend." William said firmly.

Lizzie chuckled.

"Just as stubborn as ever." She laughed rolling her eyes.

"Lizzie. My life isn't exactly what you would call ordinary or normal. A lot has happened while you have been away. The people you know are not even the same. Anya alone is a doozy." William said.

"Anya? Is she your girlfriend?" Lizzie asked quietly.

William laughed.

"God No Luv. She's Xander's issue. Besides I already have a girl." William said.

Lizzie looked down.

"My sister." William said.

Lizzie looked up at him confused.

"Dawnie, our sister. She's been the only girl in my life." William said.

Lizzie smiled at him.

"I promised you I would always protect her." William stated.

William tipped Lizzie's chin so she was looking into his eyes.

"I couldn't let my other girl down." William said his eyes filled with love.

Lizzie stood up.

"I'm tired." Lizzie said.

William took her by the hand and led her back into her bedroom.

Lizzie laid down.

"I'll come check on you in the morning." William announced.

"Wait." Lizzie called out.

William turned around. He watched as Lizzie played with the blanket nervously.

He laughed, walking over and laying down beside her.
"Just don't hog the covers." William griped.

"I do not hog the covers." Lizzie pouted.

"I bet you I wake up cold." William groaned.

"I bet I wake up colder." Lizzie quipped obviously referencing her vampiric state.

William cocked his eyebrow at her.

Both the friends laughed wrapping themselves up in the covers. Just like they had done before.

"Lizzie, there is one more thing. You said you knew I was The Slayer. That you remembered but not in the way I think. I don't understand." William said.

Lizzie closed her eyes.

"Later." She said taking William's arm and wrapping it around her.

William laid there watching her sleep trying to not let his question burn inside his mind.

Strong

William watched Lizzie as she fought against a vampire twice her size.

It had been three weeks since her return. Much to William’s dismay she had moved into a crypt. Lizzie sighted practicality while William worried about her safety. Not one to give in Lizzie was firm with her decision.

She still had not been able to reconcile herself to seeing Dawn. Something that upset the younger sibling to no end but Dawn knew better than to push.

The friendship between Lizzie and William took up almost with the same devotion and trust they had always had.

Almost.....

William disposed of the vampire attacking him and ran over to Lizzie. Another vampire came out of nowhere spinning Lizzie around.

The vampire gasped.

“Princess.” He cried.

Lizzie shaken; stopped fighting for a moment. The vampire that had been attacking her picked her up and flung her against a tree.

Ignoring the two vamps William ran over to Lizzie to check to see if she was alright.

He bent down to pick her up when Lizzie grabbed him and threw him to the side. William watched as Lizzie drove a stake into the bigger vampire that had come up from behind the two of them ready to take a chunk out of William, if Lizzie had not intervened.

Lizzie jumped to her feet still holding the stake.

“Princess, where is The Master? He heard rumors that he had been defeated.” The vampire said on his knees.

William watched as Lizzie’s eyes turned cold. She grabbed the vampire and staked him quickly.

Lizzie stood there still visibly shaken by the encounter.

“He was one of you minions.” William stated.

“I figured that one out!” Lizzie yelled throwing down her stake.

“Lizzie wait!” William yelled running and grabbing her.

Lizzie yanked her arm away but still turned to face her friend.

“That must have been hard for you, I understand.” William said trying to comfort her.

Lizzie looked up into the sky and let out an exasperated chuckle.

“You think that’s why I’m mad?” Lizzie said crossing her arms.

“What then?” William asked.

“What then? How about the fact that you almost became someone’s dinner? You were so concerned about me you let your guard down!” Lizzie screamed.

“I was just checking to make sure you were o.k.” William said in disbelief.

“I’m a vampire Will! I can handle myself. What if another vamp or demon saw that huh? Want word to get out that The Slayer needs a vampire to back them up?! Think Will!” Lizzie screamed.

“I can’t believe you are mad at me for protecting you!” William yelled back.

Lizzie hit William on his chest.

“I”

THWACK!

“DO NOT”

THWACK!

“NEED”

THWACK

“PROTECTING!!!” Lizzie screamed.

William staggered back and got into a defensive stance.

Lizzie did the same.

William controlling his anger relaxed.

Lizzie did the same crossing her arms in front of her.

“You need to stop William. Stop treating me like I’m a piece of porcelain.” Lizzie said.

William looked up at the sky and howled in frustration.

“God Women! You think this is easy for me?” He yelled.

William looked at Lizzie and began to pace.

“I know what you are Lizzie. I know you can take care of yourself. But it’s not easy. I can’t switch gears all of a sudden. It’s going to bloody take time!” William said still pacing.

Lizzie unfolded her arms.

“Since the day we met I have always looked out for you. Always wanted to protect you make sure you were all right. You know, I used to sit up and watch your light go out at night just to make sure you didn’t need anything before you went to sleep?” William confessed.

Lizzie took a step closer to him.

“And now yeah things are different. You’re a vampire I get it. I understand that part but sometimes I slip. I still want to make sure you don’t hurt. It’s hard not to feel like I need to save you when you’re in trouble. So cut me some slack.” William finished.

“Will, your The Slayer. You have to be...”

“Bloody Hell woman if you tell me I’m the strong one, I swear I’ll toss my cookies. I am so tired of hearing that!” William screamed.

Lizzie flinched.

“I know. But it’s true Will.” Lizzie said quietly.

William sat down on a stone bench.

“You know what strong translates into for me?” William asked.

Lizzie shook her head.

“It means I get to be alone. As the slayer, no matter how many people I have got around me, I fight alone because I’m strong. Life of the chosen one. The rest of life be damned. Strong means I have to watch everyone else live there lives and watch like some sort of third party observer. I have to shut off my emotions because I am the strong one.” William said crossing his arms.

Lizzie touched his hand and held it tightly.

William stared down at her hand.

“Being strong meant I couldn’t have you.” William whispered.

Lizzie looked at him shocked.

“I’m not a fool Lizzie. I know you felt something for me. That’s what kept me alive all those years. But I knew what you meant to Spike. His whole world would have crumbled if he did not have you. If you didn’t love him with all your heart the way he loved you. He...he was my brother as jealous and hurt as I was I knew I could deal with it. I did. Why? Because I had to be strong.” William said he stood up and began to walk away.

He felt Lizzie pull him from behind. Before he could say anything Lizzie grabbed him by the jacket and kissed him passionately.

William still shocked by Lizzie’s actions stood there with his arms hanging limply at his side. Suddenly his brain kicked in.

Lizzie was kissing him.

Soft, beautiful Lizzie.

Regaining his sense he grabbed her by her arms and begun kissing her back.

Lizzie felt as he tensed up. She relented her passionate attack and pulled back.

She gulped hard and looked up at him. Reaching out to touch his face.

William pushed away from her. His eyes cold.

“Don’t.” William said turning around.

“I don’t need your bleeding sympathy.” William said softly.

Lizzie turned him back around.

“You think I kissed you because I felt sorry for you?” Lizzie asked angrily.

“I think, I think you miss Spike. I think I have always been there for you. I know you feel grateful. I know you’re lonely and scared. I won’t take advantage of that and I won’t let you feel guilty about it later.” William said.

Lizzie looked at William trying to absorb his words.

“You think I feel all that? How can you go from saying all the right things to thinking all the damn wrong ones?!” Lizzie yelled.

“Lizzie look forget it. It’s been a long night. I should head home.” William said.

William turned around he heard Lizzie mumble something.

“Coward.”

Anger began to course through William.

“Oh that’s rich coming from you!” He spat.

Lizzie flinched wounded by his words.

William gasped.

“Lizzie, I didn’t mean that.” He said.

“Yes you did. And you’re right I was a coward.” She whispered.

Lizzie looked up at the sky.

“It was a cowardly thing to have done. But I felt so much pain and guilt.” Lizzie confessed.

William closed his eyes.

“Because you betrayed Spike with me.” William replied.

Lizzie eyes got as wide as saucers. In two strides she was at William her hands holding his face she kissed his forehead and whispered

“God no, William. Not for that. That night it meant everything to me. I was so scared I felt so lost. If you hadn’t been there. If you didn’t give me your strength..”

“I didn’t Lizzie. I let you down. Y..you tried to kill yourself. You did. How could you say I gave you anything when I took everything away from you?” William said staring into her eyes.

“I help make you a monster because I was selfish. I couldn’t live in the world without you in it. I help make you this. Then all that time I would see you and you wouldn’t really be there only glimpses every once and awhile. I was convinced that was my punishment.” William explained.

Lizzie stroked his cheek.

“But this, this is my punishment you here like this. Holding me feeling like you owe me something. I can’t take this.” William said.

Lizzie pulled away furious again.

“I don’t owe you this. I don‘t owe you a god damn thing!” Lizzie yelled.

William looked at her shock.

“I don’t owe you Will. I give you things. My loyalty, my trust, my friendship. That night, that night I gave you my love. I told you that night I was there with you not Spike. Not because I was in so much pain but because I wanted you.” Lizzie said softly.

“Then why Lizzie? Why did you do it?” William asked.

Lizzie closed her eyes.

“Because, I didn’t deserve to go on. I let everyone down. I knew if I was around I would destroy everything that was left. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do that to you, Dawn and Giles. Not after what I did.” Lizzie whispered.

“Lizzie, talk to me.” William pleaded.

“Not now William.” Lizzie said.

“You keep saying that! When then?!” William yelled.

Lizzie turned around throwing her hand up in the air as if she was dismissing William.

“Go home Will. Maybe you’ll screw up a few more thoughts in your head before you get there.” Lizzie spat out walking to her crypt.

She got opened the crypt door only to be shoved in.

“Don’t walk away from me!” William screamed.

He slammed the door shut and pushed her against the wall.

“Don’t walk away from me! Don’t leave me!” He said his voice cracking.

Lizzie knew it wasn’t anger it was fear. Fear that she would disappear again.

“William I won’t ever again.” Lizzie she whispered.

William grabbed her by the shoulders. The neurons in his brains misfired left and right. He didn't know which emotions to give into first his anger, his fear or his confusion.

Suddenly the strongest emotions of all took over as it always did, his love for the woman standing in front of him. He squeezed her shoulders tight, pulling her towards him. He lowered his mouth to hers, capturing her lips is sweet soft kiss.

The fear and tension melted away, allowing in his passion to break through. His hands pressed against the crypt wall above her head while her pressed his body into hers. His eager tongue danced on her lips before he demanded entry into her mouth.

Lizzie kissed him back as her body pressed into the wall to support their weight. She hungrily accepted his mouth clutching at his arms then moving up to grip his shoulders. Grapping the sides of his jacket she shoved it off his shoulders. William pulled it off the rest of the way then quickly removed her leather trench. They looked into each other eyes. He wanted to resume the kiss but Lizzie stopped him. He questioned her actions. However the look of desire in her eyes answered any doubt that was running through his mind. He wanted her.

Lizzie's heaving in want pulled William by the back of his neck to her chest. He licked across the soft flesh. He squeezed them while licking up the sides of her neck. His mouth found hers again but only for a moment.

Lizzie pulled William's shirt over his head, breaking their kiss. He hand roamed his back absorbing his warmth into her cool flesh. She gasped from the contact and rewarding his mouth with another hungry kiss. His fingers tugged on the front tugged on the front clasp of her bra. He pushed it off her shoulders and took one pink cool nipple at a time into his mouth.

He kissed down her stomach, unbuttoning her leather pants. He pushed them down her pale toned legs coming face to face with her center. Her scent filled his senses and he hardened on sight. He kissed her center, lifting her leg over his shoulder. Lizzie moaned her eyes closed.

The moaning was William's undoing. He sucked on her clit then pressed his tongue firmly against her folds. Lizzie's hand rooted itself to the back if his head, keeping him centered. More moans escaped her lips. William was making her come.

Lizzie struggled to keep her demon in check while the orgasm filtered into her limps. Lust had overtaken her. She pushed him to the floor unable to control her strength as she tore the button from his jeans pulling them down in one swift swoop along with his boxer briefs.

Her handling of him turned William on. His head tilted back in pleasure when she lowered herself onto him. He gripped her hips as she ground him into oblivion. His eyes squeezed shut and he grunted from every grinding gyration of her hips.

Lizzie covered her mouth with his, tasting herself on lips and tongue. The kiss was hard and demanding. Her eyes flickered yellow but she kept the her demon in check. Feeling another orgasm building she quickened the pace, lifting herself but leaning just enough to grip his shoulders so the head of him hit her soft spot.

William's vocal chords betrayed him. Lizzie was sending him into pure bliss. He wanted to draw out the moment but her hips moved in demand of his release. He released inside her, pulsating every drop of his love and desire for her. Lizzie squealed in delight, feeling his life coat her insides. She climaxed calling out his name before she fell forward, panting for unneeded air.

William pushed Lizzie up into the sitting position trying to steady his breathing.

Tears filled Lizzie’s eyes.

“Don’t ever think Will that I don’t love you. I always have. I always will.” Lizzie whispered.

William stroked her cheek trying to make sense of it all. Nothing made sense to him anymore but here with Lizzie pressed into him all of the chaos do not seem to matter. She was sitting in his arms.

Lizzie wrapped her arms around him slumping into his chest.

“I love you Lizzie. I always have. I love you still.”

His last word haunted her....still.

Would he still love her if he knew?

He needed answers, she knew this. How could she explain it all to him? Where could she even begin?

She loved him.

She loved Spike.

Same but different.

How would William react?

Lizzie closed her eyes savoring the moment knowing time was against her.

Sooner or later she would have to reveal her own secrets......

“Lizzie look out!” Xander yelled.

Lizzie ducked as a vampire flew through the air. She rolled, catching the vamp by the scruff of his neck. Willow threw a stake at her and she caught it, slamming it into the vampire’s chest.

She turned and saw Oz struggling with two vampires. Quickly she ran over, intent on helping him.

Oz took out one of the vamps as Lizzie dispose of the other. Blowing vamp dust out of her face, she turned as Oz motioned to where William battling three vamps on his own.

With vampiric swiftness, Lizzie arrived at William’s side first. Oz and Xander right behind her. The two boys tackled one vampire and held it while Anya drove a stake into its back. More dust.

Lizzie fought the second vamp. He was no match for her and when she swiped his leg, he fell on the ground in front of Willow. She leaned over and plunged a stake into him.

William fought the leader. He was tough, but William blocked his punches with ease.

The vamp caught a glimpse of Lizzie and turned to attack her. “You tricked us, Princess!” He sneered as he closed in on her.

William roared, leaping on top of him and staking him with a vengeance. He hated it when they called Lizzie that. The brief flash of pain in her eyes made him furious. He hated that part of his father’s plan, but Lizzie always agreed to do it.

With Spike gone, the Hellmouth had become something of a demon Thunderdome.

Many of Spike’s minions had tried to take over his position as Master of the Hellmouth. Since most were mere fledglings they were easily disposed of. It was the out of town vamps that were the real problem. They came from everywhere trying to make a name for themselves. Trying to step into Spike’s shoes.

The weaker minions were always the easy.

All Lizzie had to do was walk into a demon bar and they would immediately fall to their knees. The wanna-be Master’s would always be intrigued as they listened to the resident demons tell stories about how the previous Master’s power was centered around his Dark Princess.

They always readily accepted Lizzie. Even in the demon culture there was politics. To be The New Master it would be to your benefit to stay in the good graces of the Old Master’s mate.

At Willow’s suggestion, she and Rupert had done a spell on Lizzie to mask their scents from the senses of any demon she encountered.

Lizzie would draw them in acting like Buffy had before she returned. It took a lot of coaching from William, which was painful beyond belief for him. She always did it though; she would find out their secrets then report back to The Scoobies.

Eventually it would always end with a confrontation in the mansion using Lizzie as their key into the lair. The Scoobies would come in and decimate the growing nest, leaving Lizzie to report back to the demon community that the newest up and comer had met his end at the hands of The Slayer without them ever never knowing her role in the whole thing.

Willow had her suspicions about what had transpired between Lizzie and William but she never pried. One time however, when Lizzie and William were yelling at each other over something, she caught a glimpse into their thoughts. The scene she saw in her mind was enough to send her into hiding from them for two days.

There were just certain things you should not see your friends do.

Dawn had been forced to spend three weeks with Hank Summers as per the terms of her adoption. She hated to leave. Lizzie was concerned but secretly was relieved. She had still not been able to gather the courage to see her sister.

“Score another one for the white hats.” Anya said proudly, fluffing up her hair.

Slaying was messy business.

Lizzie chuckled at her comment.

William walked over to her concerned. “You all right, luv?” He asked.

“I’m fine, Will. Don’t fuss.” she answered, walking over to Willow and offering her a hand up.

Willow staggered for a moment. Oz caught her with a look of concern.

“Guess I used too much power in that concealment spell.” She quipped.

“I don’t know why Giles insists on you casting the thing. We always bum rush so fast none of them are the wiser.” Oz said.

“The hallway is long. Remember the first time we tried this? We got attack two steps in.” Xander reminded Oz.

“True.” Oz said.

“Should watch the mojo, Red.” Lizzie said, her voice tinged with the faintest hint of a British accent.

Willow looked at her, a bit confused. She immediately cast her eyes down. “I gotta go.” She mumbled, walking past all of them and running out of the mansion.

“What was that all about?” Xander asked.

Oz shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe she’s been hanging out with Will and Giles a bit too much.” he suggested.

Anya rolled her eyes. “It’s obvious to me. Look where we are.” she said, motioning around the room. “She feels her Sire here. His blood runs through her. She’s bound to pick of some of his traits. Besides, Lizzie has always been a bit snarky when she gets flustered. Being here does that to her.”

William took a deep breath as Anya’s brutal honesty cut through him. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but Lizzie had been a bit different since her return. She was always slow to anger but when she did lose her temper or get flustered there was a side of her that emerged that none of them had never seen from her before. Until now, William had always assumed it was her demon. It took Anya to point out what should have been glaringly obvious.

It was Spike.

The part of him that still held his claim on her from the beyond. The part of her that was him.

Lizzie and William had not discussed what happened between them that night.

They had patrolled, talking about everything under the night sky but that. Neither one of them knew where the other stood. Both were too afraid to upset the other.

William sensed Lizzie was holding something back from him, but he never pushed.

How could he when she never questioned him before when she was alive.

His acceptance always made Lizzie feel more guilty.

Now, William ran after Lizzie. “Lizzie wait!” He yelled.

Lizzie stopped in her tracks.

“I’ve had enough for one night.” she announced. “Please, Will. Just let it go for now.”

“Look I wasn’t going to try to get you to talk about what happened back there.”

Lizzie cocked her eyebrow up.

“All right, I can’t lie to you. Maybe I was.” William confessed.

Lizzie chuckled.

“Let me walk you back?” William asked. After a brief hesitation, she nodded.

Turning to resume her steps, Lizzie felt William fall in beside her. They walked in silence for a while, watching the night sky. William had a million questions running through his mind but he knew better than to ask. He could tell Lizzie was thinking about what had happened back at the mansion.

“Lizzie, the Bit will be back in a few days.”

She gnawed at her bottom lip. “I think I’m ready to see her.” Lizzie said softly.

William’s face lit up as he smiled brightly. “That’s great! Dawnie will be so happy.” he said.

They walked again in silence. Suddenly he felt Lizzie’s hand touching his. Without a moment’s hesitation he grasped it.

Lizzie looked up at him and smiled.

“Thanks for not pushing.” she whispered.

“No problem.”

The two friends walked around the cemetery for a long time. Holding hands, talking, laughing about their adventures since Lizzie had returned, but still not talking about that night.

“You know I’ll be there for you when you see the Bit, right?” William said.

Lizzie smiled. “You’re always there for me, Will.” she said, gripping his hand tightly.

William smiled, then suddenly froze. Lizzie felt his hand stiffen in hers. He was looking straight ahead. She followed his stare, suddenly realizing where they were.

There sitting in front of them was the grave of Jenny Giles.

Lizzie slowly walked over to it.

William broke free from his own state to watch Lizzie.

She touched the headstone. “Spike used to bring me here.” Lizzie whispered.

William nodded. “Every year on the night she died.”

Tears flooded her eyes. “I’m so sorry.” Lizzie whispered, staring at Jenny’s headstone.

William bent down putting his hands on Lizzie’s shoulders.

Lizzie began to sob loudly.

“It’s all right, pet.” He said, trying to soothe her.

“No it’s not. I let her down! She counted on me and I let her down!” Lizzie screamed, leaping to her feet.

“Lizzie I don’t understand.” William said.

She began to shake and turned away, covering her face with her hands as she cried.

William grabbed her by her shoulders. “NO! NO running away. It’s time, Lizzie. Time for you to trust me.” William pleaded.

“I can’t Will. If I start I’m afraid of what will happen. I’m afraid I’ll snap again.” Lizzie cried.

William held onto her tightly. “I’ll be here. It’s your turn to be strong Lizzie. You can do this. Tell me.”

Lizzie hung her head in defeat, turning back to face Jenny’s grave.

“Remember when I told you I knew you were the Slayer?”

William nodded.

Lizzie took and deep breath.

“You assumed it was from before. When I was Buffy, but it wasn’t. Will, I knew. I knew because your mother told me. She told me the night she died.”

Lizzie turned around to meet William’s astonished eyes.

“You knew?”

Lizzie bit her lip and sank to her knees beside Jenny’s grave.

“Why? I mean, how?” William asked, walking over and kneeling down in front of her.

Lizzie watched as he took her hands in his. “Tell me.” He said.

“I’m scared Will. If I start talking about it, if I start remembering…I‘m afraid I will lose my mind again.” she whispered.

“It’s all right. You’re not alone Lizzie not this time. I’m here with you. Just start from the beginning.” William urged.

She shut her eyes tightly. William felt her hands tremble in his. He gripped her hands tightly, trying to lend her the strength to go on. Finally Lizzie looked up at him.

“All right then.” Lizzie said.

FLASHBACK
__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Lizzie covered her face, blocking out William’s shocked face.

“Sh...she knew Will. She knew she was going to die. The way she talked to me that day. She knew.” Lizzie cried.

William stared at his mother’s grave. He knew about prophetic dreams. He had them himself. But, his mother? She had dreamed?

“It’s my fault.” Lizzie whispered.

William shook his head. “No it’s not. I wish you had told me. God Lizzie, you’ve been carrying that around for so long.”

Lizzie turned away. “Don’t, please. Don’t look at me that way.” She begged.

“What way?” William asked.

“With so much kindness and love. I can’t take it. There‘s more Will. More that I have to tell you.”

He took a deep breath. “Tell me.”

“It’s my fault Will. I’m the reason your mother died....”

William pulled his knees up to his chest and hugged them with one arm. The other held Lizzie’s hand tightly. His heart pounded out of his chest. He knew she could hear it, feel it.

She nervously bit her bottom lip so hard that William was afraid she would draw blood. She got on her knees and kissed him on the forehead lightly. She then grabbed his stake from inside his coat and balanced it on his knees.

“If you feel like you have to... after I finish. I understand,” She whispered, looking at Jenny’s headstone and touching it with trembling fingers.

William stared down at her hand, still clutched in his. “Go on Lizzie.” He whispered.

Tears fell down Lizzie’s cheeks.

“It was just a quick stop at the grocery store...”

FLASHBACK

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

William began to shake so hard the stake fell to the ground.

Fingers trembling, Lizzie opened her shirt a bit, exposing her heart to him.

“Do it quick.” she whispered.

William stood up, grabbing his stake.

Lizzie stared up at him.

Without hesitation he flung the stake as far as he could. Bending over her, he pulled Lizzie up and crushed her to him, burying his face in her hair. “My God, I’m so sorry Lizzie.” He whispered brokenly.

Lizzie pushed him away. “No, I killed your mother. I let her down! She told me to run. If I hadn’t been there, or if I had run, she would still be alive, Will. If I had said something to Spike, he would not have been so angry. He wouldn’t have gone out that night. But I didn’t. I should have stopped him, but I fell asleep. I let everyone down!” Lizzie screamed, falling to the ground and sobbing her heart out.

William knelt behind her and threw his arms around her, tears wetting his own face.

“I would see it in my dreams. I would hear her tell me to run. The...then Spike and my mother.... I shouldn’t have been alive. It should have been me that night, Will. Not your Mom. I should have died.” Lizzie sobbed

William finally understood why Lizzie was so lost. Why she had tried to take her life. All her secrets. How they tortured her night after night.

“God, Lizzie no. You’re not the reason why Mum died. She died because of vampires. Because that’s what our family was called to do in this world. She died a champion.” William said, crying.

“Will, it’s my fault. All of this. Your mom. Spike. Even you. All your pain is because of me.” Lizzie whimpered.

William held her in his arms. “No Lizzie. You’re my strength. Even now, you’re my strength.” He soothed her. “I love you Lizzie. Nothing will ever change that.”

Lizzie looked up at him in amazement.

William smiled and gathered her in his arms. He looked at his mother’s headstone for a moment. Her words to Lizzie ringing in his ears.

“Just have faith. Faith this will all turn out the way it should....somehow.”

Lizzie and William sat in her crypt in silence, both processing the nights events.

The end of another potential Master of the Hellmouth. The confessions. The promise William made.

Lizzie didn’t know what to say. The world seemed to be spinning all around her.

She expected William to be angry. She had expected him to kill her, but he hadn’t.

He sat quietly beside her, accepting her as he always did.

“You should hate me.” she said softly.

William shook his head. “I could never hate you Lizzie.” He reached out and pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.

She hopped down from the stone sarcophagus and went over to look out the open door, her expression pensive.

“You still feel him don’t you?” William asked.

“Always.” Lizzie whispered, bowing her head and turning back to him. “William, I loved him more than anything in the world.” The words spilled from her lips in a rush. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she was unable to lie to him.

“I know, pet.” William replied, crossing his arms. A teasing smile lit his eyes. “The two of you were so in love it was practically bleeding from your eyeballs.”

Lizzie bit her bottom lip, smiling. “That’s a really gross analogy, Will.”

“But fitting?” He grinned. The smile left his face and it became thoughtful. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “I used to be so jealous. The way you looked at him. The way you adored him. I used to wonder what that felt like. To have you the way he did.” William said closing his eyes.

“I never let myself see how you felt. It hurt me too much; knowing that we hurt you. I knew though, somewhere inside. I told myself you would find someone that was worthy of you, but I also knew that there was a part of me that would secretly hate her.” Lizzie confessed.

William laughed. “Wouldn’t never happened Lizzie. After Spike died after, I lost you. That part of me died. Besides I’m The Slayer.”

“So was Spike.” Lizzie argued.

“That was different.” William responded with a shrug.

“Why?”

“Because he had you.” William said quietly.

“Yeah, and look! That turned out so well, didn’t it?” She rolled her eyes.

“Lizzie, you need to stop doing that. You can’t keep blaming yourself for everything that happened.” William said.

“Why not? You do.” She argued. She walked back over and sat down beside him.

“You never talk about him. I mean, about how you felt about him.”

William rubbed his tired face with both hands. “I don’t even know where to begin, luv.”

“You told me the beginning is a good place.” Lizzie coaxed, taking his hand in hers.

“He..he was my brother. My twin. When he died there was no time to think about it. I was called. There was you and Da and Dawnie to worry about. I didn’t know how I felt. Then he came back and I was so angry.” William said, beginning to shake.

“Go on.” Lizzie encouraged.

“I was angry because I felt so guilty. I was alive and he wasn’t. I was The Slayer and a better one at that; Da and The Council never let me forget it. Then he came back and all that guilt…I felt that I meant nothing to him. All he cared about was what he wanted. To be fair to him though, he didn‘t have a soul. I did and I never let him forget it.” William explained.

“You shouldn’t feel guilty about that Will. He was different. You were different.”

“Most of all I felt guilty about you.” he said softly.

Lizzie looked at him confused. Then it dawned on her. “Because we were here and Spike wasn’t between us anymore.”

He nodded. “God, I used to think I was a monster. I love you so much. I never wanted you to be in pain. For a few months though, I was at peace. For the first time, I didn’t have to feel guilty about loving my brother’s girlfriend.”

“This may sound crazy even coming from me. But what I feel for you is separate from anything I ever felt for Spike. It wasn’t less, just different.” She said. “But I belonged to him, Will. I always have, even before we claimed each other.” She unconsciously brushed her fingers over her neck, caressing the bite marks that were embedded there.

William nodded. “I know. From the moment you guys met. Trust me I had the front row seat.” He tried not to sound bitter.

Lizzie got to her feet and moved to stand between his legs.

“What I feel for you...Will, you are my anchor. You always kept me safe. With you, I never doubted that I would be okay. I do love you William.” She said softly.

He touched her face, his fingers moving gently as he traced her features. “Lizzie, I need you to know something. I need you to know Spike wouldn’t have hated you. He would have understood. Just like me.”

William knew this was his opportunity to finally have the woman he loved, but he couldn’t do it. Not like this; when she was so afraid and felt so vulnerable. It wouldn’t be right, he knew that. And because he loved her, it would be wrong.

Lizzie looked down. “Are you sure William?”

“I’m positive, pet.” He assured her. “You need to forgive yourself.”

“So do you. And you need to forgive Spike.”

“I did a long time ago.” William said quickly. He blinked hard realizing what he said.

“He was my brother, Lizzie. Rash and impulsive he may have been, he was still my twin. That…the night you guys....you know he saved my life? Angelus had me by the scruff of my neck and out of nowhere there Spike was on top of him. Saving me like he had when we were kids. It was surreal. That’s when I knew I forgave him. Regardless of what he said, we were still brothers and he knew it.” William said, his voice filled with emotions.

“He loved you Will. He never said it, but I knew he did.” Lizzie replied.

“I knew too.” William smiled.

She took an unnecessary breath and closed her eyes. “So, what happens now?”

“I dunno. We fight the good fight. Shoulder to shoulder.” William said.

“No. Will. With us. I know you don‘t believe me, but you‘re not a substitute for Spike to me. I meant what I said. What I feel for you is different, but not any less. When I am with you, I‘m with you.” Lizzie said, finally finding the courage to talk about their relationship.

William wrapped Lizzie in his arms. “I don’t know what happens now, Lizzie. All I know is that I love you.” He said, closing his eyes as he breathed in her scent.

“I’m a vampire, Will. You’re the slayer. It could never work.” Lizzie said.

“It’s already working, Lizzie, we just haven’t realized it. It sounds strange doesn’t it? A Slayer and a Vampire? But if you think about it, it really kind of makes sense. Who else is going to understand me better than you?” William said with a hint of a smile.

Lizzie chuckled. “No one else would put up with you.”

William sobered, stroking her cheek once more. “Lizzie, I don’t want to hurt you. If we are going to put it out there, we might as well go for the gold. I’m a Slayer. I don’t get the privilege of dreaming of white picket fences and kids. I know you don’t either. Someday, I’ll stop feeling guilty and ashamed for my role in that. Hopefully, you can be patient. But one day, Lizzie, another will be called and I will be gone. I need to know you are going to be all right. That you’ll be strong.”

Lizzie held him tight. She trembled in his arms. “Maybe one day I will but for now. Will you just hold me?”

William pulled her up into his arms and held her tightly.

Lizzie sat in the basement of the Giles house wringing her hands nervously. She looked up toward the ceiling. Giles had left a short while ago to retrieve Dawn.

Hank Summers was called out of town on a business trip two days before he was suppose to bring Dawn back. Hearing this news, Giles got in his car immediately to retrieve his daughter.

“I have not seen Da so excited in such a long time. He was practically jumping out of his skin. I would pay good money to see my father get a speeding ticket. I don’t think the man has ever driven over forty miles per hour. I think he did ninety getting out of the car port.” William laughed, trying to lighten the tense mood.

Lizzie laughed, but just as quickly sobered. “You guys really love her don’t you?”

William sat down next to Lizzie and smiled. “It’s weird when everything seemed so hopeless there was the Bit still standing; still ready to face the world and move on. She acted like we were taking care of her but she was really taking care of us.” William mused.

“Dawnie has a tendency to do that. She always somehow knew there were more important things going on than what was on the surface.” Lizzie said proudly. “I saw her Science award in the hallway, the one your father framed yesterday.”

“Yeah, Da wanted to surprise her.” William replied.

“She changed her last name.” Lizzie bit her lip.

William looked stricken. “Oh God Lizzie, I’m sorry. I meant to tell you. She asked Da if it was okay Da didn’t let her do it right away. He made her tell him her reasons and made her think about it for a long time before he agreed.”

Lizzie shook her head. “No, no it’s good. Hank never really gave us anything but our last name. I think I knew where Dawnie was coming from. Your family gave us so much. Dawn always told Mom she wished Rupert was her father. She always loved you like a brother. She was always annoyed at Spike like he was a sibling. It makes sense.” Lizzie said smiling.

From above they heard the sound of the door opening and closing.

Lizzie had asked that William and Giles not tell Dawnie that she would be here. She did not want to disappoint Dawn once again if she chickened out. She heard Dawn’s footsteps running up the stairs and the sound of her knocking on William’s door.

William held Lizzie by her shoulders. He looked at her; waiting for some kind of cue from her. She bit her bottom lip then nodded.

“Bit, I’m in the basement!” William called out, still staring into Lizzie‘s eyes. “It will be okay.” He whispered. He took a step behind Lizzie, holding her shoulders tightly.

They listened as Dawn’s footsteps pounded through the house. She flung the basement door open; letting it bang against the handrail. She was giggling as she jumped off the last step, her eyes searching for Will in the gloomy room.

“WILL!!! I can’t believe I’m home! I missed you so...”

She rounded the stairway and skidded to a halt. Giles trailed behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders, mimicking the same pose William held with Lizzie.

They stared at each other for a long time.

Lizzie looked at her sister. She had grown. Womanhood had touched her since she last saw her. Her Auburn hair was a little shorter. She was nearly as tall as Lizzie.

She had their mother’s eyes....

Dawn gulped hard. “Lizzie?” She questioned, almost as if she did not believe what she was seeing. She took a step forward.

Lizzie gasped and took a step back bumping into William. She looked down trembling. “Oh God.”

“Lizzie?” Dawn repeated as tears fell from her eyes.

Lizzie’s hands flew up to her face. “Don’t...don’t look at me.” She pleaded.

William wrapped his arms around her, feeling her falter. She twisted and broke free of his grasp.

“No, don’t! Please don’t look at me.” Lizzie begged. She had been through so much since her return. She had thought she had dealt with all her feelings all her emotions. She thought she was prepared for this but now she knew she wasn’t.

Now, standing in front of her beloved sister one emotion, one feeling flooded through Lizzie’s entire being.

Shame.

“I don’t want you to...to see me.” Lizzie whimpered.

William looked at Dawn. She stood there, frozen, her blue eyes huge in her pretty face.

“Please don’t look at me.” Lizzie repeated.

Dawn felt her sister’s pain and anguish. “Lizzie, stop. You're my sister.”

Lizzie shook her head venomously. “No I'm not.... not anymore. I’m a monster.”

“Stop it! I know what you are.” Dawn yelled.

Her sister turned to her, shifting into her demon face. “Do you really?” she sneered.

William watched the whole scene unfold. He had no idea what to do. He saw his father grab a stake. Just in case.

Dawn stopped him. “Dad, NO. That won’t be necessary.”

“Let him do it.” Lizzie begged quietly. She hugged her knees to her chest, rocking back and forth. “I deserve it. The things I did when I was first turned. The things I did before I died. I deserve all of it.”

Rupert dropped the stake instantly ashamed of his actions.

“Don’t feel bad Giles. You were just protecting her. The way I should have. But I was a coward. I was selfish. I only thought about myself. I thought I was being so noble, leaving Dawnie to you. But the truth is, I had no clue what to do. How to take care of her.” Lizzie said, her face buried in her knees.

Dawn walked over to her sister and lifted her chin. She looked at her for a long time then she reached out touching, Lizzie’s bumpy forehead. She gently touched one of her fangs. Lizzie jumped a bit, nicking Dawn’s thumb.

Instantly her face shifted back into human form. “Dawnie, are you all right??” She grabbed her hand, anxiously looking it over.

Dawn gave her a watery smile. She showed Lizzie the drop of blood coagulating around her thumb. “Look, It's Summers blood. Just like yours. It doesn't matter what happened, where you went, or how you got back. You are my sister. There's no way I could still love you so much if you weren't.”

Looking up at her, Lizzie reached out and smoothed out a strand of hair that had fallen across her face. “My little Dawnie.” She whispered, her heart aching with remembered love. Love for the tiny infant she had been and for the woman she was rapidly becoming.

With a cry of joy, Dawn threw her arms around Lizzie. “Lizzie, God I missed you so much! I don’t care what you are, I swear. I’m just glad your back. I’m glad I have my sister back.” Dawn said, holding her tightly.

“I’m so sorry Dawnie. I should have been stronger. I should have been the one taking care of us.” Lizzie sobbed holding onto her sister tightly.

“It’s o.k. Lizzie. I’m o.k. I promise. I’m happy.” Dawn said.

Lizzie pulled back, wiping her sister’s tears away with her trembling fingers. “I should have been here for you.” She insisted.

Dawn pushed Lizzie’s hair away from her face. “Giles and Will take really good care of me. And I’m a full fledged Scoobie, now. Not just Dawn the research hound.” She said proudly. “I really do understand. I know how hard it all was for you. Mommy. Joyce. Spike. You are right, you couldn’t take care of us.”

William flinched at her statement, as did Rupert, while Lizzie stared at her sister. Her honesty shocked her.

Dawn looked up at her sister, a smirk of a smile came across her face. “You were a lousy cook. Not that Giles is that much better, but he at least knows how to boil water.” She teased.

Lizzie laughed, breaking the tension. Soon the two men joined in. They were all wiping the tears from their eyes.

“You’re so grown up.” Lizzie said.

Dawn smiled. Tears began to fall from her eyes and she was once again the little girl who had come running to her sister when life got rough. She put her head in her sister’s lap, crying as Lizzie held her and rocked her back and forth. “It’s o.k. Dawnie I’m here, now. I’m back and I won’t ever leave you again.” Lizzie promised.

“I’m Here...”

*

Lizzie stayed with Dawn until she fell asleep.

William walked her back to her crypt; dealing with a few vamps on the way.

Afterwards, he went to Dawn’s room to check on her.

He saw that she was still safely tucked into her bed and began to leave the room.

“She wouldn’t stay would she?” He heard her whisper.

He stepped back into his sister’s room. Making his way to her side, he sat down on the edge of her bed. “Give her time Bit.”

Dawn sat up, snuggling into her favorite quilt. “She’s not going to come live with us, Will. As much as I want her to, I know it’s not going to happen.” she said sadly.

William knew better to argue with the girl. “Maybe she won’t, but I do know she’s not going anywhere, Bit.” he said confidently.

He wasn’t certain if he was trying to reassure Dawn, or himself.

“You’re worried about her aren’t you?” Dawn asked. At his reluctant nod, she continued. “I am too. I worry about how she feels about everything.”

“What do you mean?” William asked.

“I know why it was so hard for her to see me. I mean, besides the guilt part.”

“What do you mean Bit?”

“Will, she loves me, I don’t doubt that for a minute. But, I wonder how it must feel for her to look at me. I’m alive; she isn’t. I’m have my whole life ahead of me; she doesn’t. Will, I’m even a Giles now. You don’t think that hurts her? It’s the one thing she was certain she was destined to be, at least before. And now...God, Will, what she must be going through.” Dawn mused, shaking her head.

William absorbed Dawn’s words.

She was right. How did he miss it?

“You know, for a moment down in the basement everything felt the way things were before. The same. But, in a way it wasn’t. It was...” Dawn though for a moment trying to find the right words

William sighed and whispered.

“Different.”

It was a normal night. As normal as any night could be when one lived on a Hellmouth. The demon activity was almost nonexistent. To the point that Lizzie seemed completely relaxed while holding William’s hand as the walked through the cemetery.

“It’s strange. I almost feel at peace, if that’s possible.” She was saying.

William squeezed her hand and smiled as she scooted closer, nudging his arm around her. He squeezed her, holding her close to his side.

Things had progressed for the strange couple nicely. They were more comfortable around each other. Their relationship focused more on the present than in the past. The future was an entirely different subject. Neither of them wanted to delve into that particular subject.

For William, it was like living on borrowed time.

For Lizzie, it felt like all she had was time. Too much time. William could die at any time and she would be there alone.

Pressing questions hung over their heads constantly, but both knew better than to voice them.

Then there were moments like this one, when things were quiet and they could pretend like they were normal.

Not a Slayer

Not a Vampire.

Just a boy and a girl.

No past, no future.

Just that moment.

William gulped hard. He had been planning this night for a week now. Getting everyone’s help. He wondered how Lizzie would react.

“Will, you o.k.?” She asked, her voice ripe with concern.

He nodded, looking in the distance. “I want to show you something.”

Lizzie allowed William to drag her forward. “That’s the old church.” She said as they drew closer, pausing to look at the dilapidated old building.

Lizzie marveled at the sight of the old structure. Even in it’s ruined state there was still an air of beauty and charm to it.

“Come on.” William said, taking her hand to lead her inside. When they came through the door, her green eyes went impossibly wide.

The main room was lit by thousands of tiny white tea candles, their heady vanilla scent wafting through the air. She looked around, her expression awestruck.

William turned to face her, drawing her attention back to him. He smiled down at her animated face.

“You did this for me?” She asked, amazed.

“No, I did this for us.” William said seriously. He held her hands in his and gazed into her eyes. Before he lost his nerve, he bent down and kissed her.

Lizzie closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of William’s lips against hers.

He pulled back slightly and begun to whisper in her ear.

He put his arms around her, drawing her deeper into his embrace. Lizzie stared up into his eyes in wonder while he continued.

“For to thy sensual fault I bring in sense,
Thy adverse party is thy advocate,
And 'gainst myself a lawful plea commence:
Such civil war is in my love and hate,
That I an accessary needs must be,
To that sweet thief which sourly robs from me.’

Lizzie rocked a bit, taken in by the melody of William’s voice. She smiled up at him, tears spilling from her eyes.

“Not mine, pet, but those of my name sake.” William said, his eyes filled with love.

“It’s still beautiful.” she whispered, her cheeks glistening with tears.

“They’re Shakespeare's words, but I understand the sentiment behind them.” He answered. He caressed Lizzie’s cheek and kissed her forehead, then drew back and looked into her eyes.

“We have to forgive ourselves Lizzie for everything or else none of it would be worth it. We won’t be able to move on and I think it is time for us to do that. If we don’t then I can‘t tell you what I need to.” William said.

“What is it William?” Lizzie whispered trying not to sound afraid.

“I’m not an idiot Lizzie. I know there are things against us. Big things. The past. The present. Even the future seems to be working against us. But, I...I wanted you to know how I felt about you. I used to be so scared to tell you what was in my heart. And now I’m scared not too. I don’t want to feel like I let go of a second chance.” William said.

She started crying harder. “William…”

“Don’t. I’m not telling you this to hear you say anything back. I just want you to know something.” He took her hand and placed it over his heart. “You’re a part of me. More than my blood; your’re part of my soul. You’re my family.” He said.

Lizzie sobbed, her thin shoulders shaking.

Family.

Belonging.

She, who felt that she didn’t truly belong anywhere, anymore. But, here was William. Her strength. Telling her she did indeed have a place somewhere.

“You’re a Giles, Elizabeth, just as much as Dawnie is. In my heart, you’re the only girl I would ever give my name to.” William said.

“William don’t say that. You can’t believe that. You can still have everything. A wife A future. Something besides this world filled with demons and darkness.” She insisted.

“This is my world Lizzie, and you’re a part of it. Always have been. I should have said something before. I just wanted you to know. Here in this place, that will never change. Ever. You’re my heart, Elizabeth. Regardless if what was in the past, or what the future brings, I promise you that will never change. Not even when I leave this earth.” He vowed.

Lizzie looked down at their clasped hands, then back up. He green eyes glowed as she stated her words. “William, you’ve taken care of me since the day I came into your life. You have been everything to me; my best friend, my brother, and my lover. I can’t begin to tell you what that means to me. I love you more than I know how to say. I promise you this; I will always be here. I will never leave your side. I swear to you that I will be the last thing you see when you leave this earth.” Lizzie promised.

They sealed their vows with a kiss, their tears mingling on their lips.

Reluctantly pulling away, William walked over to a small radio and turned it on. He pushed play to start the CD and stretched out a hand to Lizzie. “Dance with me?” he asked.

Lizzie accepted, stepping into the safe haven of William’s embrace. They held each other tightly, swaying to the music.

“Darling don't you understand I feel so ill at ease
The room is full of silence and it's getting hard to breathe
Take this guilted cage of pain and set me free
Take this overcoat of shame
It never did belong to me
It never did belong to me”

Lizzie pulled back first, shrugging out of her jacket. She then slowly removed William’s. Her hands slid down his chest until she tugged at the hem of his shirt, pulling it up and over his head smoothly.

“I need to go outside
I need to leave the smoke
'cause I can't go on living in this same sick joke
It seems our lives have taken on a different kind of twist
Now that you have given me the perfect gift
You have given me the gift”

William undid the buttons down the front of Lizzie’s shirt and slid it down her arms. She unclasped her bra herself, letting it fall to their feet. Resting her forehead against his bare chest, she sighed as she felt his lips caressing the top of her head.

They danced on, their movements reminding them both of their first dance so long ago. The night Lizzie drew her last breath. This time, though, it wasn’t a dance filled with sorrow. It was a dance filled with promise.

Promise. And love.

“For we have fallen from our shelves
To face the truth about ourselves
And we have tumbled from our trees
Tumbled from our trees”

Lizzie and William stood before each other, naked. Not only physically, but emotionally. They laid themselves completely bare to each other. She kissed him, allowing him to deepen the kiss as she took his hands in hers, twining theirs fingers. She began to sink to the floor, taking William down with her.

“And I can almost... I can almost feel the rain falling
Don't you know it feels so good
So let's go out into the rain again
Just like we said we always would...”

Outside a storm began to rage. The wind seemed angry; the rain violent as it lashed at the windows. The fury outside was matched by the fury within as William moved over her, his touch burning her skin as he sank deep inside her, his movements strong and sure as he gave her a glimpse of the heaven she would never know. She cried out his name in a lost, broken voice and clenched tightly around him.

Thunder cracked, shaking the ancient building as William threw back his head bellowed her name to the raging skies. His release seemed to go on and on, pleasure bordering on pain as he filled her writhing body with his very essence. At last he fell limply against her, his head pillowed on her chest as he struggled to catch his breath. He was still nuzzling her soft breasts gently when sleep overcame him.

Lizzie caressed and petted William’s hair as he slept. The storm continued outside as she wished for the same sweet relief of sleep that he enjoyed. She shifted slightly, smiling as his grip tightened subconsciously around her, needing her close even at rest. Finally her eyes started to drift closed, lulled by the gentle ebb and flow of his breathing.

Just as she was about to find her own peace, she bolted up, dislodging William’s body from hers. Afraid that her sudden movement might have awakened him, she looked down to make sure he was still asleep. Much to her relief he turned to his side, muttering softly.

Lizzie stood up, pulling on her long coat around her. She walked over and stood at the window, watching the rain pour down.

Something was calling her…Beckoning her out into the night. She fought it; afraid, not knowing what is was. Finally the urge stopped. Lizzie stood against the windows frame, trying to understand what had just happened; lost in her own confused emotions.

So lost that she did not even feel herself gently stroking the pin prick scars on her neck.....

End Of Book Two