Chapter 23

It was a beautiful morning, Buffy stretched out like a contented cat, she turned on her side and smiled at Spike, he was wide awake and she had the sneaking suspicion he had been watching her sleep.

Buffy put on her brave face, something she was very practised at in times of danger or possible end of the world scenarios. It would be the end of her world if anything were to happen to him.

"What time is it?" asked Spike.

"It's 6:30 am, I am so gonna buy you a watch when this is all over," she replied.

Buffy could have kicked herself for reminding him, as soon as the words had left her lips. Spike pasted on a false smile as he kissed her, drawing comfort from her.

"Everyone else still asleep?" asked Spike.

Buffy looked around at the various assortment of sleeping bags and beds, there was a gentle snore coming from Giles's sleeping place. Buffy giggled.

"You never snored," said Buffy.

"Well I suppose it's due to the fact that vampires don't really need to breathe unless they feel like it," said Spike.

Buffy put a hand on his chest, feeling it rise and fall.

"How about now, is that necessity or reflex?" she asked.

"Necessity, breathing was one of the things I didn't miss about being human, the needing to breathe thing started a couple of days ago," he admitted.

"And let me guess, you didn't want to worry me?" she asked, a little annoyed.

"Buffy I don't want to argue with you, not today," said Spike

Buffy looked horrified, she had been about to go off on one, and all he'd been guilty of was trying to protect her as usual. Spike smiled at her expression, he gathered her into the circle of his arms, and they kissed deeply and urgently.

"Hey try and keep this a PG13 you guys," said Dawn cheekily.

"Save me from little sisters," said Buffy, as they broke apart.

"Even my powers have limits," Spike replied.

Buffy threw one of the pillows at her sister. Andrew got up out of his sleeping bag and yawned.

"Anyone for breakfast?" he asked sleepily.

"Don't really feel like food," said Buffy.

"Me neither, but you should try to eat something love, you're all skin and bone," said Spike in concern.

"Look who's talking fatty!" she replied in indignation, poking one of his bony ribs to prove her point.

Giles sat up, looking around for his glasses. Dawn and Andrew looked awkwardly at each other, she quickly mumbled something and slipped out of the RV.

"Any chance we could play at being adults today?" asked Giles.

"Did any one ever tell you, you are not a morning person?" asked Buffy.

"Not lately I'd bet," said Spike sarcastically.

Willow came out of the shower, her hair wrapped in a towel, already dressed, she beamed at everyone, if she felt at all nervous, then she was hiding it very well.

"Everybody set then?" asked Willow.

Xander turned over in his sleeping bag, muttering in his sleep. He started up a loud snore.

"Well everyone except for Xander, he's snoring like a Mr Gordo," giggled Buffy.

"Mr Gordo?" asked Spike, a little confused.

Willow and Buffy laughed.

"He was Buffy's stuffed pink pig, her favourite bedtime buddy," said Willow.

"That figures, guess all the times you were calling me a pig, I should have took it as a compliment, and besides I thought I was your favourite bedtime buddy," said Spike, the tip of his tongue briefly touched his lower lip.

"Can you doubt it?" she grinned.

Buffy kissed him and got up off the bed.

"Hope you saved me some hot water Will," Said Buffy.

She walked off and got herself a towel.

"Hey where did Dawn go?" She was here a moment ago," said Buffy.

Willow looked out the window at the school bus, which was parked behind them; Dawn and Faith were sitting in it, both holding a cup of coffee. Dawn looked very serious about something, they both realised they were being watched and turned to look at Willow.

"She's in the school bus with Faith, and by the looks of it, talking about something pretty heavy," said Willow.

Buffy frowned.

"As long as Faith isn't giving her tips on relationships and guys, then I am ok with that," said Buffy.

Andrew looked uncomfortable; he blushed bright red.

"I'll go make coffee," he said hastily.

"What was all that about?" Asked Buffy as she watched Andrew's hasty retreat.

Spike and Willow looked at each other, a moment of understanding flashed between them as they read Andrew's mind.

"Nothing!" they said in unison.

"Ok, I'm gonna get a shower while there is still some hot water left," said Buffy, as she shut herself in the cubicle.

"Should we tell her that the boy has designs on her little sister?" asked Willow quietly.

"Nah, besides I don't want her turning into the big bad, not today," said Spike.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

They all assembled outside the RV, looking expectantly at Giles.

"You'll love this part, Giles is gonna get all jiggy with it," giggled Buffy.

"He has to do a little dance, Buffy told me what happened last time they were here," said Willow.

"So much for slayer/watcher confidentiality," said Giles wryly.

"This should be fun," said Spike.

He folded his arms and waited for the floorshow.

"I have to perform it a little differently from last time, otherwise we'll end up summoning the first slayer," Giles informed them indignantly.

Giles got the magic gourd from his rucksack and started to chant, doing a little skip. Most of the group tried to hold in their laughter.

"Look this is not going to work if you can't all be serious for a moment," said Giles.

Spike was enjoying this, more than he could say.

"Andrew, any chance you have your video camera on you?" asked Spike.

"Sorry I left it back in the RV," said Andrew apologetically.

Giles continued chanting, Faith turned her head into Robin's shoulder so that she didn't collapse with laughter at the sight of Giles dancing and chanting like a demented tribesman.

"You can look now," Robin whispered in her ear.

Faith looked around her.

"And now what?" asked Faith.

"You have to give it time," said Buffy.

"What exactly are we waiting for?" asked Xander.

"For some one or something to take us to the actual place, it will take all of us won't it Giles, I remember you saying last time that even you wouldn't be allowed to come with," said Buffy.

"Our reasons for being here are different from last time, so hopefully it won't be an issue, we are not here to invoke wisdom from the first slayer, although maybe some of you could do with it," said Giles.

Faith seemed to be focused on something beyond Giles's shoulder.

"Either the thing we are waiting for is here, or there's a big ass cat wanting us for his dinner," said Faith.

They all turned to see what Faith was talking about. Dawn screamed at the sight of a mountain lion, slowly padding towards them.

"It's okay Dawnie, he won't harm you," said Buffy.

The cat started walking off.

"You'll just gonna stand there catching flies or are we gonna follow it?" asked Faith.

"My survival instinct says no, but I'm thinking about it," said Xander.

"Come on, I'll watch your back," said Willow.

She linked her arm through Xanders as they followed the others. Dawn and Andrew just looked at each other, both of them blushing.

"Guess it's just you and me," said Andrew.

"Unfortunately," said Dawn, as she turned to walk off with the others.

Andrew had a satisfied smile on his face.

"Are you coming then?" She asked over her shoulder.

"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much," he mumbled under his breath as he followed her.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

They had been walking for a couple of hours; the heat of the sun was growing in its intensity.

"Are we there yet?" asked Dawn,

Sweat trickled down her back; her t-shirt was plastered to her skin. Buffy left Spike's side and went to her sister, linking her arm through hers.

"It can't be much further, have you been drinking enough water Dawn?" asked her sister.

"I've been looking after her," said Andrew.

"Thanks," replied Buffy.

"B!" said Faith.

"Yeah, what is it?" asked Buffy.

"The kitty, it just kinda vanished," said Faith.

"We're here then," said Buffy.

The group stopped to look around them. Dawn sank down on a nearby rock; Andrew followed her and gave her a damp cloth from his rucksack for her to mop herself with. The gesture was not lost on several of the bystanders including Buffy, but she shelved it to the back of her mind for future reference. There were more important things to worry about.

"So this is it? The sacred place of the ancients," said Faith.

Faith closed her eyes; she could feel the power of this place, running through her. A quick glance at Buffy, told her she was feeling it too. Robin looked at her in concern.

"You okay Faith?" he asked.

She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"I'm fine this is kinda like a spiritual moment for me and B, and before you say it, I do get them sometimes," she said, grinning at her husband.

"Right every one take a little time out and then we can get started," said Willow.

Xander sat down and drank deeply from his water bottle. After everyone had rested and eaten they prepared a clear area for the opening of the portal. Giles extracted the amulet from his bag; he held it up to the sunlight. It amazed him how something that looked like nothing more than cheap costume jewellery, could wield so much power.

Spike stood alone looking out across the horizon, the desert looked as if it had no beginning and no end. His heart was heavy with the task ahead. He turned to look at Buffy, she looked so beautiful to him, as she went from person to person, and making sure they were clear on their role in the little drama that had yet to unfold. She looked up to see him watching her; there was so much emotion in her eyes.

Buffy had seen Spike standing alone, as much as she had wanted to go to him she had let him alone, Buffy sensed he needed this time to get himself together. But Spike had turned and looked at her, and she had felt all her resolve go out of the window. She ran to him and crushed Spike in her arms. He hugged her back just as tightly, Buffy buried her face in his t-shirt, and they stood like that for several minutes. When Buffy felt a hand touch her shoulder, she turned to see Willow's apprehensive face.

"It's time," said Willow simply.

Spike inhaled sharply, gently removing Buffy's hands from around his waist.

"No, I am afraid," she said pleadingly.

Spike put a finger under her chin, looking into her eyes.

"Don't be, I am with you," he said firmly.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips; she drew strength from him. When they parted, both their faces were wet with tears; Spike took her hand in his and led Buffy over to the magic circle. Buffy looked at Dawn, her sister's head was bowed. Buffy went over to Dawn and hugged her.

"No goodbyes Dawnie, I know how you hate them, I love you, I'll just be gone a little while," said Buffy.

Buffy looked at Giles, he read the unspoken message in her eyes and nodded, Buffy smiled at her sister, feeling at peace, knowing if this was a one way trip, then Dawn would be taken care of. She smiled at Xander; he swallowed hard, trying to keep the emotion in check.

"Take care of yourself Buffy, no unnecessary risks, ok?" he said

Faith and Wood were standing just outside the circle as Buffy and Spike walked into it.

"Catch you later B, don't forget you owe me a bridal shower," said Faith.

"Thought you got those before the wedding," said Buffy.

"When have you ever known me to be conventional?" grinned Faith.

"Thanks for this," said Spike.

Wood looked at Spike.

"I'm not stupid enough to think we can ever going to be drinking buddies, but I finally understand it now, the vampire that killed my mother no longer exists. I can move on, let's just say, Faith has given me a whole new outlook on life," Said Robin, looking at Faith.

"Yep, a slayer will do that to you every time," said Spike.

Willow stood in front of Buffy and Spike. She placed the amulet over Spike's head; he winced with the pain of being in such close contact with the cause of his death.

"Are you okay," asked Buffy.

"Fine it just stings a little," he lied.

Willow took a wicked looking knife out of the back pocket of her jeans.

"Thanks for the loaner Faith," said Willow.

Faith Smiled.

Buffy and Spike held out their hands, Willow quickly slashed across them, blood dripped from their respective fingers, they turned and faced each other and clasped hands, their blood mingling together. Buffy took a sharp intake of breath as she felt the power of their joining.

"Why did you do that?" asked Dawn

"Guess you missed my 'because it's always got to be blood speech' nibblet," said Spike.

"I need everyone to be quiet now," said Willow.

She held Wood and Faith's hands and began chanting, it got faster and more urgent, Willow's head snapped back and her eyes turned black, there was a flash of light as Willow drew on Faith and Robin's energies. The fabric of their dimension was ripped in two and the portal, that would take Buffy and Spike to their destinies, appeared. Buffy and Spike looked at the glowing portal, no knowledge of exactly what waited behind it. They hesitated momentarily, before disappearing through it without so much as a backward glance. Faith and Robin fell to the ground, both exhausted, but still very much alive.

TBC

Chapter 24

"Wow, that was some kinda rush, you okay Robin?" asked Faith.

She looked at her husband who was lying flat on his back, breathing heavily.

"Just give me a moment okay, I don't have slayer healing powers," he said tiredly.

"How do you feel Willow?" asked Xander.

"Pretty good actually, all part of being a Goddess, spells like this aren't half as draining as they used to be," said Willow.

"Now, I guess all we can do is play a waiting game," said Giles.

"You do think Buffy and Spike will be okay though, right?" asked Dawn.

"Dawn I am not gonna make you promises I can't keep, you're nearly all grown up now, and deserve to know the odds, it could be dangerous," said Willow.

"What kind of portal did you send them through exactly?" asked Dawn, getting more alarmed by the minute.

"Calm down, Spike is pretty cool, he'll look after Buffy," said Andrew.

"The hero worship that wouldn't die, that's cute," said Faith, looking him up and down.

Andrew blushed, and looked away. Faith helped Robin onto his feet, sitting him down in the shade of one of the many Joshua trees that were native to the area.

"Have a little confidence, you guys, think about it, Buffy has died more than once, Spike has only just got back from dying for the first time, ah second if you count when he was vamped, so I think they have both had enough of the dying for now," said Xander.

"Not making me feel better," said Dawn.

"I think I'd better shut up," said Xander.

"Good idea," agreed Willow.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

They had stepped through the portal, it had been black and silent at first, and Spike's initial thought was that they had been sent to some kind of non- existence by mistake.

"Where are we?" Buffy asked.

"Buggered that's where," said Spike.

"Been there a few times before I should have recognised it, wait I hear something," she said.

There was a roaring noise, like that of a great battle, it was getting closer and closer, they could see a light coming towards them from a great distance.

"Do you think we are dead?" She asked.

"I don't think so, although I can understand why it might look that way," said Spike.

"Sunnydale," said Buffy.

"What?" asked Spike in confusion.

Buffy never got to answer as there was a blinding flash of light, Buffy could hear the screams of young girls in the distance, they were back in the hell mouth, she could sense it. An angry horde of Turok-Han vamps were running toward them, fangs bared and weapons held high.

"Oh my God!" said Buffy.

"It's okay, I'll protect you, just gotta remember how to do what I did the last time we were facing vamps," said Spike.

"Since when did I need protecting?" she asked.

Spike raised his hand, as much as he concentrated, nothing was happening. Buffy looked at the advancing vamps. Where was a mystical scythe when you needed one? She thought to herself.

"Anytime now would be good Spike," she said nervously.

"I am trying! But I am starting to get the idea that my powers are useless here," Spike replied desperately.

"Spike!" Buffy screamed

The vamps rushed toward them, Buffy braced herself for the onslaught, her hand tightly gripped in Spike's, if she was going to go down, she wanted to die at his side. She closed her eyes and waited for death to find them, they were helpless against the thousands of super strong vampires that were almost upon them. Several moments passed nothing happened, she opened one eye, but they were gone, Spike turned and looked in confusion.

"What happened?" she asked.

"They just went straight through us, as though we weren't even there," said Spike.

They both turned and looked behind them, the vampires were still there, but they carried on charging, Buffy looked up, she saw something that made her gasp out loud, up on a high precipice, she could see herself, and Spike and all the potentials looking over the edge.

"I think I know why those vampires didn't even see us, it's because this has already happened, they are ghosts of the past," said Buffy.

"If this is a time portal that Red has sent us to, how are we supposed to change things or whatever it is we are supposed to do?" asked Spike.

"I haven't figured that one out yet, but I want to get up there, where all the fighting is," said Buffy.

"Once a slayer, always a slayer," mumbled Spike.

"That is very true," she grinned.

"How are we actually going to get up there?" asked Spike.

"Following the route the Turok-Han went, would be a good start," said Buffy.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"I can't take this, not knowing what is happening, that's my sister and the guy I have come to love as a brother in there, risking their asses, are you sure there is nothing we can't do to help them?" asked Dawn.

The group looked at Dawn, she hated the varying degrees of pity she read on their faces. Dawn looked at the ground in helpless frustration.

"Dawnie, it's a path that they have to travel alone, besides I don't have the strength to sustain the portal for more than they, you wouldn't want to be trapped in another dimension, now would you?" asked Willow.

"Andrew, wanna take Dawn for a walk, I think she could do with the activity," suggested Faith.

"You've seen one pile of sand, you've seen them all," said Dawn sarcastically.

"It was just a suggestion," said Faith.

Dawn was surprised when Andrew pulled her to her feet, literally dragging her off the rock she had been sitting on.

"What do you think you are doing?" she asked angrily.

Andrew linked his arm through hers and pulled her along with him.

"Taking some good advice that's what," said Andrew.

Dawn quickly shut up, not sure how to take this new masterful Andrew, as she let him lead her away.

"Don't get lost," said Willow.

"And don't do anything I wouldn't do," said Faith.

Robin chuckled at Faith words.

"Knowing you, that leaves a lot of scope for badness," said Robin.

The group were glad of the silence that fell after its two youngest members had gone for a walk, none of them really in the mood to talk. They didn't really know what they would say to each that would have any meaning or use in their current situation, and they knew it was important that Willow was not too distracted from channelling her energies into keeping the portal open.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spike and Buffy had been running for several minutes, trying to keep up with the army of Turok-Han.

"These guys are a lot fitter than they look," said Spike.

They managed to catch up with the vampires and leapt up over the edge just before they did, they both turned and watched as the Turok-Hans attacked their past selves and the potentials.

"I wanna help, it's like watching the end of a movie, which you wish had a different ending, but you can't do anything about it," said Buffy.

"I don't think we were sent to this precise moment in time, just to watch how we did in the final battle love," said Spike.

Buffy gripped Spike's hand tightly in hers as she watched potentials die, one after the other, nameless girls that she hadn't even tried to connect with.

"I should have spent more time with them, tried to get to know them, but you know me, emotionally retarded," said Buffy.

The tears slid down her cheeks as she looked up at Spike. He wiped them away; Spike watched in fascination as the past Buffy wielded her scythe.

"I was right about that weapon being worth ditching me for," said Spike in awe as he watched the battle.

Spike gasped and his hand dropped away from hers as he witnessed the past Buffy, get run through the gut with one of the vampire's swords.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

"When was I supposed to tell you? Before or after you went all glowy like the sun?" asked Buffy.

They watched the scene replay, the first taunting Buffy, and as she defiantly rose from the ground, it just vanished.

"So that's how you did it, you defeated the first with words, and your defiance?" asked Spike.

"Haven't you noticed before now, I am good at defeating people with words, especially those I care about," she said sadly.

They heard a voice above the noise of the battle. The cavern was filling with light.

"Buffy!" called a voice they both knew all too well.

Buffy knew this part, she knew what was coming next, and she also knew that she didn't have the strength to see it for a second time. Spike started walking forward as if drawn by an invisible force, Buffy held on to his sleeve.

"No, I don't want to see it, not again," she said pleadingly.

The hell mouth was growing brighter by the second.

"I have to love, the amulet is speaking to me, and I have to go," Spike touched the amulet on his chest, he could feel the power humming through it, like once before.

Buffy swallowed down all her fears, there was no way she was gonna be left here without him, maybe it wouldn't be so hard to witness this time, with the real Spike by her side. They ran after the past Buffy as she ran to 'Spikes' side.

The little scene had already partially played by the time they reached them; the past Buffy was reaching out to lace her fingers with the past Spike.

They both stood and watched themselves, it felt weird to say the least, they watched them join hands, it was then that the amulet Spike was wearing around his neck began to glow like before, and Buffy and Spike felt themselves being sucked into the bodies of their past selves.

"Spike! What's happening to us?" asked Buffy.

It went dark for a second, and they both lost consciousness momentarily when they both opened their eyes, they were facing each other, not as spectators but as their former selves, their hands aflame and tightly linked as before.

"Oh my god, I think I know what's happened and what I have to do," said Buffy.

Spike was confused, and in total agony, he could feel all the pain and sensations running through his body, that he had suffered that fateful day.

"Isn't this the part where you are supposed to say 'I love you?' asked Spike, his teeth gritted against the burning that was starting to build inside him.

The Powers that be, must have betrayed him, led him to this, so he could what? Burn to death again, like he hadn't had enough of that the first time around.

Buffy looked at him as fresh tears fell down her cheeks.

"I do you love you, you stupid man, and that is why I am not going anywhere, so don't even try to think about sending me away," she said angrily.

" Oh God Buffy I love you so much, I'd do this every day for eternity if it meant keeping you safe, but it's happening again, I can feel it, you have to go, and now," said Spike forcefully.

" Go where, so I can do what? Live like a zombie, a half person without you; already tried that. There is nothing you can say that will make me go this time, I know what I have to do, I am staying right here, I'll never leave you Spike, never," she replied.

Their hands were still joined and afire, but Buffy couldn't feel anything, but a total sense of rightness of what she was about to do, she stepped forward, and wrapped her free arm around him and held tightly to his burning body. Spike wanted to push her away, but he was pinned to the wall as before. She closed her eyes tightly and held on to him, as they were both engulfed in fiery flames.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dawn and Andrew had walked for quite a while, Andrew wore a goofy smile on his face, Dawn had even let him hold her hand for awhile, he had high hopes that she would let him try the kissing experiment again when this was all over. They had almost reached the others; dawn slipped her hand out of his. Ok so she wasn't ready to go public yet, but he would work on that, with the ferocity of one of his evil takeover schemes.

They were both startled as they heard a high-pitched scream. Dawn's eyes widened in alarm, she looked at Andrew.

"That was Willow," she said as she broke out into a run.

They both arrived back, breathless. Willow's head was bowed, her shoulders shaking.

"What is it Willow?" asked Dawn, panting from her recent exertion.

"The Portal, it's gone," said Andrew pointing to where it had been.

Dawn paled, the meaning of it hitting her full force.

"They're dead," she said as she slid to the desert floor unconscious.

TBC

A/N Sorry I know that is an evil ending to the chapter; will get on with writing chapter 25 ASAP

Chapter 25

Giles rushed over to where Dawn had fell, Andrew had got there first, together they picked her up and laid her down in a shady place.

"Do you have water or anything?" asked Giles.

"Yeah over in my rucksack," Andrew scuttled away to get the water.

Giles looked at Xander, who had gone to Willow's side, he cradled his best friend in his arms.

"Is it true, you know what Dawn said, about them both being dead?" asked Xander.

"I-I don't know, I can't sense them anymore, the portal was opened by their blood and my incantation, portals like that can only be closed when the blood.." Willow faltered unable to go on.

"Stops flowing?" finished Xander.

Willow nodded,

"Or if they had returned of course, which we know they didn't," said Willow

She looked at Xander with tear filled eyes.

Dawn was waking up, she looked around her at all the concerned faces, and Robin had his arm around Faith as she pressed her face into his chest, trying to hide her tears from the rest of the group.

"What happened?" asked Dawn.

"You fainted," said Giles, not quite meeting her eyes.

"Why..Oh God! Buffy, Spike," she gasped as the full horror of the situation came upon her once more.

"Dawnie," said Willow.

"Get away from me!, you did this, you let them die, you have to bring them back, you have to," sobbed Dawn.

"I can't Dawn, they're gone," said Willow.

"No!" Said Dawn.

Willow went to her and embraced her, Dawn fought it at first, she pounded at Willow's back with her fists, until she broke down and hugged her back.

Giles took out one of his endless supplies of hankies and removed his glasses to wipe away the tears that clouded them. Andrew went over to Xander and wrapped himself around him, Xander didn't know what to do, but he didn't want to push the boy away. He patted Andrew's shoulder awkwardly. All he could think of was that they'd lost Buffy again, wherever they were, he surprised himself by actually thinking that he hoped that Spike was with her. Thought of Buffy alone in some hell was more than he could bear to think about.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

At first there was only bleakness, and darkness and silence, then came a sense of existence, Buffy opened her eyes and looked into the void.

"Spike?" she whispered.

Nothing, the blackness of where ever she was, was all enveloping, She panicked, and more afraid of where Spike was, than what could happen to her.

Then she heard it, the most beautiful sound in the world, or wherever she was.

"Buffy?" He said

"Spike! Where are you? I can't see you," she said desperately.

"You and me both love, hang on let me feel my way," Spike replied.

"It might help if there was something to grab on to," Buffy answered, she raised her hand only to touch nothingness.

"Keep talking, I'll follow the sound of your voice," he said

"I'm not sorry you know for staying with you, I finally realised that was what I had to do, the choice I had to make," she said.

There was silence and a huge sigh.

"You always did follow your own road pet, but I wish you'd have done as I asked." he admitted.

"Is it my imagination, or is it getting lighter in here?" she asked.

Buffy jumped as Spike placed a hand on her shoulder, she spun round to face him, it was definitely getting brighter, she could just about make out his beloved features. Buffy went into his arms and held on to him tightly. She raised her head to look up at him, gently stroking his face.

"I love you, you do know that right? I mean really believe it?" She asked.

Spike smiled tenderly at her, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Oh I don't know, maybe the refusing to leave and the burning up with me sorta had my attention," he replied.

He lowered his head and kissed her, they drew apart.

"Oh my God, Dawn," she said in agony.

Spike looked at her sadly,

"It's a bit late in the day to be thinking of her now, apart from the fear for your safety, she was one of the main reasons I wanted you out of there," said Spike.

"Giles made an unspoken promise to me, just before we left, to take care of Dawn if anything happened to me, I just couldn't bear the idea of being parted from you again, now tell me truthfully, that time, when I died in Dawn's place, what was your first thought after it happened? " she asked.

"To take a walk in the sun, but I didn't did I? And why was that! Because I made a promise to protect her," he said.

"Oh don't look at me like that, I had to do it, she's nearly 18, she does not need me so much now.." Buffy trailed off.

They had both been so busy in their argument that they had not noticed the two women dressed in white robes, approaching them. Buffy stopped in mid sentence as she caught the movement out of the corner of her eye.

"Been boinking Spike again Buffy, I can feel the sexual tension a dimension away," said Anya.

Buffy and Spike turned open mouthed to see Anya and Tara standing there, Tara had a serene smile on her face as she looked at Buffy and Spike, Anya looked them up and down in her usual speculative way.

"Are you two gonna just stand there catching flies, or are you going to follow us? There's some people or higher beings that want to talk to you," said Anya impatiently.

"Hello Buffy, Spike," said Tara.

"We really are dead, aren't we?" Spike asked Anya.

"Yep, that just about covers it," said Anya

Buffy ran past Spike, she hugged Tara, tears springing to her eyes.

"Oh Tara, it's so good to see you," said Buffy.

Tara hugged her back.

"How have you been Sweetie?" asked Tara.

"Oh the usual, you know avoiding apocalypse's and my other favourite of course, dying, which brings me to why we are here in the first place," said Buffy.

"And where's my hug?" asked Anya indignantly.

Buffy smiled and hugged the very ex- vengeance demon.

"We'd better go, they will be waiting," said Tara.

"Who?" asked Spike.

"You'll see, if anything in this place, you learn patience, maybe not so much in my case," shrugged Anya.

Tara put her arm through Buffy's and started to lead her away, Anya did the same with Spike, Buffy wasn't so sure that she was down with the latter arrangement, but now was not the time to let any kind of jealousy rear it's ugly head.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dawn managed to get her sobs under control, she wiped away the tears from her face, she stood away from the group alone, not far from the place that Spike had stood, no more than a few hours ago, Dawn glanced across, his footprints were still there, they couldn't be gone, she thought, hysteria starting to rise inside her, she damped it back down.

Andrew had had enough of watching Dawn suffer alone in silence; he went over to her, standing next to her. Dawn turned to look at him.

"If you've come to tell me we have to leave here, then you're wasting your time," said Dawn.

Andrew sighed and looked at her.

"You know how much I liked Spike, maybe more than anyone, but what can we do, just standing around here?" asked Andrew.

"Buffy's not gone you know, she wouldn't do that to me, they will be back," said Dawn.

"She left you once before, didn't she?" Andrew reminded her gently.

"Go away, what do you know about it?" asked Dawn angrily.

Andrew looked at the determination set on her features.

"Ok, I get it, you want to be alone," said Andrew.

He patted her shoulder, before walking off and joining the others.

"Any success?" asked Giles.

"She won't leave, she said she is waiting for them to come back," said Andrew.

"Come on, give the kid a break, she just lost her sister, if she wants to stay for awhile, don't you think we should just let her?" asked Faith

"It's not like we have to be anywhere else," said Robin.

"It gets pretty cold here at nights," said Giles.

"Then we'll build a fire then," said Faith.

Willow had cried herself all out, she felt like a numb hollow shell, she had tried to focus, but was getting nothing, all she could feel was that it was all her fault somehow, even though the idea was ridiculous. If all life was, was one long journey of pain and loss and pain, then Willow wasn't so sure, that she wanted to be a part of it. She shook her head, it was just the grief talking, the pain, making her crazy, she'd never wanted to feel pain like this again, since Tara.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"How much further?" asked Spike.

"Nearly there," said Tara.

They entered the doorway to a rough stone walled room.

"Wait here, just be a moment," said Anya

Anya walked off through another doorway.

"Where's she going?" asked Spike.

"Just to let them know you are here," said Tara.

"It's the bloody PTB's isn't it?" asked Spike.

"Sssh! They'll hear you, lets not tempt fate anymore than we already have," said Buffy.

"Those are wise words, they can be a little cranky," said Tara.

"I'll give em' something to be cranky about, bloody lot of double-crossing back stabbers," said Spike angrily.

"They are ready to see you now," said Anya.

"That's so good of them," said |Spike sarcastically.

Buffy looked at Anya and Tara.

"Aren't you coming with?" asked Buffy.

"No, we'll be waiting here though," said Tara.

"Well of course, that's as long as Spike doesn't piss them off and they send him to hell of course," said Anya.

"Full of puppies and sunshine as always Anya," said Buffy.

"Why thank you Buffy," said Anya, as she beamed at friend, as usual the irony totally passing over her head.

"Let's get this over with shall we?" asked Spike.

"I hope every thing turns out okay for you," said Tara sincerely.

Spike and Buffy looked at each other, joining hands, they walked through the doorway, into a stark whit marbled room, nothing but a stone bench in its centre.

"Homey," said Buffy.

"I know this place, I've been here before, it where I made my deal with the powers in the first place," said Spike.

They walked over to the bench and sat down, several minutes passed and still nothing.

"Wanna play I spy? God, I've been around Andrew too much," Buffy said.

"Don't expect to see anything when they do show, just some mighty voice from on high," said Spike.

PTB: "William the Vampire and The slayer,"

Buffy jumped at the sound of the disembodied voice.

"That's them," whispered Spike.

"Yes?" Asked Buffy.

PTB: "You know why you are here?"

"Because we died and have some issues that need sorting out?" asked Buffy.

"Bloody right we have issues, this wasn't part of the deal," said Spike

PTB: "Yes we did make a bargain William, but we also have our own wrongs to right, and because you died the first time around in the hell mouth and not the slayer, it disrupted the natural order of things,"

Spike was starting to realise something, he frowned, his confusion turning to pure anger.

"You played me, on my love for Buffy, you knew I 'd want to make anyway back to her that I could, and you used that to send me back, just so that Buffy could die, and restore your 'order' said Spike incredulously.

PTB: Every thing that comes to pass is for a reason,"

"I am of on the side of thinking sod reason right now," said Spike.

"Spike let's just hear what they have to say," said Buffy.

PTB: "We are not without compassion, order has been restored, we can be generous,"

"We're listening," said Spike.

TBC

Chapter 26

The sun was setting and the shadows were growing longer, the small group of friends sat around the fire as the night set in, Dawn still sat away from the rest of them, no longer standing, but sitting crossed legged staring out into the vast expanse.

"Someone should go see if she is okay," said Faith.

"Rather you than me, she nearly bit my head off the last time I attempted it," said Andrew.

"It's no good me trying, I think she still looks on me as her principle," said Robin.

Willow had fallen asleep, her head resting on one of the rucksacks; Xander laid his jacket over her to keep her warm in the cooling night air.

"Maybe Dawn's right, maybe we are giving up on Buffy and Spike too soon, I mean would they write us off so quickly?" reasoned Xander.

"What do you think Rupert?" asked Faith.

Giles had been staring into the campfire in contemplative silence

"At this moment in time, I honestly don't know, I'm all out of answers, I think I'll go check on Dawn," he sighed.

Giles got up, unsteadily, flexing his cramped limbs. He walked over to Dawn, his heart heavy.

"Try and get her to come and sit with us, she must be freezing," Faith called after him

Giles walked over to Dawn, and stood beside her.

"Feel like some company?" asked Giles tentatively.

Dawn just carried on staring out into the night; Giles took the non- response as a yes and sat down next to her.

"The desert is beautiful at night, isn't it?" asked Giles.

Dawn sighed in resignation, they weren't going to leave her alone, and she turned to look at Giles's profile.

"I can't leave here, just don't ask me why, I have this feeling, and it's not just me in denial, this whole thing just doesn't have that same air of finality about it, like last time," said Dawn.

"Dawn when we lose someone, we never want to believe they are gone, in a way they're not, they are a part of us, their memory lives in side us," said Giles.

"They've only been dea.gone a few hours, wherever they are right now, I have absolute faith, that Spike is taking care of her," said Dawn.

She shivered in the cold night air; Giles touched her arm.

"Dawn, you're freezing, won't you come and sit with the rest of us?" asked Giles.

"Ok, as long I don't get any lectures about how I'm kidding myself about Buffy and Spike," said Dawn.

"I'm sure they won't Dawn, we just hate to see you sitting here all alone, and you're not alone, you have me as well as Xander and Willow, you know that right?" Asked Giles.

She gave Giles a weak smile.

"Yeah I know that," she replied.

Giles got up and put out a hand to help her up. Putting an arm around her, they walked back to the campfire.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spike drummed his fingers on his arm impatiently.

"We're waiting," said Spike.

"Sssh remember what Tara said about time passing slower here," said Buffy.

"Buffy, we've been to hell and back, all for them and their sense of order, I think we deserve a little respect," said Spike.

"You gotta love those PTB's and their warped sense of humour," said Buffy.

PTB's: "You have two paths open to you,"

"Oh great make it simple, why don't you, why don't you just zap us back where we came from?" asked Spike.

"Spike, we don't want to annoy them, they can just as easily 'zap us' to that hell dimension they were keeping toasty for you, if you piss them off," Buffy reminded him.

"Ok, so we have two paths open to us, and they are?" asked Spike.

PTB's "The first path is, that you remain in our realm and serve us as a God and Goddess in one of our heavenly dimensions, you would have supreme power over that domain, being answerable only to us,"

"Tempting, does that include a swimming pool and choice of car?" asked Spike

"Spike! Pack it in, you should know Gods don't like to be mocked," said Buffy warningly.

PTB's: "The vampire has a sense of humour, very good, may we be allowed to continue,"

"Yes, don't mind him he's just a little annoyed at having to die twice in three months, you were saying?" asked Buffy, trying to take the attention away from Spike.

PTB's "The second path that is open to you, is that you can return to your Earth, The slayer will retain her powers and you will be returned as a vampire,"

"That's it? Buffy goes back to being what she was and I get to be a vampire? Sorry, but I was expecting a little more that's all," said Spike.

Buffy looked at Spike, making a decision in her head, she couldn't let him go back to being a vampire again, because the end result would be the same, they would still lose each other eventually.

"We're staying here," said Buffy.

Spike opened his mouth to argue with her.

"But.." said Spike

"Surely you don't want to be returned to being a vampire Spike, you know how that will work, hiding in the shadows during the day, only walking with me in the night, year after year, watching me grow older and weaker, while you stay the same, until one day.." Buffy trailed off unable to finish her sentence.

"You never wake up?" said Spike

Spike put his arm around her. He knew he could never bear to see that happen, but he also knew he would never leave her, so if they returned to earth, it would be inevitable.

"I never really thought about that until now, guess that was my problem always living for the now, with no thought of tomorrow, and the fact that maybe you wouldn't want me around for the lifetime haul," said Spike.

"Wow, you really do have some confidence issues, maybe that time in my living room when we had that talk, I should have come out and said what I was really thinking," said Buffy.

"And what were you thinking?" asked Spike.

"That I'll never be ready for you to not be here, If I can't live out a life with you, both of us growing old together, then I think it's better that we stay here," she said.

"But Dawn?" he asked.

"The others will take care of her, I know that, and in time Dawn will recover, she did before, she's strong, after all she is a part of me, and not just my sister," said Buffy.

"Buffy, I can't let you do that," said Spike.

"What other options do we have?" she asked.

Buffy looked upwards.

"We choose to stay," she said, a lump forming in her throat.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow awoke from a weird dream; her neck and shoulders ached from where she had rested on the hard ground. She looked around at all the faces illuminated by the glow of the campfire. Xander smiled at her sadly.

"So you are awake then?" he asked.

"Yes, and I had the strangest dream," said Willow.

"What about?" asked Faith.

"About Buffy and Spike, they were in the dark, but then Anya and Tara found them and they were okay, they were led to this strange place, I know they spoke, but I can't for the life of me remember what was said, and then I woke up," said Willow.

She looked at Xander; tears shimmered in his eyes at the mention of Anya.

"Do you think it was some kind of message?" asked Giles.

"It could be, it felt kinda real, or surreal should I say," said Willow.

Dawn looked at Willow, and smiled her first genuine smile, since it had all happened.

"I told you they were okay," said Dawn.

Willow looked at her pityingly.

"It was just a dream Dawnie, it may not mean anything," said Willow.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tara and Anya came into the room where Buffy and Spike were sitting.

"We've been asked to escort you outside, the PTB's wish to discuss your case in private, before sending you to your final end," said Tara.

"I don't like the sound of that," said Buffy.

"Well why couldn't they have just told us themselves?" asked Spike

"Come on it'll be fun, we can talk over old times, now tell me how's that Xander Harris?" said Anya enthusiastically.

They led Buffy and Spike away out of the room and into the corridor. Left alone, the PTB's took on their physical form, they consisted of four women and three men, and they sat on stone seats that appeared by their will.

Female PTB 1: "Surely we cannot be more charitable? They have both proved that they are willing to die for their love; a love that strong, amongst lesser beings is rare,"

Male PTB 1: "We cannot be seen to be giving special favour to these people, otherwise everyone will feel they are a extraordinary case,"

Female PTB 2: "They are not just any people, both are champions, or are at least worthy of that name, they have died whilst serving others,"

Male PTB 2: "What do you have in mind?"

Male PTB 3: "They have already chosen their path,"

Female PTB: 3 "So? We can give them what they desire and still keep balance,"

Male PTB 2: "We shall return them to earth then?"

The powers that be, turned to look at the eldest of their kind, an aged woman, who had yet to speak. She held up her hand and the others were instantly silent

Female PTB 4: "It has been decided, they will be returned to earth, the woman will remain a slayer as previously suggested, but the male, the vampire will retain his godly powers that were bestowed on him, during their final test, remember when we allowed that other vampire to remain a mortal, he was back within a few hours asking that we return him to his super human state. But in saying this, William will also be subject to mortal ways and age and die like all mankind, and live among them until that time, when we call them both home,"

The first female PTB, that had pleaded their case, was the youngest of the council, she clapped her hands in delight at the outcome.

Female PTB 1: "Can we tell them?"

Male PTB 1: "Why not let them find out for themselves?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Anya and Tara both looked at each, telepathically receiving a message from the PTB's. They turned toward Buffy and Spike smiling.

"It's time," said Tara.

"Time for what?" asked Buffy

"It's time for you to leave silly," said Anya.

"Just what heavenly dimension are we being sent to? Just don't tell me it has anything to do with watchers, had enough of living in slayer heaven, couldn't stand a paradise full of anally retentive English guys," said Spike.

"You're English," Buffy reminded him.

Tara and Anya led Buffy and Spike out into the dark corridor they had first found themselves in. As they walked along it, Tara and Anya both gave each other secret smiles.

"What are you so happy about?" asked Spike, noticing their expressions.

"You'll see," said Anya.

They came to the end of the long corridor; it was a dead end, nothingness all around them.

"What now?" asked Spike

Tara turned to Buffy giving her a quick hug. She drew back and looked at Buffy.

"Give that hug to Willow for me, tell her it will be okay, just give it time, and tell her I am so proud of her," said Tara.

"I don't understand, we're not returning to earth, we said we wanted to stay," said Buffy in confusion.

Anya turned to Spike and hugged him tightly. Spike felt awkward at her show of affection, he swiftly patted her hair and pulled away. Before he had time to realise what Anya was about, she kissed him full on the lips. Buffy frowned.

"Give that kiss to Xander for me, and tell him to stop moping around and go get some," said Anya.

"If you think for one moment, I am bloody kissing that poof, then you are mistaken, hey wait a minute..." said Spike, as he realised what Anya had just said.

"And in a few years when you are picking out babies names remember ours are very pretty," said Anya.

"Goodbye," said Tara and Anya in unison

"But.." Said Buffy

The corridor was filled with a pure white light, and in a flash, Buffy and Spike were gone.

"It was nice seeing them again, lets hope they have lots of years and orgasms ahead of them," said Anya.

Tara shook her head, the afterlife certainly hadn't been boring since Anya had joined her just a few months ago.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

They'd sat around the campfire all night, the conversation had turned to the happy times they had all shared, while they had lived in Sunnydale, even smiling at some of their more dangerous times that they had got through.

"Remember the very first time, we were introduced to Spike?" asked Xander.

"Yeah, he showed up at the Bronze and informed Buffy that he was gonna kill her," said Willow.

"Guess they never did get around to it," said Giles.

"It's not like they didn't try though, I remember Buffy telling me about the time she literally caused a church organ to fall on Spike's head," smiled Dawn

"Ah, don't forget the time he dug up that stupid ring and they almost had a fight the death on campus," said Giles.

"Wow, I sure missed a lot," said Faith.

"They certainly had, I er mean have an interesting history," amended Robin, quickly.

Andrew looked at the lightening sky, he yawned tiredly from having been awake all night.

"Look it's almost morning," said Andrew sleepily.

Willow gasped and clutched her chest.

"What is it Will?" asked Xander.

She looked at the group.

"I can feel them," she said.

TBC

Chapter 27

Spike came to, lying on his side.

Bloody hell, what just happened?" asked Spike.

He turned over to see Buffy lying there next to him, so quiet and still, her eyes closed, Spike, still weak for their return, closed the short distance between them, he rested his head against her chest. Relief flooded his being as he heard the steady beat of her heart. Buffy's eyelids fluttered open, as the first thing she saw was Spike's face, looking down at her in concern. She smiled up at him.

"Did we make it?" she asked huskily.

He stroked her hair and smiled back at her.

"Yeah," he said softly.

"So why do you think they sent us back?" asked Buffy.

Spike frowned.

"Because the PTB's can't be trusted to keep a bargain, that's why," said Spike.

"Oh, I don't know," said Buffy pointing at the early morning sun.

Spike looked at her in wonder, noticing for the first time that he was in full daylight.

"Guess they didn't screw us over after all," said Spike.

Buffy squealed in surprise as Spike hauled her into his arms, kissing her passionately, they drew apart and laughed and kissed some more.

"Cough, cough, ahem!" said a familiar voice behind them.

Buffy pulled out of Spike's embrace, looking up to see seven pairs of eyes, watching them with interest. Dawn looked down at her sister, her arms folded.

"Are you two, just gonna roll around in the dirt all morning, or are you gonna get up, so that I can bust both your asses, for giving me the biggest fright of my life?" Dawn asked haughtily.

Spike got up off the ground and dusted himself off; he extended out a hand to Buffy to help her up. No sooner than they were standing, then Dawn rushed at them, hugging both of them tightly.

"Dawn, it's okay, we're both okay," said Buffy.

Buffy looked at Spike over her sister's shoulder, they both knew how close it had come to being the opposite. Before they knew what was happening, Andrew, Giles and Xander had moved in for a group hug, only Faith, Wood and Willow stood by the sidelines. Spike detached himself from them, still a little uncomfortable with the warm fuzzies, except when offered from a certain slayer.

Spike went over to Willow's side, he held out a hand to her.

"Thanks," he said.

Willow smiled and took his hand, holding on to it for several moments, before looking him in the eye.

"Wow, that's a lot of power you have there, the PTB's must really love you," said Willow

"What do you mean?" asked Spike.

"Come on, you can't dupe a goddess, I can feel it," Willow replied.

Spike frowned.

"Still not getting it," said Spike.

"Surely they must have told you what they've done, you're a man Spike, but not just any kind of man, they let you keep the powers you had before, they probably have a purpose for you," Willow explained.

"Those crafty buggers, is all I can say, Tara and Anya said..." Spike trailed off as he saw Willow's expression at the mention of Tara's name.

Her eyes misted over, and her lip trembled.

"You saw Tara?" she asked.

Spike looked at her in sympathy.

"Yeah," he said softly.

"It was really her, it's just that when the first was playing with us all, it used Tara against me," she told him.

"No it was the real deal, she's happy Willow, she had a message for you," said Spike.

Willow sobbed.

"I thought she'd gone away, that she was angry with me," said Willow, tears running down her face.

Spike took her in his arms for an awkward hug.

"Tara told me to tell you, that she loves you and that she's so proud of you," said Spike.

Buffy had managed to separate herself from Andrew's clinging arms, she came up behind Willow.

"Any room there for me?" asked Buffy.

"Sure," said Willow, holding out a hand to her friend.

Buffy looked at Willow's tearstained face.

"Spike told you, didn't he?" asked Buffy.

Spike grinned.

"Well you didn't think I was gonna give Xander, Anya's message, kiss and all?" asked Spike.

"I'll go talk to him," Buffy sighed.

"No tongues," said Spike.

"Ha, very funny it is Xander, I just don't think of him that way," Buffy replied.

Spike and Willow watched Buffy's progress as she walked over to Xander, and said a few words and then quickly kissed him on the lips.

"So how did you find us so quickly, did you use your powers?" asked Spike.

"Nah, are you kidding? You two were making enough noise to wake the dead," grinned Willow.

Faith watched the proceedings, a satisfied look on her face.

"I like a happy ending," said Faith.

"Really didn't have you pegged as the happily ever after type," replied Robin.

"Well I married you, didn't I?" she asked.

"True, but I'd say it was more of an experiment on your part," said Robin.

Faith looked at everyone.

"Speaking of happily ever afters, how about we get back to the vehicles and get some breakfast," suggested Faith.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Andrew had been stealing glances at Dawn, she was talking animatedly to Giles. He was glad that everything had turned out okay for Dawn, he watched her flick her hair over one shoulder, his imagination went into overdrive at the simple action, as everything else faded into the background, as Andrew saw it all in his mind in slow motion. He shook his head to clear the images, he had to quit doing that, he told himself angrily.

Andrew jumped as a hand rested firmly on his shoulder.

"Hey Andrew, if you want to get the girl, you have to be a little more forceful than stand around making moon eyes at her, so I'm told," said Spike.

"I don't know what to do," said Andrew.

"Just follow your instincts," Spike replied.

Andrew turned to look at Spike, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Thanks amigo," said Andrew, as he strode off towards Dawn.

Buffy joined Spike, she watched Andrew walk off.

"Spike, what did you just say to Andrew?" she asked.

"Just trying to teach the boy a bit about life," said Spike.

Andrew walked up to Dawn, a confident swagger in his walk, he looked first at Giles and then at Dawn.

"Excuse me English guy, I have business with Dawn here," said Andrew.

Dawn looked as if she were about to protest at Andrew's interruption, when he grabbed a hold of her, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"What do you think you are doing Andr."

Dawn never got to finished her sentence, as he swiftly bent his head to kiss her, she struggled at first, then gave herself up to his kiss. Buffy moved forward, to go to her sister's aid. Spike put a hand on her arm.

"Does she look like she needs saving? Dawn's not a little girl anymore," said Spike.

Buffy frowned.

"Okay, I'll let it pass this once, but if he tries more than kissing," said Buffy warningly.

Spike shook his head, Giles walked away from Dawn and Andrew, he made his way over to Spike, he held out his hand to him, Spike hesitated, momentarily before taking it.

"Never thought I'd say this, but welcome back Spike," said Giles warmly.

Spike laughed.

"Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment," said Spike.

Giles looked at Buffy.

"So what happened in there?" he asked.

"Oh the usual, it got all hellmouthy and we both died at the same time, which was a little different I guess, anyway long story, I'll tell you all about it sometime," Buffy replied.

"Thanks, it would be nice to be kept in the loop for a change," said Giles.

Buffy and Spike had already moved on, his words falling on deaf ears. Xander came and patted him on the shoulder.

"I still love you G man," he grinned.

"Xander! I already told you, never call me that, Oh I give up!," said Giles.

He walked off in disgust to retrieve his rucksack, they set off most of them paired into couples, headed by Willow, Giles and Xander.

"Two's company, three's a crowd," said Willow.

"Us being the crowd," said Xander dryly.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Andrew and Dawn walked together, behind, Willow, Giles and Xander, the expression on Dawn's face was thunderous.

"What the hell did you think you were doing back there?" asked Dawn.

"Taking some advice," Andrew answered.

"Let me guess, Spike?" she asked.

Dawn briefly shot Spike a dark look, before turning her attention back to Andrew.

"I'm waiting ," she said.

Andrew looked confused.

"This is the part where you ask me out on a date," Said Dawn impatiently.

Andrew looked at her wide-eyed.

"Oh right, will you go on a date with me Dawn?" asked Andrew nervously.

"Maybe, you have a lot to learn about girls Andrew," said Dawn smugly.

Andrew beamed at her.

"I'm hoping, you'll help me with that," he replied.

"Don't push it," she grinned.

Andrew turned and gave Spike the thumbs up. Spike smiled, Buffy caught his expression.

"And why are you looking so pleased with yourself?" Buffy asked.

"No reason love, but there is something I think you should know, something that Willow discovered," said Spike.

"What's that?" asked Buffy.

"It seems the PTB's are a little more trustworthy than we gave them credit for love, I still have all the powers I had before and some," said Spike.

"Still wouldn't trust the PTB's any further than I could throw them," said Buffy.

"Which considering your strength, it could be quite a distance," said Spike.

Buffy smiled. Secretly relieved for Spike and for herself, she knew all too well, what inequality could to any relationship, her super powers had often been a bone of contention in her past relationship with Riley. It wouldn't have mattered to her, if he had been returned as nothing more than a man, Spike was as essential to Buffy as breathing was to her body, and she'd take him any way she could get him.

"Want to give those powers a test run later?" she asked.

"I thought you'd never ask," leered Spike.

Buffy returned his look with one of her own, before she pouted, a thought occurring to her.

"Uh-uh mister, no way, at least not until we find a drugstore. I get the feeling everything else on you is fully operational right now, don't want to be picking out the names 'Tara and Anya' just yet, I want you to myself for a while first," she grinned.

Spike stopped walking and turned to look at her.

"Do you really mean it? That you'd like to have a child with me one day?" he asked.

"Duh, yeah, I mean you're totally hot, then there is that thing where I love ya, kinda have a hankering for that ordinary life, now that you're a part of it," said Buffy.

Spike looked at her,

"You're a slayer, I have the powers of a god, just how ordinary do you think it's gonna be?" asked Spike.

"Good point," she said.

"Look, I can see the RV," said Andrew excitedly.

"That's a beautiful sight, I could kill for a shower, feeling a little dirty," said Buffy.

"Hold that thought for later," growled Spike, in her ear.

They trudged towards the vehicles, all of them a little on the near side of exhausted. Giles unlocked the van, and they all piled in.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Half an hour later, they were all seated around the table. Piles of various pancakes and waffles, piled high on plates, were disappearing with alarming speed, every one was laughing and joking with each other. Spike sat down in the back of the van, lighting up a cigarette that he'd liberated from Faith. Having eaten her fill, Buffy went and joined him, cradling a cup of coffee in her hands. She wrinkled her nose at the smoke.

"We're gonna have to cure you of that little habit," she said.

"I'm not going on no bloody patch, if that's what you think," grumbled Spike.

Buffy didn't respond, one thing at a time, she thought secretly to herself. Faith came over and sat down next to Buffy and Spike. She looked at Spike's cigarette.

"Thanks Spike, that was my last one, I was saving that," said Faith.

Spike took a deep drag and then passed it to her.

"Here, you finish it," he smirked.

"So good of you," Faith replied, taking it.

"Thanks for earlier Faith," Buffy,

"It was nothing, anyway, that's not why I made my way over here, hubby and I have decided to ditch the school bus, we wanna settle down, make some roots," said Faith.

"Sounds awfully domesticated for you Faith," said Buffy.

"Yeah, I know, I'm scaring myself as I say it, anyway there's a fully equipped school bus going, you know anyone who might want?" asked Faith.

Buffy and Spike looked at each other, Spike nodded.

"We want, but what are we gonna do for money, after Sunnydale, I just never got round to getting a job, so I'm broke," said Buffy.

"Do what Robin and I did, we just kept getting temp jobs from town to town," said Faith.

Spike looked at Buffy.

"How about it love? It sounds like an adventure, are you up for it?" asked Spike.

"We'll take it, but what are you going to do for transport?" asked Buffy.

Faith glanced at Giles.

"I'm sure we can hitch a ride with old Rupes here," said Faith.

Buffy and Spike sat back down at the breakfast table, she looked around the table at everyone.

"Guys, Spike and I have something to tell you," announced Buffy.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was almost midday, Robin and Faith had removed their personal belongings from the school bus to the RV. Everyone had gathered to say his or her goodbyes. Buffy went over to Giles first.

"Thanks for everything Giles, keep an eye on Dawnie for me?" she asked.

"Hey that's my job, literally and figuratively speaking," said Xander.

Buffy smiled at him warmly and kissed his cheek.

"I'm not five," whined Dawn.

Xander shook Spike's hand,

"Look after her man," said Xander.

"I intend to mate, all my life," Spike replied.

Willow hugged Buffy.

"Thanks Will, couldn't have done any of this without you," said Buffy.

"See ya, when you get back, email me okay," said Willow.

Buffy moved on to Dawn.

"How long do you think you'll be gone?" asked Dawn.

Buffy reached out a hand to stroke her sister's hair.

"Come here Dawn," she said, drawing her sister into her arms.

Buffy pulled away so she could look at her.

"It's your 18th birthday in a couple of months, we'll be back for that, I promise," said Buffy.

"You'd better," said Dawn.

Buffy looked at Andrew, who was standing at her sister's side. She gave Andrew her stern look.

"I'm going on a lotta faith here, so you'd better behave," said Buffy.

Andrew shifted about nervously, from one foot to the other.

"I'll be good," Andrew mumbled.

Spike got up on the steps to the school bus.

"Guess we'll be on our way then, thank you one and all and see you in a couple of months time," said Spike.

Giles came up to Buffy.

"Before I forget, a little going away present," said Giles

He pressed a roll of notes into her hand.

"Giles, I can't, it's about time I started being an adult," said Buffy trying to hand the money back to him.

"A loan then?" asked Giles.

"Okay, but I'll pay you back every cent, with interest," she said Giving him a quick hug.

Spike sat down behind the wheel of the school bus, Buffy started walking towards him, he gave her a mock salute., Buffy turned towards her friends for one last look. Faith ran over to her, slightly out of breath.

"That was a close one, almost forgot to give you my going away present, now hold out your hand," said Faith, as she reached into the back pocket of her jeans.

Buffy looked a little mystified as to what Faith's gift could possibly be. Faith placed the item in Buffy's hand and closed her fingers over it.

"And no peeking until you're on your way, and unlike Giles, I won't expect them back," Faith said, winking at her.

"Thanks," said Buffy.

"Thank me later, keep in touch do you hear," said Faith.

"You bet ya," said Buffy as she got into the school bus.

Spike closed the doors after her, and honked the horn, Buffy waved as the bus moved off. They had been driving for a few minutes, Buffy was deep in thought.

"So what did Giles and Faith give you?" asked Spike.

"Giles loaned us a few dollars, as to Faith's present, I haven't looked yet," said Buffy.

Buffy opened her hand. Spike quickly glanced at Faith's gift, he slammed on the brakes.

"How the hell did she know?" asked Spike.

"She must have heard us talking earlier," said Buffy.

"Never mind, I think I love her," said Spike.

"Hey what about me?" asked Buffy in mock offence.

"You know I love you, and I'm just about to show you how much," he grinned at her.

Spike ripped open the box of condoms and chased Buffy down the aisle of the bus.

"And they say romance is dead," she giggled.

Spike sobered up.

"It may not be the most romantic of settings, but there's a back seat of a bus, that has our name on it," said Spike.

"I'm not complaining," she sighed as she pulled him down onto the back seat with her.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

With the danger, having now passed and Buffy and Spike off on their way to who knows where, there was nothing left for the others to do, but to load up the RV and be on their way home to Cleveland. Faith and Robin sat up front, both eager to earn their keep, taking first driving duty.

"Let's roll," said Faith.

Robin turned on the engine, soon they were homeward bound. They hadn't got very far along the road, when they spotted the familiar sight of the yellow school bus, pulled over to one side.

"Do you think they've broken down?" asked Giles.

Faith and Wood looked at each other, knowingly.

"Nah, let's keep going, we have a lot of miles to cover," said Faith.

"I really think we should stop and make sure they are okay," insisted Xander.

Faith sighed,

"They're fine, look I'll prove it to you, slow it down Robin," instructed Faith, as they came along side the bus.

Faith honked the horn. A couple of blonde heads peeked over the edge of the window, Buffy and Spike smiled self-consciously at the unexpected spectators, before Buffy pulled him back down out of sight.

Faith turned and looked at them all.

"See? They're gonna be just fine," she said smugly. As Robin speeded up the RV, and they drove on by.

THE END

A/N A big thank you to all of you who supported me during the writing of this story, I wouldn't have made it without all your wonderful reviews and encouragement. It may be the end of this story, but in that little place in my head, (not the mad place) I like to think it's the beginning for them, not the end!

Thanks Again!

Angela