Author's note: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this fic. I have to admit that it has been

a rather hard one to write due to its rather "risque" content and the fact that I had to tone down

so many scenes. I did not intend to write this type of fic but it ended up writing itself. Joss

Whedon's characters are so richly real in my mind that their stories tend to just take flight. So

without further ado... the conclussion.

Epilogue

The next day

It was Giles that found them wrapped in each other's arms. Their limbs were tangled together so

it seemed that they had melded into one. A soft smile of satisfaction was visible on the

vampire's face. The Watcher smiled warmly as he set about to retrieve the remains from the

spell. It had worked after all. He hadn't thought that it would.

The Slayer, for her part, looked exhausted even in sleep. This girl had really surprised him. She

had more mettle and more courage that he'd believed. And her loyalty to her mate was

unwavering. She might be their savior after all.

Spike stirred slightly and shifted the sleeping Buffy even closer to him. After a few moments he blinked at the

indirect sunlight and yawned soundlessly while stretching his body like a cat. The clear blue eyes

came to rest on the Watcher.

"Good morning" he greeted him happily

The watcher shook his head "Actually its past noon already. It seems like you had quite the

night"

The vampire grinned "And all thanks to you I suppose"

"You suppose right but she took the bigger risk" he admitted indicating the sleeping Buffy

Summers. "I advised her against it but she would not hear of it. It seems like she loves you

more than she does herself"

Spike looked down as his unconscious lover and his eyes misted over. His expression softened

as he bent his head to give her a light kiss. "I love her too"

"I have no doubts now. I did before but you two have gone to hell for each other. I know not of

better proof of devotion and the fact that its between a Slayer and her prey... its just beyond

words"

The vampire did not reply and the Watcher saw it as his cue to leave them to their privacy.

Buffy was awakening.

Her muscles were all hurting and she was dead from exhaustion and strain but she did not care

as her eyes set on the man she'd saved.

His own eyes were free from the shadows that had encumbered him for so long. There was life

to him now and she rebelled in the fact. Without words she greeted him and he did the same.

Last night had more than strengthened their bond. It had added layers that they would spend

their lifetimes exploring and building on.

There really was one thing more to do to seal their union. It was time and he had no doubts. His

gaze questioned hers. She was silent absorbing the enormity of what they were about to do.

After a moment she smiled her acceptance.

It would be their first marriage. Much later they would voice their vows before their friends but

for now the union was much more rudimentary but no less sacred.

His fangs pierced the yielding flesh of her neck in a gush of sweet blood. She closed her eyes

and let the moment wash over her as he took her into him as she had done him. The physical

world emulating what was in their hearts and in that one shared soul.

At last it was done and the vampire licked the tiny wounds closed to scar. She would forever

bear his mark on her body as he did hers in his heart. Spike knew that would follow her even in

death because as long as she was with him it would be alright.

***

Unseen the vengeance demon looked on with a disgusted expression on her face. It had seemed

like perfect doomed reality but now.

What was it about them that they could always manage to create a heaven in a hell dimension? Find the dammed silver lining? Angrily she teleported away looking for another girl and another wish.

The END.