EPILOGUE

March 23, 2004

8:00PM

Buffy and Spike nervously sat in Giles' library.

"That it?" Spike asked Giles looking over at the corked beaker of bluish-green liquid he was holding.

"That's it. What do you think?" Giles asked.

Spike snorted, "Think there's got to be more to this than presto change-o, you're a human!"

"One would think so," Giles said, "but it's really not about the liquid , this just facilitates the process. It's that you earned the right, Spike. You earned the reward, you're entitled to it."

"And Angel?" Spike asked.

"He did, too. He's been made the offer, as well."

"Well, then, that's that. Sure the poof is already enjoying his day in the sun."

"You're both entitled, Spike. There's no either or. I don't know what his decision is."

Spike looked at Buffy.

"His decision doesn't affect me one way or the other, Spike. Doesn't affect us, what we have."

"What should I do, Buffy? Do you want this? For us?"

"I told you before, it's totally up to you. I love you no matter what, Spike, you know that," she said, taking his hand in hers.

He nodded, "Tell me this," he said, addressing Giles, "do I have to do this now? Is there some time limit on it? Now or never type of thing?"

Giles shook his head, "No, Spike, it's yours should you want it, whether that's now or sometime in the future. There's no expiration date and if this vial broke, I could still make another one."

Spike sat back in the chair, much more relaxed, than when he'd first come. He put his other hand on top of Buffy's, rubbing it lightly between both of his and turned to her.

"Buffy?"

"I told you Spike, it's up to you," she said, and when he looked into her eyes, he knew that she was speaking the truth, that she would stay with him no matter what.

Spike nodded, "Rupert, I think I'm going to wait a while before making any decisions. Might take the offer up at another time, more likely than not, I will. But for now, not minding being a vampire so much, rather used to it."

"Very good, Spike," Giles said rising. He smiled briefly at them and left the room.

They sat there in companionable silence for a while.

"So," Buffy finally said, "want to go partrolling?"

Spike smiled at her, "Sure, could stand for a spot of violence, right about now."

She nodded, "I'll get my stakes."

"Besides," he called after her, "nothing good on the telly tonight."

"Wait, yes there is! Isn't there a Wallace & Grommett marathon on tonight?" Buffy asked.

"You're right!" Spike said, looking at his watch. "Why don't I just have TiVo record it for us? Then we can watch it when we get back?"

"That'll be perfect, Spike," she said, smiling at him. "You ready?" she asked, throwing him a stake.

He grinned at her, nodding as he rose up and walked with her to the door.

"I always got your back, Slayer."

"That you do, Spike, that you do..."

"Hey, hear there's a Mr. Bean marathon on, too."

"Ack, Spike! I can't stand that guy, he's so lame..."

"What about the Vicar of Dibley?" he asked.

"She's funny! And raunchy! Think you'd like that in a woman, Spike. Okay, what about Manchild?" she asked, snorting. "Puhhhleeeze!"

"Leave my Menboys alone!" Spike said, feigning a hurt look.

"Keeping up Appearances then?" he coughed derisively.

"Hey I like that!"

"Hello, Mrs. Bucket?" Spike intoned.

"It's not Bucket, it's BOUQUET!" Buffy answered in Hyacinth's accent and exasperated tone.

And they laughed all the way to the cemetery.

THE END!

HAPPY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!!!

spikealicious