Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. No need to send Gunn, from Wolfram and Hart, after me as you're personal lawyer. But holy granola that would be cool!

Chapter 5: Pinky finger- Promise or swear on your life.

Dawn tried to ignore the dead look in Buffy's eyes as she made her way to the door of their Italy apartment. Nearly a year had passed since the day that they had stopped the Hellmouth. Nearly a year since their world was turned upside down for the best and the worst. Eight months had passed since they had lost both Anya and him in battle. The first two months were alright. The word was getting out to Slayers about places they could go to train and figure out what to do. Xander was around Europe and usually came to see them. Andrew ended up living with Buffy and Dawn much to the annoyance and somewhat happiness to the latter. Faith and Wood decided to stay in the states for awhile, finding and training girls as best they could. Kennedy, Vi, Rona, and the other veteran former Potentials had been sent to corners of the world to help and recruit. Willow and Giles had ended up in London again. Willow was part of the Coven and her powers were the talk to the community. Giles had started the Watcher's Council up again and was hoping to do more good than it had before.

Buffy and Dawn had ended up in Italy. Buffy had been a central part of setting up several of the headquarters for training and had also been on the run finding who she could. Buffy at least had gotten her dream of being able to travel. As guardian of the Hellmouth, she never had the chance. Now all she had was chances. Dawn was amazed by her sister yet again, setting up all this, holding on, but it didn't help all the subtle clues that pointed to what a mess she really was.

Dawn had wanted to stay in London with Giles and Willow. However, when asking Buffy about it, Buffy had flat out refused. The look, that Dawn was sure was the last look that several demons had gotten before Buffy had killed them, on her face. That mask of bitter and cold fury that seemed like a weapon all its own. Dawn hated those moments, where it felt like all the air had escaped the room and all that was left was to suffocate on nothingness. When they had finally gotten to Italy it became clear why her sister had picked Italy out of all places to settle for the time. The sun, the feel, the guys, chances are that Buffy wouldn't be reminded of what or rather who she had lost. Living in London, England was the nail in the coffin to Buffy, no pun intended. The guys in Italy, dark hair, eyes, and skin, not blonde hair that might as well be white, blue eyes that snap with cold fire, or with skin like ivory. Even Angel seemed darker than that.

Dawn hated that Buffy had this weird wall between them. Dawn wanted someone to grieve with about this, even if for a while that same year she would've staked Spike but she never wished him dead. That was the other thing. They weren't allowed to talk about it. That year that never happened. And it wasn't just Buffy. Xander, Willow, Giles, all of them did it. The only one that Dawn felt good about talking about that with was Andrew, yes; the irony was not lost on her. It just wasn't fair.

Buffy and Dawn had moments that, yes, they were glad to be there and alive but if they remotely touched on the topic of Anya, or God forbid, him, Buffy would shut down for days until she picked herself up again. Those days that followed were always the scariest for Dawn. Movements, smiles, and laughs seemed more like routine and acts when it came to Buffy, like a puppet being pulled on invisible strings.

Dawn knew it was stupid to hope that something was going to give but that stupid flicker of hope was still there. Dawn shook her head as she closed the door to the apartment. Smooth Spike, you die a hero but cripple another. Where's the fairness in that? Dawn continued down the hall, forgetting that this was happening. It was just another day in an endless stream of stupid that seemed to follow them for the past eight months.

Buffy picked at the sweatpants that she wore and big black tee that read "Sex Pistols" that looked like it ate her, it was that huge. Picking at the tea bag in her mug she turned on the T.V but not before catching a look at herself in the mirror on the wall beside the door. Lord, she looked bad. Like a demon had eaten her and spit her out. The even funnier part: Buffy couldn't work up the effort to care. She had told Giles that she needed to see if she would be alright about everything. However, what she found was that she was drowning and didn't seem to care if anyone threw her a life preserver. In fact she could see herself splashing around to draw the attention of sharks, it was that bad.

How easy it would be to run away like she had done years ago, but knew she would never do it now, leave and have Dawn on her own. Plus she could see him eating her alive for doing so, saying she was neither that stupid, nor that reckless about the welfare of others. As if he was one to talk, considering if he cared he would be here. Buffy shook her head at the thought and how wrong it was. Bugger… great how pathetic was it that he was in her vocabulary?

Buffy messed with the channels and settled on an international news channel that didn't feed BS, or at least not enough for it to be a pain. It seemed crime and other wrong doing was down and Buffy figured that the Slayers had something to do with it. Cleveland had gone down in crime rate, Buffy smirked; seems Faith and Robin both were working their tails off in the second Hellmouth. The crater that was formally Sunnydale came up as well and Buffy could only stare at what was the beginning and end of her life in some ways. There weren't words to describe that day. It was too painful to really give it words now. Buffy wasn't sure if she ever would be able to do so.

Then it went to an interesting story on L.A. Buffy turned up the volume to hear better what was being said about it. Apparently something big had gone down and the city of Angels was now experiencing slight aftershock from it. Buffy narrowed her eyes at the screen. What was going on over there? Why wasn't she told at all, this was the first she heard of any issues. Where was Angel and why didn't he give her a heads up? She had her ear to ground on all the systems around the world, Hell she had help in development of almost all of them, so how was it that Angel slipped by and why? Regardless of Wolfram and Hart, she still would have heard something.

Buffy was brought out of her musings as the door to Andrew's room opened. Andrew blinked at the sunlight that streamed in the apartment at ten in the morning. "Dawn already left for work," Andrew asked, disappointment coloring his tone.

Buffy grinned as she watched Andrew head for the kitchen; it seemed more and more apparent that if there was someone Andrew was close to, it was her sister and maybe if Andrew grew a set, he might become more. Her sister, despite him being a total nerd, geek, and former killer was starting to warm up to the moron it seemed as well. Buffy realized there might not be anything there and even if there was Buffy couldn't really say anything. Her list of guys consisted of killers, tortured souls, and slight nerds, so who was she to judge?

"Yeah, you really just missed her. She left about fifteen minutes ago. Hey, Andrew, any clue about what was happening in L.A.," Buffy asked. Something crashed against something and Andrew's head poked out, a look of fear, shock, and guilt crossed his face in one go. Buffy was now on red alert.

"N-no, not that I know of, anyway. Why," Andrew asked, slowly inching his way to his room but Buffy saw it and cut him off directly.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because it wasn't that many weeks ago that Angel came by looking for something or another and you decided to be an ass about it. Geez," Buffy said rolling her eyes.

Andrew loosened up considerably, happy that this was about Angel and not him. Buffy was still moderately in the dark about Spike. It was bad enough that Andrew had spilled the beans about Angel, considering Andrew was still Andrew and couldn't keep a secret to save himself and he loved to gossip like an old maid. Spike, however had made him promise that he wouldn't say anything. Plus, Andrew still had to get over the idea of Spike turning his intestines into a hat for him to wear.

"Buffy I can't tell you anything. I just can't. This is between you guys," Andrew said. Buffy sighed.

Looks like I'm heading to California.

Buffy went to the phone to get in touch with the jets that helped Slayers get where they needed to be. After that was settled, Buffy ran and told Dawn about the trip, how she would be back in a day or two. Dawn wished her luck and hugged her. Back at the apartment, Buffy packed what she thought she needed, all the while trying to ignore Andrew, who was hovering like crazy, muttering about someone going to kill him. Buffy forged it, something was bugging her now. The world was off somehow, how, she wasn't sure. Getting on the jet, Buffy looked out the window before falling asleep to dream about that day eight months ago.

Angel and Spike made their way into Wolfram and Hart, ignoring the spasms of pain shooting in their various body parts. Angel couldn't feel his left leg and his left arm wasn't working right. Spike had a massive headache and huge gashes covering his chest and arms. Yes, this was the clean- up crew of L.A. and it was a bitch of a job.

"Just so you know I hate you right now," Spike said to grand- sire, cringing at the snap, crackle, pop sound his shoulder made as he popped it back into place.

Angel nodded his agreement. "I hate myself right now, no worries."

Spike nodded as they made it up to office, the elevator going horrendously slow and all he wanted was some blood and some z's because right now the four hours of sleep he was getting wasn't cutting it. Adding up the numbers in his head Spike figured it had been two hundred and forty- three days since the destruction of Sunnydale. At least eight months, a long time, even Buffy was going for a shorter time by a few months or so.

Buffy soddin Summers. That name, that bloody name that was the name of an angel and a devil to Spike. Only the Devil could be that tempting and seductive but still look like an angel, a fallen angel to be more accurate. Spike stopped himself. Oh God, I'm waxing off poetry. Someone just do me in now. Please. He had been physical or non- ghosty for at least five months. Those five months it killed him that he couldn't go to the girl that had somehow become his whole world. However, every time he thought he would be able to do it; walk out the door, away from his pain in the ass grand-sire, who he wasn't fond of for a freakish amount of reasons, work up the courage to go find her, Spike would back up from the door, only to head back to his room to find himself nursing a bottle, trying to get the look of disgust he envisioned on Buffy's face.

He died a hero. That's all she knew and it wasn't a bad thing to be remembered as. The one drawback was the little voice in his head saying he was just like all the other men in her life; Parker, the wanker who didn't know a good thing if it hit him in the face. The toy soldier, Riley, happily married, doing God only knows what now. Angel, who if Spike ever turned out like in the end, Spike would give the next person he met full permission to just stake him. No way in Hell would Spike ever become Angel mostly because of the said girl that was currently wandering through his thoughts. Spike smirked, right at those moments it was the memory of Angel being turned into a puppet that made it slightly bearable. Lastly there was her father, who was lucky that Spike had a soul because it would be so easy to find that ignoramus and suck him dry, not just because of what he did to Buffy, but also Joyce, who reminded Spike of his own mother before she became off her rocker.

All in all, Spike knew he was pansy but to be rejected by the girl, after what had happened, Spike wasn't sure he could handle that. The elevator opened and Angel and Spike stepped off, trying very hard not to collapse on the floor, knowing Harmony would be more than a little pissed if they got blood stains on the carpet.

"Oh God, you're back," came a voice. Spike and Angel looked to see Harmony, a terrified look on her face. "Why are both of you here?"

Angel quirked an eyebrow at her, "I'm sorry. I didn't know that I wasn't allowed in my office."

Spike just snorted, it figured.

"Umm, not that's not- I mean I wasn't expecting you back. Both of you, anyway, oh God," Harmony said, looking close to hyperventilating.

"Harmony, what's going on," Angel said, walking up to her at the same exact time the door to his office flew open.

"Where the HELL have you been, you moron! What is this about something going down here and me not being informed," a pissed off voice said. Spike stopped, his eyes widened. He didn't have to see the person to know who it was that was ready to kill Angel.

"Buffy," Angel said slowly.

"No, the bloody Easter Bunny! Yes, Buffy! Buffy, who is currently going to send you to a world of pain if you don't tell me what went down here, Angel," Buffy said. Spike didn't have to see her to know her eyes had that steely edge, like the dangerous side of a knife, poised and ready.

Buffy was fuming. If it wasn't bad enough that she had to make a trek halfway across the globe, Buffy found herself waiting for at least a half an hour in his office, Harmony acting as if she was the plaque, muttering about Angel and someone else being royally pissed. It was like hearing a female Andrew all over again. However, for that split second that Buffy couldn't feel Angel she felt someone else there with her Slayer spider sense standing behind Angel, slowly trying to inch away from the scene. Ah, Hell no, she thought, skirting around Angel to see who it was, only to stop short when she almost collided into him but not before missing the dash of bleached blonde hair.

Spike stared down at Buffy is amazement and guilt. God, she's beautiful. If he was going to die one day (which didn't seem very soon because lo and behold here he was) please let it be by this Valkyrie in human form. Eight months had done seemingly nothing to her. Long, honey blonde hair that bounces when she moved, eyes the color of light emeralds, slightly tan skin, clean and unblemished, lips glossed. She had lost some weight, Spike could see that, but not in a bad way at all. She was stressed out, he had heard as much, what with the Slayers and the Scoobies, taking care of herself had taken somewhat of a backseat. Still it didn't destroy or take away from her figure, Slayer healing and energy making up for it. She was still a bit of a shortie but then again Spike had never been what you would call a raging giant. All in all the eight months came and went and she was still Buffy, still beautiful, and still affecting him like she did eight months ago.

Buffy looked at Spike, not sure how to react. The only thought she had was he's here; he's alive, well, as alive as a vampire can be. Eight months and she still couldn't wrap her head around it. Same bleached blonde hair, slicked back, not a hair out of place, face with angles she remembered and traced in her dreams, same sapphire blue eyes that could be warm as a fire or as cold as ice. Same black outfits, a black duster jacket, still the ever faithful companion. The only thing off, Buffy thought, having flashbacks to the day she found him in the high school basement after he got his soul, was the black and blue coloring Buffy could see under the collar of his shirt.

Buffy lifted a hand and tugged at the collar of his shirt only to meet with red as the black and blue marks met with blood creating a sick and ugly painting on his ivory skin. Turning back to Angel, Buffy saw that his left side looked completely totaled. Buffy turned to Spike again, tears in her eyes. "You two are idiots! Why didn't you come to me," Buffy said, her voice cracking.

Angel looked on as Buffy cried, not sure what to do. Spike looked down at her, being the reason that they didn't call her. Lifting his arms, Spike hesitated, but eventually his arms wrapped loosely around Buffy, not knowing what to say. Buffy could feel him which made her cry harder, especially after the past eight months she had had thinking he was gone period.

"Shh, it's alright, luv," Spike whispered to her, more than aware that Buffy didn't cry often and when it happened it was because she was more than emotionally drained.

Angel could only stare at the girl he fell in love with and his souled grand- childe and wonder just how close their bond truly went. He remembered asking Buffy the same question and all she could tell him was that Spike was there in her heart. Angel hadn't believed her, not really, but he couldn't help but wonder how wrong he was as she watched Buffy wrap her arms around Spike like he was her lifeline. Angel had wanted her to move on, even if it killed him, it just wasn't in the way he expected. However, that was his decision and now he would have to live the consequences.

"Hey, mind if we take this little reunion session into the office, or you know we can become the show to everything in this office," Angel said moving into his office. Buffy and Spike looked around to see at least five demons and Harmony staring at them, the demons in shock and confusion, Harmony, being a girl, vampire or not, loving the romance of the moment. Buffy ducked her head, the Slayer, crying, not a good sign. Spike glared at everyone in the building and pulled Buffy closer to him as they left to go into the office.

In the office Buffy pulled herself together and stood in the middle of the room, Spike took a seat in one of the chair, wincing as he did so, and Angel sat behind his desk. Buffy's crying soon turned into glaring at her first love. "What the hell, Angel. First I found out that L.A. is having problems, something I didn't find out by you but by a crappy new cast. I come to chew you out for that and I find him," Buffy said, pointing to Spike behind her before continuing on, "A) I want to know what went down here and B) why in didn't anyone feel the need to tell me about him?"

Angel sighed, and here he thought his day couldn't get any worse. "Buffy, the reason we didn't tell you was because we knew you were busy. You may not be the only One now but it's not like Faith and the rest of the girls share your dedication like Giles, Willow, Xander, and Dawn do. We know that you were busy but letting you know didn't seem important at the time."

Buffy snorted, "And what were you going to do if this, whatever it was, got pass L.A., Angel? From what I hear you were rattling a cage that didn't want to be messed with. There was a reason I made you leave Sunnydale before the battle eight months ago. I needed a second front if I had died. At least didn't leave you in the dark to the point that all you had was a flashlight."

Spike looked down. "I asked him not to involve you in what went down," Spike said, watching the battle of wills. Buffy turned in amazement.

"What," Buffy said, not following. Angel got up to leave, deciding that the two of them were going to have to hash this out, not him. Buffy and Spike didn't even notice him leave.

"I didn't want you involved. This was my battle as much as Angel's and it was my call as well," Spike said, trying very hard not to back down.

"Why? Why didn't you want me here," Buffy said in a small voice, moving closer to him.

"I couldn't stand the thought of what your face would look like if you knew I didn't die a hero," Spike said softly, hoping that she couldn't hear him. She did.

Buffy didn't say anything for a minute. "I've said it once and I'll say it again. You're a dope, you're a bonehead, and you're shirty," Spike smirked at that, remembering his made up word from that night. "What in God's green earth gave you the right to decide what I could handle? That's Angel's job, much to my ever growing annoyance. You have never done that. You've always been the one to tell me how it is, to ask my input on anything. Don't stop doing that."

Buffy stopped for a minute. "Do you have any idea what the past eight months have been like for me, honestly? I've lived the guilt that you died. That's my job, always had been. To know that nearly killed me. It didn't help that the last thing you said wasn't exactly the stuff of dreams."

Spike said nothing. What could he say? "I didn't think you would care, Buffy."

"I know that you and I have one of the weirdest relationships that anybody can ever find, honestly I do but don't ever say that I don't care because it's not true," Buffy closed her eyes, "The reason I didn't turn my back on you before was because I care about you, I believe in you. I may not have always but near a year ago I never thought I could believe in something as much as I believe that you would be there with me."

"Do you really, luv? Believe that," Spike said staring at the ground.

"With everything I have and more," Buffy said.

Spike moved from the chair and stood before her in wonder. "I guess my question is do you still."

Buffy blinked, the under laying question in that blaring in bright lights. Do you still believe? Do you still love me? With tears threatening to spill, Buffy took one of Spike's hands at his side and brought it up to her chest, to her heart hammering in her chest, hoping he could feel it. Spike looked at his hand resting on her heartbeat, enamored by the beat, the warmth.

"Yes, I do," Buffy said, answering both questions.

Spike's eyes widened and before Buffy could blink she could feel his lips on hers, the chill something she was so familiar with. Eight months had done a number on them both and the contact was mind blowing. Buffy pulled him closer, pressing herself against him as Spike grabbed her hips. The kiss was tame only to move from an explosion as both moved to the chair. After a few minutes breathing became an issue for Buffy as she let go of Spike to stare down at him in wonder and shock. Nearly a year, no, it had been longer then that even since they had a romantic contact with each other that was expressed completely. Everything till now was subtle, quiet, and inquisitive.

"Wow," Buffy whispered against his lips, closing her eyes. Spike stared up at her through lidded eyes, not sure what to make of this. Once again, it was her call.

"Please tell me you're coming home with me. Please," Buffy said opening her eyes.

"I can't, luv. Not right now," Spike said, closing his eyes so he would see the sadness in her face.

"Why, and this better be good. I just got you back only for you to say you can't come with me."

"There are things I need to do before I can come to you. I have to see if I can be on my own. It's not something I can really explain just trust when I say this is something I need to do," Spike said, praying that she would understand.

Buffy smiled sadly. "Yeah, I trust you. Just don't make me wait forever. Eight months was enough."

Spike nodded and with that the two detangled themselves from another and got up from the chair. Buffy turned to the door but not before sparing him a look, only to stop short when she saw that he was right beside her.

"Do I have you," Buffy asked, eyebrows teasing, but still laid the thought that maybe this was a dream.

Spike smiled a genuine smile. "Always."

Buffy smiled and left the office, the door shutting behind her. Saying goodbye to Harmony, Buffy made her way to the elevator only to be stop by Angel.

"So how did it go in there," Angel asked looking at the ground.

Buffy looked at her first love in question. "Alright." Buffy paused. "You know what? It went better then alright."

"I guess you will be leaving then," Angel said, confirming what he already knew.

"Yeah, Spike said that he was going to stay, take care of a few things," Buffy said, feeling awkward.

Angel cringed slightly. "You know as much as it pains me to admit, and believe me it pains me, for awhile lately I've seen that Spike has something up on me."

Buffy smiled sadly. "I love you, Angel. You were my first with everything and I hope that you never forget that, but I know that I need Spike. I know that it sounds stupid and it makes no sense but he clicks with me even when we hated each other, how, I don't know. I just do."

Angel nodded and with that the elevator came open and Buffy stepped on. "Goodbye Angel and good luck." Buffy said, the doors closing behind her. Angel stood still, feeling the chapter on them coming to a permanent close, but feeling good about it, saddened, but still had both of them intact, even if she wasn't his to hold anymore.

A week had pass since Buffy had found out that Spike was alive and currently living it up in L.A., so to speak. She came home to find Andrew in a corner freaking out, watching the phone like it was ready to eat him. It was actually pretty funny to see. Andrew had feared a collect call from L.A., the caller being Spike promising that Andrew would know what it felt like to have a railroad spike in a very uncomfortable place. Buffy didn't tell him right off the bat about Spike understanding, mostly because she wanted her revenge on Andrew for not telling her the whole story about when Angel came to Italy and they had the decoy Buffy set. After a few hours (or days, who's counting) Buffy let him in on the story and much to Andrew's happiness that was the end of that.

Dawn had been more then excited to hear that Spike was alive and would meet up with them soon in Italy. Buffy had been talking of going to London with Giles and Willow when they came by next. Dawn smiled softly, happy to see that Buffy was truly going to be alright.

Soon two weeks later, the gang was finally all together for the first time in a while. Giles was looking extremely happy to report on the Council getting up and running finally, pleased with the library that he contributed to with his copies of all his ancient texts. Willow had grown her hair out and had a healthy glow about her, the coven and England had done wonders for her. Xander, rugged and weathered from his trips with his eye patch were something different but still happy and excited about his trips.

There they were, the original Scoobies. Buffy was practically buzzing to have them back together, forgetting that a few months back this sight would have brought her to tears thanks to the absence of Anya and Spike. While knowing that Spike was back it still didn't soften the blow that Anya's death had taken with them as a group and to Xander. Yet another unreasonable turn of unfairness that fate decide to take, Buffy thought, thinking to all the people who had died to the people that lived. She got Spike back but without Anya, the bitterness leaving an ashy taste in her mouth. Xander's pain was no less then hers but the Power To Be had let Spike live for some screwed up reason.

Buffy was brought out of her thoughts by a knock on the door. Buffy was truly expecting it to be the food that they had ordered, instead, standing at her door, looking ready to walk away from the door, stood Spike.

Willow, who sat in a chair facing the door and could see him first, gasped, jumping up in surprise and shock. Giles and Xander stood at Willow's rush of air to see what was causing the commotion, shocked to see the vampire standing at the door, looking at Buffy. Dawn having no reservations at all, jumped from her seat, crossed the threshold, bounced into Spike's arms as he caught her, letting out a small oof in the process.

"You're really back," Dawn whispered in the leather of the duster, knowing he heard her.

"That's for big sis to decide, Niblet," Spike said, stroking her hair, amazed how eight months had turned Dawn from the little kid he knew to the young woman currently choking the life, or un-life, out of him.

Buffy watched the exchange with tears in her eyes. Dawn let Spike go and together they stood at the entrance to the apartment. Buffy realized they were waiting for the invite even if it wasn't necessary and with that Buffy stood aside from the door and with a welcoming smile said, "Spike, would you please come in?"

Spike tilted his head and with a soft smile crossed the threshold with Dawn leaning in his side. Xander and Giles stood awkwardly off to the side, not sure what to do. Willow, however, came up to the vampire and hugged him, a smile on her face. Spike stood in the hug, shocked and amazed that Red had decided to hug him.

"Hello Spike," Willow said pulling away from the hug.

"Lo Red," Spike said.

Willow laughed softly. "It's good to see you again," Willow said seeing Spike's confused and stunned look on his face.

"You too, Red, you have no idea," Spike said, honesty ringing through his words. For what it was worth he had started to genuinely like the Scoobies when they didn't hate him. Giles came up to the group and held out a hand to Spike, who seemed even more confused by Giles then he did by Willow. This was the same man who tried to plot his death with the cross happy principal that Faith was currently with. However this was also the man that every bit a father to Buffy then her own. With that Spike shook Giles's hand and though it didn't completely heal the rift between the two men, it was a start.

Xander stayed back away from them in thought, more specifically at Buffy. She looked radiant, something Xander hadn't seen in months from her. He lost Anya, yes, and it hurt more than he could describe. However, he didn't shut down the way Buffy did two months after Sunnydale. She had been fine for the most part, setting up different bases, gathering profiles on different veteran and baby slayers, as Buffy dubbed them. It had been fine or at least that's what he thought. Xander will never forget how she looked that day about two months back, which was incidentally that last time he had seen her until now. She was moving into the apartment in Italy and needed some help with the utilities. The moving wasn't hard, considering Buffy and Dawn barely had enough possessions to fill a box besides their new beds, a tv, and a sofa. The rest came with the apartment. Each girl got their own room and also had a guest room, where Andrew now stayed until he figured out what he was doing with himself.

Xander had to go check on something before he left and went to tell Buffy only to see her on her bed, crying softly, not enough that anyone could hear, but no one could deny the tears falling from her cheeks. Xander did nothing, what could he do. Instead he left the room as quietly as he could that Angel and Spike would have given him a pat on the back for stealth.

When he had made it to the hall, he was surprised to see Dawn scrubbing a counter top in the kitchen, her hair pulled back into a bun. Dawn looked look from her work to see the sorry look that Xander currently wore.

"She's crying," Dawn said, not a question, a pure statement. Xander nodded, not sure how to take seeing Zena the Warrior Princess, also known as Buffy, crying.

"She does that every now and again," Dawn said staring at the rag she had used to clean.

"What, you mean this isn't the first time the Buffster has randomly burst out into tears," Xander asked, still not following.

"No it isn't. What's scary is that it's happening a lot more now than it did immediately after, well you know," Dawn said staring at the shiny counter. Xander knew what she meant, Sunnydale, them losing Anya, the Potentials, their home, Spike. Xander may have not like Spike for many years, but even he could see that something was different with the newly souled vampire and his slaying friend. A friendship, an understanding, a redo, they wanted to forget that year that Buffy described as Hell, but knew they couldn't go back to be enemies. They had seen too much of each other both physically and emotionally, felt the other's pain to go back to semi hating each other. Even so, Xander, Willow, Dawn, and even Giles could still see that the sexual tension and frustration, the glances, the small touches that Buffy only reserved for Spike. They weren't over, not by a long shot. Buffy was never that way with Angel and she knew it, hell, even Angel knew it.

Xander sighed at the thought. Dawn could see he was working it out in his head. "It always seemed that she breaks down when she's not busy. When she has time to think about him," Dawn said making toward the hall to see if she could hear Buffy. She didn't want to tell Xander that it was worse at night, much worse. At least in the day, Dawn had the sound of people and voices to keep the sobs away. At night, however, they were there, and it was getting harder not to notice.

Xander left after that that day so many months ago and now, standing here in Buffy's living room where that girl was crying seemed like a shadow. Xander, grudgingly but happily, had to figure that the reason Buffy was able to give that million dollar grin was because of the bleached blonde vampire, and even if things were odd between Spike and Xander, he was alright as long as that grin stayed there.

Xander made his way to the group and as always made a smartass remark but not with the usual venom to it. Spike grinned, noticing it and was able to fire back. The weird motley crew of friends and family sat down and talked about everything that had been going on. Spike told them what he had been doing in L.A., how he had come back about two weeks are Sunnydale's destruction. The gang went back and forth about what they were doing about the Slayers, the Council, and the Coven. Spike listened with rapt attention, determined to see how these people were doing. Buffy, instead, made due watching Spike, still not believing that he was there on her couch with her and Willow on either side of him. Buffy was starting to be able to read his movements, reading at what he thought of something.

Soon the food that the group had ordered arrived and over it they began devising battle plans and where to send what Slayers and who was to be their official. The Scoobies were surprised that Spike gave genuine and good thoughts and the meeting was soon ended. The Scoobies left for their hotels and Dawn and Andrew turned in early, feeling that Buffy and Spike wanted some alone time.

With only a small lamp and candles providing what little light in the room, the two weren't really sure what to say to each other without breaking this moment. Buffy moved closer to Spike and leaned into his chest, resting her head on his shoulder and looking at the ceiling in thought.

"I still cannot believe you are here. It's like some really sick dream or a beautiful nightmare as cliché as that sounds. Not that I'm complaining but I still think you're just going to disappear on me again," Buffy said closing her eyes.

Spike said nothing as he threaded his fingers through her hair in a soothing manner. Wrapping his arms around Buffy, Spike drew her closer into his chest, placing his head into the crook of her neck, taking in her scent.

"I don't know how to prove that I'm here. That I'm real," Spike said softly, his voice muffed by her shoulder but she could hear him loud and clear.

Turning in his arms, Buffy smiled. "Kiss me," she said.

Spike said nothing and leaned his face closer to hers and with that came the sparks. Buffy sighed and nibbled at his lips and Spike responded in turn to her, playing and teasing. It wasn't enough to bring the apartment down around them but the world did stop, just for the two of them.

They parted and just stared at each other, not wanting to break the silence. Buffy bite her lips, smiling her lips slightly bruised and pink. Spike smiled back softly, happy that she was there. Buffy then held up her hand and her pinky finger. Spike quirked his scarred eyebrow at the delicate pinky, eyes questioning.

"Promise me, promise me that you will be here in the morning," Buffy said. Spike nodded and entangled his pinky around hers and with that Buffy grabbed a blanket and draped it over both of them and curled into Spike and within seconds was fast asleep. Spike slowed his breathing and ran a hand over her hair, thinking back to that night months ago in an abandoned house that became heaven in the middle of hell. Spike smiled softly and looked down at the girl that in a few short years had become his world and with that he fell asleep beside her like children in a screwed up fairytale.

Buffy woke to see that the shades were drawn to block out light away from the sun. Dawn and Andrew must have gotten up earlier and saw them and took that into consideration before they left because she couldn't hear a thing from either room.

Turning on her side, Buffy realized that this was the first time that she didn't have to run away for something. She could stay here, in Spike's arms and it was fine. She didn't have that with Angel or even Riley, as she always had to leave for something. Lifting herself up Buffy softly pressed her lips to Spike's in a small kiss, just to prove he was there. When she ended the kiss she saw nothing but blue as Spike's eyes focused on her and stayed.

"Well, luv, if that's how I'm getting up every day you will never hear a complaint out of me," Spike said, voice still groggy from sleep.

Buffy ducked her head and smiled, moving to get up, only to have Spike's arm keeping her rooted on the spot. "No so fast, where are you going?"

Buffy gently moved his arm and got up and went to her room, which Spike followed to see Buffy moving to the hallway towards her room. Spike crossed the threshold of the room to see Buffy standing by the window, the sun playing on her hair.

"You're here," Buffy said, tenderly, the tears there.

"Promised I would, didn't I," Spike said, smirking playfully at her, like she dare doubt him. Buffy laughed and with that the two didn't leave the apartment for the whole day. No, make that that they didn't leave the room the whole day.

Buffy stood over the gorge that the demon had made. Yet another apocalypse and here she was but this time she wasn't alone. No, everyone was with her. Giles, Willow, Dawn, Xander, Spike, Faith, Robin, Angel, and his team, and the other Slayers as they prepared the face off, it was a who's who contest of the world's champions.

Buffy turned to see Spike standing there with a sword in hand and a quizzical look on his face. Buffy went and hugged him, worried that they might not make it out of this alive. Thinking back the night that he came to her home in Italy, Buffy stuck out her pinky to him. Spike smiled seeing it and wrapped his pinky around hers.

"Promise me that you will be here in the morning," Buffy said, remembering her words that night. Spike nodded, gentle smile still on his face.

With that the battle began and ended.

And you know what? Both of them were there in the morning, just as promised.

A/N: WOOOOO HOOOOOO, IT'S OVER! Signals is officially done and I just want to thank everyone that reviewed and favored it. My love and thanks to you all.

Please drop a review about the ending and everything.

TTF