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“Take me to the alley.” Buffy appeared at the door of his office. It was late at night, and although he thought she had already gone to bed, here she was again.

Angel shouldn’t have been surprised at her request, but he hesitated. Did she know the dark forces that lurked behind the hotel? Although the demons had been beaten back and the dimensions closed, the evil energy was still there, and it was hard, even for a vampire, to stand being in its presence.

She had only been in LA for a couple of days, catching up with him and Gunn. They filled her in on the year Spike had spent with them as much as possible. Everything from his early days as a ghost, to the fight for the Shanshu prophecy, was told to her and Dawn.

Perhaps it was time, he knew she would have to visit eventually, if not for slayer duties. But he was determined to delay that for as long as possible.

“Buffy, there’s nothing. To say it’s not a pleasant place is an understatement; there’s despair in that place--”

"I know."

"You know? If you know, you know you shouldn't go. There's nothing you can do without Willow or Giles or somebody with magic experience."

"You know it's not even about that."

"Then what is it about?" Angel spread his arms. "If it's not about your slayer duties, is it

“Please, Angel. I don’t care. I just want to see.”

Sigh. “See what, Buffy? Mounds of ruble and destroyed chaos?”

“No.” She lifted her head and at once she looked like the young, innocent Buffy he first met. The one who was so susceptible to love and naïve about its notions. He knew then she only revealed this face to him because he was someone she trusted, someone she trusted to understand her and her pain. “I want to see the place Spike last fought. I want to picture him riding into battle, fists full of big manly weapons and that wonderful mouth roaring profanities. I want to imagine him brave and rash, throwing his entire being into saving the world.”

Comprehension dawned on him. Buffy wanted her last memories of Spike as a hero, wanted to remind herself that he had died again for a reason, and that the Powers That Be weren’t simply killing off her lovers to ensure she never found rest.

Not that he would deny her anything, not in such clear, miserable agony.

It was Spike’s final resting place and she wanted to make her peace--he could understand.

She could see him giving in and her expression became stronger and determined.

“Ahem. I come too.” Dawn appeared at her sister’s side, arms folded across her chest and giving Angel the defiant look she had been giving him since she was little.

"Ok, Dawn, what are you doing here and how long have you been eavesdropping?" Buffy crossed her arms and gave her sister a pointed look.

"Ok, Mom, I am an a-dult. Which means I really shouldn't have to answer to you right? Plus, you think you're the only one with demons?"

"I don't have demons, I just want to say my goodbyes."

"Bullshit. You're so full of denial. But it's okay...I'll leave you alone. I have my own to deal with."

"Spike loved you, what do you have to be sorry for?"

Dawn hesitated, her eyes dropping. "Buffy, I was angry with Spike for what he did to you before he left. I told him horrible, unforgivable things. And I never got a chance to say sorry. I thought we would all make it, you know?"

Buffy closed her eyes, a headache coming on.

"Yeah, Dawnie, I know. Come with me, we'll make our amends." She wrapped an arm around her younger sister.

The tense atmosphere dropped immediately. Instead, the emotions surrounding Spike's death rose again, and even Angel felt their sadness.

They turned towards him, lifting their eyebrows in unison. They looked like a ridiculous pair, menacing expressions but dressed in flannel pajamas.

He rolled his eyes. “God damn Summers women…” He muttered, but obediently turned around, leading the way.
----------------------------------------

Dawn had just left. They were in the back of the Hyperion now, Buffy and Angel standing silent. Buffy carefully walked over every inch of the area as she waited for Dawn to have her moment. Her sister had stood at a far corner, and although Buffy hadn’t heard any words, she saw Dawn’s lips moving several times. Maybe even a few tears at the end, as she saw her sister wipe her cheeks.

Then she passed by Buffy, hugged her and said she was going to bed.

Now Angel watched Buffy as she inspected a pile of rubble, a million thoughts running through his mind. What happened next shook him out of his daze.

It was a wonder that Buffy’s slayer senses didn’t pick him up until it was too late. He had leapt at her out of the shadows, in full game face and his pose dangerous. He went straight for her throat, gripping her and pinning her down as they fell to the ground. He smiled a wicked smile and let out a slow chuckle before releasing one of his hands and striking a blow to her head,, her gutted cry caught in her throat in surprise.

She barely had time to recover before he struck again from the other side. The pain was getting to her and she was getting dizzy from the raining blows. Buffy was reminded of how she beat Spike in that alley long ago--and how his actions mimicked her cruelty. What was wrong? Did he remember? Hot tears flooded her eyes as she tried to understand what was happening. She fought back, kicked at him and struggled to pry his hands off, but he was stronger--much stronger than she remembered.

Angel came over and hit him. He threw the larger vamp off easily and continued his assailant of her.

When he decided she was weak enough, he leaned into her neck, pausing just to lick a throbbing vein. He chuckled low in his throat. Buffy started sobbing at this point.

“Spike, Spike--please! It’s me, it’s Buffy! Spike, oh god--” But nothing seemed to register with him. Dangerous growls and chuckles erupted from his throat at her pleading.

She squeezed her eyes and continued to cry when suddenly his weight lifted. She sprang up immediately and saw him slumped against the opposite wall. And Angel was here, glancing from him to her.

Concerned, he went to her first. “You okay?”

Buffy shuddered at just what had almost occurred. She drew in a shaky breath, but nodded.

"God damnit, Spike!" Angel breathed out.

"No, don't. It's not him. It's not Spike. He doesn't seem to recognize us. Spike--Spike would recognize me."

Shaking his head at her defense of the vamp, he decided to let it go.

Angel was about give her a hand when she noticed Spike getting up. She stopped reaching for his hand. Angel looked at her for a moment before his gaze turned to Spike, now in a crouching position by the wall. Buffy stared, holding her breathe. His head was still bowed so she couldn’t see his face, but a second later, she heard his maniac laugh.

He lifted his head up as soon as he was standing again. His vampire face was still on, just as menacing and full of hate.

He snarled, “Oh, I recognize you fine, Slayer.”





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