Spike cleared his throat looking at Buffy and taking in her horrible appearance. She was still beautiful but she looked pale and completely devastated and he knew he had made the wrong decision when he had decided not to go to her. He closed his eyes and then reopened them starting his story, “I was in an amulet. Remember that little trinket your lover boy gave you.” Buffy rolled her eyes, “Ex-lover boy if you insist on calling him that.” Spike shrugged continuing, “Well that bloody trinket locked me inside of it so when it got sent to the big poof, he opened it releasing me. I wanted to come to you. I tried. I wanted to call you or let you know in some way I was alive but Angel said you had moved on and I was a bleeding ghost. I couldn’t touch anything much less come to see you or pick up a phone.” Buffy frowned, “Why didn’t you come see us? I’m sure Willow would have helped you.”
Spike looked genuinely sorry as he stated, “I tried but I was locked to Wolfram and Hart by the amulet. Then I had a chance to be less ghostly but there was a ghost in here stealing people’s souls and sending them to hell in his place so I gave up my chance at being solid to him so he could be sucked into hell. Then an envelope arrived for me and I was made a real boy again. I thought about going to you again but I didn’t want to ruin your image of me. You saw me as a perfect bloody hero, and I wanted you to always see me like that.” Buffy frowned as she brushed her palm over his cheek, “I will always see you like that but I’m still hurt you know. So you were planning to die in this new battle and never see me again?” Spike stood up pacing, “You had moved on. We went to Rome and Andrew said you had moved on. You were with the Immortal and he said that we should move on with….”
Buffy blinked, “You were in Rome with Angel? You saw Andrew? My God does everyone know you are alive and just didn’t tell me? Does no one care how I suffer? I knew there was a reason I HATE EVERONE!” She picked up a random vase and was about to throw it when Spike shook his head setting it back on the table, “That’s Wesley’s prized possession. I wouldn’t throw that unless you want him to be your enemy.” Buffy threw her hands up in the air as she blinked looking at the opened window, “Why aren’t you dusting? That’s….that’s sunlight.” Spike chuckled, “Special glass so we can enjoy the warmth of the sun without going poof.” Buffy smiled a little, “No wonder you didn’t want to come back with me. If I could have everything I wanted in this place well I wouldn’t leave either.” Spike swung her around careful not to touch the healing bruises and scratches, “Buffy, I’d give this all up in a heartbeat if I thought it was what you wanted.”
Buffy’s voice broke as she looked at Spike as tears refilled her eyes for the millionth time today, “I want you happy. If this fight, and this place makes you happy, and if you are happier here than with me then I’ll leave you to it.” Spike shook his head frantically, “No. I was settling here. I’ll never be happy without you. I thought you didn’t want me and were better off without me.” Buffy twisted out of his grip as she grimaced as she bumped her leg against the chair leg before sitting in it, “You sound like Angel now. Spike, I can’t deal with people leaving me all the time for my own good again. I love you but I can’t deal with you returning only to leave me.” Spike’s eyes got big as he asked, “Repeat that?” Buffy shrugged not understanding, “I said that I can’t deal with someone leaving me all the time.” Spike shook his head, “No, not that part. The part where you said you loved me.” Buffy eyed him curiously, “You are acting like you didn’t know that.”
She stood up in front of him ignoring the pain in her leg as she reached out grabbing his hand. It didn’t glow this time but the scars matched as she whispered, “I love you.” Spike’s eyes glistened with tears as he whispered, “I didn’t believe you. I thought you were only saying that because I was about to die.” Buffy glared at him, “I don’t tell people I love them just because they are going to die. I only say it when I mean it. I have loved you for three years now. I just waited too late to admit it.” Spike smiled not dropping her hand, “I love you too Buffy. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you to say that.”
The door opened and Angel came into the room, “I’m sorry to cut whatever it was you were doing short but I want you two out of here. I want you to take the plane and get out of here. Tomorrow is the battle and I don’t want to have this messed up.” Buffy glanced towards Angel, “Doesn’t he have to stay?” Angel shook his head, “No he never signed a contract and I want you two out of here. You have a reason to live. Both of you do and I want you to promise to take care of each other. William, think of this as my way of saying I’m sorry I treated you so badly over the years and Buffy, this is my way of apologizing for breaking your heart years ago.” He didn’t even wait for them to reply before he picked up the phone, contacting the local pilot to Wolfram and Hart’s jet. When he hung up he turned to Buffy and Spike who were both staring at him in shock saying, “Listen, I mean this. I want you out of here within the hour. The plane has been arranged to have you taken wherever you want just leave L.A. and California if you can. Understood?” Both numbly nodded their heads despite both of them wanting to protest and save Angel.
Spike put his hand on the middle of Buffy’s back as Angel threw him the keys to the beloved Viper he loved so much. Spike went into the hallway pushing the button on the door outside Angel’s office that he knew would lead him down to where his stuff was being stored. He saw Angel standing behind them and turned around saluting him stating, “Thanks for everything mate. I hope to see you soon.” Angel nodded, not saying a word as Buffy ran out of the elevator throwing her arms around Angel whispering, “Try not to die. I do love you.” Angel nodded whispering, “I love you too Buffy and I’ll try to do my best. Now go.” Spike grabbed her around the waist pulling her back into the elevator as she cried. She let Spike offer her comfort as the tears fell for Angel.
When they arrived on his floor, Spike quickly gathered the boxes that he had never really bothered to unpack, giving Buffy some to carry. He had Fred collect his items when he had officially joined the group, removing his stuff from the apartment, but had never worried himself with settling in. He mostly lived out of his suitcase, which he now had slung over his arm. He climbed back into the elevator not even allowing himself to look back as he pushed the number for the car lot juggling the 3 boxes in his hand. He glanced towards Buffy who looked utterly exhausted. He knew they still needed to pack her items as he stepped out of the elevator packing his stuff in the car but still leaving room for Buffy’s. He knew the girl might have lots of stuff and wanted to make sure it all fit. The car ride to the hotel was quiet and once there, Spike raced into the elevator pulling her along. Reaching her room, he said nothing, noticing the blood on the sheets and that she had bought a duster just like his.
They had a lifetime to talk about such things. He helped her load up the Viper so there was scarcely any room to move and he drove her back to the airport where Wolfram and Hart’s personal plane was. He had taken this plane once to see Buffy and had come back empty-handed and now this time he would have Buffy with him always. He watched as the airplane crew carefully loaded the plane and the Viper was loaded into a cargo plane to be carried behind them. Buffy gave the destination of London, England much to Spike’s surprise and she sniffled still in shock over her day so far. She was full of happiness yet sadness over what she would lose and what she had gained. Once the plane was in the air, Buffy fell asleep leaning against Spike exhausted from all the excitement of the day. Spike simply held her close and let her sleep thankful that he was with Buffy again.