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Chapter 13

20 Years Later

Just as Fredrick predicted, Buffy didn’t age a year past twenty-one. It was hard to go on without any friends, and she was often lonely. She was thankful, however, to have Spike by her side. Whenever she became depressed he would brighten her spirits again. At least there was some warmth on the cold planet she lived on.

Spike was the happiest he had ever been, while being a vampire or human. All he needed was Buffy. He was satisfied to just have her love. He had finally gotten what he had been searching for his entire existence. The woman he loved, loved him back for who and what he was. Nothing else mattered.

Currently, Buffy was without a watcher. Fredrick had retired and moved down to Florida for the remainder of his days. The council checked up now and then to see how things were going, but she was mainly on her own. Spike still got paid to inform them on the goings on of Sunnydale each week.

The couple had a schedule. Sleep until twelve in the afternoon. Eat breakfast: Spike, blood; Buffy, bagel or muffin. They would mope around doing whatever until Spike’s soaps came on (which Buffy would make fun of, annoying the bleach-haired one). Then, Buffy would go to train at Fredrick’s old place (he left it in her care. They almost moved in, but couldn’t bring themselves to leave the apartment). Sometimes in the evenings, they’d watch movies on television, or spend it doing ’other things’ in the bedroom. Around eleven, it was patrolling time.

“Spike, I’m going out to patrol,” Buffy announced. She gathered a few freshly whittled stakes and stuffed them in her pockets.

“Okay, let me get my coat,” Spike answered, getting up off the couch.

Buffy walked over. “Uh, Spike, I was thinking of going alone tonight.”

“What? Why?” he asked, puzzled.

“We do everything together. I sorta need some alone time.”

He gave a great sigh. “Look, does it have to be while patrolling?”

“Maybe it does. What are you worried about? It’s not like some nasty can kill me. I’m immortal now, remember?”

“Well, they can certainly hurt you. Do you wanna practically bleed to death again!?”

She put her hands on her hips. “Stop being so protective. I can take care of myself!”

“That’s why the dinosaur demon got you, right? Cuz you’re so good?”

She was irate now. “He came out of nowhere. I’ve learned my lesson now. Gotta watch my back. Besides, that happened ages ago.”

“What if they come up with a sword and cut off your head? You might survive, but I doubt it would be pretty,” he shot back.

A snort came from Buffy. “This isn’t Highlander, Spike!” She turned to leave. “See ya later!”

“Yeh, go!” she heard him yell before she stepped out into the hall.

Buffy traveled the route to one of the most active cemeteries. On the way, she fumed over the stupid bleached vampire. He didn’t have to be her shadow twenty-four seven. When she suggested going shopping during the day, he’d persuade her to wait until nightfall so he could come along. What was his freaking problem? There was no reason for him to worry. She was going to live forever no matter what beastie came at her.

The slayer surveyed the landscape, keeping vigil for any rising fledglings. After finding none, she leaned up against a tombstone.

This life she had created for herself had to change. Twenty years of doing nothing but fooling around with a vampire and slaying was getting old. She had to find a motivation to get up and face another day. A hobby? Yeah right, collecting stamps wasn’t going to do it. Spike seemed to be happy with the lazy routine, but she desired something else. A job? Hey, not such a bad idea. It would let her get out of the house and be among the living for change. And then the most unexpected thought sprung into her head. The Magic Box.

It was perfect. The store was still vacant, and Spike didn’t make as much as a watcher did so they could use the money. Not to mention, she felt at home there. Every night after patrol she’d walk by it on the way back to her apartment. Her heart would be filled with longing and sorrow at the sight of the blackened window. She’d bring it back to life. Sure she wasn’t the businessy type, but she could learn. Spike wasn’t bad on finances and could help too. It would be great. She’d be able to sniff the incense and candles again. She’d go around and pick up something and remember. ’Hey, there was that time Xander knocked over a display of crystals.’ It was the closest she would ever be to her friends. Hell, she’d even move Fredrick’s dusty books there and do research.

Deep down, Buffy knew she just wanted her old life back. She missed her sister and friends. There was an empty part in herself that could never be filled. Not even by Spike, even though he tried.

Buffy started to walk again, in deep thought. She never saw the arrow coming. It wasn’t until it was too late, and her vision blurred, that she realized someone had shot her.

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Damn that slayer! She was so sodding stubborn. He was only worried about her safety. He couldn’t go through another episode of her slipping away from him, even if some prophecy said she’d be revived at the last minute.

Spike slammed his fist down on the coffee table. It was three o’clock in the morning. Where was that bint!? She was probably roaming around till daylight to piss him off. Well it was working.

Even though Spike knew Buffy was only getting even at him for their fight, he still was bothered. What if it was something more?

Spike grabbed his duster and threw it on. He was going to go find her and bring her home.

Right then, there was a knock at the door. Spike’s head cocked to the side, contemplating the noise. Who could it possibly be? Buffy would have come right in because she lived there. And they had no friends. They’d stayed there for years without a single visitor.

Cautiously, Spike went to the door. He turned the knob, swinging the door open. What he saw could have jumpstarted his heart.

“Nibblet?” he managed to get out.



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He he he. I’m evil and I know it. He he he.

 
 





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