The walls of the cave were crumbling around them, but Buffy never noticed. She didn’t hear Faith calling out to her, not that it had made any difference if she had. The only thing she was aware of, the only thing that existed to her, was the glowing vampire in front of her, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away.
Buffy laced her fingers through Spike’s, watching in amazement as their hands burst into flame together. Strangely, she didn’t feel any pain. Their eyes met, and she kept staring at him, like hypnotized. Finally, she found her voice, although it was barely more than a whisper. “I love you.”
He watched her for a moment, with an intensity that made her feel like he was looking directly into her soul. Then he responded, a regretful note in his voice; “No, you don’t. But thanks for saying it.”
There was another earthquake, causing the ground to shake under their feet, and he tried to pull away from her. And she knew that if she let him, it would all be over. So, she did the only thing she could think of. She tightened her grip around his hand, ignoring the flames, and kissed him.
She had known it would come to this, all along. She had known one of them wouldn’t make it, ever since Angel had shown up with that hideous amulet, insisting it had to be worn by a champion. Someone like him. Buffy had nearly snorted at that, knowing he could never be her champion. She and Angel were never meant to be.
No, her only true champion was the vampire – no, the man now standing in front of her, prepared to give his own life just so she could go on living. But what would her life be without him in it? What would the world be like without Spike? She realized in that moment that she never wanted to find out. So, she held on to him, pressing her lips against his, almost fiercely.
The Turok-Han’s – the most frightening, threatening creatures the world had ever seen – were all gone, reduced to nothing more than dust, destroyed by the magical rays of light, coming from the amulet still hanging around Spike’s neck. At some point during their deep, breath-taking kiss, the ground had stopped shaking. And the rest was silence.
Yet, she refused to let go of him, terrified that if she did, he would turn into dust right in front of her eyes. As long as she kept holding him, kept kissing him, he would still be there. And that was the only thing she cared about. The thought that they had somehow ended up in Heaven together did cross her mind, however, she quickly dismissed it. Heaven was no place for a vampire. Not even if he happened to have a soul.
Years may have passed, or mere seconds. It didn’t matter. Time had simply ceased to exist, as the two champions – one Slayer and one vampire, starting out as bitter enemies and slowly turning into something so much more than just lovers – were unable to do anything but getting completely lost in each other.
Buffy had yet to let go of his hand, and now, his free arm slipped around her neck, his fingers playing tenderly with her hair. Finally she had to pull back – it was either that, or passing out from the lack of air – although she did so most reluctantly. Her lips were still burning from their kiss, and a soft smile was slowly starting to spread on her face. “It’s over. We’re still here.”
Spike tilted his head to the side, an expression of true wonder on his face. “Why’d you do it, luv? Could’ve bloody well killed you. Had the chance to get out in one piece – why risk staying?”
She looked him straight in the eyes, raising her hand to gently cup his cheek. “As if I’d leave without you.”
He swallowed hard, the emotions written all over his face, although he quickly tried to cover up. “Kinda expected to go out fighting.”
“Not today.” Buffy smiled, shakily. “And this...” She reached out her hand towards the amulet, not hesitating before tearing it off, the chain snapping easily. “...well, I think it’s safe to say it has served its purpose.”
“No kidding.” Spike took the ancient object from her, his eyes running over it one last time before letting it drop to the ground. “Doesn’t look all that powerful now, does it?”
“No.” Buffy shook her head in agreement. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then she cleared her throat. “Better get out of here. I should check on the others, make sure everyone’s okay.”
“Right.” Spike hesitated for a moment, then, as she started to turn around, put a hand on her arm to stop her. “Look, pet, ‘bout what you said before...” She opened her mouth, but he quickly went on; “Just wanted to let you know, I don’t expect anything. Realize why you said it, and I won’t hold it against you.”
Buffy’s eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “What are you talking about?”
“Thought I was dying, so you said what you knew I wanted to hear.” He shrugged, self-consciously lowering his eyes. “Meant a lot to me. Although, you didn’t have to...”
“All right, just hold it right there.” Suddenly, she looked pissed off. “That’s not why I said it, you stupid vampire! What about the last couple of nights? Do you really think I was only sharing your bed because I was craving...” She paused, repeating his words; “...’a bit of cold comfort from the cellar dweller’?”
When he didn’t respond, just looked at her, the uncertainty written all over his face, Buffy’s eyes widened as realization hit her, and a wave of sadness welled up inside her. She had actually believed they were past that. Of course, she knew she couldn’t really blame him for doubting her intentions. Especially since she hadn’t done a thing to convince him otherwise.
Misreading her expression, Spike took her hand and gave it a soft squeeze. “S’all right, luv. You don’t owe me anything. Never really expected you to return my feelings. That’s not why I went and got my soul back. Did it ‘cause I wanted to give you what you deserved, sure, but I always knew it wouldn’t really make a difference. ‘Cause soul or not, I could never be worthy of you.”
Buffy swallowed, his words making her heart ache. The tears were burning behind her eyelids, but she desperately tried to blink them away. “I once said you were beneath me. I had no idea how wrong I was. I’m sorry.”
Spike shook his head in denial. “Buffy, you were not wrong. Admit it hurt like a bitch to hear, but I see things a bit more clearly now. You’re the Slayer. I’m just a vampire. For so long, I tried to drag you down in the darkness, tried convincing you it was where you belonged.” He let out a shaky breath. “I was a bloody fool.”
“We’ve both made mistakes.” She clasped his hand, desperate for him to understand how she felt. “We’ve both said and done things we can’t ever take back. We’ve both hurt each other, so much. But maybe, something good can come out of all of this.”
“Like what?” He wanted – so desperately – to believe her.
“Maybe we can finally forgive each other and move on.” The hopeful note in her voice made him stare at her in awe. “Maybe this is what we both deserve. A second chance to a happy ending?”
Tears were spilling down his cheeks now, but he did no attempt of hiding it. “M’a creature of the night, pet. We don’t get happy endings.”
“Maybe not.” Buffy took a deep breath, her own eyes welling up. “But champions do. And you’re my champion, whether you believe it or not.” He opened his mouth, but she cut him off, gesturing to the fallen amulet on the ground; “Really, that ugly thing wouldn’t lie.” He couldn’t help but chuckle, and she went on; “You saved the world today, Spike. If that doesn’t make you a champion, I don’t know what does.”
Spike shrugged, looking almost embarrassed. “Did it all for you, luv.”
“I know.” Buffy nodded. “And now...” She paused, standing on her toes so they were on the same level, letting her lips brush softly against his. “...it’s time I finally do something for you.” With that, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for another kiss.
He eagerly returned the kiss at first, then pulled back a little. “Buffy, wait. What does this mean?”
“I...” She stopped, watching him closely for a moment. “Change for me? Please?”
Giving her a look of confusion, Spike then nodded as understanding hit him, his handsome features slipping into the face of a demon. He cocked his head to the side as she reached out her hand towards his face, her fingers running first over his scarred eyebrow, then moving to gently trace his lips, and he couldn’t help but smirk. “Careful, luv, or I might bite.”
“No, you won’t.” She responded immediately, like there was no doubt in the world. Then she smiled as she went on; “Maybe later.”
Spike could only stare at her in astonishment, then he snapped out of it and curled his tongue behind his teeth. “That a promise?” She just kept smiling, and he could have sworn he felt his heart beating, for the first time in over a century. Then he became serious. “You love me?”
Buffy’s smile faded, and she looked him right in the eyes. At that moment, he felt like he was drowning, although he didn’t really need to breathe. She nodded, slowly. “Yes, I do.”
The End