Willow returned to the house when Buffy and Spike were finished emptying her items out of the master bedroom, and almost unpacking all of theirs. Buffy was smoothing out her comforter set and fluffing her pillow just as the red-head stopped in front of the open door.
“What’s going on, Buffy?“ Willow frowned, annoyed.
“I‘ve decided that Spike and I will be moving into this room. When mom died, it was too painful to stay in here, but I‘ve had time to heal and it‘s time. The bedroom is rightful mine…ours,” she wrapped an arm around Spike‘s side. “You can either choose to move in with Tara, find your own place or take over my old room. I’m not kicking you out, Wills.,“ After her friend frowned she continued, “You are welcome to stay as long as I never hear a negative comment about Spike and I being together. I don’t want any spells done on us. I want you to include him and accept him. I’ve made my choice and now you guys have to either live with it or---”
“---piss off.” Spike finished.
“A bit harsher than how I would have put it, but the meaning is the same.”
“I’ll stay. I‘ll stay in your old room.”
Buffy nodded and reached into a bag and pulled out the herb book.
“I thought of you and got you an herbal book. It’s not magic or anything but it explains different herbs and what they do,“ she pulled out the herbal seeds she had gotten. “And I got you these seeds to start with. You can add herbs from our world in it as well. I’ll have Spike set up an area for a garden if you decide you want that. Or Xander can build you a window box. My old room is right off the roof so it’s perfect.”
Willow glanced up at Spike who nodded and she whispered, “Thank you. Congrats you two.”
“Night, Willow” Buffy shut the door to the master bedroom, leaving Willow to go to Buffy’s old room.
Willow wandered into Dawn’s room where she was putting her new books on the shelf. She stepped over the two strange fuzzy creatures that were playing on the floor as she asked, “What books are those?”
Dawn was excited to be able to share the books with someone who might appreciate them. “Some are romance novels that a friend I made there gave me. Some are books of legends and myths of the dimension that Buffy gave me, and the others were dimension books. The witch there named, Engina; she shared with me her research on dimensions. I plan to ask Anya for her information as well so I can put together my own collection once Spike and Buffy let me use my ability.”
Willow smiled. “Well I don’t know if I can help at all but if you need anything let me know.” Dawn nodded and Willow gave her a hug. “I’m so sorry, Dawnie-about everything. I can understand if you don’t forgive me but it’s been a bit and I’m really hoping someday you will.”
“It’s been over two months for me and I’ve forgiven you. I just won’t trust you for a while.”
“I respect that.”
“But you can make it up to me by treating Spike and Buffy good and becoming responsible with your magic.”
Willow nodded. “I’ve been doing well even while you were away. You’d be proud.”
Dawn smiled and then yawned. “Goodnight, Willow. I‘m ready for bed.”
“Just one question quickly: what are those?” she pointed to the wallyams on the floor.
Dawn giggled. “Wallyams but mostly they are my new pets. Buffy and Spike found them in the woods and figured we could bring them home. They can have up to five babies so if you want, when they have babies, you can have one. They have one each year. Only I’m not sure if that’s our time year or theirs…I should have asked. It seems each week in their time equals a day here. I guess we will find out.”
Willow and Dawn shared a smile, and then jumped in surprise when they heard Spike’s yell from down the hall. “I’m alive, I’m alive!“
Dawn raced to Buffy and Spike’s room.
“Shall we open your gift now?”
Spike grinned, wondering what the beautiful lady had up her sleeve. He reached into the last unpacked sack and pulled out his box and set Buffy’s on the dresser to be used later on.
Spike carefully ripped the top of the box open and suddenly the room went dark. A bolt of electricity so powerful came out of the box that he dropped it to the floor. The electricity went directly into his body and an unexplainable gust of wind blew straight towards him and knocked him to the ground. A soft glowing light entered his chest, leaving a faint burn mark.
Buffy gasped and went to him. His body felt warm as she shook him to wake him. His eyes fluttered open, his hand going to his chest; he felt the beating of his heart.
“Buffy…my heart,“ he gasped for air, actually needing it now. “I’m breathing!“
The Slayer grinned and hugged him. “Don’t think about it. Your body will naturally do it.“
Spike closed his eyes and within moments his breathing was regular.
“Bloody hell, Buffy. I’m alive,” he picked her up and spun her around in a circle. “I’m alive, I’m alive!”
Dawn came running into the room to see Spike swinging Buffy around shouting, “I’m alive, I’m alive!” She ran towards him and placed her hand on his back. His flesh was warm to the touch and she could tell he was breathing. “Oh my God, you are alive! You’re human!”
Spike dropped Buffy gently to her feet. “Not quite, Bit. My senses are still supernatural. Everything heightened more so now. I think I’m still a vampire just with human traits.”
He raced to the door where the sunlight had started to form. Buffy raced behind him as she took his hand in hers and whispered, “Don’t step out there, just your hand.”
He nodded and let Buffy gently bring his hand to the sunlight. He gasped with joy when nothing happened. He took a step outside and then yanked Buffy outside with him. He steadied her when she almost fell. He grinned and smashed his lips to hers.
“I’m mostly human, Buffy. I can walk in the sunlight with you. I wonder if I can give you a child.”
Buffy giggled. “Want to find out?”
She grinned as Spike picked her up to carry her over the threshold. He tested the claim. ‘Does this still work?’
Buffy smiled wide. ‘Loud and clear.’
Spike raced past the shocked Willow and Dawn and slammed the door shut as Willow looked at Dawn whispering, “No worries, there’s a silence spell over that room still. Just say ‘Silenco’ and it works.”
Dawn grinned as she stood by the door of the laughing couple. “Silenco.“
Dawn scooped up Fuzzball and Dusty who had wandered out of her room and gently closed the door calling out, “Night, Willow.”
Willow called out, “Night, Dawnie.”
Angel sighed, his thoughts heavy when he returned to L.A. He planned to work away his sorrows at Wolfram and Heart knowing Spike and Buffy were right on many points.
The first being, there was nothing he could do about it. The second was that he had left Buffy alone and she needed someone who could protect her and he knew Spike would protect her with his life. Number three was the hardest; Buffy loved Spike too and perhaps even more than she ever had him. He sighed again as he realized there was nothing left for him to do then to just lock it away in his memories that will never be revisited.
Dru danced happily surrounded by her minions whom were all traveling with her back to Brazil. She missed her Spike but she knew his future was with the slayer. She also knew he’d be ok without her as he’d be a human. She had done her part; she had given life to William until he could find Buffy.
Anya turned to Xander. “Are you really that against Spike? He loves Buffy you know and would really die for her. He also mourned her and cared for Dawn when Buffy had died. He will take good care of her.” Xander frowned not saying much as Anya continued, “I’ve never seen a vampire like Spike before and I’ve been around A LOT of vampires in my days as a vengeance demon. Would it kill you if for Buffy’s sake, you just try a little acceptance in his direction? I’m not saying be his best friend but just not be rude to him and not insult him. Isn’t Buffy’s friendship with you worth that?” Xander frowned even more as he listened to Anya’s point. She continued, “Furthermore, you know as well as I do that Buffy will never want you or anyone else normal. She needs someone who is her equal and Spike is that.”
Xander’s frown deepened but he made a vow to himself he’d try for Buffy’s sake because her friendship did mean that much.