1. First by Niamh [Reviews - 9] (6308 words)
[A/N: This story grew out of two things. First is a comment from my friend Nina, who remarked to me one night that she wanted someone to write the story of how Spike felt and acknowledged Buffy’s death (and return) even years later. The second is a bit more personal, and far too real for my own liking. I nearly died on September 9, 2010 and went through the same exact experience again, on the 10th. Either instance could have killed me, and it’s just by the grace of the universe that I am still here. Being me, I rationalized it and compartmentalized it, and generally played it somewhat cavalierly until it hit me on the 22nd of September. So, again Nina came to my rescue, and gave me a bit of advice on how to deal with the trauma – she told me to write. Well, that’s what I do. I write. Since my favorite subjects are the super-duo, I’ve attempted another one-shot in the Originsverse. This one is, in all likelihood, going to be a somewhat bumpy ride and it may take place over the course of several years. But I know it has a happy ending. Title is lifted directly from the quote, which was written by Rob Thomas for the Disney film Meet the Robinsons, and all belongs to someone other than me. Although I think I would have treated them better. This is also only partially edited by Spikeslovebite, and the rest is all my mistakes and errors.]