Letters from the undead 2
Letters 8
Red,
I�m not mad but I don�t think you�re right. I have been in love with Drusilla from the first moment I saw her in that alley and I can�t have just fallen out of love with her that quickly, when I love its forever Red. I know that. It�s just a rough patch I�m sure. She�s finally broken and follows me everywhere, it�s just like it should have been in the beginning. Me and Dru taking on the world.
Its right how it should be. We went to this demon bar in the centre of the city and left it like a desolation, it was so much fun, we tore them apart with our bare hands and watched as their insides spilled in a glorious array of gore and then we bathed in the blood of those we killed, it was a right riot.
Then we came back to the lair and screwed like rabbits, my girl can�t get enough of me right now. It�s the way it should have been all those years ago�
Willow put the letter down feeling sick, she couldn�t read the rest again it was full of all the things he had done with Drusilla. The murder and mayhem they instigated before going home to have sex.
She would have been happy for him if it weren�t so obvious that he was trying too hard. She could tell by the fact that every paragraph ended with �This is the way it should have been�. It was telling for Spike�s letter that he was trying to be what Drusilla needed and scaring off Willow at the same time. Maybe he felt that Willow had gotten too close and it was time that he regained his big bad persona. Whatever it was, it made Willow feel so alone for the first time since that night she had sat on her porch and told Spike to let her know how things went for him.
She swallowed as she looked back down the letter. She couldn�t write back to this person, she didn�t know them. She lay down on her bed and cried softly into the pillow.
Buffy noticed that her friend had been quiet these past few weeks, almost since her birthday and that was over two months ago and she wondered how to get the girl to confess to whatever it was that had her upset. They were out walking having finished patrol and she was walking Willow home when she decided to brace the topic. She bit her lip as Willow stared at her feet.
�Come on Willow, what�s wrong just recently you are so sad its killing me. I�m the mopey one in this friendship, not you.�
Willow smiled softly at Buffy�s attempt to cheer her up but the truth wasn�t something that she could share with her friend. The fact that she was sad because Spike was out killing and shagging Drusilla wouldn�t go down well with Buffy at all. First of all she�d want to know how Willow knew that and that would lead to all sorts of awkward questions.
�I�m fine Buffy.� she lied �I think it�s just the end of all things high school ya know.� She smiled shyly and Buffy nodded.
�I know it seems like yesterday when we were sitting in the courtyard just hanging out with Jesse and now it�s almost time for the Prom and all.�
�Is Angel taking you?�
Buffy shrugged �I don�t know Will, things have been tense since the whole Faith situation; I mean I don�t know how he feels about me and her. He kissed her and I know I told him too but it still hurts that he could go back to that you know?� Buffy sighed �Sometimes I wish I knew what he was thinking but I guess then maybe I don�t want to know. You know?�
Willow nodded her throat tight, she did know what that was like; only for her it had seemingly come true. Spike had been sweet and kind and she had been so scared that Drusilla would turn him back into scary Spike and it seemed like she had and now Willow had lost her best friend and it was all too much. She swallowed again, fighting tears.
�Yeah I know.�
Buffy had been successfully sidetracked and they finished the walk in silence.
Willow pushed open the door and waved goodnight to her friend.
Her house was dark and empty, her parents probably wouldn�t be back until after she graduated and that thought hurt Willow, she knew she had always taken second place in her parent�s lives but it still hurt.
She was about to go to bed when she heard the phone ring.
�Hello Rosenberg residence?�
�Red?�
Willow froze �Spike?�
�Yeah it�s me.� He sounded subdued and apprehensive.
�A-are you okay?� she was too surprised to ask how he got her number or what he was doing calling her.
�You didn�t write back.� He accused
�I didn�t know what to say.� She confessed �You sounded too different.�
�What? No longer such a sap?� he almost snarled �A pansy push over?� he barked out derisory laughter �Sorry to disappoint Red but I am a demon and I do revel in death and power.�
�I know.� Her quiet declaration shut him up
�What?�
�I know what you are Spike and that letter; that was the you that Dru wanted. Not the real you. I don�t know him and I don�t want to.� her voice shook, �You were trying to prove that you were the big bad demon, a killer without feelings and compunctions and congratulations you nearly succeeded. But like you said Spike, I�m a white hat. A good guy and I do have feelings and they were hurt.�
She paused trying to gather her thoughts �I really do wish you happiness Spike and if you are happy then great.�
�I�m not.� He said it so quietly that she almost didn�t hear him �I�m not happy pet. Why am I not happy, I have everything I always wanted and I�m sitting here like someone killed my damn dog?�
�Maybe what you want has changed?� she tried
�I missed you.� He confessed ignoring her statement �When you didn�t write back, I felt bad.�
�Me too.� She bit her lip and sat on the stairs �but you went away first, Spike.�
�I know pet, I know. Where do we go from here?�
Willow shrugged and then realise that he couldn�t see her �I don�t know Spike, I don�t want to lose you but I can�t talk to the guy that wrote that last letter, I didn�t like him.�
�Me either pet. He�s a twat.�
Willow giggled some of the tension releasing from the conversation �Where are you?�
�In a payphone outside this rancid club in Caracas.�
Willow started �Where?�
�Venezuela.� she could hear the amusement �Don�t they teach you geography anymore in school pet?�
�Nah, just how to raise demons and open the Hellmouth.� She teased back �How come you�re not in Brazil anymore?�
�Got bored.� Was his answer �Are we okay now Willow?�
It was the first time he had ever used her name and it showed her how serious he was.
�Yeah I guess but no more pretending Spike, if we are friends then we do this properly.�
�Friends yeah.� he had this odd tone to his voice, almost disappointment.
�Give me your address and I�ll write you a long letter.� She promised
�Okay then pet, hey you�ll never guess what I saw��
Spike,
It was great to talk to you I won�t ask how you got my number, I�m not sure I want to know but that you cared enough to call was great and no It doesn�t mean you are going soft. No one in their right mind could ever think you were soft.
All is quiet in the land of the sunny right now, I guess that means that something big is a brewing but since we know that the Mayor is going to try this ascension it�s not really a big surprise.
Well actually not that quiet.
We had a bit of a hectic few days. You see Buffy fought this demon and he passed some of his demon-ness onto her- no it wasn�t horns or a tail. But she could read minds for a while. It got scary, she knew what the teachers were saying and got ace marks in all her tests. Then she pre-empted all the things Giles was saying, which made him do this weird clucking thing with his tongue which he does when he is flustered. (btw is that a British thing?) Then she was reading all our thoughts. She knew about Xander�s constant sex thoughts (EW) and also it turns out Wesley (the new Watcher) has some not quite so innocent thoughts about Cordelia! That really pissed Xander off and now he glares more at Wesley than at Angel! She started to read my thoughts but I got out of her range pretty sharpish, I don�t want her to know about you. She�ll look for any excuse to stake you and I couldn�t deal with that.
Finally she tried to read Angel but it turns out that, like reflections, you can�t read Vampire�s thoughts. But then she could hear everyone�s thoughts and the cafeteria lady was trying to poison us all with rat poison in the food (Huh, like that�s anything new.) however the thoughts almost drove Buffy crazy and we had to make her drink a potion using parts of the demon that killed her. It was really gross but she�s okay now. (Don�t be too disappointed.)
Xander asked me what I was wearing for the prom, he�s made up with Cordelia after the whole sleeping with Faith thing, Anya wasn�t too pleased but he seems happy. Anyway they�ll be going together again. It�s in a month and I hadn�t even thought about it. in fact I�m not even sure I want to go anymore, I�ll just end up being little miss wallflower all night. Unless of course Angel doesn�t take Buffy, although the chances of that are slim.
I want to ask how things are going for you now. I know you were planning on travelling some more, since South America is losing appeal for you. I wish I could see all the great places you�re seeing.
Oh, OH. I knew what I wanted to tell you, the acceptance letters have started coming in from colleges. I got into Oxford- like Oxford England. Can you believe it? They want me!! I called my parents to tell them and the answer machine was very polite but I got in!!! You can�t see me now but I�m doing a Xander snoopy dance! I�m still waiting for the others but this was the major one. Just think, I could go to Europe and be a student. Wow, I�m still reeling.
Anyway I have to go. Write back soon.
Willow.
Letters 9
Red.
Great last letter. Just thinking about the daft Slayer going mad was enough to put me in a good mood. Not really had a lot to laugh about recently. I�m in the dog house with Dru again. She�s is such a demanding bitch sometimes. And the talking to dolls and stars? Loony as hell, if anything I think she�s gotten worse these past months and is in a totally different plane. Different world? Hell different solar system. Moaning about trees and fluffy candles, if you ask me, she�s lost the rest of her marbles.
There, how�s that for honesty pet?
Only for you would I be that honest. Why is that? I have been on this earth for 126 years, maybe more- my maths never was much cop- but you are the only person who has ever inspired me to absolute honesty without threat of violence. If we could bottle that, we�d make a bleeding fortune love.
Now, what�s this about you not going to your big party and bash? Bollocks, you go and shame them all pet. You�ll be the best looking bird there and put all those that never gave you the time of day to weeping. Buncha tossers.
We�re just sorta wandering aimlessly right now, here to there. Venezuela, Columbia, Brazil�pretty much wherever the Desoto takes us, although honesty I think that car�s on its last wheels. I�ll need to have it totally resprayed and undented, (your damn �Welcome to Sunnydale� sign is sturdier than it looks.) it�ll cost a mint unless I can� find a decent Vampire mechanic. <evil grin>.
How about that Oxford! Well done pet, and as a special graduation gift, you tell me where your uncaring sods of parents are and I�ll kill them for you. I always knew you were the clever one Red, now everyone will know. You can go just about anywhere. As long as you tell me where so I can follow if things get too bad here. You need your big bad to protect you.
I was listening to the radio in the car, Dru was passed out in the backseat, and I heard this song and it just reminded me so much of you. Well, not exactly but it made me think of you. It was by Hootie and the Blowfish, which is a daft name if you ask me. Anyway it was called Goodbye. Find it listen to it, just don�t go all sappy and girlie on me okay? I miss you pet.
Spike. (The apparently not-so big bad when you�re around.)
Willow grinned as she turned over in bed and hugged the pillow to her. She had the song playing in the background. It was a beautiful, if sad song. About not wanting to say Goodbye. It mirrored how she felt about Spike perfectly; she didn�t want him to go anywhere. It was gradually dawning on Willow that she was falling head over heels for her pen pal. In his letters, he was sweet and honest and so devoted it was amazing. She looked over at the thick pile of letters on her desk, she had kept them all. There must have been over thirty letters and they hadn�t even been corresponding for a year yet. She couldn�t imagine living without Spike in her life, even long distance. He was as important to her now as Xander, Buffy and Giles were. Way more important than Cordelia had ever been. She missed him so much. How odd was that. She had only ever seen him face to face twice and both times he had been trying to kill her and now she would give anything to see him.
The song came to an end and she shook off her melancholy thoughts. Spike had eyes for Drusilla. And that was that, he�d been with her for a century and no matter how unhappy he seemed to be, he wasn�t giving her up. She was his dark goddess. Willow thought mockingly. Well she�d been in unrequited love before and she could deal, she�d just have to be mature about the whole thing.
She poked her tongue out at the pile of letters.
Spike
That�s it! I am fed up of being everyone�s darn hostage! What is about me that has �bait� written in neon on my forehead?
First you and then Angelus and then the other Vamp from the alternate dimension and now Faith???
I�m sick of it. From now on I�m going to carry a whole lock picking kit in my pants and then a knife to cut rope and I bet I�ll still get kidnapped! Well we had to do this magic mojo on this box that the Mayor had been hot over and Angel had to go rescue Buffy. Leaving me all alone and Faith came and got me. Thanks a bunch- ponce. (Yeah Giles told me what it meant eventually). Anyway so the bitch threatens me and tries to make me feel bad for her. But I told her straight up that she had screwed up any chance of being redeemed, which pissed her off! And hey I levitated a pencil that dusted a Vampire! He was gonna bite me and I was all hey I don�t think you should snack on the hostage and then with my magic I levitated and poof! Instant dust. I really should have gotten out of there but I saw these books that were really important for the ascension so I sat down for a read. I know I should have skedaddled but I manage to tear out some crucial pages that have shed some alarming light on the ascension- anyway this box was full of bugs. Bad bugs.
Still we got out okay and we are all intact- although the Mayor did say some nasty stuff to Buffy and Angel about her future and all, him being a Vampire and her wanting kids and white fences. It was cruel and Buffy did her share of crying that night.
I got into Sunnydale U. I got the letter this morning and I wanted to run this by you before I decided. I have the chance to a major Wicca here. Where better than the Hellmouth but also I want to see the world. Don�t get me wrong I love Buffy but I can�t be her sidekick forever. I�m not even sure that�s what I want. I know she has to stay and slay but me? I want a future is that selfish?
Enough about me. How are you? How�s the dog house? Or should that be the mad house? And the car? <big grin> I went and had a look at the Sunnydale sign. They�ve reinforced it with some metallic backing because some lunatic keep knocking it down� another lunatic keep crossing off the population as well but I don�t think that�s you. Still never mind. Write back soon okay?
Willow.
Letters 10
Red
Very very short note. Sorry about that but I�m in the middle of something important right now. I�ll try to write more soon. Just wanted to tell you that you should get the hell out of Sunnyhell while you�ve got the chance, I heard some bad stuff about this ascension and I don�t want you anywhere near it pet. Please, for my sake leave.
I�ll write back longer soon.
Spike
Willow turned the letter over in her hands. It was dog eared and torn and his words were scribbled on it with what looked like crayon. He�d really been in a hurry�and by the smell of the paper maybe a bar too. There was no return address anywhere so she couldn�t even write back and ask if he was okay.
She clutched the note to her chest and worriedly bit her nails. She prayed that he was okay.
�Willow?� Willow jumped as Buffy touched her shoulder. It had been six days since that letter from Spike and with each passing day she was getting more and more jumpy. What if something had happened to him? What if he was dust? Would she ever know? How could she find out? What if Drusilla had done something to him? Willow gave Buffy a shaky smile
�What?�
�Willow you�re heart is beating a mile a minute.� Angel said looming over Buffy�s shoulder �Calm down or you�ll have a heart attack.�
�Better than a broken heart.� She thought as images of a dusted Spike fled through her mind.
�What is it Wills?� Buffy sat close and touched the redhead on the knee �Is it?� she motioned over her shoulder to where Xander and Cordelia sat pawing over each other.
�No.� Willow shook her head �I-I was expecting something and it hasn�t come, you know me, all worry.� She tried to smile but it obviously didn�t make a great impression as Buffy�s face fell.
�No, you don�t worry.� Buffy said firmly �Don�t be hold out on me girl Will.�
�I�m worried ab-about something, its probably silly but I am. There�s nothing that can be done about it but I cant help it�I mean what if something�s wrong, what if he�s hurt and I can�t do anything about It.� her voice took on the edge of hysteria.
�He?� Buffy was astonished �He who?�
Willow blushed as she realised her slip and ducked her head �I have a pen pal that I have been writing to for a long while. We-we�re good friends but his last letter he was almost-� she sighed trying to think of the word �You know when Angel came over all broody and cryptic with end of the worldly news, worried but trying not to let it show?�
�Oh yeah.� Buffy�s eyes widened �Oh boy. I�m sure that he�s okay Willow, wherever he is.�
�I agree with Buffy.� Giles perked up from behind her �We are so used to nerves or-or bad news being monumental and dire, almost apocalyptical that we forget that other people do live ordinary lives where bad news is nothing more than a sprained ankle or broken vehicle.�
�Well he did say his car was on its last legs.� Willow said somewhat relieved.
�There you are, perhaps he was at the garage having to pay through the nose for electrical repairs for a piece of engine that may or may not truly exist.�
Buffy tried not to smirk �Still sore about that mechanic hey Giles?�
�Mechanic?� Giles huffed �He should have been a lawyer for what he was charging.�
Willow relaxed her shoulders as Giles had deflected any questions about her pen pal for now- thank goodness.
For the rest of the research session she tried to put on a cheerful face but Buffy knew her better than that.
�Will, I could walk you home and you could see if there�s a letter from him.� Buffy offered and Willow jumped at the chance.
�Yes please Buffy.� she grabbed her coat and said a generic goodbye even before Xander could come up for air.
For some damn reason the key just wouldn�t fit in the lock. Her fingers shook as she tried again and again and Buffy had to finally take the keys from her shaking fingers and open it for her.
�Willow, I�m sure he�ll be fine. You need to relax.�
Willow fell to the floor and scrabbled through the mail and sagged when there was no tatty envelope with RED scrawled on it.
Willow stood up, ignoring the scattered letters all over the mat and hugged her arms to herself.
�You don�t understand, he normally gives a return address and this time he didn�t. What if he�s in bad trouble Buffy?� tears pricked the corners of her eyes. �If he died, I would never know. He�d just stop and I wouldn�t know.�
To Buffy�s horror Willow started to cry and in one step she wrapped her arms around her friend.
�God Will, who is this guy?�
�I love him.� Willow whispered �Please don�t let him be gone.�
�I�m sure he�ll be fine.� Buffy soothed, running her hands along Willow�s back �You want me to stay?�
Willow swiped at her face with her hands and gave a little nod, her lip trembling.
�You can tell me all about him.� Buffy stroked her best friends shoulder.
Willow awoke to the sunlight streaming into her window and birds singing annoyingly loudly for this time of day.
�Will?� Buffy sat on the side of the bed holding a hot cup of chocolate and a smile �How�s my little angst queen this morning?�
Willow sat up and took the drink. �Better thanks, sorry for stealing your title.�
�Hey!� Buffy pouted �I�m drama queen not angst queen.� She joked
�Mail come yet?� Willow tried not to be too desperate.
�Uh huh.� Buffy said and picked up the stack of papers at her feet.
�Anything?� Willow placed her drink on the side and stared at Buffy eagerly.
�Bills and junk mostly. Lecture tour dates, some Animal shelter thing.� Buffy shrugged and Willow�s heart sank.
�And one letter addressed to Red.� Buffy threw it at her and had the unique experience of seeing Willow squeal in delight.
She ripped open the envelope and breathed in the warmth she felt from the paper.
Red.
I wish I could sit down and write a whole long letter, dammit, even a novel for you but I can�t right now. I am a busy Vamp and I barely have time to shower and scratch my arse let alone tell you all the things I need to, but I had to let you know I was okay. Knowing you you�ll worry about me. Like I worry about you. Something monumental has happened to me pet and I wish more than anything you were right here to share it with me but you�re not. I can�t even tell you what it is. Wish I could. But I�m sure it�ll all be clear soon anyway. Just a few things I had to say.
1) That Faith bitch is as good as dead. For even threatening my girl she will be hurt. Bad.
2) There will be another package for you sometime soon; it�s to go with the necklace.
3) Don�t make any decisions about leaving Sunnyhell while you are right in the middle of all hell. And I mean that. I know you so I know for a fact you didn�t leave when I asked. Just stay safe pet. Please? I don�t want a world without you in it.
I can�t give you a solid address but I will call soon, promise pet.
Until I can speak to you.
Forever yours
Spike
Willow held the paper to her nose and breathed in whatever scent he had left lingering on the paper.
�Willow?� Buffy had stayed and watched as her best friend�s body drained of all tension as she read the letter.
�He�s okay.� Willow breathed and hugged Buffy �He�s okay!�
�Great, see I told ya.� Buffy smiled at the sheer relief in her friend�s voice.
�Buff, I�m gonna stay in today, not in the mood for school.� Willow said hesitantly.
Buffy gaped but recovered admirably.
�Okay. I�ll attempt to take notes.� Buffy paused �Or not, it is the end of school on like three weeks. Prom in two!� she gave a happy dance on the bed
�I have the perfect dress.� She looked at Willow �What about you?�
�Not yet.� Willow grimaced �Maybe I�ll go shopping today.�
�Willow Rosenberg bunking off class to go shopping?� Buffy suddenly looked worried �Maybe I should be taking this apocalypse thing more seriously.�
Letters 11
The delivery man was polite and courteous and was chuckling to see the eager, childlike look on the pretty girls face as she opened the door.
�Hi!� She squeaked
�Package for a Willow Rosenberg.�
�Me!� she jumped and grabbed it out of hands.
�Sign.� He handed her the clipboard and she scribbled away without even looking.
Willow slammed the door and raced up the stairs to her room with the box in her hands.
She ripped off the paper and took off the top.
Her breath caught in her throat as she glimpsed the contents and she let it out in a hiss as she picked up the most beautiful dress she had ever seen.
It was a forest green satin ball gown with spaghetti straps and a full corset leading to a billowing full skirt that hung like a bell. Her breath caught in her throat and she noticed a post it stuck to the front of the dress. She grinned as she saw the note- BELLE OF THE BALL.
Red
As promised I finally have time to write you a huge letter. And now I do I don�t know where to start.
I�m happy pet, happier than I�ve been in a long time, I�ve finally gotten rid of a lot of baggage that was holding me down (and I don�t mean the car) and I feel a hell of a lot lighter. I have you to thank for that, everything that you�ve done for me. I don�t know how I�ll ever repay you, although I figure the dress might be a start. I can just imagine you in that green setting off your hair and eyes making you look just like a pixie Queen. And here I am again suddenly acting like a bloody ponce. Only around you, love!
It�s not selfish for you to want a future and it is what you deserve pet, the Slayer has her sacred duty and that�s all well and dandy for her but for you? It�s not your gig and you shouldn�t have to sacrifice your life to pander to hers. I�m not saying that you should ignore everything supernatural (especially not me) but a girl like you shouldn�t have to walk in the darkness.
Back to your letter and what that bitch Slayer put you through, her ass is grass love. I want her dead. And as for my bleeding Sire for letting you get caught. I was soo mad I ripped the head of three demons before I calmed down enough to read the rest of the letter. I hate him, I�ve always hated him and he�s just given me one more reason. The Slayer can take care of herself but you are only human. An exceptional human true but fragile and mortal, he should have protected you and not gone for the brain located in his trousers when he saw his screw toy in trouble. The bitch can take care of herself it�s her job to battle the nasties, not yours. If you�d been hurt there is nothing in this world that would stop me from hunting him down and making that wanker pay. And pay and pay.
But you! What the hell were you thinking? You are more precious than some damn pages love, your curiosity is gonna be the death of you- and almost was, enough with the Nancy-drewing and just try to stay safe. For me, if not yourself. I couldn�t handle it if you died love, not if I wasn�t there to bring you over. Eternity just wouldn�t be as fun if you weren�t there.
Things around here are still pretty hectic and I�ve just been called away so I have to go now. I will write soon or call and let you know what�s going on.
Until then be safe.
Eternally yours
Spike.
P.S I knew they reinforced that bloody sign!
Willow stared at the signature at the end of the letter, that was the second time he�d signed off with Eternally yours or something similar. Before he�d just finished it with �Spike�, she guessed that mean that he was feeling lighter and happier which was great, she just wished it didn�t mean that he was happy with Dru. Not that she wished him misery, she was just jealous. From how she had been feeling these past days without hearing from him, she knew that she was in love with him. Properly in love.
It was scary the way she felt, and just now when she read the part about him turning her, she wasn�t scared. She was intrigued and happy that she wouldn�t have to live without him, in fact he wanted her with him for eternity- which was a good sign.
Maybe he had some sort of feelings towards her other than friendly. Or maybe she was fooling herself; it�s possible that he just wanted to preserve his only friend in the world. The thought made her shoulders slump and she pulled the dress out of its box and closer to her. She imagined she could smell his scent on it, but it was probably just her imagination.
�Hello Rosenberg Residence Willow speaking.�
�Who died and made you a butler?�
�Spike?� her voice lit up with delight
�Yeah pet, it�s me. Your immortal sex god.� She could tell he was grinning.
�I though you went by �Spike�, dammit now I�ll have to change my address book entry.�
�Funny pet.� He answered dryly �So how�s my little witch?�
�Not so good right now.�
�What is it?� his response was instantaneous and worry clouded his accent
�Not me!� she assured him �But you just missed Buffy, she was just here. Angel isn�t taking her to the prom, in fact as soon as the Mayor�s thing is over he�s leaving town.�
�Oh.�
�No, not just oh, he�s a�a�.�
�Twat?�
�Yes! Whatever that is. He�s one. I mean it�d be like Cordelia breaking up with Xander on Valentines Day. Breaking up just before the Prom, the *day* before the Prom? It sucks, its beyond cruel and god, Spike. Buffy�s a mess. It hurts her so bad. She couldn�t stop crying and even though we get the reasoning, it�s made her�empty.�
�Angelus was always a cruel bastard, master of mind games.�
�Well it�s not funny.� Her breath caught
�Red?�
�I�m sorry Spike, its just� I feel for Buffy, just when we all thought that she�d have one night of normality, bang. Angel goes and screws it up, I am so mad at him right now. Madder even than when he tried to kill me.�
�You are a strange one pet.�
�Don�t I know it.� she decided to change the topic �How about you?�
�I�m fine love, great even. Things are busy and hectic but are slowly falling into place.�
�Yeah, so what have you been up to then?�
Silence held for a few seconds
�Can�t say right now red, I will do soon, promise but everything�s still dead tense right now.�
�Dead tense?�
�No pun intended.�
Willow laughed anyway and he joined her, it felt good to laugh with him.
�Well at least tell me how you are?� she asked
�I�m great, everything is good right now. I got the Desoto fixed and upgraded it now plays C. D�s not just tapes, wired with terrific stereo system and undented, new leather interior and all, its luxury- fit for my queen.�
Willow swallowed �And how is Dru?�
�Fine I guess�what? Hold on a minute Willow.� she heard his muffled sounds from the other end, like he was holding his hand over the receiver. After a few more muffled moments his voice came back.
�Sorry love I have to go, some problem in the bleeding works.�
�Oh.� Her voice was small �But we didn�t get to talk much.�
�I know pet, I�m sorry.� And he did sound it, very sorry. �I have to go.�
�Spike!� she said quickly before she could lose her nerve
�Yeah?�
�Tomorrow�s the Prom but after that�would you call me or-or write to me before graduation?� she hesitated a second �It�s just if Buffy doesn�t manage to defeat the mayor, that could be it for us all, and I want to hear from you before�just in case.�
�Why�s that then?� his voice was cautious
�Because I l-� she didn�t know if she should say the words
�Yeah?� he prompted after a moment�s silence
�Just promise me.� She lost her courage and copped out.
He sighed as if in disappointment, or maybe it was relief.
�I promise you will hear from me before your graduation.� Willow smiled softly at the sincerity he portrayed.
�Thank you Spike.�
�No problem love, have good party.�
�Will do. Night Spike.�
�Bye pet.�
Letters 12
Willow sat in the library, her eyes on the video player that spun away in front of them. Everyone was watching horrified as the monster ripped the boy to pieces.
�Right there.� Xander pointed out as the monster hesitated �See, it's, it's like he just realized he forgot to put money in the meter or something.�
Cordelia rolled her eyes at her boyfriend �You know the part that totally weirded me out? That thing had good taste. I mean he chucks Xander and went right for the formal wear.�
Willow agreed, that was the odd part. There was Xander and Cordelia right in front of it and then it just turned and attacked some guy in the corner.
�That's right. He left behind his copy of Monsters Wear Daily.� He added dryly and Cordelia hit his shoulder
�I'm serious. Look at the outfit that Xander's wearing. Now look at the kid that the monster went after. Very smooth lines, 'til he was shredded.�
Buffy stopped Giles before he could rewind the tape �I don't want to see it again.� Giles moved closer to her watching the pain in her face �Buffy, I know it's horrible, but if you're going to hunt this creature, you should study it.�
Willow wanted to punch Giles, he was being so insensitive and yeah okay he didn�t know about Angel but even so. She opened her mouth to say something but Buffy just glanced at her.
�Think I got it.�
Willow smiled at her to show her support �She's right. I mean, you've seen one big hairy bringer of death, you've seen 'em all.�
Wesley obviously needed to exert his presence back into the room and piped up
�If I'm not mistaken, this is a hellhound.�
�Yes. It's particularly vicious. It's sort of a demon foot soldier bred during the Machash Wars. Trained solely to kill. They feed off the brains of their foes.� Giles agreed with him. Willow wondered how Giles had so much trivia in his head, if you had too much trivia what could happen? Would your brain explode?
Cordelia put a stop to her musings by having a row with Xander about the mechanics of a VCR.
�What were you doing there?� Oz asked �I thought you had an outfit?�
Xander rolled his eyes �Apparently we don�t match; I had to exchange my shirt so we don�t clash.�
Willow watched Buffy who was staring off into space as the little exchanges took place around them; she could see the anger in Buffy�s face as they identified one �Tucker Wells� as the face of the hellhound raiser.
And righteous indignation burnt up as they hacked into his email and learned that he was planning on setting his monsters loose on the Prom.
Giles made sure that the Xander�s of the world were caught up �So, we have a threat against the students on their big night, a hellhound trained to attack people in formal wear...�
Cordelia smirked as Xander�s expression cleared
�Oh, are we all catching up now?�
�Tucker is planning to attack the prom tonight.�
Oz added with his usual dry wit �Once again, the Hellmouth puts the special in special occasion.�
Xander just slumped �Why do I even buy tickets for these things, I ask you?�
Willow just shrugged agreeing with him, it was just too bad that none of them could have a perfect high school function without something hell mouthy happening. She looked around and saw the resigned look on everyone�s face. Cordelia sagged, gracefully into her chair and Oz seemed even more laconic than normal.
She sighed �Wonder if I should send my dress back?�
Not that Spike would accept it, except it had obviously cost a pretty penny and if this deal whatever he was working out was expensive he might need the cash.
Buffy suddenly seemed to snap out of her funk �Don't you dare.�
�But Tucker is going to...� she started to explain but Buffy cut her off with a determined
�No! You guys are going to have a prom. The kind of prom that everyone should have. I'm going to give you all a nice, fun, normal evening if I have to kill every single person on the face of the earth to do it.�
No one knew what to say to that statement, Willow knew it sprang from Buffy�s own hurt at her own ideal being shattered and she wanted to hug her friend and tell her it was okay.
Xander looked around at the stunned faces and summed it up for them
�Yay?�
Buffy issued orders for them to go and find out what they could. She seemed like a general trying to rally troops before the big show down and they all obeyed with out question.
Willow walked over to Buffy.
�Don�t Will.� Buffy said warding her off �If I start crying now I wont stop.� She pleaded with her eyes.
�I love you.� Willow offered
�Love you too.� Buffy softened and they shared a smile, that promised friendship to eternity and Willow walked away to get started.
But in under an hour they were all back reporting their progress
�Zeroes all around, Buff.� Xander dealt the good news.
�Sorry.� Willow hated not turning up anything in her searches.
Buffy just shrugged �Make not with the long faces. I got the address. Now the prom starts in a little while. I want you guys to go on and I'll catch up with you as soon as I put a lid on this jerk.�
Xander and Willow gaped and the began to protest
�What? No way.�
�We can't just leave you, Buff.�
Giles agreed �Buffy, they're right. You need...�
Buffy interrupted �To see taillights. Hit the door. I have everything under control.�
Oz even turned to complain �Buffy, it makes sense to ...�
�Have. A. Nice. Time.� Her low tone scared them all into action.
Xander, Cordelia and Oz raced for the door.
Willow smiled sadly at Buffy �I�ll be alone too Buff, come find me and we�ll hang.�
�Promise?� her eyes were beseeching
�Always.�
�Great, now go. I want to see that killer dress.�
Willow ran away to get changed.
The Prom was in full swing as Willow entered. She was wearing her hair cascading in soft curls around her shoulders, the forest green doing wonderful things to her eyes and hair- just as promised. She was also wearing the silver and red choker that he had sent for her birthday. She looked a vision and more than one head turned in her direction.
�Wow!� Xander came over and looked her up and down �Willow you look amazing.�
�Where in hell did you get that dress?� Cordelia was green with envy
�Present.� Willow said, stroking the satin down her legs. �You like?�
�You look fantastic.� Cordelia was so impressed she forgot to be catty.
Willow smiled and looked around.
�Well we got in without being eaten I�d say that�s a good sign.� She saw Anya standing over in one corner talking to Jonathon who looked scared out of his wits.
She giggled at the thought of what she was telling him.
Wesley was watching Cordelia and not listening to anything Giles was saying. Willow wandered over to them saying hi to people she knew.
Everyone had something to say about her dress. Gone was the shy hacker and a beautiful woman stood in her place and everyone was wowed.
�Giles.� She greeted
�Willow, you look so elegant.� Wesley offered, his face blushing as he kissed her hand. Willow chuckled and grinned at Giles� odd expression.
�What is it Giles?�
�You look beautiful Willow.� he said softly �I feel like a proud father.� he hugged her close, ignoring any strange glances her might get from other teachers or students.
Willow was choked up �Thank you Giles. That means so much; my parents won�t even be back until after graduation. But it doesn�t matter because you�re here.�
Wesley sniffed and turned his head away �Allergies.�
Willow laughed with Giles at the new watcher and the tension left them all.
They both talked for a while but kept their eyes on the door waiting for Buffy.
Finally she walked in
�Hey Buff, nice dress.�
�I�ll go with WOW!� Buffy said staring at Willow �Devil dogs are history, how�s Prom?�
�Cool.� Willow said and Oz came up behind them
�Strangely affecting. I got all teared up when they played 'We Are Family'�
They all smiled.
Willow knew what to say to make Buffy feel better.
�It�s perfect.� Buffy beamed at her and they hugged.
�Although I think we should rescue Jonathon from Anya.�
Willow watched as they began to announce the awards, they got that over with at the beginning so everyone could concentrate on having a good time.
Xander and Cordelia won an award for oddest couple which made up for him not winning Class clown award.
Then Buffy got the surprise of her life when she was awarded the Class protector award. When the whole room applauded her, Willow felt like her heart would burst for her friend and she sniffed, trying to not to cry and waste her makeup.
�Now, now, tears do not go with that outfit pet.�
Willow spun around �Spike?�
And he was there. His beached blonde hair looking striking against the black tux he wore. It fitted him like a glove complete with black silk shirt open at the neck.
He walked closer and reached up, cupping her cheek with his cool hands.
�Hello pet.� His voice sent shivers down her spine, it was low and sensual.
She smiled at him softly �What are you doing here?�
�I heard that my girl was going solo to her big dance, we couldn�t have the belle of the ball all alone now could we?�
�You came back from Brazil to escort me to the Prom?� she was incredulous
�No I came back to tell you that I love you, the Prom was just a bonus.�
Willow�s jaw dropped �Wha-?�
Spike chuckled and pulled her out to the dance floor.
�See pet, while I was in Brazil I heard some stuff about this ascension. How it was going to be a big old party. At first I was impressed, then it dawned on me you were in danger.� He pulled her into his arms and looked down at her �I had to come to save you, save my girl. But Dru, Dru was pissed. She didn�t want to come back here and she was furious that I wanted to save you. She was screaming and all trying to get her own way. But I had to get back here for you. I didn�t care what she thought. Then it suddenly hit me. I don�t care about Dru any more. Not like I did. She isn�t my world. You are. I couldn�t talk to her, not like I can you. I couldn�t confide in her or even show my whole self to. She didn�t care about me and I no longer care about her. It took me a while to figure out why it was okay.�
He leaned down to look intently into her eyes, the blue intense in their proximity.
�Because somewhere between Sunnydale and Sao Paulo, I fell in love with you. I love you Willow.�
�I love you too.� Was all she could manage, her throat was tight with tears and emotion as he lifted her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers for the first time.
The soft pressure of his mouth on hers caused her to gasp and he took the opportunity to delve into the sweet depths, tasting her at each turn until she needed to breathe.
He leaned his forehead on hers, their eyes locked.
�Oh wow.� She whispered to him and he grinned. His face lit up.
�By the way you look smashing.�
�You too, you clean up good.� She eyed the tux.
�You like?� he stretched his arms out and let her look her fill.
�More than.�
�Me too.� He stroked her cheek again and kissed her softly.
�Willow who�s the�oh my god you�re Spike!� Buffy voice pulled them out of their moment.
Willow stood in front of him.
�It�s okay Buffy.�
�It�s not okay Will, this is Spike- evil Spike!�
�Thanks.� Spike preened behind Willow.
�Not helping.� she turned her head slightly to warn him off �Buffy, Spike is my date.�
Buffy�s mouth opened and closed a few times �D-date?�
�He�s the one I�ve been writing to.�
�You didn�t show my letters to the Slayer did you love?� he sounded worried.
�Of course not.� She looked over her shoulder �They�re mine.�
�Me too?� he asked quietly, ignoring the Slayer.
�You too.� She leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him.
Buffy made an inarticulate sound in her throat.
�Demon.� She pointed and pouted at him.
�But I bought you a present.� Spike pointed over her shoulder.
Buffy turned in fighting stance, half expecting a hoard of Vampires. Well it was a Vampire.
�Angel?�
�Red told me that he didn�t ask you to the dance. Since this is your big who-ha, I thought he should make an appearance. After all a girl only gets one Prom.�
He pulled Willow back into his arms.
Buffy stared at him and then at Angel and back again.
�You brought Angel here for me?�
�You being upset was upsetting my Red, and that�s not allowed.� He answered kissing Willow�s collarbone.
�Say thank you Buffy.� Willow instructed with a grin.
�T-thank you Spike.� Buffy swallowed and went to move to Angel, she paused �But we are so having words tomorrow Willow.�
Willow nodded and turned back, melting into Spike�s arms.
�Now this is how it�s meant to be.� He whispered in her ear, his voice low and sending shivers up her spine.
�Always.�
Letters 13
Willow tried hard to cling to that sweet elusive sleep but the flapping of the curtains forced her awake and she sat up and clutched the sheets to her naked chest as she looked around.
Last night had been the best of her life. Spike had showed up to her graduation in a tux, he had professed his love and they had come home together. He had taken her innocence and her heart in one night. It had been romantic and frantic, gentle and rough and she was left aching in more places than her body knew possible.
It was a good sensation and one that she would be happy with for the rest of her life.
But Spike was gone. After their lovemaking all night, he was missing. Her heart sank until she noted a piece of paper on the pillow next to her.
Red.
You�ll never know how much I just wanted to stay in your bed with you and hold you as the sun came up, watching you wake up and making love to you all day and never letting you go, but there are things that I have to do today. Its essential or hell itself couldn�t have dragged me away from your soft warm body this morning.
Just know this, that I will be with you all day and tonight, when the world is safe again from the damn ascension we will spend the rest of eternity together.
I love you.
Spike
Willow hugged the sheet to herself and smiled at the letter. It was Spike through and through and one more letter to add to her collection. She realised that she�d never get tired of this, of waking up knowing that she would be seeing him that day.
She wished she could lie in bed and wait for him to get here and be with her again.
But she had to get ready for her graduation and the Mayor�s ascension. It was guaranteed to be a big party and even though Spike couldn�t be there in person, she knew he was in Sunnydale and that was worth it.
The graduation set up was typical of every high school. The students sat up front, just ahead of the podium where the teachers would sit and the Mayor would make his address. The parents who actually cared enough to come would sit at the back to watch their pride and joy graduate from High school.
Buffy watched with her arms folded as the custodian�s finished setting up the chairs. Willow came up behind her and touched her shoulder.
�This is it.� Buffy sighed �The finale.�
Willow draped her arm over her best friends shoulder
�That it is Buffy, we�ll do fine. Everything�s in place right?�
�Yep, got Xander to talk to Harmony and got Faith all Coma�d away. Everything�s in place and ready to burn.�
�Literally.� Willow surveyed the High school and smiled.
Buffy turned to her friend �You talk to Percy and Oz?�
Willow nodded and wrapped her arms around herself �You do realise that your plan is crazy right?�
�Oh and Oz�s idea was sane?�
�Attacking the Mayor with Humus was, I�ll admit, crazier than yours but I still think Anya�s head for the hills was doable.�
Buffy grinned �I like the humus idea.�
�I don�t know I think maybe Taramasalata would be more original.� Willow tucked her hair behind her ear.
�Angel�s going to just go.� Buffy blurted out and Willow�s face fell �He broke up with me last night and he�s just going to leave without saying goodbye.�
The tears dropped unchecked down her cheeks as Willow offered her the comfort of her embrace.
�Oh god Buffy I�m so sorry.� Willow patted her friend, knowing full well what a broken heart felt like. She had felt that way when she thought she had lost Spike for good.
�It hurts so much Willow, like a huge ball of nothing in my heart, how could he just go?�
�You have to believe it hurts him as much as it hurts you Buffy. At least you got that one perfect high school moment.� Willow tried to comfort Buffy.
Buffy sniffed and stepped back �I did, and I will always cherish that.� she paused �And I have your boyfriend to thank for that.�
Willow blushed �He is one of a kind.�
Buffy looked at her steadily �He�s evil Willow.�
�So evil he made Angel dance with you and so evil he sent me a pi�ata of Cordelia for my birthday so I could take out my frustrations without hurting anyone.�
Buffy blinked �That was Cordelia?�
�Or Anya.� Willow watched as the tears dried up and Buffy�s lips twitched.
�I could like him.�
�Hands off.� Willow mock pouted �He�s mine.�
�I don�t want him!�
�You wouldn�t say that if you�d seen him naked.� Willow ducked her head and Buffy gaped
�Willow Rosenberg, tell me you did not have sex with him!�
Willow blushed as two students passed by and overheard Buffy�s exclamation, they gave her two thumbs up as the carried on walking by.
�Shh Buffy. We did, last night.�
�And?� Buffy leaned forward intrigued
�It was wonderful.� Willow blushed harder at the memory �And that�s all I�m going to say.�
Buffy looked impressed.
�You are gonna have to tell me all about him and how you guys hooked up, it�s too bizarre, Willow and Spike!� she shuddered.
�I love him. He dumped Drusilla for me and he came here from Brazil to tell me he loves me.� Willow said softly, not wanting to rub it in.
Buffy was silent for a moment �I�m happy for you Will. If he makes you happy you grab onto him and don�t let him go.�
�Not planning on it.�
Buffy sighed �Time to go.� They linked arms and began to walk away.
�If we win, Willow, you have to tell me everything and I mean in minute detail.�
�Then let�s hear it for the Mayor!�
Principal Snyder watched as the students took their seats in a sea of red polyester.
�Congratulations to the class of 1999. You all proved more or less adequate. This is a time of celebration, so: sit still and be quiet.�
The students sat down rolling their eyes at the Principals little speech
�Spit out that gum.� He commanded, not wanting them to forget who was in charge. �Please welcome our distinguished guest speaker: Richard Wilkins the 3rd. I saw that gesture. You see me after graduation."
Willow sat next to Buffy and they shared a tentative grin. Buffy leaned closer
�You�re not really rooting for the Mayor, are you Willow?�
�That depends on if I get the third degree after we win.�
The Mayor stood up and shook hands with Snyder. He smiled broadly and took out cue cards from his jacket.
�Well. What a day this is! - Special day. Today is our centennial the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of Sunnydale, and I know what that means to all you kids: not a darn thing. Because today something much more important happens: today you all graduate from high school. Today all the pain, all the work, all the excitement is finally over. And what's a hundred years of history compared to that? You know what kids?�
Buffy�s jaw dropped �Oh my God. He's going to do the entire speech.�
Willow shook her head in disbelief �Man, just ascend already.�
Buffy narrowed her eyes at him �Evil!� she hissed.
The Mayor continued his little speech �for all of you it may be that there is a place in Sunnydale's history, whether you like it or not. It's been a long road getting here. For you� for Sunnydale. There has been achievement, joy, good times� and there has been grief. There's been loss. Some people who should be here today� aren't.�
Willow and Buffy watched as he grimaced. He was obviously thinking about Faith.
�But we are. - Journey's end. And what is a journey? Is it just distance travelled? Time spent? No. It's what happens on the way, it the things that happen to you. At the end of the journey you're not the same. Today is about change. Graduation doesn't just mean your circumstances change, it means you do. You ascend to a higher level. Nothing will ever be the same. Nothing."
The whole of the graduating class and most of the faculty looked up as the hot sunny day began to fade into clouds- anything was better than listen to the Mayors speech.
They watched bewildered as the sun darkened. Buffy took a deep breathe and tensed.
�And so as we look back on the events that brought us to this day-�
Buffy glared at him and pulled her hat off �Oh just come on!�
Willow giggled nervously at Buffy�s impatience.
The Mayors speech was punctuated by grimaces and screams of pain as the change began to take him over- eventually he abandoned his speech altogether.
�It has begun. My destiny. It's a little sooner then I expected I had this whole section on civic pride, But I guess we'll just skip to the big finish!�
Buffy looked to Willow as the Mayor started to stretch and grow. His suit split, falling to the floor in expensive tailored shreds and a snake grew from the tattered remains
�That is no way to treat a Versace.� They heard Cordelia behind them wince.
But suddenly no one was listening as the snake grew and huge mandibles surrounded his mouth.
Both parents and faculty screamed and leaped off the stage running for safety.
The students all watched Buffy and stood up when she did; they stared at the Mayor-snake and waited.
Buffy growled �Now!�
Letters 14
The graduating class off 99 threw off their dowdy red polyester gowns to reveal weaponry. Axe�s, flamethrowers and crosses.
Larry grinned as he pulled his flamethrower up from around his neck and Harmony dragged her crossbow out with a proud grin at the ultimate fashion accessory.
Buffy started calling orders to her troop �Flame units!�
Those students who were of the fire group pointed their flames at the Mayor who hissed and swayed above them screaming loudly.
Xander turned to see a huge wave of Vampires standing behind them
�First wave!� he called and Willow turned with her unit of crossbows to attack the Mayor.
The Mayor turned on the students, incensed and retaliated by eating a latecomer.
Snyder stood on the podium wide eyed in shock �This�this is unacceptable.�
The Mayor had frightened some of the students and they turned to run- straight into the newly arrived Vampire army.
�Arm bow men.� Xander called and a bunch of students picked up bow and arrows and fired at the Vampires. The Vampires scoffed until the children lit the ends of the arrows and let loose the burning harpoons. The Vampires retreated.
�Fall back.� Buffy screamed and the students followed her.
The students let fly with the fire arrows again and several more vampires got hit. They raced to leave only to find themselves confronted by another group of students led by Angel, flanked by Percy and Wesley.
The Vampires stood still for a moment and then grinned as a huge army of demons walked into the Campus.
�Looks like we outnumber you.� One goaded to Angel.
The sounds of battle faded as the students realised that they were not only outnumbered but surrounded.
Buffy swallowed hard.
The new demons moved slightly to the side and a lone figure walked up the centre.
�Sorry mates.� Spike drawled �We�re on their side.� He pointed to Angel and grinned at the caught Vampires.
Willow�s heart expanded as she saw her love throw in his lot with the white hats.
�You see we don�t want to be ruled by a snake and some of us like humans.� his eyes found Willow.
the only sound for a moment was Snyder yelling �This is not orderly. This is not discipline, You're on my campus buddy!�
The Mayor seemed to have had about enough of him as the students had and rushed down.
�And when I say I want quiet, I want-� no one ever found out what he wanted as the Mayor ate him.
The sound of Principal being chewed spurred them all into action again.
Spike and his demons rushed the Vamps at the same time Angel and the students did.
�Hey dude, are we supposed to kill the demons too?� Percy asked Oz who just shrugged.
�I think they�re on our side.� Angel added as he punched a Vampire �It was Spike�s doing. He always had strange ideas.�
�Should have gone for the humus.� Oz picked up his stake and carried on.
Buffy yelled for the students to fall back and then she turned to Willow �Go.�
�Good luck.� Willow said and ran down the steps to join the fight.
�Everybody, hand to hand. Everyone! Lets go! Move! Move!".� Xander yelled as he passed out stakes.
Willow trusted Buffy to finish off the Mayor and she darted down the steps staking Vampires in her wake. She turned quickly feeling someone at her back.
�Spike!�
�Hey pet.� He said with a flash of smirk as he decapitated a Vampire �What you thought I�d miss your big graduation. Like hell.�
Willow turned so they were fighting back to back �Where did the demons come from?�
�As soon as I heard about the ascension, I started recruiting myself an army of demons who liked humans and wanted to help; that�s what I�ve been doing since I left Dru.�
�You did?�
�I couldn�t let them hurt you, pet.�
Willow swung her axe at a Vampire who ducked, she kicked it, knocking it back and she dusted it with her wooden heel- just like Buffy had told her.
�You recruited them- you did all this to save me?� She half turned to look at him as he tore the head off a Vamp.
Spike twisted to look at her, his forehead was covered in blood where a vamp had got lucky and hit him. He smiled rapaciously at her.
�Of course.� He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his arms. He ducked his head and ravaged her mouth with his lips.
She pulled back to breath and had to dodge a swinging sword.
�Fight now, kiss later.�
Spike bowed in a flourish as he staked another Vampire �Your wish is my command.�
Willow watched as the tide started to turn and the Vamp dust exploded like the fourth of July fireworks.
Suddenly a loud boom struck the air and they all turned as the high school exploded. Spike jumped on top of Willow protecting her from flying debris as each section of the school burst into flames and fury.
The graduating class of Sunnydale high, stood up as they watched the school be torn apart and they collectively smiled and turned to the remaining Vampires with renewed vigour.
The darkened streets were filled with fire engines trying desperately to put out the flames of the high school and hoards of police men asking each student what had happened. Ironically enough the students all replied the same
�Gangs on PCP and exploded gas pipes.�
Stretchers carried out those wounded and moaning- some louder than others.
Buffy just searched the crowds for that elusive someone.
Xander walked by her side �We got off pretty cheap� considering.� He knew she wasn�t paying him any attention as she absent-mindedly replied
�Seems like we did.�
Xander sighed �He made it through the fight. Guess maybe he took off ater.�
Buffy just nodded and looked away. Xander went to catch his girlfriend who was asking a cute fireman who to sue about her ruined Prada heels.
Giles walked up to her and lay a hand on her shoulder �Are you all right?�
Buffy couldn�t even begin to answer that right now �I�m tired.�
Giles smiled affectionately at her �I should imagine so. It's been quite a couple of days.�
Buffy just sighed �I haven't processed everything yet. My brain isn't really functioning on the higher levels. It's pretty much; fire bad; tree pretty.�
Giles shook his head �Understandable. Well, when it's working again congratulate it on a good campaign. You did very well.�
Buffy thanked him, her heart hurting as she tried not to cry.
Giles put his glasses on and reached into his pocket to pull out her charred diploma �I ah� I managed to ferret this out of the wreckage. Now, it may not interest you, but I'd say you earned it.�
Buffy took it without much interest.
Giles wanted to say something to take that look off her face but wasn�t sure what, he looked around �There is a certain dramatic irony that's attached to all this. A Synchronicity that borders on� on predestination, one might say.�
Buffy smiled at him �Fire bad; tree pretty.�
Giles chuckled and apologised. He walked away to see Wesley.
Buffy watched him go for a second and then spun around. Angel stood beside a fire truck looking at her.
For a heartbeat they stared at each other remembering the words and feelings and then he slowly turned and walked away.
Buffy felt a hand on her shoulder and something touch her palm and she turned to see Willow holding her hand in silent commiseration.
She gave a brave smile and they walked over to the stone steps in front of the school where the others were waiting.
Oz, Xander and Cordelia watched the fire and shared a grin.
�Well, that�s the most fun you can have without having any fun.� Cordelia said, laying her head on Xander�s shoulder.
�Oh don�t tell me that wasn�t fun!� Spike came up and slipped his am around Willow�s waist.
�Argh Spike!� Xander yelled and pointed to him.
�Mine.� Willow tightened her hold on Spike�s arm and he ducked his head to kiss her lips.
�Argh Spike!� Xander yelled again �Willow!�
Spike raised an eyebrow �And you had a crush on that?�
�Chill Xander.� Buffy said wearily �Spike helped us. He loves Willow.�
�He does?� Xander looked faint.
�He does.� Spike maintained and pulled her impossibly closer.
�How�d you end up with such a hottie?� Cordelia asked jealously.
�Well she�s not a bitch for one.� Spike remarked to her and she coloured.
�You�re dating Spike? How could you be dating Spike?� Xander gaped.
�I just pretty much am.� Willow shrugged unwilling to explain herself.
�Are you sure you�re not Vamp Willow?�
�Vamp Willow?� Spike�s tone was curious
Willow blushed, �Long story.�
�How can my best friend be dating a demon and I not know?�
�You and the head cheerleader were too busy playing to care.� Spike mouthed off and was satisfied at the horrified look on Xander�s face.
�I was�we were�� he paused and stared at her as if he was searching for something �Are you happy Wills?�
Willow looked up into Spike�s ice blue eyes �Yeah.�
Xander swallowed �Then I guess that�s enough.�
�Guys, I think we've done pretty much all we can. You guys want to take off?� Buffy asked.
Oz came up to her and lay his hand on her arm �You okay?�
�Yeah� I'm okay. - I could use a little sleep though.�
Willow nodded and agreed emphatically �Yeah.�
Spike raised an eyebrow again �Alright, straight to bed with you when we get home.�
Willow blushed and Xander yelped
�Gyah!�
Buffy chuckled and leaned on Oz �If someone could just wake me when it's time to go to college, that'd be great.� Willow smiled at her for taking off the heat.
�Guys take a moment to deal with this: - we survived.� Oz added as he put his arm around Buffy, Xander nodded his eyes still on Willow and Spike.
Buffy yawned �It was a hell of a battle!�
Oz shook his head �Not the battle, high school.�
They all looked quietly at the school and listened to the crickets chirping.
�We're taking a moment,� Oz paused as Spike whispered in Willow�s ear making her giggle. They stood up to leave �and we're done.�
Xander got up and walked off next to Cordelia, he looked at Willow and smiled �Well, School's done.�
�That it is, pet.� Spike nudged Willow with his hips �So what do you want to do now?�
Epilogue.
Buffy
Well I never thought I�d actually leave Sunnydale but here I am. Well here we are. Spike was as good as his word and we are doing a grand tour of all his favourite places. Right now we are checking out the Loire region of France and all the magical castles, they are so beautiful Buffy, all turrets and lights, at night the while place glows and I feel just like a fairy Princess. I�m having the time of my life Buffy and everything is great. Spike says that we could get married if I want, it won�t hold much weight with Vampire society but since he�s already claimed me that�s not such a problem. I told him we have to wait until Giles can give me away and you can be my maid of honour. He muttered about having a Slayer and a Watcher at a Vampire wedding but I can talk him around. Spike is so attentive and caring, he makes sure I�m taken care of and cherishes me. I love him more than I ever thought possible and I don�t want you to freak but I have agreed to let him turn me one day so we can be together for eternity.
Not just yet though, I have to go to college. I�ve accepted Oxford and so Spike and I will be living in England for a while, I�ll come visit you and Xander and Giles eventually, but for now we are just meandering around wherever the mood- and the Desoto take us. Please send the attached note to the Sunnydale Community centre; it has a suggestion for reinforcing the �Welcome to Sunnydale� sign. Spike�s idea. Probably best not to ask.
The next stop I think is England where we�ll do Stonehenge and big Ben and those sights, I can�t wait.
Anyway we left quite quickly after the graduation and so I never got to tell you how we met and fell in love. Attached to this letter is the whole story and I hope it explains quite a bit, I know it makes me smile whenever I think of it. I miss you all and love you too.
Hope we will see you again soon.
Forever yours
Willow and Spike.
The End.