Sleep eluded the vampire as he lay on his side now, fighting with his pillow for comfort on the cold hard stone. "Bloody hell. Now I can't sleep." Frustrated he flipped to his back. Spike stared at the old stone ceiling. His blue eyes searched for something. Anything just to keep him occupied till he found sleep. All he found was the chipping stone.
~~~ My mind won't rest and I wont sleep. Not even in my dreams ~~~
Spike found his eyelids growing heavy. Still he fought to keep them open. If he slept he dreamt of her. That was getting old quick. So he started talking to her out loud.
"You know they miss you. They are keeping the Hell mouth pretty convinced that your still alive." Spike laughed. "Guess that bot of mine came in handy eh pet?" His voice grew serious now. "I won't forget you Buffy. You know that."
Sleep consumed him as silent tears crept from his eyes. Again she came to him. Dressed in flowing pink silk. As the last time Spike was there before her. Not close enough to touch. Just close enough to tease.
"Spike.... Go home. I'm fine here. I'm happy here."
"I don't want to. I like it here with you." His blue eyes stared into hers. Trying to memorize every inch of them. "I've missed you." Spike pleaded.
"You have to. I still need you to look after Dawn. She looks up to you. She needs you." Buffy's eyes were hopeful, loving.
Spike shook his head. "Right then. I'll protect the Nibblet. What do I do about you? What do I do without you Buffy? You were the reason I wanted to be alive." Buffy laughed. "Your dead Spike." Spike responded by rolling his eyes. 'You know what I mean Slayer."
The room started to fill with clouds again. Fear struck his sea blue eyes. "Buffy no wait! Don't leave yet!"
"I don't have to Spike. I'm there in your heart. You can see me whenever you want to."
~~~ Baby don't leave me ~~~
Spike sank to his knees and pleaded. "Don't Buffy. Let me stay here with you."
Willow and Tara shook the vampire hard as they could. "Spike wake up! Come on now! You can't sleep your life away." Desperation filled the redheaded Wicca�s words. They had been there almost an hour now, shaking, poking, pinching. Still nothing. Its as if he were...gone.
Laughter filled the room of clouds as they talked about old times. Buffy and Spike sat in a couch like cloud, holding hands and looking into each other�s eyes. When the harp started to play, sadness filled her eyes. "Its time to go Spike." With a heavy sigh he smiled sweetly at her. "I know. Can't keep my head in the clouds forever." She laughed at his joke, tossing back her blonde hair as she did so. "Your so silly Spike."
"When will I see you again?"
She shook her head. "You can't. This was a one-time thing. I'm always in your heart. You can find me there. I can always look down on you. So know that I'll be there with you in everything you do."
Spike leaned over and kissed her gently. Buffy returned the kiss much to his delight. "I love you Buffy." She smiled at him and they embraced once more. Buffy began to fade from his touch and sight. Before she was a vapor she smiled at him. " I love you too," He watched until she was gone. A satisfied smile crossed his lips as he floated away.
"OK I'm getting worried." Tara stated. "What if he�s you know, comatose?" Willow shook her head and stated matter-of-factly. "He�s a vampire. How can he be comatose? I'm pinching him one more time. Then we poke him with a stake. That is sure to wake him up." So pinch she did, on his right leg.
He jumped right off the bed, clutching his leg. �Bloody hell! What are you trying to do? Can't a man sleep in his own crypt?" Blushing Willow stammered. "Well you. You told me you wanted to talk to me. And so Tara and I came over..." Tara finished for her lover. "But you've been sleeping so sound for an hour now that willow figured she'd pinch you awake."
Spike gave the witches a humorous look. "Well I'm awake now. And I don't need to talk no more. So you can scamper off now." He waved his hand at them. The two girls stared at him for an explanation. "Alright, I'll tell you about it. I saw her...� He began.
An hour later the trio sat back in amazement at his story. Spike was swigging from a whisky bottle. When night fell they had decided to head to the Bronze once more. Spike included himself this time. He felt good. He had some closure about her death. And it filled his empty space for now. He knew that she loved him. She was in his heart. He'd never forget her. She was looking down on him, he could be happy with that.
