"Buffy!" Spike yelled across the cemetery "Buffy!" He ran to her and caught up with a little effort "Bu..buff.. Buffy."

"Go away Spike" She said coldly as she continued to walk without looking at him "I told you, I don't want to be near you anymore, I need human contact."

"But... that's what I'm... trying to tell... you" He panted.

"Go away!" Buffy said sternly

Spike grabbed her arm, she had foolishly forgotten her jacket at the Double Meat Palace, it wasn't exactly T-shirt weather yet, cool skin met warm skin. "Listen to me." Spike pleaded.

Buffy pulled her arm out of his grasp and took a step away from him. Her eyes were wide with shock. "Spike..."

"Yes, Luv?" He said still breathing heavily

"You're warm." She whispered. He nodded softly. "And breathing." Spike took a step closer.

"And..." he took her hand and held it against his chest. A heavy pounding moved against her hand. Buffy pulled away in fear.

"How?" Buffy's voice betrayed her solid appearance as it quivered.

"Buffy calm down." Spike said soothingly

"No! Where is Spike, what did you do with him?"

"I iam/i Spike" he said.

"No you aren't you're some kind of shape shifting demon." She said fiercely.

"I am not." He said softly

"Spike is dead, or un-dead. He doesn't breath or have a heartbeat or warmth, you can't be spike." She said as the tears welled up in her eyes.

"I am. I need you to believe me Buffy." He said gently

"Prove it." She said.

"What do you want to know?"

"How long was I gone?"

"Hundred forty-seven days; Hundred forty-eight the day you came back, but that doesn't count does it?" he smiled slightly Buffy gasped

"It iis /iyou." She walked closer to him. "How?" Buffy asked as she touched his chest lightly. "And what's that for?" She asked noticing the basket in his hand for the first time.

"It's dinner." Spike explained with a pleased smile. "It's time to show you the man."

"A picnic?" Buffy asked.

"A picnic." Spikes took her hand and lead her to a large oak tree. He pulled the blanket out of the basket and laid it on the grass. Spike held his hand out to Buffy and helped her sit down. He noticed her shiver. Being the gentleman that he was Spike removed his duster and draped it around her shoulders. She gazed up at him, confused..

"How?" She asked as he took out a bit of chicken and wine and other good yummy things including chocolate covered strawberries. He just smiled as he made her a plate and set the strawberries aside. "How?" She repeated in amazement. Spike sat next to her and smiled as he looked at her.

"It started a year ago..." Buffy cut him off.

"A year!"

"Yes a year, now do you want to hear it or not?" Spike said teasingly

"I want to hear it."

"Then behave, and let the man speak." Spike joked.

"The man?" Buffy asked

"Well it's what I am, now. Anyway it started a year ago." Buffy nodded as spike continued his story. "Remember when you're mom died?" Buffy' face went a little pale, as she dropped her eyes and nodded. Spike noticed his lack of tack so he placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head to meet his eyes. He kissed her tenderly, and Buffy kissed him back. It was Spikes first kiss as a human, and it felt marvelous. And what was more, Buffy didn't try to deepen the kiss, she just kissed him back. As much as Spike wanted to stay there he pulled away slowly. Buffy opened her eyes and now it was Spikes turn to be surprised. For a moment love radiated from her eyes, and then they snapped back to attention.

"You were saying." Buffy said.

"Anyway that night I had a rifle. I'm not sure you if you saw it." He paused.

"No I didn't, couldn't. Were you going to kill me?"

"Yes, you had killed me, it was only fair. Remember? 'You're beneath me Spike.' " Buffy nodded silently. "But when I got there you were so upset and I just sat there with you. I just sat. I wanted to hold you and make it better for you, but that wouldn't have helped so I did the only thing I could, and sat there. After that I called up Peach... Angel. And asked if he could arrange a meeting for me with The Powers That Be." Buffy looked shocked, but Spike held up a hand silently asking her not to interrupt. "He owed me a big favor, pet. And I called it in. I went to LA and when he asked why I was there I simply told him it was because I love you. He took the news rather well after I convinced him not to stake me, but that took a bit. I had to tell him my plan. After that he took me to the Powers. I'll admit it was a bit terrifying, Pet. I asked if they could make me human again. They were in a mild shock at the idea. They said it was beyond their power, and that they had to ask their boss."

"The Powers have a boss?" Buffy asked. Spike just pointed towards the sky and continued.

"They asked me to come back in 6 months. It felt like an eternity, waiting all that time. But then I went back, and they said that my heart had changed. So, my request was granted, because I changed the very nature of a demon." Buffy's eyes lit up. "But they told me it wouldn't be instantaneous, so I thanked them and left. After you died, I had completely forgotten. And then this morning I woke up, and I was really depressed and began to cry, I couldn't stand that I'd lost you again. And suddenly I realized that the sobbing had tired me out, and I was panting. I couldn't believe it so I raised my fingers to my neck and felt my pulse. Found every pulse I could, and then I ran outside. It was a big risk being daylight and all, and I ran to the nearest store. I bought a mirror. " Spike handed her a little pocket mirror. "I can see me. You can see me. Buffy I'm alive, pet. I'm alive." Buffy's eyes filled with tears.

"Are you still my Spike? Or are you William? Or something in between."

"I'm still Spike. Only with this." He held her hand over his heart again. "I'm still a blubbering fool who says all the wrong things at the wrong time and I'm still hopelessly in love with you Buffy." He held a strawberry out to her, and she took a bite while he held it.  "So what do you think of the man Buffy?" Buffy just smiled softly and began to put away everything except the wine and strawberries. She tried desperately to blink back the tears, but one slipped down her cheek all the same.

'I have no excuses now.' She thought 'No reason to turn him away, he's alive, and human and powers said his heart had changed surely he has a soul...' She stopped thinking and looked up. "Soul." She said.

"What?" Spike asked.

"Do you have a soul?"

He leaned over and wiped the tear from her cheek as he gazed softly into her eyes. "This is my second chance, Luv. I don't want you to be looking for a way out. The Powers didn't leave anything out. I have a soul and a heart beat and love."

"But you loved me long ago" Buffy said softly

"If I thought that was love it is nothing compared to how I feel now, Buffy. Saying I love you is an understatement." Buffy's eyes dropped and she began to cry.

'There's no way out' She thought to herself.

"I used to be content with a shag, Buffy. But please let me make love to you. Can I make love to you?" Spike asked softly.

"Here?" Buffy asked. Spike pulled her onto his lap, held her close and stroked her hair.

"What better place, Pet? Under the stars. In front of what is responsible for this chance."

Buffy gave her head a soft nod, and Spike smiled ever so slightly. "Thank you, Luv." He said as he buried his face in her hair. "I love you."

Buffy couldn't speak; she just lifted her head up and brushed her lips lightly against his own. Spike put on hand on her hip and the other on the back of her neck as he kissed her back. Slowly they undressed each other and then Spike pulled out a second blanket. It was thinner but warm and he put it over them. It was dark under the blanket and Spike moved it down to Buffy's waist. Her breasts glowed slightly in the moonlight. Spike just looked down at her. "God you're gorgeous." He leaned over, lightly licked and nibbled her neck. Buffy moaned softly. Spike peppered soft kisses over her body taking his time, never wanting it to end, treasuring every millisecond. Slowly he slid into her warm welcoming opening.

"Spike..." Buffy softly gasped.

Spike bit his lip gently. "Yes, Luv?" He asked, as he started moving slowly inside her.

"So good." She said quietly as he moved inside her. She slowly thrust her hips towards him. "Oh god spike..." Spike felt her around him pulling and tugging and begging him. He kept the same slow pace. Buffy felt her orgasm coming on and started to shutter. She put her arms around Spikes neck and pulled him down for a passionate kiss as she came whimpering into his mouth. As she tightened around him Spike came inside her. He thrust slowly again and again until he was spent. He laid his head against her chest and panted. "Spike?" Buffy asked. Spike moved to remove himself from her but she wrapped her legs around him "Don't go." They rolled over onto their sides still joined. They kissed each other's lips and faces softly. Spike lightly caressed her hip as she caressed his face. Spike saw it again. Love radiated from her eyes, and the she closed them.

Neither one of them knew how long it had been when they finally pulled apart and got dressed. Everything was packed up when Spike went to give Buffy another kiss.

"I guess I'll need and Apartment now huh?" Spike asked. "A crypt really isn't as appealing anymore, too cold." Buffy nodded but the stopped and looked up at him softly.

"Come live with me Spike." She said.

"What?" He asked shocked.

"Come live with me and Dawn and be a family with us."

Spike just stared, stunned. "I... There's nothing I'd love more for you and I and ''Lil bit to be a family." Buffy smiled and kissed him again. When she pulled away her eyes grew wide in horror. Spike wheeled around and looked at what had caused this reaction. He was too late though. A very disgruntled Xander had already stuck a stake in his chest.

"NO!" Buffy screamed as she caught Spike in her arms. "Spike?" He looked up at her as she laid him down on the grass.

"This hurts more than I thought it would." He said softly.

"Don't leave me."

"So this is what it's like to die..."

"You're not going to die. Please..." she pleaded. "I love you Spike. I love you I love you I love you."

"If I had to go this would be how I would choose to do it." He said softly. "I love you so much." Love radiated from Buffy's eyes and this time the connection wasn't broken. As his eyes closed, and he died, her eyes and the love in them was the last thing he saw.

"Spike..." Buffy sobbed as she held him close to her. "Don't leave me. Please, please." She begged. "Please." She whispered but he just remained dead. Buffy laid his body on the ground, and looked up at the forgotten Xander. "You..." Tears streamed down her face. Xander just stood there in shock. Suddenly he dropped the bloody stake and retched as Buffy gathered up Spikes body, the basket, and headed home.

The sound of thunder woke Buffy. Or was it the queasy feeling in her stomach. She'd been having the same nightmare for a month now. Spike had been gone for two months. But the first month Buffy had just been so exhausted that all her rest was dreamless. But now she awoke from it every day and went and vomited in the bathroom. Xander and she had not been on speaking terms since. All Buffy thought about was how she could bring Spike back, but she remembered what it was like to be pulled out of heaven and so she didn't. If only she knew Spike wanted to get back. Buffy ran into the bathroom and hung her head over the toilet. "Stupid dreams" She sighed as she whipped her mouth and brushed her teeth. Buffy climbed back into bed, and closed her eyes. "I love you Spike." She whispered as she fell back asleep.

"I love you too."

"Spike?" Buffy looked around at a vaguely familiar surrounding.

"Yes." the voice said and out of a white mist walked spike. Still dressed in black.

"Spike!" She cried as she ran to him. "Where are we? It's so familiar."

"We're in heaven Buffy." Spike said as he held her close and stroked her hair. Buffy looked up at him.

"Are you, are..."

"Am I happy?" Spike asked. Buffy nodded. "Yes Buffy I am." She felt her heart sink.

"You can't help but be happy here. But I'm not content. I have something that I need to finish and I need you to get me out of here." Buffy looked up at him concerned. "I have permission Buffy."

"You mean..."

"Yes, Luv, I'm coming back."

"For how long?"

"Until I'm old and gray, or until the next apocalypse, whichever happens first. He won't tell me." He whispered.

"Why? What do you need to finish?" Buffy asked

"It's very important."

"End of the world again?" Buffy asked. Spike laughed. Oh how she'd missed his laugh.

"No, Luv." Spike placed his hand over her stomach. "My child is going to need me."

"Your...."

"Buffy we don't have much time." Spike said hurriedly. "You have to go to Angel. Tell him everything, don't omit anything."

"But you were buried." Buffy said

"Under a blank name." Spike said "I will come back as William and Angel has to get everything in order. I'll be a legitimate human Buffy. A semi-normal life." Spike looked back into the mist.

"Don't go." Buffy pleaded.

"I have to." He kissed her forehead. "I'll be back before our child is born. I promise. The thing you have to tell Angel to bring me back has to do with the Hades Scroll."

"What do I do with it?" She asked.

"I have to go now Buffy." Spike said,  "I love you."

"I love you too." She whispered. Spike kissed her forehead again and walked away into the mist. "Wait," she called. "I still don't know what to do with the scroll."

A faded voice said, "You'll figure it out, Luv..." Just before her eyes opened.

***********************************************************************************************************

Buffy awoke to the sound of birds outside her window, and she smiled. For the first time in two months it was going to be a wonderful day. Buffy climbed out of bed and to the shower.

"Buffy's up." Willow said to Dawn "I hope she's feeling better." She dumped two eggs onto Dawns plate and poured her some orange juice.

"Yeah" Dawn agreed. "She's been really depressed lately, in a scary, sad, stay-out-of-my-face, kind of way." Dawn took a bite of her eggs. "These are great Will, I appreciate it. I would have made myself something you know, but thanks all the same."

"It was no problem Dawny." Willow said with a smile. "It's nice to be on your good side again."

"Hey Wills" Xander came in and hugged Willow. "Hi Dawn." He said with a small smile. Dawn glared at it him. After all he did kill spike and Dawn loved Spike like an older brother, no more like a father. Xander's smile faded. "Dawn I..." Dawn cut him off.

"I've lost my appetite Willow, but thanks for the eggs. I'm going to go to school now."

"It's Saturday." Xander mumbled.

"Then I'll just go somewhere that you aren't." She sneered as she stormed out of the door. It slammed shut and Xander sighed.

"She'll get over it." Willow said as she hugged Xander.

Upstairs Buffy let the water cascade around her body and relaxed. This was the first shower in what felt like forever that she wasn't crying.

"I'm pregnant." She said happily "With Spikes child, and he's coming back. He's coming back soon." She grinned and washed her hair. Soon she was giggling. She couldn't help it.

About twenty minutes later Willow heard footsteps. Xander looked at her with mild fear.

"I should go." He said.

"No, don't." Willow replied. "You have to talk sometime."

"But she'll kill me, literally." Xander pleaded.

"No she won't." Willow reasoned. "She'll forgive you."

"I killed the man, yes the iman/i, she loved Wills! You don't just forgive that. You tend to rip the guilty party to pieces with your bare hands. She'll come down here and her eyes will get wide and her face will twist with rage and then bye bye Xander. No more witty comic relief no more..."

"Hey guys." Buffy said cheerfully. Willow and Xander gaped at her. "Hi Xander." She gave him a big hug.

"Did I miss something?" Xander asked as he reluctantly hugged Buffy.

"No why? What's wrong?" Buffy asked as she stepped back.

"Willow you didn't to the forgetting thing again did you?" Xander said.

Willow glared. "I did no such thing."

"It's okee Xander. I forgive you." Buffy said.

"You do?" Xander asked.

"Of course I do. It's going to be a wonderful day. Where's Dawn." Buffy turned to Willow.

"She went outside. I'd bet she's behind the tree." Willow said. "Why?"

"We have to pack. We're going to LA." Buffy said as she walked to the fridge and took out a yogurt.

"WHERE!?" Xander exclaimed.

"LA, to see Angel." Buffy said off handedly.

"iWhy?/i" Willow asked. "Is this a rebound thing? Because if it is, that's not fair to him."

Buffy looked up in shock. "Of course it's not."

"Then would you mind telling me.. us, what's going on?" Willow asked.

"I'd rather Dawn be present." Buffy said.

"I'll get her." Willow said.

"No I will." Xander said softly. "What should I tell her?"

"Just tell her that I want to talk to her." Buffy said plainly.

"Okee." Xander said as he walked towards the door.

"Buffy?" Willow said "Are you okee? Really okee?"

"Yup. I'm great." Buffy said with a smile.

Xander walked towards the big oak tree in front of the Summers home. He knew Dawn would be there with her head on the ground starring at the cigarette butts Spike left there nearly ever night before he'd died. Sure enough Xander caught a glimpse of Dawns pink shirt. He walked over and kneeled to talk to her.

"Dawn..." Xander said softly "Buffy wants to talk to you." Dawn nodded and got up silently. She wiped the tears from her face and walked towards the house. Xander walked beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. She shrugged it off quickly and walked faster. Dawn opened the door and walked in. She jumped back in shock at the sound of Buffy's laughter.

"Buffy?" Dawn called.

"We're in the living room Dawn." Buffy called back. "C'mon in. Announcements." Dawn walked into the living room and sat down. Both Willow and Buffy were smiling.

"What's going on?" Dawn asked.

"I've got good news and better news and great news. Would you like them in that order?" Buffy said.

"Yeah sure." Dawn said.

"I'll just be going" Said Xander who was feeling shunned, and out of place.

"You'll do no such thing. Sit down." Buffy said sternly.

"Buffy if he wants to go let him." Dawn said.

"I'm sure this concerns him too Dawny." Willow said gently. Dawn seceded silently "Xander sit." She said and he did. "Now Buffy what's this all about. I won't pretend that I'm not ecstatic that you're happy again, but I am very confused."

"The good news is that we are going to LA." Buffy said.

"Why?" Dawn asked.

"Please hold all questions." Everyone nodded. "The better news is that I'm pregnant." Willows eyes filled with tears as she hugged Buffy tightly. Buffy hugged her back. Dawn smiled widely, and Xander well Xander fell off the chair.

"You're what?" He asked.

"I'm going to be a aunt." Damn said happily. "It's Spike's right?" She asked.

"I'm pregnant Xander, and yes Dawn it is. Which brings me to the best news." They all held their breath with the exception of Xander who was panting heavily. "Spike's coming back." She said Gleefully.

"What? How?" Willow asked.

"I had a dream." Buffy said simply.

"A dream?" Willow asked.

Buffy nodded. "Spike came to me and told me to go to LA and tell Angel every thing. It has to do with the Hades Scrolls, though he didn't tell me what to do with them..."

"The Hades Scrolls contain incantations to condemn souls in the nether world, or to bring back a soul, but you need a fresh body, and no one knows where the original scrolls are." Willow said.

"It doesn't matter." Buffy said. "Spike said I would know what to do with them when the time came, and he promised he'd be back before our child is born."

"What are we waiting for, lets get going." Xander said with a big smile. You could see the relief on his face.

"Yeah." Dawn agreed.

"All right." Buffy said. "Go pack. Be back here as soon as you can Xander."

"All right!" Dawn cried. "LA and no school. Awesome."

"You're beginning spring break in three days Dawn" Buffy said.

"Yes but that's Three days I don't have to go to." She said as she sprinted up the stairs.

"I'll be back really soon." Xander said as he walked out the door.

"Uh Buffy?" Willow said. "I uh... Are you NUTS!" She cried. "A dream, you're going on a dream. And you're pregnant and you have to find a piece of Mythology that has been lost for thousands of years!"

"Yeah so?" Buffy said.

"Why don't you go back to bed Buffy? You'll feel better when you wake up. You're mind will clear."

"It's never been clearer Will. You don't have to come or even believe me, but it'd mean a lot to me if you did."

"All right Buffy..." Willow said. "I'll go pack."

***********************************************************************************************************

"I'm Back!" Xander yelled as he walked through the front door.

"Impressive." Willow said. "It only took you 15 minutes. Buffy is still packing." Willow laughed. "Is Anya coming with you?"

"Yes but she is also still packing." Xander said with a grin. "She said she'd be here as soon as she could."

Upstairs Buffy closed her suitcase and lay down on her bed to rest. She hummed and closed her eyes. She could see Spike.

"Buffy?"

Buffy looked around. "I must have dozed off." She said as she took in the familiar white surroundings. "Spike?" She called out.

"Yes, Luv." he said as he walked towards her.

"I've missed your voice so much, Spike."

Spike wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "I'll be back soon, Pet. I promise."

"Spike can't you tell me what I'm to do with the Scroll once I find it?"

"No, Luv I can't."

"How long until you come back?" Buffy asked

"Not long." Spike replied.

"Why am I here again?"

"You have a few questions to ask me. Don't you, Pet." Buffy nodded. "Then ask them."

"Are you going to be different? I mean, will  you still be Spike?" She asked.

"With a few exceptions, yes."

"Like what?"

"Well, Luv. I'll be human, and I'll still be the same mentally but I'll be strong like I was before when I was still a vampire." Buffy looked up at him in con fusion

"What do you mean you never lost that power."

"Didn't you notice how slow my reactions were the night I died? " Buffy's eyes dropped, and she nodded. "Pet." Spike lifted her chin and looked at her softly. "Don't think about that night. It was perfect and I was the happiest man alive when I died. And now I'm coming back." He kissed her forehead.

"Any other exceptions?" She asked

"There's a good chance I'll write poetry." Spike said with a smile.

"But you won't be William will you?"

"No love, I can't go back to that again, when I was changed it was forever and I don't just mean as a vampire." I muttered voice came out of the distance. "You have to go now, Luv."

"I don't want to."

"The day you sus out what you do want there will probably be a parade. Seventy-six bloody trombones."  Spike joked. "Any last questions?"

"Do you love me?" Buffy asked

"Always." The voice got louder. "You have to go now, Pet. I love you."

"I love you too Spike."

"I'll see you in a week or so." A far away voice said as she awoke.

"A WEEK!!!" Buffy screamed as she sat up. "A week."

"Buffy!" Xander's voice called. "Anya's here. You ready?"

"Yeah." Buffy called. She picked up her bag and carried it down stairs.

"Buffy." Xander said "You shouldn't be carrying that in your condition." He reached for the bag.

"Xander I have..." Buffy started but he had already taken it in his hand. It fell to the floor and almost took Xander's hand with it. "...Slayer strength." She finished.

"What did you pack? A battle Axe?" Xander asked.

"Well... Actually, Yeah." Buffy said.

Xander laughed. "Time to go." 

"We got a charter plane." Anya said cheerfully.

"Princess wouldn't take the normal Plane." Xander said.

"Well The food is awful." Anya said.

"All right guys. Lets get going." Buffy Said.

"No school no school." Dawn sang.

"This is for you Spike." Buffy said softly as she walked out the door.

***********************************************************************************************************

"Well this is it." Buffy said softly. Her heart was pounding as she hit the doorbell. It was about 3 minutes later that a disheveled Cordelia came down stairs dressed in clothes that were clearly on the floor moments before.

"Buffy!?" She said before embracing her in a warm hug. "Awesome... unexpected and untimely but awesome still."

"Who is it, Honey?" A familiar voice called from up the stairs.

"It's Buffy!" Cordelia answered.

"I should get dressed then." The voice responded.

"Definitely." Cordelia yelled back.

"Cordy?" Buffy started. "Was that..."

"Angel? Yeah." Cordy said simply.

"And you were doing activities that needed clothing removal..." Buffy took in.

"Yes... Oh gosh, you didn't know. I hope that's not a problem Buffy, Loving a vampire, I know it's crazy but I do."

Buffy laughed. "Yeah it's crazy, but you aren't pregnant with ones child." Cordy stepped back.

"What!?"

Buffy laughed again. "Now we're even, but the tale is best left 'til Angel is clothed, I don't want to tell it twice. Speak of the Devil." Buffy said as Angel walked down stairs

"Why am I a devil this time?"  He inquired.

"I was referring to your performance in bed." Buffy teased.

"Already?" Angel said with a smile. "So how's things? Where are the rest of the Scoobies?"

"Hotel. Didn't want to impose." Buffy said simply.

"Impose?" Angel asked. "I've got a whole hotel here."

"Oh good." Buffy turned around in the doorway. "C'mon in guys!" She called. Out came Willow and Xander and Dawn and Anya. Willow and Xander carried the bags. "Dawn! Carry your own bag."

"Yeah yeah." She responded as they filed in.