Dawn walked over to a broken Spike. “Spike, we need to get you inside,” she said, tears evident in her voice.
Spike looked up at what was left of his unlife. “I know,” he said, pushing himself to his feet. “You alright?”
Dawn shrugged. “I just wanna go home.”
Spike wrapped and arm around her shoulders and they trudged home.
At the house, Dawn was sitting on the coffee table cleaning Spike’s head wound. She didn’t realize she was crying until Spike wiped them away.
“Nibble, it’ll be okay,” Spike said, softly.
Dawn put the bandage on his face. “I don’t think it will,” she whimpered.
Spike gently pulled Dawn into his lap and tears slid from his eyes. “I’m gunna be here for you. Always.”
Dawn nodded against him. “I miss her already.”
“I know. Try and get some sleep,” Spike said.
Dawn made herself more comfortable in his lap and fell asleep in no time.
Meanwhile, Willow had called Angel and he was on his way to Sunnydale. He stopped in front of the Summers house and went inside.
He saw Dawn and Spike asleep on the couch, both obviously exhausted.
Spike sensed him and opened his eyes. “Angel?”
Angel went over and sat next to Spike. “How you holding up?”
“Not to well,” Spike said. “She can at least sleep peacefully.”
“I’ll take her upstairs and then you and I can talk,” Angel said.
Spike nodded and carefully Angel took the sleeping girl upstairs.
Spike stood and made his was to the kitchen. He leaned on the counter and tried to keep his tears at bay.
Angel walked back in and stood next to him. “Spike, you can’t pretend that this didn’t happen,” he said, softly.
“I know, but I have to be strong for Dawn. Buffy told me to protect her and I failed once. Never again,” Spike whispered.
Angel sighed. “This is gunna eat away at you,” he said, quietly.
“What do you want me to do Angel? Nothing has ever felt this painful,” Spike flared, tears falling down his cheeks.
Angel frowned and hugged Spike. “I know,” he said.
Spike shook in Angel’s arms as he cried.
The next day was the funeral. It was arranged for dusk so Angel and Spike could attend.
Dawn clung to Spike and cried until she wore herself out.
During the wake everyone said their final goodbyes to Buffy.
Spike let Dawn go by herself and everyone gave them privacy.
“Buffy, I know you can hear me. I miss you, but I’m gunna live for you and be strong. I know you’re watching over me and I hope you’re proud.” Tears slid from her eyes. “Spike’s gunna take care of me and we’re gunna make it. We’ll be okay. I love you,” Dawn whispered and kissed Buffy’s forehead.
She made her way to Spike’s arms as Angel took his turn. He knew Spike wanted to go last and respected that.
“Buffy, I love you so much. I know you’re in a good place and I also know that you loved Spike. I could feel it. I’m gunna make sure that he gets through this. I promise. He really loves you and I’m okay with that. I know nothing is ever gunna be the same without you.” He ran his hand over her face. “I should’ve been here, but I know you wouldn’t have called me. I wasn’t even in this dimension so I didn’t know until Willow told me. God this isn’t right.”
A few minutes later, Angel went back to Spike and Dawn. “I’ll take her,” he said.
Spike nodded. “I’ll be home soon,” he said, squeezing Dawn’s hand.
Angel nodded and scooped up Dawn who seemed to be in a daze.
Spike slowly made his way up to Buffy. “Pet,” he whispered, tears already flowing down his face. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t fast enough, but I tried. I really did. If I could change what happened, I would. It should have been me. I don’t know if I’m gunna make it without you. I’ll keep your mates safe and Dawn wont leave my sight. I won’t let anything happen to her. She’s all that I have left.” Spike paused to collect himself.
“I love you more than anything and I’m not gunna stop. That might disappoint you but it’s true. I’m sorry for any pain I caused. I’m always gunna blame myself for this. I’m scared of the future. I don’t wanna lose Dawn, too. Your dad or your mates might try and take her away from me. I’m gunna find away to get legal custody of Dawn. I don’t know if you’ll let me, but…” There was a warm breeze with Buffy’s sent and Spike smiled a little. “Thank you, Pet. I won’t let you down again. Promise.” Spike leaned over and kissed her lips. “I love you,” he whispered. He pulled out a stake and placed it in the palm of her hand.
Spike tried to smile but failed miserably. He cried, heart-wrenching sobs. “Buffy,” he whispered.
Buffy woke up to a feeling of warmth. “Buffy?”
“Mommy?” Buffy asked, looking at her mom.
“Hi, honey,” Joyce said, smiling.
Buffy gave her mom a huge hug. “I missed you so much.”
Joyce pulled away. “Buffy, there is something we feel you must do.”
“I don’t wanna go back,” Buffy said, softly.
“It’s only for a few minutes,” Joyce said. “Close your eyes and you’ll see what I’m talking about.”
Buffy did as her mother said. “Spike,” she whispered.
“Just talk to him. You’ll know when it’s time to come back,” Joyce said.
Buffy nodded and when she opened her eyes, she saw Spike still crying over her body. “Spike?”
Spike’s head snapped up and he looked at her. “Buffy?’
“I’m still dead, but mom said I could come see you for a few minutes,” Buffy said, wiping his tears.
“Buffy, I’m so sorry,” Spike whimpered.
Buffy pulled Spike into her arms. “It’s okay.”
Spike buried his face in her shoulder and tried to stop crying.
“Spike, listen to me. Please. Take care of Dawn and tell her I’m in a good place.” She pulled away a little and leaned her forehead against his.
“When you go back say hi to your mom for me,” Spike said.
“I will. I have to go now,” she said, reluctantly walking away. She paused and went back. She leaned up and kissed him passionately. “I love you, Spike.”
Spike smiled. “I love you, Buffy.”
“Good bye, William,” she whispered, going toward the light.
Spike smiled. “Goodbye Slayer,” he said, leaving without looking at her corpse.
When he walked through the door he heard Dawn’s sobs.
“Where is Spike?” She whimpered.
“I’m right here, Nibblet,” Spike said, standing in the doorway.
Dawn quickly got up from Tara’s lap and went to Spike’s arms.
Spike hugged her tightly. “Shhh. Go upstairs and get cleaned up,” he said, pushing her hair out of her face. “I’ll be up in a minute.”
Dawn nodded and trudged upstairs.
Angel came up to him. “You okay?’’
Spike nodded. “You wanna do me a favor? We need blood but I’m not leaving Dawn for a minute.”
“Sure. I’ll be back, soon,” Angel said, and left.
“Listen, you guys should go home and get some rest,” Spike said, to the rest of the gang.
Tara stood up and went over to him. “You sure you’re okay?” She asked, tenderly touching his face.
“It’s gunna take some time,” he said.
Tara smiled tenderly. “Okay.”
Willow came over and hugged Spike. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said.
“Thanks, Red,” Spike said, as the two witches left.
Xander came forward. “I know we aren’t the best of friends but what you did and what you’re doing shows a lot,” he said. “And I’m here as a friend.”
“Thanks Xander,” Spike said, softly.
Anya gave Spike a hug. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say,” she said.
“You don’t have to say anything, but get some rest okay?” Spike whispered.
Anya nodded and left with Xander as Giles came up to Spike.
“Spike, don’t worry about patrol. Just focus on Dawn,” he said.
“She spoke to me,” Spike said.
‘Buffy?” Giles asked.
Spike nodded. “She said I could have full custody of Dawn,” he said.
“I’ll take care of it,” Giles said. “Try and get some sleep.”
Spike smiled. “I will,” he said, and Giles left.
Spike went upstairs and found Dawn laying on Buffy’s bed. “Nibblet?”
“Spike?” She asked in a small voice.
Spike took off his coat and boots before sliding into the bed with her. “Shhh. It’ll be okay,” he said, pulling her into his arms. He purred, hoping it would lull her into sleep. It did and soon both of them were sound asleep.
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