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"Ok," Buffy said as she toyed with the microphone stand. She flipped her head to get the hair out of her face. "Did you like that one?"

Loud cheers and whistles and one loud, "I LOVE YOU WILLOW!" was their answer. The drummer blushed and said into her microphone, "Well, that's......good to know....."

Buffy laughed, and said, "Ok. This next song is called 'Better Off'. Who here's heard it?"

The whole stadium cheered, and Buffy smiled. "Wow. We must be pretty popular."

Anya began playing her guitar and Faith and Willow joined in when Buffy began to sing.

The sky is falling
And its early in the morning
Bit it's ok somehow
I spilled my coffee
It went all over your clothes
I gotta wear mine now
And I'm always always always late
And my hair's a mess even when its straight

Spike laughed as she made a disgusted face as she pulled at her hair. He watched as she dropped it and looked indifferent to it as she began to sing the chorus.

But so what
I'm better off everyday
When I'm standing in the pourin' rain
I don't mind
I think of you and everythings alright
I used to think I had it good
But now I know that I misunderstood
With you I'd say
I'm better off in every way

Spike smiled, wondering briefly if she was singing to someone in particular.

He then frowned and thought back to her earlier statement.

***
Buffy's words

My name isn't Buffy Winters. I changed it in order to keep my family safe from paparazzi. Unfortunately, some weasel of a man named Cornelius Snyder decided to look through my records and found out my real name. So tonight, in order to beat the scumbag to the chase, I'm going to announce my real name.

***

Spike's eyes widened. "Damn it all to hell. Damn Snyder got to her, too. Thought he was only after my real name."

My friends keep calling
and they say, they say I'm stalling
They wanna me you now
I tell them hell no
I say we're tryin to lay low
Don't want to lose what I've found
Things are finally finally looking up
My feet are on the ground even I'm stuck


But so what
I'm better off everyday
When I'm standing in the pourin' rain
I dont mind
I think of you and everythings alright
I used to think I had it good
But now I know that I misunderstood
With you I'd say
I'm better off in every way

Things are finally finally looking up
my feet are on the ground even I'm stuck
even though I'm stuck
the sky is falling
and it's early in the morning
but it's ok

Buffy bowed as the crowd cheered. One guy screamed out, "I LOVE YOU!!!!!"

Buffy laughed and said into the microphone. "It's nice to know we're wanted."

Faith laughed and said, "Well, which one of us does he want?"

"ALL OF YOU!!!!!"

"Sorry," Anya said, giggling. "This isn't a four for one deal."

"Right," said Buffy, rolling her eyes. "Now....we're only a few songs away from you all learning my real name. But before you do, here's a little song called 'Surrender'."

If that's the way you want it
Well there you go
Baby, you can have it all
Now just let me go
Yeah, Yeah
Yeah, Yeah

I waited here for so long
Thinkin that you'd see
You just kept on runnin' away
You made your misery my company
Open up your eyes
Don't you know you only get one life

Ohh..
You drive me crazy
ohh..
You just bring me down
Look out your window, My sunshine's all around
All you have to do is just surrender
Just surrender...

All the pain in your heart
All the tears in your empty soul
And when your spinning around and round
I'm the pshyco goin out of control
Open up your eyes
Don't you know your only wastin' time

Ohh..
You drive me crazy
ohh..
You just bring me down
Look out your window, My sunshine's all around
All you have to do is just surrender
Just surrender...

You know it doesn't matter what you do
Don't you know I'm so over you

Open up your eyes
Don't you know it's your life

Ohh..
You drive me crazy
ohh..
You just bring me down
Look out your window, My sunshine's all around
All you got to do...

Ohh..
You drive me crazy
ohh..
You just bring me down
Look out your window, My sunshine's all around
All you got to do is just surrender
Just surrender...
Just surrender...
Just surrender...

If that's the way you want it
Well there you go

Buffy finished the song with a small jump where she touched her boots to her butt, and a saucy look. When the music stopped, she laughed, and said, "Well, that's three down, one to go. And then....it's time for 'Love's Bitch'. And then.....only then will you learn my real name."

Groans rose up from the audience, and she turned to Anya. "So very impatient."

"Well," Anya said, not thinking about her words. "They're probably not getting enough orgasms."

"ANYA!"

"What?!"

"Most of the kids here are like, 13! I highly doubt they're having sex!"

"Sure...."

"ANYA!"

"What?!"

Buffy sighed in frustration. "Please excuse my blunt friend. Her foot happens to be permanently attached to her mouth."

Spike laughed from backstage, and said, "That'a girl, Buff. That'a girl."

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Buffy gulped her ice water down, and gripped the microphone in her hand. "Alright. So, you guys wanna hear this last song?"

Loud cheers and whistles sounded throughout the stadium.

Buffy nodded. "OK then. But before we start, I just want to say....this is dedicated to an old friend of mine named William."

Behind the curtain, Spike's head snapped to look at the stage so quickly that his neck popped. But Buffy couldn't see his reaction, so she began to sing.

On a Monday I am waiting
On Tuesday I am fading
And by Wednesday I can't sleep
Then my the phone rings,
I hear you
The darkness is a clear view
I see you've come to rescue me...

Fall with you I fall so fast
I can hardly catch my breath
I hope it lasts

Buffy smiled as she recalled the man who inspired these words to come flowing so easily out of her mouth.

Ohh..
Seems like I can finally
Rest my head on something real
I like the way that feels
Ohh..
It's as if you know me better
Than I ever knew myself
I love how you can tell
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me

I am moody and messy
I get restless and its senseless
And you never seem to care
When I'm angry,
You listen
Make me happy, it's your mission
And you won't stop till I'm there

Spike's grip on his glass tightened, and his knuckles turned white. The crew gasped as the glass shattered in his hand and blood dripped into his palm. His eyes were screwed shut as tears leaked out from the corners of them. "Lizbeth..."

Fall, sometimes I fall so fast
Well I hit that far don’t crash
You’re all I have

Ohh..
It seems like I can finally
Rest my head on something real
I like the way that feels
Ohh..
It’s as if you know me better
Than I ever knew myself
I love how you can tell
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me

How do you know
Everything I’m about to say?
Am I that obvious?
And if it’s written on my face
I hope it never goes away
Yeah..

On a Monday I am waiting
By Tuesday I am fading
Into your arms
So I can breathe

Spike opened his fist, and looked blankly at the blood covering his hand. He then looked up at the stage and whispered hoarsly, "You're in my blood....can't you tell, Lizbeth? You're swimming around in it and I can't seem to get you out. So will you come back, Lizbeth?" Pale ice blue ice filled with tears. "Will you?"

Ohh..
It seems like I can finally
Rest my head on something real
I like the way that feels
Ohh..
It’s as if you know me better
Than I ever knew myself
I love how you can tell
Ohh..
I love how you can tell
Ohh..
I love how you can tell
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me
All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me


Buffy smiled through her tears and bowed as the crowd screamed and cheered for her new song. "Thank you!" she said. "And now, for the band, LOVE'S BITCH!!"

All the girls screamed as Spike made his way onstage, and took the microphone from Buffy. She looked up at him in concern when she saw the bandage wrapped around his hands. "Are you ok, Spike?" she asked, neither aware that the microphone was allowing the audience to hear their discussion.

He looked down into her worry filled hazel eyes and smiled. "I'm fine luv. But I'm pretty sure that you should be backstage right now."

Buffy's cheeks flamed and she nodded before heading offstage.

"Well," Spike said into the microphone as he faced the audience. "Seems Buffy and I have something in common. Cornelius Snyder. Apparently the little rat bastard is out for our blood. Found out my real name too. So now....at the end of our songs, you'll find out my real name."

He looked back towards the stage and locked eyes with Buffy. "Not that someone doesn't already know."

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Spike tore his gaze from backstage and looked out at the audience. "Well. Seems like we have a bit of a predicament don't we?" he said as he casually sat on the stool that only moments ago held Buffy's water. "I'm here with my bandmates in a stadium full of screaming fans. What should I do?"

A teenaged girl in the audience screamed out, "SING DAMMIT!"

Spike's eyes widened, and then he laughed, turning to Xander and saying, "Wonder what they want me to do?"

"I think they said it loud enough, Spike."

"Right. Well, I think I'll have to drag someone else out here for her opinion. Buffy?" he called, and smiled when she widened her eyes and shook her head wildly. "Why don't you come on out here, luv?"

When she refused, he sighed and walked offstage for a few seconds, then came back on, pulling Buffy with him.

He pulled her tight against him and said, "Well now, luv. What do you think they want me to do?"

Buffy sighed, and hit her head against Spike's neck, unknowingly allowing him to relish the feeling of her warm breath against his skin. "I think you should sing."

He nodded, and she began to walk offstage. "Ah ah ah! Not so fast, luv. You get an upclose and personal look at this concert, considering it's so special." He pulled her along and sat her on the stool he had used moments ago.

"Now," he said, turning to address the audience. "What say you we begin this thing?"

The audience cheered, and Spike said, "This song is dedicated to my best friend ever, Elizabeth Summers."

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth

***
7 years ago.....

15 year old Will closed his eyes and leaned his head against the window on the plane, tears falling down his face as he remembered a set of stunning green eyes.

***

Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive and not dead

***

7 1/2 years ago, before William left...

Lizbeth and William lay on his bed, talking about nonsense. William said something to Lizbeth, who turned her head to look at him and started laughing. William began to laugh with her, and she gave him a playful shove.

***


Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, i'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when i'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

I've dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in, turned on, remembered the things you said

Spike looked to his left and frowned when he saw that Buffy's eyes were spilling over with tears. He crossed over to her and pulled her into his arms, allowing the salty droplets to soak into his shirt, never once stopping his song.

I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

And across the country, millions of teenage girls, whether they were at the show or watching it at home, seethed with jealousy as Spike hugged a certain petite blonde and dropped a soft kiss ontop of her head.

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Spike set the microphone down in and leaned his guitar against the microphone stand and looked down at the blonde in his arms. "You ok now?" he asked, slightly confused by her emotional reaction to the song.

She nodded, pulled away from his embrace, and walked back over to the stool that she had vacated.

Spike nodded, and picked up the microphone again. "Right. So, now that we've got that song out of the way, how's about anoth--"

He was cut off as a teenaged girl, slightly out of control, leapt onto the stage in an attempt to get to Spike, knocking Buffy's stool over in the process, sending the blonde crashing to the floor and landing painfully on her arm.

As security hauled the screaming teen off the stage, Spike crouched next to Buffy, picking her up and setting her on the stool again, looking at her wrist. It was beginning to swell, and Spike could tell that it was twisted or sprained. "Damn it," he swore. "This needs ice."

Right on cue, a crew member stepped onstage with a bag of ice and handed it over to Spike, who then placed it on Buffy's wrist. "Is that ok?"

She nodded, and said, "Yeah. Now get back to your music."

Spike nodded hesitantly and stood up, picking up his microphone and guitar. He said into the microphone, "Right. This, uh...this is dedicated to Elizabeth....again."

He began strumming, and began to sing as well.

This may be the last thing that I write for long
Can you hear me smiling when I sing this song
For you
And only you

As I leave will you be someone to say good-bye?
As I leave will you be someone to wipe your eye?
My foot is out the door
And you can't stop me now

***
7 years ago....

Lizbeth watched the Giles' car until it disappeared from her sight. A single tear fell from her eye and she whispered, "Goodbye..."

***

You wanted the best
It wasn't me
Will you give it back
Now I'll take the lead
When there's no more room to make it grow
I'll see you again
You'll pretend you're naive
Is this what you want
Is this what you need
How you end up let me know.

As I go
Remember all the simple things you know,
My mind is just a crutch and I still hope
That you will miss me when I'm gone
This is the last song

***
7 years ago....

Joyce walked into her daughter's room, sighing when she saw that Lizbeth hadn't moved. It had been 3 days since William had left and she had fallen into an acute state of depression. She wasn't eating or sleeping.

And when you talked to her...

...all she said was "I miss you, William."

***

The hearts start breaking as the year is gone
The dream's beginning and the time rolls on
It seems so surreal
Now I sing it.
Somehow I knew that I would be this way,
Somehow I knew that I would slowly fade.
Now I'm gone
Just try and stop me now.

You wanted the best
It wasn't me
Will you give it back
Now I'll take the lead
When there's no more room to make it grow
I'll see you again
You'll pretend you're naive
Is this what you want
Is this what you need
How you end up let me know.

As I go
Remember all the simple things you know,
My mind is just a crutch and I still hope
That you will miss me when I'm gone
This is the last song

And will you need me now
You'll find a way somehow
You want it too
I want it too...

As I go
Remember all the simple things you know,
My mind is just a crutch and I still hope
That you will miss me when I'm gone
Last song
As I go
Remember all the simple things you know,
My mind is just a crutch and I still hope
That you will miss me when I'm gone
This is the last song

Spike played the last final chords on the guitar, soaked up the applause then headed over to Buffy. "Hey, luv. How's your wrist?"

She showed it to him, and he sucked in air through his teeth. It was more swollen than it had been 5 minutes ago, and bruising rapidly.

He planted a kiss onto it, and smiled as her face flared up in embarrassment.

"As much as I'd like to sit here with you, I have a stadium full of thousands of hormonally charged teenagers who are about to kill me unless I sing something."

She giggled, and let him go back to the mic and guitar, watching as he picked up both and began his third song.

Please just don't play with me My paper heart will bleed
This wait for destiny won't do
Be with me please I beseach you
Simple things, that make you run a-way
Catch you if I can

Tears fall, down your face
The taste, is something new
Something that I know
Moving on is, easiest when I am around you.

So bottle up old love,
And throw it out to sea,
Watch it away as you cry
Now a year has past
The seasons go

Please just don't play with me
My paper heart will bleed
This wait for destiny won't do
Be with me please I beseach you
Simple things, that make you run a-way
Catch you if I can

Waiting, day to day it goes through
My lips, are sealed for her
My tongue is,
Tied to, a dream of being with you
To settle for less, is not what I prefer

So bottle up old love,
And throw it out to sea,
Watch it away as you cry
Now a year has past
The seasons go

Please just don't play with me
My paper heart will bleed
This wait for destiny won't do
Be with me please I beseach you
Simple things, that make you run a-way
Catch you if I can

Summer time, the nights are so long
The leaves fall down, and so do I into
the arms of a friend
Winter nights
My bedside is cold, for I am gone
And spring blossoms you to me

And while Spike was singing, under the music, Buffy whispered to him, "I won't make your heart bleed, William. I'm not playing games. Not anymore."

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Spike smiled out at the audience members, all of which were screaming. "Whoa! Settle down there! We don't want any more sprainned wrists, now do we?" The last question was directed at Buffy, who vehemently shook her head. Spike laughed and turned back to the audience. "Well, incase we have no more violent teenagers ready to attack, let's get on with this last song, eh? I'm pretty sure that you all want to hear our real names." As he set his guitar up, he said, "Um....so this one isn't dedicated to Elizabeth....but to someone I've actually grown kind of attached to lately. So...yeah."

The audience cheered in response as Spike picked up his guitar pick. He began to play, but soon changed the tune and began to sing.

Breathe in for luck
Breathe in so deep
This air is blessed, you share with me
This night is wild
So calm and dull
These hearts they race from self control
Your lips are smooth as they graze mine
We're doing fine
We're doing nothing at all

The audience watched as Spike turned around and headed to Buffy's chair, all the while still singing.

My hopes are so high
That your kiss might kill me
So won't you kill me?
So I'd die happy
My heart is yours to fill or burst.
To break or bury
Or wear as jewelry
Whichever you prefer

They watched as Buffy stood up and placed her ice on the stool. She took a small step towards Spike, who couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.

The words are hushed
Lets not get busted
Just lay entwined here, undiscovered.
Safe in here, from all the stupid questions.
"Hey did you get sone?"
Man that is so dumb
Stay quiet, stay near
Stay close they can't hear
So we can get some

My hopes are so high
That your kiss might kill me
So won't you kill me?
So I'd die happy
My heart is yours to fill or burst.
To break or bury
Or wear as jewelry
Whichever you prefer

Spike and Buffy continued to take small steps toward each other, until they were so close that Spike could feel Buffy's breath playing across his face.

Hands down
This is the best day I can ever remember
Always remember
The sound of the stereo
The dim of the soft lights
The scent of your hair that you twirled in your fingers
And the time on the clock
When we realized it's so late
And this walk that we shared together
The streets were wet
And the gate was locked
So I jumped it
And let you in
And you stood at your door
With your hands on my waist
And you kissed me like you meant it
And I knew that you meant it
That you meant it
That you meant it
And I knew that you meant it
That you meant it

And as soon as the song was done, Spike leaned in and kissed her.

On the lips.

***

Darla was walking around backstage when she heard Faith whisper "About damn time."

She walked over to where Faith was standing and saw that Spike and Buffy were currently wrapped in a steamy lip-lock.

***

To say that Buffy was surprised when Spike leaned in and kissed her would be the understatement of the century. But she got over it and wrapped her arms around his neck, being mindful of her sprained wrist. Spike's hands found themselves at Buffy's waist, pulling her closer to him.

His tongue traced the outline of her lips, and she opened them, granting it access.

He didn't shove his entire tongue down her throat like one of her old boyfriends, Riley Finn, did. No, Spike took teasing tastes of the insides of her cheeks and teeth, never brushing over her tongue. It was almost as if he were daring it to come out and meet his.

Which it did.

And thousands of teenaged girls felt their hearts crunch as they watched their celebrity crush tangle tongues with the girl they all thought he hated.

Buffy and Spike pulled away, leaning their foreheads together in an act of intimacy they never thought they would experience together.

"I think," Spike said, slightly out of breath as he kissed her closed eyelids. "that we should probably get on with this."

She nodded, and Darla walked out with a microphone for Buffy.

And as she accepted it, she looked up at Spike and really realized for the first time that she was going to do this.

She was going to tell this man....her love....her best friend....her enemy....she was going to tell him her real name.

And so, Buffy turned to the audience and said, "So here's the moment you've all been waiting for. You're going to learn what Spike's and my real names are....I think Spike should go first."

Spike scowled at her slightly, before reaching for her hand. She squeezed it, and he opened his mouth to speak. "My name....my name is William Giles, born on December 23 1982."

He let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, and turned to Buffy. "Tag. You're it."

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Buffy smiled up at Spike evilly. "Actually, there's a reason that I made you go first. See, me and the band decided that one last song was in order before we let out the big secret. So, before y'all learn my real name, here's a song called 'Undiscovered'."

"WHAT?!" Spike said as Faith, Anya and Willow made their way onstage. "Oh, well that's not sodding fair. Why do you get to sing before you tell the world your ridiculous name?"

"Because I asked. Oh, and before I start.....William, you were wrong. The sunset isn't like that because of pollution." Turning to the audience, she said, "So, this is the first time I've ever sung this song in concert. Spike was actually the first one to hear it when we had to redo it for sound problems or somethin. So, here's the new song, AUTOBIOGRAPHY!"

You think you know me
Word on the street is that you do
You want my history
What others tell you won’t be true

I walked a thousand miles while everyone was asleep
Nobody’s really seen my million subtleties

Got stains on my t-shirt and I’m the biggest flirt
Right now I’m solo, but that will be changing eventually, oh
Got bruises on my heart and sometimes I get dark
If you want my auto, want my autobiography
Baby, just ask me

Buffy reached up with her hand and stroked Spike's cheek. She leaned up and kissed him softly on that same cheek.

I hear you talking
Well, it’s my turn now
I’m talking back
Look in my eyes
So you can see just where I’m at

I walked a thousand miles to find one river of peace
I walked a million more to find what this shit means


Buffy turned away from Spike and faced the audience, jumping up and down as she sang the chorus.

Got stains on my t-shirt and I’m the biggest flirt
Right now I’m solo, but that will be changing eventually, oh
Got bruises on my heart and sometimes I get dark
If you want my auto, want my autobiography
Baby, just ask me

I’m a bad ass girl in this messed up world
I’m a sexy girl in this crazy world
I’m a simple girl in a complex world
A nasty girl, you wanna get with me?
You wanna mess with me?

Got stains on my t-shirt and I’m the biggest flirt
Right now I’m solo, but that will be changing eventually, oh
I laugh more than I cry
You piss me off, good-bye
Got stains on my t-shirt and I’m the biggest flirt
If you want my auto, want my autobiography
Baby, just ask me

Buffy pushed the slightly sweat dampened hair out of her face and dropped the arm holding the microphone. She allowed herself a moment to catch her breath before raising the mic to her mouth again and saying, "I guess it's time for y'all to hear my name, isn't it?"

The audience cheered and screamed in response, and Buffy rubbed her sprained wrist absentmindedly. "Hey calm down! I don't want any injuries! Or at least, anymore." She looked at Spike and took a deep breath.

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"Before I tell you my name, I think I should explain how I came up with it," Buffy said. She was trying to prolong this as much as possible.

"When I was younger, and my little sister was a baby, my mom used to call me Bethy. Well, my little sister couldn't say that and it came out Beffy, which somehow turned into Buffy. But they never called me that. She learned how to say my name, and we went on with life.

"When I began the music business, and we were a hit, I decided that my family shouldn't have to deal with the paparazzi. I didn't want them to be staked out or stalked for information. I didn't want them to have strange reporters to snoop around our house in case we became that well known. And so, the name 'Buffy' resurfaced and we decided that would be my new first name.

"Winters was easy enough to come up with. We were going to go with something like 'Smith' or 'Jones' or something. But, my friend and fellow bandmate Willow came up with 'Winters' because....well, you'll see.

"But we failed to think of one thing: getting it legalized. The one thing that was most important, we didn't do. We forgot to go the mayor of the town we were in and get it legalized. And that's where we went wrong.

"So now that I've explained myself, I think that I should tell you my real name, right?"

The audience cheered and screamed some more, and Buffy smiled.

"Right....well, here it goes. My name is Elizabeth...."

Spike's smile faltered.

"...Anne..."

Spike's smile dropped completely and his eyes widened.

"...Summers."

Silence permeated the stadium, until it was broken by the sound of feedback as Spike's microphone hit the ground.

Seconds later, Spike's body hit the floor right next to it.

***

Spike opened his eyes, and the blurry image of Buffy hovering over him was the first thing he saw. He became aware that he was still on the stage.

"Wha-What happened?"

"You passed out about 5 seconds ago." Buffy's worried eyes searched his face. "Are you ok?"

Spike sat up, blinking rapidly. "Yeah, yeah. Just....kinda heard something I'm sure you didn't say."

"What?"

"Your name."

"Oh...yeah. Didn't really know how you were going to react to that...."

"What?"

"My name....Elizabeth Anne Summers."

Spike groaned and rubbed his hand over his face. He looked up at her and squinted. "Lizbeth?"

She smiled. "Yes, Wee-yum?"

"Oh god!" Spike stood up and wrapped her in his arms, showering kisses on her face. "I missed you so much."

Buffy snuggled into his chest. She opened her eyes and saw the audience staring at them. "Uhm....Spike?"

"Yeah?"

"We're kinda in the middle of a concert....."

"Oh....yeah....."

They pulled apart, embarrassed. Spike leant down and picked up the microphone. "Right....so, I'm thinking to make up for that, we should sing a little ditty. C'mon out, boys!" he called to his band.

The band groaned as they headed onstage, and Gunn slapped him upside the head. Xander looked at him with an evil eye and asked, "What are we playing?"

"Right. So, we're going to play a new song called 'Vindicated'."

Hope, dangles on a string
Like slow spinning redemption
Winding in and winding out
The shine of it has caught my eye
Roped me in so mesmorizing
And so hypnotizing
I am captivated
I am...

Vindicated
I am selfish, I am wrong
I am right, I swear I'm right
Swear I knew it all along
And I am flawed
But I am cleaning up so well
I am seeing in me now
The things you swore you saw yourself

So clear
Like the diamond in your ring
Cut to mirror your intention
Oversized and overwhelmed
The shine of which has caught my eye
And rendered me so isolated
So motivated, I am certain now
That I am..

Vindicated
I am selfish, I am wrong
I am right, I swear I'm right
Swear I knew it all along
And I am flawed
But I am cleaning up so well
I am seeing in me now
The things you swore you saw yourself

So turn up the corners of your lips
Part them and feel my finger tips
Trace the moment, fall forever
Defence is paper thin
Just one touch and I'd be in too deep
to ever swim against the current

So let me slip away, so let me slip away
So let me slip away, so let me slip against the current
So let me slip away, so let me slip away
So let me slip away, so let me slip away

Vindicated
I am selfish, I am wrong
I am right, I swear I'm right
Swear I knew it all along
And I am flawed
But I am cleaning up so well
I am seeing in me now
The things you swore you saw yourself

Like hope, dangles on a string
Like slow spinning redemption

When Spike was done, he headed over to Buffy, and tapped her on the nose. chuckling as she scrunched it up. "You and me are gonna have a little talk...."

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Buffy walked into Spike's hotel room, looking around breifly before turning to face him. He closed the door and gestured to the bed. "You can, uh....have a seat."

She sat on his bed, bouncing slightly.

He stood there, unsure as of what to do, and then pulled a chair out and sat in front of her.

"So...."

"So..."

Spike laughed. "Aren't we articulate?"

Buffy giggled, and Spike's eyes softened. "So, um....care to tell me why you didn't faint in front of thousands of people?"

Buffy's eyes darted away, and he narrowed his suspiciously. "Lizbeth..."

She didn't look at him, so he grasped her chin and made her. "Lizbeth, tell me."

She sighed. "I kinda....already knew."

Her eyes flickered up to his, and recoiled as she recognized the hurt in his eyes.

"Wh-What?" he whispered. "How long?"

"Since the day before."

"But that's the day that I took you to....my....dad's..." he trailed off as realization hit him.

"While you were out parking the car, he kinda confronted me. Scared me real bad, too. Didn't believe him when he said he was your dad."

"But the picture...."

"Yeah. I knew it was me. Just....wanted to see if you remembered."

"Remembered?" Spike echoed. "How could I forget? God, baby....you're my life.....I love you."

Buffy felt her eyes tear up, and she whispered, "William....William, I love you, too."

And when their lips met, it seemed that the world, which seemed like it had been tilted off it's axis, seemed to right itself.

***

Later, as they lay in Spike's bed, naked limbs entwined, they turned on the news.

"Earlier tonight, at a concert starring the bands 'Love's Bitch' and 'Summer Days', enemies Buffy Winters and Spike shared a revelation with the rest of the world. They revealed that not only they were more than tentative friends...."

The tv showed the image of Spike cradling Buffy to his chest as she cried.

"But they also revealed their real names. That's right. Buffy Winters is actually Elizabeth Summers and Spike is William Giles. It appeared that Ms. Summers knew in advance of Spike's true identity, while Spike did not."

Spike winced as the tv showed him as he hit the floor after he found out Buffy's real name.

"What we are sure about, is that these two apparently former best friends, won't be boring us anytime soon."

Spike turned off the tv, and returned his head to his position on Buffy's chest. She let her fingers play in his hair, and sighed happily.

And as they drifted off to sleep, each wore a contented smile on their face.

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Buffy poured herself some Frosted Flakes as Spike walked around the living room. She added milk, picked up her spoon, and was about to dig in when she frowned, and said, "What's your problem?"

He stopped his pacing to look at her. "Hmm?"

"I mean, why are you pacing?"

"Habit."

"Oh....well, why are you pacing right now?"

Spike sighed, and extraced something from behind him. "Did you see this?"

"No....what is it?"

"Bloody tabloid," he said, and threw the magazine down onto the table and then collapsed into a chair.

Frosted Flakes forgotten, Buffy headed over to him and picked up the magazine. Her eyes widened as she read the title:

Buffy flipped to the appropriate page, and her eyes widened at every lie that jumped out at her.

'......heard having sex in dressing room.....'

'....secret love child....'

'....just for fun.......'

Buffy crumpled the article in her hands and threw it across the room. She placed her head in her hands and began to cry. She felt stong arms wrap around her, and she buried her head into his strong chest.

***

Later that night, Spike and Buffy prepared for the concert, which they knew would be one of the last ones that they had together.

All day long, Buffy had been quiet and distant to Spike. He knew that she was upset by the lies that had been spouted about their relationship, but never expected her to be this heartbroken.

He gathered her in his arms, and squeezed her when she sighed into his chest.

"C'mon luv," he said. "Let's get this show goin', eh?"


***

Buffy set up her microphone, and said into it, "Um....this song is about the lies that have been spreading recently......"

Se closed her eyes for a second, and when she opened them, she began to sing.

Paint my face in your magazines
Make it look whiter than it seems
Paint me over with your dreams
Shove away my ethnicity
Burn every notion that I may have a flame inside to fight
And say just what is on my mind
Without offending your might

Cuz this life is too short to live it just for you
But when you feel so powerless what are you gonna do
So say what you want
Say what you want

I saw her face outside today
Weatherworn, looking all the rage
They took her passion and her gaze and made a poster
Now it’s moccasins we sport
We take the culture and contort
Perhaps only to distort what we are hiding

Cuz this life is too short to live it just for you
But when you feel so powerless what are you gonna do
But say what you want
Say what you want

Hey you, the one outside, are you ever gonna get in, get in
Hey you, the one that don’t fit in, how ya, how ya gonna get in
Hey you, the one outside, are you ever gonna get in with your
Broken teeth, broken jaw, broken mojo
Yeah, this life is too short to live it just for you
But when you feel so powerless, what are you gonna do

Cuz this life is too short to live it just for you
But when you feel so powerless, what are you gonna do

By the time she finished, Buffy's eyes were filled with tears. She waited for the cheering to subside, and when it died out, she raised the microphone to her lips once more.

"I think you get the message, Snyder. Say what you want."

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Chapter 22:

disclaimer: me: hahaha! everything's miiiiiiine!!*sticks tongue out at Joss* hahaha!
joss: o yeah? *slaps me w/ a law suit* watcha gonna do now?
me: i hate you.

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Spike set up his guitar and adjusted the microphone, saying into it, "So, I wrote this song a while ago....as in, before I caught up with Buffy...." He shrugged. "And learned her real name. So, luv,"he called offstage. "C'mon out here." She shook her head wildly, and he laughed, reminded of the night they learned each other's real names. "You know that if you don't, I'm going to drag you kicking and screaming onstage, right? Did it to ya last night."

Buffy sighed and walked onstage, waving to the audience. Spike pulled out a stool for her and she sat down. "Right then. This song is called 'I'd do Anything. It was supposed to be about how I wouldn't let Lizbeth go when I found her...." He scratched his head. "Kinda pointless know. But, I'm not lettin' her go for anythin'."

He began playing his guitar and then, much to the delight of his fans and Buffy, began to sing.

Another day is going by
I'm thinking about you all the time
But you're out there
And I'm here waiting

And I wrote this letter
in my head
Cuz so many things were left unsaid
But now you're gone
And I can't think straight.

This could be
the one last chance
to make you understand, yeah

As he began to sing the chorus, Spike jumped up, really getting into the song.

I'd do anything
Just to hold you in my arms
To try and make you laugh
Somehow I can't put you in the past
I'd do anything
Just to fall asleep with you
Will you remember me
Cuz I know I won't forget you

Spike winked at Buffy, who giggled in response. He tossed a wicked grin to her before continuing with the song.

Together we broke all the rules
Dreaming of dropping out of school
And leave this place
To never come back

So now maybe after all these years
If you miss me have no fear
I'll be here
I'll be waiting

This could be the one last chance
To make you understand
And I just can't let you leave me once again

He kneeled in front of now, as if to beg her to not leave him alone anymore. She reached out with a soft hand and stroked his cheek. He smiled and stood up for the chorus.

I'd do anything
Just to hold you in my arms
To try and make you laugh
Somehow I can't put you in the past
I'd do anything
Just to fall asleep with you
Will you remember me
Cuz I know I won't forget you

I close my eyes
And all I see is you

Spike pointed to Buffy, wanting to get his point across clearly.

I close my eyes
I try to sleep
I can't forget you
Nanana
Nanana
And I'd do anything for you
Nanana
Nanana Na.....

I'd do anything
Just to hold you in my arms
To try to make you laugh
Somehow I can't put you in the past
I'd do anything
Just to fall asleep with you
To fall asleep with you
with you

I'd do anything
To fall asleep with you
I'd do anything
There's nothing I won't do
I'd do anything
To fall asleep
I'd do anything
Cuz I know I won't forget you

Spike walked back over to Buffy's stool and kneeled in front of her. He lifted the microphone to his mouth with one hand, and searched for something in his pocket with the other.

"Buffy..." he said. "You were...and have been....my best friend since we were six years old. When I left you....I don't think I've ever been in that much pain. I never want to be apart from you ever again." He pulled out a small velvet box and opened it up. Buffy gasped. Inside of it was a beautiful ring. In the center was a rather large diamond and on either side of it was two small emeralds. "Buffy....Lizbeth....will you marry me?"

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AN------bwaahaha!! lol. Epilogue to follow.........

 

Chapter 23:
AN-----well, this is the last of this story. it's been so awesome writing it. thanks to all of u guys for the reviews!!!

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This is who I am and this is what I like
GC, Sum and Blink and MXPX rockin’ my room
If you’re lookin’ for me I’ll be at the show
I can never find a better place to go
Until the day I die
I promise I won’t change
So you better give up

I don’t wanna be told to grow up
And I don’t wanna change
I just wanna have fun
I don’t wanna be told to grow up
And I don’t wanna change
So you better give up
‘Cause I’m not gonna change
I don’t wanna grow up

Buffy smiled as Spike jumped around onstage as he sang the chorus. She had helped him write the song one day when he had been watching Spongebob and she had told him that he was never going to grow up. He began chasing her around the house and making the song up on the spot. She had given in when it became too much for her and she had to lean against a wall to stop from laughing.

I’d like to stay up late, spend hours on the phone
Hanging out with all my friends and never being at home
I’m impolite and I make fun of everyone
I’m immature but I will stay this way forever
‘Til the day I die
I promise I won’t change (change, change)
So you better give up

I don’t wanna be told to grow up
And I don’t wanna change
I just wanna have fun
I don’t wanna be told to grow up
And I don’t wanna change
So you better give up
‘Cause I’m not gonna change
I don’t wanna grow up

I don’t wanna be told to grow up (grow up, grow up)
I don’t wanna be told to grow up (grow up, grow up)

I don’t wanna be told to grow up
And I don’t wanna change
I just wanna have fun
I don’t wanna be told to grow up
And I don’t wanna change
So you better give up
I don’t wanna be told to grow up
And I don’t wanna change
I just wanna have fun
I don’t wanna be told to grow up
And I don’t wanna change
So you better give up
‘Cause I’m not gonna change
I don’t wanna grow up
‘Cause I’m not gonna change
I don’t wanna grow up

***

Spike walked offstage, heading over to Buffy and was stopped by Angel. He exchanged a few words with him and Darla. He crouched down and talked to their 2 year old son, Conner.

He stood up and made his way over to Buffy. "Hey luv," he greeted as he kissed her on the lips.

"Hey," she smiled back when he pulled away.

"So how're you, o wife of mine?"

"Just fine and dandy, o husband of mine."

Spike kneeled down in front of Buffy's stomach. "And how's my little girl?"

"Our little BOY is just fine," Buffy said. She was 7 months pregnant, but they had chosen not to find out the sex of the baby. Because of her pregnancy, 'Summer Days' was taking a little break, allowing Buffy to spend time with her husband while he was on tour across the country with 'Love's Bitch'. They had been married a year now, and couldn't be happier.

Taking her hand, Spike said, "C'mon. Let's go and see if we can find you some pickles and ice cream, eh?"

She laughed, and smacked him across the arm. They walked out the double doors, smiling and laughing with each other.

Life was good.

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AN------so that's it. that's the end of the story. i'm actually kinda sad.

here's the song that i was listening to when i thought of the title:


Went back home again
This sucks, gotta pack up and leave again
Say goodbye to all my friends
Can't say when I'll be there again
Its time now, I turn around
Turn my back on everything
Turn my back on everything

Everything's changing when I turn around
All out of my control
I'm a mobile
Everything's changing when I turn around
All out of my control
I'm a mobile
hm, yeah

Start back at this life
Stretch myself back into the vibe
I'm waking up to say I've tried
Instead of waking up to another TV Guide
Its time now, I turn around
Turn and walk on this crazy ground oh oh

Everything's changing when I turn around
All out of my control
I'm a mobile
Everything's changing
Out of what I know
Every where I go
I'm a mobile
I'm a mobile

Hanging from the ceiling
Life's a mobile
Spinning 'round with mixed feelings
Crazy and wild
Sometimes I wanna scream out loud

Everything's changing everywhere I go
All out of my control
Everything's changing everywhere I go
Out of what I know
La la la la la la la la la...

Everything's changing when I turn around
All out of my control
I'm a mobile
Everything's changing
out of what i know
Every where i go
I'm a mobile

Everywhere I go
I'm a mobile

--mobile by avril lavigne