Summary: Imagine Spike never returned from Africa until Dawn found him.

The pain that started when she first started using him had never gone.

It had grown, almost killing him at times, but it never stopped.

Neither did his love for her.
He was William now, again a loner, but human. He had no idea how long

it had been - what seemed like centuries was six years. But even that's

too long to be without the woman you love.
And he had never found anyone else. But then someone found him.
"Spike, let me in. I know you're here." A familiar voice called from

outside. Spike sat up with a start, almost hitting his head. The

cramped apartment he lived in didn't have much room, and he had put a

bookshelf above his bed.
He stumbled over to the door, through piles of bottles. He opened the

door, and blinked as light blinded him. Then he saw who it was. "

Nibblet? I mean, Dawn?"
She was different - older, of course, but prettier than he had

remembered. Her hair was blonder, and shorter. She looked like her

sister.
She hugged him, startling Spike. She was the first person to touch him

in six years. "Why are you here? Why did you go?" Dawn asked, angrily.

she peered suspiciously at the apartment, wrinkling her nose at the

stench of liquor.
"I left because... of what happened."
"With you. And Buffy. In the bathroom. I know." Dawn rolled her eyes.

"Duh. It's all Xander could bitch about for, like, a year. Until Buffy

told him to get over himself."
"Buffy said that?"
"She misses you." Dawn said sadly. "A lot."
Spike was shocked. "But I tried to-"
"You didn't. And you don't know how much she misses you. It's scary."
"How scary?" Spike was curious.
"One morning I went into her room and she was still asleep, cuddling a

pillow. With your teeshirt on it." Dawn smiled, remembering how

embarrassed Buffy had been.
Spike ran his hands through his golden brown hair and sighed. "I miss

her too. But I can't go back, pet, I hurt her too much. Dangerous to

each other."
"You promised her you'd never leave."
"I also promised I'd never hurt her. I'm not good at the whole promise

thing."
"She needs you." Dawn protested. "I have an extra return ticket, and

you're going to be on that plane with me, or else you're going to fit

into a dustbuster."
"Um, Nib? I'm human." He grabbed her small hand and placed it on his

chest. Dawn felt a heartbeat there.
"Another reason you're coming with me." Dawn grinned. Spike couldn't be

bothered protesting.

*

"Peanuts?" Dawn offered Spike the bag.
"Yeah."
"Xander and Anya are together again."
"That's good."
"They've got three kids, too." Dawn grinned.
"And what about the witches?"
Dawn's smiled disappeared. "You don't know what happened."
"What happened?" Spike sipped his beer.
"Warren killed Tara. Willow's not totally alone, though. She met

someone... Bree. she's really nice, and totally normal. Everyone kinda

is now."
"Did Buffy... erm, find anyone?" Spike stuttered on his words.
"No. She found her soulmate and, stupidly, let him go." Dawn smiled.
Spike didn't take the hint. "Bloody soldier toy, hey? Stupid sod-"'
"You." Dawn interupted, smiling at him.
Spike couldn't help smiling back.

*

"Okay. I have to get to work, so I'll drop you at Buffy's." Dawn

announced, turning the car onto Revello Drive.
"What? You're just going to leave me there alone?"
"Yeah." Dawn stopped the car. "Now, out." She grinned.
Spike glared at her.
"Seriously. I'm late. Out! You'll be fine."
She sped off as soon as he stepped onto the curb. He slowly made his

way up the drive.
Spike hesitated before knocking on the door.  What if she killed him?

Or worse, told him to leave? He couldn't bare living without her

anymore. So he knocked. Whatever happened would happen.
When she opened the door, he froze, revelling in her beauty.
"Spike." She gasped.
Her hair was long again, but blonder than he remembered. she was

wearing a white summer dress patterned with colourful dots. She was a

little rounder around the hips, but it was a good transformation. She

was perfect.
"Buffy."
They stayed silent, for at least five minutes, just stunned at each

other's presence.
"Your hair." Buffy blurted out. "It's not blonde. And you're....

tanned."
"And human." He admitted.
"Okay, wow. For me." It was a statement and not a querie. She knew.

Buffy stepped closer, their bodies almost touching. "I liked your hair

better blonde." She whispered.
"Oh." Spike said, stupidly. Buffy grabbed his hand and pulled him

upstairs.
He shuddered when she pulled him into the bathroom, remembering...

everything. Buffy felt his tense silence and ran her hands over his

chest. "You okay?"
"I'm sorry, so sorry, luv." Close to tears, he could barely speak.

Buffy smiled.
"It's okay, Spike." She kissed him.
His shirt was off within seconds and he started unzipping her dress.

Buffy grasped at the shower taps and started the hot water. Then she

pushed him in, so he was on his back. Straddling him, she then removed

his jeans, throwing them away. Hot water drenched them as she tore off

her bra and panties. Spike's erection pressed against her stomach.

Buffy mewled as his hands explored her breasts.
She positioned herself at the tip of his cock, then slid down. She was

impaled on him, and electricity shot through her. God, she had missed

this.
Spike was enveloped in her heat. She was different to how he

remembered, but more amazing than ever as she rode him. He groaned, and

grasped at her hips, caressing her soft skin. Buffy threw her head

back, marvelling at the sensations tearing through her. Her breasts

pointing up, she cried out several times as Spike bucked into her,

driving deeper and deeper. Her climax was approaching and she couldn't

wait. They came simultaneously, wave after wave of pleasure soothing

them. Buffy collapsed on his chest.
Spike whispered into her wet hair, "Love you."
"Love you too." She admitted, finally. Spike grabbed her and kissed her

passionately.

As they redressed, Spike grabbed a brush and started combing it through

Buffy's wet hair. She giggled and helped him tie it up. "There's

someone I want you to meet," she said, as the doorbell ran downstairs.
"Okay." He agreed, following her as she descended the stairs.
She smiled at him and motioned for him to sit down. Spike admired the

new furniture and paint in the room - much more modern.
He listened to the murmered conversation between Buffy and Xander, or

what he could catch of it.
"Dawn told you? Oh... yeah. He's here. Yeah. No, Xan. It's okay."
Xander's reply was indeciferable, but Spike guessed it was spoken in anger.
"Don't, Xan. He's fine. Was she good? Okay. Come on sweetie." Buffy took her daugher by the hand and guided her inside. Beth promptly burst into tears at her mother's touch. "Honey, what's wrong?"
Spike was confused, not only by the girl's presence but by her tears.
"Ben made fun of me because I don't have a dad." The girl mumbled.
"But, sweetie... you do." Buffy said quietly.
"He isn't here!" Wailed the child.
"That's because daddy has been far, far away. But I promise you he'll

be here soon." Buffy said, glancing at Spike.
The child turned and smiled at Spike. Beth approached Spike, who wore

an expression of horror... then he smiled. "Hello, pet."
"Hi." The child was nervous. She sat next to Spike on the couch. "Are

you my mummy's boyfriend?"
Spike studied the girl. She had long, brown hair, and the most

startling blue eyes he'd ever seen.
"Yeah, pet." He smiled at her. She was so trusting, and he could see so

much Buffy in her.
He looked up at Buffy, and they shared a smile. Beth sat on Spike's

knee. "Where are you from?"
"England, pet."
"Near the queen?" Buffy and Spike laughed.
"Spose so."
Beth yawned "You tired, sweetie?" Buffy studied her warily.
"A bit."
"Maybe it's naptime then." Buffy picked Beth up.
"I'll take you out for icecream later, eh, pet?"
Beth smiled at Spike. "Goodnight."
Buffy took Beth upstairs, returning shortly.
"You okay?" Buffy sat next to Spike, kissing him.
"Is she..."
"yours? Yeah." Buffy snuggled into him. "I tried to track you down, to

tell you about our apocolyptic child-"
"What?"
"Oh, yeah. Evil people wanted my baby, but I won." Buffy smiled

nochalantly.
"I'm so sorry, luv. I wish I'd been here. The name, Beth..."
"I found your diary at your crypt and I thought it was just right."
"My mum's name." Spike said softly. Buffy kissed him.
"I'll give Beth time, before I tell her... she needs to get used to

you. But I know she'll love you as much I love you." Shhe whispered.
"I love you, too." He flipped her onto her back and kissed her

passionately.
"I missed you." She admitted sadly.
"You won't ever have to miss me again." He promised, kissing her again.
"Oh, and Spike? The brown hair? Got to go."
"Anything, Buffy. You're my everything."

*

The End - hope you liked it. If people could give me feedback on the

ending, I always wonder if it's okay or not. Anyway, keep enjoying

Spuffy!