Title: Worth
Author: TammyDevil666
Summary: It was getting harder and harder for him to pretend.
Rating: PG
Author's Note: Just a little something I thought of, I guess you could say it’s a few drabbles in one, only a little above 300 words. It takes place during “Intervention,” and then goes in to “Bargaining.” That wasn’t originally planned, but the muse tends to have a mind of its own.
Feedback: Any comments would be appreciated.
Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me.




She was beautiful.

Long, blonde hair, a smile that could light up an apocalypse, utter perfection, and right now, she was all his.

Spike could imagine for as long as he liked, but sooner or later, reality would rear its ugly head.

But for one brief moment, he was happy living in denial with his Buffy.

She lit up when he entered the room, for once not disgusted by the sight of him, but when she said the words that would change everything, Spike knew he could no longer pretend.

“Should I start this program over?”


* * * * *


“What you did, for me, and Dawn...that was real.”

Spike lifted his head to look at her.

She turned to glance at him over her shoulder. “I won’t forget it.”

He watched her walk away, a slow smile forming on his bruised face.

And sometimes, it was all worth it.


* * * * *


He hated that damn thing.

All she did now was remind him of what he lost, his beautiful Slayer.

Spike tried to avoid her every chance he got, but it was no use. For a robot, she was pretty perceptive.

“Why don’t you like me anymore?”

He tried to remind himself that this was just a machine, but turned away from her gaze all the same.

“Because you’re not her.”


* * * * *


She was wrecked, lying there on the street, lifeless.

No matter how hard Spike tried, he couldn’t pull his eyes away.

This wasn’t his Slayer, just a cheap imitation, but he still couldn’t help the small pang that tugged at his heart having to see her like that.

With that thought in mind, he took his duster off, draping it over her broken body.


* * * * *


For once in his life, Spike was completely speechless.

It was Buffy.

The scent, her eyes, he would know the real Slayer anywhere.

She was back, he didn’t understand why, nor did he care.

All he knew was that sitting here, holding her hands in his, he was finally home.