A/N: This particular interlude doesn't progress the plot whatsoever. I was going to leave the contents up to the reader's imagination, but caught all kinds of flak for that plan, so here you have it:


"Hello?" The Slayer's voice was timid, and Spike found himself smiling.

"Buffy, pet?"

"Spike! Oh, god, Spike. It's you?"

"'S me, kitten. Hear Junior Watcher spilled the beans." His hands were twitching, begging for touch.

"Yeah. Giles went into fits when Willow pulled her disappearing act and called Andrew; Dawn was home and saw the wiggage. She pulled the story out of him, spazzed like a pro, and called me. Faith was bringing some newbies up to the academy anyway, so I stuck her in charge for a bit and came back." There was a pause that Spike didn't dare to interrupt. "Spike?"

"Yeah?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" She sounded so small... Spike sighed.

"Wanted to. I was all ghostie when I showed up, though, and nobody'd dial the phone for me. Then... Things happened. Angel needed me, pet, and it was a good feeling."

"What if I needed you?"

"Did you? Really?" He wasn't quite scornful, but less than enthusiastic.

Buffy sighed. "No. But god, I missed you. Life's so much easier without you around, y'know?"

Spike scowled at the phone.

"Quit that!"

He snickered. "You're scary, Slayer."

Her grin was clear in her voice. "You betcha. No, but really, Spike. Life's simpler these days. Like it's all been pared down, and all I have to do is fight the bad guys, love my friends, and teach hormonal superheroes where the heart is. Which sounds like a really, really bad soap opera. But anyway. I remember what you said to me, Spike. And... Even though I hate that you didn't come to me, or let me know you were around - and yup, there's been some serious yelling that you were lucky enough to have missed - I'm kinda glad that I had this past year. Remember when Giles left, after Willow brought me back?"

Spike murmured his assent, old curses and worn-out pain flashing behind his eyes.

"Well, this whole living thing's like learning to ride a bike. When he left, it was like he took my training wheels away and all I could do was hope the crash didn't kill me. When you died, it was like... Even though I missed you so much, I was finally riding on my own, y'know? Just... I was in control. Part of it felt good, knowing that I could take care of myself. And now you're back, and I don't need you to hold me steady anymore."

Spike sank onto the couch. "What're you saying, Slayer? Spell it out for the dumb vamp."

The bitterness in his voice was rich, and Buffy jumped to remedy his misapprehension. "Not that, you idiot! Just that, well, instead of holding me up, you can ride along beside me."

The smile was slowly working its way back onto Spike's face, even in the face of Buffy's somewhat skewed metaphors. "Really, luv?"

"Really. And I really, really missed you. Now get everyone on the phone so we can deal with this whoziwhatzit and I can see you again!"

They laughed, and Spike found himself almost caressing the phone. "Yeah. Gimme a second."