He had never really imagined that his words might have an effect on Spike, especially as the two of them weren’t exactly friendly – but he was soon to be surprised. He was out on patrol one evening a few days later, making his way through Sunnydale with the robot Buffy beside him.

Willow had finally managed to put her back together and once again, she was out on patrol, tricking the demons of Sunnydale into thinking that their Slayer was still around. He was still disconcerted by just how like Buffy she looked, but as time had passed, he had begun to be able to pick out the traits that betrayed the robot: her strange phrases, her much girlier clothing, her different fighting style. He was honestly amazed that he had ever believed this to be the real thing.

Returning back to the present, he shook his head a little and continued on, sneaking a glance at the robot out of the corner of his eye. She was talking but he had learnt to drown that out too and he was focussed on his surroundings. Suddenly, her words penetrated through to him though.

“Oh look, it’s Spike,” she said happily, drawing to a halt and smiling widely.

He scanned the cemetery and spotted the vampire at a distance, kneeling down in front of a gravestone.

“Isn’t he gorgeous?” the robot asked, but he drowned it out, his attention fixed on the vampire. He appeared to be talking, although there didn’t appear to be anyone around. Riley frowned, trying to puzzle out the scene as Spike laid a gentle hand on the stone.



A moment later, as if sensing that he was being watched, Spike stopped and rose to his feet stiffly. He brushed a hand over his face and turned towards them. Instead of turning in the opposite direction – as Riley had expected - he actually headed for them. He stopped a few feet away and, although he couldn’t be sure, Riley thought maybe the vampire had been crying. Spike gave the robot a cursory glance and then nodded at Riley in greeting.

“’Lo.”

“Hey.”

The vampire fell silent and stuffed his hands in his pockets, obviously uncomfortable.

“Hello Spike!” the robot said brightly and Spike glared at her, silencing her, before turning back to Riley.

“Wanted to say…” he started uncertainly, cutting himself off and starting again, “The thing is…”

He trailed off and let out a groan, throwing his eyes skyward before returning his attention to Riley.

“You were right,” he mumbled.

Riley was so taken aback that he had no idea how to reply. Before he could though, Spike continued, his eyes flicking to Riley’s.

“I made a promise and I wasn’t keeping it. I promised to look after Dawn and, well, she was more looking after me.”

He gave a tiny shrug and a pained smile.

“I’m going to do right now… by both of them,” he finished, eyes meeting Riley’s.

“Okay,” Riley got out hesitantly, still thrown off by the vampire’s burst of honesty.

Although, it did seem to be the vampire’s speciality, as he well remembered.

“Just wanted to say…” he paused, clearing his throat, “Well, I appreciate it. What you said.”

“It was nothing.”

Spike shrugged and stuffed his hands further in his pockets.

“Thanks anyway.”



There was silence as no-one seemed quite sure what to say – all, that is, except the fake Buffy.

“Isn’t his hair nice?” she remarked to Riley, flashing a bright smile in Spike’s direction.

The vampire gave her a scathing look that went unnoticed and Riley couldn’t help but smile. Catching sight of this, Spike glanced at him, his lips twitching with the start of a smile.

“Bloody thing,” he murmured, “Tempted to break it again.”

“We do kinda need it,” Riley pointed out, even as he smiled at the robot’s pout, a response to Spike’s words. Spike just rolled his eyes and pulled a packet of cigarettes from his pocket. He tucked one between his lips and lit it, taking a long drag.

“He’s so sexy when he’s smoking,” the robot simpered and Riley actually laughed, unable to help himself.

“Seriously,” Spike groaned, “The witch could at least have muted her.”

“She wouldn’t be a very good replacement then,” Riley joked.

“She’s not a good replacement,” Spike answered instantly, his expression turning serious.

“No,” Riley agreed quietly a moment later, “She’s not.”

The robot gave a huff of protest and stormed off across the cemetery, leaving the two males in silence.



Spike watched the robot go and then turned to Riley.

“I could do with a drink,” he commented.

Riley gave him a pointed look and he rolled his eyes.

“Just the one.”

The vampire paused to consider and then continued.

“Fancy joining me?”

Momentarily taken aback, Riley recovered a moment later and nodded.

“Sure,” he said, surprising himself a little with his answer.

Spike gave a tiny smile and then turned, heading for the town. Riley fell into step beside the vampire, wondering if he was in some sort of surreal dream. He felt, not for the first time, a sort of strange affinity with the vampire.

“I think we hurt the robot’s feelings,” he spoke up musingly.

Spike glanced at him with a frown and then turned away.

“She doesn’t have feelings. She’s not real,” he answered bitterly.

Riley regarded the other man silently, realisation seeping into his mind.

“But you wanted her to be,” Riley commented softly, watching the vampire stiffen. Spike said nothing for a long time and focussed his attention on the path ahead of him. Finally though, he spoke up, decidedly avoiding Riley’s gaze.

“I did, yeah. But I learnt my lesson,” Spike said, giving a bitter laugh and shaking his head, “Nothing could compare to the real thing.”

“And you’d know the real thing how?” Riley asked in surprise.

Spike turned to him with a tiny smile.

“Don’t get your knickers in a twist. You know I never had a chance.”

“Well, a lot has changed since I left.”

Spike paused for a moment and then nodded.

“That it has.”