Chapter 25 – The Long Road to Happiness


Sunnydale, 2000


Buffy and Spike followed the rest of the Scoobies into a local bar, holding hands as they walked and feeling relieved that telling everyone had worked out well. Xander spotted a table for them, and the four women sat down.

“Spike and I will get drinks,” Xander said, looking at Spike for a moment before walking away.

“If we’re not back in five minutes, I might’ve bitten him,” Spike whispered to Buffy before heading in the direction Xander had went in.

“So, you two seem happy,” Tara said conversationally. “It’s nice to see, especially since-”

“Since you were pretty down for a while,” Willow interrupted, and Tara nodded. “We’re all happy you came out with us, too – maybe tonight will be like old times.”

“We’ve missed you,” Tara said.

“I’m sorry I left early the other night,” Buffy replied, looking down. “And I’m sorry that I pushed you all away after…” She trailed off, sighing. “It was a hard time, and it was even harder having everyone around me be sympathetic and constantly trying to get me to talk about everything. Things are still rocky, but they’re getting better.”

“We never meant to make you sadder,” Tara said. “We wanted to make sure you were okay and to help you with anything you needed us for.”

“I know that,” Buffy said, giving her a small smile. “I do now, at least. I think I needed to be in my own bubble for a while to sort things out.”

“Spike was in your bubble, though, wasn’t he?” Anya asked curiously.

“Well, yes, but-” Buffy cut herself off. “Things were different. He knew where I was coming from, and he was dealing with losses, too.”

“Well, it’s good that he was around, then,” Willow replied. “And hopefully we can be back in the Buffy bubble soon.”

“As long as you forgive me for distancing myself from you,” Buffy said, and the three women nodded before they each hugged her. “I’m sorry I acted the way I did.”

“We could understand,” Tara said. “And we’re still here for you whenever you need us.”

“Thank you,” Buffy replied as Xander and Spike returned, holding drinks for everyone.

Xander handed Spike a beer bottle, and Spike smirked at him. “Giving me a drink, whelp? I’m afraid you’re not my type.”

“You’re not funny,” Xander said, glaring at him as he sat beside his girlfriend.

“But I am, aren’t I?” Buffy asked, batting her eyelashes at Spike when he looked at her.

“Do you even need to ask?” He leaned down and kissed her softly, not surprised when he felt something hit his duster.

Buffy looked down at the ground and saw a slice of lime at Spike’s feet. “Xander, did you just throw the chunk of lime from your drink at Spike?”

“I told you both that I didn’t want to see any hanky panky,” he replied sternly, making a face. “It’s gross.”

“Like the stuff you do with Anya is any better,” Buffy muttered, taking her drink from Spike. “So, what are the plans tonight?”

“Drink until we can’t walk straight,” Spike said, grinning when she smacked his arm. “Alright, how about shagging until we can’t walk straight, then?”

“Excellent suggestion,” Anya replied, instantly nodding. “I like that idea.”

“How about dancing?” Buffy asked with a hopeful expression, frowning when Spike growled.

“I don’t dance,” he said sharply.

“Is it against the rules in the underworld?” she joked. “We could head to the Bronze.”

“Buffy,” Willow said solemnly. “Are you sure you want to go there?”

“I can’t stay away forever,” she replied. “There isn’t anywhere else in town for dancing.” She looked away. “And maybe it’ll help me heal faster. Being back there won’t be fun right away, but I might be able to start dealing with everything better. You have to face your fears to get over them, right? Going to the Bronze might help me overcome what happened there that night.”

“We don’t have to go tonight,” Spike said quietly. “We can wait, luv. There’s always time to go there.”

“I want to,” she said with conviction. “There’s no harm in trying.”

“Let’s finish up our drinks and go there, then,” Xander replied, exchanging a look with Willow before drinking some of his beer.

~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy and Spike walked into his crypt a few hours later, both very tired from their night out.

“Who knew you could dance so well?” she murmured as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.

“Don’t go spreading that around,” he replied. “It’ll ruin my image.”

She giggled and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for going out with us tonight. It wouldn’t have been the same if you hadn’t gone.”

“And miss a night out with my lady?” he asked, smirking. “Besides, it was fun to see Xander look ill every time you and I danced a little too close.”

“Is that how you would classify it?” she asked, amused. “Because from my perspective, you were practically fucking me with your clothes on.”

“Such a dirty mouth on you, kitten,” he replied, grinning. “And I don’t remember you telling me to stop at any point, so you can’t deny you enjoyed it.”

“Every last minute.” She yawned and looked at him apologetically. “I don’t mean to cut the night short, but I’m tired.”

“Want to stay the night with me?” he asked, and she smiled.

“That depends,” she said. “Do you actually plan on us sleeping if I stay?”

“I guess you’ll have to wait and see, won’t you?” He picked her up, laughing when she giggled and curled up against his chest as he carried her down to the lower level of the crypt.

“My hero,” she said, stroking the soft cotton of the t-shirt he was wearing.

“Not a hero, pet,” he replied. “I’m a bad, evil thing.”

“In bed,” she said, beaming when he groaned low in his throat. “You’re good to me, Spike. Thank you.”

“That’s because I love you, Goldilocks.” He laid her down on his bed before taking off his boots and duster.

“Thank you for that, too,” she replied, kicking off her shoes and resting her head on one of his pillows as she watched him sit on the edge of the bed. “Do you ever think about what would’ve happened if she hadn’t come to town?”

“Tessa?” he asked, looking down when she nodded. “All of the time.”

“Do you think things would’ve worked out this way for us if circumstances had been different?” she asked curiously. “If Dawn wouldn’t have been killed, if Mom wouldn’t have been kidnapped?”

“I liked you before all of that happened,” he answered. “I’m sure that wouldn’t have changed if things would’ve gone differently.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” she said, yawning again. “So, sleep now?”

“Sure,” he replied, smiling softly when she rested her head on his chest, pulling his sheets over them and closing her eyes. “I love you, Buffy.”

As he stroked her hair and kissed her forehead, she whispered, “I love you, too, Spike.”



THE END

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A/N: Thank you to everyone who read the story and was so supportive of its continuation! I appreciate everyone’s kind words, and I hope this fic was as much of a pleasure to read as it was to write.