Buffy cracked her knuckles and took a deep breath before opening the bathroom door, grabbing Spike’s hand as they stepped out into the room. Dawn squealed in delight and launched herself at Buffy, knocking her back into Spike, who was pushed back against the shower, steadying himself before the three of them fell into the bathtub.

“Bit, I’m really not feeling like becoming part of the fixtures here,” he said, helping Buffy push the simultaneously sobbing and laughing girl off of her.

Dawn calmed herself down a bit before nodding and following Buffy and Spike back out into the bedroom. Willow’s face was drenched with tears, a broad smile hanging on her lips. Xander sat on the floor, staring blankly in front of him, while Angel sulked in the corner, holding a cell phone up to his ear. Buffy raised an eyebrow at Angel, who sighed.

“Giles…he just got back to London.”

Buffy nodded and sat down on the bed, patting the area next to her and motioning for Spike to join her. He was slightly taken aback, though completely touched by her action, though she didn’t realize how loving it truly was. Taking a deep breath, Buffy broke the silence.

“So…we’re back.”

Willow laughed, wiping her eyes with a tissue.

“Yeah, Buf, we kind of got that much…but how…when? Where have you two been all this time?”

Buffy grabbed the large handbook from its place on the bed.

“Well…when Spike and I died in Sunnydale, we didn’t actually die die…we went to a sort of purgatory. We knew we were coming back, we just didn’t know when.”

“Yeah,” Spike interjected, “And when we did come back, only the Poofter could see us, so we had to fu…”

“Ffffind a way to get corporeal again,” Buffy cut in. “And we did. So. We’re back.”

“And better then ever, love.”

Angel coughed.

“And why’s that?”

“Spike and I gained some extra talents while we were in purgatory,” Buffy said, “He can go out in the sun now and I’m…well…immortal.”

Dawn squealed in delight.

“So Spike and I can hang out in the daytime now? Awesome!”

“Whatever you want, Bit,” Spike laughed.

“And as long as we’re together,” Buffy continued until Spike cut her off.

“We’ll be stronger…’s a nice bonus, in’it, Slayer?”

Buffy nodded at Spike, who had raised his eyebrow warningly at her.

“Yeah…um, anyway you guys, I’m kind of exhausted, would it be alright if we caught up a little more tomorrow?”

Willow nodded as Buffy and Spike stood up, wearily.

“Of course it is, Buffy,” she launched herself at Buffy, wrapping her arms tightly around the Slayer, “I’m just so glad you guys are back! We all are.”

“Yeah,” Xander droned from his seat on the floor, his attention still focused on the air in front of him.

Angel helped Xander stand up and led him out of the room, Willow following behind them, stifling a nervous laugh. Dawn enveloped Spike in a giant bear hug for a moment before doing the same to Buffy.

“I love you guys,” she said with a smile, before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

Buffy placed her hand on the door for a moment, took a deep breath, and turned to face Spike.

“What the hell was that about?”

“What was what about?”

“The interrupting me?”

“You were telling them too much, love?”

“Says who?”

“Says anyone with half a brain, pet!”

“Oh,” Buffy said sarcastically, “So I’m dumb now, is that it?”

Spike pursed his lips and exhaled loudly through his nostrils.

“That’s not what I’m saying you stupid bint.”

“There! Right there!”

“Right where?”

“You just called me stupid.”

“You’re bloody insane is what you are.”

“Well you should know, you dated your looney tunes ho-bag of a girlfriend long enough.”

“You shut your gob!”

“I could do that if I knew what a ‘gob’ was!”

“You infuriating little….”

“You’re just as bad!”

“Bitch!”

“Asshole!”

“Trollop!”

“Ponce!”

Spike grabbed Buffy by the shoulders and shook her slightly before drawing her close to himself, his eyes boring into hers, doing his best not to falter and give in to the laughter bubbling in his chest.

“Now you listen here, Slayer, you’re my girl now, and my girl doesn’t call me a bloody ponce.”

Buffy couldn’t hold her laughter in, and gave into it as fits of giggles surfaced, bringing Spike’s laughter out momentarily. The two fell back onto the bed, laughter overtaking them. Spike wrapped his arm around Buffy, who curled up against his body, twirling little circles on his chest with her finger.

“I love you, you know,” she sighed, after their laughter had died down.

“I know, pet. Just…watch who you’re telling our good news to. If Angel ever became Angelus again, he’s use that to his own bloody advantage. Make our lives hell.”

“But we could take him easily.”

“Not if he knew what would happen if we were separated, love. Now, let’s do a spot of reading before the night’s out…sure those buggers upstairs have a test coming shortly for us.”


Joyce gazed into the small screen watching Buffy as she rested her head on Spike’s chest when he began to read aloud to her from their large handbook. Smiling at Anya, Cordelia, and Tara who were sitting in plush chairs in the large room, Joyce walked over to her own comforter and sat down.

“I think they’re learning quickly, don’t you?”

Anya nodded.

“I told you, Joyce, those two need each other. I tried to explain it to Xander while I was alive but he wouldn’t hear any of it…you could eat the sexual tension around those two with a spoon. I mean, honestly, some times I just thought they were going to rip their clothes off in front of all of us and just….”

“Anya! Please,” Tara cut in, “I…I doubt Buffy’s mother wants to hear about that sort of thing.”

“Oh, she knows all about it. Did you know that she and Giles….”

“Yes! Well,” Joyce chimed up, “Who wants hot chocolate?”