Aftermath

Summary: My ideas of how things could have ogne after the Buffy finale. This was started before Spike came on Angel, hence the reason it's completely off canon.

Disclaimer: None of the Buffy/Angel characters belong to me. I'm just playing with them.

Pairing: Spuffy all the way. Maybe some others tossed in eventually, but mostly just Spuffy.

Rating: PGish for now until they're reunited. Then lots of NC-17 Spuffy lovin!!

Contact Info: Please read and review, just don't flame me! Feel free to e mail me at chocoholicgirl03@aol.com. Promise I'll respond. I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions you have to make my story better.

Distribution: If you'd like to put this story someplace else, just let me know

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Willow sighed, flopping down in a chair. Buffy had finally broken, crying herself into an exhausted sleep. "Willow, how is she?" She sighed, glancing at Giles. "At least she cried. That'll help, some. She'll have to get to this point again and again before she'll really be any better. I just wish we knew something, either way. Then at least she'd know and could move on and either find Spike or get over losing him. I've tried a location spell but I get such mixed results, it's not really an answer. I don't know what else to try. I was thinking maybe Angel might know something."

Xander shook his head, his arm across the back of the couch, hand resting lightly on Dawn's shoulder. "Will, like he'd tell us anything about Spike even if he knew. Those two were never exactly big buddies and then it turns out Spike was Buffy's Cion ion and not tall dark and broody himself. Personally I'd think he'd be more than happy to know Spike was gone. And IF he is back, he wouldn't want Buffy knowing. The guy still seems to think maybe he's got a chance with her." He snorted shaking his head.

Willow nodded. "Believe me Xander, I've thought of all of that. But it might do her some good to see him. I'm sure he'd come if I told him how bad she was."

Giles shook his head. "Angel is the last person Buffy needs righw. Iw. It would only serve to remind her of all she's lost." Dawn nodded. "I'm with Giles on this. He sets one toe inside this house and he's dust. He's not getting near her. He even tries I'll stakes his brooding undead ass so fast he won't know what the hell happened. And you all know I could do it too. I trained harder than any of the SITs. I may not have Slayer skills, but I trained long and hard on my own to be as good as them. I'm in the mood to go and do it just so he's not around to cause problems for Buffy." Giles sighed. "Now, Dawn, I don't think there's any need to go that far. We simply must try other methods of finding out what is going on. There may come a time, if she can not accept that Spike is gone, that something will have to be done......."

Snapping, Willow glared at Giles eyes flashing red for a split second. "She's not crazy Giles, she's grieving! She can't just snap her fingers and be over it. We've done this to her before and I for one am not doing it again. Maybe the coven can help." She stormed out, slamming the door hard enough to rattle the glass. Dawn pulled away form Xander. "Willow's right. I'm going to go check on Buffy." Xander blinked, looking over at Giles. "Is it just me or are both of them reeeeeally scary right now?"" Giles nodded slightly. "For once Xander, I completely agree with you.

Upstairs Dawn quietly peeked in Buffy's room. Seeing her sister was awake she sat on the edge of the bed. "Hope the yelling didn't wake you up." Buffy shrugged slightly, eyes a bit vacant and clutching Mr. Gordo. "Want me to make you some cocoa?" Buffy smiled slightly, shaking her head. "No. Thanks though Dawnie. Just stay for a while?" Nodding Dawn crawled up on the bed, letting Buffy lean against her. "Sure. I'm pissed at Xander anyway. Giles told us about what's been going on. Seems to me like he's trying to let you know he's ok, but just isn't ready to be seen yet. You know, all with being Mr. Mysterious guy. That's SO his style." She rolled her eyes. Buffy smiled faintly, nodding. "You don't think I'm going crazy, do you Dawn?" Dawn shook her head firmly. "Nope. Definetely not. Not ever goin thi think that. I miss him too. A lot. I really hope he's back or ok or whatever. I really do. He deserves it." She hugged Buffy gently. "Wish I could do more to help." Buffy gently smoothed her dark hair, hugging her close. “You do plenty, just by being here, by believing in me." Dawn manage a half smile. "Well, duhh, you're my big sister and a Slayer. Believing in you's a no brainer."

Outside in the gathering dark, the shadows moved away silently. There was comfort now, and understanding. Things would be easier now. But something would have to be done to prevent anyone form the outside being brought in. That wouldn't do at all. Fortunately the Witch and the Key had the final say in the matter. Those two he could trust.


A/N: Sorry so short. The next chapter should be longer. And Please review. I want to know what people think.