Remember Me

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Joss owns it all damn him!

Okay, the end came out a little cornier than I planned, but what can I say? That's how the characters wanted to end their night, and I'm just a slave to what my characters want.

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Chapter 22 - A New Face, An Old Friend

Spike stepped out of the room and immediately began sweeping his gaze up and down the long corridor. His anxiety kicked up a notch when he found no evidence of Buffy. But then there she was. She took long strides toward him, her face showing the fear and worry that had been haunting her all day.

He met her halfway down the hall his arms already opened wide to receive her. She stepped into his embrace and let her cheek fall against his chest, breathing in the scent of him. They stood holding each other close with no thought for anyone else until Giles cleared his throat.

"Maybe we should go back to the hotel. Plan our strategy since it doesn't look like they're going to be dropping the investigation into you anytime soon." Giles suggested a faint shade of pink creeping up his neck and over his cheeks at the intimate display he was witnessing.

"What does he mean?" Buffy asked, taking a step away and looking up into Will's eyes. "Didn't they check with the rental company?"

Spike sighed, and ran a free hand through his rumpled hair. "It's not as simple as that, luv. Since I was alone for most of the night, and the accident didn't occur until pretty late, they don't consider it proof that I didn't go after the wanker before hand and then stage the accident to explain away my bruises. In fact, I think it might make me look even guiltier."

"Oh, Will." Buffy hugged him tightly before taking his hand and starting back down the hall that would take them out of the precinct.

The rest of the gang was waiting in Spike and Buffy's suite when they returned. The boys had left earlier when Buffy had arrived at the station. "How did it go?" Lorne asked as soon as they walked in.

Spike gave them a frustrated stare before dry washing his face with his right hand. "Not bloody well." He answered, sitting down hard on the sofa and pulling Buffy down with him.

"Spike, man, we're sorry." Xander blurted, his face flushed with guilt.

"Why are you sorry, mate? I got myself into this mess." Spike answered puzzled.

"They confiscated the tapes today." Wesley answered for Xander. "There was nothing we could do."

"Tapes?" Buffy asked, her brow furrowed. This whole thing had been like one gigantic nightmare. And now it seemed she was having trouble following the conversational thread.

"Yes, from the night we took down Angel." Wesley clarified.

"What about them?" Buffy asked, still confused.

"Spike got a little...upset. He was...beating Angel, mostly in self defense mind you, when the rest of us finally made the scene." Lorne explained. "The tapes were still running and they caught Spike threatening to kill Angel if he ever came near you again."

"So, what?" Buffy's exclamation rang loudly through the suite. "That's just something he said cause he was angry and scared for me and...and...and they should know that!"

"Whether they know it or not, it's just another piece of evidence they'll be using at trial." Giles inserted.

Just then a soft knock was heard to which Giles stood quickly, "I'll get that." The sextet heard soft murmurs coming from the foyer and then Giles returned with a woman none of them had seen before. "Will, this is Joyce. Joyce Monroe. She's the lawyer I told you about."

Spike stood and offered his hand, murmuring a soft thank you for her assistance. He watched her as she shook hands with the rest of the group. She looked casual, but professional at the same time. Her long blonde hair curled softly just past her shoulders, and her eyes gave off a wise yet compassionate glow. Spike immediately felt more at ease now that he'd met her. He turned back to Buffy to see her smiling at the new comer as well.

"I'm sorry we have to meet under such unpleasant circumstances. Rupert's told me so much about both of you." Joyce smiled down at them.

At the mention of Giles' first name Spike gave the old man a smirk. "Rupert, huh?"

To everyone's amusement Giles blushed. "Yes, well, I told you that Joyce and I were old friends."

Joyce just smiled and held her tongue. She found Rupert's flushed cheeks adorable. Instead of commenting she took a seat and opened her briefcase. She took out a legal pad ann, an, and waited to catch Will's attention. Eventually the teasing glint left the youngster's eye and he sat back down next to his girl.

"Rupert's," Joyce paused to smile at the snickers the name evoked. "Rupert's briefed me on your case, but I'd like to hear everything once more from you."

Spike went over the last week in detail, though his voice was without inflection. It was almost as if he were reciting something he'd memorized years ago. It was weird because part of him felt like everything had just happened yesterday. And then another part of him felt like it had been decades since he'd thought he'd lost Buffy forever. The arm around her waist squeezed automatically, almost as if to reassure himself that she was still there.

"And that's everything?" Joyce asked, taking some final notes. When Will didn’t answer she looked up to find his gaze wandering around the room. She wondered at thor aor a moment, but then he did look up to meet her stare and nod. But then he turned his head away once more and was again letting his eyes roam the room. "So there was nobody that might have seen you at any time after you left the rental company last night?"

"No, I'm afraid not." Spike answered, his gaze now fixed on the world just outside the glass of the balcony doors.

"You didn't stop for gas, or anything else?" Joyce pushed.

"No, the bike's tank was full when I rented it. The only person I saw last night was the tow truck guy that picked up the bike after my fall. And the taxi driver that brought me back to the hotel." Spike answered, almost absently.

"With Angel's time of death set at around 9pm, it doesn't look good for you. You didn't call in the accident until after 10 and you left the rental company just before 7. The prosecution is probably having a field day knowing that all the time is unaccounted for." Joyce informed them.

"So you think they're going to charge him for sure? But he didn't do it!" Buffy's cry was indignant. She knew Joyce wasn't at fault, but she felt like she had to yell at somebody.

"We all know that Buffy, but the prosecution does have a good case. Will had both opportunity and motive."

Buffy's lip began to tremble as she tried to fight back the tears. How could this be happening?

"Don't worry Buffy, we won't let Spike go to jail." Willow reassured her, looking up at Wesley for confirmation.

"Of course not. Xander, Lorne, and I will be out first thing in the morning to hunt down evidence. Spike didn't kill Angel. But somebody did. We'll find out who." Wesley was adamant.

"Maybe we should all get some rest." Giles suggested. Everybody stood except for Spike and Buffy, who were too emotionally exhausted to do more than wave goodnight to everyone. "We'll be by around 9am tomorrow to continue our discussions."

The door closed shut behind them, leaving Buffy and Spike snuggled together on the couch. Spike tilted his head just enough to land a kiss atop Buffy's hair. "Don't worry, kitten. Everything will turn out right, you'll see."

"Will, I'm so worried." Buffy tunneled further into Spike's embrace. "What if the guys can't find anything? What if the police really think you did it?"

"No worries, luv. I didn't kill Angel. I'm not going to jail." Spike's voice was resolute.

"But there are plenty of innocent people in jail, Will. Sometimes it takes years to prove them innocent, and sometime they never do." Buffy's lip was trembling again, and Spike could feel her tiny body shuddering against his. He wrapped his arms around her and let his palms rub warm circles on her back.

"That's not going to happen, Buffy. Trust me." He whispered, letting his lips linger by her ear, his breath tickling the short hairs of her neck. When she sighed and leaned in further, Spike let his lips touch down tasting her sweet skin.

"I do trust you, Will...mmmm...Of course I do." Buffy tilted her head to give him further access to her neck. She loved the feel of his soft lips against her. Closing her eyes to enjoy the sensation she was surprised when she felt herself lifted off the couch. When she was laid gently on top of the bed spread she opened her eyes to find Will watching her intently.

"I can't believe we're here, luv." His eyes were so full of love for her she could hardly breathe. "I can't believe that I can stand here, watching you, loving you, and not have to hide a thing." He was slowly shedding his clothes as he spoke, moving closer and closer to her prone figure. "I can't believe that I can stand in front of you, say 'I love you', and actually expect you to say it back."

"I do love you, Will." Buffy insisted quietly.

"I know, luv." He whispered, crawling on his hands and knees until he was lying atop her. "That's how I know everything will turn out right in the end. Because we're here. Because you love me." And then he kissed her.

Buffy gave herself up to the kiss, her body heating up from the contact. Soon she was so hot she couldn't stand it anymore and began to try wriggling out of her clothes. Spike noticed and reached down to settle her. "Let me, luv." He whispered in her ear, nipping at the enticing lobe before pulling away enough to unbutton the front of her blouse. One by one he took each piece of clothing off her, kissing the newly exposed skin as he went.

When she was naked, he returned to his previous position, their bodies now flush skin to skin. They kissed for a few more quiet moments, until Spike could feel Buffy's hips thrusting up toward his own in a silent plea for more. He sheathed himself quickly and then slid into her warmth, exhaling roughly at the feel of her against him.

He began a slow rhythm, whispering his love and devotion over and over again as he went. He'd held in his feelings for her for so long, that the freedom to tell her exactly what he was feeling made him giddy. "I love you, Buffy. Love you." He rambled between kisses. And then all he could do was feel. He sped up his rhythm, his breath coming in harsh bursts. He let his hands wander, touching her, delighting in the moans of pleasure that each feather light touch induced. And when he felt her let go, felt her shringring around him, he exploded. "Buffy!"

"I love you, Will." Buffy murmured sleepily as they both drifted off, exhausted.

And Spike was filled with warmth. Buffy loved him. Whatever else happened they would get through it together. He kissed her lightly on the forehead, snuggling her close against his side before he too drifted into dreams.