A Promise Kept

A/N: I REALLY appreciate all the reviews! An author’s main purpose of writing is so that others will enjoy their work. Feedback is like chocolate, and praise is even better! Like chocolate with caramel! So if you read this fic, submit a review. Reviews makehapphappy, and when happhappy I write more and faster! And it gives me an idea on what to include in the next chapters.

This chapter is only PG, but has some really fluffy Spuffyness, so enjoy!

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“Morning” Dawn greeted Willow as she walked down the stairs.

“Hey Dawnie,” Willow said, heading towards the coffee maker. “What’s up?”

“You’ll never guess who showed up here last night,” Dawn said, grinning insanely.

“More potentials?” Willow sat down with her freshly poured cup of coffee.

“Guess again.”

“WAAAAY too tired for guessing games, Dawnie.” She rubbed at her eyes.

“Buffy was right...he came back.” Dawn jumped up and clapped her hands, as if it was just sinking in.

Willow looked at her, not knowing what she was talking about. “Who came ba....Spike?!!” Willow’s eyes widened as Dawn nodded.

“In the flesh. Undead flesh, but still....flesh. 100% real.” Dawn added.

“Does Buffy know?”

“He’s been with her all night...I’m pretty sure she’s noticed.”

Willow raised an eyebrow. “Well, have you talked to her?”

“Nope. I figure Spike knows what he’s doing so....” Dawn shrugged. Willow nodded in agreement.

“I think she really loves him, Dawnie.”

“I KNOW she does.” Dawn answered.

“So who else knows?” Willow asked.

“Nobody. I didn’t tell Xander this morning...I’m not sure how he would take it.”

“Yeah...he was still really worked up about what happened. You know how protective he is of Buffy...” Willow stood up for Xander, even though she disagreed with the way he acts about Spike. “But that was a long time ago, and he’s changed. Xander just needs to admit it. Dawnie, we all know what he did for us all, and we all know how much he loves her. And I sure as hell know what it’s like to lose someone you love. And Buffy kept her faith in him, even when she didn’t have to, and look at where it’s gotten her” Willow smiled, thinkin about how happy this would make the both of them. “They both deserve to be happy.”

Dawn nodded her agreement. They sat in silence for a few moments, thinking about how things would change for the better now that Spike was back. “C’mon...lets go get breakfast!” Dawn said, walking toward the kitchen, Willow following behind her.

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Buffy woke up a couple of hours later to see a sleeping Spike. She stood up slowly, trying not to wake him. She watched him sleep as she put her clothes on, before quietly taking the key from her dresser and leaving the room, locking it behind her.

She walked down the stairs, pulling her hair up into a bun as she went. Her whole body was content...After all that time, he dime bme back. As badly as she had treated him, he still loved her enough to give her a chance at loving him.

Although she was sleeping with him again, it was so much more than it used to be...or more than she would let it be. She’d let all of her feelings show that morning. She’d looked into her eyes, as she’d always refused to do. She’d stroked his hair as he drifted asleep. She’d watched him sleep for an hour before she fell asleep herself. She never would’ve guessed that something as absurd as letting herself love him could feel this good.

As she walked into the kitchen, she saw Willow, Dawn, and Xander sitting at the table talking. “Hey guys,” She said, walking over to set next to her younger sister. Dawn tried to hide her huge smile, waiting until Buffy was ready to spill the news to Xander.

“Hey, Buff, how’s it going?” Xander asked, sipping his coffee.

“Great! How about you?” She beamed at him, causing him to raise an eyebrow.

“Well, it’s nice to see chipper-Buffy this morning...” He said, smiling at him. “There something I should know about? Or someone?” He said, teasing.

“Actually, yeah.” She said, deciding that it was as good a time as any. “It’s a someone....”

“Ah...the Buffster’s got a new boyfriend.” He nodded, wiggling his eyebrows. “What’s he like? Do I know him?”

“Yeah....you know him.” Dawn added, grinning at Buffy, causing her to look over in surprise at Dawn knowing.

“Who is it?” Xander asked, setting down his coffee mug and leaning his arms on the table top.

“He came back, Xand.” Buffy smiled. “Just like he promised.”

Xander’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open in shock. “Sp...Spike?!” He asked. “When did this happen?”

“Last night.” Dawn piped in again. “Well....REALLY early this morning.”

“Wow...” Xander cleared his throat. “Just.....wow.” Xander sat there in shock for a moment, before saying, “So where is Deadboy Jr. now?”

“Sleeping.” Buffy said. “He should be up soon.” She said, just as they heard footsteps on the stairs. They all looked up in silence as Spike walked into the kitchen.

“Morning.” He said casually, sitting down next to Dawn.

“Uh...morning!” Willow said cheerfully. “Do you want anything? We have coffee and jelly donuts....no blood though,” She said, an apologetic look on her face.

“’s okay, Red. Coffee sounds great!” He smiled at her, and looked over at Xander who was still staring in disbelief. “And how’s life treatin’ you, Harris?” He asked, tilting his head to the side. “You back with Anya?”

Xander winced at the sound of her name. “No.” He said, firmly. “Anya didn’t make it.” He looked down at his hands, avoiding eye contact.

“Sorry, Mate.” Spike said, sadly. “I know what that’s like...losing someone you love...” he looked over at Buffy, remembering what it was like when she had died those years ago. He was upset to hear that such a lively person hadn’t made it. It wasn’t fair that he got to come back to Buffy when Xander couldn’t get his Anya back. He shook the thought out of his head, knowing that he shouldn’t feel guilty for getting another chance at a relationship with Buffy.

“So...what’re you guys doing today?” Buffy asked, changing the subject.

“Mall.” Willow and Dawn replied in unison, causing a fit of giggles between the two of them. “And we’re dragging Xander along with.” Willow added.

“Speaking of which, we should get going...” Xander glanced at his watch, standing up. “It’s nice to see you again...” he looked at Spike. “Really.” He walked out of the kitchen toward the front door, with the girls following after.

“Well, that was...uncomfortable.” Buffy said, standing up and walking over to Spike, kissing him lightly before sitting in his lap.

“Yeah...” He agreed, stroking her hair as she rested her head on his shoulder. “Hated to hear about Anya. Adorable that one. A bit shallow, but...” He sighed, resting his chin on her head. “What about the others? Giles, Faith? That annoying, squeaky kid?”

Buffy chuckled. “Andrew’s okay...He’s trying to get his own demon hunting gig. And Giles and Faith are okay...they’re in LA right now...Working an assignment with Angel.” She cuddled into him. “Not much slaying needed in any specific place right now. Vampire here, Schloruck there...no big.”

“Still go out patrolling, love?” he asked her, wondering if she gave up her slayer gig entirely.

“Nah...I basically train the slayers here. That’s what this school was built for.”

Spike nodded, kissing the top of her head. “’s good to hear, pet.” He said, knowing that she could actually relax for the first time in nearly 10 years. They sat in silence for a few minutes, enjoying finally being together.

“Love you.” Buffy whispered, putting her hand on his.

“Love you too.” he answered, sighing at how great it was to be able to add that word into it.

“Let’s go back to bed....” She said, pulling her head up and looking at him suggestively.

Spike chuckled. “Sure love...whatever you want.” She stood up, pulling him up with her. They got to the bottom of the stairs when Buffy turned back around to look at him.

“Spike...” She started, looking up at him. “How?” She asked.

“How what, Pet?” He asked, confused.

“How’d you come back to me?” She asked him wrapping her arms around his waist.

“We’ll talk about it later love,” He said, picking her up into his arms. “After round two.” She laughed as he carried her up the stairs toward her bedroom.