Third Chance

   Fanfiction
      -My Fics
      -Collaborations
      -Other Buffy/Spike Fics
      -Series
      -Challenges
      -Non Buffy/Spike Fics
   History
   Links
   Link to Me
   Updates
   Awards Won


   Back to Main

   E-mail Hilary

Buffy and Xander are standing outside Spike's crypt. Buffy is full of
unspent energy and seems very nervous. She's swinging her arms and
bouncing around. She accidentally bumps into Xander.

BUFFY
Sorry.

XANDER
Are you sure you're okay? You're all hyper.

BUFFY
I just want to get this over with.

XANDER
Look you don't have to do this right now. You can just go and I'll
explain that you were starting to get tired. He doesn't really need to
see you. He trusts Dawn.

BUFFY
I know he trusts her, that's why she's in there softening the blow for
me. But don't you think it'd be kind of harsh to just not be here
after all this?

XANDER
So what? It's Spike.

BUFFY
Xander.

XANDER
Alright. I'll be good.

BUFFY
I know for a fact that you like him more than you used to. Willow says
you guys bonded over some crappy movies while I was... gone.

XANDER
So, we both have excellent taste. Doesn't mean I'm gonna give him a
kidney or anything. Not that he would need a kidney, being a vampire. I
mean, he might WANT one of my kidneys...

BUFFY
Already got the point.

XANDER
Right. So what's taking so long? All she's gotta do is say, "Hey,
Spike, Buffy's not dead."

BUFFY
Do you think this is chicken of me? I mean to have her do it for me?
I just... I don't want to freak him out. I'm tired of freaking
everyone out. The everyone freaking out has grown tiresome.

XANDER
It's not chicken. It's actually really considerate of you. 'Course I
don't know why he's getting such the special treatment. No one gave me
a Buffy buffer. I nearly crapped my pants when I saw you.

BUFFY
I'm sorry.

XANDER
Oh, hey, I'm just kidding. That wasn't your fault, you know that.

BUFFY
Yeah, but the look on everyone's face... I don't want to see that look
on Spike's face. I don't think I can deal with emotional Spike right
now.

XANDER
Understandable.

BUFFY
(psyching herself up)
Okay, so this is gonna be good. Dawn will break the news. I'll go say
hi... and everything will be back to normal again. Very... back to
normal. Right?

Before Xander can answer there is a noise from the crypt and Buffy
jumps, grabbing Xander for support. The door opens and Dawn emerges, her
eyes red from crying.

DAWN
I think he's ready to see you.

BUFFY
You think?
(sighing)
Is he... freaked?

DAWN
Kinda big time.

BUFFY
Great.

DAWN
I really think it'll help if he sees you.

Buffy looks at Xander who shrugs.

XANDER
It's up to you, Buff. I could come in with you--

BUFFY
No. I'm ready. Take Dawn home.

XANDER
Why don't we just wait here? I don't think it's a great idea to leave
you completely alone with him right now.

BUFFY
Why not, Xander?

Xander thinks about it, but has no answer.

BUFFY
Even you know he'd never hurt me.

Xander searches Buffy's eyes, then sighs and nods.

XANDER
Come on Dawnster, we'll get a movie on the way home. Assuming it
hasn't been snatched off the shelf already, I'm thinking it's about time for
another screening of "Battlefield Earth."

DAWN
Oh, God. Can't I pick the movie this time?

XANDER
Hey man, Battlefield Earth is a masterpiece. There is no other movie
more entertainingly bad.
(movie voice)
"You'll never get leverage on me you crap-lousy rat-brain! Blow the
dome!"

DAWN
Sounds riveting. But I still vote for something a little less
hilariously crappy and more actually good. Like... something with Ben or Matt
in it.

XANDER
(patronizing)
We'll talk about on the way.

They start to leave but Buffy reaches for Dawn's hand.

BUFFY
Dawn. Wait. Thank you... for doing this.

DAWN
It was a good idea. I explained it the best I could. But I don't
think he'll really believe it until he sees you. Just... go easy on him,
okay? I mean, we were all pretty messed up when you were gone, but he
was kinda... lost.

BUFFY
I know. It's gonna be fine now, though. I'll see you back at Xander's
in a bit.

Dawn hugs her sister and turns to follow Xander out of the graveyard.
Buffy turns back to the crypt.

BUFFY
Gonna be fine... I hope.

She enters the crypt.

***

Spike is sitting on his sarcophagus with his head down. He senses her
but does not look up. She walks slowly around to face him.

BUFFY
Spike?

He jumps a little at the sound of her voice, but still doesn't look up.

BUFFY
Look at me.

There is a long, quiet pause.

SPIKE
I can't.

Buffy walks over to him slowly and puts her hands on Spike's thighs.
He inhales sharply and she can feel him shaking as he slowly covers her
hands with his. His eyes move up her arm to her shoulder, and then
finally, her face. He barely looks her in the eye before letting out a
shuddering sob and putting his head down again. Buffy moves between his
legs and pulls him close to her, wrapping her arms around him and
letting him cry softly on her shoulder.

BUFFY
It's okay. It's gonna be okay now.

SPIKE
Buffy, I...

Spike pulls away to look at her, preparing to tell everything that he's
been feeling, but when his eyes meet hers, all he can say is:

SPIKE
...Hi.

BUFFY
(laughing with tears in her eyes)
Hi.

SPIKE
It's really you.

BUFFY
Yeah, it is.

SPIKE
I... I can't think of anything to say.

BUFFY
That's okay. I get that a lot.

SPIKE
I didn't really believe her. I thought maybe she was trying to make me
feel better with the robot. But it's really you. I can hear your
heartbeat.

BUFFY
You can?

SPIKE
Yeah.

Very slowly, Spike puts his hand over Buffy's heart. It starts to beat
faster the moment he touches her. Spike seems surprised. Their eyes
meet.

BUFFY
Did you miss me?

Spike just gazes at her. Buffy shakes her head and steps away from
him.

BUFFY
I'm sorry. I don't even know why I asked that question, that was--

SPIKE
Yes. I did.

BUFFY
Wanna know something funny?

SPIKE
Okay.

BUFFY
I missed you too.

Spike doesn't know how to respond. Buffy starts playing with her
hands, nervously folding and unfolding them.

BUFFY
And... I keep telling everybody that I want things to go back to the
way they were before all this happened, but... there's one thing I think
I can improve on.

Spike is unable to move. He watches as Buffy steps toward him again,
takes his face in her hands and kisses him softly on the lips. At
first, the improbability of it almost keeps him from accepting it, but her
lips are so warm, so soft. He circles his arms around her and returns
her kiss. She moans into his mouth and he feels a shudder go through
her. She's here. She's in my arms. She's kissing me. Buffy. Buffy.
Buffy.

When she pulls away, they are both a little dazed and out of breath.
Buffy takes Spike's hands in hers. After a pause to collect her
thoughts, she says:

BUFFY
I got a second chance. Actually, it's a third chance. And I don't
want to mess it up by being someone who's afraid of what she wants.

Buffy looks squarely into Spike's eyes.

BUFFY
And I want you.

Complete shock from Spike, but after a few moments of searching her
eyes, a big, shy, goofy grin slides across his face.

SPIKE
You see... I knew that. I just... knew it.

BUFFY
Yes, you're very smart. Now shut up.

SPIKE
Don't be mad. I just mean--

She puts her hand on his cheek.

BUFFY
Hey. I know what you mean. And I'm not mad. I just... feel like
talking less, right now. Know what I mean?

She raises her eyebrows at Spike and he's so surprised by her that he
laughs out loud.

SPIKE
Wow. When you make a decision you really make a decision huh?

BUFFY
I'm sorry. Am I overwhelming you? I didn't think I was gonna say any
of this, but now that I have, and it's all out there, I'm kinda anxious
to... move forward. But if I'm freaking you out I totally understand.

Buffy starts to move away but Spike grabs her by the arm and pulls her
back to him, crushing her mouth with his and kissing her senseless.
When he pulls away, he has to steady her on her feet before letting her
go.

SPIKE
I may be a bit overwhelmed, but I'm not an idiot.

Buffy gradually regains focus, and then, for the very first time since
Spike has known her, she smiles at him. A happy, warm smile, just for
him. Now he really is overwhelmed.

SPIKE
I love you.

Spike immediately winces at his own outburst. He avoids her eyes.

SPIKE
Alright, so maybe I am an idiot. Sorry.

BUFFY
Look at me.

He forces himself to obey. When their eyes meet, Buffy starts to
unbutton her blouse very slowly. As she does this, she takes a couple of
steps backward, never taking her eyes off of Spike.

BUFFY
Come and love me over here.

Absolute and pure desire surges through him. He can't believe what is
happening. He follows Buffy as though he's in a trance. Buffy drops
her blouse and reaches for him. Spike takes her hand and she yanks him
into a deep, scorching kiss. Her hands slip inside his jacket, pushing
it over his shoulders and off his body. As she starts to tug at his
shirt, Spike slides his strong hands around Buffy's waist and pulls,
pressing her into him. She breaks the kiss and cries out when he does
this. He uses the opportunity to kiss her neck and collar bone. Running
her fingers through his blonde hair, she whispers his name, causing him
to groan against her skin. Completely immersed in one another, they
sink to the floor.

And here's where you use your imagination.

TWO HOURS LATER

Yes, that's right. I said two hours.

Buffy and Spike lay on his jacket on the cold floor of the crypt.
Buffy's head is on Spike's bare chest and he is stroking her hair absently.

BUFFY
I love you.

Spike freezes. Buffy props herself up on her elbow to look at him.

SPIKE
You don't have to say that.

BUFFY
I know. And I wasn't going to. But it's true. And you should know
that.

Spike squints at her.

SPIKE
Are you sure you're Buffy Summers? Buffy Anne Summers? Of Sunnydale?

BUFFY
(laughing)
I'm pretty sure. Actually, this is the most I've felt like myself
since I've been back. I mean... (she looks down at herself) ... new
situation, but still me. That's one of the great things you do for me.

SPIKE
What?

BUFFY
You make me feel like myself. I can be myself around you because you
know everything there is to know about me.

SPIKE
(grinning and stretching)
Well. I do now.

BUFFY
(slaps his chest)
No, I don't mean that, dumbass. I mean even before this. You've
always been able to really... see me.

Spike sits up on his elbow and Buffy lays back down on the floor,
looking up at him.

SPIKE
So, you love me?

BUFFY
Yep.

SPIKE
And this isn't some post-resurrection episode you're having that will
end when you come to your senses and realize I'm no good for you?

BUFFY
Oh, I already know you're no good for me.

Buffy reaches up and rubs a bit of her lip gloss off of Spike's chin.
He gently takes her hand and kisses it.

SPIKE
I'll just have to prove you wrong then.

Buffy smiles at him and he leans down to kiss her. Then, he presses
his forehead against hers and whispers:

SPIKE
I love you.

BUFFY
I love you too, Spike.

Spike takes a deep breath and tries to fight the tears that are
stinging his eyes. He has never been this happy before, not even when he was
human. He kisses Buffy once more, clears his throat and props himself
up on his elbow again.

SPIKE
So, you wanna go on a date now, or something?

After a brief pause, Buffy bursts out laughing. Spike laughs softly
along with her, enjoying the sight of her. As her laughter wanes, Buffy
gets an idea.

BUFFY
Actually... Oh... no. We probably missed it.

SPIKE
What?

BUFFY
Well, Xander was renting some awful movie about people with rat brains
blowing a dome or something.

SPIKE
He rented Battlefield Earth without me? That wanker!

BUFFY
Oh God. I think I'm worried about this.

SPIKE
Worried about what?

BUFFY
You and Xander fell in love while I was away, didn't you?

SPIKE
(laughing)
No. Shut up! It just turns out he's not half the imbecile I thought
he was. He likes Monty Python and appreciates the subtle genius of the
movie Con Air. I mean, it's not like I'm gonna give him a kidney or
anything. Not that I could, being a vampire, but--

BUFFY
Oh No!

Buffy covers her face and laughs. Spike looks at her, puzzled.

SPIKE
What?

Buffy continues to laugh.

SPIKE
Hey! What's so funny?

Spike leans in close and Buffy throws her arms around him, pulls him
down to the floor with her, then rolls on top of him and showers his face
with little kisses.

SPIKE
Okay. I don't get it, but I like it.

Buffy looks down at him with happy tears in her eyes.

BUFFY
Everything really is going to be okay, isn't it?

SPIKE
It already is.

THE END