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Spike woke up with a start, his game face falling into place. He'd slept in so many different places in the last month since Dru had been dusted, that he automatically pulled the demon forth, looking for potential danger. He relaxed when he realized he was in the darkened Master bedroom of the Harris home.

His internal clock told him it was a little before sunup. He glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand, knowing he had enough time to get dressed and scurry off to his Sire's home to sleep the rest of the day. That night he'd leave LA, knowing he wouldn't say goodbye to the two humans.

He glanced over, sadness flashing in his eyes. He was pressed against Willow's back, spooning her. Xander was on his back, and her body was pressed against him, an arm thrown over his waist, and her head on his chest.

They were so beautiful, so peaceful. The demon within Spike roared, angry that the vampire was going to leave them. The demon wanted to lean over and claim them both, wake them up and tell them that they belonged to him and he wasn't going anywhere.

But Spike knew he had no right to do that. He was only there for the night, for their pleasure. As much as he enjoyed it, and ached to let it continue, he knew that it wasn't going to happen.

He leaned over, brushing his lips on Willow's cheek. He leaned up and kissed Xander softly. He chewed his bottom lip, resisting the urge to wake them up and have one more go at it before leaving. With a heart heavy sigh, Spike eased out of the warmth of the king sized bed of his two human pets.

Willow whimpered in her sleep, pressing against Xander. She didn't wake up, but somewhere in her sleep filled mind, she knew that something was wrong, that the gentle lukewarm feeling against her back was gone.

Xander turned to his side, wrapping his arms around Willow and pulled her closer. A hand shot out, grabbing Spike's wrist before he could fully get out of bed. Spike fell into gameface as instinct took over. He turned back towards the humans he told himself not to look at anymore.

Bleary brown eyes opened as a dark haired head lifted to look over the fiery locks of Willow. "Where are you going?" Xander asked sleepily, his voice husky.

The gravelly sound of Xander's voice shot a bolt of desire through Spike's body, but he ignored it. "Leaving," Spike said softly. "Sun's almost up. Have to get back to my bloody Sire's before it does. Me and the sun still don't get along, Harris," he joked, covering up the sound of his heart breaking.

Xander tugged on his arm. "Stay. Willow pulled the curtains. You won't fry, I promise."

Spike sat on the bed, reaching over to run his fingers through Willow's hair. "I have to go, Harris. I can't stay here."

Xander blinked sleepily, then yawned. "Why not? What else do you have to do?"

"I'm leaving LA tonight. I have. . .to do some things for Peaches before I go," Spike lied.

Willow turned, rubbing tiredly at her green eyes. She looked up at them, the sparkling orbs filled with tears. "Why do you have to leave LA, Spike?"

"I. . .can't stay here. I have things to see. People to kill. You know, a vampire's life."

Willow sniffed and turned back to Xander, burying her face in his neck. She sobbed softly. Xander looked up at Spike, his eyes cold. His voice was filled with anger when he spoke. "So that's it, then. You are going to leave. Again. Break her heart, and yes, dare I say it? Break mine?"

Spike was shocked by Xander's words. < They can't. . .I couldn't be that lucky. . . > "Well, what do you suggest, Harris? That I stay here? Live with you? Be your pet? I traveled the pet road already, years ago in Sunnyhell, remember? It wasn't fun then, and it's not something I want to do again." His voice was angry, trying to convince Xander he didn't want to be with them.

Willow turned again, her face streaked with tears. "But it was different then. You were angry, and we didn't love you."

"Yea," Xander agreed. "But then I guess it's our fault, cause we went and did something stupid like fall in love with you."

"And you wouldn't be our pet anyway," Willow sniffed, wiping her nose. "You'd be our equal. You'd be. . .you'd. . ."

"Complete us," Xander whispered, looking away as tears filled his eyes.

Willow glanced at Xander, her heart breaking as the tears streamed down her husband's face. "Just go," she said sullenly.

Hope bloomed in Spike's chest. "Do you want me to stay?"

Willow glanced back at him. "Of course we do, Spike. Duh. I mean, seriously, Xander's crying, and I'm crying. . ." She frowned. "Are you crying too?"

Spike stubbornly wiped his tears away. "I'm a vampire, luv. I don't cry."

"Are you staying?" Xander asked, a hopeful tone to his voice.

"Well, bloody hell, pets. If I must," he growled playfully, leaning in to kiss the back of Willow's neck.

Willow sighed, leaning into Spike's embrace. A smile covered her face as her eyes closed in pleasure.

"Forever?" Xander grinned, reaching out to run his fingers through Spike's short blonde locks.

"And ever, pet," Spike murmured.

"Just as it should be," Xander whispered, burying his face in Willow's neck, kissing and nibbling on her skin.

Willow's squeals of sheer delight echoed through the quiet house.

End

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