An unknown gentlenss

Spike was proud of himself, he was answering all of Buffy's questions about their past with wonderful answers. He was giving them a wonderful life.

"So, where did we meet? How long did we go out before we got married?" She asked curiously.

The fun thing was that he could actually add a bit of truth to the elaborate tale he was weaving. "Ah, we met at a club, I had not been in town long. I saw you dancing and just had to meet you."

"Love at first sight?"

"Not exactly, sweetheart. We went through some rough times, I thought we might kill each other, but it all worked out! And here we are." This was getting easier and easier he thought with a smile.

"Here we are. By the way, where are we going?" She asked suddenly.

Spike had to think a minute, he didn't know where they were going. Then it came to him, "Virginia, we are going to Virginia." < That should be far enough away, until he could get them out of the country completely. >

"What do you do for work?"

"Well, since you know what I am, I can tell you I travel around killing demons, bad vamps etc." It was the only thing he could think of and it had been true lately, anyway.

"Does that kind of work pay our bills?" She asked with a small frown.

"Anne, we have plenty of money, don't worry. I'm going to stop up ahead at this next hotel. It will be daylight soon and we both are tired after tonights adventure."

Spike pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, leaving Buffy in the car, he went inside and got them a room. Buffy grabbed her bag and followed him in to the room.

The room was small but nice. Buffy went to the bathroom and changed into a tee shirt that was in her bag. She stood in front of the mirror and brushed her hair out.

Spike watched her from the bed, not sure what was going to happen next. "Tired?" He asked a gentleness in his voice.

"Yes, I am. It's been a long night. Maybe I'll remember tomorrow." She sat down hesitantly on the bed beside him.

"Maybe. Why don't you lie down and try to get some sleep."

She crawled into the bed next to him and slid under the sheets. She was almost on the edge of the bed, Spike smiled and gently touched her shoulder. "It's okay, Anne. Remember, we have a no biting rule." He laughed softly.

She turned over where she could see him and scooted a little bit closer. She giggled softly "See that you remember it!" She rolled over, her body spooning against his. "Goodnight, William." She whispered softly into the darkness.

"Goodnight, Luv." He whispered back, placing one arm gently around her waist. They were both asleep within minutes.

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A guy could get used to this.

Spike woke first, he could tell the sun had gone down. He then noticed the blond head lying on his chest one arm stretched lazily across his stomach. He had to smile to himself. He could really get used to waking up like this.

He looked down at Buffy sleeping peacefully. He didn't want to think about what would happen if she regained her memory, or maybe it would take awhile and even if she did regain her memory - she would want to stay Anne. It was wishful thinking on his part, but he wanted her safe and sound.

Buffy stirred and opened her eyes, she quickly removed her head from his chest, obviously embarassed. "I'm sorry." She said softly as she sat up.

"No need for apologies, Anne. We are married." This lie was getting way too easy to repeat.

"Yeah, it's just that everything is so fuzzy." She smiled at him and got up to use the bathroom.

She looked in the mirror telling her reflection, "You are Anne, Anne Pennington. William is your husband, you are very much in love."

"What?" Called Spike from the other room.

"Nothing, I'm going to run a bath. Then can we go eat? I'm starving." She told him as she turned on the water.

"Whatever you like, pet." Spike answered rising from the bed and joining her in the bathroom. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Buffy started to undress, a tear rolled down her cheek. Spike noticed and gently wiped it off with his fingertip. "What's wrong?"

Buffy held her shirt up to her front and leaned against him. He hesitantly reached his arms around her bare back and pulled him to her. "You're being so nice to me and I can't even remember you. I'm sorry." She sobbed lightly.

"It's okay, Luv. You can take all the time you need. It's going to be okay. I will always take care of you." He told her as he stroked her hair with one hand, still holding her tightly with the other.

In a flash his lips found hers, gently he kissed her not pushing. He was surprised when she returned the kiss, even deepened it. She let her shirt fall and put arms around his neck, holding on as if her life depended on it. He pulled back, "Are you sure?" He asked hoarsely.

"Uh huh. We are married, this should be completely natural, maybe it will even jog my memory." She giggled, turning off the water and leading back into the bedroom.

Spike was going extrememly slow, almost hesitating before he touched her again. "Hey, it's okay. You're acting like we haven't done this before." She giggled again.

"Just don't want to push you, Luv." He answered swallowing hard.

"You aren't. You say we are very much in love. Prove it." She said slyly.

"You don't have to ask me twice." He joined her on the bed and gently, lovingly showed her just how much he loved her.

Buffy sighed contentedly. Spike smiled at her wrapped in his arms. "Still hungry, sweetheart?"

"Famished." She laughed out loud.

"Go finish your bath, and we'll eat." He told her watching her leave the bed sheet wrapped around her.

< Cor, now what have I gone and done? > He knew he should feel some guilt over what he had done, but he had not felt this happy in years. And she was happy too, he could tell. William could make Anne very happy.

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She's Mine

They made a pleasant journey to Virginia Beach, Virginia. Buffy still didn't remember alot, but she felt safe and secure with her William. He had convinced her to go brunette and he went with her, he would miss the golden blondness but he felt a little bit safer with her identity a little more hidden.

They rented a sweet little cottage on the beach and settled in, it was furnished but they bought little items that made it seem like theirs.

Buffy had spent the day on the beach and had come in at dusk, she was hauling out the trash, when Spike heard her laughing and a male voice. It had just turned dark so he went to join her in the backyard. She was talking to the neighbor over the fence.

"Hey, Sweetheart." She said sweetly as he walked out the backdoor. He put his arm around her possesively. "This is our neighbor Justin."

Justin smiled at him, "You must be the husband she told me about. You need to put a ring on her finger, so males know she's off limits." He told Spike good naturedly.

Spike held back the impulse to jump over the fence and kill him right there. "Well, she's lost her ring. We need to get another I guess. As long as you know she's off limits." He said a touch of humor in his voice, but his eyes told Justin he was dead serious.

Justin said his goodbyes and went back into his house. "Let's go out." Spike told Buffy as they went back inside.

Spike drove to the first jewelry store he could fine. "Why are we here?" Buffy asked curiously.

"Let's find you a ring." He told her with a smile.

"You don't have to do this just because of what Justin said." She laughed softly.

"I want you to have a wedding band. Please choose one."

"Only if you get one, too." She said as she looked at the rings.

"Okay, I'll get one, too." He agreed with a grin.

They left the store with simple gold bands on their hands his engraved with her name inside and her's with his name.

They went out to a nice restaurant and had a lovely dinner and a nice slow dance. Buffy kept looking at the ring on her finger and smiling, this in turn made Spike smile. He was sure he had done the right thing.

Weeks went by and their happiness grew, until the night Buffy woke up in Spikes arms in a cold sweat startled awake by a dream. A confusing, frightening dream.

There were vampires in her dream and they were in Sunnydale she could remember that much. There was a auburn haired girl who kept asking "Buffy, where are you?" And an englishman who acted worried and kept saying, "she has to be alive - another hasn't been called." And then the worst part of the dream a handsome dark haired man who kept saying "I love you, Buffy. I love you, Buffy" But she could sense that he had left her anyway, even though he professed his love for her over and over again. It was confusing and left her afraid of something she couldn't put her finger on. Spike held her and comforted her in his arms, kissing the top of her head and assuring her it was just a dream.

It still frightened her < Who was Buffy? And why do I keep dreaming about her? > The dreams came about every other night. They got worse and worse. Spike finally made a decision, he had become afraid that there could be portents in the dreams and he needed to get her to Giles.

So, one evening when he had calmed her down after a particular vivid dream. He picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number. "Hello." Came Giles voice over the line.

"Watcher" He said softly.

"Spike. Spike is that you?" Giles asked shock in his voice.

"Yes. It's me. I can't explain over the phone. But Buffy is with me. She's okay. I'm bringing her home. We'll leave tomorrow and be there in a few days."

"Buffy is okay?" Giles said excitedly.

"She's fine. She's lost her memory, but I think it's trying to come back she's having dreams about the people in Sunnydale. I'm afraid the dreams may mean more." Spike explained.

"She's lost her memory? Spike, where has she been?"

"With me. I thought it was for the best. I'll call when we get to Sunnydale." Spike said as he hung up the phone.

He went back to bed and lay beside Buffy. She looked troubled even in her sleep. He kissed her forehead gently, she woke up and pulled him closer, running her fingers through his hair, kissing him passionately. Later, Spike smiled down at her sleeping next to him, he would miss this - more then anything in the world. He looked down at the ring on his finger and sighed.

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Honesty and Heartbreak

"Why are we going back to Sunnydale?" Buffy asked as she packed her bag.

"We have too. I think there is someone there who can help with your dreams." Spike answered as he packed his things.

"I wish someone could help, they seem to be getting worse." She sighed.

"I know, Luv. I want to help you, you do know that no matter what happens - I love you." He told her pulling her close.

"I know you do. You sound worried, is there something I should know?" She asked concern in her voice.

"No, pet. Let's get on the road."

He treasured these last few days with her, because he knew his world was going to come crashing down around him as soon as he took her Giles.

On their last day together he had held her so tightly in the bed that he had scared her. "William, you act like this is the last time you'll ever be with me. Are you sure you are alright?"

"I'm fine. I just love you so much."

"I love you, too. Don't worry." She had told him tenderly.

They arrived in Sunnydale and Spike made the call. He and Buffy drove to the library to meet Giles and the others. He stopped the car outside and pulled Buffy to him, kissing her with an intensity she had never felt before. She broke off the kiss to take a deep breath. "Let's get this over with." She told him as they got out of the car.

Spike took Buffy's hand and led her into the library. When they entered Giles practically ran across the room. He took Buffy into a big hug, soon Willow and Xander joined him.

"Buffy, we've missed you." Willow said happily.

Buffy looked at her, then looked back at Spike. "William these are the people from my dreams. Except the dark haired man. Who are you? And why are you calling me Buffy?"

Angel chose then to step out of the shadows. Buffy had to catch her breath when she saw him. Flashes of her past came to her "You're him. The man in my dreams." She turned pale and said one more word "Angel." before fainting.

"What have you done to her?" Xander asked angrily.

"She hit her head that night in the cemetary. She came to with amnesia. I took that opportunity to take her away to safety. I wanted her to have a normal life for a change." Spike explained bitterly as he knelt beside Buffy.

"You took advantage of the situation." Giles spoke up.

"It was for her, whether you believe me or not. And she has been happy. Ask her." Spike spoke defensively.

Willow noticed the wedding band on Buffy's hand as she knelt beside Spike. She then looked at Spike's hand and noticed his ring. "Does this mean, what I think it does?" She asked him softly, pointing to the ring.

"We aren't really married. But she believes we are. We are William and Anne Pennington. Happily married." He explained as he ran his hand over Buffy's cheek.

Buffy stirred then opened her eyes widely. She sat up "Willow." She said with a smile.

"Yes, it's me. You remember?" Willow asked smiling at her best friend.

"Yes, I remember. Giles, Xander, you and Angel. I remember everything. It's good to be back." She said happily. She then turned to Spike "I remember everything, Spike. How could you do this to me? She didn't sound happy now.

Spike looked at her griefstricken, he knew this was what was going to happen, but he hadn't expected it to hurt this bad. "An...Buffy, I really wanted to save you. I was afraid of your getting hurt slaying. I took an opportunity, I made a judgement call. A bad judgement call." He tried to explain.

Buffy looked at him coldly. She stood up, took off her wedding ring and placed it in the palm of his hand. Turning she said "I need to be alone." She walked out of the library tears streaming down her face.

"I cannot believe you hurt her like this." Xander exclaimed.

"I must agree with Xander on this. Spike you've acted irrationally and deplorable." Giles commented.

Willow looked confused "I'll go after her." She started for the door.

Angel had been quiet, but now he spoke. "No, Willow. I'll go."

Spike's anger rose, "Sure, you'll go. You're just what she needs."

Angel stepped forward and grabbed the front of Spike's shirt. "I'm doing you a favor. Everyone else in this room wants to kill you. I think I'm the only one who honestly understands why you did what you did. You love her. You love her so much it hurts, you can't fathom the world without her in it. So you decided to take her out of harms way. See, Spike, I understand. I know how you feel." Angel let go of Spike and went to follow Buffy.

Spike stared after him, but let him go.

Angel caught up with Buffy down the street from the school. "Hey, slow down."

"I said I wanted to be alone." She stopped walking and looked up at him.

"Well, you've always accused me of not listening to you." Angel took a hesitant step forward, he cautiously put his arms around her pulling her against his chest.

Buffy didn't argue, she leaned against him and let the tears flow.

"It's okay. It's gonna be okay." He whispered.

"I can't believe he did this. When I was Anne, he told me he loved me. He made me believe it, that he cared. He even bought me that ring. He took care of me. And now it's all a lie."

"Buffy, I can't believe I'm saying this, but Spike does love you. He's always had a twisted way of showing it, but he does care. He genuinely thought that he was doing what was best for you. He does love you. The question now, is how do you feel about him?" Angel lifted her chin and looked down into those hazel eyes. "Do you love him?"

Several minutes passed, "Do you love him?" Angel repeated the question.

"I don't know. I really don't know." Buffy answered honestly. Angel pulled her into a tight hug.

"Buffy, I love you. I always will. But we know it's impossible. I don't want to be part of the reason that you don't move on, obviously when you had no memory of me, you did love him. You were happy. I'm not saying run inside the library and pull him in your arms and put that ring back on your finger. I am saying don't throw away a chance, a chance at happiness. Take it slow, but don't throw it away, out of anger." Angel spoke with a heavy sigh.

"But...but all the deception, Angel. How can I forgive that?" She asked him green eyes shining with new tears.

"Buffy, did you lie to me?" He asked harshly.

"What?" She asked confused.

"You said you forgave me for all I did as Angelus. Did you lie to me?" His dark eyes looked into the very deepest part of her.

"No, I didn't lie." She finally squeaked out.

"Alright then, if you can forgive my sins that were committed in the name of Angelus. You can forgive Spike's sins committed in the name of love." Angel let go of her, taking her hand he led her back to the library.

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A Brighter Future

Spike sat at the large table in the library. He was playing with the ring on his finger, staring absently at the one lying on the table.

He looked up sharply when Buffy entered the room, her hand still in Angel's. Anger flared through him, but he kept his mouth shut, waiting for her to speak.

Willow hugged Buffy. "I'm sorry, Buffy. It will all work out."

"I know Will. Thanks. I've got a few things to straighten out with William...er...Spike here. I love you guys, but I need to be alone with him. I promise to see you all tomorrow, I've got to see my Mom, too. Giles, I will be here to train tomorrow afternoon. I need to get my life back."

"Your Mother is out of town, we didn't tell her you were back yet. Wanted to make sure it was all okay first." Xander explained.

"Good, I can't face her right now. Could everyone please leave us alone now." She asked softly.

"Of Course."

"Sure"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, Xan."

Angel turned to her and smiled. "Oh, and thanks, Angel" She told him returning the smile. Letting go of his hand she turned to face Spike.

Within in minutes they were left alone in the Library. Spike looked up at Buffy. She sat down across from him. "You have some explaining to do, Mister." She said seriously.

"Well, not much to explain.I think I'll be on my way. You have your old life back now." He stood up and pushed the chair under the table.

"So, you aren't even going to try?" She asked him. He looked at his feet. She continued "I mean that little to you?"

He looked up suddenly. "You know you mean everything to me. I handled this badly, I know that. But I just thought it would keep you safe."

Buffy stood up she gently wrapped her arms around him, he hesitantly accepted the embrace. "I know you love me. I can tell by the way you've taken care of me. But you did handle it badly. We've got a lot to think about. But I'm not ready to just walk away from you."

He laughed softly "You mean it?"

She looked up at him "Yes, I mean it. But it's going to go slow. Very slow." She told him as she picked up her ring off the table. She put it in her pocket and smiled "I might need this on down the road."

Buffy took his hand in hers, Spike's smile lit up the whole library. It was the end of William and Anne - but the beginning of Buffy and Spike.

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