Title: Half way to anywhere Disclaimer: I dot own anything however much I wish I did Summary: What if Buffy had come to her sense earlier about Spike? What if they had in fact secretly been 'friends' since their truce in Becoming? How different would things have turned out? I know it's been done before but this is my spin on it. Timeline: AU after Becoming part 2 A/N: The song in this fic is Anywhere by Evanescence. Also sorry about my spelling, its totally crap! Feedback: it would be very much appreciated, everyone needs fuel for their ego now and then

Prologue

Sunnydale – 2003

"Buffy?" Willow called as she wandered down the stairs of the summers home where she had lived for the last two years. "Buffy are you here?"

*That's odd* thought Willow, she was sure she'd heard Buffy come in the night before. If she wasn't here why would the CD player still be running? Buffy was always saying money was too tight to leave appliances running unnecessarily. With a puzzled frown firmly in place Willow headed into the lounge just as the song coming gently out of the speakers began to repeat. Willow turned the volume up so she could make out the words. This didn't sound like the kind of thing Buffy normally listened to...

//Dear my love, haven't you wanted to be with me Dear my love, haven't you longed to be free I can't keep pretending that I don't even know you And at sweet night you are my home Take my hand//

//We're leaving here tonight There's no need to tell any one They'd only hold us down So by the mornings light We'll be half way to anywhere Where love is more than just your name//

As the song continued to play its semi-mournful tune, Willow felt warm tears spill down her cheeks. *Oh Goddess No!* she thought as the words seeped into her mind.

//I have dreamt of a place for you and I No one knows who we are there All I want is to give my life only to you I've dreamt so long I cannot dream anymore Let's run away I'll take you there//

//We'll leave here tonight There's no need to tell any one They'd only hold us down So by the mornings light We'll be half way to anywhere Where no one needs a reason//

Willow knew she needn't mumble the few Latin words under her breath as she was doing. She knew there was no one around to hear, just like she knew without doing the spell exactly what had happened a few hours ago. Yet she couldn't take her eyes off the ghostly figures that now wandered hurriedly around the room in front of her now, mere replays of actions which had already taken place. Watching the scene draw to a close Willow let out a chocking sob and sank to the floor as the last words tumbled from the speakers.

//Forget this life, Come with me Don't look back you're safe now Unlock your heart, Drop your guard No ones left to stop you//

//Forget this life, Come with me Don't look back you're safe now Unlock your heart, Drop your guard No ones left to stop you now//

Numbly, Willow reached out for the phone lying next to the nearest speaker. Placed there as if her need for it had been anticipated, which it probably had been. Willow didn't contemplate the thought too deeply however, there were more important things to do. She had to call Xander and Giles. They had to be told.

//We're leaving here tonight There's no need to tell any one They'd only hold us down So by the mornings light We'll be half way to anywhere Where love is more than just your name//

Buffy was gone, and she wasn't coming back.

A/N: and there's the prologue for you, I swear it gets better. Soon...ish. Promise! All will be revealed!