Just a Call

The world wasn't over, she told herself, had to keep telling herself each day, each minute sometimes. No, the world wasn't over, just her home, places she'd been to school or worked, even the graveyards… sort of. Her mother's grave. Anya, several of the potentials, some she couldn't even remember the names of, which was sadder. Someone knew them all. She needed to learn their names, to honor them. Nearly every person she fought so long and hard to help, most of her high school classmates who had so honored her by naming her their protector. And Spike, Spike who really deserved so much more. More credit for his sacrifices, more life. More love.

How many days had it been now? Three weeks maybe? It felt like several months at least. She'd been going wherever she could, staying as busy as possible. The Hellmouth in Cleveland was the least terrible. Some run of the mill bloodthirsty demons were exactly what she needed. But there was talk of England and Scotland, and Rome, and everyone except Giles expected her to be a leader, and it was all too much.

She glanced at her phone just to see the time. Was it late enough that she could give up on this day yet?

Three missed calls. It was always like that. She just had to face listening to three messages, because of course they all had something to say. Small tasks, she reminded her, were things she could handle.

Andrew. Skip.

Andrew again. She'd deal with him later. Skip.

"-n't pick up. Oh! Hi. I'm… Fred …um, why don't I just put this on speaker phone and leave?" a woman with a Southern accent said.

Buffy heard some fumbling noises and a door close. She was just thinking about hanging up from the strange call- when a voice came through the phone that he could never forget.

"Buffy?"

"Spike," she whispered aloud, confused tears gathering in her eyes.

"I- can't even hold a phone myself right now. I'm a little… ghostly. And I'd understand if you didn't want to see me especially because… Fred's not sure she can make me better. Reminds me a bit of Red when she was younger, brilliant girl afraid of her own shadow. So I might… go back to normal, solid and all, or I might… disappear entirely, Love, off to God knows where, but God must hate me, so frankly, I'm scared bloodless. I just thought… if it was you I'd have to know. I'm at Angel's new digs at Wolfram and Heart if you wanted to… I love you, Bu-"

"End of message. Delete, press seven. Save, press eight. Reply, press ni-"

Buffy's shaky finger hit "9" before the jarring female electronic voice finished her instructions.

Note: Just a little scene that came to me- the way I wish Spike had reacted to coming back to life. I understand that the show didn't want it to just be Buffy: The Second Series, but still… Hope you enjoyed, and if people want, I could see if there is inspiration for more later.