I officially say: These characters are not my legal property, the plot is of my own sinister devising though. So Joss, hold off your evil legions of doom, I am but a humble writer who composes too much for her own good.

Last chapter, everybody! Hope you enjoyed the ride.
 

What's Yours Is Mine
CenizaAzul
 

Epilogue
 

Buffy grimaced just a little as she laid down on the lawn and let the damp ground soak her clothing. She prayed she wouldn't get grass stains, but knew the plea was futile. The platinum-haired vampire resting on the earth next to her curled an arm around her shoulders and strangely the great outdoors was no longer as much of a nuisance.

It had been almost a year since that fateful introduction, something she had feared even more than facing down Angel and his pet apocalypse. Quite frankly, from there, things had gone swimmingly. Of course there was still all the pressure of fighting demons and saving the world's population from doom, but being with Spike in between all of the bruising battles made everything good again.

Her friends trusted him, saw him as one of their own, a Scooby, however vehemently he protested being saddled with that title. Even her mother liked him, constantly urging her daughter to come over for dinner, and bring Spike. It was just like having a regular boyfriend! The irony of what her lover really was did not escape the Slayer, who constantly tried to puzzle out how they managed to be so normal.

And now they were laying outside the mansion staring up at the night sky. They did not live there, choosing to use the spacious rooms for training sessions, and the occasional need for seclusion.

He turned his head to her but she was looking dreamily at the stars. So he returned his gaze to those faraway constellations, thinking sadly that they were the only things he would ever see in the sky, the sun forbidden to him. Some nights he wondered if that was best for his Slayer, if there was something else she needed.

"What are you thinking?" Buffy asked him, having noticed his mood despite the lack of words said.

He regarded her face for a minute, and found that none of that mattered to her. She lived in the now, adapted better than anyone dead or alive on the planet. This had been her choice, at least he thought he saw that confidence in her eyes. There was only one way to be sure.

"Will you marry me?" he said suddenly.

Thoughts ran through her head at that, too numerous to give him the 'yes' on the tip of her tongue. What about Angel and Drusilla? They might have switched partners, but their memories of their exes could still cause doubt. And there was the immortality issue. Eventually she would be a shriveled old woman, if she didn't die from her sacred duties first. What would he do then, always young?

He still waited there patiently, eyes hesitant, as if he were doubting the wisdom of asking the question. She tried to sum up all the tumultuous thoughts in her head and finally rolled over to face him, running a hand across his cheekbone.

"OK." Buffy says happily, and they met in a kiss as the impassive stars above smiled.

"Now I'll have to go get a ring. Something with diamonds?" he questioned sleepily, her head resting on his chest.

"Diamonds are forever." she quoted the commercial, staring up at the night sky as his hand smoothed over her hair.

"No, we are."

"We are." Buffy agreed, finally allowing her drowsy eyes to close.

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Well, it's been a really long process getting this story finished-almost a year since I started it I think. Maybe I can get a start on a couple more ideas that have been floating around in this overworked head of mine! Thanks for the reviews when I put up chapters, and let's all count our blessings for Spike's snarky return! ~CenizaAzul