After the events of Not Fade Away and the battle in L.A., Spike is granted humanity by the Powers that Be. The only problem is his memories are erased, and he establishes a new life with a new woman. Though Buffy decides to leave him to his happy life, she goes back to him after tragedy strikes, unsure what to do. She and Spike (known as William) establish a friendship, but after a year, Willow’s in trouble, and Buffy has to return to the Cleveland hellmouth. Buffy POV. (There is only brief mention of William/other. This is a Spike/Buffy story.) Based on a challenge by killjoy and written for challenge month in April 2020.