Spike takes Buffy to the beach to investigate something unusual.

Joyce looked at Spike as if he was a little boy claiming he had permission for a biscuit, when she knew he didn’t. “I’m not letting you in, Spike,” she said with a sideways little smile. Spike sighed and leaned against the tree he’d been lurking under. Joyce’s wariness faded at Spike’s obvious defeat. "Would you like a cup of tea? I’ll meet you on the back porch." Spike's final conversation with Joyce. Set after Crush.

So he had won. He had survived. The universe was rent open, his soul was fetched from whatever nether-space it had been stashed in, and seared into his being like a brand. And then it began. The strident cacophony of what have I done? roared inside of him to epic proportions.  Nominee Sunnydale Memorial Fanfiction Awards Round 32, Best Angst.

“Spike?" Buffy asked. "Your soul.... Is it like Angel’s? I mean, if you were to find happiness – in whatever way – would you lose it?” Missing scene from First Date.

For a reunion challenge - Fred tells Buffy that Spike is alive after Dana has cut off his hands.  She's not happy with either Spike or Angel when she gets to LA, but it all works out. :)