Spike stood hidden at the back of the church and quietly listened to the funeral service.

He wished he could be with Buffy and Dawn, who were sitting alone in the first pew crying softly, but he knew it was not his place.

When it was over, Spike followed silently to the churchyard and stayed until the last shovelful of dirt hit Joyce's grave. He approached reverently and laid the hand picked bouquet on the soft mound, a tear running down his sculpted cheek.

"For the Lady," Spike whispered.

He was a monster but she treated him like a man.