XLIV--video, backdated to the first minutes after port starts;

[breakmychest]

[Locked to Elphaba]

[Spike holds up his warden item which is no longer registering Elphaba.]

Congratulations, Miss Not-so-Wicked Witch of the West. You're a free woman.

[Locked to Fred]

[Spike is grinning almost maniacally, looking like he's on the verge of tears.]

I did it. God, I can't believe it. My inmate's graduated.

[Locked to Buffy]

I just graduated my inmate. After port, I'm going to go home for a bit. I have to.

[Public]

Just thought everyone should know, Elphaba Thropp graduated.

Comments

[Spike]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

...Knox?

[And the part about firing him in the traditional Wolfram & Hart manner? Is a pretty strong message. Fred's features grow sharp with concern]

Spike, what is this about?

[Fred]

[bigbad]

[Spike looks away, almost angrily.]

He hurt someone I care about, all right? That's all you need to know.

[Spike]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[She clearly doesn't take well to that answer]

Don't make me come to your room, Spike. I know where it is.

[Fred]

[bigbad]

It's you! [He finally blurts out. He closes his eyes as the answer kind of hurts in a way it hadn't for a while, but it's okay, it has to be, she's coming back.]

[Spike]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[Her bow knits, confusion evident. For once she's not processing things at lightning quick speed. Clearly his outburst's caught her off guard]

What do you mean, it's me?

[Fred]

[bigbad]

That you died, Fred. And if the Admiral's kept his word, I just got you back.

[Spike]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

Spike, I'm not dead. I'm right here.

[You're going to have to allow her a little denial]

...I'm not dead.

[Fred]

[bigbad]

[He gives her a small, sad smile that makes him suddenly look his age.]

Yeah. You are right here, and alive, and beautiful.

I should go.

[Spike]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[Watching him, she feels like she's let him down somehow]

...Spike?

[Fred]

[bigbad]

[She hasn't, he's just full of emotions and not sure what to do.]

What?

[Spike]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[She wants to ask. Can Spike see how much she wants to ask?]

[Fred]

[bigbad]

[He can see, but he doesn't know how to respond. He gives her a strained, upset look.]

We can talk when I get back.

[Spike]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[It doesn't really feel like she has a choice]

...alright.