Chapter one

"I just don't get why this competition is so important to you." Willow grabbed her French book from her locker and shoved it inside her bag. Buffy rolled her eyes at the hacker, knowing that the redhead was never going to understand the need to win the May Queen crown that year.

"It's just something I really want to do. It'll make me feel somewhat normal. Besides Cordelia is so going down this year. Someone really needs to put her in her place, and what better way than to steal her three-year title as queen." A wicked little smile spread across the slayer's face.

"I guess that I'll never understand the whole May Queen thing. I don't even understand the concept for the need for school dances yet. I mean all they do is make everyone edgy for weeks. Girls worried that they wont be asked, guys worried that the girls will say no."

"Worried that no one will ask?" Buffy asked sadly to her friend.

"No...yes... See the stress is already starting and the dance is still weeks away. Lousy stinking dance." Slamming the locker closed Willow slung her backpack over one shoulder.

"I'm going to need your help. Once I get nominated I'll need help with posters, flyers and baked goods."

"Baked goods?" Willow paused and blinked at Buffy questioningly.

"What better way to get a guy's attention?" Shrugging Buffy passed by Willow on her way to the library. "I was thinking that after we check in with Giles we start coming up with campaign strategies."

Following the blonde through the library doors, Willow smiled over at Giles who was standing behind the library counter. Xander was already in his position at the large table behind a large mound of artery clogging foodstuff. Faith was tossing a newly made stake high into the air and catching it.

"Hey you two.  What took you so long to get here?"

"Buffy was talking me into helping her compete against Cordelia for May Queen." Willow sat down in the vacant seat next to Xander.

"Nothing against you Buffy, but I think it's written in stone somewhere that Cordelia Chase *has* to be voted May Queen." Xander shoved the rest of the Twinkie in his mouth.

Giles forehead puckered. "Buffy don't you think that such a competition would cut into your slayer responsibilities?"

Buffy rolled her eyes and shocked her head. "That's why I have Willow to help me."

"Yeah but what if Red gets nominated too?" Faith had stopped tossing the stake, slightly amused as to how yet again one of the gang just assumed that Willow didn't have anything better to do than help them.

Buffy and Xander exchanged looks, and burst out laughing. Even Giles cleared his throat as he shoved his face behind the pages. Willow looked slightly hurt, but gave a shaky smile as well. "What do you all think is funny? What do you think that your better then her B?"

Buffy stopped laughing abruptly, "No. I'd never think that."

Faith narrowed her eyes at the blonde. This is what irritated Faith about the other slayer. She'd never say it, but Faith just knew that Buffy saw herself slightly better than the rest. Being a slayer didn't make a person better, just weird. Everyone kept pointing out that the only reason she lasted so long was her support system. Faith was positive that it ran a lot deeper than that. Sure it helped having everyone around you think that your shit didn't stink. But it sure gave you a hands up having a hacker/research gal/witch all wrapped up into on little package.

"Personally I think that Willow would make a wonderful May Queen. What's the matter B? Intimidated by a little competition?"

"Of course not. But it doesn't really matter Willow isn't in to that kind of thing." Buffy chose her words carefully, knowing that the other slayer was trying to get her to say something she didn't mean.

Faith cocked a brow toward Willow and studied the redhead's expression. "Is that true Red?"

Willow couldn't help but feel a little hurt by Buffy's and Xander's amusement at the thought of her being nominated for May Queen. "I'm more behind the scenes girl, not the in your face kind." Willow tried to convince Faith.

Giles cleared his throat, getting their attention. >From past experience he knew that things could get out of hand fast just by a few words. "Yes well if we're finished, perhaps we could get down to business?" Buffy and Xander were more than ready to put the conversation in the past. But as for the redhead and brunette slayer words had been said that neither could forget.

"They're going to announce the nominations today during third period." Buffy grabbed Willow's hand in her excited state and gave a none to gentle squeeze.

Willow cried out, and Buffy looked guiltily at her friend. "Oh my god I'm so sorry."

Cradling her hand to her chest, Willow sucked back the tears knowing that it would only add to her friend's guilt.  "N-No problem...really Buffy." The blonde slayer looked unsure but at the sound of the school bell Buffy grabbed her English book and took off to her class. "Wish me luck." Buffy yelled over her shoulder and disappeared into the crowded mass of students.

Tears fell from Willow's face as the pain from her hand throbbed. Hurrying to the library Willow let her book bag hit the ground just inside the door. Wiping the tears that clouded her vision, Willow searched for the Watcher. Looking in the office with out any success Willow made her way up into the stacks. "Giles?"

"I'm over here Willow." Giles stuck his head from around a corner and saw the pain that Willow was in. "Dear lord what happened? Are the others okay?"

"No big bad." Willow shook her head. "Just an over anxious slayer."

Placing the books he had been reading through back on the shelf, Giles reached for Willows hand and tenderly inspected it. "I don't believe it's broken, but perhaps we should take you to get some x-rays."

"I'll be fine if we just wrap it." Willow bit her lower lip. She hated hospitals, and would do anything to get out of a horrible trip to the sickest place on earth.

Giles looked uncertain, but went to retrieve the first aide kit anyhow. "Perhaps you should go home and rest."

"Giles I'll be fine, really." Sucking in her breath as Giles tried to straighten out her hand for his inspection.

"Fine then I insist that you forgo the meeting tonight." Giles paused looking seriously at the redhead.

"Not come? But Giles Angelus and Spike are still on the lose, you need me." Giles gave her a fatherly look, and Willow stopped. "Fine I'll go home and rest, but I'm coming to the meeting tonight." Giles finished his job and took the kit back to his office.

"Very well then. Get your belongings and I'll give you a ride home."

Dragging her feet Willow complied getting her bag, she followed Giles out of the school and to the parking lot. Missing the school announcement.

Willow got home and took the phone off the hook, knowing that by the next period both Xander and Buffy would know she was gone and start checking up on her. Plus she really wasn't in the mood to hear Buffy's cheerful screams of joy at being nominated to run for May Queen. Damn Faith for even bringing up that stupid conversation.  Ever since then Willow had felt betrayed by her two best friends.

Stripping her tee shirt off over her head, trying not to cause her arm any unnecessary pain. Willow went to stand in front of the mirror. Taking a look at the girl staring back Willow moaned at what she saw. They were right. She could never compete against people like Cordelia and Buffy. They were sophisticated know how to flirt with a serious case of turrets and were mature where it mattered to the teenage boys they went to school with. The girl reflected in the mirror was in serious need of a tan, had way too many freckles, and no miracle bra could help what she had. Sticking
her tongue out at the reflection, Willow turned and slipped into bed.

"Giles where is she?" Buffy and Xander came rushing through the library doors nearly knocking another student unconscious.

"Buffy please be careful." Giles scolded. "Now what's are you yelling about."

"Willow have you seen her?" Xander shifted foot to foot looking around the library anxiously, hoping that the redhead was somewhere in there.

"I took her home hours ago. Something about a sprained wrist." Raising a brow in Buffy's direction.

"What?" Buffy looked back innocently. Giles let out a sigh of frustration.

"So she doesn't know then." Xander said anxiously.

"Know what?" Giles turned from the teens back to the book he had been reading.

"Hello do you keep your head under a stone. Everyone's talking about it, students and teachers." Buffy jumped up onto the library counter, ignoring the reprimanding look from Giles. "Someone is trying to pull a Carrie with our little redhead as the butt of their joke."

Pinching the bridge of his nose Giles wished that the teens would just get to the point. Trying to decipher the way they spoke was just plain tiring.

"She got nominated for May Queen." Giles looked blankly back at Xander not able to figure out how this was a bad thing.

"Well I'd think that you'd be happy for her."

"It was a joke Giles. There's no way she could ever compete against Cordelia, Harmony and me." Buffy looked at Giles wondering if it was the English blood that ran through his veins that hampered him from understanding the crisis they were in.

"I personally think it's a good thing. It's about time someone saw just how special Red is." Faith walked through the doors, having been listening from the other side.

"You would." Buffy glared over at the other slayer.

Faith gave a throaty laugh. " I knew you would be intimidated by having to go up against her. Perhaps the kids here want something different from there May Queen."

"Faith you don't even go to school anymore, how is it that you think you know what students want." Xander backed Buffy up.

"Well I guess we'll see then wont we." Faith challenged.

"No *we* wont. I don't want her getting hurt." Buffy jumped down form the counter and stood toe to toe with the other slayer.

"See you're intimidated, I love it!" Faith laughed again.

Turning from the brunette Buffy ignored the other girl. When she saw Willow next she was sure her friend would see the ridiculous situation as it was.
 

Chapter two

"Willow!!" Willow stepped into the library and was greeted by an anxious Buffy and Xander. Both of her friends stood from the table they had sitting at and rushed over to her.

"You don't need to worry; we'll get you out of this."

"Just keep your chin up little buddy; don't let these jerks get to you."

Willow looked bugged eye at the two, as nonsensical words kept coming her way. "There's another prophecy huh?" Willow looked over to Giles who had emerged from his office.

"What?" Buffy looked confused. Looking over at Xander for help.

"No." Xander confirmed. "But just as bad. You better sit down."

Willow was getting worried. "Did someone die?"

Xander led her to a seat and sat the redhead down. "No, nothing like that. But you'd better brace yourself." Buffy and Xander exchanged looks.

"The nominations were made today." Willow nodded, already knowing this.

"And...Well there's no easy way to say this." Buffy took a deep breath and reached out to take Willow's uninjured hand into hers. "You were nominated for May Queen."

The room got silent as everyone waited for Willow to digest the news. "Is that all?" Willow looked back and forth at the other two teens. "You guys had me thinking that the end of the world was coming...again."

"Willow" Buffy said slowly. "You were nominated for May Queen." Looking at her friend Buffy tried to see if the redhead completely understood the meaning of her words.

"You said that already." Willow shrugged her slender shoulders. "There must have been a mistake. I'm sure that they'll figure it all out and fix it by
tomorrow." Willow sat back and analyzed her friend's faces and felt hurt that her friends were acting this way. What if she really should have been nominated? Wouldn't they be happy for her instead of just assuming it was some huge fluke? A small part of her was kind of slightly thrilled. Looking back up at Buffy she decided to change the subject before her best friends doubt in her started to fester.  "Did you get nominated?" She asked Buffy hoping to drop the issue.

"Of course." Buffy made a face, thinking that Willow would have reacted a little to the news, instead of being dead calm.

The library doors swung open as Faith strolled in, stopping to smile at Willow. "Congrats Red."

Willow smiled slightly. "Thanks, but I'm sure there was some mistake."

Faith observed Xander and Buffy huddled at Willow's side and rolled her eyes. Couldn't these people just be happy for the girl? "Why would you think that? Apparently there's a lot of people that think you should be May Queen."

Willow shrugged and started to gnaw on her lower lip. She hated being the center of attention.

"Yes well, if we could get back to the fact that Angelus and Spike are still roaming the streets after dark it would be greatly appreciated." Giles pulled their attention to him, and hoped that they could be somewhat productive that night. "We still don't know where their new location is, and I think that we should be focusing our attention on finding them before they create anymore mayhem."

"We've searched the entire south side of town and nadda." Buffy stood.

"Plus they've been really quiet lately." Xander walked over and plopped into one of the wooden chairs. "Maybe they were getting tired of Buffy kicking their asses in and left town."

"I don't think that Angelus is the type to run from a fight." Willow argued. "They're probably up to something."

"Maybe if we actually do some grunt work instead of sitting around here beating dead horse to death we'd know where they were." Faith rolled her eyes, obviously ready for some action.

Giles nodded. "Faith's right."

Buffy and Xander exchanged expressions. "She is?" Faith swallowed a nasty retort, getting sick of the way she was getting treated around here.

Ignoring the rude comment himself, Giles continued. "We should break up into teams tonight."

"Fine Willow and I will take the west side." Buffy stood grabbing her jacket. Giles saw the exchanged looks between Xander and Faith, those two alone would never get anything accomplished but perhaps a concussion for the boy.

"Buffy perhaps you and Xander should search the west side. Faith and Willow can go to Willies and question him." Giles walked over to the weapons cage and started sorting through what the youths should take with them into the night.

Giles could sense that Buffy was getting ready to argue, but Giles turned and silenced her with a look. "I'll stay here, report in if you find anything. Under no circumstances are you to engage in any kind of struggle, we need to go after as a group." The teens nodded and went their separate ways.

"I hate this place." Spike dropped his latest victim to the ground with disgust. "The humans here have awful tasting blood, leaves a rancid after taste."

Angelus nudged the dead body with the tip of his shoe in disgust. "It has to be the effects of living on the Hellmouth."

Spike shrugged his shoulders, taking out a cigarette and lighting it. "I just can't wait until we get rid of that slayer and leave."

Angelus turned and walked down the alley. "Because we know how successful we've been so far." Spikes voice trailed after him. "The chit has beaten us, burnt us out of house and home, and ran off our woman. What have we been able to do?... Nothing."

Angelus spun around and grabbed the insolent other vampire by his throat. "I will get her, one way or another."

Spike looked unimpressed by his sire's outburst and detangled the other vampire's fists. "Yeah I believe you... really I do." Angelus opened his mouth to respond but voices drifted to him. Pulling Spike further into the shadows they watched as the second slayer and Willow came walking down the alley.

"Willow don't let them fool you, this is a good thing. Buffy's just too damn full of herself to see it." Faith had been trying to get Willow to see that her nomination was a good thing, something that was meant to be. Instead of some huge mistake that had been made.

"Faith, really look at me, I'm not in the same league as Cordelia and Buffy, I'm not even in the same ballpark." Willow stretched out her arms looking down at her frumpy clothes in disgust.

"You're right, you're better then they are." Faith laughed. "Come on Red don't tell me your not just a little thrilled to be chosen to compete for May
Queen?"

Willow smiled wistfully, "Perhaps a little...but it doesn't matter, tomorrow they'll apologize for making such a huge mistake and everything will go back to normal."

"Arrg. Listen to yourself Red. Get a backbone." Faith stopped walking and the two girls were just feet away from the two vampires. Spike was about to lunge out at them but was stopped by Angelus's hand on his arm. The older vampire shakes his head at the younger impulsive blonde.

"I have a backbone." Willow gushed her cheeks turning red.

"If you had a backbone you wouldn't let Slutty and Boy Wonder push you in the background all the time." Faith paused and decided to take a different approach, knowing that insulting the redhead's friends would get her no where.  "Were you happy that Buffy was nominated?"

"Yes." Willow's forehead wrinkled as she tried to figure out the new direction of Faith's conversation.

"And that's what a good friend does, be happy for the other." Willow bowed her head, not wanting the brunette slayer to see the hurt and slight anger on her face.

"What do you want me to say, that Buffy and Xander are selfish? That I'm sick of being shoved to the back so they can get all the attention? It really doesn't matter, it's always been this way, and probably will always stay this way." Willow tried to act nonchalant, but inside Faith's words were eating at her. She wasn't stupid. She knew that out of all the slayerettes she did the most work. Always there for research no matter what hour. Fought when she was asked even though she didn't posses any special powers.  Was Buffy's personal shoulder to cry on now that her boyfriend was a homicidal killer again? And Xander, he would be looking forward to a long career of asking if people wanted fries or an apple pie with
that order for the rest of his life. But that was the way of things. She was background girl, destined to never get the cutest guy, settling on living
vicariously through her friends.

"Well for starters...hell yeah!" Faith smiled, Willow was finally showing some sign of life even if she was trying to act as though none of it mattered. "Tell you what. If they come to you tomorrow and say it was some fluke that you were never meant to be announced for May Queen then fine I'll drop it. But if this is for real then you'll go for it."

Willow looked thoughtful. "Why not? Now let's get to Willies, we need to find out what we can on Angelus and Spike."

"It's too bad that we have to dust such fine pieces of Grade A male. I mean what a waste." Faith shoved her hands into her pockets, letting the May Queen subject go for the moment.

Willow sighed. "I know."

Angelus waited until the girls were out of sight and let go of Spike's leather duster. "What did you do that for, the chits were sitting ducks?" Spike glared at his sire.

"Spike my boy didn't I teach you anything?" Angelus grinned like a cat after a large bowl of cream. "Didn't you just hear all that?"

"Some silly nonsense about May Queen?" Angelus brought up his hand and cuffed his blonde child upside the head.

"No you idiot. There's tension in the ranks." Angelus sighed at Spike's blank stare. Pinching the bridge of his nose he continued. "What would happen if Willow walked away from the group?"

"I don't know you tell me, I'm not the one that spent all his bloody time playing the Knight in Shinning amour with a bunch of kids." Spike took out another cigarette, only to have Angelus snatch it from his mouth and crumble it up. "Hey!?"

"I was that souled piece of fluff then, do you hear me?" Spike nodded knowing he pushed his sire too far. "Good now listen closely. Willow is everyone's support system. She's the slayers best friend, is the only one in that group that can turn on a computer without breaking it two minutes later. That *kid* is way too smart for her own good. And she's the one that smoothes out any tension in the group. What would happen if the peacemaker were to turn her back on the group?"

Understanding sparkled in brilliant blue eyes. "All hell would break loose! So when do we kill the redhead?" Angelus's face turned dark again.

"We aren't."

"But I thought you just said... Fine, then what do you want to do with wet kitten?" Spike went to grab another cigarette but thought better of it, until this conversation was over he could wait.

"Patience my boy...patience." Angelus patted Spike's cheeks and the blonde swiped his hand away. "That's one thing you never learned. You've always been the kill first sort of demon."

"Right and recently you haven't been?" Spike argued back. "Ever since you've bloody well come back it's been plans of blood and vengeance against a seventeen-year-old girl you haven't come close to killing yet."

Angelus' eyes flashed golden for a moment. "That has been my error. I have forgotten that emotional pain can sometimes maim worse then physical violence."

Spike raised a brow. "So you don't plan on killing the slayer?"

"Oh I plan on killing her, but just not yet. After I'm done with her what I did to Dru when she was human will look like child's play." Clasping his hands in front of him Angelus felt in control for the first time since his soul left his body.

"I think I like that look in your eyes." Spike grinned back at his sire happy to see the familiar glimpse of the vampire that had sired him and taught him over a century ago.

"We're going to start with sweet, innocent Willow."
 

Chapter three

Willow awoke the next morning a smile on her lips as the last of her dream escaped her. She couldn't recall what she had dreamt about; the images and sounds erased seconds after her eyes fluttered open. But the feeling of being needed and loved stilled lingered. Taking a few minutes to lie in bed, Willow finally threw the covers off and struggled to a sitting position.

At one time Willow Anne Rosenberg had been a morning person. She had loved the sound of the early birds chirping away. The way it felt to watch the sun greet a new day. But after meeting Buffy and her crash coarse to demons 101, Willow had instantly became a night owl.

Stretching her arms over her head, Willow brought her right one down quickly as it began to throb painfully. Unwinding the ace bandage Willow groaned at the blackish blue bruise that was formed by one Buffy Summers.

Buffy...Willow collapsed back against the bed. May Queen... It was all coming back to the little redhead. Someone had pulled a sick joke and had her nominated. So now she was going to have to go to school and have everyone laugh at her. Faith was demented to ever think that it could possibly be for real.

Refusing to dwell, Willow rolled out of bed and started to the closet. But something on caught her eye though the crack of the windows on her French doors that led to the outside second story balcony. Her forehead scrunched in confusion as she peered out the door. There was a white rose, with a neatly wrapped jewelry box. Unlocking the door and opening it slowly, Willow looked side to side. Feeling slightly foolish for being so cautious during the daylight.

Picking up the rose Willow was overwhelmed by its perfection. Lifting it to her nose she smiled as its fragrance wafted to her. Placing the rose back down on the railing she picked up the box. Taking off the white ribbon, Willow gasped at the object resting inside.

It was a delicate looking silver necklace, with an intricate Celtic Knot pendent. Willow picked the necklace up, afraid that the chain would break at her touch. Never had she owned anything so beautiful. No one had ever really cared enough to give her anything like this. A tiny note was folded neatly inside of the box.

Willow opened the note. There was only one word, but it meant the world to her. Congratulations. But after a moment she reread the word, studying the penmanship.

Willow nearly dropped the box. She knew the handwriting. Angelus. Willow stepped quickly back into the house, forgetting the rose that was still sitting on the railing.

He had been to her house, on her balcony without her even knowing it. At least this time his gift wasn't one of fish guts, little did that do to calm her nerves. Hurrying through her morning rituals, Willow rushed out the door to school. She needed to let the others know about the gift that Angelus had left.

The school was already filled with activity. Willow darted past students on her way to the library. Every once in awhile someone would call out her name in greeting, or congratulating her on her nomination. Willow smiled politely and hurried on. It was a little strange to get such a warm reception from the other students.

Just feet away from the library, Willow was cut short by Cordelia. "Willow-."

"I know I'm a mockery, there is no way I should've been nominated, blah blah blah. Yup got that." Willow tried to side step the brunette, but the other girl was quicker than she was.

"Actually I was going to congratulate you. Who got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" Cordelia looked down at Willow's guilty looking face and her expression softened slightly. "Listen, I know techniquely I'm losing cool points just standing this close to you. But I just wanted to tell you congrats."

Willow studied the other girl's eyes, waiting for the other shoe to drop. "T-Thank you."

"I mean it's not like your going to be any competition, but I'm still happy for you." Cordelia flashed her a smile and walked away. Willow watched
her leave knowing that she should have expected that.

Getting back to the task at hand Willow continued the last few feet to the library, rushing in hoping to find at lest one of the Scooby members. But to her disappointment the place was empty. Searching the main room, then the stacks Willow almost gave up until Giles walked through the swinging doors.

"Giles!" Willow cried, startling the Watcher who spilled his piping hot tea down the front of his new tweed jacket.

"Willow, don't you think it's a little early to be scaring the..." Giles took a deep breath calming his nerves. "What is it Willow?"

Taking the box and letter from her jacket pocket she handed them to Giles who only stared back at her with puzzlement. "I found it on my balcony this morning."

Giles opened the box carefully. "This is beautiful." Taking off his glasses Giles picked up the delicate chain. "The craftsmanship on the pendent is
extraordinary."

"Giles look at the note." Willow shoved the note at him, waiting impatiently for his reply.

"Angelus." Giles rubbed his eyes and walked over to the table. There once friend was at it again. The last few weeks had been quiet, giving them all a false sense of security.

"I can deal with the gifts that are blood and guts, but this? Why is he giving me... nice stuff?" Willow bit her lower lip.

"I don't know." Giles stood handing Willow the box. "You did the un-invite spell correct?"

"Yes." Willow shoved the box back into her pocket.

"I wish I knew what to say Willow. This is an odd turn of events. Whatever it is I'm sure it's just another ploy Angelus is using to hurt Buffy." Willow silently agreed with the Watcher. Out of all the big bads they had to go up against Angelus was the worst by far. He had her friend's face, his memories. It was hard to keep reminding themselves that he was a danger to them all. Though Willow knew this was the hardest on Buffy, it wasn't a walk in the park for any of them.

The first bell rang and Willow gave a jump. "I need to get going, Mrs. Ulmer is a real witch about tardies." Giles looked at her oddly. "Not witch as in evil wanting to kill us all witch." Giles nodded and stood.

"Yes well I would like to be the one to tell Buffy of this." Giles looked years older, Willow nodded and walked to the library doors. Her hand going to her pocket to wrap around the necklace.

"Willster, we looked all over for you before first period." Xander was waiting for her in front of her locker after first period. Buffy was coming from the
other end of the hall. Stopping occasionally to talk to some of the students.

"Had to go and talk to Giles before class." Shoving her books into the locker, Willow waited for Buffy to join them.

"Hey!" Buffy bounced over, her face flushed with excitement. "You'll never believe who asked me out!" Willow and Xander stood staring at the blonde. "This is where you guess."

"Oh umm Dave?" Xander shrugged.

"Dave who?" Willow whispered.

"Don't know, there's a lot of Daves that go here, thought I'd play it vague." Xander whispered back.

"Steven Grant." Buffy rolled her eyes at her friend's antics.

Willow couldn't help but feel a little annoyed with Buffy. She and Angel were supposed to have has this entire tragic love affair thingy, and not two months later she was jumping at the first guy who asked her out. "Yeah that's great Buffy."

Buffy smiled. "So ready for gym?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." Willow grumbled. She hated gym.

"Oh I didn't get to tell you. We had a talk with Mrs. Veech, we told her you wanted to withdrawal from the nominations. She said you just need to go and tell her yourself." Willow felt her stomach muscles tighten in annoyance. What if she didn't want to withdrawal? Sure it was probably some huge sick joke, but what really hurt was the total lack of faith her friends had in her.

"Actually I was thinking I'd stay in." Willow answered calmly, walking toward the gym. Xander and Buffy stood open mouthed. There was only so much negative a girl could take.
 

Chapter four

"So your saying that psycho Fang left you the necklace?" Faith held the object up to the moonlight to get a better look at it. "Damn nice for a 'I want to kill you gift', don't you think?"

"This is all wrong." Willow started rubbing her temples. "First I'm nominated for May Queen, which by the way should be a sign that Hell at this very moment is freezing over. Then Angelus leaves that necklace. Why? The dead fish were a better implication to how he really feels about my existence. To Angelus I'm nothing more than a tool to hurt Buffy. He really doesn't think that I'm stupid enough to think he's 'happy' for me ...does he?"

"Maybe he gave it to you so you'd drive yourself insane wondering why he gave it to you." Faith joked as she handed the necklace back to Willow. "So he's trying to get to Buffy. It didn't work because she doesn't even know about the necklace. I think you should wear it."

Willow shot Faith a look that clearly said that she thought the other girl to be completely insane. Turning her attention back to the fresh grave they
were watching Willow wished the damn vampire would just rise. "This is taking forever."

"So from the bitching and whining I had to sit through it sounds as thought you're staying in the race." Studying Willow's face, Faith almost felt badly about bring the May Queen competition up again. Almost. She didn't like seeing Willow stress over her silly beliefs that she wasn't good enough, or in the same league as those snobs she was up against. She wanted Willow to understand that she was just as good, if not better than those girls were. That with a little bolstering to her self esteem she'd dazzle everyone around her.

Willow wasn't the type that could intentionally hurt anyone...well besides demons of the night, and she sometimes found that difficult. Her ability to see another's emotions and truly care how they felt made Willow Anne Rosenberg better than most people on this planet. Faith could remember when she first arrived in Sunnyhell, while everyone else made it abundantly clear that she wasn't completely trusted or by some wanted around. Willow went out of her way to soften the stinging words that were uttered by the others, or try and lighten the mood when things were getting too
stressful. She did this because she wanted everyone around her happy, whether they were her friends or not. She couldn't stand seeing someone suffer when she could help in some way.

People like Willow were few, in fact in all of her life Faith had never met anyone as sweet and kind as Willow. The strangest part was that Willow wanted nothing in return.

"I don't know what came over me, I mean I had all intentions of dropping out, but the way Buffy and Xander were acting just rubbed me the wrong way." Willow felt tears gathering in her eyes, but refused to cry, not here in the middle of a cemetery. But damnit Buffy and Xander were making her feel as though she were some kind of heinous freak that had to be protected from the world. That no one could find her attractive.

"Well what's done is done, so I say we stop dwelling and move on." Faith tried a page from Willow's book and attempted lighten the mood. "I over heard Miss Pom-Poms saying something about campaigned strategies. I think that we should start to think what yours should be." Faith really didn't have the foggiest clue as to what went on with the May Queen thing. Before she had dropped out of school, dances weren't her thing. If truth were told school in general hadn't really been her thing.

"I don't know, it all seems so stupid to me. Mostly the candidates go around being nice to people they'd never give the time of day to otherwise."

"Sounds like fun." Faith commented dryly. The ground they had been watching for the last thirty minutes started to move. "About damn time." Faith jumped down from the gravestone and took the stake she had hidden in her jacket out.

Willow watched on as she had done several times in the past, knowing that the newly made vampire would be disposed of quickly. Faith was good at what she did, she even enjoyed it. Unlike Buffy Faith embraced being the slayer. Buffy fought being the chosen one at every step. Just as it seemed that she was finally coming to terms with it, she'd start to rebel again.

"You know what you need Red?" Faith commented as she watched the vampire from the corner of her eye. "A make over. Nothing too extreme, just a lift-me-up." Kicking out with her right foot, Faith connected with the vampire's jaw.

"I don't know." Willow could imagine Faith's idea as a little make over. Tattoos and nose rings, completed with an ensemble of tight black leather.

Faith started chuckling, knowing exactly what Willow was envisioning. "I swear nothing too radical." Slamming the stake into her targets un-beating heart, Faith walked away without a second glance.

Both girls jumped when they heard clapping coming from the shadows. Faith raised the stake in attack mode. Willow tried to hop down from the gravestone, but when she tried putting pressure onto her injured limb she cried out in pain.

Angelus had been watching from the shadows, listening to the two girls from the moment they showed up that night. He had been on his way out for a quick bit to eat, but decided that he could spare a little time seeing what kind of effect the gift had on Willow.

His plan was simple. Perhaps too simple, if it weren't for the fact that Buffy was going to suffer a huge amount of emotional pain he'd say that it  really wasn't worth the effort. Buffy and Xander's behavior towards Willow was going to make it a simple even easier execute. The only resistance he was going to find was Faith. But the second slayer had darkness in her, which if properly used could make her easy to manipulate as well.

He was going to seduce the redhead. Make her feel cherished and wanted. Make her so overwhelmed by the constant attention from him that she would turn her back on her friends with little ease. What happened to her after everything was said and done was absolutely no concern of his. If she pleased him in bed perhaps he'd keep her for his own entertainment, if not then maybe he'd give her to one of his faithful followers to do with as they pleased. It didn't matter either way.

Angel had been a fool by going after the stupid slut. Buffy was immature and pathetically dull. Willow had more substance in her little finger than Buffy could obtain in a lifetime. But Angel it his true form went after what was easiest to obtain. Plus having a slayer  'love' him made him feel as though he could be forgiven for his past crimes. What a joke.

Seeing that Faith had disposed of the fledgling, he decided to make himself known. Walking from the shadows clapping he enjoyed the reaction he caused until he heard Willow cry out in pain. Stopping his clap in mid-stride, he frowned as the little hacker hugged her right hand to her body.

Unexplainable anger went through him, and it irritated him that he felt anything at all at the redhead's pain. He had prided himself on his lack of emotions through the centuries.  Where other of his kind experienced 'love' like Spike and Dru, he had been blasé about any sexual relationship he had been in. Including his back stabbing sire. Only recently he'd experienced something close to anger, and that was aimed at the slayer. But at best what he felt there was irritation that his carefully laid plans fell apart were she was concerned. But what he felt when he heard Willow's cry was anger, without any mistake. Someone had hurt her, and for a brief second he had an overwhelming urge to rip the limbs off of who ever did
this to her.

Calming himself down, Angelus walked out of the shadows. Seeing the shock and surprise on their faces did help a little to ease the anger that was bubbling inside. "That was truly amazing Faith. Though you've killed yet another of my fledglings."

"My heart's bleeding." Faith shrugged, keeping her face clear of all emotions. Willow groaned at her choice of words, wishing that Faith would think twice before saying things to Angelus that included words like blood, or death, even sentences with the word pain should be avoided.

Giving a short laugh designed to annoy the slayer Angelus took another step closer. Both girls were looking for the quickest way out of the cemetery, and this brought a smirk to his lips. "Willow did you get my gift?" Directing his intense eyes in her direction, he enjoyed seeing a blush spread from her neck to her cheeks.

Nodding her head, Willow wished she had the nerve to throw the gift back in his face. Tell him to stop using her to get back at Buffy. But she could barely think let alone move with the way Angelus was staring at her. "It's for luck...not that you need it considering who you're up against."

He knew that Faith was sizing him up, but when his words were spoken her eyes widened for a moment. "The only real competition is Cordelia."

"Cordelia?" Both girls couldn't help but blurt out. Faith had lost a little of her stiffness, Willow's nervousness evaporated by her curiosity.

"Sure. She has poise and a sense of timeless fashion. If she can keep her mouth shut long enough she could have a chance." Angelus leaned up against a tree, as both girls analyzed his words.

"This is a May Queen competition, not a season in London." Willow spoke a whisper of a smile on her lips. "You talk like it's the 1890's instead of the
1990's. Now a days its posters and empty promises."

"Really so who do you think is going to win?" Angelus raised a brow in question.

"Buffy." Willow said with confidence. Faith groaned and rolled her eyes, not noticing that she had lost her defensive stance.

Angelus lost the smirk for a moment; "Buffy's popularity depends on how short her skirts are. She's beautiful yes, but once you get past that her
selfishness and stupidity its enough to give a person a headache." Faith silently agreed with Angelus's words, but damned if she'd let him know that she was on his side when it came to Buffy.

"That's not true." Willow started but was stopped by Angelus.

"This isn't why I came by. I just wanted to see if you got my gift, and to congratulate you again." Angelus turned to leave. "Oh by the way what happened to your arm?" His face was half hidden in the shadows so both girls lost the dark and angry expression on his face.

"I tripped." Willow lied, gnawing on her bottom lip.

"I'm not a fool Little One. So I'll ask again, what happened to your arm?" Faith was floored. It actually sounded as though Angelus was mad that Willow was hurt. This could work...

"Buffy did." Faith answered for Willow, ignoring the betrayed look Willow sent her way.

The shadows were quiet, and both girls thought that Angelus had left with out another word. "If she ever hurts you again I will show her no mercy."

After several long minutes of silence and both girls were convinced that Angelus was gone they tried to gain the ability to speak. "That was different." Faith finally said, her eyes had a calculating sparkle.
 

Chapter five

Angelus stalked through the garden door into the Crawford Street mansion. Walking right past Spike who was kicked back on the sofa and headed straight for the stairs. He kept running the scene over and over in his head, wondering where exactly he had lost his mind. In the last day he had experienced more feelings than he had for two hundred years. Sure he had *felt* things, but not with such intensity. The flash of anger that raced through him when he learned that Willow was injured, and by that disgusting bitch of a slayer made him see red. Buffy was lucky he wasn't able to find her on his way home. There definitely wouldn't be any *games* involved with what he'd do to her.

"What's got your knickers in a twist?" Spike popped his head over the back of the couch, quirking his scarred brow in question.

"Nothing. Everything is going as planed." Angel muttered still climbing the stairs. Spike's mouth curved as he hurdled the couch and followed his sire
upstairs.

"Really? Because you look like things aren't all that swell." They had reached Angelus's rooms and Spike found the door slammed in his face. Not to be ignored Spike flung the door back open. "So what's got you so pissy?"

"Nothing!" Ripping his duster from his body, Angelus waded it in a ball and tossed it on a wingback chair. "I want you to spread the word that Willow and Faith are off-season."

"You're joking right? I'm sure I won't hear much complaining over the redhead. But you want me to tell everyone that the slayer is off limits? There'll be mutiny."

"If they have a problem they can come to me. I'd be more than happy to remind those arrogant pups who's the Master around here." Angelus sneered, his hands forming into fists. "I need Faith safe to watch over Willow during the day. Buffy hurt her."

"Who? Willow or the other slayer?"

Had Spike been just some minor minion he may have been frightened by the anger on Angelus's face. But he wasn't and so he stood his ground. "Willow. Her right arm is bandaged and from what Faith said tonight it was good ole Buff that injured her."

"Faith told you this? You mean in between attacking you right?" Spike was getting curious and wished that he had insisted on going that night.

"No." Angelus paused and started to frown. "She didn't. In fact she seemed all too eager to share the information." One side of his mouth started to curve upward.

"Did the little kitten like her present?" Spike lit a cigarette, leaning up against the doorjamb.

"She wasn't wearing it." Shrugging his shoulders and plucking the cigarette from Spikes lips and inhaling a lungful of smoke. "It's just a matter of time. Buff hurting her is just another point for us. Plus if I'm reading Faith right I think we may have another ally."

"You're out of your bloody mind! Did the soul rot your frigging brain?" Spike grabbed the cigarette back from Angelus.

"Shut up boy before I teach you some manners. That girl has darkness inside her, utilize it correctly she'd be a hell of a person to have on our side of things. She dislikes Buffy and has this need to protect the witch." Spike thought on this before saying another word.

"Are you sure? I'd hate to have her shove a stake through my heart."

"I'm positive." Both stood in silence.

"Fine. I'll go tell the others about your orders." Spike turned and headed toward the door. "Want to come? Grab a drink at Willies?"

"No, I think I'll stop by and make sure my new little pet made it home all right." Feeling a little better after speaking to his childe, Angelus grabbed his wrinkled coat.

"He digs you." Faith taunted.

"Who?" Willow crinkled her brow in confusion.

"Don't play dumb with me. That dark handsome vampire that's who." Faith gave a throaty laugh as Willow sputtered.

"No he doesn't *dig* me. He's just using me to annoy Buffy." Shoving her hands into her pockets, Willow cringed as her left hand felt the necklace inside.

"I didn't see Buffy anywhere around, did you? And the anger in his voice when he heard that it was Buffy that hurt you? Made even me slightly nervous." Faith could see the blush creeping up Willow's neck under the streetlamps.

"Stop. Everything has gotten way out of control. Ever since this whole May Queen thing happened my world has become all topsy tervy. I just want everything to go back to the way it was. Where no one noticed me, or gave me nerve wracking gifts." Kicking out her foot in frustration, Willow missed the rock she was aiming for and stubbed her toe into the ground. "Umph."

"Hey watch it Red, one injury per week." Faith held out a steadying arm as Willow hopped around muttering nonsensical words under her breath. "Look at you, you can't even say bad words like a normal person. You need to look at this as a good thing. People are finally noticing that you're a beautiful person."

"Are you hitting on me Faith?" Willow tried to joke.

"No, if I were you'd know." Winking back at the giggling witch, Faith turned down Willow's street. "But if you ask me that leather wearing hunk back at the cemetery was."

"Faith." Groaning at the way the brunette was able to circle the conversation back to the topic that Willow had hoped she had dropped.

"What? He's hot. Tell me that he's not the finest piece of flesh that walks this earth."

"I have eyes, of course he is. In that he'll rip your throat out on a first date kind of way. He's evil, not the cuddly vamp we used to know."

"Angel? Please, Buffy had him so well trained that I thought she was going to pull out a rolled up newspaper the few times he made a mistake. Sure Angel was good looking, but Buffy snuffed out any personality he could have had." Willow couldn't help but smile slightly, visualizing Buffy swatting Angel on the nose for chewing on her favorite pair of shoes.

"But Angelus, now that's what I call a man." Faith grinned ear to ear.

"No he's a vamp. Faith stop it. I'm really starting to get wigged here. We need to figure out a way to get Angelus to leave me alone...without telling Buffy."

"I swear you're no fun."

"That's fine. No fun means no trouble. And that's me. Trouble free girl." Willow sighed in relief when they got to her house. She could leave this insane conversation and Faith's gloating face behind.

"See ya tomorrow Red. We'll think up some of those strategies."

"Oh that reminds me, Amy'll be back tomorrow. She's great at that kind of stuff."

Faith scrunched up her face trying to recall the girl. "Blonde witchy girl huh?"

"Yeah." Willow held her breath. She liked Faith a lot, and was actually surprised that she enjoyed hanging out with her. But it was hard enough that Buffy and Faith didn't get along, if Amy and Faith rubbed the wrong way it would just make things harder.

"I like her." With that Faith turned and left, whistling a tune as she walked down the street. Willow let out her breath and went inside her house. She wished she had left on a light, it was just plain spooky having to find her way in the dark. Feeling the wall for the light switch, Willow hurriedly turned the light on.

Taking the steps two at a time Willow decided that a long hot shower was just what she needed to rid her of the stress the last two days had created. Stripping her clothing off and letting it drop to the floor as she walked down the hallway, Willow felt a little giddy at her messiness.

After a twenty-minute shower Willow felt like a brand new person. Her arm still hurt, and the ugly bruises promised to be there for weeks. What was wrong with Buffy? She had never been so careless in the past? With the way Buffy was treating her nomination, to the injury Willow felt just a tad irritated with her best friend.

Picking up her discarded clothing on the way back to her bedroom, Willow wished that she could take some of Faith's advice and just enjoy having been picked to run for May Queen. The thing was that nothing ever went smoothly in her life. Anytime something good happened, it was usually caused by some freak source of evil. Like her on line boyfriend sophomore year, who turned out to be some heinous sacrificing demon.

Throwing her clothes in a hamper, Willow pulled out a neatly folded nightshirt and pulled it over her head. Going over to her burrow she picked up a comb and pulled it through her wet hair. "Maybe I should cut my hair? Nothing drastic, just a few inches." Talking to the reflection in the mirror, Willow chuckled at herself. Being alone a lot could do that to a person. She always talked to herself out loud when she was home alone, it made the quiet house almost bearable.

Willow looked at her jacket lying on the bed, and hesitated for a brief second. Why not? It was beautiful, and why shouldn't she wear it? Going over
the bed, she questioned her sanity one last time before reaching for the object inside her pocket. Walking back to the mirror she put the necklace on, and studied the way it looked around her neck.

The chain wasn't all that long, the pendent lying an inch above the swell of her breasts. It was truly breath taking. Angelus had given her this gift, he said to congratulate her. Her friends hadn't thought of saying the words, while a demon purchased her a gift. He did purchase it, right? Visions of Angelus stalking down a victim just to get the necklace made her pale slightly.

"I won't think about it." Willow blocked off her mind of anymore bad thoughts and slipped into bed. Switching off the lamp on her nightstand she fell into a deep sleep within minutes.

Angelus watched all this from the balcony. He knew she'd wear the necklace sooner or later. Perhaps a little sooner than he anticipated, but he wouldn't complain. The piece of jewelry once belonged to his mother. It was one of the things he had taken for his home and kept through out the centuries. He had to admit it looked beautiful on the little witch.

Jumping over the rail and landing gracefully on the ground, Angelus decided to take his childe up on his offer and meet him at Willies.
 

Chapter six

Running up the steps that leading into the school, Willow mentally kicked herself in the rear end. She had awoken late, really late, and for the first in in her short life she was tardy for school. Dressing in under ten minutes, if you called throwing on the first clean and available bits of clothing onto her body dressing, thrown her hair into an off center ponytail and left her house.  Checking her wristwatch she groaned in disgust. There really was no reason she should go to first hour, seeing that there was only ten minutes left of class. She'd have to go and see Mr. Stackpole at lunch and explain.

Heading to the library, Willow walked through the doors and took a look around. "Giles?"

"Willow? Is there something wrong? Why aren't you in class?" Giles popped his head out of his office.

"Slept in late." She answered with a huge yawn, letting her backpack slip from her shoulder Willow walked over to her chair.

"Are you sick?" Giles walked out of the office, a steaming cup of tea in his hand. His eyes scrutinized her for a moment.

"Nope, just slept late." Willow felt uncomfortable under his bemused gaze, and looked down, only to groan out loud in horror. How could she be so stupid? In her haste she had put on a baby blue sweatshirt with a pink unicorn on the front (The one that Xander had given to her as a gag gift on her last birthday.) and green sweatpants. She looked as though she had become mentally retarded and colorblind at the same time.

"Yes, well..." Giles looked away, hiding the humor in his eyes. "There are fresh doughnuts in my office. Why don't you help yourself? There's a few minutes left before your next class."

Doughnuts did sound good, considering the fact that the last time she had eaten was at lunchtime yesterday. Faith had stopped by earlier than she had expedited the night before for patrol, and Willow had intended to eat when she got home. But after the whole Angelus thing she had become a little preoccupied. Wandering over to the open box of pastries, Willow felt her day brighten. There was a jelly filled one left, a rare and incredible treat for such a crappy morning.

Picking up the gooey mouthwatering treat from the gods, Willow took a huge bite. Only to start choking when the raspberry filling oozed out the other side and onto her shirt. This could not be happening to her, she was a good person, if the whole karma thing was true then apparently it just didn't apply to her.

"Willow you seemed to have dribbled..." Giles shifted uncomfortably in front of her.

"Thanks Giles." Willow fought back the tears blurring her vision and searched for a napkin to wipe of the already staining jelly. Spotting a towel Willow made a mad grab for it, wiping at the sticky filling.

"Willow no!" Giles called out in warning too late. "That towel is saturated in oil I was using it to polish the bookshelves."

Willow looked in horror. Well the good news was that the excess of the filling came off, but now not only was there a light pink stain but the oil had left some kind of greasy residue. Setting down the rag calmly Willow went and grabbed her backpack.

"Where are you going?" Giles called out as he watched Willow head for the library doors in a zombie like state.

"Class, maybe if I get a head start I won't be late." With that Willow left the library.

Students spilled from their respective classes into the halls of Sunnydale High. It was amazing how fast the deserted halls could be spat first no one really noticed her. But soon Willow could hear the snickers coming from the other students. It wasn't until Willow looked up when Buffy called her name that she saw the colorful banners and campaign posters covering every available space. This crappy day thing was getting out of hand. Not even her nightmares of showing up naked to class compared to this.

"Interesting look." Buffy looked her over quizzically.

"Woke up late." Willow muttered, crossing her arms over her chest trying to hide the stains. At this point the embarrassment of the unicorn no longer mattered.

"I was wondering if you could hand out these fliers for me." Buffy gave her a large grin, batting her eyes in a pleading manner. Willow looked down and for just a moment her mind went blank. "I wouldn't have asked, but it doesn't look like you intend to do any campaigning for yourself..." Dropping the thick stack of paper into Willow's arms, Buffy called out a greeting to a passing group of girl and raced off to talk to them. Leaving Willow stranded in the hall, holding an armload of Vote for Buffy fliers.

"Willow!?" Still dazed, Willow turned her head in the direction of the voice. Barely registering the fact the Amy was just feet from her, Willow looked back down again at the papers.  "Congratulations! I am so happy for you." Amy pulled her into a hug, letting go when she realized that the redhead hadn't responded back. "Willow..." Waving a hand in front of Willow's eyes, Amy stepped back to assess her friend. It was then that she saw the hideous, if not scary outfit Willow had on. Two different stains over the head of the unicorn. A ponytail that was threatening to fall out. Finally the blonde witch's eyes rested on the flier that had Buffy's name splattered all over.

"Bad day huh?" Amy commented as she took the fliers from Willow's hands and dumped them unceremoniously in the nearest wastebasket. "How about we cut out, and do an 80's classics movie marathon while we shove our faces with ice cream?"

Willow nodded mutely and let Amy guide her out the doors and down the steps.

"Do you want highlights or perhaps a shade darker?" Amy held up boxes of Miss Clairol for Willow's inspection.

"Neither. I'm still not sure about this." Willow chewed on her lower lip. Sometime between Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles Amy had decided that Willow needed to do a major overhaul to offset the fashion disaster Willow had made of herself that day. As expected Amy was extremely excited to think up campaign strategies.

"It's not like we're going to do anything too drastic. Come on Wills, seize the moment. You've been given the chance to prove to those inbreed bottom feeders that we go to school with that there's more to you than just your brain. Just think what Cordelia Chase would think if you were to walk into school tomorrow looking drop dead gorgeous."

"She'd probably think that the Hellmouth was having another seizer."

"Fine. Then I guess you could always wear your 'My Little Pony's' shirt tomorrow." Amy smiled sweetly, but effectively made her point. Willow looked at the two boxes being held out to her one more time.

"Highlights." Willow gave in. Amy beamed and put the second box she had picked out back on the shelf.

Spike was walking the streets looking for his next meal. The pickings were slim that night, and so far all his efforts had left him with was an empty belly. He was about to call it quits and have one of the minions hunt for something when he saw Angelus's new pet walking out of the Supermarket accompanied by an unfamiliar blonde.

Though Angelus never said anything about any of Red's other little pals being off limits he was sure that his sire would have something to say about him eating someone who Willow considered a close friend outside of the slayers little brat pack.

"Well what do we have here?" Spike asked himself as he followed the two down Sunnydale's darkened streets. "If Angelus knew that little Red was out and about unprotected he'd throw a bloody tantrum." Taking a look around Spike decided that he might as well follow the chits and make sure no harm came their way.

Sticking to the shadows, Spike listened with half an ear as the blonde tired in vein to get Willow into a conversation. The little redhead seemed to be off in another world, nodding her head once but not adding to the topic at hand. After three blocks the blonde stopped trying and the two girls walked in silence until they reached Red's house.

Watching from the shadows Spike eased himself up onto the balcony when the girls were secure inside. Perhaps he could get some juicy gossip for Angelus.

Half an hour later they were back at Willow's, and the poor witch was impatiently watching the clock. "Is it time yet?" Willow tied to put her fingers under the towel that was around her head in a turban like fashion to scratch her burning scalp.

"No, and if you ask again I'll kill you." Amy said over her shoulder as she shifted through Willow's closet. "Willow when was the last time you went
shopping for clothes?"

"I don't really know. My Mom keeps promising to take me, but then something always comes up." Willow shrugged.

"Well after we're done here we can go over to my house and get you something to wear. I'm sure there's got to be something out of the new wardrobe my Father bought me that you'll like, or at least agree to wear." Willow highly doubted it. Though Amy's new wardrobe was nice there wasn't anything that was her style.

The alarm Amy had set on her wristwatch went off, signaling it was time to wash the creme from Willow's hair. Willow jumped from her bed and hurried to the bathroom. Amy kept searching in vein to find an outfit. With a shake of her head she left the closet to search through the dresser drawers when a scream of pure terror came from the bathroom.

"Amy! What have you done?" Amy straightened and ran to the bathroom. Willow was staring into the mirror, her eyes wide, her entire body trembling. Amy took a roving glance at her friend, her gaze stopping on Willow's hair.

The witch's once beautiful red locks were now streaked in green. "Oh my Goddess." Amy gulped. Willow couldn't tear her eyes from the mirror in front of her. "I am so sorry Willow. I don't know what happened."

"My hair is green! GREEN!"

"Well not all of it." Amy tired to reason.

"I thought you said you knew what you were doing." Willow screeched.

"Willow I can fix this." Amy raced back to Willow's room to grab the box the highlighting kit came in. It wasn't until Amy was almost out of the room that something on the outside of the box caught her eye. "Oh shit." The blonde witch whispered. "Shit, shit, shit."

The on the side of the box was a hair chart that the highlights worked best on. There was a note warning against using the product on red and black hair. "Umm, Willow. If I tell you something do you promise not to kill me or turn me into some furry rodent?"

Willow appeared in the doorway of her room. Her eyes narrowed, her breathing erratic. "I didn't promise not to kill you for turning my hair green!"

Amy gulped. "There was a warning-."

"What would my life be without some over looked warning? Who cares about the warning now, look at my hair."

"I can fix this."

There was a tapping at the window and both girls looked at once to see Spike standing on the other side looking in impatiently.  "Willow is that who I think it is?" Amy could only stare.

"If you think it's a vicious Master Vampire who could drain us with a blink of his cynical eye...yeah."

"That's what I thought...Is there any particular reason he's out on *your* balcony?" Amy looked at Willow from the corner of her eye.

"Not one I can think of. I highly doubt he's selling Girl Scout cookies...unless of course he killed and ate the Girl Scouts." Willow could tell that Spike was getting agitated because of his stony expression.

"Red let me in." Spike pounded on the door again as he looked over his shoulder.

"Go away Spike!" Willow called out.

"Listen Pet. Do you think I enjoy standing on some uptight virgins balcony?" Spike growled from the other side of the glass.

"Actually yes!" Willow fired back.

Looking over his shoulder once again as though he was expecting someone to show up Spike turned back. "Okay you're right kitten. But will you use your bloody brain and think about what Angelus is going to do when he sees that Blondie here turned you into some deranged version of a candy cane."

Amy was about to question Spike's comment but saw Willow give her a look to keep her mouth shut. "If you want your little friend to live I suggest you let me take you to someone who can fix that bloody mess." Willow took a second to contemplate her options. She did have green streaks in her hair that weren't going to just go away with wishful thinking. Angelus was acting a little weird by giving her gifts and taking an interest in her. Plus no matter how angry she was at Amy for her hair she didn't wish death on her friend. But to just go willingly with Spike that was going to an extreme that she wasn't sure she was willing to go.

"Pet you're not getting any younger." Spike sighed.

"Willow you can't! He'll kill you the second you leave with him!" Amy clutched onto Willow's arm.

"Good thing you're coming with me then isn't it?" Willow walked over to her closet and grabbed a white floppy hat. "If he does anything you can use your magic to keep us safe."

"I'm not going anywhere with that...that..."

"Drop dead sexy vampire." Spike smirked from the other side of the glass.

"No, I wouldn't say that. For one you're way too skinny. You only own one outfit plus you're a killer. Not really all that appealing." Amy snapped. She'd never admit it but Spike was right, he was pretty sexy even for a vampire. "I'm not going anywhere with him."

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