Rating: NC-17
Pairings: Willow/Angel and Buffy/Spike
Summary: Willow attempts to get back into the magics for the first time since being turned. Her spell takes a deadly turn and threatens to destroy all the witches in the world.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement intended.
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The Mansion 8:30pm
"Come on Willow. You've been in there for an hour. Just pick something already," Angel yelled through the door.
Angel was about to reach for the handle when Willow opened the door, wearing a short black skirt, a black corset with red trim and calf length black leather boots.
"You know even an undead girl wants to look her best for her beau," she started with a smile.
"There is nothing girlish about you, my love. You are one hundred percent woman," he replied as his eyes ravaged her beautiful body. "And that outfit is definitely a big wow," he added pulling her into his hard body.
"I'm glad you like it," she replied slyly as she thrust her pelvis into his.
He growled in pleasure at her movement, his growing arousal straining against the confines of his pants. She felt his hardening erection and slyly thrust her hips into his once again.
"We should get going. We wouldn't want to be late meeting the gang," she added and began to pull away from him. Angel grabbed her arms and held her tightly.
"Oh no you don't. You can't just tease me like that and then walk away," he told her.
"And why not?" she asked playfully trying to look innocent.
"This is why," he answered thrusting his arousal into her stomach and capturing her lips in a brutal kiss.
Willow returned the kiss with equal force as Angel reached his hand down to touch her bare leg just under her short skirt. He deepened the kiss as he traced his hand up her bare thigh toward her core. He pulled his mouth away as he discovered that she was not wearing anything under the skirt, and to make things better, she was very slick and more than ready for him.
"You're not wearing any under ware," he whispered with a smile.
"I figured I wouldn't need them," she replied slyly.
He replied with a bright smile.
Willow reached for him and quickly released his throbbing member from the confines of his pants. Angel moaned in pleasure as she squeezed his shaft firmly. Angel grasped her buttocks in his hands and lifted her off the ground. She immediately wrapped her legs around his waist and slammed herself down on his hard shaft. Both let out a loud growl of pleasure as a result of their forceful joining. Angel backed them against the wall and captured her lips once more in a hungry kiss. Angel began pumping hard, slow, and deep into her core. He torturously picked up the speed until he was pounding her hard. The violent thrusting caused her to tighten her muscles hard around his shaft.
He broke the kiss and let his demon surface as he thrust harder and faster. She let her demon appear as well and bit hard into his neck. As she drank greedily, her orgasm hit her hard and fast. He felt her muscles convulsing around him and that was all it took to send him flying over the edge. He continued to thrust into her, prolonging their orgasms, as he bit into her neck. Willow broke her bloody kiss and gasped in an unneeded breath.
"Angel!" she cried in intense pleasure.
"Oh god Rua!" he replied as he released her of his bite. He restored his face to its handsome features and looked into his love's eyes. "I love you so much," he whispered.
"I love you too my Angel," she replied. Angel placed a soft kiss on her lips. "As much as I would love to stay buried inside you all night, we should go and meet the gang before they get worried," Angel whispered.
"Yeah you're probably right, we should go," she replied squeezing her inner muscles once more against his shaft.
"Now stop that," he scolded as he brushed a light kiss on her lips.
"I'm just a big tease," she replied with a smile.
"That you are my love. That you are," he replied as he lifted her up and off of his flaccid shaft. He gently let her to her feet and kissed her once more.
"Umm hon. I think that you are going to need to change," she chuckled looking at the pants that where still around his waist which were covered in their juices.
"Yeah I guess I should. Maybe next time we should go back to doing this without our clothes," he smiled. "I'll be right back, my love," he placed another kiss on her lips before walking into the bedroom. Willow took the opportunity to squeeze his ass as he left. He gave her a sly look in turn.
Summer's Residence 9:45pm
Angel and Willow approached the Summer's Residence and immediately noticed the couple making out heavily on the front porch. Angel and Willow walked quietly, trying to sneak up on the oblivious couple. Just as they were almost at the stairs, Spike broke the kiss to look at the new arrivals.
"Hey there Peaches, Will. It's about bloody time you blokes showed up," Spike greeted with a snicker.
"Because you two looked like you were suffering from idle boredom," Willow replied looking over her best friend's disheveled appearance.
"Well we needed something to do to pass the time," Buffy replied as she re-buttoned the top two buttons on her blouse. "Where have you two been?"
"Playing screw the vampire, from the scent of things," Spike answered quickly.
"When are you going to grow up Spike?" Angel replied getting in Spike's face.
"Come on boys, is that anyway to talk in front of your ladies?" Buffy asked sarcastically.
Angel and Spike backed away from each other and returned to the girls' sides. "That's much better," Buffy commented. "Come on. Giles is waiting for us inside."
The foursome entered the front door of the house and headed for the living room. They all took seats on the couch to wait for Giles. Buffy and Spike sat next to each other with Buffy on the outside. Angel sat on the other side of Spike and Willow planted herself firmly in Angel's lap. Willow made sure to shake her bottom into Angel's groin as she sat, which earned her a slight groan from him.
"Hey now, none of that," Spike scolded.
"What?" Willow replied with an innocent smile. Before the conversation could go any further, Giles entered the room from the kitchen.
"Good you're all here," Giles started as he took a seat in the chair next to the couch.
"So what's the news? A new baddie in town?" Buffy asked.
"No actually. I have found some information on an old one," Giles replied.
"An old one?" Buffy asked in surprise. "Why bother looking up info on a baddie we already took out?"
"Actually it was because of Willow," Giles replied.
"What did I do?" Willow replied like she was being scolded by the teacher.
"Nothing. When you were.ah.dying," Giles stuttered. "The doctor told us that you had Consumputal."
"Yeah and there was no cure yada yada." Willow interjected casually.
"The doctor told us that the disease had not been seen since the early 1900's," Giles continued.
"Yeah?" Willow replied still unsure of where he was going.
"So, after you were.turned.I decided to look into how you might have contracted the disease. I hope you don't mind?" Giles asked.
"Not at all. I suppose that if you find out where it came from, maybe we can prevent someone else from getting it," Willow told him.
"My thoughts exactly," Giles replied.
"Did you find out where it came from?" Buffy asked.
"I believe I did. Do you remember that Bigotti demon we faced back in January?" Giles asked.
"Yeah that was the guy that had two mouths and four ears right?" Buffy recalled.
"That's right. Well my research has indicated that the Bigotti demons are carriers of the Consumptual disease. Willow do you remember coming in contact with the demon's blood?" Giles asked.
"Yeah, I remember," Angel jumped him. "Her hands were covered in its blood. I was concerned because at first I thought it was Willow's." Angel answered and pulled Willow against his chest to hug her.
"Well it seems that when you came in contact with the Bigotti demon's blood, the disease was absorbed through your skin," Giles explained. Everyone had a slight hint of pain in their eyes, remembering Willow's illness. "If only our research had been more thorough," Giles started, blaming himself. "It took me twelve books and nine hours of searching to find the demon that was infected. If only I had known prior to the fight."
"I probably still would have contracted the disease. That fight was all over the place," Willow assured him.
"But maybe we could have done something to."
"Giles please, don't blame your self for my state. I don't blame you, and no one else should either. It happened. It's done. There's no sense in getting upset over something that cannot be changed," Willow told him calmly. "There are days when I miss my life; the light," Willow started looking at a saddened Angel. "But I am happy the way I am now. I am stronger, and more confident, and can now be a bigger help to Buffy. Things always have a way of working out in the end. This is what was meant to be. I am sure of it," Willow finished looking at all her friends who were watching her sadly.
"Even in death, she is still the best among us," Buffy stated walking over to her friend and giving her a tight hug.
"You'll always have a place with us Red," Spike added from his position on the couch.
"Giles?" Willow asked.
"You truly are a wonderful young woman," Giles replied, earning a bright smile from Willow.
"Angel?" Willow asked noticing that Angel was still sitting sad and quiet.
"I should have protected you better," Angel whispered on the verge of tears. Willow walked over to him and sat on his lap.
"Don't you dare do that," Willow told him firmly. "It was not your fault. I put myself in that position. You did protect me. You gave me a new life and you gave me your love," she told him placing a light kiss on his lips.
"I'm sorry Rua," he whispered.
"Never be sorry Angel, just be happy with me here with you," she whispered in return. She then leaned to his ear to whisper something meant for him only. "Besides vampire Willow sure is great in the sac isn't she?" This comment made Angel laugh. She was happy to see him smile again. "See that's much better," she replied with a big smile as she snuggled into Angel's lap again.
"Giles, you should give this information to the watcher's counsel. Maybe they can warn other's who might one day face another of these demons," Willow told him.
"I called the counsel this morning," Giles informed her.
"Great, so now that that is taken care of, is there anything else new to discuss before patrolling?" Buffy asked eagerly.
"Nothing at the moment," Giles replied.
"Great," Buffy replied getting up off. "Angel? Will? Do you want to join us?"
"Sure," Willow replied standing up. "Fighting always gets my juices flowing." Angel didn't make a comment he just followed his love out of the house, along with Buffy and Spike.
One of the many Graveyards in Sunnydale. 11:00pm
"Did you really mean all those things you said back at the house Will?" Buffy started.
"Every word," Willow replied. "How are you with this? Are you okay having a vampire for a best friend?"
"Why not? My ex is a vampire, my current boyfriend is a vampire, why not my best friend too," Buffy joked.
"I'm serious Buffy. It would be understandable if you weren't okay with this, after all you are the Slayer," Willow replied.
"Well I have never been much for being the typical Vampire Slayer. I have always followed my own drummer," she assured her friend. "Besides, the three of you have souls. That makes you okay in my book."
"I love you Buffy," Willow stated as she pulled her friend in for a hug.
"I love you too Willow," Buffy replied. "Just as long as we're clear, there's no biting allowed," she added with a smile as they released their hug.
"Scouts honor," Willow replied holding up two fingers.
The girls' laughter was interrupted when two vampires came running toward them. They jumped back and immediately got into attack formation beside Spike and Angel. The two vamps ignored their presence and ran past them, petrified for their lives. The four were stupefied by the vampires' actions.
"Okay what was that?" Buffy asked confusedly.
"It looked as if someone or something had scared them pretty bad," Willow suggested.
"They were bloody scared alright but certainly not by us," Spike added.
Suddenly a large roar cut the air like a knife.
"It came from over there," Angel pointed in the direction the two vampires had just come from.
All four pulled out their weapons and slowly made their way in the direction of the roar. Buffy, Spike, Angel, and Willow walked quietly, side by side. Their senses were on high alert as the approached a large mausoleum. They surveyed the area but there was no sign of the creature they had heard.
"Hey take a look at this," Angel called to the others, as he noticed a large scorch mark on the wall of the mausoleum. The others quickly joined him to check out the burn mark.
"Definitely a flame burn," Willow offered.
"And check this out," Buffy mentioned pointing to a pile of ash on the ground. "Whatever it was, it got at least one vamp," she added.
"This scorch mark was not made from a combusting vampire," Spike informed them.
"I agree. When a vampire burns, the flame is localized around the body," Angel added.
"A logical hypothesis would be that whomever or whatever attacked this vampire either had a flame thrower." Willow stated.
"Or breaths fire," Angel finished.
"Exactly," Willow smiled at the fact that he had finished her sentence.
"So we're dealing with a demon that breaths fire? Terrific," Buffy commented.
"Don't worry luv. I'm sure it's nothing the four of us can't handle," Spike assured her as he pulled her back against him to place a small kiss on her neck.
"We should inform Giles. I'm sure he can find something in one of his books about whatever it is that we're dealing with," Angel offered.
"Do we have to go back tonight?" Spike whined nuzzling further into Buffy's neck.
"Well if you would prefer to continue patrolling with a fire-breathing vampire killer walking around, be my guest," Willow replied snidely. "I for one would like to know what we're dealing with before we come face to face with it."
"Look, we need to finish patrolling," Buffy interjected. "Why don't you and Angel go see Giles, and Spike and I will finish?"
"Are you sure Buffy? It could be dangerous," Angel questioned.
"Look I'll be fine. I'm the Slayer besides Spike will be with me," Buffy replied.
"Well hopefully he can keep his hands off you long enough to finish the patrol," Angel commented sarcastically.
"Jealous Peaches?" Spike replied as he pulled Buffy closer to him.
"Not at all," he replied smiling at his Willow. "I was only concerned. I wouldn't want to see either of you injured."
"Well thanks, didn't know you cared," Spike returned.
"I don't," Angel replied quickly. "I would be very upset if you let anything happen to Buffy," he added with a smirk.
"I love you too," Spike replied sarcastically.
"Men are so sensitive sometimes," Willow commented to Buffy.
"Big babies, is more like it," Buffy shot back, glancing at Spike.
"A baby am I?" Spike replied and spun Buffy around to face him. "Would a baby be able to do this?" he asked and quickly lifted her off the ground and forced her to wrap her legs around his waist. He forced her into a hungry kiss as he thrust his growing arousal against her sex.
"Ok that was more than I needed to see," Willow stated as she watched the two devour one another.
"Right, we really should get to Giles," Angel replied trying to hold back his own desire to take his mate right there as well.
"Right, let's go," Willow replied as they began to hurry away from their friends.
Meanwhile, Buffy and Spike's kisses were growing more passionate and hungry by the second. Finally Buffy pulled her mouth away from his and gasped for a much needed breath.
"I need you Spike," she whispered. Spike looked around before putting her down. "What are you doing?" Buffy questioned from frustration at their lack of contact.
"Come with me," he replied softly as he took her hand and led her into the mausoleum.
The inside of the building looked quite like almost any other of the many mausoleums Buffy had seen throughout the course of her slayer duties. Once they were inside the structure, Spike quickly closed the door and grabbed Buffy for another searing kiss. She met his kiss with equal ferocity and pushed him hard against the wall. Before Spike had the chance to react, Buffy was again by his side. She quickly unfastened his belt and pants. She let his pants drop to the floor as she quickly removed her own. Spike grabbed a hold of her and pulled her toward him. Once again his lips captured hers and he lifted her up to him. She quickly wrapped her legs around his waist and impaled herself on his hard shaft. Buffy began pulling off of him slowly until she completely released his large shaft from her body. She held herself just slightly over his throbbing cock teasing him. He whined in displeasure but she held herself steady.
"What do you want?" she whispered with a smile.
"You," he whispered.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you," she replied with a bigger smile.
"I need to be inside you," he replied.
"What like this?" she asked and thrust herself back on his waiting shaft.
"Yes!" he screamed. She once again began to move off of him, but this time he was ready and held her tight, preventing her movement. "Oh no you don't," he growled and spun them around, slamming her against the hard wall.
Spike then recaptured her mouth and forced his tongue past her lips. As his tongue ravaged her mouth, he thrust hard and fast into her body. Buffy moaned in pleasure as his thrusting became faster.
"Harder!" she screamed pulling away from his mouth. "Harder!"
Spike held her up against the wall and forced himself into her harder and deeper than before.
"God yes!" she screamed as he pounded into her.
He soon felt her muscles convulsing around his cock, which was enough to send him into oblivion. He continued to pump into her as he spilled his cold seed deep inside her. She grasped her muscles around his shaft and milked him dry. As they both began coming down from their highs, Spike slowly sank to the floor remaining buried within Buffy. She laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes as she recovered.
"Maybe I should call you a baby more often, if that's how you're going to react," Buffy whispered.
"I think not luv," Spike answered.
"Come on Spike, you know I was just teasing," she replied.
"I am not a baby Buffy," Spike told her.
"I know you're not. A baby could never do those wonderful things you do to me," she replied squeezing her muscles around his cock and slowly rotating her hips.
"Buffy," he moaned at her movements.
"Shhh, let me do the work," she replied as she moved her hips again causing his semi-erect shaft to fully harden once again. Buffy reached her hands between them and wrapped them around his balls. She began playing with them lightly, causing his moaning to become louder. When she could see that he had had enough of her torturous speed, she lifted herself off of him completely.
"No," he cried in protest.
She quickly grasped his shaft in her hand and held it firmly. She then moved herself closer to him and placed his penis beneath her anal opening. She kissed him softly and then slowly lowered herself onto his cock.
"Oh yes!" he moaned as her tight channel surrounded him.
She slowly began to pull out before she sank down even further on his large shaft. She could feel her orgasm building quickly so she picked up the pace of her movements. She slammed down on him three more times before she felt her climax hitting her hard. As she came back down, she realized that he had not finished yet.
"Take me anyway you want," she whispered. "As hard or as fast as you want."
She waited for a minute until finally Spike pulled her off of him and stood up. He put their clothing in a pile next to them and motioned for Buffy to kneel on them. She did as asked and got down on all fours on the clothing. Spike climbed behind her and placed his hands on her hips. He kissed her lower back softly before entering her quickly. She screamed at his invasion which caused him to stop for a moment.
"Are you okay?" he asked in concern.
"I'm fine, just don't stop," she pleaded.
He slammed into her again, causing her to moan in delight. He continued to slam into her getting harder with every stroke. He could feel his orgasm was close and he wanted her with him. He reached his hand around her and began circling her clit. He slammed into her hard three more times before spilling his cold seed into her hot passage. He pinched her clit and brought her over the edge right behind him. Spike pulled out of her and they both collapsed onto the cold floor.
"We most certainly have to do that more often," Buffy stated between breaths.
"Anytime luv, anytime," Spike replied.
"We really do need to get back to patrolling," Buffy told him.
"Do we have to?" Spike whined.
"When we're done we can go home and do this again if you want," she offered.
"Promise?" he asked with a smiling smile.
"Promise."
"Well then what are we waiting for?" Spike asked as he quickly began redressing.
Buffy looked at him and laughed, "What a vampire is willing to do for sex."
"Only with you luv," Spike replied and pulled her in for a searing kiss. "Now come on get dressed. We have patrolling to do." She giggled once more before redressing herself.
Giles' Apartment 11:45pm
Giles was just settling into bed when he was disturbed by a knock at the door. Fearing it may be Buffy or one of the others in danger, he quickly ran to the door. He opened the door to find Willow and Angel waiting for him.
"Willow? Angel? Is something wrong?" he asked as he allowed them to enter. "Is Buffy alright?"
"Buffy's fine," Angel answered.
"Did we wake you?" Willow asked noticing his bed attire.
"I was just heading to bed. What can I do for you?" Giles answered.
"Well it seems that there is a new baddie in town," Willow started.
"What does it look like?" Giles inquired.
"We didn't get a look at it," Angel answered. Giles looked slightly confused.
"The four of us were patrolling in the graveyard when suddenly two young vampires came running past us. They seemed scared to death, pardon the expression," Willow started. "Anyways, we were about to go after them when we heard a loud roar coming from the same direction the vamps had run from."
"We headed toward the sound but found no sign of the creature," Angel continued. "All we found was a pile of ash from a third vampire, and a large scorch mark on the mausoleum directly behind the ash."
"What kind of scorch mark?" Giles inquired becoming more curious.
"It was large, and definitely a flame burn," Angel replied.
"We believe that the creature we heard most likely breaths fire," Willow added.
"Do you believe it was a dragon of sorts?" Giles asked.
"We don't know. We brought the info. The I.D is your department," Willow told him.
"I'll get on it right away," Giles told them. "Where are Buffy and Spike?" Giles inquired realizing they should have been together.
"Oh they went to."
"To finish patrolling so that we could get the info to you right away," Angel finished Willow's sentence. She was slightly relieved that Angel had stepped in. She really didn't want to have to say what she knew they were really doing.
"Giles," Angel added. "Those vamps we saw were young but this thing had them really scared. And we know that it has no qualms about killing vampires."
"Right. Until we know more about what we are dealing with, it might be wise for you two, and Spike, to stay off the streets," Giles suggested.
"But what if it kills humans too? Someone needs to be out there to defend them," Willow interjected. Angel took Willow's hand in his and smiled lovingly at her.
"You may be right but I don't want you two to come in contact with this demon until we know how to stop it," Giles told them with concern in his voice.
"We need to do something," Willow replied in frustration.
"Can we help with research?" Angel asked, trying to find a viable solution.
"Yes, by all means," Giles agreed.
"Research? Gee that's fun. I haven't had a good fight all week," Willow moaned after Giles had left the room to gather some books. "I really need to work out some of this energy," she told Angel.
"Look when we get home, I promise to help you work out some of your energy," Angel whispered slyly.
"I really need some hardcore violence though Angel," she replied sadly.
"I'm not violent enough for you?" Angel replied somewhat hurt and shocked.
"No. You know I love being with you. Sex with you is mind blowing," she told him. "But what I could really go for is a good fight."
"Well I am sure there will be plenty of fighting to do when we find this demon, but what would you say to a little sparing when we get home?" Angel asked seductively.
"Promise?" Willow asked happily.
"Anything to make my Rua happy," Angel replied and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Angel tried to deepen the kiss but Giles had reentered the room. He cleared his throat to get their attention. "Sorry Giles."
"No worries. Why don't you start with these books," Giles handed several books to Angel. "Maybe you could check the net Willow?"
"Right away Giles," she replied and headed for the computer on the opposite side of the room. Giles watched sadly and curiously as Willow walked away from him. This look did not go unnoticed to Angel.
"Can I talk to you in the other room for a minute?" Angel asked Giles.
"Sure," Giles answered and followed Angel into the bedroom. Angel closed the door behind them.
"What's on your mind Angel?" Giles started.
"Actually that was what I was going to ask you," Angel replied.
"I'm fine," Giles answered.
"I saw the way you were looking at Willow. What's
bothering you?" Angel asked.
"It's nothing," Giles replied. Angel gave him a look of disbelief. "Ok. I was just thinking how little she has changed since she. her personality is very much as it was when she was human."
"Of course it is. Her soul ensures that," Angel replied.
"I guess I just thought that because you are different now than when you were alive, that Willow would be too," Giles told him.
"Willow got her soul restored before she could experience what it means to be a cold blooded killer. I had been just that for over a hundred years before my soul was restored. Everything I had done, helped shape who I am now," Angel explained.
"That makes sense. But I still would have thought that she'd be somewhat different," Giles told him, still looking for an answer.
"Well she is slightly different. She is stronger and more confident. She is aggressive and very energetic. And as you can tell by her clothing, she is a lot more comfortable with her body. She no longer sees herself as ugly or plain. Now she sees herself as a fiery, powerful woman," Angel informed him.
"Is she happy?" Giles asked sadly.
"She is," Angel responded. "What she said earlier at the house, was the truth. I know she really believes what she said."
"And you are taking good care of her?" Giles questioned.
"I am and I always will. She is my mate. I will be by her side until the end of eternity," Angel told him honestly.
"I am sure I don't have to tell you how much she means to me?" Giles added.
"I know. You see her and Buffy as your daughters, and I also know that they see you as their father. Don't worry. Willow's heart and soul are safe with me," Angel told him.
"Thank you Angel. That means a lot to me," Giles replied.
"You're welcome," Angel was glad he could restore a little happiness in the Watcher. After everything that had happened in the past, it was the least he could do. "What do you say we get back to research?" Angel asked changing the subject.
"Splendid idea," Giles replied and they headed back into the living room where Willow was working diligently.
"Is everything okay?" she asked as they came in.
"Everything's fine," Angel replied. "Have any luck?"
"Actually yes. I have found a few references to a fire breathing demon reeking havoc in several areas in the southwest over the past sixty years. Nothing yet on its origins or on how to kill it," Willow explained.
"That's a good start. Have you got a name Willow?" Giles asked as he walked behind her to look at the computer screen.
"I've only found references to a creature resembling a cross between a werewolf and a dragon. It was said to have a large horned tail and fur. And it breaths fire," she informed him.
"Someone got close enough to this thing to see it and survived?" Angel asked.
"Apparently a ten year old boy came across the creature in a park. Get this, the demon left the child alone," Willow replied.
"He left him alone?" Angel asked in confusion.
"Yeah, it seems that the creature walked up to the boy, looked at him for a moment, then turned and took off," Willow explained.
"It might be possible that this creature only kills demons," Giles hypothesized.
"Could be," Willow replied.
"Well with that description it should be much easier to find some information in the books," Giles stated as he headed for the pile of books on the table.
Angel walked up behind Willow and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I have told you how incredibly erotic smart women are?" Angel whispered in her ear.
He then proceeded to trace his tongue across her earlobe causing her to purr softly. She took her eyes off the screen and brought them to lock with his. He smiled and captured her lips in a sweet kiss. She turned slightly in her chair so he could deepen the kiss. Willow allowed Angel's tongue to pass her lips and she sucked on it gently. She let her hands rest on his outer thighs. Suddenly their passionate kiss was interrupted by Giles clearing his throat again. They broke their kiss and looked to find an unhappy watcher cleaning his glasses.
"Sorry Giles," Willow apologized shyly.
"I'm sorry," Angel added.
"Angel maybe you good give me a hand with these books?" Giles suggested.
"Not a problem," Angel replied and threw a quick wink at Willow.
Willow took the opportunity to squeeze his butt again as he headed for the table. Angel stopped for a moment and glanced at her over his shoulder. She smiled guiltily at him. He continued to the table and picked up a book and sat down.
The trio spent the next several hours deep in their research. It wasn't until about an hour before dawn when they finally had a break.
"I think I may have found something," a yawning Giles broke the silence of the room. Angel and Willow looked up from their work to listen. "I have found a demon called Cremoras. It was said that three hundred years ago, the Cremoras lost its mate in a dimensional portal here on Earth. The creature comes here every six years in search of the portal."
"Three hundred years of searching and no sign of his mate?" Willow asked.
"Looks that way," Giles replied.
"How do we kill it?" Angel asked.
"It doesn't say. I don't think the demon poses any threat to the human population. All accounts say that the Cremoras is not evil. It is said that the creature only kills other demons," Giles told them.
"That would explain why it went after those vampires at the cemetery," Angel commented.
"So what happens when the Cremoras finds the portal?" Willow asked.
"I suppose it will enter it and hopefully find its mate," Giles suggested.
"Maybe we can locate the portal for him," Willow suggested.
"Willow." Angel started to protest.
"Angel, if it were me?" Willow interrupted.
"What?"
"If I were lost, what would you be willing to do?" Willow asked seriously.
"Anything," he answered in defeat.
"So Giles how do we find this portal?" Willow asked.
"Well first you would need the essence of the Cremoras demon," he started.
"So we need a piece of him?" Angel asked.
"Not necessarily. When it came through the portal that brought him here, it may have left some residue behind," Giles suggested.
"Then we need to go back to the cemetery," Willow jumped up.
"Hold on a minute. We need to discuss this in more detail," Giles protested.
"Normally I would agree but unfortunately the sun will be up in an hour. If we leave now we can stop by the graveyard on our way home," Willow informed him as Angel met her at the door. "That is unless you want the two of us to hang out here with you all day," she teased as she slipped her arm around Angel's waist.
"Be back here tonight after sunset. We can discuss options then," Giles conceded.
"Great! See you then," Willow replied happily.
"Goodnight Giles," Angel departed.
"Goodnight," Giles replied. Angel and Willow exited the apartment. Giles turned off the lights and headed off to bed.
Cemetery 40 minutes before dawn
"We have looked all over this place. We don't have long until the sun rises," Angel pleaded.
"Just a few more minutes," Willow replied as she walked into the scorched mausoleum.
"Maybe there's nothing to find," Angel replied following her into the building.
"Than what do you call that?" she asked pointing to a small pool of green slime on the floor in the corner.
"Okay so I stand corrected. You were right," he replied.
"Now we just need something to collect a sample," Willow told him as she began looking around the room.
"Will this work?" Angel asked, holding up a stone dish he found on a mantle.
"That would be perfect," she answered taking the dish from him. "Thanks," she placed a kiss on his lips and then quickly made her way to the pool on the floor. She carefully collected a sample of the slime.
"Okay are we done? We really need to get back to the mansion," Angel told her.
"Yes, we're done. We can go home," she replied taking his hand in hers. They quickly walked out of the mausoleum and into the soft darkness.
The Mansion 5 minutes before dawn
"See we're here. Home sweet home," Willow announced as they entered.
"With only a few minutes to spare," Angel replied. "Promise me that we will never cut it this close again. I don't want to lose you."
"I promise," she replied as she placed the stone dish on a table in the foyer. She turned to see a melancholy Angel standing before her.
"What's wrong my love?" Willow asked as she walked to him. "I'm sorry. I promise to be more careful of the time in the future."
"It's not that. It's just.I couldn't stand it if I lost you," he told her honestly.
"You're not going to lose me," she replied lifting his chin to look at her. "I promise. You're stuck with me for eternity," she whispered. She still saw sadness in his eyes.
"Rua.I."
"Make love to me Angel," she quietly requested.
"I promised you a fight," he replied with a half smile.
"Not tonight. I want to make love with you," she told him with a sweet smile.
He replied to her request by placing a soft kiss on her lips. She returned the kiss and gently brought her hands to his chest. He reached down and picked her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom, never breaking the kiss.
He walked over to the bed and slowly lowered her onto it. She kept her arms around his neck and brought him down with her. He moved slightly so that he could lie at her side. He broke the kiss and stared into her eyes for several seconds. He saw so much love and passion in her eyes. He felt as if he could lose himself in those eyes.
As he fell into hypnotic eyes, he slowly began to trace his hand over the fabric of her corset. He brought his hand to trace the edge, brushing his knuckles against the soft skin above her breasts. He took a moment to softly finger his emerald necklace that she always wore. He continued and traced soft kisses over the skin that his fingers had just grazed. She moaned softly as his fingers and lips continued their path across her chest and up her collar bone and to her neck. He began gently suckling her neck and she threaded her fingers in his hair, gently massaging his scalp. He brought his eyes up to meet hers again and he lightly brushed the back of his hand down her cheek. His hand then slowly rounded her chin and his palm finally stopped to cup her other cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into his palm and he slowly brushed his hand through her hair away from her face. His hand ran over the back of her head and cupped her neck. He pulled her toward him and placed another kiss on her lips. She opened her mouth and welcomed him inside.
Willow slowly brought her hands from his hair and ran them down his back. She pulled him closer to her before trailing her hands to his waist. Her hands worked their way underneath his shirt until they found the smooth flesh of his back. She had brought her hands about half way up his back when the fabric prevented her from further exploration. He sensed her frustration and broke the kiss to quickly remove his shirt. As soon as he had discarded the article of clothing, his lips returned to hers and her hands continued their exploration of the fine muscles of his back.
Willow gently pushed Angel back against the bed, so that she was almost lying on top of him. She brought her lips away from his and began kissing a trail across his neck. She began suckling his neck like he had done to her earlier. As she gently suckled the tender flesh, her hand traced the outlines of his chest. Her fingers paused as they came upon one of his nipples. Her fingers teased the tender bud until it was a hard peak. She then continued her kisses, heading for the same nipple. Soon her mouth had replaced her fingers and she was kissing, and teasing it with her tongue. He laced his fingers through her hair, holding her to him as he began to purr softly. She soon removed her lips and repeated her ministrations on the other nipple. Angel brought his hands to her back and began to lower the zipper of her corset.
When he tried to remove the garment, she sat up and let it fall away from her. She tossed it aside and let Angel take in the beauty of her bare breasts. He pulled her toward him and captured a nipple between his lips. She moaned as he began to suckle her, softly at first but the speed gradually increasing as he held her tighter against him. When he thought she had had enough, he released her breast before quickly capturing the other in his mouth. As he continued his actions on her breast, he traced his hand up her inner thigh. His hand stopped just below her womanhood and then it ran back down her other leg. He released her breast and sat up to remove her boots. Once he had discarded both boots, he proceeded to remove his own shoes and socks. He then brought his hands to the waist of her skirt. Willow rolled slightly so that he could reach the zipper at the back. He quickly lowered the zipper before she rolled onto her back again. She lifted her hips slightly, allowing him to remove the skirt. After tossing the skirt to the floor, he smiled as he realized that she was still not wearing any under ware. She was now wearing nothing. Nothing except his necklace.
He placed a searing kiss on her lips while his knee parted her legs. He settled himself between her legs and brought his face to her womanhood. He could smell the heady scent of her arousal. He licked his lips as his fingers parted her feminine folds. She opened her legs further as he lowered his mouth to trace his tongue over her bundle of nerves. She jumped slightly at the contact. He began to circle her clit with his tongue as he inserted a single finger into her slick core. She moaned at his invasion and arched her pelvis into his hand. He soon removed his finger from his channel and replaced it with his tongue. He ran his tongue around the opening briefly before inserting it to taste her sweet nectar. He returned his mouth to her clit and inserted two fingers into her core this time. He pumped into her several times before adding a third finger. He could feel that she was close so he added a fourth finger and pumped faster. He soon felt her muscles clamping around his, so he brought his blunt teeth to pinch her clit. This extra pressure intensified her sensations and sent her screaming into oblivion. He quickly removed his fingers and began lapping at her juices as she slowly came down. He brought his face up to watch hers and waited for her to open her eyes.
"That was incredible," she whispered with a smile.
"I'm glad you liked it," he replied.
"Oh I did," she replied before pulling him into a strong kiss.
As the kiss deepened, Angel's hands found Willow's breasts again. Before he had the chance to play with them, Willow wrapped her legs around him tightly and slowly flipped them so that she was now on top. Willow broke the kiss and sat up to give Angel a quick view.
He could see something brewing in her eyes. He lay beneath her watching and waiting for whatever she had had in mind. Willow brought her hand to meet his at his side. She picked up his hand and brought it toward his face. She then laced her fingers with his before repeating the same thing with his other hand. Willow was now straddling Angel's chest and had control of both of his hands. Slowly Willow raised their intertwined hands slightly before she coaxed them above his head. She then grasped both of his hands in one of hers, letting the other free. She used her free hand to open the drawer in the night stand next to the bed. She pulled out a single black scarf. She returned to his hands and took one and placed it by the headboard post. After placing a soft kiss on his wrist, she gently tied it to post with the scarf. She then removed another scarf from the drawer and repeated her actions to his other hand. She then reached for a third scarf before closing the drawer.
"I thought you wanted to make love," he whispered.
"Trust me," she whispered.
She placed a soft kiss on his lips before bringing the scarf up to blindfold him. Angel lay still waiting for her next move. She slowly lifted herself off his body and climbed out of the bed without touching him again.
Without making a single sound, she slowly walked around the perimeter of the bed. She knew he could sense her location, but he made no movement at all. He just waited. After a minute had passed, she quietly leaned over and placed a kiss between his naval and waistline, causing him to jump slightly. She again walked around him slowly, this time stopping to trace her fingertip along the soul of his left foot. She then again moved away and walked the path around the bed. She watched him for a moment, spread out on the bed, completely giving control to her. She continued her teasing by licking a line on his arm just to the outer side of his armpit. This action caused a shiver up his spine.
She slowly walked to the bottom of the bed and very slowly unfastened his pants. Next she slowly lowered his pants down his legs and removed them. She paused for a moment and placed a soft kiss on his knee before removing his black silk boxers. She tossed the item to the floor and stood back away from the bed.
Again she took a moment to appreciate the vision of him before her. He was lying on the bed, his wrists bound, and he was blindfolded. His body remained perfectly still the only movement she saw was from his growing erection. She enjoyed the feeling of having him completely in her control. After a few minutes, she began walking her path along the edge of the bed once again. This time she dragged a single finger along the bed, tracing his form but was careful not to touch him. His body arched slightly at her proximity. She removed her hand and continued pacing around him.
"Are you hot for me yet lover?" she whispered as she leaned to his ear.
"Yes," he moaned in reply.
She licked the length of his earlobe before backing away from him again. Rather than waiting between teases, she quickly captured a nipple in her mouth and bit gently, causing him to moan loudly. She released his nipple and swirled her tongue around it before backing away yet again. She walked toward his legs and stood waiting for a minute, marveling in the strength and thickness of his manhood. She smiled as he moved slightly, clearly becoming restless with need for release. She would give it to him soon enough, but she wasn't quite finished with her game yet.
Willow grazed her finger down his inner thigh, starting just beneath his erection and down to his knee. He moaned in frustration, because she refused to touch the one place he needed her too. She could sense that he was not going to last too much longer, so she decided to skip ahead slightly in her ministrations. She walked around to his other side and slowly let her knees rest on the side of the bed. She brought forth her demon façade and let her fangs scrape a line on his shoulder. The small scrape bled slightly and she slowly licked the blood from the wound.
"Please Rua." he pleaded for her to stop the torture.
Willow stood once again, restoring her human features, and walked toward his lower body. Without touching the bed or Angel, she slowly lowered her mouth to his throbbing shaft. In one quick movement she took his entire length into her mouth. Angel moaned loudly as her small mouth captured him completely. He began to tighten around her and she grasped his balls as she climbed onto the bed. She kneaded the heavy sacs softly as her mouth slid up and down his shaft. She increased her speed as she felt him getting close.
"Rua!" he screamed as he spilt his seed into her mouth.
She sucked hard, milking him of every drop. She finally removed her mouth to watch his beautiful face as he calmed. She reached up and removed the scarf from his eyes. When he opened his eyes, she saw nothing but love and extreme desire in them.
"In all of my 220 plus years, I have never felt anything as incredible," he whispered between gasps.
"I know," she replied with a pleased smile.
She met his lips in a sweet kiss. Angel tried to pull her closer to him, but he was prevented from doing so due to his bindings. Willow giggled as she read his frustration. She sat up and slowly untied his right hand from the bedpost. She then leaned across him so he had an up close and personal view of her breasts as she released his other hand. As soon as his second hand was free, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly into his kiss. He invaded her mouth with his tongue and thoroughly explored, tasting himself on her lips. She wrapped her arms around his head and pulled him in even closer. She began rubbing herself on his semi-flaccid shaft, desperately needing the friction.
Angel rolled them over so that he was once again on top of her. He brought his lips to the breasts he had been longing to taste again. He captured an erect nipple in his mouth and been suckling her like a feeding infant. He brought his hand down to her nest of curls and parted her silken folds. He circled a single finger around her clit, causing her to moan and arch her pelvis into his hand. He released her breast and quickly captured the other, milking it even harder. His fingers circled her clit faster and faster until she screamed into orgasm. Angel settled between her legs and waited at her entrance. He waited until she opened her eyes and looked up at him.
"I love you Angel," she whispered with a smile.
"I love you Willow," he replied and slowly slid into her tight channel.
When Angel had filled her to the hilt, he stopped his movements to kiss his love once again. Her tongue parted his lips, deepening the kiss, and her hips began rocking against his. He started thrusting slowly in and out of her and he pulled away from her kiss. Her eyes stayed closed and her head titled as she let the feelings overtake her.
"Open your eyes Rua," he whispered.
She opened her eyes to meet with his. He continued to move within her and she met him with every thrust. They continued their slow love making while their eyes never broke contact. After several minutes, their pace picked up slightly as they were both coming closer to climax. Angel reached between their bodies and fingered her clit as he continued to thrust into her. Her orgasm came over her in waves as he pushed a few more times before emptying himself into her.
After a few minutes, Angel pulled out of Willow and brought her into his embrace. She laid her head on his chest with a satisfied smile. Within a few moments, both fell into a peaceful sleep.
Willow walked alone through a quiet graveyard. She was looking for something, but she didn't know what it was. As she continued to walk, the season changed around her. The fall passed into winter and then a moment later it was spring, then summer, and fall again. She continued, searching for something, as the seasons continued to change around her. She stopped walking for a moment and brought her hand to clasp the necklace that she always wore.
"The necklace, that's it. Angel. Where is Angel?" she thought as she realized that it was he she had been searching for.
"Angel!" she cried out into the silent night. She dropped to her knees and weep for her missing love.
Willow awoke with tears in her eyes. She smiled as her eyes caught sight of her lover sleeping soundly next to her. Her mind wandered back to her dream and she realized that it had been about the fire-breathing creature. He had been wandering for three hundred years searching for his mate. In her dream, Willow understood what it would feel like if it were her mate missing. She knew that she had to help him. She had to find that portal.
Willow quietly climbed out of bed, careful not to wake Angel. She quickly picked up the clothes that had been left on the floor earlier, and placed them in a pile on a chair. She then went to the dresser and dressed in a t-shirt and sweatpants. After slipping on a pair of socks, she quietly headed for the bedroom door. As she left, she glanced back at Angel, assuring that he was still sleeping.
Willow walked into the foyer to retrieve the stone dish from the table. She was happy to see that it still contained the slime that they had collected from the mausoleum. She brought the dish into the living room and placed it on the coffee table. Next she went over to a trunk that stood against the far wall of the room. She opened the trunk which was full of her spell books, candles, herbs, and various other Wiccan supplies. She removed a large leather book, five white candles, a bottle of holy water, and two Ziploc bags containing Jasmine and Sage. She placed all the items on the coffee table and then proceeded to clear an area on the floor next to the fireplace. She opened her spell book and found the page that described the spell she needed. She arranged the candles in a circle on the floor, five feet in diameter. She then placed the Jasmine and Sage in the bowl and mixed them with the slime. Next she picked up the dish and bottle of holy water and walked to the center of the circle. She placed the dish and bottle on the floor in front of her after she sat Indian-style. She closed her eyes and lifted her hands level with her chest to ignite the candles. The flames shot high above the candles, like flame throwers, before settling into a normal flame.
"That was odd," she spoke to herself.
Candle lighting had always been a simple trick for her. In all the years she had been practicing witchcraft, this had been the first time the flame had reacted like that. She soon dismissed the odd occurrence and continued with her spell.
She carefully opened the bottle of holy water and held it above the stone dish. She began chanting the spell in Latin. As she spoke the words, she slowly poured the water over the mixture in the dish. As soon as she had emptied the bottle and finished her words, the mixture began to produce a white smoke. The smoke rose and surrounded her. Her eyes closed as the visions began playing in her mind.
The visions flashed very quickly behind her eyes. What she saw came in fragments. A flame, a flash of red, then white, a cave, a dead woman on the ground, a cemetery, a demon in black, hundreds of dead women, blackness covering the sun, and another flame.
Willow screamed as she pulled herself from the visions, kicking over the dish in the process. The ingredients, splashed on her arm, and the holy water scolded her flesh. She screamed again, this time from the pain. Angel had awoken from her first scream and was by her side moments after her second.
"Willow, what happened?" Angel asked in a panic, noticing her scarred arm. He took a moment to survey her surroundings. "Did you do the spell?" he asked noticing the broken stone dish on the floor in front of her.
"I did," she cried in response. "I don't think it worked. It wasn't supposed to do that," she continued to cry almost to the point of hysterics.
"Come on, you need blood to heal that arm," he stated as he helped her off the floor.
Angel wrapped his arm around her and led her into the kitchen. He took out a bag of blood and handed it to her. Willow drank it quickly. Once it was empty, Angel handed her a second which she also drank quickly. After the second bag, her arm was beginning to heal slowly. Angel took out a bag for himself, before closing the refrigerator door and joining at the table with Willow.
"Are you feeling better?" Angel asked.
"A little thanks," she replied with a half smile.
"Okay now can you tell me why you were doing that spell? Alone? Giles specifically said to wait," Angel asked her, slightly upset.
"I know. I should have waited," she replied softly.
"Then why didn't you," Angel asked.
"I had a dream. That you were lost and I was searching for a very long time. It reminded me of what the creature is going through. I wanted to help him so much, because I know how hurt I would be in his position," she explained.
"Okay I'll buy that. But you still should have waited," he replied. "So what happened? You said it didn't work?"
"The spell should have given me a vision of when and where the portal could be found. What I saw was horrible. I saw death. I saw a demon in a cave. I saw more death," she explained. "I don't understand Angel. I have done this type of spell before. Never have they come out like this," she added beginning to cry again. He stood and came up behind her and wrapped her in his arms.
"Don't worry my love, we'll figure it out. I just glad this burn was the worse that happened," Angel whispered to her. "When I heard your scream, I was so scared. I don't know what I would do if I lost you Rua."
"Take me back to bed?" she quietly requested.
Angel picked her up in his arms and carried her back into the bedroom. He slowly lowered her to the bed. He then removed the towel that he had put on when he awoke and climbed into the bed, curling up next to Willow. He carefully wrapped her in his arms, being sure to avoid her injured arm.
"I love you Angel," she whispered as she closed her eyes and fell into sleep.
"I love you too Rua," he whispered in return. He placed a soft kiss on her neck and closed his eyes, joining her in sleep.
Summer's Home 6:30pm
Buffy entered her house, exhausted from her day at work. She had always known that the Sunnydale Police Department was a little naïve and blind when it came to the odd occurrences in town, but ever since she joined the force, she had been learning first hand how right she had been. Buffy had been on the Sunnydale Police force since her graduation from the academy two years earlier. When Law Enforcement had been suggested to her in high school as a possible career, she thought it was funny or scary even. Years later, she had come to realize that being a police officer fit with her Slayer persona fairly well. It also gave her a way to ensure that the police stayed out of the demonic matters of Sunnydale.
As Buffy entered the living room she was immediately greeted by Giles.
"I'm glad you're back. I have some information about that demon you encountered last night," Giles started.
"Glad to see things haven't changed a bit since high school," Buffy replied.
"Sorry?" Giles asked in confusion.
"Giles I just got home from work, I haven't even changed out of my uniform yet. You could at least ask how my day was, or something," she told him.
"Oh right. How was your day?" he asked in reply.
"It was totally exciting. First my partner and I helped get a cat out of a tree. Then we sat in the squad car in a speed trap for the entire day," she told him pretending to sound enthusiastic.
"Oh that's wonderful Buffy," Giles replied.
"Giles! It was as boring as hell," she replied. "No actually I guess Hell probably isn't boring. I mean with the torture and stuff." Buffy gave up as it was quite clear that Giles wasn't really listening to her rant.
"I'm sorry Buffy. It's just I have been staring at these books all day."
"Giles, you really need to get a girlfriend," Buffy responded.
"Indeed," he replied distractedly.
"Ok tell me what you need to tell me," Buffy conceded.
"Right. Well with Angel and Willow's help, we were able to get a description of the creature and I have identified it as a Cremoras demon. They are completely harmless to humans but will kill any demon it may come across. It seems it has come to Sunnydale in search of a portal which took his mate from him three centuries ago," Giles explained.
"So you're saying that we are dealing with a love sick demon here?" Buffy asked.
"Basically."
"Ok so what do I do? Slay it and put it out of its misery?" Buffy asked.
"No. Willow wanted to help the demon find the portal so it may be reunited with its mate," Giles informed her.
"Oh," Buffy replied simply.
"Willow was going to collect a sample of the demon's essence to use in a spell, but it turns out that a spell won't be necessary. According to my research, the portal will appear in the woods behind the high school at midnight tonight. All you have to do is find the creature and bring him there," Giles told her.
"Oh is that all?" she asked sarcastically.
"It will be easy Buffy. The creature won't harm you. You will have to go alone though, unless you want Xander or myself to go with you. It would not be safe for Spike, Willow or Angel, or even Anya for that matter. They are demons. The creature would try to kill them," he informed her.
"No I think I can handle this one myself. I guess I'll stop by Spike's and the mansion and make sure they stay in tonight, until I find this guy," Buffy told him.
"That would be a good idea. Make sure you tell Willow that she doesn't have to worry about the spell after all," Giles added.
"No problem. Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to change and shower before I start patrolling," Buffy parted and headed up the stairs to the bathroom.
The Mansion 7:30pm
Angel awoke in hunger. He knew immediately that it was past sunset and that it was time to feed. He looked over at his Willow, still sound asleep.
"Willow?" he gently shook her trying to wake her. She moaned slightly but didn't wake up. "Rua? It's time to wake up," he tried again. She didn't wake. He was a bit worried but he figured it was nothing a little blood couldn't fix.
He stood and headed toward the kitchen. After feeding himself, he took out another bag of blood and brought it into the bedroom. Angel entered the bedroom to see Willow still asleep. He walked over to the bed and opened the blood bag. He then placed the bag in front of her nose and waited.
After a few moments, Willow stirred and raised her head at the smell of the blood. Angel pulled the bag away to allow her to sit up. She didn't sit up though. She rolled over and lifted herself slightly to lean against the headboard.
"Willow what's wrong?" Angel asked worried by her slow and tired movements.
"I.don't know. I'm just so tired," she answered wearily.
"You'll feel better after you feed," he told her handing her the bag.
She drank it slowly. Once the bag was empty, she placed it on the table and waited as her energy partly came back to her. She felt strong enough to lift herself to sit up.
"Feeling better?" Angel asked.
"A little. I guess that spell took a lot out of me," she replied softly.
"You should have waited," Angel told her.
"I know. I just wanted to help," Willow replied with tears in her eyes.
"I know you did Rua. You always did have a big heart," Angel whispered taking her into his arms.
"Hello!" Willow and Angel were startled by Buffy's voice calling to them. "Angel? Will? You here?"
"Come on," Angel whispered to Willow. "I'll be out in a minute," Willow replied releasing Angel from her embrace.
Angel stood and left the room to meet Buffy. Willow stood slowly and took a moment to collect herself before following Angel.
"Buffy, what's up?" Angel greeted her in the living room.
"What's all this?" Buffy asked pointing to the candles and mess on the floor.
"Oh it's nothing. Willow tried a spell. We didn't clean up yet," Angel answered.
"Oh that's why I'm here. Giles said that she doesn't need to do the spell. He found out where the portal will open. I am on my way to find the demon and bring him to it," Buffy told him.
"Do you need our help?" Angel offered.
"No. Actually I came to tell you and Willow to stay in tonight. At least until after midnight," Buffy informed him.
"Why midnight?" Willow asked joining them.
"Oh hi Will," Buffy greeted her friend. "The portal opens at midnight. It isn't safe for you to be out until the creature goes through it. Giles said that he only kills demons.so you two have to stay in until he's gone," she told them.
"We can stay in but I wish you were bringing reinforcements," Angel told her worriedly.
"Don't worry. It doesn't harm humans. I'll be perfectly fine," Buffy assured him. "Willow are you okay? You don't look to good," Buffy asked noticing Willow's appearance.
"Yeah, the spell just took a lot out of me is all," Willow replied softly.
"What happened to your arm?" Buffy asked noticing the burn marks.
"I had to use holy water for the spell. Had a little accident. Nothing to worry." Willow lost consciousness and fell toward the floor.
"Willow!" Angel caught her just before she hit the ground. He picked her up in his arms and tried to wake her to no prevail.
"Angel what's wrong with her?" Buffy asked in terror for her friend.
"I don't know. I think that spell did something to her," Angel tried to explain.
"Why did you let her do it?" Buffy questioned.
"I didn't. She did it while I was asleep. Giles had said to wait but she was so anxious to help this creature, she just couldn't wait," Angel explained still holding Willow in his arms.
"What happened with the spell?"
"I wish I knew. All I know is that I awoke when she screamed. I ran out and found her in the middle of those candles," Angel began to explain. "Apparently she kicked over the bowl and splashed the holy water on her arm, that's what caused her to scream the second time."
"The second time?" Buffy asked in confusion. "What made her scream the first time?"
"She said that the spell was supposed to give her a vision of the portal's location. Instead she said she saw death. And a demon in a cave. That's all she said." he replied. "Look I need to get her into bed. Be careful with the creature," Angel told her.
"What about Willow?" Buffy asked in concern.
"I'm going to see what I can do for her. I'll call Giles and see if he knows what's happening to her," Angel assured her.
"Take care of her," Buffy told him.
"I will. Be careful Buffy," Angel replied.
Buffy headed out and Angel carried Willow back into the bedroom. Angel placed Willow on the bed and tried to wake her. She did not stir at all. He went to the phone to call Giles.
"Hello?" Giles answered.
"Hi Giles, it's Angel."
"Angel, did Buffy see you yet?" Giles asked.
"Yeah. She just left," Angel told him.
"Than what can I do for you?" Giles questioned.
"It's Willow. Remember that spell she had talked about doing?"
"Right I told Buffy to tell her that she didn't have to do the spell after all," Giles informed him.
"I know but Willow already tried it earlier today," Angel told him.
"I told her to wait until we talked again."
"I know but she got anxious and couldn't wait," Angel replied.
"Why didn't you tell her to wait?" Giles asked.
"She did it while I was asleep," Angel informed him.
"Well what happened? Did it work?" Giles inquired.
"No. In fact she said that she had had visions of death and of a demon in a cave. It freaked her out and she spilled the mixture, splashing holy water on her arm," Angel informed him.
"Is she okay?" Giles asked in concern.
"That's why I'm calling. She slept all day and it took the scent of blood to wake her this evening. When she awoke she was very tired and weak. While Buffy was here, she came out into the living room to talk with us, and she passed out," Angel explained. "She's asleep right now. I am going to give her some of my blood to strengthen her but I don't know if it will be enough. I was hoping maybe you could find something that might explain what has happened to her."
"I don't know what to tell you right now Angel, but I will look into it. I have some friends in a coven in England. I will see if they can tell us anything," Giles informed him. "I'll get back to you. Keep me informed as to Willow's condition."
"I will. Thanks Giles," Angel replied and hung up the phone.
He looked at his love lying on the bed. Her skin was even paler as usual for a vampire. Her condition worried him a lot. He sat on the bed and waited for her to stir.
The Woods behind Sunnydale High School 11:45pm
Buffy walked through the graveyard with the Cremoras demon by her side. They were having a very pleasant conversation. It turned out that the demon spoke English well and had a good sense of humor. Buffy listened as he described his lost love. She told him about her relationship with Spike. He was taken back by the fact that she was in love with a vampire, but was encouraging to her. He told her to "hold on to your love and cherish every moment, because you never know when it might be taken from you.
The two continued to chat until the portal appeared at midnight. The Cremoras demon thanked Buffy and entered the portal. Buffy smiled as she watched the portal disappear. After it was gone, she decided that she needed to see Spike.
Spike's Apartment 12:30am
Spike was sitting in his chair, staring blindly at the wall, when he heard the front door open. He quickly stood up and began straightening the magazines on the coffee table. While he was straightening up, he pretended to not have noticed Buffy's arrival.
"Spike?" Buffy asked as she walked into the room, seeing Spike's obvious attempt to look busy.
"Oh hi luv, didn't hear you come in," Spike answered and stopped his organizing.
"Ah huh. And I suppose that you have been busy cleaning all evening rather than sitting in that chair staring at the wall?" Buffy replied sarcastically.
"I was doing no such thing," Spike replied. "I'll have you know that I was cleaning," he told her confidently.
"Really?" Buffy replied with her arms crossed and staring at him.
"Ok ok. I was sitting in my chair, staring at the wall, bored to death," he told her. "You know me all to well ducks." Buffy's face saddened at his statement and she felt tears pooling in her eyes. "Buffy what's wrong?" Spike asked in concern as he walked over to her.
She didn't reply, she simply wrapped her arms around him and placed her head on his chest. He took her into his embrace and held her comfortingly. Buffy sobbed for several minutes before finally looking up at him.
"I don't want to lose you," she told him as the tears continued.
"I am not going anywhere luv. You're not going to lose me," he told her, wiping the tears from her face.
"You don't know that. Things could happen. I could."
"Now stop that. Don't even think about that. You are not going to die for a very long time, and when that time comes, I will turn you like we agreed. We are never going to lose each other," he assured her.
"It's just. I love you so much and I don't know what I'd do. without you," she told him.
"Now what has got you thinking up such things?" Spike questioned.
"I had a long talk with the Sam tonight and he was telling me about his long search for his missing love and how the world was so hard to live in without her," Buffy informed him.
"Okay who the hell is Sam? Was he hitting on you? Do I need to find him and put the fear of God in him," Spike asked in jealousy.
"No. Sam is the Cremoras demon I was helping out tonight," she told him releasing her grip on him.
"Oh." Spike replied and let her step away from him.
"Sam was actually a really nice guy. He really loves his mate Kailynn," she continued. "Hearing him talk about her made me think of us. Sam told me that what we have is special and that we should never take it for granted."
"He sounds like a smart guy," Spike replied with a smile. "He's right, our love is special. I love you so much Buffy. You are never going to be able to get rid of me." Spike added holding out his arms to her.
"I love you too Spike," she replied and stepped into his offered arms. He pulled her tight against him. She sighed and then yawned.
"You tired luv?" "Yeah I guess I am. It's been a long night," she replied.
"Let's say we head to bed?" he suggested.
"Yeah," she replied and they walked into the bedroom arms intertwined.
Spike released Buffy to allow her to change. He stripped to his boxers while she put on a night shirt. He walked over to the bed and laid down getting comfortable. She walked over to the bed but didn't get in.
"What's the matter luv?" Spike asked in confusion.
"Would it be alright. could you just hold me tonight?" Buffy asked shyly.
"Of course," he replied softly. She climbed into bed next to him and he pulled her into his arms and pulled up the blankets.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"No thank you," he replied.
"For what?" she was a bit confused by his reply.
"For giving me your love," he whispered and placed a soft kiss on her neck.
"Forever," she whispered with closed her eyes and fell asleep.
"Forever," he whispered back before joining her in sleep.
The Mansion 3:00am
Angel sat in a chair in the corner of the bedroom, watching over Willow as she slept. She had been sleeping for hours, and Angel was beginning to wonder whether that was a good thing or not. He was about to close his eyes for a moment, when he heard her stirring. He looked over at her but she was not waking. It seemed as if she were having a nightmare. He watched her for a bit, unsure if he should wake her. He watched until Willow began to toss about violently. Angel was beginning to get up to wake her, when she suddenly shot up awake from fear.
"Oh Goddess," she cried as she realized she had been dreaming. Angel sat on the bed and pulled her into his arms.
"You're okay," Angel whispered trying to comfort her.
"Angel?" she whispered weakly.
"I'm here, I've got you," he assured her.
"I had a horrible dream," she cried.
"Tell me about it."
"I saw a girl. running through the graveyard. Something was chasing her. Suddenly she was caught and it killed instantly. I don't know what killed her. All I remember is two red eyes in the dark," she explained.
"It was only a dream. It wasn't real," he assured her.
"I know, it just seemed so real," she whispered trying to change her position within his arms. She found this very difficult to do and slumped into his arms.
"Willow?" he asked feeling her fall into his arms.
"Angel I am still so tired. I don't understand. Why am I so tired?" she asked in a weak voice.
Angel tilted her so that the back of her head was resting against his arm and so that he could see her face. He noticed that her eyes seemed darker than normal. In fact, he thought that they almost appeared to be black.
"Giles is looking into what is going on with you. It's possible that this may be a side effect of that spell you cast," Angel told her. "You need to get some blood in you. You need something stronger than pig's blood."
He brought forth his demon face and bit into his wrist. He brought his wrist to Willow's mouth and offered it to her.
"Drink," he whispered.
"Angel?"
"Drink," he repeated and put his wrist to her lips.
Her face turned to its demonic form and drank slowly from him. After a few minutes, Angel was beginning to worry. She had been feeding from him for several minutes, but she had taken very little blood from him.
"Drink god damn it!" he growled forcing his wrist into her mouth further. She bit harder and began to take more blood into her mouth. "That's better," he replied.
He let her feed until she pulled away herself. She had taken a good amount from him, which weakened him a bit but he would recover quickly with some rest.
"Do you feel any better?" Angel asked tiredly.
"I feel a little stronger, but I'm still very tired," she replied.
"That's okay. You get some more sleep little one," he whispered.
"You need to sleep too Angel. I took a lot from you," she replied in concern.
"We will both sleep," he told her and pulled her into his arms. He settled them on the pillows and reached for the blanket to cover them.
"Rest well my love," he whispered as she fell almost immediately into slumber. "Rest well," he repeated as his eyes fell shut and let sleep claim him as well.
The Graveyard 7:15am
Buffy walked through the peaceful graveyard with the early morning sun shining down on her. She had an overwhelming sense of peace for the first time in several months. The night she had spent sleeping in her lovers' arms, had strengthened their love and her faith in that love. Now she was taking pleasure in walking through the graveyard in the early morning light. It was quiet and, above all, it was safe.
She was lost in her thoughts when she tripped and fell to the ground. She lifted herself up to determine what it was that had caused her fall. She looked up to see a woman's body on the ground in front of her.
Buffy got up off the ground and went over to the body. She could not see the woman's face, due to the fact that her body was face down, and her arms were hiding her face. Buffy touched her two fingers to the woman's throat and found no pulse. She then slowly removed the woman's arms from her face.
"Oh God," Buffy said in shock of the woman's identity.
Buffy took a moment to collect her thoughts before searching the area for any clues to the attacker's identity. After finding nothing of use, she quickly pulled out her cell phone and dialed police headquarters. After phoning for assistance, she called Giles and told him to meet her at the graveyard.
As Buffy waited for her squad to arrive, she continued to search the area, looking for any possibilities of demonic involvement. Again, she found nothing of consequence so she decided to take closer look at the body. This time she did notice something unusual. There was a hand print burned through the woman's shirt and onto her skin. Before she could inspect the remains any further, she heard sirens and ran to meet her colleagues.
After the police had spent the better part of an hour searching and securing the scene, they removed the body and finished questioning Buffy. Once Buffy's fellow officers were satisfied with her answers, she was allowed to leave. Buffy walked over toward Giles, who had been patiently waiting for her to finish.
"Hey Giles," Buffy greeted sadly. "Even on my day off I end up having to be the job. Both Slayer and Cop."
"Demon attack?" Giles asked.
"Looks that way. There was a hand print burnt into her chest," She informed him. "The M.E. believes she died sometime around three A.M last night."
"It wasn't the Cremoras demon was it?" Giles asked to be sure.
"No. I sent him through the portal at midnight, as planned," she replied.
"Okay. I guess it's time to hit the books," Giles told her.
"First, we need to go see Willow," Buffy told him sadly.
"Then you know that she's not feeling well?" Giles asked.
"Yes. I was there when she passed out. But that's not why we need to see her," Buffy told him.
"Willow knew the victim," Giles stated, realizing what Buffy wasn't saying.
"Yes," Buffy answered. The two headed off toward the mansion.
The Mansion 8:30am
Angel awoke when he felt a presence in the mansion. He silently climbed out of bed and put on a pair of pants. He walked out into the foyer as he pulled on a shirt.
"Buffy? Giles? What are you doing here?" he asked as he greeted his guests. "Did you find something about Willow's condition?"
"I'm afraid I don't have an answer on that yet. I am waiting on some phone calls from the coven," Giles answered.
"We're here on another matter Angel," Buffy told him sadly.
"What is it?" Angel asked worriedly.
"Is Willow awake?" she asked.
"She's still sleeping. I gave her some of my blood last night. I think she is a little stronger," Angel told them.
"I'm glad to hear that," Buffy asked.
"Don't get me wrong Buffy. She's still very weak. I'm worried," Angel added.
"I'm worried too Angel," Buffy replied.
"I know you are," Angel returned. "You said you were here for another reason?"
"Unfortunately I discovered a body in the graveyard last night," Buffy informed him.
"Was it a vampire?" Angel inquired.
"No. It was something else. It left a hand print burnt into her chest," Buffy told him.
"I'm sorry I can't help. I'm not familiar with a demon that does that," Angel told them.
"Would it be possible to speak with Willow for a minute?" Buffy asked.
"You can try. I don't know if we'll be able to wake her," Angel told her. "Is it important?"
"Willow was friends with the woman I found in the graveyard," Buffy informed him.
"Oh. I'm sorry. Come on. She's in the bedroom," Angel led them into the bedroom.
Angel went over to the bed and attempted to wake Willow. As he expected, she did not wake. He sat next to her on the bed and lifted her into his arms. He then changed into his demon face.
"Angel what are you doing?" Buffy asked.
Angel didn't answer her. He bit into his wrist and placed it to Willow's lips. His blood dripped on her lips and after a few seconds, she stirred and bit down on his wrist, drinking hungrily. Angel let her take what she needed, but pulled away before she took too much. Willow smiled at Angel as she let her face shift back to its human side.
"Good morning beautiful," Angel whispered.
"Hi," she replied softly.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm okay, for now," she replied.
"Look you have some visitors," he told her drawing her attention to Buffy and Giles who were still in the doorway.
"Buffy, Giles, I'm glad to see you guys," Willow smiled as they came closer.
"Hey Will, how are you feeling?" Buffy asked as she sat on the bed, replacing Angel.
"Not up for a big fight or anything, but I don't think I am going to pass out again," she replied with a smile.
"Well that's good. Seeing you pass out doesn't rank high on my list of fun things to do," Buffy joked. Buffy's face saddened as she prepared herself to give Willow the bad news. "Will, I came to see you because I have some bad news."
"What is it?"
"I was walking through the graveyard this morning and I found a dead body. And I don't mean the type from a grave. She was attacked by some kind of demon," Buffy started.
"I'm sorry," Willow replied.
"Will, it was Amy," Buffy stated.
"Amy wouldn't kill anyone," Willow replied in disbelief.
"No. I mean. The victim.was Amy," she clarified.
"Oh Goddess," Willow replied in shock. She leaned back against the headboard. Angel was immediately at her side.
"Are you okay?" he asked as he pulled her into his arms.
"How did she die?" Willow inquired.
"I'm not sure. It looks like whatever did this, had to put its hand on her. There was a burn mark in the shape of a hand on her chest. From the condition of the body, my guess would be that it sucked the life out of her," Buffy hypothesized. Willow's eyes widened at this information.
"Do you know what time she was killed?" Willow asked.
"Sometime during the night. The M.E. places the time of death around 3 A.M," Buffy informed her.
"Angel, I saw her death," Willow stated as she pulled away from him slightly.
"What do you mean?" Giles spoke up.
"Do you know what time it was that I had my nightmare last night?" Willow asked Angel.
"I don't know three or four maybe? Why would you think your dream was at all related to Amy's death?" Angel asked.
"Because I saw it happen," she answered. "I didn't see Amy or the demon, but I felt it. It was like I was the demon or was seeing through its eyes."
"You saw the demon take the life force from her?" Giles asked curiously.
"I think I did," Willow asked in sadness. "I don't understand. Why would I see such a thing?"
"Clearly something is going on here. It must have been the spell. Everything started after the spell. The dreams, the weakness. they must all be related," Giles told her. "We need to."
Giles was interrupted by Willow. She gasped and then her body tensed and her eyes fell shut.
"Willow?" Angel tried to shake her, but she didn't break from the `trance' she seemed to be in. Giles and Buffy looked at each other in fright and confusion. Suddenly she gasped again and opened her eyes.
"I felt it again," Willow started.
"Felt what?" Angel asked.
"The demon," she replied.
"Did it kill again?" Buffy inquired.
"No. I just felt it. Walking in the dark. I could feel its power," she told them. "It's so strong," Willow continued her voice and body getting weaker. "What does it want with me?" she passed out and fell back into Angel's arms.
"Willow!" Buffy exclaimed as she watched her friend collapse again.
"Come Buffy. We need to get back to the house quickly. I need to get a hold of the coven. Whatever is happening, it's getting worse," Giles told her.
"Go. I can take care of her, but please hurry," Angel told them with sadness in his eyes.
"We're not going to let this take her Angel. I promise. We'll find a way to save Willow," Buffy assured him.
"Thank you," Angel whispered as he looked at his love, unconscious in his arms.
Buffy and Giles then left the bedroom. Angel positioned himself against the headboard before laying Willow down on the pillows next to him. He kept his arm around her as he sat and helplessly watched his lover sleep.
Giles' Apartment 9:50am
Giles quickly unlocked his front door and pushed it open, as his phone continued to ring. He ran in and quickly picked up the phone.
"Hello?" he answered. Buffy walked into the apartment and closed the door behind her.
"Do you have any leads?" Giles asked. Buffy walked to the couch as Giles listened to the caller on the phone. "Yes. There has been one death," Giles informed the caller. "Yes she was a witch," he added. "Ok," he continued to listen as he reached for a pad and pen on the desk. Buffy watched as he began writing down information. "What about Willow?" Giles asked. "Yes I do have the Codex. Yes. Thank you. Yes, I understand how important this is. I'll see that it's done," Giles finished. "Thank you," Giles hung up the phone and took a moment to ponder what he had just been told.
"Come on Giles. The suspense is killing me. What was that about?" Buffy asked as she stood from the couch and approached his location.
"Sorry. That was my friend from the coven in England. She had news about Willow," he told her.
"Can we save her?" Buffy asked impatiently.
"Yes. It won't be easy, but there is a way," Giles replied.
"Thank god. What do we have to do?" Buffy asked.
"First I need to do some reading in the codex and then we need to get everyone together," Giles informed her.
"It will have to wait until sunset," Buffy told him.
"Right. Can you call everyone and tell them we'll meet at your house after sunset?"
"Yeah I can call. I don't have to leave for work for another hour. Giles are you going to tell me what you know?" Buffy inquired.
"I need to gather some more information first. I promise I will fill you in tonight," Giles told her before leaving the room to retrieve his book.
Buffy watched Giles leave and then headed out the door toward home.
Summer's House 9:15pm (Just after sunset)
Buffy and Dawn were at the door to greet Xander and Anya when they arrived at the house. Giles walked in right behind them.
"No word from the vamp gang yet?" Xander asked as they entered the empty living room.
"Spike was going to pick up Willow and Angel on his way here. Will's still not strong enough to make the trip on foot," Buffy informed them.
"So what's with Willow being sick? I thought the whole idea of her being a vamp was so that she wouldn't be sick anymore?" Xander asked.
"It has something to do with a spell she cast the other day," Buffy replied.
"But she's gonna to be okay right?" Dawn asked.
"Giles assures me that there's a way to cure her," Buffy replied looking to Giles for more answers.
"I have found a solution. As soon as the others arrive, I will explain everything," Giles told them.
Suddenly the front door opened and Spike came in, followed closely by Angel carrying Willow in his arms.
"Hey Will, how are you?" Dawn greeted her.
"I tried to tell Angel I was feeling better, but he insisted on carrying me," she replied. "I think that he just likes playing the tough, knight-in-shining-armor guy," she added with a smile.
"You need to save your strength," Angel told Willow. "Just humor me okay?" he added.
"Only because I love you," she replied with a soft smile. This comment made Angel smile and he placed a soft kiss on her lips.
"Well now that everyone is here, we can get started," Giles interrupted.
Spike, Angel, and Willow followed Dawn into the living room and took a seat. Angel sat on the end of the couch and lowered Willow to his lap, keeping his arms firmly around her. Spike stood against the wall by the hall, while Buffy and Dawn took the remaining space on the couch. Anya, Xander, and Giles occupied the remaining chairs in the living room.
"This morning I received a phone call from a friend who is part of a Wiccan coven in England," Giles started. "She informed me that the coven has sensed a major disturbance in the Wiccan community. The disturbance is centered here in Sunnydale. On their suggestion, I found information on the demon that killed Amy. His name is Gregrian. He was once a powerful Wiccan. He abused his powers and transcended himself into what he had believed to be a higher being. In reality, he transformed himself into a lower demon known as a Hybrofoyer. As a Hybrofoyer demon, he continued to practice magic and it was said that he discovered the key to all the Wiccan powers throughout the world," Giles explained.
"Did he really do it?" Willow asked.
"Yes. The covens of the time knew what he had discovered and were afraid of what he would do if he learned to control it," Giles continued. "It wasn't before long that Gregrian discovered that with the key, he held the power to protect or destroy the magic of the world forever. He attempted to destroy it. It was said that he could drain the powers and life of witch by simply placing his hand on the witch's body. He killed fourteen witches before the covens found a way to stop him."
"What'd they do?" Dawn asked.
"The covens didn't have the physical strength to stop Gregrian. They also found that using magic against him only made him stronger. Finally they tried a powerful binding spell against him. It did not bind his powers as they had expected, but instead froze him in a thick block of crystal and rock," Giles explained. "The covens buried him deep within the earth in hopes that he would never again be free to destroy magic."
"So what happened?" Anya asked impatiently.
"I freed him," Willow interjected.
"Yes," Giles replied. "It seems that your spell did free the demon."
"But I don't understand. Willow has been doing spells for years. She hasn't had a problem before," Buffy asked.
"Willow was human when she did those spells," Giles replied. "The magic was channeled through her life force. Now that she is a vampire, the magic can't channel properly. That's why the spell backfired," he added.
"I'm sorry. I should have waited. Amy's death is my fault," Willow spoke sadly.
"We couldn't have known that this was going to happen," Giles told her.
"Okay so I have a question?" Xander spoke up. "Why is Willow sick?"
"Willow's spell linked her to the demon," Giles replied.
"That's why she can see and feel what he's doing," Angel added.
"Yes," Giles replied. "The demon is using her energy to sustain itself. That's why she is so weak."
"So how do we get this demon out of my head?" Willow asked.
"I kill it," Buffy interjected.
"It's not quite that simple Buffy," Giles told her.
"Well make it simple Giles. Tell me what to do," Buffy replied.
"It will take more than your strength to save Willow and magic," Giles started. "In order to kill the demon, you must pierce it through the heart with a silver sword," he told her. "Angel do you still have the sword that.Buffy used to."
"To send me to Hell?" Angel finished his sentence.
"Yes," Giles replied looking toward the floor.
"Yes I still have the sword. It's back at the mansion," Angel told him.
"Good we'll need it," Giles continued. "This demon is supposed to be very strong. Buffy, Spike, Angel, you will need to work together to defeat him." The three nodded in acknowledgement. "Now here's the important part. Because the demon brought the key of the magics into himself, it will die with him unless it is given a new host."
"A new host?" Dawn asked in confusion.
"Yes. The key needs a guardian to protect it for eternity," Giles replied looking at Willow.
"It's me isn't it?" Willow asked.
"Yes. The coven agreed that the key would be safe with you," Giles told her.
"But I thought you said that her being a vampire, has gone all screwy with her magics," Buffy interjected.
"Her soul will be able to house the key. Being a vampire does change things, but her soul will help restore the balance," Giles replied.
"Does that mean that I will be able to use magic without causing these problems in the future?" Willow asked.
"Yes. With the key in your possession, you will be the guardian and protector of all the magic in the entire world," Giles told her.
"Wow. No pressure there," she replied.
"What exactly does that mean?" Angel asked.
"It means that Willow will have the power to defeat any threat to magic. She will be the protector of the Wiccan community. She will be able to tap into the very force of magic and will be able to sense the whereabouts of any and all witches, if she needs to."
"Why am I being entrusted with such an important gift?" Willow asked.
"Because as a vampire, you can live forever, and because of your soul and pure heart, and your strong Wiccan powers, the coven believes you are the best person for the job," Giles informed her.
"Wow. I don't know what to say," Willow replied.
"I need to know if you are up for this Willow," Giles told her. "It's not something to be taken lightly.
"If the coven believes that I am the one to do this, than I won't let them down," Willow told him confidently.
"Good," Giles replied with a relieved smile.
"I have a question," Angel spoke up. "How does Willow obtain the key?"
"She must drink the demon's blood before he dies," Giles told him. "This means that you must get Willow to the creature immediately after piercing him with the sword."
"Doesn't sound too hard," Spike commented.
"The hard part is making sure that she drinks his blood before his heart stops. If she can't do it, then the world of magic will be doomed forever," Giles added.
"I'll get her there," Angel assured him.
"I have a question," Willow spoke up. "What will happen to me when I drink his blood? Will the power of the key change me?"
"I honestly don't know," Giles answered.
"I won't turn into a Hybrofoyer demon will I?" she asked.
"No. You will still be you. You'll stay a vampire," Giles assured her. "Gregrian became a Hybrofoyer because of his abuse of magics, not because he possessed the key."
"Well that's good. I would prefer not to have horns or a tail or something," she joked. Her smile disappeared as the energy began to drain from her. She placed her head on Angel's shoulder.
"Are you alright Rua?" Angel asked in concern.
"I'm getting tired," she replied softly. "I can feel the demon. He's draining my energy."
"You can feel him? Do you know where he is?" Buffy asked.
"Yes. He's in the caves," she answered. "Whatever he's planning, it's soon. We need to finish this tonight," she added, her voice getting weaker and her eyes fighting to remain open.
"Well I guess we need to get moving. Spike and I will go to the mansion and collect the sword. Then we'll come back and pick you guys up and head for the caves and take this thing out," Buffy stated her plan.
"I must remind you to be careful. I believe this demon may be rather strong. You will all need to work together to make this work," Giles told them.
"We will," Buffy assured him as she got up off the couch and headed for the door. Spike followed her lead and soon both left the house.
"Would it be okay if I rested a bit before we go?" Willow asked softly.
Before Angel could answer her, her eyes fell shut and she fell into sleep. Angel held her tightly in his arms as she rested. Xander and Anya left for the kitchen to grab a snack while they waited for Buffy and Spike to return. Giles was left in the living room with Angel and a sleeping Willow.
"Giles I need you to be straight with me," Angel whispered. "Is there any chance that this could kill Willow?"
"If we allow the demon to live? Yes. It will continue to drain her energy until he consumes her completely," he replied.
"Giles we are already seeing what magic has done to Willow. Will she be able to handle this key of all magic?" Angel asked.
"She is only weak because of the connection with the demon," he started. "The coven assures me, that once the demon is dead and she has taken in his blood, that her strength will return and that she'll be stronger for it. Whether we like it on not, the prophecies are saying that Willow is the one. She is meant to be the Protector of Magic for eternity."
"I always knew my Willow was special," Angel told Giles proudly.
"That she is," Giles agreed.
The woods near the caves 11:00pm
Buffy and Spike walked through the woods carefully. Buffy carried the sword they had retrieved from the mansion and Angel walked behind Buffy and Spike carrying Willow in his arms. Willow remained connected to the demon and was able to lead the gang toward the creature's location.
"Will, are we getting close?" Buffy whispered.
"He's." her body suddenly froze and then became limp in Angel's arms. Willow's eyes were still open and she was looking right at him. He could see the demon's reflection in her eyes.
"He's here," Angel told them.
They all looked around their position but saw nothing. Angel put Willow down on the ground and sat her up against a tree. He then joined Spike and Buffy in a defensive circle watching the surrounding area.
Suddenly a loud roar was heard and a large demon with blue skin and three horns on his forehead jumped out from a bush and headed for Spike. Angel and Buffy quickly ran to Spike's side as they prepared for the attack.
"Don't let him get his hands on you!" Angel yelled.
The demon lunged toward Spike taking him to the ground. Angel and Buffy were immediately on top of the creature trying to pry him off of Spike. Spike got his legs up under the creature and kicked him back to the ground away from him. Spike sprang up and the three attacked the creature.
Angel was thrown back from the demon and was knocked up against a tree which left him momentarily disoriented. Buffy swung the sword at the creature but only managed to nick his arm. Black blood slowly oozed from the wound. The demon angered and swung his other arm, tossing Buffy several feet away. She landed with a thud, dropping the sword. Spike managed to catch him of guard for a moment and swept his leg under him, knocking the demon to the ground. The Gregrian roared as he hit the ground. Spike growled back and lunged at him again. By this time, Angel had pulled himself off the ground and had rejoined Spike in the fight. Buffy was only seconds behind.
The three fought hard as Willow watched helplessly from the spot where Angel had left her. To the casual observer, it appeared that Buffy, Angel, and Spike were gaining on the demon, but she could sense that the demon was still holding back. She could feel his power growing and that he was ready to take them all out. Willow knew her friends were going to lose the fight. She knew that she had to do something to help.
"Goddess please let some of my magic work right," she thought. Willow focused her little strength and power at the demon. Her eyes locked on him and she began chanting. She could feel the power draining from her as she chanted but she didn't waver.
Buffy, Spike, and Angel were stunned as the demon flew toward them and stopped in mid air. The three took a second to take in the confusion as the creature hovered, frozen, a foot off the ground. Angel looked over at Willow and saw her chanting. He also noticed how much it was draining her.
"Buffy do it now!" Angel yelled as he ran to Willow.
Buffy thrust the sword into the creature's chest and it howled loudly. Angel picked Willow up off the ground, breaking her chanting. The creature fell helplessly to the ground. Angel carried Willow to the creature as quickly as he could. He dropped to the ground and brought Willow to the creature's throat. He could still hear its heart beating. Willow didn't drink from the creature, she sat helplessly. Angel brought his yellow eyes to meet her green ones and growled loudly. Her face shifted to its demon façade in response.
"Drink!" he growled at her.
She did as she was told and sunk her teeth into the creature's neck and drank hungrily. After several seconds, Angel heard the creature's heartbeat stop and its body fell limp on the ground. Suddenly Willow was thrown away from the creature and out of Angel's arms. Angel tried to go after her but Buffy stopped him.
"Don't," she whispered. Angel's face returned to its human form and looked at his Willow lying helpless on the ground.
Suddenly Willow's body arched off the ground and a red glow emanated from her. She sat up and her hair turned jet black and her eyes glowed red. Buffy had to hold Angel back from running to Willow's side. He watched as his love turned into a look of pure evil. Willow's body suddenly levitated from the ground and she hovered a few feet off the ground. Her arms and legs spread eagle away from her body. Suddenly the red light that emanated from her was replaced by a light of the purest white. Her hair and eyes lost their darkness and became white like the light surrounding her.
Spike, Buffy, and Angel were mystified by the transformation of their dear friend. They watched as Willow's body was slowly lowered back to the ground. When she was once again lying on the ground completely, the white light left her and her hair and eyes returned their original colors.
At this point, Buffy released Angel and he ran quickly to Willow's side. He picked her up in his arms and saw her smiling back at him.
"Are you okay?" he whispered.
"What a rush," she replied breathlessly. Angel smiled from her response. Spike and Buffy quickly joined them.
"That was some light show ducks," Spike greeted.
"How do you feel Will?" Buffy asked.
"Amazing," she replied with a wondrous smile.
"So it worked?" Angel asked her.
"Yeah. I can feel it," she replied. "I can feel the magic all around us. It's incredible." Angel helped her to her feet and she stood strong for the first time in days.
"Looks like you got your energy back," Buffy stated.
"And more," Willow replied with a dazed smile. "I feel so strong Buffy. It's intoxicating."
"Are you okay Willow?" Buffy asked in concern.
"I'm fine Buffy don't worry," she replied. "I'm just adjusting to the new energies flowing through me."
"We should go see Giles just to make sure you're really alright," Buffy suggested.
"I agree with Buffy," Angel whispered.
"Sure we should go see Giles," Willow replied as she began walking away. Angel quickly caught up to her, but he let her walk freely. Buffy and Spike walked a few steps behind them.
"It looks to me like our Willow's a bit high from her experience," Spike whispered to Buffy.
"I agree," Buffy replied. "It looks like she just had a joint or something."
"I guess all those magics must have juiced her," Spike suggested.
"Hopefully it's only temporary," she replied as they continued to walk behind Angel and Willow, who were heading for Giles' apartment.
Giles' Apartment 12:15am
Giles quickly answered the door when he heard the knocking. A dazed Willow entered followed by Angel. Buffy and Spike came in right behind them.
"I take it that the plan worked?" Giles asked noticing Willow's change of mobility.
"I would say that's an understatement," Spike replied.
"What happened?" Giles inquired. Angel guided Willow to the couch before starting his explanation.
Angel filled Giles in on the evening's events, including Willow's spell to stop the creature, and her transformations. Giles had been well briefed by the coven and he fully expected what had happened.
"Don't worry about Willow. She'll be back to her old self by tomorrow. Her state of Euphoria is only temporary. Call it a side effect from the key. A lot of magic passed through her system in a very short period," Giles assured them.
"I have a question," Buffy spoke up. "After she drank the demon's blood. Why did her eyes turn red and hair jet black and then turn white before finally returning to normal?"
"It was the effects of the magics possessing her. The darkness was because the powers first recognized her demon. Her vampiric state," Giles started.
"And the white?" Buffy asked.
"That was her soul. Her soul balanced the magics and brought them to a place of purity," he explained.
"So what does this new power entail?" Angel asked.
"As I said before, she is now the guardian of magic. She will continue to live her life as she was, but she will be able to use magic. She will also have the ability to sense danger to magic. The powers will allow her mind to sense and join with other witches when danger presents itself. She will have the ability to help and share her abilities without having to physically be where the danger lies," Giles explains.
"Wow. That's a pretty handy gift," Buffy commented.
"It's a big responsibility. But I think our Willow will rise to the occasion," Giles replied.
"I know she will," Angel replied. "She really came through for us all tonight. The demon had taken almost all of her strength and power, but she still managed to cast a spell to disable the demon long enough for Buffy to kill it."
"Yes. I am still puzzled as to how she was able to do that," Giles replied in confusion.
"Because I was in the demon," Willow spoke up suddenly.
"What do you mean?" Angel asked.
"Well I could feel the demon's presence and he could take my energy because he was in my mind. As I watched you guys fight, I realized that I was also in his mind. I could sense his tactics and the growth of his strength and control. I used our connection to cast the spell," Willow explained clearly.
"Wonders never cease," Angel whispered with a smile.
"It looks like you're returning to normal Will," Buffy commented.
"I guess so," she replied with a smile. "I know this was really just another day on the Hellmouth, but I would really like to go home and get some real rest," she requested.
"I think we could all use the rest," Giles agreed.
They all exited the living room and headed for the door.
"Thanks for everything Giles," Willow added as they headed out the door.
"You're welcome," he replied with a smile.
Angel, Willow, Buffy, and Spike headed out the door and into the night. The two couples said their farewells and headed off for their respective homes.
The Mansion 1:30am
Willow and Angel walked into the foyer hands joined. Angel stopped them in the middle of the room to ask a question that he had been holding on to.
"Willow?" he started. "How are you feeling really?" he asked seriously.
"I feel very good Angel," she replied. "I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me."
"I would do anything for you Rua," he told her.
"I know. But I still wanted to thank you. If it wasn't for you. I don't know how I would have survived as of this," she told him, tears pooling in her eyes.
"I love you Rua and I am never going to let anything or anyone take you away from me," he replied, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"I love you too Angel," she whispered placing a soft kiss on his lips.
He reached his arms around her and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. His tongue gently explored her mouth as her hands snaked up his shirt to caress the smooth curve of his back.
Willow pulled away from the kiss slightly. "Take me to bed," she whispered.
Without another word, Angel recaptured her lips and picked her up into his arms. He carried her into the bedroom and closed the door behind them.
The End