Spike stared at the redhead as she spoke.  Sure she'd been the only Scoobie he could stand to be around back in the day, and she really was a bit of a looker, but....  Hell, she was so tiny, helpless, even-- he stifled the urge to shudder-- sweet.

He didn't understand it.  Okay he could understand Red screwing up a spell so bad it sent her to Peaches.  He could even understand how she'd felt the need to stay there with him since the spell was designed to take her to whoever needed her most.

'Bloody hell', the vampire thought, noting the changes in Willow's demeanor and the way she dressed, 'he could even see where the Poof could fall in love/lust with the little witch... But Angelus?!'  He shook his head, his hold on Amy tightening.

Now Amy on the other hand.  She was devious.  She went about it quietly and the like, but there was a definite maverick streak in the blond woman.  It was one of the many things he loved about her.  His witch may be good. Straight as an arrow even, but she wasn't narrow.

Spike hadn't noted any of these quirks in Willow.  In his opinion, the redheaded wicca was simply cute, sweet and innocent.  Would Angelus really
fall in love with such a woman?

His thoughts turned further inward, and he lay his head on Amy's shoulder enjoying the light jasmine scent she seemed to always wear.  He wasn't sure. There was no question Angelus had lusted after the Slayer's little hacker buddy, but love...?

'Bugger it all!', the vampire thought.  'I don't think Angelus ever even loved Darla, and he stuck around with the bitch for over one hundred years.'
Spike wasn't completely sure his bastard of a Sire even COULD love.

Willow stared at the ice blond vampire.  She was quickly becoming impatient. He no longer seemed to be listening to her, as if he'd become lost in his own thoughts.

Shaking her head and giving a tired Amy an apologetic glance, the redhead gracefully lunged to her feet, brushing small blades of grass from the seat of her jeans.

"Anyways", she began, "this has been real and all, but I've got a mate to see to."  So saying, the witch turned to leave only to have her wrist
grasped in an iron-like vise.

"We're not done yet", Spike growled deep, his eyes flickering between blue and their true color.

How dare he!  Furious, Willow glanced over her shoulder at the bleached blond.  "And I say we are!", she roared back powerfully, instinctively
knowing what Spike sought.  The demon she shared with Angel soared to fierce life within her, eager to pound some sense into its Childe.

The chipped vampire stared at Willow's suddenly amber hued eyes.  He was shocked into silence, when with strength he was positive the witch alone did not possess, she pulled at his wrist, turned, and using her back as a fulcrum, tossed him onto the grassy cemetery earth.

Smoothly, the lithe young woman quickly straddled him, her body rubbing along his own in an overtly sensual manner that immediately got Spike's
body's attention.

Reigning his libido in, Spike opened his eyes, startled to find Angelus' golden orbs above him.

"My mate!", a distinctly male voice said, using Willow's mouth.  "Never lay another disrespectful hand on Willow again!", it growled, before a tiny,
increadiby strong fist connected with his cheek.

"Angelus?", the blond vampire muttered in disbelief.

The demon shifted above him, bending down close.  Blood red hair, pooled in Spike's face as Willow's lips were brought close to his ear.

"Everything she said... Its true.  She is my love.  There was always more to her than she allowed one to see", Angelus said huskily in his Childe's ear.

"But you would never willingly join with Angel--"

Spike heard and felt a masculine chuckle rumble through the redhead's slight form, before a hot tongue ran the length of his neck.  Borrowed blood zoomed through his body, heading straight toward his groin.

"Sire?"

"Perhaps I didn't think I would, but I did."  Golden amber eyes stared into Spike's face.  "Don't fuck with her William.  You don't know what she can
do.  I'm not the only power within my witch...  As for the bond... we are one.  Even Angel.  There is no longer an Angelus and an Angel.  We are one, yet it is the demon that she can draw upon, just as Angel can draw upon her soul to withstand the sun."

"Why?"

Angelus smirked.  "Honestly want to know boy?", the demon asked, ridged visage strangely thoughtful in a way Spike had never seen.  "Happiness.  I'm happy now.  I never was before.  Emotion was utterly foreign to me.  At least, everything but hate.  In the end I joined with the soul without so
much as balking when it meant we could both finally find happiness.... even love..."

Willow blinked, her eyes returning to their normal emerald color.  "Do you understand now?", she asked softly.

Stunned by what just happened, the bleached blond nodded, and then Willow was gone.

Amy was instantly kneeling by his side.  "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, its just my pride that's hurt pet", Spike said, not bothering to get up.

"I don't understand what just happened.  Was that real?"

The chipped vampire grunted an affirmative, closing his eyes.  "Oh yeah", he rasped, shifting and trying to ignore his massive hard-on.  "That was my bloody Sire all right.  That blighter was always a master of the mind fuck. He specialized in torturing me most of all."

Suddenly a warm hand closed over his denim covered erection.

"Aww bloody hell...", he hissed, his need undeniable. "Please Amy...", he groaned.

The zipper was lowered slowly, very slowly.

"So that was all a vampire Sire/Childe power trip thing right?", the blond witch asked teasingly, as her hand slipped in to grasp his turgid flesh. "You're not secretly yearning for Willow are you?"

"Fuck no.  Only you pet, only you.  You're the only bleedin' witch I secretly yearn for, and if you'd only let me stop following Slutty, what I feel for you wouldn't have to be such a friggin' secret--"

Whatever else he was going to say was lost when Amy's hot, wet mouth closed over his cock.
 

~Part 32~

Cordelia shooed, a completely annoying vampire from the her and Gunn's hotel room.  Her head poked around the almost-closed door, as she continued to try to soothe her friend, even as she tried to get rid of him.

"I'm sure she's fine Angel.  Its late, why don't you try to sleep, or patrol.... Jeez Angel I don't know.  God!  Then try to unpack or something okay, I'm tired, Gunn's tired...."

Gunn watched his girlfriend's back as she spoke to the dark haired vampire, and grinned.  He leaned back against the bed and pillowed his head against his hands.  He wasn't the least bit tired, although he had fully agreed with his Seer when she'd decided it was too late to call on the Scoobies and make her presence there known.

The vampire hunter cracked one eye open when he heard the door finally close, and his grin widened when he heard the tell-tale sound of the
deadbolt sliding into place.  Apparently Delia wasn't taking any chances now that she was back in her hometown.  Gunn really couldn't figure out what this whole Hellmouth business was about.  When they'd driven through town, it really just had seemed like the perfect little suburb.  'Whatever...', he thought, 'she'd know.  She had grown up there after all.'

"God I hate this place", Cordelia groaned.  "Why'd I want to come here again?"

He shrugged, dark chocolate hued eyes glittering in his handsome face. "Dunno."

The Seer glared at him for a moment, before rolling her eyes.

Gunn smiled.  "Fine... we left to force Faith and English to deal-- with uh, whatever it is you want them to deal with."

Cordelia chuckled, and started toward the bed, hips swaying in just the way Gunn loved.

"They're crazy about each other", the ex-cheerleader said, crawling up his prone body, the bed creaking a little with the addition of her weight.

"You don't say."

"Mmmm-hmmm.  I know the signs", Cordelia stated matter-of-factly.

"You do?"

"Yep."  Hazel eyes searched Gunn's face earnestly.  "Don't they remind you a little of us?  You know, in love but running scared?"

"Huh... yeah, I guess they do", he said after a moment of quiet thought.

"Charles!", Cordelia squealed, when she suddenly found herself pinned beneath, her lover's bigger, muscular body.  She shuddered as his mouth
whispered along her long neck.

"You're amazing Delia, you know that don't you?"

The brunette snorted.  "Duh!  Do you know who you're talking to?"

Gunn chuckled, his even, white teeth gleaming against the backdrop of his dark complexion.   With one hand, he held her arms over her head as his
other hand worked its way up under the tight tee-shirt she wore.

She sighed happily, as his hand met skin, splaying over her toned belly, before inching its way under the snap of her snug jeans.  Cordelia pulled at
her arms ineffectually, unable to free herself so she could take off the damned pants.

"Gunn", she groaned.

The sound of his name on her lips spurred him on.  He could never hold out with her for long.  His Seer had him wrapped about her perfectly manicured pinky.  His hand continued its maddening journey over her smooth skin, slipping beneath silky panties.

"Ohhh", she sighed as his fingers finally reached her center, stroking with firm, knowing fingers.

The feeling of her slick, warm wetness forced a moan from Gunn's lips.  To think, that he could make Cordelia this way....

"Need you", he groaned, his mouth swooping down to her own, even as his hand retreated to work at her jeans.  The demon hunter released Cordelia's arms, gratified when they immediately reached for the snap of his jeans.

In a sudden hurry, the couple practically ripped the clothing from one another's body, even as they laughed, touched and kissed.  Ripping his mouth
from that of the beautiful brunette beneath him, Gunn slipped a hand beneath the pillows and found the condom he'd placed there earlier.

Cordelia smiled up at him, and took the foil packet from him.  Tearing it open, she rolled the protection down his erection making sure to stroke him
teasingly as she did so.

"Love you Delia", he murmured, parting her thighs.

"I know, now come here", the receptionist moaned, wrapping a hand over the back of his neck and pulling him towards her.

He entered her silken heat slowly, savoring every moment, before the primal needs of his body forced him to move.  She met his every thrust, her body welcoming his repeatedly.

"Yesss", Cordelia hissed, throwing her head back, long chestnut strands of hair matting to her perspiring face.  "Sssoo gooood."

'Sweet Jesus she was beautiful', Gunn's mind registered briefly, before his body was thrown into orgasm by the fluttering of his her vagina's muscles
around his arousal.  The pleasure seemed never ending as he emptied himself into Delia's tremor wracked body, until he collapsed atop her.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Angel paced in his room.  He was completely on edge.  He wanted his mate, and he wanted her NOW.  He'd almost left the hotel, convincing himself that he should patrol, but he hadn't.  Rationality had intruded, and he'd realized he only wanted to do so on the off chance he could track down
Willow.  After all, the last bit of the bond he'd felt from her, had been Angelus' satisfaction.  That meant she could probably still be out herself.
It was a bad idea, however, and he knew it.  Slayers patrolled too.

'Ugh!'  He wanted to pound his head on the wall.  He hated waiting.  For the most part he considered himself a patient vampire... but not when it came to his witch.  Not ever.

He paused, and cocked his head, as if listening to something far off. Abruptly, a devilish and completely cocky smirk formed on his face.

'She was coming.'

The souled vampire examined her emotions through the bond, almost recoiling physically at the sensation of hot, molten anger directed at him.  'Cordelia was right.  His redhead was pissed.'  Angel could practically feel heat coming off of her.

Deciding on a last minute game plan, Angel strode to his hotel room door and unlocked it.  He didn't want her to have problems getting in, now did he? Chuckling, the dark haired vampire began unbuttoning his burgundy shirt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

'Goddess she was so gonna kick his ass for this', Willow thought angrily, stalking down the hotel hallway with decisive steps.

She felt him before she even spotted the room number.

Placing her hand on the door, she was surprised to find that the knob turned easily.  'He hadn't locked it? That wasn't like Angel at all.'

The door swung open, and she opened her mouth to shout.  "ANGE--!?"  His name was suddenly cut short, by the sight before her.  Angel, naked as the day he was born, two hundred and fifty years ago, laying on the bed.  His back was propped up by two pillows.  He leaned against them comfortably, one leg drawn up slightly, his left hand resting lightly on his knee.  Only the tail end of a strategically placed bed sheet preserved any kind of modesty. It was drawn over one leg, the end pooling in his lap.

Willow sighed, the anger leaving her only to be replaced by total lust.

"You're not playing fair Angel.  I'm mad at you."

Her mate made no response, only cocking an ironic eyebrow at her.  He shifted slightly, causing muscles in his stomach to ripple.

"Grrr!", the hacker witch muttered, slamming the door shut behind her and making sure it was locked.  They'd better not be interrupted or she was
totally going to kill somebody.
 

~Part 33~

~L.A.~

Faith clenched her teeth, and walked carefully into the Hyperion.  That last vamp had gotten in a lucky sucker punch and her side ached.  She ignored it, the pain would be gone quickly enough.  Slayer healing factor to the rescue.

It was dawn. She had been out all night.  She'd slain eighteen vampires and three demons.  It was a new record, at least by herself.  She thought it could even be her personal best.  The thought almost made her want to smile, but the lingering pain nixed that.  She was beat. Both literally and
figuratively.

Closing the door quietly behind her, she wondered why she was being so careful.  Wesley would never hear her.  He was probably upstairs still
wrapped up in his nice, warm bed having pleasant British dreams of tea and crumpets or something.

Resolutely, Faith tried to push thoughts of Wesley away, only to fail.  She sighed.  Of course she'd failed, she'd failed to all night.  Her confused
emotional state was the reason she'd pushed herself so hard all night.

'Hit, kick, stake, poof.  Hit, kick, stake, poof.  That was easy.  That made sense.  Why couldn't her life be like that?', the dark haired Slayer
wondered, as she made her way through the lobby.

It was the soft, barely audible sound of deep, even breathing that prompted her to look over at the chair.  Her heart seemed to beat triple time when she saw him.

Wesley, asleep on the chair.

Faith couldn't believe it.  He'd waited up for her.  He'd actually waited up for her.  No one had ever--  not even her own mother had ever waited up for her.

She walked quickly over to the chair, and kneeled at his side.  He was mumbling under his breath.

"Faith... careful... careful..."

"Wesley", the Slayer called out softly.  "Wes."

"Mmmm", he responded, his breathing changing slightly, as he awoke to the sound of Faith's voice.  The blue-eyed, former Watcher blinked rapidly,
trying vainly to get his eyes to focus. He yawned.  "Faith... what time is it."

"Its late", she replied, "you shouldn't have stayed up for me."

Wesley almost refuted her inference automatically, but stifled the urge upon examination of his own actions.  He HAD waited up for her.  He exhaled loudly.  He was pathetic.

She watched his eyes darken, as they finally managed to make out her face.

"What happened to you?", he gasped, his eyes taking in the scratches and bruises on her cheeks and around her eye.

"Job hazard", she stated cheekily.

Hesitatingly, Wesley brought his hand up to caress the deepening purplish-blue smudge of color blooming beneath her left eye. Unable to help
herself, Faith nuzzled closer to his touch like a cat, before remembering herself.

'What am I going to do with you?', they both thought to themselves.

She pulled away.  "Come on Wes, I'll help you get to bed", Faith said, ending the tender moment.  "How's the ankle?"

The former Watcher did not appreciate the abrupt change of mood, but realized that at least for now it was probably for the best.  "Its much
better.  I iced it for most of the night."

"Oh. Good."

Both lapsing into silence, the rogue Slayer helped Wesley up and placed his arm over her shoulder.  Together they headed to the little-used elevator.

The old, wrought iron box creaked slowly upwards, before lurching to a halt. They made their way down the hall, and Faith stopped in front of the room Wesley was currently using.  Using her free hand, she opened the door, and helped him inside.

The room was spotless, the bed made.  There was absolutely nothing in it that hinted at what had occurred between them the night before.  Faith
wasn't sure whether to be relieved or annoyed.

"I can make it now", Wesley said, pulling away from her, and heading towards the bed.  They both felt the physical distance as if it were a yawning
crevice the size of the Grand Canyon.

She watched him pull back the covers, and practically fall on the mattress, sleep rapidly retaking him.  Taking a deep breath, Faith told herself to
leave.  Why weren't her feet moving?

Disgusted with herself, the dark haired woman's eyes opened.  She couldn't leave him that way.  He wouldn't be comfortable.  Slowly making her way to the bed, she began to unbutton the sleeping man's shirt.  Making short work of that, her hands drifted to his pants.  The zipper slid easily downwards, and she tugged the trousers down his legs.  She groaned when she discovered he was wearing boxers.  She tried not to analyze the groan too closely.

Finished, the Slayer forced herself to take a step back.  Wesley slept on, oblivious.... trustful.  Faith grinned, and glanced at the bit of light that
escaped the heavy curtains on his windows.  She needed sleep too.

'Could she--?', the thought shocked her.  'He'd never know', the voice in her head continued.

Giving in, Faith moved over to the other side of the bed.  She sat carefully, hoping the bedsprings wouldn't complain too loudly.  The sound was negligible and she sighed.  Laying back, she turned and snuggled into Wesley, placing her arms about his waist and her head in the crook of his neck.  She was asleep before she knew it.

Wesley smiled.
 

~Part 34~

Faith was lone gone by the time Wesley awoke.  Although of course, he had no idea, the Slayer had lain by his side throughout the night, his subconscious did.

A strange sort of moody sadness settled over him, only worsening when he discovered she was not in the Hyperion.  He supposed it made sense that she would avoid him.  He'd pushed too hard.

'Father was right, I am a failure', Wesley thought despondently, his mood worsening when one of his crutches got caught on one of the chair legs
almost causing him to fall.

In disgust, he threw the offending crutch aside, deciding he really didn't need both of them after all.  One was enough, his ankle was feeling better.

He sighed.  The prospect of spending the day alone, trapped in the office was depressing.  Sighing, Wesley glanced at the clock on the wall.  Feeling a bit caged, he made the decision to spend the morning at the public library.  Perhaps later, he would even visit Lorne.  He hoped the others had had a good trip to Sunnydale.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Where are you?", Xander asked into the phone.  "You never came home last night and we were worried."

"I'm sure", Willow responded.

"Okay, fine", he amended, "I was worried."

The redhead smiled into the phone.  "Its okay Xander, I'm fine.  I just decided to stay at a hotel last minute.  I was out until really late and didn't want to wake you and Anya up."

He was silent for a moment.  Willow could hear his steady breathing. Leaning back against the headboard, she waited for him to speak, wondering
what he was thinking about.  Absently, she ran her fingers through her dozing mate's hair.

"Will you be staying with us tonight?", Xander asked, his voice surprising the wiccan from her thoughts.

"Honestly", she said, sighing, "I don't know."

"As long as you're okay...", he hedged.

"I'm fine."

"So what's the plan?"

"I'm gonna bite the bullet", Willow said.  "I plan to swing by Buffy's around noon."

"Do you want me to be there?", Xander asked.

"No.  I have to face her alone."

"Alright... you're right.  Good luck Wills.  Uh, Wills--", Xander stammered.

"Yeah Xander?", the redhead asked, a small frown marring her brow.

"Good luck and tell Deadboy hi."

"Thanks Xander", she said, her voice soft with shock.  But, her old friend had already hung up, the dial tone sounded annoyingly in her ear.

After another perplexed moment, the witch hung up the phone, sinking back into her mate's arms.

"He knew somehow didn't he?"

"Yes", Willow replied, her face still reflecting her surprise.  She shook her head ruefully.  "Wow, do you think its possible Xander is actually starting to grow up?"

Angel chuckled, the rich sound vibrating from deep within.  "Anything's possible love.  Especially in Sunnydale."

"You're right", she sighed, an errant finger tracing a random pattern on her mate's muscled chest.

"You know...", Willow murmured, "I should still be mad at you."

"Probably."

Sighing again, the redhead sat up suddenly, flinging the sheets off.

Angel groaned unhappily, realizing she was leaving.  Striding naked and in complete confidence, she picked up her clothing and began to don them.  They were all she had at the moment, she would have to make a quick stop at Xander's for a change before she went by Buffy's.  Since he had her bags.

"You're going to see Buffy", Angel stated.

Willow nodded.  "Its time."  Smiling slightly, she walked over to him memorizing the sense of satiated sensuality that seemed to ooze from his pores.  Unable to resist any longer, the witch kissed her vampire tenderly.

Groaning, the souled vampire threaded his fingers in her long scarlet hair, deepening the kiss until she could feel moisture seep from her core.

"Stay."

She groaned, "I can't", and pulled away from her mate's tempting flesh. Willow left without looking back, aware that although the sun could no
longer trap him, it would prevent him from leaving, if only so as not to have his presence broadcasted in Sunnydale.
 

~Part 35~

Spike woke slowly, languorously, enjoying the sensation of warmth his lover's body gave.  Amy was wrapped around him, her head on his chest.
Blinking, the vampire slowly turned his head to check the time, and swore quietly.

"Amy... Amy, luv... wake up."

"Don't wanna."

The blond vampire grinned.  "You have to pet.  You have work.  You're already going to be late..."

The witch groaned, but didn't move.

Devious mind already at work, Spike planned his next move.  Carefully, he moved his lover's head off of his chest and onto a pillow.  She frowned, and he smirked.  He could tell, the move did not make her happy.  But since he planned to make it up to her, that was okay.  Stifling a chuckle, the
vampire trailed his hand up one of Amy's pale thighs.

The young woman, moved subtlely into the caress, mumbling something incoherently.

Growing bolder, Spike traced the seam where her legs pressed together, and smiled widely when Amy sighed quietly, her legs falling open slightly.

Desire raced through him, at the delectable sight.  The pale skin, and deep, steady heartbeat; the slow, even breathing.... she was lust personified, a smorgasbord of beauty, and power.  Amy was his equal, and the sight of her trusting, exposed vulnerability in his bed, in his arms, was a damned
powerful aphrodisiac.

Hungry eyes traveled, the blond witch's form, finally settling on her fragrant, moist center.

Sliding himself gingerly down the stretch of mattress, Spike drew in her musky scent, smirking in satisfaction.  He could smell himself as well. Good.  Even if the bloody white hats had no idea Amy was his, the demon community would.  If anyone ever touched his witch, they would answer to him.

Unable to help himself any longer, Spike's lowered his mouth to his sleeping lover's sex, and pushed his tongue slowly and deeply inside her.

A low, deep moan was his reward.

"SsssSpike!", Amy cried, the last vestiges of sleep chased away by the feeling of his talented mouth and tongue devouring her.

"SpikeSpikeSpikeSpike", she chanted as her hands drifted down her body to clench at the short, bleached locks at his head.

"Good... so good...", she mumbled, eyes wide and staring at the ceiling of the chipped vampire's crypt, as his tongue flicked at her core.  When that lovely tongue moved its attentions to her clit, it was her undoing. It was with a scream of abandon, that Amy came, hard.

She was panting and boneless by the time the tremors began to ebb.

"Good morning pet", Spike said smugly.

"Remind me to never *ever* get you an alarm clock", Amy breathed.

"Speaking of clock--"

"Oh shit!  I'm going to be late", she cried, almost falling out of the bed in her haste.

The vampire chuckled, she went through this almost every morning.  Or at least, almost every morning when she spent the night with him.  In truth
that didn't happen nearly as likely as wanted.  The thought threw a damper on his mood.  He didn't like it when she wasn't with him.  She belonged with him, always.

"Spike."

He blinked, and noticed Amy was already dressed.

"You're coming by the shop after dark, right?"

"Do I have to pet? Slutty and the rest already think I'm the most pathetic creature they've ever come across. Why do you insist on having me humiliate myself?"

The wiccan shook her head sadly.  "We've talked about this Spike, and you know I'm sorry to make you do it, but Sunnydale needs its Slayer.  She's falling apart Spike, but one thing that hasn't changed is her belief that everything revolves around her.  Buffy thinks you're in love with her, and
we're going to keep her thinking that.  Especially now... with her mother's death and this whole thing with Dawn and Glory...  Buffy needs one stable thing, and unfortunately, you're it."

Spike sighed.  She was right and he knew it, but he didn't have to like it.  The Slayer was fragile, she was falling apart before they're very eyes piece by bloody piece.  She was relying on him more and more, without even realizing it.  He patrolled with her, watched her back, and had even lately found himself in the rather awkward position as her confessor.

Although the vampire didn't give a flying fuck what happened to the Slayer, he did care about Amy, and much to his chagrin, Dawn.  If keeping Buffy from falling apart kept his girls safe, then he'd continue to do it.

"I'm sorry Spike", Amy whispered, kneeling by his side on the bed.  "Hopefully now that Willow's here, this will change.  If anybody can reach Buffy, its Willow."

"You know I'm only doing this for you and Nibblet don't you?", he asked.

"Yes, and I love you for it", the blond girl said sincerely, eyes shining with emotion.  Leaning forward she kissed his cheek.  "I have to go to work."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow found herself in front of the Slayer's house, an hour later.  She stood on the porch, completely unsure of what to do, or what to expect.

She closed her eyes and forced herself to become conscious of her breathing. 'Slow... steady... in.... out... in... out', she told herself.  'Relax.'

Taking a last deep breath, the redhead knocked on the door decisively.  There was no answer.  She knocked again.

"No one's home, can I help--  Willow?"

The wiccan turned at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, mildly surprised to find a young brunette.

Willow looked at the girl in confusion.  Something about her seemed familiar somehow.

"I can't believe you actually came back here!", the girl shouted.  "You've got some kind of nerve after how you hurt my sister, you bitch!", she spat.

"I'm sorry", Willow began, her brow furrowed, "do I know you?"

Whatever else the girl was going to say, stopped abruptly.  A stricken look of hurt disbelief raced across her pretty face.

"You don't-- You don't remember me?", she gasped.

"No I--"  Just then, their eyes met, and everything changed.  Images, memories, emotions, thoughts suddenly seemed to *form* in Willow's mind.  It was as if she suddenly had two sets of memories....

The green-eyed redhead blinked.  What the hell was that?!  She blinked again.  "Dawn", Willow gasped, "you're Buffy's sister who's... uh, not...
her--never mind... I remember you now, you're Dawn."

The young brunette mouth trembled, before straightening in a stubborn line the hacker recognized right away.  Although Willow saw the teen's arm move, she did nothing to stop the slap in coming.

"You're not welcome here Willow Rosenberg.  Buffy... all of us, we've been through enough, no thanks to you.  Leave my sister alone!  You've hurt her enough!", Dawn shouted angrily, before running down the sidewalk and out of sight.

"Ouch", the witch said quietly, rubbing her cheek.

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