Pairing: W/S (as always)
Summary: Maybe he does see.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Let's say Season 5. Spike has just begun his crush on Buffy. (ewww) Anyway, but, there is someone who loves him. (Harmony doesn't count). Tara's just a friend.
Distribution: My site, Gunnin' Down Angel http://angel.wicked-raine.com , Red's Soul Mates, Willow's Lil Secret, Willow Spike Forever, Near Her Always, Cat's Hellmouth Cafe, Angelic Vamps, Cyberline, Rapture. And anyone else who has permission. If you do not, just ask and I'll say yes.
Feedback: Pretty Please!!!!! I crave it like I crave Spike and Lindsey McDonald.
Dedication: To Inell who wanted more fluff.
Author's Note: ~~ = Willow's thoughts. ^^ = Spike's thoughts
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Willow ran out into the sunlight where she knew he couldn't follow, and stood in the alley crying those unshed tears. It was devastating to her. But, she would be strong. Her emotions wouldn't be stomped on this time. She would nip this thing in the bud right now. Yup, the bud definitely needed nipping. Meanwhile, Spike paced up and down in the practice room. ^Who the bloody hell did this to her? Why won't she talk to me about it?^ He pulled out a cigarette and lit it as he continued pacing. ^Whoever it is that hurt her, I'll rip his bleedin' throat out.^ He stopped pacing. ^His? She didn't tell me she was seeing anyone? Why wouldn't she tell me?^ He crushed the cigarette in his hand as his eyes turned yellow. ^She can't be with anyone else. She's mine.^ He thought to himself. ^Since when?^ His mind answered him back. ^Since you've been obsessing about the bloody slayer to her? Don't you think she gets tired of that, mate?^ His thoughts were interrupted as the door from the store opened.
"Spike, what are you doing here?" Buffy asked sounding incredibly annoyed. "Is that smoke I smell? You know Giles doesn't like." she was interrupted before she could finish the last sentence.
"Would you shut the hell up, slayer?" Spike yelled.
"Look, Spike. I don't want you here. I don't love you. Hell, I don't even like you. Why can't you understand?" She interrogated.
"I don't give a shit about you, slayer." He said as the realization of that statement dawned on him. "I have to go find her." He said more to himself as he pulled his duster over his head to brave the sunlight before running out of the back door.
"Find who?" Buffy asked the empty room before shrugging and turning to go back into the store.
~~~*~~~
Willow looked up as the back door to the Magic Box swung open and smoking duster appeared as it nearly passed her. "Spike?" She asked with surprise. Luckily for him, she was sitting on some boxes in the shade at this point. He ran to get out of the sun.
"What are you doing, trying to become the latest addition to the dust population?" She asked.
"No." He pouted. "I was going to go looking for you."
"In the 'I'll burn to a crisp' frame of mind today?" She asked sarcastically.
"If it means finding out who hurt you and seeing you smile again, then yeah. I am." He looked into her eyes. They were still red and puffy, but she'd never looked more beautiful to him.
She wanted to believe what she saw in his eyes, but she knew he was out here being nice to her because she was his only connection to Buffy.
"You know, Buffy's inside. Why are you out here with me?" She asked.
"Because I just figured out something." He chuckled. "You know, I used to be a smart bloke. A scholar, even."
"I kind of figured that." She replied with a smile. "You're still really intelligent and highly perceptive." She paused. "In most cases."
"Exactly. In most cases." He sighed. "Willow,"
"You said my name." She interrupted.
"Just, let me get through this, okay?" He asked. She nodded. "I just figured out that I don't love the slayer." Her eyes widened. He took a deep breath. "When she walked in the room after you went out the back, all I could do was think of ways to torture and maim whoever it was that hurt you."
"Spike, I-I don't know what to say." The witch stammered.
"Just tell me who it is." The vampire replied. "Chip or no chip, I'll eviscerate him."
"Why?" She asked wide-eyed and innocent.
"Because he hurt you." He answered matter-of-factly. Then, he smirked. "And no one hurts my Red."
"YOUR Red, huh?" she asked playfully.
"Well, would've been my Red, if I had opened my eyes sooner." He said with defeat in his voice. "If he's going to hurt you like that, knowing he's got the most beautiful, intelligent, vibrant woman in the world, then he really doesn't deserve you." He answered staring off into space. He then turned to look back at Willow. "So, where is he so I can eviscerate him?"
She stared at him for a few moments seeing the truth in his words. ~He does see me.~ "Well, for starters, the chip won't go off when you start to work on him." She said casually.
"He's a demon!?" Spike was shocked to say the least.
"Uh-huh." She answered coolly. "But, also, I don't want you to kill him."
"Why not?" He asked, thoroughly disappointed.
"Because." she replied. "I'm completely, totally, head over heels, can't live without him, in love with him."
Spike sighed. "Right then." He said with regret in his voice. "Makes sense. I promise not to kill him. I want you happy, you know. If that means not killing the wanker, then so be it."
"Thanks." She replied. "Besides, I really didn't think you were into suicide." Then, it was her turn to smirk.
"I'm not. But, what does.?" He looked at her in shock.
"I think I see the light bulb above your head coming on." Willow said smiling.
"You love me?" He asked. "That's why you were crying?" She looked down. "Oh Red." He said and he pulled her to him. At that moment, she felt so safe and secure as his strong arms encircled her. "I swear to you, I'll never hurt you again. Ever." He whispered in her ear as he continued to hug her.
She pulled away a little to look into his eyes. "You mean it, don't you?"
"I am so in love with you, Willow. I just wish it wouldn't have taken me so long to see it." The vampire said sincerely.
"But you do." She replied with a smile. "You see me."
"God, yes." He replied as he pulled her in for the most tender, passionate kiss either one had ever received.
The End