~Part 1~

The music reverberated around Willows ears. {What am I doing sitting back in this place.} Willow thought to herself. {Because this place reminds you of times never to be lived again. Sort of like ... visiting a grave.} Willow sighed to herself yet again, something she had unconsciously been doing for the past half hour.

She stared down at her diet soda, wishing there was something more stronger in it. Willow felt like a real fool for being taken in by Tara's lies. It had turned out that Tara was just another wacko hell-bent on power and greed. She had knowingly lied to Willow in the hopes that their combined power would be enough for what she had planned. Tara found out too late the Willow had very protective friends that not only knew about the things that go bump in the night, but knew how to stop them. It just seemed to hurt Willow that she had risked everything for a false love.

She felt so alone in the world. How come Buffy couldn't be there for her, like she had done after the Angel incidents, was beyond Willow. Buffy was far too happy living the life of Riley, (Or should that be with Riley) and ignoring her.

Spike saw her, at first wondering where the rest of the Scooby gang were. It didn't take him too long to figure out she was there alone. He had almost been forgiven for betraying them to Adam, at least by Willow. She'd said if it had been her in that situation she would have done the same thing to have her 'normal' life back. {That poor kids' had it rough this past months she shouldn't be on her own. Her bloody 'friends' should be there helping her deal.} Spike found himself hating the Slayer even more at that thought. {Well somebody should be there with her.} And with that thought started toward her.

Ever since Spike had shown up on the Watchers doorstep no-one had really accepted him into the group, but Willow talked to him without any wise cracks or teasing about his present condition. He admired that about her and for that he felt compelled to her kindness with like. That and the fact that he had developed quite a crush on her, but he wasn't about to admit a 126 year old demon could feel giddy over a 19 year old witch.

" 'Lo Red. What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?"

"Spike" Willow snapped out of her thoughts and was more than a little surprised to find the vampire not only in The Bronze, but sitting and talking to her. "Nothing... just remembering the old times. What are you doing here?" {Oh Goddess. 'Spike'. The one who has fun through other peoples misery. Come on, lets get the wise cracks over with.} She thought to herself.

"Getting away from my miserable existence of being a non-vampire." He said looking at her near empty glass. "Want another drink?" {This kid thinks too much. Though she does seem to have more of that confidence I saw when I kidnapped her and the twerp.}

Willow looked at her glass, a little taken aback that he had not insulted her and downed the remains. "Err.. Yeah. If you don't mind. I'll have a diet coke."

"Nowt stronger?"

"I've been ordered not to from the almighty Buffy." She said her voice laced with sarcasm. "Last time I drunk you nearly married her." {Willow, not five minutes ago you wanted a drink...} Another voice interrupted in her head. {Yeah, but if Buffy found out she kick your ass}

"Well, unless you promise no spells, you better stick to coke. Don't want to end up doing the horizontal rumba with Xander now do I." {Wouldn't mind with you though} Spike chuckled, coaxing a smile from Willow.

"Alright, I promise no spells." She answered a little too quickly. She watched as Spike stood, shook his duster off and flung it over the back of the chair. {Good gods. That man is too fine for his own good. Just look at those muscles.... That man does more for a T-shirt than should be allowed....}

"So.. What'ca having?" Spike asked looking down at her. {Satan himself would be nice to Red if he looked in those eyes.}

"You choose, something that won't make me sick." Willow smiled at him as he walked toward the bar glancing at his butt before averting her eyes and mentally scolding herself {Your supposed to be brooding over your miserable love life, not thinking about Spike like that... Oh, but he could make you forget all about it...}

" 'Ere ya' go Pet. Got ya' a Vodka and Coke." Handing her the drink and sitting down. He took a swig of his beer while Willow looked at her drink as though it was going to attack her. "Don't worry Luv, It's strong but it won't bite you." All of a sudden she burst out laughing. "What?" he asked defensively.

"You just.." She shook another set of giggles past before starting her sentence again "You just described yourself."

Spike thought about what he'd just said and had a little giggle with her. She wasn't even sure that he could giggle until that moment.

Willow calmed her self down took a sip of her drink. "It tastes like there's only coke in here."

"Trust me, it's got alcohol in it."

"Trust you, I didn't think I'd be doing that a year ago." Willow raised the glass to her lips and took a big gulp. "I didn't think I'd have had my heart broken, not once but twice either."

"It's not broken, it's just temporarily out of service." A tear rolled down Willows cheek. Spike lent forward in his chair, raised his hand up to cup Willows face and wiped the tear away with his thumb. "They didn't deserve you. They don't deserve your tears. You're a beautiful young woman who just loved someone who couldn't appreciate it. You'll find someone else who will love you twice as much back, but it'll still hurt for as long as you let it. Life's all about love and loss." Willow raised her green eyes and gazed straight into his blue-grey eyes.

"Thank you" Her gaze unfaltering from his.

"What for?"

"For doing the one thing Buffy, Xander and Giles haven't since I broke up with Oz."

"What's that then?"

She raised her hand to his still cupping her face and gently pulled it down on to her lap, still holding his. She brought her drink up for another gulp with her free hand. "For sounding like you actually want to listen. The others comfort me as though all they want me to do is shut up, you sound as though you really want to help me. All they say is that the pain will get better, they never said it real feeling. You've been a better friend in ten minutes than they've been in months." She drank the remains of her drink in several gulps.

"Do you want another?" Spike asked relishing in the fact that she was holding his hand on her lap.

"No... Thanks but I... Oh no! Come on, let's get out of here."

"Why? Is something wrong." Concern was covering his face.

"Buffy, Riley and a bunch of other people with them just walked in. I don't want to be any where near them right now."

"Alright ducks, lets go out the back way." He stood up, threw his coat on and grabbed Willows hand as she started to walk toward the back exit.

She looked from their hands to his eyes and smiled. {Good Gods. He's the best I could ever hope for. He's so kind when no-one else is around to see him. He's a sheep in wolf's clothing. I could love him so easily.}

They stepped out into the cool air. {Look at her. She's smiling. I've not seen her do that for a while. I could never wish for someone with a bigger heart. Never mind this chip, I will never let her be hurt again. She deserves so much more than anyone could possibly offer.}

"Spike"

"Yeah"

"Where we gonna go now?"

"Where'd ya' like to go?"

"Do you want to watch a video, at my house nowhere near the dorms or any commando-type people, we won't be disturbed there." {Maybe I could have my wicked why with you then.... Where the hell did that come from.} Willow blushed at her thoughts.

"Sure. Shall we swing by the video store or have you got one at home in mind."

"Let's go to the store, maybe we could a vampire one and I'll listen to you complain about how that's so ridiculous."

"Sure, Luv what ever you want." Spike pulled her close, switched hands and wrapped the arm closest to her around her shoulder. Willow didn't even attempt to move away as they started to walk toward the street. "Or we could get one of those sappy one you like and I could hand you tissues all night." They chuckled in unison.
 
 

"Buffy, What is it?" Riley asked as his girlfriend looked around the Bronze.

"I'm sure I saw Willow when we walked in, but I can't see her now. Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me. Wanna dance?" She asked and grabbed his hand before he had time to answer and dragged him toward the dance floor.
 
 

"That bloke gen' us a right look, Mind you, how'd ya' explain Blade with City of Angels."

"I'm glad we compromised. So what are we going to watch first?"
 
 

Willow opened the door to the darkened house. She flipped on the lights. Picking up the mail Willow walked over and disabled the alarm, she was dumping the mail on the hall table when she heard a "ahem!" from the doorway. Willow jumped around to find Spike still stood there.

"Oh! Sorry. You may enter." She said whilst doing an elaborate gesture.

"Thanks." He walked past her and flopped down on the settee. " 'Ere ya' go." He said waving the videos above his head.

"Hey. I'm not your slave. Besides I thought we'd make popcorn first."

"Alright. Popcorn sounds good." Spike stood, tossing the videos onto the coffee table and shrugged off his coat placing it over the back of the couch. "And I bet I could make you my slave if I wanted." He mumbled.

"Sorry Spike I didn't hear you." Willow called from the kitchen.

"Nothin' luv just talkin' to myself." He stated walking towards the banging cupboards. "What's up, can't find..."

"Found it." She shrieked opening the box and throwing a bag into the microwave. "Could you get it out when it's done?, I have to get changed. It gets dusty now that no-one lives here any more."

"You mean your parents don't come home at all now?"

"No. They called me last month to tell me that I can do what ever I want with the house because they've got an apartment in..., I can't remember where."

"So why aren't you living here then?" Spike inquired wondering why anyone would live with the slayer for any longer than necessary.

"Well.., I kinda like living at the dorms, you know I don't have to be home alone, though Buffy's rarely there anymore." her voice lowering to sadness then perking right back up as she continued "Plus if it got out I have my own place with no 'parents' I would constantly be gate-crashed with nonstop parties." Willow took a deep sigh, dusted herself off resigned to the fact that she wouldn't be getting changed any time soon.

"I'm surprised Slutty's not round here bonking the commando...."

"She doesn't know, no-one knows, and I'd like to keep it that way." She stated clearly.

Spike took one stride so he was standing right in front of her, cocked his eyebrow skyward and shot her a sly look. "Sure, Luv, whatever you want." In the most sexy 'Spike' voice he could muster.

Willow blushed deeply as a mirage of thoughts ran through her mind to accompany that voice.

Sensing her reaction to his words the blond vampire moved his head slightly forward so his lips were a mere inches from her own." Whatever you want." He proclaimed in a soft tone.

{You... I want You. No.. Bad thoughts... Vampire...} Willows thoughts began arguing, but her body, not being one to wait and find out who won, lent forward and kissed his lips softly.

{She's kissing me. I never thought she would take me up... Oh will up shut up. You like her, she must like you, don't fight what you want.} And with that Spike put one hand around her waist, pulling her close and weaved the other into her fiery tendrils, crushing her lips as the kiss intensified.

Willow could feel the sparks flying between them as he pulled her close, she instinctively mirrored his arms and closed as much distance between them as she could. Feeling his hardening erection pressed against her, she snaked her hand down, grabbing his ass and grounding her hips against his. Spike moaned against her lips as she gyrated. He removed his hand from her silky hair to cup her breast, massaging it through the thin material of her blouse.

All thought and any other rational reasoning came crashing down on their passion like a ton of bricks as the microwave beeped, indicating it was done.

They both opened their startled eyes and stopped kissing. "What was that?" Spike inquired.

Willow pulled away from him, gasping and stammering "I... I... I'm sorry. I've never done anything like that before." Willow hung her head in embarrassment and stared at the floor. {Oh! Goddess. What must he think of me.}

Spike stood there looking at her {Oh good going mate. Now she's ashamed of herself, make her feel better you idiot.} "Don't worry, you can do that anytime, Pet." He walked toward her and lifted her chin so their eyes met. "Anytime." He whispered and pecked her lips softly.

"You mean... you don't... dislike... me?" Her voice tinged with hope.

"How could anyone not like you?, it would be a crime in it's self not to."

"But I thought vampires and humans weren't supposed to like each other. O.K. Angel and Buffy did, but Angel was all..."

"Poofy" Spike interjected.

"...broody with a soul."

"Would you prefer me if I had a soul, luv." Now it was Spikes turn to be saddened.

"No of course not. Your you, I wouldn't have you any other way."

"Oh, so your 'having' me now." Spike wiggled his eyebrows and his voice took on an amused tone.

"Shut up." She giggled playfully slapping his chest. "Get the popcorn out will you. I'm going to get changed."

"Would you like some help with that luv."

Willow was about to respond went a load impatient knock came from the front door.

"Who could that be, no one knows were here." Her mind began running through possibilities when her thoughts took a darker turn. "Spike come with me, in case it's some nasty. Please."

Willow headed to the door. Spike hid behind the door ready to pounce if needed. Willow took a deep breath, smoothed down her disheveled hair and opened the door.

"Mrs. O'Brien." Mrs. O'Brien was Willow's fifty-something next neighbor who had always been kind to her whilst she was growing up.

"Good evening Willow. How are you?"

"Fine. Thank you, and yourself?" Willow's curiosity was evident in the tone of her voice.

"Good. I've come over because a delivery man came round the other day, but there was no one in so I told him to leave it with us. I was hoping you would come home for the summer, as I don't have a contact number for you. Do you want to come and collect it?"

"Er.. Yes. Thanks for taking it in." Her curiosity surged even further with this news.

"You may want to bring you gentleman friend with you. It is rather a large... thing."

"Yes. We'll be round in five minutes. Thanks again."

Mrs. O'Brien started back to her house and Willow closed the door. {I wonder what it is.} Her gaze met Spike's, his own eyes display a certain amount of curiosity.

~Part 2~

Willow and Spike followed Mrs. O'Brien into the garage. "That's it over there. Would you like me to get my husband to give you a hand with it?"

"No thank you. I think we both could manage." Willow strained her eyes in the dark to get a better look a the mysterious 'package' that had been delivered. Turns out it was a rather large chest shaped box covered in brown packing paper, which looked slightly aged and was starting to tear on the corners.

"Well, Red, are we going to pick it up or just stare at it all evening."

Willow walked over to the chest. There were two ornate brass handles sticking out either side. "Come on then, I want to see who sent it." Willow grabbed one of the handles and tried to lift it but barely managed to get it an inch off the floor. "Goddess. it's heavy" She huffed.

" 'Ere, luv, let me try." Spike boasted whilst winking at her. He bent down, grabbed both handles and lifted it as though it weighed no more than a plank of wood."

Willow let out a nervous giggle looking toward Mrs. O'Brien. "He works out." She beamed, flashing a smile to Spike as he headed out of the garage. "A lot!" Willow added emphatically before running off to catch up with Spike. "Thanks again, Mrs. O'Brien" She called looking over her shoulder and waving.

Willow stepped inside ahead of Spike. "You didn't need to show off." She giggled.

"Hey, that's one of my better qualities." He retorted, setting the 'package' down in the living room.

"Yeah, it's right up there with wanting to rip everyone's throats out." She replied sarcastically, grinning as he started to stalk towards her.

"Now your getting it." Spike smiled, snaking his hand around her waist. "Where were we before we were so rudely interrupted." Bringing his mouth closer to hers.

"Actually. I think I was going to get chan..... mmmm." Spike cut the rest of her sentence with a passionate kiss.

."Well," He mumbled pulling gently away from her lips "Now your going to see what's in that box." He said pecking her lips once again.

"O.K." Willow, gleefully pulled out of his embrace and practically ran to the chest.

She sat in front of it eyeing curiously before carefully tearing a sealed envelope off of the top and setting it beside her gently. Then.... all hell was let loose on the remaining packing paper. Spike stood agog whist she massacred the poor covering. Ten children on Christmas day couldn't have made such a mess in so little time as she did.

"Oh! Wow!" She sighed. "It's beautiful." Running her hand over it, she took in every detail. It was a mahogany, hand crafted chest, about the same size as the one she kept her wicca items in , except this one looked hundreds of years old. It had elaborate carvings all over it. There was an eclectic mixture of the raised pictures, flowers and mystical symbols. The strange thing to Willow is that they all seem to look added at different times. There was an large oval on the top of the chest, the only part of the chest that remained untouched.

"Who would give me something like this?" She mumbled to herself.

"Well aren’t you going to open it?" Spike asked sounding too much like an over eager five year old.

"Yeah." Willow reached out to pull the top up, frowning when it did not budge. "What the? It won’t open. Spike..." She didn’t even need to finish her sentence before he was at her side.

"Mind out, Luv." Willow leaned back as to allow him access. Spike became visibly angry when it refused to budge, even with all his strength.

"Why won’t it open? Who would give me something that won’t even open?" Willow whined. "Why don’t you take that side, I’ll take this one and after the count of three we both try to get it open." With that they both maneuvered into position. "Ready." Spike nodded. "One.. Two.. Three. Oofff." Both Willow and Spike were sent tumbling toward the ground with ease of which it opened, but before they hit the floor a blinding white flash erupted from the chest.

They both fell to the ground unconscious.

~Part 3~

"Spike........ Spike........ Where are you?......" Willows voice seemed to be absorbed by the blackness surrounding her. She appeared to be floating, but felt like she was on solid ground, she could see nothing but her eyes saw everything, She was sensing nothing and everything at once. A fire burned within her with a empty nothingness. The confusion that was overtaking her made her more frightened than she had ever felt. "Spike.... SPIKE....." Her voice became trembled as she shouted for the one thing she could latch onto. She heard nothing in reply. Willow broke down, curling up into a ball and sobbing full heartedly as her tears left a burning trail down her face.

"I'm sorry."

Willow wasn't sure if she had heard something. She stopped crying and looked into the emptiness that blanketed her. Still seeing nothing. She called out. "What?"

"I said 'I'm sorry'. It wasn't meant to be like this." A soft feminine voice replied.

"What wasn't? Who are you? Where am I? What do you want with me? Where's Spike?" The questions poured from her mouth before she had time to think.

"Child, do let me get a word in edgewise. Our meeting. It was supposed to happen long before now. I will tell you who I am in a little while. You are somewhere that mortals often refer to as 'Limbo'."

"Limbo!" Willow shrieked, interrupting the voice. "No, no, no ... I can't be dead. This is not happening!"

"You are not dead, Child. You are only visiting this place. It is the waiting room of the dead, but also a high plain that can be visited and manipulated." The voice spoke, soothing her panicked outburst. "Do calm down and I will tell you all you need to know."

Willow took a few calming breaths before nodding her head in the complete darkness.

"My name is Charlotte I am your Great- Great- Great- Grandmother. I am one of the few true High Priestess' in the world."

"Your a witch, like me?" Willow was shocked into interrupting again.

"Yes, I am. You have some power then I take it?"

"A little." She responded shyly.

"Yes..... I know......" Charlotte's voice seemed to be talking to someone other that Willow. "She was supposed to........ Well I can not help that....... This is the reason for me being here......."

She listened intently to the one sided conversation trying to decipher it. {Well I think I can safely think that they are talking about me. Whoever 'they' maybe. Isn't my Great- Great- Great- Grandmother dead? She must be going on over a hundred years old now? Oh! Stupid! Your in Limbo! Duh! Unless....} Charlotte's continuing one sided conversation drew to a close as she called Willow out of her thoughts.

"Come, My Child. I must show you what is yours." Willows eyes grew round with curiosity and fright.

"N ... no, I can't ... I don't know you ... I don't even know what you look like. You might be lying to me." Her voice wavered at the fear she was feeling.

Just then the darkness seemed to move. It shifted colours, green becoming more prominent, then blue added it's self. A whole scenery came before her eyes.

She was standing in a meadow, the sunlight caressing her face. A movement caught her newly adjusting eyes. A beautiful woman with flowing red hair was walking towards her, attired in a simple cotton dress down to her ankles. "Now do you see enough to come with me?"

Willow stood in awe of the woman. Never had she been so shook by the visions in front of her "It's almost like looking into a mirror."

"Yes. The hair is a family trait. I'm afraid every girl ever born has had it," Charlotte smiled.

Willow looked at her in amazement. She still couldn't exactly believe what was happening to her. {Ok, Willow. First, you make a move on Spike. Now, you're talking to a woman who says you are in Limbo. Maybe you've been thinking for too long.}

~Part 4~

Willow started to walk with Charlotte. Everything was so beautiful here. The trees were a bright green ... the sky was a beautiful blue ... everything was gorgeous. {Why exactly am I here? Who is the other person Charlotte talked to before? Where's Spike?} Willow snapped out of her thoughts, remembering the blonde vampire.

"You still haven't told me where Spike is," Willow said, causing Charlotte to turn around.

"Spike ... the gentlemen who is to guide you through this," Charlotte replied, looking into Willow's eyes.

"Guide me? Guide me through what?"

"Do you love him?"

"Do I love who?"

"Do you love Spike?"

Willow was shocked. {Did she just ask me if I loved Spike? Oh goddess. I don't know. Do I?} "I don't really know," she replied, blushing.

"Willow, I need to know if you love him."

"I guess I do ... or I could grow to love him ... why?"

"Spike is to be your guardian throughout this journey. He will help guide you because his love for you is strong," she said, looking into Willow's soul. "You didn't realise he loved you, did you?"

Willow shook her head, sitting down on the ground. {Goddess. Spike loves me.}

"Child," Charlotte pleaded, kneeling in front of Willow. "Do not question your thoughts ... your soul ... or your mind. Go with what you feel ... in here ..." she said, putting her hand over her heart. "What do you feel?"

"I'm confused. You said Spike loves me?"

"Yes."

Willow started to smile somewhat. "He's my guardian?"

"Yes. He is the one that will show you the path to a true and pure love, he will care for you, protect you with out question and your love will know no bounds. Spike will guide you, spiritually, more than any teachings could offer."

"Where is he?"

"He is at your home. He could not have travelled here, unlike you, he does not hold enough benevolence toward others. It would have been far too dangerous for him to come here. Come, we need to get moving," she said standing.

Willow stood, watching Charlotte walk away. {This is possibly the weirdest thing I've ever experienced in my life. Well, besides knowing Buffy, that is}

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