Part 1

Willow walking quickly through the campus back to her dorm room.  She tried to hurry because Sunnydale after dark was so not fun.  Arms grabbed her from
behind lifting her off her feet.  A strong hand pulled her head to the right as a pair of fangs bit  into her neck.  *Shit,* she thought to herself.  *Not again.*

Swinging her foot  back as hard as she could her heel connecting to a shin.  The grip on her waist loosened as did the bite on her neck.  With all her strength she struggled.  She could feel the blood trickle from the wound and drip along her collarbone down between her breasts.

She felt a rush of air at her back and then she was covered in vamp dust.  *Thank God.*  Turning around she expected to see Buffy, but stood starring at a tall blond in full Grr mode.

"Spike."

"Pet."  His blue eyes leered at her cleavage.  Closing his eyes he forced the demon back and his human face fell back into place.  "You really should get that cleaned up."

"What?"

He returned his stare back to her neck.  Stepping closer to her he lowered his head and licked from the collar of her shirt to the wound on her neck.

"Hey.  Knock that off," she said pushing back from him.  Grabbing a tissue from her pocket she pressed it to the side of her neck.

"Time to go inside, luv."  He lifted her fallen book bag.

"Okay, but no licking," she said in her sternest Willow voice.
 

"Do I have some sign over my head that says 'Free Blood Bank.  Bite me.' that only vampires can see?" Willow asked as they took the elevator up to her dorm room.

"Kind of."

"Seriously?" she asked in awe.

"Well, Pet, not an actual sign, but your innocence is intoxicating."

*Innocence?* "I've had sex."

Spike chuckled as he opened the door.  "Not that kind of innocence, luv."   He moved to enter but found himself barred by an invisible barrier.  Willow continued into the room.  "Pet?"

Turning she looked at Spike leaning against the door frame.  "Oh, come on in."

Buffy looked up from her homework. "Hey, Willow.  Spike, how did patrol go?" Spotting her best friend holding a blood stained tissue to her neck she jumped up from the desk.  "Willow, again?"

Willow rolled her eyes.  "Yeah, it's been a Bite Me kind of month."

"That's the third time this month, Wills.  What the hell is going on?  Do you have a sign over your head or something?"  Buffy asked as she grabbed the first-aid kit out of her closet.

"Third attack this month?"  Spike asked as he wandered around the room.   "Have you told old musty britches?"

"No , the first bite was while on patrol with Buff.  I figured it was a kind of 'in the line of duty' thing," she explained as  Buffy taped a bandage to her friend's throat.

Out of the corner of her eye the slayer watched the British vampire stroll casually around the dorm room.   Although Spike had been working with the group for a few months, she trusted him as far as she could throw him.  *Actually as far as Xander could throw him,* she amended her thoughts.  "Will, are you sure it wasn't Spike who bit you?"

"Buffy!" The redhead was shocked at her friend.  Well not that shocked but Spike hadn't  caused trouble since coming back to Sunnydale.  *That we know of anyway.*

"What?  He's a vamp, Will.  It's my job to slay them not make nice."

"This was a straight grab and go kind of attack.  You know Spike likes to play with his food for a while."

Spike watched  the pair  from the mirror over the dresser.  Quietly he pulled open the top drawer. *Well, well, well.  So this is Slayer's Secrets.*

Spike was being too quiet.  Willow glanced over her shoulder to see him poking through her underwear drawer.  Quickly she jumped up and rushed over to slam the drawer shut almost catching his fingers in the drawer.

"What do you think you're doing?"

He arched a brow as he thought for a second.  "Looking for clues?" He raised his hand to dangle a pair of red satin knickers.  He watched the blood rush to her face as she grabbed the garment from his grasp.  *Maybe not the Slayer's after all,* he pondered the scrap of nothing.

"Well, there will be no more licking or clue looking around here," she said as she poked her finger at his chest.  *Wow, that's quiet a pectoral muscle.*

"Licking?  What licking?" The slayer looked between the two of them.

"Well, you wouldn't want all that sweet delicious blood to go to waste, now would you?" Spike asked as he continued to stare at the blushing red head.

"You licked Willow?"  She waited for some sort of reply from someone.   Spike and Willow simply stared at each other.  "Hello.  Did you want to hear about Willow's second attack?"

Spike turned to look at the annoying blonde. He pulled a chair out and straddled it . "Sure."

"It was last week here in the room. I woke up to find a vamp stuck to Will's throat.   I staked him."

"That's your solution to everything, isn't it?" Spike asked.

"Works for me."

"Sweets, did you know him?" he asked the redhead.

"Yeah. He was in my math class. I hadn't seen him in class for about a week. I ran into him in the library and he asked if he could borrow my notes. I invited him in. I should know better."

"Did he say anything else? Maybe a clue as to why?" Spike watched her green eyes dart around the room as she thought about that night.

"No. He pretty much just attacked."

Spike reached his hand out to stroke her cheek. "You know no one has any finesse anymore. No style." He leaned closer to her his forehead resting against hers. His blue eyes piercing into her green. "I would torture you till the sun came up."

"Really?" she asked breathlessly.

"Definitely."

"Okay, people. Wills, I think you need to get some sleep and Spike I think you should patrol and see if you hear anything. We'll talk to Giles tomorrow." The slayer couldn't believe that her Willow, shy, timid, mousy Willow was being all flirty with big bad Spike the vamp. Some evil was definitely at work.
 
 

Part 2

Willow sat on the watcher's couch sipping her tea. He was checking a couple of references in his musty collection. "Well, Buffy. I can't seem to find any pattern to the attacks or timing. It is possible that they were random."

"Three vamps on three separate nights attack three different girls.   That'srandom. Three, three, Willow. I just don't like those odds," the slayer stated. The more she thought about it the more she didn't like it.  Something was going on. "Willow, have you done any spells lately? Summoning?   Enchantments?" Giles asked the young witch. He didn't like that she was   drawn to the craft, but as he couldn't stop her he tried to guide her as much as possible.

"No. Well I did have a zit last month. I've done that glamour spell before and nothing like this has happened. I've been pretty busy with school lately to do more than a couple of blessings and cleansing."

"Well, I'll keep looking but unless we get some more information I think it would be best if we just keep our guard up." Giles said as he closed the book he was looking through.

"I think you should drop your late class, Wills," Buffy suggested.

"I can't drop it. I need it to get into a couple of classes next semester."

"Well, then I'll meet you after class and walk you back to the room."

"I guess."

******

The next few days and nights went buy uneventfully. Buffy met Willow after her class and walked her back to the dorm. Buffy stood waiting for Willow one night. She watched as students left the room. After everyone except the professor was gone she walked into the room.

"Excuse me. Have you seen Willow Rosenberg?" she asked the man gathering his papers and stuffing them into his briefcase.

"Huh? Oh I don't think she was in class today."

"Thank you."  *Not in class? Where is she?* Buffy worried as she left the building.

****

Willow woke up in the library. *Oh, no.* She looked around for a clock. *9:30. I missed class. Buffy is going to be so worried.* She gathered her books and shoved them into her bag. She heard a noise behind her. Turning she saw a group of five vampires staring at her. *Oh, shit.*

She left her books where they were and ran for her life, literally. Slamming the library door open she took off down the sidewalk. Of course there weren't any people on the street. Luckily she wore her tennis shoes today. She forced air into her lungs. She could hear the feet pounding the pavement behind her.  *Oh God. I'm going to die.*

Turning her head she glanced behind her and saw the pack was gaining.  Suddenly she hit a brick wall. Falling to the ground hard, she looked up to see a vampire leaning down to grab her. Willow scrambled to get away from him. A strong hand latched onto her ankle. The rest of the pack had caught up with her. She could feel hands grabbing her and ripping her clothes.

She cried and screamed. Nails scratched her skin. They were swarming over her like ants on a donut. Tears streamed down her face. Her voice was getting scratchy as she screamed. *ohgodohgodohgod. Idon'twanttodie ohgodohgodohgod.* They scratched her face and arms trying to get a hold of her to bite.

Over the din in her head she heard a faint roar. Little by little the weight on her body lessened. Her struggles to get free were working as hands released their hold. Finally the last body was lifted from hers.  She scrambled to hide under a bush. *ohgodohgodohgod. Idon'twanttodie.* Over and over in her head she repeated the thoughts. She was barely conscious of the scratches and blood running from her skin. Wrapping her arms around her knees she rocked back and forth.

Spike held the stake firmly in his hand as he stood back to back with the slayer. He could feel the blonde breathing hard.

"Willow," she called to her friend. She ran over to the bushes where Willow sat rocking. Moving the branches aside she reached in to touch the bloody knee. Willow shrieked and moved back further into hiding.  "Sweetie, I need you to come out now. It's safe. They're gone."  *I've never seen Willow this frightened. Please let her be okay.* Again she reached in to touch her friend. The shaking girl buried her head into her knees and stared sob.

Buffy crawled out from the bushes. Looking at Spike she sighed and shook her head. "She won't come out. What the hell is going on? Why would a pack of vamps attack Willow?"

"Let me try." He dropped to his knees and crawled into Willow's hiding place. He sat in front of her. He didn't touch her or try to talk to her. He just listened to her sobs and watched her rocking back and forth. After a few minutes she lifted her face. She had scratches along her cheeks and neck. Her green eyes were red from the tears and her hair was matty and streaked with dirt. Spike held out his hand and waited for her to place her small battered hand in his. His cold fingers closed over hers but didn't grip with much pressure. Quietly he led her out from under the bushes. Once back under the stars she stopped. Silently she moved into Spike's arms. He bent down and placed his arms around her and lifted her slight weight against his chest. Her arms wrapped themselves around his shoulders and buried her head into his neck.

Buffy stared at the pair in disbelief. "How?"

"I lived with Dru for most of her un-life. I've picked up a few things. Let's get out of here."

"I don't think we should go back to the dorm. Too many people."

"My place is close by. We can go there to get her cleaned up."

"Okay. I should call Giles and Xander."
 
 

Part 3

The two blondes walked in silence to Spike's apartment just off-campus. The slayer dug his keys out of his duster's pocket and unlocked the door. Once inside Spike walked over to the couch and bent over to lay her down, but Willow tightened her grip and buried her head further into his neck. Still holding her he sat down with her in his arms.  Absently he stroked her hair while he watched Buffy call Giles.

"Giles, Willow's been attacked again. It was pretty bad. We're at Spike's. I'll explain when you get here." She hung up and went to kneel in front of Spike. She brushed Willow's hair from her face. "Willow, let's get you cleaned up, okay?"

The green eyes that stared back at her were so scared and haunted.  "No one's going to hurt you here. It's safe."

Spike picked her up again and led the slayer to the bathroom and set the frightened girl on the toilet. When she wouldn't release her grip on his shoulders he stared into her eyes as he whispered, "I won't let anyone hurt you. You're safe. Let Buffy help you clean up, okay?" Once her grasp loosened and her hands fell limply into her lap, he pressed his cool lips to her forehead. Turning to Buffy who was adjusting the water in the shower he told her, "I'll get some clothes for her."

"Thank you, Spike."

He walked out of the bathroom. *Who ever is responsible for this will pay. Big time,*   he thought as he grabbed a black tee-shirt and a pair of sweat pants.  He left Buffy to care for Willow. In the years he had know the little redhead he had never seen anything take that spark from her eyes. She has fought demons and vampires. Hell she even stopped an Assention. He even did his best to terrorize her, but even though she was scared she still had that spark in her eyes that made her Willow. Someone was going to pay.

Buffy helped Willow remove her tattered clothes. Actually she did most of the work as Willow just sat there staring into space. Someone was going to pay big time for this. No one messed with the slayer's best friend like this. "Willow, can you stand sweetie?"

Woodenly Willow did stand up although she swayed a lot. Quickly Buffy removed the ripped and bloody jeans and panties from the pale girl.  Sitting her back on the fuzzy seat Buffy removed her clothes as well. She knew Will wouldn't have the strength or will to stand in the shower by herself.

Assisting her friend into the warm spray of the shower she slid the shower door closed and held both of them under the water. Running her hands through the matted, dirty hair she reached for the shampoo. Careful not to scrub too hard on her cuts and bruises, Buffy soaped and rinsed her friend.  Turning off the water she stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel from the back of the door. She wrapped the fluffy cloth around Wills' shoulders.  Spotting another towel on the towel rack she wrapped herself in it.   Willow allowed Buffy to dry and dress her. But when Buffy picked up a comb from the counter and tried to combe out the tangles Willow screamed.

The bathroom door flew open and Spike rushed in full Grr mode. Seeing him Willow stopped screaming and stumbled over to him. Wrapping her arms around him she snuggled into his chest. Wrapping his arms around her his face slipped back in place. Giles stood behind the blonde vamp.

"Okay. It's getting a little too crowded in here. Spike, see if you can get Willow to let you comb her hair. I'll get dressed and be out in a minute,"
Buffy said handing Spike the comb. Spike lifted Willow in his arms and carried her out to his bedroom.  Giles followed.

He could see the scratches and bites on her arms.  Her face was hidden in Spike's chest. Spike hadn't said anything regarding the attack.  He supposed he would have to wait for Buffy. He watched Spike sit on the bed and lean against the headboard. Willow curled up against him. Gently he started combing out her shoulder length hair.

The bathroom door opened and Buffy walked out with a towel wrapped around her head. She had put her clothes back on. Sitting at the end of the bed she watched Spike and Willow.

"Buffy, what happened?"

"I went to Will's class and she wasn't there. I know she was at the library earlier researching a paper she had due. I headed over to the library to see if she was still there. Half way there I found her being mauled by a pack of vamps. Giles, they were all over her. She was on the ground trying to get away. Kicking and screaming. I jumped in the fray and started staking 'em. Spike showed up a few moments later. We finished them off in a couple of minutes. Willow had crawled under a bush and I couldn't get her out. She wouldn't even let me touch her. Giles, what the hell is going on?" Buffy whispered to her watcher. She didn't want to disturb the peace Willow had found.

"I don't know, Buffy. I don't know."

Spike listened to the two whisper between themselves. They may not know but he was going to find out. Willow had finally fallen asleep. As gently as he could he lifted her off his body and tucked her under the covers. "If you two can keep an eye on her I'm going to see what I can find out," he said as he grabbed his black leather duster from the chair in the corner and left the apartment.
 
 

Part 4

He wandered the streets of Sunnydale. Entering Willie's he walked up to the bartender. "Willie."

"Spike, didn't realize you were back in town."

"Yeah, well. I've been hearing rumors about the slayer's little hacker friend."

"What kind of rumors?"

"Well, mate, that's what I want you to tell me?"

"Plan on making a little mayhem?"

"A little? Since when did I make a 'little' mayhem?"

"Don't know what's going on, Spike, but the word on the street is she's ambrosia."

"Ambrosia?"

"Most desirable flavor of the moment. Everyone's been fighting over who's going to drank her to the last drop, if you know what I mean."

"When did this start?"

"Oh, about a month ago. Being friends with the slayer has discouraged most from even trying."

"Yeah, that little blonde bitch has been a thorn in my arse ever since she came to Sunnydale."

"Are there any other rumors you've been hearing, Spike?"

"Yeah just one," he paused as he lit a cigarette. Looking up at the fat balding man, he said, "The hacker belongs to Spike." He turned and left the building. Hopefully Willie would spread the word that he wanted Willow and the handful that weren't scared off by the slayer would be scared of him.

****

Spike entered his apartment to find Xander and Giles sitting in his living room.    He left them sitting there while he grabbed a bag of O negative from the fridge.  Tossing it in the microwave he stabbed at the buttons.   He removed the bag and poured the warmed liquid into a coffee mug.  *For God's sake, now I'm acting like that pouf, Angel.*  With his vampire hearing he noticed the sounds of a struggle in his bedroom.  Rushing into the room he saw Buffy trying to hold Willow down.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?" he said as he pulled the slayer off the struggling redhead.  He pulled the flailing arms gently down to the bed. "Hush, Pet.  Spike's here."  He stroked her hair away from her face.   "Hush."

"Does he remind you of anyone in particular?" Xander asked from the doorway.

Spike threw an icy glare over his shoulder.  *Bleeding sod.  If I could I would kill that limy bastard.*

Xander saw the treating glare and took it to heart.  "Me either."

Returning his attention to Willow, he brushed the back of his fingers against her heated cheek.  "What happened?  Why were you holding her down, Buff?"

"She's been restless since you left.  She started thrashing around.  I was afraid she'd hurt herself."

"She seems all right now."

"Yes, she does.  Why is that?  Why are you the only one who can comfort her?"  Spike wondered the same thing.  Changing his position on the bed he removed his duster and leaned against the headboard.  Willow curled up against his leg and rested her head on his thigh.

"Did you find out anything, Spike?" the watcher asked.

"The only word on the street is that Willow is the flavor of the moment.  For some reason every vamp had taken it into his head he has to have her."

"Why don't you want her then?" Xander asked.   Seeing his best friend using Spike as a snuggle bunny was unsettling to say the least.

"Who says I don't?"

Buffy pulled her self up ready to take Spike out if he so much as looked at Willow wrong.

"Relax, Slayer.  I'm not going to harm Willow.  From the rumors on the street the only reason there haven't been more attacks is that Willow is the Slayer's best friend.  I've put the word out that I want her so that may deter the rest of the population.  However, there's always someone stupid enough to try."

*****

When Willow started moaning in her sleep, Giles suggested, "I think we should go home and let Willow get some rest."

Buffy stared at her watch in disbelief. "Giles, I'm not leaving Willow here by herself." Willows leg kicked out from her curled position and hit Buffy where she was sitting on the bed. Spike stroked her hair and shushed her.

"I think Willow will be fine with Spike. She seems more settled with him. Willow will probably appreciate it if you went to her classes and got her homework for her."   *I hope I'm doing the right thing. Although I don't trust Spike, he has never done anything to hurt Willow since he joined the group. In fact, he seems almost protective,* Giles pondered.

"I don't like this, Giles."

"Maybe you should talk to that coven she's been attending. See if they've done anything that might be causing this. It's almost sunrise. Spike probably wants to get some rest just like the rest of us."

"Fine," the slayer relented before turning on Spike. "So help me if anything happens to Willow while she's in your care, I'll stake you myself."

"If you had done a better job yourself, ducks, we would be here, now would we?" *Bloody chit. Who did she think she was? High and mighty Slayer.*

"Why you.." Buffy was seeing red. *Bastard. Who did he think he was? Bad ass vamp.*

Giles placed his hand on the slayer's shoulder. "Yes, well. Buffy, Xander, we should be going now." He emphasized the last word hoping to stress the need to leave before more blood was shed.

"Fine." Buffy got up and grabbed her bag in one hand and Xander in the other.

After the door slammed shut behind the trio, Spike released a sigh. "About bloody time."
 
 

Part 5

Willow forced her eyelids open. It would have been so easy to slip back into the dark peace of sleep. The pillow under her head was cold and hard. She looked to see why the pillow didn't have it's usual fluffiness. *Since when do I own a black denim pillow case?* She looked up and saw Spike sleeping upright against the headboard. He still wore his black tee and red silk shirts. *Oh. Why am I sleeping on Spike?* She looked around the room. *Spike's apartment.* A quick check verified she was indeed dressed. It also reminded her of last night's events when she looked at the scratches. Tears started to fill her eyes. She felt a hand stroke her hair. Looking up she saw a pair of icy blue eyes staring back at her. *Spike.*

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Sore."

"Do you remember what happened?"

"I remember waking up in the library and a pack of vamps chasing me down the street. I ran into one and they started mauling me. I've never been so scared, Spike. After that I don't remember so much. How did I get here?"

"Buffy and I found you. We brought you back here cuz it was safer than the dorm."

"Where's Buffy?"

"Probably in class. She was going to get your homework and tell your professors you have the flu or something so you don't have to go to classes for a while."

"Okay. Has Giles figured out what's going on yet?"

"Not yet. I think he thinks its a spell or something."

"Oh. I don't suppose you have anything for me to eat around here, do you?"

"Sorry. Wasn't expecting company."

"I suppose I could call Xander."

"If you must." Spike got up and walked into the living room with Willow. All the windows were heavily draped so he could walk around freely.

****

Willow found the cordless phone and dialed Xander's number. "Xander. It's Willow."

Xander sat up straight. "Willow, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay."  *About as okay as you can get after being mauled by a bunch of vampires.*

"Spike hasn't hurt you, has he?"   *If he has, I'll kill him.*

"No." *Why does everyone always think Spike is going to hurt me.  Okay so he tried to kill me a few times, but he didn't really mean it.*

"Well, I'll be over in about ten minutes, okay?"

"Could you bring me something to eat when you come, please? Spike's not set up for human company."  *God, I can't believe how hungry I am. Don't think I've ever been this hungry.*

"Sure. Anything special?"

"Anything will be fine."

****

Willow dozed on the couch as Spike sat across from her. He watched the highlights in her hair move as lamp light reflected. The knock at the door startled her out of her nap. Spike got up and opened the door. Xander stood holding a bag of fast food in one hand and a full grocery bag in the other. Spike grudgingly stood aside to let him enter.

"Hey, Willow. You're looking better," Xander said as he handed Spike the grocery bag and set the smaller bag on the coffee table. Spike took the food for Willow into the kitchen. Xander put his arms around his best friend.

Willow stiffened and pulled away from the embrace. She got up and moved to the chair across from Xander with the table between them. She didn't know why, but Xander's touch repulsed her. In fact the idea of anyone touching her was uncomfortable. Silently she took the paper bag and pulled out a couple of hamburgers and an order of fries.

"Thank you for brining me something to eat, Xander," she said as she bit into the burger.

"Not a problem, Will. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"I don't know. You seem kind of distant."

Spike walked over to the chair Willow sat in and rested on the arm. "She was attacked by a pack of vampires last night, you twit. Of course, she's going to be skittish."

Xander watched Spike rest his hand along Will's back. "She doesn't seem to mind your touch, Deadboy Jr."

"Xander!" Willow was shocked at the hostility in her friend's voice. While Xander never claimed any affection towards Spike, he usually remained somewhat civil around Willow. "Spike saved me."

"Buffy did most of the work. Mr. Impotence here can't fight remember."

Spike growled. There was a lot of things he wanted to say to the fop, but he could sense the fragile redhead was getting upset. He rubbed her back trying to soothe her.

"I know Buffy helped save me. I don't know why, but I just feel safe with Spike. I know he wouldn't hurt me," she said. Before Xander could comment on Spike personal issue, she added, "Even if he could."

Spike was amazed that she thought that way. The trust he felt from her was unbelievable. He had tried to hurt her when he came back to Sunnydale. When he thought about it almost every time he came back he sought her out to hurt her. That she would trust him after everything she trusted him when she was at her weakest. Glancing at Xander who looked ready to start a new argument, Spike said quietly. "I think if you can't get along with me, you should leave before you upset Willow anymore."

"Why should I get along with you?"

"First of all, it's my apartment."

"And second?"

"Xander, please?" Willow pleaded. All of this animosity was giving her a headache.

Xander could see the tears forming in her green eyes and that was the only reason he relented. "Okay, Will. For you, but I'll be back. Giles wanted to stop by later this evening to check on you."

Spike stood to escort the boy to the door. "Tell him to call first."

Willow slumped against the back of the chair. She pulled her feet under her. She still held her half eaten hamburger in her hand. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew she had resisted Buffy's efforts for help last night.
 
 

Part 6

Willow woke from her nap.  Hearing voices in the living room, she pushed aside the covers.  She felt stronger, more centered.  Unfortunately, she wasn't more coordinated.  She could stand okay; it was the walking part that tripped her up.   Or to be more accurate Spike's sweatpants she was wearing.  She rolled up the excess material.  *I may look like a dork, but at least I won't fall on my face,* she thought as she opened the bedroom door.  In the living room she found Giles, Buffy and Xander surrounded by books.  Spike was out on the balcony smoking a cigarette.

"Hi," she said quietly.

"Willow, how are you feeling?" Buffy asked as she stood up to hug her friend.

"Better," she replied hugging her back.  The two girls separated.

Buffy looked into Willow's eyes.  The spark that was Willow was back in hose green eyes.  She smiled.  "It's good to have you back, Will."

Willow rubbed one of the scratches on her arm.  "I don't remember a lot of what happened after the attack, but I know I was kind of..."  She couldn't think of the right word.

"You went through a traumatic experience, Willow.  I think everyone understands if you weren't yourself," Giles said looking at Xander.

Xander stared at the floor.  "Will, I want to apologize for the way I acted earlier."

"It's okay.  I wasn't much better.  I'd like to have that hug if it's still available."

He stood and hugged her.  "Always, Will."

Spike stood at the sliding glass door.  While he wasn't exactly thrilled to have the Scooby gang invaded his home he'd put up with them to see the smile on Willow's face.   "Have a good nap, pet."

"Yeah, thank you, Spike," she smiled shyly at him.  She wasn't sure but he looked even sexier if that was possible.  Turning away at his intense stare, she nodded to the books piled on the coffee table.  "Have you found anything yet?"

"Sadly, no.  I've gone through almost all the books on prophecy and can't find anything to help us," Giles said shaking his head.  "It has to be some kind of spell.  Do you feel anything odd?"

"No, but I've never had a spell cast on me before.  Well, except for that one I did to have my will done.  And then I didn't even realized it had worked."

"Don't remind me.  God, I still have nightmares about kissing Spike." Buffy shuttered.

"Feeling's mutual, Slayer."

*I wish Spike would kiss me the way he was kissing Buffy in the mausoleum.    With less clothes.  Where did that come from? Bad Willow.*  She realized that everyone was staring at her.  "What?"

Buffy chuckled at the blush staining Willow's cheeks.  "What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

"Yeah, sure.  Anyway, I've tried to talk to that Wicca group you used to hang out with, but they're pretty flaky."

"I doubt they had anything to do with it.  They're just a bunch of talkers.   They think spell casting belongs in Disney movies."

"Well, we're going to keep looking.  Buffy, I think you should patrol tonight," Giles said as he gathered up his books.  "Xander, can you get that pile over there, please?"

"Sure thing, G-man."  Giles rolled his eyes.  No matter how many times he'd asked the boy to stop calling him that, he still did it.  *I give up.*

****

After everyone had left, Willow and Spike sat on the couch.  "You don't have to baby-sit me, Spike.  I'm sure you have other things to do."

"Not really.  Do you want to watch the telly?" he asked picking up the remote.

"Sure."  She curled up in the corner of the couch as Spike turned on the set.  Together they watched the late night talk shows.
 
 

Part 7

Buffy turned the corner and bumped into a blonde girl.  "I'm sorry," Buffy said as she looked at the shy girl.  "Don't I know you?"

"No.  I know your roommate Willow.  I'm Tara," she introduced herself.   It was the most she'd ever said to anyone on the first meeting.

Buffy searched her memory for Tara's name. <Tara, Tara.  Oh, yeah.>   "You were part of that Wicca group Willow used to hang out with, right?"

"If you want to call them that.  They didn't do much of anything except talk," she said.  *Wow, I'm on a roll.*  "Anyway.  Um..have you seen Willow today?  She was going to meet me for breakfast this morning."

Buffy tried to remember everything  Willow had told her about Tara.  She was a hereditary witch, kind of like Amy.  She glanced up and down the hall.  *Too crowded.*  She grabbed Tara's wrist and pulled her down the hall to her dorm room.   Unlocking it she dragged the stunned girl in behind her.  "Will's kind of sick right now so she's staying at a ...well I guess you could call him a friend for lack of a better word."

"Is she okay?" Tara glanced around the room.  Her eyes settled on the rat running in the wheel.  *Odd.*

"Yeah.  Listen, Tara, have you heard of that group trying to cast any kind of spells or anything like that?"

"They wouldn't know a spell if it bit them on the butt," Tara chuckled.   Seeing Buffy's serious face sobered her up quickly.  "Why?"

"Tara, please don't take this the wrong way, but have you tried casting any spells lately?"

"Well, sure.  I have to practice..."

"On Willow?" Buffy interrupted.

Tara found a spot on the toe of her shoe endlessly fascinating.  "Yes," she whispered.

"What was it?"

"You mean it worked?  My spells never work out right."  This was amazing.  She didn't understand why Buffy would look so upset about it.

Buffy grabbed her shoulders.  "Tara, what did you do?"

Tara started to get scared.  *Maybe it didn't work out all right after all.   Maybe something happened to her.  She's my friend.  I was just trying to help.*

"Tara!"  Buffy knew she was being a lot sharper with the poor girl than necessary, but she needed to know what was going on.  "Please.  I'm not mad at you.  I'm just worried about Willow and I know you care about her, too.   Please just tell me what you did.  Do you remember the spell?"

"She really is okay, isn't she?  I mean..."

"She's fine.  For now, but I need some information."

"I have the spell back in my room.  It was an old spell form one of my great-grandmother's books," she sniffed.

"Take me there," Buffy commanded.

****

Willow looked at Spike napping on the couch.  He'd fallen asleep after watching Jerry Springer.  She smiled when she thought about the way he yelled at the TV.  It was kind of disturbing when she realized his chest didn't rise and fall like a normal human.  She ran her gaze from the top of his peroxide blonde hair pausing momentarily at his chiseled cheek bones.  She admired the way his black tee-shirt clung to his lean frame.  *Oh to be that shirt,* she thought.  *Where did that come from?   Bad Willow.*  She continued her scan skipping over his hips.  *Definite bad thoughts.*  Her eyes caressed his black denim clad thighs.  She shifted in her chair by the time she got to his feet.  She had to smile at the big toe poking out the hole in his sock.

Willow closed her eyes and sighed.  She didn't know where these thoughts and feelings were coming from, but she knew she had to stop.  True she'd always had a kind of crush on Spike, but it was something she'd never explore.  *Not that Spike would return these feelings.*  She felt more in control and opened her eyes to find a pair of intense blue eyes staring at her.  *Oh my.*

Spike could feel her eyes on him almost as if she were touching him.  He watched her from under his lashes.  As she took inventory of him he returned the inspection.   Her red hair almost sparkled from the lamp behind her.  Her pale skin had a slight flush to it as blood flowed through her veins.  He could hear her heart rate accelerate slightly as her breath seemed to catch in her throat.  *Wonder what she's thinking about,* he mused.  He saw her bright green eyes move farther down his body so he opened his own fully.  Her soft shoulders were covered by one of his tee-shirts.  He could just see her breasts outlined by the loose material  *Oh to be that shirt,* he thought as he felt himself respond.  Her legs were tucked under her.   Her bare feet were covered by the long ends of a pair of his seat pants.   He could just see the tips of her toes.  She was wearing silvery-blue nail polish on her toes.  *What I wouldn't give to lick those toes.*

He heard her sigh and turned his attention to the entire picture.  And what a picture it was.  She had an air of innocence about her yet there was something very seductive about it.  He knew he wanted her.  Hell he'd wanted her from the first time he'd laid eyes on her.  Of course in the beginning it was just as a snack, but she grew on him.  Her green eyes opened and widened when they saw him staring at her.  A flush started from the shirt collar and continued up her face.  Spike wondered how far down it went.

Instinct made him get off the couch slowly so as not to startle her.  He made his way across the short space separating them.  Her eyes followed his every move.

She saw him rise from the couch and make his way over to her.  *Oh God, he's coming over.  What do I do?*  She couldn't move.  All she seemed capable of was staring into his blue eyes.  Even when she felt his hands around her waist.

He lifted her slight weight and settled himself into her chair.  He pulled her onto his lap her knees braced on either side of his hips.  His hands moved up her sides until his thumbs caressed the sides of her breasts.  He lifted his hands and cupped her flushed face. Pulling her forward he felt as if her hands burned his skin as they intertwined behind his neck.  Their mouths came together with a fiery passion.
 

Part 8

Buffy followed Tara into the room.  The blonde witch went immediately to the book shelf and began searching through the stacks of leather bound volumes and notebooks she had piled there.  She tossed aside the notebooks when she couldn't find the spell.   *Think, Tara, where did you put it?*  She noticed a red notebook tucked under her bed.  Leaning over she picked it up.  Quickly flipping through the pages she spotted the correct pages.  Her neat handwriting filled two pages with directions on ingredients and incantations.  She was glad she had noted down the volume the spell had come from.

"Found it."  She handed the notebook to Buffy and looked for the original book.  "That's what I used to cast the spell.  I know the original book is here somewhere... Here it is, " she said as she pulled out the correct volume.   She had placed a Willow leaf between the pages to mark the place.

Buffy leaned over the other girl's shoulder to look at the pages.  "What language is that?"

"Latin.  I had to translate it.  Maybe I translated something wrong."

"Can I borrow that?  I promise to bring it back," the slayer asked reaching for the book.

Tara held the book to her close to her chest.  "Can I come with you?"

"I don't know."  She wasn't too sure how Giles would feel about her bringing Tara with her.

"Please?  I feel responsible," she pleaded, her blue eyes filling with tears.

"Okay.  Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"I know someone who can read that dead language and he's knowledgeable about this kind of stuff," she explained as they headed out the door.

****

Spike's hand had worked its way under the loose tee-shirt Willow wore.  She pulled her mouth away and arched her back grinding her hips into his.  He groaned  and set his mouth to her exposed throat.  He could smell her blood running through her veins, but kept his demon in check--barely.

Willow groaned when she felt his dull teeth nip at her skin.  *This is wrong.*   The thought came from nowhere.  She resented it's intrusion but it had cooled the fire running through her body.  Not by much but just enough that she tried to pull away from the sexy vamp she was sitting on.  He held
onto her with a fierce passion.  He wasn't about to let her go now that he had her in his arms.

"Spike.  Stop," Willow said as she pulled on his short hair.

Reluctantly, Spike stopped but didn't release the red head.  "Yes, pet."

She looked into the blue eyes that were tinted golden by the demon inside of him.   "Spike, this is wrong."

"Why?"

"It just is.  You don't want me."

He chuckled and arched his hips into hers.  "I beg to differ, luv."

Her eyes widened when she felt the evidence of his want.  "It's not really me you want. It's the spell or whatever it is causing this...this..."

"Desire?"

"Yeah.  That."  She was relieved he understood.

"I don't think so."

Willow struggled to pull away.  "Spike, please.  Let me up."

He released her and moaned as she climbed off his lap.

"Sorry."

"Don't worry about it, pet."  He sat watching while Willow paced nervously.

"Don't worry about it?  How can I not worry about it?  I'm turning into a slut."  His eyebrows perked up as her voice continued to rise.  "And you.  You're no help.  You're just a horny bastard waiting to get laid."

"Aww.  I didn't know you cared."

Willow wrapped her arms around her waist.  "I don't." *Liar, liar. Pants on fire.*  "If Xander were here I'd probably be all over him, too.  Or Giles."  *Eww.  Evil thoughts.  Now I'm going to Hell.*

"Cor, don't make me vomit," he said as he stood and began to stalk the nervous girl.  He wanted her and spell be damned he was going to make sure she knew it.

"The point is that this spell, or whatever, is making us do strange things. Things we wouldn't normally do or want to do."  She paused to look at Spike. He wasn't sitting in the chair.  *Where'd he go?*  She heard a growl right behind her. She turned just as Spike tackled her to the ground.

He made sure his arms and knees took the brunt of their fall.  He wanted her but he didn't want her to get hurt.

Willow could feel her resolve weaken as his mouth covered hers.  Her hands slipped from his waist to slide into his back pockets.  Her fingers flexed against the firm muscles of his butt.

Spike pushed her shirt up her body.  When it bunched underneath her arms she released her hold on him to lift her arms over her head.  He tossed the shirt aside.  He stared at the new flesh revealed.  *I must have done something good to deserve this,* he thought.
 
 

Part 9

"Giles, can we fix this?" Buffy asked as she watched her Watcher looking through books.

"I think so.  We just need a simple reversal spell," he muttered to himself as he picked up and discarded one book after another.

"Can I help?" Tara asked.

Giles looked over his glasses at her.  "Don't do anymore spells that require translation."

"Okay," she said softly.

****

Willow felt the cool air brush her bared skin.  Feeling a little shy about her attributes she tried to draw her arm across her breasts.  Spike lightly gripped her wrists to prevent her from denying him the pleasure of looking at her "charms."  She stared into his icy blue eyes.  "They're not very big. Not like Buffy's," she whispered.

Spike lowered his head and kissed the ivory swell of her breasts.  "They're perfect, Pet."  He licked his way up from there to the crook of her neck.   "Now what's that  saying?  Oh, yeah.  Anymore than a hand full would be a waste," he whispered in her ear as he proceeded to demonstrate.

She arched her back as he nibbled on her neck.  The sensations his dull teeth caused ran down her spine.  She moved her hands across the lean muscles of his back.   Annoyed by the fabric covering her access to his skin, she began to pull the shirt up.  Spike sat up and straddled her thighs.  Reaching his hand over his shoulder he pulled the soft cotton over his head.

While the shirt trapped his head and arms, Willow sat up and feeling wicked she licked the exposed nipple.  Spike's moan caused her to explore a little more.  With her teeth she nipped at them.  Quickly Spike tossed the shirt in the same general direction Willow's had gone.  Staring into her emerald eyes he pulled both of them backwards until he was on the bottom with Willow straddling his hips.

Willow wasn't sure what to do next.  The one time she'd tried to be aggressive with Oz, he'd rejected her.  In an unusual show of submission Spike reached his hands over his head and wrapped them around the leg of the couch.  He patiently waited for her to make the next move.  Well, not too patiently.  He rocked his hips into hers.   Willow placed her hand in the center of his chest to steady herself.  Shyly she ran her palm over the smooth cold skin.  Lifting her hand until only her index finger touched him, she traced a line from between his pecs down until it dipped into his navel.

Even her slightest touch drove him to the brink.  Closing his eyes he tried to push back the desire to throw her to the ground and have his way with her.  He felt the soft brush of her hair as she leaned forward and placed light butterfly kisses on his skin.

"Cor, you're killing me, luv," he whispered.

"You're already dead," she chuckled.

"And it's all you're fault."

"Spike?" Her wet tongue licked the side of his neck.

"Yes, Pet."

"Touch me." He felt the sharp nip of her teeth as she bit the skin over his jugular.

Instantly he released the tight hold he had on the couch and brought his shaking hands to cup her breasts.  His lips claimed hers.  Their toughs battled each other for dominance.

"What the hell is going on?" a voice came from above them.

Willow looked up to see her best friend glaring down at them.  "Buffy!"   She tried to sit up, but Spike held her close to him.  "Spike, let me up."

He glared at the Watcher standing behind Buffy.  Giles finally caught the unspoken message and turned around.  Spike sat up and held Willow close to him.  His eyes scanned the room for the discarded shirts.  "Since you're not really doing anything, Slayer, why don't you get your friend a shirt over there?"

Willow blushed as she remembered her state of undress.  Buffy marched over to the fallen clothes.  Picking them both up she handed the embarrassed red head hers and threw Spike's in his face.

Quickly Willow pulled the soft material over her head and slid her arms through the sleeves.  She kept her eyes downcast and wanted the floor to open up and swallow her.

Spike's fingers brushed the silky strands behind her ear.  "Nothing to be ashamed of, pet," he whispered in her ear before brushing a soft kiss against her cheek.  She looked into his eyes and gave him a sweet smile.  *I live for those Willow smiles,* he thought as he pulled his own shirt on.  He left the hem hanging out.  Turning his attention back to the two intruders, he set a scowl on his face.   "Don't you people knock?" he snapped.

"We did," Buffy snapped back.  "When no one answered we let ourselves in.  For some odd reason that I can't remember we thought you might like to know we found out what happened to Willow."

Willow looked up at her blonde friend.  "Was it a spell?" she asked.

Giles took a seat beside Willow on the couch.  "Yes.  Apparently, you're friend Tara here attempted an attraction spell on you."  Willow looked up to find her new friend standing in the doorway.

"Tara?"

She rushed forward and hugged Willow.  "I'm so sorry, Willow.  I mis-translated some of the words.  I didn't mean for anything bad to happen."

"I'm okay, Tara," she said as she held her hand.  Returning her attention to Giles, she asked, "You figured it out right?  You can reverse it right?"

"Yes,  it was a simple spell and will probably wear off eventually so a simple reversal spell will work."

"What was the spell?" Spike asked.

"Originally it was to attract business for an undertaker and I changed  the business aspect to romantic aspects," Tara whispered.

"In other words it romantically attracts the dead to Willow," Buffy said as she folded her arms across her chest.

Willow looked between Buffy, Tara and Giles.  "Oh," she sighed.   *That's why Spike was attracted to me.  I knew he couldn't want me if it wasn't for a spell.*

Spike watched the little witch carefully.  He knew exactly what she was thinking.   While the spell may have effected him, he seriously doubted this Tara chit had cast a spell on Willow  two years before they'd actually met. "Well, what are we standing around for.  Break that spell."

*He wants this to be over.  I'm so embarrassed,* she thought as she tried to avoid Spike's piercing gaze.
 

Part 10

The group cast the simple spell and everything was over in about twenty minutes.   Buffy stood up and started gathering Willow's things.  "Well, that's done.  Come on, Will.  I'll walk you home," she said.

As Willow stood to leave, Spike reached out and grabbed her hand.  "We need to talk, pet."  He wasn't about to let her leave thinking he really didn't want her.  He watched as Buffy sat down on the couch.  "Alone."

"It's okay, Buffy.  Spike can walk me home to make sure the spell worked," she said with more confidence then she felt.  She really didn't want to stay and talk to Spike, but the sooner they got this over with the better.

She didn't want to leave her friend with her ex-enemy, but Giles pulled Buffy off the couch and out the door.

"Now where were we?" Spike said as he started to lean into the confused red head.

"What?"

"Before we were rudely interrupted.  I seem to remember we had fewer clothes on," he said as he pulled his shirt off.

"You mean it didn't work?"  *This is bad.*

"I'm sure it did.  Tweedy is usually pretty good at these kind of things.   Let's get rid of this."  He reached for the hem of her shirt.

Willow pulled away from him and started pacing.  "How can the reversal spell have worked if you still want me?"

"I've always wanted you," he said as he followed her around the room.  He ran into her back as she stopped in her tracks.  His arms wrapped themselves around her waist.

Turning she looked into his eyes.  "You?  Wanted me?  Before?"

He leaned his forehead into hers.  "Yes."

"Really?"

He chuckled at her.  "Yes.  Now can we get back to business?"

She ran her hands up his chest.  Twining them behind his neck she whispered, "Spike?"

"Yes, pet?"

"Bite me."

He laughed as he bent down and lifted her into his arms.  Striding to the bedroom, he replied, "Definitely."

THE END
 

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