Willow walked down the library steps and basked in the warmth of the sun
                 for just a moment. She smiled. It had been months since she had really been
                 happy with herself. But now, she had moved on from her ex, accepting that he
                 wasn't coming back, and had taken on a new love. It was wonderful. The
                 attraction had been a bit bizarre at first, and Willow had honestly been
                 scared to take the first step. Would Buffy understand? Would Giles or
                 Xander? Finally, she realized that an eternity without him was something she
                 didn't want.  She remembered the look of surprise on his face when she
                 kissed him. Then she remembered the cocky grin that sat on his face the rest
                 of the evening.  The relationship progressed quickly from there, and last
                 night, they made love. It was sweet and tender, and filled with passion and
                 desire, everything that lovemaking should be. She smiled as she thought of
                 him. Spike. Of all people, it was the last creature on earth she would have
                 imagined wanting to be with the rest of her life. Willow stopped her
                 daydreaming and continued down the steps of the building. It was then when
                 she saw him with roses and an uncertain smile on his face. "Oz." She
                 muttered.

                         She couldn't help but smile at him. She had missed him, whether she wanted
                 to admit it or not. Willow ran up to him and Oz caught her in a crushing
                 hug. "Oz?!? It's really you?"

                         Oz smiled, glad at her reaction. "Yeah. Willow…I am so sorry for
                 everything. I need to talk to you. Oh, these are for you." He handed her the
                 flowers. All he wanted to do however, was kiss her and make love to her
                 endlessly. Show her the passion he had been dreaming about ever since he
                 left. Oz was aware that it wasn't the right moment. He had hurt her, albeit
                 unintentionally, and knew that she would need time. He could take it slowly.
                 He had in the beginning of their relationship, and was willing to do the
                 same again.

                         "Thanks Oz. I have missed you so much." She said. Then her smile turned
                 into an expression of sadness. "Things have changed since you left, Oz."

                         Oz cupped her chin in his hand and looked into her eyes. "I'm sure they
                 have. I am willing to pay for the mistakes I made, Willow. This wasn't easy
                 on you. And for that I am sorry. I want to make it up to you. Just let's
                 catch up okay?"

                         Willow caught her breath and nodded. "Okay. But I can't now. Tonight. At
                 Giles. I want the rest of the gang to see you as well. Then you and I can go
                 talk by ourselves. I think after that meeting, you and I will have a lot to
                 talk about."

                         Oz nodded. He wasn't happy about the situation, but knew that he shouldn't
                 push Willow. Instead, he gave her a peck on the cheek. "Tonight. Giles.
                 Eight O'clock okay?"

                         "Yes." Willow did her best to smile. "See you then."

                 …………………….

                         As soon as Oz was gone, Willow ran to her dorm room in search for Buffy.
                 Luckily, she was there sharpening some stakes. Buffy saw Willow and
                 immediately looked alarmed. "What happened Willow? Did someone attack you?"
                 she led Willow over to her bed.

                         "No… it's… it's…." tears began to roll down the redheads face. "Oz came
                 back." She whispered.

                         "Oh, my God. Oz is back? What did he say to you?" Buffy handed Willow a
                 tissue.

                         "Well, he…"she started. "Well, Goddess! I was so happy to see him at first,
                 ya know? Just to know that he was still alive. But then anger and guilt set
                 in. Anger about everything he did. Sleeping with Veruca, leaving me alone so
                 he could deal with problems himself. I mean, why couldn't he have stayed to
                 talk things out with me. I mean, when I kissed Xander, I stayed. I didn't
                 run away from my problems. And then there was the guilt." Willow looked down
                 at the comforter on her bed.

                         "From Spike." Buffy said, understanding her best friends dilemma. Buffy had
                 seen the crush developing form both sides. She saw how gentle and
                 understanding Spike was around her. She also saw how Willow brought out the
                 best in Spike (what little there was). They both understood the other.
                 Although Buffy hated to admit it, it was like the two completed each other.
                 Buffy gave Spike a few vague threats about dustpiles if he ever hurt her,
                 but she ultimately gave her approval. The rest of the gang had too,
                 reluctantly.  Now, for the past few months, the two had been together. So of
                 course, Oz shows up to complicate things.

                         "Should I feel so guilty? I mean, he has been gone for over seven months."

                         "No Will. You shouldn't"

                         Willow then went to explain that she was meeting him at Giles apartment at
                 eight that night. She had convinced everyone to go. Buffy, Xander, Anya, and
                 Giles. However, there was the one person she hesitated to call.

                         "Willow, you have to call Spike. He doesn't have to necessarily go, but he
                 deserves to know that Oz is back."

                         "I don't think I can. He may kill Oz."

                         "I know." Buffy smiled.

                         "Buffy! No. As convenient as that may sound, no. I still care about Oz. But
                 I can't call Spike. I have to tell him in person."

                         Buffy smiled as she saw Willow plaster on her resolve face. There was no
                 stopping the girl now.

                 …………

                         The afternoon sun was setting quickly and Willow rushed to the apartment
                 that Spike rented. 'Only two and a half hours…' Willow thought with dread
                 and anticipation, knocking on Spike's door. Spike opened the door
                 cautiously, avoiding what little there was left of the sun.

                         "Willow." Spike led his redhead into the apartment. He wrapped his arms
                 protectively around the girl and gave her a searing kiss. Spike could feel
                 tension throughout the girls body. "Luv, what happened? I can feel your
                 muscles tensing."

                         Willow backed away from the vampire and smiled. Her green eyes met his
                 blue, and she instantly longed to be back at last night, when he had taken
                 her with such intensity, that she couldn't think, all she could do was feel.
                 Feel him, his strength, his need. She blushed at the memory and put it aside
                 for more pressing matters. "Well… I don't know where to start."

                         Spike kept his distance. This wasn't good, he could feel it. After a couple
                 minutes of silence, Spike couldn't take it anymore. "Bloody hell, what is it
                 Willow?!? Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to tell me?"

                         Willow looked at him after he had finished blowing up at her. She opened
                 her mouth to speak, but all that came out were sobs and tears. "Spike… he
                 came back… this afternoon."

                         Spike was confused. "Who Red? Who came back?" he walked over to her.

                         "Oz." Willow whispered.

                         Spike picked Willow up and embraced her and let her cry for a few moments.
                 He hated the dog. He hated everything that Willow had told him about the
                 wolf-boy and everything he had done. Spike couldn't understand why boys in
                 this time period were so daft. What ever happened to staying with a person
                 through thick and thin? He turned his attention back to his redhead. "Luv,
                 what did the wolf-boy say to you?" Spike asked, lifting her chin.

                         "Well… he said he was sorry and that he wanted to talk to me…"

                         "And you told him to shove it up the bugger's arse… right?" Spike looked
                 down at the girl, who just stared straight ahead. "Right?" he prompted
                 again. "Willow, maybe you don't quite catch on, but this is the point where
                 you are supposed to tell your Spike that you told him to sod off."

                         "But I didn't"

                         "Why the hell not, Luv?" Spike was furious. The sun had set. He wanted to
                 find the boy and rip his head off. If it weren't only for that stupid bloody
                 implant. Damn thing.

                         "Because I loved him, Spike. Goddess, and as angry as I was with him, I was
                 relieved to know that he was all right and alive. So tonight, I am going to
                 talk to him." Willow set her resolve face.

                         "Like bloody hell you are!" Spike picked up a lamp and smashed against a
                 wall. "You are to have nothing to do with that boy. Do you understand?"

                         Anger flickered in Willow's eyes. "No Spike. No, I don't understand. For
                 one, you are not my owner. Just because we made love once doesn't mean that
                 you have the right to tell me what I can and can't do. Second, I want to see
                 him. I need to see him. And you are not going to stop me!"

                         Spike advanced toward Willow and shoved her hard against the wall. "You
                 wanna make a bet, Red? I will not allowed that nancyboy to apologize to you
                 and ride you off into the sunset. I have invested too much time in you Red.
                 Last night, I told you Red that you were mine. No one else's. Mine. M-I-N-E.
                 It was my name you screamed last night in the throws of passion, not
                 wolfboys. And I will be DAMNED if I have that all taken away from me."

                         There was something that flashed in Spikes eyes for just a moment. Willow
                 recognized it. Fear. Willow immediately began to feel sympathy for Spike.
                 She had grown to love this demon, this vampire. She had grown accustomed to
                 his rages and his fits, and still always came out finding him endearing
                 somehow. She knew he was scared, and couldn't express that to her. She
                 lifted her still shaking hands and placed them on his biceps, calming him,
                 letting his demon calm and disappear into the recesses of the man she loved.
                   Once that was accomplished, she let one hand glide up to his face, resting
                 it on his cheek. "Spike." She began calmly, "I am not going anywhere. Do you
                 hear me? Nowhere. Last night was the most incredible night of my entire
                 life. Not a million nights with Oz could match what I felt with you. It's
                 you, Spike." She looked softly into his eyes. "You are the one I'm meant to
                 be with for the rest of my life. Even if you left me today, and gave me my
                 entire life to find another love, I wouldn't. Because your it. You are the
                 one I am destined to be with. The fates had this planned the entire time. I
                 know they did. Tell me the truth- do you ever think of Drusilla anymore,
                 ever?"

                         Spike couldn't help it. He was like putty in her arms. The only thing he
                wanted to do at that moment was shag her rotten. Shag her for being so
                 understanding, so nice, so caring, for loving a man who knew nothing except
                 evil and darkness, and for always accepting him. He looked at her, the anger
                 gone, and answered truthfully. "No Red. Only of you."

                         Willow smiled. "Exactly. That's how I feel about you. I admit I am shaken
                 about Oz being here, and I do love him- but as a friend. Nothing more. I
                 don't think of him that way. It has been only you in my dreams for months
                 and months now. I love you."

                         "Red." Spike lifted his witch in his arms and dragged her to the bedroom.
                 "I am going to shag you so senseless right now that any thoughts you may
                 have about that wolfboy will be screamed out of your system so that you only
                 think about me."

                         Willow kissed him desperately. "I was kinda hoping you would say that."

                         Willow was late. She had tried to convince Spike that his being there at
                 Gile's apartment would only dampen things, but he refused to listen to
                 reason. Spike was convinced that Oz would try something desperate to get
                 Willow back, and Spike would be damned if he let anything happen to his
                 mate. Willow walked briskly to the apartment anxious to get there.
                         "I don't know why you are so nervous, luv. It's only wolfboy, after all."
                 Spike commented offhand.
                         "Why am I so nervous Spike? Could it be that I haven't seen him in months,
                 without explanation of where he has been or what he has done, or where he
                 thinks our relationship is? OR could it be that I have to explain why you
                 are here in the first place, let alone the fact that I am now with you and
                 not him?" Willow took a much-needed deep breath to calm herself down. She
                 looked at Spike critically. "Do you remember your promise?"
                         Spike rolled his eyes and nodded. "Yes, pet. I am NOT to interfere with the
                 conversation you and the wolfboy has."
                         "And?" She prompted.
                         "And I am not supposed mention anything about our relationship until you do
                 so."
                         Willow looked at him. "And?"
                         "Bloody hell. You have to many pretenses. Why did I agree to them all
                 again?"
                         Willow smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Because if you didn't, and
                 you tagged along anyway, I was going to withhold any kind of  'relations' we
                 might have for an entire month."
                         "Oh yeah. You can be so cruel sometimes." He responded, grabbing her hand
                 protectively.
                         "Well, I learned from the best. So tell me-what is the last condition?"
                         Spike rolled his eyes. "Fine. We will play it your way. I am not, under any
                 circumstances allowed to maim or kill the twit. Luv, I really think the last
                 one is unnecessary. I mean, with this thing in my head, I would only be able
                 to maim him slightly if at all, let alone kill."
                         "Yeah, but you will still try." Willow responded dryly.
                         "Well, I protect what's mine. Luv, we are almost here." He stopped the
                 redhead at looked down at her. "I promise I will try not to do all those
                 things. But if he hurts you, I will find some way to hurt him.  I protect
                 what is mine."
                         Normally Willow would feel hostile about being talked about like a object
                 that could be owned, but she was aware that Spike was only talking out of
                 concern. She kissed Spike long and hard before continuing to walk ahead. "I
                 love you. Remember that. No matter what is said tonight, in the end, I will
                 be with you."
                         "I know Red. I'll just have to keep telling myself that." Spike let go of
                 Willow's hand as they climbed up the steps. Spike remained outside the house
                 until Willow had made sure Oz wouldn't attempt to stake Spike in a moment of
                 confusion.

                         She looked around the living room. Everyone was there for support. Buffy,
                 Anya, Xander, and Giles were all there. Oz was in the corner, sitting on a
                 chair looking at all of them, trying to make the most of an awkward moment.
                 When they heard the door open, all eyes turned gratefully towards Willow.
                 "Has he been informed of the situation?" she asked.
                         "Yeah, Wil. We told him about Spike's condition so he wouldn't stake him."
                 Buffy replied. She gave a look that stated, 'Don't worry- we're  not stupid.
                 We didn't tell him about the relationship.'
                         "Thanks." Willow leaned out the door. "Hey Spike. All's clear. No one is
                 going to stake you."
                         "Yet anyway." Xander muttered under his breath. Buffy shot him a look.
                         Spike walked in and looked icily at Oz. "So, wolfboy's back? Funny- I don't
                 remember anyone missing you while you were gone. Maybe you should go back
                 where you were." Willow gave Spike a look that clearly said 'Shut up'.  The
                 blond vampire leaned back against a wall where he had a good view of the
                 boy.
                         "So, everyone is here. Good. Okay, Oz I am really sorry for saying this but
                 I think it needs to be said. Where the hell have you been?"
                         Oz looked at her guiltily. He had been hoping this would be easy. He now
                 knew he had been naïve to think so. He didn't appreciate all the stares he
                 had gotten. But most of all, from the vampire sitting in the corner. Oz
                 still didn't understand why he was there, with the gang.  Spike was a mortal
                 enemy. Oz looked at Willow. "Are you sure you want to talk about this here?"
                         Willow stared at him. "Yeah. Speak now. Where have you been?"
                         Oz looked around nervously. "Well, I kinda traveled a lot. First I went to
                 LA, then I decided to go to Seattle. That is where I took up residency."
                         "Where all your stuff was moved to? When you couldn't let Willow know that
                 you had sent for all your stuff?" Buffy stated coldly.
                         "Look- I needed it okay? I don't think I need to explain to all of you why
                 I didn't inform Willow that I moved for a while."
                         Buffy got up at stared down at him, anger filling her. "Oh, I think you do.
                 This is my best friend you are talking about. She went through hell after
                 you left. Did you care? No. It was easier for you not confront her. Instead
                 we had to pick up the pieces after she found your room empty. Nothing in it.
                 No explanations, no note, no nothing. All you left was her shattered heart."
                         "Buffy-" Willow warned. "I think he knows. Sit down." Buffy stood looking
                 at Oz. "Please." Buffy reluctantly did as she was asked.  "Now, Oz. I don't
                 want to appear to gang up on you. It's just that a lot has happened since
                 you left.  I want answers just as I am sure you do too."
                         Oz looked at her, remembering why he came back. She was sweet and sensitive
                 and understood him better than anyone ever could or would. "Listen." He said
                 looking around at everyone. " I want to explain why I left to you. I left-
                 not because of Willow, but because I had killed someone. A living person. I
                 couldn't stand myself. I had to learn to deal with the consequences. I
                 didn't tell Willow because frankly, I was scared to see what I had done. She
                 was a reminder of the damage I caused."
                         Spike was getting angry. The werewolf was full of it . He looked around the
                 room and saw that the slayer believed the same thing. Willow looked tired
                 and sat down. "Okay Oz. That was bullshit so fess up. What was the real
                 reason?"
                         Spike smiled. He couldn't believe his redhead had just said that. He was so
                 proud of the girl.
                         Oz looked around the room for an ally. Any ally. Instead, he found none and
                 knew that excuse wasn't going to fly. So he decided to try another tactic.
                 "Okay. The real reason I left is that I wasn't sure after being with Veruca
                 if I wanted to be in this relationship anymore. I needed space and time to
                 sort things out. I took everything because I wanted to start new. See if you
                 being in my life was a necessity. And I found out it was. I know that now. I
                 need you Willow. I missed you. I fucked up so badly. I found myself lying
                 awake at night trying to remember why it was that I left you. Finally, it
                 got to the point where I couldn't anymore.  I need you."
                         Willow's eyes welled up with tears. Oz just placed his emotions out on the
                 table for everyone to see. She couldn't help but sympathize with him. "I
                 knew that. Our relationship wasn't perfect for quite sometime. I tried to
                 ignore the wandering eye, pretend it didn't exist.  But it was there. Hell,
                 I don't blame you for that after the whole Xander incident." Xander looked
                 up at her guiltily and just wanted to crawl in a hole.
                         Spike couldn't believe what he was hearing. She was forgiving the bastard
                 for what happened. He wanted to ring the boy's throat and  take Willow right
                 there to let her know whose she was. He stared at the boy. He had victory
                 written all over his face. Oz thought he knew Willow so well that those
                 simple pat answers would be enough to win her heart back after all these
                 months. However, Willow continued talking.
                         "But it wasn't right how you just left like that. Why should I forget about
                 everything Oz?"
                         "Because I need you."
                         Willow stared at him coolly. "I know you do. But it always comes back to
                 Oz, doesn't it? What you need, what you want. I can't live like that
                 anymore. Things have changed Oz. A lot. I've grown up. If you and I are ever
                 going to be friends again, it is going to focus on me. Not  you. Got it? You
                 can't just leave for months at a time and expect me to forgive you and say,
                 'sure it's okay, baby. I'm so glad your back.' It doesn't work that way."
                         Oz looked down. " I know. I will do anything to win you back, Will. You
                 know that. "
                         Willow felt compassion  for him. She was aware he was telling the truth at
                 that moment and felt true remorse for what he did. She also knew that didn't
                 make it right. She motioned for everyone to clear out of the room except for
                 Spike. Willow walked up to Oz and hugged him. "I know you would. But things
                 have changed. I am not the same person anymore. You aren't the same person.
                 I have to tell you something. It is kind of important and I need your
                 understanding."
                         Oz looked at her confused. "Wil, whatever it is. We can work through it."
                         Willow smiled at him sadly. "No, I'm afraid we can't." Tears welled up in
                 her eyes. "You see- since you've been gone, I met somebody. He is someone
                 who cares about me unconditionally. I love him with all my heart, Oz."
                         Oz stared at her blankly. He couldn't comprehend what she had just said.
                 Then it clicked. The cold stares he had received from him. Willow and the
                 vamp coming in together. The strange smell that had been on Willow. It was
                 him.  He looked over at Spike and anger filled the college student. "No…" he
                 yelled, looking over at the vampire standing in the corner. "Not him. Tell
                 me, you are not involved with a soulless killer."
                         Tears fell from her pale face. "Yes. I'm in love with Spike. I don't know
                 how it happened but it did, Oz. I want to be with him."
                         "No. I won't accept it. You love me. I love you. You are mine!" And with
                 that, Oz lunged at Spike.

                         Oz charged at the blond vampire, fists flying in the air. Spike moved
                 quickly out of the way of the enraged young man, putting the couch in
                 between the two enemies. "I'll kill you. They filled me in on your
                 condition. You can't hurt me." Oz snarled.
                         The demon in Spike surged forward. "I don't think so, mate. You hurt me,
                 you hurt Willow." He walked over slowly to his redhead and put his hands
                 around her waist protectively. "You see, she loves me almost as much as I
                 love her. The slayer and her little gang of followers know this. They are
                 aware I would never, ever hurt Willow in any way shape or form. So you kill
                 me, the slayer will kill you. And Willow-" he stated, placing a kiss on her
                 head, "will hate you. So you see- it is a no win situation for you. What did
                 you think mate? That she wouldn't move on? That life as she knows it stood
                 still until you decided to come back?"
                         Spike backed away from Willow and stared at the werewolf. "I hate you."
                 Spike declared simply. "She was a mess when you left. Excuses or not, that
                 is not the way you treat a loved one. Red and I found that we had much in
                 common. Dru abandoned me just as you abandoned her. Soon, our tentative
                 friendship developed into more. Trust me- falling in love with a mortal was
                 the last thing on my agenda. But it happened. I dealt with it. Now you have
                 to do the same."
                         Willow was proud of Spike. She had expected him to try and kill Oz. But
                 know she realized he was much smarter than that. Spike knew he couldn't
                 possibly win the fight, and he also knew that it would devastate her to see
                 the two loves of her life duke it out to a battle of death. Instead he had
                 chosen words that would only sting Oz, and not provoke him. She reached out
                 for the vampires hand, squeezing it gently.
                         Oz however, wasn't ready to give up  so easily. "Fine vampire. You're
                 right. I won't hurt Willow. I care about her way too much. But if you think
                 this is over- think again. I hurt her. For that, I am extremely sorry." Oz
                 looked Willow in the eyes. "I am so sorry for everything I've done. I will
                 try and make it up to you. It won't be easy to gain your trust, but somehow
                 I will do it. I love you."
                         Willow knew he was sincere. Her eyes watered at the pain in his eyes. She
                 could see it from his perspective- this enemy that had infiltrated his group
                 and stolen away the girl. If she was in his position she wouldn't be so
                 understanding either. She stood up and walked slowly over to her former
                 love. "I know you do. I want us to be friends, Oz. And I know this is going
                 to sound hard, but I want you to get to know Spike. I can't stand the
                 thought of you two being enemies." She looked at Spike. "That goes for you
                 too. "
                         "But luv," he whined.
                         "No. I'm aware this won't happen overnight, but trust me when I say that
                 you will both lose me if you don't act like mature adults. Oz, I love Spike.
                 I won't lose him. You have to accept that."
                         Oz looked at his redhead. "No. I can't. I will tolerate him, but I will not
                 lose you to him. I am aware that somewhere deep down, you still want me. I
                 just have to make you see it." Oz then turned and walked out the door.
                         "Red." Spike walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. He knew
                 she was emotionally exhausted.  He also knew that he may lose her to the
                 guitarist. He was willing to woo Willow, make her see that the fates had put
                 them together for eternity. She had acknowledged that she was his, and he
                 knew she meant it. But Spike was also aware that the boy held a place in her
                 heart as well. It was just a matter of making her see who had the bigger
                 place in her heart.

                         Willow and Spike excused themselves from the conversation that the Scooby
                 Gang was having about the return of Oz after they had all made their way
                 back downstairs. Willow was aware that they had been listening all along to
                 everything, but humored them when they asked how the conversation went
                 between the three of them. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.
                         "Take me home." She whispered to Spike. "To your apartment."
                         Spike agreed and they walked home in silence.  He liked how Willow called
                 his apartment home. He had been wanting to ask Willow to move in with him
                 for some time now, and this just encouraged him more. He couldn't stand
                 waking up not next to her. Even though they had only made love twice, he
                 knew she was his other half. He wanted to be around her always.
                         They walked into the apartment, and sat down. "So Willow, how do you think
                 it went over all?"
                 Spike asked. It was the last thing he wanted to talk about, but he figured
                 that she needed to.
                         He was wrong.  She walked over to him, and placed her hands on his head.
                 "No. I don't want to think about tonight. All I want to think about is you."
                 Her eyes looked pleading and desperate. "I know you are probably having
                 doubts about who is in my heart. But I want to prove to you tonight that you
                 are the only one in here." She placed his hand on her beating heart. He felt
                 her warmth rush through him. "Make love to me, Spike. Please. I want to
                 forget everything that went on tonight and just remember… you."
                         Spike reached for her hand and walked her to the bedroom. He picked
                 Willow's weary form up and placed her on the bed gently, as if she were made
                 of glass. His lips reached down to hers, brushing as lightly as a feather,
                 leaving her lips with only a shadow of remembrance.  His hands moved over
                 her body, lifting up the sweater she had worn that day, leaving trails of
                 kisses all along her neck and jawline, down to her navel. "You are my fire
                 goddess," he whispered. "Your body is a temple that should be admired and
                 touched," he continued slowly as he shed the rest of their clothing.
                 Willow's breathing quickened at each touch, each kiss that he left. He went
                 painfully slow, touching her body with his, leaving her with sensations she
                 could have never imagined. "I only long for you, no one else." Spike said as
                 he slowly entered her. "You consume my thoughts every moment, every minute.
                 I will be your loyal servant, your personal slave." He continued whispering
                 seductively, quickening his pace. Willow was soaked in sweat, body quivering
                 at his every movement, aching for closer contact, trying to meld both bodies
                 into one. "I will do anything you want me to for you. I am yours forever. No
                 matter what happens, I love you, Willow." He reached down and kissed her
                 intimately. Spike and Willow's bodies shook as each went over the edge,
                 screaming the others name. Spike collapsed on top of her, lips pressing on
                 hers. "No one has ever made me feel like you do, Red. No one."
                         Willow looked at his blue eyes and saw the truth in them. She rolled over
                 onto his chest. "Spike. No one has ever made me feel the way you do. When
                 I'm with you, time stops. I think of nothing except how I want to be
                 touching you, inside of you. You are my other half, the one I was born to be
                 with. When you aren't around, I'm not whole. Please promise you will never
                 ever leave me."
                         Spike smiled. He knew he looked like the poof at this moment, but he didn't
                 care. "Luv, I'm afraid you're going to be the one to leave me. He holds a
                 place in your heart."
                         Willow looked him in all seriousness. "Yes, he does," she conceded. "But
                 only as a friend. I sympathize for him. If I wasn't sure who I wanted to be
                 with right now, I wouldn't be here, in your bed. I Don't want to leave you."
                         Spike smiled. "Ever?"
                         "Ever." Came the reply from his goddess.
                         Spike knew it was time to ask her. "Willow, I want you to move in with me."
 

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