Title: Comfort

Author: me. Cotti (sugar@toronto.crosswinds.net)

Rating: G- PG-13 (mild swearing, but that's about

it)

Disclaimer: Not mine, and I don't play for keeps,

just borrowing them

when I need 'em.

Spoilers: some season four stuff, Oz is gone, but

not much more.

Distribution: ask and you shall recieve.

Note: this is a coffee byproduct/sideffect. Please

playnice, and feedback is good. very good....

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

Part 22

Willow emerged from the mouth of the hall, her friends were all spread

around the living room, dining room, and the kitchen.

“Sleep well?” a familiar voice asked from the kitchen.

“Oz, what are you doing here?” she asked annoyed.

“I need to talk to you,” he said, moving towards her.

“Look, you already talked, and I listened. Then I talked, and apparently

you didn’t listen quite so well,” she ground out, she’d just woken from

a wonderful dream involving Spike, chocolate, and several other of

life’s little pleasantries. ‘Though,’ she thought to herself, ‘Spike

can, by no means, be called little,’ she giggled at her own thought, not

noticing the smug smile on Tally’s face. Apparently, aside from being

beautiful, smart, funny, a demon, and a prophetess she could read the

occasional mind, when it tickled her fancy to do so.

“Willow, I don’t know what’s wrong with you,” Oz said, shaking Willow

out of her pleasant reverie. “Last night, you were so—” he paused,

unsure of himself.

“So what, Oz? So hurtful? So mean?” she growled out the words with

threat in her eyes. “Guess what, Oz, your silence hurt me a thousand

times worse than any words could. I went through hell, I survived hell,

and I’ve moved on.” She looked over at Spike. She pushed past the wolf

and sat down on her lover’s lap.

“Willow, he a demon!” Oz protested, following her. Growls from Anya and

Tally mingled with Spike’s, all shot hatefully at Oz.

“I’d watch your tongue, son,” Tally threatened, “you might lose it if

you’re not careful,” the threat was obvious, and the wolf shied away

from the woman.

“Willow,” he pleaded. She ignored him, her mouth meeting Spike’s in a

gentle kiss. “Willow please, you can’t possibly care for him,” he told

her. She looked up at him, threat in her gaze, purple light collecting

in her eyes.

“Who are you to tell me what I feel?” she demanded. He didn’t answer.

“You left, Oz,” her voice was cold, measured to control the consuming

rage that flowed through her. “You fucked her and you left,” the wolf

winced at the words.

“Willow, you don’t know what I was going through,” he said quietly. “I’d

taken a life,” he continued, “I was scared I’d do it again.”

“That’s your excuse?” she scoffed, “you acted on cowardice?” she

laughed. “Why does that not surprise me,” he muttered, turning her

attention back to Spike.

“None of you object to this?” he demanded looking around the room. Angel

raised his hand, unable to speak.

“He won’t hurt her,” Xander said softly, “and she’s made up her mind

that she wants him. There’s really nothing we can do,” everyone was

surprised at his words.

“Giles? Buffy? Angel? You guys could do something,” he insisted, “she’ll

listen to you.”

“Don’t bet on it,” Buffy said, looking forlornly at the redhead seating

in the blonde vampire’s lap.

“Get over it, Oz,” Cordelia said coldly. “Go back to wherever you came

from and just leave well enough alone.”

“What is wrong with all of you?” he demanded furiously, “I turn my back

and everybody’s suddenly in need of a lobotomy!” he looked at Willow

longingly. “She belongs with me,” he sighed, trying to convince them.

“She belongs right where she is, mate,” Spike growled protectively, “and

that’s with me,” he finished, his eyes promising pain.

“She’ll never be happy with you,” the wolf shot back hard and cruel,

“you’re everything she despises.” Willow’s eyes flared a dangerous

violet, she glared at the wolf.

“Shut up, Oz,” she said, low and menacingly, “you obviously don’t know

me half as well as you think,” she said plainly, “or else you would know

exactly what, and whom I despise.” She glared pointedly at him, her

violet eyes boring into him. He stood his ground.

“Something’s possessed you, you would never act this way. My Willow

would never be so cruel.”

“I’m not your Willow,” she said heartlessly, “she died while you were

gone,” she moved off Spike, getting close to the wolf, and showed him

her wrist, a small, puckered scar attested to her statement. “But don’t

worry, Oz, Spike took care of me,” she whispered, her eyes shifting from

violet to a deep crimson. “He knows what I need.” Oz frowned, terrified

of the small woman standing before him.

“You’re disgusting,” he sneered venomously. “I can’t believe you’re

content to be a demon’s fuck toy,” he glowered at her. Before anyone

could move, Spike had risen and caught Oz by the throat, he held tightly

despite the mind numbing pain the split through his skull.

“If you ever speak to her like that again I’ll have your head on a

pike,” he growled out, “you got that, mongrel?”

“Go take a walk in the sun,” Oz choked out as Spike’s grip tightened, he

blocked out the pain it caused.

“What was that?” the vampire asked sharply, his grip threatening to

crush the young man’s larynx.

“Spike, let him down,” Buffy commanded, coming to her senses.

“No, let him go,” Willow said. Buffy was about to protest when her jaw

was clamped shut. “I want to see this.” She smiled wickedly, forgetting

the pain that was plaguing her lover. Oz swatted uselessly at the vice

grip he was held in. His vision became dim and blurry.

“Alright,” he finally whispered. Spike dropped him and clutched at his

head. Willow rushed to his side, while Buffy reluctantly offered her arm

to Oz.

“Oh, baby, are you all right?” she cooed, looking up at the blonde

vampire, her eyes returned to their natural green.

“It’s that damned chip,” he snarled, Willow sat him down on the couch,

holding his head gingerly.

“Hush, baby,” she whispered, closing her eyes. A faint glow enveloped

them as Willow searched with her mind to find the chip inside her lover.

She found it, implanted at the base of his skull. She touched the spot

and massaged it gently. She drew a deep breath, focusing on the implant,

drawing out of him. He snarled in pain as the small microchip was pulled

free of his flesh. Willow held the miniature thing in her hands before

she crushed it violently in her hands. She looked up at Spike, her eyes

worried.

“I’m all right, luv,” he assured her, claiming her mouth with his. He

pulled back, seeing her look of concern still painted across her

features he smiled.

“You sure?” she asked softly.

“Just peachy, ducks,” he promised her, drawing her into his arms. Oz

watched in disgust and turned to Buffy.

“How can you stand by and let her do this?” he demanded softly, afraid

of bringing the vampire’s fury upon himself again.

“I didn’t exactly let her do this, Oz,” Buffy said, irritated at his

persistence. “Willow’s a big girl now, she can make up her own mind.”

Tally smiled at the Slayer’s acceptance of the situation. Only one final

thing had to fall into place before she could leave, and be at peace.

********

Part 23

Willow sighed and flopped back on the couch. They had been researching

for hours now, with nothing much on the ritual of Thoran. They had the

ritual, sure, but Willow wanted to be absolutely sure that Cordelia

wouldn’t be in danger if the ritual was performed properly.

She sighed, looking at the handwritten copy of the ritual in her hand.

She read it over twice, then three times.

‘Sounds easy enough,’ she thought to herself, looking over the supplies

she’d need. ‘It looks like a lot of funeral herbs are used,’ she mused,

mulling over the requirements. ‘Hmmm, cinnamon and sandalwood incense,

that’s easy enough to get, jasmine, lemon, rose and sandalwood oils,

those I can get too, star anise, mandrake, lotus, aconite, and

pennyroyal, I can order some of the hard to find stuff from

Pennsylvania, those should come by the full moon. I’ll need tons of

white altar candles, enough to make a circle around Cordy, and me. Plus

a burnt orange candle, that should do, plus I’ve called on Queen Maub

before, definitely a dark purple if we’re dealing with the PTB, some

black ones for protection too, and maybe a royal blue one too start the

circle?’ she smiled at herself, jotting down her slight alterations.

‘Yep, go Willow, we’re gonna pull this one off and bring back Cordy’s

boyfriend!’ she mentally patted herself on the back. She sighed and

stretched and looked around. Only Buffy, Angel, Giles, Spike, Cordelia

and herself remained. Anya had left with Xander shortly after Oz did.

Tally had driven home at midnight, her car still parked out front from

the night before.

Angel had stayed, hoping to get his jaw freed before dawn, and Buffy

stayed with him. Cordelia had drifted off to sleep in the armchair, a

book still held open in her lap. She looked comfortable, so Willow

didn’t wake her. Spike had her feet in his lap and was looking through

three books at once, occasionally tickling the soles of her feet,

eliciting a laugh from the redhead. Giles was searching through several

of the larger tomes, but he let out a frustrated sigh around twice every

hour.

Willow looked down at the paper in her hand. There was writing all over

both sides, in both pen and pencil, she smiled down at it before looking

over at Angel and Buffy.

“You guys go home, get some rest, if we haven’t found anything on this

yet then I don’t think we’ll find anything at all,” she sighed. “I’ve

added some things to the ritual for protection, I don’t think there’s

much to worry about. I wish we knew more though,” she looked up at the

two. Angel was watching her with expectant eyes. “What?” she asked,

looking at him strangely.

He pointed to his mouth and she laughed.

“Right, I forgot about that,” she smiled, waving her hand to dismiss the

spell. His mouth opened, but he didn’t speak.

“Aren’t you going to that the lady, Peaches?” Spike asked mockingly.

Angel grumbled in response, grabbing his coat and leaving, Buffy

following with a shrug. “That wasn’t very nice,” the British vampire

smirked at the sorceress.

“You know him,” she smiled, stretching. “Giles, go to bed, you look like

you haven’t slept in weeks.” The watcher nodded, glad to be relieved of

his duty for the night. Both Spike and Willow looked at Cordy, still

asleep in the armchair.

“Can you put her to bed?” Willow asked, “I’ll put away the books, we can

share the couch.” Spike smirked at her.

“If that’s what you want, Red,” he bowed, over emphatically, “you wish

is my command.” Willow giggled as Spike swept Cordelia up in his arms,

and Willow felt a pang of jealousy, wanting to be in the brunette’s

place. She shook off the feeling, gathering up books and re-shelving

them carefully. Spike returned and finished putting the books away while

Willow changed out of her clothes. She came back to the vampire in a

satin, red nightgown that fell to mid-thigh. He looked at her and

moaned. Willow grinned at him, kissing him softly. His arms went around

her, his hands caressing her back sensuously.

“Don’t you have pajama’s you sleep in Spike?” she asked when the kiss

finally broke. He looked at her, his head cocked to the side, a strange

smile on his face. “Well, not like footy pj’s or anything, cause that

would be kind of weird, but like flannel…” she trailed off, and the

vampire started laughing. “What?”

“Most vampires sleep nude,” he grinned down at her lasciviously.

“Oh,” she whispered, not looking up at him. He crooked a finger

underneath her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

“You are cute when you’re embarrassed,” he grinned, leaning close to her

and capturing her lips with his. She leaned into him, pressing her firm

breasts into his chest. He moaned into her mouth, lifting her and lying

her on the couch. She pushed his shirt up, needing to feel his skin on

hers. He broke the kiss and she tugged the shirt over his head. She ran

her hands over his chest. It was smooth like marble, well defined and

strong. She suddenly was overcome with the need to taste his skin, to

warm his chilled flesh. She kissed him in the hollow of his throat,

swirling her tongue against the skin. He purred in pleasure at the

sensation.

She trailed her tongue down his chest until she reached one of his taut

nipples. She nipped lightly at the tight bud, suckling at it gently. She

left his chest and traveled up to his neck, nibbling at his pulse point.

“Willow,” he whispered, running his hands over her body, sliding them

underneath her nightgown and kneading the rounded flesh of her breasts

with his hands. She kissed his shoulder before taking his lips again. He

plundered her mouth with the brutal kiss; it was sweet but punishing at

the same time. She fumbled with the button of his jeans, easing down the

zipper and freeing his erection.

“Another interesting thing about vampire’s, pet,” Spike grinned at her

when he saw the look of mild surprise on her face, “most of us don’t

wear underwear either.” She grinned at him, running her fingers over the

length of him, he pushed the nightgown up to her hips, his mouth

claiming hers once again.

It was Spike’s turn to look surprised when he found that the redhead

wasn’t wearing any panties. He looked at her incredulously, but was

answer only with an impish smile. She guided him to her passage, and he

entered her slowly, filling her slowly. She moaned against his mouth as

he pumped into her, she wrapped her legs around his waist, and met him

thrust for thrust. One of his hands was tangled in her hair while the

other slid between them, teasing her clit. She moaned as she came,

digging her fingers into his back. Her inner walls tightened around him,

sending him over the edge, he kissed her savagely while he spilled his

cold seed into her heated core.

Willow sighed as Spike moved off her, pulling her into his arms. He

fastened his pants again and smoothed out her nightgown.

“Did we just have sex on Giles’ couch?” she asked quietly, looking up

into his eyes.

“Yes, pet,” he grinned at her.

“It was good sex,” she murmured resting her head on his chest.

“Shagging you would be good anywhere, pet,” his chuckled and kissed the

top of her head. “Get some rest, pet” he muttered as sleep claimed the

both of them.

*****

Part 24

Willow was caught in a dream, she stood in a red, flowing gown on a

cliff overlooking the sea. Her hair fell around her, blowing in the

wind. She turned at saw a tall woman, raven hair billowing about her

like a sail. She wore much the same things as Willow did, her dress the

same style, but black as midnight, her wrists were decorated with silver

cuffs, intricate designs etched into them. On her neck was a tattoo, a

silver snake wound it’s way around her flesh, dipping just below the low

top of the dress. Her eyes were fiercely blue, silver flecks in them,

radiating power as the violet flecks in Willow’s own eyes did.

“Who are you?” Willow demanded, looking the woman up and down. Soft

laugher answered her.

“The question should not be who I am, but who you are,” a smile, and

light in the other woman’s eyes almost mocking the redhead. “I know who

I am, can you say the same?”

Willow stood silent.

“Look at your neck,” the woman finally spoke, there, around her throat,

was the image of a phoenix, it’s flaming tail circling the back of her

neck, the bird’s body resting on her collar bone, the end of it’s tail

trailing down to the top of her partially exposed breast. Willow touched

the tattoo, and felt it burn her, but she did not remove her hand.

“Now tell me, who are you?” the woman asked again.

“I am myself, no brand you place on me can change that,” she said, still

watching the image on her skin. The woman laughed. The bird on her skin

almost seemed to move. “But I am also what you made me, and nothing I do

can change that.”

“You are wise, for one so young. But we must talk of other things. You

must prepare.” Willow looked at the other woman curiously.

“Tell me who you are,” she said softly.

“I am Queen Maub, the silver serpent, fairy queen, I am who I am, and

yet I am not, I am like you, child.” She said calmly, Willow nodded and

accepted the outstretched hand. “Your destiny awaits you, fair one, and

all the world is yours to command.” They walked towards a white tower.

“Where are we?” Willow asked as the ascended the spiraling staircase

inside the tower.

“We are in the temple of the light, doorway to all the other worlds,”

came the simple reply.

“Other worlds?”

“Oh yes, child, there are a thousand different worlds out there, if you

only dare to dream them,” the woman smiled.

“Thousands of worlds,” Willow repeated softly as the turned down a

narrow corridor. She could hear music, soft and sweet, Pachabel perhaps,

she couldn’t recognize it. It was as if the sweet melodies were seeping

trough the very stones in the walls. As if the tower itself was singing

just for her. She smiled and the dark hared woman beside her smiled too.

She was led into a wide chamber, a small window looking out over the

water below. At the center of the room was a stone well, crystal water

moved silently, lapping against its stone confinements.

“Look into the well, and tell me what you see,” the woman instructed.

“I see…” Willow paused, peering into the unending depths of the pool, “I

see my friends,” she whispered.

“What are their names?”

“There’s Buffy, and Xander, and Cordy, Anya and Tally, and Giles too,

even Angel’s there…” she paused.

“Something’s missing, no?” the woman smiled.

“Spike,” she whispered. “Where’s Spike?” she looked up at the other

woman.

“Look again.”

The image shifted, and all Willow saw was her reflection.

“It’s just my reflection,” she stated.

“Look closer,” said the woman, urging her on.

Willow looked deeper, trying to see beyond her own reflection. The

waters stirred when she let out a defeated sigh.

“There’s nothing there!” she insisted. The woman did not speak, only

pointed at the pool. Willow returned her gaze to the now rippling

waters. Imposed over her own face was Spike’s, her blue eyes shining. He

seemed to be smiling.

“What does it mean?” Willow asked, not turning from the pool.

“He is you, and you are him.”

“Two halves of the same whole,” Willow murmured, understanding at last.

“So long as he lives, I live, and as long as I live, he lives,” she

smiled. The woman nodded and the image faded, nothing remained in the

pool, not even her own reflection.

“Watch,” the woman whispered, passing her hand over the cool waters.

They rippled beneath the shadow of her hand. Again, Willow saw her

friends, two more faces added to the group.

“It’s Oz,” she said, looking at one of the faces, the other she didn’t

recognize, but hazarded a guess, “and Doyle,” she said.

“A promise of things to come,” the woman said, passing her hand over the

waters again. They rippled and the image changed. Willow saw herself,

Spike standing behind her. She was dressed as a queen, her phoenix

tattoo bared above a long gown of hunter green the same shade of her

eyes, which sparkled brightly.

“I’m already with Spike,” Willow informed the dark woman.

“Oh really? And what of her?” she passed her hand once again over the

water and Tally’s face appeared. “He said he loved her,” the woman said.

“You work against me, lady, poisoning my mind with insecurities. What he

and she shared I cannot undo, but nothing compares to the love we

share.” Willow told her.

“Again, you wisdom outshines your years, child. Keep you wits about you

and trust in your heart and you will prove stronger than your oppressors

will.”

The room faded, white fog enveloped her before she woke to Spike’s

sleeping face. She looked at the wall clock and realized that it was

already nine. She sighed and pulled herself out of Spike’s arms. She

looked at the note on the coffee table.

‘Will,

Went running with Giles this morning. Call Anya and tell her I’ll make

her pancakes if she’s here when I get back. Looks like you had fun last

night, I’m glad. You deserve it. Be back soon,

      Cor.’

Willow smiled, set the note back down and went to change into something

more suitable.

She pulled on a fitted, red and black shirt. The sleeves were long and

flared at the wrists, the shirt left her shoulders bare and exposed her

neck. She considered the pair of tight-fitting leather pants, but

thought better of it.

‘Save them for a night out,’ she thought as she reached for a pair of

dark denim jeans. She moved over to the full-length mirror and admired

her reflection. She thought about the dream she’d had and wondered what

it meant. She was shocked when something began to glow on her neck. She

watched as the glow faded and left the phoenix tattoo in its wake. She

smiled and went back out to Spike. He was awake by then and his eyes

latched onto the red and orange tattoo around her neck.

“When did you get that, pet?” he asked, taking her in his arms and

touching the tattoo.

“A souvenir,” she smiled, “from a friend.” She smiled and kissed him.

“I think I like it,” he said, pulling her close.

“Good, ‘cause I like it too.”

*************

Part 25

“Yes, ten grams of star anise, mandrake, lotus, aconite, and pennyroyal.

Unh hunh, yeah, I understand. Could you order some? Yeah, I understand

that it’ll cost more. No, a ritual… Yes… no, not really. Ritual of

Thoran, no, it’s rare. Do you have any rose oil? Great!

“What about cinnamon incense, good. Oh, how many white pillar candles do

you have? Could I get a hold of maybe twenty? Yes, twenty white, also,

one rusty orange, yeah that kind with the swirls etched into it. Do you

have any like that in royal blue? How about black and dark purple ones?

That’s fantastic.

“All right, yes, two of the black, one royal blue, one dark purple, and

one of the rusty orange ones. Yes, that’s all. Okay, I’ll pick it up.

Tomorrow? You can get the supplies in by then? That’s perfect! Oh, thank

you so much! Yes, bye.” Willow hung up the phone and sighed. She looked

over at the door. Cordy and Giles were still out running. Anya had come

over with Xander and had been there for half an hour.

Xander was watching cartoon while Spike and Anya were talking about ‘the

good old days’ when they could both torture and do all of that good,

wholesome, fun stuff. Willow sighed, walking into the kitchen. She took

out a soda and took a tentative sip.

She smiled, things were working out. She loved Spike, and apparently, so

did almost everyone else (excepting Buffy, Oz and Angel, ‘but’ she

thought, ‘I can shut them up easily enough when I have to!’). She had an

amazing sense of freedom, and incredible power. ‘Maybe now I can turn

Amy back from a rat!’ she thought excitedly.

She looked over at the door as Giles and Cordelia came through it,

panting and laughing alternately.

“Have a nice run?” she asked, emerging from the kitchen.

“Very, fifteen miles,” Cordelia beamed. “I haven’t felt so good in a

long time!” she sighed, getting a glass of water from the kitchen and

looked over to see Xander staring intently at the television which was

blaring the theme song to ‘CyberSix’. She sighed and looked over at

Anya.

“You had to bring him? I’ll be cooking all day!” she laughed. Anya

shrugged.

“He stayed over, I couldn’t very well make him stay, the call of your

cooking is far too great,” the ex-demon grinned. Cordelia sighed and

began to collect the ingredients she needed.

“Want help?” Willow asked standing next to her.

“Sure, pass me some flour,” she said looking up and pointing to the bag

of flour sitting on the counter. She caught a glimpse of the tattoo as

she did so and smiled. “When did you get a tattoo?” Willow grinned.

“It’s a souvenir,” she said simply. Cordelia nodded, confused, but she

saw the look of resolve in the other woman’s eyes and didn’t bother

arguing.

“It looks good,” she smiled, accepting the flour and measuring some out

into a bowl. They chattered quietly as they made breakfast. Willow made

some orange juice and set it on the table. Giles had, surprisingly,

joined Xander on the couch, the dark hared man was only too pleased to

explain the inner workings of the cartoon to the watcher. Cordelia set a

large plate of pancakes on the table and laughed.

“Now that is something I never would have thought I’d see!” she smiled,

watching as Giles and Xander bickered over the remote like children.

“No, Giles, I don’t want to watch Pokemon! The Smurfs are on now!”

Spike’s attention immediagtely snapped over to the two other men.

“The Smurfs?” he asked, almost hopefully, “I haven’t seen that show in

years!” he leapt over to the couch and Giles sighed in resignation as

Xander switched the channel and innumerable tiny blue creatures filled

the screen.

“I always had a thing for Smurfette,” Spike stated as the blonde Smurf

sauntered onto the screen.

“I heard that!” Willow laughed from the kitchen. “You better not like

that cartoon better than me!”

“What? And risk your fury, I don’t think so ducks!” Spike called in mock

seriousness.

“Hey, I could take her!” Willow protested as she began setting the

table.

“Well, she is only and inch high, luv, you might have a chance,” the

vampire joked, turning and watching her as she scurried around the

table.

“I could crush her like a bug,” Willow said, before disappearing back

into the kitchen.

“Okay, come and eat before me and Willow decide to play little red hen

and hog it all,” Cordelia said, Xander flicked the TV off and hurried

around the couch, Giles rose and walked (only slightly less frantic than

Xander) to the table and seated himself. Spike leapt over the back of

the couch and plopped himself down next to Willow, who handed him a mug

of blood. Anya, who had been almost forgotten, seated herself opposite

Spike, next to Xander.

For the next half hour nothing was heard in the house, except for the

sound of people eating, and the occasional growl that passed between

Spike and Xander when they both reached for the same pancake.

Xander and Anya offered to do the dishes afterward, while Spike and

Giles returned to the TV, hoping to find another interesting cartoon.

Willow and Cordelia watched in fascination as the watcher and the

vampire hunkered down like four-year-olds to watch ‘Rainbow Brite’.

“I would’ve thought that Spike was too manly to watch this,” Cordelia

chuckled to Willow.

“I heard that, pet,” the vampire said, not turning from the television.

“Well?” Willow said, wanting an answer to her unasked question.

“That Rainbow Brite chick is hot,” Spike said, still not turning to face

the two women.

“What’s with you and cartoon women, next thing you know you’ll be

lusting after Lola Bunny!” Willow laughed in feigned jealousy.

“I don’t fancy that one, pet, her ears are too big,” he muttered.

“I think you’re just scared of her boyfriend,” Cordelia laughed.

“Wouldn’t that be a sight,” Willow giggled, “big bad Spike cowering

before a cartoon rabbit!” Spike growled.

“Not funny, pet, watch your tongue or I’ll rip it out,” he threatened.

“I’m quaking in my boots,” Willow grinned and hopped over the back of

the couch to sit next to her lover. She looked intently at the cartoon

before saying. “I don’t see anything that’s she’s got that I don’t,” she

muttered. Spike laughed.

“Jealous, pet?” he smirked. She pouted up at him silently, “you know

you’re the only one for me,” he grinned, kissing her briefly.

“How do I know, Spike?” she asked, pouting some more, “what if, one day

this Rainbow Brite character asks you to run away with her, back to her

castle?” he laughed at her, “it’s not funny!” she insisted, but her own

giggled told otherwise.

“Pet, if that blonde asked me to run away with her I’d thank her kindly,

but tell her I have a beautiful, sexy, loving woman back home, and it

just wouldn’t be right.” He kissed her gently. Wilow grabbed his chin

and held it firmly.

“Promise?” she asked.

“With all my heart,” he grinned, Willow wrapped her arms around his neck

and kissed him deeply.

“Get a room,” Xander groaned as he sunk into the armchair.

“Like you’re one to talk,” Willow smirked, cuddling closer to the blonde

vampire. Xander looked shocked.

“Willow, I’m hurt!” he said innocently, “that you would imply…” he was

cut off by Anya’s lips crushed to his mouth.

“Shut up, Xander.” She said firmly, wrapping her arms around his neck

and settling into his lap.

“Yes m’am!” he grinned and saluted playfully, Anya rolled her eyes and

kissed him again.

“You are just too weird!” she sighed and leaned back against him.

“You love it, though,” he grinned.

“That I do,” Anya sighed back, closing her eyes.

******

Part 26

Three days passed in fantastic normalcy, no Oz, no research, just

hanging out with her friends. She’s had fabulous sex with Spike every

night; each time experiencing mind-numbing pleasure like nothing that

she’d ever felt with Oz.

She recalled a prodding conversation with Cordelia and Anya over

chocolate ice cream and girly movies.

“So, Willow, how’s the sex?” Anya had said, completely out of the blue.

Willow had blushed, and refused to answer.

“Aww, come on Wills, spill,” Cordy had insisted, unrelenting.

“It’s good,” Willow had sighed.

“Just good? 126 years and it’s just good?” Anya asked.

“Okay, not just good, more like stellar, fireworks, mind blowing,

happy?” she laughed at the situation.

“How big is he?” Anya grinned, “Xander’s okay, but vampires are usually

really big.”

“Oh my god, Anya, tact,” Willow had sighed, covering her eyes.

“Tact is just not saying true stuff,” Cordelia said.

“Size?” Anya prodded. Willow mumbled something. “What was that?” the

former demon had asked.

“He’s huge,” she said a bit louder. “About twice the size Oz was.”

Cordelia and Anya had shared and enthusiastic look and grinned wildly.

“Really?” Anya had said with a smirk.

“Well, Oz wasn’t really all that big,” she said quietly. That had sent

the three of them giggling wildly.

“What about Xander, how’s the sex with him?” Willow asked.

“It’s alright. Good enough, he has no stamina though, one orgasm and

he’s out of it,” she sighed.

“I’d imagine so,” Cordy chuckled. “I mean he screwed Faith.”

“He’s nice though,” Anya smiled.

“Was Oz any good in bed?”

“Cordy!”

“What? It’s a valid question.”

“He was okay, I guess, nothing like Spike, but it was nice,” she smiled.

“You still miss him?”

“Not really, not anymore. I just – just wish that we could have parted

on better terms, I miss being friends with him…”

“You’ll get there Will, I mean check out me and Xand, we broke up on

pretty bad terms, but we’re still friends. Well, sort of.”

“I guess. What about Doyle, Cor? Did you and he ever--?”

“No, he waited so long to ask me out, the first time he kissed me was

just before he jumped on that light thing. Whatever the hell that was,”

she sighed.

“Well, we’ll get him back for you, Cordy, don’t worry…”

“Thanks Anya. I hope it works.”

“I know it will, Cor, I’ve added some particular items to the ritual for

added protection too, so you’ll be safe.”

“Good to know. I don’t particularly feel like switching places with him

much.”

“That couldn’t happen anyway, Cor, we’re opening a one-way portal. No

going in, just coming out.”

“Can you do that?”

“Sure, I would’ve thought you’d know that, Anya, you’ve never opened a

one-way portal before?”

“No, I was more interested in send men to hell than bringing them back.”

“Doyle’s not in hell, Anya,” Cordelia had huffed.

“Oh, I know, but that’s the only portal I’ve ever opened.”

“We’re out of ice cream.”

“Want to go get more?”

“I could handle that, Anya?”

“I suppose. We couldn’t send Spike, could we?”

“Sun’s up,” Willow pointed out, deadpan.

“Ah yes, always a consideration.”

“Come on,” they had returned with three pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream

and had finished watching the rest of their movies.

Two days before the full moon Willow began running through the steps of

the ritual in her mind, mentally crushing the herbs together, lighting

the candles, reciting the incantation.

By the day of the full moon she had gone through the ritual twelve times

in her mind, every step carefully calculated, every word meticulously

thought out. She felt the power of the worlds flowing through her, her

energy at a constant high. Her eyes had accepted a purple hue, intense

and dangerous.

While she was at her peak, Buffy and Angel kept their distance, afraid

to enrage the changed woman. The girl they had known, had caged to their

opinions of her, had died. Two small scars across her wrists attested to

that. Willow had spoken to Buffy that night.

‘I want to die, Buffy.’ The words haunted the slayer’s dreams, her every

waking move. She’d been too caught up in herself to even listen. Her

words had been reassuring but not fully there. ‘Oh Wills, don’t say

that, you’ll get over this.’ She had even been in the room, asleep, when

Willow had slashed her wrists. She’d been careful, stealing a knife from

Buffy’s chest of ‘slay stuff’. She’d drawn quick lines across her

wrists, tears filling her eyes. They weren’t deep enough. She’d felt

dizzy, but not dead. Surely not dead. She cursed herself softly for not

being able to stand the pain, not being able to cut deeper. She’d

cleaned and bandaged her wrists, covering the gauze with cuffs and

bracelets, long sleeves and other things. Buffy hadn’t noticed. No one

had noticed. Except Spike.

Buffy shuddered at the thought of Spike knowing more about her best

friend than she did. Mainly because it was true. The vampire brought out

everything in Willow, her wild side, her dark side, her power. Likewise,

the newfound sorceress brought out everything in Spike, his caring side,

his kindness, his love. Things that the slayer never thought she would

see, from either party. She had been so blind, and she had lost her

friend.

In the precious, soft spoken, curious, kind computer hacker’s place now

stood a daring, beautiful, powerful, intelligent wild thing. She had a

tattoo now, and wore shirts that revealed it to the world. Buffy caught

herself staring at the bird on her friend’s collarbone, mesmerized, as

the colors of the tattoo seemed to change as the sorceress moved. Willow

had started dressing like Buffy, but carried each meticulously matched

outfit so much than Buffy ever would. She brought class to some outfits

that people ridiculed Buffy for. A little voice in the back of her mind

mocked her.

‘Why Buffy Anne Summers, are you jealous of Willow?’ it laughed, ‘your

best friend, meek little Willow, what would Angel think?’ it laughed.

‘Probably would want to jump into bed with the little whore. You’ve seen

that way he looks at her,’ that little voice cooed in her ear. Buffy’s

rational mind told herself otherwise, but she couldn’t help but listen

to the little voice, mocking her rationale, poisoning her mind.

Willow noticed Buffy’s distance from her, and had ignored it, knowing

that whatever it was, it was Buffy’s problem, not hers. Nevertheless,

Willow couldn’t help but wonder if Buffy’s aloofness was a result of her

relationship with Spike.

Willow was lost in one of her reveries when Cordelia walked in on the

night of the full moon.

“Wills, you ready to get this thing done?” she asked, Willow looked up

startled.

“Oh, yeah, sure thing Cor, we can do it outside.” She smiled, getting

up. “Can you help me set up? Spike’s out hunting and Giles is watching

Oz with Buffy and Angel.”

“Three of them?” the brunette asked quizzically.

“I didn’t want Buffy or Angel here, their energies might mess around

with the ritual. They have to patrol anyway, so Giles opted to watch Oz

while they’re out. He’ll be back by midnight.”

“Xander, Tally and Anya?” the other woman asked.

“I asked Xander not to come, he’s got some pretty negative feelings

about magick after that whole valentine’s day thing. Anya and Tally are

going to come in around an hour, just in case something goes wrong.”

“Nothing’s going to go wrong, right Willow?” Cordy asked cautiously,

following Willow to the bedroom where she’d stored the supplies.

“Oh course not, Cor, they’re coming just in case, and, I think, to check

out Doyle from the first,” she grinned.

“Oh, okay.” Cordelia said, more relaxed and accepted the paper bag

Willow handed to her. They carried the bags outside and Willow scurried

back inside to grab her altar and other things while Cordelia set the

white candles in a circle. Willow returned toting a low mahogany altar,

engraved with several different runes and designs. She also had a mortar

and pestle, and oil burner and two incense burners.

She helped Cordelia set the circle, placing the royal blue candle at

magnetic north. Cordelia was dressed in a pair of fitted jeans and a

halter top, while Willow wore a low cut, flowing red gown, the skirts

billowed around her in the light autumn breeze.

She set up the altar; the two black pillar candles set in the back

corners of the mahogany surface. The two incense burners set beside the

candles. The rust orange candle and the purple candle both stood in the

center of the altar. She measured out equal amounts of the cinnamon and

sandalwood incense, cinnamon sitting in the left burner, sandalwood in

the right. She held up a vial containing an even mix of jasmine, lemon,

rose, and sandalwood oils. She poured this into the oil burner, which

she placed between the two incense burners. She had small glass dishes

with star anise, mandrake, lotus, aconite, and pennyroyal (each in one)

set along the sides of the altar top. She set the mortar and pestle

directly before the two candles in the center of the altar. She looked

over at Cordy, just as Anya and Tally were hurrying down the steps. She

sighed in relief and looked to Cordy.

“You ready?” she asked as Tally and Anya seated themselves calmly on the

ground, setting themselves in a calm state, ready to lend their energies

if needed.

“As I’ll ever be,” Cordelia sighed and stepped out of the circle,

waiting for Willow to cast the circle.

*****

Part 27

Willow rose and moved to stand before the blue candle. She closed her

eyes and flicked a finger, a flame rose on the tip and she bent to light

the candle. She breathed in deeply, and began to walk in a clockwise

direction, her finger pointed down at the candles around her, as she

moved around the circle the candles lit up as she passed. She began to

chant as she walked.

“I conjure thee, O great circle of power, so that you will be for me a

boundary between the world of life and the world of death, a meeting

place of perfect love, trust, peace, and joy containing the power I

raise within thee. I call upon the guardians of the North, the East, the

South and the West

to aid me in this consecration. I the name of the Lord and Lady thus I

conjure thee, O great circle of power.” She stopped at the blue candle

once again and threw her arms above her head. “As above, so below, the

circle is sealed!” a faint purple glow shot up from the ground where the

candles outlined the circle. She looked at Cordy.

Pulling the silver athame from her belt, she drew an invisible line from

the flame of the blue candle up to the highest spot she could reach. She

pushed aside an invisible curtain and motioned her closer saying:

“The circle is a haven for love, and trust. How do you enter it?”

“With perfect love and perfect trust,” Cordelia replied, as she had been

instructed. She stepped through the invisible curtain Willow held for

her and watched as the redhead shut the curtain, the purple glow

appearing again.

Cordelia followed Willow to the center of the circle and looked at her

anxiously.

“Don’t worry, Cor, you’ll be fine…” Willow whispered, she raised her

arms above her head and called out to the sky. “I call upon the powers

of the heavens and the earth, from the worlds only dreamed of, and those

still yet to be dreamed!” her eyes flashed violet, then red. “I beg of

you, lend you powers to our task. We seek the seer, Doyle!” her eyes

shifted to black. Cordelia stifled her fear and closed her eyes,

repeating what she was meant to.

“With his powers, draw him close, I am the anchor, calling him with

trust and love, return him to my arms!” a light flashed and a voice

whispered in the night.

“Doyle is with us, he doesn’t wish to leave…”

Willow growled unconsciously.

“Bring him forth, let us ask him directly, I call him with friendship

and command him with his gift!” The spirit snarled and in a flash

Doyle’s figure was projected before them. Cordelia spoke this time,

without needing Willow’s instruction.

“Doyle, return here to me, I ask you with love and draw you with your

gift,” her eyes were pleading.

“I would join you, princess, but the spirits will not allow me passage

to your world…” he murmured as he faded. Willow’s voice was commanding

as she knelt before her altar.

“Cordy, keep his image in your mind, I’ll call the powers of the other

worlds to open a portal.” Cordelia nodded, closing her eyes, and

surprisingly, Doyle’s image remained. Willow lit the two candles and set

alight the small tea light in the oil burner. She set the incense

burning, two plumes of colored smoke rose from each of the small

burners. She quickly took a small pinch of each herb and dropped it into

the mortar. She ground them with the pestle, calling upon the only two

deities she knew would help, Magog and Queen Maub.

She lifted her eyes to the stars above as she began to chant.

“I draw upon the powers of the stars, and call upon Queen Maub, the

silver serpent, and Magog, dancer between worlds. With the ties of true

love and friendship, and with the bond of his born gift, we ask that you

aid us in our task, open a portal to our world so that he might rejoin

his true love, and fulfil what was meant to be!” Two tall women appeared

in the circle, one with flowing silver hair, and the other was the raven

hared woman from Willow’s dream. The silver hared woman stood beside

Cordelia, he hand outstretched to a small portal forming around the

image of Doyle. This was Magog, chanting softly, her silver hair

twisting in the light breeze.

Queen Maub stood behind Willow, who still knelt chanting softly, her

eyes shut tight. Her hand was placed on the redhead’s shoulder. Her eyes

trained on the widening hole around Doyle’s projected image. Willow’s

eyes snapped open as the hole widened.

“I call you forth, return to the path you were meant to walk, your gift

restored as is your love, retake your place!” she commanded, and Doyle

was ripped through the portal. He fell into Cordelia’s waiting arms. She

smiled and sighed, holding tightly to him. Willow smiled and sighed,

setting down the objects in her hands. She looked to the spirits around

her. She reached her hands to them, and they grasped them tightly. She

let out a rich peal of laugher, filling the night.

“The spirits are revoked, return to your respective places of being, but

leave your good will to be spread throughout this world and the next.”

The two figures dissipated, laughing merrily. Willow felt residual

warmth from the preternatural beings.

She turned to see Cordelia and Doyle, the man was handsome, his eyes a

similar blue to Spike’s, his dark hair was matted to his head with

sweat, contrasting starkly with his pale skin. Smiling, Willow passed a

hand over the altar, all the flames went out.

“Blessed be,” she murmured, walking towards the couple in the center of

the circle. She touched Cordy’s shoulder and smiled, Cordelia received a

light kiss from the redhead before the sorceress touched Doyle’s

shoulder. She smiled when he looked up at her weakly. “Welcome back,”

she grinned, touching his forehead lightly, where their skin made

contact a white light glowed beneath her fingers.

When she removed her hand he looked less tired, and less worn. He looked

from Cordy to Willow, wondering whom to kiss first. Willow laughed and

moved past him to the blue candle. She began at the blue candle yet

again and walked counterclockwise around the circle, whispering thanks

to the powers that helped them in their task. When she returned to the

blue candle she again threw her hands in the air and said:

“The circle is open, but never broken. So mote it be!” a voice from

above her (she recognized it a Queen Maub, but the others could not put

a face to the voice) whispered:

“We are the people, we are the power, and we are the change!” another

voice, one Willow assumed to be Magog murmured:

“Merry meet and merry part, until we merry meet again!” Willow bent and

blew out the blue candle. As she did so, the rest of the circle went out

too, a small ring of smoke rising to the sky. Willow grinned broadly at

Tally and Anya, who were smiling at her.

“I did it, didn’t I?” she asked excitedly, stepping carefully over the

candles. Tally nodded.

“You sure as hell did it, Will! I can’t thank you enough!” Cordy had

finally let go of Doyle and caught Willow in a bear hug. The redhead

smiled warmly.

“I couldn’t have done it without you, Cor, you were key!” the two began

to jump and giggle until Doyle cleared his throat.

They stopped and the four women looked over at the half demon.

“I guess introductions are in order?” Cordelia said finally, looking

from her friends to the man that she loved.

“I’d think so, pet, who’s this now?” Spike asked, coming down the stairs

and eyeing Doyle inquisitively. Willow jumped up into Spike’s arms.

“Spike, you remember Doyle, don’t you?” Cordelia asked, taking Doyle’s

hand. The half demon hesitated, remembering their previous encounter

with Spike.

“I think so, but we haven’t been formally introduced, pet,” he grinned

from over Willow’s head.

Cordelia grinned, pulling Doyle along beside her.

“Okay, Doyle, this is Tally,” she said, motioning to the blonde demon.

Tally smiled.

“Good to finally meet you, she never stops talking about you,” the

blonde smiled, shaking the half demon’s hand.

“You too,” he smiled. Cordelia pulled him over to Anya, who was watching

him curiously.

“This is Anya,” Cordy grinned, Anya stuck out her hand and smiled.

“Hi,” she smiled.

“You the vengeance demon?” he asked cautiously.

“Former,” she grinned. “Half breed. She’s the vengeance demon,” Anya

stuck her thumb at Tally, who grinned.

“And prophetess,” Willow added with a smile. Tally grinned back.

“Right, whatever,” Cordelia said, tugging him over to the redhead and

her blonde vampire.

“This is Willow,” she grinned, “she brought you back,” the brunette

grinned. Willow stuck out her hand.

“It was the least I could do,” the redhead smiled, “she was so miserable

without you!”

“Really?” Doyle grinned at the woman who held his arm. He accepted

Willow’s hand and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you face to face, Willow,”

he smiled. Cordelia looked up at him expectantly.

“Well?” she said a little irritated.

“Well what?” the half-demon asked.

“Didn’t your mother teach you any manners? She brought you back from the

dead, at least say thank you!” the brunette said playfully. Doyle

smiled.

“Thank you, so much, I don’t think—” he began but was cut off by Willow.

“No, don’t. I love Cordy; she’s a good friend. You make her happy. She

deserves that.” Willow said, smiling widely. Cordelia wiped away a tear

and captured Willow in another tight hug.

“You mean it? You really mean it?” she whispered to the redhead.

“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t, Cor, I love you,” the redhead

replied, closing her eyes.

“I love you too, Will,” the brunette whispered.

“I know, Cor, I know,” Willow smiled and pulled back from the brunette,

wiping away the other woman’s tears. Doyle and Spike both smiled at the

two. Anya and Tally shared a warm look too.

Cordelia dried her eyes more thoroughly and looked at Spike.

“Spike, I’d like you to meet Doyle. Doyle, this is my very good friend

Spike.” She grinned up at the vampire, who stuck out his hand. Doyle

hesitated, still wary from the last run in with the peroxide vamp.

“Don’t worry, he’s harmless,” Willow said with a laugh. Doyle looked at

Cordelia, who nodded in agreement. The half-breed took the vampire’s

hand and shook it firmly.

“Sorry about that last time I ran into you mate,” Spike grinned, “no

hard feelings?”

“None,” Doyle smiled back. Willow and Cordelia looked at each other,

than at Tally and Anya, who had started to clean up the remains from the

ritual. Willow moved to help them, but the two shook their heads.

“You guys go inside, make dinner for everyone, we’ll clean up,” Tally

grinned. Willow was about to protest when Spike pulled her towards the

door. Cordelia and Doyle followed them.

Anya looked at Tally sadly.

“You’ll be leaving soon, won’t you?” she asked quietly. Tally nodded.

“I’m the last key in the prophecy, Anya,” she said, picking up several

candles and placing them into one of the bags.

“I know it’ll happen, I just wish it weren’t so soon,” the former demon

sighed. “I’ll miss you, Tal,” she smiled. Tally wrapped the older woman

in her arms and they held each other closely. A white light surrounded

them and they pulled apart.

“I have to go now, Anya, my work is done here…” she whispered, blowing

the ex-demon a kiss. “I love you!” she whispered.

“I love you too!” Anya called back, tears prickling her eyes. She

watched as her friend disappeared. “I’ll miss you…” she whispered, not

noticing Spike watching her from the door, a single tear trickled down

his cheek for the loss of a kind soul. He moved closer to Anya and took

her in his arms.

“Shh, pet, it’s all right,” he whispered, she buried her face in his

chest and cried. She clung to him desperately.

“I didn’t know I could hurt this much,” she whispered as she sniffled

and stopped crying.

“She’s in good hands, Anya,” he told her, rubbing her back.

“I still miss her though,” she said softly.

“So do I, so will everyone, she was a good woman,” he said, kissing her

forehead. They turned to finish packing away the supplies to see Buffy

staring at them smugly.

“Something I should know?” she asked coldly.

“Nothing Buffy, Anya was crying, Spike made her feel better. End of

story,” Willow said from the doorway. She smiled at Spike. “Tally’s

gone, isn’t she?” she asked, looking at Anya. The former demon nodded,

suppressing tears. “Oh, Anya, I’m so sorry,” the redhead whispered,

rushing to the other woman and taking her in her arms.

“I’ll be all right,” Anya murmured, pulling back. “She’s in good hands.”

She smiled, looking at Spike. “Let’s bring this stuff in and get

something to eat, I want to hear all about Doyle from Cordy!” she

grinned, still sad, but recovering slowly.

“Okay, we can call Xander so he can meet Cor’s new flame,” Willow

grinned, lifting her altar and taking her other magickal items and

carrying them inside.

“Wait, you got Cordy’s boyfriend back?” Buffy asked surprised.

“Yeah, why?” Willow asked calmly.

“You should have asked Giles or Angel or me to be here in case something

went wrong!” the slayer scolded her friend. “You could have gotten

hurt!”

“Giles opted to watch Oz while you guys went patrolling. I didn’t think

having you or Angel here would be a wise idea, since you both have such

little faith in my magickal abilities and you both have strong energies.

Any negative thoughts you might have, which you obviously did, would

effect you energies and it might have interfered with the spell. It was

too important to risk that.”

“But still, Willow, it was dangerous!”

“Look, if you’re sore about not being asked to the private party, don’t

be. I had Spike go hunting, and specifically asked Xander not to be

here. I think Giles got the hint and decided to leave without being

asked, though I’m not sure if I would have even asked him to go, if it

came down to it.” She sighed and looked at the shocked slayer.

“I can’t believe you deliberately deceived both me and Angel!” she said,

latching onto the first thing.

“I didn’t, Buffy, you didn’t ask what I was doing tonight, you didn’t

ask when I was going to do the ritual, in fact, you didn’t even know if

I was going to or not, so I don’t think you’re one to talk!”

“You’re blaming this on me now?”

“No, damn it Buffy, I’m not blaming anyone! There’s nothing to blame

for!”

“You lied to me!”

“I didn’t, I simply didn’t tell you if it wasn’t necessary, I think

right now, I made the right choice!”

“So from now on if I don’t play twenty questions with you, you won’t

tell me important stuff?”

“No, you knew about the ritual, you were just to busy trying to get

Angel back into bed with you that you didn’t care to ask!”

“That is not fair!”

“Oh? I don’t think so, Buffy, you seem to be big on the touchy feelies

with Angel lately. What about Riley? Huh? You ever think about him?” she

asked a little harsher than intended.

“Willow, I hardly think you’re one to tell me what’s right from down

when it comes to relationships, I mean you’re fucking a monster!”

Willow’s eyes flared red and Buffy was thrown against the wall.

“I you ever talk about him like that again I swear to you Buffy, I will

kill you,” the sorceress snarled. The slayer collapsed to the ground,

unmoving. Willow strode into the house.

“Will she be all right?” Anya asked as she followed Willow inside, Spike

trailing close behind.

“She’ll be fine. She can’t come in unless she’s calm though.” Willow

said, disappearing down the hall. She returned to find Spike in the

kitchen, along with Cordy, while Anya sat with Doyle on the couch,

‘interrogating him on goddess knows what,’ Willow laughed to herself.

She moved over and joined Anya and Doyle on the couch.

“Did you phone Xander?” she asked when their conversation broke.

“Yeah, he should be here soon. Are you all right?” the former demon

asked softly.

“I’m fine, a bit tired, but I’m fine.”

“Willow, I really do want to thank you for bringing me back, you know?”

the half-breed said seriously.

“What did I tell you, Doyle, you make it up to me by making Cordy

happy,” Willow looked over at the two in the kitchen. “And goddess, she

is happy…”

Doyle smiled and pulled Willow into an unexpected hug.

“You’re about as sweet as sugar, girlie,” he laughed, “just like Cordy

said.”

“She said that?” Willow smiled, happily.

“Yeah, she did,” Anya grinned.

Buffy opened the door and walked in sedately, Xander following her. He

hurried over to Anya and gave her a hug.

“I missed you,” he said in her ear.

“Xander, I missed you too, now get off,” Anya ordered. Xander sat in the

armchair and pulled his girlfriend into his lap. “This is Doyle,” Anya

said, motioning to the half-breed.

“Hi,” Xander grinned, sticking out his hand to the man. “I’m Xander.”

“So I heard.” The Irish man smiled, “you’re not half so ugly as Cordy

said,” he laughed.

So did Anya and Willow. Buffy had stalked over to them by now and stood

in front of them.

“Willow, I’m sorry I overreacted. I was just worried about you,” the

slayer said softly.

“That’s all right Buffy, sit down, I think you’ve met Doyle before,

right?” Willow said.

“Briefly, aren’t you going to apologize to me?” she said, bristling.

“Nope,” Willow said, “You deserved it. You questioned my ability in

magick, even though I’ve already demonstrated it to you, you accuse me

of lying to you, and you insult the man I’m in love with, who has tried

to be halfway decent around you,” she shook her head angrily. “Then you

have the gall to tell me that I should be apologizing to you, that’s not

how it works anymore Buffy, you give what you get and vice versa,” she

looked at Doyle briefly and repeated, “so you’ve met Doyle before

right?”

Buffy nodded, defeated.

“Good to see you again,” he said, not offering his hand as he had to

everyone else. Buffy nodded again, and Anya continued to ask Doyle

strange questions. Spike and Cordelia watched from the kitchen.

“Happy, pet?” he asked the woman beside him warmly. She nodded, beaming.

“Deliriously,” she replied, giving the vampire’s hand a quick squeeze.

“You?”

“Deliriously,” he replied, mocking her playfully. She hit him in the arm

before accepting a brief hug from him. “You deserve it pet,” the vampire

muttered in her ear.

“So do you, Mr. Scary vampire man,” she grinned back. “So do you…”

******

Part 28

Angel arrived at Giles’ house an hour before dawn. He looked around,

surprised to find Buffy asleep in the armchair. Anya and Xander were asleep

on the floor, sitting propped against the couch, on which Willow slept

peacefully in Spike’s arms. The blonde vampire was watching Willow intently,

stroking her back gently.

“Where’s Cordelia?” the dark vampire asked softly, afraid to wake the

sleeping teens.

“Willow insisted that we give her the bedroom tonight,” Spike said, not

looking up from the redhead’s sleeping figure.

“Why? Wouldn’t it be easier if she slept on the couch?” Angel asked, more

than a bit confused.

“Well, normally yeah, but that friend of hers is back so Willow said that

they might need some time alone,” the blonde replied, still not looking up.

“What friend?” he asked cautiously. “Did Willow perform the ritual?” he

demanded.

“Yeah, he’s an Irish bloke, real nice, think his name’s Doyle,” said

sleepily, brushing Willow’s hair.

“She brought Doyle back?” Angel asked quietly. “But Giles, Buffy and I were

out when it should have been performed…” he trailed off.

“Yeah, so, I wasn’t there, neither was the wanker,” the blonde vampire

replied sharply. “You don’t get special privileges because you’re Angel,

vamp detective,” he continued, finally looking up at his sire.

“She could have gotten hurt,” the dark vampire protested, pulling a chair

over to sit beside the couch.

“She couldn’t have, Willow knew what she was doing. Everyone there had

complete faith in Willow.” He paused, looking back at the redhead in his

arms. “I do too.” Willow smiled into her lover’s chest and snuggled closer

to him, listening as the two vampires discussed her.

“Something’s gotten into Willow,” Angel insisted. “She’s changed, I mean

look what she wears,” he said, regarding the pair of cutoff jean shorts and

the slinky black tank that she’d changed into after the ritual.

“She likes what she wears,” the blonde shot back, “I like it too,” he

grinned.

“She’s got a tattoo for Christ’s sake!” the dark man continued. Spike didn’t

reply, he was aware that Willow had woken up and was listening to the

conversation. “It’s like she’s possessed!” Willow growled softly, sitting

up, she looked pointedly at Angel and frowned.

“What is wrong with you?” she demanded coldly. “You insult the way I dress,

you question my judgement, and you claim that I’m possessed!”

“Willow, your not in your right mind,” the vampire explained.

“No, Angel, I am, my mind is right where I want it,” she said sharply.

“You have a tattoo!”

“I like my tattoo, Angel, I like the way I dress, and I like being able to

say what I think without worrying if you’ll approve,” she frowned. Looking

down at Spike she murmured, “can I talk to him alone?” the blonde nodded and

Willow hopped over the back of the couch and led Angel into the hall.

“Willow, I don’t like that you’re with Spike,” the vampire began.

“That’s too bad, Angel,” she said sharply. “Now, you’re going to listen to

what I say and you’re not going to interrupt me with your opinions, because

right now I don’t care.”

“Fine,” the vampire said softly.

“Now look, I know you’re not thrilled about me and Spike, or my new choice

in clothing, or my magick, or a lot of other things, but I am not possessed.

Those things have always been here; I’ve just never let anyone see. I was

terrified that I’d lose my friends if I let loose and had some real fun. I

like the changes. I like me for the first time in far too long. I love you

Angel, but don’t stand in my way, don’t try and cage me. I’m not an animal.

I’m not a pet to be fawned on when it’s convenient. I am person, just like

Buffy, and Cordelia, and Xander, and Anya, and Giles, and Doyle. Don’t treat

me any different, because I’m not, Angel,” she looked up at him with

pleading eyes. “I don’t want to be the odd one out anymore. Don’t force that

on me.”

“Willow I never meant to force anything on you,” he replied, touching her

arm gently.

“You may not have wanted to, or even meant to, but you did. When Jenny died

I had to teach her class, I loved it, but it was hard for me. I risked my

life to get your soul back, because I was ‘good ole’ Will,’ nobody even

thanked me for it! I’m sick and tired of being taken for granted,” she

closed her eyes, fighting off tears.

“Willow, you were never taken for granted!”

“Wasn’t I?” she laughed, “I brought you back from hell, inadvertently, yes,

but it was still me, I gave you back your soul, I defended you every time

Buffy started bitching about you, I never judged you, ever. You murdered my

friend and I forgave you. You’ve never once, in all the time I’ve known you,

said ‘thank you,’” she shook her head violently, as if a fly has buzzed into

her brain and she was trying to dislodge it.

“You know how grateful I am to you,” he began.

“You could try showing once in a while,” she sighed, looking at his hurt

expression, “Angel I’m sorry, it’s not just you. Buffy takes me for granted

too, and Xander and Oz as well. I’ve known all of you so long it just became

a holding pattern. But, Xander isn’t trying to control my life, and Oz can’t

anymore, he doesn’t have that power over me,” she sighed sad suddenly.

“Accept me for who I am, Angel, that’s all I’m asking. You don’t even have

to be around me anymore, you can go back to L.A. and never have to look at

me again if that’s what you want, but don’t say that you don’t like the way

I am now,” she pleaded with him.

“Willow, I don’t want to avoid you, but it’s hard to see you with Spike. He’

s a monster,” he insisted quietly.

“Don’t say that, Angel, you changed, what you were before the curse was

horrific, disgusting, seriously the stuff that nightmares are made of, but

now you’re different. It’s the same with Spike,” she sighed.

“He doesn’t have a soul.”

“What does that have to do with anything? Not every human being has a

recognizable soul, doesn’t make them bad, or even dangerous. I love him,

maybe more than life itself,”

“You can’t mean that.”

“I can and I do. Angel, don’t do this to me, don’t make me choose between

you and him, you know who’ll win.”

“Willow, even if I did step back and let you and Spike be together, do you

honestly think that Buffy would do the same?”

“There will be no ‘stepping back’, Angel,” she said stonily, “Spike and I

are together, period. End of story. Nothing you do or say will change that,

but you are my friend, and I want you to be happy for me.”

Angel sighed defeated. “You’d make a good lawyer, Will,” he said, she smiled

pulling him into a brief hug.

“But what about Buffy?” he asked, looking down in concern. “I don’t think

she’ll give in quite as easily as I did.”

“Buffy’s already accepted it. She knows that if she tries to interfere she’

ll be on the losing end of a fight. She doesn’t like it anymore than you do,

but she’s going to deal with it for my sake. I hope you can do the same, she

sighed, looking up at him, her eyes seemingly endless.

“For you I could probably do anything,” he sighed, “even tolerate Spike.”

Willow’s face broke out in a smile, which seemed to fill the hall with

radiance.

“Thank you, Angel,” she said softly, once again pulling him into a warm

embrace. They remained that way for a while before they were interrupted by

a voice from the mouth of the hallway.

“So now one demon isn’t enough for you, Willow, you have to have two?”

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

Part 29

“So now one demon isn’t enough for you, Willow, you have to have two?” Oz’s

voice echoed down the hall, the malice hung heavily throughout each word. If

it had been something tangible it would have suffocated Willow. As it was,

her own fury was rising.

What right did he have to even be there, let alone judge her?

Willow growled and pulled away from Angel.

“Get out,” she snarled, her eyes flaring violet.

“Why? Willow, you belong to me. You can’t resist me, you can’t stay away.”

“I belong to no one, dog. Get out. Now.”

Oz remained motionless. He leered at the red head, eyeing her tattoo. Willow

watched him with distaste, waiting for him to leave. Angel stepped back,

sensing both Willow’s fury and her power rising to dangerous levels. He

moved closer to the bedroom door and heard Cordelia and Doyle talking

quietly.

“Do you think we should go out there?” Cordelia’s voice came in a hushed

whisper. “I owe Willow a lot, I don’t want her getting hurt.”

“Delia, love, Willow can take care of herself. I don’t want you getting hurt

trying to help her if she can do it all by herself.” Doyle’s voice replied.

Angel heard Cordelia sigh.

“Fine, but if they start shouting I’m going out there, with or without you.”

Angel smiled. ‘That’s Cordelia for you,’ he thought, watching the standoff

between the witch and the werewolf.

“I’m not leaving without you,” Oz said, slowly advancing.

“Yes, you are. Get out Oz,” her voice was cool and even. Not a good sign.

Still, the wolf advanced with a steady pace.

“It’d be so much easier if you’d just give in to me Willow. You’re mine,” he

grinned, the dim light casting lurid shadows over his features. Willow stood

her ground, neither moving nor speaking, as the wolf advanced. He reached

out to grab her when she lashed out, her fist connecting with his jaw. A

violet glow surrounded her and her eye went to a color nearer to black then

purple.

Cordelia and Doyle emerged from the bedroom, standing only slightly behind

Angel, having heard the punch. They watched in astonishment as the redhead

spoke.

“Get out now, and I’ll let you live.”

“And if I stay?” the wolf asked, cocking his head to the side, his eyes

flashing with amusement. Willow’s lips twisted into a grin and a tall figure

appeared in the mouth of the hall.

“Then I’ll tear your bloody body limb from limb, wolf,” Spike growled his

hand coming down on the wolf’s shoulder like a rock. The boy winced in pain

and the vampire spun him and curled his fingers around the flesh of his

neck. Willow relaxed, watching in delight as Spike grinned down at the

terrified boy. The glow about her receded and her eyes reverted to their

normal green hue.

“You can’t!” he choked, frightened, his eyes wide, string into the startling

blue of his attacker’s eyes.

“Oh but I can, mate,” Spike said, laughingly, as he tightened the hold on

the wolf’s neck for good measure. “Now, will you leave Red alone, or do you

want to go a round with me?”

The wolf clawed at the hand holding his throat, gasping for air. He had come

with the intention of being cruel, cold: demonic, in hopes of winning the

redheaded woman back with attributes he associated with all demons. He had

not, however expected to find Willow in the hallway, groping Angel. Nor had

he expected her to put such a fight as she did. Finally, the last thing he

expected (though now, come to think of it, he probably should have) was to

have Spike –no longer ‘impotent’ (as the slayer loved to refer to his

condition) –  throttling him before a live audience of onlookers, who didn’t

seem to be interested in helping him at all.

‘There is something seriously wrong with this picture,’ he thought sadly

before Cordelia’s voice broke through his terror.

“Spike, let him down,” the brunette had moved past both Angel and Doyle, who

were seemingly unable to move, and was standing only slightly in front of

Willow. Her hands were resting on her hips in a frustrated stance. The

vampire loosened his hold but did not drop the boy, his eyes meeting the

stern gaze of Cordelia.

He was surprised at what he saw there. It was not the kind, giving Cordelia

he had grown to like, but the venomous prom queen of Sunnydale High. He

frowned at her. She didn’t speak, but continued to glare at him sternly,

earning an unnoticed grin from Willow.

Doyle’s eyes widened in absolute shock as Spike relented and dropped the

gasping boy the ground with a growl. Oz backed away from the vampire towards

Cordelia. He looked up at her, as if expecting some sort of assistance.

“Don’t look at me like that, dog boy,” she said, sneering at him in disgust,

“you should have left when you had the chance,” she kicked him and moved

past him, walking down the hall. She turned and looked over at Spike, then

to Doyle, Willow and Angel.

“I don’t think I’ll be getting any more sleep tonight,” she said

thoughtfully, reverting to her gentler tone of voice, “dispose of him,” she

eye Oz fleetingly, “and I’ll make breakfast.” Eyes lit up at the prospect of

Cordelia’s cooking, and Spike turned to her with almost childlike glee.

“Pancakes?” he asked hopefully. Cordelia smiled, looking from him to the

other expectant sets of eyes, all trained on her. She nodded.

“Pancakes.”

Willow grinned and skipped over to the brunette gleefully, her fury

forgotten.

“I’ll help!” she exclaimed, throwing her arm over the taller girl’s

shoulders. Cordelia grinned, her arm slipping around Willow’s waist. She

turned once they reached the end of the hall and smiled. None of them had

moved. Spike and Doyle were both eyeing their respective lovers, while Angel

was wearing a smug smile, watching the whole thing with a sort of detached

amusement.

“I’m not feeding him,” she said simply, looking at Oz, “and if he’s still

here when we’re finished then I’m not feeding any of you either.” She turned

and sauntered out into the Kitchen, her arm still around Willow.

Only moments later Doyle emerged from the hall, Oz walking sullenly behind

him, checking behind himself every second stride. Doyle rolled his eyes and

opened the door for the boy.

“Out,” was all he said, before looking into the kitchen, “you can let them

move now, Willow,” he said. The redhead turned and smiled at him.

“Do I have to?” she whined playfully.

“I don’t think your boy Spike likes being stuck to the spot anymore than he

would a stroll in the park at high noon,” Doyle smiled back, liking the

redhead more and more. She tended to bring out the best in people, not to

mention the fact that she had brought him back for his Delia. He smiled and

sat down on the couch, careful not to knock either of the two sleeping teens

on the floor. He picked up the magazine on the table and began to leaf

through it as the two vampires stalked out of the hall. Angel joined Doyle

on the couch, shaking his head, slightly more accustomed to Willow’s

strange, magickal whims than Spike. He looked at Doyle, who looked at him in

return.

“It’s good to see you man,” the half-demon said with a smile, ignoring the

British vampire’s argument with the redhead. The dark vampire grinned back,

overcome with happiness to have his friend back. They smiled at each other

for a moment, before Angel pulled him into a tight hug.

“I’m so glad you’re back,” he said as he let him go. “You wouldn’t believe

what a whiner Cordy is…”

“I heard that,” she called from the kitchen, “and don’t think for one second

that whining is worse than brooding, because it’s not,” she added, before

returning her attention to the language Spike was so colorfully using in his

argument. She grinned, happily.

'Everything is just perfect right now,’ she thought as she surveyed the

room: Angel and Doyle talking warmly with one another, Xander and Anya still

asleep on the floor. Spike growling curses at Willow, who simply laughed and

smiled at him, sure that she would wear him down without even a word. Buffy

just waking from her pleasant slumber, watching Angel speak and listen, far

more animatedly than he had ever before. And Giles shuffling out of the

hall; wakened by Spike’s shouting. She glanced over at Giles, who had joined

her in the kitchen to put on a pot of tea. He nodded, sharing her thought.

“Perfect,” the said in unison, before sharing a smile and an unnoticed

laugh.

******

Part 30

Willow poked Xander in the arm.

"Wake up."

"I'm surprised he's not up on his own yet, the smell of food could probably wake him from a coma," Anya said,

looking over at her lover.

"It probably could," Buffy said dryly, eyeing the delicious looking breakfast Cordelia had set out on the table. "Can we

eat now?" she added impatiently.

Willow smiled, still poking the sleeping boy.

"Do you have any idea what he'll do to you if he finds out he missed Cordy's pancakes again?" she laughed,

poking him harder. "Come on, come on, wake up, wake up!" she prodded, shaking him harder.

"Aaaah! I wanna ride the pony!" the dark hared boy moaned, and Willow giggled.

"Come on, Xand, time to get up," Willow giggled as the groggy boy kept mumbling. Spike frowned and looked at Anya.

"Is he always this hard to wake up?" he asked irritated.

"I've never tried waking him up this early," she said with a shrug. The vampire growled.

"Willow, if you don't wake him up now, I'll..." he began, but stopped. The dark hared boy stood slowly

beside Willow and smirked.

"Please, never tell me what you would have done," he said, hurrying over to the table and sat down. Cordelia smiled and shook

her head, sitting next to Xander. He had already taken three pancakes onto his plate and drenched them in sticky syrup. Anya sank

gracefully into the chair on his other side, while Doyle seated himself next to Cordelia, taking two of the fluffy pancakes for himself and

two for her.

Willow plopped down across from Doyle and grinned at him as she took two pancakes for herself after he had finished serving Cordelia.

Spike settled himself next to Willow, waiting rather impatiently for the redhead to finish serving herself. Angel sat next to Spike, noting the

uneasy look on Buffy's face. Giles watched with a smile from the kitchen as he poured himself another cup of tea. They certainly

were happy.  He joined them at the table, sitting at the head.

'What a strange little family we have here,' Willow thought, offering the plate of pancakes to the former watcher. He took the

plate with a smile and served himself. They ate in silence, and, after everyone had eaten their fill (except Xander, who kept eating

fervently) they slipped into comfortable conversation.

"Say, slayer, how's your mum?" Spike asked, turning to Buffy. Buffy came close to laughing out loud. Her mother had

asked if the vampire had recovered from his break up with Dru when they had talked last.

"She's fine Spike, she asked about you," the slayer grinned, forgetting for the time being that Spike was a vampire that

had caused her no end of grief.

"Oh yeah? What'd she say?"

"She asked how you were doing," she said with a shrug. "I'll tell you one thing Spike, I never thought I'd

see the day that you would pour out your love problems over hot chocolate with my mother," she shook her head, "if I

hadn't been terrified you'd hurt her, I would've laughed so hard"

"Wait, you moped over Dru over hot chocolate with Buffy's mom?" Willow laughed, disbelieving.

"It's not that funny!" he protested, looking pleadingly at no one in particular.

"Yes, it is," Anya said with a chuckle.

"Hey! She's pretty decent, you know. She even had those little marshmallows" he trailed off as almost the entire

group began to laugh. He frowned and crossed his arms over his chest in a huff. He looked at Willow, her eyes streaming tears; she was

holding her sides to keep from splitting open. "Go ahead, laugh it up," he said, trying to hide a smile.

When everyone had calmed down somewhat, Willow looked at the dirty dishes.

"Who's gonna clean this stuff up?" she asked reluctantly.

Cordelia sighed and began gathering up dishes.

"I will," she said as she shuffled off into the kitchen. Buffy and Xander stared in wide eyes at the brunette as she set the

stack down and began to fill the sink with water. Spike shook his head and grabbed the remaining dishes.

"She'll probably need help with those," he said, joining Cordelia in the kitchen.

"What just happened?" Xander asked, after getting over his shock.

"I think Spike and Cordelia just offered to do the dishes," Buffy said, equally astonished. Anya shook her head and rolled her

eyes.

"Don't look so surprised. They've both changed more than you've noticed in the past days. She's been

humbled, slightly, and so has he. It was bound to happen someday," she said with a shrug, rising and moving towards the kitchen.

"Angel, do you want some blood? You haven't fed yet, have you?"

The dark vampire nodded and the former demon disappeared into the kitchen. She smiled at Cordelia and Spike, who had somehow managed

to overflow the sink with light, foamy bubbles. Cordelia giggled and scooped up a small clump of the light foam and dabbed it on

Spike's face. He did the same to her, laughing outright. Anya shook her head, filling a mug with blood and placing it in the microwave.

"Cut it out, you two, or they might get jealous," she said, nodding towards the living room, where the rest of the group had

moved. Spike laughed, a wicked light in his eyes. He scooped up a finger full of the fluff and dabbed in on Anya's nose.

"I think you just feel left out," he said with an impish grin. Anya shook her head, retrieving the mug from the microwave.

"You can just read me like a book can't you she said, shaking her head as she sauntered out of the kitchen.

Spike grinned over at Cordelia. She wiped the foam off her cheek before doing the same for him.

"We'd better get these done," she sighed, looking at the stack of dirty dishes.

"Probably," he said, taking the first plate and sinking it into the soapy water.

They washed in silence for a while, before Cordelia looked up at him.

"So, how'd I do?" she asked, lightly.

"With the wolf?" the vampire returned with a grin. She nodded. "Bloody fantastic, luv, had me shaking in my

boots," he laughed, earning a brilliant smile from the brunette. "I knew you had it in you luv."

"It's a gift," she said lightly, her face bright and full of pride.

"I knew it the first time I laid eyes on you, pet, I said to myself, 'That one's there's a real firecracker, she

is,' and that you are, pet, that you are."

Cordelia laughed and took the dish from him.

"You weren't so bad yourself, there, Spikey boy," she replied with a broad smile.

"It's a gift," he said, mimicking her. She grinned and carefully put away the last of the dishes.

"Well, that's that," she said, looking around the kitchen. She pecked him lightly on the cheek and smiled. "Thanks

for helping," she grinned as she skipped out of the kitchen to join the others. Spike followed her and plopped down next to Willow,

who was seated on the floor, facing the couch.

"So, what're we going to do today?" she asked, almost sadly, "we've figured out the prophecy, brought

back Doyle, raided the mall, and excommunicated Oz, hopefully once and for all. What else is there to do?" Anya said, flipping

through a fashion magazine Cordelia had bought within the week. As she spoke there was a loud rap on the door. Buffy rose to answer it.

"We could always try something normal, for once," she said as she opened the door. Her mouth dropped wide when she saw

Riley, Forrest and Grant on the doorstep, Oz standing slightly behind them, a smug smile on his face. She rolled her eyes at the werewolf,

thoroughly tired of his presence and looked up at Riley. "Hey guys, what's up?"

Cordelia frowned; eyeing the poorly concealed weapons the men held.

"Or not" she said with a sigh, leaning against Doyle's chest.

******

Part 31

“Hey Buffy, Oz said that you were having some problems that we might want to

check out,” Riley said, looking wonderingly at the immense group of people

situated not twenty feet away. He tugged on a small device, looking much

like a gameboy, and turned it on. “I think he was right…”

“No, Riley, everything’s fine here, but thanks for your concern. We have

everything under control here,” Buffy said, slowly closing the door. Riley’s

hand stopped her, and the four men walked in.

“Buffy, this thing is reading eight extremely strange readings out of the

thirteen people here. Care to explain?” Riley said slowly, tapping the

gameboy.

“If you think that a gameboy is going to be able to give you an accurate

gage on the situation here, farm boy, then I think you’re the one with the

problem,” Anya said from the couch. “The only problem here is wolf boy.”

“I am not a problem, demon bitch, if anything it’s that cold blooded

murderer next to Willow that’s the problem!” Oz shot back defensively. Both

Forrest and Grant shifted nervously, wondering what exactly they had gotten

themselves into.

“Uh, Riley, I think that we should go. If Willow says she’s got it under

control then—” Grant said hesitantly.

“You two can go if you want, but I want an explanation for the reading on

this thing. Take a look,” he held out the device for the two other men to

see.

“I’d like to hear that explanation too,” Forrest said cautiously, looking at

the group. “Two room temperatures, with six other strange sources of power,

should be one for the books.”

Buffy sighed, slamming the door.

“I guess a formal introduction is in order?” she asked, frustrated, she

paused next to Oz and whispered, “you’re more trouble than you’re worth, you

know…” he shrugged in response.

“I think that would be wise,” Giles said, not liking the weaponry the three

men held.

“Ok, well, guys this is Riley, Forrest, and Grant,” she motioned to each

respectively, “You three know Willow, Xander and Oz. This is Anya, Cordelia,

Doyle, Angel, Spike and Giles, and for the record, I am thoroughly fed up

with this crap. Someone else can explain this to commando boys,” she moved

over to the couch and flopped back into her former place. Willow smiled at

her friend.

“Come, sit, get comfy, this might take awhile. But leve your guns and

whatever on the table. Oz, I suggest you leave…” she said, rising and moving

to the table, she grabbed two chairs and brought them around to where she

was formerly sitting. Riley, Forrest, and Grant reluctantly set their

weapons on the table and took a chair for themselves, moving them near where

Willow was.

“I’m not leaving until you leave with me,” Oz said, watching the redhead

intently.

“Do you want a repeat of this morning, mutt?” Spike growled.

“I am not a mutt,” Oz protested, sitting on the floor. Cordelia snorted,

turning to Doyle.

“The dog faced boy says he’s not a mutt. Denial much?”

“Hush, princess,” Doyle said, placing a finger on the brunette’s lips. She

silenced herself, but shout Oz an icy look. All eyes turned to Willow. She

sighed, her head set firmly in her hands.

“This is so not what I expected to be doing today,” she muttered as she

looked up. Her eyes met Riley’s and she frowned. He was such a gentle soul,

why was he mixed up in all this strange business.

Willow straightened herself, taking on the air of a powerful sorceress, not

a weary college student.

“I assume that you three know about all the creepy crawlies that tend to

cozy up in Sunnydale?” she asked, looking at the three. They nodded.

“We are not creepy crawlies,” Anya said haughtily, “we’re demons.”

“Speak for yourself,” Oz said disdainfully.

“I may not have my powers, boy, but I still pack a mean punch,” she said

warningly.

“Stop it, both of you!” Willow insisted, before continuing, “I didn’t mean

creepy crawlies in a bad way, Anya, remember, I’m one too now,” she said,

looking pleadingly with the former demon.

“I know, Will, I’m sorry. I’m a little defensive…”

“S’ok,” the redhead smiled, before switching her gaze to the three

thoroughly confused newcomers. “The majority of people here are, in one way

or another, one of the previously mentioned creepy crawly type residents of

Sunnydale.”

“What’re you talking about, only two vampires are here, and no demons as far

as I can tell…” Riley began, before Willow cut him off with a rich peal of

laughter. At his confused gaze, Doyle’s face shifted to his demon’s, as did

Angel’s and Spike’s, no menace in any of their demeanors, Anya’s eyes glowed

with a frightening power, reminiscent of her time as a demon, while Oz

remained still, looking uncomfortable.

“Better?” Willow asked, her laughter receding. Riley nodded slightly, and

all four reverted to their previous state.

“That was unnerving,” Buffy said under her breath.

“At least you weren’t sitting next to any of them when they did… that”

Xander said in reply, looking a little frightened of his girlfriend.

“You’ll get used to it,” was all Anya said.

“What—” Riley began to ask before Willow cut him off again.

“Spike and Angel,” she motioned to the two, “vampires. Anya, former

vengeance demon, Doyle half, uhmm, what type of demon are you?” she asked

curiously, Doyle frowned.

“Bracken demon,” he said absently.

“Right, Doyle’s a half-bracken demon, Oz is a werewolf…”

“A bloody annoying werewolf,” Spike said pointedly.

“Quite,” Willow agreed, before turning back to Riley. “You know about Buffy,

and how she’s the slayer, Giles is—was her watcher, Cordelia was, for a

short time, a seer, and, to top it all off…” she paused, taking a calming

breath, “I’m a sorceress.”

“Huh?” was the only reply she got. She shut her eyes and shook her head.

“This is going to be a long day…” she sighed, turning to Riley’s confused

face.

Anya groaned and Rose, moving into the kitchen.

“Anyone want anything?” she called, her form hidden by the refrigerator

door.

“Is there any soda?” Xander called.

“Yeah, but only six,” Anya replied, pulling out the six pack of Coke and

setting it on the counter. Willow looked at Spike, who was eyeing Oz

furiously. She patted his knee.

“Go get yourself something to eat, I don’t think Oz would taste very good,”

she said softly, shooing him away. “And get me a glass of juice,” she added.

Spike nodded as he moved away. He paused next to Angel and bent down,

obviously asking him if he wanted something. The dark vampire shook his head

and Spike moved on. Doyle looked at Giles, who had moved to the liquor

cabinet and was fixing himself a drink.

“You have any whiskey in there?” he asked, eyeing the vast array of bottles

thankfully. Giles nodded and handed a bottle and glass to the half-demon

before taking his place in the armchair once again. Anya emerged from the

kitchen carrying the six pack and a glass of thin, iridescent blue liquid,

Giles eyed it distastefully, having an idea of what it was, but not really

wanting to know for sure.

She tossed the sodas to Xander, who pulled one off for himself, before

handing the remaining cans to Cordelia. She rolled her eyes and, after

taking one for herself, offered one to Buffy, and handed the rest of the

cans to Riley. He took one for himself and gave the other two to Forrest and

Grant. Oz frowned at not being offered anything.

Spike returned with a mug in one hand and a glass of juice in the other. He

sat next to Willow once again, and eyes the glass in Anya’s hand curiously.

“I don’t know how you can drink that stuff, pet, tastes bloody horrible,” he

said, sipping the blood in the mug.

“As if yours isn’t any less repulsive,” she said, sipping the blue liquid

tentatively.

“What is it?” Buffy asked, causing Giles, Doyle, Angel and Spike to frown,

the stuff vengeance demons tended to concoct was not always the most

pleasant thing to hear about.

“Water, dragon’s blood, liquid drainer…” she began.

“That stuff can kill you Anya!” Buffy said, shocked. Xander shook his head.

“Nah, she drinks it all the time, you wouldn’t believe the kinds of things

she makes,” he said, looking at the blue substance. “This is one of the

better ones,” he sighed, “somehow when she makes them, they don’t look as

gross.”

“That’s because she uses magick,” Willow said, looking at the liquid as she

sipped her own drink.

Riley, Forrest and Grant watched and listened as the rest of the group

laughed and began talking all at once.

“Hey, Wills, you think you could de-rat Amy now?” Xander asked, wonderingly,

“it’d be nice to see her again.”

“I thought you didn’t like her,” Willow laughed.

“We had our differences, but she’s ok, it was funny watching her turn Buffy

into a rat,” he grinned.

“She seemed to really like that spell a lot, didn’t she?” Cordelia laughed.

“Who’s Amy?” Riley asked Willow softly, “and when was Buffy a rat?” Willow

smiled and looked at him.

“You know our rat?” she asked. Riley nodded. “Well, she used to be a girl

our age. She was a witch, and during one of the less pleasant hellmouth

experiences, she turned herself into a rat to get out of being burned at the

stake,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Burned at the stake?” he asked raising an eyebrow. Willow nodded.

“Yeah, Buffy’s mom went all crazy and wanted to get rid of the ‘bad girls’,

meaning anyone with magick…”

“Meaning, me, Wills, and Amy,” Buffy concluded. “That was not a fun

experience.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Willow smiled.

“And the rat?” Riley asked. Buffy frowned.

“That’s nothing interesting. You don’t want to hear about it.”

“Yes, Buff, I think he does,” Xander grinned stupidly.

“Xander had Amy work a spell to get Cordelia back, but it backfired, and

every woman in Sunnydale, except Cordy, went crazy for him,” Willow

explained softly.

“Buffy was going to seduce him, but Amy got mad and turned her into a rat,”

Oz said. Buffy smacked him. “What was that for?” he demanded.

“Guess,” she said dryly, turning her attention back to Riley.

“I still don’t get this. Why is the Slayer hanging out with two vamps, a

demon, and a witch?” Forrest asked, still far beyond confused.

“Yeah, aren’t you supposed to kill demons and vampires and, uh, creepy

crawlies?” Grant asked.

“I am NOT a creepy crawlie!” Both Anya and Spike shouted, simultaneously.

Buffy ignored them.

“I usually do, but Angel has a soul, Anya doesn’t have her powers anymore,

and Doyle is only half demon.”

“And blondie?” Riley asked, jamming a thumb at Spike. Buffy shrugged.

“He’s with Will, she’ll keep him in line, I guess.”

“Still confused.” Grant said, looking around. Spike was glaring alternately

at Riley and Oz, Willow had her head in her hands once again, while the

others seemed clearly disinterested and detached. Willow groaned into her

hands. She looked up and glared at OZ.

“This is all your fault,” she said. “I was looking forward to a nice,

relaxing day with my friends,” she continued, her anger growing.

“Willow, I did it for you, you’re mind’s been poisoned by that—that thing!”

“Watch it, mate, that thing’s got friend’s now, so you’d better cool it

unless you want a repeat of this morning,” Doyle said, looking down at the

boy. Oz growled.

“I leave for what? A month—“

“Three.”

“And all of you have gone nuts! Running around, screwing demons instead of

killing them!”

All four demons snarled, their true face manifesting themselves, while

Willow’s took on their trademark violet glow. Riley snatched the stake from

his back pocket and held it tightly, looking anxiously at the demons. Buffy

did the same.

Giles sipped his drink and watched in silence. Oz continued.

“You know I should have known this was going to happen with you Willow, you’

ve always been a slut, first Xander and now him. What did I expect? Is a

month too long to wait?” he began to rise but found himself thrown back onto

the floor, Willow’s body had been surrounded by a vermilion glow. Her eyes

almost black with rage. But Oz didn’t stop.

“You’ve always been a whore, impatient for everything, I guess you got tired

sleeping in an empty bed and found someone else…” he was stopped by a

vicious punch to the jaw. Not form Buffy, Spike, Angel, or even Xander, but

from Anya.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” she said, her hand raised to hit him

again. He stared blankly up at her. She’d risen faster than anything,

adrenaline pulsing through her, a brief vision of the demon that had wound

it’s way around her essence coming into full view. Her eyes were filled with

a dangerous malice he had never thought anyone capable of.

“Nothing’s wrong with me, everything I’ve said is true!” he insisted,

getting his tongue back. Anya was about to bring her fist down again, when

Buffy caught her wrist. Anya yanked her arm free, and glared down at the

wolf.

“You are such a bastard,” she said, her voice low and menacing, “Gods below,

if I had my powers back I would…” Xander pulled her away from the wolf.

“Anya, calm down,” he commanded, looking down at her seriously. “Leave him

alone.”

“NO!” Cordelia’s shrill protest cut in. “He deserves it!” she glared at the

wolf. “Do you have any idea what you put her through?” she demanded. When he

remained silent she asked again. “Well do you?”

He shook his head.

“I didn’t think so. Let me fill you in, Oz,” his name was spat out as if it

had a foul taste to it. “Willow loved you. She really did. I wasn’t here and

I know at least half of what she felt from her phone calls. She was utterly

miserable. She nearly walking in front of a car the day before you left, and

three times she’d talked about killing herself.” Willow frowned, ignoring

the concerned looks from everyone, she shifted closer to Spike.

“She tried to,” Spike said coolly, taking her hand.

“What?” Riley asked, his eyes wide. He snatched one of Willow’s wrists, thin

scar lines across her wrists attested to what he’d said. He looked at

Willow, who simply shrugged and turned back to Spike. Riley frowned and

hesitantly dropped the witch’s wrist. They had grown violently chilled, and

he didn’t want to know how much energy was being exerted into the aura

surrounding her.

Oz shook his head.

“You’re lying. She’s made it all up, she’s a wonderful actress,” he looked

at the redhead, “you should go into acting if you’ve got them all

convinced,” he said sullenly. “But you can’t fool love. I know you miss me,

I know you for what you are, a worthless whore, and I’m the only one who’ll

accept you as you are. You know it and so do I.” A single tear slipped from

Willow’s eye. She nodded, rising and moving towards Oz.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and held out her arms. “I’m so sorry…”

Oz folded her into his embrace, holding her close. “I know, Willow. I won’t

judge you…” he said softly. Spike growled, trying to hide the tears that

stung his eyes.

Anya seethed, her eyes trained on Oz’s form.

Xander held her back, his arms wrapped tightly around the former demon.

Doyle held Cordelia as well, who was thrashing in his arms.

“Get him out of here! He’s shit, Willow, forget him!” the brunette babbled.

Buffy frowned, tears in her eyes. She shook her head, ‘oh, Willow, what has

he done to you?’ she thought.

Angel frowned as well, his demon coming to the surface. He snarled at the

werewolf, who only smiled smugly in response.

Riley, Forrest and Grant shifted uncomfortably, uneasy around the infuriated

group.

Giles set his glass down and frowned. Willow was quite the actress.

“Willow, don’t…” the watcher said in a warning tone.

Willow frowned and tightened her hold on the wolf.

‘Goddess, forgive me…’ she thought and closed her eyes.

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

Part 33

Time flew by and the daylight hours turned into those of welcoming night.

Four sets of two dissipated into the night, a third in their company,

welcomed, if not feeling slightly out of place trailed slightly behind.

This ‘extra’ found himself lost in thoughts, it wasn’t unusual, but it did

seem to put a damper on his spirits.

After the ‘Oz fiasco’ the group had remained indoors. He had seen the

affection between the lot, and knew that the slayer’s heart was no longer

his. Angel frowned for what seemed like the thousandth time since that

morning at the prospect. She had moved on, as he should have. She was not

his soul’s true love; she was simply love’s way of tormenting him.

The majority of the day was spent rehashing tales of old and new demons and

other such opponents the group had faced. Riley had listened in fascination

as old tales of the slayer’s honor and glory were thrown at him, one upon

the next. For the most part, Angel had been the silent, stoic creature of

the night that most of the group remembered from before Angelus had torn

down the friendships he’d tried hard to build and maintain. Only Buffy,

Riley, and Xander seemed not to notice the change in the dark vampire,

though the others thought it best to leave him be. A soft hand on his arm

interrupted Angel’s thoughts. He looked down to see Willow, smiling up at

him, her bright eyes gleaming like those of a cat.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her eyes not leaving his.

“Nothing,” he lied, not wanting to discuss his thoughts.

“Don’t lie to me, Angel,” was the whispered reply. Her eyes were sad, “I

haven’t lied to you.”

Tedious silence fell between them as they walked behind the rest of their

friends.

“She’s not mine anymore, is she?”

Willow shook her head.

“She never really was, Angel, just like you were never hers,” she said, her

eyes still sad, but holding truths he never knew existed. “It was fated to

fail, her heart had to be broken, and your soul had to be lost before the

both of you could find happiness.”

“I can’t believe that. You don’t know what it was like, to see her face when

I—”

“I don’t, no, but I do know that Slayers and Vampires do not mix. Soul or

no, basic instincts that neither of you can deny keep you apart. There’s no

future for the two of you, and there never was.”

Angel frowned at this, and fell, once again, into introspective silence.

“So, what do you think of Riley?” the little sorceress finally asked, not

looking at her dark companion.

“I want to hate him so much,” he replied, and paused. “But I can’t.”

“Because he makes Buffy happy?”

“No, yogurt makes Buffy happy and I hate yogurt,” he said with a silly half

smile. “But there’s something about him…” he paused again. “He’s just so

damn likeable.”

“Annoying, isn’t it?” Willow laughed, threading her arm through Angel’s.

“When are you leaving?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think Cordelia’s going to be ready to leave anytime

soon, but we should go. Giles can’t house all of us forever.”

“I could,” Willow said softly, looking at her feet.

“What?”

“My parents, they’re moving out of the house. I asked if I could keep it,

and they told me that if I wanted it, I could have it.” She looked up at the

vampire, hope in her eyes.

“That’s great Willow,” he said softly, “but I don’t think that I should

stay…”

“That’s ridiculous, we need your help now, more than ever. This prophecy has

us all confused, and three more helping hands would be great.”

“I only have two hands,” he grinned, receiving a playful swat from the

redhead.

“You know what I meant.”

“What about Buffy?”

“Forget Buffy, I’m talking about you, Cordy and Doyle.”

“But…”

“But nothing. You should stay, I want you to, Anya wants you to, I know that

Cordy and Doyle both want to, hell, even Spike likes having you here. We’ll

miss you, and you’ll miss us, so why cause us all grief when it can easily

be avoided?”

“Because it’s what he does, pet,” Spike said from behind them. He wrapped an

arm around Willow’s waist and pulled her close.

“How long have you been there?”

“Long enough,” he said with a chuckle, kissing her ear. He looked towards

Angel with pleading puppy-dog eyes. “What do you say dad, fancy having a

family again?”

Angel laughed, as did Willow.

“You two are insufferable,” he laughed, pulling them both into a warm hug.

“But I love you anyway.”

“Hey, are you three bonding without us?” Cordelia asked, she was turned

around, her hands on her hips looking very displeased.

Angel stretched out an arm to her.

“We’re staying here, Cor,” he said smiling.

“How long?” she asked, skeptical.

“Indefinitely, pet,” Spike said, laughing as the brunette flung herself into

the massive hug.

“Really?” Cordelia bounced with glee in Angel’s arms.

“One big happy family,” Willow nodded.

Cordelia pulled away and waved Doyle over, shouting, “we’re staying, we’re

staying!” gleefully, over and over. Doyle grinned and picked the brunette

up, twirling her about in his arms. He smiled at Angel broadly.

“Thanks there, boss.”

“Don’t mention it,” Angel smiled, before Cordelia once again flung herself

at him in a jovial hug.

Anya had overheard the conversation and had dragged Xander back to the

laughing group.

“So does this mean Anya has some competition for the most tactless person

around?” Xander asked, laughing heartily.

“If she’s up to the challenge,” Willow grinned. Anya nodded.

“I could take her any day of the week,” the demon laughed, looping an arm

through Willow’s. “So, who gets to stay in the house with you?” she asked,

her eyes lighting up.

“Well, I was thinking you, Xander, Angel, Cordy, Doyle and Spike, for now,”

the redhead grinned.

“Thank god, I don’t think I could stand staying in his basement anymore,”

Anya smiled, good-naturedly at her lover.

“Hey!” the brunette boy protested loudly.

“What about us?” Buffy asked, feeling somewhat left out.

“I am absolutely not living with the slayer!” Spike said loudly. He may be

able to tolerate the blonde twat, but he would take a stroll in Central Park

at noon before he’d live with her.

Willow knew this, as well as she knew that none of her ‘abnormal’ friends

would be comfortable with one of the Initiative’s top agents under the same

roof.

“Buffy, you know I love you, but think about it, if you were a demon, would

you be comfortable knowing that some whacked out commando troop could burst

in at any time and drag you off for experiments?” Willow asked, shooting an

apologetic look towards Riley.

“Well, I guess not…” the slayer said.

“And would you be able to stand living with Spike, Cordelia and Anya without

the tree of you trying to kill each other?”

“Probably not.”

“And wouldn’t you rather get your own apartment and visit us whenever?” the

redhead continued. The slayer nodded.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Well, you already have a spare key, consider yourself formally invited.”

“What about Riley, I mean he’s your friend too?”

“No commando gear, no stakes, no creepy chip things, and no Initiative in

the house,” Willow said with a smile. Buffy rushed to the redhead, wrapping

her in a hug.

“You are so the best, Wills,” the slayer said, holding the redhead a little

too tightly.

“Buff, I think she needs to breathe…” Xander said, noting the firm hold the

slayer had on Willow.

The sorceress looked confused a moment, before she smiled.

“Actually, I don’t,” she said as the slayer pulled away.

“What?” it was a unanimous cry.

“I don’t need to breathe,” the little redhead laughed, her eyes bright. She

bobbed her head in approval. “Cool.”

“Certainly is, pet,” Spike said, pulling her close to him for a deep kiss.

Buffy groaned, rolling her eyes.

“I definitely could not live with that,” she said to Riley.

“If I can, you could,” Xander said, wrapping his arms around Anya.

“No, I refuse to believe that I could survive existence seeing that on a

regular basis.”

Willow growled, turning to face the slayer.

“Cut it out, you’re ruining the mood!”

Everyone burst out laughing. Some so hard tears prickled their eyes, while

Willow and Spike resumed their kiss.

“Well, this will definitely be an experience,” Cordelia said to Angel,

looking brightly up at him. He nodded, ruffling her hair as if she were a

child.

“Definitely and experience.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, hugging him again. “So much.”

“What can I say, Willow can convince anyone of anything.”

“Think she could get him to stop brooding then?” Doyle asked, laughing a

bit.

“Who knows,” Cordelia smiled, looking around at her friends, “stranger

things have happened…”

back