Rating: PG-13, just in case.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and seek no profit from this story.
Warning: Spoilers thru Surprise and Innocence, 2nd Season.
Summary: What did Willow do between catching Xander and Cordelia together
in
the library, leaving and her return?
Distribution: NHA, WLS, SoG, and anyone else who has gotten the okay
before.
Anyone else, please ask me first.
A/N: Thank you to LaDy SiN for the extra fast beta'ing!
Dedication: This series is for Gabrielle on her birthday. I hope you
had a
wonderful birthday, Sweetie! Enjoy! =)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Willow left the library in a foul mood. She couldn't believe that after
everything Cordelia had done to them over the years that Xander would
still allow
himself to fall under her spell. 'Yet, there they were making out in
the stacks
like there's not gonna be a tomorrow!' She thought.
Willow paused and considered that thought. 'Well, it is possible that
there
won't be a tomorrow ... especially if we don't find a way to stop that
Judge-guy,' her mind awhirl, Willow started walking again.
It was only then that she realized that it was after dark and she was
out
alone without any protection. 'I just had to rush out of there without
a cross or
some holy water, didn't I?' She thought as she hurried through the
park. 'And
I'm supposed to be the smart one.'
Her thoughts jumped from scolding herself for not thinking about protection,
to wondering which type of 'evil nasties' she could possibly run into.
She was
so lost in thought that she didn't notice she was being followed until
the
vampire spoke. "You know, pet, it's a bit late for a stroll."
"Spike." Willow said.
"You know who I am?"
Willow nodded and turned around. "Yes."
Spike stared at her. After a moment, recognition flashed in his eyes.
"Right.
You're one of the Slayer's little friends."
Again Willow nodded. Spike smirked at her. "You know what I am."
"You're a vampire." Willow said.
"Why, then, aren't you running away?"
Willow bit her lip, hesitating. Spike rolled his eyes as she shifted
from
foot to foot. "Speak!" He snapped.
Willow jumped. "I-I ... what ... how ..."
"Quit stammering, you stupid bint! Tell me why you aren't running away
from
me!" Spike demanded, his eyes flashing.
"Uh..." Willow managed.
Spike's body began to quake with anger. "It's because of this bloody
chair,
right? I'm not scary anymore because I'm just a cripple, that's it,
right?"
The defeated tone of Spike's voice caused something in Willow to stir.
"No
... I mean, yes, that's why I'm not running, but it's not because you're
not
scary. You're scaring the crap outta me right now, what with the shaking
and
all..."
Spike looked up at her, his expression hopeful. "Really? You're scared
of
me?"
Willow nodded. "Yeah. But, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, I suppose that'd be all right."
Willow pointed to a park bench and walked over to it, checking once
to see
that Spike was indeed following her. She sat down and waited until
he'd settled
his
wheelchair beside her. "What happened?" She asked.
Spike growled. "Bloody Slayer happened."
"Buffy did this to you?"
Spike nodded. "Threw a soddin' incense burner at my head, she did. Knocked
me
out cold. Then the damn roof caved in on top of me ... woke up like
this."
Willow was silent for a minute. Spike looked at her, only to find her
staring
at him. "What?" He asked.
"Is it permanent?"
Spike shook his head. "No, I'm already getting stronger. With each and
every
kill."
Willow paled at that but didn't move to run away. "I'm sorry it happened.
It
must be horrible for you."
Spike nodded. "You have no idea, pet."
"You were going to kill me tonight, weren't you? That's why you approached
me." Willow said.
Spike lifted an eyebrow. "Quite the astute observation."
"Are you still planning on it?" Willow asked.
"Killing you?"
Willow nodded. "Yeah. I'd like some warning, you know? So I can prepare
a
little bit..."
Spike stared at the girl before in shock for a moment before letting
out a
bark of laughter. "You, pet, are quite the human. Full of fire, you
are."
Willow couldn't help but grin. "Thanks."
"Tell me, Red, What are you doing out alone tonight, anyway?"
"Running away." Willow answered without thinking.
"From what?" Spike asked.
"From who." Willow corrected.
Spike grinned and waited on her to continue. "Xander and Cordelia. That
...
that ... bitch!"
Spike laughed again. "Now, now, such naughty language. Shame on you."
Willow blushed. "Sorry. It's just that, well, Xander ... and there was
kissing ... it's just ..."
Spike's eyes shone with an emotion that Willow didn't recognize. "It's
just
not fair," He said. "The bloke chose her over you."
Willow nodded. "Yeah."
"That is something I understand quite well." Spike stated, his voice cold.
Willow bit her bottom lip once again, worrying it between her teeth.
Her eyes
met Spike's and she saw the truth in them. "It hurts." She said.
Spike's expression softened. "Yeah, that it does, pet, that it does."
"I should get back." Willow said.
Spike nodded. "Evil to fight and all that rot, right?"
"Yeah," Willow said. "So, you're not going to kill me?"
"Not tonight." Spike said.
"Oh, okay." Willow said.
Without another word, Spike wheeled himself away. Willow watched him
go.
Before she realized what she was doing, she called out his name. The
vampire
stopped moving and looked over his shoulder in question. Willow ran
over to him and
smiled. "I just wanted to say thank you."
Spike rolled his eyes. "For not killing you?"
Willow shook her head. "No. Well, okay, yes. I do appreciate that. But
really, thank you for making me realize that I'm not the only under
appreciated
person in the world."
Spike found himself smiling at her. "Oh." He said. "Well, then, you're
welcome."
Willow smiled. Without further conversation, both of them went on their
way.
Spike headed back to the warehouse and Willow went back to the library,
both
of them feeling just the slightest bit happier.
The End