Chapter One

Willow, Buffy and Spike had spent an uneventful evening on patrol. The local vamp population seemed to be avoiding the usual places. "See you guys later, "Willow said, as she headed back to her dorm room.

After a few minutes, she heard a sound behind her. She whirled with a cross in one hand and a stake in the other.

"Hold on sweetcakes, it's just me. Mind if I walk with you for a bit?" asked a surprised Spike.

 "OK, I guess, " Willow said trying to keep the pleasure she felt out of hervoice.

They walked along in silence, Spike chain smoking. Willow tried to think of something to say that wouldn't betray her feelings. She dreaded making a fool of herself in front of him.

Spike cleared his throat, " I'm not very good at things like this, I .. want to ah Oh bloody hell! Listen red, I've got to ask you something." He took her arm and pulled her around to face him.

Willow's heart jumped, "What is it Spike?"

"I've had these feelings, the kind of feelings I haven't had in a long time." He looked away, toying with his cigarette.

Willow's knees felt week and she was afraid that she might faint, right there on the spot.

"I've decided to do something about them, to take a serious chance," he said fixing her with his cold blue eyes. "You and I, we've gotten to know each other and I .. I .."

"Yes Spike? " she said, her green eyes shining with anticipation.

"I need you, to help me get Buffy."

Willow felt as if a steel door had clanged down between them, her heart seemed to stop. She was just someone to help, a friend and nothing more. Her face must have betrayed her feelings.

He tried to explain," no, I don't mean 'get' her that way, I mean I want her to have the same feelings for me that I have for her. Don't get me wrong not that the 'get' part wouldn't be great but.."

Despite her deep disappointment, she never even considered refusing him. Anything that would give her a chance to be with him. "OK, " said Willow in a resigned voice," what do you want me to do?"

"The Slayer fell in love with Angel, a vampire with a soul. They did the nasty and bye bye soul. You did a spell and restored his soul, right? A little trip to hell and back and he's as good as new with the Slayer still as hot for him as ever. Without that good old gypsy curse, they would be rabbiting away happily ever after."

"How do I come into this?" Willow wondered.

"What if another vampire with a soul but without that pesky no fun curse showed up? Could you do it, could you give me a soul? It may be my only chance."

He put his hands on her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes, " I'd love you forever if you could pull it off. Will you try?"

The rest was a blur, she made a date to see him the next night at her parent's house. The next thing she knew, she was back in her room.

She threw herself onto the bed.

The breakup with Tara had been difficult but she knew it was the right thing to do. The feelings she was beginning to have about Spike were just too troubling. A man, she was falling in love with a man and not a human one. Tara was wonderful and she did love her, but it wasn't the same.

~*~*~*~

"Sweetheart what is it?" Tara asked for the second time.

Willow was frozen, she couldn't speak. She'd asked Tara to make time so that they could discuss something important. Tara hadn't questioned her about it
and suggested tonight after dinner. Now Willow couldn't do it. She'd been steeling herself for days to tell her that her feelings were becoming confused. She loved Tara, but every time she saw Spike she felt herself being pulled. Her body reacted just being close to him. That wonderful heat would go through her like an electric shock. She was aroused and embarrassed at the same time. She'd press her legs tightly together to try and relieve the tension. Once when they were alone and it hit her, he looked up with a questioning look as if he could sense what was happening.

"Nothing, it was nothing," Willow said in an unsteady voice.

She saw a tear roll down Tara'a cheek as she held out her arms.

"Come here baby," she whispered.

Willow collapsed tearfully into her arms," I'm so sorry, I can't stand hurting you. I love you."

When Willow had stopped crying, Tara said, "tell me about it, please."

Willow was hesitant at first, but soon the words came in a torrent. She told her how she felt about Spike and how conflicted it made her feel.

Tara waited until she was through," I've known for a while that there was something, I was waiting for you to tell me what it was."

Willow saw the strength in Tara's face, a side of her that she hid from everyone else.

"I love you, " she said placing a finger on Willow's lips to silence her, "don't say anything. I love you heart, soul and body. I don't want to stop loving you, I don't know if I can; but if I can, I can't do it here."

Silent tears ran from Willow's eyes.

"I can't just be your friend and watch you get on with your life without me, not now. Maybe in time, things will be different. I hope they are."

Tara kissed her and held her. Later she began to pack her belongings.

"No!, " Willow cried, "not now, not tonight."

Tara nodded, " I have to go, the only thing that would hurt more than leaving would be staying and sharing you."

As she finished packing, she picked up a silver framed picture from the bookshelf. It showed them both, arms around each other smiling. Across the
bottom was written, 'Willow / Tara - together forever'.

"Can I?" she asked.

Willow could only nod.

When she was finished, Tara sat down next to Willow on the sofa.

She took Willow's hands in hers, "I need a favor, a really big one."

"Anything, " Willow said with trembling lips.

"I want you to go over to the bed and sit with your back to the door."

Sobbing, Willow did as she was asked.

She heard a whispered goodbye followed by the closing of the door.

Remembering, Willow thought, all that pain for someone who wants me to make someone else fall in love with him. When she finally slept, she was haunted
by visions of Tara leaving and Buffy and Spike together and herself always alone and crying.
 

Chapter Two

Waiting for sundown and Spike, Willow wandered through the rooms that were so  much a part of her life. She could see herself crying in her Dad's big chair
on her sixth birthday because Cordelia made fun of her new party dress.  Smiling, she remembered Xander's revenge, a bowl of ice cream over her  beautiful curls. Xander, always her friend and protector. She sighed, maybe it was all for the best. If we had gotten together, would it have worked? I  guess I'll never know.

Taking the stairs, she visited her old room. Slumber parties and talking  about boys all night long. Those silly quizzes from magazines they would give to one another. 'Who's the Perfect Boyfriend for Me?' 'How to Know Your Soulmate?' She always tried to make her answers describe Xander. She didn't recall any of them coming up with a werewolf, witch or vampire, go figure. The sound of the doorbell roused her from these thoughts and she headed back down the stairs. Yeah, go figure.

She checked the peephole in the front door and saw Spike nervously smoking.

Opening the door, she greeted him, " you can come in, leave the cigarette out there."

He took one long drag and made to toss the cigarette; catching sight of Willow's face, he carefully knocked off the burning embers and put the rest into the pocket of his leather jacket.

Spike brushed by and headed for the living room.

"Any luck so far?" he asked sitting on the sofa facing her.

"I'm fine, how are you?," Willow replied sarcastically.

Spike looked sheepish, " sorry sweetcakes, it's just that this is so important to me. Every time I see her, I can feel my heart skip a beat. Well if it actually did beat it would skip. She's all I can think of, I want to do anything I can just to be around her. Can you understand how it feels to want someone, bloody hell, to love someone like that?"

She burned with every word he said. When he said 'love' she thought she would faint.

She tried to answer, but nothing would come. Clearing her throat, she said, "I .. I .. think I can."

"Oh that's right, that little wanker Harris. I heard you followed him around like a lost puppy; and he was so bleeding dense he couldn't see it. I hear he even went after a cheerleader friend of ours right in front of you. What a clueless little sod, " he laughed.

Willow could only nod her head.

Why does it always happen to me, she thought?

She filled him in on some of the research she had done earlier in the day.

"If it can be done, and I'm not sure that it can, there are several stages we have to go through. As best I can tell, the process can be different for each person. The first stages are used to define the path. We could try one of the stage one spells right now, if you'd like?"

"Anything, anytime," he said with feeling. "What do we do? Do we have to get naked and oil ourselves up?"

"Noth..nothing like that, " she stammered trying to will away the mental picture she had. "Hold my hands and repeat what I say. Repeat it exactly."

They sat side by side on the sofa and joined hands. Willow spoke some phrases in Latin followed by some in a language Spike didn't recognize. A slight cold breeze circulated around them. A white card, caught in the wind, circled the pair once and came to rest on their clasped hands.

Willow released his hands and reached for the card. It's an appointment card, "it seems that one William the Bloody has an appointment with Mr. D. Hart, Esq. of the law firm Wolfram and Hart for 4 AM this morning."

"Bloody hell," Spike said, voice full of anger and disappointment, "a sodding solicitor."
 

Chapter Three

Discussing Spike's early morning appointment, they disagreed on Willow's role.

"No, and that's final," he said forcefully, " you are not going with me to see Mr. Hart sodding Esquire.  I recognized that address, it's no place for someone like you at that time of night."

"Oh gee, like I've never been out at night among the creepy crawlies." She said sharply.

"I told you no bloody girls allowed," he snapped back.

Willow's face turned crimson and she could hardly get out the next words, "girls!  girls!… Where do you get off ….  If a girl can't help you there then I guess you asked the wrong person for help after all.  I wouldn't help you get a soul if you were the last …"

"Red, come on calm down, " he said softly, " I didn't mean anything.  I don't know what's wrong with me sometimes.  I guess I'm old fashioned."

He took her gently by the shoulders," It's just that I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."

He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.

All her anger drained away in an instant, she gave him a little half smile and he smiled back.

"Friends again?" he asked.

She could only nod and smile.

Her head was buzzing, she could still feel his lips soft and cold on her forehead.

"You win sweetcakes, I guess we have a date at 4AM.  You should try and get some sleep, I'll be back at 3:30, " he said turning to leave.

"Why do you have to go, " she asked not quite believing that she actually said it.

"I'm getting a bit peckish and my supply is at my place.  Anyway, I don't want to make things look bad for you.  If I stayed, I mean."

She smiled, " that's sweet, silly but sweet.  Let's see, I've slept in this house with a werewolf and my lesbian lover, I think the bad reputation ship has already sailed.  As far as food, I brought some blood with me just to be a good hostess.  What do you say?"

He finally agreed and he sat in the kitchen while she microwaved a mug of type 'O' for him and made some decaf for herself.  After a comfortable half hour of discussing life in general and nothing in particular, she headed for bed.

"Do you need to rest?  I know it's night and all, but .."

"I won't sleep, but a nice lie down would be great, it helps organize the mind."

At the head of the stairs, she directed him to the guest room across the hall from her bed room and said goodnight.

Behind her closed bedroom door, she let out a long sigh.  Spike is in the next room, she thought.  She felt her body warm with the thought.  She quickly undressed, pulling on an oversized tee shirt.  She stopped just before crawling into bed.  No, she thought to herself, that would be silly, but she turned back to her dresser.

She opened her underwear drawer and pulled a small package from the very back.  She gently removed the contents, the finest most delicate and most
revealing dark green lace bra and panties Victoria's Secret could supply.  She remembered buying them months ago, thinking that she never had anything
so delicate, sexy and not white.  All she could think of was how she would look to him wearing them.  She told herself she was being silly and extravagant;  but when she left the shop, they were in her bag.

She put them on and stood at the dresser mirror.

"Damn Rosenberg, you look good, " she whispered to herself.

Just then, she heard a sound from the deck outside her window.  She pulled the tee shirt back on and went to the window.

Looking out onto the moonlit deck, she saw Spike, dressed only in what looked like silk boxers returning to his room through the sliding door.

I wonder what he was doing out here, she thought as she silently slid her door open.  Stepping onto the deck, she noticed several cigarette butts near the railing.  She stepped over to pick them up.  When she turned, a thrill shot through her.  From where Spike stood and smoked his cigarettes, you could see her room reflected in the dresser mirror. She remembered slowly undressing and putting on her new underwear in front of that mirror and the minutes she spent posing and inspecting her self from all angles.

Back in bed her head was spinning.  She didn't know whether to feel, embarrassed or excited.  Excited finally won.  She kept picturing him in his boxers looking at her through the window.  Was he excited, she wondered?  Was he aroused, did he..?

"Rosenberg, stop it, " she whispered to herself.  "We don't want to repeat the whole 'I saw Xander in a Speedo' incident again, do we?"

A small inner voice answered.

Ten minutes later, a guilty but more relaxed Willow drifted off to sleep.
 

Chapter Four

She woke with him standing over her, he was dressed in the same silk boxers and nothing else.

She pulled the sheet up to her neck, "Spike, what are you doing in here?"

"I've been tossing and turning for hours, it's just too much being in the room next to you.  I finally realized, it's you and not Buffy that I love," he looked soulfully into her eyes.  I love you, will .. will.. "

"Will, Will, rise and shine, it's almost 3:30, I'll meet you downstairs."

He was standing in the hall fully dressed.

She grabbed up some clothes, and sensible underwear, on the way to the bathroom.

"A cold shower for sure today."

He was drinking something that probably wasn't coffee when she entered the kitchen.

"I zapped you some coffee, he said handing her a steaming mug.

The instant coffee was terrible, but she buried her face in it, anything to avoid looking him in the face.  All she could think of was Spike watching her last night.

"With that ginger hair, you really look good in green."

Her face turned crimson as she looked away.  Oh hell, he had seen her last night!  Then she glanced down and saw the color of her sweater.

"Tha .. thanks, " she stuttered.

"You're welcome," he said putting down his mug.

He winked, she thought, I'm almost sure, I think ..

She debated with herself until they reached down town and the tumbled down address printed on the appointment card.

"I think it's up here, " he said gesturing to the rickety staircase.

At the top, the only light came from a door on the left of the corridor.

The frosted glass was lettered, 'Wolfram & Hart' in tarnished gold.

"Come in, come in, " a deep voice boomed, " I've been expecting you."

They entered a dusty and cluttered outer office and followed the voice into a dark paneled office dominated by a large intricately carved desk.  Behind the
desk sat a large rumpled man in brown suit, wrinkled white shirt and green figured tie.

"William, sit down and tell me who your lovely friend is."

Spike explained that Willow was a friend and a witch helping him in his search for a soul.

"Ah yes, a soul, you see we usually act as agents in transactions that go in the other direction.  Souls have always been a buyer's market."

He took a thin black cigar from a box on his desk, " I think we can help you, " he said flicking a wooden match to life with his thumbnail.

Puffing the cigar to life, he continued, "it all comes down to the matter of compensation."

He blew out a cloud of brown smoke, " what are you willing to give for your heart's desire?"

Willow noticed his eyes settle on hers for a moment before he returned to his cigar.
 

Chapter Five

"How much did you have in mind?" Spike countered.

The big man leaned back in his chair and folded his hands across his stomach.

"We're quite an old firm and we've found that in the long run, mere money is so transitory.  What are a few pieces of paper worth in two or three hundred
years, I ask you?"

"Some things however keep their value century to century millennia to millennia."

"Could you come to the effing point sometime this century," Spike said impatiently.

"Very well William," he said extracting a large envelope from a pile on his desk.

"Here is some information on an object of some value to us known as the Kalish Talisman."

"Bring me the Talisman and the soul is yours."

"Somehow I doubt that it's that bloody easy," Spike said picking up the envelope and handing it to Willow.

Willow spoke up, "exactly how will you deliver the soul?"

"Me? " the big man said, " you don't understand.  You and William will perform that task.  I will just provide the means."

"Now I must bid you a good morning, I have a few things that must be taken care of before dawn."

~~~~~~~~~~

Willow and Spike arrived back at her house just as the sun was coming up.

"I'll see you later, " Spike said, " you should get some sleep."

"No, come in.  Let's get started on this Talisman stuff right away."

They settled down on the sofa in the living room and Willow opened the envelope.

She pulled out a drawing of an intricately carved rectangle about eight inches square and a map marked with two 'X's".

"I guess this is what we're looking for, and the map must be where we should look."

Willow left and came back with several old looking books and spread them on the coffee table.

"Let's see, I-J-K, Kalish here it is."

She read for a few minutes, referring to the map and drawing several times.

Closing the book, she turned to Spike, " you were right, I don't think it's going to be that easy either."

She told him what she had found.  The Kalish were a tribe of humanoid demons who had settled in the hills about three hundred miles from Sunnydale.  Their
prized possession was the Talisman.  It was thought to be the legacy of the mythical tribal founder and a powerful protective charm.

"So far so good," Spike commented.

Willow continued, " about a hundred years ago, the tribe split into two feuding groups.  They separated all the tribal property and formed two distinct settlements."

"The two 'X's?" Spike asked.

Willow nodded, "part of the property that was split was the Talisman, each group took half."

"What was the bleeding fight about anyway?"

Willow hesitated, " that's one of the 'not easy' parts.  One group demanded that any vampire found in tribal territory be beheaded and staked.  The other
group disagreed."

"I should bloody well hope so."

"The other group wanted all vampires torn to pieces by giant demon hounds."

"You don't think we could ask for another envelope, do you?" Spike said.

After a few minutes of silence, Willow yawned.

"Hell it's nearly eight, you should get some sleep."

"No," she said yawning again, "I'll be just fine."

He put his arm around her and she leaned into him.

"I'm just going to rest my eyes for a minute," she said as her eyes closed and her breathing became slow and regular.

Spike smiled down at her and slid back still holding her.  She turned and snuggled down into his chest.
 

Chapter Six

'Ring…ring ….ring..'

"Spike, punch the snooze button sweetie," Willow murmured snuggling down into the sofa cushions.

Suddenly remembering where she was, Willow sat up, "Spike I didn't know.. I was kinda asleep, I …"  Her apologies were unnecessary, she was alone.

The ringing continued as she walked to the door and opened it, yawning.

"Will, you look like shit, " Buffy said as she brushed by.

"Good morning to you too, " Willow said closing the door.

"Got any coffee? " Buffy asked crossing to the kitchen.

Following her friend and still yawning, Willow said, " would I look like this if I had any coffee?"

Buffy grabbed two mugs and a jar of instant coffee, "better that nothing I guess."

"I missed you on patrol last night, big date or something, " she teased.

Gratefully taking the microwaved mug, Willow frowned, " date, that would be a desert fruit, right?"

"Just wishful thinking.  I was a little suspicious though", she said sitting down with her own coffee, " old tall, blond and fangy didn't show last night either."

Willow blushed, "Spike and me, you must be …"

Buffy gave her friend a sly glance.  Protesting a little too much, she thought.

"Ok, I'm  sorry.  Couldn't happen.  What were you up to though?"

"Just some witchy research, I forgot what time it was and missed patrol."

In full 'lie to your best friend mode' she continued, " I'll be missing a few more.  The Ira and Sheila Rosenberg Luxury Hotel tour has reached San Francisco. I'll be flying up to meet them tomorrow probably."

"That's great, "Buffy said finishing her coffee, "be sure and say hi to them for me."

At the door, they hugged, "get some sleep, OK?"

Contrary to her friend's advice, Willow started a pot of coffee and ran up to her room while it was brewing.

She washed, brushed her teeth and quickly dressed in jeans, a turtle neck and boots.  She threw another pair of jeans, some shirts and underwear into a
small duffel and headed for the kitchen.

If he thinks he's going without me, she thought, he has another think coming.

She sat stoking herself on caffeine when she heard a deep rumbling from outside. The sound came closer, into the driveway and then into the garage. The sound suddenly stopped just before she opened the door to the garage.

It was Spike standing next to a very large and very black motorcycle. Continuing the theme, he was dressed in black leather, gloves and all, and carried a black helmet with a dark full face mask.

He smiled, "ready to go?  I knew you'd track me down if I tried to go with out you, so here I am.  With the forecast for overcast and this outfit, I figured I could cheat the sun and take the scenic route."

Her head was spinning, "It's so .. black and big and …leathery and.."

She shook her head, "I'll get my bag, do you have the drawing and map?"

Soon she was back wearing her brown leather jacket.  He tied her duffel on top of the two sleeping bags and  small cooler already attached  to the chrome rack behind the seat.  He handed her a smaller version of his helmet and said, "get on red, next stop Kalish!"

She got up behind him and put her arms around his waist.

This is good, she thought.

He stomped on the starter and she felt the deep vibrations through the wide leather seat.

This is very good, she thought, as she squeezed him tighter.

He looked back, his face shield up, "you ok sweets?"

"F..f..fine," she managed to get out as they cruised down the drive and onto the rain darkened street.

To be truthful, the stops really were as follows:
1. Gas and Go ladies room.
2. Exxon ladies room and snacks
3. Macdonald's, Big Mac /fries/chocolate shake/ plasma, (ladies room)

Stop number four was just after they passed the sign, ' Unincorporated Village of South Kalish - Have a Nice Day!'
 

Chapter Seven

They rolled into a parking spot on Main Street just as the old fashioned street lamps came on.

Slinging their helmets from the handlebars, Spike looked around, " my God, nothing but overalls, baseball caps and pick up trucks as far as the eye can
see.  It's a sodding shit kickers convention."

"Howdy, you're new around here aren't you?"

They turned to see a tall smiling man in a brown uniform with a Deputy Sheriff's badge.

Willow stepped in, "yes officer, we're camping our way through the hills and thought we'd eat in a town for a change."

"Good for you, I don't get to camp as much as I used to myself, I miss it though.   You get yourself over to Sally's next to Town Hall.  She'll make sure you don't go away hungry."

Then, he tipped his hat, said good night and walked away.

Willow gazed at the people passing by.  They looked like normal everyday small town Americans,  she thought, where are the demons?

Spike said, " I know what you're thinking, this place is just too normal. Wait here."

He stepped onto the sidewalk just as two men deep in conversation were passing.  When they collided, Spike apologized, but the two men said it was their fault for not looking and that they hoped he was OK.

Stepping back next to Willow, he whispered, " demons all.  I crunched one guy's foot and banged the other's knee, not a vibration from the old chip, " he said tapping the side of his head.

"Another thing,"  Willow whispered back, " except for young kids, everyone is wearing a hat, even the women.  I'll bet there's something more under them
than just bad hair."

Spike looked around and nodded in agreement.

They started off toward the diner, but stopped and joined the crowd clustered around the Town Hall.  Several large shiny sedans had just pulled up and a
half dozen young women in long pastel dresses and matching silk caps were going up the steps.  One in a white dress wore a tiara and waved to the crowd.

"A bloody beauty pageant, "Spike sneered, " Miss Cow Manure and her court."

Willow heard a low murmur go through the crowd and looked around.  She noticed that people had begun to edge away from them.  Turning completely
around, she saw the store window,  'Johnson's Fine Furniture' and in it a large dresser with mirror.  The mirror showed Willow and the crowd, but no Spike.

"Howdy folks, sorry to have to see you again so soon."

This time the tall man wasn't smiling and what had appeared to be a nightstick hanging from his belt, on closer  inspection had a very sharp point.

"Why don't we all just go over to Town Hall," he said as a group of burly farmers surrounded them.

Spike whispered to Willow as they moved with the crowd, " would this lot be stake and behead or  demon dog?"
 

Chapter Eight

They moved with the crowd up the steps and into the building.  They passed the typical signs of small town bureaucracy,  Tax Collector, Zoning Board even Dog Catcher.  The crowd had thinned out to just the deputy and four other men by the time they reached an old fashioned elevator with a gold colored metal door.  After a short decent, the doors opened to a stone corridor lit only by burning torches set every ten feet or so along the damp gray walls.

Spike leaned close to Willow and whispered, "pet, I don't think we're in Kansas any more."

The corridor ended in a large hall illuminated by more wall torches and a large iron lamp hanging from the ceiling.  Under the lamp in front of a black curtain there was a carved stone bench, on a step below the bench, was another longer bench.

Willow, studying her surroundings thought she recognized some of the carvings from the drawing of the Talisman.

Acting on some hidden signal, the deputy and the rest of their escorts went to one knee.  Willow and Spike did the same with the help of a few well-directed shoves.

The girls they had seen outside emerged from behind the curtain; those in pastels taking the lower bench and the one in white the upper one.

Willow and Spike both noticed that the silk caps were gone and a distinct blue boney ridge could be seen running from front to back on each girl's bare
head.  Looking around they saw that their companions had taken off their hats to reveal the same distinctive mark.

The deputy spoke, " Tanis, an enemy, one of the cold ones, has entered our lands.  What are you wishes for him and his human companion?'

"Bring them to my private chamber, " the girl in White said in a cold clear voice.

Spike and Willow were immediate bundled off down another gray corridor.

~~~~~~~~

They sat on a wooden bench in a small room, their only escort was the deputy. They heard the lock on the wooden door in the opposite wall click and they
were escorted through.

They were in a beautifully decorated modern room.  It glowed with indirect lighting and was pleasantly cluttered with shining wooden tables and cabinets
scattered among some comfortable looking leather chairs and a large sofa.

Another door opened and an attractive young woman dressed in jeans and a sweater appeared.  After a moment, they recognized her as the girl in the
white dress.

"God it's good to get out of that stuff, not much protection in that drafty old hall."

"She smiled at her visitors and asked them to be seated, motioning to the sofa."

Walking across the room, she stopped by the deputy and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before sitting in a chair opposite the sofa.

"Now, who do we have here? " she said looking inquiringly at Spike and Willow.

Willow started, " I'm Willow and he's Spike, we were just on a camping trip and …"

"No, no," she said with a smile, dismissing Willow's story with a wave of her hand.

"All right then, let me tell you.  A vampire and a witch, " she looked at Willow, "we do have our ways, together looking for the Talisman.  To be more accurate, the North Kalish half of the Talisman.  How am I doing so far?"

"You need the whole Talisman to perform some spell or ceremony that specifically deals with the needs of a vampire.  Since South Kalish is not sending out dire threats and predictions of doom, we must have been your first stop."

Spike and Willow were frozen in shocked surprise.

"OK, I'll take that as a yes."

"Now that that's out of the way, we can start over.  My name is Emily, I'm the 'Tanis' or hereditary leader of our tribe, and also the reigning Miss Foothills County, so the dress and tiara wouldn't be a complete waste."

Pointing to the deputy, "that's my boyfriend Sam."

"Pleased to meet you both, your Tanisness," Willow said uncertainly.

"Just call me Emily, everybody does."

"Emily, ah about Spike, my friend here, I read some things about your people that .."

"Oh the stake and beheading business.  No need to worry that's all ancient history."

Willow could feel Spike relax.

"I have a proposition for you both; but first let me tell you a story."

She started with the same general information that Willow had read.  Things changed however, when she described the Talisman.  Despite the legends, the
Talisman was not an ancient tribal artifact.  It had been stolen from a vampire unlucky enough to be caught by some marauding Kalish bandits.  The bandit group became successful thieves and moved into more legitimate areas, including tribal leadership.  The legends were part justification for the former bandits' good fortune and part cover up.  The violent attitude toward vampires was just a means to discourage any troublesome ownership claims to the Talisman.

The eventual split was entirely due to jealousy between two factions over custody of the tribes good luck charm.

"As you can see, the Talisman far from providing good fortune has been the origin for lies, prejudice and civil strife among our people."

"I want to send it back where it belongs, and I'd like you to take it."

Spike spoke for the first time, " you're going to hand us the bloody thing on a silver platter, I don't believe it?"

"Half on a silver platter, remember, " Emily said, " you still have to get the other half away from our brothers."

"We can help you get into and out of South Kalish and afterwards we can obscure your trail so that none of our people will be able to trace you or the Talisman."

"The actual stealing, that's your part."
 

Chapter Nine

After the audience, they were taken to a small stone walled apartment consisting of a bedroom and bathroom.

"I'm sorry about this, but my remodeling effort has experienced some opposition from our older citizens.  Your things are over there, good night," Emily said closing the door.

They heard the lock click a moment later.

Spike flopped on the bed, " sweetcakes, could you bring me something from the cooler?"

Willow bent and opened the lid, " whole or plasma?" she asked.

"Neither, there should be a few cans of Guinness in there, have one yourself."

She brought over two cans and sat next to him on the bed and handed one to him.  He snapped it open and took a long swallow.

"I needed that, " he said with relief, " try it ducks, it's mother's milk."

Willow searched the room with her eyes, "I don't see any glasses," she said.

"Glasses, I didn't know the Queen Mum was coming, drink it from the bleeding can."

Willow took a sip and made a face at the heavy bitter taste, " I guess you have to get used to it."

A few more sips, however, and she could feel the warming effects of the alcohol.

"Funny isn't it, all our plans and the queen, or whatever she is, wants to give us the sodding thing," Spike said shaking his head.

"We still need the other half and we need to get away, " Willow reminded him.

They sipped in silence for a while and Spike got himself another beer.

"Another for you?" he asked her.

"No thanks, "she said.  The combination of the trip, stress and alcohol was making her a little light headed.

He rejoined her, taking a swallow from the new can.

"I was wondering, tell me to keep my beak out if you like, what happened between you and Tara?"

Willow didn't answer.

"I thought you two would last, you looked to be so much in love."

"I did love her, I still do, but…. something happened."

"Something she did, another woman, something like that?"

"Kinda, but not quite."

"It must have been someone bloody special to come between you two."

"It was… it is.., " she said beginning to cry.

He put his arm around her, " it's OK, I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have brought it up.  You can cry on my shoulder, the leather is waterproofed, " he said with half a smile.

She soon fell asleep in his arms.

"You poor kid, " he whispered, " you deserve better."
 

Chapter Ten

Sam came early next morning with coffee in paper cups and eggs and toast. Willow ate the food while Spike drank two bottles of plasma.

"Just think of it as vampire Gatorade," he told the puzzled deputy.

When Willow was finished, Sam told her Emily would like to see her.  While she was gone, he would tell Spike what they knew about the location of the South Kalish half of the Talisman.

Sam opened the door and handed Willow over to another uniformed deputy.

"Spike, he said closing the door, we think you should move tonight before any rumors of a vampire sighting reach South Kalish."

Using a map, Sam pointed out the road that ran through the valley to the other Kalish settlement 10 miles away.  They decided that someone would bring
the motorcycle along so that Spike and Willow could take off as soon as they had both halves.  Sam and the rest would delay the pursuit long enough for
them to leave the valley.

"Are you certain that these blokes won't chase us beyond the valley?" asked Spike.

"Once the Talisman leaves the valley, the magic is gone.  That's what the legend says and the folks that'll be chasing you believe deeply in the legend. For instance, there's a group of park tourist cabins only a mile or so out of the valley.  You could spend the night there in perfect safety. "

"OK, so much for the getaway, how do I get the Talisman?"

After an awkward pause, Sam said, " we can't help you very much there.  Our sources of information are among the younger more open-minded generation.  An older group controls Talisman security.  The best we can do is identify the building and give you an idea of some of the protective measures.

~~~~~~~

Emily asked Willow to sit next to her on the sofa and dismissed the escort.

"How are you feeling, are you being treated well?"

"Yes, thank you."

"How is your..ah..friend?"

"He's OK too," Willow responded.  She was puzzled.  Why am I here, she thought?

"Would you tell me why you came for the Talisman?"

Willow considered her position and decided that the truth might help and probably would do no harm.

She started with Spike's request for help, described the meeting with Hart and ended with their capture.  Beginning as a matter of fact explanation, it
ended as a confession of her feelings toward Spike and her resolve to help give him a soul despite his feelings for Buffy.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be going on like this, " Willow said wiping tears from her eyes.

"I understand how you feel, I could sense the feelings between you two the first time we met.  I'll do whatever I can to help you"

Emily 's gaze became fixed and her voice softened, " Sam is a wonderful guy and he'll be a terrific father.   We'll be happy and have a great family, but
there was someone else a long time ago.  He was different and he was difficult.  There would have been more excitement and adventure in one day with him than in a year with Sam."

"What happened, " Willow said softly.

"I gave up, I took the sensible way out, I did what every one knew was the right thing.  I regret it every day of my life."

Willow took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

Emily blinked and looked gratefully at Willow.

"Do what you have to do, just don't give up."
 

Chapter Eleven

Willow and Spike were in the lead vehicle, an unmarked Sheriff's squad car. They were followed by another unmarked car and closing up the group was the
black motorcycle.

Sam was driving and Emily sat beside him.  Sam spent the trip repeating the information he had already given to Spike.

"Remember, the large stone building on the corner of the Town Square is the one you want.  The basement door at the left rear will be unlocked. The
Talisman is somewhere in that room."

"I've got the bloody picture, have you got your half of the thing?"

Emily held up a leather satchel with a shoulder strap.

"It will be here when you come back with the other piece."

The convoy slowed and all lights were cut.  Soon they glided to a stop behind a large building.

Spike and Willow quietly climbed out.  Sam gestured Spike over to his window and wordlessly handed him a black knit cap.  Spike looked puzzled until Sam
pointed to his bright blond hair.  Spike pulled the cap on and started toward the building.  Willow was close behind.

Spike stopped and returned to the car.

"What do you think you're doing? " he whispered to Willow.

"I'm going with you, " she said in a low voice.

An angry Spike appealed to Sam and Emily.

"Spike, she has to go, " explained Emily, " there's a vampire detection spell on the Talisman room.  Willow can obscure your presence, but only if she is
physically close to you.  If Willow doesn't go, you will have no chance and more than likely be destroyed."

They turned and approached the building again.

Spike turned and whispered to her, " stay out of the way, let me handle this myself, do you understand?"

Willow nodded, smiling to herself, vampire detection spell.  Emily is pretty fast on her feet for a beauty queen.

They passed form the dark street to the darker building.  Willow kept a hand on Spike's back, taking advantage of the vampire's superior night vision.

At the end of a long corridor, they found an iron bound wooden door.  They opened the door carefully and stopped.  A small lamp illuminated a piece of
carved stone.  Willow squeezed Spikes arm and he smiled back at her.

As they slowly approached their goal, Willow bent forward and whispered to Spike, " I wonder what those red lamps are for over there."

Spike glanced in the direction she indicated and stopped.

With his night vision he could make out the four glowing red spots, he also could clearly see the huge black hounds' faces surrounding these fiery eyes.

"We have a little problem, " he whispered, "stay here."

Advancing slowly, Spike could hear the deep growls increase with each step. Suddenly, they both lunged toward him.  His reactions were quick, but he just
avoided their snapping jaws.

During the attack, he could see the heavy chains connecting the hounds to a metal ring directly below the Talisman.  With this new development, he knew
getting the stone might be impossible, he also knew that the noise of the attack would soon bring unwelcome visitors.

"Spike, Willow hissed, " I'll go to the left and keep just out of their reach, you go for the Talisman.  It's our only chance, hurry!"

Spike didn't like it, but he knew she was right.

"OK, GO!"

"She ran directly at the dogs and stopped just a foot away from their snapping jaws.
 

"Come on you flea bitten mutts, Scooby Doo could take you both on at the same time."

She edged to the left and moved closer to the dogs to keep their attention."

She saw Spike sprint to the wall and grab the Talisman, it wouldn't come off the shelf.  Spike heaved and after a moment the stone came away, but the
delay was enough to allow the dogs to realize what was happening.

Despite Willow's best efforts, they pounced on Spike just as he was on the point of escaping.  He rolled into a ball holding the Talisman to his chest as the dogs ripped and tore at his body.

Willow's blood ran cold as she watched the dogs' vicious attacks.
 

Chapter Twelve

The dogs were clawing and snapping at Spike's back, she could hear leather tearing.

Without conscious thought, she looked around for anything she could use as a weapon. She felt a long wooden handle, it was a shovel.

Grasping it in both hands she began to swing it around her head; yelling at the top of her lungs, she ran directly at the attacking dogs.

More from surprise than fear, the dogs backed off just long enough for her to drag Spike out of range. The angry dogs rushed back teeth snapping only
inches away as the chains pulled them up short.

Willow pulled Spike to his feet and half walked and half carried him to the door.

She was relieved when she saw Emily and Sam half way down the corridor coming toward them.

"We heard the dogs and thought we might be able to help, " Sam said as he helped to support Spike.

When they reached the street, Spike was able to stand on his own.

"Are you sure you're OK, " Willow asked.

"A little the worse for wear, I never was a dog lover, " he grinned.

Emily took the Talisman from him, put it in the satchel and gave it to Willow.

The motor cycle pulled up and they climbed on.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with us tonight, " Emily asked Spike.

"Nothing personal princess, but the sooner we're away the better I'll feel, " Spike said flipping down his faceplate and revving the engine.

Emily embraced Willow, " remember, don't give up, " she whispered.

Spike kept the bike at a steady forty through the town, but hit sixty on the state road. They slowed as they approached a group of North Kalish patrol cars with lights flashing. The deputies waved them through. Glancing back, Willow saw the unmarked cars that had been following them stop and complete the roadblock.

They proceeded through the deserted streets of North Kalish and rejoined the state road leading out of the valley.

As they sped through the darkly wooded countryside, Willow began to notice low grunts coming from Spike. She also noticed the bike wobbling slightly at
each curve.

They slowed and swerved onto a dirt road marked 'Foothills State Park - Seasonal Cabins'.

Spike cut the engine and rolled up next to a dark cabin with sign that said 'Ranger Office - Closed'.

"Why are we stopping here? " Willow asked as he set the kickstand.

"Think I need to take a bit of a rest pet, " Spike said as he slowly slid to the ground.

Willow jumped down and knelt next to Spike. He was unconscious.

She broke into the cabin and brought Spike inside. She lay him on the sofa and frantically searched for supplies. In a locked cabinet marked 'Emergency', she found a flashlight, batteries, two lanterns, kerosene, blankets and a first aid kit.

When she lit the lanterns she noticed dark stains on the front of her jacket where she had been pressed against his back. Rolling him over she saw
matching tears in his jacket. She removed jacket and tee shirt and saw four deep wounds in his back, each one oozing a thick dark fluid.

Using the first aid kit, she bandaged his back. She brought in the cooler and forced him to drink both whole blood and plasma. She sat back and waited.

As she watched, his eyes began to sink into his head, lines appeared and deepened around his mouth and throat. He was aging, years for every minute.
He was dying.

"Think Rosenberg, there must be something you can do, you can't let him go, not like this," she said to her self.

She thought angrily to herself, what good is it being a witch, without my books or a magical relic, I'm helpless.

Relic, vampire relic, the thought brought a feeling of hope. Where is that damn satchel?

She placed the two halves of the Talisman on Spike's chest. Now what, she thought desperately. She closed her eyes and willed her powers to focus on
the Talisman and Spike.

Her head ached, she felt sick and Spike kept aging.

In one last effort, she concentrated all the love she had for him along with her other powers and the Talisman began to glow with a cold blue light. The last thing Willow saw before she collapsed was his face becoming young again.
 

Chapter Thirteen

She looked up rubbing her eyes, "Tara, what are you doing here?"

"Just listen to what we have to say."

Willow looked around, she saw Oz and Xander as well.

"This can't be happening, you three couldn't "

"Shush Will, " Xander said gently, "we're here to remind you about some things you may have forgotten."

Oz spoke next, " never forget how much you are loved, Will. I know sometimes you feel alone, but all your friends are with you."

"Never forget how strong you are, " Tara added, " I know better than anyone the difficult decisions you've made, and the courageous way you've carried
them out."

Xander spoke last, " never forget how special you are. You deserve to share in the kind of happiness you've given to others."

Xander's faced began to fade, his hair turning lighter and his accent changing.

"Will, Will, say something, please, " Spike whispered.

"Hi, " she said unsteadily, "how are you doing?"

She saw the relief in his face.

"Bloody hell, he barked, "don't you ever scare me like that again."

His voice was harsh, but she could see the concern in his eyes.

She had been unconscious for twelve hours. When Spike had recovered, he found her passed out beside him. He'd been sitting with her and talking to her the whole time.

"You talking for hours, I can't believe it, "she said with a weak smile, what could you possibly talk about for so long?"

"You don't remember?" he asked.

She shook her head no.

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

The last thing he remembered was falling off the bike. He had known things were bad well before then. He could feel the excruciating pain as the dogs
ripped through his jacket. They were true demon hounds especially bred to attack and destroy vampires. During the trip out of the valley, he felt his life essence leaking away. His only thought was to get her as far away as possible.

When he opened his eyes, he knew he had been saved. His strength was returning with each passing minute. He saw the Talisman on his chest, blue glow fading.

"She did it, " he said to himself.

Looking around, he thought, where is she?

Then he saw her sprawled on the floor beside him.

He knelt beside her, her breathing was shallow and her face looked bruised and worn.

After he put her on the sofa, he held her hand and talked to her. It was all he could do.

He told her some of his past, recounting his years of wandering. He told her of meeting Angelus for the first time and his on and off relationship with
Drusilla.

"I was obsessed with her, I guess. It didn't matter what she did, I couldn't leave her alone. Finally she ran off and I had to face myself, and it wasn't effing pretty."

Then there was Buffy.

"She was different. She was strong and confident. She wasn't afraid. I was used to loners and she had you lot. She was special, risking her life not for some reward, but to help other people. Also, I'll admit it, she was beautiful."

He sheepishly admitted to becoming so stricken that he'd loiter for hours to set up an 'accidental' meeting.

"I shouldn't tell you this, but I even stole some of her clothes, nothing nasty just a sweater. It smelled of soap and shampoo with a little perfume added in, it smelled of her."

He told how much it hurt to see her with Riley. It hurt more because he knew she wasn't in love with the big lummox. He was in the shadows watching as the helicopter took Riley away. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he saw Buffy arrive a few seconds too late to stop him from going.

"For the first time, I was looking at things differently. I knew what I wanted and I thought I knew how to get it. That's when I came to you."

"You agreed to help me without a second thought, and put yourself in danger even visiting Hart. Then there was this trip jumping on a motorcycle and
heading for parts unknown. Taking on those dogs, swinging that shovel you were the strangest bleeding thing I ever saw. Hair flying, yelling, coming at them like bloody Braveheart."

"Why did you do it? Why did you risk yourself again using the Talisman to bring me back?"

"I reckon it's because you think that Buffy and I might have a chance. For your sake and hers, I'll see this through. I'll get a soul."

"You're as loved, as strong and as special as Buffy. I can see that now."

Looking down at her red hair, freckled face and slim figure, he added, " and as beautiful."

He leaned over and kissed her softly, " come back to me red, come back."

He smiled as he watched her eyelids flutter and then open.

"Will, Will, say something, please. "
 

Chapter Fourteen

They rested until nightfall when, despite Spike's urging, Willow insisted on starting for home.

Spike drove as slowly as Willow would allow and stopped frequently, so that she could rest. It was nearly dawn when they reached Sunnydale.

They were paused at a red light when Willow said, " turn left here and we could be at Hart's office in ten minutes."

"Are you completely bonkers? "he exploded.

"After the day and night we had, you want to go skulking around downtown on the chance that Mr. bloody Hart will be in his office?"

"Turn, " she said with steel in her tone.

Reluctantly, he headed downtown.

They parked, entered and climbed the same rickety stairs.

At the top of the stairs, the same deep voice called out an invitation.

"Good to see you both, I hear from my sources that you had a successful expedition."

"Would that be it?" he asked nodding toward the satchel in Spike's hand.

"Right in one, I think you have something for us."

Hart picked a small envelope from the clutter on his desk and handed it to Willow.

"I believe this concerns you more than William."

He continued, " could you please excuse us for a moment? Why don't you study that for a bit in the outer office, while William and I tie up a few loose ends."

Willow glanced at Spike, who nodded his agreement.

She left them, closing the door.

Spike spoke first, " remember, no Talisman until I get the soul."

"Of course, in fact the Talisman is an integral part of the ceremony. When you folks are finished and you have your soul, the Talisman will be my property. In fact it will literally come to me. It saves on delivery costs," he noted chuckling.

"What the bloody hell do you want with it in the first place, " Spike asked.

In an instant, a frown replaced the smile on the lawyer's lips, his eyes snapped with warning, " I don't believe that is any of your concern and it would be a serious, a very serious mistake for you to try and take an interest in it. Suffice it to say, it will be put to good use, the use for which it was intended."

Spike frowned as he considered this explanation.

"Second thoughts, I feared as much, " the big man mused, " perhaps a little motivation is in order. Ask your companion to join us, please."

Willow returned to her seat next to Spike. The lawyer handed her another of his supply of sealed envelopes. "Please read this, " he instructed.

While she was occupied, he opened the bottom left hand drawer of his desk. Reaching in, he removed a fist sized lightly carved translucent green stone.
He cleared a small space in the center of his desk and placed it there.

Willow looked up with a puzzled expression that disappeared when she saw the stone.

Hart addressed her, " can you do it?"

She nodded.

"Can she do what?" Spike asked heatedly.

Willow explained, " it's a conventional seer's spell. The kind of thing a fortuneteller might use with maybe 60% accuracy. However, when combined with
s focus stone, " she gestured to the desk, " it can be 100% accurate in predicting events up to 72 hours in the future."

"Exactly, I'd like you to perform the spell and show our friend what he can expect if he completes our arrangement and gains his soul. It would be best to concentrate, I would think, on William here and the Slayer."

"He turned to Spike, there are so few real secrets."

Above the stone an image began to form, it was the exercise room behind the Magic Shop. Buffy was listening to Spike and Willow.

"That's how we got the Talisman or really the two half Talisman, or would it be Talismen? " Willow rattled on.

"We did the deed and now I have a soul, ' Spike continued, "and I need to"

He saw the change in the face of the image of Buffy. He saw the light of understanding in her eyes. He knew she realized the sacrifices that were made just to give them a chance. She smiled at him, it was a smile of hope. It was more that he could have dreamed.

Then he noticed the frozen expression on Willow's face in the vision. He could just make out the tears coming from her tightly closed eyes.

He turned just in time to see her look away, but he thought he saw the same expression and the same tears on her face.

"Do we still have an agreement?" Hart asked.

"Yes, " Willow said in a strained voice making her way to the door, her back to both of them.

By the time Spike caught up with her, she was seated on the motorcycle, faceplate down.

"Let's go to my place, we can finish things there," she said.

The sun was just rising when they rolled into Willow's garage.
 

Chapter Fifteen

Spike headed into the kitchen, " how about something to eat or drink pet, I don't want you collapsing on me again."

"Not now, the spell is short and simple, "we'll do it and then eat."

She took the satchel and laid the two halves together on the kitchen table. She motioned him to a seat and took one opposite him. She took a paper from
her pocket, unfolded it and began to read.

He followed most of what she said, despite the fact that his head was crowded with images of Willow charging those dogs for him and saving him again in the cabin. These were joined by images of her laughing at some joke he had made; working hunched over a book gnawing on her lower lip a pencil clasped in her hand and the soft impression of her face as he talked through the night. He heard his name and looked up.

"William the Bloody, will you accept this gift freely given and accept it with the grace it merits? Willow read.

Hearing nothing, she looked up. She mouthed the words, 'yes I accept' to him.

Still he said nothing as she continued to stare.

"No, I do not accept," he heard himself saying.

They sat in silence for a time.

Willow was the first to speak, " Spike, what about Buffy, now you'll never know?"

"I know now, " he said gently, " I know that it wasn't Buffy that I needed."

"I saw her love and strength and selflessness, those were the things I loved; but she didn't love me. That's what I hoped the soul would do, let her love me, the new me. You see, I might have been better or I might have been worse, but with a soul, I would have been different."

"In the end, I realized I needed someone who loved me, William the Bloody a vampire. Someone, who knew me and still thought I was worth fighting for, was worth loving. It would take someone with a large heart, terrific strength and the biggest bloody streak of optimism since David took on Goliath."

He reached across the table, "what do you say red, is it worth a try?"

She just nodded.

"Let's you and I take this, " he said pointing at the Talisman, " to Giles, I think he'll make better use of it than our Mr. Hart."

"And then, " he said embracing her, " and then we'll see if we can get to know one another a little better."

"You know, ' he said dropping one hand down to rest on her bottom, " you may regret me not accepting that soul."

"Oh, I don't think so, " she said moving his other hand down to the same location, " I really don't."

END
 

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