Disclaimer: Joss owns them all
Rating: R
Pairing: Willow/Spike
Takes place after Joss' season 5 ended......
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~Part: 1~
Willow Rosenberg followed the small rock path up the hill, her green eyes alert to anything around her but her concentration on her destination. When she saw it, she felt a little of her fight fade. Moving forward, her hand reached out until she was touching the cold stone. She shivered, not from the coolness of the rock but because of what it signified. Buffy was dead. Truly dead. She had been buried not three days before in a ceremony at dusk. Dawn had insisted it happen at dusk so that Spike could attend. Willow had backed the girl, knowing that Spike had honestly loved the blonde slayer and should be allowed to attend her funeral. He'd never said thank you, but she had seen his eyes. That had been enough thanks.
Strangely enough, Buffy had been buried quietly. There had been no threats from vampires, no strange visitors. Just her friends and what remained of her family, silently remembering the girl that had changed them all. Willow sighed, feeling the wet tears on her face. She kneeled in front of the tombstone, resting her butt on her ankles. Her finger traced her best friend's name, a small smile crossing her face as she read the few simple words. She and Xander had come up with the last, not really intending it to make it on the stone. They had been shocked that Buffy was really dead, that she wasn't standing up and smiling and laughing and acting as if they had really played a joke on Glory. Instead, she had laid there almost peaceful, a small smile on her face as if she realized she had saved the world one last time. No pulse, no heartbeat, no smile or laugh for her friends. Just a cold knowledge that the slayer was no more. It had been the day after her death when Giles had mentioned the tombstone. She and Xander had been a bit hysterical, coming up with the words that had ended up being Buffy's inscription. She saved the world a lot.
Willow closed her eyes, her head falling back slightly as the rays of the moon bathed her face in a soft glow. It had only been there days since the funeral, but she had visited every night. It was weird how deeply Buffy's death had affected her. She had lost Jesse years ago, a friend that she had known for twice the years that she had known Buffy, and she had moved on easily. Maybe too easily, she thought guiltily. She and Xander never mentioned their fallen friend. Jesse had been a huge part to both their lives yet it was almost as if he had never existed. True, she did visit his grave on his birthday and on the anniversary of his first death. She would usually see a flower that had to have been left by Xander, but they never talked about it. She had never really had a chance to grieve. With Buffy's death, it was like a part of her had died too. It hurt far worse than Willow would ever have imagined.
So many things had happened since the slayer's death. She had fixed Tara, gotten her lover's mind back. Unfortunately, with Buffy's death and Tara's fear of everything it seemed, the two girls had already started to drift apart. In a way, Willow understood it. Tara was the sweetest person she'd ever met, but the other girl had to blame them all for what had happened to her. She knew Tara would never admit to those feelings, would never consciously think them, but it had to exist. It was the truth. If the young witch hadn't become involved with her and the slayer, she'd never have become Glory's pawn. Willow knew that had to nag at her lover, causing her to distance herself from her new friends. Willow sighed, knowing she wasn't helping matters. She was dealing with her own guilt. Not only because of what happened to Tara, but because she felt like it was her fault Buffy had died. If she hadn't been so worried about fixing Tara, feeling so guilty over what had happened to her lover after their first big fight, she would have been able to give Buffy the back up she needed. She would have been up there with her best friend, saving Dawn before that damn portal had been opened. Instead, Buffy had been up there alone, dying to save them all. Willow laughed dryly, thinking that she was the last person that Buffy should have saved. If it hadn't been for her need to appease her guilt, the slayer would still be alive.
Willow's eyes opened as she heard footsteps behind her. She glanced around, relaxing when she found herself looking into familiar blue eyes. Spike nodded slightly, acknowledging her, his eyes now focused on the tombstone. She saw that he was carrying a small bouquet of carnations. Buffy had always loved carnations. She thought it was rather sweet that Spike remembered that. She didn't say anything to him, instead looking back at the gray rock, the words rather blurry to her teary eyes. She felt a hand hesitantly touch her shoulders, a small smile crossing her face as Spike kneeled beside her. She found herself leaning against him, resting her cheek on his leather clad shoulder as she cried, his hand patting her shoulder in a reassuring way as they both cried for the girl they had lost.
~Part: 2~
Willow glanced at the man standing next to her as they left the cemetery. He was the most complex person that she had ever met. She didn't know if she would ever really understand what made Spike tick. All she really knew was that he had cared deeply for Buffy and that he seemed to miss the slayer almost as much as she did. She felt a bit sad for him, really. She knew that Buffy had never loved him, but the slayer had trusted him. Maybe that trust was as good as love, though she doubted it. She wondered if, with time, her friend would have eventually returned Spike's feelings, maybe falling in love with him when he had been given a chance to show his feelings. Deep down, she didn't think so. Buffy might have been able to be friends with him, but she never would have loved him the way he loved her.
"It's not been a week, yet it feels like years since I've seen her," he whispered softly, his eyes on the road in front of him.
"I know," Willow said with a sigh, "every morning I have to remind myself that she's gone, that I won't be meeting her for lunch or patrol, that I'm alone."
"Red, you're not alone," he said, glancing at her and seeing a lost look on her pretty face. "You've got your little witch and the others."
Willow shook her head, "Not really. Tara's not my anything anymore. And the others have their own grief to deal with. My friendship with them has never been quite like my friendship with Buffy. I don't know. With her gone, I just feel so...." she shrugged, unable to put it into words.
"Sorry about your witch," he said sincerely. He liked the little redhead and thought the annoying little witch made her happy.
"Thanks," she said, smiling at him. "How are you?"
"Fine," he said, having already told her too much.
"Spike, don't lie to me. I thought we were starting to become friends," she said, sighing. "Someone that you loved died. You're in pain. It helps to share."
"Quit tossing my words back at me, brat," he said, smiling slightly as he remembered their first real conversation after Buffy's death. He had come across her in the cemetery the night of Buffy's funeral, several hours having passed since the slayer had been buried. Neither had said anything as they had sat at the tombstone, only speaking as they had walked away. It had become a habit of sorts over the past few nights. He'd meet her at the grave and then walk her home, talking along the way about things he never would have told anyone.
Willow didn't push, knowing that he had already spoken of things she'd never imagined him confessing. Instead, she changed the subject, "Dawn is starting to sleep a little better."
"Is she?" he asked, nodding. "I'm glad."
"She still blames herself," Willow said softly, running a hand through her hair. "I think we all do in a way. I know that I keep thinking about what I could have done differently, how I could have saved her. It gnaws at me, knowing that I might have been able to save her."
"Stop," he warned, looking at her seriously. "She made her decision. Nothing you could have said would have stopped her. She knew what she was doing. She gave her life to keep you alive, to keep all of you alive. Her choice. She sure as fuck wouldn't want you eaten away with guilt over the choices she made."
"I know," she whispered, "but knowing and accepting are two different things. In my heart, I understand that it was decision. BUT, what if I had been able to help and she never would have had to choose? I know I couldn't have persuaded her not to jump, she was always too stubborn to ever listen to me, but I could have stopped Dawn's blood from being spilled. If she'd had my help, I know I could have!"
"You'd have gotten yourself killed!" he said, glaring at her. "Remember? I was up there. I still hurt from that fall. If it had been you, honey, you wouldn't have gotten up. Do you think Buffy would rather have lived knowing you'd died trying to save her?"
Willow looked away, hating that he made sense. She felt his hand on her shoulders, tears in her eyes as she said, "She'd have felt like I do now."
"Why don't we go pick up Dawn and get some dinner?" he suggested softly, his fingers brushing through her hair. "Would that be good?"
She nodded, "That would be very good."
~Part: 3~
Willow walked beside Spike in silence the remainder of the walk to the Summers' house. She stopped outside, a sad smile crossing her face. First Joyce, then Buffy. Poor Dawn. Her first year of life had been so horrid. Losing her mother then her sister. Willow walked up the sidewalk, seeing the lights on in the front living room. She opened the door using her key, glad to see that Dawn had kept the door locked. She entered the house, holding the door for Spike to follow her inside.
"Willow," Dawn smiled in relief at seeing the redhead. "I was wondering when you'd return. I was starting to worry."
"I'm sorry," Willow apologized, moving to sit down. "I hadn't realized I had been gone longer than usual."
Dawn shrugged, "You probably hadn't. I just worry when you're out there at night alone."
"The lass wasn't alone," Spike said, smiling at the girl. "Or do I not count?"
"You know that you count," Dawn said, "but you don't leave here with her, you just meet up with her. I always worry that something might happen to either one of you before you two meet up."
"Nothing is going to happen to me, Dawn, to either of us," Willow said softly, knowing that girl's double loss had her scared that she would lose everyone she cared about. "Are you hungry?"
Dawn nodded, knowing that Willow could take of herself but also knowing that she had never imagined Buffy dying. Buffy was the slayer. Willow was just a normal girl. It scared her so much every time she was away from the redhead. She knew she'd stop being so scared someday, but for now, she couldn't help it. At least she knew that Spike would take care of Willow when she couldn't. She smiled, "I'm starving."
"Well, good," Willow smiled. "Spike has promised to take us out for greasy burgers and fries and maybe, if we're nice, a milk shake."
Spike snorted, "Well there goes that idea. You two being nice? Guess I get to save some money."
"We can be nice," Dawn defended with a laugh. "Especially if a milk shake is part of the pay off."
"Why don't you run upstairs and change?" Willow said, seeing that Dawn was wearing her pajamas already. "Could you grab my sweater from my room?"
"Yeah," Dawn said, getting to her feet. She was so lucky that Willow had moved in with her. She still had moments where she could swear she had seen or heard Buffy, but having Willow there made it less lonely. Now all she had to do was convince Spike that he needed to move in with them, and she could start moving on with her life. Nothing could ever replace Buffy, and Dawn knew she would miss her sister daily. She also knew that she would never lose the guilt over Buffy's death, knowing that it really hadn't been her choice but still feeling that she should have been the one to jump. As the days went by, though, it would get easier to live. Having Willow and Spike around, well, they helped make it seem like there was a future worth living to see. She had promised Buffy to take care of their friends, to continue living for the both of them. The first day or so, it had seemed like she would be better off dead too. She had honestly considered suicide several times. Willow and Spike had stopped her, even thought neither one realized it. Over the last week, they had become a family of sorts. Willow had moved in with her. Spike was always around at night, coming back with Willow and staying until both girls were asleep. Dawn wanted him to move in with them. She knew it was selfish, but she felt safer when the three of them were together.
She entered her room, grabbing some jeans and a clean shirt and started to change. Somehow, she knew that Buffy would want them to be a family. Willow had been her sister's best friend. Spike had loved Buffy more than she figured her sister even knew. The others mourned Buffy's death, and she knew they were all affected as much as she had been. With Willow and Spike, though, she had started to move past it. She still had nightmares and always would, but she loved sitting around them and just enjoying the small things. Buffy would not want her to feel guilty or push everyone away. For her sister, she would go on living and she would have a happy life. Buffy had died to give her that, to give them all that. And damn it, Dawn was going to make sure that Buffy hadn't died in vain.
Willow put the phone down with a frown. She turned, surprised to find Spike watching her, his eyes unreadable.
"Still no answer?" he asked quietly, knowing who she had phoned.
She shook her head, "No. I haven't gotten through at all. I don't know where he could be."
Spike shrugged, "Maybe he ran away. Hell, maybe he went to see the sunrise."
"Angel wouldn't do that," Willow said sharply. "Buffy would come back from the grave and kick his ass if he tried something like that. If any of us tried some trick like that."
"Don't look at me like that, pet," he said, looking away and frowning. "I loved her but it never entered my mind. I made a promise to her. Dying would have prevented me from keeping it."
"I wanted to be the one to tell him," she said softly, her anger fading as she realized that Spike was not the suicidal type. "Buffy loved him so much, and he loved her. I didn't want him to hear from some demon on the street. He deserves better than that."
"Yes, he does," Spike agreed reluctantly. With a frown, he asked, "Do you think he's in trouble?"
Willow sighed, "I don't know. I've been trying to get him for a week. He might be on a case or something. I could send him an e-mail, but that's even more impersonal than a phone call."
Spike got to his feet, moving to the window. With a smile, he turned to face her, "Run along upstairs and pack a bag, Red."
"What?" she looked at him in surprise.
"Go pack some clothes," he said, his mind made up. "Get Dawn to pack a bag too. We're going on a trip."
"And where, may I ask, are we going?" she asked, almost smiling at the look on his face.
"To LA," he said softly, seeing her eyes widen in surprise. He shrugged, "We owe it to her, luv. She'd want him to be told face to face, not over the phone. Besides, I think we could all use a short vacation. Get away from Sunnydale and the memories for a couple of days."
"Thank you," she said quietly, a smile on her pretty face as she impulsively went to him and hugged him, her lips brushing against his cheek. "This is really nice, Spike."
"Yeah, well, don't get used to it," he warned, a smile on his face as he relaxed slightly. When she had first touched him, he'd stiffened in surprise. No one had hugged him in so long. Well, Dawn had clung to him after Buffy's death, but this had been different. He watched her walk upstairs, calling out excitedly to Dawn. Without realizing it, his fingers moved up to his cheek, touching the skin where her lips had been. With a frown, he turned, realizing that he had just offered to drive to LA to tell Peaches about their slayer's death.
~Part: 4~
"Dawn, quit moving," Willow scolded with amusement as she glanced in the back seat.
"Leave the chit alone," Spike said, smiling as he switched lanes. He saw Willow glare at him momentarily before she rolled her eyes.
"Just keep your eyes on the road, Blondie. I want to arrive in LA in one piece," Willow warned.
"When we get there, can we stay awhile?" Dawn asked, her eyes bright with excitement. She had been rather sleepy earlier but had received a new wave of energy when Willow had told her of their impromptu road trip. She had never been out of Sunnydale and couldn't wait to see a city that she had only ever seen on television. She was doing her best to avoid thinking about the telling Angel of Buffy's death part. That would quickly ruin her good mood and remind her of the memories they were leaving behind for a few days.
"We'll see," Willow said with a small smile as she leaned her head back against the seat.
"That means yes," Spike whispered rather loudly to Dawn as he winked at Willow.
"I know," Dawn whispered back, laughing as Willow stuck her tongue out at both of them. She smiled, a peaceful feeling washing over her as she rested her chin on the seat in front of her. Her eyes moved from Spike to Willow and back again. These two people were her life, she realized. Without them, she'd be nothing. They gave her the strength to continue living when things seemed so hopeless. They made her laugh and overall made her life something she'd miss. She sighed softly as the car became silent except for the music Spike had playing. She looked at Willow, seeing that the redhead had her head against the window, her attention focused on passing scenery. Dawn knew Willow well enough to know the girl was lost in thought. There was a small smile on the redhead's face, one that Dawn couldn't really place. Content that Willow was occupied, Dawn turned her attention to Spike.
He was drumming his fingers against the steering wheel, his right hand tapping the seat between him and Willow. She noticed with surprise that they were actually going just a few miles above the speed limit. He tended to drive a bit too fast to suit her survival instincts and she was rather glad that he appeared to have listened to Willow's threat before they had driven away. The idea of Willow driving them to LA, with the redhead's lack of driving knowledge, must have scared him enough to keep things legal. She could understand that. She would never disobey Willow, not wanting the redhead to look at her with disappointment. Maybe Spike was no different.
"Are you comfortable enough, Dawn?" Willow's question penetrated her thoughts.
Dawn glanced up and smiled, seeing the concern in her friend's eyes, "I'm fine, Mom. Tell Dad to turn the music down a bit and I'd be even better."
Willow paused, her green eyes moving to Spike's face. She watched as he turned the volume down without a word of annoyance. Dawn had the vampire wrapped around her little finger, and the little devil knew it. She almost laughed, wondering if Spike had any idea he had started to become domesticated. A smile crossed her lips, her green eyes shining with amusement as the sound of the Clash was turned to a more reasonable level.
"What?" Spike asked, keeping his attention on the road but glancing at Willow and seeing her expression.
"What what?" she asked innocently, moving to face forward again.
"Don't you what what me," he growled softly, raising an eyebrow and looking at her. "What's so damn funny?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said, a hint of annoyance in her voice. Why couldn't he just ignore things? Most people would realize she didn't want to discuss it. Not Spike. He'd push and push until she was so turned around she wouldn't know what they were talking about in the first place.
"You had that cute little smile on your lips. The one that means you're amused with something," he said, frowning as he realized that he could easily identify several of her smiles and even her frowns.
"You're crazy," Willow said, scowling at him before looking out the window.
"Fine. Don't tell me. See if I care," he said, moving the car quickly into the other lane.
Dawn leaned back, her eyes moving back and forth again, a slow smile crossing her face as she watched them both look at the other when they weren't looking. Spike's face showed nothing, but she saw that his eyes held confusion and something she couldn't identify. Willow just glared at Spike before frowning and looking back outside. Dawn couldn't contain a small tremor of hope, wondering if maybe, just maybe, the one thing that could give them both the happiness they deserved would be each other. She was going to have to start paying a bit more attention, she realized. She laid her head down on the seat, a large smile on her face as she considered the possibilities.
~Part: 5~
"Give me the bloody map!"
"Don't you bark orders at me, Mister! I'm not your dog!"
"A dog could probably navigate better than you can."
"You think you could do better?" Willow glared, her eyes narrowing.
"I know I could," Spike said, frowning at her before turning to watch the road.
"Ha!" she laughed harshly.
"That's it?" he raised a brow and glanced at her. "That's your big comeback? I expected better."
"Fuck you," she muttered before looking at the map she was holding.
"Um, guys," Dawn cleared her throat, trying to keep the amusement off her face.
"Yes, sweets?" Spike asked, giving her a smile before glaring at Willow.
"I need to use the bathroom," she declared, having been trying to hold it for the past half hour.
"Dawn, honey, this isn't the best area to be stopping," Willow said, casting a suspicious look outside at the abandoned buildings and empty streets. "Can't you hold it? We should be at Angel's soon."
"If she could give me the right directions," Spike added sweetly, though annoyance was present in his tone.
"Who took the wrong exit?" Willow shot back, a gleam of triumph in her green eyes. "If I recall, I told you it was several more miles. Did you listen? Noooooo. Do you ever listen?"
"You said his place was downtown. The exit I took said downtown," he said through clenched teeth.
"I said it was after downtown, past Hollywood. Cordelia told me that it was a huge hotel near Beverly Hills. Is this Beverly Hills?" she gestured towards the outside. "I think not!"
"Guys," Dawn spoke up again, "I really got to go!"
"There isn't anywhere to stop," Spike said, scowling as he looked outside. "Wait, I know a warehouse near here. It had a bathroom."
"Great. Some hole in the wall vampy hangout. Just what we need," Willow said, hastily moving her leg as she brushed against Spike. She glared at him again for making her body react so strongly. It was just Spike. Her friend. She shouldn't be having squidgy feelings for him, of all people. "Why don't you head back to the freeway? There should be some kind of gas station there, I'd think."
"Because, the freeway is Lord knows how far that way and the warehouse is just ahead. I'll not have Dawn peeing on the streets like some vagrant, thank you very much," he said, moving the card into the left lane.
"Willow, Spike says the warehouse is safe. I trust him," Dawn said softly from the back seat.
Willow turned, her eyes flashing regret as she looked at the teen. "I'm sorry, Dawny. I trust him too. I just have bad memories of places like this. For some stupid reason, demons like to capture me and keep me in old warehouses."
Spike felt a small smile cross his face at her admission, "You're scared."
"Am not," she denied weakly, sighing finally. "Fine, I might be a bit nervous, but I'm not scared. I've faced far worse things than an empty warehouse, buddy. Bring it on."
"Not all warehouses are bad," he said softly, glancing at her as he remembered his brief time with her in such a warehouse. Her smell, the concern and worry in those green eyes for him, the slight scent of arousal as he had touched her face. His eyes flashed at the memories, a long buried feeling rising in him as he made a sharp left turn. What the hell was he thinking? This was Willow. The annoying, irritating little witch. He'd been in the car too long. That had to be it.
"Maybe," she said hesitantly, studying his face from the side as she wondered if he could possibly be remembering what she was. The smell of alcohol, the passion and desire in blue eyes, the feeling of cool fingers brushing against her face. Shaking her head slightly, she continued, "but if it looks dangerous, we're not stopping."
"Sure thing, Mom," Spike said, winking at Dawn who was giggling in the back seat as she continued to observe her two friends secretly.
~Part: 6~
"That place has a working bathroom?" Willow asked, skepticism obvious in her tone.
"Trust me, luv," Spike said with a smug smile, almost daring her to disagree.
"Why is it when someone tells you to trust them, you always want to start running the other way?" she mumbled, staring at the dark warehouse.
Dawn giggled before saying, "Willow, I need to go. Please?"
"You can always stay out here, wait for us," Spike suggested as he opened the door, watching as she scrambled across the front seat to exit after him.
"I'm not staying out here alone," she said, giving him a look that suggested he might very well be the stupidest man alive.
"What is that smell?" Dawn asked, wrinkling her nose as she got out of the car.
Spike sniffed the air, "LA."
Willow rolled her eyes, "It smells like some sort of chemical treatment. Well, that and trash."
"What did I say? LA," Spike said again, "sorry, don't like this town. What can I say?"
"Where's the bathroom?" Dawn asked, feeling rather silly for needing to go so bad, but knowing she couldn't hold it much longer. After they had gotten lost and spent nearly an hour going around in what seemed to be circles, she was past her point of control.
"This way," he walked towards the warehouse, his boots splashing in puddles of water. He kicked in the door, holding up his hand for a moment as he listened. There was no movement save the scurrying of rats so he motioned for them to follow him. He flipped the light switch, smiling in satisfaction as it turned on, "Thank God for lazy workers. I doubt they've paid the electric for this building in years."
"A bit dingy, isn't it?" Willow asked, looking around with distaste.
"Bathroom?" Dawn asked nearly running towards the door he pointed to.
"Dingy? It's not like you're setting up house here, luv. Bathroom works. It suits the purpose," he said, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep, relaxing drag.
"I just meant that the warehouses in Sunnydale are nicer," she said, glaring at him. "Don't get so damn defensive."
"They are, aren't they?" he agreed, thinking back a few years. "Do you have any idea how close I came to taking you that night?"
"Hmm?" she looked at him, not sure what he was talking about. Finally, she realized what he meant, "Taking me? I thought you had, you know, kidnapping me and Xander."
He laughed huskily, the sound causing tremors that alarmed her, "You'd have known if I'd taken you, pet. Any idea how close?"
"No, you didn't show it," she stammered, still not sure if they were talking about the same thing.
"I'm a master of concealing my emotions," he said sarcastically. With a snort, he said, "I was too drunk of me arse to have done anything anyway, but I thought about it. All the way back to Dru, I thought about it." His eyes narrowed as they looked over her face, memories he had buried coming to surface, "You're so lovely....I wonder how you taste."
"I uh," she wet her lips, unable to look away from his gaze. Spike, this was Spike. Probably just teasing her, getting even with her for getting them lost. She should not be reacting this way at all.
His eyes changed as he turned his head, the spell broken as a smile crossed his face, "All finished, brat?"
Dawn came out of the room, aware of the tension immediately, her eyes curious as she looked at Spike then at Willow then back. Something had happened. She nodded, "Yeah, much better."
"Is there a sink in there?" Willow asked, cringing as she heard the breathy tone in her voice.
"Yeah, with running water," Dawn said, watching as a flushed Willow walked past her and into the bathroom, slamming the door. "What did you do?"
"Me?" Spike asked innocently, smiling wryly. Good question. What had he done? Brought up something that would have been better off forgotten. Let her know that, at one time, he had been obsessed with her, unable to forget her face, her eyes, her touch, her scent. "She just got a bit heated, this warehouse and all."
"Uh huh," Dawn sounded disbelieving but she decided to drop it, "So, do you think we're very far from Angel's?"
"It shouldn't be too far," Willow said as she came out of the bathroom, having splashed her face as she had recovered from his words. "Let's go. We need to be there by dawn, which isn't that long away."
"Can I sit in the front?" Dawn asked, earning a grateful look from Willow.
"Of course you can," Willow said, smiling as she put her arm around the teenager's shoulders as they left the warehouse and headed towards the car, leaving Spike to finish his cigarette in silence.
~Part: 7~
Spike let out a low whistle as the three of them looked up at the large hotel. He glanced at Willow and asked, "Are you sure this is the place?"
She nodded, "This is the address that Cordelia had given me. You're the vampire. Do you feel him?"
He shrugged, "He's been here. That's all I can tell you," he frowned, cocking his head to the side, "don't think he's here now."
"Can we go in?" Dawn asked, covering a yawn.
"I suppose we can see if it is open," Willow moved to the door, trying it. "It's locked."
"Great," Spike muttered, rolling his eyes. He moved up the stairs, going to one of the large potted plants beside the door. He moved his hand inside, making a face when he didn't feel anything except damp dirt. With a scowl, he moved to the other one, smiling in triumph as he held up a silver key, "You'd think the damn wanker would change his habits over a century."
"Angel keeps an extra key in a plant pot?" Willow said, having to smile.
"Not very creative, is he?" Dawn asked, leaning against Willow as she yawned again. She watched as Spike unlocked the door before putting the key back in its original place.
"All he does is brood, whine and save people," Spike said dryly, "doesn't have to be creative."
"Be nice," Willow warned as they stepped into a pretty courtyard. "Wow, this place is something else."
"I bet its real pretty during the day," Dawn observed, not able to see too much in the light from the moon except shadows where she assumed flowers and trees were.
"No one is here, pets," Spike said, moving into the lobby of the hotel. "No heartbeats. No stench of Soulboy. The place is empty."
"I hope nothing happened to Angel," Willow said, looking around. It was a beautiful room with high ceilings, a lot of light, and a pleasant aura. She saw books on a table plus what must be a weapons cabinet and several desks set around the parameter of the room.
"Probably out saving some little old lady," Spike said sarcastically. He started to look for the kitchen, telling the girls, "I'm thirsty. Anyone want anything if I ever find the damn kitchen?"
"There's a small fridge here," Dawn said, looking beside one of the desks. She opened it and said, "Bingo. There's blood."
"Toss me a bag," Spike said, catching it easily before moving to the microwave.
"Do you want anything, Willow?" Dawn asked, holding up a soda.
"No thanks," Willow shook her head. "I wonder if Angel will be back before dawn."
"Nope, I'm already here," Dawn said with a giggle as Willow glared at her before rolling her eyes and smiling.
"Doesn't have much time," Spike observed as he waited for the beep. "Gonna be nice and sunny soon enough."
"Guess that means we're staying here for the afternoon?" Dawn asked hopefully.
"Looks that way," Willow said with a smile as she watched the teen yawn. "I'm pretty tired. Maybe Angel wouldn't mind if we took over a room for a short nap."
"Doesn't really matter if he does or not, since he ain't here," Spike said, turning away from them as he fed.
"Spike's right," Willow decided, watching as he glanced at her in surprise, ignoring the slight tremor that passed over her at seeing his yellow eyes. "Dawn, you want to go find a room for us?"
"I can pick any of them?" Dawn smiled at the thought. She then gave Willow and Spike what she hoped was a worried look, "You guys are going to share with me, aren't you? I don't think I'd get much sleep if I were alone in this place."
"Of course, sweetie," Willow said, looking away as she wondered how she was supposed to share a room with Spike while dealing with all these strange emotions he was making her feel. She could do it, though. She sighed, hoping that maybe he'd sleep in a chair or the room would have a sofa.
~Part: 8~
Willow tossed around on the bed, sleep eluding her. They were in LA, in Angel's new hotel, waiting for the vampire to return from wherever he was at the moment. After determining that Angel was not home, they had decided to go upstairs and find a place to stay. Dawn had been sleepy but had insisted that Willow and Spike share the room with her. Willow had watched with amusement as Dawn had searched through every room that had been unlocked on the second floor. She'd finally chosen a large suite with a king size bed for their stay. Now, Willow was laying beside the sleeping teen who was laying in the middle of the large mattress. Spike was on the girl's other side, sleeping she assumed.
She couldn't sleep, though. She sighed as she finally gave up trying. She gently moved out from under Dawn's arm that was laying around her waist, careful not to disturb the sleeping teen. She quietly made her way through the dark bedroom and into the living room. She whimpered as she bit her lip to keep from cursing as her foot collided with the table. She'd forgotten the damn table.
"Careful where you step, luv," a soft voice said from in front of her.
"Spike?" she looked up as a cigarette was lit, his face illuminated in the glow before it went out. She hadn't heard him get out of bed. "I thought you were sleeping."
"Nah," he said, "too early."
"I couldn't sleep either," she said as she moved towards the window where he was standing.
"Sun's nearly up," he remarked as he took a long drag, releasing the smoke slowly.
"I don't know if I can do this," she whispered, her fingers drawing circles on the glass as she stared into the dark sky above LA.
"Yes, you can," he said, knowing her well enough to know what she was talking about.
"What if I can't?" she asked, tilting her head to look at his profile. "What if we came here to tell Angel and I can't say a word when I see him?"
"What if? What if?" he repeated, shaking his head. "You worry too much, Red. You also think way too much."
"If I don't worry, who would?" Willow asked softly. "Dawn doesn't need to worry. She's so young and already been through so much."
"So you think you can worry enough for the both of you?" he said, snorting. "Red, things don't work that way."
"I know they don't," she whispered, "but I don't know else to do. Dawn looks at me for answers that I don't have. I'm barely twenty and now I have to take care of her and a house and I don't know if I can do it."
"You're not alone, pet," he reminded quietly as he watched her, saw the flash of uncertainty and fear in her green eyes.
"Now I have to tell Angel that Buffy's dead, that I let her down, that I couldn't save her," Willow said as she leaned her head against the glass and sighed.
"Willow," he warned as he took another lengthy drag from his Marlboro.
"Sorry," she straightened as she smiled wryly, "didn't mean to get so serious. I'm just tired."
"Stop apologizing, Willow," he said softly as he finished his cigarette. He watched her shoulders slump as she looked outside, her finger moving along the glass.
"I'm so scared, Spike," she said as she closed her eyes. "Dawn needs so much right now. What if I'm not enough?"
He moved behind her, his arms going around her waist as he supported her. She leaned back, finding comfort in his silent embrace. He rested his chin on the top of her head as he looked outside, "You're more than enough, Willow."
~Part: 9~
Willow felt herself slowly waking up, keeping her eyes closed as she tried to get those last few minutes of sleep. She snuggled back, her eyes flying open when she felt someone behind her. It took her a moment to remember where she was, coming out of sleep quickly. Hotel. Angel's hotel. LA. She felt the shape behind her move, an arm tightening around her waist. She glanced down, seeing a pale muscled arm laying against her. She followed the arm up to closed eyes, a relaxed expression on the handsome face for the first time in longer than she could remember. Spike was still sleeping.
With a little difficulty and patience, she managed to turn onto her back. She looked at the ceiling, the couch rather lumpy under her back. She couldn't believe she had slept on the sofa with Spike. There was a huge bed in the other room, yet she had not been able to sleep until confined to a small lumpy mess. She felt Spike's fingers on her side, her shirt having ridden up during the night. Her breath caught at the casual touch, her eyes narrowing as she examined her body's instant reaction to his touch. This was Spike. Good old enemy reluctant friend Spike. Master vampire in love with a slayer. She made a slight face as she wondered where she'd heard that one before. There was no way he could possibly be feeling as confused and mixed up as she was feeling.
She thought back over their conversation the night before. He'd been so patient, so gentle in a way. He'd listened to her fears and argued over her doubts. He seemed to really have faith that she could survive, that she could be a mother to Dawn. She knew there was no way that she could fill the void that Buffy had left, not even planning on trying, but it was nice to know that someone had confidence in her. She certainly hadn't a lot in herself lately. She knew that she had to be strong, now more than ever. She had no idea how Angel would handle hearing about Buffy's death. She didn't think he'd do anything stupid, but she wasn't sure what he would do. She closed her eyes as she again tried to figure out exactly how to tell Angel what happened, wanting everything to be as easy as possible before faced with the handsome vampire.
Dawn had woken to an empty bed. While she might have usually been a bit concerned, she knew that Willow and Spike were still in the suite. She could feel them somehow. She didn't question how she knew, liking the knowledge that she had some sort of unexplained connection to her friends. It made her feel like part of them in a way, as if they were really a family. She took a shower and got dressed, feeling excitement for the first time since Buffy had died. She was in LA. She'd never been to the city before and was hoping they'd have time to explore after the nasty business of telling Angel that the love of his life was dead. She sighed as she ran a hand through her hair, wishing she could treat Buffy's death as flippantly as she was trying. Even now, it was always there in the back of her mind. Her sister was dead. She had to move on, though. Buffy wouldn't want her to stop living and become lost in memories. No matter how it easy it would be to just give up, she had to be strong. It's what Buffy would have wanted.
Dawn left the bedroom, stepping quietly into the living room area. She stopped as a slow smile crept over her face. Spike and Willow were sleeping on the couch, Spike's arm around the redhead's waist as her head rested against his chest. They looked beautiful together, Dawn decided. Perfect. As if they were meant to be. Dawn couldn't trivialize Spike's love for her sister. She knew that he had had intense feelings for Buffy. She honestly didn't know if a vampire could love, lacking a soul and all, but what Spike had felt was probably the closest thing to love that he could feel. She'd watched him after Buffy's death, knew that he had been as upset as the rest of them. She actually felt rather sorry for him, knowing that he'd never made the memories with Buffy that the rest of them had, that her sister had tolerated him and maybe liked him a bit but had never felt any resemblance of the love that he deserved. And Spike did deserve to be loved. He was unlike any man that Dawn had ever met, though she hadn't met many. He was special. Almost as special as Willow.
Was it wrong of her to want to get them together so soon after Buffy had died? Would Spike be open to feeling love? Would Willow even be interested in a guy? Those were questions that Dawn didn't even try to answer. She knew that there was something happening between them. She'd witnessed it several times on the drive down here, the tension in the warehouse not imagined. She'd like to believe it was sparks, fate, destiny, or some other romantic ideal. She guessed that all she could really do was sit back and wait, watch, give them a little nudge whenever possible. Looking at them sleeping, she smiled softly, knowing in her heart that they belonged together. She moved closer to the couch, watching as Willow turned her head, opening her eyes and smiling at her sleepily. Dawn kneeled on the floor beside them, resting her head on Willow's stomach as she smiled, so thankful that she had them both in her life.
~Part: 10~
Spike woke slowly, reluctant to leave the dream that he could no longer remember. His eyes flew open when he became aware of a warm body pressed against him. He looked down, seeing that the body belonged to Willow. The events of the past day came back to him vividly. He ran a hand over his face as he realized that they were in LA, waiting for his grandsire's arrival. He looked down and saw that Dawn was kneeling on the floor, her head on Willow's stomach, the redhead's hand on her head. He listened to their even breathing, knowing that they were asleep. He felt his lips curve into a small smile as Willow moved closer to him, her head on his chest, her leg wrapped around his. He could feel her breasts pushing against his side as she breathed, her body warming him in more ways than he cared to admit.
His smile faded and was replaced by a scowl at the direction his thoughts were taking. He didn't want to be affected by her. Contrary to what everyone seemed to want to believe, he had loved Buffy. Well, as much as a demon such as himself could love. His feelings for Buffy had been disturbing, unsettling, surprising and comforting. It had been nice having someone that made him feel again. His demon had hated her. It had hated the weakness, resented the way that she could stop him with just one look, detested the pathetic way he had wanted her so badly, even just a scrap of conversation giving him such happiness. It had been horrible in a way, constantly at war with himself for wanting her. In the end, he hadn't been forced to make a choice. She'd died. Left him before they even had a chance. There was no reason to think of what might have happened, what could have been, what he might have become. She had never loved him, never even really liked him. In the end, she had trusted him though. She'd made him vow to look after Dawn and Willow and the others, to be there when she could not. That had to count for something, even if it hadn't been love. He sighed as he realized that that was now the past anyway. No need to think or wonder.
His eyes moved to the sleeping redhead and teenager. Taking care of Dawn wasn't an unpleasant task. He'd always liked the Summers women, the girl being no different. He could see Joyce and Buffy in her, in her eyes and the way she carried herself, in her strength. She was a special one, that girl. Just something about her that relaxed him, put him at ease. His eyes moved to the redhead, narrowing as he looked at her face. While Dawn relaxed him, Willow put him on edge. Those big eyes, seeing things she shouldn't, knowing things. She had helped him those days following Buffy's death. Just by being there, knowing that someone else was feeling the slayer's loss in a similar way. It had been nice. He didn't like nice. Now, the last couple of hours, her closeness, the vulnerability he had seen, the strength she had shown....he was beginning to feel things he shouldn't be feeling.
He felt like he was betraying Buffy by starting to feel anything for Willow. He knew that the slayer had never accepted his love, hadn't wanted it, but it had existed. With this growing attraction or whatever the fuck it was for Willow, he felt as if he were trivializing his feelings for Buffy. How could what he felt for her be love if he was already starting to feel a connection with Willow? And what the hell was happening between him and Willow? They had what might be considered a rocky friendship before Buffy died, growing a bit closer after the slayer's death in their mutual loss and need to care for Dawn. Now, the last twelve hours alone had reminded him of an attraction that he had forgotten or ignored over the last couple of years.
And he had no idea what to do. For the first time in his memory, he was at a loss. Even when Buffy had died, he hadn't felt this uncertain. He'd felt helpless and guilty and sad, but he'd had a purpose still. Take care of everyone for Buffy. Take care of Dawn. In the days following her burial, that's what he had done. Taken care of everyone and grieved in his own way. Willow had forced him into dealing with it, though. To forget the guilt and move past the what ifs and should haves. To live again. She had become someone that he did not want to lose from his life. It was just too confusing. He looked down at the sleeping girls, needing to get up and have a smoke, but not wanting to disturb either one. From what he could tell, neither one had been sleeping well since Buffy had died. Now, they seemed to finally be catching up a much needed rest. He could use a cigarette though. Thinking always made him tense. Smoking relaxed him. With the way Willow was laying on him, all warm and cuddling, wrapped around his body, he'd wake her if he moved. He groaned softly knowing that it would be awhile longer before he'd have that Marlboro.
He decided that if he were going to be trapped on the sofa, he'd at least become a bit more comfortable. He moved his left arm, resting it around Willow's shoulders, his fingers moving to play with her soft hair. His right arm went back, his hand resting behind his head as he kept his attention on Dawn and Willow. He wondered if Dawn could possibly be comfortable in her position, her legs out to the side as she slept on Willow's stomach. She'd have an ache in her neck for certain upon waking. Poor chit, she'd had a tough life so far. Losing her mother, then her sister. She deserved some happiness. Maybe he'd see about taking her out after they faced Peaches. Somewhere fun with silly stuff girls liked. Surely Willow would have some ideas. He'd talk to her when he had a chance. Spike's fingers began to brush through Willow's hair as she whimpered in her sleep, her arm moving from Dawn's hair to rest across his chest. She was another one in a position that he knew couldn't be that restful. Her left leg wrapped around his, her arm now laying across his chest, her breasts against his side, Dawn's head resting on her stomach. Silly chit, seemed to know if she moved to get more comfortable she'd disturb Dawn. Even in sleep, she was protecting the girl. He brushed his fingers against her cheek, confused blue eyes looking at her then at Dawn then back again. They were the future, he realized suddenly. His future.
~Part: 11~
Willow woke slowly, reluctant to leave her dream. She couldn't remember the details, but from the state of arousal her body was in, she had little doubt that it had not been PG rated. Her eyes flew open suddenly as she realized what exactly the coolness was pressing against her body. She was laying beside Spike. No, not even beside. She was laying on Spike. Her leg wrapped around his, her arm across his chest. The explanation for her body's arousal was suddenly clear. She looked around, seeing that they were on the sofa in the living room of the suite. She tried to calm her racing heart, blaming her naughty dreams for the hardened nipples and dampness between her legs. It certainly had nothing to do with Spike. Nope. Not at all.
She found her eyes moving back in his direction, up the long legs covered in denim, past the sight of her flesh entangled with the denim, resting for a moment on what appeared to be a rather prominent bulge near her upper thigh, finally moving up his chest to find blue eyes looking at her with amusement mixed with something she couldn't quite place. With a start, she jumped backwards, not wanting him to see how he had affected her. Unfortunately, for that split second of reaction time, she had forgotten that they were on a rather small couch. With a soft cry of pain and surprise, she landed on the floor on her butt, her arm slamming into the table as she tried to stop her fall.
Amusement was gone as Spike heard her cry of pain, hearing her arm hit the wooden table. He was on the floor beside her, his hands holding her arm as he inspected it for serious damage. "You need to be more careful, Red. This is going to be one hell of a bruise."
"Well, excuse me," she said, jerking her arm out of his grasp. Out of a need to defend herself and because his gentle touch were fanning the flames of her arousal. She looked at her arm, grimacing as she realized that it would indeed leave a rather large bruise.
"Why did you do that?" he demanded, his hand moving through his hair as he looked away from her beautiful green eyes.
"Well, trust me when I say that I never intended to hit the damn table," she said sharply.
"I mean, why did you jump like that?" he said, this time looking at her. "It's not like I was gonna hurt you or anything."
"I uh," words failed her as she realized she couldn't be honest, giving him the knowledge that being that close to him had aroused her far more than it should have. Instead, she weakly said, "Was just surprised and jumped without thinking. I didn't realize we were um that we had uh..."
"We fell asleep on the sofa, Red. It's not like I spent hours ravaging your body or shagging you silly," he said, annoyed that she still didn't seem to trust him.
"Oh Goddess," she said as she stood, feeling a fresh wave of heat wash over her at his words, painting vivid images that had no place in her mind. Platonic. Just Spike. Stop it, Willow. Stop it now.
Spike's eyes narrowed as he studied her, noticing a sweet, intoxicating scent in the air. Suddenly, things slid into place. It all made sense, well, as much sense as anything these days seemed to make. It wasn't that she hadn't trusted him. She hadn't trusted herself. That thought made him smile a purely masculine smile, the knowledge that he aroused her giving him even more to think about. Glancing at his lap, he couldn't deny that he hadn't been aroused by sleeping beside her. Her warm body pressed against his, her breasts against his flesh. Groaning at the direction his thoughts were taking, he counted to ten, slowly.
"Where's Dawn?" Willow suddenly asked, arousal and embarrassment and confusion leaving her as she realized that Dawn wasn't there.
"In the bathroom, I can hear the shower," he said as he got to his feet, moving away from the intoxicating witch before he did something foolish, like rip her clothes off and sink deep inside her. So, instead, he did something even more foolish. He walked away from her. He moved towards the kitchen, finding that he was suddenly ravenous.
"Shower? That's good. I could use a shower," she said as she practically ran to the bedroom, needing to get away from him so that her body would calm down. She glanced at him one last time, seeing the muscles in his arm as he downed a bag of blood, their movement causing her stomach to tighten. She entered the room, sitting on the bed as her head lowered to rest on her knees. This attraction she was beginning to feel, the mixed up emotions Spike brought out in her, the arousal he could bring out without even intending, it was scary and confusing and complicated everything. It was also, she decided, definitely one sided, which made it even worse.
~Part: 12~
Willow was still sitting on the bed, her head on her knees, when Dawn opened the bathroom door. A puzzled look crossed the teen's face as she looked at her silent friend. Dawn lowered the towel she had been using to dry her hair and moved forward, making enough noise so that she wouldn't startle the redhead. Willow gave no sign that she had heard anything. Dawn cleared her throat before saying, "Willow, you okay?"
"Ack!" Willow jumped when she heard the soft voice, her hand moving up to her racing heart as she gave Dawn a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Dawny. I was lost in my thoughts. You startled me."
"I made noise," Dawn said, smiling as she found herself wondering what Willow had been thinking about so deeply. "Penny for them?"
"They aren't worth a penny," Willow said, making a face as she stood. She wasn't about to tell Dawn about her growing feelings for Spike or about the attraction she was beginning to recognize stirring inside. Dawn had started to look towards both of them for support and friendship in the few short days since Buffy's death. Willow wasn't about to jeopardize that because of some silly crush. Dawn needed them.
"I somehow doubt that," Dawn said, deciding not to push Willow. The redhead had probably been thinking about how she was going to tell Angel about Buffy or something else bad like that. Dawn had no intention of bringing up bad thoughts for her friend. She was doing her best to have happy thoughts. "Do you think we could go to the beach after you shower?"
"I don't know, honey. Angel might be back by then," Willow said, sighing as she remembered why exactly they were there. She had to tell Angel the bad news. Instead of spending her time having naughty thoughts about Spike, she should have been figuring out how to tell her old friend that the love of his life was dead. How did one go about telling someone that their soulmate was dead? She glanced over and saw Dawn frowning and smiled, adding, "But we'll see."
Dawn smiled, "That means yes. Every time you say we'll see, it means yes. Cool. I'm gonna go get something to drink and leave you to your shower."
"If Angel isn't back yet, we'll go for breakfast, so don't eat anything," Willow warned as she got clean clothes and entered the bathroom.
"Okay, Willow," Dawn agreed as she entered the living room of the suite. She had barely entered the room before she stopped, her eyes widening slightly as she saw Spike pacing back and forth, his hand moving through his hair as he muttered to himself. Glancing back at the room she had just left, remembering Willow sitting so thoughtful only a few minutes before, then looking back at Spike who was obviously lost in thought, Dawn suddenly understood what Willow, or should she say who Willow had been thinking about. A slow smiled crossed her face as she sat on the sofa to wait for Willow.
~Part: 13~
"Dawn, are you ready for breakfast?" Willow asked as she left the bedroom, her eyes moving to find the teen.
"Breakfast?" Spike turned his head quickly, and looked at the redhead. She had just gotten out of the shower. Her hair was still wet, drops of water dripping on the cotton of her T-shirt. His blue eyes watched a stray drop drift down her graceful neck and disappear, finding himself hardening as he visualized the drop becoming his tongue. Shaking his head, he counted to ten until he felt himself softening. Collecting his thoughts, he continued, "You're having breakfast?"
Dawn looked away from the television, wondering how they found such perky people to host the early morning daily shows. She gestured towards the TV, telling Willow, "Do you think they're demons? I mean, no one could possibly be that blonde and perky at six in the morning."
"Hmm....never thought about it," Willow said, laughing at Dawn's serious expression. She looked at Spike and answered his question, "I was going to take Dawn out for some pancakes, if Angel wasn't back yet. Is he here?"
"You're going out?" Spike asked, arousal forgotten as he found himself feeling something he hadn't felt in years. Left out.
"Pancakes and maybe a walk on the beach," Dawn said, eager to see as much as possible before they went back home. She remembered the stories from Buffy about LA, and how beautiful the ocean was and about the shopping and food. This visit was bringing her closer to her sister in ways she hadn't imagined, helping her come to grips with the idea that Buffy was gone. She was still alive, though, and she really needed to start living. Add to everything the growing tension between Willow and Spike, and she'd go out on a limb and say that life was just about as good as it could get at the moment. Maybe, with time, Willow and Spike would live happily ever after and she'd have a wonderful life. She deserved some happiness, as did they all. She looked at Spike with a large smile as she flipped off the television. Her smile froze when she saw the look in his eyes. He was staring at Willow, his lips twisted into a scowl. His eyes turned ice blue as she watched, but not before she had seen the hurt flash in their blue depths. Oh God, she hadn't even realized that he would be stuck in the hotel all day. Suddenly, her euphoria disappeared as she felt a little better than pond scum.
"Dawn wants to see the beach," Willow said softly, not wanting to disappoint the girl, but realizing that Spike was hurt at their exclusion of him. She honestly hadn't thought it would matter, knowing that he liked his privacy. After all, he had been stuck with them for hours. She had also, selfishly, been looking forward to a bit of time away from him and these weird feelings that she was experiencing.
"Yeah, sure, whatever," he muttered, turning to glare at the curtain covered window. "I'll wait here and hope that Angel doesn't suddenly arrive and kick my ass for being here."
"We won't be gone that long," Willow said softly, reminding herself that he was being rude to cover up for actually caring that they were leaving without him.
"Doesn't take long to get staked, now does it luv?" he said sharply, cringing at how stupid he was being. They were going out to eat and walk on the beach, not leaving him there forever. He was being a first class jerk.
"Maybe we can just stay here," Dawn said quietly, hating the tension that now existed. It wasn't the good kind that made her hope that Willow and Spike would end up in a kiss straight out of a romance movie. This was the kind that had Willow counting to ten as her eyes brightened with anger and the nerve in Spike's cheek twitching rapidly. And it was her fault.
Willow looked at Dawn, immediately realizing that the girl was blaming herself for Spike's childish temper tantrum. She wanted nothing more than to scream and hit the blond for being so selfish, but she knew that would upset Dawn even more. And, in a way, Spike was right. Angel could return anytime, and heaven only knew how he would react if he found Spike alone in his home. She gave the teen a big smile and said, "I've got an idea. Why don't we cook a huge breakfast? Spike can make you strawberry pancakes and I can cook some bacon and eggs. We can eat while we watch the demonic perky news anchors. And then, tonight, we can take a nice walk on the beach, enjoy it by moonlight. How does that sound?"
Spike had turned to look at the smiling redhead as she spoke, hating the feeling of happiness that was threatening to overtake him. He glanced over, noticing the smile on Dawn's face, wondering how Willow always seemed to know how to make everything okay. He spoke softly, his eyes catching hers, "I can make a mean omelet, as well as pancakes." And it was then, looking into her laughing eyes, that he realized that it was too late. He couldn't fight or deny it any longer. He was already half in love with Willow.