ELUSIVE OBSESSION (1/?)
 

Willow lifted her head from the desk and yawned. She rubbed her eyes and then
glanced at her watch. It was seven in the morning. She looked around the
empty library and frowned. She had been researching for Buffy most of the
night. She must have fallen asleep while reading. Thankfully, it was a
Saturday. She stood and began putting the materials together. She left her
notes for Giles, knowing he would be in sometime soon. She really wasn't in a
mood to talk to anyone though and she had no intention of waiting. She hoped
to get a little sleep before having to come back and do more research.
 

She hated this. Her Senior year in high school and it was the worst. Angel
was back from Hell. Had Buffy told them? No, they'd had to find out by
mistake. Xander was still dating Cordelia and the annoying bitch was
constantly around. Oz had graduated and gone to college on the east coast.
The new slayer had arrived and taken the spot that Willow had occupied a bit
too easily. Buffy had replaced her with Faith. Willow never saw her friends
anymore unless it was in class or they needed her for research. It had been
that way for a little over six weeks now. She hated it.
 

She had seen them more these past few nights than she had in weeks. There was
some demon that was rumored to be coming to Sunnydale to open the Hellmouth.
Yet another one. This one had the ability to simply make his intended prey
disappear, snap and they were gone. Of course, he had to have a certain hold
on them and there were rumors that whatever it was he did was more painful
than any torture. She personally had no intention of finding out. So, the
group had been trying to find the means necessary to combat the demon when
and if he did arrive. She really didn't understand why demons were so damn
stupid. They always came to open the Hellmouth and they were always defeated
by Buffy and the gang. You'd think they'd have some sort of webpage listing
the hellmouths that were safe and not protected by a slayer. Stupid damn
things, she thought to herself as she shelved the last book.
 

She walked into the early morning sunlight and headed home. She thought over
her life these last few weeks and almost laughed. What life? She had cleaned
her house from top to bottom twice already. Her parents were lecturing in
Madrid for another four months and didn't even think they'd be back for
graduation. Not that she really cared. She'd rather be alone than deal with
them. She had been around her parents less in her life than most of her
teachers. She smiled as she watched a squirrel run along the telephone wire.
Spring was in the air. She made it home quickly, thankful to be able to get
some sleep. She'd drifted off for about three hours at the most and it was
finally catching up with her. Let the others be research boys and girls. She
was tired of it.
 

She shut her front door and headed to her room. She stripped her shirt off,
pulling her shoes off and leaving them on the stairs. She was exhausted.
She'd pick them up later. She walked into her bedroom, her eyes immediately
going to her window. She smiled slightly as she saw it. He'd been by again
last night. She moved across her room, many emotions wandering through her
mind. Fear mixed with wonder, excitement, worry and happiness. She opened her
terrace doors and walked onto the balcony. She removed the single white rose
and breathed in its scent. She opened the card, reading the words.
 

'Red, Soon.....You will be mine......'
 

She again felt the rising fear at the simple words. She moved into her room,
sitting on her bed. She placed the rose in a vase along with three dozen
others of various colors and maturity. She let her fingers drift over one
that was over three weeks old. She felt the petal fall into her hand as she
caressed it. She had an admirer. She had no idea who on Earth it could be,
but every morning for a little over a month she had been greeted with a rose
on her window. In the beginning, they had been accompanied by bits of poetry.
Wonderful poetic words of love, desire and lust. Lately, there had been
notes. Various words that convinced her that whoever it was was watching her.
That scared her, yet, at the same time, it excited her. She had never
imagined being the type that someone would want from afar. She wished she
knew who it was, but the mystery of it all was part of the romance. She knew
he watched her. The last week or so she had been able to sense following
her...protecting her from the evils of the night. She felt safe in his
presence even as she felt fear. It completely confused her. But, every
morning, no matter how bad the previous day had been, she had a rose to
remind her that someone loved her. She laid down, her green eyes on the vase
of pretty flowers. Someone wanted her.

ELUSIVE OBSSESSION (2/?)
 

"Because, you wouldn't enjoy it" Buffy said, speaking to Willow as if she
were seven instead of seventeen.
 

Willow frowned, "Who are you to know what I would or wouldn't enjoy?"
 

Buffy rolled her eyes and glared at Willow. "I know you Willow. Trust me. You
don't want to go. Besides, it's not like you'd have a date."
 

"Harsh, B" Faith spoke up, glancing at the redhead then back at her fellow
slayer.
 

"Stay out of this Faith" Buffy said, her eyes still on Willow.
 

"Fine. I can tell when I'm not wanted" Willow said softly, her voice strong
but inside her tears already forming.
 

"Oh great, now we get the little pity party" Cordelia said, rolling her eyes
and glancing at Xander.
 

"Yeah Wills. Buffy is right. You'd be out of place." Xander said. "It's a
dance, for couples. You don't date."
 

"You wouldn't have fun" Buffy said matter of factly. "You can stay here and
finish that research."
 

"Just admit that you don't want me there" Willow said, her eyes on the book
in front of her. It had been six days since she had fallen asleep in the
library. Friday night and the Bronze was having a Spring Dance for Sunnydale
high. For the couples of Sunnydale high, that is.
 

Buffy took a deep breath, exchanging a glance with Xander and Cordelia.
"Fine. You want the truth? You're right. We don't want you around. We want to
have fun without you messing it up. You're boring Willow. Face it. You don't
have a boyfriend. Hell, the only friends you do have are us. So, just work on
that research and then run along home."
 

Willow closed her eyes, not letting her friend's words get to her. She heard
the doors open and close as they all left chattering about the dance. She
noticed the book pulled from in front of her and looked up, blinking away the
tears. She saw Faith open the book, the brunette not looking at her. "Aren't
you going with them?"
 

"Nah, why would I want to spend time with that bitch?" Faith asked, looking
up with a smile. "When I could research with you? Besides, I'm single too. I
wouldn't quite fit in with Bitchy and her entourager now would I?"
 

Willow smiled softly, surprised that it was Faith who had stuck by her. She
didn't even think the girl liked her, much less would choose her company over
Buffy. She suddenly felt a little better, "Thanks Faith."
 

Faith nodded, "Not a prob, Red. I hope we can be friends. Out of all of them,
you're the only one I can stand."
 

In the stacks, a shadow smiled slightly before moving back. He felt anger for
the damn bimbo slayer and her hurtful words to his Willow. She'd pay. He'd
make sure of that. Until then, he had some roses to buy. She needed to be
reminded that she was loved.

ELUSIVE OBSESSION (3/?)
 

"I'm finished" Willow said, looking up at Faith. The brunette looked up from
her book and smiled.
 

"Yay." Faith said, slamming her book closed. "Talk about dry and boring."
 

Willow watched as the slayer stood and stretched. For the past hour the girl
had fidgeted in her chair and moved around. Willow knew that the slayer must
not be used to spending time in one place. She smiled, "You can leave now.
Thanks for staying and keeping me company, in a way."
 

Faith frowned, "I'm not leaving yet. You still have to get home, Red."
 

"I'm a big girl. I can walk alone" Willow said, not wanting to mention her
protector to the brunette. She still hardly knew Faith and wasn't sure what
the other girl would say about her admirer. With Buffy's words still fresh on
her mind, she was too worried to share something that personal at the moment.
 

"Not with me around, you don't" Faith said, her look giving no room for
argument.
 

Willow laughed, "Fine, Miss Bodyguard. You can walk me home."
 

Faith smiled, "Never realized it was a choice, Red."
 

"Cocky thing aren't you?" Willow said, her tone light and playful for the
first time in months.
 

"Fuck yes" Faith said. "'sides, I'm not about to have your drained body on my
conscience. Get your stuff, little girl. We'll head home."
 

Willow just rolled at her eyes as she gathered her books. "Yes mother. Come
on."
 

The girls had walked a few blocks from the school before Faith paused, a
scowl on her pretty face. Willow looked at her, wondering why they had
stopped. They had been talking the entire way, just getting to know each
other. She had been surprised by the things they had in common. "What is it
Faith?"
 

"I can feel someone...watching us" Faith said, looking behind them into the
shadows.
 

"Oh...it's nothing I'm sure. Come on. We still have a ways to walk." Willow
said, grabbing Faith's hand and dragging the slayer behind her.
 
 

Faith still felt the presence behind them. It wasn't threatening. That's what
really bothered her. "Red, do you know who is following us?" she finally
asked after another couple of blocks.
 

Willow's face turned red as she blushed. Thankfully, the night was too dark
for Faith to see her new color. "Um...not really, but he won't hurt us."
 

Faith suddenly smiled, "Uh oh....Will's gotta secret....Will's got a secret."
 

"Faith! Shh" Willow hissed, her eyes darting into the darkness behind them.
 

"Come on, Red. Spill. Who is it and why is he following us?" Faith asked as
they neared Willow's house.
 

"I told you. I don't know who he is." Willow said, moving to sit on her porch
steps. "But, I know he won't hurt us."
 

Faith sat down too, her dark eyes on the redhead. A dreamy look had crossed
the girl's face, giving her green eyes a slight sparkle. Faith realized that
the girl was in love. "How do you know?"
 

Willow shrugged, "Just do. You see, he's been leaving me flowers and poems
for the last few weeks. Every night he follows me home to make sure no one
gets me. He says the nicest things in his notes."
 

Faith leaned against the rail, thinking about it. "A secret admirer. You
don't even know him do you?"
 

"No. But, he makes me feel special...he makes me feel loved. What harm is
there in that?"
 

Faith had to smile. She had watched how the girl's so called friends treated
her. If this guy was sincere, she was all for the redhead finding love. She
hadn't been lying when she told Willow that she was the only one she could
stand. The others, Bitchy and the morons, they just pissed her off. Willow
she liked. "None that I can see."
 

Willow smiled, relieved that Faith wasn't going to push it. "Thanks Faith.
Oh, and please don't mention anything to Buffy or the others....they probably
wouldn't believe it anyway."
 

"My lips our sealed, Willow. So, you got some soda? It's too early to head
home and I don't really want to run into Bitchy and the merry men."
 

"Sure. Come on inside." Willow said, calling out to Faith as the girls
started inside the house.
 

Faith paused at the door, looking back into the darkness. She smiled
slightly, wondering who was watching Willow. She spoke softly, "I can feel
you, vampire. Know now, if you hurt Red, I'll kill you. You make her happy,"
she shrugged, "I forget you're my enemy. Got it?" After giving her warning,
she went inside to follow Willow. She wondered if Willow had any idea that it
was a vampire following her. If so, Faith had to wonder what vampire had
fallen in love with Willow, not that that was hard to believe. She could see
the redhead capturing the interest of a vampire. He'd better just not hurt
her new friend. Faith was loyal to the end to the few people she considered
her friends. Willow was now top of that short list.
 

Spike moved forward as the door closed, a smile crossing his handsome face.
So, the new slayer was threatening him....he liked that. She had done it to
protect his Willow. For that, he would protect her. He wondered if she would
tell Willow that her admirer was a vampire. From the look on the brunette's
face, he didn't think she would unless it became a problem. It wouldn't. He
loved Willow...wanted her more than he'd ever wanted anyone. He could see how
such an obsession had driven Angelus crazy with Drusilla. The one difference
between him and his sire though was that he wanted Willow as she was, not as
some nutty insane bitch. He'd get her too. Eventually. He could be patient
when it came to something he really wanted. And he really wanted Willow.
Whistling, he headed off to grab a bite to eat, knowing the girls would be up
for a bit. He had a few more hours until dawn. He could eat and then head
back and leave his gifts. Maybe even watch her sleep for an hour before he
had to leave. He kept to the shadows, not wanting Slutty or Peaches to know
he was in town. He'd managed to elude them for two months now. He had ever
intention of keeping that up. No need for them to know he was around until he
had Willow by his side, where she was meant to be.

ELUSIVE OBSESSION (4/?)
 

Spike felt the blood of the man slide down his throat. He groaned in
satisfaction as he dropped the dead body on the floor. He wiped the blood
from his mouth, smiling as he strolled away from the dark corner. He looked
at the sky, watching the half moon as the clouds drifted in front of it.
Beautiful night. He walked to the floral stand and swiped several roses for
Willow. He chose a pretty pale pink color for this day. Almost reminded him
of her skin as she blushed. So pretty.
 

He got half a dozen of them, actually paying the vendor. This man had the
most vibrant roses in Sunnydale. Spike couldn't resist keeping such a good
supplier alive, for now at least. He was walking down Main Street when a
store window caught his eyes. He moved to look at the display. A beautiful
antique cameo linked on a silver chain was laying on a purple pillow. It
reminded him of Willow. Classic beauty. She should have it, he decided. He
glanced around, making sure that no one was watching. He then busted the
window, grabbing the necklace and several other baubbles to make it appear
just a random robbery. He walked down the street, strolling leaisurely as the
police car sped past him to the antique store.
 

When he was a few blocks from the store, he tossed the jewelry in a dumpster,
keeping the necklace in his pocket. This would be the first thing he had
given her besides the flowers and poetry. He knew that today was as good a
day as any. She really needed a cheering up and he was just the man to do it.
He couldn't believe he had come back to Sunnydale and fallen in love with the
slayer's little shadow. Of all the things he had ever expected to happen,
that had never made the list of possibilities. But, here he was, two months
and still lusting after the delicious redhead.
 

He was worse than his poof of a sire. He was leaving damn poetry for lord's
sake. Him, William the Bloody, resorting to wooing the young human like some
silly sap. But, it was working. She was already half in love with her
admirer...with him. He just had to make sure she was ready to accept him
before he made his identity known. He would risk being staked by the damn
bitchy slayer if Willow freaked out. At least the other slayer didn't seem to
mind him being a vampire. She'd threatened him if he hurt Willow. He honestly
couldn't even imagine hurting the girl. He did love her, which in itself
amazed him. Vampires weren't suppose to love humans. They were only meant for
food. But, this girl was different. She was his. Or soon would be. Smiling,
he wrapped the necklace around two of the roses. The cameo looked wonderful
and he could imagine how it would look nestled between the valley of her
breasts. He snuck up to her balcony and placed the roses against the glass.
He caught site of her laying on the bed sleeping. He froze, not able to move.
Instead, he crouched down and settled in to watch her beauty for the last few
hours before dawn.
 

Faith moved from under the tree, her eyes on the blonde vampire. He was a
hottie. Taking in those cheekbones and piercing blue eyes plus that adorable
ass, she rethought that. A major league hottie. Willow was defintely lucky.
Faith could sense the power and control he had. This was not some minion or
young vamp. This guy gave off as powerful a vibe as Angel did. If anything, it
was more threatening...more dangerous. She began to go back to her motel,
secure in at least having a face to go with Willow's admirer. She'd keep her
eyes open and her mouth shut and see what happened. She'd seen the roses and
caught site of the silver hanging from them as he had ascended the balcony.
He must not be too bad, for a vampire. Faith kicked at some rocks on her
journey, glad that she and the redhead had become friends. She was so sick of
Bitchy and the others that it was nice to just relax and enjoy the evening.

ELUSIVE OBSESSION (5/?)
 

Willow smiled as she looked at the pale pink roses. She opened her balcony
door and brought the bouquet inside. She saw the flash of silver and her
breath caught. It was beautiful. She pulled the locket from the roses, her
fingers tracing the cameo of the woman. She unfastened the clasp and put the
necklace on. The locket fell to her breasts, resting right between them. She
tucked the locket into her sweater, not wanting to answer any question about
it. She couldn't believe he had given her something so pretty. His note had
simply said, Beauty for Beauty. She had no idea what it meant, but it made
her feel good. After her argument of sorts with Buffy the night before, the
six roses had cheered her up more than just about anything else could have.
She grabbed her bookbag and headed downstairs. She opened her front door and
walked into the sunlight, her hand going to hold the locket through her
sweater.
 

Willow went down porch stairs and began the walk to school. She stopped in
surprise when Faith came from behind a tree. "Faith, what are you doing here?"
 

Faith shrugged, "Thought I'd walk to school with you. I told the Gman I'd be
in to help research anyway."
 

"Oh...ok." Willow said, falling into an easy pace beside the brunette slayer.
 

"So, sleep ok?" Faith asked, a knowing smile crossing her full lips.
 

"Almost as soon as my head touched the pillow." Willow said, missing the look
in Faith's eyes. "Thanks for hanging with me last night. After everything
that happened, well it was nice to have a friend."
 

"No sweat, Red. Wonder if Bitchy is going to be there early" Faith wondered
aloud, making a face.
 

Willow snorted, "Buffy in the library when it is something important to her
well being?"
 

Faith laughed, surprised at the redhead's words. "Wow, Will. Didn't know you
had cattyness in you. I like."
 

"I was just being honest" Willow said, "She tends to be a selfish self
centered..."
 

"Bitch?" Faith offered with a smile.
 

"Well, I was going to say slayer but bitch works too."
 

"You know, Red. I think this is the beginning to a beautiful friendship"
Faith said.
 

Willow groaned, "Gawd...corny much? I do love that movie though."
 

Faith smiled, remembering their evening at Willow's watching Casablanca and
listening to tales of the admirer. The blonde she had seen the night before
watching Willow sleep. She wondered if Willow knew the vampire or if he had
just fallen for the girl from afar. Something in what she had heard and seen
had convinced her that they knew each other someway. "It was good. But rather
depressing. I had fun with it though."
 

"I'm glad. Xander has always hated it. Buffy never would watch it" Willow
said.
 

Faith heard the pain in the girl's voice. Damn Bitchy and the others for
their hurtful words. Well, at least Willow had her now. Plus that undead
hottie who was lusting for her. "So, what did Prince Charming from Afar leave
today?"
 

Willow blushed prettily, "Six pink roses and this" she pulled the locket from
her sweater and showed Faith.
 

"Wow...Nice" Faith said, looking at the cameo. "Uh oh, jewelry. This must be
getting serious."
 

"Faith" Willow said, rolling her eyes. "I don't even know who he is. But it
is pretty isn't it?"
 

"Yeah, it is. He chose well. It fits you." Faith said, looking at the antique
locket and then at Willow.
 

Willow smiled as they continued walking towards the school. She tucked it
back in her sweater, again feeling it settle between her breasts. "So, Giles
blackmailed you into researching huh?"
 

Faith laughed, "Yeah. That man can guilt trip you with the best of them can't
he?"
 

"I personally think he majored in it at Oxford. How to make teens feel guilty
without being obnoxious." Willow said, her tone serious though her eyes
twinkled with mischief.
 

Faith just laughed, "He must have aced that one then. Come on Red. Let's get
some doughnuts and surprise the old man."
 

"Great idea, Faith" Willow said, following the brunette into the shop. She
was glad to finally have someone to talk to again. She wondered why it had
taken so long for them to start talking. She knew the answer though. Buffy.
The blonde was doing everything lately to make Willow the odd man out...had
been doing that for the last couple of months. Well, no more. Willow had her
admirer and Faith. Buffy could just rot for all she cared. She could survive
without the slayer's approval. And Xander could have the bitch and Cordelia
both. She no longer cared. She smiled as Faith looked at all the doughnuts in
awe. For the first time in months, she laughed on her way to school.

ELUSIVE OBSESSION (6/?)
 

"So, when did you and Willow get so chummy?" Cordelia asked.
 

"What?" Faith asked, glaring at the cheerleader. "Is it your business?"
 

Cordelia's mouth twitched as she glared back at Faith. "I was just asking a
question."
 

"God, Faith. You're such a bitch" Buffy said, rolling her eyes. "Cordy? Think
about it? Why the hell would Faith be friends with Willow? They are on
opposite sides of the universe."
 

"Yeah. Faith just feels sorry for Willow. She's such a skanky ho noone else
will talk to her so she adopted lonely friendless little Willow" Xander added.
 

"Fuck you Harris" Faith shot back, shaking her head in disgust. She pushed
back from the table and stood. "I'm outta here."
 

"Lovely girl" Cordelia said snidely.
 

Willow moved from her place in the stacks, her eyes looking at the group of
people she had thought were her friends. She reached for her locket, holding
onto it for reassurance and counting slowly. She didn't know them anymore.
Hell, did she ever know them? They were horrid and viscious. She couldn't
believe the things they had been saying about her. Did they think she was
that horrible? What had she ever done to them? She walked down the stairs,
her eyes on the floor. She sat down and listened as they continued to bad
mouth Faith for a few minutes. They then went into a long discussion of the
dance the night before and who had done what. She blocked them out, wanting
to just finish her research and then find Faith. It had taken all of her
determination not to lash out them for what they had said about Faith. But,
she was scared. They were all she knew. She couldn't push them away. She
didn't have anyone else. Even her friendship with Faith was too new to count
in her mental argument.
 

"Willow, I need to borrow your Lit homework tomorrow. I'm not going to have a
chance tonight to get mine done." Buffy said sweetly.
 

"Fine" Willow said, her voice controlled but soft.
 

"Cool. I'll look it over too then" Xander said.
 

"Guess we are Bronzing tonight then" Cordelia said.
 

"I'll call Angel and tell him to meet us there" Buffy said. "Willow can
finish this research and then do our homework. We can go party then I'll
patrol."
 

"Sounds like a good plan" Xander said, standing. "See you tomorrow Wills."
 

"Bye Willow" Cordelia said, smiling a fake smile.
 

"Tomorrow Will" Buffy said, waving.
 

Willow looked up, her eyes wide at their gall. They just thought she'd do
their homework and their research and they could go have fun? She looked back
at the table, anger running through her. They were starting to piss her off
even more. She stood up, leaving the books open on the table. She grabbed her
bag and rushed out of the library. She walked outside, stopping and laughing
as Faith looked at her from her perch on the brick wall.
 

"Bout damn time Red" Faith said, laughing as she joined the redhead.
 

"Sorry...I couldn't get away" Willow said, smiling.
 

Faith began to walk beside the girl, "I wonder if Bitchy would be considered
a supernatural being......"
 

"Maybe. She's a slayer...that's sort of mystical" Willow said, a look of
puzzlement crossing her face.
 

Faith looked at her and smiled, "Well, see. I can hurt and maim supernatural
creatures without feeling guilty."
 

Willow burst out laughing at that. "You're terrible!"
 

"Thanks" Faith said, smirking as they walked to Willow's house.
 

"Besides...Cordelia and Xander aren't supernatural and they deserve a good
maiming too" Willow added causing Faith to laugh with her.

ELUSIVE OBSESSION (7/?)
 

Willow thrashed around on her bed. She couldn't sleep. It was too hot. She
knew she had a slight fever but this was ridiculous. She stood and moved to
her balcony, opening the double doors. She felt a soft breeze and closed her
eyes, enjoying it. She turned and walked barefoot back to her bed. She sat
down, taking the glass of water and gulping it down. She had gotten a very
bad cold that had hit her the previous day. She had missed two days of school
so far and if she felt this bad the next day, she'd miss another. She had
heard from no one except Faith and her admirer. She stood and decided to take
a shower. Maybe that would cool her off. She headed into the bathroom,
stepping into the shower.
 

Spike waited until he heard the shower start before looking into her room. He
had been lucky. For a moment there, he'd thought she was going to see him
standing on her balcony. He entered her room, thanking her for calling out a
general invitation several nights before for the slayer. He'd been standing
there so it had included him, unbeknown to Willow. He saw the trashcan
littered with kleenex and the bottle of cough medicine laying by the bed.
Poor pet. She was sick. He knew he didn't have much time. She'd only be in
the shower for a half an hour. She never showered longer than thirty minutes.
He hurriedly opened the picnic basket he had had packed. She had been so sick
she hadn't been taking care of herself properly. Those so called friends of
hers didn't care. Only the slayer had been by to see her.
 

He cleared her desk off and laid out the bowl. He opened the thermos and
poured the chicken noodle soup into the bowl. He then set out the orange
juice, hoping she liked orange juice. It was the only healthy beverage he
could think of. He put out some crackers along with silverware. He then lit a
candle and placed a rose in a pretty vase he had found the night before while
hunting. He surveyed the scene and smiled. Maybe this would cheer her up. He
hoped it didn't scare her that he had come into her room. Well, at least she
had been the one to open the balcony doors. He hadn't had to break in as he'd
originally planned. He set out the note beside her bowl and then headed out
of her room. He jumped down from her balcony and headed out to feed. He knew
she'd look outside for him after her shower. He wanted to see her face when
she saw her present but it wasn't worth the risk of getting caught.
 

Willow dried off, still feeling warm. She looked in the mirror and scowled.
God, she looked awful. Her eyes were puffy and watery. Her face was red and
her nose was running. She sighed, wondering how long this damn bug was going
to last. The only benefit had been not having to see Buffy and the others. No
research. That had been nice. Faith had spent the majority of the afternoon
over watching cheesy soap operas and talk shows with her. But, other than
her, she hadn't heard from anyone except Giles. The watcher had been
concerned telling her to drink plenty of liquids and just get better. She
left the bathroom, freezing as she took in the site greeting her.
 

A smile of delight crossed her face. She knew she should be worried that some
stranger had been in her room, but she trusted him. The slight fear she had
previously had of him had faded. Now, seeing this, she felt more in her heart
than she ever thought possible. She moved forward, looking at the soup and
orange juice. She read the note and her smile deepened. It simply said, "Get
well my sweet." She sat in her desk chair, the aroma of the soup wafting over
her. She heard her stomach growl and realized she hadn't eated since the day
before. She lifted the spoon to her mouth and began eating. She was already
starting to feel better.

ELUSIVE OBSESSION (8/?)
 

"Soup? He brought you soup?" Faith said, clapping. "Man, that's classic!"
 

"Wasn't it sweet?" Willow asked, smiling.
 

"Very sweet, considering" Faith commented.
 

"Considering what?" she asked with a puzzled look.
 

"Nothing" Faith said, looking at the tombstone and making a face. She'd
almost spilled it then.
 

"Faith....what are you talking about?" Willow asked.
 

Faith looked at Willow, sighing loudly. "Damn it, Red. I didn't mean anything
by it."
 

Willow studied her new friend. She knew Faith well enough now to know when
the brunette was lying. "Faith. Considering what?"
 

"He's a vampire" Faith said, looking at Willow's surprised face.
 

She shook her head, "No...he can't be. I mean, he came into my room. He
leaves me nice notes and flowers. Vampires kill."
 

"I felt him that first night, Red. He's the walking dead. But, he seems to
love you. Hey, some vampires can be nice. Look at Bitchy's Wimpboy."
 

"Angel has a soul" Willow said, glaring at Faith. "And don't call him
Wimpboy. He isn't that bad."
 

"Haven't seen him coming around when you were sick" Faith pointed out.
 

Willow shrugged, "Angel and I don't really know each other very well. He
tends to hang with Buffy only. I think I've said a dozen words to him maybe.
Of course, he did try to kill me too." She frowned, "I don't think he likes
me that much either. Buffy told me that once. Said he thought I was a dopey
kid. That he didn't like any of us."
 

Faith laughed, "Sounds like the perfect man for Bitchy."
 

"Wait a minute....why are we talking about Angel and Buffy? You think my
admirer is a vampire...." Willow said.
 

"I know he is" Faith said, smiling at the redhead. "But, hey, he brings you
soup."
 

Willow shook her head, "No way...I am not the type that would attract a
vampire. Besides, the entire loving from afar thing goes against everything
we've learned about vampires."
 

"Logic never works in love" Faith said with a smug look.
 

"Just hush" Willow said. "Let's finish patrol. I don't want to risk running
into Buffy or the others. I've managed to avoid them since I was sick and I
hope to keep it that way."
 

"Hey Red" Faith said as they began walking.
 

"What?"
 

"There are benefits to having a vampire as a lover" Faith said, her tone
amused.
 

"I do not have a vampire lover" Willow said. She then looked at the brunette
thoughtfully, "What benefits?"
 

"He can go down on you and he won't have to stop to breathe" Faith sang out
with a laugh as Willow's face flamed up.
 

"FAITH!" Willow said, having to laugh as she rolled her eyes. The girls
continued to talk about the pros and cons of dating a vampire as they
finished patrol.

ELUSIVE OBSESSION (9/?)
 

Willow sat in her desk chair and thought over what she and Faith had talked
about the night before. Her admirer was a vampire. She trusted Faith and
believed her new friend. She knew she should have locked her doors and taken
any precautions necessary, but she couldn't. She wasn't scared of him. He had
never done anything that could be taken as a threat. He did seem to care
about her. Right now, that was all that really mattered. Someone loved her.
 

She took the rose that she had received that morning and brought it to her
nose. She wondered where he found such lovely flowers. They had the sweetest
scent. She could be happy simply laying in their petals for hours. This
morning, it had been a rose that was red with white tips. It was fantastic.
He had left her a note saying, "Reminded me of you, my love. Fire with
ice...." She again wasn't sure exactly what he meant by that, but it was
sweet either way. She put the rose up and went back to her make up homework.
She had missed three days of school due to being sick. Luckily, she had made
it back on Friday and had been able to get her missed work to finish over the
weekend. She had avoided the gang, only going in to see Giles to let him know
she was still weak but feeling better.
 

She finished her math homework, glad that she really hadn't missed that much
at school. Just some general homework she'd had finished pretty quickly and a
small amount that was taking longer. She only had an essay left. She stood,
stretching. She went to the bathroom and then went downstairs for a snack.
She made a sandwich and poured some soda and then went back upstairs. It was
only five o'clock. The sun was still shining and set her room on fire with a
blaze of light. She read over her essay topic and started to think of what
she should write. Instead, her thoughts drifted to the rose and her admirer.
 

It had been so many months now that he had left her roses and notes and
gifts. She had enjoyed the secrecy in the beginning but now she was finding
herself wanting to know who he was....to talk to him....to at least see him
or know his name. She found herself dreaming these vivid dreams with the man
in them just being a shadow. She could feel his touch but she could never see
his face. She hated that...not seeing his face. She had made a big decision
the night before after talking to Faith. She was going to stake out her own
balcony. She had to see who he was. Tonight, she would find out his identity.
 

She smiled at how absurb it was....staking her own house out to find out who
he was. She went back to her essay. Before she had her name on the paper, the
phone rang. She picked it up, "Hello?"
 

"Willow?" it was Giles.
 

"Hi Giles" Willow said, wondering why he was calling.
 

"Willow, I need you. Library. Now."

ELUSIVE OBSESSION (10/?)
 

Willow listened the dial tone and frowned, "Rude much?" she asked the air as
she put the phone back down. She sighed, moving to find her coat and keys.
She put the essay back in her folder, knowing she would be finishing it
sometime the next day. Giles' voice had demanded immediate attention. Either
a big evil was brewing or they needed research girl. She almost hoped for the
former since things had been so quiet lately. She left the house, knowing
that Faith would have been called to. She headed in the direction of the
slayer's motel, deciding they could walk together easily.
 

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

"You are absolutely sure this is what you saw?" Giles asked.
 

"Yeah, I told you already. Big ridge things and the spines. That's him."
Buffy said, yawning.
 

"He was ugly" Xander added, helpfully.
 

"Green and brown with these quills all over his nasty looking skin" Cordelia
said.
 

Giles closed his eyes briefly, listening to them chatter. Were they so stupid
they didn't realize what they were facing? He opened his eyes and re-read the
passage underneath the demon's picture. He really hoped this information was
false. If not, and going with as little research as they had been able to
find on it, they were growing to be royally screwed. He could only hope that
Willow had been able to find something he himself had missed. As it was,
there was very little information on this demon. He did have a way to kill
it, but according to all reports, this thing could simply touch you and poof,
you were gone. Dead in a whoosh of smoke. How could Buffy get close enough to
kill it without getting poofed herself? He glanced at the clock, tuning the
insane blabbering of the others out as he waited for Faith and Willow. Maybe
Angel would arrive soon and know something. There had to be another way to
kill this thing. Hell, maybe the kids had gotten it wrong and this wasn't
even who they were facing. Of course, they had been expecting it sooner or
later. They were just not prepared. He reached into his desk drawer and
removed his bottle of scotch. No time like the present to get snockered, he
decided.
 

*******************
 

Spike looked at the pictures now covering his wall and smiled. The other
night when Willow had been out with the nice slayer, he had snuck into her
house. After going through her room and taking some things he had wanted to
keep to remind himself of her, he had gone through a box in her parent's
closet, taking dozens of photos of her. From what he had seen and heard, they
weren't around enough to miss them. Now, he had her beauty even during the
daylight. He of course had cut the slayer and others out of any of them. No
need to ruin the image. He stood and began to pace. He was impatient for the
sun to set. He didn't like this...not knowing where she was during the hours
of the sun. Never before had he cursed that part of his nature. Of course,
he'd never been in love with a human before either.
 

He was relieved when he finally saw the sun set. He left the house he had
taken over and hurried to Willow's. The last few days she had stayed in or
patrolled with Faith. No research sessions with the idiot gang at all since
her illness. He was surprised to see her house dark. He knew it was too early
for patrol so he knew where she was. He headed in the direction of the
school, deciding to feed on the way. Knowing his luck, some new evil had
arrived and was after the slayer. It seemed every few weeks another stupid
demon came to open the hellmouth or to fight the slayer. They always lost.
You'd think they'd damn learn by now. But noooo...they had to come in and
ruin things. Well, he had no intention of Willow getting hurt in the
crossfire so he'd find her and manage to remove her from the gang...keep her
safe from the latest threat. Maybe he'd get lucky and this time the slayer
would get killed. She bloody well deserved to be. He just wanted to make sure
Willow wasn't around when it happened. Wouldn't do for her to witness the
gory death of a friend. The thought of the slayer sufferring a gory death
made him smile. Now there was a happy thought to start the night off right,
he decided.

ELUSIVE OBSESSION (11/?)
 

Willow and Faith walked into the library. Willow was surprised to see the
gang actually researching. She smiled at Giles and said, "Hey. Got here as
soon as we could."
 

"Um yes. Good" Giles said. Faith sat down and took a book, waiting to find
out what to look up. "The demon has arrived."
 

"Great" Willow said, sighing as she sat down. "Are we sure?"
 

"I saw it" Buffy said, her tone irritated.
 

"OH...then it must be here" Faith said, grimacing.
 

"Shut up whore" Buffy muttered.
 

"Excuse me bitch?" Faith asked.
 

"Go to hell" Buffy shot back.
 

"Girls!" Giles said, his tone angry.
 

"Sorry" Faith said, glaring at Buffy. Buffy glared back.
 

"What do we know about this Hurvint?" Giles asked Willow.
 

"Not much" Willow answered. "He can be killed pretty easily. A shot through
the heart is all it takes."
 

"That should be simple" Buffy said.
 

"His heart is in his throat" Willow added, remembering any details she could.
"He supposedly can make people evaporate into a poof of smoke if he touches
their throats and says this curse...some phrase and they're gone."
 

"That's what I thought. So, how close must the shot be sent from?" Giles
asked.
 

"Never said. I'd assume a long range would work as well as a short range"
Willow said, thinking about it. "But, it won't be that easy to get close to
him."
 

"Why?" Faith asked.
 

Willow looked at her and replied, "Because he tends to have many people
around to protect him. Vampires usually."
 
 

"So we get to go fight a bunch of vampires and then shoot this demon"
Cordelia said, rolling her eyes. "Lovely way to spend a Friday night. Think
we'll have this done by nine? I'd like to make the Bronze if possible."
 

"We have to find him first" Willow said, disgust in her voice as she
exchanged a grimace with Faith.
 

"He's hiding out at the bluffs" a low voice said from the stacks. Angel
walked into the room, having been watching the group for the past few
minutes. He nodded at Buffy, before looking at Willow. "You're right. He has
at least a dozen vampires guarding him."
 

"Why did I have to be right this time?" Willow asked dryly. She was surprised
that Angel wasn't flirting with Buffy. She saw Buffy cast a glare at Angel
before smiling sweetly at the group.
 

"Aren't you always right, Will?" she said, her tone sarcastic.
 

"Fuck off Bitchy" Faith said, defending her friend.
 

"Fuck you whore" Buffy responded back. It was bad enough that Angel was
pushing her away constantly but now she was getting attacked by that bitch
Faith.
 

"Buffy, get a weapon and shut up" Giles said, his tone giving no room for
argument.
 

She glanced at him and stood, moving to get something that could shoot from a
distance. She personally had no interest in getting close to this demon thing.
 

"So, we're facing at least a dozen vampires and then this demon too" Willow
said, making a face. Great. There went her essay. Maybe she could get it done
Saturday night. Not like she'd be doing anything fun. Buffy and the others
practically had ignored her all night except to insult her.
 

"Good. I can finally kick some demon ass" Faith said, shooting Willow a
smile. "Then maybe some ice cream afterwards."
 

"Oh goodie. Demon guts and then chocolate ice cream. Lovely combination."
Willow said dryly, smiling at Faith.
 

"You two are crazy" Xander said, rolling his eyes. "Come on. Let's get this
party started."
 

"Yeah. I want to make it to the Bronze" Cordelia said again, "Hey Buffy,
maybe that cute Mike guy will be there tonight."
 

Buffy beamed, shooting Angel a cocky smile, "He said he would be if I was.
Isn't he a hottie?"
 

Angel rolled his eyes, turning away from the girl he had thought was his
soulmate. Why had it taken him so long to see what a self centered brat she
was? He looked at Faith and Willow and smiled slightly. The only two of the
gang he could stand, though he didn't know Faith very well. She had Willow's
approval and to him that was a good enough character recomendation. "Have
room for one more on that ice cream run?"
 

Willow looked at Angel shocked. She had never seen him smile except when he
was evil. Now, here he was asking to hang with her and Faith rather than
Buffy? She saw Buffy glare at her and she smiled at Angel. "Of course. After
we kill this demon."
 

"Of course" Angel replied, glancing at Faith and catching the brunette
watching him with a guarded look. She wasn't sure she liked or trusted him,
he realized. She was very protective of Willow. That he had noticed. He
wondered what exactly was happening with the gang. It seemed sides had been
chosen and he was not on Buffy's.
 

"Let's go bag a demon" Buffy said sharply, standing and glaring at the gang.
 

Spike frowned at the idea of his damn sire going out with Willow even if
Faith was around. He wasn't threatened that his sire would go after Willow.
No, his redhead was safe from that. He knew Angelus had been a bit obsessed
with her, but that would be more reason for Angel to avoid anything other
than friendship. Besides, Angel wasn't Willow's type either. No, he just
hated that his sire would be free to be with her while he was resorting to
skullking around in the dark like some silly sap. Damn bloody Peaches, Spike
thought racing to follow after Willow. He was going to make sure she wasn't
in danger before he went to feed.

ELUSIVE OBSESSION (12/?)
 

Willow fell to the ground as the vampire knocked her off her feet. She heard
a groan as Xander was knocked into a tree. She looked up and saw blood
dripping from a wound on his face. This was not as easy as they had thought.
There were more than just twelve vampires. Willow had counted fifteen at
least plus the demon. She looked up and saw the demon just sitting there
watching with an arrogant smile on his ugly face. She got to her feet,
dusting the dust and leaves from her butt. She saw Faith fighting off three
vampires a few feet away. Buffy had dropped the weapon and was fighting off
two of her own. Everyone else seemed to be holding their own against their
own enemies. Except Xander who was still sitting on his ass.
 

Willow reached for a twig, facing the vampire that had knocked her down. She
gathered her courage and began to fight with him. He tried to knock the stick
away as she lunged forward. She heard Buffy's triumphant yell as she staked
one of her vampires. Willow fell to her knees, grimacing as she scraped them
on some rocks. She watched as the vampire laughed and came towards her. She
suddenly was covered in a cloud of dust as Angel offered his hand. She stood,
smiling in gratitude. "Thanks."
 

"No problem" he said, before turning and continuing his fight.
 

Willow dropped the twig and began to move towards the dropped weapon. Maybe
she could shoot the damn thing and this would be over. She was stopped in her
tracks as a scaly hand enclosed itself around her neck. She felt fear go
through her as she looked up into red eyes that were burning into her. She
tried to scream but couldn't get it out.
 

The others finished with their vampires. Buffy reached for the weapon, her
eyes finding the demon. She froze when she saw him holding onto Willow. The
redhead was hanging in the air, her feet barely touching the ground
underneath her. She was clawing at his hand, kicking at him. The others faced
the demon and wore matching surprised expressions. Faith was still fighting
two of the vampires off to the side, their fight having moved into a
clearing. "Let her go" Buffy said, her voice cracking.
 

The demon smiled, "Put the weapon down or she dies."
 

"Buffy" Willow squeaked, clawing at the flesh holding her.
 

"I can't" Buffy said, aiming the weapon. "You are not opening the hellmouth!
Not let her go."
 

"Put the weapon down or she dies!" he screamed, his eyes flaming red as his
grip on Willow tightened. He began to repeat words in a tongue that none of
them understood.
 

Faith finished staking her last vampire, dusting her hands and smiling. She
turned towards the others, freezing as her eyes scanned the scene. She saw
the demon's mouth moving and saw his hands around Willow's neck. She moved
forward, hearing his words. Buffy just aimed her weapon.
 

"I'm sorry Willow" Buffy said, her finger pulling the trigger.
 

Faith began to run. She screamed out "Nooooo" as she pushed into Buffy,
knocking the slayer onto the ground. The others were watching the slayer's
fight as Faith's fist rammed into Buffy's jaw. The brunette slayer's other
hand lashed out and she heard the crunch as Buffy's nose broke. She stood up,
leaving the broken blonde on the ground as she rushed to the fallen demon and
Willow. She stopped, fear going through her as she saw the demon laying on
the ground, a cloud of dust in the air around him.
 

She looked around the area, her eyes searching for WIllow. She fell to her
knees by the demon, tears on her face. "Willow! Nooooo...."
 

Angel moved behind the kneeling slayer, his hands on her shoulders. She
looked up at him, her eyes denying what had happened. He was surprised to see
tears in her eyes and on her pretty face. "She's gone."
 

"No..." Faith said, her hands clenching the dirt in front of her. "I'm going
to kill Buffy."
 

"Shh" Angel said softly. "Let me take you home."
 

Cordelia frowned as she realized that Willow had just been killed by the
demon before Buffy could kill it. She then remembered Buffy's words. The
slayer had made a choice. She shrugged, helping a dazed Xander to his feet.
She assumed that Buffy had made the right decision. If she hadn't killed the
demon, he would have opened the hellmouth. So, Willow had to die. She glanced
at her watch and smiled. "We still have time to make it to the Bronze."
 

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

Spike laid his precious bundle on his bed, anger for the slayer and the
others running through his body. They would pay, he vowed. Each and every one
of them except for Faith and his damn sire. The fucking poof had saved
Willow. For that, he would be spared. Unless he tried to interfere, Spike
ammended. He looked at Willow, thankful he had had time to get her away from
the demon before the bullet had entered it. He ran a hand over her face,
brushing away a drop of blood with his finger. He brought it to his mouth,
sucking it inside. He could see the bruises already forming around her neck.
If the demon hadn't already been killed, he would have killed him for hurting
what was his. He laid on the bed beside her, his arms pulling her unconscious
body into his. She would sleep for awhile. When she awoke, they would have to
talk. He finally had her in his arms, and he had no intention of letting her
go. Ever.
 

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