END OF INNOCENCE (5/?)
 

Willow sat on her bed, knowing that her mouth must be hanging open in shock.
"You're what?"
 

Buffy smiled, flipping her blond hair over her shoulder as she continued
packing. "I'm joining the Initiative."
 

"You're the slayer...you can't join them!" Willow said, looking at the blond
that had once been one of her best friends and now seemed no more than a
stranger.
 

Buffy looked at Willow and her eyes narrowed, "I don't need you telling me
that I'm the slayer. Trust me, I know that. Every single damn day I live with
that. I'm now going to have a bit more help in slaying is all."
 

"They're evil," Willow whispered, her eyes falling to the floor as she tried
to deal with Buffy's announcement. Sure, she had known the girl was doing
some patrols with the soldiers. She had hoped that it was only because of
Riley. Now, it seemed to be far more serious than that.
 

"Whatever," Buffy said, rolling her eyes. "You know, I thought you'd be
happy. It means that you and Xander can get on with your lives. Have normal,
non research, Fridays. Not have to constantly risk your lives. Yet, you're
acting like I've betrayed you or something."
 

"You've betrayed yourself," Willow said softly, realizing that this was the
end. Buffy was closing the book on her past. She and Xander would no longer
be needed at all. She frowned, realizing that she wasn't as upset as she
should be. "Betrayed being a slayer."
 

"Don't give me that shit," Buffy said, almost hissing. She turned to face the
redhead, "You sound just like Giles did when I told him. Sputtering about how
the initiative was not what it seemed. That they were being even more evil
than the demons we fought. Like I care. They're taking demons and vampires
off the streets. That's what my chosen duty it. So who cares if it is for
experiments instead of just death? They are doing wonderful things there."
 

"I'm sure they are," Willow said, her tone slightly snide. It had been two
days since Spike's speech. Two days that she and Xander had spent together
mostly talking about their lives the past few years. She hadn't been
surprised to learn that he had been feeling rather unneeded lately too. It
had been nice, being with him. She did love him so much, despite her deep
feelings for Spike.
 

"Don't even give me that tone," Buffy said, glaring at the girl she had
called her friend for years. "I've put my ass on the line to protect you for
days. And this is the thanks I get?"
 

"Protect me? From what?" Willow said, surprise in her eyes.
 

"Will, you're a witch. Maggie has practically been salivating since hearing
that I knew a witch. She has all sorts of neat experiments for you," Buffy
said, a smile on her face but her tone threatening. "So far, I haven't
mentioned that it is you, but who knows when it might slip?"
 

"Are you threatening me?" Willow said, shocked.
 

"Would I ever do something like that?" Buffy asked. "Just leave me alone.
Forget we ever knew each other. It will be better that way. I'll do my best
to forget that you're a witch. How's that sound?"
 

"Why?" Willow asked.
 

"Because, I want to forget! I have a chance to be something more than just
the chosen one. Riley loves me. I have squads of guys to back me up on
patrol. I'm doing important things now. You and Xander...you'll just get in
the way and either end up hurt or dead. I don't want to deal with that and I
can't always protect you both. So, just ignore me and I'll do the same,"
Buffy said. "But, they do have your name on file. Since the whole Spike thing
and him being seen in your room. But, once they recapture him, they'll forget
about you."
 

"Recapture?" Willow said, knowing that Spike was the only demon to escape and
was smart enough to avoid being captured again.
 

Buffy nodded as she zipped her bag, "Yeah. I'm going to give him to Riley.
Sort of a welcoming me to the team sort of gift for them all. I'll get the
rest of my things later. Take care, Willow."
 

Willow watched the girl leave, wondering if she had ever really known Buffy.
Sure, there were small signs of the same slayer, but so many differences.
This girl was someone that she couldn't like. Her friend had gone and had
been replaced by this bitch. Goddess, Spike, she realized. She got up and
left the dorm, careful to make sure she wasn't being followed. She couldn't
believe that Buffy had threatened her. Would the Initiative really capture
her and do research even if she was human? Did they even care anymore? She
couldn't handle that idea, realizing that they would either kill her or
destroy her. She pushed away the anger, knowing she needed her wits around
her.
 

She walked to Spike's crypt, hoping he had stopped there the night before.
With her luck, he would have found somewhere else to stay at dawn. Glancing
at the sun high overhead, she at least knew he wasn't out hunting. She
continued to think of everything that Buffy had said, and not said. She hated
feeling that weight hanging over her head. Knowing that any time Buffy could
just say her name and she'd be taken. It wasn't fair. After everything she
and Xander had sacrificed for Buffy, this was how they were treated. Told to
forget about it all or else. Willow decided at that moment she really really
wanted to hear Buffy's screams of pain. She smiled softly, liking that verbal
image. She found herself at Spike's crypt, so many questions in her mind. She
took a deep breath before pushing the door open.
 

"Hello? Spike?" she called softly, not wanting to wake him suddenly.
 

"What is it?" he growled, his eyes staring deep into hers. He leaned against
the wall, his chest bare and his jeans unfastened. He had smelled her before
she had knocked and managed to put on some pants, resisting the impulse to
remain nude.
 

Willow looked at him, her eyes taking in every details of his muscled chest
before looking into the blue eyes focused intently on her. "Buffy is going to
tell the initiative where you are."
 

"Stupid bitch," he hissed, keeping his eyes on hers. She was different
somehow. He could smell her arousal, faint and light in the air. But, there
was something in her eyes. A fire that intrigued him. "Is that all?"
 

"I have a favor, of sorts," she said softly, letting out a deep breath.
 

Spike snorted, "Figured there must be something you wanted for the warning.
What is it, pet? What can Spikey do for you?"
 

Willow calmed her racing heart, knowing that from this moment there was no
going back. She could just turn and leave, let him get away from Buffy. But,
she couldn't. She looked into his eyes, her words calm and steady as she
said, "I'd like for you to kill me. Please?"
 

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