FALSE MEMORIES (1/?)
 

Willow froze, her eyes disbelieving. Oz and Amy? When had that happened?
Why hadn't anyone told her? She backed up, her breath coming in short
gasps. She turned and pushed the throng of students. She had to get
away. She left the Bronze, moving to the alley. She sat down on a
discarded crate, her eyes wet.
 

There was too much happening. Too much betrayal. First Cordelia and
Xander. They had hidden their relationship for months. She probably
never would have found out if she hadn't stumbled upon them. Then, Buffy
and Angel. The second happy couple. Angel had been back for who knows
how long before Buffy felt it the time to let them know. Another lie.
Now, her Oz...her supposed boyfriend making out with a friend. She
didn't care that he had found someone else. She cared that he had done
it so publicly with all her friends knowing while she was in the dark.
 

Why did they think she couldn't handle it? She was strong. It wasn't
like she was in love with Oz. She liked him....cared for him, but she
never believed it was love. It was betrayal though. She was weak. Too
forgiving. She told herself these things all the time. She tried to
change. She really did. It was just so hard. None of them wanted her to.
They would pat her on the head and tell her to get on the computer.
 

She was sick of that damn computer. She was sick of research. She really
wanted to just have some fun. She was seventeen. Her limited sexual
experience consisted of fumbled kissed from Oz that never quite met her
lips. He seemed to have no problem smooching with Amy. It wasn't just
sex. She felt like she had lost all her friends. They never were around
anymore. She missed being with someone. Being needed. Even Buffy had
Faith now. They didn't need her.
 

She knew that she should branch out, find other friends. It wasn't that
easy. Especially in Sunnydale. Who knew what evil lurked inside them
all. No, she was stuck. At least until graduation. They had no idea, but
she planned to leave Sunnydale. She loved fighting evil. It made her
feel productive. BUT, she hated this town. Everyone saw you as you were
from the moment you were born. No one acknowledged when you
matured...when you changed. She had no idea where she was going, but it
would be far away from her 'friends' and their lies.
 

She sighed, leaning against the brick wall of the alley. The loud music
from the club could be heard from her left. The front doors opening and
closing. She saw couples drift by, their hands held. What was it that
made people want to lie to her? She would give anything to show them
that she didn't need protection. She was an adult. Why couldn't they
accept that? She got up, deciding to walk home. None of them knew she
had come by. She thought she'd remain silent, see which of her good
friends told her about Oz and his new love.
 

She headed through streets, always aware of her surroundings. She wasn't
stupid. She knew the evil that went bump in the night. She wasn't about
to become vampire fodder. No, not yet. She owed her friends for their
lies. She didn't know how, but she would show them all.
 

She was halfway through the park when she heard broken glass followed by
cursing. She glanced around then decided to investigate. Someone might
be hurt. She looked through the bushes and paused. Spike. When did he
get back? She allowed herself a moment to enjoy the sight of his
handsome visage. She felt the familiar liquid heat spread through her.
She saw him glance up, his blue eyes dazed as they focused on her.
 

"The slayer's shadow. Must be my lucky day."
 

Willow didn't say anything, instead watching his staggering walk. He
moved towards her, the alcohol strong enough for her to smell.
 

"Gonna stake me luv? Put me out of my misery?"
 

"What misery?" she asked curiosity getting the better of her.
 

His face crumbled, "She left me. Doesn't even want to see me. Said I was
weak...that I betrayed her and her Daddy. Bloody sot. Should have staked
him when I had the chance."
 

Willow saw him stumble and reached for him. She put her hand on his arm,
steadying him. She briefly wondered why she hadn't run. Looking over
Spike again, she didn't think he was very dangerous. She felt him lean
into her, his face close to hers.
 

"Why'd she leave? It was all for her. I love her. She's my dark goddess.
I can't believe that I, William the fucking bloody, am being driven mad
by that looney bitch. Why can't she just love me back?"
 

Willow felt a pain in her heart for him. She couldnt believe she felt
pity for Spike. Drusilla was an idiot. Spike loved her and she just
threw it all away. She was about to answer when she saw a shadow from
the corner of her eye. To her dismay, Spike fell to the ground as
something made contact with his head. She started to move but soon
slipped into unconsciousness, a pain in her head.
 
 
 

FALSE MEMORIES (2/?)
 

Willow opened her eyes. Her head was killing her. She was laying in her
bed. She saw the familiar ceiling above her head. She reached up and ran
her fingers over her temple. She pulled them away, seeing the slight
pink of blood.
 

The last thing she remembered was Spike weeping drunkenly then a pain. A
shadow running towards them. She had fallen against the cement. How did
she get here? She sat up gingerly, her eyes scanning the room. It was
definitely her house....her room. She moved her feet to the floor, a
wave of dizziness spreading over her. What a way to start Winter Break.
Get knocked around, dumped, abused.
 

She waited until her vision cleared before standing. She sat down again
immediately. Her mind was in turmoil. She couldn't figure out what had
happened. She assumed someone was running through the park and knocked
into her. Had it been something evil, she wouldn't be alive much less in
her own room.
 

She heard soft clinking and looked up. Her mouth dropped open slightly
when she saw Spike standing in her doorway, his blue eyes watching her
with concern. All previous traces of sadness and drunken misery were
gone. How did he get into her house?
 

"Willow" he said softly, his accent sending shivers down her spine, "I
made you some tea. You like tea don't you? That was all I could find."
 

"Wh...wh...what happened?" she asked, stumbling over her words. The
shock of the situation and Spike being in her room was too much. He
looked to at ease. He didn't have the usual smirk and coldness in his
eyes. Spike had made her tea?
 

He moved into her room, offering the glass. He sat down in her desk
chair, his eyes on her. They held confusion and concern. "I'm not sure.
I woke up in the park. You were out cold. I found your address on your
driver's license and brought you here."
 

"Did you see who ran into us?" she asked, sipping her tea. He had even
added lemon for her. Good lord.
 

He kept his eyes on her, "Actually, that's where there seems to be a
problem."
 

"Well?" she asked. "Spike, come on. What happened?"
 

"Spike?" he spat out in distaste. "Please don't tell me that's my name.
Spike? How awful is that?"
 

The cup fell to her floor. "You're telling me that you don't know your
name? Quit playing games. It's been a long night."
 

He smiled, leaning back, "Im not playing any sort of games, Willow. All
I know is that I don't appear to be breathing..something I'd really like
you to explain later. Oh, and that you're mine."
 

*****
FALSE MEMORIES (3/?)

Willow stared at him, her eyes disbelieving. He was playing with her. He
had to be. Sure, they had both fallen to the cement, but the blow
couldn't have been enough for him to lose his memory. Could vampires
even have amnesia? She searched his blue eyes, noticing again just how
beautiful they were. Such a shame that he was dead...and evil. He was
gorgeous. Willow freed her mind from her lascivious thoughts, determined
to concentrate on the situation.

"I'm yours?" she repeated softly.

He nodded, then asked hesitantly, "Aren't you?"

She didn't answer, instead countering with, "Why do you think that?"

He smiled slowly, "You're beautiful. You were laying with your head on
my chest when I woke up...it felt right. Also, I just know. I can't
remember details. Hell, my mind is rather a blank about personal
information. But, I have this feeling that I love you and you belong to
me. Am I right?"

Willow again ignored him. "Everything personal is a blank. What about
other stuff?"

"Huh?"

She sighed, "Useless information. You know, what a car is. How to spell.
How to read. That kind of stuff. You didn't lose those things did you?"

He chuckled, "I can tell you who won the World Series in 1976 but I
don't know my own name. Pathetic huh?"

"No" she said softly. She was amazed at the differences in him. He was
not as  guarded...not as sarcastic. She'd never really spoken to him
when he'd been in Sunnydale before. His whole 'I'm going to kill you
because you're friends with the slayer' bit sort of hindered possible
communications.

She had heard about him from Angel, Giles and Buffy though. This man
sitting in her desk chair was not what they had described. He still had
an edge, an uneasiness in his body. The demon was still there. She could
see that much. His personality was changed though. He hadn't mentioned
Dru or Angel once. They'd been talking at least fifteen minutes. He also
hadn't mentioned the slayer. It was possible that he was telling the
truth.

"No, you aren't pathetic. Just injured."

He studied her a moment. He could almost see her mind working. He may
not know a lot about himself, but he could see that he good taste. She
was beautiful. All that red hair and those big eyes. She radiated
intelligence and warmth. He was a damn lucky man. Man? "Fuck, I'm dead
aren't I?"

She saw the emotions flicker across his face, "A vampire" she said
softly.

He shook his head slightly. "No. I kill people? Willow. Tell me I'm
not."

"I can't lie to you, Spike. You kill people. You thrive on killing
people." She watched him struggle to understand and a thought came to
her. If she did it, she would feel so bad. Wouldn't she? It would be
rather evil of her. She watched his eyes as he denied being a killer.
She smiled slowly, not evil. Just helpful. "That is, you used to."

"Use to?" he said softly.

She moved towards him, sitting on the end of her bed. She took one of
his large cold hands in hers. "Before us."

He glanced down at their entwined hands and smiled slowly. "Us?" he said
hopefully, needing her to confirm the feeling that he had in his heart.

She nodded, "Us. You haven't killed anyone in months. Well, since we got
together. Since we fell in love."
 

FALSE MEMORIES (4/?)

Willow felt a wave of guilt for lying to Spike. It was just too
impossible to resist. He was completely at her mercy. The feeling of
power was too great. Besides, he could be hurt if she sent him away.
Today was the first day of winter break. She had two weeks to try to
figure out how he had lost his memory. And when it would come back. She
gulped imagining his reaction when the memories came back. He'd kill
her.

"So I don't kill anymore." Spike said, running his thumb over her hand.

"No. You still feed but never to the death. A lot of times you just
drink animal blood."

"Really?" his lips curled in distaste. "Sounds yummy."

She smiled softly. "You have to be careful. The slayer is after you. She
doesn't want to believe that you've changed. She tends to see people in
the way she saw them when they first met. You tried to kill her when you
two met."

Spike whistled, "Damn. I was pretty evil huh?" he said proudly.

"Very much so. That was last year. You left and just came back a few
months ago."

Spike stood and moved to lay on her bed. He propped several pillows
behind him and patted the empty space beside him. "More comfortable
here."

Willow gave in to his tempting smile. She moved towards him, laying her
head on his still chest. It was strange not to hear a heartbeat.

"So, luv, how did we meet?"

"I knew you before. You tried to kill me several times" Willow ran her
fingers over his black t-shirt. He had lost the duster and overshirt
sometime while she was out. "I ran into you again and it was different.
We became friends. Buffy, the slayer, doesn't know you ever came back.
We kept it a secret from her and everyone else. Gradually, we fell in
love."

"You're still pure" he said softly, his voice confused.

"Yes. We haven't had the opportunity to consummate our relationship.
We're still in the smoochies stage."

"Smoochies?" he said, amused. He ran his hand over arm and around to her
breast. He felt her nipple tighten at his light caress. "I think I could
enjoy smoochies."

Willow felt her breath come in slow spurts as his fingers teased her
breasts. She couldn't say anything. If she ran, he'd figure out that she
was laying about them. He would leave and get staked. She'd feel guilty
for the rest of her life. No, for his sake she had to remain silent and
endure whatever he did. It would be difficult, but she could do it.
Besides, she rather enjoyed the way he said smoochies.

He moved his mouth down to her face, his tongue against her cheek. He
licked his way to her ear, nibbling on the flesh. "You like smoochies?"

He cupped her breast fully in his hand, his fingers tightening against
her nipple, twisting slowly. "Oh god yes." she whimpered.

He looked at the passion on her face and chuckled. "I must have been an
idiot. Never taking it past the smoochies stage. That is going to
change. Tonight."

Willow heard his promise and was about to protest before her words were
halted by his kiss. She felt his tongue enter into her mouth, claiming
whatever it touched. She moaned, moving closer against him. All thoughts
of protest fled her mind as he tightened his arms around her, pulling
her flush against his hard body.
*****
FALSE MEMORIES (5/?)
 

Willow sat in her chair wondering what to say. She had spent the night
with Spike...in his arms...the memories washed over her bringing desire
and lust. She had never intended for this to happen. She now didn't know
what she planned anymore. She had taken advantage of a situation and now
wished that she hadn't.
 

Spike didn't deserve her lying to him. He really thought that they were
in love before his memory had gone. Now, she found herself falling for
him for real. Oh what a tangled web we weave....she thought miserably.
 

She had several choices. She could tell him the truth, see the hurt in
his eyes...lose him. She could continue to go on with the charade, act
as though it were all true...fall deeper in love until he regained his
memory and killed her or found out and left her. Her choices were rather
grim. She had called Buffy leaving a message that she was going out of
town for the holidays. She had three weeks.
 

Three weeks to spend with the man who had tried to kill her...the man
who had so gently made love to her last night. She laid her head back
and groaned. Some choice. She would rather have him for even a short
time before having to tell the truth. Maybe he would grow tired of her
and leave. That thought made her mad. He'd better not leave her.
 

Spike watched her from the doorway. She was beautiful. She was his. He
wondered what he had done that warranted such a reward. He couldn't
remember anything of his past, but from the sounds of it, he hadn't been
very nice. What made a sweet perfect goddess like Willow fall in love
with such a monster? She must have changed him. Made him see his life
differently. That was the only explanation he had.
 

He moved into the room quietly. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that
she didn't notice him until his hands went around her shoulders. "You
look stressed pet. Something wrong?"
 

She looked at him, smiling serenly, "Everything is fine...now."
 

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "What shall we do today?"
 

"Stay inside and get to know each other again." she said softly.
 

"Not a lot about myself I know luv. Remember? Amnesia?"
 

"I know a bit about you. Besides, you've forgotten about me too. So, we
can just spend time together. I don't have class for three weeks. I'm
all yours until then."
 

"Sounds good. All mine."
 

Their lips met in a tender kiss.

*****
FALSE MEMORIES (6/?)
 

Willow looked at the sleeping man and smiled. She had done something
incredibly stupid. She had fallen in love with him. Good golly, she
loved Spike. And she was lying to him. What was worse was that his
memory had started to come back. He could now remember a lot of details
from his past. Things that she hadn't known. He seemed to still be at a
loss for the last sixty years or so.
 

It was odd, but when he spoke of Drusilla it was as though they had only
been friends. She didn't hear the desperate plea in his voice for the
dark haired woman's love. Every day she woke up with dread. Would this
be the day he remembered that he had meant to kill her? Would this be
the day that he did just that?
 

They had spent the holidays together. Buffy thought she had gone out of
town with her parents, so Willow didn't hear from anyone. It was just
her and Spike. The thought of losing him made her ill. She was already
concerned about leaving him alone while she went to school. What if he
wasn't there when she got back? She didn't regret the lie. That was what
bothered her the most. She couldn't imagine not having gotten to know
him. The sex was sweet and fun and sexy. She would never lose the
memories even if she lost him. She would lie to him again in a
heartbeat. It had been so nice to belong with someone.
 

She leaned over and kissed him. He opened one blue eye and smiled, "Why
are you dressed?"
 

"School" she said softly.
 

He frowned, "Forgot that. When do you get out?"
 

"I'll try to be home by five. Dusk at the latest."
 

"Five? Oh, after school stuff huh?"
 

"Yep. That's me. Quite the little joiner. I don't want to go" she
finished softly.
 

"You have to luv. I'll be here waiting for you. Not like I can anywhere.
Not with my relationship with the sun and all."
 

She smiled slightly, "I'll call you on my lunch break....just to check
in."
 

"Missing you already pet" he said, kissing her throroughly. "Now scoot.
Wouldn't do for you to be late."
 

"Yes Dad" she said impishly, her body still reeling from the kiss.
 

He watched her leave and smiled. After some of the things he could
remember doing, he wondered how he could get so lucky. She captivated
him completely. If he hadn't been in love before, he would be now. After
the last few weeks, he had fallen in love with her.
******

FALSE MEMORIES (7/?)
 

Willow opened the door, a smile on her face. So far so good. She had
been back at school for a week. So far, things were normal. There had
been no big bad evil to deal with so she had been able to get away early
every evening. Spike was doing well. They were extremely happy.
 

She walked into the living room and froze. She felt a wave of dread
spread through her. He was watching her with eyes that were devoid of
any emotion. He knew.
 

"Spike" she said softly.
 

"Don't. I don't want to hear your excuses. You lied to me!"
 

"You were hurt...I didn't know...."
 

"Don't give me that. Why the hell didn't you just leave me there? It
would have been better than what you did. I was going to kill you. Was
this your sick idea of revenge?"
 

"No...I didn't know what to do....if I'd told you the truth you wouldn't
have stayed. I had to look after you."
 

Spike snorted, "Miserable excuse pet. Did you enjoy it? Making me
believe that my life was soft and sweet? Was it nice having some sucker
buying every word you said?"
 

"I'm sorry" Willow said, tears on her face.
 

"Sorry? That you are. To think I thought you were the only decent one in
the bunch. Trying to turn me into the Poof."
 

"No. It wasn't like that. I tried to tell you."
 

"Was that when I was fucking you? When you were standing there looking
innocent and every word that spilled from your mouth was a lie? I should
bloody well kill you."
 

Willow looked at him, "I know. I never meant for it to go so far...."
 

"A little late for regrets luv. I can't even descibe the feelings I feel
for you. You deceitful, lying little bitch. No wonder they all left you
alone. Couldn't stand being around you and your lies."
 

Willow felt his words shake her heart. "I'm sorry...so sorry....I love
you."
 

"Love me? What a joke. You don't know me. I can't believe the last month
of my life has been spent as some human's playtoy. What a fucking joke."
 

Willow couldn't say anything. She had known that he would find out. No
one could ever love her. Certainly not him. She fell to her knees, sobs
escaping from her body.
 

Spike felt a moment of hesitation before hardening his heart. She'd lied
to him. Played him for a fool. No one did that. Even worse, she'd made
him love her. He spat on her, "You disgust me. I don't want to see you
again."
 

He grabbed his bag and left, the sounds of her crying echoing into the
night behind him.
*****

FALSE MEMORIES (8/?)
 

"Hey Willow." Buffy said quietly. Willow looked up at her and nodded.
"Can I sit?"
 

Willow shrugged. "Don't care."
 

Buffy glanced at the others. It was obvious that Willow didn't care. She
hadn't for the past few days. "Want to talk about it?"
 

"Like you'd listen" Willow snorted.
 

"Will, my girl. Something is bothering you major. Let us help." Xander
said taking a seat at the library table.
 

"Those circles do nothing for your eyes" Cordelia pointed out. "What?"
 

"You haven't been yourself for awhile now. We're worried."
 

"Why start now?" Willow asked.
 

"Ok. What's with the attitude?" Buffy demanded.
 

"For weeks before the holidays I was left out. None of you cared then.
Why should you now?"
 

"I didn't realize you were having problems" Buffy said, knowing her
friend spoke the truth. "We care. Talk to us. You're wasting away."
 

"Won't help. He's gone. Probably in South America by now."
 

"Hold up. Who's gone?" Xander asked.
 

Willow started to cry. She sniffled, "I lied to him. He left me. He
hates me."
 

"Who are you talking about?" Buffy asked, growing confused.
 

"You lied?" Cordelia said, her tone disbelieving.
 

"I love him so much. He should have killed me. It would have been easier
than this. Living without him is worse than death."
 

"Willow. Stop. You're scaring me."
 

"What are you talking about?" Xander asked again.
 

"He came up to me. We got knocked over. He had amnesia. I told him that
he was my boyfriend. I lied to him. For over a month he lived with me. I
lied every day."
 

"You didn't away with your parents?" Cordelia asked.
 

Willow shook her head, "Another lie. I was with him."
 

"Who?" Buffy asked again. She understood things so far. Willow had
fallen in love with some guy who was mad because she had lied to him.
 

Willow sniffled, lookin at them both. "You won't like it."
 

"God damn it, Willow. WHO?"
 

"Spike."
 

The room was silent for a few moments before it erupted in sound. Giles
walked out of his office and tried to understand what was happening.

****
FALSE MEMORIES (9/?)
 

Angel stopped and listened. He heard another loud crash and moved into
action. He grabbed a sword from the table and opened the glass doors.
"Who's there?"
 

"Bloody hell. What's with all these damn plants?" Spike muttered as he
kicked another flower pot from his path. He saw his sire watching him
and frowned. Why was he here, he asked himself again.
 

"Spike. What do you want?"
 

"Put the damn sword down and I'll tell you. Some father. Is that any way
to greet your favorite childe? No...and you wonder why I turned on you,
bloody sod."
 

Angel fought a grin at his childe's babbling. The grin faded when he
realized that something must be very wrong for his childe to seek him
out. "Come in"
 

Spike followed his sire into the mansion. Looking around, he frowned.
"Love what you didn't do to the place. Lack of color and furniture is a
marvelous thing."
 

"Spike. Cut to the chase. Why are you here? I thought you were with Dru
in South America."
 

"You don't know?" Spike looked at his sire startled.
 

"Know what?"
 

"Hell. She didn't tell the damn slayer." He ran a hand through his hair,
"I got amnesia in December. Knocked me head in the ground."
 

"Who is she?" Angel asked, trusting his childe without doubt.
 

"Willow" Spike said quietly. He was still angry at her for lying to him.
 

"Willow helped you?" Angel said in surprise.
 

"Yeah. Told me some nice big lies. Had me believing every word that came
out of those pretty little lips."
 

"Willow doesn't lie" Angel said.
 

Spike snorted, "Lot you know, Peaches. She had me convinced that I had
given up killing out of love for her. Stayed with the deceitful bitch
over a month, I did. Before my memory came back and I knew the truth."
 

"Good grief. She wasn't with her parents." Angel looked at Spike, "Why
did you come here? Why didn't you just leave?"
 

Spike made a face as he began to pace, "Can't leave. Can't kill. Damn
girl has me twisted up. I don't know who I am anymore."
 

Angel followed his childe's pacing, trying to understand what he could
do about it. "What do you want from me Spike?"
 

Spike stopped, looking at his sire, "How did you deal with it? Even with
a soul it had to be hard. I'm about to kill myself over this and I don't
even have a bleeding soul."
 

"Deal with what? Could you please just come out and get to the point?"
 

Spike groaned. This was the part he dreaded. He knew that no one else
could help him though. Hell, that's what a sire was for. "Deal with
loving a human. You and the slayer tart. How do you do it? You see, no
matter how hard I fight it, I love the conniving little bitch."

*****

FALSE MEMORIES (10/?)
 

Angel tried to keep a straight face. Looking at the expression on his
child's face though made his mouth begin to twitch. He felt it bubbling
up into his chest and finally, he couldn't contain it. He started to
laugh. He laughed until he felt the wet tears in his eyes.
 

Spike glared at Angel. "Damn poof. Knew better to come here. Fucking
nancy boy. Fine, laugh all you want. Don't spect to see me again."
 

Spike turned to walk out, pissed at himself for feeling something for
the human and even more so at having come to his sire for help.
 

"Spike. Wait" Angel called out, struggling to stop the laughter. "You
love Willow?"
 

Spike turned, his eyes cold, "Why do you say that like that?"
 

"Like what?" Angel quit laughing, surprised at the vehemence in his
childe's voice.
 

"Like it is so bloody unbelievable. I loved Dru for over a century. You
think I can't handle some lying little bitch?"
 

"I didn't mean you couldn't love her. I just..."Angel made a face, "You
surprised me is all. I like Willow. She's a good kid. She restored my
soul after all."
 

"Bad taste I admit" Spike said, "I can fix her of that though."
 

"So, she lied to you. Did she say why?"
 

Spike sat down, his lanky form molding itself into the couch. He put his
boots up on Angel's glass table causing a grimace to pass over his
sire's face. He smiled as he deliberately scuffed them a few times on
the glass. "She said it was to help me. Some bullshit like that. She
just wanted her own little sex toy."
 

Angel sputtered, "You and she had sex? Good lord" He sat down holding
his head. "Do you know what you did? What that means?"
 

Spike snorted, "Bit too late for 'the talk'. Known about them birds and
bees for years Pops."
 

"She was a virgin, Spike."
 

"I know. I was there." Spike said in disgust at his sire's inability to
understand his pain.
 

"Spike." Angel spoke slowly, "That means she must love you. Willow
wouldn't give that to just anyone. I bet Buffy is going to love this."
 

Before Spike could respond, the door flew open. The slayer in question
raced in, "Angel, we've got a problem. You're damn bleach blonde kid has
been causing more trouble. Should have staked the bastard while I had
the chance."
 
 

Buffy stopped her tirade in mid flow as she found herself looking at
Angel and Spike. Spike grinned, "Didn't know you cared, Slayer."
 

******

FALSE MEMORY (11/?)
 

"What's he doing here?" Buffy demanded.
 

Angel sighed mentally. "He came to me for help. What's the problem?"
 

"Him."
 

"Hey now. Why am I always the problem? I ain't done nothing, this time."
Spike said.
 

"Trouble follows you, moron." Buffy said back.
 

The two continued to trade insults for a few minutes before a loud
whistle sounded. Chagrined, they both looked at Angel and muttered,
"sorry."
 

"Silence. What a pleasant sound" Angel said sarcastically. "Now, Buffy.
What did he do?"
 

"He and Willow! They...they did things that I don't want to think about
right now. Then, he yelled at her and left her. She's a wreck. She
hardly eats. Doesn't look like she sleeps. All because of him." She
glared at the man in question. She turned to Angel and said seriously,
"She's wasting away, Angel. I've never seen her this bad."
 

"She's sick?" Spike asked softly.
 

"For some dumb reason, she loves you. Even lied to us to stay with you.
Never can trust her judgement again...."
 

Angel glanced at Spike and smiled softly. "Go. But, if you hurt
her....." he smiled an Angelus worthy smile.
 

Spike nodded in understanding. He took off with no thoughts except that
Willow was in pain.
 

"What just happened?" Buffy asked, confused.
 

Angel smiled at his love, "My baby boy just grew up."
 

Buffy suddenly smiled, "He loves her. That's why he ran."
 

"Learning to think like Spike. Should I be worried?"
 

"Nah...." Buffy said smiling as she kissed him gently. "Want to patrol?"
*****

FALSE MEMORY (12/12)
 

Willow looked up as her bedroom door opened. She sat up, clutching the
covers to her. "Spike!"
 

He moved to sit down beside her, his eyes going over her face, "You look
like hell."
 

"Thanks" she said, frowning.
 

"This is all for me?" he asked, gesturing to her appearance.
 

"You egotistical bastard."
 

"Compliments will get you everywhere luv" he said, smiling. He could see
her answer in her eyes.
 

"Thought I was a lying bitch" she said, moving away from him.
 

"Yep. You are. Fed me a spoonful of lies for a month. Can't deny that
pet."
 

"You didn't have to say it so mean."
 

"Willow, what the hell do you expect of me? I got my memory back in one
day and my life was turned upside down. The one person I thought I could
trust had been lying to me the whole time. I'm a demon, baby. I lashed
out. I couldn't believe I'd been betrayed, again, by someone I loved."
 

"Loved?" she said softly, ignoring the rest.
 

"Love." He corrected.
 

"Me too."
 

"You too what?"
 

"You know."
 

"Pet....." he said warningly.
 

"Love. You." Willow said.
 

Spike grinned, "I know."
 

"Cocky arrogant vampire" she muttered.
 

"Slayer is having fits over this."
 

"I know." Willow said sighing.
 

"Makes it that much more fun. I think I may have to stay around here for
awhile. Love getting the slayer's panties in a twist."
 

"That the only reason?"
 

Spike didn't answer. Instead, he pulled her to him, his cold lips
meeting her warm ones.
 

**************THE END****************
 

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