Willow took a deep breath, suddenly wishing she had Spike's arms around her
for comfort during this time. But, he wasn't with her. He had run away rather
than love her. What was so awful about her that he couldn't love her? She
began to speak, "I think someone cursed us."
 

"You already said that" Buffy said, waiting.
 

"Why? What curse?" Riley asked.
 

"Think about it" Willow said. She let out her breath when she felt Faith's
hand on hers squeezing it in support. She smiled softly, realizing how odd it
was that her old enemy was now the one offering her the needed life line.
"These last few weeks. We're falling apart."
 

"I don't get it." Xander said.
 

Anya studied Willow's face, thinking over the last few weeks. "I can see
where we've all had some problems, but I don't see it as a curse."
 

"All of us have been facing our worst fears!" Willow said, wishing she could
smack them all for their obtuse stupidity.
 

"No" Buffy said, shaking her head. She suddenly looked thoughtful. "My god..."
 

"Me and my dad" Xander said softly, looking confused. "It wasn't really me,
it was some curse?"
 

"I don't know" Willow said. "It makes sense...Doesn't it?"
 

"It does. I can't believe none of us noticed something weird before" Giles
said.
 

"So...the doctor was right. This whole thing is psychological?" Buffy said,
wondering who would curse them like that.
 

"It might not be a curse" Angel said softly. They looked at him and he
continued, "It could just be a spell. It might not even be malicious..."
 

"Anya almost died." Xander said, his tone warning.
 

"Faith lost her eyesight" Angel said, his own tone warning.
 

"Oh" Xander sat back, finally noticing the way Angel was protectively holding
Faith. Deadboy had a thing for the other slayer. He glanced at Buffy to see
if she had noticed. She had. And she looked ok with it.
 

"What do you mean she lost it? When did it come back?" Riley asked, wondering
how she had managed to get better.
 

"Last night" Faith said. "But just gradually. It's still a bit blurry around
the edges."
 

"How?" Giles asked.
 

"I don't know. It just happened" Faith said.
 

"So, your theory is that some unknown person put a spell on us to make our
fears come true..." Anya said, seeing the logic behind that. "But...why? And
how?"
 

"I don't know. I don't have any idea" Willow said, sighing.
 

"Well, together we can figure something out" Buffy said.
 

"Wait...Anya and I are fine now. It's been several days since either of us
have had a problem" Xander said.
 

"And now Faith's problem is over too" Riley pointed out.
 

"I don't get it." Giles said.
 

"And you don't seem affected. Why not? Who was cursed or spelled or whatever"
Buffy said.
 

"I was" Willow said softly. "My fear did start to come true."
 

"Spike?" Faith asked quietly.
 

Willow shook her head, noticing the looks on the other's faces at Spike's
name. "No...it wasn't that. It was something else. I didn't even realize it."
 

"Spike? He's in this too?" Riley asked.
 

"Yes" Angel acknowledged.
 

"We don't know." Willow said, casting a warning glance at Angel.
 

"Sounds like we don't know anything" Riley said.
 

"We don't...but maybe now we can find some answers" Buffy said. "I guess we
should decide what fear it is that each of us had."
 

"Being human" Anya said swiftly.
 

Xander shrugged, "I think we know mine. Becoming that ass hole."
 

"Not being in control" Riley said softly.
 

"Losing my knowledge" Giles said, making a face.
 

"Depending on someone" Faith spoke hers roughly.
 

"Not being able to save the people I love" Buffy replied to her own question.
 

"Not being needed" Willow said, sighing.
 

They nodded as they finished, surprised by some of the other's fears.
Suddenly, a soft voice spoke up, "Falling in love." Spike said from the
doorway, his eyes on Willow's face.
 
 

FEAR AND LOVE (27/?)
 

Willow couldn't take her eyes off of Spike. She watched as he stepped into
the room, his eyes burning into hers. She whispered, "What did you just say?"
 

Spike smiled slightly, "You just want to make me repeat it don't you luv?"
 

"I think we missed something" Buffy said, leaning over and speaking softly to
Riley.
 

"Looks that way" he echoed softly.
 

"Spike...don't play with me" Willow said, her voice weary.
 

"Ah, but, pet...I so love to play" he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
 

"Blondie" Faith warned, her eyes looking at a stake sitting on a nearby table.
 

Spike sighed, fear in his eyes as he looked around the room. "Fuck it." He
ran a hand through his hair and looked lost as he stared at Willow. "I tried,
pet. Really did. I didn't want to fall in love with you. I'm not a nice guy.
You should be with some normal honest fellow...hell, someone living. Not me."
 

Willow watched his movements and listened to his words. She sat up
straighter, finally making the connection. "Oh my god...I get it."
 

"What?" Spike asked.
 

"Face it Spike. It's the only way out" Willow said.
 

"You're losing me, Red. I'm trying to tell you that I love you and you are so
not here right now" Spike said. He saw her smile and stopped.
 

"Say it again." She urged, tears in her eyes.
 

He smiled wryly, "I am in love with you, Willow. That good?"
 

She nodded, standing and going into his arms. She kissed him deeply, not
caring who was watching. He had broken the spell on himself.
 

She heard Anya remark dryly. "And they called me and Xander mushy? I feel
like I'm watching some Hallmark movie."
 

"Or one of those Lifetime films" Faith said, blushing slightly as they looked
at her. She shrugged, "What? They have some good stuff once in awhile..."
 

"Ahem" Giles cleared his throat, cleaning his glasses. He didn't really think
he could watch Spike and Willow devour each other at that moment in time.
 

"Yo, Blondie!" Faith called out. She stood and smacked Spike on the back of
his head. He pulled back from Willow with a low growl. Faith smirked at both
her friends. "She has to breathe you know? Besides, we're doing heavy duty
research mode here. You want to help?"
 

"Don't hit me again, slayer" Spike warned, his arm tight around Willow as
they sat down to face the amused looks from the others. "What do we do now?"
 
 

FEAR AND LOVE (28/?)
 

Willow grinned sheepishly at Buffy. Buffy just laughed and said, "Girl, we
have some catching up to do I think."
 

"Yeah" Willow agreed, happiness flooding her at Spike's proclamation.
Suddenly, she said, "Ooo ooo ooo..I got it!"
 

"Got what?" Spike asked, rolling his eyes at the way the others were looking
at him. He had turned into his damn grandsire. Just his luck. Become a poof
at his tender age.
 

Willow looked at her friends. "Xander, Anya, Faith, Spike and I have undone
the spell on us. It is just over you three now."
 

"What?" Riley asked.
 

"I mean...we never even realized it." Willow said. "It made our worst fear
come true, guys. Think about it. When did you start feeling better Xan?"
 

"After I almost lost Anya" Xander said softly. "I couldn't be him around her.
I loved her too much."
 

Willow smiled, "Exactly!"
 

Buffy waved her hand, "Uh, me here. Confused."
 

"Anya, what about you?" Willow asked.
 

Anya thought about it, "When I was dying...I heard Xander and knew I couldn't
leave him. I decided even the pain of being human was worth it for him."
 

"Faith?"
 

"Last night, when I heard the fight between you and Spike...I knew you needed
me. That and Angel coming for me...well, I got up to help you and that's when
my sight started coming back."
 

"With me, it was off and on throughout the last few weeks. It really came
through after I found Faith. She was pushing me away but I wouldn't let her.
Soon after that, it was repeated with Xander." Willow remembered, "But, these
last few weeks you all have pushed. I refused to go...I love you all too much
to not try to help."
 

"Faced your fears...your inner demons" Spike said, finally understanding.
"Fear and love."
 

"So, you're saying that we need to face our fears and the spell will be
over?" Buffy asked.
 

"That doesn't sound like much of a spell" Riley remarked.
 

"I think Riley has slowly been defeating his this entire time" Willow said.
"He loves Buffy...he's been making decisions that he knows will make her
happy."
 

"She's right" Riley said. He smiled slightly, "Damn, this entire time it was
some spell. I thought I was going crazy."
 

"Welcome to life as a slayerette" Xander said dryly.
 

""Hey, boy. I'm not some silly slayerette" Spike said, his eyes flashing
yellow.
 

"Nah...you're just in love with one" Xander taunted. He laughed as Spike
glared at him.
 

"Buffy, you, Riley and Giles need to face your fear. If you don't, who knows
what might happen." Faith said.
 

"Easier than it sounds" Buffy said, feeling so weak.
 

"I don't quite know how to face it, children" Giles said, wishing he did.
 

Willow remembered Spike's words. She smiled at him, kissing him suddenly.
"You said it, Spike. Fear and love. Love defeats the fear. You guys can face
your fears out of love. Either romantic or just friendship."
 

"Is it that easy?" Buffy asked.
 

"Some spell...what did anyone hope to accomplish?"
 

"Well, if we hadn't realize what was going on, we would have slowly let our
fear kill us" Anya said.
 

"Who?" Giles asked.
 

Willow smiled at him, "Why don't you do some research? See if you can find
the spell?"
 

"Willow. I can't read" Giles started to say. Seeing them all look at him, he
sighed, "Fine. I'll see what I can do."
 

"Let's go patrol, Buffy. I can get in danger and you can save me" Riley
suggested.
 

"Can I vote that you let him die?" Spike asked eagerly.
 

"Dustball, hush" Buffy warned, struggling to stand.
 

"Maybe we should go with them...just in case?" Faith said to Angel.
 

"Good idea" Angel answered, standing. He looked at Willow and smiled, "We'll
be back soon. Maybe you can find some answers."
 

"I don't even care who did it" Willow said. "They lost. We won. We faced our
fears. We survived."
 

"Pet, we need to talk" Spike said softly, ushering her upstairs after
everyone had left. She followed him, wondering what he had to say.
 
 

FEAR AND LOVE (29/30)
 

Buffy walked beside Angel, moving slowly. "So, you and Faith?"
 

He grinned, "Who knew?"
 

Buffy laughed, "Does she make you happy?"
 

"Yes, strangely she does" Angel said, smiling as he watched the brunette spar
playfully with Riley. "What about you and the ken doll?"
 

"Angel" Buffy said, laughing. "Riley is good for me. He does love me. I love
him too. He's not usually so...dippy. It's the spell, thank god. I was
worried for a bit there."
 

"I'm glad he loves you" Angel said, sharing a smile. "I've always wanted your
happiness Buffy."
 

Buffy smiled and said, "So, Willow and Spike huh? When did that one happen?"
 

"Day before yesterday I guess. They fought last night. He came back today
with his tail between his legs. Smart boy."
 

"He better not hurt her" Buffy said.
 

Angel shook his head, "He won't. William has always wanted to be loved. When
Dru turned him....it hurt a lot that he had to share with me."
 

"Dru?" Buffy said. "I thought he was yours."
 

Angel laughed, "No. Angelus rarely sired males as children. Too much of a
threat. But, in the most important ways, he is mine. Dru was never equipped
to actually be a sire. She just thought he was pretty and wanted to keep him."
 

"Spike pretty? Nah...don't see it" Buffy said, still surprised over Angel's
admission.
 

"Dru loved him. As much as a child would love a favorite toy. I love him as a
childe. I think Dru cared more about him than he even realized. I know
Angelus did." Angel remembered.
 

Buffy started to answer when she heard Riley scream. She looked over and saw
him fighting a couple of vampires. "Buffy. Help. This is serious....get that
cute little slayer ass over here and kick some vampire butt."
 

Buffy smiled fondly at her lover before looking at Angel and Faith who had
come up behind him. "He could take them but he wants me to face my fear."
 

Suddenly, another yelp was heard, "BUFFY! Get over here!"
 

"Or maybe not" Buffy said, laughing as she began to move faster to help him.
She felt her energy start to flow as she began to fight.
 

"Sunnyhell....and you made me come back" Faith said, looking pointedly at
Angel.
 

"What?" he said innocently. "At least you made ammends...and you got me. Not
a bad deal, I'd say."
 

She kissed him softly, before turning to watch Buffy and Riley fight. "Can we
stay a few more days?"
 

"What? In Sunnyhell?" he reminded her with a smirk.
 

She just glared at him before rolling her eyes. "We're staying. At least
until we know everyone is ok."
 

"Whatever you say, Faith" Angel agreed, grimacing as Riley took a hit to the
gut.
 
 

FEAR AND LOVE (30/30)
 

Willow ran her hand over Spike's chest, watching the way his eyes changed
color as passion touched them. She smiled, "Afternoon, love."
 

Spike caught her hand and brought her against him. "Teasing wench."
 

Willow laughed, "Am not."
 

Spike couldn't believe that she had accepted him so easily. Flaws and all. He
didn't deserve her love, but he wasn't an idiot. He was going to take it
until she realized her mistake. Maybe she never would. He could only hope.
"Are too." he said, kissing her.
 

The two had talked late into the night after the others had left. Many of
their mutual fears had been discussed and faced. Both had finally fallen into
each other's arms after Faith and Angel had returned to report that the other
three were starting on the road to recovery. They hadn't left the bed since.
Willow looked at him, "Who do you think put that spell on the gang and why?"
 

Spike shrugged, "I don't really give a fuck. It got me closer to you. I'd say
they did a damn good job."
 

"It does appear to not have been done maliciously...I just don't get it."
Willow said.
 

"You think too much, pet" Spike said, smiling at her.
 

"Just shut up" Willow said, moving into his arms. "Kiss me, Spike."
 

"Gladly" he replied, capturing her mouth.
 

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

The demon sat down with a sigh. He looked at his lover and smiled. "Done."
 

"Really? It worked?"
 

"Did you doubt me?" he asked.
 

"Wellll, it did take quite a bit longer than you said."
 

"Stupid humans. That's why. No one died. In fact, they are all so annoyingly
happy I could puke" he said making a face.
 

A twinkle of laughter, "You did well, my sweet. My William? He's in love?"
 

"Aye. With the redheaded lass that figured it all out" Haskin said.
 

"Goodie. A lovely beauty, she is. Innocent but smart. A good match for my
baby" Drusilla said, smiling at her lover.
 

"Since Spike has finally found love, can we go back to Rio now?" Haskin asked.
 

Drusilla nodded, "Yes my love. I told you before. I just wanted him to find
someone to love. My Angel did also. A nasty old slayer, but this one is
strong. Not like that smelly one. I do almost wish she had failed the spell"
Dru said wistfully. "But, my William seems fond of her for some odd reason.
Now, that little group should be more powerful...less fearful. He shall be
quite safe with them."
 

"You have taken very good care of him, Drusilla" Haskin said, holding out his
hand to his enchantress. "Even if he will never realize it was you that
strengthened their bond."
 

Dru smiled softly, "Oh he knows....he might not acknowledge it now, but he
knows. Mummy always takes care of her loveys."
 

"Shall we head to Rio for Carnivale or would you prefer Cancun?" Haskin
asked, walking to the car with her.
 

"Rio I think" Dru said. She sat down in the car, looking out the window at
the streets of Sunnydale. Her boy was in love. She could rest easy with her
new love knowing he had someone to take care of him now. The redhead was a
good match for him. Maybe she would meet up with them both again sometime. In
the future. She'd wait awhile. Give time for old wounds to heal. Maybe in
another fifty years she'd look them up. She smiled at Haskin as he drove
away. The spell she had found had worked wonders. She still rather resented
helping a slayer, but for her William, she would do anything. She took
Haskin's hand and looked out the window at the stars. They were peaceful
tonight. Finally she had made things right.
 

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

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