Willow watched as the woman got up and squealed, running onto the stage and
wrapping her arms around the banker's neck. He smiled, giving her cheek a
kiss as they posed for the cameras. "I can't believe she spent nearly five
thousand dollars on him. He was boring."
 

"Oh hush," Buffy scolded, smiling at her friend. "He was sort of cute."
 

"He was dull," Anya said, agreeing with Willow. "I'd have kept the money."
 

"Have I said yet how glad I am that we aren't up there, being talked about
like these poor saps?" Xander asked Riley, having listened to his girls
dissect every guy from one to ten so far. "How many guys are there?"
 

"I think I heard like twenty-five," Riley said.
 

"Which one is Spike?" Willow asked, wanting to leave.
 

"He's near the end, the last batch," Anya said, "and no, you aren't going
anywhere."
 

"Yes, Mom," Willow said, sticking her tongue out at the girl.
 

"One day your face is going to freeze like that," Buffy warned, laughing as
the newest bachelor came on stage. "Oh, look. It's Frank the chef."
 

"Chef?" Willow said, looking at the brawny man. "You're kidding."
 

"Nope," Buffy said, smiling. "Oh my God, look at that woman!"
 

Willow looked over and saw one of the prim and proper women waving her number
around as if she were fanning herself. Several of the women laughed as Frank
started to play for the audience, giving the woman a wink as he turned.
 

Willow heard the bids begin to be called, noticing that the woman Buffy had
met earlier was bidding on every single guy. Carrie, she remembered, placing
a name with the face. The woman would bid on any guy, waiting until the
bidding reached a certain point then pull out, taking a drink of what
appeared to be white wine before repeating the cycle with yet another guy.
She leaned over, poking Buffy, "What's her deal?"
 

"Who?" Buffy asked, looking at the table Willow pointed out. "Carrie? I don't
know. What's she doing?"
 

"She bids on everyone, no matter how dull and boring, but she never goes past
a few rounds," Willow said.
 

Buffy shrugged, "I wouldn't know, hon. Maybe she likes to bid but doesn't
want to win. Who knows?"
 

"Can I please leave?" Willow asked, knowing she was whining. "Isn't it bad
enough that you're making him deal with all of this? Why do I have to watch
it?"
 

"Willow, shut up," Buffy said sweetly, "you're missing Frank's date plans."
 

"I don't care about Frank or his date plans. I don't care about Bernie the
banker or Mike the fireman or Leo the architect. I just want to go home so I
can get used to being alone again," she whined.
 

"Leo was the landscaper. Mario was the architect," Anya pointed out with a
smile. "And Frank just sold to that panting woman for $5600 bucks."
 

"This is a nightmare. An endless nightmare that is never going to end,"
Willow said, laying her head on the table as Gray the college professor took
the stage.
 

GOING ONCE (52/?)
 

He'd been duped. Spike looked around the back stage area with narrow eyes,
not seeing any sign of the lunkhead or the moron. He moved past some man that
smelled as if he had fallen into a bottle of cheap aftershave and went
towards the bathroom. Maybe they were hiding. He could see that. He walked
into the bathroom, seeing about a dozen men, none of which were the two
idiots he was looking for. He turned around, walking back into the
pandemonium that was back stage at the auction.
 

He didn't know how, yet, but he knew that the slayer was behind this. It had
her stench all over it. He'd wanted to quit, but she'd insisted he keep up
his end of the bet. Why? What silly plan did she have in mind? He looked down
and sighed, running a hand through his hair. He couldn't believe he had let
Willow talk him into leather. The shirt was fine, the material on his skin
reminding him of that morning and sinking into Willow when she was wearing
his shirt. He groaned, resting his head against the wall as he felt himself
growing hard from the memory. Now was definitely not the time or the place
for that. Of course, he'd probably fetch a few extra dollars.
 

This entire thing disgusted him. He couldn't believe he'd let himself get
into this mess. Sure, at the time, he'd wanted to annoy the slayer and then
he'd used it as a way to keep Willow close. Now, he wished he'd just kept his
mouth shut. If he hadn't had to be participating in the whole thing, he'd
have been rather amused. These men, most in their thirties or older, were
acting like virgins on their wedding nights. He'd heard them whispering about
totals and bids and worries that they wouldn't get a pretty penny. Stupid
humans. Who gave a right-o fuck what they brought in? The damn money went to
charity anyway. He was actually helping feed the homeless humans or shelter
the orphaned brats or whatever hell purpose the charity was for. Him, Willow
the god damn Bloody, helping raise money for the humans. It was pathetic. His
sire would laugh her pretty head off if she heard.
 

He looked at the listing they had given him. He was last. Dead last. He must
be cursed. Normally, he's say something cocky, like they must have been
saving the best for last. Now, though, he wanted nothing more than tell the
bitch roaming around with the clipboard where to shove the bloody thing and
leave. He wasn't a quitter though. Anya had been right about that much. He
would have gladly quit for Willow earlier, but now, after arriving, they'd
all think he was scared. Nope, not leaving for this vampire. Instead, he'd do
his best to get a high bid. A bid so high that, when Willow finally won him,
the slayer would have to admit defeat without claiming it was set up. So far,
the highest winner had been some CEO that had smelled of stale cigars and
alcohol, earning a measley ten grand. He could top that, he decided. Hell,
he'd think about Willow and give those prim and proper biddies something to
bid on if it took it.
 

He moved away from the wall, deciding to check on his lovely Goddess while he
waited for the two idiots to make their appearance. He moved the curtain
slightly, his blue eyes scanning the room until he zeroed in on her. His eyes
narrowed as he looked at the people at her table. That damn bitch slayer had
set him up. He'd been right not to trust her. Xander and Riley were sitting
with them, both looking bored out their minds as they listened to that blonde
bitch and the ex-demon bitch chatter. He moved his gaze to his Red, watching
as she fidgeted in her chair. She looked around from the stage, her hand
smoothing her hair as she looked at what must be a clock.
 

His little pet was nervous, he realized. He looked at her, what he could see
at least. She had a dark blue scarf around her neck, covering his mark. He
growled softly at her act, knowing that she had to conceal it but not liking
it despite the circumstances. He wanted everyone to know that she was his,
damn it. He saw her breasts pushed against tight dark blue silk, the nipples
vaguely outlined. She wasn't wearing a bra. He growled again as he thought of
these other men looking at her, winking and playing up their act. He watched
as she dismissed the next man after barely glancing at him. She was waiting
for him, he knew. He smiled, wondering if she had any idea what she meant to
him. He doubted it, finding himself surprised these emotions she brought out
in him.
 

He watched the bachelor strut and blow kisses at the twittering women,
rolling his eyes as the man made some motion with his pelvis that caused
giggles among the women. Most of the men had taken to flirting with the
audience in hopes of getting a bigger bid. Spike had no interest in flirting
with anyone except his Red. He watched as she drew her bottom lip into her
mouth, her eyes anxious and nervous. He watched as she leaned closer to the
slayer, whispering something. The blonde shook her head, saying something in
return as she put her hand over Willow's. She wanted to leave, he realized
with surprise. He watched as her face fell and her eyes half closed,
wondering why she seemed so sad.
 

She was an enigma, his Red. Just when he thought he finally understood her,
she did something that confused him and had him guessing again. She was
supposed to bid on him, to win him, to take him home. Why, then, did she seem
to want to leave so badly? He looked at the two morons at the table, things
slowly clicking into place. She'd betrayed him. She had to have told the
slayer about his plan, about her part in it. That's why the bitch had
insisted he continue with the auction all the while letting her boy toy and
Chubs quit the damn thing. Willow wasn't planning on bidding on him. That
cheeky little brat. Did she really think he'd take that one lying down? She
was his, damn it, and he was hers. He had no intention of letting some silly
bitch with money win him and slobber all over him as he had seen several
doing.
 

He watched her for several minutes, wondering if she really thought it was
that easy. She decided to be nice and guilt free and not help him beat her
friend. Well, fine and dandy. He'd tried to quit the damn bet for her, after
all. Now, though, they were both in it until the end. He intended to wake up
in her bed in the morning, and, to do that, the silly girl had get rid of her
principles long enough to win him. If not, well, he'd refuse to go on the
date and the charity could give back the damn money. Either way, he was going
home with his Red. A wicked smile crossed his handsome face as he decided
that there was only one answer. He'd just have to make sure that she felt the
need to win him. Whistling softly, he let the curtain fall, deciding that he
had time for a smoke before his number was called. Time to figure out his
course of action and Willow's downfall, he thought with a smile.
 

GOING ONCE (53/?)
 

Willow sat with her elbows on the table, her chin resting in her palm. She
sighed again, adding an extra hitch in her breath, watching as an overweight
man in his mid forties hugged tightly on the woman that had won him with a
bid of six thousand. He looked happy. The winner looked happy. They should
both be shot, Willow decided crossly. Not killed, but maybe a painful shot in
the kneecap. Just something to wipe those perky happy grins off their perky
happy faces. She frowned, staring narrowed eyed at the happy couple, wishing
she were somewhere else.
 

"Willow, quit giving the winners those dirty death looks," Anya said in a
scolding voice, though her eyes were amused as she shared a look with Buffy.
 

"Yeah, honey. They aren't the ones you should be angry with," Buffy reminded,
smiling at the display her best friend had given since the auction had begun.
She had never seen Willow so surly and annoyed and downright moody. It was
refreshing in a way.
 

"I'm not angry," Willow said grumpily. "Besides, I know who I should be mad
at," she stared pointedly at Buffy then Anya then back at Buffy. "My two so
called friends that are making me endure this hell."
 

"Don't talk so rudely about Xander and Riley," Buffy said with a sweet smile
as Xander rolled his eyes at her.
 

"Admit that you deserve it," Anya said, shaking her head.
 

"I didn't do anything," Willow said, realizing that she was actually whining.
Good grief, what had she turned into?
 

"Oh, so plotting with an enemy, double crossing your friends in an attempt to
let said hottie win a bet, sneaking around and researching, lying to your
friends," Buffy ticked each offense off on her fingers as she spoke, watching
as Willow's eyes looked at the table and the redhead fidgeted, "that's
nothing to you?"
 

"I never lied and Spike isn't the enemy anymore," Willow mumbled, listening
as bachelor number thirty-two was called. Lionel the zoologist. What the hell
was a zoologist doing at a bachelor auction?
 

"Details, details," Anya said, waving her hand in the air. "You lied by
omission. Anyway, this isn't so bad. You get to see all these entertaining
guys act silly for money as well as these women toss around thousands of
dollars like it's nothing."
 

"Oh the fun," Willow said dryly, giving the caramel haired girl a withering
look. "Can I go home now?"
 

"Nope. Spike hasn't made it out yet," Buffy said. "You have to be here to see
what he ends up bringing in."
 

"I'm actually kind of curious about that, myself," Xander admitted. "I mean,
the highest bid was that CEO from the toy company last round and he only got
sixteen thousand. Do you think Blondie will get more than that?"
 

"Spike is ten times better looking," Anya said critically, "but he doesn't
have millions of dollars."
 

"Actually," Willow said, smiling softly, "if you combined all of his
accounts, it would be a bit more than ten million. Of course, that would be
cashing in his assets and liquidating his property."
 

Four mouths dropped open as Buffy tried to speak, "You mean he has that kind
of money but he bums dollars off us for cigarettes?"
 

Willow nodded, "Yeah. Angelus taught him to play for the future and Dru made
sure her baby boy was taken care of. He doesn't touch it usually for some
silly reason that only he would understand, but he's got it spread out over
the world."
 

"I think I might have a new best friend," Xander said with a silly smile.
 

"I wouldn't try it," Willow said with a smile. "Like I said, he only uses it
when he needs it."
 

"Why did he help us then?" Riley asked, ignoring the yelling women. "He
obviously didn't need the money."
 

Willow shrugged and smiled the soft smile of a woman in love, "Who knows?
That's just Spike."
 

"Maybe I should have let you max out his Gold card," Buffy muttered, her mind
processing this latest bit of information she had learned about Spike and not
coming to any definite conclusions. She hated not understanding his motives,
especially when her best friend's heart was in the mix. Well, she'd just sit
back and relax. Wait and see how he reacted when he learned he'd been out
maneuvered. After that, she'd decide if he deserved Willow or not. Smiling,
she listened as Willow quieted down and went back to the dramatic sighing.
The redhead deserved to suffer for a bit. She'd known of Spike's plan the
entire time and never mentioned anything. Yeah, both of them deserved this
bit of payback Buffy decided with a smile as she winked at Anya. It was
nearing the end of the auction. Things were just about to start getting
interesting.
 

GOING ONCE (54/?)
 

Spike looked down, wishing for the tenth time in less than two hours that he
could see his reflection. He'd never been one for vanity, hardly ever missing
his ability to see himself. He didn't really care what he saw or what others
saw, having never been quite as vain as his grandsire. That poofster had
constantly been obsessed with his appearance, always playing with that thick
dark hair and constantly prancing around in tight leather. Spike glanced at
his own tight leather pants, pushing away the slight wave of disgust. Damn if
he wasn't acting worse than Angelus. That thought made him frown, clearing
his mind of how he might look. Willow liked what she saw. That's all that
mattered.
 

"William Fairchilde?"
 

Spike heard the name, taking him to the past for a brief moment as he
remembered the last time he had been addressed by that name. A small coastal
town in France. Darla had still been with them. The poof had been unsouled.
Drusilla had been on one of her tangents, the stars constantly speaking to
her until she could barely do anything but sit and babble on the floor of the
cottage. He could still remember the slight fear he had felt listening to his
beautiful sire, not understanding her words but not liking them at all. He
could also remember the love he had felt, would always feel, when he looked
at her and the wonder that someone like him, that had done the things he had
done, could even feel that elusive emotion. He closed his eyes briefly, his
mind bringing the memory back in vivid color. A snapshot of the past.
Drusilla's face streaked with bloody tears, her eyes wild and wide, looking
around the room as she spoke to something she could only see. Darla barely
giving them any notice, too intent on shagging to care about her great
grandchilde. Angelus quiet, resisting Darla's efforts to unclothe him as his
dark eyes had rested on his beautiful daughter. Spike remembered moving from
his chair and going to Dru, holding her as she continued babbling, his bare
chest growing wet from her bloody tears, not understanding anything she was
saying but knowing that someday it all might make sense. To this day, he
couldn't remember what her prophetic words had been, but he was certain that
they must have come true. He'd quieted her down in the way that only he
could, seeing the grudging respect in Angelus' eyes as he had stood with
Drusilla, remembering with clarity that Angelus had always been jealous of
him in that ability to calm Dru, her sire usually managing to make her more
hysterical as her past blurred her present upon seeing his dark, handsome
face. It was then that Drusilla would caress Spike's face, her fingers moving
along his light brown hair, whispering that he was her fair childe, so pretty
and light, opposing the darkness that always threatened to just completely
take her over. He had to wonder who was battling her darkness now, if maybe
she had succeeded in fighting her own battle in the years he had been away
from her.
 

"Mr. Fairchilde?"
 

He shook his head, the back of his hand quickly wiping underneath his eyes
before he straightened and looked coldly at the woman that had interrupted
his trip down memory lane. "Yes?"
 

"You're up in five," she said, catching her breath as she saw the intensity
in those beautiful blue eyes. She watched as the man smiled slightly, a smile
that did something to her that none of the other men tonight had done.
 

"Thanks, pet," he said, turning away from her as he composed himself. Damn
memories, you could never rid yourself of them no matter how hard you tried.
Now, though, thinking of Willow with a slow smile, he had new memories to
make that could push those other ones farther away.
 

He moved towards the stage, running his large hands over the tight leather.
Damn constricting material. True, it was comfortable enough, but it squeezed
places he'd probably rather not have squeezed when he was looking at his
Willow. The silk was good though, her scent covering it with an effect that
was both calming and frustrating. He looked at his fingernails, knowing she'd
kill him when she noticed he'd painted a fresh coat of black polish over
them. According to her, painted fingernails were not respectful enough for a
charity auction. His lips curled into a wicked smile as he realized that they
would probably be the most respectful thing at this silly auction.
 
 

GOING ONCE (55/?)
 

"Is it too late for me to register?" Willow asked, her green eyes moving to
the table. It was gone.
 

"You can't bid," Anya said in a sing song voice as she watched Willow's face
fall. Turning serious for a moment upon seeing her friend's obvious worry,
she said, "Willow, hon, it's going to be fine. It's just some silly auction.
Not like it's the rest of your life."
 

"If he loves you, he'll forgive you for not bidding," Buffy said, glancing at
Riley and smiling. "Just as he'd forgive you for making him go through with
it all."
 

"What if he doesn't?" Willow asked, sighing. "Love me that is."
 

"Geez, Wills. Can we have any more of the inferiority complex?" Xander asked,
shaking his head as he looked at his oldest friend. "You're the smartest
person that I know, but at times you're so damn stupid."
 

"Well, excuse me for not being Miss. Confidence. I'm not really very good at
having affairs with mysterious, charming handsome vampires," Willow said
sharply, frowning at him.
 

"Willow, you're gorgeous," Xander said, rolling his eyes. "You're smart and
funny and loyal and honest and you have that sarcastic edge that I'm sure
Spike just adores. He'd have to be a complete idiotic moron not to love you.
Oh wait, we are talking about Spike...."
 

"You're impossible," Willow said, laughing as she looked at him. She asked
softly, "Do you really think he cares about me?"
 

"Baby, you're perfect for him," Xander said, smiling. "I may not like him,
but he isn't stupid. He has to realize what he has been damn lucky enough to
find. And I don't really seem him letting go once he's found it."
 

"Xander's right," Riley agreed with a nod. "Spike's not stupid. He'll forgive
you for not winning him."
 

"See?" Buffy said, smiling at Willow. "Even the guys can see it. Why can't
you?"
 

Willow shrugged, "I don't know. Seems too good to be true?"
 

Anya looked across the room as Willow spoke, seeing Mrs. Harris giving her a
thumbs up sign. She caught Buffy's eyes, winking and nodding towards the
stage. The slayer smiled, turning her head slightly and looking around the
room. It was all set. She looked back at Willow and said, "You deserve too
good to be true. Now hush. I think the auction is nearly over. That was
number thirty-nine."
 

"I thought they only had about twenty-five," Willow mumbled.
 

"Guess we were wrong," Xander said with a shrug, smiling as he wondered if
Buffy and Anya's plans for Spike would work out.
 

"And now, last but certainly not least," Mrs. Harris was saying with a good
natured leer, "direct from our very own Sunnydale, by way of England, we have
William Fairchilde."
 

The curtains moved to the side and Willow sat up straighter, her eyes
widening slightly as she saw him for the first time, moving over the tight
leather and up the silk shirt until she saw his eyes. She felt a wave of
apprehension pass over her as he winked, his lips curling into a wicked smile
she had become quite familiar with over the past couple of days, and he moved
slowly into the light from the shadows.
 
 

GOING ONCE (56/?)
 

Spike caught Willow's eyes, seeing the desire and love mixed with the worry
and fear. He winked at her before he stepped out from the shadows of the
curtain and onto the stage. He blinked slightly at the bright lights, looking
at the stage to collect himself. He knew from watching the other bachelors
that he was to walk to the end of the runway thing, turn around, then walk
back and stand by the curtain. After the walk, the bidding would start and he
was supposed to make eyes at the women and be all flirty. Well, not this
bloke. So far the highest bid had been only sixteen thousand. He could top
that and would top that. Teach the slayer for interfering with his plans.
 

He moved slowly, his body graceful. His blue eyes caught Willow's, everything
around them fading as he looked at her. This wasn't about charity or some
silly auction or even a bet with the slayer. This was about them. He smiled
slowly, his eyes moving over her heated face and down her neck, resting on
the soft swell of her breasts pushing against the blue material of her dress.
Silk again. He felt himself hardening slightly as he imagined getting her
home after this auction and fucking her while she was still wearing that soft
silk. His eyes flashed with desire, the smiling growing more intimate as he
kept his eyes on her, knowing she understood what he was thinking about.
 

Willow shakily reached for her water, not able to move her eyes from his to
look for the glass. She gulped as his glance moved over her, ripping the
clothes from her frame until she had to touch her dress to make sure it was
still there. She watched him walk, having seen him use the same pace during
patrols when he was stalking some demon. This time, she was the one he was
stalking. Only, he didn't plan on killing her. At least, not judging by the
smile that was on his lips or the unspoken words in his eyes. She sighed
softly, her hand forgetting the glass of water and moving to her throat, her
finger moving under the scarf and brushing against his bite.
 

Buffy let out a slow breath as she looked from Willow to Spike, watching them
both. The heat and desire between them was practically visible. Her hazel
eyes made their way back to Spike, taking in the tight leather, widening
slightly at the rather large bulge between his legs and then moving up the
silk shirt. Damn, he was fine. And he only had eyes for Willow. Lucky girl,
she thought with a small smile. Xander was right. Spike and Willow matched in
some way that she didn't try to understand. She just accepted it. She glanced
around, seeing that every woman in the room was watching him, some eyes
moving to the pretty redhead that seemed to be the center of his universe
then moving back to him. Anya was right too. Spike just had *it*, whatever
*it* was.
 

Anya smiled a proud smile. She'd known this would be perfect. Spike was
gorgeous, all restrained lust that threatened to snap free at anytime, that
tight ass encased in black leather that also stretched over a rather nicely
sized bulge that seemed to be growing slightly as he looked at Willow. That
smile even caused her heart to beat just a tad faster and she knew better.
She wondered what it was doing to all those other women, the ones that had
tons of money to spend. She almost felt sorry for Willow, knowing that the
other girl was going to have to endure hell by sitting quietly as other women
bid on the man that was clearly hers. She sat back, looking forward to
watching those fireworks.
 

Spike stopped near the end of the stage, directly in front of Willow's table.
He wouldn't go any farther, not caring about those other women. He watched
his Red take a drink of water, her breath hurried and her face flushed. He
smiled, simply standing there as the annoying music continued to play. His
left hand went to his waist, his thumb hooking into his belt. His right hand
moved up to run through his short hair, his lips curling into a smile that
was both sheepish and sexy. He looked tousled, much like a naughty guy caught
doing something he shouldn't be doing. In the audience, several women openly
sighed in admiration. He continued to ignore the music, carrying on his
silent conversation with Willow. He saw a drop of water on the side of her
mouth, his right hand moving to his own mouth. He wiped at an imaginary drop,
sucking his finger into his mouth as his eyes blazed with promises of things
to come. Several glasses were lifted around the room.
 

The other men had been loud and had openly flirted with everyone. This guy
had all of their attention with his intense focus on one pretty redhead.
Spike moved his finger from his mouth, running it over his lips as he watched
Willow repeat the action, wiping the drop of water from her mouth. As he
watched her pink tongue move over her finger, his nostrils flared slightly
and he growled, knowing that much more and he'd jump from the stage and take
her there on the table with the slayer and all of them watching. He turned
swiftly, his body poetry in motion as he moved towards the back of the stage,
his face taut with passion and desire, his eyes closed slightly as he calmed
himself. He moved to his mark, turning again, eyes finding Willow's without
hesitation. Raising his scarred brow, he practically purred as he spoke up
loud enough for the almost silent room to hear him easily, "Let the bidding
begin."
 
 

GOING ONCE (57/?)
 

As soon as Spike's husky words reached their ears, paddles were being raised
faster than the auction called could keep up with them. Willow's eyes
narrowed as she heard them, refusing to break eye contact with Spike long
enough to openly glare at who ever was bidding.
 

"Three thousand," Miriam called out, fanning herself with her paddle as she
looked at the handsome, strapping Englishman.
 

"Six thousand," Carrie called out with a smile as she doubled the previous
bid. She glanced at the table where Mrs. Harris' friends were sitting, seeing
the redhead glance away from the handsome blonde long enough to shoot her a
deathly glare before looking back at the stage. Golly, this was fun.
 

"Seven." "Eight." "Ten."
 

The bids began to run together as Willow ignored them. She licked her lips,
her fingers clenched around her napkin as she heard so many female voices
calling out bids. She sighed, knowing that she couldn't win him, knowing that
he expected her too. She hadn't even registered and Buffy had confiscated the
gold card before letting her leave the house. She could do nothing except sit
there and listen to these women try to outbid each other.
 

"He's getting pretty high," Anya remarked casually, giggling as Willow glared
at her.
 

"They don't know him very well, do they?" Buffy asked in amusement. "They'd
be asking for ten thousand NOT to win him."
 

"I hope you two enjoy hell," Willow said sweetly, her eyes snapping.
 

Spike frowned when Willow didn't bid. His eyes looked at the table, noticing
that there wasn't a number. Damn it. She hadn't even registered. He cursed
softly, deciding that it had to be the slayer's influence. He'd counted on
her being able to win him, of pushing her until she bid regardless of her
guilt. Now, he was stuck. Some silly vapid wealthy bitch would win him.
Killing the slayer wouldn't be good enough. Maybe a spot of torture before
death. His eyes lit with that idea, almost hearing her weak screams. No, even
torture wouldn't be enough. He could feel all of their eyes on him. Taking a
risk by looking away from his Willow, he saw dozens upon dozens of hungry
eyes practically eating him alive. Good grief, is this how women felt when
men looked at them? These women were animals, despite their elegant dresses
and fancy jewels.
 

He glanced back at Willow and saw her scowling at him. With a smile of
satisfaction, he realized she was jealous. Silly little girl had felt all
guilty and spilled the beans to her slutty slayer and now wasn't able to win
her. Well, ha. Teach her to be all human and moralistic. She could have kept
her pretty little mouth shut and won him by now. He heard a bid for sixteen
thousand five hundred, knowing that he had now won the highest bid for the
night no matter what it turned out to be. He glanced at the brunette that had
given him that honor, winking at her and smiling a flirty smile. He didn't
plan on going home with anyone but his Willow, but this whole bidding thing
might be a spot of fun. And if it made Willow appreciate him even more, well,
all the better.
 
 

GOING ONCE (58/?)
 

"Would it be temporary insanity if I murder the winner?" Willow mumbled, her
fingers tapping on the table as Spike winked at that Carrie woman.
 

"Spike couldn't visit you in jail so why don't we try not to find out," Buffy
suggested with a smile.
 

"Hell is too good for you, for either of you," Willow said, glaring at her
two friends. "He's flirting with them now. Tasted the power and all that rot."
 

"He's trying to get to you and succeeding," Buffy said, rolling her eyes.
 

"You do notice that his eyes are still pretty much stationed on you despite
the flirty smiles he's tossing around," Anya pointed out.
 

"He's not tossing me a flirty smile," Willow whined.
 

"Because you can't bid a horribly large amount of money on him and feed his
ego," Buffy said, laughing as Willow hit her arm. "Ouch. You've been working
out. That almost hurt."
 

"Is there anywhere worse than Hell?" Willow wondered out loud, cringing as
Spike blew that Carrie chick a kiss after the stupid horrible woman bid
nineteen thousand on him.
 

"Damn, he's near twenty-thousand," Xander said, shaking his head. "I just
don't get it. Sure, he's got that leather thing going on, but come on. He
looks like some big Q-tip."
 

"That fireman earlier was better looking," Riley remarked, quickly adding,
"not that I was paying attention to their looks or anything."
 

"It's OK sweetie. I'll just remember to remind you about your hunky fireman
anytime you decide to remind me that I mentioned finding Spike attractive,"
Buffy said with an innocent smile.
 

"Spike who?" Riley said, leaning over and kissing her softly before looking
back at the stage. "I don't think its looks exactly. Its just, I mean, look
at him. He has them eating out of his palm with a few raised eyebrows and
sexy little smirks. I hate guys like that."
 

"Me too," Xander said crossly. "Just because he looks damn good in leather
pants doesn't mean he's worth that much money."
 

"Quit being so jealous," Anya said, kissing Xander's cheek. "I'm sure you'd
look just as good in leather."
 

"Ahem, excuse me," Willow waved her hand slightly, "This is supposed to be
about me! I'm the one sitting here as the new love of my life is flirting
with dozens of women that have more money than sense. Can we please remember
that and stay on topic!"
 

"Which is?" Buffy asked, raising her eyebrow. "You moping around because he
seems to forgive you for telling us and is still undressing you with his eyes
and seems to want to be with you even after this stupid auction is over. I,
for one, would think you'd be happy to learn that there is more to your
relationship than just the auction."
 

"I am, but it doesn't mean I want some stupid bitch pawing all over him,"
Willow said, shooting daggers at Miriam as the older woman bid twenty-one
thousand.
 

"Hmm....it seems to be down between Miriam and Carrie," Anya remarked, her
eyes moving from both women to Spike to Willow.
 

Spike looked at Willow and saw her watching the two women that were now
bouncing back and forth with bids. He smiled softly as he saw how tense she
was. Poor little pet, worried that he'd actually agree to go out with whoever
wins him. Silly girl still didn't realize that she owned him just as he owned
her. As if he's risk their new relationship just to fulfill some silly
auction that he hadn't wanted to participate in in the first place. He saw
the slayer look at him and he had to smile, giving her a look that let her
know she may have got him, but that he had also gotten her. Twenty-two
thousand five hundred was the last bid. Now, Miriam was tapping her paddle on
the table.
 

"I don't want that Carrie woman to win," Willow said, spitting out the name.
 

"What does it matter?" Anya asked, knowing Willow would hate either woman if
they won Spike.
 

"She's too young and too pretty and too not married," Willow muttered. "At
least Miriam is old enough to be his grandmother. He wouldn't get any ideas
with her."
 

"I don't think he'd get any ideas with either one," Buffy said dryly, "and
Carrie is just as married as Miriam is."
 

"How can a married woman look at my Spike like that?" Willow asked, glaring
as Miriam went one bid higher. "He's not a piece of meat. He's funny and
smart and sexy and caring. Do they see that? Noooo...they see a pretty face
and a nice ass."
 

"Willow, stop it," Buffy said, rolling her eyes. "No amount of whining is
going to change the fact that you will not be winning him tonight. Some lucky
girl is going to get that honor. Deal with it."
 

Carrie sighed. She was growing tired of bouncing back and forth with Miriam.
She looked around, saw everyone watching the two of them. Smiling, she
decided that it had been long enough. Clearly it was time to make the final
move. She raised her paddle and said, "Thirty-three thousand," moving the bid
up drastically.
 

Willow closed her eyes in defeat as Miriam grew thoughtful. She opened them,
looking at Spike and seeing him watching her, his eyes moving over her face
almost tenderly. Buffy was right. She should be thrilled that he seemed to
not care that she wasn't bidding, that he did seem to care about her. She
just hated losing him, even for one night. Maybe this Carrie chicks husband
wouldn't want her to date such an attractive and younger man. Then, she
wouldn't have to worry. Sighing, she realized she was grasping at straws.
 

"We have thirty-three thousand dollars from number 17," Mrs. Harris said,
smiling at her old friend. "Going once.....going twice....."
 

Buffy heard Willow's breath catch, her hazel eyes looking from Spike to her
friend. She caught Anya's eyes and winked, knowing that neither of their
friends would forget tonight anytime soon. She listened to Mrs. Harris
announce the bid and then make the final call. When she heard the words going
twice, she knew it was time to make her move. Buffy smiled as she raised her
left hand from her lap, the paddle rising high in the air as she calmly said,
"Fifty-thousand dollars."
 
 

GOING ONCE (59/60)
 

"Fifty thousand dollars. Going once...going twice..." Mrs. Harris smiled and
banged the gavel. "Sold to number 65."
 

"Buffy?" Willow whispered, her eyes wide as she looked at her friend's calm
face.
 

Spike knew his mouth must be hanging open in surprise. Had the slayer
actually bid fifty thousand dollars on him? He saw the blonde wink at him and
smile before she looked at Willow and began talking. He slowly smiled,
shaking his head as he realized the damn bitch had one upped him. This time,
he'd let it go.
 

"Thank you all for attending tonight's event. We don't have the exact totals
but we do know that we have made over one hundred thousand dollars tonight,"
Mrs. Harris said. "Again, thank you all for attending and being so generous
with your money. Have a good evening and we'll see you, and your purses, next
time."
 

"Buffy, what the hell did you do?" Willow asked, looking at her other friends
and seeing their knowing smiles.
 

"I won Spike," Buffy said innocently. "Why? What did you think I did?"
 

"Why? How? You don't have that kind of money," Willow sputtered, her face
showing her surprise and shock over this turn of events.
 

"That's for me to know," Buffy said cryptically.
 

"Well, slayer, looks like you've got me," Spike said as he approached their
table. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at the blonde and said primly,
"Don't go and be expecting anything for that fifty thousand. I'm not that
type of guy. At least, not with you."
 

"Spike, I would never expect anything from you nor would I want to have you,"
Buffy said, making a face. "Ew much?"
 

"Buffy, would you explain yourself before I pull out every single dyed hair
from your pretty little head?" Willow threatened sweetly, not even noticing
that Spike had stepped behind her chair, his hands resting on her shoulders.
 

"Don't do that. She'd be bald," Xander said with a smirk.
 

"Honey, I'd still love you even if you were bald," Riley said, patting
Buffy's hand. He smiled as he added, "as long as you had plenty of hats."
 

"Willow, did you really think we'd let some woman win him from you?" Anya
asked in an offended tone. "We're your friends, silly girl."
 

"You planned this?" Willow asked, glaring at Buffy. "You made me sit there
for three hours and worry that some stupid bitch was going to take him away
from me all along planning to win him for yourself?"
 

"Will, listen to me. I. Do. Not. Want. Him," Buffy said in a tone as if she
were speaking to a child. "I couldn't let you bid on him though. Let him
think he'd beaten us? I think not."
 

"Where the hell are you getting fifty thousand dollars?" Spike asked finally,
realizing the slayer was smarter than she appeared, sometimes.
 

"That would be from us," a pleasant voice said in amusement.
 

"You!" Willow said, looking at Carrie then at Miriam. "You were both in on
this?"
 

"Of course," Miriam said, smiling a motherly smile. "Your friend here
explained it all to us. About the bet that got this handsome young man to
compete and about the love you two found along the way. Why, it made me
almost teary eyed. Reminded me of when I met my George back forty-five years
ago. I couldn't not help her get you two together."
 

"Buffy can be very convincing, can't she?" Carrie asked with a smile at the
redhead. "I am sorry that you had no idea what she planned. It must have been
horrific seeing the man you love auctioned off like that."
 

"Um, well, yeah, it wasn't fun," Willow said, sighing. "I'm sorry for all the
nasty thoughts I had about you both."
 

Carrie laughed, "Think nothing of it. I'd probably have drawn blood had I
been in your shoes. I didn't mean to interrupt you all. I just wanted to give
Buffy the check for my half of the donation. I promised my husband that I
would be home by one am and I fear I must leave soon if I plan on keeping
that promise."
 

"Thank you both so much for the help," Buffy said, taking the check.
 

"Honey, when I heard what you were planning, I begged to take part," Miriam
said with a laugh. "I always just hand over my check each year. This year,
well, it was a lot of fun to bid."
 

"Well, you were very good at it," Xander said, having seen the woman bid on
several bachelors.
 

"Oh my. Aren't you an adorable one?" Miriam said, looking at him with a gleam
in her eyes. "I fear I must follow Carrie's example and get back to my
George. Here is my check, dear. You two look so perfect together," she told
Willow and Spike with a smile. "So young and in love. Good-bye."

"Xander's Mom got us in touch with Miriam and Carrie," Buffy explained to a
confused Willow and Spike as Miriam left their group and headed towards the
door.
 

"They make donations every year but never participate in the auction. They're
both happily married and their husbands wouldn't approve of a date with a
bachelor," Anya added.
 

"This year, they agreed to help us get back at you two for your devious plans
and also to help you both realize what you've got," Buffy said with a smile.
"It worked perfectly."
 

"Except that you won Spike. You've got go on the date," Willow pointed out,
almost smiling as thought of how fun that particular date would not be.
 

"Nuh uh," Buffy shook her head. "I wouldn't date Blondie if someone
threatened my life."
 

"Thanks," Spike said, smiling despite her words.
 

"You see, she talked Carrie and Miriam into giving her their combined bids to
win Spike and for them to bid on him just to make you a bit jealous," Anya
said, "but she won him for you."
 

"Number 65. Willow Rosenberg," Buffy said, pushing the number towards Willow.
"And you thought you two were the crafty, sneaky ones."
 

"We've definitely been outsneaked," Willow remarked, smiling as she took the
number.
 

"I can't believe I actually have something to thank the damn slayer for,"
Spike said, shaking his head in disgust.
 

"Why did you win him for me?" Willow has to ask, knowing Buffy couldn't be
that pleased that she loved Spike.
 

"Because, silly, you're my best friend and, for some stupid reason, you love
the obnoxious, arrogant, annoying, sarcastic, cynical, murdering, sadistic,
evil bastard," Buffy said with a smile.
 

"A compliment from the slayer. Bestill my heart," Spike said, accepting her
description easily.
 

"You forgot handsome, charming, amusing, intelligent, and caring," Willow
said with a smile. "You're the best friends that I could ever have. You do
all realize that, don't you?"
 

"Of course we do," Xander said with a goofy smile.
 

"That doesn't mean that we don't owe you one," Spike warned as he helped
Willow to her feet. He brushed his fingers across her cheek and smiled, "You
look beautiful tonight."
 

"So do you," she whispered, moving her face against his hand.
 

"On that sickening note, I think it's time for us to leave," Xander said,
helping Anya to her feet.
 

"But I want to see them kiss," Anya whined.
 

"I have a fear that we may soon be seeing enough of that to last us an
eternity," Buffy said, sighing.
 

"Anyone up for a later dinner?" Riley asked, stretching as he stood.
 

"Food sounds great," Xander said, smiling.
 

"Guys?" Buffy said, laughing as Willow and Spike continued to just stand
there. "I'll go pay your winning bid, Wills. By the time we finish with that,
you two had better be out of your little trance and ready for some dinner."
 

"Can you believe she tricked us both?" Willow said softly, laughing as she
watched her friends walk away. "That they all tricked us."
 

"I wasn't joking, pet. We do owe them," Spike said, winking. "I think I have
the perfect way, but we'll discuss it later, maybe in the morning."
 

"You do know that this makes you one of us, don't you?" she asked, smiling.
 

"Me a scooby," he said in disgust, shuddering. "I think I may be ill."
 

"It isn't so bad," she said with a small smile as her hand brushed his hair
back. "There are some fringe benefits."
 

"Like what?" he asked, leaning his head down.
 

"Like this," she answered, moving her lips against his.
 

GOING ONCE (60/60)
 

Willow snuggled closer to Spike, a smile on her pretty face, "I love you."
 

"I know," he said with a smile as he tightened his hold on her.
 

"Ahem," she cleared her throat, looking at him with a raised brow.
 

"How often must I tell you that I love you more than my unlife?" he asked
with amusement in his tone.
 

"Until I get tired of hearing it," she said with a smile," so probably never."
 

"I think I can handle that," he said, kissing her softly. He pulled his head
up when he heard a familiar scream. Smiling, he said, "Sounds like Anya found
another mud puddle."
 

"Poor dear," Willow said with an evil smile. It had been nearly five weeks
since the auction. Buffy and the others had about stopped gloating about
being the reason she and Spike had finally gotten together, even if they
hadn't actually been responsible, they took the credit. Spike had moved into
her room the night of the auction. In fact, they hadn't slept apart since
their first time in the maze. She was happier than she had ever imagined
being. Still couldn't believe that it was Spike of all people that made her
so happy. She loved him so very much. Every day they learned more about each
other, finding more to love. Of course, neither had forgotten the hell that
had been the auction. And neither had forgotten their promise to repay Buffy
and the gang for putting them through that. Hence, their current situation.
 

"Once more with feeling, luv," he said with a smile.
 

"I wonder if Buffy has found the river yet," Willow asked as she lazily drew
circles on Spike's naked chest. "I made sure to ask Maurice for extra mud.
Poor Buffy hates getting dirty."
 

"The spiders and bugs were a nice touch for Anya," Spike remarked, proud of
his Willow for thinking of the idea of how to get back at both Buffy and Anya
while seeming for it to not be their direct fault.
 

"I'm just glad Maurice agreed to go along with us," Willow said, smiling. "Of
course, for the chance to create two separate mazes, well, I knew he'd jump
at the chance."
 

"Personally, I thought he was going to faint when you suggested 'ruining' his
masterpiece by adding bugs," Spike said, laughing as he remembered Maurice's
reaction.
 

"I managed to convince him that they would add that realistic element,"
Willow said, "besides, I also asked him to be sure to put some nice romantic
places for them all too."
 

Spike made a face, "Don't remind me that the damn slayer is probably shagging
not a mile away from us."
 

"Just be glad that they have their own mazes and we have ours," Willow said,
her hand moving lower. "I'd hate for them to stumble upon us during a moment
like this."
 

Spike nodded, arching against her warm palm, "Considering we've barely been
clothed since walking through the door, I think they probably would have been
way ahead of us by now."
 

"I don't know....Anya strikes me as a voyeur," Willow said, her thumb
brushing against the head of his cock.
 

He shuddered, both from her touch and from the mental image, "Stop talking,
pet. We have all weekend to talk."
 

Willow smiled, moving to straddle him. She sucked in a breath as she slowly
eased down onto him. "You're wrong."
 

"Bout what?" he asked, thrusting up into her tight warmth and watching as her
head fell back, his bite beckoning to him.
 

She moved against him, trying to remember what she had been saying. How could
he talk when they were doing this? She leaned over, her breasts pressing
against his chest as she said, "We don't have all weekend."
 

"We don't?" he frowned, hissing as her fingernails dug into his skin deep
enough to draw blood.
 

"Uh uh," she ran her tongue over his lips as they moved together, the sun
high overhead, sweat trickling down her back, "we have an eternity."
 

He smiled at her words, his leg hooking hers as he flipped them, sending
himself deeper inside, "You're right. I was wrong."
 

"I love you anyway," she said, smiling at him.
 

He moved his mouth along her face towards her ear and whispered, "I love you,
Willow." She smiled as she caught his mouth, knowing that she would never
tire of hearing him say those words.
 

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

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