Willow kept her eyes on Faith, ignoring Buffy and the others. She had no
desire to speak to any of them, though she knew it would be impossible
to ignore them completely. "Well, we thought about running away but only
got as far as the lake."
Faith grinned, "You couldn't leave me huh?"
Willow laughed, "Not with them. No, seriously, we did a patrol through
the French Quarter."
"Find anything?" Wesley asked, his arm around Tori.
"All pretty quiet." Willow said, making a face.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash and cursing. "Bloody hell. Who put all
the damn luggage in front of the bleeding door?"
Faith stood up and moved across the room, laughing as she made it to the
doorway. "All a test to see how sleathlike you are babe."
"Failed it miserably then, pet" Spike said, moving into the room. His
arm went around Willow's waist, his hand against her stomach
possessively. He wanted his bastard sire to know that the girl was off
limits now.
"What the hell is going on?" Xander demanded, shocked at seeing his old
friend again.
Faith suddenly exclaimed, "Fuck it, Red. You're bleeding!"
Willow shrugged, "Just a small scratch. Let it go, Faith."
"Willow, I thought you said things were quiet" Wesley said, concern on
his face.
She and Spike exchanged a look. Finally, she sighed, "Well, as quiet as
things ever are now that Raz is in town."
Faith pulled her forward, kneeling to look at the blood mark. "This was
a knife" she said simply, anger in her voice.
"It was a small knife" Willow said softly, taking her lover's hand. She
looked into Faith's eyes, smiling at the love she saw there. "I'm all
right. Just a small scratch. He's dust."
"Who was it?" Tori asked, standing. She looked at the wound, then at
Willow.
"Caser." Spike said simply.
"Fuck. He's sending out the big dogs now" Wesley said, raking a hand
over his face. "He isn't going to be happy about this."
"Let me take care of that" Tori said, moving Faith out the way. She laid
her hand on Willow's stomach and softly spoke to herself. A blueish
light gleamed from under her hand and then it faded. She moved her hand,
seeing the smooth flesh of Willow's stomach. "All done."
"Thanks Tori. I hadn't had time..." Willow said, smiling. "I was
planning on covering it before Faith saw it."
"Excuse me? You were going to keep it a secret?" Faith said, standing.
"Yes" Willow said simply.
"Well, that's just great. Anymore secrets I should know about?" Faith
demanded.
Willow sighed loudly, "I didn't want you to worry. You have enough to
deal with with Buffy and the others being here. I staked Caser so he is
no longer a problem. Isn't that good?"
Faith just nodded, pulling Willow closer. Their lips met as they kissed
deeply. Spike kissed the back of Willow's neck as his hand snaked up to
her breast. She moaned slightly, moving back against him.
Angel felt something snap inside him. He had claimed her years before.
She had run from him, leaving him with no answers. Now, he found out
that she was fucking not only the slayer but his own childe too. He
stood, anger in his body. "I need some air."
Willow heard his voice and froze. Reluctantly, she pulled away from
Faith. Her green eyes looked at him, the amusement fleeing them as they
hardened. "Sun will be up soon. Why don't you take a nice lengthy walk
to the lake? See the sunrise." Their eyes locked as anger and emotions
long buried reared their heads.
Buffy gasped at Willow's words. What the hell had happened to her
friend? This girl was no longer the old Willow. She was standing there
practically making out with not only Spike but Faith as well. She closed
her eyes and leaned against Riley. A headache coming over her. "When can
we leave?"
GUILTY SECRETS (12/?)
Willow heard Buffy's question and looked at her old friend, "You can
leave whenever you want. There's the door."
"Listen here little miss needs a valium. I'm only to here to save you
and your little slayer's asses, so lay off" Buffy said, seething.
Angel looked away from Willow, guilt going through him. He knew in his
heart that he had turned her into this. He had loved her though....he
just hadn't realized it until she was gone. Typical luck for him. He
stood, "I'll start taking things upstairs."
Willow stared at Buffy, "I see you moved on to someone human."
"What?" Buffy said, her headache growing.
Faith froze, looking at Spike. "Hey Red. Why don't we finish this some
other time. I mean, B just got here. She's probably tired. Look at her
face."
"No. We can finish this now" Willow said, looking back at Buffy. "When
did you give Angel up?"
"When I pushed that sword into him" Buffy said, looking away from
Willow. "I never got him back after that. Hell, why are you asking? You
should know."
"What?" Willow sat down, confusion on her face.
"That's our cue to head upstairs" Cordelia said, not wanting by any
means to hear details of the whole Buffy Angel thing. The others agreed
with her and stood. They left Willow with Buffy, Riley, Faith and Spike.
"You were fucking him" Willow said, staring at Buffy.
Buffy snorted, "Not likely. He was too busy with you. Did you think I
was blind? My God, Wills. He practically drooled when he saw you. He
wanted you, not me. I never had sex with him except that one
night....when he lost his soul."
"No. He was fucking you too....He told me the only reason he wanted me
was because he couldn't have you...."
Buffy sighed, "I can see that. I mean, you should have been there...when
you left? He fell apart....I don't think he knew how much he cared until
you were gone."
"NO! He was mean....he liked causing pain....it was always you. He was
fucking you for a month...."
"Damn it. I didn't fuck him!" Buffy screamed. "Willow, he was always
Angelus. When he came back from hell, he had his soul but he was close
to the edge. He still is. He's not the old Angel. Hasn't been for a long
long time. If he hurt you, it was because of his nature. It was never
because of me."
Willow saw the honesty in her old friend's eyes and felt her entire
world fall apart. She turned her head, looking at Faith. "You. You told
me that night that Buffy was bragging about having sex with him...."
Faith closed her eyes, "I hated what he was doing to you....You were
miserable. Damn, Red. I loved you more than he ever could."
Faith reached for Willow. Willow pulled back, bumping into Spike. She
looked at him, "Did you know she was lying?"
Spike just looked at her solemnly. "I found out a few years ago."
She gave a harsh laugh, "It was all lies. My God...the last few years
were all lies. Don't touch me!" She yelled as both of them tried to calm
her down.
"I can't see you right now. Either of you. You know I hate liars!....How
could you? Did you think I wanted him more than I wanted you? Faith...I
trusted you...love you...how?" She shook her head, moving backwards. She
had to think.
"Willow. Let me explain..." Faith said, running a hand through her hair.
"I didn't mean for it to happen...I just saw you sitting there and knew
that he had you. I had to get him out of your life...."
"You were jealous so you lied to me? Save it slayer. I'm not buying it."
Willow said, pushing past Faith and Spike. "I have to think. Don't
follow me."
Faith watched the door slam shut. She felt arms around her and leaned
into Spike. "She's not going to forgive us very easily" she said softly.
"We lied. She'll walk around, think and be back. Give her some time."
Spike said, hope in his eyes.
Buffy stood, understanding finally what had happened. She had never
gotten details from Angel, though she knew that his and Willow's
relationship had been uneasy. She moved part the strange couple, seeing
the hurt and guilt in Faith's eyes. "She'll be back. She loved you both.
But, if you ever lie to her again, you'll have more to worry about than
her leaving."
Faith nodded, accepting the girl's words. She hoped that Willow could
forgive her. She hated the thought of losing what the three of them had.
She knew Spike would go with Willow, if she'd have him. She'd be alone
again. No, Willow would understand. She'd see that Angel hadn't been
meant for her. She had to. It had all been for her...Angel was hurting
her...causing her such pain. It had all been for the best. Faith took a
deep breath, fighting the impulse to run after her friend. Willow would
be back.
GUILTY SECRETS (13/?)
Willow left her car and began to walk. It was nearing dawn, so she felt
relatively safe. She was so confused and angry that she didn't really
care about anything at that moment. She couldn't believe it had all been
a lie.
She stopped herself. No, that wasn't right. The only lie had been about
Angel and Buffy. The last straw to her then. The one thing that had
prompted her to accept Faith's invitation for a Spring Break getaway.
Now, so many years later, she learned that one of the few people she
loved and trusted had lied. Now, she knew that lying was not that big of
a deal. It was just the nature of the lie. It had been deliberate and
deceitful.
She knew in her heart that had Faith come to her and told her, she'd
have accepted it and moved on. What made it worse was having it all told
in front of Buffy. Knowing that her friend had known all along about her
relationship with Angel. She had had no reason to feel guilt back then.
Ironic, when she thought about it.
She had no desire for Angel, though most of her hate for him using her
had disipated. The situation, happening when she was so young...the way
he had handled it all...it wouldn't have worked. She loved Faith and
Spike. They were who she was meant to be with. She just had to accept
their deceit. She knew that it had been for her, but it still hurt.
She watched as partygoers left the bars, headed home to drink off their
drunken stupor. Why did everything have to come out then....in front of
all her old friends? They must think she was insane. She felt a chill
and realized she was still wearing her shorts and tank top. Damn it.
That's great, Will. Run out without thinking.
"Well, well well. What do we have here? Is it little Red riding hood?"
Willow stopped, hearing the Italian voice. Damn it all to hell. Could
the night get any worse? She looked up, her eyes taking in the handsome
dark haired man. "Does that make you grandma?"
Raz smiled, loving her spirit as always. He loved these verbal sparring
matches with Red. Much more entertaining than the fights with the damn
slayer. Yes, he had definite plans for Red. He scowled playfully, "I was
thinking more along the lines of the Big Bad Wolf...come to eat you up,
Red."
GUILTY SECRETS (14/?)
Willow laughed, "Is that supposed to sound threatening? I mean, this is
almost like a bad parody of a that fairy tale."
"Would you prefer the happily ever after?" Raz asked, leaning his 6'3"
frame against the brick wall.
Willow shook her head, "No such thing. Haven't you learned that in your
many years on this planet?"
"Uh oh...Red's pissed. What happened? The little slayer fuck you too
hard?"
Willow had to laugh. It was common knowledge among the vamps that she
and Faith were lovers. She leaned against the opposite wall, staring him
down. "Not hard enough."
Raz smiled, his eyes lighting up, "Oh goodie. You want to play."
"I met your little friend...the one who wanted to dance tonight?"
Raz frowned, "Who? I didn't send anyone...this evening."
"Caser. Gave me this" Willow motioned to a slight swell on her stomach.
With Tori's healing skills, most of the wound was no longer visible.
Raz felt anger at his impudent minion. "I trust you took care of him."
"Staked his nasty old ass" Willow said, grinning. She hated to admit it,
but she rather enjoying these meetings with Raz. Faith had no idea she'd
ever spoken to the vampire, much less had lengthy conversations. She
realized then that she had her own little secret from her lovers.
"Good girl. He was acting on his own, trust me. I've no plans on killing
you yet."
"Somehow my minds sticks on that yet part" Willow said, cocking her head
to the side as she watched him. He was a very good looking man, and he
knew it. Coal black hair, dark brown eyes, olive skin. He had been
changed when he was in his mid twenties. He looked younger than that.
Raz laughed softly, "Fear not, Red. Death does not await you in the near
future. Not from my hands, at least."
"Why do I trust you?" Willow asked softly.
"Because, we connect. I know you feel it. I do. I promise you, little
Red. You and your two lovers are safe for now. I just so love playing
with the slayer. She's a feisty one, isn't she?"
Willow laughed, "Yes she is." Her smile fell as she remembered her
parting words with Faith.
"What is it?" Raz asked, taking in her expression. He told no one of his
meetings with her. He knew that his minions would not understand. He
couldn't even understand very well. He just enjoyed having an
intelligent conversation with someone. Some times, he and Red would just
discuss art and history. Of course, he knew that his plan to take over
the town was going to interfere a bit.
He had no plans on ridding the town of the slayer. He needed her in a
way. It was a good way to discover which fledges were good and which
weren't. Besides, a slayer kept the town free of undesirable demons and
such. No, he had to find out who was going after the little slayer and
the others. He didn't like the idea that someone was trying to go behind
his back. He had put word out that the slayer and hers were safe,
protected by him. He needed some answers.
"Nothing. Just realized that it is almost dawn. You'd better run along
or you might get burned." Willow said, believing that he had no
knowledge of Caser's attempt on her life. That worried her. She honestly
trusted Raz, but she didn't trust his minions. What if they were working
against him and he just didn't know it? That could be a big problem. He
was very old and very powerful. It seemed strange that someone would
deceive him, yet all the signs pointed to that. She wondered if she was
stupid for believing him.
"I'll find out if anyone knew of Caser's plans" Raz said softly, knowing
what she was thinking. He saw her surprised look and laughed, "Your face
is rather like a mirror of your soul, Red. You'd better run along to
your slayer. No telling who you might run into on these streets. All
sorts of nasties...."
Willow laughed, "Really? I never would have guessed. Until next time, oh
evil vampire lord."
"Until next time, sassy little Red." Raz bowed slightly, disappearing
down the dark street.
Willow took a deep breath. She couldn't stay away forever. Besides, she
was actually worried that someone was setting Raz up for his death. How
the fuck was she going to explain that one to Faith and the others? She
closed her eyes, deciding that it could wait until she was positive. She
still didn't know if he was to be trusted...she saw where her trust had
landed her lately. Time to go back and face her lovers. She wondered
what she was going to do.
GUILTY SECRETS (15/?)
Willow looked at the bed and smiled softly. Faith was laying one side,
Spike on the other. They instinctively left a spot open for her. How
could she not love them? They were her life. She sighed as she stripped
off her clothes. No need to wake them. She really didn't want to deal
with the lie that night. More time in the morning for that.
She crawled up the bed, laying down. She yawned as she moved against
Spike, used to sleeping with his coldness around her. She closed her
eyes and drifted off to sleep.
*******************
"Morning" Faith said softly, staring at Willow. She had woken up and
felt her lover a few hours before. She hadn't been able to go back to
sleep, instead watching Willow sleep.
"I'm still not happy with you" Willow said quietly. "I accept it and I
am trying to deal with it. Just never lie to me again."
"Promise" Faith said, finally able to rest easy. "I am so sorry..."
"No. I don't want to hear it. Just let it go. I do love you Faith. I
never loved Angel. It has always been you and Spike."
"Am I forgiven pet?" Spike asked, nuzzling her neck.
"Yes. And again, don't lie to me again. I want tolerate it another
time."
"Never again. Boy scouts oath." Spike said, letting his hand drift down
to the curls between her legs.
"You were never a boy scout" Faith said, laughing as she pulled her
shirt off.
"Ate a few of them though. Doesn't that count?" Spike asked, his blue
eyes innocent. He heard Willow moan and smiled. Things were back to
normal. His sire was again out of the picture, where he belonged. It was
only him, the slayer and their Willow..as it was meant to be.