Spike put his head against the wall of the shower. Something was wrong with
Willow. He had noticed the sadness around her eyes. There was something she
wasn't telling him and it was driving him insane. Oh, she still acted as she
had always. Playing and laughing, but he knew her better than he knew anyone.
Something was bothering her. He felt coolness in the shower stall and turned
around, his eyes widening in surprise at seeing Willow standing there. "Red?"
 

Willow let her eyes wander over him lovingly. He was so beautiful. She had
never thought that word would describe a man, but for Spike it was perfect.
His body had to have been sculpted from marble. His eyes could pierce the
very core of her being. His mouth...well, she knew she had better stop. She
watched the water droplets caress his chest and body as they fell over him.
She reached her hand out, her palm flat, and watched as the water went
through her. She smiled softly, "I miss this."
 

"Showering with me? Because I'm sorry luv, but I don't really remember that
one happening" Spike said, a bit disturbed at her closeness. He watched the
water go through her, wishing she were solid. He'd take her right there
standing in the shower if he could. He cursed mentally as his cock began to
react to his thoughts. Damn it. Why did she have to die?
 

Willow giggled at his words, "No...not that I never wished I could. I miss
water. I actually miss a lot of things....do you know it has been almost six
years? Six years of not feeling anything against my flesh. Of not being able
to be held when I really really need to be....of knowing my time was coming
and that every day brought the end closer....of having to leave you...."
 

Spike felt fear pass over him. He flipped the switch on the shower. "What the
blood fuck are you talking about? You aren't leaving me again luv. And yes I
know it's been six years. Chubs was just talking about it the other day."
 

Willow smiled fondly, "Xander...sweet reliable Xander. He's happy, you know.
Anya and the children complete him. I knew he'd never forget me."
 

Spike had stepped from the shower and was drying off. He looked at her, again
disturbed by the far off look in those familiar green eyes. "How could anyone
forget you, luv?"
 

She looked at him, shaking herself from her thoughts. "Thank you Spike. But I
know. As each year passes, memories fade. Soon, there will be no one that
remembers me except faintly...maybe a flash of red hair will bring to mind my
image during childhood...or something funny I use to say. I don't mind.
Someone very wise once told me that love fades. They were right. Something
else will take my place in their minds and I will be forgotten. I've dealt
with that. I've had quite a bit of time to do so."
 

Spike just shook his head slowly, "You will never be forgotten, Willow. They
loved you. You don't forget the people you love."
 

Willow looked away from him. It was easier for her to leave if she thought no
one would remember her...that the pain and sadness would fade with time. She
knew that Buffy still visited her grave weekly...she had often stumbled upon
the blonde as she was discussing her life or just simply crying tears of
rememberance. Did he think that was easy? To see your friends and loved ones
in such pain because of you? Not be able to reach out and simply give them a
reassuring touch? She died a little more each time she saw something like
that because she knew there was no going back. It had happened. She was dead
and they were moving on. She was still in their memories but that was almost
worse for her than if they had simply forgotten her. She had to leave them
all....she had to go forward and she hated thinking that they would always
remember her with such sadness. No, she would think that they would forget
her. That would help her get through this. She could move on if there was not
sadness and pain. "Spike, we need to talk."
 

Spike nodded, a feeling of foreboding passing through him as he pulled his
jeans on. "Of course, pet. Can we move into the living room?"
 

She nodded. "Yes. It is a bit of a long story and you will need to be
comfortable."
 

Spike watched as she vanished, knowing she was already waiting for him by the
couch. He ran a hand through his wet hair, closing his eyes. He didn't want
to go in there. For some reason, he had seen the end in her eyes. He had a
huge fear that he was going to lose her again...and there was nothing he
could do to stop it. He couldn't go through that again. The feeling of being
powerless. Of not being able to stop the pain, again. He steeled himself and
went into the living room. He'd do anything he could to stop her from
leaving. Anything.

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