I'LL BE SEEING YOU (1/?)
 

Willow Rosenberg looked up when she heard the door open. She smiled when she
saw who it was. "Hey."
 

Riley smiled, sitting on his girlfriend's bed. "Willow. Why are you here?"
 

"This is my room" she said, laughing softly.
 

"I mean, I thought you were coming to the party with Buffy" he clarified.
 

"You know that I hate parties" she said, rolling her eyes. "I think the
better question is why are you here instead of there?"
 

He shrugged, laying back on Buffy's bed, his eyes watching Willow. "I'm not
that crazy about them either. Besides, I was worried that something might
have happened to you."
 

Willow smiled, "Thanks for worrying. But, I'm fine. Now, you'd better get
down the hall to the party before she gets mad."
 

"She won't get mad. She knows that you and I are friends" Riley said, not
worried at all. "Hell, you're the one that helped me win her."
 

"Was there a contest?" she asked, laughing.
 

"Have you given any more thought to my idea?" he asked, not wanting to talk
about Buffy.
 

"About me joining the Iniative?" she wrinkled her nose. "Riley, you know my
thoughts on that. I don't like what you people are doing. I respect your
right to make that decision, but I don't want any part of it."
 

"You just don't get it" he protested, looking at her pretty face. She was so
damn beautiful. He asked again, "Just come with me to the compound. You'll
love it. I know Xander said you used to be really into science before all the
magic stuff. Well, we have a lot of scientific experiments we're working on.
Just give it a chance."
 

"No" Willow said softly. She couldn't really tell him that the reason she
would always refuse was because of what they had done to Spike. He didn't
even know they knew Hostile 17 much less that she was slowly falling in love
with the blonde vampire. It wouldn't do for that to be known.
 

"Fine" Riley said, getting to his feet. He looked at her and smiled
crookedly, "I'd better get back or she might send out a search party. I'll be
seeing you."
 

"Bye Riley" Willow called out to him, watching him close the door and leave.
She let out a sigh when he left. She liked Riley and thought he was good for
Buffy, but she hated when he started talking about the Initiative. She knew
the slayer thought everything they did there was fantastic, but she had to
disagree. From what she had heard, it just wasn't a good place. She really
couldn't believe that Buffy was helping them. She shook her head free of her
thoughts as she stood and stretched. She glanced at the clock and saw that
Xander should be home by now. Since he and Anya had cooled their
relationship, he was usually home by nine most nights. She had been spending
a lot of time with him over the past few months. They had finally regained
the friendship that she had feared they lost back in high school.
 

She left her room, walking in the opposite direction of the party. She had no
intention of running into Buffy or even Riley again. She just wanted to make
it to Xander's and sit on his sofa while they walked some cheesy old movie
together. She felt someone watching her and turned, frowning when she didn't
notice anyone. The hall was empty save for the people at the party at the
opposite end of the corridor. She laughed, shaking her head as she reached
the staircase. She was getting more paranoid as time went by, she realized.
For the past week she would have sworn someone was watching her at various
times. Every time she looked up, no one had been there. She walked into the
crisp night air, pulling her coat a bit tighter around her as she walked
towards Xander's house.

I'LL BE SEEING YOU (2/?)
 

"I don't know. I just don't like him" Xander said, making a face.
 

"Maybe because he's a bastard?" Spike volunteered, his attention focused on
the telly in front of him.
 

"Yeah, what Junior said" Xander laughed.
 

"He isn't that bad" Willow protested. "I mean, he seems to care for Buffy.
She needs that."
 

"And it's always about Bitchy" Spike added, rolling his eyes. "You two are so
bloody amusing. The slayer's little wind up toys. Always doing as she wants.
Never realized the center of the universe was her."
 

"How could we always do what she wants when she's hardly around anymore?"
Willow asked pointedly.
 

"I think I've seen her less than a dozen times since school started" Xander
added.
 

"Lucky bloke" Spike said, laughing dryly.
 

"I just wish he would stop asking me to join them in the Initiative" Willow
said, picking up the conversation where it had dropped off.
 

"They're bad news" Spike said, glancing at her. "You aren't stupid enough to
work with them."
 

"Thanks, I think" she said softly, her face flushing slightly as she looked
away from him.
 

Xander almost laughed. For the past two months, the three of them had taken
to spending their evenings in his basement. He had watched his best friend
flirting around her attraction to Spike as the blonde did the same. At first,
he had hated the idea of them being together. He had just known that Spike
would hurt her. But, now, he was convinced that the vampire was the only
person who loved her as much as he. "I don't trust him myself, Wills. That
whole leading the unit thing rather turns my stomach."
 

"Yes, Dad. I'll be careful." She laughed, sitting back against the couch. "I
have no intention of joining that stupid little band of soldiers."
 

Xander frowned as he noticed her looking behind the sofa. "What is it?"
 

She laughed, "Nothing. I'm just letting the hellmouth drive me nuts."
 

"Don't think it took much" Spike said, his lips curling slightly.
 

"Seriously" Xander said, glaring at the back of the blonde's head. "Something
is bothering you."
 

"I told you. It's nothing" Willow said, making a face.
 

"Wiiiiiiill...." he called out, smiling as he began to take her hand. "Tell
me..."
 

"I've been getting the feeling that someone is watching me even when no one
is there. See? I'm just going crazy." She laughed, kissing his cheek. She
noticed Spike stiffen at the sound of the kiss but before she could think of
what that might mean, Xander had slung his arm around her shoulder.
 

"Yeah, I have to admit that is just the normal hellmouth at work. I've lost
track of how often I've felt unseen eyes on me." Xander laughed.
 

"Just wishful thinking" Spike said, turning to grin at them. "Chubs is always
wanting someone to pay him attention."
 

"I am not fat" Xander said, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, you should talk. If
you keep eating like you have been, you might not have to buy a new pair of
jeans."
 

"Oh, bollocks" Spike said, glaring as they both laughed. He turned back to
watch the TV ignoring his Red and the moron.
 

"I think he's mad" Willow said, whispering loudly.
 

"What makes you think that?" Xander asked back.
 

Willow laughed, "I dunno. Well, guys, it's been fun but I'd better get back.
I have class tomorrow which means an early morning."
 

"Want me to walk you back?" Xander asked.
 

"Nah...it isn't that far" Willow said, smiling as she stood. "Besides, Buffy
and her boys should be patrolling in case of emergency."
 

"If you're sure" Xander said, getting comfortable on the couch. "I'll see you
tomorrow."
 

"Bye Xander." She looked at Spike, "By Spike. I'll be seeing you...."
 

"See ya Red" he called out without looking at her. He heard her soft sigh and
resisted the urge to look at her...to call to her...to hold her....to kiss
her....groaning softly, he turned his blue eyes to the images flickering on
the screen.

I'LL BE SEEING YOU (3/?)
 

Willow left the library, her books in her arms. She was thinking about Spike
again. He was always on her mind it seemed. Every time that she closed her
eyes, his image was there. In the beginning, she had believed it was merely a
crush. But, as time passed, she had realized it was much more. Each moment
she spent with him, her feelings had escalated. She was now full in love with
him. She looked at the sky and noticed it was getting late. The sun was still
overhead, but it was close to setting. She was so busy looking above her that
she failed to see the man in front of him until she had run into him. She
dropped her books, going to her knees to pick them up, "I'm so sorry."
 

He laughed, "You need a keeper Will."
 

She looked up, surprise on her face. "Riley? Good grief. I didn't mean to run
you over."
 

He laughed, "Think nothing of it. I was a bit distracted myself. Are you ok?"
 

"I'm fine" she rolled her eyes, standing with her books. "Just embarrassed."
 

"What were you thinking about so intently?" he asked, falling in step beside
her.
 

She glanced at him, frowning slightly. "Weren't you walking the other way?"
 

"Oh, yeah. But, I decided to head back to the dorm instead of going to the
library. Buffy is meeting me there soon." He said, smiling a friendly smile.
 

"Oh. That makes sense" she said, walking towards her dorm. She didn't want to
make Riley mad, but she really prefered being alone. She did like him, but
this was growing rather ridiculous. He always seemed to be around lately.
Every time she turned around, his grinning friendly face was there. She was
getting tired of his constant presence. She really wished that Buffy would
free up some of her time for him. Willow knew she was his friend, but he was
dating Buffy. That's who he should be with. Especially when she wanted to
think about Spike. "You don't have to walk with me. I can make it fine alone."
 

Riley's steps faltered slightly as his face became tense. "You don't want me
here?"
 

"Oh, no. I didn't mean that" Willow protested. "I just figured you'd want to
rush ahead to meet Buffy."
 

"I have time" he said, his eyes watching the people passing them by. He could
tell she didn't want him around. He wasn't happy about that. Not at all. His
eyes narrowed as he listened to her soft sigh, realizing she wasn't happy
that he was there. "So, anything fun planned tonight?"
 

"I'm going to see Xander. We're going to a movie I think." She laughed, "He
wants to see some new action flick that started Friday."
 

"You've been seeing a lot of him lately, haven't you?" Riley asked, keeping
his voice calm. "More since he and Anya broke up."
 

"He's my best friend" Willow said, smiling as she thought of him. She wasn't
aware of the love that shone in her eyes, but Riley noticed it. His jaw
tensed as he looked away from her face. "After he broke up with Anya, I guess
we realized how badly our friendship was deteriorating. I've loved these last
few months."
 

"You seem happier" he said.
 

"It's nice having such a good friend" Willow said.
 

"Didn't realize you were lacking in friends" he said crossly. He looked at
her and saw the startled look on her face, "I thought we were friends."
 

"We are but Xander is the best. I've known him forever" she said, laughing
softly. "I've missed him over the past year."
 

"We're at your dorm" he said, looking at the building.
 

"Give Buffy my best" she said, smiling as she walked inside. "I'll see you..."
 

"Sooner than you figure," he said softly, his eyes watching her walk inside.
 

He turned and walked towards the dorm, his mind on what had just happened. He
was losing her. He felt a flood of anger that she would dare try to forget
him. He had spent too much time on this. It was not going to be wasted. He
walked into the dorm, going to the elevator and hitting the down button. He
walked out of the elevator, grimacing as arms went around his neck and lips
kissed him sloppily.
 

"Hey honey. Where have you been?" Buffy asked, wiping her lipstick off of his
cheek as she looped her arm through his.
 

"I hadn't realized I was supposed to be here at a certain time" he remarked,
thankful again that she was such a selfish bitch.
 

"You weren't, silly" she said, laughing as she walked with him through the
halls towards the lab. "I just assumed you'd be here sooner."
 

He kissed her briefly, wishing it were Willow in his arms instead of this
dumb bitch. Not much longer, he told himself. He had been after the innocent
beauty since school had started and he had run into her at the bookstore. Of
course, Buffy had had to ruin that. Actually, though, it had brought him and
Willow closer together because the redhead was so eager to help her friend.
He had been working on this for months. Since she had started hanging around
Xander so much. He wasn't going to lose her. He'd do whatever it took to get
her into his arms...into his life...into his bed. "Dr. Walsh. Are we ready?"
 

She looked up and nodded. "When you are, Riley."
 

He rolled the sleeve of his jacket up, offering his arm. "Test number 25?"
 

Maggie nodded, "Are you sure you want to do this? We can test it on someone
else."
 

"NO!" Riley said, lowering his voice slightly. "I mean, I'm the one that has
been testing it the last six weeks. I know what works and what doesn't. I
want to test it."
 

"If you're sure" she said again. She saw the determined look in his eyes and
his nod. She filled the syringe, testing to make sure it was working. She put
it into his arm, sending the liquid into him. She pulled the needle out,
saying, "This is going to be different than what we've tested the last six
weeks. It won't fade away after six hours as the other has. It is much
stronger. Dr. Felding has predicted that this will last for nine days. You
think you know how to bring yourself back?"
 

He nodded. "I told you. I've gotten used to it. I know I can control it."
 

"Are we ready to start patrol?" Buffy asked, blowing a bubble.
 

"Yes" Riley nodded, concentrating. He felt the drug working through his veins
as he felt it begin its work. "I'll be seeing you."
 

Buffy smiled as he disappeared, knowing he was still standing there beside
her. "I don't think I'm ever going to get used to that. I'm dating the
invisible man." She laughed as she saw the door open and knew Riley was
leaving.

I'LL BE SEEING YOU (4/?)
 

Willow followed Xander as they left the movie theater. "That was such an
awful movie."
 

"I loved it" he said, grinning. "How could you hate that?"
 

"Well, there was no plot, the acting was horrible, the situations completely
unrealistic and the effects weren't even that good." She listed off various
reasons on her hand.
 

"Well, despite that." He said, laughing as he put his arm around her
shoulder. "Come on Wills. You liked some of it..."
 

"The popcorn and the milk duds" she said, laughing.
 

"Food. Oh, dinner. Let's get some" Xander said. He hadn't mention their
outing to Spike, deciding that it was only fair he spent some alone time with
Willow. Besides that, he knew she was more relaxed when they were alone. She
had seemed tense when she had first opened the door that he had decided it
was a good friends only night.
 

"Sounds yummy" she said, smiling as they started walking towards the twenty
four hour diner. "I am really enjoying tonight, Xan. Thanks for suggesting
it."
 

"See? I have good ideas sometimes" Xander smiled, looking up and frowning
suddenly into the darkness.
 

"What's wrong?" she asked, noticing the smile fading on his face.
 

"Nothing. Could have sworn I felt someone watching us" he shrugged, "That
hellmouth paranoia must be going around..."
 

Willow nodded, the smile fading as she realized that weird pricklyness was
back. "Let's just go eat."
 

"Sure babe" he followed her into the diner and sat down. They spent over two
hours talking and eating, forgetting about the weird feeling that had taken
them over outside. Finally, he stood, knowing Spike was probably doing a good
imitation of Brood boy. Xander sighed softly, remembering how horrid he had
been to Angel. Well, he was making it up now. He had almost become Spike's
friend. He shook his head, taking her hand and smiling. "Let's go toots."
 

Willow walked with him back to her dorm. She had planned to go back to his
place, but was feeling tired. So, she had decided to just go get some sleep.
"Ok, sugar bear."
 

"Oh God" he groaned, laughing at the reminder of their childhood. "I'd
forgotten that...or tried to..."
 

"Thanks a lot, Xan" she said, amusement in her eyes.
 

"We're at the door to the castle, my lady" he said, mock bowing. "Will there
be anything else? Would you like me to tuck you in?"
 

"Go home, Xander" she groaned, kissing him chastely on the lips. "I'll talk
to you tomorrow."
 

"Tonight was fun, Wills. I've missed this" he said, brushing his lips against
her forehead. "Love you, babe."
 

"Good night, Xan" she said, shutting the door.
 

Xander smiled as he walked out of the dorm. He began to whistle some eighties
song he hadn't thought about in years, just thinking about how happy he was
that he and Willow were friends again. He suddenly felt something push him
from behind. He turned, not seeing anything. Frowning, he looked around. "OK
Harris...you're going crazy. Nothing there, man."
 

He turned and began walking again. He had gone two dozen feet when the push
was back. This time he felt forward, hitting the sidewalk. His face hit the
cement with a crack. He turned, feeling sticky wetness on his face. He had
hit his mouth and nose rather hard. "Who's there?" he called out, not seeing
anyone. He sat up, crying out when he felt something that he honestly swore
could have been a kick in his ribs. He fell forward, groaning in pain. He
heard a harsh whisper and struggled to hear.
 

"Stay away from her. She's mine" the voice hissed on the wind. "You've been
warned."
 

Xander tried to stand, falling back as the force hit him in the stomach. He
landed with a crack as his head hit the cement and the wind was knocked out
of him. Her? Who was her? was his last thought before blackness overtook him.

I'll BE SEEING YOU (5/?)
 

Willow paced nervously around the room, her eyes on the man sleeping in the
bed. She felt hands on her shoulders and looked at Spike. Her eyes were wet
and swollen from the crying. She went into his embrace, breathing in the
scent of tobacco and leather filling her senses. She felt his arms tighten
around her and felt safe. "He's still drifting. He's woken up a few times but
he goes back to sleep."
 

"He'll be ok, luv" Spike said huskily. He had been shocked when he had gotten
the phone call, hearing Willow hysterical from crying. He had made it to the
hospital shortly before dawn, thankfully. He had no intention of letting
Willow go through this alone. His blue eyes found the form of Xander,
flinching slightly. Someone had roughed the kid up. There were bruises on his
face, his nose was broken and the rest of his body was covered with bruises
that rivaled the ones on his face. He had passed out from pain and been found
by a couple of students coming in late from a party.
 

"He looks so bad" she whispered. "Why would someone do that? He still had his
wallet. That's how the doctors knew to call me. So, it wasn't a theft. And it
wasn't a demon or he'd be dead."
 

"Could have been anyone, luv" he said, stroking her back. He enhaled the
sweet scent of her. Apples with baby powder and peaches. Unique to her. He
couldn't smell either apples or peaches now without getting hard.
 

"Why Xander? It wasn't even that late. He left me at the dorm around
midnight. I wish he'd wake up and tell us." She said, sniffling.
 

"I didn't see him" a voice croaked from the bed.
 

"Xander!" She cried out, moving from Spike's comforting embrace and rushing
to Xander's bedside. "How do you feel?"
 

He made a face, "Everything hurts. Things I didn't even know I had hurt."
 

"You didn't see him?" Spike asked, frowning. With all the damage that had
been done to the boy, he should have seen his attacker sometime. "Was he
wearing a mask?"
 

"He just wasn't there" he said, looking confused. "I felt him but I never saw
him."
 

"Hellmouth paranoia?" Willow whispered. She squeezed his hand. "It doesn't
make sense."
 

"Well, tell that to my body" Xander said, grimacing as a pain shot through
his back.
 

"I'm so glad that you're OK" Willow said, kissing him on the forehead.
 

"Get outta here" Xander said, laughing softly causing more pain that he could
have imagined. "You have class. Don't want you missing it for me."
 

"Class can wait" she said, "I'm not leaving."
 

"Spike's here. He can babysit until you get out of class" he said, smiling at
Willow.
 

"Are you sure?" she asked, not wanting to leave.
 

"I'm not going to be the reason you fail a class. So, get going sugar bear."
 

"I love you Xander" she said, kissing him again before she turned and looked
at Spike. "Keep an eye on him, ok?"
 

"Nothing will happen to him, pet" Spike assured her. He waited until she left
before turning to face Xander. "What didn't you want her to hear?"
 

"That thing...whatever it was that did this to me?" Xander said, catching
Spike's eyes. "There was a whisper, She's mine. Stay away from her. This is a
warning. I didn't realize until I woke up and saw her sitting here that this
thing was talking about Willow."
 

"Bloody hell" Spike cursed, starting to pace. "I hate hospitals. They don't
let you smoke when you need to."
 

"Spike, I'm worried. I swear I never saw this thing the entire time he was
beating me up. Willow's in trouble and it appears that I won't be fight
worthy for a week."
 

"Damn..damn...damn" Spike said, trying to ignore the feeling of fear that
went through him at the idea of Willow being in danger. He moved to the
phone, dialing the number.
 

"Who are you calling? Don't call Buffy" Xander said, moaning as another wave
of pain went through him.
 

"I'm not calling that bottle blonde bitch" Spike said, glaring at Xander.
"I'm calling someone that will actually care....and can help."
 

"Giles?" Xander asked, struggling to sit up against the pillows.
 

Spike snorted, "Not bloody likely. Where the hell is he? He never goes
anywhere until I fucking need him, miserable bastard." He cursed softly,
tapping his foot impatiently as he waited. "Peaches? This is your baby boy.
There's a problem and you're needed. So, get that brooding ass up here
pronto." Spike listened to his sire bitching and scowled. He rolled his eyes,
knowing he was whupped completely. He'd never hear the end of this from dear
old Dad, that he knew. He was in love with Willow, he had to be to be about
to do what he was going to do. He groaned, saying softly, "Please, Angel? I
need you."

I'LL BE SEEING YOU (6/?)
 

"Why call Angel?" Xander asked, munching on some chips that Spike had managed
to sneak in for him.
 

Spike looked at him and frowned. He finally shrugged, "He's my sire. He'll be
able to help."
 

"Sure you shouldn't have called Buffy or Giles?" Xander asked, frowning at
his own question. "Never mind. As if Buffy would care and Giles is too
wrapped up in his life of leisure to care either. Ok. I admit, Angel was
probably the best bet."
 

"Duh" Spike said, smiling slightly before turning serious. "Angel and I can't
be with her all the time. If someone is after her, we need you to get better."
 

"Tell that to my ribs" Xander said, laughing. "I'm worried about her. If this
thing is really after her and we can't see it, how are we supposed to fight
it?"
 

"We'll think of something" Spike said, frowning. "Hopefully it won't come to
that."
 

"We need to tell Wills" Xander said, knowing she needed to know that there
could be some invisible thing after her. Something was rather possessive and
didn't mind hurting anyone it saw as a threat. He felt more fear go through
him as he realized that they had no idea where to even begin.
 

"Tonight. After Peaches gets here" Spike said, agreeing that there was no way
to keep this from Willow, not that he wanted to. She needed to know what was
happening. "So, is that Jerry Springer chap on yet?"
 

"In ten minutes" Xander said, flipping the channels until he found it.
 

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

Willow couldn't concentrate knowing that Xander was still in the hospital and
whatever had attacked him was out there somewhere. She sat on the bench, the
feeling of the sun warming her through her shirt. She hadn't had time to go
home and change before school had started so she was wearing the same jeans
and shirt she had worn the day before. She had pulled them on frantically
after receiving the phone call about Xander. She felt like just saying fuck
it and going back to the dorm to shower and heading to the hospital. She
couldn't concentrate anyway.
 

She nodded, a determined look entering her eyes. That's what she would do.
She was about to stand when she felt someone sit beside her. She smelled his
cologne and almost groaned. She looked up, smiling as well as she could. "Hey
Riley."
 

"Willow" he said, seeing that she was wearing the same clothes as she had the
day before. He frowned, "You ok?"
 

"I'm fine" she said, deciding not to mention to him that Xander was in the
hospital. She didn't understand why she didn't want him to know, but she
easily glossed over the truth. "Just a bit tired."
 

"You were at the hosptital" he said flatly. He looked at a tree in front of
him, not wanting her to see the anger in his eyes.
 

"Hospital? Why would I be at the hospital?" she asked softly, watching the
tension in his body. When he looked at her, the look in his eyes riveted her
in place. She felt a rush of fear go through her. She didn't understand it.
This was Riley. Her friend, albeit an annoying one at times. She shouldn't
afraid of him. Yet, she was at this moment.
 

"Xander" he spat out the teen's name. He had been so tempted to simply kill
the brat the night before, but he had known that Willow would never have been
open to his advances if the kid died. She would have been upset. He didn't
want to upset her. Now, he wished he'd simply killed Xander.
 

"How did you know?" she asked, holding her books tightly against her chest.
 

"Buffy must have told me" Riley said, smiling a charming smile. "I do hope
he's ok."
 

Buffy didn't know. Willow had several questions going through her mind as she
thought about the weird way Riley was acting just then. She felt the need to
get away from him. She stood, "He's fine. I really have to go Riley. I'll
talk to you later."
 

Riley watched her leave, his eyes narrowed. She was running back to her
precious little Xander. He stood, his anger radiating around him. Why had she
seemed scared of him? She was supposed to love him, just as he loved her. He
began to follow after her, concentrating as he disappeared just as she
entered her dorm.

I'LL BE SEEING YOU (7/?)
 

Willow walked into her dorm room, dropping her books on the bed. She glanced
at Buffy's side of the room and wasn't surprised to see that the blonde must
not have made it in at all. She stretched, her hand going up to knead the
muscles in her neck. She was so tense. The entire Riley spookyness thing
added to Xander's attack and the unknown thing watching them lately was just
making her crazy. She sat on the bed, falling back as she sighed. She reached
for her phone, not moving from the bed. Dialing the number that she was a bit
too familiar with, she waited for it to pick up.
 

"Sunnydale General" the woman said.
 

"Xander Harris please" Willow said. "Room 453 I think."
 

"ello?" a voice answered. "Den of debauchery."
 

Willow had to giggle, "Xander. I guess that means you feel better."
 

"Willow, my Willow. Why aren't you in class young lady?" he asked, laughing
at the television.
 

"Skipped class" she said, "Needed to take a shower. I feel all grimy and
gross. Besides, I wanted to come by and see you."
 

"Aw, my lovely Florence Nightingale. You'll be an improvement over Spike
that's for sure." Xander said.
 

"I doubt he'd look that good in a nurses costume" Willow said, giggling at
that mental image. "Ok. I just wanted to make sure you were doing ok. I plan
to take a quick shower and then I'll meet you at your room."
 

"Good. We've got some stuff to discuss" Xander said, "See ya in an hour?"
 

"About" she said, "Bye Xan. Love you."
 

"Love you too Wills. Be careful" he added, hanging up and finishing watching
the television.
 

Willow hung up and stood. She got a fresh change of clothes and her shower
stuff and left the room. She yawned, realizing that she had gotten very
little sleep the night before. She entered the bathroom, glad to see that it
appeared deserted. Everyone was in class, she guessed. She went to the
farthest stall, pulling the curtain to the side as she walked inside. She
turned the water on, letting it warm as she stripped her clothes off.
Stepping beneath the spray, she closed her eyes, letting the water wash away
the tension. She believed the only good thing that had happened in the past
day was Spike's holding her at Xander's room.
 

She poured some shampoo in her hand and began working it through her red
hair. She massaged it into her hair, turning her head as she washed the soap
out. Taking her sponge, she put some body wash in it and began washing her
body. She brushed the soapy suds over her breast, her mind still thinking
about Spike. She felt her nipples harden as a rush of cool air from the air
conditioner made its way into the stall. She brought her other hand up,
closing her eyes again as she began to knead her other breast. She wished it
was Spike touching her in that way. She let the sponge fall to the floor of
the shower as her hand drifted past her stomach to the wet curls between her
legs. She continued to knead her breast, teasing her clit with her free hand.
She removed the hand from her breast, looking at the faucet. She turned it on
colder, needing to feel something close to Spike.
 

She slid down to the floor, her legs spreading slightly as she leaned against
the wall. She slid her fingers inside herself, her thumb brushing against her
clit. She felt the cold droplets of water on her skin, causing goosebumps to
appear. She began a rhythm that was all too familiar of late. She had never
masturbated her entire years in high school, but when Spike had come back,
she had found her hands often drifting over her body as she fantasized that
it was him. Her head went back as she moaned softly, chewing her bottom lip
into her mouth. She felt herself arching up against her hand, her thumb
hurriedly brushing her clit. She groaned, saying his name over and over in a
whispered mantra, "Spike...Spike...Spike" as she felt her muscles tighten as
her release hit her.
 

She let her hand fall from her breast, looking at the wall of the shower as
the cold water continued to cascade down her chest. She stood, finishing her
shower before turning the water off. She turned, surprised to see the shower
curtain standing partially open. She listened but didn't hear anything. Her
face flushed as she realized someone might have been there watching her fuck
herself. She pulled the curtain shut, her arms going around her body as she
caught her breath. She dried off, pulling her clothes on as quickly as she
could. She left the shower stall, not seeing anyone. She had thought the
entire floor was deserted, not having seen anyone when she had returned. She
frowned as the cool air wafted over her. Maybe it had just been that. The air
had caused the curtain to open slightly. She walked towards the door, not
noticing the broken mirror above the sink or the door staying open after she
had walked out.

I'LL BE SEEING YOU (8/?)
 

Willow entered the hospital, moving towards the elevator. She hit the button
for the fourth floor, glad to be going to see Xander and Spike. She had again
felt that weird prickling on her arms as she had left her dorm, but
thankfully it had faded as she moved farther away from the university. Maybe
it was just some weird school thing. She hated it really, not having any sort
of logical explanation to why she sometimes felt it and other times didn't.
Of course, ever since she was small she had sometimes had the feeling she was
being watched. Everyone did. After meeting Buffy, she had begun to wonder if
it could have been ghosts or demons. She still didn't know. She did know that
this recent feeling was not comforting as it sometimes was. This prickling
rather frightened her. She was just going insane. She moved to Xander's room
and knocked.
 

"Ent" Xander's words were muffled as she heard a loud cursing, recognizing
Spike's voice.
 

"Bloody hell, idiot. Just allow anyone in here" Spike cursed, rolling his
eyes. "Would think you twits would learn....who is it?"
 

"Willow, oh untrusting one" Willow called out, smiling as the door opened
just partially to show her Xander and Spike.
 

"Hush you silly chit" Spike said, his lips quirking slightly. He pulled her
into the room, shutting it immediately. He had no idea what was after her,
but he knew he didn't want it in this room. Not until they had an idea how to
kill it. "Why aren't you in class young lady?"
 

"I skipped" she said, grinning at him before moving to Xander's side. She
glanced at them both, studying them. "Do I want to know why the door was
hardly opened or why there is such a need to know who is outside?"
 

"How was class?" Xander asked, not wanting to have to explain twice. He still
wasn't sure if he was going crazy or not. He was worried about what it would
mean if he wasn't. Something was after Willow that they couldn't even see.
How were they supposed to save her if they were fighting blind?
 

"Uh oh...not so subtle change of subject" Willow frowned, "Come on guys.
You're beginning to worry me here...."
 

"Not yet, luv. We're waiting for someone" Spike said, wondering when his sire
would be there. It was daylight which might pose a problem but he knew Angel
well enough to know his sire would risk it if he were needed.
 

"Ok" Willow said softly, wondering who they were waiting for but deciding
they'd probably not tell her anyway so why ask. "Class was fine. At least,
the ones I went to. Ran into Riley on the way to the dorm. I really think he
needs to get some sleep. He seems strange."
 

Xander snorted, "You mean stranger than normal."
 

"Shagging the slayer would make anyone strange" Spike said, snickering.
 

"After that I took a shower and headed over here. My day summed up in less
than thirty words." Willow said, laughing softly. "Gawd, I need a life."
 

"Aw Wills" Xander said, taking her hand. He squeezed it, smiling crookedly.
"Remember? No pity. We have each other which is more than most people can
say."
 

"I think I'm gonna puke" Spike said dryly, laughter flashing in his eyes as
they glared at him in unison.
 

"Jealous, pet?" Xander said, smirking at the vampire.
 

"Of you? Not likely" Spike said, rolling his eyes, trying not to let the
moron see how close his query truly was. He was jealous of how easily Willow
touched and spoke to the teen. He often felt that her nervousness around him,
wishing she were as comfortable as when she spoke to Xander.
 

"Uh huh" Xander said, a knowing gleam in his eyes as he smiled at the glaring
vampire. "Keep telling yourself that" he said, brushing his lips against
Willow's forehead. He saw Spike's mouth tighten and laughed. "Man, you've got
it bad."
 

"What are you talking about?" Willow asked, curiosity on her face as she
looked between her old friend and the vampire.
 

"Moron" Spike threatened, his tone low and warning. Before he could say
anything else, he stiffened. A slow smile spread across his lips at the felt
presence, "Aw, Daddy's here. The party can finally start."

I'LL BE SEEING YOU (9/?)
 

"Angel? What's Angel doing here?" Willow asked, frowning.
 

"I called him" Spike said simply.
 

"You are not going to tell me are you?" she said, glaring at him.
 

"Not yet" he said, starting to pace.
 

"Xander?" she asked.
 

"Sorry Wills. Gotta wait for the poof." Xander smiled, wondering where said
Poof was. It was taking forever for him to get to the room.
 

"Fine. Be that way" she said, pouting.
 

"Don't fret, pet" Spike said, smiling slightly. "It isn't personal. We just
don't want to start explaining to you only to have to re-explain to him if he
ever gets brooding ass here that is."
 

"Always the impatient one" an amused voice said from the doorway.
 

Spike stood, moving quickly. He pulled a surprised Angel into the room,
shutting the door behind them. "Nice to see you, Dad."
 

Angel glanced at Willow and saw a similiar look of confusion on her face as
he knew must be on his. He turned and looked at Xander, frowning as he saw
the bruises on the teens face. "What's going on?"
 

"I got beat up last night" Xander said, shrugging. "Looks worse than it
feels."
 

"By whom?" Angel asked, rather surprised by the teen's attitude. The Xander
he remembered would have been whining and using such an experience to earn
points from Buffy. He glanced around, not even seeing the slayer, thankfully.
He was past that but didn't want to put that conviction to the test.
 

"That's the sixty four thousand dollar question," Spike said, sitting down.
He pushed the chair out for Willow, gesturing for her to sit.
 

"Xander didn't see anyone" Willow said softly, sitting down. She was still
trying to understand why Angel had been called.
 

Xander sighed, "See? That's where the problem is."
 

Angel frowned, having spent the entire drive up to Sunnydale trying to figure
out why his childe would have called him. And not only call him, but
practically beg him for help. He looked around, not seeing another chair.
Figured. He said, "Why don't you explain it to me?"
 

Xander watched Angel shift on his feet and smiled slightly. He moved his
feet, "Sit on the end of the bed. I don't bite."
 

Angel heard Spike's snicker and frowned. What the hell had happened in
Sunnydale during his absence? He sat on the bed, looking at Xander. "Thanks."
 

"Hey, I can be nice sometimes" Xander said, winking at Willow.
 

"Get on with it Xan" Willow said, wanting to understand.
 

"The guy or thing that beat me up? You know I couldn't see him. I don't
understand it, but he wasn't there. I mean, I felt him. He did this to me.
But, there was nothing there."
 

"It was invisible?" Angel said, groaning softly. This was not what he had
expected.
 

"There's more" Spike said quietly, moving to take Willow's hand as casually
as he could. "Tell them, Xan."
 

Angel's eyes narrowed at the familiar way Spike spoke to the dark haired
teen. Spike had a nick name for him? God, this was getting worse. "Yes, tell
us."
 

"He gave me a warning before I slipped into unconsciousness" Xander said,
frowning as he remembered. He glanced at Willow, his eyes catching hers. "He
told me that this was a warning. That I had to stay from her because she was
his."
 

"Her?" Angel said, stiffening as he looked at the frightened redhead. "He
meant Willow."

I'LL BE SEEING YOU (10/?)
 

"The invisisble man is after me?" Willow asked, laughing weakly. "This has to
be some sort of Hellmouth Candid Camera. Where's the old guy with the camera?"
 

"It's not a joke, luv" Spike said, frowning at the look of shocked disbelief
in her green eyes.
 

"Have you felt his presence before this?" Angel asked, gesturing at Xander
and his injuries.
 

"This can't be happening." Willow said, not wanting to believe that some
weird thing was hunting her. But, things were suddenly starting to make
sense. That strange feeling that someone was watching her.
 

"She's felt someone watching her for weeks" Spike said, holding tightly to
Willow's hand as she began to realize that there was truth in their
suspicions.
 

"Weeks?" Angel said, groaning slightly. "And no one felt that this was
important?"
 

"Chill, Deadboy" Xander said, not liking the automatic assumption from Angel
that they had done something wrong. "I've felt it too, but it was never
anything that seemed real. Just that weird feeling you get sometimes. I mean,
we joked about it. Called it the Hellmouth feeling and stuff. Trust me when I
say that the idea of some sort of invisible stalker never entered our minds."
 

"Spike?" Angel asked, shifting a bit sheepishly for having almost blamed them
for not realizing sooner they were dealing with something evil.
 

"I've never felt it" the blonde said simply. His blue eyes caught his sire's,
"but they mentioned it. Past six weeks or so I guess. Becoming more common
this last week or so. Before that, it was a casual mention maybe once a week."
 

"I've felt it for almost seven weeks" Willow said quietly. She looked up at
them, "Like Spike said, it's only been the last week or so that it's gotten
noticable. I mean, before that it was just once every little bit. Didn't even
really become a joke until three weeks ago, when Xander felt it too. Then, I
don't know" she shrugged, sighing. "I started to feel like someone was
following me between classes and at night every couple of days. You know, it
never seemed real. Just that weird feeling you sometimes get. I mean, I've
felt it before but never quite this strong."
 

"Xander felt it too?" Angel said, glancing at the teen.
 

"Yeah, a few weeks ago after a movie. Just like someone was watching but
there was no one there. I got chills on the back of my neck, but they went
away. Then, last night, I got beat up. Hospitalized by some invisible man.
What a manly thing." He groaned in disgust, knowing he should have done
something to fight.
 

"You couldn't very well fight nothing" Spike said, rolling his eyes. "Stop
the pity party. We need to focus on the problem at hand."
 

"Willow's safety" Angel said, his eyes narrowing slightly at the familiarity
between Xander and Spike. He didn't feel jealous. Not at all. Why should he
be envious of the easy friendship that seemed to exist between the human and
his childe? "If he almost killed Xander, we have no idea the lengths he will
go to protect what he seems to believe is his."
 

"Today" Willow spoke softly, pulling her hand from Spike's and wrapping her
arms around herself. "I think he watched me take a shower."
 

"What?" Spike demanded, his demon pushing forward at the idea that some
creature had watched his Willow bathe. Had seen her glorious body nude. This
damn thing would die, he resolved.
 

"The curtain was open slightly" she said quietly, feeling horrible that some
thing had seen her naked....had probably watched her masturbate while she had
fantasized about Spike. Oh God, she'd forgotten that. Her face flamed as she
looked at the floor. "Gawd, I so don't like this."
 

"Me either" Spike said, visions of torture flashing through his mind.
 

"It's going to be OK Willow" Angel said softly, catching her eyes. "We'll
figure this out. Don't worry. We won't let him hurt you."
 

"Yeah, Deadboy is right. We'll keep you safe" Xander said, smiling crookedly
at her. He received a small smile, sighing mentally as he wondered how on
Earth they would keep her safe from something they couldn't even see.
 

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

Riley walked down the hall, knowing that Buffy was with Walsh. He glanced
around, making sure no one could see him as he turned the knob. He walked
into the dorm room, shutting it quickly. He walked towards her bed, cursing
the restrictions on this damn experiment. He wasn't allowed to go out of a
five mile radius of the campus. A way to prevent the soldiers from taking
advatage of the power devised by the good doctors. He knew it was just
another way they were keeping him from his love. Everyone was against him, it
seemed. Trying to prevent them from being together. Well, it wouldn't work.
She was his and nothing would keep them apart.
 

He relaxed, allowing himself to become visible again. He moved to her
dressed, sitting at her table and looking in the mirror. She had pictures of
all her friends taped around the edges, causing him to smile at the happiness
in her eyes. He brushed his fingers over her face, every detail already
memorized from hours of studying her during various lectures he had snuck
into. His eyes narrowed at the abundance of that brunette moron in them. He
removed one, ripping Xander out of the picture. He smiled, liking it all the
more with just Willow smiling. He tossed the remains of Xander into the
trash, picking up another photo and again removing the offensive boy. He
proceeded to fix all of her pictures one by one. He put a better one of her
into his pocket, knowing just where to keep it so that she was with him
always. He could always see her smiling face and those pretty eyes no matter
where he was.
 

He stood, knowing that the annoying bitch would be coming in soon. His
girlfriend, he ammended silently. He had to remember that he loved Buffy, at
least until Willow was finally where she belonged. By his side and in his
bed. He glanced at her bed and stiffened, imagining her underneath him crying
out his name as she came over and over. Soon, he vowed. He would keep the
rest of her belongings for a future exploration he decided. He didn't want to
risk Buffy coming in on him. He concentrated, looking in the mirror to ensure
that he had become invisible. When he was confident that no one would see
him, he opened the door and stepped into the hall. The picture of Willow in
his back pocket as he walked away, leaving the remains of her photographs on
her dresser. Soon she would realize she belonged to him and come to him. Of
that he was sure.

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