Willow looked from his sheepish smile to the candles to the bed and then back
again. She shook her head, not sure what to say or do. She was too surprised
to react with her usual witty banter, instead barely able to squeak out,
"Talk?"
 

"Talk," he repeated, trying not to smile in amusement at her expression of
pure shock. Good, he'd surprised her. Only fair since he had surprised
himself.
 

Willow moved away from the door, going to the closest candle, her fingers
running over the small glass holder as she said, "This wasn't here before.
None of this stuff was here before. This room was empty. Creepy and empty.
Now it looks like something out of a book for seduction," her voice was soft
and thoughtful as she tried to imagine what had happened and why. She looked
at Spike again, trying to ignore the feelings that were spreading over her as
she asked, "Is this another joke? Something you've set up to humiliate me?"
 

"The idea of my wanting you is humiliating?" he asked softly, his tone
wavering as uncertainty entered his blue eyes. He cursed under his breath,
hating feeling so vulnerable. He hadn't felt this nervous in over a hundred
years, and then the memory was so distant he couldn't remember it. What was
it about this girl that made him act like a bumbling twit?
 

"You want me?" Willow whispered in shock, not seeing amusement in his blue
eyes. Instead, they burned with a need and intensity that almost hypnotized
her.
 

"Bloody hell, this was a bad idea," he suddenly said, moving towards the
boarded up window. "I've done it now, haven't I, Hazel? Given you enough
ammunition to torture me for the rest of my fucking unlife. Funny, isn't it?
The big bad vampire falling for the sweet little witch. It'll give you
something to laugh about for years," he paced as he spoke, fumbling for a
cigarette. He couldn't believe he had been stupid. He could have sworn that
she felt the same, that she wanted him and might even love him. He should
have known better. She was out of his league, he didn't deserve her, no one
would ever want him, there was always someone else. Always would be. It was
the story of his life. He groaned as his hands came up empty, hitting his
fist against the wall as he glared at the white surface, "Can't believe I was
so bloody fucking stupid. As if you could ever want me. You hate me. For some
silly reason I forgot that, forgot that the sight of me sickens you."
 

"It doesn't," Willow said, her eyes wide and curious as she watched him pace
and sulk, knowing there was no other word for what he was doing. He looked
much like a child whose favorite toy had been taken away. He was truly upset,
she realized, his eyes looking everywhere but at her and a nerve in his cheek
twitching as he ranted and raved about a rejection that she didn't remember
giving.
 

He continued as if she hadn't spoken, "Why the hell would someone like you
want me, anyway? I'm just a vampire with no bite. The fricking fangless
wonder, Barnabus with a better wardrobe," he ended up by the wall again,
leaning forward to rest his head against it as he sharply said, "Leave. The
door isn't locked. I don't want you here."
 

Willow jumped at his tone and his command, her face confused and uncertain.
Suddenly, her eyes narrowed in anger. She'd had time to think about during
his little dramatic rant and she was pissed. Instead of leaving, of moving to
the door and escaping, of trying to forget that this had happened or ignoring
it, she stood tall, her eyes flashing as she said in a sweet tone, "Fuck you,
Barney."
 

STRICTLY PLATONIC (17/?)
 

Spike turned at her words, his eyes flashing yellow as he saw that she was
still there, "Leave, little girl."
 

"No," she said, standing her ground as she knew that there was no going back.
"What gives you the right to tell me what to do? You're the one that brought
me here, remember? What the hell is your problem?"
 

Spike started to speak but she held up her hand, her eyes flashing in a way
he had grown to love.
 

"Shut up. You had your chance, Blondie. You're little scene there? Bravo.
Added points for the cursing," she said, her hand going through her thick red
hair, "I always love to hear you swear. Something about hearing the same old
words in that sexy accent does things to me, but that isn't the issue. The
issues seems to be your hang ups or psychological whatever that makes you
think that no one could want you or that you aren't good enough for them. You
know, there are shrinks out there that can help you."
 

"Willow," he warned, strangely pleased that she thought his accent was sexy
but reacting at her calling him a head case.
 

"Oh, stop with the growling already. I know about the implant. Hello, you
can't do anything," she said, amusement flashing in her eyes as she saw him
bristle before she continued, "AS I was saying before being so rudely
interrupted, what gives you the right to tell me what I want or don't want?
True, I was a bit surprised. Who wouldn't be? I mean, we hate each other. We
never resist an opportunity to argue or fight, yet you bring me here and
confess to wanting me? It rather knocked me for a loop, Spike. I'm not used
to men wanting me, to anyone wanting me. Seeing that look in your eyes," she
trailed off, the fight leaving her as she said quietly, "it scared me. That
need, that desire, that love....it was for me. I've never had anyone look at
me like that....as if I was their life."
 

She stopped, just looking at him for a few minutes, neither speaking as they
stared into each other's eyes. Finally, she began again, "So I didn't jump up
and down in joy or react in whatever way you had imagined. So what? It took
me some time, which I had plenty of during your little tirade I might add.
You threw all of this at me, didn't even give me a chance to tell you that I
want you too, that I was moved by all of this," she gestured at the bed and
candles, "that it is so romantic that I fear I might be dreaming, that I need
you like I need oxygen, that my life isn't complete without you in it,
fighting with me and keeping me on my toes. That I wake from dreaming with
this terrible ache because you aren't there beside me, that you are
constantly in my mind and have been for longer than I care to admit, that I
like being with you and consider you a good friend regardless of our fighting
and bickering...." she took a deep breath as she looked at the floor, not
sure if she could look up and see his eyes. When she did, she was almost
unable to finish her words, seeing the look in his eyes and the slow smile
that was spreading over his handsome face. She was able to get it out in a
whisper, "That I love you."
 

Spike moved slowly, drawn to her like a magnet. She was standing there,
looking so afraid and uncertain and sincere that his heart did things that
should have repulsed his demon. Instead, the demon urged him to move, told
him to claim and hold on to her forever. It was the first time in decades
that he and his demon had agreed on something so important to them both. He
raised his hand, brushing a stray tear across her cheek with his thumb. Just
that small contact made his body tighten, made him want so much more. She had
him bewitched, under some spell that had been created for him. He spoke
softly, his need and emotions making his voice husky and hoarse, "Say it
again."
 

She looked into his beautiful eyes, moving her face against the coolness of
his hand as she said in a voice a bit more confident, "I love you, Spike.
With all of my soul and all of my heart." His mouth caught hers in a needy,
possessing kiss before she had finished saying the word heart.
 

STRICTLY PLATONIC (18/?)
 

Willow felt the mattress behind her back as Spike laid her down on the bed.
She found it hard to believe that she was kissing Spike, was about to go far
beyond kissing with Spike. Not even an hour before, she could have sworn he
hated her. Then he'd taken her into this room, she'd seen the lengths he had
gone to seduce her and she'd known. Love was just the flip side of hate. It
had been easier for both of them to pretend that the tension between them had
been caused by hate instead of accepting that love had found them both. Now,
there was no turning back. She had admitted out loud that she loved him, knew
that her words were true. And Spike loved her. She felt a fluttering in her
heart as she thought those words. She felt his lips move away from her lips
and brush against her chin, pushing all thoughts from her mind as she
concentrated on him. She wanted to be an active participant in this seduction.
 

Spike moved his mouth down her throat, sucking the flesh into his mouth and
nipping at it with his blunt teeth. He felt her fingers tangle in his hair as
she moaned softly. Smiling, he used his left hand to unbutton her shirt, not
removing his mouth from her neck. When he had finished with the last button,
he sat up slightly, removing the shirt, his eyes eagerly sweeping over her
half naked chest. "Perfect," he whispered softly, seeing the insecurities in
her green eyes as she watched him. She smiled at him and he knew he had said
the right thing. With nimble fingers, he unfastened her bra, tossing the
scrap of cotton and lace beside the bed, his head lowering to brush feather
like kisses along her neckline. Her rosy nipples were hard, her pert breasts
arching towards him as he licked the salty sweat from her body.
 

His mouth encircled a nipple, closing over it as he began to suck gently. She
came of the bed at the contact, her gasp of surprise giving way to a soft
moan of pleasure. His hand rested on her stomach, his palm flat as he held
her down. He continued to nuzzle her breast, scraping his teeth against her
sensitive nipple and continuing to suck and lick until she was babbling
incoherently. With a small smile, he left that breast and moved to the other.
As he teased her, he managed to unfasten her jeans, his fingers brushing
against the edge of her panties. The scent of arousal was thick in the air.
He knew she must be soaked. There was no way to remove her jeans without him
sitting up and changing position. At the moment, he didn't want to leave her
perfect breasts long enough to get rid of the denim. Instead, he shoved them
down her hips as far as he could reach without moving his mouth from her
breast.
 

He felt her shift, growling softly when her knee knocked into his head. He
heard her whisper sorry as he nipped at her breast in warning. Willow
continued to move her legs as best she could without hitting him. It was
amazing to her that she had enough strength left in her legs to move them,
much less attempt to get her jeans off. He had been licking and kissing and
sucking her neck and chest for what had to be hours. She knew that it had
been more like half an hour, but her entire body was on edge, her breath
coming in small gasps as his hand teased her lower body. He wouldn't touch
her between her legs, in the place that was aching so badly. Instead, he
skimmed his fingers over her panties and then moved to her lower stomach,
never giving her the contact she so desperately needed. She cried out in
triumph when she felt the jeans gather at her feet. With a couple of
movements, they had fallen to the floor. She was now laying on the bed
underneath Spike wearing only her panties. She wished she had sexy silk
panties, something in black or red. Oh well, her white cotton and lace ones
were fine enough. They'd end up on the floor soon enough anyway, she hoped.
 

Spike finally moved his mouth away from her breasts, sitting up slightly as
he pulled his shirt over his head. He lay back against her, her heated skin
brushing against his. He groaned at the pleasure of having her warmth so
close, having forgotten how different it felt to be with a human. His mouth
found her belly button, pausing for several minutes to kiss and lick at her
flesh, feeling her hips arch up as she tried to get some friction between her
legs. With a knowing chuckle, he moved lower. His tongue ran over the cotton
covering her reddish brown curls. He heard her sharp intake of breath, his
eyes looking up to see her hand curled around her breast. He could see the
tension in her, knew that he had been teasing her for long enough. She was
ready to explode. He didn't remove her panties yet, instead lowering his
mouth directly over her clit and sucking it inside. She screamed out, her
thighs tightening around his head as she thrashed against the bed. He
continued to suck on her, the cotton of her panties rubbing against her clit
as his tongue moved. When he heard her gasps for breath, he moved his head
and ripped the panties off, smiling at her surprise. Did she think they were
finished? This was only the beginning.

STRICTLY PLATONIC (19/?)
 

Willow cried out again as Spike's tongue entered her, his nose brushing
against her clit. She was in pain, sweet pain. She had lost track of time
when he had first kissed her, everything fading except for the two of them
and this room. She knew, though, that he had been teasing her for over an
hour. He had started with her breasts before moving down her body. He had had
his head buried her thighs for longer than she could remember, bringing her
to four orgasms with his tongue and fingers and face. She had a delightful
ache between her legs, a need to feel him deep inside her. Her thighs were
covered with her juices, the mattress wet underneath her butt. There were
marks around her breasts caused by her own fingers kneading them as he had
tortured her with his tongue. "Please Spike...."
 

Spike looked up at her words, a smile crossing his handsome face. He finally
had her begging for him. He was so hard he thought he was going to explode,
but he had promised himself not to take her until she was begging for him.
Stubborn brat had taken over an hour. He reached for his shirt, wiping her
juices on it as he brushed it over his face. His jeans were on the floor,
removed sometime during his seduction. He crawled up the bed, his tongue
moving along her sweat covered body, teasing her nipples before claiming her
lips. He laid over her, his body barely touching hers. He felt her arch up,
her breasts brushing against his chest.
 

With a low growl, his left hand moved to her lower stomach, holding her down.
How was he supposed to be restrained and gentle with her teasing him like
that? He pulled back in surprise when she bit his tongue. He caught her eyes,
saw her smile at him, her hand moving along his face.
 

"I love you, Spike," she whispered, her eyes caught by his. "All of you. Be
yourself, please?"
 

"Luv," he started to warn her, knowing she couldn't possibly understand what
her words were doing to him, to his demon. He was stopped by her fingers
against his lips.
 

"I know who you are, Spike," she reminded, tracing his lips with a gentle
smile, "I love you."
 

With a low groan, he caught her mouth as he entered her slowly. He felt her
stretching to take him inside, heard her moan of pain mixed with pleasure. He
was rather proud. He hadn't gotten so caught up that he'd forgotten she was a
virgin, that he had hurt her. He began to thrust slowly, making small
movements as his strokes got deeper. He soon felt her barrier, moving his
lips against her cheek as he whispered, "This is going to hurt a bit, pet."
 

Willow moved her head, catching his lips as she thrust up, taking him
completely inside. She cried out as she felt a sharp pain between her legs,
tears in her eyes as he remained still inside her. She felt the pain fade as
he continued to brush his lips over her face, his hands softly moving along
her breasts. She moved against him, sucking in a breath as he moved and then
plunged down again. They began to move together, his strokes getting deeper,
his hands tightening their hold. She could feel him becoming more rough, his
lips claiming and nipping at her flesh as his hands possessively moved along
her body. She felt a familiar tension in her body as she came, squeezing his
cock as he bit into her neck.
 

Spike drank from her as he found his release, his seed spilling into her as
he lapped at her neck. He heard her cry of release and felt her fingernails
dig into his back, the soft scent of her virgin blood mixing with the blood
her scratches had drawn. He rested his head on her shoulder, his tongue
moving over his mark, a smile on his face as he realized that she was now
truly his. He stayed inside her, liking the feeling of her warmth and
tightness. Looking up into her eyes, he brought his hand up, tracing over her
face. He didn't speak the words, having no need. She could see his emotions
clearly in his eyes. She smiled, snuggling closer to him as her eyes began to
close, exhaustion finally overtaking her. Spike watched her until she fell
asleep, wondering again what he had done to deserve her love. He removed
himself from her finally, knowing that it would be uncomfortable and sore for
her if he remained any longer. He curled up against her, pulling her tight
against his body. With a smile, he closed his eyes and joined her in sleep.
 

STRICTLY PLATONIC (20/20)
 

"Good grief, Barney. Could you possibly be any more lame?"
 

"As if you've had any better ideas, Hazel," Spike shot back at her with a low
growl.
 

Willow snorted, "At least my ideas haven't been so blatantly idiotic!"
 

"Oh yeah, they've all been real winners," he said, rolling his eyes. With a
smirk, he pointed out, "Guess that's why we've used them all, huh?"
 

"You wouldn't know a good idea if it hit you in the face," she said, glaring
at him as he reminded her that her ideas hadn't worked out.
 

"Wouldn't I?" he taunted, a slow smile crossing his face as he took in her
bright eyes and flushed cheeks. She looked like she'd just been shagged. He
felt himself harden as he usually did during their arguments. It had been two
weeks since their night together, since he'd pathetically admitted his
feelings and discovered that she loved him. He'd moved in with her, not
spending a single night apart from her since their first mating. They still
fought all the time, still over the silliest things, but now they had the fun
of making up afterwards.
 

"Ahem, children," Giles cleared his throat, seeing the look in Spike's eyes
and knowing that if he did not stop them, he would have them shagging on his
carpet in no time. While he was right pleased that he had gotten them
together, sometimes he wished there was a little less confrontation in their
relationship. They still seemed to love to give him headaches.
 

"Sorry Giles," they both echoed guiltily though their eyes were amused.
Willow moved towards Spike, falling into his lap and resting her head against
his shoulder as they both looked at the former watcher.
 

"Yes, well, somehow I doubt that," he said dryly, rolling his eyes. "Spike, I
have to agree with Willow. That plan is rather weak."
 

Willow smirked, "He agrees with me. It *was* lame!"
 

"Watcher's pet," Spike mumbled, though a smile crossed his face as he kissed
her cheek.
 

"You know, Giles," Willow started, turning her attention to the older man.
"I've been thinking. I think the prophecy is about me and Spike."
 

"What?" he sputtered, looking at her in surprise.
 

Spike smiled at the man's actions, adding, "I have to agree with Red. Seems
like it describes me and her perfectly."
 

"Well, yes, um, that is an idea of course," Giles said, making a face.
 

"In fact," Willow continued, clearly amused at Giles behavior, "I wouldn't be
surprised if someone that loved us both very dearly had somehow thought up
that prophecy. Maybe in hopes of seeing us both together and happy."
 

"That's absurd," Giles said, not admitting the truth to her words.
 

"Well, if someone *had* indeed created the entire fiasco in hopes of
matchmaking," Spike saw the watcher bristle at that term and chuckled, "I'd
have to say that we owed him a bit of a thank you. If it hadn't been for
that, we'd probably still be fighting."
 

"You are still fighting," Giles pointed out dryly.
 

"Ah, but we're also shagging afterwards," Spike said, winking as Willow
turned red.
 

"Spike!" she glared at him before looking at the man that was practically a
father, "Could you please forget that shagging comment?"
 

"Gladly," he said, rubbing his temples.
 

"So, Giles, what do you think of our theory?" Willow asked, waiting for him
to admit that he had created the prophecy in an attempt to bring her and
Spike together. They had started to get suspicious soon after they had gotten
together, seeing Giles reaction and thinking back over the prophecy. They had
finally decided to confront the watcher, get him to admit that he had played
them both and then enjoy the rest of the summer after thanking him for seeing
what they had both fought so hard to ignore.
 

"It's far fetched and rather foolish," Giles said, not adding that it was
completely accurate.
 

"Yeah, sure," Spike said, smiling as he caught Willow's eyes. They had given
Giles a chance to admit his part in their coming together. He hadn't. Spike
had been serious in his words of thanks, but he also knew that they owed the
watcher. They had spent several weeks now researching a made up prophecy,
hunting for some demon that only existed in the watcher's mind. Luckily, they
had all summer to Giles back. Together. Sitting back, he pulled Willow with
him as he asked, "So, watcher, what next?"
 

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

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