"This place is great."
"I know. I love this city. I hate having to travel so much." Sandra said, finishing her packing.
"At least this time, I'll have someone to apartment sit."
"Thank you so much for letting me watch it for you. I so needed a break from Sunnydale."
"Rupert told me you needed a vacation. You're doing me the favor. I'm just sorry I won't be here to show you around. Two months in a strange city alone can be rather intimidating."
"Don't worry. I like being alone. Besides, I'm sure I'll meet a lot of interesting people in a town this size."
"Well, I'm off. I left you my hotel number if you need me for anything. I don't think I'm forgetting anything."
Sandra thought a moment.
"I guess I'll go then." She smiled at the young red head and started to leave.
"WAIT! I remember. The woman who lives across the hall travels a lot too. I keep an eye on her place for her while she is gone. If she had to leave, she'll let you know. Is that ok?"
"I don't see a problem with it." Willow said, rather hoping Sandra would leave soon. She was eager for some time to herself.
"Good. Thank you Willow. I'll see you in August." Sandra waved and hurried to the elevator.
Willow closed the door and leaned against it sighing. She looked around the apartment and smiled. She had done it. She had actually left Sunnydale, even if it was only for a couple of months. She was on her own. She laughed softly. She couldn't wait to see this city. She looked at the phone and gnawed her lip. She reached for it and dialed a number from memory.
"Hello?"
Her breath caught. He was there.
"Willow? Is that you? Where are you?"
She hung up. She couldn't talk to him. Not yet. Sighing, she went into the bedroom and began to unpack. She no longer felt like seeing the city right then. She'd wait until her good mood returned.
* * * * *
"Wow" Willow said softly.
Nikita looked at her new friend and smiled. She had been spending most of her days with Willow the last week. She hadn't had any missions, so she had been showing the girl Toronto. She saw Willow staring across the small bookstore with a half smile on her face. Nikita recognized that look.
"Where?" she asked turning to see.
"Dark hair...black coat...by the history books." Willow said.
She was startle to hear Nikita laughing. She looked at the woman with a puzzled look on her face. She didn't see what was so funny. He had to be one of the most attractive men Willow had seen.
"Nikita...what is so funny?" She froze when she saw Nikita head towards the man, dragging her along.
"See something you like?" Nikita said in a seductive tone.
The man froze and turned slowly. "Nikita. What are you doing here?"
Willow felt trembles as he spoke. She didn't know what it was about a man with an accent that made her feel like jello. He was French. She couldn't see his eyes. They were hidden behind a pair of expensive sunglasses.
"Do you think I can't read?" Nikita asked smiling.
He almost smiled. "Didn't think you enjoyed it."
"I don't. I'm here with my friend. Michael meet Willow. Willow this is wow...oh, I mean Michael."
Willow glared at the blonde woman. "Uh hi."
He nodded before looked back towards Nikita. "Who is she?"
"A friend." Nikita said quietly. "She's all right. Just visiting from California."
"You're sure?"
"Michael." Nikita said warningly.
"Willow. Are you enjoying the city?"
Willow had an odd feeling that he wasn't used to small talk.
"Yes. Nikita has taken me so many wonderful places. In fact, don't we have to leave?"
Nikita noticed the light blush on Willow's face. She almost laughed.
"Yes. We're going to dinner. Would you like to join us?" she asked Michael.
"I know you're not busy."
Willow stared at Nikita. She couldn't believe she was forcing Michael to go with them. She didn't like how he was looking at her. She couldn't see his eyes, but she could see how tense he appeared. He didn't trust her, she suddenly realized. Again, she looked at Nikita. There was something that the woman hadn't told her. She couldn't really say anything. She had not mentioned anything about the nasties and evil things that crawled through Sunnydale. Maybe tonight she'd be able to figure out what Nikita was hiding. She really hoped Michael said no. He may be gorgeous, but she had enough of the brooding loner with Angel. She had to put up with him because he was her friend. This guy didn't like her. He didn't act like he liked many people though.
Michael frowned. He glanced at the girl beside Nikita. She seemed very young. He sincerely hoped that Nikita had had her checked. Knowing Nikita, he doubted it.
"I do have to eat." he said, agreeing to go to dinner with them.
He didn't trust the girl. She seemed too innocent. Too naive. He assumed it was an act. Tonight, he'd question her. Make sure she was safe. Nikita was his only friend. Once, she had been much more. He didn't want to see her hurt once again by someone posing as a friend.
Nikita knew what Michael was thinking. After tonight, he'd see that Willow was entirely harmless. The poor girl had never even been out of California until this trip. She could see in Willow's eyes that she was honest. Sighing, she moved with them to the check out. Michael never trusted anyone.
* * * * *
"How do you two know each other? I mean, I can tell that you both used to be involved, but how did that come about?" Willow asked before taking a sip of tea.
"What?" Nikita said, surprised that the girl had known that.
"Nikita...I'm not blind" Willow said rolling her eyes.
"You two act like my best friend Buffy and her ex-boyfriend Angel....except you two seem to get along better."
Michael smiled softly at seeing Nikita struck dumb by the teenager.
"We work together." he said softly.
Willow looked at him surprised he had spoken. So far, Nikita had been carrying most of the conversation.
"Really? Nikita told me she worked for an design company. Do you both do the same thing?"
"Yes" he said shortly.
He was supposed to be asking the questions.
"What brings you here?"
"I had to get away." Willow said, turning back to her food.
"Willow recently broke up with someone. She had the chance to housesit so here she is."
"Nikita." Willow said.
"Was it a messy break up?" Michael asked, interested in what could have driven her across the country.
"No. We're still friends." She said making a face.
"Short version: He left, he came back, we had a lot of things to work out. So, I came here to think."
"You love him?" Nikita asked.
"Yes" Willow said smiling softly.
"Have for awhile now. Don't know what I'd do without him. He is my life. I just needed some space."
"Does he love you?" Michael asked, checking her reaction.
He still had doubts about her. She was hiding something. He had been around long enough to notice that.
"Yes." She said looking him straight in the eyes. "Any more questions?"
He felt his mouth twitch. She was definitely spunky. He could see why Nikita had befriended her.
"None right now. If one comes to mind, I'll be sure to ask."
"OK. So, when did you two break up?"
"Willow." Nikita said, thinking they had distracted her from the topic.
"What?" She said innocently. "I imagine it wasn't easy working together and having a relationship. Did your bosses mind?"
"Yes they did. That was one reason we ended it. Now, can we discuss something else. Why don't you tell us about the love of your young life." Michael said.
"I'd rather now. I'm trying to forget him this trip."
Nikita laughed. "Don't tell me...you call to hear his voice and then hang up?"
"No" Willow said, glad the restaurant was dark.
"I don't even want to hear his voice. All I will say is that I met him my Junior year in High School, it took awhile longer for us to started dating, he's a bit older than I am, he's the sweetest guy you'll ever meet most of the time, but every so often, he can become almost animalistic. And I can say that you won't meet many men like him. Is that enough?"
"He sounds intriguing" Nikita said as she started eating. "Why don't we discuss what we should tomorrow. I don't think I'm working so we should have all day."
The two women discussed plans while Michael thought over what he had observed. From what he had seen, Nikita was right. There was nothing more to Willow than a sweet, somewhat naive, girl. His mind put at ease, he began to enjoy the evening as much as he would allow.
* * * * *
Willow lay on the sofa in Nikita's apartment. After they had eaten, she was invited to stay over with her new friend. She really like the blonde woman. She was glad that they had met. Michael on the other hand bothered her. He reminded her of some of the vampires they had faced. Not evil really but dark. She looked at Nikita.
"Do you still love Michael?"
"Willow." Nikita said rolling her eyes.
"Answer me. I had to go through his interrogation. It's your turn."
"I'll always love Michael. Our past is very complicated. I still love him, but it is more of a friendly affection. He feels the same. He tends be slightly overprotective and he doesn't trust very easily."
"I noticed. I thought I might have to give him my license so he could run a background check or something."
"Don't offer....he'd do it." Nikita said laughing.
She figured by now he had already complicated the check.
"Is he always so gloomy? I mean, Angel brood a lot, but he has a million reasons why. Michael doesn't seem like the type that would need to wallow in self pity."
Nikita started to laugh. "Michael is always gloomy. He rarely smiles. I think I could count the times I've heard him laugh on one hand. He has had a very tough life."
"Haven't we all?" Willow said softly to herself.
"Would you like to watch some television?"
"Sure." Willow smiled.
The phone rang. Nikita picked it up and clicked it on.
"Hello"
"Josephine."
"I'll be right there." Nikita hung up.
"I'm sorry Willow. That was work. I have to go in. I'll call you tomorrow."
Willow nodded. "Ok. Not a problem. I should get some sleep anyway."
* * * * *
Nikita left. Willow sat in Sandra's apartment and looked at the phone. Talking about him was making her miss him. She could call....just to hear his voice.
"Yeah?"
"Willow? I miss you. Come on, talk to me. When are you coming home?"
She took a deep breath. "hi."
"Willow? How are you?"
"I'm doing well. Met some nice people here. I'll be back in Sunnydale in August. I miss you."
"Where are you?"
"I can't tell you that. I need some time. Please....understand."
"I do. I just wish I could see you. I lay in bed and it just feels empty without you. I wouldn't come see you. I'd just feel better knowing where you were."
"I'm in Toronto. It's beautiful here. I'm really having a great time."
"Toronto? Did you get far enough away from me?" he said, laughing softly.
"I wasn't trying to get away from you. I was trying to find me."
"I know....it's just hard. I was only gone for a week. You've been gone almost two so far. I just really miss you. I love you."
Willow felt tears in her eyes. "I love you too. Be good ok?"
"Aren't I always?"
"Tell the others I said hi. I'll call again soon. It was nice hearing your voice."
"I'm glad you spoke this time." he said softly.
"Me too. I'd better go."
"Night luv."
"Night Spike."
* * * * *
Willow laughed at something Nikita had said. They were having dinner. Again, Michael had joined them. Nikita had asked him about his sudden desire to be so social but he had avoided the question. She saw him watching Willow's face as she told them a story about her friend Xander. Nikita felt as though she knew all of Willow's friends. Her story telling ability was fantastic. She remembered the most minute details. Her mind was amazing. Nikita had only ever met a few people she could honestly say were smarter than the girl. Michael had said that her story checked out. She wasn't a threat.
Willow looked at her new friends. She couldn't believe that Michael was still going to dinner with them...almost every evening. Nikita seemed surprised. She caught him watching her and blushed. She felt like a bug under a microscope. It was as though she were a puzzle he was trying to solve. She didn't really like it, but he had become much more friendly, so she guessed she shouldn't complain.
"If you'll excuse me, I need to go to the restroom. My hands are covered in grease." she stood and excused herself.
"Michael, what's going on?" Nikita demanded as soon as they were alone.
"I don't know what you're speaking of."
"I've seen you watching her. I don't like it. If it were anyone else, I'd think it might be a crush, but this is you." Suddenly, she looked worried. "Does section know about her? Is there a problem?"
"Nikita...you worry too much. Section has no idea about her. Even if they did, she's a harmless child. It wouldn't matter if you showed her around the city."
"Then why are you watching her...testing her still. You know she's safe."
"She intrigues me" he said softly. "I still think she is hiding something."
"Michael...do not play with that girl."
"Never." he said, his tone offended. "She appears to be a nice girl. I just want to know what she is hiding."
Before Nikita could respond, Willow was back at the table. "Did I miss anything? You two seemed to be having a heavy discussion."
"Just something about work." Nikita said smoothly. "How would you like to go to a club tomorrow? I know this real sweet boy I work with that is dying to meet you."
"Nikita...I don't think so."
"Willow, I'm not telling you to have an affair with him. I know you love your boy back home. Just meet Birkoff. We can all have fun dancing. What do you say?"
Willow looked a bit unsure. Michael glared at Nikita.
"Do you think having her involved with Birkoff is a good idea?"
"What? He's young....she's young. I thought she might be growing tired of us old fogies."
"You two aren't old. I mean, look at who I'm dating..." Willow started to say something else but caught herself. "I uh he's a rather old himself. I'd rather be around you two than some stupid brainless twit my age. I'm not saying your friend is stupid or brainless It's just that most guys my age are and I'm rambling aren't I? I tend to do that and I'll shut up now."
Nikita laughed. "Birky is definitely not brainless. He's the smarted person I know. He's a few years older than you, but close enough. So, what do you say Willow? Dancing tomorrow?"
"Why not?" Willow said, still not sure.
"I'll come with you." Michael said.
Willow looked at him relieved. "Good. I know you won't be into the partying thing. I can have someone to sit and talk to."
Nikita looked at Michael for a few minutes. Finally deciding that she'd never figure out his motive, she shrugged. "Ok. The more the merrier. I'll talk to Birkoff tonight."
Willow smiled as they began talking about the best Chinese restaurant in Toronto.
* * * * *
Nikita smiled across the table. Willow and Birkoff were arguing about some computer game. She hadn't been aware that Willow was into computers. Hearing her talk to Birkoff, Nikita was surprised at how much the girl knew. They hadn't made it the club. They were at a coffee bar. The young people hadn't wanted to go to a loud club. She had agreed. She was glad to see that Birkoff had made a friend. She looked over at Michael and saw him watching the two with an unreadable expression.
"Michael...everything ok?"
"Yes."
"Back to one word answers. I knew it was too good to last." Nikita said, smiling.
"I should go." Michael said, standing up.
Willow noticed and put her hand on his arm. "Where are you going? I thought you were coming out to dinner with us."
"I need to work."
"Michael....I'd rather not go eat with just Birky and Nik. People might look at us funny." she said quietly.
"You go out with Nikita and I. What is the difference?"
She leaned over and whispered in his ear. "You're more fun than he is. He won't quit talking about computers. At least you're always asking nosy questions instead of talking about yourself."
Nikita watched, wondering what the girl had said. Michael's mouth twitched and he looked like he might smile.
"I'll stay....for a bit." he agreed.
Willow smiled. "Thank you."
The group decided to walk to the restaurant, which was right down the street. Birky fell in step beside Nikita.
"What's her deal?"
"What?"
"Nikita....She's a hacker. A good hacker. Is section scouting her?"
"No. I didn't know she was into computers until tonight."
"Hmm...just curious. I know they need someone to replace Greg, thought that might be why she was here."
"It's not. She's just a college kid from California."
"She seems sweet. A bit goofy, but nice. Michael seems to like her."
Nikita looked ahead of them where Willow and Michael were walking. She was talking, answering yet another question. Michael was watching her as he walked.
"He said he was intrigued by her. He thinks she's hiding something."
Birkoff started laughing. "That's a new one. And here I would have said he was attracted to her."
Nikita stopped. "What?"
"I'm sure I'm wrong. It's just...the way he watches her...the was he listens to everything she say...it kind of reminds me of how he used to act around you."
"Good lord, you're right. This is so not good." Nikita sighed.
"Why not? She seems to like him."
"Birkoff, he's almost old enough to be her father. Besides that, she is in love with her boyfriend back home. You should see her eyes when she talks about him. I do mean LOVE. Michael is either up to something or he's being incredibly stupid."
"Knowing Michael, I'd vote for the first one."
"Thanks. I need to keep an eye on them. I will not have her hurt." Nikita said, hurrying to catch up. She remembered that Michael had done a background check on Willow. She wondered if there was something in it about her hacking ability. She couldn't believe she had forgotten that Hellinger was gone. She felt so stupid. She needed to talk to Michael.
* * * * *
"Willow...you can't trust Michael." Nikita said softly.
"What?" Willow asked, confused.
"Michael is complicated. I just don't want to see you hurt."
"Nik, Michael isn't going to hurt me. How could he?"
Nikita nodded. "Nothing. I just wanted to warn you."
"He hurt you?" Willow asked, putting her chin on his knees.
"Yes. Several times. Of course, I hurt him. So, I guess we came away even. Just be careful. I don't know what he's up to, and I just don't want you involved."
"You don't work for a designer do you?"
"What?"
"Nik, I understand that you probably can't tell me what you do. I just wanted to let you know that I know. Make it easier on you. You no longer have to come up with excused if you have to leave town."
"Willow. Don't tell this to Michael. Promise me."
"Between us." Willow said smiling.
"I just don't get you kid. You see too much with those eyes."
"Sorry. I just knew you were hiding something. It took me awhile, but I finally saw it."
Nikita laughed. "So how did you like Birky?"
"He was nice. A bit goofy but interesting."
"I'm glad. He has very few friends. It will be nice for him to know someone even for a little while. So, how the boyfriend?"
Willow smiled. "He's fine. He knows where I am, but he promised not to make a surprise visit. He doesn't know the address or anything, so I'm not worried. He misses me. I miss him."
"You truly love him don't you?"
"Yes. I've risked a lot of things to be with him. My friends hated him at first."
"Was it the age thing?"
"You could say that. He also used to be a major enemy of my best friend. They've made peace now, sort of. I'm surprised they haven't killed each other without me to referee. He helps us out now. They've accepted him. They can see that he loves me. He is much better than my previous boyfriend."
"What was wrong with him?"
"He cheated on me then tried to ki..blame me for it." Willow said, almost forgetting who she was talking to. "He was a jerk. Spike is so much better than he was."
"Spike?" Nikita said, having to laugh. "I never quite pictured you involved with a guy named Spike."
"Well, appearances can be deceiving I guess. Spike is the perpetual bad boy that your mother used to warn you about. Underneath it all, he's the nicest man you could ever meet. I think you'd like him. He'd probably hate Michael."
"Why do you say that?"
"Michael is so much like Angel in personality. Spike hates Angel. Bad blood you could say."
"What about Birkoff?"
"Spike would kill him to keep from dying of boredom." Willow said laughing.
"Guess it's a good thing that he didn't come with you then."
"Yeah." Willow said, yawning.
"Hey, you're tired. Why don't you just stay over here tonight. You can have the sofa."
"Thanks. I'm so tired." Willow said.
"Not a problem. Let me get you a blanket."
Willow made up the sofa and laid down. She drifted off to sleep dreaming about Spike meeting Michael and Nikita.
* * * * *
Willow woke up to the sound of glass breaking. Startled, she peered into the dark apartment. She needed to see if Nikita was all right. She took a deep breath and moved to the floor. Crawling through the darkness, she crept into Nikita's room. She saw three men fighting her friend. She stood, glad to be hidden in the shadows.
"Where is Section, bitch?"
"Go to hell."
"You will tell us. Casales needs this information."
Willow watched as Nikita hit one of the men and got away. She saw her reach under her pillow and withdraw a gun. Willow watched as one of the men went down. She had to help her friend.
One of the men noticed her and headed towards her. She moved quickly. He hit her against the wall hard. She felt pain and fear rush through her body. When she saw him reaching for her, she remembered the pencil. She scanned the dark room and finally saw a weird looking metal sculpture. She said the words and the sculpture came to her. She grabbed it right before he reached for her. Using all her strength, she thrust it into his heart. She was surprised to see his blood dripping onto her hands. She remembered that this wasn't a vampire. This had been a human. She had just killed a human.
Nikita shot the second man and looked for the third. She was startled to see him laying dead in front of Willow. She went to Willow.
"Are you ok?"
She nodded, keeping her eyes on the man.
"It will be fine. I have to make a phone call. I'll be right here."
Nikita got her cell phone and dialed Michael's number. She couldn't risk Section knowing about Willow. Not until she understood what had happened.
"Hello."
"I've been compromised."
"Have you called it in?"
"No. It was Casales. Three men. But, I had company."
"Willow? Is she ok?" Michael asked.
"Yes. She killed one of them. I can't take her in. They'd kill her."
"Bring her here. You know the address. I will be waiting. We will figure something out."
"Be there in 60."
"Willow, I need you to grab anything that you might need. We might have to hide out for awhile. Ok?"
Willow stood up. She gestured to the man she had killed. "Was he bad?"
"Very."
She nodded. "Ok. I can handle it if he was bad. I'm fine, Nik. I'll go pack."
* * * * *
Spike felt a pain go through him.
"Willow" he said. He drove to the watcher's house.
"Spike? What is it?"
"Willow's in danger. She's hurt. I have to go. Where is she?"
Giles sighed. "I promised her I wouldn't tell."
Spike looked at Giles, anger and worry in his eyes. He grabbed his shoulders. "Where. Is. She."
Giles gulped. "I have the address right here. She's staying at my friend Sandra's apartment." he looked and found it. He wrote the address and a phone number on a sheet of paper. "Here you are."
"Thanks. I'll call you when I find her."
"Is she really hurt?"
"Yes. I could feel it."
"I hadn't realized the bond extended that far."
"Guess it does. I need to go. It's going to be a long drive."
"She'll be fine."
"She's better be." Spike said as he turned to leave. "Thanks."
Giles nodded. "Go. Call me when you get there. If I hear from her, I won't tell her you're coming....just in case she's in trouble."
"Good idea. See ya later."
* * * * *
Michael opened the door to his apartment and let Nikita and Willow in. He saw the blood on Willow's shirt. He glance at Nikita and saw that she appeared fine.
"What happened?" he said quietly.
Nikita told him of the attack.
"They mentioned Casales?"
"Yes. They asked where Section was...said that Casales needed to know."
He looked at Willow. She hadn't said anything. "Are you ok?"
She smiled sleepily. "Yeah. Just tired."
"Willow, you just killed a man. I know that it must be difficult to understand what is happening but..."
"Nik. He was bad. I'm not upset. I am a little miffed that they tried to kill us, but it's over."
"I find it hard to believe that you could just get over murder that easily." Nikita said, not believing the girl.
"Self defense, not murder. Ask me tomorrow, and I'll probably be freaked. Right now, I'm too tired to comprehend what happened."
Michael stood. "Come. I'll let you sleep while Nikita and I discuss this."
She smiled gratefully. "Thank you Michael." Within a few moments, he returned.
"Is she ok?" Nikita asked, still worried.
"She is fine, for now. She is in shock, I'm sure. It has been an upsetting evening. You need to call Section."
"I know. What about Willow? They'll consider her a liability."
"We will worry about that later. I will not let them dispose of her."
Nikita looked into his eyes and was surprised to see sincerity there.
"Ok. I'll leave her here for now. I'll go back and call it in. Should I tell them about her or wait?"
"Tell Madeline, but do not give away her location. We need to think about this. I will stay with her. She will be fine Nikita. Now go."
Nikita nodded. "Thank you Michael."
"Go."
She left to go back to her apartment and report the compromise. Michael went to the bedroom and looked inside. Willow was laying on top of the covers. She had changed out of her bloody clothes into a man's t-shirt and a pair of boxers. Michael moved forward and carefully moved her underneath the blanket. She moaned as she slept and he stopped. When he was sure she was asleep, he finished covering her. He let his hand trace the side of her face, before he turned and went back to his study. He needed to think of a solution. They did not have very much time before Section would be demanding answers.
* * * * *
Michael heard a noise and went to the bedroom. Willow was having a nightmare. He moved quickly to the bed. She sat up screaming and grabbed for him. His arms went around her, trying to comfort her.
"I killed him" she said. "I know he was evil, but he was human. I've never killed a human before."
"Don't think about it. He was going to kill you. You did what you had to do." Michael said, caressing her hair, trying to calm her down.
She pulled back from his shoulder, tears in her green eyes. "I know inside here" she said pointed to her head. "I just can't understand that here" she pointed to her heart.
"It will take time." he said softly, brushing away her tears with his thumb. He could not understand why she affected him this way. She was too young...too innocent. He was a trained killer. He was a machine, according to Nikita. If that were true, why did he care? She reminded him of Nikita in some ways. How Nikita had been in the beginning, when he had fallen in love with her. The optimism...that way of seeing everyone as a friend....it would end up killing her. He had seen it happen. He had this urge to protect her...shelter her from the harsh truths he knew were out there.
Willow looked deep into Michael's eyes. It was almost as though he were seeing her soul.... looking straight into who she was. She was surprised to see such deep emotion in their swimming depths. She felt his hand on her face, his warm touch comforting. It had been such a long time since someone warm had touched her. Spike was so cold. She brought her hand up to cover his. His eyes widened in surprise.
Michael watched as she ran her fingers over his hand. This was wrong. He should stop it. She was getting over a tragic experience. It felt right. He leaned forward and caught her lips with his. She gasped at the contact, allowing his tongue to enter her mouth.
Willow was drowning. She felt heat rush through her. She moved her hand up and ran her fingers through his dark hair. Suddenly, she realized what she was doing. This was Michael. She shouldn't be doing this. Oh goddess....it felt right. Reluctantly, she pulled away. Her eyes were wide as she looked at him.
"I'm sorry....I didn't mean to..."
His face became expressionless. "It was my fault. I wasn't thinking. You should sleep."
"Michael"
He looked at her.
"I love Spike. He would kill you if I ever took that farther. I like you...a lot. I don't want that to happen. I'm sorry."
Michael nodded. "As I said, my fault. I was just caught up in the moment. I'll be in the other room if you need anything."
Willow watched as he left. She closed her eyes and thought about what had happened that day. She missed Spike. She brought her hand to her mouth and ran a finger over her lips. Sighing, she drifted back to sleep.
* * * * *
Willow woke up the next morning to voices. She dressed and went into the living room. She saw Nikita and smiled.
"Hi Nik. Everything ok?"
"Willow! How are you? Did you sleep?" Nikita asked, her blue eyes worried.
"I'm fine. I had a nightmare, but Michael helped." She noticed that he was avoiding looking at her. Sighing, she asked, "Did you repost everything?"
Nikita looked between Michael and Willow. Something had happened last night. She didn't know what, but Michael was tense.
"Yes. I've told to bring you in for....questioning." she frowned.
Willow sat, her eyes wide. "Are they going to kill me?" she asked softly.
"NO." Nikita said. "I won't let them. I promise you that. My boss just wants to hear your side. I think they would also like to question you...just to prove that you aren't involved with Casales."
"More questions? When?"
"The sooner the better. I have managed to get them to agree to a panel questioning. It will be the two heads of section, Michael, myself, and hopefully Birkoff and maybe Walter. You'll like Walter."
"That many people? Can't I just tell them that I don't know anything?"
Nikita sighed. "I'm sorry. I was lucky to get them to agree to this. I was compromised. That means it either had to be an outsider who knew who I was or..."
"Someone from the inside?" Willow said, suddenly understanding things more clearly. It appeared that there was a Faith in section. "I'm ready when you are."
"That's the spirit. Don't worry. Michael, Birky and I know you're ok. We'll all be there."
Willow glance at Michael. Somehow that was comforting. "Let me go to the restroom and get cleaned up. I'll be back in a few minutes." She left.
"What happened?" Nikita asked Michael. "You didn't sleep with her, did you?"
Michael looked up sharply. "No. She's a child. She had a nightmare. I'll go bring the car around. Meet you downstairs."
Nikita watched him walk away, a puzzled look on her pretty face. She shrugged. Maybe she was reading too much into it. Willow was most likely nervous about all that had happened since yesterday morning. Poor girl. Nikita hoped she'd be able to keep her promise. She did not want Willow's death on her conscience. She got the girl into this, she'd get her out of it. Somehow.
* * * * *