Angel nodded. "Yes. I need to get back to LA. I wish I felt better about this mission you two are going on."
"Don't worry Peaches. We can't die. Besides, Stoney will be watching out for us."
Angel looked at Willow. "How do you put up with him?"
"Practice. Besides, remember I came to Toronto to get away from him."
She laughed as Spike's lower lip went out. "Don't think about that pet. I'm never leaving you again."
"Ugh...I'm glad I didn't just feed" Angel said.
Willow looked at him. "You made a joke! I am so proud of you Daddy."
Angel rolled his eyes. "Take care of him and yourself."
She went over and kissed his cheek. "It's been a fun week. I'll call you when we get back to Sunnydale."
"I'll look forward to it. Blondie....until next time."
"See ya Poof." Spike said, smiling at his sire. He wasn't so bad now that he wasn't in competition with him.
Willow shut the door and locked it before joining Spike back on the couch. "Well, we have the place to ourselves....."
"Finally!" he said.
"What ever do you think we should do?"
Before he could answer, the phone rang. Willow picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Scarlet"
She recognized the name she had chosen. "We'll be waiting" she told Michael before hanging up. "Guess the mission is set." she said excitedly.
"Joy" he said, rolling his eyes. Just his luck.
* * * * *
Willow followed Nikita into the conference room that she had been in last time. The same people were gathered. She saw three new faces. Everyone was serious. The mission was actually starting. She felt a shiver of excitement go through her. She couldn't wait.
She and Spike sat down and listened as Operations began.
"Target is Casales." He clicked a small button that was held in his hand. "This is where we suspect the target is located. Entry points are marked with arrows."
Willow watched as a replica of a house was displayed in the air using lasers. This was so neat. She watched the house turn as she pointed out various things. The house was replaced by a drawing of a man and a dossier.
"This is the information. Get your units from Walter. Read over them carefully. This mission will be a bit unusual, even for us. Any questions, contact Michael. Michael, they're yours."
Michael stood. "We will be leaving as soon as the identity is confirmed. Close quarters standby until further notice. As you heard, this mission will be different. We chose you because of your experience. We expect no failure. Go."
Most of them left, going to Walter for their equipment. Michael looked at Willow and Spike. "We have arranged a room for you both until we go. Nikita will take you there. She will also begin to train you on the equipment that we will be using. Casales may be a vampire, but his men are not. You will need to know how to protect yourselves and the team. That will be all." he turned and went to Operations to discuss the last minute details.
* * * * *
"Brrrr" Willow said, making a face at Nikita. She just smiled.
"He's in Leader Mode. You think this is scary? You should have dealt with him last year when he got to run section. Nightmare. Trust me."
Willow and Spike followed Nikita to Walter. Soon, both agents were sharing stories of missions past. Willow smiled as she listened to them fondly recall things that any normal person would consider horrible. Spike hated to admit it, but he rather liked these people. They enjoyed their work. He had to admire anyone that thrived on killing, even if it was only the nasty people they killed. They were rather like vampires, except human.
* * * * *
"What happened between you and Stoney?"
Willow froze and looked at Spike. "What?"
"I'm not blind luv. Something happened. I didn't smell him on you...but, there is something there. What is it?"
Willow sighed. "Spike...it was nothing."
"If it was nothing, tell me."
"I was having a nightmare....Michael came in and calmed me down....we kissed."
Spike nodded. "Kissed? That bastard kissed you?"
"Spike! It didn't mean anything. He was trying to calm me down."
"Bloody hell. I knew that he was shady. Too much like Peaches."
"You love Angel" Willow pointed out.
"Hmph. Doesn't mean I trust the poof with you. It was just a kiss?"v "Yes."
Spike stood up and opened the door.
"Where are you going?"
"I have something to take care of." Spike said before leaving.
* * * * *
Michael was walking across the walkway on level three when he felt hands pull him into a doorway. He was face to face with Spike.
"I need to train" Spike said, keeping his grip tight as he dragged Michael into the training room.
"I'm busy right now. I'll call an operative to fight you."
"No. It has to be you. Remember? For the good of the team and all."
Michael glanced at the man, feeling anger at having his words sent back to him. "Fine."
Spike and Michael began to fight. Soon, they were both bleeding. Spike suddenly moved and pushed Michael against the wall.
"Keep your lips off of my woman" he said, his eyes burning yellow.
Michael narrowed his gaze. "Excuse me?"
"Willow told me about the kiss. If it happens again, I'll rip your throat out and watch you bleed to death. I don't like you anyway, so consider this a warning. I'd love nothing more than to see you die. Understood?"
Michael nodded, feeling his air supply cut off.
"Good" Spike pulled back and smiled, his face normal. "Glad we got that out of the way chap. For the good of the team and all." he walked out the door leaving Michael standing by the wall, gasping for breath.
* * * * *
"So, that's how I ended up here." Nikita finished her story.
Willow looked at her wide eyed. "Wow. That is so bad. I mean, you didn't even belong here. How have you done it?"
Nikita shrugged. "You do what you have to. I hated it in the beginning. Things happened.....I got away. Hated that even more. Always looking over my shoulder. Not knowing if someone would find me. I've adjusted. I honestly don't think I'd be happy living a normal life now. Does that make sense?"
Willow nodded. "I know what you mean. There are times that I really wish I didn't know about the creatures that lurked in the night. But, I'm glad that I do. I'd rather know what I'm facing then go on living in this protected little shell. Besides, I get to help people. There is no greater feeling than that."
"I know" Nikita said quietly. "But, there are always innocents that get hurt in the crossfire. Evil can never be defeated completely. It seems pointless sometimes."
Willow touched her arm. "Think of all those you have saved. Their lives make it worthwhile."
"You think that wipes away those that I've killed because they got in the way? I still remember their faces. Each one that I looked at before destroying. I tell myself that it is ok. That I saved hundreds of people from a bomb or a virus.....but at night, when I sleep? It doesn't help. They all come back."
Willow looked away. "I know" she said quietly. "I still dream of Kendra and Jenny and Jesse....dozens of others that we were too late to save. People that I knew from school....had seen around town. They never go away do they?"
"No. They stay inside your mind...I guess to remind you that you are still human. That nothing can erase their death...."
"That no matter how much evil you fight, there will always be loss...." Willow added.
Nikita shook her head. "Wow. How did we get on to that downer?"
"I asked how you ended up here" Willow said, smiling softly.
"That's right. Good grief, I wish they'd confirm that sighting. I'd like to go kick some ass."
"You sound like Spike" Willow said.
"Where is your other half?"
Willow frowned. "Probably beating Michael up. He guessed about the kiss."
"Uh oh....Should I go look for them?"
"Nah...Spike won't kill him. They're both big boys. Why don't you tell me more about your years here?"
Nikita smiled at the curious gleam in the girl's eyes. She began to tell her story.
* * * * *
"Did you kill him?"
"Do you have to ask?" Spike said, smiling. "I just gave him a delicate reminder that you are mine."
"Delicate? Uh huh..." Willow said, rolling her eyes. She moved forward to wipe the blood from Spike's mouth.
"I think he got the idea" Spike said.
* * * * *
"Sighting has been confirmed. We leave now" Nikita said, looking at Spike and Willow.
She had seen Michael earlier and noticed he was wearing his sunglasses. She had also seen the bruise on his face. Seeing Spike, she decided that he must won that fight.
"Now?" Willow said, standing up.
"Be at the van in ten minutes" Nikita said smiling. "Good left hook Popsicle"
"Thanks" Spike said smiling proudly.
Willow rolled her eyes. "Don't encourage him."
* * * * *
Willow sat in the van looking at Spike. He was smiling broadly, his arm behind her. They had flown out of Toronto and made it to this small country in South America not 24 hours before. Now, the unit was riding in the van going to Casales. She was excited but she was nervous. What if they fucked up? She was happy to see Nikita, Birkoff and Michael in serious, professional mode. It reassured her that things would go well.
"We will break into three teams. Team 1 will be led by Nikita. Team 2 will be led by Bryan. I will lead Team 3. Everyone knows what to do. If there are any problems, contact me." Michael said as the van stopped.
Willow and Spike were both on Team 3 along with two operatives. They had the task of entering the mansion and disposing of Casales. She saw Spike glare slightly at being told what to do. She squeezed his hand, relieved to see a smile thrown her way. This would all be over soon.
* * * * *
Spike followed Michael through the darkness. He knew Willow was behind him. He heard the computer guy speaking through the headset.
"We believe that Casales is the only vampire on premises. His body guards are human. Weapons will work. Be careful of Casales though. Remember, typical fighting will not hinder him. Spike will ID him as soon as he is in sight."
Spike sighed. He was supposed to ID Casales. He didn't plan on their being time for them to need him identified. He would stake the son of a bitch upon sight. He'd never liked him anyway. He was close to the house. He frowned. What was it about big scary houses and vampires? Didn't they get tired of cleaning all those empty rooms? He liked his two bedroom apartment just fine.
He suddenly heard a groan and saw Michael being attacked just inside the house. Michael was on the ground as another man bent toward him. He moved forward, sneaking up behind the man. He hit him. The man turned, his face vamped out. Spike laughed and felt his fangs slide out. The other man looked startled.
"Mine're bigger" Spike said, reaching for his stake. The man exploded into ash. He moved forward, offering his hand to a dazed Michael.
Michael stood and looked at Spike. "Thanks" he said, meaning it. He knew that he would have died if the vampire hadn't come along.
Spike shrugged. "For the team and all that bullshit..Better warn the others." he headed off.
Michael spoke into his unit. "Previous information useless. Be careful. There are vampires on the grounds. Repeat, vampires on the grounds. Team 1 and 2 wait in position. We are heading in" he headed after Spike.
Willow heard Michael's transmission. She moved quickly. She needed to catch up to Spike. They were the only ones that could attack Casales and remain unharmed. She didn't want to see any of the others hurt. They were not used to dealing with demons. She and Spike would go in alone.
* * * * *
"I said, stay here" Willow said, getting angry.
"I will not allow you two to go in alone" Michael said, beginning to lose his calmness.
"Michael, Spike and I are immortal. Get it into your thick head. We can't die. You can. Stay here and watch the front. You've already lost the other two. Watch your back" Willow said as she started forward.
Spike shared a smile with Michael. "She's stubborn. Don't move. We'll be back."
Michael grimaced. In all his years in Section....the missions. He was the best. He knew it. Everyone knew it. Sure, he'd had some times where his performance had been less than perfect. He had always managed to get over it and lead with authority. Now, here he was taking orders from a teen-age girl. He almost smiled.
Spike and Willow killed several more people on the way upstairs, both human and vampire. Willow was wired. This was much better than fighting the usual evil in Sunnydale. This guy was major bad news. Plus, she got to use all the nifty gadgets.
Spike spotted Casales coming down the hall. He appeared to have just risen. He was still pajamas. Spike rolled his eyes.
"Is that him?" Willow said, her voice disappointed. He was a middle aged, short, pudgy man. That was the man that Section had searched for for years? She'd expected something much better.
"Yep." Spike said, getting a stake from behind his back. "Let's stake his ass and be back in Toronto in time for the Buffet."
Willow smiled. "Sounds like a plan"
She and Spike advanced on a startled Casales.
"William? Is that you? Haven't seen you in years" Casales said, wondering what the vampire was doing attacking his home.
"Well, I've been busy" Spike said, smiling as he moved Casales against the wall. "You want to stake him luv or shall I?"
"Oh..oh....Let me. Let me" Willow said, her eyes pleading.
"Go ahead"
Willow staked the vampire before he could understand what was happening. "That was fun"
"Yeah...Sunnyhell will be rather dull compared to this won't it pet?" Spike said as they walked down the stairs.
"Maybe we can talk Giles into buying some of those com units. They'd come in handy." Willow said, seeing Michael suddenly. "Hey, as they say, ashes to ashes. Let's boogie"
Michael shook his head and spoke into his unit. "Target is down. Repeat target is down. Meet at the rendezvous point immediately." He waited until he had conformation from his other teams before leading Willow and Spike back into the night.
* * * * *
"Mission was a success." Operations said, addressing the people at the table. "I would like to thank both Willow and Spike for the cooperation on this assignment."
"It was fun" Willow said, smiling at the man.
"A real riot" Spike said, rolling his eyes.
"Well, for people who have had no training what so ever, you both were outstanding in the field." Nikita said, smiling at her new friends.
"I can't imagine how good you two would be with the proper training." Madeline added, watching them.
"As I said, it was a great experience. I've never been so excited about facing evil before." Willow said.
"So, you two leaving the end of the week?" Nikita asked sadly. She rarely got to make new friends. Now, she was losing one of the best.
"Yes. Getting back to good old Sunnydale by the weekend. I'm sure there is some research that needs done" Willow said, making a face.
"Bloody hell....don't call the watcher. I can't face those old books yet" Spike grumbled.
Michael glanced at Madeline and saw the calculating look on her face. He spoke. "Why leave?"
"What?" Willow asked, startled. Madeline smiled at Michael, gesturing for him to continue.
"Stay here. You can fight the forces of darkness with us. Spike mentioned several of our targets being demons. I'm sure we could use the assistance."
Nikita nodded, smiling. "Stay. You enjoyed it didn't you?"
"Well, yes, but our place is in Sunnydale. We're needed there."
Spike snorted. "For research. There hasn't been a particularly evil demon in months...really since the mayor."
"Think about it Willow. You said that you aren't leaving until the end of the week." Madeline said. "We'd love to add you both to our team."
Willow glanced at Spike and saw him smile. She felt a rush of adrenalin go through her. "May I borrow the phone?"
"Of course."
Willow dialed the familiar number. "Giles? Hey, its Will. I just wanted to let you know that Spike and I are going to stay in Toronto for awhile. We have this opportunity....yes, what Angel told you. We will be. If you need us, call me. Give my love to everyone. We'll be down to get our stuff soon."
She hung up and look at the surprised, but happy faces of her new friends. "So, what do we do first?"
THE END