ULTERIOR MOTIVES (10/?)
 

Willow felt the others' eyes on her as she sat next to Spike. Buffy had
called Giles from her cell phone, explaining that Tara had been killed. Soon
after, he had arrived with Xander and Anya. Each wanting to offer comfort but
not really knowing how to handle her grief. She sighed, burying her head
closer to Spike's chest. She felt his hand on her shoulder, moving in slow
circles as she kept from looking at her friends. She had no idea what she was
supposed to do, how she was supposed to act. She couldn't believe that Tara
was gone, killed by some unknown evil. She had left Tara, but the love had
still been there. She felt as if someone had reached inside her heart and
broken off a small piece, knowing that no matter how much time went by she
would always be missing that small piece, the part that had belonged to Tara.
 

They had not heard anything from Buffy yet. The slayer was still searching
the area that Spike had found Tara's body, hoping for some idea about what
had happened. Willow had cried her tears until nothing was left. She felt as
if she was to blame. If she had forced the issue of Tara's dark spells maybe
the other witch would still be alive. There were so many ifs that filled
Willow's mind at the moment she was starting to get a headache. What bothered
her the most was that nothing would change it. Tara would still be dead. One
thing she had learned over the past few years was that things usually
happened for a reason. The good, the bad, all of them. No matter what she
could have done, if it had been Tara's time to die, she would have died.
True, it might not have been in this particular manner, but death was death.
Willow knew that sounded harsh, especially for someone who had just lost her
lover of nearly nine months. That's why she kept it to herself. It was better
that way.
 

"Wills, do you need anything?" Xander asked in a hesitant voice.
 

"No, but thanks," Willow said, moving her head so that she could look at him
but keeping it against Spike. He hadn't said anything since shortly after
Buffy had left, but he hadn't let her go. He was offering silent support and
strength for her, something she needed at that moment. "You and Anya should
go home. There's nothing we can do. She's gone."
 

"Do you want to stay over with us tonight?" Anya asked, having no idea what
Willow must be experiencing. She had never lost anyone close to her since she
had become mortal so grief was something new to her. Her eyes looked towards
where Tara's body lay and she found it strange that she would no longer be
seeing the little witch around the magic shop. True, they had never been
friends but she was used to Tara being there. And Willow, well, after all
that the girl had been through in her short life, she didn't need this. Her
eyes moved back to Willow who was still leaning against Spike. Anya's eyes
narrowed slightly as she saw the rather possessive hold he had on the
redhead, the way he seemed to be protecting her from everyone except himself.
She frowned, thinking that something seemed different about him. There was a
restrained power surrounding him, a look in his eyes that she not seen for
many a month, a look that softened when he was looking at Willow. Good God,
she froze as a random thought entered her mind. It couldn't be. She was just
thinking crazy thoughts. Still, her eyes moved between Tara's body and Willow
in Spike's arms....something was off.
 

"No, but thanks," Willow said. "Buffy wants me to stay with her tonight."
 

"If you're sure," Anya said, getting to her feet. She was going to keep her
suspicions to herself for the time being. They were probably unjustified
anyway. If she was right, though, who knew what he might do if confronted.
She knew enough about his past to know that he was unpredictable. She'd
rather not force his hand just in case his only plan had been to get Willow.
But, when she got home, she was going to perform an uninvite spell and make
sure Xander knew that no vampire, including Spike, was allowed in their
apartment. Better safe than sorry, in her opinion.
 

"If you need anything, you know where we are," Xander said, leaning over and
kissing Willow's cheek. His eyes widened slightly when he heard a low warning
growl. Looking up, he found cold blue eyes watching him from an emotionless
face. Maybe he had imagined it...."I'm sorry."
 

"Wasn't your fault," Willow said, giving his hand a squeeze. She watched him
and Anya go before looking back at Giles. "Giles, about Tara, do you think we
should call the hospital or what?"
 

"I believe their first question would be why she was moved. Their second why
we waited so long to ring them," Giles said, his eyes looking at the body
covered by the sheet. "I hate to say it, but I think she should be taken
somewhere that she will be discovered."
 

"You want to leave her out at the park?" Willow said in a horrified voice.
She shook her head, "No. I will not just leave her like that."
 

"It was merely a suggestion," Giles said, his fingers moving to rub his
temples. "I suppose we could phone the police. I just worry about the
questions that they will ask."
 

"You could take her to the hospital, leave her for them to find," Spike
suggested, moving slightly to allow Willow more space. "They can take care of
her body, luv."
 

Willow nodded, knowing that Spike's idea was the best so far. "Giles, would
you mind doing it?"
 

"Of course not," he said, "would you like me to wait for Buffy?"
 

"I'll be fine," Willow said, wiping a tear with the back of her hand. "Take
care of her for me."
 

"I will. You must be prepared to accept the news from the hospital with
surprise," he warned.
 

"I will," Willow said. "Thank you."
 

"I will be in contact tomorrow to find out if Buffy found any clues as to
what exactly took place," Giles said, moving to lift Tara's body as best he
could.
 

Willow looked up at Spike after Giles had left, "Do you think she'll find
anything?"
 

"I don't see why not," he answered slowly. "You look tired, luv. Why don't
you take a nap until the slayer gets back."
 

"Not sleepy," she muttered, resting her head back on his chest. They sat in
silence until she drifted off to sleep, Spike's arm still possessively around
her shoulders.

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