Willow sat up escaping her nightmare. She looked at Spike sleeping beside her and had to crack a small smile. He had held her again all day. This time, though, his arms hadn't been able to prevent Damien from invading her thoughts. Shaking her head, she moved from the bed and got dressed. She needed some air. She had a lot to think about.
She walked through the dark streets of Sunnydale, ignoring the noise around her. She was trying to decide how her old friends would react to her now. She had let the demon take over. She hated that. They now knew her dark, ugly secret. She, Willow Rosenberg, Slayer's best friend, was a vampire. She wasn't sure if Buffy would have to kill her now or not. She almost wished she would.
She didn't have her soul, like Angel, but she knew she wasn't like Spike and the others. She assumed it was due to the circumstances of her embracing. She didn't mind sometimes. She hadn't died. Of that she was glad. But now, living with the demon, always fighting for control, it got to be very tiring. There were times she just let herself slip and fall, enjoying the freedom. She knew Spike feared her at these times. She was completely driven by hate and anger. She hadn't been truly happy since before she ever left this town. Spike made her happy, but she couldn't allow herself to be happy with him. She didn't deserve his love. She did love him though. So completely that it scared her. He was the only one who could tame her demon. Willow suddenly realized she had walked quite a ways from their hideout. She turned to head back. That's when she saw him.
Damien smiled as Red realized he was there. "At last, my love, we meet again."
Willow stood frozen, her eyes cold and unreadable. She couldn't believe she had been so stupid.
"Damien" she said softly.
"I missed you Red." He said, starting towards her. She moved away from him. "Now, lover, don't be like that. It has taken a long time to find you."
"Why?"
"You're good at hiding." Damien said, knowing that wasn't what she meant.
She just stared him, her gaze not wavering.
He laughed. "There's my little spitfire. I've missed seeing that spark in your eyes. Did you miss me?"
"No."
He clutched his heart. "Now, Red. That is not good. You need to learn to always please your man. Just lie to me, if necessary. Personally, it doesn't matter what you say. I know you missed me."
"Just kill me."
He stepped closer to her, causing her to back up to the wall of the building. "Never" he whispered, bringing his hand and up. He ran a finger down the scar on her face. "You're mine. No one will harm you. I missed this. Seeing you trying to deny your wants....your desires...I can feel you tremble Red....you missed me."
"I hate you." she said, trying not to listen to him.
"That isn't an insult. Love and hate are the same thing. Now, indifference would upset me. That would mean that you didn't care at all. Hate is just as strong as love, just as passionate. I know that I consume your thoughts...that you haven't forgotten our time together....haven't forgotten the way I felt....the way I touched you...I can still remember your eyes as you would cum...you can hate me all you want. I know the truth."
"I never enjoyed your touch. It disgusted me."
"Red....I'm growing bored with the pursuit. This game is growing old. I will take you and punish you for leaving. But think how much easier it would be if you came to me and accept your punishment and your rightful place by my side. Red quit lieing to yourself. In the beginning, I may have believed your words. You were my toy. I understand disgust. Now, I know you are just denying yourself. You are my mate....my childe....you belong to me. There will be no more running."
"I'd rather see the sunset than stay with you Damien. I hated what you did...how you made me feel."
He stepped back and looked at her. "You're letting your mortal mind make judgements. I will accept your hate, if you are by my side. I can make you love me. We have the rest of eternity for me to try."
"No." Willow said determined.
Damien smiled. "The blond...William? You love him, no?"
Willow felt fear go through her. He knew about Spike.
"I know everything about you Lover. I was planning on surprising you, but I think you need to know now. I will let him live."
"What?" Willow said, he was confusing her.
"He has taken care of you. You survived because of him. I am old enough to realize that I must make a few concessions for this to work. I will not lose you. I know that you love him. If the only way I can get you back is to let him survive, I will do this. But know this. If you refuse to come to me, he will die. I will kill him myself for having your love when all I have is your hate. It is a two edged sword, no? I will give you time to consider. But not much time. I am not a patient man. Four years is long enough. It would be much easier for you to come to me. I'd hate to have to start killing your friends. I am curious how long the slayer would last. I don't give her two days. Wouldn't you rather me not find out?"
Willow tried to understand everything he had said. He was lieing. He would kill them all anyway. He was just playing with her. Spike! Damien knew about him. He wasn't safe with her anymore. None of them were. She would have to leave them all....keep running. No, she would kill him. She could do it.
Damien moved his lips across her cheek. "I will give you two days. Make your decision. Will you come to me willingly and let your friends and your love survive or will you make me take you and kill them all for sport. As I said, the choice is yours."
He kissed her punishingly, his hands tight on
her arms, before turning and leaving.