Willow woke up and smiled. She was laying in Spike's arms. They had spent all day making love. She had thrived on the contact. She kissed him gently, waking him up.
"Hello luv." he said, amazed at his luck.
"Hi" she said softly.
"I love you."
"Me too....more than you can ever imagine." she said, running her hand over his face.
"Ugh...we meet the slayer and the others in an hour. Do you think they found him?"
"Yes. I doubt he is hiding."
"Well, then. Tonight, we can kill him." Spike said, getting up and getting dressed. "I need to feed. I need to be 100 percent for the battle. You coming?"
She shook her head. "I already ate something. I'd like to just stay here and rest a bit longer. Someone wore me out this afternoon."
Spike smiled. "As though it were just me. I'll pick you up then."
"No. Just go on to the library. I'll probably end up there in a few minutes. I doubt I can get any rest. We are so close. Besides, we could use some extra research. Be careful." she called to him as she left. She was worried that Damien would try something.
* * * * *
"We found him" Faith said, sitting in the chair opposite Giles.
"Big house over on Maria. Seems the real estate lady was murdered a few nights back. Then, suddenly, this house became occupied." Buffy added.
"Good. We can get the supplies together. Willow and Spike will be here soon. We can have this done tonight." Giles said, glad to be doing something.
"I wonder how many men he has?" Cordelia asked, looking worried.
"Not many. He hasn't been here long enough to gather an army." Angel said.
"Good. That makes me feel a bit better." Xander said, looking relieved.
The doors of the library opened. A familiar blond vampire entered. He looked around the table and then asked, "Is Willow not here yet? I thought she said she was coming early."
Spike felt a sense of foreboding. "He has her. She would have been here by now. Did you find the bastard?"
"Yes. Oh god, I hope Willow is all right." Buffy said, standing.
The others gathered their weapons and headed out to face Damien.
* * * * *
They arrived at the mansion in fifteen minutes. It was on the outskirts of town.
"That place is fucking huge. She could be anywhere." Xander said.
"Well, we'll just have to look fast." Buffy said.
They moved quietly to the doors.
"I don't feel anything" Buffy said, puzzled.
Spike was tired of waiting. He kicked the door open.
"So much for sneak attack" Angel muttered.
"Looks like they left the door open." Spike said grinning.
They entered the dark house. Soon, they split up and began a search. After twenty minutes, they met back downstairs.
"No one is here." Faith said.
"He's gone. There was nothing in any of the rooms." Giles said, rubbing his forehead. This was not good.
"Wait...what's that?" Cordelia asked, noticing something white hanging from the mirror. She moved closer. "It's addressed to you, Spike."
Spike took the envelope from the girl. He recognized Willow's handwriting. He slowly began to read:
Spike
Please don't hate me. I had to do this. Damien found me the other night. He made me an offer that I knew I couldn't refuse. I love you so much. I couldn't live knowing that you would die because of me. Damien has promised on his honor that none of the gang will be hurt. He even made the local vamps swear to it. He left one of his men behind to enforce his promise. You will be able to live. He knows that I love you...I will have to suffer for seducing you....for loving you, but he will leave you alone. I hate to do this, but there was no other choice. Too many would have died. I did not want their deaths on my hands. Damien wants me beside him. He seems to actually love me. I hate him. I will never love him, but it is worth living with him to keep you alive. You are my life...my heart....as long as you exist, I will know that I am truly loved. Someday, maybe we can be together. Whether it be here on this earth or somewhere far beyond. I know you are my other half. Drusilla was right. Please don't try to find me. I can't protect you if you do. I can suffer through this hell knowing that you are alive. Please don't do anything stupid. Give my love to Buffy and the others. I know that I was not the same person they once knew, but I used to care for them so much. Tell Buffy to forgive Angel. Their love is too strong to lose. I would never wish for her to go through what I am. I need to go. Damien is waiting. I love you, my Spike. Remember me always. Someday, you will be mine.
Eternally --- Willow
Spike fell to the ground, shaking. She had given herself to that bastard. He hadn't been able to save her.
Buffy and the others stood frozen. They couldn't believe that Willow had sacrificed herself to protect them. They would have to find her.
Spike looked up and saw the looks in the others eyes. "No" he said softly.
"What?" Buffy asked.
"You will not look for her. She made her decision. She believes it was the right one. It may have been. I will not have her life risked because of any of you. He could easily kill her if he knew you were hunting him."
They reluctantly agreed. Spike watched them leave.
Getting up, he thought of his Willow. He felt as though someone had torn
something out of him. "I love you pet" he whispered to the empty room.
He got up and went out the door. He looked at the sky and saw the stars
shining, he said softly, "Someday....."