Willow heard the laughter. That was what scared her the most. More than the pain, more than the screams. It was his laughter. She was having another nightmare. She had never realized before just how horrible nightmares were. She could be here, knowing it was a dream, but she still felt as though she were living it. It only made it more terrifying. She couldn't show her fear when she was awake. She had too much to lose to risk that. She had to be tough, untouchable. She had had two weeks without it. She knew Spike had crawled into bed with her each of those nights. It was only in his arms that the nightmares faded.
Spike. Thinking about him took her attention away from the scene unfolding in her mind. She loved him. She knew this. Had known for years. She also knew that he had grown to love her. She heard another scream and closed her eyes. She didn't want to have to witness this again. She started humming a song in her mind. Anything to take herself away from the memories.
She wondered if Spike would remain with her if they somehow survived their attack on Damien. She doubted that they would, but she wanted to believe that she might be able to have a future with the blond vampire. She felt the pain shoot through her as though she were there. Just thinking about Him made her angry. She hoped that Buffy and the others would be prepared to face him. None of them had ever faced anything as evil and sadistic as that bastard was. He had had over five hundred years to perfect his torments...his tortures.
She knew that she shouldn't go back to the library. She and Spike planned to stay hidden until they attacked. But, she wanted to help her old friends. By now, their treatment of her was in the past. A very distant memory. She loved them all and never wanted to see them suffer as she had. She'd kill them herself before letting Him get them. She felt arms enfold her body. Suddenly, the nightmare began to end. In its place, she saw Spike. She saw them both dancing together underneath a star filled sky, laughing and carefree....like she used to be. She snuggled closer to him, finally feeling safe.