Pairing: S/W
Rating: pg 13/ r
Summary: Willow receives a visit from a dear relative as she and Spike fight an attraction.
Spoilers: Up to season 4 on Buffy and I'm not exactly sure what on the X-files, but nothing really specific.
Author’s Notes: This is obviously a Buffy/X-files crossover and I haven't watched the X-files in years so bear with me, I'm bound to make some mistakes.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, I promise!
Feedback: I live for it! I need it please!
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~Part: 1~
Sunnydale California
Thursday
The Magic Box.
The first thing they noticed was the grin that spread across Willow’s face when she walked into the Magic Box. It was huge and made her eyes twinkle with joy. Just seeing it was enough to raise the spirits of everyone in the Magic box.
“Hey Wills.” Xander said around a mouthful of Twinkies.
“Hey!” she replied perkily and jumped down the few stairs that led to the lower floor of the shop. They all stared at her in amusement.
It was rare these day for Willow to get excited over much, since Oz dumped her and she’d turned down that Tara girl who wanted to be more than just friends, she had been uncharacteristically quiet, it was refreshing to see her more upbeat.
“What’s put a jump in the step of our witch?” Spike smirked at her obvious cheerfulness. He liked her, she was the only one who didn’t treat him like dirt, it was appalling the way her friends had treated her while she was pining over dog boy, like they’d never lost their first love.
Willow gave him a huge grin and turned to Xander “Guess who is coming to visit?”
Xander shrugged “Not a clue, unless it’s your parents again?”
“Like I’d be this excited if Sheila and Ira made a come back.” Willow scoffed; the light dimming as she thought about her absent parents “I just had a phone call from a certain Aunt that I love, who is coming to stay for a few weeks!”
Xander jumped to his feet “Aunt D?”
Willow nodded and Xander grabbed her doing a little dance on the floor. The other Scooby’s looked on in amusement.
“Who is Aunt D?” Buffy said bemused and feeling slightly left out.
“Only the best, the coolest, the cutest Aunt in the entire world!” Xander cried and then remembered that his girlfriend was sitting not three feet away. “Uh
she’s o-okay.” He muttered and sat back down avoiding Anya’s icy glare.
“She lives in D.C and has the coolest job ever!” Willow enthused as Spike made room for her to sit next to him. “I haven’t seen her in years.”
“That’s great Wills.” Dawn smiled at her second favourite person in the whole world glad that she was happy.
“While that is all entertaining,” Giles broke in “Perhaps we could get back to the matter of the demon from last night.”
As the bright light faded somewhat from Willow’s eyes Spike felt the twinge of the chip as he imagined tearing out the Watchers unfeeling heart as he again ignored the teen’s emotions and focussed on the mission.
“I think it’s great that you have at least one family member that shows an interest pet.” Spike drawled
“Thanks Spike.” as she smiled at him he had to remind himself, again, that she was just a kid and that as an innocent there was no way that she would be interested in a bit of rough and tumble with the big bad.
“Yeah.” He replied gruffly and looked away.
Willow was a bit sad that Spike couldn’t even stand to look at her for very long; he was the only one who had even managed to cheer her up while she was hurting. The others would roll their eyes when she started to tear up after hearing a certain song or hearing certain phrases, but Spike would come over and smile at her and tell her about Dru and tease her until she was laughing again. But then one day he had just stopped looking at her. She had no idea what she’d done wrong but she felt it keenly every time he avoided her glance. She sighed and tried to think about something other than the way she was feeling.
“So what did the demon look like?”
~Part: 2~
Sunnydale California
Rest field Cemetery
Spike sighed as he flung his duster over the back of the chair he had “acquired” recently, another productive hunt. The Slayer had kicked the ass of the demon, as always, and they had gone their separate ways- Spike walking behind Red to make sure that she got home safely and in no way to ogle her great figure as she walked away. Not at all- He grinned wolfishly. Then he had turned and headed home…alone.
He poured himself some blood out of the thermos that Red had bought for him to keep his blood warm, she was considerate that way. Always doing stuff for him no matter how nasty he was to her. He flopped down on the crypt he used as bed and stared at the cracked ceiling trying desperately not to let the words echo around his head. But it was too late. He was taken back to the moment.
Willow had dropped by his place after the rest of the Scooby’s had been particularly un-understanding and she had bought him his blood supply and a portable heater so he could warm his blood without needing electricity. He’d thanked her; surprised that she’d do that for him and invited her in. They’d talked for a while before she had begun to cry. Her friends just wanted for her to get over it and she felt like she was drowning in misery, Spike understood how she felt- after all he had felt the same way when his precious Drusilla had left him. He pulled her to him and let her cry and that’s when it happened.
“I’m so sorry.” She cried
“What for?” he was confused, why was she apologising to him?
“For always being weak,” she sniffed “For needing you so much.”
If there was one thing Spike had always been a sucker for it was for being needed.
He swallowed deeply, she needed him.
“H-hey now, none of that.” He said hesitantly unsure how to deal with this. Okay so he had thought about the little girl like that before, after all she smelt so good and fit against him like she was made just for him, but she was still in love with the dog boy and he was in love with Drusilla, wasn’t he? Wasn’t he? For a wild moment, in his mind, he was over Dru and Willow was over Dog Boy and they kissed and they were in love and this time they had forever, they’d found someone who loved with the same intensity that they did. Then it was gone and he just patted her on the top of her head and sent her home. After that he wouldn’t, couldn’t allow himself to get too close to her. Because loving her but her not loving him back would destroy him.
But it didn’t stop him from hearing the words echoing in his head and his heart
“Needing you so much.”
Rosenberg Residence
Willow ran for the phone before it could stop ringing, she’d just been getting out of the shower when she’d heard it ring. She was trailing drops down the hall when she picked it up.
“Hello?”
“Willow?”
“Aunt D?”
“Yeah it’s me, how are you Willow?”
“Fine.” Willow made a grab for the towel before it fell down “Just got outta the shower, why are you calling?” a horrible thought struck her “You are still coming aren’t ya?”
“Yes.” The voice said a little hesitantly “But there has been a complication.”
“What sort of complication?” Willow’s heart sank at the thought of not seeing her favourite Aunt.
“Did you ask her yet?” Willow frowned; that wasn’t the voice of her Aunt.
“I was just about to.” she heard her Aunt hiss “Now shut up.”
“Aunt D who was that?”
“That was my Partner and he’s the complication.” Willow heard her sigh, like she was always having to deal with him “He wants to tag along, is that okay?”
“Sure.” Willow was relieved that she wasn’t cancelling “Mom and Dad are still away so you can take their room and your partner can have the guest room.
Unless you want to share?”
“God no!” her Aunt spluttered “It’s not like that. Anyway honey we’ll be there tomorrow okay?”
“Yeah, oh!” Willow remembered something “I probably wont be at home, I have a dem-research to do. There’s this shop on the main street called The Magic Box.
I’ll be there.”
“Magic box?” her Aunt’s voice was weary “Oh he’ll love that.”
Willow giggled- her Aunt D had never been into the “weird stuff” as she’d liked to call it. That had been left to her other Aunt.
“So come by I’ll introduce you to my friends.”
“Sure thing Willow, we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Night Aunt D.”
Willow hung up the phone with a smile, Aunt D was coming tomorrow.
~Part: 3~
Friday
Sunnydale California
The Magic Box.
Willow was bent over the computer when Spike came in. She was the first thing he saw, her short red hair forming a curtain that hid her face from his view, her shirt stretched tight over her trim figure as she reached for another tome to add to the pile near her elbow, her tight jeans encasing and showing off her delicate rear. Spike felt himself respond and struggled not to growl. Why was she constantly teasing him like this?
Willow glanced up as she felt someone stare at her; she blushed at the look in Spike’s eyes. Was that lust? For her? But it was gone all too quickly when he realised she was watching him.
He smirked “So looks like you losers have once again nothing to do but wait around for the Slayer to give meaning to your petty lives.”
The pained look on Willow’s face cut him and he chastised himself for being such an asshole around her. He bit back an apology.
Willow’s heart gave a thud, obviously not lust then, probably disgust.
“Oh back off fangless.” Spike glared at Xander and Xander just rolled his eyes
“Save the scary looks for someone who is actually scary now.”
“Xander.” Willow admonished, no matter what Spike thought of her Xander had no right to taunt him like that “You are making your way up his list.”
“Number three.” Spike stuck three fingers up at Xander
“Whatever.” Xander turned back to watching Anya as she chatted with a customer.
Giles came out of the training room out back cleaning his glasses, a sure sign that he was annoyed.
“No Buffy I simply refuse to believe that dancing is an acceptable alternative to training, and I don’t care how many studies you pulled up to belabour the point.” He considered “Although I am impressed that actually researched something other than the demon of the week.”
Buffy rolled her eyes and whined “Oh come on Giles, the Bronze could be my new gym, all that stretching and rolling.”
“And that’s just her tongue.”
“You’re a pig Spike.”
Spike just smirked and flopped down on the chair closest to Willow. She stiffened and pointedly stared at the screen in front of her, ignoring Spike. He felt disappointed and annoyed at himself for making her feel uncomfortable. What he wouldn’t give for her to feel comfortable enough to cuddle up to him the way she did to Xander or even Riley now. The fact that they were close really bit at Spike too, last time they had all gone on patrol Soldier boy asked to go with Willow to keep her safe; a fact which had annoyed Buffy. By the time patrol had finished they were walking arm in arm and giggling together. Spike had seethed.
Dawn sat opposite Spike with her head in a book
“What are ya reading Nibblet?” he asked and she shot up like a deer in headlights.
“N-nothing.” She blushed and shut the book trying to slide it away before her sister could see it.
“Dawn, your not reading any of those demon texts or magic books are you, because we’ve talked about this.”
“Relax Slayer.” Spike leered before Dawn could answer “Li’l bit ain’t reading up on demons or voodoo.”
“Good.” Buffy sighed and Dawn shot him a grateful look.
“She’s reading Porn.” He finished to Buffy’s incredulous gasp and Dawn’s embarrassed squeak.
Anya snatched her hand away from Xander’s thigh “What was that about Porn?”
“Spike!” Dawn squealed “I am not!”
Willow bit back her laughter at the ruckus Spike always managed to cause.
“Pity.” He sighed “You guys just don’t know how to have fun at all; some of you could use a little porn.” Anya opened her mouth “Except you, the Queen of tackiness.” He finished looking pointedly at Anya.
“Consider the source.” Buffy sneered and Spike fought the overwhelming urge to rip out the sneer and strangle her with it. He flinched at the inevitable headache.
“Bitch.”
“Sticks and stones Spike-y.” she mocked
“Give me both and I’ll see what I can do.” He growled
“Guys knock it off.” Willow finally said exasperated with them both.
“I figured you’d still be the peace maker.” A female voice form behind her made her spin around.
“Aunt D!” she squealed and got up to hug the newcomer.
“Willow.” The lady beamed brightly as Willow hugged her and Spike took the chance to look her over. She was a little taller than Willow with her bright auburn hair cut in much the same way Red’s was; chin height with feathers surrounding the face, it was obvious she had a trim figure under the tailored suit and her green eyes sparkled. She was quite the looker.
“I am so glad you’re here.” Willow grinned
“Me too, it’s been forever. I think the last time I saw you was...”
“Aunt Missy’s funeral.” Willow added sombrely “How’s Uncle William?”
Spike felt a sudden shot to his stomach as she said his birth name; it sounded so good on her lips and would undoubtedly sound even better in the midst of passion. He cleared his throat as it had suddenly gone dry. The sound reminded Willow that there were other people in the room.
“Oh manners.” She said turning to her friends “Guys I’d like you to meet my Aunt Dana. Dana this is Buffy Summers.”
Buffy moved forwards and smiled “Hey.”
“’lo.” She gave a finger wave
“This is Giles.” Giles came forward and held out his hand.
“I am delighted to meet you Mrs.”
“Ms Scully, Dana Scully, call me Dana.” She grasped his hand and shook it firmly
“He owns the Magic box.” Willow explained.
“Ah my partner will undoubtedly want to meet you.” Scully said tiredly.
“Where is he?” Willow peered around but couldn’t see anyone that she thought might be her Aunt Dana’s partner. There were a few couples still in the store and a guy at the back who looked like a kid in a candy store, there was a lady with a pushchair and a couple of Wicca wanna-be’s.
“Over there, Mulder?” she called out and the excited guy bounded over
“Hey Scully check out the mummified hand in the window.” His brown hair fell over his forehead into his eyes. It was almost as if he could never sit still enough to brush it. He exuded a boyish charm despite his obvious hyperactivity.
“A mummified Hand?” Scully looked on in bemusement
“The hand of Askar, $79.95 a bargain.” Anya perked up
“Oh sorry, this is Anya and Xander. Anya works here with Giles.”
“Oh god, little Xander Harris?” Scully grinned “You grew up.”
“Yeah,” Xander smiled and came over to hug Scully “I don’t go by Little Xander anymore though, ego issues.”
Scully laughed at the joke.
“That’s Dawn.” Willow pointed to the beaming teen
“Oh man, you look just like Willow! An older Willow.” Dawn enthused
“I know everyone says that Willow looks like me when I was younger.” Scully explained. “Oh sorry Mulder this is my niece Willow.”
“Hey.” Mulder shook her hand “If I had known Scully had such cute relatives I would have come down earlier.” Willow blushed at his obvious flirting.
Spike glowered at the dark haired man, just who the hell did he think he was? He was much too old for Red. He should stick to Scully. Spike gave her an appraising look; so this was how Red would look when she grew up, Spike had no complaints… but he was tired of being overlooked.
“Don’t I get an intro Red?”
“Oh yeah, this is Spike.” Willow tried not to stammer as Spike gazed heatedly at her.
“You’ll want to avoid him as much as possible.” Buffy quipped as she moved closer to Mulder “Hey I’m Buffy, your name is Mulder?”
“Fox Mulder. But I even made my parents call me Mulder.” He shook her hand
“Hey good grip.”
“I work out.” Buffy gave a little laugh that made most there give her a look, it was her flirting laugh.
“Hi, Spike is it?” Mulder held out his hand to the dangerous looking blonde guy. Spike stared at the hand in distaste.
“Yeah.”
“So what’s new with you?” Willow hurriedly filled the tension stressed silence.
“The last time I heard from you, you were assigned to a weird guy checking out even weirder stuff.”
“Weird guy?” Mulder looked askance at Scully, who had the grace to look embarrassed.
“I believe my exact words were eccentric pariah.” She amended glaring at a sheepish Willow. “Mulder and I are assigned to something called the X files, it has to do with unexplained phenomenon, that’s why he came with me; apparently this part of California has some rather strange occurrences. Disappearances, energy signatures, odd witness reports, and Mulder is something of a fanatic.”
“Expert.” He corrected giving Willow a beaming smile
“Unexplained phenomenon?” Dawn said weakly
Scully smiled “Aliens, mutants, virus’ from another planet, UFO’s, the Jersey Devil, Incubi, Succubae, magic, voodoo, beasts and of course Vampires.”
“W-who did you say you worked for?” Giles asked uneasily
“The FBI.”
Every member of the Scooby gang picked up the book nearest to them and surreptitiously dropped it on the floor, kicking it under the table.
“R-really, h-how fascinating.” Giles began furiously cleaning his glasses.
Willow swallowed hard.
“Not that Scully actually believes in any of that stuff.” Mulder added with a sigh “How about you Willow you believe in monsters and Vampires?”
Willow had a short burst of hysterical laughter “Um… I don’t know.”
“Oh c’mon Red,” Spike leered at her “Don’t cha believe in Vampires?” he licked his teeth.
“Hey, maybe I should get you guys settled in at home.” Willow’s voice was wavering at the look in Spike’s eyes and that devilish grin.
“Yeah.” Anya said with a huge fake smile “You should go away now, and maybe come back tomorrow with money.”
Mulder shot her an odd look before Willow grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the shop.
~Part: 4~
Rosenberg residence
Willow sat on her parent’s bed watching her Aunt unpack.
“So Willow what’s with that Buffy girl? Is she your best friend?”
“She used to be.” Willow said picking at the quilt “But recently she’s more interested in Riley, not that I mind that, I like Riley.” She hastened to add.
“What about Xander?” Scully put her tailored suit on the hanger. Hopefully she could just wear t-shirt and jeans on this vacation. She knew Mulder was in the guest room changing right now, he hated his suit and tie.
“Not so much, he’s with Anya.”
“The outspoken girl.”
“That’s the one.” Willow grinned “And she was being restrained. Giles is pretty cool, he’s like our dad.”
“Giles?” Scully frowned “That name is so familiar. Didn’t your old high school librarian used to be called that?”
“Yeah Giles was upset when the High school blew up but he loves his new job.”
Scully eyed her curiously “You all hang out with your high school librarian? That’s a law suit waiting to happen. And kinda gross.”
“Dana!” Willow was scandalised until she saw he teasing glint in her Aunt’s face “Giles is way too honourable and…and… sweet and stuffy for that. No he kinda took us under his wing; none of us had particularly great parents.” Willow looked sadly to her parents’ bureau where there was a picture of her parents on the stand.
“I don’t know what Sheila was thinking, leaving such a precious child at home.” Scully sat next to her “She was always the most independent when we were growing up. Maybe some of Dad’s military training and parenting took hold.”
“It’s ok.” Willow shrugged “I have my friends.”
“Like that Spike?” Scully had seen the way he looked at Willow.
“Spike? What- how- whe- well. He’s kind of a friend, sort of.” Willow felt her self blush furiously.
“You like him?” Scully loved this; she hadn’t had a proper girlie chat in years, not since before Missy died. Although she was able to talk about anything with Mulder it just wasn’t the same.
“I do.” Willow confessed painfully “But he doesn’t see me as anything other than this annoying kid.”
“Kid?” Scully grinned “He’s what, barely 26, that’s only seven years younger Willow.”
*Give or take a century and a half* Willow thought
“Spill!” Scully said as she flopped on the bed
“When I was getting over Oz, Spike was totally there for me, but then it was like he couldn’t stand to be in the same room as me. Now he’s as mean to me as he is to Xander and he *hates* Xander.” Willow pouted
“Guys in Sunnydale have really weird names.” Scully observed randomly.
“Don’t they just.” Willow giggled; her aunt had the same random thoughts as she did.
“Willow?” they both looked up to see Mulder standing in the doorway. He was wearing jeans and a tight fit t-shirt.
“Yes sir?”
He grinned “Call me Mulder. I was wondering what you thought of the Magic Box, do you think all that stuff is real or just for wacko’s?”
“Mulder.” Scully began tiredly “Can’t it wait; this is my first real vacation in years.”
“I was just curious.” Mulder’s shoulders drooped like a chastised child and Willow felt bad for him.
“I think it might be best for us all to go out tonight.” Willow decided “Hey, we could go to the Bronze.”
“The what?”
“It’s a club, the only one in town and we can have a drink and they usually play decent music there.”
“Sounds like Fun.” Scully said “It’s been a while since I went dancing, you up for it Mulder?”
“Sure!” Mulder grinned at them both.
“I’ll call the guys and they can meet us there.” Willow got up to use the phone.
The Bronze.
The music was pretty good for the Bronze and Willow had no trouble finding a table for them all. She sat with Scully as Mulder went to get them a drink.
“So what’s with you and Mulder?” Willow asked her aunt.
“He’s my partner.” Scully gave her a look that said that that topic was off limits.
“Oh come on. He’s cute and single and-”
“Not talking about me then.” Xander said as he came up behind them “Hey again.”
Anya sat down away from Scully “Shooting people in the Bronze is not allowed.” She announced to Scully, who was taken aback at the tone in the brunette’s voice.
“O-kay.” She looked at Willow who grimaced sheepishly.
“Uh Anya has a thing with government type people.” She said weakly “They make her nervous.”
“Hah!” Anya said glaring at the older woman.
Scully moved her chair away from Anya.
~~~*~~~
Spike watched from the shadows as Buffy and the soldier boy made their way over to the rapidly filling up table. Giles arrived, looking oddly out of place but soon got into conversation with Dana Scully. The tall lanky guy came back and handed Willow a drink and sat next to her causing Spike to growl. He smirked as the Slayer tried to engage him in small talk before her boy toy whisked her off onto the dance floor. Unfortunately that meant that the F.B.I agent was free to talk to Spike’s Red.
He moved closer trying to hear the conversation.
“- so due to liver depletion in the Reticulan galaxy the aliens are said to be grey.”
Spike gaped, what on earth was he talking about?
“So why then are they always portrayed as green?” Xander said
“Maybe the lights from the spaceships they travel in just make them seem green. The fluorescent lighting does add an odd yellow sheen, which could account for it right?” Willow piped up much to Mulder’s glee.
“Please don’t encourage him.” Scully pleaded “You know he actually believes that there are Vampires. Real Vampires that suck blood and demons.”
“We’ve seen some of these things Scully, not everything can be explained with science.”
“But you don’t even stop to consider the scientific explanation anymore Mulder.” Scully sounded exasperated with the same old argument “Ok, there may be things in the world that science cannot explain but that doesn’t follow that everything odd is an X-file.”
“She is quite correct; I have found that although some things do defy explanation, more than half does have a basis in the real world.” Giles backed her up.
“But that still means that there is a percentage that isn’t.”
“Yes, humans do tend to get stuck on this whole real world thing.” Anya said stirring her drink “I always found that they get so bogged down with what might be real they miss the supernatural right under their noses.”
“They?” Mulder picked up on her odd word
“We- we humans because I of course am one.” She smiled sheepishly and then looked at Xander “You promised me that we would dance if I came with you, if we don’t dance I want to go home and have orgasms.”
Scully blushed along with Xander as he finished his drink and grabbed her hand “Lets dance.”
“Is she always so-?” Mulder asked
“She’s behaving.” Willow nodded and drained her cup “I’m getting another drink.”
She got up and walked to the bar.
Spike saw his chance and walked up behind her until he was virtually touching her.
“Nice night?” Willow jumped as his voice vibrated in her ear and she found her self against his body, her back touching his chest.
“Spike! you made me jump.” She swallowed as he moved closer
“I know, I can feel your heart race.” He reached over her and caught the attention of the bartender “What are you having pet?”
“Uh, vodka and orange.”
Spike nodded as the bartender went to get her drink. “Having fun love?”
“It’s okay.” *Better now you’re here.* she thought.
Spike brought his nose to her hair and sniffed gently, closing his eyes as he inhaled her scent. She smelled so nice, like Vanilla and strawberries. He ran a hand down her side and clutched at her hip.
“Why are you avoiding me Willow?”
“I’m not.” She whispered feeling him against her so close. “I thought you were mad at me.”
“Mad?” Spike was surprised “Why?”
Willow twisted until she was facing him, unfortunately that meant that she was flush against his body.
“I don’t know, you just stopped talking to me and stopped looking at me. I figured you were tired of me crying all over you.” She bit her lip and looked down “I’m sorry to be such a pain.”
“No.” he soothed “It wasn’t you love. I just…had myself some of those American issues to work through.” And he had. He had seen her walk away with the F.B.I ponce and it hurt more than he could say. There was no way he was letting some slick, alien obsessed nancy-boy have his Red. It didn’t matter that he was older than her and it didn’t matter if she was still not over the dog boy, it was way past time that Spike staked a claim and told her what was what, ideally that she was his. He needed her like she needed him.
“Issues?”
“I didn’t want to crowd you or make you uncomfortable while you were hurting over dog boy.”
“Crowd me?” she frowned “Why would you be making me uncomfortable?”
“Because of what you do to me and what I want. You weren’t ready to hear it.”
“Hear what?” Willow felt the conversation was going around in circles “What do you want?”
He moved closer and let her feel the effect that she had on him, he took her hand and pressed it to the front of his jeans, she gasped at the evidence “You.” He whispered “I want you. Have for so long now pet, you drive me wild. Just being near you makes me harder than concrete and I knew that it wasn’t time for you to hear that.”
“A-and now?” she squeaked
“You tell me,” he ducked his head to look into her eyes, his gaze burning deeply into hers “What do you feel?”
Willow breathed hard, not quite knowing what he wanted her to say, what did she feel?
“S-Spike, I-”
He didn’t allow her to catch her breath but he swooped down and pressed his lips to hers, caressing her mouth with his soft cool lips, tracing his tongue across the curve of her mouth.
She shuddered with the feeling and Spike drew back, hurt.
“If that’s how you feel.” He started to walk away but Willow still had the presence of mind to grab him and pull him back.
“That was a good shudder.” She told him and he gave a slow lazy smile.
“Really?”
“Oh yeah.” she breathed as he moved closer and kissed her again. This time she sighed and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, running his tongue along the contours of her mouth, mapping out and memorizing the taste. He could kiss her forever. But she did have that annoying human habit of needing to breathe.
“Willow.” he breathed as he kissed his way down her jaw line and under her ear.
“Drink.” She broke away as the bartender interrupted with an apologetic grin and put her glass down, she reached for it and almost threw it back in one go.
“Easy love.” Spike smirked.
Willow took the time to try and get her mind back.
“You kissed me.” Ok it wasn’t the most intelligent thing she could have said but it was at least intelligible.
“I did, and you kissed me back.” He added just so she was caught up.
“I did.” She agreed brightly and looked over to the table to see if they were being missed. Scully was out on the dance floor with Xander and Buffy danced with Mulder. Riley was sitting at the table, glowering at the agent while Anya stirred her drink with a smile.
“You okay Red?” Spike drew her attention back to him.
“I think, yep.” She had no idea what to say to him now.
“Look Red I have had enough of being someone’s second choice. If you don’t or can’t feel that way about me, say so now.” Spike held his unneeded breath as he waited for her to answer.
“I like you, a-a lot and maybe more than like.” she confessed and blushed as he looked at her knowingly. He had the biggest smile on his face, like he had won the lottery.
She hated to dash that but she knew how the others felt about him, Buffy wouldn’t hesitate to stake him if she thought he was making moves on Willow.
“But I don’t know how we-”
Spike placed a finger over her lips “That’s all I need to know for now.” He gave her a lopsided smile “I have a chance, that’s all I need.”
He picked up her drink and took her hand with his free one. They walked hand in hand back to the table.
“Hey mates.” Spike smirked at those left at the table.
“Spike.” Riley said in distaste, he knew he should at least attempt to be nice, considering they were with company, but Mulder and Scully were not there and he had no desire to make small talk with the chipped vampire. Anya simply nodded her head in the blonde’s direction. She had seen Spike and Willow’s intimate embrace and couldn’t hide the slight smile that appeared on her face at seeing them together. Finally, she thought with exasperation. Those two have been half in love with each other for months. She was beginning to get seriously frustrated. But alas, it seemed that Spike finally grew a pair and made a move. It was about time.
~Part: 5~
The music began to fade and couples began to separate as the slow song ended and a faster beat took its place. Spike gave Willow’s hand one last reassuring squeeze before releasing it from his grip and allowing a bored expression to settle on his handsome face. Giles had long since departed as Xander joined the group, Dana following behind him with a relaxed look on her face.
“I have to say, Willow,” commented her aunt as she took a seat next to Riley who was still glaring menacingly at Mulder as the F.B.I. agent danced with his girlfriend. “I haven’t had such a nice night out in quite some time.”
“Really?” the younger redhead asked, slightly shocked.
“Yeah, all work, no play, I’m afraid.” Anya shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the woman’s job but she remained uncharacteristically quiet.
“Well, you’re officially on vacation now, so no worrying about work,” decided the witch with a smile.
“That sounds wonderful,” sighed Scully, “but try to tell Mulder that. He’s obsessed with work. I mean, he was like a kid in a candy store when we arrived at that Magic Shop you were at. You try to get his mind off the X-files.”
“Oh don’t worry,” added a cheery voice. Buffy bounded to the table, grinning as she slipped her arm around the shoulders of her boyfriend. “I’m sure we can find someway to keep him busy.” Riley frowned, he *really* didn’t want Buffy thinking of ways to keep the man entertained.
“Where is he anyway?” interrupted Anya. She may be wary of the guy, but she at least wanted to keep an eye on him.
“He went to get a drink,” informed the petite blonde. She opened her mouth as if to say something but shut her mouth immediately. She listened for a moment before smiling widely and tugging Riley into a standing position. “Come on, Ry, I *love* this song!” she said enthusiastically as she pulled him onto the dance floor.
Spike watched the couple as the blonde practically dragged Soldier Boy onto the floor. He snorted and shook his head slightly, an amused smirk teasing his lips.
“Pathetic, that is,” he declared.
“What?” grumbled Xander. He was having fun and then Fangless just *had* to show up and ruin his evening.
“That,” Spike replied, pointing to the dancing pair. “I mean, the slayer comes calling and he follows like the bloody obedient puppy that he is.”
“Excuse me? What did you say?” asked a confused Mulder as he joined the group at the table. “Did you call her a…a slayer?” Xander glared at Spike as Willow laughed nervously.
“You must have heard something wrong,” she stuttered, attempting to placate the ever curious man. “He didn’t say slayer, did he Aunt D?” she implored. Scully turned to face her niece at the mention of her name.
“Hmmm? Did you say something, hon? Sorry, I kinda spaced out there for a bit.”
“N-No, it was nothing…” she brushed off, hoping they could just forget the topic. Luckily, Xander saved her from any babbling and subsequent embarrassment.
“So, what do you have planned while you visit Wills, here?”
“Oh! I’ve been dying to check some of the sights here!” answered an excited Mulder. “There have been some strange stories I’ve heard about this town. I’ve been looking forward to checking it out. You know, see if I can actually find proof of- I don’t know, vampires, maybe werewolves. Something like that. This place just seems so fascinating! I can’t wai-”
“Mulder!” interrupted an exasperated Scully, her eyes tired and a little annoyed. “Vacation, remember?” she scolded softly. “Just- relax, ok? No searching for the unexplained, no finding trouble.”
Willow watched as the man’s eager expression deflated slightly and felt a pang of sadness for him. He seemed so excited at the opportunity to find proof that such things existed, but he was always told that it wasn’t important, that his interests didn’t really matter. She knew that feeling. That, despite their best intentions, friends often dismissed her interests as either a passing fancy or merely unimportant.
Placing a tiny hand on the brunette’s arm, she smiled indulgently as he shifted to face her, his gaze questioning. Spike’s eyes narrowed at the contact, but he kept his mouth shut, knowing she was just comforting the stranger.
“How about, when Aunt D is relaxing tomorrow, I take you to the Magic Shop? I’m sure you’d love some of the stuff there. And I’m sure Anya would be fine with you’re taking a look around.” She looked at the ex demon beseechingly and the woman forced a friendly smile.
“Of course,” Anya assured him, “but you break it, you bought it,” she warned sternly. His countenance brightened immediately and he looked at the smaller redhead gratefully.
“That sounds great. Besides, I’d love to get to know more about you, Willow. You’re aunt has told me so much about you. She speaks very highly of you.” He placed his hand over her own, which remained on his arm.
“That sounds nice,” she agreed quickly. “You wouldn’t mind if I spent the day with Mulder, would you Aunt D?” Scully shook her head, a grin on her face.
“Of course not. I need to get settled anyway. Plus I should really catch up on my sleep. I don’t mind. We have other days to spend together.” Willow looked relieved that she wasn’t disappointing her aunt, but she just couldn’t let Mulder spend his time here alone and bored.
“Good, so its settled.” Mulder took a sip of his drink before turning to Willow once again.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked with a boyish grin. She returned his smile, which faltered slightly when she heard the slight rumble of Spike’s growling.
“Um, actually, I’m kinda tired,” she confessed, “I think I’m gonna head home. Did you want to go, Dana?” Her aunt looked to her partner, seeing that he still had a lot of energy to work off. She shook her head.
“No, I think we’ll stay a bit longer. We’ll meet you at your house a little later.” Willow looked hesitant but Xander broke into her mental debates.
“Don’t worry Wills,” he told her, “We’ll make sure they get back in one piece.” She smiled, glad that her friend was willing to watch out for her family. She knew her aunt could take care of herself, but she worried about her safety on the hellmouth. She went to gather her things and was surprised when she realized Spike had already grabbed her purse and jacket for her.
“Come on, love,” he said quietly, holding out her coat so she could slip it on. “I’ll walk ya home,” he announced, letting Xander know that the witch had an escort. She granted him a small smile and allowed him to lead out of the club.
Scully looked on with a knowing gleam in her eye. Her niece and that Spike guy had such an obvious attraction, she was almost jealous. It had been so long since she had the feeling, herself. At times she thought that she and Mulder had some sort of connection, but she wasn’t quite sure. He was so imaginative, very much a dreamer. Whereas she was very much a realist. She was logical and scientific and always wanted answers. He seemed so willing to believe in things that couldn’t possibly exist. Vampires, she scoffed to herself, none of that existed. But still, he stirred up feelings inside her that she wasn’t sure she was ready to acknowledge. Shaking herself, she returned her focus to the small group congregated at the table.
She frowned when she saw that Xander was no longer sitting there. She searched the club, finally finding the boy dancing slowly with his girlfriend. Next to the couple, Buffy and Riley each swayed to the soothing beat. Dana sighed and looked down at the table. She was surprised when she felt a hesitant hand on her shoulder. She shifted in her chair, seeing Mulder standing behind her, his head cocked slightly to the side.
“Dance?” he asked shyly. She considered his request for a moment before taking his offered hand and joining the others on the floor. She melted into his loose embrace, allowing the music to wash away any thoughts that still plagued her as she surrendered to the rhythmic beats.
~~~*~~~
“So…” drawled Spike as he and his redhead walked slowly to her home. “You’re gonna spend the day with that poof?” he mumbled, obviously not happy about how she planned to spend her day.
“Well, yeah,” she answered, confused as to why that seemed to bother him. “He’s lonely and doesn’t really know anyone in town. I just didn’t want him to feel left out.”
“So that’s it? Just feeling sorry for the bloke?” he questioned slowly.
“Yeah, he needs a friend here. Why, does that bother you?”
“Doesn’t bother me,” he countered defensively. “It’s just…you two look all comfy together,” he muttered sullenly.
“Spike, I don’t even know him,” she argued, pulling him to a stop as they stood outside her house. “Besides, I think he likes my aunt,” she added with a sly grin. Spike smiled reluctantly. He just couldn’t help it, her mood was contagious.
“Good to know,” he replied, reaching for her and enveloping her in his arms. “Just got ya, don’t feel like sharing you yet,” he said, placing a kiss on her head. He could feel her lips curl into a grin against his shoulder. No matter the kinds of problems their relationship could cause, she couldn’t let this opportunity pass her by. It just felt so…right.
~Part: 6~
The Magic Box
“Anya?” called Willow as she led Mulder into the familiar shop. It was late morning by now and while she was very much a morning person, she knew he wished to rest a bit while he and her aunt were away from D.C. So Willow waited patiently during the early morning hours, deciding to prepare breakfast for the three of them before they stirred. Both Scully and Mulder came downstairs around ten, after showering and dressing for the day. They ate a nice breakfast, she and her aunt talking quietly about family while Mulder remained contently silent. When that was finished and the kitchen was clean, Willow left Dana to rest as she escorted her partner to the shop. She could see he was getting antsy just sitting at home so she was glad to show him around.
On the way through the streets of downtown, they spoke a little. Mostly about each other, Mulder decided to forego his usual conversations involving his theories on the supernatural, knowing they were heading to a magic shop. There would be enough time for that in time. He was so looking forward to their day; that place just looked so interesting.
Willow smiled as she saw the ex demon pop out from behind the storage room door. Anya gave her best smile, trying her best to not arouse the F.B.I. agent’s suspicions. After all she may have spent over a thousand years as a demon, but she was human now. He wouldn’t hurt her, well, she hoped he wouldn’t. Besides, as nervous as he made her, he seemed like the curious type. He didn’t seem really hostile. She reluctantly had to admit that she kinda liked him. She greeted Willow with a genuine smile. It had taken awhile for her to realize that the redhead was no threat to her relationship with Xander. She knew that for the longest time Willow was in love with Xander, that alone made her nervous around her. But after spending time with her, she understood that the witch only felt a platonic love for her best friend now. Besides, after seeing how she felt about Spike, Anya knew any romantic feelings for her boyfriend were long gone.
“Willow, Mulder,” she welcomed them, closing the door she stood by and taking her place behind the counter. Willow turned to speak with the man, but noticed he was no longer by her side. She shifted, searching the store for her companion, finding him looking intently through a book of spells. She walked to him, looking over his shoulder to study the book in front of him.
“This is…amazing,” he muttered as he skimmed through the pages. She smiled at his comment, personally having to agree with him. It was absolutely wondrous what one could do with magic. “The things one could do…anything, I suppose…”
The witch left his side, knowing he would be content to spend hours looking through all the obscure items and literature in the store. Mulder took a seat next to a bookcase, searching the titles, finding various ones he was eager to read.
Walking to join Anya at the counter, she saw the hint of apprehension in her friend.
“He won’t cause any trouble,” she informed her softly, glancing again to Mulder. “I promise you. He’s just curious. He’s not suspicious or anything.”
“I believe you,” Anya replied. “I just can’t help it,” she added with a sheepish smile. She leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Try to get him to buy something. This isn’t a library after all.”
Laughing sharply at Anya’s blunt request she turned away from the former demon, looking for something, or someone, truthfully.
“Where’s Giles? Isn’t he working today?”
“He’s in the back, doing the books. I keep telling him we’re being charged too much for the inventory but he wouldn’t listen. I think he got tired of hearing me talk so he went back there to hide.”
“Poor Giles,” she said sympathetically as she leaned back against the counter. “Is he-” she started but the banging of a door and muffled curses could be heard heading to the front of the store.
“Bloody imbecile,” the watcher grumbled, ignoring the questioning looks on the women’s faces, Mulder too involved in his reading to care. “Nitwit, trying to give me a bleeding heartache I tell you.”
“Was not!” argued another distinct British voice as the two men entered the open part of the store. “Can’t help it if you’re deaf, Rupert. Made enough noise back there, should ‘ave heard me,” Spike added with a satisfied smirk, loving that he actually frightened the old git.
“Excuse me! You’re not even supposed to be here! You’re a vam-”
“Giles!” Willow shouted suddenly, stopping the former librarian from finishing his sentence. “No talking about Spike’s…condition…with company,” she whispered harshly, pointing quickly to Mulder who remained oblivious.
“Yeah, Rupes. No sharing all our secrets with the prat.”
“Spike!” the witch chastised the vampire, who ducked his head slightly and shut his mouth. Giles watched Spike’s reaction to Willow’s reprimand with interest. It amazed him when the loud vampire merely remained silent and looked a bit guilty, only a bit, but still it was there. Shrugging, he went back to his task, joining Anya at the cash register to see what their count was for the previous night.
Seeing that Giles was distracted, Willow went to Spike’s side, pulling him into a nearby corner. Anya tried to see what they were doing, but their angle made it hard for her to see anything.
“What *are* you doing here?” she asked quietly, making sure not to draw any attention to them. Spike simply smiled rakishly in return and pulled her closer, his arm finding its way around her waist.
“Just dropping by…got bored,” he answered nonchalantly.
“At eleven-thirty in the morning?” she inquired raising a skeptical eyebrow.
“Uh, well…I couldn’t sleep?” he tried, but her look didn’t change. “Oh sod it, I didn’t fancy you spending all day with that prig,” he whined with a cross look on his face. She sighed but couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto her face.
“He’s not a-a prig,” she argued, laughing a bit at his pouting. “He’s very nice, sweet even. A little obsessive, but he’s got a good heart-”
Spike cut her off with a hard kiss, unwilling to listen to any further praise of that government git. He felt her tense a bit but immediately relaxed into his embrace. In the back of her mind, she heard a bell, signaling that the shop had another customer. That caused her to remember their surroundings.
Reluctantly she gently pushed him away, taking in deep breaths of air. He smiled smugly at her dazed expression. He leaned down, nipping at her bottom lip before pushing himself away from the wall he was leaning on and sauntering through the store, taking a seat across from Mulder. Willow shook herself and hurried over to the two men, worried about how Spike may act with Mulder around.
Anya finished ringing up the woman who had walked in and barely repressed a smile as she caught a look of Willow’s flushed face as she joined Spike and Mulder.
“This is all so utterly fascinating,” commented the agent as he read one of Giles’ demonology codexes. Spike rolled his eyes and snorted. Willow ignored him as she leaned closer to the man to see what he was reading. It was a passage about werewolves and the redhead found herself smiling wistfully.
“Isn’t it?” she remarked with a grin as she took a seat next to him. Spike’s eyes narrowed as she was practically glued to the brunette’s side. Mulder turned to her, face lit up with enthusiasm. She smiled indulgently and squeezed his hand, trying to relay her understanding. She remembered what it was like when she first learned about things that go bump in the night. It was all so surprising, so unexpected really. Now it was second nature. She spent more time researching about demons than she did for her schoolwork. She completely understood that feeling of absolute amazement at knowing that there was so much more to their world.
Spike continued to glare at the man, feeling a twinge of pain from the chip going off as he imagined the many ways he could torture the pansy. Willow saw him flinch from the corner of her eye and frowned. Releasing her hold on Mulder’s hand, she stood; she brushed past Spike, allowing her fingertips to graze his cheekbone as she walked by to stand with Anya. He couldn’t stop the hint of a smile at her gesture and he leaned back in his chair, watching her help demon girl with customers, totally ignoring the man next to him in favor of studying his witch.
~Part: 7~
Rosenberg residence
Dana rested comfortably with her feet propped up on the ottoman in front of the couch. Mulder and Willow had left about an hour ago, it was close to noon by now, and she was absolutely content to do nothing at all. Shifting slightly, she stretched for the remote to the television but halted when she heard a knock at the front door. Shrugging, she stood and looked through the peephole. A smile crossed her face as she swung open the door and greeted the familiar face.
“Xander,” she said with a grin, “Come on in,” she ushered him inside and he followed readily. They each took a seat on the couch and the redhead turned to face him. “So, what brings my second favorite Sunnydale resident to the house this afternoon?”
“Felt like playing catch up,” he answered with that goofy smile she’d always remember. “It’s been a long time since you’ve paid me and Wills a visit.”
“Yeah, sorry ‘bout that,” she said with a frown. “I’ve been ridiculously busy, but that’s no excuse. I should have stopped by more often, especially knowing how my sister just leaves the poor girl all on her own.”
“Hey now, Wills has got me. She doesn’t need anyone else,” he added with a smug expression.
“So she has. I’m glad for that. You always were the sweetest little boy. I remember when Willow started school and she came home and told me all about her new bestest friend, Xander. I always wondered what kind of name that was, Xander? Little did I know she called you that just because she couldn’t pronounce ‘Alexander’.” He smiled, remembering the moment they met fondly.
“She was one cute kid, wasn’t she?” he said with a small laugh. He sighed and shook his head. “So, how is Sunnydale treating you, Aunt D?”
“Uh, Xander, you do know you’re not ten anymore. You don’t have to call me Aunt D. Call me Dana, really.” He smiled sheepishly.
“Sorry, force of habit,” he admitted.
“I have had a nice time so far. This town does seem a bit…unique, though. But overall it’s pleasant, almost quaint.” He bit his cheek, barely suppressing the urge to tell her how wrong she was. “Everyone I’ve met were quite friendly. Although I must admit, Buffy does seem a bit, um…shallow? And that girl, Anya, she’s…different,” she stopped herself when she remembered that the girl was Xander’s girlfriend, “in a good way, of course,” she amended.
He dismissed her statement, knowing exactly how trying Anya could be, especially to someone who wasn’t used to her…eccentricities.
“She is something else,” he agreed, “but I love her, strange quirks and all. And while we’re on the subject of ‘different’ people, what about your partner?”
“What about him?” Scully asked, looking honestly confused.
“Are you guys together? I mean, you two make a cute couple and all, but he doesn’t exactly seem like your type.”
“No!” she replied emphatically. “No, we *aren’t* together. He’s a great guy, don’t get me wrong, but he and I would never work out. He’s a little too…unconventional for my tastes.”
“Unconventional, how?”
“He and I are just too different to be anything more than friends. We wouldn’t mesh. Only badness could come from that,” she decided.
“Ah, but you know what they say. We always fall for the one’s who are bad for us.”
“Is that so?” she questioned with an amused grin, “and Anya is bad for you?”
“Trust me,” he said with a snort, “you have no idea.”
“Anyway, Mulder is more like the little brother type, you know. Eager, always asking questions, follows me around. He’s sweet really, and he means well. But no, we are not, nor will we ever be a couple.”
“I don’t know, never say never,” he added with a sly grin. She rolled her eyes and slapped his arm lightly. He laughed, amazed at how much she really reminded him of his Wills.
“Well, Buffy sure seemed to like him,” she grumbled and he quirked an inquisitive eyebrow.
“Do I detect a hint of jealousy?” he prodded.
“Not at all,” she replied, glaring at the boy. “I’m just saying, she’s dating that Riley guy, isn’t she? So why is she all over Mulder?”
“That’s Buffy,” he shrugged. “She’s great, but she has the tendency to need to be the center of attention. She can’t help it, really. She doesn’t mean anything by it.”
“I guess I feel bad for Riley, I know what it feels like to be jerked around like that. If you’re with someone, you shouldn’t just hit on another guy with your boyfriend standing right there. It doesn’t seem right, that’s all.” He nodded, completely agreeing.
“Well, moving on,” he said determinedly, “I didn’t come here to talk about Buffy’s shortcomings.”
“True. Tell me, Xan, how’s Willow really been doing? I know she must have taken her break up with…um, Oz, is it? Well, that must have been hard for her.” He nodded, looking down a little shamefully.
“Yeah, things were kinda bad there for awhile. And we didn’t help the situation very much, I’m afraid. Buffy was wrapped up in Riley, and me with Anya, that we didn’t give her the time to grieve that she really needed. I wasn’t a good friend,” he whispered, honestly ashamed of his actions.
“Hey now, I’m sure it wasn’t that bad,” Scully added, trying to make him feel a little better.
“No, it was bad. I mean, she tried everything she could to make herself feel better. But all she needed was for us to listen to her and we didn’t even do that. In fact, we pushed her to just get over it. Wills always was there for us, when Cordy and I split, when Angel left Buffy, and we weren’t there for her at all. All in all, not my proudest of moments.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Alexander Harris we all know and love. What happened?” He looked down, his hands intertwined.
“When we all graduated, things were just different. Buffy and Wills went off to school, but I didn’t. So I found myself spending most of my time either working various crappy jobs, or with Anya. Buffy was still kinda grieve-y over Angel’s departure, but then she met Riley. By the time Oz left, we were all in different places. You know, like, we could be in the same room and yet we weren’t ‘together’.”
“That happens,” she replied, totally understanding. “People grow apart. But you’re all together again. And besides, you all weren’t *that* alone, before. Buffy had Riley, you had Anya, and Willow had-”
“No one,” he cut her off sadly.
“-Spike,” she finished. Xander’s head shot up and he looked incredulous.
“Um, no. She didn’t have Spike,” he disagreed, practically spitting out his name. “Trust me, Spike doesn’t care about anyone but himself.”
“I’m not so sure about that. I’ve seen the way he acts. He may seem like the ‘tough-guy’, but he definitely cares about her.”
“No, no, no. Believe me, I’ve known Spike longer than I cared to. He’s not nice, he’s barely tolerable. Wills has a soft spot for him, I think she feels bad for him, but that’s it. And he does *not* care about her. He’s not nice men. It’s not possible,” he replied vehemently.
“Oh, I don’t know. After all, you know what they say,” she murmured with a slight smile. At his questioning and skeptical gaze, she added. “We always fall for the one’s who are bad for us…”
~Part: 8~
Saturday evening
The Magic Box
Spike sighed and his head fell back in the chair he was resting in. He was so bored. He came to keep an eye on his witch but this little visit was turning out to be horribly dull. Sure, it had been amusing watching the F.B.I. agent look around the shop in shock and awe, but that certainly wasn’t enough to keep his attention. To top that off, the redhead wasn’t paying attention him at all. After their initial ‘talk’, she had spent her time either humoring the brunette or helping Anya with customers. He knew she didn’t want to raise any suspicions among the little group about them, but it was annoying. He hated being ignored. And the ex-demon seemed to think his pouting was amusing. Stupid bint.
Willow saw Spike sigh and fidget and bit back a smile. Serves him right, she decided. He spent most of his day insulting Mulder and trying to touch her anytime he could. She didn’t really have a problem with the touching part, but Giles and Anya were there and she wasn’t ready to deal with the problems that would be caused by their relationship. If they really had a relationship, she still wasn’t too clear on that.
“Hey,” she said as she placed a hand of Mulder’s shoulder. “I’m kinda beat, so I think I’m going to go back home. Did you want to come with me?” The man smiled gratefully but shook his head.
“If you don’t mind, I wanted to stay here a bit longer. I might go back to that club we were at last night. I’m just not ready to stay in yet.”
“That’s fine,” she replied, happy that he was so comfortable here. “I’ll see you when you get back.” Grabbing her purse, she called a quick goodbye to the gang and walked outside and into the cool night air. She had barely walked a few feet from the store when she heard someone shouting for her.
“Red!” called Spike as he jogged to meet up with her. “Wait up, pet.” She stopped and smiled when he reached for her hand and they resumed the walk to her home.
“What’s the matter, Spike?” she drawled, looking at him with innocent eyes. “Getting a bit stir crazy in there?” He growled and she giggled.
“Bloody boring!” he groaned.
“Well Mulder found it absolutely fascinating,” she said with a grin.
“Yeah, didn’t take much to impress the nancy-boy,” he said with a snort. He flinched when he felt her elbow hit him sharply in the stomach. “Bloody hell, love. What’s with the violence tonight?”
“Leave him alone,” she warned, pointing her finger in his face.
“Yeah, yeah, no more picking on the poof,” he groaned. She glared at him and he held his hand up in defense, “I promise,” he swore and she finally let up. They continued the rest of the walk in silence, Willow leaning closer to his body as they held hands.
She was almost disappointed when she saw her house only a few feet away. They climbed the steps to her porch and remained just outside the door. The lights were off in the house, at least in the living room since she was pretty sure her aunt was still there. Willow looked from Spike to the door and back.
He began walking her backwards until her back hit the building, her back resting on the wall to the right of the front door. Biting her lip, the witch kept her head down, only looking up at him with her eyes. His icy fingers trailed her jaw and neck before he leaned down and placed the softest of kisses on her waiting lips.
Willow’s fingers found their way into his hair, teasing the locks that brushed against his neck as she relaxed into his embrace. Spike wasn’t willing to release her just yet, deepening their passionate kiss and holding her even closer. He finally had everything he wanted. Well, not everything, but it was getting there.
Neither registered the sound of the opening of the front door or the amused eyes that watched the couple together. The elder redhead waited patiently for her presence to be acknowledged, knowing they had to break apart soon. She barely contained a smile as Spike pulled away, a dazed look across his handsome face, Willow panting from lack from oxygen.
“I was wondering when you two were gonna give it a rest. I was beginning to wonder how you could possibly breathe, Willow,” commented Scully contritely. The blonde and redhead turned their heads to see who it was that interrupted them. Willow couldn’t help but turn bright red as her head fell to his chest, trying to minimize her embarrassment at getting caught making out with Spike.
Spike simply smirked, “Didn’t hear the girl complainin’,” he responded with a raised eyebrow.
“Don’t think she could really talk,” countered Scully with a grin, liking this guy even more. “Her tongue seemed a bit busy at the time.”
“Aunt D!” screeched the hacker.
“What?” she asked innocently. “I was just getting so tired of sitting alone in this house all evening and I heard you get back. I was *going* to wait for you to come inside, but you were taking *so* long. I just thought I’d see what was keeping you. If I knew you were with Studly, here, I wouldn’t have bothered you.”
“Yeah, well, now ya know,” interrupted Spike, “so if you don’t mind?” he prompted, turning his attention back to Willow. She smacked his arm and pushed him away.
“Spike! Not now!” he smirked and bent for a quick goodbye kiss before giving Scully a nod and bounding off the porch and to his crypt.
“So…” started Dana as she led Willow inside, “he’s just a friend, huh?”
“Uh, yeah?” tried Willow, with a squeak in her voice.
“Mmmm hmmm, try again,” answered her aunt dryly as they took a seat on her bed upstairs. “I think it’s cute,” she whispered, trying to get her niece to loosen up.
“It’s complicated,” the younger girl stated. “I mean, Spike, he’s not exactly the complicated part. It’s more everybody else. Seriously Aunt D, you can’t tell them. They’d freak if they found out we were friends, let alone anything else.”
“I understand completely. That’s kinda the vibe I got from Xander today.”
“Xander? When did you talk with Xander?”
“Oh, he came by this afternoon, just to say hi. We were talking for awhile and eventually the subject turned to you and well, when I even suggested that you and Spike were friends he flipped. Told me that Spike wasn’t a nice guy and that you and he would never be friends. I let it drop after that. But I get the impression that everybody really doesn’t like him. So why does he spend all his time with people that can’t stand him? And by the looks of it, he’s not fond of them, either.”
“Uh, yeah, that’s another reason it’s so complicated. Now, Dawn really likes Spike, he’s like an older brother to her, and Anya is pretty cool with him, and well, you know that *I* like him. Giles tolerates him I think. But Xander, Buffy, Riley don’t like him at all. There’s a lot of history between them that I can’t get into. But as for why Spike still hangs out with us, I think he likes to drive them crazy. And he watches over Dawn, too.”
“He doesn’t sound so bad. Besides, he likes you so he obviously has good taste.” Willow nodded but silently questioned her aunt’s statement. After all, Spike did spend over a century in love with a total nutcase.
“Now,” added Dana seriously, “I have something to ask you and it’s very important, so think about the answer carefully.” Willow looked a bit wary.
“Um, okay. Shoot.”
“So…is Spike a really good kisser?!”
~Part: 9~
Sunday Afternoon
Rosenberg Residence
The sound of banging pots greeted Willow as she entered the kitchen. Mulder smiled at the smaller redhead and continued what he was doing. It was just past noon and she was a late riser that morning. She and her aunt spent most of the night discussing Spike and his attributes. She had been shocked when she saw the clock in her bedroom read three in the morning. So she allowed herself one morning of undisturbed rest to make up for the serious lack of sleep she was plagued by.
“Whatcha doing?” asked the witch as she walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a small bottle of water.
“Well, since you and Scully were lazy this morning,” he replied with an amused grin, “I made breakfast for myself and did the dishes. Just putting them away now.”
“You don’t have to,” she interrupted with a frown. “You are a guest after all. Let me do the housework.”
“Nah, this is the first time in a long time that I’ve been able to enjoy doing mundane chores. Sad, isn’t it?” She chuckled and patted him on the back.
“Well, if you ever feel the sudden inspiration to say…vacuum or mop, feel free.” He laughed and put the last of the dishes away. “So what are your plans for the day?”
“I’m not sure. I probably should spend some time with Scully, since she was alone all of yesterday. But I’m not sure what we could do.”
“Wow, I don’t know. Sunnydale isn’t exactly known for its tourist attractions. Failsafe, there’s always the zoo,” she suggested, “oh, but stay away from the hyenas. Bad experiences,” she advised as she remembered hyena-possessed Xander. Nobody missed *him*.
“Maybe,” he said with a shrug. “I’ll figure something out. Or maybe your aunt will. We’ll see. What are your plans for the day?”
“Nothing in particular. I should do some studying for my psych class, but other than that I’ve got nothing planned. I will probably meet up with some of the gang later at the Magic Box. Why don’t you two meet us there tonight, say around five or six? You should be finished with the touristy thing by then.”
“Sure, that sounds fine,” he agreed. She glanced at her watch, never realizing how much time she had spent talking with him.
“Could you tell Aunt D goodbye for me? I hate to run but I have some errands to run and they’re kind of important.”
“No problem,” he answered with a reassuring grin. “Go, have a nice day.” She waved as she left, locking the front door behind her.
~~~*~~~
Shifting nervously, Willow held her purse tighter as she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She just hated going in here, this was Buffy’s kind of place, definitely not Willow friendly. But unfortunately, being the kind soul that she is, the redhead had promised to run Buffy’s errands this week. That included her trip to pick up Spike’s blood. And what better place to get it than Willy’s.
It was still daytime, so that lessened the chance of running into any vampires, but there would still be demons in there and she was by her lonesome. Luckily, she had built up a rapport with Willy by now and while he wasn’t exactly strong, or even brave for the matter, he watched out for her.
She attempted to stride into the bar with confidence, amazingly her step never faltered. She granted the bartender a shaky smile as she consciously ignored the few demons that watched her with a curious and slightly predatory eye.
“Heya Doll-face. What can I get ya on this fine day?”
“The usual, Willy.” When he simply nodded but failed to move to get what she asked for she broke in again, “And Buffy sends her regards.” He laughed nervously and finally returned his attention to her order, going into the backroom.
“There ya go, Red,” he said, placing a marginally heavy bag in front of her. “That all for you?” She nodded and handed him the cash Buffy gave her earlier in the week. “Tell the slayer I said hi.”
She gave him a weird look, quirking one eyebrow, “Sure, Willy. I’m sure she’ll be so happy she’s heard from you,” she added sarcastically as she walked out the door and into the sunlight.
“Well,” she said to herself with a relieved sigh, “that was surprisingly painless.”
~~~*~~~
Adjusting her awkward hold on the bag she was carrying, Willow tried to knock on the crypt door. When she didn’t hear any movement from inside, she knocked again, louder this time. When there was still no answer, she pushed the door open as best as she could.
“Spike?” she called, her voice raised. A displeased growl caused her to turn around to face the altar.
“Bloody hell, can’t a vamp get a decent day’s sleep without one of you sodding Scoobies banging on me crypt?” he grumbled as he slowly stood, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands.
“Sorry,” the witch apologized softly at his tone voice, blushing slightly at the sight of a shirtless Spike. “J-Just came by to drop off your blood. I’ll go, s-sorry for waking you.”
“Red?” he asked sleepily. “Oh, sorry love. Didn’t know it was you. Usually it’s the bloody slayer and the watcher prat. I’ll take that,” he said, gesturing to her bag. She handed it to him and watched as he placed it in the corner by his duster and then slipped on a shirt.
“Didn’t mean to wake you,” she told him as she hopped up onto the altar. “Sorta just forgot this is your bedtime. Besides, I don’t exactly know your feeding schedule…”
“Make me sound like your bloody pet,” he mumbled as he pushed her legs apart as they dangled over the edge of the altar and stepped in between them.
“Pet?” she questioned with a grimace, “Nah, don’t want a pet. Had fish but that ended badly. Oh! I had a puppy once…sort of. But you really wouldn’t like that story.”
“A puppy, love? What so horrible ‘bout that?” he asked, idly playing with the ends of her hair.
“Well, it was the vampire me, and he wasn’t so much a puppy as well…Angel…” she mumbled.
“Vampire you?” he asked incredulously. “When were you a vamp—and what do you mean Angel?!” he growled.
“You never heard?” she sounded surprised but her only answer was an impatient growl. “Guess not. It’s all Anya’s fault really. When she first came here she asked me to help her do a spell, to find her necklace she lost. I didn’t know it was some demonic power source! Anyway, she and I accidentally released the evil vampire me from an alternate dimension. She was really into the leather and kinda skanky. She was the Master’s childe and Angel was her puppy. And I think Xander was her mate. We ended up sending her back to her own world, but not before she established herself as master and terrorized the Bronze. Very creepy. Never did find out what happened to her, don’t really want to know…” she rambled.
“O-kay…” he drawled, trying to take it all in. “You know, ducks, I get all the rest, but Xapper? Why the hell would you pick that git as your mate?” he shook his head in confusion. She snorted in amusement.
“You’re fine with everything else, but *that* bothers you? Figures,” she said with a roll of her eyes. He growled playfully and nipped at her bottom lip.
“What can I say?” he replied conversationally, “Other than that, she sounded bloody marvelous.”
“Trust me, she was not. And that outfit! I couldn’t breathe!” He chuckled.
“Don’t think she really had to worry ‘bout breathing, pet.” She nodded absently.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“I’m always right, Red. Get used to it,” she swatted at him playfully. He caught her hand and moved a little closer. He nuzzled her neck and was completely content. She sighed and forced herself to check her watch. It was nearly two and she still had some work to do for the day. But she really didn’t want to leave Spike just yet.
“I should go,” she told him regretfully. He pulled back, giving her his best ‘puppy eyes’. She smiled and dropped a small kiss on his lips.
“Stay?” he pleaded, hating the idea of her leaving him all alone for the rest of the day, knowing he couldn’t follow her out into the sun. All he wanted was for her to spend the day with him.
And she did.
~Part: 10~
Sunday Evening
The Magic Box
Buffy tapped her foot impatiently, the only noise in the otherwise quiet atmosphere. Anya worked silently behind the counter, collecting the money from her day’s work and cleaning up after just closing the shop not forty minutes ago. Xander, Giles, Buffy and Dawn all sat at the round table in the center of the store, the adults simply sat there, Dawn was doing her homework. Normally they would be researching but since Scully and Mulder had just arrived, their demonic researching would have to wait.
The slayer wasn’t complaining. Giles was the only one who seemed slightly annoyed at the lack of time he had been spending with his precious books. Xander and she were perfectly fine without quality book time but it certainly made for a really boring time. And Willow still wasn’t there. That surprised her, she had to admit. She knew the redhead was a bit busy, but still, with her aunt visiting, she expected the witch to be there by now.
She absently scanned the shop, seeing Mulder seated next to his partner, who looked increasingly frustrated as their conversation continued, about what Buffy could only guess. It seemed the handsome man was extremely inquisitive, always asking questions. She thought it was kind of cute but poor Scully just looked tired.
It was getting close to six o’clock and the sun had set about twenty minutes ago. Spike was absent as well, not that they missed him. But it seemed that lately the bleach blonde showed up at the shop as soon as he could, content to spend his night insulting them and topping off the night with a bit of demon slaughter. Buffy was in need of something to do, anything would be better than just sitting there doing nothing. She was restless. Looking to her watcher with pleading eyes, he smiled slightly and gave her a nod. She smiled widely and stood.
“Sorry guys, gotta go. Errands to run and everything. Dawnie, I’ll be back in a while to take you home, finish your homework for the weekend, since you decided to wait until the last minute…again…” she added with a stern glare. The teenager rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, Buffy. Because you were so big on actually going to class,” she replied sarcastically. “You shouldn’t be giving *me* lectures on schoolwork.”
“Hey now, Dawn,” broke in Xander in defense of his friend. “We were all really busy in high school. You know how crazy Sunnydale can be, with all the vam—ow!!” he screeched when Giles nonchalantly kicked him in the shin. Scully and Mulder looked at them in confusion. “A-All the very difficult teachers…” he finished with a shaky grin. Buffy glared at him. That was the *best* he could come up with?
“Just behave,” the slayer warned her sister. Dawn sighed dramatically and nodded her agreement. Buffy waved goodbye to the rest of the group and picked up her gym bag containing her standard stakes and crosses, the usual slayer weaponry.
Dana observed the tense group that remained, wondering what had them on edge after that simple little conversation. True, Xander didn’t make a lot of sense, but then again, he never did before. She shrugged to herself and returned her attention to Mulder. Why couldn’t she meet normal people?
Rest-field Cemetery
Spike’s crypt
The pair inside the dusty mausoleum paid no attention to the increasing darkness outside, none of that of any importance to them. Spike lifted the slight redhead into his arms, never once releasing his hold on his lips as he led them to the altar across the room. Laying her down, the witch pulled away, giggling a bit as the cold stone encountered her back. He looked at her questioningly, raising one eyebrow at her amusement.
“Spike,” she told her, humor clouding her voice, “we really need to get you some real furniture. This can’t be comfortable for you.” He shrugged impassively.
“Eh, doesn’t bother me so much. Get used to it after awhile, besides, I’ve been in worse places than this.” She frowned as her fingers grazed his cheekbone.
“Really, though. This isn’t right. You should live someplace nicer.”
“I’m dead, love. Can’t *live* anywhere,” he sighed as she sat up and he took a seat next to her. “Red, its fine. I can’t exactly feel the cold. Besides, got no money. Can’t exactly buy a place with the ten bucks that I lifted off the watcher.”
“You have *no* money?” she asked incredulously. He looked insulted at her tone.
“Didn’t have any need for it,” he defended. “Just came and went, took what I liked. Can’t really do that *now* with this bleeding chip in my head.”
“But you never saved any money? I mean, Spike, you’re gonna live forever. Didn’t you think that storing some money for emergencies would be smart?”
“Demons don’t have use for the stuff.” Seeing her about to argue with him again, he cut her off. “Listen pet, I’ve made it clear that I have no money, can’t change that. So getting a nice, cozy place is out of the question. So unless you ask me to move in with you, I’ll be staying in my crypt. It’s not so bad here, love.” He saw the look on her face, knowing she was seriously considering something. “What?”
“Do…do you want to move in?” He was confused, but then remembered his earlier statement.
“I was just teasing, Red.”
“No, really Spike. I mean, not *now* of course, because Aunt D and Mulder are there, but after…would you want to stay with me? I’d think my house would be a drastic improvement to a graveyard and the company is much more enjoyable.” He smiled at her sincere offer.
“We’ll see, love. We’ll see,” he promised, afraid to tell her yes. Living with her was a wonderful idea in his opinion, but it was just too early. He wasn’t sure if she’d still feel this way about him in a few months, even weeks. Until he was sure, he wouldn’t give her an answer. Shaking away those thoughts, he returned his gaze to the lovely redhead.
“Now,” he said, easily switching topics as he slipped off the altar to stand in front of her. He reached out, pulling her to him so they were both standing, leaning on the stone behind her. “Where were we, hmmm?” She smiled and looked up at him with playful eyes.
He grinned devilishly and moved to cradle her head in one hand, wrapping his other arm possessively around her waist as his lips took hers once again. She sighed into his mouth and he deepened the kiss to her delight.
Spike couldn’t help but shiver as her hands found her way under his t-shirt, slowly caressing the muscles that were hidden beneath. He growled and pulled her closer, unwilling to let this moment end right now.
The couple was bathed in shadows near the far right end of the crypt, their forms becoming increasingly harder to discern as the night went on.
The sound of the door being thrown open harshly broke them apart, Spike turned yellowed eyes to the entrance, angry at the disturbance and ready to kill anyone that came through the door.
“Spike?” demanded an annoyed voice. He groaned at the sound and slipped out of the shadows, Willow sunk deeper into them as the intruder approached. “Ugh, there you are.” Buffy said.
“What the hell do you want, you stupid bint?” he snarled.
“Well I *was* waiting for you to come to the Magic Box so we could go patrol and *someone* didn’t show up.”
“Ah, miss me, slayer?” he replied with obvious disdain.
“Hardly,” she countered. “Come on, let’s go. I don’t have all night,” she ordered, hands on her hips.
“Not tonight,” he told her, crossing his arms across his chest, a slight smirk on his face.
“Excuse me? What do you mean ‘not tonight’?”
“Feeling right knackered, I am. Think I might stay in, rest up,” he replied, trying not to laugh at her outraged face. “Oh, come on Slutty. Haven’t you had a night were you just want to stay home? I’m taking the bloody night off. Besides, with all those soldier boys running around I’m sure there are more than enough people doing your job already. The way you drag me around every night, I’m beginning to wonder how you ever survived without my help. But then again, you had Peaches to order around like a bloody dog. So sod off,” he said, dismissing her.
“I *hate* you,” she ground out through clenched teeth.
“Sticks and stones, pet,” he sing-songed as she spun on her heel and stomped out of his crypt. “You can come on out now, love,” he called to Willow, “the nasty ole slayer is gone.”
“That was mean, Spike,” she reprimanded but the smile on her face ruined her serious image.
“Yeah, but it worked so who bloody well cares?” She laughed as she walked into his embrace.
“But you shouldn’t have mentioned Angel. Now I’m going to have to sit on the phone and listen to Buffy complain about her love life and her never-ending love for Angel.”
“Sorry, pet. But she’ll get over it. And hey, if she doesn’t, even better.” She smacked him and he chuckled, burying his face in her hair. Breathing in her scent, he purred.
“No more talking, Red…” he said softly, lapsing into a comfortable silence.