Pairing: S/W, a little D/Aus
Rating: pg 13
Summary: Spike gets a second chance with someone from his past
Spoilers: A little Season 2
Author's Notes: Spike and Dru are more like brother/sister, they were never together, and Angelus is Spike's sire.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, I promise!
Feedback: I live for it!
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~Part: 1~
Spike rested in a tattered chair, glancing around at his meager surroundings. He was beginning to wonder why he ever let Drusilla talk him into going to the hellmouth. It began a few weeks before, Dru was spinning around in circles, as per usual, talking to her precious doll, and whispering to the stars. She said that they must come to Sunnydale. When they got here, not only did he realize the slayer was here, but so was his soulful sire.
They had only been in town for two days. Other than going to feed, he and Dru spent most of the time indoors. He had just finished taking over as master and they were finally settled in a shabby but decent warehouse. It left a lot to be desired but it would do, for now.
He focused on Drusilla as she waltzed into the spacious room, clutching her doll, Miss Edith, protectively at her side. She had a smile on her face, but this was not her usual smile. For once her eyes were clear of the insanity that had been forced upon her.
"Spike." she said, in a soft, lilting voice. "Miss Edith says we must go out tonight, there are great surprises for us. The stars are whispering such wonderful things to me, psst.psst." she mumbled.
"What are the stars saying luv?" he asked gently as he stood gracefully. She may be crazy, but Dru's visions were almost always right on the money. They took some time to decipher, but they were extremely important.
She smiled and replied, "The stars have a prezzie for you Spike. Shall make you so happy. And when you're happy, the stars say that princess will be happy, and my Angel will come back to me. Then we can all be a happy family, the four of us." she trailed off.
"The four of us?" he questioned, "Who are you talking about?" She giggled.
"Mustn't spoil the surprise. Come ducks, let's go, I can't wait to see your present!"
He smiled at her excitement. It was rare when Dru was truly happy. She didn't usually act so enthusiastic, not since Angelus had left them. Just thinking about the times before his sire was cursed made his mood shift dramatically. They used to have the best of times together.
Darla had left them to go see the Master, and no one complained. The blonde was always a problem, she was never much fun. The four of them would spend their days laughing, and shagging. Their nights would be filled with bloodshed, carnage, and general mayhem, it was great. Angelus and Dru would go off hunting together. What a pair they made, each with their pale complexion and almost black hair, they always were striking together. And while they had their fun, he and his childe would do the same. They too were equally shocking as a couple. He still had his sandy blonde hair and she was dazzling with her blood red hair, and emerald green eyes. No, he couldn't start thinking of her. If he did, he would be in a funk for weeks.
It had been nearly eighty-five years since she had been dusted and he still had a difficult time dealing with his loss. She was his magnificent childe, his only one. But she had been gone for such a long time and he needed to put her in his past, if only for the sake of his sanity.
Drusilla's pouting brought him out of his thoughts and he smirked at her impatience. He took her by the hand and led her out of the warehouse. He allowed her to pull him along once they were outside. She knew where she wanted to go, he was just there for the ride. He took in the scenery as they walked, keeping an eye out for the slayer. He hadn't seen her or his sire at all, but his senses told him they were getting close.
He looked at Dru with a questioning glance when he noticed that she had led them to a local club. There were scantily dressed teenagers all over the place, but since he had already ate, he wasn't impressed.
"What are we doing here pet?" She didn't answer, just grabbed his hand and took him inside.
The music was blaring. It had to be extremely loud to human ears, and with vampire hearing it was excruciating. He scowled, he knew the slayer was really close. His eyes rested on a table off to the side of the dance floor. He saw a petite blonde, obviously the slayer, hanging off a familiar figure. He heard Drusilla growl as the girl placed a kiss on the man's lips. He recognized him as his sire, and understood why Dru was furious. Figures his sire would fall for a slayer, he was always one for self-inflicted punishment.
"Dru, why are we here? I don't think you wanted to spy on Angelus and the slayer," he spat out the last word like a curse. She finally looked away from the disturbing sight of her sire and the slayer. Looking Spike in the eyes, she slowly smiled and let her gaze drift to the dance floor. She followed a couple with her eyes as they exited the dance floor and walked to the table where the slayer and vampire were sitting.
Spike followed her gaze to the couple. The boy was average height, short brown hair, a goofy look upon his face. He couldn't distinguish the girl's features, she was hidden in the shadows. As they reached the table, Spike glanced at Dru as she leaned close to his ear.
"Your surprise luv." she whispered, pointing to the girl who just sat down.
Spike turned to look at the group, not understanding what she was so excited about. The cigarette he had dangling from his lips fell as the girl came into view. A thousand memories came flying back to him as he looked upon the girl's red hair and wide, luminous eyes. Slowly coming out of his shock, he whispered the only word that came to mind.
"Willow."
~Part: 2~
Angel was uneasy tonight. He had learned during his 249 years to pay attention to his instincts, and they told him something was off. He was sitting with Buffy at the Bronze. They had been talking for awhile, while Xander and Willow were dancing.
Willow, now that was an interesting topic. She brought him so many conflicting emotions. On one hand, she was a sweet, innocent girl who went out of her way to help everyone. She didn't have an evil bone in her body. But on the other, she was, in everyway, the replica of his boy, his Spike's, childe. She had the same name, same face, there were no differences. The Willow he had known before also had this small, almost unnoticeable scar by her elbow, and not surprisingly, so did this Willow. When he asked her about it she told him it was from an accident she had falling off a swing when she was five.
He knew they lived on the hellmouth, but this had him worried. When he was still soulless, the four of them, himself, Dru, Spike, and Willow were inseparable. But a little while before he was cursed, they had been visiting a small village in Italy. Spike and he had went hunting and left Dru and Willow on their own. The two women were entertaining themselves in a small tavern. They got hungry and decided to lead two unsuspecting men outside, to their deaths. But before they were done feeding, two men walked in on the scene. He wasn't sure how they knew that they were vampires, but they had stakes and crosses.
Spike had known the minute she died. He and Angelus had been walking down a cobblestone street, laughing about the old days, when a sudden burst of pain flowed through the younger vampire. He toppled to the ground, tears falling at the realization that his love was gone.
When they caught up with Drusilla, the bodies of the two men responsible for Willow's death were laying at her feet. The insane vampiress was shaking from grief. She clung to Angelus and Spike just stared at the dust before him, all that was left of his mate.
Spike needed him more than ever then. He was unnervingly silent for weeks after. He took out his anger and grief on the unsuspecting population. They had to leave Italy before too many people became suspicious about the rash of murders. That's when they went to Romania.
When Angel first arrived here and ran into the redhead, he was shocked to say the least. But this girl was their Willow, just as she was before she was turned. William was rather young when he took a fancy to the girl, but Angelus taught him to take things slowly. He helped his boy mold the girl into his ideal before Spike turned her. This Willow was just like her counterpart from ages ago.
Xander and Willow joined them at their table after their dance. Angel gave the girl a small smile as she sat beside him, he ignored the boy, knowing Xander hated him for being with Buffy. He was prepared to spend a nice evening without any demonic interference, for once, when he got a familiar tingle, alerting him that family was near.
He tensed immediately, his eyes sweeping through the club, looking for any sign of his childer. He caught a glance at bleach blonde hair before it disappeared. He excused himself quickly and left before Buffy could question him.
He ran outside, scanning the surroundings, searching the shadows. He heard a child-like giggle and spun around. His eyes widened as he saw Drusilla. His childe looked absolutely beautiful in the moonlight. She stared at him, an amused grin on her face at his stunned look.
"Drusilla?" he asked as he woke from his stupor. "What are you doing here?"
She walked to him, caressing his face with her hand, "The hellmouth called to me. So many reasons to play here, the slayer, daddy, my niece." Angel froze.
"Niece?" he asked warily.
"Silly daddy," she reprimanded, "you know that our girl is here. Spikey's princess." Oh crap, Spike! Angel had forgotten about Spike.
"Where is he Dru, where's Spike?" he questioned hurriedly. She shook her head.
"Leave your boy alone," she warned. "He's been so sad, so lonely. Since his princess left us. The stars told me to lead Spike to his childe. He won't hurt her my Angel. He misses his lovey, he wants to watch her, protect her."
"But who will protect her from him?"
"She doesn't need protection from him," she growled. "He loves his little tree."
"She's not our Willow, she's mortal Dru. I can't let him kill her," he pleaded. He closed his eyes, desperate for her to understand what he was saying. When he opened them again, she was gone.
He practically ran into the Bronze. He saw that Buffy, Xander, and Willow were still all seated, nothing looked out of the ordinary. So he joined them and acted as nothing had happened. He never saw the blonde that disappeared through the back door.
~Part: 3~
Spike was pacing restlessly inside the abandoned warehouse. He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. His Willow, his long dead childe was here, in Sunnydale. And she was very much alive.
He spent as much time as he could studying her. He only left when he noticed Angel coming back inside. She was as he remembered her when she was still human. So sweet, quiet, and beautiful. He could barely resist the urge to take her then. She was so close, and he had been without her for so long.
He remembered when he first saw her. It was 1899, and the three of them, Dru, Angelus, and himself, were forcing themselves to sit through another boring evening with snobby socialites in Ireland. They had left London shortly after Spike's turning, and Angelus wanted to bring his childer to his homeland.
Spike was waiting for Angelus to finish chatting up some chit he had chosen for his meal. He scanned the lavish surroundings, clearly not impressed with the outward display of elegance. His eyes drifted to a shy redhead he saw mingling with some the other guests. He made his way to her, sauntering over to her with an air of confidence. He caught her eye and smirked as he saw her blush.
He spent that night staving of boredom by talking with this charming girl. It took a lot to impress Spike, but she had him thoroughly interested. She was always polite and considerate. Even when he went out of his way to make her blush, she was never anything but courteous. Even Angelus was taken with her. She was reserved but confident. He had a feeling that his time in Ireland was no longer going to be so unbearable.
He was even amazed when Drusilla announced that she approved of the redhead. Dru was very protective of him, and she never thought anyone was good enough for him. But in this instance, she declared that the stars brought this girl to him, and they were to be family. Spike wanted to turn her as soon as possible, but Angelus convinced him it would be best to have her love him first, it would make the transition easier. And he knew he had to spend eternity with that enchanting creature.
Tonight he was reminded of their first meeting. Seeing his love among the crowd of people, talking pleasantly with her friends, pretty but painfully insecure at the same time. Seeing her again brought back all the pain he felt when she died. The loss he thought could never fade resurfaced. He couldn't let her go now.
Drusilla watched Spike pace, she knew he was so confused, but he was happy. There was a sense of relief in his eyes that had not been there before. She sat a few feet from where he was walking, listening to Miss Edith.
"Spike," he soft voice brought his attention to her. "Daddy isn't happy, he doesn't understand. He thinks he has to protect her, but she was brought back for you, she just doesn't remember yet." He smiled at her ramblings.
"Is it really her ducks? Not just some figment of my imagination?"
She smiled brightly, "No pet, it is your childe, flesh and blood," she said reassuringly. "Things will turn out as they are meant to. You will have your princess back with you and I'll will have my Angel, the stars have promised. They do not lie, William."
"I miss her so much Dru," he admitted quietly. "It's been so long, and I never thought I would have another chance to be with her, short of staking myself. I can't lose her again. I wouldn't survive it."
Drusilla rose from her chair and wrapped her arms comfortingly around her brother. She knew how much pain he was in, he was reliving everything, all the hurt and anger. She still remembered vividly the agony she felt when he niece died. They were always together, like sisters. She blamed herself for a while, for not being fast enough to save her. She killed the two that staked her Willow with brutality that rivaled her sire but it did nothing to make her feel better.
"I promise you my boy," she said, holding him close. "You will have her back. No one will stop you. She was always yours, luv. And she always will be, daddy will come around. She'll remember you, love you, and be with you again. It is meant to be."
~Part: 4~
"I come bearing jelly donuts!" announced Xander as he bounded into the library. Angel rolled his eyes at the boy's actions. He, for one, could care less of Xander showed up at all.
Willow smiled at her best friend and continued her research. There was nothing out of the ordinary going on, but Giles insisted they be prepared.
"Do I really have to be here?" Cordelia whined as she filed her nails, "I mean, there's no new baddies to kill, and I don't see the fun in sitting and doing research on nothing."
Giles exited his office and looked at his charges. While Willow was perfectly content reading the various books he had placed on the table, Buffy and Cordelia looked unusually bored, Xander was engrossed in a comic book while munching on various snack foods, and Angel was brooding, again.
"I suppose you all can go home. And Buffy can go patrol."
"But Giles," the slayer complained, "Why can't Buffy go home too? I'm wiped out Giles, can't I take a night off?" The watcher contemplated her questions.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have one night off Buffy, but you have to extend your patrol tomorrow night, alright?" She quickly agreed.
"Come on Xan, I'll walk you home since Cordy is taking her car home. Angel, would you mind walking Wills home?"
"Of course not," he replied. He helped Willow gather her things. They said their goodbyes to Giles and left the school.
They were walking in companionable silence until they reached her front door. Before she went inside she paused, and faced Angel.
"I'm sorry," she said regretfully.
"About what Willow?" he asked, thoroughly confused.
"That Buffy made you walk me home. I mean, she refuses to believe that I can walk home by myself. I've lived in Sunnydale a lot longer than she has and I'm still alive. Anyway, I'm just sure that you have something you would rather be doing than watching over me," she babbled.
"Will," he interrupted, "I don't mind walking you home. I feel better knowing you're safe, but I know you can take care of yourself." She smiled at his confession.
"Thanks Angel, goodnight," she said as she went inside and closed the door. Angel left her home, and cut through the park to meet up with Buffy at Xander's house. He knew she would be waiting for him there. She didn't have to patrol tonight but she still wanted to stay out, have some quiet time away from home.
He and Buffy left Xander's home and strolled along the empty streets. Things had been quiet as of late so they were simply enjoying the reprieve. Buffy placed her hand on Angel's forearm to stop him in mid-stride. The slayer got the distinct feeling that a very powerful vampire was near. She found the stake she hid in her jacket pocket and gripped it tightly. She looked ahead of her in time to see a menacing figure approach from the darkness.
Angel growled at the sight of the bleach blonde in front of them. Spike would have to show up now, wouldn't he? Buffy noticed Angel tense and glanced at him. He knew this demon. Buffy stood in a fighting stance as the stranger continued to study the two of them.
"Who are you?" she asked after an awkward silence.
"Who do you want to me to be?" he responded with a smirk.
"Right now, I just want you to be dust."
"So unoriginal," he sighed and moved his gaze to Angel. "Why did you ever get involved with this one Angelus?" Buffy's eyes widened at Angel's old name, she knew these two had a past.
"What do you want boy?" Angel asked in a low, authoritative voice.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist sire, I'm not here to kill your girl. I just came for what's mine."
"You're delusional, she's not who you think she is. Leave her alone, or I will kill you myself," he warned.
"Don't make empty threats sire," he replied as he disappeared into the shadows. Angel stood stalk still, waiting to move until he was sure he was gone.
"Angel?" Buffy questioned, "Who was that?" she asked curiously.
"Come on," he responded, tugging on her hand, "We have to go back to the library, now! We'll pick up Willow and Xander on the way."
"Why?" she asked urgently, "What's going on?!"
"I can't tell you now, not yet. We *have* to get the others," he declared, dragging Buffy down the street. Thoroughly bewildered, the slayer allowed her boyfriend to pull her along.
~Part: 5~
Giles waited for the children and the vampire to get settled before asking Angel what was so important. Buffy was beginning to become upset, knowing he was keeping things from her.
Angel glanced wearily at Willow before starting his speech. He decided it would be best to focus solely on Giles.
"Buffy and I ran into someone I used to know tonight."
"Oh stop it Angel," Buffy replied, annoyed that he couldn't get to the point. "He wasn't just some acquaintance, you knew him well. Even I could tell that much. And he kept calling you sire, what was with that?" Giles straightened at her last statement.
"You made him?" he asked. Angel nodded grimly. "Who was it Angel, there were a couple of names in the Watcher's Diaries of your childer. Which one is he?"
"William, he was also called William the Bloody," Giles' blood began to run cold, "But he goes by Spike now." Angel looked at Willow quickly, trying to detect any looks of recognition on her face. There was none, only curiosity.
"Bloody hell." Giles mumbled.
"Why are you so stressed G-man?" asked Xander. "No big deal right, we find, Buffy slays, and then we party, right?" Giles shook his head.
"This vampire, Spike, he's legendary Xander. They call him the slayer of slayers. He's fought two and killed them both. He's known for his brutality. He got his name by torturing his victims with railroad spikes. He's no one to be trifled with." A silence descended over the group.
"He.uh," broke in Buffy, "He said he wasn't after me. That's what he told Angel. He just said he was here to take what was his."
"Is that true?" questioned the librarian as he brought his attention back to Angel.
"Um, yeah, he isn't after Buffy. But he's not opposed to killing her, if she gets in his way."
"What is it he is after? I assume you know what he was talking about." Angel shifted nervously on his feet.
"Can I talk with you privately Rupert?" he pleaded. The watcher looked surprised but agreed and they went into his office.
Willow, Xander, and Buffy were left inside the library. Buffy and Xander were in the middle of a rather boring discussion about the toupee their math teacher wore when Willow decided to go and get something for the three of them to snack on since it seemed they would be here for awhile. She walked into the dark hallway, following a familiar path as she reached the cafeteria where the various vending machines were. She put in her money and waited for her purchases to drop. She froze at a very soft noise, it almost sounded like whispering.
She turned, looking the room over. Shadows covered the entire space, leaving nothing distinguishable. She started when she heard a woman's laugh. She spun around only to come face to face with a woman who she'd never met, but in her soul she felt she knew. She was quite beautiful, with long dark hair in soft curls. Her dress was almost Victorian in nature, and her eyes held a childlike playfulness.
"W-Who are y-you?" she asked timidly. The woman merely smiled.
"Family, my dear," was her response. "I have missed you so poppet."
"I-I'm sorry," Willow replied, "I-I don't know who you a-are."
"But you will." she said cryptically. She placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and began chanting, but the redhead could not make out the words. The strange woman smiled and faded into the shadows.
Willow shook her head, trying to get rid of the weird feeling she had, as she hurriedly grabbed her food and practically ran into the library. She pushed herself through the doors and fell into a chair at the table. Giles and Angel had returned from the watcher's office, Giles looked shocked and extremely worried. Angel was looking only at the floor. Buffy and Xander seemed absolutely oblivious to the tension in the room.
"So," broke in the ever tactless Xander, "let's get researching on our new pal Spike."
Willow was glad she was sitting down, because when Xander finished his sentence, the redhead was bombarded with images she couldn't make heads or tails of. And they all focused on herself, and a man, her William, her Spike.
~Part: 6~
Willow came back to reality when she heard her name being called. She finally looked up, noticing the worried faces of her friends.
"You ok there Wills?" Xander asked, kneeling before her.
"Yeah," she replied softly. She shook her head, trying to get her bearings back. "I'm fine, just.dizzy. Maybe I haven't gotten enough sleep." Xander seemed to accept her answer and he got up and returned to his seat.
"Maybe I should take Willow home," suggested Angel. "It is the middle of the night and she's no good to us tired," he teased playfully. Giles nodded and Willow began to gather her things. Buffy and Xander continued their research on the new, mysterious vampire as the watcher suggested.
"This feels vaguely familiar," said Willow, breaking the deafening silence as they walked to her home. Angel felt the ghost of a smile appear on his face.
"Are you sure you're alright? You looked kind of out of it back there."
"I'm.fine, I don't know. It was weird." She hesitated, not knowing whether to tell him about her strange encounter with the woman in the cafeteria.
"What was weird?" he pressed on. By now they were standing on her porch. She turned to face him, a look of concentration on her face.
"Promise not to tell Buffy, it would worry her," she pleaded. At his nod, she continued, "Well, when I went to get something for all of us to eat, I ran into to.someone. I don't know, I've never seen her before, I know that, but she seemed so familiar. She scared me, but at the same time she tried to be kind, comforting. And she said some things."
"What did she say?" he asked when she stopped, worry beginning to cloud his voice.
"She said we were family, I told her I didn't know who she was, and then she said I would. After that she left." She shrugged; she really didn't have much to go on.
"Will," he asked softly, "what did she look like?" Her brow furrowed, trying to recall what the stranger looked like.
"Well Angel, it was really dark, but I would say that she was probably 5'7", really dark brown hair, in soft curls. She spoke very quietly, she seemed pale. Oh! And she was wearing this long dress, lots of lace. Almost Victorian." Angel's worst fears were confirmed as she described his insane childe.
"You should get inside Will, get some sleep. I'm sure everything is okay," he assured her. She reached for her keys and let herself in, but before she closed her door, she paused.
"Angel." he turned around, halting his retreat, "before she left, I swear I heard chanting. I couldn't make out what she said, though. And I got, I got flashes. I don't know what they were, but I kept seeing people. That woman, you, and some man, none of it makes any sense." Angel didn't know what to tell her.
"I'm sure it was nothing Will, don't worry," he gave her a weak smile and left. She frowned at his answer and went inside, closing the front door. She never saw the couple that made there way from behind the bushes in front of her home and toward her bedroom window.
Spike waited until he knew his sire was gone before speaking.
"What did you do Dru?" he hissed. She smiled.
"I'm making her remember. It will take time, but she will remember it all."
"It's not dangerous; it won't hurt her, right?"
"I would never hurt her," she exclaimed. "I'm just helping my little poppet remember who she is, who she was. Then things will be as they should be." She kissed his cheek and squeezed his hand. "I'll leave you to watch your princess Spike." she drawled as she walked away.
He smiled slightly and watched his redhead as she laid down in her bed, readying herself for sleep; she never noticed the intense blue eyes that watched her every move.
~Part: 7~
"Have they all gone?" asked Angel when he returned to the library. Giles looked up from his book and nodded.
"I sent Buffy to do one last patrol and then she and Xander will go home." He got up from his chair, and placed his book on the counter.
"I must tell you, Angel. I feel that you're keeping something from me. I believe you when you say that this. Spike, is dangerous, but you never gave me and exact reason why he was here in the first place."
Angel sighed, "I know, all right, I'll tell you everything, but I have to ask you not to share this with *anyone*." At the watcher's agreement, he continued. "He isn't after some object, he's after a person. Someone who he mistakenly thinks belongs to him." He paused at Giles' perplexed look.
"Let me tell you a bit about our past, his and mine. About ten, maybe fifteen years after Spike was turned he fell for this girl. The three of us, he, myself, and my other childe Drusilla, had traveled back to Ireland. We went out and ran into this young woman. He was immediately taken, and trust me that is rare with Spike. He and I came up with a plan to separate her from her family, so that she relied only on him. Once that was accomplished, he turned her. She was his only childe, he hasn't even made one since, as I recall. The four of us were together for nineteen years, until one night when some humans got lucky and staked her while she and Dru were feeding. He's never been the same since."
"But what does this have to do with anything?" Giles questioned.
"I'm getting there; Spike had tried to ignore his emotions after that, because it hurt him to even think about her, he loved her that much. A little while later, I got my soul and left him and Drusilla by themselves. This is really the first time I've actually had a conversation with him in almost seventy years. Anyway, he is convinced that a.reincarnation.if you could call it that, of his childe is here, very much alive. I'm guessing Dru is responsible for this because of her visions. She must have told him she was here."
"So," the watcher interrupted, "He is here for a woman who looks just like his dead childe?"
"That's just it Rupert. This girl, she doesn't just look like his childe, she is her exactly. In human form, that is. She has the same mannerisms, the same nature, hell, even the same name! There are no differences. Spike knows she's here and he wants another chance with her, he wants to turn her." Giles nodded gravely.
"So, this girl, she has no idea who he is, of what she means to him. So we have to keep her out of his reach. That might be a bit difficult Angel. Not many people would believe me if I were to tell them that they needed protection from a vampire stalker that believes that she is his long dead childe," he scoffed.
"Not so difficult," Angel countered. "She knows a lot more than you think. Giles, how do I say this.he's after Willow." Giles' jaw dropped, a stunned look entering his eyes.
"No.she can't.we have to.god, I don't know what to do, short of staking him. Does she really have no idea?"
"That's the other problem Rupert, Willow told me tonight that she ran into a strange woman, it was Drusilla, I could tell by her description. Dru is very proficient in magic, Willow heard her chanting something. Then she started getting flashbacks. Dru is giving her memories to her. Soon, she'll know all about Spike, and his past. I want nothing more than to keep her out of this but we won't have much of a choice once she regains her memory. Then who knows what Spike will do."
"So, what do you suggest we do? Should we be straightforward, tell her so we can protect her?" Angel shook his head.
"I really don't want to drag her into this mess if I don't have to. Give me some time to deal with my childer, then I'll figure out what to do about Willow. Maybe there's a way to reverse whatever spell Dru performed. Could you start researching that?"
"Of course, I'll start now, although I don't have much to go on."
"I know, I'm sorry about that. But right now that might be best. I'm going to make a quick sweep of the town, see if I can find where Spike is hiding out, then I'll swing by Willow's house, make sure she's okay. Then I'll call it a day." The librarian nodded his agreement and the two split up.
~Part: 8~
She looked around the room she was in, everything feeling so familiar. There were heavy, forest green drapes covering the rather large windows on the far wall, beautiful hardwood floors, and comfortable furniture, but not too ornate. The room was shrouded in darkness, lit only by candles that were placed in various strategic spots. She was sitting on a plush chair, upholstered in velvet. She was waiting, for what she couldn't remember, but it was important.
She stood gracefully; glancing down at her flowing gown, making sure it was lying perfectly. She raised her eyes to focus on the mirror on the opposite wall, laughing lightly at her lack of reflection. It had been three years, and she still couldn't get over that.
"What do you find so amusing, my love?" whispered an easily recognizable voice.
"Just admiring what's not seen." she replied. She spun in a half- circle to face him. He grinned at her, approaching her with a predator's grace. She reached for him once he stood in front of her, running her fingers through his soft, dirty blonde hair. He closed his eyes and nearly purred at the feel of her hand on him.
"You look bloody gorgeous in candlelight, pet." She smiled and kissed him quickly. She snuggled into his embrace, laying her head on his strong shoulder.
"I missed you while you were away," she added with a pout. He hushed her, reassuring her that he was here, with her, and was not going anywhere.
"I love you Spike."
Willow awoke with a start. She looked around, trying to establish her whereabouts. Relaxing when she realized she was in her own bedroom, she allowed herself to think over her dream. It was no nightmare, that wasn't why it disturbed her. It was the feelings that were attached to it. It felt so real, all the love, worry, everything. It was her, but it wasn't, she was different. And that man, she had called him Spike. Wasn't that the name of the new vampire in town? The one that had even Angel worried. It's not like `Spike' was a common name.
She had a hard time figuring out where these dreams were coming from. Ever since her encounter with the strange woman, she had these dreams, or flashbacks. Awake, or sleeping, it didn't matter. She couldn't figure out what triggered them though, at least while she was awake. She couldn't control her dreams.
She had only slept for two hours before she woke. She couldn't help but think that there was something going on. Angel was acting different. He seemed genuinely worried about her earlier, but when she told him what happened, he acted as if nothing weird happened. Strange women spouting cryptic phrases while chanting isn't exactly the norm, even on the hellmouth.
How could he basically tell her that everything was a-okay, when all these creepy things were going on? He knew something, that she was sure about. But she couldn't make heads or tails of it.
It made her angry to think that there was something, involving her, happening and he wouldn't tell her. She had a right to know if it affected her. And truthfully, this whole Spike business had her on edge.
There was something about this situation that was just off. None of it made sense, but at the same time, there was a feeling of déjà vu. All these people, Angel, Spike, that mystery woman, they all had an intertwined past, a past she felt she was a part of. She just didn't know how that was possible.
Angel had answers, that she knew. And damn it, she was going to get them.
She got out of her bed, throwing on a pair a worn jeans and a sweater before gathering her usual supply of holy water and stakes and then walked out of her house. It was nearly three-thirty in the morning, she knew it was dangerous to be out this late, but she couldn't stay inside any longer. She had so many questions and no answers.
She strolled through the park, the quiet was almost unnerving. Buffy would be done with her patrol by now, so Willow just took her time, knowing she didn't have to worry about coming up with explanations as to why she was out at this hour.
She saw the children's empty playground ahead and made her way to the deserted swing set. Sitting down gently she began to rock, back and forth, letting her worries drift away into the night air. She didn't know how long she had been sitting there before the snapping of a twig alerted her to another presence.
She stood quickly, frantically searching for the source of the noise. She froze in fear as she saw a very hungry vampire staring her down, eyeing her neck. She began to slowly back away. Her stake and holy water forgotten in her panic. She turned to run and screamed when the minion grabbed her roughly by the arms. She struggled but her efforts proved futile. She closed her eyes, preparing for the worst, praying her death would be quick and painless.
It took her almost a full minute to realize that she was no longer being held in a death grip. She cautiously opened one eye. Both eyes snapped open when she noticed that her attacker had vanished, turned to dust by the man in front of her. She stared at him, the expression on his face was impassive, but his eyes held worry, and another stronger emotion she couldn't recognize. So she said the only thing that came to mind.
"Spike?!?"
~Part: 9~
Spike's eyes widened in surprise, he had no idea how she knew his name. Maybe Dru's little spell was kicking in. Willow lowered her head, embarrassed that she called him that. She'd never seen this man before, even if she had seen someone in her dreams that looked like him. He must think she had lost it.
"I'm sorry," she added when he still didn't say anything. "You reminded me of someone. Um, thank you, for saving me that is." He nodded, looking at her intensely. His eyes never strayed from her form. He reached out to touch her, to assure himself she was really there.
"Are you alright there luv?" he asked quietly, his hand caressing the side of her face. She couldn't seem to form words then, so she simply nodded yes. His touch was comforting, soothing, and even though the rational part of her mind was screaming at her, that she shouldn't be getting cozy with some stranger, part of her didn't want to move.
Angel had gotten some information out of a few demons at Willie's but he still had no luck in finding Spike's hideout. He passed by Willow's house again, as he promised Giles he would.
He stopped sharply when he could discern no heartbeat in the darkened home. It was extremely late now and he had taken Willow home hours ago, but she was no where in sight. He left her neighborhood, wondering where she could be, but having no clue as to where to look for her.
He froze when he heard a scream in the park. He ran and immediately stopped in his tracks when he saw the redhead he had been searching for, with Spike. And she didn't seem afraid, and judging by the dust blowing in the wind, he had just saved her from a vampire attack.
And she knew his name. Drusilla must work fast. Angel knew she had never seen Spike before, not in this life at least. Spike seemed equally stunned. She tried to cover her supposed blunder, thinking she must have mistaken him for someone else. Spike leaned in closer, touching her, making sure she was unhurt.
Angel didn't know whether to jump in now, taking her away from his childe, or to just stand aside, let things play out. As long as he wasn't hurting her, he wasn't worried for her safety. He knew Spike, his childe didn't want to hurt the girl, he just wanted her. That wasn't much better in his opinion.
Spike felt content with her so near. But he had a lingering feeling of uneasiness. He soon realized why, his sire was close. Of course Angel would have to pick now to show up. He finally had his love with him, and the souled one just *had* to come along. He wondered why the elder vampire wasn't doing anything. Not that he was complaining, but he wanted to know what he was up to.
He figured he should leave on a good note, so he placed a soft kiss on her forehead, smiling gently at her shocked face.
"Be seeing you soon pet," and with those final words he was gone. She still hadn't moved.
"Willow!" She turned at the sound of the concerned voice. She was surprised to see Angel coming toward her. "Are you okay? What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?!"
"I'm fine Angel," she assured him, "I needed some air, but I got attacked. This man saved me; I swear I recognized him." She glanced at him to see his reaction, which was very telling.
Angel ducked his head, trying to show no sign of comprehension on his face.
"And something tells me that you might know something about it," she continued, tugging on his hand. "So why don't you and I go have a little chat, k?" her resolve face firmly in place.
~Part: 10~
"Sit," Willow ordered when she and Angel walked through her front door. Angel did as he was told but remained silent.
"Talk now," she demanded. Her exhaustion and anger getting the better of her.
"I don't know what you want me to say," he replied quietly, studying the floor.
"That man, earlier, you knew him, I know it. And for some reason, I feel like I know him too. I can also tell that you know a lot about what's going on, so tell me now." She sat down across from him, staring him in the eye.
"I'm not sure where to start." he admitted.
"The beginning sounds like a good place." He sighed and resigned himself to the fact that he couldn't protect her from her past any longer.
"Let me tell you a little story about a vampire named Spike." He sat, explaining everything to her. He told her about his past, Spike and Dru, Spike's childe, her role in it all.
"I don't understand," she finally broke in, "Even if I remind him of his childe, why is he here, why does Dru keep telling me I'm family?"
"You are everything that his childe was when she was human. In every way, down to your freckles Will. You aren't just some look alike, you *are* her. As for why he's here, I think that would be obvious."
She continued to look perplexed.
"He is here for you. You don't understand how much he loved his childe, you. I assume you will, because of Dru. She was the one who you ran into in the cafeteria. The chanting you heard, she performed a spell. She's giving you all your memories back, from your previous life. She wants you to remember everything."
She still refused to comment. Everything was slowly sinking in.
"Why.why does she want me to remember?"
"He wants you willingly." he whispered. "He wants you back with him."
"But, that's not me, I'm not her," she argued.
"Dru's giving you the memories in hopes that it will reawaken all the feelings attached to them. At least that's why I believe she doing that." He smiled sadly at her shaken form.
"You need to understand Will," he warned, "whether or not you believe that you were his former love, he does. He suffered for years with his loss. He believes he has another chance with you. He won't give it up. I'm going to try to talk some sense into him, but that most likely won't work. You have to trust me, to know that I will do whatever is in my power to keep you safe. Do you trust me?"
"Yes, of course," she replied with certainty.
"Good," he smiled, "if it helps at all, I truly believe he doesn't want to hurt you. He just.misses what he had. Trust me Wills, he and his childe, they were amazing together." She nodded, not listening to him any longer, it was all so much to take in.
He knew she had to have some time to think, and the sun would be up in awhile, so he let himself out. She moved to her bedroom, dressing into her pajamas silently and climbed into bed, hoping that when she woke she would have some answers.
Spike knew that sunrise was fast approaching, but he couldn't bring himself to go to bed. He had seen her, not only seen her, but held her, talked with her. He was too wound up.
Dru giggled at the sight of her poor Spike brooding. Unlike the other times she had seen him like this, he was happy. She inhaled and smelled the sweet scent of his childe, well, soon-to-be childe. So that's why he was so excited. Seems he had actually spent some time with his love.
"William," she said softly, to get his attention. "Did you have fun tonight pet?"
He rose from the overstuffed chair he was sitting in and walked to her.
"I saw her Dru, she was out, wandering around. This sodding fledgling jumped her, I dusted the whelp and she let me comfort her. She was still a little scared, I could tell, but she didn't push me away. The only reason I left was because that ponce Angel was hiding somewhere close. Didn't want my sire to cause problems for me." She smiled at his enthusiasm.
"I have a secret.psst.psst." she whispered conspiratorially. He moved closer, waiting to hear what she had to say.
"What is it luv?"
"The stars have told me such delicious secrets. My Angel, he wants to keep our girl away from us. But Miss Edith told me that my Daddy is coming back, very soon. He'll help us win her back.I can't wait until my Angel is back with me."
"Daddy?" he questioned, "Angelus? You mean Angelus, not that pansy Angel, right? He's coming back?"
She nodded furiously. "Yes ducks, our Angelus will be back. He misses your childe too. He'll make sure that she stays with us, where she belongs. But we must be patient Spike. Daddy will make it all better."
He stayed quiet, he was so anxious to have his Willow back beside him. And now Dru had said their Angelus was coming back. He didn't know how he would lose his soul, but he was most definitely looking forward to that day.
He just had to patient. Unfortunately patience was not his strong suit. But for his sire, his *real* sire, and for Willow, he would be.