Giles had been pondering the events of the last six months after Willow's rape. He saw the devotion the vampire had for Willow. Giles thought about his own changes. While he and Willow were close, they were not lovers anymore. He knew the rape was the major cause. He was glad that Willow found comfort in Spike. Rupert then turned and looked at Tara's sleeping form next to him. He had found happiness though in the amber haired witch. Tara's power had grown tremendously. Giles did admit he was falling in love with her. She had been living with him for four months. She had regenerated his interest in magic, he loved doing the speaking without words spell with her. They would mind melt, as Spike called it.

Giles was sipping his tea when the phone rang. Giles was amazed by the strength Tara was showing. Buffy had been over there with Riley and Graham quite often and Rupert knew how afraid she was of them all. Ripper found it getting harder and harder not to rip this man's spine out for hurting his Willow and Tara. Tara had planned a quiet evening with Rupert. She was preparing the romantic dinner when the slayer knocked on the door. Rupert saw Tara's eyes roll. He knew that Tara had been looking forward to tonight. Willow and Spike had keys, just not Buffy. He opened the door and let Buffy in.

"Oh, dinner, I am hungry." Buffy said.

"Buffy, tonight Tara and I are having dinner alone." Rupert said.

"Isn't there something we need to research. We don't research anymore." Buffy said.

"Buffy, you are never here for research anymore. Why are you so concerned all of a sudden?" Rupert asked.

"Riley and Graham have to do a double shift." Buffy said as if that explained everything.

"What about Willow?" Rupert asked.

"She has to write a paper on Celtic traditions in the 1500's. Boring." Buffy said.

"Buffy, Tara and I have plans that do not include you. I suggest you do a patrol." Rupert said as he showed his slayer the way out.

Tara smiled when she saw Rupert lock the deadbolt. She walked over to him and kissed him. Rupert looked at her as she stood in his living room in the navy blue silk robe he got her. "Thank you Rupert."

"Believe me when I say it was my pleasure to kick her out." Rupert said as he walked behind her and began to kiss her neck. Rupert's hands quickly found the tie and pulled on it. Tara squealed as Rupert teased her. The lovers were unaware of the new arrivals into the house.

Willow and Spike were giggling in the living room. It was the timer going off that startled them both. Willow had knocked on the door and alerted Tara. Spike did a catcall whistle as Tara tried to hold her robe together and finish dinner. The dinner had went well. Willow and Spike had gone into the guestroom, or the sanctuary as Willow called it. Willow felt the residual effects of the bonding ritual that Tara and Rupert performed.

The next day the group, with the exception of Spike had met at Rupert's place. Willow as worried, the "gang" had not met for a while now. Xander and Anya were pretty serious. It seems some of the Initiative's boys have been disappearing. Willow knew some of them fell to Spike, others fell to Adam. Giles was about to say something when the beepers went off. Riley called in from Giles phone. Riley kept the phone call short and sweet. "It is Adam. He is back. We meet in about a half an hour."

Willow went over to Graham. "Will you be okay?" She had wanted to give him a kiss of death.

"You worry too much Willow, I will be fine." Willow kissed him on the cheek and watched as they all left. "Do you have any Listerine?" Willow asked. Giles handed her the bottle and listened as she kept rinsing her mouth out. He knew that it was because of Graham. Tara and Giles went into the locked office and used magic to scan to room for any bugs. They did not find any. Giles had lit the candles and they spread the herbs. A cloud in the room had told them the spell was done. "Why a clouding spell?"

"They will not be able to trace anything to this machine. I was able to get into Graham's head and get his password. I am going to hack into the Initiative's files and see what I can come up with."

Giles and Willow had found all the files relating to Adam.
Willow read the schematics and was busy looking for a weakness. "I think I have it."

"Look, see the types of demon he is made up from. He has the eyes of the Trevort Demon. Trevort demon, it has a fatal weakness, holy water. If we can get close enough to its eyes, and splash it with holy water it will begin the combustion process. All the demon parts are interconnected. It needs them all to survive, we take out one it goes boom?"

"If they knew this, why not just kill him?" Tara asked.

"They are trying to make the perfect soldier. They need to know how come they can't control it. Rupert, they have spent millions on him, it would be a last ditch effort to kill him."

Willow then broke the connection with the Initiative's computer. She smiled as she saw the black onyx ring that sat in the nothern most part of the room. "Whose ring?"

"Forrest's. If they realize a break in, it will come up as Forrest's computer." Willow smiled evilly.

They cleaned up the office and left to find the others. Tara stayed behind to get rid of any evidence of Willow's hacking. Giles and Willow saw Buffy fighting hard, but the commando's were losing. Giles saw how distracted Adam was and ran near him, Giles had gotten the holy water into Adam's eyes, but not before Adam used his bone-projectile to skewer Giles.

Willow screamed as she saw how as Adam twisted in pain from the holy water, it caused to skewer to twist as well. Riley had gotten Giles off Adam, but they all knew Giles had taken too much damage. Willow screamed as saw she Giles bleed to death. "Willow, " he coughed, blood flowing freely from him.

"Rupert, I'm here, don't you leave me. I need you." Willow sobbed. Willow had reached into her purse. She opened the small vial and poured the contents down his throat. Willow spoke in Latin as she did so. Everyone saw a cloud covering him, and then the cloud disappeared.

Buffy looked on, wondering what Willow did. Buffy then looked down at her hands and saw Giles' blood all over them. Willow cried softly holding Ripper's lifeless body. Graham went to touch her. "Don't touch me." She said in a voice so cold, even she did not even recognize it. Finally they had left. Riley had filled out the necessary paperwork and Giles was to be buried the next day.

"C'mon Willow, let's go home." Buffy said.

"I am staying at Giles tonight." Willow said.

"I need you now Willow." Buffy said, in a voice that was half whining and half desperate.

"Buffy, please, you have Riley. Tara is all alone now. I think she would need me more." Willow said, trying not to cry.

"Ok, I will meet you tomorrow night."

"Ok, I will call his lawyer as well." Willow said looking at the ground.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Willow had called Spike and had him meet her at Rupert's house. Willow came home and found Tara curled up in a ball crying softly. Willow ran over to her and hugged her. "He's gone." Was all Tara had mumbled.

Willow cupped the girl's chin. "Tara," Willow said. She could see Tara was not responsive. Willow then pulled the girl close and began to play with Tara's hair. "Topaz, shhh."

Tara looked up at Willow when she used the nickname that Rupert had given her. Willow smiled. "He is only temporarily gone. Things are not what they seem. I promise."

That night Willow, Tara and Spike had all slept in Rupert's bed. Willow knew Spike had taken Rupert's death hard. Willow was glad that Spike had grabbed some belladonna to put in Tara's tea. "I never thought I would be sorry to see a watcher pass on." Spike said as he played with Willow's hair.

"In time, my lord." Willow told Spike.

"What do you mean?"

"You will see." Willow told him.

"Losing Rupert was not part of the plan." Spike reminded her.

"Spike, was it you who said that plans change? Trust me. You will know it all by tomorrow. I promise." Willow said.

The next day.....

The will was going to be read in Giles apartment. Willow had spent the night here, insisting Spike stay as well. The next day will was read. Willow got everything, his books, his possessions, and the apartment rent was paid for the next month. Willow had met Ripper's parents. She could see why Ripper had so disliked his father. "Miss Rosenburg, Rupert's books meant a great deal to me. I wish to buy them from you."

"Go back to England, they are not for sale." Willow coldly spoke.

"Please, there is a lot of information in his volumes. I know he would want them going back to the library from where they came."

"Listen watcher," Willow coldly spoke. "They are not for sale. We have been asking for help from your pompous council for years, you gave us nothing, so leave with that, nothing." Willow then walked away.

Willow was tired, she needed to leave, to get these people out of here. Graham came up to her and asked what that was about. She told him. "Baby, if we sell them at the right price, we can get a house."

"Graham, I am not parting with Rupert's books. They mean so much to me." Willow told Graham and then poured herself a drink. Willow saw Buffy sitting on Riley's lap, next to Graham and Forrest. "Willow, what was in that vial?" Graham asked.

"It was a blessing for his soul to rest in the afterworld since it was so violently taken from him." Willow said.

"Graham, Forrest, I want you out of this house. You are not welcome here or anywhere in my life."

"Willow, baby, I know that you are upset, I want to help you." Graham said in a calm soothing voice.

"Listen to me, I am not your baby. The Initiative is not welcomed in this house."

"Willow, I think you are over re-acting here. The Initiative did not kill Giles, Adam did." Buffy said, not having a clue as to where Willow's rage was coming from.

"And who made Adam? Who let Adam escape?"

"It was not the Initiative's fault." Buffy said defensively.

"Wrong, they made something they could not control. I blame them for this."

"Willow, you are wrong."

"No, Buffy you are. You changed. Where did my friend go? You used to be so observant of everything. You are off your game slayer." Willow spat.

Buffy winced at the way she spoke the word slayer. "Willow, I am still your friend."

"Buffy, have you always been so self absorbed? You used to know when I was lying, or when I was upset. Now you believe anything you are told, just like a good soldier."

Graham and Forrest were getting nervous. They had never seen Willow like this and it was scaring them. "We will leave, I know that you are upset. I will stop by later."

"Don't bother." Willow said slamming the door on them.

"Alright love?" Spike as concerned for her. He had never seen her as determined as she was. "Yeah, we have a date, my demon lover. Let's get Topaz."

Spike had woken Tara up. She had seemed so lost without Rupert. Spike was not sure what exactly Willow had planned, but he went long with it. He did love her plans. Willow was dressed in a short skirt with a little t-shirt. Tara looked lost. "Where are we going Crimson?"

"To see an old friend. Let's get you dressed."

Willow had picked out a short dress in a mocha color and then brushed Tara's hair.

Willow had called them together and they left. The walk to the funeral home was quiet and fast. Willow stood in the funeral home. Willow could see Tara was nervous. Willow had Spike bring the bag with the candles. "Willow, what are we doing?"

"Remember when I poked you the other night?"

"Yeah, pinched me deep love." Spike sneered.

"I knew that this was going to happen, only to me. I gave Giles some of your blood before he died. Ripper is coming back baby." Willow said, walking over to Spike and licking his neck. Spike grabbed Willow hard and smiled. "You are so devious, I like you, bloody hell, I love you Willow."

"Good. I don't know how I would have gotten through with everything if it were not for you and Ripper." Willow said softly kissing Spike. "You have kept out of sight?"

"Yes, you have been bringing me blood, I have kept inside the house."

"I need you to take Ripper hunting, not here in Sunnyhell, but a few towns away. Teach him well. I need him ready to make a move."

"Believe me Willow, I will teach him everything I know, we will make them bleed for hurting you."

"I know you will Spike." The lovers kissed passionately. It was the moaning that got their attention. Willow smiled evilly. "He's awake."

Spike walked over to the now semi-conscious man. "Ripper."

He saw the ridges face looking back at him. "Spike, sire."

"Good boy. Remember Willow?" Spike asked.

"Yes."

"She is my consort, you are to obey her as you would me. We do not harm her in any way. Understood?"

"Yes Master."

"Good, Are you hungry?" Spike asked concerned for his new child. Both Willow and Spike smiled when the man said yes.

"Then let the hunt begin." Willow spoke.

Willow watched as Ripper had climbed out of the coffin. Ripper had saw Tara standing there. "Topaz?"

"R-R-Ripper." Tara stumbled. Willow and Spike smiled as they hugged. Spike broke up the embrace. He saw the hurt look on Tara's face. "Tara, his hunger is strong right now. I want to make sure he can control himself so he doesn't feed off you."

Willow had seen Tara's nod. "We head to LA. No innocents. We are going make you strong Ripper, and powerful. I intend to bring the Initiative down." Willow said talking to Ripper. He nodded.

The drive was quick. Willow looked forward to the hunt. She was not sure if part of her enthusiasm was because she was bound a small level to both of them. Willow had been linked to Tara by the astral plane. Tara had Rupert had been bound to each other. Willow had never been on a feeding hunt with vampires before. She watched as the carnage came forth. She planned it all out in her head. She knew that they would pay. Tara, Willow, Spike and Ripper had been walking in a park and came across a man trying to rape a woman. "Spike, show me how to torture him. I have some issues I need to work out." Spike grinned proudly, just think, he told himself, she is still alive.

Spike and Ripper had captured him easily enough. Spike had brought the man to the warehouse that Spike had stayed in. Ripper had tied the man up tightly and gagged him. The man saw Willow light the fire. "Here Crimson, the blade will get hot, I do not want to burn your tender flesh." Spike slipped the leather glove on Willow's hand. Willow had made small cuts into the man's flesh. The hot knife burned into the man's flesh singeing and tearing his flesh. As soon as he stopped screaming, both Spike and Ripper licked the blood that flowed from his chest.

Spike then let Ripper show her how to torture him. Spike then remembered how Angelus referred to her as the slayer's pet wicca. Spike could see the power hidden deep beneath her surface. This made him more angry when he remembered what they did to her. He knew that Willow's revenge would be nothing less than sheer brilliance. He noticed how she was a quick learner. She reminded him of how he was when he was alive. He saw the fire than burned beneath her exterior, and now her rage would explode. He was glad he had a ring-side seat. When the man was finally dead, Willow smiled. "Let's go home, my men."

Spike kept quiet as he drove home. He saw a side to Willow, not even she saw. He hoped she would not back out of the plan. He noticed her deep in thought. "Are you alright love?"

"Ironically, yes I am. I should be horrified at what have seen and done tonight. I am not. Does that make me bad?"

"No, you have been through so much in the last few months. I am glad you are still sane."

"Am I?"

"Yes, I spent a century with Dru, believe me I know insanity."

"Would you spend a century with me?"

"I will spend nothing less that eternity with you."

Willow leaned into Spike. She knew that she should be afraid of vampire Ripper, but she felt no fear. What have I become she thought? She realized she became strong. No longer was she meek, obedient Willow. She smiled when the idea came together. She would truly show Graham the error of his ways. Forrest, he would be dealt with by Spike and Ripper. She had made it clear that Graham was hers.

Ripper had drawn her a warm bath in the large marble tub. "Spike, join me." Willow softly spoke. Willow was glad that Tara and Rupert were having a reunion. Spike walked into the bathroom. He was so proud of Willow. He slowly began to disrobe under Willow's appreciative glance. Willow smiled as she felt Spike's presence near her. "I love you Spike." Willow said stroking his scalp with her fingernails. He purred for her. Spike knew that his child, Ripper, would never hurt her. Spike smiled wondering what the next step was of Willow's plan. She had only told them the basic equation.

"I will fool them all, and they will die." That was what she would tell him. Spike was so proud of her. She no longer was the frail thing who had the nightmares of what they had done to her. She would beat them at their own game.

Willow moaned and groaned under Spike's expert touches. She then took Spike inside all her warm places. She shuddered as she felt the cool fingers in her heat and the cool cock in her anus. It intensified as they found a rhythm of alternating thrusts. Willow had actually passed out from the pleasure Spike had given her. Spike smiled. Spike lit his cigarette and looked at Willow's resting form. "Who's your Daddy?" Spike said in his Austin Powers imitation.

"You're the man." Willow said in a delirious voice.

"You are mine, all mine. Eternally."

Spike then picked up Willow's form and then put her in bed. He walked out and found Ripper sitting on the couch smoking a cigarette.

"Good evening Sire."

"Evening. How is Tara?" Spike asked.

"She is resting. She is not used to my vampire stamina."

"As long as you treat her with care, she will be able to handle your affections." Spike told his childe.

"Thank you sire."

"You know, Rupert, I never had your blood." Spike said. He had found the watcher attractive, but would never admit it.

Rupert got off from his chair and knelt before his sire. Rupert then bared his neck to Spike. Spike felt his fangs lengthen. Rupert's blood was intoxicating. Spike began to please his child while he just let his fangs stay in his child. After his release, Ripper then did the same for his sire.

"Rupert, you were thinking."

"Sire, the Initiative will be tough. You and I are excellent fighters, but the girls, they are not combat ready. I was thinking of a slayer. I meant the renegade slayer, Faith. She would make an excellent addition to our family. I also think that Tara would be extremely helpful. Her magic is strong."

"First we take care of the men that hurt Willow."

"Agreed. Come let us go to our women." Spike said, his mind imagining the things he could done to Willow.

"Sire, my books?"

"You should have seen it. Your father wanted to buy your books. Willow turned him down flat."

"I am glad. They will be more useful to us."

"Sire, will this be our new lair?"

"No, Willow is making plans. That is all she tells me."

"Trust her Spike. She was the brains behind foiling many of your plans."

"I know. That is what I love about her."
 

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