~*~*~*~
 
 

"Red..."

Willow stared at her hands, trying not to giggle. She wiggled her fingers, studying her knuckles.

"Red..." The voice was a little closer, a little huskier. "I'm talking to you, Red..."

Willow giggled softly. "Spike, leave me alone. I'm trying to read this book." She motioned to the spellbook on her lap.

Spike sighed, sitting back heavily. "I'm bored, pet. Slayer and the rest of the gang are patrolling. I'm soooo bored."

Willow glanced at Spike. They were at Giles', doing research, waiting for Buffy and the others to return. "Did you always whine this much? I mean,
did you whine to Angelus like this?"

Spike growled, "Don't talk about my sire, Red."

Willow rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry. Soft spot, I know, I know."

"I bloody wish I could bite you," he scowled.

Willow laughed. "Yeah! Like I'd let *that* happen. Spike, your little slut Harmony bit me, and it really hurt."

Spike grinned at Willow, his blue eyes dancing. "It doesn't always have to hurt, pet."

She frowned, following that logic. "I can't imagine it not."

"Hmm," Spike said, a far off look on his face. "I can't bite because it causes pain. I wonder though, if I weren't causing pain, if I could bite."

Willow chewed her bottom lip, her mind trying to deduce the puzzle. "Makes sense to me, Spike, but I really can't see you walking up to some
random female and saying, ' 'Elo, pet, I'm a big grr vamp and I want to bite you, but see, pet, you will enjoy my bite, so I *can* bite you..' " She
frowned. "Ok, that didn't sound right."

Spike chuckled. "You are one unusual human, Red."

"Thanks. I think."

"Anyways, a vampire's bite can be erotic, and sexy. You'd enjoy it, if I did it. Not in a brutal way, mind you, but in a Red gets a happy kinda way."

Willow snorted. "I doubt it, Blondie."

"What, you don't think the old vamp is sexy?"

Willow looked at him, eyebrow high on her forehead. <Of course you are sexy.> "What? Why would I think you were sexy?"

He leaned towards her, grinning. "Come on, pet, admit it. You know I'm sexy."

"I think that's just your ego talking, Spike."

Spike laughed. "Nonsense, Red. I am. Ask Peaches."

"What?" Willow asked, glancing at him.

"Ask Peaches why he turned me. He has four favorite childer, and turned each of us for one specific reason. Penn was his first. Penn was taught to
be ruthless and maniacal, just as Angelus was....a bloody prodigy if you will. I hated that wanker.

"Lydia was next. She was mum to us. He chose her because she took care of the family. Darla never wanted to take care of us, just take Angelus
off and shag him senseless. She didn't care for the family bit.

"I was third, then Dru. Dru was his doll, he broke her to pieces, then bloody glued her back together. The challenge of the innocence was what he
loved about her."

Spike grinned. "And me. I am still his favorite, and always will be. Do you know why he chose me, Pet?"

"Why?" Willow asked softly, getting lost in his blue eyes.

He leaned towards her so his lips were inches from hers. "Because I'm such a sexy wanker!" He chuckled, and pulled away, spoiling the moment.

"Damn it, Spike," she hissed, hitting him in the arm with the book.

"Hey, Red, don't hit a defensless demon."

"Defensless my ass," she snorted.

He chuckled. "Anyway, back to a vampire's bite." He paused. "Red, are you listening?"

"No," she said, staring at the words on the page, wishing she could read them and stop listening to the babbling vampire.

He glanced around the living room, glad everyone was still out. He scooted closer to her, pressing his chest against her arm. His mouth was inches
away from her ear.

When he spoke, he sent shivers up and down her spine. "Pet, a vampire's bite is so much more than for nourishment. We can taste who you
are...what you feel. When a woman is aroused, and you feed from her, it is the most intense, sheer pleasure a vampire knows. Arousal, like fear,
makes the blood so much sweeter."

Willow closed her eyes, trying to force her body not to react to the sensations his forced breath were giving her. "Spike..."

"Shhh..." He licked her ear slowly. "When a vampire is aroused, the sport of bloodletting is so much more than for food. It is an ache...an intense
need to be with someone, to share that intimacy. When your fangs slide out, and sink into the warm flesh, and the blood begins to flow...the
human's heart races, and she gets giddy at the thought that she is sharing something special with this creature. She is giving him life."

He ran his fingertips along the back of her neck. "It is amazing," he continued, "hearing your heart beat in my ears, feeling the pulse run through the
blood I drink, sharing that moment of sheer happiness."

Willow moaned softly. Spike ran his fingertips along her lips. She licked her lips softly, pulling his finger into her mouth. She was unaware of anything
around her, only thinking of Spike.

Spike groaned, feeling the warmth around his finger, wishing it were other parts of his body. "Red," he continued to whisper, his voice filled with
lust, "I could make it soft and gentle, barely take any blood. You would enjoy it, I promise."

She pulled his finger out of her mouth and turned to him. "You won't kill me?"

"Of course not! You are the only one of the bloody lot I can stand."

She smiled, closing her eyes. "Ok, yes Spike. Show me how much I can enjoy it."

Spike's demon roared in excitement. <I know I can make the witch enjoy it. Maybe give her a happy and I can have some human blood!> He leaned
in and started kissing her.

She gasped, but quickly wrapped herself around him, returning his kisses equally hard.

When the moment came, he vamped. Sliding his arms around her, he softly kissed her neck, running his fangs along her throat. <So close...I can
almost taste the blood through her skin...>

"Bite me, Spike," she whispered, pulling his face closer to her skin.

Carefully, he sank his fangs into her neck. He waited for a moment....nothing. He slowly, gently began to drink, savoring her.

Willow cried out. "Oh goddess..." She dug her nails into his shoulders, pulling him ever closer. "Oh, Spike..." She moaned and whimpered against him.

He pulled his fangs out, his head swimming. He hadn't had human blood in so very long.... but he didn't want to hurt her. And there was something
different...special about Willow's blood. Spike wasn't sure if it was because of the power she had, or because of how attracted she was to him.
Whatever it was, the demon wanted more.

"Red..."

Willow opened her eyes and looked straight at him. "Make me cum, Spike. Show me what a vampire can do."

He growled enthusiatically, and proceeded to do just that.

*-*-*-*

"And I can't believe that you did that!" Anya cried, slapping Xander on the arm.

Buffy sighed, walking into Giles' apartment after the ex-demon and her now in trouble boyfriend. She glanced around the living room and didn't see
Willow anywhere. "Willow?"

Riley glanced over his girlfriend's shoulder and frowned. "She was here with Spike when we left here a few hours ago...where could they be?" he
asked.

"Willow!" Buffy raised her voice.

Anya went to the couch and glanced down, smirking. "I found her," she chuckled.

Everyone rushed to the couch and stared. There lay Willow, with Spike curled in her arms. "Looks like the two decided to take a nap," Riley
remarked.

Blue eyes sleepily opened, then tinted yellow. "Bloody hell, can't you keep it down? Red and I have been researching hard, and I just got her to
sleep."

Willow stretched and rubbed her eyes. "What? Where am I?" She smiled when she saw Spike. "Hey, Spike...thanks for the help."

He grinned at her, merriment dancing in his eyes. "Anytime, luv," he purred.

Standing up, Willow stretched. "Bathroom break, excuse me." She leaned down and kissed Spike on the cheek. He smiled a genuine smile at her.

Buffy frowned. <Something is weird...Spike is being too nice to her. What the hell is going on here?> Her eyes widened as Willow turned around.
"Willow!...where did you get the vamp bite?"

Willow's hand went to the bite as her eyes widened. <Oh, dear,> she thought, <how am I going to get out of this one?>

~*~*~

"Vamp bites?  What vamp bites?" Willow asked innocently.

Buffy narrowed her eyes and looked at Spike.  She slipped a stake out of her sleeve.  "Now, Spike, when did you get chipless?  Do I need to stake
you?"

"I still have the chip, Slutty, I can't bite you. Wouldn't want to anyway."  He shuddered.

Buffy frowned.  "Ok, I don't understand."

Willow sighed.  "His chip, it won't let him bite someone, because of the pain, right?"

"Yeah," everyone said.

Willow crossed her arms.  Everyone frowned, trying to figure out what Willow was saying.

Anya lit up.  "Oh wow, are you serious, Willow?"

Willow grinned.  "Yep."

Anya chuckled.  "Cool.  It's about time.  I've noticed looks since the beginning."

Willow glanced at Spike.  He grinned at her and shrugged.  "What can I say, pet?  I know what I like."

"I. Don't. Get. It."  Buffy crossed her arms. "And someone better tell me something now so I don't start staking."

"Buffy, you are my best friend, and I love you. If you even think of staking Spike, I'll cast a demon repelling spell on you so quick your head will
spin," Willow said sweetly.

"She already repels demons, pet.  She doesn't need help in that category," Spike whispered loudly.

Willow covered her mouth to hide her chuckle.

"OH. MY. GOD!" Xander cried.  He stared at Willow.  "Let me totally rephrase my shock.  Willow, what the *hell* are you doing?"

Anya smiled, glancing up at the ceiling innocently.  "I didn't say a word.  Really."

Buffy growled angrily.  "*Someone* better tell me what's going on, and I mean *now*."

Anya sighed.  "Buffy.  If Spike bites someone and it's pleasurable, then the chip doesn't react."

Riley shook his head.  "Because he's not causing any pain.  That makes sense.  But that would mean... Oh, you mean... you two?" Riley asked.

"Over my dead body," Buffy exclaimed furiously.

"Ok, Buffy, seriously.  You can't tell me who I can and can't date," Willow said softly.

"Willow, he will *kill* you.  He's an evil soulless bastard."

"Thanks, Slutty," Spike said, grinning at the Slayer.

"I don't care, Buffy, he's not evil to me and I know that he's soulless.  I like him anyway.  At least *I* know when I wake up he won't have gone
psycho on me and started terrorizing my friends."   Her eyes widened and she clamped her hand over her mouth.  "Oh...goddess, did I say that?"

Tears filled Buffy's eyes.  "That wasn't fair, Willow."

"I think I should go," Willow said softly.  "I can tell this is a big issue with all of you -"

"Hey, I think he's a hottie," Anya said.  "If he can bite you, and it brings you happies, and you trust him enough to not kill you, I say go for it.  How
many people say they are dating a sexy English vampire?"

Willow laughed softly, a blush covering her cheeks.  "We aren't....we aren't dating," she said softly.

Spike growled softly at her side.  "Oooh, no, pet, no need to date.  You belong to me now."

She looked at him, clearly surprised.  "I...do?"

"There is no way I'm going to let something *this* good slip through my grasp.  I may not be the Einstein of vampires, but I'm not stupid," Spike
said.

"Oh... Ok."  Willow looked back at Buffy.  "Well?"

"I don't accept it.  I never will.  Period."  She sighed.  "I'm going home now."  She turned around and walked out.  Riley frowned, shrugged, and
followed Buffy out.

"See, he's her Toy. Follows her everywhere," Spike said.

"I don't like this.  I *really* don't like this. I mean, I couldn't stand Buffy and Angel, and he had his soul," Xander said.  "I..."  He frowned.  "I want
to say don't do this, but I know if you want to, you will anyway, so. be careful.  If you get all grr, don't come kill me or Anya."

Willow smiled.  "I won't," she said.  She hugged Xander and whispered a small thank you to him.  He left with Anya.

Willow turned to Spike.  "Well.  Now what?"

He grinned mischievously.  "Run."

"Run?" she asked softly.

He vamped.  "You better run, Red, cause I'm going to get you."

Willow blinked, a tiny amount of fear creeping into her body.  She didn't know if he was just playing or if he were serious and was going to hurt her.
She turned and ran out of Giles' house.

Spike grinned, licking his lips around his fangs. "God, I love that bloody girl," he growled, setting off after her.  He chased her at a slow run, knowing
that he could catch her anytime he wanted to.  He enjoyed the chase - it made him feel more like the vampire he, after all, still was.

Willow kept glancing back over her shoulder, wondering what Spike was doing.  She couldn't imagine him killing her... they'd just had the best sex
she'd ever had.  She turned back to face forward, her hair in her face and stumbled, tripping over a fallen branch.  She cried out in pain as the
branch scrapped her leg.

She looked up in alarm as Spike stood over her, his grin evil and menacing. "S..Spike... what are you doing?"

"Claiming what's mine," he purred.  His eyes strayed to her leg, softening momentarily.  He shook his head and looked back at
her, eyes golden.  "Blood." he said softly.

Tears filled her eyes.  "Wh... Are... are you really going to kill me?"

His laughter rang out through the trees.  "Always the curious one you are."  He grabbed her and pulled her up, pressing her quaking body against
the tree.

"Spike," she said softly, "don't do this. I don't understand..."

Spike inhaled her scent deeply.  "Do you know, pet, how long it's been since I've smelled real fear?" He licked her cheek.  "You are terrified of me.
Why are you so bloody scared?" He ran his fingers through her hair, gripping it tightly.

"B...B...Because....I mean, Spike, we just. well, you know what we did, and.. I thought that I meant.... something to you."  She turned away, tears
trickling down her cheeks.  "Just get this over with..."

Spike smiled softly at the woman he somehow knew he'd be with forever.  He leaned in and buried his face in her neck, pushing his demon back
down.  He nipped at her skin with blunt teeth, and began kissing her pulse point.

It didn't take very long for Willow's fear to dissipate into something more accurately defined as lust.  She turned her head and grabbed Spike's hair,
pulling his head up. "Spike, what are you doing?"

"Claiming you, pet.  You are mine."

"You aren't going to kill me?" she asked hopefully, noticing the edge was gone from Spike's eyes.

"Of course not, luv.  You don't know how wonderful it was to sink into something so warm and tight... and your blood?  Effing intoxicating...  If I
killed you, I couldn't bloody shag you.  Well, I could, but I had Dru for a hundred years, shagging dead people doesn't do it for me anymore."  He
brushed his lips along her ear.  "I like your warm touch."

Willow moaned softly.  "Spike."

"Red." he whispered, sucking her earlobe into his mouth.  He sucked gently.  She leaned against the tree for support.  He slipped his hands under
her shirt and ran his fingertips along her skin.

Willow shivered with the sensation.  Her skin was so hot from the running, the tension, his fingers were like tiny pieces of cool silk, tracing over her
most sensitive areas.  She gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck when his fingertips brushed against her cloth covered nipples. "Spike. I
need you."

"Shh," he whispered, moving his mouth back to her pulse point.  "Let me do this, let me please you.  You trusted me enough to let me bite you,
knowing I could have killed you in a heartbeat, and I want to do this for you.  I want to make you happy."

Willow cupped Spike's angular cheekbones with her hands and turned his face to hers.  She smiled at him, placing a kiss on his nose.  "Spike, you do
make me happy.  But you scared the hell out of me."

"I would apologize, but I wouldn't mean it.  The fear was bloody great.  I needed that."

She grinned.  "I could scream, if you want me to."

"Naw, it's ok," he laughed.

"Seriously.  Blood curdling.  You'd like it."

"Seriously?" Spike asked.  Willow nodded her head.  "Ok then Red, give me your best scream."

"Ok, hang on, I gotta get myself scared of something."  She closed her eyes.  She started to remember what it was like when Angelus was back
and terrorizing she and her friends.  She remembered the fish of hers he killed, and how violated she felt, knowing he'd been in her house.  She
remembered how it felt when she thought he was going to kill her.  She began to quiver in Spike's arms, reliving that hellish time in her Junior Year.
She took a deep breath and screamed as loud and terrified as she could.

Spike closed his eyes and shuddered.  He could smell her fear, feel her body quiver against him.  The scream was marvelous, it held the right
amount of 'I'm going to die' fear.  His demon pushed forth.  He licked his fangs and thrust his hips against her.

Willow gasped and opened her eyes, feeling his hard cock against her belly. "Spike," she said softly, "that really turned you on?"

"Fear is such a sweet intoxication.  It smells sweet, it tastes sweet, it sounds wonderful." He grinned.  "What were you thinking about?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it.  "Don't worry about it."

An eyebrow rose.  "Not me, then."

"No," she said softly.  "You, when you are being threatening, are truly frightening, but I've been through much scarier stuff in my life."

"Ah," Spike said knowingly.  "Peaches."  He closed his eyes briefly.  "I miss him sometimes."  He opened his eyes back.  "If you ever breathe a word
of that to anyone, I will bloody rip your throat out, no matter how tight and warm you are."

She smiled, stroking his cheek.  "Your secret is safe with me.  Now, why do you miss him?"

"I miss *my* Angelus.  Not that wanker that you knew, he was just hell bent on the destruction of Slutty.  I miss the Angelus who changed me...
who loved me.  I hate those bloody gypsies."  He growled softly.

"It's ok, Spike.  Do you think Angel loves you?"

"His demon does.  The soul doesn't.  The soul can't, he refuses to believe in anything that the demon believes in."

"I bet he does," Willow said.  "Or at least he likes you."

Spike snorted.  "Not likely, pet."

"We should go to LA."

"WHAT?" Spike asked.

"It would give us something to do while Buffy cools off. She is majorly pissed at both of us, so why not go to LA. We don't have to say hi to Angel if
you don't want to."

Spike grumbled, "Fine, whatever."

She grinded her hips against him.  "I'll make it worth your while. Cordelia wants me to come visit."

Spike grinned.  "Cheerleader?"

"Yeah."

"I scare her. In that case I think we should go. But I don't want to see Peaches."

"Fine, we won't see Peach....er.... Angel."  Willow grinned.

*-*-*-*

Cordelia glanced at her watch.  "Willow will be here any minute."

Angel looked up at his temporary roommate until they obtained a new office building, thus giving Angel a place to live again. "Willow's coming?"

Cordelia looked down at him.  "I didn't tell you?"

"No," Angel shook his head, hiding a smile.

"Oh, damn.  Must have been Wesley I told.  Or maybe Dennis."  She frowned at him. "You don't mind sleeping on the fold out couch, do you?"

"For Willow?  I guess not."

Cordelia grinned.  "Good.  I am *so* excited.  We are finally gonna have new blood around here.  I mean, you are *so* old and broody, and
Wesley....well, I love him to death, I do, but god.  I'm gonna have someone to go out with!"

"I thought you and Willow didn't particularly get along very well."

"We didn't, till I got poor and moved out of the Hellhole I call Sunnydale.  Now we email all the time."

Angel smiled.  "Well, sounds like you will have a lot of..."  He swung his head towards the door and glared at it.  "Fun," he said through gritted
teeth.

"Angel?"

There was a knock on the door.  Angel stood up and stepped in front of Cordelia protectively.  "Let me answer," he said.

She glared up at him.  "It's Willow, for god's sake!  It's not like it's some big bad that's going to get me!"

"Let. Me. Answer. The. Door." Angel said again.

"Ok, OK" Cordelia said.  "Don't know why you are so hyped up on answering the damn door," she muttered, crossing her arms.

Angel went to the door and drew himself up to his full height, standing tall and dangerous.  He opened the door and glared.

Cordelia eeped.  "Spike!"

"Boy," Angel said dangerously.  "What do you want?"

"OH BLOODY HELL!  I *so* did not come to LA to see you!  What are you doing at the Cheerleader's apartment?"

"I live here -"

"Oh, no you don't, you wanker," Spike said, taking a step forward.  The invisible barrier knocked him back, much to Angel's enjoyment.  Spike glared
at him.  "If you loose that soul one more time and become that bastard again, I'm so going to stake you. You aren't taking mine away again."

Angel frowned.  "Yours?"

"Spike!" a voice said from the entrance to the walkway to Cordelia's apartment.  "Didn't I tell you to wait for me?  I didn't want you to scare Del!
Now I'm *sure* she's going to let us in."

"Willow?" Cordelia and Angel both asked.

"Mine," Spike growled dangerously at his sire.

Angel blinked.  He'd no idea there was *anything* going on with his childe and the Wicca, which surprised him.  He and Willow had, like Cordelia,
kept in touch.  She never mentioned anything about Spike.

Willow stepped up to Spike, kissing him on the cheek.  "Del, I'm sooo sorry for bringing Blondie without telling you, but I was scared you would say
no, and I couldn't come without him.  Buffy would have staked him."  She looked up.  "Angel!"  She looked surprised.

Angel frowned, his eyes narrowing.  He sniffed at the air, then growled.  He launched out of the apartment, slamming Spike into the column behind
him.  "You. Touched. Her!"

Spike squirmed against his sire, trying to ignore the pain screaming through his body. "What the fuck do you bloody care for?  She's not yours!"

"You claimed her, Spike.  You fucked her, then claimed her!  Does she know what that means?"

Spike struggled, grabbing the front of Angel's sweater.  "She knows she's mine, Poof!" He slammed his forehead into his sire's.  Angel stepped back
slightly.  Spike used the opportunity to slip out from between his sire and the column.

"You had to have forced her!" Angel roared, grabbing his childe by the throat.  "There's no way sweet innocent Willow would do that willingly with
you!"

"ANGEL." A strong female voice said loudly and firmly.

Angel blinked, the anger leaving his body.  He stared at his childe, who's feet were dangling almost a foot off the ground.  Dropping the blond, Angel
turned and walked to Willow.  "Did he hurt you?"  Angel looked over her body, growling softly when his eyes fell on the twin bites on her throat.

"No," Willow said softly.  "I....rather liked it." She grinned at Spike.  "Me and him are *dating* now."

"No," Spike slowly shook his head.  "Not dating."

"Not dating?" Willow asked softly.  "Oh no, I don't think so, you aren't using me just for sex and blood."

"No I'm not. More than sex and blood. More than dating.  You. Are. Mine."  Spike's intense blue eyes bored into Willow's green.

She smiled, a thrill rushing through her body and tugging on her heart.  "Yes. I. Am. Yours."

Angel sighed.  "And the bond starts."

"Angel, what the hell is going on?  And can we bring this inside?  I have neighbors, you know," Cordelia said.

~*~

""How. . .I mean. . .when. . .how did this happen?"

"He seduced me, Angel," Willow said. "He turned me on with his softly spoken words."

"What the hell was he talking about?" Angel asked, pacing back and forth. He and Willow were in the spare bedroom, talking, while Spike and
Cordelia were out in the living room.

"Biting me. How much pleasure one can get from it."

Angel turned to Willow. "He didn't hurt you. He did it out. . .of love?"

Willow shrugged. "I don't know if it was love, or what, but it didn't hurt. It was rather. . . thrilling."

"Erotic embrace," Angel murmured, stroking his chin. "It's a form of draining victims, 'cept you don't drain them. They live and are fine, and they
pretty much think they just had an erotic encounter with a stranger. But since you knew him, and what he was, and what he was going to do, you
knew you were being bit."

She shrugged, looking down at her hands. "I guess. I liked it. That's all I know."

"How long?" Angel asked.

Willow looked up at him. "Yesterday." She sighed. "Buffy totally wigged."

"Hmm. She wants to stake him, doesn't she?"

"What do you think, Angel?"

"You can't let her," Angel said.

"Duh. Like I want her killing my lover."

Angel frowned, shivering slightly. "Ok, let's not call Spike your lover. At least not in front of me. That's just. . .a picture I'm not too fond of."

Willow crossed her arms. "What's wrong? Don't think I'm woman enough? I'm not the same sweet little innocent girl that you think I am. I had sex on
Giles' couch while they were patrolling. I've done it in the woods."

Angel's face scrunched up in thought. "Yea, definitely a mental picture I don't need."

Willow growled softly. Angel's eyebrow rose. He chuckled. "You've been spending too much time with that childe of mine."

"Why can't Spike get hurt? Other than the fact that I would have to beat the hell out of Buffy for hurting my mate?" Willow asked.

Angel crossed his arms. "Did you just hear yourself?"

"Huh?" Willow asked.

"Repeat what you just said," Angel said.

Willow's mind rewound. "Why can't Spike get hurt. . .other than the fact that I would have to beat the hell out. . .of Buffy. . .for hurting. . .my. .
.oh my goddess. My mate?" she asked softly.

"You are his," Angel said. "He is yours." He dropped to his knees in front of Willow and grasped her arms, looking up at her. "I don't know how it
affects humans, but I know how it affects vampires. If someone hurts him, you hurt. If someone kills him, you will either die, or go insane. You are
protective of him, he is protective of you. I'm actually rather surprised that he's allowing you to be here alone with me."

Willow closed her eyes. "He knows you won't do anything to me. It's the soul. I don't know if he'd trust you if you didn't have that."

"Unlikely, because I can assure you that without the soul, you and I wouldn' t be sitting here right now. You'd be on that bed, underneath me,
moaning in pleasure and pain."

Willow shuddered slightly. "Don't lose your soul. I love you to death, Angel, but I don't want anything like that to happen to us."

"I don't either." He sighed. "You know though, that you will be with him forever now."

"Forever as in until I die, or forever as in you and I will still be talking 500 years from now?"

Angel sighed. "We better make sure we stay friends, cause I'm sure after 500 years of Spike, you will want someone else to talk to. He tends to get
annoying, in that adorable way of his."

"Oh, goddess. Angel, I don't want to be a vampire!"

"Spike's not going to let you die, Willow." He growled. "That's why I'm so angry! He didn't tell you the consequences before he seduced you! You
belong to him now! There will be no one else, period, unless he wants there to be. I doubt he will."

Tears filled Willow's eyes. "I don't. . .I don't know if I want this."

"Shh. . .we will figure something out," Angel said, pulling the sobbing red head into his arms.

*-*-*-*

"So are you going to change her?" Cordelia asked.

"I'm sorry?" Spike asked, glancing at her.

"Willow. You going to make her all grr?"

"She will be with me always. She's mine, pet, and I'm not letting her go," Spike said, turning back to the television.

"Does she know?"

Spike shrugged. "Doesn't matter. That's what's happening."

"You know," Cordelia said, "she's not going to be happy with that. Just because you had one night of great sex does not mean that you two should
be together for eternity. And she didn't even have a choice in the matter. She's going to leave you."

Spike blinked. < The chit is right! > he thought. He growled. "She'll be fine with it."

"Oh, really?" Cordelia asked, crossing her arms. "She's twenty years old, and she's going to find out because of one bite and a couple of great times
in the sack, she's going to have to spend the *rest* of eternity with you."

"I guess being a vampire, the idea of eternity doesn't bother me."

"But she's *human*, Spike. Not a vampire. Just a human. Eternity scares the hell out of us."

Spike glanced at his sire's assistant. "Just. . .leave me alone, chit," he growled.

Cordelia shrugged. "Whatever. I just hope this doesn't make you lose her." She stood up, smoothing her skirt out. "I'm going to talk to them."

"Well. . .I'm coming too."

"No, Blondie, stay here. Dennis will keep you company."

"Who?" Spike asked, glancing around the room. He knew that there were only two humans in the apartment.

Cordelia smirked. She raised her voice. "Give him hell, Dennis!" She walked back to the spare bedroom and knocked on the door.

"Come in, Cordelia," Angel's voice was muffled through the door.

Cordelia opened the door and gasped, rushing in and shutting it quickly. She rushed to the two on the bed. Willow was clutching to Angel, sobbing
hard. "You told her?" Cordelia asked.

"Yea," Angel said softly. "She's not handling it well."

"You think, Angel? I wouldn't handle it well either, if I just got told I was going to have to spend eternity with Peroxide out there." Cordelia pointed
towards the door, indicating Spike. She sat on the bed and stroked Willow's hair. "Don't worry," she murmured, "we will figure something out, Willow.
I promise." Her eyes caught Angel's. The vampire was worried. Cordelia was sure that the look in his eyes was mirrored in hers.

~*~

                                              **Note: Starting Here fic is by Jinni**
 
 

Willow stared up at the ceiling of the small guestroom she had been lucky
enough to secure from Cordelia. After spending two hours crying and talking
with Angel and the former cheerleader, she had not been in the mood to go
searching for a hotel. So, instead, Angel had.

And he had taken Spike with him.

The red head rolled over, sighing to herself. This certainly wasn’t the
situation she had thought she would end up in when she had agreed to let Spike
bite her the day before. The thought of being with him for an eternity had
never once crossed her mind when she had been fucking him under the stars. But
that’s where she was now.

Bound to one bleached blonde moron for the rest of her life.

She shut her eyes, trying to blink back the tears that were threatening to once
again spill across her cheeks. How had she gotten herself into this mess?
{Overactive hormones, Willow, always knew they’d get you in trouble.} She
laughed bitterly.

“Wills?” Delia asked quietly, knocking on the open door lightly to gain the red
head’s attention. “Are you okay.”

“Not really…” Willow mumbled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She
felt the bed sink down as the brunette joined her. “Why, Delia….why did he do
this?”

“Is it possible he genuinely likes you?” The young woman asked. She looked down
with worry into the face of the girl she had come to know greatly since
graduating. This was one of her few true friends and here she was, crying over
something no one could really do anything about.

The red head laughed, the angry sound echoing through the small room. “That’s
something I realized when I was talking to you two – he doesn’t really care.
Its all about sex and blood.” Hot, salty tears poured from her eyes and she
closed the green orbs against the now hurtful glare of the overhead lamp. “Anya
said he had been giving off signs before this, but it must have been for the
same reasons – blood and sex.”

“He even scared me, badly, right after our first time together. Chased me
through town like he was going to eat me. I believed him when he said it was
just to make me taste better, though.” She wiped again at her eyes, trying to
dry the tears that seemed to never stop flowing. “I was naïve to think he could
ever care for me. I’m just a walking meal and fuck to him.”

Cordelia nodded. That was about all she expected from the blonde haired
vampire. After speaking with Angel at length about his disobedient Childe in
the past, she knew what the wretched creature was capable of. But even this was
far beyond what she would have guessed he’d do. “Angel called. He and Spike
are going to stay at the hotel tonight so you can have a little time away from
him.”

Willow’s eyes widened. She felt a twinge of loneliness pass through her at the
thought of being separated from her mate for so long. {Not my mate!} she
corrected herself. {Not my boyfriend, not my lover….not my –anything-!} “How
did Angel get Blondie to agree to that?”

The brunette laughed. “You’re assuming he gave him a choice.”

** ** **

Back and forth.

Forth and back.

Angel growled softly as his Childe completed yet another circuit across the
front of the room.

“What?” The blonde sneered, glaring at the creature who had forced him into
this tiny hell of a hotel room for the entire day.

“Stop. Pacing.” The older vampire said through clenched teeth. He watched as
Spike came to a stop in front of him, the smoke from his cigarette wafting into
the air like some sort of dirty halo.

“Or else what? You gonna beat me up –again- you wanker?” The blonde smirked. He
took another deep drag off of his cigarette, holding in the smoke and letting
it warm his dead lungs before exhaling. “Sorry mate – been there and bloody
well done that once tonight. The threat just doesn’t scare me anymore.”

Angel cocked an eyebrow at his petulant Childe. “You should be damn lucky I
haven’t set you out for the sun to take for what you did to Willow. She had no
idea what she was getting into with you and you –knew- it! You used her!”

Spike glared at his Sire, tossing the still smoking but of his cigarette into
the room’s small ashtray. “And she’ll get eternal life out of the soddin’
deal!”

His Sire laughed – the sound harsh. “Eternal life with you? Why in the hell
would anyone want that?”

“I dunno, -Sire-, why don’t you tell me?” He stared at the man who had chosen
him for just that – eternity – and dared him to answer his own question.

Angel sucked in an unneeded breath. “This has nothing to do with me, Spike.”

“No, Peaches, I think it has a –lot- to do with you.” The blonde haired demon
sat down on the edge of the bed, leaning forward to regard his Sire with cold
blue eyes. “Why are you so worried about the chit?”

“She’s my friend…”

“She’s a lot more to you than that!” Spike roared. “Come on! Don’t lie to me. I
can see it every time you look at her! You want her. That is the only effin
reason you are this bloody upset about it. Anyone else you would have lectured
me, counseled the girl and moved on. But not Red, she’s special. You actually
–care- for her! ”

“Wrong.” Angel growled, standing up so that he could glare down at his Childe.
“She is –just- a friend.” {That’s right, try to convince him of that when you
can’t even convince yourself,} his inner voice chided.

“Then back off, Poof. I have claimed the little witch and no amount of your
bullying is going to make be drop it.” The words were as cold and precise as
the eyes staring up at the dark haired vampire. “I –do- care about her, you
know.”

“Oh I know. You love her to death because she is your only source of fresh
human blood.” The older vampire snorted, returning to his chair. “That and
she’s a good lay, right Spike?” Angel felt a twinge of guilt course through him
for the callous statement about the red head he truly did care about more than
he should have.

Spike growled. “Do not speak of my mate like that, Angelus. How I care for her
is none of your concern. She. Is. Mine.”

Angel blinked, shocked by the almost raw emotion he could see in his Childe’s
face. Was it possible that the blonde actually cared about Willow in his own
sick, twisted way? He sighed, expelling the air violently. No. It wasn’t
possible for a soulless demon to care about anything other than where its next
meal was coming from. “Goodnight Spike. We’ll talk about this more later.”

“Like Hell we will, Peaches.” Spike grumbled. He pulled back the sheets on the
bed, noticing for the first time that it was the only one in the room. Groaning
softly, he looked at his Sire. “So where do –you- plan on sleeping, mate?”
 

~*~
 

Spike shifted in his sleep, stretching an arm out around the cool body next to
him. He sighed lightly, snuggling into the hard back he was pressed up against.
His hands traced softly along the hard muscles, fingernails dragging over the
cold skin.

{Cold…hard…}

“Aaagghh!” The blonde groaned, pulling away from the body he had only a few
moments before been cuddling with. He glared over at his Sire, a mixture of
indignation and embarrassment passing over his features.

“That’s not how you used to react when you woke up next to me,” Angel chuckled.
He rolled over, staring into the whirling blue eyes of his favorite and most
annoying Childe. There was a familiar twinge in his stomach at the sight of the
blonde sans shirt, laying in the bed in a manner that was bound to be
interpreted as sensual by anyone who saw it.

“T’was a long time ago, Peaches. You’re not the same and neither am I.”

Angel nodded, sighing. Why had he even tried to have this one moment with the
blonde? He should have just gotten out of bed the second Spike had started
cuddling him in his sleep. Should have just walked away instead of leaning back
against the hard body of the creature he had created so many decades past. But
he didn’t. He had laid there like the poof that same Childe always called him
and allowed himself to be cuddled – to feel the things he had pushed aside the
moment his soul made its ways home.

Pulling himself from the bed, Angel grabbed his clothes from the day before,
stalking off into the bathroom and muttering to himself. Spike watched on with
wonder. For sure his Sire hadn’t actually said what he thought he said. There
was no way in hell he had whispered, “Doesn’t mean we can’t have what we used
to have.”

Was there?

No. There was no way in Hell he was going to go there again. No way after
eighty bloody years that he was going to let that tosser back into his life as
anything other than a mortal enemy. Even if he still had feelings for him. Even
if the wanker would look damn good in bed with him and his mate. With a mind
of its own, he felt his cock stir to attention, becoming rock hard underneath
the covers. He groaned, closing his eyes and praying to whatever demons might
be listening for his Sire not to come out before his hard-on went down. He
tried hard to think of anything other than his Sire and the witch, both
pleasing him and being pleasured by him – to no avail.

It was going to be a long night.

** ** **

“Do you think they’ll be back tonight?” Willow asked, trying to keep the hope
out of her voice. The part of her that was mated to Spike was craving his
company, longing for his touch and needing it with every moment that passed.
The other part of her was still furious with him, screaming for her to just
leave – to forget that anything ever happened and go back to Sunnydale without
him.

It was very annoying having that kind of argument with one’s self.

“Probably.” Cordelia conceded, still worried about her friend. “I can’t see
Angel spending more than one night in a hotel.” She grinned.

The red head snickered. “That’s true. He doesn’t really seem like the type to
sit in one of those fake cheerful rooms. Just not the right atmosphere for
brooding.” She forced a smile across her face, a nervous flutter in the pit of
her stomach. Something was buzzing at the back of her mind and she knew without
a doubt that he was there – her Spike. {Not –MY- Spike!} she corrected herself
angrily.

She stared in the direction of the door, hearing the knob twist and the slight
woosh of air as it opened. Her entire being screamed for her to run to him,
throw herself in his arms and beg him to make love to her over and over again,
to do anything to be with him. She forced down those urges with a mental act of
will, focusing instead on how she had been used and the fact he had gotten her
into something a lot more complicated than sex when he had bit her.

“Red…” Spike purred, stepping into the room like he owned it. He ignored
Cordelia, crossing the length between him and his mate in a few quick strides.
“Baby….”

“Don’t…” Willow sighed, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. “Don’t ‘Red’
me or ‘Baby’ me. I don’t mean anything to you. Don’t try to act like I do. You
only wanted me for blood and sex – its all really clear to me now. “

“Is it?” Spike growled softly. “How can something so wrong be bloody ‘clear’ to
you?” He glared at her. “Fine. If you want to spend the rest of eternity
thinking I don’t care about you and I am –just- using you then go right ahead.
I. Don’t. Care. You are still mine and I am still yours whether you bloody well
like it or not.” He stood, glaring down at her before turning and storming out
of the apartment.

“Spike…” the red head whispered. Her heart ached from his words, and an almost
physical pain sped through her as the door to the apartment slammed shut. Her
mate had left. “Oh goddess, how can I go on like this?”

“Will…” Angel murmured, sitting down next to the sobbing red head. Cordelia
looked at the two of them and decided she wasn’t needed for the time being,
leaving them to their talk without even a ‘goodbye’. “It will get easier in
time. I promise.”

“How?” Willow whimpered. “I feel like a part of me is dying every time I am
away from him. When he’s here its all I can do not to jump in his arms and
throw him into bed. Goddess, I cared about him before this. How stupid could I
be? He just wanted a source of food and sex for the rest of his goddamned
life.” The tears spilling from her eyes ran in rivers down her cheeks, dropping
in hot splashed onto her shirt.

The vampire sighed, leaning back into the couch. “I don’t know, Willow. There
has to be a way…”

“To what? Break the claim? Have you ever heard of one, Mister
Two-Hundred-Fifty-Year-Old Vampire? Hmm?”

Angel shook his head. The truth was, there was no way to break the claim his
Childe had imprinted upon the red head in front of him. “I’m sorry, Wills. I’m
not going to lie to you…”

“Good!” Willow snapped. “Because I’ve had just about enough lying from
Blondie.” Her eyes flashed with anger. “I can’t believe he did that without
even talking to me. Just made me his. For all of eternity. Do you know how long
eternity is? Oh. I guess you do….” She sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of
her face. “I like him before this, Angel. As stupid as that may sound – I had a
crush on Spike.”

The vampire nodded. “Well he’s a very handsome creature, Willow…” Angel trailed
off, not wanting to incriminate himself anymore than his husky tone of voice
already did. Had he really just admitted to his Childe’s chosen mate that Spike
was attractive?

The red head chuckled under her breath, reaching over to pat Angel gently on
the arm. She hadn’t missed his discomfort. “S’ok Angel. I understand. The two
of you were together for a long time. He –is handsome. No need to deny it.” She
bit her lower lip. “If you ever want to talk about it, you know I am here for
you.”

He couldn’t believe that in the midst of her own pain and frustration, Willow
was offering to listen to him whine about his arrogant Childe. He smiled at
her. “Thanks, little one. When we get through your problems I might have to
take you up on that.”

{My problems…} The young witch’s brain reminded her. She sighed softly.
“There’s not much to do about ‘my problems’. He doesn’t care about me and now I
am stuck with him for the rest of my now-much-longer-life.”

“Is it possible that he really does care about you?” Angel murmured quietly,
looking into her eyes. He couldn’t believe that Spike would have done this if
he didn’t have at least a small amount of feelings for the red head. This bound
him to her just as much as it bound her to him. They were tied together for the
rest of their lives.

The girl frowned. “I guess –anything- is possible. But he certainly doesn’t act
like it. I mean…after he bit me for the first time he chased me, trying to
scare me just so I’d taste like fear…Doesn’t seem like a very loving or caring
thing to do to –me-.”

Angel nodded. He could see where she was coming from. Chasing after her had
been a bad move on his Childe’s part. It was probably the one thing keeping the
red head from having any faith that he did want to be with her. The older
vampire could understand why Spike had done it though – the taste of fear in a
human’s blood was like ambrosia to a vampire. It was sweet and intoxicating. He
could almost picture his Childe chasing after Willow through the dark Sunnydale
streets – game face on and grinning like he had so many years ago. His mind
whirled with images of Spike throwing down the red head and ravaging her with
all the intensity a vampire could. He shifted, trying to disguise the bulge now
straining against the front of his pants.

{This isn’t good.} The vampire sighed mentally. {I spend one night sleeping
next to him and now I’m completely enamored of the blonde brat again.} Aloud
he said. “I agree, that wasn’t very smart of him.”

Willow’s eyes narrowed at the strained tone to Angel’s voice, curious green
eyes traveling the length of his body trying to find the source of his
discomfort. She blushed as her gaze wandered over his quite obvious erection
and she licked her lips unconsciously. Though she hated to admit it, she had
been having feelings towards the dark haired vampire since she got there. His
proximity to her was almost the same as Spike’s – bringing about the more
wanton and carefree side of her. “So…” She purred, smirking. “What’cha thinking
about?”

Angel’s eyes flew open. He took an unnecessary breath and met the red head’s
eyes. Her gaze flickered down to his crotch then back up to his face and he
knew she was aware of his rather ‘hard’ situation. Her tongue flickered across
her lips and the vampire groaned – his demon roaring to just take her there and
now. She was claimed by his Childe therefore she was as good as his, anyway.
Whether she knew it or not, the only reason she was acting like this was
because of the claim – the marks Spike had placed on her were leading her to
the next best thing than her mate himself – his Sire. “Little one….” He growled
softly.

Her eyes opened wide – completely innocent and unassuming as she met his fiery
gaze. “Yes, daddy?” Again her tongue licked slowly along her lips. Wetness
pooled between her legs. Something she didn’t understand was pushing her
towards this creature sitting before her. She knew that he would treat her
right, make her feel like she was in heaven – be a substitute for the mate she
knew didn’t care one cent about her.

“You don’t want to play this game, Will…” He stopped his hand as he was about
to reach for her. This wasn’t good. Her arousal was thick in the air and his
demon was wailing for him to sink into her tight warmth. His Childe didn’t know
what a good thing he had. “Spike will get angry…”

“So?” She whispered, inching closer to him across the couch. Her eyes never
left his as she trailed her fingertips along his arm. “He may have claimed me
but that doesn’t make me –his-.”

A low growl rose in Angel’s throat. She was right. His wayward Childe had done
little more than claim her and leave him and Cordelia to pick up the pieces.
His body shuddered as he let his demon’s impulses ride over him, giving in to
the urges that had been plaguing him since he entered the house.

Cold lips met warm ones, the two people on the couch moaning as one as their
bodies ached to close the distance made by their clothes and join together as
one. “Need you…” Willow gasped, tearing her mouth from his to gasp for breath.
A thick sheen of passion hung before her half-lidded eyes and suddenly they
were both wearing way too many clothes for her tastes.

Angel nodded, picking her up and carrying her into the guest room. He kicked
shut the door with his foot, ignoring the loud bang it made as it crashed shut.
Setting her on her feet, the vampire ripped open her top, not caring if it was
important to her. It was all he could do to take this little bit of time. His
demon was screaming for her to be underneath of him – screaming in pleasure and
pain. He fumbled with the clasp on her jeans, finally giving up as she batted
his hand out of the way.

“Strip!” Willow ordered, shimmying out of her pants and reaching behind her to
unclasp her bra. She held her breath as he removed his shirt, the muscles of
his chest tightening as the movement flexed them. When his pants fell to the
floor she almost forgot to breathe entirely, taking in the sight of his thick
cock for the first time. She fumbled, trying to hook her fingers into the top
of her panties to pull them down.

“Allow me…” Angel purred. Grabbing the top of the thin cotton in both hands, he
ripped them away from her body, smirking as she gasped. His fingers twined in
the cinnamon curls of her sex, swiping gently between her nether lips. He
brought his finger up to his mouth, licking her juices away with a long brush
of his tongue. “Delicious.”

The red head moaned, backing up until she hit the bed then sitting – hard.
“Goddess…I need you….” She laid back, spreading her legs as her eyes closed. It
was all the invitation she was going to give him.

“Last chance to back out of this. Spike is going to be furious.” Angel growled,
positioning the head of his throbbing shaft at her steaming entrance. He didn’t
know if he’d be able to stop even if she wanted to. His demon had way too much
control over him at that moment, urging him to fuck her until she couldn’t
walk. He still wanted to ask, though.

“Don’t care about the Bleached Blunder.” Willow hissed, arching her hips up.
She cried out as his thick length slid into her, the coolness penetrating deep
into her very core as he stretched her to almost obscene proportions. “Let’s
see what we can do to piss him off some more.”

Angel growled, capturing her mouth with his and knowing that’s exactly what
they were doing.
 

~*~
 

He knew the second he entered the apartment what had happened.

The smell of their joining was thick in the air, like one of the foulest
perfumes he had ever had the misfortune to sniff. It was the scent of betrayal.
He shook his head, feeling the sadness well up inside of him – mixed with
self-righteous anger. That was –his- lover in bed with his Sire. She was
supposed to be loyal to him, no matter what. No matter what she thought of him
she wasn’t supposed to go running to the arms of his –Sire-!

It was, in effect, Dru all over again.

Spike took out a cigarette from his pack, shoving the remainder back into his
pocket as he glared at the door to the bedroom. His Sire was still in there,
undoubtedly asleep. How could he have done this to him? The blonde shook his
head, inhaling deeply off of the lit stick of tobacco. Angel of all people
should have been able to see that he wasn’t –just- using Red.

His face shifted and he raised one hand to open the door, stopping himself
barely in time. Did he really want to walk in there and see –his- mate in the
arms of his bloody Sire? He eased open the door, bracing himself for what he
was about to see.

Her hair was spilling over the crisp whiteness of the pillow, her eyes shut
tight against the slim ray of light pouring in from the hallway. He could see
one of her rosy nipples laid bare in the air, the sheet wrapped around her like
a toga. Even through the anger he was feeling his body reacted to hers, wanting
to throw her down and ravage her. To make her realize that she was his and no
other’s.

Then there was his Sire – laying on his side, arm thrown casually across the
covered stomach of the woman the blonde has chosen as his own. The older
vampire’s hair was tousseled, having come out of its perfect peaks no doubt
during his tryst with the red head beside him. Spike snorted, inhaling again
off of the cigarette. His demon wailed, wanting to hurt Angel while at the same
time ravage him in the same way it wanted Willow. The brief moments he had
shared with him in the hotel had ignited something deep within the blonde that
he had hoped to never feel again.

But he was.

He had –hoped- to come back to the apartment, try to talk some sense into Red,
then see what he could do to start some sort of relationship with the Souled
one. He just didn’t see that happening in the near future, though.

“Spike…”

The blonde’s eyes focused on the red head, calling out his name in her sleep.
He could feel their bond straining – pulling them together across the short
distance separating them. But he wouldn’t go to her. No. Not after what had
happened while he was gone.

“Childe…”

Tearing his eyes from his red haired goddess, the bleached blonde looked into
the wide open eyes of his Sire. He growled softly, wanting to rip the throat
out of the man who had dared to sleep with his –mate-.

Angel ignored the sounds of his Childe’s growling, slipping from the bed
quietly so as not to disturb Willow. He leaned over, eyes never leaving the
irate blonde across the room, and grabbed his silk boxers. Slipping the thin
fabric on, he stalked past his still growling Childe and into the living room.
He sat on the couch, waiting for Spike to join him.

“Spike…” The dark haired vampire sighed. Though he didn’t regret what he had
done with the witch, he did regret the effect it was having on his Childe. He
had known all along that this would hurt the blonde but had been too caught up
in passion and bonds older than man to stop himself.

“Was it good, -Sire-?” The blonde growled, dropping into a chair across from
Angel. He uttered the older vampire’s title with utter distaste. Despite his
best efforts he couldn’t hold onto the rage he was feeling. It was replaced by
sadness and longing quicker than he thought possible. “Did you enjoy stealing
yet another woman from me?”

“I didn’t have to steal her from you, Spike. She was never –yours- to begin
with. Not in –her- mind anyway. You tricked her into this whole situation. She
didn’t ask for it in any way, shape or form. You don’t care about…”

“Don’t tell me that I don’t care about her!” Spike roared, jumping from his
chair to glare down at his Sire. He glanced towards the bedroom door, hoping he
hadn’t disturbed his sleeping witch. Through all the anger he felt towards her
she was still his mate and she didn’t need to walk out here in the middle of a
fight between him and the Poof. “I would have thought that after all the bloody
time we have known each other than you would be able to tell when I –do- care
for anyone.”

Angel snorted. “How the hell would I be able to tell, Spike? You keep your
emotions all bottled up inside of you and only give the world anger and
contempt.” The brunette swallowed hard, remembering the brief moments of
cuddling he had shared with his petulant Childe at the hotel the night before.
“After all, I thought you cared about me once…” He whispered finally, letting
the words hang in the silence setting between them.

The blonde stood rock still, watching the play of emotions over the dark
features of his Sire. He knew what the older vampire was thinking, could see it
in every pain filled crease of his face. Deep in his mind his demon roared,
aching to recapture the bond he had once had with the creature sitting before
him. Here was his Sire, offering his heart up on a platter like the bloody Poof
he was.

Spike just couldn’t let it go that easy.

“This isn’t about me and you, wanker.” He sighed, sitting as far away from
Angel as the small couch would allow and trying desperately to avoid the
conversation his Sire wanted to have. “This is about what happened between you
and my Red.”

Angel nodded, pushing aside the cold hard lump of sadness in his chest. He knew
he was stupid to think he could repair the relationship he had given up so long
ago with his Childe, but something in him always made him want to try. “You
know how the bond works Spike…as your Sire it pulled her to me and me to her.
She wanted to make you hurt for what you’ve done.”

“Well it worked.”

The dark haired vampire’s eyes roamed over the pain-etched features of the
blonde. “Yeah. I can see that…” He groaned, leaning back into the soft leather
of the couch. Only now could he see that Spike really did care for the fragile
human sleeping in the next room. Only through the betrayal he had helped to
reap could he see that the bleached blonde had finally found someone to replace
Drusilla. Someone to care for and love in the only way Spike knew how. “For
what its worth. I’m sorry.”

The blonde watched his Sire’s handsome features for a few moments before
answering. “Sorry is a good place to start, mate, but it doesn’t help me get
Red back. I know her though. She didn’t sleep with you just for the bond or
just to hurt me. Its just not her nature. She wants you. Just like Dru did.” It
was clear he was in pain when his crystal blue eyes met those of his Sire. “Why
do they all go to you eventually?”

“She may care about me…” Angel began slowly. “I’ll give you that at least. But
she didn’t ‘come to me’. She’s not Dru. I’m not taking her from you. As much as
I may like it to be so, we’re not going to be one big happy threesome.” His
eyes went round as he realized what he had just admitted to. “Fuck…”

Despite the seriousness of the situation.

Despite the gravity of what had occurred only hours before.

Spike laughed.

“One helluva Fruedian slip you’ve got there, Poof.” The blonde chortled, his
head bent down in laughter. He laughed, covering up the thoughts racing through
his mind. His Sire wanted him again. Didn’t want to take Red away. He wanted
them to be one big happy family.

“Laugh it up, Blondie.” Angel smirked, glad his Childe hadn’t gotten positively
infuriated over the entire situation. When the laughter subsided and the blonde
raised his head, the older vampire found himself seeing something he wasn’t
sure he’d ever see from him again.

Acceptance.

“So…” Spike drawled, inching a little closer to his Sire. “You miss me,
Peaches?”

“Like the plague, Childe.” The older vampire purred, falling into a routine of
banter that went back to before the vampire next to him had even discovered
bleach. Before he knew it he had leaned forward, capturing the blonde’s lips
with his own. He lost himself in the taste of his Childe, enjoying the
sensations he had been deprived of for so long. Their tongues twined, dueling
for dominance within the cool confines of their mouths. Angel could feel his
cock – hard and ready for the blonde should they decide to take that step.

“Oh my god!”

The vampires scrambled back from each other, both slipping into game face as
they regarded the female standing in the door. Cordelia looked from one to the
other, ignoring the growling coming from the blonde. She placed her purse on
the table near the door and rolled her eyes. This was certainly the last thing
she expected to see when getting back from the nightclub. “I don’t want to
know.” She shook her head slightly, walking past them towards her own bedroom
door. Pausing for a moment, she turned back to them. “I don’t know what this
means for Willow. The two of you getting together or whatever the hell it is
you’re doing. But don’t hurt her or I will stake both your undead asses.”

Angel winced as the door to her room shut, the click echoing through the quiet
house. Cordelia was right, they didn’t need to hurt Willow more than she had
already been hurt by the entire situation. It all needed to be dealt with and
quickly. There was an almost imperceptible rustle of cloth in the next room and
he knew Willow had finally woken. “You should take her somewhere and talk to
her…”

Spike nodded. “Hope she’ll at least bloody well listen to me this time.” He
glanced over at his Sire, eyes traveling the length of the older vampire’s
body. He could see the bulge still firm in his crotch and licked his lips. “I
think I might need your help, though, Peaches. To make her understand…”

Grinning, Angel stood and walked to the guest room door, opening it before
Willow could. He watched her about to slip on a nightgown and shook his head.
“Get dressed. We’re going somewhere.”

The red head’s startled eyes flew to the blonde sitting in the living room.
“With him? I don’t think so.”

The dark haired vampire smirked. “For once, little one. I’m not giving you a
choice. There are some things that need to be discussed and you are going to
hear them.” He lowered his voice, making his next threat clear. “One way – or
another. You chose. The hard way or the easy way.”

Willow opened her mouth once, twice, then closed it with a snap. She threw a
glare at the vampires before stalking over to her suitcase to grab a change of
clothes. She didn’t even care that their eyes were watching every movement she
made as she slipped on the slip dress and her sandals. Her voice was cold
“There. Ready?”

Spike grinned as the red head made her way out to the car, leaving the two
vampires staring after her. “Way to go, wanker. Now she’s mad at the both of
us.”

Angel laughed, thinking of all the ways they could make it up to her after they
got her to calm down and see their side of things. “She’ll get over it, my
boy.”
 
 

~*~
 

Willow threw herself into the only comfortable chair the hotel room had,
glaring at the two vampires who had followed her in. "Now. What is this
'happy' little meeting about?"

Angel forced a sigh through his lungs. Her ice cold attitude had gotten a
little old on the ride to the hotel they would be staying at for the night.
Despite his attempts to cajole her into speaking she had adamantly refused
to even acknowledge his presence. "Willow...you need to listen to him.
Eternity is a long time to spend with someone you hate..."

The red head arched an eyebrow. "Wow Angel. This is a far cry from a few
hours ago when we were fucking just to PISS HIM OFF!" Her voice rose in
volume until she was screeching, the words ringing loudly in the small,
tacky room.

Spike smirked, grabbing the ashtray off of the small nightstand. He sat down
at the pathetic excuse for a dining table the establishment offered and lit
a cigarette, waiting to see what his Sire would say to the witch's
accusations. He could believe that it was the truth - that they had done
what they did to spite him. But it went deeper than that. On some level they
had both wanted each other before that.

Not that he minded.

After what had happened back in the cheerleader's apartment he couldn't
imagine anything other than the threesome the dark haired vampire had
accidentally mentioned wanting. The idea of sharing his Red with his Sire
for the rest of eternity wasn't unappealing in the least. It might would be
the only way he got to be with her at all and it meant he would get to shag
the Poof on a regular basis.

Provided she ever spoke to either of them again.

"Wills...I had a talk with him. He really does care for you in the only way
he knows how." Angel sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking at
her with haunted brown eyes. He longed to take her in his arms and sooth
away all the hurt both his Childe and now himself had caused her. But he
couldn't. This needed to be dealt with without making it more difficult with
physical actions. Things like that had started the whole mess in the first
place.

"And why should I believe -you-?"

Chocolate eyes closed in pain. "What have I ever done to make you not able
to trust me?"

The red head snorted, standing. She glared at him, beginning to pace. "Well,
gee, I dont know Angel. Maybe taking advantage of me? You -knew- I wasn't
going to be able to stop. I needed the contact after being away from my mate
for so long. And there you were, his -Sire-," she spat the word out with
contempt. "Ready to console me right into bed."

"You know thats not how it happened, little one..." Angel sighed, genuine
tears forming in his eyes. "But if thats what you want to believe, despite
all the friendship I've given you over the years then so be it. It doesnt
change the mess you are in or make things any better for you. So go on,
alienate one of the only friends you will have for the coming centuries!" He
was yelling now, eyes fading to amber as he regarded her. In all his life,
even as a degenerate teen, he had never had a woman say he took advantage of
her. It cut him deeper than any sword or stake ever could.

Green eyes grew wide and Willow took a good look at the man she had just
mortally insulted. Her eyes traveled over the pain etched lines of his face,
wondering what had come over her to speak so harshly. It was true, she had
made the advances. How could she speak so rashly in anger? "Oh, Angel..." A
lump of sadness formed in her throat when he turned from her.

"Spike..." The red head turned to her mate, trying to find comfort in him.

"Don't look to me for help, Red." The vampire murmured softly. His blue eyes
were cold as ice as he regarded her. "You've done nothing but push me away
since we got here. You didn't give me one soddin minute to explain to you
how I felt. Just jumped to your stupid little conclusions. And now, when
someone takes my side, you hurt him in a way your twisted little mind can't
bloody well imagine!"

"I didn't think..."

Spike snorted. "I can belive that, chit. You didn't think one bit. Never
once crossed your mind that maybe I want you for you. Never once crossed
your mind that we could have a good time in eternity together. Never once
crossed your mind that Peaches over there likes you just as much."

Tears formed in the corners of her eyes, spilling in salty lines over her
deathly pale cheeks. "He does? You do?" She turned, looking at Angel's back
as he laid on the bed. He could hear every word being said yet he didn't
turn over once, didn't acknowledge anything. She put a hand to her head,
grief plain on her face. Tears shook through her petite frame and she felt
weak in the knees. "Oh goddess. I'm such a fool."

Spike barely managed to catch the witch as she collapsed to the ground.
Despite the anger he was feeling to her - for hurting both himself and his
Sire, he held her. He couldn't bring himself to say the words she wanted to
hear though, that he forgave her. She hadn't apologized yet and didn't
rightfully deserve it.

But he could still hold her.

Willow cried, sobbing in the arms of the one person her body cried out for
more than any other. After a few moments she looked up into his face. "I'm
sorry for being so stubborn...It was a shock. Finding out I'm yours for a
lot longer than anyone else has ever wanted me before..."

Spike nodded. This he could understand. Claiming her as his mate had been
more of his demon's decision than his conscious mind's. It had been
something he hadn't even known he wanted until it happened. And after...
Afterwards he had been too caught up in the high of it all to realize that
scaring her wasn't smart - that it might help to alienate her. "It will be
ok, pet. I do want you. More than you still realize. I wouldn't have claimed
you otherwise." He chuckled softly. "Believe me, I dont want to spend
eternity with someone I dislike any more than you do."

The red head smiled up at him, wiping her tears away with the back of one of
her hands. She lifted her head, capturing his lips for a brief kiss. It felt
right - like coming home, and she never wanted to be without it again. When
they broke apart, she glanced over at the bed, her heart breaking at the
sight before her.

Angel was still there, his back turned to them and his shoulders were
shaking. When she listened closely, Willow could hear the heart rending
sound of his sobs. She turned to Spike, a plea for help in her eyes and he
just shook his head. "This is your mess, ducks. You fix it."

The red head nodded, pulling away from her mate's arms and crossing to the
bed. She flinched when the dark haired vampire rolled away from her hesitant
touch on his back. "Angel... I am more sorry than I can ever express...I was
wrong to accuse you..." Her voice shook as tears spilled over her face. "I
wanted it just as much as you did. Please believe that I didn't mean it."
She sobbed aloud when he didn't turn over - didnt acknowledge her
statements. "Oh goddess, please Angel... I love you just as much as I love
Spike...please? You know I didn't mean it."

Suddenly she was in his arms, staring into a smile so bright it was like the
sun. "A...Angel?"

"Yes, kitten?" The vampire purred, looking down into her face. Her
proclamation of love had sent him over the edge, unable to put her through
further torturous apologies.

"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" The startled red head whispered. She could
feel the bond between her and her mate's Sire straining at the close contact
between them and longed to lean up and kiss his full lips.

Angel grinned. "Just this once."

Willow smiled, her face clearing of sadness. Leaning up, she gently brushed
her lips against his. The moment was perfect until Spike cleared his throat.
She pulled back, suddenly uncertain. Her face was filled with confusion.
"So...what now? I mean...I like Spike...but...I like you too, Angel...Oh
goddess. Just when I start to get things straight everything gets
complicated again."

"Pet..." Spike murmured, coming to sit on the bed next to the cozy pair. "I
dont mind you being with Peaches sometimes as long as you know you are -my-
mate." He smirked. "Truth is, he and I are thinking about re-exploring what
we once had and I would hope that one day it could be the three of us in one
big bloody bed shagging like bunnies until the break of..."

His words were cut off as his mate's lips crashed into his. He felt her
fingers slide lightly along his thigh. She traced the growing outline of his
shaft through the tight jeans and he moaned into her mouth. Cracking open an
eye he could see that his Sire was kissing along her throat, kneading her
milky breasts through the thin cloth of her clothing.

Willow pullled back, moaning as Angel hit an especially sensitive spot with
his mouth. She turned lusty eyes to her mate and grinned wickedly. "Can
that 'one day' start right now? Cuz...I dont think I need to wait if you
don't."

Spike smirked, grinning as he caught his Sire's eyes. She had surprised them
both yet again. Things were definitely looking up for the coming centuries.
"Sounds like a marvelous idea to me, Pet."
 

                                                     ~*~ The End ~*~
 

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