*~*~*~

And so you see I try,
I cannot ever displace
You see I'm jaded at times,
>From nowhere leaving this place
So you see me die, right in front of your face
You see I'm jaded at times,
>From nowhere leaving this place

"Revival" -Orgy-

*~*~*~

*~ "We seem to have a problem," the Watcher said in his deep, British voice that was at once alarming in its sobreity and soothing in its agelessness. Willow
found herself leaning against Spike, letting him wrap his arm around her shoulders to rest on her hip. She kept silent, even though she could feel the others
looking at them and wondering. Especially Angel.

*~ He wasn't wondering what had happened. He knew. He could smell them on each other. She could feel the jealousy flare in the dark haired vampire, his demon rattling at the cage, so to speak, at the sight of his former lover and his childe together. A slight smile touched her lips as she snuggled closer to Spike. It was too late. She loved Spike. She had since the first time he'd barged into her caves and demanded that she quit feeling sorry for herself.

*~ Spike. He'd changed her. She hadn't wanted to change. Quite the opposite. She wanted to stay in her misery because it was familiar. It was all she had.
And she was afraid that if she were to let go of it, then she wouldn't know what to do if her happiness were suddenly taken away. That's what she was afraid
of now. She was afraid that... She was afraid she would lose. Lose Spike. Lose the love she'd found. Lose him like she'd lost the others.

*~ She sighed and tuned back into what the Watcher was saying.

*~ "... And it says that Willow, as the chosen, will have two protectors, one light and one dark... One darkness personified, and one esentially 'taken from
the game'."

*~ "Darkness and Light," Xander repeated, his hand clutching Anya's tightly. He hadn't let go of her since he'd heard her news earlier. He was still somewhat giddy, but he had to concentrate on the matters at hand. "Deadboy and Deadboy Jr. I mean, Spike's the light, with light hair, and Angel's dark... And Spike's been taken out of the game by the chip in his head. But Angel's not darkness personified. I mean, he has a soul..."

*~ "But Angelus is," Willow whispered, her hand tightening on Spike's. An ironic smile touched her lips. "But I made his soul permanent."

*~ "There's a way around it, luv," Spike said, his voice unusally quiet. "There always is."

*~ "What the hell are you guys talking about?" Buffy demanded.  "Angel's soul isn't going anywhere."

*~ "Buffy, the prophesy says that..."

*~ "I don't care what the prophesy says, I'm not letting that demon free again!" Buffy cut her former Watcher off angrily. Her eyes narrowed in on Willow
and she turned her accusations on the petite redhead. "And *you*! Whatever plan you have to get Angel back isn't going to work. I won't let you ruin my life
again. Or Angel's."

*~ Willow went still, her face smoothing out. Her blind eyes blazed and she let go of Spike and stood up, facing the former Slayer with a rage barely kept
in check. "Listen to me, you little *bitch*," Willow said, her voice low and dangerous. If she were to raise her voice, she'd be screaming. "You have no idea
what kind of hell I could make your pitiful existence. You have no *fucking* idea. So I dare you, Slayer, push me. Push me just a little fucking more. Go
ahead."

*~ Buffy didn't back down, her anger taking precedence over good sense. Her hand lashed out of its own accord and struck Willow's cheek with full strength. There was a sickening crack as Willow's fragile jaw snapped. The witch didn't move, she bowed her head, her long blood-red hair falling to hide her face. She was silent for a minute as everyone stood in awe at the audacity of the Slayer, and in fear of how the witch was going to retalliate.

*~ "Come on, bitch, fight me," Buffy demanded, ready for whatever the other girl would try to give back. At least, she thought she was prepared.

*~ Willow's shoulders started shaking, and at first everyone thought she was crying. Then she threw back her head and started laughing. She laughed and
laughed, high and tinkling the way she used to laugh, only... different. This laughter sent chills down their spines. "Y-you are s-so stupid, Slayer," the witch gasped between her chuckles. "You are so fucking stupid." The laughter died as if it had never begun and Willow cupped her hands together. "You want to see what I have for you?"

*~ "Not really," Buffy said, carefully controlling her fear.

*~ "Oh, come on, Buff... Big, bad Slayer," Wilow taunted. "You can hit a blind woman, but you don't want to recieve a gift..."

*~ "I don't want anything from you," Buffy spat, backing away, her fear making Willow smile.

*~ "Do you want a taste of what you did to me, Buffy? Do you want just a fucking taste of what I've gone through these four years? Huh, Slayer?" Willow opened her hands and a ball of light flew towards the stunned slayer and hit her before she could even think of ducking. She fell to the floor, screaming, her
eyesight gone, and a sense of intense loss moving over her so suddenly that she hadn't even time to take a deep breath. Everything she'd ever cherished was gone, taken away from her, even her will to live. The pain and hopelessness was so thick in her throat that she moaned. Everything was gone... Everything.

*~ It was over within less than a minute. She blinked her eyes and was left staring at the stunned faces of those around her. Willow was again sitting calmly in the circle of Spike's arms, her face an unemotional mask, her unfocused green eyes looking at nothing.

*~ All of Buffy's anger was gone as she pulled herself up off the floor and straightened her clothes. She looked at Angel, standing to the side, his dark eyes
not looking at her. She looked at her Watcher. He was looking at her with a mixture of disgust and concern. Xander and Anya were both looking appalled... looking at *her*. Only Senna wasn't looking at her like that... she had a slightly fearful look on her youthful face as she stared at the redheaded witch.

*~ Buffy didn't say anything, she turned and left.
 

Part 12

*~ "You think someone should go after her," Senna asked, breaking the uneasy silence tentatively. "I mean, she's upset and..."

*~ "And she can take care of herself," Xander said, his voice uncharacteristically cold. "We have more important things to discuss than Her Majesty Buffy."

*~ "Xander's right," Giles said quietly. Senna turned an accusing glare in his direction and color rose in his cheeks and he took his glasses off to wipe them on his shirt, a habit that would never leave.

*~ "I don't care if nerd-boy is right or not," Senna snapped, reaching for her black leather bag that held her slaying gear. "She's out there alone, upset, and
you have no idea *what* the witch did to her. I'm going after her."

*~ "Good riddance," Spike called out as she slammed the door behind her. He turned his attention back to Willow, his large, calloused hand stroking the side of her face that the slayer had struck. There was no sign of the broken jaw she'd suffered earlier. She healed quicker than he did.

*~ "H-how are we to rid Angel of his soul, and is it a good idea?" Giles' voice brought them back to the matter at hand.

*~ "I would be willing, as long as it wasn't a permanent loss," Angel offered quietly, his dark eyes never leaving Willow's face. "And as long as someone
would be able to control... him."

*~ Willow's lips twisted again at the thought of Angelus under anyone's control. "Don't worry about the control issue, vampire," Willow said, her voice hard.
Spike's hand tightened in hers, and she could feel his amusement.

*~ "But how... I mean, the soul's permanent," Xander said with his usual slightly dense way of saying something without thinking about it. "I mean, he can't
just get a happy and then go psycho-guy anymore."

*~ Angel didn't even rise to the bait. His whole attention was focused on the former love of his un-life. She was so beautiful, so powerful. And so not his. She didn't belong to him, and he didn't deserve her. But there was one thing he could do for her and maybe he can find some kind of forgiveness.

*~ "I gave it to him, and I can take it away," Willow said and there was no hint of pride in her tone, just matter-of-fact.

*~ "That easy," Xander said quietly. "Remind me not to piss you off, Wills."

*~ "I'd never hurt you, Xander. You or Anya. Or the baby," Willow answered, her smile soft and transforming. She looked like a whole different person when she smiled, more like the way she used to be.

*~ "You know?" Xander asked, grinning ear to ear. Joy bubbled up inside him and he tried to contain it.

*~ "Of course, I know," Willow laughed and they were all struck by the difference. Where her laughter of a few minutes before had been almost cruel, this
laughter was warm and genuine. "Silly Xan. Do you want to know what her future is?"

*~ "Yes," Anya said eagerly, leaning forward, her brown eyes shining.

*~ "She'll be one of the greater warriors in the fight. Already I can feel her power. She'll live long and well, and so will the both of you," Willow answered.

*~ Spike kissed the side of her face, his lips lingering as his eyes narrowed in on his sire, staring at his mate. An irrepressible smugness rose and Spike
had to bite back the urge to make his sire even more jealous. Red wouldn't take kindly to it. Quickly, the smugness faded, as did his smile. But soon Angelus
would be back... not this watered down version of his sire. And then where would he be with his Red? No woman had ever resisted his unsouled sire's charms when he turned them full force. A tiny icicle of fear wedged its way into his heart at the thought of losing the woman who'd become the be-all-end-all of his existence.

*~ He tuned back in on the conversation and realized that everyone was rising to call it a night. "... We'll discuss this more tomorrow night," the Watcher
was saying and Spike helped Willow to her feet. The small redhead tucked her hand safely in his and allowed him to lead her to the door.

*~ "Willow," the Watcher's voice stopped them and Willow stilled. Spike could feel the tension coil in his lover's body as she turned to face him. "I-I wanted to let you know that I am deeply sorry for the way Buffy has acted in the past and is continuing to act."

*~ "Thank you, Rupert," Willow said, gracing him with one of her warmer smiles. "And I do realize that whatever Buffy said or did in the past or present has
nothing to do with you. I bear you no ill will."

*~ Willow didn't wait for a response before turning and allowing Spike to lead her out into the warm night air, but she could feel the warmth of the Watcher's
relief and slight happiness that she'd forgiven him.
 

Part 13

*~*~*~*

You are my fire.
The one desire.
Believe when I say.
I want it that way.

-Backstreet Boys-
"I Want It That Way"

*~*~*~*

*~ "Let's walk for a while," Willow said quietly as she and Spike walked slowly through the seemingly peaceful night time streets of Sunnydale.

*~ "Whatever you want, luv."

*~ Willow frowned as they lasped into silence. Something was bothering him. She knew the moment they stepped into the playground in the park and she moved toward where she remembered the swings as being. Her hand outstretched, she found the chains of one of the swings and slowly lowered herself to sit in it.

*~ Spike automatically stood behind her and gently pushed her to get the swing rocking. She lifted her feet above the ground and allowed him to push her a
little. This continued for a few minutes before she broke the silence.

*~ "What's bothering you, Spike," she asked, her soft voice making him jump. He stopped pushing her and she put her feet down to stop the swing. He moved to sit in the swing next to hers, pushing his feet back and forth as he thought about the best way to talk about this.

*~ "What becomes of me when Angelus is back," Spike blurted suddenly, making it Willow's turn to jump. She got to her feet slowly and moved to stand in front of his, using his arm as a guide.

*~ "Absolutely nothing," Willow said firmly. She put her hands on either side of his face. "I loved him first, I admit that. But I love you now. And I love you more. It goes so deep, Spike, that I don't think anyone can ever comprehend. If anything, *I'm* the one who should be scared."

*~ Spike was surprised. He brought his hands up to cradle hers against his face. "Why should you be scared, baby? You have me. I ain't going anywhere
unless you ask me to leave."

*~ "Then I guess neither of us has anything to worry about, then, lover," Willow smiled and touched her lips to his. "We're both staying right here. And
there's nothing you can do about it, Slayer."

*~ Again, Spike was surprised. One, he hadn't heard the second Slayer approach, and second, he was surprised at how quick Willow had gone from soft and loving to cold as ice. She turned around and he stood, pulling her back against him as they faced Senna.

*~ The younger Slayer was scared, but trying to hide it under a tough exterrior. Her dark blue lips twisted into a sneer as her blue eyes took in the couple on
the swing. "I was looking for Buffy."

*~ "Not here, ducks, so why don't you leave," Spike snarled. "Go play in traffic or play hopscotch off a cliff or something."

*~ "You think you're so funny, vampire," Senna growled back. "So fucking funny. We'll see when my stake's stuck through your heart."

*~ Willow was getting angry. No one threatened hers. "To do that, Slayer, you have to go through me. And believe me, bitch, it won't be that easy."

*~ Senna's fear was nearly doubled at that and she fought to keep herself from backing away. She was sixteen years old and stupid. But not that stupid.
"Yeah, whatever," she retorted and then made a hasty retreat through the trees.

*~ Willow laughed and turned back to face Spike. His hands still rested on her waist, keeping her pressed up against him. She kissed him suddenly, roughly, her tounge demanding entrance, her hands creeping into his duster, caressing the hard planes of his chest and sides. He growled low in his throat and returned the kiss.

*~ His hands roamed over the soft satin of her dark red gown, moving up to cup her small breasts through the fabric. She broke away, her breath coming in sort gasps. "We've got company," she whispered. "Vampires. Five of them."

*~ "Bloody hell!"
 

Part 14

*~*~*~

That kinda lovin'
Turns a man to a slave
That kinda lovin'
Sends a man right to his grave...

-Areosmith-
"Crazy"

*~*~*~

*~ "Oh, look, it's the traitor," a growling voice said and Willow's lips curved up in a wicked smile.

*~ "Can I play, Spikey," she whispered, her voice so low only he could hear her.

*~ "Hell, luv, I bloody adore it when you play," he whispered back, quickly biting at her lips.

*~ "Then play along." She pulled away from Spike, throwing herself on the ground as if he'd thrown her, projecting a very real feeling fear, hiding her power,
forcing it to fade under heavy barriers.

*~ "S-Spike?" her voice was high and frightened and Spike was hard-pressed to go along with the game instead of rushing to kill the fledges that had dared
to frighten *his* Red, his mate. With some effort, he forced his features back into his human mask and tried to act nonchalant. ~She can take care of herself if she so chose~, he thought, trying to make himself feel better about it.

*~ "How dare you," he roared at the startled minions, his 'game face' sliding back on. "How dare you end my game!"

*~ "S-sorry," a dark haired fledge stammered, real fear finding home on its face.

*~ "Why are you apologizing, Andy? He's lost his bite, remember?" another, blonde minion snarled. The others laughed, jeering at the furious master vampire. Big mistake. But it wasn't Spike that put them in their place, but Willow.

*~ Tiring of the game before it even started, Willow got to her feet, still successfully masking her power. She swayed, still acting the innocent. Stumbling,
hands out in front of her, she 'accidentially' 'fell' into the dark haired vamp, who grinned and held onto her with a cruel grip. "Lookee here, boys," he
chuckled evilly, but his words were cut off by a loud, agonized scream before he turned to dust.

*~ Willow stood there calmly, waving her hand in front of her face to dispell the left over dust. "Next?" she said, her voice cold and so completely different from the frightened whimper. It never ceased to amaze Spike how fast she could change. Hard to soft, cold to warm, scared to death to bored to tears. He found himself grinning foolishly as he sauntered over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck with an audible smack.

*~ "Boys, meet my mate," he said, tone boastful. "Red, meet the stupid blokes who thought we were an easy mark."

*~ Willow's lips turned up in a cruel little smile. She borrowed a phrase from the long-past doppleganger. "Bored now." Then the vamps, all four of the
remaining, turned to screaming piles of dust with just a thought.

*~ "Thought you wanted to play, luv?"

*~ "I can play with idiots anytime, lover, but I've got better things to do. You *up* for it?" Willow batted her eyelashes up at him and he grinned, kissing her roughly, slamming her against him, letting her feel exactly *how* up he was.

*~ "Always, pet."

*~ "Then what are we waiting for? Take me, you fool!" Willow's genuine laughter rang out through the park as Spike threw her over his shoulder and took off towards his apartment.
 

Part 15

*~*~*~

I found out one life ain’t enough
I need another soul to feed on
I’m the flame I can’t get burnt

-Matchbox20-
"Busted"

*~*~*~

*~ She had grown in power, and in beauty, the almost-god thought, watching the witch and the vampire play in the moonlight. The little redhead was the
entire reason he'd fought so hard to come back to this plane of existence. A cruel smile touched his lips as her laughter reached his ears. She wouldn't have much to laugh about when he got through with her.

*~ His smile disappeared as he watched the vampire carry his witch off into the dark streets. Revenge was sweet. But not as sweet as the sound of her screams, not as sweet as the taste of her bleeding flesh. His tall frame shuddered as the visions of the tortures he had planned ran through his twisted mind.

*~ The best part about it was that she would heal the wounds he inflicted almost immediately, so he could just inflict more. With a continually healing victim,
who needed to find different ones? He just wished he'd found her back before he'd made a name for himself. But then, that name had never done him wrong.

*~ He shook his light brown hair out of his face, his violet eyes glowing for a second in the gloom. "Careful, lover," he said, his voice a velvety whisper. "Jack's coming for you."

*~ Somewhat bored with lurking in the shadows of the park, he set off in search of a victim... One who would take the edge of the hunger for bloodshed. A
little redhead with skin as soft and white as snow, and hair the color of blood. He smiled, showing straight, perfect white teeth. Jack was back.
 

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