***************

The day had come. The dark Sunnydale streets were screaming in anticipation. Spike also known as William the Bloody walked the streets as if all was the way it should be. Well in a few hours any way, he thought. It was just a week a go that Spike had found him. A neurosurgeon who was interested in working on vampires. Spike had found him and after a little convincing the doctor agreed to take the chip out. Now here Spike was on this normal Sunnydale night heading toward his office. Just a little while longer, he thought, and little a particular Slayer will wish she never met me. Spike walked with a devious smile on his face.

“Hey Will!” Buffy said entering their room. “Xander and I are going Bronzing tonight want to come?” Willow looked over at her.

“Yeah sure.” She said quietly. Buffy looked at her.

“Gee say that once more with even less enthusiasm.” Buffy said. Willow smiled at her sadly.

“Well it’s just that you have Riley and Xander has Anya. And What about Willow? Well as usual I am all alone.” Willow said that a little more harshly then she had meant to.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t even think. He is coming back you know.” Buffy said. Willow looked at her sadly.

“You think so?” She asked.

“Oh please wherever he is he will not be able to find anyone like you. I mean who wants to date a were…” Buffy stopped. “OK cut that but you know what I mean. He loves you. He just needs time.”

“I hope the time is almost up.” Willow said sighing. Buffy gave her a hug.

“Trust me I know how you feel.” Buffy said with a hint of regret in her voice. “OK but back to the main issue. Bronzing? Up for it?” Willow smiled.

“Yeah I’ll meet you guys there in about an hour. I have to get this paper done.” Willow said pointing to the computer.

“OK but be there or else I will come back and drag you there.” Buffy said. Willow laughed.
*****

The room was spinning when Spike opened his eyes. Everything was a bit blurry.

“Good your awake.” Dr. Ellis said. Spike looked at him. He felt like he had the worst hangover in history. And he had, had quite a few good ones in his time.

“Well?” Spike asked. The doctor looked at him curiously.

“Oh the chip!” He picked up a small metallic square and handed it to Spike.

“This is it?” Spike asked in disbelief. It was hard to believe that something this small could have caused him so much trouble. “So am I cured?” He asked. The doctor smiled.

“Yes of course you are.” He said.

“Well let’s try it out.” He said as his face changed. He bit the doctor before the doctor could blink. When he was done the doctor dropped to the floor dead.

“Yeah it worked.” Spike said smiling. He walked out and didn’t look back.
*****

It was ten by the time Willow finished her paper. She walked the dark streets of Sunnydale. There was nothing out there that could scare her anymore. She had seen it all. Then she heard a scream pierce the night air. She looked to her right. There was a young blonde girl being attacked by a vampire. Willow grabbed a stake from her purse and whispered a spell of protection.

“Hey you!” Willow called. The vampire looked up and the girl fell to the ground. Willow was too late. The face of the vampire changed back to human and Willow gasped.

“Hello red.” Spike said smiling. Willow started to back up. She could handle a lot on her own but Spike was not one of them. She began to run to the Bronze. Spike didn’t follow her. He lit up a cigarette and began to walk in the direction she had run. There would be time for her later. Right now he had other stuff to do. Namely his biggest problem, the Slayer.
*****

Willow ran straight into the Bronze. She spotted Buffy dancing with Riley and ran right to them.

“Buffy!” She said breathlessly. Buffy looked at her worriedly.

“Willow! What is it?” She asked.

“It’s Spike. He’s back.” Willow said darkly. Buffy caught her meaning instantly. But Riley didn’t.

“What do you mean back?” He asked confused.

“He can bite again.” Willow informed him. Riley was still confused.

“That’s impossible. The implant should keep him tame. No biting no hitting.” Riley said. Willow sighed. Sometimes Riley could be impossible.

“Well what I just saw didn’t fall into those two categories. He was definitely biting.” She said. Buffy was still calm.

“Well then I’ll just do what I should have done a long time ago. Kill him.” She said simply. She walked out of the Bronze with Riley and Willow trailing her. Willow knew that walk. That was Buffy’s "I’m as mad as hell and I’m not taking anymore" walk. Not a good walk for a vampire.
*****

Spike walked up to the Bronze just as Buffy walked out.

“Hello Buffy.” He said smiling. Buffy stared at him stonily.

“Can we just skip the formalities. I have a test in the morning and I would like to kill you as quickly as possible so I can go study.” Buffy remarked. Spike kept smiling.

“Well I wouldn’t plan on taking anymore tests. Not for a long time any way.” Spike cracked. Buffy had enough. She threw a punch and hit Spike in the jaw. Spike looked at her. Then the fight began. They punched and kicked and tore each other up. Spike at one point had Buffy on the ground and went for her throat.

“Buffy!” Riley called. Willow held him back.

“Don’t Riley. It’ll distract her.” Willow said. Then Buffy punched him and the battle raged on. Just then Xander and Anya joined them.

“What the hell…” Xander asked.

“Spike recuperated.” Willow informed him.

“Well in that case,” Xander said. “Kick that Brit’s butt Buffy!” He yelled. Spike growled at him.

“Xander please stop he can kill you now.” Anya said.

“Good idea.” Xander said. Then some other people started to come and see what was going on. Buffy and Spike both noticed this. They stopped and stared at each other.

“We’ll continue this.” Spike said walking into the dark.

“Counting on it.” Buffy said. And with that he disappeared into the dark. “I have to go hunt him.” Buffy said in a low tone. Riley put his hand on her shoulder.

“I really think you put the fear of God into him Buffy.” Riley said calmly and with a hint of awe in his voice.

“Spike doesn’t believe in God.” Xander said.

“Well actually,” Willow argued, “He did until Dru left him. Then he said that if there was a God even one who made a Slayer, he wouldn’t separate soul mates.”

“Spike doesn’t have a soul.” Buffy said confused.

“I know.” Willow replied simply. Everyone just looked at her but Buffy caught her underlying meaning. Spike hadn’t just been talking about him and Dru.

“Well the point is, is that Spike is a problem and he won’t stop until one of us is dead. I would prefer it be him.” She had that Slayer fierceness in her voice that meant there was no point arguing.

“Well the night was going good until now.” Xander sighed.

“I guess we should call it a night.” Anya said tugging on his arm. Xander caught her hint.

“Yeah so I’ll see you guys later.” He said smiling. He and Anya walked off. Single as always, thought, Willow thought.

“I might as well head home too.” She said. Buffy nodded.

“You want me to walk with you?” She asked. Willow shook her head.

“No it’s all right. I think Spike has had enough fun for one day.” Willow sighed

. “OK then I’ll meet you back home.” Buffy said.

“OK, ‘night Riley.” Willow said walking off.

“’Night Willow.” He called after her. He and Buffy held hands and walked back into the Bronze. As the crowd dissipated one lone figure remained. Spike took a step into a street light.

“No Red,” Spike said, “My fun has just begun.” He smiled and started to walk in the direction she had just left in.
*****

When Willow got back to her room she laid down on her bed and just began to think. She fell asleep and was awaken by a knock on the door. Remember an incident eerily similar to this she decided to get up and answer the door. It was Tara.

“Hi Tara. What’s up?” Willow asked.

“I was just wondering if you have spells for Janus.” She asked. Willow nodded her head.

“Yeah I do.” She went to her Wicca trunk and pulled out a book. “Here you go.”

“Thanks,” Tara said smiling, “I’d hang out with you but I have to figure out how to do this one spell I am working on.” Tara said apologetically. Willow nodded understandingly.

“That’s all right I’m beat anyway.” Willow said.

“See you then.” Tara said leaving. Then the phone rang. Willow ran to pick it up and left the door open.

“Hello.” Willow answered.

“Hello Willow? This is Giles. I was just wondering if you’ve heard from Buffy? She came and told me about Spike and left to patrol but I haven’t heard from her.” He informed her.

“She’s probably with Riley.” Willow said. Giles was silent.

“Somehow that doesn’t make me feel any better.” Giles said. Willow smiled.

“Well if I hear from her I’ll let you know Giles.” Willow told him.

“Yes, thank you Willow.” Giles said. He hung up. As Willow hung up she felt a hand slip around her mouth. She tried to scream but couldn’t. The cloth over her mouth had something on it. Chloroform, she realized in horror. As she passed out the last thing she saw was a shock of blond hair.

Buffy got home around two a.m. When she walked in the door the first thing she noticed was that the phone was off the hook and Willow’s Wicca trunk was open.

“Willow?” Buffy said. She looked in the bathroom. It was empty and so was the room. Buffy got worried. She picked up the phone and dialed Giles’ number.

“Hello.” Came a muffled voice.

“Hey Giles, it’s me did I wake you up?” She asked.

“Yes but it’s all right. What’s wrong?” He asked hearing the worry in her voice.

“Um, I’m really not sure. Have you heard from Willow?” She asked with concern.

“Well I talked to her about and hour and a half ago asking if she’d seen you? Why?” He asked worriedly.

“Well when I got here she was gone. But she might just be over at Tara’s. I’ll call and see.” Buffy said.

“Okay well let me know.” He said. They hung up. Buffy looked Tara’s number up and dialed. She really didn’t care what time it was.

“Hello.” Tara answered.

“Hi Tara? Its Buffy I was just wondering if you’ve seen Willow?” She asked.

“No I haven’t why?” Tara asked confused.

“Um, no reason I was just checking.” Buffy said. She really didn’t want to get to many people involved in this.

“Okay then Buffy. Talk to you later.” Tara said and she hung up. Buffy hung up the phone and began to pace. This could not be good. Not at all, she thought.
*****

It was morning when Willow woke up. She could see the sun in the crypt she was in. She sat up. Her head was killing her. She looked around. She was laying on a stone tomb with a blanket on top. The only thing in the crypt besides that were a TV and a chair in front of it. She got up and walked over to the door of the tomb and tried to open it but it wouldn’t budge.

Great, she thought. She looked at her watch. It was eight o’clock.

Just then a door behind her opened.

“Rise and shine.” Spike said. Willow backed up against a wall. Spike just smiled. “I really love being me.” He said.

“What are you going to do Spike kill me?” Will asked. She sounded half-scared and half-defiant. Spike looked at her.

“No, I really wasn’t planning on it. I was just planning to use you to lure Buffy here. Then you can do what ever the bloody hell you want.” He told her. He walked over to the TV and turned it on. Then he sat in the chair and began to watch some soap or another. Willow went back to sit on top of the tomb. It was going to be a long day, she thought.

“So that’s it!” She exclaimed. “That’s all I’m good for? Bait to get Buffy?” She couldn’t believe it. Spike looked at her confused.

“Are you mad Red?” He asked her. She fumed.

“Hell yes I’m mad. You have kidnapped me as bait for Buffy. I have no boyfriend and no life, my friends are ignoring me for their lovers, you won’t even kill me and I’m missing my Shakespearean Lit class. So yeah Spike you can say I’m mad.” She screamed at him. Spike looked at her in shock.

“Wow haven’t you got a fiery temper. It matches your hair well.” He said. That was the last straw for Willow.

“I am so going to kill you!” She yelled. She rushed him and he stood up just in time to miss her. She landed in the chair and Spike grabbed her and held her in a bear hug.

“All right your mad and I can see that but I am not going to kill you Red.” He said into her ear. Willow stopped struggling. Instead she began to cry.

“I knew it. I’m not even bite worthy. I give up.” She cried. Spike let her go and she collapsed into the chair crying silently.
*****

Everyone was at Giles’ house.

“Do you think Spike has her?” Xander asked. He was probably more worried than Buffy.

“I would bet Mr. Pointy on it.” She said. She was mad. Who did Spike think he was?

“Well we have to find her. And right now daylight is our ally.” Giles said.

“Right so we all split up and search the cemeteries. He has to be in a crypt somewhere.” Buffy said. She, Xander, Anya and, Riley began to walk out the door.

“Buffy, if you find him what are you going to do?” Giles asked out of curiosity.

“I’m going to do what I should have done when he first came to your door. I’m gonna let him burn.” Buffy said. She turned and walked out the door.

“How bad is Spike?” Riley asked Xander. Xander just looked at him.

“Well he likes to kill people, he has a thing for kidnapping, and he really isn’t a nice guy. So I’d say pretty bad.” Xander said. He wasn’t in the mood to explain to Buffy’s boyfriend about Spike. That would lead to Angel. And that was another issue he didn’t want to talk about.

“OK. Thanks for clearing that up.” Riley said.
*****

“Uh, Red,” Spike asked, “How are you doing?” Willow gave him a dirty look. “OK I’ll take that as not good.” He sighed. For some reason he couldn’t stand to have her mad at him. Then he thought of something. “What class are you missing again?” He asked.

“Shakespearean Literature, why?” She asked. She wouldn’t even look at him.

“ ‘There is a willow,’” Spike began to quote, “ ‘aslant a brook. That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream. There with fantastic garlands did she come, Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples That liberal shepherds give a grosser name But our cold maids do dead men’s fingers call them.’” Willow looked at him in amazement. “It’s from Hamlet.” He told her. She just continued to stare at him.

“That was beautiful.” She told him. “You read Shakespeare?” She asked. He just looked at her.

“Well I grew up in 19th century England.” He said. She looked at little hurt. “Yeah I read Shakespeare.” Willow perked up a bit.

“I love Hamlet.” She said. Spike smiled. For some reason when Willow felt better he felt better.

“Yeah that’s a good one. Shakespeare was a smart little wanker.” Spike said. Willow laughed.

“Well that’s one way to put it.” She said. Her smile seemed to light up the dark old mausoleum. “What else do you like to read?” She asked. Spike was a little taken a back. He hadn’t ever met anyone who cared how smart he was.

“Well all kinds of stuff. Just what ever I can find really.” He said. Willow smiled.

“That’s pretty much what I do if I’m not reading books on demons or witchcraft.” She said. Spike smiled.

“Yeah you do seem to be the brains of the operation.” He said. Willow gave him a curious look.

“How do you know?” She asked. Spike was speechless. He couldn’t exactly tell her the stuff Angelus had told him.

“Well from what I’ve noticed hanging around is all.” He said. Willow seemed satisfied with that answer.

“What’s it like to live forever?” She asked suddenly. Spike looked at her.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Well I mean you know that as long as you stay out of the sun and avoid a stake to the heart your not going to die. So what’s it like to know that?” She asked. The question and the person it was coming from amazed him.

“Well it’s wonderful I guess. Knowing there’s nothing out there that can stop you, well besides the Slayer that is. It can give you a bit of an ago trip. Until the day you find out the one thing that can stop a vampire dead in it’s tracks.” Spike said.

“What’s that?” Willow asked.

“It’s love, Red. Just plain old black magic love. It can drive a vampire mad. Just look at Angel. Poor bloke has lived for 200 and some years happy and care free besides the blasted soul. Then one day he stumbles across the Slayer. Then there’s me, I was just a dumb kid until I met Dru, then I was at the top of the world. Yeah Red, it’s amazing what love can do.” Spike looked away. Willow understood just what he met. But it hadn’t taken her 126 years to figure it out.

“Yeah I guess you’re right.” Willow said. Spike looked at her.

“Well actually I know I’m right.” He said. Willow rolled her eyes.

“Spike would you bite me if you could?” Willow asked suddenly.

“Well I can.” He said simply, “And no I won’t.”

“Well why not?” She asked.

“Just because I won’t.” He said. Willow started to get mad again.

“That is not an answer. I want to know why.” She asked.

“I don’t have to explain myself pet.” He said. Willow stood up.

“Oh yes you do. As my kidnapper I demand you tell me why.” She stormed. Spike was getting mad.

“Because I don’t want to!” He yelled. Willow still wouldn’t accept that.

“You baby!” She yelled. “You’re just too chicken.” She exclaimed. By now Willow and Spike were just inches apart. The intensity in the tomb was electrifying.

“Fine! What do you want me to do? Bite you?” He yelled. Willow and Spike stared at each other with fierce passion.

“Yeah why don’t you?” She dared. Spike looked at Willow fiercely. Willow was fuming. Moments passed and neither moved. Suddenly Spike grabbed Willow and kissed her. The kiss was passionate and full of longing for both of them. For both the earth seemed to shake. The kiss seemed to last for an eternity and Willow never wanted it to end. Then as if shocked, they jumped back and stared at each other. Willow was out of breath. Spike just stared at her afraid to move.
*****

“It’s this way!” Xander said. He was leading Riley toward the voices he had heard. They had split up with Anya and Buffy a while a go. The search seemed hopeless until just moments ago Xander had heard shouting. Then suddenly it stopped.

“Xander I don’t hear anything.” Riley said.

“Voices don’t just come out of graves.” Xander said. Then he thought about what he had said. This was Sunnydale after all. But he was sure he had heard Willow. In determination he set off to find where they had come from.
*****

“OK that didn’t just happen.” Willow said in shock. Spike just looked at her.

“No it didn’t.” He said. “We just imagined it or something. Or better yet it was just a really bad mistake.” They continued to stare at each other. Then Willow smiled.

“That was some kiss though.” She said. Spike smiled.

“Not to bad yourself Red.” He said. Then they both sobered.

“Wait what are we saying?” Willow asked.

“Right this is bad.” Spike agreed.

“OK no more kissing. That’s final.” Willow said firmly.

“Yeah we’ll just stick to that. It’s a good idea.” He said. They continued to stare at each other. The room had intensified once again. Then Spike swept Willow into his arms and kissed her pasionatly. When the kiss ended Willow smiled.

“Well we tried.” She whispered. Spike smiled and kissed her again.
*****

Xander headed to the Jones mausoleum. Riley was close behind.

“The voices were definitely coming from in there.” Xander said.

“I think you’re right. Hopefully not from the people buried in there.” Riley said.

“OK you go around that way and I’ll go the other way and we’ll watch each others backs, got it?” Xander said. Riley nodded.

“Got it.” Sometimes Xander really surprised him with knowledge and courage. Riley headed to the right and Xander to the left. On Xander’s side all he could see was a single window. He crept toward it and peeked in. Suddenly he wished he hadn’t.

“Riley!” Xander hissed. Riley appeared from the back. “For the love of God tell me they are not doing what I think they’re doing.” Xander pleaded. Riley looked in the window and turned white.

“Is that Willow? But she’s-he’s-they’re-“ Riley stuttered. Xander sighed.

“I guess that would be a yes they are, wouldn’t it?” Xander said. “Come on. It has to be a spell or something, we have to go get her.” Xander said. They headed toward the front of the tomb. Xander tugged on the door but it wouldn’t budge. “Help me here GI Joe.” Xander said. Riley grabbed the handle and they both pulled. After the third try the door finally opened. They barged in.

“It’s worse then we thought.” Riley said. Willow and Spike were looking at them from the top of the crypt.

“Is it safe to look?” Xander said. He had his hands over his eyes.

“Yeah it’s safe. At least they haven’t lost any clothes yet ” Riley said. Xander gave Riley a dirty look. Spike got up.

“What the bloody hell do you two think you’re doing?” Spike asked. Willow looked at them both innocently.

“We’re here to get Willow.” Xander said bravely.

“Oh no you’re not, This is my home and Willow is my guest. Isn’t that right love?” He asked. Willow looked at Xander sincerely.

“Yeah, what did you guys think was going on?” Willow said. She was trying her best not to laugh and she could tell Spike was too.

“But we…” Xander tried to talk but the words wouldn’t come. So Riley tried to help him.

“We- we thought he had kidnapped you?” It ended up more of a question then a statement,

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about.” Spike said. Suddenly Willow couldn’t contain it anymore. She started to laugh and Spike joined her. Riley and Xander just looked at each other bewildered.

“You know what?” Xander said, “I am just going to walk out of here and pretend I never saw anything. And I’ll never tell anyone this ever happened. How does that sound Riley?” Xander asked him. Riley looked at him a little confused then he remembered the really mad Slayer looking for Spike.

“Right, hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.” Riley agreed. Xander walked over to Willow and hugged her.

“I am just gonna tell Buffy we found you at your mom’s. If you aren’t home by tonight then I'll. come after you.” Xander said.

“Thanks Xander. I owe you one.” She said. Xander smiled.

“No you’re gonna owe me a million.” He said. He walked away then he looked back at Spike.

“She gets hurt in any way then I’ll kill you.” Xander said. Spike smiled.

“Hell I give you permission to kill me mate.” He said. Riley and Xander walked out of the crypt in shock.

“I am going to have nightmares for the rest of my life.” Xander said unhappily. Riley nodded.

“You and me both pal. You and me both.” He said as he patted Xander on the shoulder. In the tomb Spike smiled at Willow.

“Think we’re safe?” He asked her.

“For now.” She said. He kissed her.

“Well that works for me.” Spike said. Willow smiled.

“You mean that works for us.” She corrected.

“I don’t know how we’re going to explain this one Red.” Spike said smiling.

“Who says we have to?” Willow asked. Spike just kissed her in reply.
 

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