Summer after Season 4.

*~*

Willow sat in Giles' apartment reading a book, not her idea of fun today. But Buffy was with her mom on a summer trip to Palm Springs and Xander was off on a trip with Anya. So this left her all alone and she needed some kind of company, even if it was Giles. Her summer was so boring. She noticed that dusk had fallen but it didn't really matter. Sunrise, sunset, yadda, she thought. Suddenly the front door opened.

"Giles isn't here," she said not looking up from her book.

"How did you do that?" Spike asked. A small smile touched her lips.

"I'm just that good," she said. Spike looked at her in disbelief. "Fine Giles is always mumbling about bloody Americans when he comes in." Spike nodded.

"Yeah old Rupert does have a thing about yanks doesn't he?" Spike asked. Willow nodded and continued on her book.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Willow asked.

"Well the watcher asked me to go get him some stuff as a favor and he'd pay me. I'm kind of in the need for cash so I said sure," Spike explained.

Willow turned a page. "Sounds like a wonderful life," she said sarcastically.

"Aren't we just the cheerful one?" Spike asked.

Willow nodded. "Yeah a regular ray of sunshine," Willow grumbled.

Spike smiled.

"Well I never liked sunshine anyway pet," he said. He turned a chair backwards and sat on it facing her.

"So come now red tell me what's up?" he commanded. Willow looked up at him and smiled. Ever since she had been spending time at Giles, she had talked to him a lot. She had really been enjoying their little chats.

"I am having the most boring summer!" she said falling back on the couch for emphasis.

Spike smiled. "It can't be that bad," he said searching his shirt for his cigarettes. Willow absent-mindedly pulled a pack out of a side table drawer and threw then to him. He smiled at her. "Thanks pet."

She shrugged. "Smoking will kill you, ya know," she said without thinking. He smiled.

"I'm already dead remember?"

"Oh yeah," she said. "Anyway it is that bad. I haven't done anything even remotely fun since the summer began. Sure I mean it started off with a bang after that night of hellish nightmares but it's been all down hill from there," she complained. Spike went to light up a cigarette but a look from Willow stopped him. So he sighed, put it back with the others and looked at her.

"Then let's do something fun," he said.

She looked at him dubiously. "Like what?" she asked.

He shrugged. "You're from Sunnydale, you tell me."

Willow laughed. "There is nothing fun to do in Sunnydale," she said.

Spike looked at her. "Come now pet you people have to do something for fun in the place," he said.

Willow shrugged. "Well there's the Bronze, the movies, the park, and the Hellmouth. Not much choice if you ask me," she said.

"First of all, on behalf of the demon population of this town, I'd like to say that the Hellmouth can be quite fun if you think about it," Spike said with a smile. Willow wasn?t amused. "Ok, well maybe not for you but you have to look at it from my perspective, Red." She still wasn't amused. He jumped up and grabbed her hand. "Look I don't fancy on watching you mope and give me dirty looks all night so let's go," he said.

Willow pulled back. "Where are we going?" she asked.

Spike pulled her out the door. "Let's just get there and then I'll tell you," he said. Willow just rolled her eyes.

~*~

Willow groaned. They walked up to the Bronze.

"You have got to be kidding me," she said.

Spike looked at her. "You know, for someone who's complaining you're bored you might as well look a little happy," he said.

Willow put on a very fake smile. "Better?" she asked.

Spike smiled. "That's a good little Red," he said. Willow really smiled. Then he dragged her into the Bronze. "I'm suddenly regretting this," he said. Willow looked at him.

"Why?" she asked.

"You know I just remembered I can?t even dance so I say?"

"No way! You dragged me in here so now we're dancing!" she said dragging him onto the dance floor. Spike smiled at her back as she pulled him onto the floor.

"What kind of song is this?" he asked listening to the music.

She smiled. "It's called country," she said smiling.

He rolled his eyes.

~When the rain's blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I would offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love~

"Not only do I have to dance but I have to dance to country? You're torturing me here, Red," he said. "The things I do for you."

She smiled and put her hands around his neck.

~Evening shadows
And the stars appear
And there is no one
To dry your tears~

"But admit it. It'?s kind of fun isn't it?" she asked.

He smiled at her. "More then you'll know." He slipped his hands around her waist and started to dance with her.

~I would hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love ~

They danced and Willow realized something. "You are such a liar," she said.

He looked at her innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

She nodded. "Oh, I can't dance, Red," she said imitating him.

He smiled. "Ok, so I lied a little. I never took a vow of honesty, pet."

~I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
There's no doubt in my mind where you belong ~

She put her head on his shoulder swaying to the music. This is way better then reading at Giles, she thought.

~I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling down the avenue
There ain't nothing I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love~

He smiled watching her close her eyes. Sometimes just the unexpected things she did amazed him. Just a few months ago she wouldn?t have even considered dancing with him but now here she was in his arms.

~The storms are raging on a rollin' sea
Down the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing like me yet ~

He took a deep breath of her scent. It was honeysuckles, he thought. There was something all too good about that smell. Stop it, he commanded himself. Red is just a friend, that?s it.

~There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
Got to the ends of this earth for you
Make you happy
Make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love ~

The dance ended and Willow looked at him. "Now I want to go walk," she said.

He smiled. "Oh, I see. We have to cover all the highlights of Sunnydale in one night, huh?? he asked.

She smiled and nodded so they headed out the door. They walked through the dark streets. After a few blocks he unconsciously placed a protective arm around her shoulder. She smiled but didn't say anything. She wasn't seeing any problems with this situation. They walked onto main street and then to the park. As they walked through on the path Willow looked up at the stars. The sky looked beautiful with the crescent moon shining down and millions of stars all around it.

"Did you ever stop to wonder who made all this?" Willow asked.

Spike looked up at the sky and then at her. "Sometimes," he said.

"Do you ever come up with an answer?" she asked.

Spike shrugged. "Some days I say God, others I don?t find an answer," he said.

Willow sighed. "Well, whoever made it, it's beautiful," she said still looking at the sky.

He looked directly at her. "Yeah it is," he said.

Willow ducked out from his arm and leaned up against a tree just off the path. She looked up at the moon through the branches. He went over and stood next to her.

"Do you always think this much pet?" he asked.

She smiled at him sheepishly. "Yeah, always. It's my one flaw," she said.

He smiled at her. "It's not a flaw. You're perfect just the way you are, Red," he said.

She blushed. "Thanks," she said quietly.

He stood in front of her and put one of his hands on the tree. She looked into his eyes.

"Can I ask you something, Red?"

"Yeah sure," she replied.

"Do you know how beautiful you are?" he asked. She didn?t have a chance to answer. His lips captured her in a short sweet kiss. The kiss ended but neither move.

"Sorry about that," he said quietly.

She looked at him and smiled. "I'm sorry. You mean we were talking?" she asked. He smiled and kissed her again. She slipped her arms around his neck and held him closer. He kissed her deeply. She broke away only for a moment and that was just to breathe.

"Sorry I forgot about that, love," he said.

Willow smiled. "Notice I'm not complaining," she said. So he pulled her into another kiss.

*-*-*-*

"So, now what?" Willow asked as they walked through the park. The moonlight shined on her hair and he noticed how tempting her lips looked but they were all ready swollen from his kisses.

"Now I act like the gentlemen I used to be and I walk you home," he said.

Willow smiled.  "I like that idea," she said.

He put his arm around her shoulder and held her closer. They walked quietly to Stevenson Hall. He walked her right up to the door of her room.

"Goodnight," she said.

He backed her against the door and gave her one last goodnight kiss.

"Goodnight, love," he whispered. He walked down the hall and down the stairs.

Willow dreamily watched him go. Then she went into her room and fell on her bed. She sighed happily.

"I am so in love," she said to herself.

*-*-*-*

Spike walked down the street with nothing but the red head on his mind. Her green eyes were burned into his memory. Suddenly he felt a pain in the back of his head.

"Bloody hell, I didn't even do anything," he yelled. Suddenly the pain stopped. He realized there was something different about him. He walked around. He couldn't figure out what it was though. Suddenly he heard the click of a gun behind him.

"Turn around and give me your wallet," a voice said behind him.

He turned in full vamp face. "What if I say no?" Spike said.

The guy looked scared to death but he held the gun steady. "Give me your wallet," the guy repeated bravely.

Spike smiled with his fangs bared. "No."

Then the guy pulled the trigger. Spike jerked backward then he looked up at the guy. "Not a bright idea, mate,"he said.

He punched the would be robber and threw him onto the ground. Then it hit him. He didn't feel any pain. This guy was human. He looked at the guy and shrugged. He wasn't worth killing anyway. He needed to know what had just happened to him. He headed for the Initiative.

*-*-*-*

It had been a quiet night for Graham until the weirdo had arrived.

"Hey is coma-I mean Riley here?" the blonde guy asked.

Graham shrugged. "I think he's up in his room," Graham said.

Spike looked at him expectantly. "And where would that be?" Spike asked.

Graham sighed. "At the top of the stairs," Graham said.

Spike nodded. "Thanks a lot, mate," he said.

Spike headed up the stairs and knocked on the door. Riley opened it.

"What do you want?" he asked.

Spike looked at him. "Look I am not that happy to see you either but I need to ask you something," Spike said.

Riley nodded. "What?" he asked.

"The chip seems to have burned out of my head, why?" Spike asked bluntly. Riley didn't look surprised.

"Well, since the project was abandoned the head guys probably disassembled the chips. That means I really oughta kill you for Buffy's sake," Riley said blandly.

Spike snorted."I'd like to see you try."

Then Spike was gone. Riley rolled his eyes. Why did Buffy let that guy live, he wondered.

*-*-*-*

The next night Spike appeared at Willow door right after sunset. Willow smiled as she answered the door.

"Hi," she said.

He smiled. "Hey."

Then there was an awkward silence between them. Then Willow had an idea. She grabbed Spike's hand.

"Come on," she said. She led Spike down the hall.

As they walked to Willow's mysterious destination Spike told her what had happened. When he finished Willow held his hand but was silent for a moment.

"So, what are you going to do now?" she asked.

Spike shrugged. "I don't really know," he said.

Willow felt a slight stab a fear. "Are you going to leave?" she asked.

Spike looked at her. "If this had happened just a couple of days ago I would've been gone all ready?" His voice trailed off slightly.

"But?" Willow asked hopefully.

He smiled at her. "I think I'm going to stick around," he said.

She smiled and walked quicker. Suddenly they were on a cliff overlooking Sunnydale. The town looked so innocent with the lights lit up. Willow sat on the ground and looked out over the cliff. Spike sat next to her.

"So what are we doing here, pet?" he asked.

She smiled at him. "This one of Sunnydale's other fun points. The kids around here call it make out point" she said.

He looked at her. "I think I'm a little old for that term, explain it to me," he said innocently.

Willow smiled at him. "Why don't I just teach you?" she asked. Leaning closer to him.

"I've heard I'm a good student," he said.

Willow kissed him softly. "Oh yeah?" she asked.

He kissed her back. "Definitely," he said.

Then they were lost in each other?s arms.

*-*-*-*

The next morning Willow woke up with her thoughts on one thing. All she could was wait for night though. She sat up in bed and noticed that there was a bag on Buffy's bed. She didn't really think much of it. Then she saw Buffy come in the room.


"Hey Wills," she said.

Willow smiled. "Hey, Buffy, what's up?" Willow asked.


"God, I had the best time with my Mom but I am so exhausted after all that pampering," she said. Then her eyes turned serious.


"Have you heard about Spike? Buffy asked.

Willow shrugged. "You mean, how he's bitey again? Yeah I heard," she said.

Buffy sighed.


"Do you think he's gonna go all bad?" Buffy asked.

Willow rolled her eyes. "As I recall, he wasn't ever good," she said.


Buffy shrugged. "True. Oh, well, I guess he might behave himself. Hell, he'll probably leave anyway," Buffy said.


Willow shrugged. "Maybe," she said. Inside she was smiling though.

*-*-*-*

That night she knocked on the door to Spike's apartment. He answered the door shirtless. Not a bad sight at all, Willow thought.


"Hey, Red," he said. He let her inside.

She was surprised by the luxurious surroundings. She looked around as he went to find a shirt.


"How do you affored all this?" she asked.

Spike shrugged. "I bought Microsoft at four," he said. She looked at him in disbelief. "What? It's ture!" he said.


She smiled and fell onto his down stuffed couch. It was so soft. He sat down next to her.


"So, I heard the Slayer is back," he said.

She nodded. "Yeah, her first question was about you, too," Willow said.


Spike smiled. "She on the warpath? Ready to stake or anything?" he asked.


She shook her head and slipped her hand into his. "No, figures you'll just leave," Willow said.

Spike kissed the top of her head. "Now, don't let that nasty Slayer fill your pretty little head with stories," he said.


Willow punched him playfully. "Hey, that's my best pal," she teased.

He nodded. "Yeah, that reminded me of something else," he said.


She looked at him. "What?" she asked.


"Are we going to tell them about us?" he asked.

Willow sighed. "I will," she said. She looked down at her hand in his. How long would it stay that way if Buffy knew about them, she wondered.

He lifted her face to his."It'll be all right, pet. It's not like they'll go crazy," he said.


Willow shrugged. "Have you met my friends? They hate you," she said.


He nodded. "Well, I'm new and improved," he said.


Willow looked up at him. "Why is that?" she asked.


"Because I'm in love," he said.

Willow smiled as he captured her lips in a  kiss.

*-*-*-*

Willow arrived at Giles' house a little while later. Buffy had wanted to meet her there so they could go out for dinner.

"Hey, Giles, is Buffy here?" Willow asked.

Giles shook his head. "No I haven't seen Buffy. But I do know that I need something from a demon's magick shop. I wonder if Spike would still do me a favor?" He wondered aloud.

Willow looked up. "He's on his way," she said without thinking. Giles looked at her in surprise. "I-I mean that I say him on the street and he said he was going to stop by," she said trying to sound casual. Giles didn't seem to suspect anything because he just shrugged. Then Buffy walked in the door.


"Hey, Giles," she said giving him a hug. "I am so glad to be home," she said. The door opened behind her and Spike walked in.


"I always knew you had a thing for little Buff, Rupert," Spike said. Giles turned red and quickly turned back to his books. Willow tried not to smile and Buffy turned on Spike.


"You are such a pig," Buffy said. Spike smiled evilly. "But at least I'm honest. Come on, you know you like the old watcher," Spike teased. Buffy fumed. "Get a life," she retorted.


"I'm dead. Go get a refill in that head of air you have. Wait, you aren't even a natural blonde are you" Going gray all ready?" he shot back. Buffy glared at him. "God I hate you!" she said. 


"Feeling's mutual blondie," he said calmly. 

    

"Willow can't you like put a spell on him or something?" Buffy asked.
Willow was trapped. "You know, I think I"d rather not get involved in this," Willow said.

    

"Yeah, leave Red out of it," Spike said.
Buffy glared at him. "I didn't start this. God, that's it, I'm going to stake you," Buffy said pulling a stake off Giles" table.

    

"Buffy, come on now," Willow protested. 

    

"Come on, Slayer, I'm ready," Spike said.
Willow stood in between them.

    

"All right let's go," Buffy said. 

    

"Guys, stop!" Willow yelled.

    

"What" Willow, I"d think you"d be first to wanna kill him," Buffy said. 

    

"Just move outta the way and let her try and kill me, Red," Spike said menacingly toward Buffy.

"You can't kill him!" Willow yelled.
Giles and Buffy looked at her in amazement.

    

"Why not?" Buffy asked.
Everyone looked at her expectantly. She didn't say anything.

    

"Just tell them," Spike said.
Willow looked from her boyfriend to her friends. 

    

"God I hate this!" she yelled. "Why can't you just all get along!" Then she stormed out of the door.

    

"What was that all about?" Buffy asked. All thoughts of killing Spike were gone from her mind.
Spike didn't say anything. He looked at Willow's friends and then he walked out the door after her.
Spike caught up with her just as she walked onto Main Street. She ran trying to lose him. He raced after her and caught her

arm. Then he turned her to face him.
"Look, I'm sorry, pet," he said.
Willow felt tears slide down her cheek. "You shouldn't have done that," she said. "I"ll tell them when I want."
Spike looked into her eyes.

    

"I know. I'm sorry I really am," he said.
She pulled away. "Just leave me alone. I need to be alone please," she asked. He looked into her tearful green eyes and let go

 of her.

    

"Fine. You want to be alone. Then I'm gone," he said.
He turned and walked away. Willow watched him disappear into the dark.
*-*-*-*
Willow walked through Weatherly Park trying to clear her mind. She mentally scolded herself. She should"ve just told Buffy. 

Spike was right. It's not like she could hide it from them forever. But then she should"ve told Spike not to go. She was so angry

with herself. As she walked through the park she didn't even know that two silent predators stalked her. She continued to walk.

Her tears finally stopped but all she could think of was that she had lost Spike.
Suddenly someone stepped in front of her.

    

"Ah, what's wrong, sweetheart?" the guy asked. Willow ignored him and tried to walk past but he stopped her. "Now don't 

be like that," he said.
Willow pushed past him. "Leave me alone," she said angrily. She wasn't in the mood for some drunken frat boy. But this one

wouldn't let up. 

    

"Come on, sweetheart, we can party "round here if you want," he pushed.

    

"Just go away,." Willow said.
He grabbed her arm. "No," he said smiling at her.
Willow didn't like that smile. Then he tried to kiss her. Willow pushed him away. He wouldn't be put off.
'so you wanna play hard to get?" he growled. His eyes changed first and she realized that this was a vamp not some drunk kid.

He grabbed her arm again. "You don't seem to get that I always get what I want," he said.
Willow tried to pull away but he wouldn't let her go. He pushed her and she fell back onto the ground. Her head hit a rock and

the last thing she remembered was the vampire standing over her.
The vamp looked at her and just as he bent over her a hand pulled him back. He turned to face another vampire.

"I wouldn't do that, mate," Spike said.
The vampire looked at him. "And why not?" he asked.
Spike growled. 'she's mine," he said.
The vampire smiled at Spike like an idiot. "I don't think so, dude," he said.
Spike pulled out a stake. "I think so," Spike said.
The vampire contemplated it for a few moments and then gave up.

"No kill is worth all that, man," he said and then he headed off into the dark.
Spike's face changed back quickly in case Willow should wake up and lifted her off the ground easily. He kissed her forehead

and headed off into  the night with her.
*-*-*-*

Willow blinked her eyes a few times trying to orient herself. She looked around and realized that she was in a huge soft bed.

She sat up and looked around. This is Spike's room, she thought to herself. Suddenly the door opened and Spike walked in. 

He saw her up and was instantly at her side. 

"Are you all right, love?" he asked.
Willow nodded and then squinted in pain. Her head was aching. 

"I'm all right," she said quietly.
Spike looked at her. "I'm sorry," he said.
Willow touched his arm. "It wasn't your fault. I should"ve told her while I had the chance. And I definitely will never walk in the

park alone again," she said trying to lighten the conversation up.
Spike kissed her forehead softly. "You need to rest, baby," he told her.
She nodded and lay back on the pillow. "I"ll be all right," she said.
He looked at her in awe. "I"ve never known anyone like you," he said.
Willow smiled shyly. "How's that?" she asked.
Spike's fingertips caressed her face. "You look at the world and only see how you can make it better. You face evil and death

everyday of your life and still wake up with a smile. By knowing people you make them feel like someone. Even me and I'm a

no one."
Willow stopped him. "God no! You"re everything," Willow said. She blushed at her own remark.

"You"re not scared of anything are you pet?" he asked.
Willow looked at him in shock.

"I'm afraid of almost everything. Like where I'm going, if I'm going to survive the next day, and most of all leaving here and

never again feeling the way I feel... when I'm with you," she confessed.
He looked at her and his lips captured hers in a sweet kiss. Her arms slipped around his neck to pull him into the bed with her.
She pulled his mouth down to hers, kissing him fiercely as her hands roamed over his body. She welcomed the weight of his

body as he rolled slightly so that he was on top of her. His tongue invaded her mouth, and she moaned as he trailed his lips 

down to her neck. His hands were everywhere, sending shivers of delight all over her. She pulled his mouth back up to hers as

she felt his desire for her pressing into her leg. He heard her moan his name as his hand caressed her breast. Her fingers were

entwined in his hair; her body raging with desire for him as his mouth never left her skin.
They were in a frenzy, neither of them wanting to waste a moment that they could taste the other's skin. Spike's hands managed

to rid her of her of any clothing in his way in one swift motion. Soon, he was nude on the bed beside her. His mouth was 

everywhere, trailing kisses over her entire body as Willow moaned his name. He looked up at her for a moment, her beautiful

body arching towards his, her hands clutching at the sheets as he continued his exquisite torment. He continued to make love to

her for the rest of the night worshipping her as a goddess until the two lovers fell asleep in each other's arms at dawn.
*-*-*-*

"Giles where are you?" Buffy called as she entered his house. She was not in a good mood considering he had called her at 

eight in the morning telling her it was an emergency. 

"I'm in here," Giles said.
Buffy walked into the kitchen and saw that Giles was drinking a cup of coffee. "I'm here for an emergency and you"re reading

the paper?" Buffy asked in shock. Giles looked at her.

"I think you might want to take a look at this," Giles said.
Buffy turned the paper toward her.

        

No Clues Found in the Brutal Slaying of Four

This morning the bodies of the Walker family of Sunnydale were found. It appears that last night in the early morning hours the

home was invaded by an intruder who killed the family. The cause of death is a massive loss of blood and each body was

impaled with what appeared to be a railroad spike. No clues have been found and there is no sign of forced entry in the home.
Buffy looked at Giles. "Is this saying what I think it's saying?" Buffy asked.
Giles shrugged. "I think you had better check and see what he was doing last night," Giles said.
Buffy nodded and grabbed some extra stakes from Giles" trunk. "Buffy?" She looked at him. "I want you to make sure."
A confused look crossed her face. "What are you talking about?" Buffy asked. 

"Well you wouldn't want to kill an innocent vampire," Giles said.
Buffy shook her head. 'there are no innocent vampires," she said.
Giles looked at her. "Not to long ago you got angry for us saying that very thing," he said.
Buffy looked hurt. 'that was different. Giles, do you know something I don't?" she asked.
Giles debated on whether or not to tell her. "No I'm just saying make sure. Spike has helped us a few times and I  wouldn't 

want you to kill him if it wasn't for a good reason," Giles explained.
Buffy nodded. "I'm going to kill him. He was a killer before and he's a killer again. It's reason enough for me. That's as simple 

as it is, Giles." Then she walked out the door.
Giles shook his head. If she didn't know what was going on in her own best friend's life she was definitely about to find out. 

His slayer still had much to learn.
*-*-*-*





Spike watched his redhead love sleep. He traced her heart shaped face with his finger then he kissed her forehead softly.

“I love you,” he whispered.

Suddenly Willow opened her eyes and then closed them again quickly. “I don’t want to wake up,” she said.

Spike smiled and kissed her hair. “Then don’t, love.”

Willow smiled and snuggled closer to him. “I like that idea,” Willow said. She opened her eyes again. “But I’m hungry,” she said.

Spike smiled. “Well I hate to inform you pet that I don’t have any food here,” he said.

Willow groaned. “I’m just gonna have to get up and get some food then,” she said. She sat up. Spike pulled her down quickly.

“What if I don’t let you leave?” Spike said nuzzling her neck. She closed her eyes and enjoyed herself. Then she tried to get up.

“I have to eat,” she said pulling herself from his arms.

“I don’t see why,” he grumbled.

Willow smiled at him as she got dressed. She kissed his lips quickly.

“I’ll be right back,” she said. Then she left the room.

He heard the door shut as she walked out the door. He sighed and got up. He pulled on a pair of boxers and walked into the kitchen. He opened a cabinet and shook his head. He really didn’t have any food. Well I’ll have to fix that, he thought. Then he shook his head at the thought of all he went through for his little redhead.

Buffy silently crept into Spike’s building. She walked into his apartment and shut the door. She saw him standing in the kitchen. That’s funny, she thought, I thought he might be asleep. It didn’t make much of a difference to her though. He turned and looked at her. His handsome features instantly turned cold.

“Don’t you knock?” he asked.

Buffy turned and knocked on the back of the door. “There, I knocked,” she said.

“Whatever, blondie. Look, I’m busy so if we could do this whole thing another time…”

Buffy laughed harshly and interrupted him. “I’m going to enjoy killing you,” she said.

Spike looked at the clock on his wall. “Come on, slayer, I know you have to work and all but it’s nine a.m. couldn’t
we do this later?” he asked. His eyes quickly glanced to the door and then back to her.

“What is it, Spike? Expecting someone? Maybe whoever helped you out with that little massacre last night?” Buffy asked.

Confusion hit him full force. “What are you talking about?” he asked.

Buffy rolled her eyes. “Don’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit you,” Buffy said pulling out a stake.

“Look, girlie I’m not gonna fight you,” he said holding his hands up. He couldn’t do this to Willow, no matter how bad he wanted to snap her neck.

“What? You can kill two defenseless kids but not a Slayer?” she asked advancing on him.

“I didn’t kill anyone last night. Get that through your thick head.” he exclaimed. In a second Buffy had him pinned to the wall. Spike growled as he felt his face change. He pushed her off of him easily. She came back at him with an uppercut but he blocked her. He slapped the stake out of her hand and grabbed her by the throat. “I didn’t kill anyone!” he growled. Then the door opened and Willow walked in. She gasped and Spike dropped Buffy to the ground. Spike’s face instantly fell back into human morph.

“What the hell are you two doing?” she asked.

“Red I didn’t…She was…” He couldn’t figure out what to say to the betrayed girl at the door. “It’s all her fault!”

Buffy looked up at him.

“It is not! He’s the one who…why the hell am I explaining myself? What are you doing here?” Buffy asked Willow in shock.

“I-I…it’s a long story. What are you doing here?” she asked.

Buffy turned her glare back to Spike. “Well our ‘friend’ here decided to butcher some poor family last night so I came to pay him back,” Buffy said. Spike didn’t say anything, no denial and no defense. “So tell me exactly where were you last night Spike? If you weren’t killing the Walkers that is.” Buffy gave him a stare that could’ve melted a weaker person but Spike stared straight at her.

“Can’t remember, blondie. You tell me,” he said coldly. Willow caught on. He was covering for her. He wouldn’t say anything unless she did.

“Buffy what are you talking about?” Willow asked. “He didn’t kill anyone.”

Buffy looked at her in confusion.

“Willow, I know you try to see the good in all but this is only Spike we’re talking about here. I’d think you’d wanna be the first to kill him. So just stand back and let me finish this,” Buffy said.

Willow stood in between Buffy and Spike. “No you listen to me!” Willow exclaimed. “I know what I’m doing. He didn’t kill anyone. I know because…” For a moment she considered whether she could say it. Then she took a deep breath and looked at him. “Because I was with him last night,” she confessed.

For a moment no one spoke. The room was tense. Buffy took a step back from Spike and took a look at her best fried.

“What did you say?” she asked.

“I was here. He didn’t kill anyone,” Willow said.

Buffy shook her head. “Tell me I’m not hearing what I think I’m hearing,” Buffy said. “Are you two…wait I don’t want to know.”

“Buffy, look…”

“No, you look, Willow, I am going to walk out of here and go back to Giles. Now you can come to your sense and come with me and you can stay here and be with…with him.” Buffy finished looking at Spike in disgust.

Willow looked at Buffy for a split second and then back to Spike. “I’m not going anywhere,” Willow said.

“Fine,” Buffy spat. She started to walk out when Spike moved past Willow and grabbed her arm.

“You leave now, like this, and you’ll lose your best friend, blondie. Is your pride and ego worth all that?” Spike asked.

Buffy stared into his eyes. “Is yours?” she asked. She shook his arm off and stalked out of his apartment.

Spike looked over at Willow. She felt as if her heart had been crushed. As it all sank in tears slid down her cheeks. Spike took a few quick steps and pulled her into his arms.

“It’ll be all right love,” he whispered to her. She shook in his arms. That’s when he knew she didn’t believe him.

*-*-*-*

“I don’t believe her!” Buffy said pacing back and forth. Giles just watched her from his couch. “I mean of all people she’s with him!” Buffy shook her head. “Maybe it’s a spell or something.”

“Buffy, stop,” Giles said.

Buffy stopped and looked at him. “What?”

“It’s not a spell and it isn’t some odd Hellmouth occurrence. Willow and Spike have been attracted to each other for quite some time now. It was inevitable that they would start…um…dating,” Giles explained.

Buffy looked at him in shock. “You knew about this?” she asked incredulously.

Giles sighed. “Yes and if you hadn’t been so wrapped up with Riley you would’ve too. It wasn’t very hidden,” Giles said.

Buffy looked at her watcher in shock. “So you’re blaming this on me?” Buffy asked.

Giles sighed. “For once, Buffy, this isn’t about you. Can’t you see that? This is about Willow and the fact that you are her best friend. At a time like this you should be supporting her in her choices. I would think you of all people should know how she feels,” Giles said angrily.

Buffy became very angry. “I can’t believe you. This isn’t like with Angel. Spike is a killer, he always will be!” Buffy yelled.

Giles shook his head. “Angel has done much worse to us then Spike will ever do,” Giles said quietly. His thoughts were filled with memories of Jenny’s beautiful face smiling. Angel had taken all that away from him.

Buffy glared at him. “I will not do this. That was nothing like this,” Buffy said trying to make herself believe it.

“No, Buffy you just don’t want to see the truth. Everything can’t be the way you want it to be,” he said.

Buffy tried to hide the hurt she felt. It was as if everyone had turned against her. “I can’t believe you’re saying this. You’re practically defending him!” Buffy said.

Giles shook his head. “There’s nothing to defend. He didn’t do anything. He’s innocent, Buffy and whether or not you like it he and Willow are in love,” Giles pointed out.

Buffy shook her head.

“No. They aren’t,” she said quietly. “He’s only going to use her and then break her heart. I won’t let that happen.” She ran out of Giles’ apartment.

It suddenly hit Giles why Buffy was acting this way.

*-*-*-*

Willow sighed and wiped the last of her tears away. She couldn’t believe Buffy had acted that way.

“It isn’t your fault, love,” Spike told her.

She rested her head on his shoulder. “I know. But I feel like it is,” Willow said quietly.

Spike looked down at his little red head goddess. Her pain was more then he could bear. “It’s my fault,” he said.

Willow looked up at him. “No it isn’t!” she cried.

He put a finger to her lips. “If it hadn’t been for me, Buffy wouldn’t have gone out of here like a bat of hell,” he said. “It’s because of me you two fought.”

Willow shook her head. “No…” She couldn’t say anymore. She knew what he was going to say.

“Maybe we should just hold things off for a while. At least until things cool down between you and her. I don’t want to be the reason you don’t have your best friend.” Even if I hate the bitch, he added silently. The pain in Willow’s eyes was almost too much for him.

“I won’t give you up because she doesn’t like this!” Willow exclaimed.

Spike tried to calm her down by caressing her hair.

“Love, please. I don’t want this anymore then you but not if it separates you from you’re friends. You need them more then you realize,” Spike said, trying to soothe her.

She shook her head as more tears fell. “I need you too,” she said, her voice cracking. Her head fell to his chest and held him tightly. He hugged her in vain trying to comfort her. Her eyes met his and she kissed him. Her hands pulled him closer to her.

*-*-*-*

"Love, we shouldn't," he said trying to ignore his own desire to take her. She shook her head.

"Please…I want to be with you one last time before you have to leave me," she whispered. He gave in to his own desire as his lips claimed hers once again. They made their way to his bed once again without ever losing touch of each other. For just a few moments there were no problems and no worries. It was just them.

Spike awoke later that night to find Willow gone. He growled and silently cursed the slayer. He didn't like the feeling of not having her there with him. He got dressed quickly and headed out the door. I'm going to find that little egotistical barbie and show what the hell she's doing to her best friend, he thought. His search didn't take long.

Buffy saw Spike coming down a path towards her. She smiled. She had been expecting him to come looking for her.

"Well look who I found," she said sounding almost pleased.

"Hello blondie," Spike said. Buffy saw his eyes flash yellow. He was angry. Good, she thought.

"Well, Spike it's been fun knowing ya," she said. In one swift movement she pulled out a crossbow and shot him in the shoulder. He growled and pulled the dart out.

"Missed," he said. Buffy smiled knowingly. Her eyes were glittering.

"Meant to," she said almost in a whisper. Then she disappeared. Spike looked around but he didn't feel like trying to find her. Something was wrong. He could almost feel it. His shoulder tingled a bit from where she had shot him but he figured that was his skin healing. Screw this, he thought. He headed off to the watcher's house where he was sure to find his red head.

*-*-*-*

Willow arrived at Giles' house in search of Buffy. She walked in to find the place silent.

"Giles?" she called. Giles appeared from the stairway.

"Hello, Willow," he said pleasantly. Then he looked at her again. "You don't look so well is something wrong?" he asked. Willow nodded.

"Yeah Buffy's wrong. She's completely gone nuts. I need to find her. Do you know where she is?" Willow asked.

"No I'm afraid I don't. What's happened?" he asked. Just then the door opened to his house again. Spike stumbled in. Willow just caught him as he fell to his knees.

"Are you all right?" she asked. She noticed he was sweating and she could swear he felt warm.

"I don't think so love," he said hoarsely. Giles came to his side almost immediately.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Giles and Willow helped him over to the couch, where he practically collapsed.

"I don't know. I felt fine until I got almost here. Then it all hit me at once. It must've been that bloody dart," he said. His voice was barely above a whisper.

"What dart?" Willow asked.

"The one blondie shot me with," he said. He shook her off. "I'm fine," he said harshly. Willow looked up at him hurt. He walked across the room and collapsed on the floor before he reached the door. By the time Willow reached him he was gone.

*-*-*-*

Buffy walked in and took in the scene around her. Neither of them noticed the door open or shut.

"Giles what could it be?" Willow asked anxiously.

Giles shrugged. "I have no idea," he said.

Buffy coughed to make herself known. The evil glare Willow gave her was a little unexpected.

"Um hi," she said.

Willow began to charge at her. "I'm going to kill you!" she exclaimed.

Giles caught her before she reached Buffy. "What did I do?" she asked.

Giles turned to her also glaring at her. "What was on the dart you shot Spike with?" he asked.

Buffy sighed.

"That? Please give me a break," she said.

Willow tried to break free of Giles' arms. "Anything you want. I'll break your legs!" Willow screeched.

"Touchy aren't we?" Buffy mocked.

Finally Willow stopped struggling and just started to cry. Buffy felt a glimmer of guilt but she quickly pushed it away. She had to do what she had to do. Giles led Willow over to the couch.

"Don't worry. I'll figure it out," he assured her. He walked back over to Buffy.

"What was on it?" he asked.

Buffy shrugged nonchalantly.

"Vamp poison I guess," she said.

Giles grabbed her by the shoulders. "You'll tell me exactly what kind," he said harshly.

Buffy tried to shake him off but couldn't. Major sign he's angry, she thought. "What if I don't want to?" she dared. Then he slapped her across the face. She looked at him in shock. "I can't believe you just did that!"

Giles looked straight into her eyes. "Believe it. I can't believe that after all you yourself has been through, you would do this to Willow," he said.

"I didn't do anything to Willow! I am trying to stop Spike!"

"Look at her, Buffy! She is sobbing. Not because she's under a spell or doesn't know what she's doing. Because she is watching the man she loves die. Remember how that feels?" he asked.

Suddenly it hit Buffy. Guilt flooded her but she refused to let it show. "It's something called Morphemes," she said through gritted teeth.

Giles nodded. "Thank you," he said.

Buffy didn't acknowledge him. She just looked at her best friend as she cried. Willow's sobbing subsided and she looked up at Buffy.

"I'm going upstairs," she said to Giles.

He nodded looking up from his books. "Of course," he said.

Willow ran up the stairs, away from Buffy, as fast as she could. Buffy decided to follow her.

"And you'll stay here," Giles said not even looking up.

Buffy sighed. She sat heavily onto the couch. "Fine. It's not like I wanted to go up there anyway," she grumbled.

*-*-*-*

Willow walked into the extra room that Giles was letting Spike stay in. Her heart was tearing up to see him the way he was. He was sweating and tossing and turning yet his eyes never opened. His face showed he was in a lot of pain. He had no shirt on but she had a blanket over him because she had no idea whether he was hot or cold. She sat in a chair by the bed and took his hand in hers.

"Please don't leave me," she whispered.

His pain-contorted face held no reply.

*-*-*-*

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