"Spike there is something I have to tell you. It's important and I should have told You before but When I tried to you didn't want to talk. Not that I'm complaining about what you did want to do. Goddess no! But I kinda did something when I Brought you back and I didn't tell you and I should have and please don't be mad at me. I love you."
Spike chuckled at her and sat down on the bed beside her. "Red, luv, you know you can tell me anything and I promise not to get mad at you. I love you too remember."
"Okay, You can bite people again. But not just any people. Only bad people, evil people. I should have told you sooner." Willow was scared to look at him even though he said he wouldn't be mad she was pretty sure that he would.
"Luv, why didn't you bring me back with the chip?" Spike was honestly confused by her decision to de-chip him.
"I promised you that I would try to help you when It first happened. I finally got an opportunity to do something about it so I took it. But Spike, there's more. I asked for the stipulation that you wouldn't be able to eat innocent people." Willow hung her head in shame.
"S'okay pet. I understand that. Besides this way I know that I can't get carried away and hurt you accidentally. Besides, as long as I can hunt again I don't care if it's only the baddies. The Powers would have probably done this to me even if you didn't ask em to. I am working for the good guys now." Spike lifted her head up and kissed her lips softly.
Willow was glad that he wasn't mad at her. But she still had one other thing to discuss with him and this time she was really scared to bring it up.
"What is it? Willow. What's wrong?" Spike new there was something else that was bothering her. He just didn't know how to get her to tell him. "Speak. Now!" He hoped that would work.
"It...it's about Buffy. I know. Everything, you know?" Willow looked away from him as she spoke. "Skip showed me a mirror where I could watch people and I wanted to see how everyone was. When I saw Buffy she was at the Bronze dancing and having a good time. I was angry that she could be out partying after you died to save her so I asked Skip if he could tell me what she was thinking and he told me that I could read her mind. I did. So I know that you guys...you know? I also know that she was using you. She was going to kill you soon anyway. That what I read from her mind. I'm so sorry that she hurt you." Willow began to cry.
"S'okay, I know all that. When I first died Skip took me to the Watchers place, I read all your thoughts. I know what she planned, what she did. I was mad at first but then I realized that I didn't really love her. I love you. Hell even the Moron missed me a little bit. Said he respected me." Spike grinned and pulled Willow into his arms. "None of it matters now, you are all I ever need. You gave me back my life, my bite, and my mate, you. You are mine. I am yours. Nothing else matters." Spike pulled her down underneath him and kissed her. "I want to make love to you forever, can I?"
"You better!" Willow smiled up at him and then pulled him down to her lips again. He wasn't angry at all. She knew he was right She was his. He was hers. Nothing else mattered.
"Bloody hell! Pet! Is that any way to treat a guest?" Spike smirked at her and then broke out laughing at her expression when she realized what had happened.
"Oops, sorry Skip. I just wasn't expecting to wake up and see you right in front of me. Why were you right in front of me?"
"I was just about to wake you up. We have a lot to go over, I didn't mean to frighten you. It was Spikes idea!"
Willow glared at Spike. "That's okay Skip. Spike did that on purpose! And he will pay for it later."
Spike Brought Willow a cup of coffee and sat down beside her. "Sorry." He mumbled.
Skip turned on the TV and Turned to the couple on the bed. "What you are about to see is what happened a few weeks ago. Watch. I will answer Questions when it is finished."
Willow and Spike sat in Silent shock at what they were seeing. Angel got Darla Pregnant. The baby survived because Darla killed herself. Wolfram & Hart and a few of the local demons all tried to get their hands on the baby. Angel was able to deal with them that time but the threat was far from over. Skip turned the TV off.
"Questions?" Skip asked. Both Willow and Spike spoke at once.
"Angel has a baby? How?"
Skip explained the situation as best as he could without giving away any vital information. Then he told them that it was time to meet the Child.
"But I thought we were supposed to be secret guardians?" Willow really wanted to see Angel and his son but she had to ask.
"Simple, the Vampire knows you, he won't trust Spike but he will trust you. You need only to give him a valid reason for being there. Something important enough that he will trust his childe to help him with. Do you know of such information?"
Willow thought for a minute. " Buffy! Of course. She's meeting Riley and the initiative here in a few days. She said something about killing some prophecy thing. Spike we need to warn him. If Buffy finds out that Angel has a Child and that Darla is its mother she will wig. There's no telling what she might do!"
"You're right luv, lets head over to see my sire. Hey! Technically I've become a big brother. I can't wait to see Angels face when he realizes that!" Spike and Willow shared a giggle.
"Seriously pet, we can't let anyone hurt that baby, it'd kill Angel's soul and then we would have..
"Angelus!" Willow cut in. "Lets hope that we never have to see him again. Seeing as how I restored Angels soul I think I'd be at the top of his list of people to torture and eat."
"I'll meet you at Angels in half an hour." Skip then left the couple to get ready.
Thirty minutes later Spike and Willow pulled up out front of Angels Hotel. They got out of the car and approached the front door. Willow took Spikes hand and gave it a squeeze. "Ready?" she asked.
"No but lets get on with it." Spike opened the door and walked in with his arm around Willows shoulder. Five sets of eyes turned on them.
Before anyone knew what happened Willow had frozen everyone but Angel and the baby. She walked over to where Spike stood and plucked the arrow out of the air where it was suspended in front of Spikes heart.
"Angel, please tell your friends to refrain from shooting at my mate if they want to able to move again."
"Angel, it's okay. Spike and I are here to help. Oh and it was nice of you to tell me you were a Daddy! I thought we were friends!" Willow pouted at the dark-haired Vampire. "Can I unfreeze your friends now or are they going to have to stay like that all day?"
Angel considered for a moment. "No one harms Spike or Willow unless they threaten Conner." With that said Willow unfroze her mate and the other four occupants of the room. Spike strolled across the lobby to Willow and put his arm around her.
"Thanks luv, don't fancy being dusted twice in one week." Willow looked up at him and smiled. "I could always bring you back again! But this way is easier." Spike leaned down and kissed here tenderly.
"Any one want to tell me what is going on here? What do you mean dusted? And how did you bring him back?" Angel was very confused. His childe wasn't acting like himself. Buffy had explained about the chip in his head, also about his apparent crush on her. So why was he here with Willow and how did they become mates? "Maybe we could go in my office and talk, I have questions that I would like answers to." Angel headed for his office with Willow and Spike behind him.
"Wait!" Cordelia finally got over her shock at seeing Spike and Willow together. "Angel, you can't take Conner in there with you. You don't know why they're here yet, it could be dangerous." Cordelia approached her boss. "Let me take care of him while you talk to them."
"No." Willow looked at the former cheerleader. "We aren't here to harm anyone, Conner is in trouble he needs to stay with Angel. Cordy, come with us you should hear this too. They went into Angels office and closed the door. Willow spoke first.
"Angel, what do you want to know first?"
Angel had so many questions he didn't know where to start. "Why don't you start at the beginning and tell me everything." Angel sat back and waited for Willow to start.
"Well, it all started a few days ago. We were patrolling with Buffy when a group of Vampires attacked us. Buffy was surrounded and Spike saved her. Unfortunately one of the Vamps got in a lucky shot and Staked Spike." Angel visibly paled when he heard that Spike had actually been killed. He listened intently as Willow filled him in on the rest of what they had been through leaving out the parts about Skip and their secret mission. "So that's why we are here, now do you believe me when I say that Conner is in trouble?"
Cordelia, who had been strangely quiet up to this point spoke up. "Do you really think Buffy would come after Conner? I mean he's Angels son."
"But he's not hers." Willow answered quietly "Buffy has changed, she's not the same person anymore. When she finds out that Darla was Conners mother she's going to lose it." Willow looked at Angel sympathetically.
"She's right mate. The Slayer isn't going to take this well, and those soldier boys will have no problems at all killing the offspring of two Vampire parents even if it is human." Spike shuddered at the memories of what he experienced at the hands of the initiative. "That is, if they don't decide to keep him for experimentation."
"No one is taking my child! Buffy will die before she gets close enough to touch him!" Angel was so angry he didn't even notice that his face had changed to that of the demon.
"Hey Buffy." Riley stood behind her chair and fidgeted. He was nervous about seeing her again.
Buffy turned her head slowly and looked at him. "Riley. Sit with me?" She smiled at him as he came around the table and sat down. "How are you?" She was a little uncomfortable seeing as how she drove him away all those months ago.
"I'm okay, I missed you a lot though. It's good to see you again." Riley still loved the girl even though she didn't stop him from leaving before. "How's your mom?"
Buffy slumped forward and started to cry. Riley came around the table and crouched beside her. "What's the matter? Did I say something wrong?" He put his arms around her and held her as she told him everything. She told him about her mothers death, about Dawn, about Glory, and about her own death and resurrection. She apologized for the way she pushed him away and told him how she got there in time to see him fly away.
"Oh my God, Buffy I had no idea. I never should have left you. I'm so sorry." Riley couldn't believe that she had been through so much and was still sane. "I don't know if I should tell you this but I'm going to anyway. I love you Buffy, I never stopped loving you. All those months in the jungle it was you who kept me going. If you'll take me back I promise I'll never leave you again." Buffy smiled to herself. Her plan was going along better than she thought it would. Riley was eating out of the palm of her hand.
"Oh Riley! I love you too! I thought I'd never see you again. I've been so miserable without you, I never even thought about another man after you left. It's been so long since anyone has held me in their arms. Thank you." Buffy couldn't believe how gullible he was. Now all she had to do was get him alone. "Can we leave? I'm not feeling very hungry and I think all this crying is drawing attention."
"Of course, do you have a hotel room? I could take you back there."
Riley stood and escorted her out of the restaurant. As they walked to Buffy's hotel Riley filled her in on the initiatives mission. "So basically, two Vampires had a child, in the normal giving birth way, which is impossible as we both know. But this demon child is involved in a prophecy that will end the world. We have to destroy it. I thought that maybe you could help me. If it's too much for you to handle I'll understand completely." Riley stopped talking now that they were in front of her room.
"Do you want to come in?" Buffy knew he would. "I don't think I should be alone just yet."
"Sure, I'd love to." Riley followed her into her room and closed the door. "Nice room. Do you want to watch TV?" He walked over to the set and was about to turn it on when she stopped him.
"Actually I wanted to talk some more. I want to help you. I understand why you would think that I wouldn't, but I'm still the slayer. Child or not, stopping evil is my job. I'm in." Riley leaned in and kissed her. She pulled him toward the bed with her.
"Stay with me tonight?" she whispered in his ear. He nodded his head as she pulled him down on top of her.
Angel looked down at his son who started to giggle when he saw his Dads face. "Actually, he kind of thinks this is funny." Angel started making silly faces at his son while still in full game face. Willow, Spike and Cordelia started to laugh as well.
"Bloody hell peaches! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it." Spike was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.
"That's some kid you got there, gonna let big brother hold him?" Spike quirked an eyebrow at his sire.
"What?" Angel wasn't sure if he heard correctly. "Did you say big brother?"
"Yep, technically I am you know! I want to hold him, now give `im here." Spike leaned toward his sire with his hands out.
Angel hesitated. "I'm not gonna bloody well eat him! I just want to get to know him." Spike took the baby and sat next to Willow. Conner started to fuss a little bit.
"Spike, why don't you try it?" Spike looked at her confused. "You know, GRRR." Spike sighed exasperated, then shifted into game face.
Conner immediately squealed in delight. Spike smiled. He stayed in game face while he spoke to the baby in a soft tone. Angel was dumbfounded.
"Willow, I don't know what you've done to him but I approve whole-heartedly. I never thought I'd see Spike holding a baby and speaking baby talk." Angel relaxed for the first time since they entered the lobby earlier that day. "I think we should go out there and tell the rest what is going on."
Spike, still holding the baby stood and headed for the door. "I think you should go first and tell them not to stake me. Don't you?" Angel nodded and walked through the door. Cordelia and Willow followed. When Angel had assured that no one was going to stake him Spike joined them in the lobby with Conner.
"So, are you ever planning on giving me back my son?" Angel smiled at his bleached blonde childe.
Spike nodded his head. And went and sat in a chair."Just not yet. I haven't told him what a poof his dad is yet." Spike smirked at Angel and went back to talking softly to Conner as Willow and Angel filled Gunn, Wesley and Fred in on what was happening.
"What I don't understand, is how exactly did you and Spike find out that Angel was a father? Wesley addressed his question to Willow. And why didn't you just call Angel? And for that matter why didn't Cordelia get a vision?"
Willow was prepared for this question. "Well as for how I found out about Conner, It was a spell. When Spike was killed I wanted to tell Angel before he found out on his own so I did a spell to look in on him, just to see if he was here, before I drove all the way to L.A. when I saw him he was holding Conner and talking to him. I heard him refer to himself as Daddy. Sorry Angel. I wasn't being a peeping tom, and I've done it before either. Then I found a spell to bring Spike back so I tried that first. I didn't want to have to tell Angel that his childe was dead if I didn't have to. Of course the spell worked, so there was no need. When I learned of the prophecy from Buffy, well we decided that we should come here to help. Spike insisted that his baby brother was to be saved at any cost. So here we are. As for Cordy not getting a vision, I don't know."
Willow went over to Spike and gently took Conner from him. "My turn." she said to him when he growled at her. Angel couldn't believe how protective Spike was being of his son. He growled at his own mate!
"Your target is being protected in a large unused hotel down town. The Vampire who resides there is the father of said target. He has others there who will get in the way and try to stop you. They are of no consequence. If they interfere kill them." He then went on to explain that though the target may look human and innocent that it was merely a facade. If the target was not eliminated the fate of world would be at stake. He then dismissed the team.
Buffy stopped in the hall just outside the door. "Riley, I have a strange feeling about this, I think I know who the father is." She took his hand and led him back into the room.
"What do you mean?" Riley sat down in the closest chair. He too had a feeling about who the father was.
"I think it's Angel." Buffy stood in front of Riley and waited for his reaction. When he didn't say anything she continued. "He lives in and works from a hotel down town. He has several associates that work there with him. And from what we were just told, the description of the parents matches Angel and Darla. The last time I saw Angel he told me that Darla had been brought back from hell by some evil law firm. I really think it's him."
Riley considered everything she just said. "If it is him, and I think you may be right, Can you still do this? Can you kill his child?" He was so sure that Buffy would bail out that her reaction almost had him on the floor.
"Of course I can. He's a Vampire, I'm the Slayer. If he has a child, then he must have had sex. If he had sex then he lost his soul. Therefore he's not Angel anymore and I can defiantly kill Angelus!"
"But what if he's not Angelus? What if he has his soul? I still have to do this Buffy, it's my job. Can you honestly say that you could destroy Angels child, or that you could stand by and watch someone else do it?" Riley wasn't entirely sure if he could go through with this if she couldn't.
Buffy crouched down and took Riley's hand. "It has to be done. I will not help him. I have a duty as the Slayer, if the child has to die then so be it. Just please don't hate me because I have to do this. I'm not heartless, I just know what has to be done." A single tear slid down her face and Riley pulled her into his arms.
"Shh, it's okay. I understand, I don't think you're heartless Buffy. I'm amazed at how strong you are. I admire your dedication to your calling. I love you." He stroked his hand down her back as he continued to sooth her. Buffy smiled in his chest. She would make Angel pay for his betrayal. She would kill his child and then she would kill him.
"Riley? When do we attack the hotel?" She couldn't wait to put her plan in motion.
"First thing in the morning. Angel will be easier to take down if we have the sun on our side." Riley couldn't wait for this to be over. He knew that Angel wouldn't just hand his son over without a fight. He hoped that seeing Buffy would throw him off his game long enough to take him out. Angel would have to die as well.
"Conner needed a bottle, I just got him back to sleep." Angel pointed to the port-a-crib in the corner. "I wasn't tired so I figured I would make some coffee and read for a bit. Why are you up so early?"
"Oh, I just couldn't sleep. I came down for a cup of coffee too." Willow set about fixing herself and Angel some coffee and then sat down. "I think it's going to happen soon."
Angel nodded his head. "I figured as much. What do you think they're going to do?"
"Well if you ask me mate, they'll rush the place as soon as the sun's up." Spike said as he strolled into the kitchen. He kissed Willow and sat down beside her. "Why didn't you wake me luv? I don't think I like waking up alone anymore."
Willow smiled at him, got up and sat in his lap. She put her arms around him and snuggled into his chest. "Sorry, next time I'll wake you up before I leave." She kissed him and then turned to look at Angel. Angel was staring at them like they had grown horns or something. "Angel? Are you okay?"
Angel shook his head. "Um... yeah. Just not used to this whole couple thing yet. It's going to take some time I think. I'm going to go call Wesley and Gunn and have them head over here. Willow could you go up and wake Cordy? She's in the room next to mine." Angel walked across the room and picked up the phone to call his friends.
"I'll be right back," Willow kissed Spike and then headed up to wake Cordelia. Spike got up and walked over to Conners crib and watched him sleep.
Half an hour later they were all gathered in the kitchen at the hotel making plans to protect Conner from Buffy and the initiative. Willow put a protection spell on the baby and was in the lobby setting up ingredients to cast a special spell on Angel and Spike. When she was finished she called everyone to join her.
"I need Everyone to be quiet. Cordy, could you take Conner out of the room, I don't want him to be here for this." Cordelia nodded and took Conner to the Kitchen. "Spike, you and Angel need to stand in the center of the circle, back to back. Wesley and Gunn, the three of us need to hold hands and stand outside the circle. Once I begin you will feel a little strange it's normal. Don't let go of my hands or each others until I say. Spike, you and Angel need to be as still as possible. Don't move until I say. Does everyone have any questions?" Willow looked around the room.
"Well luv, now that you mention it, what the hell is this spell going to do to us?" Everyone including Willow laughed at the question.
"Oops. I guess I forgot to tell you that part. It will make you impervious to sunlight, holy water, stakes, and crosses. Basically you will be unkillable for the next 48 hours." Willow looked between her mate and his sire. "Are you guys ready?"
Everyone took their places and Willow cast the spell. When she finished she opened her eyes to find Spike and Angel glowing. She watched as the light slowly faded from them. She then spoke. "It's done. Angel, Spike, how do you feel?"
"I don't feel different, how `bout you?" Spike asked Angel.
"I don't feel any different either, are you sure it worked?" Angel turned to Willow.
"Only one way to find out." She replied and Pulled a stake out of her boot. She walked up to spike and he waited while she thrust it into his heart.
"Cool!" Spike looked at the stake sticking out of his chest. Angel fainted.
Spike nodded his head. "Gladly!" He ground out between clenched teeth. "If she gets anywhere near my family she dies!"
"Good. Then you should stay out of sight until we need you. Spike?"
"Yeah."
"Can I talk to you alone for a minute? "Sure peaches." They went into the hallway to talk.
"If anything happens to me, Cordelia should raise Conner. I want you and Willow to promise that you'll help her. She'll need friends, and help." Angel looked sad.
"How long `ave you been in love with the cheerleader? Does she know?" Spike knew that his sire was brooding so he waited for him to speak.
"A while now, and I haven't told her. I can't." Angel sighed and then continued. "I think she loves me too, but with this curse it wouldn't be right to tell her. She deserves better than to be with someone who can't make love to her."
Spike nodded to his sire. "Right mate. You have my word. Willow and I will do everything we can. I don't think it's going to be a problem though. My Red knows what she's doing, we're all going to pull through this just fine."
"I hope you're right Spike, I really do." Angel and Spike went back to the lobby where everyone else was waiting including Cordy and Conner.
"The sun will be up soon. I think we should all get into position."
Cordelia took Conner into the office, Willow stood guard outside the door. Spike hid around the corner while Angel Gunn and Wesley got weapons.
"Um... guys? What am I supposed to do?" Fred who had been sitting off to the side all morning finally spoke. "I mean I can leave if I'm in the way?"
"Oh God, I'm sorry Fred. I completely forgot about you." Willow was so ashamed at herself. She remembered how her friends always forgot about her. She had to make this up to the girl. No one should be ignored.
"Can you forgive me?" Willow hoped she hadn't offended the quiet girl.
"Oh sure, that's okay. I just wanted to help you guys." Fred was more than a little afraid but Angel and his friends saved her so she wanted to help. "Maybe I could help Cordelia take care of Conner."
"That's a very good idea. We can use all the help we can get protecting him." Fred went into the office where Cordy and Conner were. Just as the office door closed the front door burst open and at least thirty soldiers came rushing through the door followed by one young blonde girl.
"Where is the child?" one of the soldiers asked. The rest fanned out around the room.
Buffy stepped into the Hotel and looked at Angel. "Hello Angel." She smiled sweetly at him.
"Slayer!" He replied as he shifted into game face. "I won't let you hurt him."
"I'm not going to hurt him Angel, I'm going to kill him." As soon as the words left her lips all hell broke loose.
Buffy worked her way around the lobby steadily avoiding Angel. She wanted to kill his child before he died. She spotted Willow standing in front of a door across the way. She wasn't expecting to find her here. She made her way towards her. "Wills, what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing Buffy. Are you out of your mind?"
Willow watched her friend carefully. "You do know that the baby is human don't you? You can't possibly mean to kill Angels son. Can you?" Willow knew the answer just by looking at her.
Buffy smiled at her friend. "Oh Willow. He's not really human, he just looks human. Anyway it's my duty as the Slayer to destroy evil. Now get out of my way." Buffy punched her full in the face before Willow even knew what was coming. Buffy stormed into the office and saw a girl she'd never seen before. "Who the hell are you?"
Fred stood in front of Cordelia and the baby. "I...I'm Fred, who are you?" Cordelia whispered `Buffy' from behind. Fred knew that if this girl was determined to get Angels son she would, or she would die trying.
"I'm Buffy, now get out of my way or else!" Buffy pushed Fred out of the way and lunged for Cordelia who was hunched over Conner clutching him to her chest. Just as she was about to grab her Fred grabbed Buffy by the hair and yanked her back as hard as she could. " ANGEL! HELP!" Fred yelled as loud as she could. She held on to Buffy's hair as hard as she could even though Buffy was hitting her.
Spike and Angel heard Fred calling. Angel was currently fighting off several soldiers and couldn't get away. Spike however was practically in the office before she finished yelling. He only stopped momentarily to see that his mate was okay. Willow was starting to come to as Spike reached her. "Go, save Conner!" Willow told him as he raced into the office.
Fred was on the floor beaten and bruised with a large chunk of blonde hair still held firmly in her hand. Buffy was standing over her smiling. Cordelia was trying to edge her way to the door with Conner without attracting Buffy's attention.
Buffy turned to Cordelia and put her hands out. "Hand him over Cordy and you get to live." Buffy sneered at her.
Cordelia held the baby tighter. "Never! I'm not going to let you hurt him. You'll have to kill me first."
"Gladly!" Buffy advanced toward Cordelia when she felt a hard pull on her hair. She spun around to hit the Girl who had pulled her hair the first time. However it was not Fred that had her by the hair this time.
"Spike?" Buffy was so shocked that she almost fainted.
Spike sneered at her. He couldn't believe he ever thought that he was in love with her.
Buffy was confused. Spike was supposed to be dead. She saw him die. How was he here and what did he mean by his mate? "Mate? I thought you loved me?" She looked at the dark haired girl on the floor. "Is that little weakling your mate? Cause if so you could do much better."
Spike looked over toward Fred. She was pretty beat up but she would be okay. "No, that's Fred. She's one of Angels Friends. My MATE is on the floor in the hallway where you left her and I hope she turns you into a bug when she comes in here! That is if you live long enough!" Spike punched her in the face and she fell on her ass.
Willow walked into the office and took one look at Buffy on her ass and laughed. "Spike, I'm going to take Cordy and Conner out of here. Do what ever you want to Buffy. Kill her for all I care!" Willow took Cordelia and Conner to the kitchen and set up a barricade spell.
"You'll be safe in here. I'm going to get Fred. I'll be right back.
Willow went back to the office. She helped Fred to stand and led her out to the kitchen. She set about bandaging the girls wounds and cast a healing spell for her.
"Thank you Fred." Cordelia said. "You saved us, if you hadn't been there she would have killed us both." Cordelia gave her a gentle hug so as not to hurt her.
"I'm glad I could help, I'd do anything for you guys. You're my family." Fred smiled.
"Spike, how are you alive? And why are you with Willow?" Buffy was too confused by Spike's being alive to realize that she was about to die.
"Well Slayer, I suppose I could answer you as a last request. She brought me back. She loves me, I love her. She's my mate. Now you die. Spike shifted to game face and bit into her neck.
"Stop!" Angel walked into the room with Riley flung over his shoulder. He flung the soldier onto the floor beside Buffy. "I want to watch her die!" He sat down in his chair and turned to Spike.
"Continue, please."
Spike leaned down and sunk his teeth into her neck. She didn't even struggle. She locked eyes with Angel and they stared at each other as her life slowly slipped away. Spike released her dead body and walked to his sire. "She wasn't really Buffy anymore you know. She came back wrong."
Angel sighed. "No she was still Buffy. She was just changed. She knew what she was doing Spike, she just didn't care."
"You're not gonna brood about this are you?" Spike was genuinely concerned. Angel loved the Slayer at one point and he'd just watched her die. Allowed her to die actually.
"No. We did what had to be done. She never would have stopped coming after him." Angle stood up and walked to the door. "I'm going to find Cordy and Conner. Are you coming?"
Spike joined him at the door. "Red took them to the kitchen. They're okay but that other one is in pretty bad shape. She held the Slayer off till I got here. She risked her life to save him. You have good friends peaches."
Angel shook his head. "Not friends my boy, family!"
Angel and Spike went into the kitchen where everyone else was already gathered.
"Cordy, can you keep Conner a little longer? And Willow, can you take care of Fred? The rest of us have a mess to take care of." The men went about the lobby and office collecting the bodies of the soldiers and the Slayer.
"Where are we gonna put them?" Gunn didn't think they'd all fit in the back of his truck.
"I can take care of that." Willow walked toward the large pile of bodies and chanted something softly. All of the bodies aside from Buffy and Riley disappeared.
"Where'd they go?" Angel asked
"I increased the rate of decay. They rotted into nothingness. I'm going to send Buffy and Riley to Sunnydale. Some one will find them there." Willow chanted again. In a flash of light Buffy and Riley both disappeared.
"I'm sure. Besides I don't think Skip would have let me keep that book if I wasn't meant to use it." Willow got up and walked across the room to Conners crib. She gently lay the sleeping Baby down and covered him up. "Angel and Cordy deserve to be happy. Do you think he knows what we're up to?"
Spike chuckled. "Naw, the poof doesn't suspect a thing. He thinks we just wanted to spend some time with Conner." Spike opened his arms and Willow walked into his embrace. "Do you have everything ready?"
"Uh huh. As soon as Angel and Cordelia get home we can tell them." I hope they told each other how they feel tonight or this could be awkward."
"Don't worry pet, I told peaches that if he didn't fess up to the chit I was going to do it for him."
Willow laughed. "I sort of threatened Cordy too. Aren't we a couple of matchmakers!" Spike and willow kissed passionately. "I love you Spike."
"I love you too. I always will." Spike heard the front door to the hotel open. "I think they're home. Better get ready pet."
Angel and Cordelia came into the kitchen and looked in on the sleeping baby. "Did he give you any trouble?" Angel asked Spike.
"Nope, no trouble at all." Spike winked at his mate.
"He spent most of the night all GRRR. Your son sure finds Vampires amusing!" Willow laughed. She turned to Spike. "All set. Should we tell them?" Spike nodded.
"Tell us what? Willow what have you guys been up to now? Cordelia had an Idea that Willow was working on a spell for Angel, she hoped she was right. They had finally admitted that they had feelings for each other beyond friendship.
Willow walked over to Angel and took his hand. "Well, I sort of found a spell to anchor your soul permanently and Spike and I tricked you two into leaving so that we could set everything up and surprise you. Surprise!" Willow laughed nervously.
Angel looked at Willow and smiled the biggest smile of his whole life.
"Really? Are you sure it'll work?" He looked so hopeful that she had to smile too.
"Yep! All you have to do is trust me. Do you trust me Angel?" She looked at him seriously.
"Of course! Willow, you returned my soul, you saved my son, and you brought Spike back from the dead. Of course I trust you. What do you have to do to me?"
"Nothing much, I just have to cast a spell that grants me eternal life. Then you have to feed from me." Willow saw the look on Angels face. "It's okay, I'll be immortal you can't kill me. Spike will you tell him that it's okay?"
"Relax peaches, I'm gonna be right here. Now you said that you trust her. Let her do this for you. Otherwise she going to put on that damn resolve face of hers and you'll have to do it anyway." Spike led Angel to a chair and sat him down. "She knows what she's doing."
Angel was still unsure about the whole thing. He wanted to accept her offer desperately but at the same time he was afraid he would hurt her. "How much would I have to take?"
Willow and Spike exchanged a glance and then Spike left the room. "A lot. I won't lie to you. I might even pass out."
"No! I won't do it. I'm sorry Cordelia, I care about you a lot but I can't do this to Willow. There has to be another way. We'll find it.
"I understand Angel. I agree with you. It's too much of a risk." Cordelia put hand on his shoulder. Suddenly she couldn't move. "Angel. I can't move."
Angel tried to get up but he found that he was also unable to move.
"Willow, did you do this?"
"No, Spike did." Just as she said this Spike entered the room with a book and a wooden chest.
"We knew as soon as you heard what was involved that you wouldn't go for it, therefore we had a plan B." Spike lifted Cordelia's hand from Angels shoulder and picked her up. He put her down in a chair beside Conner's crib. "Are you ready pet?"
Willow opened the chest as pulled out the casting powder and lit a candle. "I am now." Willow read the spell and tossed the powder over her head as she chanted. She started to Glow a bright reddish orange color. The spell was cast. She walked toward Angel and crouched in front of him.
"Angel, please. I want you to do this."
"Are you sure? You're sure I can't kill you?" He knew that she would force him if she had to.
Spike answered him. "You can't kill her. Besides you think I'd let her do this if there was even a chance of it?"
Willow Leaned into Angel and he pierced her neck with his fangs. He felt spike remove his head from her neck a few minutes later. Spike picked Willow up and held her in his arms. He looked at Angel who was still unable to move. "Suppose I can let you up now huh?" Spike muttered something under his breath and Angel fell out of his chair.
Cordelia got up and raced across the room to Angel. "Are you okay? Did it work?"
"It worked, I can feel it."
Willow started to stir in Spikes arms. "Hey, everyone okay?"
"Everyone is fine luv. Thanks to you." Spike set her down in the chair. He looked at Angel. "Now, I believe you should be thanking my mate, and then we'll be heading upstairs."
Angel smiled at Spike. "You're right, I should be thanking Willow." He walked over to her and took her hand. "Thank you. You are the most generous, selfless, caring person I know. I'm glad that you are okay. You realize of course that you are stuck with that arrogant childe of mine for eternity aren't you?" He smiled at her as Spike growled in the background. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be here." He kissed her on the cheek and turned to Spike. "I hope you realize how lucky you are, she's a very special person. If you ever hurt her, I'll kill you."
Spike rolled his eyes at his sire. "If I hurt her, I'll stake myself!"
He picked up his mate and left the room.
Cordelia wrapped her arms around Angels waist. "How about we take Conner up to his room and put him to bed. It's been a hell of a day."
"That is has Sweetheart, that is has."
THE END