The night was a cold and callous thing.  He liked it that way.  It spoke of death.  It could tell you things you would never believe.  At least that’s what he’s been told.  What she had told him.  She once told him never to walk around unprotected after the sun went down.  He thought she was mad.  Losing her marbles, that is of course if she had any marbles to begin with.  He couldn’t quite be sure.
    He had only known her for just under a decade. She had this essence about her.  She was like a force of nature.  She seemed so sweet, so innocent, but yet, wise beyond her years.  Although in all honesty, he didn’t really know how old she was.  She hadn’t aged a day in the ten years since she had saved his life.
    She was immortal.  A mysterious force.  A creature of the night.  She thrived in the darkness.  He couldn’t understand how someone so pure of heart would choose to spend an eternity in darkness.  She told him it reminded her of home.
   Home.  That was a place he didn’t understand.  Sure, he knew what a home was.  What it was supposed to be, but not what it meant to the beautiful redhead.  He wanted to know what home meant to her.  He wanted to know what she had left behind, and why.
   He wondered where she was now.  Who she had become.  Had she found what she was looking for?  Her missing piece, the one she was forced to abandon?

   ******

    Willow closed the doors behind her, for the last time.  It was time to leave.  Time to move one.  She would miss the New York nightlife.  She had been so fond of the people she had met here.  But, it was time for her to disappear, time for her to drift back into the shadows.
    She took one more look at the building behind her, before she walked off into the night.

******

    Spike walked out into the night.  He turned to look at the sky.  There wasn’t a star in sight.  It made him shudder.  He hadn’t seen the sky so starless since that night.  The night he lost her.  The night his Willow had died.  He had tried to forget.  Forget the screams, forget the way her body had been limp, and cold, against his own skin.  He could still remember his own scream, as he realized that she was dead.  He had been too late.  There was nothing that could be done.
    After killing her friends, Spike left Sunnydale.  He had never gone back. It just wasn’t the same, not without her there.  He went to Los Angeles, and spent several months torturing his sire.  Taunting him, telling him in excruciating detail how they slayer and her friends had met their gruesome deaths, only to succeed in ridding the world of the bloody poof once and for all.
   When Angelus had returned that time, it was like coming home.  The two trekked across the globe, leaving a path of death and destruction in their wake.  It was like old times.  They spent half of a century reminding the world why they were two of the most feared vampires in the Watcher Diaries.  It was great fun!
   Eventually, they went their separate ways.  They managed to see one another every couple of decades.  The last Spike had heard, Angelus was in control of several towns in Ireland.  He had returned home after decimating every last Romany gypsy clan.

    Spike took another look at the sky and then headed out.  He was leaving.  He had decided to go back to Europe.  He had an old friend in Paris that he was going to visit.  It had been so long since he had been to Paris.  Over two centuries.  He hoped the French were still as sweet tasting as he remembered.

   *******

   Nick ran down the staircase, and nearly lost his balance about halfway down.  His head felt like it was going to explode.  It reverberated all around him.  He shook his body out of its involuntary reaction as he grabbed his sword and prepared to open the door.
   He almost lost his grip on th3 weapon when he opened the door to find the most stunning redhead he had ever seen.  She had the most translucent green eyes he had ever seen.
  “Hello?”  She asked, “I’m looking for someone.”
“Oh?”  He didn’t want to be taken in by her beauty.  Men older than him had lost there heads over less.
   She smiled at his hesitation.  “Sorry.  I’m not here for your head.  I’m looking for a friend.  Amanda.  Amanda Montrose.”
  Nick relaxed, and moved out of the way, ushering her into the apartment.
“Come in.  She isn’t here, yet.  She seems to be running late.  Which, for Amanda is a state of existence.”
   The redhead laughed.  “Yeah, I do seem to recall something about that.”
Willow took a seat on the couch and turned her attention the man.  “You must be Nick.  Wolfe, isn’t it?”  He nodded, “I’m Willow.  It’s nice to meet you.”

******
 
 

Nick sat down on the couch across from Willow, and found himself feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"So, where do you know Amanda from? You don't look like a thief." He looked her over appraisingly, trying to decide what it was she did look like.

Willow laughed. "No. I'm not a thief." She watched as he tried to decide what to think about her. "Actually, I'm a witch." She said the words so casually, Nick thought he had misheard her.
"Did you say witch? As in pointy hats, warts, and a flying broom?"

Willow crinkled her nose at his description, "Well, if you say it like that, it does sound a bit ridiculous." She laughed. She was about to answer his earlier question when she felt it. It was like a hum, that filled her body, filled her senses. She turned to the front door as a woman entered.

The woman was tall, with short jet-black hair. She smiled when she saw Willow sitting on the couch. She ran over to the redhead and enveloped her in a big hug.

"Willow! You made it!"

Willow smiled at her teacher. " It's great to see you."

Amanda pulled Willow off the couch and guided her into another room. Once the two women were seated at a bar, Amanda turned to her student.

"So, tell me what's happened. What brings you here?"

Willow took a deep breath; "I'm in trouble, Amanda. I'm being hunted. I'm not exactly sure by whom. But I could feel this presence, watching me, waiting." Willow stood up and started pacing around the room. "It's another, like me. I can feel the power. It's strong."

"Stronger than yours?" Amanda asked calmly and then relaxed slightly when Willow shook her head.

"No. There's only one I have seen that even comes close to my strength." Willow's face took on a look of sadness.

"Will, It wasn't your fault." Amanda walked over to Willow and enveloped her in a hug. "She would have said that her destiny was planned from the beginning. It was meant to be."

Willow smiled slightly as she pulled away from her teacher. "Yeah, I guess. But she was so old. So wise. She had such knowledge, and power."

"And now, it lives on in you." Amanda reminded her softly.

"So, tell me about Nick." Willow was anxious to change the subject.

*****

Trey walked into the seedy bar and ordered a beer. He glared at the bar tender, hoping to squelch any conversation. He felt the presence as soon as it entered. It was old, and powerful. He turned and looked around the bar, searching for the face that belonged to the other, like him.

There was a woman standing in the doorway. She was incased in leather from head to foot. Her hair was pitch black, and fell in tumble around her face. Her skin, what he could see of it, was lightly tanned. She held a motorcycle helmet, which surprised him, since barely anyone ever rode them anymore.

When her violet eyes met his across the bar, he knew she was the one he had felt. She stalked towards him and sat down. She ordered a drink he had never heard of before, and swallowed it in one shot. She kept her eyes forward, never looking at him.

They sat like that for close to an hour. Trey, drinking his beer and the stranger drinking shot after shot of the strange liquid. It didn't seem to intoxicate her. He wondered again what was in it. Finally she spoke.

"I'm not here for your head." Her voice was cold, telling him of the countless centuries she had been alive. Trey detected a small hint of an accent but he couldn't place the region it had come from.

Trey found his voice. "Why are you here?"

The woman turned to look coldly at him. "Stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours." She stood up and started to leave, but turned to Trey once more.

"Take some advice. Move along. The witch you hunt, is too powerful, and you're too young."

Trey watched her leave and tried to shake the strange feeling, which had washed over him. When he saw the bartender smirking over his discomfort, Trey stood up, and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him halfway over the bar.

"Who was that woman?" He snarled through clenched teeth.

The bartender chuckled at his show of anger, causing Trey to grip him further.

"Who? Elka?" He rasped out. "She's out of your league."

Trey released his hold on the bartender, and walked out of the building.

*****

Nick was hesitant to disturb Amanda and her friend, but the man on the phone had said it was urgent. He peered into the room and relaxed when he saw the two women giggling hysterically over some memory.

"Hey." He turned to Willow. "There's a guy on the phone. He says it's important." He held out the phone to her.

Willow grabbed the phone and walked to a small corner of the room.

"Hello?"

"Willow? It's Cienne. He was here."

Willow took a deep breath. "Did he ask you any questions?"

Cienne chuckled. "Not about you. But he was warned."

Willow's brow crinkled in confusion. "Warned? By who?"

"Elka."

Willow lost her breath. "Elka? Are you sure?" She asked, unsure if she had heard correctly.

Cienne laughed heartily this time. "Yes. I'm sure. She's not someone you forget."

Willow laughed as well. "No, I guess not." She turned around to find Amanda and Nick staring expectantly at her. "Thanks. If you see him again…"

"I'll call. Don't worry." Cienne smiled into the phone and hung up.

Willow handed the phone back to Nick, and smiled. "That was a friend of mine who own one of the local establishments" She emphasized the last word. "There has been a guy following me, sometimes. I'm not sure if he is connected to the other, but this one I know. His name is Trey"

"Does he want your head?" Nick asked, slightly confused about some of the conversation, but knowing that any kind of headhunter was someone you needed to watch out for.

Willow shrugged. "I don't know. He's never confronted me. I saw him in several of the clubs I frequented in New York, and then there was this place not far from Heathrow, when a came into Europe, and there he was. I called Selene. She did some checking. Found out who he was. He's not a threat, not by himself. But if he works for the other, well that could prove to be a danger." She rubbed her temples, and started to head back into the living room.

"I'm gonna go. I need to sleep."

When she reached the front door Amanda stopped her. "You sure you don't want to stay here? We have plenty of room."

Willow started to decline, but then thought better of it. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. C'Mon." Amanda pulled her towards the stairs and a suite of guestrooms.

Willow was too tired to protest. She climbed into the comfortable bed and fell asleep. Her last thought was of Elka, and why she would be in Paris.

*****

Spike growled dangerously as he entered the bar. It wasn’t one of the better places on this side of town, but he knew the bartender, and they catered to his kind. He took a seat at the bar and took a look around the place. It hadn’t changed much in the nearly two centuries since he had been there. The air was smoky, and had a feel about it. Something the average mortal couldn’t detect, but was noticeable to his vampiric senses.

"What’ll you have?" The bartender asked with unusual accent as he wiped the counter without looking up.

"Dead man’s poison. Double strong." Spike smirked, as the bartender looked up, slightly shocked.

"Spike?" Cienne reached over the counter and grabbed Spike in a huge hug. "Where the hell have you been?" He asked grinning. "It’s been what? A hundred years?"

"Two." Spike grinned back as Cienne handed him the strange concoction.

"I see you still like to live dangerously." Spike stated as he took another look around at the various, demons, mortals, vampires, and other creatures that frequented the bar.

Cienne shrugged. "Well, what can I say? Safety is over-rated."

Spike nodded his agreement as he swallowed the smoky liquid from the shot glass, signaling for another.

"So, tell me why are you here? And is the old bastard with you?"

Spike down the second shot glass and smirked. "No, Angelus’ is off terrorizing some poor village back home. I’m just here for a little R and R. Got a friend I’m gonna catch up with. How about you? How’s business?"

******

Elka climbed off of her bike and entered the bar silently. She looked around the room and was pleased to see the young immortal had taken her advice. If he had any sense he would leave Paris, but she had a feeling sense was something he was lacking.

She smiled when she saw the blond vampire sitting at the bar. She walked up behind him and listened as he talked to the bartender. She wondered briefly why he was here in Paris, now. If it was for the same reason she was. When she locked eyes with the bartender and saw his expression, she realized that it wasn’t.

"Cienne. Black Plague." She ordered her drink and then turned her violet eyes to the vampire.

"William. You look… Well dead." She grinned.

Spike turned around stared into violet eyes he hadn’t seen in over a hundred and fifty years.

"Elka? Bloody Hell! I didn’t know you were in Europe. Last I heard you were causing a ruckus in Asia."

Elka took the seat next to Spike and swallowed her drink. "Business. I have an old debt that needs to be repaid."

Spike snorted, knowing exactly what kind of Business Elka was famous for attending to. He turned to the immortal and kissed squarely on the lips. Heading out of the bar he called over his shoulder. "See you around."

*****

After Spike had left the bar, Elka turned back to the Cienne. "He doesn’t know?" It was a statement.

"No. But he will." Cienne told her with a wry grin. Elka raised an eyebrow, causing Cienne to smirk as he explained.

"He staying with Nick Wolfe."

At that news Elka stood up and walked out of the bar, leaving a chuckling Cienne in her wake.

Things were about to get very interesting.

******

Trey was furious. Who did that Immortal bitch thing she was? Warning him away from the witch? She wasn’t a threat. He scoffed at the idea that a small slip of a girl could take him on. He stormed down the street, ducking into a back alley a few blocks away from the building he had seen Willow enter. He waited knowing that it was almost time. He would have her head, and her power.

*****

Willow walked briskly through the park, marveling at how different Paris was from New York. She loved the city. It seemed to sing its defiance of the evil that surrounded it. The people knew about the dangers, they just didn’t care. S he liked that.

She slowed her pace slightly as she felt the familiar tingling which signaled another of her kind. She followed the feeling into an alley as she removed her sword from her long coat.

"It’s time." Trey told her from behind.

Willow swung around and smiled as her sword clashed with his. He was clumsy, and had no real feel for his weapon. She blocked him easily. After several moments she got tired, and kicked out at him, bringing him to his knees. As her blade rested dangerously close to the spot which separated his head from his shoulders.

"Why?" She asked, knowing the reason but wanted to hear it nonetheless.

"Because I can." He answered defiantly as she swung her blade up and sliced through his neck.

"There can be only one." She whispered as the ground started to shake.

The sky darkened briefly with the oncoming lightning storm. Her body shook with convulsions as his power was added to her own. She fell to her knees in a heap. After several moments she stood up and walked slowly back onto the street, ignoring the familiar buzz as she walked past the figure in the shadows.

******

Elka watched the quickening over take her old friend and smiled at the headless body. "I warned you."

******

Willow walked briskly towards the apartment building,
but stopped in front of the door. She hesitated
before entering. She had a strange feeling. Like
something was about to happen. Something she had no
control over. It frightened her.
Not wanting to face whatever awaited her, Willow
turned around and headed toward "Death's Door", the
secret club above Cienne's bar.

When she entered the bar, Willow smiled as she saw
Cienne chatting animatedly at one of his many
non-human patrons. She approached the bar and leaned
over one of the stools.

"I'm going up. When Elka comes in, send her up."
Willow's green eyes sparkled at the unspoken question
in the man's eyes. "Don't worry. She'll be here."

Cienne laughed as he watched the redhead weave her
wave through the crowd until she reached the back and
entered a seemingly invisible door.

*****

Willow closed the door behind her as she started
up the winding stairs, which led to the club. When
she reached the top, she knocked once on a solid wood
door. The door opened slightly to reveal a snarling
vampire. The vampire was several inches taller than
Willow and had platinum blond hair, and coal black
eyes.

"Now, Now, Lia. It's not nice to growl at the
guests." Willow smiled broadly as she embraced the
vampire in a fierce hug.

"Willow?" The vampire stepped aside as she let the
redhead enter, so she could close the door behind her.
"I can't believe it! What are you doing here?" She
asked.

Willow, ignoring the vampire's question stepped
further into the club and marveled at the lack of
changes. She turned to Lia. "Someone should tell
Cienne that change isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Lia shrugged. "We're old. We like to remember how
things used to be."

Willow nodded as she handed to coat and sword to a
brakken demon standing off to one side.

"Vodka, straight. Double shot." Willow told one of
the bartenders's, and then pointed to a secluded both
on a third level. "There."

The bartender nodded as he began to prepare the
drink.

Willow started towards the both without checking to
see if the blond vampire was following her. She knew
she would be. When she reached the booth, Willow slid
into one side and turned her green eyes to Lia,
waiting for the questions she knew waiting to come
out.

"Why are you here?" Lia asked, a little hesitantly.
"We weren't told you were coming." Lia paused,
showing her nervousness.

"That would be me." The voice was slightly accented.
Elka's violet eyes bore into Willow's green as she
spoke to the vampire. "Go." When the vampire didn't
move, Elka turned her head slightly. "Now!" She
barked, sending an involuntary shiver down the
blonde's back.

Once the vampire had disappeared, Elka sat across from
Willow, both sitting silently, staring at the other.
It wasn't until several moments later, after their
drinks had been delivered that the silence was broken.

"You've improved." Elka knocked back her shot, never
wavering her gaze.

"He was young, inexperienced, and arrogant." Willow
shrugged.

"All fine qualities in the headless." Elka's words
were serious, but Willow could see the mischief in her
eyes, if only for a moment.

"Why are you here?" Willow asked, needing to know if
it was for the reason she feared.

"Why are you?"

Willow swallowed her shot and let a smile curve across
her lips as she spoke. "The prey has become the
predator. As I recall, you taught me that to hunt the
hunter, you must become the prey."

Elka quirked an eyebrow. "I also taught you to keep
better company."

Willow frowned. "Why are you here?"

"Amanda Montrose. I've come for her head."

*******

Nick opened the front door, expecting to see
Willow on the other side, and instead was greeted by
the lean form of a bleach blond vampire.

Spike stood on the other side of the door smirking.
"Are you gonna invite me in, or do I just stand here?"
 

"Come in." Nick stepped aside, allowing the vampire
entrance. "You look good, Spike."

Spike sauntered into the living room and flopped down
on the couch.

"Where's Amanda?" Spike asked surveying the room.

"She's out. She has a guest, and they went out to
dinner, and then Amanda had a job to do. She'll be
back before sunrise."

"A guest? Anyone I know?" Spike waggled his eyebrows
suggestively.

"No. I seriously doubt the two of you run in the same
circles. Besides, she's too young for you."

"How old is too young?" Spike pouted.

"Two hundred. And don't ask me to set you up. She
falls under the 'I am never dating again' category."
At Spike's puzzled expression, Nick elaborated. "Red
hair, green eyes, fiery spirit. Ring any bells?"

At Nick's description, Spike's green eyes darkened
with grief. "Yes, unfortunately. It's been two
bloody centuries, and still I dream about her every
night. I can still see her dead body. It haunts me."
Spike stood up, aggravated with himself, and headed
towards the bar to pour himself a drink.

Nick watched his old friend sadly. He wished there
were something he could have done. But knowing that
with the exception of staking him, there wasn't
anything that could be done.

*****
 

Amanda walked into the living room and leaned back
against the couch. She took out the small pouch and
emptied it into her hands. She picked out a medium
sized stone out of the handful of others. She lifted
it to eye-level, examining it carefully.
"So, that's it?"

Amanda turned, startled at the voice. She hadn't
known anyone else was home.

"How did you get in here?" She asked the intruder.
He simply smirked.
"What are you doing here? If she sees you…" Amanda's
words were cut off as she felt the familiar feeling
which signaled the presence of another immortal. She
waved her guest towards the staircase. As she slipped
the stone back into the velvet bag, hiding it in a
secret compartment built into her coffee table.

Amanda turned towards the door, as it was opened.
She breathed a sigh of relief when Nick entered,
followed by Spike.

"Spike!" Amanda stood up and gave the vampire a hug.

Spike gave her a cocky grin, and then surveyed the
room, inhaling deeply. She smiled slyly and walked
silently towards the stairs. When he didn't fins
anyone, he turned around, and shouted to into the air.

"Come on out you old, Wanker!"

Spike turned when he heard a deep chuckle from behind
him.

*****

Willow stared at Elka closely, trying to decide if
she had heard her old friend correctly. Deciding she
had, she raised an eyebrow.
"Amanda? You're here for her? Why?"

Elka turned her gaze to the room in general, avoiding
looking into Willow's green eyes. "It's personal."

Willow snorted. "Personal? No such thing. What's
the real reason? And don't tell me you have a debt
that needs to be repaid."

Elka turned her violet eyes to look at Willow at the
younger woman's harsh words. They stared at each
other silently for what seemed like hours, before Elka
broke the gaze, and shrugged. "She has something that
belongs to me. I want it back. Simple as that."

"Something that belongs to you?" Willow asked
quizzically, "Translated that means 'She stole
something that belonged to your people, and you've
come to collect'. Is it really that important?
What's one lost artifact?"

Elka hesitated for a moment. She was unsure what she
could safely tell her old friend. She turned her gaze
the room in general, and let her voice drop to a
whisper. "Yes."

Willow nodded as she stood up. "Very well. Tell me
what it is. I'll get back. And Amanda can keep her
head."

"It's not that simple." She looked up into Willow's
eyes and smiled sadly. "You don't understand."

"Explain it to me." When Elka remained silent she
continued, "Because I will not let you take her head.
That isn't an option. Steal the item back if you have
to, but you will NOT have her quickening. Not while
I'm alive." Willow stormed out of the secluded booth,
leaving Elka to ponder her words.

"That's what I'm afraid of, Red. That's what I'm
afraid of."

******

Amanda stood in amused silence as she watched the
two vampires hug.

"Look, I don't want to interrupt this joyous reunion,
but it's late. Why don't you finish this… elsewhere."
Amanda shot a pointed glance at Angelus at her last
word. He smirked in return.

"Yes, my boy, why don't we do that. I'm hungry." He
turned towards Spike with a wicked grin. "Are the
Parisians' still as tasty as I remember?"

Angelus followed Spike back into the living room,
stopping in front of Amanda. "We'll talk later." He
whispered.

*****

Willow walked briskly up the stairs. She was so
upset she had decided to take the stairs up to the top
floor. She heard noises coming from the apartment,
but she was so lost in her own thoughts, she couldn't
make them out. She felt the familiar buzz, alerting
her to Amanda's presence, but she wasn't sure who else
was with her. She was about to knock on the door when
it opened.

*****

Spike opened the front door, and felt his whole
body go numb at the site, which greeted him. If he
had had breath, he would have lost it. His eyes took
in her appearance. She looked different, but yet the
same. She hadn't aged. Not a single day. He turned
his stunned gaze to her eyes. They were the same
crystalline green orbs that haunted his dreams.

"Willow?" He choked out after finding his voice.

"Spike." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

*******
 

"Willow?" Spike asked again, not sure if he was
really seeing her.

"Spike." Willow smiled slightly, a sense of dread and
fear filling her.

"Hello, Red." Angelus smirked from where he stood
behind Spike.

"Angelus." Willow turned her gaze to the older
vampire, staring daggers at him.

"We should go inside." Willow whispered, avoiding
Spike's blue eyes, afraid of what she would find
there.

Spike moved aside, to allow her to enter the
apartment. He followed her into the living room.

"I have to go. I have an appointment." Amanda
announced into the silent room. She turned to Willow.
"You'll be alright?" She asked quietly. When Willow
nodded she turned towards Nick and Angelus. "C'Mon,
let's go."

"Aw, but the funs juts starting." Angelus grinned.

"Now!" Amanda snapped. Angelus shrugged and followed
the two immortals out of the building.

******

Elka left the club in a darker mood than when she
had entered. Things were becoming complicated. When
she had come to Paris, she had hoped that her source
had been wrong about the location of the artifact.
Amanda's possession of it made things more difficult.
She had no desire to kill the younger immortal, but
she couldn't allow the item to fall into the wrong
hands. There was too much at stake.
She sighed heavily as she looked at her watch and
realized it was time for her to retrieve the second
item that brought her to France. She climbed on her
bike and headed out of the city towards a small
province on the outskirts of town. She drove down the
silent roads until she reached a small restaurant. It
was closed for the evening, but that didn't matter.
She looked into the large windows and smiled when
she found the building to be empty. With any luck,
she could get in, get what she came for, and get out.
Elka pulled out some small tools and began to work on
the alarm system. It was delicate work, and under
normal circumstances might have taken her seconds to
release the mechanism, but the aggravation of the
evening, was costing her speed.
After nearly ninety seconds, Elka heard the click,
telling her she had been successful. She let herself
into the building, and let her eyes roam over the
walls, searching for her target. Seeing that it
wasn't in the first room, she wandered farther back,
until she saw it. Plastered against one of the
secluded booths. Covered, in a slick protective
material, the map seemed to glow. She looked it over
carefully, making sure it was authentic. Satisfied
that it was, she climbed over the chairs so that she
could reach her treasure. She gently took it of the
wall, and rolled it up carefully. Hearing a noise in
the outer room, Elka paused.

"What do you think you're doing?" It was a man's
voice who spoke.

Elka turned around, and stared into the brown eyes of
the owner of the restaurant. She walked swiftly
towards the man, not bothering to acknowledge that he
had spoke. When she walked past him, he grabbed her
arm. Without a second thought to ponder her actions,
Elka spun around, and used her free arm to lash out at
the man. Her concentrated blow, 'caused him to fall
to his knees, unconscious. She took a moment to set
the map down on a nearby table, before turning back to
the slumped mortal. She bent over him, and using a
strength that wasn't necessary, she snapped his neck.
Satisfied, she picked up the map and left the
building.

******

Willow sat on the couch in silence. She didn't
what to say. S he didn't know what she should say.
She hadn't seen Spike in over two centuries. But a day
hadn't gone by when she hadn't thought of finding him.
Of telling him how much she loved him, and of begging
his forgiveness. But now, here they were, and she
didn't know what to say.

"Two hundred years." Spike's voice broke the deathly
silence. "You've been alive, all this time."

"Spike, I..."

"Shut up!" Spike growled, turning his golden eyes to
the witch. "I don't believe you! I loved you. I
killed for you!"

"I know." Willow whispered, remembering the deaths of
her friends and Spike's hands.

"You're immortal? Like Amanda." He stated. Willow
nodded.

"When?"

"That night." She told him.

"You died? Do you remember that night?" He asked, a
little more softly.

Willow laughed bitterly. "Yes. Death is but a memory.
That's all it is. It isn't real. Just an illusion."

"Tell me." Spike spoke softly as he sat next to her
on the couch.

// Flashback//

Sunnydale Cemetery 2001

Willow felt the claws of the demon tighten around
her neck. She had barely enough air left to speak.
"Go. Now!" She rasped. She watched with hooded eyes
as Buffy ran away, tears running down her cheeks. The
demon was too strong. They couldn't fight him alone.
It was too late for Willow. She felt her life flash
before her, as she felt the talons grip her tighter.
Her last thought was of Spike, and how she wouldn't
get to tell him goodbye. Then everything went black.

//End Flashback//

She turned her gaze to Spike, tears in her eyes. "I
had hoped to save them." She whispered.

"You did, Luv. The demon didn't live long enough to
kill the slayer."

Willow nodded as she remembered what did happen to the
slayer. She took a deep breath, and then continued.

// Flashback//

Willow awoke with a gasp. It took her several
moments to realize where she was. She slowly got up
and fingered her throat, checking for bruises, and
gashed where the demon's hands had been. Finding
none, she swallowed, trying to remember what had
happened. * I died * She thought as the memories came
flooding back. She walked around in circles,
searching for any sign of what may have happened. Her
eyes drifted to the dead body of the demon that had
killed her. His heart had been torn out savagely, his
purple blood staining the ground beneath him. She
stared at his lifeless form and looked up into the
sky, noticing for the first time how the sun was
blaring down at her. She wondered how much time had
past.

Confused, she ran from the cemetery.

//End Flashback//

Willow turned to Spike. "When I realized that
everyone thought I was dead, I thought it would have
been better to let you all believe I had stayed that
way." She paused, "I thought they would be safer."

"Safer?" Spike snorted. "I killed them, Willow."

"I know."

Spike looked into her green eyes, and was surprised by
what he found there. Acceptance. "You're not upset?"
He asked.

Willow smiled. "I have no room to judge you, Spike.
We're the same."

Spike looked at her curiously. She sighed, and stood
up.

"Spike, I've killed so many. I do it to survive.
We're not so different. I do not feed from them as
you do, But I take their life, and their power, and it
strengthens my own. So what is the difference?" She
asked quietly.

Spike walked to her and spun her around, enveloping
her in a hug. She fell into his embrace, reveling in
the feeling she had missed for far too long.

*****
 

Willow turned towards the door as she heard it
open. Angelus strolled into the living room and
grinned.

"Where's Spike?"

"He went out. He needed time to think." She jumped
off of the couch, stalking towards Angelus and pushed
him into the wall. "What the hell are you doing here?"
She hissed.

"Nice to see you too, lover." Angelus smirked,
enjoying the feeling of her pressing him into the
solid wall.

Willow released him, and rolled her eyes. "We haven't
been lovers in over seventy years."

"I know, Red. I missed you." He said silkily.

Willow turned her green eyes to him. "Why are you
here?"

Angelus' eyes darkened for a moment, but then it was
gone, leaving Willow to wonder if she had actually
seen it at all.

"No reason." He told her, his face expressionless.

Willow turned her back to him. "In that case, you can
leave."

"Red." He growled as he grabbed her from behind,
spinning her around so that she found herself pushed
up against his hard body. He pressed his lips against
hers in a bruising kiss.

Willow responded. Using Angelus' momentary lapse, she
pushed him away, and walked briskly tot he other side
of the room. She grabbed her sword and in the blink of
an eye, she had the blade pressed firmly against his
throat.

"I ask you again, why are you here?"

*****

Spike wondered the streets of Paris in search of
his next victim. His thoughts were a muddled mess.
Willow was alive. He couldn't get past that one
thought. For over two hundred years he had wished
that that were true. There wasn't a day that went by
when he hadn't thought of her, dreamed of her, or
cursed himself for having failing her. And now, here
she was, in Paris, alive.

He didn't know if he should be relieved, or angry.
He was leaning towards angry. And not just at her.
Spike was struck with the realization that Angelus had
known that she was alive. He wondered how long his
sire had known. Did he always know? Or did he find
out recently?

Spike growled, frustrated with the direction his
thoughts were taking. He found himself in front of
Cienne's and walked in. He took a seat at the bar and
waved Cienne over.

"Spike. What can I get you?" Cienne asked, noticing
the vampire's foul mood.

"A bottle of your finest. Have it delivered
upstairs."

Cienne nodded as he watched Spike walk towards the
secret entrance to the club.

******

Elka left her motel room and smiled to herself
when she noticed she was being followed. It had been
a stressful day, and she was in the mood for a good
fight.
She lured her shadow into the alley behind Cienne's
club, and pulled out her sword. After a moment, her
shadow entered the alley, her weapon shining in the
darkness.

"Is this business or pleasure?" Elka asked from
where she stood in the darkness.

"Personal. You killed a friend of mine. Now, you
die."

Elka chuckled. "Can you be a bit more specific? I've
killed so many."

"Tonight. At the restaurant." The woman's voice was
shaking with unspent anger.

"Ah, the mortal. He had something that belonged to
me." Elka took a step closer to the woman.

"That map belongs to me." She paused to calm her
nerves. "You didn't have to kill him."

Elka stepped closer as she brought her sword down to
clash with her opponents. "That Map, belongs to my
people."
She kicked the woman's feet out from under her,
causing her to fall forward, and her sword to tumble
to the ground.
"You gave him the map. You put him in danger. You
killed him." Elka brought her blade across the
woman's neck severing her head from her body. "You
die."

Elka took a step back and fell to the ground as the
lightning began to take her over.

*****

Nick and Amanda were sitting in a secluded booth
at 'Death's Door' in silence. Nick knocked back a
shot and turned to Amanda.

"Well, that was… fun." He commented.

Amanda smiled. "It had to happen sooner or later.
It's a small world and eternity is long."

"Why is Angelus here?" Nick asked, almost dreading
the answer.

"That's what I'd like to know."

Amanda turned to see Spike standing over their booth.
Nick moved over so that Spike could sit down.

"Well? Why is he here?" Spike asked again.

"Why are you asking me? He's your sire." Amanda
deflected the question; just as a waitress came over
and brought a bottle of what looked like red wine, and
a single glass. She set it on the table, and then
noticing the people surrounding the booth she smiled.
"Would you like some more glasses?"

Spike snorted as Nick's face contorted in a grimace.
"No, Luv. One's enough." He turned towards Amanda,
"Unless you'd like some. I'm sure it's very young."

Amanda frowned. "No, I think I'll pass."

The waitress nodded her head and left.

"So, You were about to tell us why Peaches is here."

Amanda smiled and tried to think of a good
explanation. When nothing was forthcoming, she
sighed. "The L'liora Stone"

"The what?" Nick asked confused.

"The L'liora stone." Spike answered, as his features
grew serious. "It's a stone of unlimited power. It's
legendary really. No one's ever seen it."

Amanda cleared her throat nervously.

"Why do I have the feeling that's not a good sound?"
Nick asked to no one in particular.

******

Angelus smirked. "Oh, Lover, why I came to see you."

Willow pressed the sword firmly against the skin on his throat. "Bullshit! I’m not in the mood for one of you’re games, old man." She smiled dangerously into his dark eyes. "I’m not opposed to a little decapitation. I’m actually quite good at it. Care to see?" She chuckled when his face shifted into that of his demon as she pressed the sword firmly into his neck, slicing the skin slightly.

Angelus growled as he pushed her away from him. She tumbled to the floor but quickly regained her balance.

"You play a dangerous game, little one." Angelus hissed as his human features returned.

Willow sighed and set her sword on a stand near the bar. She walked around to the other side of the bar and poured herself a drink. After swallowing the burning liquid she walked past the vampire and headed up the stairs. When she had nearly reached the top, his voice reached her.

"Where are you going?"

Willow didn’t stop as she replied. "To bed. I’m too tired to play right now. Maybe later." She heard him chuckle as she turned down the hall.

******

Once Angelus was certain Willow had gone to bed, he walked over to the couch and retrieved the velvet pouch from where Amanda had hidden it. He took the stone out and admired it appraisingly. It was slightly oval, with soft, rounded edges. What caught his attention most was the range of colors if possessed. He had heard that the stone would change color according to body temperature, and magical power. It could sense the very essence of life, or lack there off. Consequently, the colors didn’t shift under his hand.

He briefly wondered if what he had heard about it was true. If it contained the ability to harness unimagined amounts of power. It was hard to believe something so unassuming could destroy the world, if fallen into the wrong hands. But Angelus had lived long enough to know that destruction could come in the most unlikely forms.

He chuckled softly as he thought of the small slip of a girl upstairs. He had known her for well over two centuries, and she never ceased to amaze him. She had been a shy, pleasant girl when they had met. Of course that had been when he had possessed his soul. He had to admire her bravery, even then, when she had tried to re-curse him, not once, but twice.

It was some kind of irony that it was her, however inadvertently, that had caused his demon to break free from his wretched soul, permanently. When she had died her first death at the hands of a demon, his favorite childe had been in a blind rage. Spike had blamed the Slayer and her friends for Willow’s death. He killed them all. One by one, slowly, and painfully. Spike then went to Los Angeles and delighted in telling him, in vivid detail how each one of the Scooby gang had met their gruesome death.

His soul had cried out in agony. It had been in so much pain both at the loss of Willow as well as at the torment his friends must have faced, that his control on the demon was weakened, allowing it to break free. His soul was now just a distant memory, as was the Slayer.

Angelus had been quite shocked when, nearly eighty years later, he ran into the little witch. He had laughed when he realized the horrid deaths her friends had faced. All for the death of a girl, who had never actually died.

He told her of their fate, expecting to see the tears of the girl he had known. Instead she shrugged and told him it didn’t matter. She told him the only thing that did matter was that Spike never learns that she still lived. Angelus had promised her he would never tell his childe the truth, and he never did.

He hadn’t lied when he told her he missed her. It had been seventy-three years since they had seen each other. Their relationship had been one of convenience. He had loved her fire, and her complexities intrigued him. For her, he was a reminder of who she used to be. The sex hadn’t been bad either. But that’s all it had been. Just sex. Spike was her mate. It didn’t matter that they had never taken the bond. Never performed the blood oath. They were mated, and would always be. Even if they never saw each other again.
 

Angelus laughed out loud as he realized that time had a way bringing things full circle. Spike and his mate would be together once again. If she didn’t kill them all first.

******

"Amanda." Spike’s tone was one of warning.

Amanda sighed. "The L’liora Stone. I have it."

"Where?" Spike’s eyes glowed yellow as he thought about the implications.

Amanda averted his gaze. "At the house"

"Are you insane?" Spike barked.

Nick looked from the immortal to the vampire and back again. "One of you care to fill me in?" He asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"NO!" They both shouted in unison.

Spike growled as he stood up. "Bloody Brilliant!" He leaned over the table and stared into her dark eyes with his golden ones. "You do realize the hunter is here? She won’t stop until she has the stone. Your head. Willow’s head. It won’t matter." He snarled.

"I can take care of myself," Amanda said indignantly as Spike started to storm off. "I have been alive for a long time."

Spike stopped and turned around. "Not long enough, Ducks. She has lived for thousands of years. With one goal. One purpose."

"You sound like you know her.’ Nick commented as he tried to pick up on the unspoken meaning to Spike’s words.

Spike turned to his friend. "I do, Mate. We go way back. We were… enemies… friends…lovers. " His face shifted back to its human mask at Amanda’s startled expression. "Elka is also friends with Willow." His eyes darkened sadly. "It doesn’t matter. It won’t matter. She will retrieve the Stone, no matter the cost."

Spike turned and walked away, leaving the two immortals to ponder what he had told them.

*****

Elka was waiting outside of Cienne’s bar when Spike left. She was leaning against the side of the building. She smiled to herself when she saw him storm outside into the cool night air.

Spike scowled when he saw her. "What do you want?"

Elka laughed as she approached him. "Don’t frown. You’ll get wrinkles."

"Elka, luv. I don’t really have time for this."

"Make time." Her voice had a steel edge to it.

Spike sighed needlessly. "Where to?" He asked as he followed her over to her bike and climbed on behind her.

Elka ignored the question as she revved the engine and sped off. After several minutes of twists and turns on the streets of Paris, Elka stopped in front of a small building. It didn’t have any signs, or markers revealing what lay inside. Elka climbed off the bike silently, and grabbed her sword from where she had it safely stashed along the rear of the bike.

She entered the building and waited for Spike to follow her inside before shutting the door. The room was completely empty, with the exception of a metal staircase, which led to a small loft, which covered half of the width of the small building.
 

Spike followed Elka up the stairs. The loft was sparsely furnished, having only a table with two chairs and a small couch. Elka pulled out one of the chairs and sat in it backwards as she finally turned her violet eyes to Spike.

"So… Tell me." Her accent made the words sound more like a request, than the demand Spike knew it was.

Spike sat on the couch and raised an amused eyebrow. "Tell you?" He asked. "You’re the one who brought me to this little party. Why don’t you tell me, Ducks?"

Elka pulled out a knife she had hidden in a sheath on her left leg. She raised one eyebrow at the blond vampire in amusement and then started sharpening the blade.

The two sat in silence for several minutes. Neither knowing exactly where to start. Neither knowing exactly how much of their present situation the other was aware of. Finally Elka spoke.

"I know Amanda has the Stone. I know Red is staying with her." She turned her gaze to Spike and stared at him intently. "I know Angelus is here."

Spike stared at her in silence for a moment. "What does the bloody wanker have to with L’liora?"

"Directly? Nothing. But he knows the legend as well as anybody. And…" She paused, unsure if she should tell him the rest. She knew that he had only recently found out that Willow was still alive. She doubted that he knew about Willow’s power and how she had gained it.

" And?" Spike asked impatiently. "Out with it. What else?"

Elka returned her violet eyes to her blade. "Angelus knows that Willow retains L’liora’s power."

*****

Willow lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. So much had happened in the last couple of days. When she had come to Paris she knew that the one who pursued her wouldn’t be far behind. They would track her to France. Soon, the battle would begin. She was unsure of the identity of her predator, therefore she didn’t know who would win. Who’s skill was greater. The threat of her impending death had led her to her teacher. But now, she was realizing far more was at stake than her own head.

The fact that Elka was here sent warning bells off in her head. She didn’t know for certain what it was Amanda had stolen, but she feared it was the Stone. If that was the case. They were all in trouble. If the Stone was here, and she lost the upcoming battle, her opponent would have far more than the power passed down the ages. The power of L’liora herself. But they would have the ability to destroy the fabric of reality. That wasn’t something Willow wanted to see happen.

Willow groaned as she climbed out of bed. As if the threat of impending death wasn’t enough, she had come face to face with her greatest fear. Spike. He now knew the truth. He knew that she had been alive all these years. She wondered if he could ever forgive her. She wondered if she wanted him to. It had been so long since she’d been with her love. She had steeled herself against the loss; she wasn’t sure if she could open herself up to what would undoubtedly come next.

Would he understand the path her life had taken? Would he understand the destiny she had taken on? She sighed. She supposed he would. Just as she had understood what Spike had done all those years ago. She didn’t blame him for the deaths of her friends. If anything, she blamed herself, however briefly. If she had told him the truth, he wouldn't have killed them. But even knowing that, Willow would not have changed her mind, if she could have.

Cassandra had once told her that everything happens as it is meant to. At the time, she thought the older witch was trying to make her feel better. But now, she finally understood.

"Everything I have ever been, have ever done, had led me here." She whispered to herself. Words spoken by the vampire downstairs more than two centuries previous. They were no more false now than they were then.

Willow frowned as her thoughts were brought back to Angelus. What was he doing here? Did he come for the Stone, if it indeed was here, or was he here because of Spike? She feared it was a combination of the two, and wondered how much more complicated things could get.

******

"Angelus knows that Willow retains L’liora’s power."

Spike looked at Elka, confusion in his blue eyes. "I think I’m missing a piece of the puzzle, Ducks. Care to fill me in?" He asked.

Elka set her blade down and sighed. "L’liora was one of my people. She possessed generations of power. For millennia she ruled." Elka’s voice took on a note of deep sadness. "When our race became the hunted, we had to leave our homes. We became nomads." She spat the words with resentment. "Eventually there were only a small handful of us left. The Gathering had started to claim other’s. Now not only were we hunted because of our unusual abilities, our power. But now, the hunted us for our heads." Her voice hadn’t raised, but her anger was clear.

"Elka, luv," Spike began, "That is the way. The way I understand it, Immortal’s have hunted other immortals since the beginning. What makes you’re people so special?"

Elka’s violet eyes flared at his question, and then she regained control. "Nothing. Everything." She turned to look at him, sadness shown in the depths of her eyes. "I’m the last. Did you know that? Thousands dead. We were strong once. Now we don’t even exist."

Spike walked over to her and put his arms around her, trying to comfort the woman he had known for over three centuries. She pushed him away.

"I don’t need your pity, or your concern." She stared into his eyes with new purpose. "But, I do need you to understand. "

Spike nodded and sat down again, waiting for her to continue.

"A thousand years ago, L’liora met an Scottish witch. An Immortal named Cassandra. She was very powerful. She took L’liora’s head, and with it her power."

"And let me guess, Willow took Cassandra’s head." Spike made the connection. Elka nodded. He took a moment for the implications to sink in. "And what happens if the Willow comes in contact with the stone?"

"The world ends?" Elka asked with a raise of her eyebrows.

"Oh, is that all?" He chuckled and then thought about something she had said earlier. "What exactly does Peaches have to do with this? How does he know so much about it?" He was almost afraid to hear her answer.

Elka avoided his eyes. "Willow told him. She and Angelus were… intimate."

Spike stood up. "Bloody Hell! That’s why he’s here now? He wants her back? Or is he after the stone?" Spike’s eyes glowed yellow with his rage.

"I don’t know what his motives are, but I can not allow Willow to have the stone. All our lives depend on it." She paused for a moment. "There’s something else." She waited for Spike to cam down before she continued. "She’s being hunted. By one like me."

"Like you? I thought you were the last?" Spike groaned. His vacation to Paris was turning into a nightmare.

"Well, she’s not one of my people. But she knows of us. Lived with us. Trained with us. She wants the stone and it’s power. If she takes Willow’s head, she will have it."

"Over my dead body!" Spike snapped.

Elka chuckled. "You’re already dead." She turned serious. "You must protect her, at all costs." S he walked over to the vampire and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you and she have issues. But if she dies, all is lost."

Spike squeezed Elka’s hand and then kissed her on the cheek. "Don’t worry. Willow will live, for eternity, with me." He winked. "As for the stone…"

"You worry about Willow, I’ll take care of the stone." She told him as he strode down the stairs and out of the building. She lowered her voice and whispered to herself, "Even if I have to take Amanda’s head."

******

Willow couldn’t sleep. She kept having nightmares. She needed to settle things with Angelus, and tell Spike the truth. He deserved that much. She climbed out of bed and wandered downstairs, hoping the vampire was still there.

She found him sitting on the couch nursing a whiskey sour. "Angelus. We need to talk." She came around and sat on the opposite couch.

"Yes, Red, I believe we do." He smirked, knowing exactly what was on her mind.

"Why are you here?" When he didn’t answer, she tried again. "Is this about Spike, because…"

Angelus interrupted. "Don’t worry, Red, I’m not laying any claim on you, though I could." She laughed as he watched her brows knit together in irritation.

He sighed needlessly. "Despite rite of the Sire, You were always his. Our time together never changed that." He watched her closely to see her reaction. She seemed to be considering something, so he decided to ask the question that was on his mind. "Do you plan on taking the oath? Finish the binding?"

Willow looked up at him startled. She hadn’t known that Angelus knew about the bond Spike and her had initiated before she died. "I… I don’t know. I guess that’s up to him." She told him softly, fearing that once Spike knew the truth, he wouldn’t want her anymore, if he still did.

Angelus stood up. "Well then, you have some decisions to make." He headed for the door. "Don’t worry, Red, I’ll be around." He smirked as he left Willow alone with her thoughts.

******

Willow was still sitting in the living room when Spike returned. He was pleased to see that she was alone. He had a lot of things to discuss with her, and he didn’t fancy being interrupted by his bleeding sire.

"Willow, luv." He spoke softly, not wanting to startle her. She seemed to be deep in thought.

At the sound of his voice, Willow turned and smiled. "Spike. We need to talk."

Spike nodded and reached out for her hand. "That we do. Upstairs?"

Willow smiled softly as she took his hand. They walked upstairs in silence, each wondering how much to tell the other. How much they already knew. When they entered Willow’s room, She started pacing around the room nervously. Spike sat in a chair at the end of the bed, watching her.

"I suppose you want to know what happened two hundred years ago? Why I left I mean?" She looked into his blue eyes, trying to will the pain in her heart away.

"You said you thought it would be safer if we thought you were dead." Spike remembered what she had told him earlier.

Willow nodded. "That’s part of it. I ran. At first I didn’t know what happened. Why I was still alive. I was scared. I his for several days, not knowing if I was going crazy. If I had imagined my death. When I finally came out of hiding, you were gone. The others… they were dead. I knew it was not a dream. Maybe a nightmare etched in reality. I left Sunnydale, swearing I would never come back. Never look back." S he paused and took a deep breath. "I don’t know how long I ran. Maybe days, maybe weeks. Eventually, I ended up in Canada. That’s where I met Cassandra. I don’t know how she knew. How she found me. But I was lucky she did. I was being hunted." Willow smiled to herself as she heard Spike snarl involuntarily at this latest revelation.

"Cassandra brought me here, to Amanda. To holy ground." She turned and stared at a wall will an ancient etching on it, as she remembered a time long past. "Do you know about the gathering? Do you know that there can be only one?" She spoke the words sadly. "Someday, we will all be gone. The last of our race will have more power than any person, man or beast, should have a right to." She looked back at Spike. "Amanda once told me, she believed that one would be Duncan McLeod. Did you know Duncan?" When spike shook his head no, Willow continued. "He was a highlander." She chuckled. "I never met him. He died a hundred and fifty years ago. Do you know who killed him?" She asked with the slightest trace of bitterness. "Elka. She killed him. Do you know why?" Willow didn’t wait for the answer. "Elka is like me. Only not. Her people were here long before man. Before demon. Before we covered the earth with our game, her people flourished. Until they came. The hunters." She spat the last words and turned to look at Spike, her green eyes flaring angrily.

"The hunters. They kill us. They butcher us. And why? For our heads. Our power." She laughed hollowly. "That’s a laugh. A power we do not want, nor can we control."

Spike stood up and grabbed Willow, embracing her in a fierce hug. "Willow, pet. Why don’t you come sit down? You need to breathe."

Willow pulled herself away from the comfort of his arms. "No, I don’t. I could hold my breath until I turned blue and died, but I would come back. To live again. To kill again. To die again." Her voice had cracked towards the end, as she collapsed onto the floor and started sobbing quietly, remembering things she would rather forget.

Spike picked her up and carried her to the bed. Laying her down gently, she climbed into the bed next to her and cradled her against his chest, and soothed her frail nerves as he rubbed circles on her back.

"Tell me." He whispered into her hair.

"I killed her Spike. My own teacher, I killed her." She rasped in between sobs.

Spike was confused. He thought Amanda was her teacher. "Who? I thought Amanda was your teacher."

Willow took a staggering breath as she began to tell Spike about the even that haunted her dreams. "She is. But Cassandra was also my teacher. S he taught me about magic, and power. She made me understand who and what I was." S he paused thinking over what had lead to Cassandra’s death. "Do you know who L’liora was?" She asked quietly.

Spike remembered what Elka had told him and nodded. "Yes. She was one of Elka’s people."

Willow looked up, surprised. "You know of Elka’s people? I mean, other than what I’ve told you tonight?"

Spike chuckled. "Yes. I have known Elka for longer than I’ve known you pet. Longer than I’ve known Peaches." He smiled at her astonishment. "I met her when I was still human." He explained.

Willow sighed and then continued. "L’liora had great power. She had been a savior to her people. Once. But she had lost her way. She was using her abilities to conquer those weaker than her. When Cassandra met her, they fought. Cassandra won."

"So, Cassandra gained L’liora’s power." Spike surmised, "And you took Cassandra’s head, so now you have both of there power combined."

"I didn’t have a choice." Willow explained sadly, remember the night Cassandra had died. "The hunters were after her. If they had found her, and killed her…" She swallowed, "All would have been lost."

"The hunters? Who are the hunters?" Spike had heard her mention them several times. And each time, he heard the bitterness in her voice. The way he understood it, Immortals hunted each other. That was their way. He didn’t understand what made these ones any different.

Willow sat up a little bit, so that she could look at spike. "They are like Elka. Or at least they were, at one time. They separated from the main group thousands of years ago. They believed that if they banded together, they could mold the world into their vision. About four thousand years ago, they returned to their homeland, and started hunting the viata’, Elka’s people. Their own people. Thousands were killed. Eventually, they had to leave. Become nomads. The hunters began to stretch their power. The started to include other immortal’s in their quest when they realized their people weren’t the only ones. Now, Elka is the last. The last of a species which once thrived, but is now little more than a memory."

Spike watched her eyes, as they darkened in sadness as she told her story. Much of this, he had already know, but he knew it would help Willow if she spoke about it, so he listened quietly, trying to connect the dots in his head.

About a century ago, a hunter came. His name was Resalle. He was after L’liora’s power. He was strong. Too strong. After a very close call, Cassandra realized that in a fight to the death, she would not win. She came to me, and asked me to take her head." Willow sighed at the painful memory. "At first, I refused. But in the end, I knew that if I did not take Cassandra’s head, Resalle would. He could not be allowed to possess the power I now have. The world as we know it, would be over."

Willow detached herself from Spike’s firm embrace and climbed off the bed. She knew what was coming next, and was unsure how Spike would react.

"Willow, luv. It wasn’t your fault." He told her, recognizing the guilt in her eyes.

"I know." Willow nodded, bracing herself for the questions, which were sure to follow.

"This Resalle, is he the one after you now?"

Willow looked sharply at him. "How did you know anyone was after me?"

"Elka. She told me. Earlier tonight." He avoided mentioning the stone, unsure of what it would mean to her.

"Yes, Elka is here for the stone." She smiled slightly at the mild surprise, which showed in Spike’s blue eyes. "I know that Amanda has it, and that Elka needs it. I also know how dangerous it is." She looked sadly past him to the window, which shown the waning moon.

"I never would have believed all those years ago that the fate of the world would rest on me, and a legend." She laughed sadly.

"Willow? You never answered me. Is it Resalle who is after you?"

<This was it> Willow thought. The moment of truth. The moment when she would find out is she was truly alone. "No. He died nearly a century ago."

"Did you kill him?"

Willow’s green eyes bore into Spike’s as she spoke her next words. "No. Angelus did."

*****

Siorrue watched the large building loom in the darkness. Her prey was closer. Closer than she had ever been. Her time of victory was at hand. Soon, she would have the witches head, and with it, her power. Then she could plunge the world into darkness, or not. It all depended on the young immortal, and the power she retained.

Siorrue looked around the street carefully. She knew that Elka was in town. That was dangerous. Elka knew the truth. She knew what would happen once the stone’s power was unleashed. Only she had all of the knowledge needed to stop what was to come.

If the witch or her vampire learned the truth, there was no telling what would happen.

****

"Angelus?" Spike looked carefully at Willow. He wasn’t expecting that little revelation.

Willow sighed. "He was with me when… We were together when…"

"Stop!" Spike barked. He looked at her with hurt eyes. "How could you? W ith him?" When she didn’t answer, he continued. "Did the oath mean anythi ng to you? Have you forgotten the bond?"

Willow stared at the man before her, feeling her anger rise. She stood u p. "Now, you wait just a minute! How dare you come in here, and judge me. I t has been two hundred years, Spike. Two centuries." She paused, not sure w hether she should be apologizing or not. "I’m sure you have not spent the last two centuries being celibate and mourning over your lost love." She s napped, and then continued in a whisper, almost afraid to voice her concern s. "I doubt you had even given me a second thought until ran into me in the hall."

Willow turned away from him, not wanting to see the truth in his eyes. S he looked out the window blankly, wishing, not for the first time that she had died that night so long ago. She was about to turn around and try and e xplain things to him when she felt it. The ever present sensation telling h er of another immortal nearby.

Willow spun around, hopping over the bed, she grabbed her sword from whe re it lay near the door.

"Willow?" Spike asked, not knowing exactly what was going on.

Willow turned to face him. "Someone’s here." She didn’t wait for him to respond, instead leaving the room, her sword drawn.

When she reached the foot of the stairs, she narrowed her eyes as she sc anned the room. "Who are you?" She asked into the seemingly empty room.

"Witch, I’ve come for your head. It will be mine."

Willow scoured the room with her eyes, finally settling on a shadow in t he corner of the room. She approached the figure cautiously.

"Willow! Be careful!" Spike’s voice rang through the silence of the ro om.

Willow tensed. "You can’t interfere." She took another step closer to her opponent, hoping Spike would stay out of it.

Siorrue stepped out from the wall. "Are you ready to die?"

Willow smiled. "You first."

****

Spike watched in horror as Willow waged a battle for her head. It was a fight to the death, and there was nothing he could do. Nothing he could hav e said would have stopped what was happening now.

He was rooted in place as he watched the two immortals fight. Spike foun d himself admiring the way in which Willow moved. He had always admired her , but she had never been an excellent fighter before. Now, she moved with a gracefulness and confidence she had previously lacked.

So intent on her form and the way in which she moved Spike failed to not ice that Willow had severed the other woman’s head, until he heard a cras h. There was a field of energy leaving the fallen body. As the energy consu med Willow, the room was cast in eerie flashes of light, produced by the fr eak lightning storm.

After a few moments, Willow collapsed onto the floor, letting her sword fall. Spike ran to her and pulled her against his chest, rubbing her back s oothingly.

"Willow, luv." He spoke softly, "Who was that?"

Willow looked up, green eyes meeting blue. "It’s over." She told him. "For two centuries she has hunted me. I never understood why. Now I do." Wi llow started to stand, allowing Spike to pull her to her feet.

Willow grabbed her sword and headed towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Spike asked confused.

Willow stopped, and turned towards Spike. She smiled softly at him. "I h ave to finish this." She took a step closer to him and cupped his cheek in her hand. "If I don’t make it back, I want you to know… I’m sorry. Fo r Angelus. For everything I didn’t tell you. For…" her words were cut o ff as Spike places a tender kiss against her lips.

When he pulled away to let her breath, he smiled. "I know. Our bond cann ot be unbroken." He reminded her.

Willow pulled herself away from the one place she wanted to be most. "I have to go."

"Where are you going?" He asked again.

She was almost out the door before he heard her answer. "To Elka. She ha s some explaining to do."

*****

Willow strode into the club with a purpose. Her green eyes taking in the darkened bar. She smiled evilly when she saw Cienne talking to Angelus and a female vampire. She walked over and pushed herself in between the two vampires.

"Where is she?" She asked Cienne.

He tried to look ignorant. "Who?"

Willow's green eyes darkened in barely contained fury. She reached over the bar and pulled the demon up by his collar, hoisting him over the bar in a show of strength. "Don't play games with me, little man." She whispered into his ear. "Would you like me to tell Angelus here, about Drusilla's last visit?"

Cienne shook his head violently, hoping Angelus had not her Willow's whispered words. "No," he gasped as quietly as he could manage.

Willow dropped him to the floor, and leaned over the bar to peer down at him. "Now, Where. Is. She?"

Cienne pointed to the secret entrance. "Upstairs."

Willow left the bar and headed towards her destination.

Angelus smirked as she watched Cienne stand on shaky legs. "Red's a handful." He observed.

Cienne looked quizzically at the vampire. "How do you know her?" He wasn't exactly sure how safe it was to ask, but his curiosity got the better of him. Even after all these years, Willow was still a mystery. He didn't know anything about her. Who she was, where she came from, nothing of any consequence, other than she was immortal, and had a lot of friends in supernatural circles.

Angelus chuckled. "I guess you could say, she's my daughter." He laughed at Cienne's puzzled expression and ordered another drink.

****

Willow entered the private part of the club, and found her target almost immediately. The buzz she got off of another immortal was prevalent. She felt others like her all around. But the one she sought was her only concern. S he climbed up the stairs to the third level and slid into the booth across from Elka.

"Siorrue is dead." She spoke calmly.

Brief flashes of surprise, anger and then fear shown in Elka's violet eyes.

"You lied to me."

"Did I?" Elka quirked a brow. "If I recall, I didn't tell you anything. All of your knowledge, you gained from death. The deaths of those like us. I told you nothing." Elka's voice was hard.

Willow sighed, realizing the truth in Elka's words. "Now what? We fight? One of us dies? And for what? The memory of a long dead people?"

"We were strong once. We could have ruled." Elka's tone took on a far away note. "But we refused. We knew that the power sought wasn't gained through violence. And so we ran. From our home, from our history, from who we are." She spat the words, as if she could get the memories they caused out of her mind. "Now, we are nothing more than a memory, in some chronicle." Elka's voice had grown weary.

Willow looked at her old friend sadly. "We can destroy the stone. My power is strong. I won't even have to touch it."

"NO!" Elka nearly shouted. "I will have it. It belongs to my people."

"El, it needs to be destroyed. You know that. Spike and I…"

You. Will. Not. Have. It.!" Each word came out in a low growl.

Willow stood up, frustrated. "This has to end, one way or another." She started to walk off when Elka's voice stopped her.

"You are powerful. But don't think that you can beat me. Do not back me into a corner, Red."

Willow whipped around to face the older immortal.

"This isn't about you. It had ceased to be about you a thousand years ago. L'liora died, releasing you from your bond. You could have gone on. Lived. But you… you refused. You were so stubborn. You refuse to let the past go. Let it die, as we have done. Make a new life." Willow's green eyes bore into Elka's violet.

"Like you have done?" Elka hissed. "For two centuries you have hid. You have not lived. You have been dying a slow death, as have we all. You and I are no different."

Willow shook her head. "You don't understand. I haven't been hiding. I have lived my life." She explained.

Elka laughed. "Have you? Then why is it you have spent the last two centuries avoiding Spike? Why is it you have shared a bed with Angelus, and spent numerous time with Drusilla, but not a single phone call to your mate?"

Elka climbed out of the booth and looked Willow in the eye, "Tell me, Red, which one of us refuses to let the past go?" She walked away, leaving Willow to think about what she had said.

*****

Willow stood there stunned, for countless minutes. The words spoken by Elka reverberated in her head. Was she right? Had she been hiding like a frightened child all these years?

Willow fell into the booth, realizing that she had been correct. She hadn't lived. She had barely survived. She sighed heavily and waved Lia over.

"Bring me one of those toxic concoctions Angelus is so fond of." Willow paused, "Actually, bring me three."

Lia nodded sympathetically as she went to get Willow's order.

"Little Tree, Miss Edith tells me trouble is coming."

Willow smiled at the sound of the familiar voice. "Drusilla."

Drusilla bent down and kissed Willow on the cheek. "Was Miss Edith right?"

Willow sighed. "As always. What did you see?"

Drusilla laughed, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "I never could fool you." She leaned across the booth, "Tell me, is Daddy here?"

Willow groaned as Lia returned with a tray. She set down a shot glass and a small pitcher in front of Willow, and an empty wine glass and bottle of blood wine in front of Drusilla. She disappeared as quickly as she had arrived.

After knocking back one shot of the dark blue liquid, Willow turned her green eyes back to the vampire. "Everyone is here. You, me, Angelus, Spike. It's like a bloody family reunion."

Drusilla giggled at Willow's use of Spike's euphemisms. "It's time" She whispered mysteriously.

Willow quirked an eyebrow. "What did you see, Dru?"

Drusilla smiled slyly as she took a drink of her bloodwine. She stood up and offered her hand to Willow. "Come, let's go see Daddy."

Willow stood up and finished off the last of the alcohol. She could feel it burning through her system. She followed Drusilla, too familiar with the vampires' visions, to bother asking for more details. She would share when she was ready.

*****

Spike paced around the bar nervously. It had been several hours since Willow had left to go see Elka. He didn't know exactly what explanations she was after, but he knew that Elka was not above killing a friend to get what she wanted.

He heard the front door open as he poured himself and his sire a drink. He had just swallowed the last of his when Angelus entered.

"Drusilla's here." Angelus spoke as he took the offered drink.

"I know. No doubt for the same reason you are." He eyed his sire warily. "Why exactly are you here? Planning on destroying the world again? Or are you here for another reason?"

Angelus smirked at his childe. "What bothers you more? The fact that I had her, or the fact that I knew she was alive?"

"Does it matter?" Spike leaned against the bar.

Angelus looked up, his dark eyes serious. "Yes."

When Spike didn't answer, Angelus growled. "This isn't about me, or me and her. It never was. It's always been about you. It was two hundred years ago, and it still is now. If we all live another thousand years, it'll still be about you, my boy."

"If?" Spike looked quizzically at his sire.

Angelus sighed needlessly as he stood up. "If this hunter, this immortal who's after Red, gets a hold of the stone, none of us, man, demon or immortal will live to see the next century." His voice was more serious than Spike had heard it in a long time.

"The hunter is dead."

Angelus stared disbelievingly at Spike. "Are you sure?"

"Bloody hell, I was standing not two feet away when Willow killed her!" Spike snapped.

Angelus smiled. "Problem solved."

"Not quite."

Both vampires turned at the sound of a slightly accented voice.

William, Angelus." Elka entered the room and headed straight for the bar.

"You shouldn't be here."

Elka raised an eyebrow. "I shouldn't be doing a lot of things. This is just the latest in a long line." She raised the glass to her lips as she nodded towards the front door. "Gentlemen, The fun's about to start."

*****

Willow and Drusilla rode up the elevator in silence. Drusilla humming a tune softly, while Willow thought about all the things that could happen next. Siorrue was dead, but that didn't solve the problem about what to do with the stone. It should be destroyed, but Willow doubted Elka would allow that to happen.

She didn't even know where the stone was, only that Amanda had it. That was another problem. Would Amanda allow them to have it? If not, Willow feared someone would lose her head.

Her inner musings were halted as the elevator neared its stop and she felt the buzz. It seemed to fill her senses. It was powerful. She turned to Drusilla. "We have company."

Drusilla followed Willow out of the elevator and into the apartment. The immortal had her sword drawn, just in case it wasn't Amanda or Nick. Drusilla snarled viscously when she saw Elka standing casually in the room.

"Well, well, if it isn't the infamous Drusilla." Elka smirked at the golden eyes f the vampiress. She turned to Willow, "What did I tell you about the company you keep?"

Willow's response was interrupted by the addition of two more immortals. "Is this a private party, or can anyone join?"

****

Willow watched in dreaded silence as Amanda and Nick entered the room. She felt her world collapsing around her. She didn't know why Amanda had stolen the stone. If she even knew what it was. And if she did, would she be willing to give it up.

Amanda smiled. "You must be the legendary Elka. It's not often I meet someone older than I." She nodded her head slightly. She turned towards Nick. Nick, Elka, Elka, Nick." She winked at Willow as she continued to speak to nick. "Elka here wants my head. She thinks I have something that belongs to her."

"You do." Elka's face was expressionless, but Willow could see the anger in her eyes.

Willow watched Amanda carefully, unsure what her teacher would do next. She was famous for not letting go of her 'prizes' without a fight.

Amanda's dark eyes sparkled with amusement. "Do I now? As I recall the legend, The stone belongs to the one with the power to affect it." She raised an eyebrow at Elka. "And if I'm not mistaken, "That's not either one of us."

Every eye in the room turned to look at Willow.

*****

In a small pouch, in a hidden compartment, in the next room, the object in question glowed with unrestrained power. The life force was strong. It could sense a change. The power coiled around the room with a fury.

*****

Willow could feel the tension in the room. It surrounded her, suffocating her. But there was something else to. A knowledge born of centuries of power. Power she contained, power she could harness.

She turned to look at Elka, green eyes staring into violent, in a silent warning. "Do you know where it was forged?"

Elka glanced away, knowing instantly what it was Willow was planning. And knowing how dangerous such an attempt could be. "It won't work. The dimension has shifted too far. You would have to enter our dimension, our hell, and release its power there."

Willow nodded. "I understand the risks."

"Well I don't. Care to explain?" Spike looked from Elka to Willow and back again.

It was Drusilla who spoke. "Little tree needs to release the stone's power. She can't do it here. Miss Edith says it would all end. She must go there."

"Where, baby?" Angelus spoke quietly, recognizing the escalated tension for what it was.

"Dru smiled at her Sire, and then turned her gaze to Elka. "To her world. Only there can all be made right."

"You're world?" Nick asked, confused by the direction the conversation had taken.

Elka glared at the vampiress. "This doesn't concern you. Any of you." She snapped, not wanted to reveal her peoples true origins.

"Like Hell it doesn't!" Spike snarled taking a step closer to Elka. "If it concerns Red, it concerns me."

"Spikey's right. We're family." Drusilla looked to Angelus for confirmation. When he nodded, she turned back to Elka.

Elka removed her gaze from the vampiress and turned questioningly to Nick and Amanda, seeing their determination to remain, she sighed. "Very well, Red." She nodded her consent as she hopped on the bar's counter.

Willow smiled her thanks, and turned to face Spike, knowing he would be the one who had the most questions.

"The Viata' originated from another dimension. One parallel to our own. If the stone's power is harnessed here, both worlds will be destroyed." She paused, letting the information sink in before she continued. "The stone can't be destroyed, at least not in the conventional sense. The power must be released. Harnessed as it were. If it is harnessed here, all will be destroyed."

"And if it is harnessed there?" Nick asked, beginning to understand.

"The power will be released into the atmosphere, containing the explosion, keeping the fabric intact." Willow explained.

"I know I don't really want to know, but… what fabric." Amanda asked, seriously wishing she had not come home.

"The fabric of reality." Angelus smirked. "See, this dimension, as all dimensions, are all held together. An explosion like the one we're talking about could destroy them all." He chuckled as the immortal couple visibly paled.

"The problem is," Elka added, "My dimension is constantly shifting. It never stays in one place very long, and it has moved so far from its original location, finding it will be difficult." She looked at Willow, "Not to mention that if we find it, the odds aren't good that it will remain in the same place long enough to dispel the energy."

Willow turned to Amanda. "Where is it?"

Amanda shook her head. "No. I'm not giving it to you, so that you can get yourself killed. The way I understand it, as long as it's power remains untouched, it isn't dangerous."

"That's isn't an option anymore, deary." Drusilla's eyes had taken on this far away look. "Its power has been awakened." She smiled.

Willow looked expectantly at Amanda. Amanda shook her head, causing Willow to growl. She looked over her shoulder to where Angelus was sitting. "Angelus? Where is it?"

Angelus watched everyone with amusement, as they waited for him to respond. He thought about denying that he knew the location, but after sensing Willow's determination, he relented. "Coffee table. Secret compartment."

"Elka?" Willow asked, knowing she could touch the stone, not until she was safely in the Viata' dimension.

Elka slid off of the counter and headed into the livingroom. After a moment, she called out. "Got it. C'mon, Red, we don't have much time. Its power has already been activated."

Willow smiled sadly at the assembled group before she headed out of the room, with Spike on her heels.

"I'm coming with you."

Willow stopped and turned to face Spike. "You can't. You won't survive."

"Actually he can." Angelus stood in the doorway, smirking at Willow, "If you complete the bonding."

Willow glared at the older vampire and then looked questioningly at Elka, silently asking if this were true. Elka nodded.

*****

Angelus entered the room and smiled. It was time, finally. After two centuries his childe would finally complete the binding. He would claim his mate, as she would claim him. He was honored to be present at the ceremony. It wasn't often that a sire was completely accepted by both parties. And it was equally rare that a sire would wish to be a part of the ritual, especially if said mate wasn't a vampire.

However, the oddity of the present situation, didn't change how he felt about Willow. She was Spike's other half. She had always been. She was born for him and he for her. The difference of two centuries between the two didn't change that. Angelus chuckled to himself as he realized that the two would never have found one another if it hadn't been for him.

Willow sat inside the circle drawn on the floor, facing spike. Elka's dagger in her hand. She drew the blade across her palm, slicing the skin. "My blood calls you to me, for now, for always."

Spike took the knife and sliced his own palm. "My blood calls you to me, for now for always."

They each squeezed their blood into a glass, which already contained small amounts of blood belonging to Angelus and Drusilla.

"From the blood of the chilled to the blood of the sire, we witness this union." Angelus spoke reverently.

Drusilla giggled. "From the blood of the sister, to the blood of the mother, we witness this joining."

"I bind myself to you, from now until death. " Willow lifted the glass to her lips and drank.

"Your life, to my life. Your blood to my blood, from now until death." Spike drained the last of the liquid, savoring the taste of the mixture.

Willow felt the energy as it surrounded her and her mate, binding them together, for eternity.

*****

Elka paced around the room. The ritual was taking too long. They were running out of time. They wouldn't have enough time to make it to the doorway. They would have to open the vortex here. That could cause a problem, but they didn't have another choice.

She looked around the empty warehouse, wondering if this was the end. She had lived far too long to see it end this way. Willow had been right. She hadn't lived. L'liora had died over a thousand years ago, and she had wasted that time. Collecting artifacts of a long dead race. And now, if would all end, unless Willow was successful. But even if she were, it was doubtful, they would return. There were too many variables. Too many reasons they couldn't succeed.

Elka was startled out of her thoughts by the door being opened. Willow and Spike entered the warehouse. She could feel the difference. The energy that surrounded them was strong powerful. S o much so, that she found herself wondering if they could actually do it. Could they restore the balance? Repair the damage that had been done, was being done.

"Okay, lets get this party started." Spike grinned wolfishly.

Willow rolled her eyes and began to draw the necessary circle in the ground. Chanting softly under her breath, she expanded the ring. The flame with had started, grew wider, engulfing her and Spike, who stood in the center."

"Guardian of Viata', grant us passage." She spoke softly.

In response, a vortex started to form, sucking the couple into another world.

Spike looked around/ "It's dark." He noted.

"No sun" Willow explained. They live in total darkness." She turned to Spike. "Let me see the stone."

Spike pulled the stone out of his duster pocket and handed it over.

Willow clasped the stone between her two hands. She could feel the power. It was building. Her hands glowed, lighting up the darkness, revealing a thick forrest.

"L'liora, daughter of the old ones, I release you." Willow spoke loudly into the darkened sky. "I return you to your home, and ask that we be returned to ours."

There was a loud clap of thunder, and a flash of purple lighting. The stone exploded within her clasped hands, as the vortex disappeared into nothingness.

Willow and Spike looked around in the blackness.

"What happened?"

*****

Elka watched the vortex close in on it and sighed. It was over. She would never go home again.

***

Drusilla collapsed on the floor, images filling her head.

"Dru baby, what is it?" Angelus asked picking her up and placing her on his lap.

"They're gone." She whispered as one blood tear slid down her pale cheek.

*****

Angelus entered "Deaths Door" and searched the room silently. He spotted Amanda and Nick sitting quietly at a booth. He strolled up to them, sword in hand. He set the weapon down on the table in front of the two immortals, and walked away. He was almost a yard away when Amanda spoke.

"Are you certain?"

Angelus stopped, and without turning around he spoke. "Yes." He left the building, knowing that wherever they were his children were lost to him.

****

The End
 

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