Notes: Two rows of *** is a flashback
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Parts: 14 - 16~
"There are nine of us Angel."
"Kate and Gunn will back us up. Lilah too- she'll have to now."
"Angel, I'm leaning to Buffy's point of view here. This law firm is going to be an even bigger operation than The Initiative to break. And they have demons behind them too."
"So do we."
"We'll need an army."
"We have one."
"It'll take up to a week to organise our full forces."
"Full forces?"
"We have a small group of demons who'll fight beside us."
"How small?"
"Upwards of thirty different species."
"Oh."
"Okay stop. We're strong with just us, but we could be stronger if we gather our troops. Either we attack now with the element of surprise, or we move the demons- both endangering them and causing a ripple in the underworld that'll reach Wolfram and Hart. It seems like an easy choice to me."
"Cordy's right. We either do one or the other. Willow could be in danger here, what's it to be?"
"Neither." The nine occupants of Angel's office turned to the doorway. "I say you just let us kill you."
"Will-"
"I'm not your friend Buffy- Don't mistake for a celebratory reunion drink. I'm here on business." Angel looked at the girl in the entrance- she wasn't the girl they had known. Apart from the now long, black hair and business suit, she also held herself differently. She'd matured. And there was something in her eyes- in her being- she was tainted
"You're not human."
"I'm more human than you'll ever be. I'm just- different."
"Why didn't you tell us you were alive?"
"I never died. You left me for dead. You fucking buried me alive."
"Buffy watched your grave for almost a week."
"I rose six days after you buried me."
"You were dead."
"If I'm dead, how am I here now, Xander?" No one had an answer "That doesn't matter. All that matters is that we're here to destroy you."
"Brave words for a little girl." Flame erupted at Angel's feet, causing him to jump backwards
"I'm not a little girl. You'd do well to remember that."
"How do you intend to destroy us, Will? There are nine of us here. I can see a total of four of you- three lawyers and a neutered vampire."
"You are so sure of yourself, Slayer," Spike spoke up, "I am more William the Bloody again than you can ever remember me being."
"No fair! How come Spike gets his powers back and I don't?" Everyone turned to look at Anya. It was Willow who answered her
"Because I feel Spike may be of some use to me and is a friend. You are neither."
"But-"
"Anya, can we stay on topic here?"
"No, let her continue. If I were you I'd engage in all the witless banter I could over the next few weeks. They're going to be your last." Clapping her hands, several demons and vampires appeared behind Willow and filtered between the lawyers and Spike. Glancing desperately around the office, the Scooby Gang found makeshift weapons with which to fight off the creatures. The fight was neither long nor bloody, but when Angel and Buffy looked up they discovered their real foes were gone
"That didn't kill us."
"It wasn't meant to."
"What?"
"It was meant to let us know that she's here, what she is, and that she doesn't care."
"I'm thinking it worked."
***
"The Anam demon- isn't that the one we believed to have killed her?"
"That's right, Wesley. Cordelia, I know it was years ago, but do you remember the vision you had?"
"I'll never forget- her pain, it was like a burning, around the stomach."
"That's what all the accounts we found at the time said- victims all experienced an unbearable burning in the abdomen, followed by convulsions and then instant death, but read this." The three researchers- Giles, Wesley and Cordelia, gathered around the book Wesley was holding out
"The Anam demon is entirely harmless. Wesley that makes no sense. That thing killed Willow."
"I don't believe it did. Anams are incredibly rare- a dying breed. Their problem is finding a host for their young. All Anams are male and to produce offspring it is necessary that they implant them into the womb of another species' female, and provide the female with a protector. I discovered all this years ago, but yesterday, when we saw- her- again, I started piecing some things together. The Anams have killed many females of varying species all using the same method- burning from the inside, but then it got me thinking- what if the Anam were not attempting to kill its victims-"
"But to implant them with their offspring."
"Right Mr- er, Giles- the burning the victims experience is the implanting of the young, the convulsions are inter-species adjustments being made to the host's body, and the `death' is the gestation of the young."
"So Willow was never dead, she was just a giant IVF tube?"
"That about sums it up."
"I feel a but coming along."
"But there are no other accounts of survivors, and the Anam remain a dying species."
"Well I expect there are many inter- species problems- A vampire is technically dead, so I expect they would be unable to support the young, many races, including humans, would be too weak, and some would be able to overcome the abnormality and remove the creatures from their body. The balance would be tricky and difficult to reach."
"This is all speculation. We need proof. We need to ask one of the demons in question."
"Giles, Wesley, what about the `protector' person." The two ex- watchers looked at each other
"Spike."
***
***
"C'mon, Red. This is easy, we've all done it." Spike was worried. He had no idea why, just like he had no idea why he was actually here, sitting by Red's grave, waiting for her to rise.
"It doesn't take much, just a little poking and prodding of the earth, it all falls away and you can just crawl your way out."
"But you weren't bloody pregnant when you did it." Spike spun around, a difficult thing to do while leant back against a tombstone.
"Blimin' heck Red, you scared the bejeezus out of me- you're pregnant?"
"They buried me! They buried me! I'm not even dead, I just slowed down a bit." Suddenly she stood up straight and stock still, listening.
"We have to leave here."
"Leave, why Red?"
"They're coming." Spike had no idea who was coming but he knew better than to argue with Willow. They hadn't travelled though, when Spike felt a familiar presence
"It's the slayer, Red."
"I know."
"Aren't you going to stop and tell her you're alive?"
"Why? So I can go back to being her crony? I think not. We're leaving here."
"What's this we?"
"Are you going to leave me to fend for myself?"
"Never."
"So are you going to help me?"
"Always."
***
***
~Parts: 17 - 26~
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing of importance. Could you pass me that file, Lindsey?"
"Still working?"
"Always."
"It's quite a bruise on my ego, y'know. Here I am, at your mercy in your hotel room, and you ask me to pass you a file."
"I could have asked you to leave."
"True, But you will soon, won't you? Spike'll be here in an hour."
"So? I've never asked anyone to leave for him before. He's probably expecting you to be here. He may even join in."
"Is that so?"
"He knows he'll always have a place in my bed."
"And me?"
"Your ego really is feeling bruised tonight, isn't' it? Come here."
"."
"Better?"
"As long as you keep it up, then yes."
"Y'mean as long as you keep it up."
***
"Angelina Weller, 32, thought to have died aged 21, shunned her sister, boyfriend and parents and took off with an ex- lover she had been forbidden to see- a 'shady' character, now the best female karate sensei in America if not the world. Alex Wells, British Surgeon, 29, thought to have died aged 22, buried by her mother who was also killed less than a week later, moved to Germany with a 'shady' ex, now thought to be the best in her field. And there's more, about sixty or so more, including Willow Rosenburg, 25, thought to have died aged 21, one of the world's best in English, American and European law, mostly defence but has prosecuted too, never mentioned to any of her friends she happened to actually be alive, and took off with Spike."
"So it's happened before?"
"It's been happening for over a hundred years. Woman dies aged around 21, wakes up and shuns family, friends and lovers with the exception of one unsavoury ex and then becomes one of the most talented in their profession, whether it be sport, politics or embroidery." Giles puzzled over what Cordelia had just told him
"The Anam demon rewards their victim."
"The exs all sound like vampires to me. That's a fine way to reward someone."
"Vampires are more loyal and dependable than most if not all humans, especially to their lovers. They'd be more likely to stick by their charges for longer."
"Lovers? But that means Willow and Spike-"
***
"You look tired luv."
"I'm always tired after you fuck me good and proper."
"I don't think it's healthy for you to be with both me and the lawyer bloke while you're worrying about the Angel thing."
"Are you refusing me sex?"
"Well- no."
"Are you telling me to stop fucking Lindsey?"
"Not if you don't want to."
"Are you saying I should let Angel try and 'rescue' me?"
"No!"
"Then what?"
"I just think you should sleep more than two or three hours a day. I worry about you."
"I know you do, but I'm fine. I slept less when you got arrested for disorderly conduct."
"I apologised for that."
"Very well as I recall."
"Really? I thought so too myself."
"Egotist." Spike stroked the side of her face before turning to look at her and continuing
"He's different isn't he?"
"Who?"
"Blousey. Your lawyer."
"What d'you mean he's different?"
"You usually just fuck them for the job and then once or twice afterwards."
"I'm not going to fall in love with him and he's not going to replace you."
"But he's staying."
"For now."
"Had I better got to know him then?"
"I'm not going to do a Dru on you."
"I know that. But my heart's struggling to believe it."
"Your heart?"
"It may not be that healthy," Willow snorted, "but it still loves you wholly." Spike noticed his partner's sudden fascination with the bedspread, "Luv-" he warned her
"It scares me Spike"
"I thought you weren't scared of anything?"
"Nothing but myself. I remember last time."
"This is different."
"How?"
"We're different people."
***
***
"Well? You like it?" Willow pointed to her newly died head of hair.
"I certainly can't call you 'Red' anymore. Give us a twirl." Obligingly Willow spun. "I love it. Very sexy, alluring. It's very you."
"You think I'm sexy and alluring?" Willow batted her eyelashes in mock innocence.
"Don't even joke about it. You're Aphrodite come to earth."
"You mean I go around Mt Olympus in a toga getting people to fall in love?"
"You know what I mean. Or do I have to show you?"
"Oh, no Spike, I'm the goddess. I think I get to show you."
***
"How about Eb?"
"Eb?"
"Instead of Red. Eb, short for Ebony."
"I like it."
***
"Eb," Spike spoke to the half-conscious form beside him
"Um-hmm?"
"Why do you keep me around?"
"Love you." Spike took his arms from around her and pulled away from his lover as she became aware of what she'd said.
"Shit. I said that. I don't."
"You don't?"
"I don't love you. You've helped me get where I am, you have money and I love it when you fuck me almost to unconsciousness. That's it."
"That's it? Those are the three reasons I'm here? Well fuck that."
"What did you want me to say Spike? That I live to suck you off? That my life would be incomplete without you around? I'm an amoral, self-centred bitch, and you of all people should know it. I fuck to get what I want, and in your case it's money and contacts."
"Which are both things you have plenty of. So I guess I'm not needed here."
"Doesn't look like it."
"So if I left it'd be nothing to you?"
"Less than."
"Fine. I've got an unlife y'know."
"Well go try your best to live it. Without me."
***
***
"Don't let's talk about it Spike. I've grown cold inside over the past four years. Emotions are something I don't really feel anymore. All I know is that I hated the ten months after you left. Love isn't something I can give out like most people. Just know that if you go off like that again, I'll fuck your brains out then kick your ass to a Viking funeral."
"Oh babe, promise?"
"It wouldn't be pretty."
"But I'd die a happy man."
"Just promise you'll always be in reach."
"Always Junior." Willow's eyes were serious for a moment before turning mischievous.
"How about we just practice the first part of y threat?"
"Sounds like a plan."
***
"Ah, Miss Rosenburg, Mr MacDonald. Just the people I was looking for." Lindsey spun around to face his superior.
"Mr Manners." Taking her own time, Willow continued her struggle with the coffee machine until a tanned arm reached over her shoulder and hit the top. Retrieving her caffeine dose, Willow finally turned, to find herself pinned to the machine by a 6" 3' Mediterranean looking man.
"We meet again Ms Rosenberg."
"It's Miss, and you well know it Richards." The man ground his hips into Willow's stomach.
"You remember my name then. What, no warm welcome?" Willow heard a growl to her right, followed by Lindsey's voice.
"Get away from her Tobias." Knowing her latest partner would have no effect on the man in front of her, Willow brought herself to her full height and leant into him. He lowered his head instinctively as she aimed her lips at his ear. She licked the shell as she grabbed and began to massage his crotch.
"Only the very warmest." Withdrawing her hand, she replaced it with the contents of her styrophome cup. "Ooops."
"You little whore."
"That's as may be, but never yours."
"Now, now children." Holland successfully attracted the attention of his three junior partners. "Mr Richards has only just arrived from Europe. The three of you obviously already know each other. So no introductions are needed. Come. Mr Richards, I advise you change before our meeting."
***
***
"Ms Rosenberg."
"It's Miss."
"You're not going to win this case. You're an independent who has no idea what they're dealing with."
"I am never oblivious to the details of a case Mr Richards."
"There's always an exception."
"Not when it matters. If you're here to warn me off forget it, if you're here to buy me out I'm listening."
"Ten million. For you and your client."
"It's not enough."
"Fifteen."
"Thirty and a down payment of the first twenty now."
"Twenty, ten now and I buy you a drink."
"A drink isn't worth ten million dollars."
"No, but what come afterwards is."
"I seriously doubt it, but you've got a deal. I'll strive to lose this case."
""Wolfram and Hart are delighted to do business with you."
"Sure, whatever, now how about that drink?"
***
"Members of the jury, how do you find the defendant?"
"Not guilty your honour."
***
"Miss Rosenberg, how does it feel to have beaten a law firm such as Wolfram and Hart?"
"Wolfram and Hart are worthy opponents, on the day though, they emerged to be the weaker side."
***
"You owe me twenty million quid, a drink and a fuck Ms Rosenberg."
"It's Miss, and if you call that a fuck." she made a dismissive noise. "I owe you nothing."
"I mean to collect, you have no idea what you're dealing with."
"Oh I know, I just don't care. It takes a lot more than you to worry me."
***
***
"Richards, I don't care what the past is between you, but you're partners now. Willow isn't letting it affect her work and if you continue to fail due to your personal matters we shall have to reassess your position within the firm. You're becoming a liability, and unless you begin to pick yourself up, it'll be more than just Europe you find yourself deported from."
***
"So Junior. What's the plan?"
"It's simple. I'm gonna let myself be rescued."
"What!?"
"What? No!"
"When I'm in, I bug the building and murder the witch and the bitch."
"And what do we do?"
"You two are going to sit here and get to know each other. Then you're gonna find me a place to live. I want three large rooms, a kitchenette and a bath. Don't return until you've found something. Wish me luck."
"Luck."
~Part: 27~
“This is perfect. It has everything she asked for.” Lindsey was still admiring the apartment as Spike continued to run a critical eye over it.
“It’s no good.”
“What? It’d suit Will down to the ground.” Spike mentally growled at Lindsey’s shortening of Willow’s name. No one had pet names for her but him. But at the same time he was reminded of a simple fact. Blousey may be close to Ebony, but no one knew her like he did.
“The kitchenette’s too small.”
“She doesn’t cook though.”
“No, but the kitchen is very important to Will.”
“Why?”
“It’s her favourite place to fuck.” The rest of the day continued in a similar fashion, each place Lindsey found, Spike discounted until it became too much for the lawyer.
“Fine! I get it, you’ve made your point.”
“I had no point.”
“I get it, you hate me.”
“I don’t hate you. I just know the girl more than you.”
“You love her.”
“That doesn’t matter. You will too. The question is, can you hack it?”
“Hack it?”
“As her lover. If she keeps you it’ll be a first.”
“Keeps me?”
“Tell me Blousey, ever kissed a guy?”
“What?” Spike grabbed the front of Lindsey’s shirt and pressed their lips together, before prising the lawyer’s apart and stabbing his tongue into his mouth. The kiss broke when Lindsey pushed away and stared at Spike dumbfounded.
“That’s what’ll happen. Willow may not love me, but she’s the closest she can get. Don’t forget that. She’ll never love either of us, but I’m hers first.”
“You’re hers?”
“She isn’t a possession, she’ll never be anyone’s.”
“You’re whipped.”
“Just wait, you’re in her grasp. You won’t escape. You won’t want to.”
***
“Miss Rosenberg- Willow, do you really think this is the best course of action? It’s not that we don’t trust your decision, it’s just that there are so many risks.”
“But ultimately very little to lose.”
“We have you to lose.”
“But that isn’t going to happen.”
***
“One more sweep.”
“You’re really wired tonight Buffy, what’s the deal?”
“I’ve got that feeling, y’know, that someone I care about is in danger and I won’t be able to-” A scream echoed through the buildings, bouncing off the walls around them. Instantly, Buffy, Angel and Gunn began to run, turning through the streets and alleys until they met a group of five or six vampires feasting off a motionless body. The vamps were staked in almost no time, and the trio headed towards the prone figure.
“Willow.”
***
Willow slowly awoke from the sleeping spell she had put on herself, and began to gather her thoughts.
“It worked, it must have worked. I’m at Angel’s.” She listened to the voices around her.
“It’s Willow Giles, you knew her as well as any of us, if not, better. She may have been possessed or whatever, but this is still her deep down.”
“None of the other victims of the Anams were ever rescued.”
“No one ever got close enough to try. Giles this may be our only chance of ever having any influence over her, probably for the rest of our lives. If we don’t at least try it’s going to come down to us or them. And this time it won’t end in stalemate.”
“Angel, I don’t like it, what was she doing there anyhow?”
“It’s the same block as Tika Bayanam, her predecessor, was killed, it looks as though someone other than us has a vendetta against Wolfram and Hart and is willing to do something about it.”
“Fine. For now. But the first thing that could even possibly be her fault, we chuck her out. Got it?”
“Agreed.” Straining her memory, Willow remembered back to the day she had be chosen by the Anam to bear his children. What was the conversation she’d been having with Giles? Remembering the last time she had been with the Scoobies, she began one of the best pieces of acting she had ever attempted.
“But Giles, think of it this way, Jenny, Joyce, Olivia, they all had something to offer, they gave you a slice of normalcy that allowed you to…” She trailed off. “Giles? Where’d you go?” Sitting up, she looked around, panicked. “Where am I? Hello? Giles, Buffy, Xander?”
“Willow. You’re okay.”
“Angel? What are you doing here? Have you come to find Buffy? Cos she and Riley are really tight… What?”
“Willow, what year is it?”
“Two thousand. Just. Y’know, I thought you’d come back for New Year, even you’ve never seen a millennium before.” Angle looked up at Giles, and a frown crossed Willow’s face. “What’s wrong Angel? Giles? Has something happened?”
“I- Willow, it’s 2004.”
“Very funny, now tell me, what’s wrong?”
“Willow, do you really not remember?”
“Remember what? You two are frightening me.”
“Alright Willow, don’t’ worry, just tell me, are you hurt?”
“Only my neck- oh gee, did I get bit again?”
“Yeah, yeah you did. Just stay here, Giles and I have something to talk about.” Willow smiled to herself. They’d bought it, not only had they taken the bait, but the line and rod were gone too.
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