Parts: 11 - 20
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~Part: 11~
"Pet?"
"Willow did you hear me," Angel asked? "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Of course it's what she bloody wants," Spike told Angel. Willow was looking at Spike while he defended them to Angel. He felt her suddenly get tense. "Pet what's wrong?"
Willow let go of Spike's hand. She glanced around the room. "I have to go. I have to leave," she said outloud. She stood up and turned to Spike. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry."
He stood up feeling his demon come forward. He grabbed her wrists. "I won't let you go. You're mine. Forever." He felt her fear come off her body in waves. He took a step back. He didn't want her to be afraid of him. She was supposed to become his mate. She picked up her purse and started for the door. Spike figured he might have one more chance. "Willow?"
Willow turned around when she heard Spike use her real name. "I thought you loved me," he asked?
"Always and forever," she told him and then walked out the fromt door into the sunlight. Angel and Cordelia watched in disbelief as she walked out the door. The room was silent until Cordelia spoke. "I'm going after her."
"You can't make her come back if she dosen't want to," Angel told her.
She looked at Spike and saw the hurt. He was destroyed. She even saw a red tear fall down his face. Her heart sunk. She turned back to Anel, "I have to try." Cordelia grabbed her keys and headed out the door. She knew Willow had taken Spike's car and saw the license plate speed down the street. Cordelia jumped in her car and followed her down the street.
While back at the mansion... Spike just stood in the middle of the room staring at the door. Angel had seen the blood tears that Spike wept. He could feel the emotion that came off of his childe. Pain. Anger. Love. He watched the demon in Spike fight with the man. Angel saw the love that Spike had for Willow. It was pure and it was genuine. He walked over to Spike and put his arm around him. "William you should at least sit down."
"She left. She was to be my mate and she left. And it hurts. So. Bad," he told Angel. Spike lowered his head. "She was scared of me. When I grabbed her wrists I sensed it. The fear. I would never hurt her. I'd rather stake myself."
For the first time since he could remember Angel wanted to comfort his childe. "Mabey she just needed some fresh air. To think things through." Spike just stared at him. "Spike this is a major decision especially for a human girl."
"There's no thinking. Either she loves me or she dosen't. How could she leave?" Angel could tell Spike was trying to hold back the tears.
Cordelia finally pulled up next to Willow in the parking lot. They found temselves at a mall in L.A. Cordelia looked at Willow and she could tell she had been crying. Her face was tear-stained and her eyes were red. She saw Cordelia and started to walk away. "Oh no you don't," Cordelia said as she grabbed her. "Willow we're friends so I'm just gonna say this. What the hell?" Cordelia saw how upset Willow was and decided to use a gentler tone with her. "You walked out. And left Spike. And ok he's not my favorite person but you loved him." Cordelia corrected herself, "love him." She tried to read WIllow's face expression but couldn't. "Spike, a master vampire, was ready to claim you. As a mate. He came here and stood up to his sire for you. He's ready to give you his undying love...forever. Vampires hardly claim mates. What is going on?"
Willow repeated what Cordelia said, "His undying love forever." She then broke down in tears.
~Part: 12~
"So... his undying love? That's kinda what happens when a master vampire wants to claim you," Cordelia was getting frustrated with Willow.
"Forever dosen't bother me. Think of me, then think of him. I didn't leave because of me. I left because of him." Cordelia was more confused than in the beginning. She also knew how much Spike needed Willow so she kept on listening. "Face it Cordelia. Think about the guys in my past. He won't stick around. This subject is finished."
"Like hell it is," she told Willow. "A master vampire was going to devote his unlife to you and you just walk out. He loves you. Girls out there would kill for that kind of love and you're just gonna walk out cause you're scared."
"Name one girl you know that would want to be claimed by a vampire. As a mate. Forever. Just one and I'll consider going back."
"One name is all you need?" Cordelia asked Willow.
"Just one."
Cordelia looked up at Willow and quietly in a whisper replied. "Me."
"What? I mean...what? You want Angel to claim you for his mate?"
"Well...yeah. Willow I love him. I want you to do something for me. Close your eyes and think about Spike."
"Cordelia!?!"
"Just shut up and do this. For me. Think about all the moments between you two. The love. Now if you can open your eyes and tell me that there's nothing to hold on to, I'll leave and go back to the hotel without you. If you love him like I know you do, you'll get your ass back in that car and drive back to the hotel before sundown. Open your eyes."
Willow looked up at Cordelia. "What have I done?" She leaned against the side of the car. She looked down at the ring and looked back up at Cordelia. "I have to go back."
"I know," Cordelia told her. "You may not want to admit it but you need him just like he needs you. Let's get some lunch before we go back."
The two girls got some lunch and headed back to the hotel. It was about two hours before sundown. As the two girls walked towards the door to the hotel Willow stopped walking. "Cordelia what if he's changed his mind?"
"Trust me. He hasn't. Let's go." Cordelia grabbed Willow's hand and pulled her inside the front door. They walked through the front door and the room was empty. Willow heard Spike mumbling through what sounded like tears on the other side of the kitchen door. She also heard Angel trying to calm him down. She walked through the kitchen door quietly. Spike had his back facing her. When Angel saw her he quit trying to calm Spike down. He walked around the table, nodded at Willow and walked out the kitchen door. Spike was angry that Angel had just walked out when he was in mid-sentence. He turned around to storm off into the other room when he saw her. Willow was standing in front of him. Blue eyes locked with green.
~Part: 13~
When Angel walked into the other room, he saw Cordelia. "What took you two so long?"
"We had a talk. I had to convince her to come back to the hotel."
"How did you convince her," Angel asked?
"I told her something. About. Me." Angel looked at her questionly. "Kinda a secret I guess." There was no way she was gonna say, oh by the way will you one day claim me as your mate. Uh-uh. Not this girl.
"It's gonna be a busy night. We're gonna do the blessing ritual."
"How do you know Willow will agree to it? I mean she walked out earlier."
"I don't know if she'll agree but I know my childe, kind of. Spike dosen't believe in patience and when he loves someone, he loves with everything in him. He won't let anything stand in his way." He looked at Cordelia taking in how beautiful she was. "I should get some rest. You could come with me."
Cordelia looked up at Angel. "Rest would be good."
While still in the kitchen...Willow and Spike just stared at each other. "Spike," Willow said hoping his face would show some emotion.
Spike looked at her. He wanted to pull her to him and never let go. Instead all he could say was her name, "Willow." He was angry at himself for going on and on to his sire. He turned away from Willow and walked out the door. As he was walking to his room, he could feel Red following him. He waited till she walked through the bedroom door. When he heard the door close he spun around. Spike grabbed her wrists and pushed her against the door. He licked her neck and growled in her ear. "You're mine pet. Don't. Forget. That." Spike looked at Willow and saw she was sad but not afraid. He looked at her with true concern. "Baby what's wrong? Did something happen?"
"I left...to help you. For you."
"For me? Pet I want you near me all the time. And it's not the idea of the bond or you being my mate. It's because you're you."
"What if you tire of me? Think about the other guys I've had in my life in the past. They're gone. They left." Willow started to stare at her feet. "I don't want you to leave. Ever."
"Red, they were morons. I'm not going anywhere. And anywhere I do go, you're coming with. I won't let anyone keep us apart." Spike suddenly go nervous. Willow felt him tense. "I understand if you don't want to do the blessing ritual/bond. If you'll have me, I'll love you always. I can be the man you need if you'll let me."
"Will you read me poetry? Your poetry?"
"Never gonna forget that, are you luv?"
"What if Angel refuses to do the blessing?"
"He won't refuse. We kinda had a talk...while you were gone. Does that mean you still want to perform the ritual?"
~Part: 14~
She looked at Spike trying to show him the love in her eyes for him. "Do you really have to ask if I want to perform the ritual?"
"Well. Yeah. Pet you left and I..."
Willow cut him off with a bruising kiss. She could feel his body respond to her. When she was almost out of air, she pulled back. "Are you convinced now?"
He leaned forward to nip her neck being careful not to break the skin. At least not until the ritual is performed, he thought to himself. He felt her quiver when he grazed her neck with his teeth. He whispered in her ear, "I'm convinced pet."
"When can we do the ritual Spike?"
"Tonight. Why?"
"I'm ready to go home. For us to go home."
"Pet, the ritual will take place tonight. I thought I'd wait to claim you. You know when we can be alone."
"Spike with the bond..."
"With the bond I can still sense you luv. Even without the claim." They decided to get some rest before the ritual tonight. After Willow fell asleep, Spike got up to go to the kitchen. His sire was sitting at the table. Spike fixed a mug of blood and sat down across from him. "Shouldn't you be resting sire? For the ritual."
Angel looked up and started to grin. He was happy for Spike that he had found his mate. "She agreed?"
"She did. I know you don't think I deserve her. But I love her. Completley."
"I know. You could never love half-hearted Spike. It's not in you." Angel decided to lighten the tone in the room. "So she wants to be stuck with you, huh?"
"Funny. And yeah she does."
"Does Buffy know? About you and Willow? About the ritual? About you two being here in L.A.?"
"No."
"To which question?"
Spike got up to put his mug in the sink. "All of them." He turned around to face Angel. "Giles knows. About everything."
"Everything? Even the chip?"
"He helped Willow do the spell to remove the chip."
"You know you're eventually gonna have to tell the slayer avout you two."
"The slayer thinks I'm using Red. She dosen't believe I really love her."
"Well the slayer is self-centered," Angel told him.
"Yeah mate. You should know."
"Don't remind me. Besides I love Cordelia now."
"Why are you telling me this Angel?"
"Because I love her and you're my childe. I thought you should know. Go on and get some sleep. We have a couple hours before the ritual."
~Part: 15~
Spike returned to his room. He stood in the doorway and stared at Willow for a moment. Images of the past week flooded his mind. The book. The chip. The flowers. The ring. His Red. He smiled to himself and kicked off his boots as he climbed onto the bed to lay down next to Willow. He reached his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. Her scent and warm body was intoxicating. "Red?"
"Hmmm," she replied still half asleep. "Is it time for the ritual?"
"Not yet pet. I wanted to tell you something and I want to make sure you understand it."
Willow opened her eyes. She wasn't sure what was going on but knew it was important. "I'm awake. What is it?"
"I love you pet, forever. If you'll have me, I'll always be there for you. I'll love you and trust you and protect you and I'll stand by your side no matter what and..."
Willow put her hand over his mouth. "Spike calm down." She removed her hand. "I know you don't need to but I think you should take a deep breath." Willow then put on her resolved face. "Spike what's going on?"
"Pet, the slayer dosen't exactly fancy me. It could be the whole vampire thing. That's not the point."
"What is the point?"
"She's your friend. Your best friend. And she wants to drive a bloody stake through my heart." Spike started getting nervous again. "I just don't want you to decide months down the road that this was all a big mistake. Buffy dosen't believe that I love you. I will never give you up. Ever."
"Spike, I could care less what she thinks about you or about us." Willow put her arms around him. She nuzzled into his neck. "Mine," she whispered in his ear.
"There is one more thing luv, about the ritual."
"I'm listening."
"Blood."
"Blood?"
"Pet you will have to drink blood from two master vampires."
"Why do I have to drink from Angel?"
"Only a little and because he's my sire. You'll drink more from me just not at the neck. That's saved for the claim. Are you alright with this?"
"I'm in love with a master vampire without a chip. I think I better get used to blood."
At that moment Spike and Willow both heard a knock on the door. "Who is it," they both said at the same time and then started laughing.
"It's Cordy. I have something for you Willow."
Willow opened the door and saw Cordelia holding a dress bag. "You didn't have to buy me anything."
"I wanted to," Cordelia told her. "I thought you should have something special to wear for the ritual." She gave Willow a hug and went down the hallway.
"What did you get luv?"
"A dress." Willow unzipped the bag and pulled the dress out. "Wow," Spike and Willow said in unison. It was a black silk slip dress that ended right above the knee. The sleeves had a split and fell around her shoulders. "I better get changed," she told Spike. An hour later she came back into the room where Spike still was. "What do you think," Willow asked him?
Spike wanted to rip the dress off and shag her right there. I'll save that for later he told himself. "It's missing something pet."
"Missing? What could it be missing?"
While Willow was turned away he pulled a necklace out of his pocket. It was a small red stone in the shape of a heart on a silver chain. Spike dangled the necklace in front of Willow's eyes. "Could be this luv."
"Spike! It's beautiful."
"Red, you're beautiful. This is just a trinket." He clasped the necklace around her neck. "Are you ready?"
"Wait. Before we do the ritual Spike I wanted to ask you something."
"Sure pet."
"There's this thing that I've been thinking about. In the future, when I'm ready and willing, would you turn me?"
"Turn you? Into a vampire?"
"Well...yeah."
"Just give me the chance pet."
~Part: 16~
Angel walked away from the bedroom door that Spike and Willow were sharing. He was coming to ask them if they were ready for the ritual when he heard them talking. He didn't want to eavesdrop until he heard Willow's question to Spike. Damn vampire hearing he thought to himself. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Willow would let Spike turn her. Into a vampire. At that point he walked away and decided to give then a few more minutes. Angel walked back into the main room where Cordy was waiting for the three of them.
"Where are they," Cordelia asked? "I thought we were performing the ritual." Cordelia looked at Angel and saw his face expression. "Are you alright? Is it the ritual?"
Angel sat down next to Cordelia on the couch. "Why would someone want a vampire to turn them?"
"Willow?"
"How did you know," he asked Cordelia?
"We talked about it. The ritual, what it would be like to be turned and a vampire finding their mate."
Angel watched her talk. He saw how nervous she had become while speaking about that last part. A vampire finding its mate. Angel decided his next group of words were dire. "Cordelia?"
"Hmm?"
"How long would you say we've known each other?"
"A while I guess. Angel what's this all about?"
"Is that what you want? For me to claim you as my mate?" Angel could hear her heart beat faster and faster. He knew her answer without her saying anything.
"I have to go."
"Go? Go where?"
"You need to get ready for the ritual. With umm...Spike and Willow. I should...I should go and get them." Cordelia refused to look at Angel. She didn't want to see his eyes.
"Cordy we really need to talk about this."
"No. No we really don't Angel. I'm gonna go get Spike and Willow." Cordelia had almost reached their room when the door opened. Spike and Willow walked out hand in hand but stopped when they saw the seer. She was on the verge of tears. WIllow could sense it and Spike could smell the salt.
Spike felt the tension and knew the two girls should talk. He turned to Willow, "Red, I'm gonna go see how much I can annoy the poof. I'll see you when you're ready." He kissed her cheek and walked down the hall.
"Cordelia what happened," Willow asked her?
"He knows. We were talking and there was a question. He knows."
"He knows what?"
She looked at Willow with emotion in her eyes. "That I want him to claim me. As his mate."
Willow wasn't sure what she should say. She took a step toward Cordelia and gave her a hug. She continued to hug her until they decided to join Spike and Angel in the other room.
As Spike continued down the hallway he felt his anger rise. He didn't know too much about the seer except that Willow thought of her as a close friend. He knew his poof of a sire had something to do with this.
Angel saw Spike enter the room and felt the anger he had in him. "Spike I don't want to hear it."
"Oh right because I always listen to you. I don't think so. My Red is comforting your chit in the hallway." Angel stood up to rush to Cordelia's side but Spike blocked his path. "Bloody hell Peaches, she was on the verge of tears. What the hell did you say to her?"
"Get out of my way Spike."
"No."
"No? Boy, you better remember who you're talking to."
Spike glared at his sire. This was supposed to be a special day for him and Red. Instead he was arguing with Angel.
Angel gave up. He knew his childe wasn't backing down. He sat down in his chair and stared at the floor. "She wants me to claim her. She wants to be my mate."
"Peaches, a life without love. It ain't worth livin'. Even as a vampire."
~Part: 17~
"That was poetic of you William," Angel told him. He knew the use of his human name would make his blood run cold. Well colder than it was already.
"Angel, you need to tell her. You love her. Cut the brooding act for five bloody minutes and tell the chit."
Angel knew he was right. At that moment Willow walked into the room and looked at Angel. "Isn't there somewhere where you should be?"
Angel withdrew from his trance. "The ritual, let's go."
"Not the ritual. Cordelia. Comforting. Talking. Ring any bells for you."
"Now?"
"Yes now. We can perform the ritual when you're done." Angel left the room to go after Cordelia.
"What the hell is this world coming to when my childe is right," Angel told himself outloud? He took a deep breath(even though he didn't need to) and pushed the door open. He saw Cordelia in front of the mirror placing the brush on the vanity and then she turned around, right into Angel's chest. She stepped back, "sorry."
"Cordelia we need to talk. Sit down." They both sat in silence. The vampire and the seer never muttered a word to each other.
"Angel this day is important to Willow as well as Spike. You need to perform the ritual and I told Willow I would be there for her."
He stood up and started to walk towards the doorway. He stopped before leaving the room. He was still looking forward. He didn't want to see the hurt in her eyes. "I need you to know something. I want you to know it. I love you, always."
Cordelia was so shocked that she didn't even reply back. She stood in the middle of the room with her mouth dropped open.
Meanwhile in the other room...Spike just stared at his red-headed goddess. "What? You're making me nervous."
Spike gave her a smile. "I know luv. I can hear your heartbeat. You know if you want to back out, now is the time."
"After all this and you're asking me if I want to back out. Never."
"I'm glad pet. Wasn't gonna let you go anyway." He pulled her closer to him. He could feel the warmth from her body.
"Do you think he'll ever claim her Spike?"
"Don't know. Don't care really."
"Spike, he's doing the ritual. Be nice."
"Demons aren't nice pet." He looked at her face and saw her concern for Cordelia. "I don't know pet," he told her in a serious tone. "I think he will, I just don't know when. It's hard for a vampire to admit to himself that he wants to claim a human."
"Was it hard for you?"
"No. I knew you were the one. You love the demon and the man. Just didn't know if you would accept me."
Willow leaned around to kiss him. "I will love you forever, William." Spike couldn't help but smile. He never liked his human name but he liked hearing Willow say it.
Angel walked into the room and announced it was time for the ritual. They walked into a room on the fourth floor. The hallway was filled with red candles on both sides of them. They entered to room and it took Willow's breath away. There was a large circle of candles within the rooms perimeter. One side had all white candles. The other side had all black candles. In the circle stood an alter with black silk draped over it. There was a dagger laying on the silk. Willow grabbed Spike's hand and felt the power of the circle. Angel, Spike and Willow entered the circle of candles.
~Part: 18~
As they entered the ring of candles Spike could hear her heart speed up. "You alright pet?" She nodded her head yes and then looked up at Angel.
"Ready," Angel asked Willow?
"Ready."
Angel stood in front of the dagger. WIllow and Spike both stood behind him. One to the right and one to the left. Angel turned around and saw Cordelia in the doorway. He couldn't help but smile at her. She started walking down the isle of candles chanting.
"Nosota es pian. Mian peo kasu. Asi sian lotau."
She repeated the words over and over. Willow and Spike could both feel the energy elevate in the room. Angel was too focused on Cordelia to notice anything else. After a couple of minutes he turned back to the dagger and picked it up. He turned to his childe and saw the love he had for Willow. In that moment he realized he wasn't seeing Spike. He was seeing William stand before him. The man proclaiming his undying love. He noticed that Spike and Willow were both relaxed. He knew he had to start the ritual now.
"We are gathered at this moment to bond the demon and the man to the human. To bond William and Willow eternally." Angel turned to Spike. "As your sire I am giving you my blessing. And my blood." Angel took the dagger and cut his wrist. He looked into his childe's eyes. "Drink," he commanded as he held his wrist to Spike's lips.
Spike took his sire's wrist and begun to gently suck the blood. As the blood coursed through his body, his vampire features came to surface. After drinking for a moment he pulled back and let his human features come forth again.
Angel had closed his eyes as Spike was taking his blood. He thought of the sire/childe bond and the bond that Spike and Willow would be sharing. After Spike pulled away, Angel turned to face Willow. "As a master vampire I am giving you my blessing to bond yourself to my childe. Because of the blessing the bond between you two will be stronger." He took the dagger and sliced his other wrist. "I offer you my blood," Angel told Willow. Willow looked at him amd took a deep breath. She took his wrist and brought it to her lips. She started to suck gently at the wound. She continued to drink the wound until Angel pulled his wrist away. He looked at her and grinned. "Welcome into our vampire family." Angel stepped back and let Spike finish the ritual.
Spike smiled and interlocked his fingers with hers. "Willow," Spike started. "As my mate I offer acceptance. I offer my blood. I offer my life." He cut his wrist with the same dagger and held it up for Willow. She took his wrist and licked the wound. She looked up at Spike and then closed her eyes. She sucked on the wound agressivly feeling the blood slide down her throat. Feeling the taste of it on her tongue. She opened her eyes when he started to pull away. She knew he had not given her a large amount of blood but she could still feel it. She could feel him throughout her body.
Willow knew it was her turn. "As my mate I offer you acceptence. My life. My soul. My blood." She moved her hair to reveal her neck and took a step towards Spike. He slipped into his gameface and held her by her arms. He leaned into her neck and whispered, "I love you." He then slid his fangs into her neck. As he started to pierce the skin his body responded to her. He began to drink deeply. Feeling her blood go through him. He felt her soul and her magic and the love. He heard her heart begin to race and withdrew his fangs from her neck. As he was licking the last frops of blood Angel stepped forward. "The ritual is complete. The bond is secure." He looked at his childe who was standing next to his mate. Spike was nuzzling against her neck and purring. He could smell his claim on her and loved it.
Spike lifted his head up. "Thank you Angelus."
"Welcome childe."
~Part: 19~
They woke the next afternoon. WIllow was about to get out of the bed when Spike pulled her closer to hin. "Good morning luv," he whispered in her ear.
She turned to face him. "Actually its afternoon."
"Same diff."
"I feel different," she told him.
"Different...good?"
"Yeah. It's just I feel everything you feel. I feel you through me."
"You don't like it?"
"Actually I think I do. You know, we didn't have to cuddle last night. We coulda' done other stuff." As she said it she turned bright red.
"I just wanted to hold you last night pet."
"We better start packing." All of a sudden Willow froze.
"Red, what is it?"
"The slayer. Buffy. Omg. I have to tell Buffy. She'll kill us." Willow looked up at Spike. "She'll dust you and ashes...no fun. I like you in the vampire form."
"Red, it'll be ok. We'll just explain."
Willow started pacing. "She'll see the bite. She'll know you don't have your chip. I want you with me not dust in the wind."
"Willow you have to calm down. We'll get packed. We'll have a nice car drive home and we'll tell them. Ok?" She nodded her head yes.
A couple hours later they had every thing in the car and had said their goodbyes. Spike and WIllow were heading out the door when Angel stopped them. "So I expect to see both of you in a couple of months."
"A couple of months? The ritual worked didn't it," Willow asked Angel?
Angel knew his childe already knew so he continued. "Now that you're part of our family, I would be honored if you were there for my ritual of claiming a mate." He then turned to Cordelia who was standing behind him. "If you'll have me?"
The last sight they saw was Cordelia kissing Angel before they closed the door.
"Let's go home pet." Spike put his arm around Willow as they walked to the car. Spike drove back to Sunnydale while Willow slept curled up next to him. "Red we're here. Pet? I thought you might want to let the watcher know you're safe and home."
"It's nice to be home."
"Pet before we go in I need to say something. I love you Willow. No matter what they say or try to convince you of. I've always loved you."
"I know and I've got the bite to prove it."
"Pet this isn't funny."
"Spike I'm proud of the claim. I belong to you." She kissed him and they entered the Magic Box. They only saw Giles. He was in his office. "Stay here. I'm gonna talk to him. I'll be back in a minute."
She knocked on the office door and entered. "Hey."
"Hello Willow. Everything go ok?"
"Yes."
"I want you to know you're just like a daughter to me. Are you happy? Are you happy with him?"
"Yes. Yes I finally am."
Willow and Giles never heard the other conversation taking place in the main room. "What the hell do you mean you claimed her," Buffy questioned the vampire?
"I claimed her and she claimed me. I love her."
"That's impossible. You don't have a soul. You don't have the means to love."
"Slayer just accept it. She's my mate." He looked towards Willow.
"Like hell I will," she told him. Spike never saw the stake. When he finally did his eyes got wide as he felt it enter his chest.
~Part: 20~
As Willow was talking to Giles she felt a strange feeling of fear go through her body. She knew it had to be the bond. She just didn't think that it would work so quickly after the ritual. It had barely been 24 hours. She turned around and saw Buffy. She saw Buffy putting a stake to her mate's chest. As the stake started to graze Spike's chest she said the following words: "Nasuto piam cuato." All of a sudden the stake turned to dust and floated to the ground. Willow stormed out of Giles' office. "What the hell is going on?"
"Luv I tried to tell her about the claim and that I love you and then the stake. It disenegrated."
"Spike its ok. I did it. I felt the bond."
"Willow I'm saving you," Buffy told her.
"Saving me?"
"He attacked you. The bite. His so-called claim."
"His so called claim is the real thing," she told the Slayer. "He told you the truth. We did a mate ritual. I belong to him and he belongs to me."
"That's impossible, for you to do the ritual you would need his sire. Angel. He would never go to him. Not for anything."
Willow looked her. "His sire was present." Willow knew her next set of words would sting even more. "So was Cordelia."
Buffy turned to Giles. "I won't stand for this. Find something in one of your books to undue this," she said as she pointed to Spike and Willow. "You used to work for the council, just do something."
Giles looked at Buffy. "You're absolutely right. I should do something." He walked over to Spike and Willow. "Spike. Willow. I know that you both love each other. Congrats. I hope you find joy in each other." They both knew that it was a serious gesture on his behalf and nodded accordingly. He turned back to Buffy. "Was that up to your standards?"
"What is wrong with you people. Vampire. Evil." At that moment Xander walked through the door.
"Anybody hungry," he asked?
"Xander I'm glad you're here," Buffy said. "Willow let Spike claim her. She's his mate. Angel was there. And Cordelia. She bonded to Spike."
Everybody waited patiently for Xander to scream and give his speech about women he knows and vampires. Instead Xander walked over to Spike and looked him in the eyes. He then looked at Willow. "Willow you're my best friend so I'm gonna save the speech. Do you love him?" She nodded her head yes. "Does he make you happy?"
"He makes me very happy Xander."
He turned back to Spike. "If you hurt her, no one will be able to find your ashes. Understood." Spike nodded his head. "Now that that's done. You like pizza?"
"Yeah," Spike replied.
"Willow how about it? Hungry human. Hungry vamp. What do you say?"
"I say let's go." Before they walked out the door Willow turned around. "Giles thank you for everything. Spike and I both appreciate it. Buffy if you try to stake Spike again, you won't have to worry about him. You'll have to worry about me. That's a promise." Xander, Spike and Willow all walked out in the dark away from a speechless and shocked slayer. And her watcher who was grinning from ear to ear.