Parts: 21 - 27
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~Part: 21~
Willow, Spike and Xander walked out into the cool night air silently. Moments later Anya pulled up next to them in her car. "Xander get in the car," she told him.
"Anya, we're going for pizza."
"Pizza? You said you would take me home and we could have lots of orgasms."
"Anya--private conversations--remember," Xander asked her?
"But--orgasms," she said like a little girl asking for a piece of candy.
Xander turned around to Willow. "Go on. It's fine," Willow told him. He leaned over and gave Willow a hug while dismissing the vampire's growl.
"Bye Willow. See ya Deadboy Jr."
Spike looked over at Willow. "Are you sure I have to be nice pet? Deadboy Jr?" Willow started smiling as they walked down the street. "He could at least called me Vampire. The Big Bad or even Spike. You know I have a name too."
Willow stopped walking. She just stood there. Spike stopped beside her but wasn't sure what was going on so he kept talking to himself. Willow finally had it. She figured there was only one way to get him to shut up. She grabbed him by the jeans and pulled him to her. Forcefully, she passionatly kissed him. Her hands drifted up his back to his neck. Every time he tried to pull away, she wouldn't let him. She finally pulled away when she was out of breath. She looked up at Spike. "When your mouth is busy, it can't talk."
"Maybe I should ramble more pet. I'm sure you could find other things or other parts of your body that my mouth could explore."
She blushed at his words, then looked at him sincerly. "I'm sure we could think of something." She gave him an evil grin as they walked to get something to eat.
The next morning she woke up thinking about Spike. She seemed to do that alot since the ritual. She was a little upset that he didn't stay the night. She walked downstairs in a pair of shorts and a tank top but stopped half way descending the stairs.
"Hey Red, so you wanna watch cartoons or what?"
"Spike what are you doing here? In my living room? I thought you left last night."
"I did, but I came back. I'll go pet if you don't want me here."
"No," she replied quickly. "It's just unexpected. I like seeing you anytime of the day."
"I brought you some food. Doughnuts and coffee."
"I like you even more now." Willow walked over to the kitchen. She picked up the coffee and the doughnuts and walked into the living room. She sat the food down on the coffee table and sat beside Spike. "I like seeing you in the morning."
"It's nighttime for me pet."
"Well I could get used to seeing you at nighttime too."
He put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. "Me too pet. Me too." He kissed the top of her head and held her warm body against him until they both fell asleep on the couch.
Willow woke up a couple hours later. She looked at the sleeping vampire that was holding her. Her fingers trailed up her neck to his claim. She smiled as her fingers grazed over the bite mark. Spike opened his eyes. He could feel Willow stirring beside him. She knew he wasn't asleep.
"Spike?"
"Yeah pet."
"You'll love me forever.!?"
"Is that a question or a statement Red?"
She could only stare at him. He knew something was wrong, something she didn't want to talk about. He could feel her need that she wanted to be comforted. But the question, the statement worried him. How could she not know? Or worse what if all this was a dream. None of it real. What if he woke up and found himself alone.
While in L.A.---Cordelia grabbed her head in pain. "Ahhhh."
"Cordelia is it a vision," Wesley asked?
She looked up at him. "No I just like to scream like I'm being tortured." She saw the annoyed look in his face as Angel came out of his office.
"Cordelia. The vision?"
She looked at him. "Sunnydale. I saw Willow...and Spike."
He felt a pain when he realized not only his childe could be in trouble but Willow as well. They were both family now. "What happened? What kind of trouble is it? Is it a demon?"
"Angel we need to leave right now," was all that she said.
~Part: 22~
He held her as close to him as possible. "You are mine. Forever." He watched as tears started flowing down her face. "Pet don't cry please. Bloody hell, I don't know what to do. Red I need you to tell me what's going on."
Willow brought her finger up to his lips. "Shhh. Just hold me, please."
He could see the pain and the fear in her eyes. It wasn't fear of him
though. He didn't know what it was. He couldn't put his finger on it. He
held her just like she asked. He held her until they both fell asleep again.
She never saw the red tears fall down his face.
Spike woke Willow up about an hour before sunset. "Red its time to wake up. Remember? Magic Box? Evil? Researching?"
She started waking up feeling better than earlier. "There's no evil. No major one. Giles just wanted us to come in. Maybe he's havng a meeting or something."
An hour later they were both walking to the Magic Box when a creepy
man walked up to them. Spike's eyes flashed golden but the man ignored
it. He looked at both of them. "This isn't real. You two. You aren't real."
Spike pulled Willow behind him to protect her and then put his attention
back to the man. "Voices in your head tell you that or are you always delusional?"
The man took two steps forward to Spike. "It isn't real." He then truned around and ran until they couldn't see him anymore.
Spike turned around, "Are you alright pet?"
Willow shook her head yes. "That was strange."
"Red, all the things you've seen and that was strange?"
"Spike I have a bad feeling."
"Yeah me too pet."
"Master vampire gets a bad feeling. Not a warm and fuzzy picture."
Spike wrapped his hand around hers. "I think we should get to the Magic Box pet."
About a block away from the store they ran into a vampire. The vampire looked at Spike and then at Willow. "This isn't real."
"Bloody hell, not again."
"I have to make you understand," the vampire told them.
Spike rolled his eyes. "Understand this," he told him as he staked the vampire. "Let's go," he told Willow.
They made it to the Magic Box without running into anyone else.
Willow went to reach for the door when Spike closed it again. His eyes flashed golden. "Sire," was all he said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Angel, he's in there with Giles."
"Is it Angel or did the soul go bye-bye and we get to deal with Angelus? Cause that's less fun."
"It's Angel. I can smell the soul." Spike was about to open the door when he turned to Willow. "Either way luv, he wouldn't hurt you. Even if he was Angelus. You're part of the family." They opened the door and found three worried faces looking at them.
Willow squeezed Spike's hand for reassurance and Spike squeezed back. Willow decided to speak up since it seemed that everyone was just staring at each other. "Hey guys. Umm...you know this isn't L.A., right?" She then looked at Giles. She realized he looked concerned not only for her but also for Spike. "Giles what's going on?" She looked around and could see the tension building in the air.
Angel stared at Spike. "Childe."
Spike decided it was now his turn. "Sire." He then looked over at Cordelia. "Seer."
"Umm...Angel? Why are you here?"
"Willow I thing you should sit down."
"I don't think I want to sit down." She looked over at Giles, "Where is everyone else?"
"I sent them to go patrolling."
"Giles, we ran into a vampire and this creepy guy on the way over here. They told us that this wasn't real. What is it? What isn't real?" Willow watched as a single teardrop slid down Giles face. "Giles its what the voice in my dreams said too."
"That's what you were upset about pet?" She nodded her head yes.
"Don't worry luv, we'll figure it out." Willow gave him a small smile.
"Willow," Angel started. "Did you recognize the voice or see someone in the dream?"
"No."
Cordelia glanced at her watch. "We have to tell them now. There's only five minutes left."
"Five minutes to what? Cordy?"
Angel decided he should be the one to tell them. We don't have all the details yet. There was a spell. We don't know who casted it though. We're still working on that part. Its gotta be someone that both of you know."
Giles decided to cut in at this point. "The spell lasts for five more
minutes. I believe whoever cast the spell had good intentions. It was a
love spell." Giles looked at Willow. "It was a love spell that focused
on you and Spike." Giles looked at the girl that was like a daughter to
him. "In five minutes...you won't love each other anymore. You'll remember
everything that happened but the love from the magic won't be there."
At that moment Spike felt like his former human self. Undeserving of
love. He looked at his sire and Angel could feel his pain. Most of all,
he felt the anger that engulfed his childe.
Spike looked at Willow and tucked a piece of her red hair behind her
ear. He looked down at the ring on her hand and glided his finger over
the ring on her finger. He looked back up at Willow, tears rolling down
his face.
As he pulled away from Willow, his eyes turned golden. Angel could
tell that Spike had been trying to control his demon. But his emotional
state let the demon take over. Spike stormed out of the Magic Box including
kicking down the front door and went into the night. Willow felt like someone
had just pulled out her heart.
No one had ever heard the Slayer enter the room. Buffy started clapping. "That was quite a performance. Very enertaining."
Everyone looked up at her except for Willow. Giles was the first to speak. "Buffy, do shut up for once in your life."
Buffy started to talk aloud to Willow even though she never turned around. "I told you he didn't really love you."
Cordelia couldn't keep quiet any longer. She turned around to face Buffy. "I always knew you were a bitch. Willow's your best friend. You should support and comfort her. You disgust me."
Buffy ignored her. "I told you he would never love you. Could never love you. He never had the heart. Human or demon. Or the soul."
Angel finally stepped up when he saw that she wasn't going to back down. "Girl you better watch yourself. That's my childe you're talking about. Spike and Willow, they're both family to me and I won't have someone like you degrading either one of them."
"It's not my fault if the guys she picks never seems to stay around. Guess she's not good enough."
"You know what I think slayer. I think you're happy he left her destroyed. I think its what you secretly wanted. Cause if it could work for them, you think maybe you and me could have had a chance. But I'm long past that point in my life. You were a passing moment." Angel left the slayer shocked and hurt. Angel turned to Giles. "We should go back to L.A. We'll keep researching."
Giles made a decision only a father could make. "Angel, I think you should take Willow back to L.A. with you. I think it would be best."
Angel, Willow and Cordelia left the Magic Box and got into the car.
~Part: 23~
Buffy stared at Giles. "You're just gonna let her leave. I know it's Angel but vampire hello?"
"If I remember correctly...you were in love with Angel when he was a vampire hello," he mimicked Buffy. "She should be in L.A.--like Angel said she is part of his family now."
"But.."
"Whether you like it or not." Giles looked up at her, "Spike and Willow were in love."
"It was a spell. That's it," Buffy replied as she walked out of the Magic Box.
It pained GIles for Willow to be going through the torment that she was being put through. He had a feeling her love towards the vampire extended beyond the spell.
Meanwhile....Spike could sense everything if he tuned into it. The ritual had made the bond not only with Willow strong but it also renewed his bond with his sire. He could hear and feel everything they did--if he wanted to. He had heard Buffy degrading his love for Willow. He had to remind himself outloud, "It wasn't love. It was a bleedin spell." He heard everyone defend him. They even defended him and Willow. Giles, the seer, even his sire. His sire had defended him because he was his childe. Because he was family. Spike wanted to run back to the Magic Box and...Well, first of all he would hit Buffy, hard. Maybe knock her out. Thank everyone for defending him--well maybe not thank. He could not kill them, that always showed appreciation, didn't it? Then he would take his Red in his arms and never leave her. Sod the damn spell. But in reality he left his Red with his Sire. He walked out on her. He was alone and hurting. Devastated. And he ached for her. He wanted to touch her, to be near her and to love her. He reached the crypt and lit the candles that remained there. He fell on his knees and let his emotions take over. He knew he couldn't stop the tears.
On the way back to L.A. the car was silent. Angel could feel the emotions from Willow through the bond, barely. He felt his childe though. He felt the pain and emotional torture he was going through and there was nothing Angel could do for him. He figured he'd try to help Willow. "So..Willow, did you want to talk?" He knew the question was out of line especially because of the events that had just taken place.
Cordelia shot him a dirty look. Didn't he get that emotions played a big part. She did have to give him credit though for standing up to his ex-love. "I don't think she wants to talk. Maybe it should be a quiet time." She looked over at Willow and saw the pain on her face. She knew Willow felt empty without Spike. You could see it in her eyes. Cordelia saw the silent tears fall down Willow's face. The sight was enough to break Cordelia's heart. A single silent tear fell down her face for her friend's current situation.
Willow stared out the car window, not really staring at anything in particular. She felt the silent tears fall down her face but she could not stop them. She heard Angel and Cordelia trying to talk to her but she couldn't make out any words. She felt so empty and alone. Willow replayed the nights events over and over in her mind. The one person she looked forward to seeing was gone. The man she depended on. The man she loved. Then she remembered the words. It was all a spell. He said he loved her. The way he caressed her face. And now she felt void of emotion. She didn't even feel the bond anymore, she never realized it was because her emotions were too high to focus on it.
~Part: 24~
"Willow. Willow." Cordelia was trying to wake Willow up from the trance that she was currently in. "We're at the mansion. Angel already took your bag in." The redhead looked towards her direction and nodded her head. She never said a word.
They entered the mansion, everything looked dreary in Willow's eyes. Nothing seemed real. Angel finally spoke up. "In case you're hungry, there's food in the fridge. I had Fred pick up some stuff before we came back. And..."
"Can I just go to the room I'm staying in. I just want to lay down, if you don't mind."
"Not at all. Cordelia would you take her to her room?"
"Sure. I'll grab your bag." Cordelia looked up at Willow, "ready?" She nodded her head and followed Cordelia up the stairs. Cordelia stopped at the middle of the hallway, "here's your room. Willow?" Willow continued to walk down the hallway until she reached the last room. It was the room she had shared with Spike the last time they had visited when they had performed the ritual. "Willow you don't want to stay in there," Cordelia called out to her but Willow never heard her. She had already pushed open the door to the room and entered. Cordelia looked at Willow, who was standing in the middle of the room.
"I want to stay in here." Willow looked up at Cordelia, "please." She
glided her hand along the bed and other items in the room. "I just don't
want to forget." Then she added silently to herself..like that could happen.
"Alright, I'm putting your bag by the dresser." She turned around to
face Willow, "If you need to talk I'll be downstairs." After she left Willow
got up and locked the door.
Cordelia met Angel downstairs. She glanced up at him. "She wanted to change rooms."
Angel looked up at her, "What room?"
"She wants to remember. Who would do this to her? Who would put her through this kind of pain."
"I don't know. I don't even know where to start looking."
They were both silent for a few moments until Cordelia spoke up. "Why did Spike leave her? I have a hard time beleiving it was all a spell. You saw how they would look at each other."
"He's in pain Cordelia," Angel interrupted.
"What? Is he here? Did he call?
"No. I can feel him." Cordelia looked confused as she looked at Angel. "Through the bond," he told her. "I don't know where he is. Willow could find out if she would concentrate on the bond. Cordelia he's in so much pain. I feel every emotion going through him." Angel looked away from Cordelia and glanced towards the floor. "And there's nothing I can do for him."
"Willow probably locked the door. I'm worried about her Angel. Could you pass by the door every now and then, to make sure she's still in there. Alive."
"What?"
"Well you're the only one that can hear heartbeats, please."
"I'll check on her, why don't you try to get some sleep? I'm gonna stay up for awhile."
"Sleep, I forgot about that." Cordelia went into the room she shared with Angel and fell asleep in moments.
Willow cried for hours. There wasn't enough tears for her pain. When she finally crawled out of bed she realized it was two days later. She took a shower and changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. One of Spike's shirts that he left behind. She walked quietly down the stairs and into the kitchen. She didn't want to be noticed. She just wanted to be alone. When she walked into the kitchen, her plan was to eat and then go back to her room. Plans changed.
"Hello Willow."
"Hi Angel."
"Hungry?"
"Yeah. A little." They both sat down at the table across from each other. Angel started to look around behind him. "You smell Spike don't you?"
"How did you know?"
"It's his shirt. I thought it was a spell Angel?"
"You don't think it was a spell," he asked her?
She looked down at her food. "I still love him, with all my heart." She put her plate in the sink and started to head towards the door. She turned back around to Angel. "And he wants nothing to do with me." And then she left to go back to her room.
When Willow had first entered the kitchen Angel was trying to contact Spike through the bond. He received nothing so Angel thought the bond might not be strong enough.
And...Spike woke up suddenly from his sleep. He looked around and realized he was still in his crypt. He tried to remember what startled him so to awake him. The dream. He saw his Red. She had on jeans and his t-shirt. He didn't recognize where she was. He kicked off the covers and put on a pair of jeans. He lit a cigarette and realized something. "Bloody hell, I still love the chit."
~Part: 25~
Spike didn't know what to do or where to go. He felt so lost without her. He picked up an empty tequilla bottle and threw it against the wall. He watched it shatter to the floor. Spike dropped to his knees and bent his head down. "I feel so fucking empty," he yelled out. He yelled partly from his pain and partly because he wanted to be heard. Not by anyone in particular. He just had so much pain raging within him. Moments later he threw on his leather duster and left the crypt. He climbed into his DeSoto and left.
Willow walked into the living room and saw Cordelia and Angel sitting there.
"Sleep well," Angel asked her?
"Not really." She turned to Cordelia, "Um...Cordelia where's the closest mall?"
"Mall? Are you sure?"
"Yeah. See I wanted to go to the bookstore and pick up a cd...I just wanted to get it all at one place. And I...I need to get some fresh air." She turned back to Angel. "Is that all right if I go out for awhile?"
"Willow as long as you're here, you're welcome to come and go as you please."
Cordelia couldnt miss a shopping opportunity. "Willow is it ok if I came with you?"
"I'd like that."
A couple hours later Cordelia and Willow were both off for shopping.
Angel made his way to the kitchen for some blood and some quiet.
Moments after he heated his mug there was a loud knock at the door. Someone kept banging on the door repeatively. Angel opened the door and stared at the vampire. His childe. He was empty and hollow. All of the emotions he had were drained out of him.
"William?"
Spike looked up at Angel, "Sire I need your help."
Angel helped Spike into the hotel and Spike sat on the couch. "Spike what...?"
Spike looked up at Angel, "hungry."
Angel saw that Spike's body started shaking. He handed him the mug of blood.After he finished the mug of blood he looked at Angel,"thanks."
"When was the last time you had blood Spike?"
"I don't remember." Spike wasn't sure what to say next. "I miss her Angel. I miss her and I don't have a bleedin' clue to where she might be."
"Spike it was a spell, remember?"
"Sod the spell Peaches, I love the girl. I love her." SPike could feel the blood running through his body. He closed his eyes and stared at his sire.
"She's here isn't she?"
"You hurt her Spike. Don't hurt her again."
"She's here?"
"She is but not at the moment. She went shopping with Cordelia. They'll be back later."
Doubt began to flood Spike's body. "Angel what if she dosen't love me or even want me?"
"Spike close your eyes and concentrate on the bond you have with her. Do you have any doubt about the love she has for you?"
Spike opened his eyes. "There's no doubt but I felt the pain. THe pain that I caused."
Before Angel went back to his office, he looked up at Spike. "You are my childe. You are always welcome."
A couple hours later Cordelia and Willow walked through the door.
"Did you two have fun?"
"Yeah thanks ANgel. I'm just gonna put this stuff in my room and then I'll be back down. We thought we'd order pizza from that new demon place. That way on one of the pizza's they can put blood on it instead of tomato sauce."
"I'll order the pizzas and we'll see you in a few," Cordelia told her.
As Willow went down the hall, Cordelia felt another presence. "Angel?"
"Yeah."
"I sense someone. Someone else."
"I know."
"Gonna fill me in brood boy?"
He turned to Cordelia and smiled. "We have another guest. Spike came
back."
Willow put her bags on the bed and felt a chill go through her body. She looked around the room, but saw nothing. She sat on the bed and looked down at the ring she refused to take off. A single tear fell down her face before she stood up.
When she stood up he figured this was his chance. "Luv?" Willow turned around and saw Spike walk out of the dark shadows of the room holding a single white rose.
~Part: 26~
Willow stood there staring ar Spike. Partly in shock and partly in awe. She wondered if it was real or if it was just a virtual image she conjured in her head. She took one step backwards.
Spike looked at her and noticed how empty she looked. Withdrawn of all emotion. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know the words to say to make everything like it was. The only thing he knew was how much he loved her. "Pet, I..."
Willow interrupted what he was going to say. "You left. You left and didn't even look back." Willow waited for him to say something. Anything. But there was just silence so she continued. "So let me get this straight, you come back after leaving and I'm just supposed to what? Hang on your every word? Jump to your every request?" Her voice got louder. "Dismiss the fact that you left me? Left us?"
This wasn't how Spike thought this would go. He figured Red would take him back no questions asked. He thought she would be happy that he was back with her again. He never thought of the kind of pain and anger that she had. He knew she was in pain and her emotions were loud. Loud and silent. He took another step towards her extending the rose to her. "Pet I came back for you. To find you."
Willow looked away from him. "Until you find what? The perfect girl? The perfect vampire? I'm not gonna be some inbetween girl for you to occupy yourself with while you search for your real mate."
Spike could feel his demon wanting to come forward at her last remark. He let out a soft growl. Loud enough for Willow to hear. He grabbed Willow by the arms. "You are my mate. Always."
She let her rage build up and then focused it on pushing Spike away towards the wall. She closed her eyes, pushed him and when she reopened them she saw Spike flying through the air hitting the wall. She stood there for a moment stunned at what she had just done.
"Red you drank from me. And I've tasted your blood. It's in me."
"It was a spell Spike. The ritual. The blood. It was all part of a spell."
"Sod the bloody spell. Blood--it's life. It's essence." Spike stood up from where he had been thrown against the wall. "I still love you. I need you. And you still love me."
"What would give you that idea Spike? I just sent you into a wall, remember?"
"The ring pet. You're still wearing it. And no matter what, the bond will always be there."
"If our bond is so strong, why don't I feel it? If I'm destined to be
your mate, don't you think I would feel it?"
"You could be blocking it out on purpose," Spike said. Willow could
see the hurt in his eyes.
"We're not talking about this anymore Spike. I think you should leave." Willow left the room and started down the stairs. She could feel Spike following her. She could still feel the bond.
They entered the main room where Cordelia and Angel were still sitting.
"Red I'm not leaving. Not again. You want me gone, you'll have to stake me. Turn me to dust."
"I'll do it," Cordelia offered.
"You love me," Willow asked?
"I do," Spike told her.
She took two steps toward him. "Prove it."
Spike closed his eyes for a second. He reopened them. "What the hell. How the hell do you want me to prove it?" He knew he was getting louder but he didn't care. "Pet if you were a vampire I would bring the slayer's dead body to you. But you're not." Spike dropped to his knees. Willow saw the tears starting to form in his eyes. She walked towards him. "Red the only thing I have to offer you is myself. I could love you more than any other man could if you would let me."
Willow sat down in front of him. Her eyes staring at him intensly. She was speechless.
He grazed the sides of her face lightly with his fingers.
Angel held an unneeded breath as he watched his childe confess his love to Willow. He looked over at Cordelia and pulled her closer.
Willow enjoyed feeling Spike's fingers along her face and then he whispered two words.
Spike felt at ease being this close to his mate. The feel of his fingers along her face. He cupped the other side of her face with his other hand. He stared into her eyes as he said the following words. "Love. Devotion." He could feel her skin heat up as he touched her face. He leaned over to her ear and whispered, "mine."
~Part: 27~
Willow looked into his eyes. "Spike I was always yours." She saw him starting to grin and leaned into him. She kissed him roughly with love and need letting him know that she belonged to him. They both pulled away and just stared at each other. Their foreheads were resting against each other. Willow wanted to try the bond. She tried to speak to Spike through the bond.
Spike started laughing. "Ok pet."
Angel was confused. "What's going on?"
"She's hungry."
Willow grinned knowing that the bond worked. "Very much. Are we still ordering pizza?"
"I forgot. I'll go order it," Cordelia stated.
Willow and Spike stood up and walked over to Angel who had a smug look on his face. "That was so beautiful William. Will you be reciting poetry as well tonight?"
Angel knew how to get to Spike's weak points. "Poof."
"I'm your sire."
"Fine. You're my poofy sire. Poofy, poofy, poofy."
Angel started to laugh. It was nice to have the sire/childe bond even if he was annoying. They were all relaxed and Willow was having fun watching Spike annoy Angel. They never heard anyone enter the hotel.
"Wills?" the voice said.
Everyone turned around. Willow was the only one to speak up, "Xand?"
"Hey Wills."
Willow walked up to Xander and gave him a hug. She heard Spike growl while Angel snickered at him. Through the bond she told Spike to back off a little because Xander was her best friend. They both let go. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." He looked up at Spike and Angel. "Hey guys. Uh...Angel do you mind if I stay a little while? Couple of hours or so?"
Angel told him he didn't mind while Spike told him he did mind. Angel elbowed him in the side. "Fine." Spike walked over to Xander. "You can stay until Red says otherwise."
Willow started to grin. She turned to Spike. "Thank you." She then reached over and kissed him on the lips. When they pulled apart he looked over at Xander and jumped back.
Xander gave Angel a confused look and Angel shrugged his shoulders. "Spike--what's your issue?"
"The game is over. Where is it?"
"Where is what?" Xander had no idea what Spike was talking about.
"Stakes. Holy water. A ball of bleedin' sunlight. Weapons of any kind."
"No weapons."
Spike stared at Xander until he decided he was telling the truth. "So how long until the rest of the scooby gang shows up?"
"They're not." Willow looked a little disappointed. "Wills, they have
no idea I even came
to L.A."
"Then why are you here moron?"
"Because bleached wonder, I know who did the spell."
At that moment Cordelia walked out into the main room. "Xander!"
"Hey Cordy."
"Where's everyone else?"
"I came alone."
Angel turned to Cordelia. "He says he knows who did the spell." He turned back to Xander. "If that's true, why didn't Buffy or Giles just call?"
"They don't know who did it. I never told them."
"So how do we kill the demon," Cordelia asked? "Fire? Sword through the heart? Decapitation? This list can get pretty long."
"No demon."
Willow took a step towards Xander. "Who did the spell?"
Xander took a deep breath and looked at Willow. "I did."
Everyone was speechless...except for Spike. "You hurt my Red. And now I'm gonna hurt..."
Angel saw the anger that flashed in his childe's eyes. As Spike started
to leap through the air to attack Xander, Angel pulled him back by his
shirt. Spike stumbled backwards.
Much to Xander's suprise Willow didn't look angry with him. "You did
the spell?" He shook his head yes. "I want to know why."
Xander saw Spike come up behind Willow and put his arms around her waist...and she let him. He decided they both deserved an explanation. "Wills I wanted you to be happy. I never meant to hurt you. I saw sparks between you and Spike and I just wanted to push it along a little. I just wanted you to be happy." He then looked at Spike. "I may dislike you but I know she loves you. And I know you'll take care of her. She's my best friend. I would never hurt her on purpose."
At that moment the doorbell rang. "Pizza," Cordelia called out to everybody. Cordelia took the pizza to the kitchen and Angel followed her. The blood on his pizza was calling to him.
Spike looked at Xander. "Let's go eat. I know you can't resist free pizza. Don't worry only one pizza has blood on it."
"You're not mad--about the spell?"
"Can't be. I've got my Red."
After they ate the pizza they sat around talking. Angel had to ask what was on his mind. "Why didn't you tell Buffy or Giles?"
"I could have told Giles...but no one has spoken to Buffy since that day at the Magic Box. Even Giles. She's kinda on her own now. After what she said to Willow, none of us wanted to be around her."
Spike, Angel and Cordelia nodded knowing exactly how Xander felt.
Spike couldn't resist speaking up, "A slayer with no friends--she won't last." He then turned to Xander. "Hating the slayer--I could learn to tolerate you."
Angel grinned at his childe's words. "Xander you can stay as long as you want to."
No one complained about the open invitation to the young man.
THE END