Pairing: Spike/Willow
Rating: R
Summary: Willow is sick when Spike stops by.
Distribution: redssoulmates, poetry-in-motion
Feedback: No feedback...no fic. Lots of feedback...I write more.
Disclaimer: Don't sue. I don't own any of the characters. I don't make any money from it. All credit goes to Joss.
Spoilers: Through season 4
Notes:<> character's thoughts, takes place late season 4, Spike has the chip, Tara and Willow are just friends, Willow lives at home.
Much thanks to Elisabeth for being a great beta!!!
Dedication: For Nightqueen, I hope you like your birthday fic. I tried to only write one chapter but it ended up being four chapters.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was a few minutes after sundown when Spike entered Willow's house. He smiled looking at the key she had given him a couple weeks ago. She had gotten tired of answering the door at odd hours. In return for the key, he made sure to walk her to the shop every evening and he even looked out for her during patrols. But it wasn't because of the key. It was because he fancied her. Spike loved coming here. It was like heaven and hell in one. Heaven because he could spend time Willow. He could be near the woman that his mind thought nonstop about. Hell because he could never hurt her. Because she was pure and he was nothing more than a monster.
Closing the door behind him, he looked around, and noticed that the main room was empty. The TV was off and everything looked untouched. Even all of the lights were off.
Hearing a heartbeat upstairs, Spike took the steps two at a time on his way to her room. He knocked lightly on her bedroom door, not wanting to startle her.
"Hey, pet! You awake in there? We need to get going back to the shop. Remember research? Patrol? Evil demons? That sort of thing?" When he didn't receive a reply, Spike pushed open the door. "Pet?" That's when he saw her. Willow was lying under several blankets. Her pale skin had taken on a slightly yellow tinge and there were several tissues on the floor. Concerned, he walked over to her, placing his hand on her forehead. "You're sick, pet. You're running a high fever."
"I know," she told him weakly.
"I'll go call Giles."
"I already did, Spike. A couple of hours ago." Willow sat up slightly.
"Why are you here alone? Where are your bloody friends?"
"Xander and Buffy came by earlier. They left me some.soup."
He arched his eyebrow at her. The way she said the word was unnatural. "Did you eat it?"
"No and please don't make me. It's.I think it's evil soup."
He couldn't help but to smirk. "Pet, it's not evil. Soup is not hard to make. Where is the bowl they brought you?"
She pointed to a table across the room. "Over there."
Spike looked at the see-through bowl. "What kind of soup is it?" he frowned.
"Chicken."
"Why is it the wrong color, luv? Isn't it supposed to look yellow? That's bright orange."
"I know."
"Well, let's not judge. Looks can be deceiving. I'll just go and get it." Spike walked over to the table and took the top off. Once he smelled it, he morphed and stepped back. He looked back at Willow and his human features slid forward. "What part of the bloody chicken is it supposed to be made out of?"
"I don't know."
"Do you have any food downstairs? Healthy food? Soup? Juice? That sort of thing."
"Not really."
"Right then." He walked back over to her. "Go on and lay down, luv. I'm gonna go to the corner store. Get you some food and some juice. Looks like you could use some medicine. You have a bad fever."
"You can't! The sun is out."
Spike tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, frowning when he felt her body temperature. "Don't you worry about that. I'll stick to the shadows and all that." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "It's nice to see you're concerned about me though. I'll be back soon. Get some rest."
He was almost to the door when Willow spoke up again. "I don't want you to get sick, Spike."
He smiled at her. "Vampire. Remember, luv? We don't get sick." With that he left, with every intention to get his redhead better. Well, not his, but one could hope.
~Part: 2~
Spike returned about an hour later with everything he would need to help Willow recover and some blood for himself. Placing his blood in the refrigerator, he started to prepare her soup. Waiting for the soup to boil, he started looking through her cabinets. Finding a tray, he placed it on the counter.
As the soup finished, he turned off the burner and poured it into a bowl. Spike placed the soup, juice and the medicine on the tray and made his way upstairs.
As he entered the room, he saw that not much in her appearance had changed. She still looked slightly yellow. Her fever was still high; he could sense it in the air. Placing the tray on the table next to her, he sat on the bed pushing back the hair from her face. "Pet?" he said softly. "Pet, I need you to wake up." Seeing her eyes flutter open, he placed his hand on her forehead and then on her cheek.
Willow felt his cool hand against the hotness of her cheek. She brought her hands up and held his hand there for a moment. "Feels good against my skin," she mumbled.
If his heart had been beating, he was sure it would have sped up. "Think you can sit up? You need to eat." He peeled back the covers a bit and helped Willow to sit up. He handed her the glass of juice and some pills. "Take these first, pet."
"What is it?"
"Just to break the fever." Seeing her swallow the pills, he placed the tray along her lap.
Willow looked down at the soup. "It's the right color," she smiled.
"Yeah, luv. Maybe one day I'll actually cook for you."
"You know how to cook?"
"Surprised?"
"A bit."
"Alright, enough talk. I need you to eat or you're just gonna become worse." He lifted the spoon of soup to her mouth and watched as she swallowed.
"I can feed myself, you know?"
"Or you could let me take care of you."
"You don't have to."
"Maybe I want to."
"Oh," she said softly. "Ok."
Spike continued to feed her until the bowl was completely empty. As he placed the tray back on the table, he stood up.
Willow watched him stand and assumed he was leaving. "Guess you have things to do, huh?"
He kicked off his boots and shrugged out of his duster, laying it over her computer chair. He turned around and studied her for a moment after hearing her question. "I'm not leaving, pet. Unless you want me to." It then occurred to him that maybe she didn't want him to stay. "You want me to stay, don't you?" he asked nervously.
"Of course I want you to stay," she said a little too quickly.
"Good. Cause I wasn't leaving anyway." Climbing into the bed with Willow, he placed the blankets over his body and wrapped his arms around her. Pulling her close, he felt one of her arms drift around his waist. Kissing the top of her head, they both fell asleep in each other's arms.
~~~*~~~
Spike woke up the next afternoon. He looked over at Willow and saw she was still asleep. Placing a hand to her forehead, he realized that her fever had broken hours ago. He saw her eyes flutter open. "Hey, pet."
"Hey."
"Your fever broke."
"I feel better. I don't feel so ugh."
Spike climbed out of the bed, not wanting to overstay his welcome. "Well, I better be going," he told her as he pulled on his boots.
"Oh," she frowned.
Putting on his duster, he looked up at her. "Take it easy, luv. Probably see you tonight at the shop."
"Yeah." Just as he was about to leave the room, she spoke up again. "Why?"
Spike turned around at the urgency of her voice. "Why what, luv?"
"Why did you do all this? Why did you stay and take care of me?"
Spike searched for the perfect thing to say. But there wasn't such a thing. He looked into her eyes and could see the fire that burned inside of her. "Wish you could have met William, pet. The human I was. He would have fallen for you so hard, so easily. I could fall for you so easily." Without another word, he left the house.
~Part: 3~
Willow was stunned from his confession. Hearing the click from the front door when it closed, she climbed out of bed and looked around for something to change into. She needed a favor and there was only one person she could go to. She needed to go to the shop.
~~~*~~~
Pushing open the front door to the Magic Box, she looked around. The only person there was Giles. The one person she needed to see.
Giles looked up when he heard the bell over the door ring. "Hello, Willow. How are you feeling?"
"Oh.um, better. Actually, I need a favor."
"Of course. What is it?"
Willow took a deep breath. "I need to look at the Watcher's Diaries."
"Willow, I can't just let you see."
"I just need to see one. The one about Spike."
"Willow."
"Please, Giles. Please," she pleaded. "I need to know what he was like before. As a human.his turning."
Seeing her resolve face, he gave up. "The book stays here. You can look at it in the back room." Giles walked over to a locked cabinet and handed her the book. "I hope he's worth it."
"I just need to know."
He watched her disappear into the back room and then sat back down at the table, leafing through a book.
A couple of hours later, he looked up once again when the door opened. It was Spike.
"Watcher," he nodded. "Red around?"
"She's in the back but I don't think you."
"Relax, mate. I'm just gonna go check on the chit."
"Bloody hell," Giles mumbled under his breath.
~~~*~~~
Spike saw Willow asleep on the couch with a book lying across her chest. She looked better. The color had returned to her face. Walking closer, he stared at the book. It looked familiar. Quietly, he picked up the book, wanting to see what she was reading about. His eyes widened as he realized it was one of Giles' books. She was reading about him. His life, his turning, but more specifically the sadistic vampire he had become. Placing the book back on her chest, he took one last look at her before leaving the room.
Giles stood up when he saw the vampire walking towards him. "She."
"Save it, Watcher. How could you let her see those bloody books of yours? She's reading about some of the worst things I ever did."
"She asked for a favor," Giles defended
"That's it? She asked for a bloody favor and you just handed it to her?" Taking out a cigarette, he lit it. "I can't be here tonight," Spike said and walked out.
~~~*~~~
Willow woke up and picked the book up off of her chest, closing it. Picking up her bag, she made her way into the main room. Looking around the room, she frowned when she didn't see Spike. She placed the book in front of Giles and mouthed a thank you as Buffy ran up to her.
"Hey Wills. Giles gave me the night off and Riley is out with the guys, how about a sleepover?"
"You know I was sick, right?"
"Yeah, but you're all better now. Right?"
"Well, yeah but I think."
"Great!" Grabbing her hand she pulled her out into the night. "See ya, Giles," Buffy yelled.
~~~*~~~
Willow had stayed awake all night in Buffy's room. She felt like she should be home for some reason. She had done all the girly stuff with Buffy. The movies, the ice-cream, the gossip and of course having to listen to hours and hours of how Riley was so great. Willow was so ready to get out of there. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was some odd hour in the morning. She saw Buffy asleep and stood up looking for some paper. Leaving a note for her best friend, she grabbed her bag and left quietly.
She wasn't worried about anything attacking her on the way home. The sun was already out which meant all of the creatures of the night were tucked away in the darkness. Pushing open her front door, she dropped her bag on the floor and turned around, not expecting the scene in front of her. Spike was standing in the middle of her living room, glaring at her. His eyes were golden.
"Spike?" she whispered.
He let the crystal blue of his eyes return before he started to rant. "Do you have any idea what time it is? Where the bloody hell have you been? Do you know how long I've waited for you to come home?"
"So, let me get this straight. You're in MY house, in MY living room and you're upset because I didn't come home when YOU thought I should."
"I was worried."
"Don't be," she said while she walked off.
~~~*~~~
Spike watched her walk off and couldn't believe it. She had walked away from him. From him! Making his way down the hall, he slammed open her door until he could actually feel the door vibrate. "How dare you bloody walk off from me!" He wanted to say something else, anything else, but the sight in front of him shut down his thinking ability. Willow was standing in the middle of the room with nothing but an emerald green teddy on. "Um...Red?"
Willow glided over to him. "Not big on the words now are you, Spike." As she leaned in to kiss him, he pulled back.
"What's going on?" he asked. "This isn't you, pet."
"What? Am I not good enough for you?"
"Willow, that's not it," he told her softly. He watched as she turned away from him. "Let's go talk in the living room, pet."
"Why can't we just talk in here?"
"Cause if I stay in here with you, we're not gonna get any talking done. I'll be too busy fucking you against the wall." He watched as she started to blush. Spike grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the hallway. "Let's go."
~~~*~~~
Spike sat on the couch and pulled her into his lap until she straddled his hips. "Wanna tell me what the hell is going on?"
"Nothing," she mumbled.
"Nothing? How about you start and tell me where you were all night."
"Like you care."
"I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't."
"Spent the night at Buffy's. I couldn't stand her talking about Riley anymore so I left."
"And the teddy?"
"You don't like it?"
"Didn't say that. Look, I know you were reading about me. I came in when you were asleep."
"You came," she beamed.
He couldn't help but to smile at her. "Told you I would, didn't I? Wanna tell me what the teddy is about?"
Willow looked away. "You'll laugh at me."
"No, luv. I won't. You're just not the type of girl to go sleeping around. What did you read about in that book?"
"It's not...I mean..."
"Tell me," he growled.
"I kinda like you. More than like actually."
"And you thought we would shag?"
"Yes...no...I don't know. I read the part about biting..."
"Luv, we don't have to shag for me to bite you. Didn't think you'd ever want me to bite you."
"Maybe I do."
"If I bite you, I won't just stop at that. I want to claim you for mine. Only for mine."
"You don't hear me disagreeing with you."
"It's forever, luv. You would belong to me. I would eventually turn you. You read the book. I'm obsessive, more so than regular vampires.
"I read it. You can love, given the right girl."
Spike wrapped arms around her waist. "Do you want to be that girl, Red?"
Willow looked up, her eyes wide. "What?"
"Do you?" he asked seriously. "Cause I WANT to claim you."
~Part: 4~
"You.um.are you sure about the claiming cause." she started in full Willow babble.
Leaning forward, Spike cut off the start of her babble with a slow tender kiss. Brushing his lips against hers, he swallowed her words and any other thoughts that she might have had. Pulling back, he rested his forehead against hers. "Doesn't matter. Does it, luv? The bloody chip wouldn't let me bite you."
Willow started biting her lower lip. "Well.actually."
He raised one eyebrow up at her. "Actually what?" he questioned.
"Well you wouldn't be hurting me, right?"
"I don't think I follow, luv."
"The chip reacts if you try to hurt someone but if you weren't hurting them.you wouldn't be hurting me, right?"
"Quite the opposite, luv," he smirked.
"So.see. There's a chance."
"Do I even need to ask again? Do I need to ask you if you'll be mine?"
Willow shook her head no quickly. Unbuttoning the top three buttons, she leaned her head to the side in an act of submission.
Spike leaned forward, but froze. He couldn't do this.yet. Pulling back, he looked into her eyes. He saw her confusion. "There's something I need to tell you first."
"Ok. Something good?"
"Could be. Remember when I told you I could fall for you?" Seeing her nod her head, he continued. "It wasn't the truth."
"Oh," she said as she looked down.
Tilting her head up, he could see unshed tears in her eyes. "No, baby. You don't understand. The truth is I've loved you for a while. More than a while."
She couldn't help but to smile at his confession. "Really?" she asked.
"Really, pet."
Willow reached out and grazed his face with her fingers.
"Look at me, luv," he whispered.
Keeping her hand on his face and their eyes locked, he morphed. His golden eyes met her green ones. Willow didn't flinch or even move away. Instead she leaned forward, kissing the ridges on his forehead. Pulling away, she leaned her head to the side, baring her neck for him.
His demon took her invitation eagerly. Spike slid his hands over her ass, bringing her impossibly closer to him. Letting his hands drift up her back, he held her close as he leaned forward. Closing his eyes, he bit into her neck. It was gentle at first. He waited for the pain but it never came. As the first drop of her blood hit his senses, he craved it. It was full of fire, innocence, power and something that was only Willow. Spike could feel her gripping his arms. He could hear her heart and her breathing had picked up. But the only thing he was focused on was her blood. Her very essence. He bit down harder, making sure the claiming bite was deep and permanent. Drinking deeply from her, he could feel his body buzzing. The first human blood he had in over six months. The demon claming his mate. He continued drinking slowly from her, drawing out the experience for both of them.
Finally, when he knew he shouldn't take anymore, he pulled back, lapping at the wound. Letting his human features slip forward, he took a good look at her. She seemed flushed and pale at the same time and completely his. "Red, you still with me?"
"Yeah, that was.wow. I'm lightheaded, but wow!"
Spike couldn't stop the smile from his face even if he wanted to. "I took a bit too much from you. You'll be fine in a bit. I just need you to rest."
"Ok," she whispered, closing her eyes. She leaned forward and lay against his chest, wrapping her arms around him.
Spike was finally content for the first time since he could remember. He had just claimed his mate. A girl that would be devoted to him. There was no competition. It was just them. And right now, at this very moment, it felt as if she was holding on to him for dear life. He started rubbing her back in a comforting gesture, hoping she was just as content with him.
~~~*~~~
Spike sensed nightfall and woke up quickly. He looked down at the girl sleeping in his arms. Her neck wearing his mark. "Red, I need you to wake up."
"Hmm," she said sleepily as she lifted her head.
He caught her lips with his. "We need to go to the Watcher's, pet. Make an appearance and all that."
Willow's eyes widened. "Oh my goddess. I have to find a way to cover up the bite mark."
"What?" he growled. "Like hell!"
"If she sees it, if Buffy sees it.she'll stake you. I'll lose you forever," she frowned.
"Sshh, luv. It's not gonna happen. Just put something on to cover it up. Go get dressed and I'll be waiting for you down here."
She kissed him quickly. "I'll be right back!"
~~~*~~~
Twenty minutes later, she came down the stairs. She had decided on a pair of jeans, a tank top and a flannel shirt to cover the mark. "Ready?"
"Let's get this bloody meeting over with. The more time I'm there, the less time I get to be with you."
"We have time," she told him.
"We have eternity," he told her. It wasn't a threat but a promise.
~~~*~~~
Pushing open the door to the Magic Box, they saw everyone was already there. Giles, Buffy and Xander were already sitting at the table researching. Spike took his normal seat, slumped into one of the oversized chairs. He watched everyone and wondered if he would have to fight to keep her.
Willow disappeared into the kitchen to get something to drink. She thought about the last twenty-four hours and smiled. Life on the Hellmouth was definitely interesting. After going back into the main room, she started researching but couldn't get her mind off of Spike.
~~~*~~~
Twenty minutes had gone by and all she could hear were insults directed towards Spike from Buffy and Xander. Directed towards her mate. She had had enough.
"Hey, impotent one, what are you actually doing here? You don't have information for us."
Xander's remarks were only drowned out by Buffy's. "That makes him totally stake-worthy. Not like anyone would miss you anyways."
"You can't ruin this day for me, Slayer," he smirked.
"A stake might be able to."
Willow tied back her hair making sure her neck was visible and pulled off her flannel shirt. She slowly walked by Buffy and Xander waiting to see their reaction. She was proud to wear Spike's mark.
Buffy was the first one to jump up. "Oh my god, Wills, you were attacked? When? Why didn't you tell me?"
Xander watched his best friend carefully. Something was up. If Willow had been in trouble, she would have told them. That's when he saw her walk over to Spike.
Spike smirked at his mate. When she walked over to him, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her onto his lap. His face started nuzzling her neck.
"Let go of her Spike or you're gonna be dust!"
Spike opened his eyes, only to reveal they were golden. "Mine," he growled.
Willow turned to look at him. "Yours," she promised.
Xander stood up and continued to watch Willow and Spike. "Wills?"
Willow turned to Xander. "Yeah," she told him softly. Her unsaid words meaning everything to him. "Be happy for me Xand?" she asked hopefully.
He looked at Willow and then at Spike and then back at Willow once again. Xander knew he needed to make a decision. As he saw Buffy jump up and advance towards them, he saw Willow's eyes full of fear.
"You are so dust," Buffy told Spike.
Xander stepped in front of Buffy, blocking her from Willow and Spike. "You'll have to go through me first."
"You're defending him!" she asked outraged.
"I'm defending Willow. If she chooses to be with him.then yeah, I guess I'm defending him too."
"He's a vampire."
"And she's my best friend."
Buffy stomped her foot. "Vampire!"
"Since you don't seem to have a clue, let me fill you in. Long before you ever came along, me and Will always had each other. If she's happy with him, I will defend them. Both of them. And I don't care that you're a Slayer. If I have to, I'll fight you. Granted I won't win, but still."
Willow beamed at the act of courage Xander was showing for both of them.
Buffy was not happy. She turned around. "Giles!" she whined.
"Buffy, just leave it alone."
"Maybe it's a side effect of her being sick?" Buffy offered.
"Not bloody likely," Spike quipped.
"I'd have to agree with Spike," Xander spoke up. "Wow, never thought I'd say that. There was interest before this."
"Xander!" Willow shrieked. "You said you wouldn't tell anyone!"
"That so?" Spike whispered in her ear. "And what might that be?"
"My.um.my crush on you," she shyly told him.
Xander turned around. "I think your secret is out Wills. He bit you and god knows what else to you. You know, now that I think about it, I really don't want to know."
"Do something, Giles," Buffy pleaded.
Giles looked over at Willow and Spike. She was lying comfortably against him as he whispered softly into her ear. He had never seen either one of them ever look this happy. "Let it be, Buffy. They're happy. Let it be."
THE END