Email: golden_fyre@yahoo.com
Pairing: Spike/Willow
Rating: overall--probably up to NC-17
Summary: Sequel to A Game
Distribution: www.redssoulmates.com
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: to be safe--mid to late season 5
Notes:<> character's thoughts, Spike has the chip, he never had a thing for Buffy, Willow lives alone at her parents house, Angel is Spike's sire, Tara never existed, neither did Dawn, Anya is with Xander
Dedication: For Angel and Nightqueen who are always there with the encouragement!!!!!!!!
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~Part: 1~
Spike pulled Willow out into the cool night air and shut the door behind them. He couldn't help but to grin at the thought of claiming her. He had wanted to for awhile. Spike knew there was a fire in her, begging to come out. At the same time, he didn't want to screw things up. Willow had become...well, the closest thing to a best friend he was ever gonna get. He had never confessed his feelings to her. Ever. He didn't want to risk the only friendship he had. He then glanced at her and realized he knew her, but he didn't *know* her. He knew basic things. Everyday things. But everyone knew those things about her. He wanted something more. Something he could feel. Something he could hold on to. He had been coming over to her house the last couple of weeks. It was nice not to be alone, even if they were just friends. He had even pretty much taken over the spare room, just so he wouldn't have to go back to the crypt. He couldn't believe he was finally gonna get to claim her. To taste her blood. Her life. Her very being.
Willow couldn't help but to think about Spike as they walked outside. He had started hanging around her house the last couple of weeks but she had no idea why. She thought for a moment that he might have some sort of plan because that was one of the things that was written in the Watchers diaries about him. He was always with the plans, just not the patience. Quickly she pushed that thought from her head. She knew he would have nothing to gain by just hanging around. Which led her to her final question--why? What did he want? Willow snuck a quick glance at him and then looked away. She was intrigued with him. With the way his mind works. With the demon that he is. With the man that he was. Although she never did have the courage to ask him about his life, about his past. She was afraid he would get mad and stop coming to see her. She enjoyed having him around. If she was truthful with herself, she would have to admit that he had become her best friend as of late.
"Did you see their faces Spike?" she asked him as she started to laugh.
"That I did," he said with a low chuckle. "It was priceless, luv."
"Definitely a picture moment." Suddenly Willow stopped walking. "Oh! I almost forgot."
Spike stopped and turned to her, wearing a small frown. "Forgot what?"
"Frunat quit," she whispered.
"What was that?"
"I lifted the spell."
"You what?"
"The spell, I..."
"I heard what you said, pet. I thought..."
"Did you see Buffy's face when you were talking about claiming me? It was priceless. Oh, and that line you said. What was it? Oh you said, 'I never wanted anything more in my whole unlife'. That was perfect. You could be an actor Spike. That was definitely awards material. With the little statue and everything."
"So what you said about you becoming mine. About you wanting to be..."
"Yeah."
"It was an act?" Spike asked through gritted teeth.
"Well, yeah." <It doesn't have to be. I do want to be yours.>
"Bloody hell," he mumbled. "I should get you home, Red. Slayer would stake me if anything happened to you."
They both walked the rest of the way to Willow's house in silence. Spike looked up at her when they arrived at her house. "Here you are."
The silence they had shared earlier was awkward. "Are you staying?" she asked nervously.
Spike shook his head no. "Better get inside luv," he told her coldly. He then walked off and headed towards his crypt.
Spike pushed the door open to his crypt. He looked around at his 'home'. It didn't seem like home anymore. It didn't feel like him anymore. He picked up a empty glass bottle and threw it at the wall, watching it shatter. "Bloody game," he growled. He continued to trash his crypt, throwing and breaking everything. "Bloody fuckin' game," he yelled. When he was done destroying his crypt, he stormed out the door; planning on leaving everyone and everything he knew behind.
~Part: 2~
Spike started wandering through the streets of Sunnydale, not even paying attention to where he was headed. His mind was solely focused on the fact that Willow didn't want him to claim her. When he finally stopped, he looked up; trying to figure out where he had ended up. <Red's house. So much for leaving everyone behind. Not like I have anywhere else to go.>
After Willow had changed into a pair of shorts and a tshirt, she headed to the kitchen. <I hope Spike is alright. Him and his sudden mood swings. What got into him anyway?> Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard someone banging on the door.
Spike started banging on the door. "RED," he shouted. "Red, let me in."
Willow quickly opened the door, recognizing the voice. "Spike," she said concerned.
The only thing Spike could do was stare at her. He was afraid that if he spoke, if he said anything, it would ruin the moment.
Willow saw him watching her. "Spike, come inside." He wouldn't move. She placed her hand around his arm, pulling him inside. "What happened?" She reached up and touched his face. "You're hurt."
He pulled away from her touch. "I'm fine," he growled. He saw her body cower away from him slightly when he started to growl. "I need a favor," he said quietly.
"What kind of favor? What do you want?"
<You. Forever.> "Can I stay in the spare room for awhile?"
Willow shrugged her shoulders. "Sure. Why not? Besides I don't expect my parents home time...well, ever. How long are you gonna stay?"
"I don't know. Awhile."
"I don't mind you being here but what happened to your crypt?"
"Destroyed." With that one word, he turned around and walked up the stairs.
Willow headed into the bathroom and started gathering first aid supplies. <I wonder what's going on. Remember, he's your best friend; no matter how bad you want to kiss him.> Moments later, Willow reached his bedroom door. She knocked once and waited for him to open the door.
Spike opened the door and took in her appearance. To him, she was breathtaking. "Luv?"
As he opened the door, Willow's breath caught in her throat. He was only wearing his jeans which were unbuttoned at the top. She pushed past him and walked into the room. "You're hurt. I'm gonna clean up the cuts."
"Vampire healing, pet." He had a feeling this was about more than the wounds he had. He had a feeling she wanted to tell him something.
"Just sit down." He walked back over to the bed and sat down in front of the redhead. As Willow started to clean the wounds, she felt the need to talk. "Spike?"
He looked at her with concern. "Hmmm."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry? About what?"
Willow was looking at anywhere except into his eyes. "About what I did to make you mad. You left and then came back with wounds and then you growled. And I know you always growl but this wasn't a playful growl. This was a get away from me growl."
"Pet," he said in a stern tone. He couldn't believe she thought all that. "Look at me. In my eyes."
Willow shook her head no quickly. She continued cleaning his cuts.
Spike brought his hand up to her hand, the one that was currently tending to his cuts. He wrapped his fingers around hers, holding her hand to his bare chest. He brought his other hand up to her face and lightly touched the side of her cheek. When she didn't pull away, he continued. "It's not you, luv. It's me. You have nothing to apologize for." As she looked into his eyes, he could feel his entire being longing for her.
~Part: 3~
Willow felt a wave of shivers throughout her body as his fingers touched her cheek. Her eyes remained locked on his as she gave in to the sensations she was feeling. And at that moment, she wanted to touch him. To possess him like he was possessing her. With the hand that he was holding to his chest, she flattened her palm against his skin. Slowly, she drifted her hand along his chest; feeling his cool skin under her warm touch.
Spike was afraid if he made any sudden movements, this moment would stop. He wanted it to last. When he felt her press her palm to his chest, he dropped his hand from hers. Spike felt her fingers as they started to drift over his chest. All thoughts left his mind. He drifted his hand that was caressing her cheek, down to her lips. Lightly, he grazed her bottom lip with his thumb. That one gesture seemed to break the moment.
Willow pulled her hand away from his chest slowly when she felt his thumb brush across her lips. "What are we doing?" she whispered.
Spike reluctantly pulled his fingers away but continued to keep eye contact. "What do you think we're doing?" he answered softly.
"I-I don't know."
Spike brought his hands up to her face, cupping it gently. "I *do* know." He leaned forward, ready to capture her lips with his.
Willow saw what was about to happen. She could see the kiss. And she was so afraid that one kiss would mess everything up. Quickly she stood up from the bed and took a step back. "I can't. We can't do this."
Spike saw her take a step back for him and frowned. "Red?"
"Look, you've been hurt tonight and need some rest." She quickly made her way to the door.
Spike knew he had to say something and he needed to say it now. He stood up from the bed, still not taking his eyes off of her. "Don't go," he pleaded. "Stay here...with me. In this room. Just for tonight, luv." He watched as Willow turned around and saw the unshed tears in her eyes.
"If I stayed, even for the moment...and..and something happened..." Willow let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. She looked away from him and then finished her statement. "You'd eventually leave and I..." She couldn't finish the statement. She couldn't tell him how she'd fall apart if he decided he didn't want her. "You're the closest thing I have to a best friend, Spike." With that final statement, she closed his bedroom door and walked into her room.
Spike fell back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling for a moment. <That couldn't have gone any worse, mate. I want the girl so much. She mesmerizes me. Why won't she just give me a chance?> For the next couple of hours, he couldn't sleep. All he could do was listen to her tossing and turning in her own room.
Willow climbed into bed and let the unshed tears fall. She was so close but she pulled away from him. She wanted nothing more than to stay there with him, in his arms. But yet again, she pulled herself away. Willow tried to sleep but it was hopeless. The only thing she was managing to do was toss and turn. Finally giving up on sleep, she climbed out of the bed and headed to the kitchen.
Spike made his way to the kitchen, thinking Willow had finally gone to sleep. As he turned the corner, he found her staring into the refrigerator with her back turned to him.
"Ugghhh. I need to go to the grocery store." Shutting the door, she turned around and froze. "Spike!"
"Yeah, pet."
"Well..I..uh..didn't expect you there."
"Apparently."
"Well, I'll just be heading back to my room." Willow knew she had spoken but she couldn't move. She didn't want to.
"Before you leave, I have one question."
"Yeah. What is it?"
"What was that earlier, Red? In my room. Between us. What happened?"
"Well," she started as she started biting her bottom lip. "I guess it was..."
"A moment?" he finished.
"Yeah a moment," she agreed.
Spike started to advance towards her like she was prey and he was hunting. He noticed that every step he took towards her, she took one back. She had finally backed into the counter while Spike was still advancing towards her.
Spike started to smirk when she had found herself backed against the counter. "No running this time, luv." He closed the space between them so that their bodies were practically touching. "If that back there was just a moment, that why is your heart pounding?"
Willow reached for any answer she could think of. "Because you're a vampire? Yep, vampire. I'm afraid?" She knew they sounded like questions and not statements.
Spike leaned closer towards her neck to whisper in her ear. "You don't smell of fear, luv." He leaned back and looked into her eyes.
"Spike," Willow started but was interrupted.
He brought his fingers up and placed then against her lips, signaling her to not speak. "Just for a moment, don't talk. I want you to listen. What if something did happen and I didn't leave. I would never leave you, pet. I could never leave you." He took a step backwards and brought her hand to his lips. Gently he kissed the inside of her palm and placed her hand back at her side. "Night, pet." He turned around and left the kitchen, leaving Willow behind.
After she saw him leave the kitchen, she found her voice again. "Night Spike," she whispered and made her way back to her own room.
~Part: 4~
Willow woke up the next morning and looked at the clock. It wasn't early but, as far as vampire hours go, it was early enough. She wanted to avoid the conversation that she knew was due to happen between herself and Spike. Quietly, she climbed out of bed and changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Willow combed out her hair, grabbed her bag and headed downstairs. When she reached to bottom step, she froze.
Spike knew she was awake. He heard her the moment she moved. As he heard her reach the bottom step, he turned his head to look at her. "Mornin', luv."
"Um...hey, Spike." She placed her bag against the wall. "Whatcha doing?" she asked casually.
His eyes drifted to her bag and then back to her eyes. "Going somewhere?"
"I was...um...I..."
"Leaving?"
Willow walked over to the couch and sat down next to him. "Just to the Magic Box. Aren't most vampires asleep at this hour?"
"Couldn't sleep."
As Willow sat there she pretended to stare at the TV screen. Every few seconds she could feel him glancing at her. She couldn't take it anymore. Willow turned to face him. "WHAT? What do you want?"
Spike turned the TV off and turned to face her. "I wanna talk about last night."
"We did enough talking last night."
"No, we really didn't luv. I talked. You didn't say a word." He watched as emotions played across her face. "Last night, what I told you...it was the truth. Talk to me, Willow. Tell me how you felt about last night. Tell me anything," he pleaded.
"I can't," she whispered softly.
Spike stood up from the couch and grabbed his jacket. "I won't stay where I'm not wanted."
Willow also stood up from the couch. "I never said you weren't wanted."
"You never said I was."
"Please don't go, Spike."
"Why? Tell me why and I'll stay. Tell me what you felt last night. That it wasn't just a moment thing."
"I-I can't."
"You can. You just don't want to. Don't bother looking for me. I'm leavin' town for awhile."
"You can't go. Please. Isn't please good enough?"
"No, luv. It isn't."
"It's sunlight out now." She could hear her voice wavering as she spoke.
"I'll stick to the shadows," he said softly. He didn't want to let her know how much it hurt him to walk out that door. Spike took an unneeded breath. "I do want you to know one thing before I leave. The game you played with your friends about you being mine...about me claiming you...it wasn't a game to me. You are meant to be mine. You just don't want me." Spike leaned closer and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. He then left quickly before she saw his tears fall.
Before Willow could react, he was gone. She spent the next few hours in a daze.. She had been in a daze at her house, the Magic Box and now in the dark as she was walking home. Lost in her thoughts about Spike, she never saw the two vampires advancing towards her. When she looked up and realized her situation, she knew she was in trouble. She wasn't even carrying a stake.
Spike had been consumed with his thoughts about the redhead for most of the day. He tried to leave, but he couldn't leave her behind. He didn't want to. Spike suddenly smelled fear. He quit walking and looked up. It was then that he saw Willow with two hungry vampires advancing quickly on her. With vampiric speed, he rushed over to her.
Willow suddenly felt a cold arm snake around her body and pull her against the hard body behind her. <This is it. I'm gonna be a vampire buffet.>
As Spike pulled her against his body, he glared at the other two vampires. "Hello boys. What can I do for you?"
"You can get away from our dinner," one of the vampires told him.
Spike knew Willow was surprised when she tried to turn her head to look at him. Instantly, he leaned into her neck; his eyes blazing golden. "The girl belongs to me," he growled.
"There's no claim."
"I. Don't. Need. A bloody claim. Do I need to remind you of your place, childe?"
Willow watched as a form of recognition came across the vampires' faces. <Childe?>
Spike tightened his hold on Willow. "She's mine. Don't touch."
One of the vampires decided to speak up. "We didn't know, Sire."
~Part: 5~
<Sire? He has childer?>
The other vampire spoke up, interrupting Willow's thoughts. "*Our* Sire wouldn't keep a human. He'd fuck em' and kill em'."
Spike imagined what Willow must think of him at this very moment. He realized that his childer hadn't seen him since he ran with Angelus. They didn't know he killed his own kind. And they didn't know about the chip. "The girl is not just a human. She's a witch."
"If she was really yours...If she really belonged to you, William the Bloody, there would be some kind of mark. Cuts, bruises, a CLAIMING BITE!"
Spike's eyes flickered golden with fury. "How dare you question me? Who the fuck do you think you are? *I* am *your* master. You'll do well to remember that. As for the girl, I'll mark her when I turn her." His eyes narrowed at his childe. "When I fuck her or when I decide to turn her is none of your concern," he told him in a threatening tone. Taking a deep breath, Spike let his fingers dance across her stomach. "Red, meet my boys. This is Jonathon and Michael."
Willow looked at both vampires carefully. Jonathon had a less than stocky build. He had blond hair with brown eyes and seemed to have a well reserved quiet side. Michael seemed to be the opposite. He had black hair with hazel eyes. His body was built and had a threatening stance to him. Unlike Jonathon, Michael had an outgoing and harsh side to him.
"How long you two in town for?"
"Couple days. Maybe a couple weeks," Michael told him.
"Y'know this here is a Slayer's town?"
"Why haven't you killed her yet?"
"The Slayer? Her blood is probably rancid." Spike took out a cigarette and lit it. "How much do you two know about the current Slayer?"
"She's a Slayer. What do we need to know? You kill a Slayer, another one is called."
"You boys should do your research. This Slayer isn't like the others. She has friends that help her fight. And she's the best fighter I've come across in awhile. This chit even screwed Angelus."
"A Slayer and a vampire?"
"That's right."
"Where is our grandsire?"
Spike started to smirk. "In L.A. with a bloody soul, fighting the good fight." The looks on their faces were priceless.
"And Drusilla? She was your love after all."
"Gone. She left." Spike knew they would continue to ask about Drusilla. They were two of her favorites. "Where are you two staying?"
"Is that an offer?" Jonathon asked.
"No. I just wanted to know."
"The mansion. We're going hunting. Will you be coming with us?"
"Not tonight. I have things that I need to do."
"We should go, Sire."
As Michael watched the conversation between Jonathon and their Sire, he looked at Willow and lowered his voice. "You're just a replacement for Drusilla. Always remember that."
Feeling Willow tense under his embrace, he glared at his other childe. He wondered what had just happened. "We're leaving," he said sternly. "I'll see you two around." Spike pulled her away from them quickly.
Willow and Spike went in one direction as Jonathon and Michael went in the other direction. Spike kept a tight hold on her until they reached her house. When they were both inside, he reluctantly left her side.
"We have a problem, pet. My childer are in town."
"O-kay?"
"You don't understand. They think you belong to me. We have a situation, Red."
~Part: 6~
"Why do we have a situation? And when did you make childer?" Willow followed Spike over to the couch and sat down beside him. "I don't remember reading about you having childer in the Watcher's Diaries."
Spike began to grin. "Read up on me, did you?"
"Um...well...it was kinda research. The first time you came here to kill Buffy. We stole them because she wanted to see what Angel was like, but well...I was kinda curious about you ... and what was I talking about?"
Spike knew he was still grinning, but he didn't care. <Even a couple years ago, the chit wanted to know about me and NOT Angelus.> "Childer," he reminded her.
"Yeah, childer. You wanna explain?"
"Not much to say. They are both my childer. I turned Jonathon about fifty years ago and Michael about sixty years ago. They know of Angelus through Dru. Our paths cross every now and then and that's it." Spike leaned back into the couch trying to sort through the situation they were in now.
Willow wasn't sure what to say to him. He had just told her about his childer and now there was a silence between them. She knew there were things being unsaid, especially on her part. Willow turned her head to look at Spike. He looked tense but relaxed at the same time. "You came back," she softly told him.
Spike turned his head at the sound of her voice. "I couldn't leave," he shyly admitted. "I couldn't leave you." Suddenly, he jumped off the couch and started to pace in front of it. "Bloody hell! Do you know what we've managed to get ourselves into?"
Willow looked at him confused. "Spike, I don't understand."
Spike sat next to her, looking at her with concern. "My childer think you're mine. They think you belong to me."
"O-kay."
"Pet, as a vampire...I'm possessive by nature. You could say I'm hands on. I like to touch what I consider mine."
"Touch?" she asked in a high pitched voice.
"Yes, touch. Hands. Skin. Biting. Well not so much anymore. If they find out about the chip or the fact that you don't belong to me, I don't know if I'll be able to protect you. Having a verbal claim is one thing but it can be overridden." Spike tried to figure out what she was thinking but for the first time her face was void of expression.
Willow thought about everything Spike had just told her. She sat up straight and took a deep breath. "What do we do?"
"We play a game."
"We already played a game and..."
Spike's eyes started blazing golden. "I won't lose you," he growled.
Hearing him growl, startled Willow. As she watched his face, she could see him fighting back his demon. His eyes were golden and she could see all of his emotions across his face. She started biting her bottom lip. "What do we have to do?"
His eyes returned to blue and his face became serious. "You have to pretend to be mine. Pretend that you belong with me. Only until they leave. My childer can't see you with the Slayer. And you can't tell the Slayer about my childer. I won't have the bitch stake them." Spike took a deep breath. "That's the game. And why aren't you saying anything?"
"It's...a lot to take in."
Spike knew she was holding something back. He narrowed his eyes at her, trying to think of what it could be. "Red?"
"Yeah," she said softly.
"When you were in my arms earlier, your body tensed. Why? What happened?"
"Oh...um...nothing. It was just..."
And then he knew. "My childe said something to you, didn't he?"
"Spike..."
"Didn't he?" he growled. "What did Michael say to you?"
Willow stood up but Spike was too quick. He stood up after her and grabbed her wrist. "Tell me, NOW!"
Willow looked down at the floor. She couldn't look into his eyes. "He-he told me I was a replacement. For Drusilla. He told me not to forget that."
His demon was outraged. Spike knew at that exact moment that he would have to pay a visit to his childe. Still holding onto her wrist, he pulled her closer to his body. "What do YOU think, luv?"
"We're not together."
"Then why did it upset you?" Spike let go of her wrist and tilted her head up to meet his.
"It-it didn't," she lied.
"You're lying to me. You believe what you want." Spike looked away from her, afraid she would see the strength of emotion he had for her. "You should get some rest, luv. You're probably tired after tonight." He watched her walk away from him slowly. Spike called out to her when she reached the bottom of the stairs. "Is it so hard for you to pretend that you want to be mine? That you care for me?"
"I wouldn't have to pretend," she whispered.
Spike stood there stunned. His vampire hearing had barely caught her whispered confession. "You are mine Red," he whispered after he heard her bedroom door shut. Grabbing his duster, he left the house, heading towards the mansion.
~Part: 7~
Spike strolled into the mansion looking for Michael. His demon was on the edge and wanted to play. He turned his head when he saw a figure come out of one of the bedrooms. It was Jonathon. "Childe," he nodded.
"Sire. I wasn't expecting to see you again tonight."
"I've come to take care of some business. Where's Michael?"
"He's..."
"I'm right here, Sire."
Spike advanced towards Michael. "Have a nice chat with my pet, did you?"
"That excuse for a human? I told her the truth."
Spike's eyes flashed golden as he punched his childe. "Who the bloody hell do you think you are? YOUR so called truth is wrong. You told her she was a replacement. Think again." Spike never saw the punch coming towards him.
"So our Sire has sunk so low he'd rather be with a human than one of his own kind."
That comment sent Spike over the edge. Spike and Michael both morphed and then it started. For the next twenty minutes they traded punches and kicks. Spike could smell blood on both of them. Finally he swept his legs out from under his childe and watched as he fell to the ground. Spike loomed over his childe's body. "She's to be my mate. If you try anything like this again, I will dust you. I made you and I have the right to destroy you." Without another word, Spike walked out of the mansion with his thoughts on Willow.
As he pushed open the front door, he took a deep breath. He shut it quietly and turned around. He wasn't expecting to see the redhead on the couch. "Red?"
She lifted her head when she heard his voice. Willow never even heard the door open. "Spike?"
He took a step forward. "Luv, why aren't you asleep?"
"You left," she automatically answered. When the moonlight hit his face, she saw the blood. Willow jumped off the couch. "Goddess, you're hurt."
"I'm alright."
"Sit on the couch. I'll be right back."
Spike watched her leave and slowly made his way to the couch. He shrugged out of his duster and sat down. Moments later, she returned with the first aid kit.
"Where did you go?" she asked while tending to the cuts on his face.
"Just had to go out for a bit. Then I got into a bit of a fight."
"I thought you had left. That you weren't coming back."
As he felt Willow cleaning a cut on the side of his face, he placed his hand over hers. He brought their hands down, away from his face. "Why would you think that?"
"Because you have everything you want. Your childer are in town, Spike."
Spike took a deep breath. "There is one thing I don't have."
"What's that?"
"A mate," he replied simply. "Someone to spend my unlife with. Someone I need. That I crave and hopefully she'll need me just as bad."
"Oh," she said quietly. <I can't believe I'm sitting here listening to what he wants in a girl.>
"That someone is you, luv."
Willow met his eyes. "Me?"
Spike wasn't sure how she was taking his latest confession. "Red, it's been a long night. I'm just gonna stretch out on the couch for awhile and relax."
Thinking he wanted her to leave, Willow quickly stood up until Spike grabbed her hand.
Spike grabbed her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against his. "Lay down with me? Just for awhile."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Spike started to grin when she climbed onto the couch with him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. Her head fit right under his chin.
"Spike?"
"Yeah."
Without moving her body, she continued. "About the comment Michael said to me...the one I told you about..."
"Shh, luv. We don't have to talk about this."
Willow was silent for a moment before she continued in a whisper. "You were right. It bothered me." Willow kept one hand on his chest as she felt his arms hold her close. She tilted her head and looked up at him only to see him watching her. "I'm agreeing to your game."
~Part: 8~
Spike woke up sometime during the next afternoon. Feeling Willow still in his arms, he started to smile. It was then that he noticed she was awake. "Red?" he whispered.
Willow lifted her head to look at him. "Hey you," she said softly.
"How long have you been awake?"
"Not very long. Maybe an hour." Willow paused before she continued. "I've been doing some thinking."
Spike started drifting his fingers through her hair. "What bout'?"
"Your childer."
"What about them, luv?"
"What if they don't believe I'm really yours? Cause I'm not yours. And I know this is a game, but what if they don't believe it? Will they hurt me? What will they do? What..."
Spike placed his fingers over her lips to quiet her. One of the comments she made stuck out in his mind. 'Cause I'm not yours.' <Does she want to be mine?> "We'll make them believe, luv."
Willow was still worried but accepted his answer. "Where did you go last night?"
"Last night?" he asked trying to play innocent.
"Last night, Spike."
<You might as well tell her the truth, mate.> "I had some business to take care of. I went to the mansion."
Willow's expression became one of genuine concern. "You went there because of what I told you last night."
"No," he corrected her. "I went because of what HE said to YOU."
"I don't see the difference."
"I had a verbal claim on you, luv. They knew it. What he said to you was a sign of disrespect. Not only to you, but to me. I couldn't just not do anything."
Willow lightly laid her head upon his chest. "What happened to your crypt, Spike? When you came to my house, you were pretty scratched up."
"I don't think we should have this conversation, pet."
"Spike...you're staying here and I'm playing along with your game. I think I deserve to know."
"I dsoy t," he mumbled.
"What?!"
"I destroyed it! Happy?"
Willow was confused. <Why would he do that?> "You destroyed your own crypt? Why?"
Spike took a deep breath. "You didn't want me," he said softly.
Willow looked up at him but saw he was looking away. His face was so full of emotion.
"When you did that spell, I really thought you wanted me to claim you. It wasn't real though. I wanted to claim you, to make you mine but you didn't want me." Spike took a chance and looked at her. Realizing everything he had just said, panic ran through his body. "Let me up," he told her. When she didn't move, he tried again. "Let me up now," he growled while trying to sit up.
"No," she told him. Willow pushed his body back down on the couch and wrapped her arms around his body. She leaned against his body as she felt his fingers run along her arms. Willow started biting on her bottom lip. "I thought you wanted an easy out. I didn't think you really wanted to claim me so that's what I did. I gave you an easy out. No guilt or anything."
Spike watched her as she rambled. He watched her turn away from him. "Red, I need you to answer something for me. If you had known that I wanted to claim you, would you have reversed the spell?" He watched as she silently shook her head no. That one gesture warmed him.
Willow looked into his eyes. "What if they don't believe us?" she whispered.
Spike placed his hands gently along the side of her face. He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers, begging for entrance. When he felt her open her mouth, he deepened the kiss. Allowing his tongue to explore her, to taste her. Pulling away from the kiss, he held her body firmly to his. "I don't think it'll be that hard to convince them," he whispered into her ear. As he started placing small kisses along her neck, he felt her hands slide up his shirt, grazing over his chest.
~Part: 9~
Suddenly the reality of the situation hit Willow. She stopped moving her hands and leaned back. She could see the confusion in his eyes and knew it mirrored her own. "I didn't...we can't..." Willow climbed off the couch.
"Willow?" He stood up quickly and made his way to her.
"Things just went a bit too far."
Spike placed his hands around her waist and frowned as she tried to get free. "Pet..."
"It's just we can't do this. We need to focus on the pretending thing, make your childer believe that we're together."
He couldn't believe she was trying to push him away again. "I chose you, Red. I chose you for my mate. I want you to be with me. I thought..."
"That was cute, Spike. But you don't have to lie." She struggled free and made her way to her bedroom. Once she closed the door, she let her tears fall freely.
"Bloody hell," he mumbled. "If she would just give me a chance. She doesn't want to give me one, I'll just take it."
~~~*~~~
The next afternoon, Willow woke up and changed her clothes before heading downstairs. She was oblivious to the pair of eyes watching her every movement. She opened the fridge and looked for something to eat. Finding nothing appetizing, she decided that she would pick up something on her way to the Magic Box. Turning around, she headed towards her front door...only to see Spike standing there. "Spike!"
"Hello, luv. Going somewhere?"
"Yeah, out. I guess I'll..."
"You can't go anywhere. We're supposed to meet my childer tonight. They'll be looking for us the second the sun goes down."
"Well, I'll come back."
"You're NOT leaving!"
Anger coursed through her. <Who does he think he is? Telling me what to do?> "Spike, get out of my way. You can't keep me here."
"Wanna test that, luv?"
"I'm not playing around."
"You're right. No more playing."
Willow saw him advancing towards her and she started to back up. "What...what are you doing?"
"Yesterday when I told you I chose you for a mate, it wasn't a game. It was the truth."
"You don't..."
"IT WAS THE TRUTH! For some unknown bloody reason you can't get that through you mind. I didn't leave for you. I came back for you. Maybe you just don't want me."
Willow could feel the emotions pouring off of his body. "I do," she whispered.
Spike looked at her eyes. "You do?"
"I do...want you. It's just..."
Spike's actions became very tender towards her. "It's just what?" he asked softly.
"It's just that want will turn into love and love is usually a craving and devotion-worthy and after we're done...pretending with your childer...what happens then? You leave? Cause I don't think I could bear that. You stay and not love me? That's torture in its own right. It's a no win situation. Goddess, I've said way more than I should of." Willow tried to move away, but he held her body in his arms, her back against the wall.
"What if I loved you and stayed? Loving you would be so easy. If you'd let me."
"Spike..."
Spike forced himself to look away. "Just go," he said softly. "I'm not gonna hold you here. I just want you to know. I could love you. A part of me already does. Choosing you for my mate, speaks volumes. It's not a one time thing. It's having you with me always. By my side. Loving you always." Spike took an unneeded breath. "Just remember to be back by sundown for our little act."
Willow watched as he turned around and walked into the kitchen. Walking over to the door, she opened it but then closed it. Looking towards the kitchen, she walked over to him slowly. "What does it mean?"
Spike turned around in surprise. "I thought you left. What does what mean?"
"Being a vampire's mate. What does it mean?"
"Rupert has a book. It's called Demon Habits and Rituals. You should read the last chapter. You could probably finish the chapter before we need to leave tonight."
"Why can't you just tell me?"
"Why can't you just give us a chance?"
"Spike..."
"This is real, luv. Me and you." Willow reached out to touch the side of his face but was surprised when he caught her hand with is. "I would love to touch you, to kiss you, to worship you for hours but I'm a vampire, baby." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Read the chapter," he whispered. He walked away from her, hearing the front door shut moments later.
~Part: 10~
Willow pushed open the door of the Magic Box and looked around in awe. The Magic Box was filled with people. Seeing Giles at the counter, she picked up a piece of paper off of a nearby table. It was a sales ad. "That always brings in people," she mumbled. Carefully she made her way to the back room, only having one book in mind. As she slipped through the door, she locked it behind her, trying to drown out all of the other noise. Willow walked over to the bookshelf and quickly looked over the titles, finding the exact book she was looking for. She carried it over to the small couch and made herself comfortable. Opening the book, she flipped to the last chapter.
'Finding a Mate for Demons and Vampires'. She skimmed through the text that referred to the demons until she found the part that concerned vampires. She read it silently to herself. 'It is not rare for a vampire to claim someone, but it is rare for that someone to be human. Vampires seek out certain qualities for their mate or life partner. The vampire will claim the individual by placing a deep bite along the neck, therefore bonding them for life. They will be able to sense each other through the bond as well as the other's emotions. The bond will last until one of them dies. This is not a temporary bond. If the individual accepts and is human, they will eventually be turned. To be a vampire's mate is to be their other half in every sense of the word. The mate will be a stronger vampire when turned because of the bond.'
Willow closed the book and placed it back on the bookshelf. A bit light-headed, she sat back on the couch staring at the floor, dazed. <I would be his other half.> Willow picked herself up off the couch and made her way into the main room. The mass of people had thinned out. This time Giles saw her.
"Willow, have you been here long?"
"Not long. You were pretty busy."
"Yes, very. Will you be staying tonight for research?"
"Actually there's something I need to do tonight, but I will be here tomorrow."
"I'll see you tomorrow. Do be careful."
"Always." Willow walked out the door and realized night had already fallen. In fact, it looked like the sun had been down for awhile.
~~~*~~~
Spike was furious. The sun had been down for about an hour and she was nowhere to be seen. His anger wasn't directed at her, but the fact that something could have happened to her. The only other thought that went through his mind was that she read the chapter and realized that this was not what she wanted. Walking through the night, he ran into the two people he didn't exactly want to see at the moment. His childer.
"Well, well...and where is your pet?" Michael asked. He spat out the word pet as if it was venom.
Spike glared at him. "Don't." All of a sudden he saw a flash of red hair. He turned back to Michael. "You wanna know where she is? Turn around and look," he told him with a smirk.
When Willow saw all three vampires watching her, she stopped. She didn't trust his childer. She didn't know enough about them. Willow was still afraid they would hurt her. She knew that Spike had put a verbal claim on her but a verbal claim only went so far. Nervous, she started biting her lower lip.
Spike knew she was nervous and she had every right to be. "Jonathon...Michael...go feed."
"Sire..."
"Now," Spike growled. Seeing them walk off, he started towards Willow. Standing in front of her, he wasn't sure what to do. He didn't want to mess anything up but if they were gonna be convincing, they needed to do something soon. "You're late," he told her icily.
"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was so late and..."
Spike took another step towards her and cut her off in mid-sentence. "I thought something had happened to you," he told her softly. "Thought you might blow me off tonight. Hang out with your friends instead."
Willow took step towards him and felt their bodies touching. "Have you been out long?"
"Since the sun fell. Ran into those two shortly after."
"Where are they now?"
"I sent them to feed." He saw the look in her eyes. "They're vampires, pet. You know where the Slayer is, cause I don't fancy them trying fight her?"
"She's with some new guy. Buffy's not patrolling until later tonight."
"Good. One less problem then." Spike saw Willow looking at him strangely. "What is it?"
Instead of using words, Willow wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.
Once over his initial shock, he wrapped his arms around her and crushed her body into his. Spike pulled back for a moment and looked into her eyes. They seemed brighter tonight. Her skin flushed. "They're not here, pet. We don't have to pretend yet."
Willow let her fingers drift through the ends of his hair. "I wasn't pretending," she whispered.
Understanding her words, he pulled her against his body and kissed her, begging for entrance. When she granted it, he kissed her deeply, enjoying the unique taste that was Willow until she was out of breath. He pulled away but kept her close to his body. "So..."
"I...I read it."
"I figured that much. Do you understand now?"
"Understand? Yes. I just kinda don't believe it yet. I mean are you sure you want me?"
"I want into your heart. I want to taste your blood." He pressed his body more firmly against hers, allowing her to feel his arousal. "And I was to slide my hands all over your body, listening as you scream out my name."
"It's permanent," she whispered.
"It is. Do you care for me, pet?"
"Spike..."
"I need to hear it."
"My feelings for you, they scare me."
Spike frowned. That wasn't the answer he was expecting. "Why's that?"
"They're strong. Stronger than anything I've ever felt. I tried to keep it from you."
"No more of that," he told her. "You're everything to me, pet. Do you care for me," he whispered.
"Always," she replied softly.
Nuzzling her neck, he heard a contented sigh escape her lips.