Parts: 11 - 20
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 11~
Spike and Angel both ran to Dru when they saw her fall to the ground. The seer could feel them both near her, one on each side of her. "Drusilla, I need to know what you saw. Dru?" Angel watched as she started rocking back and forth.
"Give her a bloody moment, Peaches."
At that moment Dru lifted her head, her gameface forward. Her eyes blazed golden as she turned her head to Spike. She pushed her demon down and returned to her human features. "Your tree...your tree is scared."
"Willow? Your vision was about my Red? Where is she?"
"So scared. So afraid. He didn't want to take her. So scared and afraid. There was another shadow. A shadow in a dark cloak. Graceful as if it floats." Drusilla was quiet for a moment. "Nooo," she yelled out. Drusilla looked over at Angel. "They want to hurt the tree. They want to see the pretty color of her blood."
Angel's eyes locked with Spike's. "We'll find her," he told his childe.
~~~~~*****~~~~~*****
Willow watched her captor talking with the other cloaked being. As they finished their conversation, she watched as the second cloaked figure walked up to her. Willow wanted to know exactly what was under the cloak. The figure stared at Willow for a moment before it spoke. "I'm glad you're here." The figure looked back at Willow's captor. "We'll start the torture tonight." The being looked at Willow once more and removed the cloak from its head.
Willow watched as the figure revealed itself. Her eyes became wide. She was speechless. She watched as the figure put the cloak back on and the two figures left the room, leaving Willow alone. Moments later, her original captor entered the room again. "I wanted to tell you, I never wanted to capture you. I was hired by the figure that you saw. I'm so sorry. The figure made me leave a note for William, to distract him. To make him think it was someone from his past. I wanted you to know the truth. I'll leave you to your thoughts." The figure left quietly without another word.
She looked around the room, realizing once again she was alone. <Probably for the best. I have to get out of here.> She closed her eyes for a moment and concentrated on the ropes that were binding her hands together. Moments later the rope fell to the floor. "Stupid demon. He should have made it stronger," she muttered to herself. She looked down at the ring on her finger. <Spike.> The thought of him brought a smile to her face. <How the hell do I get out of here?> She looked around the room. <No windows and one door. That dosen't leave very many options. I'll just have to find my own exit.> She then remembered how she focused on their bond at the house before she was captured. She closed her eyes and tried to feel him. His presence. His love. Their bond. A couple moments passed before she felt it. She felt the bond within her heart and her soul. It sent shivers throughout her body and made her calm at the same time.
~~~~~*****~~~~~*****
Spike's body suddenly froze which concerned Angel. "Spike? Childe, what is it?"
"Willow," he whispered. He felt her through the bond. "She's close. I can feel her."
Angel couldn't help but to smile at the sensations his childe was going through. To be that close to someone was overwhelming. A bond between two vampires is powerful, but a bond between a vampire and a mortal was even more powerful. Especially when it was formed out of love.
~~~~~*****~~~~~*****
Willow wasn't sure where she was, but figured anything outside of this room had to be better than what was going to happen to her tonight on the inside of the room. With her thoughts concentrated on Spike and the bond she placed her hands upon one of the walls. The more she concentrated, the more the wall felt like fire underneath her fingers. She could feel herself being drained from the magic and the bond. When she felt like she was about to collapse, she lost the feeling of the bond. She didn't have the strength to continue the concentration. Willow took a step back from the wall as a portal opened up. Taking a deep breath, she walked through it; not knowing what to expect.
~~~~~*****~~~~~*****
"I lost it," Spike said outloud quietly. "The bond it's not there. I can't feel her. I had her."
~~~~~*****~~~~~*****
She turned around and the building wasn't there. Nothing was there. She glanced around quickly and noticed a hotel. It seemed to have a force that was pulling her to it. She gathered up the little strength that she had left and carried herself to the front door. She took a deep breath and pulled the door open. All three vampires turned around at the sound of the door opening. Willow saw the crystal blue eyes that offered her love and protection. Spike couldn't believe his eyes. His love, his mate was standing there before him. "Luv?"
"Spike," she started but felt herself beginning to blackout. Before she hit the ground she felt strong arms catch her and pull her closer to a cold body. A body that smelled of leather and smoke.
"I got you, luv. Just rest."
~Part: 12~
Spike didn't know how Willow had found him and at that moment, he didn't care. As he caught her in his arms, emotions washed over him. Relief over the fact that he was with his mate again. Anger towards the demon that took her. But most of all he was worried. Worried that he had almost lost her. Worried that she didn't understand how much he loved her. Worried about losing her.
Spike held her close to his chest, rocking her back and forth. "Just rest, luv. Just rest," he whispered softly. He knew her body was weak, he could feel it. Spike tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned down to her face. He gave her one kiss gently on her forehead. "You're safe now," he told her softly. He stood up slowly while holding her in his arms.
Angel and Dru stood there watching Spike and his mate. Angel noticed the soft words he spoke to Willow. The gentle way he held her. "He's so gentle with her," he whispered to his seer. As he watched Spike, he had realized something. "I forgot what my own childe was like," he mumbled. It was more of a statement to himself than to Dru. "How could I forget, Drusilla? He's my childe."
Drusilla watched as pain flashed over her Sire's face at his realization. "You didn't forget. It was just misplaced." She looked over at Willow before turning back to her Sire. "She has accepted his demon. She truly is destined to be his mate, my Angel."
Angel watched as Spike stood up, holding Willow in his arms. He could sense the emotions Spike was trying to hold back. When Spike turned around, Angel answered his silent question. "Second floor, third door on the left." He watched as Spike started down the hallway. When Spike was out of sight, he turned to Drusilla. "What happened to Willow, Dru? Is she gonna be alright?"
"The tree is drained, my lovely."
"Drained?"
"Her magic. That's how she found William. She just needs to rest. We should leave them alone. It will be dark soon. Shall we patrol?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, my Angel. He will take care of her."
~~~~~*****~~~~~*****
Spike found the room and pushed open the door while carrying Willow in his arms. He walked in the room and gently placed her on the bed. He turned on the light that was beside the bed and noticed her clothes were dirty and torn in several places. Carefully he started to undress her. He peeled away all of her clothes except for her bra and panties. As he lifted her shirt over her head, his demon yelled at him to ravish her. He pushed his demon away as he slid out of his duster. Spike took off his own shirt and put it over her head. As he pulled the shirt over her body, he noticed it fell about mid thigh. It was too big for her and he couldn't remember a time she had looked more beautiful. Spike draped the sheet over her body and kicked off his boots. He climbed into the bed with her. He held her close, listening to her heart beat. It was strong and steady. With his other hand, he grazed the side of her face. He felt the warmth of her face under his cool fingers. Spike closed his eyes for a moment, nuzzling her neck. Inhaling her scent. "I need you to wake up Red," he whispered to her. He opened his eyes and took her hand in his when he saw it. The ring. He smiled to himself. He assumed she would have taken it off. He had to make her understand about the blood and the rings. He kissed the ring on her finger. "Red, you have to wake up. I need you. I love you. I need you in my life." As he held her close, he felt a single tear fall down his face.
~Part: 13~
Spike wiped the tear away from his face with his fingers. He kept a tight hold on Willow. His mate. His life. "Wake up my love," he whispered. "Come back to me. Back to us." He watched her, hoping to get a reaction. Spike waited for the slightest movement, but nothing happened. She looked dead to the world, except for the slight rising and falling of her chest, which indicated that she was still breathing. "Please don't leave me," he whispered. As he silently pleaded to the gods below to give him back his mate, he wiped away more tears from his face.
Hours later, Spike was still laying in bed with Willow when Angel returned from patrol and entered the room.
"William," Angel stated.
Spike turned his head to look at Angel. "She hasn't woken up," he told him softly.
Angel glanced at Willow and then turned his attention back to Spike. "You haven't fed tonight, have you?"
Spike's facial _expression became cold and hard. "I can't leave her side."
"William, you HAVE to feed."
"I WON'T LEAVE HER SIDE!"
"Damn it, Spike."
"I almost lost her today. I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm not asking you, Spike. It's an order. As your sire..."
"Screw your order, Angelus."
"This is my house, boy. You will show some respect."
Drusilla had entered the room a few moments ago, watching them argue. "ENOUGH!" She yelled. Dru walked over to Spike and handed the mug of blood in her hand to him. As Spike welcomed the blood, they both heard a warning growl from Angel. Dru turned around to face him, her eyes flashing golden. "Shush. He wants to be with his tree. Let's leave them be."
"I'm his Sire," Angel growled.
"And she's his mate," Drusilla growled back at him.
Angel could feel himself struggling for control of his demon. He grabbed Drusilla tightly around the wrist and growled at her, leaving no room for objection. He pulled her roughly out the door, leaving Spike and Willow behind them. Once they reached the hallway, he shut the door.
Angel pushed Drusilla against the wall of the hallway. "How dare you interrupt a Sire with his Childe," he growled.
Drusilla felt a wave of confidence go through her. "You may be his Sire, but she is his mate. His mate, Angel. They are destined for each other. It is fate." She watched the expressions play on his face. "Does it bother you that his demon loves her or that you don't have that kind of love in your life? Are you jealous?" Dru felt as his grip on her loosened. "You had that kind of love once." Dru started to walk away from him. Once she took a few steps, she turned around to face him again. "I was to be your mate," she said softly. "I loved you with an intensity. When you became souled, you looked away. I became a creature to you."
Angel heard her words and they stung. "Dru..."
Drusilla put up her hand to silence him. "Enough. He will not give her up." She turned around and walked out of the hallway.
As Spike held Willow close, he drifted off to sleep.
~Part: 14~
Willow opened her eyes slowly and glanced around the room without moving her body. Suddenly, memories started flooding her mind. She remembered the demon and the promise of torture. The thing that hired the demon. She remembered trying to focus on their bond, trying to call him to her. And then she remembered his voice. Spike's voice pleading her to come back to him.
Willow leaned her head slightly to the side. She noticed Spike laying beside her. She felt as if he was guarding her with his life. Protecting her from anything and everything. Out of the corner of her eye, something caught her attention. She looked at it and there on his finger was the ring. The one he wore to match hers. She glided her finger over the ring, feeling a strange sensation she could only presume as the bond.
Feeling the bond go through his body, Spike began to stir. He slowly opened his eyes, looking directly into hers. His whole body froze. "You're awake," he whispered. Spike grazed the side of her face with his fingers. He pulled his hand away after a moment. "Willow?"
She reached up, touching his face. Willow let her fingers drift over his cheek and then drifted over his lips.
Spike couldn't believe that she was awake. Her innocent gestures were sending sensations through his body. As she drifted her fingers across his lips, he kissed them gently. Spike saw her tears starting to fall and frowned. He pulled her close to his body. "Shh, luv. You're all right now. I missed you so much. I wasn't sure if you would come back to me." He wiped the tears from her face, just gazing at her. He felt her lean into his embrace. "Cor, Red. I thought I lost you," he whispered.
She snuggled into his embrace. "This feels so right. Me and you." She paused for a moment. "I was so scared, Spike. I didn't know if I'd ever see you again. I just..." Willow could feel her body start to shake.
Spike held her body a little closer to his when she started to shake. He started rubbing small circles on her back until she calmed down. "Shhh, luv. You don't have to talk about this now." He was silent for a moment. "I love you," he whispered. "Always." Spike leaned down into her neck, kissing her gently.
As Willow felt him kissing his claim mark on her neck, her body relaxed into his. Her body responded to his lips on her skin. "I love you too Spike," she whispered.
Spike looked into her eyes, seeing that she spoke the truth. He placed his lips upon hers, gently kissing her.
When he pulled away, Willow looked into his eyes and smiled. "Where are we?"
"Peaches, luv. We're at the poof's."
"Angel's here," Willow stated.
"Yeah."
"That means Drusilla is here too," she said in a defeated tone.
"She here somewhere. Probably with Angel." Spike suddenly saw her face expression. "Hey now, we already talked about this. I told you how I felt. You're the one I love. You're to be my mate." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're mine." She looked away. "And I'm yours." Spike saw her staring at the ring on his finger. "What is it, luv?"
"I don't understand what's going on. You keep talking about our bond but you haven't told me anything about it. You call me your mate and I don't know why. I don't know how I even got here. I don't even know how you're still with the unliving. Buffy dusted you and you came back and I don't understand!"
"I know I have alot to explain." He felt her body tense in his embrace. "What are you thinkin about, luv?"
Willow looked into his eyes. "Buffy, she...she..."
Drusilla and Angel barged in the room at this moment.
~Part: 15~
Willow sat up quickly when Angel and Drusilla entered the room. She was startled by them and searched for something to say. Noting came to her mind. She was still trying to accept everything that had happened so far. Willow's eyes locked with Drusilla's and all of the fear she had about her and Spike returned to her body. She touched the ring on her finger for reassurance.
Drusilla could feel her fear. She took a slow step toward Willow. Dru wanted to let her know that they wouldn't hurt her. But one look in Willow's eyes and Dru knew what she was scared of. "Tree?" As Dru saw her body tense, she frowned. <Why doesn't the tree know that I wouldn't hurt her? Why does she think that I would try to take her William?>
Spike could smell the fear coming from his mate. It was strong and floated throughout the room. He wanted to make her fear disappear. He wanted to reassure her that she was the only one for him. Spike looked up and saw both Drusilla and Angel watching his Red. "You two wanna take a picture? It might last longer."
Angel was pulled out of the moment by his childe's voice. "What?"
"The girl just woke up, mate. She's in a bit of shock." He saw his Sire just stare at him. "Look Peaches, I want you and Dru to leave and go downstairs. Me and Red will be down in a bit."
Before Angel had a chance to respond, Drusilla interrupted. "My Angel, let's leave them be. I don't want the tree to be afraid."
Spike watched as Drusilla had to physically pull Angel out of the room. She glanced at Willow once more before she closed the door, giving them privacy.
After the door was shut, Spike and Willow continued to sit in silence for a moment. Spike looked over at his mate and saw her body still tense. He pulled her body to his in a crushing embrace. "Mine," he growled as he inhaled her scent.
Willow suddenly felt comfortable under his touch. "But Dru..." she said in a child-like voice.
"You. Are. Mine." Spike let his fingers drift through her hair.
"I was so scared, Spike. I didn't want to go. I wanted it to be all a bad dream but it wasn't. Then the demon and the creature that hired the demon."
He could hear the panic in her voice. Spike started rocking them back and forth, trying to soothe her. "Sshhh, it's alright now. No one's gonna hurt you." He took a deep breath. "You're home now."
Willow felt the panic leave her body when she looked up at his face. "This isn't my home."
"No, it's not. But I'm your home. When I'm with you, I feel like I'm home. I love you, pet."
Willow didn't know how to put into words the emotions she was feeling from his words. Instead, she placed her lips to his; enjoying the moment.
As Spike started to take control of the kiss, he heard her stomach growl. He pulled back from the kiss and had his eyebrow raised. "Hungry, luv?"
"Starving actually," she told him.
"How about you go on and take a shower while I go downstairs and order us a pizza?"
"That would be great. Can you see if you can find me some other clothes?"
"I'll see what I can do. The shower is just across the hall."
"When you come back upstairs, we can finish. Right? The kiss."
"Definitely," he told her as he walked out of the room, heading downstairs.
~Part: 16~
As Willow stepped out of the shower, she noticed a bag on the floor with a note attached to it. She wrapped a towel around her as she walked up to it.
Willow,
I figured you might be in the shower for awhile. I took the car and got you some clothes.
Spike
Willow smiled as she read the note. As she opened the bag, she pulled out a pair of jeans and a black sleeveless top. As she reached farther in the bag, she pulled out a black silk bra and matching pantie set. She slid them on feeling the cold silk against her skin. The coolness let her mind drift back to Spike. She looked down at her ring. Willow refused to take it off, even while she took a shower. She slid on the clothes and made her way back to the bedroom. When she entered the room, she glanced around but didn't see Spike. That's when she heard the yelling downstairs.
~~~*~~~
"Do you even realize what you did, boy?"
"Sod off. She's my mate. My world."
"Gonna recite poetry now? Damn it, William. She doesn't even know."
"This is my unlife, Sire. I'll explain it to her and she'll understand."
"Will she? Just like that?"
"I'll tell her."
"You need to tell her why you came back. About the blood. The rings. The bond. She's given you a part of her life to you and she doesn't even know!"
"Don't you think I know that?"
"I don't think you care. Don't fuck this up, boy."
"Don't threaten me, Angelus."
~~~*~~~
As Willow sat at the end of the bed, she watched as Spike stormed in the room and slammed the door shut behind him. He had his demon visage forward as his eyes blazed golden. She could fell his anger.
<Who the hell does he think he is? Threatening me! I know I have to tell her. I won't live my unlife without her.> Spike started to pace back and forth across the room, never seeing the redhead.
Watching him pace, Willow knew she needed to get his attention. She got up from the bed and started towards him. As he passed her, she grabbed his arm.
Spike felt someone grab his arm. Without thinking or looking, he grabbed Willow and pinned her to the wall. He snarled until he looked in her eyes and realized it was his mate. His human features came forward. "Red, I'm sorry. I thought you were still in the shower."
"I figured. Thank for the clothes." She looked into his eyes. "I heard the argument."
Spike took a deep breath. "Don't leave me," he pleaded. "I don't want to live without you."
Willow frowned and suddenly realized something. She realized that he had some of the same insecurities that she did. "I love you," she whispered; hopefully reassuring him. "Always. But you have to tell me what's going on. I need to know about the rings and our bond and us sharing blood."
"Red..."
"I concentrated on you and our bond and I opened a portal that brought me here. A portal! You were staked and brought back. I need to know what's going on."
Spike knew it was time. "If we leave here, I'll tell you everything."
Willow and Spike never noticed Angel standing in the doorway. "Like hell," he growled. "You're not going anywhere."
~Part: 17~
"There's no way you're leaving William," Angel told him.
Spike glanced at him, groaning in frustration. "What the hell happened to privacy?" he questioned his Sire. He turned his attention back to Willow. "It's your call, luv. What do you want to do?"
"For right now, I want to go into the main room." As Willow started for the doorway, she felt Spike behind her as he circled his arm around her waist. She then saw Angel take a step towards her which prompted low warning growls from Spike.
"You belong to Spike, therefore you belong to me. Right of Sire. I can do with you as I please."
She glanced up at Angel, her eyes clouded with anger. She could feel Spike pulling her into his body to protect her. <In the last couple of days I've been captured by a demon, another creature wanted to torture me and now this.> "If you lay a hand on me, the only thing that you will belong to is a dustbuster. Now BACK UP AND GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!" She could feel Angel glaring at them as they walked out of the bedroom.
As they walked into the main room, Willow let her mind wander. <I don't want to go back to Sunnydale. Not yet. I don't want to be here though. Not after what happened. I know Spike doesn't want to be here either.> As she turned around to face Spike, his hands dropped from her waist.
He saw her face expression and instantly became concerned. "What is it, Red?"
"Did you have a place in mind where you wanted to go?"
"I know of a place."
"Can we get there before sunrise?"
"If we leave soon."
"I'm not asking him if he wants to stay," Angel interrupted. "I'm telling him. It's an order. He's MY childe."
Willow gave a small warning growl of her own. "Well I'm NOT your childe. He's coming with me."
Spike couldn't help but to smirk. Here was his Red, his mate and she was talking back to Angelus. <I haven't even explained anything to her yet and she still stays by my side.> The angrier she got, the more fire he could see within her. Spike was so completely consumed in the moment that he never saw Angel's eyes flash golden or the growl that came from him. Before he even realized what was happening, Drusilla came out of the shadows of the room.
Drusilla stepped between Willow and Angel, ready to fight her own Sire. As he started growling at her, she growled right back. "Stay away from her, Sire. Do not hurt the tree. You are angry but you should be angry at the smelly creature that wanted to hurt her. Don't do this."
Spike and Willow watched as Angel started to calm down, just from the sound of Drusilla's voice. When Dru finally noticed Angel backing off, she turned around to the other two occupants of the room.
Willow saw Drusilla watching them and instantly tensed. She felt Spike put his arms around her waist and pulled Willow close to his body.
Drusilla gave them both a small smile. "Please do not be afraid," she told Willow. She took a step towards Willow and grazed the side of her face with the back of her hand. "Pretty pet," Dru told her. "Family." She then looked over at Spike. "William, she shall not break your heart. Also, things are not as they seem."
Spike was confused over her statement. "What things?" he growled.
"The demon, William."
Spike was still confused but Willow's eyes widened at the statement. "The..um..the one that took me?" Willow asked.
Drusilla shook her head no slowly. "The other one, tree. The one that wanted to torture you and make you bleed." Dru could hear Spike growling. "You need to tell him soon." She looked at Spike. "Go on. Take her out of here. Protect her, William."
He nodded his head at her and pulled Willow out the door.
~Part: 18~
After two hours of silence in the car, the quiet was driving her crazy. <Is he mad? Is he mad at me? What if we went through all this and he doesn't want me anymore? What if...> Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt Spike's fingers rubbing circles on the back of her neck. Willow looked over to Spike and saw him grinning at her. As she looked into his eyes, her fears subsided.
"You're thinkin again, luv."
"Yeah," she responded softly.
"Bout what?"
Willow hesitated for a moment. "Just stuff."
"About us?" He saw her shake her head yes. "I have to know something. Do you regret it? Being with me."
"No!" she exclaimed. "Don't ever think that. Actually I was thinking that when we get to where ever we're going that you'll leave. That you decide you won't want me anymore."
"Cor, luv. Hopefully when I explain everything to you, you'll understand I'm not going anywhere." He paused for a moment. "Are you mad at me?" he asked in a soft spoken voice.
"What? Why would I? I figured you were mad with me."
"Pet, for the last two hours you have sat at the other end of the car. Silent. Away from me."
As she heard his words, she slid over on the seat next to him. "Is this better?" she said softly.
Spike wrapped his arm around her shoulders and leaned down to her ear. "Much better," he whispered.
Willow looked up at him. "Where are we going?"
"I know a place. We should be there in an hour. We should probably stop and get some food. Pizza?"
"Is there anyplace around here to get pizza at this hour?"
"I know a place."
"We should think about getting some clothes too."
"We can go tomorrow afternoon. We're sleeping in."
"Um..the afternoon? Won't you go...poof?"
"It'll be ok, luv. You'll see."
After they stopped for pizza, they continued back on the road. Willow straightened in her seat as they entered the iron gate. She looked up at the house they were driving towards. "Wow!" she breathed. "We're staying here?" She admired the outside of the house for a moment. "Whose house is this?"
"It's mine," Spike told her.
"Yours?"
"Yeah, luv. Actually it's been in my name for awhile."
"Are there minions?" she asked softly.
Spike started to chuckle. "Not here, luv. The whole house is ours. I have someone employed that comes and airs out the house every couple of months."
"Employee? You have an employee?"
"There's lots of things you don't know about me, Red."
"If this is your house, why did you stay in Sunnydale? I know the chip, but you helped Buffy. Your enemy. Why would you do that?"
Spike lightly touched the side of her face with his fingers. "I stayed because of you." He leaned down to her neck and kissed his claim mark. "Let me show you the rest of the house."
Spike unlocked the front door and pushed it open. He looked behind him, realizing Willow wasn't at his side. He saw her behind him, watching him. "Red?"
Willow looked at the house and then back at Spike. She walked up to him and placed her lips to his, putting her full emotions into it. He pulled her closer as he pulled back. As he pulled back, he felt her start to nip at his neck with her blunt teeth. "Keep that up and I'll take you right here. Outside. Shag you senseless, I will." And all of a sudden she froze.
Willow looked him in the eyes and took a step away. "I thought you loved me."
Spike was confused. "I do."
"You keep saying I'm yours. That I belong to you."
"You are and you do."
"Then why?"
"Luv, you're gonna have to help me out here cause I am way past the point of confusion."
"Why haven't you ever...taken me? Shagged me?" she whispered.
He pulled her back to his body and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, pet. When you choose you're ready...with me, that'll be the time. And believe me I am more than willing. Now unless you want to stand outside all night, you're eventually gonna have to step inside the house." Spike grabbed her hand and pulled her inside, shutting the door behind him.
Willow's eyes became wide the moment she stepped into the house. They walked into the main room. It had a polished wood floor with rooms to the right and the left. If front of her was a spiral staircase with intricate woodwork along the rails. "Like a grand tour?"
"Yeah."
"To your left and through that door," he pointed "is the kitchen. Which is currently empty until we go shopping tomorrow. He then pulled her to the right. "And to your right, we have...well, I'll let you see for yourself." He pulled open the double doors to reveal the dining area.
The first thing that Willow noticed was a beautiful crystal chandelier that hung above a long dining table that looked as if it could sit at least twelve people. The next thing she noticed was all of the windows. "Spike, the windows..."
"You can't see it, luv. But they're tinted. Vamp proof. Sun won't get me here."
"The room is beautiful. Can I see the rest of the house."
He interlocked his arm with hers. "Of course. Beyond the staircase is the main room but the other rooms are upstairs."
As Willow climbed the stairs with Spike, she felt the grin on her face becoming stronger. When they reached the top of the stairs, she saw him point to his right. "Guest room is to the right," he told her. She opened the door and saw what she considered to be a normal room. There was nothing extraordinary about it. It was simple.
"Two more rooms, luv." He pulled her arm down the hallway at the other end for the other two rooms. Willow opened the first door and pushed it opened. Inside there was a giant bed in the middle of the room. Black silk sheets draped along the bed flowing like water. The walls were done in a deep color blue while black velvet curtains hung from the windows. In itself, the room was simple and she thought it reflected him perfectly. She noticed that some of the rooms reflected his vampiric nature while other rooms reflected his nineteenth century upbringing. "The last room is a surprise. Go on and open it." He watched as she left. He took a deep breath and went to follow her.
By the time he had gotten to her, she was already in the room. It was his study and library. He stood in the doorway as he watched her. On three of the walls, he had bookcases that went from the floor to the ceiling. He even had a ladder that rolled around on a rail so that he would have access to all of the books. He watched her as her eyes lit up with fire just by looking around the room. "I could live here forever," he heard Willow say to herself. "That's the plan pet," Spike whispered to himself. "That's the plan."
~Part: 19~
"Well...what do you think?"
Willow turned around and saw him leaning against the door frame. "Wow! It's really yours?"
"That it is, luv." Spike walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"This place really is amazing."
Spike grinned, content that she liked is house. "Since sunrise is about any minute now, you wanna watch the tele?"
Willow nodded her head yes. "Downstairs?"
"Downstairs."
As they both sat in the main room on the leather couch, Spike was flipping channels. He noticed how quiet she was. "You alright, luv?"
"Fine," she said softly. Willow took a deep breath and turned to face him. "What number am I?"
Spike clicked off the TV and faced her. "Huh?" he asked confused.
"Nothing," she said quickly and turned away from him.
"It's not nothing. I saw your face."
"Drop it!" she demanded.
"NO!" He took a deep breath, silently willing his demon not to come forward. "Tell me please," he pleaded. "I wanna know what you meant."
"I was thinking, actually wondering. I was wondering how many other girls have been here with you in this house in the non meal type of situation." She could feel herself blushing. <Do you really want this answer? Do you really want to hear about other girls?> "I'm sorry...I shouldn't of..."
"Willow," he interrupted.
Willow turned back towards him when she heard her name on his lips. "I didn't know you even knew my real name."
"Of course I do." He pulled her body to his and wrapped his arms around her waist. Spike placed his legs on each side of her as he stretched on the couch. He grinned as she felt her lean against him. "I do use real manes, only when I'm serious. Do you really wanna know how many other girls have been here with me?"
"Yes," she said fearfully.
Spike leaned down and started to kiss her neck. Once she felt his lips on her, she knew she had to touch him. Willow ran her hands up and down his thighs, gently squeezing them. Letting him know how much she wanted him. She felt him nuzzle her neck for a moment before he spoke. "No one else has been here, Willow."
Willow turned her head slightly to look at him. "No one?" she asked hopefully.
"No one," he told her as he felt her lean her head against his chest. "No one even knows about this place." Spike was silent for a minute before he asked his dreaded question. "Luv, I need you to tell me about the demon. The one that wanted to hurt you."
"Please don't do this. I can't. Not yet."
"Bloody hell," he growled. "All I want to do is protect you. I can't do that if I don't know what's happening."
"I'll tell you later. What about the blood and the rings, Spike?"
Spike tightened his arms around her. "I'll tell you about those later, pet."
~Part: 20~
As they watched TV, Spike started to notice Willow yawning. Still in his arms, he leaned down to her ear. "Maybe you should get some sleep, luv. If you want, I'll take you upstairs."
"I'm fine, really. I'm not tired. I'll just close my eyes for a moment."
That one moment turned into an hour later. Spike knew that she had been asleep for most of the hour. He drifted his fingers through her hair. His demon felt content just having her close to him. He sat up on the couch, holding her close to his body. As he stood up, he picked Willow up and carried her upstairs to the bedroom.
Spike placed Willow in the bed, letting the silk sheet drape across her body. He climbed in the bed and pulled her to his body. He started to think about what kind of demons would want to hurt his mate. <His mate. What if she turns away from me when I tell her what the blood means? What if she doesn't want to be my mate? Will she stay here with me, regardless of what I tell her?> Spike slowly fell asleep as his thoughts continued to flow.
He woke up hours later when he felt Willow stir in his arms. As he opened his eyes and looked at her, he knew they had to talk. Soon.
Willow opened her eyes and saw blue ones staring at her. She smiled gently at him as she snuggled her body closer to his.
"Hey," he said softly.
"Hey."
"We need to talk, pet. We need to talk soon."
"You want to know about when I was captured."
"Yeah, I do luv. Just like you want to know about the staking and the rings."
"Now?" she asked.
"When we get back."
"Get back from where?" she asked as she climbed out of the bed.
Spike also climbed out of the bed, pulling on his boots. "Shopping, pet. Remember?"
Willow glanced at the window. "But the sun..."
"Won't be a problem. I already told you.
Willow walked over to Spike. "How? Cause I really like you in the form shape."
Spike smirked as he pulled an object from his pocket. He held it up to Willow. "Recognize it, luv?"
Willow's eyes widened at the object. She spoke each word carefully and slowly. "Gem of Amarra."