Pairing: Spike/Willow
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Willow sees an argument and tries to help.
Distribution: redssoulmates, poetry-in-motion
Feedback: No feedback..no fic. Lots of feedback..I write more. I thrive on it.
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: early season four, you just have to know that Spike is chipped
Notes: <> is character's thoughts, Drusilla is Spike's sire but has been dusted, Buffy and Spike hate each other, Xander is with Anya, Spike has the chip but is staying in a crypt, Giles already has the Magic Box, no Tara, Willow lives at her parents house
A/N: Any suggestions for a title would be greatly appreciated!!!!!
Thanks to Elisabeth for the beta!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 1~
Willow stood in the graveyard behind a large tree, watching Spike and Buffy argue. It's not that she intentionally ran into them. She had just been out walking, letting her mind wander when she realized where she was. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, she remained silent and very still.
"YOU ARE SUCH A BITCH!" Spike yelled at Buffy.
"Yeah, that bothers me. This coming from a vampire that CAN'T bite."
Spike's eyes turned golden before he suddenly clutched his head in his hands, his knees buckling as he fell to the ground.
"Thinking bad thoughts again? Someone really should dust you. I'd do it except, well you're really not worth my time. Sunrise is soon. Have fun!" She turned around and walked away, never looking back.
Willow frowned at what she just saw. She knew her best friend could be a little high and mighty, but this was beyond anything she could even think of. When Spike pushed himself up off the ground, she watched him carefully, following him with her eyes. She remained a good distance behind so she wouldn't alert him to her presence. Willow watched him enter the crypt and mentally debated with herself whether or not she should go in. She didn't even know why she was doing this. Slowly she walked up to the crypt door and pushed it open. She saw Spike's body freeze and then turn around.
"What do you want?" he growled.
"I.uh.I saw the argument," she said stuttering.
"Come to make fun of me, have you? Well let's hear it, cause it's nothing I haven't heard before."
"That wasn't."
"Get out," he growled. He turned his back to her, not wanting company at this moment.
Against her better judgment, Willow walked over to him and placed a hand on his arm.
Spike spun his body around, grabbing Willow by her upper arms and pushing her forcefully against the wall. He felt the chip go off as pain shot through his entire body. It felt like someone was tearing him apart. This only made his grip on her more firm. "Told you to leave," he snarled.
"I.I just thought I could.I don't know, help."
Spike's eyes blazed golden as he smelled it. Fear. "Afraid?" he smirked. "I'm chipped, remember?"
"Yeah, but.you're still Spike," she said in a shaky voice that didn't sound much like her own.
He eased the grip his hands had on her arms and took a step closer to her body. He knew despite the chip that his body radiated power and fear. But most of all, he radiated a sexual presence. "I'm a demon, a vampire." He leaned down to her ear. "You want to help? There are three things that vampires enjoy. Feeding, fighting, and.fucking." He took a step back from her and noticed how nervous she had become since entering his crypt. "I really don't see you letting me feed from you. I don't really fancy fighting with you." He let his eyes rake over her body, lingering. "And that leaves.fucking."
"That's...uh...not why I came here."
"Figured." He let go of her body. "That's a shame. We could have had fun." Pushing her body away from him and towards the door, the chip went off and pain shot through his body. He fell to his knees for the second time that night. Spike lifted his head. "GET OUT," he roared.
"Spike..."
"OUT!"
Willow, feeling defeated, made her way to the door. She gave Spike a sad smile, a look of compassion, before walking out into the night.
~Part: 2~
The next evening, Willow sat on the couch of Giles' flat. Spike walked through the door and saw the Slayer and the Watcher sitting in front of Willow. "Why are you lot meeting here tonight?" When no one responded, he continued. "What's wrong with the witch?"
Buffy turned around and glared at him. "She was attacked last night."
<Last night? Must have happened when the chit left my crypt.>
"You might want to take a look. It's probably been awhile since you saw a bite close up."
"Buffy, it's not a bite," Willow told her. "The fangs just grazed my neck."
"I still want to know what you were out doing last night, Wills. You know how dangerous it is out there. Did you even have a stake on you?"
Willow refused to look at Spike. "I did. I just got lost in my own thoughts. Shouldn't the point be that I'm still me, breathing and all?"
"It is. I'm just worried."
"Buffy," Giles started. "We really should get back to our conversation."
"But Wills is."
".fine," Giles finished. "The fangs did not enter the skin and as she said, she is still alive. As your Watcher, I insist that I start to patrol with you again. It should start tonight." Giles stood up and turned around. He noticed that Spike was still standing there watching him. Giles pointed at him. "You. You will stay here and watch her. I don't want her patrolling tonight."
"You want me to baby-sit Red?"
"Just do it," he told Spike in a fatherly tone that left no room for arguments.
Moments later, he watched as Buffy left, stake in hand with Giles right behind her. He glanced at Willow and then headed into the bathroom. A couple minutes later, he returned with a pin and a wet washcloth. He sat down next to her, knowing she would have to speak soon.
Willow watched him cautiously as he sat down. She then noticed the pin. To her, it seemed like a gigantic needle. "What do you think you're doing with that?"
"If you don't clean the wound properly, it'll get infected."
"And the pin is for?"
"I'm gonna poke it in your neck, right next to the wound and."
Willow jumped off the couch as if something had just burned her. "No way am I letting you push a needle into my skin."
"Luv, it'll get infected."
"I don't care. I don't."
"It'll only take a few seconds." He saw her starting to pace and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to the couch.
"Spike, I don't like needles," she confessed.
"Is that what this is about? You won't even feel it."
"Not likely."
"I can't hurt you, remember? If it hurts you, it's gonna hurt me."
"But it's a needle."
"Afraid, luv?"
"Yes," she whispered.
It wasn't exactly the answer he was expecting. At that very moment, she seemed so fragile. "Close you eyes," he said softly.
"That would have to be a no."
"Trust me?"
"Again with the no."
"Just do it," he growled. Spike smiled as she promptly closed her eyes. He leaned over to her ear and started to whisper. They weren't exactly sentences, just words of comfort in a soft soothing voice. And it seemed to be working. Her heartbeat had slowed down and her body relaxed.
After a couple of moments passed, she opened one eye and turned to him. He was leaning back into the sofa. "Are you gonna do it or not?"
"Already done, luv."
"Really? I didn't even feel it."
Spike held the wet washcloth to her neck. "I told you it wouldn't hurt. I know how to take care of someone. I did it with Dru for practically a century. You got this last night?"
"Yeah."
"After you left my crypt?"
Willow pushed his hand and the washcloth away. "Don't act like you suddenly care."
"I don't care. I hate you lot."
"Feeling is mutual," she mumbled.
Spike turned his body to look at her. "I need to know something. How did you figure you were gonna help me last night?"
"I don't know. I thought maybe you'd want to talk about it."
Spike gave a soulless empty laugh. "Why? So you can use my words against me?"
Willow's eyes blazed brightly as she stood up and glared at him. "I'm NOT Buffy. I wouldn't do that to you."
He knew she was right and stood up to face her. "I know," he said quietly.
"If you really knew, we wouldn't be having this conversation." She turned around and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm leaving. Just stay away from me."
"You're supposed to stay here."
"You stay here." Willow made her way out the door and into the night. She never noticed Spike behind her, staying to the shadows.
Spike walked a good distance behind her, following her home. He let out a warning growl to every vampire that dared to attack until she was home safely. Once the front door shut and she was inside, one thought came to his mind. Why do I care what happens to her?
~Part: 3~
Willow woke up to a loud banging on her front door. She tried to ignore it at first, but it became louder and more insistent. Dragging herself out of bed, she glanced at out the window. "It's not even sunrise yet," she mumbled. Still wearing a pair of boxer shorts and a t-shirt, she made her way down the stairs and opened the front door. Seeing the blond vampire in front of her, she became annoyed. "This better be good."
"'Ello, luv."
"I told you to stay away from me, Spike."
"I know you did." Spike cautiously looked up at the sky. "Gonna invite me in?"
Willow stood there for a moment in silence before answering him. "No."
"No? What do you mean no?"
"I mean no, I'm not going to invite the master vampire into my home."
Spike looked up at the sky. "Luv, it's almost sunrise. I'll burn if you don't invite me in."
"I actually don't feel any remorse over that." She started to shut the door in his face.
"Please," he pleaded. "You know I can't hurt you."
"You'll just be annoying. Go away."
"Red? I."
Willow let out a loud sigh. "You're not gonna give up, are you?"
"Since when do I give up, pet?"
"Come in, Spike." With a smile on his face, he walked through the invisible barrier and closed the door behind him.
He watched her quietly cover the windows and then turned around to face him. He pulled off his duster and threw it on the back of the couch like it was a regular every day thing.
Willow glanced at the duster and then at him. "Oh, you're not staying."
"You can't just push me out into the sunlight."
"Can't I?"
"Ok, you can. I was hoping you won't."
"Why are you here.at my house.before sunrise?"
"Truth?"
"Would be nice."
"I don't bloody well know."
"How original."
"Look, I just." He growled out of frustration. He saw Willow take a step back. "You lashing out at me yesterday, the things that were said.it bothered me and I don't know why? I don't even know why I care about it but I do. I can't get it out of my bloody mind, so here I am."
"So now what?"
"How about we sit down and you tell me about the wound on your neck."
"It's not a big deal, like I told Buffy."
"I didn't ask if it was a big deal. I just asked what happened."
"If I tell you, will you leave it alone?"
"Yeah."
"Fine." She moved over to the couch and sat down. Willow watched as Spike took his place next to her waiting for her to start. "I was almost home when he jumped out of the bushes. He was a fledgling. He had no coordination. But my mind was kinda elsewhere and I didn't have a stake or anything."
"Fledglings when they first rise and feed, they can get disoriented. What could you of possibly been thinking about that you were too distracted to notice you surroundings?" he asked seriously.
His innocent question made her mad. She turned her head and looked into his eyes. "Maybe I was a bit upset since another VAMPIRE had just yelled and growled at me!"
"Me? Luv."
Willow held up her hand to silence him. "Don't." Willow stood up and walked over to the hall closet. She opened it and grabbed a blanket out of it, throwing it at the back of Spike's head. "You can leave now. You came to say whatever it was you wanted to say. And I told you what happened. There's the door. Take your duster with you."
Spike jumped up, shocked. "You can't be serious! You're handing me a blanket and that's it?"
"If you had never come here, we wouldn't be having this argument. Would we?"
"You are so.so.infuriating!"
"Bite me!"
He strolled over to her until he was standing directly in front of her. "You don't know how close you are to that," he promised.
"You're chipped, Spike. You can't hurt me, remember? No biting."
He leaned down to her ear. "It won't hurt, baby," he whispered seductively. "You'll be begging for my touch.my body.my bite," he purred.
"Pig," she growled at him and pushed him away. She watched him stumble back a few steps, almost falling. "Are you leaving or not?"
"Considering the sun, I'd say you're stuck with me for the day." He took a couple steps toward her. "Pet, this wasn't.I had just wanted to come over and talk."
"Funny. You weren't interested in talking the other day."
Spike ran his hand over his face. "I don't.I don't even know why I'm here."
~Part: 4~
"Great," Willow said dryly. "You don't seem to know why you came here, but I'm gonna get stuck with you for the day."
"Cranky, pet? The word bitch seems to describe you pretty well right now. Taking lessons from the Slayer?"
"Bitch? You came to MY house and woke ME up before sunrise. And now you're stuck here unless I have a sudden urge to push you outside and watch you burn."
Spike winced at her description. "Thanks for the image, luv."
Willow glared at him. "I guess this means I'm not going back to sleep. So now what?"
"Huh?" He wasn't sure what the question was.
"I'm guessing, since you have the attention span of a jelly bean, you think I should entertain you."
"Would be nice." Spike could feel his demon clawing to the top. "You know, if I wanted the verbal bullshit, I could have gone to the Slayer or even Chubs."
Willow froze for a moment and realized he was right. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I'm just a bit tired."
"Not sleeping well?"
"Just restless." Willow looked at him. "Like you care. I tried to help you the other day. I believe the words you used were fighting, feeding, and."
"And?" he prompted.
"Fucking," she whispered.
Spike was surprised she even said the word. "Didn't know you knew such language, Red."
"There's a lot you don't know about me," she mumbled.
<I think I might wanna find out. You've got to be more interesting than the rest of the lot.>
"And by the way, we aren't doing any of those things," she told him. "We're not gonna spar and I like my blood exactly where it is, in my body. And the last thing.I am so not doing that with you."
He took a step towards her, smirking. "But, luv," he purred. "I'm so good at that last thing."
Willow rolled her eyes. "I think your ego is a bit too big for the rest of you."
Before Spike could respond, he heard her stomach growling. "Hungry?"
"A bit. It'll pass."
"It'll pass once we get some food in you."
"I.uh.I don't really have any food here, Spike."
"Not any?"
"Uh-uh. I usually just eat at the Magic Box."
"Want some pizza?"
"Spike, I don't have any pizza."
"That's what delivery is for, pet."
"At this hour?"
"At any hour. Now where's your phone?"
Spike dialed the number and impatiently waited for someone to pick up. "Yeah, this is Spike. I need a large pizza with everything on it and a bag of human blood on the side." Glancing at the redhead, he continued. "Better give me a couple sodas too, mate. Yeah.how much is it?" Spike paused as he heard them ring up his order. "Yeah.not at the crypt." Picking up a piece of nearby mail, he read the address. "Here's the address, mate." After he hung up the phone, he turned to Willow. "Thirty minutes or less, luv." He noticed she was kinda quiet.
"Um.what place delivers pizza at this hour?"
"A place in town.it's run by demons."
"Demons?" she asked. "A demon is gonna deliver my pizza?"
"Is there a problem with that? I'm a demon or did you forget?"
"How can I? You won't let us."
They both decided to watch TV until the pizza arrived. Willow jumped up when she heard a knock at the door. Spike caught her wrist with his hand and gave her some money, all without even looking away at the TV. Once she sat down with the food, they ate in a comfortable silence. They both had pizza and Spike drank his blood in the kitchen so she wouldn't have to watch. He wasn't sure how she felt about his demon. Not that he should care, mind you.
After their meal, an eerie silence started to loom over them. Willow was the first one to speak up. "Thought you couldn't stand us."
He turned off the TV and faced her. "I can't."
"Then why are you here?"
Spike shrugged his shoulders. "Don't really know. You know, it's kinda nice to be around someone that doesn't hate me."
"I never said I didn't hate you."
"Right, then. Guess I shouldn't assume anything." Not knowing what else to say, he changed the subject quickly. "Why were you afraid of me the other night? You know I can't hurt you."
"Why? Because you're Spike. Even with the chip, you're William the Bloody. The same vampire that kidnapped me. The same one that threatened my life."
"If that's all true, why did you invite me in? I could have stayed to the shadows."
Willow pondered his question for a moment before she answered. "I don't know."
~Part: 5~
"You don't know? You bloody well invited a Master into your home and you don't know? For all you know, I got by bite back."
"Did you?" she asked with a hint of fear in her voice.
"No," he mumbled. "But what a good day that would be. Blood.broken bodies."
"Eeww," she interrupted.
"Not to me," he defended. "Blood is life, it's the essence of everything."
"O-kay, no more talk about blood. Besides, you're not the only vampire I've ever invited into my home."
That pulled Spike out of his blood-filled fantasy. "What? You invited another vampire into your home? Who was."
"It was Angel." When she heard him growling, she quickly continued. "He can't get in anymore. I've uninvited him."
"You gonna uninvite me too, witch?"
"Not until you give me a reason to."
"Well.why did you uninvite the poof?"
"After he turned evil, he sorta left me a gift."
"A gift?" Spike knew Angelus never left 'nice' presents. "What was it, luv?"
She looked down at the floor. "He strung up my dead fish like Christmas lights and left them in an envelope for me to find."
Spike felt a strong urge to reach out and hold her, to comfort her. He fought against it. "He was a right bastard, pet. Loved playing mind games, he did."
"Yeah," she said softly.
"Hey, now. No brooding. That's only done in L.A."
Willow looked up at him. "It's just.things used to be so simple. So clear and now."
"A bit clouded?"
"A bit lonely."
Spike nodded his head once. He knew the feeling.well. Too well. Having the chip in his head prevented him from being the vampire he really was. He didn't have his minions anymore. His Sire, his love, had been dusted. Spike wasn't exactly wanted by the vampire community, just tolerated. And now he was forced to ask for help and turn to his greatest enemy. The only real company he had had in weeks was the redhead sitting next to him right now.
"Why do you hate Angel so much?"
Looking into her eyes, he told her the truth. "He hurt and took everything I've ever loved, ever cared about."
Willow could practically feel his emotions rolling off of him in waves. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I won't bring up his name again."
They sat there in silence for a few minutes until he saw a small yawn escape her lips. "You should get some sleep, pet."
"I don't think so. I'm not having you roam around my house while I'm asleep."
"So, what? You'd rather suffer the fate of being drained by some random vamp on patrol because you're too exhausted from the lack of sleep. And your reason for your lack of sleep is me!"
"I'm careful on patrol."
"You need sleep."
"You probably just want to try and drain me once I'm out."
"That's the evil plan," he retorted dryly. Seeing her yawn again, he made his mind up. "That's it!"
"That's what?" Willow questioned him.
Spike stood up and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder. "Where's your room, Red?"
"Like I'm telling you. Put me down!" Willow used her fists, lightly hitting him on the back.
"Not bloody likely. You know," he said as he started walking. "You can hit me a little harder. Make it hurt, baby."
"PUT ME DOWN!"
"This is too much fun," he smirked. After climbing the stairs and opening a few doors that obviously weren't the room he was looking for, he came to the last door. Putting her down on her feet, he leaned into her ear. "The pain is a turn on," he purred.
"Get away from me," she practically yelled.
"Get some sleep," he told her dismissively and headed back downstairs.
~~~*~~~
Spike sat back down on the couch, running a hand over his face. "Chit has fire, that's for sure." <I wonder how much fire.> Spike grabbed his duster and left the house, keeping to the shadows. In the last few minutes, now that he was alone again, he was becoming severely depressed and lonely.
~Part: 6~
Willow woke up and looked at the clock. Seeing the time, her eyes widened and she jumped out of the bed. "Damn," she mumbled. The sun had already set. She remembered Spike had already left. She wouldn't let herself fall asleep until she had heard the door click. Dressing in record time, she grabbed her bag and a stake, heading out the door.
Spike had been strolling through the night air since the sun had set. He knew that if he stopped at the Magic Box, they would just send him on patrol. Truth, was his mind was still on Willow. Under her exterior, she held defiance and fire. He wanted to see what it would take for that to shine through.
Smelling the fear in the air, he looked around and saw three fledglings up ahead of him. They had surrounded something, a human. Spike was just about to turn around and walk away when he caught a flash of red hair. Slipping his game face forward, he advanced on the younger vampires.
When Spike was about an arm's length away, one of them turned to him. "She's ours."
Spike pulled out the stake he had hidden on him and dusted the vampire. "Now she's mine." They other two tried to attack him at the same time. Spike threw them off as if they were made of air. He was in the mood to fight but knew he needed to get her out of here. Dusting the other two fledglings quickly, he made his way back to the girl.
"Red?" he whispered softly, not wanting to frighten her anymore than she already was. He frowned when she didn't reply. Spike noticed various cuts and scratch marks along her arms. She had tried to fight back. He also noticed her body was trembling and knew she was in the beginning stage of shock. "Pet, I need you to say something. Anything," he pleaded. Still hearing silence, he picked her up in his arms and started to carry her to safety.
They were almost to the Magic Box when Willow started to stir in his arms. "I tried to fight them," she whispered hoarsely. "I just.I wasn't."
"I know you did. You're safe now."
She relaxed her head against his chest. "What happened to them?"
"They're dust, pet." Feeling her body relax, he held her closer and kicked the front door open.
"What the."
"First aid kit now," Spike told them. Seeing no one move, he morphed. "Now," he growled. Seeing Xander leave to retrieve the items, he let his human features return and gently placed Willow on the couch.
Giles took a couple of steps toward Spike. "What happened?"
"Chit was attacked. Surrounded by three fledglings."
"And you just suddenly found her?" Buffy questioned. "Maybe you set this up."
Spike stood up and walked over to Buffy and Giles, his eyes blazed golden. "If I wanted someone dead, Slayer, you would be the first. It sure as hell wouldn't be her," he said motioning towards Willow. Letting his eyes return to blue, he continued. "Aren't you the chosen one? Why aren't you patrolling?"
"I patrol when I'm ready to patrol."
"Why hasn't she spoken yet," Giles asked.
"My guess is she's in a bit of shock, mate. She'll be fine. She's strong."
"I still think it's your fault," Buffy told Spike.
Xander handed Spike the supplies and he began to look through them for what he needed. He looked at his best friend lying helplessly on the couch and then at Spike. "Did they.did they."
Spike could see Xander's genuine concern for Willow. "They just scratched her up a bit."
"Buffy, perhaps you should go patrol," Giles suggested.
"And leave her here with him? I don't think so."
His demon was clawing to get out. "Listen here you bitch. She's gonna be alright because of me. If I had come across her a moment later, she'd be dead. Drained or turned. Take your bloody pick."
"I hate you," Buffy seethed.
"And I don't care." Spike kneeled next to Willow's body. "Luv, I need you to open your eyes for a minute." Watching them flutter open, he continued. "Hey."
"Hi."
"I'm gonna clean up the scratches so it may sting a bit, but I'll be careful. Ok?"
"Ok."
While Spike tended to her wounds, he heard the other occupants of the room either leave of go about and do whatever it is they were doing. He also realized he didn't mind taking care of Willow.
Willow closed her eyes and felt Spike trying to take care of her. She could hear everyone else rummaging around the room but she eventually tuned them out. She knew that Spike had saved her tonight, she just didn't know why.
~Part: 7~
As he tended to her wounds, she tried to stay still. She wanted to be strong. Willow didn't want to appear weak.
Spike watched her facial expressions as he administrated her cuts. She was trying hard not to wince from the pain but he could still see it. "I'm done, pet. Just rest for a bit."
Panic started to flood her. "You're staying, right? You're staying here?"
He could hear her voice filled with worry and concern. "I'm not going anywhere," he assured her. Pushing a strand of hair out of her face, he continued. "You don't always have to be strong," he whispered.
"You shouldn't have to do this, take care of me."
"I don't know. I kinda like it." Looking away quickly, he continued. "I'm gonna talk to the Watcher for a bit. You rest." Spike waited until she closed her eyes before leaving her side.
~~~*~~~
Giles looked up as he saw Spike enter the room. "Everyone else left. Is she alright?"
"She's ok, just a bit rattled."
"About what Buffy said."
"I'd never hurt Red. You lot seem to forget she's the one I wanted to turn. Not kill, turn. She would have been my childe." Seeing the expression on his face, he smirked. "Don't worry, Watcher. Chipped now, remember?"
A voice pulled them out of their conversation. "Spike? Willow whispered.
He stood up quickly and made his way to her. "You're supposed to be resting. Did you want something to drink?"
She shook her head quickly. "I want to go. Will you take me home?"
"I don't think that's." Giles started to say.
"Course I will," Spike told her.
"Spike, I don't think it's wise for."
"The chit wants to leave. I'm taking her home." Without another word spoken, Willow and Spike left the Magic Box.
~~~*~~~
About halfway home, Willow suddenly stopped. "You ok?" he asked. "Are you weak? Need me to carry you?"
"I'm fine. It's just.I was wondering."
"Sometime before sunrise, luv."
"I was wondering if you'd stay when we get to my house. I'm just a little on edge and I thought.obviously never mind," she muttered seeing the look on his face.
"Never mind?"
"Obviously you didn't want to and I shouldn't have even asked. I'm sure you have stuff to do and all that."
He was more than a bit surprised when she had asked him to stay. It warmed his dead heart that she needed him, even if it was just for right now. "It's not that, Red. I haven't fed tonight. My guess, you haven't eaten either. I know you don't have blood at your house. Do you have any food?"
"Not really," she said softly. "I usually just eat when we get together for Scooby meetings."
"Right then. How about this? Willie's is just down the street and there's a small grocery store around the corner. What do you say? Pop in real quick and then we'll head back to your house."
"Yeah," she agreed. "You'll stay?"
"I'll stay."
~~~*~~~
As they were about to walk up to the entrance of the bar, Willow grabbed Spike's hand and led him around to the side of the building. Looking around, she noticed she had pulled him into an alley.
"What is it, pet?"
"I just wanted to talk to you first. They won't hurt me, right? I mean you won't let them touch me, will you? Cause, I've already been attacked once tonight and that was enough."
"They won't hurt you if they think you belong to me," he told her staring into her eyes.
"And um.how will they know.if I belong to you? You know pretend belong to you."
"Well, I can't bite you so my scent has to be on you."
"And how do you think you're gonna do that?"
"I'm assuming fucking you against this wall is out of the question?"
She glared at him. "It's not even an option."
"Right, then. First off, are you afraid of me?"
"We already had this discussion. You know I am."
"Don't be. Demons can smell fear. I need you to be comfortable with me."
"And how do you expect me to do that. I can't just go 'poof', I'm suddenly not afraid."
"Do you trust me?"
"Not in the least."
"That changes now."
"Excuse me."
His eyes flickered golden. "It changes now!" he growled. "Right now, what do you feel? What are you thinking?"
"I feel.I feel." Willow looked down at the ground. "I can feel them trying to claw at me. I still feel like I'm in that moment right before you die."
He took a few steps toward her and lifted her chin with his fingers. "Let me replace the memory."
"Replace?" she asked as she tried to take a step back.
Spike saw her movements before they actually happened. He circled his arms around her. "Just for right now. My scent needs to be on you. Let me replace the memory." He saw her silently nod her head yes. Spike slid his hands up from her waist, along her back and tangled them through her hair. Bringing his lips to hers, he started a soft tender kiss. He tasted her lips and wanted entrance but didn't want to scare her off. As he pulled away, he could see her blushing. "Not so bad was it?"
"No. Was that.um.was that it?"
"Doesn't have to be." He kissed her again, this time soft. He kissed her deeply, tasting everything about her. It was addictive. Sliding his hands back down her body, they rested on her ass. Continuing to kiss her, he guided her backwards until she met the wall. Pulling away from her lips, he continued to place kisses along her neck, nipping at her skin occasionally. He could hear her panting, smelling her light arousal. Spike wanted to be inside her at that very moment but knew that wasn't an option. Using his teeth, he undid the top two buttons of her shirt, revealing the top of her breasts. Grabbing her ass, he ground himself into her, letting her feel his erection. At that very moment he wanted her in every possible way. <This is just to let the other demons know that she's mine. Mine.>
"Spike," she breathed, wrapping her fingers through his hair.
"Yeah," he whispered.
"Don't stop," she whispered.
The statement was music to his ears. "It's just for show, luv. So they know you're mine."
"Yeah," she agreed. "Show." Letting go of his hair, she slipped her hands under his duster and shirt, gliding her hands over his back. Leaning forward, she started nipping at his skin, along the curve of his neck listening to him growl.
Spike leaned back, panting himself. "We need to stop."
"Why?"
"Cause right now all I want to do is fuck you hard and fast, claiming you for mine."
"I thought.the scent thing."
"Would you let me draw blood?"
"You want to bite me?"
"Not bite. Will you let me? Remember if it hurts you, it'll hurt me."
"Ok."
Spike started kissing down her neck until he got to the two buttons he had opened earlier. He morphed and ran his fang lightly along her chest. He could feel her hands had slipped down the back of his shirt and her nails dug slightly into him. When he saw the blood well up, he let his tongue drape across the cut, taking in her blood. His golden eyes looked up at her.
"Pain?"
"Not yet."
"Do it again?"
This time he let his fangs scratch the skin harder, sucking on the blood as it came out. Spike pressed his body against hers as he felt her dig her nails hard into his skin. Blood. Pain. Pleasure. She was giving it all to him. Before he took what he really wanted, he melted back into his human features and buttoned up her blouse. "We really need to get out of this alley," he mumbled. He kissed her one last time, wondering if it would be the last. Pulling away, he draped his arm possessively around her. "Ready to go into the bar, luv?"
Willow couldn't believe what she had just let him do and then she asked for it again. Why did she ask for it again? "Yeah, I'm ready."
~Part: 8~
Spike sauntered into Willie's with Willow at his side. He could still taste her blood in his mouth.
"Hi, Spike," Willie said nervously. "Wh-what can I get you?"
"You know what I want.in a paper bag.human."
"Coming right up. I'll just go get it."
"You do that, mate."
As Willie disappeared into the back, Spike sensed a younger vampire heading towards them. Spike turned quickly, his golden eyes glaring at the other vampire. "I'd back off if I was you."
"Babysitting, Spike?" the vampire asked him dryly.
Spike tightened his grip on Willow and pulled her flush against his body. "She's mine," he growled.
"She's one of the Slayer's friends. I've seen her."
"And now her loyalties have changed.to me."
Willow could feel various demons staring at her, watching her every move. She knew she needed to do something, not only for Spike's reputation but also for her life. Staying close to him, she reached out to touch him.
Gliding her fingers along the bottom of his shirt, she grabbed onto his jeans with one hand while slipping the other hand slowly up his shirt. Making sure the other demons bought her act; she nuzzled her face as close as possible to Spike's neck. Soon she forgot about everyone else in the room. Softly she started to nip at his neck, grinning when she heard his low growls.
The demons saw the possessive act between the two and backed off. They could also smell the scent of her on him. It was at this moment Willie came back up front with Spike's blood. "Here ya go," he told Spike.
Spike grabbed the bag without even looking up. His eyes were fixed on the girl in his arms. "Let's get outta here, luv." Keeping his arm possessively around her, they walked out without saying a word.
Spike and Willow both got in the car, silent for a moment. They weren't sure what to say to each other. Was there anything to say?
"So.um, well that went well actually," Spike told her.
"Yeah. And that was just for."
"Show. Just show, luv."
"Right. And that can never happen again."
"You're right. Never again."
"Yeah. Cause me and you.we're not like that."
"So this is the end of what happened in there, right?"
"Yeah."
"Can I ask you a question, pet?"
"Um.sure."
"Let me kiss you one last time?"
Willow turned her head quickly, staring at him. Her eyes were wide with surprise. "You WANT to kiss me?"
"Just one last time and then we'll forget all this happened. What'ya say?"
"Yeah," she whispered. "One more time."
Spike slid his fingers through her fiery tresses, cupping his hand on the back of her head. He wrapped the other hand around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Slowly, his lips descended upon hers, tasting her for the last time. Spike wanted to keep the kiss slow and sensual, drawing it out for as long as possible. Silently he pleaded for her to part her lips, she did and he deepened the kiss.
The kiss turned from something sensual to something full of need. When he finally pulled away, he wasn't ready to let go yet. Spike kissed his way down her neck, stopping at her pulse point. Closing his eyes, he inhaled her scent, knowing he would remember this forever.
Finally pulling away, he looked at her. Willow's eyes were filled with confusion which he was sure mirrored his own. "We need to get you some food, luv. You need to rest."
"You're still gonna stay, right?"
"I'm still staying." He regretted saying that he would forget about what happened in the bar or even in his car for that matter. How could he forget?
Willow was relieved that he was staying but she didn't want to forget about what happened. Trying to push the memory out of her mind, she leaned back into the seat. Taking one last look at him, she knew she wouldn't be able to forget. Maybe she could ignore the memory instead.
~Part: 9~
After picking up a few things at the grocery store for Willow to eat, Spike headed back to her house. He pulled the car into the driveway and turned off the engine, watching her for a moment. "You ok? Any better?"
"Just great," she replied dryly.
He watched her lean over to open the car door and saw her body wince from sore muscles. "Pet, let me help you."
"I don't need any help."
Spike got out of the car and made his way around to the passenger side. Standing in front of her, he folded his arms across his chest. "Don't need my help? Fine then." He watched as she stepped out of the car, her muscles protesting. Right before he watched her body collapse, Spike rushed to her, catching her in his arms. "You're in some shock, Red. Now, will you let me help you?"
Willow felt his arms catching her body as she slowly fell. She felt emotionally drained. Lifting her eyes to meet his, she could see he was really willing to help her. "Yeah," she relented. "Thanks."
Allowing her to stand up, he kept his arm around her, helping her to the front door. Spike could have probably let go and she would have been fine. He just didn't WANT to let her go. Not yet.
Willow handed him the keys to the house and then looked back at the car. "What about the food?"
"I'll come back for them when I have you situated, luv."
"You make me sound like some piece of furniture you're about to move." Hearing him growl, she mumbled her apologies.
Spike unlocked the front door and pushed it open, ushering her inside. He flipped on the light and turned around to face her. "Did you want to eat first?"
"Not really," she told him, looking at the ground.
<The chit won't even look at me.> He took a few steps toward her. "What is it, pet?"
"I.I didn't mean to make you mad."
"You didn't."
"You growled at me."
Spike lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "I'm a vampire, Red. I do that sometimes. I growl. Just like I can purr, given the right situation." He reached out grazing the side of her face. Hearing her heart speed up, he pulled away quickly. "Stay here," he ordered.
Spike made his way up the stairs. He needed to get away from her, to think about something else. He would not let his emotions gain control. Spike had agreed with Willow that there could be no more kisses between them. That it was for show. He told himself he would just forget. That plan wasn't working.
Walking into the bathroom, he turned on the hot water. <She just needs to let her muscles relax and get some sleep. And I.I'll be doing something else. Anything else.> As the water filled the tub, he got out a towel and dumped some bubble bath in the water. Turning off the tap, he made his way back downstairs.
Spike saw her standing at the bottom of the stairs. "What's going on?" she asked him.
"You're going to take a bath and relax, and then you need to get some rest. I'll make you something to eat when you wake up."
"And how do you think I'm getting upstairs."
He smirked. "That would be me." Before she could protest, he picked her up in his arms. "Hang on," he told her as he climbed the stairs.
"I could probably walk."
"You probably could," he told her without saying anything else. Spike placed her on her feet in front of the bathroom door. "Take a bath and lie down. I'll check on you in an hour.
Willow walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. The instant she slid into the water, she felt her muscles begin to relax.
~~~*~~~
An hour and a half later, Spike decided to go and check on her. He had put up the groceries and fed but no matter what, he could still feel her blood running through him. He had never tasted anything like it. He glanced around the room. An hour ago, he had shed of his duster and boots, feeling comfortable in her house. Flipping off the light, he made his way upstairs.
Spike knocked slightly on her door, pushing it open. "Feel better?"
"Yeah. More relaxed. Thanks."
"You should be asleep."
"Couldn't sleep."
"They're not coming back, pet. I dusted them."
"I know," she whispered.
Walking into the room, he sat on the side of her bed. "Then what is it?" he asked softly.
"I don't know. Spike if you hadn't been there."
He held his fingers up to her lips, silencing her. "But I was and you're ok." Instead of pulling away, he let the pad of his thumb brush across her lips.
"Stay with me?" she whispered.
Those words snapped him out of the moment. "I already told you I'd stay."
"I mean in here. With me."
"You sure."
"Yeah. I feel safe with you."
He knew he shouldn't. After kissing her and tasting her blood, he knew he shouldn't. "I'll stay." Spike climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around her body, holding her close. "I'll never let anyone hurt you."
Within moments he felt her fall asleep and wondered what he was falling into. <Maybe my mind is just in overdrive after tasting human blood again. That's gotta be it.> Closing his eyes, he wrapped his arms around her even more, letting himself fall asleep.
~Part: 10~
Spike woke up in the late afternoon, feeling Willow's warm body next to him. He slowly opened his eyes and saw that she was still asleep. He watched her face for a moment before leaning in to her neck and placing a soft kiss on her skin. Realizing what he did, he pulled back quickly. <You were supposed to forget, mate. Forget the kisses. Forget how warm her touch feels. No matter how hard it is. Friends. Remember friends? You were gonna pretend.> Taking a deep breath, he pushed her hair away from her face.
"Pet?" he whispered. He shook her gently, relishing the slightest contact.
"Hmm," she said sleepily, slowly opening her eyes.
Without hesitating, he trailed his index finger down her face. Seeing her confused expression, he pulled back. "It's about an hour until sundown. You haven't eaten yet. Did you want to go to the Magic Box and eat there or."
"Um.yeah, that's fine."
"What about the food I bought you last night?" he asked softly.
"I'll eat it.just not right now. Actually I should probably take a shower." Looking away from Spike, she climbed out of her bed and made her way to her bedroom door. Feeling his eyes on her, she stopped and turned around. "Feel free to watch TV or something. Whatever you want. There's cable downstairs." Before he could say a word, she left walking towards the bathroom.
Spike leaned back. <Hmm. Whatever I want? I can think of a few things.> He couldn't help but to smirk at the images of what he wanted. And they all had to do with the redhead currently in the shower. Stretching out, he decided he would wait for her to come back.
Willow shut off the water and dried off. She then wrapped the towel around her, her wet hair falling around her face. <Remember you're just friends. Pretending that nothing happened.> Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and made her way back to her bedroom.
Walking into the room, she opened her dresser drawer, looking for something to wear.
"Hello, Red," Spike said softly but huskily.
Willow turned around quickly. Her eyes widened as a blush spread across her body. "Spike!" she squeaked.
"Yes."
"Get out!"
"Why?"
"Why? Why? Because I'm only in a towel. That's why."
Spike let his eyes drift over her body, his jeans tightening in response.
"Get out! NOW!"
"You said I could do whatever I wanted," he told her as he climbed off of the bed.
"I know, but.I thought you would be watching TV or something."
"Rather watch you," he said out loud. Realizing that he had just said that, he could feel William creeping into his senses. "I'll just be downstairs when you're ready." Quickly he left, hoping he didn't just screw everything up.
~~~*~~~
Twenty minutes later, Spike was pacing the lower floor. "Oi, Witch! Hurry on up."
Willow came down the stairs in a pair of jeans and semi-tight t-shirt.
Spike noticed the shirt had a slight v-neckline. And Willow's hair was pulled back. Together, these things revealed her bare slender neck. She looked comfortable. "Ready?"
~~~*~~~
They walked for a while in silence before Spike spoke up. "So.you got a nice body, Red."
"What?"
"Granted I didn't see everything."
<Did he want to see everything?> "I can't believe we're having this conversation."
"You could've lost the towel."
"Spike!"
He couldn't help but smirk. "Relax, luv. We're here." Their conversation ended as they walked into the shop.
~~~*~~~
Twenty minutes had passed. Twenty minutes of listening to Buffy and Spike argue. Xander had left with Anya moments earlier while Giles kept his nose in a book. Willow finally stood up and handed Buffy a book. "We're here for research."
Buffy watched her best friend sit back down not far from herself or Spike. She then looked at Spike. "Everybody here hates you, Spike." She stood up, grabbing a stake and headed outside for patrol.
Willow looked at Spike's eyes. They were cold and lacked emotion. She wanted to comfort him but was sure he would just lash out at her.
Spike hated it here. He hated the Slayer. Hated fighting against evil. He WAS evil. And then there was Willow. The one person that made it bearable. He let his eyes lock with hers, wanting at that very moment to not forget.to not pretend. He wanted to be close to her. To hold her.
Willow remembered Buffy's last statement. 'Everybody here hates you, Spike.' "Not everybody hates you," she told him softly. "I don't hate you."
Spike nodded his head, letting her know he appreciated the comment. He didn't want to tear his eyes away from her.