~Part 1~ Never Take My Soul

He's evil. He'll kill me, that's probably why he didn't tell me. He wanted to betray me before he killed me. Really twist the sword, make it hurt just that much more. I can't even keep my eyes on the words as I type. The tears are blurring my vision. I know what I'm typing. 'Gone a few days, guys. Problems at home'. Home. Home is where the heart is, and home is where mine broke.

After I sent the email I paced the room for a few minutes. What was I thinking staying up here? Spike's evil. A locked door won't stop him from coming in and ripping my heart out. Even if we are, were, friends. I know I'm right. Staying here is suicide. At least until he gets the chip back. I'll have to talk to Riley about that. And, oh goddess, he killed Mark! Even after last night I wouldn't wish that on anyone. He was probably Spike's first meal after regaining his membership to the Evil Undead club.

The balcony is my only escape and escape I will. If I want to keep my life. I run for it, flinging the doors open as if he's already behind me. I climb over the rail and make a leap of faith to the tree beside it, glad I'd had all that practice with Xander and Jesse from when I was a kid. Jesse. He was killed by a vampire. How ironic that I could go the same way. I'd seen my double. Maybe it was fate? My leg scratches against a branch, a line of blood dribbles down the scratch. Nothing compared to what Spike would do. There's a reason why he got his nickname and I don't want to find out for myself.

Finally, I'm on the ground. Taking a step my leg collapses under me. Surely the scratch wouldn't do that. I look down. It must've been the jump that did it and my thoughts of Spike's torture of me didn't allow me to notice. I hobble over to the side of the house, resting for a moment. One glorious moment and I don't have any more of those left to spare. I do my best to limp away, towards the back of the house. It has a dirt track through some bush that will take me to the caves. The caves. A safe haven that Xander and I had when we would hide from our fathers. Different reasons for hiding. Same reason for leaving. We were scared. His father for the beatings, my father for not being good enough.

We would hide for hours and come home to find our mothers there waiting for us. Xander's was beaten most of the time he'd run away and mine
would just tell me to go to my room while she took him out to dinner, get his mind off me. One night, his mind would stay off me for good. One night I came home earlier than usual. I wipe the thoughts away. I was just shouted at anyway. No use bringing up the past to distract me when I have an evil vampire on my tail. He'd said it himself and I always had a habit of believing him. He was honest. Sometimes brutally honest and I really did believe when he said he was evil and that he wouldn't stop killing for me.

A twig snaps up ahead of me, making me stop in my tracks. Spike is fast. He could've cut around and moved ahead of me, making me walk right into
his trap. I wouldn't do that. I can't.

*^*^*

Up ahead, Riley and his team of commandos are scouting for demons when Riley looks through the trees, seeing a flash of red hair. "Willow?" He asks himself.

"Willow?" One of the British recruits comes up behind him.

"Yeah. One of my civilian friends." Riley replies.

"Then call 'er over. It's too dangerous out 'ere for 'er. Not with all them demons runnin' 'roun'. 'Ey! Willow!" He calls out.

Riley stops him with a smile. "Okay, I'll go. She knows I'm with the Initiative but with you guys you might freak her. Stay close though, we might need help." The commando starts jogging in the direction he'd seen her.

*^*^*

Willow's breath caught as she heard a British voice calling her name. "No. No, you won't get me." She chanted softly to herself as she tried to speed up her pace. "You won't get me. You won't!" She said a little louder.

Riley's hand touched her shoulder, she flung around, hitting the person with all her might before whipping back around and trying to run, no matter the pain in her ankle.

*^*^*

"You can't take me. I won't let you." I gasp out while I run. He'd found me and my punch to his face won't keep him down. Not even Buffy's can do that. I have to keep going if I want to survive. Find Buffy. I have to. She'll protect me, because Spike won't anymore. Now he's what I need to be protected from.

I see a group of men up ahead, dressed in camouflage. Maybe it's Riley. I can only hope. "Ri..." My voice gets caught in the back of my throat.
"Riley!" I yell again. No call back. Maybe it's Forrest... or-or Graham! "Forrest! Graham! Help!" I call out with all my might. Spike could be right behind me. I start to cry, something I shouldn't do right now but find I can't help it as the relief that I can be rescued floods through me. As I approach I gasp for breath, stopping within five metres of the men. I look up, it wasn't either of the three I hoped for. From what I've heard from Riley the commandos were all in University. These men looked much older. Either Riley over-looked some of the men or they'd gotten some older men out there to show them how it was done and he didn't tell them from embarrassment. "Help me. There's a-a vampire..." I breathed out, still panting for breath.

"That's okay, Dear. We'll have that taken care of." The guy that looked like the leader told me. He signalled for one of the guys and he obeyed,
taking out his walkie talkie and moving away as he talked to what seemed like the base. He took my arm gently and before I knew it... pain in the back of my head. Blackness consumed me.

*^*^*

Pain greets me as I slowly wake up from unconsciousness. I look around, everything is white. Tiles, roof, glass door. It was just like both Riley and Spike had explained it. Why was I here? In the Initiative? I thought they saved humans. Not captured them. Maybe they thought... when I yelled vampire! They must've thought he'd turned me and I was trapping them. Surely they would've checked for a pulse, or even breathing! As I stand I take in the picture before me. My cage. My sterile, glass cage. I wonder what fate would've been worse. The fate I would've had at Spike's merciless hands or the fate to these people. These people I trusted. Two trusts broken as I look out the glass door, careful not to touch the glass that Spike had told me was electrified.

People in cells much like mine. I see a woman in the cell opposite me, she's cowering in a corner, something I should be doing but I won't give them, any of them, that pleasure. I look to the cell beside that woman. Another girl, about my age is crying in her cell. On the opposite side of the woman I see another woman, about 25. Everyone seems to be crying. There's a beep coming from above me. I look up and see a tiny slot open, shooting out a bag. I grab it and peel across the tag to open it. "Don't eat it." A voice beside my cell says. "It's drugged." The voice states.

I can smell the aroma wafting out to me as my tummy grumbles. "Drugged?" I ask. I can't resist, even if it's drugged! Mere yoghurt would be enough, drugs be damned!

"They wait until you're out and they take you for tests."

The bag stops just outside my mouth. "Tests?" The only tests I like are the ones I can get an 'A' in and this isn't the kind of test that I would pass. There was no studying for it. "I have to eat. I'm hungry."

"Suit yourself. You're damning yourself." The female says with a plain voice. "I have scars to prove what I did was wrong. You can't please them though. Just delay your death."

"They won't kill us. I know one of them."

She snorts at me. "Yeah, honey. That's all well and good. I married one of them and here I am." She thumps something against the wall between
us, making me jump back. "He fooled me. Our 2nd anniversary. Before we met he was part of something in the military. He'd never talk to me
about it. All of a sudden he starts acting high and mighty and he's talking about his right to the people. For god and country. All that crap." She let's out an angry chuckle. "He'll die because of me. Whether it's from eventual guilt or by my hands. He will."

"You can't say that! You're married."

"Babe, we're locked in cells. Last time I checked the vows didn't say in sickness and in capturing them to take them away for Government testing. Death is more on my agenda. Divorce takes too long." She let out another chuckle.

A figure passes my cell, being dragged along. The girl underneath the sack jumps up, flinging the two guards that were holding her off. Taking the sack away as she fights them, her back all the while turned to me as she delivers a series of kicks and punches until they're both knocked out. She turns, I gasp from shock. "Faith!" I yell in surprise.

"Red." She looks closely at me. "Shit." She swears, digging around in the pockets of the men, finding a swipe card. As she's about to put it through something at the side of my door a bolt of electricity hits her. Why would she save me? I heard from Cordelia that Angel had tried to help her but had it worked?

The slayer falls to the ground in an unconscious heap as a group of men run up and drag her into the cell beside me. "No." I mutter. Even if she was evil at one time, she must've changed. She was my only hope. She *was*.

"One of your friends?" The lady in the other cell beside me asks.

"At one time, yeah." I reply.

"Ah, I see. My name's Katty. What's yours?"

"Willow. If it weren't under these circumstances I'd say it's nice to meet you, Katty, and it would be nice to see you... elsewhere."

She chuckles again. "See the one opposite me. "Says 'er names Elvy. The one beside her is Gwyneth. One beside 'er is Lara. Come on, Girls. Welcome Willow to hell." She says sadly.

The girls all look at me with sadness. "Elvy?" I look over at her. She nods at me. "Vampie?"

Her eyes try to look for something that tells her I'm a friend. "It's me! Witchy Sunnydale." I exclaim, hoping it would give her a little hope.

She lets out another sob but a smile forms on her face. "Witchy? Oh, god, they-they... I've been here so long."

"Is that why you didn't reply?" I know it's a heartless question but I need to know.

She nods. "I hope Vix isn't worried. My sire, you know." A grin forms on her features.

I laugh. "Don't joke about vampires, Vampie. You don't know how *real* that is. Believe me, I'm best friends with the slayer, I'm friends with a souled vampire and my house-mate that I told you about was that souled vampire's childe. I live on the *hellmouth*. I mean, sure, you do too but I knew about it!"

"Tell us more." I hear Gwyneth say.

For the next hour I tell them all the basics and answer questions for them.

*^*^*

I hear footsteps coming down the hall. Faith woke around 20 minutes ago and we'd been talking ever since. She went to jail and is on parole now. Angel was supposed to watch her but Cordelia had a vision and she and Angel were forced to return. Too late. The vision was of me. Getting
captured. Now the deal was... I was captured and so was one of my would-be rescuers.

A man in a mask stands outside my door, swiping the card he held through something. "Red." Faith says beside me, sounding worried. "Don't worry,
babe, I'll think of somethin'!" She yells as they start to drag my reluctant body past her cell.

"Faith!" I yell out in my desperation.

"Red!" She calls back. I can see the hopelessness in her eyes and know I mirror that exact look. My body collapses as they stick a needle in my arm. My last thoughts are that I must escape, preferably with my newfound friends.

*^*^*

I'm strapped to a table as I come to. My eyes blur and my body is numb. the thoughts that come to me are muddled at best. I can feel consciousness start to fade again. They may take my life, my freedom, but they'll never take my soul. A face flashes before my eyes but the blur quickly snatches it away. A familiar face. Could it be...?
 

~Part 2~ Mission: Impossible 2

Another body fell to the ground in a life-less heap, the blood of the man was smeared over his killer's hands. "Okay, so you definitely need therapy." Buffy stated as she gave Spike a disgusted look.

"I really missed that, y'know?" The vampire said as he went over to where Buffy was holding the other soldier and took him by the neck. "Want the same thing or are you gonna tell me where you 'ave Red?" The man looked back at him, terrified but didn't speak. "You win some..." The vampire trailed off, snapping the man's neck before lighting up a cigarette.

"Giles, make him stop. If he keeps killing people we won't have any hostages." Anya whined. "I want to negotiate!" With a stamp of her foot and a pout she looked up at the ex-watcher.

Giles sighed, wiping his glasses. "Anya, this is Spike. Spike can hurt again and I really don't feel like having any sort of metal object through any of my limbs." Anya gave the man a look. "Spike, perhaps we should stop killing and start the searching."

"Fine." The vampire grumbled as he searched the man's pockets.

"Oh, great. Now he's a killer *and* a robber. You'd steal something from a dead man's..." Xander started saying but stopped after Spike swiped a card through and the door they were waiting outside of opened.

Spike gave the teen a smug look. "Come on, Whelp. I've escaped 'ere before, I think I know what I'm doing." And then Spike disappeared through the doors and into the Initiative. Anya and Giles followed closely behind.

"I really dislike that guy." Xander muttered as he and Buffy walked in after them.

"He may be a vampire but he definitely has *some* kind of complex." Buffy added with a pout. <I'm supposed to be in charge.>

*^*^*

Willow awoke back in her cell with a patch over the crook of her right arm. Someone was talking but she couldn't tell who. "Willow."

"Red? Red, are you okay? Speak to me!"

"Witchy? Wait, she's waking up. Witchy! Will!"

So many voices. So many voices that she didn't know. Where was she? Who was she? Who were these people talking to her? And why was she in this... cell? Nothing seemed right. This all had some kind of bad aura around it. Maybe she was dreaming. She couldn't think. Everything seemed to be spinning. So fast. So, so fast. She fainted.

"No!" Vampie yelled in protest.

"What? What is it?" Faith asked desperately, wishing that x-ray vision was another slayer power so she could see through the wall between her and her old friend.

"She fainted." Gwyneth replied, her shoulders slumping.

Faith touched her forehead to the wall with a sigh. 15 minutes of calling to the unconscious girl and when she finally wakes up she faints. Typical of her luck. The slayer turned around and slid down the wall until she was sitting. A beep sounded, making Faith look up as a tiny packet filled with a white substance fell through a tiny trap door. "It's drugged." The four other woman said at once.

"Drugged? They're tryin' to drug me? No way, man. I'm a slayer. Us girls don't get drugged." Her stomach rumbled. "That what they did when they got, Red?"

"No, she didn't eat it. They just over-powered her." Gwyneth replied.

"Screw that." Faith snorted, picking up the packet and tossing it at the doors. She scurried to the back of the cell when the packet fried, sticking to it. "Woah." She stated, standing up and moving forward again. The door started to open but closed again. It went to open once more but closed once again. "Short circuit city!" She reached out cautiously and touched the glass. Nothing happened. "Yeah, Baby!" She started to grin as she put her hand between the glass and the wall and flung the door open, stepping out. A few guards ran to her, the slayer making hand signals to bring it on. Within a matter of minutes the guards were down and Faith was looking for a swipe card. After finding one and opening Lara, Gwyneth and
Elvy's cells she turned to Katty. "Think you know how to hold a gun?" She asked, swiping the card through then moving to Willow's and doing the same.

Lara, Gwyneth and Elvy all picked up the soldier's pistols and stun guns. "Oh, Baby, I am keepin' this." Elvy stated, looking over the mean looking stun gun she held.

Faith picked up Willow's tiny form and walked back out of the cell. "Can you guys take her? I wanna put these guys in their cages." She lowered the red head to the ground and started to drag the soldiers into the still functioning cells, swiping them closed once everyone was inside.

"How'd you fight them?" Lara asked, looking up at the brunette with curious eyes.

"I'm a slayer." Faith replied.

"A vampire slayer? But Willow said the slayer was a blond." The questioning looks of the women fell on her.

"There's two, Babe. Buffy died but came back. I was called when her replacement died. Can we get out of here now?" She picked up Willow and hauled her over her shoulder. "Gun me." She held out her hand for a pistol.

*^*^*

Spike stopped, Giles running straight into him. "She's nearby." He stated after sniffing the air. He kept sniffing as he moved down the corridor but skidded to a halt again when the smell disappeared. "It's gone. I can't smell 'er anymore." He back-tracked slowly and stopped when her scent was the strongest. He looked up, seeing an air vent. "'Ello, cutie." The vampire grinned, jumping up and punching the grate in. "Go on, Watcher." He put his hands together, readying to give the man a boost.

"No. If it's guarded I want to be the first in there." Buffy stepped through and gave Spike a small smile when he helped her up and into the grate.

"Don't get any ideas, Chit." Spike smirked, jumping up and slapping her on the arse. She yelped then all of them heard her growl. Spike chuckled. "Stake me later. Get Red now."

"Why'd he slap her?" Xander asked Anya, hoping she'd know something *else* he didn't.

<Wants her angry when she fights. Good idea.> "Probably just wants to distract her. <How can I get Giles angry?> "Hey, Giles, did you hear? Joyce and Hank are getting closer again."

"What?" Giles turned to her, a flash of Ripper going through his eyes.

Anya looked innocently at him before getting Spike to help her in. "Weapons, Spike." The vampire shoved the bag holding the weapons in after her. Anya grabbed behind her, looping the handle of the bag over her ankle so it would drag behind her as she went. Xander and Giles went in next and Spike followed behind them with the bag of spell books in front of him.

*^*^*

The girls ran down the hall. Katty and Gwyneth taking up the back as Elvy and Lara took up the front. Faith carrying Willow in the middle of the bunch. They came up to another group of six cells. They swiped the card through each of them, the six women that were inside were now free and following them. Coming up to a door they stopped. Lara tried the card again but nothing happened. She turned the card over in her hands. "It says 'cell card'." With a sigh she flopped to the ground. "Must just be for the cells."

"No!" Faith growled, letting Willow down softly to the ground. She snatched the card away and read it. "No." She muttered again, her eyebrows knitting together as she glared up at the door. "Stand back." She ordered. Everyone moved out of the way as Faith took her stance and kicked at the door. It splintered but didn't move. She kicked a few more times, the door finally giving way. "Come on."

They started running again until they were running through what seemed like a sewer but for air. They stopped when they came to a dead end, a single air vent that was at the top of the wall in front of them. "Hey! Don't look at my butt!"

"Who'd wanna look at *your* butt, Anya?"

"B!" Faith called out.

"Faith?" The other slayer shrieked in surprise.

"We're at a dead end. We've got Willow. She's unconscious."

"'Urry up, Slayer!" Spike growled from the back of the line.

The brunette slayer took the grating off and helped Buffy jump down. "Faith." Buffy gasped.

"Short story. Parole. Cordy had a vision. Me and Soulboy came to help."

"Angel's here?" The blond asked.

Anya jumped through and dumped the weapons bag at her feet. "Oh, good, my legs were cramping." She started to stretch the kinks out.

Xander and Giles jumped through, bending their sore backs. Spike dropped out of the air vent and rushed to Willow's unconscious form. He noticed the patch on her arm. "What'd they do?" He asked, ripping the bandage off. He saw a needle mark and then a half moon mark above it. "I'll kill the lot of 'em."

"Who are you?" Katty asked, stepping forward.

"He's Spike."

<The house-mate. The house-mate... that Willow hasn't told her friends about.> Vampie thought. "Spike. Willow talked about you. Pretty much *all* she'd talk about. Then they took her. Stuck a needle in her."

"She was out cold when they took her. Came back like that. Woke up for a few seconds then fainted."

All eyes turned to the red head in Spike's arms when she started to stir. Her eyes fluttered open and focused on Spike. She gave him a questioning look. "Who are you?"

*^*^*

Major Arnold Bryce was pacing in his office. Lately it seemed to be like a favourite past time. Another lap and he finally stopped, slumping in his chair. There was a knock on the door. "Enter." He growled out.

A middle aged man came in and set a pile of files on the desk. "Permission to..."

"Denied." Bryce interrupted. He took a breath, leaning back in his seat. "What of the prisoners?"

The soldier straightened his posture, hoping it would somehow stop him from losing his dignity. "Escaped, Sir." He replied.

Bryce's jaw clenched and unclenched. "How?" He asked simply. "You are my number one men! You can't even keep a bunch of *women* contained?"

"If I may, Sir, one of them... she's very strong, Sir. Took out all my men. The fighting... martial arts expert maybe?" The man pondered.

"But she's still a woman." Bryce said. "How many are missing?"

"All of them, Sir."

"You lost a dozen of our captives?" The major asked, his voice a deadly tone.

The soldier before him was getting nervous. He'd lose his job for this. If not his head. "Yes, Sir." He answered in a small voice.

"Then you will find them," Bryce stood, leaning forward in an intimidating manner, "And capture them, and then you will bring them all in for their metamorphosis. Are we clear?" The man nodded. "Dismissed." The major snapped as he watched the man leave to do his duty. Bryce pulled a mini-recorder from his pocket and turned it on. "All of our captives have escaped. A dozen of them. One of them is said to be strong, most likely a martial arts expert. Took down a team of my men and then released the others." He sighed and continued. "My second in command is taking a team to retrieve the captives to continue the testing." He clicked it off and returned the little machine to his desk, locking it.

*^*^*

"You don't know me?" Spike asked in a whisper.

"Amnesia." Giles mumbled.

"That's temporary." Lara said. "I had amnesia for a day or so until I started to remember some things."

"Me too." Katty added. "We think it's just part of the drug."

Giles knelt down beside Willow. "Your name is Willow Rosenberg. You live in Sunnydale and attend University and UC Sunnydale. You live with a, er, housemate." He tried not to give away too much information in front of Buffy and Xander, knowing their responses already.

"W-Willow?" Willow asked unsurely. "I think I remember." She muttered softly, moving a little closer into Spike's arms. She closed her eyes, letting his scent fill her senses. Her eyes opened and she looked at him with a little recognition. <Leather. Cigarettes. A... dog?> Her head tilted to the side. <Housemate. I'm Willow.>

"Red." Faith asked, touching her arm.

"Red." Willow nodded. "Yeah. Red." She sat up, holding her head. "Ow."

"You okay, Pet?" Spike asked, looking at her worriedly.

Willow looked at him. "Petit chat." She gave a hint of a question in her voice.

Spike's eyes lit up. "Yeah, petit chat. That's you, Luv."

"Spike." She said, pointing at him with a smile. "I remember you." Her face fell. "You got the chip out. You're going to kill me." She went to move away but Spike stopped her.

"I'd never hurt you, Pet. You've been too good to me."

Buffy snorted from the back. "Who cares? Stake him. Let's take Willow home."

Spike growled at the slayer, his eyes flashing gold. "Back off, Slutty."

"Over-protective much? Get away from her, Spike. She wants her friends." Buffy said, stepping forward and reaching for Willow. The red head moved closer into Spike's arms. "Will?" Buffy asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Bu-Buffy?"

"Yeah. That's me."

"I feel... weird." Willow started to scratch at the symbol on her arm. A ripple went over her skin. Another. And another. "What's happening?" She asked, starting to get worried.

Katty sighed. "We're not normal anymore." She looked down. "After a week there's no cure. Arnie, that's my husband... he told me straight out when I was in my cell. I could feel it and he just laughed. She has a week and then it's there for good."

"What's there?" Faith asked.

"We're... well, mutants. Man-made. When the process was complete Arnie was going to brainwash us. There were twelve of us for testing and if it
worked he'd take more." Katty explained.

"Can we save this until later? We need to go *now*." Xander urged, motioning for the air vent.

Once everyone was through to the other side, the group of soldiers ran up to the dead end. The lead soldier signalled the air vent to his men then told them to move out.

*^*^*

Spike ran with Willow in his arms along the hallway, they were approaching the exit. Everyone was through and out in the forest once again. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "We'll go to my house. We can rest and hide there." Giles stated as everyone started running again.

*^*^*

Everyone was sitting around Giles' apartment, cups of tea and food were given out and the women ate all that was given as their hunger started to decrease. "Thank you." Katty told Giles as he handed her a cup of tea.

He gave her a warm smile then sat in front of her. "The military is trying to mutate the world you say?"

"Yeah. One thing about Arnie that was never a good point for him... he always had a habit of telling his victims his brilliant plan. Told me, in some war he was at that he never told me about he did the same. Thing was, we escaped."

"Could you possibly tell me why your name is Katty?"

"My real name's Kathy. I guess that was good considering how I'm mutated now." She held out her hand and concentrated. Retractable claws shot out the tips of her fingers then went back in. "Hurts like hell. They put some kind of chemical in your system that does something to the cells in
your body. He told me it won't go past a certain stage, depending on how much of the chemical is in you though. Said there's more things that
change the more the chemical goes in ya. I was the fourth. I'm stronger, have claws, damn good hearing and I can see in some darknesses."

"A cat." Giles said in amazement.

"All of us were supposed to be cats so they could test the chemical. The stuff they put in us was mixed with panther DNA or something like that."
She took a bite from one of the cookies on a plate before her.

"What about Willow?"

"She was the eleventh. That Faith chick was going to get the full dosage. Willow's the one with the most in her right now. She's in the most danger if the stuff goes too far."

Giles rubbed his eyes from under his glasses. "Could she die?"

"Nah. Just... if the chemical goes berserk then it'll take over her system. Most likely turn her into a panther. That's why they're testing it. Though, if they gave her the full dosage or over the dosage she could well be dead."

*^*^*

Upstairs in Giles' bedroom. "Spike?"

"Yeah, Luv?"

"Why did you kill Mark?"

Spike walked over slowly and sat on the side of the bed that Willow was lying in. "He hurt you, Ducks." The vampire replied matter-of-factly.

"You killed him for me?" She asked in a small voice, biting her bottom lip.

"Yeah, Pet. You're my..." <Woman. My woman.> His evil side said. <She's not and you know it! If you tell her she's your woman she'll yell at you and say she's her own person! *Then* you'll lose her *again*.> "Best friend." He finished. A smile on both their faces. "Get some rest, Pet. You've been through a helluva lot."

"Okay." She whispered. "Ahh." She hissed, grabbing her sides. "Spike, it hurts." She sobbed.

Spike stroked her cheeks. "Don't worry, Pet. It'll be alright. We're just gonna find the cure and get this stuff out of you."

Willow looked up at him. "I've been thinking a lot about this since I've known."

"And...?"

"If the experiment works... I'll be able to change back and forth from a panther. That's what the girls told me anyway. Already most of them can control their... powers. Katty can use her claws already. What if I can do all that? I'll be a witch and a," She made a funny face. "Mutant. I'll be strong and... stealthy, see in the dark. Vampie's got fangs! She can control them too! What if I can do all that? I can help Buffy slay!"

Spike gave her a look of thought. "Do you want us to find a cure or let you see if this works?"

The red head thought for a moment before nodding. "I think... I was meant to have this done to me. You just said a few moments ago that Whistler told you your reason. Maybe this is mine. I-I think I can do this."

Spike gave her a weak smile. "How's Junior going to cope when his master is a cat?" They both started laughing.

"From what I've heard I won't be a full time cat. Panther. Whatever. I'd be able to control it."

"Dogs can sense these things."

"I know but he'd know it's me. We can even explain it if we have to."

"I'm not talking to the dog." Said Spike in his stern voice.

Willow smiled. "Stupid Mutt." She mimicked in a mock replica of Spike's low, warning voice. "Don't look at me like that. I know what you're thinking. Don't you dare."

The vampire chuckled and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "We'll take you home tomorrow when Slutty and the Whelp go home." He leant back and looked at her, smiling and happy. "Now we can both have fangs."

The red head giggled. "Does this mean I have to eat cat food now?"

"No. Listen, we'll get together with the others in a few days and get some kind of plan to take these pillocks down, 'kay?" Willow nodded, slipping down further in the bed again as Spike turned off the lamp, crawling over to lay down beside her on top of the sheets.
 

~Part 3~ Here Kitty, Kitty

Willow was walking downstairs. Something felt odd about her and she knew exactly what it was. The chemical was settling in. She walked into the lounge room and leant against the door. <Spike fell asleep in front of the tv again.> She sighed as she walked over and tapped him. He didn't move. "Spike." She said softly. "Spike, it's me."

The next thing she knew she was pinned underneath him and he was smirking at her. "Morning, Kitten."

"I think that's going to be a bit more realistic than you think." She took a deep breath and raised her hand. One by one she let the claws come out the tips of her fingers. "They're metal." She gave him an unsure look. "I have metal nails."

"Well, at least you won't break a nail now." He joked.

The claws retracted. "Spike, I'm serious." The girl tried to sound scolding but failed when a small smile appeared on her face. "We should go see the others now. Show them the new me."

"They don't know that you weren't taking that cure they found?"

The witch shook her head. "This stays. Besides, it's my body. Oh, and Junior doesn't mind. He's been sleeping on my bed for the past few days."

"Yeah, but he was shocked the first time you got home."

"Hmm, yeah." <Spike's on top of me.> She thought, giving him a nervous smile.

<You *do* know you're still on top of her don't you?> <Yeah. What of it? I *like* this position.> <Let me spell it out for you. In-no-cent!> Spike growled shortly, moving off her to stand in front of the television. "Sorry, Luv."

"It's okay." She replied, sitting up. "I-I can see in the dark. Kind of. Not able to see as if there were normal sunlight of anything but I can see better." She stated, hoping to change the subject.

"That's nice." He replied, a little uncomfortable now. God, he *was* whipped. "What else've you got?"

"Well, claws. Strength. I haven't tried changing into the actual panther yet. I want Giles there when I do it just in case."

"Sure. Want to go over now? I'll get the tarp..."

Willow nodded but as Spike was about to go she grabbed his hand. "Spike, thank you." The girl took a deep breath and began. "I-I, Spike, well, I... heard... something. Last night."

"Yeah? What? This the enhanced 'earing bit?"

She nodded, biting her bottom lip and rolling it between her teeth. "This is kind of... well..." She started blushing. "Can you... keep it down?"

Spike blinked a few times. "Pet?" He asked, his throat constricting slightly, making his voice a little higher.

"You know..." She trailed off, looking embarrassed. "I... heard you. Moaning." Her cheeks flamed even further.

The vampire chuckled. "Pet, I was moaning because Junior bit me." He took off his boots and showed her his foot. Deep teeth marks still marred his skin.

"Oh." But she continued to blush. Spike laughed out loud as he walked out of the room. Willow held her head in her hands with her embarrassment. "Great going, Rosenberg." She muttered to herself.

*^*^*

Spike and Willow walked into Giles' apartment, Willow closed the door as Spike dumped his tarp near the stairs. "'Ey, Watcher! You 'ome?" The blond bellowed.

"Yes, Spike! I am!" Giles called out from upstairs. "Could you get Whistler a drink? You know where it is!"

The two new entrants looked to the couches and saw the demon sitting on the sofa, turning to look at them. "Nature girl!" He exclaimed as a greeting.

Spike's eyes flickered with his thoughts. "That's why you called her Nature girl. Not because her name's Willow." He said, pointing to the demon as he approached.

Whistler shrugged. "Yeah. Life sucks, huh?"

"Actually... I don't mind." Willow interrupted as she, too, walked around to the chairs and sat down.

"Suit yourself. Now you both got what you wanted." He picked up a biscuit from the table. "'Ey, Spikey. That drink...?"

The vampire rolled his eyes as he fetched three glasses and a bottle of scotch. "Watcher!" Spike bellowed once again.

"Coming, Spike!" Giles yelled back angrily. "Honestly, can't a man get dressed in pe- oh, hello, Willow."

"She didn't take the cure." Spike stated straight out.

"What? Willow...?" Giles turned to the girl for her reason.

"I wanted it, Giles."

Whistler stood. "The Powers wanted this for her. It won't hurt her. It'll make her better. Go on, Kitty. Give us some tricks."

Willow let her claws come forward then took a breath, looking at Spike she started to change. She squirmed on her seat and stood looking behind her to see a black tail. A smile lit up her face. "I have a tail!" She said happily. "Cool." Her face sprouted whiskers and fangs formed in her mouth. Before she knew it she was on all fours and was letting out a roar in her full panther state. "Giles! Wait, I can still talk?"

"You still need to communicate as an animal. You can talk both ways like this. Just like you can when you're human." Whistler explained. "I'll go. Spikey, that mutt of yours. You know 'e's special, right? Don't want him surprising you or anything. Tell him Whistler says 'hi'." He tipped his hat at them then shot back the drink Spike had put out in front of him and started to turn into mist.

Willow changed back within seconds. "Bye, Whistler. Thanks."

"See ya, kiddo." He said as the mist left and Anya was in his place.

"That was cool." Anya said. "Never knew he got promoted. God, he was so annoying 5 centuries ago."

"I can change into a panther." Willow told the girl with a burst of excitement.

Anya nodded. "Didn't think you'd take that cure thing."

*^*^*

Spike junior was sleeping on the couch when a dinging sounded through his ears. <Great. What now?> His head rose and he yawned.

<Ahem, Junior...> The voice in his head laughed at the name. <Here, boy.> It mocked.

<Get on with it, Liber.> Junior replied.

<You *do* know they're supposed to be together by now. Don't you?>

<Yeah, but they're really hard to *put* together. They're stubborn as hell and... well, they're friends... except that Anya girl. Man is she *hot*!>

<Ahem. We made a deal. You would get your powers back if you got these two together.>

<I don't know... I like the idea of being their puppy. I never once got a tummy rub up there. Well... not like the ones Willow gives me.> The puppy thought, yelping appreciatively.

<Junior. Down, Boy!> There was laughter from Liber.

<Lib! Don't!>

<Cupie, you really do have to stop getting into this mischief. Okay, here's the deal then. You can stay on earth as their puppy until your life is over and if you do... you can come back with all of your faults forgiven.>

<Wasn't *my* fault your wife fell for me. She has a face like a horse anyway.>

<Cupid.> The voice said with warning.

<Heh heh heh.> The dog gave a puppy smirk.

Liber growled. <Be a good dog and get your masters together.>

Junior barked. <Shut up. I'm taking my time.> He settled back on the cushions.

<You're going to lose the bet.>

<Am not.>

<Are too.>

<Am not.>

<Are too.>

<And you say *I'm* childish.>

<Well... you are. *Puppy*!>

Junior growled and Liber left with the sounds of laughing. <Why can't I just be a normal dog that has a goal?> Spike Junior thought.

<Heh heh. Done!> Liber's voice rang out and with a puff of smoke, Spike Junior was a real dog.

<Why do I all of a sudden feel like Pinocchio?>
 

~Part 4~ On The Prowl

"Spike! Now! Now, now, now!" Willow said impatiently as she stood at the door, waiting for Spike.

"Just a minute, Pet." The vampire replied, walking slowly down the stairs.

Willow started to tap her foot impatiently, glaring at the blond when he smirked at her. "You're doing this on purpose." She let out a tiny panther growl.

The vampire grinned at her, growling back in a playful way. "Pet, you're angry. I was just getting you something. I bought it for you a few days ago. Thought you might like it. Considering..." He handed her the parcel.

She looked curiously at him. "What is it?"

"Let's just say... you won't be nicking off with mine anymore." He gave her a smile.

Willow hurriedly opened the wrapped parcel and gasped, the wrapping dropping to the floor. "Spike!" She squealed, shrugging off Spike's duster and handing it to him. She smiled widely when she saw him sigh in relief at getting his prized leather jacket back. She bounced up and down happily a few times before slipping on the women's trench-coat he got her.

"It's also just in case you can't control your mutating and it'll hide the tail. The pockets are deep enough for a few stakes, holy water, crosses, all of that." Willow rushed into the kitchen and bent down to one of the lower cabinets, retrieving a few small bottles of holy water, two crosses and some stakes. "Pet, you're a panther now. You won't need that many stakes."

"I will if I wanna kill them." She replied, walking back over to him.

"Use your claws. Decapitation, remember?"

"Yeah, well, I don't want to use them just in case I turn and you're there."

"How sweet. The little Kitty Witch cares." He chuckled as he walked through the door with Willow behind him. The red head glared at his back, letting the claw of her index finger come forth as she jabbed him lightly in the side. "Ow! Pet..." He growled in a warning tone.

Willow smiled victoriously as she walked past him and towards the car while Spike locked up. He turned around and followed her. Was she... strutting? He tilted his head to the side, watching her sashaying butt. <W> Huh? Spike wondered what his good side was thinking. <H> He stopped
in his tracks. <I> Okay, there's was definitely something happening. <P> The good side was spelling out something to him. <P> Okay, so that was WHIPP... <E> <D> WHIPPED... <'Ey!> The evil side replied angrily. <*Wh*ippity do dah. *Wh*ippity 'ay. My oh my, ain't Spikey really *whipped* today!> The voice snickered. "Watching too many of those damn movies of Red's." He grumbled, rushing to open her door for her before she could. "No, Red. The man always opens the door for a lady."

The girl blushed. "Thank you."

The good side in his head started laughing hysterically, the evil side growling back. "No, problems, Sweets." He closed the door then ran around to his side and slipping in behind the wheel. "So, Red, where to? Park? Back alley of the Bronze? Pick a spot."

"Cemetery." She replied with a smile.

Spike rolled his eyes. "Typical *bloody* female." He whispered to himself.

"Enhanced hearing, Spike. It won't work." She gave him a replica of his lopsided smile.

The vampire rolled his eyes and put the car into gear as the car drove off towards one of Sunnydale's many cemeteries.

*^*^*

Willow retracted her claws from the vampire's throat. "Sneaking up on people isn't nice."

The vampire clutched at the girl's clawed hands. "Let... go." He gasped.

"Where's the fun in that, mate?" Spike asked from behind them girl.

"Traitor." The vampire accused.

Spike tsked, shaking his head. "Red here is still human. Let me demonstrate something." He pinched the girl on the arm.

"Ow!" She dropped the vampire and glared at Spike.

"Just proving a point, Luv. Keep those claws to yourself." He stepped back a step.

"Just don't do it in front of every vamp we see." They both turned to find the vampire was gone. "But I wanted to hurt him some more!" She turned, pouting at Spike.

He stepped back another few steps, looking her over with confusion. "Pet, what's wrong with you? You're not the girl I know."

"Nothing's *wrong* with me Spike. Finally I feel like part of the team. The Scoobies! I can fight now." The vampire rushed towards her, she instinctively shot her claws out in front of her, embedding them in his stomach.

He choked out a groan, looking into her eyes with sadness. "P-Pet?" He asked, dropping backwards onto his backside as the wounds he was just
given started to give out blood. In his hand he held a crossbow bolt. "Behind you." He stated before his energy started to fade with his quick loss of blood.

Willow turned to see a demon with a crossbow in it's hand, reloading the bolts after firing one at Willow's back. She growled, knowing then that
Spike hadn't attacked her but saved her. She leapt at the creature, her fangs coming forward as she clawed and bit the monster. She unknowingly
let her tail come out as she continued to pummel the beast. "You made me hurt Spike!" She hissed, turning into a panther and growling as she
started tearing the beast apart. Once it was dead she turned back into a human, on all fours over the beast. She crawled away and turned to see
Spike, looking more dead than usual. "Spike?" She started to crawl over and leant over him. "Oh goddess." She mumbled, trying to wake him up by
slapping him lightly on the face. "Spike!" She said again but he didn't move. She pulled his black shirt out of his jeans and lifted it up, seeing the blood pouring out of the holes she had caused. "No." She let a few tears fall. "Spike. What have I done?" She asked, a sob wracked through her system. She started to search his duster pockets and found two blood bags inside. "You're damn lucky you're smart, Spike." She said as she used her claws to puncture one of the bags and hold it to his mouth. When it was empty she did the other one. The wounds were starting to heal but going too slowly. She stood, looking around for someone. Seeing a man not far off she ran to him with her panther speed and grabbed him, putting a hand over his mouth and waiting for him to go unconscious as she picked him up and ran back to Spike's side. "You better be grateful." She growled at him as she slit the man's wrist and let some of the blood trickle into the vampire's mouth. When Spike started waking up again she let the man down slowly. Not enough blood to die, enough blood for Spike to heal.

Spike sat up, wincing and looking down at the eight holes on his skin. He pulled the shirt down and finally looked up at Willow with a look she didn't recognise. He stood and started walking away. "Spike! Wait! Where are you going?"

"Like you said, Witch, you can take care of yourself." He said, his tone was low and harsh as he walked away.

"Spike! Stop!" Willow pleaded as she jogged over to catch up to him.

He turned a corner into a patch of bush, when Willow got there he was nowhere in sight. She let her senses kick in for something, anything, that would led her to Spike. She heard a heartbeat, some talking, a car in the distance but nothing that gave her what she wanted. The whereabouts of her housemate. The tears started streaming down her sad features. She'd find him. She was determined to tell him what happened, why she hadn't trusted him when he moved towards her like that, why she had to respond by hurting him and not just pushing him away. She had to. Or she'd lose the dearest thing to her in her life.

*^*^*

Spike walked glumly down the street, slowing down outside the Espresso Pump. He looked inside and saw Giles sitting with his guitar again, letting rip with the singing. He looked around the tiny audience for their reactions and saw Buffy's mother there. The vampire smiled. <So, they're shaggin' behind the slayer's back, 'eh. Naughty, naughty.> The blond chuckled but continued on his path. At least *they* were happy. He'd just been stabbed by his best friend. Could life get any better? The vampire snorted and quickened his pace. Afterall, she was part panther now and those senses of hers could do a lot. He was now walking past one of Sunnydale's finer restaurants and looked in. He saw Xander sitting uncomfortably at the fine table with Anya. The boy was obviously trying to treat her to something nice other than just sex. He wondered how long it would be before Anya asked him, in her usual outright way, when they could have sex. He continued walking. A few minutes later he was walking past yet another of Sunnydale's cemeteries. He sighed and decided to walk through it, maybe dust a few of his kind as he did.

Upon walking between two of the crypts he heard talking. <Just great, mate. Run into the slayer on your way. She'll stake your ass now!> Then he heard her boyfriend's voice.

"Don't kill him, Buffy. He obviously cares enough for Willow to go back to the Initiative and risk being captured just to save her." Riley reasoned.

"He's evil! He's a vampire! What are you talking about? Isn't it your job to catch him and make him placid?" Buffy responded.

"Buffy, he helped save one of your friends."

"Spike. Is. Evil. If I don't stake him he'll kill us all!"

He heard someone standing. "Fine. Stake him. Remember, Faith got caught by them and she's a slayer too. What if you got caught? I wouldn't be
surprised if no one went in to save you." Spike hid as Riley came around the corner.

"Riley! Riley, wait! Stop! Come on! He's Spike! He doesn't mean anything. He doesn't even have any friends!"

Spike watched as the slayer caught up to her boyfriend and stopped him. "What about Mr.Giles? Or Anya? You told me they seemed friendly. And
Willow? What about her?"

"Willow's just sad that we're ignoring her lately. She'll get over it. It's just a phase. And you know what? I'm ending the phase by staking Spike." Then Buffy walked off ahead of Riley then slowed her pace as if she were waiting for him to catch up. After a few long moments she turned to see where he was and saw that he hadn't moved.

"I'm not walking you home, Buffy. As you told me so many times before, you can take care of yourself." And then Riley started walking in the
opposite direction.

"Riley!" The slayer called out but the commando didn't stop. Buffy gave out a huff and then stormed away the way she had gone before.

"Okay, so they aren't as happy..." Spike said slowly as he walked out from the crypt. A thought hit him. The commando boy had stuck up for him because he saved Willow. Time to think. <'Eh, screw thinking. Gotta talk to that ponce.> And then he started off on his way to follow Riley Finn.

*^*^*

Riley was walking through the streets of Sunnydale, his hands shoved in his pockets and his shoulders hunched over. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Spike. He stepped away a few paces. "Spike." He stated plainly.

"I eavesdropped. Sue me." Spike stated, motioning for them to continue walking. He let out a heavy, unneeded sigh. "You stood up for me against
that brainless chit of yours."

They both started walking at a slow pace. "Yeah, I did." Riley replied.

"Why?"

"You saved Willow. You have the chip out and you still went out of your way to help her."

Spike's face darkened. "Do you... love her?"

"No, I love Buffy. Willow's just a friend." Riley replied, a small smile on his face at the possessive tone Spike had given him. "How long have you been like this towards her?"

"Like what?" Spike asked, raising an eyebrow at the boy.

"Possessive. I mean, was it before or after you moved in together?" He looked up at the vampire and watched as Spike's face shot up to see him,
the shocked look on his expression making it evident that it was supposed to be a secret. "Don't worry. I haven't told Buffy. If I tell her she'll stake you and that would make Willow either angry or depressed. I've seen both and don't like either of them."

There was a pause. "Before."

"Pardon?"

"Before we moved in. She let me stay with her at her parent's house for a while before we moved in together. In fact, that night that I saved her, that was about it."

Riley searched Spike's face for a moment. "Do you love her?"

The vampire shrugged. "I have no idea. It wasn't like this with Dru. It's all new now. At least with Dru I knew what I was feeling. With Willow it's a whole new ballgame." He pulled his packet of cigarettes out of his duster and lit one up, taking a long drag from it. "Did you know that Willow didn't take that cure you lot found?"

"Yeah. I kind of expected it." Riley answered with a smile. "Willow wants to be one of the strong ones of the group so badly. She'd do something like that to have it."

"Yeah, well, the Powers That Be and all that rot told her it was supposed to happen." He sighed, taking another puff from his fag. "Damn chit almost put me in another vampire bleedin' coma." With his spare hand he raised his shirt slightly to show the still healing wounds that were there. "The claws are metal. Just glad they aren't wood."

Riley chuckled. Afterwards he asked, "She did that? Really? Why?"

"She was getting power hungry with her newfound cattiness. We were talking and some demon came up behind her, shot a crossbow bolt at her so I ran forward and reached behind her to catch it. Didn't know she didn't trust me. Got her claws out and in they went."

"She didn't mean it." The commando replied. "She was just scared. People act on instinct when they're scared."

"Then why didn't she just push me away or move out of my way? Why'd she dig in her claws? She doesn't trust me I tell you." The cigarette was
put out under his boot as the stood outside Riley's frat house.

"How'd we end up here?" Riley asked. "I was going to keep patrolling a while."

"Don't know. I know I wouldn't come here just in case your friends decided to nab me."

"Well, from what I heard about that demon..."

"Whistler."

"Yeah, Whistler, then you won't get the chip back even if you tried. Come inside. Forrest is just left this morning for his parent's house for a while."

Spike walked in after Riley. "Why aren't you?"

"Told my parent's that no matter how much I loved them I had responsibilities here. Come on, my room's up here. You can tell me more then."

*^*^*

"No, I'm sorry, Willow. I haven't seen him since the other day." Giles replied, handing the pacing girl a cup of tea. "Please sit down. I don't wish to have pacing tracks on my carpet."

"I have to find him, Giles." She replied, letting the real, shy and innocent Willow come forward. "I don't know what I'll do without him." She let herself slump down into the sofa.

He sighed, sitting down with her. "Willow, will you be here long? I have a... er... busy schedule tonight."

*^*^*

Joyce listened from the spare room as Giles tried to calm the girl. <So, Willow likes Spike? Well then... I guess I'll have to help them get their situation sorted out.> A plotting smile appeared on her face.

*^*^*

<I *do* wish they'd just admit that they are more then housemates or friends. This is becoming quite tiresome.> "Yes, Willow. I will call if he turns up. Yes, you gave me the number." <Please just go now.> "I'm here when you need me." He told her as she walked out the door.

*^*^*

Willow looked confused as she turned to look at the closed door behind her. "Why do I feel like I was just kicked out? Is Giles doing something I *really* don't want to know about?" She shuddered. "Don't go there, Rosenberg. Rosenberg, heh, Spike called me *witch*. He's either really mad or... really mad." She sighed and started walking away.

*^*^*

"Want another drink?" Riley asked as he opened the mini-fridge in his dorm room. Spike nodded, contemplating the empty bottle in his hands. Riley handed him another beer and sat on his bed. "I'm not good at advice for vampires and mutants but I can say this much... I'll help if you need it."

"Why would you help me? I'm a vampire?"

"Yeah, but you have a higher purpose. The chip that was put in you had a fail-safe in it so even a knock to the head won't stop it. That's why I know you're not lying when you said the Powers... whoever they are... did this for a reason." There was a moment of silence. "You aren't going to kill me now that you're invited in my dorm room are you?" He asked cautiously, mentally slapping himself for not remembering that simple rule.

Spike grinned at the boy. "No, I've fed."

Riley nodded then looked up. "On who?" He asked, trying to make conversation.

"This guy was drug dealing in some alley I passed. Got all three of the blokes there. Not dead, just took a bit."

"Good. I'm supposed to protect those people."

"Yeah."

Riley ran a hand over his face and let out a heavy sigh. "Spike, I'm going to give you our patrol sheet. What times we go where and a walkie talkie just in case our plans change. Okay? I'm also going to give you a schedule of where Buffy goes and when so you don't run into her."

"Thanks, Mate." Spike replied, giving him a thankful nod. <Is it just me or since I've been livin' with Red I'm able to say 'thank you' a lot easier?> He shook it off and took the sheets that Riley handed him and the walkie talkie, slipping them in his pocket. "'Preciate it." The vampire said, drinking the last of his beer. "I'd best be 'ome. Don't know how I'm going to get in without having to see Willow." They both stood and walked to the door.

"You can't avoid her forever." Then Riley smiled. "She won't let you."

"Thanks, Mate." Spike replied with sarcasm. They both laughed as Spike left the building towards his home.

"Good luck." Riley whispered, already pitying the vampire for what would happen.

*^*^*

Willow tossed and turned in her bed. Spike wasn't home yet. It was only 2 hours until sunrise. He should be home! In his bed! Sleeping! She growled, getting out of bed and going to sit at her computer. She pulled up her email and heard the words 'You've Got Mail'. A smile spread across her face when she saw an email from Vampie.

'Witchy!!
I showed Vix my fangs! She got a little surprised but now she's saying she wants 'em. LOL! Told her I wasn't a real vampire tho. I got an email from Lara. She's using her tail like a whip. Neways, we're all going to get together sometime. Wanna come? Come on, you can call Faith and we can all have some fun. Go around scaring some people. Whatta ya say? Love and Friendships Forever,
~Anarchy Ruler~ *VAMPIE*'

"Gotta love that Vampie." Willow said to herself as she started to reply. 'Sure, Vampie. I like the idea of that get-together. I'll call up Faith and see if she can come down for a weekend. Bring Vix too, I'd like to meet her as well. Have you heard from Katty? I'm worried Arnold will try and find her to see if the tests worked. WBS! Panthers'R'us *giggle*. Love, Fangs and other thangs, Witchy."

She grinned at her trademark ending as she sent the message. Now that was done all she had to do was wait until Spike got home again. The witch pouted and started surfing through her mail, clicking on things that interested her and deleting others. She opened up the list mail for her 'Bessie, The Demon Killer' lists. The recurring cast member she liked the most was that blond haired vampire. Stakes. So lovingly named as he tortured each demon killer he killed with their own stakes. He reminded her of someone but she couldn't put her finger on it. With a shrug she decided to read the fanfic that was on the list. LoneWolfForever Brigade or something like that. There was that Susanne again, writing stories about the blond vampire and that little red headed hacker. Willow liked to think of herself as that red head sometimes but that girl was far from shy and the blond vampire was cruel and nasty even with that brain-washing that military group did on him. The next story she read was Dear Journal and Throwing Rocks by her online friend Vampie. "Yeah! Kill Bessie! Stupid bitca!" The girl grumbled when she'd finished. A tired yawn escaped her as she shut down her computer and decided to turn it in for the night. She'd talk to Spike later.

*^*^*

Spike sat in his DeSoto, waiting for sunrise. He was glad he had the tarp with him. If Willow came out that day looking for him, knowing he couldn't go anywhere in the sun, then he'd need something to help him move about. There was a sewer entry in one of the crypts he was parked near anyway. If the little chit came for him he'd just make a dash for it. Lighting up another fag he took a puff, hoping he could get a little sleep before the sun rose.
 

~Part 5~ Making Amends... again

Willow woke up from a nice dream she had been having. She'd found Spike' DeSoto along one of Sunnydale's streets, finding him inside. She'd asked forgiveness and he'd been reluctant at first... but ended up giving in and forgiving her. He had leant forward and given her a kiss, telling her he couldn't *not* love her and would forgive anything she did. She smiled at the memory, only hoping that he would be that forgiving.

She got dressed and walked to Spike's room. Not bothering to knock she looked in and saw it hadn't been slept in. With a sigh she decided it was time to look for him and apologise.

*^*^*

Spike woke up in the backseat of his DeSoto. He'd just had a dream about Willow apologising to him. She's come looking for him and had found him where he was now. She'd started explaining when he grabbed the tarp and made a run for the crypt to get to the sewer access it had. She'd made chase but he was gone by the time she got there. She saw the sewer access and followed. He was walking through the sewers when she ran up to him, making him listen to her. She'd told him she couldn't live with herself if he hated her, begging him to forgive her and ended in giving her a kiss. Then his dream had changed to him being a super-hero with Willow as his side-kick and them having hot bunny sex every night but that was a different story. He decided it was time for breakfast and opened one of the many bottles of alcohol littered on the floor.

*^*^*

Willow walked down the street that was lining one of the cemeteries. She gasped when she saw a black car not too far in the distance. Her eyes turned yellow as she used her panther sight to see if it was in fact Spike's DeSoto. A happy sigh came from her mouth as she ran towards it, hoping he was still inside. Opening the door she saw the person she was looking for, sitting in the backseat, drinking some whiskey. "Spike, let me explain about last night."

*^*^*

Spike had gotten a quarter of the whiskey down his throat when the door he was facing opened and Willow looked inside. He lowered the bottle, giving her a harsh look. She gave him an apologetic look as she spoke. "Spike, let me explain about last night." That's when he grabbed the tarp and ran out his door, covering himself with the large material as he ran to the crypt.

*^*^*

Willow's mouth dropped in disappointment. This *wasn't* how her dream had gone. She quickly shut the door and ran around the other side of the car, running to where Spike had gone. The crypt not 15 feet from the car. She sprinted but when she got there he was gone. Spying the sewer access she decided to enter. Where else could Spike have gone? She went through, hoping he wasn't too far away.

*^*^*

Spike folded the tarp up as he walked through the sewers, really wanting his dream to be right. Well, not the bunny sex one. Okay, so the bunny sex one too but he wasn't even speaking to her right now. <Who says you have to talk to have sex?> His evil side let out a chuckle. Spike growled as he continued his walking, anger evident in each step. He heard a voice behind him and knew it was Willow. Who else would walk through the sewers at that time calling his name?

*^*^*

"Spike! Please listen to me! I didn't mean it! Spi-ike!" She whined, catching up to him and turning him to face her. "You're going to listen to me!" She ordered. He stood there, crossing his arms over his chest as he gave her an expecting look. He tapped his foot a few times as he waited. "Spike, I'm sorry. I thought... since you have the chip. I guess I'm still just wigged and thought you'd kill me. I mean... you've done that thing before. You said yourself that you are evil! I thought... I thought we weren't friends anymore. You were telling me I wasn't the Willow you knew and-and..." She started crying.

"I can't forgive you, Willow. I thought all that was in the past but obviously you don't trust me enough. I'll stay out of your way." Spike said, turning to go again when Willow stopped him again. This time he didn't turn.

"Spike, please forgive me. I-I love you." She sobbed.

The vampire turned around, looking at her. "You love me?" He asked.

She nodded in reply. "I-I dreamt... I dreamt you'd forgive m-me and we kissed and then we went home. Together."

The blond's hand wiped the tears away softly. "Amour tu aussie, petit chat." He whispered back to her, dropping a soft kiss on her lips." She smiled up at him with relief and love. "Love you too, Kitten."

The girl threw her arms around his neck, kissing him on the lips as Spike did the same. "Spike, I love you so much." She murmured against his lips.

*^*^*

Two figures rolled over and sighed as their dreams continued. Spike's eyes opened as he lay in the back seat of the DeSoto, a funny warm tingly feeling was left in his stomach after the dream. He was sure by now that he was on his way to 'whipped-ville'. Maybe he could just sleep it off. Maybe he could finish the dream with a little naughtiness he knew his friend wouldn't go for. After a dream like that he really wouldn't mind it coming true but he knew Willow didn't feel the same so he wouldn't put her through that. He'd go home and tell her everything was fine.

*^*^*

Willow's eyes fluttered open after the dream. She'd told Spike she loved him and even got to kiss him. Her fingers touched her lips as she sighed again. Yep, only a dream. She just hoped she wouldn't have to beg for his forgiveness too much. If she told him she loved him in real life he'd probably laugh in her face and tell her she was nothing but a school girl. Sure, a friend but too young for a vampire like him. An evil vampire no less.
Getting out of bed she decided to dress and see if by even a slim chance Spike had come home and gone to bed. The witch knocked on his door and opened it a crack. Opening it all the way the only Spike she saw was the dog. Walking out again she thought that a breakfast fit for a brooder was in order. Cold spaghetti from a tin. Yup. Glutton for punishment.

*^*^*

Spike's car drove into the garage and the vampire stepped out, walking straight through the door and seeing Willow at the dining table eating something. He walked over, glad her back was turned and that the state of broodiness she was in had blocked her sense of hearing. He walked to the opposite side of the table and sat down, his hands folding together as he waited for her to speak. Her mouth dropped as she looked at him. Tears started forming in her eyes as she dropped the fork in her hand. "Spike, I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I know I don't deserve to be forgiven. I'm a bad friend and I-I didn't trust you! Please, I'll do anything just... please forgive me. I'm begging you, Spike, please." The tears started falling down her cheeks and Spike's unbeating heart went out to her but at the same time was hurt that she hadn't trusted him after all that he'd done.

"Forgiven." He muttered.

Willow was stunned at first but she immediately flew out of her chair and ran around the table to him, kneeling beside his chair she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her head in his side. "Thank you, Spike. I'm sorry. I'm really really really sorry. Oh thank you. I promise I'll trust you more from now on. Thank you."

The vampire smirked. If only that kiss would come. He lifted her chin and smiled at her. "Pet, it's fine. I understand. Something happened last night that set things straight. He remembered the dream and how the dream Willow had given him the reasons why she had done what she did. He cleared his throat. "Where's my breakfast?" He asked with a wide smile. Willow bolted to the kitchen, grabbing a blood bag and emptying it into his favourite mug. She shoved it in the microwave and set it for the right time. When it dinged she ran back to him with the blood. He waggled a finger
at her. "Uh uh, Pet. You're making this up to me, remember?" He patted his knee and gave her a mischievous smirk.

The red head rolled her eyes with a giggle and sat sideways on his knees. She put the cup up to his lips as his drank. When he was done she put the mug on the table and took her handkerchief out, wiping the blood that was left on his lips. He studied her as she worked. A slight smile was on her face as she made sure every last bit was gone. He took her hand away and leant in to her face, ready to place a kiss on her lips. Willow gasped, her eyes closing slightly, waiting for his cool lips to touch hers.

*^*^*

Ring ring. "'Ello?" Willow asked sleepily into the phone. She was *so* mad. Whoever this was had better have a good reason for ruining the best dream she'd had since...

"Pet. I'm coming home."

Willow gasped but Spike had hung up before she could answer. She got dressed and ran down the stairs, she would cook the perfect breakfast for him. She hoped this was his way of forgiving her. It was punishment enough that he hadn't come home the night before.

Spike walked in the door that separated the garage from the house and looked at the table. It was set perfectly, all the curtains were replaced by even heavier and darker curtains. Spike's favourite Sex Pistols cd was playing loudly from the lounge room and the microwave dinged. Willow walked out of the lounge room, eeping when she saw him. They stood there, two metres apart as they just looked at each other. "Sorry." Willow said in a small voice.

"Forgiven." Spike walked over to her and enveloped her in a hug as she started to cry in relief.
 

~Part 6~ The Secret's Out

"Xander's working tonight. I don't get any se-" Anya's mouth was covered before she could finish her sentence. When the hand was removed she
pouted. "I don't get it and I can't say it. What next?"

"Anya, we are here for more... important matters." Giles replied as he looked at her.

"Anti up." Spike called as he threw a dollar note into the centre of the table.

Willow smirked at Giles as she threw in her anti, making sure to hold her cards to her chest after the last time Spike had peeked. "Come on, Giles. Anti."

"I don't see the point in giving money while holding cards. Can't we just put our money in and then split it?" Anya asked as she became more and more baffled by the simple game of poker they were playing.

Willow rolled her eyes. "Anya, Pet, that would mean nothing. If you play to win you can get more money. More money means you can buy more...
things for you and Dander."

"Xander." She replied, giving the vampire a pointed look.

"I know." Spike answered. "What kind of name is 'Xander' anyway?"

The witch turned to him with a pout. "I gave him that nickname." She glared at the blond.

"Love the name. It really suits him, y'know? All... whelpy." Willow's glare harshened on him. "But a *good* kind of whelpy." Spike added.

Giles smiled behind his cards. "Are we still playing or have we finished for the night?"

"Don't even think it, watcher. Willow's still got some of my money an' I want it back."

"She already has your money. I thought that was what a credit card was for." The ex-demon said, shuffling her cards around in her hands. The
corner of Willow's mouth tilted up. "Does she give you sex in return?"

Both Spike and Willow started sputtering, trying to get an answer out. "No! Pet, we're *friends*!" Spike practically growled out, giving the girl a look that screamed 'don't start this conversation with her in the room'.

"Anya!" Willow hissed.

"What? Friends have sex with friends. Xander and I weren't going out when *we* had sex. That came later. I'm sure Giles has too. Right, Giles?" Anya turned to look at the man sitting beside her.

The ex-watcher started to blush slightly and held the cards up higher to hide his face. "Don't bring *me* into this."

"Anya, Luv, we're the kind of friends that *don't* have sex together. We're the kind of friends that..." Spike looked at Willow beside him. "What kind of friends are we again?"

"The housemate friends. Best friends. Play around and make fun of each other friends. Pick one." Willow said as she rearranged her cards, hoping it would calm her red cheeks down.

Spike turned to Anya, who was sitting on his right. "See? Pick one. Just not sex." He gave her the look again. "Now. Cards." The vampire picked up his cards again as the game continued.

*^*^*

"Thanks for having us over, Giles. That was really fun." Willow smiled as she and Spike left the watcher's home.

"Quite alright. I must admit that was a rather enjoyable night. Shall we do it again next Friday?" The man asked.

Willow looked up at Spike, her pleading eyes and pouty lips in place. "Pwease, Spikey?"

Giles smirked as he watched Spike pout along with her. "But Pe-et." He whined. "We were gonna go out."

"Out? A-a date?" Giles asked with a smile. <Have they finally gotten rid of this 'friendship' that isn't quite 'friendship' nonsense?>

"No!" Willow replied quickly. "No, we're just going as friends, Giles. Where'd *that* idea come from?"

The man's shoulders slumped slightly. "Oh, nothing. Nothing at all." <Everything. Everything possible.>

"We're going to the gaming arcade again. Maybe this time we won't have to hide from Buffy, Riley and the Whelp." Willow pinched Spike's arm. "Ow! What the hell was that for?" He asked, rubbing his arm.

"Yep, this isn't a dream." She looked up at him. "You called him Riley and not 'the slayer's toy boy' or 'farmer tom'." She said, mimicking him at the right moments.

The vampire gave her a small smile. "We have an understanding. I call him Riley and he doesn't call me Hostile 17." Spike nodded towards Giles. "Later, Ripper."

The two of them left the watcher's house.

*^*^*

>From the entryway to the courtyard a figure stepped back into the darkness in shock. Spike and Willow were leaving together. Spike and Willow were going to the gaming arcade, or they had planned to. Why was Giles so calm about seeing them so close together? Spike and Willow were... nah. Willow would *never* share a house with *him*. But... why was Spike so eager to help when they found out Willow had been caught by the secret group in the Initiative? Too many questions. Not enough answers. Maybe it was best to follow them and see if they *were* housemates before jumping to conclusions.

*^*^*

After following the pair home and watching them enter together Xander stood from the bushes. He was never one to be patient in these kinds of circumstances so he walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. Willow answered and gasped when she saw her friend standing there. "Xander."
She muttered in disbelief.

"You're housemate is Spike." He stated. Willow nodded meekly. "At least he can protect you." He said, throwing his arms around her and pulling her into a hug. "Man, I thought he was some kind of psycopa- okay, so he is but at least we know him! Where is that psycho blood-sucker anyway?
Spike?!" Xander walked inside, leaving a stunned Willow in the doorway.

Spike walked out of the kitchen and saw him. "Whelp."

"Xander. My name's Xander. Okay, I can over-look that. Man, nice house!" Xander exclaimed, finally taking it all in. He looked back at Spike. "Look after Willow. Holy mother of holy things, this place is *huge*!"

"You're okay about this?" Willow asked, indicating herself, Spike and the house.

"Oh, yeah. Sure." He replied, waving it off. His expression suddenly became serious. "Buffy doesn't know, does she?"

"No. She'd freak totally. Remember when I did the 'eye thing' in front of her. She called Giles even before trying to sense me."

The boy nodded in understanding. "I see what you mean. I won't tell. Who else knows?"

"Giles and Anya. Anya didn't tell you because, uh..."

"I didn't ask. I kind of expected that from her." Xander replied before Willow could answer. "Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I know your little secret."

Spike finally had the opportunity to speak. "Riley knows too. Just the slayer that doesn't. Even Peaches knows. Willow told him. Not *my* fault." He turned to go back to the kitchen.

Xander groaned and turned to Willow. "You told *Deadboy*!"

"'Ey! I'll 'ave you know we're *undead*."

"Undead boy sounds too complicated." Replied Xander. "Anyway, Anya wants to do the crazy lovin' thing again as soon as I get off work and since
I'm off work now I kinda have to go. I'll call around tomorrow for that tour." He pointed to Willow as he headed for the door. "Gimme your phone
number too, Wills. I wanna be able to call you sometimes. Bye! See ya, Spike!"

"Cheers!" Spike called back while Willow settled for a simple 'bye'. Spike turned to her. "Well, that went well." The blond stated before moving towards the lounge room to watch a video.

The hacker walked in behind him as they both sat on the couch. "What're we watching?"

"Pick one. Your choice tonight."

The girl grinned as she pounced at the video's cabinet. "I have to choose something that is the perfect punishment for you for what you did last night." She grumbled before picking out the perfect movie and putting it in the vcr.

Spike looked cautiously at the girl as she fast forwarded through the 'unimportant' stuff to the start of the movie. She handed him the case. "Princess Bride?" He asked with wide, scared eyes. "Christ, Pet, I'm feelin' really tired after all those card games." He yawned for effect. "'Night." Willow pounced at him, keeping him in his seat.

"No. You are staying to watch it." Spike finally gave in and made himself comfortable.

Not even five minutes into the movie Spike said, "Drinks break." He went to stand up but Willow moved so she was sitting on him. "Pet?" He asked
with a raised eyebrow.

"You're staying." The girl replied firmly.

"Yes, ma'am." The vampire answered, nodding his head. Willow shifted on his legs, Spike finally moving her away from his slowly bulging pants. "Don't do that, Luv." He said softly as she started wriggling again.

"Why?"

He shook his head. "Just don't. Trust me on this." Snatching one of the cushions he placed it over himself and let her lay back against him. She was asleep on him by the end of the movie as he gently played with her red hair. The vampire was falling asleep at last, the woman of his dreams in his arms after watching the one movie that he would never admit had made him cry.

"Spike." The girl mumbled in her sleep. "Bed." She added.

"As you wish." He said, kissing her on the side of her head. "As you wish."
 

~Part 7~ As You Wish

"Spike, we're going on a camping trip." Willow told the vampire as she walked into his room early that morning.

The vampire turned over to look at her through sleepy eyes. "'Uh?"

"Camping trip. You, me, Anya, Xander, Giles, Riley... Buffy."

"No bloody way, Pet. I spend too much time with that bitch as it is. I'm not goin' out into the bush with 'er!" Spike rolled over, facing away from her as he used his spare pillow to cover his head.

Willow walked into the room and over to the bed, crawling beside Spike she ripped the pillow away and tried pulling on his shoulder to turn him over to face her again. "Spike. Spike, pleeeeease? Please please pleeeeeeease?"

Spike looked up at her, his brow furrowed as he studied her. "On *one* condition." The witch started bouncing happily on the bed. He grinned. "You won't like it."

She stopped bouncing. "What?"

He chuckled and rolled over again with a heavy sigh. "You have to sleep with me for the whole trip."

Willow started blushing. "S-Spike, you said we're... friends. Not sex friends."

<Not the kind of sleeping I was thinking of but it'll do. No, Spike, be a good friend and say that's not what you meant.> He turned to look at her again with a smile. "Not the kind of sleeping I was thinking of, Luv. I meant in the same tent. Not the same sleeping bag." He started grinning again as he watched her blush.

"I knew that." She replied, hitting him as she went to move off the bed.

Spike grabbed her hand and pulled her back on the bed. "Oh no you don't."

"What?"

"You still haven't told me. Are we camping or not?"

She paused. "Yes, we're camping. But Buffy's not going to like it!"

"Are you kiddin' me? The slayer's gonna be too busy thinkin' of all the places she and Riley can shag." He let out a sigh then paused in thought. "I happen to know that havin' sex in the water is an experience." Willow blushed again. "Thinkin' naughty thoughts are we, Red?" He pulled her down until she was half laying on him. "So, Luv, do we have a deal then? I want your word. Witches honour and all that."

Willow smiled down at him. "You have my word." She said through clenched teeth as she tried not to giggle. "Now take me shopping." She commanded while she got up from the bed and headed for the door.

"As you wish, Luv." Spike said, sitting up.

The girl stopped and turned to him, remembering the movie they'd watched the night before last. "What did you say?"

"As you wish, Oh mighty ruler of this house." He smirked at her.

<Get a grip, Willow. He probably doesn't even remember the movie.> She smiled at him before walking out, closing the door behind her so he could get dressed. She stopped dead in her tracks. <Spike was naked. Spike was naked and I was lying on him!> She whimper as she walked the rest of the way to her room, her eyes half shut as she day-dreamed.

*^*^*

"Where are we going *now*, Wills?" Xander groaned as she dragged him towards another group of stores.

"Hardware store. We need tents!" She turned and grinned at him, one that could possibly mistaken for a grin of a crazy person. Xander gave her a cautious 'I *so* need to get out of here before she drives me insane' look. "Calm down, Xander."

"Calm down? Calm down?! You're money hungry! How the hell is Spike going to still have money after your little, no, I take that back, after you're 'lets buy all the stores out of all their stock' shopping spree?"

Willow smiled. "Spike's worth a lot of money. He said he first started saving when he and Drusilla were around Angelus. Angelus would always want them to give him the money they made so he hid it. It just built up over the years and now he's worth *heaps*."

"And he trusted *you* with his credit card?"

"Hey! I'm not as bad as Buffy."

Xander gave her a lopsided smile. "Spike would be broke within the week."

"Count on it." His friend said back as they entered the hardware store.

One of the male shop assistants came up to them. "Hi, how may I help you today?" He asked in his professional voice.

"Tents. We need tents. One huge tent and a few two man tents." Xander told the man.

Willow smiled at her friend. "You knew my plan?"

"And what kind of 'huge' tent would you like?" The man asked as he led them towards the tents section.

"Like a big tent to have dinner in. Not many of us feel like sharing our food with the bugs." Willow smiled at the man as he pointed towards the
corner where a large tent was set out.

"Like that one?"

The two teenagers nodded. All three of them started walking over. "Now, this one is our best. There are others that don't have as many attachments with them but if you want a lot of space this is the biggest we have. Thing is, with size comes price. It's the dearest. How much were you planning on spending?"

"Too much." Xander coughed.

Willow slapped him lightly on the arm and turned back to the man. "My friend gave me a credit card and told me to spend as much as I want so he could go back to sleep."

"You were in his room?!" Xander turned to the girl with shock.

"I had to tell him about our camping trip. Let's just say he's not a morning person." The witch pointed to the tent the man indicated. "That one you said, what does it come with?"

"Well..."

A good forty five minutes later and Willow and Xander had bought the large 'dinner' tent, a 'toilet' tent and another 4 two man tents. All were luckily water-proof.

*^*^*

When Willow got home with the delivery truck she quickly ran up to the door to unlock it. The delivery men stepped out, carrying the large box that held the dining tent as they went. Willow walked down again and took it off them as they struggled, quickly moving back towards the house with the box. The two men looked at her, stunned, and then at each other before walking back to the truck to get the other boxes.

Spike walked down the stairs and saw Willow bring a large box inside. The two men walked in with a smaller box each and left it just inside the door. "Morning, Luv." Spike asked as he walked down the stairs.

"Hey, Spike." She replied. She looked up and frowned. "What's the point in having an elevator when you don't use it?"

"It somehow went up to the second floor and I don't want it back down again. If it can get up there without us pressing any buttons then something is wrong."

"Machinery default or something." Willow brushed it off as.

"Pet, you live on the hellmouth. Never push things aside like that." He told her as he walked towards the kitchen.

The last box was brought in and the hacker paid the men, waving them goodbye as they left. She turned to Spike. "Got the tents. What else will we need?" She asked as she walked over to sit at the counter as her housemate poured her a drink. Spike picked up a notepad and pen and got ready to write. "'ave we got a barbeque?"

"No. Not yet. Write it down."

Spike wrote it down and looked up at her again. "Esky? Sleeping bags? Gas? Torches?..."

Willow thought for a moment. "We don't have sleeping bags. Giles probably needs a new one and we *will* get him one." She gave the vampire a look that told him not to argue. "Riley and Buffy would have them, Xander has one, Anya wouldn't. That's four sleeping bags." Willow nodded to him and indicated to the pad.

Spike wrote down all the items he'd just said. "Esky, 4 sleeping bags, torches and gas." He said as he wrote them down. "Any kind of entertainment?"

"Just basic stuff. Cards, a board game or two, otherwise we can just talk or make stuff up to do." She grinned. "Ghost stories that are actually true. Or-or even ghost stories that aren't true but wouldn't scare us anyway because we know all about that kind of stuff."

Spike gave her an evil grin. "I know a few scary stories that will even frighten the slayer."

Willow's mouth dropped. "Really? You could scare *Buffy*?!"

"Hell yes! You have no faith in me." He said with mock hurt as he wrote down 'cards & board games'. "Anything else?"

"Uhh... invitations. You write 'em, I'll dictate."

*^*^*

Xander opened the envelope after Willow left. It had party designs all around the edge with unfamiliar handwriting on it. <Must be Spike's. Why's he neater than me?> He pouted before starting to read. 'Hey, it's Willow.' He shook his head with a smile. Willow was reading stuff out again so she wouldn't get stuck writing. 'There's going to be a camping trip...'

*^*^*

'In one week. We're going to go to Wolfmyre Forest out near the caves' Buffy read from the invitation. 'If you have a sleeping bag then bring it otherwise... we've got spares'

*^*^*

'The trip will last a whole fortnight so bring lots of clothes because there isn't any real place to wash them if something gets dirty.' Riley thought as he read over the paper again. He leant back in bed as he continued reading.

*^*^*

'Food will be supplied, all you need to bring is you, your clothes and anything else you think you might need for the trip.' Giles gave a look of thought. Did he *really* want to spend a whole fortnight with only teenagers... and a vampire?

*^*^*

'If you have any questions I'll be around to see each of you later in the day. Also to give you the time and place we're meeting if you want to go. If you want anyone else to come then it's one guest per person.' Anya read the invitation with a sigh then smiled. "Well, it gives Xander and I an opportunity to have sex somewhere else at least." She told herself and nodded. "Sure."

*^*^*

Joyce opened the door of the Summers' house and saw Giles standing awkwardly at her doorstep. "Er, hello, Joyce. May I come in?" He asked as he played with the invitation in his hands.

"Sure." Joyce replied, standing aside to let him in. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, er, it's... it's like this..."
 

read the interlude 'A Camping We Will Go'

parts 7-15