~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Prologue)

Willow stood in the shadows of the Magic Shop, hoping to all the Goddesses above that no one would spot her there. She hadn't realized just how much she wanted to stay hidden from the rest of the world until she saw him walk through the door.

The moment she saw him, all of her thoughts and her feelings seemed to have disappeared from her as her eyes looked upon his beautiful face. She hated sitting back in the shadows and watching him from afar. She knew about his feelings for her best friend, but she couldn't help but feel left out. They always wanted *her.*

Sure she had her slayer abilities, but what else did she have? Looks? Personality? It was true that they had been best friends since they were 15, but when was everyone going to start noticing her for her and not the slayer's best friend? If she could only change things and make him see her as a woman, maybe things would be different.

She sighed to herself silently as she watched them all interact. She knew she had to do something or she was going to absolutely lose her mind. She couldn't just sit around and watch them all together anymore. It was making her sick watching them all pretend to be all chummy when she knew in reality they all hated one another.

Taking a deep breath and calming her nerves, she stepped out of the shadows and headed for the door. She gave a small smile as they all looked on. Without even saying a word to them and hiding away all of her fears, she headed for the only place she knew no one would find her ...

The Crawford Street Mansion.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Part 1)

"Anyone seen Wills today?" Buffy asked as she and Riley walked into the Magic Shop.

"Not since she left here yesterday afternoon."

Buffy took a seat at the round table that had the research books that they needed for that night's research party. "Has anyone else noticed how strange she's been acting lately?" she asked as she flipped through the pages.

"I haven't noticed anything," Xander replied. "Why you ask?"

Buffy shrugged. "It's just that, well, she won't talk to me as much about anything anymore. And used to, she always confronted me about things."

"Maybe she's realized that you are too self-centered about your problems and no one else's."

"ANYA!"

"What?" she asked innocently.

"Buffy is *not* self-centered."

Anya rolled her eyes at her boyfriend. "Yeah, whatever. Just that I've noticed how she treats her friends but no one else pays attention."

Buffy stood up and looked at Anya with anger in her eyes. "I am *not* self-centered and I care a great deal about my friends!"

Anya snorted. "Have you even noticed how much she hasn't been around lately? Or do you have your head so far up Spike's ass that you're fighting for air?"

"ANYA! That's enough!" Xander screamed.

"Whatever, Xander," she said as she grabbed her purse and coat. "When you decide that your lips are unattached from Buffy's ass, give me a call."

Xander and Buffy stared in disbelief as they watched Anya walk out of the Magic Shop.

Buffy turned towards Xander. "What just happened?"

Xander stood there, stunned. "If I had any idea, I would tell you."

Riley stood up and gave them both a sad smile. He walked toward the door, hoping to himself that they wouldn't notice him, but his hopes died.

"Riley, you ok?"

Riley turned towards Xander and saw the concern look on their faces. He just nodded and backed away slowly, turning toward the door and walking out, his heart breaking.

~*~

"Anya!"

Anya stopped in her tracks and turned towards the voice. She rolled her eyes when she saw him approaching her. "Listen, I don't want you to lecture me about how Buffy didn't deserve any of that."

Riley took in a deep breath and started walking. Catching up to him, Anya knew he was in deep thought. "What's wrong?"

Riley looked over at her and felt the need to talk to someone, even her. "What did you mean by when you said that Buffy has her head up Spike's ass?" he asked as he stared straight ahead.

Anya smiled sadly. "Even you have to admit to it, Riley. She tends to stay focused on Spike a lot."

Riley nodded and smiled sadly. "Yeah, I know."

Anya stopped in her tracks and touched him gently on the arm. "Why didn't you leave that night?"

"What?" Riley asked as he turned around.

"Why didn't you leave that night?"

Riley looked at her then turned away quickly. "Because I was convinced that Buffy loved me. Why else would she stop me?" he asked as he walked ahead of her. "I ... thought that *maybe* ... since she got there, that she really did love me. I was wrong, huh?" he asked as he took a deep sigh.

"I'm sure she does, Riley. She's just too worried about herself to see anyone else's pain. I mean, look at Willow. She hasn't been herself in a long time. No one seemed to notice but me. But, well, her and I *aren't* exactly best friends."

"I've noticed. Where do you think she's hiding?"

"What makes you think she's hiding?"

"Well, I've noticed that whenever she gets scared about something, or wants to stay away from everyone, she keeps to herself and hides within herself. But if she's not here, then she's hiding some place."

Anya nodded. "I don't know."

"You think Spike would know?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. Let's go ask him." Riley nodded as the pair headed off to see Spike.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Part 2)

"Bloody hell! I'm coming so stop your damn knocking!" he yelled as he stalked to the door with a bottle of vodka in his left hand. The knocking got louder and Spike felt as if he wanted to rip out someone's throat. {Bloody hell!} he thought as he gripped the back of his head. {Someone is going to pay for this bloody chip.} Spike opened the door and grinned widely. "Just the commando I was *hoping* to see."

~*~

"Spike."

"Soldier boy. Anyanka."

"William."

Spike grimaced. "Don't even bloody think about calling me that." Anya smiled. "Well, don't just stand there. I know there's a reason for you to be here so come in," he said as he backed away from the door.

"Have you seen Willow?"

Spike turned to look at the man and smiled. "Willow?" Riley gave him a stern look. "'Bout this high? Red hair? Cute freckles everywhere?" Riley nodded. "Nope. Haven't seen her," he replied as he sat down in his chair.

"Spike, I know you have your head of Buffy's ass but if you can be of any help, I won't make hell on Earth for you," Anya threatened as she stood in front of him.

Spike smiled cockily. "You couldn't if you tried, little girl," he growled as they stood face to face.

"Like you could hurt me, Spikey. Remember, you're neutered."

Spike smiled at her cockiness. "You've been hanging around the slayer and her pets for too long, Anyanka. You're becoming just like them."

Anya, who didn't even realize her strength, pinned Spike up against the wall by his throat. "I may be a human, Spike, but all I have to do is ask to regain my powers. And if you don't help me, I swear you'll be first on my hit list. Understood?"

Spike growled but nodded. "I don't know where the little chit is." Anya tightened her grip around his throat and when Riley went to try to get her to release him, her grip tightened. Spike struggled against her and actually hoped that Riley could get her off of him.

"Anya, if he doesn't know--"

"He knows. People have forgotten one thing about me. Even though I'm human, I can still read people's minds. How do you think I know about Buffy's feelings towards you, Spike? Or how about Xanders? He tells me he's madly in love with me, but he's not. Everything revolves around Buffy. Dear, sweet Buffy," she stopped as realization hit her. "No wonder Willow stays in hiding," she whispered softly. "I should have seen it before," she said as she released her grip on Spike. She backed away as her and Riley headed for the door.

"Try the mansion on Crawford Street," Spike called out. The couple turned to him in confusion. Spike rolled his eyes. "After I kidnapped her and the moron a few years back, she goes there to think. I've spotted her a few times coming out of the back entrance."

Anya nodded and walked out of the door. Riley turned toward Spike and smiled sadly. After the two were gone, Spike's curiosity wouldn't leave him. He grabbed his leather coat and headed out the door. {If you could really read minds, Anyanka, then you would see the *real* reason I have feelings for the slayer} he thought. {Just glad no one can see the things I want to do to the chit or they would all stake me.}

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Part 3)

Anya and Riley walked into the mansion and they couldn't believe their eyes. It looked as if someone was living there. The furniture was all cleaned up, the floors were clean, everything was dusted, and there was not one speck of dirt lying around.

"Hello?" Riley called out. "Anyone here?"

"What do you want?"

Riley and Anya both looked up as they heard the voice call out to them. She stood up at the top of the stairs, looking almost like a ghost because she was so pale.

"Are you ok?" Anya asked she started to climb the stairs.

"Why do you care? Just go back to Buffy and the rest of them."

Anya shook her head. "I'm here as a friend."

Willow laughed bitterly. "Friend? Since when did you start to care about me and being my friend?"

"We're worried about you, Willow. We just thought--"

"Thought that you would find me and carry me back to Buffy? Thanks, but no. I'd rather stay here and rot then to go back and watch it all happen again."

"Watch what happen again?"

Willow looke at Anya. "As if you didn't know. You people ... sit around all day and pretend as if nothing is wrong. That maybe ... if you think hard enough, I'll just go away. You *think* I don't know how everyone feels? You should hear some of the stories, Anya. And Riley, you would be amazed. I'm tired of people pretending to be something they aren't. Worst of all, I'm tired of being what everyone else expects."

"You can change all of that, Willow. If you'll let me help yo--"

"Help me, Anya? Since when do you care about anything besides having orgasms with Xander?" she asked bitterly.

Anya sighed. "Since Xander superglued his lips to Buffy's ass."

Willow gasped as her eyes softened. {She knows} "You found out?"

Anya looked up quickly. "Found out what?"

Willow shook her head and sat down on the top stair. "No ... nothing." {Good goin'. Now they're gonna question you}

"No, it is *something.* What is it?" she asked walking up the stairs and sitting right below Willow, joined by Riley.

Willow looked everywhere but the two sets of eyes that were decended upon her, waiting for her to answer. "Willow?"

Willow took a deep breath. "BuffyandXanderhavebeensleepingtogetherforthepastsixweeks"

"What?!?" Anya screamed. "You didn't just say--"

Willow nodded and spoke softly. "I'm sorry."

Riley sat there stunned as Anya put her hand on Willow's shoulder. "Why are you sorry?"

"Because I didn't tell either of you sooner."

"Not your fault, Willow," Anya said quietly. {When I get my hands on that bitch of a slayer. Then Xander. Hopelessly in love with me, my ass}

Willow looked up at Riley, then back at Anya and took a deep sigh. "I am pathetic," she laughed out bitterly. Riley gently laid a hand on her knee and she looked up at him, she smiled sadly. "Things are really fucked up right now. Everyone seems to have someone in their life but me. Buffy has Spike, you, and Xander. Spike has Buffy. You have Buffy. Anya has Xander. Who do I have? Just my thoughts, dreams, and fantasies of something that is never going to happen."

"Like what?" Anya asked quietly, already knowing the answer, but wanted to hear Willow say it out loud.

Willow closed her eyes and leaned up against the rail. "I've had these dreams that someone actually loved me and not Buffy. It seems as if all the guys I love want her more than me. First, there was Xander. I had a thing for him almost my entire life, but did he ever notice? Then there was Oz. He never admitted to it but I could see the longing looks he would give her. Then there's Spike. Perfect, gorgeous Spike. So in love with her that it tears him up inside to even look at her. I would just, for once, have someone look at me the way they look at her. To know what it feels like to be wanted. To be touched. To be loved. Needed. Cherished. Worshipped. Desired. Everything that I can never be."

"Oh, Willow. You're all those things and more," Anya said with a smile. "No one deserves happiness more than you. Why don't you talk to Spike?"

Willow laughed. "And have him laugh at me in my face?" she shook her head. "No thanks. I'd rather stay here and wither away."

Riley took in a deep breath. "Wha ... what if you didn't talk to him, but showed him instead?"

Willow and Anya both looked at him. He smiled. "What if you could make him see *exactly* what he's missing out on? Make him green with jealousy so bad that *he* comes crawling to you."

Anya grew a wide smile. "Prove to Spike that you're *not* Buffy's little friend. Show him that you are more than he can handle. Prove to him that he doesn't need Buffy for a good time."

Willow shook her head. "Wouldn't work. Besides, who could I use to make him jealous?"

Anya smiled and looked over at Riley, who smiled in return. "Spike admitted to being envious because I had Buffy. Well, we all know what's going to happen with that relationship, so I would be more than willing to help out."

Willow smiled. "You wouldn't mind?" Riley laughed. "Of course not. Besides, could you imagine Buffy's face when I show up groping her best friend instead of her?" he winked.

Willow and Anya both giggled. "Thanks, guys."

"No problem. Besides, I want to watch Xander squirm when I confront him about Buffy. He is *so* going to pay."

Willow stood up and walked down the stairs, followed by Anya and Riley. She smiled to herself as she shut the door behind them. {You better be careful, Buffy Summers. You've got some competition and she's not too pleased} she thought as she walked in between her two friends. {Competition indeed.}

~*~

"So, the little chit is going to make me jealous, eh?" Spike said as he stepped out of the shadows from the upstairs bedroom. "She wants to be worshipped, desired, touched, wanted, loved ... by the Big Bad? Well, baby. You're going to get your wish. However, we're going to play by Spike's rules," he chuckled as he descended the stairs and shut the door behind him. "My rules indeed."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Part 4)

The three newfound friends stood in front of the Magic Shop, once again going over their plan of action. Willow was growing a little uneasy about the whole thing, knowing that somewhere, somehow, something was going to go wrong.

Anya smiled and gripped Willow's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze of comfort. Riley smiled at them both and nodded. Anya dropped Willow's hand and Riley grabbed her other one, entangling their fingers almost like a spider's web.

Anya opened the door and walked in, closely followed by Willow, then by Riley. In the corner of the Magic Shop stood Spike. His eyes staring on at Willow as she ignored his gaze. He smiled to himself {Let the games begin.}

Sitting at the round table were both Buffy and Xander, deep in thought. Giles stood behind the counter, attending to a customer, all three unaware of the current guests.

Willow just looked between Riley and Anya, them both giving her a smile. She cleared her throat and everyone turned their attention toward the trio. Buffy's face fell when she saw the entangled fingers between Riley and Willow, and her eyes flared with anger. Xander didn't say anything because his body was too stunned to move. Giles didn't even blink.

"I think they'll all speechless," Anya said as she broke the deafening silence that had overcome the entire store. Riley and Willow nodded. Anya led the couple as she walked into the back room to prepare for her day at the Magic Shop. Buffy watched as they left the room, then decided to follow them. Spike came out of the corner while him and Xander joined her in her crusade.

She stopped at the entrance when she saw what was taking place. Xander couldn't believe what he was seeing and Spike grew furious. He knew this was a plan to get him jealous of Riley so he would make a move on Willow, but he never in his unlife, thought they would go this far.

Right in the middle of the room, stood a half-naked soldier with a redhead and an ex-demon in the front and back. They were touching him in places that even he didn't realize could be so erotic. Willow's tongue was doing wonders to his chest and Anya's hands were all over him, touching him and pleasing him to no extent. Even though he knew this was a plan to make Spike jealous, he knew he wasn't going to waste any time. He kept his eyes closed and allowed them to do their work. {Fuck it. I'm gonna enjoy this while I can} and he did.

Well, until they remembered they were being watched.

~*~

"What the hell is going on here?" Spike growled. Three sets of eyes snapped open and turned to look at him. Willow smiled shyly and backed away. Anya just glared at him, upset because they were interrupted.

"We're trying to have orgasms," she said plainly.

"Anya, how could you?" Xander whispered, still not sure he was seeing what he thought he was seeing.

Anya backed away slightly and stood in front of Xander. "No, *Xander.* How could you?"

Xander blinked in disbelief and just stood there. "Oh wait. You don't think I know do you?" Xander just looked at her with confusion written all over his face. Riley moved away from Willow and wrapped his arms around Anya. "We know about you and Buffy. And please, don't try to deny it."

Willow moved away from her spot and stood beside Anya and Riley, each of them wrapping one arm around her.

"So, you left me ... for ... *them* ???"

"Um, basically."

Buffy just turned around and ran out of the shop, tears flowing from her eyes. Riley sucked in a deep breath, but took no means to chase her down. Xander just backed away and went after her, discust written all over his face.

Willow looked between the two, completely forgetting about Spike standing there. He watched as she comforted both of her friends, knowing that what they had just did to their significant others, had to take guts on their part.

He knew Willow's plan was to make him jealous by pretending to be with Riley. However, when he looked on at the trio, he saw something deep within her emerald green eyes that he never knew really existed within a human being ... compassion.

That was how she was making him jealous and she didn't even realize it. She snaked her arms around her friends waist as her shoulders shook with tears. He wanted so badly at that point to be Riley and the one whose arms were around the redheaded witch.

Knowing that the trio wouldn't notice his departure, he left them to their tears. Willow had done her job and now he was going to do his. Willow would be where she belonged by morning ... with him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

//"Stay the Night" belongs to 98* from 'Revelations'//

(Part 5)

Willow shut the door behind her as she turned off the lights in the mansion. It had been a long day, even for her. She had spent the entire day with Anya and Riley, trying to comfort them because of their encounter with Buffy and Xander. She loved her new friends dearly, but she wasn't sure how much more she could take.

They had only been at work on this plan for only two days, but she wasn't sure if it would work or not. It had gotten Buffy and Xander extremely pissed at her so bad they both told her to fuck off and out of their lives for good. Anya spent the entire day crying about how much she loved Xander and Riley did the same for Buffy. Not that she minded being there for them, but she didn't feel like hearing them complain anymore.

She thought that at least they had *someone* to cry over. Who did she have? She had no one. Hell, even Spike didn't look at her for the rest of the day. In fact, he had disappeared and she didn't know where too. She wanted to talk to him but she lost all of her courage. She only hoped that she could have a decent night's sleep. She was so tired that she didn't care where she slept. As long as it was warm, comfortable, and all for her.

She slowly climbed the stairs after she made sure all of the doors and windows were locked, and all of the lights were turned off. She rubbed the back of her neck, trying to ease the tension that was there, causing her wince in pain. She opened the door to the bedroom, but nearly fainted at what she saw.

~*~

The bed was covered in rose petals. The room was lightened by the sweet scent of vanilla candles. Music played from the stereo. She smiled when she heard the song, almost as if it was talking to her alone. She sighed to herself, wondering who went through all of this trouble to be such a romantic for her. She didn't think it was anyone from the university, so she tried hard to think about it.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the door pull close behind her and a pair of strong arms enbraced her from behind. His voice sent shivers down her spine as he sang a few of the lyrics to her.

[In the still of my heart
There's a fire that burns my soul's desire
Touching me like the sun
Here and now I give my love so faithfully
I will always be the one]

He gently pulled her hair away from her neck and placed soft kisses amongst the sweet taste of her skin. His right went up her shirt slowly, softly caressing her stomach. Willow closed her eyes, wondering if all of this was a dream.

The music continued to play softly in the background and before she knew what was happening, she was dancing with the love of her life. She turned to face him, but he kept her back to him. He brought his hands up to her breasts and caressed them through her top.

As he placed more kisses upon her neck, he slowly undid her top, one button at a time. After he had all of the buttons undone, he slid it gently off her shoulders, exposing more of her skin. He, in return, took his shirt off just the same.

[I wanna stay with you tonight
I don't wanna leave cause I feel the time is right
Don't wanna go before I say what I have to say
Dont' ask me to walk away
I want to stay the night
Wanna stay the night]

Willow moaned as his soft touches grew somewhat eager. The more he touched her, the more he had to have her. His right hand slid from her breast down her stomach, to her covered channel. He rubbed her through her jeans, squeezing her there a couple of times before he moved his hands back up to unbutton her jeans. Once the button was undone, he slid his hand down inside of her jeans, discovering she had no panties. He grinned to himself as he slid in one finger, than another.

[Holding you close to me
The first time that your body moved with mine
Let the mood ease your fear
Caressing as I whisper in your ear
I will always be the one]

Willow moved her body against his hands, trying to release the feelings she knew she had. She knew that if he didn't have his hands wrapped around her, that she would have fallen to the floor before he even slid in his fingers into her. He was making her feel things that she had never felt before. Everything that she had ever wanted to feel, she was feeling. Loved. Desired. Wanted. Worshipped. Everything.

She cried out as he brought her to her first orgasm for the night. He slid his fingers out and brought them to his mouth, licking them completely dry. She grabbed him by the hand and led him to the rose petal covered bed. Kicking off their shows, the couple crawled up on the bed. Willow layed on her back and he placed soft kisses all over her exposed skin.

He kissed his way down her stomach, stopping shortly at her navel as he dipped his tongue down inside to tease her. He then moved his kisses down to where his fingers had been before, and kissed her over her covered wetness. He moved in between her legs and pulled off her jeans, breathing in the scent that was known as Willow.

[I wanna stay with you tonight
I don't wanna leave cause I feel the time is right
Don't wanna go before I say what I have to say
Dont' ask me to walk away
I want to stay the night
Wanna stay the night]

He smiled at her as he bent down and tasted her quickly. She moaned out loud as he thrusted his tongue deeper inside. He couldn't believe she tasted this good. He had had many women in his lifetime, but none of them tasted like her. She was sweet and tangy, and the others were somewhat bitter.

She bucked up against him as he brought her to another orgasm. He smiled up at her as he watched her come down from her high. She looked up at him, her eyes glazed over with lust and passion. And he even saw love in there.

He moved his hands to his jeans button and zipper, and started to pull his jeans off. Willow leaned up and stopped his hands. She snaked her left hand around his neck and her right on his ass. She gave him a kiss of passion and need. She squeezed him closer to her as their tongues battled for dominance.

She pulled away slightly, her lips swollen from the kiss she had just given him. She moved her hands in between them and pulled his jeans down. He stood up from the bed and stepped out, the knelt down on the bed. She got on all fours and took him deep into her mouth. He moaned out loud, wondering how she was taking him so deep. He thrusted deeper and deeper, knowing he was close to his first orgasm of the night.

Willow was now eye to eye with him, looking him straight into his eyes. She smiled when she saw all of his emotions play through to her. She layed on her back and motioned for him to join her. He leaned down and placing all of his body weight on his arms, he gently slid his cock deep inside of her. She closed her eyes and moved her hips to take him in deeper.

[Now is the time
I've been waiting for so long
Just give me a sign
Cause it's here where I belong]

The two of them moved together as they allowed their bodies to become one. They listened to the music as they moved within each other. Willow wrapped her legs around his waist, taking him in deeper than anyone had ever gone before. She couldn't believe that all of her fantasies were coming true. She really hoped this wasn't a dream.

[I wanna stay with you tonight
I don't wanna leave cause I feel the time is right
Don't wanna go before I say what I have to say
Dont' ask me to walk away
I want to stay the night
Wanna stay the night]

Willow cried out as her orgasm hit her like a rock. He thrusted into her a few more times, then bit into her neck as he spilled his seed deep within her. He lapped her wounds as she hugged him close to her. He rolled off of her and took her into his arms. She snuggled up to him as close as she possibly could.

"I love you, Spike," she said as she closed her eyes, going into a deep slumber for the night. Once he heard her heartbeat slow at a steady pace, he kissed her on the top of her head and smiled to himself. "I love you too, Pet. Goodnight, luv," and he soon joined his lover into a deep and beautiful slumber.

[Don't wanna go now
I wanna stay the night
Don't wanna go now
Don't ask me to walk away

Don't wanna go now
I wanna stay the night
Don't wanna go now
Don't ask me to walk away

Don't wanna go now
I wanna stay the night
Don't wanna go now
Don't ask me to walk away]
 

back