~Part 1~

She was feeling better.

The past few weeks had been hard. Between Angel leaving, the ascension thingy and graduation she was positive that she would not have survived, if it wasn’t for him, The lean yet masculine vampire standing at her side.

He had been helping the ‘Scooby Gang’ thought the whole ordeal. But had only made his presence known to her, quite by accident.

She found out that he was back in Sunnydale one night while she was walking home from her since 5 minutes ago ex-boy friends house, despite a rough break up they decided that they should still be friends.

Even without Buffy’s keen senses she knew that some one was following her, & that that someone was very much on the hungry side.

* Good one Wills! ‘Want me to walk you home Willow?’ ‘No thanks I think I’ll manage’ *

She recalled her previous conversation with Oz.

She thought - no she was sure that she could her the man walking faster to catch up with her. So she slowly speed up until she was flat out running.

Still running, she turned to see how close her attacker was * Big mistake. *.

Thud -- She had run into something - or someone. She closed her eyes as she felt his arms crawling around her waist & up her back so that she was being held against him.

His fingers ran through her fiery red her & jerked her head to one side, bearing her neck.

It was at this moment that she opened her eyes. Then she let out the highest, loudest & most ear piercing noise.

The sound tore through the vampires ears making his head ring, he let her go straight away & moved his hands to his ears in order to block out the sound.

“Cor pet, give it a bloody rest!” Spike cried out. With that she froze. The sound stoped & she couldn’t move. Her shoes felt like they were filled with
cement.

“Are you just going to stand there?” he asked her.

“Why are you back here?” She whispered, her voice filled with venom & her eyes filling with tears at the memories of what had happened after he left to go & get Drusilla back.

“You said you wouldn’t come back!” she stated “You promised you wouldn’t come back! You stuffed my life up last time you were here and I’m sure your gonna do it again!” She was now screaming at him, the tears rolling freely down her cheeks. “You bring trouble, You ARE trouble! Trouble is bad & I don’t like trouble!” She couldn’t raise her voice any louder “GO AWAY!” she screamed with every thing she had left. She let her self sink down to the floor & started sobbing uncontrollably.

It was right then that he started giggling. Putting his hand over his mouth to try & stop the laughter that was bubbling up inside of him, until he couldn’t hold it any more & started laughing so loud & hard that tears started falling carelessly down his cheeks too.

She lifted her head to give him a deadly stare. It was then that he stoped. Suddenly very scared.

* Mate pull your self together! * He thought * You are acting like a bloody sod. What can a very sexy, little witch do to you? Wait what are you saying? * he scolded himself * she’s one of the slayers friends. Your not supposed to think about how her hair falls around that beautiful face & those eyes... *

Next thing he knew he was falling. & then lying face down on the side walk.

“What the bloody hell...?” he said as he started to get up. As he did he saw a very proud looking Willow looking down at him

“Well that is a clever little trick that you have there pet” Spike told her.

“I know.” She replied.

“I don’t believe you could do that when I was last in Sunnyhell.”

Her eyes swelled up again at those painful memories.

“Don’t start that again luv, it doesn’t become you.” He said as he got up from the pavement.

“Oh & you would know this how?” she asked her voice filled with anger.

“Just do pet, Just do.” He said as he turned & walked off.
 

~Part 2~

She was left standing there stunned.

* Was  that just Spike? * She asked herself * As in hello-I’m-going-to-have-you-for-dinner Spike? & did I just move the branch of a tree to make it hit him & fall face first in the pavement? & he just got up & walked away after I did this? *

She was lost. This sure looked like the blood-sucking vampire she knew. He was wearing the same black pants that he always wore. The same black t-shirt & blood red shirt that he always wore. & not to forget his huge black leather duster that she had never seen him without. Not that she had noticed - of course.

*   *   *

As he walked away quickly but coolly he thought * God she’s hot! But she’s the Slayer’s best bud. That bitch she always manages to ruin everything with that sod of a boyfriend of hers. Lucky thing that he’s gone to LA * He turned into a dark alleyway and leaned his head against the wall * That girl is hot, she’s more than hot. She’s on fire! That red hair, and what a figure plus she’s  got that whole bad ass Wiccan thing going
on. She’d make one hell of a vampire too. *  He looked down at the bludge in his pants. “Shit” he said out loud.  As he moved off to find something to take his mind off the little red head.

*    *    *

Willow walked the rest of the way home lost in her thoughts. Oz had just broken up with her. She had just confronted Spike and her hadn’t killed her. She didn’t know wether to tell Buffy or not.

After hours upon hours of thinking she came to the conclusion that she would tell Buffy about Oz. But not Spike.

Buffy would completely wig if Willow told her about Spike. She could imagine it now. * ‘Willow do you know how much danger you put your self in? You could have been killed!’ * Xander and Giles would be the same. It was for the best.

*   *   *

Willow decided that she would stay home that day. Buffy came over and Willow told her about Oz. They cried together, and ate some ice-cream and anything else that Willow wanted to do.

They had rented some video’s, some old ‘chick-flicks’ and watched then until it was time for Buffy to go on patrol.

Willow waited half an hour before going out to see if she could find something to take her mind off the one she had been thinking about all day. Spike.

*   *   *

It turned out that her little walk had been a waste of time, as she bumped into Spike again, literally.

“What is the matter with you?” She asked violently.

“Excuse me pet? I don’t quite follow.” He replied completely bewildered.

“Why do you always turn up when I don’t want you to?” She paused for a moment, “And then your never there when I want you to be!” She spoke before she had time to stop herself.

It was at that moment that she realised that she was still in his arms. And she didn’t mind.

“When did you want me to be ‘there’?” Spike asked still holding her.

There was silence.

“Well pet? I’d like to know when...” He smiled to himself before going on. “You wanted me.” He finished with a cocky grin.

She let go of him. She hadn’t realised that she was holding onto him too. “I never really wanted you wanted you, I just wanted you. You know?” She asked looking up into his eyes.

Spike let out a little chuckle and replied, “No, luv. I can safely say I have no idea what the hell you are saying.” He let out another little chuckle.

“Well, you see,” Willow looked at him before going on and realised that he was about to start laughing at her. “You. Are. Impossible.” She told him before pushing past him to continue her walk.

He turned around and started walking next to her. “Where are you going pet?” He asked.

“Anywhere that’s away from you.” She replied, looking straight ahead.

“You’re going to see the wolf.” He stated.

“Am not!” Willow replied turning to face him.

“You are too! His house is just down the road.”

He was right. Willow hadn’t even realised that was where she was. She was stunned. She looked at Spike, turned around and started walking the other way. Spike stood there before running to catch up with her.

“Where are we off to now pet?” He asked.

“We are going nowhere. I, however, am going home.”

“Can I come?” He asked hopefully.

Willow stoped again and looked at him, took a deep breath and said, “No.” She then turned and proceeded on her way home. Spike followed her, * I don’t get blown off by a silly chit like her. * He thought to himself. * What was I thinking? Why didn’t I let him come? Oh that’s right his a cold-hearted, blood sucking, soulless demon. I forgot. *

“Now look here pet, I know what you are going to do when you get home and I honestly think that it would be a much better idea if you come with me.” He stated as he walked with her.

“Oh, you know exactly what I’m going to do, do you? Please, enlighten me.” She said stopping to look at him with a disgusted look on her face.

“You, my dear, are going to go home run upstairs and cry your little heart out.” He finished simply. “You can pick your jaw up off the floor now.” He told her. She was absolutely bewildered. He was exactly right.

“H-how did you know?” She asked.

“I  make it my business to know. Now would you like to come with me, I’ve got something that I think you’d like.” He asked as he offered her his arm.

Willow looked at his beaming face and sparkling eyes.

* C’mon, C’mon... * He urged her on in his mind. She took a deep breath and linked her arm with his.

“Ok.” Spike’s face broke out into a radiant smile. *Yes! * He thought.
 

~Part 3~

* What have I done? * Willow thought as Spike lead her to a place still unknown to her.

“Ok luv,” He said as he stopped and stood in front of her “Close your eyes.”

“Let me think about that one,” Willow said. “No.” Spike was just as shocked as she had been when he had asked the question.

“What do you mean ‘No’?” he asked incredulously.

“I mean no.” She told him.

“Why not?” he asked whining.

“‘Cause,”

“‘Cause why?”

“Just ‘cause.” She finished.

“Is there a particular ‘cause? Or just ‘cause.?” He asked. * That made no sense. * He thought, as a puzzled look crossed his face. He shook it off and looked into her eyes.

“That didn’t make sense.” She said, more to herself than him.

“I know, but you catch my drift, right?” He asked hopefully.

“No.”

“You really like that word don’t you?” He asked.

“No.” She said and they both started laughing.

“Close your eyes?” He asked again.

“I’m sorry Spike, but I just won’t.” She told him a hint of sadness in her voice.

“Is there a particular reason?”

She took a deep breath and started. “Well, don’t tell Buffy that I told you ‘cause she would kill me. Ok?” He nodded. She went on. “Well I restored Angel’s soul too late. And so Buffy still had to kill him.”

“And that’s the reason?” He interrupted.

“If you let me finish.” He nodded an apology and gestured for her to continue. “When Buffy finally decided that it was time, she told Angel to close his eyes then she skewered him.” Spike laughed.

“That’s the reason?” he regained his composure with a look of genuine hurt on his face. “You, you don’t trust me?” He asked a little hurt.

“Well, it’s not that I don’t trust you, actually, it is that I don’t trust you,” She saw the hurt grow on his face. “In a good way, that is.” She added quickly. She saw his face lighten up a little bit. As he chuckled.

“Pet, I know how smart you are, but,” He paused for a moment.

“But what?” She asked growing impatient.

“But, that made no sense.” He started laughing again.

“It did,” she defended herself, “your just too dumb to get it!”

“Ok so you don’t trust me enough to close your eyes” He said after a moment. “So, well just have to go home.” He took her hand and started to lead her away.

“No!” She cried. “I wanna see!” Spike stopped and turned around to face her.

“Will you close your eyes?”

Willow looked at him and took a deep breath. “Ok” She said with an exasperated sigh.

He took her arm again and lead her through a row of trees just before thy reached the other side, Spike stopped and told Willow to close her eyes. She took one quick look around and closed her eyes. Spike smiled and lead her to the other side of the trees. He made her take a few more steps forward, dodging large rocks and pebbles. When he reached the perfect spot he told Willow to stand still.

“Spike, what are you doing?” She asked trying to suppress her fear.

“Don’t worry, ducks. You’ll be Ok.” He reassured her.

To the right of where they were standing there was a clump of bushes. He reached in and pulled out a basket. Out of the basket he pulled a blanket and spread it out on the floor. Spike helped Willow to sit down. He took out two glasses and a bottle of still cold champagne.

“Do you like champagne pet?” Spike asked as he poured the bubbly liquid into her glass then his.

“Can I open my eyes now?” Willow asked whining. When Spike had finished pouring he pulled out a plate filled with chocolate dipped strawberries. He placed the plate in between them and handed her the glass.

“Now, you can open your eyes.” When Willow did so she was stunned into silence.

“Wow.” She said her voice filled with awe.

The moon was high up in the sky and casting an eerie shadow over Sunnydale. And yet Willow loved it. She then realised that she was holding a glass of champagne, and the plate of strawberries that was sitting in between them. She then turned and looked at Spike with a twinkle in her eyes.

“You look really beautiful in this light.” He told her as he gazed into her emerald eyes. Willow took a moment to take in the complement.

“Spike?” She asked as she looked down on Sunnydale trying to spot out the landmarks - the school, her house, Buffy’s house, Xander’s house.

“Mmmm?” Spike replied as he too looked down on Sunnydale.

“Was that a complement?” He looked at her in surprise.

“I do believe it was pet.”

“Well, you don’t look so bad yourself, only...”

“Only what?” He asked as he returned his gaze back to Sunnydale.

“Those clothes.” She said as she let out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding. “I mean I’m no Cordy, but even I know that different clothes each day - or night in your case - wouldn’t kill anyone. I realise that you are going for the whole ‘I’m-a-big-bad-vampire’ look - and you are succeeding, let me tell you, but do you even own any other clothes? ‘Cause if you don’t you really need to do something about it, as I said I’m no Cordy but I’d love to help you, what?” She asked as she realised he was staring at her. “What?” She repeated her question.

“Did you just offer to take me - William the bloody - shopping?” He asked. “Are you completely off your rocker?”

“I - I guess I did, and no I am not off my rocker.” Spike considered what she had said for a moment.

“Right.” He stated.

“Right what?”

“We’ll go. You busy tomorrow night?”

“Um, I did promise Buffy that we would go Bronzing, but I”

“Oh that should be fun.” Spike mumbled under his non-existent breath, only a little louder than what he had planned. Willow heard him and for his efforts he received a slap on his shoulder.

“What was that for?” He asked.

“Being cruel to Buffy. If you hadn’t interrupted I was going to say that I’d love to but seeing as you did I’m not coming now.” As she finished she took a breath and had a drink.

“I’m sorry luv, take me shopping? Please?” Spike couldn’t believe he was apologising to a mortal and was asking - no more like begging to be taken
shopping. Willow frowned and smiled.

“you realise I’m never going to let you forget that you begged to be taken shopping?” She asked and he nodded eagerly. * You are going to regret this mate. * He thought to himself.

“Ok. You can pick me up at 8:30. That gives you time to...er...do what you have to before hand.”

Then he said something that he didn’t realise he was saying until it was too late.

“Great shakes potato cakes.” He clamped a hand down over his mouth as Willow feel into hysterics.
 

~Part 4~

The rest of the evening went off without a hitch. Spike walked Willow home where he had left her. He then left to find a quick snack before the impending dawn.

Willow had had a great time. Spike had told her lots of stories about Dru and Angel and all the places he had been to.

It wasn’t until Willow had put her head down on the pillow that she realised how tired she actually was. She had slept soundly for 3 hours until her alarm went off. At this point she turned it off, turned over and went to sleep for another 3 hours. When she woke up the second time she realised what she had done and that she should have been at school ages ago.

Willow ran all the way to school and arrived just before the end of her second class for the day. So she went to the library to wait for the gang.

“Willow!” Giles exclaimed as he came out of his office, nose in his books as always. “Sh-shouldn’t you be in class?” He asked her as he made his way up into the stacks, and Willow went to dump her books on the chair and sat on the large table that was situated over the Hellmouth.

“Well I kinda slept in and I just got here.” She said in a sheepish voice.

“Willow! That’s not like you, you must’ve had an eventful night?” Giles questioned from the depths of the stacks.

“You could say that.” She said to herself.

Just then the bell went and the previously quiet school became extremely noisy. Not too long after the bell had gone Buffy and Xander came into the library in deep conversation about nothing in particular.

“Hey Wills,” Xander greeted. “Missed ya in class this morning.”

“Yeah, where have you been?” Buffy asked taking a seat to her Willow’s left.

“Oh I’ve been doing um, stuff. Yeah stuff that required doing - not that sort of doing,” She quickly added when she saw the looks she was getting from her friends. “No, no none of that. Just some stuff that I had to do.”

Xander came up close to her so they were face to face. “Willow Rosenburg,” He said in a serious tone. “Were you skipping school?” Willow was shocked.

“NO! Goddess no! Me? Skip class? Are you taking crazy pills? ‘Cause this is me we are talking about! Miss ’ve-never-missed-a-day-of-school-in-my- life-and-am-not-gonna-start-now! What are you a lunatic?” Willow cried out in disbelief that he could even suggest such a thing. Xander
considered her last comment.

“Yes I believe I am a self confessed lunatic.” Xander replied solemnly.

Buffy raised her hand and said “I could vouch for that he’s totally mad. Where as I KNOW that you wouldn’t skip school, so your actions beg the question - Where were you?”

Willow had become flustered < Where was I? Where was I? With Spike ‘till all hours and then I slept in! ME of all people slept in! What do I say? >  “I er slept in.” Willow said in a very soft voice.

“Don’t worry Wills it’s nothin’ to be ashamed of - I do it all the time!” Buffy informed the nervous red head. “As long as you weren’t trying to fight demons I’m happy.” She added.

< Well that’s one thing I wasn’t doing last night. Well not really I’d hardly call arguing with Spike a fight. Well you could if you wanted to get technical ... > Willow’s wandering thoughts were interrupted by Xander.

“Hey Will! Come back to us!” He told her.

“Huh. What?” She replied as she came back to reality.

“The bell’s gone come on.” He told her.

“Oh you know what? I think I’m gonna go home.”

“But Willow you just got here.” Giles informed her.

“Yeah sorry ‘bout that. I’m not feeling to well I think I might just go home and lye down.” < And think about where I’m gonna take Spike shopping to night. > She added to herself.

“Ok Will but I’m not taking notes for you next period ‘cause I plan on missing it too.” Xander informed her.

“That’s Ok I’ll get them off someone else. I’ll see you guys later.” With that Willow left the library and headed home.

*****

After fixing herself some lunch Willow sat back to enjoy some daytime TV. About half way through ‘Days of our Lives” She fell asleep.

It was 8:15 PM before she woke up. She awoke to a knocking at the door. When she realised what time it was she didn’t know what to do. Firstly she turned off the TV, put her plate in the kitchen and then took a calming breath before going to open the door. By this time the person on the other side sounded as if they were ready to break down the door. < Spike has his good points - and lots of ‘em but he really needs to learn how to be patient... > Willow nearly died when she opened the door. < And so can Buffy. >

“Hey Wills what took you so long? I was just about ready to break down the door!” The slayer said as she let herself in.

“Yeah don’t I know it.” Willow said to herself. Buffy heard Willow mumble something and turned around.

“What?” She asked.

“Huh? Oh I was just asking what you were doing here.” Willow told her.

“Oh well I thought you could do with some company.”

“Oh no Buffy really - I just want to get some sleep. I’ll be fine. Besides don’t you have vampires to be slaying or something?” She asked hopefully.

“Yeah I do.” Buffy replied suspiciously. “Willow do you want to get rid of me?”

Willow wondered how she had figured it out.

“Get rid of you? Why would I want to do that?” Willow laughed uneasily.

“Oh I dunno. Maybe ‘cause you’ve got a special male friend coming over.”

< I knew it! She is a bottle-blond! How else would she have figured it out? > Willow thought to herself. “H-how could you suggest  such a thing? We are talking about HUMAN Willow not skanky vamp Willow. No boy would ever ask me out!”

“There was Oz.” Buffy regretted saying that as soon as the words came out of her mouth.

“Yeah well - he doesn’t count - Werewolf remember?”

“Ok. I guess I’ll have to believe you - I’ll see you tomorrow at school Ok?”

“Ok Bye.”

As soon as Willow had shut the door she bolted upstairs had a shower and put on her favourite Blue overalls and sweater. By the time she was ready it was 8:45. < Maybe he isn’t coming. > She thought to herself. <Maybe it was just a game. > She was pulled out of her thoughts by a knocking at her French doors. She ran over to open them and found Spike in his usual attire with a cigarette in his hand.

“You’re late.” Willow informed him as she grabbed her purse and stepped outside, closing the door behind her.

“No I’m not I was early but that Slayer brat turned up and then you weren’t ready so I sat out here and waited.”

“You watched me getting ready?” She asked disbelievingly.

“No luv, I wouldn’t ever dream of doing such a thing.” He then reconsidered. “Actually I would and I have followed through on those thoughts.” Willow was shocked But Spike added. “What I meant was not to you.” Willow breathed a sigh of relief.

Spike lead her to the De Sotto and opened the door to let her in. He then ran around the other side and jumped in.

“Sunnydale Mall it is.” He said as he put the car in gear and speeded off down the street.
 

~Part 5~

“So pet, where do you want to go first?” Spike asked Willow as they walked into the mall.

“Ok, we are gonna start from the bottom and work our way up.” She replied, her mind already formulating plan. She looked down to his feet. “I have one question before we start.” She told him.

“What’s that luv?” He asked as he started to search for a cigarette.

“How much do I have?”

“What?” He asked preoccupied with looking for his cigarettes.

“How much money do you have for me to spend?”

Spike pulled a black card out of his wallet and handed it to her. “There’s no limit” he added.

“This is gonna be fun.” She said to herself, as she started to lead him off in the direction of the more up-market stores.

* * *

After buying the shoes, pants and tops and even a new outfit or two for Willow it was time to go. They had been shopping for over 4 hours, thanks to Sunnydale Mall’s irregular hours. Spike had not enjoyed the endless hours of changing clothes, and waiting for approval but Willow had seemed to enjoy it so he stuck it out. Not without complaining first.

“Luv, listen to me - we’ve been at this for days! Can we go now?”

“Spike, it’s only been a few hours, but yes it’s time to go.”

“Thank the Gods! I really don’t know how you chit’s seem to do it. You can walk around for hours on end and not get tired!”

“That’s why the Goddess gave us caffeine.” Willow replied before her attention was attracted to a new shop window.

“I’ve never seen THAT before...” Willow said to herself as she headed over to the shop front. Spike was so busy ranting that e hadn’t noticed her go. It wasn’t long before he turned around to ask her a question that he realised she was gone.

“Willow?” He asked spinning in circles. “Willow, pet, this isn’t funny!” He called to the near empty shopping mall. “Ok you got me! Ha ha, now come out!” He demanded.

“Spike! Stop screaming and come and try this on” Willow said sticking her head out the door of the new shop she found. Spike breathed a mental sigh of relief that his new pet hadn’t left him alone in the mall.

“But you said we were finished!” He whined as he came over to the shop with all the heavy bags.

When Spike had joined Willow at the rack of clothes an all to familiar sales assistant came over to them.

“Do you need any help?” He asked in a friendly sales assistant type of voice. Willow spun around.

“Yes, he would like to try these on.” Willow told the man. Just as she was about to hand the assistant the pants, Spike grabbed them off her.

“No ‘he’ wouldn’t.” Spike informed them both. “‘He’ would like to go now.” Spike added to Willow.

“Spike, stop being a spoil-sport and try the pants on.” She told him in a very un-Willow like voice.

“Yes Spike - try on the pants” Urged the sales assistant. At this point - Spike lost it.

“Listen here mate,” Spike started his eyes momentarily flashing gold. “I don’t need you giving the girl idea’s - I don’t wanna try the pants - so I’m not gonna. Is that Ok with you two?” Spike asked.

Suddenly there was a gust of wind and Willow felt as if she had been slapped across the face.

“Oh, Spike I’m sorry, You don’t have to try them, let’s go.” Willow said giving the pants to the assistant.

“Just before you go,” The assistant said grabbing Willow’s arm. Spike growled deep and low in his chest and the assistant let go immediately. “Sorry, But I think that I have the perfect gown for you.”

The assistant looked at Willow and Spike and Spike nodded. The assistant ducted quickly into the back room. He came back with a black coat bag. He un-zipped the side and pulled out a stunning silver gown with beads sown into the bodice.

“Oh Spike, it’s beautiful!” Willow said going to take the dress from the assistant.

“That it is pet, why don’t you go try it on?”

“But - where would I where something like this? Every big social event that I go to I end up coming out of looking like the swamp monster! And it’s not as if I could go patrolling in it and look at the price - I can’t afford this!”

“No, but I can - and I’ll find you an occasion to wear it. Try it on.”

“But,” Willow’s protest was silenced by Spike’s finger on her lips.

“Now. The change rooms are over there.” He gestured to the far end of the store.

“I s’pose there is no harm in that.” Willow took the dress, gave Spike all her bags and headed into the change room.

Willow had been in the room for a good twenty minutes when Spike finally lost his patience.

“Where the hell is she?” He asked as he went over to where Willow had gone to get changed. Calming his demon he asked through the curtain, “Luv what’s taking you so long?”

There was no reply.

“Pet, it’s time to go now,” Still no reply. By this stage Spike was becoming worried again. <This girl is gonna be the death of me I swear!> He thought to himself.

<That’s it> He gathered his courage and stuck his head around the corner of the curtain.

No Willow.

Spike pulled the curtain back fully and there was still no Willow.

<She’s playing one of her silly little tricks again.> Spike thought so he started to call out for her in a rather bored fashion.

When she didn’t turn up after 10 minutes of looking he went back into the room. He looked for anything that might tell him where Willow went. <The slayer is gonna stake my ass if I don’t find her>.

As he looked down he saw a burn mark in the carpet. He noticed it was fresh. He then figured out why the sales assistant had pushed so hard for one of them to go into the change room and who the assistant actually was. Willow had told Spike a story or two about this man.

An enraged Spike came out of the change room, Vampire guise firmly in place. He grabbed the assistant and held him to the wall.

“Right Ethen, where is she?”
 

~Part 6~

“Well?” Spike asked in a threatening tone.

“What? Who are you?” Ethan asked trying to play dumb. Spike saw through his act in seconds.

“You know who I am, and Willow’s told me enough about you to know that you are no good.”

“I’ve heard enough about you to know that…” Ethan quickly decided that he was NOT in the best position to start flinging insults at one very pissed Spike, who’s grip was tightening every time Ethan did not answer one of Spike questions. “…I should shut up right about know.” He finished.

“Smart choice. So where is she?”

“I don’t know.”

“Not a smart choice.” Spike said as he threw Ethane against the other shop wall. Ethane landed with a thud.

“Please,” Ethan pleaded as Spike came over to lift him up again.

“Where is she?” Spike asked again. His hold on him tighter still.

“She’s, she’s, gone.” Ethan choked out.

“No shit,” Spike said as Ethan went flying across the room yet again. “What I wanna know, smart ass, is where too?”

“I - I don’t know.” Ethan said as Spike approached him again.

“Well mate - I suggest you find out.” Spike informed him.

“But, I - I don’t know how!” Ethan pleaded.

“I suggest you find out.” Spike thought for a moment. “Hey, aren’t you friends with the watcher?”

Ethan tried his dumb routine again. “Watcher? What’s that?” He was rewarded for his foolishness with a slap across the face.

“You know Rupert Giles?” Spike asked. Ethan nodded “Well it’s visiting time.”

Spike made Ethan close up the shop and then they both headed for Giles’.

* * *

Giles was sitting reading a book when there was a violent knocking on his front door.

“Who is it?” Giles asked as he made his way to the door.

“Uh, it’s Ethan, Ethan Hawk.” Ethan replied shakily.

“Ethan, what are you doing here? You’ve caused me enough trouble in this lifetime - what do you want?” Giles asked

“Well that’s a nice way to greet an old friend!” Ethan laughed uneasily into the door. “C’mon, Ripper, open up and let us in!” Ethan shouted.

“Ethan - not that I care,” Giles started as he opened the door, “But what’s the matter, you sound rather shaken.”

“That’s ‘cause I am, let us in and I’ll explain.”

“All right, I suppose there wouldn’t be any harm in you coming in.”

“Thanks mate, you’re a gem.” Spike said as he pushed past Ethan. Ethane’s legs gave out and he fell into a heap on Giles’ door step. Giles was completely clueless as to what had just happened.

“S-s-spike!” Giles stuttered out.

“Glad to see you still remember me, I like to make an impression” Spike said proudly.

“Wha- what do you want?” Giles asked.

“Well, it seems that we have an issue.” Spike told him.

“An ‘issue’? What sort of issue?” Giles asked, thinking it had something to do with one of the gang.

“Well, it’s to do with one of the slayers little lap dogs,” Spike hated describing Willow that way but it was true.

“What? Who? And, er, why should I trust you?” Giles asked carefully.

“Uh, good point.” Spike thought for a minute. “You know who I am right?” Spike asked after a moment. Giles nodded. “Well then you should know that I’m NOT joking, right?” Giles nodded again.

“Well then what’s the issue?” Giles asked with a new found interest.

“Willow,”

“What have you done with her?” Giles asked as he ran up to Spike.

“Woah there, you’re not going to get any where like that!” Spike warned.

“Where is she?” Giles asked after taking a step back.

“Why don’t you ask your little friend?” Spike said gesturing towards a now unconscious Ethan.
 

~Part 7~

Giles grabbed Ethan and threw him against the wall in an effort to awaken him.

“Ugh, what going on?” He asked as he came-to.

“Who are you working for?” Giles asked not wasting any time.

“Oh, Ripper, How are you?” Ethan asked ignoring the question.

“I’m not Ripper. Where is Willow, why is she gone and who are you working for?” Giles asked his questions in rapid succession.

“I don’t know where she is, I don’t know why he wants them and I can’t pronounce his name.” Ethan said with a sigh. <Now why didn’t that work for me?> Spike thought to himself.

“Well, Ethan, I think it’s time you tried.” Spike added, not wanting to be left out.

“Oh well let me down and I’ll see what I can do.” Giles thought over the request before lowering Ethan to the ground. As soon as Giles’ grip was lose enough Ethan was out the door. Spike was gone before Giles could blink.

“Damn,” Giles cursed. “Why didn’t I see that one coming?”

* * *

Ethan didn’t even have time to get half way down the street before Spike had caught him.

“You don’t have too many brains in that tiny little head of your do you?” Spike asked as he took Ethan back to Giles’.

* * *

Hours later, Spike and Giles had finally gotten the information they needed out of Ethan and all Giles could do was sit in a stunned silence.

“The bitch,” Spike said disbelievingly. He then chuckled, “I never thought that she could do such an evil thing. Wait till Angel hears about this.”

“I didn’t think she could ever do such a thing either” Giles added, dumbfounded. Then Spike was angry. They’d recently learned from Ethan that the demon he was working for, Interox, required the blood of a powerful mortal witch, namely Willow, to complete his ritual. Once the ritual was completed he would be able to cross paths between the realms. It was well known that where ever an Interox demon went death and mayhem
soon followed. The demon had crossed once before into this realm, to find Willow. And Buffy had let it get away.

<< FLASH BACK >>

Buffy was walking through a park in LA. She was thinking about Angel. She had only been gone from Sunnydale for 2 or 3 days and hadn’t found work yet. Her thoughts were plagued with images of her sending her Angel to Hell. Suddenly she was attacked. Not being ‘on the ball’ the demon was making quick work of her. She was thinking about her old life when Angel would have been by her side, fighting with her. When she would go back to the library and tell the rest of the Scooby gang all about it. When after would she would tell Willow how in love she was with Angel.

She couldn’t do that now.

Just as the demon was about to kill her he stopped.

“What’s wrong, Slayer?” He asked. “Thinking of your old life?”

<How does he know?> Buffy questioned herself.

“I will have her and there is nothing you can do to stop me.”

Buffy was enraged. “How dare you!” she screamed as she began to pummel the demon. Soon Buffy had the upper hand and was about to kill the demon when he shouted at her.

“STOP!” She did.

“What?” Buffy asked her tone flat and lifeless.

“I can make it worth your while.” The demon reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope and handed it to Buffy.

“What is it?” She asked wearily.

“Open and see...” So she did. And she got a lovely surprise when she did. The envelope was filled to bursting with cold hard cash. All $100 bills. “Now,” The demon said as he snatched the envelope back. “You let me go and never speak of our meeting to anyone and the money will be yours.”

Buffy agreed. The money was hers and the demon vanished.

<< END FLASH BACK >>

Spike was up and out of the apartment before Giles could ask him where he was going.

* * *

Spike had stormed off to the cemetery to find the slayer. Buffy was walking casually through the cemetery having lusty Riley thoughts when Spike threw her against a wall. Momentarily stunned Buffy just sat slumped against the wall until Spike came up to her again, took her by the throat and pushed her against the wall.

“Are you happy now, Slayer? Although that term doesn’t really fit does it?” Buffy put her hands over the ones around her neck in a failed attempt to pull Spike away from her. “Are you glad you’ve caused the only good thing that ever happened to me to be taken? Well?” He asked tightening his grip around her neck.

Spike let go long enough to grab her right arm and twist it around her back until he heard her pain filled scream and the bone snapping.

“That’s NOTHING compared to what I’m gonna do to you next,” Spike threatened. “Do you hear me? Nothing.” He whispered into her ear. Spike felt Buffy heart start to race and a shiver run down her spine. “I’d be scared too, if I was in your position.” He told her in a conversational tone. “But you see, the thing is that I’d never betray my friends the way you have. I may be an evil demon, but you are worse than me. You’ve crossed the line.”

Buffy couldn’t think about anything but the pain. Her pain.

“Your a selfish bitch,” Spike told her as he pounded into the slayer, driven by a force within. “You only care for yourself. Did it feel good to betray your friends, your watcher, your duty? Giles is disgusted with you.” He told Buffy who still had no idea what she had done. “What were you thinking when you took the money and let that demon roam free? The demon that has my Willow, because of your stupidity.”

Then it hit her. “Oh God,” She managed to croak out.

Spike saw that she finally understood what he was talking about. Spike continued to pound into Buffy until only some of his anger was stated.

“If she dies, it will be on your head.” Spike said as he left a badly beaten and broken Buffy in the middle of the cemetery defenceless and weeping.
 

~Part 8~

Giles had been researching all night. He couldn’t find much and Ethan wasn’t being very helpful.

“Just tell me how I can stop the ritual.” Giles pleaded with Ethan.

“I’d love to Ripper, but I’d be going back on my word with Interox.”

“You wont have any words to go back when I’m done with you.” Spike said dangerously as he came into the room brandishing a fighting axe.

Ethan’s jaw dropped. “You wouldn’t...” He whispered in disbelief.

“Wanna watch me, mate?”

“Spike, It’s not going to help the situation if you hack him up.” Giles said to him, “However if I have a go...”

“You wouldn’t!” Ethan said again with more confidence.

“You don’t think so?” Giles replied. In one swift action Giles grabbed the axe from Spike and sliced it across Ethan’s face. He was left with a wound from ear to mouth that was starting to ooze blood.

Ethan chuckled. “Ok so maybe you would.” He then proceeded to tell them everything he knew.

* * *

Buffy didn’t have the strength to get up. She didn’t even know if she wanted to.

<What have I done?> She thought to herself over and over again. <How could I have been so stupid?>

She had been sitting where Spike had left her for hours at least going over her encounter with Interox in LA.

<I’m SO SO stupid. Spike was right - I don’t deserve to live. I’ve put my friends in danger, and none of them will ever talk to me ever again. I’m a burden on their lives.> She thought to herself as she was getting up. <I have never been a good slayer. I’ve always thought of this as a job - nothing more. Something I would love to give up. But I can’t do that. Can I?>

As she was thinking she walked to a pharmacy down the road from the old mansion.

< They should all just go. Or maybe I should go. And this time, Maybe I’ll never come back.>
 

~Part 9~

Giles was having trouble understanding what Ethan was saying.

“Just, Just wait a minute.” Giles said, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “I don’t understand.”

“I second that.” Spike added.

Ethan took a deep breath and started again.

“For the demon to be able to cross into this world, he has to have a stone or amulet or whatever to gather all the energy up so he can make the portal, yeah?” Giles nodded and Ethan went on. “Right so all you have to do is to destroy the stone or amulet or whatever.”

“Sounds easy enough,” Spike said, “But I just have one little issue with your oh so brilliant plan, how do we get into the other world?” Spike asked with an ‘I’m so smart’ smile gracing his feature’s.

“You see the only way to get there is through the subconscious. Meaning you have to do a sort of astral projection. And if I’m correct neither of you can so therefore your little witch is gonna be the first of many to die.” Spike was out of his chair and slapping Ethan across the face with a force that knocked Ethan and the chair he was tied to over before Giles nor Ethan knew what was happening.

“Don’t you ever, EVER say that again you got it?” Spike said before he turned and took his seat again. When he had regained his composure, he spoke again. “Willow has a friend, I’m not sure of here name but Angel knows her and could get a hold of her for me. She can astral project, I remember Red talking about her.” Giles’ face lit up with excitement.

“Get on to that then, the phone is on the table.”

Spike got up and dialled the number that would connect him to his sire.

* * *

“Hello, Angel Investigations, we help the helpless.”

“Hey Cor., How’s business?” Spike asked in a tone conversational.

Ever since Spike had run into Willow that first time something inside of him had clicked and he had decided to make amends with his sire, and so he did. Angel was overjoyed the first time that Spike had called, only a few days ago and he knew that their relationship was on the mend. Spike had also become friendly with Cordelia on that same phone call.

“Oh you know the usual, Doyle has just had one of those vision thingy’s and now they’ve run off in search of the baddie.”

“When will peaches be back?” Spike said completely serious.

“Why? What’s up?” Cordelia asked.

“Willow’s been taken and I need to find her witch friend that can astral project but I don’t know her name and Angel does so here I am asking for his help and the bloody selfish twit isn’t in.”

“Spike, I’m going out to find her now, we’ll be in Sunnydale in a few hours.” Spike was left stunned as Angel hung up. Sometime during Spike rant to Cordelia, Angel had come in. And now he was gone off to find the witch so they could get Willow back.

* * *

Angel turned up with the witch, Cordy, and this Doyle character as he promised.

After initial introductions, and the situation was explained, the witch, Aradia, sorted ut what she needed to project and then to destroy what the demon was planning on gathering all the energy into. Soon Aradia had started the ritual and was not to be interrupted. She appeared to be sleeping but if anyone tried to wake her she would die from shock.

Meanwhile all the others could do was wait. So Angel and Spike made good use of the free time and went outside so they could catch up on all the missed years.

* * *

Buffy was already in the mansion. She had put the package from the pharmacy on the table in front of the fire place and wandered around the mansion.

She ended up in Angel’s bedroom. She went to the closet where he kept all his shirts. In his rush to leave Sunnydale he had left all his clothes behind <Maybe he never really loved me anyway. Wouldn’t surprise me.> She thought sadly. She took one of the shirts off the hanger. It smelt distinctly of him. She put the soft silk on over her own top and left it unbuttoned. She went to what seemed like a kitchen and got herself a glass of water. She then took the package off the table and went into the bedroom.

Putting the glass and the package on the bedside table, she took off her shoes and sat on the bed. She then began to unwrap that package.

* * *

Spike had surprised himself by enjoying his ‘sire and childe’ bonding session. They had talked about all sorts of different things. Angel had told Spike that he was over Buffy and had been for quite sometime. Although nearly dieing had rekindled his love for her, when he moved to LA and met up with Cordelia his lusty Buffy thoughts had disappeared and had been replaced with lusty Cordy thoughts. But he wouldn’t dare make a move on her because Doyle had too fallen in love with her and made it quite obvious that she was his.

Spike in turn had told Angel all about Willow. And his sire had approved of their relationship, which had come as a bit of a surprise. When Spike told Angel about Buffy and the demon that had taken Willow, Angel too was furious. Although he didn’t condone the Buffy bashing that Spike had dealt to her, he gave his tacit approval and said that he would do the same should anything happen to the people he loved.

* * *

Back inside the watcher’s house Cordelia was getting restless.

“How long can it take to kill a demon?” Cordy asked impatiently.

“Princess, shh or you’ll kill the witch and we’ll be here for a whole lot longer. Why don’t you go upstairs and have a rest yeah? So then we can leave bright and early tomorrow huh?” Doyle suggested.

“As much as I would love to sleep, I don’t need to that desperately. I mean look at this place it’s a dump.”

“Hey! It’s not so bad!” Giles said looking up from his book.

“Yeah sure, C’mon,” Cordy said as she pulled on Doyle’s arm “We’re going for coffee who knows how long this is gonna take.” And they were gone.

* * *

<<In the other realm>>

Aradia saw that the ritual had started. She made her way quietly over to where Willow had been kept. She undid the chains and told her to run and hide. She did.

Aradia then busied herself preparing to destroy what appeared to be a stone. It was glowing furiously but stopped when the energy coming from Willow had stopped. Interox turned to see the chain hanging limply from the wall. And no Willow.

Aradia saw her chance. When Interox turned to look at the wall Aradia sprinkled a potion over the stone. A great ball of light was emitted from the stone and Interox turned around.

“NOOOOO!” He cried as the all was still, quiet and dark once more.

Aradia took Willow by the hand and returned them to their world.

Just after they left there was a massive explosion caused by the stone that effectively killed Interox and sent the stone into Millions of pieces.

<<Back to normal world>>

* * *

When Aradia woke up Giles was at her side in an instant.

“How did you go?” He asked Impatiently. “Where’s Willow?” As he asked Aradia looked around to a space of floor behind her where Willow landed with a thud.

As soon as she landed Spike bolted in the door. She barely had a chance to get to her feat when he kissed her with so much passion that Spike had to support her weight before she fell to the floor. Angel simply smiled from the doorway. Giles was so embarrassed that he turned his full attention to helping Aradia up who was smiling the sweetest smile he had ever seen.

Cordy and Doyle came back soon after that and were both excited to see Willow. The rest of the night was spent drinking and talking with Willow sitting with Spike holding her protectively. Xander and Anya had been invited over too and were having a good time after everything had been explained.

Buffy was only mentioned one other time. Towards the end of the night when it occurred to Willow that she wasn’t there.

“Where is the she?” She asked not particularly caring if she never saw her again.

“Who care’s pet?” Spike had replied and that was it. Nothing more too it.

* * *

Buffy was lying on the bed now, her eyes closing ever so slowly. When they finally did, the empty bottle of pills fell out of her hand and shattered on the floor. Some of the pieces landing on the note that had fallen from the bedside table. It simply read ‘Sorry’

As she took her last laboured breath, she whispered “Sorry.” Exhaled, and died. In the empty mansion all alone. Never to be a burden again.

End
 

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