***
"No fair! _Spii-i-ike_!" Willow whined, glaring at Xander balefully.
He stuck his tongue out at her and deliberately dumped the last of the cashews into his waiting mouth. His eyes rolled in exaggerated bliss, and he carefully licked off each of his fingers.
"What is it _now_, luv?" Spike groaned as he stuck his head into the room Willow and Xander were sharing during their recovery period.
Seeing as both teens were still recovering, the rest of the Scooby Gang had decided that it would be easier to look after them if they were together. Although no longer in as bad a shape as she had been, Willow was still at least a few weeks away from returning to full strength. Xander had been out of the hospital for less than a week, and still tended to black out on occasion. They had decided on Willow's home since her parents were still safely out of town, and would be for the next month. And, although none of them said so, they didn't think that Xander's home was an environment conducive to healing.
So Willow and Xander spent their days in the living-room, only going their separate ways at night. They seemed to enjoy each other's company, most of the time, at least; but it was one of the single most trying times of Spike's unlife.
"Well?" Spike prodded when Willow's attention was caught by the return of the flashing television screen. "Willow!"
Her head twisted towards him, her lower lip thrust out into a pout. "Xander took the last ones... again!" She batted her eyes at him hopefully. "Get me some more, Spike? Pretty please?"
Spike turned to glower at Xander. "I thought I told you I'd break every bloody finger on your hand if you did that again!" the vampire snapped. 'Makes me bloody ecstatic that I'll never have brats.'
Xander was unfazed. "I'm a growing boy... a growing _injured_ boy, at that. And you can't break my fingers -- I helped save your worthless life!" He nodded happily, having successful laid out his own take on the situation.
Spike snarled and turned on his heel, stalking back into the kitchen. Muttered curses trailed after him.
"He better be out there getting me more," Willow said, snuggling deeper into her blankets.
"He's whipped," Xander commented, twisting around on the couch. He lay down until his head rested on Willow's lap. Her hands automatically fell into his hair, twinning the dark locks around graceful fingers.
Willow giggled. "I'm sure there's some kinds of whipped he wouldn't mind being," she flushed, mind wandering back to the material laid out in the book Giles had presented her with ages ago.
Xander groaned. "I'll just pretend you didn't say that, Wills."
The redhead nodded thoughtfully. "That's probably for the best, anyway, Xander."
***
Spike carried Xander's sleeping form upstairs before returning to Willow. He ignored the witch's flustered protest and swept her up into his arms. With a sigh, one slim arm flung around his neck as her head bent to rest against his shoulder. Her arm tightened around him in unspoken protest when the vampire bent to place Willow into her bed.
"Don't leave," she murmured against him, her voice heavy with sleep.
"You're tired, pet. Go to sleep."
"I love you, Spike."
"I know," he responded as Willow let her arms fall to her sides. Spike drew the covers over the young woman, his fingers briefly lingering at her cheek before pulling back. "Sleep well, luv."
"Alone?"
"For tonight."
***
Cordelia stood on the front step, her feet braced and hands clasped behind her back in a nearly militaristic pose. "I'm not here to see Xander," the brunette informed Spike stiffly. "I want to speak with Willow. Is she up yet?" Her stance broke, a high heel clad foot tapping against the cement step, tapping out here mingled irritation and unease.
Spike cocked his head, listening to the two muted heartbeats he could hear from the second floor. "She's awake," he admitted, stepping aside.
Her breathing was rapid and ragged as Cordelia stepped into Willow's home. She discreetly swiped suddenly damp palms over the back of her black dress pants. "Upstairs?" Cordelia questioned the blond vampire, already moving towards the stairs. Her hand shook against the banister as she climbed up the stairs.
Willow was on her back, laying in bed, her blankets drawn up just below her narrow shoulders. "Spike?" she murmured. Her eyes fluttered open, widening in shock when she spotted her friend standing in the doorway. "Cordy?!"
Cordelia's expression softened slightly. She moved towards Willow, shrugging off the backpack she wore and depositing the bag on the bed. "Yeah... I come bearing gifts," she said, drawing out an expensive box of chocolates. "And... apologies."
"Apologies?"
"Don't make me repeat myself, Willow," Cordelia rolled her eyes. "You heard me the first time!"
"I'm just... surprised. I didn't think _you_ had anything to apologize about," Willow shrugged, ducking her head guiltily.
Cordelia drew in a shuddering breath. "I had plenty of reason to be pissed... but we're friends, Willow. And as terrified and furious as I was... I don't want to loose you. So..." she paused, sliding the lid of the chocolate box off. "Chocolate?"
Willow smiled. "Yeah, that sounds good." The redhead shifted over, allowing space for Cordelia at the head of the bed. Cordelia hesitated a moment before settling next to the other woman.
"It's good to have you back, Cordy."
~end~