"You can't stay here," Willow told Spike as she sat at the kitchen table
buttering a slice of toast.

Spike raised an eyebrow at his redhead's declaration, "Care to place a
bet on that, little one?"

Willow smiled and bit into the toast, "No. It's just that Buffy has
developed an annoying habit of showing up unannounced to dazzle me with
her pearls of wisdom. If she finds out you're here--"

"All hell will break lose," Spike finished. "Could be fun."

Willow looked at him in horror.

"Sorry, baby. Not so fun for you," he kissed her buttery lips. "That
stuff is bad for you."

"So are you, but that doesn't stop me, either," she grinned.

"Watch it, pet. I'll put you over my knee and spank your cute little
ass," he warned her.

"That's supposed to be a threat?" she asked.

Spike grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap. Willow squealed in
surprise and dropped the toast, face down, onto the table.

"So much for a late night snack," Willow sighed.

"You need more than toast," he told her as he ran his hand along her
ribs. "How long has it been since you ate something decent?"

"Since the diner. I couldn't. No appetite."

Spike gave her a sad grin, "This has been hell on you, hasn't it, luv?"

She put her arms around his neck and kissed him, "I'm okay, now."

"Feel strong enough to run off with me?"

"Always. Anywhere," she answered.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" he asked in amazement.

"Probably drained some poor, innocent girl," Willow smirked.

"Would that bother you?" the question was serious.

"I don't care anymore, about anything, except you," she replied.

"Good," he smiled. The words "one step closer" danced through his mind.

"We really should go," Willow said anxiously.

"I'm going, if you're coming with me."

"Back to the warehouse?" she asked.

Spike shook his head, "New digs. Over by the community college."

"You'd blend right in there," she quipped.

Spike shot her a look.

"I'm sorry," she giggled. "I know--brain food!"

"Willow," his voice was threatening. "It's not too late for that
thrashing."

"Okay. I'll behave," she promised.

"Over my dead body," he argued.

"Your body's already--," she stopped as she noticed the look in his
eyes.

Spike chuckled and held her close, glad to see the impish spark had
returned. He moved her off his lap and stood. She took his hand and led
him to the door.

"Spike?"

"Yes, luv," he sighed.

"When we get to your place, will you tell me a bedtime story?"

"What?" Spike was completely thrown by the request.

"Once upon a time, there was a vampire who escaped from the murderous
attack of one of his minion," she said.

Understanding dawned in his eyes, "Yes, pet. I'll tell you all about
it."
***
Willow had showered and put on one of Spike's shirts and was snuggled
under the warm bed covers. Spike shed his clothes and crawled in beside
her. She moved into his arms, and he stroked her arm gently.

"Tell me," she asked.

He kissed her, drew the shirt up over her head, and flung it to the
foor. Then he pulled her back and shifted her into a comfortable
position against him.

"Daniel had been out to stake me for awhile," he began.

"Daniel--the vampire at the diner?" Willow interrupted.

"Yeah," Spike nodded. "He overstepped his place, and paid for it. He
must have realized I knew he was after me, but the sod didn't dare try
anything here. He had a friend in River Springs who told him we were
there."

"How did you find out all that?" Willow wanted to know.

"Daniel told me while I was carving interesting designs in his jugular,"
Spike answered. "Who's telling this story, anyway?"

Sorry," she said contritely. "Go on."

"To tell you the truth, I was so surprised when the watcher showed up
and Angel made a grab for you, Daniel nearly succeeded in staking me."

Willow shivered, and Spike pulled her closer to him.

"Stupid bastard. He really thought he could take me out. He came at me;
I kicked him in the balls, and he landed on the ground with my knife at
his throat."

"Is he gone?" Willow asked.

"Ashes, luv," he reassured her.

"Why didn't you come back?" she turned her face to his.

Spike caressed her cheek with his hand, "I did, Willow."

She looked at him in wide-eyed surprise, "You've been here? All this
time?"

"I wasn't far behind your knights in tarnished armor," he confessed.

"But Angel said you were--"

"I'm sure he hoped I was, the bloody wanker," Spike growled. "I didn't
think it would be wise to show myself so soon. I figured they'd try to
lock you away somewhere. You don't know how hard it was to stay away
from you, baby."

Willow ran her hand along his chest, "You're here now."

"They won't get between us again, luv. I promise."

Willow looked up and met his determined stare. He pulled her on top of
him and kissed her, his tongue delving into her mouth.

"I want you inside me," she whimpered.

"All you had to do was ask," Spike grinned.

End.

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