Xander walked between Cordelia and Willow, as they entered the school grounds together. In the distance, they saw their beloved principal. Xander sniggered as he remarked, “Little does he know he only has days to live, with our new ‘friend’ around.”

Willow and Cordelia both looked at the black haired youth, faces a mixture of shock and helpless amusement, both tinged with a wistful desire. “Well, whoever replaced him couldn’t be as bad,” Willow offered as a way of trying to avoid the actuality of their discussion.

“We’re seriously discussing the death of a human … well nearly human being here,” Cordelia observed. “It’s kinda freaky, but way bad in a cool sorta way.” She had stressed the ‘cool’, turning it into something that sounded like ‘cule’.

“Hey guys, what’s the what?” Buffy’s voice came from behind the trio.

Willow turned and said excitedly, “We got two vamps last night. They were trying to feed on Harmony and Aura!”

“What?” Buffy nearly shrieked, “That’s so dangerous. You could’ve been hurt. Why didn’t one of you call me?”

“There wasn’t any time Buffy,” Xander explained, trying to ameliorate Buffy’s obvious anger and shock. “And anyway, with these bracers, it was like …”

“Easy as falling over a cheerleader,” Cordelia interjected spitefully. “And you should remember all about that.” The pleasant smile Cordelia gave Buffy was a mask for pure venom.

Buffy bristled at the memory that had been deliberately raised. “You three don’t have the training. You should have called me. I need to let Giles know.” Buffy spun on her heel and strode off.

“Temperamental much?” Cordelia asked rhetorically.

“Fell over a cheerleader?” Xander asked, fascinated and somewhat distracted by the thought of Buffy and Cordelia entangled together, their smooth thighs interlocked.

“Oh Xander, stop being such a boy!” Cordelia snapped.

They continued walking together in a companionable silence, all of them reminiscing about the previous night.

Soon, Giles came into sight, beckoning them urgently. When he saw that he had gained their attention, he turned back and re-entered the school.

“Guess we better go and face the music,” Willow said sadly. “Why does Buffy have to be such a spoilsport? And a snitch?” All three turned towards the large Sunnydale High School building and walked as slowly as they thought they could get away with. Reluctantly entering, they walked down the corridors and eventually reached the library.

As the three worried teens entered the library, they could hear Buffy, shrilly talking at Giles. “But Giles, I’m the slayer and it’s dangerous for them and they don’t know how to fight and they could’ve been hurt and Giles why aren’t you listening to me?”

“Well, Buffy, there are several reasons. Firstly, we spent several hours training last night after you left. The bracers seem to grant innate powers; rather like a vampire’s demon does in fact. They …”

“So the bracelets could be evil then,” Buffy concluded.

“No, to conclude that they are therefore evil is tantamount to concluding that innate slayer abilities are evil.”

“Oh, so we don’t know whether they’re evil or not, right? So shouldn’t we be cautious and careful?”

“Certainly we should be judicious about them, but really Buffy, I’d have thought you’d be glad for the help,” Giles said in frustration. ‘Honestly, at times this girl is so insecure!’ He thought to himself.

“Good!  So no more slaying for them, right? I don’t play well with others, Giles. You saw me with Kendra and now with Faith.  They only get in my way.  And now Willow and Xander and Cordy will too.  Besides, I’d be too worried about them to slay properly!”

Willow decided that she had eavesdropped enough and moved into view. “Hi, Giles, you wanted to see us?”

“Yes he did!  Go on, Giles, tell them they can’t slay anymore,” Buffy said, gesturing for him to begin speaking.

Giles opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted by Cordelia, who glared at the slayer.  “Why should we stop slaying?”

“Because you’ll get hurt! And I can’t save you and other people at the same time!” Buffy declared, crossing her arms.

“Well, we took care of ourselves last night with no problem!” Cordelia said, taking a step toward the slayer.  “Don’t you want to save more people?”

“I think she’s just afraid of the competition,” Willow put in.

“I am not!” Buffy protested, shocked that Willow would say such a thing. “I don’t want you to get hurt!”

“Sure, Buffy.  And when Kendra and Faith came? You weren’t the least bit afraid you wouldn’t be needed anymore?” Willow asked, walking up to her friend. “Well, Buffy, I’ve got news for you.  There’s enough evil in this town and in this world for us all to have some fun. So don’t worry about being upstaged, there’s plenty to go around.”

The others looked at Willow in surprise. Buffy’s mouth kept opening and closing like a fish out of water.  Cordelia looked vaguely impressed while Xander nodded in agreement. Giles just stared.

“Wow, Red,” a new voice spoke up. “When did you grow a pair?”

The group turned to see Faith striding into the library.

Giles frowned. “You could hear them outside, Faith?” He asked, shooting the teenagers a look of annoyance.

Faith shook her head. “Nah, only when I was eavesdropping. Slayer hearing and all that,” she explained with an unrepentant grin as she jumped up onto the counter. “Well, don’t let me stop you. Keep going.  Sounded like it was just about to get good.”

“Keep out of this, Faith,” Buffy snapped. “It’s between me and my friends.”

Faith nodded and grinned. “See?” She asked Giles. “I knew it was about to get interesting!”

Giles scowled. “That is quite enough!  If you can’t behave like adults, then I suggest you be quiet while you’re in my library!” He snapped. Buffy looked about to protest when Giles caught her eye. “That includes you, Buffy.  Regardless of how you're acting, we're all on the same side!”

As they all stared at Giles, shocked, he continued. “Now, let’s get one thing quite clear. The skills that Willow, Xander and Cordelia have … obtained are far to valuable to waste.” Buffy stifled the protest she was about to make when she saw him gesture at her. “We have to utilize all of our assets, and that includes people that you worry about Buffy. They are aware of the risks and they accept them voluntarily. Slayers have a sacred calling, as do Watchers, but people like your friends put us to shame. They choose to fight evil.”

“I chose to! I came back!” Buffy’s comments were silenced by Giles’ glare.

“Well,” Cordelia snapped, “Perhaps you should have thought about your …” Cordelia withered under Giles’ gimlet eye and raised finger. “Nothing really,” she squeaked.

“Now,” Giles pressed on relentlessly, “I want the three of you to tell me about the fight with the vampires last night. Buffy, Faith, I want you to listen. I want your input on things afterwards. Don’t speak until the others are done though, please.”

Cordelia smiled at the two slayers before turning to Giles, organizing her thoughts quickly.  Cordelia began to speak, describing, in at times excruciating detail, the events at the Bronze. She spoke at some length about the music, the ambience and eventually got to the pertinent information. “Well, we were at the Bronze last night and, if I do say, both Willow and I looked fabulous. Anyway, while we were dancing we noticed these two guys take two girls out in the back.  Of course, I noticed that it was Harmony and Aura, after all, who wouldn’t notice Harm’s outfit?  It was so last week,” she told Giles, who merely rolled his eyes.  “Anyway, we could tell that they were vampires--too pale, ya know?  So we went to help. Xander and I took on one and Willow … um, Willow got the other, all by herself!”
 

~Part: 12~

“That was so stupid!” Buffy shrilled. “Just the three of you against two vamps!”

“Buffy, calm down.” Giles said sternly.  “As far as I can gather from what Cordelia’s said, they came at the vampires from behind while they were distracted and trying to feed. Is that right Willow?”

Willow nodded and affirmed the nod with a quiet “Yes.”

“So … you went outside and assessed the situation before attacking?” Giles pursued.

“Um … not really,” Willow admitted. “We more sort of rushed out and there they were, so we got ‘em.” Willow smiled a little crookedly. “Sorry Giles. We did get them though, and no-one was even scratched!”

Faith nodded and offered, “Surprise’ll get you more vamps than anything else. Don’t give them a chance to react and you’re five by five.”

As Giles nodded and Xander began to visibly preen under Faith’s comments, Buffy began to get exasperated. “Does nobody else see what’s wrong with the picture? They aren’t slayers. Or even watchers. They’re …” She trailed off into silence.

“We’re what Buffy?” Willow asked, equally annoyed. “Defenseless? Useless? Or is it that you want us to be helpless so you can feel like a big hero?”

“I think the word she was looking for, Will, is ‘civilian’,” Xander put in, spitting out the word while glaring at the blonde slayer.

Buffy let out a long sigh. “No-one’s listening to me. I’m going to class!” She stormed off leaving the library and slamming the doors open as she did so.

 “Ooh! Somebody’s having a tantrum!” Faith noted.

Giles gave thanks as the bell rang for the first class of the day.

        *                       *                       *                       *

The whole gang had congregated in the library after school, at Giles’ request. In fact, he had made the request pointed by issuing them all detention slips as he saw them throughout the day so they would be certain to appear.

When Faith had arrived towards the end of the school day, Giles had asked her to start setting up to training areas for mock combat. He realized that to understand just how good … or bad … the three were, he needed to see them fighting against the slayers.

The four students filed in, looking more than a little confused by the fact that Giles’ issued them detention slips.  With a nod indicating the chairs, he asked them to sit and then began to explain what he wanted to do. “There’s only one way to be certain about these bracers. I want you three to spar against Buffy and Faith.” Giles said. “I can make assessments of your combat ability and then we can decide … logically …” He looked directly at Buffy, “if you can work alone or if you’ll need to work with Buffy or Faith for your own safety.”

Willow nodded, Xander shuffled and Cordelia sat there looking utterly confident. “Well, there’s no time like the present, so let’s begin,” Giles said. “Buffy, would you spar with Cordelia, while Willow and Faith er … do the same?”

“What about me, G-Man? Who do I fight?” Xander asked cockily.

“That would be me.” Angel’s voice came from the stacks, Xander jumped and paled instantly.

“Jeez, Deadboy, don’t do that!” Xander complained, glaring at the dark-haired vampire. ‘Spike’s right, it does look like he spends too much time on his hair,’ he noted absently to himself.

Angel smiled a little and continued, “I’m really gonna enjoy this.”

Willow heard Xander’s “Spike’s right,” quite distinctly and looked over at him, eyes wide with fear. Cordelia turned and had raised an arm to slap Xander before both girls realised that no-one else was reacting at all. It was Willow who worked it out first. ‘He thought it. We have some kind of telepathy thing going on.’

“What was that Wills? I didn’t catch it,” Xander asked.

“No, nor did I.” Cordelia added.

Giles, Angel and the two slayers all looked at one another, confused.

“What just happened?” Giles asked.

“Oh, we just discovered that the bracer’s make us telepathic together.” Willow answered breezily.

“Yeah,” Xander put in, “I was thinking about how …”

“Xander!” Cordelia said in shock.

“What?  I can’t even call him Deadboy anymore?” Xander complained, deliberately misinterpreting Cordelia’s shock for annoyance.

Willow nodded sternly. “Of course you can’t! He’s our friend. Anyway, Giles, Xander thought that and Cordy and I heard it.”

Giles’ eyebrows raised, “It seems that …” he paused, re-ordering his thoughts. “It seems that the abilities grow over time. Have there been any … side-effects?”

“Well, side effects are bad and nothing … bad has happened.  Right guys?” Willow answered, somewhat nervously, as she thought back to the alcohol she’d consumed the night before.

Buffy’s eyes narrowed, knowing her friend’s inability to lie well.  “Then what effects have you had, Will?” She asked suspiciously.

Willow swallowed, her eyes wide.  She was saved by Xander.  “Increased metabolic rate,” he said casually.  “I think we’ve all found that our metabolisms have sped up.  At least I know I’m hungry all the time now.”

Buffy snorted. “Xander, you ate more than all of us put together before,” she noted with annoyance.

“Well, I’m hungrier too!” Cordelia snapped, coming to stand by her boyfriend while she kept her eyes on the slayer.

Willow nodded.  “Me, too!”

“Fine, you’re all hungry!  What does that mean?” Buffy asked, crossing her arms and pouting.

Giles cleared his throat.  “Well, it seems that the bracers are changing their physiology slightly,” he answered.  “And their mental abilities as well. They’ve all noted an increase in mental processes and now this telepathic communication …”

Angel cocked his head and stared at the three.  “They’re still human but they’re … different now,” he put in.  When the group turned to look at him in curiosity he shrugged.  “I can smell it.  Their blood is still human but it has something else in it.”

“Hey, keep your nose out of my … blood!” Xander finished lamely, glaring at the vampire.

Cordelia rolled her eyes at Xander’s weak rebuttal.  “Don’t get too excited about our increased mental processes, Giles,” she put in, before continuing.  “Now, can we get started already?  I have things to do after this you know.  My nails are a mess and I still have to take the shirt I was wearing to the dry cleaners to get out the vamp dust,” she informed them with a disgusted look on her face.

“Well, if Queen C has stuff to do, who are we to hold her up?” Buffy asked caustically.

Cordelia’s eyes narrowed.  “Don’t worry, I still have time to kick your ass all over this library,” she informed the slayer with unsuppressed glee in her voice.

“Well, let’s get started shall we?” Giles suggested, effectively stopping any more comments between the two girls. “I can try and research the other effects later.  For now, Buffy, Cordelia, let’s see what you two can do.”
 

~Part: 13~

The whole gang, other than Giles, sat on the floor, gasping and exhausted. Even Angel was drawing rasping breaths as he tried to re-oxygenate his muscle tissue. “That seems to have shown us some interesting things,” Giles commented mildly.

“Like what, G-man?” Xander gasped.

“How many times have I told you not to call me that?” Giles asked, then continued, “It’s shown us a lot about the abilities that you’ve received from the bracers. They both add to your inherent abilities and also give you a complete combat skill set. Hence Cordelia’s snap kick ability that knocked Buffy out …”

“She did not. I was just stunned!”

“Yeah, so stunned you lay there for a minute and a half, twitching.” Faith said sweetly.

“I have to go with Buffy, Giles,” Cordelia said, causing everyone to look at her in shock. “I didn't knock her out. That glazed, unfocused look is normal for Buffy.”

“Hey!” Buffy protested.

Even Angel laughed. “You were out cold Buffy,” he said quietly. “Be fair.”

“Red really had me working up a sweat,” Faith commented. “She’s damn quick.”

Willow smiled proudly at Faith's compliment. “Thanks!” She said brightly, regaining some of her energy. She stood up and grinned down at the slayer, offering her a hand.

The brunette shook her head. “Thanks but I think I'd like to lay here for another hour or so,” Faith replied.

“Yeah, Will, where are you getting your energy?” Buffy asked somewhat crankily.

Cordelia also stood and helped Xander to his feet. “Maybe it's the bracers. Something to do with our metabolism maybe?” Cordelia suggested.

“Xander can handle himself too,” Angel put in. “He kept me occupied, and a couple of those punches really hurt.”

Giles took off his glasses and polished them while his brow remained furrowed. “Yes, it does seem to affect your metabolism and energy,” he said. “Though I'm worried that you won't be able to get enough food to sustain these new processes.”

“What happens then?” Buffy asked, glancing at her friends worriedly as she got to her feet.

Giles sighed. “I'm not sure, Buffy,” he admitted.

Willow shrugged. “We'll be fine,” she assured them. “Besides, no use worrying since we can't do anything to stop it!”

Cordelia and Xander agreed. “Exactamundo,” Xander said, grabbing his bag. “Anybody up for some patrolling?”

Faith, Buffy and Angel all groaned as they stared at the three in shock.

Cordelia and Willow grinned. “Definitely,” Cordelia answered. “Let's get something to eat first, though. I'm starved!”

“Oh, me too!” Willow put in. Her eyes lit up. “How about that new Chinese place?”

“Sounds good, Will!” Xander replied. “See you guys later!” He said, waving to the other occupants as the three left the library.

“That was very enlightening,” Giles said, still thinking about what had happened.

Angel nodded slowly in response. “They fight like … like demons.”

Faith snorted. “You're telling me,” she said, wincing as she stood up. “I don't think I've had this many bruises since I got here!”

“Now, just to clarify. You’re all being like, metaphorical and not literal here, right?” Buffy asked.

Giles smiled. “Yes Buffy, we’re speaking metaphorically.” He looked at the blonde slayer strangely for a moment. ‘I didn’t realise she paid attention in English class,’ he thought irrelevantly.

“I'm not,” Faith replied with a groan.

“Whatever those things are,” Angel said, “They turned the three of them into machines. Xander hurt me with some of those kicks and back-handers.” He rubbed his jaw ruefully as he spoke.

“Yeah, and Red packs a hell of a punch too. I think I’m glad they’re patrolling tonight. I’m damn sure I hurt a lot,” Faith complained

“So, we’re in agreement that they can patrol as a group together?” Giles asked, looking pointedly at Buffy. Both Angel and Faith nodded their assent, while Buffy looked at the floor.

“Buffy?” Giles asked, prompting her for a reply.

“Yeah, they’re good enough. I’m not a happy camper about this though Giles.”

“Buffy, what’s the problem?” Angel asked, “I would’ve thought you’d be happy for the extra help.”

Buffy sighed. “They’re so young and they’re my friends. I’m scared they’ll get killed, Angel.”

“You don’t seem worried about me.”

“You’re different. You’re a vampire and you’re really tough and fight well and …” Buffy trailed off, looking lost and frightened.

“Do you mean that if they can fight as well as they appear to now,” Giles asked, “that you feel redundant, as if there’s no reason for you being here.”

Buffy looked up and nodded. “So very shallow of me. I know.”

“No, it’s not Buffy.” Giles spoke firmly. “Despite your comments about ‘wanting to be a normal girl’, being the slayer is fundamental to you. It manifests in many ways. An over-arching concern about ‘civilians’ as you put it, is part of that.” Giles mused a moment, ‘I wonder if that’s why the policy of non-contact was initiated--to clear the slayer’s mind for combat.’

“Really? This is my slayerness talking, not just me being childish?” Buffy’s face was expectant, almost like a child promised a treat.

“Yes, really.” Giles emphasised.

Buffy’s face blossomed like a flower opening, “So, my bitchiness towards them is the slayer in me? Great! I can explain tomorrow! For now though, it’s bath time. All I want to do is soak.”

 “Sounds heavenly,” Faith muttered. “But all I have is that damn shower. And the mildew. Can't forget the mildew.”

Buffy looked up. “Wanna come over? You can bathe after me and soak all your aches away. We're even an official no mildew zone.”

Faith grinned. “I should get your mom to talk to the motel super. You sure you don't mind?”

“Not at all,” Buffy affirmed. “In fact, I think mom was planning on making pot roast if you're hungry.”

“You know me, B. Slaying, even if just in practice, does make me hungry, among other things!” Faith answered.

Buffy shook her head. “Come on. If we're late, it'll get cold. And a nuked pot roast just isn't the same.” She smiled at Angel before turning to Giles as well. “Bye, Angel. Later, Giles!”

Faith waved carelessly over her shoulder at the two as she followed Buffy out the swinging doors.

Giles cleared his throat, glancing nervously at Angel. “Um, yes, well, I should be going,” he said, heading toward his office to gather his belongings.

Angel nodded. “Have a good evening, Giles,” he said as Giles entered his office.

“Good night, Angel,” Giles answered, returning with his briefcase. He sighed when he saw Angel had already left. “Damn vampires,” he muttered as he locked his office and headed for home.

~Part: 14~

As Willow happily devoured her sweet and sour chicken, egg rolls and rice, she glanced at Cordelia and Xander. Both were consuming their food with a single-minded intensity that was evident from the way they were shoveling Moo Shi beef and General Tso's chicken down their throats. Willow shrugged mentally. ‘Guess Giles was right. We're gonna be spending a lot of money of food,’ she thought to herself, taking another bite of her chicken.

Four minutes later, all the plates on the table were empty. The waitress came by and gathered them, promising to bring the check back in a moment.

Willow grinned at Cordelia and Xander. “Well, you wouldn't guess that we've eaten ever, would you?”

Cordelia shook her head. “This better not go to my hips!” She grumbled, snatching the fortune cookie the waitress had just left along with their check.

The three pitched in enough cash to cover the bill and a nice tip for the waitress while they munched on their cookies. Grinning at the various fortunes they received, they walked into the night.

“Hey! A new shop!” Cordelia said happily. “Come on, let's see what ‘The Clothing Formerly Known as Cow’ has to offer!”

Willow hesitated. “I dunno, Cordy,” she said, stopping at the window. “I mean, look at some of that stuff!”

The three hesitated as they examined the display. A mannequin wearing a leather corset, thong and thigh-high boots, held what looked to be a multi-tailed, suede whip. Another was wearing a collar and lingerie.

Willow cocked her head. “What's with the whip?” She asked innocently.

“That's not a whip, it's a flogger,” Xander answered absently. When both Cordelia and Willow looked at him with raised eyebrows, he shrugged. “I'm a guy. I have a computer. Not too hard to figure out,” he answered unapologetically. “And, unlike most men, I actually read the text as well as look at the pictures!”

“Well, I want to see what they have inside!” Cordelia declared, pulling Xander along.

Willow sighed but followed the couple. She winced when she saw the ‘Adults only. If you're under the age of 18, please shop elsewhere’ sign. She shrugged. “Oh well,” she muttered, walking boldly through the door. “I mean, it's not like I don't know what sex is!” She said, justifying her blatant disregard for the rules. She stopped short at the sight that was before her. Racks upon racks of leather clothing of all types, a wall of different types of restraints, several aisles of adult toys and a showcase with different types of floggers, crops and other implements of naughtiness that Willow couldn't even begin to identify.

“Welcome to ‘The Clothing Formerly Known As Cow’!” An overly- enthusiastic saleswoman said from behind the counter. “Can I help you find something?”

Willow's swallowed. “Um, I'm just browsing,” she answered, her eyes darting around the store. She noted that Cordelia and Xander were looking at a rack of costumes. She smiled to herself. ‘Looks like they'll be having fun,’ she said to herself.

“We just got in a shipment of leatherwear, so if you see something you like but your size isn't there, let me know, I probably have it in the back,” the saleswoman told her.

Willow smiled. “Thanks,” she said absently as she began browsing.

Despite herself, Willow began to become intrigued. ‘I can just see someone locked up in these cuffs,’ she thought. ‘They’d really suit Spike.’ She smiled happily at the image for a moment before gasping. ‘Spike? I shouldn’t think like that about Spike! Wait a minute, why not? He’s gorgeous, and I know he’s not with Dru now and Goddess, this leather smells so good!’

Willow moved away from the cuffs and started to look at the leather clothing nearby. The labels all read ‘hand-made’ and the leather felt wonderful to the touch. As Willow ran her fingers over the soft and sensual leather of a split skirt, almost losing herself in the sensations, she heard Cordelia and Xander behind her talking about how much fun something would be.

She strained to hear, and as she heard the discussion immediately blushed a fiery red. “Xander! There is no way you’re spanking me! You’ll be spanked and like it!”

Willow had to peek, despite her better judgement. What she saw both chilled and aroused her. Cordelia was holding Xander by an ear, and using it to force him to his knees. “Who’s in charge Xander?” Cordelia asked with real passion in her voice.

“You are.”

“I am, what?”

“You are … sir?”

“You will refer to me as Miss Cordelia. Do you understand that Xander?” She emphasized the instruction with a wicked twist of Xander’s ear.

Xander looked up and nodded, his face a mask of naked lust. “Yes, Miss Cordelia,” he added in a thick voice.

“Good boy. Now carry these and come with me. We have a whole store to look at.”

“Yes, Miss Cordelia,” Xander answered. His mind was a whirl. ‘Am I pussy whipped? Is this normal? Do I care?’

Willow sighed in jealousy. ‘Why can't I have something like that?’ She asked herself. Startled by her thought, her eyes widened. ‘Oh yeah, I definitely want a relationship that's based on whips and chains and … oooh those leather pants are so cute!’ Giggling at the way she had become distracted, Willow quickly walked to the rack of leather pants.

As the redhead flicked through the rack, looking for a pair in her size, she saw the assistant heading towards her ‘I swear,’ Willow thought, ‘that girl has to be working on commission.’

“Can I help you find your size?” The saleswoman asked, walking up to her.

Willow blushes. “Well, I'm not … I mean, I was just …”

“First time in an adult store?” The woman asked with a smile. Willow nodded and blushed even more.

“Don't feel bad, it's nothing to worry about! Here, these should fit,” she assured the redhead as she handed her a pair of black leather pants.

Before Willow knew what was happening she was in a dressing room, trying on a pile of leather clothes. As she rummaged through the selection that the sales assistant had forced on her, Willow eventually settled on the black leather pants she had originally seen. As she slid the leather pants on, she sighed with pleasure. ‘Wow, these make me feel so … sexy,’ she thought to herself. Grabbing a leather top, which the tag labeled a ‘corset’, Willow shimmied into it. Looking at herself in the mirror, she blushed. ‘Goddess,’ she thought. ‘I look like a … I don't know what I look like but wow!’

Wanting to show Cordelia and Xander her outfit, she opened the fitting room door. Poking her head, she saw they were on the other side of the store. Shrugging, she stepped out and began to make her way over to them.

She was stopped by the sight of a vaguely familiar blond head looking at the leather cuffs. Cocking her head, she strode over to the vampire and waited for him to notice her. She saw that he was fingering the leather somewhat wistfully. Stifling a giggle, she leaned over and whispered in his ear, “See something you like? Maybe if you're a very good boy, we can try them out.”

Spike startled slightly and turned toward the voice. He looked at Willow and inadvertently gasped. ‘Gods she’s gorgeous’. “You pet, in that black corset, you’re  … amazing. An object of adoration.”

“That’s Mistress Pet to you!” Willow retorted in a mock-stern voice. “Er, I mean Mistress, not pet,” She added. Willow's lips then turned up in a sultry smile. “And thank you. So what's a vamp like you doing in a place like this?” She asked.

“Red,” Spike said seriously, “you aren’t a ‘Mistress’. Mistress originally meant head of the household servants. The correct form of address for you should be m’lady.”

Willow gulped. “Wow! That’s just … wow,” she stuttered. “Boy, you can say the right thing when you want!”

“Course I can, pet,” Spike replied with a grin.

Willow raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“I can say the right thing, pet. Comes a lot easier when it’s the gospel truth though. And believe me when I say that with your offer earlier, I’m going to be a very good boy.”

Willow crossed her arms, making her cleavage more apparent.

Spike swallowed, slightly intimidated by the glare he was receiving. Mentally reviewing the conversation, he winced inwardly. “I mean, m’lady,” he hastily corrected himself. He let out an unneeded breath when Willow smiled.

Clearing his throat, he picked up a pair of cuffs. “You said something about trying these out if I'm very good? What happens if I'm very bad?” He asked.

“Why don’t we go and have some coffee, Spike, and we can … discuss that possibility.”

~Part: 15~

Willow smiled at the salesgirl as she handed her a credit card. It was her parents, but since they never really checked what they were paying for, Willow doubted it would make a difference to them. She looked down at her outfit. She had chosen to keep it on, rather than changing back into her regular clothes. She grinned at her feet which were now encased in leather boots with thick heels. 'Cute, and I can slay in these too!' She thought happily as she signed the credit slip.

With a word of thanks, she walked out the door to meet up with Spike, Cordelia and Xander. Cordelia grinned. "You look good, Willow," she declared. Xander nodded, his mouth gaping. Cordelia rolled her eyes and elbowed him. "Behave, boy," she warned.

"Yes, Miss Cordelia," he answered contritely.

Spike fought back a grin at the sight of the redhead. “Red, you’re damn hot in that outfit,” he said from behind her. Willow turned and smiled, almost lighting up the shop as she did so. She was unused to compliments like that.

“So,” Cordelia said, “shall we go and … patrol?”

“Want some company?” Spike asked casually.

“Why not,” Willow answered. “You like to fight and that's good, even if you'd be just as happy fighting the good guys.”

        *                       *                       *                       *

Willow grinned somewhat bloodthirstily as she staked the vamp in front of her. It disappeared in a satisfactory poof of dust. Looking around, she watched as the others methodically finished off their own opponents. “So, that’s all of them, right?” She asked.

Xander looked at Willow and nodded. “Yep, that’s all of them. Eleven vamps all dust to dust.” He giggled slightly as he said it.

“Yeah,” Cordelia added, “and look at the mess I’ve got all over me. And you think it’s funny, boy?”

“Er, no, Miss Cordelia. Not funny at all.”

Cordelia looked at Xander for a moment. “I don't think you're properly apologetic,” she told him. Before he could open his mouth to apologize, she held up a finger indicating he should be silent. “In fact, I think you need to be … punished.” She said the last word in a sultry tone that left no illusions on what she was talking about.

Xander swallowed and nodded vigorously. “Um, yes, Miss Cordelia. I agree. I need to be punished,” he agreed eagerly.

Spike chuckled at the interplay and looked speculatively at Willow. He moved closer and murmured into her ear. “What do you think they’ll be up to later pet? And do you think that Chubs there’ll be able to sit down tomorrow?”

Willow gasped and giggled as she looked at Spike. “Probably not, Cordy seems to have him well in hand … and what I just said was so wrong.”

“So,” Xander asked, in a desperate attempt to change the subject, “What do we do now?”

 Spike grinned at Willow. “Actually, I think what you said was just right,” he whispered to her.

Willow shivered at the feel of his breath on her neck. Swallowing hard, she smiled a little. “Well,” she said, catching the attention of all three. “Faith was right. Slaying does make you h- … um, hungry.”

Cordelia raised an eyebrow knowingly and winked. “Well, before Xander says anything else to make me upset, we're going to go,” she replied. “Have fun you two! Xander, come!”

Willow and Spike watched them walk off. Willow turned to Spike. “Want to go for that coffee?”

        *                       *                       *                       *

Spike and Willow sat at a table, Willow sipping her mocha while Spike leaned back on his chair, an empty cup before him.

“You know, pet, you said slaying made you hungry but you haven't touched your chocolate chip muffin,” the vampire noted

Willow looked up, eyes wide as her mind raced to come up with an explanation. “Um, well, you know how it is. Not so hungry anymore,” she said shrugging, looking down at her cup, which was little more than half full. With a deep breath, she drained the cup quickly. She smiled brightly at Spike. “See? All full,” she said.

After an awkward silence for a few moments, Spike decided to get the conversation going. “So, pet,” Spike began tentatively, sitting forward as he did so, “what's with the change in look? Not that I'm complaining or anything, but it's a bit … different.”

Willow nodded, smiling shyly. “I know,” she concurred, “but I’ve always really liked the idea of me in leather. But, y’know, nerd-girl’n’all … I’d just get laughed at. At least, that’s what I thought ‘til recently. Now though … now, if anyone tries anything, I’ll show them who’s a nerd-girl and who’s not.”  As she finished her mini-diatribe, Willow flashed Spike a dazzling smile.

Spike sat back, slowly shaking his head. ‘What’s caused these changes?’ He asked himself, confused but none the less delighted by the alterations in Willow’s behavior. He was all too aware that if such speculation was detected, it could ruin his slowly developing plans to seize one of the remaining bracers. Spike realised he had to continue as if he had noticed no substantial difference in Willow, other than her rapidly evolving combat skills.

“I dunno. I guess it’s this,” Willow said, aimlessly waving her bracer clad forearm around.

Spike looked confused. “What about the bracelet, pet? I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t?” Willow asked, now rather confused herself. “I guess I can pick up thoughts from anyone. Spike, what else were you thinking?”

Spike felt his hair stand on end, a neat trick given how much gel he used to hold it down.  “Pick up thoughts pet?”  He asked weakly before leaning back in his chair again in an attempt to put as much distance between the redhead and himself.

Willow blushed.  “Um, well, see this?” She asked, holding up the arm that was adorned with the bracer.  “We’ve found out that it gives us the ability to hear thoughts.  We assumed it was only between the three of us, Cordy, Xander and me, but I guess not since I clearly heard your question.  And why are you sitting so far back?” She asked, her brow furrowing.  Suddenly, a grin lit up her face.  “You’re afraid of me!” She said with delight.

Spike’s face clouded.  “Am not!” He denied, forcing himself to lean toward her.  “See?  Would I be doing this if I was afraid?” He asked almost belligerently.  ‘Bloody bint, thinks I’m afraid of her does she?  I’ll show her!’ He promised himself fervently.

Willow’s grin of delight turned quickly into one of malicious glee. “I’ll show you, Mister so-called Spike. You’re a scaredy cat, just ‘cause I can read your mind. And let’s face it, your mind’s hardly a literary masterpiece!”

Spike growled low in his throat, willing himself to remain calm.  She couldn’t know of his human existence, so the literary comment was pure happenstance, nothing to be offended by.

Willow grabbed his hand. “I’m bored with just talking. It’s all I ever do! Come on. Spikey, let’s go and ‘patrol’.”

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