Rating: [R]
Pairings: W/S and many others
Feedback: Please.
Archiving: www.sileya.net
Disclaimer: None but the ideas are mine. I wish I owned Spike, but I don't. (sigh)
Note: Answer to Jinni's Halloween Challenge
*I used ALL the criteria:
Required: Use 2 lines from Nelly's "Country Grammar" (may not be sung)
Run a mile - for the cause
I'm righteous above the law
Trick-or-treaters; Either w/s or w/s/a or w/s/x; Some sort of emotion
demon (either fear, lust, envy, sadness, etc); A clock stuck on 5am; A
car wreck
Toss in One of the Following (two for bonus points): Ethan, Faith, Drusilla, Jonathan, Angelus, Doyle, Kendra, Graham
Pick Five of These: Candy corn, A silk scarf, Victoria's Secret catalog, Caramel ice cream topping, A kitten, A pregnancy, Willow getting a spell right, Purple eyeshadow on a guy, A reference to any other WB show except AtS, The line "Yeah right, and Peaches will lose his soul again. Just not gonna happen." Said by anyone other than Spike.
Bonus if you include: Character death of Anya, Riley, Tara or Kate. Smut. Slash. Either Willow or Xander getting turned or one or both of them already being turned when the fic starts.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Willow sighed, slouching in the driver's seat as she steered Giles' convertible carefully around the corner. She tried to pay attention, but her mind just wasn't into the driving. She slowed the car to stop at a traffic light and sighed again. She couldn't stop thinking of Tara ...
"I'm sorry, Willow, I have t-to go. She's my only family." Tara had said as she packed up her things from their dorm room, including a silk scarf Willow had given her as a gift.
"But Tara - you're just dropping out, just like that?" Willow had asked, trying to stave off the fear of abandonment.
Tara turned and smiled softly, closing up a box. "I'm transferring to NYU. I'll pick up my classes next semester." the blonde witch paused, looking at her soon-to-be former lover. "You'll be fine, Willow. The Scoobies are here for you." ...
And then Willow had borrowed Giles' sporty car and driven Tara to the airport. After a goodbye strangled with tears - Willow's tears - they had separated - Willow knew it was for good.
Willow sighed again, pushing her wind-blown hair behind one ear as she waited on the light, not noticing the man standing on the right-hand corner, staring across the car at her.
With a groan, Willow thought of everything she had to do tonight. Tara left today, the day before Halloween, after they'd planned a big costume party for tonight for weeks!
Giles had consented to the use of the magic shop as the party locale, invitations had been sent, snackies had been baked and/or bought - there was no way Willow could back out of it.
The Scoobies of Sunnydale and their L.A. counterparts were getting together for a long- deserved party. Willow had even gotten Buffy to consent to be cordial to Angel - not to mention Spike. So with the fragile cease-fire in place, Willow couldn't possibly blow off the party now. No matter how lonely and blue she felt.
The rather nondescript man on the corner wore dark jeans, a blue silk shirt and a scuffed leather jacket. He continued to stare at the oblivious girl, soaking up the loneliness floating off her in waves. He frowned a bit, and took a step forward as if to speak to her.
Rousing from her thoughts, Willow nodded and tried to put on her resolve face. The party would go on. She smiled weakly and flicked on the turn signal, looking carefully both ways before turning right.
The man on the corner stopped in his tracks as Willow drove off, raising a hand as if to stop her - and then yelped as a delivery truck barreled out of a blind alleyway and struck the sporty red car in the driver's side, slamming it across the street and into a storefront mere feet from where he stood.
The man blinked, stunned, and ran over to the convertible, looking down at the crumpled girl. He frowned again, and ran across the street into the alley as people started to gather.
Willow laid in her seat, trickles of blood trailing down her forehead, feeling a thick fog descend upon her as the voices spiraled to whispers and her eyes fluttered shut.
~Part: 2~
"Willow?"
Seemingly a mere moment after closing her eyes in pain, Willow reopened them, blinking a few times.
"Who ... Who are you?" she asked as she saw herself sitting on a park bench with a man, the area around them complete darkness. A short man in a blue silk shirt and scuffed leather jacket. With little spikes all over his face.
"I'm Doyle. I'm here to rescue you. Like Luke Skywalker." The demon chuckled at his joke.
Willow's eyes grew round. "Huh?"
"Willow, as I'm sure you're confused, I'll explain a few things. Number one: This isn't real."
Willow looked around at the darkness, wondering if she was dead. "Ah, OK."
"Number two: I'm here to help you. I'm a loneliness demon."
Willow stared at him, unmoving. "Huh?"
Doyle chuckled. "OK - you took Tara to the airport today, remember?"
Willow shook off the stupor and nodded. "Yes."
"On the way back, you were in a car crash. You're in a coma now - and not likely to wake up."
Her forehead crinkled, and her bottom lip quivered. "But, but why not?"
Doyle shrugged. "That's what I need to find out. I was drawn to you by your anguish. I think that's it."
Willow shrugged. "Tara left me. Oz left me. Even Xander left me, sort of. I'm always going to be alone."
The demon shook his head. "Nope. You just have to find the right match - your heart's desire, that's all. Then the loneliness will end."
Willow sighed, confused. "Decide? How does my deciding make a difference?"
The demon chuckled and lightly punched her arm. "Cause I'm here to make it happen, see?"
Willow shook her head, eyes turning dark and dull with a growing ache.
Doyle rolled his eyes. "And Kendra said you were the smart one. All right. Listen. You're going to live an evening. This evening. Tonight. Do whatever you want. Whomever you want." He grinned. "Figure out what you want. Then I'll make it happen. It's all for your own good. Come on. Run a mile, for the cause!"
Willow raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Kendra? Our Kendra? Dead Kendra?"
The demon grinned. "Friend of mine. But back to the topic at hand. I'm righteous - above the law. Really! Since I made the big sacrifice, I've been working directly for the big guys. I get a nice vacation from the Powers That Be if this works out. You and your friends are due, see, and I'm the ignition switch. You just have to turn the key."
Willow gazed at the demon, crossing her arms. "So we're due - due what?"
Doyle rolled his eyes. "Friendship, companionship, love. Happy ever after - like I said - the person of your heart's desire. You're going to make it happen for all your ... our ... friends. Bonus for me!" he smiled.
"Bonus for you." Willow repeated, not understanding.
Doyle growled a little under his breath. "OK. It's like this. Only the pure at heart, blah blah blah, can give of themselves to make others realize who it is they should be with to be fulfilled in their own destiny. That's why humans have friendship. You always meet the one who completes you through someone else. It's in the rules."
"The rules??"
"Never mind that. You're a pure soul, Willow. You shine like a beacon - visible a mile away. Because of that, I can work through you to help the others who are too damn stubborn and blind to help themselves."
Willow chuckled. "Gee. That doesn't describe my friends - no, not at all."
Doyle grinned, remembering Angel and Cordy. "So - you in?"
Willow shrugged, peering into the quiet blackness. "If it's the Powers That Be, I guess I don't have much choice."
"Sure you do. You can stay in the coma and die." Doyle replied flatly.
Willow gulped. "Um, OK. I'll do whatever."
Doyle smiled. "Great. OK. Time frame - you get one full night."
"So till dawn?" Willow asked.
The demon winced. "Actually no. You get until 2 a.m. That will be your hour of decision time. Either what happens tonight can stay that way, or you can elect to forget it all and wake up to life just as it is."
He looked over her. "Or - you can stay in the coma, like I mentioned before."
Willow seemed to shrink into herself.
Doyle took a breath. "Look. Just think of this - if it's a disaster, you can dismiss the whole night and wake up to life just as it was. Or you could not wake up at all. How's that for flexible?" his voice was getting a bit desperate.
Willow finally relented and nodded. "OK."
Doyle smiled softy and patted her shoulder. "Hey, relax. Not many people get a chance to take their destiny in hand. Or make their friends happy for time everlasting, either." He stood and winked, then disappeared in a poof of smoke.
Willow looked around, and spoke aloud into the darkness. "What do I do now? Doyle? Help??" she shut her eyes then, feeling dizzy for a moment.
~Part: 3~
Immediately her eyes snapped open, and Willow stood in the darkness, looking around her, arms fumbling through the damp fog as a loud thumping resounded in the emptiness. She shielded her face as she walked forward, warding off the thick strands of fog, following the sound of pounding.
Whispers surrounded her. "Open the door, Willow. Open the door." The sound of a clock ticking filled her ears.
Willow gasped, fear choking her as she moved faster toward the noise, stumbling. Her hand met a cold wall, and she frantically felt all over it, finding the handle, which she pulled open ...
"ARGH!!!"
Willow screamed shrilly, stumbling back as a shadowy figure reached forward to catch her.
"Willow?"
Willow blinked as the world seemed to snap into focus.
"Angel?" she asked timidly.
Angel smiled as he pulled her forward into the dim light of the storefront - the Magic Box's storefront. He helped steady her before sweeping into a bow, doffing a long black hat fit with a feather. "The Pirate King, at your pleasure, fair maiden."
Willow smiled tentatively as she recognized him, even with the eye patch. "Hah - that's pretty good."
Angel's face softened and he smiled happily at her compliment. "You think so? Really?" he asked almost shyly. "Cordelia got me the shirt, and I cleaned one of my old sabers for the occasion."
Willow smiled wider and flushed as she took in the white poet blouse half-unlaced (oh...yum) and the jeweled scabbard. "Ah, yeah..." She shut the door and turned to look back into the shop, realizing the walkway to the door was blocked with dark curtains and heavily strewn with fake cobwebs. "Please come in, Pirate King, sir."
Angel grinned rakishly and set his hat firmly upon his head before entering. He then stopped and kissed her cheek gallantly. "You look ravishing, m'dear."
Willow just then looked down at herself, noticing her the light dress of sheer glittery fabric, and more glitter on her arms and legs. As they walk into the main room, she glanced at the full-length mirror set prominently in view, and grinned at the gossamer wings sprouting from her back. "I'm a fairy princess. I got it out of a Victoria's Secret catalog."
Angel smiled. "You're stunning, m'dear."
Willow chuckled and looked around, still confused but smiling her way through it as Giles approached wearing a thick sorcerer's robe embroidered with moons and stars. A pointed cap rests upon his hat.
"Angel. Where are the others?" Giles asked, nodding a greeting, craning his neck to look at the door.
Angel rolled his eyes as he adjusted the cape behind his saber scabbard. "Cordelia had to have some special kind of makeup so Wesley took her to the drug store."
Giles ahhed in understanding and led Angel away to the table set with snacks and drinks. Willow watched them go, and jumped a bit as another knock sounded at the door.
Tentatively she walked to the door, taking a breath to clear her mind before she opened the door.
"YIYIYIYIYIYIYIYIYIYIYIYIYIYIYI!!!"
Willow gulped at the piercing noise and looked out to see ... Xena?
"Hey Wills, looking sweet!" Buffy's voice emerged from Xena's mouth.
Willow smiled slightly as she motioned Buffy in, who was followed by ... Superman?
Buffy grinned and took Riley's arm. "How do you like our outfits, Wills?"
Willow took a breath and nodded as she shut the door. "Very nice - is that sword real, Buffy?"
"Of course, I borrowed it from Giles. C'mon Riley, let's check out the snackies."
"Umm, Angel has a sword too - you promised ..."
"Yes, Wills, I promised. Don't worry, I won't spoil your party." Buffy replied as she moved away.
"Hi Willow ..." Riley said as Buffy dragged him by. Willow waved half-heartedly.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Willow opened the door quickly, bracing herself.
"Ta-da!"
Willow smiled as Cordelia posed in the doorway, dressed in a sparkling scarlet formal with a white ribbon draped over one shoulder and fastened at her waist. "Hey Cordelia."
"You like, Willow? I'm Miss America!" Cordelia gushed as she walked right past her.
Wesley entered as Cordelia flounced off. "You look very pretty, Willow."
Willow blushed a bit, and nodded as she shut the door. "Why, thank you, Doctor Wyndam- Price." She motioned to his white jacket and stethoscope.
Wesley nodded and looked into the room. "Are there more guests coming?" v "A few," Willow answered before a knock sounded and she moved to the door again.
"TRICK OR TREAT!!"
Willow grinned at the group of children dressed as Power Rangers, M&Ms and Furbies standing on the doorstep. "I've got some candy for you, guys." She reached down to grab the bowl of candy corn packages and distributed them liberally to the trick-or-treaters. She waved at the parents standing on the curb. "Have fun!" she called as the kids ran off.
Willow had just shut the door when another knock sounded. Her eyes widened once the door was open. "Spike?"
The vampire looked at her through wire- rimmed glasses and grinned momentarily. Dressed all in tweed, including a proper bowler hat, he stood with his hands shoved in his pockets.
"Ello there, Red. Your friendly neighborhood Watcher calling."
Willow giggled. "Well, then, friendly neighborhood Watcher, come in."
Spike entered and shut the door, walking with Willow through the cobwebs into the lighted main room. "Quite the party. Aren't you just lovely tonight, witch." He leaned to kiss her cheek. His gaze raked down her mostly exposed and glitter-covered body.
Willow blushed again. "Thanks."
Spike grinned and tapped her nose. "Anytime, luv." He then moved off to speak to Angel and Giles as Willow's attention was again drawn to the door.
Willow laughed aloud as she opened the door.
"Ahhhhh-ah ah ah ah ah ah----- ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!"
Willow giggled as the guests inside craned their necks to see Xander standing in the door - in a loincloth.
Giles grumbled to Angel, who was picking his jaw up off the floor. "I may be stricken blind after this..."
"I am Tarzan, King of the Jungle!" Xander proclaimed as he entered the shop, striking a pose just inside the door.
Anya followed Xander in, dressed in a beaded dress and headband. "I'm a flapper ... I loved the Roaring 20s." She stepped into the main room, bouncing a little on her tap shoes.
Xander ran ahead of her, yodeling, and grabbed Buffy, swinging her around as he tossed her over his shoulder. Her giggles filled the room. "Oogh, me Tarzan. You Xena." Xander proclaimed before noticing the Twinkies and making a beeline for the table, taking Buffy with him.
"Now just a minute," Riley said while following across the room, cape floating.
KNOCK KNOCK
Willow just kept giggling as she opened the door, stopping when she saw who ... sat ... there.
"I am Professor Xavier, dear child."
Willow blinked, then nodded, stepping aside to let an impeccably dressed Ethan ... roll in.
Ethan smiled and patted her hand after she closed the door, settling her eyes on the wheelchair. "I heard about your party and thought I would call. I assume the costume is appropriate?" he straightened the lapels of his sharp suit.
Willow gulped. "Ah, yes. I saw that movie this summer."
Ethan nodded and rolled into the main room, calling out a greeting. "Ah, Ripper - so this is your new shop I've been hearing about..." Willow lost track of the conversation as someone else knocked at the door.
Her eyes popped as she opened the door.
"Hey Red. You look hot, chick. I hear there's a party on."
Willow moistened her dry lips as she stared at the made-up Cleopatra waiting for her to answer. "Ah, yes, Faith."
"Great! I love a good party. We can celebrate my parole." The jingle of the many gold bangles and chains covering the slim dark- haired woman filled Willow's ears as Faith passed by into the main room, slinking in the sheer sarong that barely covered her enough to be decent in public.
Willow winced at Buffy's immediate outcry - "I have to be nice to HER, too??" Before she could even close the door, a sound interrupted her.
"Ah, Willow?"
The redhead turned to look out the door, and she smiled involuntarily. "Come in, Jonathon."
The shy boy smiled and nodded, entering, pulling his red-lined cape with him and standing very straight before Willow shut the trailing fabric in the door. "Guess who I am?"
Willow tried to repress a chuckle. "Um, Dracula?"
Jonathon's eyes lit up. "Wow! I must look great!" he said through the wax teeth filling his mouth.
Willow nodded, biting her tongue and forcing away a smile. "Sure. Go ahead in." She followed him into the main room, smiling at the large group present, almost happy for a moment before she remembered the missing Tara. Willow sighed deeply, then remembered her goal for the evening. To find out the heart's desire of each of her friends. Not to mention her own.
~Part: 4~
The party was slowly loosening up as those separated caught up on the past year, and Giles brought out more punch, serving small cups off a silver tray.
Willow smiled and stopped to stand by Angel. He smiled down at her.
"Um, sorry to bring up, um, bad things, but we heard about Kate. I'm sorry." Willow murmured.
Angel's face sobered and he took an unnecessary breath so he could sigh. "Yeah. Me too."
Willow frowned. "I heard she was a friend of yours."
Angel shrugged, "Well, it started out that way. Then vampires killed her father, and she just wouldn't stop hunting them. It was only a matter of time." His eyes echoed more pain.
Willow nudged. "There's something you're not telling me."
Angel shook his head. "I had to kill her Willow. She was turned ... I had to dust her. She wouldn't have wanted to be a vampire."
Willow stepped forward without thinking and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him. Surprised, Angel just let his arms surround her. After a few moments, he asked softly, "What's this for?"
Willow looked up to him, tears glittering in her eyes. "For having such a kind heart."
Emotion poured from Angel's eyes, but he didn't let himself say a word.
Suddenly, Giles' voice broke over the low din of conversation. "Willow, I believe you should come here."
Willow looked over to see most of the group huddled around the television. She walked over and recognized the news. "What is it, Giles?"
The newscaster spoke. "And in a freak accident, a 747 flying from Los Angeles to New York crashed in the Rocky Mountains this evening, apparently the victim of a freak storm that swept the plane off course and into the side of a mountain. There are no survivors of Flight 2556 ..." his voice droned on as the flight number echoed in Willow's brain.
"Tara." She whispered as she sank to the floor, in shock. Spike hurried to stand beside her, one arm about her shaking shoulders. "She's ...dead?"
Giles took a breath and nodded. "It appears so, Willow. I'm sorry."
The others remained silent, Wesley turning the volume on the television down as Willow sat with silent tears coursing down her cheeks.
Finally Willow spoke. "She broke up with me before she left. She wasn't coming back. She even took our kitten."
Silence remained until Buffy spoke. "We're sorry, Wills. This must be very hard, having the party tonight after that."
Willow shrugged, trying to clear her mind. "I didn't wish her dead, but at least the thought of her coming back won't haunt me." She winced as she realized that the Powers That Be were taking a hand in her decision - she and Tara weren't meant to be.
Spike wandered over and wrapped an arm around Willow's waist, squeezing gently. "You OK, Pet?"
Willow smiled up at Spike, touched by the glint of concern in his ice-blue eyes. "Yeah, I guess. This is a party, right? Then let's party!" she forced a smile and moved to the stereo, turning on some dance music.
Spike grinned and walked over to the punch bowl, pouring himself a fresh cup. After glancing around, he pulled a full bottle of whiskey from his tweed jacket and dumped it into the punch, whistling happily the whole time.
He glanced back over at the little witch and waggled his eyebrows. Grinning at her come- hither look and batting eyelashes, he left the food table, changing his whistle to "I Only Have Eyes for You" and swept Willow into an impromptu waltz, cheered on by the rest of the crowd, who soon joined in.
Willow absented herself to a darker corner and took some time to consider he gathered friends. How would she determine their heart's desires? She thought about each one in turn, and then sighed. She would have to work a spell - there would be no other way.
She sat cross-legged and chanted softly for a few moments, pleading for help from the Powers That be. When she opened her eyes, a book lay on the floor in front of her, opened to a spell. Blinking because her request spell actually worked, Willow skimmed the spell and nodded. Within moments she had chanted it and said each person's name, pausing after each. After she finished, she spoke the activation spell, and for a moment, time itself seemed to still ... and she could actually SEE into her friend's hearts. She could see their heart's desires. Happiness swelled within her, blooming heat and hope in her own heart.
The spell finished and time resumed its plodding forward, and Willow sat with a silly smile on her face. She blinked, and realized with horror that she couldn't remember what she had just seen ... and then Giles approached.
"Willow? Are you all right?"
Willow looked up at him, and when her eyes met his, she could read the secrets of his heart. She smiled, knowing this would work out.
"I'm just great, Giles. Really. No - really!" she assured him as he helped her stand and they walked to the food table.
A couple hours later, since Spike had "spiked" the punch - the group had gotten a little "punchy." OK, a lot punchy, Willow conceded, thinking of the last three hours: Watching Buffy and Riley make out on the sofa right next to Ethan, Wesley and Faith carrying on a conversation about some obscure language, Angel and Spike arm wrestling as Cordelia and Anya cheered them on, Giles, Jonathon and Xander over in a corner, carrying on what looked to be a deep conversation.
Within the last half hour, most of the group drifted together and either seated or draped themselves on a grouping of couches, chatting while finishing off a stack of double chocolate rice krispie treats.
"I'm telling you," Xander insisted. "Katherine Heigl is the hottest babe out there - Roswell rocks."
Riley spluttered. "It's nothing compared to Charmed. Alyssa Milano, there you go." He grunted as Buffy smacked him in the gut.
Willow piped up, "I don't know - the girl who plays Joey on Dawson's Creek is kind of yummy."
Spike scowled even as Cordelia gaped at Willow and said, "Dawson's Creek? Next you'll be telling me you watch Passions!"
Willow looked at her pointedly. "I DO watch Passions."
Spike broke in, "HEY, I watch Passions. Even the King of Brood has been known to watch Passions."
All eyes in the room turn to Angel, whose face is stuck in that deer-in-the-headlights look. Giles cleared his throat, almost grinning. Xander chuckled lightly.
Angel sighed, draining his cup. "I like the talking doll, OK?"
Groans filled the room, punctuated by screams of laughter from Spike.
Jonathon spoke up. "Anybody got the time?"
Spike glanced at his watch. "5 a.m."
Angel scowled. "It's not even midnight."
Spike tapped the watch, cursing. "Damn battery went out again."
Buffy snickered. "You need the Energizer Bunny."
Spike stuck his tongue out at her. "I /am/ the Energizer Bunny, luv."
Ooooos filled the room at that taunt. Buffy just grinned. "I'm sure you looks so good in pink."
Spike swore again as Anya broke in. "I was the bunny, not Spike, remember?"
Willow stood to refill punch cups as the conversation degenerated and stopped dead in her tracks as the lights went out.
Giggles filled the room as Giles pronounced the breakers blown by the numerous crock- pots lining the food table. Willow just waved a hand and lit the many candles standing around, bathing the room in a golden sheen.
Seeing her friends and others gathered around, Willow seized the moment. "I have a suggestion."
Xander called out from the food table. "Hey, G- Man, we're out of caramel ice cream topping for the apples!"
"Xander, Willow wants to say something."
The boy hung his head, and looked appealingly at Willow. "Sorry, Wills."
Willow smiled. "Come here, Xander. Sit with the others."
Xander bounded over to take a seat on the crowded couch, pushing in between Anya and Buffy.
Willow grinned, looking around. "All right - seeing as how it's my party - I want everyone to grant me a wish."
Howls of protest sounded, echoing in various voices off the walls.
Willow waved a hand. "Nope. I'm not giving in. One wish from each of you."
Good-natured ribbing filled the room and the group settled down.
"Geez, Wills, not asking for much, are you?" Buffy asked, smiling.
Willow shrugged, and turned in a circle. "OK - here's my wish for each of you."
Jonathon spoke up. "We're all doing the same thing?"
"Not bloody likely," Spike replied before Angel smacked him upside the back of the head.
Giles shushed the group. "Just listen. I think we all know we'd do anything for Willow."
Most people muttered agreement, a few looked thoughtful. Willow took that as agreement.
"I worked a spell earlier this evening, one that will help alleviate any ... ah ... queasiness on your parts for what I'm about to ask you to do."
Faith laughed. "Oh boy - this sounds like it's going to be good."
Willow continued. "And since we're all doing it, no one gets embarrassed, OK?"
Buffy's eyes are wide. "Geez, Willow, sounds like you're proposing an orgy or something."
Spike perked up. "An orgy? Really??" he bounced happily as Anya rolled her eyes.
Willow chuckled. "Ready?"
Ethan rapped on the coffee table. "Get on with it then."
Willow nodded, and carefully considered her phrasing. "Please know - I chose this spell because I want you all to be happy. Now."
"Be with the one you desire above all."
~Part: 5~
At that moment, time slowed again, till everyone moved in slow motion, amazement filling eyes and voices as they looked around to one another.
Willow watched, amazed at the brightness of her friends' souls - even those of Ethan and Faith. Even Spike glowed from within - a oddity that stuck in Willow's mind until her attention was gained by time snapping back to reality.
Everyone in the group looked dazed as they were all standing, looking around at each other. Willow smiled as her attention was caught by someone shuffling through the room ... Xander.
And he walked to the center of the room, only to be met by Angel.
Xander swallowed, somehow calm within at admitting this secret. "Angel." He whispered.
A look of incredible joy crossed Angel's face. "Xander...?" he whispered in return.
Willow turned her attention to Giles, who was already standing with a woman, his trembling hand caressing her face, wiping away tears.
"Oh Giles..." Buffy whispered.
Another couple gravitated toward one another.
"I've always wanted a man who wouldn't be upset that I'm strong." Faith murmured as she found herself standing with Jonathon.
Jonathon smiled endearingly. "I don't mind at all. I think you're just incredible." He took her hand and they went to sit on the couch, talking quietly.
Willow turned again and gasped, seeing Riley and Anya locked in a torrid embrace. Blinking, she shook her head and shrugged, not questioning.
Another step and Willow could see Wesley and Cordelia sitting together, talking softly. With a soft sigh, Willow was glad to see that their earlier romance would be rekindled - with Wesley much more the man, now.
Before she could turn to see Ethan, there was a knock at the door.
Mind whirling, Willow opened the door and stood stock still, fright filling her throat as a trill of tinkling harp music filled her ears.
"I do so love parties. May I come in, crying tree?" a soft voice requested.
Willow swallowed, looking across the threshold at Drusilla - dressed all in white as an angel, golden halo and all, carrying a small harp. "Ah...."
"We promise not to cause trouble. I just want to play dress-up with everyone else." Drusilla answered, smiling prettily.
Willow frowned. "We?"
Another figure stepped into the doorway, a tall man dressed in fatigues. "Hi Willow."
"Graham?" Willow asked, astounded.
Graham nodded. "Well, sort of. I'm a vampire now."
Willow's face turned sad. "I'm sorry."
Graham waved a hand. "Don't be. I was dying, after the big blow out at the Initiative. Dru here found me and saved me. We're in love."
Dru smiled brightly up at Graham. "Can we have cookies?" she asked him.
Graham chuckled. "Sure, if Willow will invite us in."
Willow bit her lip. "Ah, how about a plate to go..."
Dru's eyes glazed over, and her voice deepened. Time slowed for a moment, and Willow saw the two glow from within. "Don't worry, Willow, we're here to complete the circle. There's nothing to fear from us tonight."
Willow grinned and asked them to wait, she hurried to the food table and ransacked the cookies, packing up a bag for the vampires, who accepted them happily and waved goodbye as they walked off arm in arm.
Then one thought took center stage in her mind.
Spike.
Willow turned and walked back into the room, nearly running into Ethan.
"Ethan?" she asked, confused.
"I want to thank you, dear girl. My heart's desire was to cleanse my soul of past evils so I could love and respect myself once again. You have honored me. Thank you." Ethan bowed and kissed her hand.
Willow smiled and nodded. "You're welcome."
She turned, only to freeze as her eyes met a steady pair of ice-blue ones, totally focused on her.
~Part: 6~
Willow's breath caught and her stomach clenched as Spike stepped toward her, an open, naked yearning in his face.
"Pet?" he whispered as her stood only inches from her.
Willow's mind whirled as every fiber of her being reached out toward him. "Spike ..." she breathed, reaching up to pull his lips to hers.
Their lips met in an explosion of heat and cold, tongues sliding and battling in a fight to know each other immediately.
Willow strained against Spike, trying to touch her body to his as he chuckled and pulled her close, breaking off the kiss. "Don't worry, luv," he whispered into her ear, tongue darting out to lick the fine curl of flesh, "We've got all kinds of time."
Willow sighed as something clicked, and she felt complete. Spike loosened his hold on her just a bit, and she smiled up at him as he returned a cocky grin. They stood with each other for some time, just soaking in each other.
Warmth filled her heart as Willow finally turned around to see the couples converging on her in various states of disarray.
Giles sighed, taking off his glasses. "Willow, I don't know how many times I've told you not to play with the black arts..."
Willow's eyes rounded and she panicked. "But Giles..."
He raised a hand to stop her. "But I think this time ..." he pulled Buffy to his side, "I'll overlook it." He finished with a rakish grin.
Willow let out a sigh of relief just as they all jumped from a load groan in a dark corner.
Ethan cleared his throat and purposely did not look in that direction, announcing, "Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's been a fine evening, and I think I'll be on my way." He stood and left the shop without saying another word.
Willow blinked, peering around the main room.
"Xander?"
Cordelia frowned. "Are they getting it on over there?"
Wesley groaned. "Good Lord."
Buffy's eyes widened. "Um - bad. Badness. Not that it's them - but the end result. Badness!"
Anya's face turned stony. "Xander's told me about Angelus."
Willow nodded, wincing at the groans echoing from the dark corner. "Yeah, right, and Peaches will lose his soul again. Just not gonna happen. Surely Xander and Angel can control themselves."
Spike growled, "Luv, by the sound of it, you're wrong." Willow whimpered.
Faith and Jonathon looked up in surprise as Giles swears under his breath. "Lose his soul?" Faith echoed. "Should we do something?"
Riley started bouncing a bit, agitated. "If this is bad, shouldn't we stop it?"
Wesley covered his face with his hands as rhythmic thumping reached their ears.
Buffy took the moment to yell, "Do you guys mind? We're trying to stop a BAD THING here - cooperate a little, will you?"
The thumping ended, and only a couple groans answered.
Anya set her jaw. "Well, I'm going back there."
Giles tried to catch her arm. "Perhaps that isn't the best choice."
Anya paused. "They couldn't be done yet, right?" Then she moved into the shaded corner. The rest of the group waited, holding their breaths.
After a few minutes of murmuring, a vicious growl and then a piercing scream ripped through the shop, and Anya's body flew across the room, slamming into bookcases full of geodes and bottles, everything smashing to the ground over her.
Spike growled and pushed Willow behind him, facing the prospect of his enraged Sire.
Everyone else stood in shock until Riley shook it off and rushed into the corner, roaring. Buffy screamed at him to stop as Giles rushed behind the counter for stakes.
The group scattered as Riley's flying body followed Anya's, crashing onto the large table with a sickening thud.
Buffy screamed out in anger, "ANGELUS!"
With an evil grin, a shirtless Angelus walked out of the shadows, Xander right behind him.
"Party time."
~Part: 7~
Buffy tugged off the black wig, throwing it across the room. Her blonde hair was French- braided tightly to her head, and she pulled two wooden hair pins, each about 6 inches long, from the braid.
"Angelus. This ends now." she announced and the rest of the group flared out beside her with various weapons.
Angelus stopped and cocked his head, looking around. "You think I want to take on you all? No way."
Buffy blinked. "Huh?"
Giles gestured with a short sword toward where Cordelia was trying to dig out Anya and Jonathon was sitting by Riley. "Explain yourself, then, before you're dust."
To drive home Giles' point, Faith drew a couple knives from hidden sheaths on her thighs, moving to stand next to Buffy in battlestance.
Xander stepped forward, and Willow cried out in agony as they took in the twin trails of blood trailing down his neck to his chest - and his eyes that flashed yellow.
"That's enough." He said to Buffy.
"Oh, Xander..." Buffy murmured. "I'm so sorry..."
Xander chuckled. "Sorry? What for?" he slung an arm around Angelus' waist. "I'm happier than ever."
Wesley stood with a battle ax, ready to swing. "This shouldn't have happened."
Angelus held out his arms. "Fine - kill me."
Everyone froze. Finally Buffy stammered. "Wha - what?"
Faith sneered. "It's an act."
Angelus winked and shrugged. "Look - I'm back, and Xander's with me. That's all there is to it."
Spike finally spoke up. "Something's different about him."
"What?" Buffy asked, not moving her eyes off him.
"He feels different - not the old Angelus. Not at all." Spike struggled with the words.
Angelus crossed his arms. "Willow's spell, I would bet. Although I find it mildly annoying, I really have no wish to kill you all."
Giles' jaw dropped as Buffy shifted her stance. "It's a trick."
Xander ignored her and wrapped his arms around Angelus, murmuring and licking his neck. Cordelia walked forward. "What are you waiting for? Kill him! Anya and Riley are dead."
Faith straightened. "B?"
Buffy frowned. "So what's the deal, Angelus? Speak up or hold my piece." She threatened, moving closer with the mini-stakes.
Xander answered as Angelus' mouth was occupied with licking Xander's shoulder. "Anya was cheating on me with Riley. Who was cheating on you. They had been for months. Anya wanted a baby and Riley didn't mind providing a pregnancy."
Buffy froze and Giles walked over to touch her arm.
Spike growled. "So? Why kill them? Not that I care, but..."
Angelus growled right back. "She hurt Xander. That's enough reason for me."
Xander nodded to Buffy. "And Riley hurt you, that was enough for me. But if you hurt Angelus, don't expect me to take your side again."
Buffy blinked, looking over at Riley's body slumped on the table. "He cheated on me? With ANYA?" he voice rose several octaves as Giles set down his sword.
Jonathon piped in, "I wondered why I saw her leaving the frat house so often."
Buffy's face turned crimson with anger. "That BASTARD!"
"Yes, well, Buffy, now that doesn't hold much meaning in current matters..." Giles tried to soothe her.
"He cheated on ME!"
"Buffy, dearest..."
"On ME! With ANYA! With a demon girl who had NO taste and NO tact!"
Giles led the fuming Buffy away as she continued to rant. Faith shrugged and sheathed her knives, walking over to sit with Jonathon. Cordy and Wesley followed Buffy and Giles.
Spike walked over and offered his hand to Angelus, who shook it firmly. "Welcome back, old man."
Angelus grinned. "It's good to be back - and not insane, this time."
Willow spoke up from behind Spike. "Not insane is good..."
Xander craned his neck around Spike. "Come around here, you luscious best friend of mine."
Spike growled and held her close to him, and Xander just laughed. "Don't worry, Spike. I can tell who she belongs to. But don't tell me you won't share."
Willow grinned as the three men started bickering good-naturedly, then jerked as time froze.
Doyle appeared in a flash of smoke. "Well, Willow, have you made your choice?"
Willow grinned and looked back at the three vampire males standing near. "Oh yeah."
Doyle smiled. "Congratulations." He snapped his fingers and everything went dark.
~Part: 8~
Willow slowly came to consciousness, and opened her eyes, peering into the dimness around her. A phone rang, and startled, she reached over a blanket-covered body to answer it.
"Hello?" she asked warily.
"Hey Wills!" Buffy's voice chirped.
"Hi Buffy."
"I just wanted to tell you all not to worry, that Giles and I are joining Wes and Cordy and Faith and Jonathon on their trip."
"Trip?" Willow echoed, confused.
"To Vegas, silly. To get married, remember? Those of us who are human can get on with our lives, unlike one red-headed witch living with three cold-blooded vampires?"
Willow cleared her throat nervously. "Ah, right. So you're all getting married?"
Buffy laughed. "You'll remember when you wake up more. And it's all thanks to you. We love you, Wills! Bye!"
"Bye ..." Willow answered softly, hanging up the phone slowly.
Spike shifted under her as she leaned back and mumbled, "Whas the matter, luv? Hmmm?" he snaked an arm around her waist.
Xander opened one eye to look up at her from the other side. He smiled as she looked down at him, and at Angelus, who lay spooned against Xander's other side.
Willow cleared her throat. "Um - that was Buffy - she and Giles are going with the rest to get married, too. Just wanted to make sure everything was OK here before they left."
Spike chuckled. "You took care of that, luv. We're all peachy. Even Peaches."
A small pillow clobbered Spike's head from the other side of the bed as Xander laughed.
Willow yawned. "So everything's OK?"
Angelus growled lightly. "No, you're sitting up instead of lying down with us."
Willow chuckled and lay back down, content.
The End